Page Range | 50240-50248 | |
FR Document | 2015-20504 |
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 160 (Wednesday, August 19, 2015)] [Proposed Rules] [Pages 50240-50248] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2015-20504] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 40 CFR Part 52 [EPA-R06-OAR-2006-0131; FRL-9930-17-Region-6] Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; Louisiana; Major Source Permitting State Implementation Plan AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Proposed rule. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve portions of revisions to the Louisiana New Source Review (NSR) State Implementation Plan (SIP) submitted by the State of Louisiana designee. These revisions are updates to the Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) and Nonattainment NSR (NNSR) permit programs. DATES: Written comments must be received on or before September 18, 2015. ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-R06- OAR-2006-0131, by one of the following methods:http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions. Email: Stephanie Kordzi at [email protected]. Mail or delivery: Stephanie Kordzi, Air Permits Section (6PD-R), Environmental Protection Agency, 1445 Ross Avenue, Suite 1200, Dallas, Texas 75202-2733. Instructions: Direct your comments to Docket ID No. EPA-R06-OAR- 2006-0131. The EPA's policy is that all comments received will be included in the public docket without change and may be made available online at http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided, unless the comment includes information claimed to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information the disclosure of which is restricted by statute. Do not submit information through http://www.regulations.gov or email, if you [[Page 50241]] believe that it is CBI or otherwise protected from disclosure. The http://www.regulations.gov Web site is an ``anonymous access'' system, which means that the 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 the EPA without going through http://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, the EPA recommends that you include your name and other contact information in the body of your comment along with any disk or CD-ROM submitted. If the EPA cannot read your comment due to technical difficulties and cannot contact you for clarification, the EPA may not be able to consider your comment. Electronic files should avoid the use of special characters and any form of encryption and should be free of any defects or viruses. For additional information about the EPA's public docket, visit the EPA Docket Center homepage at http://www.epa.gov/epahome/dockets.htm. Docket: The index to the docket for this action is available electronically at www.regulations.gov and in hard copy at EPA Region 6, 1445 Ross Avenue, Suite 700, Dallas, Texas. While all documents in the docket are listed in the index, some information may be publicly available only at the hard copy location (e.g., copyrighted material), and some may not be publicly available at either location (e.g., CBI). To inspect the hard copy materials, please schedule an appointment with the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT paragraph below or Bill Deese at 214-665-7253. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephanie Kordzi, Telephone (214) 665- 7520, email at [email protected]. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Throughout this document wherever ``we,'' ``us,'' or ``our'' is used, we mean the EPA. Table of Contents I. Summary of State SIP Submittals for Chapters 5 and 6 Air Permits Program A. July 25, 1997, Submittal B. June 22, 1998, Submittal C. February 2, 2000, Submittal D. January 27, 2003, Submittal E. June 15, 2005, Submittal F. December 20, 2005, Submittal G. May 5, 2006, Submittal H. July 20, 2007, Submittal I. November 9, 2007, Submittal J. August 14, 2009, Submittal K. May 16, 2011, Submittal L. February 27, 2013, Submittal II. Evaluation A. Revisions to the NNSR and PSD Air Permit Procedures B. Revisions to the NNSR and PSD Programs for the NSR Reform Rule C. LDEQ's Clarification Letter D. Revisions to the NNSR and PSD Programs for PM 2.5 Implementation E. Emission Reduction Credits (ERC) Banking Revisions F. Does the proposed approval of the Louisiana Air Permit Procedure Revisions or ERC Banking Revisions interfere with attainment, reasonable further progress, or any other applicable requirement of the Act? III. Proposed Action IV. Incorporation by Reference V. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews I. Summary of State SIP Submittals for Chapters 5 and 6 Air Permits Program The Clean Air Act at section 110(a)(2)(C) requires states to develop and submit to the EPA for approval into the state SIP, preconstruction review programs applicable to new and modified stationary sources of air pollutants for attainment and nonattainment areas that cover both major and minor new sources and modifications, collectively referred to as the NSR SIP. The CAA NSR SIP program is composed of three separate programs: PSD, NNSR, and Minor NSR. PSD is established in part C of title I of the CAA and applies in areas that are designated as meeting the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), i.e., ``attainment areas,'' as well as areas designated as ``unclassifiable'' because there is insufficient information to determine if the area meets the NAAQS. The NNSR SIP program is established in part D of title I of the CAA and applies in areas that are designated as not being in attainment of the NAAQS, i.e., ``nonattainment areas.'' The Minor NSR SIP program addresses construction or modification activities that do not emit, or have the potential to emit, beyond certain major source thresholds and thus do not qualify as ``major'' and applies regardless of the designation of the area in which a source is located. This particular SIP proposed action addresses only the PSD and NNSR major permitting programs. The EPA regulations, 40 CFR 51.160-51.166, contain the criteria that states must satisfy for the EPA to approve the NSR programs as part of the SIP. In addition, there are several provisions in 40 CFR part 51 that apply generally to all SIP revisions. 