81_FR_33262 81 FR 33161 - Clean Air Act Redesignation Substitute for the Dallas-Fort Worth 1-Hour Ozone and 1997 8-Hour Ozone Nonattainment Areas; Texas

81 FR 33161 - Clean Air Act Redesignation Substitute for the Dallas-Fort Worth 1-Hour Ozone and 1997 8-Hour Ozone Nonattainment Areas; Texas

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 101 (May 25, 2016)

Page Range33161-33166
FR Document2016-12229

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve a redesignation substitute and make a finding of attainment for both the 1-hour ozone and the 1997 8-hour ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for the Dallas-Fort Worth nonattainment area (DFW area). The redesignation substitute demonstration states that the area has attained both the revoked 1-hour ozone and the revoked 1997 8- hour ozone NAAQS due to permanent and enforceable emission reductions, and that it will maintain those NAAQS for ten years from the date of the EPA's approval of this demonstration. Final approval of the redesignation substitute will result in the area no longer being subject to any remaining applicable anti-backsliding requirements and the nonattainment new source review (NNSR) requirements associated with the revoked NAAQS. In general, final approval of the redesignation substitute would allow Texas to seek to revise the Texas SIP for the area to remove anti-backsliding measures from the active portion of its SIP if it can demonstrate, pursuant to the Clean Air Act (CAA) section 110(1), that such revision would not interfere with attainment or maintenance of any applicable NAAQS, or any other requirement of the CAA. However, the EPA believes that in this instance, Texas does not need to revise its SIP to alter certain provisions for NNSR effective in the DFW area.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 101 (Wednesday, May 25, 2016)
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 101 (Wednesday, May 25, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 33161-33166]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-12229]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Parts 52 and 81

[EPA-R06-OAR-2015-0721; FRL-9946-85-Region 6]


Clean Air Act Redesignation Substitute for the Dallas-Fort Worth 
1-Hour Ozone and 1997 8-Hour Ozone Nonattainment Areas; Texas

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Proposed rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to 
approve a redesignation substitute and make a finding of attainment for 
both the 1-hour ozone and the 1997 8-hour ozone National Ambient Air 
Quality Standards (NAAQS) for the Dallas-Fort Worth nonattainment area 
(DFW area). The redesignation substitute demonstration states that the 
area has attained both the revoked 1-hour ozone and the revoked 1997 8-
hour ozone NAAQS due to permanent and enforceable emission reductions, 
and that it will maintain those NAAQS for ten years from the date of 
the EPA's approval of this demonstration. Final approval of the 
redesignation substitute will result in the area no longer being 
subject to any remaining applicable anti-backsliding requirements and 
the nonattainment

[[Page 33162]]

new source review (NNSR) requirements associated with the revoked 
NAAQS. In general, final approval of the redesignation substitute would 
allow Texas to seek to revise the Texas SIP for the area to remove 
anti-backsliding measures from the active portion of its SIP if it can 
demonstrate, pursuant to the Clean Air Act (CAA) section 110(1), that 
such revision would not interfere with attainment or maintenance of any 
applicable NAAQS, or any other requirement of the CAA. However, the EPA 
believes that in this instance, Texas does not need to revise its SIP 
to alter certain provisions for NNSR effective in the DFW area.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before June 24, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket No. EPA-R06-OAR-
2015-0721, 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 Ms. Tracie Donaldson, 
(214) 665-6633, [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: Tracie Donaldson, (214) 665-6633, 
[email protected]. To inspect the hard copy materials, please 
contact Tracie Donaldson.

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

I. Background

    In 1979, under section 109 of the CAA, EPA established primary and 
secondary NAAQS for ozone at 0.12 parts per million (ppm) averaged over 
a 1-hour period (44 FR 8202, February 8, 1979). Primary standards are 
set to protect human health while secondary standards are set to 
protect public welfare. In 1997 we revised the primary and secondary 
NAAQS for ozone to set the acceptable level of ozone in the ambient air 
at 0.08 ppm, averaged over an 8-hour period (62 FR 38856, July 18, 
1997). In 2008 we revised the primary and secondary ozone NAAQS to 
0.075 ppm, averaged over an 8-hour period (73 FR 16436, March 27, 
2008). Ozone nonattainment areas are classified at the time of 
designation based on the area's ``design value'' (77 FR 30088, 30091, 
May 21, 2012 and CAA section 181(a)(1)). The design value is calculated 
from air quality data from the area for the 3 years preceding 
designation. The possible classifications are Marginal, Moderate, 
Serious, Severe, and Extreme. Nonattainment areas with a ``lower'' 
classification have ozone levels that are closer to the NAAQS than 
areas with a ``higher'' classification.
    The EPA revoked the 1997 ozone NAAQS for all purposes effective 
April 6, 2015 (80 FR 12264, 12296, March 6, 2015). In that rule, the 
EPA established a regulatory list of ``applicable requirements'' that 
would apply as anti-backsliding requirements for the transition from 
the 1997 ozone NAAQS to the 2008 ozone NAAQS. Id. at 12298-99. The rule 
provides that an area initially subject to the anti-backsliding 
obligations for a revoked NAAQS will remain so until we approve (1) a 
redesignation to attainment for the area for the 2008 ozone NAAQS or 
(2) a ``redesignation substitute,'' which serves as a successor to 
redesignation to attainment, for which the area would have been 
eligible were it not for revocation. Id. at 12304. As explained more 
fully in the preambles to the proposed and final rules, the 
redesignation substitute demonstration must show that the area (1) has 
attained that revoked NAAQS due to permanent and enforceable emission 
reductions and (2) will maintain that revoked NAAQS for 10 years from 
the date of EPA's approval of the showing. See id. at 12303-306; 78 FR 
34178, 34222-223. The rule also provides that if, after notice and 
comment rulemaking, we approve a redesignation substitute for a revoked 
NAAQS, the state may request to revise its SIP to revise or remove 
provisions for NNSR for that revoked NAAQS and that other anti-
backsliding obligations for that revoked NAAQS be shifted to 
contingency measures, provided that such action is consistent with CAA 
sections 110(l) and 193 (40 CFR 51.1105(b)(2)).
    The DFW four-county 1-hour ozone nonattainment area consists of 
Collin, Dallas, Denton and Tarrant Counties. Under the 1990 CAA 
Amendments the area was classified as a moderate ozone nonattainment 
area for the 1-hour ozone NAAQS (November 6, 1991, 56 FR 56694 and CAA 
section 181(a)(1)). On March 20, 1998, we reclassified the four-county 
DFW nonattainment area to Serious (63 FR 8128). As discussed below, 
ambient air quality monitoring data for ozone indicates that the area 
attained and is continuing to maintain the 1-hour ozone standard.
    The DFW nine-county 1997 8-hour ozone nonattainment area consists 
of Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Johnson, Kaufman, Parker, Rockwall 
and Tarrant counties. On April 30, 2004, the EPA designated and 
classified the nine-county DFW nonattainment area as a Moderate 
nonattainment area under the 1997 8-hour ozone standard with an 
attainment date of no later than June 15, 2010 (see 69 FR 23858 and 69 
FR 23951) On December 20, 2010, we reclassified the nine-county DFW 
nonattainment area as Serious (75 FR 79302). As discussed below, 
ambient air quality monitoring data for ozone indicates that the area 
attained and is continuing to maintain the 1997 8-hour ozone standard.
    Texas provided the ``Redesignation Substitute Report for the 
Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) One-Hour and 1997 Eight-Hour Ozone Standard 
Nonattainment Areas'' (redesignation substitute report) to EPA on 
August 18, 2015. The submission also requested that EPA concur that the 
NNSR provisions relevant to the revoked 1997 ozone NAAQS would no 
longer apply. The report is available through www.regulations.gov (e-
docket EPA-R06-OAR-2015-0609).

II. EPA's Evaluation of the DFW Redesignation Substitute Report for the 
1-Hour Ozone NAAQS

    To determine whether we should approve the 1-hour ozone 
redesignation substitute for the DFW area we evaluated the 
redesignation substitute report provided by Texas and the ambient ozone 
data for the area in the

[[Page 33163]]

EPA Air Quality System (AQS) database. To evaluate the report we used 
the applicable portions of our September 4, 1992 memo ``Procedures for 
Processing Requests to Redesignate Areas to Attainment'' (www.epa.gov/ttn/oarpg/t5/memoranda/redesignmem090492.pdf). A detailed discussion of 
our evaluation can be found in the Technical Support Document (TSD) for 
this action. The TSD can be accessed through www.regulations.gov (e-
docket EPA-R06-OAR-2015-0721).

