81_FR_35741 81 FR 35634 - Air Plan Approval; North Carolina; Prong 4-2008 Ozone, 2010 NO2

81 FR 35634 - Air Plan Approval; North Carolina; Prong 4-2008 Ozone, 2010 NO2

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 107 (June 3, 2016)

Page Range35634-35636
FR Document2016-13036

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving portions of revisions to the North Carolina State Implementation Plan (SIP), submitted by the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (NC DENR), addressing the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act) visibility transport (prong 4) infrastructure SIP requirements for the 2008 8-hour Ozone, 2010 1-hour Nitrogen Dioxide (NO<INF>2</INF>), 2010 1-hour Sulfur Dioxide (SO<INF>2</INF>), and 2012 annual Fine Particulate Matter (PM<INF>2.5</INF>) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The CAA requires that each state adopt and submit a SIP for the implementation, maintenance, and enforcement of each NAAQS promulgated by EPA, commonly referred to as an ``infrastructure SIP.'' Specifically, EPA is approving the prong 4 portions of North Carolina's November 2, 2012, 2008 8-hour Ozone infrastructure SIP submission; August 23, 2013, 2010 1-hour NO<INF>2</INF> infrastructure SIP submission; March 18, 2014, 2010 1-hour SO<INF>2</INF> infrastructure SIP submission; and December 4, 2015, 2012 Annual PM<INF>2.5</INF> infrastructure SIP submission. All other applicable infrastructure requirements for these SIP submissions have been or will be addressed in separate rulemakings.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 107 (Friday, June 3, 2016)
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 107 (Friday, June 3, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 35634-35636]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-13036]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 52

[EPA-R04-OAR-2016-0072; FRL-9947-22-Region 4]


Air Plan Approval; North Carolina; Prong 4--2008 Ozone, 2010 
NO2, SO2, and 2012 PM2.5

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving 
portions of revisions to the North Carolina State Implementation Plan 
(SIP), submitted by the North Carolina Department of Environment and 
Natural Resources (NC DENR), addressing the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act) 
visibility transport (prong 4) infrastructure SIP requirements for the 
2008 8-hour Ozone, 2010 1-hour Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), 2010 
1-hour Sulfur Dioxide (SO2), and 2012 annual Fine 
Particulate Matter (PM2.5) National Ambient Air Quality 
Standards (NAAQS). The CAA requires that each state adopt and submit a 
SIP for the implementation, maintenance, and enforcement of each NAAQS 
promulgated by EPA, commonly referred to as an ``infrastructure SIP.'' 
Specifically, EPA is approving the prong 4 portions of North Carolina's 
November 2, 2012, 2008 8-hour Ozone infrastructure SIP submission; 
August 23, 2013, 2010 1-hour NO2 infrastructure SIP 
submission; March 18, 2014, 2010 1-hour SO2 infrastructure 
SIP submission; and December 4, 2015, 2012 Annual PM2.5 
infrastructure SIP submission. All other applicable infrastructure 
requirements for these SIP submissions have been or will be addressed 
in separate rulemakings.

DATES: This rule is effective July 5, 2016.

