82 FR 39078 - Air Plan Approval; Alabama; Transportation Conformity

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

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

Page Range		39078-39079
FR Document		2017-17239

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve the portion of a revision to the Alabama State Implementation plan submitted by the State of Alabama on May 8, 2013, for the purpose of amending the transportation conformity rules to be consistent with Federal requirements.

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

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 158 (Thursday, August 17, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 39078-39079]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-17239]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 52

[EPA-R04-OAR-2017-0174; FRL-9966-27-Region 4]


Air Plan Approval; Alabama; Transportation Conformity

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to 
approve the portion of a revision to the Alabama State Implementation 
plan submitted by the State of Alabama on May 8, 2013, for the purpose 
of amending the transportation conformity rules to be consistent with 
Federal requirements.

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

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-R04-
OAR-2017-0174 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: Kelly Sheckler, Air Regulatory 
Management Section, Air Planning and Implementation Branch, Air, 
Pesticides and Toxics Management Division, U.S. Environmental 
Protection Agency, Region 4, 61 Forsyth Street SW.,

[[Page 39079]]

Atlanta, Georgia 30303-8960. The telephone number is (404) 562-9222. 
Ms. Sheckler can also be reached via electronic mail at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In the Final Rules Section of this Federal 
Register, EPA is approving the State's implementation plan revision as 
a direct final rule without prior proposal because the Agency views 
this as a noncontroversial submittal and anticipates no adverse 
comments. A detailed rationale for the approval is set forth in the 
direct final rule. If no adverse comments are received in response to 
this rule, no further activity is contemplated. If EPA receives adverse 
comments, the direct final rule will be withdrawn and all public 
comments received will be addressed in a subsequent final rule based on 
this proposed rule. EPA will not institute a second comment period on 
this document. Any parties interested in commenting on this document 
should do so at this time.

    Dated: August 4, 2017.
V. Anne Heard,
Acting Regional Administrator, Region 4.
[FR Doc. 2017-17239 Filed 8-16-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6560-50-P

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.,

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Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 158 / Thursday, August 17, 2017 / Proposed Rules 39079

