EPA Proposes Approval of Michigan's Ozone Control Technology for Cleaner Air
Published Date: 2/27/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The EPA is proposing to approve Michigan’s updated air pollution rules to help reduce smog-causing chemicals in parts of Western Michigan. These changes affect local businesses and industries by setting limits on certain emissions from products and coatings. Public comments are open until March 30, 2026, and these updates aim to keep the air cleaner without big costs.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
Higher Coating Exemption for Small Operations
Michigan analyzed reverting certain coating exemptions from 15 pounds per day (15 lbs/day = 2.7 tons per year) back to 2,000 pounds per month (2,000 lbs/month = 12 tons per year) for Rules R 336.1610, R 336.1620, R 336.1621, and R 336.1624, and the EPA is proposing to approve those rules into the SIP. The State's analysis concluded that using the higher exemption limit (12 tpy) would not increase emissions in the Western Michigan nonattainment areas.
State SIP Adds VOC/NOX RACT Rules
The EPA is proposing to approve Michigan updates to Parts 6 and 8 of its air rules into the State Implementation Plan for the Western Michigan nonattainment areas (Berrien, western Allegan, and western Muskegon). These approvals incorporate rules effective April 18, 2023 (many Part 6 rules) and April 28, 2025 (Part 8 NOX rules) and will require covered local businesses to meet the State's VOC and NOX Reasonably Available Control Technology (RACT) limits.
New Limits on Consumer Products VOCs
The EPA proposes to approve Michigan Rule R 336.1660 (amended) which limits volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from consumer products, and Rule R 336.1662 (added) which limits VOCs from architectural and industrial maintenance (AIM) coatings, as SIP-strengthening measures for the Western Michigan nonattainment areas. These rules (R 336.1660 effective April 18, 2023; R 336.1662 effective April 18, 2023) will apply to makers and formulators of consumer products and AIM coatings in Michigan.
Part 8 NOX Standards for Combustion Units
Michigan's Part 8 NOX RACT rules set emission standards for engines, boilers, combustion turbines, hot mix asphalt plants, process heaters, engine test cells, lime kilns, and glass manufacturing; the EPA proposes to approve many Part 8 provisions (effective April 28, 2025) into the Michigan SIP for the Western Michigan nonattainment areas. Facilities operating those units in the affected area will be subject to the State's NOX RACT requirements.
No RACT for Certain Industry Categories
Michigan provided Negative Declarations for multiple EPA Control Technique Guidelines (CTGs) — for example, 'Manufacture of Pneumatic Rubber Tires,' 'Large Petroleum Dry Cleaners,' 'Shipbuilding and Ship Repair Operations,' and 'Oil and Natural Gas Industry' — finding no applicable sources in the Western Michigan nonattainment areas, and the EPA concurs. Businesses in those specific CTG categories located in the Western Michigan nonattainment areas will not be subject to RACT rules for those CTG categories.
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