EPA Approves Ohio Factory Smog Rules in Cleveland Area
Published Date: 6/26/2026
Rule
Summary
The EPA is giving a thumbs-up to Ohio’s updated air pollution plans that target big factories in Cleveland and Cincinnati to cut smog-causing chemicals. This means companies like PPG and General Electric will follow stronger rules to keep our air cleaner starting June 26, 2026. These changes help Ohio meet air quality standards without extra costs for the public.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Factories Must Meet New RACT Limits
If you operate one of the named major sources (for example PPG, Owens Corning, Akron Paint and Varnish, Charter Steel, U.S. Steel Tubular Lorain, Carmeuse Lime, Ross Incineration, GE Evendale, or Tyson Foods), the EPA has approved Ohio's source-specific RACT limits and work-practice requirements as federally enforceable effective June 26, 2026. Examples of specific limits in the rule include a 99.9 tons/year VOC limit for Akron Paint and Varnish, a 4.6 lb/ton NOX limit and 54.5 tons/hr process weight rate for Carmeuse Lime, a 105 lb/hour NOX limit (30-day rolling average) for Ross Incineration, and a 98% VOC control efficiency requirement for Tyson Foods' combined mist eliminator/thermal oxidizer system.
Cleaner Air for Cleveland and Cincinnati Areas
You in the Cleveland and Cincinnati areas may see improved air quality because the EPA approved Ohio's SIP revisions to implement RACT for major VOC and NOX sources to meet the 2015 ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard. The EPA made this approval effective June 26, 2026 and stated these changes help Ohio meet air quality standards without extra costs for the public.
Public Access to Compliance Records Affirmed
The EPA affirmed that Ohio's reporting and recordkeeping framework (including OAC rule 3745-15-03) requires periodic reporting sufficient to demonstrate compliance, and that information submitted under that rule is available to the public through applicable public records processes, including the Freedom of Information Act. The EPA found these reporting and permit requirements provide enforceable mechanisms to ensure compliance with the federally approved SIP provisions.
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