The Louisville area was designated nonattainment for the national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS) for ozone, also known as smog, in 2018. By 2023 the air quality had improved just enough to meet the standard, prompting Louisville and the State to submit a request to redesignate the area to attainment. Unfortunately, the improvement was short-lived. Air quality has now worsened, not only returning to unhealthy levels but also dropping back to the same levels seen in  2018, when the area was originally designated nonattainment.

Remaining designated nonattainment means Louisville and Kentucky would be required to implement additional, stricter measures (commonly called “reasonably available control measures” or RACM) sufficient to reduce pollution and bring air quality back to healthy levels.

Comment here to support cleaner air for Louisvillians by Monday, February 03.

Sample comment:

“I’m writing in support of EPA’s proposal to deny Kentucky’s request to redesignate the Louisville ozone nonattainment area to attainment.

As a Kentucky resident, I believe we all have a right to breathe clean, healthy air. The most recent monitoring in Louisville shows many residents  continue to be subject to unacceptable levels of smog. In order to ensure public health, the Clean Air Act requires that an area must achieve and maintain healthy air quality prior to being designated “attainment”. The Louisville area has clearly failed to do so, and its request should be denied as EPA has proposed.

The area is now four years past the deadline to achieve the NAAQS. Kentucky should not be allowed to escape responsibility to reduce levels of smog, and ensure the right to healthy air for all residents.

Sincerely,

[Name]”