Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Maine; Redesignation of the Portland, Maine and the Hancock, Knox, Lincoln and Waldo Counties, Maine Ozone Nonattainment Areas to Attainment and Approval of These Areas' Maintenance Plans

EPA is approving a redesignation request and a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of Maine. The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (ME DEP) is requesting that the Portland, Maine and the Hancock, Knox, Lincoln and Waldo Counties, Maine (also known as the Midcoast area) ozone nonattainment areas be redesignated as attainment for the 8-hour ozone national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS). In conjunction with its redesignation request, the ME DEP submitted a SIP revision consisting of maintenance plans for the Portland, Maine and the Hancock, Knox, Lincoln and Waldo Counties, Maine areas that provide for continued attainment of the 8-hour ozone NAAQS for the next 10 years. EPA is approving the redesignation requests and the maintenance plan as revisions to the Maine SIP in accordance with the requirements of the Clean Air Act. EPA is also approving the motor vehicle emission budgets (MVEBs) that are identified in the 8-hour maintenance plan for these areas for purposes of transportation conformity.