EPA Approves Arizona's Updated Cleaner Gas and Winter Fuel Rules to Cut Air Pollution
Official: Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; Arizona; Revisions to the Cleaner Burning Gasoline, Winter Oxygenated Fuel, and Gasoline Set-Aside Programs
Reading: The EPA is approving Arizona's revisions to existing air-quality programs—updating the Cleaner Burning Gasoline and Winter Oxygenated Fuel programs with clarifying language and repealing an outdated set-aside program—without increasing stringency or reducing the overall scope of pollution control.
This is largely a cleanup of existing rules to remove outdated language and make them clearer.
In clear language
The EPA is proposing to approve Arizona's updated plan to reduce air pollution in Phoenix and Tucson. The plan updates a clean-burning gasoline program to reduce smog and pollution, keeps a winter fuel program to cut carbon monoxide in Tucson, and eliminates an older gasoline set-aside program. This is largely a cleanup of existing rules to remove outdated language and make them clearer.
How does this affect you?
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Who does this affect?
- Residents of the Phoenix metropolitan area who breathe the air downwind of vehicle emissions and refineries
- Residents of Tucson who benefit from lower winter carbon monoxide pollution
- Gas stations and fuel suppliers in Arizona who must follow fuel composition rules
- Anyone in Arizona with respiratory conditions or asthma affected by ozone and smog levels
What can you do?
- Review the Federal Register at the URL provided and submit a comment if you live in Arizona or have concerns about air quality in Phoenix or Tucson
- Monitor your local air quality forecasts during summer months when ozone pollution peaks, and reduce driving on high pollution days
No New Jersey official has a verified action on this policy yet.
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