Overview
Title
Air Plan Approval; Tennessee; Emissions Inventory and Nonattainment New Source Review Plan for Sullivan County SO2 Nonattainment Area
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ELI5 AI
The EPA said that Tennessee made a plan to help clean the air around a place where a factory makes chemicals. They checked and agreed that Tennessee did some important steps, like listing all the polluting stuff, to make sure the air gets better by the end of March 2021.
Summary AI
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved certain parts of Tennessee's plan to manage air quality in the Sullivan County area, specifically those related to controlling sulfur dioxide (SO₂) emissions. This decision follows the state’s efforts to meet federal standards set in 2010, which aim to limit air pollution from new and modified sources. While the EPA is not taking action on all submissions from Tennessee, they have concluded that the state has fulfilled key requirements, including providing a detailed emissions inventory and adhering to rules for reviewing new sources of pollution. This rule takes effect on March 31, 2021.
Abstract
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking final action to approve portions of State Implementation Plan (SIP) revisions submitted by the State of Tennessee, through the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), on May 12, 2017. The portions that EPA is approving are the emissions inventory and nonattainment new source review (NNSR) requirements for the 2010 1-hour sulfur dioxide (SO<INF>2</INF>) primary national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS) for the Sullivan County SO<INF>2</INF> nonattainment area (hereinafter referred to as the "Sullivan County Area" or "Area"). The Sullivan County Area is comprised of a portion of Sullivan County in Tennessee surrounding the Eastman Chemical Company (hereinafter referred to as "Eastman"). EPA is not taking action on the other portions of the May 12, 2017, SIP submissions. EPA has determined that Tennessee has met the applicable emissions inventory and NNSR requirements under the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act) for the 2010 1-hour primary SO<INF>2</INF> NAAQS in the Sullivan County Area.
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AnalysisAI
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recently approved components of a plan from the State of Tennessee to manage air quality in the Sullivan County area. This plan focuses on the reduction of sulfur dioxide (SO₂) emissions, ensuring compliance with federal air pollution standards established in 2010. This move seeks to address air pollution from new and modified sources within the area, specifically in the surrounding region of the Eastman Chemical Company. While only certain parts of Tennessee's State Implementation Plan (SIP) related to emissions inventory and new source review have gained approval, the EPA has acknowledged that Tennessee has satisfied important federal requirements under the Clean Air Act.
Significant Issues and Concerns
One notable issue is the absence of specific financial data regarding the costs that may result from the implementation of these SIP revisions. This omission makes it challenging to evaluate potential economic impacts, including concerns around wasteful spending. Furthermore, there is minimal information about how central stakeholders, such as the Eastman Chemical Company, might be affected either positively or negatively by these revisions. This lack of clarity could feed suspicions of favoritism or unfair advantage.
The language employed in the document is heavily laden with legal and regulatory jargon. This approach could present significant comprehension barriers for individuals not familiar with environmental law, potentially alienating the general public and hindering broader understanding. Dense with detailed references to specific sections of the Clean Air Act and the Code of Federal Regulations, the document risks losing readers lacking expertise in these areas.
Finally, while the EPA has approved the emissions inventory and new source review, there is little detail about the specific measures that Tennessee plans to implement for achieving the 1-hour SO₂ compliance goals, which affects the transparency about future outcomes.
Public and Stakeholder Impact
From a public standpoint, the rule's approval is a positive development toward ensuring cleaner air for residents of the Sullivan County area, possibly improving overall community health and environmental quality. However, understanding and engagement might be limited due to the document's complex language.
For specific stakeholders, such as local industries and businesses in the Sullivan County area, including Eastman Chemical, the implications of these approved provisions might vary. While the approvals indicate a move towards greater regulation and oversight, the absence of detailed action plans in the document leaves stakeholders uncertain about operational impacts or compliance requirements. This could lead to challenges in adjusting business operations to meet these new regulatory standards.
In conclusion, while the EPA's approval marks progress towards achieving national air quality standards, the document leaves several questions unanswered regarding transparency in cost implications, stakeholder impact, and future regulatory measures. The lack of easily accessible information for the public also highlights a need for clearer communication and broader stakeholder engagement to ensure the effective understanding and application of these regulatory changes.
Issues
• The document does not provide specific data on the costs associated with the implementation of the SIP revisions, making it difficult to assess potential wasteful spending.
• There is a lack of detailed information regarding how the Eastman Chemical Company is impacted or benefited by the SIP revisions, which could imply potential favoritism.
• The document uses complex regulatory language that may not be easily understood by the general public, such as references to specific sections of the Clean Air Act and CFR parts.
• The summary and supplement sections are lengthy and dense with legal references, which could be challenging for readers unfamiliar with environmental regulations.
• It is not clear from the document what specific measures Tennessee will take to meet the 1-hour SO2 NAAQS beyond the approval of the emissions inventory and NNSR, limiting transparency about expected outcomes.