80_FR_45783 80 FR 45636 - Air Plan Disapproval; Georgia: Disapproval of Automatic Rescission Clause

80 FR 45636 - Air Plan Disapproval; Georgia: Disapproval of Automatic Rescission Clause

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 147 (July 31, 2015)

Page Range45636-45638
FR Document2015-18754

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to disapprove a portion of a revision to the Georgia State Implementation Plan (SIP), submitted through the Georgia's Department of Natural Resources Environmental Protection Division (EPD), on January 13, 2011, that would allow for the automatic rescission of federal permitting- related requirements in certain circumstances. EPA is proposing to disapprove Georgia's automatic rescission provision because the Agency has preliminarily determined that this provision is not consistent with the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act) or federal regulations related to SIPs.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 147 (Friday, July 31, 2015)
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 147 (Friday, July 31, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 45636-45638]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-18754]


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

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 52

[EPA-R04-OAR-2010-0816; FRL-9931-63-Region 4]


Air Plan Disapproval; Georgia: Disapproval of Automatic 
Rescission Clause

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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

SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to 
disapprove a portion of a revision to the Georgia State Implementation 
Plan (SIP), submitted through the Georgia's Department of Natural 
Resources Environmental Protection Division (EPD), on January 13, 2011, 
that would allow for the automatic rescission of federal permitting-
related requirements in certain circumstances. EPA is proposing to 
disapprove Georgia's automatic rescission provision because the Agency 
has preliminarily determined that this provision is not consistent with 
the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act) or federal regulations related to SIPs.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before August 31, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-R04-
OAR-2010-0816, 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-2010-0816,'' Air Regulatory Management 
Section (formerly Regulatory Development 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.
    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-
2010-0816. 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 may not be 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 Monday through 
Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sean Lakeman, 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. The telephone number is (404) 562-9043. Mr. Lakeman can be 
reached via electronic mail at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background for EPA's Proposed Action

    On September 8, 2011, EPA took final action to approve portions of 
a requested revision to the Georgia SIP, submitted by EPD on January 
13, 2011. See 76 FR 55572. Specifically, the portions of Georgia's 
January 13, 2011, SIP submittal that EPA approved incorporated two 
updates to the State's air quality regulations under Georgia's New 
Source Review (NSR) Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) 
program. First, the SIP revision established appropriate emission 
thresholds for determining which new stationary sources and 
modification projects become subject to Georgia's PSD permitting 
requirements for their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Second, the SIP 
revision incorporated provisions for implementing the PSD program for 
the fine particulate matter (PM2.5) national ambient air 
quality standards (NAAQS). EPA noted in its September 8, 2011, final 
rule approving portions of Georgia's January 13, 2011, SIP submittal 
that the Agency was still evaluating the portion of the SIP submittal 
related to a provision (at 391-3-1-.02(7)(a)(2)(iv)) that would 
automatically rescind portions of Georgia's SIP in the wake of certain 
court decisions or other triggering

[[Page 45637]]

events (the automatic rescission clause), and consequently was not 
taking action on that provision in that final action. See 76 FR at 
55573. Today, EPA is proposing to disapprove the automatic rescission 
clause at 391-3-1-.02(7)(a)(2)(iv) in Georgia's January 13, 2011, SIP 
submittal.\1\ More detail on EPA's analysis of Georgia's automatic 
rescission clause is provided below.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ On November 12, 2014, EPD submitted a SIP package that 
included, among other things, an additional change to Georgia's PSD 
rules at 391-3-1-.02(7)(a)(2)(iv), which is the provision at issue 
in this notice. The revised version of Georgia Rule 391-3-
1-.02(7)(a)(2)(iv) continues to include the automatic rescission 
clause at issue in today's notice. However, in its cover letter and 
subsequent explanations of revisions, EPD did not address the change 
made to 391-3-1-.02(7)(a)(2)(iv), nor did EPD ask the EPA to approve 
any revision to this provision. Therefore, EPA does not consider the 
change to 391-3-1-.02(7)(a)(2)(iv) included in the November 12, 
2014, submittal to be part of an official SIP revision package.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

II. EPA's Analysis of Georgia's Submission Related to the Automatic 
Rescission Clause

    As mentioned above, Georgia's January 13, 2011, SIP revision 
included a provision that allowed for the automatic rescission of 
federal permitting-related requirements under certain circumstances. 
Specifically, at 391-3-1-.02(7)(a)(2)(iv), Georgia's rules read as 
follows: ``The definition and use of the term `subject to regulation' 
in 40 CFR, Part 52.21, as amended June 3, 2010, is hereby incorporated 
by reference; provided, however, that in the event all or any portion 
of 40 CFR, Part 52.21 containing that term is: (I) Declared or adjudged 
to be invalid or unconstitutional or stayed by the United States Court 
of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit or for the District of Columbia 
Circuit; or (II) withdrawn, repealed, revoked or otherwise rendered of 
no force and effect by the United States Environmental Protection 
Agency, Congress, or Presidential Executive Order. Such action shall 
render the regulation as incorporated herein, or that portion thereof 
that may be affected by such action, as invalid, void, stayed, or 
otherwise without force and effect for purposes of this rule upon the 
date such action becomes final and effective; provided, further, that 
such declaration, adjudication, stay, or other action described herein 
shall not affect the remaining portions, if any, of the regulation as 
incorporated herein, which shall remain of full force and effect as if 
such portion so declared or adjudged invalid or unconstitutional or 
stayed or otherwise invalidated or effected were not originally a part 
of this rule. The Board declares that it would [not] have incorporated 
the remaining parts of the federal regulation if it had known that such 
portion thereof would be declared or adjudged invalid or 
unconstitutional or stayed or otherwise rendered of no force and 
effect.''
    EPA is proposing to disapprove the portion of Georgia's January 13, 
2011, SIP submittal that would add the automatic rescission clause at 
Georgia Rule 391-3-1-.02(7)(a)(2)(iv) to the SIP. In assessing the 
approvability of this clause, EPA considered two key factors: (1) 
Whether the public will be given reasonable notice of any change to the 
SIP that occurs as a result of the automatic rescission clause; and (2) 
whether any future change to the SIP that occurs as a result of the 
automatic rescission clause would be consistent with EPA's 
interpretation of the effect of the triggering action (e.g., the extent 
of an administrative or judicial stay) on federal permitting 
requirements at 40 CFR 52.21. These criteria are derived from the SIP 
revision procedures set forth in the CAA and federal regulations.
    Regarding public notice, CAA section 110(l) provides that any 
revision to a SIP submitted by a State to EPA for approval ``shall be 
adopted by such State after reasonable notice and public hearing.'' See 
42 U.S.C. 7410(l). Under Georgia's proposed automatic rescission 
clause, the SIP would automatically be revised as a result of a 
triggering action without public notice. To the extent that there is 
any ambiguity regarding how a court order or other triggering action 
impacts the federal permitting requirements at 40 CFR 52.21, that 
ambiguity will lead to ambiguity regarding the extent to which the 
triggering action results in a SIP revision (and indeed, whether a 
particular court ruling or other action in fact triggers an automatic 
SIP revision under Georgia's automatic rescission clause). EPA 
preliminarily concludes that Georgia's proposed automatic rescission 
clause would not provide reasonable public notice of a SIP revision as 
required by CAA 110(l), 42 U.S.C. 7410(l).
    EPA's consideration of whether any SIP change resulting from the 
proposed automatic rescission clause would be consistent with EPA's 
interpretation of the effect of the triggering action on federal 
permitting requirements at 40 CFR 52.21 is based on 40 CFR 51.105. 
Under 40 CFR 51.105, ``[r]evisions of a plan, or any portion thereof, 
will not be considered part of an applicable plan until such revisions 
have been approved by the Administrator in accordance with this part.'' 
However, the Georgia rescission clause takes effect immediately upon 
certain triggering actions without any EPA intervention. The effect of 
this is that EPA is not given the opportunity to determine the effect 
and extent of the triggering court order or federal law change on the 
federal permitting requirements at 40 CFR 52.21; instead, the SIP is 
modified without EPA's approval. EPA preliminarily concludes that 
Georgia's proposed automatic rescission clause is inconsistent with 40 
CFR 51.105.

III. Proposed Action

    EPA is proposing to disapprove the provision in Georgia's January 
13, 2011, SIP submittal (at Georgia Rule 391-3-1-.02(7)(a)(2)(iv)) that 
would automatically rescind permitting-related federal requirements in 
certain circumstances. Previously, EPA approved the remainder of 
Georgia's January 13, 2011, SIP revision, which related to PSD 
requirements for GHG-emitting sources and for the PM2.5 
NAAQS. See 76 FR 55572 (September, 8, 2011). Today's action does not 
change what EPA previously approved. EPA notes that the State has the 
option to withdraw the portion of the January 13, 2011, SIP submittal 
that is the subject of this disapproval action prior to EPA taking 
final action. Also, EPA notes that this disapproval action does not 
trigger a requirement for a Federal Implementation Plan because this 
provision is not a necessary or required element for the SIP.

IV. 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 disapproves a state law as not 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.);

[[Page 45638]]

     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).
    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, Greenhouse gases, 
Incorporation by reference, Intergovernmental relations, Particulate 
matter, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

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

    Dated: July 22, 2015.
Heather McTeer Toney,
Regional Administrator, Region 4.
[FR Doc. 2015-18754 Filed 7-30-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6560-50-P



                                                 45636                      Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 147 / Friday, July 31, 2015 / Proposed Rules

                                                 adverse comments are received in                         and Toxics Management Division, U.S.                  material, such as copyrighted material,
                                                 response to this rule, no further activity               Environmental Protection Agency,                      is not placed on the Internet and will be
                                                 is contemplated. If EPA receives adverse                 Region 4, 61 Forsyth Street SW.,                      publicly available only in hard copy
                                                 comments, the direct final rule will be                  Atlanta, Georgia 30303–8960.                          form. Publicly available docket
                                                 withdrawn and all public comments                           5. Hand Delivery or Courier: Lynorae               materials are available either
                                                 received will be addressed in a                          Benjamin, Chief, Air Regulatory                       electronically in www.regulations.gov or
                                                 subsequent final rule based on this                      Management Section, Air Planning and                  in hard copy at the Air Regulatory
                                                 proposed rule. EPA will not institute a                  Implementation Branch, Air, Pesticides                Management Section, Air Planning and
                                                 second comment period on this                            and Toxics Management Division, U.S.                  Implementation Branch, Air, Pesticides
                                                 document. Any parties interested in                      Environmental Protection Agency,                      and Toxics Management Division, U.S.
                                                 commenting on this document should                       Region 4, 61 Forsyth Street SW.,                      Environmental Protection Agency,
                                                 do so at this time.                                      Atlanta, Georgia 30303–8960. Such                     Region 4, 61 Forsyth Street SW.,
                                                                                                          deliveries are only accepted during the               Atlanta, Georgia 30303–8960. EPA
                                                   Dated: July 22, 2015.
                                                                                                          Regional Office’s normal hours of                     requests that if at all possible, you
                                                 Heather McTeer Toney,                                    operation. The Regional Office’s official             contact the person listed in the FOR
                                                 Regional Administrator, Region 4.                        hours of business are Monday through                  FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section to
                                                 [FR Doc. 2015–18757 Filed 7–30–15; 8:45 am]              Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding             schedule your inspection. The Regional
                                                 BILLING CODE 6560–50–P                                   Federal holidays.                                     Office’s official hours of business are
                                                                                                             Instructions: Direct your comments to              Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to
                                                                                                          Docket ID No. EPA–R04–OAR–2010–                       4:30 p.m., excluding Federal holidays.
                                                 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION                                 0816. EPA’s policy is that all comments               FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                                 AGENCY                                                   received will be included in the public               Sean Lakeman, Air Regulatory
                                                                                                          docket without change and may be                      Management Section, Air Planning and
                                                 40 CFR Part 52                                           made available online at
                                                                                                                                                                Implementation Branch, Air, Pesticides
                                                 [EPA–R04–OAR–2010–0816; FRL–9931–63–                     www.regulations.gov, including any
                                                                                                                                                                and Toxics Management Division, U.S.
                                                 Region 4]                                                personal information provided, unless
                                                                                                                                                                Environmental Protection Agency,
                                                                                                          the comment includes information
                                                 Air Plan Disapproval; Georgia:                                                                                 Region 4, 61 Forsyth Street SW.,
                                                                                                          claimed to be Confidential Business
                                                 Disapproval of Automatic Rescission                                                                            Atlanta, Georgia 30303–8960. The
                                                                                                          Information (CBI) or other information
                                                 Clause                                                                                                         telephone number is (404) 562–9043.
                                                                                                          whose disclosure is restricted by statute.
                                                                                                                                                                Mr. Lakeman can be reached via
                                                                                                          Do not submit through
                                                 AGENCY:  Environmental Protection                                                                              electronic mail at lakeman.sean@
                                                                                                          www.regulations.gov or email,
                                                 Agency (EPA).                                                                                                  epa.gov.
                                                                                                          information that you consider to be CBI
                                                 ACTION: Proposed rule.                                   or otherwise protected. The                           SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

