Notice of Comment Period - Update to District of Columbia Air Quality State Implementation Plan ("SIP") Definitions
Notice is hereby given of a public comment period for an update to the District of Columbia’s (District) SIP. The Department of Energy and Environment (“Department” or “DOEE”) will submit this SIP revision to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”), reflecting changes to District definitions in 20 DCMR § 199, following the public comment period. The Department promulgated amendments to 20 DCMR Chapter 1, § 199 in the District of Columbia Register on November 26, 2021, and June 5, 2020. DOEE now requests public comments on submitting those § 199 updates to EPA as a revision to the District’s SIP to address SIP discrepancies.
On November 26, 2021, the Department promulgated amendments to Chapters 1 and 8; the update to Chapter 1 added the new definition, “stationary engine,” to 20 DCMR § 199. (68 DCR 12420.) On June 5, 2020, DOEE also promulgated an update that removed and added definitions and abbreviations to 20 DCMR § 199 while simultaneously revising some of the existing language in 20 DCMR § 199. (67 DCR 6758 and 67 DCMR 6789.)
DOEE will submit 20 DCMR Chapter 1, § 199 to the EPA as a SIP revision upon the successful conclusion of the public comment period. DOEE asserts there are no instances of regulatory backsliding in the amended regulations from the versions previously approved in the District’s SIP.
The Department has already promulgated the updates to § 199 DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS and is only taking comments on submitting the revised regulation to EPA as a SIP revision. DOEE is not seeking comments on the content of the rulemaking itself.
Parties wishing to provide comments on this proposed rulemaking or its submission as an amendment to the District’s SIP must submit their comments in writing within thirty (30) days after publication of this notice in the District of Columbia Register to Mr. Joseph Jakuta by email at [email protected] or by mail or hand delivery to the following address:
DOEE Air Quality Division
ATTN: Joseph Jakuta: District SIP Definitions Update
1200 First Street NE, Fifth Floor
Washington, DC 20002
Interested parties may also request a public hearing concerning the submission of 20 DCMR § 199 as an amendment to the District’s SIP to the above address or email within 30 days after the publication of this notice. If a request for a public hearing is received too late to hold a hearing during the public comment period, the comment period will be extended through publication of a subsequent notice.
