Ecology is beginning rulemaking to add a new rule – Chapter 173-448, Air Quality in Overburdened Communities – to implement parts of Chapter 70A.65.020 RCW, Environmental justice review. This law passed in 2021 as part of the Climate Commitment Act and directs Ecology to reduce criteria air pollution in overburdened communities (OBCs) highly impacted by air pollution. The law requires Ecology to take certain actions, like adopt stricter emission standards in communities identified as overburdened and highly impacted by air pollution. The processes and details for these actions are not included in the law. As a result, this rulemaking is needed to specify the process and procedure that Ecology will follow to reduce criteria air pollution as instructed in the law. Intended environmental benefits include: • Reducing criteria air pollution will improve air quality in overburdened communities Intended health benefits include: • Reducing negative health effects associated with exposure to criteria air pollution Populations expected to be impacted • People who live, work, and spend time in overburdened communities • Businesses whose operations may be impacted