80 FR 42076 - Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; Georgia; Removal of Stage II Gasoline Vapor Recovery Program
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 136 (July 16, 2015)
Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 136 (July 16, 2015)
| Page Range | 42076-42079 | |
| FR Document | 2015-16076 |
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 136 (Thursday, July 16, 2015)] [Proposed Rules] [Pages 42076-42079] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2015-16076] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 40 CFR Part 52 [EPA-R04-OAR-2015-0113; FRL-9929-82-Region 4] Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; Georgia; Removal of Stage II Gasoline Vapor Recovery Program AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Proposed rule. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve changes to the Georgia State Implementation Plan (SIP) submitted by the State of Georgia, through the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (GA EPD), on January 22, 2015, to remove Stage II vapor control requirements for new and upgraded gasoline dispensing facilities in the State and to allow for the decommissioning of existing Stage II equipment. EPA has preliminarily determined that Georgia's January 22, 2015, SIP revision is approvable because it is consistent with the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act). DATES: Written comments must be received on or before August 17, 2015. ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-R04- OAR-2015-0113, by one of the following methods: 1. www.regulations.gov: Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments. 2. Email: [email protected]. 3. Fax: (404) 562-9019. 4. Mail: ``EPA-R04-OAR-2015-0113'' Air Regulatory Management Section (formerly the Regulatory Development Section), Air Planning and Implementation Branch (formerly the Air Planning Branch), Air, Pesticides and Toxics Management Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 4, 61 Forsyth Street SW., Atlanta, Georgia 30303-8960. 5. Hand Delivery or Courier: Lynorae Benjamin, Chief, Air Regulatory Management Section, Air Planning and Implementation Branch, Air, Pesticides and Toxics Management Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 4, 61 Forsyth Street SW., Atlanta, Georgia 30303-8960. Such deliveries are only accepted during the Regional Office's normal hours of operation. The Regional Office's official hours of business are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding Federal holidays. Instructions: Direct your comments to Docket ID No. EPA-R04-OAR- 2015-0113. EPA's policy is that all comments received 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 information claimed to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Do not submit through www.regulations.gov or email, information that you consider to be CBI or otherwise protected. The www.regulations.gov Web site is an ``anonymous access'' system, which means EPA will not know your identity or contact information unless you provide it in the body of your comment. If you send an email comment directly to EPA without going through www.regulations.gov, your email address will be automatically captured and included as part of the comment that is placed in the public docket and made available on the Internet. If you submit an electronic comment, EPA recommends that you include your name and other contact information in the body of your comment and with any disk or CD-ROM you submit. 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. Electronic files should avoid the use of special characters, any form of encryption, and be free of any defects or viruses. For additional information about EPA's public docket visit the EPA Docket Center homepage at http://www.epa.gov/epahome/dockets.htm. Docket: All documents in the electronic docket are listed in the www.regulations.gov index. Although listed in the index, some information is not publicly available, i.e., CBI or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Certain other material, such as copyrighted material, is not placed on the Internet and will be publicly available only in hard copy form. Publicly available docket materials are available either electronically in www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at the Air Regulatory Management Section, Air Planning and Implementation Branch, Air, Pesticides and Toxics Management Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 4, 61 Forsyth Street, SW., Atlanta, Georgia 30303-8960. EPA requests that if at all possible, you contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section to schedule your inspection. The Regional Office's official hours of business are [[Page 42077]] Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding Federal holidays. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kelly Sheckler, Air Regulatory Management Section, Air Planning and Implementation Branch, Air, Pesticides and Toxics Management Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 4, 61 Forsyth Street SW., Atlanta, Georgia 30303-8960. Ms. Sheckler's phone number is (404) 562-9222. She can also be reached via electronic mail at [email protected]. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background for Atlanta's Air Quality Status Related to the 1-Hour Ozone NAAQS On November 6, 1991, EPA designated and classified the following counties in and around the Atlanta, Georgia, metropolitan area as a serious ozone nonattainment area for the 1-hour ozone NAAQS (hereinafter referred to as the ``Atlanta 1-Hour Ozone Area'' or ``Area''): Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Paulding, and Rockdale.\1\ See 56 FR 56694. The nonattainment designation was based on the Atlanta 1-Hour Ozone Area's design value for the 1987-1989 three-year period. The ``serious'' classification triggered various statutory requirements for the Atlanta 1-Hour Ozone Area, including the requirement pursuant to section 182(b)(3) of the CAA for the Area to require all owners and operators of gasoline dispensing systems to install and operate a system for gasoline vapor recovery of emissions from the fueling of motor vehicles known as ``Stage II.'' \2\ EPA redesignated the Atlanta 1-Hour Ozone Area to attainment for the 1-hour ozone NAAQS, effective June 14, 2005.3 4 See 70 FR 34660 (June 15, 2005). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ On September 26, 2003 (effective January 1, 2004), the Atlanta 1-Hour Ozone Area was reclassified to ``severe'' for the 1- hour ozone NAAQS because the Area failed to attain the 1-hour ozone NAAQS by its attainment date of November 15, 1999. See 68 FR 55469. \2\ Stage II is a system designed to capture displaced vapors that emerge from inside a vehicle's fuel tank, when gasoline is dispensed into the tank. There are two basic types of Stage II systems, the balance type and the vacuum assist type. \3\ On April 30, 2004, EPA designated the following 20 counties in and around metropolitan Atlanta as a marginal ozone nonattainment area for the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS: Barrow, Bartow, Carroll, Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Hall, Henry, Newton, Paulding, Rockdale, Spalding, and Walton. See 69 FR 23858. Subsequently, EPA reclassified these counties as a moderate ozone nonattainment area on March 6, 2008, because the area failed to attain the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS by the required attainment date of June 15, 2007. See 73 FR 12013. Subsequently, the area attained the 1997 8-hour ozone standard, and on December 2, 2013, EPA redesignated the counties to attainment for the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS. See 78 FR 72040. \4\ On May 21, 2012, EPA published a final rule designating the following 15 counties in and around metropolitan Atlanta as a marginal ozone nonattainment area for the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS: Bartow, Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Newton, Paulding, and Rockdale. See 77 FR 30088. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- II. Background for Federal Stage II Requirements Under section 182(b)(3) of the CAA, each state was required to submit a SIP revision to implement Stage II for all ozone nonattainment areas classified as moderate, serious, severe, or extreme, primarily for the control of volatile organic compounds (VOC)--a precursor to ozone formation.\5\ However, section 202(a)(6) of the CAA states that the section 182(b)(3) Stage II requirements for moderate ozone nonattainment areas shall not apply after the promulgation of on-board vapor recovery (ORVR) standards.\6\ ORVR standards were promulgated by EPA on April 6, 1994. See 59 FR 16262 and 40 CFR parts 86 (including sections 86.098-8), 88 and 600. As a result, the CAA no longer requires moderate areas to impose Stage II controls under section 182(b)(3), and such areas were able to submit SIP revisions, in compliance with section 110(l) of the CAA, to remove Stage II requirements from their SIPs. EPA's policy memoranda related to ORVR, dated March 9, 1993, and June 23, 1993, provide further guidance on removing Stage II requirements from certain areas. The policy memorandum dated March 9, 1993, states that ``[w]hen onboard rules are promulgated, a State may withdraw its Stage II rules for moderate areas from the SIP (or from consideration as a SIP revisions) consistent with its obligations under sections 182(b)(3) and 202(a)(6), so long as withdrawal will not interfere with any other applicable requirement of the Act.'' \7\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \5\ Section 183(b)(3) states that all ozone nonattainment areas classified as moderate or above submit a SIP revision requiring owners or operators of gasoline dispensing systems to install and operate vapor recovery equipment at their facilities. Specifically, the CAA specifies that the Stage II must apply to any facility that dispenses more than 10,000 gallons of gasoline per month or, in the case of an independent small business marketer (ISBM), any facility that dispenses more than 50,000 gallons of gasoline per month. Section 324 of the CAA defines an ISBM. Additionally, the CAA specified the deadlines by which certain facilities must comply with the Stage II requirements. For facilities that are not owned or operated by an ISBM, these deadlines, calculated from the time of State adoption of the Stage II requirements, are: (1) 6 Months for facilities for which construction began after November 15, 1990, (2) 1 year for facilities that dispense greater than 100,000 gallons of gasoline per month, and (3) by November 15, 1994, for all other facilities. For ISBM's, section 324(a) of the CAA provides the following three-year phase-in period: (1) 33 Percent of the facilities owned by an ISBM by the end of the first year after the regulations take effect; (2) 66 percent of such facilities by the end of the second year; and (3) 100 percent of such facilities after the third year. \6\ ORVR is a system employed on gasoline-powered highway motor vehicles to capture gasoline vapors displaced from a vehicle fuel tank during refueling events. These systems are required under section 202(a)(6) of the CAA and implementation of these requirements began in the 1998 model year. Currently they are now used on all gasoline-powered passenger cars, light trucks and complete heavy trucks of less than 14,000 pounds GVWR. ORVR systems typically employ a liquid file neck seal to block vapor escape to the atmosphere and otherwise share many components with the vehicles' evaporative emission control system including the onboard diagnostic system sensors. \7\ Memorandum from John S. Seitz, Director, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, to EPA Regional Air Directors, Impact of the Recent Onboard Decision on Stage II Requirements in Moderate Areas (March 9, 1993), available at: http://www.epa.gov/ttn/naaqs/aqmguide/collection/cp2/19930309_seitz_onboard_impact_stage2_.pdf. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- CAA section 202(a)(6) also provides discretionary authority to the EPA Administrator to, by rule, revise or waive the section 182(b)(3) Stage II requirement for serious, severe, and extreme ozone nonattainment areas after the Administrator determines that ORVR is in widespread use throughout the motor vehicle fleet. On May 16, 2012, in a rulemaking entitled ``Air Quality: Widespread Use for Onboard Refueling Vapor Recovery and Stage II Waiver,'' EPA determined that ORVR technology is in widespread use throughout the motor vehicle fleet for purposes of controlling motor vehicle refueling emissions. See 77 FR 28772. By that action, EPA waived the requirement for states to implement Stage II gasoline vapor recovery systems at gasoline dispensing facilities in nonattainment areas classified as serious and above for the ozone NAAQS. Effective May 16, 2012, states implementing mandatory Stage II programs under section 182(b)(3) of the CAA were allowed to submit SIP revisions to remove this program. See 40 CFR 51.126(b).