Air Plan Approval; Arizona; Maricopa County Air Quality Department
Published Date: 1/16/2025
Rule
Summary
The EPA just gave a thumbs-up to Maricopa County’s updated air pollution rules, especially for aerospace coatings and certain industrial chemicals. This means cleaner air for folks in the Phoenix-Mesa area, with new rules kicking in on February 18, 2025. Businesses will need to follow these updated standards, but no big costs were flagged, just smarter ways to keep the air fresh!
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Sanctions and FIP Clocks Stopped
EPA’s full approval stops sanctions and Federal Implementation Plan (FIP) clocks that began with EPA’s January 7, 2021 partial disapproval/conditional approval for portions of the Maricopa County RACT SIP. This final approval is effective February 18, 2025.
Aerospace Coatings RACT Approved
The EPA approved Maricopa County’s Reasonably Available Control Technology (RACT) certification for Aerospace Manufacturing and Rework Operations (adopted June 23, 2021). This approval is final and federally enforceable as of February 18, 2025.
Surface Coating Rule 336 Incorporated
The EPA incorporated by reference Maricopa County Rule 336, “Surface Coating Operations and Industrial Adhesive Application Processes,” revised September 1, 2021, into the Arizona SIP. Rule 336 becomes federally enforceable under the Clean Air Act as of February 18, 2025.
Negative Declarations Approved
The EPA approved Maricopa County’s negative declarations for multiple coating and industrial categories for the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS (entries listed in Sec. 52.122), as submitted September 17, 2021. The approval is final and effective February 18, 2025.
Cleaner Air Expected in Phoenix‑Mesa Area
The EPA states this action is expected to have a neutral to positive impact on air quality in the Phoenix‑Mesa ozone nonattainment area regulated by Maricopa County. The approval of the RACT certification and Rule 336 is effective February 18, 2025.
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