81 FR 90758 - Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont; Interstate Transport of Fine Particle and Ozone Air Pollution

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 241 (December 15, 2016)

EPA is proposing to approve State Implementation Plan (SIP) submissions from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (ME DEP), the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NH DES), the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RI DEM) and the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (VT DEC). These SIP submissions address provisions of the Clean Air Act that require each state to submit a SIP to address emissions that may adversely affect another state's air quality through interstate transport. The EPA is proposing that all four States have adequate provisions to prohibit in-state emissions activities from significantly contributing to nonattainment, or interfering with the maintenance, of the 1997 ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) in other states, and that Rhode Island and Vermont have adequate provisions to prohibit in-state emissions activities from significantly contributing to nonattainment, or interfering with maintenance, of the 1997 fine particulate matter (PM<INF>2.5</INF>) and 2006 PM<INF>2.5</INF> NAAQS in other states. The intended effect of this action is to propose approval of the SIP revisions submitted by Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. This action is being taken under the Clean Air Act.

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 241 (Thursday, December 15, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 90758-90762]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-30052]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 52

[EPA-R01-OAR-2016-0552; FRL-9956-50-Region 1]


Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; 
Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont; Interstate Transport of 
Fine Particle and Ozone Air Pollution

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: EPA is proposing to approve State Implementation Plan (SIP) 
submissions from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (ME 
DEP), the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NH DES), 
the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RI DEM) and 
the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (VT DEC). These 
SIP submissions address provisions of the Clean Air Act that require 
each state to submit a SIP to address emissions that may adversely 
affect another state's air quality through interstate transport. The 
EPA is proposing that all four States have adequate provisions to 
prohibit in-state emissions activities from significantly contributing 
to nonattainment, or interfering with the maintenance, of the 1997 
ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) in other states, 
and that Rhode Island and Vermont have adequate provisions to prohibit 
in-state emissions activities from significantly contributing to 
nonattainment, or interfering with maintenance, of the 1997 fine 
particulate matter (PM2.5) and 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS 
in other states. The intended effect of this action is to propose 
approval of the SIP revisions submitted by Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode 
Island, and Vermont. This action is being taken under the Clean Air 
Act.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before January 17, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by docket identification 
number EPA-R01-OAR-2016-0552, at http://www.regulations.gov, or via 
email to [email protected]. For comments submitted at 
Regulations.gov, follow the online instructions for submitting 
comments. Once submitted, comments cannot be edited or removed from 
Regulations.gov. For either manner of submission, the EPA may publish 
any comment received to its public docket. Do not submit electronically 
any information you consider to be

[[Page 90759]]

Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose 
disclosure is restricted by statute. Multimedia submissions (audio, 
video, etc.) must be accompanied by a written comment. The written 
comment is considered the official comment and should include 
discussion of all points you wish to make. The EPA will generally not 
consider comments or comment contents located outside of the primary 
submission (i.e. on the web, cloud, or other file sharing system). For 
additional submission methods, please contact the person identified in 
the ``For Further Information Contact'' section. For the full EPA 
public comment policy, information about CBI or multimedia submissions, 
and general guidance on making effective comments, please visit http://www2.epa.gov/dockets/commenting-epa-dockets.
    Publicly available docket materials are available either 
electronically in www.regulations.gov or at the U.S. Environmental 
Protection Agency, Region 1, Air Programs Branch, 5 Post Office Square, 
Boston, Massachusetts. This facility is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 
p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding Federal holidays. The interested 
persons wanting to examine these documents should make an appointment 
with the office at least 24 hours in advance.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard P. Burkhart, Air Quality 
Planning Unit, Air Programs Branch (Mail Code OEP05-02), U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency, Region 1, 5 Post Office Square, Suite 
100, Boston, Massachusetts, 02109-3912; (617) 918-1664; 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Throughout this document whenever ``we,'' ``us,'' or ``our'' is 
used, we mean EPA.
    Organization of this document. The following outline is provided to 
aid in locating information in this preamble.

