UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 

REGION 4 

The Honorable Robert Bentley 

Governor, State of Alabama 

Alabama State Capitol 

600 Dexter A venue 

Montgomery, Alabama 36130-2751 

Dear Governor Bentley: 

ATLANTA FEDERAL CENTER 

61 FORSYTH STREET 

ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30303-8960 

FEB - 6 2013 

Thank you for your staff's recommendations dated May 25, 2011, on air quality designations for the 

State of Alabama for the 2010 revision to the primary National Ambient Air Quality Standard for sulfur 

dioxide (S~). Reducing levels ofS02 pollution is an important part of the U.S. Environmental 

Protection Agency's commitment to a clean, healthy environment. Exposure to S~ can cause a range of 

adverse health effects, including narrowing of the airways which can cause difficulty breathing and 

increased asthma symptoms. This letter is to notify you of the 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 of 75 parts per billion. The Clean Air Act 

requires the EPA to complete the initial designations process within two years of promulgating a new or 

revised standard. If the Administrator has 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 information to complete the designations for the 1-hour so2 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 of stakeholders, the EPA has developed a comprehensive implementation strategy for 

these future actions that focuses resources on identifying and addressing unhealthy levels of S02. The 

strategy is available at: http://www.epa.gov/airquality/sulfurdioxidelimplement.html. The EPA will 

continue to work closely with you and our other partners at the state, tribal and local levels to ensure 

health-protective, commonsense implementation of the 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 in Alabama. Consequently, the EPA is not yet prepared to propose 

designation action in Alabama and is therefore currently deferring action to designate areas in Alabama. 

The EPA expects to be able to proceed with designation action in Alabama once additional data are 

gathered pursuant to our comprehensive implementation strategy. In a separate future action or actions 

Internet Address (URL) • http://www.epa.gov 

Aecycled/Aacyclabla • Prinled wnh Vegetable oR Based Inks on Recycled Paper (Minimum 30% Poslconsumer) 
the EPA will notify you of our intended designations for these areas, and seek public comment on these 

actions, no later than 120 days prior to promulgating any final designations. 

We look forward to a continued dialogue with you and your staff as we work together to implement the 

2010 primary S02 standard. For additional information regarding initial designations on the S02 

standard, please visit our website at www.epa.gov/so2designations. Should you have any questions, 

please do not hesitate to call me at 404-562-8357 or Beverly Banister of my staff at 404-562-9326. 

Sincerely, 4 

~~£y£:C( 

cc: Lance R. LeFleur 

Director, Alabama Department of 

Environmental Management (ADEM) 

Ron Gore 

Chief, ADEM Air Division 

Jonathan Stanton 

Regional Administrator 

Director, Jefferson County Department of Health 

Daniel E. Shea 

Director, City of Huntsville, Division ofNatural Resources 

Gina McCarthy, Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation 

Stephen D. Page, Director, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards