[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 224 (Wednesday, November 22, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 55511]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-25323]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 52

[EPA-R03-OAR-2017-0396; FRL-9971-13-Region 3]


Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; 
Maryland; 2011 Base Year Inventory for the 2008 8-Hour Ozone National 
Ambient Air Quality Standard for the Baltimore, Maryland Nonattainment 
Area; Withdrawal of Direct Final Rule

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 October 3, 2017 direct final rule that 
approved a state implementation plan (SIP) revision submitted by the 
State of Maryland to add the 2011 base year inventory for the 
Baltimore, Maryland moderate nonattainment area for the 2008 8-hour 
ozone national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS) into Maryland's 
SIP. EPA stated in the direct final rule that if EPA received adverse 
comments by November 2, 2017, the rule would be withdrawn and not take 
effect. EPA subsequently received adverse comments. EPA will address 
the comments received in a subsequent final action based upon the 
proposed rulemaking action also published on October 3, 2017. EPA will 
not institute a second comment period on this action.

DATES: The direct final rule published at 82 FR 45997, on October 3, 
2017, is withdrawn as of November 22, 2017.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gavin Huang, (215) 814-2042, or by 
email at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On December 20, 2016, the State of Maryland 
submitted the 2011 base year emission inventory through the Maryland 
Department of the Environment (MDE) to meet the nonattainment 
requirements for moderate ozone nonattainment areas for the 2008 8-hour 
ozone NAAQS. In the direct final rule published on October 3, 2017 (82 
FR 45997), EPA stated that if EPA received adverse comments by November 
2, 2017, the rule would be withdrawn and not take effect. EPA 
subsequently received adverse comments from anonymous commenters.
    Because adverse comments were received, EPA is withdrawing the 
direct final rule approving the revisions to the Maryland SIP that 
approves the 2011 base year inventory for the Baltimore, Maryland 
moderate nonattainment area for the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS on October 
3, 2017 (82 FR 45997). EPA will respond to the adverse comments in a 
separate final rulemaking action.

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52

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

    Dated: November 9, 2017.
Cosmo Servidio,
Regional Administrator, Region III.

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Accordingly, the amendments to 40 CFR part 52 published on October 3, 
2017 (82 FR 45997) are withdrawn as of November 22, 2017.

[FR Doc. 2017-25323 Filed 11-21-17; 8:45 am]
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