Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Ohio; Redesignation of the Columbus Area to Attainment of the 1997 Annual Standard for Fine Particulate Matter

EPA is taking several actions under the Clean Air Act (CAA) affecting the Columbus area and the state of Ohio for the 1997 annual fine particulate matter (PM<INF>2.5</INF>) National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS or standard). EPA is determining that the Columbus, Ohio area (Columbus area) is attaining the 1997 annual PM<INF>2.5</INF> standard based on quality assured, state-certified monitoring data for all PM<INF>2.5</INF> monitoring sites in this area during the period of 2007-2012. EPA is granting a request from the state of Ohio for the redesignation of the Columbus area to attainment of the 1997 annual PM<INF>2.5</INF> standard. EPA is approving, as a revision of the Ohio State Implementation Plan (SIP), the state's plan for maintaining the 1997 annual PM<INF>2.5</INF> standard in the Columbus area through 2023, the state's 2015 and 2022 Nitrogen Oxides (NO<INF>X</INF>) and PM<INF>2.5</INF> Motor Vehicle Emission Budgets (MVEBs) for the Columbus area (which EPA is also finding to be adequate for transportation conformity determinations), and 2005 NO<INF>X</INF>, Sulfur Dioxide (SO<INF>2</INF>), and primary PM<INF>2.5</INF> and 2007 Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) and ammonia emission inventories for the Columbus area. The Columbus area includes Coshocton (Franklin Township only), Delaware, Licking, Fairfield, and Franklin Counties.