82_FR_7708 82 FR 7695 - Extension of Deadline for Action on the November 28, 2016 Section 126 Petition From Delaware

82 FR 7695 - Extension of Deadline for Action on the November 28, 2016 Section 126 Petition From Delaware

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 13 (January 23, 2017)

Page Range7695-7697
FR Document2017-00760

In this action, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is determining that 60 days is insufficient time to complete the technical and other analyses and public notice-and-comment process required for our review of a petition submitted by the state of Delaware pursuant to section 126 of the Clean Air Act (CAA). The petition requests that the EPA make a finding that Conemaugh Generating Station, located in Indiana County, Pennsylvania, emits air pollution that significantly contributes to nonattainment and interferes with maintenance of the 2008 and 2015 ozone national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) in the state of Delaware. Under section 307(d)(10) of CAA, the EPA is authorized to grant a time extension for responding to a petition if the EPA determines that the extension is necessary to afford the public, and the agency, adequate opportunity to carry out the purposes of the section 307(d) notice-and-comment rulemaking requirements. By this action, the EPA is making that determination. The EPA is, therefore, extending the deadline for acting on the petition to no later than August 3, 2017.

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 13 (Monday, January 23, 2017)
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 13 (Monday, January 23, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 7695-7697]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-00760]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 52

[EPA-HQ-OAR-2016-0764; FRL-9958-26-OAR]


Extension of Deadline for Action on the November 28, 2016 Section 
126 Petition From Delaware

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: In this action, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is 
determining that 60 days is insufficient time to complete the technical 
and other analyses and public notice-and-comment process required for 
our review of a petition submitted by the state of Delaware pursuant to 
section 126 of the Clean Air Act (CAA). The petition requests that the 
EPA make a finding that Conemaugh Generating Station, located in 
Indiana County, Pennsylvania, emits air pollution that significantly 
contributes to nonattainment and interferes with maintenance of the 
2008 and 2015 ozone national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) in 
the state of Delaware. Under section 307(d)(10) of CAA, the EPA is 
authorized to grant a time extension for responding to a petition if 
the EPA determines that the extension is necessary to afford the 
public, and the agency, adequate opportunity to carry out the purposes 
of the section 307(d) notice-and-comment rulemaking requirements. By 
this action, the EPA is making that determination. The EPA is, 
therefore, extending the deadline for acting on the petition to no 
later than August 3, 2017.

DATES: This final rule is effective on January 23, 2017.

ADDRESSES: The EPA has established a docket for this action under 
Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2016-0764. All documents in the docket are 
listed on the http://www.regulations.gov Web site. Although listed in 
the index, some information is not publicly available, e.g., 
Confidential Business Information or other information whose disclosure 
is

[[Page 7696]]

restricted by statute. Certain other material, such as copyrighted 
material, is not placed on the Internet and will be publicly available 
only in hard copy form. Publicly available docket materials are 
available electronically through http://www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Benjamin Gibson, Office of Air 
Quality Planning and Standards (C545-E), U.S. EPA, Research Triangle 
Park, North Carolina 27709, telephone number (919) 541-3277, email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background and Legal Requirements for Interstate Air Pollution

