97-9949. Limited Approval and Limited Disapproval of Implementation Plans; Rhode Island  

  • [Federal Register Volume 62, Number 74 (Thursday, April 17, 1997)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Pages 18712-18716]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 97-9949]
    
    
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    ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
    
    40 CFR Part 52
    
    [RI-6972a; FRL-5711-1]
    
    
    Limited Approval and Limited Disapproval of Implementation Plans; 
    Rhode Island
    
    AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
    
    ACTION: Final rule.
    
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    SUMMARY: The EPA is issuing a limited approval, limited disapproval 
    action on State Implementation Plan (SIP) revisions submitted by the 
    State of Rhode Island. The SIP revisions consist of the State's 15 
    Percent Rate of Progress (ROP) Plan and contingency plan. The 15 
    percent ROP and contingency plans were submitted to satisfy CAA 
    provisions that require ozone nonattainment areas classified as 
    moderate and above to devise plans to reduce volatile organic compound 
    (VOC) emissions 15 percent by 1996 when compared to a 1990 baseline.
    
    DATES: This rule is effective May 19, 1997.
    
    ADDRESSES: Copies of the documents relevant to this action are 
    available for public inspection during normal business hours, by 
    appointment, at the Office of Ecosystem Protection, Environmental 
    Protection Agency, Region I, One Congress Street, 11th Floor, Boston, 
    Massachusetts, 02203, and at the Rhode Island Department of 
    Environmental Management, Division of Air Resources, 291 Promenade 
    Street, Providence, Rhode Island, 02908-5767. Persons interested in 
    examining these documents should make an appointment with the 
    appropriate office at least 24 hours before the visiting day.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert F. McConnell, Air Quality 
    Planning Unit, EPA Region I, JFK Federal Building, Boston, 
    Massachusetts, 02203; telephone (617) 565-9266.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On October 30, 1996 (61 FR 55943), EPA 
    published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPR) for the State of Rhode 
    Island. One portion of the NPR consisted of a proposed limited 
    approval, limited disapproval of a revision to the Rhode Island SIP 
    establishing a 15 Percent VOC emission reduction plan and contingency 
    plan. The formal SIP revision was submitted by Rhode Island on March 
    15, 1994 and updated on May 23, 1994.
        The 15 Percent and Contingency plans submitted by Rhode Island 
    outline
    
    [[Page 18713]]
    
