Revisions to the California State Implementation Plan, South Coast Air Quality Management District

In this action, EPA is finalizing approval of South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) Rule 317, "Clean Air Act Non- Attainment Fee," as a revision to SCAQMD's portion of the California State Implementation Plan (SIP). This action was proposed in the Federal Register on January 12, 2012 and concerns volatile organic compounds (VOC) and oxides of nitrogen (NO<INF>X</INF>). Rule 317 is a local fee rule submitted to address section 185 of the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act) with respect to the 1-hour ozone standard for anti- backsliding purposes. EPA is finalizing approval of Rule 317 as an alternative to the program required by section 185 of the Act. EPA has determined that SCAQMD's alternative fee-equivalent program is not less stringent than the program required by section 185, and, therefore, is approvable as an equivalent alternative program, consistent with the principles of section 172(e) of the Act.