    This is a procedural action to extend the deadline for the EPA to 
respond to a petition from the state of Delaware filed pursuant to CAA 
section 126(b). The EPA received the petition on December 5, 2016. The 
petition requests that the EPA make a finding under section 126(b) of 
the CAA that the Conemaugh Generating Station, located in Indiana 
County, Pennsylvania, is operating in a manner that emits air 
pollutants in violation of the provisions of section 110(a)(2)(D)(i) of 
the CAA with respect to the 2008 and 2015 ozone NAAQS.
    Section 126(b) of the CAA authorizes states to petition the EPA to 
find that a major source or group of stationary sources in upwind 
states emits or would emit any air pollutant in violation of the 
prohibition of CAA section 110(a)(2)(D)(i) \1\ by contributing 
significantly to nonattainment or maintenance problems in downwind 
states. Section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) of the CAA prohibits emissions of 
any air pollutant in amounts which will contribute significantly to 
nonattainment in, or interfere with maintenance by, any other state 
with respect to any NAAQS. The petition asserts that emissions from 
Conemaugh Generating Station's two electric generating units emit air 
pollutants in violation of CAA section 110(a)(2)(D)(i) with respect to 
the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS, set at 0.075 parts per million (ppm), and 
the revised 2015 8-hour ozone NAAQS, set at 0.070 ppm.\2\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ The text of CAA section 126 codified in the United States 
Code cross references CAA section 110(a)(2)(D)(ii) instead of CAA 
section 110(a)(2)(D)(i). The courts have confirmed that this is a 
scrivener's error and the correct cross reference is to CAA section 
110(a)(2)(D)(i). See Appalachian Power Co. v. EPA, 249 F.3d 1032, 
1040-44 (D.C. Cir. 2001).
    \2\ On October 1, 2015, the EPA strengthened the ground-level 
ozone NAAQS, based on extensive scientific evidence about ozone's 
effects on public health and welfare. See 80 FR 65291 (October 26, 
2015).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Pursuant to CAA section 126(b), the EPA must make the finding 
requested in the petition, or must deny the petition within 60 days of 
its receipt. Under CAA section 126(c), any existing sources for which 
the EPA makes the requested finding must cease operations within 3 
months of the finding, except that the source may continue to operate 
if it complies with emission limitations and compliance schedules 
(containing increments of progress) that the EPA may provide to bring 
about compliance with the applicable requirements as expeditiously as 
practical but no later than 3 years from the date of the finding.
    CAA section 126(b) further provides that the EPA must hold a public 
hearing on the petition. The EPA's action under CAA section 126 is also 
subject to the procedural requirements of CAA section 307(d). See CAA 
section 307(d)(1)(N). One of these requirements is notice-and-comment 
rulemaking, under section 307(d)(3)-(6).
    In addition, CAA section 307(d)(10) provides for a time extension, 
under certain circumstances, for a rulemaking subject to CAA section 
307(d). Specifically, CAA section 307(d)(10) provides:

    Each statutory deadline for promulgation of rules to which this 
subsection applies which requires promulgation less than six months 
after date of proposal may be extended to not more than six months 
after date of proposal by the Administrator upon a determination 
that such extension is necessary to afford the public, and the 
agency, adequate opportunity to carry out the purposes of the 
subsection.

    CAA section 307(d)(10) may be applied to CAA section 126 
rulemakings because the 60-day time limit under CAA section 126(b) 
necessarily limits the period for promulgation of a final rule after 
proposal to less than 6 months.

II. Final Rule

A. Rule

    In accordance with CAA section 307(d)(10), the EPA is determining 
that the 60-day period afforded by CAA section 126(b) for responding to 
the petition from the state of Delaware is not adequate to allow the 
public and the agency the opportunity to carry out the purposes of CAA 
section 307(d). Specifically, the 60-day period is insufficient for the 
EPA to complete the necessary technical review, develop an adequate 
proposal, and allow time for notice and comment, including an 
opportunity for public hearing, on a proposed finding regarding whether 
the Conemaugh Generating Station identified in the CAA section 126 
petition contributes significantly to nonattainment or interferes with 
maintenance of the 2008 ozone NAAQS or the 2015 ozone NAAQS in 
Delaware. Moreover, the 60-day period is insufficient for the EPA to 
review and develop response to any public comments on a proposed 
finding, or testimony supplied at a public hearing, and to develop and 
promulgate a final finding in response to the petition. The EPA is in 
the process of determining an appropriate schedule for action on the 
CAA section 126 petition. This schedule must afford the EPA adequate 
time to prepare a proposal that clearly elucidates the issues to 
facilitate public comment, and must provide adequate time for the 
public to comment and for the EPA to review and develop responses to 
those comments prior to issuing the final rule. As a result of this 
extension, the deadline for the EPA to act on the petition is August 3, 
2017.

B. Notice and Comment Under the Administrative Procedures Act (APA)

    This document is a final agency action, but may not be subject to 
the notice-and-comment requirements of the APA, 5 U.S.C. 553(b). The 
EPA believes that, because of the limited time provided to make a 
determination, the deadline for action on the CAA section 126 petition 
should be extended. Congress may not have intended such a determination 
to be subject to notice-and-comment rulemaking. However, to the extent 
that this determination otherwise would require notice and opportunity 
for public comment, there is good cause within the meaning of 5 U.S.C. 
553(b)(3)(B) not to apply those requirements here. Providing for notice 
and comment would be impracticable because of the limited time provided 
for making this determination, and would be contrary to the public 
interest because it would divert agency resources from the substantive 
review of the CAA section 126 petition.

