Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Colorado; Prevention of Significant Deterioration; Greenhouse Gas Tailoring Rule Revisions

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving revisions and additions to the Colorado State Implementation Plan (SIP) submitted by the Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment (CDPHE) to EPA on May 25, 2011. The SIP revision to Colorado Regulation Number 3 and the Common Provisions Regulation addresses the permitting of sources of greenhouse gases (GHGs). Specifically, we are approving revisions to portions of Parts A, B and D of Regulation Number 3 to incorporate the provisions of EPA's 2010 Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) and Title V Greenhouse Gas Tailoring Rule. The SIP revisions establish emission thresholds for determining which new stationary sources and modifications to existing stationary sources become subject to Colorado's PSD permitting requirements for their GHG emissions. EPA is approving the May 25, 2011 SIP revision to the Colorado PSD permitting program as being consistent with federal requirements for PSD permitting. EPA is also approving several grammar and punctuation changes to Regulation Number 3 made by the State and included in the May 25, 2011 submittal. EPA is finalizing this action under section 110 and part C of the Clean Air Act (the Act or CAA).