83_FR_12542 83 FR 12486 - Approval of Implementation Plans; State of Iowa; Elements of the Infrastructure SIP Requirements for the 2010 Sulfur Dioxide National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS)

83 FR 12486 - Approval of Implementation Plans; State of Iowa; Elements of the Infrastructure SIP Requirements for the 2010 Sulfur Dioxide National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS)

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 56 (March 22, 2018)

Page Range12486-12488
FR Document2018-05631

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking final action to approve certain elements of a 2013 State Implementation Plan (SIP) submission from the State of Iowa for the 2010 Sulfur Dioxide (SO<INF>2</INF>) National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS). States are required to have a SIP that provides for the implementation, maintenance, and enforcement of the NAAQS. Whenever EPA promulgates a new or revised NAAQS, states are required to make a SIP submission establishing that the existing approved SIP has provisions necessary to address various requirements to address the new or revised NAAQS or to add such provisions. These SIPs submissions are commonly referred to as ``infrastructure'' SIPs. The infrastructure SIP requirements are designed to ensure that the structural components of each state's air quality management program are adequate to meet the state's responsibilities under the CAA.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 56 (Thursday, March 22, 2018)
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 56 (Thursday, March 22, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 12486-12488]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-05631]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 52

[EPA-R07-OAR-2017-0267; FRL-9975-78--Region 7]


Approval of Implementation Plans; State of Iowa; Elements of the 
Infrastructure SIP Requirements for the 2010 Sulfur Dioxide National 
Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS)

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking final 
action to approve certain elements of a 2013 State Implementation Plan 
(SIP) submission from the State of Iowa for the 2010 Sulfur Dioxide 
(SO2) National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS). States 
are required to have a SIP that provides for the implementation, 
maintenance, and enforcement of the NAAQS. Whenever EPA promulgates a 
new or revised NAAQS, states are required to make a SIP submission 
establishing that the existing approved SIP has provisions necessary to 
address various requirements to address the new or revised NAAQS or to 
add such provisions. These SIPs submissions are commonly referred to as 
``infrastructure'' SIPs. The infrastructure SIP requirements are 
designed to ensure that the structural components of each state's air 
quality management program are adequate to meet the state's 
responsibilities under the CAA.

DATES: This final rule is effective on April 23, 2018.

ADDRESSES: EPA has established a docket for this action under Docket ID 
No. EPA-R07-OAR-2017-0267. All documents in the docket are listed on 
the https://www.regulations.gov website. Although listed in the index, 
some information is not publicly available, i.e., CBI or other 
information whose disclosure is 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 through https://www.regulations.gov or please contact the person identified in the FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section for additional information.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Heather Hamilton, Environmental 
Protection Agency, Air Planning and Development Branch, 11201 Renner 
Boulevard, Lenexa, Kansas 66219 at 913-551-7039, or by email at 
hamilton.heather@epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Throughout this document ``we,'' ``us,'' and 
``our'' refer to EPA. This section provides additional information by 
addressing the following:

I. Background
II. What is being addressed in this document?
III. Have the requirements for approval of the SIP submission been 
met?
IV. EPA's Response to Comments
V. What action is EPA taking?
VI. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

I. Background

    EPA received Iowa's 2010 SO2 NAAQS infrastructure SIP 
submission on July 29, 2013. On September 29, 2017, EPA proposed to 
approve elements of this submission. See 82 FR 45550. In conjunction 
with the September 29, 2017 notice of proposed rulemaking (NPR), EPA 
issued a direct final rule (DFR) approving the same elements of the 
2010 SO2 NAAQS infrastructure SIP. See 82 FR 45497. However, 
in the DFR, EPA stated that if EPA received adverse comments by October 
30, 2017, the action would be withdrawn and not take effect. EPA 
received three comments prior to the close of the comment period which 
were adverse. EPA withdrew the DFR on November 14,2017. See 82 FR 
54300. This action is a final rule based on the NPR. A detailed 
discussion of Iowa's SIP submission and EPA's rationale for approving 
the SIP submission were provided in the DFR and the associated 
Technical Support Document in the docket for this rulemaking and will 
not be restated here, except to the extent relevant to our response to 
the public comment we received.

II. What is being addressed in this document?

    EPA is approving certain elements of the 2010 SO2 NAAQS 
infrastructure SIP submission from the State of Iowa received on July 
29, 2013. Specifically, EPA is approving Iowa's submission with regard 
to the following elements of section 110(a)(2): (A), (B), (C), 
(D)(i)(II)--prevent of significant deterioration of air quality (prong 
3), (D)(ii), (E) through (H), and (J) through (M).
    EPA is not taking action at this time on the following elements for 
the 2010 SO2 NAAQS: Section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I)--significant 
contribution to nonattainment (prong 1) and interfering with 
maintenance of the NAAQS (prong 2), and section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II)--
protection of visibility (prong 4).