C. Effective Date Under the APA

    This action is effective on January 23, 2017. Under the APA, 5 
U.S.C. 553(d)(3), agency rulemaking may take effect before 30 days 
after the date of publication in the Federal Register if the agency has 
good cause to mandate an earlier effective date. This action--a 
deadline extension--must take effect immediately because its purpose is 
to extend by 6 months the deadline for action on the petition. As 
discussed earlier, the EPA intends to use the 6-month extension period 
to develop a proposal on the petition and provide time for public 
comment before issuing

[[Page 7697]]

the final rule. It would not be possible for the EPA to complete the 
required notice and comment and public hearing process within the 
original 60-day period noted in the statute. These reasons support an 
immediate effective date.

III. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

A. Executive Orders 12866: Regulatory Planning and Review and Executive 
Order 13563: Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review

    This action is exempt from review by the Office of Management and 
Budget because it simply extends the date for the EPA to take action on 
a petition.

B. Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA)

    This action does not impose an information collection burden under 
the PRA. This good cause final action simply extends the date for the 
EPA to take action on a petition and does not impose any new 
obligations or enforceable duties on any state, local or tribal 
governments or the private sector. It does not contain any 
recordkeeping or reporting requirements.

C. Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)

    This action is not subject to the RFA. The RFA applies only to 
rules subject to notice-and-comment rulemaking requirements under the 
APA, 5 U.S.C. 553, or any other statute. This rule is not subject to 
notice-and-comment requirements because the agency has invoked the APA 
good cause exemption under 5 U.S.C. 553(b).

D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA)

    This action does not contain any unfunded mandate of $100 million 
or more as described in UMRA, 2 U.S.C. 1531-1538, and does not 
significantly or uniquely affect small governments. The action imposes 
no enforceable duty on any state, local or tribal governments or the 
private sector.

E. Executive Order 13132: Federalism

    This action does not have federalism implications. It will not have 
substantial direct effects on the states, on the relationship between 
the national government and the states, or on the distribution of power 
and responsibilities among the various levels of government.

F. Executive Order 13175: Consultation and Coordination With Indian 
Tribal Governments

    This action does not have tribal implications, as specified in 
Executive Order 13175. This good cause final action simply extends the 
date for the EPA to take action on a petition. Thus, Executive Order 
13175 does not apply to this rule.

G. Executive Order 13045: Protection of Children From Environmental 
Health and Safety Risks

    The EPA interprets Executive Order 13045 as applying only to those 
regulatory actions that concern environmental health or safety risks 
that the EPA has reason to believe may disproportionately affect 
children, per the definition of ``covered regulatory action'' in 
section 2-202 of the Executive Order. This action is not subject to 
Executive Order 13045 because it does not concern an environmental 
health risk or safety risk.

H. Executive Order 13211: Actions That Significantly Affect Energy 
Supply, Distribution or Use

    This action is not subject to Executive Order 13211 because it is 
not a significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866.

I. National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act (NTTAA)

    This rulemaking does not involve technical standards.

J. Executive Order 12898: Federal Actions To Address Environmental 
Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations

    The EPA believes that this action is not subject to Executive Order 
12898 (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994) because it does not establish an 
environmental health or safety standard. This good cause final action 
simply extends the date for the EPA to take action on a petition and 
does not have any impact on human health or the environment.

K. Congressional Review Act (CRA)

    This action is subject to the CRA, and the EPA will submit a rule 
report to each House of the Congress and to the Comptroller General of 
the United States. The CRA allows the issuing agency to make a rule 
effective sooner than otherwise provided by the CRA if the agency makes 
a good cause finding that notice-and-comment rulemaking procedures are 
impracticable, unnecessary or contrary to the public interest (5 U.S.C. 
808(2)). The EPA has made a good cause finding for this rule as 
discussed in Section II.B of this document, including the basis for 
that finding.

IV. Statutory Authority

    The statutory authority for this action is provided by sections 
110, 126 and 307 of the CAA as amended (42 U.S.C. 7410, 7426 and 7607).

V. Judicial Review

    Under section 307(b)(1) of the CAA, judicial review of this final 
rule is available only by the filing of a petition for review in the 
U.S. Court of Appeals for the appropriate circuit by March 24, 2017. 
Under section 307(b)(2) of the CAA, the requirements that are the 
subject of this final rule may not be challenged later in civil or 
criminal proceedings brought by us to enforce these requirements.

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52

    Environmental protection, Administrative practices and procedures, 
Air pollution control, Electric utilities, Incorporation by reference, 
Intergovernmental relations, Nitrogen oxides, Ozone.

