Search Results for keywords:"sulfur dioxide"

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved a change to the State Implementation Plan (SIP) submitted by Kentucky, which updates the status designations of areas within the state to align with federal standards for air quality. This update affects several National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) and ensures that Kentucky's regulations are in line with the Clean Air Act. The changes impact designations for pollutants like ozone, particulate matter, and sulfur dioxide, confirming how these areas meet or do not meet federal air quality standards. The effective date of this rule is March 31, 2021.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) concluded that the Piti-Cabras area in Guam did not meet the required sulfur dioxide air quality standards by the deadline of April 9, 2023. This decision is based on the analysis of available data, showing emissions were too high, and necessary emission controls were not implemented on time. As a result, Guam must now submit a revised plan to achieve air quality standards within the next five years, according to the Clean Air Act requirements. This measure ensures continued efforts to protect public health from pollution.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalized a rule to update the Federal Implementation Plan (FIP) for sulfur dioxide emissions from four sources in Billings and Laurel, Montana. This rule removes the previous allowance for exceeding emission limits during malfunctions, startups, and shutdowns, as it did not align with the Clean Air Act. The EPA conducted an environmental justice analysis and found no significant disparities in pollution burden around the affected facilities. This rule will take effect on February 18, 2025, and is intended to have a neutral to positive impact on local air quality.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposes to approve Idaho's updated regional haze State Implementation Plan (SIP) for the period from 2018 to 2028. Idaho's plan aims to make progress toward improving visibility caused by air pollution in national parks and wilderness areas. The plan includes specific strategies and rules for sources of air pollution, such as factories, to reduce emissions of harmful substances like nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide. The EPA found Idaho’s plan to be consistent with federal requirements and intends to incorporate the plan's measures into the state’s legally enforceable air quality rules.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision from South Carolina's Department of Health and Environmental Control. This revision updates the state's participation in the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR) emissions trading programs for nitrogen oxides (NOX) and sulfur dioxide (SO2). These programs are designed to help reduce air pollution that affects other states. The EPA believes the proposed changes align with federal requirements and do not impose new obligations beyond what state law already specifies.

The EPA has finalized a rule reclassifying parts of Cambria and Westmoreland Counties in Pennsylvania as "nonattainment" areas for sulfur dioxide (SO2) air quality standards set in 2010. This decision is based on air dispersion modeling that shows violations of the standards. These areas were previously classified as "attainment/unclassifiable" and "unclassifiable." With this new designation, Pennsylvania is required to create a plan to reduce SO2 levels to meet health and safety standards over the next few years.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has revised the air quality standards for sulfur dioxide (SO₂) to better protect the environment. The previous standard had a three-hour measurement period, but now it is an annual average over three years, limited to 10 parts per billion (ppb). The EPA decided to keep the existing standards for nitrogen oxides and particulate matter the same. This update comes after reviewing scientific evidence and public feedback to ensure the standards protect public wellness without being too strict.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) determined that Evangeline Parish, Louisiana, did not meet the 2010 sulfur dioxide (SO2) air quality standard by the deadline of April 9, 2023, as required by the Clean Air Act. The decision is based on evaluating emissions data, which showed increased pollution levels. Following this ruling, Louisiana is required to revise its State Implementation Plan (SIP) within 12 months to ensure the area meets the air quality standards as quickly as possible, but no later than December 16, 2029. This decision aims to address air quality issues without additional regulatory burdens or economic impacts on smaller entities.