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.
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
2026-18317, 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!
2026-12927, U.S. Ecology Nevada, Inc. High Mercury Subcategory Wastes Land Disposal Restrictions Variance
The EPA is giving U.S. Ecology Nevada a special green light to handle and dispose of high-mercury waste a bit differently than usual. This means mercury waste treated in Pennsylvania can now be safely sent to U.S. Ecology’s Nevada site for disposal under new rules starting July 27, 2026. This change helps protect people and the environment while keeping mercury waste management efficient and cost-effective.
2026-11047, National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants From Hazardous Waste Combustors: Residual Risk and Technology Review
The EPA just updated rules for places that burn hazardous waste, like incinerators and boilers, to keep the air safe and clean. They confirmed current standards work well but added new limits on harmful gases like hydrogen fluoride and hydrogen cyanide. These changes start June 3, 2026, and include easier electronic reporting and some new rules for startup and shutdown times—helping protect health without big costs.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-01408, Air Plan Approval; Oklahoma; Revisions to Air Pollution Control Rules
Oklahoma updated its air pollution rules to change how open burning is controlled, especially in Oklahoma City and Tulsa areas. The EPA approved these changes, which remove the need for special incinerators in some places and clarify the rules. These updates kick in on February 25, 2026, affecting businesses and residents who burn materials outdoors, with no new costs expected.
Next: 2026-01413, Air Plan Disapproval; Colorado; Regional Haze Plan for the Second Implementation Period
The EPA is saying no to Colorado’s 2022 plan to fight regional haze, which clouds the air and blocks beautiful views in special protected areas. This means Colorado needs to fix its plan to better clean up the air and improve visibility. The new rule kicks in on February 25, 2026, so Colorado has some time to step up its game and avoid possible penalties or extra costs later.