III. Have the requirements for approval of the SIP submission been met?

    The state met the public notice requirements for SIP submission in 
accordance with 40 CFR 51.102. The state initiated public comment from 
April 6, 2013, to May 8, 2013. One comment was received and adequately 
addressed in the final SIP submission. This submission also satisfied 
the completeness criteria of 40 CFR part 51, appendix V. In addition, 
as explained above and in more detail in the technical support document 
which is part of the docket for this rulemaking, the submission meets 
the applicable substantive SIP requirements of the CAA, including 
section 110 and implementing regulations.

IV. EPA's Response to Comments

    The public comment period on EPA's proposed rule opened September 
29, 2017, the date of its publication in the Federal Register, and 
closed on October 30, 2017. During this period, EPA received three 
public comments on the proposal to approve certain elements of Iowa's 
2010 SO2 infrastructure SIP submission, one of which is 
addressed below. The other two comments were not specific to this 
action, which is concerned with evaluating whether Iowa has the 
required elements in place to implement, maintain, and enforce the 
NAAQS, and thus no further response is required.
    Comment: The commenter stated that EPA must act on 110(a)(2)(D)(I) 
prong 1 (significant contribution to nonattainment), prong 2 
(interference with maintenance), and 110(a)(2)(D)(II), prong 4 
(interference with visibility protection.) The commenter asserted that 
EPA had stated in the Technical Support Document (TSD) for the proposed 
action that ``EPA WILL NOT ACT on [prongs 1, 2 and 4]'' (emphasis added 
in comment). The commenter went on to state that EPA was therefore 
stating that it ``will never act and does not need to act on these 
elements.'' The

[[Page 12487]]

commenter further stated that EPA does not have the discretionary 
authority to not act on a state's submission. The commenter indicated 
that if EPA does not believe prongs 1 and 2 are approvable, then EPA 
must disapprove; if EPA does not believe prong 4 is approvable due to 
the lack of an approved regional haze program, then EPA must disapprove 
the state's submission and promulgate a FIP to address regional haze. 
The commenter concluded by stating that the comment letter constitutes 
notice of intent to sue the agency for failure to perform its 
nondiscretionary duty under 110(k)(2) to act on Iowa's prongs 1, 2, and 
4.
    EPA's response: EPA disagrees with this comment. First, EPA's TSD 
\1\ does not state that ``EPA will not act'' on the SIP submission with 
respect to prongs 1, 2, and 4 of section 110(a)(2)(D), and does not 
imply that EPA ``will never act and does not need to act on these 
elements.'' Rather, the TSD states, ``With this action, EPA will not be 
acting on 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I)--prongs 1 and 2, and 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II)--
prong 4.'' That is, the TSD merely explains that EPA is not taking 
action on prongs 1, 2, and 4 in this rulemaking, not that it does not 
have an obligation to act on those elements of the SIP submission at 
issue, or that it will never do so.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ www.regulations.gov, Docket: EPA-R07-OAR-2017-0267, 
Supporting Documents; R7 Technical Support Document.
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    EPA is not required to act on the prong 1, 2, or 4 elements of 
Iowa's 2010 SO2 infrastructure SIP submission in this 
particular rulemaking. Although EPA agrees with the commenter that it 
has an obligation to take action under section 110(k) on SIP 
submissions, EPA disagrees with the argument that the Agency cannot 
elect to act on individual parts or elements of a state's 
infrastructure SIP submission in separate rulemakings, as it deems 
appropriate. Section 110(k) of the CAA authorizes EPA to approve a SIP 
submission in full, disapprove it in full, or approve it in part and 
disapprove it in part, or conditionally approve it in full or in part, 
depending on the extent to which such plan meets the requirements of 
the CAA. This authority to approve state SIP submissions in separable 
parts was included in the 1990 Amendments to the CAA to overrule a 
decision in the Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit holding that EPA 
could not approve individual measures in a SIP submission without 
either approving or disapproving the plan as a whole. See S. Rep. No. 
101-228, at 22, 1990 U.S.C.C.A.N. 3385, 3408 (discussing the express 
overruling of Abramowitz v. EPA, 832 F.2d 1071 (9th Cir. 1987)).
    EPA interprets its authority under section 110(k) of the CAA as 
affording the Agency the discretion to approve, disapprove, or 
conditionally approve, individual elements of Iowa's infrastructure SIP 
submission for the 2010 SO2 NAAQS. EPA views discrete 
infrastructure SIP requirements, such as the requirements of 
110(a)(2)(d)(i)(I) and (II), as severable from other infrastructure SIP 
elements and interprets section 110(k) as allowing it to act on 
individual severable elements or requirements in a SIP submission. In 
short, EPA has the discretion under section 110(k) of the CAA to act 
upon the various individual elements of a state's infrastructure SIP 
submission, separately or together, as appropriate. EPA will address 
the remaining elements of Iowa's 2010 SO2 infrastructure SIP 
submission in a separate rulemaking action or actions.
    In EPA's rulemaking proposing to approve Iowa's infrastructure SIP 
for the 2010 1-hour SO2 NAAQS, EPA stated that it was not 
taking any action with respect to the good neighbor provisions in 
section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) for this NAAQS. EPA understands the 
commenter's concern with respect to interstate transport. EPA will 
evaluate whether it is appropriate to make a finding of failure to 
submit in a separate action as the state did not make a submission to 
satisfy 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I).
    With respect to the comment on prong 4 in particular, although 
EPA's evaluation of a state's SIP submission can be related to the 
status of that state's regional haze program,\2\ Iowa's regional haze 
program is not relevant here because EPA is not taking action on that 
element of Iowa's SO2 infrastructure SIP submission in this 
rulemaking.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ EPA's 2013 Guidance of Infrastructure State Implementation 
Plan (SIP) Elements under Clean Air Act Sections 110(a)(1) and 
110(a)(2) provides that ``[o]ne way in which prong 4 may be 
satisfied for any relevant NAAQS is through an air agency's 
confirmation in its infrastructure SIP submission that it has an 
approved regional haze SIP. . . . .'' 2013 Guidance at 33, https://www3.epa.gov/airquality/urbanair/sipstatus/docs/Guidance_on_Infrastructure_SIP_Elements_Multipollutant_FINAL_Sept_2013.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Finally, a public comment submitted on a proposal does not 
constitute notice of intent to sue the Administrator for failure to 
perform a nondiscretionary duty. Clean Air Act section 304(b)(2) 
requires 60 days' notice of a civil action against the Administrator 
for an alleged failure to perform a non-discretionary duty to the 
Administrator. EPA's regulations require that service of notice to the 
Administrator ``shall be accomplished by certified mail addressed to 
the Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC 
20460.'' 40 CFR 54.2(a). The commenter's public comment submitted via 
regulations.gov does not satisfy the regulatory requirements for 
notices of intent to file suit against the Administrator for failure to 
perform a non-discretionary duty.

