81 FR 53098 - Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; Oklahoma; Disapproval of Prevention of Significant Deterioration for Particulate Matter Less Than 2.5 Micrometers-Significant Impact Levels and Significant Monitoring Concentration
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 155 (August 11, 2016)
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 155 (August 11, 2016)
| Page Range | 53098-53100 | |
| FR Document | 2016-18895 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 155 (Thursday, August 11, 2016)] [Proposed Rules] [Pages 53098-53100] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-18895] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 40 CFR Part 52 [EPA-R06-OAR-2012-0263; FRL-9950-35-Region 6] Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; Oklahoma; Disapproval of Prevention of Significant Deterioration for Particulate Matter Less Than 2.5 Micrometers--Significant Impact Levels and Significant Monitoring Concentration AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Proposed rule. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to disapprove severable portions of the February 6, 2012, Oklahoma State Implementation Plan (SIP) submittal that establish certain de minimis thresholds for particulate matter less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter (PM2.5 ) in the Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) permitting requirements. Specifically, we are proposing to disapprove provisions that adopt and implement the PM2.5 significant impact levels (SILs) and significant monitoring concentration (SMC); both of which were vacated by a federal court and subsequently removed from federal PSD regulations. We are proposing to disapprove the submitted provisions as inconsistent with federal laws and regulations for the permitting of PM2.5. The EPA is proposing this disapproval under section 110 and part C of the Clean Air Act (CAA). DATES: Written comments must be received on or before September 12, 2016. ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket No. EPA-R06-OAR- 2012-0263, at http://www.regulations.gov or via email to [email protected]. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Once submitted, comments cannot be edited or removed from Regulations.gov. The EPA may publish any comment received to its public docket. Do not submit electronically any information you consider to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Multimedia submissions (audio, video, etc.) must be accompanied by a written comment. The written comment is considered the official comment and should include discussion of all points you wish to make. The EPA will generally not consider comments or comment contents located outside of the primary submission (i.e. on the web, cloud, or other file sharing system). For additional submission methods, please contact Ms. Adina Wiley, (214) 665-2115, [email protected]. For the full EPA public comment policy, information about CBI or multimedia submissions, and general guidance on making effective comments, please visit http://www2.epa.gov/dockets/commenting-epa-dockets. Docket: The index to the docket for this action is available electronically at www.regulations.gov and in hard copy at the EPA Region 6, 1445 Ross Avenue, Suite 700, Dallas, Texas. While all documents in the docket are listed in the index, some information may be publicly available only at the hard copy location (e.g., copyrighted material), and some may not be publicly available at either location (e.g., CBI). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Adina Wiley, (214) 665-2115, [email protected]. To inspect the hard copy materials, please schedule an appointment with Ms. Adina Wiley or Mr. Bill Deese at 214- 665-7253. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Throughout this document wherever ``we,'' ``us,'' or ``our'' is used, we mean the EPA. I. Background A. CAA and SIPs Section 110 of the CAA requires states to develop and submit to the EPA a SIP to ensure that state air quality meets National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). These ambient standards currently address six criteria pollutants: Carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, lead, particulate matter, and sulfur dioxide. Each federally-approved SIP protects air quality primarily by addressing air pollution at its point of origin through air pollution regulations and control strategies. The EPA approved SIP regulations and control strategies are federally enforceable. B. Prior Federal Action Under Section 165(a) of the CAA, a major source may not commence construction unless the source has been issued a permit and has satisfied certain requirements. Among those requirements, the permit applicant must demonstrate that emissions from construction or operation of the facility will not cause, or contribute to, air pollution in excess of any increment, NAAQS, or any other applicable emission standard of performance. This statutory requirement has been incorporated into federal regulations at 40 CFR 51.166(k)(1). Moreover, to support this analysis, PSD permit applications must contain air quality monitoring data representing air quality in the area affected by the proposed source for the 1-year period preceding receipt of the application. This statutory requirement has been incorporated into federal regulations at 40 CFR 51.166(m)(ii)-(iv). In 2010, the EPA promulgated regulations for SIPs concerning PSD permitting for PM2.5 which included two voluntary screening tools: SILs and SMCs. 75 FR 64864 (Oct. 20, 2010). The SILs are screening tools that states with PSD SIPs apply in the issuance of a PSD permit to demonstrate that the proposed source's allowable emissions will not cause or contribute to a violation of the NAAQS or increment. The SMC has been used to exempt sources from the requirement in the CAA to collect preconstruction monitoring data for up to 1 year before submitting a permit application in order to help determine existing ambient air quality. 