Utah's Wasatch Front Air Pollution Zone Expands
Published Date: 1/6/2026
Rule
Summary
The EPA is expanding the air pollution boundary for Utah’s Northern Wasatch Front to include more areas that need cleaner air rules. Starting February 5, 2026, these new areas must follow the same ozone pollution limits as before, helping protect health and the environment. Utah has one year to update its plans, but no new costs are expected right away.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Northern Wasatch Front boundary expanded
You live or work in part of Tooele County if one of 12 western townships listed is where you are located; those areas are added to the Northern Wasatch Front 2015 8-hour ozone nonattainment area effective February 5, 2026. The newly included areas have the same Moderate classification as the rest of the NAA and must follow the same Clean Air Act requirements as of that date.
One major source identified in new area
The EPA expects only one facility in the newly added portion of the NAA, US Magnesium, LLC, to be a major source under the Moderate-area major source threshold of 100 tons per year (tpy). That facility will be subject to applicable Moderate-area requirements such as Major Source Reasonably Available Control Technology (RACT) upon the area’s designation effective February 5, 2026.
Specific SIP elements required for new area
Utah must update certain State Implementation Plan (SIP) elements for the newly added portion within 12 months of the rule’s effective date (deadline February 5, 2027). Required updates for the new portion include marginal-area base year emissions inventory and, for the Moderate-area requirements, baseline emissions inventory, the 15% Rate of Progress/Reasonable Further Progress, Major Source RACT for newly designated major sources, and Non-major source Control Techniques Guidelines (CTG) RACT; several other SIP items are listed as not required for the new portion.
EPA certified limited economic effects
The EPA certified that this boundary expansion will not result in expenditures of $100 million or more and that the rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. The Agency determined the rule is not a significant regulatory action and does not impose new information-collection burdens.
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