[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 136 (Monday, July 16, 2001)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 36963]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-17468]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 52

[TX-133-1-7493b; FRL-7011-7]


Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; Texas; 
Houston/Galveston Volatile Organic Compound Reasonably Available 
Control Technology Revision

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: The EPA is proposing to take direct final action to approve 
revisions to the Texas State Implementation Plan (SIP). This rulemaking 
covers four separate actions approving revisions to the Texas Rules for 
Control of Air Pollution from Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC Rules), 
30 TAC Chapter 115. First, EPA is approving amendments to sections 
115.161, 115.162, 115.164-115.167, and 115.169, concerning Batch 
Processes. Second, EPA is approving amendments to sections 115.120, 
115.122, 115.125-115.127, and 115.129, concerning control requirements 
for bakeries and testing requirements for vents. Third, we are 
approving amendments to section 115.449, concerning Offset Lithographic 
Printing. Finally, EPA is approving numerous minor administrative 
changes to the VOC rules. The Texas Natural Resource Conservation 
Commission (TNRCC or Commission) adopted these revisions to Chapter 
115, concerning Control of Air Pollution from Volatile Organic 
Compounds (VOC), and to the State Implementation Plan (SIP) in order to 
meet the Clean Air Act (Act) Reasonably Available Control Technology 
(RACT) requirements and to control VOC emissions in the Houston/
Galveston ozone nonattainment area (HGA). By approving these SIP 
revisions, EPA is finding that RACT will be implemented for VOC 
emissions resulting from the operation of batch processes, bakeries 
(vent gas control), and offset lithography printing sources in the HGA 
area accordance with the requirements of the Act. In addition, the 
changes to test methods for vent gas control and various other minor 
changes will clarify and strengthen the SIP.
    In the ``Rules and Regulations'' section of this Federal Register, 
EPA is approving the State's SIP revision as a direct final rule 
without prior proposal because the EPA views this as a noncontroversial 
revision and anticipates no adverse comment. The EPA has explained its 
reasons for this approval in the preamble to the direct final rule. If 
EPA receives no relevant adverse comments, the EPA will not take 
further action on this proposed rule. If EPA receives relevant adverse 
comment, EPA will withdraw the direct final rule and it will not take 
effect. The EPA will address all public comments in a subsequent final 
rule based on this proposed rule. The EPA will not institute a second 
comment period on this action. Any parties interested in commenting 
must do so at this time.

DATES: Written comments must be received by August 15, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be addressed to Mr. Thomas H. Diggs, 
Chief, Air Planning Section (6PD-L), at the EPA Region 6 Office listed 
below. Copies of documents relevant to this action are available for 
public inspection during normal business hours at the following 
locations.
    Environmental Protection Agency, Region 6, Air Planning Section 
(6PD-L), 1445 Ross Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75202-2733.
    Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission, Office of Air 
Quality, 12124 Park 35 Circle, Austin, Texas 78753.
    Anyone wanting to examine these documents should make an 
appointment with the appropriate office at least two working days in 
advance.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Kenneth Boyce, Air Planning 
Section (6PD-L), EPA Region 6, 1445 Ross Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75202-
2733, telephone (214) 665-7259.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This document concerns Control of Air 
Pollution from Control of Air Pollution from VOC emissions resulting 
from the operation of batch processes, bakeries (vent gas control), and 
offset lithography printing sources in accordance with the requirements 
of the Act. For further information, please see the information 
provided in the direct final action that is located in the ``Rules and 
Regulations'' section of this Federal Register publication.

    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.

    Dated: July 3, 2001.
Jerry Clifford,
Acting Regional Administrator, Region 6.
[FR Doc. 01-17468 Filed 7-13-01; 8:45 am]
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