1551 Proposed revision to the State Implementation Plan for reasonably available control technology (RACT) under the 8-hour ozone national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS); public hearings

Proposed Revision to the State Implementation Plan for Reasonably Available Control Technology (RACT) under the 8-Hour Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS); Public Hearings

[36 Pa.B. 4561]
[Saturday, August 12, 2006]

   The Department of Environmental Protection (Department) plans to submit to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) a proposed State Implementation Plan (SIP) Revision for meeting the requirements of Reasonably Available Control Technology (RACT) set forth by the Federal Clean Air Act (CAA). The CAA requires that states achieve the health-based 8-hour ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) by specified dates, based on the severity of an area's air quality problem. Furthermore, EPA's Final Rule to Implement the 8-Hour Ozone NAAQS (70 FR 71612, November 29, 2005) states that areas classified as ''moderate'' nonattainment for ozone must submit a demonstration that their existing rules fulfill the 8-hour ozone RACT requirements. For the purposes of regulating stationary sources, the entire Commonwealth is considered a ''moderate'' ozone nonattainment area for the Federal 8-hour ozone NAAQS because it is in the Ozone Transport Region established under Section 184 of the CAA. Attaining and maintaining concentrations of ground-level ozone below the health-based standard is important because ozone is a serious human health threat and also can cause damage to important food crops, forests and wildlife.

   The Department is certifying through this proposed SIP Revision that the Commonwealth's existing Federally approved SIP meets the CAA RACT requirements under the 8-hour ozone NAAQS. The Department is seeking public comment on this proposed SIP Revision. This proposal is available on the Department's Bureau of Air Quality website at www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/airwaste/aq/plans/Clean_air_plans.htm, or through the con-tact persons in the following list..

   The Department will hold three public hearings to receive comments on the proposed SIP Revision. These hearings will be held at 10 a.m. as follows:

September 11, 2006	Department of Environmental    Protection Southwest Regional Office Monongahela Room 400 Waterfront Drive Pittsburgh, PA 15222
September 12, 2006	Department of Environmental    Protection Southcentral Regional Office Codorus Creek Room 909 Elmerton Avenue Harrisburg, PA 17105
September 13, 2006	Department of Environmental    Protection Southeast Regional Office Stony Creek Conference Room 2 East Main Street Norristown, PA 19401

   Persons wishing to present testimony at any of the hearings should contact Yvette House, P. O. Box 8468, Harrisburg, PA 17105, [phone], [e-mail] to reserve a time. Persons who do not reserve a time will be able to testify only as time allows. Witnesses should keep testimony to 10 minutes and should provide two written copies of their statement at the hearing.

   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 Wick Havens at the previously listed address and telephone number. TDD users may contact the AT&T Relay Service at [phone] to discuss how the Department can best accommodate their needs.

   Comments must be received by the Department no later than September 14, 2006. Written comments should be sent to J. Wick Havens, Chief, Division of Air Resource Management, Bureau of Air Quality, P. O. Box 8468, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8468, [e-mail]. Use ''RACT SIP for 8-Hour Ozone'' in the subject line.

KATHLEEN A. MCGINTY,   
Secretary

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 06-1551. Filed for public inspection August 11, 2006, 9:00 a.m.]