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Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
What are accumulated pollution credits?
The Texas Discrete Emission Credit Banking and Trading Program (DERC program) is an Open Market Trading Program. In an open market trading program a source generates pollution credits by reducing its emissions over a discrete time period. Once a DERC is generated the source can use the emission credit to temporarily exceed permit limits or for SIP compliance, the emission credit can also be banked for use at a later date or sold/traded to another source.
The plan being announced today significantly limits the use of these pollution credits.
1. Why is EPA proposing a conditional approval of the DFW SIP?
2. What are accumulated pollution credits?
3. What measures are included in the DFW SIP?
4. Will the measures in the DFW SIP bring the area into attainment? How soon?
5. When will EPA consider final approval for the DFW SIP?
6. How does the new 8-hour ozone standard (0.075 ppm) impact this plan?
7. Will the state have to draft a new SIP once the new 8-hour standard goes into effect?
8. Why didn’t the DFW area just request a ‘bump up’ like Houston?
9. How long did it take the TCEQ to develop the DFW SIP?
10. How long did it take EPA to review the DFW SIP?
11. What is the significance of Texas being first in the nation to have its SIP approved?
12. Why is EPA taking public comments on the proposed approval?
13. When are the public comments due?
14. What will EPA do with the public comments?
15. What are the major controls in the DFW 8-hour SIP passed by TCEQ on May 23, 2007?
16. Isn't it true that the modeling that has been conducted does NOT predict attainment of the 8 hour standard at all DFW monitors?
17. What has been done to improve the Dallas Fort Worth 8-hour Ozone SIP since it was submitted to EPA Region 6?
18. What are the major measures and factors that make up the Weight of Evidence argument?
19. What would be the consequences if EPA did not approve the DFW 8-hour SIP?
20. What are our options if we approve the SIP and the area does not reach attainment by the June 15, 2010 attainment date?
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