81_FR_21359 81 FR 21290 - Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Texas; Interstate Transport of Air Pollution for the 2008 Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards

81 FR 21290 - Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Texas; Interstate Transport of Air Pollution for the 2008 Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 69 (April 11, 2016)

Page Range21290-21295
FR Document2016-08275

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposes to disapprove the portion of a Texas State Implementation Plan (SIP) submittal pertaining to interstate transport of air pollution which will significantly contribute to nonattainment or interfere with maintenance of the 2008 ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) in other states. Disapproval will establish a 2-year deadline for the EPA to promulgate a Federal Implementation Plan (FIP) for Texas to address the Clean Air Act (CAA) interstate transport requirements pertaining to significant contribution to nonattainment and interference with maintenance of the 2008 ozone NAAQS in other states, unless the EPA approves a SIP that meets these requirements. Disapproval does not start a mandatory sanctions clock for Texas.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 69 (Monday, April 11, 2016)
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 69 (Monday, April 11, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 21290-21295]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-08275]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 52

[EPA-R06-OAR-2012-0985; FRL-9944-84-Region 6]


Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; 
Texas; Interstate Transport of Air Pollution for the 2008 Ozone 
National Ambient Air Quality Standards

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposes to 
disapprove the portion of a Texas State

[[Page 21291]]

Implementation Plan (SIP) submittal pertaining to interstate transport 
of air pollution which will significantly contribute to nonattainment 
or interfere with maintenance of the 2008 ozone National Ambient Air 
Quality Standards (NAAQS) in other states. Disapproval will establish a 
2-year deadline for the EPA to promulgate a Federal Implementation Plan 
(FIP) for Texas to address the Clean Air Act (CAA) interstate transport 
requirements pertaining to significant contribution to nonattainment 
and interference with maintenance of the 2008 ozone NAAQS in other 
states, unless the EPA approves a SIP that meets these requirements. 
Disapproval does not start a mandatory sanctions clock for Texas.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before May 11, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket No. EPA-R06-OAR-
2012-0985, at http://www.regulations.gov or via email to 
[email protected]. Follow the online instructions for submitting 
comments. Once submitted, comments cannot be edited or removed from 
Regulations.gov. The EPA may publish any comment received to its public 
docket. Do not submit electronically any information you consider to be 
Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose 
disclosure is restricted by statute. Multimedia submissions (audio, 
video, etc.) must be accompanied by a written comment. The written 
comment is considered the official comment and should include 
discussion of all points you wish to make. The EPA will generally not 
consider comments or comment contents located outside of the primary 
submission (i.e., on the web, cloud, or other file sharing system). For 
additional submission methods, please contact Carl Young, 214-665-6645, 
[email protected]. 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.
    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: Carl Young, 214-665-6645, 
[email protected]. To inspect the hard copy materials, please schedule 
an appointment with Mr. Young or Mr. Bill Deese at 214-665-7253.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Throughout this document, ``we,'' ``us,'' 
and ``our'' means the EPA.

I. Background

    On March 12, 2008, the EPA revised the levels of the primary and 
secondary 8-hour ozone NAAQS from 0.08 parts per million (ppm) to 0.075 
ppm (73 FR 16436). The CAA requires states to submit, within three 
years after promulgation of a new or revised standard, SIPs meeting the 
applicable ``infrastructure'' elements of sections 110(a)(1) and (2). 
One of these applicable infrastructure elements, CAA section 
110(a)(2)(D)(i), requires SIPs to contain ``good neighbor'' provisions 
to prohibit certain adverse air quality effects on neighboring states 
due to interstate transport of pollution. There are four sub-elements 
within CAA section 110(a)(2)(D)(i). This action reviews how the first 
two sub-elements of the good neighbor provisions, at CAA section 
110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) were addressed in an infrastructure SIP submission 
from Texas for the 2008 ozone NAAQS. These sub-elements require that 
each SIP for a new or revised standard contain adequate provisions to 
prohibit any emissions activity within the state from emitting air 
pollutants that will ``contribute significantly to nonattainment'' or 
``interfere with maintenance'' of the applicable air quality standard 
in any other state.
    Ozone is not emitted directly into the air, but is created by 
chemical reactions between oxides of nitrogen (NOX) and 
volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the presence of sunlight. 
Emissions from electric utilities and industrial facilities, motor 
vehicles, gasoline vapors, and chemical solvents are some of the major 
sources of NOX and VOCs. Because ground-level ozone 
formation increases with temperature and sunlight, ozone levels are 
generally higher during the summer. Increased temperature also 
increases emissions of VOCs and can indirectly increase NOX 
emissions.\1\
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    \1\ 80 FR 75706, 75711.
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    The EPA has addressed the interstate transport requirements of CAA 
section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) with respect to ozone in several past 
regulatory actions. The NOX SIP Call, promulgated in 1998, 
addressed the good neighbor provision for the 1979 1-hour ozone NAAQS 
and the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS.\2\ The rule required 22 states and the 
District of Columbia to amend their SIPs and limit NOX 
emissions that contribute to ozone nonattainment. The Clean Air 
Interstate Rule (CAIR), promulgated in 2005, addressed both the 1997 
PM2.5 and ozone standards under the good neighbor provision 
and required SIP revisions in 28 states and the District of Columbia to 
limit NOX and SO2 emissions that contribute to 
nonattainment of those standards.\3\ CAIR was remanded to the EPA by 
the D.C. Circuit in North Carolina v. EPA, 531 F.3d 896 (D.C. Cir. 
2008), modified on reh'g, 550 F.3d 1176. In response to the remand of 
CAIR, the EPA promulgated the Cross State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR) on 
July 6, 2011, to address CAA section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) in the eastern 
\4\ portion of the United States.\5\ With respect to ozone, CSAPR 
limited ozone season nitrogen oxide (NOX) emissions from 
electric generating units (EGUs). CSAPR addressed interstate transport 
as to the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS, the 1997 annual fine particulate 
matter (PM2.5) NAAQS and the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 
NAAQS, but did not address the 2008 8-hour ozone standard.
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    \2\ NOX SIP Call, 63 FR 57371 (October 27, 1998).
    \3\ Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR), 70 FR 25172 (May 12, 
2005).
    \4\ When we discuss the eastern United States we mean the 
contiguous U.S. states excluding the 11 western states of Arizona, 
California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, 
Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.
    \5\ Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR), 76 FR 48208 (August 
8, 2011).
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II. Texas SIP Revision Addressing Interstate Transport of Air Pollution 
for the 2008 Ozone NAAQS

    On December 13, 2012, Texas submitted a SIP revision addressing 
certain CAA infrastructure requirements for the 2008 ozone NAAQS. This 
action concerns the portion of the December 13, 2012, SIP submittal 
pertaining to the CAA section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) requirement to address 
the interstate transport of air pollution which will significantly 
contribute to nonattainment or interference with maintenance of the 
2008 ozone NAAQS in other states. In a separate action, we disapproved 
the portion of the SIP submittal pertaining to the CAA section 
110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II) requirement to address the interstate transport of 
air pollution which will interfere with other states' programs for 
visibility protection (81 FR 296, January 5, 2016). We proposed to 
approve the other portions of the infrastructure SIP submittal on 
February 8, 2016 (81 FR 6483).
    In the portion of its SIP submittal addressing interstate 
transport, Texas provided an analysis of monitoring data, wind 
patterns, emissions data and

[[Page 21292]]

emissions controls. Texas notes that, at the time of the SIP submittal, 
it had not yet implemented control measures in its two areas designated 
nonattainment for the 2008 ozone NAAQS because the nonattainment SIP 
was not due until 2015. Texas cited numerous control measures that were 
implemented to address prior ozone NAAQS. Texas also includes 1990-2010 
design value data for the areas designated nonattainment for the 2008 
ozone NAAQS in Texas and in nearby nonattainment areas and notes that 
design values have generally decreased since 2000. Texas focuses on 
wind patterns and the distance between in-state ozone nonattainment 
areas (Dallas-Fort Worth and the Houston-Galveston-Brazoria) and the 
closest designated nonattainment areas (Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and 
Memphis, Tennessee) in other states, and monitored data in between 
these areas. Texas concluded that it is difficult to determine how much 
ozone at the out-of-state nonattainment areas is due to transport of 
ozone and how much is due to other sources of ozone precursors.
    Texas's analysis includes 2010 8-hour ozone design values from 
monitors in states located in the EPA Region 6.\6\ Texas summarized 
NOX emission trends for Texas EGUs from 1995-2011 and 
discusses how federal rulemakings, such as CAIR and the CSAPR affected 
EGU emissions. Lastly, Texas described additional non-EGU control 
measures and SIPs that reduce NOX and VOC emissions within 
the state.
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    \6\ These states are Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and New 
Mexico.
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    Texas concluded in its analysis that (based on monitoring data) due 
to (1) decreases in ozone design values, and (2) existing control 
measures, emissions from sources within the state do not contribute 
significantly to nonattainment or interfere with maintenance of the 
2008 ozone NAAQS in any other state. A copy of the Texas SIP submittal 
may be accessed online at http://www.regulations.gov, Docket No. EPA-
R06-OAR-2012-0985.

