80_FR_60507 80 FR 60314 - Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; Texas; Infrastructure and Interstate Transport State Implementation Plan for the 2010 Sulfur Dioxide National Ambient Air Quality Standards

80 FR 60314 - Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; Texas; Infrastructure and Interstate Transport State Implementation Plan for the 2010 Sulfur Dioxide National Ambient Air Quality Standards

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 193 (October 6, 2015)

Page Range60314-60318
FR Document2015-25337

Under the Federal Clean Air Act (CAA) the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve elements of a State Implementation Plan (SIP) submission from the State of Texas for the Sulfur Dioxide (SO<INF>2</INF>) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The submittal addresses how the existing SIP provides for implementation, maintenance, and enforcement of the 2010 SO<INF>2</INF> NAAQS (infrastructure SIP or i-SIP). This i-SIP ensures that the State's SIP is adequate to meet the state's responsibilities under the CAA.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 193 (Tuesday, October 6, 2015)
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 193 (Tuesday, October 6, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 60314-60318]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-25337]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 52

[EPA-R06-OAR-2013-0388; FRL-9935-08-Region 6]


Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; Texas; 
Infrastructure and Interstate Transport State Implementation Plan for 
the 2010 Sulfur Dioxide National Ambient Air Quality Standards

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: Under the Federal Clean Air Act (CAA) the Environmental 
Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve elements of a State 
Implementation Plan (SIP) submission from the State of Texas for the 
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) National Ambient Air Quality Standards 
(NAAQS). The submittal addresses how the existing SIP provides for 
implementation, maintenance, and enforcement of the 2010 SO2 
NAAQS (infrastructure SIP or i-SIP). This i-SIP ensures that the 
State's SIP is adequate to meet the state's responsibilities under the 
CAA.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before November 5, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID Number EPA-
R06-OAR-2013-0388, by one of the following methods:
     www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions.
     Email: Nevine Salem at [email protected].
     Mail or delivery: Guy Donaldson, Chief, Air Planning 
Section (6PD-L), Environmental Protection Agency, 1445 Ross Avenue, 
Suite 1200, Dallas, Texas 75202-2733. Deliveries are accepted only 
between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays, and not on legal 
holidays. Special arrangements should be made for deliveries of boxed 
information.
    Instructions: Direct your comments to Docket ID No. EPA-R06-OAR-
2013-0338. The EPA's policy is that all comments received will be 
included in the public docket without change, and may be made available 
online at www.regulations.gov, including any personal information 
provided, unless the comment includes information claimed to be 
Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose 
disclosure is restricted by statute. Do not submit electronically any 
information that you consider to be CBI or other information whose 
disclosure is restricted by statute. The www.regulations.gov Web site 
is an ``anonymous access'' system, which means the EPA will not know 
your identity or contact information unless you provide it in the body 
of your comment. If you send an email comment directly to the EPA 
without going through www.regulations.gov, your email address will be 
automatically captured and included as part of the comment that is 
placed in the public docket and made available on the Internet. If you 
submit an electronic comment, the EPA recommends that you include your 
name and other contact information in the body of your comment and with 
any disk or CD-ROM you submit. If the EPA cannot read your comment due 
to technical difficulties and cannot contact you for clarification, the 
EPA may not be able to consider your comment. Electronic files should 
avoid the use of special characters, any form of encryption, and be 
free of any defects or viruses. 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 
information on submitting comments, please visit http://www2.epa.gov/dockets/commenting-epa-dockets.
    Docket: The index to the docket for this action is available 
electronically at www.regulations.gov and in hard copy at EPA Region 6, 
1445 Ross Avenue, Suite 700, Dallas, Texas. While all documents in the 
docket are listed in the index, some information may be publicly 
available only at the hard copy location (e.g., copyrighted material), 
and some may not be publicly available at either location (e.g., CBI).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Nevine Salem, 214-665-7222, 
[email protected]. To inspect the hard copy materials, please 
schedule an appointment with her or Bill Deese at 214-665-7253.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Throughout this document wherever ``we,'' 
``us,'' or ``our'' is used, we mean the EPA.

I. Background

    On June 22, 2010, the EPA revised the primary SO2 NAAQS 
(hereafter the 2010 SO2 NAAQS) to establish a new 1-hour 
standard, with a level of 75 parts per billion, based on the 3-year 
average of the annual 99th percentile of 1-hour

[[Page 60315]]

daily maximum concentrations (75 FR 35520). Each state must submit the 
i-SIP within three years after the promulgation of a new or revised 
NAAQS. Section 110(a)(2) of the CAA includes a list of specific 
elements the i-SIP must meet.
    On April 23, 2013, the TCEQ submitted an i-SIP for the 2010 
SO2 NAAQS. On September 13, 2013, the EPA issued guidance 
addressing the i-SIP elements for all NAAQS.\1\ This guidance doesn't 
address CAA section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I), which concerns interstate 
pollution transport affecting attainment and maintenance of the NAAQS.
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    \1\ Guidance on Infrastructure State Implementation Plan (SIP) 
Elements under Clean Air Act Sections 110(a)(1) and 110(a)(2), 
Memorandum from Stephen D. Page, September 13, 2013.
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    The EPA is proposing approval of the April 23, 2013 submission for 
the applicable requirements of the 2010 SO2 NAAQS. The EPA 
is not proposing any action at this time regarding the interstate 
transport provisions portions of section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) pertaining 
to nonattainment or interference with maintenance of the NAAQS in other 
States and the portion of 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II) regarding visibility 
protection. We intend to take action as to whether the Texas SIP meets 
the requirements of 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) in a later action. In a separate 
action, we proposed to disapprove the portion of the Texas 
SO2 i-SIP for CAA section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II) pertaining to 
the visibility protection (79 FR 74818, December 16, 2014). The EPA 
will take final action on the portion of CAA section 
110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II) pertaining to visibility protection of the Texas 
SO2 i-SIP in a future rulemaking. EPA notes that the Agency 
is not approving any specific rule, but rather proposing that Texas' 
already approved SIP meets certain CAA requirements.

