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Pennsylvania
Bureau of Air Quality

Clean Air Plans

Pennsylvania's Clean Air Plans

BulletReducing Fine Particulate Pollution
BulletReducing Ozone Pollution
Bullet
Reducing Carbon Monoxide
BulletReducing Sulfur Dioxide Pollution
BulletMulti-Pollutant Regulations/Plans
BulletReducing Toxic Emissions
BulletReducing Pollution from Vehicles

For files not found
here, please see the
Clean Air Plans Archive

 

Infrastructure SIP Submittals

Proposed Revision to Pennsylvania State Implementation Plan (SIP): Section 110(a)(2) for 1997 and 2006 Fine Particulate Standards

DEP is accepting comment on a revision to the State Implementation Plan describing how the Commonwealth will comply with section 110(a)(2) of the CAA (pertaining to general responsibilities) for fine particulates. A public hearing will be held only if requested on Thursday January 28, 2010, at 2 p.m. at the Department's Southcentral Regional Office. Written comments are due by January 29, 2010.

Revision to Pennsylvania State Implementation Plan (SIP): Section 110(a)(2) for 1997 Ozone and Fine Particulate Standards

This SIP revision confirmed the Commonwealth's compliance with section 110(a)(2)(A)--(M) of the CAA (42 U.S.C.A. §§ 7410(a)(2)(A)--(M)) pertaining to general responsibilities, and a SIP revision meeting the interstate transport requirements of section 110(a)(2)(D)(i) of the CAA (42 U.S.C.A. §§ 7410(a)(2)(D)(i)).

Plans for Reducing Fine Particulate Pollution

Particulate matter (PM) is the general term used for a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets found in the air.  Fine particles are those that are less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter (PM2.5).  Fine particles may be emitted directly by a source or formed in the atmosphere.

The federal government set a National Ambient Air Quality Standard for PM2.5 to protect public health. For areas that do not meet the standard, the state must submit a State Implementation Plan (SIP) to the EPA that outlines the measures that will be taken to attain the health-based PM2.5 standard. States are also responsible for submitting maintenance plans to the EPA that detail how the state will assure the standard will continue to be met for the next 10 years.

PM2.5 Modeling Protocols

The modeling protocols provide background information and describe the basic structure of the PM2.5 modeling demonstration that the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection will undertake. These demonstrations will become part of the Commonwealth’s State Implementation Plan that will ensure the eight annual PM2.5 nonattainment areas will meet ambient standards.  Modeling protocols follow the structure outlined in section 12.2 of the U.S. EPA’s April 2007 guidance.

new Proposed Revision to Pennsylvania State Implementation Plan (SIP) for Philadelphia Area PM2.5 Attainment Plan

DEP is soliciting comments on a revision to the State Implementation Plan (SIP) for the Philadelphia-Wilmington PA-NJ-DE PM2.5 Nonattainment Area (Philadelphia Area.)   The Pennsylvania portion of Philadelphia Area, located in southeastern Pennsylvania, consists of Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties. DEP must receive all public comments by March 12, 2010. Written comments should be sent to the attention of Arleen Shulman, Division of Air Resource Management, Bureau of Air Quality, Department of Environmental Protection, P. O. Box 8468, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8468, or by email to ashulman@state.pa.us.

The proposed SIP revision demonstrates how the area will attain the health-based PM2.5 NAAQS by April 2010 by presenting evidence from photochemical modeling, emission trends, regional transport impacts and emission reductions through state and federal control measures. It also contains the base year 2002 emissions inventory, a contingency plan to bring the area back into attainment should violations of the NAAQS occur after the standard is attained, and mobile source emission budgets for purposes of transportation conformity.  After consideration of comments received, the SIP revision will be finalized and submitted to the EPA for approval. Questions regarding the files below should be directed to ashulman@state.pa.us or (717)787-9495.

Pittsburgh-Beaver Valley Area Attainment Plan

DEP is soliciting comments on a revision to the State Implementation Plan (SIP) for the Pittsburgh-Beaver Valley PM2.5 Nonattainment Area.   The Pittsburgh Area, located in southwestern Pennsylvania, consists of Beaver, Butler, Washington, and Westmoreland counties and portions of Allegheny, Armstrong, Greene and Lawrence counties.  DEP must receive all public comments by October 9, 2009. Written comments should be sent to the attention of Arleen Shulman, Division of Air Resource Management, Bureau of Air Quality, Department of Environmental Protection, P. O. Box 8468, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8468, or by email to ashulman@state.pa.us.

