81 FR 20598 - Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Pennsylvania; Measurement and Reporting of Condensable Particulate Matter Emissions

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 68 (April 8, 2016)

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve a state implementation plan (SIP) revision submitted by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. This SIP revision amends two regulations to clarify testing and sampling methods for stationary sources of particulate matter (PM) and add the requirement to measure and report filterable and condensable PM. This action is being taken under the Clean Air Act (CAA).

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 68 (Friday, April 8, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 20598-20600]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-08159]


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 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 52

[EPA-R03-OAR-2016-0005; FRL-9944-72-Region 3]


Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; 
Pennsylvania; Measurement and Reporting of Condensable Particulate 
Matter Emissions

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to 
approve a state implementation plan (SIP) revision submitted by the 
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. This SIP revision amends two regulations 
to clarify testing and sampling methods for stationary sources of 
particulate matter (PM) and add the requirement to measure and report 
filterable and condensable PM. This action is being taken under the 
Clean Air Act (CAA).

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before May 9, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID Number EPA-
R03-OAR-2016-0005 at http://www.regulations.gov, or via email to 
[email protected]. For comments submitted at Regulations.gov, 
follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Once submitted, 
comments cannot be edited or removed from Regulations.gov. For either 
manner of submission, EPA may publish any comment received to its 
public docket. Do not submit electronically any information you 
consider to be confidential business information (CBI) or other 
information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Multimedia 
submissions (audio, video, etc.) must be accompanied by a written 
comment. The written comment is considered the official comment and 
should include discussion of all points you wish to make. EPA will 
generally not consider comments or comment contents located outside of 
the primary submission (i.e. on the web, cloud, or other file sharing 
system). For additional submission methods, please contact the person 
identified in the For Further Information Contact section. For the full 
EPA public comment policy, information about CBI or multimedia 
submissions, and general guidance on making effective comments, please 
visit http://www2.epa.gov/dockets/commenting-epa-dockets.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Maria A. Pino, (215) 814-2181, or by 
email at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    PM, also known as particle pollution, is a complex mixture of 
extremely small particles and liquid droplets. Particle pollution is 
made up of a number of components, including acids (such as nitrates 
and sulfates), organic chemicals, metals, and soil or dust particles. 
The

[[Page 20599]]

size of particles is directly linked to their potential for causing 
health problems. EPA is concerned about particles that are 10 
micrometers in diameter or smaller, because those are the particles 
that generally pass through the throat and nose and enter the lungs. 
Once inhaled, these particles can affect the heart and lungs and cause 
serious health effects.
    EPA established the first national ambient air quality standard 
(NAAQS) for coarse particles (PM10), which are particles 
less than 10 microns in diameter, on July 1, 1987. 52 FR 24634. The 
rules established primary (health based) and secondary (welfare based) 
PM10 standards for short term (24-hour) and long term 
(annual) exposures to PM. The 24-hour standards were set at 150 
micrograms per cubic meter ([micro]g/m\3\), not to be exceeded more 
than once per year on average over a 3-year period. The annual 
standards were set at 50 [micro]g/m\3\, based on a three-year average 
annual arithmetic mean. On July 18, 1997, EPA established the first 
NAAQS for particles less than 2.5 microns in diameter, known as fine 
particulate (PM2.5). 62 FR 38652. EPA set an annual primary 
and secondary standards at 15 [micro]g/m\3\, based on a three-year 
average of annual mean PM2.5 concentrations and 24-hour 
primary and secondary standards at 65 [micro]g/m\3\, based on a three-
year average of the 98th percentile of 24-hour concentrations. EPA 
revised the PM2.5 NAAQS on October 17, 2006, lowering the 
primary and secondary 24-hour NAAQS from 65 [micro]g/m\3\ to 35 
[micro]g/m\3\. 71 FR 61144. In that rule, EPA retained the 24-hour 
PM10 NAAQS, and revoked the annual PM10 standard. 
On December 14, 2012, EPA once again revised the PM2.5 
NAAQS, lowering the level of the health based primary annual standard 
from 15 to 12 [micro]g/m\3\, while retaining the welfare based 
secondary annual standard at 15 [micro]g/m\3\. That rule also retained 
the 24-hour PM2.5 standard at a level of 35 [micro]g/m\3\.
    On December 1, 2010, EPA revised two test methods for measuring PM 
emissions from stationary sources. 75 FR 80118. One of the revised 
methods, called Method 201A, provides the capability to measure the 
mass of filterable PM2.5. The second revised method, called 
Method 202, makes measurement of condensable PM more accurate. 
Condensable PM forms from condensing gases or vapors. It is a common 
component of both PM10 and PM2.5. The combination 
of Methods 201A and 202 helps EPA and states to develop more accurate 
primary PM emissions inventories, determine whether stationary sources 
are major sources of PM10 or PM2.5 emissions for 
the New Source Review (NSR)/Prevention of Significant Deterioration 
(PSD) program or the Title V Permit program, determine more accurately 
the effectiveness of control devices for PM10 or 
PM2.5, develop regulatory limits with more appropriate test 
methods, and determine compliance with regulatory limits with greater 
accuracy. See 40 CFR part 51 appendix M and 75 FR 80118 (December 21, 
2010).

