NOTICES
DEPARTMENT OF
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Proposed State Implementation Plan Revision; Redesignation Request and Maintenance Plan for the Beaver, PA Nonattainment Area for the 2010 Sulfur Dioxide National Ambient Air Quality Standard; Public Hearing
[54 Pa.B. 2693]
[Saturday, May 18, 2024]The Department of Environmental Protection (Department) is seeking public comment on a redesignation request and proposed revision to the State Implementation Plan (SIP) concerning a maintenance plan demonstrating that the Beaver Area can maintain the 2010 1-hour Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for the next 10 years as required under section 175A(a) of the Federal Clean Air Act (CAA) (42 U.S.C. § 7505a(a)). Short-term exposure to SO2 has been linked to adverse respiratory conditions in humans.
On August 5, 2013, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) designated the Beaver Area as nonattainment for the 2010 1-hour SO2 NAAQS at 78 FR 47191 (August 5, 2013). The Beaver Area is comprised of Industry, Midland and Shippingport Boroughs, plus Brighton, Potter and Vanport Townships.
On October 1, 2019, the EPA approved the Commonwealth's 2010 SO2 Attainment Plan SIP for the Beaver Area at 84 FR 51988 (October 1, 2019), which demonstrated attainment of the 2010 SO2 NAAQS based on air quality dispersion modeling. Furthermore, the most recent 2017—2022 air quality monitoring data also demonstrates attainment; however, the Beaver Area remains designated as nonattainment for the 2010 SO2 NAAQS. Once the Commonwealth submits, and the EPA approves, a Request for Redesignation that satisfies the requirements of section 107(d)(3)(E) of the CAA (42 U.S.C. § 7407(d)(3)(E)); as well as a Maintenance Plan SIP Revision that satisfies the requirements of section 175A of the CAA and demonstrates the area can maintain the standard for at least 10 years following redesignation of the area, the EPA can update the attainment status. Therefore, the Department intends to submit this proposed maintenance plan SIP revision and redesignation request for the Beaver Area to the EPA for approval.
The proposed SIP revision is available on the Department's web site at www.ahs.dep.pa.gov/eComment.
The Department will provide the opportunity for a public hearing to receive comments on this proposal on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, at 9 a.m. at the Department of Environmental Protection Southwest Regional Office, 500 Waterfront Drive, Rooms A and B, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. Persons wishing to present testimony should contact Amanda Rodriguez at P.O. Box 8468, Harrisburg, PA 17105, (717) 787-7677 or amarodrigu@pa.gov no less than 24 hours in advance of the public hearing to reserve a time. Witnesses will be limited to 10 minutes and should provide two written copies of their comments.
Persons with a disability who wish to attend a hearing and require an auxiliary aid, service or other accommodation to participate in the proceeding should contact Amanda Rodriguez at amarodrigu@pa.gov or (717) 787-7677. TDD users may contact the Pennsylvania Hamilton Relay Service at (800) 654-5984 to discuss how the Department can best accommodate their needs.
The Department must receive comments no later than June 21, 2024. Commentators are encouraged to submit comments using the Department's eComment system at www.ahs.dep.pa.gov/eComment or by e-mail to ecomment@pa.gov. Written comments may be submitted to the Policy Office, Department of Environmental Protection, Rachel Carson State Office Building, P.O. Box 2063, Harrisburg, PA 17105-2063. Use ''2024 Beaver RR MP 2010 SO2'' as the subject line in written communication.
JESSICA SHIRLEY,
Acting Secretary
[Pa.B. Doc. No. 24-680. Filed for public inspection May 17, 2024, 9:00 a.m.]
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