ADDRESSES: EPA has established a docket for this action under Docket 
Identification No. EPA-R04-OAR-2016-0072. All documents in the docket 
are listed on the http://www.regulations.gov Web site. Although listed 
in the index, some information may not be publicly available, i.e., 
Confidential Business Information or other information whose disclosure 
is restricted by statute. Certain other material, such as copyrighted 
material, is not placed on the Internet and will be publicly available 
only in hard copy form. Publicly available docket materials are 
available either electronically through http://www.regulations.gov or 
in hard copy at the Air Regulatory Management Section, Air Planning and 
Implementation Branch, Air, Pesticides and Toxics Management Division, 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 4, 61 Forsyth Street SW., 
Atlanta, Georgia 30303-8960. EPA requests that if at all possible, you 
contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT 
section to schedule your inspection. The Regional Office's official 
hours of business are Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., 
excluding federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sean Lakeman of the Air Regulatory 
Management Section, Air Planning and Implementation Branch, Air, 
Pesticides and Toxics Management Division, U.S. Environmental 
Protection Agency, Region 4, 61 Forsyth Street SW., Atlanta, Georgia 
30303-8960. Mr. Lakeman can be reached by telephone at (404) 562-9043 
or via electronic mail at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    By statute, SIPs meeting the requirements of sections 110(a)(1) and 
(2) of the CAA are to be submitted by states within three years after 
promulgation of a new or revised NAAQS to provide for the 
implementation, maintenance, and enforcement of the new or revised 
NAAQS. EPA has historically referred to these SIP submissions made for 
the purpose of satisfying the requirements of sections 110(a)(1) and 
110(a)(2) as ``infrastructure SIP'' submissions. Sections 110(a)(1) and 
(2) require states to address basic SIP elements such as the 
requirements for monitoring, basic program requirements, and legal 
authority that are designed to assure attainment and maintenance of the 
newly established or revised NAAQS. More specifically, section 
110(a)(1) provides the procedural and timing requirements for 
infrastructure SIPs. Section 110(a)(2) lists specific elements that 
states must meet for the infrastructure SIP requirements related to a 
newly established or revised NAAQS. The contents of an infrastructure 
SIP submission may vary depending upon the data and analytical tools 
available to the state, as well as the provisions already contained in 
the state's implementation plan at the time in which the state develops 
and submits the submission for a new or revised NAAQS.
    Section 110(a)(2)(D) has two components: 110(a)(2)(D)(i) and 
110(a)(2)(D)(ii). Section 110(a)(2)(D)(i) includes four distinct 
components, commonly referred to as ``prongs,'' that must be addressed 
in infrastructure SIP submissions. The first two prongs, which are 
codified in section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I), are provisions that prohibit 
any source or other type of emissions activity in one state from 
contributing significantly to nonattainment of the NAAQS in another 
state (prong 1) and from interfering with maintenance of the NAAQS in 
another state (prong 2). The third and fourth prongs, which are 
codified in section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II), are provisions that prohibit 
emissions activity in one state from interfering with measures required 
to prevent significant deterioration of air quality in another state 
(prong 3) or from interfering with measures to protect visibility in 
another state (prong 4). Section 110(a)(2)(D)(ii) requires SIPs to 
include provisions ensuring compliance with sections 115 and 126 of the 
Act, relating to interstate and international pollution abatement.
    North Carolina's November 2, 2012, 2008 8-hour Ozone submission; 
August 23, 2013, 2010 1-hour NO2 submission; March 18, 2014, 
2010 1-hour SO2 submission; and December 4, 2015, 2012 
Annual PM2.5 submission cite to the State's regional haze 
SIP as satisfying prong 4 requirements. However, at those dates, EPA 
had not yet fully approved North Carolina's regional haze SIP because 
the SIP relied on the Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) to satisfy the 
nitrogen oxides (NOX) and SO2 Best Available 
Retrofit Technology (BART) requirements for the CAIR-subject electric 
generating units (EGUs) in the State and the requirement for a long-
term strategy (LTS) sufficient to achieve the state-adopted reasonable 
progress goals.\1\
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    \1\ CAIR, promulgated in 2005, required 27 states and the 
District of Columbia to reduce emissions of NOX and 
SO2 that significantly contribute to, or interfere with 
maintenance of, the 1997 NAAQS for fine particulates and/or ozone in 
any downwind state. CAIR imposed specified emissions reduction 
requirements on each affected State, and established an EPA-
administered cap and trade program for EGUs in which States could 
join as a means to meet these requirements.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    EPA demonstrated that CAIR achieved greater reasonable progress 
toward the national visibility goal than

[[Page 35635]]

BART for NOX and SO2 at BART-eligible EGUs in 
CAIR affected states, and revised the regional haze rule (RHR) to 
provide that states participating in CAIR's cap-and-trade program need 
not require affected BART-eligible EGUs to install, operate, and 
maintain BART for emissions of SO2 and NOX. See 
70 FR 39104 (July 6, 2005). As a result, a number of states in the CAIR 
region designed their regional haze SIPs to rely on CAIR as an 
alternative to NOX and SO2 BART for CAIR-subject 
EGUs. These states also relied on CAIR as an element of a LTS for 
achieving their reasonable progress goals.
    The United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia 
Circuit (D.C. Circuit) initially vacated CAIR in 2008,\2\ but 
ultimately remanded the rule to EPA without vacatur to preserve the 
environmental benefits provided by CAIR.\3\ On August 8, 2011, acting 
on the D.C. Circuit's remand, EPA promulgated the Cross State Air 
Pollution Rule (CSAPR) to replace CAIR and thus to address the 
interstate transport of emissions contributing to nonattainment and 
interfering with maintenance of the two air quality standards covered 
by CAIR as well as the 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS.\4\ See 76 FR 48208.
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    \2\ North Carolina v. EPA, 531 F.3d 896 (D.C. Cir. 2008).
    \3\ North Carolina v. EPA, 550 F.3d 1176 (D.C. Cir. 2008).
    \4\ Although a number of parties challenged the legality of 
CSAPR and the D.C. Circuit initially vacated and remanded CSAPR to 
EPA in EME Homer City Generation, L.P. v. EPA, 696 F.3d 7, 38 (D.C. 
Cir. 2012), the United States Supreme Court reversed the D.C. 
Circuit's decision on April 29, 2014, and remanded the case to the 
D.C. Circuit to resolve remaining issues in accordance with the high 
court's ruling. EPA v. EME Homer City Generation, L.P., 134 S. Ct. 
1584 (2014). On remand, the D.C. Circuit affirmed CSAPR in most 
respects and CSAPR is now in effect. EME Homer City Generation, L.P. 
v. EPA, 795 F.3d 118 (D.C. Cir. 2015).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Due to CAIR's status as a temporary measure following the D.C. 
Circuit's 2008 ruling, EPA could not fully approve regional haze SIP 
revisions to the extent that they relied on CAIR to satisfy the BART 
requirement and the requirement for a long-term strategy sufficient to 
achieve the state-adopted reasonable progress goals. On these grounds, 
EPA finalized a limited disapproval of North Carolina's regional haze 
SIP on June 7, 2012, triggering the requirement for EPA to promulgate a 
federal implementation plan (FIP) unless North Carolina submitted and 
EPA approved a SIP revision that corrected the deficiency. See 77 FR 
33642. EPA finalized a limited approval of North Carolina's regional 
haze SIP on June 27, 2012, as meeting the remaining applicable regional 
haze requirements set forth in the CAA and the RHR. See 77 FR 38185.
    On October 31, 2014, North Carolina submitted a regional haze plan 
revision to correct the deficiencies identified in the June 7, 2012, 
limited disapproval by replacing reliance on CAIR with reliance on a 
BART alternative to satisfy NOX and SO2 BART 
requirements for EGUs formerly subject to CAIR. EPA finalized approval 
of the October 31, 2014, SIP revision and converted North Carolina's 
regional haze plan from a limited approval to a full approval on May 
12, 2016. That action also removed EPA's obligation to implement a FIP 
to correct the previous deficiencies for North Carolina's initial 
regional haze plan.
    In a proposed rulemaking (NPRM) published on April 8, 2016 (81 FR 
20600), EPA proposed to approve the prong 4 portions of North 
Carolina's infrastructure SIP submissions for the 2008 8-hour Ozone, 
2010 1-hour NO2, 2010 1-hour SO2, and 2012 annual 
PM2.5 NAAQS based on final approval of the State's October 
31, 2014, SIP revision. As discussed above, EPA subsequently finalized 
that SIP revision and converted North Carolina's regional haze plan 
from a limited approval to a full approval. The details of the 
aforementioned North Carolina infrastructure SIP submissions and the 
rationale for EPA's action is explained in the NPRM. Comments on the 
proposed rulemaking were due on or before April 29, 2016. EPA received 
no adverse comments on the proposed action.

