Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; Massachusetts; Emissions Banking, Trading, and Averaging Program Approval

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

40 CFR Part 52

[FRL-5533-3]

Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; Massachusetts;

Emissions Banking, Trading, and Averaging Program Approval

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: The EPA is proposing to approve a State Implementation Plan

(SIP) revision submitted by Massachusetts. This revision establishes a

voluntary emissions banking, trading, and averaging program for

eligible sources of volatile organic compounds (VOC), nitrogen oxides

(NOx), or carbon monoxide (CO). The goal of these regulations is to

encourage the creation, trading, or averaging of surplus emission

reductions for facilities to meet new source review offsetting,

netting, and reasonably available control technology (RACT)

requirements in the most cost-effective manner. The program was adopted

as a voluntary Economic Incentive Program, developed pursuant to EPA's

guidance.

In the Final Rules Section of this Federal Register, EPA is

approving this rule without prior proposal. A detailed rationale for

the approval is set forth in the direct final rule. If no adverse

comments are received in response to the direct final rule, 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receives adverse comments, the direct final rule will be withdrawn and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 on this action. Any parties interested in commenting on

this action should do so at this time.

DATES: Comments on this action must be received by September 9, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to Susan Studlien, Deputy Director,

Office of Ecosystem Protection, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,

Region I, JFK Federal Bldg., Boston, MA

[[Page 41372]]

02203. Copies of the State submittal and EPA's technical support

document 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 and the Division of Air Quality Control,

Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, One Winter

Street, 8th floor, Boston, MA 02108.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steven Rapp, Environmental Engineer,

Air Quality Planning Unit (CAQ), United States Environmental Protection

Agency, Region 1, JFK Federal Building, Boston, MA 02203-2211, (617)

565-2773.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: For additional information see the direct

final rule published in the Rules Section of this Federal Register.

Authority: 42 U.S.C. 4201-7601q.

Dated: June 18, 1996.

John P. DeVillars,

Regional Administrator, Region I.

[FR Doc. 96-20242 Filed 8-7-96; 8:45 am]

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