80_FR_52328 80 FR 52162 - Standards of Performance for Municipal Solid Waste Landfills

80 FR 52162 - Standards of Performance for Municipal Solid Waste Landfills

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 166 (August 27, 2015)

Page Range52162-52168
FR Document2015-20897

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is issuing this supplemental proposal for the Standards of Performance for Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Landfills to address the nonmethane organic compound (NMOC) emission rate threshold at which an affected MSW landfill must install controls. The EPA is in the process of reviewing the Standards of Performance for MSW Landfills based on changes in the landfills industry since the standards were promulgated in 1996 and issued a proposed rulemaking on July 17, 2014. The EPA's review of the Standards of Performance for MSW Landfills (also referred to as the New Source Performance Standards or NSPS for MSW Landfills) applies to landfills that commenced construction, reconstruction, or modification after July 17, 2014. This document proposes to achieve additional reductions of landfill gas (LFG) and its components, including methane, through a lower emission threshold at which MSW landfills must install and operate a gas collection and control system (GCCS). This document supplements the proposed July 17, 2014, rulemaking by further lowering, from 40 megagrams per year (Mg/yr) to 34 Mg/yr, the proposed NMOC emissions threshold at which controls would be required. This change to the 2014 proposed threshold is based on additional data we have reviewed that indicate greater potential for reductions in methane emissions from these sources than we originally estimated that can be achieved at reasonable cost. Accordingly, the EPA is proposing to establish the NMOC emission rate threshold for installing a GCCS at 34 Mg/yr and is requesting comment specifically on whether this is appropriate. The EPA is also soliciting comment on the number of facilities that might ultimately become subject to proposed new subpart XXX. The EPA intends to consider the information received in response to this supplemental proposal prior to finalizing revised Standards of Performance for MSW Landfills. The EPA is seeking comment only on the two issues addressed by this supplemental proposal and the supplemental proposal does not otherwise reopen the comment period for the July 17, 2014, proposed rule.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 166 (Thursday, August 27, 2015)
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 166 (Thursday, August 27, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 52162-52168]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-20897]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 60

[EPA-HQ-OAR-2003-0215; FRL-9928-96-OAR]
RIN 2060-AM08


Standards of Performance for Municipal Solid Waste Landfills

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Supplemental proposal.

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SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is issuing this 
supplemental proposal for the Standards of Performance for Municipal 
Solid Waste (MSW) Landfills to address the nonmethane organic compound 
(NMOC) emission rate threshold at which an affected MSW landfill must 
install controls. The EPA is in the process of reviewing the Standards 
of Performance for MSW Landfills based on changes in the landfills 
industry since the standards were promulgated in 1996 and issued a 
proposed rulemaking on July 17, 2014. The EPA's review of the Standards 
of Performance for MSW Landfills (also referred to as the New Source 
Performance Standards or NSPS for MSW Landfills) applies to landfills 
that commenced construction, reconstruction, or modification after July 
17, 2014.
    This document proposes to achieve additional reductions of landfill 
gas (LFG) and its components, including methane, through a lower 
emission threshold at which MSW landfills must install and operate a 
gas collection and control system (GCCS). This document supplements the 
proposed July 17, 2014, rulemaking by further lowering, from 40 
megagrams per year (Mg/yr) to 34 Mg/yr, the proposed NMOC emissions 
threshold at which controls would be required. This change to the 2014 
proposed threshold is based on additional data we have reviewed that 
indicate greater potential for reductions in methane emissions from 
these sources than we originally estimated that can be achieved at 
reasonable cost. Accordingly, the EPA is proposing to establish the 
NMOC emission rate threshold for installing a GCCS at 34 Mg/yr and is 
requesting comment specifically on whether this is appropriate. The EPA 
is also soliciting comment on the number of facilities that might 
ultimately become subject to proposed new subpart XXX. The EPA intends 
to consider the information received in response to this supplemental 
proposal prior to finalizing revised Standards of Performance for MSW 
Landfills. The EPA is seeking comment only on the two issues addressed 
by this supplemental proposal and the supplemental proposal does not 
otherwise reopen the comment period for the July 17, 2014, proposed 
rule.

DATES: Comments. Comments must be received on or before October 26, 
2015. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), comments on the 
information collection provisions are best assured of consideration if 
the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) receives a copy of your 
comments on or before September 28, 2015.
    Public Hearing. If anyone contacts the EPA requesting a public 
hearing by September 1, 2015, the EPA will hold a public hearing on 
September 11, 2015 from 1:00 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time) to 5:00 p.m. 
(Eastern Standard Time) at the location in the ADDRESSES section. If no 
one contacts the EPA requesting a public hearing to be held concerning 
this proposed rule by September 1, 2015, a public hearing will not take 
place. Information regarding whether or not a hearing will be held will 
be posted on the rule's Web site located at http://www.epa.gov/ttnatw01/landfill/landflpg.htm. Please contact Ms. Aimee St. Clair at 
(919) 541-1063 or at [email protected] to register to speak at the 
hearing. The last day to pre-register to speak at the hearing will be 
September 8, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-
OAR-2003-0215, to the Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting 
comments. Once submitted, comments cannot be edited or withdrawn. The 
EPA may publish any comment received to its public docket. Do not 
submit electronically any information you consider to be Confidential 
Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is 
restricted by statute. Multimedia submissions (audio, video, etc.) must 
be accompanied by a written comment. The written comment is considered 
the official comment and should include discussion of all points you 
wish to make. The EPA will generally not consider comments or comment 
contents located outside of the primary submission (i.e., on the web, 
cloud, or other file sharing system). For additional submission 
methods, the full EPA public comment policy, information about CBI or 
multimedia submissions, and general guidance on making effective 
comments, please visit http://www2.epa.gov/dockets/commenting-epa-dockets.
    Public Hearing. If a public hearing is held, it will be at the U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency building located at 109 T.W. Alexander 
Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711. Information regarding whether 
or not a hearing will be held will be posted on the rule's Web site 
located at http://www.epa.gov/ttnatw01/landfill/landflpg.htm.
    Please see section I.C of the Supplementary Information for 
detailed information on the public hearing.
    Docket: All documents in the docket are listed in the http://www.regulations.gov index. Although listed in the index, some 
information is not publicly available, e.g., CBI or other information 
whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Certain other material, such 
as copyrighted material, will be publicly available only in hard copy. 
Publicly available docket materials are available either electronically 
in http://www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at the EPA Docket Center 
(EPA/DC), EPA WJC West Building, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave. NW., 
Washington, DC. The Docket Center is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number 
for the Public Reading Room is (202) 566-1744, and the telephone number 
for the Air Docket is (202) 566-1742.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information concerning this 
supplemental proposal, contact Ms. Hillary Ward, Fuels and Incineration 
Group, Sector Policies and Programs Division, Office of Air Quality 
Planning and Standards (E143-05), Environmental Protection Agency, 
Research Triangle Park, NC 27711; telephone number: (919) 541-3154; fax

[[Page 52163]]

number: (919) 541-0246; email address: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Acronyms and Abbreviations. The following acronyms and 
abbreviations are used in this document.

CAA Clean Air Act
CBI Confidential business information
CFR Code of Federal Regulations
CO2 Carbon dioxide
CO2e Carbon dioxide equivalent
EPA Environmental Protection Agency
GCCS Gas collection and control system
GHG Greenhouse gas
GHGRP Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program
ICR Information collection request
LFG Landfill gas
m\3\ Cubic meters
Mg Megagram
Mg/yr Megagram per year
MSW Municipal solid waste
mtCO2e Metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent
NMOC Nonmethane organic compound
NSPS New source performance standards
OAQPS Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards
OMB Office of Management & Budget
RFA Regulatory Flexibility Act
RIA Regulatory impacts analysis
U.S. United States
VCS Voluntary consensus standard

    Organization of This Document. The following outline is provided to 
aid in locating information in this preamble.

I. Background and Purpose of This Regulatory Action
    A. Background
    B. Proposed NMOC Emission Rate Threshold
    C. Public hearing
II. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
    A. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory Planning and Review and 
Executive Order 13563: Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review
    B. Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA)
    C. Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)
    D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA)
    E. Executive Order 13132: Federalism
    F. Executive Order 13175: Consultation and Coordination with 
Indian Tribal Governments
    G. Executive Order 13045: Protection of Children from 
Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks
    H. Executive Order 13211: Actions that Significantly Affect 
Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use
    I. National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act
    J. Executive Order 12898: Federal Actions to Address 
Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income 
Populations

I. Background and Purpose of This Regulatory Action

    The purpose of this regulatory action is to propose and take 
comment on a supplemental change to the proposed Standards of 
Performance for MSW Landfills resulting from the EPA's ongoing review 
of the standards under Clean Air Act (CAA) section 111. The EPA is also 
soliciting comments on the number of facilities that might ultimately 
become subject to proposed new 40 CFR part 60, subpart XXX.

A. Background

    On July 17, 2014, the EPA proposed a new NSPS subpart (40 CFR part 
60, subpart XXX) based on its ongoing review of the MSW Landfills NSPS 
(40 CFR part 60, subpart WWW) (79 FR 41796) (referred to as ``NSPS 
proposal'' in this document). The NSPS proposal is consistent with 
President Obama's Climate Action Plan and corresponding Methane 
Strategy. The June 2013 Climate Action Plan directed federal agencies 
to focus on ``assessing current emissions data, addressing data gaps, 
identifying technologies and best practices for reducing emissions, and 
identifying existing authorities and incentive-based opportunities to 
reduce methane emissions.'' Methane is a potent greenhouse gas (GHG) 
that has a warming potential that is 28-36 times greater than carbon 
dioxide (CO2) and has an atmospheric life of about 12 years. 
Given methane's potency as a GHG and its atmospheric life, reducing 
methane emissions is one of the best ways to achieve near-term 
beneficial impact in mitigating global climate change. The March 2014 
``Climate Action Plan: Strategy to Reduce Methane Emissions'' (the 
Methane Strategy) directed the EPA to continue to pursue emission 
reductions through regulatory updates and to encourage LFG energy 
recovery through voluntary programs.
    The proposed new subpart retained the same design capacity size 
thresholds of 2.5 million cubic meters (m\3\) and 2.5 million Mg as 40 
CFR part 60, subparts Cc and WWW, but lowered the NMOC emission rate at 
which an MSW landfill must install controls to 40 Mg/yr. Several 
additional options for revising the NMOC emission rate were also 
presented, including an NMOC emission rate of 34 Mg/yr. Since 
presenting these options, the EPA has updated its model that estimates 
the emission reductions and cost impacts of changes to the design 
capacity thresholds and/or the NMOC emission rate trigger based on 
public comments and new data. This supplemental proposal provides 
information about these updates for public review and comment.

