82_FR_39228 82 FR 39070 - Air Plan Approval; Alabama; Cross-State Air Pollution Rule

82 FR 39070 - Air Plan Approval; Alabama; Cross-State Air Pollution Rule

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 158 (August 17, 2017)

Page Range39070-39078
FR Document2017-17341

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve portions of the October 26, 2015, and May 19, 2017, State Implementation Plan (SIP) revisions from Alabama replacing the Cross- State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR) federal implementation plan (FIP). Under CSAPR, large electricity generating units (EGUs) in Alabama are subject to FIP provisions requiring the units to participate in a federal allowance trading program for ozone season emissions of nitrogen oxides (NO<INF>X</INF>). This action would approve into Alabama's SIP the State's regulations requiring Alabama's affected units to participate in a new state allowance trading program for ozone season NO<INF>X</INF> emissions integrated with the CSAPR federal trading programs, replacing the corresponding CSAPR FIP requirements for Alabama. This state trading program is substantively identical to the federal trading program except with regard to the provisions allocating emission allowances among Alabama units. Under the CSAPR regulations, final approval of these portions of the SIP revisions would automatically eliminate Alabama units' FIP requirements to participate in CSAPR's federal allowance trading program for ozone season NO<INF>X</INF> emissions. Approval would also fully satisfy Alabama's good neighbor obligation under the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act) to prohibit emissions which will significantly contribute to nonattainment or interfere with maintenance of the 1997 8-hour Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) in any other state; and would partially satisfy Alabama's good neighbor obligation under the CAA to prohibit emissions which will significantly contribute to nonattainment or interfere with maintenance of the 2008 8-hour Ozone NAAQS in any other state.

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 158 (Thursday, August 17, 2017)
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 158 (Thursday, August 17, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 39070-39078]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-17341]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 52

[EPA-R04-OAR-2017-0415; FRL-9966-45-Region 4]


Air Plan Approval; Alabama; Cross-State Air Pollution Rule

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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

SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to 
approve portions of the October 26, 2015, and May 19, 2017, State 
Implementation Plan (SIP) revisions from Alabama replacing the Cross-
State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR) federal implementation plan (FIP). 
Under CSAPR, large electricity generating units (EGUs) in Alabama are 
subject to FIP provisions requiring the units to participate in a 
federal allowance trading program for ozone season emissions of 
nitrogen oxides (NOX). This action would approve into 
Alabama's SIP the State's regulations requiring Alabama's affected 
units to participate in a new state allowance trading program for ozone 
season NOX emissions integrated with the CSAPR federal 
trading programs, replacing the corresponding CSAPR FIP requirements 
for Alabama. This state trading program is substantively identical to 
the federal trading program except with regard to the provisions 
allocating emission allowances among Alabama units. Under the CSAPR 
regulations, final approval of these portions of the SIP revisions 
would automatically eliminate Alabama units' FIP requirements to 
participate in CSAPR's federal allowance trading program for ozone 
season NOX emissions. Approval would also fully satisfy 
Alabama's good neighbor obligation under the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act) 
to prohibit emissions which will significantly contribute to 
nonattainment or interfere with maintenance of the 1997 8-hour Ozone 
National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) in any other state; and 
would partially satisfy Alabama's good neighbor obligation under the 
CAA to prohibit emissions which will significantly contribute to 
nonattainment or interfere with maintenance of the 2008 8-hour Ozone 
NAAQS in any other state.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before September 18, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-R04-
OAR-2017-0415 at http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online 
instructions for submitting comments. Once submitted, comments cannot 
be edited or removed from Regulations.gov. EPA may publish any comment 
received to its public docket. Do not submit electronically any 
information you consider to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) 
or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. 
Multimedia submissions (audio, video, etc.) must be accompanied by a 
written comment. The written comment is considered the official comment 
and should include discussion of all points you wish to make. EPA will 
generally not consider comments or comment contents located outside of 
the primary submission (i.e., on the web, cloud, or other file sharing 
system). For additional submission methods, the full EPA public comment 
policy, information about CBI or multimedia submissions, and general 
guidance on making effective comments, please visit http://www2.epa.gov/dockets/commenting-epa-dockets.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ashten Bailey, Air Regulatory 
Management Section, Air, Pesticides and Toxics Management Division, 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 4, 61 Forsyth Street SW., 
Atlanta, Georgia 30303-8960. Ms. Bailey can be reached by telephone at 
(404) 562-9164 or via electronic mail at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Summary

    EPA is proposing to approve the portions of the October 26, 2015, 
and May 19, 2017, SIP revisions from Alabama concerning CSAPR \1\ 
allowance trading programs for ozone season emissions of 
NOX. Large EGUs in Alabama are currently subject to CSAPR 
FIPs that require the units to participate in the federal CSAPR 
NOX Group 2 Ozone Season Trading Program. The CSAPR 
regulations provide a process for the submission and approval of SIP 
revisions to replace the requirements of CSAPR FIPs with SIP 
requirements under which a state's units participate in CSAPR state 
trading programs that are integrated with and, with certain permissible 
exceptions, substantively

[[Page 39071]]

identical to the CSAPR federal trading programs.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ Cross-State Air Pollution Rule Update for the 2008 Ozone 
NAAQS (CSAPR Update), 81 FR 74504 (October 26, 2016) (codified as 
amended at 40 CFR 52.38 and 52.39 and subparts AAAAA through EEEEE 
of 40 CFR part 97); see also Federal Implementation Plans; 
Interstate Transport of Fine Particulate Matter and Ozone and 
Correction of SIP Approvals, 76 FR 48208 (August 8, 2011). EPA 
previously approved a SIP revision that replaced the CSAPR FIPs for 
the annual trading programs in Alabama. See 81 FR 59869 (Aug. 31, 
2016).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The portions of the SIP revisions proposed for approval would 
incorporate into Alabama's SIP state allowance trading program 
regulations for ozone season NOX emissions that would 
replace EPA's federal trading program regulations for those emissions 
from Alabama units. EPA is proposing to approve these portions of the 
SIP revisions, as clarified in a letter provided on August 4, 2017, 
because they meet the requirements of the CAA and EPA's regulations for 
approval of a CSAPR full SIP revision replacing a federal trading 
program with a state trading program that is integrated with and 
substantively identical to the federal trading program except for 
permissible differences with respect to emission allowance allocation 
provisions. Under the CSAPR regulations, approval of these portions of 
the SIP revisions would automatically eliminate the obligations of EGUs 
in Alabama (but not any units in Indian country within Alabama's 
borders) to participate in CSAPR's federal trading programs for ozone 
season NOX emissions under the corresponding CSAPR FIPs. EPA 
proposes to find that approval of these portions of the SIP revisions 
would satisfy Alabama's obligation pursuant to CAA section 
110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) to prohibit emissions which will significantly 
contribute to nonattainment or interfere with maintenance of the 1997 
8-hour Ozone NAAQS in any other state. EPA also proposes to find that 
approval of these portions of the SIP revisions would partially satisfy 
Alabama's obligation pursuant to CAA section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) to 
prohibit emissions which will significantly contribute to nonattainment 
or interfere with maintenance of the 2008 8-hour Ozone NAAQS in any 
other state.
    Section II of this document summarizes relevant aspects of the 
CSAPR federal trading programs and FIPs as well as the range of 
opportunities states have to submit SIP revisions to modify or replace 
the FIP requirements while continuing to rely on CSAPR's trading 
programs to address the states' obligations to mitigate interstate air 
pollution. Section III describes the specific conditions for approval 
of such SIP revisions. Section IV contains EPA's analysis of Alabama's 
SIP submittal. Section V addresses incorporation by reference. Section 
VI sets forth EPA's proposed action on the submittal. Section VII 
addresses statutory and Executive Order reviews.

II. Background on CSAPR and CSAPR-Related SIP Revisions

    EPA issued CSAPR in July 2011 and the CSAPR Update \2\ in 2016 to 
address the requirements of CAA section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) concerning 
interstate transport of air pollution for specific NAAQS. As amended 
(including by the 2016 CSAPR Update), CSAPR requires 27 eastern states 
to limit their statewide emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2) 
and/or NOX in order to mitigate transported air pollution 
unlawfully impacting other states' ability to attain or maintain four 
NAAQS: the 1997 annual PM2.5 NAAQS, the 2006 24-hour 
PM2.5 NAAQS, the 1997 8-hour Ozone NAAQS, and the 2008 8-
hour Ozone NAAQS. The CSAPR emissions limitations are defined in terms 
of maximum statewide ``budgets'' for emissions of annual 
SO2, annual NOX, and/or ozone season 
NOX by each covered state's large EGUs. The CSAPR state 
budgets are implemented in two phases of generally increasing 
stringency: The Phase 1 budgets apply to emissions in 2015 and 2016; 
and the Phase 2 and CSAPR Update budgets apply to emissions in 2017 and 
later years. As a mechanism for achieving compliance with the emissions 
limitations, CSAPR establishes five federal emissions trading programs: 
a program for annual NOX emissions; two geographically 
separate programs for annual SO2 emissions; and two 
geographically separate programs for ozone season NOX 
emissions. CSAPR also establishes FIP requirements applicable to the 
large EGUs in each covered state.\3\ Currently, the CSAPR FIP 
provisions require each state's units to participate in up to three of 
the five CSAPR trading programs.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ See 81 FR 74504 (October 26, 2016). The CSAPR Update was 
promulgated to address interstate pollution with respect to the 2008 
8-hour Ozone NAAQS and to address a judicial remand of certain 
original CSAPR ozone season NOX budgets promulgated with 
respect to the 1997 8-hour Ozone NAAQS. Id. at 74505. The CSAPR 
Update established new emission reduction requirements addressing 
the more recent ozone NAAQS and coordinated them with the remaining 
emission reduction requirements addressing the older NAAQS, so that 
starting in 2017, CSAPR includes two geographically separate trading 
programs for ozone season NOX emissions covering EGUs in 
a total of 23 states. See 40 CFR 52.38(b)(1)-(2).
    \3\ States are required to submit good neighbor SIPs three years 
after a NAAQS is promulgated. CAA section 110(a)(1) and (2). Where 
EPA finds that a state fails to submit a required SIP or disapproves 
a SIP, EPA is obligated to promulgate a FIP addressing the 
deficiency. CAA section 110(c). EPA found that Alabama failed to 
make timely submissions required to address the good neighbor 
provision with respect to the 1997 annual PM2.5 and 8-
hour ozone NAAQS (70 FR 21147, Apr. 25, 2005), and the 2008 8-hour 
ozone NAAQS (80 FR 39961, June 13, 2015). In addition, EPA 
disapproved Alabama's SIP revision submitted to address the good 
neighbor provision with respect to the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 
NAAQS. See 76 FR 43128 (July 20, 2011). Accordingly, as a part of 
CSAPR and the CSAPR Update, EPA promulgated FIPs applicable to 
sources in Alabama addressing the good neighbor provision with 
respect to these standards.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    CSAPR includes provisions under which states may submit and EPA 
will approve SIP revisions to modify or replace the CSAPR FIP 
requirements while allowing states to continue to meet their transport-
related obligations using either CSAPR's federal emissions trading 
programs or state emissions trading programs integrated with the 
federal programs, provided that the SIP revisions meet all relevant 
criteria.\4\ Through such a SIP revision, a state may replace EPA's 
default provisions for allocating emission allowances among the state's 
units, employing any state-selected methodology to allocate or auction 
the allowances, subject to timing conditions and limits on overall 
allowance quantities. In the case of CSAPR's federal trading programs 
for ozone season NOX emissions (or an integrated state 
trading program), a state may also expand trading program applicability 
to include certain smaller EGUs.\5\ If a state wants to replace the 
CSAPR FIP requirements with SIP requirements under which the state's 
units participate in a state trading program that is integrated with 
and identical to the federal trading program even as to the allocation 
and applicability provisions, the state may submit a SIP revision for 
that purpose as well. However, no emissions budget increases or other 
substantive changes to the trading program provisions are allowed. A 
state whose units are subject to multiple CSAPR federal trading 
programs may submit SIP revisions to modify or replace either some or 
all of those FIP requirements.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ See 40 CFR 52.38, 52.39. States also retain the ability to 
submit SIP revisions to meet their transport-related obligations 
using mechanisms other than the CSAPR federal trading programs or 
integrated state trading programs.
    \5\ States covered by both the CSAPR Update and the 
NOX SIP Call have the additional option to expand 
applicability under the CSAPR NOX Ozone Season Group 2 
Trading Program to include non-EGUs that would have participated in 
the NOX Budget Trading Program.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    States can submit two basic forms of CSAPR-related SIP revisions 
effective for emissions control periods in 2017 or later years.\6\ 
Specific conditions for approval of each form of SIP revision are set 
forth in the CSAPR regulations, as described in section III below. 
Under

[[Page 39072]]

the first alternative--an ``abbreviated'' SIP revision--a state may 
submit a SIP revision that upon approval replaces the default allowance 
allocation and/or applicability provisions of a CSAPR federal trading 
program for the state.\7\ Approval of an abbreviated SIP revision 
leaves the corresponding CSAPR FIP and all other provisions of the 
relevant federal trading program in place for the state's units.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \6\ CSAPR also provides for a third, more streamlined form of 
SIP revision that is effective only for control periods in 2016 (or 
2018 for CSAPR NOX Ozone Season Group 2 units) and is not 
relevant here. See Sec.  52.38(a)(3), (b)(3), (b)(7); Sec.  
52.39(d), (g).
    \7\ 40 CFR 52.38(a)(4), (b)(4), (b)(8); 52.39(e), (h).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Under the second alternative--a ``full'' SIP revision--a state may 
submit a SIP revision that upon approval replaces a CSAPR federal 
trading program for the state with a state trading program integrated 
with the federal trading program, so long as the state trading program 
is substantively identical to the federal trading program or does not 
substantively differ from the federal trading program except as 
discussed above with regard to the allowance allocation and/or 
applicability provisions.\8\ For purposes of a full SIP revision, a 
state may either adopt state rules with complete trading program 
language, incorporate the federal trading program language into its 
state rules by reference (with appropriate conforming changes), or 
employ a combination of these approaches.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \8\ 40 CFR 52.38(a)(5), (b)(5), (b)(9); 52.39(f), (i).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The CSAPR regulations identify several important consequences and 
limitations associated with approval of a full SIP revision. First, 
upon EPA's approval of a full SIP revision as correcting the deficiency 
in the state's SIP that was the basis for a particular set of CSAPR FIP 
requirements, the obligation to participate in the corresponding CSAPR 
federal trading program is automatically eliminated for units subject 
to the state's jurisdiction without the need for a separate EPA 
withdrawal action, so long as EPA's approval of the SIP revision as 
meeting the requirements of the CSAPR regulations is full and 
unconditional.\9\ Second, approval of a full SIP revision does not 
terminate the obligation to participate in the corresponding CSAPR 
federal trading program for any units located in any Indian country 
within the borders of the state, and if and when a unit is located in 
Indian country within a state's borders, EPA may modify the SIP 
approval to exclude from the SIP, and include in the surviving CSAPR 
FIP instead, certain trading program provisions that apply jointly to 
units in the state and to units in Indian country within the state's 
borders.\10\ Finally, if at the time a full SIP revision is approved 
EPA has already started recording allocations of allowances for a given 
control period to a state's units, the federal trading program 
provisions authorizing EPA to complete the process of allocating and 
recording allowances for that control period to those units will 
continue to apply, unless EPA's approval of the SIP revision provides 
otherwise.\11\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \9\ 40 CFR 52.38(a)(6), (b)(10)(i); 52.39(j).
    \10\ 40 CFR 52.38(a)(5)(iv)-(v), (a)(6), (b)(5)(v)-(vi), 
(b)(9)(vi)-(vii), (b)(10)(i); 52.39(f)(4)-(5), (i)(4)-(5), (j).
    \11\ 40 CFR 52.38(a)(7), (b)(11); 52.39(k).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

