PM2.5 NAAQS ATTAINMENT DEADLINES

The DC Circuit directed the EPA to align emissions reduction compliance dates in the rule 

replacing CAIR with the attainment deadlines for the relevant NAAQS, i.e., those for which the rule 

addresses upwind states’ emissions that significantly contribute to downwind nonattainment areas’ 

nonattainment or that interfere with their ability to maintain the standards. Where the NAAQS 

compliance deadlines are prospective, the agency – and upwind states – are obligated to eliminate their 

significant contribution no later than the NAAQS compliance deadline. Where the NAAQS deadline is 

already passed, the agency and the upwind states are obligated to eliminate significant contribution “as 

expeditiously as practicable.” 

2006 PM2.5 NAAQS Attainment Deadlines

The attainment deadlines for all areas designated nonattainment for the 2006 24-hr PM2.5 

NAAQS is December 14, 2014 (5 years from the effective date of the nonattainment designations). In 

general, the EPA determines whether an area has attainment air quality on the basis of the data from 

the last complete calendar year prior to the attainment date to determine if the area has achieved the 

standard. Because the deadline for the 2006 standard, however, is so close to the end of the 2014 

calendar year, we determined that it would be acceptable to base attainment determinations on data 

from the 2014 calendar year. Thus, upwind areas that significantly contribute to nonattainment or 

interfere with maintenance in downwind states need to have controls in place to eliminate such 

emissions by 1/1/2014 to ensure that the needed reductions occur during the 2014 calendar year. The 

following chart shows the impact of reductions in 2014 in six key areas.

Area Consequences of TR Controls in 2014 for Attainment/Nonattainment 

of the 2006 24-Hour PM NAAQS

Liberty-Clairton, PA

- Projected to remain in nonattainment following implementation of TR 

2012 requirements. 

- Upwind states significantly contribute to the area’s nonattainment 

problem.

– Significant contribution to nonattainment from upwind states eliminated 

by 2014 TR requirements. 

- TR 2014 reductions bring the area closer, but not completely into 

attainment by the December 2014 attainment deadline.

- Known local problem.

-Absence of Phase 2 reductions in 2014 will mean that significant 

contribution will not be eliminated in NAAQS deadline-relevant year

Pittsburgh-Beaver Valley, PA

- Projected to have a potential nonattainment problem following 

implementation of all TR 2012 requirements.

- Upwind states significantly contribute to the area’s potential 

nonattainment problem.

- Significant contribution to potential nonattainment from upwind states 
eliminated by 2014 TR requirements.

- TR 2014 reductions will allow the area to meet the December 2014 

attainment date.

-Absence of Phase 2 reduction in 2014 will mean that significant 

contribution to area’s maintenance of NAAQS during deadline-relevant 

year will not be eliminated

Lancaster, PA

- Projected to have a potential nonattainment problem following 

implementation of all TR 2012 requirements.

- Upwind states significantly contribute to the area’s potential 

nonattainment problem.

- TR 2014 reductions bring the area closer, but not completely into 

attainment by the December 2014 attainment deadline.

- Significant contribution to potential nonattainment from upwind states 

eliminated by 2014 TR requirements.

- Still at risk of missing attainment date without additional in-state controls, 

but upwind state contributions addressed by TR.

-Absence of Phase 2 reductions in 2014 will mean that significant 

contribution to area’s nonattainment of NAAQS not eliminated in deadlinerelevant year

Cleveland-Akron-Lorain, OH

- Projected to have a potential nonattainment problem following 

implementation of all TR 2012 requirements.

- Upwind states significantly contribute to the area’s potential 

nonattainment problem.

- Significant contribution to potential nonattainment from upwind states 

eliminated by 2014 TR requirements.

- TR 2014 reductions will allow the area to meet the December 2014 

attainment date.

- Absence of Phase 2 reductions in 2014 will mean that significant 

contribution to area’s nonattainment will not be eliminated during deadlinerelevant year

Chicago-Gary-Lake, IL

- Projected to be potential nonattainment by 2014 even with 

implementation of all TR 2012 requirements. 

- Upwind states significantly contribute to the area’s potential 

nonattainment problem.

- With TR 2014 reductions, area projected to be much closer to attainment.

- Significant contribution to potential nonattainment from upwind states 

eliminated by 2014 TR requirements.

- Still at risk of having nonattainment air quality in 2014 without additional 

in-state controls (beyond TR 2014 requirements) to get reductions during 

2014 calendar year.

- Absence of Phase 2 reductions in 2014 will mean that significant 

contribution to area’s nonattainment will not be eliminated during deadlinerelevant year

Detroit-Ann Arbor, MI

- Projected to remain in nonattainment following implementation of TR 

2012 requirements.

- TR 2014 reductions very close to resolving potential nonattainment 

problem (projected to be just 0.07 ug/m3 from attainment).

– Significant contribution to nonattainment/potential nonattainment from 

upwind states eliminated by 2014 TR requirements.

- May need additional in-state controls that get reductions during 2014 to 

meet December 2014 attainment deadline.

= Absence of Phase 2 reductions in 2014 will mean that significant 

contribution to area’s nonattainment will not be eliminated during deadlinerelevant year
1997 PM2.5 NAAQS Attainment Deadlines

The original attainment deadline for all areas designated nonattainment for the 1997 annual 

PM2.5 NAAQS was expeditiously as practicable, but no later than April 5, 2010 (5 years from the 

effective date of the nonattainment designations). In general, we look at data from the last complete 

calendar year prior to the attainment date to determine if the area has achieved the standard. The last 

complete calendar year prior to the attainment deadline was 2009. Areas with clean data in 2009 

generally were given two one year extensions to an April 5, 2011 deadline. Other areas, those with 

nonattainment air quality, were given the maximum 5 year extension to April 5, 2015. The last complete 

calendar year prior to the attainment deadline is 2014; air quality improvements after 12/31/2014 thus 

would not help states demonstrate attainment by the deadline. Thus, upwind areas that significantly 

contribute to nonattainment or interfere with maintenance in downwind states need to have controls in 

place to eliminate such emissions by 1/1/2014 to ensure that the needed reductions occur during the 

2014 calendar year. The following chart shows the impact of reductions in 2014 in Liberty-Clairton, PA. 

Area Consequences of TR Controls in 2014 for Attainment/Nonattainment 

of the 2006 24-Hour PM NAAQS

Liberty-Clairton, PA

- Projected to remain in nonattainment following implementation of TR 

2012 requirements. 

- Upwind states significantly contribute to the area’s nonattainment 

problem.

- Significant contribution to nonattainment/potential nonattainment from 

upwind states eliminated by 2014 TR requirements. - TR 2014 reductions 

bring the area into attainment in 2014, allowing the area to meet its April 5, 

2015 attainment deadline.

- Absence of Phase 2 reductions in 2014 will mean that significant 

contribution to area’s nonattainment will not be eliminated during deadlinerelevant year.