Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans and Designation of Areas for Air Quality Planning Purposes; Alabama; Redesignation of the Birmingham 1997 Annual Fine Particulate Matter Nonattainment Area to Attainment

On May 2, 2011, the State of Alabama, through the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM), Air Division, submitted a request for EPA to redesignate the Birmingham fine particulate matter (PM<INF>2.5</INF>) nonattainment area (hereafter referred to as the "Birmingham Area" or "Area") to attainment for the 1997 Annual PM<INF>2.5</INF> National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS); and to approve a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision containing a maintenance plan for the Area. The Birmingham 1997 Annual PM<INF>2.5</INF> nonattainment area is comprised of Jefferson and Shelby Counties in their entireties and a portion of Walker County. EPA is proposing to approve the redesignation request for the Birmingham Area, along with the related SIP revision, including Alabama's 2009 emissions inventory for the Area and Alabama's plan for maintaining attainment of the PM<INF>2.5</INF> standard in the Area. EPA is also proposing to approve the motor vehicle emission budgets (MVEBs) for nitrogen oxides (NO<INF>X</INF>) and PM<INF>2.5</INF> for the year 2024 for the Birmingham Area. These actions are being proposed pursuant to the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act) and its implementing regulations.