EPA Approves Colorado's Plan to Tackle Denver Smog
Published Date: 6/18/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
The EPA is giving a thumbs-up to Colorado’s plan to clean up smog in the Denver Metro/North Front Range area by using smart pollution controls. This means local businesses and communities will follow new rules to keep the air cleaner, helping everyone breathe easier. The EPA is also pausing penalties while Colorado shows it’s on the right track, so no extra costs hit just yet.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Deferral of Clean Air Act Sanctions
The EPA is making an interim final determination to defer application of Clean Air Act sanctions tied to its prior disapproval while Colorado addresses the RACT issues for the Denver Metro/North Front Range nonattainment area. That means penalties associated with the prior disapproval will be paused for now while the State’s corrections are evaluated.
Approval of Colorado RACT Plan
If you live or operate in the Denver Metro/North Front Range area, the EPA is proposing to approve Colorado’s State Implementation Plan submittals that address Reasonably Available Control Technology (RACT) for the 2008 ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards. This action would recognize that the State has met the Clean Air Act requirements for a former Serious nonattainment area and resolves EPA’s prior disapproval of specific RACT determinations.
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