82_FR_43685 82 FR 43506 - Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; Arkansas; Revisions to Minor New Source Review Program

82 FR 43506 - Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; Arkansas; Revisions to Minor New Source Review Program

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 179 (September 18, 2017)

Page Range43506-43510
FR Document2017-19716

Pursuant to the Federal Clean Air Act (CAA or the Act), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve revisions to the Arkansas State Implementation Plan (SIP) minor New Source Review (NSR) program submitted on July 26, 2010, and March 24, 2017, including supplemental information provided on November 30, 2015, May 26, 2016, and July 27, 2017. Specifically, we are proposing to approve revisions that revise the minor NSR permitting thresholds and de minimis levels, as well as, additional non-substantive revisions. This proposed action is consistent with the requirements of section 110 of the CAA.

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 179 (Monday, September 18, 2017)
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 179 (Monday, September 18, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 43506-43510]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-19716]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 52

[EPA-R06-OAR-2017-0435; FRL-9967-51-Region 6]


Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; Arkansas; 
Revisions to Minor New Source Review Program

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the Federal Clean Air Act (CAA or the Act), the 
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve revisions 
to the Arkansas State Implementation Plan (SIP) minor New Source Review 
(NSR) program submitted on July 26, 2010, and March 24, 2017, including 
supplemental information provided on November 30, 2015, May 26, 2016, 
and July 27, 2017. Specifically, we are proposing to approve revisions 
that revise the minor NSR permitting thresholds and de minimis levels, 
as well as, additional non-substantive revisions. This proposed action 
is consistent with the requirements of section 110 of the CAA.

[[Page 43507]]


DATES: Written comments must be received on or before October 18, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket No. EPA-R06-OAR-
2017-0435, at http://www.regulations.gov or via email to 
[email protected]. Follow the online instructions for submitting 
comments. Once submitted, comments cannot be edited or removed from 
Regulations.gov. The EPA may publish any comment received to its public 
docket. Do not submit electronically any information you consider to be 
Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose 
disclosure is restricted by statute. Multimedia submissions (audio, 
video, etc.) must be accompanied by a written comment. The written 
comment is considered the official comment and should include 
discussion of all points you wish to make. The EPA will generally not 
consider comments or comment contents located outside of the primary 
submission (i.e., on the Web, cloud, or other file sharing system). For 
additional submission methods, please contact Ashley Mohr, 214-665-
7289, [email protected]. For the full EPA public comment policy, 
information about CBI or multimedia submissions, and general guidance 
on making effective comments, please visit http://www2.epa.gov/dockets/commenting-epa-dockets.
    Docket: The index to the docket for this action is available 
electronically at www.regulations.gov and in hard copy at the EPA 
Region 6, 1445 Ross Avenue, Suite 700, Dallas, Texas. While all 
documents in the docket are listed in the index, some information may 
be publicly available only at the hard copy location (e.g., copyrighted 
material), and some may not be publicly available at either location 
(e.g., CBI).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ashley Mohr, 214-665-7289, 
[email protected]. To inspect the hard copy materials, please 
schedule an appointment with Ms. Ashley Mohr or Mr. Bill Deese at 214-
665-7253.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Throughout this document wherever ``we,'' 
``us,'' or ``our'' is used, we mean the EPA.

I. Background

    The EPA is proposing approval of SIP revisions submitted by 
Arkansas on July 26, 2010, and March 24, 2017. The proposed revisions 
addressed in this action modify the Chapter 4 minor New Source Review 
rules enacted at Regulation Number 19 (Reg. 19), specifically the 
following provisions are addressed in this action: Reg. 19.401, 
19.407(C)(2)(a) and (b), and 19.417. The revisions include revisions to 
the minor NSR permitting thresholds and de minimis levels.
    Our proposed approval of the revisions to the minor NSR permitting 
thresholds and de minimis levels does not remove, nor reduce, the 
federal and SIP approved requirements that each NSR permitting action 
authorizing emissions greater than the permitting thresholds provide an 
opportunity for the public to review and comment on the information 
submitted by the permit applicant. Nor does our action remove or reduce 
the federal and SIP approved requirements that as part of these 
permitting actions the public also have an opportunity to review and 
comment on the required Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality's 
(ADEQ) analysis and determination that the construction or modification 
of the facility will not interfere with attainment or maintenance of a 
national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS). Our action also does not 
remove the requirement that ADEQ's approval of all minor NSR permit 
actions include a technical analysis and determination that the change 
will not interfere with NAAQS attainment or maintenance.

A. July 26, 2010 Submittal

    On July 26, 2010, Arkansas submitted revisions to the SIP that 
included changes to the Regulations of the Arkansas Plan of 
Implementation for Air Pollution Control enacted at Reg. 19, Chapters 
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, and Appendix A. These 
revisions were adopted by the Arkansas Pollution Control & Ecology 
Commission on December 5, 2008, and became effective on January 25, 
2009.
    The EPA is proposing to take action only on the revisions to 
Chapter 4, Reg. 19.401, 19.407(C)(2)(a) and (b), and 19.417 contained 
in the July 26, 2010 submittal. The EPA has already taken action on 
other elements of this submittal as follows: (1) Regulation 19, Chapter 
1, approved by EPA on 4/3/2015 (See 80 FR 11573); (2) Regulation 19, 
Chapter 2, approved by EPA on 4/3/2015 (See 80 FR 11573); (3) 
Regulation 19, Chapter 5, approved by EPA on 4/3/2015 (See 80 FR 11573; 
(4) Regulation 19, Chapter 6, approved by EPA on 4/3/2015 (See 80 FR 
11573); (5) Regulation 19, Chapter 7, approved by EPA on 4/3/2015 (See 
80 FR 11573); (6) Regulation 19, Chapter 9, approved by EPA on 4/2/2013 
(see 78 FR 19596); (7) Regulation 19, Chapter 10, approved by EPA on 4/
3/2015 (See 80 FR 11573); (8) Regulation 19, Chapter 11, approved by 
EPA on 4/3/2015 (See 80 FR 11573); (9) Regulation 19, Chapter 13, 
approved by EPA on 4/3/2015 (See 80 FR 11573); (10) Regulation 19, 
Chapter 14, approved by EPA on 4/17/2014 (see 79 FR 21631); and (11) 
Regulation 19, Chapter 15, approved by EPA on 3/12/2012 (see 77 FR 
14604). The EPA will address in a future action the remaining portions 
of the July 26, 2010 submittal, which are not directly related to the 
minor NSR permitting thresholds and de minimis levels.

B. March 24, 2017 Submittal

    On March 24, 2017, Arkansas submitted revisions to the SIP that 
included changes to the Regulations of the Arkansas Plan of 
Implementation for Air Pollution Control enacted at Reg. 19, Chapters 
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 15, Appendix A and Appendix B. These 
revisions were adopted by the Arkansas Pollution Control & Ecology 
Commission on February 26, 2016, and became effective on March 14, 
2016.
    The EPA is proposing to take action only on Chapter 4, Reg. 19.401 
and 19.407(C)(2)(a) and (b). As necessary, the EPA will address the 
remaining portions of the March 24, 2017 submittal, which are not 
directly related to the minor NSR permitting thresholds and de minimis 
levels, as part of separate actions.
    A summary of the EPA's evaluation of the submitted revisions and 
the basis for our proposed approval is included in this rulemaking. The 
accompanying Technical Support Document (TSD) includes a detailed 
evaluation of the submittals and our approval rationale. The TSD may be 
accessed online at www.regulations.gov, Docket No. EPA-R06-OAR-2017-
0435. As previously discussed, the portions of July 26, 2010 and March 
24, 2017 SIP submittals evaluated in this action are those related to 
the revised minor NSR permitting thresholds and de minimis levels. 
While the TSD does include a line-by-line evaluation of each revised 
section addressed in our proposed approval, the following section 
focuses on the revised permitting thresholds and de minimis levels and 
the EPA's evaluation associated with those revisions.

II. The EPA's Evaluation

A. Revisions to Minor NSR Permitting Thresholds and De Minimis Levels

    The Arkansas SIP approved minor NSR program contains permitting 
thresholds and de minimis levels that are applicable to the state's 
minor NSR permitting program. Both the permitting thresholds and de 
minimis levels serve to exempt certain stationary sources or proposed 
changes at stationary sources from minor NSR permitting

[[Page 43508]]

requirements. The permitting thresholds found in Reg. 19.401 serve to 
determine which stationary sources are required to obtain a minor NSR 
permit. Any sources with emissions equal to or greater than the 
specified permitting thresholds are required to obtain a permit. A de 
minimis change, as stated in Reg. 19.407(C), is a change at an existing 
source that will result in trivial environmental impacts and requires 
minimal judgement to establish permit requirements for the change. A de 
minimis change is not a title I modification, as stated in the Reg. 19, 
Chapter 2 definition for ``title I modification.'' The de minimis 
levels found in Reg. 19.407(C)(2) are used to determine if a proposed 
change at an existing permitted source may qualify as a de minimis 
change under Reg. 19. Under the SIP approved Arkansas minor NSR 
program, a de minimis change is exempt from minor NSR permitting 
requirements, including public notice requirements, but remains subject 
to the remaining applicable minor NSR requirements contained in the NSR 
regulation. For example, in accordance with Reg. 19.407(C)(6) 
requirements a de minimis change must be reviewed and approved by ADEQ 
prior to implementation by a stationary source. To seek a de minimis 
change approval, the permitted source must submit an application to 
ADEQ to demonstrate that the proposed change qualifies as de minimis 
and, therefore, qualifies for exemption from minor NSR permitting 
requirements. ADEQ reviews the application to ensure that the proposed 
change is de minimis and does not include any of the following changes 
found in Reg. 19.407(C)(4) that do not meet the definition of de 
minimis: (1) Any increase in the permitted emission rate without a 
corresponding physical change or change in the method of operation at 
the source; (2) any change which would result in a violation of the 
CAA; (3) any change seeking to change a case-by-case determination of 
an emission limitation established pursuant to Best Available Control 
Technology, Sec.  112(g), Sec.  112(i)(5), Sec.  112(j), or Sec.  
111(d) of the CAA; (4) a change that would result in a violation of any 
provision of Reg. 19; (5) any change in a permit term, condition, or 
limit that a source has assumed to avoid an applicable requirement to 
which the source would otherwise be subject; (6) any significant change 
or relaxation to existing testing, monitoring, reporting, or 
recordkeeping requirements; or (7) any proposed change which requires 
more than minimal judgment to determine eligibility. In addition, 
multiple applications for de minimis changes that are concealing a 
larger modification would not be considered a de minimis change. As 
required by Reg. 19.405(A)(1), ADEQ also reviews the de minimis change 
applications submitted under Reg. 19, Chapter 4 to ensure that the 
proposed change at the stationary source will not result in the 
interference with attainment or maintenance of a NAAQS. If ADEQ 
determines that the proposed change does not qualify as de minimis, the 
de minimis change application is denied and the source must seek 
authorization via the appropriate NSR permit modification with public 
notice and reconstruction requirements. Otherwise if the de minimis 
action is approved by ADEQ, the source can make the proposed change 
immediately following receipt of the de minimis change approval. Any 
revisions to the existing minor NSR permit that may be necessary as a 
result of a de minimis change will be incorporated by ADEQ as 
expeditiously as possible as a de minimis modification.
    As previously stated, both the minor NSR permitting thresholds and 
de minimis levels approaches are approved into the current Arkansas 
SIP. As part of the submitted SIP revisions, Arkansas is proposing to 
revise the values for minor NSR permitting thresholds and de minimis 
levels for CO, NOX, SO2, VOC, and 
PM10. In addition, Arkansas is proposing to add minor NSR 
permitting thresholds for PM2.5 and de minimis levels for PM 
and PM2.5, which do not exist in the current SIP approved 
minor NSR permitting program. The following table summarizes the 
current and revised minor NSR permitting thresholds and de minimis 
levels.

         Table 1--Current SIP Approved and Revised Minor NSR Permitting Thresholds and De Minimis Levels
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       Minor NSR permitting         Minor NSR de minimis levels
                                                         thresholds (tpy)                      (tpy)
                    Pollutant                    ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    Current SIP                     Current SIP
                                                  approved value   Revised value  approved value   Revised value
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CO..............................................              40              75               5              75
NOX.............................................              25              40               5              40
SO2.............................................              25              40               5              40
VOC.............................................              25              40              20              40
PM..............................................            None            None            None              25
PM10............................................              10              15               5              15
PM2.5...........................................            None              10            None              10
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As shown in the previous table, the revised permitting thresholds 
and de minimis levels are less stringent than the values contained in 
the current Arkansas SIP. Therefore, as part of our evaluation, we 
reviewed the proposed revisions, along with supporting information 
provided by Arkansas, to determine if the proposed revisions to the 
minor NSR permitting thresholds and de minimis levels will interfere 
with attainment, reasonable further progress or any other applicable 
requirements of the Act. That evaluation, in accordance with section 
110(l) of the Clean Air Act, is discussed in the following section.
    ADEQ does require, in accordance with Reg. 18.315, that facilities 
that are exempt from minor NSR permitting based on the revised 
permitting thresholds but have emissions greater than the previous SIP 
approved permitting thresholds register with the Department prior to 
operation, construction, or modification. In addition, the de minimis 
changes, which are exempt from minor NSR permitting requirements, are 
required to meet all remaining, applicable minor NSR provisions 
contained in Reg. 19, Chapter 4, including the requirements for ADEQ's 
technical review and determination that the proposed change will not 
interfere with the attainment or maintenance of a NAAQS.

[[Page 43509]]

