EPA Approves Texas and Oklahoma Haze-Clearing Air Plans
Published Date: 5/23/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
The EPA is giving a thumbs-up to Texas and Oklahoma’s plans to clear up hazy skies and keep the air fresh for years to come. This means both states are on track with their pollution-fighting goals, helping communities breathe easier without new costly rules. These approvals cover past and current efforts, so everyone can expect cleaner air without surprises on timing or money.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
EPA Approves Texas Regional Haze SIPs
The EPA is proposing to approve Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) State Implementation Plan (SIP) revisions dated March 20, 2014 and July 20, 2021 as satisfying the Clean Air Act and the Regional Haze Rule. This means the EPA would accept those Texas plans for addressing regional haze and keeping air quality improvements in place.
EPA Approves Oklahoma Haze SIP Portions
The EPA is proposing to approve portions of Oklahoma’s 2010 Regional Haze SIP submission that relate to reasonable progress requirements for the first planning period (2007 through 2018). This approves parts of Oklahoma’s plan for addressing regional haze for that first planning period.
Withdrawal of Prior EPA Disapproval Proposals
The EPA is proposing to withdraw its 2023 proposed disapprovals for Texas’s and Oklahoma’s first planning period SIPs and its 2024 proposed action regarding Texas’s second planning period SIP. Withdrawing those prior proposals means the EPA is no longer pursuing those specific proposed disapprovals.
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