II. Final Action

    EPA is approving the prong 4 portions of North Carolina's November 
2, 2012, 2008 8-hour Ozone infrastructure SIP submission; August 23, 
2013, 2010 1-hour NO2 infrastructure SIP submission; March 
18, 2014, 2010 1-hour SO2 infrastructure SIP submission; and 
December 4, 2015, 2012 Annual PM2.5 infrastructure SIP 
submission. All other applicable infrastructure requirements for these 
SIP submissions have been or will be addressed in separate rulemakings.

III. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

    Under the CAA, the Administrator is required to approve a SIP 
submission that complies with the provisions of the Act and applicable 
federal regulations. See 42 U.S.C. 7410(k); 40 CFR 52.02(a). Thus, in 
reviewing SIP submissions, EPA's role is to approve state choices, 
provided that they meet the criteria of the CAA. Accordingly, this 
action merely approves state law as meeting federal requirements and 
does not impose additional requirements beyond those imposed by state 
law. For that reason, this action:
     Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' subject to 
review by the Office of Management and Budget under Executive Orders 
12866 (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993) and 13563 (76 FR 3821, January 21, 
2011);
     does not impose an information collection burden under the 
provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.);
     is certified as not having a significant economic impact 
on a substantial number of small entities under the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.);
     does not contain any unfunded mandate or significantly or 
uniquely affect small governments, as described in the Unfunded 
Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-4);
     does not have Federalism implications as specified in 
Executive Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10, 1999);
     is not an economically significant regulatory action based 
on health or safety risks subject to Executive Order 13045 (62 FR 
19885, April 23, 1997);
     is not a significant regulatory action subject to 
Executive Order 13211 (66 FR 28355, May 22, 2001);
     is not subject to requirements of Section 12(d) of the 
National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272 
note) because application of those requirements would be inconsistent 
with the CAA; and
     does not provide EPA with the discretionary authority to 
address, as appropriate, disproportionate human health or environmental 
effects, using practicable and legally permissible methods, under 
Executive Order 12898 (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994).
    The SIP is not approved to apply on any Indian reservation land or 
in any other area where EPA or an Indian tribe has demonstrated that a 
tribe has jurisdiction. In those areas of Indian country, the rule does 
not have tribal implications as specified by Executive Order 13175 (65 
FR 67249, November 9, 2000), nor will it impose substantial direct 
costs on tribal governments or preempt tribal law.
    The Congressional Review Act, 5 U.S.C. 801 et seq., as added by the 
Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, generally 
provides that before a rule may take effect, the agency promulgating 
the rule must submit a rule report, which includes a copy of the rule, 
to each House of the Congress and to the Comptroller General of the 
United States. EPA will submit a

[[Page 35636]]

report containing this action and other required information to the 
U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of Representatives, and the Comptroller 
General of the United States prior to publication of the rule in the 
Federal Register. A major rule cannot take effect until 60 days after 
it is published in the Federal Register. This action is not a ``major 
rule'' as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2).
    Under section 307(b)(1) of the CAA, petitions for judicial review 
of this action must be filed in the United States Court of Appeals for 
the appropriate circuit by August 2, 2016. Filing a petition for 
reconsideration by the Administrator of this final rule does not affect 
the finality of this action for the purposes of judicial review nor 
does it extend the time within which a petition for judicial review may 
be filed, and shall not postpone the effectiveness of such rule or 
action. This action may not be challenged later in proceedings to 
enforce its requirements. See section 307(b)(2).

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52

    Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Incorporation by 
reference, Intergovernmental relations, Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone, 
Particulate matter, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Volatile 
organic compounds.

