Approval Frequency of State Implementation Plans from EPA

Environmental Consulting

09/09/2024

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History of the Regional Haze Program

Since 1988, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other agencies have been monitoring the visibility in national parks and wilderness areas. In 1999, EPA introduced the Regional Haze Regulations with a goal of achieving natural visibility conditions at all 156 Class I areas by 2064. The rule requires all states and the District of Columbia to participate in planning, analysis, and emission control programs, revising state implementation plans (SIPs) for each ten-year period until 2064.

EPA’s Review of Second Planning Period SIPs

As of August 3, 2024, EPA has taken action on 21 second planning period SIPs. These actions are listed in Table 1.

Table 1: List of Formal Action Taken by EPA

State or TerritoryEPA ActionFederal Register PublicationNJFinal approval88 Fed. Reg. 78,650 (Nov. 16, 2023MDFinal approval89 Fed. Reg. 22,337 (Apr. 1, 2024)MAFinal approval89 Fed. Reg. 55,891 (July 8, 2024)NYFinal approval89 Fed. Reg. 66,234 (Aug. 15, 2024)DCProposed approval86 Fed. Reg. 48,504 (Aug. 31, 2021)NHProposed approval88 Fed. Reg. 80,655 (Nov. 20, 2023)ORProposed approval89 Fed. Reg. 13, 622 (Feb. 23, 2024)GAProposed approval89 Fed. Reg. 47,481 (June 3, 2024)NDProposed approval89 Fed. Reg. 56,693 (July 10, 2024) and 89 Fed. Reg. 66,015 (Aug. 14, 2024)MNProposed approval89 Fed. Reg. 55,827 (July 11, 2024)CTProposed approval89 Fed. Reg. 58,663 (July 19, 2024)IAProposed approval89 Fed. Reg. 63,258 (Aug. 2, 2024)DEProposed approval89 Fed. Reg. 67,018 (Aug. 19, 2024)UTProposed approval89 Fed. Reg. 67,208, 67,208-09 (Aug. 19, 2024)OHProposed approval89 Fed. Reg. 71,124 (Aug. 30, 2024)WIProposed conditional approval89 Fed. Reg. 65,492 (Aug. 9, 2024)NCProposed conditional approval89 Fed. Reg. 67,341 (Aug. 20, 2024)AZProposed partial approval and partial disapproval89 Fed. Reg. 47,398 (May 31, 2024)MOProposed partial approval and partial disapproval89 Fed. Reg. 55,140 (July 3, 2024)WYProposed partial approval and partial disapproval89 Fed. Reg. 63,030, 63,0301 (Aug. 1, 2024)KSProposed full disapproval89 Fed. Reg. 64,373, 64,376 (Aug. 7, 2024)

As shown in the table, the frequency of actions has increased in recent months with 16 of the 21 actions taken since June 2024. Additional actions are expected during the remaining months of 2024. Sierra Club has sent a notice of intent to file suit against EPA for the failure to complete all actions on time.

For more information or for assistance, please contact Trinity Consultants at 800.229.6655.