40 CFR 51.160 establishes the enforceable procedures that must be a part of a NSR program. Sections 51.160-51.164 require a SIP revision to demonstrate that the adopted rules will not interfere with any applicable requirement concerning attainment and reasonable further progress, or any other applicable requirement of the CAA. Based upon our evaluation of the submittals, the EPA has concluded that the regulatory submittals, as ultimately revised, meet the requirements of the CAA section 110(a). Below are summaries of the individual SIP submittals from Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ). A. July 25, 1997, Submittal The LDEQ submitted Louisiana Administrative Code (LAC) rule changes made in 1996. It includes final revised regulation LAC 33:III, sections 501, 504, 509, and 517. Section 504 is already part of the Louisiana SIP approved by the EPA on September 30, 2002, 2002 at 67 FR 61270. The EPA will act on section 517 in a separate action in the future. B. June 22, 1998, Submittal The LDEQ submitted rule changes made in 1997. It includes changes to sections 501, 509, and 517. The EPA will act on sections 501 and 517 in a separate action in the future. C. February 2, 2000, Submittal The LDEQ submitted rule changes made in 1998. It includes sections 509 and 603. D. January 27, 2003, Submittal The LDEQ submitted rule changes made from 1999-2001. It includes section 509.B.2., which addresses certain Parishes as nonattainment for ozone. Sections 613 and 615 were already approved as part of the SIP on September 27, 2002, at 67 FR 60877. E. June 15, 2005, Submittal The LDEQ submitted rule changes made in 2005 for Baton Rouge in section 504.A.6., covering the nonattainment NSR procedures. F. December 20, 2005, Submittal The LDEQ submitted rule changes made in 2005 concerning the NSR Reform Program in sections 504 and 509. The submitted rules include, among other things, provisions for baseline emissions calculations, an actual-to-projected actual methodology for calculating emissions changes, options for plantwide applicability limits, and recordkeeping and reporting requirements. The changes do not include any portion of the Federal NSR Reform rule that was vacated by the US District Court of Appeals for the D.C. [[Page 50242]] Circuit Court on June 24, 2005, concerning Clean Unit applicability test and Pollution Control Projects. G. May 5, 2006, Submittal The LDEQ submitted rule changes made in 2005. It includes sections 501, 504, 505, 507, 509, and 613. The EPA will act on section 501, a minor NSR rule, and section 507, a title V rule that is not part of the SIP, in separate actions in the future. The EPA returned section 505 to LDEQ because it addresses the Acid Rain Program; the Acid Rain Program is not a title I program and therefore should not be included in the Louisiana SIP. H. July 20, 2007, Submittal The LDEQ submitted a revision to the SIP's Alternative Emission Reduction Plan (``Bubble'') for Union Carbide Corporation, Taft Plant reflecting LDEQ's rescission of permit no. 1836T, effective on March 12, 2007. The EPA is proposing to approve this revision that codifies LDEQ's rescission of the permit for the alternative emission reduction plan (``Bubble'') for Union Carbide Corporation, Taft Plant. I. November 9, 2007, Submittal The LDEQ submitted rule changes made in 2006. It includes sections 501, 504, 509, 513, 531, and 607. The EPA will act on sections 501, 513 and 531 in a separate action in the future because they concern minor NSR. In addition, on October 15, 2014, LDEQ removed from our consideration section 504.M. J. August 14, 2009, Submittal The LDEQ submitted rule changes made in 2007, that included sections 501, 504, 505, 506, and 507. The EPA proposes to approve section 504 which contains a revision that requires all information submitted by air permittees be sent to the Office of Environmental Services. The EPA will act on section 501 in a separate action in the future because it concerns minor NSR. The EPA will return section 505 to LDEQ because it addresses the Acid Rain Program Permitting Requirements, which are not part of a SIP. The approved the revisions to Section 506 on April 17, 2014 are found at 79 FR 21631. The EPA will act on section 507 in a separate action in the future because it concerns the title V program that is not part of a SIP. The submittal also contains a rulemaking petition for the repeal of section 510, which was never part of the SIP. The repeal affects sections 603, 605, 607, 613, and 615 because those sections reference to LAC 33:III.510. In addition, to be consistent with the change to section 504, a change was made to section 613, which dictates that reports be submitted to the Office of Environmental Services. K. May 16, 2011, Submittal The LDEQ submitted rule changes to sections 504 and 509 to address the PM2.5 NSR Implementation Rule. The rule submittal also revises the regulatory definition of ``regulated pollutant'' to address any pollutant for which there is a NAAQS and precursors to the formation of such pollutant when identified for