Greater Baton Rouge Nonattainment Area obtains attainment status for 2008 8-hour ozone standard

Following efforts to improve air quality, the Environmental Protection Agency recently redesignated the Greater Baton Rouge Nonattainment Area (BRNA), recognizing that the area is now in compliance with the agency’s 2008 8-hour ozone standard.

The BRNA includes the parishes of East Baton Rouge, West Baton Rouge, Livingston, Iberville and Ascension. Achieving the redesignation was a collaborative effort between the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) and local industries, governments and communities, as well as individuals living in the BRNA.

“There has been a concerted effort to improve air quality and it has involved all facets of our communities,” LDEQ Secretary Chuck Carr Brown said in a news release. “It’s a testament to industry leaders, the public and LDEQ employees who all worked diligently for better air quality.”

The rule to approve the BRNA redesignation, which was published on the federal register on Nov. 4 and subject to a 30-day public comment period, also includes approval of Louisiana’s State Implementation Plan (SIP), which is a decadelong outline of the state’s actions to maintain their compliance with the 2008 8-hour ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard.