Air Plan Approval; Ohio; Clean Data Determination for the Cleveland, Ohio Area for the 2015 Ozone Standard
Key claim: The EPA has determined that the Cleveland, Ohio nonattainment area has attained the 2015 ozone NAAQS based on 2023–2025 monitoring data, suspending related planning requirements for as long as attainment continues.
Abstract
(Rule · Environmental Protection Agency) The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is determining under the Clean Air Act (CAA) that the Cleveland, Ohio nonattainment area (hereafter also referred to as “Cleveland area” or “area”) has attained the 2015 ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS or standard). This determination is based upon complete, quality-assured, and certified ambient air monitoring data for the 2023-2025 design period showing that the Cleveland area achieved attainment of the 2015 ozone NAAQS. This determination relies on an exceptional events request submitted by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA) on December 8, 2025, and concurred on by the EPA on January 12, 2026. The EPA is taking final agency action on Ohio’s exceptional events request and the EPA’s concurrence. As a result of this determination, the EPA is suspending the requirements for the State to submit an attainment demonstration and associated Reasonable Available Control Measures (RACM), Reasonable Further Progress (RFP) plans, contingency measures for failure to attain or make reasonable progress, and other planning SIPs related to attainment of the 2015 ozone NAAQS, for as long as the area continues to attain the 2015 ozone NAAQS. The EPA proposed to approve this action on February 27, 2026.
Why this matters
Clean data determinations relieve nonattainment areas of specific SIP planning burdens without formally redesignating them, offering states and regulated sources near-term regulatory relief while retaining the underlying nonattainment status. The Cleveland determination extends a pattern of 2015 ozone NAAQS attainment findings across Midwestern and Mid-Atlantic industrial areas, signaling continued improvement in ground-level ozone but leaving transportation conformity and maintenance obligations in place.