01-8023. Clean Air Act Full Approval of Operating Permits Program in Washington

AGENCY:

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION:

Direct final rule; Removal of amendment and reinstatement of regulatory text.

SUMMARY:

On January 2, 2001, the EPA published a direct final rule (66 FR 16) approving, and an accompanying proposed rule (66 FR 84) proposing to approve, the operating permits program submitted by the State of Washington. Washington's operating permits program was submitted in response to the directive in the Clean Air Act that permitting authorities develop, and submit to EPA, programs for issuing operating permits to all major stationary sources and to certain other sources within the permitting authority's jurisdiction.

EPA is removing the amendment made by that final rule due to the adverse public comments received and reinstating the previous regulatory text. In a subsequent final rule, EPA will summarize and respond to the comments received and take final rulemaking action on the operating permits program submitted by the State of Washington.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

April 2, 2001.

ADDRESSES:

Copies of the documents relevant to this action are available for public inspection during normal business hours at the following location: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 10, 1200 Sixth Avenue, Seattle, Washington, 98101. Interested persons wanting to examine these documents should make an appointment with the appropriate office at least 24 hours before the visiting day.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Denise Baker, Office of Air Quality (OAQ-107), EPA, 1200 6th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101, [phone].

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 70

• Environmental protection
• Administrative practice and procedure
• Air pollution control
• Intergovernmental relations
• Operating permits
• Reporting and recordkeeping requirements

Dated: February 28, 2001.

Charles E. Findley,

Acting Regional Administrator, Region 10.

40 CFR part 70, chapter I, title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations is amended as follows:

PART 70—[AMENDED]

1. The authority citation for part 70 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.

2. In appendix A to part 70, the entry for Washington is amended by revising paragraphs (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), (h), and (i) to read as follows:

Appendix A to part 70—Approval Status of State and Local Operating Permits Programs

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Washington

(a) Department of Ecology (Ecology): submitted on November 1, 1993; effective on December 9, 1994; interim approval expires December 9, 1996.

(b) Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC): submitted on November 1, 1993; effective on December 9, 1994; interim approval expires December 9, 1996.

(c) Benton County Clean Air Authority (BCCAA): submitted on November 1, 1993 and amended on September 29, 1994 and April 12, 1995; effective on December 9, 1994; interim approval expires December 9, 1996.

(d) Northwest Air Pollution Authority (NWAPA): submitted on November 1, 1993; effective on December 9, 1994; interim approval expires December 9, 1996.

(e) Olympic Air Pollution Control Authority (OAPCA): submitted on November 1, 1993; effective on December 9, 1994; interim approval expires December 9, 1996.

(f) Puget Sound Air Pollution Control Agency (PSAPCA): submitted on November 1, 1993; effective on December 9, 1994; interim approval expires December 9, 1996.

(g) Southwest Air Pollution Control Authority (SWAPCA): submitted on November 1, 1993; effective on December 9, 1994; interim approval expires December 9, 1996.

(h) Spokane County Air Pollution Control Authority (SCAPCA): submitted on November 1, 1993; effective on December 9, 1994; interim approval expires December 9, 1996.

(i) Yakima County Clean Air Authority (YCCAA): submitted on November 1, 1993 and amended on September 29, 1994; effective on December 9, 1994; interim approval expires December 9, 1996.

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