Maricopa County is challenging the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality's (ADEQ) recent declaration of a significant swath of the region as a nonattainment area for PM2.5, the harmful particulate matter that can affect air quality and public health. According to the Maricopa County Air Quality Department (MCAQD), the county is appealing to the Office of Administrative Hearings, insisting ADEQ's proposal is too extensive and neglects areas where businesses are not contributing to PM2.5 pollution.
In their appeal, MCAQD suggests the ADEQ's decision fails to consider county-provided data indicating the nonattainment boundary should be smaller, because PM2.5 exceedances can be mostly traced back to specific activities such as fireworks and wood burning, not to mention that this decision has significant regulatory and economic repercussions, potentially influencing transportation funding and business development within Maricopa County. "Maricopa County is committed to ensuring that regulatory decisions are based on validated research, and we urge ADEQ to work with us to correct these deficiencies and develop a boundary that is both legally and scientifically justified," Chairman Thomas Galvin, District 2, of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, as quoted in the official statement.
Throughout this disagreement, MCAQD emphasizes its dedication to transparent governance and science-based regulation, requesting a collaborative effort with ADEQ for a revised boundary recommendation, that accurately represents the region's PM2.5 emission landscape, while preserving the county's air quality and fostering economic stability. "ADEQ’s decision has significant economic and regulatory consequences, impacting our ability to develop targeted air quality rules and permitting programs that effectively address the actual sources of PM2.5 emissions,” as outlined in MCAQD's announcement.
For more information and continuous updates on the appeal's progression, the media contact at Maricopa County has provided further details in both English and Spanish. Those interested or affected by the ongoing air quality and regulatory negotiations are encouraged to stay informed through the county's channels.
