[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 46 (Thursday, March 9, 2006)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 12155-12156]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-2183]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 52
[R04-OAR-2005-AL-0002-200528b; FRL-8043-1]
Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; Alabama: State
Implementation Plan Revision
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Proposed rule.
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SUMMARY: EPA is approving revisions to the Alabama State Implementation
Plan (SIP), submitted by the Alabama Department of Environmental
Management (ADEM) on September 11, 2003. The revisions include
modifications to Alabama's open burning rules found at Alabama
Administrative Code (AAC) Chapter 335-3-3-.01. These revisions are part
of Alabama's strategy to meet the national ambient air quality
standards by reducing emissions of volatile organic compounds and
nitrogen oxides. Open burning creates smoke that contains fine
particles (PM2.5) and precursors to ozone. ADEM has found
that elevated levels of PM2.5 mirror the months when ozone
levels are highest (May-September). These rules are intended to help
control levels of PM2.5 and ozone precursors that contribute
to high ozone
[[Page 12156]]
and PM2.5 levels. Today's action is being taken pursuant to
section 110 of the Clean Air Act. In its September 11, 2003, submittal,
ADEM also proposed SIP revisions to include changes to AAC Chapter 335-
3-4, concerning opacity. EPA is not acting on that part of the revision
at this time.
In the Rules Section of this Federal Register, EPA is approving
Alabama's SIP revision as a direct final rule without prior proposal
because the Agency views this as a noncontroversial submittal and
anticipates no adverse comments. A rationale for the approval is set
forth in the direct final rule, and incorporated herein by reference.
If no significant, material, and adverse comments are received in
response to this rule, no further activity is contemplated with regard
to this proposed action. If EPA receives adverse comments, the direct
final rule will be withdrawn and all public comments received will be
addressed in a subsequent final rule based on this proposed action. EPA
will not institute a second comment period on this document. Any
parties interested in commenting on this document should do so at this
time.
DATES: Written comments must be received on or before April 10, 2006.
ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted by mail to: Stacy DiFrank,
Regulatory Development Section, Air Planning Branch, Air, Pesticides
and Toxics Management Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
Region 4, 61 Forsyth Street, SW., Atlanta, Georgia 30303-8960. Comments
may also be submitted electronically, or through hand delivery/courier.
Please follow the detailed instructions described in the direct final
rule, ADDRESSES section which is published in the Rules Section of this
Federal Register.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stacy DiFrank, Regulatory Development
Section, Air Planning Branch, Air, Pesticides and Toxics Management
Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 4, 61 Forsyth
Street, SW., Atlanta, Georgia 30303-8960. The telephone number is (404)
562-9042. Ms. DiFrank can also be reached via electronic mail at
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: For additional information, see the direct
final rule which is published in the Rules Section of this Federal
Register.
Dated: February 17, 2006.
A. Stanley Meiburg,
Acting Regional Administrator, Region 4.
[FR Doc. 06-2183 Filed 3-8-06; 8:45 am]
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