III. Conditions for Approval of CSAPR-Related SIP Revisions

    Each CSAPR-related abbreviated or full SIP revision must meet the 
following general submittal conditions:
     Timeliness and completeness of SIP submittal. If a state 
wants to replace the default allowance allocation or applicability 
provisions of a CSAPR federal trading program, the complete SIP 
revision must be submitted to EPA by December 1 of the year before the 
deadlines described below for submitting allocation or auction amounts 
to EPA for the first control period for which the state wants to 
replace the default allocation and/or applicability provisions.\12\ 
This SIP submission deadline is inoperative in the case of a SIP 
revision that seeks only to replace a CSAPR FIP and federal trading 
program with a SIP and a substantively identical state trading program 
integrated with the federal trading program. The SIP submittal 
completeness criteria in section 2.1 of appendix V to 40 CFR part 51 
also apply.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \12\ 40 CFR 52.38(a)(4)(ii), (a)(5)(vi), (b)(4)(iii), 
(b)(5)(vii), (b)(8)(iv), (b)(9)(viii); 52.39(e)(2), (f)(6), (h)(2), 
(i)(6).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In addition to the general submittal conditions, a CSAPR-related 
abbreviated or full SIP seeking to address the allocation or auction of 
emission allowances must meet the following further conditions:
     Methodology covering all allowances potentially requiring 
allocation. For each federal trading program addressed by a SIP 
revision, the SIP revision's allowance allocation or auction 
methodology must replace both the federal program's default allocations 
to existing units \13\ at 40 CFR 97.411(a), 97.511(a), 97.611(a), 
97.711(a), or 97.811(a), as applicable, and the federal trading 
program's provisions for allocating allowances from the new unit set-
aside (NUSA) for the state at 40 CFR 97.411(b)(1) and 97.412(a), 
97.511(b)(1) and 97.512(a), 97.611(b)(1) and 97.612(a), 97.711(b)(1) 
and 97.712(a), or 97.811(b)(1) and 97.812(a), as applicable.\14\ In the 
case of a state with Indian country within its borders, while the SIP 
revision may neither alter nor assume the federal program's provisions 
for administering the Indian country NUSA for the state, the SIP 
revision must include procedures addressing the disposition of any 
otherwise unallocated allowances from an Indian country NUSA that may 
be made available for allocation by the state after EPA has carried out 
the Indian country NUSA allocation procedures.\15\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \13\ In the context of the approval conditions for CSAPR-related 
SIP revisions, an ``existing unit'' is a unit for which EPA has 
determined default allowance allocations (which could be allocations 
of zero allowances) in the rulemakings establishing and amending 
CSAPR. A document describing EPA's default allocations to existing 
units is available at https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2017-05/documents/csapr_allowance_allocations_final_rule_tsd.pdf.
    \14\ 40 CFR 52.38(a)(4)(i), (a)(5)(i), (b)(4)(ii), (b)(5)(ii), 
(b)(8)(iii), (b)(9)(iii); 52.39(e)(1), (f)(1), (h)(1), (i)(1).
    \15\ See 40 CFR 97.412(b)(10)(ii), 97.512(b)(10)(ii), 
97.612(b)(10)(ii), 97.712(b)(10)(ii), 97.812(b)(10)(ii).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Assurance that total allocations will not exceed the state 
budget. For each federal trading program addressed by a SIP revision, 
the total amount of allowances auctioned or allocated for each control 
period under the SIP revision (prior to the addition by EPA of any 
unallocated allowances from any Indian country NUSA for the state) 
generally may not exceed the state's emissions budget for the control 
period less the sum of the amount of any Indian country NUSA for the 
state for the control period and any allowances already allocated to 
the state's units for the control period and recorded by EPA.\16\ Under 
its SIP revision, a state is free to not allocate allowances to some or 
all potentially affected units, to allocate or auction allowances to 
entities other than potentially affected units, or to allocate or 
auction fewer than the maximum permissible quantity of allowances and 
retire the remainder. Under the CSAPR NOX Ozone Season Group 
2 Trading Program only, additional allowances may be allocated if the 
state elects to expand applicability to non-EGUs that would have been 
subject to the NOX Budget Trading Program established for 
compliance with the NOX SIP Call.\17\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \16\ 40 CFR 52.38(a)(4)(i)(A), (a)(5)(i)(A), (b)(4)(ii)(A), 
(b)(5)(ii)(A), (b)(8)(iii)(A), (b)(9)(iii)(A); 52.39(e)(1)(i), 
(f)(1)(i), (h)(1)(i), (i)(1)(i).
    \17\ 40 CFR 52.38(b)(8)(iii)(A), (b)(9)(iii)(A).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Timely submission of state-determined allocations to EPA. 
The SIP revision must require the state to submit

[[Page 39073]]

to EPA the amounts of any allowances allocated or auctioned to each 
unit for each control period (other than allowances initially set aside 
in the state's allocation or auction process and later allocated or 
auctioned to such units from the set-aside amount) by the following 
deadlines.\18\ Note that the submission deadlines differ for amounts 
allocated or auctioned to units considered existing units for CSAPR 
purposes and amounts allocated or auctioned to other units.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \18\ 40 CFR 52.38(a)(4)(i)(B)-(C), (a)(5)(i)(B)-(C), 
(b)(4)(ii)(B)-(C), (b)(5)(ii)(B)-(C), (b)(8)(iii)(B)-(C), 
(b)(9)(iii)(B)-(C); 52.39(e)(1)(ii)-(iii), (f)(1)(ii)-(iii), 
(h)(1)(ii)-(iii), (i)(1)(ii)-(iii).

CSAPR NOX Annual, CSAPR NOX Ozone Season Group 1, CSAPR SO2 Group 1, and
                   CSAPR SO2 Group 2 Trading Programs
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        Deadline for
                                   Year of the      submission to EPA of
             Units                control period       allocations or
                                                      auction results
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Existing......................  2017 and 2018....  June 1, 2016.
                                2019 and 2020....  June 1, 2017.
                                2021 and 2022....  June 1, 2018.
                                2023 and later     June 1 of the fourth
                                 years.             year before the year
                                                    of the control
                                                    period.
Other.........................  All years........  July 1 of the year of
                                                    the control period.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


             CSAPR NOX Ozone Season Group 2 Trading Program
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        Deadline for
                                   Year of the      submission to EPA of
             Units                control period       allocations or
                                                      auction results
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Existing......................  2019 and 2020....  June 1, 2018.
                                2021 and 2022....  June 1, 2019.
                                2023 and 2024....  June 1, 2020.
                                2025 and later     June 1 of the fourth
                                 years.             year before the year
                                                    of the control
                                                    period.
Other.........................  All years........  July 1 of the year of
                                                    the control period.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     No changes to allocations already submitted to EPA or 
recorded. The SIP revision must not provide for any change to the 
amounts of allowances allocated or auctioned to any unit after those 
amounts are submitted to EPA or any change to any allowance allocation 
determined and recorded by EPA under the federal trading program 
regulations.\19\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \19\ 40 CFR 52.38(a)(4)(i)(D), (a)(5)(i)(D), (b)(4)(ii)(D), 
(b)(5)(ii)(D), (b)(8)(iii)(D), (b)(9)(iii)(D); 52.39(e)(1)(iv), 
(f)(1)(iv), (h)(1)(iv), (i)(1)(iv).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     No other substantive changes to federal trading program 
provisions. The SIP revision may not substantively change any other 
trading program provisions, except in the case of a SIP revision that 
also expands program applicability as described below.\20\ Any new 
definitions adopted in the SIP revision (in addition to the federal 
trading program's definitions) may apply only for purposes of the SIP 
revision's allocation or auction provisions.\21\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \20\ 40 CFR 52.38(a)(4), (a)(5), (b)(4), (b)(5), (b)(8), (b)(9); 
52.39(e), (f), (h), (i).
    \21\ 40 CFR 52.38(a)(4)(i), (a)(5)(ii), (b)(4)(ii), (b)(5)(iii), 
(b)(8)(iii), (b)(9)(iv); 52.39(e)(1), (f)(2), (h)(1), (i)(2).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In addition to the general submittal conditions, a CSAPR-related 
abbreviated or full SIP revision seeking to expand applicability under 
the CSAPR NOX Ozone Season Group 1 or CSAPR NOX 
Ozone Season Group 2 Trading Programs (or an integrated state trading 
program) must meet the following further conditions:
     Only electricity generating units with nameplate capacity 
of at least 15 MWe. The SIP revision may expand applicability only to 
additional fossil fuel-fired boilers or combustion turbines serving 
generators producing electricity for sale, and only by lowering the 
generator nameplate capacity threshold used to determine whether a 
particular boiler or combustion turbine serving a particular generator 
is a potentially affected unit. The nameplate capacity threshold 
adopted in the SIP revision may not be less than 15 MWe.\22\ In 
addition or alternatively, applicability under the CSAPR NOX 
Ozone Season Group 2 Trading Program may be expanded to non-EGUs that 
would have been subject to the NOX Budget Trading Program 
established for compliance with the NOX SIP Call.\23\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \22\ 40 CFR 52.38(b)(4)(i), (b)(5)(i), (b)(8)(i), (b)(9)(i).
    \23\ 40 CFR 52.38(b)(8)(ii), (b)(9)(ii).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     No other substantive changes to federal trading program 
provisions. The SIP revision may not substantively change any other 
trading program provisions, except in the case of a SIP revision that 
also addresses the allocation or auction of emission allowances as 
described above.\24\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \24\ 40 CFR 52.38(b)(4), (b)(5), (b)(8), (b)(9).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In addition to the general submittal conditions and the other 
applicable conditions described above, a CSAPR-related full SIP 
revision must meet the following further conditions:
     Complete, substantively identical trading program 
provisions. The SIP revision must adopt complete state trading program 
regulations substantively identical to the complete federal trading 
program regulations at 40 CFR 97.402 through 97.435, 97.502 through 
97.535, 97.602 through 97.635, 97.702 through 97.735, or 97.802 through 
97.835, as applicable, except as described above in the case of a SIP 
revision that seeks to replace the default allowance allocation and/or 
applicability provisions.\25\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \25\ 40 CFR 52.38(a)(5), (b)(5), (b)(9); 52.39(f), (i).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Only non-substantive substitutions for the term ``State.'' 
The SIP revision may substitute the name of the state for the term 
``State'' as used in the federal trading program regulations, but only 
to the extent that EPA determines that the substitutions do not 
substantively change the trading program regulations.\26\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \26\ 40 CFR 52.38(a)(5)(iii), (b)(5)(iv), (b)(9)(v); 
52.39(f)(3), (i)(3).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Exclusion of provisions addressing units in Indian 
country. The SIP revision may not impose requirements on any unit in 
any Indian country within the state's borders and must not include the 
federal trading program provisions governing allocation of allowances 
from any Indian country NUSA for the state.\27\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \27\ 40 CFR 52.38(a)(5)(iv), (b)(5)(v), (b)(9)(vi); 52.39(f)(4), 
(i)(4).

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

[[Page 39074]]

IV. Alabama's SIP Submittal and EPA's Analysis

A. Alabama's SIP Submittal

    In the CSAPR rulemaking, among other findings, EPA determined that 
air pollution transported from Alabama would unlawfully affect other 
states' ability to attain or maintain the 1997 8-hour Ozone NAAQS.\28\ 
In the CSAPR Update rulemaking, EPA determined that air pollution 
transported from Alabama would unlawfully affect other states' ability 
to attain or maintain the 2008 8-hour Ozone NAAQS and established an 
ozone season NOX budget for Alabama's EGUs representing a 
partial remedy for the State's interstate transport obligations with 
respect to that NAAQS; \29\ determined that Alabama's previous ozone 
season NOX budget established in the CSAPR rulemaking as a 
partial remedy for the State's interstate transport obligations with 
respect to the 1997 8-hour Ozone NAAQS now represented a full remedy 
with respect to that NAAQS; \30\ and coordinated compliance 
requirements by allowing compliance with the new CSAPR Update budget to 
serve the purpose of addressing the State's obligations with respect to 
both NAAQS.\31\ Alabama units meeting the CSAPR applicability criteria 
are consequently subject to CSAPR FIP requirements for participation in 
the CSAPR NOX Ozone Season Group 2 Trading Program in order 
to address the State's interstate transport obligations with respect to 
both the 1997 8-hour Ozone NAAQS (full remedy) and the 2008 8-hour 
Ozone NAAQS (partial remedy).\32\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \28\ See 76 FR 48208, 48210, 48213 (August 8, 2011). EPA also 
determined in the CSAPR rulemaking that air pollution transported 
from Alabama would unlawfully affect other states' ability to attain 
or maintain the 1997 annual PM2.5 NAAQS and the 2006 24-
hour PM2.5 NAAQS. Alabama previously submitted, and EPA 
previously approved, a SIP revision that replaces the CSAPR FIPs for 
the annual trading programs in Alabama. See 81 FR 59869 (August 31, 
2016).
    \29\ CSAPR Update, 81 FR at 74507-08.
    \30\ Id. at 74525.
    \31\ Id. at 74563 n.169.
    \32\ 40 CFR 52.38(b)(2), (b)(2)(iii); 52.54(a), (b).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    On October 26, 2015, Alabama submitted to EPA a SIP revision 
including provisions that, if approved, would incorporate into 
Alabama's SIP state trading program regulations that would replace the 
CSAPR federal trading program regulations with regard to Alabama units' 
ozone season NOX emissions.\33\ On May 19, 2017, Alabama 
submitted to EPA a SIP revision that supersedes portions of the October 
26, 2015, submittal to reflect changes from the CSAPR Update.\34\ On 
August 4, 2017, Alabama sent a letter clarifying the State's 
interpretation concerning the allowances for the Indian country NUSA 
for Alabama. The Alabama ozone season submittals include duly adopted 
state rules at rules 335-3-8-.39 through 335-3-8-.70, which establish 
Alabama's ``TR NOX Ozone Season Group 2 Trading Program.'' 
\35\ In general, each individual rule in Alabama's CSAPR state trading 
program rules is designed to replace one individual section (or in a 
few cases two or three sections) of the corresponding federal trading 
program regulations, and the set of rules is designed to collectively 
replace all sections of the corresponding federal trading program 
regulations at subpart EEEEE of 40 CFR part 97 (i.e., 40 CFR 97.801 
through 97.835).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \33\ As discussed above, the October 26, 2015 submittal also 
contained provisions related to the annual NOX and 
SO2 trading programs, which EPA approved in a separate 
rulemaking. See 81 FR 59869 (August 31, 2016).
    \34\ For the purposes of this rulemaking, the October 26, 2015, 
and May 19, 2017, submittals together may also be referred to as the 
``Alabama ozone season submittals.''
    \35\ Alabama's rules use the terms ``Transport Rule'' and ``TR'' 
instead of the updated terms ``Cross-State Air Pollution Rule'' and 
``CSAPR.'' For simplicity, EPA uses the updated terms here except 
where otherwise noted.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    With regard to form, some of the individual rules for each Alabama 
CSAPR state trading program are set forth as full regulatory text--
notably the rules addressing program applicability, emissions budgets 
and variability limits, and allowance allocations--but most of the 
rules incorporate the corresponding federal trading program section or 
sections by reference. Several of the Alabama rules adopt cross-
references to other Alabama rules in place of cross-references to 
specific federal trading program sections that would be replaced by 
those other Alabama rules.
    With regard to substance, the rules for the Alabama CSAPR state 
ozone season trading program differ from the corresponding CSAPR 
federal trading program regulations in three main ways. First, the 
applicability provisions in the Alabama rules require participation in 
Alabama's CSAPR state trading programs only for units in Alabama, not 
for units in any other state or in Indian country within the borders of 
Alabama or any other state. Second, the Alabama rules set forth a 
methodology for allocating emission allowances among Alabama units that 
differs from the default allowance allocation provisions in the federal 
trading program regulations.\36\ Finally, the Alabama rules omit a 
number of federal trading program provisions not applicable to 
Alabama's state trading programs, including: provisions setting forth 
the amounts of emissions budgets, NUSAs, Indian country NUSAs, and 
variability limits for other states; provisions addressing EPA's 
procedures for allocating allowances from Indian country NUSAs; and 
provisions addressing EPA's recordation of certain allowance 
allocations.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \36\ EPA notes that in the CSAPR Update, the allocations of 
Alabama's allowance budget to the state's units under the federal 
CSAPR NOX Ozone Season Group 2 Trading Program were 
determined using a methodology similar to the methodology in 
Alabama's October 26, 2015 SIP submittal, 81 FR at 74564.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Each SIP revision was submitted to EPA by a letter from the 
Director of the Alabama Department of Environmental Management. The 
letters and enclosures describe steps taken by Alabama to provide 
public notice prior to adoption of the state rules.
    EPA has previously approved portions of Alabama's October 26, 2015, 
submittal replacing the FIPs for the CSAPR NOX Annual 
Trading Program and the CSAPR SO2 Group 2 Trading Program 
for Alabama.\37\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \37\ See 81 FR 59869 (August 31, 2016).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