V. What action is EPA taking?

    EPA is taking final action to approve Iowa's 2013 infrastructure 
SIP submission for the 2010 SO2 NAAQS with regard to the 
following elements of section 110(a)(2): (A), (B), (C), (D)(i)(II)--
prevent significant deterioration of air quality (prong 3), (D)(ii), 
(E) through (H), and (J) through (M).
    EPA is not taking action on sections 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I), prongs 1 
and 2, and 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II), prong 4. The agency will act on those 
elements of the SIP submission in a separate rulemaking action or 
action.

VI. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

    Under the CAA, the Administrator is required to approve a SIP 
submission that complies with the provisions of the Act and applicable 
Federal regulations. 42 U.S.C. 7410(k); 40 CFR 52.02(a). Thus, in 
reviewing SIP submissions, EPA's role is to approve state choices, 
provided that they meet the criteria of the CAA. Accordingly, this 
action merely approves state law as meeting Federal requirements and 
does not impose additional requirements beyond those imposed by state 
law. For that reason, this action:
     Is not a significant regulatory action subject to review 
by the Office of Management and Budget under Executive Orders 12866 (58 
FR 51735, October 4, 1993) and 13563 (76 FR 3821, January 21, 2011);
     Is not an Executive Order 13771 (82 FR 9339, February 2, 
2017) regulatory action because SIP approvals are exempted under 
Executive Order 12866.
     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 (Public Law 104-4);
     Does not have Federalism implications as specified in 
Executive

[[Page 12488]]

Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10, 1999);
     Is not an economically significant regulatory action based 
on health or safety risks subject to Executive Order 13045 (62 FR 
19885, April 23, 1997);
     Is not a significant regulatory action subject to 
Executive Order 13211 (66 FR 28355, May 22, 2001);
     Is not subject to requirements of Section 12(d) of the 
National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272 
note) because application of those requirements would be inconsistent 
with the Clean Air Act; and
     Does not provide EPA with the discretionary authority to 
address, as appropriate, disproportionate human health or environmental 
effects, using practicable and legally permissible methods, under 
Executive Order 12898 (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994).
    In addition, the SIP is not approved to apply on any Indian 
reservation land or in any other area where EPA or an Indian tribe has 
demonstrated that a tribe has jurisdiction. In those areas of Indian 
country, the rule does not have tribal implications and will not impose 
substantial direct costs on tribal governments or preempt tribal law as 
specified by Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, November 9, 2000).
    The Congressional Review Act, 5 U.S.C. 801 et seq., as added by the 
Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, generally 
provides that before a rule may take effect, the agency promulgating 
the rule must submit a rule report, which includes a copy of the rule, 
to each House of the Congress and to the Comptroller General of the 
United States. EPA will submit a report containing this action and 
other required information to the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of 
Representatives, and the Comptroller General of the United States prior 
to publication of the rule in the Federal Register. A major rule cannot 
take effect until 60 days after it is published in the Federal 
Register. This action is not a ``major rule'' as defined by 5 U.S.C. 
804(2).
    Under section 307(b)(1) of the Clean Air Act, petitions for 
judicial review of this action must be filed in the United States Court 
of Appeals for the appropriate circuit by May 21, 2018. Filing a 
petition for reconsideration by the Administrator of this final rule 
does not affect the finality of this action for the purposes of 
judicial review nor does it extend the time within which a petition for 
judicial review may be filed, and shall not postpone the effectiveness 
of such rule or action. This action may not be challenged later in 
proceedings to enforce its requirements. (See section 307(b)(2).)

