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[Federal Register: July 20, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 139)]
[Proposed Rules]               
[Page 39772-39773]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr20jy07-24]                         

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 52

[EPA-R06-OAR-2006-0849; FRL-8442-7]

 
Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; Louisiana; 
Clean Air Interstate Rule Sulfur Dioxide Trading Program

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: EPA is proposing to approve a revision to the Louisiana State 
Implementation Plan (SIP) submitted on September 22, 2006, enacted at 
Louisiana Administrative Code, Title 33, Part III, Chapter 5, Section 
506(C) (LAC 33:III.506(C)). This revision addresses the requirements of 
EPA's Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) 
Trading Program, promulgated on May 12, 2005 and subsequently revised 
on April 28, 2006. EPA is proposing to determine that the SIP revision 
fully implements the CAIR SO2 requirements for Louisiana. 
Therefore, as a consequence of the SIP approval, EPA will also withdraw 
the CAIR Federal Implementation Plan (CAIR FIP) concerning SO2 
emissions for Louisiana. The CAIR FIPs for all States in the CAIR 
region were promulgated on April 28, 2006 and subsequently revised on 
December 13, 2006.
    CAIR requires States to reduce emissions of SO2 and 
nitrogen oxides (NOX) that significantly contribute to, and 
interfere with maintenance of, the national ambient air quality 
standards for fine particulates and/or ozone in any downwind state. 
CAIR establishes State budgets for SO2 and NOX 
and requires States to submit SIP revisions that implement these 
budgets in States that EPA concluded did contribute to nonattainment in 
downwind states. States have the flexibility to choose which control 
measures to adopt to achieve the budgets, including participating in 
the EPA-administered cap-and-trade programs. In the SIP revision that 
EPA is proposing to approve, Louisiana would meet CAIR SO2 
requirements by participating in the EPA-administered cap-and-trade 
program addressing SO2 emissions.
    The intended effect of this action is to reduce SO2 
emissions from the State of Louisiana that are contributing to 
nonattainment of the PM2.5 National Ambient Air Quality 
Standard (NAAQS or standard) in downwind states. This action is being 
taken under section 110 of the Federal Clean Air Act (the Act or CAA).

DATES: Comments must be received on or before August 20, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to Mr. Jeff Robinson, Chief, Air 
Permits Section (6PD-R), Environmental Protection Agency, 1445 Ross 
Avenue, Suite 1200, Dallas, Texas 75202-2733. Comments may also be 
submitted electronically or through hand delivery/courier by following 
the detailed instructions in the ADDRESSES section of the direct final 
rule located in the rules section of this Federal Register.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions concerning 
today's proposal, please contact Ms. Adina Wiley (6PD-R), Air Permits 
Section, Environmental Protection Agency, Region 6, 1445 Ross Avenue 
(6PD-R), Suite 1200, Dallas, TX 75202-2733. The

[[Page 39773]]

telephone number is (214) 665-2115. Ms. Wiley can also be reached via 
electronic mail at wiley.adina@epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In the final rules section of this Federal 
Register, EPA is approving the State's SIP submittal as a direct final 
rule without prior proposal because the Agency views this as a 
noncontroversial submittal and anticipates no relevant adverse 
comments. A detailed rationale for the approval is set forth in the 
direct final rule. If no relevant adverse comments are received in 
response to this action, no further activity is contemplated. If EPA 
receives relevant 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. Any parties interested in commenting 
on this action should do so at this time. Please note that if EPA 
receives adverse comment on an amendment, paragraph, or section of the 
rule, and if that provision may be severed from the remainder of the 
rule, EPA may adopt as final those provisions of the rule that are not 
the subject of an adverse comment.
    For additional information, see the direct final rule which is 
located in the rules section of this Federal Register.

    Dated: July 11, 2007.
Lawrence Starfield,
Acting Regional Administrator, EPA Region 6.
 [FR Doc. E7-14067 Filed 7-19-07; 8:45 am]

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