Overview
Title
Air Plan Approval; Illinois; Alton Township 2010 Sulfur Dioxide Redesignation and Maintenance Plan
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The EPA is saying that the air in Alton Township is now cleaner, and they have a plan to keep it that way, which will officially start on January 29, 2025.
Summary AI
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving a request from Illinois to change the air quality status of Alton Township in Madison County from nonattainment to attainment for the 2010 sulfur dioxide (SO2) National Ambient Air Quality Standard. This decision is based on proven improvements in air quality due to reduced SO2 emissions. Along with the redesignation, Illinois' maintenance plan has been approved to ensure the area continues to meet air quality standards. This final rule will take effect on January 29, 2025.
Abstract
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving Illinois' request to redesignate the Alton Township nonattainment area in Madison County, Illinois to attainment for the 2010 sulfur dioxide (SO<INF>2</INF>) National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS). EPA is also approving Illinois' maintenance plan for the area. Illinois submitted the request for approval on October 2, 2023. Additionally, EPA is taking final action to determine that the Alton Township area attained the 2010 SO<INF>2</INF> NAAQS by the September 12, 2021, attainment date, fulfilling EPA's obligation under the Clean Air Act (CAA) section 179(c) to determine whether the area attained the relevant NAAQS standard. EPA proposed to approve this action on October 8, 2024, and received no comments.December 30, 2024
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Sources
AnalysisAI
The document outlines a rule finalized by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) concerning the air quality status of Alton Township in Madison County, Illinois. The EPA has approved Illinois' request to redesignate this area from "nonattainment" to "attainment" regarding the 2010 sulfur dioxide (SO2) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). Essentially, this indicates that the area's air quality has improved enough to meet the required federal standards, primarily due to effective reductions in SO2 emissions. The decision includes the approval of a maintenance plan created by Illinois to ensure the area continues to meet these standards into the future. This rule will take effect on January 29, 2025.
Summary and Concerns
The approval from the EPA highlights significant improvements in air quality achieved through emission reduction measures in the region. However, one notable concern is the lack of detailed transparency about costs and funding associated with implementing and maintaining these air quality improvements. The rule mentions proprietary and confidential information related to emissions, which is not available to the public, potentially raising transparency issues. Furthermore, the use of technical language and references to legal and regulatory standards might make it difficult for the general public to fully understand the implications of the rule without specialized knowledge in environmental policies.
Public Impact
For the broader public, especially residents in and around Alton Township, this change suggests potential health benefits due to improved air quality, possibly leading to reduced health risks previously associated with SO2 exposure. This improvement reflects broader environmental and community health goals. The maintenance plan aims to ensure these gains are sustained, reducing future public exposure to harmful pollutants.
Stakeholder Impact
Different stakeholders may be affected in distinct ways. Industries within or near the township, particularly those directly connected to emissions reductions, may face ongoing operational and compliance costs to maintain the new standards. Environmental groups may view this as a positive development, advocating for continued stringent oversight and maintenance of air quality standards. Conversely, businesses concerned with operating costs might scrutinize the regulatory requirements further.
Overall, this EPA rule signifies a positive move toward improved environmental standards and public health outcomes, despite some remaining challenges around transparency and regulatory complexity. The rule aims to uphold these achievements through the maintenance plans, indicating ongoing commitment to air quality standards.
Issues
• The document does not provide specific details about costs or funding related to the redesignation and maintenance plan, making it difficult to assess potential wasteful spending.
• The document references proprietary and confidential information that is not publicly available, which could raise concerns about transparency.
• The use of legal and regulatory language might be unclear to readers who are not familiar with environmental policy and regulations, potentially creating barriers to understanding for the general public.
• The document refers to various federal acts and executive orders with which it complies but does not provide detailed explanations or summaries, which could limit understanding for those unfamiliar with these mandates.
• The document includes references to procedural requirements and statutory obligations, adding complexity, and potentially making it difficult for non-expert readers to understand the implications of the rule.