    a strategy to reduce hydrocarbon emissions in the Providence, Rhode 
    Island serious nonattainment area. The specific components of the 
    State's plans and the rationale for EPA's proposed action are explained 
    in the NPR and will not be restated here.
        The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) was 
    the sole commenter on the NPR. Their comments are contained within a 
    November 26, 1996 letter to Susan Studlien, Deputy Director, Office of 
    Ecosystem Protection. The region has responded fully to the RI-DEM 
    comments in a response to comments memorandum available in the docket 
    for this action. A summary of these comments and EPA's responses 
    appears below.
        Comment--Motor Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance (I/M): The DEM 
    acknowledges that implementation of an I/M program has not yet 
    occurred, but points out that much work has occurred over the past 
    several years to initiate such a program. The DEM feels that EPA's 
    recent flexibility in the design of such programs, while laudable, has 
    made it difficult to finalize any particular program. A brief history 
    of the State's efforts in this area is then provided.
        Response: EPA recognizes the actions taken to date by Rhode Island 
    with regard to the implementation of an I/M program in the State. 
    However, Rhode Island has not complied with the requirements of the 
    Clean Air Act and EPA regulations which required that states start such 
    programs by January 1, 1995. Rhode Island correctly notes that EPA has 
    been modifying requirements to provide greater flexibility to states 
    for I/M programs, and that EPA has allowed time for states to take 
    advantage of these new provisions.
        The National Highway Systems Designation Act (NHSDA) provided an 
    opportunity with a very short time window for states to submit test-
    and-repair programs without the penalty previously utilized by EPA for 
    calculating emissions from such programs, and in addition provided time 
    for program startup. The states which took advantage of this 
    opportunity are required to start their programs no later than November 
    15, 1997 in order for a full two year test cycle to occur by November 
    15, 1999, the date for 15% plan compliance. (There is one NHSDA program 
    that will not start until 1998, but it has a one year test cycle.)
        Rhode Island did not submit an I/M program under the NHSDA. Rhode 
    Island is not implementing the program currently authorized in the 
    State and has not yet proposed a substitute program. It is EPA's 
    understanding that Rhode Island currently envisions starting testing of 
    motor vehicles in late 1998 or early 1999, and will most likely adopt a 
    biennial program. That schedule puts the State about one year behind 
    virtually all other States that need emission reductions from auto 
    emissions testing to meet the 15 percent emission reduction 
    requirement. Since Rhode Island's 15% plan relies heavily upon the 
    emission reductions from a motor vehicle emission testing program, the 
    timeframe for achieving the 15 percent VOC reductions is similarly 
    delayed. In an August 1996 memorandum from John Seitz and Margo Oge to 
    the Regional Air Directors, EPA articulated that emission reductions 
    from revised I/M programs that occur before November, 1999 will be 
    allowed to count towards 15% plan emission reductions. The continued 
    delay by Rhode Island in implementing a motor vehicle emission 
    inspection program will make meeting the November 1999 target date 
    increasingly difficult for the State.
        Comment--Other Deficiencies: The DEM notes that EPA's proposal 
    identifies several minor discrepancies between EPA's calculation of 
    appropriate emission reductions and the reductions calculated by the 
    State, as described below:
        1. Comment--Submittal of Drafts, AIM Credit: The RI-DEM notes that 
    they had submitted the regulations relied upon within the 15% plan, as 
    well as the 15% plan itself, to EPA in draft form. EPA reviewed and 
    commented on the draft regulations and the draft 15% plan, and should 
    have identified these minor problems through that process but did not. 
    Several of the problems cited, for example, the lack of inclusion of 
    windshield wiper fluid in the consumer and commercial products rule, 
    could have easily been addressed at that time. Additionally, EPA 
    changed the amount of credit states could take due to the EPA's pending 
    national rule on architectural and industrial maintenance (AIM) 
    coatings after Rhode Island submitted its 15% plan. The DEM feels that 
    the EPA's delay in proposing approval or disapproval of the State's 
    plan should not be grounds for discounting credit due to a revised 
    estimate of the emission reductions from the pending AIM rule.
        Response: The DEM's 15% plan, and four VOC control regulations 
    relied upon in the plan to achieve emission reductions were submitted 
    in early 1994. EPA used the best information available at the time 
    drafts of these documents were submitted to review and analyze the 
    emission reduction claims made by the state, and made a good faith 
    effort to identify all errors at that time. A minor discrepancy (0.05 
    tons per day) in the amount of credit claimed from plant shutdowns was 
    not detected at that time, but was noted subsequent to the final 
    submittal by the state.
        During 1995, EPA finalized a report to Congress on VOC emissions 
    from the consumer and commercial product category. Information 
    contained in that report allowed EPA to perform a detailed analysis of 
    the emission reductions claimed by Rhode Island from its rule on this 
    emission source category. That review disclosed that the State had 
    overestimated the emission reductions likely to result from this rule.
        EPA agrees that Rhode Island correctly calculated the amount of 
    credit likely to occur from the EPA's pending AIM rule based on EPA 
    guidance available at the time of the State's submittal. However, EPA 
    later revised the emission reduction estimate downward based on a 
    better understanding of what the provisions of the final rule would be. 
    The DEM could have revised its plan in light of the new guidance. EPA 
    believes that the best information available should be used in making 
    determinations on the emission reductions within the 15% plan, and 
    therefore feels that the most recent guidance memorandum on credit from 
    the AIM rule is the appropriate tool to use to analyze the State's 
    credit claim.
        With regard to delays by EPA in processing the State's SIP, EPA did 
    not feel it was appropriate to move forward with an approval or 
    disapproval of Rhode Island's 15% plan given the uncertain status of 
    the State's auto emission testing program. EPA chose to propose 
    disapproval of the State's plan when it became clear that significant 
    delays were occurring in the implementation of the program.
        2. Comment--Air Toxics and Non-Control Technique Guideline (CTG) 
    Reductions: The DEM's comments reflect that EPA's only reason for not 
    approving the emission reduction credit generated by these programs is 
    that they have not been submitted to EPA as SIP revisions. The DEM 
    notes that since the reductions have occurred, according to the 
    Transportation Conformity Regulation, these deficiencies could be 
    protected by a protective finding and should not trigger the 
    transportation consequences indicated in the proposed disapproval.
        Response: Section 182(b)(1)(C) of the Clean Air Act requires 
    creditable reductions to be in a State's implementation plan, EPA 
    rules, or
    
