Search Results for keywords:"State Implementation Plan"

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve two revised rules for the Mendocino County Air Quality Management District as part of California's State Implementation Plan (SIP). These rule changes address deficiencies previously identified by the EPA concerning air pollution permits for new and modified stationary sources. The proposal aims to ensure compliance with the Clean Air Act by incorporating necessary requirements into local rules. The public is invited to comment on this proposal until March 24, 2021.

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) is approving parts of a submission from Arkansas related to the 2015 Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), ensuring the state meets clean air requirements. The EPA reviewed Arkansas's plans for maintaining air quality and found them adequate in personnel, funding, and legal authority, despite some public concerns about financial resources. The approval includes updates to state regulations and confirms Arkansas's plans are consistent with federal law. Although the COVID-19 pandemic was mentioned as a possible concern, the EPA decided it does not warrant disapproval of Arkansas's submission at this time.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is finalizing a rule concerning air quality in Maricopa County, Arizona. The rule partially approves, partially disapproves, and partially conditionally approves revisions to the air quality plan for the area, focusing on controlling emissions to meet 2008 ozone standards. The EPA is conditionally approving certain rules for controlling emissions from surface coating operations, while requiring updates for others within a year, or they will face disapproval. No comments were received during the public comment period, and failure to meet these conditions might result in federal sanctions.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed to approve a State Implementation Plan (SIP) from Louisiana that aims to meet the air quality standards set by the Clean Air Act. Submitted on November 4, 2020, the plan addresses requirements to reduce emissions that affect visibility and pollution in neighboring states, fulfilling a previous shortcoming related to Prong 4, which involves visibility transport rules. With the approval of Louisiana's regional haze plan, the EPA believes the state now satisfies the necessary provisions for various pollutants, including ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and particulate matter (PM2.5). The plan ensures that Louisiana's measures align with federal air quality standards and do not interfere with the air quality efforts of other states.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving part of Virginia's State Implementation Plan (SIP), which includes negative declarations for certain Control Techniques Guidelines (CTG) and Alternative Control Techniques (ACT) for ozone standards. These declarations show that there are no sources in Northern Virginia subject to these guidelines, including for the 2016 Oil and Gas industry CTG. The approval confirms that Virginia meets the requirements of the Clean Air Act for these guidelines, and it does not conflict with any state or federal laws or regulations. This action simply acknowledges Virginia's compliance and does not impose new regulations.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved a revision to New Jersey's State Implementation Plan (SIP) for meeting air quality standards related to ozone. This revision specifically targets the CMC Steel New Jersey facility and focuses on controlling emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOC) and nitrogen oxides (NOX) from its electric arc furnace. The EPA concluded that the facility can continue to operate under its existing emission limits as it satisfies the reasonably available control technology (RACT) requirements set by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP). This decision involves no new public comments, affirming that the facility complies with both state and federal air quality regulations.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved the State of Washington's State Implementation Plan (SIP) submissions, ensuring they meet specific infrastructure requirements for air quality standards set in 2010 and 2015, particularly for sulfur dioxide and ozone. Despite some administrative issues and adverse public comments regarding resources and funding, the EPA found Washington's SIP compliant with necessary requirements. The rule, which does not impose additional federal requirements, will be effective on March 22, 2021. The SIP approval mainly applies to non-trust lands within specific Indian reservation areas as outlined by federal law.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved changes to Colorado's State Implementation Plan (SIP) regulations, which were submitted after the EPA identified issues in the state’s handling of extra emissions during startup, shutdown, and malfunction events. These changes remove certain provisions from the SIP, making them state-only, and align with federal requirements under the Clean Air Act. While the action aims to improve air quality, it does not require an environmental justice analysis. The rule takes effect on January 27, 2025.

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.