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PA Bulletin, Doc. No. 09-1472

NOTICES

Proposed Revision to Pennsylvania's State Implementation Plan Incorporating the Diesel-Powered Motor Vehicle Idling Act; Public Hearing

[39 Pa.B. 4954]
[Saturday, August 15, 2009]

   Throughout this Commonwealth, there are areas that do not meet the 8-hour ozone or fine particulate (PM2.5) National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS). Concentrations of ground-level ozone and PM2.5 above the Federal health-based NAAQS pose a serious human health threat and also cause damage to crops, forests, wildlife and buildings. Citizens in this Commonwealth will benefit from reduced direct exposure to diesel emissions produced by idling diesel-powered motor vehicles. Diesel emission reductions will also assist the Commonwealth in achieving and maintaining the fine particulate and ground-level ozone standards

   On October 9, 2008, Governor Rendell signed the Diesel-Powered Motor Vehicle Idling Act (Act 124 of 2008; P. L. 1511, No. 124); the act became in effective on February 6, 2009. Act 124, codified at 35 P. S. §§ 4601--4610, reduces unnecessary idling of the main propulsion engine in diesel-powered motor vehicles, including trucks and buses by restricting idling of heavy-duty diesel vehicles to 5 minutes in any continuous 60-minute period. Act 124 is anticipated to annually reduce idling emissions in this Commonwealth by approximately 1,622 tons of nitrogen oxides (NOx), 45 tons of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and 30 tons of particulate matter (PM). By incorporating Act 124 into the Pennsylvania SIP, Act 124 becomes enforceable by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in addition to continuing to be enforceable by state and local governmental entities. In addition, this Commonwealth will be able to take credit in subsequent SIP revisions for emission reductions resulting from compliance with Act 124. This proposal is available on the Department of Environmental Protection's (Department) web site at http://www.dep.state. pa.us/ (search Air Quality or Clean Air Plans) or through the contact persons listed. Notice of the proposed SIP revision will also be published in at least six newspapers of general circulation throughout this Commonwealth.

   The Department is seeking comment only on the incorporation of Act 124 into the Commonwealth's State Implementation Plan (SIP). The Department will also hold three public hearings to receive oral testimony on the proposed SIP revision. A hearing will be held in Harrisburg on Thursday, September 17, 2009, at 1 p.m. at the Department's Southcentral Regional Office, 909 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17110. The public hearing in Norristown will be held on Friday, September 18, 2009, at 1 p.m. at Department's Southeast Regional Office, 2 East Main Street, Norristown, PA 19401. In addition, a hearing will be held in Pittsburgh on Friday, September 18, 2009, at 1 p.m. at the Department's Southwest Regional Office, 400 Waterfront Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15222.

   Persons who wish to present testimony at a scheduled hearing should contact Yvette House, P. O. Box 8468, Harrisburg, PA 17105, (717) 787-9495 or by e-mail at yhouse@state.pa.us. Persons who do not reserve a time will be able to testify as time allows. Witnesses should keep testimony to 10 minutes and should provide two written copies of their statement at the hearing.

   Persons with a disability who wish to attend the hearing and require an auxiliary aid, service or other accommodation to participate in the proceeding should contact Yvette House at (717) 787-9495 or yhouse@ state.pa.us. TDD users may contact the Pensylvania AT&T Relay Service at (800) 654-5984 to discuss how Department can best accommodate their needs.

   Persons interested in this proposed SIP revision are invited to submit written comments on the proposed SIP revision. Written comments must be received by Deparment no later than Friday, September 25, 2009. Written comments should be sent to the attention of Arleen Shulman, Division of Air Resource Management, Bureau of Air Quality, P. O. Box 8468, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8468, ashulman@state.pa.us. Use ''Act 124 SIP Revision'' in the subject line.

JOHN HANGER,   
Secretary

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 09-1472. Filed for public inspection August 14, 2009, 9:00 a.m.]


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