For more information on how to submit comments, visit the Part B implementation web page. The comment period end date is March 10, 2023.EPA Proposes To Strengthen PM2.5 NAAQS: On January 27, 2023, based on its reconsideration of the air quality criteria and the national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for PM, EPA proposed to revise the primary annual PM2.5 standard by lowering the level. 88 Fed. Reg. 5558. EPA proposed to retain the current primary 24-hour PM2.5 standard and the primary 24-hour PM10 standard. EPA also proposed not to change the secondary 24-hour PM2.5 standard, secondary annual PM2.5 standard, and secondary 24-hour PM10 standard at this time. EPA also proposed revisions to other key aspects related to the PM NAAQS, including revisions to the Air Quality Index (AQI) and monitoring requirements for the PM NAAQS. Comments are due March 28, 2023.EPA announced on January 31, 2023, that it will hold a virtual public hearing on February 21, 2023, and February 22, 2023. 88 Fed. Reg. 6215. EPA states that if it receives a high volume of registrations for the public hearing, it may continue the public hearing on February 23, 2023. According to EPA, the public hearing will provide interested parties the opportunity to present data, views, or arguments concerning EPA’s proposed decisions in the reconsideration of the PM NAAQS.Congressional Democrats Urge EPA To Strengthen Proposed RMP Rule To Protect Americans From Chemical Accidents: On January 27, 2023, Senator Tom Carper (D-DE), Chair of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, and Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), as well as 47 other congressional colleagues, sent a letter to EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan urging the Agency to strengthen protections for workers, environmental justice communities, and first responders under its August 2022 proposed Risk Management Program (RMP) rule. According to the letter, the final RMP rule “should prioritize hazard reduction and prevention measures, inclu