Final Rule To Implement the 8-Hour Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard-Phase 2; Final Rule To Implement Certain Aspects of the 1990 Amendments Relating to New Source Review and Prevention of Significant Deterioration as They Apply in Carbon Monoxide, Particulate Matter and Ozone NAAQS; Final Rule for Reformulated Gasoline

In this document, we are taking final action on most remaining elements of the program to implement the 8-hour ozone national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS or standard). This final rule addresses, among other things, the following control and planning obligations as they apply to areas designated nonattainment for the 8-hour ozone NAAQS: reasonably available control technology and measures (RACT and RACM), reasonable further progress (RFP), modeling and attainment demonstrations, and new source review (NSR). We are issuing this rule so that States and Tribes will know how these statutory control and planning obligations apply and when State implementation plan (SIP) revisions are due for these obligations so that the States may develop timely submissions consistent with the statutory obligations and attain the NAAQS as expeditiously as practicable but no later than their maximum attainment dates. The intended effect of the rule is to provide certainty to States and Tribes regarding development of those plans. In this rule, we are also finalizing several revisions to the regulations governing the nonattainment NSR programs mandated by section 110(a)(2)(C) and part D of title I of the Clean Air Act (CAA). Finally, this rule addresses what effect the transition to the 8- hour standard will have on certain aspects of the Reformulated Gasoline (RFG) program. The nine original mandatory RFG areas, as well as most other areas that have become mandatory RFG areas by being reclassified as severe areas under section 181(b) of the CAA, will continue to be required to use RFG at least until they are redesignated to attainment for the 8-hour NAAQS. The EPA reserves for future consideration what effect the transition to the 8-hour standard will have on areas reclassified as severe areas for the 1-hour NAAQS under section 181(b) of the CAA that were redesignated to attainment for the 1-hour standard before revocation of that standard.