EPA Gives Alaska More Time to Fix Fairbanks' Dirty Air
Published Date: 1/8/2025
Rule
Summary
The EPA has decided to pause penalties for the Fairbanks North Star Borough in Alaska because the state fixed its air pollution plan to meet clean air rules. This means no sanctions will hit the area for now, starting January 8, 2025, while the EPA reviews public comments until February 7, 2025. Residents and businesses can breathe easier knowing the state’s efforts are keeping the air cleaner without immediate fines or restrictions.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Sanctions Could Be Reimposed After Comments
If public comments change the EPA's assessment, the EPA may take subsequent final action to impose the offset and highway sanctions pursuant to 40 CFR 52.31(d). Comments are accepted until February 7, 2025, and petitions for judicial review of this action must be filed by March 10, 2025.
Sanctions Deferred for Fairbanks Area
The EPA is pausing the imposition of CAA section 179 offset and highway sanctions for the Fairbanks North Star Borough PM2.5 nonattainment area effective January 8, 2025, because Alaska submitted SIP revisions on December 4, 2024. The pause remains while the EPA reviews public comments through February 7, 2025, so no immediate fines or related highway/offset sanctions will take effect during that period.
Sanctions End If SIP Fully Approved
If the EPA issues a full final approval of Alaska's SIP revisions, all sanctions and the sanction clocks related to the December 5, 2023 disapproval will be permanently terminated on the effective date of that full approval.
No New Requirements for Small Businesses
The EPA states this action defers sanctions and imposes no new requirements, and certifies under the Regulatory Flexibility Act that it will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.
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