EPA Approves Pennsylvania's Particle Plan to Keep Air Breathable Till 2035
Published Date: 7/24/2025
Rule
Summary
The EPA is giving a thumbs-up to Pennsylvania for cleaning up the air in Liberty-Clairton, officially saying it meets important air quality standards for tiny pollution particles. Pennsylvania also gets the green light on plans to keep the air clean in Liberty-Clairton and Allegheny County through 2035, including rules for vehicle emissions. This means healthier air for local communities without new costs or deadlines for Allegheny County’s full cleanup yet.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Liberty‑Clairton Attainment Redesignation
If you live in the Liberty‑Clairton, Pennsylvania area, the EPA has officially redesignated the area to attainment for the 1997 annual and 2006 24‑hour fine particulate matter (PM2.5) standards. The EPA also approved Pennsylvania’s plan to maintain those standards in Liberty‑Clairton through 2035.
Allegheny County Maintenance Plan and MVEBs
If you live in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, the EPA approved the county’s maintenance plan for the 2012 annual PM2.5 standard through 2035 and approved mobile vehicle emissions budgets (MVEBs) for 2017, 2026, and 2035 for PM2.5 and nitrogen oxides (NOx) for transportation conformity purposes.
Allegheny County Not Redesignated
The EPA action does not redesignate the Allegheny County area to attainment for the 2012 annual PM2.5 standard. Allegheny County therefore remains not redesignated to attainment for that 2012 standard.
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