The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has redesignated the Cleveland area as being in attainment with federal ozone standards, recognizing years of progress by Ohio EPA, local governments, industry and other partners to improve air quality across northeast Ohio.

EPA said the region now meets the 2015 national ozone standard, citing years of air monitoring data and a more than 40% reduction in certain ozone-forming pollutants over eight years. The redesignation covers Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Portage and Summit counties.

“This is excellent news for northeast Ohio and a credit to the manufacturers that have invested in cleaner, more efficient operations,” said James Lee, OMA managing director of public policy services. “OMA members understand that environmental progress and economic strength can move together. When communities meet the standard, they deserve the regulatory certainty that comes with it.”

OMA congratulates manufacturers and community partners across the region whose efforts helped make this milestone possible. The redesignation is expected to support faster and more predictable air permitting in the Cleveland area, while existing pollution controls and monitoring remain in place to ensure continued compliance. 6/23/2026