2012-14953. Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; South Carolina; Emissions Statements

AGENCY:

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION:

Proposed rule.

SUMMARY:

EPA is proposing to approve a portion of a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted on April 29, 2010, by the State of South Carolina, through the Department of Health and Environmental Control (SC DHEC), to meet the emissions statements requirement for the York County portion of the bi-state Charlotte-Gastonia-Rock Hill, North Carolina-South Carolina 1997 8-hour ozone nonattainment area. The Charlotte-Gastonia-Rock Hill, North Carolina-South Carolina 1997 8-hour ozone nonattainment area is comprised of Cabarrus, Gaston, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Rowan, Union and a portion of Iredell (Davidson and Coddle Creek Townships) Counties in North Carolina; and a portion of York County (i.e., the boundary for the Rock Hill-Fort Mill Area Transportation Study) in South Carolina. EPA is addressing the emissions statements requirement for the North Carolina portion of this Area in a separate action. This proposed action is being taken pursuant to section 110 and section 182 of the Clean Air Act.

DATES:

Written comments must be received on or before July 25, 2012.

ADDRESSES:

Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID Number, “EPA-R04-OAR-2008-0177,” by one of the following methods:

1. www.regulations.gov: Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments.

2. Email: [e-mail].

3. Fax: [phone].

4. Mail: “EPA-R04-OAR-2008-0177,” Regulatory Development Section, Air Planning Branch, Air, Pesticides and Toxics Management Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 4, 61 Forsyth Street SW., Atlanta, Georgia 30303-8960.

5. Hand Delivery or Courier: Ms. Lynorae Benjamin, Chief, Regulatory Development Section, Air Planning Branch, Air, Pesticides and Toxics Management Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 4, 61 Forsyth Street SW., Atlanta, Georgia 30303-8960. Such deliveries are only accepted during the Regional Office's normal hours of operation. The Regional Office's official hours of business are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding federal holidays.

Please see the direct final rule which is located in the Rules section of this Federal Register for detailed instructions on how to submit comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Ms. Sara Waterson of the Regulatory Development Section, in the Air Planning Branch, Air, Pesticides and Toxics Management Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 4, 61 Forsyth Street SW., Atlanta, Georgia 30303-8960. The telephone number is [phone]. Ms. Sara Waterson can be reached via electronic mail at [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

On March 12, 2008, EPA issued a revised ozone national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS). See 73 FR 16436. The current action, however, is being taken to address requirements under the 1997 ozone NAAQS. For additional information see the direct final rule which is published in the Rules Section of this Federal Register. In the Final Rules Section of this Federal Register, EPA is approving the State's implementation plan revision 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 adverse comments are received in response to this rule, 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 on this document. Any parties interested in commenting on this document should do so at this time.

Dated: June 8, 2012.

A. Stanley Meiburg,

Acting Regional Administrator, Region 4.