Acid Rain Program: Permit Modification

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-6147-7]

Acid Rain Program: Permit Modification

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of permit modification.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is issuing, as

a direct final action, a permit modification revising the early

election plan for the Rockport plant in Indiana in accordance with the

Acid Rain Program regulations (40 CFR parts 72 and 76). Because the

Agency does not anticipate receiving adverse comments, the modification

is being issued as a direct final action.

DATES: The permit modification issued in this direct final action will

be final on September 28, 1998 or 40 days after publication of a

similar notice in a local publication, whichever is later, unless

significant, adverse comments are received by September 18, 1998 or 30

days after publication of a similar notice in a local publication,

whichever is later. If significant, adverse comments are timely

received on the permit modification, the permit modification will be

withdrawn through a notice in the Federal Register.

ADDRESSES: Administrative Records. The administrative record for the

permit, except information protected as confidential, may be viewed

during normal operating hours at EPA Region 5, 77 West Jackson Blvd.,

Chicago, IL, 60604.

Comments. Send comments, requests for public hearings, and requests

to receive notice of future actions to EPA Region 5, Air and Radiation

Division, Attn: Cecilia Mijares (address above). Submit comments in

duplicate and identify the permit to which the comments apply, the

commenter's name, address, and telephone number, and the commenter's

interest in the matter and affiliation, if any, to the owners and

operators of all units in the plan. All timely comments will be

considered, except those pertaining to standard provisions under 40 CFR

72.9 or issues not relevant to the permit modification.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Cecilia Mijares (312) 886-0968.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title IV of the Clean Air Act directs EPA to

establish a program to reduce the adverse effects of acidic deposition

by requiring reductions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions

from coal-fired electric utility boilers and by issuing permits

reflecting this requirement. Today, EPA is taking action to delete a

provision in the early election plan in the Acid Rain permit for the

Rockport plant in Indiana. Under the plan, Rockport units 1 and 2 must

comply with a NOx emission limit of 0.50 lb/mmBtu from

[[Page 44437]]

1997 through 2007 and with a NOx emission limit of 0.46 lb/mmBtu

thereafter. The eliminated provision requires Rockford units 1 and 2 to

burn only Powder River Basin coal during 1997-2007. The designated

representative is John McManus.

If significant, adverse comments are timely received on the permit

modification, comments on the permit modification will be addressed in

a subsequent notice of permit modification based on the draft permit

modification that is published elsewhere in this Federal Register and

that is identical to this direct final action.

Dated: August 11, 1998.

Brian J. McLean,

Director, Acid Rain Division, Office of Atmospheric Programs, Office of

Air and Radiation.

[FR Doc. 98-22338 Filed 8-18-98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6560-50-P