BOARD: BOARD: 

# D H E C Henry C. Scott Paul C. Aughtry, III Chairman M. David Mirchell, MD Edwin H. Cooper, III Vice Chairman 

# C

GlennA. McCall PROMOTE PROTECT PROSPER Sreven G. Kisner Secrerary C. Earl Hunter, Commissioner Coleman F. Buckhouse, MD Promoting andprotecting the heaLth of thepubLic andthe environment

July 29, 2009

Richard A. Schutt, Chief, Air Planning Branch EPA Region 4 Atlanta Federal Center 61 Forsyth Street Southwest Atlanta, Georgia 30303-8909

Re: South Carolina Fine Particulate Matter Air Quality Implementation Plan

Dear Mr. Schutt:

On October 17, 2006, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) promulgated
new and revised national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for particulate matter (PM). Specifically, the EPA promulgated revisions to the primary and secondary NAAQS for PM. With regard to the primary standards for fine particles or PM25 (particles with an aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to a nominal 2.5 micrometers), the EPA**r~vised** the level ofthe 24­ hour PM25 standard to 35 micrograms per cubic meter**(~g/m3)** and retained the level of the annual PM25 standard at 15j.!g/m3. With regard to the primary standards for particles generally less than or equal to 10**~m** in diameter (PM IO), the EPA retained the 24-hour PM IO and revoked the annual PM 10 standard.

Under sections 11O(a)(l) and (2) ofthe Clean Air Act (CAA), all States are required to submit plans to provide for the implementation, maintenance, and enforcement ofthe PM2.5 standard. Sections 11O(a)(1 ) and (2) require States to address basic State Implementation Plan (SIP) requirements, including emission inventories, monitoring, and modeling to assure attainment and maintenance ofthe standard. By law, States are required to submit SIPs within three (3) years after promulgation ofa new or revised standard, in this case December 18, 2009 (the effective date).

On December 14,2007, the Department submitted a request to the EPA Region 4 at the direction ofGovernor Mark Sanford and on behalfofthe citizens ofSouth Carolina, that the entire state of South Carolina be designated as "attainment" for the aforementioned PM standards. On August 19, 2008, the EPA Region 4 informed the Department that it agreed with the state's evaluation, and would move forward with a final designation in December 2008.

Electronic mail correspondence between the Department and Region 4 staffclarified that in light ofits attainmentlunclassifiable status, South Carolina need only provide a formal written letter with public notice and opportunity for public hearing certifying that the aforementioned required

SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL 2600BullStreet·Columbia,SC29201 • Phone:(803) 898-3432 • www.scdhec.govPage 2 Mr. Schutt July 29, 2009
elements ofthe CAA have been addressed within the South Carolina Air Quality Implementation Plan.

As outlined in the enclosed attachments to this letter, the Department is certifying to the EPA that the "infrastructure" elements pertaining to the PM2.5 attainmentlunclassifiable areas in South Carolina [as required under Section 11O(a)(1) and (2) ofthe CAA] have been addressed. Should you have any further questions concerning South Carolina's fine particulate matter SIP development, please feel free to contact Maeve S. R. Mason of my staff at (803) 898-2230 or masonmr@dhec.sc.gov.

# I!Elfa~ctor Division ofAirPlanning, Development & Outreach Bureau ofAir Quality South Carolina Department ofHealth and Environment,al Control

cc: Myra C. Reece, Chief, Bureau ofAir Quality, SCDHEC Renee Shealy, Assistant Bureau Chief, Bureau ofAir Quality, SCDHEC

Enclosure

Attachment A: Certification of 110(a)(I) and (2) Requirements Attachment B: SIP Submittal Completeness Criteria Checklist Attachment C: State Register Notice ofPublic Hearing (July 24, 2009)