B. EPA's Analysis of Alabama's Submittals

    As described in section IV.A above, at this time EPA is taking 
action on the portions of Alabama's ozone season submittals designed to 
replace the federal CSAPR NOX Ozone Season Group 2 Trading 
Program. The analysis discussed in this section addresses only the 
portions of Alabama's ozone season submittals on which EPA is taking 
action at this time. For simplicity, throughout this section EPA refers 
to the portions of the submittals on which EPA is proposing to take 
action as ``the Alabama ozone season submittals'' or ``the SIP 
revisions'' without repeating the qualification that at this time EPA 
is analyzing and proposing to act on only portions of the SIP 
submittal.
1. Timeliness and Completeness of SIP Submittal
    Together, the Alabama ozone season submittals seek in part to 
replace the default allowance allocation provisions in the CSAPR 
federal trading program regulations for ozone season NOX 
emissions as applied to Alabama units with state regulations 
establishing a different state-determined methodology, starting with 
the control periods in 2019. Under 40 CFR 52.38(b)(9)(iii)(B), the 
deadline for submission of state-determined allowance allocations for 
the 2019 and 2020 control periods is June 1, 2018, which under Sec.  
52.38(b)(9)(viii) makes December 1, 2017, the deadline for submission 
to

[[Page 39075]]

EPA of a complete SIP revision establishing state-determined 
allocations for those control periods. Alabama submitted its SIP 
revisions on October 26, 2015 and May 19, 2017, and EPA has determined 
that the submittals comply with the applicable minimum completeness 
criteria in section 2.1 of appendix V to 40 CFR part 51. Because 
Alabama's SIP revisions were timely submitted and meet the applicable 
completeness criteria, they meet the conditions under 40 CFR 
52.38(b)(9)(viii) for timely submission of a complete SIP revision.
2. Methodology Covering All Allowances Potentially Requiring Allocation
    Paragraph 335-3-8-.46(1) of the Alabama rules sets forth total 
amounts of 13,211 CSAPR NOX Ozone Season Group 2 allowances 
that would be allocated to Alabama units for each control period in 
2019 and later years according to the allocation procedures set forth 
under the remaining paragraphs of Alabama rule 335-3-8-.46 (Paragraph 
335-3-8-.45(1) sets forth the same amounts as the respective state 
emissions budgets, in conjunction with the corresponding variability 
limits). These totals match the amounts of the Phase 2 emissions 
budgets for Alabama established under the federal trading program 
regulations for ozone NOX emissions, thereby addressing the 
full quantities of allowances that could be allocated to Alabama units 
under the default allocation provisions for the federal trading 
programs.\38\ In addition, Alabama's rule--through provisions that 
create an iterative process for allocating allowances--addresses the 
disposition of otherwise unallocated allowances from an Indian country 
NUSA. The allocation provisions in the Alabama rules therefore enable 
Alabama's SIP revision to meet the condition under 40 CFR 
52.38(b)(9)(iii) that the state's allocation or auction methodology 
must cover all allowances potentially requiring allocation by the 
state.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \38\ 40 CFR 97.810(a)(1)(i).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

3. Assurance That Total Allocations Will Not Exceed the State Budget
    As discussed in section IV.B.2 above, paragraph 335-3-8-.46(1) of 
the Alabama rules sets forth the total amount of CSAPR Ozone Season 
Group 2 NOX allowances to be allocated to Alabama units for 
each control period under the state trading program and this amount 
equals the amount of the ozone season NOX emissions budget 
established for Alabama units under the CSAPR federal trading program 
regulations. Although under the State's rules, Alabama will provide EPA 
with allocations for allowances equal to the total amount of the state 
budget, the State has clarified in its August 4, 2017, letter that, 
under the State's interpretation of its rules, the allocations of a 
portion of the total state budget equal to the Indian country NUSA are 
to be implemented by EPA only if and when the total quantity of 
allowances in the State's Indian country NUSA is released for state 
allocation pursuant to 40 CFR 97.812(b)(10)(ii), and if that total 
quantity of allowances is not released for state allocation, then the 
State's allocations of that portion of the budget are void.\39\ To 
clarify the separate, contingent nature of the State's allocations of 
the Indian country NUSA allowances, the State will submit its 
allocations of those allowances to the EPA as a separate set of 
allocations from the allocations of the remaining allowances in the 
state budget.\40\ EPA has not yet allocated or recorded CSAPR 
allowances for the control periods in 2019 or later years. As 
interpreted by the State, the allocation methodology in Alabama's SIP 
revision therefore meets the condition under 40 CFR 52.38(b)(9)(iii)(A) 
that the total amount of allowances allocated under the SIP revision 
(before the addition of any otherwise unallocated allowances from an 
Indian country NUSA) may not exceed the state's budget for the control 
period less the amount of the Indian country NUSA for the state and any 
allowances already allocated and recorded by EPA.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \39\ August 4, 2017, Letter from R. Gore (ADEM) to B. Banister 
(EPA, Region 4), available in the docket for this action.
    \40\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

4. Timely Submission of State-Determined Allocations to EPA
    Paragraphs 335-3-8-.46(2)(a) through (d) of the Alabama rules 
provide for all allowance allocations to Alabama units established 
under the Alabama rules to be submitted to EPA by the following 
deadlines: Allocations for the control periods in 2019 and 2020, by 
June 1, 2017; allocations for the control periods in 2021 and 2022, by 
June 1, 2018; and allocations for later control periods, by June 1 of 
the fourth or fifth year before the year of the control period. These 
submission deadlines match or precede the submission deadlines 
discussed in section III above (specifically, the deadlines under 40 
CFR 52.38(b)(9)(iii)(B) for allocations to units considered existing 
units for CSAPR purposes and the submission deadlines under Sec.  
52.38(b)(9)(iii)(C) for allocations to other units). Alabama's SIP 
revision therefore meets the conditions under 40 CFR 
52.38(b)(9)(iii)(B) and (C) requiring that the SIP revision provide for 
submission of state-determined allowance allocations to EPA by the 
deadlines specified in those provisions.
5. No Changes to Allocations Already Submitted to EPA or Recorded
    The Alabama rules include no provisions allowing alteration of 
allocations after the allocation amounts have been provided to EPA and 
no provisions allowing alteration of any allocations made and recorded 
by EPA under the federal trading program regulations, thereby meeting 
the condition under 40 CFR 52.38(b)(9)(iii)(D).
6. No Other Substantive Changes to Federal Trading Program Provisions
    With the exception of the provisions addressing the allowance 
allocation methodology discussed above, the Alabama state trading 
program rules generally incorporate sections of the corresponding 
federal trading program regulations by reference or set forth full text 
that is very similar to the text in the corresponding federal trading 
program regulations.\41\ Some of the differences between the Alabama 
rules and the corresponding federal trading program regulations are 
clearly non-substantive. For example, in instances where an Alabama 
rule contains full text substituting for the text of a section of the 
federal trading program regulations, the remaining Alabama rules adopt 
cross-references to the full-text Alabama rule in place of cross-
references to the section of the federal trading program regulations 
that would be replaced by the full-text Alabama rule. The Alabama rules 
also contain definitions for certain terms used in the State trading 
program's allocation provisions that are not used in the federal 
trading program regulations, as expressly permitted under the CSAPR 
regulations.\42\ Most of the remaining differences between the Alabama 
rules and the corresponding sections of the federal trading program 
regulations consist of non-substantive renumbering of the 
provisions.\43\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \41\ The CSAPR federal regulations explicitly provide that terms 
in the federal CSAPR regulations that include ``CSAPR'' are 
considered synonymous with otherwise identical terms in approved SIP 
revisions that include ``TR'' instead of ``CSAPR''. 40 CFR 97.802 
(introductory text).
    \42\ 40 CFR 52.38(b)(9)(iv).
    \43\ Instances where Alabama's CSAPR state trading program rules 
omit provisions of the CSAPR federal trading program regulations are 
discussed in sections IV.B.7 and 9 below.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In addition to the clearly non-substantive or expressly authorized

[[Page 39076]]

differences summarized above, a few of Alabama's rules contain other 
differences from the federal trading program regulations. In each case, 
EPA has determined that the changes do not represent substantive 
changes to the federal trading program regulations. First, paragraphs 
335-3-8-.40(1)(c), 335-3-8-.41(1)(a), and 335-3-8-.66(2)(a), of the 
Alabama rules require Alabama units to submit certain petitions, 
statements, and notices not only to EPA but also to the Alabama 
Department of Environmental Management. In addition, paragraph 335-3-
8-.42(e) of the Alabama rules allow the Department to extend on-site 
storage of records beyond five years. Because the additional 
notification requirements do not alter the respective authorities or 
responsibilities of EPA and the Department, EPA considers the 
requirements to be non-substantive changes.
    Second, paragraphs 335-3-8-.52(2)(a), and 335-3-8-.55(2)(a) of the 
Alabama rules provide that, like EPA, the Department will not 
adjudicate certain private legal disputes. Because the Department is 
not required to adjudicate such disputes under the federal trading 
program regulations in any event, these additions to the text of the 
state trading program rules merely clarify that the Department is not 
undertaking a new adjudication responsibility under the state trading 
programs. EPA therefore considers these additions to be non-substantive 
changes.
    Third, paragraph 335-3-8-.61 of the Alabama rule substitutes 
references to Alabama rule 335-3-8-.46(3)(i) (the Alabama rule 
addressing units incorrectly allocated allowances). Because the Alabama 
rule substitution seeks to replace 40 CFR 97.811(c) with 333-3-
8.46(3)(i), which in turn incorporates by reference 40 CFR 97.811(c), 
EPA proposes to find that the provisions are substantively identical.
    Fourth, paragraph 335-3-8-.65 of the Alabama rules substitutes 
references for Alabama rule 335-3-8-.41 (the Alabama rule covering 
retired unit exemptions). This substitution is appropriate as it 
substitutes Alabama's retired unit exemption for the CSAPR retired unit 
exemptions at 40 CFR 97.805. With the exception of the notification 
required above and changes related to identification of the state 
trading program instead of the federal trading program, Alabama has 
incorporated the text of 40 CFR 97.805 into Alabama Rule 335-3-8-.41. 
Because the referenced provisions are substantively identical, EPA 
proposes to determine that these substitutions have no substantive 
effect.
    Finally, paragraphs 335-3-8-.42(2)(a) and (b) of the Alabama rules 
substitute references to Alabama rule 335.3.16-.13(3) (the Alabama rule 
addressing minor permit modification procedures) for references to 40 
CFR 70.7(e)(2) (the minor permit modification procedures section of the 
federal regulations governing state operating permit programs under CAA 
title V) in the federal trading program regulations regarding title V 
permit requirements. As applied to Alabama units only, the substituted 
Alabama rule provisions are substantively identical to the provisions 
in 40 CFR 70.7(e)(2) that would be replaced. Because in the context of 
Alabama's CSAPR state trading programs these particular provisions need 
to address only Alabama units and not units from other states 
participating in the CSAPR trading programs, EPA proposes to determine 
that these substitutions have no substantive effect.
    For the reasons discussed above, EPA has preliminarily determined 
that none of the textual additions or substitutions made to the CSAPR 
federal trading program regulations in Alabama's corresponding CSAPR 
state trading program rules are substantive, and that Alabama's SIP 
revision therefore meets the condition under 40 CFR 52.38(b)(9) of 
making no substantive changes to the provisions of the federal trading 
program regulations beyond the provisions addressing allowance 
allocations.
7. Complete, Substantively Identical Trading Program Provisions
    With the following exceptions, the Alabama rules comprising 
Alabama's CSAPR state trading program for ozone season NOx emissions 
either incorporate by reference or adopt full-text replacements for all 
of the provisions of 40 CFR 97.802 through 97.835. The first exception 
is that Alabama rule 335-3-8-.46, which generally addresses the amount 
of emissions budget and related quantities, omits the provisions of 40 
CFR 97.810 setting forth the amounts of all emissions budgets, NUSAs, 
Indian country NUSAs, and variability limits for other states. Omission 
of the budget, NUSA, Indian country NUSA, and variability limit 
provisions for other states from state trading programs in which only 
Alabama units participate does not undermine the completeness of the 
state trading programs.
    The second exception is that Alabama rule 335-3-8-.46, generally 
addressing allowance allocations, omits 40 CFR 97.811(b)(2) and 
97.812(b), concerning EPA's administration of Indian country NUSAs. 
Omission of these provisions from Alabama's state trading program rules 
is required, as discussed in section IV.B.9 below.
    The third exception is that Alabama rule 335-3-8-.56, which 
generally incorporates by reference the federal trading programs' 
recordation schedule provisions, excludes from incorporation by 
reference 40 CFR 97.821(a), (b), (h), (i) and (j) concerning EPA's 
schedule for recording certain allowance allocations. The federal 
trading program provisions at Sec.  97.821(a) and (b), which address 
recordation of allocations to units considered existing units for CSAPR 
purposes of allowances for the compliance periods in 2017 and 2018, do 
not need to be included in Alabama's state trading program rules 
because those allocations have already been recorded. The federal 
trading program provision at Sec.  97.821(h), which address recordation 
of allocations from Indian country NUSAs, are appropriately excluded 
from state trading programs because a state may not administer an 
Indian country NUSA. The federal trading program provision at Sec.  
97.821(i) and (j), which address recordation of second-round NUSA 
allocations, are not needed in Alabama's state trading program rules 
because Alabama would provide EPA the amounts of its NUSA allocations 
on the earlier schedule applicable to allocations to units considered 
existing units for CSAPR purposes.\44\ Omission of these provisions 
from Alabama's state trading programs therefore does not undermine the 
completeness of the state trading programs.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \44\ For the same reason, Alabama's state rules could 
permissibly omit 40 CFR 97.821(g), which address recordation of 
first-round NUSA allocations. Note that notwithstanding the lack of 
provisions addressing recordation of NUSA allocations in Alabama's 
state trading program rules, EPA would retain authority to complete 
the recordation of 2017 NUSA allocations to Alabama units because 
EPA has already started recording allocations to Alabama units of 
allowances for the compliance periods in 2017. See 40 CFR 
52.38(b)(11)(i).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Because none of the omissions undermines the completeness of 
Alabama's state trading programs and because, as discussed in section 
IV.B.6 above, EPA has preliminarily determined that Alabama's SIP 
revision makes no other substantive changes to the provisions of the 
federal trading program regulations beyond the provisions addressing 
allowance allocations, Alabama's SIP revision meets the condition under 
40 CFR 52.38(b)(9) that the SIP revision must adopt complete state 
trading program regulations substantively identical to the complete 
federal trading program regulations at 40 CFR 97.802 through

[[Page 39077]]

97.835, except for permissible differences in allowance allocation and/
or applicability provisions.
8. Only Non-Substantive Substitutions for the Term ``State''
    Paragraph 335-3-8-.40(1)(a)1 of the Alabama rules substitute the 
term ``the State of Alabama,'' and paragraph 335-3-8-.40(1)(b) of the 
Alabama rules similarly substitute the term ``the State'' (meaning 
Alabama), for the phrase ``a State (or Indian country within the 
borders of such State)'' in the corresponding federal trading program 
regulations at 40 CFR 97.810(a)(1) and (b). These provisions of the 
Alabama rules define the units that are required to participate in 
Alabama's CSAPR state trading programs. The substitutions appropriately 
exclude units located in other states and units located in Indian 
country within the borders of Alabama or any other state, thereby 
limiting the applicability of Alabama's state trading programs to units 
that are subject to Alabama's jurisdiction. These substitutions do not 
substantively change the provisions of CSAPR's federal trading program 
regulations. The remaining Alabama rules do not substitute for the term 
``State'' as used in the federal trading program regulations. EPA 
proposes to find that Alabama's SIP revision therefore meets the 
condition under 40 CFR 52.38(b)(9)(v) that the SIP revision may 
substitute the name of the state for the term ``State'' as used in the 
federal trading program regulations, but only to the extent that EPA 
determines that the substitutions do not substantively change the 
provisions of the federal trading program regulations.
9. Exclusion of Provisions Addressing Units in Indian Country
    The Alabama rules do not set forth any full text provisions 
directly addressing units in Indian country within the state's borders. 
As discussed in section IV.B.8 above, paragraph 335-3-8-.40(1)(a)1 of 
the Alabama rule define the units required to participate in Alabama's 
state trading programs in a manner that appropriately excludes units 
located in Indian country within Alabama's borders from coverage under 
Alabama's CSAPR state trading programs. Although various other 
provisions of the CSAPR federal trading program regulations 
incorporated by reference into the Alabama rules without modification 
refer to units in Indian country, the clear exclusion of any such units 
from coverage under the state trading program applicability 
provisions--in other words, the fact that such units are not ``TR NOx 
Ozone Season Group 2 units'' for purposes of the state trading 
program--renders the remaining provisions of Alabama's state trading 
program rules inoperative as to the units. EPA therefore interprets the 
Alabama rules as not imposing any requirements on units located in 
Indian country within the State's borders.
    As discussed in section IV.B.7 above, Alabama rule 335-3-8-.46, 
which addresses allowance allocations under the state trading programs, 
contains no provisions replacing 40 CFR 97.811(b)(2) or 97.812(b), the 
portions of the federal trading program regulations governing 
allocations of allowances from Indian country NUSAs. Thus, the Alabama 
rules do not include any express state rule provisions concerning 
administration of Indian country NUSAs. Further, Alabama rules 335-3-
8-.56, which generally incorporate by reference the federal trading 
programs' recordation schedule provisions, excludes 40 CFR 97.821(h), 
addressing recordation of Indian country NUSA allocations. Similarly, 
paragraph 335-3-8-.46(3)(i) of the Alabama rules, which incorporates by 
reference the federal trading program regulations generally addressing 
corrections of incorrect allocations, excludes 40 CFR 
97.811(c)(5)(iii), addressing corrections of certain incorrect Indian 
country NUSA allocations. EPA therefore interprets the Alabama state 
rules as sufficiently excluding provisions addressing administration of 
the Indian country NUSA provisions under the federal trading programs.
    In summary, EPA has preliminarily determined that Alabama's SIP 
revision adequately meets the condition under 40 CFR 52.38(b)(9)(vi) 
that a SIP submittal must not impose any requirement on any unit in 
Indian country within the borders of the State and must exclude certain 
provisions related to administration of Indian country NUSAs.