regulation by the EPA. For NSR Reform purposes, LDEQ also repealed the definition of malfunction in response to the EPA's concerns expressed in our January 24, 2008, letter. The repeal of the definition addressed our concerns. L. February 27, 2013, Submittal The LDEQ submitted revisions to section 509 that update the PSD rule to implement the Particulate Matter Less Than 2.5 Micrometers (PM2.5 ) Increments. Table 1 below summarizes the changes that are in the SIP revision submittals. A summary of our evaluation of each section and the basis for our proposed approval is included in this rulemaking. The accompanying Technical Support Document (TSD) includes a detailed evaluation of the submittals and our rationale. The TSD may be accessed online at www.regulations.gov, Docket No. EPA-R06-OAR-2006-0131. Table 1--Summary of Each NSR SIP Submittal Affected by This Action ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date submitted Date of State Title of SIP submittal to EPA adoption Regulations affected ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Air Permit Procedure Revisions.............. 7/25/1997 1996 Sections 501, and 509. Section 504 was approved by EPA into the SIP on 09/30/ 2002 (67 FR 61270). Air Permit Procedure Revisions.............. 6/22/1998 1997 Section 509. Air Permit Procedure and ERC Banking 2/2/2000 1998 Sections 509 and 603. Revisions. Air Permit Procedure and ERC Banking 1/27/2003 1999-2001 Sections 509, 613, and 615. Revisions. Sections 613 and 615 were approved by EPA into the SIP on 09/27/2002 (67 FR 60877). Baton Rouge Severe Area Rule Update......... 6/15/2005 4/20/2004 Section 504. Air Permit Procedure Revisions and New 12/20/2005 12/20/2005 Sections 504 and 509. Source Review Reform. Air Permit Procedure and ERC Banking 5/5/2006 2005 Sections 504, 509, and 613. Revisions. Rescission of Alternative Emission Reduction 7/20/2007 3/12/2007 EPA approved the Union Carbide Plan for Union Carbide Corporation, Taft permit as part of the SIP. Plant. See 07/18/1990, 55 FR 29205. On 3/12/07, LDEQ rescinded the permit. Air Permit Procedure and ERC Banking 11/9/2007 2006 Sections 504, 509, and 607. On Revisions. 10/15/2014, LDEQ requested that EPA not take action on LAC 33:III.504.M. Therefore, it is not before EPA for action. Air Permit Procedure Revisions.............. 8/14/2009 2007 Sections 504, 603, 605, 607, 613, and 615. Air Permit Procedure Revisions for PM2.5 5/16/2011 2011 Sections 504 and 509. NAAQS. LA SIP Update, PM2.5 Increments............. 2/27/2013 12/20/2012 Section 509. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [[Page 50243]] II. Evaluation A. Revisions to the NNSR and PSD Programs Air Permit Procedures We evaluated and are proposing to approve the Chapter 5 amendments contained in the July 25, 1997, June 22, 1998, February 2, 2000, January 27, 2003, June 15, 2005, May 5, 2006, July 20, 2007, November 9, 2007, August 14, 2009, submittals. These amendments, if approved by the EPA, would provide clarity to the SIP-approved rules and correct contradictory language. Specific proposed revisions address the assessment and validation of a facility's emissions inventory values. Further, the amendments would revise the SIP rules to conform to the latest changes to Louisiana laws. The changes also define, for NNSR purposes, the parishes that have been designated as non-attainment for ozone. The EPA's evaluation of the Louisiana SIP submittals include a line-by-line comparison, which can be found in the TSD, of the proposed revisions with the federal requirements. We find that in most cases, the state regulatory language is identical to that of the federal rule. Where the rules are not identical, we find they are consistent with the federal rules and definitions and meet their intent. The EPA is therefore proposing to approve the submitted rules as part of the Louisiana NNSR and PSD SIP. B. Revisions to the NNSR and PSD Programs for the NSR Reform Rule We evaluated and are proposing to approve the December 20, 2005, as revised through the May 16, 2011 submittal that contains changes to the Louisiana NNSR and PSD permitting programs reflecting the requirements found in the federal NSR Reform Program SIP rules. Our evaluation of the Louisiana SIP submittals included a line-by- line comparison, which can be found in the TSD, of the proposed revisions with the federal requirements. State agencies may deviate from the specific definitions of 40 CFR part 51, and the 2002 NSR Reform Rules, only if the States specifically demonstrate that the submitted definitions are more stringent or at least as stringent as the corresponding federal definitions in accordance with 40 CFR 51.165(b)(2). The State of Louisiana elected to incorporate by reference (IBR) most of the federal rules but adopted some with differences. As part of its December 20, 2005, submittal, Louisiana provided the EPA with an Equivalency Determination that addresses the differences with the federal rules regarding emissions defined that are associated with startup, shutdown and malfunction emissions. The Secretary of the LDEQ also submitted on June 9, 2015 a letter containing further clarification. In addition, LDEQ provided follow up SIP submittals that are summarized above and discussed in further detail in the Technical Support Document. We find that the LDEQ has adopted the necessary elements of NSR Reform rule for both the NNSR and PSD programs. As discussed in I. F., Louisiana's submitted rules do not include the Clean Unit applicability test and Pollution Control Projects vacated by the Court.\1\ Further, ``reasonable possibility'' provisions that were promulgated in the EPA's NSR Reform SIP rules were remanded back to EPA for further consideration on June 24, 2005.