EPA Advances Proposed Revisions to State Air Quality Plans
Proposed updates under the Clean Air Act would affect how state air quality plans addressing ozone pollution are reviewed and implemented.
The EPA announced proposed revisions to how state air quality plans are reviewed under the Clean Air Act, taking steps to move forward on implementation of measures aimed at improving air quality.
On Jan. 27, the agency proposed action on State Implementation Plans, or SIPs, for eight states — Alabama, Arizona, Kentucky, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, and Tennessee — related to the 2015 federal ozone air quality standard.
Under the proposal, EPA would approve portions of the states’ SIPs and allow them to implement the remaining elements of their plans without additional federal requirements tied to the interstate transport provisions of the Clean Air Act. Those provisions are intended to address situations in which air pollution from one state contributes to air quality problems in another.
EPA said the states’ plans include data showing that emissions from sources within each state do not significantly interfere with other states’ ability to attain or maintain the ozone standard.
The proposal also includes changes to EPA’s review process for related SIP actions, including the withdrawal of a previously proposed correction to partial disapproval decisions.
Under the Clean Air Act, states develop SIPs to outline how they will achieve and maintain national air quality standards for pollutants such as ground-level ozone, and EPA reviews the plans for adequacy. Air quality plans may include emissions controls, monitoring and other measures designed to reduce pollution and protect public health.
EPA will publish the proposal in the Federal Register and open a public comment period.
