Governor Steve Bullock today announced that Billings is the first area in the country to be re-designated as meeting national air quality standards for sulfur dioxide.

“Lifting this unnecessary burden off our job creators in Billings will benefit the entire community and our state,” Bullock said, speaking at a press conference in Billings. “Billings has and will always be a strong driver of economic growth in Montana and the businesses and industries located here support thousands of good-paying Montana jobs.”

The State of Montana stood up to the EPA when Billings was identified as an area not meeting the sulfur dioxide standard. The designation was based on data the State believes was not representative, and it did not take into account other measures being implemented by Billings industries to reduce sulfur dioxide emissions in the airshed.

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