Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Proposes to Revise the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for Particle Pollution

• On February 3, 2006, EPA provided an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) for implementation of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for particle pollution (PM) which the Agency proposed on January 17, 2006.
• The purpose of the ANPR is to assure stakeholders that EPA is aware of and is considering the multiple issues associated with implementing any revised PM fine standards, and possible new PM coarse standards that may result from the January proposal. The ANPR also announces that the Agency will seek comment on key implementation issues to ensure that stakeholders points view are considered as EPA develops implementation plans.
• In the ANPR, EPA is providing potential timelines (below) for both the revised PM fine and PM coarse standards for designations, State Implementation Plan submittal, and attainment dates.
• The ANPR recognizes that no final decision has been made concerning whether or how to revise the existing PM standards, but address various implementation issues in the event they are revised.
• In the ANPR, EPA also highlights and provides preliminary thinking on how to address some of the key New Source Review issues related to the proposed new PM coarse standard and the transition from a PM₁₀ to a PM coarse standard.
• The ANPR solicits comments on how to best implement the transition from the current PM fine to the proposed revised PM fine standard, and from the PM₁₀ standard to the proposed new PM coarse standard. It also requests comments on various issues related to revocation of the current PM fine standard, and the PM₁₀ standard where it remains.
• EPA will take public comment on or before April 10, 2006. Based on comments, EPA will then determine a schedule for proposal of implementation plans for the new PM standards.

HOW TO COMMENT

Comments will be accepted on or before April 10, 2006.
All comments should be identified by Docket ID No. OAR-2005-0175 and submitted by one of the following methods:
Federal e-rulemaking portal: www.regulations.gov
E-mail: a-and-r-docket@epa.gov
Facsimile: (202) 566-1741
Mail: Air and Radiation Docket and Information Center, Environmental Protection Agency, Mail code: 6102T, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20460
Hand delivery: Air and Radiation Docket and Information Center, Environmental Protection Agency, Room B102, 1301 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC