Approval of Air Quality Implementation Plans; California; South Coast Air Quality Management District; Prevention of Significant Deterioration; Greenhouse Gases

Résumé

EPA is proposing approval of a permitting rule submitted for the South Coast Air Quality Management District (District) portion of the California State Implementation Plan (SIP). The State is required under Part C of title I of the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act) to adopt and implement a SIP-approved Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) permit program. This SIP revision proposes to incorporate District Rule 1714--Prevention of Significant Deterioration for Greenhouse Gases, into the SIP to establish a PSD permit program for pre-construction review of certain new and modified major stationary sources that emit or may emit greenhouse gases (GHGs). Because the State does not currently have a SIP-approved PSD program within the District, the District will continue to be subject to the Federal Implementation Program (FIP) for pollutants other than GHGs that are also subject to the PSD program. Currently, the District issues PSD permits according to the FIP through a delegation agreement with EPA. We are soliciting public comments on this proposal and plan to follow with a final action after consideration of comments received.