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52

    Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Incorporation by 
reference, Intergovernmental relations, Sulfur dioxide, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements.

    Dated: March 8, 2018.
James B. Gulliford,
Regional Administrator, Region 7.

    For the reasons stated in the preamble, EPA amends 40 CFR part 52 
as set forth below:

PART 52--APPROVAL AND PROMULGATION OF IMPLEMENTATION PLANS

0
1. The authority citation for part 52 continues to read as follows:

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

Subpart Q--Iowa

0
2. Section 52.820 is amended by adding new paragraph (e)(47) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  52.820  Identification of plan.

* * * * *
    (e) * * *

                                 EPA-Approved Iowa Nonregulatory SIP Provisions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     Applicable
   Name of nonregulatory SIP        geographic or         State       EPA approval date        Explanation
            revision             nonattainment area  submittal date
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
(47) Sections 110(a)(1) and (2)  Statewide.........       7/23/2013  3/22/2018, [Insert  This action addresses
 Infrastructure Requirements                                          Federal Register    the following CAA
 2010 Sulfur Dioxide NAAQS.                                           citation].          elements:
                                                                                          110(a)(2)(A), (B),
                                                                                          (C), D(i)(II) prong 3
                                                                                          only, D(ii), (E), (F),
                                                                                          (G), (H), (J), (K),
                                                                                          (L), and (M). [EPA-R07-
                                                                                          OAR-2017-0267; FRL-
                                                                                          9975-78-Region 7].
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
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[FR Doc. 2018-05631 Filed 3-21-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6560-50-P



                                             12486             Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 56 / Thursday, March 22, 2018 / Rules and Regulations

