81_FR_45554 81 FR 45419 - Determination of Attainment; Atlanta, Georgia; 2008 Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards

81 FR 45419 - Determination of Attainment; Atlanta, Georgia; 2008 Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 135 (July 14, 2016)

Page Range45419-45421
FR Document2016-16449

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking final action to determine that the Atlanta, Georgia, 2008 Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) Moderate Nonattainment Area (``Atlanta Area'' or the ``Area'') has attained the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS. This final determination is based upon complete, quality- assured, and certified ambient air monitoring data showing that the Area has monitored attainment of the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS for the 2013-2015 monitoring period. The requirement for this Area to submit an attainment demonstration and associated reasonably available control measures (RACM), reasonable further progress (RFP) plans, contingency measures, and other planning state implementation plans (SIPs) related to attainment of the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS is suspended until EPA redesignates the Area to attainment, approves a redesignation substitute, or determines that the Area has violated the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS. This final attainment determination does not constitute a redesignation to attainment. The Atlanta Area will remain in nonattainment status for the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS until such time as the State requests a redesignation to attainment and EPA determines that the Atlanta Area meets the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act) requirements for redesignation, including an approved maintenance plan.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 135 (Thursday, July 14, 2016)
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 135 (Thursday, July 14, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 45419-45421]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-16449]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 52

[EPA-R04-OAR-2015-0839; FRL-9948-93-Region 4]


Determination of Attainment; Atlanta, Georgia; 2008 Ozone 
National Ambient Air Quality Standards

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking final 
action to determine that the Atlanta, Georgia, 2008 Ozone National 
Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) Moderate Nonattainment Area 
(``Atlanta Area'' or the ``Area'') has attained the 2008 8-hour ozone 
NAAQS. This final determination is based upon complete, quality-
assured, and certified ambient air monitoring data showing that the 
Area has monitored attainment of the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS for the 
2013-2015 monitoring period. The requirement for this Area to submit an 
attainment demonstration and associated reasonably available control 
measures (RACM), reasonable further progress (RFP) plans, contingency 
measures, and other planning state implementation plans (SIPs) related 
to attainment of the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS is suspended until EPA 
redesignates the Area to attainment, approves a redesignation 
substitute, or determines that the Area has violated the 2008 8-hour 
ozone NAAQS. This final attainment determination does not constitute a 
redesignation to attainment. The Atlanta Area will remain in 
nonattainment status for the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS until such time as 
the State requests a redesignation to attainment and EPA determines 
that the Atlanta Area meets the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act) requirements 
for redesignation, including an approved maintenance plan.

DATES: This rule will be effective August 15, 2016.

ADDRESSES: EPA has established a docket for this action under Docket 
Identification No. EPA-R04-OAR-2015-0839. All documents in the docket 
are listed on the 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 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: Jane Spann, Air Regulatory Management 
Section, Air Planning and Implementation Branch, Air, Pesticides and 
Toxics Management Division, Region 4, U.S. Environmental Protection 
Agency, 61 Forsyth Street SW., Atlanta, Georgia 30303-8960. Ms. Spann 
can be reached via phone at (404) 562-9029 or via electronic mail at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    On March 12, 2008, EPA revised both the primary and secondary NAAQS 
for ozone to a level of 0.075 parts per million (ppm) (annual fourth-
highest daily maximum 8-hour average concentration, averaged over three 
years) to provide increased protection of public health and the 
environment. See 73 FR 16436 (March 27, 2008). The 2008 ozone NAAQS 
retains the same general form and averaging time as the 0.08 ppm NAAQS 
set in 1997, but is set at a more protective level.