B. Proposed NMOC Emission Rate Threshold

    For the reasons presented below, the EPA is now proposing to 
establish the NMOC emissions threshold for requiring installation of a 
GCCS in proposed subpart XXX (of 40 CFR part 60) at 34 Mg/yr, rather 
than the 40 Mg/yr proposed on July 17, 2014, and is requesting specific 
comments on whether this is appropriate. The EPA is not proposing to 
revise the design capacity threshold of 2.5 million m\3\ and 2.5 
million Mg.
    For the July 17, 2014, NSPS proposal, the EPA estimated the 
emission reductions and costs associated with 17 new ``greenfield'' MSW 
landfills that the EPA projected to commence construction, 
reconstruction, or modification between 2014 and 2018 and have a design 
capacity of 2.5 million m\3\ and 2.5 million Mg. The basis of the 
projected number of new landfills and associated emission reductions 
are presented in the MSW Landfills NSPS Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2003-
0215 (see the docketed memorandum ``Methodology for Estimating Cost and 
Emission Impacts of MSW Landfills Regulations. 2014''). Multiple 
commenters on the MSW Landfills NSPS proposal stated that the EPA 
underestimated the cost impacts of the proposed NSPS because the EPA 
failed to consider the number of MSW landfills that are expected to 
become subject to the proposed NSPS through modification.
    In response to these comments, the EPA consulted with its Regional 
Offices, as well as state and local authorities, to identify landfills 
expected to undergo a modification as defined in proposed 40 CFR part 
60, subpart XXX within the next 5 years. Based on this information, the 
EPA estimated the number of existing landfills likely to modify after 
July 17, 2014, and thereby become subject to proposed subpart XXX. In 
addition, the EPA made several changes to its underlying dataset and 
methodology used to analyze the impacts of potential control options, 
as discussed in the docketed memoranda, ``Updated Methodology for 
Estimating Cost and Emission Impacts of MSW Landfills Regulations. 
2015,'' and ``Updated Methodology for Estimating Testing and Monitoring 
Costs for the MSW Landfill Regulations. 2015.'' The EPA also updated 
the technical attributes of over 1,200 landfills based on new detailed 
data reported to 40 CFR part 98, subpart HH of the Greenhouse Gas 
Reporting Program (GHGRP). A detailed discussion of updates made to the 
landfill dataset is in the docketed

[[Page 52164]]

memorandum, ``Summary of Updated Landfill Dataset Used in the Cost and 
Emission Reduction Analysis of Landfills Regulations. 2015.''
    As a result of the changes to the dataset, the number and 
characteristics of new landfills that the EPA projected to commence 
construction, reconstruction, or modification between 2014 and 2018 and 
modified landfills that are expected to become subject to proposed 40 
CFR part 60, subpart XXX have changed.\1\ Based on the revised dataset, 
the number of landfills estimated to be affected by proposed subpart 
XXX went from 17 new landfills to 140 new or modified landfills, 
assuming a design capacity of 2.5 million m\3\ and 2.5 million Mg.
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    \1\ Under CAA section 111(a) and proposed 40 CFR part 60, 
subpart XXX the term new landfills encompasses both greenfield 
facilities and facilities that meet proposed subpart XXX's 
definition of ``modification''. Because the characteristics of a 
greenfield site and an existing landfill that undergoes modification 
are different, the dataset distinguishes between the two types of 
facilities.
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    Using the revised dataset, the EPA re-ran the model using control 
options similar to the options presented in the proposed NSPS. The 
EPA's analysis showed that lowering the NMOC emission rate threshold to 
34 Mg/yr NMOC would accelerate the schedule for installing a GCCS and 
also increase the number of landfills required to install controls, 
thereby achieving additional reductions in emissions of both NMOC and 
methane.
    On July 17, 2014, the EPA proposed an NMOC threshold of 40 Mg/yr 
and discussed an alternative NMOC emission threshold of 34 Mg/yr in the 
NSPS proposal and in an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) 
for the Emission Guidelines (for existing landfills). The EPA 
considered the information received in response to the ANPRM in 
evaluating whether additional changes beyond those in the proposed 
revisions for new sources are warranted (79 FR 41772). Commenters on 
the proposed NSPS for new landfills and the ANPRM for existing 
landfills expressed mixed reactions to a lower NMOC emission rate 
threshold. Several nongovernmental organizations and a local government 
entity supported a reduction in the NMOC emissions threshold. One state 
agency provided examples of existing landfills controlling emissions in 
its state with estimated NMOC emission rates as low as 8.1 Mg/yr.
    In contrast, several commenters were concerned with the financial 
and technical implications of lowering the threshold, including whether 
landfills were financially prepared to install controls at an earlier 
time, or whether landfills would lose potential carbon credit revenue 
from voluntary projects. Another state agency expressed concerns that 
landfills in arid areas would have difficulty continuously operating a 
flare at landfills with lower quality gas that emit between 40 and 50 
Mg/yr.
    Table 1 of this document shows the emission reductions and costs 
for control options, when using a 7 percent discount rate, in year 2025 
at new and modified landfills. At the baseline size and emissions 
thresholds (i.e., 50 Mg/yr NMOC), 112 of the 140 new or modified 
landfills are expected to control emissions in 2025. At an emission 
threshold of 40 Mg/yr NMOC and a design capacity threshold of 2.5 
million Mg and 2.5 million m\3\, as proposed in the NSPS proposal, the 
incremental number of new (or modified) landfills estimated to require 
a GCCS in 2025 went from three to 11, for a total of 123 landfills with 
controls. An emission threshold level of 34 Mg/yr NMOC, which was 
presented as an option for consideration in the NSPS proposal, results 
in an estimated 15 additional new or modified landfills requiring 
controls in year 2025, for a total of 127 landfills with controls.
    The incremental emission reductions for an NMOC emission rate of 40 
Mg/yr would be 300 Mg/yr NMOC and 44,400 Mg/yr methane (1.1 million 
metric tons of CO2 equivalent (mtCO2e)) beyond 
the baseline. The incremental emission reductions for an NMOC emission 
rate of 34 Mg/yr NMOC would be 300 Mg/yr NMOC and 51,400 Mg/yr methane 
(1.3 million mtCO2e) beyond the baseline. These incremental 
emission reductions represent a 2.4- and 2.8-percent reduction in 
emissions beyond the baseline. The cost effectiveness between an NMOC 
emission rate of 34 Mg/yr and 40 Mg/yr is comparable, but by lowering 
the NMOC emissions threshold to 34 Mg/yr, this action achieves 
additional reductions of 50 Mg/yr NMOC \2\ and 7,000 Mg/yr methane 
(175,000 mt/yr CO2e) in 2025. These pollutants are 
associated with substantial health effects, climate effects, and other 
welfare effects.
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    \2\ The unrounded annual NMOC reductions in Table 1 of this 
preamble are 330 Mg/yr NMOC for option 2.5 million Mg design 
capacity threshold and 40 Mg/yr NMOC threshold; and 280 Mg/yr NMOC 
for option 2.5 million Mg design capacity/34 Mg/yr NMOC threshold. 
Thus, the difference between the NMOC reductions for these two 
options is 50 Mg/yr NMOC.

                                          Table 1--Emission Reductions and Costs for Control Options in Year 2025 at New and Modified Landfills (2012$)
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                                                                                    Number of
                                                           Number of   Number of    landfills   Annual Net    Annual      Annual     Annual CO2e     NMOC cost     Methane cost      CO2e cost
                         Option                            landfills   landfills    reporting      Cost        NMOC       methane    reductions    effectiveness   effectiveness   effectiveness
                                                           affected   controlling    but not     (million   Reductions  reductions  (million mt/      ($/Mg)          ($/Mg)          ($/mt)
                                                                        in 2025    controlling  $2012) \a\    (Mg/yr)     (Mg/yr)        yr)
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Baseline:
    Baseline (2.5 design capacity/50 Mg/yr NMOC)........         140          112           28        61.4      11,640   1,834,000          45.9           5,270              33             1.3
Incremental values vs. the Baseline:
    Option (2.5 design capacity/40 Mg/yr NMOC)..........           0           11          -11         7.4         300      44,400           1.1          26,100             166             6.6
    Option (2.5 design capacity/34 Mg/yr NMOC)..........           0           15          -15         8.5         300      51,400           1.3          26,100             166             6.6
    Option (2.0 design capacity/34 Mg/yr NMOC)..........           7           19          -12        10.2         400      62,500           1.6          25,600             163             6.5
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\a\ Based on the current reported design capacity of landfills, independent of time horizon used in analysis shown in the four cost-effectiveness summary tables. For some modified landfills,
  landfills may report in early years under the Emission Guidelines and then also report under the NSPS after modification commenced (or year 2016, whatever is later).

    The only categories of benefits monetized for this supplemental 
proposal are methane-related climate impacts and minor secondary 
CO2-related climate effects. In particular, we estimated the 
global social benefits of methane emissions using estimates of the 
social cost of methane (SC-CH4), a metric that estimates the 
monetary value of impacts associated with marginal changes in methane 
emissions in a given year.
    A similar metric, the social cost of CO2 (SC-
CO2), estimates the monetary value of impacts associated 
with

[[Page 52165]]

marginal changes in CO2 emissions in a given year.\3\ The 
SC-CO2 estimates were developed over many years by an 
interagency working group, using the best science available, and with 
input from the public.
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    \3\ The SC-CO2 Technical Support Document presents 
the SC-CO2 estimates as well as a detailed discussion of 
the underlying methodology. Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2013-0495, 
Technical Support Document: Technical Update of the Social Cost of 
Carbon for Regulatory Impact Analysis Under Executive Order 12866, 
Interagency Working Group on Social Cost of Carbon, with 
participation by Council of Economic Advisers, Council on 
Environmental Quality, Department of Agriculture, Department of 
Commerce, Department of Energy, Department of Transportation, 
Environmental Protection Agency, National Economic Council, Office 
of Energy and Climate Change, Office of Management and Budget, 
Office of Science and Technology Policy, and Department of Treasury 
(May 2013, Revised November 2013). Available at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/omb/assets/inforeg/technical-update-social-cost-of-carbon-for-regulator-impact-analysis.pdf.
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    The SC-CH4 estimates used in this analysis were 
developed by Marten et al. (2014) and are discussed in greater detail 
in section 4.2 of the Regulatory Impacts Analysis (RIA), which is in 
the MSW Landfills NSPS docket EPA-HQ-OAR-2003-0215. The four SC-
CH4 estimates are: $700, $1,500, $1,900, and $4,000 per 
metric ton of methane emissions in the year 2025 (2012$). The first 
three values are based on the average SC-CH4 from the three 
integrated assessment models, at discount rates of 5, 3, and 2.5 
percent, respectively. Estimates of the SC-CH4 for several 
discount rates are included because the literature shows that the SC-
CH4 is sensitive to assumptions about the discount rate, and 
because no consensus exists on the appropriate rate to use in an 
intergenerational context (where costs and benefits are incurred by 
different generations). The fourth value is the 95th percentile of the 
SC-CH4 across all three models at a 3 percent discount rate. 
It is included to represent higher-than-expected impacts from 
temperature change further out in the tails of the SC-CH4 
distribution.
    The methodology used to calculate methane climate benefits is 
discussed in detail in Section 4.2 of the RIA. Applying the approach 
discussed in the RIA to the methane reductions estimated for this 
supplemental proposal, the 2025 methane benefits of this supplemental 
proposal vary by discount rate and range from $36 million (2012$) to 
$210 million (2012$); the mean SC-CH4 at the 3 percent 
discount rate results in an estimate of $78 million (2012$) in 2025 for 
the proposed 34 Mg/yr emission threshold (see Table 2 of this 
preamble). Monetizing the minor secondary CO2 emissions 
impacts with the SC-CO2 estimates, also described in Section 
4.2 of the RIA, yields disbenefits of $0.03 million (2012$) in 2025.

