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 a variety of parameters, such as nitrogen dioxide, 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.
Recent projects
See the status of EPA action on infrastructure plans.
Rule State Implementation Plans
Washington’s plan includes current state and local rules to reduce air pollution and meet the National Ambient Air Quality Standards. When state and local agencies revise or add new rules in the plan, those updates are submitted to EPA.
Recent projects
See the status of EPA action on rule plans.
Program State Implementation Plans
A program state implementation plan describes specific programs to protect air quality and meet federal standards. Examples include:
- The Motor Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance Program, more commonly known as the Emission Check Program. This program is required for carbon monoxide and ozone non-attainment areas.
- A regional haze state implementation plan defines a strategy to improve visibility in our national parks and wilderness areas (Class 1 Areas). Through the Western Regional Air Partnership, we worked closely with other states and organizations to write the plan. It documented existing conditions and identified key sources of air pollution. The plan noted that retrofitting emission technology at large industrial sources and existing federal and state controls are important to make progress by 2018. Updates to this strategy occur periodically.
- The Smoke Management Plan. As part of the plan to improve visibility, Ecology, along with the Washington Department of Natural Resources and other agencies, developed a smoke management plan. It regulates silvicultural, or forestry, burning on land managed by the Washington Department of Natural Resources.