EPA Announces Designations Under New Ozone Standards in Texas

EPA ANNOUNCES DESIGNATIONS UNDER NEW OZONE STANDARDS IN TEXAS

No area of the state reached 'serious' or 'severe' designation levels

The EPA on Thursday announced regions in the country that do not meet the new, more stringent ozone air quality standard under the Clean Air Act. The announcement also classified areas by the severity of their ozone conditions. No area in Texas was classified under the most severe levels. U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, made the following statement Thursday regarding the announcement and its impact on Texas:

"Although we still have much to do before every area of our state meets important attainment levels, I was encouraged to see that none of the non-attainment areas reached any of the most critical status levels. Though air quality is improving, meeting these new standards will allow the state to make further gains toward the important goals of cleaner air and better health.

"I will continue working with Sen. Hutchison, Chairman Barton, Gov. Perry and local and federal officials to speed the day when every area of the state attains these high air quality standards."