Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection

Emergency Burn Ban In Effect 10/26/24 - An emergency burn ban is now in effect for all Connecticut State Parks, Forests, and Wildlife Management areas, prohibiting the use of all outdoor grills, firepits, and campfires, and the kindling and use of flame outdoors. DEEP and local agencies are working to contain several active fires across the state. Please avoid all affected State Parks and Forests, as well as the blue-blazed Mattabesett Trail. The Enduro Trail in Voluntown and portions of North Stonington within the Pachaug State Forest are closed at this time. Please note that today's forest fire danger report remains at an 'extreme' level. More information about the current fire danger, burn ban and recommended safety measures can be found here

Air Quality Planning

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EPA establishes air quality standards, protective of public health and welfare for various pollutants. Connecticut DEEP prepares plans to attain and maintain compliance with these standards. These State Implementation Plans (SIPS) include regulations to prevent, reduce and control air pollution. These SIPs are developed through a planning process that combines technical information and air quality policy.
 
Large data sets defining the emissions sources (such as mobile and stationary) and meteorological data are analyzed and combined in mathematical models to inform the choice of regulatory options.  These data-driven options inform decisions about air quality plan development, regulatory development and program implementation.  Programs and regulations are routinely evaluated and updated with respect to changes in environmental conditions, health impact data and federal laws.  In carrying out its air quality planning, DEEP takes into account a wide range of stakeholder concerns.
 
Air Quality Plans
State Implementation Plan (SIP) Revisions The Connecticut State Implementation Plan (SIP) for air quality is a collective of historical plans and regulations, which were approved by EPA as meeting certain requirements of the Clean Air Act.  EPA has the authority to enforce the Connecticut air quality regulations incorporated into the SIP.  EPA’s record of the SIP-incorporated regulations is set out in 40 CFR Part 52 Subpart H.

Ozone Planning Efforts All of Connecticut is currently classified as nonattainment.

PM2.5 Planning Efforts All of Connecticut is currently classified as unclassifiable/attainment.

PM10 Planning Efforts All of Connecticut is currently classified as unclassifiable/attainment.
   SO2 Planning Efforts All of Connecticut is currently classified as unclassifiable/attainment.

NO2 Planning Efforts All of Connecticut is currently classified as unclassifiable/attainment.

Lead Planning Efforts All of Connecticut is currently classified as unclassifiable/attainment.  

Regional Haze Planning Efforts

EPA requires states to submit regional haze SIPs that describe the states’ measures for meeting the national goal of a return to natural visibility conditions at Class I areas (national parks and wilderness areas) by 2064.

Unusual and Exceptional Events

Exceptional events are unusual or naturally occurring events that affect air quality but are not reasonably controllable. Data from these events can be excluded from regulatory determinations with concurrence from EPA. The following links provide details of unusual or exceptional event for Connecticut.

2016 Fort McMurray exceptional event. Wildfires near Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada, caused several days of elevated ozone over Connecticut, starting on May 25, 2016. Ozone data exclusion was requested and granted for four monitoring sites for May 25-26, 2016.

February 2023 Particulate Events and Impacts to Air Quality. On the Morning of February 17, 2023, citizens across Connecticut reported a particulate residue on parked cars and an odor in the air. This storyboard presents an analysis of this unusual event and investigates possible causes.

2023 Wildfire exceptional events. Beginning in April 2023, wildfire and prescribed fire smoke impacted the air quality in Connecticut. Several events are being requested for exceptional event demonstrations for ozone.

Regulation Development

Comments on Federal Rulemaking

Federal regulations are enforceable laws authorized by legislation enacted by Congress. Agencies, such as EPA are empowered to create and enforce regulations.  These federal regulations are created according to the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act (APA).  Connecticut comments on proposed federal regulations that would have an effect on the State's air quality.

State Rulemaking

The Connecticut eRegulations System is the official site for public access to regulation development records. Once a DEEP regulatory action is proposed, you can follow its activity through the Connecticut eRegulations System. Prior to publication of the notice of intent for a regulatory action, the Air Bureau’s regulatory development materials may be available below.

 

 

Mobile Source Planning

Mobile sources includes a variety of vehicles, engines and equipment. Sources like these account for the largest sector of man-made air pollution in Connecticut and throughout the Northeast. As such, Connecticut employs several strategies to address these emissions. Strategies include inspection and maintenance programs, diesel emissions reduction initiatives, incentive programs and more. Find the relevant information here.

Content Last Updated on April 4, 2024