III. The EPA's Evaluation

    As we noted above, the Texas SIP submittal included an analysis of 
monitoring data, wind patterns, emissions data and emissions controls. 
The information provided in the Texas analysis is helpful in assessing 
past air quality and we agree that ozone concentrations have decreased 
since 2000. However, we disagree with Texas's conclusion concerning 
interstate transport for the 2008 ozone NAAQS.
    Texas limits its discussion of data only to areas designated 
nonattainment in states that are geographically closest to Texas 
(Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, 
Mississippi, Missouri, Tennessee, and Wisconsin). This approach is 
incomplete for two reasons. First, transported emissions may cause an 
area to measure exceedances of the standard even if that area is not 
formally designated nonattainment by the EPA. However, Texas only 
evaluated its potential impact on the nearest designated nonattainment 
areas in other states without considering potential exceedances in 
other areas not designated nonattainment. Thus, Texas did not fully 
evaluate whether emissions from the state significantly contribute to 
nonattainment in other states.
    Second, in remanding CAIR to the EPA in the North Carolina 
decision, the D.C. Circuit explained that the regulating authority must 
give the ``interfere with maintenance'' clause of section 
110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) ``independent significance'' by evaluating the 
impact of upwind state emissions on downwind areas that, while 
currently in attainment, are at risk of future nonattainment, 
considering historic variability.\7\ Texas does not give the 
``interfere with maintenance'' clause of section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) 
independent significance because its analysis did not attempt to 
evaluate the potential impact of Texas emissions on areas that are 
currently measuring clean data, but that may have issues maintaining 
that air quality.
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    \7\ 531 F.3d at 910-11 (holding that the EPA must give 
``independent significance'' to each prong of CAA section 
110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I)).
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    Furthermore, in addition to being incomplete, the EPA has recently 
shared new technical information with states to facilitate efforts to 
address interstate transport requirements for the 2008 ozone NAAQS 
which contradicts the conclusions of the Texas analysis. The EPA 
developed this technical information following the same approach used 
to evaluate interstate transport in CSAPR in order to support the 
recently proposed Cross-State Air Pollution Rule Update for the 2008 
Ozone NAAQS, 80 FR 75706 (December 3, 2015) (``CSAPR Update Rule''). In 
CSAPR, we used detailed air quality analyses to determine whether an 
eastern state's contribution to downwind air quality problems was at or 
above specific thresholds. If a state's contribution did not exceed the 
specified air quality screening threshold, the state was not considered 
``linked'' to identified downwind nonattainment and maintenance 
receptors and was therefore not considered to significantly contribute 
to nonattainment or interfere with maintenance of the standard in those 
downwind areas. If a state exceeded that threshold, the state's 
emissions were further evaluated, taking into account both air quality 
and cost considerations, to determine what, if any, emissions 
reductions might be necessary. For the reasons stated below, we believe 
it is appropriate to use the same approach we used in CSAPR to 
establish an air quality screening threshold for the evaluation of 
interstate transport requirements for the 2008 ozone standard.
    In CSAPR, we proposed an air quality screening threshold of one 
percent of the applicable NAAQS and requested comment on whether one 
percent was appropriate. The EPA evaluated the comments received and 
ultimately determined that one percent was an appropriately low 
threshold because there were important, even if relatively small, 
contributions to identified nonattainment and maintenance receptors 
from multiple upwind states. In response to commenters who advocated a 
higher or lower threshold than one percent, we compiled the 
contribution modeling results for CSAPR to analyze the impact of 
different possible thresholds for the eastern United States. The EPA's 
analysis showed that the one percent threshold captures a high 
percentage of the total pollution transport affecting downwind states, 
while the use of higher thresholds would exclude increasingly larger 
percentages of total transport. For example, at a five percent 
threshold, the majority of interstate pollution transport affecting 
downwind receptors would be excluded. In addition, the EPA determined 
that it was important to use a relatively lower one percent threshold 
because there are adverse health impacts associated with ambient ozone 
even at low levels. The EPA also determined that a lower threshold such 
as 0.5 percent would result in relatively modest increases in the 
overall percentages of fine particulate matter and ozone pollution 
transport captured relative to the amounts captured at the one-percent 
level. The EPA determined that a ``0.5 percent threshold could lead to 
emission reduction responsibilities in additional states that 
individually have a very small impact on those receptors--an indicator 
that emission controls in those states are likely to have a smaller air 
quality impact at the downwind receptor. We are not convinced that

[[Page 21293]]

selecting a threshold below one percent is necessary or desirable.''
    In the final CSAPR, we determined that one percent was a reasonable 
choice considering the combined downwind impact of multiple upwind 
states in the eastern United States, the health effects of low levels 
of fine particulate matter and ozone pollution, and the EPA's previous 
use of a one percent threshold in CAIR. The EPA used a single ``bright 
line'' air quality threshold equal to one percent of the 1997 8-hour 
ozone standard, or 0.08 ppm. The projected contribution from each state 
was averaged over multiple days with projected high modeled ozone, and 
then compared to the one percent threshold. We concluded that this 
approach for setting and applying the air quality threshold for ozone 
was appropriate because it provided a robust metric, was consistent 
with the approach for fine particulate matter used in CSAPR, and 
because it took into account, and would be applicable to, any future 
ozone standards below 0.08 ppm. The EPA has subsequently proposed to 
use the same threshold for purposes of evaluating interstate transport 
with respect to the 2008 ozone standard in the CSAPR Update Rule.
    In 2015 we (1) provided notice of data availability (NODA) for the 
EPA's updated ozone transport modeling for the 2008 ozone NAAQS for 
public review and comment (80 FR 46271, August 4, 2015), and (2) 
proposed the CSAPR Update Rule to address interstate transport with 
respect to the 2008 ozone NAAQS (80 FR 75706, December 3, 2015). The 
CSAPR Update Rule would further restrict ozone season NOX 
emissions from EGUs in 23 states, including Texas, beginning in the 
2017 ozone season. Our proposal also addresses a 2015 D.C. Circuit 
court decision that largely upheld CSAPR, but that, among other things, 
remanded without vacatur the NOX ozone-season emission 
budgets for EGUs in Texas and 10 other states that were established in 
CSAPR to address the 1997 ozone NAAQS.\8\
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    \8\ EME Homer City v. EPA, [795 F.3d 118 (D.C. Circuit 2015)] 
(July 28, 2015).
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    The modeling data released in this NODA was also used to support 
the proposed CSAPR Update Rule. The moderate area attainment date for 
the 2008 ozone standard is July 11, 2018. In order to demonstrate 
attainment by this attainment deadline, states will use 2015 through 
2017 ambient ozone data. Therefore, the EPA proposed that 2017 is an 
appropriate future year to model for the purpose of examining 
interstate transport for the 2008 ozone NAAQS. The EPA used 
photochemical air quality modeling to project ozone concentrations at 
air quality monitoring sites to 2017 and estimated state-by-state ozone 
contributions to those 2017 concentrations. This modeling used the 
Comprehensive Air Quality Model with Extensions (CAMx version 6.11) to 
model the 2011 base year, and the 2017 future base case emissions 
scenarios to identify projected nonattainment and maintenance sites 
with respect to the 2008 ozone NAAQS in 2017. The EPA used nationwide 
state-level ozone source apportionment modeling (CAMx Ozone Source 
Apportionment Technology/Anthropogenic Precursor Culpability Analysis 
technique) to quantify the contribution of 2017 base case 
NOX and VOC emissions from all sources in each state to the 
2017 projected receptors. The air quality model runs were performed for 
a modeling domain that covers the 48 contiguous United States and 
adjacent portions of Canada and Mexico. The NODA and the supporting 
technical support documents have been included in the docket for this 
SIP action.
    The modeling data released in the NODA and the CSAPR Update Rule 
are the most up-to-date information the EPA has developed to inform our 
analysis of upwind state linkages to downwind air quality problems. As 
discussed in the CSAPR Update Rule proposal, the air quality modeling 
(1) identified locations in the U.S. where the EPA expects 
nonattainment or maintenance problems in 2017 for the 2008 ozone NAAQS 
(i.e., nonattainment or maintenance receptors), and (2) quantified the 
projected contributions of emissions from upwind states to downwind 
ozone concentrations at those receptors in 2017 (80 FR 75706, 75720-30, 
December 3, 2015). Consistent with CSAPR, the EPA proposed to use a 
threshold of 1 percent of the 2008 ozone NAAQS (0.75 parts per billion) 
to identify linkages between upwind states and downwind nonattainment 
or maintenance receptors. The EPA proposed that eastern states with 
contributions to a specific receptor that meet or exceed this screening 
threshold are considered ``linked'' to that receptor, and were analyzed 
further to quantify available emissions reductions necessary to address 
interstate transport to these receptors.
    Table 1 is a summary of the air quality modeling results for Texas 
from Table V.D-1 of the proposed CSAPR Update Rule.\9\ As the state's 
downwind contribution to proposed nonattainment and maintenance 
receptors exceeded the threshold, the analysis for the proposal 
concluded that Texas emissions significantly contribute to 
nonattainment and interfere with maintenance of the 2008 ozone NAAQS in 
other states. Texas emissions were linked to eastern nonattainment 
receptors in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, and to maintenance receptors in 
Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania (Tables 
V.D-2 and V.D-3, 80 FR 75706, 75728-30).\10\
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    \9\ 80 FR 75706, 75727-28.
    \10\ Tables V.D-2 and V.D-3, 80 FR 75706, 75728-30.

