83_FR_31584 83 FR 31454 - Air Plan Approval; AL; Section 128 Board Requirements for Infrastructure SIPs

83 FR 31454 - Air Plan Approval; AL; Section 128 Board Requirements for Infrastructure SIPs

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 130 (July 6, 2018)

Page Range31454-31458
FR Document2018-14525

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking final action to approve a State Implementation Plan (SIP) submission, submitted by the State of Alabama, through the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM), on October 24, 2017, and a portion of a December 9, 2015, infrastructure SIP submission. The October 24, 2017 submission addresses the general Clean Air Act (CAA or Act) conflict of interest requirements applicable to Alabama state boards or agency personnel with respect to the approval of permits or enforcement orders. This submission also specifically addresses requirements for implementation of the following national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS): 1997, 2006, and 2012 Fine Particulate Matter (PM<INF>2.5</INF>), 2008 8-hour Ozone, 2008 Lead, 2010 Nitrogen Dioxide (NO<INF>2</INF>), and 2010 Sulfur Dioxide (SO<INF>2</INF>). The CAA requires that each state adopt and submit a SIP for the implementation, maintenance and enforcement of each NAAQS promulgated by EPA. Whenever EPA promulgates a new or revised NAAQS, the CAA requires the state to make a new SIP submission establishing that the existing SIP meets the various applicable requirements, or revising the SIP to meet those requirements. This type of SIP submission is commonly referred to as an ``infrastructure'' SIP. In this action, EPA is approving the October 24, 2017, submission with respect to: The CAA conflict of interest requirements; and the related conflict of interest infrastructure SIP requirements for the 1997, 2006, and 2012 PM<INF>2.5</INF>, 2008 8-hour Ozone, 2008 Lead, 2010 NO<INF>2</INF>, and 2010 SO<INF>2</INF> NAAQS. In addition, EPA is approving a portion of ADEM's December 9, 2015, infrastructure SIP submission (as supplemented by the October 24, 2017 submission) related to the conflict of interest requirements for the 2012 PM<INF>2.5</INF> NAAQS. This action removes EPA's obligation to promulgate a Federal Implementation Plan (FIP) to address these CAA state board requirements for Alabama.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 130 (Friday, July 6, 2018)
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 130 (Friday, July 6, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 31454-31458]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-14525]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 52

[EPA-R04-OAR-2017-0642; FRL-9980-50--Region 4]


Air Plan Approval; AL; Section 128 Board Requirements for 
Infrastructure SIPs

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking final 
action to approve a State Implementation Plan (SIP) submission, 
submitted by the State of Alabama, through the Alabama Department of 
Environmental Management (ADEM), on October 24, 2017, and a portion of 
a December 9, 2015, infrastructure SIP submission. The October 24, 2017 
submission addresses the general Clean Air Act (CAA or Act) conflict of 
interest

[[Page 31455]]

requirements applicable to Alabama state boards or agency personnel 
with respect to the approval of permits or enforcement orders. This 
submission also specifically addresses requirements for implementation 
of the following national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS): 1997, 
2006, and 2012 Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5), 2008 8-hour 
Ozone, 2008 Lead, 2010 Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), and 2010 
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2). The CAA requires that each state adopt 
and submit a SIP for the implementation, maintenance and enforcement of 
each NAAQS promulgated by EPA. Whenever EPA promulgates a new or 
revised NAAQS, the CAA requires the state to make a new SIP submission 
establishing that the existing SIP meets the various applicable 
requirements, or revising the SIP to meet those requirements. This type 
of SIP submission is commonly referred to as an ``infrastructure'' SIP. 
In this action, EPA is approving the October 24, 2017, submission with 
respect to: The CAA conflict of interest requirements; and the related 
conflict of interest infrastructure SIP requirements for the 1997, 
2006, and 2012 PM2.5, 2008 8-hour Ozone, 2008 Lead, 2010 
NO2, and 2010 SO2 NAAQS. In addition, EPA is 
approving a portion of ADEM's December 9, 2015, infrastructure SIP 
submission (as supplemented by the October 24, 2017 submission) related 
to the conflict of interest requirements for the 2012 PM2.5 
NAAQS. This action removes EPA's obligation to promulgate a Federal 
Implementation Plan (FIP) to address these CAA state board requirements 
for Alabama.

DATES: This rule will be effective August 6, 2018.

