Revisions to the Petition Provisions of the Title V Permitting Program

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposes to revise its regulations to streamline and clarify processes related to submission and review of title V petitions. This notice covers five key areas, each of which should increase stakeholder access to and understanding of the petition process and aid the EPA's review of petitions. First, the EPA is proposing regulatory provisions that provide direction as to how petitions should be submitted to the agency. Second, the EPA is proposing regulatory provisions that describe the expected format and minimum required content for title V petitions. Third, the proposal clarifies that permitting authorities are required to respond to significant comments received during the public comment period for draft title V permits, and to provide that response with the proposed title V permit to the EPA for the agency's 45-day review period. Fourth, guidance is provided in the form of ``recommended practices'' for various stakeholders to help ensure title V permits have complete administrative records and comport with the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act). Fifth, to increase familiarity with the post-petition process, this notice presents information on the agency's interpretation of certain title V provisions of the CAA and its implementing regulations regarding the steps following an EPA objection in response to a title V petition, as previously discussed in specific title V orders.