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) 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) 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 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 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 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.

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) has approved changes to Washington's air quality plan, which were submitted in 2018. This approval confirms that Washington's plan satisfies federal requirements for controlling interstate pollution of sulfur dioxide, a harmful air pollutant. The EPA found that emissions from Washington will not significantly affect air quality in other states, meeting the standards set in 2010. This rule takes effect on March 22, 2021, and stakeholders can find more information or address inquiries as directed in the details provided by the EPA.

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.

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.