E9-9213. Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Texas; Reasonable Further Progress Plan, Motor Vehicle Emissions Budgets and 2002 Emissions Inventory; Houston-Galveston-Brazoria 1997 8-Hour Ozone Nonattainment Area

AGENCY:

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION:

Proposed rule.

SUMMARY:

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve a revision to the Texas State Implementation Plan (SIP) to meet the Reasonable Further Progress (RFP) requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA) for the Houston-Galveston-Brazoria (HGB) moderate 1997 8-hour ozone nonattainment area. EPA is also proposing to approve the RFP motor vehicle emissions budgets (MVEBs) and the 2002 Base Year Emission Inventory associated with the revision. EPA is proposing to approve the SIP revision because it satisfies the RFP and Emissions Inventory requirements for 1997 8-hour ozone nonattainment areas classified as moderate, and demonstrates further progress in reducing ozone precursors. EPA is proposing to approve the revision pursuant to section 110 and part D of the CAA and EPA's regulations.

DATES:

Written comments must be received on or before May 22, 2009.

ADDRESSES:

Comments may be mailed to Mr. Guy Donaldson, Chief, Air Planning Section (6PD-L), 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:

Emad Shahin, Air Planning Section (6PD-L), Environmental Protection Agency, Region 6, 1445 Ross Avenue, Suite 700, Dallas, Texas 75202-2733, telephone [phone]; fax number 214-665-7263; e-mail address [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 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 If EPA receives adverse comments, the direct final rule will be withdrawn and all public comments received will be addressed in a subsequent final rule based on this proposed rule.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 this 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: April 10, 2009.

Lawrence E. Starfield,

Acting Regional Administrator, Region 6.