Facilitating State Air Quality Standards Implementation and New Permit Rules.
This act aims to ease states' implementation of national air quality standards by extending review periods and considering economic attainability. It also modifies preconstruction permit rules, granting states more time to comply with new regulations and shielding them from sanctions for pollution beyond their control. Citizens may experience changes in the pace of new air quality regulations and in the processes for obtaining development permits.
Key points
Air quality standard reviews will occur every 10 years instead of 5, potentially affecting the pace of standard updates and long-term air quality.
Economic feasibility will be considered when setting air quality standards, which may influence the stringency of new regulations.
States will have more time (up to 3 years) to correct air quality plan deficiencies before federal plans are imposed, offering greater flexibility.
New rules for exceptional events (e.g., wildfires) will allow states to exclude pollution data from such events when assessing compliance, potentially impacting area classifications.
States will not face sanctions or fees for air quality standard violations if they demonstrate pollution originated from outside their area, from exceptional events, or from mobile sources beyond their control, potentially reducing financial burdens on states.
The EPA Administrator must concurrently publish implementation regulations and guidance with new air quality standards, aiming to streamline the permitting process for states and businesses.
Expired
Citizen Poll