We investigate ambient ozone formation regimes for cities adjacent to shale plays.
Column densities of precursors retrieved from OMI and GOME-2 are different.
NOx emission controls would reduce ozone levels in most cities in the Northeast U.S.
Ozone formation in New York was limited by VOC emissions in 2007–2009 and 2014.
Shale-related emission controls have the potential to reduce urban ozone levels.