I. What should I consider as I prepare my comments for EPA?
II. Rulemaking Information
III. Proposed Action
IV. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

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

    When submitting comments, remember to:
    1. Identify the rulemaking by docket number and other identifying 
information (subject heading, Federal Register date, and page number).
    2. Follow directions--EPA may ask you to respond to specific 
questions or organize comments by referencing a Code of Federal 
Regulations (CFR) part or section number.
    3. Explain why you agree or disagree; suggest alternatives and 
substitute language for your requested changes.
    4. Describe any assumptions and provide any technical information 
and/or data that you used.
    5. If you estimate potential costs or burdens, explain how you 
arrived at your estimate in sufficient detail to allow for it to be 
reproduced.
    6. Provide specific examples to illustrate your concerns, and 
suggest alternatives.
    7. Explain your views as clearly as possible, avoiding the use of 
profanity or personal threats.
    8. Make sure to submit your comments by the comment period deadline 
identified.

II. Rulemaking Information

    EPA is proposing to approve SIP submissions from the ME DEP, the NH 
DES, the RI DEM and the VT DEC. The SIPs were submitted on the 
following dates: April 24, 2008 (ME); March 11, 2008 (NH); April 30, 
2008 and November 6, 2009 (RI); and April 15, 2009 and May 21, 2010 
(VT). These SIP submissions address the requirements of Clean Air Act 
(CAA) section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) for the 1997 ozone and 1997 
PM2.5 and 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS.\1\ EPA previously 
approved SIP submissions from New Hampshire and Maine as meeting the 
requirements of CAA section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) for the 1997 
PM2.5 and 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS (see 77 FR 63228).
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    \1\ To the extent that these SIP submittals address other 
infrastructure elements, such as CAA section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II), 
those requirements are not being addressed in today's action. In 
today's rulemaking, EPA is proposing action only with respect to CAA 
section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I).
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    On July 18, 1997, EPA established a new 8-hour NAAQS for ozone of 
0.08 parts per million (ppm) (62 FR 38856). On March 12, 2008, EPA 
published a revision to the 8-hour ozone standard, lowering the level 
from 0.08 ppm to 0.075 ppm. In addition, on July 18, 1997, EPA also 
revised the NAAQS for particulate matter to add new annual and 24-hour 
standards for fine particles, using PM2.5 as the indicator 
(62 FR 38652). These revisions established an annual standard of 15 
[mu]g/m\3\ and a 24-hour standard of 65 [mu]g/m\3\. During 2006, EPA 
revised the air quality standards for PM2.5. The 2006 
standards decreased the level of the 24-hour fine particle standard 
from 65 [mu]g/m\3\ to 35 [mu]g/m\3\, and retained the annual fine 
particle standard at 15 [mu]g/m\3\.\2\
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    \2\ In addition, EPA subsequently revised the annual fine 
particle NAAQS to a level of 12 [mu]g/m\3\ (78 FR 3086; January 15, 
2013) and the ozone NAAQS to a level of 0.070 ppm (80 FR 65292; 
October 26, 2015). These NAAQS updates are not, however, relevant to 
today's action.
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    The CAA requires states to submit, within three years after 
promulgation of a new or revised standard, SIPs meeting the applicable 
``infrastructure'' elements of sections 110(a)(1) and (2). One of these 
applicable infrastructure elements, CAA section 110(a)(2)(D)(i), 
requires SIPs to contain ``good neighbor'' provisions to prohibit 
certain adverse air quality effects on neighboring states due to 
interstate transport of pollution. There are four sub-elements, or 
``prongs,'' within CAA section 110(a)(2)(D)(i). This action addresses 
the first two sub-elements of the good neighbor provisions, at CAA 
section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I), often referred to as ``prong one'' and 
``prong two.'' These sub-elements require that each SIP for a new or 
revised standard contain adequate provisions to prohibit any source or 
other type of emissions activity within the state from emitting air 
pollutants that will ``contribute significantly to nonattainment'' 
(prong 1) or ``interfere with maintenance'' (prong 2) of the applicable 
air quality standard in any other state.
    We note that the EPA has addressed the interstate transport 
requirements of CAA section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) for the eastern portion 
of the United States in several past regulatory actions.\3\ We most 
recently promulgated the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR), which 
addressed CAA section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) in the eastern portion of the 
United States.\4\ CSAPR addressed multiple national ambient air quality 
standards, but did not address the 2008 8-hour ozone standard.\5\ On 
December 3, 2015, the EPA proposed an update to CSAPR to address the 
2008 ozone standard, referred to as the CSAPR Update.\6\ On October 26, 
2016, the final CSAPR Update was published (see 81 FR 74504).
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    \3\ NOX SIP Call, 63 FR 57371 (October 27, 1998); 
Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR), 70 FR 25172 (May 12, 2005); Cross-
State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR), 76 FR 48208 (August 8, 2011).
    \4\ 76 FR 48208.
    \5\ CSAPR addressed the 1997 8-hour ozone, and the 1997 and 2006 
fine particulate matter NAAQS.
    \6\ Cross-State Air Pollution Rule Update for the 2008 Ozone 
NAAQS, 80 FR 75706 (December 3, 2015).
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    In addition, EPA issued guidance on August 15, 2006, relating to 
SIP submissions to meet the requirements of section 110(a)(2)(D)(i).\7\ 
This guidance