    [[Page 18714]]
    
    Title V permits. As discussed within the proposed action, Rhode Island 
    can receive credit from these programs by incorporating the relevant 
    documents into the State's SIP.
        The DEM's claim that pursuant to the EPA's Transportation 
    Conformity Regulation these deficiencies could be protected by a 
    protective finding is not correct. EPA's rationale for not proposing to 
    institute a protective finding was based on the failure of the state to 
    implement an auto emission testing program, not on the failure to 
    incorporate air toxics and non-CTG orders into the State's SIP. The 
    failure to implement the auto emission testing program has made the 
    State's mobile source emission budget unrealistic, and therefore a 
    protective finding was not proposed.
        3. Comment--Basis for Proposed Disapproval: The DEM notes their 
    understanding that based on conversations with EPA staff, the non-I/M 
    deficiencies noted in the proposed disapproval would not of themselves 
    have led EPA to propose disapproval of the State's 15% plan, and that a 
    recalculation of the State's 15% plan using updated growth assumptions 
    could negate the need for these non- I/M reductions. DEM requests that 
    EPA's final rule should clearly state that the failure to secure I/M 
    reductions formed the basis of EPA's action, and that the other issues 
    may not be an issue once the ROP calculations are updated.
        Response: EPA agrees that it based its proposed disapproval action 
    primarily on the failure of the State to secure I/M reductions. The 
    proposed disapproval notice contained a table outlining the magnitude 
    of the noncreditable emission reductions from which it can clearly be 
    seen that the failure to achieve reductions from I/M caused the 
    majority of the shortfall. EPA also agrees that the other issues may 
    not be of consequence once the State revises its plan. It is possible 
    that the State will design and implement an I/M program that will 
    achieve sufficient reductions to yield an approvable 15% plan without 
    addressing EPA's issues on the non-I/M elements of the plan. But a 
    great deal depends on the design and timing of Rhode Island's I/M 
    program, which is still so uncertain that EPA cannot predict whether 
    Rhode Island will ultimately need to revise the non-I/M elements of its 
    plan. Additionally EPA notes that the State's current intention to 
    revise its 15% plan to incorporate updated growth assumptions presents 
    an opportunity for the State to make these minor corrections and to 
    submit the SIP revisions necessary to make the non-CTG and air toxics 
    emission reductions creditable towards the 15% reduction.
        Comment--Proposed Action, Conformity Lapse: The DEM notes that 
    EPA's proposal stipulates that a conformity lapse will occur 120 days 
    after a final disapproval action, and that after the lapse no new 
    project level conformity determinations may be made. The DEM agrees 
    that this is consistent with EPA's current conformity rule, but points 
    out that under a proposed revision to the EPA's conformity rule 
    published in July of 1996, a lapse would be imposed 2 years after a 
    final disapproval action, and that a conformity freeze rather than a 
    lapse would be imposed 120 days after a final disapproval action.
        The DEM notes that the 15% plan was submitted in the Spring of 
    1994, and that EPA, by proposing action on the plan at this point in 
    time, gives the appearance of attempting to rush the action through so 
    that a lapse will occur in the State instead of the less punitive 
    freeze. The DEM feels this is inappropriate, particularly in light of 
    the State's good faith efforts to implement I/M in the State. 
    Accordingly, DEM urges EPA to delay finalizing the disapproval action 
    until the conformity amendments are finalized. DEM, in turn, will 
    continue to move forward with I/M as expeditiously as possible, and 
    will introduce I/M legislation in January of 1997. The DEM also pledges 
    to update its 15% plan and submit a revised plan to the EPA as an SIP 
    revision.
        Response: EPA did not propose action on Rhode Island's 15% plan in 
    the fall of 1996 in an attempt to ensure that a conformity lapse, 
    rather than a freeze, occur. Contrary to Rhode Island's suggestion that 
    EPA is hurrying this action, EPA has been exceedingly deliberate in its 
    approach to Rhode Island's 15% plan and I/M program. The EPA has 
    delayed action on most 15% plans because most of these plans relied 
    substantially on the reductions from I/M programs, and most I/M 
    programs have been delayed. In 1995, EPA revised its criteria for 
    acceptable I/M programs. The goal of the revised I/M criteria was to 
    give states flexibility in the design of such programs. The NHSDA of 
    1995 outlines the EPA's revised I/M criteria, and set a timetable for 
    States to implement the revised criteria. Rhode Island did not meet 
    this timetable, and it was that failure that finally led EPA to propose 
    disapproval of Rhode Island's 15% plan. Although EPA hopes that Rhode 
    Island is committed to implementing I/M, the fact is that the State is 
    significantly behind similar efforts being made by other States.
        On January 17, 1997, EPA's Regional Administrator sent a letter to 
    Governor Almond addressing the issue of the timing of a conformity 
    lapse. Within that letter, EPA notes that once the proposed revisions 
    to the conformity rule are finalized, Rhode Island will be subject to 
    their provisions, regardless of when the final disapproval action is 
    published for the State's 15% plan. Therefore, if EPA's conformity rule 
    is finalized as it was proposed, and prior to the expiration of the 120 
    day conformity lapse clock required by the current conformity rule, a 
    conformity freeze rather than a lapse will be imposed on the state. If 
    EPA's conformity rule is finalized after expiration of the 120 day 
    clock, a lapse would go into effect. The lapse, however, would convert 
    to a freeze once EPA's conformity rule is finalized, presuming the 
    final conformity rule reflects the position on this issue articulated 
    in the proposal.
    