              Table 1--Texas' Largest Contribution to Downwind Nonattainment and Maintenance Areas
                                          [Proposed CSAPR update rule]
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                                                                                    Downwind         Downwind
                                                 Largest           Largest       nonattainment     maintenance
      2008 Ozone NAAQS         Air quality      downwind          downwind         receptors        receptors
                                threshold    contribution to   contribution to    located  in       located in
                                              nonattainment      maintenance         states           states
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0.075 ppm (75 parts per       0.75 ppb....  2.44 ppb........  2.95 ppb........  Wisconsin......  Maryland,
 billion or ppb).                                                                                 Michigan, New
                                                                                                  Jersey, New
                                                                                                  York, Ohio and
                                                                                                  Pennsylvania.
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    Additionally, Texas emissions were also linked to two projected 
nonattainment receptors in the Denver, Colorado area, with Texas's 
largest downwind contribution to those nonattainment receptors being 
1.58 parts per billion (ppb).\11\ Texas has not provided a 
demonstration that its SIP is adequate to address interstate transport 
to the Denver, Colorado receptors. The EPA believes contribution from 
an individual state equal to or above 1 percent of the NAAQS could be 
considered significant where the

[[Page 21294]]

collective contribution of emissions from one or more upwind states is 
responsible for a considerable portion of the downwind air quality 
problem regardless of where the receptor is geographically located.\12\ 
In this case, Texas has more than a 2% contribution to receptors in 
Denver, which we consider significant.
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    \11\ See document EPA-HQ-OAR-2015-0500-0007 in http://www.regulations.gov.
    \12\ 76 FR 48238 (Aug. 8, 2011); 80 FR 75714 (Dec. 3, 2015).
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    As discussed previously, our modeling and analysis released in our 
NODA and proposed CSAPR Update Rule is the most up-to-date information 
for assessing interstate transport of air pollution for the 2008 ozone 
NAAQS. Analysis of wind patterns, emissions data, and ambient 
monitoring data as provided in the Texas SIP submittal does not 
quantify the magnitude of impact from Texas emissions to downwind 
states. For example, wind patterns can only give an indication of the 
possibility of transport; emissions data and ambient monitoring data 
can indicate the potential for air quality problems. The Texas analysis 
only discusses general ozone season wind patterns as being from the 
south to the east and the limited potential for transport to Memphis 
and Baton Rouge. However, the general wind patterns are generally 
consistent with transport to the impacted receptors in Wisconsin and 
Colorado, and there are observed winds from the west and northwest that 
could, on some days, transport pollutants towards other areas, such as 
Baton Rouge. Downward trends in (1) emissions and (2) observed ozone 
concentrations can indicate progress towards reducing impact, but do 
not provide information on the magnitude of the remaining impact or the 
potential benefit from additional emission reductions. Air quality 
modeling, however, brings together emissions data, atmospheric 
chemistry and meteorological information that simulate the transport 
and fate of pollutants and estimate concentrations of pollutants 
(including ozone) across the modeling domain. Air quality modeling can 
also provide estimates of upwind impacts by estimating the contribution 
of a state's emissions to downwind pollutant concentrations. Our 
modeling and analysis provided the magnitude of impact and show that 
Texas emissions significantly contribute to ozone concentrations in 
areas of nonattainment and interfere with maintenance of the 2008 ozone 
NAAQS in other states.
    Texas provided a great deal of information documenting significant 
emission reductions that have been made throughout the state and 
particularly in the eastern half of the state between 1990 and 2010. 
These include reductions from controls on EGUs in East Texas and 
controls on a variety of NOX sources in the 1-hour ozone and 
8-hour ozone nonattainment areas of Houston-Galveston-Brazoria, 
Beaumont-Port Arthur and Dallas-Fort Worth. These controls have 
resulted in significant reductions in ozone levels in Texas and 
undoubtedly have reduced the amount of transported pollution to other 
states. However, these reductions were largely put in place to address 
the 1-hour ozone NAAQS, and as a result, their compliance dates, and 
therefore the emission reductions achieved through these measures, 
predate and were therefore accounted for in the EPA's modeling baseline 
of 2011 for the 2008 ozone NAAQS. Accordingly, the most recent 
technical analysis available to the EPA contradicts Texas's conclusion 
that the state's SIP contains adequate provisions to address interstate 
transport as to the 2008 ozone standard. Furthermore, Texas did not 
demonstrate how these rules and data for a less stringent standard 
provide sufficient controls on emissions to address interstate 
transport for the 2008 ozone NAAQS. Despite the substantial reductions 
in Texas, we have subsequently published information and proposed an 
update to CSAPR that addresses the 2008 ozone NAAQS that includes 
Texas's cited rules and demonstrates Texas still has an interstate 
impact on other states.
    Among the emissions reductions cited by Texas in its SIP, Texas 
cites its participation in CAIR as a control measure that results in 
control of NOX emissions within the state. Texas notes that 
under CAIR, Texas EGUs were not included in the ozone season 
NOX emissions trading program, but were subject to the 
annual NOX emissions trading program. The CAIR ozone season 
NOX emissions trading program was intended to address 
interstate transport of air pollution for the 1997 ozone NAAQS. The 
CAIR annual NOX emissions trading program, along with the 
annual sulfur dioxide (SO2) trading program, was intended to 
address interstate transport of air pollution for the 1997 fine 
particulate matter (PM2.5) NAAQS.
    Texas also noted that: (1) A 2008 court decision (the North 
Carolina decision) directed the EPA replace CAIR, but kept it in place 
temporarily; (2) the EPA replaced CAIR with CSAPR; (3) CSAPR included 
Texas EGU budgets for ozone-season NOX emissions, annual 
NOX emissions and annual SO2 NOX 
emissions to address interstate transport of air pollution for the 1997 
ozone NAAQS, the 1997 annual PM2.5 NAAQS and the 2006 24-
hour PM2.5 NAAQS; and (4) in August 2012, the U.S. Court of 
Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit (D.C. Circuit) issued a 
decision vacating CSAPR and requiring continued implementation of CAIR 
until the EPA develops a replacement. Therefore, Texas concluded that 
CAIR remains a federally enforceable requirement.
    Subsequent to Texas's submission of its SIP, On April 29, 2014, the 
U.S. Supreme Court reversed that D.C. Circuit decision vacating CSAPR 
and remanded the case to the D.C. Circuit for further proceedings. On 
October 23, 2014, the D.C. Circuit granted our motion to lift the 
judicial stay on CSAPR and delay compliance deadlines by three years. 
Consistent with the Court's order we issued an interim final rule 
amending CSAPR so that compliance could begin in an orderly manner on 
January 1, 2015 (79 FR 71663, December 3, 2014), replacing CAIR. On 
July 28, 2015, the D.C. Circuit issued its decision on the issues 
raised on remand from the Supreme Court. The court denied all of 
petitioners' facial challenges to CSAPR, but remanded several emissions 
budgets to the EPA for reconsideration.\13\ A final rule making the 
revised CSAPR implementation schedule permanent was issued on March 14, 
2016.\14\
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    \13\ As to Texas in particular, the court remanded without 
vacatur the state's phase 2 SO2 annual emissions budget 
and the phase 2 ozone-season NOX emissions budget for 
reconsideration. The court concluded that these budgets resulted in 
over-control of sources in Texas with respect to the air quality 
concerns to which Texas was linked in our air quality modeling. As 
stated above, our CSAPR update proposal for the 2008 ozone NAAQS 
responds to the court remand of the NOX ozone-season 
emission budgets for EGUs in Texas that were established for the 
1997 ozone NAAQS.
    \14\ 81 FR 13275 (March 14, 2016)
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    Accordingly, CAIR implementation ended in 2014 and CSAPR 
implementation began in 2015. States and the EPA are no longer 
implementing the CAIR trading programs. Thus, it is no longer 
appropriate for states to rely on CAIR to satisfy emission reduction 
obligations. Moreover, as indicated above, Texas's SIP addresses 
interstate transport obligations for a different and more stringent 
standard (the 2008 ozone NAAQS) and it is not sufficient to merely cite 
evidence of compliance with older programs such as CAIR or measures 
implemented for prior ozone NAAQS as a means for satisfying

[[Page 21295]]

interstate transport obligations for the 2008 ozone NAAQS.
    The EPA is proposing to disapprove the Texas SIP for CAA section 
110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) requirements. As explained above, the Texas analysis 
does not adequately demonstrate that the SIP contains provisions 
prohibiting emissions that will significantly contribute to 
nonattainment or interfere with maintenance of the 2008 ozone NAAQS. 
Moreover, the EPA's most recent modeling indicates that emissions from 
Texas are projected to significantly contribute to downwind 
nonattainment and maintenance receptors in other states.\15\
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    \15\ Texas and others interested parties have provided comments 
on both the NODA and proposed CSAPR Update Rule. See Docket No. EPA-
HQ-OAR-2015-0500 at http://www.regulations.gov. We will consider 
these comments in final rulemaking to CSAPR Update Rule. Even absent 
this data, Texas's SIP failed to adequately address the requirements 
of CAA section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) with respect to the 2008 ozone 
NAAQS.
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IV. Proposed Action

    We propose to disapprove the portion of a December 13, 2012 Texas 
SIP submittal pertaining to CAA section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I), the 
interstate transport of air pollution which will significantly 
contribute to nonattainment or interfere with maintenance of the 2008 
ozone NAAQS in other states. The EPA requests comment on our evaluation 
of Texas's interstate transport SIP.
    Pursuant to CAA section 110(c)(1), disapproval will establish a 2-
year deadline for the EPA to promulgate a FIP for Texas to address the 
requirements of CAA section 110(a)(2)(D)(i) with respect to the 2008 
ozone NAAQS unless Texas submits and we approve a SIP that meets these 
requirements. Disapproval does not start a mandatory sanctions clock 
for Texas pursuant to CAA section 179 because this action does not 
pertain to a part D plan for nonattainment areas required under CAA 
section 110(a)(2)(I) or a SIP call pursuant to CAA section 110(k)(5).

V. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

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

    This action is not a significant regulatory action and was 
therefore not submitted to the Office of Management and Budget for 
review.

B. Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA)

    This proposed action does not impose an information collection 
burden under the PRA because it does not contain any information 
collection activities.

C. Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)

    I certify that this action will not have a significant economic 
impact on a substantial number of small entities under the RFA. This 
action merely proposes to disapprove a SIP submission as not meeting 
the CAA.

D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA)

    This action does not contain any unfunded mandate as described in 
UMRA, 2 U.S.C. 1531-1538, and does not significantly or uniquely affect 
small governments. The action imposes no enforceable duty on any state, 
local or tribal governments or the private sector.

E. Executive Order 13132: Federalism

    This action does not have federalism implications. It will not have 
substantial direct effects on the states, on the relationship between 
the national government and the states, or on the distribution of power 
and responsibilities among the various levels of government.

