Air quality implementation plans; approval and promulgation; various States: Maryland,

[Federal Register: September 4, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 172)]

[Proposed Rules]

[Page 47216-47217]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr04se98-27]

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 52

[MD003-3024b, MD025-3024b, MD066-3024b; FRL-6149-2]

Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Maryland; Conditional Limited Approval of Major VOC Source RACT and Minor VOC Source Requirements and Withdrawal of Proposed Rule Pertaining to Major RACT and Minor VOC Source Requirements

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Proposed rule and withdrawal of notice of proposed rulemaking.

SUMMARY: EPA proposes conditional limited approval of the State Implementation Plan (SIP) revisions submitted by the State of Maryland. These revisions pertain to Maryland's major source volatile organic compound (VOC) reasonably available control technology (RACT) regulation and minor VOC source requirements. In addition, EPA is withdrawing its March 1, 1996 proposed conditional approval of these SIP revisions, because the proposal does not comply with EPA's November 7, 1996 generic RACT policy. No public comments were received on that proposal. These actions are being taken in accordance with the SIP submittal and revision provisions of the Act. In the Final Rules section of this Federal Register, EPA is conditionally and limitedly approving the State's SIP revisions as a direct final rule without prior proposal because the Agency views these as noncontroversial SIP revisions and anticipates no adverse comments. Detailed rationales for these actions are set forth in the direct final rule. If no adverse comments are received in response to this proposed rule, no further activity is contemplated in relation to this rule. If EPA receives adverse comments, the direct final rule will be withdrawn and all public comments received will be addressed in a subsequent final rule based on this proposed rule. EPA will not institute a second comment period on this action. Any parties interested in commenting on this action should do so at this time.

DATES: Comments must be received in writing by October 5, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be addressed to David L. Arnold, Chief, Ozone and Mobile Sources Branch, Mailcode 3AP21, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region III, 1650 Arch Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103. Copies of the documents relevant

[[Page 47217]]

to this action are available for public inspection during normal business hours at the Air Protection Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region III, 1650 Arch Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103; and the Maryland Department of the Environment, 2500 Broening Highway, Baltimore, Maryland 21224.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Maria A. Pino, (215) 814-2181, at the EPA Region III address above, or by e-mail at pino.maria@epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: See the information provided in the Direct Final action of the same title, pertaining to Maryland's major VOC source RACT and minor VOC source requirements, located in the Rules and Regulations Section of this Federal Register.

Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.

Dated: August 12, 1998. W. Michael McCabe, Regional Administrator, Region III.

[FR Doc. 98-23505Filed9-3-98; 8:45 am]

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