78 FR 73699 (Dec. 9, 2013). Sierra Club filed a petition for review of the PSD regulations containing the PM2.5 SILs and SMC with the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit (the Court). On January 22, 2013, the Court issued an opinion granting a request from the EPA [[Page 53099]] to vacate and remand to the EPA portions of the October 20, 2010, PSD regulations establishing the PM2.5 SIL and further vacating the portions of the PSD regulations establishing a PM2.5 SMC. See, Sierra Club v. EPA, 706 F.3d 428 (D.C. Cir. 2013). In response to the Court's decision, the EPA amended its regulations to remove the affected PM2.5 SIL regulations from the federal regulations and to replace the existing PM2.5 SMC value with a ``zero'' threshold. 78 FR 73698 (Dec. 9, 2013). In that rulemaking, the EPA removed the regulatory text related to the affected PM2.5 SILs at sections 51.166(k)(2) and 52.21(k)(2). Although the Court vacated the PM2.5 SMC provisions in 40 CFR 51.166(i)(5)(i)(c) and 52.21(i)(5)(i)(c), the EPA did not remove the affected regulatory text, but instead revised the concentration for the PM2.5 SMC listed in sections 51.166(i)(5)(i)(c) and 52.21(i)(5)(i)(c) to zero micrograms per cubic meter (0 [mu]g/m\3\). Because 40 CFR 51.166(i)(5)(iii) and 40 CFR 52.21(i)(5)(iii) establish an exemption from air monitoring requirements for any pollutant ``not listed in paragraph (i)(5)(i),'' the EPA explained that it would not be appropriate to remove the reference to PM2.5 in paragraph (i)(5)(i). Were the EPA to completely remove PM2.5 from the list of pollutants in sections 51.166(i)(5)(i)(c) and 52.21(i)(5)(i)(c) of the PSD regulations, PM2.5 would no longer be a listed pollutant and the paragraph (iii) provision could be interpreted as giving reviewing authorities the discretion to exempt permit applicants from the requirement to conduct monitoring for PM2.5 , in contravention of the Court's decision and the CAA. Instead, the EPA revised the concentration listed in sections 51.166(i)(5)(i)(c) and 52.21(i)(5)(i)(c) to ``0'' micrograms per cubic meter ([mu]g/m\3\). This means that there is no air quality impact level below which a reviewing authority has the discretion to exempt a source from the PM2.5 monitoring requirements at 40 CFR 52.21(m). C. Oklahoma's Submittal On February 6, 2012, Oklahoma submitted revisions to its PSD SIP at OAC 252:100-8-33(c)(1)(C) that adopted provisions substantively identical to the EPA PSD SIP's requirement for PM2.5 PSD SMC. 40 CFR 51.166(i)(5)(i). The February 6, 2012, submittal also included revisions to OAC 252:100-8-35(a)(2) that adopted provisions substantively identical to the EPA PSD SIP's requirements for PM2.5 PSD SILs. 40 CFR 51.166(k)(2). The February 6, 2012, submittal included other revisions to the Oklahoma SIP that are severable from the voluntary PSD exemptions. Our Technical Support Document (TSD), available in the rulemaking docket, identifies the separate EPA actions addressing the remainder of the February 6, 2012 submittal. II. The EPA's Evaluation Our analysis, available in our TSD, finds that the State of Oklahoma adopted and submitted on February 6, 2012, revisions to the Oklahoma SIP that were substantively consistent with the voluntary exemptions from PSD monitoring at 40 CFR 51.166(i)(5)(i) and the requirements for a source impact analysis at 40 CFR 51.166(k)(2) promulgated on October 20, 2010. Subsequent to the submittal of these provisions, the Court vacated and remanded these provisions to the EPA. On December 9, 2013, we promulgated revisions to the PSD SIP rules that removed the vacated PM2.5 SILs provision and replaced the existing PM2.5 SMC value with a ``zero'' threshold level at 40 CFR 51.166. Because the PM2.5 SILs and SMC are no longer valid exemptions from the requirements of a PSD SIP, we propose to disapprove these revisions submitted to be included in the Oklahoma PSD SIP as they are inconsistent with the federal statutory and regulatory permitting requirements for PM2.5 . Disapproval of the submitted PM2.5 SILs at OAC 252:100- 8-35(a)(2) ensures that the provisions at OAC 252:100-8-35(a)(1) \1\ in the existing SIP continue to apply to PM2.5 . Namely, that the owner or operator of the proposed source or modification shall demonstrate that, as of the source's start-up date, allowable emissions increases from that source or modification, in conjunction with all other applicable emissions increases or reductions (including secondary emissions) would not cause or contribute to any increase in ambient concentrations that would exceed any NAAQS in any air quality control region; or the remaining available PSD increment for the specified air contaminants in any area, as determined by the Director of the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ The EPA proposed approval of OAC 252:100-8-35(a)(1) on June 30, 2016, as consistent with federal PSD requirements. See 81 FR 42587. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Disapproval of the submitted PM2.5 SMC at OAC 252:100-8- 33(c)(1) means that PM2.5 will not be a listed pollutant in the state's requirement for ambient monitoring data, and would appear to allow PSD permit applicants to avoid submitting PM2.5 monitoring data as part of their permit application. To address this concern, the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality submitted a letter on February 25, 2016, that demonstrated the State retains authority to require pre- and post-construction PSD monitoring for PM2.5 under the Oklahoma PSD SIP in the event that the EPA disapproves OAC 252:100-8-33(c)(1). Specifically, the SIP, under OAC 252:100-8-35.1(b)(3),\2\ grants the ODEQ Director the authority to request information regarding the air quality impact of the source or modification. The ODEQ interprets this SIP provision to grant the Director the authority to request monitoring data for PM2.5 as required under 40 CFR 51.166(m). Further, as noted in our December 9, 2013, final rule, any State regulations or approved SIP provisions adopting the PM2.5 SIL and SMC are unlawful and may not be applied even prior to their removal from the applicable State regulations or SIP. See 78 FR 73698, 73700. Because reliance on the PM2.5 SIL and SMC has been deemed unlawful, and because the State has provided a letter demonstrating underlying authority in the Oklahoma SIP at OAC 252:100-8-35.1(b)(3) to require pre- and post- construction monitoring for PM2.5, we have determined it is appropriate to disapprove the submitted PM2.5 SMC provisions at OAC 252:100-8-33(c)(1). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \2\ The EPA proposed approval of OAC 252:100-8-35.1(b)(3) on June 30, 2016, as consistent with federal PSD requirements. See 81 FR 42587. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The EPA has an obligation under section 110 of the CAA to act on submitted SIP revisions unless these revisions are withdrawn by the State. Therefore, the EPA has a duty to act on the submitted Oklahoma provisions pertaining to the PM2.5 SILs and SMC, because these provisions were submitted for EPA's review on February 6, 2012, and the state has not withdrawn the portion of the SIP submission containing these provisions. Our proposed action today will disapprove this portion of the February 6, 2012 SIP submission because these provisions are inconsistent with the federal statutory and regulatory SIP permitting requirements for PM2.5 . III. Proposed Action We are proposing to disapprove severable portions of the February 6, 2012, Oklahoma SIP submittal establishing the voluntary PM2.5 SILs provision and SMC. The EPA has made the preliminary determination that these submitted revisions to the Oklahoma SIP are disapprovable because they establish permitting SIP requirements that are inconsistent with the federal [[Page 53100]] statutory and regulatory permitting requirements for PM2.5 . Therefore, under section 110 and part C of the CAA, and for the reasons presented above, the EPA is proposing to disapprove the following revisions:Substantive revisions to the Oklahoma SIP at OAC 252:100- 8-33(c)(1)(C) establishing the PM 2.5 SMC as submitted on February 6, 2012; andSubstantive revisions to the Oklahoma PSD program in OAC 252:100-8-35(a)(2) establishing the PM 2.5 PSD SILs provision as submitted on February 6, 2012. The EPA is proposing to disapprove the revisions listed because the submitted provisions are inconsistent with the federal statutory and regulatory permitting requirements for PM2.5 . Upon finalization of this disapproval owners or operators of a proposed source or modification will continue to satisfy the source impact analysis provisions for PM2.5 as required under the Oklahoma SIP at OAC 252:100-8-35(a)(1). Additionally, the State of Oklahoma would continue to have the necessary authority to require monitoring of PM2.5 under the Oklahoma SIP at OAC 252:100-8-35.1(b)(3) consistent with the provisions of 40 CFR 52.21(m). Finalization of this proposed disapproval will not require the EPA to promulgate a Federal Implementation Plan, because the Oklahoma PSD program will continue to satisfy the Federal PSD SIP requirements for PM2.5 monitoring and source impact analysis. We are proposing this disapproval under section 110 and part C of the Act; as such, the EPA will not impose sanctions as a result of a final disapproval. IV. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews A. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory Planning and Review and Executive Order 13563: Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review This action is not a significant regulatory action and was therefore not submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review. B. Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) This action does not impose an information collection burden under the PRA. There is no burden imposed under the PRA because this action proposes to disapprove submitted revisions that are no longer consistent with federal laws and regulations for the regulation and permitting of PM2.5 . C. Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) I certify that this action will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities under the RFA. This action will not impose any requirements on small entities. This action proposes to disapprove submitted revisions that are no longer consistent with federal laws and regulations for the regulation and permitting of PM2.5 , and therefore will have no impact on small entities. D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA) This action does not contain any unfunded mandate as described in UMRA, 2 U.S.C. 1531-1538, and does not significantly or uniquely affect small governments. The action imposes no enforceable duty on any state, local or tribal governments or the private sector. This action proposes to disapprove submitted revisions that are no longer consistent with federal laws and regulations for the regulation and permitting of PM2.5 , and therefore will have no impact on small governments. E. Executive Order 13132: Federalism This action does not have federalism implications. It will not have substantial direct effects on the states, on the relationship between the national government and the states, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government. F. Executive Order 13175: Consultation and Coordination With Indian Tribal Governments This action does not have tribal implications as specified in Executive Order 13175. This action proposes to disapprove provisions of state law that are no longer consistent with federal law for the regulation and permitting of PM2.5 ; there are no requirements or responsibilities added or removed from Indian Tribal Governments. Thus, Executive Order 13175 does not apply to this action. G. Executive Order 13045: Protection of Children From Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks The EPA interprets Executive Order 13045 as applying only to those regulatory actions that concern environmental health or safety risks that the EPA has reason to believe may disproportionately affect children, per the definition of ``covered regulatory action'' in section 2-202 of the Executive Order. This action is not subject to Executive Order 13045 because it disapproves state permitting provisions that are inconsistent with federal laws and regulations for the regulation and permitting of PM2.5 . H. Executive Order 13211: Actions Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution or Use This action is not subject to Executive Order 13211, because it is not a significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866. I. National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act (NTTAA) This rulemaking does not involve technical standards. J. Executive Order 12898: Federal Actions To Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations The EPA believes the human health or environmental risk addressed by this action will not have potential disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental effects on minority, low-income or indigenous populations. This action is not subject to Executive Order 12898 because it disapproves state permitting provisions that are inconsistent with federal laws and regulations for the regulation and permitting of PM2.5 . List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52 Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Incorporation by reference, Intergovernmental relations, Particulate matter, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements. Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq. Dated: July 29, 2016. Ron Curry, Regional Administrator, Region 6. [FR Doc. 2016-18895 Filed 8-10-16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
![53100 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 155 / Thursday, August 11, 2016 / Proposed Rules
statutory and regulatory permitting substantial number of small entities H. Executive Order 13211: Actions
requirements for PM2.5. Therefore, under the RFA. This action will not Concerning Regulations That
under section 110 and part C of the impose any requirements on small Significantly Affect Energy Supply,
CAA, and for the reasons presented entities. This action proposes to Distribution or Use
above, the EPA is proposing to disapprove submitted revisions that are This action is not subject to Executive
disapprove the following revisions: no longer consistent with federal laws Order 13211, because it is not a
• Substantive revisions to the and regulations for the regulation and significant regulatory action under
Oklahoma SIP at OAC 252:100–8– permitting of PM2.5, and therefore will Executive Order 12866.
33(c)(1)(C) establishing the PM2.5 SMC have no impact on small entities.
as submitted on February 6, 2012; and I. National Technology Transfer and
• Substantive revisions to the D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act Advancement Act (NTTAA)
Oklahoma PSD program in OAC (UMRA)
This rulemaking does not involve
252:100–8–35(a)(2) establishing the This action does not contain any technical standards.
PM2.5 PSD SILs provision as submitted unfunded mandate as described in
on February 6, 2012. UMRA, 2 U.S.C. 1531–1538, and does J. Executive Order 12898: Federal
The EPA is proposing to disapprove not significantly or uniquely affect small Actions To Address Environmental
the revisions listed because the governments. The action imposes no Justice in Minority Populations and
submitted provisions are inconsistent enforceable duty on any state, local or Low-Income Populations
with the federal statutory and regulatory tribal governments or the private sector. The EPA believes the human health or
permitting requirements for PM2.5. Upon This action proposes to disapprove environmental risk addressed by this
finalization of this disapproval owners
submitted revisions that are no longer action will not have potential
or operators of a proposed source or
consistent with federal laws and disproportionately high and adverse
modification will continue to satisfy the
regulations for the regulation and human health or environmental effects
source impact analysis provisions for
permitting of PM2.5, and therefore will on minority, low-income or indigenous
PM2.5 as required under the Oklahoma
have no impact on small governments. populations. This action is not subject
SIP at OAC 252:100–8–35(a)(1).
