Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; State of Nebraska; Fine Particulate Matter New Source Review Requirements

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking direct final action to approve revisions to the State Implementation Plan (SIP) for the State of Nebraska. This action will amend the SIP to include revisions to Nebraska's Air Quality Regulations "Definitions", "Construction Permits--When Required", and "Prevention of Significant Deterioration of Air Quality" to make the state regulations consistent with the Federal regulations for the fine Particulate Matter (PM<INF>2.5</INF>) Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) program. This revision will amend the state minor source construction permitting program including the addition of a minor source permitting threshold for PM<INF>2.5</INF>. These revisions are necessary to properly manage the increment requirements (maximum allowable deterioration to the air quality) of the PSD program and assure continued attainment with the PM<INF>2.5</INF> National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). This action also recognizes the state's request to not include, into the SIP, provisions relating to Significant Impact Levels (SILs) and Significant Monitoring Concentrations (SMCs). These provisions were vacated and remanded by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia on January 22, 2013.