Sullivan County Could Graduate From Sulfur Dioxide Nonattainment
Published Date: 10/29/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The EPA is proposing to approve Tennessee’s plan showing Sullivan County has cleaned up its air and now meets the 2010 sulfur dioxide pollution standards. This means the area can officially move from 'needs improvement' to 'all clear' status, thanks to new pollution limits on local factories and ongoing air quality checks. Residents and businesses can expect healthier air without new costs, but public comments are open until November 30, 2026.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Permanent SO2 Limits on Local Facilities
The EPA is proposing to incorporate permanent, enforceable SO2 emission limits and monitoring, recordkeeping, and reporting (MRR) requirements for two local facilities—Eastman Chemical (Eastman) and Primester—into Tennessee's State Implementation Plan (SIP). The submissions state Eastman's enforceable control measures reduced SO2 emissions by approximately 85% and include specific numeric limits such as a 30-day rolling average SO2 limit of 1,248 lb/hr for certain boilers, individual SO2 limits of 317 lb/hr and 293 lb/hr for Boilers 30 and 31, and a corrected coal-gasification flare limit of 14.6 lb/hr.
Sullivan County Redesignated to Attainment
The EPA is proposing to redesignate Sullivan County, Tennessee from nonattainment to attainment for the 2010 1-hour sulfur dioxide (SO2) standard and to approve Tennessee's maintenance plan designed to keep the area in attainment through 2037. The proposal says residents and businesses can expect healthier air without new costs, and the EPA is accepting public comments on the proposal through November 30, 2026.
Maintenance Contingency Trigger for Exceedances
Tennessee's maintenance plan, which the EPA is proposing to approve, includes a contingency measure that requires a full system audit if a monitor in the maintenance area records four exceedances in any calendar year during the maintenance period. The maintenance plan is designed to keep the area in attainment of the 2010 SO2 NAAQS through 2037 and will be incorporated into the SIP if approved.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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