EPA Rejects Ozone Air Quality Plan; Building of Pollution Sources Banned
SAN FRANCISCO — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Wednesday disapproved the ozone air quality plan for Ventura County, an action that brings an automatic ban on the construction of major new industrial sources of pollution.
No such projects are on the drawing boards, according to county officials.
The EPA said Ventura County has exceeded national health levels for ozone “and is unable to demonstrate attainment of these standards in the foreseeable future.”
The federal agency’s final rejection of the Ventura plan is in response to a settlement agreement reached July 11 between the EPA and Citizens to Preserve the Ojai.
Under the Clean Air Act, the disapproval will bring an automatic ban on the construction of major new industrial sources of pollution. The ban will take effect in 30 days.
Ozone has an adverse affect on people with respiratory problems and the lung functions of healthy adults and children, the EPA said. Evidence also indicates that ozone damages vegetation and forest growth.
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