02-25295. Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; West Virginia; Ambient Air Quality Standard for Nitrogen Dioxide

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 ambient air quality standards for nitrogen dioxide, 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 If EPA receives adverse comments, the direct final rule will be withdrawn and all public comments received will be addressed in a subsequent final rule based on this proposed rule.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. Please note that if EPA receives adverse comment on an amendment, paragraph, or section of this rule and if that provision may be severed from the remainder of the rule, EPA may adopt as final those provisions of the rule that are not the subject of an adverse comment.

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 ambient air quality standards for nitrogen dioxide. The revision consists of the adoption of Rule 45CSR12—Ambient Air Quality Standard for Nitrogen Dioxide. 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 13, 2002.

Donald S. Welsh,

Regional Administrator, Region III.