PM 2.5 Designation Process and Timeline Talk briefly about contents of final 8-hour conformity rule. Text of rule released in late June, published in FR on July 1. Expands upon some of the conformity-related information included in the first phase of the 8-hour implementation guidance. MWAQC Technical Advisory Committee July 16, 2004

Overview Why Regulate Particle Pollution? Timeline for PM 2.5 Designations State Recommendations EPA Responses Comparison of 8-Hour and PM 2.5 Timelines

Why Regulate Particle Pollution? Particle pollution is microscopic solid and liquid droplets suspended in air. Fine particles (PM 2.5) are less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter. Fine particles become stuck deep in the lungs or enter the bloodstream, causing severe health problems for asthmatics and people with lung or heart disease. PP can include nitrates, sulfates, organic chemicals, metals, dust, soil, pollen and mold 2 types: coarse and fine Coarse particles, aka PM 10, have been regulated for a number of years, we currently meet the std.

Designation Process Not Yet Complete Jul 97 Feb 04 Apr 04 Nov 04 Feb 05 Feb 08 Feb 10 PM 2.5 Standard First Promulgated EPA Responds to Recommendations Stds challenged by ATA, US Chamber of Commerce, state and business groups March 2002 remaining legal challenges were rejected This starts 120 day response period for states to States Recommend Nonattainment Areas Final Nonattainment Designations

States Recommend 2 Jurisdictions States recommended that only counties showing PM 2.5 nonattainment be designated: District of Columbia Prince George’s Examples of inappropriate are very strict. Can’t elect a test other than budget just because budget is difficult to meet or uses older planning assumptions. Inappropriate might be: attained in 1999 (ie have 1999 budget), have maintenance plan budget for 2009. In that case 2002 baseline would be better than old 1999 budget.

EPA Recommends Additional Areas EPA evaluated all counties in the Washington MSA to determine whether they contribute to nonattainment in the region Emission sources Population density/urbanization Traffic and commuting patterns Expected growth Aside from air quality, EPA also considered meteorology, geography/topography, jurisdictional boundaries, level of control of emission sources Wanted to consider not only which regions have an air quality problem, but which other regions contribute to it. Found that people move frequently from one jurisdiction to another, and argued that those commercial and traffic patterns make it difficult to hold single counties within the region solely responsible for their AQ problems. EPA intends to recommend that the entire 8-hour nonattainment area be designated, excluding Calvert County.

PM 2.5 Standard First Promulgated PM 2.5 Planning Horizon Jul 97 Feb 04 Apr 04 Nov 04 Feb 05 Feb 08 Feb 10 PM 2.5 Standard First Promulgated Submit SIP Attainment Date EPA Responds to Recommendations Stds challenged by ATA, US Chamber of Commerce, state and business groups March 2002 remaining legal challenges were rejected This starts 120 day response period for states to respond to EPA responses, offer new or updated data for EPA to consider. Implementation Guidance States Recommend Nonattainment Areas Final Nonattainment Designations

Comparison of Planning Horizons PM 2.5 8-Hour Ozone Standard First Promulgated Jul 97 Jul 97 Nov 04 Final Nonattainment Designations Apr 04 Feb 05 Designations Become Effective Jun 04 N/A Previous Standard Revoked Jun 05 Stds challenged by ATA, US Chamber of Commerce, state and business groups March 2002 remaining legal challenges were rejected This starts 120 day response period for states to respond to EPA responses, offer new or updated data for EPA to consider. Feb 05 Implementation Guidance Issued Apr 04 Sep 04 Feb 08 Submit SIP Apr 07 Feb 10 Attainment Date Apr 10

For More Information State Recommendations EPA Responses Fact Sheet Health Effects Timeline http://www.epa.gov/pmdesignations