[Federal Register: June 2, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 105)]
[Proposed Rules]               
[Page 29616]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr02jn99-27]

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 52

[MA-67-7202b; A-1-FRL-6346-7]

 
Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; 
Massachusetts and Rhode Island; Nitrogen Oxides Budget and Allowance 
Trading Program

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: The EPA is proposing to approve State Implementation Plan 
(SIP) revisions submitted by the States of Rhode Island (RI) and 
Massachusetts (MA). The revisions consists of adding a regulation 
entitled, ``Nitrogen Oxides Allowance Program,'' and a consent 
agreement to the RI SIP and a regulation entitled, ``NO<INF>X</INF> 
Allowance Program,'' to the MA SIP. The consent agreement in Rhode 
Island establishes alternative NO<INF>X</INF> reasonably available 
control technology (RACT) requirements for four boilers. The RI and MA 
regulations are part of a regional nitrogen oxides (NO<INF>X</INF>) 
emissions cap and allowance trading program designed to reduce 
stationary source NO<INF>X</INF> emissions during the ozone season in 
the Ozone Transport Region (OTR) of the northeastern United States. 
These SIP revisions were submitted pursuant to section 110 of the Clean 
Air Act (CAA).
    In the Final Rules section of this Federal Register, EPA is 
approving the States' SIP submittals as direct final rules without 
prior proposal because the Agency views these as noncontroversial 
revisions 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 these actions, no further activity 
is contemplated in relation to this proposed rule. 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adverse comments, the direct final rule will be withdrawn and all 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: Written comments must be received on or before July 2, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to Susan Studlien, Deputy Director, 
Office of Ecosystem Protection (mail code CAA), U.S. Environmental 
Protection Agency, Region I, One Congress Street, Suite 1100, Boston, 
MA 02114-2023. Copies of the State submittals and EPA's technical 
support documents are available for public inspection during normal 
business hours, by appointment at the Office of Ecosystem Protection, 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region I, One Congress Street, 
11th floor, Boston, MA, at the Division of Air and Hazardous Materials, 
Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, 291 Promenade 
Street, Providence, RI 02908-5767, and at the Massachusetts Division of 
Air Quality Control, Department of Environmental Protection, One Winter 
Street, 8th Floor, Boston, MA 02108.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steven Rapp, (617) 918-1048 or at 
Rapp.Steve@EPAMAIL.EPA.GOV.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: For additional information, see the direct 
final rule which is located in the Rules section of this Federal 
Register.

    Dated: May 6, 1999.
John P. DeVillars,
Regional Administrator, Region I.
[FR Doc. 99-13027 Filed 6-1-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-U