Air Quality

California Air Resources Board Extends OGV In-Transit Regulation Survey Deadline To 30 April 2026

CARB has extended the deadline for its stakeholder survey on a potential Ocean-Going Vessels (OGV) in-transit regulation, with responses now accepted until 30 April 2026. This gives shipping and port stakeholders additional time to influence how CARB structures future engagement and ultimately designs measures to cut NOx, PM, SOx and greenhouse gas emissions from vessels transiting California waters.

10 Apr 2026, 15:09content.govdelivery.comUnited States

Arizona ADEQ Virtual Workshop on Annual Air Emissions Inventory Reporting — 16 April 2026

Arizona’s environmental regulator is running a virtual workshop on 16 April 2026 to brief Class I air permit holders and CAERS reporters on annual air emissions inventory requirements, data quality expectations, and common reporting errors. Attending or reviewing the materials will help Arizona facilities strengthen emissions reporting quality, avoid filing issues, and align internal processes with ADEQ’s inventory and CAERS compliance expectations.

10 Apr 2026, 13:37azdeq.govUnited States

Chile Ñuble Region Starts 2026 Critical Air-Pollution Episodes Management Period for Chillán and Chillán Viejo

Chile’s Ñuble region has started the 2026 winter critical air‑pollution management period for Chillán and Chillán Viejo under its local Atmospheric Prevention and Decontamination Plan, with coordinated inspections and seasonal restrictions focused on emissions from residential wood heating. For operators and municipalities in the area this means tighter oversight of combustion sources, continued incentives to switch to cleaner heating, and a linked consultation on a broader regional decontamination plan that will shape future air‑quality obligations.

10 Apr 2026, 13:30mma.gob.clChile

US FERC Issues Draft EIS for Sabine Pass Stage 5 LNG and Pipeline Expansion

In April 2026 the US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission released a draft environmental impact statement (EIS) for the Sabine Pass Stage 5 LNG terminal and pipeline expansion in Texas and Louisiana, opening a public comment period until 26 May 2026. The review finds mostly limited but some long-term wetland and air-quality impacts, so LNG and pipeline operators and nearby industrial stakeholders should track this NEPA process closely as it will shape final mitigation requirements, Clean Water Act permits and federal approvals under the Natural Gas Act.

10 Apr 2026, 13:07federalregister.govUnited States

Upper Austria Adopts 2026 Amendment to Air Pollution and Energy Technology Act

Upper Austria has adopted a 2026 amendment to its Air Pollution and Energy Technology Act that from 1 May 2026 creates a central heating and cooling installation database, tightens acceptance and inspection sequencing, and modernises reporting duties in line with EU energy‑efficiency and climate frameworks.[^1^](https://www.ris.bka.gv.at/Dokumente/LgblAuth/LGBLA_OB_20260326_30/LGBLA_OB_20260326_30.html)[^3^](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2024/1275/oj)[^4^](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2023/1791/oj)[^5^](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2021/1119/oj) Strategically, companies and public bodies operating or servicing heating and cooling plants in Upper Austria must prepare for new four‑week data‑entry and update deadlines, permanent plant labelling, re‑use of federal combustion‑plant inspection results and expanded administrative‑offence risks linked to incomplete or late database records.

10 Apr 2026, 12:52ris.bka.gv.atAustria

EU Commission Reviewing Ecodesign Rules for Residential Solid Fuel Space Heaters and Boilers

In April 2026 the European Commission confirmed that it is reviewing EU ecodesign rules for residential solid fuel space heaters and boilers and is carrying out evaluations and impact assessments, including options that would require emission‑abatement technologies and more realistic test cycles.[^1^](https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-10-2026-000364-ASW_EN.pdf) This signals a likely tightening of emission‑performance requirements for these appliances in coming years, so manufacturers and supply chains should prepare for stricter ecodesign standards even though no concrete limits or timelines have yet been defined.

10 Apr 2026, 11:08europarl.europa.euEuropean Union

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Approves $1.42 Million in Environmental Penalties Against 88 Entities

On 01 April 2026, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality approved enforcement orders imposing $1.42 million in penalties on 88 regulated entities for violations of state air, water, waste, and drinking-water rules. This signals sustained enforcement pressure on industrial operators, storage tank owners, municipalities, and public water systems in Texas, reinforcing the need for robust environmental compliance and monitoring.

10 Apr 2026, 10:34content.govdelivery.comUnited States

Netherlands Plans Bal Amendment Moving Ferrous Scrap Storage to Dust Class 5

The Dutch government plans to reclassify ferrous scrap storage to a lower dust class (Class 5) by mid-2027, removing the default requirement for enclosed storage of rusty scrap. This shift aims to reduce operational costs and administrative burdens for the recycling sector while maintaining environmental protection through standardized dust-control plans and general duty-of-care obligations.

9 Apr 2026, 14:46iplo.nlNetherlands

Minnesota Bill SF4981 – Civil Cause of Action for Trespass by Intangible Particulate Matter

Minnesota has introduced legislation (SF 4981) to establish a civil cause of action for the "trespass" of airborne chemicals and pollutants onto private property. This expands litigation risk for industrial operators and pesticide users by lowering the threshold for property-related claims beyond traditional physical damage.

