Ozone Reduction in Central Indiana Recognized by Federal Agency

EAST CENTRAL INDIANA - Residents in the nine-county Central Indiana area can breathe a sigh of relief – one that now is recognized as being healthy. Today, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) approved the Indiana Department of Environmental Management’s (IDEM’s) petition to redesignate Boone, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Johnson, Madison, Marion, Morgan and Shelby counties to “attainment” for the federal health-based air quality ozone standard.

“After years of good effort, the air is measurably cleaner and the path of future jobs and economic growth is easier and more straightforward,” said Governor Mitch Daniels.

Businesses will see reduced preparation time and lower costs for environmental applications. For example, new or expanding businesses will spend less on emissions data, modeling and consulting costs to obtain a permit.

The stigma attached to nonattainment often means developers avoid these areas; however, the new attainment designation will make the promotion of Central Indiana to businesses easier.

“Being able to change the ozone designation for these counties three years after the original designation is a testament to the hard work of citizens and businesses,” said Thomas W. Easterly, IDEM commissioner. “Central Indiana residents and businesses have taken action to reduce ozone levels and deserve recognition for their efforts.

IDEM developed and submitted the redesignation request and maintenance plan to U.S. EPA in March, 2007. Compliance with the federal ozone standard is determined by averaging ozone levels over three consecutive seasons. Quality assured ozone monitoring data shows the area achieved and maintained the federal ozone standard in 2006. Preliminary 2007 ozone data supports this conclusion.

U.S. EPA also approved IDEM’s maintenance plan outlining how it will continue monitoring ozone levels and take action if air quality unexpectedly degrades. The redesignation petition and maintenance plan can be viewed on IDEM’s Web site at http://www.idem.IN.gov/programs/air/redesignations .

U.S. EPA will publish the redesignation in the Federal Register and the action will be effective upon the date of publication.

The redesignation means Central Indiana’s air quality meets federal health-based standards. However, it is still possible for ozone to increase during some weather patterns. IDEM, in conjunction with the City of Indianapolis, will continue to monitor ozone levels and alert the public when action should be taken to reduce ozone-causing activity.
 
Source: Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM)

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