81 FR 65353 - Release of Draft Policy Assessment for the Review of the Primary National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Nitrogen Dioxide

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 184 (September 22, 2016)

Page Range		65353-65354
FR Document		2016-22681

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is reviewing the primary National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for Nitrogen Dioxide (NO<INF>2</INF>). On or about September 23, 2016, the EPA will make available for public review the document titled Policy Assessment for the Review of the Primary National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Nitrogen Dioxide--External Review Draft (draft PA). This draft PA is intended to facilitate the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee's (CASAC's) advice and public input as part of the ongoing review of the primary NAAQS for NO<INF>2</INF>.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 184 (Thursday, September 22, 2016)

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 184 (Thursday, September 22, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65353-65354]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-22681]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

 [EPA-HQ-OAR-2013-0146; FRL-9952-68-OAR]


Release of Draft Policy Assessment for the Review of the Primary 
National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Nitrogen Dioxide

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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

SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is reviewing the 
primary National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for Nitrogen 
Dioxide (NO2). On or about September 23, 2016, the EPA will 
make available for public review the document titled Policy Assessment 
for the Review of the Primary National Ambient Air Quality Standards 
for Nitrogen Dioxide--External Review Draft (draft PA). This draft PA 
is intended to facilitate the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee's 
(CASAC's) advice and public input as part of the ongoing review of the 
primary NAAQS for NO2.

DATES: Comments should be received on or before December 8, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-
OAR-2013-0146, to the Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting 
comments. Once submitted, comments cannot be edited or withdrawn. 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, 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.
    The draft PA will be available primarily via the Internet at http://www.epa.gov/ttn/naaqs/standards/nox/s_nox_index.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Jennifer Nichols, Office of Air 
Quality Planning and Standards, Mail Code C504-06, U.S. Environmental 
Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711; telephone number: 
919-541-0708; fax number: 919-541-5315; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. General Information

A. What should I consider as I prepare my comments for the EPA?

    1. Submitting CBI. Do not submit this information to EPA through 
http://regulations.gov or email. Clearly mark the part or all of the 
information that you claim to be CBI. For CBI information in a disk or 
CD-ROM that you mail to EPA, mark the outside of the disk or CD-ROM as 
CBI and then identify electronically within the disk or CD-ROM the 
specific information that is claimed as CBI. In addition to one

[[Page 65354]]

complete version of the comment that includes information claimed as 
CBI, a copy of the comment that does not contain the information 
claimed as CBI must be submitted for inclusion in the public docket. 
Information so marked will not be disclosed except in accordance with 
procedures set forth in 40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) part 2.
    2. Tips for Preparing your Comments. When submitting comments, 
remember to:
     Identify the notice by docket number and other identifying 
information (subject heading, Federal Register date and page number).
     Follow directions. The agency may ask you to respond to 
specific questions or organize comments by referencing a CFR part or 
section number.
     Explain why you agree or disagree; suggest alternative and 
substitute language for your requested changes.
     Describe any assumptions and provide any technical 
information and/or data that you used.
     If you estimate potential costs or burdens, explain how 
you arrived at your estimate in sufficient detail to allow for it to be 
reproduced.
     Provide specific examples to illustrate your concerns and 
suggest alternatives.
     Explain your views as clearly as possible, avoiding the 
use of profanity or personal threats.
     Make sure to submit your comments by the comment period 
deadline identified.