B. Analysis Under Section 110(l) of the CAA

    As part of our evaluation of the July 26, 2010 and March 24, 2017 
submittals under section 110(l), we have examined: (1) The scope of 
impacts resulting from the proposed revisions, (2) the current status 
of ambient air quality in Arkansas, and (3) the impacts of the revised 
thresholds on ambient air quality via air monitoring and air modeling 
data.
    As part of the July 26, 2010 SIP revision submittal, ADEQ 
determined that the number of currently permitted minor NSR facilities 
statewide that would not be required to be permitted under the revised 
minor NSR permitting thresholds was twenty (20). ADEQ also determined 
the total permitted emissions of CO, NOX, SO2, 
VOC, and PM10 from these 20 facilities and compared those 
permitted emissions with the statewide emission inventory on a 
pollutant-by-pollutant basis. On a percentage basis, the emissions that 
would be exempt from permitting at these 20 facilities based on the 
revised minor NSR permitting thresholds were 0.006% to 0.125% of the 
statewide emission totals. On July 27, 2017, ADEQ provided a supplement 
to the July 2010 and March 2017 SIP revision submittals, which included 
similar CO, NOX, SO2, VOC, and PM10 
emissions information for the de minimis changes approved for 
facilities in calendar year (CY) 2016. EPA reviewed the emissions 
information and determined that the emissions increases associated with 
the approved de minimis changes exempt from minor NSR permitting based 
on the revised de minimis levels were 0.0005% to 0.019% of the 
statewide emissions inventory. While this analysis was limited to the 
most recent calendar year, conservative scaling of the CY2016 emissions 
to account for the approximate 8\1/2\ years that the revised de minimis 
levels have been effective in the state regulations results in total 
emissions that are still much less than 1% of the total statewide 
emissions inventory. In addition, the analysis of the de minimis 
actions did not account for any emissions decreases that occurred as 
part of the approved de minimis changes. As shown in these analyses, 
the emissions exempted from minor NSR permitting requirements in 
Arkansas as a result of the revised minor NSR permitting thresholds and 
de minimis levels is limited in scope and makes up a small portion of 
the statewide emissions inventory.
    On November 30, 2015, ADEQ provided supplemental information for 
the July 26, 2010 SIP revision submittal. The November 30, 2015 
supplement included a monitoring trends analysis that examined 
statewide ambient air quality data since the adoption of the revised 
minor NSR permitting thresholds and de minimis levels in 2008 for CO, 
NOX, SO2, VOC, and PM10. This 
supplemental air monitoring trends report is available in the docket 
and may be accessed online at www.regulations.gov, Docket No. EPA-R06-
OAR-2017-0435. With the exception of the ozone DVs at the Springdale, 
Arkansas monitor located in Washington County, the DVs remain unchanged 
or show downward trends since the 2008 adoption of the increased minor 
NSR permitting thresholds and de minimis levels. In the November 30, 
2015 supplement, ADEQ did further evaluation of the Springdale monitor 
and determined that the increases in the monitored ozone DVs at this 
monitor are likely due to the increases in mobile emissions in the 
Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers MSA as a result of rapid population 
growth in that area.\1\ Based on the ambient monitoring trend analysis, 
it does not appear that the increased minor NSR permitting thresholds 
and de minimis levels have negatively impacted ambient air quality or 
interfered with the attainment of the NAAQS. In fact, for several 
pollutants the ambient air quality has shown continued improvements as 
manifested in the decreases in monitored DVs during this period, and 
currently Arkansas does not have any areas classified as nonattainment 
for any NAAQS.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ ADEQ's November 30, 2015 supplement stated that the 
population of the Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers MSA has grown by 
over 65,000 people in the 2007-2014 timeframe.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In addition to evaluating the scope of sources/emissions exempted 
from minor NSR permitting requirements and the ambient air monitoring 
trends following the adoption of the increased permitting thresholds 
and de minimis levels, as described in the March 24, 2017 SIP submittal 
ADEQ also conducted air quality modeling to examine the impacts of 
emissions increases at the level of the revised minor NSR permitting 
thresholds and de minimis levels. The modeling analysis was a combined 
photochemical/dispersion modeling analysis using the Community 
Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) model and the AMS/EPA Regulatory Model 
Improvement Committee (AERMIC) model (AERMOD). ADEQ employed this 
combined modeling approach in an effort to look at both regional and 
local scale impacts from emissions equal to the revised permitting 
thresholds and de minimis levels for VOC, NOX, 
SO2, CO, PM10, and PM2.5. An air 
quality modeling report detailing the modeling approaches and 
associated model results was submitted as part of the March 24, 2017 
SIP revision submittal. This report is available in the docket and may 
be accessed online at www.regulations.gov, Docket No. EPA-R06-OAR-2017-
0435. The CMAQ regional modeling was based on a previous statewide 
modeling effort conducted for the 2008 base year and the 2008/2015 
future year scenarios. For the minor NSR thresholds analysis, the 
future year (2015) emissions inventory was modified to include eight 
hypothetical point sources that were distributed throughout the state's 
Air Quality Control Regions. In order to reflect a generic, 
representative source, the stack parameters for the hypothetical 
sources were set equal to median values based on the 2011 National 
Emissions Inventory for Arkansas sources. The emission rates for each 
of the hypothetical sources were set equal to the minor NSR permitting 
thresholds/de minimis levels. While the regional CMAQ modeling analysis 
did show increases in modeled concentrations resulting from the 
addition of the hypothetical sources, the modeled impacts do not show 
impacts that affect the attainment and maintenance of the NAAQS. To 
examine local or near-field impacts, additional modeling of the eight 
hypothetical sources was conducted using AERMOD. Similar to the 
regional modeling, these sources were modeled with emission rates equal 
to the minor NSR permitting thresholds/de minimis levels and stack 
parameters were set equal to median stack parameter based on the 2011 
NEI data. The daily AERMOD-derived concentrations were added to the 
CMAQ-derived concentrations for the same location, using the CMAQ 
values as ``background.'' The values determined for the statewide daily 
maximum impacts are expected to represent the near-field concentrations 
assuming worst-case impacts from threshold emission increases at a 
range of locations throughout Arkansas. The modeled impacts from the 
near-field modeling analysis are much less than the NAAQS for all 
pollutants and averaging periods indicating that near-field impacts 
associated with emissions equal to the proposed minor NSR thresholds 
are not expected to result in NAAQS exceedances. As with the CMAQ-only 
regional modeling, the combined AERMOD/CMAQ modeling analysis does show 
increases in

[[Page 43510]]

modeled concentrations throughout the state, and the associated future 
year DVs are also increased. However, the calculated future year DVs 
were all less than the associated NAAQS. In addition, most pollutants 
show decreased DVs in the future year case as compared with the current 
year DVs.
    Based on our evaluation of the analyses conducted by ADEQ to 
support the proposed minor NSR permitting thresholds and de minimis 
levels, we find that the increases in these values are not expected to 
interfere with attainment or reasonable further progress or any other 
applicable requirement of the Act. The scope of affected sources, 
permit actions, and the associated emissions that would be exempt from 
minor NSR permitting requirements based on the revised permitting 
thresholds and de minimis levels is a very small fraction of the 
statewide emissions inventory. In addition, since implementing the 
increased permitted thresholds/de minimis levels in 2008 for CO, VOC, 
NOX, SO2, and PM10, air quality in 
Arkansas has not been negatively impacted, and in many cases ambient 
concentrations have shown overall decreasing trends. We also find that 
the modeling analysis provided by ADEQ further supports the state's 
finding that sources with emissions less than the revised minor NSR 
permitting thresholds and de minimis levels are not anticipated to have 
impacts that would cause or contribute to an exceedance of the NAAQS. 
In addition, de minimis changes are still required to meet minor Source 
Review requirements contained in Reg. 19, Chapter 4 including a 
demonstration that the proposed modification will not interfere with 
the attainment or maintenance of a NAAQS on a case-by-case basis. 
Therefore, the EPA's evaluation finds that the proposed revisions to 
the Arkansas SIP related to the revised minor NSR permitting thresholds 
and de minimis levels are consistent with the requirements found in 
Section 110(l) further supporting our proposed approval of the 
revisions included in the July 26, 2010 and March 24, 2017 submittals 
that are evaluated in this action.

III. Proposed Action

    The EPA proposes approval of the identified sections of the 
revisions to the minor NSR permitting program as submitted as revisions 
to the Arkansas SIP on July 26, 2010, and March 24, 2017, including 
supplement information submitted on November 30, 2015, May 26, 2016, 
and July 27, 2017. The EPA has made a determination in accordance with 
the CAA and the EPA regulations at 40 CFR 51.160-51.165. Therefore, 
under section 110 and part C of the Act, and for the reasons presented 
above and in our accompanying TSD, the EPA proposes to approve the 
following revisions to the Arkansas SIP that submitted on July 26, 
2010, and March 24, 2017:
     Revisions to Reg. 19.407 (submitted 07/26/2010 and 03/24/
2017);
     Revisions to Reg. 19.407(C)(2)(a) and (b) (submitted 07/
26/2010 and 03/24/2017); and
     Revisions to Reg. 19.417 (submitted 07/26/2010).
    As previously stated, this proposed action does not remove or 
modify the existing federal and state requirements that each NSR permit 
action issued by ADEQ include an analysis completed by the Department 
and their determination that the proposed construction or modification 
authorized by the permit action will not interfere with attainment or 
maintenance of a national ambient air quality standard.

IV. Incorporation by Reference

    In this action, we are proposing to include in a final rule 
regulatory text that includes incorporation by reference. In accordance 
with the requirements of 1 CFR 51.5, we are proposing to incorporate by 
reference revisions to the Arkansas regulations as described in the 
Proposed Action section above. We have made, and will continue to make, 
these documents generally available electronically through 
www.regulations.gov and/or in hard copy at the EPA Region 6 office.

V. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

    Under the CAA, the Administrator is required to approve a SIP 
submission that complies with the provisions of the Act and applicable 
Federal regulations. 42 U.S.C. 7410(k); 40 CFR 52.02(a). Thus, in 
reviewing SIP submissions, the EPA's role is to approve state choices, 
provided that they meet the criteria of the CAA. Accordingly, this 
action merely proposes to approve state law as meeting Federal 
requirements and does not impose additional requirements beyond those 
imposed by state law. For that reason, this action:
     Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' subject to 
review by the Office of Management and Budget under Executive Orders 
12866 (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993), 13563 (76 FR 3821, January 21, 
2011) and 13771 (82 FR 9339, February 2, 2017);
     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).

In addition, the SIP is not approved to apply on any Indian reservation 
land or in any other area where EPA or an Indian tribe has demonstrated 
that a tribe has jurisdiction. In those areas of Indian country, the 
proposed rule does not have tribal implications and will not impose 
substantial direct costs on tribal governments or preempt tribal law as 
specified by Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, November 9, 2000).

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52

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

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

    Dated: September 12, 2017.
Samuel Coleman,
Acting Regional Administrator, Region 6.
[FR Doc. 2017-19716 Filed 9-15-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6560-50-P



                                                  43506               Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 179 / Monday, September 18, 2017 / Proposed Rules

                                                  2018 fiscal period of $800,150. With the                Finally, interested persons are invited to            Subpart A—[AMENDED]
                                                  proposed assessment rate and budgeted                   submit comments on this proposed rule,
                                                  expense level, the Committee does not                   including the regulatory and                          ■ 2. Designate the subpart labeled
                                                  anticipate utilizing any funds from the                 informational impacts of this action on               ‘‘Order Regulating Handling’’ as subpart
                                                  monetary reserve. As such, reserve                      small businesses.                                     A.
                                                  funds are estimated to be $544,990 at                      In accordance with the Paperwork                   Subpart B—[Administrative
                                                  the end of the 2017–2018 fiscal period                  Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C.                      Provisions]
                                                  on June 30, 2018. That reserve level is                 Chapter 35), the order’s information
                                                  within the maximum permitted by the                     collection requirements have been                     ■  3. Designate the subpart labeled
                                                  order of approximately one fiscal                       previously approved by OMB and                        ‘‘Rules and Regulations’’ as subpart B
                                                  period’s operational expenses                           assigned OMB No. 0581–0189 (Generic                   and revise the heading as shown above.
                                                  (§ 927.42(a)).                                          Fruit Crops). No changes in those                     ■ 4. Amend § 927.237 by revising the
                                                     The major expenditures                               requirements as a result of this action               introductory text and paragraph (a) to
                                                  recommended by the Committee for the                    are necessary. Should any changes                     read as follows:
                                                  2017–2018 fiscal period include                         become necessary, they would be                       § 927.237    Processed pear assessment
                                                  $605,606 for promotion and paid                         submitted to OMB for approval.                        rate.
                                                  advertising; $147,694 for research;                        This proposed rule would not impose
                                                  $25,000 for administration; and $21,850                                                                         On and after July 1, 2017, the
                                                                                                          any additional reporting or                           following base rates of assessment for
                                                  for Committee expenses. In comparison,                  recordkeeping requirements on either
                                                  major expenditures for the 2016–2017                                                                          pears for processing are established for
                                                                                                          small or large processed pear handlers.               the Processed Pear Committee:
                                                  fiscal period included $682,130 for                     As with all Federal marketing order
                                                  promotion and paid advertising;                                                                                 (a) $8.00 per ton for any or all
                                                                                                          programs, reports and forms are                       varieties or subvarieties of pears for
                                                  $127,288 for research; $25,000 for                      periodically reviewed to reduce
                                                  administration; and $20,850 for                                                                               canning classified as ‘‘summer/fall’’
                                                                                                          information requirements and                          excluding pears for other methods of
                                                  Committee expenses.                                     duplication by industry and public
                                                     The Committee discussed alternatives                                                                       processing;
                                                                                                          sector agencies.                                      *     *     *     *    *
                                                  to this action, including recommending
                                                                                                             AMS is committed to complying with
                                                  alternative expenditure levels and                                                                              Dated: September 12, 2017.
                                                                                                          the E-Government Act, to promote the
                                                  assessment rates. Although lower                                                                              Bruce Summers,
                                                                                                          use of the internet and other
                                                  assessment rates were considered, none                                                                        Acting Administrator, Agricultural Marketing
                                                                                                          information technologies to provide
                                                  were selected because they would not                                                                          Service.
                                                                                                          increased opportunities for citizen
                                                  have generated sufficient income to                                                                           [FR Doc. 2017–19615 Filed 9–15–17; 8:45 am]
                                                                                                          access to Government information and
                                                  administer the order. Similarly, the
                                                                                                          services, and for other purposes.                     BILLING CODE 3410–02–P
                                                  Committee did not recommend lower
                                                  levels of budgeted expenditures than                       USDA has not identified any relevant
                                                  proposed herein because it would have                   Federal rules that duplicate, overlap or
                                                  reduced the effectiveness of the                        conflict with this action.                            ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
                                                  program.                                                   A small business guide on complying                AGENCY
                                                     A review of historical data and                      with fruit, vegetable, and specialty crop
                                                                                                          marketing agreements and orders may                   40 CFR Part 52
                                                  preliminary information pertaining to
                                                  the upcoming fiscal period indicates                    be viewed at: http://www.ams.usda.gov/                [EPA–R06–OAR–2017–0435; FRL–9967–51–
                                                  that the grower price for the 2017–2018                 rules-regulations/moa/small-businesses.               Region 6]
                                                  fiscal period could range between $325                  Any questions about the compliance
                                                  and $346 per ton of ‘‘summer/fall’’                     guide should be sent to Richard Lower                 Approval and Promulgation of
                                                  processed pears. Therefore, the                         at the previously mentioned address in                Implementation Plans; Arkansas;
                                                  estimated assessment revenue for the                    the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT                   Revisions to Minor New Source Review
                                                  2017–2018 fiscal period, as a percentage                section.                                              Program
                                                  of total grower revenue could range                        A 15-day comment period is provided                AGENCY:  Environmental Protection
                                                  between 2.31 and 2.46 percent.                          to allow interested persons to respond                Agency (EPA).
                                                     This action would increase the                       to this proposed rule. Fifteen days is                ACTION: Proposed rule.
                                                  assessment obligation imposed on                        deemed appropriate because handlers
                                                  handlers. While assessments impose                      are aware of this action, which was                   SUMMARY:   Pursuant to the Federal Clean
                                                  some additional costs on handlers, the                  unanimously recommended by the                        Air Act (CAA or the Act), the
                                                  costs are minimal and uniform on all                    Committee at a public meeting.                        Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
                                                  handlers. Some of the additional costs                  List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 927                    is proposing to approve revisions to the
                                                  may be passed on to growers. However,                                                                         Arkansas State Implementation Plan
                                                  these costs would be offset by the                        Marketing agreements, Pears,                        (SIP) minor New Source Review (NSR)
                                                  benefits derived by the operation of the                Reporting and recordkeeping                           program submitted on July 26, 2010,
                                                  order.                                                  requirements.                                         and March 24, 2017, including
                                                     In addition, the Committee’s meeting                   For the reasons set forth in the                    supplemental information provided on
                                                  was widely publicized throughout the                    preamble, 7 CFR part 927 is proposed to               November 30, 2015, May 26, 2016, and
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                                                  processed pear industry and all                         be amended as follows:                                July 27, 2017. Specifically, we are
                                                  interested persons were invited to                                                                            proposing to approve revisions that
                                                  attend the meeting and participate in                   PART 927—PEARS GROWN IN                               revise the minor NSR permitting
                                                  Committee deliberations on all issues.                  OREGON AND WASHINGTON                                 thresholds and de minimis levels, as
                                                  Like all Committee meetings, the May                                                                          well as, additional non-substantive
                                                  31, 2017, meeting was a public meeting                  ■ 1. The authority citation for 7 CFR                 revisions. This proposed action is
                                                  and all entities, both large and small,                 part 927 continues to read as follows:                consistent with the requirements of
                                                  were able to express views on this issue.                   Authority: 7 U.S.C. 601–674.                      section 110 of the CAA.


