Air Plan Approval: Pennsylvania; Redesignation Request for the Allegheny County Area for the 2012 Annual Fine Particulate Matter Standard
Summary
The EPA is proposing to officially recognize that Allegheny County, Pennsylvania (which includes Pittsburgh) has met federal air quality standards for fine particulate matter pollution. This means the county could be removed from the list of areas that need special pollution controls, though it must maintain clean air levels going forward.
Key Points
- 1Allegheny County is requesting to be 'redesignated' from a polluted area to an area meeting federal air quality standards for fine particulate matter (PM2.5)
- 2Fine particulate matter is tiny pollution particles from vehicles, factories, and burning that can damage human health, especially for children and people with lung disease
- 3The EPA is accepting public comments on this proposal until December 23, 2025, and anyone can submit their opinion
- 4If approved, Allegheny County would face less restrictive regulations but must still maintain air quality improvements or face stricter rules again
- 5This affects Pittsburgh-area residents and businesses by potentially reducing environmental compliance requirements while maintaining air quality protections
Key Dates
November 20, 2025
This summary is for informational purposes only. It may not capture all nuances of the regulation. Always refer to the official text for authoritative information.
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