Search Results for keywords:"Air Quality Standards"

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 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.

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 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the current National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) by revising standards for ground-level ozone and removing outdated sulfur dioxide standards that were revoked by the EPA.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) is proposing to reject revisions to the Texas State Implementation Plan (SIP) aimed at meeting the ozone standards set in 2008 for Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) and Houston-Galveston-Brazoria (HGB) areas. These revisions, submitted by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality between 2015 and 2020, failed to show that these areas could achieve the required air quality standards by their respective deadlines, leading to their reclassification as more severe nonattainment areas. Consequently, the EPA is proposing to disapprove the related emissions control strategies and budgets associated with these submissions. This decision aligns with federal regulations that mandate EPA action on SIP submissions that have not been withdrawn.

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.