    Dated: May 23, 2016.
Heather McTeer Toney,
Regional Administrator, Region 4.

    40 CFR part 52 is amended as follows:

PART 52--APPROVAL AND PROMULGATION OF IMPLEMENTATION PLANS

0
1. The authority citation for part 52 continues to read as follows:

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

Subpart II--North Carolina

0
2. Section 52.1770(e), is amended by adding new entries for ``110(a)(1) 
and (2) Infrastructure Requirements for the 2008 8-Hour Ozone NAAQS'', 
``110(a)(1) and (2) Infrastructure Requirements for the 2010 1-hour 
NO2 NAAQS'', ``110(a)(1) and (2) Infrastructure Requirements 
for the 2010 1-hour SO2 NAAQS'' and ``110(a)(1) and (2) 
Infrastructure Requirements for the 2012 Annual PM2.5 
NAAQS'' at the end of the table to read as follows:


Sec.  52.1770  Identification of plan.

* * * * *
    (e) * * *

                              EPA-Approved North Carolina Non-Regulatory Provisions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   State  effective                       Federal Register
            Provision                    date        EPA approval date        citation           Explanation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
110(a)(1) and (2) Infrastructure          11/2/2012           6/3/2016  [Insert citation of  Addressing prong 4
 Requirements for the 2008 8-                                            publication in       of section
 Hour Ozone NAAQS.                                                       Federal Register].   110(a)(2)(D)(i)
                                                                                              only.
110(a)(1) and (2) Infrastructure          8/23/2013           6/3/2016  [Insert citation of  Addressing prong 4
 Requirements for the 2010 1-                                            publication in       of section
 hour NO2 NAAQS.                                                         Federal Register].   110(a)(2)(D)(i)
                                                                                              only.
110(a)(1) and (2) Infrastructure          3/18/2014           6/3/2016  [Insert citation of  Addressing prong 4
 Requirements for the 2010 1-                                            publication in       of section
 hour SO2 NAAQS.                                                         Federal Register].   110(a)(2)(D)(i)
                                                                                              only.
110(a)(1) and (2) Infrastructure          12/4/2015           6/3/2016  [Insert citation of  Addressing prong 4
 Requirements for the 2012                                               publication in       of section
 Annual PM2.5 NAAQS.                                                     Federal Register].   110(a)(2)(D)(i)
                                                                                              only.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[FR Doc. 2016-13036 Filed 6-2-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P



                                                35634                 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 107 / Friday, June 3, 2016 / Rules and Regulations

