What's New at ADEQ?

ADEQ Seeks Comments on New Air Quality Screening Protocol

ADEQ has updated general instructions for staff in conducting screening modeling on air permit applications. The draft protocol includes updates based on the latest infrastructure state implementation plans and the NAAQS state implementation plan, which require demonstrations for coarse particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, and sulfur dioxide emission increases of 100 tons per year or greater. ADEQ requests that interested persons submit comments by 4:30 p.m. on September 5, 2017.

ADEQ Proposes Regional Haze State Implementation Plan Revision

ADEQ is proposing to revise its Regional Haze State Implementation Plan to achieve even greater reductions in nitrogen oxides than EPA’s 2016 Federal Implementation Plan for Regional Haze. The state plan revision will allow Arkansas electricity generating units to comply with regional haze through participation in a Clean Air Act trading program for nitrogen oxides called the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule. In addition to providing additional flexibility to facilities for compliance with the Regional Haze Rule, this state plan revision will substantially reduce costs to ratepayers.

EPA recently approved Arkansas 303(d) list of impaired waters

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently approved Arkansas’s 2016 303(d) list of impaired waters in the state of Arkansas. Arkansas’s list has been pending before the EPA since 2010. “Administrator Pruitt's visit to Arkansas and his recent actions signify EPA's commitment to return power back to the states,” said Director Becky Keogh. “EPA's approval of Arkansas's 303(d) list further bolsters that commitment by recognizing and supporting Arkansas's scientific integrity and successes in continually improving our water quality.”

2018 Water Assessment Methodology Review

ADEQ is in Phase II of a three-phase review process for the Assessment Methodology in preparation for the 2018 305(b) report and 2018 303(d) list (impaired waterbodies list). A stakeholder workgroup made up of various local, state, and federal government representatives; industrial, municipal, and utility representatives; and conservation and environmental representatives will discuss possible revisions to the current 2016 Assessment Methodology.

Volkswagen Settlement

Arkansas is to receive $13,951,016 from a settlement with Volkswagen to reduce motor vehicle emissions in the state.