General Conformity Training Module 1.4: More Information
1.4.1 Revisions to the General Conformity Regulations
EPA published the initial final General Conformity regulations on November 30, 1993, which became effective in January 1994. In the early 2000's, in anticipation of the first major revision of the regulations, EPA collected information from various Federal agencies on how to maintain existing environmental protections while streamlining the General Conformity evaluation process. This information was used to develop and propose draft revisions to the General Conformity regulations published in 2008. After responding to the comments received from the public, EPA issued a final rulemaking on April 5, 2010. The 2010 revised regulations improved the process federal agencies use to demonstrate that emissions caused by their proposed activities will not contribute to NAAQS violations and would be consistent with the purpose of the applicable air quality implementation plan (AIP). The revisions encouraged better communication and air quality planning between States, Tribes, and Federal agencies, and encouraged all to engage in early coordination to ensure such emissions will conform to the plans to implement the NAAQS. The 2010 revised General Conformity regulations, and additional information, are available on EPA's General Conformity website at https://epa.gov/general-conformity.
1.4.2 General Conformity Questions and Answers
On June 05, 2006, EPA released a memorandum noting recent revisions to EPA's general conformity regulations questions and answers document. The memo is available on EPA's General Conformity website, https://epa.gov/general-conformity/general-conformity-regulatory-actions, under "Revision to General Conformity Applicability Questions and Answers."
1.4.3 General Conformity Q&A: Airports
On September 25, 2002, and September 30, 2004, the Federal Aviation Administration and EPA released documents regarding General Conformity Regulations as applied to airports. These documents are available on EPA's General Conformity website, https://epa.gov/general-conformity/basic-information-about-general-conformity-regulations.
1.4.4 General Conformity Q&A: Contact Information
You can learn more about how General Conformity affects your area by contacting your local or State air quality office or the EPA Regional Office. Links to these air quality offices can be found at https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa.
1.4.5 Where can I get more information on General conformity?
The General conformity regulations are found at 40 CFR part 93, subpart B