Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Interim Final Determination of Correction of Deficiencies in 15 Percent Rate-of-Progress and Contingency Plans; Rhode Island

EPA is approving, by direct final rule, State Implementation Plan (SIP) revisions submitted by the State of Rhode Island to address ground level ozone air pollution in the State. The revisions consist of the State's 15 percent rate-of-progress (ROP) plan and contingency plan, and minor revisions to the Rhode Island 1990 emission inventory of ozone precursors. The intended effect of this action is to approve these plans in accordance with the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq. (the Act). In recognition of this approval of Rhode Island's 15 percent and contingency plans, EPA is making an interim final determination, by this action, that the State has corrected the deficiencies prompting the original disapproval of these plans. The interim final determination will act to defer the application of the offset sanction which would have been implemented on November 19, 1998, and defers the future application of the highway sanction. The interim final action is being taken under Section 110 of the Act.