II. Information About the Document

    Two sections of the Clean Air Act (CAA) govern the establishment 
and revision of the NAAQS. Section 108 (42 U.S.C. 7408) directs the 
Administrator to identify and list certain air pollutants and then to 
issue air quality criteria for those pollutants. The Administrator is 
to list those air pollutants that in her ``judgment, cause or 
contribute to air pollution which may reasonably be anticipated to 
endanger public health or welfare;'' ``the presence of which in the 
ambient air results from numerous or diverse mobile or stationary 
sources;'' and ``for which * * * [the Administrator] plans to issue air 
quality criteria * * *.'' Air quality criteria are intended to 
``accurately reflect the latest scientific knowledge useful in 
indicating the kind and extent of all identifiable effects on public 
health or welfare which may be expected from the presence of [a] 
pollutant in the ambient air * * * '' (42 U.S.C. 7408(b)). Under 
section 109 (42 U.S.C. 7409), the EPA establishes primary (health-
based) and secondary (welfare-based) NAAQS for pollutants for which air 
quality criteria are issued. Section 109(d) requires periodic review 
and, if appropriate, revision of existing air quality criteria. The 
revised air quality criteria reflect advances in scientific knowledge 
on the effects of the pollutant on public health or welfare. The EPA is 
also required to periodically review and revise the NAAQS, if 
appropriate, based on the revised criteria. Section 109(d)(2) requires 
that an independent scientific review committee ``shall complete a 
review of the criteria * * * and the national primary and secondary 
ambient air quality standards * * * and shall recommend to the 
Administrator any new * * * standards and revisions of the existing 
criteria and standards as may be appropriate * * *.'' Since the early 
1980s, this independent review function has been performed by the 
CASAC.
    Presently, the EPA is reviewing the primary NAAQS for 
NO2. The first draft Integrated Science Assessment for 
Oxides of Nitrogen (Health Criteria) (ISA) was released on November 22, 
2013 (78 FR 70040), and the draft Integrated Review Plan for the 
Primary NAAQS for Nitrogen Dioxide (IRP) was released on February 6, 
2014 (79 FR 7184). Both documents were reviewed by the CASAC at a 
public meeting in March 2014, announced in a separate notice (79 FR 
8701, February 13, 2014). The final IRP was released in June 2014 (79 
FR 36801, June 30, 2014) and is available at http://www.epa.gov/ttn/naaqs/standards/nox/s_nox_2012_pd.html. The second draft ISA was made 
available to both the CASAC and the public (80 FR 5110, January 30, 
2015), and was reviewed in addition to the Risk and Exposure Assessment 
Planning Document (REA Planning Document) (80 FR 27304, May 13, 2015) 
at a public meeting in June 2015 (80 FR 22993, April 24, 2015). The 
final ISA was then released in January 2016 (81 FR 4910, January 28, 
2016) after taking into consideration the CASAC's advice and public 
comments.
    The PA, when final, will serve to ``bridge the gap'' between the 
scientific information and the judgments required of the Administrator 
in determining whether to retain or revise the existing primary NAAQS 
for NO2, and, if revision is considered, what revisions may 
be appropriate. The draft PA announced today builds upon information 
presented in the final ISA and the REA Planning Document. The draft PA 
will be available on or about September 16, 2016, through the agency's 
Technology Transfer Network (TTN) Web site at https://www3.epa.gov/ttn/naaqs/standards/nox/s_nox_index.html.
    The EPA is soliciting advice and recommendations from the CASAC by 
means of a review of this draft document at an upcoming public meeting 
of the CASAC, scheduled for November 9-10, 2016. Information about this 
public meeting will be published as a separate notice in the Federal 
Register. Following the CASAC meeting, the EPA will consider comments 
received from the CASAC and the public in preparing revisions to this 
document. The EPA will also consider public comments submitted in 
response to this notice when revising the document. Comments should be 
submitted to the docket, as described above. The document that is the 
subject of today's notice does not represent and should not be 
construed to represent any final EPA policy, viewpoint or 
determination.

