On June 10, 2005, the EPA's Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee Particulate Matter Review Panel released its final report and endorsed staff recommendations to lower the air quality standard for fine particulate matter. The panel endorsed standards that were slightly different from the options laid out in EPA staff recommendations. According to the report, most panel members favored setting a standard for the fine particulates, those less than 2.5 microns in diameter, at between 30 and 35 micrograms per cubic meter of air averaged over a 24-hour period. The current standard is 65 micrograms. The panel also endorsed a standard of 13 to 14 micrograms, averaged over one year. The current annual standard is 15 micrograms. The panel consisted of 22 scientists, academics and state air regulators. The EPA set the existing standard for fine particles in 1997. Despite a court challenge, it was upheld by the Supreme Court in 2001. Under the terms of a consent decree, the EPA is required to issue a proposal regarding the results of its review of the standards by Dec. 20, 2005, and a final rule by Sept. 27, 2006.