Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Connecticut; Determination of Attainment of the One-Hour Ozone Standard for the Greater Connecticut Area

The EPA is determining that the Greater Connecticut serious one-hour ozone nonattainment area did not meet the applicable deadline of November 15, 2007, for attaining the one-hour National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for ozone. This determination is based upon complete, quality-assured, certified ambient air monitoring data that show the area had an expected ozone exceedance rate above the level of the now revoked one-hour ozone NAAQS for the 2005-2007 monitoring period. Separate from and independent of this determination, EPA is also determining that the Greater Connecticut serious one-hour ozone nonattainment area currently attains the now revoked one-hour NAAQS for ozone, based upon complete, quality-assured, certified ambient air monitoring data for 2008-2010. The area first attained the one-hour NAAQS during the 2006-2008 monitoring period, and continued in attainment during the 2007-2009, and 2008-2010 monitoring periods. Quality assured and quality controlled, but not yet certified ozone data available for 2011 indicate that the area continues to attain the one-hour NAAQS. These determinations are made under the Clean Air Act.