[[Page 45420]]

    Effective July 20, 2012, EPA designated any area that was violating 
the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS based on the three most recent years (2008-
2010) of air monitoring data as a nonattainment area. See 77 FR 30088 
(May 21, 2012). The Atlanta Area, consisting of Bartow, Cherokee, 
Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, 
Gwinnett, Henry, Newton, Paulding, and Rockdale counties, was 
designated as a marginal ozone nonattainment area. See 40 CFR 81.311. 
Areas that were designated as marginal ozone nonattainment areas were 
required to attain the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS no later than July 20, 
2015, based on 2012-2014 monitoring data. The Atlanta Area did not 
attain the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS by July 20, 2015, and therefore on 
April 11, 2016, the EPA Administrator signed a final rule reclassifying 
the Atlanta Area from a marginal nonattainment area to a moderate 
nonattainment area for the 2008 8-hour ozone standard. See 81 FR 26697 
(May 4, 2016). Moderate areas are required to attain the 2008 8-hour 
ozone NAAQS by no later than July 20, 2018, six years after the 
effective date of the initial nonattainment designations. See 40 CFR 
51.1103. Air quality monitoring data from the 2013-2015 monitoring 
period show that the Atlanta Area is now attaining the 2008 8-hour 
ozone NAAQS.
    Under the provisions of EPA's ozone implementation rule for the 
2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS (40 CFR part 51, subpart AA), if EPA issues a 
determination that an area is attaining the relevant standard, also 
known as a Clean Data Determination, the area's obligations to submit 
an attainment demonstration and associated RACM, RFP, contingency 
measures, and other planning SIPs related to attainment of the 2008 8-
hour ozone NAAQS are suspended until EPA: (i) Redesignates the area to 
attainment for the standard or approves a redesignation substitute, at 
which time those requirements no longer apply; or (ii) EPA determines 
that the area has violated the standard, at which time the area is 
again required to submit such plans. See 40 CFR 51.1118. While these 
requirements are suspended, EPA is not precluded from acting upon these 
elements at any time if submitted to EPA for review and approval.
    An attainment determination is not equivalent to a redesignation 
under section 107(d)(3) of the CAA. The designation status of the 
Atlanta Area will remain nonattainment for the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS 
until such time as EPA determines that the Area meets the CAA 
requirements for redesignation to attainment, including an approved 
maintenance plan, and redesignates the Area. Additionally, the 
determination of attainment is separate from, and does not influence or 
otherwise affect, any future designation determination or requirements 
for the Atlanta Area based on any new or revised ozone NAAQS, and the 
determination of attainment remains in effect regardless of whether EPA 
designates this Area as a nonattainment area for purposes of any new or 
revised ozone NAAQS.
    In a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) published on May 3, 2016, 
EPA proposed to determine that the Atlanta Area has attained the 2008 
8-hour ozone NAAQS. See 81 FR 26515 (May 3, 2016). No comments were 
received on the May 3, 2016, proposed rulemaking. The details of 
Georgia's submittal and the rationale for EPA's actions are further 
explained in the NPRM. See 81 FR 26515 (May 3, 2016).

II. Final Action

    EPA is making the determination that the Atlanta Area has attained 
the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS. This final determination is based upon 
complete, quality assured, and certified ambient air monitoring data 
showing that the Atlanta Area has monitored attainment of the 2008 8-
hour ozone NAAQS for the 2013-2015 monitoring period. The requirement 
for this Area to submit an attainment demonstration and associated 
RACM, a RFP plan, contingency measures, and other planning SIPs related 
to attainment of the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS are suspended until EPA 
redesignates the Area to attainment, approves a redesignation 
substitute, or determines that the Area has violated the standard.

III. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

    This action makes a determination of attainment based on air 
quality data 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
     will not have disproportionate human health or 
environmental effects under Executive Order 12898 (59 FR 7629, February 
16, 1994).
    In addition, this rule does not have tribal implications as 
specified by Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, November 9, 2000) and 
will not impose substantial direct costs on tribal governments or 
preempt tribal law because it merely makes a determination based on air 
quality data.
    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 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 September 12, 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).