A. Has the area attained the revoked 1-hour ozone NAAQS due to 
permanent and enforceable emission reductions?

    In a previous action we found that the DFW area had attained the 1-
hour ozone standard (73 FR 61357). Ambient air quality found in the AQS 
database shows that the DFW area attained the 1-hour ozone standard at 
the end of 2006 and subsequent years and preliminary data from 2015 
indicate that the area has continued to maintain the standard (Table 
1).

Table 1--1-Hour Design Values for the DFW Four-County Nonattainment Area
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Years                      1-Hour ozone design value
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2004-2006..................................  124 ppb.
2005-2007..................................  124 ppb.
2006-2008..................................  118 ppb.
2007-2009..................................  115 ppb.
2008-2010..................................  110 ppb.
2009-2011..................................  110 ppb.
2010-2012..................................  108 ppb.
2011-2013..................................  108 ppb.
2012-2014..................................  102 ppb.
Preliminary 2013-2015......................  102 ppb.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In 2006, all monitors in the DFW area had expected exceedances less 
than the threshold of 1.0 per year. A more detailed table of expected 
1-hour ozone exceedances for the DFW monitors based on ozone data can 
be found in the TSD.
    The DFW area redesignation substitute report provides information 
on emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOX) and volatile organic 
compounds (VOCs) and regulations that reduced these emissions. 
NOX and VOCs are ozone precursors. Texas identified control 
measures implemented as part of its attainment demonstration SIP that 
led to permanent and enforceable emissions reductions. Additionally, we 
have approved SIPs for the DFW area that document continuous emissions 
reductions due to permanent and enforceable measures for the 1-hour and 
1997 8-hour ozone standards (62 FR 27964, May 22, 1997; 70 FR 18993 
April 12, 2005; 73 FR 58475, October 7, 2008; 79 FR 67068, November 12, 
2014). The TCEQ has implemented stringent and innovative regulations 
that address emissions of NOX and VOCs. These include, but 
are not limited to:
     DFW Industrial, Commercial and Industrial (ICI) Major and 
Minor New Source Rules to control NOX from multiple source 
categories. For Major sources, first implemented in the nine-county 
area on March 1, 2009 or March 1, 2010, depending on the source 
category. On January 1, 2017, Wise County will be added and control 
requirements for wood-fired boilers will also be added in all ten 
counties. For Minor sources, implemented in the nine-county area on 
March 1, 2009 for rich-burn gas-fired engines, diesel-fired engines, 
and dual-fuel engines; March 1, 2010 for lean-burn gas-fired engines.
     DFW Major Utility Electric Generation Source Rule to 
control NOX. First implemented in March 2009, Wise County to 
be in added in January 2017.
     VOC Control Measures requiring reasonably available 
control technology (RACT) for VOC sources. First implemented in 2002 
with counties added in 2002, 2009 and Wise County to be added in 2017.
     Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance implemented in Collin, 
Dallas, Denton and Tarrant Counties in 2002 and then expanded to Ellis 
Johnson, Kaufman, Parker and Rockwall Counties in 2003.
     Federal Area Non-road emissions limits are being phased in 
through 2018.
     Federal On-road emissions limits are being phased in 
through 2025.
    Given our previous actions approving Texas SIPs pertaining to 
permanent and enforceable measures, we agree with Texas' conclusion 
that the area has attained the revoked 1-hour ozone NAAQS due to 
permanent and enforceable emission reductions. Many others are listed 
and a more detailed review can be found in the TSD.

 B. Will the area maintain the revoked 1-hour ozone NAAQS for 10 years 
from the date of our approval?

    To demonstrate that the DFW area will maintain the revoked 1-hour 
ozone NAAQS for 10 years from the date of our approval of the 
redesignation substitute, the redesignation substitute report provided 
information on projected emissions of ozone precursors for the four-
county DFW 1-hour ozone NAAQS nonattainment area (Tables 2 and 3). The 
emission projections show that (1) NOX and VOC emissions 
will continue to decrease through 2028. We reviewed this information 
and agree with the conclusion that the area will maintain the revoked 
1-hour ozone NAAQS for 10 years from the date of our approval. More 
detail on our review can be found in the TSD.

                                               Table 2--NOX Emission Projections for Four-County DFW Area
                                                                     [Tons per day]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Category                       2012            2014            2017            2020            2023            2026            2028
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Point Sources...........................            8.47            8.79           29.47           29.57           29.65           29.71           29.76
Area Sources............................           28.54           29.41           27.79           25.96            24.9           24.68           24.68
On-Road Mobile Sources (MOVES 2014).....           171.2          147.42           96.74           69.67           54.44           43.33           38.83
Non-Road Mobile Sources.................           76.95           72.29           61.56           53.31           48.87           46.36           45.66
                                         ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total...............................          285.16          257.91          215.56          178.51          157.86          144.08          138.93
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 33164]]


                                               Table 3--VOC Emission Projections for Four-County DFW Area
                                                                     [Tons per day]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Category                       2012            2014            2017            2020            2023            2026            2028
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Point Sources...........................           11.11           11.02           11.52           11.71           11.86           11.99           12.08
Area Sources............................           218.9          224.51          218.56          211.43          209.81          210.69          211.77
On-Road Mobile Sources (MOVES 2014).....           78.56           71.20           55.59           46.81           41.53           35.85           32.94
Non-Road Mobile Sources.................           41.39           36.48           32.59           31.08           31.04           31.52           32.08
                                         ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total...............................          349.96          343.21          318.26          301.03          294.24          290.05          288.87
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

III. EPA's Evaluation of the DFW Redesignation Substitute Report for 
the 1997 8-Hour Ozone NAAQS

    To determine whether we should approve the 1997 8-hour ozone 
redesignation substitute for the DFW area we evaluated the 
redesignation substitute report provided by Texas and the ambient ozone 
data for the area in the EPA Air Quality System (AQS) database. To 
evaluate the report we used the applicable portions of our September 4, 
1992 memo ``Procedures for Processing Requests to Redesignate Areas to 
Attainment'' (www.epa.gov/ttn/oarpg/t5/memoranda/redesignmem090492.pdf). A detailed discussion of our evaluation can be 
found in the TSD for this action. The TSD can be accessed through 
www.regulations.gov (e-docket EPA-R06-OAR-2015-0721).

A. Has the area attained the revoked 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS due to 
permanent and enforceable emission reductions?

    In a previous action we found that the DFW area had attained the 
1997 8-hour ozone standard (80 FR 52630). Ambient air quality found in 
the AQS database shows that the DFW area attained the 1997 8-hour ozone 
standard at the end of 2014 and preliminary data indicate that the area 
has continued to maintain the standard (Table 4).

             Table 4--8-Hour Design Values for the DFW Area
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Years                      8-Hour ozone design value
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2012-2014..................................  84 ppb.
Preliminary 2013-2015......................  83 ppb.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

In 2014, all monitors in the DFW area reported 8-hour ozone values of 
84 ppb or less. A more detailed table of 8-hour ozone values for the 
DFW monitors can be found in the TSD.
    The DFW area redesignation substitute report provides information 
on emissions of NOX and VOCs and regulations that reduced 
these emissions. Texas identified control measures for both the 1-hour 
ozone and the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS that led to permanent and 
enforceable emission reductions. In our evaluation of the 1-hour ozone 
NAAQS, we list several existing measures in the DFW area. Please see 
that evaluation and the TSD for more detailed information. Given our 
previous actions approving Texas SIPs pertaining to permanent and 
enforceable measures, we agree with Texas' conclusion that the area has 
attained the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS due to permanent and enforceable 
emission reductions. The TCEQ has implemented stringent and innovative 
regulations that address emissions of NOX and VOCs. Some of 
these are listed above as well as many others that can be found in the 
TSD in Section C. Permanent and Enforceable Emissions Controls 
Implemented

B. Will the area maintain the revoked 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS for 10 
years from the date of our approval?