ADDRESSES: EPA has established a docket for this action under Docket 
Identification No. EPA-R04-OAR-2017-0642. All documents in the docket 
are listed on the www.regulations.gov website. Although listed in the 
index, some information is not publicly available, i.e., Confidential 
Business Information 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 either electronically through www.regulations.gov or in hard 
copy at the Air Regulatory Management Section, Air Planning and 
Implementation Branch, Air, Pesticides and Toxics Management Division, 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 4, 61 Forsyth Street SW, 
Atlanta, Georgia 30303-8960. EPA requests that if at all possible, you 
contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT 
section to schedule your inspection. The Regional Office's official 
hours of business are Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., 
excluding Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nacosta C. Ward, Air Regulatory 
Management Section, Air Planning and Implementation Branch, Air, 
Pesticides and Toxics Management Division, U.S. Environmental 
Protection Agency, Region 4, 61 Forsyth Street SW, Atlanta, Georgia 
30303-8960. The telephone number is (404) 562-9140. Ms. Ward can be 
reached via electronic mail at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    States must submit infrastructure SIP submissions meeting the 
applicable requirements of sections 110(a)(1) and (2) of the CAA within 
three years after EPA's promulgation of a new or revised NAAQS. 
Sections 110(a)(1) and (2) require states to address basic SIP 
requirements, including emissions inventories, monitoring, and modeling 
to assure attainment and maintenance of the new or revised NAAQS. More 
specifically, section 110(a)(1) provides the procedural and timing 
requirements for infrastructure SIP submissions. Section 110(a)(2) 
lists specific requirements that states must meet for 
``infrastructure'' SIP purposes, as applicable, related to the newly 
established or revised NAAQS. In particular, section 110(a)(2)(E)(ii) 
requires states to include provisions in their SIP to address the state 
board requirements of section 128.
    EPA is finalizing its proposed approval of Alabama's December 9, 
2015 and October 24, 2017,\1\ submissions to incorporate into its SIP 
certain regulatory provisions to address the state board requirements 
of section 128. As a result of the addition of these new SIP provisions 
to meet the requirements of section 128, EPA is also finalizing 
approval of these submissions as satisfying the section 
110(a)(2)(E)(ii) infrastructure requirement for the 1997, 2006, and 
2012 PM2.5, 2008 8-hour Ozone, 2008 Lead, 2010 
NO2, and 2010 SO2 NAAQS. This final action fully 
addresses the SIP deficiencies related to section 110(a)(2)(E)(ii) and 
section 128 from EPA's prior disapprovals of infrastructure SIP 
submissions for the 1997 and 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS on October 15, 
2012 (77 FR 62449), 2008 8-hour Ozone NAAQS on April 2, 2015 (80 FR 
17689), 2008 Lead NAAQS on October 9, 2015 (80 FR 61111), 2010 
NO2 NAAQS on November 21, 2016 (81 FR 83142), and 2010 
SO2 NAAQS on January 12, 2017 (82 FR 3637). Thus, this final 
action also satisfies EPA's FIP obligation with regard to that 
infrastructure SIP requirement for these NAAQS based on the prior 
disapprovals.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ Alabama's October 24, 2017 submission became state effective 
on December 8, 2017.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    EPA proposed to approve Alabama's October 24, 2017, submission 
related to the state board requirements as meeting the requirements of 
section 128, and also as meeting the infrastructure requirements of 
section 110(a)(2)(E)(ii) for the 1997 and 2006 PM2.5, 2008 
8-hour Ozone, 2008 Lead, 2010 NO2, and 2010 SO2 
NAAQS and a portion of the December 9, 2015, infrastructure SIP 
submission related to the state board requirements for the 2012 
PM2.5 NAAQS in a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPR) 
published on February 8, 2018 (83 FR 5594). The details of Alabama's 
submissions and the rationale for EPA's actions related to how Alabama 
addressed the requirements of section 128 and the related 
infrastructure section 110(a)(2)(E)(ii) requirements for the 
aforementioned NAAQS are explained in the NPR.

II. Response to Comments

    EPA received a total of nine sets of comments, but only one 
commenter submitted comments that are relevant to this action.
    Comment 1: The Commenter contends that Alabama's new provisions 
related to conflicts of interest do not fully comply with the CAA 
section 128 because the provisions apply to the members of applicable 
boards or bodies, rather than to the board or body itself. 
Specifically, the Commenter states: ``because the 128(a)(1) applies to 
the board itself but [Alabama Rule] 335-1-1-.03(1)(h) does not apply to 
the board itself, but rather to its members, 335-1-1-.03(1)(h) does not 
meet the requirement of 128(a)(1).'' The Commenter contends that this 
raises concerns about the enforceability of this provision. The 
Commenter expresses concern that it could not name the board itself as 
a defendant because the provision does not apply to the board, and that 
it could be difficult to enforce the conflict of interest provisions 
against individual board members because the members each could assert 
they are not the majority. The Commenter also expresses concern about 
remedies in such an enforcement action, contending that a ``U.S. 
District Judge would have to decide which members to remove from the 
board.'' Therefore, the Commenter suggested