    Dated: January 9, 2017.
Gina McCarthy,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2017-00760 Filed 1-19-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6560-50-P



                                                                    Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 13 / Monday, January 23, 2017 / Rules and Regulations                                                 7695

                                                 Frequently Asked Questions. Office of                       (b) A record of each examination shall                (d) The operator shall maintain the
                                                 Information and Regulatory Affairs,                      be made before the end of the shift for                examination records for at least one
                                                 February 7, 2011. 12 pages. http://                      which the examination was conducted.                   year, make the records available for
                                                 www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/                  The record shall contain the name of the               inspection by authorized representatives
                                                 omb/assets/OMB/circulars/a004/a-4_
                                                 FAQ.pdf.
                                                                                                          person conducting the examination;                     of the Secretary and the representatives
                                                Smitha, M.W., et al. 2001. Effect of state                date of the examination; location of all               of miners, and provide these
                                                 workplace safety laws on occupational                    areas examined; and description of each                representatives a copy on request.
                                                 injury rates. J. Occ. Environ. Med.                      condition found that may adversely                     [FR Doc. 2017–00832 Filed 1–17–17; 4:15 pm]
                                                 43(12):1001–1010.                                        affect the safety or health of miners.                 BILLING CODE 4510–43–P
                                                West Virginia Office of Miners’ Health, Safety               (c) When a condition that may
                                                 and Training. 2015. Notice of Final Filing               adversely affect safety or health is
                                                 and Adoption of a Legislative Rule                       corrected, the examination record shall
                                                 Authorized by the West Virginia                                                                                 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
                                                                                                          include, or be supplemented to include,                AGENCY
                                                 Legislature—Rules Governing the Safety of
                                                 Those Employed in and Around Quarries                    the date of the corrective action.
                                                 in West Virginia. West Virginia Secretary                   (d) The operator shall maintain the                 40 CFR Part 52
                                                 of State Filed April 20, 2015. 83 pages.                 examination records for at least one
                                                                                                          year, make the records available for                   [EPA–HQ–OAR–2016–0764; FRL–9958–26–
                                                List of Subjects in 30 CFR Parts 56 and                                                                          OAR]
                                                                                                          inspection by authorized representatives
                                                57                                                        of the Secretary and the representatives               Extension of Deadline for Action on
                                                  Explosives, Fire prevention,                            of miners, and provide these                           the November 28, 2016 Section 126
                                                Hazardous substances, Metals, Mine                        representatives a copy on request.                     Petition From Delaware
                                                safety and health, Reporting and
                                                recordkeeping requirements.                               PART 57—SAFETY AND HEALTH                              AGENCY:  Environmental Protection
                                                                                                          STANDARDS—UNDERGROUND                                  Agency (EPA).
                                                Joseph A. Main,                                           METAL AND NONMETAL MINES                               ACTION: Final rule.
                                                Assistant Secretary of Labor for Mine Safety
                                                and Health.                                               ■ 3. The authority citation for part 57                SUMMARY:    In this action, the
                                                  For the reasons set out in the                          continues to read as follows:                          Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
                                                preamble, and under the authority of the                      Authority: 30 U.S.C. 811.                          is determining that 60 days is
                                                Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of                                                                            insufficient time to complete the
                                                                                                          ■ 4. Revise § 57.18002 to read as
                                                1977, as amended by the Mine                                                                                     technical and other analyses and public
                                                                                                          follows:
                                                Improvement and New Emergency                                                                                    notice-and-comment process required
                                                Response Act of 2006, MSHA is                             § 57.18002    Examination of working places.           for our review of a petition submitted by
                                                amending chapter I of title 30 of the                        (a) A competent person designated by                the state of Delaware pursuant to section
                                                Code of Federal Regulations as follows:                   the operator shall examine each working                126 of the Clean Air Act (CAA). The
                                                                                                          place at least once each shift before                  petition requests that the EPA make a
                                                PART 56—SAFETY AND HEALTH                                 miners begin work in that place, for                   finding that Conemaugh Generating
                                                STANDARDS—SURFACE METAL AND                               conditions that may adversely affect                   Station, located in Indiana County,
                                                NONMETAL MINES                                            safety or health.                                      Pennsylvania, emits air pollution that
                                                                                                             (1) The operator shall promptly notify              significantly contributes to
                                                ■ 1. The authority citation for part 56                                                                          nonattainment and interferes with
                                                continues to read as follows:                             miners in any affected areas of any
                                                                                                          conditions found that may adversely                    maintenance of the 2008 and 2015
                                                    Authority: 30 U.S.C. 811.                             affect safety or health and promptly                   ozone national ambient air quality
                                                                                                          initiate appropriate action to correct                 standards (NAAQS) in the state of
                                                ■ 2. Revise § 56.18002 to read as
                                                                                                          such conditions.                                       Delaware. Under section 307(d)(10) of
                                                follows:
                                                                                                             (2) Conditions noted by the person                  CAA, the EPA is authorized to grant a
                                                § 56.18002       Examination of working places.           conducting the examination that may                    time extension for responding to a
                                                   (a) A competent person designated by                   present an imminent danger shall be                    petition if the EPA determines that the
                                                the operator shall examine each working                   brought to the immediate attention of                  extension is necessary to afford the
                                                place at least once each shift before                     the operator who shall withdraw all                    public, and the agency, adequate
                                                miners begin work in that place, for                      persons from the area affected (except                 opportunity to carry out the purposes of
                                                conditions that may adversely affect                      persons referred to in section 104(c) of               the section 307(d) notice-and-comment
                                                safety or health.                                         the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act                 rulemaking requirements. By this
                                                   (1) The operator shall promptly notify                 of 1977) until the danger is abated.                   action, the EPA is making that
                                                miners in any affected areas of any                          (b) A record of each examination shall              determination. The EPA is, therefore,
                                                conditions found that may adversely                       be made before the end of the shift for                extending the deadline for acting on the
                                                affect safety or health and promptly                      which the examination was conducted.                   petition to no later than August 3, 2017.
                                                initiate appropriate action to correct                    The record shall contain the name of the               DATES: This final rule is effective on
                                                such conditions.                                          person conducting the examination;                     January 23, 2017.
                                                   (2) Conditions noted by the person                     date of the examination; location of all               ADDRESSES: The EPA has established a
                                                conducting the examination that may                       areas examined; and description of each                docket for this action under Docket ID
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with RULES




