EPA Establishes State Framework for Implementing Safeguards from Industrial Air Pollution

(Washington, D.C. – November 15, 2023) Environmental Defense Fund today praised updated EPA regulations that will clarify how states and the federal government can work together to reduce harmful pollution under one of our nation’s key clean air laws.

EPA finalized regulations outlining how states can submit pollution-reduction plans issued under Section 111(d) of the Clean Air Act. That provision authorizes EPA to address a range of pollutants from major industrial sources of pollution. EPA is currently considering standards for oil and gas sector methane pollution and climate pollution from power plants under Section 111(d).

“EPA’s action will establish a transparent process for states and the federal government to implement the pollution safeguards that will protect the health and safety of American families, on timelines that will help make sure that communities reap the benefits of the standards and we reach our pollution-reduction goals,” said Rosalie Winn, EDF’s Director of Methane and Clean Air Policy. “The new regulations will also make it easier for the public, including the communities most impacted by pollution from covered sources, to take part in the process of implementing pollution limits.”

The newly-finalized regulations set forth a process for states that choose to submit plans for existing sources of pollution. For standards that went into effect after July 8, 2019, states will now have 18 months to submit those plans to EPA. The regulations also cover how states can ask for extensions or other changes and how long EPA has to reply to submissions. For any states that choose not to submit state plans, the regulations describe how EPA will ensure a federal plan is in place to reduce pollution in that state.

In February, EDF joined a broad coalition of health and environmental advocates – including the American Public Health Association, Center for Biological Diversity, Clean Air Council, Clean Air Task Force, Clean Wisconsin, Earthjustice, Natural Resources Defense Council, Sierra Club, Southern Environmental Law Center, Union of Concerned Scientists, and Western Environmental Law Center – to submit comments to EPA supporting the regulations.