EPA Greenlights Arkansas's Air Plan Paper Shuffle
Published Date: 1/26/2026
Rule
Summary
The EPA is officially approving Arkansas’s updated air quality plan, which just cleans up the formatting of some pollution rules—no new rules or changes to existing ones. This update affects Arkansas residents and businesses by keeping air quality protections clear and organized. The changes take effect on February 25, 2026, with no extra costs or new deadlines involved.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
No New Pollution Rules or Costs
If you live in Arkansas or run a business there, this EPA action only approves formatting/codification edits and does not add, relax, or change any pollution rules. The EPA states it does not impose additional requirements beyond state law, so there are no new costs or deadlines tied to this approval.
Codification Makes Rules Clearer
The EPA approved the codification of APC&EC Rule 19 and Regulations 9, 26, and 31 into the Code of Arkansas Rules to keep air quality protections clear and organized. This codification is intended to make the state's existing pollution rules easier to find and reference.
Codified Rules Become Federally Enforceable
The revisions codified into the Arkansas SIP have been incorporated by reference and are fully federally enforceable under sections 110 and 113 of the Clean Air Act as of the rule's effective date, February 25, 2026. That federal enforceability applies to the listed Arkansas regulations.
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