Air Quality State Implementation Plans; Approvals and Promulgations: Kentucky; Campbell-Clermont Area Maintenance Plan for the 2010 1-Hour Sulfur Dioxide National Ambient Air Quality Standards

What it does

• •The EPA approves Kentucky's second 10-year maintenance plan for the Campbell-Clermont area (Kentucky portion) to demonstrate continued compliance with the 2010 1-hour sulfur dioxide air quality standard through 2037.
• •The plan includes an emissions inventory (based on 2016 baseline), monitoring requirements, verification procedures, and contingency measures to address any future violations of the sulfur dioxide standard.
• •This approval covers the Kentucky portion of Campbell County and follows the earlier shutdown of the Walter C. Beckjord power plant in 2014, which reduced sulfur dioxide emissions from approximately 90,851 tons per year to 38 tons per year.

Why it matters

• •The area was originally designated as nonattainment in 2013 due to monitored sulfur dioxide violations; this approval confirms the area has attained and can maintain the federal air quality standard.
• •Maintenance plans under the Clean Air Act require states to demonstrate sustained compliance for 10-year periods after redesignation to prevent future violations and protect public health.

Who is affected

• •The Commonwealth of Kentucky and the Campbell County portion of the Campbell-Clermont maintenance area (a cross-state area also including Pierce Township in Clermont County, Ohio).
• •Air quality regulators and industrial sources subject to sulfur dioxide emission limits in the region.

What happens next

This direct final rule becomes effective November 24, 2026, unless adverse comments are received by October 26, 2026, in which case the EPA will withdraw the rule and issue further notice.