Air Quality Rules & Regulations

The Division of Air Quality's Rules Development Branch, part of the Planning Section, works with stakeholders, the EPA, and the state Environmental Management Commission (EMC) to create the air quality rules codified in the North Carolina Administrative Code.

Current Air Quality Rules

The EMC's Air Quality Committee (AQC) assists in the adoption of air quality rules. View past and upcoming AQC agendas and minutes. 

Rulemaking Activities

Periodic Review of Existing Rules
View the status of the Rule Readoption Process pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A.

Rules in the Hearing Process
View proposed rules currently in the public comment and hearing process.

Recently Completed Rulemakings (coming soon)
View supporting materials related to recently completed rulemaking activities.

Status of Ongoing Rulemaking Activities

Tab/Accordion Items

Description:  This rule amendment proposes to increase the annual gasoline throughput limit under which gasoline service stations and dispensing facilities are exempt from 15A NCAC 02Q .0500 requirements for purposes of Title V permitting.  The limit is recalculated to reflect the increased presence of onboard refueling vapor recovery (ORVR) emissions control equipment in the light-duty gasoline vehicles refueling at these facilities.

Tentative Rulemaking Timeline (subject to change)

Description: Pursuant to Session Law 2013-134, Section 12.11.(d), this rulemaking establishes an exemption from Title V permitting for R&D activities consistent with an EPA 1995 White Paper.

Tentative Rulemaking Timeline (subject to change)
  • Concept presented to AQC - January 10, 2024
  • AQC approval to proceed to the full EMC - March 13, 2024
  • EMC approval to proceed to public comment and hearing - May 9, 2024
  • Public comment period - July 1, 2024 - August 30, 2024
  • EMC approval of hearing record and adoption of rule amendment - anticipated November 2024
  • Submittal of EMC approved rule to RRC - anticipated November 2024
  • RRC approval of amended rule - anticipated December 2024
  • Effective date of amended rule - anticipated January 2025

Description: On February 7, 2024, the U.S. EPA announced a strengthening of the annual National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for fine particulate matter (PM2.5). The new standard was published in the Federal Register on March 6, 2024, with an effective date of May 6, 2024. Accordingly, the DAQ is updating the State rule that contains this NAAQS, 15A NCAC 02D .0410, PM2.5 Particulate Matter.

Tentative Rulemaking Timeline (subject to change)
  • Concept presented to AQC - March 13, 2024
  • AQC approval to proceed to the full EMC - May 8, 2024
  • EMC approval to proceed to public comment and hearing - July 11, 2024
  • Public comment period (60 days) and hearing - anticipated September 3 - November 4, 2024
  • EMC adoption of hearing record and rule amendment - anticipated January 2025
  • Submittal of EMC approved rule to RRC - anticipated January 2025
  • RRC approval of amended rule - anticipated February 2025
  • Effective date of amended rule - anticipated March 1, 2025

Description: Pursuant to Session Law (S.L.) 2013-134, this rulemaking seeks to incorporate the permit modification review timelines of Section 12.11(a) of the S.L. and incorporates the definition of an "administratively complete" application specified in Section 12.11(c) of the S.L.

Tentative Rulemaking Timeline (subject to change)
  • Concept presented to AQC - May 8, 2024
  • AQC approval to proceed to the full EMC - September 11, 2024
  • EMC approval to proceed to public comment and hearing - anticipated November 2024
  • Public comment period (60 days) and hearing - anticipated December - February 2024
  • EMC approval of hearing record and adoption of rule amendment - anticipated May 2024
  • Submittal of EMC approved rule to RRC - anticipated May 2024
  • RRC approval of amended rule - anticipated June 2024
  • Effective date of amended rule - anticipated July 2024

Description: Pursuant to CAA Section 111(d), these rules seek to establish standards of performance for methane emissions from designated facilities in the Crude Oil & Natural Gas source category to implement the EPA's Emission Guidelines under 40 CFR Part 60, Subpart OOOOc.

Tentative Rulemaking Timeline (subject to change)
  • Concept presented to AQC - May 8, 2024
  • Information Item update presented to AQC - July 10, 2024
  • AQC approval to proceed to the full EMC - anticipated January 2025
  • EMC approval to proceed to public comment and hearing - anticipated March 2025
  • Public comment period (60 days) and hearing - anticipated April 2025 - June 2025
  • EMC approval of hearing record and adoption of rule amendment - anticipated September 2025
  • Submittal of EMC approved rule to RRC - anticipated September 2025
  • RRC approval of amended rule - anticipated October 2025
  • Effective date of amended rule - anticipated November 2025

Description: Pursuant to CAA Section 111(d), these rules seek to establish standards of performance for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, in the form of carbon dioxide (CO2), from existing fossil fuel-fired steam electric generating units (EGUs) to implement the EPA's Emission Guidelines under 40 CFR Part 60, Subpart UUUUb.

Tentative Rulemaking Timeline (subject to change)
  • Concept presented to AQC - July 10, 2024
  • AQC approval to proceed to the full EMC - anticipated January 2025
  • EMC approval to proceed to public comment and hearing - anticipated March 2025
  • Public comment period (60 days) and hearing - anticipated April 2025 - June 2025
  • EMC approval of hearing record and adoption of rule amendment - anticipated September 2025
  • Submittal of EMC approved rule to RRC - anticipated September 2025
  • RRC approval of amended rule - anticipated October 2025
  • Effective date of amended rule - anticipated November 2025

 

More Information

For questions regarding the materials on this webpage, please contact the Rule Development Branch Supervisor

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Other Rule Development Branch Activities

This page was last modified on 11/01/2024