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

    This action does not have tribal implications as specified in 
Executive Order 13175. This action does not apply on any Indian 
reservation land, any other area where the EPA or an Indian tribe has 
demonstrated that a tribe has jurisdiction, or non-reservation areas of 
Indian country. Thus, Executive Order 13175 does not apply to this 
action.

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

    The EPA interprets Executive Order 13045 as applying only to those 
regulatory actions that concern environmental health or safety risks 
that the EPA has reason to believe may disproportionately affect 
children, per the definition of ``covered regulatory action'' in 
section 2-202 of the Executive Order. This action is not subject to 
Executive Order 13045 because it merely proposes to disapprove a SIP 
submission as not meeting the CAA.

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

    This action is not subject to Executive Order 13211, because it is 
not a significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866.

I. National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act

    This rulemaking does not involve technical standards.

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

    The EPA believes the human health or environmental risk addressed 
by this action will not have potential disproportionately high and 
adverse human health or environmental effects on minority, low-income 
or indigenous populations. This action merely proposes to disapprove a 
SIP submission as not meeting the CAA.

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52

    Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Incorporation by 
reference, Intergovernmental relations, Ozone, Nitrogen dioxide, 
Volatile organic compounds.

    Dated: April 4, 2016.
Ron Curry,
Regional Administrator, Region 6.
[FR Doc. 2016-08275 Filed 4-8-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P



                                                    21290                    Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 69 / Monday, April 11, 2016 / Proposed Rules

                                                      We prepared an economic evaluation                    doubler or skin near or at the same blade              (f) Special Flight Permit
                                                    of the estimated costs to comply with                   station as the blade retention bolt hole (blade           Special flight permits are prohibited.
                                                    this proposed AD and placed it in the                   station 28).
                                                                                                               (iii) Visually inspect the exposed areas of         (g) Alternative Methods of Compliance
                                                    AD docket.                                                                                                     (AMOC)
                                                                                                            each bond line at the edges of the lower grip
                                                    List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39                      pad, upper and lower grip plates, and each                (1) The Manager, Rotorcraft Certification
                                                                                                            layered doubler (bond lines) on the upper              Office, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this
                                                      Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation
                                                                                                            and lower surfaces of each M/R blade for the           AD. Send your proposal to: Charles Harrison,
                                                    safety, Incorporation by reference,                     entire length and chord width for an edge              Project Manager, Fort Worth Aircraft
                                                    Safety.                                                 void, any corrosion, loose or damaged                  Certification Office, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy.,
                                                    The Proposed Amendment                                  adhesive squeeze-out, and an edge                      Fort Worth, Texas 76177; telephone 817–
                                                                                                            delamination. Pay particular attention to any          222–5140; email 9-ASW-FTW-AMOC-
                                                      Accordingly, under the authority                      crack in the paint finish that follows the             Requests@faa.gov.
                                                    delegated to me by the Administrator,                   outline of a grip pad, grip plate, or doubler,            (2) For operations conducted under a 14
                                                    the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part                   and to any loose or damaged adhesive                   CFR part 119 operating certificate or under
                                                    39 as follows:                                          squeeze-out, as these may be the indication            14 CFR part 91, subpart K, we suggest that
                                                                                                            of an edge void.                                       you notify your principal inspector, or
                                                    PART 39—AIRWORTHINESS                                      (2) If there is a crack, any corrosion, an          lacking a principal inspector, the manager of
                                                    DIRECTIVES                                              edge void, loose or damaged adhesive                   the local flight standards district office or
                                                                                                            squeeze-out, or an edge delamination during            certificate holding district office before
                                                    ■ 1. The authority citation for part 39                 any inspection in paragraph (e)(1) of this AD,         operating any aircraft complying with this
                                                    continues to read as follows:                           before further flight, do the following:               AD through an AMOC.
                                                                                                               (i) If there is a crack in a grip pad or any        (h) Additional Information
                                                        Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.          grip plate or doubler, replace the M/R blade
                                                                                                            with an airworthy                                         Bell Helicopter Alert Service Bulletin
                                                    § 39.13   [Amended]                                                                                            (ASB) No. UH–1H–13–09, dated January 14,
                                                                                                            M/R blade.
                                                    ■ 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding                      (ii) If there is a crack in the M/R blade skin
                                                                                                                                                                   2013, and Bell Helicopter Textron ASB No.
                                                    the following new airworthiness                                                                                204–75–1 and ASB 205–75–5, both Revision
                                                                                                            that is within maximum repair damage
                                                    directive (AD):                                                                                                C and both dated April 25, 1979, which are
                                                                                                            limits, repair the M/R blade. If the crack
                                                                                                                                                                   not incorporated by reference, contain
                                                    Various Restricted Category Helicopters:                exceeds maximum repair damage limits,
                                                                                                                                                                   additional information about the subject of
                                                        Docket No. FAA–2015–3820; Directorate               replace the M/R blade with an airworthy M/
                                                                                                                                                                   this AD. For service information identified in
                                                        Identifier 2014–SW–024–AD.                          R blade.
                                                                                                                                                                   this AD, contact Bell Helicopter Textron,
                                                                                                               (iii) If there is any corrosion within
                                                    (a) Applicability                                                                                              Inc., P.O. Box 482, Fort Worth, TX 76101;
                                                                                                            maximum repair damage limits, repair the
                                                                                                                                                                   telephone (817) 280–3391; fax (817) 280–
                                                      This AD applies to Model TH–1F, UH–1B,                M/R blade. If the corrosion exceeds
                                                                                                                                                                   6466; or at http://www.bellcustomer.com/
                                                    UH–1F, UH–1H, and UH–1P helicopters with                maximum repair damage limits, replace the
                                                                                                                                                                   files/. You may review a copy of information
                                                    a main rotor (M/R) blade, part number 204–              M/R blade with an airworthy M/R blade.                 at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel,
                                                    011–250–005 or 204–011–250–113, installed.                 (iv) If there is an edge void in the grip pad       Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy.,
                                                    (b) Unsafe Condition                                    or in a grip plate or doubler, determine the           Room 6N–321, Fort Worth, Texas 76177.
                                                                                                            length and depth using a feeler gauge. Repair
                                                       This AD defines the unsafe condition as a            the M/R blade if the edge void is within               (i) Subject
                                                    crack in an M/R blade, which could result in            maximum repair damage limits, or replace
                                                    failure of the M/R blade and subsequent loss                                                                      Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC)
                                                                                                            the M/R blade with an airworthy M/R blade.             Code: 6210, Main Rotor Blades.
                                                    of helicopter control.                                     (v) If there is an edge void in a grip plate
                                                                                                            or doubler near the outboard tip, tap inspect            Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on March 29,
                                                    (c) Comments Due Date
                                                                                                            the affected area to determine the size and            2016.
                                                       We must receive comments by June 10,                                                                        James A. Grigg,
                                                                                                            shape of the void. Repair the M/R blade if the
                                                    2016.
                                                                                                            edge void is within maximum repair damage              Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate,
                                                    (d) Compliance                                          limits, or replace the M/R blade with an               Aircraft Certification Service.
                                                      You are responsible for performing each               airworthy M/R blade.                                   [FR Doc. 2016–07985 Filed 4–8–16; 8:45 am]
                                                    action required by this AD within the                      (vi) If there is any loose or damaged
                                                                                                                                                                   BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
                                                    specified compliance time unless it has                 adhesive squeeze-out along any of the bond
                                                    already been accomplished prior to that time.           lines, trim or scrape away the adhesive
                                                                                                            without damaging the adjacent surfaces or
                                                    (e) Required Actions                                    parent material of the M/R blade. Determine            ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
                                                       (1) Within 25 hours time-in-service (TIS) or         if there is an edge void or any corrosion by           AGENCY
                                                    2 weeks, whichever occurs first, and                    lightly sanding the trimmed area smooth
                                                    thereafter at intervals not to exceed 25 hours          using 280 or finer grit paper. If there is no          40 CFR Part 52
                                                    TIS or 2 weeks, whichever occurs first, clean           edge void or corrosion, refinish the sanded
                                                                                                            area.                                                  [EPA–R06–OAR–2012–0985; FRL–9944–84–
                                                    the upper and lower exposed surfaces of each
                                                                                                               (vii) If there is an edge delamination along        Region 6]
                                                    M/R blade from an area starting at the butt
                                                    end of the blade to three inches outboard of            any of the bond lines or a crack in the paint
                                                                                                            finish, determine if there is an edge void or          Approval and Promulgation of Air
                                                    the doublers. Using a 3X or higher power
                                                    magnifying glass and a light, inspect as                a crack in the grip pad, grip plate, doubler,          Quality Implementation Plans; Texas;
                                                    follows:                                                or skin by removing paint from the affected            Interstate Transport of Air Pollution for
                                                       (i) Visually inspect the exposed area of the         area by lightly sanding in a span-wise                 the 2008 Ozone National Ambient Air
jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                    lower grip pad and upper and lower grip                 direction using 180–220 grit paper. If there           Quality Standards
                                                    plates of each M/R blade for a crack and any            are no edge voids and no cracks, refinish the
                                                    corrosion.                                              sanded area.                                           AGENCY:  Environmental Protection
                                                       (ii) On the upper and lower exposed                     (viii) If any parent material is removed            Agency (EPA).
                                                    surfaces of each M/R blade from blade                   during any sanding or trimming in                      ACTION: Proposed rule.
                                                    stations 24.5 to 35 for the entire chord width,         paragraphs (e)(2)(vi) or (e)(2)(vii) of this AD,
                                                    visually inspect each layered doubler and               repair the M/R blade if the damage is within           SUMMARY:  The Environmental Protection
                                                    blade skin for a crack and any corrosion. Pay           maximum repair damage limits, or replace               Agency (EPA) proposes to disapprove
                                                    particular attention for any cracking in a              the M/R blade with an airworthy M/R blade.             the portion of a Texas State


