96-7032. Acid Rain Program: Notice of Direct Final Written Exemptions  

  • [Federal Register Volume 61, Number 57 (Friday, March 22, 1996)]
    [Notices]
    [Pages 11835-11836]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 96-7032]
    
    
    
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    ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
    [FRL-5445-1]
    
    
    Acid Rain Program: Notice of Direct Final Written Exemptions
    
    AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
    
    ACTION: Notice of written exemptions.
    
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    SUMMARY: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is issuing, as a 
    direct final action, written exemptions from the Acid Rain permitting 
    and monitoring requirements to 11 utility units at 5 plants in 
    accordance with the Acid Rain Program regulations (40 CFR part 72). 
    Because the Agency does not anticipate receiving adverse comments, the 
    exemptions are being issued as a direct final action.
    
    DATES: Each of the exemptions issued in this direct final action will 
    be final on May 1, 1996 or 40 days after publication of a similar 
    notice in a local newspaper, whichever is later, unless significant, 
    adverse comments are received by April 22, 1996 or 30 days after 
    publication of a similar notice in a local newspaper, whichever is 
    later. If significant, adverse comments are timely received on any 
    exemption in this direct final action, that exemption will be withdrawn 
    through a notice in the Federal Register.
    
    
    [[Page 11836]]
    
    ADDRESSES: Administrative Records. The administrative record for the 
    exemptions, except information protected as confidential, may be viewed 
    during normal operating hours at the following locations. For plants in 
    New York: EPA Region 2, 290 Broadway, New York, NY 10007-1866; for 
    plants in Texas: EPA Region 6, First Interstate Bank Tower, 1445 Ross 
    Avenue, Dallas, TX, 75202-2733; and for plants in Kansas and Missouri: 
    EPA Region 7, 726 Minnesota Ave., Kansas City, KS, 66101.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For plants in New York, Gerry 
    DeGaetano, 212-637-4020; for plants in Texas, Dan Meyer, 214-665-7233, 
    and for plants in Kansas and Missouri, Lisa Hanlon, 913-551-7599.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: All public comment received on any exemption 
    in this direct final action on which significant, adverse comments are 
    timely received will be addressed in a subsequent issuance or denial of 
    exemption based on the relevant draft exemption in the notice of draft 
    written exemptions that is published elsewhere in today's Federal 
    Register and that is identical to this direct final action.
        Under the Acid Rain Program regulations (40 CFR 72.7), utilities 
    may petition EPA for an exemption from permitting and monitoring 
    requirements for any new utility unit that serves one or more 
    generators with total nameplate capacity of 25 MW or less and burns 
    only fuels with a sulfur content of 0.05 percent or less by weight. On 
    the earlier of the date a unit exempted under 40 CFR 72.7 burns any 
    fuel with a sulfur content in excess of 0.05 percent by weight or 24 
    months prior to the date the exempted unit first serves one or more 
    generators with total nameplate capacity in excess of 25 MW, the unit 
    shall no longer be exempted under 40 CFR 72.7 and shall be subject to 
    all permitting and monitoring requirements of the Acid Rain Program.
        EPA is issuing written exemptions to the following new units, 
    effective from January 1, 1996 through December 31, 2000:
        Wamego units 1920-3, 1920-4, and 1920-5 in Kansas, operated by the 
    City of Wamego. The designated representative for Wamego is Larry 
    Fechter.
        Malden units 2, 3, and 4 in Missouri, operated by the City of 
    Malden. The designated representative for Malden is Gary Youngquist.
        Vandalia units 4 and 5 in Missouri, operated by the City of 
    Vandalia. The designated representative for Vandalia is Todd Hileman.
        Additionally under the Acid Rain Program regulations (40 CFR 72.8), 
    utilities may petition EPA for an exemption from Phase II permitting 
    requirements for units that are retired prior to the issuance of a 
    Phase II Acid Rain permit. Units that are retired prior to the deadline 
    for continuous emissions monitoring system (CEMS) certification may 
    also petition for an exemption from monitoring requirements.
        While the exempt retired units have been allocated allowances under 
    40 CFR part 73, units exempted under 40 CFR 72.8 must not emit any 
    sulfur dioxide or nitrogen oxides on or after the date the units are 
    exempted, and the units must not resume operation unless the designated 
    representative submits an application for an Acid Rain permit and 
    installs and certifies its monitors by the applicable deadlines.
        EPA is issuing written exemptions from Phase II permitting 
    requirements and monitoring requirements, effective from January 1, 
    1996, through December 31, 2000, to the following retired units:
        Waterside units 51 and 52 in New York, operated by Consolidated 
    Edison. The designated representative for Waterside is M. Peter 
    Lanahan, Jr.
        Victoria unit 5 in Texas, operated by Central and Southwest 
    Services, Inc. The designated representative for Victoria is E. Michael 
    Williams.
    
        Dated: March 19, 1996.
    Brian J. McLean,
    Director, Acid Rain Division, Office of Atmospheric Programs, Office of 
    Air and Radiation.
    [FR Doc. 96-7032 Filed 3-21-96; 8:45 am]
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