Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Maryland; Regional Haze Best Available Retrofit Technology Measure for Verso Luke Paper Mill

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving a state implementation plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of Maryland. This revision pertains to a best available retrofit technology (BART) alternative measure for the Verso Luke Paper Mill (the Mill) submitted by the State of Maryland. Maryland requests new emissions limits for sulfur dioxide (SO<INF>2</INF>) and nitrogen oxides (NO<INF>X</INF>) for power boiler 24 at the Mill and a SO<INF>2</INF> cap on tons emitted per year for power boiler 25, while also requesting removal of the specific BART emission limits for SO<INF>2</INF> and NO<INF>X</INF> from power boiler 25. The alternative BART measure will provide greater reasonable progress for SO<INF>2</INF> and NO<INF>X</INF> for regional haze by resulting in additional emission reductions of 2,055 tons per year (tpy) of SO<INF>2</INF> and an additional 804 tpy of NO<INF>X</INF> than would occur through the previously approved BART measure for power boiler 25, a BART subject source. No comments were received in response to EPA's proposed rulemaking notice published on May 30, 2017. This action is being taken under the Clean Air Act (CAA).