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                                                                             Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 69 / Monday, April 11, 2016 / Proposed Rules                                                    21291

                                                    Implementation Plan (SIP) submittal                     epa.gov. To inspect the hard copy                       limit NOX emissions that contribute to
                                                    pertaining to interstate transport of air               materials, please schedule an                           ozone nonattainment. The Clean Air
                                                    pollution which will significantly                      appointment with Mr. Young or Mr. Bill                  Interstate Rule (CAIR), promulgated in
                                                    contribute to nonattainment or interfere                Deese at 214–665–7253.                                  2005, addressed both the 1997 PM2.5
                                                    with maintenance of the 2008 ozone                      SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                              and ozone standards under the good
                                                    National Ambient Air Quality Standards                  Throughout this document, ‘‘we,’’ ‘‘us,’’               neighbor provision and required SIP
                                                    (NAAQS) in other states. Disapproval                    and ‘‘our’’ means the EPA.                              revisions in 28 states and the District of
                                                    will establish a 2-year deadline for the                                                                        Columbia to limit NOX and SO2
                                                    EPA to promulgate a Federal                             I. Background                                           emissions that contribute to
                                                    Implementation Plan (FIP) for Texas to                     On March 12, 2008, the EPA revised                   nonattainment of those standards.3
                                                    address the Clean Air Act (CAA)                         the levels of the primary and secondary                 CAIR was remanded to the EPA by the
                                                    interstate transport requirements                       8-hour ozone NAAQS from 0.08 parts                      D.C. Circuit in North Carolina v. EPA,
                                                    pertaining to significant contribution to               per million (ppm) to 0.075 ppm (73 FR                   531 F.3d 896 (D.C. Cir. 2008), modified
                                                    nonattainment and interference with                     16436). The CAA requires states to                      on reh’g, 550 F.3d 1176. In response to
                                                    maintenance of the 2008 ozone NAAQS                     submit, within three years after                        the remand of CAIR, the EPA
                                                    in other states, unless the EPA approves                promulgation of a new or revised                        promulgated the Cross State Air
                                                    a SIP that meets these requirements.                    standard, SIPs meeting the applicable                   Pollution Rule (CSAPR) on July 6, 2011,
                                                    Disapproval does not start a mandatory                  ‘‘infrastructure’’ elements of sections                 to address CAA section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I)
                                                    sanctions clock for Texas.                              110(a)(1) and (2). One of these                         in the eastern 4 portion of the United
                                                    DATES: Comments must be received on                     applicable infrastructure elements, CAA                 States.5 With respect to ozone, CSAPR
                                                    or before May 11, 2016.                                 section 110(a)(2)(D)(i), requires SIPs to               limited ozone season nitrogen oxide
                                                    ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,
                                                                                                            contain ‘‘good neighbor’’ provisions to                 (NOX) emissions from electric
                                                    identified by Docket No. EPA–R06–                       prohibit certain adverse air quality                    generating units (EGUs). CSAPR
                                                    OAR–2012–0985, at http://                               effects on neighboring states due to                    addressed interstate transport as to the
                                                    www.regulations.gov or via email to                     interstate transport of pollution. There                1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS, the 1997
                                                    young.carl@epa.gov. Follow the online                   are four sub-elements within CAA                        annual fine particulate matter (PM2.5)
                                                                                                            section 110(a)(2)(D)(i). This action                    NAAQS and the 2006 24-hour PM2.5
                                                    instructions for submitting comments.
                                                                                                            reviews how the first two sub-elements                  NAAQS, but did not address the 2008
                                                    Once submitted, comments cannot be
                                                                                                            of the good neighbor provisions, at CAA                 8-hour ozone standard.
                                                    edited or removed from Regulations.gov.
                                                                                                            section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) were addressed
                                                    The EPA may publish any comment                                                                                 II. Texas SIP Revision Addressing
                                                                                                            in an infrastructure SIP submission from
                                                    received to its public docket. Do not                                                                           Interstate Transport of Air Pollution for
                                                                                                            Texas for the 2008 ozone NAAQS.
                                                    submit electronically any information                                                                           the 2008 Ozone NAAQS
                                                                                                            These sub-elements require that each
                                                    you consider to be Confidential
                                                                                                            SIP for a new or revised standard                          On December 13, 2012, Texas
                                                    Business Information (CBI) or other
                                                                                                            contain adequate provisions to prohibit                 submitted a SIP revision addressing
                                                    information whose disclosure is
                                                                                                            any emissions activity within the state                 certain CAA infrastructure requirements
                                                    restricted by statute. Multimedia                       from emitting air pollutants that will
                                                    submissions (audio, video, etc.) must be                                                                        for the 2008 ozone NAAQS. This action
                                                                                                            ‘‘contribute significantly to                           concerns the portion of the December
                                                    accompanied by a written comment.                       nonattainment’’ or ‘‘interfere with
                                                    The written comment is considered the                                                                           13, 2012, SIP submittal pertaining to the
                                                                                                            maintenance’’ of the applicable air                     CAA section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I)
                                                    official comment and should include                     quality standard in any other state.
                                                    discussion of all points you wish to                                                                            requirement to address the interstate
                                                                                                               Ozone is not emitted directly into the               transport of air pollution which will
                                                    make. The EPA will generally not                        air, but is created by chemical reactions
                                                    consider comments or comment                                                                                    significantly contribute to
                                                                                                            between oxides of nitrogen (NOX) and                    nonattainment or interference with
                                                    contents located outside of the primary                 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in
                                                    submission (i.e., on the web, cloud, or                                                                         maintenance of the 2008 ozone NAAQS
                                                                                                            the presence of sunlight. Emissions from                in other states. In a separate action, we
                                                    other file sharing system). For                         electric utilities and industrial facilities,
                                                    additional submission methods, please                                                                           disapproved the portion of the SIP
                                                                                                            motor vehicles, gasoline vapors, and                    submittal pertaining to the CAA section
                                                    contact Carl Young, 214–665–6645,                       chemical solvents are some of the major
                                                    young.carl@epa.gov. For the full EPA                                                                            110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II) requirement to address
                                                                                                            sources of NOX and VOCs. Because                        the interstate transport of air pollution
                                                    public comment policy, information                      ground-level ozone formation increases
                                                    about CBI or multimedia submissions,                                                                            which will interfere with other states’
                                                                                                            with temperature and sunlight, ozone                    programs for visibility protection (81 FR
                                                    and general guidance on making                          levels are generally higher during the
                                                    effective comments, please visit http://                                                                        296, January 5, 2016). We proposed to
                                                                                                            summer. Increased temperature also                      approve the other portions of the
                                                    www2.epa.gov/dockets/commenting-                        increases emissions of VOCs and can
                                                    epa-dockets.                                                                                                    infrastructure SIP submittal on February
                                                                                                            indirectly increase NOX emissions.1                     8, 2016 (81 FR 6483).
                                                       Docket: The index to the docket for                     The EPA has addressed the interstate
                                                    this action is available electronically at                                                                         In the portion of its SIP submittal
                                                                                                            transport requirements of CAA section                   addressing interstate transport, Texas
                                                    www.regulations.gov and in hard copy                    110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) with respect to ozone
                                                    at EPA Region 6, 1445 Ross Avenue,                                                                              provided an analysis of monitoring data,
                                                                                                            in several past regulatory actions. The                 wind patterns, emissions data and
                                                    Suite 700, Dallas, Texas. While all                     NOX SIP Call, promulgated in 1998,
jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                    documents in the docket are listed in                   addressed the good neighbor provision                     3 Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR), 70 FR 25172
                                                    the index, some information may be                      for the 1979 1-hour ozone NAAQS and                     (May 12, 2005).
                                                    publicly available only at the hard copy                the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS.2 The                         4 When we discuss the eastern United States we

                                                    location (e.g., copyrighted material), and              rule required 22 states and the District                mean the contiguous U.S. states excluding the 11
                                                    some may not be publicly available at                                                                           western states of Arizona, California, Colorado,
                                                                                                            of Columbia to amend their SIPs and                     Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon,
                                                    either location (e.g., CBI).                                                                                    Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.
                                                    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carl                     1 80   FR 75706, 75711.                                 5 Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR), 76 FR

                                                    Young, 214–665–6645, young.carl@                          2 NO
                                                                                                                     X SIP Call, 63 FR 57371 (October 27, 1998).    48208 (August 8, 2011).



