E8-18966. Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Tennessee; Approval of Revisions to the Nashville/Davidson County Portion

AGENCY:

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION:

Proposed rule.

SUMMARY:

EPA is proposing to approve a revision to the State Implementation Plan (SIP) submitted by the State of Tennessee on October 19, 2007. The revision affects the Nashville/Davidson County portion of the Tennessee SIP. Specifically the revision pertains to the Metropolitan Public Health Department, Pollution Control Division's Regulation Number 8, “Inspection and Maintenance of Light-Duty Motor Vehicles.'' This revision is part of Nashville/Davidson County's strategy to meet the requirements of EPA's 1997 8-hour ozone standard. Regulation Number 8 is amended by reducing the vehicle emission inspection fee to $9.00, and updating the definitions section. This revision is considered by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) to be at least as stringent as the State of Tennessee's preexisting requirements. This action is being taken pursuant to section 110 of the Clean Air Act.

In the Final Rules Section of this Federal Register, EPA is approving the State's SIP 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 If EPA receives adverse comments, the direct final rule will be withdrawn and all public comments received will be addressed in a subsequent final rule based on this proposed rule. The 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.

DATES:

Written comments must be received on or before September 17, 2008.

ADDRESSES:

Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-R04-OAR-2008-0051, by one of the following methods:

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

2. E-mail: [e-mail].

3. Fax: [phone].

4. Mail: “EPA-R04-OAR-2008-0051,'' 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: Mr. James Hou, 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 to 4:30, 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:

Mr. James Hou, 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. The telephone number is [phone]. Mr. Hou can also be reached via electronic mail at [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

For additional information see the direct final rule which is published in the Rules Section of this Federal Register.

Dated: July 30, 2008.

Russell L. Wright Jr.,

Acting Regional Administrator, Region 4.