Maine Air Fact Sheet

1. What air regulations does the state of Maine follow?

• The state of Maine adheres to all federal emission standards for hazardous air pollutants (HAPs). National emission standards for HAPs, compliance dates and their rules and implementation are found in the following U.S. Environmental Protection Agency link: http://www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/eparules.html. Maine's uses the federal HAPs list for emission inventory and has a state list of TAPs. See: http://www.maine.gov/dep/air/toxics/mati.htm#list

2. Which state organization manages air pollution regulations?

• Bureau of Air Quality: The Department of Environmental Protection http://www.maine.gov/dep/index.shtml houses the Bureau of Air Quality http://www.maine.gov/dep/air/. The mission of the Bureau is to coordinate a state-wide program to control present and future sources of air contaminants to assure the continued health, safety and general welfare of the people of Maine, to protect property values, and to protect plant and animal life. To fulfill this mission, the Bureau implements a two-pronged strategy: first, to improve air quality in those areas where air quality has degraded; and second, to prevent the deterioration of air quality in areas where the air quality is acceptable.

3. What are the specific responsibilities of the Bureau of Air Quality?

• Air Toxics Program: To collect and disseminate data about air toxicsin Maine; http://www.maine.gov/dep/air/toxics/ind ex.htm
• Compliance: To assess compliance with the State of Maine air pollution control laws at regulated facilities and to provide assistance to these facilities on compliance; http://www.maine.gov/dep/air/compliance/efforts.htm
• Emissions Inventory Program : Responsible for compiling data on the release of air pollutants; http://www.maine.gov/dep/air/emissions/index.htm
• Licensing: Writes air emission licenses for air emission sources throughout the state; http://www.maine.gov/dep/air/licensing/index.htm
•  Air Pollution Meteorology : To evaluate air quality impacts of emissions from local sources and out-of-state sources contributing to long-range transport; to produce technical analyses of existing air quality problems and alternative control strategies; to produce daily air quality forecasts for the public, and provide meteorological assistance; http://www.maine.gov/dep/air/meteorology/index.htm
• Air Monitoring: Responsible for: 1) ambient air monitoring to meet state and federal requirements, 2) data correlation and evaluation, 3) designing and operating special air quality studies; http://www.maine.gov/dep/air/monitoring/index.htm
• Mobile Sources: Develop and implement strategies to reduce air pollution from mobile sources such as vehicles, trains, planes, marine vessels, off road equipment and recreational vehicles. http://www.maine.gov/dep/air/mobile/index.htm
• Public Outreach and Education: To educate and public and schools about air pollution. http://www.maine.gov/dep/air/education/index.htm

4. Where are the rules found?

• Maine Hazardous Air Pollutants includes federal list of 188 compounds and chemical groups and, other toxic chemicals such as dioxin, furan and PCBs. This site provides information for facilities about reporting emissions of hazardous air pollutants in Maine. A complete list of hazardous air pollutant chemicals and compounds can be found in DEP Rule'sChapter 137, "Emission Statements," Appendix A and on theHAPS List page. http://www.maine.gov/dep/air/emissions/haps-list.htm
• Final Maine Air Toxics Priority List (July 2007; See p 4): http://www.maine.gov/dep/air/toxics/mati.htm#list
• Maine Air Statues: http://www.maine.gov/dep/air/airstat.htm
• Maine Air Rules: http://www.maine.gov/dep/air/airegs.htm
• Maine Air Toxics Advisory Committee: Recommended Air Toxics Strategy: http://www.maine.gov/dep/air/toxics/mati_docs/ATAC_2DEP_2007-06-26_v7.pdf

5. Contact information?

• James Brooks, Director
  james.p.brooks@maine.gov
  Maine Department of Environment Protection
  Bureau of Air Quality
  17 State House Station
  (Located in the Tyson Building AMHI Complex)
  Augusta, Maine 04333
  (207)287-2437
  Fax (207)287-7641

Disclaimer: All information contained in this fact sheet is accurate as of the date specified in the header of this document. ERA accepts no liability for the content of this fact sheet, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. To ensure the accuracy of the information provided, please contact the Environmental Protection Agency. For a more recent revision of this document, please contact ERA at (514) 684-6408.

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