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| In addition, the EPA has insufficient information to determine whether some portions of your state meet the 2010 primary SO₂ standard. As a result, the EPA is designating such areas “unclassifiable.” Consistent with the EPA’s August 21, 2015, SO₂ Data Requirements Rule, states are required for areas with sources emitting over 2,000 tons of SO₂, or that were otherwise listed under the rule, to provide additional information through air dispersion modeling or air quality monitoring that adequately demonstrates whether an unclassifiable area meets the 2010 SO₂ standard. As an alternative, states may opt to establish new federally enforceable limits on sources that restrict their SO₂ emissions to below 2,000 tons per year. | |
| The enclosed table lists the areas within Ohio that the EPA is designating during this round of designations. A detailed explanation of the EPA’s rationale for these designations is available in the Technical Support Document (TSD) for each area in your state. The TSDs are available on the web at: https://www.epa.gov/sulfur-dioxide-designations/epa-completes-second-round-sulfur-dioxide-designations/. In addition, the docket contains a Response to Comments document that responds to general and in many cases area-specific comments raised in response to the EPA’s notice of availability published in March 2016 and the letters informing you and other Governors of the EPA’s intended designations sent in February 2016. These final designations will take effect 60 days after the notice I signed today is published in the Federal Register. | |
| As provided in the EPA’s SO₂ Data Requirements Rule, the EPA will designate all remaining areas by either December 31, 2017, or December 31, 2020. We expect that additional information collected as a result of the SO₂ Data Requirements Rule will inform these future actions. Our approach focuses resources on identifying and addressing unhealthy levels of SO₂ in areas where people are most likely to be exposed to violations of the standard. | |
| Thank you for your work to improve air quality and protect public health. We look forward to continued work with you and your staff to implement the 2010 health-based SO₂ standard. For additional information regarding these designations, please visit our website at https://www.epa.gov/sulfur-dioxide-designations/. | |
| If you have further questions or concerns, please contact me or your staff may call Mark Rupp, Deputy Associate Administrator for Intergovernmental Relations, at rupp.mark@epa.gov or at (202) 564-7178. | |
| Sincerely, | |
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| G na McC | |
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| Gina McCarthy | |
| Enclosure |