[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 236 (Wednesday, December 9, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 67817-67818]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-32578]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 52

[MD055-3021b; FRL-6199-4]


Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; 
Maryland; Stage II Vapor Recovery Comparability Plan

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: EPA is taking direct final action on the State Implementation 
Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of Maryland. The revision 
concerns a plan which demonstrates that the emission reductions of 
volatile organic compounds (VOC) required in ozone attainment and 
marginal ozone nonattainment areas in Maryland are comparable to the 
reductions which would be achieved by Stage II vapor recovery (Stage 
II) in those same areas. EPA is proposing this revision to achieve 
reductions in the emissions of VOCs in the State of Maryland in 
accordance with the requirements of the Clean Air Act.
    In the ``Rules and Regulations'' 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 adverse comments. A 
detailed rationale for the approval is set forth in the direct final 
rule. If EPA receives no adverse comments, EPA will not take further 
action on this proposed rule. If EPA receives adverse comments, EPA 
will withdraw the direct final rule and it will not take effect. EPA 
will address all public comments in a subsequent final rule based on 
this proposed rule. EPA will not institute a second comment period on 
this action. Any parties interested in commenting on this action should 
do so at this time. This Stage II comparability plan allows Maryland to 
achieve VOC reductions.


[[Page 67818]]


DATES: Comments must be received in writing by January 8, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be addressed to Makeba A. Morris, 
Chief, Technical Assessment Branch, Mailcode 3AP22, U.S. Environmental 
Protection Agency, Region III, 1650 Arch Street, Philadelphia, 
Pennsylvania 19103. Copies of the documents relevant to this action are 
available for public inspection during normal business hours at the Air 
Protection Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region III, 
1650 Arch Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103; and the Maryland 
Department of the Environment, 2500 Broening Highway, Baltimore, 
Maryland, 21224.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ruth E. Knapp, (215) 814-2191, at the 
EPA Region III address above, or by e-mail at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    For further information, please see the information provided in the 
direct final action that is located in the ``Rules and Regulations'' 
section of this Federal Register publication.

    Dated: November 30, 1998.
Thomas C. Voltaggio,
Acting Regional Administrator, Region III.
[FR Doc. 98-32578 Filed 12-8-98; 8:45 am]
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