81 FR 85410 - Air Quality Plans; Tennessee; Infrastructure Requirements for the 2010 Sulfur Dioxide National Ambient Air Quality Standard
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 228 (November 28, 2016)
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 228 (November 28, 2016)
| Page Range | 85410-85417 | |
| FR Document | 2016-28429 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 228 (Monday, November 28, 2016)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 85410-85417] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-28429] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 40 CFR Part 52 [EPA-R04-OAR-2015-0154; FRL-9955-58-Region 4] Air Quality Plans; Tennessee; Infrastructure Requirements for the 2010 Sulfur Dioxide National Ambient Air Quality Standard AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency. ACTION: Final rule. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking final action to approve the State Implementation Plan (SIP) submission, submitted by the State of Tennessee, through the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), on March 13, 2014, for inclusion into the Tennessee SIP. This final action pertains to the infrastructure requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act) for the 2010 1-hour sulfur dioxide (SO2 ) national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS). The CAA requires that each state adopt and submit a SIP for the implementation, maintenance and enforcement of each NAAQS promulgated by EPA, which is commonly referred to as an ``infrastructure SIP submission.'' TDEC certified that the Tennessee SIP contains provisions that ensure the 2010 1-hour SO2 NAAQS is implemented, enforced, and maintained in Tennessee. EPA has determined that portions of Tennessee's infrastructure SIP submission, provided to EPA on March 13, 2014, satisfy certain required infrastructure elements for the 2010 1-hour SO2 NAAQS. DATES: This rule will be effective December 28, 2016 [[Page 85411]] ADDRESSES: EPA has established a docket for this action under Docket Identification No. EPA-R04-OAR-2015-0154. All documents in the docket are listed on the www.regulations.gov Web site. Although listed in the index, some information is not 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: Michele Notarianni, 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. Ms. Notarianni can be reached via electronic mail at [email protected] or via telephone at (404) 562-9031. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background and Overview On June 2, 2010, (75 FR 35520, June 22, 2010), EPA promulgated a revised primary SO2 NAAQS to an hourly standard of 75 parts per billion (ppb) based on a 3-year average of the annual 99th percentile of 1-hour daily maximum concentrations. Pursuant to section 110(a)(1) of the CAA, states are required to submit SIPs meeting the applicable requirements of section 110(a)(2) within three years after promulgation of a new or revised NAAQS or within such shorter period as EPA may prescribe. Section 110(a)(2) requires states to address basic SIP elements such as requirements for monitoring, basic program requirements and legal authority that are designed to assure attainment and maintenance of the NAAQS. States were required to submit such SIPs for the 2010 1-hour SO2 NAAQS to EPA no later than June 2, 2013.\1\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ In the proposed action, EPA incorrectly cited a date of June 22, 2013, for the due date of infrastructure SIPs for the 2010 1- hour SO2 NAAQS. 80 FR 51158 (August 24, 2015). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- EPA is acting upon the SIP submission from Tennessee that addresses the infrastructure requirements of CAA sections 110(a)(1) and 110(a)(2) for the 2010 1-hour SO2 NAAQS. In a proposed rulemaking published on March 10, 2016 (81 FR 12627), EPA proposed to approve portions of Tennessee's 2010 1-hour SO2 NAAQS infrastructure SIP submission submitted on March 13, 2014. The details of Tennessee's submission and the rationale for EPA's actions are explained in the proposed rulemaking. Comments on the proposed rulemaking were due on or before April 11, 2016. EPA received adverse comments on the proposed action. II. Response to Comments EPA received one set of comments on the March 10, 2016, proposed rulemaking to approve portions of Tennessee's 2010 1-hour SO2 NAAQS infrastructure SIP submission intended to meet the CAA requirements for the 2010 1-hour SO2 NAAQS. A summary of the comments and EPA's responses are provided below.\2\ A full set of these comments is provided in the docket for this final rulemaking action. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \2\ EPA's responses to these comments are consistent with actions taken on 2010 1-hour SO2 NAAQS infrastructure SIP submissions for Virginia (80 FR 11557, March 4, 2015) at https://www.thefederalregister.org/fdsys/pkg/FR-2015-03-04/pdf/2015-04377.pdf and West Virginia (79 FR 62022, October 16, 2014) at https://www.thefederalregister.org/fdsys/pkg/FR-2014-10-16/pdf/2014-24658.pdf. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- A. Comments on Infrastructure SIP Requirements for Enforceable Emission Limits 1. The Plain Language of the CAA Comment 1: The Commenter contends that the plain language of section 110(a)(2)(A) of the CAA requires the inclusion of enforceable emission limits in an infrastructure SIP to prevent NAAQS exceedances in areas not designated nonattainment. In support, the Commenter quotes the language in section 110(a)(1) that requires states to adopt a plan for implementation, maintenance, and enforcement of the NAAQS and the language in section 110(a)(2)(A) that requires SIPs to include enforceable emissions limitations as well as schedules and timetables for compliance, as may be necessary or appropriate to meet the applicable requirements of the CAA. The Commenter then states that applicable requirements of the CAA include requirements for the attainment and maintenance of the NAAQS, and that CAA section 110(a)(2)(A) requires infrastructure SIPs to include enforceable emission limits to prevent exceedances of the NAAQS. The Commenter claims that Tennessee's SIP submission does not meet this asserted requirement. Thus, the Commenter asserts that EPA must disapprove Tennessee's proposed SO2 infrastructure SIP submission because it fails to include enforceable emission limitations necessary to ensure attainment and maintenance of the NAAQS as required by CAA section 110(a)(2)(A). The Commenter then contends that the Tennessee 2010 1-hour SO2 infrastructure SIP submission fails to comport with CAA requirements for SIPs to establish enforceable emission limits that are adequate to prohibit NAAQS exceedances in areas not designated nonattainment. Response 1: EPA disagrees that section 110 must be interpreted in the manner suggested by the Commenter in the context of infrastructure SIP submissions. Section 110 is only one provision that is part of the complicated structure governing implementation of the NAAQS program under the CAA, as amended in 1990, and it must be interpreted in the context of not only that structure, but also of the historical evolution of that structure. In light of the revisions to section 110 since 1970 and the later-promulgated and more specific SIP planning requirements of the CAA, EPA interprets the requirement in section 110(a)(1) that the plan provide for ``implementation, maintenance and enforcement'' in conjunction with the requirements in section 110(a)(2)(A) to mean that the infrastructure SIP must contain enforceable emission limits that will aid in attaining and/or maintaining the NAAQS and that the state demonstrate that it has the necessary tools to implement and enforce a NAAQS, such as adequate state personnel and an enforcement program. With regard to the requirement for emission limitations in section 110(a)(2)(A), EPA has interpreted this to mean, for purposes of infrastructure SIP submissions, that the state may rely on measures already in place to address the pollutant at issue or any new control measures that the state may elect to impose as part of such SIP submission. As EPA stated in ``Guidance on Infrastructure State Implementation Plan (SIP) Elements under Clean Air Act Sections 110(a)(1) and 110(a)(2),'' dated September 13, 2013, (Infrastructure SIP Guidance), ``[t]he conceptual purpose of an infrastructure SIP submission is to [[Page 85412]] assure that the air agency's SIP contains the necessary structural requirements for the new or revised NAAQS, whether by establishing that the SIP already contains the necessary provisions, by making a substantive SIP revision to update the SIP, or both. Overall, the infrastructure SIP submission process provides an opportunity . . . to review the basic structural requirements of the air agency's air quality management program in light of each new or revised NAAQS.'' Infrastructure SIP Guidance at pp. 1-2. Tennessee appropriately demonstrated that its SIP has SO2 emissions limitations and the ``structural requirements'' to implement the 2010 1-hour SO2 NAAQS in its infrastructure SIP submission. The Commenter makes general allegations that Tennessee does not have sufficient protective measures to prevent SO2 NAAQS exceedances. EPA addressed the adequacy of Tennessee's infrastructure SIP for 110(a)(2)(A) purposes in the proposed rule and explained why the SIP includes enforceable emission limitations and other control measures that aid in maintaining the 2010 1-hour SO2 NAAQS throughout the State. These include State regulations which collectively establish enforceable emissions limitations and other control measures, means or techniques for activities that contribute to SO2 concentrations in the ambient air, and provide authority for TDEC to establish such limits and measures as well as schedules for compliance through SIP-approved permits to meet the applicable requirements of the CAA. See 81 FR 12627, 12631 (March 10, 2016). As discussed in this rulemaking, EPA finds these provisions adequately address section 110(a)(2)(A) to aid in attaining and/or maintaining the 2010 1-hour SO2 NAAQS and finds Tennessee demonstrated that it has the necessary tools to implement and enforce the 2010 1-hour SO2 NAAQS. 2. The Legislative History of the CAA Comment 2: The Commenter cites two excerpts from the legislative history of the 1970 CAA and claims that the ``the legislative history of Infrastructure SIPs provides that states must include enforceable emission limits in their Infrastructure SIPs sufficient to ensure the implementation, maintenance, and attainment of each NAAQS in all areas of the State.'' Response 2: As provided in the previous response, the CAA, as enacted in 1970, including its legislative history, cannot be interpreted in isolation from the later amendments that refined that structure and deleted relevant language from section 110 concerning attainment. In any event, the two excerpts of legislative history the Commenter cites merely provide that states should include enforceable emission limits in their SIPs and they do not mention or otherwise address whether states are required to impose additional emission limitations or control measures as part of the infrastructure SIP submission, as opposed to requirements for other types of SIP submissions such as attainment plans required under section 110(a)(2)(I). As provided in Response 1, the proposed rule explains why the SIP includes sufficient enforceable emissions limitations for purposes of the infrastructure SIP submission. 