We submit plans as well as state and local rules to EPA that show Washington has tools in place to meet national air quality standards. Once approved by EPA, these plans for infrastructure, rules, and programs become part of Washington's State Implementation Plan (SIP) for air quality. Plans and rules in Washington's State Implementation Plan are enforceable by EPA and the public.
Public comment
We propose revisions to Washington's State Implementation Plan for air quality. These revisions show Washington's ability to attain, maintain, enforce, and implement federal air quality standards through infrastructure requirements and updated rules.
Infrastructure state implementation plans
When EPA revises or issues a new National Ambient Air Quality Standard, the federal Clean Air Act requires each state to adopt and submit to EPA a plan, called an Infrastructure State Implementation Plan. An infrastructure plan shows how the state will implement, meet, and enforce federal standards for specific air pollutants – like nitrogen dioxide, particles (also called particulate matter), lead, and ozone. The plan describes the infrastructure Washington has in place to protect air quality, such as:
- Legal authority to implement federal standards
- Rules adopted in the plan to meet federal standards
- Air monitors to measure air pollution and determine compliance with the federal standards
- Funding and resources
- Permitting and other programs
- Studies about how air pollution travels to neighboring states
Rule state implementation plans
Washington’s plan includes current state and local rules to reduce air pollution and meet federal air quality standards. When state and local agencies revise or add new rules in the plan, we submit those updates to EPA.