Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; Connecticut; Infrastructure Requirements for Lead, Ozone, Nitrogen Dioxide, Sulfur Dioxide, and Fine Particulate Matter

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving elements of State Implementation Plan (SIP) submissions from Connecticut regarding the infrastructure requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act) for the 2008 lead, 2008 ozone, 2010 nitrogen dioxide, and 2010 sulfur dioxide National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). EPA is also converting conditional approvals for several infrastructure requirements for the 1997 ozone NAAQS and for the 1997 and 2006 fine particle (PM2.5) NAAQS to full approval under the CAA. Furthermore, we are conditionally approving elements of Connecticut's infrastructure requirements of the CAA regarding prevention of significant deterioration requirements to treat nitrogen oxides as a precursor to ozone and to establish a minor source baseline date for PM2.5 emissions. Lastly, EPA is approving three statutes submitted by Connecticut in support of its demonstration that the infrastructure requirements of the CAA have been met. The infrastructure requirements are designed to ensure that the structural components of each state's air quality management program are adequate to meet the state's responsibilities under the CAA.