Withdrawal of Federal Implementation Plans for the Clean Air Interstate Rule in 12 States

EPA is withdrawing Federal Implementation Plans (FIPs) for the Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana (SO2 FIP trading program only), Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, and Virginia because these 12 states have previously submitted and received EPA approval of full state implementation plans (SIPs) to meet the CAIR requirements. When EPA issued the CAIR FIPs on April 28, 2006, it stated that it would withdraw the FIPs in a state in coordination with the approval of the CAIR SIP for that state. Also, when EPA approved the CAIR SIPs for these states, it explained that it would take a separate action to remove the CAIR FIPs for those states. EPA is now acting to formally withdraw the FIPs for 12 states. This action is necessary because EPA's approval of those states' CAIR SIPs corrected the deficiency that provided the basis for EPA's promulgation of the FIPs. EPA is also removing the CAIR FIP regulatory text for Connecticut and New York. The FIPs for these states have already been automatically withdrawn pursuant to a rulemaking published on November 2, 2007. This ministerial action is necessary to correct the regulatory text.