    To demonstrate that the DFW area will maintain the revoked 1997 8-
hour ozone NAAQS for 10 years from the date of our approval of the 
redesignation substitute, the Texas report provided information on 
projected emissions of ozone precursors for the nine-county 1997 ozone 
NAAQS nonattainment area (Tables 5 and 6). The emission projections 
show that both NOX and VOC emissions will continue to 
decrease through 2028. We reviewed this information and agree with the 
conclusion that the area will maintain the revoked 1997 8-hour ozone 
NAAQS for 10 years from the date of our approval. More detail on our 
review can be found in the TSD.

                                               Table 5--NOX Emission Projections for Nine-County DFW Area
                                                                     [Tons per day]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Category                       2012            2014            2017            2020            2023            2026            2028
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Point Sources...........................           30.80           31.25           62.38           62.49           62.57           62.64           62.71
Area Sources............................           33.60           34.77           32.01           28.98           27.37           26.97           26.93
On-Road Mobile Sources..................          216.74          188.65          129.19           95.95           77.87           64.62           59.75
Non-Road Mobile Sources.................           92.98           86.83           72.83           62.10           56.21           52.71           51.55
                                         ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total...............................          374.12          341.50          296.41          249.52          224.02          206.94          200.94
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 33165]]


                                               Table 6--VOC Emission Projections for Nine-County DFW Area
                                                                     [tons per day]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Category                       2012            2014            2017            2020            2023            2026            2028
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Point Sources...........................           27.66           28.61           29.46           29.97           30.41           30.82           31.10
Area Sources............................          265.43          273.08          260.19          245.76          241.13          241.19          242.15
On-Road Mobile Sources..................           92.17           83.75           65.62           55.36           49.21           42.70           39.49
Non-Road Mobile Sources.................           46.87           41.34           36.73           34.78           34.55           35.00           35.53
                                         ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total...............................          432.13          426.78          392.00          365.87          355.30          349.71          348.27
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

IV. Proposed Action

    Based on the CAA's criteria for redesignation to attainment (CAA 
section 107(d)(3)(E)) and the regulation providing for a redesignation 
substitute (40 CFR 51.1105(b)), EPA is proposing to approve the 
redesignation substitute for the DFW area for both the revoked 1-hour 
ozone and the revoked 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS due to permanent and 
enforceable emission reductions, and that it will maintain those NAAQS 
for ten years from the date of the EPA's approval of this 
demonstration. If EPA finalizes approval of the redesignation 
substitute, the DFW area would no longer be subject to any remaining 
applicable anti-backsliding requirements and the NNSR requirements 
associated with the revoked NAAQS. It would also allow the state to 
request a SIP revision to shift anti-backsliding obligations for the 
revoked ozone NAAQS to contingency measures provided that such action 
is consistent with CAA sections 110(1) and 193 (if applicable).
    Texas's redesignation substitute report also requested that EPA 
concur that the NNSR provisions relevant to the revoked 1-hour ozone 
NAAQS and the revoked 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS would no longer apply. As 
explained previously, if we approve a redesignation substitute, the 
state may request to revise its SIP to revise or remove provisions for 
NNSR for the revoked standard, provided that such action is consistent 
with CAA sections 110(l) and 193 (40 CFR 51.1105(b)(2)). However, the 
EPA believes that in this instance, Texas does not need to revise its 
SIP to alter some of the provisions for NNSR effective in the DFW area. 
The EPA reads Texas's NNSR SIP designations and classifications (and 
thus the related major source thresholds and offset ratios) to adjust 
as 40 CFR part 81 is updated and does not require further action by 
Texas if EPA were to finalize the redesignation substitute proposed 
here. This is explained in detail in Section D of the TSD. Because the 
DFW area is classified as Moderate nonattainment for the 2008 ozone 
NAAQS (as of the date of this Proposal), if the EPA finalizes this 
redesignation substitute, we believe that Texas's NNSR program would 
automatically change to requirements applicable for moderate areas in 
accordance with the DFW area classification for the 2008 ozone NAAQS 
for newly permitted sources. We note that finalization of this 
redesignation substitute does not relieve sources in the area of their 
obligations under previously established permit conditions.\1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ See Final Implementation Rule for 2008 Ozone Standard, 80 FR 
12264, at 12299, footnote 83 and at 12304, footnote 91.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

V. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

    Under Executive Orders 12866 (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993) and 
13563 (76 FR 3821, January 21, 2011), this action is not a 
``significant regulatory action'' and therefore is not subject to 
review by the Office of Management and Budget. For this reason, this 
action is also not subject to Executive Order 13211, ``Actions 
Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, 
Distribution, or Use'' (66 FR 28355, May 22, 2001). This action merely 
proposes to approve a demonstration provided by the State of Texas and 
find that the DFW area is no longer subject to the anti-backsliding 
obligations for additional measures for the revoked 1-hour ozone and 
the revoked 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS; and imposes no additional 
requirements. Accordingly, I certify that this proposed rule will not 
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.). 
Because this proposed rule does not impose any additional enforceable 
duties, it does not contain any unfunded mandate or significantly or 
uniquely affect small governments, as described in the Unfunded 
Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-4). This proposed rule also 
does not have a substantial direct effect on one or more Indian Tribes, 
on the relationship between the Federal Government and Indian Tribes, 
or on the distribution of power and responsibilities between the 
Federal Government and Indian Tribes, as specified by Executive Order 
13175 (65 FR 67249, November 9, 2000), nor will it have substantial 
direct effects on the States, on the relationship between the national 
government and the States, or on the distribution of power and 
responsibilities among the various levels of government, as specified 
in Executive Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10, 1999), because it 
merely proposes to approve a demonstration provided by the State of 
Texas and find that the DFW area is no longer subject to the anti-
backsliding obligations for additional measures for the revoked 1-hour 
ozone and the revoked 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS; and does not alter the 
relationship or the distribution of power and responsibilities 
established in the CAA. This proposed rule also is not subject to 
Executive Order 13045 (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997), because it is not 
economically significant.
    The proposed rule does not impose an information collection burden 
under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 
3501 et seq.). Additionally, this proposed rule does not involve 
establishment of technical standards, and thus, the requirements of 
section 12(d) of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act 
of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272 note) do not apply.
    Executive Order 12898 (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994) establishes 
Federal executive policy on environmental justice. Its main provision 
directs Federal agencies, to the greatest extent practicable and 
permitted by law, to make environmental justice part of their mission 
by identifying and addressing, as appropriate, disproportionately high 
and adverse human health or environmental effects of their programs, 
policies, and activities on minority populations and low-income 
populations in the United States. EPA has determined that this proposed 
rule

[[Page 33166]]

will not have disproportionately high and adverse human health or 
environmental effects on minority or low-income populations because it 
does not affect the level of protection provided to human health or the 
environment. Additionally, the proposed rule is not an economically 
significant regulatory action based on health or safety risks subject 
to Executive Order 13045 (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997).

List of Subjects

40 CFR Part 52

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

40 CFR Part 81

    Environmental protection, Air pollution control.

