E9-5836. Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; Texas; Revisions to Permits by Rule and Regulations for Control of Air Pollution by Permits for New Construction or Modification

AGENCY:

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION:

Proposed rule.

SUMMARY:

EPA is proposing to approve portions of three revisions to the Texas State Implementation Plan (SIP) submitted by the State of Texas on July 22, 1998, October 4, 2002, and September 25, 2003; these revisions amend existing sections and create new sections in Title 30 of the Texas Administrative Code (TAC), Chapter 106—Permits by Rule and Chapter 116—Control of Air Pollution by Permits for New Construction or Modification. The July 22, 1998, revision repeals and replaces the Renewal Application Fees section with a new section. The October 4, 2002, revision increases the determination of fees for NSR permits, corrects addresses, and makes other administrative changes. The September 25, 2003, revision clarifies that an emission reduction credit must be certified and banked to be creditable as an offset in the NSR permitting program, repeals and replaces the section that addresses the use of emission reductions as offsets for NSR permitting and the definition of “offset ratio,” and makes administrative changes. EPA has determined that these SIP revisions comply with the Clean Air Act and EPA regulations, are consistent with EPA policies, and will improve air quality. This action is being taken under section 110 and parts C and D of the Federal Clean Air Act (the Act or CAA).

DATES:

Comments must be received on or before April 20, 2009.

ADDRESSES:

Comments may be mailed to Mr. Jeff Robinson, Chief, Air Permits Section (6PD-R), Environmental Protection Agency, 1445 Ross Avenue, Suite 1200, Dallas, Texas 75202-2733. Comments may also be submitted electronically or through hand delivery/courier by following the detailed instructions in the ADDRESSES section of the direct final rule located in the rules section of this Federal Register.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

If you have questions concerning today's proposal, please contact Ms. Melanie Magee (6PD-R), Air Permits Section, Environmental Protection Agency, Region 6, 1445 Ross Avenue (6PD-R), Suite 1200, Dallas, TX 75202-2733. The telephone number is [phone]. Ms. Magee can also be reached via electronic mail at [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

In the final rules section of this Federal Register, EPA is approving the State's SIP submittal as a direct final rule without prior proposal because the Agency views this as a noncontroversial submittal and anticipates no relevant adverse comments. A detailed rationale for the approval is set forth in the direct final rule. If no relevant adverse comments are received in response to this action, no further activity is contemplated. If EPA receives relevant 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 the 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.

For additional information, see the direct final rule which is located in the rules section of this Federal Register.

Dated: February 26, 2009.

Lawrence E. Starfield,

Acting Regional Administrator, Region 6.