UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY REGION 2

The Honorable John P. deJongh 

### 1L Governor ofthe U.S. Virgin Islands Governor House 21-22 Kongens Gade Charlotte Amalie St. Thomas, Virgin Islands 00802
Dear Governor deJongh: 290 BROADWAY NEWYORK, NY 10007-1866 

## FEB - 6 2013

Thank you for your recommendations ofMay 20 and December 23, 2011 and March 15, 2012 on air quality designations for the Virgin Islands for the 2010 revision to the primaryNational Ambient Air Quality Standard for sulfur dioxide (S02). Reducing levels ofsulfur dioxide pollution is an important part ofthe U. S. Environmental ProtectionAgency's commitmentto a clean, healthy environment. Exposure to S02 can cause arange ofadverse health effects, including narrowing ofthe airways which can cause difficulty breathing and increased asthma symptoms. This letter is to notify you ofthe EPA's preliminary intentions regarding your recommended designations. On June 3, 2010, the EPA strengthened the health-based or "primary" standard for S02 by establishing a standard for 1-hour average S02 concentrations at a level of75 parts perbillion. The Clean Air Act requires the EPA to complete the initial designations process within two years ofpromulgating a new or revised standard. Ifthe Administratorhas insufficient information to make these designations, the EPA has the authority to extend the designation process by up to one year. OnJuly 27, 2012, the EPA announced that it had insufficient information to complete the designations for the 1-hour S02 standard within two years and extended the designations deadline to June 3, 2013. At this time the EPA is proceeding with designating as nonattainment most areas in locations where existing monitoring data from 2009-2011 indicate violations ofthe 1-hour S02 standard. The EPA intends to address the designations for all other areas in separate future actions. With input from a diverse group ofstakeholders, EPA has developed a comprehensive implementation strategy for these future actions that focuses resources on identifying and addressing unhealthy levels ofS02. The strategy is available at: http://www.epa.gov/airquality/sulfurdioxide/implement.html. The EPA will continue to work closely with you and our other partners at the state, tribal and local levels to ensure healthprotective, common sense implementation ofthe 1-hour S02 standard. The EPA's review ofthe most recent monitored air quality data from 2009-2011 shows no violations of the 2010 S02 standard in any areas inthe Virgin Islands. Consequently, the EPA is not yet prepared to propose designation action in the Virgin Islands and is therefore currently deferring action to designate areas in the Virgin Islands. The EPA expects to be able to proceed with designation action in the Virgin Islands once additional data are gathered pursuantto our comprehensive implementation strategy. In a separate future action or actions the EPA will notify you ofour intended designations for these areas, and seek public comment on these actions, no later than 120 days priorto promulgating any final designations.
InternetAddress (URL) • http://www.epa.gov Recycled/Recyclable • Printed with Vegetable Oil Based Inks on Recycled Paper (Minimum 50% Postconsumer content)We look forward to a continued dialogue with you and your staffas we worktogetherto implement the 2010primary S02 standard. For additional informationregarding initial designations onthe S02 standard, please visit our website at www.epa.gov/so2designations. Should you have any questions, picase do not hesitate to call me, orhave your staffcontactRichard Ruvo ofmy staffat 212-637-4014 or ruvo.richard@epa.gov.

cc: Alicia V. Barnes, Commissioner Sincerely,

# \.k)~~·**~~..k-** Judith A. Enck Regional Administrator
Virgin Islands Department ofPlanning & Natural Resources David Simon, Director Virgin Islands Department ofPlanning & Natural Resources Gina McCarthy, Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation Stephen D. Page, Director, Office ofAir Quality Planning and Standards