05-423. National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Coke Ovens: Pushing, Quenching, and Battery Stacks

AGENCY:

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION:

Partial withdrawal of direct final rule.

SUMMARY:

On October 13, 2004, the EPA issued direct final amendments to the national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants (NESHAP) for pushing, quenching, and battery stacks at new and existing coke oven batteries. The amendments were issued as a direct final rule, along with a parallel proposal to be used as the basis for final action in the event EPA received any significant adverse comments on the direct final amendments. Because a significant adverse comment was received on one provision, EPA is withdrawing the corresponding parts of the direct final rule. We will address the adverse comment in a subsequent final rule based on the parallel proposal published on October 13, 2004.

DATES:

As of January 10, 2005, the EPA withdraws the direct final amendments to 40 CFR 63.7300(c)(1) published on October 13, 2004 (69 FR 60813). The remaining provisions published on October 13, 2004, will be effective on January 11, 2005.

ADDRESSES:

Docket: The EPA has established a docket for this action under Docket ID No. OGC-2004-0004. All documents in the docket are listed in the EDOCKET index at http://www.epa.gov/​edocket. Although listed in the index, some information is not publicly available, i.e., confidential business information or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Certain other information, such as copyrighted materials, is not placed on the Internet and will be publicly available only in hard copy form. Publicly available docket materials are available either electronically in EDOCKET or in hard copy form at Docket ID No. OGC-2004-0004, EPA/DC, EPA West, Room B102, 1301 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC. The Public Reading Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the Public Reading Room is [phone], and the telephone number for the Air Docket is [phone].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mr. Steve Fruh, Emission Standards Division (C439-02), Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, telephone number [phone], fax number [phone], e-mail address: [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

On October 13, 2004, we published a direct final rule (69 FR 60813) and a parallel proposal (69 FR 60837) amending the NESHAP for pushing, quenching, and battery stacks at new and existing coke oven batteries (40 CFR part 63, subpart CCCCC). The direct final rule amendments added provisions for a control system not covered by the existing rule, adjusted the parametric operating limits and associated compliance requirements for capture systems used to control pushing emissions, and adjusted the operation and maintenance requirements for capture systems in 40 CFR 63.7300(c)(1).

We stated in the preamble to the direct final rule and parallel proposal that if we received significant adverse comments by November 12, 2004 (or by November 29, 2004 if a public hearing was requested), on one or more distinct provisions of the direct final rule, we would publish a timely notice in the Federal Register specifying which provisions will become effective and which provisions will be withdrawn due to adverse comment. We subsequently received adverse comments from one commenter on the amendments to the operation and maintenance requirements for capture systems in 40 CFR 63.7300(c)(1). The direct final amendments to 40 CFR 63.7300(c)(1) included:

• 40 CFR 63.7300(c)(1), which required completion of repairs within 30 days except as allowed in paragraphs (c)(1)(i) and (ii);
• 40 CFR 63.7300(c)(1)(i), which required the facility to notify the permitting authority if the repair could be completed within 60 days; and
• 40 CFR 63.7300(c)(1)(ii), which required the facility to request an extension if the repair could not be completed within 60 days.

Accordingly, we are withdrawing all amendments to 40 CFR 63.7300(c)(1). The amendments are withdrawn as of January 10, 2005. We will take final action on the proposed rule after considering the comment received. We will not institute a second comment period on this action. The provisions for which we did not receive adverse comment will become effective on January 11, 2005, as provided in the preamble to the direct final rule.

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 63

• Environmental protection
• Air pollution control
• Hazardous substances
• Reporting and recordkeeping requirements

Dated: January 4, 2005.

Jeffrey R. Holmstead,

Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation.

Accordingly, the Amendment to 40 CFR 63.7300 (c) (1), published in the Federal Register on October 13, 2004 (69 FR 60813) which was to become effective January 11, 2005 is withdrawn.