Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island; Nitrogen Oxides Budget and Allowance Trading Program

EPA is approving and promulgating State Implementation Plan (SIP) revisions submitted by the States of Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. These SIP revisions make minor technical corrections to the nitrogen oxides (NO<INF>X</INF>) budget and trading programs in these states. Specifically, the SIP revision for each of the States adjusts the baseline and emissions budgets for highway mobile and non- electric generating unit (non-EGU) point sources such that they are consistent with those in EPA's March 2, 2000 (65 FR 11222) final rulemaking notice entitled "Technical Amendment to the Finding of Significant Contribution and Rulemaking for Certain States for Purposes of Reducing Regional Transport of Ozone." The technical revisions do not affect the regulatory programs in these states. However, the changes are needed to fully approve the programs as meeting Phase I and II of the EPA's October 27, 1998 (63 FR 57356) regulation "Finding of Significant Contribution and Rulemaking for Certain States in the Ozone Transport Assessment Group Region for Purposes of Reducing Regional Transport of Ozone," otherwise known as the "NO<INF>X</INF> SIP Call." The intended effect of this action is to approve the SIP revisions for the Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island NO<INF>X</INF> budget trading programs as meeting Phase I and II of the EPA's NO<INF>X</INF> SIP Call. This action is being taken in accordance with section 110 of the Clean Air Act (CAA).