San Joaquin Valley air quality enforcement just got a lot tighter

US environmental regulators are proposing to deny California's request for more time to meet air quality standards for fine particles. This means the San Joaquin Valley will have to meet the old standard by the original deadline, or California must submit a plan for faster cleanup.

For years, California has been trying to get extensions for meeting air quality standards in the San Joaquin Valley. This proposed rule change means those extensions are likely off the table. The state will now have to show a concrete plan to reduce fine particle pollution by five percent each year, or face further action. This could mean new regulations for industries and agriculture in the region that emit these particles.