                                                present an imminent danger shall be                       condition found that may adversely                     No. EPA–HQ–OAR–2016–0764. All
                                                brought to the immediate attention of                     affect the safety or health of miners.                 documents in the docket are listed on
                                                the operator who shall withdraw all                          (c) When a condition that may                       the http://www.regulations.gov Web
                                                persons from the area affected (except                    adversely affect safety or health is                   site. Although listed in the index, some
                                                persons referred to in section 104(c) of                  corrected, the examination record shall                information is not publicly available,
                                                the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act                    include, or be supplemented to include,                e.g., Confidential Business Information
                                                of 1977) until the danger is abated.                      the date of the corrective action.                     or other information whose disclosure is


                                           VerDate Sep<11>2014     18:54 Jan 19, 2017   Jkt 241001   PO 00000   Frm 00065   Fmt 4700   Sfmt 4700   E:\FR\FM\23JAR1.SGM   23JAR1


                                                7696               Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 13 / Monday, January 23, 2017 / Rules and Regulations

                                                restricted by statute. Certain other                        Pursuant to CAA section 126(b), the                identified in the CAA section 126
                                                material, such as copyrighted material,                  EPA must make the finding requested in                petition contributes significantly to
                                                is not placed on the Internet and will be                the petition, or must deny the petition               nonattainment or interferes with
                                                publicly available only in hard copy                     within 60 days of its receipt. Under                  maintenance of the 2008 ozone NAAQS
                                                form. Publicly available docket                          CAA section 126(c), any existing                      or the 2015 ozone NAAQS in Delaware.
                                                materials are available electronically                   sources for which the EPA makes the                   Moreover, the 60-day period is
                                                through http://www.regulations.gov.                      requested finding must cease operations               insufficient for the EPA to review and
                                                FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.                     within 3 months of the finding, except                develop response to any public
                                                Benjamin Gibson, Office of Air Quality                   that the source may continue to operate               comments on a proposed finding, or
                                                Planning and Standards (C545–E), U.S.                    if it complies with emission limitations              testimony supplied at a public hearing,
                                                EPA, Research Triangle Park, North                       and compliance schedules (containing                  and to develop and promulgate a final
                                                Carolina 27709, telephone number (919)                   increments of progress) that the EPA                  finding in response to the petition. The
                                                541–3277, email: gibson.benjamin@                        may provide to bring about compliance                 EPA is in the process of determining an
                                                epa.gov.                                                 with the applicable requirements as                   appropriate schedule for action on the
                                                                                                         expeditiously as practical but no later               CAA section 126 petition. This schedule
                                                SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                                                                                         than 3 years from the date of the                     must afford the EPA adequate time to
                                                I. Background and Legal Requirements                     finding.                                              prepare a proposal that clearly
                                                for Interstate Air Pollution                                CAA section 126(b) further provides                elucidates the issues to facilitate public
                                                   This is a procedural action to extend                 that the EPA must hold a public hearing               comment, and must provide adequate
                                                the deadline for the EPA to respond to                   on the petition. The EPA’s action under               time for the public to comment and for
                                                a petition from the state of Delaware                    CAA section 126 is also subject to the                the EPA to review and develop
                                                filed pursuant to CAA section 126(b).                    procedural requirements of CAA section                responses to those comments prior to
                                                The EPA received the petition on                         307(d). See CAA section 307(d)(1)(N).                 issuing the final rule. As a result of this
                                                December 5, 2016. The petition requests                  One of these requirements is notice-and-              extension, the deadline for the EPA to
                                                that the EPA make a finding under                        comment rulemaking, under section                     act on the petition is August 3, 2017.
                                                section 126(b) of the CAA that the                       307(d)(3)–(6).                                        B. Notice and Comment Under the
                                                Conemaugh Generating Station, located                       In addition, CAA section 307(d)(10)                Administrative Procedures Act (APA)
                                                in Indiana County, Pennsylvania, is                      provides for a time extension, under
                                                                                                         certain circumstances, for a rulemaking                  This document is a final agency
                                                operating in a manner that emits air
                                                                                                                                                               action, but may not be subject to the