3. Case Law Comment 3: The Commenter also discusses several court decisions concerning the CAA, which the Commenter claims support its contention that courts have been clear that section 110(a)(2)(A) requires enforceable emissions limits in infrastructure SIP submissions to prevent violations of the NAAQS. The Commenter first cites to language in Train v. NRDC, 421 U.S. 60, 78 (1975), addressing the requirement for ``emission limitations'' and stating that emission limitations ``are the specific rules to which operators of pollution sources are subject, and which if enforced should result in ambient air which meets the national standards.'' The Commenter also cites to Pennsylvania Dept. of Envtl. Resources v. EPA, 932 F.2d 269, 272 (3d Cir. 1991) for the proposition that the CAA directs EPA to withhold approval of a SIP where it does not ensure maintenance of the NAAQS, and to Mision Industrial, Inc. v. EPA, 547 F.2d 123, 129 (1st Cir. 1976), which quoted section 110(a)(2)(B) of the CAA of 1970. The Commenter contends that the 1990 Amendments do not alter how courts have interpreted the requirements of section 110, quoting Alaska Dept. of Envtl. Conservation v. EPA, 540 U.S. 461, 470 (2004) which in turn quoted section 110(a)(2)(A) of the CAA and also stated that ``SIPs must include certain measures Congress specified'' to ensure attainment of the NAAQS. The Commenter also quotes several additional opinions in this vein. Mont. Sulphur & Chem. Co. v. EPA, 666 F.3d 1174, 1180 (9th Cir. 2012) (``[t]he Clean Air Act directs states to develop implementation plans--SIPs--that `assure' attainment and maintenance of [NAAQS] through enforceable emissions limitations''); Mich. Dept. of Envtl. Quality v. Browner, 230 F.3d 181, 185 (6th Cir. 2000) (``EPA's deference to a state is conditioned on the state's submission of a plan `which satisfies the standards of Sec. 110(a)(2)' and which includes emission limitations that result in compliance with the NAAQS''; and Hall v. EPA 273 F.3d 1146 (9th Cir. 2001) for the proposition that EPA may not approve a SIP revision that does not demonstrate how the rules would not interfere with attainment and maintenance of the NAAQS. Response 3: None of the cases the Commenter cites support the Commenter's contention that it is clear that section 110(a)(2)(A) requires infrastructure SIP submissions to include detailed plans providing for attainment and maintenance of the NAAQS in all areas of the state, nor do they shed light on how EPA may reasonably interpret section 110(a)(2)(A). With the exception of Train, none of the cases the Commenter cites specifically concerned the interpretation of CAA section 110(a)(2)(A) (or section 110(a)(2)(B) of the pre-1990 Act). Rather, the other courts referenced section 110(a)(2)(A) (or section 110(a)(2)(B) of the pre-1990 CAA) in the background section of decisions involving challenges to EPA actions on revisions to SIPs that were required and approved under other provisions of the CAA or in the context of an enforcement action. In Train, 421 U.S. 60, the Court was addressing a state revision to an attainment plan submission made pursuant to section 110 of the CAA, the primary statutory provision at that time addressing such submissions. The issue in that case was whether changes to requirements that would occur before attainment was required were variances that should be addressed pursuant to the provision governing SIP revisions or were ``postponements'' that must be addressed under section 110(f) of the CAA of 1970, which contained prescriptive criteria. The Court concluded that EPA reasonably interpreted section 110(f) not to restrict a state's choice of the mix of control measures needed to attain the NAAQS, so long as the state met other applicable requirements of the CAA, and that revisions to SIPs that would not impact attainment of the NAAQS by the attainment date were not subject to the limits of section 110(f). Thus the issue was not whether the specific SIP at issue needs to provide for attainment or whether emissions limits are needed as part of the SIP; rather the issue was which statutory provision governed when the state wanted to revise the emission limits in its SIP if such revision would not impact attainment or maintenance of the NAAQS. [[Page 85413]] The decision in Pennsylvania Dept. of Envtl. Resources was also decided based on a pre-1990 provision of the CAA. At issue was whether EPA properly rejected a revision to an approved SIP where the inventories relied on by the state for the updated submission had gaps. The Court quoted section 110(a)(2)(B) of the pre-1990 CAA in support of EPA's disapproval, but did not provide any interpretation of that provision. This decision did not address the question at issue in this action, i.e., what a state must include in an infrastructure SIP submission for purposes of section 110(a)(2)(A). Yet, even if the Court had interpreted that provision, EPA notes that it was modified by Congress in 1990; thus, this decision has little bearing on the issue here. At issue in Mision Industrial, 547 F.2d 123, was the definition of ``emissions limitation'' not whether section 110 requires the state to demonstrate how all areas of the state will attain and maintain the NAAQS as part of their infrastructure SIPs. The language from the opinion the Commenter quotes does not interpret but rather merely describes section 110(a)(2)(A). The Commenter does not cite to this case to assert that the measures relied on by the state in the infrastructure SIP are not ``emissions limitations'' and the decision in this case has no bearing here. In Mont. Sulphur & Chem. Co., 666 F.3d 1174, the Court was reviewing a Federal implementation plan (FIP) that EPA promulgated after a long history of the State failing to submit an adequate SIP in response to EPA's finding under section 110(k)(5) that the previously approved SIP was substantially inadequate to attain or maintain the NAAQS, which triggered the State's duty to submit a new SIP to show how it would remedy that deficiency and attain the NAAQS. The Court cited generally to sections 107 and 110(a)(2)(A) of the CAA for the proposition that SIPs should assure attainment and maintenance of NAAQS through emission limitations, but this language was not part of the Court's holding in the case, which focused instead on whether EPA's finding of SIP inadequacy and adoption of a remedial FIP were lawful. The Commenter suggests that Alaska Dept. of Envtl. Conservation, 540 U.S. 461, stands for the proposition that the 1990 CAA Amendments do not alter how courts interpret section 110. This claim is inaccurate. Rather, the Court quoted section 110(a)(2)(A), which, as noted previously, differs from the pre-1990 version of that provision and the court makes no mention of the changed language. Furthermore, the Commenter also quotes the Court's statement that ``SIPs must include certain measures Congress specified,'' but that statement specifically referenced the requirement in section 110(a)(2)(C), which requires an enforcement program and a program for the regulation of the modification and construction of new sources. Notably, at issue in that case was the State's ``new source'' permitting program, not what is required for purposes of an infrastructure SIP submission for purposes of section 110(a)(2)(A). EPA does not believe any of these court decisions addressed required measures for infrastructure SIPs and believes nothing in the opinions addressed whether infrastructure SIP submissions must contain emission limitations or measures to ensure attainment and maintenance of the NAAQS. 4. EPA Regulations, Such as 40 CFR 51.112(a) Comment 4: The Commenter cites to 40 CFR 51.112(a), providing that ``Each plan must demonstrate that the measures, rules, and regulations contained in it are adequate to provide for the timely attainment and maintenance of the national standard that it implements.'' The Commenter relies on a statement in the preamble to the 1986 action restructuring and consolidating provisions in part 51, in which EPA stated that ``[i]t is beyond the scope of th[is] rulemaking to address the provisions of Part D of the Act . . .'' 51 FR 40656. Thus, the Commenter contends that ``the provisions of 40 CFR 51.112 are not limited to nonattainment SIPs; the regulation instead applies to infrastructure SIPs, which are required to attain and maintain the NAAQS in all areas of a state, including those not designated nonattainment.'' Response 4: The Commenter's reliance on 40 CFR 51.112 to support its argument that infrastructure SIPs must contain emission limits which ensure attainment and maintenance of the NAAQS is incorrect. It is clear on its face that 40 CFR 51.112 directly applies to state SIP submissions for control strategy SIPs, i.e., plans that are specifically required to attain and/or maintain the NAAQS. These regulatory requirements apply when states are developing ``control strategy'' SIPs under other provisions of the CAA, such as attainment plans required for the various NAAQS in Part D and maintenance plans required in section 175A. The Commenter's suggestion that 40 CFR 51.112 must apply to all SIP submissions required by section 110 based on the preamble to EPA's action ``restructuring and consolidating'' provisions in part 51, is also incorrect.\3\ EPA's action in 1986 was not to establish new substantive planning requirements, but rather was meant merely to consolidate and restructure provisions that had previously been promulgated. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \3\ EPA noted that it had already issued guidance addressing the new ``Part D'' attainment planning obligations. Also, as to maintenance regulations, EPA expressly stated that it was not making any revisions other than to re-number those provisions. See 51 FR 40657. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Although EPA was explicit that it was not establishing requirements interpreting the provisions of new ``Part D'' of the CAA, it is clear that the regulations being restructured and consolidated were intended to address control strategy plans. In the preamble, EPA clearly stated that 40 CFR 51.112 was replacing 40 CFR 51.13 (``Control strategy: SOX and PM (portion)''), 51.14 (``Control strategy: CO, HC, OX and NO2 (portion)''), 51.80 (``Demonstration of attainment: Pb (portion)''), and 51.82 (``Air quality data (portion)''). Id. at 40660. Thus, the present-day 40 CFR 51.112 contains consolidated provisions that are focused on control strategy SIPs, and the infrastructure SIP is not such a plan. 5. EPA Interpretations in Other Rulemakings Comment 5: The Commenter also references a 2006 partial approval and partial disapproval of revisions to Missouri's existing plan addressing the SO2 NAAQS and claims it was an action in which EPA relied on section 110(a)(2)(A) and 40 CFR 51.112 to reject an infrastructure SIP. Specifically, the Commenter asserts that in that action, EPA cited section 110(a)(2)(A) as a basis for disapproving a revision to the State plan on the basis that the State failed to demonstrate the SIP was sufficient to ensure attainment and maintenance of the SO2 NAAQS after revision of an emission limit and cited to 40 CFR 51.112 as requiring that a plan demonstrates the rules in a SIP are adequate to attain the SO2 NAAQS. Response 5: EPA's partial approval and partial disapproval of revisions to restrictions on emissions of sulfur compounds for the Missouri SIP in 71 FR 12623 specifically addressed Missouri's attainment SIP submission --not Missouri's infrastructure SIP submission. It is clear from the final Missouri rule that EPA was not reviewing an initial infrastructure SIP submission, but rather reviewing [[Page 85414]] proposed SIP revisions that would make an already approved SIP designed to demonstrate attainment of the NAAQS less stringent. Therefore, EPA does not agree that the 2006 Missouri action referenced by the Commenter establishes how EPA reviews infrastructure SIP submissions for purpose of section 110(a)(2)(A). As discussed in the proposed rule, EPA finds that the Tennessee 2010 1-hour SO2 infrastructure SIP meets certain appropriate and relevant structural requirements of section 110(a)(2) of the CAA that will aid in attaining and/or maintaining the 2010 1-hour SO2 NAAQS and that the State demonstrated that it has the necessary tools to implement and enforce the 2010 1-hour SO2 NAAQS.\4\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \4\ EPA's final action does not address CAA section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) because Tennessee has not made a submission for these elements. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- B. Comments on Tennessee SIP SO2 Emission Limits Comment 6: The Commenter asserts that EPA may not approve the Tennessee SO2 infrastructure SIP because it fails to include enforceable emission limitations with a 1-hour averaging time that applies at all times. The Commenter cites to CAA section 302(k) which requires that emission limits must limit the quantity, rate or concentration of emissions and must apply on a continuous basis. The Commenter states that ``Enforceable emission limitations contained in the I-SIP must, therefore, be accompanied by proper averaging times; otherwise an appropriate numerical emission limit could allow for peak emissions that exceed the NAAQS and yet still be permitted since they would be averaged with lower emissions at other times.'' The Commenter also cites to recommended averaging times in EPA guidance providing that SIP emissions limits, ``should not exceed the averaging time of the applicable NAAQS that the limit is intended to help attain.'' EPA Memorandum of Apr. 23, 2014, to Regional Air Division Directors, Regions 1-10, Guidance for 1-Hour SO2 NAAQS Nonattainment Area SIP Submissions, at 22, available at https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-06/documents/20140423guidance_nonattainment_sip.pdf. The Commenter also notes that this EPA guidance provides that `` `any emissions limits based on averaging periods longer than 1 hour should be designed to have comparable stringency to a 1-hour average limit at the critical emission value.' '' The Commenter states that, ``. . . for Tennessee's Infrastructure SIP to rely on enforceable emission limitations for implementation of the SO2 NAAQS which employ an averaging period longer than one-hour, the numerical emission limits must be ratcheted down to provide adequate assurance that the NAAQS will be met.'' Additionally, the Commenter notes that it disagrees with Tennessee's responses to public comments on this SIP submission regarding annual emissions data to demonstrate compliance with hourly emissions limits. The Commenter also cites to a February 3, 2011, EPA Region 7 letter to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment regarding the need for 1-hour SO2 emission limits in a prevention of significant deterioration (PSD) permit, an EPA Environmental Appeals Board decision rejecting use of a 3-hour averaging time for a SO2 limit in a PSD permit,\5\ and EPA's disapproval of a Missouri SIP which relied on annual averaging for SO2 emission rates and claims EPA has stated that 1-hour averaging times are necessary for the 2010 1-hour SO2 NAAQS. The Commenter states, ``Therefore, in order to ensure that Tennessee's Infrastructure SIP actually implements the SO2 NAAQS in every area of the state, the I-SIP must contain necessary and appropriate enforceable emission limits with one-hour averaging times, monitored continuously, for large sources of SO2 .'' The Commenter asserts that EPA must disapprove Tennessee's infrastructure SIP because it fails to require emission limits with adequate averaging times. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \5\ The Commenter cited to In re: Mississippi Lime Co., PSD APPEAL 11-01, 2011 WL 3557194, at *26-27 (EPA Aug. 9, 2011) and 71 FR 12623, 12624 (March 13, 2006) (EPA disapproval of a control strategy SO2 SIP). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Response 6: As explained in detail in previous responses, the purpose of the infrastructure SIP is to ensure that a state has the structural capability to implement and enforce the NAAQS and thus, additional SO2 emission limitations to ensure attainment and maintenance of the NAAQS are not required for such infrastructure SIPs.\6\ EPA disagrees that it must disapprove the proposed Tennessee infrastructure SIP submission merely because the SIP does not contain enforceable SO2 emission limitations with 1-hour averaging periods that apply at all times, as this issue is not appropriate for resolution in this action in advance of EPA action on the State's submissions of other required SIP submissions including an attainment plan for one area which is designated nonattainment pursuant to section 107 of the CAA.\7\ Therefore, because EPA finds Tennessee's SO2 infrastructure SIP approvable without the additional SO2 emission limitations showing attainment of the NAAQS, EPA finds the issue of appropriate averaging periods for such future limitations not relevant at this time. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \6\ For a discussion on emission averaging times for emissions limitations for SO2 attainment SIPs, see the April 23, 2014, Guidance for 1-Hour SO Nonattainment Area SIP Submissions. As noted by the Commenter, EPA explained that it is possible, in specific cases, for states to develop control strategies that account for variability in 1-hour emissions rates through emission limits with averaging times that are longer than 1-hour, using averaging times as long as 30-days, but still provide for attainment of the 2010 SO2 NAAQS as long as the limits are of at least comparable stringency to a 1-hour limit at the critical emission value. EPA has not taken final action to approve any specific submission of such a limit that a state has relied upon to demonstrate NAAQS attainment, and Tennessee has not submitted such a limit for that purpose here, so it is premature at this time to evaluate whether any emission limit in Tennessee's SIP is in accordance with the April 23, 2014, guidance. If and when Tennessee submits an emission limitation that relies upon such a longer averaging time to demonstrate NAAQS attainment, EPA will evaluate it then. \7\ There is currently one area designated nonattainment pursuant to CAA section 107 for the 2010 1-hour SO2 NAAQS in Tennessee. EPA believes the appropriate time for examining the necessity of 1-hour SO2 emission limits on specific sources is within the attainment planning process. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Further, the Commenter's citation to a prior EPA discussion on emission limitations required in PSD permits (from EPA's Environmental Appeals Board decision and EPA's letter to Kansas' permitting authority) pursuant to part C of the CAA is neither relevant nor applicable to infrastructure SIP submissions under CAA section 110. In addition, and as previously discussed, the EPA disapproval of the 2006 Missouri SIP was a disapproval relating to an attainment plan SIP submission required pursuant to part D attainment planning and is likewise not relevant to the analysis of infrastructure SIP requirements. As for the Commenter's evaluation of TDEC's position regarding averaging times, as described in Response 7, this action is not the appropriate context to address the adequacy of various averaging periods for the 2010 1-hour SO2 NAAQS. Comment 7: Citing to section 110(a)(1) and (a)(2)(A) of the CAA, the Commenter contends that EPA may not approve Tennessee's infrastructure SIP because it does not include enforceable 1-hour emission limits for sources that the Commenter claims are currently contributing to NAAQS exceedances. The Commenter asserts that emission limits are especially important for meeting the 1-hour SO2 NAAQS because SO2 impacts are strongly source oriented. The Commenter states that [[Page 85415]] ``[d]espite the large contribution from coal-fired EGUs [electricity generating units] to the State's SO2 pollution, Tennessee's I-SIP lacks enforceable emissions limitations applicable to its coal- fired EGUs sufficient to ensure the implementation, attainment, and maintenance of the 2010 SO2 NAAQS.'' The Commenter refers to data from EPA's National Emissions Inventory (NEI) and states, ``In Tennessee, 77 percent (or 120,134 tons) of SO2 emissions come from its coal electric generating units (``EGUs'').'' The Commenter also provides air dispersion modeling reports that it conducted for two power plants in Tennessee, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Allen and TVA Gallatin Power Plants. The Commenter summarizes its modeling results for the TVA Allen and TVA Gallatin Power Plants stating that the data predict exceedances of the standard. During the State's public comment period on its proposed SIP revision, the Commenter submitted comments stating, ``. . . in determining whether enforceable emission limitations in an I-SIP submittal are sufficient to implement the NAAQS, an agency may not ignore information put in front of it. The expert air dispersion modeling analyses for TVA Allen and Gallatin that [the Commenter] has provided to TDEC over the years demonstrate the inadequacy of the State's rules and regulations for SO2 emissions--those which Tennessee has relied on in its I-SIP to attain and maintain the NAAQS throughout the State.'' The Commenter further contends that ``neither TDEC nor EPA may rely on the cited provisions already contained in Tennessee's I-SIP to satisfy section 110(a)(2)(A) for the 2010 SO2 NAAQS, see 81 FR at 12631, without first addressing and rectifying the insufficiencies of the SO2 emission limitations in the state's I-SIP certification that have been identified and demonstrated through the various modeling analyses provided to the agency by [the Commenter].'' Thus, the Commenter asserts that EPA must disapprove Tennessee's SIP submission, and must establish a FIP ``which incorporates necessary and appropriate source-specific enforceable emission limitations (preferably informed by modeling) on TVA Allen Plant and TVA Gallatin Plant, as well as any other major source of SO2 pollution in the State which has modeled exceedances of the NAAQS.'' Further, the Commenter states that ``For TVA Allen and TVA Gallatin, enforceable emission limitations must be at least as stringent as the modeling- based limits [provided by the Commenter] in order to protect the one- hour SO2 NAAQS and implement, maintain, and enforce the standard in Tennessee.'' Response 7: As stated previously, EPA believes that the proper inquiry is whether Tennessee has met the basic, structural SIP requirements appropriate at the point in time EPA is acting upon the infrastructure submissions. Emissions limitations and other control measures, whether on coal-fired EGUs or other SO2 sources, that may be needed to attain and maintain the NAAQS in areas designated nonattainment for that NAAQS are due on a different schedule from the section 110 infrastructure SIP submission. A state, like Tennessee, may reference pre-existing SIP emission limits or other rules contained in part D plans for previous NAAQS in an infrastructure SIP submission for purposes of section 110(a)(2)(A). For example, Tennessee submitted a list of existing emission reduction measures in the SIP that control emissions of SO2 as discussed above in response to a prior comment and discussed in the proposed rulemaking on Tennessee's SO2 infrastructure SIP. These provisions have the ability to reduce SO2 overall. Although the Tennessee SIP relies on measures and programs used to implement previous SO2 NAAQS, these provisions are not limited to reducing SO2 levels to meet one specific NAAQS and will continue to provide benefits for the 2010 1-hour SO2 NAAQS. Regarding the air dispersion modeling conducted by the Commenter pursuant to AERMOD for the TVA Allen and TVA Gallatin Power Plants, EPA is not in this action making a determination regarding the air quality status in the area where these EGUs are located, and is not evaluating whether emissions applicable to these EGUs are adequate to attain and maintain the NAAQS. Consequently, the EPA does not find the modeling information relevant for review of an infrastructure SIP for purposes of section 110(a)(2)(A). When additional areas in Tennessee are designated under the 2010 1-hour SO2 NAAQS, and if any additional areas in Tennessee are designated nonattainment in the future, any potential future modeling submitted by the State with designations or attainment demonstrations would need to account for any new emissions limitations Tennessee develops to support such designation or demonstration, which at this point is unknown. While EPA has extensively discussed the use of modeling for attainment demonstration purposes and for designations,\8\ EPA has recommended that such modeling was not needed for the SO2 infrastructure SIPs for the 2010 1-hour SO2 NAAQS for purposes of section 110(a)(2)(A), which are not actions in which EPA makes determinations regarding current air quality status. See April 12, 2012, letters to states and 2012 Draft White Paper.\9\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \8\ See for example, EPA's discussion of modeling for characterizing air quality in the Agency's August 21, 2015, final rule at 80 FR 51052 and for nonattainment planning in the April 23, 2014, Guidance for 1-Hour SO2 Nonattainment Area SIP Submissions. \9\ Implementation of the 2010 Primary 1-Hour SO2 NAAQS, Draft White Paper for Discussion, May 2012 (2012 Draft White Paper) and a sample April 12, 2012, letter from EPA to states are available in the docket for this action. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- In conclusion, EPA disagrees with the Commenter's statements that EPA must disapprove Tennessee's infrastructure SIP submission because it does not establish specific enforceable SO2 emission limits, either on coal-fired EGUs or other large SO2 sources, in order to demonstrate attainment and maintenance with the 2010 1-hour SO2 NAAQS at this time. Comment 8: The Commenter alleges that the proposed SO2 infrastructure SIP does not include a submittal that addresses sources significantly contributing to nonattainment or interfering with maintenance of the 2010 1-hour SO2 NAAQS in other states as required by section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) of the CAA, and asserts EPA must therefore disapprove the infrastructure SIP and impose a FIP. The Commenter states that ``Tennessee's submittal improperly cites to the D.C. Circuit Court's 2012 opinion in EME Homer City Generation v. EPA, 696 F.3d 7, 31 (D.C. Cir. 2012), as concluding that a 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) SIP submission cannot be considered a `required' SIP submission until EPA has defined a state's obligations pursuant to that section; incorrectly assuming that no action was required until EPA quantified the Good Neighbor obligation.'' The Commenter explains that the Supreme Court disapproved the view that states cannot address section 110(a)(2)(D)(i) until EPA resolves issues related to the Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) or CSAPR, and that EPA is not required to provide any implementation guidance before states' interstate transport obligation can be addressed, citing to Order on Petition Number VI- 2014-04 (July 29, 2015), at 10 (citing EPA v. EME Homer City Generation, 134 S.Ct. 1584, 1601 (2014)) and also 81 FR 12630. The Commenter notes that regardless of whether Tennessee submitted a SIP revision to address CAA [[Page 85416]] section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I), the State ``long since passed the June 2013 deadline to submit such provisions; rather than await some potential future submission, Tennessee's failure to satisfy its Good Neighbor obligations must be rectified now.'' Response 8: This action does not address whether sources in Tennessee are significantly contributing to nonattainment or interfering with maintenance of the 2010 1-hour SO2 NAAQS in another state as required by section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) of the CAA (the good neighbor provision). Thus, EPA disagrees with the Commenter's statement that EPA must disapprove the submitted 2010 1-hour SO2 infrastructure SIP due to Tennessee's failure to address section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I). In EPA's rulemaking proposing to approve Tennessee's infrastructure SIP for the 2010 1-hour SO2 NAAQS, EPA clearly stated that it was not taking any action with respect to the good neighbor provision in section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I). Tennessee did not make a submission to address the requirements of section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) for the 2010 1-hour SO2 NAAQS, and thus there is no such submission upon which EPA proposed to take action on under section 110(k) of the CAA. Similarly, EPA disagrees with the Commenter's assertion that EPA cannot approve other elements of an infrastructure SIP submission without the good neighbor provision. There is no basis for the contention that EPA has triggered its obligation to issue a FIP to address the good neighbor obligation under section 110(c), as EPA has neither found that Tennessee failed to timely submit a required 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) SIP submission for the 2010 1-hour SO2 NAAQS or found that such a submission was incomplete, nor has EPA disapproved a SIP submission addressing 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) with respect to the 2010 1-hour SO2 NAAQS. EPA acknowledges the Commenter's concern for the interstate transport of air pollutants and agrees in general with the Commenter that sections 110(a)(1) and (a)(2) of the CAA generally require states to submit, within three years of promulgation of a new or revised NAAQS, a plan which addresses cross-state air pollution under section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I). However, EPA disagrees with the Commenter's argument that EPA cannot approve an infrastructure SIP submission without the good neighbor provision. Section 110(k)(3) of the CAA authorizes EPA to approve a plan in full, disapprove it in full, or approve it in part and disapprove it in part, depending on the extent to which such plan meets the requirements of the CAA. This authority to approve state SIP revisions in separable parts was included in the 1990 Amendments to the CAA to overrule a decision in the Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit holding that EPA could not approve individual measures in a plan submission without either approving or disapproving the plan as a whole. See S. Rep. No. 101-228, at 22, 1990 U.S.C.C.A.N. 3385, 3408 (discussing the express overruling of Abramowitz v. EPA, 832 F.2d 1071 (9th Cir. 1987)). EPA interprets its authority under section 110(k)(3) of the CAA, as affording EPA the discretion to approve, or conditionally approve, individual elements of Tennessee's infrastructure SIP submissions for the 2010 1-hour SO2 NAAQS, separate and apart from any action with respect to the requirements of section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) of the CAA with respect to that NAAQS. EPA views discrete infrastructure SIP requirements, such as the requirements of 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I), as severable from the other infrastructure elements and interprets section 110(k)(3) as allowing it to act on individual severable measures in a plan submission. In short, EPA believes that even if Tennessee had made a SIP submission for section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) of the CAA for the 2010 1-hour SO2 NAAQS, which to date it has not, EPA would still have discretion under section 110(k) of the CAA to act upon the various individual elements of the State's infrastructure SIP submission, separately or together, as appropriate. The Commenter raises no compelling legal or environmental rationale for an alternate interpretation. Nothing in the Supreme Court's April 2014 decision in EME Homer City alters EPA's interpretation that EPA may act on individual severable measures, including the requirements of section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I), in a SIP submission. See EPA v. EME Homer City Generation, L.P., 134 S. Ct. 1584 (affirming a state's obligation to submit a SIP revision addressing section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) independent of EPA's action finding significant contribution or interference with maintenance). In sum, the concerns raised by the Commenter do not establish that it is inappropriate or unreasonable for EPA to approve the portions of Tennessee's infrastructure SIP submission for the 2010 1-hour SO2 NAAQS. EPA has no obligation at this time to issue a FIP pursuant to 110(c)(1) to address Tennessee's obligations under section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) until EPA first either finds Tennessee failed to make a required submission addressing the element or the State has made such a submission but it is incomplete, or EPA disapproves a SIP submission addressing that element. Until either occurs, EPA does not have the obligation to issue a FIP pursuant to section 110(c) with respect to the good neighbor provision. Therefore, EPA disagrees with the Commenter's contention that it must issue a FIP for Tennessee to address 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) for the 2010 1-hour SO2 NAAQS at this time. III. Final Action With the exception of the interstate transport requirements of section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) and (II) (prongs 1, 2, and 4), EPA is taking final action to approve Tennessee's infrastructure submission submitted on March 13, 2014, for the 2010 1-hour SO2 NAAQS for the above described infrastructure SIP requirements. EPA is taking final action to approve Tennessee's infrastructure SIP submission for the 2010 1-hour SO2 NAAQS for the above described infrastructure SIP requirements because the submission is consistent with section 110 of the CAA. IV. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews Under the CAA, the Administrator is required to approve a SIP submission that complies with the provisions of the Act and applicable federal regulations. See 42 U.S.C. 7410(k); 40 CFR 52.02(a). Thus, in reviewing SIP submissions, EPA's role is to approve state choices, provided that they meet the criteria of the CAA. Accordingly, this action merely approves state law as meeting federal requirements and does not impose additional requirements beyond those imposed by state law. For that reason, this action:Is not a significant regulatory action subject to review by the Office of Management and Budget under Executive Orders 12866 (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993) and 13563 (76 FR 3821, January 21, 2011); Does not impose an information collection burden under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.); Is certified as not having a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.); Does not contain any unfunded mandate or significantly or uniquely affect small governments, as described in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-4); Does not have Federalism implications as specified in Executive [[Page 85417]] Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10, 1999); Is not an economically significant regulatory action based on health or safety risks subject to Executive Order 13045 (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997); Is not a significant regulatory action subject to Executive Order 13211 (66 FR 28355, May 22, 2001); Is not subject to requirements of section 12(d) of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272 note) because application of those requirements would be inconsistent with the CAA; and Does not provide EPA with the discretionary authority to address, as appropriate, disproportionate human health or environmental effects, using practicable and legally permissible methods, under Executive Order 12898 (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994). In addition, the SIP is not approved to apply on any Indian reservation land or in any other area where EPA or an Indian tribe has demonstrated that a tribe has jurisdiction. In those areas of Indian country, the rule does not have tribal implications as specified by Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, November 9, 2000), nor will it impose substantial direct costs on tribal governments or preempt tribal law. The Congressional Review Act, 5 U.S.C. 801 et seq., as added by the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, generally provides that before a rule may take effect, the agency promulgating the rule must submit a rule report, which includes a copy of the rule, to each House of the Congress and to the Comptroller General of the United States. EPA will submit a 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 January 27, 2017. Filing a petition for reconsideration by the Administrator of this final rule does not affect the finality of this action for the purposes of judicial review nor does it extend the time within which a petition for judicial review may be filed, and shall not postpone the effectiveness of such rule or action. This action may not be challenged later in proceedings to enforce its requirements. See section 307(b)(2). List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52 Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Incorporation by reference, Intergovernmental relations, Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Volatile organic compounds. Dated: November 7, 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 RR--Tennessee 0 2. In Sec. 52.2220, the table in paragraph (e) is amended by adding the entry ``110(a)(1) and (2) Infrastructure Requirements for the 2010 1-hour SO 2 NAAQS'' at the end of the table to read as follows: Sec. 52.2220 Identification of plan. * * * * * (e) * * * EPA-Approved Tennessee Non-Regulatory Provisions ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Applicable Name of non-regulatory SIP geographic or State effective EPA approval date Explanation provision nonattainment area date ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * * * * * * * 110 (a)(1) and (2) Tennessee......... 03/13/2014 11/28/16, [insert With the exception of Infrastructure Requirements Federal Register interstate transport for the 2010 1-hour SO2 NAAQS. citation]. requirements of section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) and (II) (prongs 1, 2, and 4). ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [FR Doc. 2016-28429 Filed 11-25-16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
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acting, that would be furthered by the $250, the Council shall notify the or a group of requesters acting together
requested disclosure. In the requester of the estimated costs, broken is attempting to divide a request into a
administrative process, a requester may down by search, review and duplication series of requests for the purpose of
provide explanatory information fees. The requester must provide an avoiding fees, the Council may aggregate
regarding this consideration; and agreement to pay the estimated costs, those requests and charge accordingly.
