[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 122 (Friday, June 25, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 35526-35527]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-14457]


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

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Parts 50, 51, and 81

[OAR 2003-0079, FRL-7779-2]
RIN 2060-AJ99


Revision to the Preamble of the Final Rule To Implement the 8-
Hour Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard--Phase 1; Correction

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Final rule; correction.

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

SUMMARY: The EPA issued a final rule on April 30, 2004 (69 FR 23951) 
that set forth certain nationally-applicable requirements for 
implementation of the 8-hour ozone national ambient air quality 
standard (NAAQS)--the phase 1 rule. Section VI.L. of the preamble (69 
FR 23995), provided that petitions for review challenging the final 
rule should be filed in the ``appropriate circuit.'' The Clean Air Act 
(CAA) provides that petitions for review of any nationally applicable 
regulations may be filed only in the United States Court of Appeals for 
the District of Columbia Circuit. This document modifies section VI.L. 
to clarify that petitions for review of the phase I rule must be filed 
in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia 
Circuit.

DATES: This document is effective on June 25, 2004.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. John Silvasi, Office of Air 
Quality Planning and Standards, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 
Mail Code C539-02, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, phone number (919) 
541-5666, fax number (919) 541-0824 or by e-mail at 
[email protected] or Ms. Denise Gerth, Office of Air Quality 
Planning and Standards, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Mail Code 
C539-02, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, phone number (919) 541-5550, 
fax number (919) 541-0824 or by e-mail at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The EPA issued final rule on April 30, 2004 
(69 FR 23951) that set forth certain requirements for implementation of 
the 8-hour ozone NAAQS. That action is referred to as the ``phase 1 
rule.'' Section VI.L. of the preamble (69 FR 23995) provides 
information regarding when challenges to the phase 1 rule may be filed 
in accordance with section 307(b) of the CAA. Section 307(b) of the CAA 
provides that challenges to any nationally applicable regulations may 
be filed only in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of 
Columbia

[[Page 35527]]

Circuit. It also provides that challenges to any locally or regionally 
applicable rules may be filed in the United States Court of Appeals for 
the appropriate circuit. However, if EPA determines that a locally or 
regionally applicable rule is of nationwide scope and effect, then a 
challenge must be filed in the United States Court of Appeals for the 
District of Columbia Circuit.
    The phase 1 rule is a nationally applicable rule. It establishes 
requirements for the 8-hour ozone NAAQS and those requirements apply in 
a consistent manner across the nation. The rule does not establish any 
requirements or obligations that apply only on a local or regional 
basis. Thus, under section 307(b), challenges to the phase 1 rule must 
be filed in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of 
Columbia Circuit. By the reference in section VI.L. to challenges being 
filed in the ``appropriate circuit,'' EPA did not intend to suggest 
that a Court other than the United States Court of Appeals for the 
District of Columbia Circuit could be appropriate or that phase 1 rule 
is locally or regionally applicable as that phrase is used in section 
307(b). However, because EPA's statement in section VI.L. could be 
misconstrued, we are issuing this correction to clarify the Agency's 
intention by replacing the clause ``appropriate circuit'' with ``United 
States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.''
    The following is the corrected language:

Petitions for Judicial Review

    Under section 307(b)(1) of the CAA, petitions for judicial review 
of this action must be filed in the United States Court of Appeals for 
the District of Columbia Circuit by June 29, 2004. Filing a petition 
for reconsideration by the Administrator of this final rule does not 
affect the finality of this rule for the purposes of judicial review 
nor does it extend the time within which a petition for judicial review 
may be filed, and shall not postpone the effectiveness of such rule or 
action. This action may not be challenged later in proceedings to 
enforce its requirements. See CAA section 307(b)(2).

    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7408; 42 U.S.C. 7410; 42 U.S.C. 7501-7511f; 
42 U.S.C. 7601(a)(1); 42 U.S.C. 7401.

    Dated: June 21, 2004.
Robert Brenner,
Acting Assistant Administrator.
[FR Doc. 04-14457 Filed 6-24-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-M