II. The EPA's Evaluation of Texas' 2010 SO2 NAAQS i-SIP 
Submittal

    Below is a summary of the EPA's evaluation of the Texas i-SIP for 
each applicable element of CAA section 110(a)(2) A-M.\2\ Texas provided 
a demonstration of how the existing Texas i-SIP met all the 
requirements of the 2010 SO2 NAAQS on May 09, 2013. This SIP 
submission became complete by operation of law on November 09, 2013. 
See CAA section 110(k)(1)(B).
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    \2\ Additional information on: The history of SO2, 
its levels, forms and, determination of compliance; the EPA's 
approach for reviewing i-SIPs; the details of the SIP submittal and 
the EPA's evaluation; the effect of recent court decisions on i-
SIPs; the statute and regulatory citations in the Texas SIP specific 
to this review; the specific i-SIP applicable CAA and the EPA 
regulatory citations; Federal Register Notice citations for Texas' 
SIP approvals; Texas minor New Source Review program and the EPA 
approval activities; and Texas' Prevention of Significant 
Deterioration (PSD) program can be found in the Technical Support 
Document (TSD). The TSD can be accessed through www.regulations.gov 
(e-docket EPA-R06-2013-0388).
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    (A) Emission limits and other control measures: The CAA Sec.  
110(a)(2)(A) requires SIPs to include enforceable emission limitations 
and other control measures, means or techniques (including economic 
incentives such as fees, marketable permits, and auctions of emissions 
rights), as well as schedules and timetables for compliance, as may be 
necessary or appropriate to meet the applicable requirements of this 
Act and other related matters as needed to implement, maintain and 
enforce each of the NAAQS.\3\
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    \3\ The specific nonattainment area plan requirements of section 
110(a)(2)(I) are subject to the timing requirements of section 172, 
not the timing requirement of section 110(a)(1). Thus, section 
110(a)(2)(A) does not require that states submit regulations or 
emissions limits specifically for attaining the 2010 SO2 
NAAQS. Those SIP provisions are due as part of each state's 
attainment plan, and will be addressed separately from the 
requirements of section 110(a)(2)(A). In the context of an 
infrastructure SIP, the EPA is not evaluating the existing SIP 
provisions for this purpose. Instead, the EPA is only evaluating 
whether the state's SIP has basic structural provisions for the 
implementation of the NAAQS.
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    The Texas Clean Air Act (TCAA) provides the Texas Commission on 
Environmental Quality (TCEQ), its Chairman, and its Executive Director 
with broad legal authority. They can adopt emission standards and 
compliance schedules applicable to regulated entities; emission 
standards and limitations and any other measures necessary for 
attainment and maintenance of national standards; and, enforce 
applicable laws, regulations, standards and compliance schedules, and 
seek injunctive relief. This authority has been employed in the past to 
adopt and submit multiple revisions to the Texas State Implementation 
Plan. The approved SIP for Texas that satisfies the infrastructure 
requirements of CAA section 110(a)(2) for the 2010 SO2 NAAQS 
is documented at 40 CFR part 52.2270, Subpart SS. TCEQ's air quality 
rules and standards are codified at Title 30, Part 1 of the Texas 
Administrative Code (TAC). Numerous parts of the regulations codified 
into 30 TAC necessary for implementing and enforcing the NAAQS have 
been adopted into the SIP.
    (B) Ambient air quality monitoring/data system: The SIP must 
provide for establishment and implementation of ambient air quality 
monitors, collection and analysis of monitoring data, and providing 
such data to the EPA upon request.
    The TCAA provides the authority allowing the TCEQ to collect air 
monitoring data, quality-assure the results, and report the data. TCEQ 
maintains and operates a monitoring network to measure ambient levels 
of SO2 and submits an annual Network Assessment to the EPA 
with monitoring requirements. TCEQ's 2014 Air Monitoring Network Plan 
is the most recent EPA-approved plan and was approved by the EPA on 
January 14, 2015.\4\ All monitoring data is measured using the EPA 
approved methods and subject to the EPA quality assurance requirements. 
Federally required monitoring is conducted under an EPA-approved 
Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP). The TCEQ Web site provides the 
monitor locations and posts past and current concentrations of criteria 
pollutants measured in the State's network of monitors.\5\ TCEQ submits 
all required data to the EPA, following the EPA regulations. Previously 
the Texas statewide monitoring network was approved into the SIP on 
March 7, 1978 (43 FR 9275).
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    \4\ A copy of TCEQ's ambient monitoring network assessment and 
EPA's approval letter are included in the docket for this proposed 
rulemaking.
    \5\ See http://www.tceq.texas.gov/airquality/monops/sites/mon_sites.html and http://www17.tceq.texas.gov/tamis/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.welcome.
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    (C) Program for enforcement: The CAA Sec.  110(a)(2)(C) requires 
SIPs to include the following three elements: (1) A program providing 
for enforcement of the measures in paragraph A above; (2) a program for 
the regulation of the modification and construction of stationary 
sources as necessary to protect the applicable NAAQS (i.e., state-wide 
permitting of minor sources); and (3) a permit program to meet the 
major source permitting requirements of the CAA (for areas designated 
as attainment or unclassifiable for the NAAQS).\6\
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    \6\ As discussed in further details in the TSD.
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    (1) Enforcement of SIP Measures. As noted in (A), the TCAA provides 
authority for the TCEQ, its Chairman, and its Executive Director to 
enforce the requirements any regulations, permits or final compliance 
orders as well as general enforcement powers. Among other things, they 
can file lawsuits to compel compliance with the statutes and 
regulations; commence civil actions, issue field citation; conduct 
investigations of regulated entities; collect criminal and civil 
penalties; develop and enforce rules and standards related to 
protection of air quality; issue

[[Page 60316]]

compliance orders; pursue criminal prosecutions; investigate, enter 
into remediation agreements; and issue emergency cease and desist 
orders. The TCAA also provides additional enforcement authorities and 
funding mechanisms.
    (2) Minor New Source Review (NSR). Section 110(a)(2)(C) also 
requires that the SIP include measures to regulate construction and 
modification of stationary sources to protect the NAAQS. The Texas 
minor NSR permitting requirements are approved as part of the SIP.\7\
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    \7\ The EPA is not proposing to approve or disapprove the 
existing Texas minor NSR program to the extent that it may be 
inconsistent with the EPA's regulations governing this program. The 
EPA has maintained that the CAA does not require that new 
infrastructure SIP submissions correct any defects in existing EPA-
approved provisions of minor NSR programs in order for the EPA to 
approve the infrastructure SIP for element C (e.g., 76 FR 41076-
41079). The EPA believes that a number of states may have minor NSR 
provisions that are contrary to the existing EPA regulations for 
this program. The statutory requirements of section 110(a)(2)(C) 
provide for considerable flexibility in designing minor NSR 
programs.
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    (3) Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) permit program. 
Texas's PSD portion of the SIP covers all NSR regulated pollutants as 
well as the requirements for the 2010 SO2 NAAQS and has been 
approved by the EPA.\8\ Texas has a SIP-approved PSD and nonattainment 
NSR permitting program that contains requirement for sources of air 
pollutants to obtain an approved permit before beginning construction 
of a facility and before modifying an existing facility (79 FR 66626, 
November 10, 2014).
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    \8\ As discussed further in the TSD.
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    (D) Interstate and international transport: The requirements for 
the interstate transport of SO2 emissions are that the SIP 
contain adequate provisions prohibiting emissions to other states which 
will (1) contribute significantly to nonattainment of the NAAQS, (2) 
interfere with maintenance of the NAAQS, (3) interfere with measures 
required to prevent significant deterioration or (4) interfere with 
measures to protect visibility (CAA 110(a)(2)(D)(i)). In addition, 
States must comply with requirements to prevent transport of 
international air pollution (CAA section 110(a)(2)(D)(ii)).
    The Texas i-SIP submittal discussed the requirements of the CAA 
section 110(a)(D). We plan to evaluate and take action on the portion 
of the i-SIP pertaining to emissions which will contribute 
significantly to nonattainment or interfere with maintenance of the 
NAAQS at a later time. As noted above, we proposed to disapprove the 
portion of the SIP addressing interstate transport and visibility 
protection in an earlier action (80 FR 74818, December 16, 2014).
    Because Texas has a fully approved Prevention of Significant 
Deterioration (PSD) SIP addressing all regulated new source review 
pollutants, we propose to approve the transport portion of the 
submittal. Revisions to the PSD SIP were approved on November 10, 2014 
(79 FR 66626).
    CAA section 110(a)(2)(D)(ii) requires that the SIP contain adequate 
provisions insuring compliance with the applicable requirements of 
section 126 (relating to interstate pollution abatement) and 115 
(relating to international pollution abatement). Texas meets the 
section 126 requirements as it has a fully approved PSD SIP and no 
source or sources have been identified by the EPA as having any 
interstate impacts under section 126 in any pending action related to 
any air pollutant. Texas meets the section 115 requirements as there 
are no final findings by the EPA that Texas air emissions affect other 
countries. Therefore, we propose to approve the portion of the Texas 
SO2 i-SIP pertaining to CAA section 110(a)(2)(D)(ii).
    (E) Adequate authority, resources, implementation, and oversight: 
The SIP must provide for the following: (1) Necessary assurances that 
the state (and other entities within the state responsible for 
implementing the SIP) will have adequate personnel, funding, and 
authority under state or local law to implement the SIP, and that there 
are no legal impediments to such implementation; (2) requirements 
relating to state boards; and (3) necessary assurances that the state 
has responsibility for ensuring adequate implementation of any plan 
provision for which it relies on local governments or other entities to 
carry out that portion of the plan.
    Both elements (A) and (E) herein address the requirement that there 
is adequate authority to implement and enforce the SIP and that there 
are no legal impediments.
    This i-SIP submission for the 2010 SO2 NAAQS describes 
the SIP regulations governing the various functions of personnel within 
the TCEQ, including the administrative, technical support, planning, 
enforcement, and permitting functions of the program.
    With respect to funding, TCAA requires TCEQ establish an emissions 
fee schedule for sources in order to fund the reasonable costs of 
administering various air pollution control programs and authorizes 
TCEQ to collect additional fees necessary to cover reasonable costs 
associated with processing of air permit applications. The EPA conducts 
periodic program reviews to ensure that the state has adequate 
resources and funding to among other things implement and enforce the 
SIP.
    As required by the CAA, the SIP stipulates that any board or body, 
which approves permits or enforcement orders, must have at least a 
majority of members who represent the public interest and do not derive 
any ``significant portion'' of their income from persons subject to 
permits and enforcement orders or who appear before the board on issues 
related to the CAA. The members of the board or body, or the head of an 
agency with similar powers, are required to adequately disclose any 
potential conflicts of interest.
    With respect to assurances that the States has responsibility to 
implement the SIP adequately when it authorizes local or other agencies 
to carry out portions of the plan, the Texas statutes and the SIP 
designate the TCEQ as the primary air pollution control agency, and the 
TCEQ maintains authority to ensure implementation of any applicable 
plan portion.
    (F) Stationary source monitoring system: The SIP must provide the 
establishment of a system to monitor emissions from stationary sources 
and to submit periodic emission reports. It must require the 
installation, maintenance, and replacement of equipment, and the 
implementation of other necessary steps, by owners or operators of 
stationary sources, to monitor emissions from sources. The SIP shall 
also require periodic reports on the nature and amounts of emissions 
and emissions-related data from sources, and require that the state 
correlate the source reports with emission limitations or standards 
established under the CAA. These reports must be made available for 
public inspection at reasonable times.
    The TCAA authorizes the TCEQ to require persons engaged in 
operations which result in air pollution to monitor or test emissions 
and to file reports containing information relating to the nature and 
amount of emissions. There also are SIP regulations pertaining to 
sampling and testing and requirements for reporting of emissions 
inventories. In addition, SIP rules establish general requirements for 
maintaining records and reporting emissions.
    The TCEQ uses this information, in addition to information obtained 
from other sources, to track progress towards maintaining the NAAQS, 
developing control and maintenance strategies, identifying sources and 
general

