80_FR_20003 80 FR 19932 - Revisions to the California SIP, Ventura & Eastern Kern Air Pollution Control Districts; Permit Exemptions

80 FR 19932 - Revisions to the California SIP, Ventura & Eastern Kern Air Pollution Control Districts; Permit Exemptions

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 71 (April 14, 2015)

Page Range19932-19935
FR Document2015-08467

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve revisions to the Ventura County Air Pollution Control District (VCAPCD) and Eastern Kern Air Pollution Control District (EKAPCD) portions of the California State Implementation Plan (SIP). These revisions clarify, update, and revise exemptions from New Source Review (NSR) permitting requirements, for various air pollution sources.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 71 (Tuesday, April 14, 2015)
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 71 (Tuesday, April 14, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 19932-19935]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-08467]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 52

[EPA-R09-OAR-2015-0082; 9926-15-Region 9]


Revisions to the California SIP, Ventura & Eastern Kern Air 
Pollution Control Districts; Permit Exemptions

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Proposed rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to 
approve revisions to the Ventura County Air Pollution Control District 
(VCAPCD) and Eastern Kern Air Pollution Control District (EKAPCD) 
portions of the California State Implementation Plan (SIP). These 
revisions clarify, update, and revise exemptions from New Source Review 
(NSR) permitting requirements, for various air pollution sources.

DATES: Any comments must arrive by May 14, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments, identified by docket number EPA-R09-

[[Page 19933]]

OAR-2015-0082, by one of the following methods:
    1. Federal eRulemaking Portal: www.regulations.gov. Follow the on-
line instructions.
    2. Email: [email protected].
    3. Mail or deliver: Gerardo Rios (Air-3), U.S. Environmental 
Protection Agency Region IX, 75 Hawthorne Street, San Francisco, CA 
94105-3901.
    Instructions: All comments will be included in the public docket 
without change and may be made available online at www.regulations.gov, 
including any personal information provided, unless the comment 
includes Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information 
whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Information that you 
consider CBI or otherwise protected should be clearly identified as 
such and should not be submitted through www.regulations.gov or email. 
www.regulations.gov is an ``anonymous access'' system, and EPA will not 
know your identity or contact information unless you provide it in the 
body of your comment. If you send email directly to EPA, your email 
address will be automatically captured and included as part of the 
public comment. If EPA cannot read your comment due to technical 
difficulties and cannot contact you for clarification, EPA may not be 
able to consider your comment.
    Docket: The index to the docket for this action is available 
electronically at www.regulations.gov and in hard copy at EPA Region 
IX, 75 Hawthorne Street, San Francisco, California. While documents in 
the docket are listed in the index, some information may be publicly 
available only at the hard copy location (e.g., copyrighted material, 
large maps), and some may not be publicly available in either location 
(e.g., CBI). To inspect the hard copy materials, please schedule an 
appointment during normal business hours with the contact listed in the 
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Larry Maurin, EPA Region IX, (415) 
972-3943, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Throughout this document, ``we,'' ``us'' and 
``our'' refer to EPA.

Table of Contents

I. The State's Submittal
    A. What rules did the State submit?
    B. Are there other versions of these rules?
    C. What is the purpose of the submitted rules and rule 
revisions?
II. EPA's Evaluation and Action
    A. How is EPA evaluating the rules?
    B. Do the rules meet the evaluation criteria?
    C. EPA Recommendations To Further Improve the Rules
    D. Public Comment and Final Action
III. Incorporation by Reference
IV. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

I. The State's Submittal

A. What rules did the State submit?

    Table 1 lists the rules addressed by this proposal, including the 
dates they were revised by the local air agency and submitted by the 
California Air Resources Board (CARB).

                                            Table 1--Submitted Rules
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Local agency                  Rule No.            Rule title          Revision date  Submittal date
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VCAPCD................................              23  Exemption from Permit...        11/12/13        05/13/14
EKAPCD................................             202  Permit Exemptions.......        01/13/11        06/21/11
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    On July 15, 2011 and July 18, 2014, EPA determined that the 
submittal for EKAPCD Rule 202 and VCAPCD Rule 23, respectively, met the 
completeness criteria in 40 CFR part 51 Appendix V. The completeness 
criteria must be met before formal EPA review.

B. Are there other versions of these rules?

    We approved an earlier version of VCAPCD Rule 23 into the SIP on 
December 7, 2000 (65 FR 76567). Since the last approval of Rule 23 into 
the SIP, VCAPCD has adopted revisions on November 11, 2003; April 13, 
2004; October 12, 2004; September 12, 2006; April 8, 2008; and April 
12, 2011.
    EKAPCD Rule 202 was last approved into the SIP on July 6, 1982 (47 
FR 29231). Since the last approval of Rule 202 into the SIP, EKAPCD has 
adopted revisions on April 25, 1983; November 18, 1985; August 22, 
1989; April 30, 1990; August 19, 1991; May 2, 1996; January 8, 1998; 
March 13, 2003; and January 8, 2004.
    All of these revisions were submitted to EPA; however, EPA has not 
taken action on any of these submittals. While we can act on only the 
most recently submitted version, we have reviewed materials provided 
with previous submittals.

C. What is the purpose of the submitted rules and rule revisions?

    Section 110(a) of the Clean Air Act (CAA) requires states to submit 
regulations that control volatile organic compounds, nitrogen oxides, 
particulate matter and other air pollutants which harm human health and 
the environment. Permitting rules were developed as part of the local 
air district's programs to control these pollutants.
    The purposes of VCAPCD Rule 23 (Exemption from Permit) and EKAPCD 
Rule 202 (Permit Exemptions) are to identify when a new or modified 
source is exempted from the requirement to obtain a permit prior to 
construction. Rule 202 also requires recordkeeping to verify and 
maintain any exemption.

