1905 Proposed revision to the state implementation plan for the Reading fine particulate matter nonattainment area; public hearing
Proposed Revision to the State Implementation Plan for the Reading Fine Particulate Matter Nonattainment Area; Public Hearing [43 Pa.B. 6064]
[Saturday, October 12, 2013]Particulate matter (PM) includes both solid and liquid particles suspended in the air. Fine particle pollution describes particulate matter that is less than or equal to 2.5 micrometers in diameter (PM2.5). PM2.5 concentrations above the Federal health-based standard pose a serious human health threat. Air quality in the Reading PM2.5 Nonattainment Area, consisting of Berks County, has improved and now meets the 1997 PM2.5 health-based standards. Therefore, the Department of Environmental Protection (Department) plans to submit a request to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to redesignate this area to attainment.
The Department published notice at 43 Pa.B. 5661 (September 21, 2013) of a public comment period and public hearing on the request and on a proposed State Implementation Plan revision containing the 2007 comprehensive inventory and a maintenance plan demonstrating that the area can maintain the standard for the next 10 years as required under section 175A(a) of the Federal Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C.A. § 7505a(a)). The notice explained that the maintenance plan will also establish new motor vehicle emission budgets for purposes of transportation conformity, upon EPA approval.
The Department is postponing the public hearing by 1 week and extending the public comment period. Public notice of the new public hearing date and extension of the public comment period has been provided by local newspaper advertisement in the affected area.
The Department will hold a public hearing to receive comments on the proposal on Wednesday, October 30, 2013, at 11 a.m. at the Department's Reading District Office, 1005 Crossroads Boulevard, Reading, PA 19605. Persons wishing to present testimony at the hearing should contact Alex Haas, P. O. Box 8468, Harrisburg, PA 17105, (717) 787-9495, alehaas@pa.gov to reserve a time. Witnesses should keep testimony to 10 minutes and should provide two written copies of their statement at the hearing.
If by October 28, 2013, no person has expressed an interest in testifying at the hearing, the hearing will be cancelled. The Department will notify the public if the hearing is cancelled on the Bureau of Air Quality web page at http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/airwaste/aq/default.htm.
Persons may also contact the Department to find out if the hearing is cancelled by contacting Alex Haas at (717) 787-9495 or alehaas@pa.gov.
The request to redesignate the area to attainment and the proposed State Implementation Plan revision are available on the Department's web site at www.depweb.state.pa.us (choose ''Air,'' choose ''Bureau of Air Quality,'' choose ''Regs/Plans,'' choose ''Clean Air Plans'') or through the contact persons listed as follows.
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 Alex Haas at (717) 787-9495 or alehaas@pa.gov. TDD users may contact the Pennsylvania AT&T Relay Service at (800) 654-5984 to discuss how the Department can best accommodate their needs.
The Department must receive comments no later than November 1, 2013. Written comments should be sent to the attention of Nancy Herb, Bureau of Air Quality, P. O. Box 8468, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8468, nherb@pa.gov. Use ''Reading PM2.5 Redesignation'' as the subject line in written communication.
E. CHRISTOPHER ABRUZZO,
Acting Secretary[Pa.B. Doc. No. 13-1905. Filed for public inspection October 11, 2013, 9:00 a.m.]
