Air Quality continues to be a hot button issue in Northeast Ohio. Both Summit and Portage counties are part of the Cleveland-Akron nonattainment area for ozone and particulate matter (PM2.5). As such, the region has been required to implement a number of control measures to help reduce the amount of pollutants emitted from mobile sources. Transportation Outlook must be in compliance with air quality regulations, as specified by the Clean Air Act.
Recently, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) tightened the current ozone standard. It is probable that the PM2.5 standard will eventually become stricter. In order to meet tougher standards, the region may be required to implement more control measures on ozone and PM2.5. While more controls may be necessary, much of the area’s pollution originates outside the area and is carried by wind patterns into the region. It is believed that multi-state and statewide initiatives will be more effective in reducing the region’s pollution than just nonattainment area efforts. AMATS will continue to monitor air quality issues and push for more statewide controls, as opposed to attainment area controls.