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                                                                      Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 179 / Monday, September 18, 2017 / Proposed Rules                                           43507

                                                  DATES:   Written comments must be                       19.407(C)(2)(a) and (b), and 19.417. The              EPA on 4/3/2015 (See 80 FR 11573);
                                                  received on or before October 18, 2017.                 revisions include revisions to the minor              (10) Regulation 19, Chapter 14,
                                                  ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,                        NSR permitting thresholds and de                      approved by EPA on 4/17/2014 (see 79
                                                  identified by Docket No. EPA–R06–                       minimis levels.                                       FR 21631); and (11) Regulation 19,
                                                  OAR–2017–0435, at http://                                  Our proposed approval of the                       Chapter 15, approved by EPA on 3/12/
                                                  www.regulations.gov or via email to                     revisions to the minor NSR permitting                 2012 (see 77 FR 14604). The EPA will
                                                  mohr.ashley@epa.gov. Follow the online                  thresholds and de minimis levels does                 address in a future action the remaining
                                                  instructions for submitting comments.                   not remove, nor reduce, the federal and               portions of the July 26, 2010 submittal,
                                                  Once submitted, comments cannot be                      SIP approved requirements that each                   which are not directly related to the
                                                  edited or removed from Regulations.gov.                 NSR permitting action authorizing                     minor NSR permitting thresholds and
                                                  The EPA may publish any comment                         emissions greater than the permitting                 de minimis levels.
                                                  received to its public docket. Do not                   thresholds provide an opportunity for
                                                                                                          the public to review and comment on                   B. March 24, 2017 Submittal
                                                  submit electronically any information
                                                  you consider to be Confidential                         the information submitted by the permit                 On March 24, 2017, Arkansas
                                                  Business Information (CBI) or other                     applicant. Nor does our action remove                 submitted revisions to the SIP that
                                                  information whose disclosure is                         or reduce the federal and SIP approved                included changes to the Regulations of
                                                  restricted by statute. Multimedia                       requirements that as part of these                    the Arkansas Plan of Implementation for
                                                  submissions (audio, video, etc.) must be                permitting actions the public also have               Air Pollution Control enacted at Reg. 19,
                                                  accompanied by a written comment.                       an opportunity to review and comment                  Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14,
                                                  The written comment is considered the                   on the required Arkansas Department of                15, Appendix A and Appendix B. These
                                                  official comment and should include                     Environmental Quality’s (ADEQ)                        revisions were adopted by the Arkansas
                                                  discussion of all points you wish to                    analysis and determination that the                   Pollution Control & Ecology
                                                  make. The EPA will generally not                        construction or modification of the                   Commission on February 26, 2016, and
                                                  consider comments or comment                            facility will not interfere with                      became effective on March 14, 2016.
                                                  contents located outside of the primary                 attainment or maintenance of a national                 The EPA is proposing to take action
                                                                                                          ambient air quality standard (NAAQS).                 only on Chapter 4, Reg. 19.401 and
                                                  submission (i.e., on the Web, cloud, or
                                                                                                          Our action also does not remove the                   19.407(C)(2)(a) and (b). As necessary,
                                                  other file sharing system). For
                                                                                                          requirement that ADEQ’s approval of all               the EPA will address the remaining
                                                  additional submission methods, please
                                                                                                          minor NSR permit actions include a                    portions of the March 24, 2017
                                                  contact Ashley Mohr, 214–665–7289,
                                                                                                          technical analysis and determination                  submittal, which are not directly related
                                                  mohr.ashley@epa.gov. For the full EPA
                                                                                                          that the change will not interfere with               to the minor NSR permitting thresholds
                                                  public comment policy, information
                                                                                                          NAAQS attainment or maintenance.                      and de minimis levels, as part of
                                                  about CBI or multimedia submissions,
                                                  and general guidance on making                          A. July 26, 2010 Submittal                            separate actions.
                                                  effective comments, please visit http://                                                                        A summary of the EPA’s evaluation of
                                                                                                            On July 26, 2010, Arkansas submitted                the submitted revisions and the basis for
                                                  www2.epa.gov/dockets/commenting-                        revisions to the SIP that included
                                                  epa-dockets.                                                                                                  our proposed approval is included in
                                                                                                          changes to the Regulations of the                     this rulemaking. The accompanying
                                                     Docket: The index to the docket for                  Arkansas Plan of Implementation for Air
                                                  this action is available electronically at                                                                    Technical Support Document (TSD)
                                                                                                          Pollution Control enacted at Reg. 19,                 includes a detailed evaluation of the
                                                  www.regulations.gov and in hard copy                    Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11,
                                                  at the EPA Region 6, 1445 Ross Avenue,                                                                        submittals and our approval rationale.
                                                                                                          13, 14, 15, and Appendix A. These
                                                  Suite 700, Dallas, Texas. While all                                                                           The TSD may be accessed online at
                                                                                                          revisions were adopted by the Arkansas
                                                  documents in the docket are listed in                                                                         www.regulations.gov, Docket No. EPA–
                                                                                                          Pollution Control & Ecology
                                                  the index, some information may be                                                                            R06–OAR–2017–0435. As previously
                                                                                                          Commission on December 5, 2008, and
                                                  publicly available only at the hard copy                                                                      discussed, the portions of July 26, 2010
                                                                                                          became effective on January 25, 2009.
                                                  location (e.g., copyrighted material), and                The EPA is proposing to take action                 and March 24, 2017 SIP submittals
                                                  some may not be publicly available at                   only on the revisions to Chapter 4, Reg.              evaluated in this action are those related
                                                  either location (e.g., CBI).                            19.401, 19.407(C)(2)(a) and (b), and                  to the revised minor NSR permitting
                                                  FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                        19.417 contained in the July 26, 2010                 thresholds and de minimis levels. While
                                                  Ashley Mohr, 214–665–7289,                              submittal. The EPA has already taken                  the TSD does include a line-by-line
                                                  mohr.ashley@epa.gov. To inspect the                     action on other elements of this                      evaluation of each revised section
                                                  hard copy materials, please schedule an                 submittal as follows: (1) Regulation 19,              addressed in our proposed approval, the
                                                  appointment with Ms. Ashley Mohr or                     Chapter 1, approved by EPA on                         following section focuses on the revised
                                                  Mr. Bill Deese at 214–665–7253.                         4/3/2015 (See 80 FR 11573); (2)                       permitting thresholds and de minimis
                                                                                                          Regulation 19, Chapter 2, approved by                 levels and the EPA’s evaluation
                                                  SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                                                                                          EPA on 4/3/2015 (See 80 FR 11573); (3)                associated with those revisions.
                                                  Throughout this document wherever
                                                  ‘‘we,’’ ‘‘us,’’ or ‘‘our’’ is used, we mean             Regulation 19, Chapter 5, approved by                 II. The EPA’s Evaluation
                                                  the EPA.                                                EPA on 4/3/2015 (See 80 FR 11573; (4)
                                                                                                          Regulation 19, Chapter 6, approved by                 A. Revisions to Minor NSR Permitting
                                                  I. Background                                           EPA on 4/3/2015 (See 80 FR 11573); (5)                Thresholds and De Minimis Levels
                                                     The EPA is proposing approval of SIP                 Regulation 19, Chapter 7, approved by                    The Arkansas SIP approved minor
sradovich on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                  revisions submitted by Arkansas on July                 EPA on 4/3/2015 (See 80 FR 11573); (6)                NSR program contains permitting
                                                  26, 2010, and March 24, 2017. The                       Regulation 19, Chapter 9, approved by                 thresholds and de minimis levels that
                                                  proposed revisions addressed in this                    EPA on 4/2/2013 (see 78 FR 19596); (7)                are applicable to the state’s minor NSR
                                                  action modify the Chapter 4 minor New                   Regulation 19, Chapter 10, approved by                permitting program. Both the permitting
                                                  Source Review rules enacted at                          EPA on 4/3/2015 (See 80 FR 11573); (8)                thresholds and de minimis levels serve
                                                  Regulation Number 19 (Reg. 19),                         Regulation 19, Chapter 11, approved by                to exempt certain stationary sources or
                                                  specifically the following provisions are               EPA on 4/3/2015 (See 80 FR 11573); (9)                proposed changes at stationary sources
                                                  addressed in this action: Reg. 19.401,                  Regulation 19, Chapter 13, approved by                from minor NSR permitting