                                             pursuant to the requirements of the                     some information is not publicly                      submission from the State of Iowa
                                             Transportation Safety Board                             available, i.e., CBI or other information             received on July 29, 2013. Specifically,
                                             Regulations, to the nearest Seaway                      whose disclosure is restricted by statute.            EPA is approving Iowa’s submission
                                             station and Transport Canada Marine                     Certain other material, such as                       with regard to the following elements of
                                             Safety and Security or U.S. Coast Guard                 copyrighted material, is not placed on                section 110(a)(2): (A), (B), (C), (D)(i)(II)—
                                             office as soon as possible and prior to                 the internet and will be publicly                     prevent of significant deterioration of air
                                             departing the Seaway system.                            available only in hard copy form.                     quality (prong 3), (D)(ii), (E) through (H),
                                             *     *     *     *    *                                Publicly available docket materials are               and (J) through (M).
                                                                                                     available through https://                              EPA is not taking action at this time
                                               Issued at Washington, DC, on March 16,                                                                      on the following elements for the 2010
                                             2018.                                                   www.regulations.gov or please contact
                                                                                                     the person identified in the FOR FURTHER              SO2 NAAQS: Section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I)—
                                             Saint Lawrence Seaway Development                                                                             significant contribution to
                                             Corporation.                                            INFORMATION CONTACT section for
                                                                                                     additional information.                               nonattainment (prong 1) and interfering
                                             Carrie Lavigne,                                                                                               with maintenance of the NAAQS (prong
                                             Chief Counsel.                                          FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                                                                                     Heather Hamilton, Environmental                       2), and section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II)—
                                             [FR Doc. 2018–05781 Filed 3–21–18; 8:45 am]                                                                   protection of visibility (prong 4).
                                                                                                     Protection Agency, Air Planning and
                                             BILLING CODE 4910–61–P
                                                                                                     Development Branch, 11201 Renner                      III. Have the requirements for approval
                                                                                                     Boulevard, Lenexa, Kansas 66219 at                    of the SIP submission been met?
                                                                                                     913–551–7039, or by email at                             The state met the public notice
                                             ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION                                hamilton.heather@epa.gov.
                                             AGENCY                                                                                                        requirements for SIP submission in
                                                                                                     SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                            accordance with 40 CFR 51.102. The
                                             40 CFR Part 52                                          Throughout this document ‘‘we,’’ ‘‘us,’’              state initiated public comment from
                                                                                                     and ‘‘our’’ refer to EPA. This section                April 6, 2013, to May 8, 2013. One
                                             [EPA–R07–OAR–2017–0267; FRL–9975–                       provides additional information by
                                             78—Region 7]                                                                                                  comment was received and adequately
                                                                                                     addressing the following:                             addressed in the final SIP submission.
                                             Approval of Implementation Plans;                       I. Background                                         This submission also satisfied the
                                             State of Iowa; Elements of the                          II. What is being addressed in this document?         completeness criteria of 40 CFR part 51,
                                             Infrastructure SIP Requirements for                     III. Have the requirements for approval of the        appendix V. In addition, as explained
                                             the 2010 Sulfur Dioxide National                              SIP submission been met?                        above and in more detail in the
                                                                                                     IV. EPA’s Response to Comments                        technical support document which is
                                             Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS)
                                                                                                     V. What action is EPA taking?                         part of the docket for this rulemaking,
                                             AGENCY:  Environmental Protection                       VI. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
                                                                                                                                                           the submission meets the applicable
                                             Agency (EPA).                                                                                                 substantive SIP requirements of the
                                             ACTION: Final rule.
                                                                                                     I. Background
                                                                                                                                                           CAA, including section 110 and
                                                                                                        EPA received Iowa’s 2010 SO2                       implementing regulations.
                                             SUMMARY:    The Environmental Protection                NAAQS infrastructure SIP submission
                                             Agency (EPA) is taking final action to                  on July 29, 2013. On September 29,                    IV. EPA’s Response to Comments
                                             approve certain elements of a 2013 State                2017, EPA proposed to approve                            The public comment period on EPA’s
                                             Implementation Plan (SIP) submission                    elements of this submission. See 82 FR                proposed rule opened September 29,
                                             from the State of Iowa for the 2010                     45550. In conjunction with the                        2017, the date of its publication in the
                                             Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) National Ambient                   September 29, 2017 notice of proposed                 Federal Register, and closed on October
                                             Air Quality Standard (NAAQS). States                    rulemaking (NPR), EPA issued a direct                 30, 2017. During this period, EPA
                                             are required to have a SIP that provides                final rule (DFR) approving the same                   received three public comments on the
                                             for the implementation, maintenance,                    elements of the 2010 SO2 NAAQS                        proposal to approve certain elements of
                                             and enforcement of the NAAQS.                           infrastructure SIP. See 82 FR 45497.                  Iowa’s 2010 SO2 infrastructure SIP
                                             Whenever EPA promulgates a new or                       However, in the DFR, EPA stated that if               submission, one of which is addressed
                                             revised NAAQS, states are required to                   EPA received adverse comments by                      below. The other two comments were
                                             make a SIP submission establishing that                 October 30, 2017, the action would be                 not specific to this action, which is
                                             the existing approved SIP has                           withdrawn and not take effect. EPA                    concerned with evaluating whether
                                             provisions necessary to address various                 received three comments prior to the                  Iowa has the required elements in place
                                             requirements to address the new or                      close of the comment period which                     to implement, maintain, and enforce the
                                             revised NAAQS or to add such                            were adverse. EPA withdrew the DFR                    NAAQS, and thus no further response is
                                             provisions. These SIPs submissions are                  on November 14,2017. See 82 FR 54300.                 required.
                                             commonly referred to as                                 This action is a final rule based on the                 Comment: The commenter stated that
                                             ‘‘infrastructure’’ SIPs. The infrastructure             NPR. A detailed discussion of Iowa’s                  EPA must act on 110(a)(2)(D)(I) prong 1
                                             SIP requirements are designed to ensure                 SIP submission and EPA’s rationale for                (significant contribution to
                                             that the structural components of each                  approving the SIP submission were                     nonattainment), prong 2 (interference
                                             state’s air quality management program                  provided in the DFR and the associated                with maintenance), and 110(a)(2)(D)(II),
                                             are adequate to meet the state’s                        Technical Support Document in the                     prong 4 (interference with visibility
                                             responsibilities under the CAA.                         docket for this rulemaking and will not               protection.) The commenter asserted
                                             DATES: This final rule is effective on                  be restated here, except to the extent                that EPA had stated in the Technical
                                             April 23, 2018.                                                                                               Support Document (TSD) for the
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with RULES




                                                                                                     relevant to our response to the public
                                             ADDRESSES: EPA has established a                        comment we received.                                  proposed action that ‘‘EPA WILL NOT
                                             docket for this action under Docket ID                                                                        ACT on [prongs 1, 2 and 4]’’ (emphasis
                                             No. EPA–R07–OAR–2017–0267. All                          II. What is being addressed in this                   added in comment). The commenter
                                             documents in the docket are listed on                   document?                                             went on to state that EPA was therefore
                                             the https://www.regulations.gov                           EPA is approving certain elements of                stating that it ‘‘will never act and does
                                             website. Although listed in the index,                  the 2010 SO2 NAAQS infrastructure SIP                 not need to act on these elements.’’ The


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                                                               Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 56 / Thursday, March 22, 2018 / Rules and Regulations                                            12487

