🌬️Approval of Air Quality Implementation Plans in West Virginia
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve a state implementation plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of West Virginia. The revision pertains to West Virginia 45 Code of State Rules (CSR) 40 (WV rule) that establishes the nitrogen oxides (NO<INF>X</INF>) ozone season limitations and requirements for non- electrical generating unit (EGU) large industrial boilers and combustion turbines that have a maximum design heat input of greater than 250 million British thermal units per hour (MMBtu/hr), as well as affected stationary internal combustion engines and cement manufacturing kilns. This action is being taken under the Clean Air Act (CAA).
Learn More🌬️Proposed Updates to West Virginia's Air Quality Standards by EPA
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve a state implementation plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of West Virginia. This revision updates West Virginia's incorporation by reference (IBR) of EPA's national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) and the associated monitoring reference and equivalent methods. This action is being taken under the Clean Air Act (CAA).
Learn More🚧California's Cement Kiln Sanction Relief by EPA Announcement
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is making an interim final determination that the California Air Resources Board (CARB) has submitted a revised rule on behalf of the Eastern Kern Air Pollution Control District (EKAPCD) that addresses deficiencies in its Clean Air Act (CAA or "Act") State Implementation Plan (SIP) concerning reasonably available control technology (RACT) ozone nonattainment requirements for controlling emissions of oxides of nitrogen (NO<INF>X</INF>) from Portland cement kilns. This determination is based on a proposed approval of the submitted revised rule, published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register. 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 proposed approval of EKAPCD's submittal, relief from these sanctions will become permanent.
Learn More🏭Proposed Regulation on Portland Cement Kiln Emissions in California
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 Portland cement kilns. 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.
Learn More🌫️California Air Plan Approval
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is revising the format for materials submitted by the State of California that are incorporated by reference into the California State Implementation Plan (SIP). The regulations and other materials affected by this format change have all been previously submitted by the State of California and approved by the EPA. This format revision will primarily affect the "Identification of plan--in part" sections, as well as the format of the SIP materials that will be available for public inspection at the EPA Regional Office and the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). This action, which only relates to local ordinances and certain local and regional California air district rules, is the second of a series of actions intended to change the format for the entire California SIP.
Learn More🌍New Jersey NOₓ SIP Compliance and Memorandum of Agreement
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve a revision in the New Jersey State Implementation Plan (SIP) that includes a signed Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) developed between the EPA and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP). The MOA demonstrates how the State will maintain compliance with its nitrogen oxides (NO<INF>X</INF>) emission control obligations for the types of large non-electricity generating units (non-EGUs) that were previously regulated under the New Jersey NO<INF>X</INF> Budget Program. This action is being taken in accordance with the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA).
Learn More♻️EPA Proposes Revisions to Alter Metal Recycling Permit in Iowa
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing approval of revisions to the Iowa State Implementation Plan (SIP) to include a permit modification for Alter Metal Recycling. The SIP revision addresses modifications 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 portions 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 proposed approval of this rule revision is being done in accordance with the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA).
Learn More🌫️EPA Proposes Rule for Mariposa County Air Quality Standards Compliance
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to determine that the Mariposa County nonattainment area in California ("Mariposa area"), classified as "Moderate" for the 2015 ozone national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS or "standard"), attained the 2015 ozone NAAQS by the August 3, 2024 attainment date. Our proposed determination of attainment is based upon the exclusion of exceedances of the 2015 ozone NAAQS that occurred on multiple days in 2021 and 2022, because the exceedances are due to exceptional events. This action, if finalized as proposed, will fulfill the EPA's statutory obligation to determine whether the Mariposa area attained the NAAQS by the August 3, 2024 attainment date.
Learn More🌫️Vermont's Regional Haze SIP
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve the Regional Haze State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by Vermont on July 1, 2024, as satisfying applicable requirements under the Clean Air Act (CAA) and EPA's Regional Haze Rule for the program's second implementation period. Vermont's SIP submission addresses the requirement that states must periodically revise their long-term strategies for making reasonable progress towards the national goal of preventing any future, and remedying any existing, anthropogenic impairment of visibility, including regional haze, in mandatory Class I Federal areas. The SIP submission also addresses other applicable requirements for the second implementation period of the regional haze program. The EPA is taking this action pursuant to sections 110 and 169A of the Clean Air Act.
Learn More🔥Proposed Regulation for Outdoor Burning in Lane County, Oregon
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposes to approve 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. 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 proposing to approve this rule because it meets the applicable requirements of the Clean Air Act.
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