Iowa's Muscatine County Gets Clean Air Status from EPA
Published Date: 11/18/2025
Rule
Summary
The EPA is officially declaring Muscatine County, Iowa, clean for sulfur dioxide pollution and approving a plan to keep it that way. This means local businesses will follow updated air permits to keep the air fresh, starting December 18, 2025. Residents can breathe easier knowing the air quality is meeting national health standards without extra costs or delays.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Muscatine redesignated as SO2 attainment
The EPA has changed the legal air-quality status for a portion of Muscatine County, Iowa, from nonattainment to attainment for the 2010 1-hour sulfur dioxide (SO2) National Ambient Air Quality Standard (the 2010 1-hour SO2 NAAQS). The final rule is effective December 18, 2025, and reflects that the area meets the 2010 1-hour SO2 standard (the 2010 standard was set at 75 parts per billion).
10-year SO2 maintenance plan approved
The EPA approved Iowa's maintenance plan that shows the Muscatine area will continue to meet the 2010 1-hour SO2 NAAQS for at least 10 years after redesignation. The maintenance plan includes contingency provisions to address and remedy any future violations of the 2010 1-hour SO2 standard.
Local source permits added/changed in SIP
The EPA is adding new and revised source-specific air construction permits for Muscatine-area facilities (including Grain Processing Corporation, Muscatine Power and Water, and the Monsanto facility) into the Iowa State Implementation Plan (SIP) and removing certain older permits. The approved permits include SO2 reasonably available control technology (RACT) limits, compliance monitoring, and recordkeeping and reporting requirements, and those permit conditions become federally enforceable as of the rule's effective date.
EPA finds no major small-entity economic impact
The EPA certified that this SIP approval and redesignation action does not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities under the Regulatory Flexibility Act. The agency states the action approves state law and does not impose additional requirements beyond those imposed by state law.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-19072, Rescission of the Greenhouse Gas Findings for Fossil Fuel-Fired Power Plants and Repeal of Regulations for Power Plant Greenhouse Gas Emissions Under Clean Air Act Section 111
The EPA is proposing to cancel all greenhouse gas rules for fossil fuel power plants, saying the law doesn’t let them regulate these emissions for climate reasons. This change affects power plants across the U.S. and could impact future pollution limits and costs. Comments on this proposal are open until November 2, 2026, so now’s the time to speak up!
2026-19071, Partial Repeal of the Carbon Pollution Standards for Fossil Fuel-Fired Electric Generating Units
The EPA is rolling back most of the 2024 rules that limited carbon pollution from fossil fuel power plants. This change affects coal and gas plants by easing some strict limits on emissions and carbon capture technology. The new rules kick in on November 16, 2026, potentially saving money for power plants but raising questions about pollution control.
2026-18317, Updated Definition of “Waters of the United States”
The purpose of this supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking is for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of the Army ("the agencies") to supplement and seek additional comment on certain aspects of an earlier proposal, published on November 20, 2025, to revise the regulations defining the scope of waters federally covered under the Clean Water Act in light of the U.S. Supreme Court's 2023 decision in Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency. As stated in the agencies' November 20, 2025 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), the agencies intend for this rulemaking to provide greater regulatory certainty and increase Clean Water Act program predictability and consistency by clarifying the definition of "waters of the United States." After consideration of the public comments received on the NPRM, the agencies are issuing this notice to supplement the NPRM with additional regulatory options on certain aspects of the proposed rule.
2026-14112, Amendments and Nonconformance Penalties for Model Year 2027 and Later Heavy-Duty Highway Engines and Amendments to Inducement Provisions for SCR-Equipped Diesel Engines
Starting with model year 2027, the EPA is updating rules for big truck engines to make sure they last longer and pollute less. They’re also letting engine makers pay penalties if their engines don’t meet standards, and tightening rules for special pollution-control systems on diesel engines. These changes affect truck and engine makers and kick in soon, with public feedback due by August 29, 2026.
2026-13667, Minor New Source Review Program Air Permitting Public Participation Requirements for State Implementation Plans
The EPA wants to give states more freedom to decide how much public input is needed when approving small air pollution sources or changes. This means local air agencies can tailor public participation to fit their community’s needs while still protecting air quality. If you’re involved in air permits, watch for comment deadlines and possible virtual hearings this summer!
2026-13263, Revisions To Establish the Sixth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 6) for Public Water Systems
The EPA is rolling out the sixth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 6) to check for new, sneaky chemicals in public drinking water. Big water systems serving 3,300+ people and some smaller ones will test for 30 different contaminants, including certain PFAS and pesticides, to keep our water safe. Comments and feedback are open until late August 2026, and the EPA will host fun online meetings to chat about the plan!
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-20194, Air Plan Approval; New Jersey; Northern New Jersey and Southern New Jersey Counties' Second 10-Year Limited Maintenance Plan for the 2006 24-Hour PM2.5 Standard
The EPA is giving a thumbs-up to New Jersey’s plan to keep the air clean in Northern and Southern counties for another 10 years, focusing on tiny, harmful particles called PM2.5. This means folks living there can breathe easier without new costly changes for now. The plan kicks in December 18, 2025, and helps make sure transportation projects won’t mess with air quality goals.
Next: 2025-20200, Air Plan Approval; State of Kansas; Attainment Redesignation for 2008 Lead NAAQS and Associated Maintenance Plan
Great news for Salina, Kansas! The EPA says the air there is clean enough to meet lead pollution standards from 2008, so they’re officially redesignating the area as meeting those standards. This change kicks in December 18, 2025, and comes with a 10-year plan to keep the air safe and healthy—no extra costs for locals, just cleaner air ahead!