Arizona Chamber applauds EPA action to advance Rule 204

PHOENIX—The Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry today welcomed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed approval of Maricopa County Rule 204, an innovative emissions-reduction program designed to improve air quality while supporting continued business investment and job creation.

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and members of his team were in Arizona for a roundtable with business leaders and elected officials, followed by a press conference announcing the agency’s action on Rule 204.

Rule 204 would allow qualifying voluntary emissions reductions from nonroad engines and equipment to generate credits that can be used by new or expanding major facilities to satisfy federal Clean Air Act offset requirements. The approach expands the tools available to reduce emissions in the Phoenix area while addressing a longstanding shortage of credits that can constrain economic development. 

Arizona Chamber President and CEO Danny Seiden released the following statement:

“This is an important win for cleaner air, economic growth and the kind of practical problem-solving Arizona does best.

“For more than a decade, Arizona’s business community has worked to expand the tools available to reduce emissions while giving companies a workable path to invest, expand and create jobs. Rule 204 does exactly that: when businesses voluntarily replace older equipment with cleaner technology and achieve real, measurable emissions reductions, those reductions can help make continued economic growth possible. 

“We appreciate Administrator Zeldin and the EPA for moving this forward. This has been a team effort, and we’re also grateful to Maricopa County, Gov. Hobbs, and federal and state lawmakers from both parties whose work helped bring us to this point. Protecting air quality and maintaining a strong economy do not have to be competing goals, and once again Arizona is showing the rest of the country how smart policy can advance both.”

Kate Brophy McGee, Chair, Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, District 3:

“This plan demonstrates how a healthy environment and growing economy can work together. By incentivizing rather than punishing job creators, implementing Maricopa County’s Rule 204 will improve the quality of the air we breathe while enabling key industries to continue investing in our community. I thank Administrator Zeldin and the EPA for working with Maricopa County and our business community on this innovative approach.”

Thomas Galvin, Maricopa County Supervisor, District 2:

“Today’s announcement is a victory for our environment, the economy, and common-sense regulation reform. Maricopa County has proven our residents don’t have to choose between clean air and economic opportunity. I’m grateful to EPA Administrator Zeldin, county officials, and business leaders who helped make this possible, and we will continue looking for ways to partner with the federal government to streamline regulation impacting Maricopa County homes and businesses.”

Sandra Watson, President and CEO, Arizona Commerce Authority:

“Today’s action by the EPA represents an important step forward for Arizona’s competitiveness and our commitment to responsible growth. Rule 204 would provide a practical, market‑driven tool that helps reduce emissions while ensuring companies can continue investing and creating high‑quality jobs in our state. I’m grateful to Administrator Lee Zeldin and want to recognize Governor Hobbs, Maricopa County, and all our partners for championing this issue. I also want to offer a special thank‑you to Danny Seiden and the Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry, whose leadership has been instrumental in advancing this positive outcome.”