EPA approves Indiana's plan to track pollution from large factories

The EPA reviewed and confirmed that existing rules limiting toxic air pollution from hazardous waste incinerators are working well and protect public health adequately. The EPA is also adding new pollution limits for hydrogen fluoride and hydrogen cyanide emissions, and updating reporting requirements. States can now choose to reduce permitting red tape for smaller hazardous waste burning facilities.

The EPA has approved Virginia's request to remove two outdated air quality regulations from its pollution-control plan because there are no longer any petroleum refineries or large appliance coating facilities operating in the state. These rules, which set emission standards for these industries, are no longer needed since the sources they regulated no longer exist in Virginia. This is a routine update that keeps Virginia's air quality plan current with actual industrial activity.

The EPA approved New York State's plan to reduce nitrogen oxide pollution from the Athens Generating Plant, a power plant in upstate New York. The plant must install and use the best available pollution-control technology on its three turbines to meet federal air quality standards. This approval helps the region meet clean-air requirements set by the federal government.

The EPA has determined that the Baltimore area has met federal air quality standards for ozone pollution in 2022-2024, allowing Maryland to suspend certain planning requirements that would otherwise be mandatory. This approval is based on certified air monitoring data and follows Maryland's successful request to exclude data from exceptional events like wildfires. As long as Baltimore continues to meet the standard, Maryland does not have to submit detailed plans showing how it will further reduce ozone pollution.