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Groups petition EPA to act as ozone levels in Memphis exceed national health standards

Memphis residents are pushing back against the Byhalia Pipeline project. The proposed pipeline, has been the subject of controversy since 2019. The joint venture project would build a 49-mile pipeline between Memphis and Mississippi and would run through several Black communities in Memphis. VALERO Memphis Refinery (PICTURED) is located on along the Mississippi River's Lake McKellar in South Memphis. (Photo by Karen Pulfer Focht©)
Memphis residents are pushing back against the Byhalia Pipeline project. The proposed pipeline, has been the subject of controversy since 2019. The joint venture project would build a 49-mile pipeline between Memphis and Mississippi and would run through several Black communities in Memphis. VALERO Memphis Refinery (PICTURED) is located on along the Mississippi River's Lake McKellar in South Memphis. (Photo by Karen Pulfer Focht©) Memphis residents are pushing back against the Byhalia Pipeline project. The proposed pipeline, has been the subject of controversy since 2019. The joint venture project would build a 49-mile pipeline between Memphis and Mississippi and would run through several Black communities in Memphis. VALERO Memphis Refinery (PICTURED) is located on along the Mississippi River's Lake McKellar in South Memphis. (Photo by Karen Pulfer Focht©)

By Cassandra Stephenson / Tennessee Lookout 6 min read


Memphis and surrounding communities have ozone emissions levels that are too high to comply with national health standards, according to data published by the Environmental Protection Agency.

A coalition of environmental groups is saying it’s long past time for the federal agency and local regulators to tighten restrictions and require better emission controls for sources of air pollution.

The Southern Environmental Law Center filed a petition with the Environmental Protection Agency on June 5, asking the EPA to formally recognize that the Memphis metro area is failing to meet federal requirements – a move that would trigger stricter requirements for future air permits.

Ozone – also known as smog – is created when pollutants from cars, industrial plants, power plants and other sources react when exposed to sunlight, according to the EPA. Ozone exposure can damage airways and lead to difficulty breathing. People with asthma, emphysema or those who spend a lot of time outdoors are particularly at risk, the EPA website states. The American Lung Association gave Shelby County an “F” grade for ozone pollution this year.