[[Page 90760]]

indicated that states excluded from the Clean Air Interstate Rule 
(CAIR) ``should be able to make a relatively simple SIP submission 
verifying that the State does not significantly contribute to 
nonattainment or interfere with maintenance of the [1997] 8-hour ozone 
or PM2.5 standards in another state.'' EPA promulgated CAIR 
in 2005 (see 70 FR 25172, May 12, 2005). The CAIR modeling showed that 
none of the four states that are the subject of this proposed action 
(Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont) were linked to 
identified downwind nonattainment receptors, for either the 1997 
PM2.5 and 2006 PM2.5 or the 1997 ozone NAAQS, and 
therefore were not considered to significantly contribute to 
nonattainment or interfere with maintenance of the standards in those 
downwind areas. In accordance with the above guidance, each of the four 
states' SIP submissions use the CAIR modeling results as the basis for 
showing that their State does not contribute significantly to downwind 
nonattainment, or interfere with maintenance, of the 1997 ozone or the 
1997 PM2.5 and 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS.
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    \7\ ``Guidance for State Implementation Plan (SIP) Submissions 
to Meet Current Outstanding Obligations Under Section 
110(a)(2)(D)(i) for the 8-Hour Ozone and PM2.5 National 
Ambient Air Quality Standards,'' Memorandum from William T. Harnett, 
EPA OAQPS, to EPA Regional Air Division Directors, August 15, 2006.
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    CAIR was subject to litigation and ultimately remanded to the EPA 
by the D.C. Circuit.\8\ Among other things, the court held that EPA had 
failed to give ``independent significance'' to the interfere with 
maintenance prong of CAA section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) by separately 
identifying downwind areas that might be projected to attain the NAAQS, 
but that might struggle to maintain the standard due to emissions from 
upwind states.\9\ The court concluded that ``EPA must redo its analysis 
from the ground up.'' \10\
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    \8\ North Carolina v. EPA, 531 F.3d 896 (D.C. Cir. 2008), 
amended on rehearing, 550 F.3d 1176 (2008).
    \9\ 531 F.3d at 910-11.
    \10\ Id. at 929.
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    CAIR was subsequently replaced by CSAPR. Although the states do not 
cite CSAPR or the CSAPR Update in their SIP submissions (as these SIP 
submissions pre-date CSAPR), the CSAPR modeling is helpful to EPA in 
our review in that it bolsters the case these four states have given 
EPA in their SIP submissions showing that they do not cause or 
contribute significantly to downwind nonattainment or maintenance for 
either the 1997 ozone or 1997 PM2.5 and 2006 
PM2.5 NAAQS.
    In the CSAPR rulemaking, the EPA used detailed air quality analyses 
to first identify downwind nonattainment and maintenance receptors, and 
to then determine whether an eastern state's contribution to downwind 
air quality problems was at or above specific thresholds. If a state's 
contribution did not exceed the specified air quality screening 
threshold, the state was not considered ``linked'' to identified 
downwind nonattainment and maintenance receptors and was therefore not 
considered to significantly contribute to nonattainment, or interfere 
with maintenance, of the standard in those downwind areas. If a state 
exceeded that threshold, the state's emissions were further evaluated, 
taking into account both air quality and cost considerations, to 
determine what, if any, emissions reductions might be necessary.
    In CSAPR, the EPA proposed an air quality screening threshold of 
one percent of the applicable NAAQS and requested comment on whether 
one percent was appropriate.\11\ The EPA evaluated the comments 
received and ultimately determined that one percent was an 
appropriately low threshold because there were important, even if 
relatively small, contributions to identified nonattainment and 
