Air Plan Revisions; Arizona; Maricopa County Air Quality Department
Published Date: 1/10/2025
Rule
Summary
The EPA is updating air pollution rules for Maricopa County, Arizona, focusing on cutting harmful gas leaks from loading organic liquids and gasoline. They’re approving some local rules but also asking Arizona to fix parts that don’t fully meet clean air standards. These changes kick in on February 10, 2025, aiming to keep the air cleaner around Phoenix and Mesa without extra costs right now.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Maricopa Rules Made Federally Enforceable
If you operate gasoline cargo tanks or gasoline dispensing facilities in Maricopa County, EPA incorporated MCAQD Rule 352 and Rule 353 into the Arizona State Implementation Plan and made them federally enforceable under the Clean Air Act as of February 10, 2025. Those rules regulate volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions during loading, unloading, storage, and dispensing of gasoline.
RACT Disapproval Triggers FIP/Sanction Deadlines
EPA finalized a limited disapproval of Maricopa County's RACT demonstration for gasoline tank trucks and Stage I vapor control systems. If Arizona does not correct the identified deficiencies within 24 months (by February 10, 2027), EPA must promulgate a Federal Implementation Plan; an offset sanction will be imposed 18 months after the rule's effective date (August 10, 2026), and a highway funding sanction will follow six months later (February 10, 2027).
Local Rules Can Still Be Enforced Locally
EPA noted that its limited disapproval does not stop the Maricopa County Air Quality Department from enforcing Rules 352 and 353 at the local level, and portions of the rules may still be incorporated into the federally enforceable SIP. EPA also states this action does not add requirements beyond state law or add new federal information-collection burdens.
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