Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; Illinois

On June 29, 1990, USEPA promulgated Federal stationary source volatile organic compound (VOC) control measures representing reasonably available control technology (RACT) for certain emission sources located in six northeastern Illinois (Chicago area) counties. Subject sources included the miscellaneous organic chemical manufacturing processes at the Stepan Company (Stepan) Millsdale Plant manufacturing facility in Elwood, Illinois. At Stepan's request, USEPA agreed to reconsider its rule as it applied to Stepan and on October 1, 1993, proposed a site-specific rule for Stepan. USEPA subsequently approved, as revisions to the Illinois State Implementation Plan, three VOC rules submitted by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency that are applicable to Stepan's VOC sources. USEPA is today revoking the Federally promulgated rules, as they apply to Stepan, and replacing them with the Illinois rules that have been previously approved and apply to Stepan. USEPA is taking this action as a ``direct final'' rulemaking; the rationale for this approach is set forth below. Elsewhere in this Federal Register, USEPA is proposing this action and soliciting comment. If adverse written comments or a request for a public hearing are received, USEPA will withdraw the direct final rule and it will not take effect. USEPA will address the comments received in a new final rule. If no adverse comments are received, no further rulemaking will occur on this SIP revision.