Thaindian News

FRANKFORT, KENTUCKY (BNO NEWS) – The Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed to re-designate Boone, Campbell and Kenton counties as attaining federal air quality standards for ozone pollution, the Kentucky Division of Air Quality announced on Thursday.

Boone, Campbell, and Kenton counties have been out of compliance with the standard for a number of years, primarily due to monitored violations in Cincinnati, but the northern Kentucky counties were considered to be partly responsible for the region’s air quality problems because the area is linked through a Core Based Statistical Area (CSBA) designation.

Improved air monitoring has helped Kentucky, as the state documented the local and regional emission reductions that led to improved air quality in the area.

“This is a particularly significant accomplishment, given the long history of air quality issues in the Tri-State area,” Governor Steve Beshear said. “These improvements in air quality highlight how local and state governments can work with businesses and other interests in a community to do what is best for both the economy and the environment.”

The federal register listing indicates EPA’s approval of Kentucky’s request would allow the aforementioned counties to be recognized as meeting national ambient air quality standards. EPA’s proposal to accept Kentucky’s request must now go through a review and comment period before becoming final.

Ohio counties linked to the tri-state Cincinnati-Hamilton area have also gone through this review process and those counties have been given final designation as attaining the federal standard.