(ii) Whether the public interest is except that the requester may The Council may presume that multiple
greater in magnitude than that of any reformulate the request in an attempt to requests involving related matters
identified commercial interest in reduce the estimated fees. submitted within a thirty (30) calendar
disclosure. The Council ordinarily shall (2) If the requester fails to state a limit day period have been made in order to
presume that, if a news media requester and the costs are estimated to exceed avoid fees. The Council shall not
satisfies the public interest standard, the $250, the requester shall be notified of aggregate multiple requests involving
public interest will be the interest the estimated costs, broken down by unrelated matters.
primarily served by disclosure to that search, review and duplication fees, and
Dated: November 17, 2016.
requester. Disclosure to data brokers or must pay such amount prior to the
others who merely compile and market processing of the request, or provide Eric A. Froman,
government information for direct satisfactory assurance of full payment if Executive Director, Financial Stability
economic return shall not be presumed the requester has a history of prompt Oversight Council.
to primarily serve the public interest. payment of FOIA fees. Alternatively, the [FR Doc. 2016–28413 Filed 11–25–16; 8:45 am]
(4) Where only some of the records to requester may reformulate the request in BILLING CODE 4810–25–P–P
be released satisfy the requirements for such a way as to constitute a request for
a waiver or reduction of fees, a waiver responsive records at a reduced fee.
or reduction shall be granted for those (3) The Council reserves the right to
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
records. request advance payment after a request
(5) Determination of request to reduce AGENCY
is processed and before records are
or waive fees: The Council shall notify released. 40 CFR Part 52
the requester in writing regarding its (4) If a requester previously has failed
determinations to reduce or waive fees. to pay a fee within thirty (30) calendar [EPA–R04–OAR–2015–0154; FRL–9955–58–
(6) Effect of denying request to reduce days of the date of the billing, the Region 4]
or waive fees: If the Council denies a requester shall be required to pay the
request to reduce or waive fees, then the full amount owed plus any applicable Air Quality Plans; Tennessee;
Council shall advise the requester, in interest, and to make an advance Infrastructure Requirements for the
the denial notification letter, that the payment of the full amount of the 2010 Sulfur Dioxide National Ambient
requester may incur fees as a result of estimated fee before the Council begins Air Quality Standard
processing the request. In the denial to process a new request or the pending
notification letter, the Council shall request. AGENCY: Environmental Protection
advise the requester that the Council (5) When the Council acts under Agency.
will not proceed to process the request paragraphs (g)(1) through (4) of this ACTION: Final rule.
further unless the requester, in writing, section, the administrative time limits of
directs the Council to do so and either twenty (20) days (excluding Saturdays, SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection
agrees to pay any fees that may apply to Sundays, and legal public holidays) Agency (EPA) is taking final action to
processing the request or specifies an from receipt of initial requests or approve the State Implementation Plan
upper limit (of not less than $25) that appeals, plus extensions of these time (SIP) submission, submitted by the State
the requester is willing to pay to process limits, shall begin only after any of Tennessee, through the Tennessee
the request. If the Council does not applicable fees have been paid (in the Department of Environment and
receive this written direction and case of paragraph (g)(2), (3), or (4)), a Conservation (TDEC), on March 13,
agreement/specification within thirty written agreement to pay fees has been 2014, for inclusion into the Tennessee
(30) days of the date of the denial provided (in the case of paragraph SIP. This final action pertains to the
notification letter, then the Council (g)(1)), or a request has been infrastructure requirements of the Clean
shall deem the FOIA request to be reformulated (in the case of paragraph Air Act (CAA or Act) for the 2010 1-
withdrawn. (g)(1) or (2)). hour sulfur dioxide (SO2) national
(7) Appeals of denials of requests to (h) Form of payment. Payment may be ambient air quality standard (NAAQS).
reduce or waive fees: If the Council made by check or money order paid to The CAA requires that each state adopt
denies a request to reduce or waive fees, the Treasurer of the United States. and submit a SIP for the
then the requester shall have the right (i) Charging interest. The Council may implementation, maintenance and
to submit an appeal of the denial charge interest on any unpaid bill enforcement of each NAAQS
determination in accordance with starting on the 31st day following the promulgated by EPA, which is
§ 1301.11. The Council shall date of billing the requester. Interest commonly referred to as an
communicate this appeal right as part of charges will be assessed at the rate ‘‘infrastructure SIP submission.’’ TDEC
its written notification to the requester provided in 31 U.S.C. 3717 and will certified that the Tennessee SIP contains
denying the fee reduction or waiver accrue from the date of the billing until provisions that ensure the 2010 1-hour
request. The requester shall clearly mark payment is received by the Council. The SO2 NAAQS is implemented, enforced,
its appeal request and any envelope that Council will follow the provisions of the and maintained in Tennessee. EPA has
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with RULES
encloses it with the words ‘‘Appeal for Debt Collection Act of 1982 (Pub. L. 97– determined that portions of Tennessee’s
Fee Reduction/Waiver.’’ 365, 96 Stat. 1749), as amended, and its infrastructure SIP submission, provided
(g) Notice of estimated fees; advance administrative procedures, including to EPA on March 13, 2014, satisfy
payments. (1) When the Council the use of consumer reporting agencies, certain required infrastructure elements
estimates the fees for processing a collection agencies, and offset. for the 2010 1-hour SO2 NAAQS.
request will exceed the limit set by the (j) Aggregating requests. If the Council DATES: This rule will be effective
requester, and that amount is less than reasonably determines that a requester December 28, 2016
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ADDRESSES: EPA has established a SO2 NAAQS to EPA no later than June include requirements for the attainment
docket for this action under Docket 2, 2013.1 and maintenance of the NAAQS, and
Identification No. EPA–R04–OAR– EPA is acting upon the SIP that CAA section 110(a)(2)(A) requires
2015–0154. All documents in the docket submission from Tennessee that infrastructure SIPs to include
are listed on the www.regulations.gov addresses the infrastructure enforceable emission limits to prevent
Web site. Although listed in the index, requirements of CAA sections 110(a)(1) exceedances of the NAAQS. The
some information is not publicly and 110(a)(2) for the 2010 1-hour SO2 Commenter claims that Tennessee’s SIP
available, i.e., Confidential Business NAAQS. In a proposed rulemaking submission does not meet this asserted
Information or other information whose published on March 10, 2016 (81 FR requirement. Thus, the Commenter
disclosure is restricted by statute. 12627), EPA proposed to approve asserts that EPA must disapprove
Certain other material, such as portions of Tennessee’s 2010 1-hour SO2 Tennessee’s proposed SO2 infrastructure
copyrighted material, is not placed on NAAQS infrastructure SIP submission SIP submission because it fails to
the Internet and will be publicly submitted on March 13, 2014. The include enforceable emission
available only in hard copy form. details of Tennessee’s submission and limitations necessary to ensure
Publicly available docket materials are the rationale for EPA’s actions are attainment and maintenance of the
available either electronically through explained in the proposed rulemaking. NAAQS as required by CAA section
www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at Comments on the proposed rulemaking 110(a)(2)(A). The Commenter then
were due on or before April 11, 2016. contends that the Tennessee 2010 1-
the Air Regulatory Management Section,
EPA received adverse comments on the hour SO2 infrastructure SIP submission
Air Planning and Implementation
proposed action. fails to comport with CAA requirements
Branch, Air, Pesticides and Toxics
II. Response to Comments for SIPs to establish enforceable
Management Division, U.S.
emission limits that are adequate to
Environmental Protection Agency, EPA received one set of comments on prohibit NAAQS exceedances in areas
Region 4, 61 Forsyth Street SW., the March 10, 2016, proposed not designated nonattainment.