                                             commenter further stated that EPA does                  of Abramowitz v. EPA, 832 F.2d 1071                    addressed to the Administrator,
                                             not have the discretionary authority to                 (9th Cir. 1987)).                                      Environmental Protection Agency,
                                             not act on a state’s submission. The                       EPA interprets its authority under                  Washington, DC 20460.’’ 40 CFR 54.2(a).
                                             commenter indicated that if EPA does                    section 110(k) of the CAA as affording                 The commenter’s public comment
                                             not believe prongs 1 and 2 are                          the Agency the discretion to approve,                  submitted via regulations.gov does not
                                             approvable, then EPA must disapprove;                   disapprove, or conditionally approve,                  satisfy the regulatory requirements for
                                             if EPA does not believe prong 4 is                      individual elements of Iowa’s                          notices of intent to file suit against the
                                             approvable due to the lack of an                        infrastructure SIP submission for the                  Administrator for failure to perform a
                                             approved regional haze program, then                    2010 SO2 NAAQS. EPA views discrete                     non-discretionary duty.
                                             EPA must disapprove the state’s                         infrastructure SIP requirements, such as
                                             submission and promulgate a FIP to                      the requirements of 110(a)(2)(d)(i)(I) and             V. What action is EPA taking?
                                             address regional haze. The commenter                    (II), as severable from other                            EPA is taking final action to approve
                                             concluded by stating that the comment                   infrastructure SIP elements and                        Iowa’s 2013 infrastructure SIP
                                             letter constitutes notice of intent to sue              interprets section 110(k) as allowing it               submission for the 2010 SO2 NAAQS
                                             the agency for failure to perform its                   to act on individual severable elements                with regard to the following elements of
                                             nondiscretionary duty under 110(k)(2)                   or requirements in a SIP submission. In                section 110(a)(2): (A), (B), (C), (D)(i)(II)—
                                             to act on Iowa’s prongs 1, 2, and 4.                    short, EPA has the discretion under                    prevent significant deterioration of air
                                                EPA’s response: EPA disagrees with                   section 110(k) of the CAA to act upon                  quality (prong 3), (D)(ii), (E) through (H),
                                             this comment. First, EPA’s TSD 1 does                   the various individual elements of a                   and (J) through (M).
                                             not state that ‘‘EPA will not act’’ on the              state’s infrastructure SIP submission,                   EPA is not taking action on sections
                                             SIP submission with respect to prongs 1,                separately or together, as appropriate.                110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I), prongs 1 and 2, and
                                             2, and 4 of section 110(a)(2)(D), and                   EPA will address the remaining                         110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II), prong 4. The agency
                                             does not imply that EPA ‘‘will never act                elements of Iowa’s 2010 SO2                            will act on those elements of the SIP
                                             and does not need to act on these                       infrastructure SIP submission in a                     submission in a separate rulemaking
                                             elements.’’ Rather, the TSD states,                     separate rulemaking action or actions.                 action or action.
                                             ‘‘With this action, EPA will not be                        In EPA’s rulemaking proposing to
                                             acting on 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I)—prongs 1                   approve Iowa’s infrastructure SIP for the              VI. Statutory and Executive Order
                                             and 2, and 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II)—prong 4.’’               2010 1-hour SO2 NAAQS, EPA stated                      Reviews
                                             That is, the TSD merely explains that                   that it was not taking any action with                    Under the CAA, the Administrator is
                                             EPA is not taking action on prongs 1, 2,                respect to the good neighbor provisions                required to approve a SIP submission
                                             and 4 in this rulemaking, not that it does              in section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) for this                 that complies with the provisions of the
                                             not have an obligation to act on those                  NAAQS. EPA understands the                             Act and applicable Federal regulations.
                                             elements of the SIP submission at issue,                commenter’s concern with respect to                    42 U.S.C. 7410(k); 40 CFR 52.02(a).
                                             or that it will never do so.                            interstate transport. EPA will evaluate                Thus, in reviewing SIP submissions,
                                                EPA is not required to act on the                    whether it is appropriate to make a                    EPA’s role is to approve state choices,
                                             prong 1, 2, or 4 elements of Iowa’s 2010                finding of failure to submit in a separate             provided that they meet the criteria of
                                             SO2 infrastructure SIP submission in                    action as the state did not make a                     the CAA. Accordingly, this action
                                             this particular rulemaking. Although                    submission to satisfy 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I).
                                                                                                                                                            merely approves state law as meeting
                                             EPA agrees with the commenter that it                      With respect to the comment on prong
                                                                                                                                                            Federal requirements and does not
