Interstate Transport Plan Review for the 2015 Ozone NAAQS
Published Date: 1/30/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The EPA is proposing to approve air quality plans from eight states to help reduce ozone pollution that crosses state lines. This means Alabama, Arizona, Kentucky, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, and Tennessee are on track to keep their air cleaner and not harm their neighbors. If finalized, this will clear up pollution rules for these states and drop some earlier penalties, with public comments open until March 2, 2026.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Eight States' SIPs Approved — No New Controls
The EPA is proposing to approve parts of State Implementation Plans (SIPs) from eight States (Alabama, Arizona, Kentucky, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, and Tennessee) for the 2015 8-hour ozone standard. If finalized, the EPA says these States do not significantly contribute to other States' ozone problems and therefore do not need to impose additional interstate-transport restrictions to meet the 2015 ozone NAAQS.
Good Neighbor Plan FIP Stays Remain
The EPA notes that Federal Implementation Plans (FIPs) promulgated in the Good Neighbor Plan for Alabama, Kentucky, Minnesota, Mississippi, and Nevada remain stayed. If this proposed approval is finalized, the EPA says it would no longer have the authority or intention to lift those stays or to implement those FIPs for these States with approved SIPs regarding the 2015 ozone interstate transport obligations.
Planned Withdrawal of Prior Proposals
The EPA says it anticipates withdrawing at the final stage earlier proposed error corrections and partial disapprovals for Iowa and Kansas and the previously proposed partial disapprovals for Arizona, New Mexico, and Tennessee. The Agency notes that the prior approvals for Iowa and Kansas remain in place.
Tribal Areas Included in SIP Approvals
The EPA is proposing to approve the interstate-transport portions of the SIP submissions including areas of Indian country located within the geographic bounds of the covered States. That means those portions of Indian country within the applicable State boundaries would be treated as part of the approved SIP action for the 2015 8-hour ozone NAAQS.
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