Take notice that the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (Department) is proposing a revision to the State Implementation Plan (SIP) for the Attainment and Maintenance of the Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).  A copy of the proposed SIP revision was forwarded to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) on July 19, 2012.

The Department of Environmental Protection (Department) is proposing a revision to the SIP to request that the USEPA redesignate both of the multi-state fine particulate matter (PM2.5) nonattainment areas associated with New Jersey to attainment in accordance with the Clean Air Act.  This SIP revision presents the data and information that the USEPA requires in order to redesignate the areas to attainment.  Specifically, the document contains:  (1) air quality monitoring data that shows compliance with the NAAQS and a decreasing trend in PM2.5 concentrations over time; (2) a summary of control measures that New Jersey has implemented to bring the State into attainment;  (3) a maintenance plan that demonstrates a projected continuing downward trend in emissions through 2025; (4) a contingency plan that would be implemented should the air quality violate NAAQS in the future;  (5) transportation conformity budgets; and (6) other information that supports the request for redesignation. 

Copies of the Department’s proposed SIP revision are available from the Department’s web site at http://www.state.nj.us/dep/baqp/sip/siprevs.htm and the Department’s Public Information Center at 401 E. State Street in Trenton. 

A public hearing concerning the proposed SIP revision will be conducted during the written comment period.  The public hearing is scheduled as follows:

Wednesday, September 5, 2012 at 10:00 a.m.
The NJDEP Building, Large Conference Room (6th Floor)
401 East State Street
Trenton, New Jersey

Comments may be submitted by close of business, Thursday, September 12, 2012.  Please email comment(s) as a document attachment to: NJDEP-BAQP@dep.state.nj.us.  Please include a subject line as follows:  “PM2.5 SIP Comments.”

The Department encourages electronic submittal of comments.   In the alternative, comments may be submitted on paper to:
                       
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
Attn:  PM2.5 SIP Comments
Air Quality Planning
401 East State Street, 7th Floor
Mail Code 401-07H
P.O. Box 420
Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0420

Written comments may also be submitted at the public hearing.  It is requested (but not required) that anyone providing oral testimony at the public hearing provide a copy of any prepared text to the stenographer at the hearing.

For more information about the Department’s SIP proposal, please call the Bureau of Air Quality Planning at (609) 292-6722 or you can email your questions to NJDEP-BAQP@dep.state.nj.us.