UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY REGION 2 290 BROADWAY NEWYORK, NY 10007-1866

The Honorable Alejandro Garcia Padilla Governor ofPuerto Rico BMB 110202 Calle San Gustos San Juan, Puerto Rico 00901-1711 Dear Governor Garcia Padilla: 

## FEB - 6 2013

Thank you for your recommendations ofJune 3, 2011 and March 26, 2012 on air quality designations for Puerto Rico for the 2010 revision to the primary National Ambient Air Quality Standard for sulfur dioxide (S02 ). Reducing levels ofsulfur dioxide pollution is an importantpart ofthe U. S. Environmental ProtectionAgency's commitmentto a clean, healthy environment. Exposure to S02 can cause a range 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 S02by establishing a standard for 1-hour average S02concentrations at a level of75 parts per billion. The Clean Air Act requires the EPA to complete the initial designations process withintwo 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. On July 27,2012,the EPA announced that it had insufficient informationto complete the designations for the 1-hour so2standard 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 S02standard. 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 ourother partners at the state, tribal and local levels to ensure healthprotective, common sense implementation ofthe 1-hour so2 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 inPuerto Rico. Consequently, the EPA is not yet preparedto propose designation action inPuerto Rico and is therefore currently deferring action to designate areas in Puerto Rico. The EPA expects to be able to proceed with designation action inPuerto Rico once additional data are gathered pursuant to 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 prior to promulgating any final designations.

InternetAddress (URL) • http://www.epa.gov Recycled/Recyclable • Printed with Vegetable 011 Based Inks on Recycled Paper (Minimum SO% Postconsumer content)We look forward to a continued dialogue with you and your staffas we worktogether to implement the 2010 primary S02standard. For additional information regarding initial designations onthe S02 standard, please visit our website at www.epa.gov/so2designations. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call me, orhave your staffcontact Richard Ruvo ofmystaffat 212-637-4014 or ruvo.richard@epa.gov.

cc: Ms. Laura Velez Velez, Chair Sincerely,

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# 9'·**-e,.e~e._** <::::._/ Judith A. Enck Regional Administrator

Puerto Rico Environmental Quality Board Eliud Gerena, Advisor to the Chair Puerto Rico Environmental Quality Board Mr. Luis R. Sierra Torres, P.E., Acting Air Quality AreaManager Puerto Rico Environmental Quality Board Gina McCarthy, Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation Stephen D. Page, Director, Office ofAir Quality Planning and Standards