EPA OKs San Joaquin Valley Air Rules for Ozone Standards
Published Date: 7/30/2026
Rule
Summary
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking final action to approve a revision to the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (SJVAPCD or "District") portion of the California State Implementation Plan (SIP) concerning two rules submitted to address section 185 of the Clean Air Act (CAA or the "Act") with respect to the 2008 and 2015 8-hour ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS or "standards").
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
Federal/Citizen Enforcement and EPA Collection Power
Once Rules 3172 and 3173 are approved into the SIP, the fee-payment requirement (paragraph 5.1.2: each agency or person "shall remit" assessed fees) is enforceable by the EPA and by private citizens, and the EPA has authority under CAA section 185(d) to collect unpaid fees if the State fails to administer the program. The rules also provide for late-payment penalties and possible suspension of a facility's permit to operate for nonpayment.
SJVAPCD Ozone Fee Rules Federally Approved
SJVAPCD Rules 3172 and 3173 (Federally Mandated Ozone Nonattainment Fees for the 2008 and 2015 8-hour ozone standards) were approved into the California SIP and become federally enforceable effective August 31, 2026. If you are an agency or person required to remit the assessed fees, those obligations are now part of the SIP.
Redesignation Stops New Fees, Not Past Debt
The EPA interprets the rules to mean that when the San Joaquin Valley is redesignated to attainment, the fees established by the rules stop accruing prospectively but do not excuse payment of fees already assessed or owed for prior years. The District also confirmed it interprets section 2.4 the same way.
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
2026-18317, 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!
2026-12927, U.S. Ecology Nevada, Inc. High Mercury Subcategory Wastes Land Disposal Restrictions Variance
The EPA is giving U.S. Ecology Nevada a special green light to handle and dispose of high-mercury waste a bit differently than usual. This means mercury waste treated in Pennsylvania can now be safely sent to U.S. Ecology’s Nevada site for disposal under new rules starting July 27, 2026. This change helps protect people and the environment while keeping mercury waste management efficient and cost-effective.
2026-11047, National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants From Hazardous Waste Combustors: Residual Risk and Technology Review
The EPA just updated rules for places that burn hazardous waste, like incinerators and boilers, to keep the air safe and clean. They confirmed current standards work well but added new limits on harmful gases like hydrogen fluoride and hydrogen cyanide. These changes start June 3, 2026, and include easier electronic reporting and some new rules for startup and shutdown times—helping protect health without big costs.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-15370, Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo S.p.a. Helicopters
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Leonardo S.p.a. Model AW189 helicopters. This AD was prompted by reports of cracking on the ejector ducts. This AD requires repetitively inspecting the left-hand (LH) side and right-hand (RH) side ejector ducts, including the exhaust bracket reinforcements and reinforcement plates, and, depending on the results, replacing any affected ejector duct. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Next: 2026-15409, Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier, Inc., Airplanes
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc. Model BD-700-1A10 and BD-700-1A11 airplanes. This AD was prompted by an in-service event where a main landing gear tire burst upon landing. This AD requires an inspection to determine if an affected brake control unit (BCU) is installed and replacement of affected BCUs. This AD also prohibits the installation of affected parts. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.