EPA Signs Off on Pennsylvania Pollution Plan
Published Date: 7/23/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The EPA is proposing to approve Pennsylvania’s plan to keep the air clean in the Harrisburg-Lebanon-Carlisle-York area for another 10 years by controlling tiny pollution particles called PM2.5. This plan helps protect everyone’s health by making sure pollution stays low, especially from cars, and it sets rules that last through 2035. If approved, it means cleaner air without extra costs for residents or businesses.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
EPA proposes PA PM2.5 maintenance thru 2036
The EPA is proposing to approve Pennsylvania’s Second 10-Year Maintenance Plan for the Harrisburg-Lebanon-Carlisle-York area, submitted February 7, 2025, which is intended to keep the area meeting the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 standard through the maintenance end year of 2036. If approved, the plan relies on emissions inventories and control measures to ensure continued attainment of the 35 µg/m3 24-hour PM2.5 standard and aims to protect public health.
Contingency triggers and candidate controls
Pennsylvania’s plan includes contingency measures that would be triggered if air quality or emissions rise: a first-level response triggers if the annual mean PM2.5 exceeds 15.5 µg/m3 in one year or if the periodic emissions inventory exceeds the attainment inventory by more than 10%. A second-level response triggers if the two-year average annual mean exceeds 15.0 µg/m3 and could lead to measures like consumer product VOC rules, industrial solvent controls, diesel retrofits, and promotion of alternative fuels, with an 18-month rulemaking schedule after PADEP approval to initiate rulemaking.
Approval of 2028 and 2036 vehicle emissions budgets
The EPA proposes to approve Pennsylvania’s 2028 and 2036 onroad motor vehicle PM2.5 and NOX budgets for Cumberland, Dauphin, Lebanon, and York Counties (for example, Cumberland & Dauphin 2028 PM2.5 budget 124 tpy and NOX 4,169 tpy; 2036 PM2.5 budget 104 tpy and NOX 3,243 tpy). These budgets are used for transportation conformity to show planned highway and transit projects will not worsen PM2.5 air quality.
No added federal requirements or major small-entity costs
EPA states that approving Pennsylvania’s SIP revision merely approves state law as meeting Federal requirements and ‘‘does not impose additional requirements beyond those imposed by State law’’ and is certified as not having a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. The action is proposed as not imposing new Federal regulatory burdens on residents or businesses.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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