Air and climate
Air permits, emissions limits, greenhouse gas programs such as RGGI, and building performance rules. What changed, the rules that apply and the dates ahead for projects in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and Pennsylvania.
Latest briefings
- MediumNew Jersey
New Jersey holds October 15 hearings on a tighter power plant carbon cap from 2027
A pending state proposal would align New Jersey’s carbon allowance program with the regional model rule from January 2027; comments close November 7, and a separate hearing addresses allowance prices and bills.
ProposedAir & climateEnergy & grid - HighPennsylvania
Federal: Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and central Pennsylvania counties may face stricter air permits under soot standard
EPA has signaled which areas may be found to violate the 2024 fine-particle standard, including four South Jersey counties. Comments close November 5; final designations are due by February 6, 2027.
ProposedAir & climate - MediumFairfield County, CT
Connecticut grants contested hearing on Brookfield gas compressor expansion before air permits issue, groups report
State environmental regulators have granted a trial-type hearing on air permits for two new gas turbines at the Iroquois pipeline's Brookfield station, according to Save the Sound; no date is set.
ProposedAir & climateEnergy & grid - MediumNew York
New York City reports 95% of properties filed under building emissions law; stricter limits start 2030
The Department of Buildings' first-year report on Local Law 97 shows 95% of large buildings' owners filed for 2024 and 95% of Article 320 filers met their limit. Owners that did not file or exceeded limits face notices and penalties; the 2030 limits are stricter.
LocalAir & climate - MediumPennsylvania
Federal rule limits challenges to construction air permits through operating-permit reviews, effective October 26
A final federal rule says preconstruction air permits issued with public comment and court review define a plant's requirements in its operating permit, narrowing grounds for federal objections and citizen petitions.
FinalAir & climate - MediumMiddlesex County, NJ
New Jersey weighs diesel generator permit for South Brunswick data center; comments now due November 9
A draft state air permit for twelve emergency diesel generators at a data center under construction on Route 1 drew a crowded hearing, a neighboring town's objection and a longer comment period.
ProposedData centersAir & climate - HighCumberland County, NJ
New Jersey fines Vineland data center $1.07 million for running 62 unpermitted gas generators
The state's largest penalty against a data center gives the developer 45 days to obtain air permits or stop running the generators, a warning for projects using on-site bridge power.
- MediumPennsylvania
Federal rule drops carbon capture mandate for new gas plants and repeals limits on existing units
EPA's September 17 rule, effective November 16, removes carbon capture requirements for new baseload gas turbines and existing coal and gas units, while a broader repeal proposal takes comments until November 2.
- MediumNew York
New York finalizes tighter carbon cap on power plants, effective January 1, 2027
DEC and NYSERDA adopted amendments, effective January 1, 2027, that lower the CO2 allowance budget, add a second cost-containment tier, raise the minimum reserve price and end offsets. The changes bear on electricity generating units and on projects whose economics depend on them.
- MediumNew York
New York defers greenhouse gas reporting enforcement dates after May climate-law amendments
DEC will not enforce several 2026 and 2027 reporting dates in its mandatory emissions rule while it develops amendments to that rule. The state's climate act was amended on May 26, 2026; published summaries report that the deadline for implementing regulations moved to December 31, 2028.
FinalAir & climate
Rules 23
- New Jersey · N.J.S.A. 26:2C; N.J.A.C. 7:27-8, 7:27-22Air permits for generators and engines
- Federal · Clean Air Act § 107(d), 42 U.S.C. 7407(d); 91 Fed. Reg. 63516 (Oct. 6, 2026); Docket EPA-HQ-OAR-2024-0078Area designations under the 2024 annual fine-particle (PM2.5) standard
- Federal · 40 CFR 61.145Asbestos notice before demolition and renovation
- New Jersey · P.L. 2026, c.75 (S3379/A4096)Data centre energy and water reporting
- New Jersey · P.L. 2021, c. 171; N.J.S.A. 40:55D-66.18 to -66.21Electric vehicle make-ready parking for new development
- New Jersey · P.L. 2018, c.17 (N.J.S.A. 48:3-87.10b); BPU Order QO21071023Energy and water benchmarking for large buildings
- Federal · 40 CFR Part 745, Subpart ELead-safe renovation of pre-1978 housing and child-occupied buildings
- New Jersey · P.L. 2024, c.66 (S2188)Legionella water management for buildings
- New Jersey · N.J.A.C. 7:27C (proposed amendments)Tighter carbon allowance cap for power plants (RGGI update)
- New York · ECL Article 19; 6 NYCRR Parts 201, 222, 227Air permits for generators and combustion sources
- New York · 10 NYCRR Subpart 4-1; 24 RCNY Ch. 8; NYC Admin Code 28-317.5Cooling tower Legionella rules
- New York · ECL Article 75; 6 NYCRR Part 253Mandatory greenhouse gas reporting
- New York · Local Law 154 of 2021; Admin. Code 24-177.1NYC all-electric new buildings (Local Law 154)
- New York · NYC Admin. Code 28-320 (Local Law 97 of 2019)NYC building emissions limits (Local Law 97)
- New York · 1 RCNY 5000-01 and 101-07 (proposed amendments)NYC energy code filing rule update (proposed)
- New York · 6 NYCRR Part 494Refrigerant limits for new cooling systems
- Connecticut · C.G.S. 29-252, 29-252b; PA 26-58; 2026 State Building Code2026 State Building Code (pending)
- Connecticut · C.G.S. 22a-174; R.C.S.A. 22a-174-3a, -3b, -3cAir permits for new sources and generators
- Connecticut · C.G.S. 22a-174; R.C.S.A. 22a-174-31 and 22a-174-31a (proposed amendments, PR2025-028)Power plant CO2 cap update (RGGI, from 2027)
- Connecticut · C.G.S. 22a-449(d); R.C.S.A. 22a-449(d)-1, -101 to -114Underground and aboveground storage tank rules
- Pennsylvania · 25 Pa. Code Ch. 127; DEP GP-1, GP-9, GP-11, GP-16Air general permits for generators and boilers
- Pennsylvania · 35 P.S. § 4001 et seq.; 25 Pa. Code Ch. 127Air plan approvals and operating permits
- Pennsylvania · Phila. Code Title 9; OOS BEPP regulationsPhiladelphia building energy benchmarking and tune-ups
Coming up
- New Jersey · Registration or filing dueReservation deadline for the RGGI joint hearing
- New Jersey · Hearing or decisionHearing on proposed RGGI carbon cap update
- New York · Compliance deadlineAnnual cooling tower certification due
- Federal · Report duePM2.5 designations: states' additional information requested
- New York · Takes effectNYC cooling tower law (Chapter 206 of 2026) takes effect
- Federal · Comments closePM2.5 designations: comments close
- New Jersey · Comments closeComments close on proposed RGGI carbon cap update
- Federal · Hearing or decisionPM2.5 designations: EPA's court-ordered deadline for final designations