EPA Finalizes Transportation
Conformity Rule: MOVES Regional
Grace Period Extension
EPA is taking final action to extend the grace period an additional
year before the MOtor Vehicle Emission Simulator model
(MOVES) is required for regional emissions analyses for transporta-
tion conformity determinations ("regional conformity analyses")*
MOVES1 is EPA's state-of-the-art model for estimating emissions
from highway vehicles, based on analyses of millions of emission test
results and considerable advances in the Agency's understanding of
vehicle emissions.
This final rule ensures that air quality is protected and clarifies requirements for
implementers under the extended grace period for regional conformity analyses,
EPA has worked closely with the U.S. Department of Transportation to develop this
final rule.
Background
Transportation conformity is a Clean Air Act requirement that ensures that fed-
erally supported highway and transit projects are consistent with state air quality
implementation plans (SIPs). Conformity helps protect public health through early
consideration of the air quality impacts of transportation decisions in places where
air quality does not currently meet federal National Ambient Air Quality Standards
(NAAQS) or has not met them in the past.
1 EPA notes that any reference to "MOVES" in this Fact Sheet refers to the approved version of
MOVES2010 and subsequent minor revision (e.g., MOVESZOlOa). EPA will note at the time of a
future model release whether an aproved model is a minor revision to MOVES2010.
SEPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of Transportation and Air Quality
EPA-420-F-12-002
February 2012
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Key Elements of the Final Rule
• This rule provides an additional year to the previously established two-year conformity
grace period. As a result, MOVES is not required for new regional conformity analyses
after March 2, 2013.
• This final rule is based on unique circumstances presented by the transition to MOVES
from the previous emissions model. Several state and local transportation and air quality
agencies have requested additional transition time for using MOVES in regional conformity
analyses, due to the significant software, operational and technical differences between
MOVES and the previous emissions model, MOBILE,
• This action does not affect EPA's previous approval of the use of MOVES in official SIP
submissions or the existing grace period before MOVES is required for carbon monoxide
and particulate matter hot-spot analyses for project-level conformity determinations
(75 FR 79370).
Health and Environmental Benefits
The final rule ensures that transportation activities are consistent with air quality goals of the
transportation conformity program. The final rule ensures that all nonattainment and maintenance
areas use conformity tests that ensure air quality progress continues in areas that need to attain
or maintain the NAAQS,
For More Information
You can access documents on transportation conformity on EPA's Office of Transportation and
Air Quality Web site at:
www.epa.gov/otaq/stateresources/transconf/index.htm
For further information on this final rule, please contact:
Meg Patulski
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Transportation and Air Quality
2000 Traverwood Drive
Ann Arbor, MI48105
734-214-4842
E-mail: patulski.meg@epa.gov
Or
Astrid Larsen
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Transportation and Air Quality
2000 Traverwood Drive
Ann Arbor, MI 48105
734-214-4812
E-mail: larsen.astrid@epa.gov
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