Environmental Protection Agency May 27, 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

As part of its review of the air quality criteria and National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for Particulate Matter (PM), EPA is announcing that a workshop to evaluate initial draft materials for the PM Integrated Science Assessment (ISA) is being organized by EPA's National Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA), and will be held on June 16 and 17, 2008, in Research Triangle Park, NC. The workshop will be open to attendance by interested public observers on a first- come, first-served basis up to the limits of available space.

EPA is proposing to approve a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) submitted a SIP revision consisting of a maintenance plan that provides for continued attainment of the 8-hour ozone national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS) for at least 10 years after the April 30, 2004 designations, as well as a 2002 base-year inventory for the Lawrence County Area. EPA is proposing approval of the maintenance plan and the 2002 base-year inventory in accordance with the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA).

EPA is proposing to approve a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) submitted a SIP revision consisting of a maintenance plan that provides for continued attainment of the 8-hour ozone national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS) for at least 10 years after the April 30, 2004 designations, as well as a 2002 base-year inventory for the Juniata County Area. EPA is proposing approval of the maintenance plan and the 2002 base-year inventory in accordance with the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA).

EPA is proposing to approve a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the Commonwealth of Virginia. This revision pertains to the removal of a nitrogen oxide (NOX) RACT permit for sources located at the Norfolk Southern Corporation in Roanoke, Virginia, which have permanently shut down. This action is being taken under the Clean Air Act (CAA).

EPA is proposing to approve revisions to the State Implementation Plan (SIP) as submitted by the Governor of North Dakota with a letter dated March 8, 2007. The revisions affect certain air pollution control rules regarding general provisions, open burning restrictions, permitting, and fugitive emissions. In addition, EPA is proposing to take direct final action approving a revision to a chapter of the SIP regarding an alternative monitoring plan for the Tesoro Mandan Refinery. EPA is also providing notice that on August 22, 2007, North Dakota was delegated authority to implement and enforce certain New Source Performance Standards, as in effect on January 31, 2006. In the ``Rules and Regulations'' section of this Federal Register, EPA is approving the State's SIP revision as a direct final rule without prior proposal because the Agency views this as a noncontroversial SIP revision and anticipates no adverse comments. A detailed rationale for the approval is set forth in the preamble to the direct final rule. If EPA receives no adverse comments, EPA will not take further action on this proposed rule. If EPA receives adverse comments, EPA will withdraw the direct final rule and it will not take effect. EPA will address all public comments 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 must do so at this time. Please note that if EPA receives adverse comment on an amendment, paragraph, or section of this 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.