03-2940. Approval and Promulgation of State Plans for Designated Facilities and Pollutants: New Hampshire; Plan for Controlling MWC Emissions From Existing Municipal Waste Combustors

AGENCY:

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION:

Proposed rule.

SUMMARY:

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposes to approve the sections 111(d)/129 State Plan submitted by the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (DES) on August 12, 2002. This State Plan is for carrying out and enforcing provisions that are at least as protective as the Emissions Guidelines (EG) applicable to certain existing large and small Municipal Waste Combustion (MWC) units in accordance with sections 111 and 129 of the Clean Air Act. The New Hampshire DES submitted the Plan to satisfy certain Federal Clean Air Act requirements. In the Final Rules section of the Federal Register, EPA is approving the New Hampshire State Plan submittal as a direct final rule without a prior proposal. EPA is doing this because the Agency views this action as a noncontroversial submittal and anticipates that it will not receive any significant, material, and adverse comments. A detailed rationale for the approval is set forth in the direct final rule and incorporated by reference herein. If EPA does not receive any significant, material, and adverse comments to this proposed rule, then the approval will become final without further proceedings. If EPA receives adverse comments, the direct final rule will be withdrawn and EPA will address all public comments received in a subsequent final rule based on this proposed rule. EPA will not begin a second comment period.

DATES:

EPA must receive comments on this proposed rule in writing by March 12, 2003.

ADDRESSES:

You should address your written comments to: Mr. Steven Rapp, Chief, Air Permits, Toxics & Indoor Programs Unit, Office of Ecosystem Protection, U.S. EPA, One Congress Street, Suite 1100 (CAP), Boston, Massachusetts 02114-2023.

Copies of documents relating to this proposed rule are available for public inspection during normal business hours at the following locations. The interested persons wanting to examine these documents should make an appointment with the appropriate office at least 24 hours before the day of the visit.

Environmental Protection Agency, Air Permits, Toxics & Indoor Programs Unit, Office of Ecosystem Protection, Suite 1100 (CAP), One Congress Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02114-2023.

New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, Air Resources Division, 6 Hazen Drive, P.O. Box 95, Concord, New Hampshire 03301-0095, [phone].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

John Courcier, Office of Ecosystem Protection (CAP), EPA-New England, Region 1, Boston, Massachusetts 02203, [phone], or by e-mail at [e-mail]. While the public may forward questions to EPA via e-mail, it must submit comments on this proposed rule according to the procedures outlined above.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

See the information provided in the Direct Final action of the same title which is found in the Rules section of this Federal Register.

Dated: January 23, 2003.

Robert W. Varney,

Regional Administrator, EPA New England.