    Dated: September 15, 2016.
Stephen Page,
Director, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards.
[FR Doc. 2016-22681 Filed 9-21-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6560-50-P

Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 184 / Thursday, September 22, 2016 / Notices 65353

The three updated Control Cost For the Refrigerated Condensers External Review Draft (draft PA). This
Manual chapters are: Section 1, Chapter chapter: draft PA is intended to facilitate the
2, Cost Estimation: Concepts and (1) What is a reasonable estimate of Clean Air Scientific Advisory
Methodology; Section 3.1, Chapter 1, equipment life (defined as design or Committee’s (CASAC’s) advice and
Refrigerated Condensers; and Section operational life) for this control public input as part of the ongoing
3.2, Chapter 2, Incinerators/Oxidizers. measure? review of the primary NAAQS for NO2.
Section 3.2, Chapter 2, ’’Incinerators’’ (2) Is the description of refrigerated DATES: Comments should be received on
will now include oxidizers, for this type condensers complete, up to date, and or before December 8, 2016.
of control device is commonly used for accurate, particularly with regard to ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,
destruction of volatile organic control of VOC? identified by Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–
compounds (VOC) emissions, which is (3) Are the cost correlations, factors, OAR–2013–0146, to the Federal
the primary function of incinerators. and equations for refrigerated eRulemaking Portal: http://
These three revised Control Cost condensers accurate? If not, how should www.regulations.gov. Follow the online
Manual chapters can be found in the they be revised? instructions for submitting comments.
docket for the Control Cost Manual (4) Are the estimates of VOC Once submitted, comments cannot be
update (Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–OAR– destruction efficiency for refrigerated edited or withdrawn. The EPA may
2015–0341). The current Control Cost condensers accurate? publish any comment received to its
Manual version (sixth edition) is (5) Is the discussion on the effect of public docket. Do not submit
available at https://www3.epa.gov/ttn/ fouling on refrigerated condensers electronically any information you
ecas/cost_manual.html, and was last accurate? consider to be Confidential Business
updated in 2003. The Consolidated For the Incinerators/Oxidizers Information (CBI) or other information
Appropriations Act of 2014 requested chapter: whose disclosure is restricted by statute.
that the EPA begin development of a (1) What is a reasonable estimate of Multimedia submissions (audio, video,
seventh edition of the Control Cost equipment life (defined as design or etc.) must be accompanied by a written
Manual. The EPA has met with state, operational life) for this control comment. The written comment is
local, and tribal officials to discuss measure? considered the official comment and
plans for the Control Cost Manual (2) Is the description of incinerator should include discussion of all points
update as called for under the technologies complete, up to date, and you wish to make. The EPA will
Consolidated Appropriations Act of accurate? For oxidizers? generally not consider comments or
2014. The EPA has met with other (3) Are the cost correlations, factors, comment contents located outside of the
groups as well at their request. The EPA and equations for incinerators and primary submission (i.e., on the Web,
recently updated the selective non- oxidizers accurate? If not, how should Cloud, or other file sharing system). For
catalytic reduction (SNCR) and selective they be revised? additional submission methods, the full
catalytic reduction (SCR) chapters (4) Are the estimates of incinerators EPA public comment policy,
(Section 4, Chapters 1 and 2) which VOC destruction efficiency accurate? information about CBI or multimedia
were made available to the public in For oxidizers? submissions, and general guidance on
May 2016 (81 FR 38702, June 14, 2016). Dated: September 8, 2016. making effective comments, please visit
To help focus review of the three Stephen Page, http://www2.epa.gov/dockets/
chapters, Cost Estimation: Concepts and commenting-epa-dockets.
Director, Office of Air Quality Planning and
Methodology (Section 1, Chapter 2,); Standards. The draft PA will be available
Refrigerated Condensers (Section 3.1, primarily via the Internet at http://
[FR Doc. 2016–22846 Filed 9–21–16; 8:45 am]
Chapter 1); and Incinerators/Oxidizers www.epa.gov/ttn/naaqs/standards/nox/
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
(Section 3.2, Chapter 2), we offer the s_nox_index.html.
following list of questions that the EPA
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr.
is particularly interested in addressing ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
in the updated chapters. Commenters Jennifer Nichols, Office of Air Quality
AGENCY Planning and Standards, Mail Code
are welcome to address any aspects of
these chapters. Please provide [EPA–HQ–OAR–2013–0146; FRL–9952–68– C504–06, U.S. Environmental Protection
supporting data for responses to these OAR] Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC
questions and other aspects of the 27711; telephone number: 919–541–
chapters. Release of Draft Policy Assessment for 0708; fax number: 919–541–5315; email:
the Review of the Primary National nichols.jennifer@epa.gov.
For the Cost Estimation: Concepts and
Methodology chapter: Ambient Air Quality Standards for SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
(1) Is the cost methodology included Nitrogen Dioxide
I. General Information
in this chapter consistent with best AGENCY: Environmental Protection
practices for cost estimation of pollution A. What should I consider as I prepare
Agency (EPA).
control equipment installation, my comments for the EPA?
ACTION: Notice of availability.
operation and maintenance? 1. Submitting CBI. Do not submit this
(2) Is the use of the equivalent SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection information to EPA through http://
uniform annual cost method appropriate Agency (EPA) is reviewing the primary regulations.gov or email. Clearly mark
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

