Utilities Seek Revised Ozone Designations Based On 'Exceptional Events'

Electric utility groups are calling on EPA to revise several of its proposed designations of areas violating the agency's 2015 ozone national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS) and change them to attainment based on air pollution associated with “exceptional events” such as wildfires that increase ozone levels. Industry groups, states, environmentalists and others in public comments submitted ahead of a Feb. 5 deadline express wide-ranging criticisms of EPA's proposed nonattainment designations for the 2015 NAAQS, which the Obama EPA set...