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

    Dated: May 13, 2016.
Ron Curry,
Regional Administrator, Region 6.
[FR Doc. 2016-12229 Filed 5-24-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6560-50-P



                                                                     Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 101 / Wednesday, May 25, 2016 / Proposed Rules                                                  33161

                                               2015 and September 25, 2015. This                       to EPA without going through                          submittal and anticipates no adverse
                                               revision establishes sulfur in fuel oil                 www.regulations.gov your email address                comments. A detailed rationale for the
                                               content limits for use in stationary                    will be automatically captured and                    approval is set forth in the direct final
                                               sources. In addition, the submittal                     included as part of the comment that is               rule. If no adverse comments are
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                                                                                                       Electronic files should avoid the use of              comment on an amendment, paragraph,
                                               R01–OAR–2014–0364 by one of the
                                                                                                       special characters, any form of                       or section of this rule and if that
                                               following methods:
                                                                                                       encryption, and be free of any defects or             provision may be severed from the
                                                  1. www.regulations.gov: Follow the
                                                                                                       viruses.                                              remainder of the rule, EPA may adopt
                                               on-line instructions for submitting
                                                                                                          Docket: All documents in the                       as final those provisions of the rule that
                                               comments.
                                                                                                       electronic docket are listed in the                   are not the subject of an adverse
                                                  2. Email: arnold.anne@epa.gov.
                                                                                                       www.regulations.gov index. Although                   comment.
                                                  3. Fax: (617) 918–0047.                                                                                       For additional information, see the
                                                  4. Mail: ‘‘Docket Identification                     listed in the index, some information is
                                                                                                       not publicly available, i.e., CBI or other            direct final rule which is located in the
                                               Number EPA–R01–OAR–2014–0364,                                                                                 Rules Section of this Federal Register.
                                               Anne Arnold, U.S. Environmental                         information whose disclosure is
                                               Protection Agency, EPA New England                      restricted by statute. Certain other                    Dated: November 5, 2015.
                                               Regional Office, Office of Ecosystem                    material, such as copyrighted material,               H. Curtis Spalding,
                                               Protection, Air Quality Planning Unit, 5                is not placed on the Internet and will be             Regional Administrator, EPA New England.
                                               Post Office Square—Suite 100, (Mail                     publicly available only in hard copy                  [FR Doc. 2016–12118 Filed 5–24–16; 8:45 am]
                                               code OEP05–2), Boston, MA 02109–                        form. Publicly available docket                       BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
                                               3912.                                                   materials are available either
                                                  5. Hand Delivery or Courier: Deliver                 electronically in www.regulations.gov or
                                               your comments to: Anne Arnold,                          in hard copy at U.S. Environmental                    ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
                                               Manager, Air Quality Planning Unit,                     Protection Agency, EPA New England                    AGENCY
                                               U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,                   Regional Office, Office of Ecosystem
                                               EPA New England Regional Office,                        Protection, Air Quality Planning Unit, 5              40 CFR Parts 52 and 81
                                               Office of Ecosystem Protection, Air                     Post Office Square—Suite 100, Boston,                 [EPA–R06–OAR–2015–0721; FRL–9946–85–
                                               Quality Unit, 5 Post Office Square—                     MA. EPA requests that if at all possible,             Region 6]
                                               Suite 100, (mail code OEP05–2), Boston,                 you contact the contact listed in the FOR
                                               MA 02109–3912. Such deliveries are                      FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section to                Clean Air Act Redesignation Substitute
                                               only accepted during the Regional                       schedule your inspection. The Regional                for the Dallas-Fort Worth 1-Hour Ozone
                                               Office’s normal hours of operation. The                 Office’s official hours of business are               and 1997 8-Hour Ozone Nonattainment
                                               Regional Office’s official hours of                     Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to                   Areas; Texas
                                               business are Monday through Friday,                     4:30 p.m., excluding legal holidays.
                                                                                                          In addition, copies of the state                   AGENCY:  Environmental Protection
                                               8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding legal                                                                       Agency (EPA).
                                               holidays.                                               submittal are also available for public
                                                                                                       inspection during normal business                     ACTION: Proposed rule.
                                                  Instructions: Direct your comments to
                                               Docket ID No. EPA–R01–OAR–2014–                         hours, by appointment at the State Air                SUMMARY:   The Environmental Protection
                                               0364. EPA’s policy is that all comments                 Agency; Bureau of Air Management,                     Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve a
                                               received will be included in the public                 Department of Energy and                              redesignation substitute and make a
                                               docket without change and may be                        Environmental Protection, State Office                finding of attainment for both the 1-hour
                                               made available online at                                Building, 79 Elm Street, Hartford, CT                 ozone and the 1997 8-hour ozone
                                               www.regulations.gov, including any                      06106–1630.                                           National Ambient Air Quality Standards
                                               personal information provided, unless                   FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                      (NAAQS) for the Dallas-Fort Worth
                                               the comment includes information                        Anne K. McWilliams, Air Quality                       nonattainment area (DFW area). The
                                               claimed to be Confidential Business                     Planning Unit, U.S. Environmental                     redesignation substitute demonstration
                                               Information (CBI) or other information                  Protection Agency, New England                        states that the area has attained both the
                                               whose disclosure is restricted by statute.              Regional Office, 5 Post Office Square—                revoked 1-hour ozone and the revoked
                                               Do not submit through                                   Suite 100, (Mail code OEP05–2), Boston,               1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS due to
                                               www.regulations.gov, or email,                          MA 02109–3912, telephone (617) 918–                   permanent and enforceable emission
                                               information that you consider to be CBI                 1697, facsimile (617) 918–0697, email                 reductions, and that it will maintain
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                                               or otherwise protected. The                             mcwilliams.anne@epa.gov.                              those NAAQS for ten years from the
                                               www.regulations.gov Web site is an                      SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In the                     date of the EPA’s approval of this
                                               ‘‘anonymous access’’ system, which                      Final Rules Section of this Federal                   demonstration. Final approval of the
                                               means EPA will not know your identity                   Register, EPA is approving the State’s                redesignation substitute will result in
                                               or contact information unless you                       SIP submittals as a direct final rule                 the area no longer being subject to any
                                               provide it in the body of your comment.                 without prior proposal because the                    remaining applicable anti-backsliding
                                               If you send an email comment directly                   Agency views this as a noncontroversial               requirements and the nonattainment


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                                               33162                 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 101 / Wednesday, May 25, 2016 / Proposed Rules