\8\ On April 7, 2012, EPA released the guidance entitled ``Guidance on Removing Stage II Gasoline Vapor Control Programs from State Implementation Plans and [[Page 42078]] Assessing Comparable Measures'' for states to consider in preparing their SIP revisions to remove existing Stage II programs from state implementation plans.\9\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \8\ Under CAA section 202(a)(6), EPA found that ORVR systems are in widespread use in the motor vehicle fleet and waived the CAA section 182(b)(3) Stage II vapor recovery requirement for serious and higher ozone nonattainment areas on May 16, 2012 (77 FR 28772). Thus, in its implementation rule for the 2008 ozone NAAQS, EPA removed the section 182(b)(3) Stage II requirement from the list of applicable requirements in 40 CFR 51.1100(o). See 80 FR 12264 (March 6, 2015) for additional information. \9\ This guidance document is available at: http://www.epa.gov/groundlevelozone/pdfs/20120807guidance.pdf. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- III. Background for Georgia's Stage II Requirements for Atlanta On November 13, 1992, the State of Georgia submitted a SIP revision to address the Stage II requirements for the Atlanta 1-Hour Ozone Area. EPA approved that SIP revision, containing Georgia's Stage II rule (Georgia Rule 391-3-1-.02(2)(zz)--Gasoline Dispensing Facilities-Stage II) in a notice published on February 2, 1996. See 61 FR 3819. Georgia's Stage II rule, as currently incorporated into the SIP, requires that Stage II systems be tested and certified to meet a 95 percent emission reduction efficiency by using a system approved by the California Air Resources Board (CARB). The rule requires sources to verify proper installation and function of Stage II equipment through use of a liquid blockage test and a leak test prior to system operation and every five years or upon major modification of a facility (i.e., 75 percent or more equipment change). The State also established an inspection program consistent with that described in EPA's Stage II guidance and has established procedures for enforcing violations of the Stage II requirements. IV. Analysis of the State's Submittal On January 22, 2015, Georgia submitted a SIP revision to EPA with a request to modify its Stage II rule, Georgia Rule 391-3-1-.02(2)(zz)-- Gasoline Dispensing Facilities-Stage II, in the State's implementation plan. These modifications would remove Stage II vapor control requirements for new and upgraded gasoline dispensing facilities in the State and allow for the decommissioning of existing Stage II equipment. EPA's primary consideration for determining the approvability of Georgia's request is whether this requested action complies with section 110(l) of the CAA.\10\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \10\ CAA section 193 is not relevant because Georgia's Stage II rule was not included in the SIP before the 1990 CAA amendments. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Section 110(l) requires that a revision to the SIP not interfere with any applicable requirement concerning attainment and reasonable further progress (as defined in section 171), or any other applicable requirement of the Act. EPA evaluates each section 110(l) noninterference demonstration on a case-by-case basis considering the circumstances of each SIP revision. EPA interprets 110(l) as applying to all NAAQS that are in effect, including those that have been promulgated but for which the EPA has not yet made designations. The degree of analysis focused on any particular NAAQS in a noninterference demonstration varies depending on the nature of the emissions associated with the proposed SIP revision. EPA's analysis of Georgia's January 22, 2015, SIP revision pursuant to section 110(l) is provided below. In its January 22, 2015, SIP revision, GA EPD used EPA's guidance entitled ``Guidance on Removing Stage II Gasoline Vapor Control Programs from State Implementation Plans and Assessing Comparable Measures,'' to conduct a series of calculations to determine the potential impact of removing the Stage II program on air quality.\11\ GA EPD's analysis focused on VOC emissions because, as mentioned above, Stage II requirements affect VOC emissions and because VOCs are a precursor for ozone formation.\12\ The results of GA EPD's analysis is provided in the table below. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \11\ EPA, Guidance on Removing Stage II Gasoline Vapor Control Programs from State Implementation Plans and Assessing Comparable Measures, EPA-457/B-12-001 (Aug. 7, 2012), available at: http://www.epa.gov/groundlevelozone/pdfs/20120807guidance.pdf. This guidance document notes that ``the potential emission control losses from removing Stage II VRS are transitional and relatively small. ORVR-equipped vehicles will continue to phase in to the fleet over the coming years and will exceed 80 percent of all highway gasoline vehicles and 85 percent of all gasoline dispensed during 2015. As the number of these ORVR-equipped vehicles increase, the control attributed to Stage II VRS will decrease even further, and the potential foregone Stage II VOC emission reductions are generally expected to be no more than one percent of the VOC inventory in the area.'' \12\ Several counties in and around metropolitan Atlanta are currently designated nonattainment for the 1997 Annual fine particulate matter (PM2.5 ) standard. While VOC is one of the precursors for particulate matter (NAAQS) formation, studies have indicated that, in the southeast, emissions of direct PM2.5 and the precursor sulfur oxides are more significant to ambient summertime PM2.5 concentrations than emissions of nitrogen oxides and anthropogenic VOC. See, e.g., Journal of Environmental Engineering--Quantifying the sources of ozone, fine particulate matter, and regional haze in the Southeastern United States (June 24, 2009), available at: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/journal-ofenvironmental-management. Currently, counties in and around metropolitan Atlanta are not designated nonattainment for any of the other criteria pollutants (i.e., sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, lead or carbon monoxide) and those pollutants are not affected by the removal of Stage II requirements. Table--VOC Emissions Difference Between Stage II VRS in Place and Removed ------------------------------------------------------------------------ VOC emissions Year (tons per day) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2008.................................................... N/A 2012.................................................... N/A 2013.................................................... N/A 2014.................................................... +0.92 2015.................................................... +0.37 2016.................................................... -0.085 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ In summary, GA EPD compared the VOC emissions with the continued implementation of the Stage II program and to the VOC emissions with only ORVR controls in place. GA EPD's analysis estimated that during the phase-out of Stage II there would be a small increase of 0.92 tpd in 2014, however, the emissions increase would be less (at 0.37 tpd) in 2015. For 2016, GA EPD calculated that there would be an emissions disbenefit of 0.085 tpd due to the incompatibility of Stage II and ORVR systems (i.e., leaving Stage II in place would result in a VOC emissions increase due to its incompatibility with ORVR).