Template 

Including New Chapter 173-476 WAC in 

the Washington State Implementation 

Plan

Rule SIP Revision

November 2013

Publication No. 13-02-029
Publication and Contact Information

This report is available on the Department of Ecology’s website at 

https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/publications/SummaryPages/1302029.html

For more information contact:

Air Quality Program

P.O. Box 47600 

Olympia, WA 98504-7600 

Phone: 360-407-6600

Washington State Department of Ecology - www.ecy.wa.gov

o Headquarters, Olympia 360-407-6000

o Northwest Regional Office, Bellevue 425-649-7000

o Southwest Regional Office, Olympia 360-407-6300

o Central Regional Office, Yakima 509-575-2490

o Eastern Regional Office, Spokane 509-329-3400

For special accommodations or documents in alternate format, call 360-407-6800, 711 (relay 

service), or 877-833-6341 (TTY).
Including New Chapter 173-476 WAC in the 

Washington State Implementation Plan

Rule SIP Revision

by

Air Quality Program

Air Quality Program

Washington State Department of Ecology

Olympia, Washington
This page left intentionally blank
i

Table of Contents

Page

Acknowledgements............................................................................................................. ii

Abstract.............................................................................................................................. iii

I. What is submitted? ................................................................................................4

II. What would Ecology like EPA to do with the submittal?.....................................4

III. Analysis of submittal.............................................................................................4

Appendix A. Sections for Removal...............................................................................7

Appendix B. Public Involvement ..................................................................................9

1. Affidavit of Publication in The Daily Journal of Commerce ......................9

2. Rule Proposal and SIP Revision Public Notice ...........................................9

3. Ecology’s News Release..............................................................................9

4. Ecology’s Public Involvement Calendar .....................................................9

5. Hearing Summary Memorandum ................................................................9

Appendix C. SIP Adoption Order ...............................................................................21
ii

Acknowledgements

The authors of this report would like to thank the following people for their contribution to this 

report:

 Anya Caudill

 Al Newman

 Margo Thompson

 Julie Oliver

 Nancy Pritchett

 Melanie Forster

 Tami Dahlgren

 Melanie Pearson

 Jeff Hunt (EPA, Region 10)
iii

Abstract

Ecology submits a new rule to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for inclusion in the 

Washington State Implementation Plan (SIP). The new rule, Ambient Air Quality Standards, 

Chapter 173-476 of the Washington Administrative Code, incorporates the current National 

Ambient Air Quality Standards for criteria pollutants. These standards are federally required and 

apply statewide.

Ecology also requests EPA to remove a repealed rule, National Ambient Air Quality Standards 

for Particulate Matter, Chapter 173-470 of the Washington Administrative Code, from the SIP.
4

I. What is submitted?

Ecology submits a new rule to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for inclusion into the 

Washington State Implementation Plan (SIP). The new rule, Ambient Air Quality Standards, 

Chapter 173-476 WAC, incorporates the current National Ambient Air Quality Standards 

(NAAQS) for criteria pollutants. These standards are federally required and apply statewide.

The new chapter replaces the following chapters of the Washington Administrative Code:

 Ch. 173-470 WAC, Ambient Air Quality Standards for Particulate Matter (formerly Ch. 

18-40 WAC)

 Ch. 173-474 WAC, Ambient Air Quality Standards for Sulfur Oxides (formerly Ch. 18-

56 WAC)

 Ch. 173-475 WAC, Ambient Air Quality Standards for Carbon Monoxide, Ozone, and 

Nitrogen Dioxide

These chapters are repealed. Of those chapters, WAC 173-470 was approved in the SIP on 

January 15, 1993 (58 FR 4578). 

II. What would Ecology like EPA to do with the submittal?

Ecology proposes for EPA to take two actions:

• Approve the new rule, Ch. 173-476 WAC, Ambient Air Quality Standards, in the SIP.

• Remove the SIP approved sections of the repealed rule, Ch. 173-470 WAC, National 

Ambient Air Quality Standards for Particulate Matter, from the SIP.

III. Analysis of submittal

The new rule incorporates the NAAQS, current as of August 3, 2013, for the following air 

pollutants:

 Particulate matter (PM10)

 Particulate matter (PM2.5)

 Lead (Pb)

 Sulfur oxides (SOx) (except for the annual standard)

 Nitrogen oxides (NOx)

 Ozone (O3)

 Carbon monoxide (CO)

The rule retains Washington’s current annual sulfur oxides standard of 0.02 parts per million by 

volume (ppmv). It is more stringent than the respective NAAQS of 0.030 ppmv (40 CFR 

50.4(a)). The new rule has a requirement to automatically sunset this standard when EPA 
5

designates Washington’s attainment status for the 1-hour ambient SOx standard. This provision 

is based on the language in 40 CFR 50.4(e) which provides for sunsetting/revoking of the 

standard.