[[Page 45421]]

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52

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

    Dated: June 27, 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 L--Georgia

0
2. Section 52.582 is amended by adding paragraph (e) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  52.582  Control strategy: Ozone.

* * * * *
    (e) Determination of attaining data. EPA has determined, as of July 
14, 2016, that the Atlanta, Georgia nonattainment area has attaining 
data for the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS. This determination, in accordance 
with 40 CFR 51.1118, suspends the requirements for this area to submit 
attainment demonstrations and associated reasonably available control 
measures, reasonable further progress plans, contingency measures for 
failure to attain or make reasonable progress, and other planning SIPs 
related to attainment of the 2008 ozone NAAQS, or for any prior NAAQS 
for which the determination has been made, until such time as: The area 
is redesignated to attainment for that NAAQS or a redesignation 
substitute is approved as appropriate, at which time the requirements 
no longer apply; or EPA determines that the area has violated that 
NAAQS, at which time the area is again required to submit such plans.

[FR Doc. 2016-16449 Filed 7-13-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P



                                                                   Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 135 / Thursday, July 14, 2016 / Rules and Regulations                                                     45419

                                                List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52                       PART 52—APPROVAL AND                                      DE 01 AQIS–3285’’ (state effective date
                                                  Environmental protection, Air                          PROMULGATION OF                                           4/9/03) from the table.
                                                pollution control, Carbon monoxide,                      IMPLEMENTATION PLANS                                      ■ b. Amend paragraph (e) by adding an
                                                Incorporation by reference,                                                                                        entry at the end of Table 2—Attainment,
                                                Intergovernmental relations, Lead,                       ■ 1. The authority citation for Part 52                   Maintenance, and Other Plans for
                                                Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone, Particulate                     continues to read as follows:                             ‘‘Carbon Monoxide 2nd 10-Year Limited
                                                matter, Reporting and recordkeeping                           Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.                    Maintenance Plan.’’
                                                requirements, Sulfur oxides, Volatile
                                                organic compounds.                                                                                                    The addition reads as follows:
                                                                                                         Subpart WW—Washington
                                                 Dated: June 29, 2016.                                                                                             § 52.2470   Identification of plan.
                                                Michelle L. Pirzadeh,                                    ■ 2. In § 52.2470:                                        *       *    *     *      *
                                                Acting Regional Administrator, Region 10.                ■ a. Amend paragraph (d) by removing
                                                                                                                                                                       (e) * * *
                                                  For the reasons set forth in the                       the entries for ‘‘Kaiser Order DE 01
                                                preamble, 40 CFR part 52 is amended as                   AQIS–3285’’ (state effective date 10/24/
                                                follows:                                                 01) and ‘‘Kaiser Order Amendment #1

                                                                                            TABLE 2—ATTAINMENT, MAINTENANCE, AND OTHER PLANS
                                                                                                          Applicable
                                                                                                        geographic or       State submittal
                                                            Name of SIP provision                                                                               EPA approval date                   Explanations
                                                                                                        nonattainment            date
                                                                                                            area


                                                        *                 *                              *                            *                      *                   *                       *
                                                Carbon Monoxide 2nd 10-Year Limited Main-              Spokane ........                5/11/16     7/14/2016, [Insert Federal Register citation]
                                                  tenance Plan.



