PAUL R

. LEPAGE GOVERNOR

June 30, 2012 David Conroy, Chief Air Programs Branch U .S. EPARegion I 1 Congress St ., Suite 1100 Boston, Ma. 02114-2023 RE: Required SIP Elements Under Section 11 0(a)(1) and (2) for the 1997 PM2

.5 NAAQS Dear Mr. Conroy: PATRICIA W . AHO COMMISSIONER

On January 3, 2008, the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) submitted an Infrastructure State Implementation Plan (SIP) to the U .S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) demonstrating that Maine is in compliance with the procedural, timing and infrastructure requirements contained in section 110(a)(1) and (2) of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments (CAA) as required for the PM2 .5 National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) . Since that time, EPAh_-s identified several requirements that were insufficiently addressed by Maine's initial submission In correspondence datedJune 30, 2012, EPAidentified the following concerns with Maine's submittal : 1) Maine's ambient air quality standards in its Chapter 110Ambient Air Quality Standards rule are out-of-date and do not reflect the 1997 or 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS; 2) Maine's 2008 PM2

.5 Infrastructure submittal did not include a finding that Maine does not contribute significantly to nonattainment or interfere with maintenance of the 1997 or 2006 PM2 .5 NAAQS in any other state; and 3) the 2008 submittal did not include an emergency episode plan for PM2 .5. The Department is committed to working with EPA to resolve these issues and ensure the timely approval of Maine's PM2 .5 Infrastructure SIP. As you know, the Department is currently amending its Chapter 110Ambient Air Quality Standards rule' to incorporate the current National Ambient Air Quality Standards and Ambient Increments, and we are hereby committing to submit the revised Chapter 110for your approval within one year ofyour final action on Maine's section 110(a) SIPS. I We are scheduledto adoptthe proposed amendments onJuly 17, 2012. AUGUSTA 17 STATE HOUSE STATION AUGUSTA, MAINE 04333-0017 (207) 287-7688 FAX: (207) 287-7826 RAY BLDG., HOSPITAL ST. STATE OF MAINE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

BANGOR PORTLAND PRESQUE ISLE 106 HOGAN ROAD, SUITE 6 312 CANCO ROAD 1235 CENTRAL DRIVE, SKYWAY PARK BANGOR, MAINE 04401 PORTLAND, MAINE 04103 PRESQUE ISLE, MAINE 04769-2094 (207) 941-4570 FAX: (207) 941-4584 (207) 822-6300 FAX: (207) 822-6303 (207) 764-0477 FAX: (207) 760-3143 web site: www

.maine .gov/depLetter to David Conroy

6/30/12 Page 2of 2

With respect to PM2.5 emissions fromMaine significantly contributing or interfering with maintenance of the 1997 or 2006 PM2 .5 NAAQS in any other state, Maine emissions do not significantly contribute to nonattainment or interfere with maintenance of either the 1997 or 2006 PM2

.5 NAAQS in any other state2. Finally, the Department expects Maine to be designated as a Priority III region, thereby negating the need for a PM2.5 Emergency Episode Plan. I am hopeful we have been able to adequately address all outstanding concerns, and look forward to your approval of this submission. Ifyou should have anyquestions, please contact Jeff Crawford at (207) 287-7647. Sincerely,

Melanie Loyzim, Director Bureau ofAir Quality Cc: Anne Arnold, EPA Patricia W

. Aho, DEP Heather Parent, DEP Jeff Crawford, DEP

2 Mainepreviously submitted asection 110(a)(2)(D)(i) transport SIP addressing ozone and the 1997 PM NAAQS. Using air qualitydata analysis techniques and air quality modeling conducted by EPAin support of the CleanAir Interstate Rule, this SIP revision demonstrated that emissions fromMainedo contribute significantly to nonattainment or interfere with maintenance ofthe 1997 PMZ.5 NAAQS, or otherwise interfere withvisibility protection or other state's efforts to prevent significant deterioration of air quality . The PM2

.5 analysis is also applicable to the 2006 PM2 .5 NAAQS

. See also, correspondence fromJeffrey S. Crawford (DEP) to Anne Arnold (EPA) datedJune 1, 2011 .