EPA Nods to Illinois Ozone Control Tech Tweaks
Published Date: 8/6/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve revisions to 35 Illinois Administrative Code (IAC) parts 217, 218, and 219 into the Illinois State Implementation Plan (SIP). The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois or Illinois EPA) submitted these revisions on December 18, 2024, and May 12, 2025, supplemented their submittal on August 13, 2025, for Moderate Reasonably Available Control Technology (RACT). The EPA is proposing to approve 35 IAC parts 217, 218, and 219 as satisfying the Moderate Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) RACT and NO<INF>X</INF> RACT requirements as well as Serious NO<INF>X</INF> RACT requirements for the Chicago, IL (Cook County, DuPage County, Grundy County, Kane County, Kendall County, Lake County, McHenry County, and Will County) and Metro-East St. Louis (Madison County, Monroe County, and St. Clair County) nonattainment areas under the 2015 ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS or standard).
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.
Illinois SIP RACT Approval for Chicago/Metro‑East
If you operate major air‑emitting sources in the Chicago or Metro‑East nonattainment areas, EPA is proposing to approve Illinois rules (35 IAC parts 217, 218, and 219) into the State Implementation Plan so those rules satisfy Moderate VOC and NOX RACT and Serious NOX RACT under the 2015 ozone standard. The rule text applies to major sources as defined in CAA section 182 (100 tons per year NOX for Moderate, 50 tpy NOX for Serious) and establishes NOX limits for units that emit 15 tpy or more when located at a source with potential to emit 50 tpy or more.
Voluntary Emissions Averaging Option with 10% Cut
Illinois' rules let eligible sources choose a voluntary emissions averaging plan (an Economic Incentive Program) instead of meeting unit limits, but sources that opt into averaging must achieve an additional 10 percent emissions reduction as a presumptive requirement. Participation in the averaging program is voluntary for sources subject to NOX RACT.
Flint Hills Pine Bend Permit Incorporated into SIP
EPA is proposing to incorporate Illinois Federally Enforceable State Operating Permit No. 83100026 for the Flint Hills Pine Bend facility (issued June 20, 2024) into the SIP to satisfy RACT for sources covered by the Oil and Natural Gas CTG in the Metro‑East area. The permit requires an external floating roof for crude oil storage tanks, which reduces VOC emissions by at least 95%.
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