Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; California State Implementation Plan Revision, South Coast Air Quality Management District

EPA is finalizing a limited approval and limited disapproval of revisions to the California State Implementation Plan (SIP) proposed in the Federal Register on April 30, 1998. This final action will incorporate this rule into the federally approved SIP. The intended effect of finalizing this action is to regulate emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and oxides of sulfur (SO<INF>X</INF>) in accordance with the requirements of the Clean Air Act, as amended in 1990 (CAA or the Act). The rule controls VOC and SO<INF>X</INF> emissions from petroleum refinery vacuum-producing devices or systems. Thus, EPA is finalizing a simultaneous limited approval and limited disapproval under CAA provisions regarding EPA action on SIP submittals and general rulemaking authority because the rule, while strengthening the SIP, also does not fully meet the CAA provisions regarding plan submissions and requirements for nonattainment areas. As a result of this limited disapproval EPA will be required to impose highway funding or emission offset sanctions under the CAA unless the State submits and EPA approves corrections to the identified deficiencies within 18 months of the effective date of this disapproval. Moreover, EPA will be required to promulgate a Federal implementation plan (FIP) unless the deficiencies are corrected within 24 months of the effective date of this disapproval.