Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; Texas; Emissions Banking and Trading of Allowances Program

EPA is taking a direct final action to approve portions of four revisions to the Texas State Implementation Plan (SIP) that create and amend the Emissions Banking and Trading of Allowances (EBTA) Program. The EBTA Program establishes a cap and trade program to reduce emissions of oxides of nitrogen (NO<INF>X</INF>) and sulfur dioxide (SO<INF>2</INF>) from participating electric generating facilities. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) originally submitted the EBTA program to EPA as a SIP revision on January 3, 2000. Since that time, the TCEQ has submitted SIP revisions for the EBTA Program on September 11, 2000; July 15, 2002; and October 24, 2006. EPA has determined that these changes to the Texas SIP comply with the Federal Clean Air Act (the Act or CAA) and EPA regulations, are consistent with EPA policies, and will improve air quality. This action is being taken under section 110 and parts C and D of the Act.