The new rule does not include references to Total Suspended Particulate (TSP) found in SIPapproved WAC 173-470-100(1) and (2). EPA promulgated a NAAQS for TSP in 1971. In 

1987, EPA revised its particulate matter standards to:

 change the indicator from TSP to PM-10 to focus on “inhalable” particles (<10 μm),

 subsequently separate NAAQS for the “fine”( PM2.5) and “coarse” (PM10) fractions of 

PM in 1997. 

Ecology adopted these newer, more protective NAAQS and repealed the outdated standards for 

TSP. 

The new rule also does not contain the obsolete reporting requirement for local agencies found in 

SIP-approved WAC 173-470-160. Ecology and local clean air agencies have an elaborate 

monitoring network in place that collects monitoring data. Ecology’s staff has access to the data 

collected. The data are also reported in real time on the agency’s web site.

1

 These data are being 

submitted regularly to EPA.

By consolidating existing criteria pollutant rules into one rule, adding a lead (Pb) standard, 

incorporating current federal NAAQS, and retaining an existing, more stringent state annual 

sulfur oxides standard, Ecology ensures it can implement and maintain the NAAQS as required 

by the federal Clean Air Act. 

Appendices below include:

 Appendix A: Sections for Removal. This Appendix shows current SIP-approved 

Chapter 173-470 WAC in red strike out indicating proposed removal from the SIP.

 Appendix B: Public Involvement. This Appendix includes copies of the legal notice 

about proposed rulemaking and SIP revision, news release, and SIP revision hearing 

summary memo.

 Appendix C: SIP Adoption Order. This order, signed by the Director of Ecology, 

fulfills EPA requirement for the state to adopt the plan in the State code or body of 

regulations (40 CFR 51, Appendix V).

 

1

http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/air/air_monitoring_data/WAQA_Intro_Page.html
6

This page left intentionally blank
7

Appendix A. Sections for Removal

WAC 173-470 Ambient Air Quality Standards for Particulate Matter

173-470-010 PURPOSE. 

This chapter promulgated under RCW 70.94.305 and 70.94.331 establishes maximum acceptable 

levels for particulate matter in the ambient air. Particulate matter is characterized in criteria 

developed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

173-470-020 APPLICABILITY. 

The provisions of this chapter apply to all areas of the state of Washington.

173-470-030 DEFINITIONS. 

Unless a different meaning is clearly required by context, words and phrases used in this chapter 

shall have the following meanings; general terms common with other chapters of Title 173 WAC 

as defined in chapter 173-403 WAC.

173-470-100 AMBIENT AIR QUALITY STANDARDS. 

(1) The level of the 24-hour ambient air quality standard for total suspended particulate is 150 

micrograms per cubic meter (ug/m3), 24-hour average concentration. The standard is attained 

when the number of days per calendar year is less than or equal to one for measured 24-hour 

concentrations above 150 ug/m3.

(2) The level of the annual standard for total suspended particulate is sixty micrograms per cubic 

meter (ug/m3), annual geometric mean. The standard is attained when the annual geometric 

mean concentration is less than or equal to 60 ug/m3.

(3) The level of the 24-hour ambient air quality standard for PM-10 is 150 micrograms per cubic 

meter (ug/m3), 24-hour average concentration. The standard is attained when:

(a) The expected number of days per calendar year with a 24-hour average concentration 

above 150 ug/m3, as determined in accordance with 40 CFR 50 Appendix K as in effect 

on July 1, 1988, is equal to or less than one; and

(b) The number of days per calendar year the measured 24-hour average concentration 

above 150 ug/m3 is equal to or less than one.

(4) The level of the annual standard for PM-10 is 50 micrograms per cubic meter (ug/m3), 

annual arithmetic mean. The standard is attained when the expected annual arithmetic mean 

concentration, as determined in accordance with 40 CFR 50 Appendix K as in effect on July 1, 

1988, is less than or equal to 50 ug/m3.

173-470-160 REPORTING OF DATA. 

(1) Air authorities sampling for particulate matter shall notify the department of all infractions of 

these standards. Notification shall be made quarterly. A quarterly summary of all samples greater 

than the standards shall be submitted within sixty days of the end of each calendar quarter. 

Quarterly data shall include:

(a) Location of sampler.

(b) Time period (day and year).

(c) Individual concentrations recorded at each air monitoring station.

(d) The applicable geometric or arithmetic mean for each monitoring station (first quarter 

report only for previous calendar year).

(2) If particulate matter values greater than the standards are measured by the department, the air 

authority shall be notified quarterly. This notification shall include:

(a) Location.

(b) Time or time period.
8

(c) Concentrations recorded.

(d) The applicable geometric or arithmetic mean (first quarter report only for previous 

calendar year).
9

Appendix B. Public Involvement 

1. Affidavit of Publication in The Daily Journal of Commerce

2. Rule Proposal and SIP Revision Public Notice

3. Ecology’s News Release

4. Ecology’s Public Involvement Calendar

5. Hearing Summary Memorandum











21

Appendix C. SIP Adoption Order