WASHINGTON (Dec. 23, 2015) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will hold three public hearings on the proposed updates to the national air quality standards for ground-level ozone, also known as smog. EPA has proposed to strengthen the standards to a level within a range of 65 to 70 parts per billion (ppb) to better protect Americans’ health and the environment, while taking comment on a level down to 60 ppb. The agency estimates that the benefits of meeting the proposed standards will significantly outweigh the costs, preventing asthma attacks, heart attacks, missed school days and premature deaths, among other health effects.
The public hearings will be held Jan. 29 at Arlington City Hall in Arlington, Texas, and at the U.S. EPA William Jefferson Clinton East Building in the District of Columbia and Feb. 2 at the California Air Resources Board Byron Sher Auditorium in Sacramento, California. Each hearing will begin at 9 a.m. and continue until 7:30 p.m. local time.
People attending the hearings in Washington and Sacramento will be required to show valid picture identification to enter the buildings. In Washington, an additional form of ID may be required for people with driver’s licenses issued by certain states.
The public may register to speak at a specific time at a hearing by contacting Eloise Shepherd at 919-541-5507 or shepherd.eloise@epa.gov. Interested individuals may also register in person on the day of the hearing. EPA will accept written comments on the proposed standards until March 17. The agency will issue a final rule by Oct. 1.
More information on the proposal and instructions for submitting written comments are available at epa.gov/glo/actions (http://www.epa.gov/glo/actions.html)