Critical bill for Pinal County agriculture passes House
By Phil Riske | Rose Law Group Reporter
(STATE CAPITOL) — An air quality bill affecting the near $1 billion agriculture industry in Pinal County is headed for the state Senate after clearing the House Thursday with no debate on a vote of 58-0.
After years of what was described as “ticky-tacky” complaints from the Environmental Protection Agency about the county’s draft agricultural management practices to bring the industry into compliance with air quality standards, Pinal’s plan is expected to be approved, a state official said.
The bill passed by the House (HB2394) would remove an 18-month delay for compliance with the agricultural general permit and requires immediate compliance with the permit beginning January 1, 2016.
Erik Massey, director of the Air Quality division of the state Department of Environmental Protection, told the House Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on Feb 2 the federal EPA and his state agency have been working cooperatively.