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                                                    21292                    Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 69 / Monday, April 11, 2016 / Proposed Rules

                                                    emissions controls. Texas notes that, at                in states that are geographically closest              receptors and was therefore not
                                                    the time of the SIP submittal, it had not               to Texas (Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado,                 considered to significantly contribute to
                                                    yet implemented control measures in its                 Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi,             nonattainment or interfere with
                                                    two areas designated nonattainment for                  Missouri, Tennessee, and Wisconsin).                   maintenance of the standard in those
                                                    the 2008 ozone NAAQS because the                        This approach is incomplete for two                    downwind areas. If a state exceeded that
                                                    nonattainment SIP was not due until                     reasons. First, transported emissions                  threshold, the state’s emissions were
                                                    2015. Texas cited numerous control                      may cause an area to measure                           further evaluated, taking into account
                                                    measures that were implemented to                       exceedances of the standard even if that               both air quality and cost considerations,
                                                    address prior ozone NAAQS. Texas also                   area is not formally designated                        to determine what, if any, emissions
                                                    includes 1990–2010 design value data                    nonattainment by the EPA. However,                     reductions might be necessary. For the
                                                    for the areas designated nonattainment                  Texas only evaluated its potential                     reasons stated below, we believe it is
                                                    for the 2008 ozone NAAQS in Texas and                   impact on the nearest designated                       appropriate to use the same approach
                                                    in nearby nonattainment areas and notes                 nonattainment areas in other states                    we used in CSAPR to establish an air
                                                    that design values have generally                       without considering potential                          quality screening threshold for the
                                                    decreased since 2000. Texas focuses on                  exceedances in other areas not                         evaluation of interstate transport
                                                    wind patterns and the distance between                  designated nonattainment. Thus, Texas                  requirements for the 2008 ozone
                                                    in-state ozone nonattainment areas                      did not fully evaluate whether
                                                                                                                                                                   standard.
                                                    (Dallas-Fort Worth and the Houston-                     emissions from the state significantly
                                                    Galveston-Brazoria) and the closest                     contribute to nonattainment in other                      In CSAPR, we proposed an air quality
                                                    designated nonattainment areas (Baton                   states.                                                screening threshold of one percent of
                                                    Rouge, Louisiana, and Memphis,                             Second, in remanding CAIR to the                    the applicable NAAQS and requested
                                                    Tennessee) in other states, and                         EPA in the North Carolina decision, the                comment on whether one percent was
                                                    monitored data in between these areas.                  D.C. Circuit explained that the                        appropriate. The EPA evaluated the
                                                    Texas concluded that it is difficult to                 regulating authority must give the                     comments received and ultimately
                                                    determine how much ozone at the out-                    ‘‘interfere with maintenance’’ clause of               determined that one percent was an
                                                    of-state nonattainment areas is due to                  section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) ‘‘independent               appropriately low threshold because
                                                    transport of ozone and how much is due                  significance’’ by evaluating the impact                there were important, even if relatively
                                                    to other sources of ozone precursors.                   of upwind state emissions on                           small, contributions to identified
                                                       Texas’s analysis includes 2010 8-hour                downwind areas that, while currently in                nonattainment and maintenance
                                                    ozone design values from monitors in                    attainment, are at risk of future                      receptors from multiple upwind states.
                                                    states located in the EPA Region 6.6                    nonattainment, considering historic                    In response to commenters who
                                                    Texas summarized NOX emission trends                    variability.7 Texas does not give the                  advocated a higher or lower threshold
                                                    for Texas EGUs from 1995–2011 and                       ‘‘interfere with maintenance’’ clause of               than one percent, we compiled the
                                                    discusses how federal rulemakings,                      section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) independent                 contribution modeling results for
                                                    such as CAIR and the CSAPR affected                     significance because its analysis did not              CSAPR to analyze the impact of
                                                    EGU emissions. Lastly, Texas described                  attempt to evaluate the potential impact               different possible thresholds for the
                                                    additional non-EGU control measures                     of Texas emissions on areas that are                   eastern United States. The EPA’s
                                                    and SIPs that reduce NOX and VOC                        currently measuring clean data, but that               analysis showed that the one percent
                                                    emissions within the state.                             may have issues maintaining that air                   threshold captures a high percentage of
                                                       Texas concluded in its analysis that                 quality.                                               the total pollution transport affecting
                                                    (based on monitoring data) due to (1)                      Furthermore, in addition to being                   downwind states, while the use of
                                                    decreases in ozone design values, and                   incomplete, the EPA has recently shared                higher thresholds would exclude
                                                    (2) existing control measures, emissions                new technical information with states to               increasingly larger percentages of total
                                                    from sources within the state do not                    facilitate efforts to address interstate               transport. For example, at a five percent
                                                    contribute significantly to                             transport requirements for the 2008                    threshold, the majority of interstate
                                                    nonattainment or interfere with                         ozone NAAQS which contradicts the                      pollution transport affecting downwind
                                                    maintenance of the 2008 ozone NAAQS                     conclusions of the Texas analysis. The                 receptors would be excluded. In
                                                    in any other state. A copy of the Texas                 EPA developed this technical                           addition, the EPA determined that it
                                                    SIP submittal may be accessed online at                 information following the same                         was important to use a relatively lower
                                                    http://www.regulations.gov, Docket No.                  approach used to evaluate interstate                   one percent threshold because there are
                                                    EPA–R06–OAR–2012–0985.                                  transport in CSAPR in order to support                 adverse health impacts associated with
                                                                                                            the recently proposed Cross-State Air                  ambient ozone even at low levels. The
                                                    III. The EPA’s Evaluation                               Pollution Rule Update for the 2008                     EPA also determined that a lower
                                                       As we noted above, the Texas SIP                     Ozone NAAQS, 80 FR 75706 (December                     threshold such as 0.5 percent would
                                                    submittal included an analysis of                       3, 2015) (‘‘CSAPR Update Rule’’). In                   result in relatively modest increases in
                                                    monitoring data, wind patterns,                         CSAPR, we used detailed air quality                    the overall percentages of fine
                                                    emissions data and emissions controls.                  analyses to determine whether an                       particulate matter and ozone pollution
                                                    The information provided in the Texas                   eastern state’s contribution to
                                                    analysis is helpful in assessing past air                                                                      transport captured relative to the
                                                                                                            downwind air quality problems was at                   amounts captured at the one-percent
                                                    quality and we agree that ozone                         or above specific thresholds. If a state’s
                                                                                                                                                                   level. The EPA determined that a ‘‘0.5
jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                    concentrations have decreased since                     contribution did not exceed the
                                                    2000. However, we disagree with                                                                                percent threshold could lead to
                                                                                                            specified air quality screening
                                                    Texas’s conclusion concerning interstate                                                                       emission reduction responsibilities in
                                                                                                            threshold, the state was not considered
                                                    transport for the 2008 ozone NAAQS.                                                                            additional states that individually have
                                                                                                            ‘‘linked’’ to identified downwind
                                                       Texas limits its discussion of data                                                                         a very small impact on those receptors—
                                                                                                            nonattainment and maintenance
                                                    only to areas designated nonattainment                                                                         an indicator that emission controls in
                                                                                                              7 531 F.3d at 910–11 (holding that the EPA must
                                                                                                                                                                   those states are likely to have a smaller
                                                      6 These
                                                            states are Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma,       give ‘‘independent significance’’ to each prong of     air quality impact at the downwind
                                                    and New Mexico.                                         CAA section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I)).                       receptor. We are not convinced that


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                                                                                Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 69 / Monday, April 11, 2016 / Proposed Rules                                                                    21293

                                                    selecting a threshold below one percent                      without vacatur the NOX ozone-season                                has developed to inform our analysis of
                                                    is necessary or desirable.’’                                 emission budgets for EGUs in Texas and                              upwind state linkages to downwind air
                                                       In the final CSAPR, we determined                         10 other states that were established in                            quality problems. As discussed in the
                                                    that one percent was a reasonable                            CSAPR to address the 1997 ozone                                     CSAPR Update Rule proposal, the air
                                                    choice considering the combined                              NAAQS.8                                                             quality modeling (1) identified locations
                                                    downwind impact of multiple upwind                              The modeling data released in this                               in the U.S. where the EPA expects
                                                    states in the eastern United States, the                     NODA was also used to support the                                   nonattainment or maintenance problems
                                                    health effects of low levels of fine                         proposed CSAPR Update Rule. The                                     in 2017 for the 2008 ozone NAAQS (i.e.,
                                                    particulate matter and ozone pollution,                      moderate area attainment date for the                               nonattainment or maintenance
                                                    and the EPA’s previous use of a one                          2008 ozone standard is July 11, 2018. In                            receptors), and (2) quantified the
                                                    percent threshold in CAIR. The EPA                           order to demonstrate attainment by this
                                                                                                                                                                                     projected contributions of emissions
                                                    used a single ‘‘bright line’’ air quality                    attainment deadline, states will use
                                                                                                                                                                                     from upwind states to downwind ozone
                                                    threshold equal to one percent of the                        2015 through 2017 ambient ozone data.
                                                    1997 8-hour ozone standard, or 0.08                          Therefore, the EPA proposed that 2017                               concentrations at those receptors in
                                                    ppm. The projected contribution from                         is an appropriate future year to model                              2017 (80 FR 75706, 75720–30, December
                                                    each state was averaged over multiple                        for the purpose of examining interstate                             3, 2015). Consistent with CSAPR, the
                                                    days with projected high modeled                             transport for the 2008 ozone NAAQS.                                 EPA proposed to use a threshold of 1
                                                    ozone, and then compared to the one                          The EPA used photochemical air quality                              percent of the 2008 ozone NAAQS (0.75
                                                    percent threshold. We concluded that                         modeling to project ozone                                           parts per billion) to identify linkages
                                                    this approach for setting and applying                       concentrations at air quality monitoring                            between upwind states and downwind
                                                    the air quality threshold for ozone was                      sites to 2017 and estimated state-by-                               nonattainment or maintenance
                                                    appropriate because it provided a robust                     state ozone contributions to those 2017                             receptors. The EPA proposed that
                                                    metric, was consistent with the                              concentrations. This modeling used the                              eastern states with contributions to a
                                                    approach for fine particulate matter                         Comprehensive Air Quality Model with                                specific receptor that meet or exceed
                                                    used in CSAPR, and because it took into                      Extensions (CAMx version 6.11) to                                   this screening threshold are considered
                                                    account, and would be applicable to,                         model the 2011 base year, and the 2017                              ‘‘linked’’ to that receptor, and were
                                                    any future ozone standards below 0.08                        future base case emissions scenarios to                             analyzed further to quantify available
                                                    ppm. The EPA has subsequently                                identify projected nonattainment and                                emissions reductions necessary to
                                                    proposed to use the same threshold for                       maintenance sites with respect to the                               address interstate transport to these
                                                    purposes of evaluating interstate                            2008 ozone NAAQS in 2017. The EPA                                   receptors.
                                                    transport with respect to the 2008 ozone                     used nationwide state-level ozone                                      Table 1 is a summary of the air quality
                                                    standard in the CSAPR Update Rule.                           source apportionment modeling (CAMx
                                                       In 2015 we (1) provided notice of data                                                                                        modeling results for Texas from Table
                                                                                                                 Ozone Source Apportionment
                                                    availability (NODA) for the EPA’s                                                                                                V.D–1 of the proposed CSAPR Update
                                                                                                                 Technology/Anthropogenic Precursor
                                                    updated ozone transport modeling for                                                                                             Rule.9 As the state’s downwind
                                                                                                                 Culpability Analysis technique) to
                                                    the 2008 ozone NAAQS for public                              quantify the contribution of 2017 base                              contribution to proposed nonattainment
                                                    review and comment (80 FR 46271,                             case NOX and VOC emissions from all                                 and maintenance receptors exceeded the
                                                    August 4, 2015), and (2) proposed the                        sources in each state to the 2017                                   threshold, the analysis for the proposal
                                                    CSAPR Update Rule to address                                 projected receptors. The air quality                                concluded that Texas emissions
                                                    interstate transport with respect to the                     model runs were performed for a                                     significantly contribute to
                                                    2008 ozone NAAQS (80 FR 75706,                               modeling domain that covers the 48                                  nonattainment and interfere with
                                                    December 3, 2015). The CSAPR Update                          contiguous United States and adjacent                               maintenance of the 2008 ozone NAAQS
                                                    Rule would further restrict ozone season                     portions of Canada and Mexico. The                                  in other states. Texas emissions were
                                                    NOX emissions from EGUs in 23 states,                        NODA and the supporting technical                                   linked to eastern nonattainment
                                                    including Texas, beginning in the 2017                       support documents have been included                                receptors in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, and
                                                    ozone season. Our proposal also                              in the docket for this SIP action.                                  to maintenance receptors in Maryland,
                                                    addresses a 2015 D.C. Circuit court                             The modeling data released in the                                Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio
                                                    decision that largely upheld CSAPR, but                      NODA and the CSAPR Update Rule are                                  and Pennsylvania (Tables V.D–2 and
                                                    that, among other things, remanded                           the most up-to-date information the EPA                             V.D–3, 80 FR 75706, 75728–30).10
                                                                  TABLE 1—TEXAS’ LARGEST CONTRIBUTION TO DOWNWIND NONATTAINMENT AND MAINTENANCE AREAS
                                                                                                                            [Proposed CSAPR update rule]