The proposed SIP revision demonstrates how the area will attain the health-based PM2.5 NAAQS by April 2010 by presenting evidence from photochemical modeling, emission trends, regional transport impacts and emission reductions through state and federal control measures. It also contains the base year 2002 emissions inventory, a contingency plan to bring the area back into attainment should violations of the NAAQS occur after the standard is attained, and mobile source emission budgets for purposes of transportation conformity.  After consideration of comments received, the SIP revision will be finalized and submitted to the EPA for approval.

 

 

 

 

Plans for Reducing Ozone Pollution

Ground-level ozone pollution occurs when hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides bake in the sun. These gases come from unburned fuel and solvents, car exhaust, factory stack emissions and homeowners' and individuals' activities. The federal government set a National Ambient Air Quality Standard for ozone to protect public health. For areas that do not meet the standard, the state must submit a State Implementation Plan (SIP) to the EPA that outlines the measures that will be taken to attain the health-based ozone standard. States are also responsible for submitting maintenance plans to the EPA that detail how the state will assure the standard will continue to be met for the next 10 years.

Final RACT SIP Revision for the 8-hour Ozone Standard Submitted to EPA for Approval

DEP has submitted to EPA for approval a revision to the State Implementation Plan (SIP).  The revision is a demonstration that shows existing rules enacted by the DEP fulfill the Reasonably Available Control Technology (RACT) requirements under the 8-hour ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).

Final RACT Revision for Philadelphia County Under the 8-Hour Ozone Standard Submitted to EPA for Approval

DEP has submitted to EPA for approval a revision to the State Implementation Plan (SIP) for Philadelphia County. The DEP concurs with the Philadelphia Air Management Services that this Reasonably Available Control Technology (RACT) SIP revision meets the requirements under the 8-hour ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard.

new Proposed Revision to Pennsylvania State Implementation Plan (SIP) for Philadelphia Area 1997 Ozone Standard

DEP is accepting comment on a proposed revision to the State Implementation Plan to submit a revised appendix for stationary point source annual emissions found in the 2002 base-year inventory. A public hearing on the proposed SIP revision will be held on Thursday, March 11, 2010. Written comments are due by March 12, 2010.


Philadelphia Area Attainment Plan

DEP has submitted a revision to the State Implementation Plan (SIP) for the Southeastern Pennsylvania area included in the Philadelphia-Wilmington-Atlantic City, PA-DE-MD-NJ eight-hour Ozone Nonattainment Area (Philadelphia Nonattainment Area). The Pennsylvania portion of this “moderate” eight-hour ozone nonattainment area consists of Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties.

The SIP revision demonstrates how the area will attain the health-based eight-hour ozone NAAQS by June 2010 by presenting evidence from photochemical modeling, ozone trends and regional transport impacts. The plan demonstrates how the area will meet 2008 and 2009 reasonable further progress milestones for emission reductions through state and federal control measures. It also contains the base year 2002 emissions inventory, a reasonably available control measure analysis, a contingency plan to bring the area back into attainment should violations of the NAAQS occur after the standard is attained, and mobile source emission budgets for purposes of transportation conformity.

Appendices to all documents are available upon request by contacting the division staff at 717-787-9495.

 


State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision to correct errors found in the 2002 Base Year Inventory for the Philadelphia-Wilmington-Atlantic City Eight-Hour Ozone Nonattainment Area.

DEP is proposing a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision to correct errors found in the 2002 Base Year Inventory for the Philadelphia-Wilmington-Atlantic City Eight-Hour Ozone Nonattainment Area. The SIP revision to correct the 2002 Base Year Inventory is now available for public review and comment. DEP must receive all public comments by July 10, 2009. Written comments should be sent to the attention of Arleen Shulman, Division of Air Resource Management, Bureau of Air Quality, Department of Environmental Protection, P. O. Box 8468, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8468, or by email to ashulman@state.pa.us.



