Proposed rule · 2026-23235

Air Plan Approval; AK; Fairbanks PM2.5 Boundary Redesignation and Clean Data Determination

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve a request from Alaska to revise the boundary designation of the existing Fairbanks North Star Borough nonattainment area for the 2006 primary 24-hour fine particulate matter (PM<INF>2.5</INF>) National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS). The EPA is proposing to split the existing nonattainment area into two distinct nonattainment areas, an area covering Fairbanks and the Goldstream Valley, and an area covering North Pole. The proposed new areas cover the same geographic area as the existing area. The EPA is also proposing to issue a clean data determination (CDD), for the proposed Fairbanks and Goldstream Valley area ("proposed Fairbanks nonattainment area") based on a determination that the area is attaining the 2006 PM<INF>2.5</INF> NAAQS. If the EPA finalizes this CDD, certain Clean Air Act (CAA) requirements that apply to the proposed Fairbanks nonattainment area will be suspended for so long as the area continues to meet the 2006 24-hour PM<INF>2.5</INF> NAAQS. The EPA is taking this action pursuant to Clean Air Act sections 107, 110, 172, and 189.