EPA is taking final action to approve a revision to the
Tennessee State Implementation Plan (SIP) concerning the maintenance
plan addressing the 1997 8-hour ozone standards for the Nashville,
Tennessee 1997 8-hour ozone maintenance area, which is comprised of
Davidson, Rutherford, Sumner, Williamson, and Wilson Counties in their
entireties (hereafter referred to as the ``Nashville Area''). This
maintenance plan was submitted by the State of Tennessee Department of
Environment and Conservation (TDEC) on August 3, 2010, for parallel
processing. TDEC submitted the final version of the SIP on October 13,
2010. The maintenance plan ensures the continued attainment of the 1997
8-hour ozone national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) through the
year 2018. This plan meets the statutory and regulatory requirements,
and is consistent with EPA's guidance. EPA is taking final action to
approve the revision to the Tennessee SIP, pursuant to the Clean Air
Act (CAA). EPA is also in the process of establishing a new 8-hour
ozone NAAQS, and expects to finalize the reconsidered NAAQS by July
2011. Today's action, however, relates only to the 1997 8-hour ozone
NAAQS. Requirements for the Nashville Area under the 2011 NAAQS will be
addressed in the future.