Contact:      Beth W. Palma
                    palma.elizabeth@epa.gov
                    (919) 541-5432

Exceptional Events Rule and Guidance Background

The EPA promulgated the Exceptional Events Rule in March of 2007. In May of 2013, the EPA released Interim Exceptional Events Implementation Guidance to assist air agencies in interpreting and implementing the provisions of the 2007 rule. At the same time, the EPA acknowledged the need to consider additional changes that could only be accomplished through a notice-and-comment rulemaking. This rulemaking effort resulted in proposing revisions to the 2007 Exceptional Events Rule and issuing draft implementation guidance for wildfires that may influence ozone concentrations in November of 2015. The EPA finalized these rule revisions and finalized the wildfire/ozone guidance in September of 2016. We list below the 2016 final rule revisions and guidance, the 2015 proposed rule revisions and draft guidance and the 2013 Interim Exceptional Events Implementation Guidance.

• Federal Register Notice – Final Revisions to the Exceptional Events Rule (PDF)(67 pp, 650 K, 10/3/2016)
• Final Guidance on the Preparation of Exceptional Events Demonstrations for Wildfire Events that May Influence Ozone Concentrations (PDF)(64 pp, 1 MB, 9/16/2016)
• Response to Comments Document for 2016 rule revisions (PDF)(115 pp, 446 K, 9/16/2016)
• Fact Sheet - Final Revisions to the 2007 Exceptional Events Rule and Notice of Availability for Related Draft Guidance (PDF)(4 pp, 29 K, 9/16/2016)
• Fact Sheet – Wildland Fire and Air Quality (PDF)(3 pp, 215 K, 4/4/2016)
• Federal Register Notice - Proposed revisions to the Exceptional Events Rule (PDF)(59 pp, 709 K, 11/20/2015)
• Federal Register Notice – Extension of public comment period to February 3, 2016 (PDF)(3 pp, 105 K, 12/21/2015)
• Draft Guidance on the Preparation of Exceptional Events Demonstrations for Wildfire Events that May Influence Ozone Concentrations (PDF)(60 pp, 2 MB, 11/10/2015)
• Fact Sheet - Proposed Revisions to the 2007 Exceptional Events Rule and Notice of Availability for Related Draft Guidance (PDF)(4 pp, 34 K, 11/10/2015)
• Fact Sheet - Exceptional Events Interim Guidance (PDF)(3 pp, 98 K)
• Interim Guidance to Implement Requirements for the Treatment of Air Quality Monitoring Data Influenced by Exceptional Events (PDF)(10 pp, 926 K)
• Attachment 1, Interim Exceptional Events Rule Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)(50 pp, 329 K)
• Attachment 2, Interim Guidance on the Preparation of Demonstrations in Support of Requests to Exclude Ambient Air Quality Data Affected by High Winds under the Exceptional Events Rule (PDF)(82 pp, 11 MB)