181 Proposed revision to the State Implementation Plan for ozone meeting the requirements of the alternative ozone attainment demonstration policy (phase I and II); public hearing

Proposed Revision to the State Implementation Plan for Ozone Meeting the Requirements of the Alternative Ozone Attainment Demonstration Policy (Phase I and II); Public Hearing

[28 Pa.B. 565]

   Ground-level ozone concentrations above the Federal health-based standard are a serious human health threat, and also can cause damage to important food crops, forests and wildlife. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is seeking public comment on two plans required by the Clean Air Act to reduce ozone concentrations in the Philadelphia ozone nonattainment area (Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties). Together, these plans meet the requirements for reducing volatile organic compounds (or equivalent) by 3% per year from 1996 through 2005 and demonstrating that the area will meet the health-based ozone standard.

   States may meet these requirements in two phases. The Phase I plan documents reductions from 1996 through 1999 and commits to adopt additional necessary controls. The Phase II plan documents subsequent reductions, describes current air quality monitoring and provides air quality modeling information for the attainment demonstration. It also describes Pennsylvania's efforts to reduce transport of pollution from outside its borders. The Department of Environmental Protection (Department) proposes to submit these documents to the Federal Environmental Protection Agency to revise the Pennsylvania State Implementation Plan (SIP) for ozone.

   The Department will hold a public hearing to receive comments on both of the proposed SIP revisions. The public hearing will be held at 1 p.m. on March 2, 1998 at the Department of Environmental Protection's office at 555 North Lane, Conshohocken, PA.

   Persons wishing to present testimony at the hearing should contact Vickie Walters at [phone] or at P. O. Box 8468, Harrisburg, PA 17105 to reserve a time to present testimony. If you do not reserve a time to testify, you will be able to testify after pre-registered witnesses. Each witness must keep oral testimony to 10 minutes. Please submit three written copies of the oral testimony at the hearing. Each organization should designate one witness to present testimony on its behalf.

   Persons interested in submitting written comments should send the comments to J. Wick Havens, Chief, Division of Air Resource Management, P. O. Box 8468, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8468. Written comments on Phase I must be received by the close of business, April 10, 1998. Written comments on Phase II must be received by the close of business, March 9, 1998. Copies of the proposed revision may be obtained from J. Wick Havens at the above address or by telephone at [phone] (e-mail: [e-mail]). This proposal is also available on the DEP Web site at http://www.dep.state.pa.us (choose Public Participation Center/Proposals Open for Comment).

   Persons with a disability who wish to attend the hearing, and require an auxiliary aid, service or other accommodation to participate in the proceeding, should contact J. Wick Havens at the above address or telephone number, or for TDD users, the AT&T Relay Service at 1 [phone] to discuss how the Department can best accommodate their needs.

JAMES M. SEIF,   
Secretary

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 98-181. Filed for public inspection January 30, 1998, 9:00 a.m.]