Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; Illinois NOX Regulations

USEPA is approving Illinois regulations to control emissions of nitrogen oxides ( NO<INF>X</INF>). This action approves rules regulating cement kilns and rules regulating industrial boilers and turbines. USEPA is conducting separate rulemaking on a third set of rules regulating electricity generating units. USEPA concludes in this action that these three sets of rules satisfy the requirements known as the NO<INF>X</INF> SIP Call. USEPA proposed this action on June 28, 2001, at 66 FR 34382. USEPA received comments from three commenters. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) supports USEPA's proposed action and urges USEPA action on rules granting credit for voluntary NO<INF>X</INF> emission reductions ("Subpart X"). The Illinois Environmental Regulatory Group (IERG) commented that USEPA may not reach a conclusion on the overall adequacy of Illinois' NO<INF>X</INF> regulations unless and until USEPA has completed rulemaking on all of Illinois' NO<INF>X</INF> regulations including Subpart X. LTV Steel believes that it should receive a greater number of allowances to reflect a controlled emission rate more consistent with that of other sources, and requests confirmation that emissions monitoring need not begin until May 31, 2003. USEPA responds to Illinois EPA and IERG that we will conduct rulemaking on Subpart X in the near future but we do not agree with IERG that such rulemaking is a prerequisite to judging whether Illinois has an adequate SIP. USEPA responds to LTV Steel that the proposed number of allowances appropriately reflects 60 percent control of that unit. USEPA concurs with a delay for emission monitoring for sources not seeking early reduction credits, but states that the acceptable date is May 1, 2003, not May 31, 2003.