\13\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \13\ Compatibility problems can result in an increase in emissions from the underground storage tank (UST) vent pipe and other system fugitive emissions related to the refueling of ORVR vehicles with some types of vacuum assist-type Stage II systems. This occurs during refueling an ORVR vehicle when the vacuum assist system draws fresh air into the UST rather than an air vapor mixture from the vehicle fuel tank. Vapor flow from the vehicle fuel tank is blocked by the liquid seal in the fill pipe which forms at a level deeper in the fill pipe than can be reached by the end of the nozzle spout. The fresh air drawn into the UST enhances gasoline evaporation in the UST which increases pressure in the UST. Unless it is lost as a fugitive emission, any tank pressure in excess of the rating of the pressure/vacuum valve is vented to the atmosphere over the course of a day. Due to the increased use of ORVR, a disbenefit will exist until Stage II is removed in the Atlanta Area. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Although GA EPD anticipates a temporary increase of 0.37 tpd in VOC emissions in 2015, the State provided a technical analysis, including sensitivity modeling, to demonstrate that the Atlanta metropolitan area is NOX -limited with regard to ozone formation. If an area is NOX -limited, changes to VOC emissions have little effect on ozone formation. In EPA's guidance entitled ``Guidance on Removing Stage II Gasoline Vapor Control Programs from State Implementation Plans and Assessing Comparable Measures,'' EPA addresses situations where emissions increase do not interfere with attainment. EPA specifically acknowledges that there may be areas where ozone formation is limited by the availability of NOX emissions, and that a small (and ever-declining) increase in [[Page 42079]] VOC emissions may have little or no effect on future ozone levels. EPA has reviewed GA EPD's January 22, 2015, SIP revision to remove Stage II requirements for the Area, and is proposing to determine that the associated technical analysis is consistent with EPA's guidance on removing Stage II requirements from a SIP. EPA is also making the preliminary determination that GA EPD's SIP revision is consistent with the CAA and with EPA's regulations related to removal of Stage II requirements from the SIP. V. Proposed Action EPA is proposing to approve Georgia's January 22, 2015, SIP revision that changes Georgia's Stage II rule, 391-3-1-.02(2)(zz), to allow for the removal of the Stage II requirement and the orderly decommissioning of Stage II equipment. EPA is proposing this approval because the Agency has made the preliminarily determination that Georgia's January 22, 2015, SIP revision related to the State's Stage II rule is consistent with the CAA and with EPA's regulations and guidance. VI. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews Under the CAA, the Administrator is required to approve a SIP submission that complies with the provisions of the Act and applicable federal regulations. See 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 CAA. Accordingly, this proposed action merely proposes to approve state law as meeting federal requirements and does not impose additional requirements beyond those imposed by state law. For that reason, this proposed action:Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' subject to review by the Office of Management and Budget under Executive Orders 12866 (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993) and 13563 (76 FR 3821, January 21, 2011); 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 CAA; and does not provide EPA with the discretionary authority to address, as appropriate, disproportionate human health or environmental effects, using practicable and legally permissible methods, under Executive Order 12898 (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994). In addition, the SIP is not approved to apply on any Indian reservation land or in any other area where EPA or an Indian tribe has demonstrated that a tribe has jurisdiction. In those areas of Indian country, the rule does not have tribal implications as specified by Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, November 9, 2000), nor will it impose substantial direct costs on tribal governments or preempt tribal law. List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52 Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Incorporation by reference, Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Volatile organic compounds. Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq. Dated: June 18, 2015. Heather McTeer Toney, Regional Administrator, Region 4. [FR Doc. 2015-16076 Filed 7-15-15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
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comment that is placed in the public ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION 0113. EPA’s policy is that all comments
docket and made available on the AGENCY received will be included in the public
Internet. If you submit an electronic docket without change and may be
comment, EPA recommends that you 40 CFR Part 52 made available online at
include your name and other contact [EPA–R04–OAR–2015–0113; FRL–9929–82– www.regulations.gov, including any
information in the body of your Region 4] personal information provided, unless
comment and with any disk or CD–ROM the comment includes information
you submit. If EPA cannot read your Approval and Promulgation of claimed to be Confidential Business
comment due to technical difficulties Implementation Plans; Georgia; Information (CBI) or other information
and cannot contact you for clarification, Removal of Stage II Gasoline Vapor whose disclosure is restricted by statute.
