New Jersey's Ozone Plan Gets EPA Green Light, Meh
Published Date: 10/8/2026
Rule
Summary
The EPA is giving a thumbs-up to New Jersey’s plan to control ozone pollution, meeting important air quality rules from 2008 and 2015. This means cleaner air for people in New Jersey, with new pollution controls kicking in by November 9, 2026. Businesses and communities will follow these updated rules to help keep the air safe and healthy without extra costs right now.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
EPA Approves New Jersey RACT Certifications
The EPA approved New Jersey’s State Implementation Plan (SIP) RACT certifications for the 2008 8-hour ozone (Serious) and the 2015 8-hour ozone (Moderate) standards and the State’s Ozone Transport Region obligations. The EPA determined New Jersey’s regulatory requirements for major sources of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen oxides (NOX) accomplish RACT as of the approval published October 8, 2026, with the final rule effective November 9, 2026.
Municipal Waste Combustors Face 150 ppmvd NOX Limit
New Jersey’s municipal waste combustors (MWCs) are subject to a State RACT NOX limit of 150 ppmvd at 7 percent O2 on a 24-hour average under N.J.A.C. 7:27 subchapter 19.12. The EPA noted that this 150 ppmvd limit is more stringent than the federal Large MWC emission guideline limit of 205 ppmvd for existing mass-burn waterwall MWCs and that only certain proprietary technologies have been shown to meet lower limits such as 110 ppmvd.
No New Federal Burden on Regulated Sources
The EPA action ‘‘merely approves State law as meeting federal requirements’’ and does not impose requirements beyond those in New Jersey law. The EPA also certified the action does not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.
EPA Approves New Jersey CTG Negative Declarations
New Jersey certified, and EPA approved, that the State has no in-state sources for several Control Technique Guideline (CTG) categories (e.g., Manufacture of Vegetable Oils; Manufacture of Pneumatic Rubber Tires; Aerospace Coatings; Shipbuilding and Ship Repair Operations; Metal Furniture Coatings; Large Appliance Coatings; Auto and Light Duty Truck OEM Assembly Coatings). EPA verified these negative declarations as satisfying RACT obligations.
Reporting and Monitoring Rules Are Federally Approved
EPA referenced that New Jersey’s VOC CTG reporting, monitoring, and recordkeeping provisions are in N.J.A.C. 7:27 Subchapter 16.22 and New Jersey’s NOX reporting, monitoring, and recordkeeping provisions are in N.J.A.C. 7:27 Subchapters 19.17–19.19, and that EPA most recently approved revisions to these Subchapters on November 28, 2023.
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