Contact EPA Pacific Southwest Air Program
Pacific Southwest, Region 9
Serving: Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Pacific Islands, Tribal Nations
Air Actions, Arizona
Sulfur Dioxide Actions in Miami, AZ
December 2006: Approval of Arizona's Plan to Meet the Sulfur Dioxide Air Quality Standards in the Miami Area
EPA has signed a direct final approval of Arizona's plan to maintain attainment of the short-term (24-hour) and long-term (annual) primary National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for sulfur dioxide (SO2) in the Miami area, as well as Arizona’s request to redesignate this area from nonattainment to attainment for SO2. The Miami area has not violated either the annual or the 24-hour health-based standard since 1985. The primary source of sulfur dioxide pollution in the area is the Phelps Dodge Miami copper smelter, and the maintenance of the SO2 standard in the Miami area relies upon emission limits for the smelter that have been approved into the Arizona state implementation plan as well as controls and conditions specified in the smelter's operating permit. There are no other SO2 sources of this magnitude in the Miami area.
EPA is also correcting a historical error in the boundary of the Miami area that resulted in the exclusion of a township intended to be part of the area, and the inclusion of a non-contiguous township that lies mostly within the San Carlos Indian Reservation.
EPA is taking this direct final action without proposing it in advance because we view it as noncontroversial and do not anticipate adverse comments.
- Federal Register Notice
- Press Release 12/26/06
Contact Information
Ginger Vagenas (vagenas.ginger@epa.gov)
Office of Air Planning
EPA Region 9
(415) 972-3694