maintenance receptors from multiple upwind states. In response to 
commenters who advocated a higher or lower threshold than one percent, 
the EPA compiled the contribution modeling results for CSAPR to analyze 
the impact of different possible thresholds for the eastern United 
States. The EPA's analysis showed that the one-percent threshold 
captures a high percentage of the total pollution transport affecting 
downwind states, while the use of higher thresholds would exclude 
increasingly larger percentages of total transport. For example, at a 
five percent threshold, the majority of interstate pollution transport 
affecting downwind receptors would be excluded.\12\ In addition, the 
EPA determined that it was important to use a relatively lower one-
percent threshold because there are adverse health impacts associated 
with ambient ozone even at low levels.\13\ The EPA also determined that 
a lower threshold such as 0.5 percent would result in relatively modest 
increases in the overall percentages of fine particulate matter and 
ozone pollution transport captured relative to the amounts captured at 
the one-percent level. The EPA determined that a ``0.5 percent 
threshold could lead to emission reduction responsibilities in 
additional states that individually have a very small impact on those 
receptors -- an indicator that emission controls in those states are 
likely to have a smaller air quality impact at the downwind receptor. 
We are not convinced that selecting a threshold below one percent is 
necessary or desirable.''\14\
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    \11\ CSAPR proposal, 75 FR 45210, 45237 (August 2, 2010).
    \12\ See also Air Quality Modeling Final Rule Technical Support 
Document, Appendix F, Analysis of Contribution Thresholds, Docket ID 
# EPA-HQ-OAR-2009-0491.
    \13\ CSAPR, 76 FR 48208, 48236-37 (August 8, 2011).
    \14\ Id.
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    In the final CSAPR, the EPA determined that one percent was a 
reasonable choice considering the combined downwind impact of multiple 
upwind states in the eastern United States, the health effects of low 
levels of fine particulate matter and ozone pollution, and the EPA's 
previous use of a one-percent threshold in CAIR. The EPA used a single 
``bright line'' air quality threshold equal to one percent of the 1997 
8-hour ozone standard, or 0.08 ppm.\15\ The projected contribution from 
each state was averaged over multiple days with projected high modeled 
ozone, and then compared to the one-percent threshold. We concluded 
that this approach for setting and applying the air quality threshold 
for ozone was appropriate because it provided a robust metric, was 
consistent with the approach for fine particulate matter used in CSAPR, 
and because it took into account, and would be applicable to, any 
future ozone standards below 0.08 ppm.\16\
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    \15\ Id.
    \16\ Id.
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    For purposes of the 1997 ozone NAAQS, each of the four states 
included in this proposed action (Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, 
and Vermont) have contributions below this significance threshold 
finalized in CSAPR. Specifically, the CSAPR modeling indicates that 
Maine's ozone contribution to any projected downwind nonattainment site 
is 0.00 ppb (parts per billion) and Maine's largest contribution to any 
projected downwind maintenance-only site is 0.08 ppb. The CSAPR 
modeling indicates that New Hampshire's largest ozone contribution to 
any projected downwind nonattainment site is 0.02 ppb and New 
Hampshire's largest ozone contribution to any projected downwind 
maintenance-only site is 0.07 ppb. The CSAPR modeling indicates that 
Rhode Island's largest ozone contribution to any projected downwind 
nonattainment site is 0.02 ppb and Rhode Island's largest contribution 
to any projected downwind maintenance-only site is 0.08 ppb. The CSAPR 
modeling indicates that Vermont's largest ozone contribution to any 
projected downwind nonattainment site is 0.01 ppb and