\1\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ The EPA promulgated the revised provisions on December 21, 2007 at 72 FR 72607. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The U.S. Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit in New York v. EPA, 413 F.3d 3 (D.C. Cir. 2005) (New York) ordered the EPA either to provide an acceptable explanation for its ``reasonable possibility'' standard or to devise an appropriately supported alternative. The Court held, ``[b]ecause EPA has failed to explain how it can ensure NSR compliance without the relevant data, we will remand for it either to provide an acceptable explanation for its ``reasonable possibility'' standard or to devise an appropriately supportive alternative.'' Initially, in promulgating the ``reasonable possibility'' standard, we intended to limit recordkeeping requirements to those projects for which variability in calculating emissions creates an interest in obtaining additional information in order to confirm that the appropriate applicability outcome is reached. To satisfy the Court's remand, the EPA has clarified what constitutes ``reasonable possibility'' and when the ``reasonable possibility'' recordkeeping requirements apply. We adopted a bright- line test at 50 percent that will capture projects that have a higher probability of variability and/or error in projected emissions. Projects with projected increases below the 50-percent threshold, especially when emissions from demand growth are included in projections, are, we believe, sufficiently small that any variability or error in calculations is less likely to be large enough for the change to have increased emissions to the significant level. This requirement is based on authority in circumstances such as these that allows agencies to establish a bright-line test, as opposed to making case-by-case determinations. See, e.g., Time Warner Entertainment Co. L.P. v. F.C.C., 240 F.3d 1126, 1141 (D.C. Cir. 2001). We also state ``[s]ome State or local authorities may be able to adopt these changes through a change in interpretation of the term ``reasonable possibility'' without the need to revise the SIP. For any State or local authority that can implement the changes without revising its approved SIP, the changes will become effective when the reviewing authority publicly announces that it accepts these changes by interpretation. In the case of NSR SIP revisions that include the term ``reasonable possibility'' but that we have not yet approved, we will approve the SIP revision if the State or local authority commits to implementing the ``reasonable possibility'' standard in a manner consistent with our final rule.'' The EPA Region 6 requested in a letter of January 24, 2008, that LDEQ submit a commitment to implement the ``reasonable possibility provisions in Sections 504.D.9 and 509.R.6 in a manner consistent with EPA's revised rules. On October 6, 2008, LDEQ committed to implement the provisions in a manner consistent with the EPA's ``Reasonable Possibility in Recordkeeping'' rule. In addition, on February 22, 2013, the EPA identified seven Louisiana SIP-approved citations that could allow emissions that were either automatically or through director's discretion, exempted from compliance with otherwise applicable emission limitations. State Implementation Plans: Response to Petition for Rulemaking; Findings of Substantial Inadequacy; and SIP Calls to Amend Provisions Applying to Excess Emissions During Periods of Startup, Shutdown, and Malfunction; Proposed Rule, (78 FR 12522, February 22, 2013). On May 22, 2015, the EPA issued a final action requiring Louisiana to ensure it has a plan in place that is fully consistent with the CAA and recent court decisions regarding startup, shutdown, and malfunction (SSM) for the named Louisiana rule citations. In this proposal action, we are addressing the eight rule changes for baseline actual emissions and projected actual emissions definitions. These submitted definitions include the phrase ``authorized emissions associated with startup, shutdown, and malfunction (SSM).'' Because the term ``authorized emissions'' as used could encompass the exempted emissions subject to the SSM SIP Call if Louisiana fails to appropriately respond to the SSM SIP Call within 18 months from the issuance of the final action, the EPA will have to revisit its approval of these [[Page 50244]] revisions. In the interim, the LDEQ sent us a letter on June 9, 2015, that clarifies the definition of authorized emissions and also clarifies LDEQ's use of variances and emergency orders for permitted sources which temporarily allow emissions greater than those provided under a specific permit condition or temporarily replace an emissions unit that cannot operate without being in violation of an underlying permit condition or would be a danger to operate. See discussion in the following Section II.C. below. We are proposing to approve the December 20, 2005, submittal, as revised by the May 16, 2011, submittal as part of the Louisiana SIP for Major NSR reform. C. LDEQ's Clarification Letter LDEQ provided a clarification letter (Clarification) on June 9, 2015, which was requested by the EPA to clarify perceived inconsistencies in certain provisions in the SIP submission. The full text of the letter can be found in the Docket for this action. This letter clarifies the following aspects of the Major NSR Air Permit Program. The EPA asked for clarification on how the state provisions utilize the term ``authorized'' in the context of emissions associated with start-ups, shutdowns, and