Northeast Texas: Current Attainment Status

Note: This table is intended to provide a listing of designations and classifications for current, active NAAQS. While NAAQS which have been revoked by EPA do not appear in this table, some anti-backsliding obligations may continue to apply for revoked standards. This table is to be used for informational purposes only and should not be used to determine regulatory requirements in any of the counties listed.

Northeast Texas Area: Attainment Status by Pollutant

*The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) revoked the one-hour ozone standard and the 1997 eight-hour ozone standard in all areas, although some areas have continuing obligations under these standards. See ozone history for more information.

**The standard is scheduled to be revoked one year after the effective date of final designations for the 75 ppb standard.

For more information on attainment status, visit the EPA's Green Book webpage regarding nonattainment areas for criteria pollutants.

Northeast Texas Attainment Areas

2010 SO₂ Primary One-Hour Standard Designations: 
On June 22, 2010, EPA revised the SO₂ NAAQS, adding a 75 ppb one-hour primary standard ( 75 FR 35520 ). A portion of Rusk County was designated nonattainment, effective January 12, 2017 ( 81 FR 89870 ). A portion of Harrison County was designated nonattainment, effective April 30, 2021 ( 86 FR 16055 ). On May 16, 2025, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit remanded the designation of Rusk County for reconsideration of the appropriate designation, Texas v. EPA, 137 F. 4th 353 (5th Cir. 2024). EPA has not acted to redesignate Rusk County. Harrison County remains designated nonattainment.

2015 Eight-Hour Ozone Standard Designations: Attainment/Unclassifiable, effective January 16, 2018 ( 82 FR 54232 )
On October 1, 2015, EPA lowered the primary and secondary eight-hour ozone NAAQS to 0.070 parts per million ( 80 FR 65292 ). Gregg, Harrison, Rusk, Smith, and Upshur Counties were designated attainment/unclassifiable under the 2015 eight-hour ozone NAAQS, effective January 16, 2018. 

2008 Eight-Hour Ozone Standard Designations: Unclassifiable/Attainment, effective July 20, 2012 ( 77 FR 30088)  
On March 27, 2008, EPA lowered the primary and secondary eight-hour ozone NAAQS to 0.075 parts per million (ppm) ( 73 FR 16436 )

1997 Eight-Hour Ozone Standard Designations:  Attainment, April 30, 2004 ( 69 FR 23858 )
Counties: Gregg, Harrison, Rusk, Smith, Upshur

On December 20, 2002, TCEQ and local organizations signed an Early Action Compact (EAC) for the NETX area. On March 31, 2004, a final EAC plan was submitted to TCEQ for ultimate incorporation into the State Implementation Plan (SIP). On November 17, 2004, the commission adopted revisions to the SIP for the Austin, San Antonio, and NETX EAC areas and to 30 Texas Administrative Code 114 and 115 . The adopted revision to the NETX SIP consisted of a local plan submitted to TCEQ by the area in March 2004, under its EAC.

National Ambient Air Quality Standards

EPA has set National Ambient Air Quality Standards for six principal criteria pollutants: ground-level ozone, lead, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and particulate matter. 

No later than one year after promulgation of a new or revised NAAQS for any pollutant, the governor must submit designation recommendations to EPA for all areas of the state. EPA must then promulgate the designations within two years of promulgation of the revised NAAQS. Areas that do not meet (or contribute to ambient air quality in a nearby area that does not meet) the NAAQS are designated nonattainment. Areas that meet the NAAQS are designated attainment; and areas that cannot be classified based on the available information, unclassifiable.

For ozone, the federal Clean Air Act establishes nonattainment area classifications ranked according to the severity of the area’s air pollution problem. These classifications—marginal, moderate, serious, severe, and extreme—translate to varying requirements with which Texas and nonattainment areas must comply.