UNITED STAT1E4DS4A5ELRNLOAVSSIR,SOTRAENEVXMGEAENISONUN7TE5A,82LS02PURI-TOE2T71E323C0T0ION AGENCY
September 27, 2017
Office of the Regional Administrator
The Honorable Ted Cruz United States Senate Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Senator Cruz:
Thank you for letter of September 26, 2017, voicing your support for the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality's Exceptional Event Demonstration Document for the University of Texas El Paso Monitoring Site. Let me assure you that I recognize the importance of the TCEQ submission and intend to work closely with the state to come to closure on this action before any decisions on El Paso's air quality designation for ozone are made.
In your letter you asked that the EPA grant the TCEQ's request by October 1,2017.1am writing today to let you know that due to the Administrators expected announcement of additional direction regarding the 2015 ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard designations, I will not be able to make a fully informed decision on the TCEQ's Exceptional Event by October 1.
The EPA Administrator is expected to provide additional direction on implementation of the 2015 ozone standard by October 1. My staff and I will review the new information and assess how and whether the new information impacts the El Paso area and the TCEQ's exceptional events request.
My staff and I enjoy a strong working relationship with TCEQ and have met with the TCEQ and representatives from the El Paso area to discuss the exceptional event demonstration document that has been provided. As a result, we are well positioned to consult with the TCEQ to evaluate any possible impacts on the El Paso designation under the 2015 ozone standard once the Administrator's direction can be assessed.
I hope you find this information useful. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at (214) 665-2100, or your staff may contact Mr. Austin Vela, Congressional Liaison, at (214) 665-9792.
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Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA
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