    Final Action
    
        The EPA is issuing a limited approval, limited disapproval of the 
    Rhode Island 15 Percent ROP and Contingency plans. The Rhode Island 15 
    Percent ROP plan will not achieve enough reductions to meet the 
    requirements of section 182(b)(1) of the CAA. Additionally, the portion 
    of the State's contingency plan consisting of the two VOC control 
    regulations does not meet the requirements of section 172(c)(9) of the 
    CAA. These regulations are triggered upon failure of the State to meet 
    ROP requirements, but are not also triggered by failure of the State to 
    attain the NAAQS for ozone by the area's attainment date as required by 
    section 172(c)(9). In light of these deficiencies, the EPA cannot grant 
    full approval of these plan revisions under Section 110(k)(3) and Part 
    D.
        However, the EPA may grant a limited approval of the submitted 
    plans under section 110(k)(3) and section 301(a) since the rules making 
    up the 15 Percent Plan and the Contingency Plan will result in VOC 
    emission reductions and will strengthen the SIP. Thus, the EPA is 
    issuing a limited approval of the Rhode Island 15 Percent Plan and 
    Contingency Plan under sections 110(k)(3) and 301(a) of the CAA.
        The EPA is also issuing a limited disapproval of the Rhode Island 
    15 Percent plan under sections 110(k)(3) and 301(a) because the 
    submittal does not fully meet the requirements of section 182(b)(1) of 
    the CAA for the 15 Percent Rate of Progress Plans, and the plan does 
    not achieve the required emission reductions. In addition, the EPA is 
    issuing a limited disapproval of
    
