Federal Correspondence

Office of the Secretary

March 20, 2024

• PADEP Comments on USEPA’s Draft Guidance for Future National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permitting of Combined Sewer Systems (EPA–HQ–OW–2023–0475)

February 15, 2024

• PADEP comments on USEPA Water Quality Standards to Protect Aquatic Life in the Delaware River proposed rule (EPA-HQ-OW-2023-0222)

February 6, 2024

• Comments in response to EPA’s Notice of Availability – Waste Reduction Model version 16 EPA-HQ-OLEM-2023-0451 (February 6, 2024)

February 5, 2024

• Comments on EPA’s proposed Lead and Copper Rule Improvements EPA-HQ-OW-2022-0801 (February 5, 2024)

December 29, 2023

• PA DEP Comments on USEPA's Clean Water Act § 319 Grant Guidance Update Draft Revision for Public Comment of Nonpoint Source Program and Grants Guidelines for States and Territories (December 29, 2023)

December 19, 2023

• Comments on DOI’s Request for Information to Inform the Orphaned Wells Program Office’s Development of Regulatory Improvement Grants Under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. DOI-2023-0014

December 18, 2023

• Comments on EPA’s Vessel Incident Discharge Act Proposed National Standards of Performance Supplemental Notice. EPA-HQ-OW-2019-0482 (October 18, 2023)

December 11, 2023

• Comments on EPA’s Hazardous and Solid Waste Management System: Disposal of Coal Combustion Residuals from Electric Utilities; Legacy CCR Surface Impoundments. 88 FR 77941 (November 14, 2023)

November 20, 2023

• Comments on EPA’s New Source Performance Standards Review for Volatile Organic Liquid Storage Vessels (Including Petroleum Liquid Storage Vessels). EPA-HQ-OAR-2023-0358.

October 24, 2023

• Comments on EPA’s interim final rulemaking entitled Federal “Good Neighbor Plan” for the 2015 Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards; Response to Additional Judicial Stays of SIP Disapproval Action for Certain States.” 88 Fed. Reg. 49,295 (July 31, 2023). EPA-HQ-OAR-2021-0668

October 5, 2023

• DEP Comments on EPA’s Proposed Revision to the Air Emission Reporting Requirements. (EPA-HQ-OAR-2004-0489)

September 6, 2023

• DEP’s comment letter to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission regarding Equitrans, L.P.; Notice of Scoping Period Requesting Comment on Environmental Issues for the proposed Swarts and Hunters Cave Well Replacement Project; Greene County, Pennsylvania.

August 25, 2023

• DEP’s comment letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regarding the interim final rulemaking entitled Federal “Good Neighbor Plan” for the 2015 Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS); Response to Judicial Stays of SIP Disapproval Action for Certain States. (Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2021-0668)
• Attachment: Memorandum: Notice of Forthcoming EPA Action to Address Additional Judicial Stay Orders

August 8, 2023

• DEP’s comment letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regarding the proposed new rule on the New Source Performance Standards for Greenhouse Gas Emissions from New, Modified, and Reconstructed Fossil Fuel-Fired Electric Generating Units; Emission Guidelines for Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Existing Fossil-Fuel-Fired Electric Generating Units; and Repeal of the Affordable Clean Energy Rule.

June 26, 2023

• DEP’s comment letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regarding the National Emission Standards for hazardous air pollutants: Ethylene Oxide Emissions Standards for Sterilization Facilities Residual Risk and Technology Review

June 23, 2023

• DEP’s comment letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regarding the Interstate Mining Compact Commissions Proposed Rulemaking – Ten-Day Notices and Corrective Action for State Regulatory Program Issues.

June 22, 2023

• DEP’s comment letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regarding the re-designation of certain portions of Cambria and Westmoreland Counties to nonattainment for the 2010 1-hour sulfur dioxide (SO2) National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS).