                                            Table 2--Estimated Global Benefits of CH4 Reductions in 2025 \a\
                                                                  [In millions, 2012$]
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                                                                                                          Discount rate and statistic
                                                                           CO2e      -------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Methane reductions  (million mt)                      Reductions                                                          3%  (95th
                                                                       (million mt)    5%  (average)    3%  (average)   2.5%  (average)    percentile)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0.051..............................................................             1.3              $36              $78             $100             $210
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\a\ The SC-CH4 values are dollar-year and emissions-year specific. SC-CH4 values represent only a partial accounting of climate impacts. See Section 4.2
  of the RIA for a complete discussion about the methodology.

    Consistent with the Methane Strategy that was developed as part of 
the President's Climate Action Plan, the EPA considered control options 
to achieve additional reductions of methane and NMOC for new landfills. 
The Climate Action Plan directed the EPA and five other federal 
agencies to develop a comprehensive interagency strategy to reduce 
methane emissions. Specifically, the federal agencies were instructed 
to focus on ``assessing current emissions data, addressing data gaps, 
identifying technologies and best practices for reducing emissions and 
identifying existing authorities and incentive-based opportunities to 
reduce methane emissions.'' With respect to landfills, the Methane 
Strategy directs the agency to build upon progress to date through 
updates to the EPA's rules for reducing emissions from new, modified, 
and reconstructed landfills. Based on the Climate Action Plan and 
Methane Strategy, the revised analysis described above, and 
consideration of comments received on the proposed NSPS and ANPRM, the 
EPA is proposing to lower the NMOC emission rate threshold to 34 Mg/yr 
for new (new, modified, and reconstructed) sources subject to proposed 
40 CFR part 60, subpart XXX. The EPA is not proposing changes to the 
design capacity thresholds.
    The EPA believes a level of 34 Mg/yr NMOC is achievable for new and 
modified landfills. Greenfield and modified landfill owners or 
operators are expected to employ the latest technology and practices to 
minimize emissions and will have the time to consider the latest 
technology and practices as they plan the construction of a new 
landfill or construction of a new cell of a modified landfill. Because 
the emission threshold level of 34 Mg/yr is more stringent than the 
level the EPA proposed on July 17, 2014, and the impacts associated 
with this proposed level of control have a different basis than those 
outlined in the original proposal, the EPA is soliciting comments on 
the revised analysis of the proposed NSPS in this supplemental 
proposal. The EPA is also soliciting comments and data that would help 
identify landfills that are expected to modify, as defined in the 
proposed NSPS, during the next 5 years (2014-2018). Comments on an NMOC 
emission threshold of 34 Mg/yr and comments or data on landfills 
modifying in the next 5 years should be submitted to Docket ID No. EPA-
HQ-OAR-2003-0215. The EPA is not otherwise reopening proposed 40 CFR 
part 60, subpart XXX for additional comment.

C. Public hearing

    Please contact Ms. Aimee St. Clair at (919) 541-1063 or at 
[email protected] to register to speak at the hearing. The last day 
to pre-register to speak at the hearing will be September 8, 2015. 
Requests to speak will be taken the day of the hearing at the hearing 
registration desk, although preferences on speaking times may not be 
able to be fulfilled. If you require the service of a translator or 
special accommodations such as audio description, please let us know at 
the time of registration.
    If a hearing is held, it will provide interested parties the 
opportunity to present data, views or arguments concerning the proposed 
action. The

[[Page 52166]]

EPA will make every effort to accommodate all speakers who arrive and 
register. Because this hearing, if held, will be at a U.S. government 
facility, individuals planning to attend the hearing should be prepared 
to show valid picture identification to the security staff in order to 
gain access to the meeting room. Please note that the REAL ID Act, 
passed by Congress in 2005, established new requirements for entering 
federal facilities. If your driver's license is issued by Alaska, 
American Samoa, Arizona, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, 
Minnesota, Montana, New York, Oklahoma, or the state of Washington, you 
must present an additional form of identification to enter the federal 
building. Acceptable alternative forms of identification include: 
Federal employee badges, passports, enhanced driver's licenses and 
military identification cards. In addition, you will need to obtain a 
property pass for any personal belongings you bring with you. Upon 
leaving the building, you will be required to return this property pass 
to the security desk. No large signs will be allowed in the building, 
cameras may only be used outside of the building and demonstrations 
will not be allowed on federal property for security reasons.
    The EPA may ask clarifying questions during the oral presentations, 
but will not respond to the presentations at that time. Written 
statements and supporting information submitted during the comment 
period will be considered with the same weight as oral comments and 
supporting information presented at the public hearing. Commenters 
should notify Ms. St. Clair if they will need specific equipment, or if 
there are other special needs related to providing comments at the 
hearing. Verbatim transcripts of the hearing and written statements 
will be included in the docket for the rulemaking. The EPA will make 
every effort to follow the schedule as closely as possible on the day 
of the hearing; however, please plan for the hearing to run either 
ahead of schedule or behind schedule. A public hearing will not be held 
unless requested. Please contact Ms. Aimee St. Clair at (919) 541-1063 
or at [email protected] to request or register to speak at the 
hearing or to inquire as to whether a hearing will be held.

II. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

    Additional information about these statues and Executive Orders can 
be found at http://www2.epa.gov/laws-regulations/laws-and-executive-orders.

A. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory Planning and Review and Executive 
Order 13563: Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review

    This action supplements a prior proposed action that was determined 
to be an economically significant regulatory action that was submitted 
to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review. Any changes 
made in response to OMB recommendations have been documented in the 
docket. The EPA prepared an analysis of the potential costs and 
benefits associated with this action. This analysis, ``Regulatory 
Impact Analysis for the Proposed Revisions to the Emission Guidelines 
for Existing Sources and Supplemental Proposed New Source Performance 
Standards in the Municipal Solid Waste Landfills Sector'' is available 
in the docket.

B. Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA)

    The information collection requirements in this supplemental 
proposal have been submitted for approval to OMB under the PRA. The 
Information Collection Request (ICR) document that the EPA prepared for 
this supplemental proposal has been assigned EPA ICR number 2498.02. 
You can find a copy of the ICR in the docket for this rule, and it is 
briefly summarized here.
    The information required to be collected is necessary to identify 
the regulated entities subject to the proposed NSPS and to ensure their 
compliance with the proposed NSPS and this supplemental proposal. The 
recordkeeping and reporting requirements are mandatory and are being 
established under authority of CAA section 114 (42 U.S.C. 7414). All 
information other than emissions data submitted as part of a report to 
the agency for which a claim of confidentiality is made will be 
safeguarded according to CAA section 114(c) and the EPA's implementing 
regulations at 40 CFR part 2, subpart B.
    The information collection requirements in the proposed NSPS (79 FR 
41828, July 17, 2014) were submitted for approval to OMB under the PRA. 
The ICR document that the EPA prepared was assigned EPA ICR number 
2498.01. Since the NSPS review was proposed on July 17, 2014, the EPA 
updated the number of existing landfills likely to modify after July 
17, 2014, and, thus, become subject to proposed 40 CFR part 60, subpart 
XXX, as discussed in this preamble. The supplemental proposal to lower 
the emission threshold for new and modified sources affects the burden 
estimates the EPA presented in EPA ICR number 2498.01. As a result, the 
EPA updated the EPA ICR number 2498.01 and re-submitted it to OMB for 
approval as EPA ICR 2498.02 to reflect the estimated number of 
respondents and a lower NMOC emission rate. A copy of the ICR is in 
Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2003-0215, and it is briefly summarized here.
    Respondents/affected entities: MSW landfills that commence 
construction, reconstruction, or modification after July 17, 2014.
    Respondent's obligation to respond: Mandatory (40 CFR part 60, 
subpart XXX).
    Estimated number of respondents: 144 MSW landfills that commence 
construction, reconstruction, or modification after July 17, 2014.
    Frequency of response: Initially, occasionally, and annually.
    Total estimated burden: 101,031 Hours (per year) for the responding 
facilities and 2,790 hours (per year) for the agency. These are 
estimates for the average annual burden for the first 3 years after the 
rule is final. Burden is defined at 5 CFR 1320.3(b).
    Total estimated cost: $6,724,350 (per year), which includes 
annualized capital or operation and maintenance costs, for the 
responding facilities and $177,680 (per year) for the agency. These are 
estimates for the average annual cost for the first 3 years after the 
rule is final.
    An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required 
to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a 
currently valid OMB control number. The OMB control numbers for the 
EPA's regulations in 40 CFR are listed in 40 CFR part 9.
    Submit your comments on the agency's need for this information, the 
accuracy of the provided burden estimates and any suggested methods for 
minimizing respondent burden to the EPA using the docket identified at 
the beginning of this rule. You may also send your ICR-related comments 
to OMB's Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs via email to 
[email protected], Attention: Desk Officer for the EPA. 
Since OMB is required to make a decision concerning the ICR between 30 
and 60 days after receipt, OMB must receive comments no later than 
September 28, 2015. The EPA will respond to any ICR-related comments in 
the final rules.

C. Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)

    I certify that this action will not have a significant economic 
impact on a substantial number of small entities under the RFA. The 
small entities subject to the requirements of the

[[Page 52167]]

supplemental proposal may include private small businesses and small 
governmental jurisdictions that own or operate landfills. Although it 
is unknown how many new landfills will be owned or operated by small 
entities, recent trends in the waste industry have been towards 
consolidated ownership among larger companies. The EPA has determined 
that approximately 10 percent of the existing landfills subject to 
similar regulations (40 CFR part 60, subparts WWW and Cc or the 
corresponding state or federal plan) are small entities. It was 
determined that the July 2014 proposed NSPS subpart would not have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. 
Given the changes in the number of landfills anticipated to become 
subject to the new proposed NSPS, the potential impact on small 
entities has been reanalyzed. The EPA has determined that, with a size 
threshold of 2.5 million Mg and 2.5 million m\3\ and an NMOC emission 
rate threshold of 34 Mg/yr, approximately two small entities may 
experience an impact of greater than 1 percent of revenues. Details of 
the analysis are presented in ``Regulatory Impact Analysis for the 
Proposed Revisions to the Emission Guidelines for Existing Sources and 
Supplemental Proposed New Source Performance Standards in the Municipal 
Solid Waste Landfills Sector,'' located in Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-
2003-0215.
    Although not required by the RFA to convene a Small Business 
Advocacy Review (SBAR) Panel because the EPA has now determined that 
the proposed NSPS would not have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities, the EPA originally convened a 
panel to obtain advice and recommendations from small entity 
representatives potentially subject to this rule's requirements. A copy 
of the Summary of Small Entity Outreach is included in Docket ID No. 
EPA-HQ-OAR-2003-0215.