II. EPA's Evaluation and Action

A. How is EPA evaluating the rules?

    The relevant statutory provisions for our review of the new and 
existing exemptions in the submitted rules include CAA sections 110(a) 
and 110(l). Section 110(a) requires that SIP rules be enforceable, 
while section 110(l) precludes EPA approval of SIP revisions that would 
interfere with any applicable requirement concerning attainment and 
reasonable further progress or any other applicable requirement of the 
Act. In addition, for satisfying CAA section 110(a)(2)(C), we have 
reviewed the submitted rules for compliance with EPA implementing 
regulations for NSR, including 40 CFR 51.160 through 40 CFR 51.165.

B. Do the rules meet the evaluation criteria?

1. Attainment Status of VCAPCD and EKAPCD
    Ventura County is designated as a serious nonattainment area for 
the 2008 and 1997 federal 8-hour ozone National Ambient Air Quality 
Standards (NAAQS). It is designated as attainment or unclassifiable for 
all other NAAQS.
    Eastern Kern County is designated as a marginal and moderate 
nonattainment area for the 2008 and 1997 federal 8-hour ozone NAAQS, 
respectively, and as a serious nonattainment area for the 
PM10 NAAQS. It is designated as attainment or unclassifiable 
for all other NAAQS.

[[Page 19934]]

2. Minor NSR Permitting Requirements and Analysis
    The revised VCAPCD and EKAPCD rules affect the minor source NSR 
programs by revising existing exemptions, adding new exemptions, and 
exempting minor agricultural sources with emissions less than 50 
percent of the major source thresholds.
    The requirements in 40 CFR 51.160, subsections (a) through (e), 
provide the basis for evaluating exemptions from NSR permitting. The 
basic purpose of NSR permitting is set forth in 40 CFR 51.160(a), 
requiring NSR SIPs to set forth legally enforceable procedures that 
enable the State or local agency to determine whether the construction 
or modification of a stationary source would result in a violation of 
applicable portions of the control strategy, or would interfere with 
attainment or maintenance of a NAAQS. Section 51.160(e) provides that 
the procedures must identify types and sizes of stationary sources that 
will be subject to NSR permitting review. We view this provision as 
allowing a State to exempt certain types and sizes of stationary 
sources so long as the program continues to serve the purposes outlined 
in 40 CFR 51.160(a). Thus, the revised and new exemptions discussed in 
detail in the TSDs, and the exemptions for non-major agricultural 
sources whose actual emissions (excluding fugitive emissions) are less 
than 50 percent of the major source thresholds are approvable so long 
as the minor source permitting programs (i.e. including the exemptions) 
continue to provide the necessary information to allow the Districts to 
determine whether construction of new or modified stationary sources 
would result in a violation of applicable portions of the control 
strategies or would result in interference with attainment or 
maintenance of a NAAQS.
    Under 40 CFR 51.160, the Districts have discretion in conducting 
the minor sources permitting programs to exempt certain small or de 
minimus sources. Congress directed the States and Districts to exercise 
the primary responsibility under the CAA to tailor air quality control 
measures, including minor source permitting programs, to the State's 
needs. See Train v. NRDC, 421 U.S. 60, 79 (1975) (States make the 
primary decisions over how to achieve CAA requirements); Union Electric 
Co. v. EPA, 427 U.S. 246 (1976); Greenbaum v. EPA, 370 F.3d 527 (6th 
Cir. 2006).
    EPA has reviewed the submitted VCAPCD and EKAPCD rules in 
accordance with CAA Section 110(a) and 40 CFR 51.160 as described 
above. In our evaluation, EPA has determined that the emissions which 
may result from the revised and new exemptions set forth in the 
submitted VCAPCD and EKAPCD rules meet acceptable de minimus criteria 
as allowed in 40 CFR 51.160(e). See the attached TSDs for each district 
for more information on these revised and new exemptions.
    The submitted rules also add a new exemption for new or modified 
minor agricultural sources whose actual emissions (excluding fugitive 
PM10) would be less than 50% of the applicable major source 
thresholds. With respect to such minor agricultural sources, we 
conclude that this exemption is approvable because, as discussed in 
more detail below in addressing CAA Section 110(l), the exemption will 
not result in a violation of applicable portions of the control 
strategies and would not result in interference with attainment or 
maintenance of a NAAQS.
    EPA has also evaluated the revised VCAPCD Rule 23 and EKAPCD Rule 
202 for consistency with CAA Section 110(l) requirements. As noted 
above, the new exemptions in Rule 23, would result in de minimus 
increases in emissions. For the new exemption for new or modified minor 
agricultural sources whose actual emissions (excluding fugitive 
PM10) would be less than 50% of the applicable major source 
thresholds, EPA has determined that this exemption would not interfere 
with reasonable further progress and attainment of any of the NAAQS in 
Ventura County or any other applicable requirement of the CAA and thus 
is approvable under sections 110(l) because of (1) the limited nature 
of all new exemptions, (2) the presence of other regulatory controls 
for exempt agricultural sources, (3) the low background concentrations 
for the NAAQS pollutants in Ventura County other than ozone, and (4) 
the fact that the submitted ozone plan for Ventura County does not rely 
on NSR controls for minor agricultural sources and shows that the 
downward trend in ozone precursor emissions in Ventura County is 
predicted to continue well into the future.
    The new exemptions in EKAPCD Rule 202 will result in de minimus 
increases in emissions and would result in a strengthening of the SIP. 
For the new exemption for new or modified minor agricultural sources 
whose actual emissions (excluding fugitive PM10) would be 
less than 50% of the applicable major source thresholds, EPA has 
determined that this exemption would not interfere with reasonable 
further progress and attainment of any of the NAAQS in the EKAPCD or 
any other applicable requirement of the CAA and thus is approvable 
under CAA Section 110(l). Similar to Ventura County, these revisions 
are approvable for EKAPCD under section 110(l) of the Act because of 
(1) the limited nature of all new exemptions, (2) the narrowing of 
several existing exemptions, (3) the presence of other regulatory 
controls for exempt agricultural sources, (4) the low ambient 
concentrations for the NAAQS pollutants in EKAPCD other than ozone, and 
(5) emissions projections that assume no NSR controls for minor 
agricultural sources yet the emissions projections decline or hold 
steady well into the future for PM10 and the ozone 
precursors.
    The TSDs for each District rule have more information on our 
evaluation.