[[Page 90761]]

Vermont's largest contribution to any projected downwind maintenance-
only site is 0.05 ppb. These ozone contribution values are all well 
below the one percent screening threshold of 0.85 ppb and, therefore, 
there are no identified linkages between these four states and downwind 
projected nonattainment and maintenance sites.
    For the 1997 PM2.5 and 2006 annual PM2.5 
NAAQS, the CSAPR modeling indicates that Rhode Island's contribution to 
any projected downwind nonattainment site is 0.00 micrograms per cubic 
meter (ug/m\3\) and Rhode Island's contribution to any projected 
downwind maintenance-only site is 0.00 ug/m\3\. For the 1997 
PM2.5 and 2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS, the CSAPR 
modeling indicates that Rhode Island's largest contribution to any 
projected downwind nonattainment site is 0.02 ug/m\3\ and Rhode 
Island's largest contribution to any projected downwind maintenance-
only site is 0.06 ug/m\3\. For the 1997 PM2.5 and 2006 
annual PM2.5 NAAQS, the CSAPR modeling indicates that 
Vermont's contribution to any projected downwind nonattainment site is 
0.00 ug/m\3\ and Vermont's contribution to any projected downwind 
maintenance-only site is 0.00 ug/m\3\. For the 1997 PM2.5 
and 2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS, the CSAPR modeling indicates 
that Vermont's largest contribution to any projected downwind 
nonattainment site is 0.03 ug/m\3\ and Vermont's largest contribution 
to any projected downwind maintenance-only site is 0.05 ug/m\3\. These 
PM2.5 contribution values are all well below the one percent 
screening thresholds of 0.15 ug/m\3\ (annual) and 0.35 ug/m\3\ (24-
hour)\17\ and, therefore, there are no identified linkages between 
Rhode Island and Vermont and downwind projected nonattainment and 
maintenance sites for the 1997 PM2.5 and 2006 
PM2.5 standards.\18\
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    \17\ Note this is the screening threshold for the more stringent 
2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS.
    \18\ As noted above, EPA previously approved SIP submissions 
from New Hampshire and Maine as meeting the requirements of CAA 
section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) for the 1997 PM2.5 and 2006 
PM2.5 NAAQS (see 77 FR 63228).
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    In summary, in CSAPR, the EPA used an air quality analysis to 
determine whether an eastern state's contribution to downwind air 
quality problems was at or above specific thresholds. If a state's 
contribution did not exceed the specified air quality screening 
threshold, the state was not considered ``linked'' to identified 
downwind nonattainment and maintenance receptors and was therefore, not 
considered to significantly contribute to nonattainment, or interfere 
with maintenance, of the standards in those downwind areas.\19\ The 
CSAPR modeling showed that none of the four states that are the subject 
of this proposed action (Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and 
Vermont) were linked to identified downwind nonattainment and 
maintenance receptors with respect to the 1997 ozone and 1997 and 2006 
PM2.5 NAAQS.\20\ Therefore, in the CSAPR rulemaking, the EPA 
found that these states do not significantly contribute to 
nonattainment or interfere with maintenance of the standards in those 
downwind areas. The findings made in the CSAPR rulemaking support the 
conclusions by each these four states that they do not significantly 
contribute to nonattainment, or interfere with maintenance, in downwind 
states for either the 1997 ozone NAAQS or the 1997 PM2.5 and 
2006 PM2.5 NAAQS.
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    \19\ 76 FR at 48236 (``States whose contributions are below the 
thresholds are not included in the Transport Rule for the NAAQS. In 
other words, we are finding that states whose contributions are 
below these thresholds do not significantly contribute to 
nonattainment or interfere with maintenance of the relevant 
NAAQS.'').
    \20\ See Table V.D-1, 76 FR at 48240 (contributions to downwind 
receptors with respect to the 1997 annual PM2.5 NAAQS); 
Table V.D-4, 76 FR 48241-242 (contributions to downwind receptors 
with respect to the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS); and Table 
V.D-7, 76 FR at 48244-245 (contributions to downwind receptors with 
respect to the 1997 ozone NAAQS).
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    Based on the findings made in the CSAPR rulemaking, and the 
information and analysis provided in all four states' SIP submissions, 
we are proposing to approve the interstate transport SIPs submitted by 
Rhode Island on April 30, 2008 and Vermont on April 15, 2009 as meeting 
the CAA section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) requirements for the 1997 ozone and 
the 1997 PM2.5 NAAQS. We are also proposing to approve 
Maine's April 24, 2008 and New Hampshire's March 11, 2008 SIP 
submittals as meeting the CAA section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) requirements 
for the 1997 ozone NAAQS. Finally, we are proposing to approve Rhode 
Island's November 6, 2009 and Vermont's May 21, 2010 SIP submittals as 
meeting the CAA section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) requirements for the 2006 
PM2.5 NAAQS. The EPA's findings confirm the results of the 
states' analyses: Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont do 
not significantly contribute to nonattainment, or interfere with 
maintenance, of the 1997 ozone NAAQS and Rhode Island and Vermont do 
not significantly contribute to nonattainment, or interfere with 
maintenance, of the 1997 PM2.5 and 2006 PM2.5 
NAAQS in any other state. EPA has determined that the SIPs contain 
adequate provisions to satisfy CAA section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) 
requirements as to the 1997 ozone NAAQS and the 1997 PM2.5 
NAAQS, for Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont, and the 
2006 PM2.5 NAAQS, for Rhode Island and Vermont.

