E9-16865. Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; Texas; Revisions to General Air Quality Rules and the Mass Emissions Cap and Trade Program

AGENCY:

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION:

Proposed rule.

SUMMARY:

EPA is proposing to approve portions of one revision to the Texas State Implementation Plan (SIP) submitted by the State of Texas on August 16, 2007; these portions of the SIP revision proposed: Repeal an unnecessary effective date in the Texas SIP under Title 30 in the Texas Administrative Code (TAC), Chapter 101—General Air Quality Rules, Subchapter A—General Rules; and make non-substantive changes in the Texas SIP to the Mass Emissions Cap and Trade (MECT) Program under 30 TAC Chapter 101, Subchapter H—Emissions Banking and Trading, Division 3. EPA has determined that these changes to the Texas SIP comply with the Federal Clean Air Act (the Act or CAA) and EPA regulations, are consistent with EPA policies, and will improve air quality. This action is being taken under section 110 and parts C and D of the Act.

DATES:

Comments must be received on or before August 17, 2009.

ADDRESSES:

Comments may be mailed to Mr. Jeff Robinson, Chief, Air Permits Section (6PD-R), 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:

If you have questions concerning today's proposal, please contact Ms. Adina Wiley (6PD-R), Air Permits Section, Environmental Protection Agency, Region 6, 1445 Ross Avenue (6PD-R), Suite 1200, Dallas, TX 75202-2733. The telephone number is [phone]. Ms. Wiley can also be reached via electronic mail at [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 relevant 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 If EPA receives relevant adverse comments, the direct final rule will be withdrawn and all public comments received will be addressed in a subsequent final rule based on this proposed rule.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 the 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: July 6, 2009.

Lawrence E. Starfield,

Acting Regional Administrator, Region 6.