On April 15, the agency will release areas in violation of the ozone standards.

In 1990, for example, Congress gave the states more time to meet existing ozone standards.

Under the old ozone standard of 120 parts per billion, some 70 urban areas fail to make the cut.

Legislation now before Congress would extend the deadline for meeting the present ozone standard.

The President's plan calls for all but a few cities to reach the ozone standard by 2000.

The current ozone standard is 120 parts per billion.

More than 97 million people live in areas that do not yet meet the health-based 1-hour ozone standard (based on 1997-1999 data).

Many urban areas do not come close to meeting the national ozone standard.

The number would be even higher for the new 8-hour ozone standard.

At 0.25, the decline would be more than 65 percent - significant, but not enough to get the metropolitan area into compliance with ozone standards.