🌬️North Carolina Air Quality Regulation
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve separate but related State Implementation Plan (SIP) revisions submitted by the North Carolina Division of Air Quality (NCDAQ). First, EPA is proposing to approve a SIP revision submitted by NCDAQ on behalf of the State of North Carolina on October 27, 2023, to remove certain exemptions available at the discretion of a State official for emissions exceeding otherwise applicable SIP emission limitations. Second, EPA is proposing to approve a SIP revision submitted by NCDAQ on behalf of Mecklenburg County Air Quality (MCAQ or Mecklenburg County) on October 25, 2023, to remove a parallel local exemption analogous to the State's for emissions exceeding otherwise applicable SIP emission limitations. In addition, EPA is proposing to approve minor and administrative changes to certain regulatory provisions that have been revised by the State and Mecklenburg County since EPA's last approval of those provisions. EPA is proposing to approve these SIP revisions pursuant to the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act).
Learn More🌍FERC Notice on Final General Conformity Reevaluation for Gas Project
The Department of Energy's FERC issued a notice outlining the Final General Conformity Determination Reevaluation for the Northeast Supply Enhancement Project by Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company. The evaluation assesses potential air quality impacts and confirms compliance with state air quality plans through emissions reduction measures. The full document is available online for public access.
Learn More🌬️EPA Approves Removal of Nitrogen Oxides Emission Rules in Missouri
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking final action to approve a revision to the State Implementation Plan (SIP) submitted by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MoDNR) on November 14, 2018. MoDNR requested that the EPA remove from its SIP two rules related to control of emissions of nitrogen oxides (NO<INF>X</INF>). One of the rules previously applied to electricity generating units (EGUs) and certain non-EGUs in a portion of the state and the other rule previously applied to EGUs throughout the entire state. The EPA has already approved a SIP revision that included provisions to sunset the two rules, and removal of the now-sunsetted rules from the SIP would not have an adverse effect on air quality. The EPA's approval of this rule revision is being done in accordance with the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA).
Learn More🌬️New EPA Regulations on Sulfur Dioxide Emissions in North Carolina
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the North Carolina Division of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ), Division of Air Quality (DAQ) on November 28, 2023, for the purpose of revising regulations that establish sulfur dioxide (SO<INF>2</INF>) emission limits and compliance parameters for SO<INF>2</INF>-emitting combustion sources in the State. EPA is proposing to approve these changes pursuant to the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act) and EPA regulations.
Learn More♻️EPA Approves Alter Metal Recycling Permit Modification in Iowa
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking final action to approve revisions to the Iowa State Implementation Plan (SIP) to include a permit modification for Alter Metal Recycling. This final action will amend the SIP to incorporate revisions to the air construction permit for Alter Metal Recycling included in the State's 2008 Lead (Pb) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) attainment plan for a portion of Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie County, IA. These revisions do not impact the stringency of the SIP or have an adverse effect on air quality. The EPA's approval of this revision is being done in accordance with the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA).
Learn More🌿Oregon's EPA Approval for Expanded Outdoor Burning Regulations
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving and incorporating by reference into the Oregon State Implementation Plan (SIP) the Lane Regional Air Protection Agency (LRAPA) revised outdoor burning rule revisions submitted by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ) on July 1, 2024, in coordination with LRAPA. The revised rule, applicable in Lane County, Oregon, clarifies terminology, revises formatting, and expands the residential outdoor burning season to allow burning of woody yard trimmings on approved burn days within Lowell city limits from October 1 through June 15. The ODEQ included in the submittal a technical demonstration that the requested expansion of the residential outdoor burning season will not interfere with attainment and maintenance of the NAAQS and other applicable Clean Air Act (CAA) requirements. The EPA is approving these revisions because they meet the applicable requirements of the Clean Air Act.
Learn More🌬️EPA Finds Huntington County Failed Sulfur Dioxide Air Quality Standards
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is determining that the Huntington County, Indiana nonattainment area failed to attain the 2010 Sulfur Dioxide (SO<INF>2</INF>) National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) by the applicable attainment date of April 9, 2023. EPA is also approving revisions into the Indiana State Implementation Plan (SIP) intended to provide for attainment of the 2010 SO<INF>2</INF> NAAQS for the Huntington County nonattainment area. These SIP revisions include Indiana's attainment demonstration and other planning elements required under the Clean Air Act (CAA), and an order issued by the Commissioner of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management containing enforceable emission limits. Further, EPA is determining that the provisions of Indiana's SIP submittal adequately provide for attainment of the NAAQS and that the plan meets all other applicable CAA requirements. EPA proposed to approve this action on June 18, 2025, and received no adverse comments.
Learn More⛽EPA Proposes Changes to Rhode Island's Air Regulations on Vapor Recovery
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of Rhode Island. This revision removes requirements for Stage II vapor recovery equipment at gasoline dispensing facilities (GDFs). This revision also includes minor updates to Stage I vapor recovery regulatory amendments. The intended effect of this action is to propose approval of Rhode Island's revised vapor recovery regulations. This action is being taken under the Clean Air Act.
Learn More🌫️Air Plan Approval Corrections for Pennsylvania's Liberty-Clairton Area
The Environmental Protection Agency's regulation outlines corrections related to the air quality management for particulate matter standards in Pennsylvania's Liberty-Clairton Area. It addresses specific amendments in air plan approvals and emphasizes updated compliance requirements linked to emissions, highlighting the importance of accurate regulatory documentation for effective air quality management.
Learn More🌫️Wyoming EPA Approves Air Quality Regulation for Jim Bridger Units
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of Wyoming on December 30, 2022, and supplemented on August 31, 2023, and November 16, 2023, addressing regional haze for Jim Bridger Units 1 and 2 (Wyoming 2022 SIP revision). Wyoming's 2022 SIP revision provides oxides of nitrogen (NO<INF>X</INF>) emission and heat input limits that collectively allow for identical reasonable progress as part of the long term strategy during the first implementation period as the associated emission limits in the existing SIP for Jim Bridger Units 1 and 2. The EPA is also approving monthly and annual NO<INF>X</INF> and sulfur dioxide (SO<INF>2</INF>) emission limits for Jim Bridger Units 1 through 4 that were included in Wyoming's 2022 SIP revision. The EPA is taking this action pursuant to the Clean Air Act (CAA or the Act).
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