malfunctions, a term not found in the federal rules. We also asked for clarification on how variances and emergency orders affect permit actions. LDEQ explained in its clarification letter that the term ``authorized'' does not expand the meaning of ``baseline actual emissions'' or ``projected actual emissions'' in a manner to render the submitted revisions to LAC 33:III.504 and 509 less stringent than their corresponding federal provisions. Accordingly, a permittee cannot circumvent what would otherwise be applicable NSR requirements when issuing either a new or modified (i.e., a physical change or change in the method of operation) permit that is subject to PSD review or improperly establishes a plantwide applicability limit by means of an LDEQ-issued variance or Emergency Order. In the context of LAC 33:III.504 and 509, the term ``authorized emissions'' refers to emissions authorized through only a valid air permit issued pursuant to LAC 33:III.Chapter 5. LDEQ emphasized that should it calculate baseline actual emissions using its definition in LAC 33:III.504.K or 509.B, the result would be no different than if the federal definition at 40 CFR 51.165(a)(1)(xxxv) or 51.166(b)(47) was utilized. Next, LDEQ responded that a variance is not a permit, but rather a waiver issued prospectively by LDEQ to allow emissions from an emissions unit to temporarily exceed permitted limitations or to authorize the use of a temporary emissions unit not addressed by an air permit. Baseline actual emissions cannot exceed permitted limits, even if additional emissions have been approved by means of a variance or Declaration of Emergency and Administrative Order. In addition, LDEQ expanded on its use of the term ``authorized'' in relation to its context of LAC 33:III.919 (Emissions Inventory) and the reporting of actual emissions to LDEQ's Emissions Reporting and Inventory Center. LDEQ stated it would amend its ``Louisiana Guidance for Air Permitting Actions'' to clarify that, for purposes of baseline actual emissions and projected actual emissions, ``authorized'' emissions cannot exceed the limitations imposed by an air permit issued pursuant to LAC 33:III.Chapter 5. D. Revisions to the NNSR and PSD Programs for PM2.5 Implementation We evaluated and are proposing to approve the revisions to the Louisiana PSD and NNSR programs submitted on May 16, 2011, and to the PSD program submitted on February 27, 2013, finding that the Louisiana NNSR and PSD permitting programs comply with the federal regulatory requirements for implementation of the PM2.5 NAAQS as required through the May 16, 2008 NSR PM2.5 Implementation Rule and the October 20, 2010 PM2.5 PSD SILs--SMC and Increments Rule. See 73 FR 28321 and 75 FR 64864. E. Emission Reduction Credits (ERC) Banking Revisions We evaluated and are proposing to approve revisions to the existing SIP-approved Louisiana Regulations on Control of Emissions through the Use of ERC Banking. The submittals containing Chapter 6 rules that are a part of this action are dated February 2, 2000, January 27, 2003, May 5, 2006, November 9, 2007, and August 14, 2009, found that the Louisiana ERC banking revisions comply with the federal regulatory requirements for implementation of the control of emissions through the use of ERC Banking. The changes include: (1) Establishing emission banking for all parishes designated as ozone nonattainment areas in the state; (2) revising submittal dates for banking credits; (3) revising references after department reorganization to reflect new organization structure; and (4) replacing the 1-hour ozone standard with the 8-hour standard. Our evaluation of the Louisiana SIP submittal included a line-by-line comparison, which is provided in the TSD, of the proposed revisions with the federal requirements. Most of the changes contained in the Chapter 6 submittals were not substantial. Our analysis shows that in most cases, the state regulatory language is identical to the federal rule. Where the rules are not identical, they are consistent with and support the intent of the federal rules and definitions. The EPA is therefore proposing to approve these submittals. Note that the revisions we are addressing update the existing SIP-approved requirements to address current nonattainment areas. These revisions do not change the underlying purpose of the emissions bank, which is to provide nonattainment offsets. F. Does the proposed approval of the Louisiana Air Permit Procedure Revisions or ERC Banking Revisions interfere with attainment, reasonable further progress, or any other applicable requirement of the Act? We have determined that the regulations submitted to EPA for approval as SIP revisions meet the requirements of section 110(l). We have determined that their implementation will not interfere with any applicable requirement concerning attainment and reasonable further progress, or any other applicable requirement of the CAA. The EPA's evaluation of the Louisiana SIP submittals included a line-by-line comparison, which can be found in section VI of the TSD, of the proposed revisions with the federal requirements. If the rules are new, including the NSR Reform rules contained in the December 20, 2005 submittal, then they were determined to be consistent with the federal SIP rules. Therefore, as discussed above and in the TSD, the revisions to the Louisiana NNSR and PSD programs are substantively the same as the 2002 NSR Reform Rules, without including any vacated provisions, we conclude that these rules do not interfere with attainment, reasonable further progress, or any other applicable requirement of the Act. See 67 FR 80186 and 68 FR 63021 for EPA's detailed