State Clean Air Programs

Clean Air Program Updates

Kentucky's air quality is governed by programs and plans at the federal and state level. Updates to Kentucky's State Implementation Plan and other state plans can be found on this page.

State Implementation Plan

Kentucky's State Implementation Plan (SIP) is used to implement, maintain, and enforce the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), and to fulfill other requirements of the Clean Air Act. A SIP is a living document that is revised regularly; all SIP revisions must be approved by EPA before being finalized. The State Implementation Plan Revisions page provides a chronological listing of all Kentucky SIP revisions dating back to 2009.

State Plans

Section 111(d) of the Clean Air Act requires states to set performance standards for certain pollutants from specific facilities and ensure these standards are implemented and enforced. These standards are outlined in facility-specific state plans. Learn more about Kentucky's state plans below.

Kraft Pulp Mills

Kraft pulp mills are facilities that convert wood into pulp through a chemical process known as the kraft process. Kraft pulp mills emit particulate matter, sulfur compounds, and other pollutants. EPA's New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for Kraft Pulp Mills were amended in 2014.

401 KAR 61:025
Visit EPA's Kraft Pulp Mills NSPS web page for emissions guidelines and more information.

Municipal Solid Waste Landfills

In 2016, EPA announced final updates to its New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) to reduce emissions of methane-rich landfill gas from new, modified and reconstructed municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills. In a separate action, EPA also issued guidelines for reducing emissions from existing MSW landfills.

Oil and Gas

On Dec. 2, 2023, EPA issued a final rule that will sharply reduce emissions of methane and other harmful air pollution from oil and natural gas operations — including, for the first time, from existing sources nationwide. The final action includes New Source Performance Standards and emissions guidelines to reduce methane and smog-forming volatile organic compounds from new, modified and reconstructed sources.

Primary Aluminum Reduction Plants

Primary aluminum reduction plants electrolytically reduce refined bauxite to form aluminum. EPA finalized emissions standards for primary aluminum reduction plants in 1997.

Sulfuric Acid Plants

The New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for Sulfuric Acid Plants regulate emissions of particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and sulfuric acid mist from sulfuric acid production facilities.

Federal Program Updates

Comments on Federal RegulationsThe division regularly submits comments to EPA on federal rulemakings that will have impacts on the citizens and environment of Kentucky.

Resources

Clean Air Act OverviewEPA's overview of the Clean Air Act

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​​State Implementation Plan