D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA)

    This action does not contain any unfunded mandate of $100 million 
or more as described in UMRA, 2 U.S.C. 1531-1538. This supplemental 
NSPS proposal applies to landfills that commenced construction, 
reconstruction, or modification after July 17, 2014. Impacts resulting 
from the proposed NSPS are far below the applicable threshold. Thus, 
the proposed NSPS is not subject to the requirements of sections 202 or 
205 of the UMRA. However, in developing the proposed NSPS, the EPA 
consulted with small governments pursuant to a plan established under 
section 203 of the UMRA to address impacts of regulatory requirements 
in the rule that might significantly or uniquely affect small 
governments. The EPA held meetings as discussed in section II.E of this 
preamble under Federalism consultations.

E. Executive Order 13132: Federalism

    The EPA has concluded that the supplemental proposal for the NSPS 
does not have Federalism implications. The proposed NSPS will not have 
substantial direct effects on the states, on the relationship between 
the national government and the states, or on the distribution of power 
and responsibilities among the various levels of government, as 
specified in Executive Order 13132. The supplemental proposal will not 
have impacts of $25 million or more in any one year. Thus, Executive 
Order 13132 does not apply to the supplemental proposal.
    Although section 6 of Executive Order 13132 does not apply to the 
supplemental NSPS proposal, the EPA consulted with state and local 
officials and representatives of state and local governments early in 
the process of developing the proposed rules for MSW landfills (both 
the NSPS and Emission Guidelines) to permit them to have meaningful and 
timely input into its development.
    The EPA conducted a Federalism Consultation Outreach Meeting on 
September 10, 2013. Due to interest in that meeting, additional 
outreach meetings were held on November 7, 2013, and November 14, 2013. 
Participants included the National Governors' Association, the National 
Conference of State Legislatures, the Council of State Governments, the 
National League of Cities, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the National 
Association of Counties, the International City/County Management 
Association, the National Association of Towns and Townships, the 
County Executives of America, the Environmental Council of States, 
National Association of Clean Air Agencies, Association of State and 
Territorial Solid Waste Management Officials, environmental agency 
representatives from 43 states, and approximately 60 representatives 
from city and county governments. The comment period for the outreach 
meetings related to the NSPS proposal was extended to allow sufficient 
time for interested parties to review briefing materials and provide 
comments. Concerns raised during the consultations include: 
implementation concerns associated with shortening of gas collection 
system installation and/or expansion timeframes, concerns regarding 
significant lowering of the design capacity or emission thresholds, the 
need for clarifications associated with wellhead operating parameters 
and the need for consistent, clear and rigorous surface monitoring 
requirements.

F. Executive Order 13175: Consultation and Coordination With Indian 
Tribal Governments

    The supplemental proposal does not have tribal implications, as 
specified in Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, November 9, 2000). 
Based on methodology used to predict future landfills as outlined in 
the docketed memorandum ``Summary of Landfill Dataset Used in the Cost 
and Emission Reduction Analysis of Landfills Regulations. 2014,'' 
future tribal landfills are not anticipated to be large enough to 
become subject to the proposed NSPS or this supplemental proposal. 
Thus, Executive Order 13175 does not apply to this action. The EPA 
specifically solicits comment on this action from tribal officials.

G. Executive Order 13045: Protection of Children From Environmental 
Health Risks and Safety Risks

    The EPA interprets Executive Order 13045 as applying only to those 
regulatory actions that concern environmental health or safety risks 
that the EPA has reason to believe may disproportionately affect 
children, per the definition of ``covered regulatory action'' in 
section 2-202 of the Executive Order. The supplemental NSPS proposal is 
not subject to Executive Order 13045 because it does not concern an 
environmental health risk or safety risk. We also note that the methane 
and NMOC reductions expected from the proposed NSPS will have positive 
health effects, including for children.

H. Executive Order 13211: Actions That Significantly Affect Energy 
Supply, Distribution, or Use

    This action is not a ``significant energy action'' because it is 
not likely to have a significant adverse effect on the supply, 
distribution, or use of energy. Further, we have concluded that the 
proposed NSPS and supplemental NSPS proposal are not likely to have any 
adverse energy effects because the energy demanded to operate these 
control systems will be offset by additional energy supply from LFG 
energy projects.

[[Page 52168]]

I. National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act

    This supplemental NSPS proposal does not involve technical 
standards, however, the NSPS proposed on July 17, 2014 involves 
technical standards. For the proposed NSPS, the EPA has proposed to use 
EPA Methods 2E, 3, 3A, 3C, 21, 25, and 25C of 40 CFR part 60, appendix 
A. While the EPA identified nine voluntary consensus standards (VCS) as 
being potentially applicable (ANSI/ASME PTC 19-10-1981 Part 10, ASTM 
D3154-00 (2006), ASME B133.9-1994 (2001), ISO 10396:1993 (2007), ISO 
12039:2001, ASTM D5835-95 (2007), ASTM D6522-00 (2005), CAN/CSA Z223.2-
M86 (1999), ISO 14965:2000(E)), the agency decided not to use these 
methods. The EPA determined that the nine candidate VCS identified for 
measuring emissions of pollutants or their surrogates subject to 
emission standards in the rule would not be practical due to lack of 
equivalency, documentation, validation data, and other important 
technical and policy considerations. The EPA's review, including review 
comments for these nine methods, is documented in the memorandum, 
``Voluntary Consensus Standard Results for Standards of Performance for 
Municipal Solid Waste Landfills 40 CFR part 60, subpart XXX'' in the 
Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2003-0215.

J. Executive Order 12898: Federal Actions to Address Environmental 
Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations

    The EPA believes the human health or environmental risk addressed 
by the proposed NSPS and this supplemental proposal will not have 
potential disproportionately high and adverse human health or 
environmental effects on minority, low-income, or indigenous 
populations because the proposed NSPS and this supplemental proposal 
would reduce emissions of LFG, which contains both NMOC and methane. 
These avoided emissions will improve air quality and reduce public 
health and welfare effects associated with exposure to LFG emissions. 
Regarding the NSPS proposal and this supplemental proposal, the EPA has 
concluded that it is not practicable to determine whether there would 
be disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental 
effects on minority, low income, or indigenous populations from the 
proposed NSPS and supplemental proposal because it is unknown where new 
or modified facilities will be located. The demographic analysis 
results and the details concerning their development are presented in 
the April 22, 2014 document titled, ``2014 Environmental Justice 
Screening Report for Municipal Solid Waste Landfills,'' a copy of which 
is available in the docket (Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2003-0215).

    Dated: August 14, 2015.
Gina McCarthy,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2015-20897 Filed 8-26-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6560-50-P



                                                     52162                 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 166 / Thursday, August 27, 2015 / Proposed Rules

                                                        Sufficient extraction rate means a rate              34 Mg/yr, the proposed NMOC                           public docket. Do not submit
                                                     sufficient to maintain a negative                       emissions threshold at which controls                 electronically any information you
                                                     pressure at all wellheads in the                        would be required. This change to the                 consider to be Confidential Business
                                                     collection system without causing air                   2014 proposed threshold is based on                   Information (CBI) or other information
                                                     infiltration, including any wellheads                   additional data we have reviewed that                 whose disclosure is restricted by statute.
                                                     connected to the system as a result of                  indicate greater potential for reductions             Multimedia submissions (audio, video,
                                                     expansion or excess surface emissions,                  in methane emissions from these                       etc.) must be accompanied by a written
                                                     for the life of the blower.                             sources than we originally estimated                  comment. The written comment is
                                                        Treated landfill gas means landfill gas              that can be achieved at reasonable cost.              considered the official comment and
                                                     processed in a treatment system as                      Accordingly, the EPA is proposing to                  should include discussion of all points
                                                     defined in this subpart.                                establish the NMOC emission rate                      you wish to make. The EPA will
                                                        Treatment system means a system that                 threshold for installing a GCCS at 34                 generally not consider comments or
                                                     filters, de-waters, and compresses                      Mg/yr and is requesting comment                       comment contents located outside of the
                                                     landfill gas for sale or beneficial use.                specifically on whether this is                       primary submission (i.e., on the web,
                                                        Untreated landfill gas means any                     appropriate. The EPA is also soliciting               cloud, or other file sharing system). For
                                                     landfill gas that is not treated landfill               comment on the number of facilities                   additional submission methods, the full
                                                     gas.                                                    that might ultimately become subject to               EPA public comment policy,
                                                     [FR Doc. 2015–20899 Filed 8–26–15; 8:45 am]             proposed new subpart XXX. The EPA                     information about CBI or multimedia
                                                     BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
                                                                                                             intends to consider the information                   submissions, and general guidance on
                                                                                                             received in response to this                          making effective comments, please visit
                                                                                                             supplemental proposal prior to                        http://www2.epa.gov/dockets/
                                                     ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION                                finalizing revised Standards of                       commenting-epa-dockets.
                                                     AGENCY                                                  Performance for MSW Landfills. The                       Public Hearing. If a public hearing is
                                                                                                             EPA is seeking comment only on the                    held, it will be at the U.S.
                                                     40 CFR Part 60                                          two issues addressed by this                          Environmental Protection Agency
                                                                                                             supplemental proposal and the                         building located at 109 T.W. Alexander
                                                     [EPA–HQ–OAR–2003–0215; FRL–9928–96–
                                                     OAR]                                                    supplemental proposal does not                        Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC
                                                                                                             otherwise reopen the comment period                   27711. Information regarding whether or
                                                     RIN 2060–AM08                                           for the July 17, 2014, proposed rule.                 not a hearing will be held will be posted
                                                                                                             DATES: Comments. Comments must be                     on the rule’s Web site located at http://
                                                     Standards of Performance for                                                                                  www.epa.gov/ttnatw01/landfill/
                                                                                                             received on or before October 26, 2015.
                                                     Municipal Solid Waste Landfills                                                                               landflpg.htm.
                                                                                                             Under the Paperwork Reduction Act
                                                     AGENCY:  Environmental Protection                       (PRA), comments on the information                       Please see section I.C of the
                                                     Agency (EPA).                                           collection provisions are best assured of             Supplementary Information for detailed
                                                                                                             consideration if the Office of                        information on the public hearing.
                                                     ACTION: Supplemental proposal.
                                                                                                             Management and Budget (OMB)                              Docket: All documents in the docket
                                                     SUMMARY:   The Environmental Protection                 receives a copy of your comments on or                are listed in the http://
                                                     Agency (EPA) is issuing this                            before September 28, 2015.                            www.regulations.gov index. Although
                                                     supplemental proposal for the                              Public Hearing. If anyone contacts the             listed in the index, some information is
                                                     Standards of Performance for Municipal                  EPA requesting a public hearing by                    not publicly available, e.g., CBI or other
                                                     Solid Waste (MSW) Landfills to address                  September 1, 2015, the EPA will hold a                information whose disclosure is
                                                     the nonmethane organic compound                         public hearing on September 11, 2015                  restricted by statute. Certain other
                                                     (NMOC) emission rate threshold at                       from 1:00 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time)                material, such as copyrighted material,
                                                     which an affected MSW landfill must                     to 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time) at               will be publicly available only in hard
                                                     install controls. The EPA is in the                     the location in the ADDRESSES section. If             copy. Publicly available docket
                                                     process of reviewing the Standards of                   no one contacts the EPA requesting a                  materials are available either
                                                     Performance for MSW Landfills based                     public hearing to be held concerning                  electronically in http://
                                                     on changes in the landfills industry                    this proposed rule by September 1,                    www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at
                                                     since the standards were promulgated in                 2015, a public hearing will not take                  the EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC), EPA
                                                     1996 and issued a proposed rulemaking                   place. Information regarding whether or               WJC West Building, Room 3334, 1301
                                                     on July 17, 2014. The EPA’s review of                   not a hearing will be held will be posted             Constitution Ave. NW., Washington,
                                                     the Standards of Performance for MSW                    on the rule’s Web site located at                     DC. The Docket Center is open from
                                                     Landfills (also referred to as the New                  http://www.epa.gov/ttnatw01/landfill/                 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through
                                                     Source Performance Standards or NSPS                    landflpg.htm. Please contact Ms. Aimee                Friday, excluding legal holidays. The
                                                     for MSW Landfills) applies to landfills                 St. Clair at (919) 541–1063 or at                     telephone number for the Public
                                                     that commenced construction,                            stclair.aimee@epa.gov to register to                  Reading Room is (202) 566–1744, and
                                                     reconstruction, or modification after                   speak at the hearing. The last day to pre-            the telephone number for the Air Docket
                                                     July 17, 2014.                                          register to speak at the hearing will be              is (202) 566–1742.
                                                       This document proposes to achieve                     September 8, 2015.                                    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2




