EPA nods to cleaner air plans in Pennsylvania towns
Published Date: 4/7/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
The EPA is giving a thumbs-up to Pennsylvania for cleaning up the air in Liberty-Clairton, officially recognizing it meets important air quality standards and approving a plan to keep it that way through 2035. Allegheny County gets a green light on its plan to control vehicle pollution through 2035, but it’s not yet officially meeting all air quality goals. These changes affect local communities and transportation planning, with public comments open until May 7, 2025.
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.
Liberty‑Clairton Redesignated to Attainment
The EPA is proposing to redesignate the Liberty‑Clairton area to attainment for the 1997 annual PM2.5 NAAQS (15.0 micrograms per cubic meter) and the 2006 24‑hour PM2.5 NAAQS (35.0 micrograms per cubic meter) and to approve the area's maintenance plan that keeps these standards met through 2035.
PSD Program Applies After Redesignation
If Liberty‑Clairton is redesignated to attainment, the prevention of significant deterioration (PSD) program for the 1997 annual and the 2006 24‑hour PM2.5 NAAQS will apply in the Liberty‑Clairton area upon redesignation.
Allegheny County Maintenance Plan Approved Through 2035
The EPA is proposing to approve the Allegheny County maintenance plan for the 2012 annual PM2.5 NAAQS through 2035, including contingency provisions intended to correct any violations of the 2012 annual PM2.5 standard through 2035.
Allegheny Nonattainment Requirements Remain in Place
This action does not redesignate the Allegheny County area to attainment for the 2012 annual PM2.5 NAAQS; all applicable nonattainment area requirements for the Allegheny County area for the 2012 annual PM2.5 NAAQS shall remain in place until Pennsylvania submits a redesignation request and the EPA approves it.
2017, 2026, 2035 MVEBs Approved for Transportation Conformity
The EPA is proposing to find the 2017, 2026, and 2035 mobile vehicle emissions budgets (MVEBs) for PM2.5 and NOX for the Allegheny County area adequate and to approve them into the Pennsylvania SIP for transportation conformity purposes; the adequacy comment period for these MVEBs begins upon publication of this proposed rulemaking.
Removal of 1997 Conformity Requirements in Liberty‑Clairton
If the Liberty‑Clairton redesignation is finalized, the 1997 primary annual PM2.5 NAAQS will be revoked for that area on the effective date of redesignation and the area will no longer be subject to transportation or general conformity requirements for the 1997 annual PM2.5 standard beginning on that date.
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Key Dates
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