V. Incorporation by Reference

    In this rule, EPA is proposing to include in a final EPA rule 
regulatory text that includes incorporation by reference. In accordance 
with requirements of 1 CFR 51.5, EPA is proposing to incorporate by 
reference ADEM Administrative Code rules 335-3-8-.39 through 335-3-
8-.70, state effective on June 9, 2017, comprising Alabama's TR 
NOX Ozone Season Trading Program. EPA has made, and will 
continue to make, these materials generally available through 
www.regulations.gov and/or at the EPA Region 4 office (please contact 
the person identified in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of 
this preamble for more information).

VI. EPA's Proposed Action on Alabama's Submittal

    EPA is proposing to approve the portions the Alabama ozone season 
submittals concerning the establishment for Alabama units of CSAPR 
state trading programs for ozone season NOX emissions for 
compliance periods in 2019 and later years. The proposed revision would 
adopt into the SIP the state trading program rules codified in ADEM 
Administrative Code rules 335-3-8-.39 through 335-3-8-.70 (establishing 
Alabama's ``TR NOX Ozone Group 2 Trading Program''), as 
interpreted by the State in the August 5, 2017, clarification 
letter.\45\ This Alabama CSAPR state trading program would be 
integrated with the federal CSAPR NOX Ozone Season Group 2 
Trading Program and would be substantively identical to the federal 
trading program except with regard to the allowance allocation 
provisions. If EPA approves these portions of the SIP revisions, 
Alabama units would generally be required to meet requirements under 
Alabama's CSAPR state trading program equivalent to the requirements 
the units otherwise would have been required to meet under the 
corresponding CSAPR federal trading program, but allocations to Alabama 
units of CSAPR NOX Ozone Season Group 2 allowances for 
compliance periods in 2019 and later years would be determined 
according to the SIP's allocation provisions at Alabama rule 335-3-
8-.46 instead of EPA's default allocation provisions at 40 CFR 
97.811(a), 97.811(b)(1), and 97.812(a). EPA is proposing to approve 
these portions of the SIP revisions because, as clarified by the 
State's August 4, 2017, letter, they meet the requirements of the CAA 
and EPA's regulations for approval of a CSAPR full SIP revision 
replacing a federal trading program with a state trading program that 
is integrated with and substantively identical to the federal trading 
program except for permissible differences with respect to emission 
allowance allocation provisions, as discussed in section IV above.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \45\ The Alabama rules use the terms ``Transport Rule'' and 
``TR'' instead of the updated terms ``Cross-State Air Pollution 
Rule'' and ``CSAPR,'' which is permissible under the CSAPR Update. 
81 FR at 74579.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    EPA promulgated the FIP provisions requiring Alabama units to 
participate in the federal CSAPR NOX Ozone Season Group 2 
Trading Program in order to address Alabama's obligations under CAA 
section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I)

[[Page 39078]]

with respect to the 1997 8-hour Ozone NAAQS and the 2008 8-hour Ozone 
NAAQS in the absence of SIP provisions addressing those requirements. 
Under the CSAPR regulations, upon EPA's full and unconditional approval 
of a SIP revision as correcting the SIP's deficiency that is the basis 
for a particular CSAPR FIP, the obligation to participate in the 
corresponding CSAPR federal trading program is automatically eliminated 
for units subject to the state's jurisdiction (but not for any units 
located in any Indian country within the state's borders).\46\ Approval 
of the portions of Alabama's SIP submittal adopting CSAPR state trading 
program rules for ozone season NOX substantively identical 
to the corresponding CSAPR federal trading program regulations (or 
differing only with respect to the allowance allocation methodology) 
would satisfy Alabama's obligation pursuant to CAA section 
110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) to prohibit emissions which will significantly 
contribute to nonattainment or interfere with maintenance of the 1997 
8-hour Ozone NAAQS in any other state. This proposed approval would 
also partially satisfy Alabama's obligation pursuant to CAA section 
110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) to prohibit emissions which will significantly 
contribute to nonattainment or interfere with maintenance of the 2008 
8-hour Ozone NAAQS in any other state. Thus, the proposed approval 
would correct the same deficiency in the SIP that otherwise would be 
corrected by those CSAPR FIPs. The proposed approval of the portions of 
Alabama's SIP submittal establishing CSAPR state trading program rules 
for ozone season NOX emissions therefore would result in 
automatic termination of the obligations of Alabama units to 
participate in the federal CSAPR NOX Ozone Season Group 2 
Trading Program.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \46\ 40 CFR 52.38(b)(10); see also 40 CFR 52.54(b)(1) & (2).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52

    Environmental protection, Administrative practice and procedure, 
Air pollution control, Incorporation by reference, Intergovernmental 
relations, Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements.

    Authority:  42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.

    Dated: August 7, 2017.
V. Anne Heard,
Acting Regional Administrator, Region 4.
[FR Doc. 2017-17341 Filed 8-16-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6560-50-P



                                                  39070                 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 158 / Thursday, August 17, 2017 / Proposed Rules

                                                    (c) Special and additional services                   ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION                              instructions for submitting comments.
                                                  provided at your request, such as                       AGENCY                                                Once submitted, comments cannot be
                                                  certification or authentication, postal                                                                       edited or removed from Regulations.gov.
                                                  insurance, and special mailing                          40 CFR Part 52                                        EPA may publish any comment received
                                                  arrangement costs, will be charged to                   [EPA–R04–OAR–2017–0415; FRL–9966–45–                  to its public docket. Do not submit
                                                  you at the rates set forth in § 404.7(e) of             Region 4]                                             electronically any information you
                                                  this chapter.                                                                                                 consider to be Confidential Business
                                                                                                          Air Plan Approval; Alabama; Cross-                    Information (CBI) or other information
                                                    (d) You may request that a copying fee                State Air Pollution Rule                              whose disclosure is restricted by statute.
                                                  not be charged or, alternatively, be                                                                          Multimedia submissions (audio, video,
                                                  reduced, by submitting a written                        AGENCY:  Environmental Protection
                                                                                                                                                                etc.) must be accompanied by a written
                                                  petition to ABMC’s General Counsel                      Agency (EPA).
                                                                                                                                                                comment. The written comment is
                                                  (see § 407.3) asserting that you are                    ACTION: Proposed rule.
                                                                                                                                                                considered the official comment and
                                                  indigent. If the General Counsel                                                                              should include discussion of all points
                                                                                                          SUMMARY:   The Environmental Protection
                                                  determines, based on the petition, that                 Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve                  you wish to make. EPA will generally
                                                  you are indigent and that ABMC’s                        portions of the October 26, 2015, and                 not consider comments or comment
                                                  resources permit a waiver of all or part                May 19, 2017, State Implementation                    contents located outside of the primary
                                                  of the fee, the General Counsel may, in                 Plan (SIP) revisions from Alabama                     submission (i.e., on the web, cloud, or
                                                  his or her discretion, waive or reduce                  replacing the Cross-State Air Pollution               other file sharing system). For
                                                  the copying fee.                                        Rule (CSAPR) federal implementation                   additional submission methods, the full
                                                    (e) All fees shall be paid before any                 plan (FIP). Under CSAPR, large                        EPA public comment policy,
                                                  copying request is undertaken.                          electricity generating units (EGUs) in                information about CBI or multimedia
                                                  Payments shall be made by check or                      Alabama are subject to FIP provisions                 submissions, and general guidance on
                                                                                                          requiring the units to participate in a               making effective comments, please visit
                                                  money order payable to ‘‘American
                                                                                                          federal allowance trading program for                 http://www2.epa.gov/dockets/
                                                  Battle Monuments Commission.’’
                                                                                                          ozone season emissions of nitrogen                    commenting-epa-dockets.
                                                  § 407.9 Procedures for accessing                        oxides (NOX). This action would                       FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                                  accountings of disclosures made by ABMC                 approve into Alabama’s SIP the State’s                Ashten Bailey, Air Regulatory
                                                  from its systems of records.                            regulations requiring Alabama’s affected              Management Section, Air, Pesticides
                                                                                                          units to participate in a new state                   and Toxics Management Division, U.S.
                                                     (a) The Office of the General Counsel
                                                                                                          allowance trading program for ozone                   Environmental Protection Agency,
                                                  shall maintain a log containing the date,               season NOX emissions integrated with
                                                  nature, and purpose of each disclosure                                                                        Region 4, 61 Forsyth Street SW.,
                                                                                                          the CSAPR federal trading programs,                   Atlanta, Georgia 30303–8960. Ms. Bailey
                                                  of a record to any person or to another                 replacing the corresponding CSAPR FIP
                                                  agency. Such accounting also shall                                                                            can be reached by telephone at (404)
                                                                                                          requirements for Alabama. This state
                                                  contain the name and address of the                                                                           562–9164 or via electronic mail at
                                                                                                          trading program is substantively
                                                  person or agency to whom each                                                                                 bailey.ashten@epa.gov.
                                                                                                          identical to the federal trading program
                                                  disclosure was made. This log need not                  except with regard to the provisions                  SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                                  include disclosures made to ABMC                        allocating emission allowances among
                                                                                                                                                                I. Summary
                                                  employees in the course of their official               Alabama units. Under the CSAPR
                                                  duties, or pursuant to the provisions of                regulations, final approval of these                     EPA is proposing to approve the
                                                  the Freedom of Information Act (5                       portions of the SIP revisions would                   portions of the October 26, 2015, and
                                                  U.S.C. 552).                                            automatically eliminate Alabama units’                May 19, 2017, SIP revisions from
                                                     (b) ABMC will retain the accounting                  FIP requirements to participate in                    Alabama concerning CSAPR 1 allowance
                                                  of each disclosure for at least five years              CSAPR’s federal allowance trading                     trading programs for ozone season
                                                                                                          program for ozone season NOX                          emissions of NOX. Large EGUs in
                                                  after the disclosure for which the
                                                                                                          emissions. Approval would also fully                  Alabama are currently subject to CSAPR
                                                  accounting is made or for the life of the
                                                                                                          satisfy Alabama’s good neighbor                       FIPs that require the units to participate
                                                  record that was disclosed, whichever is                 obligation under the Clean Air Act                    in the federal CSAPR NOX Group 2
                                                  longer.                                                 (CAA or Act) to prohibit emissions                    Ozone Season Trading Program. The
                                                     (c) ABMC will make the accounting of                 which will significantly contribute to                CSAPR regulations provide a process for
                                                  disclosures of a record pertaining to you               nonattainment or interfere with                       the submission and approval of SIP
                                                  available to you at your request. Such a                maintenance of the 1997 8-hour Ozone                  revisions to replace the requirements of
                                                  request should be made in accordance                    National Ambient Air Quality Standards                CSAPR FIPs with SIP requirements
                                                  with the procedures set forth in § 407.4.               (NAAQS) in any other state; and would                 under which a state’s units participate
                                                  This paragraph (c) does not apply to                    partially satisfy Alabama’s good                      in CSAPR state trading programs that
                                                  disclosures made for law enforcement                    neighbor obligation under the CAA to                  are integrated with and, with certain
                                                  purposes under 5 U.S.C. 552a(b)(7).                     prohibit emissions which will                         permissible exceptions, substantively
                                                  [FR Doc. 2017–17281 Filed 8–16–17; 8:45 am]
                                                                                                          significantly contribute to
                                                                                                          nonattainment or interfere with                         1 Cross-State Air Pollution Rule Update for the
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                  BILLING CODE 6120–01–P
                                                                                                          maintenance of the 2008 8-hour Ozone                  2008 Ozone NAAQS (CSAPR Update), 81 FR 74504
                                                                                                          NAAQS in any other state.                             (October 26, 2016) (codified as amended at 40 CFR
                                                                                                                                                                52.38 and 52.39 and subparts AAAAA through
                                                                                                          DATES: Comments must be received on                   EEEEE of 40 CFR part 97); see also Federal
                                                                                                          or before September 18, 2017.                         Implementation Plans; Interstate Transport of Fine
                                                                                                          ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,                      Particulate Matter and Ozone and Correction of SIP
                                                                                                                                                                Approvals, 76 FR 48208 (August 8, 2011). EPA
                                                                                                          identified by Docket ID No. EPA–R04–                  previously approved a SIP revision that replaced
                                                                                                          OAR–2017–0415 at http://                              the CSAPR FIPs for the annual trading programs in
                                                                                                          www.regulations.gov. Follow the online                Alabama. See 81 FR 59869 (Aug. 31, 2016).