[[Page 60317]]

emission levels, and determine compliance with SIP regulations and 
additional EPA requirements. The SIP requires this information be made 
available to the public. Provisions concerning the handling of 
confidential data and proprietary business information are included in 
the SIP's regulations. These rules specifically exclude from 
confidential treatment any records concerning the nature and amount of 
emissions reported by sources.
    (G) Emergency authority: The SIP must provide for authority to 
address activities causing imminent and substantial endangerment to 
public health or welfare or the environment and to include contingency 
plans to implement such authorities as necessary.
    The TCAA provides TCEQ with authority to address environmental 
emergencies, and TCEQ has contingency plans to implement emergency 
episode provisions. Upon a finding that any owner/operator is 
unreasonably affecting the public health, safety or welfare, or the 
health of animal or plant life, or property, TCAA authorizes TCEQ to, 
after a reasonable attempt to give notice, declare a state of emergency 
and issue without hearing an emergency special order directing the 
owner/operator to cease such pollution immediately. The TCEQ may issue 
emergency orders, or issue or suspend air permits as required by an air 
pollution emergency.
    (H) Future SIP revisions: States must have the authority to revise 
their SIPs in response to changes in the NAAQS, availability of 
improved methods for attaining the NAAQS, or in response to an EPA 
finding that the SIP is substantially inadequate to attain the NAAQS.
    The TCAA authorizes the TCEQ to revise its SIP, as necessary, to 
account for revisions of an existing NAAQS, establishment of a new 
NAAQS, to attain and maintain the NAAQS, to abate air pollution, to 
adopt more effective methods of attaining the NAAQS, and to respond to 
the EPA SIP calls concerning NAAQS adoption or implementation. TCEQ 
regularly revises the Texas SIP in response to revisions of the NAAQS 
and the EPA rules.
    (I) Nonattainment areas: The CAA section 110(a)(2)(I) requires that 
in the case of a plan or plan revision for areas designated as 
nonattainment areas, states must meet applicable requirements of Part D 
of the CAA, relating to SIP requirements for designated nonattainment 
area. SIP revisions that implement the control strategies necessary to 
bring a nonattainment area into attainment of the NAAQSs are not 
required by CAA to be submitted within three years of the promulgation 
of a new or revised NAAQS. Therefore, Sec.  110(a)(1) does not require 
this element to be demonstrated as part of an infrastructure SIP 
submittal (73 FR 16025, at 16206).
    (J) Consultation with government officials, public notification, 
PSD and visibility protection: The SIP must meet applicable 
requirements of section 121: (1) Relating to interagency consultation 
regarding certain CAA requirements; section 127 (2) relating to public 
notification of NAAQS exceedances and related issues; and, part C 
relating to (3) prevention of significant deterioration of air quality 
and visibility protection.
    (1) Interagency consultation: As required by the TCAA, there must 
be a public hearing before the adoption of any regulations or emission 
control requirements and all interested persons are given a reasonable 
opportunity to submit data, view, or arguments orally or in writing and 
to examine witnesses testifying at the hearing. The TCEQ has 
established public processes for all SIP revisions and permitting 
programs. The TCEQ consults with other agencies, local agencies, and 
governmental organizations, as well as with the environmental agencies 
of other states regarding air quality concerns.
    (2) Public Notification: This i-SIP submission from Texas provides 
the SIP regulatory citations requiring the TCEQ to regularly notify the 
public of instances or areas in which any NAAQS are exceeded. Included 
in the SIP are the rules for TCEQ to advise the public of the health 
hazard associated with such exceedances; and enhance public awareness 
of measures that can prevent such exceedances and of ways in which the 
public can participate in the regulatory and other efforts to improve 
air quality. In addition, as discussed for infrastructure element B 
above, the TCEQ air monitoring Web site provides quality data for each 
of the monitoring stations in Texas; this data is provided 
instantaneously for certain pollutants, such as ozone. The Web site 
also provides information on the health effects of lead, ozone, 
particulate matter, and other criteria pollutants.
    (3) PSD and Visibility Protection: All major sources in Texas are 
subject to Texas' SIP-approved PSD program. The PSD requirements here 
are the same as those addressed under (C). Texas submitted a SIP 
revision to address Regional Haze, including a long-term strategy to 
address visibility impairment for each Class I area that may be 
impacted by emission from Texas facilities. Texas SIP requirements 
relating to visibility and regional haze are not affected when the EPA 
establishes or revises a NAAQS. Therefore, the EPA believes that there 
are no new visibility protection requirements due to the revision of 
the NAAQS, and consequently there are no newly applicable visibility 
protection obligations pursuant to infrastructure element (J) after the 
promulgation of a new or revised NAAQS.
    (K) Air quality and modeling/data: The SIP must provide for 
performing air quality modeling, as prescribed by the EPA, to predict 
the effects on ambient air quality of any emissions of any NAAQS 
pollutant, and for submission of such data to the EPA upon request.
    The TCEQ has the power and duty, under the TCAA to investigate and 
develop facts providing for the functions of environmental air quality 
assessments. Air quality modeling is conducted during development of 
revisions to the Texas SIP, as appropriate for the State to demonstrate 
attainment with required NAAQS. Modeling is also a part of the NSR 
permitting program. Texas has the ability to perform modeling for the 
primary and secondary SO2 standards and other NAAQS criteria 
pollutant on a case-by-case permit basis consistent with their SIP-
approved PSD rules and with the EPA guidance. Upon request, Texas will 
submit current and future air quality modeling data to the EPA.
    (L) Permitting Fees: The SIP must require each major stationary 
source to pay permitting fees to the permitting authority, as a 
condition of any permit required under the CAA, to cover the cost of 
reviewing and acting upon any application for such a permit, and, if 
the permit is issued, the costs of implementing and enforcing the terms 
of the permit. The fee requirement applies until a fee program 
established by the state pursuant to Title V of the CAA, relating to 
operating permits, is approved by the EPA.
    The TCEQ assesses fees for reviewing permit applications and for 
enforcing the terms and conditions of permits. See element (E) above 
for the description of the mandatory collection of permitting fees 
outlined in the SIP.
    (M) Consultation/participation by affected local entities: The SIP 
must provide for consultation and participation by local political 
subdivisions affected by the SIP.
    The TCEQ has several cooperative agreements and Memoranda of 
Understanding with various other state and local agencies and 
organizations. Consultation with a variety of different organizations 
is a regular part of the TCEQ process for developing a SIP. See

[[Page 60318]]

element J herein for a discussion of the SIP's public participation 
process, the authority to advise and consult, and the PSD SIP's public 
participation requirements. Additionally, the TCAA also requires 
initiation of cooperative action between local authorities and the 
TCEQ, between one local authority and another, or among any combination 
of local authorities and the TCEQ for control of air pollution in areas 
having related air pollution problems that overlap the boundaries of 
political subdivisions, and entering into agreements and compacts with 
adjoining states and Indian tribes, where appropriate.

