Nonattainment Area Requirements

• Designation and Classification - The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) designates and classifies nonattainment areas (meaning the region does not meet the National Ambient Air Quality Standards set by the EPA to protect people's health and the environment). Classification, requirements and compliance deadlines are determined by severity of pollution. Designated counties in the San Antonio MSA would most likely receive the classification of marginal.
  
  
• State Implementation Plan ( SIP ) - Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and EPA are responsible for the plan to bring the nonattainment area into compliance with federal air quality standards. Local air quality decision-making may be limited. SIP s are state and federally enforceable.
  
  
• Nonattainment New Source Review - New or modified industrial sources must comply with the lowest achievable emission rate (LAER) and offset emissions at a 1:1 or greater ratio.
  
  
• General Conformity - Federal projects with estimated emissions above established levels must demonstrate that the expected emissions will not jeopardize an area's ability to achieve air quality standards.
  
  
• Transportation Conformity - The estimated emissions from the area's long-range transportation plan and transportation improvement program (TIP) must be less than specified levels for several analysis years. If not, a conformity lapse occurs and only exempt projects or those with federal authorization can proceed. The lapse also applies to non-federally funded regionally significant projects. A conformity demonstration is required:
  
  
• at least every four years
  
• for a new or amended plan or TIP
• for changes to regionally significant projects (design concept or scope, analysis years)
• for a SIP submittal or SIP approval
• for a new EPA emissions model

For additional information visit:

• Clean Air Plan
  
• Alamo Area Council of Governments (AACOG)
• San Antonio Early Action Compact Area