                                                [FR Doc. 2016–16452 Filed 7–13–16; 8:45 am]              attainment of the 2008 8-hour ozone                       Management Division, U.S.
                                                BILLING CODE 6560–50–P                                   NAAQS is suspended until EPA                              Environmental Protection Agency,
                                                                                                         redesignates the Area to attainment,                      Region 4, 61 Forsyth Street SW.,
                                                                                                         approves a redesignation substitute, or                   Atlanta, Georgia 30303–8960. EPA
                                                ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION                                 determines that the Area has violated                     requests that if at all possible, you
                                                AGENCY                                                   the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS. This                         contact the person listed in the FOR
                                                                                                         final attainment determination does not                   FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section to
                                                40 CFR Part 52                                           constitute a redesignation to attainment.                 schedule your inspection. The Regional
                                                [EPA–R04–OAR–2015–0839; FRL–9948–93–
                                                                                                         The Atlanta Area will remain in                           Office’s official hours of business are
                                                Region 4]                                                nonattainment status for the 2008 8-                      Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to
                                                                                                         hour ozone NAAQS until such time as                       4:30 p.m., excluding federal holidays.
                                                Determination of Attainment; Atlanta,                    the State requests a redesignation to
                                                                                                         attainment and EPA determines that the                    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:   Jane
                                                Georgia; 2008 Ozone National Ambient
                                                                                                         Atlanta Area meets the Clean Air Act                      Spann, Air Regulatory Management
                                                Air Quality Standards
                                                                                                         (CAA or Act) requirements for                             Section, Air Planning and
                                                AGENCY:  Environmental Protection                        redesignation, including an approved                      Implementation Branch, Air, Pesticides
                                                Agency.                                                  maintenance plan.                                         and Toxics Management Division,
                                                ACTION: Final rule.                                                                                                Region 4, U.S. Environmental Protection
                                                                                                         DATES: This rule will be effective August                 Agency, 61 Forsyth Street SW., Atlanta,
                                                SUMMARY:   The Environmental Protection                  15, 2016.                                                 Georgia 30303–8960. Ms. Spann can be
                                                Agency (EPA) is taking final action to                   ADDRESSES: EPA has established a                          reached via phone at (404) 562–9029 or
                                                determine that the Atlanta, Georgia,                     docket for this action under Docket                       via electronic mail at spann.jane@
                                                2008 Ozone National Ambient Air                          Identification No. EPA–R04–OAR–                           epa.gov.
                                                Quality Standard (NAAQS) Moderate                        2015–0839. All documents in the docket
                                                Nonattainment Area (‘‘Atlanta Area’’ or                  are listed on the www.regulations.gov                     SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                                the ‘‘Area’’) has attained the 2008 8-                   Web site. Although listed in the index,                   I. Background
                                                hour ozone NAAQS. This final                             some information may not be publicly
                                                determination is based upon complete,                    available, i.e., Confidential Business                      On March 12, 2008, EPA revised both
                                                quality-assured, and certified ambient                   Information or other information whose                    the primary and secondary NAAQS for
                                                air monitoring data showing that the                     disclosure is restricted by statute.                      ozone to a level of 0.075 parts per
                                                Area has monitored attainment of the                     Certain other material, such as                           million (ppm) (annual fourth-highest
                                                2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS for the                          copyrighted material, is not placed on                    daily maximum 8-hour average
                                                2013–2015 monitoring period. The                         the Internet and will be publicly                         concentration, averaged over three
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with RULES




                                                requirement for this Area to submit an                   available only in hard copy form.                         years) to provide increased protection of
                                                attainment demonstration and                             Publicly available docket materials are                   public health and the environment. See
                                                associated reasonably available control                  available either electronically through                   73 FR 16436 (March 27, 2008). The 2008
                                                measures (RACM), reasonable further                      www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at                    ozone NAAQS retains the same general
                                                progress (RFP) plans, contingency                        the Air Regulatory Management Section,                    form and averaging time as the 0.08
                                                measures, and other planning state                       Air Planning and Implementation                           ppm NAAQS set in 1997, but is set at
                                                implementation plans (SIPs) related to                   Branch, Air, Pesticides and Toxics                        a more protective level.