                                               new source review (NNSR)                                the hard copy materials, please contact               The rule also provides that if, after
                                               requirements associated with the                        Tracie Donaldson.                                     notice and comment rulemaking, we
                                               revoked NAAQS. In general, final                        SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                            approve a redesignation substitute for a
                                               approval of the redesignation substitute                Throughout this document wherever                     revoked NAAQS, the state may request
                                               would allow Texas to seek to revise the                 ‘‘we,’’ ‘‘us,’’ or ‘‘our’’ is used, we mean           to revise its SIP to revise or remove
                                               Texas SIP for the area to remove anti-                  the EPA.                                              provisions for NNSR for that revoked
                                               backsliding measures from the active                                                                          NAAQS and that other anti-backsliding
                                               portion of its SIP if it can demonstrate,               I. Background                                         obligations for that revoked NAAQS be
                                               pursuant to the Clean Air Act (CAA)                        In 1979, under section 109 of the                  shifted to contingency measures,
                                               section 110(1), that such revision would                CAA, EPA established primary and                      provided that such action is consistent
                                               not interfere with attainment or                        secondary NAAQS for ozone at 0.12                     with CAA sections 110(l) and 193 (40
                                               maintenance of any applicable NAAQS,                    parts per million (ppm) averaged over a               CFR 51.1105(b)(2)).
                                               or any other requirement of the CAA.                    1-hour period (44 FR 8202, February 8,                   The DFW four-county 1-hour ozone
                                               However, the EPA believes that in this                  1979). Primary standards are set to                   nonattainment area consists of Collin,
                                               instance, Texas does not need to revise                 protect human health while secondary                  Dallas, Denton and Tarrant Counties.
                                               its SIP to alter certain provisions for                 standards are set to protect public                   Under the 1990 CAA Amendments the
                                               NNSR effective in the DFW area.                         welfare. In 1997 we revised the primary               area was classified as a moderate ozone
                                                                                                       and secondary NAAQS for ozone to set                  nonattainment area for the 1-hour ozone
                                               DATES: Written comments must be                                                                               NAAQS (November 6, 1991, 56 FR
                                               received on or before June 24, 2016.                    the acceptable level of ozone in the
                                                                                                       ambient air at 0.08 ppm, averaged over                56694 and CAA section 181(a)(1)). On
                                               ADDRESSES:   Submit your comments,                                                                            March 20, 1998, we reclassified the
                                                                                                       an 8-hour period (62 FR 38856, July 18,
                                               identified by Docket No. EPA–R06–                                                                             four-county DFW nonattainment area to
                                                                                                       1997). In 2008 we revised the primary
                                               OAR–2015–0721, at http://                                                                                     Serious (63 FR 8128). As discussed
                                                                                                       and secondary ozone NAAQS to 0.075
                                               www.regulations.gov or via email to                                                                           below, ambient air quality monitoring
                                                                                                       ppm, averaged over an 8-hour period
                                               Donaldson.tracie@epa.gov. Follow the                                                                          data for ozone indicates that the area
                                                                                                       (73 FR 16436, March 27, 2008). Ozone
                                               online instructions for submitting                                                                            attained and is continuing to maintain
                                                                                                       nonattainment areas are classified at the
                                               comments. Once submitted, comments                                                                            the 1-hour ozone standard.
                                                                                                       time of designation based on the area’s                  The DFW nine-county 1997 8-hour
                                               cannot be edited or removed from
                                                                                                       ‘‘design value’’ (77 FR 30088, 30091,                 ozone nonattainment area consists of
                                               Regulations.gov. The EPA may publish
                                                                                                       May 21, 2012 and CAA section                          Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Johnson,
                                               any comment received to its public
                                                                                                       181(a)(1)). The design value is                       Kaufman, Parker, Rockwall and Tarrant
                                               docket. Do not submit electronically any
                                                                                                       calculated from air quality data from the             counties. On April 30, 2004, the EPA
                                               information you consider to be
                                                                                                       area for the 3 years preceding                        designated and classified the nine-
                                               Confidential Business Information (CBI)
                                                                                                       designation. The possible classifications             county DFW nonattainment area as a
                                               or other information whose disclosure is
                                                                                                       are Marginal, Moderate, Serious, Severe,              Moderate nonattainment area under the
                                               restricted by statute. Multimedia
                                                                                                       and Extreme. Nonattainment areas with                 1997 8-hour ozone standard with an
                                               submissions (audio, video, etc.) must be
                                                                                                       a ‘‘lower’’ classification have ozone                 attainment date of no later than June 15,
                                               accompanied by a written comment.
                                                                                                       levels that are closer to the NAAQS than              2010 (see 69 FR 23858 and 69 FR 23951)
                                               The written comment is considered the
                                                                                                       areas with a ‘‘higher’’ classification.               On December 20, 2010, we reclassified
                                               official comment and should include
                                                                                                          The EPA revoked the 1997 ozone                     the nine-county DFW nonattainment
                                               discussion of all points you wish to
                                                                                                       NAAQS for all purposes effective April                area as Serious (75 FR 79302). As
                                               make. The EPA will generally not
                                                                                                       6, 2015 (80 FR 12264, 12296, March 6,                 discussed below, ambient air quality
                                               consider comments or comment
                                                                                                       2015). In that rule, the EPA established              monitoring data for ozone indicates that
                                               contents located outside of the primary
                                                                                                       a regulatory list of ‘‘applicable                     the area attained and is continuing to
                                               submission (i.e. on the web, cloud, or
                                                                                                       requirements’’ that would apply as anti-              maintain the 1997 8-hour ozone
                                               other file sharing system). For
                                                                                                       backsliding requirements for the                      standard.
                                               additional submission methods, please
                                                                                                       transition from the 1997 ozone NAAQS                     Texas provided the ‘‘Redesignation
                                               contact Ms. Tracie Donaldson, (214)
                                                                                                       to the 2008 ozone NAAQS. Id. at 12298–                Substitute Report for the Dallas-Fort
                                               665–6633, Donaldson.tracie@epa.gov.
                                                                                                       99. The rule provides that an area                    Worth (DFW) One-Hour and 1997 Eight-
                                               For the full EPA public comment policy,
                                                                                                       initially subject to the anti-backsliding             Hour Ozone Standard Nonattainment
                                               information about CBI or multimedia
                                                                                                       obligations for a revoked NAAQS will                  Areas’’ (redesignation substitute report)
                                               submissions, and general guidance on
                                                                                                       remain so until we approve (1) a                      to EPA on August 18, 2015. The
                                               making effective comments, please visit
                                                                                                       redesignation to attainment for the area              submission also requested that EPA
                                               http://www2.epa.gov/dockets/
                                                                                                       for the 2008 ozone NAAQS or (2) a                     concur that the NNSR provisions
                                               commenting-epa-dockets.
                                                                                                       ‘‘redesignation substitute,’’ which serves            relevant to the revoked 1997 ozone
                                                  Docket: The index to the docket for                  as a successor to redesignation to                    NAAQS would no longer apply. The
                                               this action is available electronically at              attainment, for which the area would                  report is available through
                                               www.regulations.gov and in hard copy                    have been eligible were it not for                    www.regulations.gov (e-docket EPA–
                                               at EPA Region 6, 1445 Ross Avenue,                      revocation. Id. at 12304. As explained                R06–OAR–2015–0609).
                                               Suite 700, Dallas, Texas. While all                     more fully in the preambles to the
                                               documents in the docket are listed in                   proposed and final rules, the                         II. EPA’s Evaluation of the DFW
                                               the index, some information may be                      redesignation substitute demonstration                Redesignation Substitute Report for the
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                                               publicly available only at the hard copy                must show that the area (1) has attained              1-Hour Ozone NAAQS
                                               location (e.g., copyrighted material), and              that revoked NAAQS due to permanent                      To determine whether we should
                                               some may not be publicly available at                   and enforceable emission reductions                   approve the 1-hour ozone redesignation
                                               either location (e.g., CBI).                            and (2) will maintain that revoked                    substitute for the DFW area we
                                               FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                        NAAQS for 10 years from the date of                   evaluated the redesignation substitute
                                               Tracie Donaldson, (214) 665–6633,                       EPA’s approval of the showing. See id.                report provided by Texas and the
                                               Donaldson.tracie@epa.gov. To inspect                    at 12303–306; 78 FR 34178, 34222–223.                 ambient ozone data for the area in the


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                                                                          Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 101 / Wednesday, May 25, 2016 / Proposed Rules                                           33163