                                                pollutants in violation of the provisions                subject to CAA section 307(d).
                                                                                                                                                               notice-and-comment requirements of
                                                of section 110(a)(2)(D)(i) of the CAA                    Specifically, CAA section 307(d)(10)
                                                                                                                                                               the APA, 5 U.S.C. 553(b). The EPA
                                                with respect to the 2008 and 2015 ozone                  provides:
                                                                                                                                                               believes that, because of the limited
                                                NAAQS.                                                     Each statutory deadline for promulgation
                                                   Section 126(b) of the CAA authorizes                                                                        time provided to make a determination,
                                                                                                         of rules to which this subsection applies             the deadline for action on the CAA
                                                states to petition the EPA to find that a                which requires promulgation less than six
                                                major source or group of stationary                                                                            section 126 petition should be extended.
                                                                                                         months after date of proposal may be
                                                sources in upwind states emits or would                  extended to not more than six months after
                                                                                                                                                               Congress may not have intended such a
                                                emit any air pollutant in violation of the               date of proposal by the Administrator upon            determination to be subject to notice-
                                                prohibition of CAA section                               a determination that such extension is                and-comment rulemaking. However, to
                                                110(a)(2)(D)(i) 1 by contributing                        necessary to afford the public, and the               the extent that this determination
                                                significantly to nonattainment or                        agency, adequate opportunity to carry out the         otherwise would require notice and
                                                maintenance problems in downwind                         purposes of the subsection.                           opportunity for public comment, there
                                                states. Section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) of the                  CAA section 307(d)(10) may be                       is good cause within the meaning of 5
                                                CAA prohibits emissions of any air                       applied to CAA section 126 rulemakings                U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B) not to apply those
                                                pollutant in amounts which will                          because the 60-day time limit under                   requirements here. Providing for notice
                                                contribute significantly to                              CAA section 126(b) necessarily limits                 and comment would be impracticable
                                                nonattainment in, or interfere with                      the period for promulgation of a final                because of the limited time provided for
                                                maintenance by, any other state with                     rule after proposal to less than 6                    making this determination, and would
                                                respect to any NAAQS. The petition                       months.                                               be contrary to the public interest
                                                asserts that emissions from Conemaugh                                                                          because it would divert agency
                                                Generating Station’s two electric                        II. Final Rule                                        resources from the substantive review of
                                                generating units emit air pollutants in                  A. Rule                                               the CAA section 126 petition.
                                                violation of CAA section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)                                                                       C. Effective Date Under the APA
                                                                                                           In accordance with CAA section
                                                with respect to the 2008 8-hour ozone
                                                                                                         307(d)(10), the EPA is determining that                  This action is effective on January 23,
                                                NAAQS, set at 0.075 parts per million
                                                                                                         the 60-day period afforded by CAA                     2017. Under the APA, 5 U.S.C.
                                                (ppm), and the revised 2015 8-hour
                                                                                                         section 126(b) for responding to the                  553(d)(3), agency rulemaking may take
                                                ozone NAAQS, set at 0.070 ppm.2
                                                                                                         petition from the state of Delaware is                effect before 30 days after the date of
                                                   1 The text of CAA section 126 codified in the         not adequate to allow the public and the              publication in the Federal Register if
                                                United States Code cross references CAA section          agency the opportunity to carry out the               the agency has good cause to mandate
                                                110(a)(2)(D)(ii) instead of CAA section                  purposes of CAA section 307(d).                       an earlier effective date. This action—a
                                                110(a)(2)(D)(i). The courts have confirmed that this     Specifically, the 60-day period is                    deadline extension—must take effect
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with RULES




