Arizona's Dusty Pinal County Gets a Serious PM10 Plan
Published Date: 10/19/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The EPA is proposing to approve Arizona’s plan to clean up dust pollution (PM10) in West Pinal County by the end of 2026. This plan affects local residents, drivers, and businesses by setting clear pollution limits and transportation rules to improve air quality. Public comments are open until November 18, 2026, giving everyone a chance to weigh in before the plan moves forward.
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
EPA proposes SIP approval and 2026 deadline
The EPA is proposing to approve Arizona's State Implementation Plan revision for the West Pinal PM10 nonattainment area and would establish an attainment date of December 31, 2026. The EPA proposes the plan meets the Moderate-area, Serious-area, and Clean Air Act section 189(d) requirements for the 24-hour PM10 standard.
Mandatory 5% per-year PM10 emission cuts
The submitted plan must provide for an annual reduction in PM10 emissions of not less than 5 percent per year from the date of submission until attainment. Using a 2017 baseline inventory of 41,168 tons, the plan calculates a five percent annual requirement of 2,058 tons and shows reductions for 2024, 2025, and 2026 (including cumulative reductions of 2,058; 4,117; and 6,175 tons respectively).
Best Available Control Measures for key dust sources
The 2023 Five Percent Plan evaluates and the EPA proposes to find that the plan provides for implementation of Best Available Control Measures (BACM) for required PM10 sources. The plan specifically examined construction sites, cleared areas, dairies, concentrated animal feeding operations, cropland agriculture, unpaved roads, unpaved lots, and paved roads.
Updated AgBMP and fugitive-dust rules to become federally enforceable
EPA notes that revisions to agricultural Best Management Practice (AgBMP) rules and fugitive-dust regulations are being proposed in a separate, parallel rulemaking and that adding these updated rules to the Arizona SIP would strengthen their federal enforceability. The EPA expects those SIP additions to help achieve the emission reductions modeled in the plan.
Motor-vehicle emissions budgets approved for planning
The EPA is proposing to approve the PM10 motor vehicle emissions budgets included in the SIP revision and is starting the adequacy process for those budgets. Once found adequate, transportation plans, programs, and projects must demonstrate that on-road emissions do not exceed those budgets for transportation conformity.
EPA finds PM10 precursors need not be regulated
The EPA proposes to find that PM10 precursors (including SO2, NOX, VOC, and NH3) do not significantly contribute to PM10 exceedances in the West Pinal area, and therefore the area is not required to regulate these precursors for RACM, BACM, or attainment planning under this submission.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-21287, Air Quality Plan; Arizona; Pinal County Air Quality Control District; West Pinal County PM10 Nonattainment Area; Fugitive Dust Rules
The EPA wants to approve new rules for Pinal County, Arizona, to cut down dust pollution from places like vacant lots, unpaved roads, and construction sites. These changes help clean the air and protect health by controlling tiny dust particles called PM10. People and businesses in West Pinal County should get ready to follow these rules, with public comments open until November 18, 2026.
Next: 2026-21289, Air Quality Plan; Arizona; Agricultural Best Management Practices Rules for the West Pinal County PM10 Nonattainment Area
The EPA is proposing new rules to help clean up dust pollution from farms and ranches in West Pinal County, Arizona. These rules will require farmers to use better practices to reduce tiny dust particles that harm air quality. If approved, these changes will kick in soon and help protect local health without big costs for farmers.