The Director of the USU Bingham Research Center, Dr. Seth Lyman, gave an update on Uintah Basin air quality during the Vernal Chamber luncheon on Tuesday. Addressing winter ozone has been a focus of local officials for several years, especially since the EPA standard for ozone was lowered to 70 parts per billion. This standard has pushed the Uintah Basin closer to the possibility of non-attainment. According to Dr. Lyman, there have not been any days of non-attainment so far this winter but non-attainment is based on a 3 year average and the average varies depending on what 3 years are used. Dr. Lyman says based on the latest information from the EPA it is likely that parts of the Uintah Basin will be in the Marginal Non-Attainment category, which is the lowest exceedance level. In Marginal Non-Attainment, ways would have to be found to reduce emissions including offsets for large emission sources. A final designation by the EPA, explains Dr. Lyman, will be made later this year.
