Search Results for keywords:"Air Quality Standards"

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalized a rule confirming that the nonattainment areas in Freestone and Anderson Counties and Titus County, Texas, have met the 2010 1-hour sulfur dioxide air quality standards by the deadline of January 12, 2022. This decision was based on evidence like shutdowns of major pollution sources, air quality monitoring data, and emissions modeling. The rule also specifies that these areas remain designated as nonattainment until formally redesignated by the EPA. This decision obeys the Clean Air Act requirements and does not impose new obligations beyond what the Act mandates.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined that the area of Rusk and Panola Counties in Texas did not meet federal air quality standards for sulfur dioxide by the required date of January 12, 2022. This finding requires the state of Texas to update its air quality plan to meet the standards within a year of this rule's publication. The EPA considered public comments and stated that the area's pollution levels were higher than allowed, based on data collected from 2019 to 2021. The rule is set to take effect on January 16, 2025, and doesn't impose any new regulations beyond existing clean air laws.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released a final guidance document intended to help state, local, and tribal air agencies demonstrate how international emissions affect local air quality standards under the Clean Air Act's Section 179B. This guidance provides examples of information and analyses that agencies should consider using, and it explains a "weight of evidence" approach for evaluations. While it doesn't create regulatory requirements, it could assist agencies in meeting air quality standards by offering flexibility in the development of demonstrations showing an area's potential compliance had it not been for international emissions. The document emphasizes cooperation with existing regulatory frameworks and other suitable mechanisms without directly creating new regulations.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is reopening the comment period for a proposed rule that was initially published in the Federal Register on October 30, 2020. This involves the approval of a state implementation plan (SIP) revision from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection concerning air quality standards for ozone in the Youngstown-Warren-Sharon area. The comment period is being reopened for an additional 15 days, until March 16, 2021, because a commenter had difficulties obtaining information from the EPA during the original comment period. The EPA is inviting stakeholders to review the proposal and submit their comments within the extended timeframe.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve revisions submitted by the State of Alaska aimed at meeting Clean Air Act requirements. These revisions address air quality standards for the Fairbanks North Star Borough, targeting fine particulate matter pollution. The plan includes inventories of emissions, control measures for pollutants, and an attainment timeline set for the year 2027. Public comments on the proposal are being accepted until February 7, 2025.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released a final guidance document to assist air agencies in preparing State Implementation Plans for areas that do not meet air quality standards for ozone and particulate matter. This guidance focuses on ensuring that plans include contingency measures, which are required actions that will be implemented if a state fails to meet air quality goals. The document includes updated methods for calculating these measures, provides guidance on creating justifications if feasible measures cannot be found, and suggests changes to the timing of implementing these measures after a triggering event. Public comments were considered in finalizing this guidance.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has submitted a request to extend the information collection for the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) related to Ferroalloys Production Area Sources. This proposal requests public comments for an additional 30 days, due by March 31, 2025, concerning the continued collection efforts. The NESHAP regulations require facilities to report and maintain records to ensure compliance with air quality standards. The EPA expects no changes in the burden or costs associated with the regulations since there has been no change in the rules and minimal industry growth.

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.

On January 22, 2025, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed a rule called the "National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Chemical Manufacturing Area Sources Technology Review." The EPA has decided to extend the deadline for public comments on this rule from March 24, 2025, to April 14, 2025, giving people more time to review and share their thoughts. Comments can be submitted through various methods including online, email, fax, mail, or in-person delivery to the EPA's Docket Center. The EPA encourages those submitting comments to include all necessary information to ensure their voices are heard.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has officially approved the State of Washington's request to redesignate a part of Whatcom County from a "nonattainment" area to an "attainment" area for sulfur dioxide (SO₂) air quality standards. This redesignation follows the closure of the Intalco Aluminum LLC smelter, which previously caused high SO₂ levels. Alongside the redesignation, EPA has approved Washington's maintenance plan to ensure the area continues to meet air quality standards, which includes monitoring strategies for future potential pollution sources. This decision was finalized on December 11, 2024, and becomes effective on January 16, 2025.