explanation of the legal basis for the 2002 NSR Reform Rules. The EPA has concluded that the regulatory submittals, as ultimately revised, meet the requirements of the CAA section 110(l). Additionally, the rescission of the Bubble for Union Carbide Corporation Taft Plant also meets CAA section 110(l). On July 18, 1990, the EPA approved the Bubble, as a revision to the Louisiana SIP (55 FR 29203). The [[Page 50245]] original SIP revision was based on an Alternative Emission Reduction Plan as requested by the Governor of Louisiana on October 19, 1983, for St. Charles Parish due to the area being located in a nonattainment area for ozone. The permit was incorporated by reference into the SIP at 40 CFR 52.970(d). The submittal incorrectly identified the regulation citation as 40 CFR 52.970(c)(55)(i)(a). The rescission was a result of changed circumstances regarding the two tanks (Tanks 2635 and 2102) originally regulated by the Bubble permit 1836T. Tank 2635 is no longer in service and the regulation of Tank 2102 was moved to Logistics Title Permit No. 2656-V0 which is subject to Reasonably Available Control Technology (RACT) emission control requirements, resulting in significantly lower VOC emission. The annual emission limit of 0.51 tons per year of VOC, is roughly a 95% decrease in the VOC emission limit from the 1983 permit of 9.5 tpy. The emission reductions gained through the use of RACT and requiring compliance with an annual emission limit for Tank 2102 negate the need for use of emission reductions identified in 55 FR 29203, from the shutdown of Glyoxal Reactor Column vent and the storage of compounds with a lower vapor pressure in 5 tanks (2201 (removed from service), and the other four tanks, 2202, 2212, 2206, and 2315) as identified, which provided credits to allow Tanks 2102 and 2635 to obtain exemptions. All of the tanks in service are now regulated under Logistics Title Permit No. 2656-V0). Therefore, less emissions vented to the atmosphere ensure attainment and reasonable progress. III. Proposed Action In this action, the EPA proposes to approve severable revisions to the major air permitting procedures in sections 501, 504, 509, 523, 603, 605, 607, 613, and 615 as submitted to the EPA to revise the Louisiana Major NSR SIP Permit program on July 25, 1997, June 22, 1998, February 2, 2000, January 27, 2003, June 15, 2005, December 20, 2005, May 5, 2006, July 20, 2007, November 9, 2007, August 14, 2009, May 16, 2011, and February 27, 2013. In addition, the EPA is proposing to remove the alternative emission reduction plan (``Bubble'') for Union Carbide Corporation, Taft Plant to reflect LDEQ's rescission of the permit, from the SIP. Table 2 in Section III summarizes each regulatory citation that is affected by this action. Note, Table 2 does not include the rescission of the Union Carbide bubble, submitted on July 20, 2007, which is also being proposed for approval. We have made the preliminary determination that the revisions were developed and submitted in accordance with the requirements of the CAA and the EPA's regulations regarding SIP development at 40 CFR part 51. Additionally, we have determined that the submitted revisions to the Louisiana PSD and NNSR programs, as clarified by LDEQ, are consistent with our major source permitting regulations at 40 CFR 51.160-51.166 and the associated policy and guidance. Therefore, under section 110 and parts C and D of the Act, and for the reasons presented above and in our accompanying TSD, the EPA proposes to fully approve the specific revisions to the Louisiana SIP identified in Table 2 below: Table 2--Summary of Each Regulation That Is Affected by This Action ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Date submitted to Section EPA as SIP Affected regulation amendment ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Section 501--Scope and Applicability ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Section 501................. 7/25/1997 Section 501-- Authority. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Section 504--Nonattainment New Source Review (NNSR) Procedures and Offset Requirements in Specified Parishes ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Section 504.A............... 6/15/2005 Section 504.A.6. 12/20/2005 Sections 504.A., 504.A.1., 504.A.3., 504.A.3.a.-d., 504.A.4, 504.A.5., 504.A.5.a.-b., 504.A.6., 504.A.6.a.- f., 504.A.7., 504.A.7.a.-c., 504.A.8. 11/9/2007 Sections 504.A.1., 504.A.2., 504.A.3., 504.A.4, 504.A.8. Section 504.C............... 5/5/2006 Section 504.C., Section 504.F.7., Section 504.F.7.a-- Table 1, PM10. 8/14/2009 Section 504.C. Section 504.D............... 6/15/2005 Section 504.D.3. 12/20/2005 Sections 504.D.4., 504.D.9, 504.D.9.a.- e., 504.D.10., 504D.11., 504.D.11.a- b. 11/9/2007 Sections 504.D.5 Section 504.F............... 12/20/2005 Sections 504.F.11., and 504.F.12. 5/5/2006 Section 504.F.7, 504.F.7.a.--Table 1, Footnote PM10. 11/09/2007 Sections 504.F.1., 504.F.8.a.-c., 504.F.9.L Table 1. 8/14/2009 Section 504.F.7. 5/16/2011 Section 504.F.1. Section 504.G............... 12/20/2005 Sections 504.G., 504.G.1., 504.G.2., 504.G.2.a.-e., 504.G.3., 504.G.3.a.- c., 504.G.4., 504.G.4.a.-b., 504.G.5., 504.G.5.a.- b., 504.G.6., 504.G.6.a.-f., 504.G.7., 504.G.7.a.- c., 504.G.8., 504.G.9. Section 504.H............... 12/20/2005 Sections 504.H.1., 504.H.2., 504.H.2.a.- d., 504.H.3., 504.H.3.a.-d., 504.H.4., 504.H.4.a.- c., 504.H.5., 504.H.6., 504.H.7., 504.H.8., 504.H.8.a.- f., 504.H.9., 504.H.9.a.-e., 504.H.10., 504.H.11. Section 504.I............... 12/20/2005 Sections 504.I.1., 504.I.2., 504.I.2.a.- b., 504.I.3., 504.I.3.a.-e., 504.I.4., 504.I.5., 504.I.6., 504.I.6.a.