Atlanta, Georgia 30303–8960. EPA rulemaking to approve portions of Response 1: EPA disagrees that
requests that if at all possible, you Tennessee’s 2010 1-hour SO2 NAAQS section 110 must be interpreted in the
contact the person listed in the FOR infrastructure SIP submission intended manner suggested by the Commenter in
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section to to meet the CAA requirements for the the context of infrastructure SIP
schedule your inspection. The Regional 2010 1-hour SO2 NAAQS. A summary of submissions. Section 110 is only one
Office’s official hours of business are the comments and EPA’s responses are provision that is part of the complicated
Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to provided below.2 A full set of these structure governing implementation of
4:30 p.m., excluding federal holidays. comments is provided in the docket for the NAAQS program under the CAA, as
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
this final rulemaking action. amended in 1990, and it must be
Michele Notarianni, Air Regulatory A. Comments on Infrastructure SIP interpreted in the context of not only
Management Section, Air Planning and Requirements for Enforceable Emission that structure, but also of the historical
Implementation Branch, Air, Pesticides Limits evolution of that structure. In light of
and Toxics Management Division, U.S. the revisions to section 110 since 1970
1. The Plain Language of the CAA and the later-promulgated and more
Environmental Protection Agency,
Region 4, 61 Forsyth Street SW., Comment 1: The Commenter contends specific SIP planning requirements of
Atlanta, Georgia 30303–8960. Ms. that the plain language of section the CAA, EPA interprets the
Notarianni can be reached via electronic 110(a)(2)(A) of the CAA requires the requirement in section 110(a)(1) that the
mail at notarianni.michele@epa.gov or inclusion of enforceable emission limits plan provide for ‘‘implementation,
in an infrastructure SIP to prevent maintenance and enforcement’’ in
via telephone at (404) 562–9031.
NAAQS exceedances in areas not conjunction with the requirements in
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: designated nonattainment. In support, section 110(a)(2)(A) to mean that the
the Commenter quotes the language in infrastructure SIP must contain
I. Background and Overview enforceable emission limits that will aid
section 110(a)(1) that requires states to
On June 2, 2010, (75 FR 35520, June adopt a plan for implementation, in attaining and/or maintaining the
22, 2010), EPA promulgated a revised maintenance, and enforcement of the NAAQS and that the state demonstrate
primary SO2 NAAQS to an hourly NAAQS and the language in section that it has the necessary tools to
standard of 75 parts per billion (ppb) 110(a)(2)(A) that requires SIPs to implement and enforce a NAAQS, such
based on a 3-year average of the annual include enforceable emissions as adequate state personnel and an
99th percentile of 1-hour daily limitations as well as schedules and enforcement program.
timetables for compliance, as may be With regard to the requirement for
maximum concentrations. Pursuant to
necessary or appropriate to meet the emission limitations in section
section 110(a)(1) of the CAA, states are 110(a)(2)(A), EPA has interpreted this to
required to submit SIPs meeting the applicable requirements of the CAA.
The Commenter then states that mean, for purposes of infrastructure SIP
applicable requirements of section submissions, that the state may rely on
110(a)(2) within three years after applicable requirements of the CAA
measures already in place to address the
promulgation of a new or revised 1 In the proposed action, EPA incorrectly cited a pollutant at issue or any new control
NAAQS or within such shorter period date of June 22, 2013, for the due date of measures that the state may elect to
as EPA may prescribe. Section 110(a)(2) infrastructure SIPs for the 2010 1-hour SO2 NAAQS. impose as part of such SIP submission.
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with RULES
requires states to address basic SIP 80 FR 51158 (August 24, 2015).
As EPA stated in ‘‘Guidance on
2 EPA’s responses to these comments are
elements such as requirements for Infrastructure State Implementation
consistent with actions taken on 2010 1-hour SO2
monitoring, basic program requirements NAAQS infrastructure SIP submissions for Virginia Plan (SIP) Elements under Clean Air Act
and legal authority that are designed to (80 FR 11557, March 4, 2015) at https:// Sections 110(a)(1) and 110(a)(2),’’ dated
assure attainment and maintenance of www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2015-03-04/pdf/2015-
04377.pdf and West Virginia (79 FR 62022, October
September 13, 2013, (Infrastructure SIP
the NAAQS. States were required to 16, 2014) at https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR- Guidance), ‘‘[t]he conceptual purpose of
submit such SIPs for the 2010 1-hour 2014-10-16/pdf/2014-24658.pdf. an infrastructure SIP submission is to
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assure that the air agency’s SIP contains from section 110 concerning attainment. submission of a plan ‘which satisfies the
the necessary structural requirements In any event, the two excerpts of standards of § 110(a)(2)’ and which
for the new or revised NAAQS, whether legislative history the Commenter cites includes emission limitations that result
by establishing that the SIP already merely provide that states should in compliance with the NAAQS’’; and
contains the necessary provisions, by include enforceable emission limits in Hall v. EPA 273 F.3d 1146 (9th Cir.
making a substantive SIP revision to their SIPs and they do not mention or 2001) for the proposition that EPA may
update the SIP, or both. Overall, the otherwise address whether states are not approve a SIP revision that does not
infrastructure SIP submission process required to impose additional emission demonstrate how the rules would not
provides an opportunity . . . to review limitations or control measures as part interfere with attainment and
the basic structural requirements of the of the infrastructure SIP submission, as maintenance of the NAAQS.
air agency’s air quality management opposed to requirements for other types Response 3: None of the cases the
program in light of each new or revised of SIP submissions such as attainment Commenter cites support the
NAAQS.’’ Infrastructure SIP Guidance plans required under section Commenter’s contention that it is clear
at pp. 1–2. Tennessee appropriately 110(a)(2)(I). As provided in Response 1, that section 110(a)(2)(A) requires
demonstrated that its SIP has SO2 the proposed rule explains why the SIP infrastructure SIP submissions to
emissions limitations and the includes sufficient enforceable include detailed plans providing for
‘‘structural requirements’’ to implement emissions limitations for purposes of attainment and maintenance of the
the 2010 1-hour SO2 NAAQS in its the infrastructure SIP submission. NAAQS in all areas of the state, nor do
infrastructure SIP submission. they shed light on how EPA may
The Commenter makes general 3. Case Law
reasonably interpret section
allegations that Tennessee does not have Comment 3: The Commenter also
110(a)(2)(A). With the exception of
sufficient protective measures to discusses several court decisions
Train, none of the cases the Commenter
prevent SO2 NAAQS exceedances. EPA concerning the CAA, which the
cites specifically concerned the
addressed the adequacy of Tennessee’s Commenter claims support its
interpretation of CAA section
infrastructure SIP for 110(a)(2)(A) contention that courts have been clear
110(a)(2)(A) (or section 110(a)(2)(B) of
purposes in the proposed rule and that section 110(a)(2)(A) requires
the pre-1990 Act). Rather, the other
explained why the SIP includes enforceable emissions limits in
courts referenced section 110(a)(2)(A)
enforceable emission limitations and infrastructure SIP submissions to
(or section 110(a)(2)(B) of the pre-1990
other control measures that aid in prevent violations of the NAAQS. The
Commenter first cites to language in CAA) in the background section of
maintaining the 2010 1-hour SO2
Train v. NRDC, 421 U.S. 60, 78 (1975), decisions involving challenges to EPA
NAAQS throughout the State. These
addressing the requirement for actions on revisions to SIPs that were
include State regulations which
‘‘emission limitations’’ and stating that required and approved under other
collectively establish enforceable
emission limitations ‘‘are the specific provisions of the CAA or in the context
emissions limitations and other control
rules to which operators of pollution of an enforcement action.
measures, means or techniques for
activities that contribute to SO2 sources are subject, and which if In Train, 421 U.S. 60, the Court was
concentrations in the ambient air, and enforced should result in ambient air addressing a state revision to an
provide authority for TDEC to establish which meets the national standards.’’ attainment plan submission made
such limits and measures as well as The Commenter also cites to pursuant to section 110 of the CAA, the
schedules for compliance through SIP- Pennsylvania Dept. of Envtl. Resources primary statutory provision at that time
approved permits to meet the applicable v. EPA, 932 F.2d 269, 272 (3d Cir. 1991) addressing such submissions. The issue
requirements of the CAA. See 81 FR for the proposition that the CAA directs in that case was whether changes to
12627, 12631 (March 10, 2016). As EPA to withhold approval of a SIP requirements that would occur before
discussed in this rulemaking, EPA finds where it does not ensure maintenance of attainment was required were variances
these provisions adequately address the NAAQS, and to Mision Industrial, that should be addressed pursuant to
section 110(a)(2)(A) to aid in attaining Inc. v. EPA, 547 F.2d 123, 129 (1st Cir. the provision governing SIP revisions or
and/or maintaining the 2010 1-hour SO2 1976), which quoted section 110(a)(2)(B) were ‘‘postponements’’ that must be
NAAQS and finds Tennessee of the CAA of 1970. The Commenter addressed under section 110(f) of the
demonstrated that it has the necessary contends that the 1990 Amendments do CAA of 1970, which contained
tools to implement and enforce the 2010 not alter how courts have interpreted prescriptive criteria. The Court
1-hour SO2 NAAQS. the requirements of section 110, quoting concluded that EPA reasonably
Alaska Dept. of Envtl. Conservation v. interpreted section 110(f) not to restrict
2. The Legislative History of the CAA EPA, 540 U.S. 461, 470 (2004) which in a state’s choice of the mix of control
Comment 2: The Commenter cites two turn quoted section 110(a)(2)(A) of the measures needed to attain the NAAQS,
excerpts from the legislative history of CAA and also stated that ‘‘SIPs must so long as the state met other applicable
the 1970 CAA and claims that the ‘‘the include certain measures Congress requirements of the CAA, and that
legislative history of Infrastructure SIPs specified’’ to ensure attainment of the revisions to SIPs that would not impact
provides that states must include NAAQS. The Commenter also quotes attainment of the NAAQS by the
enforceable emission limits in their several additional opinions in this vein. attainment date were not subject to the
Infrastructure SIPs sufficient to ensure Mont. Sulphur & Chem. Co. v. EPA, 666 limits of section 110(f). Thus the issue
the implementation, maintenance, and F.3d 1174, 1180 (9th Cir. 2012) (‘‘[t]he was not whether the specific SIP at
attainment of each NAAQS in all areas Clean Air Act directs states to develop issue needs to provide for attainment or
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of the State.’’ implementation plans—SIPs—that whether emissions limits are needed as
Response 2: As provided in the ‘assure’ attainment and maintenance of part of the SIP; rather the issue was
previous response, the CAA, as enacted [NAAQS] through enforceable emissions which statutory provision governed
in 1970, including its legislative history, limitations’’); Mich. Dept. of Envtl. when the state wanted to revise the
cannot be interpreted in isolation from Quality v. Browner, 230 F.3d 181, 185 emission limits in its SIP if such
the later amendments that refined that (6th Cir. 2000) (‘‘EPA’s deference to a revision would not impact attainment or
structure and deleted relevant language state is conditioned on the state’s maintenance of the NAAQS.