                                                                                                                              Largest             Largest                 Downwind
                                                                                                          Air quality        downwind            downwind               nonattainment                  Downwind maintenance receptors
                                                                  2008 Ozone NAAQS                        threshold        contribution to     contribution to        receptors located                       located in states
                                                                                                                           nonattainment        maintenance                in states

                                                    0.075 ppm (75 parts per billion or ppb) ...........   0.75 ppb ...    2.44 ppb .........   2.95 ppb .........   Wisconsin .................    Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New
                                                                                                                                                                                                    York, Ohio and Pennsylvania.
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                                                      Additionally, Texas emissions were                         nonattainment receptors being 1.58                                  EPA believes contribution from an
                                                    also linked to two projected                                 parts per billion (ppb).11 Texas has not                            individual state equal to or above 1
                                                    nonattainment receptors in the Denver,                       provided a demonstration that its SIP is                            percent of the NAAQS could be
                                                    Colorado area, with Texas’s largest                          adequate to address interstate transport                            considered significant where the
                                                    downwind contribution to those                               to the Denver, Colorado receptors. The
                                                      8 EME Homer City v. EPA, [795 F.3d 118 (D.C.                 10 Tables   V.D–2 and V.D–3, 80 FR 75706, 75728–                    11 See document EPA–HQ–OAR–2015–0500–

                                                    Circuit 2015)] (July 28, 2015).                              30.                                                                 0007 in http://www.regulations.gov.
                                                      9 80 FR 75706, 75727–28.




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                                                    21294                    Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 69 / Monday, April 11, 2016 / Proposed Rules

                                                    collective contribution of emissions                    made throughout the state and                          of air pollution for the 1997 ozone
                                                    from one or more upwind states is                       particularly in the eastern half of the                NAAQS, the 1997 annual PM2.5 NAAQS
                                                    responsible for a considerable portion of               state between 1990 and 2010. These                     and the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS;
                                                    the downwind air quality problem                        include reductions from controls on                    and (4) in August 2012, the U.S. Court
                                                    regardless of where the receptor is                     EGUs in East Texas and controls on a                   of Appeals for the District of Columbia
                                                    geographically located.12 In this case,                 variety of NOX sources in the 1-hour                   Circuit (D.C. Circuit) issued a decision
                                                    Texas has more than a 2% contribution                   ozone and 8-hour ozone nonattainment                   vacating CSAPR and requiring
                                                    to receptors in Denver, which we                        areas of Houston-Galveston-Brazoria,                   continued implementation of CAIR until
                                                    consider significant.                                   Beaumont-Port Arthur and Dallas-Fort                   the EPA develops a replacement.
                                                       As discussed previously, our                         Worth. These controls have resulted in                 Therefore, Texas concluded that CAIR
                                                    modeling and analysis released in our                   significant reductions in ozone levels in
                                                    NODA and proposed CSAPR Update                                                                                 remains a federally enforceable
                                                                                                            Texas and undoubtedly have reduced
                                                    Rule is the most up-to-date information                 the amount of transported pollution to                 requirement.
                                                    for assessing interstate transport of air               other states. However, these reductions                   Subsequent to Texas’s submission of
                                                    pollution for the 2008 ozone NAAQS.                     were largely put in place to address the               its SIP, On April 29, 2014, the U.S.
                                                    Analysis of wind patterns, emissions                    1-hour ozone NAAQS, and as a result,                   Supreme Court reversed that D.C.
                                                    data, and ambient monitoring data as                    their compliance dates, and therefore                  Circuit decision vacating CSAPR and
                                                    provided in the Texas SIP submittal                     the emission reductions achieved                       remanded the case to the D.C. Circuit for
                                                    does not quantify the magnitude of                      through these measures, predate and                    further proceedings. On October 23,
                                                    impact from Texas emissions to                          were therefore accounted for in the                    2014, the D.C. Circuit granted our
                                                    downwind states. For example, wind                      EPA’s modeling baseline of 2011 for the                motion to lift the judicial stay on
                                                    patterns can only give an indication of                 2008 ozone NAAQS. Accordingly, the                     CSAPR and delay compliance deadlines
                                                    the possibility of transport; emissions                 most recent technical analysis available               by three years. Consistent with the
                                                    data and ambient monitoring data can                    to the EPA contradicts Texas’s                         Court’s order we issued an interim final
                                                    indicate the potential for air quality                  conclusion that the state’s SIP contains               rule amending CSAPR so that
                                                    problems. The Texas analysis only                       adequate provisions to address
                                                    discusses general ozone season wind                                                                            compliance could begin in an orderly
                                                                                                            interstate transport as to the 2008 ozone
                                                    patterns as being from the south to the                                                                        manner on January 1, 2015 (79 FR
                                                                                                            standard. Furthermore, Texas did not
                                                    east and the limited potential for                      demonstrate how these rules and data                   71663, December 3, 2014), replacing
                                                    transport to Memphis and Baton Rouge.                   for a less stringent standard provide                  CAIR. On July 28, 2015, the D.C. Circuit
                                                    However, the general wind patterns are                  sufficient controls on emissions to                    issued its decision on the issues raised
                                                    generally consistent with transport to                  address interstate transport for the 2008              on remand from the Supreme Court. The
                                                    the impacted receptors in Wisconsin                     ozone NAAQS. Despite the substantial                   court denied all of petitioners’ facial
                                                    and Colorado, and there are observed                    reductions in Texas, we have                           challenges to CSAPR, but remanded
                                                    winds from the west and northwest that                  subsequently published information and                 several emissions budgets to the EPA for
                                                    could, on some days, transport                          proposed an update to CSAPR that                       reconsideration.13 A final rule making
                                                    pollutants towards other areas, such as                 addresses the 2008 ozone NAAQS that                    the revised CSAPR implementation
                                                    Baton Rouge. Downward trends in (1)                     includes Texas’s cited rules and                       schedule permanent was issued on
                                                    emissions and (2) observed ozone                        demonstrates Texas still has an                        March 14, 2016.14
                                                    concentrations can indicate progress                    interstate impact on other states.                        Accordingly, CAIR implementation
                                                    towards reducing impact, but do not                        Among the emissions reductions cited                ended in 2014 and CSAPR
                                                    provide information on the magnitude                    by Texas in its SIP, Texas cites its
                                                                                                                                                                   implementation began in 2015. States
                                                    of the remaining impact or the potential                participation in CAIR as a control
                                                                                                                                                                   and the EPA are no longer
                                                    benefit from additional emission                        measure that results in control of NOX
                                                                                                                                                                   implementing the CAIR trading
                                                    reductions. Air quality modeling,                       emissions within the state. Texas notes
                                                                                                            that under CAIR, Texas EGUs were not                   programs. Thus, it is no longer
                                                    however, brings together emissions data,
                                                    atmospheric chemistry and                               included in the ozone season NOX                       appropriate for states to rely on CAIR to
                                                    meteorological information that                         emissions trading program, but were                    satisfy emission reduction obligations.
                                                    simulate the transport and fate of                      subject to the annual NOX emissions                    Moreover, as indicated above, Texas’s
                                                    pollutants and estimate concentrations                  trading program. The CAIR ozone                        SIP addresses interstate transport
                                                    of pollutants (including ozone) across                  season NOX emissions trading program                   obligations for a different and more
                                                    the modeling domain. Air quality                        was intended to address interstate                     stringent standard (the 2008 ozone
                                                    modeling can also provide estimates of                  transport of air pollution for the 1997                NAAQS) and it is not sufficient to
                                                    upwind impacts by estimating the                        ozone NAAQS. The CAIR annual NOX                       merely cite evidence of compliance with
                                                    contribution of a state’s emissions to                  emissions trading program, along with                  older programs such as CAIR or
                                                    downwind pollutant concentrations.                      the annual sulfur dioxide (SO2) trading                measures implemented for prior ozone
                                                    Our modeling and analysis provided the                  program, was intended to address                       NAAQS as a means for satisfying
                                                    magnitude of impact and show that                       interstate transport of air pollution for
                                                    Texas emissions significantly contribute                the 1997 fine particulate matter (PM2.5)                 13 As to Texas in particular, the court remanded