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                                                45420              Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 135 / Thursday, July 14, 2016 / Rules and Regulations

                                                   Effective July 20, 2012, EPA                          maintenance plan, and redesignates the                affect small governments, as described
                                                designated any area that was violating                   Area. Additionally, the determination of              in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
                                                the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS based on                     attainment is separate from, and does                 of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–4);
                                                the three most recent years (2008–2010)                  not influence or otherwise affect, any                   • does not have Federalism
                                                of air monitoring data as a                              future designation determination or                   implications as specified in Executive
                                                nonattainment area. See 77 FR 30088                      requirements for the Atlanta Area based               Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10,
                                                (May 21, 2012). The Atlanta Area,                        on any new or revised ozone NAAQS,                    1999);
                                                consisting of Bartow, Cherokee, Clayton,                 and the determination of attainment                      • is not an economically significant
                                                Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette,                  remains in effect regardless of whether               regulatory action based on health or
                                                Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry,                        EPA designates this Area as a                         safety risks subject to Executive Order
                                                Newton, Paulding, and Rockdale                           nonattainment area for purposes of any                13045 (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997);
                                                counties, was designated as a marginal                   new or revised ozone NAAQS.                              • is not a significant regulatory action
                                                ozone nonattainment area. See 40 CFR                        In a notice of proposed rulemaking                 subject to Executive Order 13211 (66 FR
                                                81.311. Areas that were designated as                    (NPRM) published on May 3, 2016, EPA                  28355, May 22, 2001);
                                                marginal ozone nonattainment areas                       proposed to determine that the Atlanta                   • is not subject to requirements of
                                                were required to attain the 2008 8-hour                  Area has attained the 2008 8-hour ozone               Section 12(d) of the National
                                                ozone NAAQS no later than July 20,                       NAAQS. See 81 FR 26515 (May 3,                        Technology Transfer and Advancement
                                                2015, based on 2012–2014 monitoring                      2016). No comments were received on                   Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272 note) because
                                                data. The Atlanta Area did not attain the                the May 3, 2016, proposed rulemaking.                 application of those requirements would
                                                2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS by July 20,                      The details of Georgia’s submittal and                be inconsistent with the CAA; and
                                                2015, and therefore on April 11, 2016,                   the rationale for EPA’s actions are                      • will not have disproportionate
                                                the EPA Administrator signed a final                     further explained in the NPRM. See 81                 human health or environmental effects
                                                rule reclassifying the Atlanta Area from                 FR 26515 (May 3, 2016).                               under Executive Order 12898 (59 FR
                                                a marginal nonattainment area to a                                                                             7629, February 16, 1994).
                                                moderate nonattainment area for the                      II. Final Action
                                                                                                                                                                  In addition, this rule does not have
                                                2008 8-hour ozone standard. See 81 FR                       EPA is making the determination that               tribal implications as specified by
                                                26697 (May 4, 2016). Moderate areas are                  the Atlanta Area has attained the 2008                Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249,
                                                required to attain the 2008 8-hour ozone                 8-hour ozone NAAQS. This final                        November 9, 2000) and will not impose
                                                NAAQS by no later than July 20, 2018,                    determination is based upon complete,                 substantial direct costs on tribal
                                                six years after the effective date of the                quality assured, and certified ambient                governments or preempt tribal law
                                                initial nonattainment designations. See                  air monitoring data showing that the                  because it merely makes a
                                                40 CFR 51.1103. Air quality monitoring                   Atlanta Area has monitored attainment                 determination based on air quality data.
                                                data from the 2013–2015 monitoring                       of the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS for
                                                                                                                                                                  The Congressional Review Act, 5
                                                period show that the Atlanta Area is                     the 2013–2015 monitoring period. The
                                                                                                                                                               U.S.C. 801 et seq., as added by the Small
                                                now attaining the 2008 8-hour ozone                      requirement for this Area to submit an
                                                                                                                                                               Business Regulatory Enforcement
