Conditional Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans: Michigan: Oxides of Nitrogen Rules

EPA is conditionally approving a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of Michigan on April 3, 2003. The submittal made by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) responds to the EPA's regulation entitled, "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 rules submitted by MDEQ establish a nitrogen oxides (NO<INF>X</INF>) emissions allowance trading program for large electric generating and industrial units, and require reductions from large electric generating and industrial units and cement kilns, beginning in 2004. The intended effect of the regulations submitted by MDEQ is to reduce emissions of NO<INF>X</INF> to help attain the national ambient air quality standard for ozone. EPA is conditionally approving Michigan's Oxides of Nitrogen Budget Trading Program because it generally meets the requirements of the Phase I NO<INF>X</INF> SIP Call designed to significantly reduce ozone in Michigan and ozone transport in the eastern United States.