                                                    to ozone concentrations in areas of                     NAAQS.                                                 without vacatur the state’s phase 2 SO2 annual
                                                                                                               Texas also noted that: (1) A 2008                   emissions budget and the phase 2 ozone-season
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                                                    nonattainment and interfere with                                                                               NOX emissions budget for reconsideration. The
                                                    maintenance of the 2008 ozone NAAQS                     court decision (the North Carolina                     court concluded that these budgets resulted in over-
                                                    in other states.                                        decision) directed the EPA replace                     control of sources in Texas with respect to the air
                                                       Texas provided a great deal of                       CAIR, but kept it in place temporarily;                quality concerns to which Texas was linked in our
                                                    information documenting significant                     (2) the EPA replaced CAIR with CSAPR;                  air quality modeling. As stated above, our CSAPR
                                                                                                            (3) CSAPR included Texas EGU budgets                   update proposal for the 2008 ozone NAAQS
                                                    emission reductions that have been                                                                             responds to the court remand of the NOX ozone-
                                                                                                            for ozone-season NOX emissions, annual                 season emission budgets for EGUs in Texas that
                                                       12 76 FR 48238 (Aug. 8, 2011); 80 FR 75714 (Dec.     NOX emissions and annual SO2 NOX                       were established for the 1997 ozone NAAQS.
                                                    3, 2015).                                               emissions to address interstate transport                14 81 FR 13275 (March 14, 2016)




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                                                                              Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 69 / Monday, April 11, 2016 / Proposed Rules                                                    21295

                                                    interstate transport obligations for the                   the PRA because it does not contain any                I. National Technology Transfer and
                                                    2008 ozone NAAQS.                                          information collection activities.                     Advancement Act
                                                      The EPA is proposing to disapprove                                                                                This rulemaking does not involve
                                                                                                               C. Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)
                                                    the Texas SIP for CAA section                                                                                     technical standards.
                                                    110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) requirements. As                           I certify that this action will not have
                                                    explained above, the Texas analysis                        a significant economic impact on a                     J. Executive Order 12898: Federal
                                                    does not adequately demonstrate that                       substantial number of small entities                   Actions To Address Environmental
                                                    the SIP contains provisions prohibiting                    under the RFA. This action merely                      Justice in Minority Populations and
                                                    emissions that will significantly                          proposes to disapprove a SIP                           Low-Income Populations
                                                    contribute to nonattainment or interfere                   submission as not meeting the CAA.                       The EPA believes the human health or
                                                    with maintenance of the 2008 ozone                                                                                environmental risk addressed by this
                                                    NAAQS. Moreover, the EPA’s most                            D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
                                                                                                               (UMRA)                                                 action will not have potential
                                                    recent modeling indicates that                                                                                    disproportionately high and adverse
                                                    emissions from Texas are projected to                         This action does not contain any                    human health or environmental effects
                                                    significantly contribute to downwind                       unfunded mandate as described in                       on minority, low-income or indigenous
                                                    nonattainment and maintenance                              UMRA, 2 U.S.C. 1531–1538, and does                     populations. This action merely
                                                    receptors in other states.15                               not significantly or uniquely affect small             proposes to disapprove a SIP
                                                    IV. Proposed Action                                        governments. The action imposes no                     submission as not meeting the CAA.
                                                                                                               enforceable duty on any state, local or
                                                      We propose to disapprove the portion                     tribal governments or the private sector.              List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52
                                                    of a December 13, 2012 Texas SIP                                                                                    Environmental protection, Air
                                                    submittal pertaining to CAA section                        E. Executive Order 13132: Federalism
                                                                                                                                                                      pollution control, Incorporation by
                                                    110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I), the interstate transport                 This action does not have federalism                 reference, Intergovernmental relations,
                                                    of air pollution which will significantly                  implications. It will not have substantial             Ozone, Nitrogen dioxide, Volatile
                                                    contribute to nonattainment or interfere                   direct effects on the states, on the                   organic compounds.
                                                    with maintenance of the 2008 ozone                         relationship between the national
                                                    NAAQS in other states. The EPA                                                                                      Dated: April 4, 2016.
                                                                                                               government and the states, or on the
                                                    requests comment on our evaluation of                                                                             Ron Curry,
                                                                                                               distribution of power and
                                                    Texas’s interstate transport SIP.                                                                                 Regional Administrator, Region 6.
                                                                                                               responsibilities among the various
                                                      Pursuant to CAA section 110(c)(1),                       levels of government.                                  [FR Doc. 2016–08275 Filed 4–8–16; 8:45 am]
                                                    disapproval will establish a 2-year                                                                               BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
                                                    deadline for the EPA to promulgate a                       F. Executive Order 13175: Consultation
                                                    FIP for Texas to address the                               and Coordination With Indian Tribal
                                                    requirements of CAA section                                Governments                                            ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
                                                    110(a)(2)(D)(i) with respect to the 2008                      This action does not have tribal                    AGENCY
                                                    ozone NAAQS unless Texas submits                           implications as specified in Executive
                                                    and we approve a SIP that meets these                                                                             40 CFR Part 261
                                                                                                               Order 13175. This action does not apply
                                                    requirements. Disapproval does not start                   on any Indian reservation land, any                    [EPA–HQ–RCRA–2016–0040; FRL9944–67–
                                                    a mandatory sanctions clock for Texas                      other area where the EPA or an Indian                  OLEM]
                                                    pursuant to CAA section 179 because                        tribe has demonstrated that a tribe has
                                                    this action does not pertain to a part D                                                                          Hazardous Waste Management
                                                                                                               jurisdiction, or non-reservation areas of
                                                    plan for nonattainment areas required                                                                             System; Tentative Denial of Petition To
                                                                                                               Indian country. Thus, Executive Order
                                                    under CAA section 110(a)(2)(I) or a SIP                                                                           Revise the RCRA Corrosivity
                                                                                                               13175 does not apply to this action.
                                                    call pursuant to CAA section 110(k)(5).                                                                           Hazardous Characteristic
                                                                                                               G. Executive Order 13045: Protection of
                                                    V. Statutory and Executive Order                           Children From Environmental Health                     AGENCY:   Environmental Protection
                                                    Reviews                                                    Risks and Safety Risks                                 Agency (EPA).
                                                    A. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory                                                                              ACTION: Notification of tentative denial
                                                                                                                 The EPA interprets Executive Order                   of petition for rulemaking.
                                                    Planning and Review and Executive                          13045 as applying only to those
                                                    Order 13563: Improving Regulation and                      regulatory actions that concern                        SUMMARY:    The Environmental Protection
                                                    Regulatory Review                                          environmental health or safety risks that              Agency (EPA or the Agency) is
                                                      This action is not a significant                         the EPA has reason to believe may                      responding to a rulemaking petition
                                                    regulatory action and was therefore not                    disproportionately affect children, per                (‘‘the petition’’) requesting revision of
                                                    submitted to the Office of Management                      the definition of ‘‘covered regulatory                 the Resource Conservation and
                                                    and Budget for review.                                     action’’ in section 2–202 of the                       Recovery Act (RCRA) corrosivity
                                                                                                               Executive Order. This action is not                    hazardous waste characteristic
                                                    B. Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA)
                                                                                                               subject to Executive Order 13045                       regulation. The petition requests that
                                                      This proposed action does not impose                     because it merely proposes to                          the Agency make two changes to the
                                                    an information collection burden under                     disapprove a SIP submission as not                     current corrosivity characteristic
                                                                                                               meeting the CAA.                                       regulation: revise the regulatory value
jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                      15 Texas and others interested parties have
                                                                                                                                                                      for defining waste as corrosive from the
                                                    provided comments on both the NODA and                     H. Executive Order 13211: Actions That
                                                                                                                                                                      current value of pH 12.5, to pH 11.5;
                                                    proposed CSAPR Update Rule. See Docket No.                 Significantly Affect Energy Supply,
                                                    EPA–HQ–OAR–2015–0500 at http://                                                                                   and expand the scope of the RCRA
                                                                                                               Distribution or Use
                                                    www.regulations.gov. We will consider these                                                                       corrosivity definition to include
                                                    comments in final rulemaking to CSAPR Update                 This action is not subject to Executive              nonaqueous wastes in addition to the
                                                    Rule. Even absent this data, Texas’s SIP failed to
                                                    adequately address the requirements of CAA
                                                                                                               Order 13211, because it is not a                       aqueous wastes currently regulated.
                                                    section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) with respect to the 2008        significant regulatory action under                    After careful consideration, the Agency
                                                    ozone NAAQS.                                               Executive Order 12866.                                 is tentatively denying the petition, since


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Document Created: 2016-04-09 00:11:42
Document Modified: 2016-04-09 00:11:42
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.
DatesComments must be received on or before May 11, 2016.
ContactCarl Young, 214-665-6645, [email protected] To inspect the hard copy materials, please schedule an appointment with Mr. Young or Mr. Bill Deese at 214-665-7253.
FR Citation81 FR 21290 
CFR AssociatedEnvironmental Protection; Air Pollution Control; Incorporation by Reference; Intergovernmental Relations; Ozone; Nitrogen Dioxide and Volatile Organic Compounds

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