                                             has an obligation to take action under                  4 in particular, although EPA’s
                                                                                                     evaluation of a state’s SIP submission                 impose additional requirements beyond
                                             section 110(k) on SIP submissions, EPA                                                                         those imposed by state law. For that
                                             disagrees with the argument that the                    can be related to the status of that state’s
                                                                                                     regional haze program,2 Iowa’s regional                reason, this action:
                                             Agency cannot elect to act on individual                                                                          • Is not a significant regulatory action
                                             parts or elements of a state’s                          haze program is not relevant here
                                                                                                     because EPA is not taking action on that               subject to review by the Office of
                                             infrastructure SIP submission in                                                                               Management and Budget under
                                             separate rulemakings, as it deems                       element of Iowa’s SO2 infrastructure SIP
                                                                                                     submission in this rulemaking.                         Executive Orders 12866 (58 FR 51735,
                                             appropriate. Section 110(k) of the CAA                                                                         October 4, 1993) and 13563 (76 FR 3821,
                                             authorizes EPA to approve a SIP                            Finally, a public comment submitted
                                                                                                     on a proposal does not constitute notice               January 21, 2011);
                                             submission in full, disapprove it in full,                                                                        • Is not an Executive Order 13771 (82
                                             or approve it in part and disapprove it                 of intent to sue the Administrator for
                                                                                                     failure to perform a nondiscretionary                  FR 9339, February 2, 2017) regulatory
                                             in part, or conditionally approve it in                                                                        action because SIP approvals are
                                             full or in part, depending on the extent                duty. Clean Air Act section 304(b)(2)
                                                                                                     requires 60 days’ notice of a civil action             exempted under Executive Order 12866.
                                             to which such plan meets the                                                                                      • Does not impose an information
                                             requirements of the CAA. This authority                 against the Administrator for an alleged
                                                                                                     failure to perform a non-discretionary                 collection burden under the provisions
                                             to approve state SIP submissions in                                                                            of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44
                                             separable parts was included in the                     duty to the Administrator. EPA’s
                                                                                                     regulations require that service of notice             U.S.C. 3501 et seq.);
                                             1990 Amendments to the CAA to
                                                                                                     to the Administrator ‘‘shall be                           • Is certified as not having a
                                             overrule a decision in the Court of
                                                                                                     accomplished by certified mail                         significant economic impact on a
                                             Appeals for the Ninth Circuit holding
                                                                                                                                                            substantial number of small entities
                                             that EPA could not approve individual                     2 EPA’s 2013 Guidance of Infrastructure State        under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5
                                             measures in a SIP submission without                    Implementation Plan (SIP) Elements under Clean         U.S.C. 601 et seq.);
                                             either approving or disapproving the                    Air Act Sections 110(a)(1) and 110(a)(2) provides
                                                                                                                                                               • Does not contain any unfunded
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                                             plan as a whole. See S. Rep. No. 101–                   that ‘‘[o]ne way in which prong 4 may be satisfied
                                                                                                     for any relevant NAAQS is through an air agency’s      mandate or significantly or uniquely
                                             228, at 22, 1990 U.S.C.C.A.N. 3385,
                                                                                                     confirmation in its infrastructure SIP submission      affect small governments, as described
                                             3408 (discussing the express overruling                 that it has an approved regional haze SIP. . . . .’’   in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
                                                                                                     2013 Guidance at 33, https://www3.epa.gov/
                                               1 www.regulations.gov, Docket: EPA–R07–OAR–           airquality/urbanair/sipstatus/docs/Guidance_on_
                                                                                                                                                            of 1995 (Public Law 104–4);
                                             2017–0267, Supporting Documents; R7 Technical           Infrastructure_SIP_Elements_Multipollutant_               • Does not have Federalism
                                             Support Document.                                       FINAL_Sept_2013.pdf.                                   implications as specified in Executive


