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

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EPA is taking direct final action 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) and the transition of the State's Nitrogen Oxides (NO X ) Budget Trading Program to the State's CAIR NO X Ozone Season Program. Although the District of Columbia Circuit Court (D.C. 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 NO X that significantly contribute to, or interfere with maintenance of, the national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for fine particulates and/or ozone in any downwind state. CAIR establishes budgets for SO 2 and NO X for states that significantly contribute or interfere with maintenance and requires such states to submit SIP revisions that implement these budgets. States have the flexibility to choose which