                                             VerDate Sep<11>2014   17:29 Aug 16, 2017   Jkt 241001   PO 00000   Frm 00022   Fmt 4702   Sfmt 4702   E:\FR\FM\17AUP1.SGM   17AUP1


                                                                        Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 158 / Thursday, August 17, 2017 / Proposed Rules                                                   39071

                                                  identical to the CSAPR federal trading                  II. Background on CSAPR and CSAPR-                     FIP provisions require each state’s units
                                                  programs.                                               Related SIP Revisions                                  to participate in up to three of the five
                                                     The portions of the SIP revisions                       EPA issued CSAPR in July 2011 and                   CSAPR trading programs.
                                                  proposed for approval would                             the CSAPR Update 2 in 2016 to address                     CSAPR includes provisions under
                                                                                                          the requirements of CAA section                        which states may submit and EPA will
                                                  incorporate into Alabama’s SIP state
                                                                                                          110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) concerning interstate               approve SIP revisions to modify or
                                                  allowance trading program regulations
                                                                                                          transport of air pollution for specific                replace the CSAPR FIP requirements
                                                  for ozone season NOX emissions that
                                                                                                          NAAQS. As amended (including by the                    while allowing states to continue to
                                                  would replace EPA’s federal trading
                                                                                                          2016 CSAPR Update), CSAPR requires                     meet their transport-related obligations
                                                  program regulations for those emissions                                                                        using either CSAPR’s federal emissions
                                                  from Alabama units. EPA is proposing                    27 eastern states to limit their statewide
                                                                                                          emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and/                 trading programs or state emissions
                                                  to approve these portions of the SIP                                                                           trading programs integrated with the
                                                  revisions, as clarified in a letter                     or NOX in order to mitigate transported
                                                                                                          air pollution unlawfully impacting other               federal programs, provided that the SIP
                                                  provided on August 4, 2017, because                                                                            revisions meet all relevant criteria.4
                                                  they meet the requirements of the CAA                   states’ ability to attain or maintain four
                                                                                                          NAAQS: the 1997 annual PM2.5                           Through such a SIP revision, a state may
                                                  and EPA’s regulations for approval of a                                                                        replace EPA’s default provisions for
                                                  CSAPR full SIP revision replacing a                     NAAQS, the 2006 24-hour PM2.5
                                                                                                          NAAQS, the 1997 8-hour Ozone                           allocating emission allowances among
                                                  federal trading program with a state                                                                           the state’s units, employing any state-
                                                  trading program that is integrated with                 NAAQS, and the 2008 8-hour Ozone
                                                                                                          NAAQS. The CSAPR emissions                             selected methodology to allocate or
                                                  and substantively identical to the                                                                             auction the allowances, subject to
                                                  federal trading program except for                      limitations are defined in terms of
                                                                                                          maximum statewide ‘‘budgets’’ for                      timing conditions and limits on overall
                                                  permissible differences with respect to                                                                        allowance quantities. In the case of
                                                  emission allowance allocation                           emissions of annual SO2, annual NOX,
                                                                                                          and/or ozone season NOX by each                        CSAPR’s federal trading programs for
                                                  provisions. Under the CSAPR                                                                                    ozone season NOX emissions (or an
                                                  regulations, approval of these portions                 covered state’s large EGUs. The CSAPR
                                                                                                          state budgets are implemented in two                   integrated state trading program), a state
                                                  of the SIP revisions would automatically                                                                       may also expand trading program
                                                  eliminate the obligations of EGUs in                    phases of generally increasing
                                                                                                          stringency: The Phase 1 budgets apply                  applicability to include certain smaller
                                                  Alabama (but not any units in Indian                                                                           EGUs.5 If a state wants to replace the
                                                  country within Alabama’s borders) to                    to emissions in 2015 and 2016; and the
                                                                                                          Phase 2 and CSAPR Update budgets                       CSAPR FIP requirements with SIP
                                                  participate in CSAPR’s federal trading                                                                         requirements under which the state’s
                                                  programs for ozone season NOX                           apply to emissions in 2017 and later
                                                                                                          years. As a mechanism for achieving                    units participate in a state trading
                                                  emissions under the corresponding                                                                              program that is integrated with and
                                                  CSAPR FIPs. EPA proposes to find that                   compliance with the emissions
                                                                                                          limitations, CSAPR establishes five                    identical to the federal trading program
                                                  approval of these portions of the SIP                                                                          even as to the allocation and
                                                  revisions would satisfy Alabama’s                       federal emissions trading programs: a
                                                                                                          program for annual NOX emissions; two                  applicability provisions, the state may
                                                  obligation pursuant to CAA section                                                                             submit a SIP revision for that purpose
                                                                                                          geographically separate programs for
                                                  110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) to prohibit emissions                                                                       as well. However, no emissions budget
                                                                                                          annual SO2 emissions; and two
                                                  which will significantly contribute to                                                                         increases or other substantive changes
                                                                                                          geographically separate programs for
                                                  nonattainment or interfere with                                                                                to the trading program provisions are
                                                                                                          ozone season NOX emissions. CSAPR
                                                  maintenance of the 1997 8-hour Ozone                                                                           allowed. A state whose units are subject
                                                                                                          also establishes FIP requirements
                                                  NAAQS in any other state. EPA also                                                                             to multiple CSAPR federal trading
                                                                                                          applicable to the large EGUs in each
                                                  proposes to find that approval of these                                                                        programs may submit SIP revisions to
                                                                                                          covered state.3 Currently, the CSAPR
                                                  portions of the SIP revisions would                                                                            modify or replace either some or all of
                                                  partially satisfy Alabama’s obligation                    2 See 81 FR 74504 (October 26, 2016). The CSAPR      those FIP requirements.
                                                  pursuant to CAA section                                 Update was promulgated to address interstate              States can submit two basic forms of
                                                  110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) to prohibit emissions                pollution with respect to the 2008 8-hour Ozone        CSAPR-related SIP revisions effective
                                                  which will significantly contribute to                  NAAQS and to address a judicial remand of certain      for emissions control periods in 2017 or
                                                                                                          original CSAPR ozone season NOX budgets
                                                  nonattainment or interfere with                         promulgated with respect to the 1997 8-hour Ozone      later years.6 Specific conditions for
                                                  maintenance of the 2008 8-hour Ozone                    NAAQS. Id. at 74505. The CSAPR Update                  approval of each form of SIP revision
                                                  NAAQS in any other state.                               established new emission reduction requirements        are set forth in the CSAPR regulations,
                                                                                                          addressing the more recent ozone NAAQS and             as described in section III below. Under
                                                     Section II of this document                          coordinated them with the remaining emission
                                                  summarizes relevant aspects of the                      reduction requirements addressing the older
                                                  CSAPR federal trading programs and                      NAAQS, so that starting in 2017, CSAPR includes        CSAPR Update, EPA promulgated FIPs applicable
                                                                                                          two geographically separate trading programs for       to sources in Alabama addressing the good neighbor
                                                  FIPs as well as the range of                                                                                   provision with respect to these standards.
                                                                                                          ozone season NOX emissions covering EGUs in a
                                                  opportunities states have to submit SIP                 total of 23 states. See 40 CFR 52.38(b)(1)–(2).           4 See 40 CFR 52.38, 52.39. States also retain the

                                                  revisions to modify or replace the FIP                    3 States are required to submit good neighbor SIPs   ability to submit SIP revisions to meet their
                                                  requirements while continuing to rely                   three years after a NAAQS is promulgated. CAA          transport-related obligations using mechanisms
                                                                                                          section 110(a)(1) and (2). Where EPA finds that a      other than the CSAPR federal trading programs or
                                                  on CSAPR’s trading programs to address                                                                         integrated state trading programs.
                                                                                                          state fails to submit a required SIP or disapproves
                                                  the states’ obligations to mitigate                     a SIP, EPA is obligated to promulgate a FIP               5 States covered by both the CSAPR Update and
                                                  interstate air pollution. Section III                   addressing the deficiency. CAA section 110(c). EPA     the NOX SIP Call have the additional option to
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                  describes the specific conditions for                   found that Alabama failed to make timely               expand applicability under the CSAPR NOX Ozone
                                                  approval of such SIP revisions. Section                 submissions required to address the good neighbor      Season Group 2 Trading Program to include non-
                                                                                                          provision with respect to the 1997 annual PM2.5 and    EGUs that would have participated in the NOX
                                                  IV contains EPA’s analysis of Alabama’s                 8-hour ozone NAAQS (70 FR 21147, Apr. 25, 2005),       Budget Trading Program.
                                                  SIP submittal. Section V addresses                      and the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS (80 FR 39961,             6 CSAPR also provides for a third, more

                                                  incorporation by reference. Section VI                  June 13, 2015). In addition, EPA disapproved           streamlined form of SIP revision that is effective
                                                  sets forth EPA’s proposed action on the                 Alabama’s SIP revision submitted to address the        only for control periods in 2016 (or 2018 for CSAPR
                                                                                                          good neighbor provision with respect to the 2006       NOX Ozone Season Group 2 units) and is not
                                                  submittal. Section VII addresses                        24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS. See 76 FR 43128 (July 20,         relevant here. See § 52.38(a)(3), (b)(3), (b)(7);
                                                  statutory and Executive Order reviews.                  2011). Accordingly, as a part of CSAPR and the         § 52.39(d), (g).



                                             VerDate Sep<11>2014   17:29 Aug 16, 2017   Jkt 241001   PO 00000   Frm 00023   Fmt 4702   Sfmt 4702   E:\FR\FM\17AUP1.SGM   17AUP1


                                                  39072                   Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 158 / Thursday, August 17, 2017 / Proposed Rules

                                                  the first alternative—an ‘‘abbreviated’’                      within the state’s borders.10 Finally, if at                  97.411(a), 97.511(a), 97.611(a),
                                                  SIP revision—a state may submit a SIP                         the time a full SIP revision is approved                      97.711(a), or 97.811(a), as applicable,
                                                  revision that upon approval replaces the                      EPA has already started recording                             and the federal trading program’s
                                                  default allowance allocation and/or                           allocations of allowances for a given                         provisions for allocating allowances
                                                  applicability provisions of a CSAPR                           control period to a state’s units, the                        from the new unit set-aside (NUSA) for
                                                  federal trading program for the state.7                       federal trading program provisions                            the state at 40 CFR 97.411(b)(1) and
                                                  Approval of an abbreviated SIP revision                       authorizing EPA to complete the process                       97.412(a), 97.511(b)(1) and 97.512(a),
                                                  leaves the corresponding CSAPR FIP                            of allocating and recording allowances                        97.611(b)(1) and 97.612(a), 97.711(b)(1)
                                                  and all other provisions of the relevant                      for that control period to those units                        and 97.712(a), or 97.811(b)(1) and
                                                  federal trading program in place for the                      will continue to apply, unless EPA’s                          97.812(a), as applicable.14 In the case of
                                                  state’s units.                                                approval of the SIP revision provides                         a state with Indian country within its
                                                                                                                otherwise.11                                                  borders, while the SIP revision may
                                                     Under the second alternative—a
                                                                                                                                                                              neither alter nor assume the federal
                                                  ‘‘full’’ SIP revision—a state may submit                      III. Conditions for Approval of CSAPR-
                                                                                                                                                                              program’s provisions for administering
                                                  a SIP revision that upon approval                             Related SIP Revisions
                                                                                                                                                                              the Indian country NUSA for the state,
                                                  replaces a CSAPR federal trading                                 Each CSAPR-related abbreviated or                          the SIP revision must include
                                                  program for the state with a state trading                    full SIP revision must meet the                               procedures addressing the disposition of
                                                  program integrated with the federal                           following general submittal conditions:                       any otherwise unallocated allowances
                                                  trading program, so long as the state                            • Timeliness and completeness of SIP                       from an Indian country NUSA that may
                                                  trading program is substantively                              submittal. If a state wants to replace the                    be made available for allocation by the
                                                  identical to the federal trading program                      default allowance allocation or                               state after EPA has carried out the
                                                  or does not substantively differ from the                     applicability provisions of a CSAPR                           Indian country NUSA allocation
                                                  federal trading program except as                             federal trading program, the complete                         procedures.15
                                                  discussed above with regard to the                            SIP revision must be submitted to EPA                            • Assurance that total allocations will
                                                  allowance allocation and/or                                   by December 1 of the year before the                          not exceed the state budget. For each
                                                  applicability provisions.8 For purposes                       deadlines described below for                                 federal trading program addressed by a
                                                  of a full SIP revision, a state may either                    submitting allocation or auction                              SIP revision, the total amount of
                                                  adopt state rules with complete trading                       amounts to EPA for the first control                          allowances auctioned or allocated for
                                                  program language, incorporate the                             period for which the state wants to                           each control period under the SIP
                                                  federal trading program language into its                     replace the default allocation and/or                         revision (prior to the addition by EPA of
                                                  state rules by reference (with                                applicability provisions.12 This SIP                          any unallocated allowances from any
                                                  appropriate conforming changes), or                           submission deadline is inoperative in                         Indian country NUSA for the state)
                                                  employ a combination of these                                 the case of a SIP revision that seeks only                    generally may not exceed the state’s
                                                  approaches.                                                   to replace a CSAPR FIP and federal                            emissions budget for the control period
                                                     The CSAPR regulations identify                             trading program with a SIP and a                              less the sum of the amount of any
                                                  several important consequences and                            substantively identical state trading                         Indian country NUSA for the state for
                                                  limitations associated with approval of                       program integrated with the federal                           the control period and any allowances
                                                  a full SIP revision. First, upon EPA’s                        trading program. The SIP submittal                            already allocated to the state’s units for
                                                  approval of a full SIP revision as                            completeness criteria in section 2.1 of                       the control period and recorded by
                                                  correcting the deficiency in the state’s                      appendix V to 40 CFR part 51 also                             EPA.16 Under its SIP revision, a state is
                                                  SIP that was the basis for a particular set                   apply.                                                        free to not allocate allowances to some
                                                  of CSAPR FIP requirements, the                                   In addition to the general submittal                       or all potentially affected units, to
                                                  obligation to participate in the                              conditions, a CSAPR-related abbreviated                       allocate or auction allowances to
                                                  corresponding CSAPR federal trading                           or full SIP seeking to address the                            entities other than potentially affected
                                                  program is automatically eliminated for                       allocation or auction of emission                             units, or to allocate or auction fewer
                                                  units subject to the state’s jurisdiction                     allowances must meet the following                            than the maximum permissible quantity
                                                  without the need for a separate EPA                           further conditions:                                           of allowances and retire the remainder.
                                                  withdrawal action, so long as EPA’s                              • Methodology covering all                                 Under the CSAPR NOX Ozone Season
                                                  approval of the SIP revision as meeting                       allowances potentially requiring                              Group 2 Trading Program only,
                                                  the requirements of the CSAPR                                 allocation. For each federal trading                          additional allowances may be allocated
                                                  regulations is full and unconditional.9                       program addressed by a SIP revision,                          if the state elects to expand applicability
                                                  Second, approval of a full SIP revision                       the SIP revision’s allowance allocation                       to non-EGUs that would have been
                                                  does not terminate the obligation to                          or auction methodology must replace                           subject to the NOX Budget Trading
                                                  participate in the corresponding CSAPR                        both the federal program’s default                            Program established for compliance
                                                  federal trading program for any units                         allocations to existing units 13 at 40 CFR                    with the NOX SIP Call.17
                                                  located in any Indian country within the                                                                                       • Timely submission of state-
                                                                                                                   10 40 CFR 52.38(a)(5)(iv)–(v), (a)(6), (b)(5)(v)–(vi),
                                                  borders of the state, and if and when a                                                                                     determined allocations to EPA. The SIP
                                                                                                                (b)(9)(vi)–(vii), (b)(10)(i); 52.39(f)(4)–(5), (i)(4)–(5),
                                                  unit is located in Indian country within                      (j).
                                                                                                                                                                              revision must require the state to submit
                                                  a state’s borders, EPA may modify the                            11 40 CFR 52.38(a)(7), (b)(11); 52.39(k).
                                                                                                                   12 40 CFR 52.38(a)(4)(ii), (a)(5)(vi), (b)(4)(iii),        files/2017-05/documents/csapr_allowance_
                                                  SIP approval to exclude from the SIP,
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                                                                                (b)(5)(vii), (b)(8)(iv), (b)(9)(viii); 52.39(e)(2), (f)(6),   allocations_final_rule_tsd.pdf.
                                                  and include in the surviving CSAPR FIP                        (h)(2), (i)(6).
                                                                                                                                                                                 14 40 CFR 52.38(a)(4)(i), (a)(5)(i), (b)(4)(ii),

                                                  instead, certain trading program                                 13 In the context of the approval conditions for           (b)(5)(ii), (b)(8)(iii), (b)(9)(iii); 52.39(e)(1), (f)(1),
                                                  provisions that apply jointly to units in                     CSAPR-related SIP revisions, an ‘‘existing unit’’ is          (h)(1), (i)(1).
                                                                                                                                                                                 15 See 40 CFR 97.412(b)(10)(ii), 97.512(b)(10)(ii),
                                                  the state and to units in Indian country                      a unit for which EPA has determined default
                                                                                                                allowance allocations (which could be allocations             97.612(b)(10)(ii), 97.712(b)(10)(ii), 97.812(b)(10)(ii).
                                                                                                                                                                                 16 40 CFR 52.38(a)(4)(i)(A), (a)(5)(i)(A),
                                                                                                                of zero allowances) in the rulemakings establishing
                                                    7 40 CFR 52.38(a)(4), (b)(4), (b)(8); 52.39(e), (h).        and amending CSAPR. A document describing                     (b)(4)(ii)(A), (b)(5)(ii)(A), (b)(8)(iii)(A), (b)(9)(iii)(A);
                                                    8 40 CFR 52.38(a)(5), (b)(5), (b)(9); 52.39(f), (i).                                                                      52.39(e)(1)(i), (f)(1)(i), (h)(1)(i), (i)(1)(i).
                                                                                                                EPA’s default allocations to existing units is
                                                    9 40 CFR 52.38(a)(6), (b)(10)(i); 52.39(j).                 available at https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/               17 40 CFR 52.38(b)(8)(iii)(A), (b)(9)(iii)(A).




