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What is the Ozone Transport Commission (OTC)?

Michael Forlini | Aug 8, 2008

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The Ozone Transport Commission (OTC) comprises the states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, the northern counties of Virginia, and the District of Columbia. In September 1994, the OTC adopted a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to achieve regional emission reductions of NOx. (However, Virginia was not a signatory of the MOU.) The OTC is responsible for advising EPA on transport issues and for developing and implementing regional solutions and reductions to the ground-level ozone problem in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions.

In order to achieve these reductions, the OTC states in collaboration with the U.S. EPA, as well as representatives from industry, utilities, and environmental groups, developed a model rules for a number of source categories and estimated emission reduction benefits from implementing these model rules. These model rules were designed for use by states in developing their own regulations to achieve additional emission reductions to close emission shortfalls. The model rule also identifies key elements that should be consistent among the regulations in all participating states. The elements determined in the model rule include: program applicability, control period, NOx emissions limitations, emissions monitoring, record keeping of emissions and allowances, and electronic reporting requirements.

The OTC States are responsible for enacting regulations consistent with the model rule in order to achieve the region-wide NOx reductions in a consistent, enforceable manner. Each state is also responsible for identifying its budget sources and allocating its allotment of NOx allowances among the sources in the state. States must also ensure that sources are in compliance with all of the requirements of the program.

For example, the Consumer Products Rule has impacted the sales of consumer goods containing volatile organic compound emissions. In doing so, the Consumer Products Rule established standards that reduce emission of volatile organic compounds from certain categories of consumer products. Consumer products include hundreds of individual products, including personal care products, household products, automotive aftermarket products, FIFRA related insecticides, coatings and related products (except architectural and maintenance coatings), and other miscellaneous products like Aerosol Adhesives.

For more information on the OTC, go to:

http://www.otcair.org/about.asp

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