Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans Kentucky: Performance Testing and Open Burning

EPA is taking final action to approve revisions to the Kentucky State Implementation Plan (SIP), submitted by the Kentucky Department of Air Quality (KDAQ) on September 6, 2005. The revisions include modifications to Kentucky's Administrative Regulations (KAR) Title 401, Chapters 50:045 and 63:005, which pertain to Kentucky's performance testing and open burning provisions, respectively. These revisions are part of Kentucky's strategy to meet the national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) by reducing emissions of volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides, which are the precursors to ozone formation. Open burning creates smoke that contains fine particles (PM2.5) and precursors to ozone. The approved rules are intended to help control levels of PM2.5 and ozone precursors that contribute to high ozone and PM2.5 levels. This action is being taken pursuant to section 110 of the Clean Air Act (CAA). This final rule also addresses a comment made on EPA's proposed rulemaking for this action published on January 17, 2007.