Approval of State Operating Permit Rule Revision; New Jersey

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Proposed approval.

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The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve revisions to the Operating Permit Rule submitted by the State of New Jersey to fulfill the requirements of Title V of the Clean Air Act, as amended on November 15, 1990. The revisions extend the deadlines for permit applications submitted in electronic format by affected sources. We are proposing to approve the revised Operating Permit Rule which allows electronic applications to be submitted by February 4, 1999 and May 4, 1999, respectively for the last two waves of affected sources. In the ``Rules and Regulations'' section of this Federal Register, EPA is publishing a separate document that will serve as the agency's decision to approve the State rule revision. EPA is approving New Jersey's revised Operating Permit Rule, codified at N.J.A.C. 7:27-22, as a direct final rule without prior proposal in the view that the subject revision is noncontroversial and therefore would receive no adverse comments. A detailed rationale for the approval is set forth in the direct final rule. If EPA receives no adverse comments, EPA will not take further action on this rule. If EPA receives adverse comments, EPA will withdraw the direct final rule and it will not take effect. EPA will address all public comments in a subsequent final rule based on this proposed rule. The EPA will not institute a second comment period on this action. Any parties interested in commenting on this action should do so at this time.

Comments must be received on or before June 3, 1999.

All comments should be addressed to: Raymond Werner, Acting Chief, Air Programs Branch, Environmental Protection Agency, Region 2 Office, 290 Broadway, 25th Floor, New York, New York 10007-1866. Copies of the State submittal are available at the following addresses for inspection during normal business hours:

Environmental Protection Agency, Region 2 Office, 290 Broadway, 25th

Floor, New York, New York 10007-1866. New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Air Quality Permitting Program, Bureau of Operating Permits, 401 E. State Street, Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0027.

Suilin Chan, Air Programs Branch, Environmental Protection Agency, Region 2 Office, 290 Broadway, 25th Floor, New York, New York 10278, (212) 637-4019.