Michigan Town Finally Escapes Sulfur Dioxide Doghouse
Published Date: 7/9/2026
Rule
Summary
Great news for folks in St. Clair, Michigan! The EPA says the air there now meets clean air standards for sulfur dioxide (SO2), so the area is officially redesignated as 'attainment.' Michigan’s plan to keep the air clean, including limits on emissions from the DTE Belle River Power Plant, is approved and kicks in starting July 9, 2026—no extra costs for residents, just fresher air!
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
St. Clair Redesignated to Attainment
The EPA has redesignated the partial St. Clair, Michigan area from nonattainment to attainment for the 2010 sulfur dioxide (SO2) standard, effective July 9, 2026. Michigan's modeling shows a maximum SO2 concentration of 62.8 parts per billion (ppb), which is below the 2010 NAAQS level of 75 ppb.
Michigan Maintenance Plan Approved
The EPA approved Michigan's maintenance plan for the St. Clair SO2 area, effective July 9, 2026. The plan includes an attainment emissions inventory, a maintenance demonstration, continued air quality monitoring, verification procedures, and a contingency plan to keep the area meeting the 2010 SO2 standard.
Belle River Permit Incorporated Into SIP
The EPA is incorporating Michigan Permit to Install 51-22 for the DTE Belle River Power Plant into the State Implementation Plan (SIP), effective July 9, 2026. The permit (originally issued April 26, 2022, and revised May 25, 2023) is now federally enforceable as part of the SIP.
Nonattainment NSR Relief; PSD Permitting Applies
Upon the July 9, 2026 effective date, sources in the St. Clair area are relieved of Nonattainment New Source Review (NSR) permitting requirements and instead will be subject to Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) permitting requirements, which the EPA describes as less restrictive. The EPA relied on 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(1) to make the rule effective immediately because it 'relieves a restriction.'
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