                                             VerDate Sep<11>2014    17:29 Aug 16, 2017    Jkt 241001       PO 00000   Frm 00024    Fmt 4702     Sfmt 4702    E:\FR\FM\17AUP1.SGM        17AUP1


                                                                               Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 158 / Thursday, August 17, 2017 / Proposed Rules                                                                           39073

                                                  to EPA the amounts of any allowances                                    later allocated or auctioned to such                            considered existing units for CSAPR
                                                  allocated or auctioned to each unit for                                 units from the set-aside amount) by the                         purposes and amounts allocated or
                                                  each control period (other than                                         following deadlines.18 Note that the                            auctioned to other units.
                                                  allowances initially set aside in the                                   submission deadlines differ for amounts
                                                  state’s allocation or auction process and                               allocated or auctioned to units

                                                     CSAPR NOX ANNUAL, CSAPR NOX OZONE SEASON GROUP 1, CSAPR SO2 GROUP 1, AND CSAPR SO2 GROUP 2
                                                                                         TRADING PROGRAMS
                                                                        Units                                    Year of the control period                          Deadline for submission to EPA of allocations or auction results

                                                  Existing ............................................    2017 and 2018 ..............................           June 1, 2016.
                                                                                                           2019 and 2020 ..............................           June 1, 2017.
                                                                                                           2021 and 2022 ..............................           June 1, 2018.
                                                                                                           2023 and later years .....................             June 1 of the fourth year before the year of the control period.
                                                  Other ...............................................    All years .........................................    July 1 of the year of the control period.


                                                                                                          CSAPR NOX OZONE SEASON GROUP 2 TRADING PROGRAM
                                                                        Units                                    Year of the control period                          Deadline for submission to EPA of allocations or auction results

                                                  Existing ............................................    2019 and 2020 ..............................           June 1, 2018.
                                                                                                           2021 and 2022 ..............................           June 1, 2019.
                                                                                                           2023 and 2024 ..............................           June 1, 2020.
                                                                                                           2025 and later years .....................             June 1 of the fourth year before the year of the control period.
                                                  Other ...............................................    All years .........................................    July 1 of the year of the control period.



                                                     • No changes to allocations already                                  MWe. The SIP revision may expand                                revision must adopt complete state
                                                  submitted to EPA or recorded. The SIP                                   applicability only to additional fossil                         trading program regulations
                                                  revision must not provide for any                                       fuel-fired boilers or combustion turbines                       substantively identical to the complete
                                                  change to the amounts of allowances                                     serving generators producing electricity                        federal trading program regulations at
                                                  allocated or auctioned to any unit after                                for sale, and only by lowering the                              40 CFR 97.402 through 97.435, 97.502
                                                  those amounts are submitted to EPA or                                   generator nameplate capacity threshold                          through 97.535, 97.602 through 97.635,
                                                  any change to any allowance allocation                                  used to determine whether a particular                          97.702 through 97.735, or 97.802
                                                  determined and recorded by EPA under                                    boiler or combustion turbine serving a                          through 97.835, as applicable, except as
                                                  the federal trading program                                             particular generator is a potentially                           described above in the case of a SIP
                                                  regulations.19                                                          affected unit. The nameplate capacity                           revision that seeks to replace the default
                                                     • No other substantive changes to                                    threshold adopted in the SIP revision                           allowance allocation and/or
                                                  federal trading program provisions. The                                 may not be less than 15 MWe.22 In                               applicability provisions.25
                                                  SIP revision may not substantively                                      addition or alternatively, applicability
                                                  change any other trading program                                        under the CSAPR NOX Ozone Season                                   • Only non-substantive substitutions
                                                  provisions, except in the case of a SIP                                 Group 2 Trading Program may be                                  for the term ‘‘State.’’ The SIP revision
                                                  revision that also expands program                                      expanded to non-EGUs that would have                            may substitute the name of the state for
                                                  applicability as described below.20 Any                                 been subject to the NOX Budget Trading                          the term ‘‘State’’ as used in the federal
                                                  new definitions adopted in the SIP                                      Program established for compliance                              trading program regulations, but only to
                                                  revision (in addition to the federal                                    with the NOX SIP Call.23                                        the extent that EPA determines that the
                                                  trading program’s definitions) may                                         • No other substantive changes to                            substitutions do not substantively
                                                  apply only for purposes of the SIP                                      federal trading program provisions. The                         change the trading program
                                                  revision’s allocation or auction                                        SIP revision may not substantively                              regulations.26
                                                  provisions.21                                                           change any other trading program                                   • Exclusion of provisions addressing
                                                     In addition to the general submittal                                 provisions, except in the case of a SIP                         units in Indian country. The SIP
                                                  conditions, a CSAPR-related abbreviated                                 revision that also addresses the
                                                                                                                                                                                          revision may not impose requirements
                                                  or full SIP revision seeking to expand                                  allocation or auction of emission
                                                                                                                                                                                          on any unit in any Indian country
                                                  applicability under the CSAPR NOX                                       allowances as described above.24
                                                                                                                                                                                          within the state’s borders and must not
                                                  Ozone Season Group 1 or CSAPR NOX                                          In addition to the general submittal
                                                  Ozone Season Group 2 Trading                                            conditions and the other applicable                             include the federal trading program
                                                  Programs (or an integrated state trading                                conditions described above, a CSAPR-                            provisions governing allocation of
                                                  program) must meet the following                                        related full SIP revision must meet the                         allowances from any Indian country
                                                  further conditions:                                                     following further conditions:                                   NUSA for the state.27
                                                     • Only electricity generating units                                     • Complete, substantively identical
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                  with nameplate capacity of at least 15                                  trading program provisions. The SIP
                                                    18 40 CFR 52.38(a)(4)(i)(B)–(C), (a)(5)(i)(B)–(C),                      20 40 CFR 52.38(a)(4), (a)(5), (b)(4), (b)(5), (b)(8),          24 40 CFR 52.38(b)(4), (b)(5), (b)(8), (b)(9).
                                                  (b)(4)(ii)(B)–(C), (b)(5)(ii)(B)–(C), (b)(8)(iii)(B)–(C),               (b)(9); 52.39(e), (f), (h), (i).                                  25 40 CFR 52.38(a)(5), (b)(5), (b)(9); 52.39(f), (i).
                                                  (b)(9)(iii)(B)–(C); 52.39(e)(1)(ii)–(iii), (f)(1)(ii)–(iii),              21 40 CFR 52.38(a)(4)(i), (a)(5)(ii), (b)(4)(ii),
                                                                                                                                                                                            26 40 CFR 52.38(a)(5)(iii), (b)(5)(iv), (b)(9)(v);
                                                  (h)(1)(ii)–(iii), (i)(1)(ii)–(iii).                                     (b)(5)(iii), (b)(8)(iii), (b)(9)(iv); 52.39(e)(1), (f)(2),
                                                                                                                                                                                          52.39(f)(3), (i)(3).
                                                    19 40 CFR 52.38(a)(4)(i)(D), (a)(5)(i)(D),                            (h)(1), (i)(2).
                                                                                                                                                                                            27 40 CFR 52.38(a)(5)(iv), (b)(5)(v), (b)(9)(vi);
                                                                                                                            22 40 CFR 52.38(b)(4)(i), (b)(5)(i), (b)(8)(i), (b)(9)(i).
                                                  (b)(4)(ii)(D), (b)(5)(ii)(D), (b)(8)(iii)(D), (b)(9)(iii)(D);
                                                  52.39(e)(1)(iv), (f)(1)(iv), (h)(1)(iv), (i)(1)(iv).                      23 40 CFR 52.38(b)(8)(ii), (b)(9)(ii).                        52.39(f)(4), (i)(4).




                                             VerDate Sep<11>2014        17:29 Aug 16, 2017        Jkt 241001       PO 00000      Frm 00025       Fmt 4702        Sfmt 4702   E:\FR\FM\17AUP1.SGM    17AUP1


                                                  39074                 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 158 / Thursday, August 17, 2017 / Proposed Rules

                                                  IV. Alabama’s SIP Submittal and EPA’s                   supersedes portions of the October 26,                   rules omit a number of federal trading
                                                  Analysis                                                2015, submittal to reflect changes from                  program provisions not applicable to
                                                                                                          the CSAPR Update.34 On August 4,                         Alabama’s state trading programs,
                                                  A. Alabama’s SIP Submittal
                                                                                                          2017, Alabama sent a letter clarifying                   including: provisions setting forth the
                                                     In the CSAPR rulemaking, among                       the State’s interpretation concerning the                amounts of emissions budgets, NUSAs,
                                                  other findings, EPA determined that air                 allowances for the Indian country                        Indian country NUSAs, and variability
                                                  pollution transported from Alabama                      NUSA for Alabama. The Alabama ozone                      limits for other states; provisions
                                                  would unlawfully affect other states’                   season submittals include duly adopted                   addressing EPA’s procedures for
                                                  ability to attain or maintain the 1997 8-               state rules at rules 335–3–8–.39 through                 allocating allowances from Indian
                                                  hour Ozone NAAQS.28 In the CSAPR                        335–3–8–.70, which establish Alabama’s                   country NUSAs; and provisions
                                                  Update rulemaking, EPA determined                       ‘‘TR NOX Ozone Season Group 2                            addressing EPA’s recordation of certain
                                                  that air pollution transported from                     Trading Program.’’ 35 In general, each                   allowance allocations.
                                                  Alabama would unlawfully affect other                   individual rule in Alabama’s CSAPR                          Each SIP revision was submitted to
                                                  states’ ability to attain or maintain the               state trading program rules is designed                  EPA by a letter from the Director of the
                                                  2008 8-hour Ozone NAAQS and                             to replace one individual section (or in                 Alabama Department of Environmental
                                                  established an ozone season NOX budget                  a few cases two or three sections) of the                Management. The letters and enclosures
                                                  for Alabama’s EGUs representing a                       corresponding federal trading program                    describe steps taken by Alabama to
                                                  partial remedy for the State’s interstate               regulations, and the set of rules is                     provide public notice prior to adoption
                                                  transport obligations with respect to that              designed to collectively replace all                     of the state rules.
                                                  NAAQS; 29 determined that Alabama’s                     sections of the corresponding federal                       EPA has previously approved
                                                  previous ozone season NOX budget                        trading program regulations at subpart                   portions of Alabama’s October 26, 2015,
                                                  established in the CSAPR rulemaking as                  EEEEE of 40 CFR part 97 (i.e., 40 CFR                    submittal replacing the FIPs for the
                                                  a partial remedy for the State’s interstate             97.801 through 97.835).                                  CSAPR NOX Annual Trading Program
                                                  transport obligations with respect to the                  With regard to form, some of the                      and the CSAPR SO2 Group 2 Trading
                                                  1997 8-hour Ozone NAAQS now                             individual rules for each Alabama                        Program for Alabama.37
                                                  represented a full remedy with respect                  CSAPR state trading program are set
                                                  to that NAAQS; 30 and coordinated                       forth as full regulatory text—notably the                B. EPA’s Analysis of Alabama’s
                                                  compliance requirements by allowing                     rules addressing program applicability,                  Submittals
                                                  compliance with the new CSAPR                           emissions budgets and variability limits,                   As described in section IV.A above, at
                                                  Update budget to serve the purpose of                   and allowance allocations—but most of                    this time EPA is taking action on the
                                                  addressing the State’s obligations with                 the rules incorporate the corresponding                  portions of Alabama’s ozone season
                                                  respect to both NAAQS.31 Alabama                        federal trading program section or                       submittals designed to replace the
                                                  units meeting the CSAPR applicability                   sections by reference. Several of the                    federal CSAPR NOX Ozone Season
                                                  criteria are consequently subject to                    Alabama rules adopt cross-references to                  Group 2 Trading Program. The analysis
                                                  CSAPR FIP requirements for                              other Alabama rules in place of cross-                   discussed in this section addresses only
                                                  participation in the CSAPR NOX Ozone                    references to specific federal trading                   the portions of Alabama’s ozone season
                                                  Season Group 2 Trading Program in                       program sections that would be replaced                  submittals on which EPA is taking
                                                  order to address the State’s interstate                 by those other Alabama rules.                            action at this time. For simplicity,
                                                  transport obligations with respect to                      With regard to substance, the rules for               throughout this section EPA refers to the
                                                  both the 1997 8-hour Ozone NAAQS                        the Alabama CSAPR state ozone season                     portions of the submittals on which EPA
                                                  (full remedy) and the 2008 8-hour                       trading program differ from the                          is proposing to take action as ‘‘the
                                                  Ozone NAAQS (partial remedy).32                         corresponding CSAPR federal trading                      Alabama ozone season submittals’’ or
                                                     On October 26, 2015, Alabama                         program regulations in three main ways.                  ‘‘the SIP revisions’’ without repeating
                                                  submitted to EPA a SIP revision                         First, the applicability provisions in the               the qualification that at this time EPA is
                                                  including provisions that, if approved,                 Alabama rules require participation in                   analyzing and proposing to act on only
                                                  would incorporate into Alabama’s SIP                    Alabama’s CSAPR state trading                            portions of the SIP submittal.
                                                  state trading program regulations that                  programs only for units in Alabama, not
                                                  would replace the CSAPR federal                                                                                  1. Timeliness and Completeness of SIP
                                                                                                          for units in any other state or in Indian
                                                  trading program regulations with regard                                                                          Submittal
                                                                                                          country within the borders of Alabama
                                                  to Alabama units’ ozone season NOX                      or any other state. Second, the Alabama                     Together, the Alabama ozone season
                                                  emissions.33 On May 19, 2017, Alabama                   rules set forth a methodology for                        submittals seek in part to replace the
                                                  submitted to EPA a SIP revision that                    allocating emission allowances among                     default allowance allocation provisions
                                                                                                          Alabama units that differs from the                      in the CSAPR federal trading program
                                                    28 See 76 FR 48208, 48210, 48213 (August 8,
                                                                                                          default allowance allocation provisions                  regulations for ozone season NOX
                                                  2011). EPA also determined in the CSAPR
                                                  rulemaking that air pollution transported from          in the federal trading program                           emissions as applied to Alabama units
                                                  Alabama would unlawfully affect other states’           regulations.36 Finally, the Alabama                      with state regulations establishing a
                                                  ability to attain or maintain the 1997 annual PM2.5                                                              different state-determined methodology,
                                                  NAAQS and the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS.                    34 For the purposes of this rulemaking, the           starting with the control periods in
                                                  Alabama previously submitted, and EPA previously        October 26, 2015, and May 19, 2017, submittals
                                                  approved, a SIP revision that replaces the CSAPR                                                                 2019. Under 40 CFR 52.38(b)(9)(iii)(B),
                                                                                                          together may also be referred to as the ‘‘Alabama
                                                  FIPs for the annual trading programs in Alabama.        ozone season submittals.’’
                                                                                                                                                                   the deadline for submission of state-
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                  See 81 FR 59869 (August 31, 2016).                         35 Alabama’s rules use the terms ‘‘Transport Rule’’   determined allowance allocations for
                                                    29 CSAPR Update, 81 FR at 74507–08.
                                                                                                          and ‘‘TR’’ instead of the updated terms ‘‘Cross-State    the 2019 and 2020 control periods is
                                                    30 Id. at 74525.
                                                                                                          Air Pollution Rule’’ and ‘‘CSAPR.’’ For simplicity,      June 1, 2018, which under
                                                    31 Id. at 74563 n.169.
                                                                                                          EPA uses the updated terms here except where             § 52.38(b)(9)(viii) makes December 1,
                                                    32 40 CFR 52.38(b)(2), (b)(2)(iii); 52.54(a), (b).    otherwise noted.
                                                    33 As discussed above, the October 26, 2015              36 EPA notes that in the CSAPR Update, the
                                                                                                                                                                   2017, the deadline for submission to
                                                  submittal also contained provisions related to the      allocations of Alabama’s allowance budget to the
                                                  annual NOX and SO2 trading programs, which EPA          state’s units under the federal CSAPR NOX Ozone          Alabama’s October 26, 2015 SIP submittal, 81 FR
                                                  approved in a separate rulemaking. See 81 FR            Season Group 2 Trading Program were determined           at 74564.
                                                  59869 (August 31, 2016).                                using a methodology similar to the methodology in           37 See 81 FR 59869 (August 31, 2016).




