Arizona's Hayden SO2 Plan Gets EPA Thumbs Up
Published Date: 3/4/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The EPA is proposing to approve Arizona’s plan to clean up sulfur dioxide pollution in the Hayden area, helping it meet air quality standards from 1971 and 2010. This plan affects local industries and residents by setting pollution limits and requiring progress steps to keep the air safe. Comments are open until April 3, 2026, and the plan aims to protect health without new costs for the community.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Cleaner Air for Hayden Residents
You live nearer cleaner air if you are in the Hayden area: the EPA is proposing to approve Arizona’s Hayden SO2 Plan to meet the 1971 and 2010 sulfur dioxide (SO2) standards and to protect public health. The Plan includes enforceable limits, work practices, and monitoring (including numerical fugitive emissions limits) codified in state rules with an effective date of February 7, 2026, and the EPA is seeking comments by April 3, 2026; the proposal states the Plan "aims to protect health without new costs for the community."
New Enforceable Limits for Hayden Smelter
Local industry in the Hayden nonattainment area (including the Hayden copper smelter) will be subject to the Plan’s enforceable requirements: numerical fugitive emissions limits, work practice standards, and recordkeeping/reporting requirements are included in the SIP submission and incorporated into state rules (Rule B1302 and related Appendix 14) that were effective February 7, 2026. The EPA is proposing to approve these SIP revisions as meeting Clean Air Act requirements.
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Key Dates
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