Kentucky's Air Gets EPA Nod Through 2044, Snore
Published Date: 10/8/2026
Rule
Summary
The EPA is giving a thumbs-up to Kentucky’s plan to keep the air clean in the Louisville area by maintaining safe ozone levels through 2044. This plan covers Bullitt, Jefferson, and Oldham counties and makes sure pollution limits stay federally enforceable. Starting November 9, 2026, local air quality rules will keep protecting your air without extra costs or big changes.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Federal approval keeps Louisville air plan
The EPA approved Kentucky's Limited Maintenance Plan (LMP) for the Kentucky portion of the Louisville Area (Bullitt, Jefferson, and Oldham Counties) and made the plan federally enforceable as part of the Kentucky State Implementation Plan. The approval is effective November 9, 2026, and the LMP provides for maintenance of the 1997 8-hour ozone standard through the end of the second 10-year maintenance period (through 2027).
Contingency measures become federally enforceable
Kentucky's contingency plan for the LMP—committing to promptly correct any future violation—is now part of the federally enforceable SIP for the second maintenance period. The plan includes indicator triggers that will prompt evaluation and possible additional control measures, such as: (1) any 8-hour ozone monitoring reading of 0.085 parts per million (ppm) or greater in the Area, or (2) a periodic emissions inventory showing more than 10 percent growth in NOX or VOC emissions over the attainment-year inventory.
Monitoring network maintained and reviewed
The EPA has approved the Louisville Area air quality monitoring network under 40 CFR part 58 and requires continued monitoring to evaluate compliance and trends. Any changes to the part 58 monitoring network must be approved by EPA, and the contingency plan uses monitoring (including the 0.085 ppm indicator) to trigger evaluations to avoid future violations.
No new federal requirements or big small-business impact
The EPA states this approval merely accepts State law as meeting Federal requirements and does not impose additional federal requirements beyond those imposed by State law. The action is certified as not having a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.
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