🌬️Proposed Revisions to Minnesota Air Quality Regulations
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve a revision to the Minnesota State Implementation Plan (SIP) which updates Minnesota's air program rules. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) submitted the request to EPA on October 1, 2021. The revision to Minnesota's air quality rules will reflect changes that have occurred to the State air quality rules since July 2020. EPA is proposing to approve MPCA's submittal, which will result in consistent requirements of rules at both the State and Federal level.
Learn More🌫️EPA Proposes New PM2.5 Air Quality Standards Affecting Businesses
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to determine that the San Joaquin Valley, California fine particulate matter (PM<INF>2.5</INF>) nonattainment area attained the 1997 annual PM<INF>2.5</INF> national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) by the December 31, 2024 applicable attainment date. This proposed determination is based on ambient air quality monitoring data from 2022 through 2024. We are also proposing to make a clean data determination (CDD) based on the 2022 through 2024 data and our evaluation of preliminary air quality monitoring data from 2025. We are taking comments on this proposal and plan to follow with a final action.
Learn More🌍EPA Proposes Delegation of NESHAP Authority to Oklahoma DEQ
The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ) has submitted updated regulations for receiving delegation and approval of its program for the implementation and enforcement of certain National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for all sources, as provided for under previously approved delegation mechanisms. The updated State regulations incorporate by reference certain NESHAP promulgated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as they existed through June 30, 2023. The EPA is proposing to approve ODEQ's requested delegation update. The proposed delegation of authority under this action applies to sources located in certain areas of Indian country as discussed herein.
Learn More🌫️EPA Proposes Ozone Standards Failure for San Joaquin Valley
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to determine that the San Joaquin Valley, California area failed to attain the 1997 8-hour ozone national ambient air quality standard by its June 15, 2024 "Extreme" area attainment date. This proposed determination is based on quality-assured and certified ambient air quality monitoring data from 2021 through 2023.
Learn More🌫️Ohio EPA Finalizes Air Quality Standards
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving the following portions of Ohio's State Implementation Plan (SIP) submission for the Cleveland 2015 ozone national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS or standard) Moderate nonattainment area: the base year emissions inventory, the reasonable further progress (RFP) demonstration, the motor vehicle inspection and maintenance (I/M) program, and the nonattainment new source review (NNSR) program. EPA is approving these portions of the state's submission as a SIP revision pursuant to section 110 and part D of the Clean Air Act (CAA) and EPA's regulations. EPA is also finding adequate and approving the 2023 motor vehicle emissions budgets (budgets) associated with the Cleveland Moderate ozone nonattainment RFP demonstration. EPA proposed to approve this action on January 3, 2025, and received no comments.
Learn More🌬️Air Quality Regulation Impacts on California Businesses and Compliance
Under the Clean Air Act, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking another action in a series of actions to revise the format of the former "Identification of plan" section for the California State Implementation Plan (SIP). Specifically, the EPA is adding the nonregulatory provisions and quasi-regulatory measures to the "Identification of plan--in part" section that the EPA established to provide for the phased transition of the California SIP to the revised format. The nonregulatory provisions and quasi- regulatory measures affected by this format revision have been previously submitted by the State of California and approved by the EPA. This action is the third in a series of actions intended to change the format for the entire California SIP.
Learn More🌬️New EPA Delegation of NSPS and NESHAP to Louisiana
The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) has submitted updated regulations for receiving delegation and approval of its program for the implementation and enforcement of certain New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) and National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for all sources, as provided for under previously approved delegation mechanisms. The updated State regulations incorporate by reference certain NSPS and NESHAP promulgated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as they existed through July 1, 2021. EPA is providing notice that it is updating the delegation of certain NSPS to LDEQ and proposing to approve the delegation of certain NESHAP to LDEQ. The proposed delegation of authority under this action does not apply to sources located in Indian country.
Learn More🌍EPA Delegates NESHAP Authority to Oklahoma for Air Quality Management
The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ) has submitted updated regulations for receiving delegation and approval of its program for the implementation and enforcement of certain National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for all sources, as provided for under previously approved delegation mechanisms. The updated State regulations incorporate by reference certain NESHAP promulgated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as they existed through June 30, 2022. The EPA is providing notice that it is taking final action to approve the delegation of certain NESHAP to ODEQ. The final delegation of authority under this action applies to sources located in certain areas of Indian country as discussed herein.
Learn More🌱EPA Defers Sanctions for California Air Quality Compliance
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is making an interim final determination that the California Air Resources Board (CARB) has submitted a rule on behalf of the Eastern Kern Air Pollution Control District (EKAPCD or "District") that addresses deficiencies in its Clean Air Act (CAA or "Act") State Implementation Plan (SIP) concerning emissions of oxides of nitrogen (NO<INF>X</INF>) from stationary gas turbines. This determination is based on a proposed approval, published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register, of EKAPCD Rule 425 that regulates this category of sources. The effect of this interim final determination is that the application of offset sanctions that was triggered by a previous limited disapproval by the EPA in 2023 is now stayed, and the application of highway sanctions is now deferred. If the EPA finalizes its approval of EKAPCD's submission, relief from these sanctions will become permanent.
Learn More🌬️Proposed EPA Rule for Eastern Kern Air Quality
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve a revision to the Eastern Kern Air Pollution Control District (EKAPCD or "District") portion of the California State Implementation Plan (SIP). This revision concerns emissions of oxides of nitrogen (NO<INF>X</INF>) from stationary gas turbines. We are proposing to approve a local rule to regulate these emission sources under the Clean Air Act (CAA or "Act"). We are taking comments on this proposal and plan to follow with a final action.
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