June 6, 2023

• DEP Comments on EPA’s Review of Emission Standards for Clean Air Act Section 129 Pollutants from the Large Municipal Waste Combustor Source Category (EPA-HQ-OAR-2022-0920)

May 30, 2023

• DEP’s comment letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regarding the proposed PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation rulemaking (EPA-HQ-OW-2022-0114)

March 10, 2023

• DEP’s comment letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regarding the National Enforcement and Compliance Initiatives for Fiscal Years 2024-2027 (EPA-HQ-OECA-2022-0981)

February 8, 2022

• DEP’s comment letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regarding the Proposed “Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) and Nonattainment New Source Review (NNSR): Reconsideration of Fugitive Emissions Rule” (EPA-HQ-OAR-2004-0014)
• DEP’s comment letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regarding the Proposed Standards of Performance for New, Reconstructed, and Modified Sources and Emissions Guidelines for Existing Sources: Oil and Natural Gas Sector Climate Review (EPA-HQ-OAR-2021-0317)

December 19, 2022

• DEP’s comment letter to the U.S. Office of Surface Mining and Reclamation and Enforcement regarding the “Notice of Information and Collection Request Regarding Submission to the Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Grants to States and Tribes.”

December 13, 2022

• DEP submits comments on EPA’s forthcoming proposed Lead and Copper Rule Improvements
  

December 5, 2022

• DEP and DCNR joint comment letter on EPA’s Request for Information: Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Reduction Fund.
• DEP submits a multi-state comment letter to EPA regarding its Request for Information: Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund

November 7, 2022

• DEP comments on EPA proposed rule: Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act Hazardous Substances: Designation of Perfluorooctanoic Acid and Perfluorooctanesulfonic Acid

July 11, 2022

• DEP submits comments to EPA regarding its proposed rulemaking, “ Federal Implementation Plan Addressing Reasonably Available Control Technology Requirements for Certain Sources in Pennsylvania”.
• Enclosure

June 20, 2022

• DEP comments on EPA’s Proposed Rulemaking: Federal Implementation Plan Addressing Regional Ozone Transport for the 2015 Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard

January 31, 2022

• DEP comments on EPA’s Proposed Rule “Standards of Performance for New, Reconstructed, and Modified Sources and Emissions Guidelines for Existing Sources: Oil and Natural Gas Sector Climate Review”

December 2, 2021

• DEP Comments on EPA’s Proposed Disapproval of the Interstate Transport Requirements for the 2008 Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards; New York and New Jersey.

August 2, 2021

• DEP Comments on EPA’s Notice of Intention to Reconsider and Revise the Clean Water Act Section 401 Certification Rule

May 13, 2021

• DEP Comments on Proposed Census Criteria for Urban Areas

April 19, 2021

• DEP Comments on EPA’s proposed rule: E15 Fuel Dispenser Labeling and Compatibility with Underground Storage Tanks

April 7, 2021

• DEP Comments on the Ozone Transport Commission Petition Recommendation

March 5, 2021

• DEP Comments on EPA’s draft National Recycling Goal

February 19, 2021

• DEP Comments on EPA’s Interim PFAS Destruction and Disposal Guidance

November 16, 2020

• DEP Comments on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Proposed Reissuance of Nationwide Permits

June 15, 2020

• DEP Comments to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on the New England Ratepayer Association’s Net Metering Petition

May 11, 2020

• PA DEP Comments on EPA Begin Actual Construction Guidance

April 28, 2020

• PA Comments on Proposed NPDES Electronic Reporting Rule - Phase 2 Extension

March 10, 2020

• PA Comments on Proposed NEPA Regulation Updates

February 20, 2020

• PA DEP Comments on Control of Air Pollution from New Motor Vehicles: Heavy-Duty Engine Standards

February 12, 2020

• PA DEP Comments on Revisions to the Lead and Copper Rule

February 10, 2020

• PA DEP Comments on National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Ethylene Oxide Commercial Sterilization and Fumigation Operations

November 25, 2019

• PA DEP Comments on Oil and Natural Gas Sector: Emission Standards for New, Reconstructed, and Modified Sources Review (PDF)

November 4, 2019

• DEP Comments on DOE Proposed Rule on Incandescent Light Bulb Energy Standards (PDF)
  

October 31, 2019

• PA Comments on Determination of HABs and Hypoxia Event (PDF)
  

October 22, 2019

• DEP Comments on Reclassification of Major Sources as Area Sources Proposed Rule (PDF)
  

October 21, 2019

• DEP Comments on Water Certification Proposed Rule (PDF)
  

October 15, 2019

• DEP Comments on Disposal of Coal Combustion Residuals (PDF)
  

October 4, 2019

• DEP Comments on EPA Project Emissions Accounting Rule (PDF)
  