                                                     additional reductions of landfill gas                   ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,                      information concerning this
                                                     (LFG) and its components, including                     identified by Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–                   supplemental proposal, contact Ms.
                                                     methane, through a lower emission                       OAR–2003–0215, to the Federal                         Hillary Ward, Fuels and Incineration
                                                     threshold at which MSW landfills must                   eRulemaking Portal: http://                           Group, Sector Policies and Programs
                                                     install and operate a gas collection and                www.regulations.gov. Follow the online                Division, Office of Air Quality Planning
                                                     control system (GCCS). This document                    instructions for submitting comments.                 and Standards (E143–05),
                                                     supplements the proposed July 17,                       Once submitted, comments cannot be                    Environmental Protection Agency,
                                                     2014, rulemaking by further lowering,                   edited or withdrawn. The EPA may                      Research Triangle Park, NC 27711;
                                                     from 40 megagrams per year (Mg/yr) to                   publish any comment received to its                   telephone number: (919) 541–3154; fax


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                                                                           Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 166 / Thursday, August 27, 2015 / Proposed Rules                                          52163

                                                     number: (919) 541–0246; email address:                  Landfills resulting from the EPA’s                    B. Proposed NMOC Emission Rate
                                                     ward.hillary@epa.gov.                                   ongoing review of the standards under                 Threshold
                                                     SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                              Clean Air Act (CAA) section 111. The                     For the reasons presented below, the
                                                       Acronyms and Abbreviations. The                       EPA is also soliciting comments on the                EPA is now proposing to establish the
                                                     following acronyms and abbreviations                    number of facilities that might                       NMOC emissions threshold for
                                                     are used in this document.                              ultimately become subject to proposed                 requiring installation of a GCCS in
                                                     CAA Clean Air Act                                       new 40 CFR part 60, subpart XXX.                      proposed subpart XXX (of 40 CFR part
                                                     CBI Confidential business information                                                                         60) at 34 Mg/yr, rather than the 40 Mg/
                                                     CFR Code of Federal Regulations                         A. Background
                                                                                                                                                                   yr proposed on July 17, 2014, and is
                                                     CO2 Carbon dioxide                                                                                            requesting specific comments on
                                                     CO2e Carbon dioxide equivalent                             On July 17, 2014, the EPA proposed
                                                     EPA Environmental Protection Agency                     a new NSPS subpart (40 CFR part 60,                   whether this is appropriate. The EPA is
                                                     GCCS Gas collection and control system                  subpart XXX) based on its ongoing                     not proposing to revise the design
                                                     GHG Greenhouse gas                                      review of the MSW Landfills NSPS (40                  capacity threshold of 2.5 million m3 and
                                                     GHGRP Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program                  CFR part 60, subpart WWW) (79 FR                      2.5 million Mg.
                                                     ICR Information collection request                                                                               For the July 17, 2014, NSPS proposal,
                                                                                                             41796) (referred to as ‘‘NSPS proposal’’
                                                     LFG Landfill gas                                                                                              the EPA estimated the emission
                                                     m3 Cubic meters                                         in this document). The NSPS proposal
                                                                                                                                                                   reductions and costs associated with 17
                                                     Mg Megagram                                             is consistent with President Obama’s                  new ‘‘greenfield’’ MSW landfills that the
                                                     Mg/yr Megagram per year                                 Climate Action Plan and corresponding                 EPA projected to commence
                                                     MSW Municipal solid waste                               Methane Strategy. The June 2013                       construction, reconstruction, or
                                                     mtCO2e Metric tons of carbon dioxide                    Climate Action Plan directed federal
                                                       equivalent
                                                                                                                                                                   modification between 2014 and 2018
                                                                                                             agencies to focus on ‘‘assessing current              and have a design capacity of 2.5
                                                     NMOC Nonmethane organic compound
                                                     NSPS New source performance standards
                                                                                                             emissions data, addressing data gaps,                 million m3 and 2.5 million Mg. The
                                                     OAQPS Office of Air Quality Planning and                identifying technologies and best                     basis of the projected number of new
                                                       Standards                                             practices for reducing emissions, and                 landfills and associated emission
                                                     OMB Office of Management & Budget                       identifying existing authorities and                  reductions are presented in the MSW
                                                     RFA Regulatory Flexibility Act                          incentive-based opportunities to reduce               Landfills NSPS Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–
                                                     RIA Regulatory impacts analysis                         methane emissions.’’ Methane is a                     OAR–2003–0215 (see the docketed
                                                     U.S. United States                                                                                            memorandum ‘‘Methodology for
                                                                                                             potent greenhouse gas (GHG) that has a
                                                     VCS Voluntary consensus standard
                                                                                                             warming potential that is 28–36 times                 Estimating Cost and Emission Impacts
                                                       Organization of This Document. The                    greater than carbon dioxide (CO2) and                 of MSW Landfills Regulations. 2014’’).
                                                     following outline is provided to aid in                 has an atmospheric life of about 12                   Multiple commenters on the MSW
                                                     locating information in this preamble.                  years. Given methane’s potency as a                   Landfills NSPS proposal stated that the
                                                     I. Background and Purpose of This                       GHG and its atmospheric life, reducing                EPA underestimated the cost impacts of
                                                           Regulatory Action                                 methane emissions is one of the best                  the proposed NSPS because the EPA
                                                        A. Background                                        ways to achieve near-term beneficial                  failed to consider the number of MSW
                                                        B. Proposed NMOC Emission Rate                                                                             landfills that are expected to become
                                                           Threshold                                         impact in mitigating global climate
                                                                                                             change. The March 2014 ‘‘Climate                      subject to the proposed NSPS through
                                                        C. Public hearing                                                                                          modification.
                                                     II. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews               Action Plan: Strategy to Reduce
                                                                                                                                                                      In response to these comments, the
                                                        A. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory                 Methane Emissions’’ (the Methane
                                                           Planning and Review and Executive                                                                       EPA consulted with its Regional Offices,
                                                                                                             Strategy) directed the EPA to continue
                                                           Order 13563: Improving Regulation and                                                                   as well as state and local authorities, to
                                                                                                             to pursue emission reductions through                 identify landfills expected to undergo a
                                                           Regulatory Review
                                                                                                             regulatory updates and to encourage                   modification as defined in proposed 40
                                                        B. Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA)
                                                        C. Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)                  LFG energy recovery through voluntary                 CFR part 60, subpart XXX within the
                                                        D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act                      programs.                                             next 5 years. Based on this information,
                                                           (UMRA)                                               The proposed new subpart retained                  the EPA estimated the number of
                                                        E. Executive Order 13132: Federalism                 the same design capacity size thresholds              existing landfills likely to modify after
                                                        F. Executive Order 13175: Consultation
                                                                                                             of 2.5 million cubic meters (m3) and 2.5              July 17, 2014, and thereby become
                                                           and Coordination with Indian Tribal
                                                           Governments                                       million Mg as 40 CFR part 60, subparts                subject to proposed subpart XXX. In
                                                        G. Executive Order 13045: Protection of              Cc and WWW, but lowered the NMOC                      addition, the EPA made several changes
                                                           Children from Environmental Health                emission rate at which an MSW landfill                to its underlying dataset and
                                                           Risks and Safety Risks                            must install controls to 40 Mg/yr.                    methodology used to analyze the
                                                        H. Executive Order 13211: Actions that               Several additional options for revising               impacts of potential control options, as
                                                           Significantly Affect Energy Supply,                                                                     discussed in the docketed memoranda,
                                                           Distribution, or Use
                                                                                                             the NMOC emission rate were also
                                                                                                             presented, including an NMOC                          ‘‘Updated Methodology for Estimating
                                                        I. National Technology Transfer and                                                                        Cost and Emission Impacts of MSW
                                                           Advancement Act                                   emission rate of 34 Mg/yr. Since
                                                                                                                                                                   Landfills Regulations. 2015,’’ and
                                                        J. Executive Order 12898: Federal Actions            presenting these options, the EPA has
                                                           to Address Environmental Justice in                                                                     ‘‘Updated Methodology for Estimating
                                                                                                             updated its model that estimates the
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2




                                                           Minority Populations and Low-Income                                                                     Testing and Monitoring Costs for the
                                                                                                             emission reductions and cost impacts of
                                                           Populations                                                                                             MSW Landfill Regulations. 2015.’’ The
                                                                                                             changes to the design capacity                        EPA also updated the technical
                                                     I. Background and Purpose of This                       thresholds and/or the NMOC emission                   attributes of over 1,200 landfills based
                                                     Regulatory Action                                       rate trigger based on public comments                 on new detailed data reported to 40 CFR
                                                        The purpose of this regulatory action                and new data. This supplemental                       part 98, subpart HH of the Greenhouse
                                                     is to propose and take comment on a                     proposal provides information about                   Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP). A
                                                     supplemental change to the proposed                     these updates for public review and                   detailed discussion of updates made to
                                                     Standards of Performance for MSW                        comment.                                              the landfill dataset is in the docketed


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                                                     52164                              Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 166 / Thursday, August 27, 2015 / Proposed Rules