- d. Section 504.J............... 12/20/2005 Sections 504.J.1., 504.J.1.a.-d., 504.J.2., 504.J.2.a.- k., 504.J.3., 504.J.3.a.-c., 504.J.4., 504.J.4.a.- b., 504.J.5., 504.J.6., 504.J.6.a.- b., 504.J.7., 504.J.7.a.-j., 504.J.8., 504.J.8.a.- b., 504.J.9., 504.J.9.a.-e., 504.J.10., 504.J.10.a.-e., 504.J.11., 504.J.11.a.-c., 504.J.12., 504.J.12.a.-i., 504.J.13., 504.J.13.a.-b., 504.J.14., 504.J.14.a.-c., 504.J.15., 504.J.15.a.-b. 5/16/2011 Section 504.J.5. [[Page 50246]] Section 504.K............... 12/20/2005 Sections 504.K. Definitions. Beginning with Act-- repealed, Administrator, Adverse Impact on Visibility, Allowable Emissions, Baseline Actual Emissions, Begin Actual Construction, Best Available Control Technology, Clean Air Act, Clean Coal Technology, Clean Coal Technology Demonstration Project, Clean Unit, Commence, Construction, Continuous Emissions Monitoring System, Continuous Emissions Rate Monitoring System, Continuous Parameter Monitoring System, Electric Utility Steam Generating Unit, Emissions Unit, Federal Class I Area, Federal Land Manager, Federally Enforceable, Fugitive Emissions, Lowest Achievable Emission Rate, Major Modification, Major Stationary Source, Mandatory Federal Class I Area, Natural Conditions, Necessary Preconstruction Approvals, or Permits, and Net Emissions Increase. 5/16/2011 Section 504.K. Definition. Malfunction--repealed , Regulated Pollutant, Significant. Section 504.L............... 11/09/2007 Section 504.L Table 1 and footnotes. 5/16/2011 Section 504 L Table 1 and footnotes for Major Stationary Source. Section 504.M............... 11/09/2007 Sections 504.M. and 504.M.1.-3. EPA is not taking action on this section based on LDEQ 10/15/2014, request for EPA to ``not take action''. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Section 509--Prevention of Significant Deterioration ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Section 509.A............... 12/20/2005 Sections 509.A.1., 509.A.2., 509.A.3., 509.A.4., 509.A.4.a- f., 509.A.5., 509.A.6. 5/5/2006 Section 509.A.3. 11/09/2007 Section 509.A.4.f. 5/16/2011 Reference to previously SIP approved submittal PM2.5 NAAQS. Section 509.B............... 7/25/1997 Section 509.B. Definitions. Baseline Area.2. 6/22/1998 Section 509.B. Definitions. Reconstruction. 1/27/2003 Section 509.B.2. 12/20/2005 Sections 509.B. Definitions. Actual Emissions, Adverse Impact on Visibility, Allowable Emissions, Baseline Area, Baseline Concentration, Baseline Date, Begin Actual Construction, Best Available Control Technology, Building, Structure, Facility or Installation, Clean Air Act, Clean Coal Technology, Clean Coal Technology Demonstration Project, Clean Unit, Commence, Complete, Construction, Continuous Emissions Monitoring System, Continuous Emissions Rate Monitoring System, Continuous Parameter Monitoring System, Electric Utility Steam Generating Unit, Emissions Unit, Federal Land Manager, Federally Enforceable, Fugitive Emissions High Terrain, Indian Governing Body, Indian Reservation Innovative Control Technology, Low Terrain, Lowest Achievable Emission Rate, Major Modification, Major Stationary Source, Necessary Preconstruction Approvals, Pollution Control Project, Pollution Prevention, Potential to Emit, Predictive Emissions Monitoring System, Prevention of Significant Deterioration, Project, Reactivation of a Very Clean Coal- Fired Electric Utility Steam Generating Unit, Reasonably Available Control Technology, Regulated NSR Pollutant, Replacement Unit, Repowering, Reviewing Authority, Significant, Significant Emissions Increase Stationary Source, and Temporary Clean Coal Technology Demonstration Project. 11/9/2007 Sections 509.B. definitions Major Modification, Major Stationary Source, Regulated NSR Pollutant, and Significant. 5/16/2011 Section 509.B. Definitions--Malfunct ions--repeal, Regulated New Source Review (NSR) Pollutant, Significant a. 2/27/2013 Section 509.B. Definitions. Baseline Area, Baseline Date, Minor Source Baseline Date. Section 509.C............... 12/20/2005 Sections 509.C. 2/27/2013 Sections 509.C. Ambient Air Increments. Section 509.D............... 6/22/1998 Section 509.D.17. 12/20/2005 Sections 509.D., 509.D.1.-2. Section 509.E............... 12/20/2005 Sections 509.E., 509.E.1.-4. Section 509.G............... 12/20/2005 Sections 509.G., 509.G.1.-4. Section 509.H............... 12/20/2005 Sections 509.H., 509.H.1.-2. Section 509.I............... 12/20/2005 Sections 509.I., 509.I.1.-9. 11/9/2007 Sections 509.I.5.a., approving renumbering only because substantively it has already been addressed. 2/27/2013 Sections 509.I.5., 509.I.5.a., 509.I.8., 509.I.9., 509.I.9.b. Section 509.J............... 12/20/2005 Sections 509.J., 509.J.1.-4. 2/27/2013 Sections 509.J., 509.J.5., 509.J.5.a., Section 509.K............... 12/20/2005 Sections 509.K., 509.K.1.-2. 2/27/2013 Sections 509.K., 509.K.1., 509.K.1.a.- b. Section 509.L............... 12/20/2005 Sections 509.L., 509.L.1.-2. Section 509.M............... 12/20/2005 Sections 509.M., 509.M.1-3. Section 509.N............... 12/20/2005 Sections 509.N., 509.N.1.-2. Section 509.O............... 12/20/2005 Sections 509.O.1.-3. 5/5/2006 Section 509.O.3. Section 509.P............... 12/20/2005 Sections 509.P, 509.P. 1.-8. 2/27/2013 Section 509.P.5. Section 509.Q............... 2/2/2000 Sections 509.Q.7., 509.Q.8.b. 12/20/2005 Sections 509.Q., 509.Q.1.-2. Section 509.R............... 12/20/2005 Sections 509.R., 509.R.1.-7. Section 509.V............... 12/20/2005 Sections 509.V., 509.V.1.-4. [[Page 50247]] Section 509.W............... 12/20/2005 Sections 509.W., 509.W.1.-4. Section 509.X............... 12/20/2005 Sections 509.X., 509.X.1.