2014-03439. Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; New Mexico; Transportation Conformity and General Conformity Requirements for Bernalillo County

AGENCY:

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION:

Proposed rule.

SUMMARY:

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve revisions to the New Mexico State Implementation Plan (SIP) at New Mexico Administrative Code 20.11.3 and 20.11.4, concerning transportation conformity and general conformity rules for Bernalillo County, New Mexico. The plan revision is intended to ensure consistency with amendments to the federal Transportation Conformity Rule and the federal General Conformity Rule. These plan revisions meet statutory and regulatory requirements, and are consistent with EPA's guidance.

DATES:

Written comments should be received on or before March 20, 2014.

ADDRESSES:

Please see the related direct final rule, which is located in the “Rules and Regulations” section of this Federal Register, for detailed instructions on how to submit comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Michelle Peace, Facility Assessment Section (6PD-A), Environmental Protection Agency, Region 6, 1445 Ross Avenue, Suite 700, Dallas, Texas 75202-2733, telephone [phone]; fax number 214-665-7263; email address [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

 

Why is EPA issuing this proposed rule?

This document proposes to take action on SIP revisions submitted by the Governor of New Mexico on behalf of the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Air Quality, Environmental Health Department on November 18, 2010, May 24, 2011, and October 11, 2012. We have published a direct final rule approving the State's SIP revisions in the “Rules and Regulations” section of this Federal Register because we view this as a noncontroversial action and anticipate no adverse comment. We have explained our reasons for this action in the preamble to the direct final rule.

If we receive no adverse comment, we will not take further action on this proposed rule. If we receive adverse comment, we will withdraw the direct final rule and it will not take effect. We would address all public comments in any subsequent final rule based upon this proposed rule.

We do not intend to institute a second comment period on this action. Any parties interested in commenting must do so at this time. For further information, please see the information provided in the ADDRESSES section of this document.

Dated: January 28, 2014.

Ron Curry,

Regional Administrator, Region 6.