II. Summary of SIP Revision

    On June 25, 2015, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania submitted a 
formal SIP revision that amends chapters 121 and 139 of title 25, 
Environmental Protection, of the Pennsylvania Code (25 Pa. Code). 
Methods 201A and 202 are incorporated by reference in Pennsylvania's 
Source Testing Manual, which is incorporated by reference in 25 Pa. 
Code, chapter 139, Sampling and Testing. Amendments to chapter 121, in 
section 121.1, add definitions for the terms ``condensable particulate 
matter'' and ``filterable particulate matter.'' The amendments to 25 
Pa. Code section 139.12 explain the process for determining compliance 
with filterable and condensable PM emission limitations, and explains 
the compliance demonstration process. Under 25 Pa. Code section 
139.12(b), the owner or operator of a stationary source subject to PM 
emission limitations or to NSR/PSD applicability determinations is 
required to demonstrate compliance for filterable and condensable PM 
emissions. The amendment to 25 Pa. Code section 139.53 specifies to 
whom monitoring reports must be submitted.

III. Proposed Action

    EPA is proposing to approve the June 25, 2015 Pennsylvania SIP 
revision, which amends specific provisions within chapters 121 and 139 
of 25 Pa. Code. The amendments clarify testing and sampling methods and 
reporting requirements for stationary sources of PM and add the 
requirement to measure and report filterable and condensable PM. This 
revision meets requirements in section 110 of the CAA and strengthens 
the Pennsylvania SIP. EPA is soliciting public comments on the issues 
discussed in this document. These comments will be considered before 
taking final action.

IV. Incorporation by Reference

    In this proposed rulemaking action, EPA is proposing to include in 
a final EPA rule, regulatory text that includes incorporation by 
reference. In accordance with the requirements of 1 CFR 51.5, EPA is 
proposing to incorporate by reference the revised Pennsylvania 
regulations, published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin, Vol. 44 No. 15, 
April 12, 2014, and effective on April 12, 2014. EPA has made, and will 
continue to make, these documents generally available electronically 
through www.regulations.gov and/or in hard copy at the appropriate EPA 
office (see the ADDRESSES section of this preamble for more 
information).

V. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

    Under the CAA, the Administrator is required to approve a SIP 
submission that complies with the provisions of the CAA and applicable 
federal regulations. 42 U.S.C. 7410(k); 40 CFR 52.02(a). Thus, in 
reviewing SIP submissions, EPA's role is to approve state choices, 
provided that they meet the criteria of the CAA. Accordingly, this 
action merely approves state law as meeting federal requirements and 
does not impose additional requirements beyond those imposed by state 
law. For that reason, this proposed action:
     Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' subject to 
review by the Office of Management and Budget under Executive Orders 
12866 (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993);
     does not impose an information collection burden under the 
provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.);
     is certified as not having a significant economic impact 
on a substantial number of small entities under the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.);
     does not contain any unfunded mandate or significantly or 
uniquely affect small governments, as described in the Unfunded 
Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-4);
     does not have federalism implications as specified in 
Executive Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10, 1999);
     is not an economically significant regulatory action based 
on health or safety risks subject to Executive Order 13045 (62 FR 
19885, April 23, 1997);
     is not a significant regulatory action subject to 
Executive Order 13211 (66 FR 28355, May 22, 2001);
     is not subject to requirements of Section 12(d) of the 
National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272 
note) because application of those requirements would be inconsistent 
with the CAA; and
     does not provide EPA with the discretionary authority to 
address, as appropriate, disproportionate human health or environmental 
effects, using practicable and legally permissible

[[Page 20600]]

methods, under Executive Order 12898 (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994).
    In addition, this rulemaking action, proposing to approve 
amendments to Pennsylvania's regulations regarding testing and sampling 
methods for stationary sources of PM, including filterable and 
condensable PM, does not have tribal implications as specified by 
Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, November 9, 2000), because the SIP 
is not approved to apply in Indian country located in the Commonwealth, 
and EPA notes that it will not 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, Particulate matter, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements.o

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

    Dated: March 24, 2016
Shawn M. Garvin,
Regional Administrator Region III.
[FR Doc. 2016-08159 Filed 4-7-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6560-50-P