                                                Shared equipment includes, but is not                   listed in the index, some information                  infrastructure SIP submission may vary
                                                limited to, produced fluids storage                     may not be publicly available, i.e.,                   depending upon the data and analytical
                                                tanks, phase separators, natural gas                    Confidential Business Information or                   tools available to the state, as well as the
                                                dehydrators or emissions control                        other information whose disclosure is                  provisions already contained in the
                                                devices. Surface site, as used in the                   restricted by statute. Certain other                   state’s implementation plan at the time
                                                introductory text of this definition, has               material, such as copyrighted material,                in which the state develops and submits
                                                the same meaning as in 40 CFR 63.761.                   is not placed on the Internet and will be              the submission for a new or revised
                                                *     *     *    *      *                               publicly available only in hard copy                   NAAQS.
                                                [FR Doc. 2016–11968 Filed 6–2–16; 8:45 am]              form. Publicly available docket                           Section 110(a)(2)(D) has two
                                                BILLING CODE 6560–50–P                                  materials are available either                         components: 110(a)(2)(D)(i) and
                                                                                                        electronically through http://                         110(a)(2)(D)(ii). Section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)
                                                                                                        www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at                 includes four distinct components,
                                                ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION                                the Air Regulatory Management Section,                 commonly referred to as ‘‘prongs,’’ that
                                                AGENCY                                                  Air Planning and Implementation                        must be addressed in infrastructure SIP
                                                                                                        Branch, Air, Pesticides and Toxics                     submissions. The first two prongs,
                                                40 CFR Part 52                                          Management Division, U.S.                              which are codified in section
                                                                                                        Environmental Protection Agency,                       110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I), are provisions that
                                                [EPA–R04–OAR–2016–0072; FRL–9947–22–                                                                           prohibit any source or other type of
                                                Region 4]                                               Region 4, 61 Forsyth Street SW.,
                                                                                                        Atlanta, Georgia 30303–8960. EPA                       emissions activity in one state from
                                                Air Plan Approval; North Carolina;                      requests that if at all possible, you                  contributing significantly to
                                                Prong 4—2008 Ozone, 2010 NO2, SO2,                      contact the person listed in the FOR                   nonattainment of the NAAQS in another
                                                and 2012 PM2.5                                          FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section to                 state (prong 1) and from interfering with
                                                                                                        schedule your inspection. The Regional                 maintenance of the NAAQS in another
                                                AGENCY:  Environmental Protection                       Office’s official hours of business are                state (prong 2). The third and fourth
                                                Agency.                                                 Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to                     prongs, which are codified in section
                                                ACTION: Final rule.                                     4:30 p.m., excluding federal holidays.                 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II), are provisions that
                                                                                                                                                               prohibit emissions activity in one state
                                                                                                        FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                                SUMMARY:   The Environmental Protection                                                                        from interfering with measures required
                                                Agency (EPA) is approving portions of                   Sean Lakeman of the Air Regulatory
                                                                                                                                                               to prevent significant deterioration of air
                                                revisions to the North Carolina State                   Management Section, Air Planning and
                                                                                                                                                               quality in another state (prong 3) or
                                                Implementation Plan (SIP), submitted                    Implementation Branch, Air, Pesticides
                                                                                                                                                               from interfering with measures to
                                                by the North Carolina Department of                     and Toxics Management Division, U.S.
                                                                                                                                                               protect visibility in another state (prong
                                                Environment and Natural Resources (NC                   Environmental Protection Agency,                       4). Section 110(a)(2)(D)(ii) requires SIPs
                                                DENR), addressing the Clean Air Act                     Region 4, 61 Forsyth Street SW.,                       to include provisions ensuring
                                                (CAA or Act) visibility transport (prong                Atlanta, Georgia 30303–8960. Mr.                       compliance with sections 115 and 126
                                                4) infrastructure SIP requirements for                  Lakeman can be reached by telephone at                 of the Act, relating to interstate and
                                                the 2008 8-hour Ozone, 2010 1-hour                      (404) 562–9043 or via electronic mail at               international pollution abatement.
                                                Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), 2010 1-hour                     lakeman.sean@epa.gov.                                     North Carolina’s November 2, 2012,
                                                Sulfur Dioxide (SO2), and 2012 annual                   SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                             2008 8-hour Ozone submission; August
                                                Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5) National                I. Background                                          23, 2013, 2010 1-hour NO2 submission;
                                                Ambient Air Quality Standards                                                                                  March 18, 2014, 2010 1-hour SO2
                                                (NAAQS). The CAA requires that each                        By statute, SIPs meeting the                        submission; and December 4, 2015,
                                                state adopt and submit a SIP for the                    requirements of sections 110(a)(1) and                 2012 Annual PM2.5 submission cite to
                                                implementation, maintenance, and                        (2) of the CAA are to be submitted by                  the State’s regional haze SIP as
                                                enforcement of each NAAQS                               states within three years after                        satisfying prong 4 requirements.
                                                promulgated by EPA, commonly                            promulgation of a new or revised                       However, at those dates, EPA had not
                                                referred to as an ‘‘infrastructure SIP.’’               NAAQS to provide for the                               yet fully approved North Carolina’s
                                                Specifically, EPA is approving the prong                implementation, maintenance, and                       regional haze SIP because the SIP relied
                                                4 portions of North Carolina’s November                 enforcement of the new or revised                      on the Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR)
                                                2, 2012, 2008 8-hour Ozone                              NAAQS. EPA has historically referred to                to satisfy the nitrogen oxides (NOX) and
                                                infrastructure SIP submission; August                   these SIP submissions made for the                     SO2 Best Available Retrofit Technology
                                                23, 2013, 2010 1-hour NO2                               purpose of satisfying the requirements                 (BART) requirements for the CAIR-
                                                infrastructure SIP submission; March                    of sections 110(a)(1) and 110(a)(2) as                 subject electric generating units (EGUs)
                                                18, 2014, 2010 1-hour SO2 infrastructure                ‘‘infrastructure SIP’’ submissions.                    in the State and the requirement for a
                                                SIP submission; and December 4, 2015,                   Sections 110(a)(1) and (2) require states              long-term strategy (LTS) sufficient to
                                                2012 Annual PM2.5 infrastructure SIP                    to address basic SIP elements such as                  achieve the state-adopted reasonable
                                                submission. All other applicable                        the requirements for monitoring, basic                 progress goals.1
                                                infrastructure requirements for these SIP               program requirements, and legal                           EPA demonstrated that CAIR
                                                submissions have been or will be                        authority that are designed to assure                  achieved greater reasonable progress
                                                addressed in separate rulemakings.                      attainment and maintenance of the                      toward the national visibility goal than
                                                                                                        newly established or revised NAAQS.
                                                DATES: This rule is effective July 5,
                                                                                                        More specifically, section 110(a)(1)                      1 CAIR, promulgated in 2005, required 27 states
                                                2016.
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with RULES




                                                                                                        provides the procedural and timing                     and the District of Columbia to reduce emissions of
                                                                                                                                                               NOX and SO2 that significantly contribute to, or
                                                ADDRESSES:   EPA has established a                      requirements for infrastructure SIPs.                  interfere with maintenance of, the 1997 NAAQS for
                                                docket for this action under Docket                     Section 110(a)(2) lists specific elements              fine particulates and/or ozone in any downwind
                                                Identification No. EPA–R04–OAR–                         that states must meet for the                          state. CAIR imposed specified emissions reduction
                                                                                                                                                               requirements on each affected State, and
                                                2016–0072. All documents in the docket                  infrastructure SIP requirements related                established an EPA-administered cap and trade
                                                are listed on the http://                               to a newly established or revised                      program for EGUs in which States could join as a
                                                www.regulations.gov Web site. Although                  NAAQS. The contents of an                              means to meet these requirements.



