Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Maryland; Reasonably Available Control Technology for the 1997 8-Hour Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard

EPA is approving the State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of Maryland. This revision pertains to the requirements for meeting reasonably available control technology (RACT) for oxides of nitrogen (NO<INF>X</INF>) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) for the 1997 8-hour ozone national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS). These requirements are based on: A certification that previously adopted RACT controls in Maryland's SIP, which were approved by EPA under the 1-hour ozone NAAQS, are based on the currently available technically and economically feasible controls and continue to represent RACT for the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS implementation purposes; a negative declaration demonstrating that no facilities exist in Maryland for the applicable control technique guideline (CTG) categories; and adoption of new or more stringent RACT determinations. This action is being taken in accordance with the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA).