On Thursday, June 21, the U.S. EPA announced proposed revisions to the federal health standards for ozone. Though the proposal would make the ozone standard slightly more stringent, it doesn't go as far as recommended by the EPA's science advisors. It also leaves open the possibility of leaving the standard as is.

At the TCEQ hearing the end of January, I noted EPA likely will lower the ozone standard in the 11 years TCEQ claims it will take to attain the current standard.  Sure enough, EPA just announced its staff agree with scientific recommendations to tighten the standard below the current 85 ppb to between 60 and 80 ppb.  EPA has agreed to propose revision or retention of the current standard by June 20th.  Sadly, TCEQ will have just submitted its clean air plan under the current standard; a plan that won't pass muster, EPA has already said. See more local comments in the Chronicle..