                                             VerDate Sep<11>2014   17:29 Aug 16, 2017   Jkt 241001   PO 00000   Frm 00026   Fmt 4702   Sfmt 4702   E:\FR\FM\17AUP1.SGM     17AUP1


                                                                           Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 158 / Thursday, August 17, 2017 / Proposed Rules                                                     39075

                                                  EPA of a complete SIP revision                             regulations. Although under the State’s                to other units). Alabama’s SIP revision
                                                  establishing state-determined                              rules, Alabama will provide EPA with                   therefore meets the conditions under 40
                                                  allocations for those control periods.                     allocations for allowances equal to the                CFR 52.38(b)(9)(iii)(B) and (C) requiring
                                                  Alabama submitted its SIP revisions on                     total amount of the state budget, the                  that the SIP revision provide for
                                                  October 26, 2015 and May 19, 2017, and                     State has clarified in its August 4, 2017,             submission of state-determined
                                                  EPA has determined that the submittals                     letter that, under the State’s                         allowance allocations to EPA by the
                                                  comply with the applicable minimum                         interpretation of its rules, the                       deadlines specified in those provisions.
                                                  completeness criteria in section 2.1 of                    allocations of a portion of the total state
                                                                                                                                                                    5. No Changes to Allocations Already
                                                  appendix V to 40 CFR part 51. Because                      budget equal to the Indian country
                                                                                                                                                                    Submitted to EPA or Recorded
                                                  Alabama’s SIP revisions were timely                        NUSA are to be implemented by EPA
                                                  submitted and meet the applicable                          only if and when the total quantity of                    The Alabama rules include no
                                                  completeness criteria, they meet the                       allowances in the State’s Indian country               provisions allowing alteration of
                                                  conditions under 40 CFR                                    NUSA is released for state allocation                  allocations after the allocation amounts
                                                  52.38(b)(9)(viii) for timely submission of                 pursuant to 40 CFR 97.812(b)(10)(ii),                  have been provided to EPA and no
                                                  a complete SIP revision.                                   and if that total quantity of allowances               provisions allowing alteration of any
                                                                                                             is not released for state allocation, then             allocations made and recorded by EPA
                                                  2. Methodology Covering All                                                                                       under the federal trading program
                                                  Allowances Potentially Requiring                           the State’s allocations of that portion of
                                                                                                             the budget are void.39 To clarify the                  regulations, thereby meeting the
                                                  Allocation                                                                                                        condition under 40 CFR
                                                                                                             separate, contingent nature of the State’s
                                                     Paragraph 335–3–8–.46(1) of the                         allocations of the Indian country NUSA                 52.38(b)(9)(iii)(D).
                                                  Alabama rules sets forth total amounts                     allowances, the State will submit its                  6. No Other Substantive Changes to
                                                  of 13,211 CSAPR NOX Ozone Season                           allocations of those allowances to the                 Federal Trading Program Provisions
                                                  Group 2 allowances that would be                           EPA as a separate set of allocations from
                                                  allocated to Alabama units for each                                                                                  With the exception of the provisions
                                                                                                             the allocations of the remaining
                                                  control period in 2019 and later years                                                                            addressing the allowance allocation
                                                                                                             allowances in the state budget.40 EPA
                                                  according to the allocation procedures                                                                            methodology discussed above, the
                                                                                                             has not yet allocated or recorded CSAPR                Alabama state trading program rules
                                                  set forth under the remaining                              allowances for the control periods in
                                                  paragraphs of Alabama rule 335–3–8–                                                                               generally incorporate sections of the
                                                                                                             2019 or later years. As interpreted by                 corresponding federal trading program
                                                  .46 (Paragraph 335–3–8–.45(1) sets forth                   the State, the allocation methodology in
                                                  the same amounts as the respective state                                                                          regulations by reference or set forth full
                                                                                                             Alabama’s SIP revision therefore meets                 text that is very similar to the text in the
                                                  emissions budgets, in conjunction with                     the condition under 40 CFR
                                                  the corresponding variability limits).                                                                            corresponding federal trading program
                                                                                                             52.38(b)(9)(iii)(A) that the total amount              regulations.41 Some of the differences
                                                  These totals match the amounts of the                      of allowances allocated under the SIP
                                                  Phase 2 emissions budgets for Alabama                                                                             between the Alabama rules and the
                                                                                                             revision (before the addition of any                   corresponding federal trading program
                                                  established under the federal trading
                                                                                                             otherwise unallocated allowances from                  regulations are clearly non-substantive.
                                                  program regulations for ozone NOX
                                                                                                             an Indian country NUSA) may not                        For example, in instances where an
                                                  emissions, thereby addressing the full
                                                                                                             exceed the state’s budget for the control              Alabama rule contains full text
                                                  quantities of allowances that could be
                                                                                                             period less the amount of the Indian                   substituting for the text of a section of
                                                  allocated to Alabama units under the
                                                                                                             country NUSA for the state and any                     the federal trading program regulations,
                                                  default allocation provisions for the
                                                                                                             allowances already allocated and                       the remaining Alabama rules adopt
                                                  federal trading programs.38 In addition,
                                                                                                             recorded by EPA.                                       cross-references to the full-text Alabama
                                                  Alabama’s rule—through provisions that
                                                  create an iterative process for allocating                 4. Timely Submission of State-                         rule in place of cross-references to the
                                                  allowances—addresses the disposition                       Determined Allocations to EPA                          section of the federal trading program
                                                  of otherwise unallocated allowances                                                                               regulations that would be replaced by
                                                                                                                Paragraphs 335–3–8–.46(2)(a) through
                                                  from an Indian country NUSA. The                                                                                  the full-text Alabama rule. The Alabama
                                                                                                             (d) of the Alabama rules provide for all
                                                  allocation provisions in the Alabama                                                                              rules also contain definitions for certain
                                                                                                             allowance allocations to Alabama units                 terms used in the State trading
                                                  rules therefore enable Alabama’s SIP                       established under the Alabama rules to
                                                  revision to meet the condition under 40                                                                           program’s allocation provisions that are
                                                                                                             be submitted to EPA by the following                   not used in the federal trading program
                                                  CFR 52.38(b)(9)(iii) that the state’s                      deadlines: Allocations for the control
                                                  allocation or auction methodology must                                                                            regulations, as expressly permitted
                                                                                                             periods in 2019 and 2020, by June 1,                   under the CSAPR regulations.42 Most of
                                                  cover all allowances potentially                           2017; allocations for the control periods
                                                  requiring allocation by the state.                                                                                the remaining differences between the
                                                                                                             in 2021 and 2022, by June 1, 2018; and                 Alabama rules and the corresponding
                                                  3. Assurance That Total Allocations                        allocations for later control periods, by              sections of the federal trading program
                                                  Will Not Exceed the State Budget                           June 1 of the fourth or fifth year before              regulations consist of non-substantive
                                                                                                             the year of the control period. These                  renumbering of the provisions.43
                                                     As discussed in section IV.B.2 above,
                                                                                                             submission deadlines match or precede                     In addition to the clearly non-
                                                  paragraph 335–3–8–.46(1) of the
                                                                                                             the submission deadlines discussed in                  substantive or expressly authorized
                                                  Alabama rules sets forth the total
                                                                                                             section III above (specifically, the
                                                  amount of CSAPR Ozone Season Group
                                                                                                             deadlines under 40 CFR                                    41 The CSAPR federal regulations explicitly
                                                  2 NOX allowances to be allocated to
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                                                                             52.38(b)(9)(iii)(B) for allocations to units           provide that terms in the federal CSAPR regulations
                                                  Alabama units for each control period                                                                             that include ‘‘CSAPR’’ are considered synonymous
                                                                                                             considered existing units for CSAPR
                                                  under the state trading program and this                                                                          with otherwise identical terms in approved SIP
                                                                                                             purposes and the submission deadlines
                                                  amount equals the amount of the ozone                                                                             revisions that include ‘‘TR’’ instead of ‘‘CSAPR’’. 40
                                                                                                             under § 52.38(b)(9)(iii)(C) for allocations            CFR 97.802 (introductory text).
                                                  season NOX emissions budget
                                                                                                                                                                       42 40 CFR 52.38(b)(9)(iv).
                                                  established for Alabama units under the                      39 August 4, 2017, Letter from R. Gore (ADEM) to        43 Instances where Alabama’s CSAPR state trading
                                                  CSAPR federal trading program                              B. Banister (EPA, Region 4), available in the docket   program rules omit provisions of the CSAPR federal
                                                                                                             for this action.                                       trading program regulations are discussed in
                                                    38 40   CFR 97.810(a)(1)(i).                               40 Id.                                               sections IV.B.7 and 9 below.



                                             VerDate Sep<11>2014      17:29 Aug 16, 2017   Jkt 241001   PO 00000   Frm 00027   Fmt 4702   Sfmt 4702   E:\FR\FM\17AUP1.SGM   17AUP1


                                                  39076                 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 158 / Thursday, August 17, 2017 / Proposed Rules

                                                  differences summarized above, a few of                     Finally, paragraphs 335–3–8–.42(2)(a)              from Alabama’s state trading program
                                                  Alabama’s rules contain other                           and (b) of the Alabama rules substitute               rules is required, as discussed in section
                                                  differences from the federal trading                    references to Alabama rule 335.3.16–                  IV.B.9 below.
                                                  program regulations. In each case, EPA                  .13(3) (the Alabama rule addressing                      The third exception is that Alabama
                                                  has determined that the changes do not                  minor permit modification procedures)                 rule 335–3–8–.56, which generally
                                                  represent substantive changes to the                    for references to 40 CFR 70.7(e)(2) (the              incorporates by reference the federal
                                                  federal trading program regulations.                    minor permit modification procedures                  trading programs’ recordation schedule
                                                  First, paragraphs 335–3–8–.40(1)(c),                    section of the federal regulations                    provisions, excludes from incorporation
                                                  335–3–8–.41(1)(a), and 335–3–8–                         governing state operating permit                      by reference 40 CFR 97.821(a), (b), (h),
                                                  .66(2)(a), of the Alabama rules require                 programs under CAA title V) in the                    (i) and (j) concerning EPA’s schedule for
                                                  Alabama units to submit certain                         federal trading program regulations                   recording certain allowance allocations.
                                                  petitions, statements, and notices not                  regarding title V permit requirements.                The federal trading program provisions
                                                  only to EPA but also to the Alabama                     As applied to Alabama units only, the                 at § 97.821(a) and (b), which address
                                                  Department of Environmental                             substituted Alabama rule provisions are               recordation of allocations to units
                                                  Management. In addition, paragraph                      substantively identical to the provisions             considered existing units for CSAPR
                                                  335–3–8–.42(e) of the Alabama rules                     in 40 CFR 70.7(e)(2) that would be                    purposes of allowances for the
                                                  allow the Department to extend on-site                  replaced. Because in the context of                   compliance periods in 2017 and 2018,
                                                  storage of records beyond five years.                   Alabama’s CSAPR state trading                         do not need to be included in Alabama’s
                                                  Because the additional notification                     programs these particular provisions                  state trading program rules because
                                                  requirements do not alter the respective                need to address only Alabama units and                those allocations have already been
                                                  authorities or responsibilities of EPA                  not units from other states participating             recorded. The federal trading program
                                                  and the Department, EPA considers the                   in the CSAPR trading programs, EPA                    provision at § 97.821(h), which address
                                                  requirements to be non-substantive                      proposes to determine that these                      recordation of allocations from Indian
                                                  changes.                                                substitutions have no substantive effect.             country NUSAs, are appropriately
                                                     Second, paragraphs 335–3–8–                             For the reasons discussed above, EPA               excluded from state trading programs
                                                  .52(2)(a), and 335–3–8–.55(2)(a) of the                 has preliminarily determined that none                because a state may not administer an
                                                  Alabama rules provide that, like EPA,                   of the textual additions or substitutions             Indian country NUSA. The federal
                                                  the Department will not adjudicate                      made to the CSAPR federal trading                     trading program provision at § 97.821(i)
                                                  certain private legal disputes. Because                 program regulations in Alabama’s                      and (j), which address recordation of
                                                  the Department is not required to                       corresponding CSAPR state trading                     second-round NUSA allocations, are not
                                                  adjudicate such disputes under the                      program rules are substantive, and that               needed in Alabama’s state trading
                                                                                                          Alabama’s SIP revision therefore meets                program rules because Alabama would
                                                  federal trading program regulations in
                                                                                                          the condition under 40 CFR 52.38(b)(9)                provide EPA the amounts of its NUSA
                                                  any event, these additions to the text of
                                                                                                          of making no substantive changes to the               allocations on the earlier schedule
                                                  the state trading program rules merely
                                                                                                          provisions of the federal trading                     applicable to allocations to units
                                                  clarify that the Department is not
                                                                                                          program regulations beyond the                        considered existing units for CSAPR
                                                  undertaking a new adjudication
                                                                                                          provisions addressing allowance                       purposes.44 Omission of these
                                                  responsibility under the state trading
                                                                                                          allocations.                                          provisions from Alabama’s state trading
                                                  programs. EPA therefore considers these
                                                                                                                                                                programs therefore does not undermine
                                                  additions to be non-substantive changes.                7. Complete, Substantively Identical
                                                                                                                                                                the completeness of the state trading
                                                     Third, paragraph 335–3–8–.61 of the                  Trading Program Provisions
                                                                                                                                                                programs.
                                                  Alabama rule substitutes references to                     With the following exceptions, the                    Because none of the omissions
                                                  Alabama rule 335–3–8–.46(3)(i) (the                     Alabama rules comprising Alabama’s                    undermines the completeness of
                                                  Alabama rule addressing units                           CSAPR state trading program for ozone                 Alabama’s state trading programs and
                                                  incorrectly allocated allowances).                      season NOx emissions either                           because, as discussed in section IV.B.6
                                                  Because the Alabama rule substitution                   incorporate by reference or adopt full-               above, EPA has preliminarily
                                                  seeks to replace 40 CFR 97.811(c) with                  text replacements for all of the                      determined that Alabama’s SIP revision
                                                  333–3–8.46(3)(i), which in turn                         provisions of 40 CFR 97.802 through                   makes no other substantive changes to
                                                  incorporates by reference 40 CFR                        97.835. The first exception is that                   the provisions of the federal trading
                                                  97.811(c), EPA proposes to find that the                Alabama rule 335–3–8–.46, which                       program regulations beyond the
                                                  provisions are substantively identical.                 generally addresses the amount of                     provisions addressing allowance
                                                     Fourth, paragraph 335–3–8–.65 of the                 emissions budget and related quantities,              allocations, Alabama’s SIP revision
                                                  Alabama rules substitutes references for                omits the provisions of 40 CFR 97.810                 meets the condition under 40 CFR
                                                  Alabama rule 335–3–8–.41 (the Alabama                   setting forth the amounts of all                      52.38(b)(9) that the SIP revision must
                                                  rule covering retired unit exemptions).                 emissions budgets, NUSAs, Indian                      adopt complete state trading program
                                                  This substitution is appropriate as it                  country NUSAs, and variability limits                 regulations substantively identical to
                                                  substitutes Alabama’s retired unit                      for other states. Omission of the budget,             the complete federal trading program
                                                  exemption for the CSAPR retired unit                    NUSA, Indian country NUSA, and                        regulations at 40 CFR 97.802 through
                                                  exemptions at 40 CFR 97.805. With the                   variability limit provisions for other
                                                  exception of the notification required                  states from state trading programs in                    44 For the same reason, Alabama’s state rules

                                                  above and changes related to                            which only Alabama units participate                  could permissibly omit 40 CFR 97.821(g), which
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                  identification of the state trading                     does not undermine the completeness of                address recordation of first-round NUSA
                                                                                                                                                                allocations. Note that notwithstanding the lack of
                                                  program instead of the federal trading                  the state trading programs.                           provisions addressing recordation of NUSA
                                                  program, Alabama has incorporated the                      The second exception is that Alabama               allocations in Alabama’s state trading program
                                                  text of 40 CFR 97.805 into Alabama Rule                 rule 335–3–8–.46, generally addressing                rules, EPA would retain authority to complete the
                                                  335–3–8–.41. Because the referenced                     allowance allocations, omits 40 CFR                   recordation of 2017 NUSA allocations to Alabama
                                                                                                                                                                units because EPA has already started recording
                                                  provisions are substantively identical,                 97.811(b)(2) and 97.812(b), concerning                allocations to Alabama units of allowances for the
                                                  EPA proposes to determine that these                    EPA’s administration of Indian country                compliance periods in 2017. See 40 CFR
                                                  substitutions have no substantive effect.               NUSAs. Omission of these provisions                   52.38(b)(11)(i).