III. Proposed Action

    The EPA is proposing to approve the April 23, 2013, infrastructure 
SIP submission from Texas, which addresses the requirements of CAA 
sections 110(a)(1) and (2) as applicable to the 2010 SO2 
NAAQS. Specifically, the EPA is proposing to approve the following 
infrastructure elements, or portions thereof: 110(a)(2)(A), (B), (C), 
(D)(i)(II) (PSD portion), D(ii), (E), (F), (G), (H), (J), (K), (L), and 
(M). The EPA is not proposing action on: The portion pertaining to 
section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I), which concerns interstate pollution 
transport affecting attainment and maintenance of the NAAQS and the 
portion pertaining to section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II) pertaining to 
visibility protection.

IV. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

    Under the CAA, the Administrator is required to approve a SIP 
submission that complies with the provisions of the Act and applicable 
Federal regulations. 42 U.S.C. 7410(k); 40 CFR 52.02(a). Thus, in 
reviewing SIP submissions, the EPA's role is to approve state choices, 
provided that they meet the criteria of the CAA. Accordingly, this 
action merely proposes to approve state law as meeting Federal 
requirements and does not impose additional requirements beyond those 
imposed by state law. For that reason, this action:
     Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' subject to 
review by the Office of Management and Budget under Executive Order 
12866 (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993);
     Does not impose an information collection burden under the 
provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.);
     Is certified as not having a significant economic impact 
on a substantial number of small entities under the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.);
     Does not contain any unfunded mandate or significantly or 
uniquely affect small governments, as described in the Unfunded 
Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-4);
     Does not have Federalism implications as specified in 
Executive Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10, 1999);
     Is not an economically significant regulatory action based 
on health or safety risks subject to Executive Order 13045 (62 FR 
19885, April 23, 1997);
     Is not a significant regulatory action subject to 
Executive Order 13211 (66 FR 28355, May 22, 2001);
     Is not subject to requirements of Section 12(d) of the 
National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272 
note) because application of those requirements would be inconsistent 
with the CAA; and
     Does not provide the EPA with the discretionary authority 
to address, as appropriate, disproportionate human health or 
environmental effects, using practicable and legally permissible 
methods, under Executive Order 12898 (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994).
    The EPA is not proposing to approve this infrastructure SIP 
certification to apply on any Indian reservation land or in any other 
area where the EPA or an Indian tribe has demonstrated that a tribe has 
jurisdiction. In those areas of Indian country, this proposed approval 
of an infrastructure SIP certification does not have tribal 
implications as specified by Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, 
November 9, 2000), nor will it impose substantial direct costs on 
tribal governments or preempt tribal law.

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52

    Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Incorporation by 
reference, Intergovernmental relations, Sulfur dioxide reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements.

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

    Dated: September 22, 2015.
Ron Curry,
Regional Administrator, Region 6.
[FR Doc. 2015-25337 Filed 10-5-15; 8:45 am]
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                                                 60314                  Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 193 / Tuesday, October 6, 2015 / Proposed Rules

                                                 centerline of Runway 8/26, thence south                 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION                              www.regulations.gov Web site is an
                                                 to the north shore of the Columbia                      AGENCY                                                ‘‘anonymous access’’ system, which
                                                 River, thence west via the north shore                                                                        means the EPA will not know your
                                                 of the Columbia River to the 5-mile arc                 40 CFR Part 52                                        identity or contact information unless
                                                 from Portland International Airport,                    [EPA–R06–OAR–2013–0388; FRL–9935–08–                  you provide it in the body of your
                                                 thence clockwise via the 5-mile arc to                  Region 6]                                             comment. If you send an email
                                                 point of beginning.                                                                                           comment directly to the EPA without
                                                                                                         Approval and Promulgation of                          going through www.regulations.gov,
                                                 § 93.163   Aircraft operations.                         Implementation Plans; Texas;                          your email address will be
                                                    (a) Unless otherwise authorized by                   Infrastructure and Interstate Transport               automatically captured and included as
                                                                                                         State Implementation Plan for the 2010                part of the comment that is placed in the
                                                 ATC, no person may operate an aircraft
                                                                                                         Sulfur Dioxide National Ambient Air                   public docket and made available on the
                                                 within the airspace described in
                                                                                                         Quality Standards                                     Internet. If you submit an electronic
                                                 § 93.162, or taxi onto the runway at                                                                          comment, the EPA recommends that
                                                 Pearson Field, unless—                                  AGENCY:  Environmental Protection
                                                                                                                                                               you include your name and other
                                                    (1) That person establishes two-way                  Agency (EPA).
                                                                                                                                                               contact information in the body of your
                                                 radio communications with Pearson                       ACTION: Proposed rule.                                comment and with any disk or CD–ROM
                                                 Advisory on the common traffic                          SUMMARY:    Under the Federal Clean Air               you submit. If the EPA cannot read your
                                                 advisory frequency for the purpose of                   Act (CAA) the Environmental Protection                comment due to technical difficulties
                                                 receiving air traffic advisories and                    Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve                  and cannot contact you for clarification,
                                                 continues to monitor the frequency at                   elements of a State Implementation Plan               the EPA may not be able to consider
                                                 all times while operating within the                    (SIP) submission from the State of Texas              your comment. Electronic files should
                                                 specified airspace.                                     for the Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) National                 avoid the use of special characters, any
                                                                                                         Ambient Air Quality Standards                         form of encryption, and be free of any
                                                    (2) That person has obtained the
                                                                                                         (NAAQS). The submittal addresses how                  defects or viruses. Multimedia
                                                 Pearson Field weather prior to                                                                                submissions (audio, video, etc.) must be
                                                 establishing two-way communications                     the existing SIP provides for
                                                                                                         implementation, maintenance, and                      accompanied by a written comment.
                                                 with Pearson Advisory.                                                                                        The written comment is considered the
                                                                                                         enforcement of the 2010 SO2 NAAQS
                                                    (b) Notwithstanding the provisions of                (infrastructure SIP or i-SIP). This i-SIP             official comment and should include
                                                 paragraph (a) of this section, if two-way               ensures that the State’s SIP is adequate              discussion of all points you wish to
                                                 radio communications failure occurs in                  to meet the state’s responsibilities under            make. The EPA will generally not
                                                 flight, a person may operate an aircraft                the CAA.                                              consider comments or comment
                                                 within the airspace described in                        DATES: Written comments must be
                                                                                                                                                               contents located outside of the primary
                                                 § 93.162, and land, if weather                          received on or before November 5, 2015.               submission (i.e. on the web, cloud, or
                                                 conditions are at or above basic VFR                                                                          other file sharing system). For
                                                                                                         ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,
                                                 weather minimums. If two-way radio                                                                            additional information on submitting
                                                                                                         identified by Docket ID Number EPA–
                                                 communications failure occurs while in                                                                        comments, please visit http://
                                                                                                         R06–OAR–2013–0388, by one of the
                                                 flight under IFR, the pilot must comply                                                                       www2.epa.gov/dockets/commenting-
                                                                                                         following methods:
                                                 with § 91.185 of this chapter.                             • www.regulations.gov. Follow the                  epa-dockets.
                                                                                                                                                                  Docket: The index to the docket for
                                                    (c) Unless otherwise authorized by                   online instructions.
                                                                                                            • Email: Nevine Salem at                           this action is available electronically at
                                                 ATC, persons operating an aircraft                                                                            www.regulations.gov and in hard copy
                                                 within the airspace described in                        salem.nevine@epa.gov.
                                                                                                            • Mail or delivery: Guy Donaldson,                 at EPA Region 6, 1445 Ross Avenue,
                                                 § 93.162 must—                                                                                                Suite 700, Dallas, Texas. While all
                                                                                                         Chief, Air Planning Section (6PD–L),
                                                    (1) When operating over the extended                 Environmental Protection Agency, 1445                 documents in the docket are listed in
                                                 centerline of Pearson Field Runway 8/                   Ross Avenue, Suite 1200, Dallas, Texas                the index, some information may be
                                                 26, maintain an altitude at or below 700                75202–2733. Deliveries are accepted                   publicly available only at the hard copy
                                                 feet above mean sea level.                              only between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4                location (e.g., copyrighted material), and
                                                                                                         p.m. weekdays, and not on legal                       some may not be publicly available at
                                                    (2) Remain outside Portland Class C                                                                        either location (e.g., CBI).
                                                 Airspace.                                               holidays. Special arrangements should
                                                                                                         be made for deliveries of boxed                       FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms.
                                                    (3) Make a right traffic pattern when                information.                                          Nevine Salem, 214–665–7222,
                                                 operating to/from Pearson Field Runway                     Instructions: Direct your comments to              salem.nevine@epa.gov. To inspect the
                                                 26.                                                     Docket ID No. EPA–R06–OAR–2013–                       hard copy materials, please schedule an
                                                   Issued in Washington, DC, under the                   0338. The EPA’s policy is that all                    appointment with her or Bill Deese at
                                                 authority of 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 40103, and               comments received will be included in                 214–665–7253.
                                                 44701(a)(5) on September 29, 2015.                      the public docket without change, and                 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                                 Jodi S. McCarthy,                                       may be made available online at                       Throughout this document wherever
                                                                                                         www.regulations.gov, including any                    ‘‘we,’’ ‘‘us,’’ or ‘‘our’’ is used, we mean
                                                 Director, Airspace Services.
                                                                                                         personal information provided, unless                 the EPA.
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                                                 [FR Doc. 2015–25344 Filed 10–5–15; 8:45 am]
                                                                                                         the comment includes information
                                                 BILLING CODE 4910–13–P                                  claimed to be Confidential Business                   I. Background
                                                                                                         Information (CBI) or other information                  On June 22, 2010, the EPA revised the
                                                                                                         whose disclosure is restricted by statute.            primary SO2 NAAQS (hereafter the 2010
                                                                                                         Do not submit electronically any                      SO2 NAAQS) to establish a new 1-hour
                                                                                                         information that you consider to be CBI               standard, with a level of 75 parts per
                                                                                                         or other information whose disclosure is              billion, based on the 3-year average of
                                                                                                         restricted by statute. The                            the annual 99th percentile of 1-hour


