Cleveland's Air Quality Gets EPA Attainment Approval
Published Date: 4/10/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The EPA is proposing to officially recognize that the Cleveland, Ohio area has cleaned up its air enough to meet the 2015 ozone pollution standards. This means Cleveland and nearby counties can celebrate better air quality while following a plan to keep it clean through 2038. Ohio will also update vehicle emissions rules and inspection programs to help maintain this progress, with public comments open until May 11, 2026.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Cleveland Redesignated to Attainment
The EPA proposes to change the legal air quality status of the Cleveland area (Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Portage, and Summit Counties) from nonattainment to attainment for the 2015 ozone standard (0.070 ppm). Ohio submitted the redesignation request on December 8, 2025, and the EPA would approve a maintenance plan to keep the area meeting the 2015 ozone standard through 2038.
Vehicle Inspection & Clean-Fuel Programs Approved
The EPA is proposing to approve Ohio’s Enhanced vehicle inspection and maintenance (I/M) certification, Clean Fuel Vehicle Program (CFVP) certification, and Enhanced Monitoring Plan (EMP) SIP revisions that Ohio submitted on December 19, 2025 and supplemented on January 12, 2026. These program certifications are being approved as elements that satisfy Serious-area requirements for the Cleveland area under the 2015 ozone standard.
2032 and 2038 Vehicle Emissions Budgets
As part of the maintenance plan, the EPA is initiating the adequacy process and proposing to approve Ohio's motor vehicle emissions budgets for VOC and NOX for the years 2032 and 2038 for the Cleveland area. These budgets will be used for transportation planning and conformity determinations for the Cleveland area.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-08750 — Extension of Postponement of Effectiveness for Certain Provisions of Trichloroethylene (TCE); Regulation Under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)
The EPA is delaying some rules about the chemical TCE until court decisions are finished. This delay affects certain allowed uses of TCE that had special workplace rules. Businesses using TCE under these exemptions get more time before new restrictions kick in, helping them avoid sudden costs or changes.
2026-07061 — Hazardous and Solid Waste Management System: Disposal of Coal Combustion Residuals From Electric Utilities; Legacy/CCRMU Amendments
The EPA is updating rules on how electric utilities handle coal waste to make cleanup safer and smarter. These changes affect power plants by easing some rules, adding new ways to monitor and close waste sites, and allowing more beneficial reuse of coal waste. Comments are open until June 12, 2026, so utilities and communities can weigh in before the new rules take effect.
2026-06808 — Reconsideration of Standards of Performance for New, Reconstructed, and Modified Sources and Emissions Guidelines for Existing Sources: Oil and Natural Gas Sector Climate Review
The EPA is making some smart tweaks to rules for oil and natural gas companies about how they handle gas flaring and monitoring. These changes fix technical details without changing pollution limits and bring back some important reporting rules accidentally removed last year. The new rules kick in on June 8, 2026, so companies should get ready to follow the updated steps without extra costs.
2026-06275 — Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) Program: Standards for 2026 and 2027, Partial Waiver of 2025 Cellulosic Biofuel Volume Requirement, and Other Changes
The EPA just set new rules for renewable fuels in 2026 and 2027, including how much biofuel must be used. They’re also easing the 2025 cellulosic biofuel goals because production fell short and removing renewable electricity from the program. These changes affect fuel producers and sellers, kick in mostly mid-2026, and aim to keep cleaner fuels flowing without breaking the bank.
2026-05167 — National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Ethylene Oxide Emissions Standards for Sterilization Facilities Residual Risk and Technology Review Reconsideration
The EPA is updating rules for sterilization facilities that use ethylene oxide, a chemical that can be harmful if not controlled. They’re rolling back some strict standards from 2024, fixing technical errors, and changing how facilities prove they’re following the rules. If you run or work with these facilities, get ready for new deadlines and ways to stay in compliance by mid-2026.
2026-04646 — Standards of Performance for New Stationary Sources and Emission Guidelines for Existing Sources: Large Municipal Waste Combustors Voluntary Remand Response and Five-Year Review
The EPA is updating pollution rules for big trash-burning plants to cut harmful emissions like lead, mercury, and dioxins. These changes affect both new and existing facilities, tighten limits, remove some loopholes, and improve reporting, all starting May 11, 2026. This update will clean up the air by reducing over 3,200 tons of pollution each year, helping communities breathe easier without breaking the bank.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-06942 — Air Plan Approvals; Indiana; Prong 4 (Visibility) for the 2015 Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard
The EPA is proposing to approve Indiana’s plan to keep the air clean and protect visibility for the 2015 ozone air quality rules. This means Indiana promises to stop pollution that could mess up the clear skies in other states. People and businesses in Indiana should know this plan helps keep the air fresh without adding new costs, and comments are open until May 11, 2026.
Next: 2026-06948 — Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Programs
Banks and credit unions will need to step up their game with stronger programs to stop money laundering and terrorism funding. These new rules, matching updates from FinCEN, aim to make spotting bad money easier and improve how the government supervises these efforts. Comments on the proposal are open until June 9, 2026, so the financial world has a chance to weigh in before changes kick in.