Clean Air Act

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

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

US White House Proposes FY2027 Budget With Deep Cuts To EPA And Science Agencies

The US White House released its FY2027 budget request, proposing a 52% funding cut to the EPA and significant reductions for science agencies like the NSF and NIH. If enacted, these cuts would severely constrain federal environmental enforcement, Superfund remediation, and the scientific research that underpins chemical and health regulations.

6 Apr 2026, 20:10whitehouse.govUnited States

US EPA Issues Supplemental SNAP Proposal on HFO-1234yf Retrofits in Heavy-Duty Vehicle Air Conditioning

The US EPA is expanding the SNAP program to permit HFO-1234yf as a retrofit refrigerant for heavy-duty pickup trucks and complete vans, with comments due by May 2026. This move facilitates the transition to lower-GWP alternatives in commercial fleets while mandating specific hardware and labeling compliance to mitigate flammability risks during servicing.

6 Apr 2026, 19:41federalregister.govUnited States

New Hampshire Submits SIP Revision to Repeal Motor Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance Programme

New Hampshire has formally petitioned the EPA to repeal its motor vehicle emissions inspection program and exit the Ozone Transport Region by late 2026. This move reduces operational compliance requirements for vehicle fleets in the state while maintaining existing stationary source air permits and federal air quality standards.

5 Apr 2026, 18:57des.nh.govUnited States

US EPA Approves Oregon 2024 Vehicle Inspection Program SIP Updates for Portland and Medford

The US EPA has finalized the approval of Oregon’s 2024 Vehicle Inspection Program updates, effective May 4, 2026. This formalizes a four-year OBD testing exemption for new vehicles, streamlining compliance for fleet operators and ensuring alignment between state and federal air quality standards.

5 Apr 2026, 18:52federalregister.govUnited States

Texas Proposes Vehicle I/M SIP Revision and Chapter 114 Amendments for Rental Vehicle Emissions Fees

Texas has proposed extending the initial emissions inspection exemption for new rental vehicles to three years while front-loading fee collections to maintain program revenue. Fleet operators in affected counties should prepare for administrative shifts in fee timing and longer initial inspection intervals, pending EPA approval.

5 Apr 2026, 18:42tceq.texas.govUnited States

US EPA Conducts Port of New York/Newark Inspections To Prevent Illegal Pesticide and Chemical Imports

US EPA and CBP are conducting high-profile joint port inspections to intercept illegal imports of pesticides, industrial chemicals, and lead-containing plumbing components. This intensified enforcement signals a shift toward proactive border-level market surveillance, increasing the risk of shipment seizures and supply chain delays for non-compliant products.

5 Apr 2026, 06:05epa.govUnited States

US EPA Proposes Approval of Wisconsin 2015 Ozone Moderate Attainment SIP Elements

The US EPA is proposing to approve Wisconsin's air quality plans for the 2015 ozone standard, covering emissions inventories and motor-vehicle budgets for the Milwaukee, Kenosha, and Sheboygan areas. This move formalizes regional emissions controls and permitting requirements, signaling continued regulatory pressure on VOC and NOx emissions for industrial and mobile sources in these nonattainment zones.

5 Apr 2026, 05:59govinfo.govUnited States

US EPA Proposes Approval of Monterey Bay Title V Operating Permit Program Revisions (California)

The US EPA is proposing revisions to the Monterey Bay Air Resources District’s Title V permit program, including the removal of emergency affirmative defense provisions and greenhouse gas permitting requirements. Impacted facilities must prepare for stricter liability during upset events and should review how these administrative and substantive changes affect their long-term air permit compliance and reporting strategies.

5 Apr 2026, 05:58govinfo.govUnited States

US EPA Extends Comment Period for Clean Air Act Risk Management Programs “Common Sense Approach” Proposed Rule

The US EPA has extended the public comment period for proposed amendments to the Clean Air Act Risk Management Program (RMP) until May 11, 2026. This extension offers a critical window for facility operators to assess and provide feedback on updated chemical accident prevention and process safety management obligations.

4 Apr 2026, 11:49federalregister.govUnited States

US EPA Final Rule Approves Ohio SIP Revisions to Air Permit Rules

The US EPA has finalized the incorporation of Ohio’s revised air permitting rules into the federally enforceable State Implementation Plan, effective May 4, 2026. Impacted operators must align permitting strategies for new and modified sources with these updated standards to ensure continued compliance and avoid federal enforcement risks.

4 Apr 2026, 11:49federalregister.govUnited States

US EPA Finalises Ohio Muskingum River 2010 SO2 Redesignation and Maintenance Plan

The US EPA has redesignated Ohio’s Muskingum River area to attainment for the 2010 SO2 standard, effective April 2, 2026. This transition shifts major source permitting from Nonattainment New Source Review to the less restrictive Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) framework.

4 Apr 2026, 11:49federalregister.govUnited States

EPA Approves Michigan (Detroit) 2010 Sulfur Dioxide Redesignation and Maintenance Plan

The EPA has officially redesignated the Detroit area to attainment for the 2010 sulfur dioxide standard, approving Michigan’s long-term maintenance plan. Industrial operators in the region should anticipate shifts in air permitting requirements and must ensure continued adherence to federally enforceable emission controls to maintain compliance.

4 Apr 2026, 11:48federalregister.govUnited States

US EPA Approves Connecticut NSR SIP Revision Clarifying Nonattainment Applicability

The US EPA has approved revisions to Connecticut’s New Source Review (NSR) permit program, effective May 4, 2026, to align state definitions and nonattainment area requirements with federal standards. Operators of major stationary sources in Connecticut should review updated emission rate thresholds and non-road engine definitions to ensure continued compliance with now federally enforceable air permitting obligations.

4 Apr 2026, 11:48federalregister.govUnited States

US EPA Proposes Error Correction and Failure-To-Attain Finding for 2006 24-Hour PM2.5 Standard in San Joaquin Valley

The US EPA proposes to find California’s San Joaquin Valley failed to meet 2006 PM2.5 air quality standards by the 2019 deadline, reversing a previous extension. A final determination will mandate a 5% annual reduction in PM2.5 or precursor emissions, likely driving stricter local industrial and mobile source regulations.

4 Apr 2026, 11:48public-inspection.federalregister.govUnited States

US EPA Extends Comment Period for Clean Air Act RMP “Common Sense” Proposed Rule

The US EPA extended the comment period to May 11, 2026, for the "Common Sense" RMP proposal, which seeks to roll back several 2024 chemical accident prevention requirements. This shift signals a significant regulatory pivot toward reducing compliance burdens for high-hazard facilities, particularly regarding technology assessments and third-party audits.

4 Apr 2026, 11:05federalregister.govUnited States

Tennessee Air Pollution Control Board Proposes New Prevention of Accidental Releases Rule (Chapter 0400-30-32)

Tennessee is proposing to streamline state-level accidental release prevention rules by removing redundant Risk Management Plan (RMP) filings while aligning with federal EPA standards. Facilities must prepare for a new annual compliance certification requirement, shifting regulatory focus from administrative submission to verified operational adherence.

4 Apr 2026, 11:00publications.tnsosfiles.comUnited States

US Congress Overturns EPA Waste Emissions Charge Rule for Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems

The US Congress has nullified the EPA’s methane waste emissions charge rule, removing financial penalties and reporting obligations for emissions exceeding federal thresholds. Operators should reassess compliance strategies for methane reduction as the specific charge, netting, and exemption procedures are no longer in effect.

4 Apr 2026, 10:53congress.govUnited States