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The decision in Pennsylvania Dept. of version of that provision and the court 40 CFR 51.112 must apply to all SIP
Envtl. Resources was also decided based makes no mention of the changed submissions required by section 110
on a pre-1990 provision of the CAA. At language. Furthermore, the Commenter based on the preamble to EPA’s action
issue was whether EPA properly also quotes the Court’s statement that ‘‘restructuring and consolidating’’
rejected a revision to an approved SIP ‘‘SIPs must include certain measures provisions in part 51, is also incorrect.3
where the inventories relied on by the Congress specified,’’ but that statement EPA’s action in 1986 was not to
state for the updated submission had specifically referenced the requirement establish new substantive planning
gaps. The Court quoted section in section 110(a)(2)(C), which requires requirements, but rather was meant
110(a)(2)(B) of the pre-1990 CAA in an enforcement program and a program merely to consolidate and restructure
support of EPA’s disapproval, but did for the regulation of the modification provisions that had previously been
not provide any interpretation of that and construction of new sources. promulgated.
provision. This decision did not address Notably, at issue in that case was the Although EPA was explicit that it was
the question at issue in this action, i.e., State’s ‘‘new source’’ permitting not establishing requirements
what a state must include in an program, not what is required for interpreting the provisions of new ‘‘Part
infrastructure SIP submission for purposes of an infrastructure SIP D’’ of the CAA, it is clear that the
purposes of section 110(a)(2)(A). Yet, submission for purposes of section regulations being restructured and
even if the Court had interpreted that 110(a)(2)(A). consolidated were intended to address
provision, EPA notes that it was EPA does not believe any of these control strategy plans. In the preamble,
modified by Congress in 1990; thus, this court decisions addressed required EPA clearly stated that 40 CFR 51.112
decision has little bearing on the issue measures for infrastructure SIPs and was replacing 40 CFR 51.13 (‘‘Control
here. believes nothing in the opinions strategy: SOX and PM (portion)’’), 51.14
addressed whether infrastructure SIP (‘‘Control strategy: CO, HC, OX and NO2
At issue in Mision Industrial, 547
submissions must contain emission (portion)’’), 51.80 (‘‘Demonstration of
F.2d 123, was the definition of
limitations or measures to ensure attainment: Pb (portion)’’), and 51.82
‘‘emissions limitation’’ not whether
attainment and maintenance of the (‘‘Air quality data (portion)’’). Id. at
section 110 requires the state to
NAAQS. 40660. Thus, the present-day 40 CFR
demonstrate how all areas of the state
51.112 contains consolidated provisions
will attain and maintain the NAAQS as 4. EPA Regulations, Such as 40 CFR
that are focused on control strategy SIPs,
part of their infrastructure SIPs. The 51.112(a)
and the infrastructure SIP is not such a
language from the opinion the Comment 4: The Commenter cites to plan.
Commenter quotes does not interpret 40 CFR 51.112(a), providing that ‘‘Each
but rather merely describes section plan must demonstrate that the 5. EPA Interpretations in Other
110(a)(2)(A). The Commenter does not measures, rules, and regulations Rulemakings
cite to this case to assert that the contained in it are adequate to provide Comment 5: The Commenter also
measures relied on by the state in the for the timely attainment and references a 2006 partial approval and
infrastructure SIP are not ‘‘emissions maintenance of the national standard partial disapproval of revisions to
limitations’’ and the decision in this that it implements.’’ The Commenter Missouri’s existing plan addressing the
case has no bearing here. In Mont. relies on a statement in the preamble to SO2 NAAQS and claims it was an action
Sulphur & Chem. Co., 666 F.3d 1174, the 1986 action restructuring and in which EPA relied on section
the Court was reviewing a Federal consolidating provisions in part 51, in 110(a)(2)(A) and 40 CFR 51.112 to reject
implementation plan (FIP) that EPA which EPA stated that ‘‘[i]t is beyond an infrastructure SIP. Specifically, the
promulgated after a long history of the the scope of th[is] rulemaking to address Commenter asserts that in that action,
State failing to submit an adequate SIP the provisions of Part D of the Act . . .’’ EPA cited section 110(a)(2)(A) as a basis
in response to EPA’s finding under 51 FR 40656. Thus, the Commenter for disapproving a revision to the State
section 110(k)(5) that the previously contends that ‘‘the provisions of 40 CFR plan on the basis that the State failed to
approved SIP was substantially 51.112 are not limited to nonattainment demonstrate the SIP was sufficient to
inadequate to attain or maintain the SIPs; the regulation instead applies to ensure attainment and maintenance of
NAAQS, which triggered the State’s infrastructure SIPs, which are required the SO2 NAAQS after revision of an
duty to submit a new SIP to show how to attain and maintain the NAAQS in all emission limit and cited to 40 CFR
it would remedy that deficiency and areas of a state, including those not 51.112 as requiring that a plan
attain the NAAQS. The Court cited designated nonattainment.’’ demonstrates the rules in a SIP are
generally to sections 107 and Response 4: The Commenter’s adequate to attain the SO2 NAAQS.
110(a)(2)(A) of the CAA for the reliance on 40 CFR 51.112 to support its Response 5: EPA’s partial approval
proposition that SIPs should assure argument that infrastructure SIPs must and partial disapproval of revisions to
attainment and maintenance of NAAQS contain emission limits which ensure restrictions on emissions of sulfur
through emission limitations, but this attainment and maintenance of the compounds for the Missouri SIP in 71
language was not part of the Court’s NAAQS is incorrect. It is clear on its FR 12623 specifically addressed
holding in the case, which focused face that 40 CFR 51.112 directly applies Missouri’s attainment SIP submission
instead on whether EPA’s finding of SIP to state SIP submissions for control —not Missouri’s infrastructure SIP
inadequacy and adoption of a remedial strategy SIPs, i.e., plans that are submission. It is clear from the final
FIP were lawful. The Commenter specifically required to attain and/or Missouri rule that EPA was not
suggests that Alaska Dept. of Envtl. maintain the NAAQS. These regulatory reviewing an initial infrastructure SIP
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Conservation, 540 U.S. 461, stands for requirements apply when states are submission, but rather reviewing
the proposition that the 1990 CAA developing ‘‘control strategy’’ SIPs
Amendments do not alter how courts under other provisions of the CAA, such 3 EPA noted that it had already issued guidance
interpret section 110. This claim is as attainment plans required for the addressing the new ‘‘Part D’’ attainment planning
obligations. Also, as to maintenance regulations,
inaccurate. Rather, the Court quoted various NAAQS in Part D and EPA expressly stated that it was not making any
section 110(a)(2)(A), which, as noted maintenance plans required in section revisions other than to re-number those provisions.
previously, differs from the pre-1990 175A. The Commenter’s suggestion that See 51 FR 40657.
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‘‘[d]espite the large contribution from by the Commenter] in order to protect purposes and for designations,8 EPA has
coal-fired EGUs [electricity generating the one-hour SO2 NAAQS and recommended that such modeling was
units] to the State’s SO2 pollution, implement, maintain, and enforce the not needed for the SO2 infrastructure
Tennessee’s I–SIP lacks enforceable standard in Tennessee.’’ SIPs for the 2010 1-hour SO2 NAAQS
emissions limitations applicable to its Response 7: As stated previously, EPA for purposes of section 110(a)(2)(A),
coal-fired EGUs sufficient to ensure the believes that the proper inquiry is which are not actions in which EPA
implementation, attainment, and whether Tennessee has met the basic, makes determinations regarding current
maintenance of the 2010 SO2 NAAQS.’’ structural SIP requirements appropriate air quality status. See April 12, 2012,
The Commenter refers to data from letters to states and 2012 Draft White
at the point in time EPA is acting upon
EPA’s National Emissions Inventory Paper.9
the infrastructure submissions. In conclusion, EPA disagrees with the
(NEI) and states, ‘‘In Tennessee, 77 Emissions limitations and other control
percent (or 120,134 tons) of SO2 Commenter’s statements that EPA must
measures, whether on coal-fired EGUs disapprove Tennessee’s infrastructure
emissions come from its coal electric or other SO2 sources, that may be
generating units (‘‘EGUs’’).’’ The SIP submission because it does not
needed to attain and maintain the establish specific enforceable SO2
Commenter also provides air dispersion NAAQS in areas designated
modeling reports that it conducted for emission limits, either on coal-fired
nonattainment for that NAAQS are due EGUs or other large SO2 sources, in
two power plants in Tennessee, the on a different schedule from the section
Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) order to demonstrate attainment and
110 infrastructure SIP submission. A maintenance with the 2010 1-hour SO2
Allen and TVA Gallatin Power Plants. state, like Tennessee, may reference pre-
The Commenter summarizes its NAAQS at this time.