                                               EPA Air Quality System (AQS)                            threshold of 1.0 per year. A more                             • VOC Control Measures requiring
                                               database. To evaluate the report we used                detailed table of expected 1-hour ozone                    reasonably available control technology
                                               the applicable portions of our                          exceedances for the DFW monitors                           (RACT) for VOC sources. First
                                               September 4, 1992 memo ‘‘Procedures                     based on ozone data can be found in the                    implemented in 2002 with counties
                                               for Processing Requests to Redesignate                  TSD.                                                       added in 2002, 2009 and Wise County
                                               Areas to Attainment’’ (www.epa.gov/ttn/                    The DFW area redesignation                              to be added in 2017.
                                               oarpg/t5/memoranda/                                     substitute report provides information                        • Vehicle Inspection and
                                               redesignmem090492.pdf). A detailed                      on emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOX)                      Maintenance implemented in Collin,
                                               discussion of our evaluation can be                     and volatile organic compounds (VOCs)                      Dallas, Denton and Tarrant Counties in
                                               found in the Technical Support                          and regulations that reduced these                         2002 and then expanded to Ellis
                                               Document (TSD) for this action. The                     emissions. NOX and VOCs are ozone                          Johnson, Kaufman, Parker and Rockwall
                                               TSD can be accessed through                             precursors. Texas identified control                       Counties in 2003.
                                               www.regulations.gov (e-docket EPA–                      measures implemented as part of its
                                               R06–OAR–2015–0721).                                                                                                   • Federal Area Non-road emissions
                                                                                                       attainment demonstration SIP that led to                   limits are being phased in through 2018.
                                               A. Has the area attained the revoked 1-                 permanent and enforceable emissions
                                               hour ozone NAAQS due to permanent                       reductions. Additionally, we have                             • Federal On-road emissions limits
                                               and enforceable emission reductions?                    approved SIPs for the DFW area that                        are being phased in through 2025.
                                                                                                       document continuous emissions                                 Given our previous actions approving
                                                 In a previous action we found that the
                                                                                                       reductions due to permanent and                            Texas SIPs pertaining to permanent and
                                               DFW area had attained the 1-hour ozone
                                               standard (73 FR 61357). Ambient air                     enforceable measures for the 1-hour and                    enforceable measures, we agree with
                                               quality found in the AQS database                       1997 8-hour ozone standards (62 FR                         Texas’ conclusion that the area has
                                               shows that the DFW area attained the 1- 27964, May 22, 1997; 70 FR 18993 April                                     attained the revoked 1-hour ozone
                                               hour ozone standard at the end of 2006                  12, 2005; 73 FR 58475, October 7, 2008;                    NAAQS due to permanent and
                                               and subsequent years and preliminary                    79 FR 67068, November 12, 2014). The                       enforceable emission reductions. Many
                                               data from 2015 indicate that the area has TCEQ has implemented stringent and                                       others are listed and a more detailed
                                               continued to maintain the standard                      innovative regulations that address                        review can be found in the TSD.
                                               (Table 1).                                              emissions of NOX and VOCs. These
                                                                                                       include, but are not limited to:                           B. Will the area maintain the revoked
                                                                                                                                                                  1-hour ozone NAAQS for 10 years from
                                                 TABLE 1—1-HOUR DESIGN VALUES                             • DFW Industrial, Commercial and
                                                                                                                                                                  the date of our approval?
                                                  FOR THE DFW FOUR-COUNTY NON- Industrial (ICI) Major and Minor New
                                                  ATTAINMENT AREA                                      Source Rules to control NOX from                             To demonstrate that the DFW area
                                                                                                       multiple source categories. For Major                      will maintain the revoked 1-hour ozone
                                                                                               1-Hour  sources, first implemented in the nine-                    NAAQS for 10 years from the date of
                                                             Years                              ozone  county area on March 1, 2009 or March                      our approval of the redesignation
                                                                                               design  1, 2010, depending on the source                           substitute, the redesignation substitute
                                                                                                value  category. On January 1, 2017, Wise                         report provided information on
                                               2004–2006 .................................... 124 ppb. County will be added and control                           projected emissions of ozone precursors
                                               2005–2007 .................................... 124 ppb. requirements for wood-fired boilers will                   for the four-county DFW 1-hour ozone
                                               2006–2008 .................................... 118 ppb. also be added in all ten counties. For                     NAAQS nonattainment area (Tables 2
                                               2007–2009 .................................... 115 ppb. Minor sources, implemented in the                          and 3). The emission projections show
                                               2008–2010 .................................... 110 ppb. nine-county area on March 1, 2009 for                      that (1) NOX and VOC emissions will
                                               2009–2011 .................................... 110 ppb. rich-burn gas-fired engines, diesel-fired                  continue to decrease through 2028. We
                                               2010–2012 .................................... 108 ppb. engines, and dual-fuel engines; March 1,
                                               2011–2013 .................................... 108 ppb.                                                            reviewed this information and agree
                                               2012–2014 .................................... 102 ppb. 2010 for lean-burn gas-fired engines.                      with the conclusion that the area will
                                               Preliminary 2013–2015 ................ 102 ppb.            • DFW Major Utility Electric                            maintain the revoked 1-hour ozone
                                                                                                       Generation Source Rule to control NOX.                     NAAQS for 10 years from the date of
                                                 In 2006, all monitors in the DFW area First implemented in March 2009, Wise                                      our approval. More detail on our review
                                               had expected exceedances less than the                  County to be in added in January 2017.                     can be found in the TSD.

                                                                                   TABLE 2—NOX EMISSION PROJECTIONS FOR FOUR-COUNTY DFW AREA
                                                                                                                             [Tons per day]

                                                        Category                        2012              2014                2017                  2020            2023             2026        2028

                                               Point Sources ...............                8.47                  8.79            29.47                29.57               29.65        29.71        29.76
                                               Area Sources ...............                28.54                 29.41            27.79                25.96                24.9        24.68        24.68
                                               On-Road Mobile
                                                 Sources (MOVES
                                                 2014) ........................            171.2             147.42               96.74                69.67               54.44        43.33        38.83
                                               Non-Road Mobile
                                                 Sources ....................              76.95                 72.29            61.56                53.31               48.87        46.36        45.66
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                                                    Total ......................          285.16             257.91              215.56               178.51           157.86          144.08       138.93




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                                               33164                      Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 101 / Wednesday, May 25, 2016 / Proposed Rules

                                                                                   TABLE 3—VOC EMISSION PROJECTIONS FOR FOUR-COUNTY DFW AREA
                                                                                                                                [Tons per day]

                                                        Category                        2012              2014                   2017                   2020               2023             2026         2028

                                               Point Sources ...............               11.11               11.02                  11.52                   11.71            11.86           11.99         12.08
                                               Area Sources ...............                218.9              224.51                 218.56                  211.43           209.81          210.69        211.77
                                               On-Road Mobile
                                                 Sources (MOVES
                                                 2014) ........................            78.56                 71.20                 55.59                  46.81               41.53        35.85         32.94
                                               Non-Road Mobile
                                                 Sources ....................              41.39                 36.48                 32.59                  31.08               31.04        31.52         32.08

                                                    Total ......................          349.96              343.21                 318.26                  301.03           294.24          290.05        288.87



                                               III. EPA’s Evaluation of the DFW                            that the area has continued to maintain                       Texas’ conclusion that the area has
                                               Redesignation Substitute Report for the                     the standard (Table 4).                                       attained the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS
                                               1997 8-Hour Ozone NAAQS                                                                                                   due to permanent and enforceable
                                                  To determine whether we should                              TABLE 4—8-HOUR DESIGN VALUES                               emission reductions. The TCEQ has
                                               approve the 1997 8-hour ozone                                        FOR THE DFW AREA                                     implemented stringent and innovative
                                               redesignation substitute for the DFW                                                                                      regulations that address emissions of
                                               area we evaluated the redesignation                                                                            8-Hour     NOX and VOCs. Some of these are listed
                                                                                                                                                              ozone      above as well as many others that can
                                               substitute report provided by Texas and                                        Years                           design
                                               the ambient ozone data for the area in                                                                          value     be found in the TSD in Section C.
                                               the EPA Air Quality System (AQS)                                                                                          Permanent and Enforceable Emissions
                                               database. To evaluate the report we used                    2012–2014 ....................................    84 ppb.     Controls Implemented
                                               the applicable portions of our                              Preliminary 2013–2015 ................            83 ppb.
                                               September 4, 1992 memo ‘‘Procedures                                                                                       B. Will the area maintain the revoked
                                               for Processing Requests to Redesignate                      In 2014, all monitors in the DFW area                         1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS for 10 years
                                               Areas to Attainment’’ (www.epa.gov/ttn/                     reported 8-hour ozone values of 84 ppb                        from the date of our approval?
                                               oarpg/t5/memoranda/                                         or less. A more detailed table of 8-hour
                                                                                                           ozone values for the DFW monitors can                           To demonstrate that the DFW area
                                               redesignmem090492.pdf). A detailed                                                                                        will maintain the revoked 1997 8-hour
                                               discussion of our evaluation can be                         be found in the TSD.
                                                                                                             The DFW area redesignation                                  ozone NAAQS for 10 years from the
                                               found in the TSD for this action. The                                                                                     date of our approval of the redesignation
                                               TSD can be accessed through                                 substitute report provides information
                                                                                                           on emissions of NOX and VOCs and                              substitute, the Texas report provided
                                               www.regulations.gov (e-docket EPA–
                                                                                                           regulations that reduced these                                information on projected emissions of
                                               R06–OAR–2015–0721).
                                                                                                           emissions. Texas identified control                           ozone precursors for the nine-county
                                               A. Has the area attained the revoked                        measures for both the 1-hour ozone and                        1997 ozone NAAQS nonattainment area
                                               1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS due to                              the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS that led                          (Tables 5 and 6). The emission
                                               permanent and enforceable emission                          to permanent and enforceable emission                         projections show that both NOX and
                                               reductions?                                                 reductions. In our evaluation of the 1-                       VOC emissions will continue to
                                                 In a previous action we found that the                    hour ozone NAAQS, we list several                             decrease through 2028. We reviewed
                                               DFW area had attained the 1997 8-hour                       existing measures in the DFW area.                            this information and agree with the
                                               ozone standard (80 FR 52630). Ambient                       Please see that evaluation and the TSD                        conclusion that the area will maintain
                                               air quality found in the AQS database                       for more detailed information. Given                          the revoked 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS
                                               shows that the DFW area attained the                        our previous actions approving Texas                          for 10 years from the date of our
                                               1997 8-hour ozone standard at the end                       SIPs pertaining to permanent and                              approval. More detail on our review can
                                               of 2014 and preliminary data indicate                       enforceable measures, we agree with                           be found in the TSD.