C. EPA Recommendations To Further Improve the Rules

    The TSDs describe additional rule revisions that we recommend for 
the next time the local agencies modify the rules.

D. Public Comment and Final Action

    Because EPA considers the submitted rules to fulfill all relevant 
requirements, we are proposing to fully approve them as described in 
section 110(k)(3) of the Act. We will accept comments from the public 
on this proposal for the next 30 days. Unless we receive convincing new 
information during the comment period, we intend to publish a final 
approval action that will incorporate these rules into the federally 
enforceable SIP.
    Please note that if EPA receives adverse comment on an amendment, 
paragraph, or section of this rule and if that provision may be severed 
from the remainder of the rule, EPA may adopt as final those provisions 
of the rule that are not the subject of an adverse comment.

III. Incorporation by Reference

    In this rule, the EPA is proposing to include in a final EPA rule 
regulatory text that includes incorporation by reference. In accordance 
with requirements of 1 CFR 51.5, the EPA is proposing to incorporate by 
reference the VCAPCD and EKAPCD rules regarding exemptions from permit 
requirements discussed in section I.A of this preamble. The EPA has 
made, and will continue to make, these documents generally available 
electronically through www.regulations.gov and/or in hard copy at the 
appropriate EPA office (see the ADDRESSES section of this preamble for 
more information).

[[Page 19935]]

IV. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

    Under the Clean Air Act, the Administrator is required to approve a 
SIP submission that complies with the provisions of the Act and 
applicable Federal regulations. 42 U.S.C. 7410(k); 40 CFR 52.02(a). 
Thus, in reviewing SIP submissions, EPA's role is to approve State 
choices, provided that they meet the criteria of the Clean Air Act. 
Accordingly, this action merely approves State law as meeting Federal 
requirements and does not impose additional requirements beyond those 
imposed by State law. For that reason, this action:
     Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' subject to 
review by the Office of Management and Budget under Executive Order 
12866 (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993);
     does not impose an information collection burden under the 
provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.);
     is certified as not having a significant economic impact 
on a substantial number of small entities under the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.);
     does not contain any unfunded mandate or significantly or 
uniquely affect small governments, as described in the Unfunded 
Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-4);
     does not have Federalism implications as specified in 
Executive Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10, 1999);
     is not an economically significant regulatory action based 
on health or safety risks subject to Executive Order 13045 (62 FR 
19885, April 23, 1997);
     is not a significant regulatory action subject to 
Executive Order 13211 (66 FR 28355, May 22, 2001);
     is not subject to requirements of Section 12(d) of the 
National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272 
note) because application of those requirements would be inconsistent 
with the Clean Air Act; and
     does not provide EPA with the discretionary authority to 
address disproportionate human health or environmental effects with 
practical, appropriate, and legally permissible methods under Executive 
Order 12898 (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994).
    In addition, this proposed action does not have tribal implications 
as specified by Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, November 9, 2000), 
because the SIP is not approved to apply in Indian country located in 
the State, and EPA notes that it will not impose substantial direct 
costs on tribal governments or preempt tribal law.

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52

    Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Intergovernmental 
relations, Incorporation by reference, Ozone, Particulate matter, 
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Volatile organic compounds.

    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.

    Dated: March 20, 2015.
Jared Blumenfeld,
Regional Administrator, Region IX.
[FR Doc. 2015-08467 Filed 4-13-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P



                                                      19932                    Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 71 / Tuesday, April 14, 2015 / Proposed Rules

