Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Pennsylvania; Determination of Attainment for the Pittsburgh-Beaver Valley 8-Hour Ozone Nonattainment Area

EPA is making a final determination that the Pittsburgh-Beaver Valley 8-hour ozone nonattainment area (the Pittsburgh Area) has attained the 1997 8-hour ozone national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS). This determination is based upon complete, quality assured, and certified ambient air monitoring data that show the area has monitored attainment of the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS for the 2007 to 2009 monitoring period. Complete, quality-assured air monitoring data available for 2010 in EPA's Air Quality System (AQS) are consistent with continued attainment. In accordance with EPA's applicable ozone implementation rule, this determination suspends the obligation of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to submit an attainment demonstration and associated reasonably available control measures (RACM), a reasonable further progress (RFP) plan, contingency measures, and other planning requirements related to attainment of the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS for the Pittsburgh Area for as long as the nonattainment area continues to meet the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS. This determination of attainment is not equivalent to a redesignation to attainment. The State must still meet the statutory requirements for redesignation in order to be redesignated to attainment. This action is being taken under the Clean Air Act (CAA).