Transportation Conformity Rule Amendments: Authority for Transportation Conformity Nitrogen Oxides Waivers

In this document EPA amends the November 24, 1993, final transportation conformity rule to change the statutory authority for exempting certain areas from certain nitrogen oxides provisions of the transportation conformity rule. This change is necessary to implement the conformity rule in a legally correct manner and to allow EPA to approve nitrogen oxides exemptions for certain areas. This interim final rule is effective immediately upon publication. However, EPA will also conduct full notice-and-comment rulemaking on EPA's interpretations regarding implementation of the provisions addressed in this interim final rule. A proposed rule that addresses this issue (among other things) is published in the proposed rule section of this Federal Register. Public comments will be addressed in a subsequent final rule.