Additionally, the State of Oklahoma E. Executive Order 13132: Federalism to Executive Order 12898 because it
would continue to have the necessary disapproves state permitting provisions
authority to require monitoring of PM2.5 This action does not have federalism that are inconsistent with federal laws
under the Oklahoma SIP at OAC implications. It will not have substantial and regulations for the regulation and
252:100–8–35.1(b)(3) consistent with direct effects on the states, on the permitting of PM2.5.
the provisions of 40 CFR 52.21(m). relationship between the national
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52
Finalization of this proposed government and the states, or on the
distribution of power and Environmental protection, Air
disapproval will not require the EPA to
responsibilities among the various pollution control, Incorporation by
promulgate a Federal Implementation
levels of government. reference, Intergovernmental relations,
Plan, because the Oklahoma PSD
Particulate matter, Reporting and
program will continue to satisfy the F. Executive Order 13175: Consultation
Federal PSD SIP requirements for PM2.5 recordkeeping requirements.
and Coordination With Indian Tribal
monitoring and source impact analysis. Governments Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
We are proposing this disapproval Dated: July 29, 2016.
under section 110 and part C of the Act; This action does not have tribal
Ron Curry,
as such, the EPA will not impose implications as specified in Executive
Order 13175. This action proposes to Regional Administrator, Region 6.
sanctions as a result of a final
disapprove provisions of state law that [FR Doc. 2016–18895 Filed 8–10–16; 8:45 am]
disapproval.
are no longer consistent with federal BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
IV. Statutory and Executive Order law for the regulation and permitting of
Reviews PM2.5; there are no requirements or
responsibilities added or removed from ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
A. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory
Indian Tribal Governments. Thus, AGENCY
Planning and Review and Executive
Order 13563: Improving Regulation and Executive Order 13175 does not apply
40 CFR Part 271
Regulatory Review to this action.
[EPA–R06–RCRA–2016–0176; FRL–9950–
This action is not a significant G. Executive Order 13045: Protection of 12–Region 6]
regulatory action and was therefore not Children From Environmental Health
submitted to the Office of Management Risks and Safety Risks Arkansas: Final Authorization of State
and Budget (OMB) for review. Hazardous Waste Management
The EPA interprets Executive Order
B. Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) 13045 as applying only to those Program Revisions
This action does not impose an regulatory actions that concern AGENCY: Environmental Protection
information collection burden under the environmental health or safety risks that Agency (EPA).
PRA. There is no burden imposed under the EPA has reason to believe may ACTION: Proposed rule.
disproportionately affect children, per
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS
the PRA because this action proposes to
disapprove submitted revisions that are the definition of ‘‘covered regulatory SUMMARY: The State of Arkansas has
no longer consistent with federal laws action’’ in section 2–202 of the applied to EPA for Final authorization
and regulations for the regulation and Executive Order. This action is not of the changes to its hazardous waste
permitting of PM2.5. subject to Executive Order 13045 program under the Resource
because it disapproves state permitting Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).
C. Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) provisions that are inconsistent with EPA proposes to grant Final
I certify that this action will not have federal laws and regulations for the authorization to the State of Arkansas.
a significant economic impact on a regulation and permitting of PM2.5. In the ‘‘Rules and Regulations’’ section
VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:14 Aug 10, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\11AUP1.SGM 11AUP1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/81_FR_53253/page/3.svg)
Document Created: 2018-02-09 11:27:28
Document Modified: 2018-02-09 11:27:28
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Proposed Rules | |
| Action | Proposed rule. | |
| Dates | Written comments must be received on or before September 12, 2016. | |
| Contact | Adina Wiley, (214) 665-2115, [email protected] To inspect the hard copy materials, please schedule an appointment with Ms. Adina Wiley or Mr. Bill Deese at 214- 665-7253. | |
| FR Citation | 81 FR 53098 | |
| CFR Associated | Environmental Protection; Air Pollution Control; Incorporation by Reference; Intergovernmental Relations; Particulate Matter and Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements |
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