EPA may not be able to consider your Recovery Program Do not submit through
comment. Electronic files should avoid AGENCY: Environmental Protection www.regulations.gov or email,
the use of special characters, any form Agency (EPA). information that you consider to be CBI
of encryption, and be free of any defects ACTION: Proposed rule.
or otherwise protected. The
or viruses. www.regulations.gov Web site is an
SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection ‘‘anonymous access’’ system, which
Docket: All documents in the means EPA will not know your identity
Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve
electronic docket are listed in the changes to the Georgia State or contact information unless you
www.regulations.gov index. Although Implementation Plan (SIP) submitted by provide it in the body of your comment.
listed in the index, some information is the State of Georgia, through the Georgia If you send an email comment directly
not publicly available, i.e., CBI or other Environmental Protection Division (GA to EPA without going through
information whose disclosure is EPD), on January 22, 2015, to remove www.regulations.gov, your email
restricted by statute. Certain other Stage II vapor control requirements for address will be automatically captured
material, such as copyrighted material, new and upgraded gasoline dispensing and included as part of the comment
is not placed on the Internet and will be facilities in the State and to allow for that is placed in the public docket and
publicly available only in hard copy the decommissioning of existing Stage II made available on the Internet. If you
form. Publicly available docket equipment. EPA has preliminarily submit an electronic comment, EPA
materials are available either determined that Georgia’s January 22, recommends that you include your
electronically in www.regulations.gov or 2015, SIP revision is approvable because name and other contact information in
in hard copy during normal business it is consistent with the Clean Air Act the body of your comment and with any
hours at the Air Protection Division, (CAA or Act). disk or CD–ROM you submit. If EPA
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, DATES: Written comments must be cannot read your comment due to
Region III, 1650 Arch Street, received on or before August 17, 2015. technical difficulties and cannot contact
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103. ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, you for clarification, EPA may not be
Copies of the State submittal are identified by Docket ID No. EPA–R04– able to consider your comment.
available at the Virginia Department of OAR–2015–0113, by one of the Electronic files should avoid the use of
Environmental Quality, 629 East Main following methods: special characters, any form of
Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219. 1. www.regulations.gov: Follow the encryption, and be free of any defects or
on-line instructions for submitting viruses. For additional information
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: comments. about EPA’s public docket visit the EPA
Irene Shandruk, (215) 814–2166, or by 2. Email: R4–ARMS@epa.gov. Docket Center homepage at http://
email at shandruk.irene@epa.gov. 3. Fax: (404) 562–9019. www.epa.gov/epahome/dockets.htm.
4. Mail: ‘‘EPA–R04–OAR–2015–0113’’
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: For Docket: All documents in the
Air Regulatory Management Section
further information, please see the electronic docket are listed in the
(formerly the Regulatory Development
information provided in the direct final Section), Air Planning and www.regulations.gov index. Although
action, with the same title, ‘‘Revision to Implementation Branch (formerly the listed in the index, some information is
the Definition of Volatile Organic Air Planning Branch), Air, Pesticides not publicly available, i.e., CBI or other
Compounds,’’ that is located in the and Toxics Management Division, U.S. information whose disclosure is
‘‘Rules and Regulations’’ section of this Environmental Protection Agency, restricted by statute. Certain other
Federal Register publication. Region 4, 61 Forsyth Street SW., material, such as copyrighted material,
Atlanta, Georgia 30303–8960. is not placed on the Internet and will be
Dated: July 7, 2015.
