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

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) is giving full approval through a direct final action to a state implementation plan (SIP) revision request submitted on December 20, 1995, and February 14, 1996, by the State of Indiana for the purpose of establishing a Clean-Fuel Fleet Program (CFFP) in Lake and Porter Counties. Lake and Porter Counties are classified as severe nonattainment for ground-level ozone, commonly known as urban smog, and are required under the Clean Air Act (CAA) to attain the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) by 2007. The Indiana CFFP, which is also required by the CAA, is one of the control measures being implemented in these counties to reduce ozone precursor emissions in order to help attain the ozone standard. The Indiana CFFP requires that, beginning in Model Year (MY) 1998, a specified percentage of the new vehicles acquired by certain vehicle fleets operating in Lake and Porter Counties meet clean fuel vehicle (CFV) emissions standards, which are more stringent than current federal vehicle standards. Indiana expects that after the full phase-in of the CFFP, approximately 3500 fleet vehicles in Lake and Porter Counties will meet the CFV tailpipe standards.