                                                                                   TABLE 5—NOX EMISSION PROJECTIONS FOR NINE-COUNTY DFW AREA
                                                                                                                                [Tons per day]

                                                        Category                        2012              2014                   2017                   2020               2023             2026         2028

                                               Point Sources ...............               30.80                 31.25                 62.38                  62.49               62.57        62.64         62.71
                                               Area Sources ...............                33.60                 34.77                 32.01                  28.98               27.37        26.97         26.93
                                               On-Road Mobile
                                                 Sources ....................             216.74              188.65                 129.19                   95.95               77.87        64.62         59.75
                                               Non-Road Mobile
                                                 Sources ....................              92.98                 86.83                 72.83                  62.10               56.21        52.71         51.55
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                                                    Total ......................          374.12              341.50                 296.41                  249.52           224.02          206.94        200.94




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                                                                          Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 101 / Wednesday, May 25, 2016 / Proposed Rules                                           33165

                                                                                   TABLE 6—VOC EMISSION PROJECTIONS FOR NINE-COUNTY DFW AREA
                                                                                                                             [tons per day]

                                                        Category                        2012              2014                2017                  2020            2023             2026         2028

                                               Point Sources ...............               27.66              28.61               29.46                29.97            30.41           30.82         31.10
                                               Area Sources ...............               265.43             273.08              260.19               245.76           241.13          241.19        242.15
                                               On-Road Mobile
                                                 Sources ....................              92.17                 83.75            65.62                55.36               49.21        42.70         39.49
                                               Non-Road Mobile
                                                 Sources ....................              46.87                 41.34            36.73                34.78               34.55        35.00         35.53

                                                    Total ......................          432.13             426.78              392.00               365.87           355.30          349.71        348.27



                                               IV. Proposed Action                                         nonattainment for the 2008 ozone                       relationship between the Federal
                                                  Based on the CAA’s criteria for                          NAAQS (as of the date of this Proposal),               Government and Indian Tribes, or on
                                               redesignation to attainment (CAA                            if the EPA finalizes this redesignation                the distribution of power and
                                               section 107(d)(3)(E)) and the regulation                    substitute, we believe that Texas’s                    responsibilities between the Federal
                                               providing for a redesignation substitute                    NNSR program would automatically                       Government and Indian Tribes, as
                                               (40 CFR 51.1105(b)), EPA is proposing                       change to requirements applicable for                  specified by Executive Order 13175 (65
                                               to approve the redesignation substitute                     moderate areas in accordance with the                  FR 67249, November 9, 2000), nor will
                                               for the DFW area for both the revoked                       DFW area classification for the 2008                   it have substantial direct effects on the
                                               1-hour ozone and the revoked 1997 8-                        ozone NAAQS for newly permitted                        States, on the relationship between the
                                               hour ozone NAAQS due to permanent                           sources. We note that finalization of this             national government and the States, or
                                               and enforceable emission reductions,                        redesignation substitute does not relieve              on the distribution of power and
                                               and that it will maintain those NAAQS                       sources in the area of their obligations               responsibilities among the various
                                               for ten years from the date of the EPA’s                    under previously established permit                    levels of government, as specified in
                                               approval of this demonstration. If EPA                      conditions.1                                           Executive Order 13132 (64 FR 43255,
                                               finalizes approval of the redesignation                     V. Statutory and Executive Order                       August 10, 1999), because it merely
                                               substitute, the DFW area would no                           Reviews                                                proposes to approve a demonstration
                                               longer be subject to any remaining                                                                                 provided by the State of Texas and find
                                                                                                              Under Executive Orders 12866 (58 FR                 that the DFW area is no longer subject
                                               applicable anti-backsliding
                                                                                                           51735, October 4, 1993) and 13563 (76                  to the anti-backsliding obligations for
                                               requirements and the NNSR
                                                                                                           FR 3821, January 21, 2011), this action                additional measures for the revoked
                                               requirements associated with the
                                                                                                           is not a ‘‘significant regulatory action’’             1-hour ozone and the revoked 1997 8-
                                               revoked NAAQS. It would also allow
                                                                                                           and therefore is not subject to review by              hour ozone NAAQS; and does not alter
                                               the state to request a SIP revision to
                                                                                                           the Office of Management and Budget.                   the relationship or the distribution of
                                               shift anti-backsliding obligations for the
                                                                                                           For this reason, this action is also not               power and responsibilities established
                                               revoked ozone NAAQS to contingency
                                                                                                           subject to Executive Order 13211,                      in the CAA. This proposed rule also is
                                               measures provided that such action is
                                                                                                           ‘‘Actions Concerning Regulations That                  not subject to Executive Order 13045 (62
                                               consistent with CAA sections 110(1)
                                                                                                           Significantly Affect Energy Supply,                    FR 19885, April 23, 1997), because it is
                                               and 193 (if applicable).
                                                  Texas’s redesignation substitute                         Distribution, or Use’’ (66 FR 28355, May               not economically significant.
                                               report also requested that EPA concur                       22, 2001). This action merely proposes                    The proposed rule does not impose an
                                               that the NNSR provisions relevant to the                    to approve a demonstration provided by                 information collection burden under the
                                               revoked 1-hour ozone NAAQS and the                          the State of Texas and find that the DFW               provisions of the Paperwork Reduction
                                               revoked 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS                             area is no longer subject to the anti-                 Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).
                                               would no longer apply. As explained                         backsliding obligations for additional                 Additionally, this proposed rule does
                                               previously, if we approve a                                 measures for the revoked 1-hour ozone                  not involve establishment of technical
                                               redesignation substitute, the state may                     and the revoked 1997 8-hour ozone                      standards, and thus, the requirements of
                                               request to revise its SIP to revise or                      NAAQS; and imposes no additional                       section 12(d) of the National
                                               remove provisions for NNSR for the                          requirements. Accordingly, I certify that              Technology Transfer and Advancement
                                               revoked standard, provided that such                        this proposed rule will not have a                     Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272 note) do not
                                               action is consistent with CAA sections                      significant economic impact on a                       apply.
                                               110(l) and 193 (40 CFR 51.1105(b)(2)).                      substantial number of small entities                      Executive Order 12898 (59 FR 7629,
                                               However, the EPA believes that in this                      under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5                February 16, 1994) establishes Federal
                                               instance, Texas does not need to revise                     U.S.C. 601 et seq.). Because this                      executive policy on environmental
                                               its SIP to alter some of the provisions for                 proposed rule does not impose any                      justice. Its main provision directs
                                               NNSR effective in the DFW area. The                         additional enforceable duties, it does                 Federal agencies, to the greatest extent
                                               EPA reads Texas’s NNSR SIP                                  not contain any unfunded mandate or                    practicable and permitted by law, to
                                               designations and classifications (and                       significantly or uniquely affect small                 make environmental justice part of their
                                               thus the related major source thresholds                    governments, as described in the                       mission by identifying and addressing,
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                                               and offset ratios) to adjust as 40 CFR                      Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995                   as appropriate, disproportionately high
                                               part 81 is updated and does not require                     (Pub. L. 104–4). This proposed rule also               and adverse human health or
                                               further action by Texas if EPA were to                      does not have a substantial direct effect              environmental effects of their programs,
                                               finalize the redesignation substitute                       on one or more Indian Tribes, on the                   policies, and activities on minority
                                               proposed here. This is explained in                            1 See Final Implementation Rule for 2008 Ozone
                                                                                                                                                                  populations and low-income
                                               detail in Section D of the TSD. Because                     Standard, 80 FR 12264, at 12299, footnote 83 and       populations in the United States. EPA
                                               the DFW area is classified as Moderate                      at 12304, footnote 91.                                 has determined that this proposed rule


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                                               33166                 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 101 / Wednesday, May 25, 2016 / Proposed Rules