                                                NAAQS.                                                   attainment demonstration and
                                                   Under the provisions of EPA’s ozone                                                                         Fairness Act of 1996, generally provides
                                                                                                         associated RACM, a RFP plan,
                                                implementation rule for the 2008 8-hour                                                                        that before a rule may take effect, the
                                                                                                         contingency measures, and other
                                                ozone NAAQS (40 CFR part 51, subpart                                                                           agency promulgating the rule must
                                                                                                         planning SIPs related to attainment of
                                                AA), if EPA issues a determination that                                                                        submit a rule report, which includes a
                                                                                                         the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS are
                                                an area is attaining the relevant                                                                              copy of the rule, to each House of the
                                                                                                         suspended until EPA redesignates the
                                                standard, also known as a Clean Data                                                                           Congress and to the Comptroller General
                                                                                                         Area to attainment, approves a
                                                Determination, the area’s obligations to                                                                       of the United States. EPA will submit a
                                                                                                         redesignation substitute, or determines
                                                submit an attainment demonstration                                                                             report containing this action and other
                                                                                                         that the Area has violated the standard.
                                                and associated RACM, RFP, contingency                                                                          required information to the U.S. Senate,
                                                measures, and other planning SIPs                        III. Statutory and Executive Order                    the U.S. House of Representatives, and
                                                related to attainment of the 2008 8-hour                 Reviews                                               the Comptroller General of the United
                                                ozone NAAQS are suspended until EPA:                        This action makes a determination of               States prior to publication of the rule in
                                                (i) Redesignates the area to attainment                  attainment based on air quality data and              the Federal Register. A major rule
                                                for the standard or approves a                           does not impose additional                            cannot take effect until 60 days after it
                                                redesignation substitute, at which time                  requirements beyond those imposed by                  is published in the Federal Register.
                                                those requirements no longer apply; or                   state law. For that reason, this action:              This action is not a ‘‘major rule’’ as
                                                (ii) EPA determines that the area has                       • Is not a significant regulatory action           defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2).
                                                violated the standard, at which time the                 subject to review by the Office of                       Under section 307(b)(1) of the CAA,
                                                area is again required to submit such                    Management and Budget under                           petitions for judicial review of this
                                                plans. See 40 CFR 51.1118. While these                   Executive Orders 12866 (58 FR 51735,                  action must be filed in the United States
                                                requirements are suspended, EPA is not                   October 4, 1993) and 13563 (76 FR 3821,               Court of Appeals for the appropriate
                                                precluded from acting upon these                         January 21, 2011);                                    circuit by September 12, 2016. Filing a
                                                elements at any time if submitted to                        • does not impose an information                   petition for reconsideration by the
                                                EPA for review and approval.                             collection burden under the provisions                Administrator of this final rule does not
                                                   An attainment determination is not                    of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44                    affect the finality of this action for the
                                                equivalent to a redesignation under                      U.S.C. 3501 et seq.);                                 purposes of judicial review nor does it
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                                                section 107(d)(3) of the CAA. The                           • is certified as not having a                     extend the time within which a petition
                                                designation status of the Atlanta Area                   significant economic impact on a                      for judicial review may be filed, and
                                                will remain nonattainment for the 2008                   substantial number of small entities                  shall not postpone the effectiveness of
                                                8-hour ozone NAAQS until such time as                    under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5               such rule or action. This action may not
                                                EPA determines that the Area meets the                   U.S.C. 601 et seq.);                                  be challenged later in proceedings to
                                                CAA requirements for redesignation to                       • does not contain any unfunded                    enforce its requirements. See section
                                                attainment, including an approved                        mandate or significantly or uniquely                  307(b)(2).


