[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 128 (Wednesday, July 5, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 34867]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-16469]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 52
[NC59-2-6942a; NC55-1-6497a; NC54-1-6496a; FRL-5253-3]
Designation of Areas for Air Quality Planning Purposes; State of
North Carolina
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This document accelerates the effective date for the
promulgation of basic motor vehicle inspection and maintenance (I/M)
program modifications in the Winston-Salem and Raleigh/Durham
maintenance areas and the Charlotte-Gastonia ozone nonattainment area.
EPA previously published a direct final rule approving the North
Carolina basic I/M state implementation plan (SIP) revision effective
July 17, 1995. Since no comments were received during the public
comment period on that document, and the I/M program is required for
the Charlotte-Gastonia redesignation, this document makes the I/M
revision effective July 5, 1995.
EFFECTIVE DATE: This action will be effective July 5, 1995.
ADDRESSES: Environmental Protection Agency, Region 4 Air Programs
Branch, 345 Courtland Street NE., Atlanta, Georgia 30365.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ben Franco, Regulatory Planning and
Development Section, Air Programs Branch, Air, Pesticides & Toxics
Management Division, Region 4 Environmental Protection Agency, 345
Courtland Street, NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30365. The telephone number is
(404) 347-3555, extension 4211.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On June 2, 1995, EPA published a direct
final rule (see 60 FR 28726) approving a revision to the North Carolina
basic I/M SIP. The document stated the effective date of the I/M rule
would be July 17, 1995, if no adverse comments were received by July 3,
1995. No adverse comments were received. The I/M rule is a requirement
for the Charlotte-Gastonia area and must be effective prior to the
ozone redesignation of the area. If the redesignation of the Charlotte-
Gastonia area is not approved prior to July 28, 1995, sanctions would
be imposed for a brief period. Therefore, the acceleration of the
effective date for this rule will permit the Agency to redesignate the
Charlotte-Gastonia ozone nonattainment area prior to the imposition of
sanctions.
The 18-month clock leading to the imposition of sanctions was
started by a letter dated January 28, 1994, in which EPA found that the
State of North Carolina had failed to submit a SIP for the 15% plan and
correction to the basic I/M program by November 15, 1992. The State
subsequently submitted a complete SIP for the corrections to the I/M
program. Once the area is redesignated, the 15% plan is no longer an
applicable requirement.
Final Action
The EPA published approval of the I/M SIP on June 2, 1995 (see 60
FR 28720) without prior proposal because the Agency viewed this as a
noncontroversial amendment and anticipated no adverse comments. Since
no comments were received, the redesignation is effective July 5, 1995.
Nothing in this action shall be construed as permitting or allowing
or establishing a precedent for any future request for a revision to
any SIP. Each request for revision to the SIP shall be considered
separately in light of specific technical, economic, and environmental
factors and in relation to relevant statutory and regulatory
requirements.
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52
Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Carbon monoxide,
Incorporation by reference, Intergovernmental relations, Reporting and
recordkeeping, Nitrogen oxides, Ozone.
Dated: June 27, 1995.
Patrick M. Tobin,
Acting Regional Administrator.
[FR Doc. 95-16469 Filed 7-3-95; 8:45 am]
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