Search Results for keywords:"Clean Air Act"

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is reopening the public comment period for a rule proposed on August 30, 2024, regarding Ohio's Regional Haze Plan under the Clean Air Act. The reopening lets people comment on specific permit conditions related to emissions at certain power plants in Ohio. This period, lasting 15 days, allows further input after some documents were initially unavailable. Comments must be submitted by March 17, 2025.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve a revision to the state implementation plan (SIP) submitted by the Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) for the District of Columbia. This revision addresses the Nonattainment New Source Review (NNSR) requirements related to the 2015 8-hour ozone standards for the Washington, DC-MD-VA Nonattainment Area. The EPA is seeking public comments on this proposal and has assured that the District’s plan meets all necessary air quality standards without adding extra regulations beyond what the state has implemented.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved a request from the Montana Department of Environmental Quality to change the status of the "oxygenated fuels" program in Missoula's Carbon Monoxide Limited Maintenance Plan. Previously an active control measure, it will now be a contingency measure, meaning it will only be used if necessary to meet air quality standards. This decision was made after confirming that this change will not interfere with maintaining the required air quality levels. The rule becomes effective on February 18, 2025.

The Department of Justice has lodged a proposed Consent Decree with the court to settle claims against American Zinc Recycling Corp. for environmental law violations at their facility in Palmerton, Pennsylvania. These claims involve federal laws such as the Clean Air Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, Clean Water Act, and Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act, along with several Pennsylvania state laws. Under the Consent Decree, the company must implement new pollution control measures and pay a $3.3 million penalty, split between the U.S. and Pennsylvania. There is a public comment period on the Consent Decree, during which the document can be reviewed online or requested by mail.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has given full approval to North Dakota's revised and recodified operating permit program, which issues permits to major stationary sources of air pollution under the Clean Air Act. Previously, the program had an interim approval because certain legal provisions regarding judicial review were not aligned with federal requirements. After North Dakota made the necessary legal adjustments, including revising state laws and updating the Attorney General's Opinion, the program now meets all federal standards. This approval is considered non-controversial, and unless adverse comments are received by March 26, 2021, it will become effective on April 26, 2021.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved a revision to Pennsylvania's State Implementation Plan (SIP) for maintaining air quality standards for ozone in the Harrisburg-Lebanon-Carlisle area. This revision helps ensure the area continues to meet the 1997 8-hour ozone standards through 2027. The EPA found that Pennsylvania's submission satisfied legal requirements, even after discovering a minor computational error in emission data that did not affect the decision. This approval makes certain air quality maintenance commitments enforceable under federal law.

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) issued a final rule that partially approves and partially disapproves Arizona's State Implementation Plan (SIP) for addressing regional haze, a form of air pollution. Arizona's plan aimed to tackle haze by revising strategies to improve visibility in protected natural areas. The EPA found that while some parts of the plan meet federal requirements, others do not because they lack adequate analysis or justification. The EPA's decision starts a process that could lead to federal intervention unless Arizona submits an improved plan that meets all necessary criteria.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined that the Northern Wasatch Front area in Utah failed to meet the 2015 ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) by the set deadline. As a result, this area will be reclassified to "Serious" nonattainment status for ozone, requiring stricter controls to improve air quality. Utah must submit revised plans to meet these new requirements by August 3, 2027. This decision ensures that stricter measures will be put in place to reduce ozone pollution in the region.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has updated a part of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Air Regulations, which involve air pollution control requirements near state seaward boundaries. Specifically, this update affects the requirements for OCS sources near Massachusetts and involves removing two state provisions from the federal regulations as they are either redundant or irrelevant to air quality standards. This rule will ensure that the OCS regulations are in line with onshore regulations and will be effective from January 27, 2025.