                                                     memorandum, ‘‘Summary of Updated                                                 response to the ANPRM in evaluating                                design capacity threshold of 2.5 million
                                                     Landfill Dataset Used in the Cost and                                            whether additional changes beyond                                  Mg and 2.5 million m3, as proposed in
                                                     Emission Reduction Analysis of                                                   those in the proposed revisions for new                            the NSPS proposal, the incremental
                                                     Landfills Regulations. 2015.’’                                                   sources are warranted (79 FR 41772).                               number of new (or modified) landfills
                                                        As a result of the changes to the                                             Commenters on the proposed NSPS for                                estimated to require a GCCS in 2025
                                                     dataset, the number and characteristics                                          new landfills and the ANPRM for                                    went from three to 11, for a total of 123
                                                     of new landfills that the EPA projected                                          existing landfills expressed mixed                                 landfills with controls. An emission
                                                     to commence construction,                                                        reactions to a lower NMOC emission                                 threshold level of 34 Mg/yr NMOC,
                                                     reconstruction, or modification between                                          rate threshold. Several nongovernmental                            which was presented as an option for
                                                     2014 and 2018 and modified landfills                                             organizations and a local government                               consideration in the NSPS proposal,
                                                     that are expected to become subject to                                           entity supported a reduction in the                                results in an estimated 15 additional
                                                     proposed 40 CFR part 60, subpart XXX                                             NMOC emissions threshold. One state                                new or modified landfills requiring
                                                     have changed.1 Based on the revised                                              agency provided examples of existing                               controls in year 2025, for a total of 127
                                                     dataset, the number of landfills                                                 landfills controlling emissions in its                             landfills with controls.
                                                     estimated to be affected by proposed                                             state with estimated NMOC emission
                                                     subpart XXX went from 17 new landfills                                           rates as low as 8.1 Mg/yr.                                            The incremental emission reductions
                                                     to 140 new or modified landfills,                                                  In contrast, several commenters were                             for an NMOC emission rate of 40 Mg/
                                                     assuming a design capacity of 2.5                                                concerned with the financial and                                   yr would be 300 Mg/yr NMOC and
                                                     million m3 and 2.5 million Mg.                                                   technical implications of lowering the                             44,400 Mg/yr methane (1.1 million
                                                        Using the revised dataset, the EPA re-                                        threshold, including whether landfills                             metric tons of CO2 equivalent (mtCO2e))
                                                     ran the model using control options                                              were financially prepared to install                               beyond the baseline. The incremental
                                                     similar to the options presented in the                                          controls at an earlier time, or whether                            emission reductions for an NMOC
                                                     proposed NSPS. The EPA’s analysis                                                landfills would lose potential carbon                              emission rate of 34 Mg/yr NMOC would
                                                     showed that lowering the NMOC                                                    credit revenue from voluntary projects.                            be 300 Mg/yr NMOC and 51,400 Mg/yr
                                                     emission rate threshold to 34 Mg/yr                                              Another state agency expressed                                     methane (1.3 million mtCO2e) beyond
                                                     NMOC would accelerate the schedule                                               concerns that landfills in arid areas                              the baseline. These incremental
                                                     for installing a GCCS and also increase                                          would have difficulty continuously                                 emission reductions represent a 2.4- and
                                                     the number of landfills required to                                              operating a flare at landfills with lower                          2.8-percent reduction in emissions
                                                     install controls, thereby achieving                                              quality gas that emit between 40 and 50                            beyond the baseline. The cost
                                                     additional reductions in emissions of                                            Mg/yr.                                                             effectiveness between an NMOC
                                                     both NMOC and methane.                                                             Table 1 of this document shows the                               emission rate of 34 Mg/yr and 40 Mg/
                                                        On July 17, 2014, the EPA proposed                                            emission reductions and costs for                                  yr is comparable, but by lowering the
                                                     an NMOC threshold of 40 Mg/yr and                                                control options, when using a 7 percent                            NMOC emissions threshold to 34 Mg/yr,
                                                     discussed an alternative NMOC                                                    discount rate, in year 2025 at new and                             this action achieves additional
                                                     emission threshold of 34 Mg/yr in the                                            modified landfills. At the baseline size                           reductions of 50 Mg/yr NMOC 2 and
                                                     NSPS proposal and in an Advanced                                                 and emissions thresholds (i.e., 50 Mg/yr                           7,000 Mg/yr methane (175,000 mt/yr
                                                     Notice of Proposed Rulemaking                                                    NMOC), 112 of the 140 new or modified                              CO2e) in 2025. These pollutants are
                                                     (ANPRM) for the Emission Guidelines                                              landfills are expected to control                                  associated with substantial health
                                                     (for existing landfills). The EPA                                                emissions in 2025. At an emission                                  effects, climate effects, and other
                                                     considered the information received in                                           threshold of 40 Mg/yr NMOC and a                                   welfare effects.
                                                       TABLE 1—EMISSION REDUCTIONS AND COSTS FOR CONTROL OPTIONS IN YEAR 2025 AT NEW AND MODIFIED LANDFILLS
                                                                                                    (2012$)
                                                                                                                                               Number of
                                                                                                                                Number of                    Annual Net     Annual         Annual
                                                                                                                   Number of                     landfills                                            Annual CO2e        NMOC cost      Methane cost     CO2e cost
                                                                                                                                 landfills                     Cost         NMOC          methane
                                                                             Option                                 landfills                   reporting                                              reductions       effectiveness   effectiveness   effectiveness
                                                                                                                                controlling                   (million     Reductions    reductions
                                                                                                                    affected                     but not                                              (million mt/yr)       ($/Mg)          ($/Mg)          ($/mt)
                                                                                                                                 in 2025                      $2012) a      (Mg/yr)        (Mg/yr)
                                                                                                                                               controlling

                                                     Baseline:
                                                          Baseline (2.5 design capacity/50 Mg/yr
                                                            NMOC) .............................................          140           112             28          61.4       11,640      1,834,000             45.9            5,270              33             1.3
                                                     Incremental values vs. the Baseline:
                                                          Option (2.5 design capacity/40 Mg/yr
                                                            NMOC) .............................................             0           11           ¥11            7.4          300        44,400               1.1           26,100             166             6.6
                                                          Option (2.5 design capacity/34 Mg/yr
                                                            NMOC) .............................................             0           15           ¥15            8.5          300        51,400               1.3           26,100             166             6.6
                                                          Option (2.0 design capacity/34 Mg/yr
                                                            NMOC) .............................................             7           19           ¥12           10.2          400        62,500               1.6           25,600             163             6.5
                                                       a Based on the current reported design capacity of landfills, independent of time horizon used in analysis shown in the four cost-effectiveness summary tables. For some modified landfills,
                                                     landfills may report in early years under the Emission Guidelines and then also report under the NSPS after modification commenced (or year 2016, whatever is later).



                                                       The only categories of benefits                                                estimated the global social benefits of                            changes in methane emissions in a
                                                     monetized for this supplemental                                                  methane emissions using estimates of                               given year.
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                                                     proposal are methane-related climate                                             the social cost of methane (SC–CH4), a                               A similar metric, the social cost of
                                                     impacts and minor secondary CO2-                                                 metric that estimates the monetary value                           CO2 (SC–CO2), estimates the monetary
                                                     related climate effects. In particular, we                                       of impacts associated with marginal                                value of impacts associated with
                                                       1 Under CAA section 111(a) and proposed 40 CFR                                 undergoes modification are different, the dataset                  and 40 Mg/yr NMOC threshold; and 280 Mg/yr
                                                     part 60, subpart XXX the term new landfills                                      distinguishes between the two types of facilities.                 NMOC for option 2.5 million Mg design capacity/
                                                     encompasses both greenfield facilities and facilities                              2 The unrounded annual NMOC reductions in                        34 Mg/yr NMOC threshold. Thus, the difference
                                                     that meet proposed subpart XXX’s definition of                                                                                                      between the NMOC reductions for these two
                                                                                                                                      Table 1 of this preamble are 330 Mg/yr NMOC for
                                                     ‘‘modification’’. Because the characteristics of a
                                                                                                                                      option 2.5 million Mg design capacity threshold                    options is 50 Mg/yr NMOC.
                                                     greenfield site and an existing landfill that



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                                                                                   Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 166 / Thursday, August 27, 2015 / Proposed Rules                                                                 52165

                                                     marginal changes in CO2 emissions in a                                     discount rates of 5, 3, and 2.5 percent,                   Applying the approach discussed in the
                                                     given year.3 The SC–CO2 estimates were                                     respectively. Estimates of the SC–CH4                      RIA to the methane reductions
                                                     developed over many years by an                                            for several discount rates are included                    estimated for this supplemental
                                                     interagency working group, using the                                       because the literature shows that the                      proposal, the 2025 methane benefits of
                                                     best science available, and with input                                     SC–CH4 is sensitive to assumptions                         this supplemental proposal vary by
                                                     from the public.                                                           about the discount rate, and because no                    discount rate and range from $36
                                                        The SC–CH4 estimates used in this                                       consensus exists on the appropriate rate                   million (2012$) to $210 million (2012$);
                                                     analysis were developed by Marten et                                       to use in an intergenerational context                     the mean SC–CH4 at the 3 percent
                                                     al. (2014) and are discussed in greater                                    (where costs and benefits are incurred                     discount rate results in an estimate of
                                                     detail in section 4.2 of the Regulatory                                    by different generations). The fourth
                                                                                                                                                                                           $78 million (2012$) in 2025 for the
                                                     Impacts Analysis (RIA), which is in the                                    value is the 95th percentile of the SC–
                                                     MSW Landfills NSPS docket EPA–HQ–                                                                                                     proposed 34 Mg/yr emission threshold
                                                                                                                                CH4 across all three models at a 3
                                                     OAR–2003–0215. The four SC–CH4                                             percent discount rate. It is included to                   (see Table 2 of this preamble).
                                                     estimates are: $700, $1,500, $1,900, and                                   represent higher-than-expected impacts                     Monetizing the minor secondary CO2
                                                     $4,000 per metric ton of methane                                           from temperature change further out in                     emissions impacts with the SC–CO2
                                                     emissions in the year 2025 (2012$). The                                    the tails of the SC–CH4 distribution.                      estimates, also described in Section 4.2
                                                     first three values are based on the                                          The methodology used to calculate                        of the RIA, yields disbenefits of $0.03
                                                     average SC–CH4 from the three                                              methane climate benefits is discussed in                   million (2012$) in 2025.
                                                     integrated assessment models, at                                           detail in Section 4.2 of the RIA.

                                                                                                  TABLE 2—ESTIMATED GLOBAL BENEFITS OF CH4 REDUCTIONS IN 2025 a
                                                                                                                                                   [In millions, 2012$]

                                                                                                                                                                                           Discount rate and statistic
                                                                                                                                                     CO2e
                                                                                  Methane reductions                                               Reductions                                                                     3%
                                                                                      (million mt)                                                                          5%                3%               2.5%
                                                                                                                                                   (million mt)                                                                  (95th
                                                                                                                                                                         (average)         (average)         (average)         percentile)

                                                     0.051 ....................................................................................        1.3                    $36             $78               $100              $210
                                                        a TheSC–CH4 values are dollar-year and emissions-year specific. SC–CH4 values represent only a partial accounting of climate impacts. See
                                                     Section 4.2 of the RIA for a complete discussion about the methodology.


