EPA extends South Coast, California PM2.5 attainment date to 2030

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct 1 — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) granted California's request to extend the attainment date for the South Coast Air Basin under the 2012 annual fine particulate matter standards from Dec 31, 2025, to Dec 31, 2030, according to a final action published on Thursday.

EPA said it extended the "Serious" area attainment date after concluding that the State had satisfied the requirements of Clean Air Act section 188(e), under which a State may apply for an extension of up to five years. The agency said the State must provide for implementation of the most stringent measures no later than Jan 1, 2030, and that all four measures identified in the State's plan are in effect in the South Coast Air Basin.

EPA said the Clean Air Act does not require it to act on the submitted attainment demonstration before granting the extension, and that it intends to act on the 2024 South Coast PM2.5 Plan in a future action. The extension is effective Nov 2, 2026, and petitions for judicial review must be filed by Nov 30, 2026.