Air Plan Approval; West Virginia; Redesignation of the Marshall Sulfur Dioxide Nonattainment Area to Attainment and Approval of the Area's Maintenance Plan

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve a redesignation request and state implementation plan (SIP) revisions submitted by the State of West Virginia related to the national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS or Standard) for the 2010 1-hour sulfur dioxide (SO<INF>2</INF>) NAAQS (2010 SO<INF>2</INF> NAAQS). On March 18, 2020, West Virginia, through the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP), submitted a redesignation request for the Marshall, West Virginia SO<INF>2</INF> Nonattainment Area (Marshall Area or Area). In conjunction with its request, WVDEP submitted SIP revisions comprised of a maintenance plan providing for continued attainment of the SO<INF>2</INF> NAAQS for a period of ten years following redesignation of the Area, SO<INF>2</INF> emissions limits for the Mitchell Power Plant (Mitchell), and a modeling analysis demonstrating that the Mitchell limits provide for attainment in the Area. The effect of this proposal, if finalized, would change the designation of the Marshall Area from nonattainment to attainment of the 2010 SO<INF>2</INF> NAAQS. This action is being taken under the Clean Air Act (CAA).