Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Richmond, VirginiaNOINFX/INF Exemption Petition

The EPA is issuing final approval of a petition from the Commonwealth of Virginia requesting that the Richmond moderate ozone nonattainment area be exempt from applicable nitrogen oxides (NO<INF>X</INF>) reasonably available control technology (RACT) control requirements of section 182(f) of the Clean Air Act (Act). This exemption request, submitted by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, is based upon three years of ambient air monitoring data which demonstrate that the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for ozone has been attained in the Richmond area without additional reductions of NO<INF>X</INF>. The effect of this action is to remove the requirement for NO<INF>X</INF> RACT contingent upon continued monitoring of attainment in the Richmond area. The action will also stop application of the offset sanction imposed on January 8, 1996 and defer application of future sanctions as of the effective date of the exemption approval. This action is being taken under section 182(f) of the Clean Air Act.