EPA Approves Ohio's Redesignation of Muskingum River Area to Attainment for 2010 SO2 Standard
AI-generated summary for informational purposes only. Not legal advice. See the original source for the authoritative text.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has formally determined that the Muskingum River sulfur dioxide (SO2) nonattainment area — covering Center Township in Morgan County and Waterford Township in Washington County, Ohio — is now in attainment of the 2010 SO2 National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS). This action follows Ohio's March 31, 2025 redesignation request, which the EPA found to satisfy all statutory requirements under the Clean Air Act (CAA). As part of this rulemaking, the EPA is approving Ohio's long-term maintenance plan for the Muskingum River area, ensuring that SO2 levels will remain below the NAAQS threshold going forward. The EPA is also incorporating Ohio's Director's Final Findings and Orders (DFFOs) — issued to Globe Metallurgical, Inc. on March 26, 2025 — into the federally enforceable State Implementation Plan (SIP). The DFFOs impose binding emissions limits and operational requirements on Globe Metallurgical, the primary SO2 emission source in the area, providing a legally enforceable mechanism to maintain air quality standards. This redesignation relieves the area from certain nonattainment-related regulatory burdens while keeping emissions controls in place through the SIP.
AI-generated summary. May contain errors. Refer to official sources for legal decisions.
Key Changes
- Muskingum River area (Center Township, Morgan County and Waterford Township, Washington County, Ohio) officially redesignated from SO2 nonattainment to attainment as of April 2, 2026
- Ohio's maintenance plan for the Muskingum River area approved and incorporated into the federally enforceable SIP, ensuring continued compliance with the 2010 SO2 NAAQS
- Director's Final Findings and Orders (DFFOs) issued to Globe Metallurgical, Inc. on March 26, 2025, approved as part of the SIP — imposing binding emission limits on the primary SO2 source
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Obligations
What this law requires
Globe Metallurgical, Inc. must comply with binding emissions limits and operational requirements specified in the Director's Final Findings and Orders (DFFOs) issued on March 26, 2025
Ohio must implement and maintain the long-term maintenance plan for the Muskingum River area to ensure SO2 levels remain below the 2010 NAAQS threshold
Ohio must enforce the DFFOs issued to Globe Metallurgical as part of the federally enforceable State Implementation Plan (SIP)
Globe Metallurgical must maintain SO2 emissions controls as required by the DFFOs incorporated into the federally enforceable SIP
Ohio must monitor and report on SO2 attainment status in the Muskingum River area (Center Township in Morgan County and Waterford Township in Washington County) to ensure continued compliance with the 2010 NAAQS