HB2013

THE CONTEXT: Exceptional events are unusual or naturally occurring events that can affect air quality but are not reasonably controllable using techniques that tribal, state or local air agencies may implement in order to attain and maintain the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). Exceptional events may include wildfires, high wind dust events, prescribed fires, stratospheric ozone intrusions and volcanic and seismic activities.

WHAT THE BILL DID: The final vetoed version would require the ADEQ, if a wildfire occurs on federally managed land that affects the state, to submit an exceptional event demonstration to the EPA and specifies that a wildfire, for the requirement for the ADEQ to submit an exceptional event demonstration, must be larger than 25,000 acres and be attributable to smoke or land damage.

WHY IT MATTERED: The practical reason for this bill was to turn the Legislature's standard for exceptional events into an enforceable rule. It would require the ADEQ, if a wildfire occurs on federally managed land that affects the state, to submit an exceptional event demonstration to the EPA, and would also specifies that a wildfire, for the requirement for the ADEQ to submit an exceptional event demonstration, must be larger than 25,000 acres and be attributable to smoke or land damage, rather than leave the current rule unchanged.