[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 221 (Friday, November 17, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 54300-54301]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-24889]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 52

[EPA-R03-OAR-2017-0394; FRL-9970-69-Region 3]


Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; 
Maryland; Direct Final Rule for the Approval of an Alternative Volatile 
Organic Compound Emission Standard; Withdrawal

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Withdrawal of direct final rule.

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SUMMARY: Due to adverse comments received, the Environmental Protection 
Agency (EPA) is withdrawing the August 28, 2017 direct final rule that 
approved a revision to the Maryland state implementation plan (SIP) to 
incorporate by reference a Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) 
order that establishes an alternative volatile organic compound (VOC) 
emission standard for National Gypsum

[[Page 54301]]

Company (NGC) to ensure that it remains a minor VOC source. EPA stated 
in the direct final rule that if EPA received adverse comments by 
September 27, 2017, the rule would be withdrawn and not take effect. 
EPA subsequently received one adverse comment. EPA will address the 
comment received in a subsequent final action based upon the proposed 
action also published on August 28, 2017. EPA will not institute a 
second comment period on this action.

DATES: As of November 17, 2017, the direct final rule published at 82 
FR 40715, August 28, 2017, is withdrawn.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gregory Becoat, (215) 814 2036, or by 
email at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On June 24, 2016, MDE submitted a formal 
revision to the Maryland SIP. The SIP revision consisted of a request 
to incorporate by reference a MDE departmental order that establishes 
an alternative VOC emission standard for NGC as it appears in the 
permit-to-construct conditions issued by MDE in order to ensure that it 
remains a minor stationary source of VOCs. The alternative VOC 
emissions limit of 195 pounds per operating day with at least a 99% 
overall VOC control efficiency will achieve a stringent emissions 
discharge reduction and is more stringent than any established standard 
for reasonably available control technology (RACT) for major stationary 
sources of VOCs in Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) 26.11.19. Under 
COMAR 26.11.06.06E--``Exceptions,'' a source may request an exception 
to a VOC emissions limit from MDE if the source is not subject to new 
source review (NSR) and if the source is unable to comply with COMAR 
26.11.06.06B--``Control of VOC from Installations.'' In the direct 
final rule published on August 28, 2017 (82 FR 40715), EPA stated that 
if EPA received adverse comments by September 27, 2017, the rule would 
be withdrawn and not take effect. EPA subsequently received one adverse 
comment from an anonymous commenter.
    As a result of the comment received, EPA is withdrawing the direct 
final rule approving the revision to the Maryland SIP that incorporates 
by reference a MDE order establishing a VOC emission standard for NGC.

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52

    Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Incorporation by 
reference, Ozone, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Volatile 
organic compounds.

    Dated: October 31, 2017.
Cosmo Servidio,
Regional Administrator, Region III.

0
Accordingly, the amendment to Sec.  52.1070(d) published on August 28, 
2017 (82 FR 40715), which were to become effective November 27, 2017, 
are withdrawn.

[FR Doc. 2017-24889 Filed 11-16-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6560-50-P