                                                 SUMMARY:    The Environmental Protection                 www.regulations.gov Web site is an                    I. Background for EPA’s Proposed
                                                 Agency (EPA) is proposing to                             ‘‘anonymous access’’ system, which                    Action
                                                 disapprove a portion of a revision to the                means EPA will not know your identity
                                                                                                          or contact information unless you                        On September 8, 2011, EPA took final
                                                 Georgia State Implementation Plan                                                                              action to approve portions of a
                                                 (SIP), submitted through the Georgia’s                   provide it in the body of your comment.
                                                                                                          If you send an email comment directly                 requested revision to the Georgia SIP,
                                                 Department of Natural Resources                                                                                submitted by EPD on January 13, 2011.
                                                                                                          to EPA without going through
                                                 Environmental Protection Division                                                                              See 76 FR 55572. Specifically, the
                                                                                                          www.regulations.gov, your email
                                                 (EPD), on January 13, 2011, that would                                                                         portions of Georgia’s January 13, 2011,
                                                                                                          address will be automatically captured
                                                 allow for the automatic rescission of                                                                          SIP submittal that EPA approved
                                                                                                          and included as part of the comment
                                                 federal permitting-related requirements                                                                        incorporated two updates to the State’s
                                                                                                          that is placed in the public docket and
                                                 in certain circumstances. EPA is                                                                               air quality regulations under Georgia’s
                                                                                                          made available on the Internet. If you
                                                 proposing to disapprove Georgia’s                                                                              New Source Review (NSR) Prevention of
                                                                                                          submit an electronic comment, EPA
                                                 automatic rescission provision because                                                                         Significant Deterioration (PSD) program.
                                                                                                          recommends that you include your
                                                 the Agency has preliminarily                                                                                   First, the SIP revision established
                                                                                                          name and other contact information in
                                                 determined that this provision is not                                                                          appropriate emission thresholds for
                                                                                                          the body of your comment and with any
                                                 consistent with the Clean Air Act (CAA                   disk or CD–ROM you submit. If EPA                     determining which new stationary
                                                 or Act) or federal regulations related to                cannot read your comment due to                       sources and modification projects
                                                 SIPs.                                                    technical difficulties and cannot contact             become subject to Georgia’s PSD
                                                 DATES: Written comments must be                          you for clarification, EPA may not be                 permitting requirements for their
                                                 received on or before August 31, 2015.                   able to consider your comment.                        greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
                                                 ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,                         Electronic files should avoid the use of              Second, the SIP revision incorporated
                                                 identified by Docket ID No. EPA–R04–                     special characters, any form of                       provisions for implementing the PSD
                                                 OAR–2010–0816, by one of the                             encryption, and be free of any defects or             program for the fine particulate matter
                                                 following methods:                                       viruses. For additional information                   (PM2.5) national ambient air quality
                                                    1. www.regulations.gov: Follow the                    about EPA’s public docket visit the EPA               standards (NAAQS). EPA noted in its
                                                 on-line instructions for submitting                      Docket Center homepage at http://                     September 8, 2011, final rule approving
rmajette on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                 comments.                                                www.epa.gov/epahome/dockets.htm.                      portions of Georgia’s January 13, 2011,
                                                    2. Email: R4–ARMS@epa.gov.                               Docket: All documents in the                       SIP submittal that the Agency was still
                                                    3. Fax: (404) 562–9019.                               electronic docket are listed in the                   evaluating the portion of the SIP
                                                    4. Mail: ‘‘EPA–R04–OAR–2010–                          www.regulations.gov index. Although                   submittal related to a provision (at 391–
                                                 0816,’’ Air Regulatory Management                        listed in the index, some information                 3–1–.02(7)(a)(2)(iv)) that would
                                                 Section (formerly Regulatory                             may not be publicly available, i.e., CBI              automatically rescind portions of
                                                 Development Section), Air Planning and                   or other information whose disclosure is              Georgia’s SIP in the wake of certain
                                                 Implementation Branch, Air, Pesticides                   restricted by statute. Certain other                  court decisions or other triggering