 

Revisions to Philadelphia area Reasonable Further Progress Demonstration

The SIP revisions to correct errors in the Philadelphia area 2002 Base-year Inventory and the Reasonable Further Progress Demonstration are now available for public review and comment. DEP must receive all public comments by Friday, October 30, 2009. No request for a public hearing was received so the hearing is cancelled. Written comments should be sent to the attention of Arleen Shulman, Division of Air Resource Management, Bureau of Air Quality, Department of Environmental Protection, P. O. Box 8468, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8468, or by email to ashulman@state.pa.us


State Implementation Plan Revision Incorporating the Amended Pennsylvania Clean Vehicles Program.

DEP has submitted to EPA for approval a revision to the State Implementation Plan (SIP).  The SIP revision incorporates the recently amended Pennsylvania Clean Vehicles (PCV) program requirements.

 

 


Redesignation Requests, Maintenance Plans and 2002 Base Year Inventories


 

DEP has submitted eight-hour ozone maintenance plans and base year inventories for twelve counties that were designated "attainment" for the eight-hour standard. However, one-hour ozone redesignation requests and maintenance plans for these counties were never approved by EPA prior to revocation of the one-hour standard, obligating Pennsylvania to submit State Implementation Plan revisions demonstrating attainment of the eight-hour ozone standard for at least ten years.

Pa. Bulletin Notice


Columbia

Crawford

Juniata

Lawrence

Northumberland

Pike

Schuylkill

Snyder

Somerset

Susquehanna

Warren

Wayne

 

 

DEP is submitting State Implementation Plan revisions for all nonattainment areas which are attaining the eight-hour ozone standard and requesting that these areas be redesignated. The Maintenance Plans demonstrate how the air quality in the area will be maintained through 2018. Base year (2002) inventories are also being submitted.
Appendices to all documents are available upon request by contacting Arleen Shulman at 717-772-3926.

County/Area Plan Detail

York-Adams

Ozone SIP Revision Submitted to EPA May 23, 2008

Approved by EPA on January 14, 2008 .

 

Clearfield-Indiana

Approved by EPA on March 19, 2009.

Second Submission

First Submission

 

State College
(Centre County)

Approved by EPA on November 14, 2007

Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton

Approved by EPA on March 4, 2009

 

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre

Submitted to EPA on April 21, 2008

Approved by EPA on March 4, 2008

Pittsburgh-Beaver Valley

Approved by EPA on November 17, 2008

Erie

Approved by EPA on October 9, 2007.

 

Mercer

Approved by EPA on October 19, 2007.

 

Cambria

Approved by EPA on August 1, 2007.

Harrisburg - Lebanon - Carlisle

Approved by EPA on July 25, 2007.

 

Blair

Approved by EPA on August 1, 2007.

 

Greene

Approved by EPA on March 19, 2009

Second Submission

First Submission

 

Reading

Approved by EPA on August 24, 2007.

 

Franklin

Approved by EPA on July 25, 2007.

 

Tioga

Approved by EPA on July 6, 2007.

 

Lancaster

Approved by EPA on July 6, 2007.

 

Architectural Industrial Maintenance (AIM) Variances

SAU-SEA Application for Variance (8/04)
BulletApplication (PDF)
BulletAddendum (PDF)
BulletDraft Proposed Order (PDF)

 

Sherwin-Williams Stain Variance (5/04)
BulletDenial Letter (PDF)
BulletDenial Document (PDF)
BulletMinwax Water-Based Product Specifications (PDF)
BulletComment/Response Document (PDF)

BulletApplication (PDF)(1.1M)
BulletDraft Proposed Order (PDF)

 

Sherwin-Williams - Clear Wood Coatings (Varnishes) Variance
BulletApplication (PDF)(1.4M)
BulletDraft Proposed Order (PDF)
BulletCoating Descriptions (PDF)(3.3M)
BulletComment/Response Document (PDF)
BulletDenial Document (PDF)
BulletDenial Letter (PDF)

Ozone Transport

SIP Revisions To Reduce Regional Transport of Ozone
See the Air Quality Regulations page.

