EPA Defers Sanctions for Maricopa County Gasoline Loading Rules
The EPA is pausing offset and highway sanctions after determining Arizona corrected deficiencies in its volatile organic compound emission rules [1].
The EPA has issued an interim final determination to defer the application of offset and highway sanctions for the Phoenix-Mesa ozone nonattainment area. This action follows a preliminary finding that the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality submitted revised rules on behalf of the Maricopa County Air Quality Department (MCAQD) that correct previous deficiencies regarding volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from gasoline loading.
The deferral is based on the proposed approval of MCAQD Rule 352 and the conditional approval of MCAQD Rule 353. These rules were designed to satisfy the reasonably available control technology (RACT) requirements of the Clean Air Act for organic liquid and gasoline loading sources.
Sanctions were originally triggered by a limited disapproval in 2025. Under the Clean Air Act, offset sanctions were set to trigger 18 months after February 10, 2025, with highway sanctions following six months later.
The EPA invoked a good cause exception under the Administrative Procedures Act to implement this deferral immediately, as it would be unfair to the state and its residents to keep sanctions in effect after the agency determined the submittal is approvable.
This interim determination is effective August 11, 2026. Relief from the sanctions will become permanent if the EPA finalizes the approval and conditional approval of the MCAQD submission.