                                            VerDate Sep<11>2014   13:28 Jul 30, 2015   Jkt 235001   PO 00000   Frm 00021   Fmt 4702   Sfmt 4702   E:\FR\FM\31JYP1.SGM   31JYP1


                                                                             Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 147 / Friday, July 31, 2015 / Proposed Rules                                          45637

                                                 events (the automatic rescission clause),                 parts of the federal regulation if it had             The effect of this is that EPA is not
                                                 and consequently was not taking action                    known that such portion thereof would                 given the opportunity to determine the
                                                 on that provision in that final action.                   be declared or adjudged invalid or                    effect and extent of the triggering court
                                                 See 76 FR at 55573. Today, EPA is                         unconstitutional or stayed or otherwise               order or federal law change on the
                                                 proposing to disapprove the automatic                     rendered of no force and effect.’’                    federal permitting requirements at 40
                                                 rescission clause at 391–3–1–                                EPA is proposing to disapprove the                 CFR 52.21; instead, the SIP is modified
                                                 .02(7)(a)(2)(iv) in Georgia’s January 13,                 portion of Georgia’s January 13, 2011,                without EPA’s approval. EPA
                                                 2011, SIP submittal.1 More detail on                      SIP submittal that would add the                      preliminarily concludes that Georgia’s
                                                 EPA’s analysis of Georgia’s automatic                     automatic rescission clause at Georgia                proposed automatic rescission clause is
                                                 rescission clause is provided below.                      Rule 391–3–1–.02(7)(a)(2)(iv) to the SIP.             inconsistent with 40 CFR 51.105.
                                                                                                           In assessing the approvability of this
                                                 II. EPA’s Analysis of Georgia’s                           clause, EPA considered two key factors:               III. Proposed Action
                                                 Submission Related to the Automatic                       (1) Whether the public will be given                     EPA is proposing to disapprove the
                                                 Rescission Clause                                         reasonable notice of any change to the                provision in Georgia’s January 13, 2011,
                                                    As mentioned above, Georgia’s                          SIP that occurs as a result of the                    SIP submittal (at Georgia Rule 391–3–1–
                                                 January 13, 2011, SIP revision included                   automatic rescission clause; and (2)                  .02(7)(a)(2)(iv)) that would
                                                 a provision that allowed for the                          whether any future change to the SIP                  automatically rescind permitting-related
                                                 automatic rescission of federal                           that occurs as a result of the automatic              federal requirements in certain
                                                 permitting-related requirements under                     rescission clause would be consistent                 circumstances. Previously, EPA
                                                 certain circumstances. Specifically, at                   with EPA’s interpretation of the effect of            approved the remainder of Georgia’s
                                                 391–3–1–.02(7)(a)(2)(iv), Georgia’s rules                 the triggering action (e.g., the extent of            January 13, 2011, SIP revision, which
                                                 read as follows: ‘‘The definition and use                 an administrative or judicial stay) on                related to PSD requirements for GHG-
                                                 of the term ‘subject to regulation’ in 40                 federal permitting requirements at 40                 emitting sources and for the PM2.5
                                                 CFR, Part 52.21, as amended June 3,                       CFR 52.21. These criteria are derived                 NAAQS. See 76 FR 55572 (September,
                                                 2010, is hereby incorporated by                           from the SIP revision procedures set                  8, 2011). Today’s action does not change
                                                 reference; provided, however, that in                     forth in the CAA and federal                          what EPA previously approved. EPA
                                                 the event all or any portion of 40 CFR,                   regulations.                                          notes that the State has the option to
                                                 Part 52.21 containing that term is: (I)                      Regarding public notice, CAA section               withdraw the portion of the January 13,
                                                 Declared or adjudged to be invalid or                     110(l) provides that any revision to a                2011, SIP submittal that is the subject of
                                                 unconstitutional or stayed by the United                  SIP submitted by a State to EPA for                   this disapproval action prior to EPA
                                                 States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh                  approval ‘‘shall be adopted by such                   taking final action. Also, EPA notes that
                                                 Circuit or for the District of Columbia                   State after reasonable notice and public              this disapproval action does not trigger
                                                 Circuit; or (II) withdrawn, repealed,                     hearing.’’ See 42 U.S.C. 7410(l). Under               a requirement for a Federal
                                                 revoked or otherwise rendered of no                       Georgia’s proposed automatic rescission               Implementation Plan because this
                                                 force and effect by the United States                     clause, the SIP would automatically be                provision is not a necessary or required