existing SIP emission limits or other Comment 8: The Commenter alleges
modeling results for the TVA Allen and rules contained in part D plans for that the proposed SO2 infrastructure SIP
TVA Gallatin Power Plants stating that previous NAAQS in an infrastructure does not include a submittal that
the data predict exceedances of the SIP submission for purposes of section addresses sources significantly
standard. During the State’s public 110(a)(2)(A). For example, Tennessee contributing to nonattainment or
comment period on its proposed SIP submitted a list of existing emission interfering with maintenance of the
revision, the Commenter submitted reduction measures in the SIP that 2010 1-hour SO2 NAAQS in other states
comments stating, ‘‘. . . in determining control emissions of SO2 as discussed as required by section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I)
whether enforceable emission above in response to a prior comment of the CAA, and asserts EPA must
limitations in an I–SIP submittal are and discussed in the proposed therefore disapprove the infrastructure
sufficient to implement the NAAQS, an rulemaking on Tennessee’s SO2 SIP and impose a FIP. The Commenter
agency may not ignore information put infrastructure SIP. These provisions states that ‘‘Tennessee’s submittal
in front of it. The expert air dispersion have the ability to reduce SO2 overall. improperly cites to the D.C. Circuit
modeling analyses for TVA Allen and Although the Tennessee SIP relies on Court’s 2012 opinion in EME Homer
Gallatin that [the Commenter] has measures and programs used to City Generation v. EPA, 696 F.3d 7, 31
provided to TDEC over the years (D.C. Cir. 2012), as concluding that a
implement previous SO2 NAAQS, these
demonstrate the inadequacy of the 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) SIP submission cannot
provisions are not limited to reducing
State’s rules and regulations for SO2 be considered a ‘required’ SIP
SO2 levels to meet one specific NAAQS
emissions—those which Tennessee has submission until EPA has defined a
and will continue to provide benefits for
relied on in its I–SIP to attain and state’s obligations pursuant to that
the 2010 1-hour SO2 NAAQS.
maintain the NAAQS throughout the section; incorrectly assuming that no
State.’’ The Commenter further contends Regarding the air dispersion modeling action was required until EPA
that ‘‘neither TDEC nor EPA may rely on conducted by the Commenter pursuant quantified the Good Neighbor
the cited provisions already contained to AERMOD for the TVA Allen and TVA obligation.’’ The Commenter explains
in Tennessee’s I–SIP to satisfy section Gallatin Power Plants, EPA is not in this that the Supreme Court disapproved the
110(a)(2)(A) for the 2010 SO2 NAAQS, action making a determination regarding view that states cannot address section
see 81 FR at 12631, without first the air quality status in the area where 110(a)(2)(D)(i) until EPA resolves issues
addressing and rectifying the these EGUs are located, and is not related to the Clean Air Interstate Rule
insufficiencies of the SO2 emission evaluating whether emissions (CAIR) or CSAPR, and that EPA is not
limitations in the state’s I–SIP applicable to these EGUs are adequate to required to provide any implementation
certification that have been identified attain and maintain the NAAQS. guidance before states’ interstate
and demonstrated through the various Consequently, the EPA does not find the transport obligation can be addressed,
modeling analyses provided to the modeling information relevant for citing to Order on Petition Number VI–
agency by [the Commenter].’’ Thus, the review of an infrastructure SIP for 2014–04 (July 29, 2015), at 10 (citing
Commenter asserts that EPA must purposes of section 110(a)(2)(A). When EPA v. EME Homer City Generation, 134
disapprove Tennessee’s SIP submission, additional areas in Tennessee are S.Ct. 1584, 1601 (2014)) and also 81 FR
and must establish a FIP ‘‘which designated under the 2010 1-hour SO2 12630. The Commenter notes that
incorporates necessary and appropriate NAAQS, and if any additional areas in regardless of whether Tennessee
source-specific enforceable emission Tennessee are designated nonattainment submitted a SIP revision to address CAA
limitations (preferably informed by in the future, any potential future
modeling) on TVA Allen Plant and TVA modeling submitted by the State with 8 See for example, EPA’s discussion of modeling
Gallatin Plant, as well as any other designations or attainment for characterizing air quality in the Agency’s August
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with RULES
demonstrations would need to account 21, 2015, final rule at 80 FR 51052 and for
major source of SO2 pollution in the nonattainment planning in the April 23, 2014,
State which has modeled exceedances for any new emissions limitations Guidance for 1-Hour SO2 Nonattainment Area SIP
of the NAAQS.’’ Further, the Tennessee develops to support such Submissions.
Commenter states that ‘‘For TVA Allen designation or demonstration, which at 9 Implementation of the 2010 Primary 1-Hour SO
2
this point is unknown. While EPA has NAAQS, Draft White Paper for Discussion, May
and TVA Gallatin, enforceable emission 2012 (2012 Draft White Paper) and a sample April
limitations must be at least as stringent extensively discussed the use of 12, 2012, letter from EPA to states are available in
as the modeling-based limits [provided modeling for attainment demonstration the docket for this action.
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Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10, Business Regulatory Enforcement List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52
1999); Fairness Act of 1996, generally provides
• Is not an economically significant that before a rule may take effect, the Environmental protection, Air
regulatory action based on health or agency promulgating the rule must pollution control, Incorporation by
safety risks subject to Executive Order submit a rule report, which includes a reference, Intergovernmental relations,
13045 (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997); copy of the rule, to each House of the Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone, Reporting and
• Is not a significant regulatory action Congress and to the Comptroller General recordkeeping requirements, Volatile
subject to Executive Order 13211 (66 FR of the United States. EPA will submit a organic compounds.
28355, May 22, 2001); report containing this action and other Dated: November 7, 2016.
• Is not subject to requirements of required information to the U.S. Senate, Heather McTeer Toney,
section 12(d) of the National the U.S. House of Representatives, and
Technology Transfer and Advancement Regional Administrator, Region 4.
the Comptroller General of the United
Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272 note) because States prior to publication of the rule in 40 CFR part 52 is amended as follows:
application of those requirements would the Federal Register. A major rule
be inconsistent with the CAA; and cannot take effect until 60 days after it PART 52—APPROVAL AND
• Does not provide EPA with the is published in the Federal Register. PROMULGATION OF
discretionary authority to address, as This action is not a ‘‘major rule’’ as IMPLEMENTATION PLANS
appropriate, disproportionate human defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2).
health or environmental effects, using ■ 1. The authority citation for part 52
practicable and legally permissible Under section 307(b)(1) of the CAA,
petitions for judicial review of this continues to read as follows:
methods, under Executive Order 12898
(59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994). action must be filed in the United States Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
In addition, the SIP is not approved Court of Appeals for the appropriate
to apply on any Indian reservation land circuit by January 27, 2017. Filing a Subpart RR—Tennessee
or in any other area where EPA or an petition for reconsideration by the
Indian tribe has demonstrated that a Administrator of this final rule does not ■ 2. In § 52.2220, the table in paragraph
tribe has jurisdiction. In those areas of affect the finality of this action for the (e) is amended by adding the entry
Indian country, the rule does not have purposes of judicial review nor does it ‘‘110(a)(1) and (2) Infrastructure
tribal implications as specified by extend the time within which a petition Requirements for the 2010 1-hour SO2
Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, for judicial review may be filed, and NAAQS’’ at the end of the table to read
November 9, 2000), nor will it impose shall not postpone the effectiveness of as follows:
substantial direct costs on tribal such rule or action. This action may not
§ 52.2220 Identification of plan.
governments or preempt tribal law. be challenged later in proceedings to
The Congressional Review Act, 5 enforce its requirements. See section * * * * *
U.S.C. 801 et seq., as added by the Small 307(b)(2). (e) * * *
EPA-APPROVED TENNESSEE NON-REGULATORY PROVISIONS
Applicable geo- State effective
Name of non-regulatory SIP provision graphic or non- EPA approval date Explanation
date
attainment area
* * * * * * *
110 (a)(1) and (2) Infrastructure Re- Tennessee ............. 03/13/2014 11/28/16, [insert With the exception of interstate trans-
quirements for the 2010 1-hour SO2 Federal Register port requirements of section
NAAQS. citation]. 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) and (II) (prongs 1, 2,
and 4).
[FR Doc. 2016–28429 Filed 11–25–16; 8:45 am] SUMMARY: On September 14, 2015, the day (g/day) based on national surveys.
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) The best available data now
proposed revisions to the federal Clean demonstrate that fish consumers in
Water Act (CWA) human health criteria Washington consume much more fish
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION applicable to waters under the State of than 6.5 g/day. There are also new data
AGENCY Washington’s jurisdiction to ensure that and scientific information available to
the criteria are set at levels that will update the toxicity and exposure
40 CFR Part 131 adequately protect Washington parameters used to calculate human
[EPA–HQ–OW–2015–0174; FRL–9955–40– residents, including tribes with treaty- health criteria. On August 1, 2016, the
OW] reserved rights, from exposure to toxic State of Washington adopted and
pollutants. EPA promulgated submitted human health criteria for
RIN 2040–AF56 Washington’s previous criteria for the certain pollutants, reflecting some of
protection of human health in 1992 as these new data and information.
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Revision of Certain Federal Water part of the National Toxics Rule (NTR) Concurrent with this final rule, EPA is
Quality Criteria Applicable to (amended in 1999 for Polychlorinated taking action under CWA 303(c) to
Washington Biphenyls (PCBs)), using the Agency’s approve in part, and disapprove in part,
AGENCY: Environmental Protection recommended criteria values at the the human health criteria submitted by
Agency (EPA). time. EPA derived those previously Washington. For those criteria that EPA
applicable criteria using a fish disapproved, EPA is finalizing federal
ACTION: Final rule.
consumption rate (FCR) of 6.5 grams per human health criteria in this final rule.
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Document Created: 2018-02-14 08:35:41
Document Modified: 2018-02-14 08:35:41
| 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 | Rules and Regulations | |
| Action | Final rule. | |
| Dates | This rule will be effective December 28, 2016 | |
| Contact | Michele Notarianni, 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. Ms. Notarianni can be reached via electronic mail at [email protected] or via telephone at (404) 562-9031. | |
| FR Citation | 81 FR 85410 | |
| CFR Associated | Environmental Protection; Air Pollution Control; Incorporation by Reference; Intergovernmental Relations; Nitrogen Dioxide; Ozone; Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements and Volatile Organic Compounds |
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