pa-56-43-1558: Proposed State implementation plan revision; limited maintenance plan for the Lancaster nonattainment area for the 2006 fine particulate matter national ambient air quality standard; public hearing

Summary

The Department of Environmental Protection (Department) is seeking public comment on a proposed Limited Maintenance Plan (LMP) for the Lancaster, PA, maintenance area under the 2006 annual PM 2.5 National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS). This LMP, when finalized, will be submitted to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a revision to the Commonwealth's State Implementation Plan (SIP). The Lancaster Area consists of Lancaster County. This LMP demonstrates the Lancaster Area will continue to maintain compliance with the standard for an additional 10-year period as required under section 175A(b) of the Clean Air Act (CAA) (42 U.S.C. § 7505a(b)). This LMP SIP revision, when final, will no longer require a transportation conformity emissions analysis for the Lancaster Area under the 2006 PM 2.5 NAAQS in the Lancaster Area. Particulate matter includes both solid and liquid particles suspended in the air. Fine particle pollution or PM 2.5 describes particulate matter that is less than or equal to 2.5 micrometers in diameter. PM 2.5 concentrations above the Federal health-based standard pose a serious human health threat. On November 13, 2009, the EPA published final 2006 annual PM 2.5 NAAQS nonattainment designations at 74 FR 58688 (November 13, 2009), which became effective on December 14, 2009. The Lancaster Area was one of seven areas in this Commonwealth designated by the EPA as nonattainment for the 2006 PM 2.5 standard. At 80 FR 42050 (July 16,...

The agency’s own summary, as published.