                                                 Environmental Protection Agency,                          revised as a result of a triggering action            element for the SIP.
                                                 Congress, or Presidential Executive                       without public notice. To the extent that
                                                 Order. Such action shall render the                       there is any ambiguity regarding how a                IV. Statutory and Executive Order
                                                 regulation as incorporated herein, or                     court order or other triggering action                Reviews
                                                 that portion thereof that may be affected                 impacts the federal permitting                          Under the CAA, the Administrator is
                                                 by such action, as invalid, void, stayed,                 requirements at 40 CFR 52.21, that                    required to approve a SIP submission
                                                 or otherwise without force and effect for                 ambiguity will lead to ambiguity                      that complies with the provisions of the
                                                 purposes of this rule upon the date such                  regarding the extent to which the                     Act and applicable federal regulations.
                                                 action becomes final and effective;                       triggering action results in a SIP revision           See 42 U.S.C. 7410(k); 40 CFR 52.02(a).
                                                 provided, further, that such declaration,                 (and indeed, whether a particular court               Thus, in reviewing SIP submissions,
                                                 adjudication, stay, or other action                       ruling or other action in fact triggers an            EPA’s role is to approve state choices,
                                                 described herein shall not affect the                     automatic SIP revision under Georgia’s                provided that they meet the criteria of
                                                 remaining portions, if any, of the                        automatic rescission clause). EPA                     the CAA. Accordingly, this proposed
                                                 regulation as incorporated herein,                        preliminarily concludes that Georgia’s                action merely disapproves a state law as
                                                 which shall remain of full force and                      proposed automatic rescission clause                  not meeting Federal requirements and
                                                 effect as if such portion so declared or                  would not provide reasonable public                   does not impose additional
                                                 adjudged invalid or unconstitutional or                   notice of a SIP revision as required by               requirements beyond those imposed by
                                                 stayed or otherwise invalidated or                        CAA 110(l), 42 U.S.C. 7410(l).                        state law. For that reason, this proposed
                                                 effected were not originally a part of this                  EPA’s consideration of whether any                 action:
                                                 rule. The Board declares that it would                    SIP change resulting from the proposed                  • Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory
                                                 [not] have incorporated the remaining                     automatic rescission clause would be                  action’’ subject to review by the Office
                                                                                                           consistent with EPA’s interpretation of               of Management and Budget under
                                                   1 On November 12, 2014, EPD submitted a SIP             the effect of the triggering action on                Executive Orders 12866 (58 FR 51735,
                                                 package that included, among other things, an             federal permitting requirements at 40
                                                 additional change to Georgia’s PSD rules at 391–3–
                                                                                                                                                                 October 4, 1993) and 13563 (76 FR 3821,
                                                 1–.02(7)(a)(2)(iv), which is the provision at issue in
                                                                                                           CFR 52.21 is based on 40 CFR 51.105.                  January 21, 2011);
                                                 this notice. The revised version of Georgia Rule          Under 40 CFR 51.105, ‘‘[r]evisions of a                 • does not impose an information
rmajette on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                 391–3–1–.02(7)(a)(2)(iv) continues to include the         plan, or any portion thereof, will not be             collection burden under the provisions
                                                 automatic rescission clause at issue in today’s           considered part of an applicable plan
                                                 notice. However, in its cover letter and subsequent
                                                                                                                                                                 of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44
                                                 explanations of revisions, EPD did not address the        until such revisions have been approved               U.S.C. 3501 et seq.);
                                                 change made to 391–3–1–.02(7)(a)(2)(iv), nor did          by the Administrator in accordance with                 • is certified as not having a
                                                 EPD ask the EPA to approve any revision to this           this part.’’ However, the Georgia                     significant economic impact on a
                                                 provision. Therefore, EPA does not consider the
                                                 change to 391–3–1–.02(7)(a)(2)(iv) included in the
                                                                                                           rescission clause takes effect                        substantial number of small entities
                                                 November 12, 2014, submittal to be part of an             immediately upon certain triggering                   under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5
                                                 official SIP revision package.                            actions without any EPA intervention.                 U.S.C. 601 et seq.);


