2012 Annual PM2.5 110(a) Infrastructure Certification

The final "Certification for Clean Air Act Sections 110(a)(1) and (2) Infrastructure Requirements for the 2012 Annual Fine Particulate Matter (PM_2.5) Primary Standard" was submitted to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on December 4, 2015.

The EPA revised the annual National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for PM_2.5 on December 14, 2012, by lowering the primary (health-based) standard to 12.0 micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m³) from the previous 15.0 μg/m³ standard. All of North Carolina is attaining the standard and is designated as unclassifiable/attainment.

When the EPA revises an existing standard, Clean Air Act Sections 110(a)(1) and (a)(2) require each state to revise their State Implementation Plan (SIP) to show they have the authority and programs needed to implement, maintain, and enforce the standard. This certification describes the basic program "infrastructure" elements that address the provisions of Section 110(a)(1) and (2) for the 2012 annual PM_2.5 NAAQS.

The transmittal letter, narrative, and attachments are available through the following links:

DEQ Submittals:

• Transmittal Letter
• Certification
• Attachment 1 - The United States Environmental Protection Agency's Memorandums and Notices used in Developing the North Carolina Certification for Clean Air Act Section 110(a)(1) and (2) 2012 Annual PM2.5 Standard
• Attachment 2 - North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Public Notice and EPA Comment Letter

EPA Actions:

• Final Rule: Air Plan Approval; AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, SC, TN; Interstate Transport (Prongs 1 and 2) for the 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS (83 FR 48387, September 25, 2018)
• Proposed Rule:  Air Plan Approval; AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, SC, TN; Interstate Transport (Prongs 1 and 2) for the 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS (83 FR 39387, August 9, 2018)
• Final Rule:  Air Plan Approval; North Carolina: New Source Review for Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5).  Approval of PSD-related infrastructure SIP requirements of CAA Sections 110(a)(2)(C), 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II) (prong 3), and 110(a)(2)(J) (83_FR_45827, September 11, 2018)
• Proposed Rule:  Air Plan Approval; North Carolina: New Source Review for Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5).  Approval of PSD-related infrastructure SIP requirements of CAA Sections 110(a)(2)(C), 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II) (prong 3), and 110(a)(2)(J) (83 FR 28789, June 21, 2018)
• Final Rule: Air Plan Approval; NC; Infrastructure Requirements for the 2012 PM2.5 National Ambient Air Quality Standard (82 FR 16924, April 7, 2017)
• Proposed Rule:  Air Plan Approval; North Carolina; Infrastructure Requirements for the 2012 PM2.5 National Ambient Air Quality Standard (81 FR 47314, July 21, 2016)
• Final Rule:  Air Plan Approval and Disapproval; North Carolina: New Source Review for Fine Particulate Matter (PM_2.5).  Partially approve the PSD elements of sections 110(a)(2)(C), 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II) (prong 3) and 110(a)(2)(J) and disapprove with respect to the PM_2.5 increment requirements of 2010 PSD PM_2.5 Rule. (81 FR 63107, September 14, 2016)
• Proposed Rule:  Air Plan Approval and Disapproval; North Carolina: New Source Review for Fine Particulate Matter (PM_2.5).  Partially approve the PSD elements of sections 110(a)(2)(C), 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II) (prong 3) and 110(a)(2)(J) and disapprove with respect to the PM_2.5 increment requirements of 2010 PSD PM_2.5 Rule. (81 FR 28797, May 10, 2016)
• Final Rule: Air Plan Approval; North Carolina; Visibility Infrastructure Requirements for CAA Section 110(a)(2)(d)(i)(II), prong #4 (81 FR 35634, June 3, 2016)
• Proposed Rule:  Air Plan Approval; North Carolina; Visibility Infrastructure Requirements for CAA Section 110(a)(2)(d)(i)(II), prong #4 (81 FR 20600, April 8, 2016)

Please direct any further questions or comments concerning this SIP submittal to the Planning Section Chief.