EPA Proposes Pollution Controls at Freeport Miami Smelter and 5 Other Facilities

The US Envornmental Protection Agency is proposing pollution controls at six facilities in Arizona to improve visibility at national parks and wilderness areas.

The EPA is proposing a plan to limit emissions such as nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide at facilities including Freeport McMoRan’s Miami smelter and ASARCO’s Hayden smelter.

The EPA estimates this would reduce sulfur dioxide by almost 30,000 tons a year and nitrogen oxides by 3,100 tons a year.

The EPA will hold public hearings on February 25 in Phoenix and on February 26 in Tucson. The agency will accept comments for 45 days after publication in the Federal Register.

Arizona Considers Repeal of Emission Rules

A proposal from Governor Brewer and the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality would repeal Arizona’s tough vehicle emissions standards. Public News Service reports that under federal law, states can choose to follow the national EPA standards or the more strict California emission rules. Arizona and 12 other states follow the California emission rules.

The state is claiming that the federal standards are similar to the California standards but the benefits of keeping the California rules don’t justify the higher cost.

Arizona Public Interest Research Group Director Diane Brown says the state should be implementing not repealing clean air programs.

Gila County and Yuma County have received an “F” for ozone pollution along with the two metropolitan counties. Brown says clean cars produce less air pollution which reduces health problems, such as asthma attacks.

A public hearing on the repeal of the Arizona Clean Cars Program will be held on June 21 in Phoenix.