                                                      II. EPA’s Evaluation and Action                         III. Incorporation by Reference                        Technology Transfer and Advancement
                                                                                                                In this rule, the EPA is proposing to                Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272 note) because
                                                      A. How is EPA evaluating the rule?
                                                                                                              include in a final EPA rule regulatory                 application of those requirements would
                                                         Generally, SIP rules must be                                                                                be inconsistent with the Clean Air Act;
                                                                                                              text that includes incorporation by
                                                      enforceable (see CAA section 110(a)(2)),                                                                       and
                                                                                                              reference. In accordance with
                                                      must not interfere with applicable
                                                                                                              requirements of 1 CFR 51.5, the EPA is                    • does not provide EPA with the
                                                      requirements concerning attainment and                                                                         discretionary authority to address
                                                                                                              proposing to incorporate by reference
                                                      reasonable further progress or other                                                                           disproportionate human health or
                                                                                                              South Coast Air Quality Management
                                                      CAA requirements (see CAA section                                                                              environmental effects with practical,
                                                                                                              District Rule 223—Emission Reduction
                                                      110(l)), and must not modify certain SIP                                                                       appropriate, and legally permissible
                                                                                                              Permits for Large Confined Animal
                                                      control requirements in nonattainment                                                                          methods under Executive Order 12898
                                                                                                              Facilities, as listed in Table 1 of this
                                                      areas without ensuring equivalent or                                                                           (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994).
                                                                                                              notice. The EPA has made, and will
                                                      greater emissions reductions (see CAA                                                                             In addition, this proposed action does
                                                                                                              continue to make, these documents
                                                      section 193).                                                                                                  not have tribal implications as specified
                                                         The Los Angeles-South Coast air basin                generally available electronically
                                                                                                              through www.regulations.gov and/or in                  by Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249,
                                                      is an ozone nonattainment area                                                                                 November 9, 2000), because the SIP is
                                                      classified as extreme for the 1-hour                    hard copy at the appropriate EPA office
                                                                                                              (see the ADDRESSES section of this                     not approved to apply in Indian country
                                                      ozone, 1997 8-hour ozone, and 2008 8-                                                                          located in the State, and EPA notes that
                                                      hour ozone national ambient air quality                 preamble for more information).
                                                                                                                                                                     it will not impose substantial direct
                                                      standards (NAAQS).                                      IV. Statutory and Executive Order                      costs on tribal governments or preempt
                                                         Guidance and policy documents that                   Reviews                                                tribal law.
                                                      we use to evaluate enforceability and
                                                                                                                 Under the Clean Air Act, the                        List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52
                                                      revision/relaxation requirements for the
                                                                                                              Administrator is required to approve a
                                                      applicable criteria pollutants include                                                                           Environmental protection, Air
                                                                                                              SIP submission that complies with the
                                                      the following:                                                                                                 pollution control, Incorporation by
                                                         1. ‘‘Issues Relating to VOC Regulation               provisions of the Act and applicable
                                                                                                              Federal regulations. 42 U.S.C. 7410(k);                reference, Intergovernmental relations,
                                                      Cutpoints, Deficiencies, and                                                                                   Ozone, Reporting and recordkeeping
                                                      Deviations,’’ EPA, May 25, 1988 (the                    40 CFR 52.02(a). Thus, in reviewing SIP
                                                                                                              submissions, EPA’s role is to approve                  requirements, Volatile organic
                                                      Bluebook, revised January 11, 1990).                                                                           compounds.
                                                         2. ‘‘Guidance Document for Correcting                State choices, provided that they meet
                                                                                                              the criteria of the Clean Air Act.                       Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
                                                      Common VOC & Other Rule
                                                      Deficiencies,’’ EPA Region 9, August 21,                Accordingly, this proposed action                        Dated: March 30, 2015.
                                                      2001 (the Little Bluebook).                             merely proposes to approve State law as                Jared Blumenfeld,
                                                                                                              meeting Federal requirements and does                  Regional Administrator, Region IX.
                                                      B. Does the rule meet the evaluation                    not impose additional requirements
                                                                                                                                                                     [FR Doc. 2015–08469 Filed 4–13–15; 8:45 am]
                                                      criteria?                                               beyond those imposed by State law. For
                                                                                                                                                                     BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
                                                         We believe this rule is consistent with              that reason, this proposed action:
                                                      the relevant policy and guidance                           • Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory
                                                      regarding enforceability and SIP                        action’’ subject to review by the Office
                                                                                                                                                                     ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
                                                      relaxations. It contains clear thresholds               of Management and Budget under
                                                                                                                                                                     AGENCY
                                                      and control requirements, and it                        Executive Order 12866 (58 FR 51735,
                                                      strengthens the SIP by adding new                       October 4, 1993);                                      40 CFR Part 52
                                                      controls for LCAFs.                                        • does not impose an information
                                                         The TSD has more information on our                  collection burden under the provisions                 [EPA–R09–OAR–2015–0082; 9926–15–
                                                      evaluation.                                             of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44                     Region 9]
                                                                                                              U.S.C. 3501 et seq.);
                                                      C. EPA Recommendations To Further                          • is certified as not having a                      Revisions to the California SIP,
                                                      Improve the Rule(s)                                     significant economic impact on a                       Ventura & Eastern Kern Air Pollution
                                                         In our TSD we identify additional                    substantial number of small entities                   Control Districts; Permit Exemptions
                                                      control options that may be reasonably                  under the Regulatory Flexibility Act
                                                                                                              (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.);                                AGENCY:  Environmental Protection
                                                      available for implementation in the Los
                                                                                                                 • does not contain any unfunded                     Agency (EPA).
                                                      Angeles-South Coast area (see
                                                      ‘‘Additional Recommendations’’) and                     mandate or significantly or uniquely                   ACTION: Proposed rule.
                                                      that we recommend for the next time                     affect small governments, as described
                                                                                                              in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act                    SUMMARY:   The Environmental Protection
                                                      the local agency modifies the rule.
                                                                                                              of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–4);                               Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve
                                                      D. Public Comment and Proposed                             • does not have Federalism                          revisions to the Ventura County Air
                                                      Action                                                  implications as specified in Executive                 Pollution Control District (VCAPCD)
                                                        As authorized in section 110(k)(3) of                 Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10,                   and Eastern Kern Air Pollution Control
                                                      the Act, EPA is fully approving the                     1999);                                                 District (EKAPCD) portions of the
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                      submitted rule because we believe it                       • is not an economically significant                California State Implementation Plan
                                                      fulfills all relevant requirements. We                  regulatory action based on health or                   (SIP). These revisions clarify, update,
                                                      will accept comments from the public                    safety risks subject to Executive Order                and revise exemptions from New Source
                                                      on this proposal until May 14, 2015.                    13045 (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997);                   Review (NSR) permitting requirements,
                                                      Unless we receive convincing new                           • is not a significant regulatory action            for various air pollution sources.
                                                      information during the comment period,                  subject to Executive Order 13211 (66 FR                DATES: Any comments must arrive by
                                                      we intend to publish a final approval                   28355, May 22, 2001);                                  May 14, 2015.
                                                      action that will incorporate this rule                     • is not subject to requirements of                 ADDRESSES: Submit comments,
                                                      into the federally enforceable SIP.                     Section 12(d) of the National                          identified by docket number EPA–R09–


                                                 VerDate Sep<11>2014   17:05 Apr 13, 2015   Jkt 235001   PO 00000   Frm 00048   Fmt 4702   Sfmt 4702   E:\FR\FM\14APP1.SGM   14APP1


                                                                                    Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 71 / Tuesday, April 14, 2015 / Proposed Rules                                                               19933

