Approval of Revisions to the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality Title 33 Environmental Quality Part III; Air Chapter 5; Permit Procedures, 504; Nonattainment New Source Review Procedures

The EPA is approving revisions to the State of Louisiana's State Implementation Plan (SIP). The revisions concern the nonattainment New Source Review (NSR) procedures for the five-parish Baton Rouge ozone nonattainment area. The revisions include increases to the minimum offset ratios for new major stationary sources and major modifications at major stationary sources in nonattainment areas. The minimum offset ratios were increased for classifications of serious and severe ozone nonattainment. The revisions also allow an increase in volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions to be offset by a decrease in emissions of nitrogen oxides (NO<INF>X</INF>) if the net result is a decrease in ozone levels. The revisions require that if NO<INF>X</INF> emissions decreases are used for VOC emissions increases, the permit for which the offsets are required must have been issued on or before November 15, 2005, and must meet additional requirements to ensure a net air quality benefit. Major stationary sources that plan to build or modify in a nonattainment area must obtain these emissions offsets as a condition of permit approval. Emissions offsets are reductions in actual emissions from existing sources in the vicinity of the proposed new source. The EPA proposed approval of these SIP revisions on July 23, 2002 (67 FR 48090). The EPA approves the use of these revisions as a component of the Louisiana plan to bring the Baton Rouge nonattainment area into compliance with the Clean Air Act (CAA or the Act). Pursuant to section 553(d) of the Administrative Procedure Act, EPA finds good cause to make this action effective immediately.