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                                             12488             Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 56 / Thursday, March 22, 2018 / Rules and Regulations

                                             Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10,                       The Congressional Review Act, 5                    enforce its requirements. (See section
                                             1999);                                                  U.S.C. 801 et seq., as added by the Small             307(b)(2).)
                                                • Is not an economically significant                 Business Regulatory Enforcement
                                             regulatory action based on health or                                                                          List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52
                                                                                                     Fairness Act of 1996, generally provides
                                             safety risks subject to Executive Order                 that before a rule may take effect, the                 Environmental protection, Air
                                             13045 (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997);                    agency promulgating the rule must                     pollution control, Incorporation by
                                                • Is not a significant regulatory action             submit a rule report, which includes a                reference, Intergovernmental relations,
                                             subject to Executive Order 13211 (66 FR                 copy of the rule, to each House of the                Sulfur dioxide, Reporting and
                                             28355, May 22, 2001);                                   Congress and to the Comptroller General               recordkeeping requirements.
                                                • Is not subject to requirements of                  of the United States. EPA will submit a                 Dated: March 8, 2018.
                                             Section 12(d) of the National                           report containing this action and other
                                             Technology Transfer and Advancement                                                                           James B. Gulliford,
                                                                                                     required information to the U.S. Senate,
                                             Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272 note) because                the U.S. House of Representatives, and                Regional Administrator, Region 7.
                                             application of those requirements would                 the Comptroller General of the United                   For the reasons stated in the
                                             be inconsistent with the Clean Air Act;                 States prior to publication of the rule in            preamble, EPA amends 40 CFR part 52
                                             and                                                     the Federal Register. A major rule                    as set forth below:
                                                • Does not provide EPA with the                      cannot take effect until 60 days after it
                                             discretionary authority to address, as                  is published in the Federal Register.                 PART 52—APPROVAL AND
                                             appropriate, disproportionate human                     This action is not a ‘‘major rule’’ as                PROMULGATION OF
                                             health or environmental effects, using                  defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2).                           IMPLEMENTATION PLANS
                                             practicable and legally permissible                        Under section 307(b)(1) of the Clean
                                             methods, under Executive Order 12898                    Air Act, petitions for judicial review of             ■ 1. The authority citation for part 52
                                             (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994).                        this action must be filed in the United               continues to read as follows:
                                                In addition, the SIP is not approved                 States Court of Appeals for the                           Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
                                             to apply on any Indian reservation land                 appropriate circuit by May 21, 2018.
                                             or in any other area where EPA or an                    Filing a petition for reconsideration by              Subpart Q—Iowa
                                             Indian tribe has demonstrated that a                    the Administrator of this final rule does
                                             tribe has jurisdiction. In those areas of               not affect the finality of this action for            ■ 2. Section 52.820 is amended by
                                             Indian country, the rule does not have                  the purposes of judicial review nor does              adding new paragraph (e)(47) to read as
                                             tribal implications and will not impose                 it extend the time within which a                     follows:
                                             substantial direct costs on tribal                      petition for judicial review may be filed,
                                             governments or preempt tribal law as                    and shall not postpone the effectiveness              § 52.820    Identification of plan.
                                             specified by Executive Order 13175 (65                  of such rule or action. This action may               *       *    *         *     *
                                             FR 67249, November 9, 2000).                            not be challenged later in proceedings to                 (e) * * *

                                                                                         EPA-APPROVED IOWA NONREGULATORY SIP PROVISIONS
                                              Name of nonregulatory          Applicable geographic         State submittal        EPA approval date                              Explanation
                                                  SIP revision               or nonattainment area              date


                                                       *                 *                           *                        *                     *                        *                      *
                                             (47) Sections 110(a)(1)  Statewide .....................           7/23/2013    3/22/2018, [Insert Fed-      This action addresses the following CAA ele-
                                               and (2) Infrastructure                                                           eral Register cita-         ments: 110(a)(2)(A), (B), (C), D(i)(II) prong 3
                                               Requirements 2010                                                                tion].                      only, D(ii), (E), (F), (G), (H), (J), (K), (L), and
                                               Sulfur Dioxide NAAQS.                                                                                        (M).    [EPA–R07–OAR–2017–0267;               FRL–
                                                                                                                                                            9975–78–Region 7].

                                                       *                       *                       *                      *                       *                      *                     *



                                             [FR Doc. 2018–05631 Filed 3–21–18; 8:45 am]             ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION                              SUMMARY:   The Environmental Protection
                                             BILLING CODE 6560–50–P                                  AGENCY                                                Agency (EPA) is taking final action to
                                                                                                                                                           approve certain elements of a 2015 State
                                                                                                     40 CFR Part 52                                        Implementation Plan (SIP) submission
                                                                                                                                                           from the State of Iowa for the 2012
                                                                                                     [EPA–R07–OAR–2017–0517; FRL–9975–                     Particulate Matter (PM2.5) National
                                                                                                     68—Region 7]                                          Ambient Air Quality Standard
                                                                                                                                                           (NAAQS). States are required to have a
                                                                                                     Approval of Implementation Plans;
                                                                                                                                                           SIP that provides for the
                                                                                                     State of Iowa; Elements of the
                                                                                                                                                           implementation, maintenance, and
                                                                                                     Infrastructure SIP Requirements for
                                                                                                     the 2012 Particulate Matter (PM2.5)                   enforcement of the NAAQS. Whenever
                                                                                                                                                           EPA promulgates a new or revised
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                                                                                                     National Ambient Air Quality Standard
                                                                                                     (NAAQS)                                               NAAQS, states are required to make a
                                                                                                                                                           SIP submission establishing that the
                                                                                                     AGENCY: Environmental Protection                      existing approved SIP has provisions
                                                                                                     Agency (EPA).                                         necessary to address various
                                                                                                                                                           requirements to address the new or
                                                                                                     ACTION:   Final rule.
                                                                                                                                                           revised NAAQS or to add such


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Document Created: 2018-03-22 01:25:12
Document Modified: 2018-03-22 01:25:12
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 April 23, 2018.
ContactHeather Hamilton, Environmental Protection Agency, Air Planning and Development Branch, 11201 Renner Boulevard, Lenexa, Kansas 66219 at 913-551-7039, or by email at [email protected]
FR Citation83 FR 12486 
CFR AssociatedEnvironmental Protection; Air Pollution Control; Incorporation by Reference; Intergovernmental Relations; Sulfur Dioxide and Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements

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