Overview
Title
Air Plan Approval; Washington; Interstate Transport Requirements for the 2010 Sulfur Dioxide National Ambient Air Quality Standards
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The EPA has agreed that Washington's new rules for cleaning the air are okay because they make sure the smoke and bad stuff in the air won't bother people in other places, and this will start being official on March 22, 2021.
Summary AI
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved changes to Washington's air quality plan, which were submitted in 2018. This approval confirms that Washington's plan satisfies federal requirements for controlling interstate pollution of sulfur dioxide, a harmful air pollutant. The EPA found that emissions from Washington will not significantly affect air quality in other states, meeting the standards set in 2010. This rule takes effect on March 22, 2021, and stakeholders can find more information or address inquiries as directed in the details provided by the EPA.
Abstract
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving the State Implementation Plan (SIP) revisions submitted by Washington on February 7, 2018 as meeting certain Clean Air Act (CAA) requirements for interstate transport of the 2010 1-hour Sulfur Dioxide (SO<INF>2</INF>) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The EPA has determined that emissions from Washington sources will not contribute significantly to nonattainment or interfere with the maintenance of the 2010 1-hour SO<INF>2</INF> NAAQS in any other state.
Keywords AI
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AnalysisAI
The document at hand is a rule issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that approves revisions to Washington State's air quality management plan. Specifically, it addresses the interstate transportation requirements under the Clean Air Act for controlling pollution from sulfur dioxide, an air pollutant that can have detrimental effects on human health and the environment. This approval indicates that the measures laid out in Washington's plan are adequate to ensure that its emissions do not harm air quality in neighboring states. The ruling becomes effective on March 22, 2021.
General Summary
The EPA's decision was made after reviewing a submission by Washington State in 2018, which aimed to comply with federal limits on sulfur dioxide emissions, set in 2010. The agency found that Washington's emissions will not cause significant air quality problems beyond its borders, thereby fulfilling its responsibilities under the Clean Air Act. The publication also provides logistical details for stakeholders to access the rule's supporting documents and outlines how to contact the EPA for further information.
Significant Issues and Concerns
One notable issue with the document is its use of technical jargon and references to various executive orders and regulatory frameworks without providing a layperson-friendly explanation. For individuals not familiar with environmental law, terms like "interstate transport requirements" and references to specific sections of the Clean Air Act may be unfathomable. This complexity might prevent a wider audience from fully comprehending the document's implications and legal bases.
Furthermore, while the document establishes that Washington's plan meets national air quality standards, it lacks detailed transparency about the criteria or methodologies used by the EPA in making this determination. As such, the approval could benefit from a more robust elucidation of the analysis or data supporting their conclusions.
Public Impact
For the general public, this rule signifies a continued commitment to maintaining clean air standards that protect human health and reduce environmental harm. The enforcement of these standards helps ensure that air quality is preserved not only within individual states but also across regional boundaries, which can affect ecosystems and public health both near and far.
Impact on Stakeholders
Positively, this decision benefits residents of Washington and neighboring states by affirming their protection from the potential adverse effects of sulfur dioxide emissions. It provides a level of assurance that Washington's regulatory framework is in compliance with federal standards designed to maintain air quality.
On the downside, some stakeholders, such as industries within Washington that emit sulfur dioxide, may face challenges or added costs to adhere to these stringent air quality standards. However, by gaining EPA approval, these industries also gain clarity and certainty about compliance expectations moving forward, which can ultimately aid in long-term planning and operational stability.
Overall, the EPA's final rule underscores the need for vigilance in managing air quality for the greater good while balancing the interests of individual states and industries within the framework of federal law.
Issues
• The document does not specify specific financial implications, making it difficult to assess if there's wasteful spending or favoritism.
• Language in the following section may be complex for general audiences unfamiliar with legal or environmental regulation terminology: 'Statutory and Executive Order Reviews'.
• The document's section on 'Statutory and Executive Order Reviews' uses references to multiple executive orders and laws without explaining their context or impact, which might be confusing for those not well-versed in regulatory frameworks.
• The document references a legal requirement for SIP submissions under CAA section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) which may not be clear to individuals without prior knowledge of environmental regulatory processes.
• There is a lack of detailed explanation about how the EPA determined that emissions from Washington sources will not contribute significantly to nonattainment, which could be clarified for transparency.