EPA Pauses Punches on AZ Gas Tank Emissions Rules
Published Date: 8/11/2026
Rule
Summary
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is making an interim final determination that the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) has submitted rules on behalf of the Maricopa County Air Quality Department (MCAQD or "County") that addresses deficiencies in its Clean Air Act (CAA or "Act") State Implementation Plan (SIP) concerning emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOC) from loading of organic liquids and gasoline. This determination is based on a proposed approval of MCAQD Rule 352 and conditional approval of MCAQD Rule 353, published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register, that regulate this category of sources. The effect of this interim final determination is that the application of offset and highway sanctions that was triggered by a previous limited disapproval by the EPA in 2025 is now deferred. If the EPA finalizes its approval and conditional approval of MCAQD's submission, relief from these sanctions will become permanent.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Sanctions for Phoenix‑Mesa Area Deferred
The EPA is deferring the application of offset sanctions and highway sanctions for the Phoenix‑Mesa ozone nonattainment area effective August 11, 2026. These sanctions were triggered by the EPA's January 10, 2025 limited disapproval and would have applied 18 months after the February 10, 2025 effective date (and highway sanctions six months after that); the deferral lasts while the EPA considers proposed approvals of revised MCAQD Rule 352 and Rule 353. If the EPA finalizes its approval and conditional approval of those rules, relief from the sanctions will become permanent.
No New Requirements; Small Entities Not Impacted
The EPA states this action defers sanctions and imposes no additional regulatory requirements. The action is certified as not having a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities and does not impose new information collection burdens.
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Key Dates
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