for estimating costs for pollution control National Ambient Air Quality Standards the part or all of the information that
devices, particularly end-of-pipe (NAAQS) for Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2). you claim to be CBI. For CBI
controls? On or about September 23, 2016, the information in a disk or CD–ROM that
(3) Are the cost items included in the EPA will make available for public you mail to EPA, mark the outside of the
definition of capital cost or total capital review the document titled Policy disk or CD–ROM as CBI and then
investment valid? Are the cost items Assessment for the Review of the identify electronically within the disk or
included in the definition of annual Primary National Ambient Air Quality CD–ROM the specific information that
costs valid? Standards for Nitrogen Dioxide— is claimed as CBI. In addition to one

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65354 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 184 / Thursday, September 22, 2016 / Notices

complete version of the comment that pollutants for which air quality criteria www3.epa.gov/ttn/naaqs/standards/
includes information claimed as CBI, a are issued. Section 109(d) requires nox/s_nox_index.html.
copy of the comment that does not periodic review and, if appropriate, The EPA is soliciting advice and
contain the information claimed as CBI revision of existing air quality criteria. recommendations from the CASAC by
must be submitted for inclusion in the The revised air quality criteria reflect means of a review of this draft
public docket. Information so marked advances in scientific knowledge on the document at an upcoming public
will not be disclosed except in effects of the pollutant on public health meeting of the CASAC, scheduled for
accordance with procedures set forth in or welfare. The EPA is also required to November 9–10, 2016. Information
40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) periodically review and revise the about this public meeting will be
part 2. NAAQS, if appropriate, based on the published as a separate notice in the
2. Tips for Preparing your Comments. revised criteria. Section 109(d)(2) Federal Register. Following the CASAC
When submitting comments, remember requires that an independent scientific meeting, the EPA will consider
to: review committee ‘‘shall complete a comments received from the CASAC
• Identify the notice by docket review of the criteria * * * and the and the public in preparing revisions to
number and other identifying national primary and secondary ambient this document. The EPA will also
information (subject heading, Federal air quality standards * * * and shall consider public comments submitted in
Register date and page number). recommend to the Administrator any response to this notice when revising
• Follow directions. The agency may new * * * standards and revisions of the document. Comments should be
ask you to respond to specific questions the existing criteria and standards as submitted to the docket, as described
or organize comments by referencing a may be appropriate * * *.’’ Since the above. The document that is the subject
CFR part or section number. early 1980s, this independent review of today’s notice does not represent and
• Explain why you agree or disagree; function has been performed by the should not be construed to represent
suggest alternative and substitute CASAC. any final EPA policy, viewpoint or
language for your requested changes. Presently, the EPA is reviewing the determination.
• Describe any assumptions and primary NAAQS for NO2. The first draft
provide any technical information and/ Dated: September 15, 2016.
Integrated Science Assessment for Stephen Page,
or data that you used.
Oxides of Nitrogen (Health Criteria)
• If you estimate potential costs or Director, Office of Air Quality Planning and
(ISA) was released on November 22, Standards.
burdens, explain how you arrived at
2013 (78 FR 70040), and the draft
your estimate in sufficient detail to [FR Doc. 2016–22681 Filed 9–21–16; 8:45 am]
Integrated Review Plan for the Primary
allow for it to be reproduced. BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
• Provide specific examples to NAAQS for Nitrogen Dioxide (IRP) was
illustrate your concerns and suggest released on February 6, 2014 (79 FR
