Air Plan Approval and Air Quality Designation; KY; Redesignation of the Northern Kentucky Portion of the Cincinnati, OH-KY 2015 8-Hour Ozone Nonattainment Area to Attainment

On September 21, 2022, the Commonwealth of Kentucky, through the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet (Cabinet), Division of Air Quality (DAQ), submitted a request for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to redesignate the Northern Kentucky portion (hereinafter referred to as the "Northern Kentucky Area" or "Area") of the Cincinnati, Ohio- Kentucky, 2015 8-hour ozone nonattainment area (hereinafter referred to as the "Cincinnati, OH-KY Area") to attainment for the 2015 8-hour ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS or standards) and to approve a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision containing a maintenance plan for the Area. The Cabinet submitted this request and SIP revision through a letter dated September 20, 2022, and supplemented it on November 22, 2022. EPA is approving the Commonwealth's plan for maintaining attainment of the 2015 8-hour ozone standard in the Northern Kentucky Area, including the motor vehicle emission budgets (budgets) for nitrogen oxides (NO<INF>X</INF>) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) for the years of 2026 and 2035 for the Area, incorporating the maintenance plan into the SIP, and redesignating the Area to attainment for the 2015 8-hour ozone NAAQS. EPA previously approved the redesignation request and maintenance plan for the Ohio portion of the Cincinnati, OH-KY Area. Additionally, EPA finds the 2026 and 2035 budgets for the Area adequate for the purpose of transportation conformity.