EPA Declares Baltimore's Air Clean Enough, Skips Ozone Plans
Published Date: 1/23/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The EPA says Baltimore’s air is clean enough now to meet the 2015 ozone pollution rules, based on recent data from 2022-2024. This means Maryland won’t have to submit some usual pollution control plans as long as the air stays clean. People in Baltimore and Maryland can breathe a little easier, and the state can save time and money on extra paperwork—unless pollution levels rise again.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Wildfire Smoke Monitor Days Excluded
The EPA proposes to concur with portions of Maryland's exceptional events demonstrations and exclude monitor-days influenced by wildfire smoke on June 2, June 29-30, and July 17, 2023 at specified monitors in Anne Arundel County (Glen Burnie), Baltimore City (Lake Montebello), Baltimore County (Essex, Padonia), Carroll County (South Carroll), and Harford County (Aldino, Edgewood). Excluding these days from the 2022-2024 dataset supports the proposed Clean Data Determination.
Baltimore Area Meets 2015 Ozone Standard
The EPA proposes to determine that the Baltimore, MD nonattainment area has attained the 2015 8-hour ozone standard based on certified monitoring data from 2022-2024 (excluding certain exceptional-event days). If finalized, this Clean Data Determination would suspend Maryland's obligations to submit attainment demonstrations and related plans (RACM, RFP, contingency measures, and other attainment-related SIP revisions) for as long as the Baltimore Area continues to attain the 2015 ozone NAAQS.
CDD Is Not a Redesignation
Finalizing this Clean Data Determination would not redesignate the Baltimore Area to attainment for the 2015 ozone NAAQS. The Area will remain designated nonattainment until Maryland submits, and the EPA approves, a redesignation request under CAA section 107(d)(3) that includes an approved maintenance plan.
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