EPA Pauses Pennsylvania Air Pollution Penalties
Published Date: 7/16/2026
Rule
Summary
The EPA says Pennsylvania has fixed its air pollution plan to better control smog-causing chemicals, so penalties like funding cuts and emission sanctions are paused for now. This gives Pennsylvania more time to keep cleaning up the air without losing highway money. People and businesses in Pennsylvania can breathe easier while the EPA reviews the plan until August 17, 2026.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Stay of New-Source Offset Sanctions
The EPA is staying (pausing) the two-to-one new source emissions offset sanction for Pennsylvania effective July 16, 2026. That offset sanction had been imposed on March 16, 2026, and the stay means businesses in Pennsylvania that would face the offset requirement are not subject to that sanction while the EPA completes review of the State’s SIP revisions.
Deferral of Highway Funding Sanctions
The EPA is deferring the highway funding sanction that otherwise would have taken effect on September 16, 2026 for Pennsylvania. Because the EPA has made an interim final determination that Pennsylvania’s SIP revisions likely correct the deficiencies, Pennsylvania will not face the highway funding sanction while the EPA completes its approval process.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-19071, Partial Repeal of the Carbon Pollution Standards for Fossil Fuel-Fired Electric Generating Units
The EPA is rolling back most of the 2024 rules that limited carbon pollution from fossil fuel power plants. This change affects coal and gas plants by easing some strict limits on emissions and carbon capture technology. The new rules kick in on November 16, 2026, potentially saving money for power plants but raising questions about pollution control.
2026-19072, Rescission of the Greenhouse Gas Findings for Fossil Fuel-Fired Power Plants and Repeal of Regulations for Power Plant Greenhouse Gas Emissions Under Clean Air Act Section 111
The EPA is proposing to cancel all greenhouse gas rules for fossil fuel power plants, saying the law doesn’t let them regulate these emissions for climate reasons. This change affects power plants across the U.S. and could impact future pollution limits and costs. Comments on this proposal are open until November 2, 2026, so now’s the time to speak up!
2026-18317, Updated Definition of “Waters of the United States”
The purpose of this supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking is for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of the Army ("the agencies") to supplement and seek additional comment on certain aspects of an earlier proposal, published on November 20, 2025, to revise the regulations defining the scope of waters federally covered under the Clean Water Act in light of the U.S. Supreme Court's 2023 decision in Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency. As stated in the agencies' November 20, 2025 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), the agencies intend for this rulemaking to provide greater regulatory certainty and increase Clean Water Act program predictability and consistency by clarifying the definition of "waters of the United States." After consideration of the public comments received on the NPRM, the agencies are issuing this notice to supplement the NPRM with additional regulatory options on certain aspects of the proposed rule.
2026-14112, Amendments and Nonconformance Penalties for Model Year 2027 and Later Heavy-Duty Highway Engines and Amendments to Inducement Provisions for SCR-Equipped Diesel Engines
Starting with model year 2027, the EPA is updating rules for big truck engines to make sure they last longer and pollute less. They’re also letting engine makers pay penalties if their engines don’t meet standards, and tightening rules for special pollution-control systems on diesel engines. These changes affect truck and engine makers and kick in soon, with public feedback due by August 29, 2026.
2026-13667, Minor New Source Review Program Air Permitting Public Participation Requirements for State Implementation Plans
The EPA wants to give states more freedom to decide how much public input is needed when approving small air pollution sources or changes. This means local air agencies can tailor public participation to fit their community’s needs while still protecting air quality. If you’re involved in air permits, watch for comment deadlines and possible virtual hearings this summer!
2026-13263, Revisions To Establish the Sixth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 6) for Public Water Systems
The EPA is rolling out the sixth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 6) to check for new, sneaky chemicals in public drinking water. Big water systems serving 3,300+ people and some smaller ones will test for 30 different contaminants, including certain PFAS and pesticides, to keep our water safe. Comments and feedback are open until late August 2026, and the EPA will host fun online meetings to chat about the plan!
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-14322, Air Plan Approval; Iowa; Revisions to Iowa Air Quality Regulations
The EPA just gave a thumbs-up to Iowa’s updated air quality rules, making them clearer and easier to follow without weakening pollution protections. This affects businesses and communities in Iowa by removing outdated programs and fixing rule mix-ups, with changes kicking in on August 17, 2026. No extra costs or pollution risks here—just smarter, cleaner air rules!
Next: 2026-14330, Approval and Promulgation of State Plan (Negative Declaration) for Designated Facilities and Pollutants; Nebraska; Commercial and Industrial Solid Waste Incineration Units
The EPA says Nebraska has no commercial or industrial waste incinerators that need pollution rules right now, so no new cleanup plans are required. This means businesses in Nebraska won’t face new costs or changes related to these incinerators. The rule kicks in on September 14, 2026, unless someone objects by August 17, 2026.