Chapter 3745-18 of the Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) contains the requirements for the prevention of emissions of sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere from fuel-burning and process equipment. The rules are part of Ohio’s State Implementation Plan (SIP) for the attainment and maintenance of the Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) as required by the Clean Air Act (CAA). Ohio EPA performed a general review of the rules in this chapter to fulfill the requirements of Ohio Revised Code (ORC) 106.03 and 106.031 (5-year review). As a result of the review, Ohio EPA has determined that these rules remain necessary and are in need of several updates detailed in the Synopsis of Changes.
Related to this rulemaking is a SIP revision request for JSW Steel, modifying their SIP approved sulfur dioxide emission limitations. Ohio EPA is providing for comment a draft request for approval for revisions to Ohio’s State Implementation Plan (SIP) regarding existing sulfur dioxide emission limits for JSW Steel (Jefferson County) established in OAC Chapter 3745-18. Under Clean Air Act (CAA) section 110(l), SIP revisions must be submitted to U.S. EPA demonstrating that the revision does not interfere with progress towards any area in the state achieving compliance with any National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS). In this case, air quality dispersion modeling was used to demonstrate that the revised SO2 limits and re-routing of some emissions at the JSW Steel facility will not interfere with the attainment and maintenance of the 1-hour SO2 NAAQS in the Steubenville, OH-WV area. The revised emission limits are also proposed for public comment.
A public hearing on this proposed rulemaking and related SIP revision request will be held to consider public comments in accordance with Section 119.03 of the Ohio Revised Code. Ohio EPA will be holding an in-person and virtual public hearing on the rules at 10:30am on September 3, 2026. The in-person hearing will be at the same time and date and will be located at Ohio EPA, Suite 700, 50 W. Town Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215. During the hearing, the public may submit written comments on the record about the proposed rules and SIP revision request if participating virtually and verbally if participating in person.
Citizens who want to participate virtually must register in advance for the meeting at:
Registration for the in-person hearing is not required. Citizens intending to give testimony at the hearing should notify the Ohio EPA Public Interest Center, P.O. Box 1049, Columbus, Ohio 43216-1049, (614) 644-2160 or by emailing mary.mccarron@epa.ohio.gov. Prior registration will ensure that registrants are heard ahead of those individuals who register at the hearing. Oral testimony may be limited to five minutes, depending on the number of persons testifying. All interested persons are entitled to attend or be represented and to present oral and/or written comments concerning the proposed rule making and SIP revision request.
Chapter 3745-18 of the Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) contains the requirements for the prevention of emissions of sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere from fuel-burning and process equipment. The rules are part of Ohio’s State Implementation Plan (SIP) for the attainment and maintenance of the Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) as required by the Clean Air Act (CAA). Ohio EPA performed a general review of the rules in this chapter to fulfill the requirements of Ohio Revised Code (ORC) 106.03 and 106.031 (5-year review). As a result of the review, Ohio EPA has determined that these rules remain necessary and are in need of several updates detailed in the Synopsis of Changes.
Related to this rulemaking is a SIP revision request for JSW Steel, modifying their SIP approved sulfur dioxide emission limitations. Ohio EPA is providing for comment a draft request for approval for revisions to Ohio’s State Implementation Plan (SIP) regarding existing sulfur dioxide emission limits for JSW Steel (Jefferson County) established in OAC Chapter 3745-18. Under Clean Air Act (CAA) section 110(l), SIP revisions must be submitted to U.S. EPA demonstrating that the revision does not interfere with progress towards any area in the state achieving compliance with any National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS). In this case, air quality dispersion modeling was used to demonstrate that the revised SO2 limits and re-routing of some emissions at the JSW Steel facility will not interfere with the attainment and maintenance of the 1-hour SO2 NAAQS in the Steubenville, OH-WV area. The revised emission limits are also proposed for public comment.
A public hearing on this proposed rulemaking and related SIP revision request will be held to consider public comments in accordance with Section 119.03 of the Ohio Revised Code. Ohio EPA will be holding an in-person and virtual public hearing on the rules at 10:30am on September 3, 2026. The in-person hearing will be at the same time and date and will be located at Ohio EPA, Suite 700, 50 W. Town Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215. During the hearing, the public may submit written comments on the record about the proposed rules and SIP revision request if participating virtually and verbally if participating in person.
Citizens who want to participate virtually must register in advance for the meeting at:
https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/c99d033a-3450-4008-8d62-5a3fd3bd1382@50f8fcc4-94d8-4f07-84eb-36ed57c7c8a2
Registration for the in-person hearing is not required. Citizens intending to give testimony at the hearing should notify the Ohio EPA Public Interest Center, P.O. Box 1049, Columbus, Ohio 43216-1049, (614) 644-2160 or by emailing mary.mccarron@epa.ohio.gov. Prior registration will ensure that registrants are heard ahead of those individuals who register at the hearing. Oral testimony may be limited to five minutes, depending on the number of persons testifying. All interested persons are entitled to attend or be represented and to present oral and/or written comments concerning the proposed rule making and SIP revision request.
The proposed rules and associated documents are also accessible on Division of Air Pollution Control’s web page at https://epa.ohio.gov/divisions-and-offices/air-pollution-control/regulations/proposed-rules
The proposed SIP revision request and associated documents are also accessible on Division of Air Pollution Control’s web page at https://epa.ohio.gov/divisions-and-offices/air-pollution-control/state-implementation-plans/state-implementation-plan-sip-2010-one-hour-so2-standard
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