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                                                                          Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 193 / Tuesday, October 6, 2015 / Proposed Rules                                                    60315

                                                 daily maximum concentrations (75 FR                       demonstration of how the existing Texas                  and analysis of monitoring data, and
                                                 35520). Each state must submit the i-SIP                  i-SIP met all the requirements of the                    providing such data to the EPA upon
                                                 within three years after the                              2010 SO2 NAAQS on May 09, 2013.                          request.
                                                 promulgation of a new or revised                          This SIP submission became complete                         The TCAA provides the authority
                                                 NAAQS. Section 110(a)(2) of the CAA                       by operation of law on November 09,                      allowing the TCEQ to collect air
                                                 includes a list of specific elements the                  2013. See CAA section 110(k)(1)(B).                      monitoring data, quality-assure the
                                                 i-SIP must meet.                                             (A) Emission limits and other control                 results, and report the data. TCEQ
                                                    On April 23, 2013, the TCEQ                            measures: The CAA § 110(a)(2)(A)                         maintains and operates a monitoring
                                                 submitted an i-SIP for the 2010 SO2                       requires SIPs to include enforceable                     network to measure ambient levels of
                                                 NAAQS. On September 13, 2013, the                         emission limitations and other control                   SO2 and submits an annual Network
                                                 EPA issued guidance addressing the i-                     measures, means or techniques                            Assessment to the EPA with monitoring
                                                 SIP elements for all NAAQS.1 This                         (including economic incentives such as                   requirements. TCEQ’s 2014 Air
                                                 guidance doesn’t address CAA section                      fees, marketable permits, and auctions                   Monitoring Network Plan is the most
                                                 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I), which concerns                        of emissions rights), as well as                         recent EPA-approved plan and was
                                                 interstate pollution transport affecting                  schedules and timetables for                             approved by the EPA on January 14,
                                                 attainment and maintenance of the                         compliance, as may be necessary or                       2015.4 All monitoring data is measured
                                                 NAAQS.                                                    appropriate to meet the applicable                       using the EPA approved methods and
                                                    The EPA is proposing approval of the                   requirements of this Act and other                       subject to the EPA quality assurance
                                                 April 23, 2013 submission for the                         related matters as needed to implement,                  requirements. Federally required
                                                 applicable requirements of the 2010 SO2                   maintain and enforce each of the                         monitoring is conducted under an EPA-
                                                 NAAQS. The EPA is not proposing any                       NAAQS.3                                                  approved Quality Assurance Project
                                                 action at this time regarding the                            The Texas Clean Air Act (TCAA)                        Plan (QAPP). The TCEQ Web site
                                                 interstate transport provisions portions                  provides the Texas Commission on                         provides the monitor locations and
                                                 of section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) pertaining to               Environmental Quality (TCEQ), its                        posts past and current concentrations of
                                                 nonattainment or interference with                        Chairman, and its Executive Director                     criteria pollutants measured in the
                                                 maintenance of the NAAQS in other                         with broad legal authority. They can                     State’s network of monitors.5 TCEQ
                                                 States and the portion of                                 adopt emission standards and                             submits all required data to the EPA,
                                                 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II) regarding visibility                  compliance schedules applicable to                       following the EPA regulations.
                                                 protection. We intend to take action as                   regulated entities; emission standards                   Previously the Texas statewide
                                                 to whether the Texas SIP meets the                        and limitations and any other measures                   monitoring network was approved into
                                                 requirements of 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) in a                   necessary for attainment and                             the SIP on March 7, 1978 (43 FR 9275).
                                                 later action. In a separate action, we                    maintenance of national standards; and,                     (C) Program for enforcement: The
                                                 proposed to disapprove the portion of                     enforce applicable laws, regulations,                    CAA § 110(a)(2)(C) requires SIPs to
                                                 the Texas SO2 i-SIP for CAA section                       standards and compliance schedules,                      include the following three elements: (1)
                                                 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II) pertaining to the                     and seek injunctive relief. This                         A program providing for enforcement of
                                                 visibility protection (79 FR 74818,                       authority has been employed in the past                  the measures in paragraph A above; (2)
                                                 December 16, 2014). The EPA will take                     to adopt and submit multiple revisions                   a program for the regulation of the
                                                 final action on the portion of CAA                        to the Texas State Implementation Plan.                  modification and construction of
                                                 section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II) pertaining to                 The approved SIP for Texas that                          stationary sources as necessary to
                                                                                                           satisfies the infrastructure requirements                protect the applicable NAAQS (i.e.,
                                                 visibility protection of the Texas SO2 i-
                                                                                                           of CAA section 110(a)(2) for the 2010                    state-wide permitting of minor sources);
                                                 SIP in a future rulemaking. EPA notes
                                                                                                           SO2 NAAQS is documented at 40 CFR                        and (3) a permit program to meet the
                                                 that the Agency is not approving any
                                                                                                           part 52.2270, Subpart SS. TCEQ’s air                     major source permitting requirements of
                                                 specific rule, but rather proposing that
                                                                                                           quality rules and standards are codified                 the CAA (for areas designated as
                                                 Texas’ already approved SIP meets
                                                                                                           at Title 30, Part 1 of the Texas                         attainment or unclassifiable for the
                                                 certain CAA requirements.
                                                                                                           Administrative Code (TAC). Numerous                      NAAQS).6
                                                 II. The EPA’s Evaluation of Texas’ 2010                   parts of the regulations codified into 30                   (1) Enforcement of SIP Measures. As
                                                 SO2 NAAQS i-SIP Submittal                                 TAC necessary for implementing and                       noted in (A), the TCAA provides
                                                   Below is a summary of the EPA’s                         enforcing the NAAQS have been                            authority for the TCEQ, its Chairman,
                                                 evaluation of the Texas i-SIP for each                    adopted into the SIP.                                    and its Executive Director to enforce the
                                                                                                              (B) Ambient air quality monitoring/                   requirements any regulations, permits or
                                                 applicable element of CAA section
                                                                                                           data system: The SIP must provide for                    final compliance orders as well as
                                                 110(a)(2) A–M.2 Texas provided a
                                                                                                           establishment and implementation of                      general enforcement powers. Among
                                                    1 Guidance on Infrastructure State                     ambient air quality monitors, collection                 other things, they can file lawsuits to
                                                 Implementation Plan (SIP) Elements under Clean                                                                     compel compliance with the statutes
                                                 Air Act Sections 110(a)(1) and 110(a)(2),                 www.regulations.gov (e-docket EPA–R06–2013–              and regulations; commence civil
                                                 Memorandum from Stephen D. Page, September 13,            0388).
                                                 2013.                                                       3 The specific nonattainment area plan
                                                                                                                                                                    actions, issue field citation; conduct
                                                    2 Additional information on: The history of SO ,
                                                                                                     2     requirements of section 110(a)(2)(I) are subject to      investigations of regulated entities;
                                                 its levels, forms and, determination of compliance;       the timing requirements of section 172, not the          collect criminal and civil penalties;
                                                 the EPA’s approach for reviewing i-SIPs; the details      timing requirement of section 110(a)(1). Thus,           develop and enforce rules and standards
                                                 of the SIP submittal and the EPA’s evaluation; the        section 110(a)(2)(A) does not require that states        related to protection of air quality; issue
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                                                 effect of recent court decisions on i-SIPs; the statute   submit regulations or emissions limits specifically
                                                 and regulatory citations in the Texas SIP specific to     for attaining the 2010 SO2 NAAQS. Those SIP
                                                                                                                                                                      4 A copy of TCEQ’s ambient monitoring network
                                                 this review; the specific i-SIP applicable CAA and        provisions are due as part of each state’s attainment
                                                 the EPA regulatory citations; Federal Register            plan, and will be addressed separately from the          assessment and EPA’s approval letter are included
                                                 Notice citations for Texas’ SIP approvals; Texas          requirements of section 110(a)(2)(A). In the context     in the docket for this proposed rulemaking.
                                                                                                                                                                      5 See http://www.tceq.texas.gov/airquality/
                                                 minor New Source Review program and the EPA               of an infrastructure SIP, the EPA is not evaluating
                                                 approval activities; and Texas’ Prevention of             the existing SIP provisions for this purpose. Instead,   monops/sites/mon_sites.html and http://
                                                 Significant Deterioration (PSD) program can be            the EPA is only evaluating whether the state’s SIP       www17.tceq.texas.gov/tamis/
                                                 found in the Technical Support Document (TSD).            has basic structural provisions for the                  index.cfm?fuseaction=home.welcome.
                                                 The TSD can be accessed through                           implementation of the NAAQS.                               6 As discussed in further details in the TSD.