5. Hand Delivery or Courier: Lynorae publicly available only in hard copy
William C. Early, form. Publicly available docket
Benjamin, Chief, Air Regulatory
Acting Regional Administrator, Region III. materials are available either
Management Section, Air Planning and
[FR Doc. 2015–17384 Filed 7–15–15; 8:45 am] Implementation Branch, Air, Pesticides electronically in www.regulations.gov or
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P and Toxics Management Division, U.S. in hard copy at the Air Regulatory
Environmental Protection Agency, Management Section, Air Planning and
Region 4, 61 Forsyth Street SW., Implementation Branch, Air, Pesticides
Atlanta, Georgia 30303–8960. Such and Toxics Management Division, U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency,
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
deliveries are only accepted during the
Regional Office’s normal hours of Region 4, 61 Forsyth Street, SW.,
operation. The Regional Office’s official Atlanta, Georgia 30303–8960. EPA
hours of business are Monday through requests that if at all possible, you
Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding contact the person listed in the FOR
Federal holidays. FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section to
Instructions: Direct your comments to schedule your inspection. The Regional
Docket ID No. EPA–R04–OAR–2015– Office’s official hours of business are
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Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to II. Background for Federal Stage II II controls under section 182(b)(3), and
4:30 p.m., excluding Federal holidays. Requirements such areas were able to submit SIP
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Under section 182(b)(3) of the CAA, revisions, in compliance with section
Kelly Sheckler, Air Regulatory each state was required to submit a SIP 110(l) of the CAA, to remove Stage II
Management Section, Air Planning and revision to implement Stage II for all requirements from their SIPs. EPA’s
Implementation Branch, Air, Pesticides ozone nonattainment areas classified as policy memoranda related to ORVR,
and Toxics Management Division, U.S. moderate, serious, severe, or extreme, dated March 9, 1993, and June 23, 1993,
Environmental Protection Agency, primarily for the control of volatile provide further guidance on removing
Region 4, 61 Forsyth Street SW., organic compounds (VOC)—a precursor Stage II requirements from certain areas.
Atlanta, Georgia 30303–8960. Ms. to ozone formation.5 However, section The policy memorandum dated March
Sheckler’s phone number is (404) 562– 202(a)(6) of the CAA states that the 9, 1993, states that ‘‘[w]hen onboard
9222. She can also be reached via section 182(b)(3) Stage II requirements rules are promulgated, a State may
electronic mail at sheckler.kelly@ for moderate ozone nonattainment areas withdraw its Stage II rules for moderate
epa.gov. shall not apply after the promulgation of areas from the SIP (or from
on-board vapor recovery (ORVR) consideration as a SIP revisions)
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: consistent with its obligations under
standards.6 ORVR standards were
I. Background for Atlanta’s Air Quality promulgated by EPA on April 6, 1994. sections 182(b)(3) and 202(a)(6), so long
Status Related to the 1-Hour Ozone See 59 FR 16262 and 40 CFR parts 86 as withdrawal will not interfere with
NAAQS (including sections 86.098–8), 88 and any other applicable requirement of the
600. As a result, the CAA no longer Act.’’ 7
On November 6, 1991, EPA CAA section 202(a)(6) also provides
designated and classified the following requires moderate areas to impose Stage
discretionary authority to the EPA
counties in and around the Atlanta, Administrator to, by rule, revise or
by the required attainment date of June 15, 2007.
Georgia, metropolitan area as a serious See 73 FR 12013. Subsequently, the area attained waive the section 182(b)(3) Stage II
ozone nonattainment area for the 1-hour the 1997 8-hour ozone standard, and on December requirement for serious, severe, and
ozone NAAQS (hereinafter referred to as 2, 2013, EPA redesignated the counties to extreme ozone nonattainment areas after
the ‘‘Atlanta 1-Hour Ozone Area’’ or attainment for the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS. See
78 FR 72040.
the Administrator determines that
‘‘Area’’): Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, 4 On May 21, 2012, EPA published a final rule ORVR is in widespread use throughout
Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, designating the following 15 counties in and around the motor vehicle fleet. On May 16,
Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, metropolitan Atlanta as a marginal ozone 2012, in a rulemaking entitled ‘‘Air
Paulding, and Rockdale.1 See 56 FR nonattainment area for the 2008 8-hour ozone Quality: Widespread Use for Onboard
56694. The nonattainment designation NAAQS: Bartow, Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta,
DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton,
Refueling Vapor Recovery and Stage II
was based on the Atlanta 1-Hour Ozone Gwinnett, Henry, Newton, Paulding, and Rockdale. Waiver,’’ EPA determined that ORVR
Area’s design value for the 1987–1989 See 77 FR 30088. technology is in widespread use
three-year period. The ‘‘serious’’ 5 Section 183(b)(3) states that all ozone
throughout the motor vehicle fleet for
classification triggered various statutory nonattainment areas classified as moderate or above purposes of controlling motor vehicle
submit a SIP revision requiring owners or operators
requirements for the Atlanta 1-Hour of gasoline dispensing systems to install and refueling emissions. See 77 FR 28772.
