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

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking final action to approve a request submitted on June 21, 2012, by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, through Georgia Environmental Protection Division (GA EPD), to redesignate the Macon, Georgia, fine particulate matter (PM<INF>2.5</INF>) nonattainment area (hereafter referred to as the "Macon Area" or "Area") to attainment for the 1997 Annual PM<INF>2.5</INF> National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The Macon Area is comprised of Bibb County and a portion of Monroe County in Georgia. EPA's approval of the redesignation request is based on the determination that Georgia has met the criteria for redesignation to attainment set forth in the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act). EPA is also approving a revision to the Georgia State Implementation Plan (SIP) to include the 1997 Annual PM<INF>2.5</INF> maintenance plan for the Macon Area. Additionally, EPA is approving into the Georgia SIP the motor vehicle emission budgets (MVEBs) for nitrogen oxides (NO<INF>X</INF>) and PM<INF>2.5</INF> for the year 2023 for the Macon Area that are included as part of Georgia's maintenance plan for the 1997 Annual PM<INF>2.5</INF> NAAQS. Furthermore, EPA is approving a determination that the Area is expected to maintain the 1997 Annual PM<INF>2.5</INF> NAAQS through the year 2024. EPA is also correcting an inadvertent error in the proposed rulemaking for this action.