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                                                 60316                   Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 193 / Tuesday, October 6, 2015 / Proposed Rules

                                                 compliance orders; pursue criminal                      addressing interstate transport and                   processing of air permit applications.
                                                 prosecutions; investigate, enter into                   visibility protection in an earlier action            The EPA conducts periodic program
                                                 remediation agreements; and issue                       (80 FR 74818, December 16, 2014).                     reviews to ensure that the state has
                                                 emergency cease and desist orders. The                     Because Texas has a fully approved                 adequate resources and funding to
                                                 TCAA also provides additional                           Prevention of Significant Deterioration               among other things implement and
                                                 enforcement authorities and funding                     (PSD) SIP addressing all regulated new                enforce the SIP.
                                                 mechanisms.                                             source review pollutants, we propose to                  As required by the CAA, the SIP
                                                    (2) Minor New Source Review (NSR).                   approve the transport portion of the                  stipulates that any board or body, which
                                                 Section 110(a)(2)(C) also requires that                 submittal. Revisions to the PSD SIP                   approves permits or enforcement orders,
                                                 the SIP include measures to regulate                    were approved on November 10, 2014                    must have at least a majority of
                                                 construction and modification of                        (79 FR 66626).                                        members who represent the public
                                                 stationary sources to protect the                          CAA section 110(a)(2)(D)(ii) requires              interest and do not derive any
                                                 NAAQS. The Texas minor NSR                              that the SIP contain adequate provisions              ‘‘significant portion’’ of their income
                                                 permitting requirements are approved as                 insuring compliance with the applicable               from persons subject to permits and
                                                 part of the SIP.7                                       requirements of section 126 (relating to              enforcement orders or who appear
                                                    (3) Prevention of Significant                        interstate pollution abatement) and 115               before the board on issues related to the
                                                 Deterioration (PSD) permit program.                     (relating to international pollution                  CAA. The members of the board or
                                                 Texas’s PSD portion of the SIP covers all               abatement). Texas meets the section 126               body, or the head of an agency with
                                                 NSR regulated pollutants as well as the                 requirements as it has a fully approved               similar powers, are required to
                                                 requirements for the 2010 SO2 NAAQS                     PSD SIP and no source or sources have                 adequately disclose any potential
                                                 and has been approved by the EPA.8                      been identified by the EPA as having                  conflicts of interest.
                                                 Texas has a SIP-approved PSD and                        any interstate impacts under section 126                 With respect to assurances that the
                                                 nonattainment NSR permitting program                    in any pending action related to any air              States has responsibility to implement
                                                 that contains requirement for sources of                pollutant. Texas meets the section 115                the SIP adequately when it authorizes
                                                 air pollutants to obtain an approved                    requirements as there are no final                    local or other agencies to carry out
                                                 permit before beginning construction of                 findings by the EPA that Texas air                    portions of the plan, the Texas statutes
                                                 a facility and before modifying an                      emissions affect other countries.                     and the SIP designate the TCEQ as the
                                                 existing facility (79 FR 66626,                         Therefore, we propose to approve the                  primary air pollution control agency,
                                                 November 10, 2014).                                     portion of the Texas SO2 i-SIP                        and the TCEQ maintains authority to
                                                    (D) Interstate and international                     pertaining to CAA section                             ensure implementation of any
                                                 transport: The requirements for the                     110(a)(2)(D)(ii).                                     applicable plan portion.
                                                 interstate transport of SO2 emissions are                  (E) Adequate authority, resources,                    (F) Stationary source monitoring
                                                 that the SIP contain adequate provisions                implementation, and oversight: The SIP                system: The SIP must provide the
                                                 prohibiting emissions to other states                   must provide for the following: (1)                   establishment of a system to monitor
                                                 which will (1) contribute significantly to              Necessary assurances that the state (and              emissions from stationary sources and
                                                 nonattainment of the NAAQS, (2)                         other entities within the state                       to submit periodic emission reports. It
                                                 interfere with maintenance of the                       responsible for implementing the SIP)                 must require the installation,
                                                 NAAQS, (3) interfere with measures                      will have adequate personnel, funding,                maintenance, and replacement of
                                                 required to prevent significant                         and authority under state or local law to             equipment, and the implementation of
                                                 deterioration or (4) interfere with                     implement the SIP, and that there are no              other necessary steps, by owners or
                                                 measures to protect visibility (CAA                     legal impediments to such                             operators of stationary sources, to
                                                 110(a)(2)(D)(i)). In addition, States must              implementation; (2) requirements                      monitor emissions from sources. The
                                                 comply with requirements to prevent                     relating to state boards; and (3)                     SIP shall also require periodic reports
                                                 transport of international air pollution                necessary assurances that the state has               on the nature and amounts of emissions
                                                 (CAA section 110(a)(2)(D)(ii)).                         responsibility for ensuring adequate                  and emissions-related data from
                                                    The Texas i-SIP submittal discussed                  implementation of any plan provision                  sources, and require that the state
                                                 the requirements of the CAA section                     for which it relies on local governments              correlate the source reports with
                                                 110(a)(D). We plan to evaluate and take                 or other entities to carry out that portion           emission limitations or standards
                                                 action on the portion of the i-SIP                      of the plan.                                          established under the CAA. These
                                                 pertaining to emissions which will                         Both elements (A) and (E) herein                   reports must be made available for
                                                 contribute significantly to                             address the requirement that there is                 public inspection at reasonable times.
                                                 nonattainment or interfere with                         adequate authority to implement and                      The TCAA authorizes the TCEQ to
                                                 maintenance of the NAAQS at a later                     enforce the SIP and that there are no                 require persons engaged in operations
                                                 time. As noted above, we proposed to                    legal impediments.                                    which result in air pollution to monitor
                                                 disapprove the portion of the SIP                          This i-SIP submission for the 2010                 or test emissions and to file reports
                                                                                                         SO2 NAAQS describes the SIP                           containing information relating to the
                                                   7 The EPA is not proposing to approve or
                                                                                                         regulations governing the various                     nature and amount of emissions. There
                                                 disapprove the existing Texas minor NSR program
                                                 to the extent that it may be inconsistent with the
                                                                                                         functions of personnel within the TCEQ,               also are SIP regulations pertaining to
                                                 EPA’s regulations governing this program. The EPA       including the administrative, technical               sampling and testing and requirements
                                                 has maintained that the CAA does not require that       support, planning, enforcement, and                   for reporting of emissions inventories.
                                                 new infrastructure SIP submissions correct any          permitting functions of the program.                  In addition, SIP rules establish general
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                                                 defects in existing EPA-approved provisions of             With respect to funding, TCAA
                                                 minor NSR programs in order for the EPA to
                                                                                                                                                               requirements for maintaining records
                                                 approve the infrastructure SIP for element C (e.g.,     requires TCEQ establish an emissions                  and reporting emissions.
                                                 76 FR 41076–41079). The EPA believes that a             fee schedule for sources in order to fund                The TCEQ uses this information, in
                                                 number of states may have minor NSR provisions          the reasonable costs of administering                 addition to information obtained from
                                                 that are contrary to the existing EPA regulations for   various air pollution control programs                other sources, to track progress towards
                                                 this program. The statutory requirements of section
                                                 110(a)(2)(C) provide for considerable flexibility in    and authorizes TCEQ to collect                        maintaining the NAAQS, developing
                                                 designing minor NSR programs.                           additional fees necessary to cover                    control and maintenance strategies,
                                                   8 As discussed further in the TSD.                    reasonable costs associated with                      identifying sources and general