Ozone Area, including the requirement operate vapor recovery equipment at their facilities. By that action, EPA waived the
pursuant to section 182(b)(3) of the CAA Specifically, the CAA specifies that the Stage II requirement for states to implement
for the Area to require all owners and must apply to any facility that dispenses more than Stage II gasoline vapor recovery systems
10,000 gallons of gasoline per month or, in the case
operators of gasoline dispensing systems of an independent small business marketer (ISBM), at gasoline dispensing facilities in
to install and operate a system for any facility that dispenses more than 50,000 gallons nonattainment areas classified as
gasoline vapor recovery of emissions of gasoline per month. Section 324 of the CAA serious and above for the ozone
from the fueling of motor vehicles defines an ISBM. Additionally, the CAA specified NAAQS. Effective May 16, 2012, states
the deadlines by which certain facilities must
known as ‘‘Stage II.’’ 2 EPA redesignated comply with the Stage II requirements. For facilities implementing mandatory Stage II
the Atlanta 1-Hour Ozone Area to that are not owned or operated by an ISBM, these programs under section 182(b)(3) of the
attainment for the 1-hour ozone deadlines, calculated from the time of State CAA were allowed to submit SIP
NAAQS, effective June 14, 2005.3 4 See adoption of the Stage II requirements, are: (1) 6 revisions to remove this program. See 40
Months for facilities for which construction began
70 FR 34660 (June 15, 2005). after November 15, 1990, (2) 1 year for facilities that CFR 51.126(b).8 On April 7, 2012, EPA
dispense greater than 100,000 gallons of gasoline released the guidance entitled
1 On September 26, 2003 (effective January 1,
per month, and (3) by November 15, 1994, for all ‘‘Guidance on Removing Stage II
2004), the Atlanta 1-Hour Ozone Area was other facilities. For ISBM’s, section 324(a) of the
reclassified to ‘‘severe’’ for the 1-hour ozone
Gasoline Vapor Control Programs from
CAA provides the following three-year phase-in
NAAQS because the Area failed to attain the 1-hour period: (1) 33 Percent of the facilities owned by an State Implementation Plans and
ozone NAAQS by its attainment date of November ISBM by the end of the first year after the
15, 1999. See 68 FR 55469. regulations take effect; (2) 66 percent of such 7 Memorandum from John S. Seitz, Director,
2 Stage II is a system designed to capture facilities by the end of the second year; and (3) 100 Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, to
displaced vapors that emerge from inside a percent of such facilities after the third year. EPA Regional Air Directors, Impact of the Recent
vehicle’s fuel tank, when gasoline is dispensed into 6 ORVR is a system employed on gasoline- Onboard Decision on Stage II Requirements in
the tank. There are two basic types of Stage II powered highway motor vehicles to capture Moderate Areas (March 9, 1993), available at: http://
systems, the balance type and the vacuum assist gasoline vapors displaced from a vehicle fuel tank www.epa.gov/ttn/naaqs/aqmguide/collection/cp2/
type. during refueling events. These systems are required 19930309_seitz_onboard_impact_stage2_.pdf.
3 On April 30, 2004, EPA designated the under section 202(a)(6) of the CAA and 8 Under CAA section 202(a)(6), EPA found that
following 20 counties in and around metropolitan implementation of these requirements began in the ORVR systems are in widespread use in the motor
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
Atlanta as a marginal ozone nonattainment area for 1998 model year. Currently they are now used on vehicle fleet and waived the CAA section 182(b)(3)
the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS: Barrow, Bartow, all gasoline-powered passenger cars, light trucks Stage II vapor recovery requirement for serious and
Carroll, Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, and complete heavy trucks of less than 14,000 higher ozone nonattainment areas on May 16, 2012
Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Hall, pounds GVWR. ORVR systems typically employ a (77 FR 28772). Thus, in its implementation rule for
Henry, Newton, Paulding, Rockdale, Spalding, and liquid file neck seal to block vapor escape to the the 2008 ozone NAAQS, EPA removed the section
Walton. See 69 FR 23858. Subsequently, EPA atmosphere and otherwise share many components 182(b)(3) Stage II requirement from the list of
reclassified these counties as a moderate ozone with the vehicles’ evaporative emission control applicable requirements in 40 CFR 51.1100(o). See
nonattainment area on March 6, 2008, because the system including the onboard diagnostic system 80 FR 12264 (March 6, 2015) for additional
area failed to attain the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS sensors. information.
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![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 136 / Thursday, July 16, 2015 / Proposed Rules 42079
VOC emissions may have little or no • does not have Federalism ACTION:Notice of proposed rulemaking
effect on future ozone levels. implications as specified in Executive and request for comments.
EPA has reviewed GA EPD’s January Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10,
22, 2015, SIP revision to remove Stage 1999); SUMMARY: The Centers for Disease
II requirements for the Area, and is • is not an economically significant Control and Prevention (CDC) within
proposing to determine that the regulatory action based on health or the Department of Health and Human
associated technical analysis is safety risks subject to Executive Order Services (HHS) is proposing to add
consistent with EPA’s guidance on 13045 (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997); certain influenza virus strains to the list
removing Stage II requirements from a • is not a significant regulatory action of HHS select agents and toxins.