                                                is a scrivener’s error and the correct cross reference
                                                is to CAA section 110(a)(2)(D)(i). See Appalachian
                                                                                                         insufficient for the EPA to complete the              immediately because its purpose is to
                                                Power Co. v. EPA, 249 F.3d 1032, 1040–44 (D.C. Cir.      necessary technical review, develop an                extend by 6 months the deadline for
                                                2001).                                                   adequate proposal, and allow time for                 action on the petition. As discussed
                                                   2 On October 1, 2015, the EPA strengthened the
                                                                                                         notice and comment, including an                      earlier, the EPA intends to use the 6-
                                                ground-level ozone NAAQS, based on extensive
                                                scientific evidence about ozone’s effects on public
                                                                                                         opportunity for public hearing, on a                  month extension period to develop a
                                                health and welfare. See 80 FR 65291 (October 26,         proposed finding regarding whether the                proposal on the petition and provide
                                                2015).                                                   Conemaugh Generating Station                          time for public comment before issuing


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                                                                  Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 13 / Monday, January 23, 2017 / Rules and Regulations                                                 7697

                                                the final rule. It would not be possible                action simply extends the date for the                 307 of the CAA as amended (42 U.S.C.
                                                for the EPA to complete the required                    EPA to take action on a petition. Thus,                7410, 7426 and 7607).
                                                notice and comment and public hearing                   Executive Order 13175 does not apply
                                                                                                                                                               V. Judicial Review
                                                process within the original 60-day                      to this rule.
                                                period noted in the statute. These                                                                               Under section 307(b)(1) of the CAA,
                                                                                                        G. Executive Order 13045: Protection of                judicial review of this final rule is
                                                reasons support an immediate effective
                                                date.                                                   Children From Environmental Health                     available only by the filing of a petition
                                                                                                        and Safety Risks                                       for review in the U.S. Court of Appeals
                                                III. Statutory and Executive Order                        The EPA interprets Executive Order                   for the appropriate circuit by March 24,
                                                Reviews                                                 13045 as applying only to those                        2017. Under section 307(b)(2) of the
                                                A. Executive Orders 12866: Regulatory                   regulatory actions that concern                        CAA, the requirements that are the
                                                Planning and Review and Executive                       environmental health or safety risks that              subject of this final rule may not be
                                                Order 13563: Improving Regulation and                   the EPA has reason to believe may                      challenged later in civil or criminal
                                                Regulatory Review                                       disproportionately affect children, per                proceedings brought by us to enforce
                                                  This action is exempt from review by                  the definition of ‘‘covered regulatory                 these requirements.
                                                the Office of Management and Budget                     action’’ in section 2–202 of the
                                                                                                                                                               List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52
                                                because it simply extends the date for                  Executive Order. This action is not
                                                the EPA to take action on a petition.                   subject to Executive Order 13045                         Environmental protection,
                                                                                                        because it does not concern an                         Administrative practices and
                                                B. Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA)                        environmental health risk or safety risk.              procedures, Air pollution control,
                                                   This action does not impose an                                                                              Electric utilities, Incorporation by
                                                                                                        H. Executive Order 13211: Actions That                 reference, Intergovernmental relations,
                                                information collection burden under the                 Significantly Affect Energy Supply,
                                                PRA. This good cause final action                                                                              Nitrogen oxides, Ozone.
                                                                                                        Distribution or Use
                                                simply extends the date for the EPA to                                                                           Dated: January 9, 2017.
                                                take action on a petition and does not                    This action is not subject to Executive
                                                                                                                                                               Gina McCarthy,
                                                impose any new obligations or                           Order 13211 because it is not a
                                                                                                                                                               Administrator.
                                                enforceable duties on any state, local or               significant regulatory action under
                                                                                                        Executive Order 12866.                                 [FR Doc. 2017–00760 Filed 1–19–17; 8:45 am]
                                                tribal governments or the private sector.
                                                                                                                                                               BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
