Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; South Carolina; Clean Air Interstate Rule

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EPA is proposing to approve a revision to the South Carolina State Implementation Plan (SIP) submitted by the State of South Carolina through the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control on December 4, 2008. This revision addresses the requirements of EPA's Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR). Although the District of Columbia Circuit Court found CAIR to be flawed, the rule was remanded without vacatur and thus remains in place. Thus, EPA is continuing to approve CAIR provisions into SIPs as appropriate. CAIR, as promulgated, requires states to reduce emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ) and nitrogen oxides (NO X ) that significantly contribute to, or interfere with maintenance of, the national ambient air quality standards for fine particulates and/or ozone in any downwind state. CAIR establishes budgets for SO 2 and NO X for states that contribute significantly to nonattainment in downwind States and requires the significantly contributing states to submit SIP revisions that implement these budgets. States have the flexibility to choose which control measures to adopt to achieve the budgets, including participation in EPA-administered cap-and-trade programs addre