SIP. EPA is also making the preliminary subject to Executive Order 13211 (66 FR Specifically, we are proposing to add
determination that GA EPD’s SIP 28355, May 22, 2001); the influenza viruses that contain the
revision is consistent with the CAA and • is not subject to requirements of hemagglutinin (HA) from the Goose
with EPA’s regulations related to Section 12(d) of the National Guangdong/1/96 lineage (the influenza
removal of Stage II requirements from Technology Transfer and Advancement viruses that contain the hemagglutinin
the SIP. Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272 note) because (HA) from the A/Gs/Gd/1/96 lineage),
application of those requirements would including wild-type viruses, as a non-
V. Proposed Action be inconsistent with the CAA; and Tier 1 select agent. We are also
EPA is proposing to approve Georgia’s • does not provide EPA with the proposing to add any influenza viruses
January 22, 2015, SIP revision that discretionary authority to address, as that contain the HA from the A/Gs/Gd/
changes Georgia’s Stage II rule, 391–3– appropriate, disproportionate human 1/96 lineage that were made
1–.02(2)(zz), to allow for the removal of health or environmental effects, using transmissible among mammals by
the Stage II requirement and the orderly practicable and legally permissible respiratory droplets in a laboratory as a
decommissioning of Stage II equipment. methods, under Executive Order 12898 Tier 1 select agent. We have determined
EPA is proposing this approval because (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994). that these influenza viruses have the
the Agency has made the preliminarily In addition, the SIP is not approved potential to pose a severe threat to
determination that Georgia’s January 22, to apply on any Indian reservation land public health and safety.
2015, SIP revision related to the State’s or in any other area where EPA or an DATES: Comments should be received on
Stage II rule is consistent with the CAA Indian tribe has demonstrated that a or before September 14, 2015.
and with EPA’s regulations and tribe has jurisdiction. In those areas of ADDRESSES: You may submit comments,
guidance. Indian country, the rule does not have identified by Regulatory Information
tribal implications as specified by Number (RIN), 0920–AA58 or Docket
VI. Statutory and Executive Order
Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, No. CDC–2015–0050 in the heading of
Reviews
November 9, 2000), nor will it impose this document by any of the following
Under the CAA, the Administrator is substantial direct costs on tribal methods:
required to approve a SIP submission governments or preempt tribal law. • Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://
that complies with the provisions of the www.regulations.gov. Follow the
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52
Act and applicable federal regulations. instructions for submitting comments.
See 42 U.S.C. 7410(k); 40 CFR 52.02(a). Environmental protection, Air • Mail: Division of Select Agents and
Thus, in reviewing SIP submissions, pollution control, Incorporation by Toxins, Centers for Disease Control and
EPA’s role is to approve state choices, reference, Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone, Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road NE.,
provided that they meet the criteria of Reporting and recordkeeping Mailstop A–46, Atlanta, Georgia 30329,
the CAA. Accordingly, this proposed requirements, Volatile organic ATTN: RIN 0920–AA58.
action merely proposes to approve state compounds. Instructions: All submissions received
law as meeting federal requirements and Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq. must include the agency name and RIN
does not impose additional for this rulemaking. All relevant
Dated: June 18, 2015.
requirements beyond those imposed by comments received will be posted
state law. For that reason, this proposed Heather McTeer Toney,
without change to http://
action: Regional Administrator, Region 4.
www.regulations.gov, including any
• Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory [FR Doc. 2015–16076 Filed 7–15–15; 8:45 am]
personal information provided.
action’’ subject to review by the Office BILLING CODE 6560–50–P Docket Access: For access to the
of Management and Budget under docket to read background documents
Executive Orders 12866 (58 FR 51735, or comments received or to download
October 4, 1993) and 13563 (76 FR 3821, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND an electronic version of the NPRM, go
January 21, 2011); HUMAN SERVICES to http://www.regulations.gov.
• does not impose an information Comments will be available for public
collection burden under the provisions 42 CFR Part 73 inspection Monday through Friday,
of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 except for legal holidays, from 9 a.m.
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.); [Docket No. CDC–2015–0050] until 5 p.m. at 1600 Clifton Road NE.,
• is certified as not having a Atlanta, GA 30329. Please call ahead to
significant economic impact on a RIN 0920–AA58 1–866–694–4867 and ask for a
substantial number of small entities
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
Possession, Use, and Transfer of representative in the Division of Select
under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 Agents and Toxins to schedule your
Select Agents and Toxins; Addition of
U.S.C. 601 et seq.); visit. Our general policy for comments
Certain Influenza Virus Strains to the
• does not contain any unfunded List of Select Agents and Toxins and other submissions from members of
mandate or significantly or uniquely the public is to make these submissions
affect small governments, as described AGENCY: Centers for Disease Control and available for public viewing on the
in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act Prevention, Department of Health and Internet as they are received and
of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–4); Human Services. without change.
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Document Created: 2015-12-15 13:13:23
Document Modified: 2015-12-15 13:13:23
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Proposed Rules | |
| Action | Proposed rule. | |
| Dates | Written comments must be received on or before August 17, 2015. | |
| Contact | Kelly Sheckler, Air Regulatory Management Section, Air Planning and Implementation Branch, Air, Pesticides and Toxics Management Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 4, 61 Forsyth Street SW., Atlanta, Georgia 30303-8960. Ms. Sheckler's phone number is (404) 562-9222. She can also be reached via electronic mail at [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 80 FR 42076 | |
| CFR Associated | Environmental Protection; Air Pollution Control; Incorporation by Reference; Nitrogen Dioxide; Ozone; Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements and Volatile Organic Compounds |
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