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                                                                   Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 135 / Thursday, July 14, 2016 / Rules and Regulations                                           45421

                                                List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52                       SUMMARY:   The Environmental Protection               I. Background
                                                  Environmental protection, Air                          Agency (EPA) is taking direct final
                                                                                                         action to approve a revision to a State                 Sections 108 and 109 of the CAA
                                                pollution control, Incorporation by                                                                            govern the establishment, review, and
                                                reference, Ozone, Nitrogen dioxide,                      Implementation Plan (SIP) submitted by
                                                                                                         the State of North Carolina, through the              revision, as appropriate, of the NAAQS
                                                Volatile organic compounds.                                                                                    to protect public health and welfare.
                                                                                                         North Carolina Department of
                                                  Dated: June 27, 2016.                                  Environmental Quality’s (NCDEQ)                       The CAA requires periodic review of the
                                                Heather McTeer Toney,                                    Division of Air Quality (DAQ) on                      air quality criteria—the science upon
                                                Regional Administrator, Region 4.                        December 11, 2015, that incorporates                  which the standards are based—and the
                                                    40 CFR part 52 is amended as follows:                amendments to the state rules reflecting              standards themselves. EPA’s regulatory
                                                                                                         the 2012 national ambient air quality                 provisions that govern the NAAQS are
                                                PART 52—APPROVAL AND                                     standards (NAAQS) for fine particulate                found at 40 CFR 50—National Primary
                                                PROMULGATION OF                                          matter (PM2.5). This action is being                  and Secondary Ambient Air Quality
                                                IMPLEMENTATION PLANS                                     taken pursuant to the Clean Air Act                   Standards. In this rulemaking, EPA is
                                                                                                         (CAA or Act).                                         taking direct final action to approve
                                                ■ 1. The authority citation for part 52                                                                        North Carolina’s December 11, 2015,
                                                continues to read as follows:                            DATES:  This direct final rule is effective           submission amending the State’s
                                                    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.                    September 12, 2016 without further                    regulations to incorporate the NAAQS
                                                                                                         notice, unless EPA receives adverse                   for PM2.5, which are found at 15A North
                                                Subpart L—Georgia                                        comment by August 15, 2016. If EPA                    Carolina Administrative Code (NCAC)
                                                                                                         receives such comments, it will publish               02D .0410. The SIP submittal amending
                                                ■ 2. Section 52.582 is amended by                        a timely withdrawal of the direct final               North Carolina’s rules to incorporate the
                                                adding paragraph (e) to read as follows:                 rule in the Federal Register and inform               NAAQS can be found in the docket for
                                                § 52.582    Control strategy: Ozone.
                                                                                                         the public that the rule will not take                this rulemaking at www.regulations.gov
                                                                                                         effect.                                               and is summarized below.
                                                *      *    *     *    *
                                                   (e) Determination of attaining data.                  ADDRESSES:   Submit your comments,                    II. Analysis of State’s Submittal
                                                EPA has determined, as of July 14, 2016,                 identified by Docket ID No. EPA–R04–
                                                that the Atlanta, Georgia nonattainment                  OAR–2016–0106 at http://                                On December 14, 2012, EPA
                                                area has attaining data for the 2008 8-                  www.regulations.gov. Follow the online                promulgated a revised primary annual
                                                hour ozone NAAQS. This                                   instructions for submitting comments.                 PM2.5 NAAQS. See 78 FR 3086. In that
                                                determination, in accordance with 40                     Once submitted, comments cannot be                    action, EPA revised the primary annual
                                                CFR 51.1118, suspends the                                edited or removed from Regulations.gov.               PM2.5 standard, strengthening it from
                                                requirements for this area to submit                     EPA may publish any comment received                  15.0 micrograms per cubic meter (mg/
                                                attainment demonstrations and                            to its public docket. Do not submit                   m3) to 12.0 mg/m3, and retained the
                                                associated reasonably available control                  electronically any information you                    existing 24-hour PM2.5 standard at 35
                                                measures, reasonable further progress                    consider to be Confidential Business                  mg/m3. Accordingly, in the December
                                                plans, contingency measures for failure                  Information (CBI) or other information                11, 2015, SIP submittal, North Carolina
                                                to attain or make reasonable progress,                   whose disclosure is restricted by statute.            revised state rule 15A NCAC 02D .0410
                                                and other planning SIPs related to                       Multimedia submissions (audio, video,                 PM2.5 Particulate Matter to update the
                                                attainment of the 2008 ozone NAAQS,                      etc.) must be accompanied by a written                primary air quality standard for PM2.5 to
                                                or for any prior NAAQS for which the                     comment. The written comment is                       be consistent with the NAAQS that were
                                                determination has been made, until                       considered the official comment and                   promulgated by EPA in 2012. EPA has
                                                such time as: The area is redesignated                   should include discussion of all points               reviewed this change to North
                                                to attainment for that NAAQS or a                        you wish to make. EPA will generally                  Carolina’s rule for PM2.5 and has made
                                                redesignation substitute is approved as                  not consider comments or comment                      the determination that this change is
                                                appropriate, at which time the                           contents located outside of the primary               consistent with federal regulations.
                                                requirements no longer apply; or EPA                     submission (i.e. on the web, cloud, or                III. Incorporation by Reference
                                                determines that the area has violated                    other file sharing system). For
                                                that NAAQS, at which time the area is                    additional submission methods, the full                  In this rule, EPA is finalizing
                                                again required to submit such plans.                     EPA public comment policy,                            regulatory text that includes
                                                [FR Doc. 2016–16449 Filed 7–13–16; 8:45 am]              information about CBI or multimedia                   incorporation by reference. In
                                                BILLING CODE 6560–50–P                                   submissions, and general guidance on                  accordance with requirements of 1 CFR
                                                                                                         making effective comments, please visit               51.5, EPA is finalizing the incorporation
                                                                                                         http://www.epa.gov/dockets/                           by reference of North Carolina
                                                ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION                                 commenting-epa-dockets.                               regulation 15A NCAC 02D .0410 PM2.5
                                                AGENCY                                                                                                         Particulate Matter effective September
                                                                                                         FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                      1, 2015, which was revised to be
                                                40 CFR Part 52                                           Madolyn Sanchez, Air Regulatory                       consistent with the current NAAQS.
                                                                                                         Management Section, Air Planning and                  Therefore, these materials have been
                                                [EPA–R04–OAR–2016–0106; FRL–9948–95-                     Implementation Branch, Air, Pesticides
                                                Region 4]                                                                                                      approved by EPA for inclusion in the
                                                                                                         and Toxics Management Division, U.S.                  State implementation plan, have been
                                                                                                         Environmental Protection Agency,
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with RULES




