Plumas County Gets a Pollution Break: EPA Says Air is Clean Enough
Published Date: 5/14/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The EPA says Plumas County’s Portola area cleaned up its air and met the 2012 fine particle pollution standards by the end of 2025. This means some strict pollution rules can take a break as long as the air stays clean. Residents and local businesses should watch for final approval and can share their thoughts by June 15, 2026.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
EPA Proposes Portola Met PM2.5 Standard
The EPA proposes that the Portola area in Plumas County met the 2012 annual fine particulate (PM2.5) standard by the Serious attainment date of December 31, 2025, based on certified monitoring data from 2023 through 2025. The 2023–2025 three‑year design value at the Portola monitor was 11.3 micrograms per cubic meter, which is below the 12.0 µg/m3 standard. The EPA will publish a final decision after the public comment period ends June 15, 2026.
Suspension of Some State SIP Requirements
If finalized as a Clean Data Determination (CDD), the EPA will suspend the State's duty to submit an attainment demonstration, a reasonable further progress (RFP) plan, quantitative milestones and milestone reports, and contingency measures for the Portola Serious PM2.5 area for as long as the area continues to meet the 2012 annual PM2.5 standard. The suspension lasts until the area is redesignated to attainment or the EPA determines the area has re‑violated the standard; emissions inventories and nonattainment new source review (NNSR) requirements would remain in effect.
EPA Says No New Burden on Small Entities
The EPA certifies under the Regulatory Flexibility Act that this proposed DAAD and CDD will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities and will not impose requirements beyond those imposed by state law. The agency states no additional costs to state, local, or Tribal governments or the private sector will result from this action.
Public Comment Deadline for Local Stakeholders
The EPA invites public comments on this proposal and requires that comments be received on or before June 15, 2026, using Docket ID EPA-R09-OAR-2026-2608 at https://www.regulations.gov. Residents, local businesses, and other stakeholders may submit written comments for EPA to consider before the agency issues a final decision.
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