                                            VerDate Sep<11>2014    13:28 Jul 30, 2015   Jkt 235001   PO 00000   Frm 00022   Fmt 4702   Sfmt 4702   E:\FR\FM\31JYP1.SGM   31JYP1


                                                 45638                      Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 147 / Friday, July 31, 2015 / Proposed Rules

                                                    • does not contain any unfunded                       Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272 note) because              2000), nor will it impose substantial
                                                 mandate or significantly or uniquely                     application of those requirements would               direct costs on tribal governments or
                                                 affect small governments, as described                   be inconsistent with the CAA; and                     preempt tribal law.
                                                 in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act                        • does not provide EPA with the
                                                 of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–4);                                                                                       List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52
                                                                                                          discretionary authority to address, as
                                                    • does not have Federalism                            appropriate, disproportionate human                     Environmental protection, Air
                                                 implications as specified in Executive                   health or environmental effects, using                pollution control, Greenhouse gases,
                                                 Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10,                     practicable and legally permissible                   Incorporation by reference,
                                                 1999);                                                   methods, under Executive Order 12898                  Intergovernmental relations, Particulate
                                                    • is not an economically significant
                                                                                                          (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994).                      matter, Reporting and recordkeeping
                                                 regulatory action based on health or
                                                                                                            The SIP is not approved to apply on                 requirements.
                                                 safety risks subject to Executive Order
                                                 13045 (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997);                     any Indian reservation land or in any                   Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
                                                    • is not a significant regulatory action              other area where EPA or an Indian tribe                 Dated: July 22, 2015.
                                                 subject to Executive Order 13211 (66 FR                  has demonstrated that a tribe has
                                                                                                          jurisdiction. In those areas of Indian                Heather McTeer Toney,
                                                 28355, May 22, 2001);
                                                    • is not subject to requirements of                   country, the rule does not have tribal                Regional Administrator, Region 4.
                                                 Section 12(d) of the National                            implications as specified by Executive                [FR Doc. 2015–18754 Filed 7–30–15; 8:45 am]
                                                 Technology Transfer and Advancement                      Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, November 9,                 BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
rmajette on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS




                                            VerDate Sep<11>2014   13:28 Jul 30, 2015   Jkt 235001   PO 00000   Frm 00023   Fmt 4702   Sfmt 9990   E:\FR\FM\31JYP1.SGM   31JYP1



Document Created: 2015-12-15 12:59:45
Document Modified: 2015-12-15 12:59:45
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.
DatesWritten comments must be received on or before August 31, 2015.
ContactSean Lakeman, 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. The telephone number is (404) 562-9043. Mr. Lakeman can be reached via electronic mail at [email protected]
FR Citation80 FR 45636 
CFR AssociatedEnvironmental Protection; Air Pollution Control; Greenhouse Gases; Incorporation by Reference; Intergovernmental Relations; Particulate Matter and Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements

2024 Federal Register | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
USC | CFR | eCFR