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                                                                        Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 193 / Tuesday, October 6, 2015 / Proposed Rules                                          60317

                                                 emission levels, and determine                          nonattainment area into attainment of                 relating to visibility and regional haze
                                                 compliance with SIP regulations and                     the NAAQSs are not required by CAA                    are not affected when the EPA
                                                 additional EPA requirements. The SIP                    to be submitted within three years of the             establishes or revises a NAAQS.
                                                 requires this information be made                       promulgation of a new or revised                      Therefore, the EPA believes that there
                                                 available to the public. Provisions                     NAAQS. Therefore, § 110(a)(1) does not                are no new visibility protection
                                                 concerning the handling of confidential                 require this element to be demonstrated               requirements due to the revision of the
                                                 data and proprietary business                           as part of an infrastructure SIP submittal            NAAQS, and consequently there are no
                                                 information are included in the SIP’s                   (73 FR 16025, at 16206).                              newly applicable visibility protection
                                                 regulations. These rules specifically                      (J) Consultation with government                   obligations pursuant to infrastructure
                                                 exclude from confidential treatment any                 officials, public notification, PSD and               element (J) after the promulgation of a
                                                 records concerning the nature and                       visibility protection: The SIP must meet              new or revised NAAQS.
                                                 amount of emissions reported by                         applicable requirements of section 121:                  (K) Air quality and modeling/data:
                                                 sources.                                                (1) Relating to interagency consultation              The SIP must provide for performing air
                                                    (G) Emergency authority: The SIP                     regarding certain CAA requirements;                   quality modeling, as prescribed by the
                                                 must provide for authority to address                   section 127 (2) relating to public                    EPA, to predict the effects on ambient
                                                 activities causing imminent and                         notification of NAAQS exceedances and                 air quality of any emissions of any
                                                 substantial endangerment to public                      related issues; and, part C relating to (3)           NAAQS pollutant, and for submission
                                                 health or welfare or the environment                    prevention of significant deterioration of            of such data to the EPA upon request.
                                                 and to include contingency plans to                     air quality and visibility protection.                   The TCEQ has the power and duty,
                                                 implement such authorities as                              (1) Interagency consultation: As                   under the TCAA to investigate and
                                                 necessary.                                              required by the TCAA, there must be a                 develop facts providing for the
                                                    The TCAA provides TCEQ with                          public hearing before the adoption of                 functions of environmental air quality
                                                 authority to address environmental                      any regulations or emission control                   assessments. Air quality modeling is
                                                 emergencies, and TCEQ has contingency                   requirements and all interested persons               conducted during development of
                                                 plans to implement emergency episode                    are given a reasonable opportunity to                 revisions to the Texas SIP, as
                                                 provisions. Upon a finding that any                     submit data, view, or arguments orally                appropriate for the State to demonstrate
                                                 owner/operator is unreasonably                          or in writing and to examine witnesses                attainment with required NAAQS.
                                                 affecting the public health, safety or                  testifying at the hearing. The TCEQ has               Modeling is also a part of the NSR
                                                 welfare, or the health of animal or plant               established public processes for all SIP              permitting program. Texas has the
                                                 life, or property, TCAA authorizes                      revisions and permitting programs. The                ability to perform modeling for the
                                                 TCEQ to, after a reasonable attempt to                  TCEQ consults with other agencies,                    primary and secondary SO2 standards
                                                 give notice, declare a state of emergency               local agencies, and governmental                      and other NAAQS criteria pollutant on
                                                 and issue without hearing an emergency                  organizations, as well as with the                    a case-by-case permit basis consistent
                                                 special order directing the owner/                      environmental agencies of other states                with their SIP-approved PSD rules and
                                                 operator to cease such pollution                        regarding air quality concerns.                       with the EPA guidance. Upon request,
                                                 immediately. The TCEQ may issue                            (2) Public Notification: This i-SIP                Texas will submit current and future air
                                                 emergency orders, or issue or suspend                   submission from Texas provides the SIP                quality modeling data to the EPA.
                                                 air permits as required by an air                       regulatory citations requiring the TCEQ                 (L) Permitting Fees: The SIP must
                                                 pollution emergency.                                    to regularly notify the public of                     require each major stationary source to
                                                    (H) Future SIP revisions: States must                instances or areas in which any NAAQS                 pay permitting fees to the permitting
                                                 have the authority to revise their SIPs in              are exceeded. Included in the SIP are                 authority, as a condition of any permit
                                                 response to changes in the NAAQS,                       the rules for TCEQ to advise the public               required under the CAA, to cover the
                                                 availability of improved methods for                    of the health hazard associated with                  cost of reviewing and acting upon any
                                                 attaining the NAAQS, or in response to                  such exceedances; and enhance public                  application for such a permit, and, if the
                                                 an EPA finding that the SIP is                          awareness of measures that can prevent                permit is issued, the costs of
                                                 substantially inadequate to attain the                  such exceedances and of ways in which                 implementing and enforcing the terms
                                                 NAAQS.                                                  the public can participate in the                     of the permit. The fee requirement
                                                    The TCAA authorizes the TCEQ to                      regulatory and other efforts to improve               applies until a fee program established
                                                 revise its SIP, as necessary, to account                air quality. In addition, as discussed for            by the state pursuant to Title V of the
                                                 for revisions of an existing NAAQS,                     infrastructure element B above, the                   CAA, relating to operating permits, is
                                                 establishment of a new NAAQS, to                        TCEQ air monitoring Web site provides                 approved by the EPA.
                                                 attain and maintain the NAAQS, to                       quality data for each of the monitoring                 The TCEQ assesses fees for reviewing
                                                 abate air pollution, to adopt more                      stations in Texas; this data is provided              permit applications and for enforcing
                                                 effective methods of attaining the                      instantaneously for certain pollutants,               the terms and conditions of permits. See
                                                 NAAQS, and to respond to the EPA SIP                    such as ozone. The Web site also                      element (E) above for the description of
                                                 calls concerning NAAQS adoption or                      provides information on the health                    the mandatory collection of permitting
                                                 implementation. TCEQ regularly revises                  effects of lead, ozone, particulate matter,           fees outlined in the SIP.
                                                 the Texas SIP in response to revisions                  and other criteria pollutants.                          (M) Consultation/participation by
                                                 of the NAAQS and the EPA rules.                            (3) PSD and Visibility Protection: All             affected local entities: The SIP must
                                                    (I) Nonattainment areas: The CAA                     major sources in Texas are subject to                 provide for consultation and
                                                 section 110(a)(2)(I) requires that in the               Texas’ SIP-approved PSD program. The                  participation by local political
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                                                 case of a plan or plan revision for areas               PSD requirements here are the same as                 subdivisions affected by the SIP.
                                                 designated as nonattainment areas,                      those addressed under (C). Texas                        The TCEQ has several cooperative
                                                 states must meet applicable                             submitted a SIP revision to address                   agreements and Memoranda of
                                                 requirements of Part D of the CAA,                      Regional Haze, including a long-term                  Understanding with various other state
                                                 relating to SIP requirements for                        strategy to address visibility impairment             and local agencies and organizations.
                                                 designated nonattainment area. SIP                      for each Class I area that may be                     Consultation with a variety of different
                                                 revisions that implement the control                    impacted by emission from Texas                       organizations is a regular part of the
                                                 strategies necessary to bring a                         facilities. Texas SIP requirements                    TCEQ process for developing a SIP. See


