Final rule · 2026-16334

Determination To Defer Sanctions; Arizona; Maricopa County Air Quality Department; Gasoline Loading

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is making an interim final determination that the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) has submitted rules on behalf of the Maricopa County Air Quality Department (MCAQD or "County") that addresses deficiencies in its Clean Air Act (CAA or "Act") State Implementation Plan (SIP) concerning emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOC) from loading of organic liquids and gasoline. This determination is based on a proposed approval of MCAQD Rule 352 and conditional approval of MCAQD Rule 353, published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register, that regulate this category of sources. The effect of this interim final determination is that the application of offset and highway sanctions that was triggered by a previous limited disapproval by the EPA in 2025 is now deferred. If the EPA finalizes its approval and conditional approval of MCAQD's submission, relief from these sanctions will become permanent.