                                                        Consistent with the Methane Strategy                                    rate threshold to 34 Mg/yr for new (new,                   modify, as defined in the proposed
                                                     that was developed as part of the                                          modified, and reconstructed) sources                       NSPS, during the next 5 years (2014–
                                                     President’s Climate Action Plan, the                                       subject to proposed 40 CFR part 60,                        2018). Comments on an NMOC emission
                                                     EPA considered control options to                                          subpart XXX. The EPA is not proposing                      threshold of 34 Mg/yr and comments or
                                                     achieve additional reductions of                                           changes to the design capacity                             data on landfills modifying in the next
                                                     methane and NMOC for new landfills.                                        thresholds.                                                5 years should be submitted to Docket
                                                     The Climate Action Plan directed the                                         The EPA believes a level of 34 Mg/yr                     ID No. EPA–HQ–OAR–2003–0215. The
                                                     EPA and five other federal agencies to                                     NMOC is achievable for new and                             EPA is not otherwise reopening
                                                     develop a comprehensive interagency                                        modified landfills. Greenfield and                         proposed 40 CFR part 60, subpart XXX
                                                     strategy to reduce methane emissions.                                      modified landfill owners or operators                      for additional comment.
                                                     Specifically, the federal agencies were                                    are expected to employ the latest
                                                                                                                                                                                           C. Public hearing
                                                     instructed to focus on ‘‘assessing current                                 technology and practices to minimize
                                                     emissions data, addressing data gaps,                                      emissions and will have the time to                           Please contact Ms. Aimee St. Clair at
                                                     identifying technologies and best                                          consider the latest technology and                         (919) 541–1063 or at stclair.aimee@
                                                     practices for reducing emissions and                                       practices as they plan the construction                    epa.gov to register to speak at the
                                                     identifying existing authorities and                                       of a new landfill or construction of a                     hearing. The last day to pre-register to
                                                     incentive-based opportunities to reduce                                    new cell of a modified landfill. Because                   speak at the hearing will be September
                                                     methane emissions.’’ With respect to                                       the emission threshold level of 34 Mg/                     8, 2015. Requests to speak will be taken
                                                     landfills, the Methane Strategy directs                                    yr is more stringent than the level the                    the day of the hearing at the hearing
                                                     the agency to build upon progress to                                       EPA proposed on July 17, 2014, and the                     registration desk, although preferences
                                                     date through updates to the EPA’s rules                                    impacts associated with this proposed                      on speaking times may not be able to be
                                                     for reducing emissions from new,                                           level of control have a different basis                    fulfilled. If you require the service of a
                                                     modified, and reconstructed landfills.                                     than those outlined in the original                        translator or special accommodations
                                                     Based on the Climate Action Plan and                                       proposal, the EPA is soliciting                            such as audio description, please let us
                                                     Methane Strategy, the revised analysis                                     comments on the revised analysis of the                    know at the time of registration.
                                                     described above, and consideration of                                      proposed NSPS in this supplemental                            If a hearing is held, it will provide
                                                     comments received on the proposed                                          proposal. The EPA is also soliciting                       interested parties the opportunity to
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                                                     NSPS and ANPRM, the EPA is                                                 comments and data that would help                          present data, views or arguments
                                                     proposing to lower the NMOC emission                                       identify landfills that are expected to                    concerning the proposed action. The
                                                       3 The SC–CO Technical Support Document                                   Group on Social Cost of Carbon, with participation         Management and Budget, Office of Science and
                                                                    2
                                                     presents the SC–CO2 estimates as well as a detailed                        by Council of Economic Advisers, Council on                Technology Policy, and Department of Treasury
                                                     discussion of the underlying methodology. Docket                           Environmental Quality, Department of Agriculture,          (May 2013, Revised November 2013). Available at:
                                                     ID No. EPA–HQ–OAR–2013–0495, Technical                                     Department of Commerce, Department of Energy,              http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/omb/
                                                     Support Document: Technical Update of the Social                           Department of Transportation, Environmental
                                                                                                                                                                                           assets/inforeg/technical-update-social-cost-of-
                                                     Cost of Carbon for Regulatory Impact Analysis                              Protection Agency, National Economic Council,
                                                     Under Executive Order 12866, Interagency Working                           Office of Energy and Climate Change, Office of             carbon-for-regulator-impact-analysis.pdf.




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                                                     52166                 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 166 / Thursday, August 27, 2015 / Proposed Rules

                                                     EPA will make every effort to                           A. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory                  presented in EPA ICR number 2498.01.
                                                     accommodate all speakers who arrive                     Planning and Review and Executive                     As a result, the EPA updated the EPA
                                                     and register. Because this hearing, if                  Order 13563: Improving Regulation and                 ICR number 2498.01 and re-submitted it
                                                     held, will be at a U.S. government                      Regulatory Review                                     to OMB for approval as EPA ICR
                                                     facility, individuals planning to attend                   This action supplements a prior                    2498.02 to reflect the estimated number
                                                     the hearing should be prepared to show                  proposed action that was determined to                of respondents and a lower NMOC
                                                     valid picture identification to the                     be an economically significant                        emission rate. A copy of the ICR is in
                                                     security staff in order to gain access to               regulatory action that was submitted to               Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–OAR–2003–
                                                     the meeting room. Please note that the                  the Office of Management and Budget                   0215, and it is briefly summarized here.
                                                     REAL ID Act, passed by Congress in                                                                               Respondents/affected entities: MSW
                                                                                                             (OMB) for review. Any changes made in
                                                     2005, established new requirements for                                                                        landfills that commence construction,
                                                                                                             response to OMB recommendations
                                                     entering federal facilities. If your                                                                          reconstruction, or modification after
                                                                                                             have been documented in the docket.
                                                     driver’s license is issued by Alaska,                                                                         July 17, 2014.
                                                                                                             The EPA prepared an analysis of the
                                                     American Samoa, Arizona, Kentucky,                                                                               Respondent’s obligation to respond:
                                                                                                             potential costs and benefits associated
                                                     Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts,                                                                              Mandatory (40 CFR part 60, subpart
                                                                                                             with this action. This analysis,
                                                     Minnesota, Montana, New York,                                                                                 XXX).
                                                                                                             ‘‘Regulatory Impact Analysis for the                     Estimated number of respondents:
                                                     Oklahoma, or the state of Washington,                   Proposed Revisions to the Emission
                                                     you must present an additional form of                                                                        144 MSW landfills that commence
                                                                                                             Guidelines for Existing Sources and                   construction, reconstruction, or
                                                     identification to enter the federal                     Supplemental Proposed New Source
                                                     building. Acceptable alternative forms                                                                        modification after July 17, 2014.
                                                                                                             Performance Standards in the Municipal                   Frequency of response: Initially,
                                                     of identification include: Federal                      Solid Waste Landfills Sector’’ is
                                                     employee badges, passports, enhanced                                                                          occasionally, and annually.
                                                                                                             available in the docket.                                 Total estimated burden: 101,031
                                                     driver’s licenses and military
                                                     identification cards. In addition, you                  B. Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA)                      Hours (per year) for the responding
                                                     will need to obtain a property pass for                                                                       facilities and 2,790 hours (per year) for
                                                                                                                The information collection                         the agency. These are estimates for the
                                                     any personal belongings you bring with                  requirements in this supplemental
                                                     you. Upon leaving the building, you                                                                           average annual burden for the first 3
                                                                                                             proposal have been submitted for                      years after the rule is final. Burden is
                                                     will be required to return this property                approval to OMB under the PRA. The
                                                     pass to the security desk. No large signs                                                                     defined at 5 CFR 1320.3(b).
                                                                                                             Information Collection Request (ICR)                     Total estimated cost: $6,724,350 (per
                                                     will be allowed in the building, cameras                document that the EPA prepared for this               year), which includes annualized
                                                     may only be used outside of the                         supplemental proposal has been                        capital or operation and maintenance
                                                     building and demonstrations will not be                 assigned EPA ICR number 2498.02. You                  costs, for the responding facilities and
                                                     allowed on federal property for security                can find a copy of the ICR in the docket              $177,680 (per year) for the agency.
                                                     reasons.                                                for this rule, and it is briefly                      These are estimates for the average
                                                        The EPA may ask clarifying questions                 summarized here.                                      annual cost for the first 3 years after the
                                                     during the oral presentations, but will                    The information required to be                     rule is final.
                                                     not respond to the presentations at that                collected is necessary to identify the                   An agency may not conduct or
                                                     time. Written statements and supporting                 regulated entities subject to the                     sponsor, and a person is not required to
                                                     information submitted during the                        proposed NSPS and to ensure their                     respond to, a collection of information
                                                     comment period will be considered                       compliance with the proposed NSPS                     unless it displays a currently valid OMB
                                                     with the same weight as oral comments                   and this supplemental proposal. The                   control number. The OMB control
                                                     and supporting information presented at                 recordkeeping and reporting                           numbers for the EPA’s regulations in 40
                                                     the public hearing. Commenters should                   requirements are mandatory and are                    CFR are listed in 40 CFR part 9.
                                                     notify Ms. St. Clair if they will need                  being established under authority of                     Submit your comments on the
                                                     specific equipment, or if there are other               CAA section 114 (42 U.S.C. 7414). All                 agency’s need for this information, the
                                                     special needs related to providing                      information other than emissions data                 accuracy of the provided burden
                                                     comments at the hearing. Verbatim                       submitted as part of a report to the                  estimates and any suggested methods
                                                     transcripts of the hearing and written                  agency for which a claim of                           for minimizing respondent burden to
                                                     statements will be included in the                      confidentiality is made will be                       the EPA using the docket identified at
                                                     docket for the rulemaking. The EPA will                 safeguarded according to CAA section                  the beginning of this rule. You may also
                                                     make every effort to follow the schedule                114(c) and the EPA’s implementing                     send your ICR-related comments to
                                                     as closely as possible on the day of the                regulations at 40 CFR part 2, subpart B.              OMB’s Office of Information and
                                                     hearing; however, please plan for the                      The information collection                         Regulatory Affairs via email to oria_
                                                     hearing to run either ahead of schedule                 requirements in the proposed NSPS (79                 submissions@omb.eop.gov, Attention:
                                                     or behind schedule. A public hearing                    FR 41828, July 17, 2014) were submitted               Desk Officer for the EPA. Since OMB is
                                                     will not be held unless requested. Please               for approval to OMB under the PRA.                    required to make a decision concerning
                                                     contact Ms. Aimee St. Clair at (919)                    The ICR document that the EPA                         the ICR between 30 and 60 days after
                                                     541–1063 or at stclair.aimee@epa.gov to                 prepared was assigned EPA ICR number                  receipt, OMB must receive comments no
                                                     request or register to speak at the                     2498.01. Since the NSPS review was                    later than September 28, 2015. The EPA
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                                                     hearing or to inquire as to whether a                   proposed on July 17, 2014, the EPA                    will respond to any ICR-related
                                                     hearing will be held.                                   updated the number of existing landfills              comments in the final rules.
                                                                                                             likely to modify after July 17, 2014, and,
                                                     II. Statutory and Executive Order                                                                             C. Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)
                                                                                                             thus, become subject to proposed 40
                                                     Reviews
                                                                                                             CFR part 60, subpart XXX, as discussed                   I certify that this action will not have
                                                       Additional information about these                    in this preamble. The supplemental                    a significant economic impact on a
                                                     statues and Executive Orders can be                     proposal to lower the emission                        substantial number of small entities
                                                     found at http://www2.epa.gov/laws-                      threshold for new and modified sources                under the RFA. The small entities
                                                     regulations/laws-and-executive-orders.                  affects the burden estimates the EPA                  subject to the requirements of the


