Summary

The EPA-required plan, called a State Implementation Plan (SIP), presents air quality data showing the region will meet the federal standard for ozone -- a harmful gas formed when the sun heats polluted air -- by the fall of 2009. The plan includes a list of measures to reduce pollution from ozone-forming gases. In addition to federal and state measures, local governments and agencies in the region are expanding their purchases of wind energy and low emissions vehicles, and are building upon their energy efficiency programs.