Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Pennsylvania; Nitrogen Oxides Allowance Requirements

AGENCY:

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION:

Proposed rule.

SUMMARY:

EPA proposes to approve the State Implementation Plan (SIP) revisions submitted by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on December 19, 1997 and December 27, 1999. These revisions implement Pennsylvania's portion of the Ozone Transport Commission's (OTC) September 27, 1994 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) including a regional nitrogen oxides (NO_X) cap and trade program that will significantly reduce NO_X emissions generated within the Ozone Transport Region (OTR). In the Final Rules section of this Federal Register, EPA is approving the Commonwealth's SIP revision submittal as a direct final rule without prior proposal because the Agency views this as a noncontroversial submittal and anticipates no adverse comments. A detailed rationale for the approval is set forth in the direct final rule. If no adverse comments are received in response to this action, no further activity is contemplated. If EPA receives adverse comments, the direct final rule will be withdrawn and all public comments received will be addressed in a subsequent final rule based on this proposed rule.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. Any parties interested in commenting on this action should do so at this time.

DATES:

Comments must be received in writing by July 6, 2000.

ADDRESSES:

Written comments may be mailed to David L. Arnold, Chief, Ozone & Mobile Sources Branch, Mailcode 3AP21, U.S. EPA, Region III, 1650 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103. Copies of the documents relevant to this action are available for public inspection during normal business hours at the Air Protection Division, EPA, Region III, 1650 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103 and Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Air Quality, P.O. Box 8468, 400 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA 17105.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Cristina Fernandez, (215) 814-2178, or by e-mail at fernandez.cristina@epa.gov. While information may be requested via e-mail, comments must be submitted in writing to the Region III address provided above.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

For further information, please see the direct final action, with the same title, that is located in the “Rules and Regulations” section of this Federal Register publication.