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- Hand delivery (EPA Docket Center, Environmental Protection Agency, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC). (Environmental Protection Agenry,llttlr /henvw epa xnv/air/ozoneyollution/naarlsxev3007 Y ynl#beatines, Accessed 9/1l /0'/) History of Ground-level Ozone Standards Ground-Level Ozone Is One Of Six Common Pollutants For Which The Clean Air Act Requires The EPA To Set National Standards. "Ground-level Ozone triggers a variety of health problems even at very low levels and may cause permanent lung damage after long-term exposure. It is one of six common pollutants for which the Clean Aix Act requires EPA to set National Ambient Aix Quality Standards (NAAQS). Vehicle exhaust and industrial emissions axe major sources of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOC) that help to form ozone." (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, ~~ //www egignv/tir/onmePollution/histmy.lrtml, Accessed 9/7/07) 1971 EPA established a 1-hoax NAAQS ozone standard of 0.08 ppm. 1979 EPA revised the 1-hour standard to 0.12 ppm. The number of counties designated fox non-attainment reached 371. 1991 Concerned about fhe new science indicating adverse effects at levels allowed by that NAAQS, the American Lung Association went to court to compel EPA Co act. 1994 EPA obtained a voluntary remand based on a promise to cgnsidex the newer studies. EPA and 37 eastern states form the Ozone Transport Assessment 1995 Group - work with stakeholders to study ozone transport fox two ears. EPA issued a three-volume criteria document encompassing hundreds 1996 of new scientific studies, finding "strong" scientific evidence of adverse health effects from ozone at levels allowed b the 1979 NAA S. Q,uly) EPA revised the air quality standards fox ozone replacing the 1979 standard with an 8-hour standard set at 0.08 ppm. Three states [*Olu°' Mtchigan, And West Virginia*] and dozens of industry 1997 laintiffs uickl challen ed the new standards. (October) EPA acted on the work of the Ozone Transport Assessment Group and proposes NOx regional reductions in the eastern US. 1998 EPA issued the final rule on regional NOx reductions, known as the NOx SIP Call. 1999 The DC Circuit Court of Appeals sent the 1997 standards back to I;PA fox further study. EPA appealed. The U.S. Supreme Court unattimously upheld the constitutionality of the Clean Aix Act as EPA had interpreted it in setting the 1997 health- 2001 Protective air quality standards. The Supreme Court also reaffirmed EPA's long-standing interpretation that it must set these standards based solely on public health considerations without consideration of cbsts. EPA began the process by which states (governors) and tribes submit 2002 recommendations fox what areas would be designated non-attainment failin to meet the 1997 standard . /1 ~~ 4