Acid Rain Program: Permit Modifications

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-6412-3]

Acid Rain Program: Permit Modifications

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of permit modifications.

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

a direct final action, Phase I Acid Rain permit modifications that

include nitrogen oxides (NOX) compliance plans in accordance

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

Because the Agency does not anticipate receiving adverse comments, the

permit modifications are being issued as a direct final action.

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

be final on September 13, 1999 unless adverse comments are received by

September 2, 1999. If adverse comments are timely received on any

permit modification in this direct final action, that permit

modification will be withdrawn through a notice in the Federal

Register.

ADDRESSES: Administrative Records. The administrative record for the

permits, except information protected as confidential, may be viewed

during normal operating hours at the following location: EPA Region 4,

61 Forsyth St., SW, Atlanta, GA, 30303.

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

to receive notice of future actions to EPA Region 4, Air, Pesticides

and Toxics Management Division, Attn: Jenny Jachim (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.

Hearings. To request a public hearing, state the issues proposed to

be raised in the hearing. EPA may schedule a hearing if EPA finds that

it will contribute to the decision-making process by clarifying

significant issues affecting a NOX compliance plan.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jenny Jachim, EPA Region 4, (404) 562-

9126.

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

establish a program to reduce the adverse effects of acidic deposition

by promulgating rules and issuing permits to emission sources subject

to the program. In today's action, EPA is issuing permit modifications

that include approval of early election plans for NOX. The

units that are included in the early election plans will be required to

meet an actual annual average emissions rate for NOX of

either 0.45 lbs/MMBtu for tangentially-fired boilers or 0.50 lbs/mmBtu

for dry bottom wall-fired boilers beginning on January 1, 1997 through

December 31, 2007, after which they will be required to meet the

applicable Phase II Group 1 emissions limitation for NOX.

The designated representative submitted complete NOX

early election plans under 40 CFR 76.8(c) to EPA prior to January 1,

1997 as required under 40 CFR 76.8(b). However, through an

administrative oversight, EPA failed to review the plans and modify the

Phase I permits. Since the units covered by the plans have been in

compliance with all applicable requirements under 40 CFR 76.8,

including compliance with the Phase I Group 1 limits below beginning in

1997, EPA approves the plans with effective dates beginning

retroactively on January 1, 1997.

The following is a list of units included in the permit

modifications and the limits that they are required to meet:

H.L. Spurlock unit 2 in Kentucky: 0.45 lbs/mmBtu. The designated

representative is Robert E. Hughes, Jr.

W.C. Dale units 3 and 4 in Kentucky: 0.50 lbs/mmBtu. The designated

representative is Robert E. Hughes, Jr.

Dated: June 30, 1999.

Larry F. Kertcher,

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

Office of Air and Radiation.

[FR Doc. 99-19902 Filed 8-2-99; 8:45 am]

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