Atlanta, Georgia 30303–8960. The plan). EPA’s proposed approval of federal area (Class I area) 1 within the
telephone number is (404) 562–9222. South Carolina’s Progress Report was state and in each mandatory Class I area
Ms. Sheckler can also be reached via published in the Federal Register on outside the state that may be affected by
electronic mail at sheckler.kelly@ January 17, 2014. This supplemental emissions from within the state. See 40
epa.gov. proposal addresses the potential effects CFR 51.308(g). In addition, the
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In the on EPA’s proposed approval from the provisions under 40 CFR 51.308(h)
Final Rules Section of this Federal April 29, 2014, decision of the United require states to submit, at the same
Register, EPA is approving the State’s States Supreme Court (Supreme Court) time as the progress report, a
implementation plan revision as a direct remanding to the United States Court of determination of the adequacy of the
final rule without prior proposal Appeals for the District of Columbia state’s existing regional haze plan. The
because the Agency views this as a Circuit (D.C. Circuit) EPA’s Cross-State first progress report is due five years
Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR) for further after submittal of the initial regional
noncontroversial submittal and
proceedings and the D.C. Circuit’s July haze plan.
anticipates no adverse comments. A
28, 2015, decision on remand. SC DHEC submitted its first regional
detailed rationale for the approval is set haze plan on December 17, 2007, and
forth in the direct final rule. If no DATES: Comments must be received on submitted its Progress Report on
adverse comments are received in or before September 18, 2017. December 28, 2012. The Progress Report
response to this rule, no further activity and accompanying cover letter included
is contemplated. If EPA receives adverse ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,
a determination that South Carolina’s
comments, the direct final rule will be identified by Docket ID No. EPA–R04–
existing regional haze plan requires no
withdrawn and all public comments OAR–2013–0389 at http://
substantive revision to achieve the
received will be addressed in a www.regulations.gov. Follow the online
established regional haze visibility
subsequent final rule based on this instructions for submitting comments. improvement and emissions reduction
proposed rule. EPA will not institute a Once submitted, comments cannot be goals for 2018. EPA proposed to find
second comment period on this edited or removed from Regulations.gov. that the State’s Progress Report satisfied
document. Any parties interested in EPA may publish any comment received the requirements of 40 CFR 51.308(g)
commenting on this document should to its public docket. Do not submit and (h) in a notice of proposed
do so at this time. electronically any information you rulemaking (NPRM) published on
Dated: August 4, 2017. consider to be Confidential Business January 17, 2014 (79 FR 3147). Today’s
V. Anne Heard,
Information (CBI) or other information notice supplements that 2014 NPRM by
whose disclosure is restricted by statute. more fully explaining and soliciting
Acting Regional Administrator, Region 4.
Multimedia submissions (audio, video, comment on the basis for the Agency’s
[FR Doc. 2017–17239 Filed 8–16–17; 8:45 am]
etc.) must be accompanied by a written proposed approval as it relates to the
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
comment. The written comment is Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) and
considered the official comment and CSAPR.
should include discussion of all points
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION II. Summary of South Carolina’s
you wish to make. EPA will generally
AGENCY Progress Report and EPA’s 2014 NPRM
not consider comments or comment
40 CFR Part 52 contents located outside of the primary In accordance with requirements in
submission (i.e., on the web, cloud, or EPA’s Regional Haze Rule (RHR), South
[EPA–R04–OAR–2013–0389; FRL–9966–16– other file sharing system). For Carolina’s Progress Report describes the
Region 4] progress made towards the RPGs of
additional submission methods, the full
EPA public comment policy, Class I areas in and outside South
Approval and Promulgation of
information about CBI or multimedia Carolina that are affected by emissions
Implementation Plans; South Carolina;
submissions, and general guidance on from South Carolina’s sources.2 See 40
Regional Haze State Implementation
making effective comments, please visit CFR 51.308(g). This Progress Report also
Plan
http://www2.epa.gov/dockets/ included an assessment of whether
AGENCY: Environmental Protection commenting-epa-dockets. South Carolina’s existing regional haze
Agency (EPA). plan is sufficient to allow it and other
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: nearby states with Class I areas to
ACTION: Proposed rule; supplemental.
Michele Notarianni, Air Regulatory achieve their RPGs by the end of the
SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Management Section, Air Planning and first implementation period. See 40 CFR
Agency (EPA) is issuing a supplement to Implementation Branch, Air, Pesticides 51.308(h). In the 2014 NPRM, EPA
its proposed approval of a revision to and Toxics Management Division, U.S. proposed to approve the State’s Progress
the South Carolina State Environmental Protection Agency, Report as adequately addressing 40 CFR
Implementation Plan (SIP) submitted by Region 4, 61 Forsyth Street SW.,
the State of South Carolina through the Atlanta, Georgia 30303–8960. Ms. 1 Areas designated as mandatory Class I federal

South Carolina Department of Health Notarianni can be reached via telephone areas consist of national parks exceeding 6000
acres, wilderness areas and national memorial parks
and Environmental Control (SC DHEC) at (404) 562–9031 and via electronic exceeding 5000 acres, and all international parks
on December 28, 2012. South Carolina’s mail at notarianni.michele@epa.gov. that were in existence on August 7, 1977. 42 U.S.C.
SIP revision (Progress Report) addresses 7472(a). These areas are listed at 40 CFR part 81,
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: subpart D.
requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA 2 EPA promulgated a rule to address regional
or Act) and EPA’s rules that require I. Background haze, the RHR, on July 1, 1999. See 64 FR 35713.
each state to submit periodic reports The RHR revised the existing visibility regulations
describing progress towards reasonable Each state is required to submit a to integrate into the regulation provisions
progress goals (RPGs) established for progress report in the form of a SIP addressing regional haze impairment and
revision during the first implementation established a comprehensive visibility protection
regional haze and a determination of the program for Class I areas. See 40 CFR 51.308 and
adequacy of the state’s existing SIP period that evaluates progress towards 51.309. EPA revised the RHR on January 10, 2017.
addressing regional haze (regional haze the RPGs for each mandatory Class I See 82 FR 3078.

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Document Created: 2017-08-17 01:42:44
Document Modified: 2017-08-17 01:42:44

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Proposed Rules
Action		Proposed rule.
Dates		Comments must be received on or before September 18, 2017.
Contact		Kelly Sheckler, Air Regulatory Management Section, Air Planning and Implementation Branch, Air, Pesticides and Toxics Management Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 4, 61 Forsyth Street SW., Atlanta, Georgia 30303-8960. The telephone number is (404) 562-9222. Ms. Sheckler can also be reached via electronic mail at [email protected]
FR Citation		82 FR 39078