Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Delaware; Low Emission Vehicle Program

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposes to approve the State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of Delaware for the purpose of approving Delaware's adopted Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) Program. This program requires that new passenger cars, light-duty trucks, and medium-duty highway vehicles titled in Delaware meet stringent California emission standards in lieu of Federal emission standards. In the Final Rules section of this Federal Register, EPA is approving Delaware's SIP submittal as a direct final rule without prior proposal because the Agency views this as a noncontroversial submittal and anticipates no adverse comments. A detailed rationale for the approval is set forth in the direct final rule. Delaware first adopted these standards in 2010 and has required compliance with Delaware LEV standards beginning with model year 2014 vehicles, and has recently updated its rules to reflect California's third generation, or LEV III vehicle standards. Although already in effect in Delaware, this action serves to incorporate Delaware's program into the Federal State Implementation Plan. If no adverse comments are received in response to this action, no further activity is contemplated. If EPA receives adverse comments, the direct final rule will be withdrawn and all public comments received will be addressed in a subsequent final rule based on this proposed rule. EPA will not institute a second comment period. Any parties interested in commenting on this action should do so at this time.