Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans: Tennessee; Approval of Section 110(a)(1) Maintenance Plan for the 1997 8-Hour Ozone Standards for the Nashville, TN, Area

EPA is taking final action to approve a revision to the Tennessee State Implementation Plan (SIP) concerning the maintenance plan addressing the 1997 8-hour ozone standards for the Nashville, Tennessee 1997 8-hour ozone maintenance area, which is comprised of Davidson, Rutherford, Sumner, Williamson, and Wilson Counties in their entireties (hereafter referred to as the "Nashville Area"). This maintenance plan was submitted by the State of Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) on August 3, 2010, for parallel processing. TDEC submitted the final version of the SIP on October 13, 2010. The maintenance plan ensures the continued attainment of the 1997 8-hour ozone national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) through the year 2018. This plan meets the statutory and regulatory requirements, and is consistent with EPA's guidance. EPA is taking final action to approve the revision to the Tennessee 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 July 2011. Today's action, however, relates only to the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS. Requirements for the Nashville Area under the 2011 NAAQS will be addressed in the future.