E.P.A. Approves New Mexico’s Air Project for Albuquerque-Bernalillo Co.

DALLAS - (Oct. 29, 2015) The E.P.A. (EPA) approved revisions to the Albuquerque/Bernalillo County, NM, State Implementation Project (SIP), which ensures air quality requirements are maintained by regulations of the Clean Air Act. The regulatory Project establishes emissions thresholds for new stationary sources of air pollution to get permits before starting construction.

The plan-New Source Review permitting-protects air quality when factories, industrial boilers and power plants are newly built or modified. The permitting plan also assures that new or modified industries are as clean as possible. In addition, the plan assures that advances in pollution control are concurrently evaluated with industrial expansion.

On Aug. 27, 2015, E.P.A. suggested revisions to the SIP and did not gain any public comments. The revisions also allow for nonattainment areas to be consistent with federal requirements.

E.P.A. establishes the basic requirements for a New Source Review (NSR) plan in its federal regulations. States may develop unique NSR requirements and procedures tailored for their air quality needs as long as the plan is at least as stringent as EPA's requirements. E.P.A. must approve these programs in the SIP. Other states may be the delegated authority to issue permits on behalf of E.P.A. and are often referred to as delegated states.

E.P.A. will continue to work closely and promptly with states to help them develop, submit and approve necessary revisions to their air plans. Additionally, E.P.A. will provide guidance and act as a resource for states as they make various decisions their state air plans.

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Activities in E.P.A. Region 6: http://www2.epa.gov/aboutepa/epa-region-6-south-central

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