EPA Conditional Approval of Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District New Source Review Permitting Rules

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a conditional approval of five air permitting rules submitted by the Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District (MDAQMD) as revisions to California's State Implementation Plan (SIP). These rules govern the New Source Review (NSR) permitting program, which regulates how new industrial facilities and modifications to existing sources of air pollution must obtain permits before commencing operations. The NSR program under Part D of Title I of the Clean Air Act is a foundational air quality tool requiring that new and modified stationary sources in areas that fail to meet federal air quality standards install appropriate pollution controls. The conditional approval means the MDAQMD rules are accepted but come with specific commitments the District must fulfill to achieve full approval. The MDAQMD covers a large portion of the Mojave Desert in California, including San Bernardino County's high-desert communities. Facilities in this region — such as power plants, manufacturing operations, and industrial installations — are directly subject to these updated permitting requirements. This rulemaking reflects EPA's ongoing oversight of state-level air quality plans and ensures that California's SIP remains compliant with federal Clean Air Act mandates, particularly in areas still working toward attainment of National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).

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