EPA Withdrawing Once-In-Always-In Policy Under Clean Air Act


EPA Withdrawing Once-In-Always-In Policy Under Clean Air Act

According to Associated Press (AP), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is doing away with a long-standing air emissions policy that required major sources to remain subject to stricter control standards even if they took steps to reduce their pollution below established thresholds (10 tons or more per year of any hazardous air pollutant or 25 tons per year of any combination of hazardous air pollutants). Under the new policy, major sources can be reclassified as area sources (i.e. any stationary source that is not a major source) when their emissions fall below mandated limits, subjecting them to other standards.

The new policy is in line with EPA’s guidance for other provisions of the clean Air Act according to Bill Wehrum, assistant administrator of EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation. He said, “It will reduce regulatory burden for industries and the states, while continuing to ensure stringent and effective controls on hazardous air pollutants.”

Formal notice of the policy reversal has not yet been filed.