                                                It does not contain any recordkeeping or                I. National Technology Transfer and
                                                reporting requirements.                                 Advancement Act (NTTAA)
                                                C. Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)                       This rulemaking does not involve                     DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND
                                                  This action is not subject to the RFA.                technical standards.                                   SECURITY
                                                The RFA applies only to rules subject to                J. Executive Order 12898: Federal
                                                notice-and-comment rulemaking                                                                                  Federal Emergency Management
                                                                                                        Actions To Address Environmental                       Agency
                                                requirements under the APA, 5 U.S.C.                    Justice in Minority Populations and
                                                553, or any other statute. This rule is not             Low-Income Populations
                                                subject to notice-and-comment                                                                                  44 CFR Part 64
                                                requirements because the agency has                       The EPA believes that this action is
                                                                                                                                                               [Docket ID FEMA–2016–0002; Internal
                                                invoked the APA good cause exemption                    not subject to Executive Order 12898 (59               Agency Docket No. FEMA–8463]
                                                under 5 U.S.C. 553(b).                                  FR 7629, February 16, 1994) because it
                                                                                                        does not establish an environmental                    Suspension of Community Eligibility
                                                D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act                         health or safety standard. This good
                                                (UMRA)                                                  cause final action simply extends the                  AGENCY:  Federal Emergency
                                                  This action does not contain any                      date for the EPA to take action on a                   Management Agency, DHS.
                                                unfunded mandate of $100 million or                     petition and does not have any impact                  ACTION: Final rule.
                                                more as described in UMRA, 2 U.S.C.                     on human health or the environment.
                                                1531–1538, and does not significantly or                                                                       SUMMARY:    This rule identifies
                                                                                                        K. Congressional Review Act (CRA)                      communities where the sale of flood
                                                uniquely affect small governments. The
                                                action imposes no enforceable duty on                      This action is subject to the CRA, and              insurance has been authorized under
                                                any state, local or tribal governments or               the EPA will submit a rule report to                   the National Flood Insurance Program
                                                the private sector.                                     each House of the Congress and to the                  (NFIP) that are scheduled for
                                                                                                        Comptroller General of the United                      suspension on the effective dates listed
                                                E. Executive Order 13132: Federalism                    States. The CRA allows the issuing                     within this rule because of
                                                  This action does not have federalism                  agency to make a rule effective sooner                 noncompliance with the floodplain
                                                implications. It will not have substantial              than otherwise provided by the CRA if                  management requirements of the
                                                direct effects on the states, on the                    the agency makes a good cause finding                  program. If the Federal Emergency
                                                relationship between the national                       that notice-and-comment rulemaking                     Management Agency (FEMA) receives
                                                government and the states, or on the                    procedures are impracticable,                          documentation that the community has
                                                distribution of power and                               unnecessary or contrary to the public                  adopted the required floodplain
                                                responsibilities among the various                      interest (5 U.S.C. 808(2)). The EPA has                management measures prior to the
                                                levels of government.                                   made a good cause finding for this rule                effective suspension date given in this
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with RULES




                                                                                                        as discussed in Section II.B of this                   rule, the suspension will not occur and
                                                F. Executive Order 13175: Consultation                  document, including the basis for that                 a notice of this will be provided by
                                                and Coordination With Indian Tribal                     finding.                                               publication in the Federal Register on a
                                                Governments                                                                                                    subsequent date. Also, information
                                                  This action does not have tribal                      IV. Statutory Authority                                identifying the current participation
                                                implications, as specified in Executive                    The statutory authority for this action             status of a community can be obtained
                                                Order 13175. This good cause final                      is provided by sections 110, 126 and                   from FEMA’s Community Status Book


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Document Created: 2017-01-20 01:29:37
Document Modified: 2017-01-20 01:29:37
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionRules and Regulations
ActionFinal rule.
DatesThis final rule is effective on January 23, 2017.
ContactMr. Benjamin Gibson, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards (C545-E), U.S. EPA, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, telephone number (919) 541-3277, email: [email protected]
FR Citation82 FR 7695 
CFR AssociatedEnvironmental Protection; Administrative Practices and Procedures; Air Pollution Control; Electric Utilities; Incorporation by Reference; Intergovernmental Relations; Nitrogen Oxides and Ozone

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