Environmental Protection Agency August 22, 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The EPA is proposing to approve revisions to the State Implementation Plan (SIP) submitted by the state of Texas for the Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) nonattainment area as meeting 1-hour ozone serious area requirements. EPA is proposing to approve the 5% Increment of Progress (IOP) emission reduction plan, the 2002 base year inventory, and a 2007 motor vehicle emission budget for the DFW 8-hour ozone nonattainment area. EPA is also proposing to approve a Federal consent decree concerning the Alcoa Rockdale plant in Milam County; energy efficiency measures implemented within the DFW 8-hour ozone nonattainment area; and revisions to 30 TAC, Chapter 117, Control of Air Pollution From Nitrogen Compounds, concerning stationary reciprocating internal combustion engines operating within the DFW 8- hour ozone nonattainment area. These revisions will allow the State of Texas to fulfill remaining obligations under the 1-hour ozone standard in the DFW nonattainment area. These actions are being taken in accordance with section 110 and part D of the Clean Air Act (the Act) and EPA's regulations. The intended effect of this action is to approve revisions submitted which satisfy outstanding 1-hour ozone obligations for the DFW area and result in emission reductions within 3 years of the DFW area's nonattainment designation under the 8-hour ozone standard.

The EPA Science Advisory Board (SAB) Staff Office announces the formation of a SAB Asbestos Expert Panel and is soliciting nominations for members of the Panel.

This document announces that EPA has approved a request from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) for delegation of authority to implement and enforce National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for Secondary Lead Smelting, through a state rule which adjusts the maximum achievable control technology (MACT) standard for secondary lead smelting. Pursuant to the Clean Air Act (CAA) and the NESHAP provisions, states may seek approval of state rules which make pre-approved adjustments to a MACT standard if the state rule is unambiguously no less stringent than the Federal rule. IDEM requested approval to adjust the NESHAP for secondary lead smelting, so that the standard will be as stringent as the State rule which currently applies to secondary lead smelters in Indiana. EPA reviewed this request and found that it satisfies the requirements for approval under the Federal provision which allows for delegation of an adjusted NESHAP; ``Approval of State requirements that adjust a section 112 rule.'' Therefore, upon the signature of this action, EPA delegates to IDEM the authority to implement and enforce the NESHAP for Secondary Lead Smelting, through IDEM's rule for Secondary Lead Smelters.

On June 23, 2006, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 6, published a direct final deletion (71 FR 36015) to delete the Brio Refining, Inc. Superfund Site (Site), located in Friendswood, Texas, from the National Priorities List (NPL). The EPA is withdrawing this final action due to an adverse comment received during the public comment period. After consideration of the comment received, if appropriate, EPA will publish a notice of deletion in the Federal Register based on the parallel notice of proposed deletion (71 FR 36015) dated June 23, 2006 and place a copy of the final deletion package, including a Responsiveness Summary in the Site repositories.