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Early
1989
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National Research Council begins independent assessment of
ozone. Final report issued in 1991, concluding that NOx plays
a key role in ozone formation.
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November
1990
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The Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 established the northeast
Ozone Transport Region (OTR). The Act requires "reasonably
available control technology" (RACT) for many existing
pollution sources in certain nonattainment areas and throughout
the OTR. Also established was the Ozone
Transport Commission (OTC) to coordinate the regional
development of control plans for ground-level ozone in the
Northeast and Mid-Atlantic States.
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January
1994
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Pennsylvania adopts Chapter 129 NOx RACT Phase I.
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September
1994
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OTC develops a NOx Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to further
control major sources of NOx within the region. Pennsylvania
signs.
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March
1995
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Ozone
Transport Assessment Group (OTAG) is formed to address
regional transport. Consisting of the 37 easternmost states
and other interested stakeholders, its goal was to identify
and recommend a strategy to reduce transported ozone and its
precursors which, in combination with other measures, will
enable attainment and maintenance of the national ambient
ozone standard.
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May
1995
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Governor Ridge calls for regional NOx controls. All affected
sources in Pennsylvania must install RACT.
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October
1995
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Pennsylvania petitions EPA to remove 37 counties from the
Ozone Transport Region.
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March 1996
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Ozone Stakeholders meet and recommend local emission controls
in the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh areas.
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June
1997
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OTAG presents conclusions identifying NOx from power plants
as the best way to reduce ground-level ozone transport.
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July
1997
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The NAAQS for ozone was revised from the 120 parts per billion
of ozone over one hour standard to a standard of 80 parts
per billion over 8 hours, using the 4th highest reading per
year, averaged over three years.
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August
1997
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Gov. Ridge and seven other northeastern states petition EPA
to control NOx from power plants and other large combustion
sources.
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October
1997
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EPA proposes regional NOx control regulations.
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November
1997
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Pennsylvania adopts rules implementing the OTC's NOx
MOU (PDF).
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February
1998
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Because EPA failed to act on the Petition within the statutory
deadline Pennsylvania filed a lawsuit to force EPA to carry
out it’s responsibilities. EPA has agreed to a settlement
of that suit which includes a schedule for action on the petitions
received from Pennsylvania and the surrounding states.
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May
1998
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EPA proposes a regional trading system for NOx sources in
a Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.
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September
1998
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EPA issued final Section 110 SIP
Call. (PDF)(9/98)
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May
1999
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As an interim measure, the U.S. Court of Appeals issued a
temporary stay of the deadline of the Section 110 SIP Call.
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May
1999
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Chapter 123 NOx RACT Phase II program begins, which includes
emission caps and trading.
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January
2000
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EPA publishes Final
Rule on Section 126 petitions. (PDF)(1/00)
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March
2000
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|
The U.S. Court of Appeals uphold EPA’s authority to
issue the Section 110 SIP Call.
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July 2000
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EQB adopts Chapter 145, Interstate Pollution Transport Reduction,
NOx Budget Trading Program - Preamble (PDF)
Regulations will begin 2003 and replace Chapter 123 NOx RACT
Phase II
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August
2000
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Pennsylvania issues proposed plan in response to
EPA's Section 110 SIP Call (PDF)
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October
2000
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PA submits State Implementation Plan
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August
2001
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EPA Approves PA State Implementation Plan Revision
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