UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY REGION 4

TheHonorable Robert Bentley Governor, State ofAlabama Alabama State Capitol 600 Dexter Avenue 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 May25, 2011, on air quality designations for the State ofAlabama for the 2010 revision to the primaryNational Ambient Air Quality Standard for sulfur dioxide**(S~).** Reducing levels ofS02 pollution is an important part ofthe 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 ofthe airways which can cause difficultybreathing and increased asthma symptoms. This letter is to notify you ofthe EPA's preliminary intentions regarding yourrecommended designations. On June 3, 2010, the EPA strengthened thehealth-based or "primary" standard for S02by establishing a standard for 1-hour average S02concentrations at a level of75 parts perbillion. The Clean AirAct requires the EPA to complete the initial designations process within two years ofpromulgating a new or revised standard. Ifthe Administrator has insufficient information to make these designations, the EPA has the authority to extend the designation process byup 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. Atthis 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, the EPAhas 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/sulfurdioxidelimplement.html. The EPA will continue to work closely with you and our otherpartners at the state, tribal and local levels to ensure health-protective, commonsense implementation ofthe 1-hour S02 standard. TheEPA's review ofthemostrecent monitored air quality data from 2009-2011 shows no violations of the 2010 S02standard in any areas in Alabama. Consequently, the EPA is not yet prepared to propose designation action inAlabama 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

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### the EPA will notify you ofourintended designations for these areas, and seek public comment onthese actions, no later than 120 days prior to promulgating any final designations. We look forward to a continued dialogue with you and your staffas we work together to implement the 2010 primary S02 standard. For additional information regarding initial designations onthe S02 standard, please visit ourwebsite at www.epa.gov/so2designations. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call me at 404-562-8357 orBeverly Banisterofmy staffat 404-562-9326. Sincerely, 4

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### R. LeFleur Director, Alabama Department of

Environmental Management (ADEM) Ron Gore Chief, ADEM Air Division Jonathan Stanton Regional Administrator

Director, Jefferson County Department ofHealth Daniel E. Shea Director, City ofHuntsville, Division ofNatural Resources Gina McCarthy, Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation Stephen D. Page, Director, Office ofAir Quality Planning and Standards