Connecticut's Ozone Rules Get EPA's Proposed Thumbs-Up
Published Date: 11/20/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
The EPA wants to approve Connecticut’s updated air rules to keep ozone pollution limits in line with national standards and clear up how to measure chemicals in adhesives and sealants. This affects manufacturers and helps keep the air cleaner for everyone. Comments on these changes are open until December 22, 2025, so now’s the time to speak up!
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Connecticut Adopts 0.070 ppm Ozone Standard
You in Connecticut are covered by an 8-hour ozone air quality standard set at 0.070 parts per million (ppm) because EPA is proposing to approve Connecticut's April 30, 2025 SIP revision that adds this standard to RCSA 22a-174-24. The change aligns Connecticut's standard with the federal 2015 ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) and is intended to protect public health and the environment.
Clarified VOC Calculations for Adhesives/Sealants
If you manufacture or sell adhesives, sealants, or related primers in Connecticut, RCSA 22a-174-44 was revised to correct and clarify volatile organic compound (VOC) calculation methods for low-solids and non-low-solids adhesives, sealants, adhesive primers, and sealant primers. EPA is proposing to approve those clarifications into the Connecticut SIP, which affects how VOC content is determined under state regulation.
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: 2025-20450, Shape-Based Labeling Lists
The Postal Service is updating its mailing rules to use shape-based labeling lists for letters, flats, and parcels starting February 1, 2026. This change affects businesses and mailers who send items through USPS, helping packages get sorted faster and more accurately. You can share your thoughts by December 22, 2025, but no big cost changes are expected.
Next: 2025-20491, Electronic Logbook Reporting in Commercial Fisheries of the Gulf of America and Atlantic
Starting soon, commercial fishermen in the Gulf of America and Atlantic will need to switch from paper to electronic logbooks to report their catches. This change aims to make data more accurate and easier to handle, with some tweaks to the info they must provide. If you fish commercially in these areas, get ready to go digital and send your feedback by January 20, 2026!