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                                                 60318                  Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 193 / Tuesday, October 6, 2015 / Proposed Rules

                                                 element J herein for a discussion of the                   • Does not contain any unfunded                    ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
                                                 SIP’s public participation process, the                 mandate or significantly or uniquely                  AGENCY
                                                 authority to advise and consult, and the                affect small governments, as described
                                                 PSD SIP’s public participation                          in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act                   40 CFR Part 52
                                                 requirements. Additionally, the TCAA                    of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–4);                              [EPA–R03–OAR–2015–0530; FRL–9935–06–
                                                 also requires initiation of cooperative
                                                                                                            • Does not have Federalism                         Region 3]
                                                 action between local authorities and the
                                                 TCEQ, between one local authority and                   implications as specified in Executive
                                                                                                                                                               Approval and Promulgation of Air
                                                 another, or among any combination of                    Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10,
                                                                                                                                                               Quality Implementation Plans;
                                                 local authorities and the TCEQ for                      1999);                                                Maryland; Maryland’s Negative
                                                 control of air pollution in areas having                   • Is not an economically significant               Declaration for the Automobile and
                                                 related air pollution problems that                     regulatory action based on health or                  Light-Duty Truck Assembly Coatings
                                                 overlap the boundaries of political                     safety risks subject to Executive Order               Control Techniques Guidelines
                                                 subdivisions, and entering into                         13045 (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997);
                                                 agreements and compacts with                                                                                  AGENCY:  Environmental Protection
                                                                                                            • Is not a significant regulatory action           Agency (EPA).
                                                 adjoining states and Indian tribes, where
                                                 appropriate.                                            subject to Executive Order 13211 (66 FR               ACTION: Proposed rule.
                                                                                                         28355, May 22, 2001);
                                                 III. Proposed Action                                       • Is not subject to requirements of                SUMMARY:     The Environmental Protection
                                                    The EPA is proposing to approve the                                                                        Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve a
                                                                                                         Section 12(d) of the National
                                                 April 23, 2013, infrastructure SIP                                                                            State Implementation Plan (SIP)
                                                                                                         Technology Transfer and Advancement
                                                 submission from Texas, which                                                                                  revision submitted by the State of
                                                                                                         Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272 note) because              Maryland. This revision pertains to a
                                                 addresses the requirements of CAA                       application of those requirements would
                                                 sections 110(a)(1) and (2) as applicable                                                                      negative declaration for the Automobile
                                                                                                         be inconsistent with the CAA; and                     and Light-Duty Truck Assembly
                                                 to the 2010 SO2 NAAQS. Specifically,
                                                 the EPA is proposing to approve the                        • Does not provide the EPA with the                Coatings Control Techniques Guidelines
                                                 following infrastructure elements, or                   discretionary authority to address, as                (CTG). This action is being taken under
                                                 portions thereof: 110(a)(2)(A), (B), (C),               appropriate, disproportionate human                   the Clean Air Act (CAA).
                                                 (D)(i)(II) (PSD portion), D(ii), (E), (F),              health or environmental effects, using                DATES: Written comments must be
                                                 (G), (H), (J), (K), (L), and (M). The EPA               practicable and legally permissible                   received on or before November 5, 2015.
                                                 is not proposing action on: The portion                 methods, under Executive Order 12898                  ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,
                                                 pertaining to section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I),               (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994).                      identified by Docket ID Number EPA–
                                                 which concerns interstate pollution                        The EPA is not proposing to approve                R03–OAR–2015–0530 by one of the
                                                 transport affecting attainment and                      this infrastructure SIP certification to              following methods:
                                                 maintenance of the NAAQS and the                        apply on any Indian reservation land or                  A. www.regulations.gov. Follow the
                                                 portion pertaining to section                                                                                 on-line instructions for submitting
                                                                                                         in any other area where the EPA or an
                                                 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II) pertaining to visibility                                                                  comments.
                                                                                                         Indian tribe has demonstrated that a                     B. Email: fernandez.cristina@epa.gov.
                                                 protection.                                             tribe has jurisdiction. In those areas of                C. Mail: EPA–R03–OAR–2015–0530,
                                                 IV. Statutory and Executive Order                       Indian country, this proposed approval                Cristina Fernandez, Associate Director,
                                                 Reviews                                                 of an infrastructure SIP certification                Office of Air Program Planning,
                                                   Under the CAA, the Administrator is                   does not have tribal implications as                  Mailcode 3AP30, U.S. Environmental
                                                 required to approve a SIP submission                    specified by Executive Order 13175 (65                Protection Agency, Region III, 1650
                                                 that complies with the provisions of the                FR 67249, November 9, 2000), nor will                 Arch Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
                                                 Act and applicable Federal regulations.                 it impose substantial direct costs on                 19103.
                                                 42 U.S.C. 7410(k); 40 CFR 52.02(a).                     tribal governments or preempt tribal                     D. Hand Delivery: At the previously-
                                                 Thus, in reviewing SIP submissions, the                 law.                                                  listed EPA Region III address. Such
                                                 EPA’s role is to approve state choices,                                                                       deliveries are only accepted during the
                                                                                                         List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52                    Docket’s normal hours of operation, and
                                                 provided that they meet the criteria of
                                                 the CAA. Accordingly, this action                         Environmental protection, Air                       special arrangements should be made
                                                 merely proposes to approve state law as                 pollution control, Incorporation by                   for deliveries of boxed information.
                                                 meeting Federal requirements and does                                                                            Instructions: Direct your comments to
                                                                                                         reference, Intergovernmental relations,               Docket ID No. EPA–R03–OAR–2015–
                                                 not impose additional requirements                      Sulfur dioxide reporting and
                                                 beyond those imposed by state law. For                                                                        0530. EPA’s policy is that all comments
                                                                                                         recordkeeping requirements.                           received will be included in the public
                                                 that reason, this action:
                                                   • Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory                     Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.                   docket without change, and may be
                                                 action’’ subject to review by the Office                  Dated: September 22, 2015.                          made available online at
                                                 of Management and Budget under                                                                                www.regulations.gov, including any
                                                                                                         Ron Curry,
                                                 Executive Order 12866 (58 FR 51735,                                                                           personal information provided, unless
                                                                                                         Regional Administrator, Region 6.                     the comment includes information
                                                 October 4, 1993);
                                                   • Does not impose an information                      [FR Doc. 2015–25337 Filed 10–5–15; 8:45 am]           claimed to be Confidential Business
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                                                 collection burden under the provisions                  BILLING CODE 6560–50–P                                Information (CBI) or other information
                                                 of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44                                                                            whose disclosure is restricted by statute.
                                                 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.);                                                                                         Do not submit information that you
                                                   • Is certified as not having a                                                                              consider to be CBI, or otherwise
                                                 significant economic impact on a                                                                              protected, through www.regulations.gov
                                                 substantial number of small entities                                                                          or email. The www.regulations.gov Web
                                                 under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5                                                                       site is an ‘‘anonymous access’’ system,
                                                 U.S.C. 601 et seq.);                                                                                          which means EPA will not know your


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Document Created: 2015-12-15 08:51:13
Document Modified: 2015-12-15 08:51:13
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionProposed Rules
ActionProposed rule.
DatesWritten comments must be received on or before November 5, 2015.
ContactMs. Nevine Salem, 214-665-7222, [email protected] To inspect the hard copy materials, please schedule an appointment with her or Bill Deese at 214-665-7253.
FR Citation80 FR 60314 
CFR AssociatedEnvironmental Protection; Air Pollution Control; Incorporation by Reference; Intergovernmental Relations and Sulfur Dioxide Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements

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