Environmental Matters in the Commonwealth of Kentucky

U.S. EPA determined that the motor vehicle emissions budgets (MVEBs) in the Northern Kentucky Attainment Demonstration State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision, submitted on December 7, 2007, by the Kentucky Division of Air Quality (KDAQ) are adequate for transportation conformity purposes. As a result of EPA’s finding, the Northern Kentucky Area (Boone, Campbell and Kenton Counties) must use the MVEBs from the December 7, 2007, Northern Kentucky Attainment Demonstration SIP for future conformity determinations for the 1997 8-hour ozone standard.  Transportation conformity is required by section 176(c) of the Clean Air Act. EPA’s conformity rule requires that transportation plans, programs and projects conform to state air quality implementation plans and establishes the criteria and procedures for determining whether or not they do. Conformity to a SIP means that transportation activities will not produce new air quality violations, worsen existing violations, or delay timely attainment of the national ambient air quality standards.  U.S. EPA set Northern Kentucky 8-Hour Ozone MVEBs for 2008 at 21.36 tons per day of NOX and 9.91 tons per day of VOCs.