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                                                                           Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 166 / Thursday, August 27, 2015 / Proposed Rules                                           52167

                                                     supplemental proposal may include                       small governments pursuant to a plan                  consultations include: implementation
                                                     private small businesses and small                      established under section 203 of the                  concerns associated with shortening of
                                                     governmental jurisdictions that own or                  UMRA to address impacts of regulatory                 gas collection system installation and/or
                                                     operate landfills. Although it is                       requirements in the rule that might                   expansion timeframes, concerns
                                                     unknown how many new landfills will                     significantly or uniquely affect small                regarding significant lowering of the
                                                     be owned or operated by small entities,                 governments. The EPA held meetings as                 design capacity or emission thresholds,
                                                     recent trends in the waste industry have                discussed in section II.E of this                     the need for clarifications associated
                                                     been towards consolidated ownership                     preamble under Federalism                             with wellhead operating parameters and
                                                     among larger companies. The EPA has                     consultations.                                        the need for consistent, clear and
                                                     determined that approximately 10                                                                              rigorous surface monitoring
                                                                                                             E. Executive Order 13132: Federalism
                                                     percent of the existing landfills subject                                                                     requirements.
                                                     to similar regulations (40 CFR part 60,                    The EPA has concluded that the
                                                                                                             supplemental proposal for the NSPS                    F. Executive Order 13175: Consultation
                                                     subparts WWW and Cc or the
                                                                                                             does not have Federalism implications.                and Coordination With Indian Tribal
                                                     corresponding state or federal plan) are
                                                                                                             The proposed NSPS will not have                       Governments
                                                     small entities. It was determined that
                                                     the July 2014 proposed NSPS subpart                     substantial direct effects on the states,               The supplemental proposal does not
                                                     would not have a significant economic                   on the relationship between the national              have tribal implications, as specified in
                                                     impact on a substantial number of small                 government and the states, or on the                  Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249,
                                                     entities. Given the changes in the                      distribution of power and                             November 9, 2000). Based on
                                                     number of landfills anticipated to                      responsibilities among the various                    methodology used to predict future
                                                     become subject to the new proposed                      levels of government, as specified in                 landfills as outlined in the docketed
                                                     NSPS, the potential impact on small                     Executive Order 13132. The                            memorandum ‘‘Summary of Landfill
                                                     entities has been reanalyzed. The EPA                   supplemental proposal will not have                   Dataset Used in the Cost and Emission
                                                     has determined that, with a size                        impacts of $25 million or more in any                 Reduction Analysis of Landfills
                                                     threshold of 2.5 million Mg and 2.5                     one year. Thus, Executive Order 13132                 Regulations. 2014,’’ future tribal
                                                     million m3 and an NMOC emission rate                    does not apply to the supplemental                    landfills are not anticipated to be large
                                                     threshold of 34 Mg/yr, approximately                    proposal.                                             enough to become subject to the
                                                     two small entities may experience an                       Although section 6 of Executive Order              proposed NSPS or this supplemental
                                                     impact of greater than 1 percent of                     13132 does not apply to the                           proposal. Thus, Executive Order 13175
                                                     revenues. Details of the analysis are                   supplemental NSPS proposal, the EPA                   does not apply to this action. The EPA
                                                     presented in ‘‘Regulatory Impact                        consulted with state and local officials              specifically solicits comment on this
                                                     Analysis for the Proposed Revisions to                  and representatives of state and local                action from tribal officials.
                                                     the Emission Guidelines for Existing                    governments early in the process of
                                                                                                             developing the proposed rules for MSW                 G. Executive Order 13045: Protection of
                                                     Sources and Supplemental Proposed                                                                             Children From Environmental Health
                                                     New Source Performance Standards in                     landfills (both the NSPS and Emission
                                                                                                             Guidelines) to permit them to have                    Risks and Safety Risks
                                                     the Municipal Solid Waste Landfills
                                                     Sector,’’ located in Docket ID No. EPA–                 meaningful and timely input into its                     The EPA interprets Executive Order
                                                     HQ–OAR–2003–0215.                                       development.                                          13045 as applying only to those
                                                       Although not required by the RFA to                      The EPA conducted a Federalism                     regulatory actions that concern
                                                     convene a Small Business Advocacy                       Consultation Outreach Meeting on                      environmental health or safety risks that
                                                     Review (SBAR) Panel because the EPA                     September 10, 2013. Due to interest in                the EPA has reason to believe may
                                                     has now determined that the proposed                    that meeting, additional outreach                     disproportionately affect children, per
                                                     NSPS would not have a significant                       meetings were held on November 7,                     the definition of ‘‘covered regulatory
                                                     economic impact on a substantial                        2013, and November 14, 2013.                          action’’ in section 2–202 of the
                                                     number of small entities, the EPA                       Participants included the National                    Executive Order. The supplemental
                                                     originally convened a panel to obtain                   Governors’ Association, the National                  NSPS proposal is not subject to
                                                     advice and recommendations from                         Conference of State Legislatures, the                 Executive Order 13045 because it does
                                                     small entity representatives potentially                Council of State Governments, the                     not concern an environmental health
                                                     subject to this rule’s requirements. A                  National League of Cities, the U.S.                   risk or safety risk. We also note that the
                                                     copy of the Summary of Small Entity                     Conference of Mayors, the National                    methane and NMOC reductions
                                                     Outreach is included in Docket ID No.                   Association of Counties, the                          expected from the proposed NSPS will
                                                     EPA–HQ–OAR–2003–0215.                                   International City/County Management                  have positive health effects, including
                                                                                                             Association, the National Association of              for children.
                                                     D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act                         Towns and Townships, the County
                                                     (UMRA)                                                  Executives of America, the                            H. Executive Order 13211: Actions That
                                                       This action does not contain any                      Environmental Council of States,                      Significantly Affect Energy Supply,
                                                     unfunded mandate of $100 million or                     National Association of Clean Air                     Distribution, or Use
                                                     more as described in UMRA, 2 U.S.C.                     Agencies, Association of State and                      This action is not a ‘‘significant
                                                     1531–1538. This supplemental NSPS                       Territorial Solid Waste Management                    energy action’’ because it is not likely to
                                                     proposal applies to landfills that                      Officials, environmental agency                       have a significant adverse effect on the
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                                                     commenced construction,                                 representatives from 43 states, and                   supply, distribution, or use of energy.
                                                     reconstruction, or modification after                   approximately 60 representatives from                 Further, we have concluded that the
                                                     July 17, 2014. Impacts resulting from the               city and county governments. The                      proposed NSPS and supplemental NSPS
                                                     proposed NSPS are far below the                         comment period for the outreach                       proposal are not likely to have any
                                                     applicable threshold. Thus, the                         meetings related to the NSPS proposal                 adverse energy effects because the
                                                     proposed NSPS is not subject to the                     was extended to allow sufficient time                 energy demanded to operate these
                                                     requirements of sections 202 or 205 of                  for interested parties to review briefing             control systems will be offset by
                                                     the UMRA. However, in developing the                    materials and provide comments.                       additional energy supply from LFG
                                                     proposed NSPS, the EPA consulted with                   Concerns raised during the                            energy projects.


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                                                     52168                 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 166 / Thursday, August 27, 2015 / Proposed Rules

                                                     I. National Technology Transfer and                     considerations. The EPA’s review,                     welfare effects associated with exposure
                                                     Advancement Act                                         including review comments for these                   to LFG emissions. Regarding the NSPS
                                                        This supplemental NSPS proposal                      nine methods, is documented in the                    proposal and this supplemental
                                                     does not involve technical standards,                   memorandum, ‘‘Voluntary Consensus                     proposal, the EPA has concluded that it
                                                     however, the NSPS proposed on July 17,                  Standard Results for Standards of                     is not practicable to determine whether
                                                     2014 involves technical standards. For                  Performance for Municipal Solid Waste                 there would be disproportionately high
                                                     the proposed NSPS, the EPA has                          Landfills 40 CFR part 60, subpart XXX’’               and adverse human health or
                                                     proposed to use EPA Methods 2E, 3, 3A,                  in the Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–OAR–                      environmental effects on minority, low
                                                     3C, 21, 25, and 25C of 40 CFR part 60,                  2003–0215.                                            income, or indigenous populations from
                                                     appendix A. While the EPA identified                    J. Executive Order 12898: Federal                     the proposed NSPS and supplemental
                                                     nine voluntary consensus standards                      Actions to Address Environmental                      proposal because it is unknown where
                                                     (VCS) as being potentially applicable                   Justice in Minority Populations and                   new or modified facilities will be
                                                     (ANSI/ASME PTC 19–10–1981 Part 10,                      Low-Income Populations                                located. The demographic analysis
                                                     ASTM D3154–00 (2006), ASME B133.9–                                                                            results and the details concerning their
                                                     1994 (2001), ISO 10396:1993 (2007), ISO                   The EPA believes the human health or                development are presented in the April
                                                     12039:2001, ASTM D5835–95 (2007),                       environmental risk addressed by the                   22, 2014 document titled, ‘‘2014
                                                     ASTM D6522–00 (2005), CAN/CSA                           proposed NSPS and this supplemental                   Environmental Justice Screening Report
                                                     Z223.2–M86 (1999), ISO 14965:2000(E)),                  proposal will not have potential                      for Municipal Solid Waste Landfills,’’ a
                                                     the agency decided not to use these                     disproportionately high and adverse                   copy of which is available in the docket
                                                     methods. The EPA determined that the                    human health or environmental effects                 (Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–OAR–2003–
                                                     nine candidate VCS identified for                       on minority, low-income, or indigenous                0215).
                                                     measuring emissions of pollutants or                    populations because the proposed NSPS                   Dated: August 14, 2015.
                                                     their surrogates subject to emission                    and this supplemental proposal would
                                                                                                                                                                   Gina McCarthy,
                                                     standards in the rule would not be                      reduce emissions of LFG, which
                                                     practical due to lack of equivalency,                   contains both NMOC and methane.                       Administrator.
                                                     documentation, validation data, and                     These avoided emissions will improve                  [FR Doc. 2015–20897 Filed 8–26–15; 8:45 am]
                                                     other important technical and policy                    air quality and reduce public health and              BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
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Document Created: 2015-12-15 10:53:27
Document Modified: 2015-12-15 10:53:27
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
ActionSupplemental proposal.
DatesComments. Comments must be received on or before October 26, 2015. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), comments on the information collection provisions are best assured of consideration if the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) receives a copy of your comments on or before September 28, 2015.
ContactFor information concerning this supplemental proposal, contact Ms. Hillary Ward, Fuels and Incineration Group, Sector Policies and Programs Division, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards (E143-05), Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711; telephone number: (919) 541-3154; fax
FR Citation80 FR 52162 
RIN Number2060-AM08

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