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.
Simple Explanation
The EPA checked the air in some parts of Texas to see if it was cleaner and found it was safe enough, mostly because some big polluters closed down. They decided these areas still need to be watched before they can be called completely clean.