Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; Arizona State Implementation Plan Revision, Maricopa County

EPA is finalizing a limited approval and limited disapproval of a revision to the Arizona State Implementation Plan (SIP) proposed in the Federal Register on December 17, 1997. This final action will incorporate this rule into the federally approved SIP. The intended effect of this action is to regulate volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions according to the requirements of the Clean Air Act, as amended in 1990 (CAA or the Act). The revised rule controls VOC emissions from various surface coating operations using primarily metal and plastic substrates. 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 these revisions, while strengthening the SIP, also do 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 under the CAA to impose highway funding or emission offset sanctions unless Arizona submits and EPA approves corrections to the identified deficiencies within eighteen 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 twenty-four months of the effective date of this disapproval.