The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC), Division of Air Quality (AQ), will conduct a virtual public hearing on Wednesday October 28, 2026, beginning at 6 p.m. (Docket # 2026-R-A-0007) on a proposed revision to Delaware’s State Implementation Plan (SIP).

On February 7, 2024, and December 11, 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) promulgated a revised annual primary fine particulate matter (PM_2.5)and secondary sulfur dioxide (SO₂)National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), respectively. The EPA changed the annual primary PM_2.5 NAAQS from 12.0 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m³) to 9.0 µg/m³ and the secondary SO₂ NAAQSfrom 0.5 parts per million as a 3-hour average, not to be exceeded more than once in a year, to an annual standard with a level of 10 parts per billion, averaged over 3 years.

The Clean Air Act requires states to submit an infrastructure plan within three years after the promulgation of a revised or new NAAQS. Infrastructure plans address how states will implement, maintain, and enforce the 2024 annual primary PM_2.5 and secondary SO₂ NAAQS. This proposed infrastructure plan demonstrates that Delaware has the legal and programmatic infrastructure in place to enforce the 2024 PM_2.5 and SO₂ standards.

For additional information regarding the hearing visit de.gov/dnrechearings or to view the proposed SIP revisions visit regulations.delaware.gov/register/current_issue beginning October 1, 2026. For any questions or to view the proposed SIP revisions in person, by appointment-only, contact Jasmine Steward, at Division of Air Quality, 100 W Water St, Dover, Delaware, 19904, or via phone 302-739-9402 or by email at Jasmine.Steward@delaware.gov.

The weblink to the virtual hearing can be accessed through the DNREC Public Hearing site at de.gov/dnrechearings. If prompted for a password, please use: 465982. To access the audio-only portion of the virtual hearing, dial 1-305-224-1968 and enter the Meeting ID 822 3546 2853. Language assistance is available by request within 10 days of the hearing. Closed captioning is available via the Zoom virtual meeting tool.

Those wishing to offer verbal comments during DNREC public hearings must pre-register no later than noon of the date of the virtual hearing at de.gov/dnreccomments or by telephone at 302-739-9001.

The Department will accept public comment through Thursday, November 12, 2026. Comments will be accepted in written form via email to DNRECHearingComments@delaware.gov, or by using the online form at de.gov/dnreccomments, or by U.S. mail to the following address:

Theresa Smith, Hearing Officer
DNREC – Office of the Secretary
89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901

Related Topics:  air quality, particulates, public comment, public hearing, public notice, state implementation plan, sulfur dioxide