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                                                  43508                        Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 179 / Monday, September 18, 2017 / Proposed Rules

                                                  requirements. The permitting thresholds                                      exemption from minor NSR permitting                             source will not result in the interference
                                                  found in Reg. 19.401 serve to determine                                      requirements. ADEQ reviews the                                  with attainment or maintenance of a
                                                  which stationary sources are required to                                     application to ensure that the proposed                         NAAQS. If ADEQ determines that the
                                                  obtain a minor NSR permit. Any sources                                       change is de minimis and does not                               proposed change does not qualify as de
                                                  with emissions equal to or greater than                                      include any of the following changes                            minimis, the de minimis change
                                                  the specified permitting thresholds are                                      found in Reg. 19.407(C)(4) that do not                          application is denied and the source
                                                  required to obtain a permit. A de                                            meet the definition of de minimis: (1)                          must seek authorization via the
                                                  minimis change, as stated in Reg.                                            Any increase in the permitted emission                          appropriate NSR permit modification
                                                  19.407(C), is a change at an existing                                        rate without a corresponding physical                           with public notice and reconstruction
                                                  source that will result in trivial                                           change or change in the method of                               requirements. Otherwise if the de
                                                  environmental impacts and requires                                           operation at the source; (2) any change                         minimis action is approved by ADEQ,
                                                  minimal judgement to establish permit                                        which would result in a violation of the                        the source can make the proposed
                                                  requirements for the change. A de                                            CAA; (3) any change seeking to change                           change immediately following receipt of
                                                  minimis change is not a title I                                              a case-by-case determination of an                              the de minimis change approval. Any
                                                  modification, as stated in the Reg. 19,                                      emission limitation established                                 revisions to the existing minor NSR
                                                  Chapter 2 definition for ‘‘title I                                           pursuant to Best Available Control                              permit that may be necessary as a result
                                                  modification.’’ The de minimis levels                                        Technology, § 112(g), § 112(i)(5),                              of a de minimis change will be
                                                  found in Reg. 19.407(C)(2) are used to                                       § 112(j), or § 111(d) of the CAA; (4) a                         incorporated by ADEQ as expeditiously
                                                  determine if a proposed change at an                                         change that would result in a violation                         as possible as a de minimis
                                                  existing permitted source may qualify as                                     of any provision of Reg. 19; (5) any                            modification.
                                                  a de minimis change under Reg. 19.                                           change in a permit term, condition, or
                                                  Under the SIP approved Arkansas minor                                        limit that a source has assumed to avoid                           As previously stated, both the minor
                                                  NSR program, a de minimis change is                                          an applicable requirement to which the                          NSR permitting thresholds and de
                                                  exempt from minor NSR permitting                                             source would otherwise be subject; (6)                          minimis levels approaches are approved
                                                  requirements, including public notice                                        any significant change or relaxation to                         into the current Arkansas SIP. As part
                                                  requirements, but remains subject to the                                     existing testing, monitoring, reporting,                        of the submitted SIP revisions, Arkansas
                                                  remaining applicable minor NSR                                               or recordkeeping requirements; or (7)                           is proposing to revise the values for
                                                  requirements contained in the NSR                                            any proposed change which requires                              minor NSR permitting thresholds and
                                                  regulation. For example, in accordance                                       more than minimal judgment to                                   de minimis levels for CO, NOX, SO2,
                                                  with Reg. 19.407(C)(6) requirements a                                        determine eligibility. In addition,                             VOC, and PM10. In addition, Arkansas is
                                                  de minimis change must be reviewed                                           multiple applications for de minimis                            proposing to add minor NSR permitting
                                                  and approved by ADEQ prior to                                                changes that are concealing a larger                            thresholds for PM2.5 and de minimis
                                                  implementation by a stationary source.                                       modification would not be considered a                          levels for PM and PM2.5, which do not
                                                  To seek a de minimis change approval,                                        de minimis change. As required by Reg.                          exist in the current SIP approved minor
                                                  the permitted source must submit an                                          19.405(A)(1), ADEQ also reviews the de                          NSR permitting program. The following
                                                  application to ADEQ to demonstrate                                           minimis change applications submitted                           table summarizes the current and
                                                  that the proposed change qualifies as de                                     under Reg. 19, Chapter 4 to ensure that                         revised minor NSR permitting
                                                  minimis and, therefore, qualifies for                                        the proposed change at the stationary                           thresholds and de minimis levels.

                                                        TABLE 1—CURRENT SIP APPROVED AND REVISED MINOR NSR PERMITTING THRESHOLDS AND DE MINIMIS LEVELS
                                                                                                                                                                                  Minor NSR permitting            Minor NSR de minimis levels
                                                                                                                                                                                       thresholds                           (tpy)
                                                                                                                                                                                          (tpy)
                                                                                                      Pollutant                                                                                                   Current SIP
                                                                                                                                                                            Current SIP                            approved      Revised value
                                                                                                                                                                             approved        Revised value           value
                                                                                                                                                                               value

                                                  CO ....................................................................................................................              40                  75               5               75
                                                  NOX ..................................................................................................................               25                  40               5               40
                                                  SO2 ..................................................................................................................               25                  40               5               40
                                                  VOC .................................................................................................................                25                  40              20               40
                                                  PM ....................................................................................................................            None                None            None               25
                                                  PM10 .................................................................................................................               10                  15               5               15
                                                  PM2.5 ................................................................................................................             None                  10            None               10



                                                    As shown in the previous table, the                                        progress or any other applicable                                Department prior to operation,
                                                  revised permitting thresholds and de                                         requirements of the Act. That                                   construction, or modification. In
                                                  minimis levels are less stringent than                                       evaluation, in accordance with section                          addition, the de minimis changes,
                                                  the values contained in the current                                          110(l) of the Clean Air Act, is discussed                       which are exempt from minor NSR
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                                                  Arkansas SIP. Therefore, as part of our                                      in the following section.                                       permitting requirements, are required to
                                                  evaluation, we reviewed the proposed                                           ADEQ does require, in accordance                              meet all remaining, applicable minor
                                                  revisions, along with supporting                                             with Reg. 18.315, that facilities that are                      NSR provisions contained in Reg. 19,
                                                  information provided by Arkansas, to                                         exempt from minor NSR permitting                                Chapter 4, including the requirements
                                                  determine if the proposed revisions to                                       based on the revised permitting                                 for ADEQ’s technical review and
                                                  the minor NSR permitting thresholds                                          thresholds but have emissions greater                           determination that the proposed change
                                                  and de minimis levels will interfere                                         than the previous SIP approved                                  will not interfere with the attainment or
                                                  with attainment, reasonable further                                          permitting thresholds register with the                         maintenance of a NAAQS.