                                                Air Plan Approval; NC; Fine Particulate                                                                        incorporated by reference by EPA into
                                                Matter National Ambient Air Quality                      Region 4, 61 Forsyth Street SW.,                      that plan, are fully federally enforceable
                                                Standards Revision                                       Atlanta, Georgia 30303–8960. Ms.                      under sections 110 and 113 of the CAA
                                                                                                         Sanchez can be reached via telephone at               as of the effective date of the final
                                                AGENCY: Environmental Protection                         (404) 562–9644 or via electronic mail at              rulemaking of EPA’s approval, and will
                                                Agency.                                                  sanchez.madolyn@epa.gov.                              be incorporated by reference by the
                                                ACTION: Direct final rule.                                                                                     Director of the Federal Register in the
                                                                                                         SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:



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Document Created: 2016-07-14 01:55:07
Document Modified: 2016-07-14 01:55:07
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 will be effective August 15, 2016.
ContactJane Spann, Air Regulatory Management Section, Air Planning and Implementation Branch, Air, Pesticides and Toxics Management Division, Region 4, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 61 Forsyth Street SW., Atlanta, Georgia 30303-8960. Ms. Spann can be reached via phone at (404) 562-9029 or via electronic mail at [email protected]
FR Citation81 FR 45419 
CFR AssociatedEnvironmental Protection; Air Pollution Control; Incorporation by Reference; Ozone; Nitrogen Dioxide and Volatile Organic Compounds

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