EPA Approves Maryland's Air Quality Progress in Baltimore
Official: Air Plan Approval; Maryland; Clean Data Determination for the Baltimore, MD Nonattainment Area for the 2015 Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards
Reading: The EPA's approval of clean data determination suspends attainment planning requirements while maintaining the underlying 2015 ozone NAAQS standard itself—the standard remains in effect and Baltimore must continue to meet it.
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.
In clear language
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.
How does this affect you?
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Who does this affect?
- Residents of the Baltimore, Maryland area who will benefit from cleaner air and reduced ozone pollution
- Maryland Department of the Environment and state regulators who can redirect resources away from compliance planning
- Businesses and industries in the region that would have faced stricter emission controls under remedial plans
- Communities near Baltimore that depend on air quality for public health
What can you do?
- Monitor local air quality reports at air.md.gov to stay informed about ozone levels in your area
- Support continued clean air practices by reducing vehicle emissions and energy consumption
- Participate in Maryland public comment periods if new air quality rules are proposed in the future
Timeline
- Effective: 2026-06-29
- Effective: 2026-06-29
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- Effective: 2026-06-29
- Effective: 2026-06-29
- Effective: 2026-06-29
- 2022-2024: Design value period used for air quality determination
- 2024-02-02: Maryland submitted exceptional event requests
- 2025-11-12: EPA concurred with exceptional event requests
- 2026-06-29: Effective date of this EPA approval
No New Jersey official has a verified action on this policy yet.
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