[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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