                                               will not have disproportionately high                   new source review (NNSR)                              the hard copy materials, please contact
                                               and adverse human health or                             requirements associated with the                      Tracie Donaldson.
                                               environmental effects on minority or                    revoked NAAQS. In general, final                      SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                               low-income populations because it does                  approval of the redesignation substitute              Throughout this document wherever
                                               not affect the level of protection                      would allow Texas to seek to revise the               ‘‘we,’’ ‘‘us,’’ or ‘‘our’’ is used, we mean
                                               provided to human health or the                         Texas SIP for the area to remove anti-                the EPA.
                                               environment. Additionally, the                          backsliding measures from the active
                                               proposed rule is not an economically                    portion of its SIP if it can demonstrate,             I. Background
                                               significant regulatory action based on                  pursuant to Clean Air Act (CAA) section                  In 1979, under section 109 of the
                                               health or safety risks subject to                       110(1), that such revision would not                  CAA, EPA established primary and
                                               Executive Order 13045 (62 FR 19885,                     interfere with attainment or                          secondary NAAQS for ozone at 0.12
                                               April 23, 1997).                                        maintenance of any applicable NAAQS,                  parts per million (ppm) averaged over a
                                                                                                       or any other requirement of the CAA.                  1-hour period (44 FR 8202, February 8,
                                               List of Subjects
                                                                                                       However, the EPA believes that in this                1979). Primary standards are set to
                                               40 CFR Part 52                                          instance, Texas does not need to revise               protect human health while secondary
                                                 Environmental protection, Air                         its SIP to alter certain provisions for               standards are set to protect public
                                               pollution control, Incorporation by                     NNSR effective in the HGB area.                       welfare. In 1997 we revised the primary
                                               reference, Intergovernmental relations,                 DATES: Written comments must be                       and secondary NAAQS for ozone to set
                                               Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone, Volatile                       received on or before June 24, 2016.                  the acceptable level of ozone in the
                                               organic compounds.                                                                                            ambient air at 0.08 ppm, averaged over
                                                                                                       ADDRESSES:   Submit your comments,
                                                                                                                                                             an 8-hour period (62 FR 38856, July 18,
                                               40 CFR Part 81                                          identified by Docket No. EPA–R06–
                                                                                                                                                             1997). In 2008, we revised the primary
                                                 Environmental protection, Air                         OAR–2015–0609, at http://
                                                                                                                                                             and secondary ozone NAAQS to 0.075
                                               pollution control.                                      www.regulations.gov or via email to
                                                                                                                                                             ppm, averaged over an 8-hour period
                                                                                                       Donaldson.tracie@epa.gov. Follow the
                                                  Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.                                                                          (73 FR 16436, March 27, 2008). Ozone
                                                                                                       online instructions for submitting
                                                                                                                                                             nonattainment areas are classified at the
                                                 Dated: May 13, 2016.                                  comments. Once submitted, comments
                                                                                                                                                             time of designation based on the area’s
                                               Ron Curry,                                              cannot be edited or removed from
                                                                                                                                                             design value (77 FR 30088, 30091, May
                                               Regional Administrator, Region 6.                       Regulations.gov. The EPA may publish
                                                                                                                                                             21, 2012 and CAA section 181(a)(1)).
                                                                                                       any comment received to its public
                                               [FR Doc. 2016–12229 Filed 5–24–16; 8:45 am]                                                                   The design value is calculated from air
                                                                                                       docket. Do not submit electronically any
                                               BILLING CODE 6560–50–P                                                                                        quality data from the area for the 3 years
                                                                                                       information you consider to be
                                                                                                                                                             preceding designation. The possible
                                                                                                       Confidential Business Information (CBI)
                                                                                                                                                             classifications are Marginal, Moderate,
                                               ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION                                or other information whose disclosure is
                                                                                                                                                             Serious, Severe, and Extreme.
                                               AGENCY                                                  restricted by statute. Multimedia
                                                                                                                                                             Nonattainment areas with a ‘‘lower’’
                                                                                                       submissions (audio, video, etc.) must be
                                                                                                                                                             classification have design values that
                                               40 CFR Parts 52 and 81                                  accompanied by a written comment.
                                                                                                                                                             are closer to the NAAQS than areas with
                                                                                                       The written comment is considered the
                                               [EPA–R06–OAR–2015–0609; FRL–9946–84–                                                                          a ‘‘higher’’ classification.
                                                                                                       official comment and should include
                                               Region 6]                                                                                                        The EPA revoked the 1997 ozone
                                                                                                       discussion of all points you wish to
                                                                                                                                                             NAAQS for all purposes effective April
                                               Clean Air Act Redesignation Substitute                  make. The EPA will generally not
                                                                                                                                                             6, 2015 (80 FR 12264, 12296, March 6,
                                               for the Houston-Galveston-Brazoria                      consider comments or comment
                                                                                                                                                             2015). In that rule, the EPA established
                                               1997 8-hour Ozone Nonattainment                         contents located outside of the primary
                                                                                                                                                             a regulatory list of ‘‘applicable
                                               Area; Texas                                             submission (i.e. on the web, cloud, or
                                                                                                                                                             requirements’’ that would apply as anti-
                                                                                                       other file sharing system). For
                                               AGENCY:  Environmental Protection                                                                             backsliding requirements for the
                                                                                                       additional submission methods, please
                                               Agency (EPA).                                                                                                 transition from the 1997 ozone NAAQS
                                                                                                       contact Ms. Tracie Donaldson, (214)
                                               ACTION: Proposed rule.                                                                                        to the 2008 ozone NAAQS. Id. at 12298–
                                                                                                       665–6633, Donaldson.tracie@epa.gov.
                                                                                                                                                             99. The rule provides that an area
                                                                                                       For the full EPA public comment policy,
                                               SUMMARY:   The Environmental Protection                                                                       initially subject to the anti-backsliding
                                                                                                       information about CBI or multimedia
                                               Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve a                                                                        obligations for a revoked NAAQS will
                                                                                                       submissions, and general guidance on
                                               redesignation substitute and make a                                                                           remain so until we approve (1) a
                                                                                                       making effective comments, please visit
                                               finding of attainment for the 1997 8-                                                                         redesignation to attainment for the area
                                                                                                       http://www2.epa.gov/dockets/
                                               hour ozone National Ambient Air                                                                               for the 2008 ozone NAAQS or (2) a
                                                                                                       commenting-epa-dockets.
                                               Quality Standards (NAAQS) for the                                                                             ‘‘redesignation substitute’’, which serves
                                               Houston-Galveston-Brazoria ozone                           Docket: The index to the docket for                as a successor to redesignation to
                                               nonattainment area (HGB area). The                      this action is available electronically at            attainment, for which the area would
                                               redesignation substitute demonstration                  www.regulations.gov and in hard copy                  have been eligible were it not for
                                               indicates that the area has attained the                at EPA Region 6, 1445 Ross Avenue,                    revocation. Id. at 12304. As explained
                                               revoked 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS due                     Suite 700, Dallas, Texas. While all                   more fully in the preambles to the
                                               to permanent and enforceable emission                   documents in the docket are listed in                 proposed and final rules, the
                                               reductions and that it will maintain that               the index, some information may be                    redesignation substitute demonstration
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                                               NAAQS for ten years from the date of                    publicly available only at the hard copy              must show that the area (1) has attained
                                               the EPA’s approval of this                              location (e.g., copyrighted material), and            the revoked NAAQS due to permanent
                                               demonstration. Final approval of the                    some may not be publicly available at                 and enforceable emission reductions
                                               redesignation substitute will result in                 either location (e.g., CBI).                          and (2) will maintain that revoked
                                               the area no longer being subject to any                 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                      NAAQS for 10 years from the date of
                                               remaining applicable anti-backsliding                   Tracie Donaldson, (214) 665–6633,                     EPA’s approval of the showing. See id.
                                               requirements and the nonattainment                      Donaldson.tracie@epa.gov. To inspect                  at 12303–306; 78 FR 34178, 34222–223.


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Document Created: 2018-02-07 15:03:15
Document Modified: 2018-02-07 15:03:15
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionProposed Rules
ActionProposed rule.
DatesWritten comments must be received on or before June 24, 2016.
ContactTracie Donaldson, (214) 665-6633, [email protected] To inspect the hard copy materials, please contact Tracie Donaldson.
FR Citation81 FR 33161 
CFR Citation40 CFR 52
40 CFR 81
CFR AssociatedEnvironmental Protection; Air Pollution Control; Incorporation by Reference; Intergovernmental Relations; Nitrogen Dioxide; Ozone and Volatile Organic Compounds

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