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Idaho's Air Quality State Implementation Plan

Contact DEQ

Regional Office
Air Quality Managers

State Office
Air Quality Division

Mike Edwards

(208) 373-0438

Air Quality and Haze:

Get Involved! Current Rulemaking

 
Learn More About Haze

Under federal guidance set under the Regional Haze Rule, Idaho must develop a state implementation plan (SIP) outlining how it will address haze-causing pollution (nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and sulfur dioxide) that affects Idaho's Class I areas and Class I areas outside Idaho's borders. This plan will address all sources of haze-causing pollution including smoke, vehicle emissions, area, and stationary source emissions. Many of the plan elements, such as a smoke management plan, are prescribed by the Regional Haze Rule.

Part of the SIP will include rules addressing emissions from large, industrial sources. Idaho has two options for these rules:

Visibility and Haze Overview
What Causes Haze?
How is Visibility Measured?
EPA's Regional Haze Program
Visibility in Idaho: Idaho's Class I Areas
What Is Idaho Doing About Haze?
Frequently Asked Questions
 
 

Option I: Best Available Retrofit Technology (BART): Under the first option, stationary sources that contribute to haze must place approved control technologies, BART, on their facilities to control pollution. Learn more about BART.

Option II: Emissions Trading: Idaho may also choose a market-based approach to reduce emissions that contribute to regional haze. Under a trading program, a maximum emissions level is set for a geographic region. Facilities in that region must work together to ensure emissions stay below the preset level. Facilities that emit too much air pollution must purchase emissions credits from facilities that emit less. Facilities that reduce emission can sell credits, thereby giving facilities an economic incentive to reduce emissions. Under this scenario, Idaho can develop its own emissions trading program or opt into an existing emissions trading program developed by the western states. Learn about regional haze trading options.

Throughout 2006, DEQ will be developing rules and must decide between the different options to control emissions from stationary sources. Like all rules, this decision will include opportunities for public input and comments. The rules will be presented to the 2007 Idaho Legislature for review and approval.

 
 Timeline: How You Can Participate
February - July 2006 DEQ will hold a series of meetings where Idahoans will be able to participate in developing Idaho's rule.
July - September 2006 The proposed rule will be written and published.
September - October 10, 2006 Public comment period: Idahoans will have a chance to comment on the rule before it goes to the Board of Environmental Quality and Idaho Legislature.
October 10, 2006 DEQ will hold a public hearing to present the rule.
   

For updates on DEQ's regional haze rulemaking process, contact Mike Edwards at (208) 373-0438 or mike.edwards@deq.idaho.gov.
 
 For More Information about the Regional Haze Rule
› The Complete Visibility Protection Rule (pdf on U.S. EPA Web site)
Consolidates EPA's 1980 visibility regulations and 1999 Regional Haze Rule.
› July 1999 Regional Haze Rule Final Regulations (pdf on U.S. EPA Web site)
› EPA's Regional Haze Program Web site
 
 For More Information on DEQ's Web Site

› Regional Haze Negotiated Rulemaking Web Page

› Idaho's Rulemaking Process

› Negotiated Rulemaking Committees

› Rulemaking Calendar

 



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