Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; Louisiana; Rescission of the Section 182(f) and 182(b)(1) Exemptions to the Nitrogen Oxides Control Requirements for the Baton Rouge Ozone Nonattainment Area

We are approving revisions to the Louisiana State Implementation Plan (SIP). In particular, we are finalizing our proposal to rescind the section 182(f) and 182(b)(1) nitrogen oxides (NO<INF>X</INF>) exemptions for the Baton Rouge (BR) ozone nonattainment area, which proposal was published on May 7, 2002 (67 FR 30638). We are rescinding the NO<INF>X</INF> exemptions based on revised photochemical grid modeling recently conducted for the BR area SIP which indicates that control of NO<INF>X</INF> emissions will help the area attain the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for ozone. The State of Louisiana requested that EPA rescind the NO<INF>X</INF> exemption based on this new modeling. Upon rescission of the NO<INF>X</INF> exemptions, the State will need to implement NO<INF>X</INF> controls to meet the Clean Air Act's (the Act) requirements for Reasonably Available Control Technology (RACT), Nonattainment New Source Review (NNSR), vehicle Inspection/Maintenance (I/M), and general and transportation conformity. The EPA is finalizing the proposal to rescind the NO<INF>X</INF> exemptions for the BR ozone nonattainment area as meeting the requirements of the Act.