Dec 15, 2016
Baton Rouge - Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency re-designated the Greater Baton Rouge Nonattainment Area (BRNA) to attainment for the 2008 8-hour ozone standard. The state of Louisiana submitted a request for EPA to re-designate the BRNA to attainment status and to approve a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision containing a maintenance plan for the area. This is another milestone in Louisiana’s continuing effort to improve air quality.
EPA also approved the state’s 10-year plan for maintaining attainment of the 2008 8-hour ozone standard in the area and determined that the BRNA continues to attain the 2008 8-hour ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard and has met the criteria for re-designation to attainment.
“There has been a concerted effort to improve air quality and it has involved all facets of our communities,” LDEQ Secretary Dr. Chuck Carr Brown said. “It’s a testament to industry leaders, the public and LDEQ employees who all worked diligently for better air quality.”
The proposed rule to approve the BRNA re-designation request and SIP revision was published in the Federal Register on Nov. 4 and the public comment period closed on Dec. 5. No comments were received on the proposed approval.
This accomplishment was made possible through the cooperation of LDEQ, industry, local governments, communities and individuals in the five-parish Greater Baton Rouge area (which encompasses the parishes of East Baton Rouge, West Baton Rouge, Livingston, Iberville and Ascension).