                                             VerDate Sep<11>2014   17:29 Aug 16, 2017   Jkt 241001   PO 00000   Frm 00028   Fmt 4702   Sfmt 4702   E:\FR\FM\17AUP1.SGM   17AUP1


                                                                        Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 158 / Thursday, August 17, 2017 / Proposed Rules                                                 39077

                                                  97.835, except for permissible                          Season Group 2 units’’ for purposes of                INFORMATION CONTACT  section of this
                                                  differences in allowance allocation and/                the state trading program—renders the                 preamble for more information).
                                                  or applicability provisions.                            remaining provisions of Alabama’s state
                                                                                                                                                                VI. EPA’s Proposed Action on
                                                                                                          trading program rules inoperative as to
                                                  8. Only Non-Substantive Substitutions                                                                         Alabama’s Submittal
                                                                                                          the units. EPA therefore interprets the
                                                  for the Term ‘‘State’’                                                                                           EPA is proposing to approve the
                                                                                                          Alabama rules as not imposing any
                                                     Paragraph 335–3–8–.40(1)(a)1 of the                  requirements on units located in Indian               portions the Alabama ozone season
                                                  Alabama rules substitute the term ‘‘the                 country within the State’s borders.                   submittals concerning the establishment
                                                  State of Alabama,’’ and paragraph 335–                     As discussed in section IV.B.7 above,              for Alabama units of CSAPR state
                                                  3–8–.40(1)(b) of the Alabama rules                      Alabama rule 335–3–8–.46, which                       trading programs for ozone season NOX
                                                  similarly substitute the term ‘‘the State’’             addresses allowance allocations under                 emissions for compliance periods in
                                                  (meaning Alabama), for the phrase ‘‘a                   the state trading programs, contains no               2019 and later years. The proposed
                                                  State (or Indian country within the                     provisions replacing 40 CFR                           revision would adopt into the SIP the
                                                  borders of such State)’’ in the                         97.811(b)(2) or 97.812(b), the portions of            state trading program rules codified in
                                                  corresponding federal trading program                   the federal trading program regulations               ADEM Administrative Code rules 335–
                                                  regulations at 40 CFR 97.810(a)(1) and                  governing allocations of allowances                   3–8-.39 through 335–3–8–.70
                                                  (b). These provisions of the Alabama                    from Indian country NUSAs. Thus, the                  (establishing Alabama’s ‘‘TR NOX Ozone
                                                  rules define the units that are required                Alabama rules do not include any                      Group 2 Trading Program’’), as
                                                  to participate in Alabama’s CSAPR state                 express state rule provisions concerning              interpreted by the State in the August 5,
                                                  trading programs. The substitutions                                                                           2017, clarification letter.45 This
                                                                                                          administration of Indian country
                                                  appropriately exclude units located in                                                                        Alabama CSAPR state trading program
                                                                                                          NUSAs. Further, Alabama rules 335–3–
                                                  other states and units located in Indian                                                                      would be integrated with the federal
                                                                                                          8–.56, which generally incorporate by
                                                  country within the borders of Alabama                                                                         CSAPR NOX Ozone Season Group 2
                                                                                                          reference the federal trading programs’
                                                  or any other state, thereby limiting the                                                                      Trading Program and would be
                                                                                                          recordation schedule provisions,
                                                  applicability of Alabama’s state trading                                                                      substantively identical to the federal
                                                                                                          excludes 40 CFR 97.821(h), addressing
                                                  programs to units that are subject to                                                                         trading program except with regard to
                                                                                                          recordation of Indian country NUSA
                                                  Alabama’s jurisdiction. These                                                                                 the allowance allocation provisions. If
                                                                                                          allocations. Similarly, paragraph 335–3–
                                                  substitutions do not substantively                                                                            EPA approves these portions of the SIP
                                                                                                          8–.46(3)(i) of the Alabama rules, which
                                                  change the provisions of CSAPR’s                                                                              revisions, Alabama units would
                                                  federal trading program regulations. The                incorporates by reference the federal                 generally be required to meet
                                                  remaining Alabama rules do not                          trading program regulations generally                 requirements under Alabama’s CSAPR
                                                  substitute for the term ‘‘State’’ as used               addressing corrections of incorrect                   state trading program equivalent to the
                                                  in the federal trading program                          allocations, excludes 40 CFR                          requirements the units otherwise would
                                                  regulations. EPA proposes to find that                  97.811(c)(5)(iii), addressing corrections             have been required to meet under the
                                                  Alabama’s SIP revision therefore meets                  of certain incorrect Indian country                   corresponding CSAPR federal trading
                                                  the condition under 40 CFR                              NUSA allocations. EPA therefore                       program, but allocations to Alabama
                                                  52.38(b)(9)(v) that the SIP revision may                interprets the Alabama state rules as                 units of CSAPR NOX Ozone Season
                                                  substitute the name of the state for the                sufficiently excluding provisions                     Group 2 allowances for compliance
                                                  term ‘‘State’’ as used in the federal                   addressing administration of the Indian               periods in 2019 and later years would
                                                  trading program regulations, but only to                country NUSA provisions under the                     be determined according to the SIP’s
                                                  the extent that EPA determines that the                 federal trading programs.                             allocation provisions at Alabama rule
                                                  substitutions do not substantively                         In summary, EPA has preliminarily                  335–3–8–.46 instead of EPA’s default
                                                  change the provisions of the federal                    determined that Alabama’s SIP revision                allocation provisions at 40 CFR
                                                  trading program regulations.                            adequately meets the condition under                  97.811(a), 97.811(b)(1), and 97.812(a).
                                                                                                          40 CFR 52.38(b)(9)(vi) that a SIP                     EPA is proposing to approve these
                                                  9. Exclusion of Provisions Addressing                   submittal must not impose any                         portions of the SIP revisions because, as
                                                  Units in Indian Country                                 requirement on any unit in Indian                     clarified by the State’s August 4, 2017,
                                                     The Alabama rules do not set forth                   country within the borders of the State               letter, they meet the requirements of the
                                                  any full text provisions directly                       and must exclude certain provisions                   CAA and EPA’s regulations for approval
                                                  addressing units in Indian country                      related to administration of Indian                   of a CSAPR full SIP revision replacing
                                                  within the state’s borders. As discussed                country NUSAs.                                        a federal trading program with a state
                                                  in section IV.B.8 above, paragraph 335–                                                                       trading program that is integrated with
                                                                                                          V. Incorporation by Reference
                                                  3–8–.40(1)(a)1 of the Alabama rule                                                                            and substantively identical to the
                                                  define the units required to participate                   In this rule, EPA is proposing to                  federal trading program except for
                                                  in Alabama’s state trading programs in                  include in a final EPA rule regulatory                permissible differences with respect to
                                                  a manner that appropriately excludes                    text that includes incorporation by                   emission allowance allocation
                                                  units located in Indian country within                  reference. In accordance with                         provisions, as discussed in section IV
                                                  Alabama’s borders from coverage under                   requirements of 1 CFR 51.5, EPA is                    above.
                                                  Alabama’s CSAPR state trading                           proposing to incorporate by reference                    EPA promulgated the FIP provisions
                                                  programs. Although various other                        ADEM Administrative Code rules 335–                   requiring Alabama units to participate
                                                  provisions of the CSAPR federal trading                 3–8–.39 through 335–3–8–.70, state                    in the federal CSAPR NOX Ozone
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                  program regulations incorporated by                     effective on June 9, 2017, comprising                 Season Group 2 Trading Program in
                                                  reference into the Alabama rules                        Alabama’s TR NOX Ozone Season                         order to address Alabama’s obligations
                                                  without modification refer to units in                  Trading Program. EPA has made, and                    under CAA section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I)
                                                  Indian country, the clear exclusion of                  will continue to make, these materials
                                                  any such units from coverage under the                  generally available through                              45 The Alabama rules use the terms ‘‘Transport

                                                  state trading program applicability                     www.regulations.gov and/or at the EPA                 Rule’’ and ‘‘TR’’ instead of the updated terms
                                                                                                                                                                ‘‘Cross-State Air Pollution Rule’’ and ‘‘CSAPR,’’
                                                  provisions—in other words, the fact that                Region 4 office (please contact the                   which is permissible under the CSAPR Update. 81
                                                  such units are not ‘‘TR NOx Ozone                       person identified in the FOR FURTHER                  FR at 74579.



                                             VerDate Sep<11>2014   17:29 Aug 16, 2017   Jkt 241001   PO 00000   Frm 00029   Fmt 4702   Sfmt 4702   E:\FR\FM\17AUP1.SGM   17AUP1


                                                  39078                 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 158 / Thursday, August 17, 2017 / Proposed Rules

                                                  with respect to the 1997 8-hour Ozone                      • Is not a significant regulatory action             Dated: August 7, 2017.
                                                  NAAQS and the 2008 8-hour Ozone                         subject to review by the Office of                    V. Anne Heard,
                                                  NAAQS in the absence of SIP provisions                  Management and Budget under                           Acting Regional Administrator, Region 4.
                                                  addressing those requirements. Under                    Executive Orders 12866 (58 FR 51735,                  [FR Doc. 2017–17341 Filed 8–16–17; 8:45 am]
                                                  the CSAPR regulations, upon EPA’s full                  October 4, 1993) and 13563 (76 FR 3821,               BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
                                                  and unconditional approval of a SIP                     January 21, 2011);
                                                  revision as correcting the SIP’s                           • does not impose an information
                                                  deficiency that is the basis for a                      collection burden under the provisions                ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
                                                  particular CSAPR FIP, the obligation to                                                                       AGENCY
                                                                                                          of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44
                                                  participate in the corresponding CSAPR
                                                                                                          U.S.C. 3501 et seq.);
                                                  federal trading program is automatically                                                                      40 CFR Part 52
                                                  eliminated for units subject to the state’s                • is certified as not having a
                                                                                                                                                                [EPA–R04–OAR–2017–0174; FRL–9966–27–
                                                  jurisdiction (but not for any units                     significant economic impact on a
                                                                                                                                                                Region 4]
                                                  located in any Indian country within the                substantial number of small entities
                                                  state’s borders).46 Approval of the                     under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5               Air Plan Approval; Alabama;
                                                  portions of Alabama’s SIP submittal                     U.S.C. 601 et seq.);                                  Transportation Conformity
                                                  adopting CSAPR state trading program                       • does not contain any unfunded
                                                  rules for ozone season NOX                                                                                    AGENCY:  Environmental Protection
                                                                                                          mandate or significantly or uniquely
                                                  substantively identical to the                                                                                Agency (EPA).
                                                                                                          affect small governments, as described
                                                  corresponding CSAPR federal trading                                                                           ACTION: Proposed rule.
                                                                                                          in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
                                                  program regulations (or differing only                  of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–4);
                                                  with respect to the allowance allocation                                                                      SUMMARY:    The Environmental Protection
                                                  methodology) would satisfy Alabama’s                       • does not have Federalism                         Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve
                                                  obligation pursuant to CAA section                      implications as specified in Executive                the portion of a revision to the Alabama
                                                  110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) to prohibit emissions                Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10,                  State Implementation plan submitted by
                                                  which will significantly contribute to                  1999);                                                the State of Alabama on May 8, 2013, for
                                                  nonattainment or interfere with                            • is not an economically significant               the purpose of amending the
                                                  maintenance of the 1997 8-hour Ozone                    regulatory action based on health or                  transportation conformity rules to be
                                                  NAAQS in any other state. This                          safety risks subject to Executive Order               consistent with Federal requirements.
                                                  proposed approval would also partially                  13045 (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997);                  DATES: Comments must be received on
                                                  satisfy Alabama’s obligation pursuant to                                                                      or before September 18, 2017.
                                                                                                             • is not a significant regulatory action
                                                  CAA section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) to prohibit              subject to Executive Order 13211 (66 FR               ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,
                                                  emissions which will significantly                      28355, May 22, 2001);                                 identified by Docket ID No. EPA–R04–
                                                  contribute to nonattainment or interfere                                                                      OAR–2017–0174 at http://
                                                  with maintenance of the 2008 8-hour                        • is not subject to requirements of                www.regulations.gov. Follow the online
                                                  Ozone NAAQS in any other state. Thus,                   Section 12(d) of the National                         instructions for submitting comments.
                                                  the proposed approval would correct                     Technology Transfer and Advancement                   Once submitted, comments cannot be
                                                  the same deficiency in the SIP that                     Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272 note) because              edited or removed from Regulations.gov.
                                                  otherwise would be corrected by those                   application of those requirements would               EPA may publish any comment received
                                                  CSAPR FIPs. The proposed approval of                    be inconsistent with the CAA; and                     to its public docket. Do not submit
                                                  the portions of Alabama’s SIP submittal                    • does not provide EPA with the                    electronically any information you
                                                  establishing CSAPR state trading                        discretionary authority to address, as                consider to be Confidential Business
                                                  program rules for ozone season NOX                      appropriate, disproportionate human                   Information (CBI) or other information
                                                  emissions therefore would result in                     health or environmental effects, using                whose disclosure is restricted by statute.
                                                  automatic termination of the obligations                practicable and legally permissible                   Multimedia submissions (audio, video,
                                                  of Alabama units to participate in the                  methods, under Executive Order 12898                  etc.) must be accompanied by a written
                                                  federal CSAPR NOX Ozone Season                          (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994).                      comment. The written comment is
                                                  Group 2 Trading Program.                                   The SIP is not approved to apply on                considered the official comment and
                                                                                                          any Indian reservation land or in any                 should include discussion of all points
                                                  VII. Statutory and Executive Order                                                                            you wish to make. EPA will generally
                                                  Reviews                                                 other area where EPA or an Indian tribe
                                                                                                          has demonstrated that a tribe has                     not consider comments or comment
                                                    Under the CAA, the Administrator is                   jurisdiction. In those areas of Indian                contents located outside of the primary
                                                  required to approve a SIP submission                    country, the rule does not have tribal                submission (i.e. on the web, cloud, or
                                                  that complies with the provisions of the                implications as specified by Executive                other file sharing system). For
                                                  Act and applicable federal regulations.                 Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, November 9,                 additional submission methods, the full
                                                  See 42 U.S.C. 7410(k); 40 CFR 52.02(a).                 2000), nor will it impose substantial                 EPA public comment policy,
                                                  Thus, in reviewing SIP submissions,                                                                           information about CBI or multimedia
                                                                                                          direct costs on tribal governments or
                                                  EPA’s role is to approve state choices,                                                                       submissions, and general guidance on
                                                                                                          preempt tribal law.
                                                  provided that they meet the criteria of                                                                       making effective comments, please visit
                                                  the CAA. Accordingly, this proposed                     List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52                    http://www2.epa.gov/dockets/
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                  action merely approves state law as                                                                           commenting-epa-dockets.
                                                                                                            Environmental protection,                           FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                                  meeting federal requirements and does
                                                                                                          Administrative practice and procedure,                Kelly Sheckler, Air Regulatory
                                                  not impose additional requirements
                                                                                                          Air pollution control, Incorporation by               Management Section, Air Planning and
                                                  beyond those imposed by state law. For
                                                                                                          reference, Intergovernmental relations,               Implementation Branch, Air, Pesticides
                                                  that reason, this proposed action:
                                                                                                          Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone, Reporting and                and Toxics Management Division, U.S.
                                                    46 40 CFR 52.38(b)(10); see also 40 CFR
                                                                                                          recordkeeping requirements.                           Environmental Protection Agency,
                                                  52.54(b)(1) & (2).                                        Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.                   Region 4, 61 Forsyth Street SW.,


                                             VerDate Sep<11>2014   17:29 Aug 16, 2017   Jkt 241001   PO 00000   Frm 00030   Fmt 4702   Sfmt 4702   E:\FR\FM\17AUP1.SGM   17AUP1



Document Created: 2017-08-17 01:42:35
Document Modified: 2017-08-17 01:42:35
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionProposed Rules
ActionProposed rule.
DatesComments must be received on or before September 18, 2017.
ContactAshten Bailey, Air Regulatory Management Section, Air, Pesticides and Toxics Management Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 4, 61 Forsyth Street SW., Atlanta, Georgia 30303-8960. Ms. Bailey can be reached by telephone at (404) 562-9164 or via electronic mail at [email protected]
FR Citation82 FR 39070 
CFR AssociatedEnvironmental Protection; Administrative Practice and Procedure; Air Pollution Control; Incorporation by Reference; Intergovernmental Relations; Nitrogen Dioxide; Ozone and Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements

2025 Federal Register | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
USC | CFR | eCFR