[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 23 (Thursday, February 3, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 5296]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-2176]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 52

[MD082-3028b; FRL-6531-2]


Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; 
Maryland; 15 Percent Rate of Progress Plan for the Baltimore Ozone 
Nonattainment Area

AGENCY:  Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION:  Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY:  EPA proposes to convert its conditional approval of a State 
Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of Maryland 
to a full approval. The revision consists of the 15 percent rate of 
progress requirements for the Baltimore severe ozone nonattainment 
area. EPA is also proposing to approve revisions to certain portions of 
the 1990 base year emissions inventory of volatile organic compound 
(VOC) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions for the Baltimore 
nonattainment area. In the Final rules section of this Federal 
Register, EPA is converting its conditional approval of the Baltimore 
area's 15% Plan to a full approval and approving revisions to the 1990 
base year emissions inventory 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 action, 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will be withdrawn and all public comments received will be addressed in 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 action. Any parties 
interested in commenting on this action should do so at this time.

DATES:  Comments must be received in writing by March 6, 2000.

ADDRESSES:  Written comments should be addressed to David L. Arnold, 
Chief, Ozone and Mobile Sources Branch, Mailcode 3AP21, U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency, Region III, 1650 Arch Street, 
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103. Copies of the documents relevant to 
this action are available for public inspection during normal business 
hours at the Air Protection Division, U.S. Environmental Protection 
Agency, Region III, 1650 Arch Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103; 
and Maryland Department of the Environment, 2500 Broening Highway, 
Baltimore, Maryland 21224.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Kristeen Gaffney, (215) 814-2092, at 
the EPA Region III address above, or by e-mail at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:  For further information, please see the 
information provided in the direct final action, with the same title, 
that is located in the ``Rules and Regulations'' section of this 
Federal Register publication.

    Dated: January 14, 2000.
Bradley M. Campbell,
Regional Administrator, Region III.
[FR Doc. 00-2176 Filed 2-2-00; 8:45 am]
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