Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans: Alabama: Nitrogen Oxides Budget and Allowance Trading Program

EPA is approving a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of Alabama on March 12, 2001. This revision was submitted to satisfy EPA's regulation entitled, "Finding of Significant Contribution and Rulemaking for Certain States in the OzoneTransport Assessment Group Region for Purposes of Reducing Regional Transport of Ozone," otherwise known as the "NO<INF>X</INF> SIP Call." This revision establishes and requires a nitrogen oxides ( NO<INF>X</INF>) allowance trading program for large electric generating and industrial units, and reductions for cement kilns, beginning in 2004. The intended effect of this SIP revision is to reduce emissions of NO<INF>X</INF> in order to help attain the national ambient air quality standard for ozone. On December 26, 2000, EPA determined that Alabama had failed to submit a SIP in response to the NO<INF>X</INF> SIP Call, thus starting a 18 month clock for the mandatory imposition of sanctions and the obligation for EPA to promulgate a Federal Implementation Plan (FIP) within 24 months. On March 12, 2001, Alabama submitted a NO<INF>X</INF> SIP and EPA found that SIP submission complete on March 19, 2001, stopping the sanctions clock. Through this Federal Register document, both the sanctions clock and EPA's FIP obligation are terminated.