Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Connecticut; Nitrogen Oxides Budget and Allowance Trading Program

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 52

[CT-053-7212b; A-1-FRL-6443-2]

Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans;

Connecticut; 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 State of Connecticut. The revisions

consists of adding a regulation, section 22a-174-22a, ``The Nitrogen

Oxides (NOX) Budget Program'' and four NOX RACT

trading orders to the CT SIP. The regulation is part of a regional

nitrogen oxides (NOX) emissions cap and allowance trading

program designed to reduce stationary source NOX emissions

during the ozone season in the Ozone Transport Region (OTR) of the

northeastern United States. The trading orders allow three

NOX emitting facilities to meet reasonably available control

technology (RACT) requirements using NOX emission credits

and one facility to generate NOX emission credits. 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 State's SIP submittals as a direct final rule without

prior proposal because the Agency views them 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 this action, 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adverse comments, the direct final rule will be withdrawn and all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 October 29, 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, and the Bureau of Air Management, Department of

Environmental Protection, State Office Building, 79 Elm Street,

Hartford, CT 06106-1630.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steven Rapp, (617) 918-1048 or at

[email protected]

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: For additional information, see the direct

final rule which is located in the Rules section of this Federal

Register.

Dated: September 15, 1999.

John P. DeVillars,

Regional Administrator, Region I.

[FR Doc. 99-25045 Filed 9-27-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6560-50-P