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                                                                      Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 107 / Friday, June 3, 2016 / Rules and Regulations                                          35635

                                                BART for NOX and SO2 at BART-eligible                   set forth in the CAA and the RHR. See                  federal requirements and does not
                                                EGUs in CAIR affected states, and                       77 FR 38185.                                           impose additional requirements beyond
                                                revised the regional haze rule (RHR) to                    On October 31, 2014, North Carolina                 those imposed by state law. For that
                                                provide that states participating in                    submitted a regional haze plan revision                reason, this action:
                                                CAIR’s cap-and-trade program need not                   to correct the deficiencies identified in                 • Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory
                                                require affected BART-eligible EGUs to                  the June 7, 2012, limited disapproval by               action’’ subject to review by the Office
                                                install, operate, and maintain BART for                 replacing reliance on CAIR with                        of Management and Budget under
                                                emissions of SO2 and NOX. See 70 FR                     reliance on a BART alternative to satisfy              Executive Orders 12866 (58 FR 51735,
                                                39104 (July 6, 2005). As a result, a                    NOX and SO2 BART requirements for                      October 4, 1993) and 13563 (76 FR 3821,
                                                number of states in the CAIR region                     EGUs formerly subject to CAIR. EPA                     January 21, 2011);
                                                designed their regional haze SIPs to rely               finalized approval of the October 31,                     • does not impose an information
                                                on CAIR as an alternative to NOX and                    2014, SIP revision and converted North                 collection burden under the provisions
                                                SO2 BART for CAIR-subject EGUs.                         Carolina’s regional haze plan from a                   of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44
                                                These states also relied on CAIR as an                  limited approval to a full approval on                 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.);
                                                element of a LTS for achieving their                    May 12, 2016. That action also removed                    • is certified as not having a
                                                reasonable progress goals.                              EPA’s obligation to implement a FIP to                 significant economic impact on a
                                                  The United States Court of Appeals                    correct the previous deficiencies for                  substantial number of small entities
                                                for the District of Columbia Circuit (D.C.              North Carolina’s initial regional haze                 under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5
                                                Circuit) initially vacated CAIR in 2008,2               plan.                                                  U.S.C. 601 et seq.);
                                                but ultimately remanded the rule to EPA                    In a proposed rulemaking (NPRM)                        • does not contain any unfunded
                                                without vacatur to preserve the                         published on April 8, 2016 (81 FR                      mandate or significantly or uniquely
                                                environmental benefits provided by                      20600), EPA proposed to approve the                    affect small governments, as described
                                                CAIR.3 On August 8, 2011, acting on the                 prong 4 portions of North Carolina’s                   in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
                                                D.C. Circuit’s remand, EPA promulgated                  infrastructure SIP submissions for the                 of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–4);
                                                the Cross State Air Pollution Rule                      2008 8-hour Ozone, 2010 1-hour NO2,                       • does not have Federalism
                                                (CSAPR) to replace CAIR and thus to                     2010 1-hour SO2, and 2012 annual PM2.5                 implications as specified in Executive
                                                address the interstate transport of                     NAAQS based on final approval of the                   Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10,
                                                emissions contributing to nonattainment                 State’s October 31, 2014, SIP revision.                1999);
                                                and interfering with maintenance of the                 As discussed above, EPA subsequently                      • is not an economically significant
                                                two air quality standards covered by                    finalized that SIP revision and                        regulatory action based on health or
                                                CAIR as well as the 2006 PM2.5                          converted North Carolina’s regional                    safety risks subject to Executive Order
                                                NAAQS.4 See 76 FR 48208.                                haze plan from a limited approval to a                 13045 (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997);
                                                  Due to CAIR’s status as a temporary                   full approval. The details of the                         • is not a significant regulatory action
                                                measure following the D.C. Circuit’s                    aforementioned North Carolina                          subject to Executive Order 13211 (66 FR
                                                2008 ruling, EPA could not fully                        infrastructure SIP submissions and the                 28355, May 22, 2001);
                                                approve regional haze SIP revisions to                  rationale for EPA’s action is explained                   • is not subject to requirements of
                                                the extent that they relied on CAIR to                  in the NPRM. Comments on the                           Section 12(d) of the National
                                                satisfy the BART requirement and the                    proposed rulemaking were due on or                     Technology Transfer and Advancement
                                                requirement for a long-term strategy                    before April 29, 2016. EPA received no                 Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272 note) because
                                                sufficient to achieve the state-adopted                 adverse comments on the proposed                       application of those requirements would
                                                reasonable progress goals. On these                     action.                                                be inconsistent with the CAA; and
                                                grounds, EPA finalized a limited                                                                                  • does not provide EPA with the
                                                disapproval of North Carolina’s regional                II. Final Action                                       discretionary authority to address, as
                                                haze SIP on June 7, 2012, triggering the                   EPA is approving the prong 4 portions               appropriate, disproportionate human
                                                requirement for EPA to promulgate a                     of North Carolina’s November 2, 2012,                  health or environmental effects, using
                                                federal implementation plan (FIP)                       2008 8-hour Ozone infrastructure SIP                   practicable and legally permissible
                                                unless North Carolina submitted and                     submission; August 23, 2013, 2010 1-                   methods, under Executive Order 12898
                                                EPA approved a SIP revision that                        hour NO2 infrastructure SIP submission;                (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994).
                                                corrected the deficiency. See 77 FR                     March 18, 2014, 2010 1-hour SO2                           The SIP is not approved to apply on
                                                33642. EPA finalized a limited approval                 infrastructure SIP submission; and                     any Indian reservation land or in any
                                                of North Carolina’s regional haze SIP on                December 4, 2015, 2012 Annual PM2.5                    other area where EPA or an Indian tribe
                                                June 27, 2012, as meeting the remaining                 infrastructure SIP submission. All other               has demonstrated that a tribe has
                                                applicable regional haze requirements                   applicable infrastructure requirements                 jurisdiction. In those areas of Indian
                                                                                                        for these SIP submissions have been or                 country, the rule does not have tribal
                                                  2 North Carolina v. EPA, 531 F.3d 896 (D.C. Cir.      will be addressed in separate                          implications as specified by Executive
                                                2008).                                                  rulemakings.                                           Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, November 9,
                                                  3 North Carolina v. EPA, 550 F.3d 1176 (D.C. Cir.
                                                                                                                                                               2000), nor will it impose substantial
                                                2008).                                                  III. Statutory and Executive Order                     direct costs on tribal governments or
                                                  4 Although a number of parties challenged the
                                                                                                        Reviews                                                preempt tribal law.
                                                legality of CSAPR and the D.C. Circuit initially
                                                vacated and remanded CSAPR to EPA in EME                   Under the CAA, the Administrator is                    The Congressional Review Act, 5
                                                Homer City Generation, L.P. v. EPA, 696 F.3d 7, 38      required to approve a SIP submission                   U.S.C. 801 et seq., as added by the Small
                                                (D.C. Cir. 2012), the United States Supreme Court       that complies with the provisions of the               Business Regulatory Enforcement
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                                                reversed the D.C. Circuit’s decision on April 29,
                                                2014, and remanded the case to the D.C. Circuit to
                                                                                                        Act and applicable federal regulations.                Fairness Act of 1996, generally provides
                                                resolve remaining issues in accordance with the         See 42 U.S.C. 7410(k); 40 CFR 52.02(a).                that before a rule may take effect, the
                                                high court’s ruling. EPA v. EME Homer City              Thus, in reviewing SIP submissions,                    agency promulgating the rule must
                                                Generation, L.P., 134 S. Ct. 1584 (2014). On remand,    EPA’s role is to approve state choices,                submit a rule report, which includes a
                                                the D.C. Circuit affirmed CSAPR in most respects
                                                and CSAPR is now in effect. EME Homer City
                                                                                                        provided that they meet the criteria of                copy of the rule, to each House of the
                                                Generation, L.P. v. EPA, 795 F.3d 118 (D.C. Cir.        the CAA. Accordingly, this action                      Congress and to the Comptroller General
                                                2015).                                                  merely approves state law as meeting                   of the United States. EPA will submit a