9 Apr 2026, 14:19revisor.mn.govUnited States

US EPA Finalizes Revisions to 2024 Oil and Natural Gas Standards (OOOOb/c)

The US EPA has finalized revisions to the 2024 Clean Air Act standards (OOOOb/c) for oil and gas operations, easing flaring limits and monitoring requirements. These changes signal a shift toward operational flexibility and reduced compliance costs, requiring operators to update monitoring plans while preparing for further regulatory amendments.

9 Apr 2026, 14:17epa.govUnited States

Minnesota Senate Environment Committee Oversight Hearing on Waste Incineration Air Pollution

Minnesota's Senate Environment Committee is conducting oversight on waste incineration air pollution and regulatory actions (April 2026). This scrutiny signals potential future tightening of air quality standards and waste management policies for incinerator operators.

9 Apr 2026, 14:13senate.mnUnited States

Minnesota MPCA Schedules Comment Clinics on Cumulative Impacts Rulemaking (April 2026)

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has scheduled public comment clinics for April 2026 to prepare stakeholders for upcoming cumulative impacts rulemaking affecting air permit applications in environmental justice areas. Operators in the Twin Cities, Duluth, and Rochester should prepare for more stringent permitting requirements, including mandatory cumulative impact analyses and community benefit agreements, as the draft rule text is expected by May 2026.

9 Apr 2026, 14:12pca.state.mn.usUnited States

Illinois Pollution Control Board Updates CITGO, INEOS and PQ Air and Water Cases

The Illinois Pollution Control Board advanced several industrial air and water permit cases in April 2026, including CITGO’s carbon monoxide variance and INEOS Joliet’s thermal effluent limits. These proceedings signal the Board's current approach to site-specific relief and enforcement, impacting operational flexibility and compliance timelines for heavy industry in the region.

9 Apr 2026, 10:32pcb.illinois.govUnited States

Iowa DNR Schedules Stakeholder Meeting on Stormwater NPDES General Permits and Posts Air Title V Draft Permit for Comment

Iowa DNR has initiated consultations on five-year renewals for stormwater General Permits #1–3 and a draft Title V air permit, with deadlines in April and May 2026. Operators should evaluate proposed changes to discharge and emission standards to mitigate compliance risks and align long-term facility management with updated state requirements.

9 Apr 2026, 10:25iowadnr.govUnited States

North Carolina DEQ Opens March–April 2026 Comment Periods on Multiple Air, Solid Waste, and NPDES Permits

North Carolina DEQ has opened multiple public comment periods through April 2026 for air, wastewater, and solid waste permits across several industrial facilities. Impacted operators must review draft permit conditions and compliance orders now to ensure operational flexibility and mitigate future enforcement risks.

9 Apr 2026, 10:23deq.nc.govUnited States

Illinois PCB Proposes Consolidated NAAQS Ambient Air Quality Standard Updates (2024–2025)

Illinois is moving to align state ambient air quality standards with recent federal US EPA updates for sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and particulate matter, with final adoption targeted for March 2026. Affected operators must ensure monitoring protocols and data-handling procedures comply with the revised secondary SO2 standards and newly approved federal reference measurement methods.

9 Apr 2026, 10:17pcb.illinois.govUnited States

California ARB Opens 15-Day Comment Period on Modifications to Emergency Vehicle Emissions Regulations

CARB is finalizing the permanent adoption of Emergency Vehicle Emissions Regulations to clarify compliance obligations amidst ongoing federal litigation over EPA waivers. This action ensures the continued enforceability of California’s light- and heavy-duty emission standards, providing a regulatory fallback for manufacturers regardless of federal court outcomes.

9 Apr 2026, 09:52ww2.arb.ca.govUnited States

California Air Resources Board Consults on Residential Wood Combustion Emissions Inventory Methodology

CARB has released a draft methodology to update how emissions from residential wood combustion are calculated for California's air quality planning. Refined emissions modeling often precedes more stringent regional air quality controls and updated performance standards for wood-burning appliances.

9 Apr 2026, 09:52content.govdelivery.comUnited States

South Coast AQMD Adopts Amendments to Rule 1124 for Aerospace Coatings and Solvents

South Coast AQMD has finalized amendments to Rule 1124, phasing out toxic solvents pCBtF and t-BAc from aerospace manufacturing operations. Impacted businesses must transition to a two-tier compliance framework, necessitating material reformulations or the installation of high-efficiency emission control systems.

9 Apr 2026, 09:52ceqanet.lci.ca.govUnited States

Belgium: Flanders Opens Consultation on VLAREM III Amendment Implementing BAT for Forges and Foundries

Flanders is consulting on VLAREM III amendments to implement new EU Best Available Techniques (BAT) for the smitheries and foundries industry. Impacted facilities face tighter emission limits and enhanced operational requirements for energy, water, and waste management to maintain environmental permits.

6 Apr 2026, 19:55omgeving.vlaanderen.beBelgium