Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans and Designation of Areas for Air Quality Planning Purposes; Alabama; Redesignation of the Birmingham 1997 Annual Fine Particulate Matter Nonattainment Area to Attainment

EPA is taking final action to approve a request submitted on May 2, 2011, from the State of Alabama, through the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM), Air Division, to redesignate the Birmingham fine particulate matter (PM<INF>2.5</INF>) nonattainment area (hereafter referred to as the "Birmingham Area" or "Area") to attainment for the 1997 Annual PM<INF>2.5</INF> national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS). The Birmingham 1997 Annual PM<INF>2.5</INF> nonattainment area is comprised of Jefferson and Shelby Counties in their entireties and a portion of Walker County. EPA's approval of the redesignation request is based on the determination that the State of Alabama has met the criteria for redesignation to attainment set forth in the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act), including the determination that the Birmingham Area has attained the 1997 Annual PM<INF>2.5</INF> NAAQS. Additionally, EPA is approving a revision to the Alabama state implementation plan (SIP) to include the 1997 Annual PM<INF>2.5</INF> maintenance plan for the Birmingham Area that contains the new 2024 motor vehicle emission budgets (MVEBs) for nitrogen oxides (NO<INF>X</INF>) and PM<INF>2.5</INF>. This action also approves the 2009 emissions inventory submitted with the maintenance plan.