California's San Joaquin Valley finally meets 1997 clean air standards

The US environmental regulators propose that California's San Joaquin Valley has met the 1997 clean air standards for fine particulate matter. This means the area will no longer be considered a "nonattainment area" for those specific pollution levels.

For decades, the San Joaquin Valley has struggled with some of the worst air pollution in the United States. This proposed finding means that after years of effort, the region has finally achieved a basic level of air quality set more than 25 years ago. It also means that the region will face less federal oversight and fewer restrictions related to this specific pollutant.