Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Maryland; Preconstruction Requirements-Prevention of Significant Deterioration and Nonattainment New Source Review

EPA is approving several revisions to the Maryland State Implementation Plan (SIP) submitted by the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE). These revisions pertain to preconstruction requirements under the Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) and non-attainment New Source Review (NSR) programs. The SIP revisions satisfy the following required SIP elements: NSR Reform, oxides of nitrogen (NO<INF>X</INF>) as a precursor to ozone, PM<INF>2.5,</INF> and Greenhouse Gases (GHGs). Additionally, EPA is approving, as a separate action, Maryland's submittals for purposes of meeting the infrastructure requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA) which relate to Maryland's PSD permitting program and are necessary to implement, maintain, and enforce the 1997 8-hour ozone and PM<INF>2.5</INF> National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) and the 2006 PM<INF>2.5</INF> NAAQS. This action is being taken under the CAA.