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DEQ seeks annual incorporation of federal air rules; committee approves docket 58‑0101‑2401
Summary
Tiffany Floyd, Air Quality Division administrator at the Department of Environmental Quality, summarized changes to federal rules incorporated into Idaho air rules, including EPA updates through July 1, 2024 (notably the PM2.5 annual standard change). The committee approved the incorporation docket on a voice vote.
Tiffany Floyd, air quality division administrator for the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), told the Senate Health and Welfare Committee that docket 58‑0101‑2401 is DEQ’s annual incorporation‑by‑reference of federal air‑quality regulations into Idaho’s rules.
Floyd said the docket incorporates federal changes through July 1, 2024, and highlighted several actions that affect Idaho. She noted EPA approved Idaho’s removal of a vehicle inspection and maintenance program in the Northern Ada County carbon‑monoxide nonattainment plan and described the EPA’s removal of an emergency defense provision for major sources in Title V permitting. Floyd also highlighted that EPA lowered the annual National Ambient Air Quality Standard for fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from 12 micrograms per cubic meter to 9, effective May 6, 2024. She told the committee the state currently expects to meet the new PM2.5 annual standard statewide, with local monitoring data influenced by exceptional‑event (wildfire) removals; she identified Pinehurst, St. Mary’s and Salmon as communities "hovering near that standard."
Floyd also summarized federal updates to lead‑smelter regulations affecting Idaho’s single smelting facility, changes to acceptable refrigerants, and a federal decision removing major‑source permitting for air‑curtain incinerators that burn only clean wood waste.
Sen. Van Orden moved to approve the docket; Sen. Harris seconded. Sen. Wintrow remarked that incorporation by reference can clarify requirements by giving regulated entities a single, referenced set of federal rules. The committee approved the docket on a voice vote.
