Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Texas; Revisions to Control Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) Emissions; VOC Control for Facilities in the Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) Ozone Nonattainment Area

AGENCY:

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION:

Proposed rule.

SUMMARY:

EPA is proposing to approve Texas State Implementation Plan (SIP) revisions. The revisions pertain to regulations to control VOC emissions from VOC transfer operations and solvent using processes. The revisions allow use of gasoline vapor recovery systems approved by Texas, and add new requirements to control VOC emissions from motor vehicle fuel dispensing facilities and surface coating facilities in Ellis, Johnson, Kaufman, Parker, and Rockwall Counties. These counties are part of the DFW 8-hour ozone standard nonattainment area. The revisions also amend regulations on use of cleaning solvents. We are proposing to approve the revisions pursuant to sections 110, 116 and part D of the Federal Clean Air Act (CAA). The control of VOC emissions will help to attain and maintain the 8-hour national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS) for ozone in Texas. Approval will make the revised regulations Federally enforceable.

DATES:

Written comments should be received on or before February 21, 2006.

ADDRESSES:

Comments may be mailed to Mr. Thomas Diggs, Chief, Air Planning Section (6PD-L), Environmental Protection Agency, Region 6, 1445 Ross Avenue, Suite 1200, Dallas, Texas 75202-2733. Comments may also be submitted electronically or through hand delivery/courier by following the detailed instructions in the ADDRESSES section of the direct final rule located in the rules section of this Federal Register.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Carl Young, Air Planning Section (6PD-L), Environmental Protection Agency, Region 6, 1445 Ross Avenue, Suite 700, Dallas, Texas 75202-2733, telephone 214-665-6645; fax number 214-665-7263; e-mail address young.carl@epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

In the final rules section of this Federal Register, EPA is approving the State's SIP submittal as a direct final rule without prior proposal because the Agency views this as a noncontroversial submittal and anticipates no relevant adverse comments. A detailed rationale for the approval is set forth in the direct final rule. If no relevant adverse comments are received in response to this action, no further activity is contemplated. If EPA receives relevant 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 rule. EPA will not institute a second comment period. Any parties interested in commenting on this action should do so at this time. Please note that if EPA receives adverse comment on an amendment, paragraph, or section of the rule, and if that provision may be severed from the remainder of the rule, EPA may adopt as final those provisions of the rule that are not the subject of an adverse comment.

For additional information, see the direct final rule which is located in the rules section of this Federal Register.