Overview
Title
Air Plan Approval; Illinois; Volatile Organic Material Definition Update
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The EPA wants to change a rule in Illinois by saying a certain chemical isn't bad for the air because it doesn’t make smog.
Summary AI
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing a change to the Illinois State Implementation Plan (SIP) regarding air quality regulations. This proposal involves updating the definitions of volatile organic material (VOM) and volatile organic compounds (VOC) to exclude the chemical (Z)-1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluorobut-2-ene, as it was found to have a negligible impact on the formation of harmful ozone in the atmosphere. The revision aligns with a 2018 EPA rule and would not introduce additional requirements beyond those of the existing state law. Public comments on this proposal are open until March 15, 2021.
Abstract
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve a revision to the Illinois State Implementation Plan (SIP). The revision will amend the Illinois Administrative Code (IAC) by updating the definition of volatile organic material (VOM) and volatile organic compounds (VOC) to exclude (Z)-1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluorobut-2-ene. This revision is consistent with an EPA rulemaking in 2018, which exempted this compound from the Federal definition of VOC on the basis that the compound makes a negligible contribution to tropospheric ozone formation.
Keywords AI
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AnalysisAI
The document from the Federal Register is a proposed rule by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding changes to Illinois's air quality regulations. Specifically, the EPA suggests updating the definitions of certain pollutants, known as volatile organic materials and compounds, to exclude a particular chemical because it does not significantly contribute to the formation of harmful ozone in the atmosphere. This proposal is aligned with a previous EPA ruling from 2018. Public comments on this proposed change are invited until March 15, 2021.
General Summary
The EPA is proposing a change to the Illinois State Implementation Plan (SIP), which is a plan that outlines how the state intends to comply with the federal Clean Air Act. The revision involves excluding the compound (Z)-1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluorobut-2-ene from the list of substances considered as volatile organic materials (VOMs) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This is based on the compound's negligible impact on ozone formation, which is linked to smog and can have harmful health effects.
Significant Issues and Concerns
The document utilizes technical language and references detailed regulations and statutes that may be difficult for the average reader to fully grasp. Terms like "mass maximum incremental reactivity value" and "hydrofluoroolefin" are examples of jargon that could be challenging for those without a background in environmental science or law.
Additionally, the document includes numerous legal citations and references to specific Executive Orders and statutory acts, which might be perplexing to readers unfamiliar with these legal frameworks. This complexity could limit the accessibility of the document's content to laypersons.
Public Impact
For the general public, this proposed change will not directly alter daily life but contributes to a broader goal of maintaining air quality and protecting public health. By refining the definition of pollutants, the EPA aims to focus regulation on substances that have a more substantial impact on environmental health.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
Positive Impacts:
Regulatory Compliance: Businesses involved in manufacturing or using the excluded compound may benefit from reduced regulatory burdens, as they will not need to track or report emissions of this compound as part of the state’s air quality regulations.
Environmental Clarity: Environmental professionals may find clearer guidelines and be able to focus resources on pollutants with a more significant impact on air quality.
Negative Impacts:
- Regulatory Adjustments: State and local environmental agencies might see initial administrative changes as they adjust to the updated definitions and ensure compliance with the proposed revisions.
Overall, the document proposes a modest regulatory change aimed at improving the efficiency of air quality management without imposing new requirements beyond existing state laws. The proposed exclusion is likely to have minimal impact on the larger public but could provide some regulatory relief for specific industries and sectors involved with these chemical compounds.
Issues
• The document is technical and contains jargon that might be difficult for a layperson to understand, such as 'mass maximum incremental reactivity value' and 'hydrofluoroolefin'.
• The document relies on specific legal and regulatory citations (e.g., 42 U.S.C. 7410(k)), which may be unclear to readers unfamiliar with these references.
• There is mention of various Executive Orders and statutory acts without detailed explanation, which might be obscure for individuals not well-versed in legal or regulatory frameworks.
• The document discusses exclusion criteria and regulatory definitions at length, which might be unnecessarily complex for the intended purpose.
• The document does not provide detailed financial implications or analysis related to the approval of the SIP revision, which might be useful for understanding potential economic impacts.