                                                      OAR–2015–0082, by one of the                                   your comment. If you send email                                  SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                                      following methods:                                             directly to EPA, your email address will                         Throughout this document, ‘‘we,’’ ‘‘us’’
                                                        1. Federal eRulemaking Portal:                               be automatically captured and included                           and ‘‘our’’ refer to EPA.
                                                      www.regulations.gov. Follow the on-line                        as part of the public comment. If EPA
                                                      instructions.                                                  cannot read your comment due to                                  Table of Contents
                                                        2. Email: R9airpermits@epa.gov.                              technical difficulties and cannot contact                        I. The State’s Submittal
                                                        3. Mail or deliver: Gerardo Rios (Air-                       you for clarification, EPA may not be                               A. What rules did the State submit?
                                                      3), U.S. Environmental Protection                              able to consider your comment.                                      B. Are there other versions of these rules?
                                                      Agency Region IX, 75 Hawthorne Street,                            Docket: The index to the docket for                              C. What is the purpose of the submitted
                                                      San Francisco, CA 94105–3901.                                  this action is available electronically at                             rules and rule revisions?
                                                        Instructions: All comments will be                           www.regulations.gov and in hard copy                             II. EPA’s Evaluation and Action
                                                      included in the public docket without                          at EPA Region IX, 75 Hawthorne Street,                              A. How is EPA evaluating the rules?
                                                      change and may be made available                               San Francisco, California. While                                    B. Do the rules meet the evaluation
                                                                                                                     documents in the docket are listed in                                  criteria?
                                                      online at www.regulations.gov,
                                                                                                                                                                                         C. EPA Recommendations To Further
                                                      including any personal information                             the index, some information may be
                                                                                                                                                                                            Improve the Rules
                                                      provided, unless the comment includes                          publicly available only at the hard copy                            D. Public Comment and Final Action
                                                      Confidential Business Information (CBI)                        location (e.g., copyrighted material,                            III. Incorporation by Reference
                                                      or other information whose disclosure is                       large maps), and some may not be                                 IV. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
                                                      restricted by statute. Information that                        publicly available in either location
                                                      you consider CBI or otherwise protected                        (e.g., CBI). To inspect the hard copy                            I. The State’s Submittal
                                                      should be clearly identified as such and                       materials, please schedule an                                    A. What rules did the State submit?
                                                      should not be submitted through                                appointment during normal business
                                                      www.regulations.gov or email.                                  hours with the contact listed in the FOR                           Table 1 lists the rules addressed by
                                                      www.regulations.gov is an ‘‘anonymous                          FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section.                             this proposal, including the dates they
                                                      access’’ system, and EPA will not know                         FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                                 were revised by the local air agency and
                                                      your identity or contact information                           Larry Maurin, EPA Region IX, (415)                               submitted by the California Air
                                                      unless you provide it in the body of                           972–3943, maurin.lawrence@epa.gov.                               Resources Board (CARB).

                                                                                                                            TABLE 1—SUBMITTED RULES
                                                                     Local agency                              Rule No.                                     Rule title                                    Revision date   Submittal date

                                                      VCAPCD ..........................................                23    Exemption from Permit .................................................           11/12/13        05/13/14
                                                      EKAPCD ...........................................              202    Permit Exemptions ........................................................        01/13/11        06/21/11



                                                        On July 15, 2011 and July 18, 2014,                          materials provided with previous                                 precludes EPA approval of SIP revisions
                                                      EPA determined that the submittal for                          submittals.                                                      that would interfere with any applicable
                                                      EKAPCD Rule 202 and VCAPCD Rule                                                                                                 requirement concerning attainment and
                                                                                                                     C. What is the purpose of the submitted
                                                      23, respectively, met the completeness                                                                                          reasonable further progress or any other
                                                                                                                     rules and rule revisions?
                                                      criteria in 40 CFR part 51 Appendix V.                                                                                          applicable requirement of the Act. In
                                                      The completeness criteria must be met                             Section 110(a) of the Clean Air Act                           addition, for satisfying CAA section
                                                      before formal EPA review.                                      (CAA) requires states to submit                                  110(a)(2)(C), we have reviewed the
                                                                                                                     regulations that control volatile organic                        submitted rules for compliance with
                                                      B. Are there other versions of these
                                                                                                                     compounds, nitrogen oxides, particulate                          EPA implementing regulations for NSR,
                                                      rules?
                                                                                                                     matter and other air pollutants which                            including 40 CFR 51.160 through 40
                                                        We approved an earlier version of                            harm human health and the                                        CFR 51.165.
                                                      VCAPCD Rule 23 into the SIP on                                 environment. Permitting rules were
                                                      December 7, 2000 (65 FR 76567). Since                          developed as part of the local air                               B. Do the rules meet the evaluation
                                                      the last approval of Rule 23 into the SIP,                     district’s programs to control these                             criteria?
                                                      VCAPCD has adopted revisions on                                pollutants.
                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Attainment Status of VCAPCD and
                                                      November 11, 2003; April 13, 2004;                                The purposes of VCAPCD Rule 23                                EKAPCD
                                                      October 12, 2004; September 12, 2006;                          (Exemption from Permit) and EKAPCD
                                                      April 8, 2008; and April 12, 2011.                             Rule 202 (Permit Exemptions) are to                                 Ventura County is designated as a
                                                        EKAPCD Rule 202 was last approved                            identify when a new or modified source                           serious nonattainment area for the 2008
                                                      into the SIP on July 6, 1982 (47 FR                            is exempted from the requirement to                              and 1997 federal 8-hour ozone National
                                                      29231). Since the last approval of Rule                        obtain a permit prior to construction.                           Ambient Air Quality Standards
                                                      202 into the SIP, EKAPCD has adopted                           Rule 202 also requires recordkeeping to                          (NAAQS). It is designated as attainment
                                                      revisions on April 25, 1983; November                          verify and maintain any exemption.                               or unclassifiable for all other NAAQS.
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                      18, 1985; August 22, 1989; April 30,                           II. EPA’s Evaluation and Action                                     Eastern Kern County is designated as
                                                      1990; August 19, 1991; May 2, 1996;
                                                                                                                     A. How is EPA evaluating the rules?                              a marginal and moderate nonattainment
                                                      January 8, 1998; March 13, 2003; and
                                                                                                                                                                                      area for the 2008 and 1997 federal 8-
                                                      January 8, 2004.                                                 The relevant statutory provisions for                          hour ozone NAAQS, respectively, and
                                                        All of these revisions were submitted                        our review of the new and existing                               as a serious nonattainment area for the
                                                      to EPA; however, EPA has not taken                             exemptions in the submitted rules                                PM10 NAAQS. It is designated as
                                                      action on any of these submittals. While                       include CAA sections 110(a) and 110(l).                          attainment or unclassifiable for all other
                                                      we can act on only the most recently                           Section 110(a) requires that SIP rules be                        NAAQS.
                                                      submitted version, we have reviewed                            enforceable, while section 110(l)