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                                                                      Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 179 / Monday, September 18, 2017 / Proposed Rules                                          43509

                                                  B. Analysis Under Section 110(l) of the                 The November 30, 2015 supplement                      minimis levels for VOC, NOX, SO2, CO,
                                                  CAA                                                     included a monitoring trends analysis                 PM10, and PM2.5. An air quality
                                                    As part of our evaluation of the July                 that examined statewide ambient air                   modeling report detailing the modeling
                                                  26, 2010 and March 24, 2017 submittals                  quality data since the adoption of the                approaches and associated model
                                                  under section 110(l), we have examined:                 revised minor NSR permitting                          results was submitted as part of the
                                                  (1) The scope of impacts resulting from                 thresholds and de minimis levels in                   March 24, 2017 SIP revision submittal.
                                                  the proposed revisions, (2) the current                 2008 for CO, NOX, SO2, VOC, and PM10.                 This report is available in the docket
                                                  status of ambient air quality in                        This supplemental air monitoring trends               and may be accessed online at
                                                  Arkansas, and (3) the impacts of the                    report is available in the docket and                 www.regulations.gov, Docket No. EPA–
                                                  revised thresholds on ambient air                       may be accessed online at                             R06–OAR–2017–0435. The CMAQ
                                                  quality via air monitoring and air                      www.regulations.gov, Docket No. EPA–                  regional modeling was based on a
                                                  modeling data.                                          R06–OAR–2017–0435. With the                           previous statewide modeling effort
                                                    As part of the July 26, 2010 SIP                      exception of the ozone DVs at the                     conducted for the 2008 base year and
                                                  revision submittal, ADEQ determined                     Springdale, Arkansas monitor located in               the 2008/2015 future year scenarios. For
                                                  that the number of currently permitted                  Washington County, the DVs remain                     the minor NSR thresholds analysis, the
                                                  minor NSR facilities statewide that                     unchanged or show downward trends                     future year (2015) emissions inventory
                                                  would not be required to be permitted                   since the 2008 adoption of the increased              was modified to include eight
                                                  under the revised minor NSR permitting                  minor NSR permitting thresholds and                   hypothetical point sources that were
                                                  thresholds was twenty (20). ADEQ also                   de minimis levels. In the November 30,                distributed throughout the state’s Air
                                                  determined the total permitted                          2015 supplement, ADEQ did further                     Quality Control Regions. In order to
                                                  emissions of CO, NOX, SO2, VOC, and                     evaluation of the Springdale monitor                  reflect a generic, representative source,
                                                  PM10 from these 20 facilities and                       and determined that the increases in the              the stack parameters for the
                                                  compared those permitted emissions                      monitored ozone DVs at this monitor are               hypothetical sources were set equal to
                                                  with the statewide emission inventory                   likely due to the increases in mobile                 median values based on the 2011
                                                  on a pollutant-by-pollutant basis. On a                 emissions in the Fayetteville-                        National Emissions Inventory for
                                                  percentage basis, the emissions that                    Springdale-Rogers MSA as a result of                  Arkansas sources. The emission rates for
                                                  would be exempt from permitting at                      rapid population growth in that area.1                each of the hypothetical sources were
                                                  these 20 facilities based on the revised                Based on the ambient monitoring trend                 set equal to the minor NSR permitting
                                                  minor NSR permitting thresholds were                    analysis, it does not appear that the                 thresholds/de minimis levels. While the
                                                  0.006% to 0.125% of the statewide                       increased minor NSR permitting                        regional CMAQ modeling analysis did
                                                  emission totals. On July 27, 2017, ADEQ                 thresholds and de minimis levels have                 show increases in modeled
                                                  provided a supplement to the July 2010                  negatively impacted ambient air quality               concentrations resulting from the
                                                  and March 2017 SIP revision submittals,                 or interfered with the attainment of the              addition of the hypothetical sources, the
                                                  which included similar CO, NOX, SO2,                    NAAQS. In fact, for several pollutants                modeled impacts do not show impacts
                                                  VOC, and PM10 emissions information                     the ambient air quality has shown                     that affect the attainment and
                                                  for the de minimis changes approved for                 continued improvements as manifested                  maintenance of the NAAQS. To
                                                  facilities in calendar year (CY) 2016.                  in the decreases in monitored DVs                     examine local or near-field impacts,
                                                  EPA reviewed the emissions                              during this period, and currently                     additional modeling of the eight
                                                  information and determined that the                     Arkansas does not have any areas                      hypothetical sources was conducted
                                                  emissions increases associated with the                 classified as nonattainment for any                   using AERMOD. Similar to the regional
                                                  approved de minimis changes exempt                      NAAQS.                                                modeling, these sources were modeled
                                                  from minor NSR permitting based on                         In addition to evaluating the scope of             with emission rates equal to the minor
                                                  the revised de minimis levels were                      sources/emissions exempted from minor                 NSR permitting thresholds/de minimis
                                                  0.0005% to 0.019% of the statewide                      NSR permitting requirements and the                   levels and stack parameters were set
                                                  emissions inventory. While this analysis                ambient air monitoring trends following               equal to median stack parameter based
                                                  was limited to the most recent calendar                 the adoption of the increased permitting              on the 2011 NEI data. The daily
                                                  year, conservative scaling of the CY2016                thresholds and de minimis levels, as                  AERMOD-derived concentrations were
                                                  emissions to account for the                            described in the March 24, 2017 SIP                   added to the CMAQ-derived
                                                  approximate 81⁄2 years that the revised                 submittal ADEQ also conducted air                     concentrations for the same location,
                                                  de minimis levels have been effective in                quality modeling to examine the                       using the CMAQ values as
                                                  the state regulations results in total                  impacts of emissions increases at the                 ‘‘background.’’ The values determined
                                                  emissions that are still much less than                 level of the revised minor NSR                        for the statewide daily maximum
                                                  1% of the total statewide emissions                     permitting thresholds and de minimis                  impacts are expected to represent the
                                                  inventory. In addition, the analysis of                 levels. The modeling analysis was a                   near-field concentrations assuming
                                                  the de minimis actions did not account                  combined photochemical/dispersion                     worst-case impacts from threshold
                                                  for any emissions decreases that                        modeling analysis using the Community                 emission increases at a range of
                                                  occurred as part of the approved de                     Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) model                   locations throughout Arkansas. The
                                                  minimis changes. As shown in these                      and the AMS/EPA Regulatory Model                      modeled impacts from the near-field
                                                  analyses, the emissions exempted from                   Improvement Committee (AERMIC)                        modeling analysis are much less than
                                                  minor NSR permitting requirements in                    model (AERMOD). ADEQ employed this                    the NAAQS for all pollutants and
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                                                  Arkansas as a result of the revised minor               combined modeling approach in an                      averaging periods indicating that near-
                                                  NSR permitting thresholds and de                        effort to look at both regional and local             field impacts associated with emissions
                                                  minimis levels is limited in scope and                  scale impacts from emissions equal to                 equal to the proposed minor NSR
                                                  makes up a small portion of the                         the revised permitting thresholds and de              thresholds are not expected to result in
                                                  statewide emissions inventory.                            1 ADEQ’s November 30, 2015 supplement stated
                                                                                                                                                                NAAQS exceedances. As with the
                                                     On November 30, 2015, ADEQ                           that the population of the Fayetteville-Springdale-
                                                                                                                                                                CMAQ-only regional modeling, the
                                                  provided supplemental information for                   Rogers MSA has grown by over 65,000 people in         combined AERMOD/CMAQ modeling
                                                  the July 26, 2010 SIP revision submittal.               the 2007–2014 timeframe.                              analysis does show increases in


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                                                  43510               Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 179 / Monday, September 18, 2017 / Proposed Rules

