About the OTC

The Ozone Transport Commission (OTC) is a multi-state organization created under Section 184 of the Clean Air Act. We are responsible for advising EPA on developing and implementing regional solutions to the ground-level ozone problem in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions.

The OTC brings together the states from Virginia to Maine to coordinate reductions in air pollution that benefit the whole region. We provide air pollution assessment, technical support and a forum through which states can work together to harmonize their pollution reduction strategies.

Our Process

Under the OTC’s bylaws, the organization strives for consensus among its members in developing work products and undertaking other actions, while acting by majority vote of its members when consensus is not possible.

Typically, the OTC members work together on activities through three standing committees: (1) the Stationary and Area Sources (SAS) Committee focuses on all non-transportation sources of emissions; (2) the Mobile Sources Committee focuses an all emissions from transportation-related sources, including vehicles and other on-road and non-road sources; and (3) the Modeling Committee, which focuses on analyzing current and future emission and ambient air quality scenarios based on various combinations of local, state, and federal actions to mitigate ground-level ozone pollution.

Much of the OTC’s work is to develop emission reduction estimates needed to attain and maintain the ozone national ambient air quality standards. In undertaking this effort, the OTC's SAS and Mobile Sources Committees compile lists of potential volatile organic compound (VOC) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) reduction strategies identified by researching state, industry, EPA, and other relevant information resources. The Modeling Committee uses this input to run scenarios incorporating strategy options that project their potential impacts on ground-level ozone concentrations. The information developed through the committees is publicly shared twice a year with stakeholders through webinars that include opportunities for public comment.

At times, the OTC committees draft work products, such as model rules, rule commentaries, and technical reports that are relevant to addressing the region’s ozone problems. These are typically undertaken as part of the committee charges approved annually by the OTC commissioners or at the direction of the OTC air directors in response to emerging needs. The OTC members’ air directors review the draft work products, and their input flows back to the OTC committees for further refinements. The OTC’s final draft work products are sent back to the members for final review, and if approved, posted publicly.

The OTC as an organization has no rulemaking authority, and any model rules developed within the OTC that its individual members may wish to adopt are done through the OTC members’ own regulatory processes. If an OTC member chooses to pursue adoption, it can make changes to the model rule template to fit its particular situation and legal requirements. Jurisdictions from outside the OTC are also welcome to use the OTC’s model rules and other work products in support of their own clean air efforts.

OTC Members

• Connecticut
• Delaware
• District of Columbia
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New York
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• Vermont
• Virginia
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

OTC Management

The OTC's day-to-day operations are managed by the Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management (NESCAUM). NESCAUM, as its own regional air organization, represents eight states that are part of the twelve states and the District of Columbia that make up the Commission. NESCAUM brings extensive expertise with a staff of 20 and years of regional- and state-level experience in addressing issues associated with ozone and its precursors.