                                                 VerDate Sep<11>2014      17:05 Apr 13, 2015      Jkt 235001    PO 00000   Frm 00049   Fmt 4702     Sfmt 4702     E:\FR\FM\14APP1.SGM           14APP1


                                                      19934                    Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 71 / Tuesday, April 14, 2015 / Proposed Rules

                                                      2. Minor NSR Permitting Requirements                    In our evaluation, EPA has determined                  other applicable requirement of the
                                                      and Analysis                                            that the emissions which may result                    CAA and thus is approvable under CAA
                                                         The revised VCAPCD and EKAPCD                        from the revised and new exemptions                    Section 110(l). Similar to Ventura
                                                      rules affect the minor source NSR                       set forth in the submitted VCAPCD and                  County, these revisions are approvable
                                                      programs by revising existing                           EKAPCD rules meet acceptable de                        for EKAPCD under section 110(l) of the
                                                      exemptions, adding new exemptions,                      minimus criteria as allowed in 40 CFR                  Act because of (1) the limited nature of
                                                      and exempting minor agricultural                        51.160(e). See the attached TSDs for                   all new exemptions, (2) the narrowing of
                                                      sources with emissions less than 50                     each district for more information on                  several existing exemptions, (3) the
                                                      percent of the major source thresholds.                 these revised and new exemptions.                      presence of other regulatory controls for
                                                                                                                 The submitted rules also add a new                  exempt agricultural sources, (4) the low
                                                         The requirements in 40 CFR 51.160,
                                                                                                              exemption for new or modified minor                    ambient concentrations for the NAAQS
                                                      subsections (a) through (e), provide the
                                                                                                              agricultural sources whose actual                      pollutants in EKAPCD other than ozone,
                                                      basis for evaluating exemptions from
                                                                                                              emissions (excluding fugitive PM10)                    and (5) emissions projections that
                                                      NSR permitting. The basic purpose of
                                                                                                              would be less than 50% of the                          assume no NSR controls for minor
                                                      NSR permitting is set forth in 40 CFR
                                                                                                              applicable major source thresholds.
                                                      51.160(a), requiring NSR SIPs to set                                                                           agricultural sources yet the emissions
                                                                                                              With respect to such minor agricultural
                                                      forth legally enforceable procedures that                                                                      projections decline or hold steady well
                                                                                                              sources, we conclude that this
                                                      enable the State or local agency to                                                                            into the future for PM10 and the ozone
                                                                                                              exemption is approvable because, as
                                                      determine whether the construction or                                                                          precursors.
                                                                                                              discussed in more detail below in
                                                      modification of a stationary source                     addressing CAA Section 110(l), the                        The TSDs for each District rule have
                                                      would result in a violation of applicable               exemption will not result in a violation               more information on our evaluation.
                                                      portions of the control strategy, or                    of applicable portions of the control
                                                      would interfere with attainment or                                                                             C. EPA Recommendations To Further
                                                                                                              strategies and would not result in
                                                      maintenance of a NAAQS. Section                                                                                Improve the Rules
                                                                                                              interference with attainment or
                                                      51.160(e) provides that the procedures                  maintenance of a NAAQS.
                                                      must identify types and sizes of                                                                                 The TSDs describe additional rule
                                                                                                                 EPA has also evaluated the revised                  revisions that we recommend for the
                                                      stationary sources that will be subject to              VCAPCD Rule 23 and EKAPCD Rule 202
                                                      NSR permitting review. We view this                                                                            next time the local agencies modify the
                                                                                                              for consistency with CAA Section 110(l)                rules.
                                                      provision as allowing a State to exempt                 requirements. As noted above, the new
                                                      certain types and sizes of stationary                   exemptions in Rule 23, would result in                 D. Public Comment and Final Action
                                                      sources so long as the program                          de minimus increases in emissions. For
                                                      continues to serve the purposes outlined                the new exemption for new or modified                    Because EPA considers the submitted
                                                      in 40 CFR 51.160(a). Thus, the revised                  minor agricultural sources whose actual                rules to fulfill all relevant requirements,
                                                      and new exemptions discussed in detail                  emissions (excluding fugitive PM10)                    we are proposing to fully approve them
                                                      in the TSDs, and the exemptions for                     would be less than 50% of the                          as described in section 110(k)(3) of the
                                                      non-major agricultural sources whose                    applicable major source thresholds, EPA                Act. We will accept comments from the
                                                      actual emissions (excluding fugitive                    has determined that this exemption                     public on this proposal for the next 30
                                                      emissions) are less than 50 percent of                  would not interfere with reasonable                    days. Unless we receive convincing new
                                                      the major source thresholds are                         further progress and attainment of any                 information during the comment period,
                                                      approvable so long as the minor source                  of the NAAQS in Ventura County or any                  we intend to publish a final approval
                                                      permitting programs (i.e. including the                 other applicable requirement of the                    action that will incorporate these rules
                                                      exemptions) continue to provide the                     CAA and thus is approvable under                       into the federally enforceable SIP.
                                                      necessary information to allow the                      sections 110(l) because of (1) the limited               Please note that if EPA receives
                                                      Districts to determine whether                          nature of all new exemptions, (2) the                  adverse comment on an amendment,
                                                      construction of new or modified                         presence of other regulatory controls for              paragraph, or section of this rule and if
                                                      stationary sources would result in a                    exempt agricultural sources, (3) the low               that provision may be severed from the
                                                      violation of applicable portions of the                 background concentrations for the                      remainder of the rule, EPA may adopt
                                                      control strategies or would result in                   NAAQS pollutants in Ventura County                     as final those provisions of the rule that
                                                      interference with attainment or                         other than ozone, and (4) the fact that                are not the subject of an adverse
                                                      maintenance of a NAAQS.                                 the submitted ozone plan for Ventura                   comment.
                                                         Under 40 CFR 51.160, the Districts                   County does not rely on NSR controls
                                                      have discretion in conducting the minor                 for minor agricultural sources and                     III. Incorporation by Reference
                                                      sources permitting programs to exempt                   shows that the downward trend in
                                                      certain small or de minimus sources.                    ozone precursor emissions in Ventura                     In this rule, the EPA is proposing to
                                                      Congress directed the States and                        County is predicted to continue well                   include in a final EPA rule regulatory
                                                      Districts to exercise the primary                       into the future.                                       text that includes incorporation by
                                                      responsibility under the CAA to tailor                     The new exemptions in EKAPCD Rule                   reference. In accordance with
                                                      air quality control measures, including                 202 will result in de minimus increases                requirements of 1 CFR 51.5, the EPA is
                                                      minor source permitting programs, to                    in emissions and would result in a                     proposing to incorporate by reference
                                                      the State’s needs. See Train v. NRDC,                   strengthening of the SIP. For the new                  the VCAPCD and EKAPCD rules
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                      421 U.S. 60, 79 (1975) (States make the                 exemption for new or modified minor                    regarding exemptions from permit
                                                      primary decisions over how to achieve                   agricultural sources whose actual                      requirements discussed in section I.A of
                                                      CAA requirements); Union Electric Co.                   emissions (excluding fugitive PM10)                    this preamble. The EPA has made, and
                                                      v. EPA, 427 U.S. 246 (1976); Greenbaum                  would be less than 50% of the                          will continue to make, these documents
                                                      v. EPA, 370 F.3d 527 (6th Cir. 2006).                   applicable major source thresholds, EPA                generally available electronically
                                                         EPA has reviewed the submitted                       has determined that this exemption                     through www.regulations.gov and/or in
                                                      VCAPCD and EKAPCD rules in                              would not interfere with reasonable                    hard copy at the appropriate EPA office
                                                      accordance with CAA Section 110(a)                      further progress and attainment of any                 (see the ADDRESSES section of this
                                                      and 40 CFR 51.160 as described above.                   of the NAAQS in the EKAPCD or any                      preamble for more information).


