The Coachella Valley ozone nonattainment area was classified as a Severe area for the 80 ppb 8-hour ozone standard with an attainment deadline of June 15, 2019. While ozone levels in Coachella Valley have decreased and are near the standard, the Coachella Valley did not attain the standard by the deadline.
Due to a request from CARB and the South Coast Air Quality Management District (District), U.S. EPA classified the Coachella Valley as an Extreme nonattainment area with a new attainment deadline of June 15, 2024. On December 4, 2020, the South Coast Air Quality Management District adopted the Coachella Valley Extreme Area Plan (Plan) to meet these requirements. CARB submitted the Plan into the California SIP on December 28, 2020. On February 25, 2021, the Board will consider for adoption the VMT Emissions Offset Demonstration to complete the Plan submittal.
