The EPA is considering an application from the Ute Tribe that could have a real effect on the area’s nonattainment status when it comes to air quality. The application being considered was submitted last week and was a joint effort between the Ute Tribe, EPA Region 8 officials, scientists from the USU Bingham Energy Center and the Utah Division of Air Quality. The evidence provided in the application outlines how Ozone exceedances that occurred on June 8th and 9th in 2015 were the result of what the EPA defines as an
Exceptional Event
because “the intrusion of stratospheric air into the troposphere contribut[ed] ozone to the surface measurements.” In other words, the ozone readings for those two days were not related to surface events but were a result of a larger weather event that drew ozone to the surface from the stratosphere. According to USU Energy Research Director Dr. Seth Lyman, an approval would provide the ability to throw some data out that could affect the averages and lower the nonattainment status from a moderate to a marginal exceedance. The EPA is accepting public comment on the application through September 29th which can be emailed to
payton.richard@epa.gov
.
