Maryland Air Fact Sheet

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

• The state of Maryland 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. In addition, Maryland has its own TAPs. See: http://www.mde.state.md.us/assets/document/Air/Air_toxics_list.pdf

2. Which state organization manages air pollution regulations?

• Air and Radiation Program: The Maryland Department of Environment Houses http://www.mde.state.md.us/Programs/index.asp the Air and Radiation Program http://www.mde.state.md.us/Programs/AirPrograms/index.asp. This program administers air pollution monitoring, planning, and control programs to improve and maintain air quality. The Department also administers a radiation control program in conformance with federal law. The programs are geared to protect the health and welfare of both the citizens and the environment of Maryland.

3. What are the specific responsibilities of the Air Program?

• Ambient Air Monitoring Program: Responsible for measuring ground-level concentrations of criteria pollutants, air toxics, and meteorology; http://www.mde.state.md.us/programs/airprograms/monitoring/index.asp
• Air Quality Compliance Program: Works to ensure compliance at stationary sources of air pollution. The Compliance staff conducts inspections, responds to complaints, provides compliance assistance and pursues enforcement actions when necessary; http://www.mde.state.md.us/programs/airprograms/air_compliance/index.asp
• Air Quality Permits : Provides information on air quality permits to construct and operate; http://www.mde.state.md.us/programs/airprograms/air_permitting/index.asp
•  Mobile Sources Control Program: Implement measures and programming that will reduce motor vehicle related pollution; http://www.mde.state.md.us/programs/airprograms/mobile_sources/index.asp
• Air Quality Planning; Designed to attain and maintain the National Ambient Air Quality Standards, and to prevent significant deterioration of air quality in areas cleaner than the standards. http://www.mde.state.md.us/programs/airprograms/air_planning/index.asp
• Radiologic Health Program: To control the uses of radiation and to protect public health and safety and the environment from inadvertent and unnecessary radiation exposure http://www.mde.state.md.us/programs/airprograms/radiological_health/index.asp

4. Where are the rules found?

• The Toxic Air Pollutant (TAP) regulations: Promulgated in September 1988 to protect the Maryland public from TAP emissions from stationary sources of air pollution. This list is distinct from the federal list of HAPs. The Maryland TAP list and plant level thresholds can be found at: http://www.mde.state.md.us/assets/document/Air/Air_toxics_list.pdf Total facility emissions below these threshold levels need not be reported.
• Maryland Toxic Air Pollutants and threshold levels: http://www.mde.state.md.us/assets/document/Air/Air_toxics_list.pdf
• Maryland Environmental Laws and Regulations: http://www.mde.state.md.us/ResearchCenter/laws_regs/index.asp
• Maryland Facts sheet of Toxic Air Pollutants: A summary of Maryland's toxic air pollution regulations and compliance issues. http://www.mde.state.md.us/assets/document/permit/summary_tap.pdf
• Toxic Air Pollution Assistance Document: This document contains ambient impact air requirements. http://www.mde.state.md.us/Permits/AirManagementPermits/Toxic_Air/index.asp .

5. Contact information?

• Nolan Penny
  Maryland Department of the Environment
  1800 Washington Blvd., Baltimore, MD 21230.
  410-537-3000
  Nolan Penney
  npenney@mde.state.md.us

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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