September 13, 2019

• PA DEP Comments on Draft Technical Support Document: Implementing the 2018 Recommended Aquatic Life Water Quality Criteria for Aluminum (PDF)

July 22, 2109

• DEP Comments on EPA’s Draft Method 8327 for Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Using External Standard Calibration and Multiple Reaction Monitoring (MRM) Liquid Chromatography/Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) (PDF)
  

May 24, 2019

• Joint Letter to EPA Regarding Clean Water Act Section 401 Water Quality Certifications (PDF)
  

April 17, 2019

• DEP comments on proposed rulemaking entitled National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Coal - and Oil-Fired Electric Utility Steam Generating Units – Reconsideration of Supplemental Finding and Residual Risk and Technology Review. (PDF)

April 15, 2019

• Comment Letter to EPA and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on Revised Definition of “Waters of the United States” Proposed Rulemaking (PDF)
  

March 18, 2019

• DEP comments on the proposed rulemaking entitled Review of Standards of Performance for Greenhouse Gas Emissions from New, Modified, and Reconstructed Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units (PDF)

January 29, 2019

• Supplemental DEP Comment Letter to EPA and NHTSA on the SAFE Rule (PDF)

January 18, 2019

• Joint Comment Letter with DOH to EPA on Draft Human Health Toxicity Values for GenX Chemicals and PFBS (PDF)
  

October 26, 2018

• DEP Comment Letter to EPA and NHTSA on the SAFE Rule (PDF)

December 17, 2018

• DEP Comment Letter to EPA on the Oil and Natural Gas Sector New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) 0000a Reconsideration Amendments (PDF)

October 31, 2018

• DEP Comment Letter to EPA on the "Affordable Clean Energy" Rule (PDF)

October 26, 2018

• DEP Comment Letter to EPA and NHTSA on the SAFE Rule (PDF)

July 13, 2018

• Joint letter to EPA: Request for Withdrawal or Administrative Stay Of United States Environmental Protection Agency's "Conditional No Action Assurance Regarding Small Manufacturers of Glider Vehicles" (PDF)

April 23, 2018

• DEP comments submitted to EPA on Proposed Withdrawal of the Control Techniques Guidelines (CTG) for the Oil and Natural Gas Industry (PDF)

April 13, 2018

• DEP comments submitted to EPA on the Repeal of the Carbon Pollution Emission Guidelines for Existing Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units (Clean Power Plan) (PDF)

April 2, 2018

• Joint letter to EPA on the weakening of light-duty vehicle GHG standards (PDF)

February 26, 2018

• DEP comments submitted to EPA on the Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on the State Guidelines for Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Existing Electric Utility Generating Units (PDF)

November 1, 2017

• DEP comments submitted to EPA on EPA's Draft Fiscal Years 2018-2022 Strategic Plan (PDF)

October 26, 2017

• DEP comments submitted to EPA regarding EPA's Request for Scientific Views: Draft Updated Aquatic Life Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Aluminum in Freshwater (PDF)

June 19, 2017

• Joint Letter on Proposal to Revise the Clean Water Act Regulatory Definition of "Waters of the United States" (PDF)

June 8, 2017

• Joint Letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt on Midterm Evaluation of Emission Standards for Passenger Cars and Light Duty Trucks (PDF)

May 15, 2017

• DEP comments submitted to EPA regarding Executive Order 13777 "Enforcing the Regulatory Reform Agenda" (PDF)

Safe Drinking Water

Maintaining an effective Safe Drinking Water program is an important goal for both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Pennsylvania has "primacy," or the responsibility of enforcing EPA's Safe Drinking Water regulations, which are administered by DEP. The following correspondence between EPA and DEP reflects concerns from the EPA regarding DEP's staff and resource levels as they pertain to fulfilling the primacy responsibilities.

• Letter from DEP to EPA, January 18, 2018 (PDF)
• Letter from DEP to EPA, July 24, 2017 (PDF)
• Letter to EPA from DEP, July 3, 2017 (PDF)
• Letter from EPA to DEP, December 30, 2016 (PDF)
• Letter from DEP to EPA, February 24, 2017 (PDF)

More information on the proposed fee package described in this letter can be found here (PDF).

• Letter from EPA to DEP, April 12, 2017 (PDF)

March 16, 2017

• Letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt (PDF)