Following Gallego Calls, Administration Approves New Maricopa County Clean Air Credits Rule
New rule will keep Arizona’s economy growing while protecting air quality
PHOENIX – Today, the White House announced the conditional approval of a new rule which will allow for new offsets to create clean air credits in Maricopa County. Following the announcement, Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-03) released this statement:
“Thanks to our CHIPS and Science Act, Maricopa County has become the national hub for semiconductor and clean energy manufacturing – creating good paying jobs and growing our economy,” said Rep. Gallego. “But regulations and red tape threaten to hold many of these projects back, which is why I called on the Administration to work with the County to find solutions that allow for continued development while protecting air quality. I’m glad to see the Administration heeding my call with this new rule announcement today.”
The new rule, Rule 205, will allow companies to generate credits by replacing or retrofitting diesel-burning vehicles with electric vehicles. Manufacturers or other new emitters can then purchase those credits to balance out their future emissions – ensuring new projects can come online while protecting air quality for Arizonans.
In February, following numerous conversations with Maricopa County leaders, Rep. Gallego sent a letter urging the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to use its administrative flexibility and work with Maricopa County to more effectively target air pollution without unfairly punishing the County.