December 30, 2011

David Conroy
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency  -  Region 1
5 Post Office Square, Suite 100
Boston, MA 02109-3912

Dear Mr. Conroy:

I am pleased to submit a Final Massachusetts Regional Haze State Implementation Plan (SIP) to fulfill the requirements of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) Regional Haze Program Requirements as set forth in 40 CFR 51.308.

The Regional Haze SIP addresses Massachusetts' contribution to visibility impairment at Class I areas and was developed in coordination with the Mid-Atlantic/Northeast Visibility Union (MANE-VU) regional planning organization. 

As you know, because Massachusetts was not included in EPA's final Cross-State Air Pollution Rule, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) must revise its strategy for addressing Electric Generating Units (EGUs).  MassDEP plans to re-propose portions of the SIP in February 2012 that will include an Alternative to Best Available Retrofit Technology (BART) covering EGUs and a revised Targeted EGU Strategy.  At that time, MassDEP also plans to propose associated facility permit modifications and low sulfur oil regulations as agreed to by the MANE-VU states.  MassDEP intends to finalize and submit to EPA the revised SIP portions, permits, and low sulfur regulations in June 2012. 

If you have any questions or need additional information regarding this submittal, please contact Glenn Keith at 617-292-5874.  



Sincerely,


Nancy L. Seidman
Deputy Assistant Commissioner for Climate Strategies

cc: 	Anne McWilliams, EPA Region I
      Ann Arnold, EPA Region I
      Tim Allen, USFWS
      Holly Salazer, NPS
      Ralph Perron, USFS


Enclosures: 
Massachusetts Regional Haze State Implementation Plan
Appendices (on compact disc)


