[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 127 (Thursday, July 2, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 38284]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-16390]
[[Page 38283]]
Vol. 80
Thursday,
No. 127
July 2, 2015
Part II
Environmental Protection Agency
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40 CFR Part 80
Approval of Alabama's Request To Relax the Federal Reid Vapor Pressure
Gasoline Volatility Standard for Birmingham, Alabama; Final Rule
Federal Register / Vol. 80 , No. 127 / Thursday, July 2, 2015 / Rules
and Regulations
[[Page 38284]]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 80
[EPA-HQ-OAR-2014-0905; FRL 9929-91-OAR]
RIN 2060-AS58
Approval of Alabama's Request To Relax the Federal Reid Vapor
Pressure Gasoline Volatility Standard for Birmingham, Alabama
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.
ACTION: Withdrawal of direct final rule.
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SUMMARY: Due to the receipt of two adverse comments, the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) is withdrawing the May 7, 2015 direct final
rule to approve the request from Alabama to relax the Reid Vapor
Pressure (RVP) standard applicable to gasoline introduced into commerce
from June 1 to September 15 of each year in Jefferson and Shelby
counties, Alabama (``the Birmingham area''). The EPA is considering
these comments and will address the comments in a separate action. The
EPA will not institute a second comment period on this action.
DATES: The direct final rule published at 80 FR 26191 on May 7, 2015 is
withdrawn, effective July 2, 2015.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patty Klavon, Office of Transportation
and Air Quality, Environmental Protection Agency, 2000 Traverwood
Drive, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105; telephone number: (734) 214-4476; fax
number: (734) 214-4052; email address: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On May 7, 2015 (80 FR 26191), the EPA
published a direct final rule to approve a request from the state of
Alabama to change the summertime gasoline RVP standard for Jefferson
and Shelby counties (``the Birmingham area'') from 7.8 pounds per
square inch (psi) to 9.0 psi by amending the EPA's regulations at 40
CFR 80.27(a)(2). In an April 17, 2015 final rule, the EPA approved a
state implementation plan (SIP) revision from the state of Alabama
which provided a technical demonstration that relaxing the federal RVP
requirement from 7.8 psi to 9.0 psi for gasoline sold from June 1 to
September 15 of each year in the Birmingham area would not interfere
with maintenance of the national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS)
in the Birmingham area. For more information on Alabama's SIP revision,
please refer to the April 17, 2015 rulemaking (80 FR 21170).
In the May 7, 2015 direct final rule, the EPA stated that if
adverse comments were received by June 8, 2015, the rule would be
withdrawn and not take effect. The EPA received two comments. The EPA
is treating these comments as adverse. Therefore, the EPA is
withdrawing the direct final rule. The EPA will address these comments
in a separate final action based on the May 7, 2015 proposed rulemaking
(80 FR 26212). The EPA will not institute a second comment period on
this action.
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 80
Environmental protection, Administrative practice and procedures,
Air pollution control, Fuel additives, Gasoline, Motor vehicle and
motor vehicle engines, Motor vehicle pollution, Penalties, Reporting
and recordkeeping requirements.
Dated: June 25, 2015.
Gina McCarthy,
Administrator.
Accordingly, the amendment to 40 CFR 80.27 which published in the
Federal Register on May 7, 2015 at 80 FR 26191 is withdrawn as of July
2, 2015.
[FR Doc. 2015-16390 Filed 7-1-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P