Air Plan Approval and Air Quality Designation; KY; Redesignation of the Kentucky Portion of the Louisville, KY-IN 2015 8-Hour Ozone Nonattainment Area to Attainment
Published Date: 1/29/2026
Rule
Summary
The EPA has decided not to change the air quality status of the Kentucky part of the Louisville area from 'needs improvement' to 'good' for ozone pollution. This means Kentucky must keep working on plans to reduce harmful air pollutants like nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds. The decision takes effect on March 2, 2026, so local agencies and residents should stay tuned for future updates and actions.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Kentucky Portion Remains Nonattainment
EPA denied Kentucky's September 6, 2022 request to redesignate the Kentucky portion of the Louisville, KY-IN 2015 8-hour ozone area to attainment, so the Kentucky portion remains a nonattainment area for the 2015 ozone standard (0.070 ppm). This denial is final and takes effect March 2, 2026, so nonattainment requirements remain in force until the area is redesignated.
Maintenance Plan and Motor-Vehicle Budgets Not Approved
EPA is taking no action at this time on Kentucky's submitted maintenance plan and its regional motor vehicle emission budgets for nitrogen oxides (NOX) and volatile organic compounds (VOC) for the years 2019 and 2035. Because EPA did not approve those SIP elements as part of this action, the motor-vehicle emission budgets and related maintenance plan provisions are not finalized by EPA as of March 2, 2026.
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