Memorandum From the President on the Energy Emergency in Florida

Memorandum for the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency

Based on a request submitted to me by the Governor of the State of Florida to extend my May 5, 1979 determination that a regional energy emergency continues to exist in the State of Florida of such severity that a temporary suspension of certain particulate and opacity control regulations which apply to fossil fuel fired electric generating plants under the Florida Air Quality Implementation Plan may be necessary, and that other means of responding to the energy emergency may be inadequate, I hereby extend that determination for thirty days from June 5 to and including July 4, 1979. This extension is limited by the same conditions as my original determination.

If, during the extension, I find that a regional energy emergency no longer exists in Florida, I will direct that this extension be rescinded, and that all suspension orders issued by the Governor be terminated on the day of that rescission. Please continue to work with State officials to monitor carefully the residual oil supply in Florida, and to inform me if the emergency should cease to exist. You will continue to retain full authority to disapprove temporary suspension of regulations in Florida and to exercise your emergency powers authority under Section 303 of the Clean Air Act, when and if necessary. It is important to keep suspensions to an absolute minimum since Section 110(f) of the Clean Air Act limits each suspension to a maximum duration of 120 days.

I commend Governor Graham for his continued efforts in energy conservation and his commitment that no extension of any suspension will be granted if the result would be a violation of any national ambient primary or secondary air quality standard.

This determination shall be published in the FEDERAL REGISTER.

JIMMY CARTER
[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 2:56 p.m., June 12, 1979]