                                                  modeled concentrations throughout the                   with the CAA and the EPA regulations                  of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44
                                                  state, and the associated future year DVs               at 40 CFR 51.160–51.165. Therefore,                   U.S.C. 3501 et seq.);
                                                  are also increased. However, the                        under section 110 and part C of the Act,                 • Is certified as not having a
                                                  calculated future year DVs were all less                and for the reasons presented above and               significant economic impact on a
                                                  than the associated NAAQS. In                           in our accompanying TSD, the EPA                      substantial number of small entities
                                                  addition, most pollutants show                          proposes to approve the following
                                                                                                                                                                under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5
                                                  decreased DVs in the future year case as                revisions to the Arkansas SIP that
                                                  compared with the current year DVs.                                                                           U.S.C. 601 et seq.);
                                                                                                          submitted on July 26, 2010, and March
                                                     Based on our evaluation of the                       24, 2017:                                                • Does not contain any unfunded
                                                  analyses conducted by ADEQ to support                      • Revisions to Reg. 19.407 (submitted              mandate or significantly or uniquely
                                                  the proposed minor NSR permitting                       07/26/2010 and 03/24/2017);                           affect small governments, as described
                                                  thresholds and de minimis levels, we                       • Revisions to Reg. 19.407(C)(2)(a)                in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
                                                  find that the increases in these values                 and (b) (submitted 07/26/2010 and 03/                 of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–4);
                                                  are not expected to interfere with                      24/2017); and                                            • Does not have Federalism
                                                  attainment or reasonable further                           • Revisions to Reg. 19.417 (submitted
                                                  progress or any other applicable                                                                              implications as specified in Executive
                                                                                                          07/26/2010).                                          Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10,
                                                  requirement of the Act. The scope of                       As previously stated, this proposed
                                                  affected sources, permit actions, and the                                                                     1999);
                                                                                                          action does not remove or modify the
                                                  associated emissions that would be                      existing federal and state requirements                  • Is not an economically significant
                                                  exempt from minor NSR permitting                                                                              regulatory action based on health or
                                                                                                          that each NSR permit action issued by
                                                  requirements based on the revised                                                                             safety risks subject to Executive Order
                                                                                                          ADEQ include an analysis completed by
                                                  permitting thresholds and de minimis                                                                          13045 (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997);
                                                                                                          the Department and their determination
                                                  levels is a very small fraction of the
                                                                                                          that the proposed construction or                        • Is not a significant regulatory action
                                                  statewide emissions inventory. In
                                                                                                          modification authorized by the permit                 subject to Executive Order 13211 (66 FR
                                                  addition, since implementing the
                                                                                                          action will not interfere with attainment             28355, May 22, 2001);
                                                  increased permitted thresholds/de
                                                                                                          or maintenance of a national ambient air                 • Is not subject to requirements of
                                                  minimis levels in 2008 for CO, VOC,
                                                                                                          quality standard.                                     section 12(d) of the National
                                                  NOX, SO2, and PM10, air quality in
                                                  Arkansas has not been negatively                        IV. Incorporation by Reference                        Technology Transfer and Advancement
                                                  impacted, and in many cases ambient                                                                           Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272 note) because
                                                                                                            In this action, we are proposing to
                                                  concentrations have shown overall                                                                             application of those requirements would
                                                                                                          include in a final rule regulatory text
                                                  decreasing trends. We also find that the                                                                      be inconsistent with the CAA; and
                                                                                                          that includes incorporation by
                                                  modeling analysis provided by ADEQ
                                                                                                          reference. In accordance with the                        • Does not provide EPA with the
                                                  further supports the state’s finding that
                                                  sources with emissions less than the                    requirements of 1 CFR 51.5, we are                    discretionary authority to address, as
                                                  revised minor NSR permitting                            proposing to incorporate by reference                 appropriate, disproportionate human
                                                  thresholds and de minimis levels are not                revisions to the Arkansas regulations as              health or environmental effects, using
                                                  anticipated to have impacts that would                  described in the Proposed Action                      practicable and legally permissible
                                                  cause or contribute to an exceedance of                 section above. We have made, and will                 methods, under Executive Order 12898
                                                  the NAAQS. In addition, de minimis                      continue to make, these documents                     (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994).
                                                  changes are still required to meet minor                generally available electronically
                                                                                                          through www.regulations.gov and/or in                 In addition, the SIP is not approved to
                                                  Source Review requirements contained                                                                          apply on any Indian reservation land or
                                                  in Reg. 19, Chapter 4 including a                       hard copy at the EPA Region 6 office.
                                                                                                                                                                in any other area where EPA or an
                                                  demonstration that the proposed                         V. Statutory and Executive Order                      Indian tribe has demonstrated that a
                                                  modification will not interfere with the                Reviews
                                                  attainment or maintenance of a NAAQS                                                                          tribe has jurisdiction. In those areas of
                                                  on a case-by-case basis. Therefore, the                   Under the CAA, the Administrator is                 Indian country, the proposed rule does
                                                  EPA’s evaluation finds that the                         required to approve a SIP submission                  not have tribal implications and will not
                                                  proposed revisions to the Arkansas SIP                  that complies with the provisions of the              impose substantial direct costs on tribal
                                                  related to the revised minor NSR                        Act and applicable Federal regulations.               governments or preempt tribal law as
                                                  permitting thresholds and de minimis                    42 U.S.C. 7410(k); 40 CFR 52.02(a).                   specified by Executive Order 13175 (65
                                                  levels are consistent with the                          Thus, in reviewing SIP submissions, the               FR 67249, November 9, 2000).
                                                  requirements found in Section 110(l)                    EPA’s role is to approve state choices,
                                                                                                          provided that they meet the criteria of               List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52
                                                  further supporting our proposed
                                                  approval of the revisions included in                   the CAA. Accordingly, this action
                                                                                                                                                                  Environmental protection, Air
                                                  the July 26, 2010 and March 24, 2017                    merely proposes to approve state law as
                                                                                                                                                                pollution control, Carbon monoxide,
                                                  submittals that are evaluated in this                   meeting Federal requirements and does
                                                                                                          not impose additional requirements                    Incorporation by reference, Lead,
                                                  action.                                                                                                       Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone, Particulate
                                                                                                          beyond those imposed by state law. For
                                                  III. Proposed Action                                    that reason, this action:                             matter, Reporting and recordkeeping
                                                     The EPA proposes approval of the                       • Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory                 requirements, Sulfur oxides, Volatile
sradovich on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                  identified sections of the revisions to                 action’’ subject to review by the Office              organic compounds.
                                                  the minor NSR permitting program as                     of Management and Budget under                          Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
                                                  submitted as revisions to the Arkansas                  Executive Orders 12866 (58 FR 51735,                    Dated: September 12, 2017.
                                                  SIP on July 26, 2010, and March 24,                     October 4, 1993), 13563 (76 FR 3821,
                                                                                                                                                                Samuel Coleman,
                                                  2017, including supplement information                  January 21, 2011) and 13771 (82 FR
                                                  submitted on November 30, 2015, May                     9339, February 2, 2017);                              Acting Regional Administrator, Region 6.
                                                  26, 2016, and July 27, 2017. The EPA                      • Does not impose an information                    [FR Doc. 2017–19716 Filed 9–15–17; 8:45 am]
                                                  has made a determination in accordance                  collection burden under the provisions                BILLING CODE 6560–50–P




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Document Created: 2017-09-16 00:52:08
Document Modified: 2017-09-16 00:52:08
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.
DatesWritten comments must be received on or before October 18, 2017.
ContactAshley Mohr, 214-665-7289, [email protected] To inspect the hard copy materials, please schedule an appointment with Ms. Ashley Mohr or Mr. Bill Deese at 214- 665-7253.
FR Citation82 FR 43506 
CFR AssociatedEnvironmental Protection; Air Pollution Control; Carbon Monoxide; Incorporation by Reference; Lead; Nitrogen Dioxide; Ozone; Particulate Matter; Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements; Sulfur Oxides and Volatile Organic Compounds

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