Environmental Protection Agency July 30, 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

On May 30, 2007 (72 FR 29886), EPA published a direct final approval of revisions to the California State Implementation Plan (SIP). These revisions concerned San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (SJVAPCD) Rule 4307, Boilers, Steam Generators and Process Heaters2.0 MMBtu/hr to 5.0 MMBtu/hr; Rule 4308, Boilers, Steam Generators and Process Heaters0.075 MMBtu/hr to 2.0 MMBtu/hr; Rule 4309, Dryers, Dehydrators, and Ovens; Rule 4352, Solid Fuel Fired Boilers, Steam Generators and Process Heaters; and Rule 4905, Natural Gas-Fired, Fan-Type Residential Central Furnaces. The direct final action was published without prior proposal because EPA anticipated no adverse comment. The direct final rule stated that if adverse comments were received by June 29, 2007, EPA would publish a timely withdrawal in the Federal Register. EPA received timely adverse comments. Consequently, with this revision we are withdrawing the direct final approval of SJVAPCD Rule 4352. EPA will either address the comments in a subsequent final action based on the parallel proposal also published on May 30, 2007 (72 FR 29901), or repropose an alternative action. As stated in the parallel proposal, EPA will not institute a second comment period on a subsequent final action. The other rules approved in the May 30, 2007 direct final action, SJVAPCD Rules 4307, 4308, 4309, and 4905, are not affected by this partial withdrawal and are incorporated into the SIP as of the effective date of the May 30, 2007 direct final action.

EPA is taking a direct final action to approve a revision to the Texas State Implementation Plan (SIP) submitted by the State of Texas on August 4, 2006, as the Texas Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) Nitrogen Oxides (NOX) Annual Abbreviated SIP. The abbreviated SIP revision EPA is approving includes the Texas methodologies for allocation of annual NOX allowances for Phase 1 of CAIR, the control periods 2009 through 2014, and for allocating allowances from the compliance supplement pool (CSP) in the CAIR NOX annual trading program. EPA has determined that the Texas CAIR NOX Annual Abbreviated SIP revision satisfies the applicable requirements of a CAIR abbreviated SIP revision. Upon the effective date of approval of the Texas CAIR NOX Annual Abbreviated SIP revision, EPA by ministerial action will note in the Texas CAIR NOX Annual Federal Implementation Plan's (FIP) incorporated regulations that the Texas rules for annual NOX allowances under Phase 1 of CAIR and allocating allowances from the CSP apply, rather than the Federal FIP rules. The intended effect of this action is to reduce NOX emissions from the State of Texas 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).

EPA is proposing to approve Indiana's requests to amend its State Implementation Plan (SIP) for control of particulate matter in 326 IAC 6.5-7-13. Indiana submitted the SIP revision requests to EPA on November 1, 2005 and March 20, 2007. The revisions would change the source name from St. Mary's to Holy Cross Services Corporation (Saint Mary's Campus), and clarify and revise existing particulate matter (PM) emission limits for the boilers at that source to reflect current operating conditions. These revisions will not result in an increase in PM emissions.