Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; Maine; NOINFX Exemption Request for Northern Maine and NOINFX Control Approval

The EPA is approving, in final, a limited exemption request from the requirements contained in section 182(f) of the Clean Air Act (Act) for the Northern Maine area (specifically, Oxford, Franklin, Somerset, Piscataquis, Penobscot, Washington, Aroostook, Hancock and Waldo Counties). These 9 counties, as with the rest of the State of Maine, are part of the Ozone Transport Region (OTR) as provided for in section 184(a) of the Clean Air Act. Section 182(f) in combination with section 184 (relating to ozone transport regions) of the Act requires States in the OTR, such as Maine, to adopt reasonably available control technology (RACT) rules for major stationary sources of nitrogen oxides (NO<INF>X) and to provide for nonattainment area new source review (NSR) for new sources and modifications that are major for NO<INF>X. This exemption request, submitted by the State of Maine on September 7, 1995, is based on a demonstration that NO<INF>X emissions in this 9 county area are not impacting Maine's moderate nonattainment areas or other nonattainment areas in the Ozone Transport Region (OTR) during times when elevated ozone levels are monitored in those areas. As such, additional reductions in NO<INF>X emissions from these 9 counties beyond what the state regulation would provide for are not necessary for attainment in these areas currently in nonattainment, and, because they do not contribute to the ozone problem anywhere in the OTR are also not necessary for purposes of showing future attainment for any other area in the OTR. Thus, as provided for in section 182(f)(2), additional NO<INF>X reductions in these areas would constitute excess reductions that can be waived under the Clean Air Act. EPA believes the State's demonstration is appropriate and meets the requirements of section 182(f)(2). Maine has requested that EPA combine its approval of this NO<INF>X exemption with its approval of NO<INF>X controls for existing sources in Northern Maine that were submitted to EPA o