Air Quality: Revision to Definition of Volatile Organic CompoundsExclusion of Volatile Methyl Siloxanes and Parachlorobenzotrifluoride

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 51

[FRL-5082-1]

Air Quality: Revision to Definition of Volatile Organic

Compounds--Exclusion of Volatile Methyl Siloxanes and

Parachlorobenzotrifluoride

AGENCY: Envrionmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: The EPA proposes to revise EPA's definition of volatile

organic compounds (VOC) for purposes of preparing State implementation

plans (SIP's) to attain the national ambient air quality standards

(NAAQS) for ozone under title I of the Clean Air Act (Act) and for the

Federal implementation plan (FIP) for the Chicago ozone nonattainment

area. This revision adds parachlorobenzotrifluoride (PCBTF) and

volatile methyl siloxanes (VMS) to the list of compounds excluded from

the definition of VOC on the basis that these compounds have negligible

contribution to tropospheric ozone formation. In the final rules

section of this Federal Register, the EPA is approving this definition

revision as a final rule without prior proposal because the Agency

views this as a noncontroversial revision amendment and anticipates no

adverse comments. A detailed rationale for the approval is set forth in

the final rule. If no adverse comments or requests for a public hearing

are received in response to the final rule, no further activity is

contemplated in relation to this proposed rule. If EPA receives adverse

comments or requests for public hearing on the final rule, the final

rule will be withdrawn and all public comments received will be

addressed in a subsequent final rule based on this proposed rule. The

30 day comment period established by this notice will be the only

comment period instituted by EPA. Any requests for extensions of the

comment period will be considered. The EPA will not institute a second

comment period on this notice. Any parties interested in commenting on

this notice should do so at this time.

DATES: Comments may be submitted until November 4, 1994. Requests for a

public hearing must be received by November 4, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Comments on this document should be submitted in duplicate

(if possible) to: Air and Radiation Docket and Information Center

(6102), Attention: Docket No. A-93-47, U.S. Environmental Protection

Agency, 401 M Street, SW, Washington, DC 20460. Comments should be

strictly limited to the subject matter of this rule.

Public Hearing: If anyone contacts EPA requesting a public hearing, it

will be held at Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. Persons wishing

to request a public hearing, wanting to attend the hearing or wishing

to present oral testimony should notify Mr. William Johnson, Air

Quality Management Division (MD-15), U.S. Environmental Protection

Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711, telephone (919)

541-5245. The EPA will publish notice of a hearing, if a hearing is

requested, in the Federal Register. Any hearing will be strictly

limited to the subject matter of the rule.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

William Johnson, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, Air

Quality Management Division (MD-15), Research Triangle Park, NC 27711,

phone (919) 541-5245.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: See the information provided in the final

notice which is located in the final rules section of this Federal

Register.

Dated: September 23, 1994.

Carol M. Browner,

Administrator.

[FR Doc. 94-24643 Filed 10-4-94; 8:45 am]

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