    [[Page 18715]]
    
    the Rhode Island Contingency plan. The plan does not meet the 
    requirements of sections 172(c)(9) and 182(c)(9) for contingency 
    measures because the plan, if implemented, will not achieve the 
    required 3 percent emission reduction. Additionally, the plan does not 
    fully meet the requirements of section 172(c)(9) regarding 
    implementation of contingency measures if the area's attainment date is 
    not met according to the schedule outlined within the CAA.
        Rhode Island has expressed its intention to submit a revised 
    vehicle I/M program. The additional reductions from vehicle I/M may 
    serve to correct the shortfall identified in this proposed Federal 
    Register Action. Alternatively, Rhode Island could implement its 
    existing I/M program. To gain full approval of its 15 percent plan, 
    Rhode Island will need to submit a revised plan that documents the 
    necessary enforceable reductions, such as those resulting from a 
    revised I/M program or other enforceable measures, to meet the 15 
    percent rate of progress requirements and include sufficient 
    contingency measures to achieve a 3 percent reduction.
        Under section 179(a)(2), if the Administrator disapproves a 
    submission under section 110(k) for an area designated nonattainment 
    based on the submission's failure to meet one or more of the elements 
    required by the Act, the Administrator must apply one of the sanctions 
    set forth in section 179(b) unless the deficiency has been corrected 
    within 18 months of such disapproval. Section 179(b) provides two 
    sanctions available to the Administrator: The imposition of emission 
    two for one offset requirements, and loss of certain highway funding. 
    The 18-month period referred to in section 179(a) will begin on the 
    effective date established in the final limited disapproval action. If 
    the deficiency is not corrected within 6 months of the imposition of 
    the first sanction, the second sanction will apply. This sanctions 
    process is set forth at 59 FR 39832 (Aug. 4, 1994), to be codified at 
    40 CFR 52.31. Moreover, within two years of the final disapproval of a 
    required SIP submission, the EPA shall promulgate a federal 
    implementation plan (FIP) under section 110(c).
        On January 18, 1995, the EPA made a completeness determination on 
    the Rhode Island 15 percent plans with an approval of the established 
    motor vehicle emission budget for use in transportation conformity 
    determinations. Because the motor vehicle emission budget is based to a 
    significant extent upon an I/M program not being implemented by Rhode 
    Island, EPA has determined that budget is no longer credible. EPA, 
    therefore, is rescinding the protective finding \1\ through this final 
    disapproval action. EPA is notifying the State, the Metropolitan 
    Planning Organizations, the U.S. Federal Highway Agency, and the U.S. 
    Federal Transit Administration of the effect of a disapproval action on 
    conformity in Rhode Island. Under the current Transportation Conformity 
    Regulations, the conformity status of the transportation plan and 
    transportation improvement program shall lapse 120 days after the 
    effective date of EPA's final disapproval without a protective finding, 
    and no new project-level conformity determinations may be made. 
    Furthermore, no new transportation plan, TIP, or projects may be found 
    to conform until another control strategy implementation plan revision 
    fulfilling the same Clean Air Act requirements is submitted, found 
    complete, and conformity to this submission is determined.
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        \1\ Protective finding means a determination by EPA that the 
    control strategy contained in a submitted control strategy 
    implementation plan revision would have been considered approvable 
    with respect to requirements for emission reductions if all 
    committed measures had been submitted in enforceable form as 
    required by Clean Air Act section 110(a)(2)(A).
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        The timeframe for the conformity lapse, which as discussed above is 
    120 days after the effective date of EPA's final disapproval action, 
    could be changed by a revision to EPA's conformity rule. On July 9, 
    1996, EPA published (61 FR 36112) a proposed rule which would modify 
    the Transportation Conformity rule. A key provision contained in the 
    proposal was a change in the penalty that occurs 120 days after a final 
    disapproval action. Instead of a lapse, a less punitive conformity 
    freeze was proposed to occur in 120 days. In EPA's proposed conformity 
    rule revision, the more restrictive lapse would be imposed 2 years 
    after a final disapproval action. Therefore, if the conformity rule is 
    finalized as proposed, the conformity lapse will take place 2 years 
    from the effective date of the final disapproval action, and a freeze 
    would be imposed in the period between 120 days and 2 years following 
    the effective date of this action. Rhode Island will ultimately be 
    subject to the provisions contained in EPA's final conformity rule.
        Nothing in this proposed rule should be construed as permitting or 
    allowing or establishing a precedent for any future request for 
    revision to any SIP. Each request for revision to any SIP shall be 
    considered separately in light of specific technical, economic, and 
    environmental factors and in relation to relevant statutory and 
    regulatory requirements.
    
