🌿EPA Updates Washington State Implementation Plan for Air Quality
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is updating the materials that are incorporated by reference (IBR) into the Washington State Implementation Plan (SIP). The regulations affected by this update have been previously submitted by Washington and approved by the EPA. This update affects the materials that are available for public inspection at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) and the EPA Regional Office.
Learn More🌬️EPA's Air Quality Regulations Update for California 2024
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 source- specific requirements and certain local and regional California air district rules, is the fourth of a series of actions intended to change the format for the entire California SIP.
Learn More🌬️EPA Proposes Revision to Alabama Air Permit Regulations
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve a revision to the Alabama State Implementation Plan (SIP) submitted by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) on December 20, 2023. The proposed SIP revision consists of minor changes to certain air permit regulations that have been revised by the State agency since EPA last approved those provisions. EPA is proposing to approve the SIP revision pursuant to the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act).
Learn More🌫️Tennessee's Regional Haze Plan
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve a regional haze State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the Tennessee Department of Environmental Conservation (TDEC), dated February 23, 2022, as satisfying the applicable requirements under the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act) and EPA's Regional Haze Rule (RHR) for the program's second planning period. Tennessee's SIP submission addresses the requirement that states must periodically revise their long-term strategies for making reasonable progress toward 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 planning period of the regional haze program. EPA is proposing this action pursuant to sections 110 and 169A of the Act.
Learn More🌬️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⛽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🌫️Georgia Air Pollution Rule Updates
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted through the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (GA EPD) on July 18, 2024, regarding updates to the State's Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR) emissions trading programs. The SIP revision incorporates by reference (IBRs) certain amendments EPA has made to the regulations for the Federal CSAPR trading programs for annual emissions of nitrogen oxides (NO<INF>X</INF>) and sulfur dioxide (SO<INF>2</INF>) and the Federal CSAPR trading program for NO<INF>X</INF> emissions during the ozone season from May 1 to September 30, all three of which apply to large electric generating units (EGUs). EPA created these Federal trading programs in 2011 as market-based mechanisms for Georgia and certain other states to address their obligations to downwind states under the Clean Air Act's (CAA's) good neighbor provision with respect to the national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for fine particulate matter (PM<INF>2.5</INF>) and ground-level ozone. The SIP revision also updates the definition for "Volatile Organic Compound." EPA is proposing to approve Georgia's July 18, 2024, SIP revision because it is consistent with EPA's good neighbor CSAPR trading programs and the CAA.
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🌫️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.
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