An agreement between EPA and local officials to implement a local air quality improvement plan to attain the 8-hour ozone standard early (by 2007) and defer the effective date of non-attainment designation.  The compact would result in "cleaner air quicker" and avoid onerous non-attainment requirements that hamper economic development, industrial expansions, and construction of federally funded highways.

 

On April 15, 2004, EPA designated Sullivan and Hawkins Counties non-attainment but deferred the effective date of non-attainment by approving the Tri-Cities Early Action Compact.