AZ HCM2008

Urges the President of the United States and EPA Administrator to relocate EPA Region 9 headquarters from San Francisco to Arizona or move Arizona to a different EPA region.

Identifies Arizona's distinct environmental challenges including air quality issues (ozone, PM2.5, PM10, regional haze), water quality concerns, and hazardous waste management that differ from other states in Region 9.

Cites inefficiencies in the current regulatory process requiring extensive communication with San Francisco headquarters, causing delays in permitting decisions and contamination site remediation.

Requests establishment of a dedicated local EPA satellite office in Phoenix staffed with a director or deputy regional administrator with authority to make critical regulatory decisions affecting Arizona.

Proposes four strategies in order of preference: moving Region 9 office to Arizona, moving Arizona to Region 6 or Region 8, or establishing a new Intermountain West region consisting of Arizona, Idaho, Nevada and Utah.