EPA Regulates Everything From Paint Fumes to Crematory Smoke
Published Date: 12/11/2025
Rule
Summary
The EPA just gave a thumbs-up to new air pollution rules in Maricopa County, Arizona, targeting smelly solvents, paint fumes, and smoke from incinerators and crematories. These changes help keep the air cleaner starting January 12, 2026, and affect businesses using these materials or equipment. No big costs are expected, but everyone will breathe easier with these smarter pollution controls in place.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.
Architectural Coatings Updated — Conditional Limits
Maricopa County submitted two versions of MCAQD Rule 335 (architectural coatings). The September 25, 2013 version remains applicable until the EPA determines that the Phoenix-Mesa nonattainment area either failed to attain the 2015 ozone NAAQS by the attainment date or failed to make reasonable further progress; only upon that EPA determination will the VOC limits in table 335-1 of the December 11, 2024 version become applicable. These SIP actions are federally enforceable effective January 12, 2026.
Incinerator Operators Face SIP Rules
If you operate an incinerator, burn-off oven, or crematory in Maricopa County, your facility is now regulated for particulate matter under MCAQD Rule 313, and that rule is federally enforceable as part of the Arizona SIP effective January 12, 2026. The December 11, 2024 version of Rule 313 replaces the older SIP-incorporated Rule 35.
Solvent Cleaning Activities Regulated
Businesses that do solvent cleaning or metal degreasing in Maricopa County are regulated for volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions under MCAQD Rule 331; the September 25, 2024 version of Rule 331 is incorporated into the Arizona SIP and is federally enforceable effective January 12, 2026. The September 25, 2024 version replaces the April 21, 2004 version and provisions of Rule 34 previously in the SIP.
SIP Submittals Become Federally Enforceable
The EPA approved incorporation by reference of MCAQD Rules 313, 331, and two versions of 335 into the Arizona SIP, making these local rules federally enforceable under Clean Air Act sections 110 and 113 as of January 12, 2026. The EPA also rescinded or replaced previously SIP-approved entries (e.g., Rule 35 and parts of Rule 34).
EPA Finds No Significant Small-Entity Cost
The EPA certified that this SIP approval does not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities under the Regulatory Flexibility Act. The agency also determined the action is not a 'major rule' and does not impose new federal information collection or unfunded mandate requirements.
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