alternatives. 7184). Both documents were reviewed ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
• Explain your views as clearly as by the CASAC at a public meeting in AGENCY
possible, avoiding the use of profanity March 2014, announced in a separate
notice (79 FR 8701, February 13, 2014). [EPA–HQ–OPP–2009–0317; FRL–9952–53]
or personal threats.
• Make sure to submit your The final IRP was released in June 2014
(79 FR 36801, June 30, 2014) and is Registration Review; Draft Malathion
comments by the comment period Human Health Risk Assessment;
deadline identified. available at http://www.epa.gov/ttn/
naaqs/standards/nox/s_nox_2012_ Notice of Availability
II. Information About the Document pd.html. The second draft ISA was AGENCY: Environmental Protection
Two sections of the Clean Air Act made available to both the CASAC and Agency (EPA).
(CAA) govern the establishment and the public (80 FR 5110, January 30, ACTION: Notice.
revision of the NAAQS. Section 108 (42 2015), and was reviewed in addition to
U.S.C. 7408) directs the Administrator the Risk and Exposure Assessment SUMMARY: This notice announces the
to identify and list certain air pollutants Planning Document (REA Planning availability of EPA’s draft human health
and then to issue air quality criteria for Document) (80 FR 27304, May 13, 2015) risk assessment for the registration
those pollutants. The Administrator is at a public meeting in June 2015 (80 FR review of malathion (case 0248) for
to list those air pollutants that in her 22993, April 24, 2015). The final ISA public review and comment.
‘‘judgment, cause or contribute to air was then released in January 2016 (81 Registration review is EPA’s periodic
pollution which may reasonably be FR 4910, January 28, 2016) after taking review of pesticide registrations to
anticipated to endanger public health or into consideration the CASAC’s advice ensure that each pesticide continues to
welfare;’’ ‘‘the presence of which in the and public comments. satisfy the statutory standard for
ambient air results from numerous or The PA, when final, will serve to registration, that is, the pesticide can
diverse mobile or stationary sources;’’ ‘‘bridge the gap’’ between the scientific perform its intended function without
and ‘‘for which * * * [the information and the judgments required unreasonable adverse effects on human
Administrator] plans to issue air quality of the Administrator in determining health or the environment. As part of
criteria * * *.’’ Air quality criteria are whether to retain or revise the existing the registration review process, the
intended to ‘‘accurately reflect the latest primary NAAQS for NO2, and, if Agency has completed a comprehensive
scientific knowledge useful in revision is considered, what revisions draft human health risk assessment for
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

indicating the kind and extent of all may be appropriate. The draft PA malathion. After reviewing comments
identifiable effects on public health or announced today builds upon received during the public comment
welfare which may be expected from the information presented in the final ISA period, EPA may issue a revised human
presence of [a] pollutant in the ambient and the REA Planning Document. The health risk assessment, explain any
air * * * ’’ (42 U.S.C. 7408(b)). Under draft PA will be available on or about changes to the draft risk assessment,
section 109 (42 U.S.C. 7409), the EPA September 16, 2016, through the respond to comments, and may request
establishes primary (health-based) and agency’s Technology Transfer Network public input on risk mitigation before
secondary (welfare-based) NAAQS for (TTN) Web site at https:// completing its proposed registration

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Document Created: 2016-09-22 01:03:49
Document Modified: 2016-09-22 01:03:49

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		Notices
Action		Notice of availability.
Dates		Comments should be received on or before December 8, 2016.
Contact		Dr. Jennifer Nichols, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, Mail Code C504-06, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711; telephone number: 919-541-0708; fax number: 919-541-5315; email: [email protected]
FR Citation		81 FR 65353