Approval and Promulgation of State Implementation Plan; Illinois; Clean-Fuel Fleet Program

The USEPA is giving full approval through a direct final action to a state implementation plan (SIP) revision submitted on September 29, 1995, by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA). IEPA submitted the SIP revision request to satisfy provisions of the Clean Air Act, requiring certain states to establish Clean-Fuel Fleet Programs. The rules submitted by Illinois that are being approved today establish and require the implementation of a Clean-Fuel Fleet Program (CFFP) in the Chicago ozone nonattainment area. The Chicago ozone nonattainment area, which includes Cook, DuPage, Grundy (Aux Sable and Goose Lake townships only), Kane, Kendall (Oswego township only), Lake, McHenry, and Will counties, is required to attain the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) as specified under the Clean Air Act (CAA) by 2007. The implementation of this program is expected to reduce motor vehicle volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions, which contribute to the formation of urban smog in the Chicago area, by nearly 3 tons per day starting in the year 2003. In the proposed rules section of this Federal Register, USEPA is proposing approval of the CFFP and SIP revision and solicits comments on the action. If adverse comments are received on this direct final rule, USEPA will withdraw this final rule and address these comments in a subsequent final rule based on the proposed rule.