Summary of Fairbanks Carbon Monoxide (CO) Attainment Plan

Background

The urban portion of the Fairbanks North Star Borough (FNSB) was designated in 1990 as a nonattainment area for CO and classified as moderate. Fairbanks was reclassified as a serious nonattainment area for failing to attain the ambient eight-hour CO health standard by the December 31, 1995, deadline on March 30, 1998. 

A new plan was required by October 1, 1999, however an attainment plan was not submitted to EPA by the deadline. 

On April 3, 2000, the EPA published a Federal Register Notice (65 FR 17444 (pdf) (2 pp, 215 KB)) stating that initial, mandatory sanctions would be triggered if a new plan was not submitted by October 2, 2001.

In March 2001, Fairbanks and the Department of Environmental Conservation submitted a request to EPA for an extension of the attainment date from December 31, 2000 to December 31, 2001. On May 25, 2001, EPA granted approval (66 FR 28836 (pdf) (4 pp, 137 KB)).

Alaska submitted a new plan on August 30, 2001, and EPA approved the plan on February 4, 2002 (67 FR 5064 (pdf) (6 pp, 151 KB)).

Summary

The plan’s goals and objectives focus on enhancements to the existing vehicle Inspection & Maintenance (I/M) program, including technical improvements through the Alaska2000 equipment upgrades, support of ADEC enforcement efforts, implementation of onboard diagnostic checks, electrical plug-ins to facilitate the use of block heaters for employee parking spaces, and public awareness campaigns to boost transit rider ship.

Rules

• 40 CFR Part 86, Federal Motor Vehicle Emission Control Program 
• 18 AAC 52, Emissions Inspection and Maintenance (I/M) Requirements for Motor Vehicles

Ordinances

• Ordinance No. 91-044, October 1991, Requiring the Borough to issue twice-daily CO forecasts during the months of November through February.
• Ordinance No. 99-087, December 9, 1999, Continuing the I/M Program. 
• Ordinance No. 2001-17, April 12, 2001, Mandating a Fairbanks North Star Borough Motor Vehicle Plug-in Program.

Contingency Measures

Measures are focused on expanded transit operations, increasing the number of parking spaces equipped with electrical plug-in units, and road system improvements. Fairbanks is implementing these measures early.

Attainment Date

December 31, 2001

EPA Effective Date

April 5, 2002