                                                 VerDate Sep<11>2014   17:05 Apr 13, 2015   Jkt 235001   PO 00000   Frm 00050   Fmt 4702   Sfmt 4702   E:\FR\FM\14APP1.SGM   14APP1


                                                                               Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 71 / Tuesday, April 14, 2015 / Proposed Rules                                           19935

                                                      IV. Statutory and Executive Order                       costs on tribal governments or preempt                 an approved maintenance plan. These
                                                      Reviews                                                 tribal law.                                            proposed actions are being taken under
                                                         Under the Clean Air Act, the                                                                                the CAA.
                                                                                                              List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52
                                                      Administrator is required to approve a                                                                         DATES: Written comments must be
                                                                                                                Environmental protection, Air                        received on or before May 14, 2015.
                                                      SIP submission that complies with the
                                                                                                              pollution control, Intergovernmental                   ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,
                                                      provisions of the Act and applicable
                                                                                                              relations, Incorporation by reference,                 identified by Docket ID No. EPA–R08–
                                                      Federal regulations. 42 U.S.C. 7410(k);
                                                                                                              Ozone, Particulate matter, Reporting                   OAR–2014–0254, by one of the
                                                      40 CFR 52.02(a). Thus, in reviewing SIP
                                                                                                              and recordkeeping requirements,                        following methods:
                                                      submissions, EPA’s role is to approve
                                                                                                              Volatile organic compounds.                               • http://www.regulations.gov. Follow
                                                      State choices, provided that they meet
                                                      the criteria of the Clean Air Act.                        Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.                    the on-line instructions for submitting
                                                      Accordingly, this action merely                           Dated: March 20, 2015.                               comments.
                                                      approves State law as meeting Federal                   Jared Blumenfeld,                                         • Email: ostigaard.crystal@epa.gov.
                                                      requirements and does not impose                        Regional Administrator, Region IX.
                                                                                                                                                                        • Fax: (303) 312–6064 (please alert
                                                      additional requirements beyond those                                                                           the individual listed in the FOR FURTHER
                                                                                                              [FR Doc. 2015–08467 Filed 4–13–15; 8:45 am]
                                                      imposed by State law. For that reason,                                                                         INFORMATION CONTACT if you are faxing
                                                                                                              BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
                                                      this action:                                                                                                   comments).
                                                         • Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory                                                                            • Mail: Carl Daly, Director, Air
                                                      action’’ subject to review by the Office                                                                       Program, U.S. Environmental Protection
                                                                                                              ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
                                                      of Management and Budget under                                                                                 Agency (EPA), Region 8, Mailcode 8P–
                                                                                                              AGENCY
                                                      Executive Order 12866 (58 FR 51735,                                                                            AR, 1595 Wynkoop Street, Denver,
                                                      October 4, 1993);                                       40 CFR Part 52                                         Colorado 80202–1129.
                                                         • does not impose an information                                                                               • Hand Delivery: Carl Daly, Director,
                                                      collection burden under the provisions                  [EPA–R08–OAR–2014–0254; FRL–9926–00–                   Air Program, U.S. Environmental
                                                                                                              Region 8]                                              Protection Agency (EPA), Region 8,
                                                      of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44
                                                      U.S.C. 3501 et seq.);                                                                                          Mailcode 8P–AR, 1595 Wynkoop Street,
                                                                                                              Determinations of Attainment of the
                                                         • is certified as not having a                       1997 Annual Fine Particulate Matter
                                                                                                                                                                     Denver, Colorado 80202–1129. Such
                                                      significant economic impact on a                                                                               deliveries are only accepted Monday
                                                                                                              Standards for the Libby, Montana
                                                      substantial number of small entities                                                                           through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.,
                                                                                                              Nonattainment Area
                                                      under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5                                                                        excluding Federal holidays. Special
