Opinion ID: 682710
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Conditional Averaging Plans

Text: 23 Finally, the petitioners assert that the EPA's decision not to allow utilities to obtain conditional approval in advance of alternative emissions averaging plans was arbitrary in view of the EPA's decision to allow for conditional approval of such plans in its regulations governing sulfur dioxide (SO sub2 ) emissions. 40 C.F.R. Sec. 72.40(c). 13 Their contention has no merit. The record reveals that the utilities submitted only minimal comments on the averaging issue during the rulemaking. JA 677-79, 861-62. More important, the agency reasonably responded to the comments, explaining that it had chosen not to provide for such plans in its discretion because of distinctions between the NO subx and SO sub2 programs that would have resulted in a significantly more intrusive administrative burden here. JA 956. 24 For the foregoing reasons, we vacate the regulation and remand it for further consideration in light of this opinion. 25 So ordered.