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                                                35636                 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 107 / Friday, June 3, 2016 / Rules and Regulations

                                                report containing this action and other                 be challenged later in proceedings to                            Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
                                                required information to the U.S. Senate,                enforce its requirements. See section
                                                the U.S. House of Representatives, and                  307(b)(2).                                                   Subpart II—North Carolina
                                                the Comptroller General of the United
                                                                                                        List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52                              2. Section 52.1770(e), is amended by
                                                States prior to publication of the rule in                                                                           ■
                                                the Federal Register. A major rule                        Environmental protection, Air                              adding new entries for ‘‘110(a)(1) and
                                                cannot take effect until 60 days after it               pollution control, Incorporation by                          (2) Infrastructure Requirements for the
                                                is published in the Federal Register.                   reference, Intergovernmental relations,                      2008 8-Hour Ozone NAAQS’’, ‘‘110(a)(1)
                                                This action is not a ‘‘major rule’’ as                  Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone, Particulate                         and (2) Infrastructure Requirements for
                                                defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2).                             matter, Reporting and recordkeeping                          the 2010 1-hour NO2 NAAQS’’,
                                                   Under section 307(b)(1) of the CAA,                  requirements, Volatile organic                               ‘‘110(a)(1) and (2) Infrastructure
                                                petitions for judicial review of this                   compounds.
                                                                                                                                                                     Requirements for the 2010 1-hour SO2
                                                action must be filed in the United States                 Dated: May 23, 2016.                                       NAAQS’’ and ‘‘110(a)(1) and (2)
                                                Court of Appeals for the appropriate                    Heather McTeer Toney,                                        Infrastructure Requirements for the 2012
                                                circuit by August 2, 2016. Filing a                     Regional Administrator, Region 4.                            Annual PM2.5 NAAQS’’ at the end of the
                                                petition for reconsideration by the
                                                                                                            40 CFR part 52 is amended as follows:                    table to read as follows:
                                                Administrator of this final rule does not
                                                affect the finality of this action for the              PART 52—APPROVAL AND                                         § 52.1770    Identification of plan.
                                                purposes of judicial review nor does it                 PROMULGATION OF                                              *       *    *         *      *
                                                extend the time within which a petition                 IMPLEMENTATION PLANS
                                                for judicial review may be filed, and                                                                                    (e) * * *
                                                shall not postpone the effectiveness of                 ■ 1. The authority citation for part 52
                                                such rule or action. This action may not                continues to read as follows:

                                                                                      EPA-APPROVED NORTH CAROLINA NON-REGULATORY PROVISIONS
                                                                                                                  State                        EPA                  Federal Register
                                                                      Provision                                  effective                   approval                                                  Explanation
                                                                                                                                                                        citation
                                                                                                                   date                        date


                                                         *                     *                  *                                  *                        *                      *                        *
                                                110(a)(1) and (2) Infrastructure Requirements for                    11/2/2012                       6/3/2016  [Insert citation of publi-       Addressing prong 4 of
                                                  the 2008 8-Hour Ozone NAAQS.                                                                                    cation in Federal               section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)
                                                                                                                                                                  Register].                      only.
                                                110(a)(1) and (2) Infrastructure Requirements for                    8/23/2013                       6/3/2016 [Insert citation of publi-        Addressing prong 4 of
                                                  the 2010 1-hour NO2 NAAQS.                                                                                      cation in Federal               section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)
                                                                                                                                                                  Register].                      only.
                                                110(a)(1) and (2) Infrastructure Requirements for                    3/18/2014                       6/3/2016 [Insert citation of publi-        Addressing prong 4 of
                                                  the 2010 1-hour SO2 NAAQS.                                                                                      cation in Federal               section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)
                                                                                                                                                                  Register].                      only.
                                                110(a)(1) and (2) Infrastructure Requirements for                    12/4/2015                       6/3/2016 [Insert citation of publi-        Addressing prong 4 of
                                                  the 2012 Annual PM2.5 NAAQS.                                                                                    cation in Federal               section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)
                                                                                                                                                                  Register].                      only.



                                                [FR Doc. 2016–13036 Filed 6–2–16; 8:45 am]              the infrastructure requirements of the                       the structural components of each
                                                BILLING CODE 6560–50–P                                  Clean Air Act (CAA or Act) for the 2008                      state’s air quality management program
                                                                                                        lead, 2008 ozone, 2010 nitrogen dioxide,                     are adequate to meet the state’s
                                                                                                        and 2010 sulfur dioxide National                             responsibilities under the CAA.
                                                ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION                                Ambient Air Quality Standards                                DATES: This rule is effective on July 5,
                                                AGENCY                                                  (NAAQS). EPA is also converting                              2016.
                                                                                                        conditional approvals for several                            ADDRESSES: EPA has established a
                                                40 CFR Part 52                                          infrastructure requirements for the 1997                     docket for this action under Docket
                                                [EPA–R01–OAR–2015–0198; FRL–9940–14–                    ozone NAAQS and for the 1997 and                             Identification No. EPA–R01–OAR–
                                                Region 1]                                               2006 fine particle (PM2.5) NAAQS to full                     2015–0198. All documents in the docket
                                                                                                        approval under the CAA. Furthermore,                         are listed on the http://
                                                Approval and Promulgation of                            we are conditionally approving                               www.regulations.gov Web site, although
                                                Implementation Plans; Connecticut;                      elements of Connecticut’s infrastructure                     some information, such as confidential
                                                Infrastructure Requirements for Lead,                   requirements of the CAA regarding                            business information or other
                                                Ozone, Nitrogen Dioxide, Sulfur                         prevention of significant deterioration                      information whose disclosure is
                                                Dioxide, and Fine Particulate Matter                    requirements to treat nitrogen oxides as                     restricted by statute is not publically
                                                AGENCY:  Environmental Protection                       a precursor to ozone and to establish a                      available. Certain other material, such as
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                                                Agency (EPA).                                           minor source baseline date for PM2.5                         copyrighted material, is not placed on
                                                ACTION: Final rule.                                     emissions. Lastly, EPA is approving                          the Internet and will be publicly
                                                                                                        three statutes submitted by Connecticut                      available only in hard copy form.
                                                SUMMARY:  The Environmental Protection                  in support of its demonstration that the                     Publicly available docket materials are
                                                Agency (EPA) is approving elements of                   infrastructure requirements of the CAA                       available at http://www.regulations.gov
                                                State Implementation Plan (SIP)                         have been met. The infrastructure                            or at the U.S. Environmental Protection
                                                submissions from Connecticut regarding                  requirements are designed to ensure that                     Agency, EPA New England Regional


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Document Created: 2018-02-08 07:29:37
Document Modified: 2018-02-08 07:29:37
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionRules and Regulations
ActionFinal rule.
DatesThis rule is effective July 5, 2016.
ContactSean Lakeman of the Air Regulatory Management Section, Air Planning and Implementation Branch, Air, Pesticides and Toxics Management Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 4, 61 Forsyth Street SW., Atlanta, Georgia 30303-8960. Mr. Lakeman can be reached by telephone at (404) 562-9043 or via electronic mail at [email protected]
FR Citation81 FR 35634 
CFR AssociatedEnvironmental Protection; Air Pollution Control; Incorporation by Reference; Intergovernmental Relations; Nitrogen Dioxide; Ozone; Particulate Matter; Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements and Volatile Organic Compounds

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