Contrast attainment areas with nonattainment areas in regard to new source permits under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) requirement for State Implementation Plans (SIPs).
To contrast attainment areas with nonattainment areas in relation to new source permits under the EPA's requirement for SIPs, we first need to understand the concepts of attainment and nonattainment.
1. Attainment Areas:
An attainment area refers to a geographic region that meets or achieves the national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) set by the EPA. These areas have air quality that meets or is below the allowable pollution levels established by the EPA for specific pollutants. In other words, the air quality in attainment areas is considered to be relatively clean or within acceptable limits.
2. Nonattainment Areas:
Nonattainment areas, on the other hand, are geographic regions that have not achieved the NAAQS set by the EPA. These areas have air quality that exceeds the allowable pollution levels for specific pollutants and are considered to have poor or unhealthy air quality. Nonattainment areas are required to implement measures to reduce pollution levels and work towards achieving the NAAQS.
Now, let's consider the requirement for new source permits under SIPs:
The EPA requires states to develop State Implementation Plans (SIPs) to outline how they will achieve and maintain the NAAQS. SIPs include various pollution control measures and strategies to reduce air pollution to acceptable levels. One component of the SIPs is the issuance of new source permits for industrial facilities or activities that may contribute to air pollution.
1. Attainment Areas and New Source Permits:
In attainment areas, new source permits are generally granted more easily because the air quality already meets the NAAQS. These permits are typically issued with less stringent requirements, as the new sources are not likely to significantly impact air quality in these areas. However, the permits may still have certain conditions and limitations to ensure continued compliance with the air quality standards.
2. Nonattainment Areas and New Source Permits:
In nonattainment areas, new source permits face stricter regulations because the air quality is already compromised and does not meet the NAAQS. These permits require more stringent control measures to mitigate and offset the additional pollution from new sources. The EPA and state governments closely scrutinize these permits to ensure they do not hinder progress towards achieving the NAAQS and that they incorporate appropriate pollution control technologies and practices.
In summary, the contrast between attainment areas and nonattainment areas with regard to new source permits under the EPA's SIP requirement lies in the level of stringency and scrutiny applied to the permit applications. Attainment areas generally have less stringent requirements, while nonattainment areas have stricter regulations to reduce pollution levels and work towards improving air quality.