    Administrative Requirements
    
    A. Executive Order 12866
    
        This action has been classified as a Table 3 action for signature 
    by the Regional administrator under the procedures published in the 
    Federal Register on January 19, 1989 (54 FR 2214-2225), as revised by a 
    July 10, 1995 memorandum from Mary Nichols, Assistant Administrator for 
    Air and Radiation. The Office of Management and Budget has exempted 
    this action from review under Executive Order 12866.
    
    B. Regulatory Flexibility Act
    
        Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 600 et seq., the EPA 
    must prepare a regulatory flexibility analysis assessing the impact of 
    any proposed or final rule on small entities (5 U.S.C. 603 and 604). 
    Alternatively, the EPA may certify that the rule will not have a 
    significant impact on a substantial number of small entities. Small 
    entities include small businesses, small not-for-profit enterprises, 
    and government entities with jurisdiction over populations of less than 
    50,000.
        SIP approvals under sections 110 and 301, and subchapter I, part D 
    of the Clean Air Act do not create any new requirements, but simply 
    approve requirements that the State is already imposing. Therefore, 
    because the federal SIP-approval does not impose any new requirements, 
    I certify that it does not have a significant impact on any small 
    entities affected. Moreover, due to the nature of the Federal-State 
    relationship under the CAA, preparation of a regulatory flexibility 
    analysis would constitute Federal inquiry into the economic 
    reasonableness of State action. The Clean Air Act forbids EPA to base 
    its actions concerning SIPs on such grounds. Union Electric Co. v U.S. 
    EPA, 427 US 246, 256-66 (S.Ct. 1976); 42 U.S.C. 7410(a)(2).
        The EPA's limited disapproval of the State request under sections 
    110 and 301, and subchapter I, Part D of the CAA does not affect any 
    existing requirements applicable to small entities. Any pre-existing 
    Federal requirements remain in place after this limited disapproval. 
    Federal disapproval of the State submittal does not affect its State-
    enforceability. Moreover, the EPA's limited disapproval of the 
    submittal does not impose any new Federal requirements. Therefore, the 
    EPA certifies that this limited disapproval action does not
    
    [[Page 18716]]
    
    have a significant impact on a substantial number of small entities 
    because it does not remove existing requirements, nor does it impose 
    any new Federal requirements.
    
    C. Unfunded Mandates
    
        Under Sections 202 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 
    (``Unfunded Mandates Act''), signed into law on March 22, 1995, EPA 
    must prepare a budgetary impact statement to accompany any proposed or 
    final rule that includes a Federal mandate that may result in estimated 
    costs to State, local, or tribal governments in the aggregate; or to 
    the private sector, of $100 million or more. Under Section 205, EPA 
    must select the most cost-effective and least burdensome alternative 
    that achieves the objectives of the rule and is consistent with 
    statutory requirements. Section 203 requires EPA to establish a plan 
    for informing and advising any small governments that may be 
    significantly or uniquely impacted by the rule.
        EPA has determined that the approval action promulgated does not 
    include a Federal mandate that may result in estimated costs of $100 
    million or more to either State, local, or tribal governments in the 
    aggregate, or to the private sector. This Federal action approves pre-
    existing requirements under State or local law, and imposes no new 
    requirements. Accordingly, no additional costs to State, local, or 
    tribal governments, or to the private sector, result from this action.
    
    D. Submission to Congress and the General Accounting Office
    
        Under 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A) of the Regulatory Flexibility Act as 
    added by the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 
    1996, EPA submitted a report containing this rule and other required 
    information to the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of Representatives and 
    the Comptroller General of the General Accounting Office prior to 
    publication of the rule in today's Federal Register. This rule is not a 
    ``major rule'' as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2).
    
