EPA, State Air Officials Agree On Plan To Overhaul, Streamline SIP Process

摘要

EPA and state officials have agreed on a framework plan for using existing Clean Air Act authority to overhaul and streamline the state implementation plan (SIP) process for attaining air quality standards while also committing the agency to clear the existing backlog of SIPs by the end of 2017. One state official says that the agency has given states "a strong commitment" that it will follow the framework not only for existing SIPs but also future air quality plans, as states move forward under a June 2016 deadline to author a new round of SIPs in order to comply with EPA's pending carbon dioxide (CO2) rule for existing power plants. The SIP reform agreement, which is designed to simplify the SIP planning process, clear a backlog of long-pending SIPs waiting for EPA approval, and prevent future backlogs, could mark a significant breakthrough for the agency and states looking to accelerate a process that for years has drawn complaints from states over the extensive resources required for writing SIPs and EPA's backlog in approving them.