Search Results for keywords:"Air Quality Standards"

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) is proposing a limited approval and limited disapproval of part of a plan submitted by the State of Arizona. This plan is designed to improve air quality by controlling particulate matter (PM) emissions from agricultural activities in certain parts of the state. The EPA recognizes that the proposed updates to Arizona's regulations could help reduce harmful PM emissions, but it also identified some deficiencies that don't fully meet federal standards. The EPA is considering approving the changes to add new control measures, while also initiating a process to address the unresolved issues.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalized a rule determining that the Anne Arundel and Baltimore County area met the 2010 1-hour sulfur dioxide (SO₂) National Ambient Air Quality Standards by the deadline of September 12, 2021. This decision is based on air quality data, modeling, and emissions information from 2018 to 2020. Although the area has attained the standards, it remains officially classified as a nonattainment area until Maryland requests and the EPA approves a formal redesignation to attainment. This determination does not add new requirements or impact regulatory actions significantly.

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 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) has released a notice about a recommendation from the Ozone Transport Commission (OTC). The recommendation suggests that Pennsylvania should be required to limit nitrogen oxide (NOX) emissions from coal-fired power plants, ensuring that existing pollution control technologies are optimized daily during the ozone season. The goal of these measures is to help reduce pollution and ensure that areas downwind, like Philadelphia and New York City, can meet national air quality standards. The public is invited to submit comments on this recommendation by March 8, 2021, and a public hearing will be held on February 2, 2021.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved a revision to Delaware's state implementation plan (SIP) concerning air quality standards. This update aligns Delaware's rules with the current National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) by revising standards for ground-level ozone and removing outdated sulfur dioxide standards that were revoked by the EPA. The amendments also update references for EPA's sampling and analytical procedures. This final rule takes effect on January 22, 2025, expanding the federal enforceability of these standards.

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 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.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is planning to approve Utah's request to redesignate the Logan, Utah-Idaho area to meet the air quality standards for PM2.5, a type of fine particulate matter. This decision follows Utah's demonstration that the area has achieved the required air quality standards through permanent and enforceable emission reductions. The approval would involve updates to the Utah State Implementation Plan (SIP), which includes various local air quality control measures. The plan also outlines continued monitoring to ensure air quality is maintained and sets contingency measures if air quality standards are exceeded in the future.