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Denver Plan Will Reduce Smog Ahead of Schedule

Denver is ahead of schedule in the effort to reduce ground-level ozone, or smog. Because of the progress the Denver area has made and will continue to make under EPA's Early Action Compacts program, the agency is deferring certain ozone pollution requirements for Denver from July 1, 2007, until April 15, 2008.

As part of EPA's voluntary Early Action Compacts program, Denver committed to meeting EPA's more stringent 8-hour ozone standard by Dec. 31, 2007, earlier than required by the Clean Air Act.

Early Action Compacts provide a strong incentive for state and local governments, civic leaders and business interests to develop innovative, cost-effective strategies for improving ozone air quality in ways that are tailored to individual communities.

This is the third deferral for Denver. If they meet the 8-hour standard by Dec. 31, 2007, EPA will designate them as in attainment.

For more information about the proposed rule and the Early Action Compact Program, visit: http://www.epa.gov/oar/eac/

Source: U.S. EPA