Air Quality Rules to Address Federal Regulations 2025

Proposed rule

Rulemaking contact: Alex Meadows, 971-349-9578
 
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality is updating its air quality rules to match recent changes made by the federal government. This process ensures that Oregon's rules remain at least as protective as federal standards and helps streamline the permitting process. Permit writers must apply the most protective standards to all facilities operating in Oregon. Aligning Oregon's rules with federal rules makes the permitting process more efficient.

This rule update includes five key changes:

1. Adopting the latest federal regulations
   
2. Adjusting rules for startup, shutdown, and malfunction emergency situations; permitted facilities 
• Must report all emissions 
• Cannot claim equipment malfunctions as a reason to exceed emission limits
3. Adjusting rules so that certain permitted facilities may not be reclassified as an area source
   This change will require facilities to maintain the original permit requirements they received upon entering the Title V program, “once in [to the title V program] always in".
4. Updating the air quality standard for fine particle pollution to align with the national standard
   
5. Updating the air quality standard for sulfur dioxide to align with the national standard
   

The updates also include changes to air quality standards that will require revisions to Oregon's State Implementation Plan, which outlines how the state meets federal air quality requirements.