[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 208 (Monday, October 28, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 65789]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-27339]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-7400-6]


Clean Air Act Operating Permit Program; Petition for Objection to 
State Operating Permit for the Borden Chemical, Inc. Formaldehyde Plant 
Geismar, Ascension Parish, LA

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of final order on petition to object to state operating 
permit.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This notice announces that the EPA Administrator has denied 
the petition to object to a state operating permit issued by the 
Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) for Borden 
Chemical, Inc.'s formaldehyde plant in Geismar, Louisiana. Pursuant to 
section 505(b)(2) of the Clean Air Act (Act), the petitioner may seek 
judicial review of this petition response in the United States Court of 
Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Any petition must be filed within 60 
days of the date this notice appears in the Federal Register, pursuant 
to section 307(d) of the Act.

ADDRESSES: You may review copies of the final order, the petition, and 
other supporting information at the Environmental Protection Agency, 
Region 6, 1445 Ross Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75202-2733. If you wish to 
examine these documents, you should make an appointment at least 24 
hours before visiting day. The final order is also available 
electronically at the following address: http://www.epa.gov/region07/programs/artd/air/title5/petitiondb/petitiondb2001.htm

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bonnie Braganza, Air Permitting 
Section, Multimedia Planning and Permitting Division, U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency, Region 6, 1445 Ross Avenue, Dallas, 
Texas 75202-2733, telephone (214) 665-7340 or e-mail at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Clean Air Act (Act) affords EPA a 45-day 
period to review, and object to as appropriate, operating permits 
proposed by state permitting authorities. Section 505(b)(2) of the Act 
authorizes any person to petition the EPA Administrator within 60 days 
after the expiration of this review period to object to State operating 
permits if EPA has not done so. Petitions must be based only on 
objections to the permit that were raised with reasonable specificity 
during the public comment period provided by the State, unless the 
petitioner demonstrates that it was impracticable to raise these issues 
during the comment period or the grounds for the issues arose after 
this period.
    The Louisiana Environmental Action Network submitted a petition to 
the Administrator on January 2, 2001, requesting that EPA object to the 
modified title V operating permit issued for Borden Chemical, Inc.'s 
formaldehyde plant in Geismar, Louisiana. The petition objects to 
issuance of the proposed permit on the following grounds: (1) The 
emission reductions relied upon to avoid designation as a major 
modification are not real, actual, or allowable under Federal law and 
regulations; (2) nonattainment new source review applies because the 
emission reductions were not surplus under Louisiana regulations; (3) 
Borden should not be rewarded for violating the Clean Air Act, and the 
modified permit is contrary to EPA policy and the intent of the Act; 
and (4) a new facility in the Baton Rouge nonattainment area will not 
provide sufficient reductions to achieve the ozone standard.
    On September 30, 2002, the Administrator issued an order denying 
the petition. The order explains the reasons for the Administrator's 
decision.

    Dated: October 19, 2002.
Gregg A. Cooke,
Regional Administrator.
[FR Doc. 02-27339 Filed 10-25-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P