[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 61 (Wednesday, March 29, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 16523]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-7735]


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

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 70

[FRL-6567-2]


Extension of Operating Permits Program Interim Approvals

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Withdrawal of direct final rule.

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

SUMMARY: Due to an adverse comment, EPA is withdrawing the February 14, 
2000 direct final rule: ``Extending Operating Permits Program Interim 
Approval Expiration Dates.'' This rule would extend the dates by which 
interim approval of State or local operating permits programs will 
expire until June 1, 2002. The withdrawal of the rule will only affect 
those programs with interim approval as opposed to full approval.

DATES: The direct final rule, published on February 14, 2000 (65 FR 
7290), is withdrawn as of March 29, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Docket No. A-93-50 containing supporting information used in 
the development of this notice is available for public inspection and 
copying between 8 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding 
holidays. The docket is located in EPA's Air and Radiation Docket and 
Information Center, Waterside Mall, Room M-1500, 401 M Street, SW, 
Washington, DC 20460, or by calling (202) 260-7548. A reasonable fee 
may be charged for copying docket materials.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Roger Powell at (919) 541-5331, 
Information Transfer and Program Integration Division (MD-12), 
Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 
27711, electronic mail address: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On February 14, 2000, EPA published a direct 
final rule (65 FR 7290) and a parallel proposal (65 FR 7333) to amend 
Appendix A of the 40 CFR part 70 operating permits regulations. This 
amendment would extend until June 1, 2002 the expiration dates of all 
interim approvals of State or local operating permits programs. The 
purpose of this action was to allow State and local permitting 
authorities to combine the operating permits program revisions 
necessary to correct interim approval deficiencies with program 
revisions necessary to implement the revisions to the part 70 
regulations that are now anticipated to be promulgated in late 2001. 
This action would allow the permitting authorities to preserve 
resources by preparing and submitting to EPA only one program revision 
instead of two.
    The EPA stated in the direct final rule (65 FR 7291, February 14, 
2000) that if relevant, adverse comments were received by March 15, 
2000, EPA would publish a notice to withdraw the direct final rule 
before its effective date of May 30, 2000. The EPA received an adverse 
comment on the direct final rule and, therefore, is withdrawing the 
direct final rulemaking action. The adverse comment stated that the 
action was contrary to the express terms of the Clean Air Act. The EPA 
will address this comment on the withdrawn amendment in the subsequent 
final action on the proposed amendment.

    Dated: March 21, 2000.
Robert Perciasepe,
Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation.
[FR Doc. 00-7735 Filed 3-28-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P