III. Proposed Action

    EPA is proposing to approve the SIP revisions submitted by the 
states on the following dates as meeting the interstate transport 
requirements of CAA section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) for the 1997 ozone 
NAAQS: April 24, 2008 (Maine); March 11, 2008 (New Hampshire); April 
30, 2008 (Rhode Island); and April 15, 2009 (Vermont). In addition, EPA 
is proposing to approve the SIP revisions submitted by the states on 
the following dates as meeting the interstate transport requirements of 
CAA section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) for the 1997 PM2.5 NAAQS: 
April 30, 2008 (Rhode Island); and April 15, 2009 (Vermont). Also, EPA 
is proposing to approve the SIP revisions submitted by Rhode Island on 
November 6, 2009 and Vermont on May 21, 2010 as meeting the interstate 
transport requirements of CAA section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) for the 2006 
PM2.5 NAAQS. EPA has reviewed these SIP revisions and has 
found that they satisfy the relevant CAA requirements discussed above. 
EPA is soliciting public comments on the proposed approval of the SIP 
revisions, and will consider those comments before taking final action. 
However, the EPA is not reopening public comment on the analysis and 
policy decisions finalized in the CSAPR rulemaking, including the air 
quality modeling and the application of the 1 percent threshold to 
identify those states whose contribution to identified downwind 
nonattainment and maintenance receptors are insignificant.

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. 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 Clean Air Act. Accordingly, 
this proposed 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 proposed action:
     Is not a significant regulatory action subject to review 
by the Office of Management and Budget under

[[Page 90762]]

Executive Orders 12866 (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993) and 13563 (76 FR 
3821, January 21, 2011);
     Does not impose an information collection burden under the 
provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.);
     Is certified as not having a significant economic impact 
on a substantial number of small entities under the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.);
     Does not contain any unfunded mandate or significantly or 
uniquely affect small governments, as described in the Unfunded 
Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-4);
     Does not have Federalism implications as specified in 
Executive Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10, 1999);
     Is not an economically significant regulatory action based 
on health or safety risks subject to Executive Order 13045 (62 FR 
19885, April 23, 1997);
     Is not a significant regulatory action subject to 
Executive Order 13211 (66 FR 28355, May 22, 2001);
     Is not subject to requirements of section 12(d) of the 
National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272 
note) because application of those requirements would be inconsistent 
with the Clean Air Act; 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 and will not impose 
substantial direct costs on tribal governments or preempt tribal law as 
specified by Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, November 9, 2000).

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52

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

    Dated: December 1, 2016.
H. Curtis Spalding,
Regional Administrator, EPA New England.
[FR Doc. 2016-30052 Filed 12-14-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6560-50-P