[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 126 (Tuesday, July 1, 2003)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 39041-39042]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-16582]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 52

[TX-122-1-7613; FRL-7520-8]


Determination of Nonattainment as of November 15, 1996, and 
November 15, 1999, and Reclassification of the Beaumont/Port Arthur 
Ozone Nonattainment Area; State of Texas; Extension of Comment Period

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY: The United States Environmental Protection Agency is extending 
the comment period for a proposed action published Thursday, June 19, 
2003 (68 FR 36756). On June 19, 2003, the EPA: proposed to withdraw our 
final approval of BPA's 2007 attainment demonstration State 
Implementation Plan (SIP), the motor vehicle emission budget (MVEB), 
the mid-course review commitment (MCR), our finding that BPA 
implemented all RACM; and withdrew the extension of the attainment date 
to 2007 and our

[[Page 39042]]

approval of the transport demonstration. Further, we proposed to issue 
a finding that BPA has failed to attain the 1-hour ozone national 
ambient air quality standard (NAAQS) by November 15, 1996, the 
attainment date for moderate nonattainment areas set forth in the Act. 
If EPA takes final action on this finding of failure to attain, the 
area would be reclassified as ``serious'' and if EPA issues a final 
notice of reclassification of the area to serious, EPA proposed in the 
alternative two options for identifying the appropriate attainment date 
for the area. Under Option 1, EPA proposed an additional finding that 
the area failed to attain the 1-hour ozone standard by November 15, 
1999, the attainment date for serious nonattainment areas. If EPA takes 
final action on this finding, the area would therefore be reclassified 
as a severe 1-hour ozone nonattainment area, with an attainment date of 
no later than November 15, 2005. Alternatively, under Option 2, the EPA 
is proposing to reclassify BPA to a serious 1-hour ozone nonattainment 
area, and retain that classification with an attainment date of no 
later than November 15, 2005, thereby giving the State a prospective 
opportunity as a serious area to attain the standard. Under either 
alternative, we proposed the schedule for Texas to submit a revised 
SIP, a new MVEB, and a re-analysis of RACM. We further proposed to 
adjust the dates by which the area must meet the rate-of-progress (ROP) 
requirements and adjust contingency measure requirements as they relate 
to the ROP requirements.
    The South East Texas Regional Planning Commission (SETRPC) 
submitted a letter requesting a 30-day extension to the comment period. 
SETRPC stated they need that time to solicit and develop meaningful 
comments due to the magnitude and significant ramifications of the 
proposed decision. At the request of the SETRPC, the EPA is extending 
the comment period for 30 days.

DATES: The comment period is extended until August 20, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Comments on this action can be mailed to Mr. Thomas H. 
Diggs, Chief, Air Planning Section (6PD-L), U.S. Environmental 
Protection Agency, 1445 Ross Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75202-2733 or e-
mailed to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steven Pratt, Air Planning Section 
(6PD-L), 1445 Ross Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75202-2733. Telephone Number 
(214) 665-2140, e-mail Address: [email protected].

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52

    Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Hydrocarbons, 
Intergovernmental relations, Nitrogen oxides, Ozone, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements, Volatile organic compounds.

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

    Dated: June 23, 2003.
Richard E. Greene,
Regional Administrator, Region 6.
[FR Doc. 03-16582 Filed 6-30-03; 8:45 am]
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