§585-A. Establishment of standards

The board may establish and amend regulations to implement ambient air quality standards and emission standards. These regulations shall be designed to achieve and maintain ambient air quality standards and emission standards within any region and prevent air pollution.   [PL 1989, c. 144, §4 (AMD).]

Prior to the establishment or amendment of rules, the board shall offer an opportunity for a public hearing thereon in accordance with the Maine Administrative Procedure Act, Title 5, chapter 375. The board shall solicit and consider all available information concerning applicable ambient air quality and emission standards; the availability, effectiveness and cost of any air pollution control apparatus designed to prevent or control air pollution or violations of ambient air quality or emission standards which would be required by any proposed rules; and such other evidence as in the board's judgment will enable it to determine and establish rules adequate to maintain applicable ambient air quality and emission standards.   [PL 1989, c. 144, §4 (AMD).]

The board shall establish or amend rules to achieve the purposes set forth in this section. The board may delay the effective date of the rules.   [PL 1989, c. 144, §4 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 890, Pt. A, §40 (AFF); PL 1989, c. 890, Pt. B, §159 (AMD).]

The department shall confer with the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over natural resource matters before it proposes any revisions to the state implementation plan, required in the federal Clean Air Act, Section 110, 42 United States Code, Section 7410, that would require the State to implement new emissions reduction strategies or programs or substantially revise or terminate existing emissions reduction strategies or programs. Notwithstanding any other parts of this section, rules adopted pursuant to this section relating to motor vehicle fuel standards are major substantive rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter II-A.   [PL 1999, c. 107, §1 (AMD).]

SECTION HISTORY

PL 1971, c. 462, §3 (NEW). PL 1971, c. 618, §12 (AMD). PL 1977, c. 300, §41 (AMD). PL 1983, c. 566, §§39,40 (AMD). PL 1987, c. 878, §3 (AMD). PL 1989, c. 144, §4 (AMD). PL 1989, c. 890, §§A40,B159 (AMD). PL 1997, c. 531, §1 (AMD). PL 1999, c. 107, §1 (AMD).