02-25284. Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; West Virginia; Ambient Air Quality Standard for Carbon Monoxide and Ozone

AGENCY:

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION:

Proposed rule.

SUMMARY:

EPA proposes to approve the State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of West Virginia for the purpose of establishing reference test methods for measuring carbon monoxide concentrations in the ambient air, equivalent to the national primary and secondary ambient air quality standards established by EPA. In the Final Rules section of this Federal Register, EPA is approving West Virginia's SIP submittal as a direct final rule without prior proposal because the Agency views this as a noncontroversial submittal 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. If EPA receives adverse comments, the direct final rule will be withdrawn and all public comments received will be addressed in a subsequent final rule based on this proposed rule.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:

Comments must be received in writing by November 6, 2002.

ADDRESSES:

Written comments should be mailed to David L. Arnold, Chief, Air Quality Planning and Information Services Branch, Mailcode 3AP21, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region III, 1650 Arch Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103. Copies of the documents relevant to this action are available for public inspection during normal business hours at the Air Protection Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region III, 1650 Arch Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103; and West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Air Quality, 7012 MacCorkle Avenue, SE., Charleston, WV 25304-2943.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Janice Lewis, [phone], at the EPA Region III address above, or by e-mail at [e-mail]. Please note any comments on this rule must be submitted in writing, as provided in the ADDRESSES section of this document.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

On September 21, 2000, the West Virginia Division of Environmental Protection submitted a revision to its SIP to establish reference test methods for measuring ambient air concentrations for carbon monoxide. The revision consists of the adoption of Rule 45CSR9—Ambient Air Quality Standards for Carbon Monoxide and Ozone. For further information, please see the information provided in the direct final action, with the same title, that is located in the “Rules and Regulations” section of this Federal Register publication.

Dated: September 24, 2002.

James M. Newsom,

Acting Regional Administrator, Region III.