                                                      U.S.C. 601 et seq.);                                    AGENCY:  Environmental Protection                      arrangements should be made for
                                                         • does not contain any unfunded                      Agency (EPA).                                          deliveries of boxed information.
                                                      mandate or significantly or uniquely                    ACTION: Proposed rule.                                    Instructions: Direct your comments to
                                                      affect small governments, as described                                                                         Docket ID No. EPA–R08–OAR–2014–
                                                      in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act                     SUMMARY:   The Environmental Protection                0254. EPA’s policy is that all comments
                                                      of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–4);                                Agency (EPA) is proposing to make two                  received will be included in the public
                                                         • does not have Federalism                           separate and independent                               docket without change and may be
                                                      implications as specified in Executive                  determinations regarding the Libby,                    made available online at http://
                                                      Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10,                    Montana nonattainment area for the                     www.regulations.gov, including any
                                                      1999);                                                  1997 annual fine particulate matter                    personal information provided, unless
                                                         • is not an economically significant                 (PM2.5) National Ambient Air Quality                   the comment includes information
                                                      regulatory action based on health or                    Standard (NAAQS). First, EPA is                        claimed to be Confidential Business
                                                      safety risks subject to Executive Order                 proposing to determine that the Libby                  Information (CBI) or other information
                                                      13045 (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997);                    nonattainment area attained the 1997                   whose disclosure is restricted by statute.
                                                         • is not a significant regulatory action             annual PM2.5 NAAQS by the applicable                   Do not submit information that you
                                                      subject to Executive Order 13211 (66 FR                 attainment date, April 2010. This                      consider to be CBI or otherwise
                                                      28355, May 22, 2001);                                   proposed determination is based on                     protected through http://
                                                         • is not subject to requirements of                  quality-assured and certified ambient air              www.regulations.gov or email. The
                                                      Section 12(d) of the National                           quality data for the 2007–2009                         http://www.regulations.gov Web site is
                                                      Technology Transfer and Advancement                     monitoring period. Second, EPA is                      an ‘‘anonymous access’’ system, which
                                                      Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272 note) because                proposing that the Libby nonattainment                 means EPA will not know your identity
                                                      application of those requirements would                 area has continued to attain the 1997                  or contact information unless you
                                                      be inconsistent with the Clean Air Act;                 annual PM2.5 NAAQS, based on quality-                  provide it in the body of your comment.
                                                      and                                                     assured and certified ambient air quality              If you send an email comment directly
                                                         • does not provide EPA with the                      data for the 2012–2014 monitoring                      to EPA, without going through http://
                                                      discretionary authority to address                      period. Based on the second                            www.regulations.gov, your email
                                                      disproportionate human health or                        determination, EPA also proposes to                    address will be automatically captured
                                                      environmental effects with practical,                   suspend certain nonattainment area                     and included as part of the comment
                                                      appropriate, and legally permissible                    planning obligations. These                            that is placed in the public docket and
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                      methods under Executive Order 12898                     determinations do not constitute a                     made available on the Internet. If you
                                                      (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994).                        redesignation to attainment. The Libby                 submit an electronic comment, EPA
                                                         In addition, this proposed action does               nonattainment area will remain                         recommends that you include your
                                                      not have tribal implications as specified               designated nonattainment for the 1997                  name and other contact information in
                                                      by Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249,                  annual PM2.5 NAAQS until such time as                  the body of your comment and with any
                                                      November 9, 2000), because the SIP is                   EPA determines that the Libby                          disk or CD–ROM you submit. If EPA
                                                      not approved to apply in Indian country                 nonattainment area meets the Clean Air                 cannot read your comment due to
                                                      located in the State, and EPA notes that                Act (CAA) requirements for                             technical difficulties and cannot contact
                                                      it will not impose substantial direct                   redesignation to attainment, including                 you for clarification, EPA may not be


                                                 VerDate Sep<11>2014   17:05 Apr 13, 2015   Jkt 235001   PO 00000   Frm 00051   Fmt 4702   Sfmt 4702   E:\FR\FM\14APP1.SGM   14APP1



Document Created: 2015-12-18 11:09:37
Document Modified: 2015-12-18 11:09:37
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionProposed Rules
ActionProposed rule.
DatesAny comments must arrive by May 14, 2015.
ContactLarry Maurin, EPA Region IX, (415) 972-3943, [email protected]
FR Citation80 FR 19932 
CFR AssociatedEnvironmental Protection; Air Pollution Control; Intergovernmental Relations; Incorporation by Reference; Ozone; Particulate Matter; Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements and Volatile Organic Compounds

2025 Federal Register | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
USC | CFR | eCFR