Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Maryland; 15% Rate of Progress Plan for the Maryland Portion of the Metropolitan Washington, D.C. Area

EPA is granting conditional approval of the State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of Maryland, for the Maryland portion of the Metropolitan Washington, D.C. serious ozone nonattainment area, to meet the 15 percent reasonable further progress (RFP, or 15% plan) requirements of the Clean Air Act (the Act). EPA is granting conditional approval of the 15% plan, submitted by the State of Maryland, because on its face the plan achieves the required 15% emission reduction, but additional documentation to verify the emission calculations is necessary for full approval. Additionally, the plan relies upon Maryland's inspection and maintenance (I/M) program that received final conditional approval on July 31, 1997 (62 FR 40938). This action is being taken under section 110 of the Clean Air Act.