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EPA's proposedconditional approval of Maricopa County's Rule 205 enables new manufacturing facilities like semiconductor fabs obtain permits faster while reducing pollution in Maricopa County

WASHINGTON - Arizona Senators Kyrsten Sinema and Mark Kelly released the following statements on the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) proposed rulemaking to conditionally approve Maricopa County's Rule 205 - a new permitting reform rule that facilitates economic growth in Arizona by enabling industries, such as semiconductor manufacturing, to have more flexibility in offsetting emissions as required by the Clean Air Act by allowing them to replace or retrofit fleet vehicles with lower-emitting vehicles. This is a needed first step to provide a clear path forward to help new manufactures break ground on facilities while reducing pollution in Maricopa County.

"EPA's proposed conditional approval of Rule 205 represents a productive step supporting semiconductor production in Arizona while protecting our air quality - creating strong careers and strengthening our state's leadership in the industries of the future," said Sinema.

"This conditional approval is important progress for Arizona's growing semiconductor industry and our environment," said Kelly. "By allowing for more flexible solutions to reduce emissions, we can keep creating great-paying jobs while also improving air quality."

The EPA's proposed rulemaking to conditionally approve Rule 205 follows Sinema and Kelly urging the EPA to work in partnership with Arizona stakeholders to adopt solutions that improve air quality while supporting Arizona's role as a hub for key industries of the future, including microchip manufacturing, battery production, and electric vehicle production.

Rule 205 would authorize the generation of Mobile ERCs which could be obtained by retrofitting diesel or gasoline powered vehicles to electric vehicles or lower emitting vehicles. Establishing a process for enabling new ERCs to be generated will provide Arizona companies the opportunity to offset any new emissions created through industrial expansion, while reducing harmful emissions.

Earlier this year, Sinema and Kelly urged EPA's Assistant Administrator for the Office of Air and Radiation, JosephGoffman, to visit Arizona and encourage the EPA to approve Rule 205, provide a path forward for additional proposals to create emission reduction credits, streamline the Exceptional Events process, improve processes for air quality modeling, and more. Goffman had a productive visit to Arizona and met with leaders and stakeholders to discuss how the Phoenix region is a growing hub for future industries - including microchip manufacturing and electric vehicle production. These industries play an important role in national efforts to support a transition to clean energy, reduce reliance on overseas manufacturing, and enhance American national security, while creating strong careers for Arizonans.