According to federal guidelines, entire states, and regions within states, can be broadly designated as either "attainment" or "non-attainment" with respect to the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).
Currently, the Triangle is designated non-attainment for ground-level ozone. The information and links below outline the economic challenges the Triangle faces if our attainment status does not improve.
As the Triangle continues to grow and prosper, we must be vigilant about our air quality -- not only for our health, but for a healthy economy.
When corporations begin the search for a new area to relocate or expand into, non-attainment regions are often automatically eliminated from the list.
If a business or industry generates a high level of emissions, and they move into a non-attainment area like the Triangle, the company must purchase emission credits in order to obtain the required permits for their business. The process of obtaining credits can be time consuming and expensive.
In addition to emissions regulations, relocating companies may also have concerns about the quality of life for their employees and their families. High levels of ground-level ozone can impact a company’s bottom line through lost productivity and increased health care costs.
Air quality standards pose a special challenge for Triangle companies that are planning to build new manufacturing facilities, install new equipment or make process changes. Those companies must be proactive and work closely with the state to calculate emissions. The cost of purchasing, installing and using the emission control equipment necessary to comply with environmental regulations are also factored into the site selection process.