    E. Petitions for Judicial Review
    
        Under section 307(b)(1) of the Clean Air Act, petitions for 
    judicial review of this action must be filed in the United States Court 
    of Appeals for the appropriate circuit by June 16, 1997. Filing a 
    petition for reconsideration by the Administrator of this final rule 
    does not affect the finality of this rule for the purposes of judicial 
    review nor does it extend the time within which a petition for judicial 
    review may be filed, and shall not postpone the effectiveness of such 
    rule or action. This action may not be challenged later in proceedings 
    to enforce its requirements. (See section 307(b)(2).)
    
    List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52
    
        Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Hydrocarbons, 
    Incorporation by reference, Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone.
    
        Dated: March 8, 1997.
    John P. DeVillars,
    Regional Administrator, EPA Region I.
    
        Part 52 of chapter I, title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations 
    is amended as follows:
    
    PART 52--[AMENDED]
    
        1. The authority citation for part 52 continues to read as follows:
    
        Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401-7671q.
    
    Subpart OO--Rhode Island
    
        2. Section 52.2070 is amended by adding paragraph (c)(50) to read 
    as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 52.2070  Identification of plan.
    
    * * * * * *
        (c) * * *
        (50) Revisions to the State Implementation Plan submitted by the 
    Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management on March 15, 1994. 
    The revisions consist of the State's 15 Percent Plan and Contingency 
    Plan. EPA is approving only the following portions of these submittals: 
    15 Percent Plan--the EPA is approving the calculation of the required 
    emission reductions, and the emission reduction credit claimed from 
    surface coating, printing operations, marine vessel loading, plant 
    closures (0.79 tons per day approved out of 0.84 claimed), cutback 
    asphalt, auto refinishing, stage II, reformulated gas in on-road and 
    off-road engines, and tier I motor vehicle controls. Contingency Plan--
    the EPA is approving the calculation of the required emission 
    reduction, and a portion of the emission reduction credits claimed from 
    Consumer and Commercial products (1.1 tons per day approved out of 1.9 
    tons claimed), and architectural and industrial maintenance (AIM) 
    coatings (1.9 tons per day approved out of 2.4 tons claimed). EPA is 
    concurrently disapproving portions of these SIP submissions, as 
    discussed within Sec. 52.2084(a)(2).
        (i) Incorporation by reference.
        (A) Letter from the Rhode Island Department of Environmental 
    Management dated March 15, 1994, submitting a revision to the Rhode 
    Island State Implementation Plan.
        2. Section 52.2084 is amended by adding paragraph (a)(2) to read as 
    follows:
    
    
    Sec. 52.2084  Rules and Regulations.
    
    * * * * *
        (a) * * *
        (2) Revisions to the State Implementation Plan submitted by the 
    Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management on March 15, 1994. 
    The revisions consist of the State's 15 Percent Plan and Contingency 
    Plan. EPA is disapproving the following portions of these SIP 
    submittals: 15 Percent Plan--Emission reductions claimed from motor 
    vehicle inspection and maintenance program, non-CTG sources, air toxic 
    sources, and plant closures (0.05 tons per day disapproved out of 0.84 
    tons claimed). Contingency Plan--a portion of the credit claimed from 
    consumer and commercial products (0.8 tons per day disapproved out of 
    1.9 tons claimed), and a portion of the credit claimed from AIM 
    coatings (0.5 tons per day disapproved out of 2.4 tons claimed).
    
    [FR Doc. 97-9949 Filed 4-16-97; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
    
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
5/19/1997
Published:
04/17/1997
Department:
Environmental Protection Agency
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Final rule.
Document Number:
97-9949
Dates:
This rule is effective May 19, 1997.
Pages:
18712-18716 (5 pages)
Docket Numbers:
RI-6972a, FRL-5711-1
PDF File:
97-9949.pdf
CFR: (2)
40 CFR 52.2070
40 CFR 52.2084