The Division for Air Quality is one of six divisions in the Department for Environmental Protection that is part of the Energy and Environment Cabinet. We are here to serve you, whether you are a permit holder, a technical or legal consultant, a member of an environmental organization or a citizen interested in what we do.

Our division emphasizes good stewardship of our environment. Air pollution should be prevented or reduced whenever possible. In addition to our air monitoring and permitting programs, we work with counties and local communities to find strategies to reduce air pollution. The division also offers free air quality education and outreach to all ages and audiences. Please contact the many dedicated employees of our division if we can be of service to you. 

On Nov. 16, 2016, the State of Maryland, through the Department of the Environment (MDE) petitioned the EPA to abate the emissions from thirty-six (36) coal-fired electric generating units in five upwind states that supposedly contribute to Maryland's nonattainment with the ozone national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS) revised in 2008. In the petition, MDE identified three (3) Kentucky emission sources as purportedly contributing to MDE's failure to attain the 2008 ozone national ambient air quality standards. The Kentucky sources are identified as East Bend Unit 2, Elmer Smith Unit 1, and Paradise Unit 3 and MDE specifically requests EPA to impose more stringent emission limitations for nitrogen oxides (NOx), 0.067 lb/mmBtu, 0.159 lb/mmBtu and 0.120 lb/mmBtu, respectively. On Dec. 2, 2016, the Energy and Environment Cabinet (Cabinet) requested the Administrator of the EPA to deny the petition filed by the state of Maryland pursuant to Section 126(b) of the Clean Air Act.