Approval Frequency of State Implementation Plans from EPA

Environmental Consulting

September 9, 2024

Share it with the world!

History of the Regional Haze Program

Since 1988, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other agencies have been monitoring the visibility in national parks and wilderness areas. In 1999, EPA introduced the Regional Haze Regulations with a goal of achieving natural visibility conditions at all 156 Class I areas by 2064. The rule requires all states and the District of Columbia to participate in planning, analysis, and emission control programs, revising state implementation plans (SIPs) for each ten-year period until 2064.

EPA’s Review of Second Planning Period SIPs

As of August 3, 2024, EPA has taken action on 21 second planning period SIPs. These actions are listed in Table 1.

Table 1. List of Formal Action Taken by EPA

State of Territory	EPA Action	Federal Register Publication
NJ	Final approval	88 Fed. Reg. 78,650 (Nov. 16, 2023
MD	Final approval	89 Fed. Reg. 22,337 (Apr. 1, 2024)
MA	Final approval	89 Fed. Reg. 55,891 (July 8, 2024)
NY	Final approval	89 Fed. Reg. 66,234 (Aug. 15, 2024)
DC	Proposed approval	86 Fed. Reg. 48,504 (Aug. 31, 2021)
NH	Proposed approval	88 Fed. Reg. 80,655 (Nov. 20, 2023)
OR	Proposed approval	89 Fed. Reg. 13, 622 (Feb. 23, 2024)
GA	Proposed approval	89 Fed. Reg. 47,481 (June 3, 2024)
ND	Proposed approval	89 Fed. Reg. 56,693 (July 10, 2024) and 89 Fed. Reg. 66,015 (Aug. 14, 2024)
MN	Proposed approval	89 Fed. Reg. 55,827 (July 11, 2024)
CT	Proposed approval	89 Fed. Reg. 58,663 (July 19, 2024)
IA	Proposed approval	89 Fed. Reg. 63,258 (Aug. 2, 2024)
DE	Proposed approval	89 Fed. Reg. 67,018 (Aug. 19, 2024)
UT	Proposed approval	89 Fed. Reg. 67,208, 67,208-09 (Aug. 19, 2024)
OH	Proposed approval	89 Fed. Reg. 71,124 (Aug. 30, 2024)
WI	Proposed conditional approval	89 Fed. Reg. 65,492 (Aug. 9, 2024)
NC	Proposed conditional approval	89 Fed. Reg. 67,341 (Aug. 20, 2024)
AZ	Proposed partial approval and partial disapproval	89 Fed. Reg. 47,398 (May 31, 2024)
MO	Proposed partial approval and partial disapproval	89 Fed. Reg. 55,140 (July 3, 2024)
WY	Proposed partial approval and partial disapproval	89 Fed. Reg. 63,030, 63,0301 (Aug. 1, 2024)
KS	Proposed full disapproval	89 Fed. Reg. 64,373, 64,376 (Aug. 7, 2024)

As shown in the table, the frequency of actions has increased in recent months with 16 of the 21 actions taken since June 2024. Additional actions are expected during the remaining months of 2024. Sierra Club has sent a notice of intent to file suit against EPA for the failure to complete all actions on time.

For more information or for assistance, please contact Trinity Consultants at 800.229.6655.

We foresee a future in which sustainable companies win. Driven by our founding mission and steadfast commitment to environmental stewardship, we harness deep technical proficiency and sector-specific expertise to define climate strategies and sustainability risks and opportunities, propose time-bound and measurable targets, and create enterprise-wide sustainability programs that power smarter, more sustainable operations – for our people, our clients, and our communities. And today, organizations in hard-to-abate industries recognize that sustainability isn’t just a corporate responsibility; it’s also a powerful competitive differentiator. Whatever your starting point, we commit to helping you prioritize and reach your sustainability potential through ESG risk management and metrics, environmental programs, energy-efficiency investments, and health and safety performance.

Paul Greywall/Trinity Consultants

CEO