Air Quality State Implementation Plans; Approvals and Promulgations: Alabama; Transportation Conformity

What it does

• •The EPA approves Alabama's revised Transportation Conformity Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed by federal and state transportation and air quality partners and the Birmingham Planning Organization, establishing procedures for interagency consultation, dispute resolution, public participation, and enforceability of transportation control and mitigation measures.
• •The EPA approves minor stylistic changes to Alabama's Transportation Conformity Rule (335-3-17-.01) and General Conformity Rule (335-3-17-.02) to make them consistent with Alabama's Legislative Agency Service Requirements.
• •The revised MOA and rule changes replace the previously approved transportation conformity MOA and are incorporated by reference into the Alabama State Implementation Plan (SIP).

Why it matters

• •The approval makes Alabama's conformity procedures federally enforceable under the Clean Air Act, ensuring that transportation projects in the state meet air quality standards and conformity requirements.
• •The updated MOA clarifies interagency coordination and dispute resolution processes for transportation-related air quality measures, improving consistency and enforceability across state and federal partners.

Who is affected

• •The State of Alabama, the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM), and the Birmingham Planning Organization, which are subject to transportation conformity requirements.
• •Federal and state transportation and air quality agencies involved in interagency consultation and conflict resolution under the MOA.

What happens next

This rule is effective October 26, 2026; petitions for judicial review must be filed in the appropriate U.S. Court of Appeals by November 23, 2026.