Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Maryland; Removal of Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) Program Regulations and Reference to CAIR, and Amendments to Continuous Emission Monitor (CEM) Reference

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve a July 7, 2016 state implementation plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of Maryland. The revision includes revised regulations which repealed Maryland's Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) Program in its entirety, and which removed references to CAIR from other Maryland regulations that relate to general air quality definitions and to the control of emissions from pulp mills in Maryland. Additionally, the revision includes an amendment to a Maryland regulation regarding the use of continuous emission monitoring (CEM) systems at Kraft pulp mill boilers and combustion units in order to clarify that CEM systems must meet requirements beyond those only related to certification. The July 7, 2016 SIP submittal satisfies Maryland's obligation pursuant to an earlier rulemaking in which EPA granted final conditional approval of amendments regarding the control of emissions from Kraft pulp mills contingent upon Maryland addressing the monitoring issue. Final approval of the July 7, 2016 SIP revision will convert the prior conditional approval of the pulp mill regulations to a full approval. EPA is proposing to approve this revision to the Maryland SIP in accordance with the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA).