80 FR 38283 - Approval of Alabama's Request To Relax the Federal Reid Vapor Pressure Gasoline Volatility Standard for Birmingham, Alabama

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 127 (July 2, 2015)

Due to the receipt of two adverse comments, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is withdrawing the May 7, 2015 direct final rule to approve the request from Alabama to relax the Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) standard applicable to gasoline introduced into commerce from June 1 to September 15 of each year in Jefferson and Shelby counties, Alabama (``the Birmingham area''). The EPA is considering these comments and will address the comments in a separate action. The EPA will not institute a second comment period on this action.

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 127 (Thursday, July 2, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 38283-38284]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-16390]



[[Page 38283]]

Vol. 80

Thursday,

No. 127

July 2, 2015

Part II





Environmental Protection Agency





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40 CFR Part 80





Approval of Alabama's Request To Relax the Federal Reid Vapor Pressure 
Gasoline Volatility Standard for Birmingham, Alabama; Final Rule

Federal Register / Vol. 80 , No. 127 / Thursday, July 2, 2015 / Rules 
and Regulations

[[Page 38284]]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 80

[EPA-HQ-OAR-2014-0905; FRL 9929-91-OAR]
RIN 2060-AS58


Approval of Alabama's Request To Relax the Federal Reid Vapor 
Pressure Gasoline Volatility Standard for Birmingham, Alabama

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.

ACTION: Withdrawal of direct final rule.

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SUMMARY: Due to the receipt of two adverse comments, the Environmental 
Protection Agency (EPA) is withdrawing the May 7, 2015 direct final 
rule to approve the request from Alabama to relax the Reid Vapor 
Pressure (RVP) standard applicable to gasoline introduced into commerce 
from June 1 to September 15 of each year in Jefferson and Shelby 
counties, Alabama (``the Birmingham area''). The EPA is considering 
these comments and will address the comments in a separate action. The 
EPA will not institute a second comment period on this action.

DATES: The direct final rule published at 80 FR 26191 on May 7, 2015 is 
withdrawn, effective July 2, 2015.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patty Klavon, Office of Transportation 
and Air Quality, Environmental Protection Agency, 2000 Traverwood 
Drive, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105; telephone number: (734) 214-4476; fax 
number: (734) 214-4052; email address: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On May 7, 2015 (80 FR 26191), the EPA 
published a direct final rule to approve a request from the state of 
Alabama to change the summertime gasoline RVP standard for Jefferson 
and Shelby counties (``the Birmingham area'') from 7.8 pounds per 
square inch (psi) to 9.0 psi by amending the EPA's regulations at 40 
CFR 80.27(a)(2). In an April 17, 2015 final rule, the EPA approved a 
state implementation plan (SIP) revision from the state of Alabama 
which provided a technical demonstration that relaxing the federal RVP 
requirement from 7.8 psi to 9.0 psi for gasoline sold from June 1 to 
September 15 of each year in the Birmingham area would not interfere 
with maintenance of the national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) 
in the Birmingham area. For more information on Alabama's SIP revision, 
please refer to the April 17, 2015 rulemaking (80 FR 21170).
    In the May 7, 2015 direct final rule, the EPA stated that if 
adverse comments were received by June 8, 2015, the rule would be 
withdrawn and not take effect. The EPA received two comments. The EPA 
is treating these comments as adverse. Therefore, the EPA is 
withdrawing the direct final rule. The EPA will address these comments 
in a separate final action based on the May 7, 2015 proposed rulemaking 
(80 FR 26212). The EPA will not institute a second comment period on 
this action.

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 80

    Environmental protection, Administrative practice and procedures, 
Air pollution control, Fuel additives, Gasoline, Motor vehicle and 
motor vehicle engines, Motor vehicle pollution, Penalties, Reporting 
and recordkeeping requirements.

    Dated: June 25, 2015.
Gina McCarthy,
Administrator.

    Accordingly, the amendment to 40 CFR 80.27 which published in the 
Federal Register on May 7, 2015 at 80 FR 26191 is withdrawn as of July 
2, 2015.

[FR Doc. 2015-16390 Filed 7-1-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6560-50-P