 

Plans for Reducing Carbon Monoxide

Final Revision to the Pennsylvania State Implementation Plan for Maintaining the Carbon Monoxide National Ambient Air Quality Standard for the Years 2007-2017 in Philadelphia County (9/3/04) (PDF)
BulletNotice of Public Hearing
BulletFinal SIP
BulletTransmittal Letter to EPA

 
Plans To Reduce Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) Pollution

The federal government has set standards for SO2 to protect public health. For areas that do not meet the standard, the state must submit a State Implementation Plan (SIP) to the EPA that outlines the measures that will be taken to attain the health-based standard. After areas achieve the standard, states must also submit maintenance plans to assure the standard will continue to be met for the next 10 years.

Status: Approved by EPA on 7/1/04
Final Warren County SIP Revision - Conewango Township, Pleasant Township, Glade Township, and City of Warren, Warren County SO2 Maintenance Plan and Redesignation Request (5/04)
BulletMaintenance Plan (PDF)
BulletRedesignation Request (PDF)
BulletLetter to EPA (PDF)
BulletPA Bulletin Notice (PDF)

 

Multi-Pollutant Regulations/Plans

Control of Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) Emissions from Glass Melting Furnaces; Advance Notice of Final Rulemaking

DEP is soliciting comments via an Advance Notice of Final Rulemaking on changes it recommends be made to the glass melting furnaces proposed rulemaking. In response to comments received during the official public comment period on the proposed rulemaking for glass melting furnaces (38 Pa. B. 1831), and following DEP's review of other related information, DEP has prepared a draft final rulemaking for public comment. The draft final rulemaking contains significant changes in several areas. This draft final rulemaking, if adopted as a final-form regulation, will also be submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a revision to the Pennsylvania State Implementation Plan. Written comments should be sent to the attention of Jane Mahinske, Division of Air Resource Management, Bureau of Air Quality, Department of Environmental Protection, Rachel Carson State Office Building, P.O. Box 8468, Harrisburg, PA 17101-8468, or by email to jmahinske@state.pa.us. Comments must be received by October 14, 2009.

DEP Comments on EPA's Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: Rule to Reduce Interstate Transport of Fine Particulate Matter and Ozone (4/5/04)
BulletDEP Comments (PDF)
BulletMulti-Pollutant Strategy Position of the OTC (PDF)

 

Plans to Reduce Toxic Emissions

Section 111 of the federal Clean Air Act contains a priority list of pollution sources that states must regulate. New sources must meet certain performance standards, and existing sources must meet prescribed emissions guidelines. The following plans aim to reduce toxic emissions and meet these standards.

 

Section 111(d)/129 State Plan for Hospital/Medical/Infectious Waste Incinerators (9/98)
BulletDownload State Plan (PDF)

 

Section 111(d)/129 State Plan For Large Municipal Waste Combustors (4/98)
BulletDownload State Plan (PDF)

 

Section 111(d)/129 State Plan For Municipal Solid Waste Landfills (6/97)
BulletDownload State Plan (PDF)

 
Plans to Reduce Pollution from Vehicles

Vehicles emit a number of harmful air pollutants that have the potential to adversely affect people's respiratory systems. These chemicals and particles are particularly dangerous for children, the elderly and those with existing respiratory problems such as asthma. As people increasingly depend on their cars and drive more and more miles, it is important that the vehicles' exhaust systems become cleaner. The following plans aim to reduce air pollution resulting from automobiles and other vehicles to help Pennsylvania attain the health-based ozone standard.

 

new Proposed SIP Revision for Vehicle Emissions Inspection/Maintenance Program; Program Changes for 42 Counties (2/09) Comments must be received by March 20, 2009.

 

Transportation Conformity SIP Revision
Submitted to EPA May 29, 2008
Approved by EPA April 29, effective June 29, 2009

 

Final SIP Revision Vehicle Emissions Inspection/Maintenance Program; Program Changes for Philadelphia and Pittsburgh Regions (1/04). Approved by the EPA October 6, 2005.
BulletFinal SIP Revision (PDF)
BulletTechnical Appendices available upon request. Please contact Yvette House, at (717) 787-9495.

 

Final SIP Revisions for the Enhanced Vehicle Emissions Inspection/Maintenance Program (11/03). Approved by the EPA October 6, 2005.
BulletFinal SIP Revisions (PDF)
BulletTechnical Appendices are availabel upon request. Please contact Yvette House, at (717) 787-9495.

 

Enhanced Vehicle Emission Inspection/Maintenance
Program