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Guam EPA says it will submit SO2 state implementation plan for Cabras area after final data from GPA
Summary
U.S. EPA issued a formal finding of nonattainment for sulfur dioxide in the Cabras area; Guam EPA staff said they are nearly finished with the state implementation plan rulemaking, are awaiting 2023 run‑hour and annual reports from Guam Power Authority, and expect to submit material via EPA's SPECS system soon.
A staff member with Guam EPA reported to the board that U.S. EPA issued a formal finding of nonattainment for sulfur dioxide in the Cabras area on Dec. 19, 2024, and described the agency’s plan to complete required state implementation plan (SIP) rulemaking.
“I'm sure I can look here if you might. Go on. '19. In 2024, so December 19, EPA US EPA issued a formal finding of nonattainment for the PD Cabras area with regards to sulfur dioxide emissions,” the staff member said. The speaker explained that Guam EPA was required to demonstrate attainment and file a SIP; the agency missed its earlier timeline and must now complete a rulemaking tied to new source review and SO2 emissions rules.
Staff said the rulemaking package is nearly complete and that they plan to upload the SIP materials through U.S. EPA’s electronic filing system (SPECS) in the coming week, but that a remaining obstacle is missing 2023 data from Guam Power Authority (GPA). “We are very near finishing it. We are, I think, 99% certain that we have all the documentation we need to send to U.S. EPA for the rulemaking,” the staff member said, adding they have been “nudging GPA” to provide missing annual reports and run‑hours for some units.
If the SIP submission cannot be completed in time, staff said U.S. EPA is court‑mandated to prepare a federal implementation plan (FIP): a draft FIP must be ready by Sept. 30, 2025, and U.S. EPA’s schedule would require implementation by February 2026. Staff said they are optimistic they may be able to show attainment with existing data and hope for an approved SIP before July 2025.
Board members asked technical follow‑up questions about GPA fuel use and unit run‑hours; staff said GPA has converted units to ultra‑low‑sulfur diesel and that the most recent non‑ultra‑low fuel use occurred in mid‑2022 or 2023 for some units, depending on records.
Staff said the SIP plan will require a 30‑day public notice and comment period once the final data are incorporated and the package is posted.