-9. Section 509.Y............... 12/20/2005 Sections 509.Y., 509.Y.1.-11. Section 509.Z............... 12/20/2005 Sections 509.Z., 509.Z.1.-6. Section 509.AA.............. 12/20/2005 Sections 509.AA., 509.AA.1.-15. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Section 603--Applicability ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Section 603................. 2/2/2000 Section 603, no longer in front of EPA-- superseded. Section 603.A............... 8/14/2009 Section 603.A. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Section 605 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Section 605.A............... 8/14/2009 Section 605.A. Definitions Offset. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Section 607--Determination of Creditable Emission Reductions ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Section 607.C............... 11/9/2007 Sections 607.C.1, 607.C.4.a.i, and 607.C.4.a.ii. 8/14/2009 Section 607.C.4.b ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Section 613--ERC Balance Sheet ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Section 613.B............... 5/5/2006 Section 613.B. Section 613.B............... 5/5/2006 Section 613.B. (repealed). Section 613.D............... 1/27/2003 Section 613.D. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Section 615--Schedule for Submitting Applications ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Section 615.B............... 1/27/2003 Section 615.B. Section 615.C............... 8/14/2009 Sections 615.C., and 615.D. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ We also are proposing to approve the December 25, 2005, submittal, as revised by the May 16, 2011, submittal. as part of the Louisiana NSR SIP because they meet the Major NSR reform requirements. The LDEQ also provided an October 6, 2008, letter, and a June 9, 2015, providing further clarification. The EPA is proposing to find that the May 16, 2011, revisions to the Louisiana NNSR program at LAC 33:III.504 address all required NNSR elements for the implementation of the 1997 and 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS. We note that the Louisiana NNSR program does not include regulation of VOCs and ammonia as PM2.5 precursors. However, as section 189(e) of the Act requires regulation of PM2.5 precursors that significantly contribute to PM2.5 levels ``which exceed the standard in the area'' and Louisiana does not have a designated PM2.5 nonattainment area; the revisions addressing only SO2 and NOX are not inconsistent with the requirements of the CAA. In the event that an area is designated nonattainment for the 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS or any other future PM2.5 NAAQS, Louisiana will have a deadline under section 189(a)(2) of the CAA to make a submission addressing the statutory requirements as to that area, including the requirements in section 189(e) that apply to the regulation of PM2.5 precursors. The EPA invites the public to make comments on all aspects of our proposed full approval of the Louisiana Air Permit Procedure Program, and to submit them by the Date listed above. We are accepting comments on this proposed action for 30 days. After reviewing the comments received, we will make a final determination of the approvability of the specified revisions to the Louisiana Major Air Permit Procedures and Regulations and Control of Emissions through the Use of Emission Reduction Credits (ERC) Banking Revisions in the Federal Register. IV. Incorporation by Reference In this action, we are proposing to include in a final rule regulatory text that includes incorporation by reference. In accordance with the requirements of 1 CFR 51.5, we are proposing to incorporate by reference revisions to the Louisiana regulations as described in the Proposed Action section above. We have made, and will continue to make, these documents generally available electronically through www.regulations.gov and/or in hard copy at the EPA Region 6 office. V. 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. 42 U.S.C. 7410(k); 40 CFR 52.02(a). Thus, in reviewing SIP submissions, the EPA's role is to approve state choices, provided that they meet the criteria of the CAA. Accordingly, this 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 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 [[Page 50248]] 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 proposed rule does not have tribal implications and will not impose substantial direct costs on tribal governments or preempt tribal law as specified by Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, November 9, 2000). List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52 Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Carbon monoxide, Incorporation by reference, Intergovernmental relations, Lead, Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone, Particulate matter, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Sulfur oxides, and Volatile organic compounds. Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq. Dated: August 5, 2015. Ron Curry, Regional Administrator, Region 6. [FR Doc. 2015-20504 Filed 8-18-15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
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 September 18, 2015. | |
Contact | Stephanie Kordzi, Telephone (214) 665- 7520, email at [email protected] | |
FR Citation | 80 FR 50240 | |
CFR Associated | Environmental Protection; Air Pollution Control; Carbon Monoxide; Incorporation by Reference; Intergovernmental Relations; Lead; Nitrogen Dioxide; Ozone; Particulate Matter; Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements; Sulfur Oxides and Volatile Organic Compounds |