🌫️EPA Proposes Disapproval of West Virginia's Regional Haze SIP
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to disapprove a revision to West Virginia's State Implementation Plan (SIP) submitted by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WV DEP) on August 12, 2022. The SIP was submitted to satisfy applicable requirements under the Clean Air Act (CAA) and EPA's Regional Haze Rule (RHR) for the program's second planning period. If finalized, disapproval does not start a mandatory sanctions clock. The EPA is taking this action pursuant to sections 110 and 169A of the Clean Air Act.
Learn More🌍EPA Notice on Low Embodied Carbon Construction Materials Program
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has submitted an information collection request (ICR), Threshold Setting Data Needs for the Label Program for Low Embodied Carbon Construction Materials (EPA ICR Number 2805.01 and OMB Control Number 2070-NEW) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act. This is a request for a new ICR. Public comments were previously requested via the Federal Register on November 7, 2024. This notice allows for an additional 30 days for public comments.
Learn More🌍EPA Proposes Changes to Oil and Gas Emission Standards
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing amendments to the New Source Performance Standards and Emission Guidelines for Existing Sources for the Crude Oil and Natural Gas Source Category in response to petitions for reconsideration. Specifically, this action proposes discrete technical changes to two different aspects of the rules. First, this action proposes discrete technical changes to the temporary flaring provisions for associated gas in certain situations. Second, this action proposes discrete technical changes to the vent gas net heating value (NHV) continuous monitoring requirements and alternative performance test (sampling demonstration) option for flares and enclosed combustion devices. In a letter dated May 6, 2024, the EPA notified petitioners and the public that the Agency granted reconsideration on these two aspects of the March 8, 2024 (89 FR 16820) final rule. These amendments neither propose changes to any other aspect of the final rule, nor propose to alter the substance of any emission standards within the final rule. Also, in this action, the EPA proposes to make formatting changes to the regulatory text to meet the required formatting standards of the Office of the Federal Register.
Learn More🌍EPA Grants California Waiver for Omnibus Low NOX Regulations
The Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") is providing notice of its decision to grant the California Air Resources Board's ("CARB") request for a waiver of Clean Air Act (CAA) preemption for its Heavy-Duty Vehicle and Engine "Omnibus" Low NO<INF>X</INF> Regulations ("Omnibus Low NO<INF>X</INF> program"). EPA's decision also includes an authorization for portions of the Omnibus Low NO<INF>X</INF> program that pertain to off-road diesel engines. This decision was issued under the authority of the Clean Air Act ("CAA" or "Act") section 209.
Learn More🌱EPA Authorizes California's New Small Off-Road Engine Regulations
The Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") is providing notice of its decision granting the California Air Resources Board's ("CARB's") request for an authorization of amendments to its small off-road engine ("SORE") regulations. CARB's amendments covered by this authorization include those adopted by CARB in 2016 and 2021. EPA's decision was issued under the authority of section 209 of the Clean Air Act ("CAA" or "Act").
Learn More🌫️EPA Denies Redesignation Request for Louisville Air Quality
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is withdrawing its proposed approval of the request to redesignate the Kentucky portion of the Louisville, Kentucky-Indiana, 2015 8-hour ozone nonattainment area (hereinafter referred to as the "Louisville, KY-IN Area" or "Area") to attainment for the 2015 8-hour ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS or standards). EPA is withdrawing its April 18, 2023, proposed approval and is now proposing to deny Kentucky's request to redesignate the Kentucky portion of the Area from nonattainment to attainment, based on the Area's violation of the NAAQS. EPA is taking no action at this time on Kentucky's maintenance plan, including the regional motor vehicle emission budgets for nitrogen oxides (NO<INF>X</INF>) and volatile organic compounds (VOC) for the years of 2019 and 2035, submitted with Kentucky's redesignation request for the Louisville, KY-IN Area. The redesignation request and maintenance plan state implementation plan (SIP) revision were submitted by the Commonwealth of Kentucky, through the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet (Cabinet), Division of Air Quality (DAQ), on September 6, 2022.
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