Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans: Kentucky; Approval Section 110(a)(1) Maintenance Plan for the 1997 8-Hour Ozone Standard for the Paducah Area

EPA is taking final action to approve a revision to the Kentucky State Implementation Plan (SIP) concerning the maintenance plan addressing the 1997 8-hour ozone standards for the Paducah 1997 8- hour ozone attainment area, which comprises Marshall County and a portion of Livingston County (hereafter referred to as the "Paducah Area"). This maintenance plan was submitted to EPA on May 27, 2008, by the Commonwealth of Kentucky, and ensures the continued attainment of the 1997 8-hour ozone national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) through the year 2020. On July 15, 2009, the Commonwealth of Kentucky submitted supplemental information with updated emissions tables for this Area to reflect actual emissions. This plan meets the statutory and regulatory requirements, and is consistent with EPA's guidance. EPA is taking final action to approve the revisions to the Kentucky SIP, pursuant to the Clean Air Act (CAA). EPA is also in the process of establishing a new 8-hour ozone NAAQS, and expects to finalize the reconsidered NAAQS by August 2010. Today's action, however, relates only to the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS. Requirements for the Paducah Area under the 2010 NAAQS will be addressed in the future.