WESTAR Comments on EPA’s Regional Haze Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

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On November 24, 2025 WESTAR submitted comments to the docket for EPA’s Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM). The comments addressed each of EPA’s eighteen main questions within the ANPRM from questions about a potential reasonable progress metric to interstate and Federal Land Manager consultation. WESTAR also encouraged EPA to continue working with the states to craft the regional haze rule revisions and to delay the start of the third planning period. You can read the full letter here.

WESTAR Comments on Potential Revisions to Regional Haze Rule

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On July 9, 2025 WESTAR sent comments to EPA related to anticipated revisions to the Regional Haze Rule. While there is no draft rule to review or comment on, we asked EPA to consider several core principles to the regional haze program as they draft the rule. WESTAR also reiterated the importance of cooperative federalism when undertaking such impactful rulemaking. You can read the full letter here.

Comments on EPA’s proposal to extend the third round Regional Haze deadline

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In a Federal Register notice, EPA proposed to extend the SIP submittal deadline for the third implementation period from July 2028, to July 2031. WESTAR commented on the proposal in the Federal Register. WESTAR agrees with EPA’s proposal and additionally, requested that EPA extend the fourth, and subsequent implementation period deadlines so that they are all ten to fifteen years long. This is consistent with Section 169A of the Clean Air Act. You can read WESTAR’s comments here.

WESTAR Comments – Large Municipal Waste Combustors

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On March 25, 2024, WESTAR submitted a comment letter to EPA on their proposed rule regarding large municipal waste combustors. WESTAR commented specifically in favor of the proposal to exclude air curtain incinerators from Title V requirements when they are used to burn wood waste, yard waste, and clean lumber and are not located at a major source or subject to title V for other reasons.

EPA releases grant guidance for planning grants under CPRG

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On March 1, 2023, EPA released grant program guidance for $250 million in planning grants under the IRA Climate Pollution Reduction Grant program to states, metropolitan areas, Tribes and territories. The grants are phase 1 of the program and are for developing plans that include strategies for reducing pollution. More information can be found here.

Important dates for Phase 1:

States must submit notice of intent to apply by March 31, 2023 and grant applications by April 28, 2023

The 67 most populous metropolitan areas in the U.S. must submit notice of intent to apply by April 28, 2023 and grant applications by May 31, 2023.

Tribes and territories must submit grant applications by June 15, 2023.

Awards will be made in the summer of 2023.