[[Page 31456]]

that EPA should only conditionally approve the SIP submissions--
specifically, that EPA approve the submissions on the condition that 
the state revise 335-1-1-.03(1)(h) so that it applies to the Alabama 
Environmental Management Commission (EMC) as a collective entity, 
rather than to the individual members of the EMC.
    EPA's Response 1: EPA does not agree with the Commenter that 
Alabama Rule 335-1-1-.03(2)(h) \2\ does not satisfy the requirements of 
section 128(a)(1) because the provision applies to each individual 
member of the board or body, rather than to the board or body itself as 
a whole. Section 128(a)(1) requires SIPs to (a) ``contain requirements 
that (1) any board or body which approves permits or enforcement orders 
under [the CAA] shall have at least a majority of members who represent 
the public interest and do not derive any significant portion of income 
from persons subject to permits or enforcement orders under [the 
CAA].'' Upon approval, the Alabama SIP will contain requirements to 
ensure that the EMC will have at least a majority of members who 
represent the public interest and who do not derive a significant 
portion of income from regulated entities, and that all of the members 
of the EMC will disclose any potential conflicts of interest. This is 
because the EMC is made up of the members themselves (there is no 
separate governing board or body) and because each member will be 
responsible for meeting all requirements of section 128, including the 
majority requirements of section 128(a)(1). By electing to make each 
individual member of the EMC directly responsible for compliance with 
section 128 requirements, Alabama has assured that the EMC as a whole 
will meet these requirements.
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    \2\ The Commenter provided a citation to Alabama rule 335-1-
1-.03(1)(h) in its comments, but the SIP submission requests 
incorporation of Alabama rule 335-1-1-.03(2)(h). EPA notes that 
Alabama rule 335-1-1-.03 does not include a (1)(h), and believes the 
Commenter's citation was in error. EPA is, therefore, citing to 335-
1-1-.03(2)(h) in its responses to the comments.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Further, EPA notes that the CAA does not explicitly require that 
the provisions of section 128(a)(1) apply directly to a board or body 
itself as a distinct entity. Ultimately, the requirements of this 
provisions are met if a majority of board members meet the public-
interest and significant-portion-of-income requirements. In fact, as 
noted in the notice of proposed approval, 83 FR 5597, states have some 
flexibility to determine the specific provisions needed to satisfy the 
requirements of section 128, so long as the statutory requirements are 
met.3 4 In this instance, Alabama determined that requiring 
each member of the board to meet the requirements of section 128(a)(1) 
is an appropriate means to assure that the EMC as a whole meets the 
substantive requirements. Thus, EPA believes Alabama's approach 
satisfies the majority composition requirements of section 128(a)(1), 
about which the commenter expressed concern, and does not require any 
amendment.
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    \3\ The U.S. House of Representatives conference committee 
report for the 1977 amendments stated that ``it is the 
responsibility of each state to determine the specific requirements 
to meet the general requirements of [section 128].'' H.R. Rep. 95-
564 (1977), reprinted in Legislative History of the Clean Air Act 
Amendments of 1977, 526-527 (1978).
    \4\ In guidance, EPA has recognized that states may have a 
variety of procedures and special concerns that may warrant 
differing approaches to implementation of section 128. ``Guidance to 
States for Meeting Conflict of Interest Requirements of Section 
128,'' Memorandum from David O. Bickart, Deputy General Counsel, to 
Regional Air Directors, March 2, 1978 (``1978 Guidance'').
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Commenter also expresses concern about potential difficulties 
with pursuing citizen suits as a basis for suggesting that Rule 335-1-
1-.03(2)(h) is not enforceable. Specifically, the Commenter suggests 
that it would be unable to name the board itself as a defendant, then 
posits that individual board members could say they are not the 
majority, and concludes that a ``U.S. District Judge would have to 
decide which members to remove from the board.'' EPA does not agree 
that being unable to seek enforcement against the board itself versus 
the individual members will preclude enforcement of the requirements in 
the event of potential noncompliance. EPA does not believe that Rule 
335-1-1-.03(2)(h) presents unique enforcement challenges or that 
requiring compliance by each member of the EMC, rather than the EMC 
itself, eliminates the opportunity for judicial review for non-
compliance. In particular, the EPA does not agree that the only remedy 
available to a federal district court is for the court to decide which 
members to remove from the board. For example, the court could direct 
board members to comply with the section 128 requirements.
    Comment 2: The Commenter also expresses concerns ``with regard to 
CAA 128(a)(2)'s obligation to adequately disclose potential conflicts 
of interest, [Rule] 335-1-1-.03(1)(h) and [Rule] 335-1-1-.04(6)'s lack 
of any specifics as to what constitutes adequate disclosure can lead to 
confusion and potential lengthy litigation.''
    EPA's Response 2: EPA does not agree that omitting an explicit 
regulatory definition or other specification of what constitutes 
adequate disclosure is impermissible. EPA notes that the CAA itself 
does not define what constitutes ``adequately'' disclosing potential 
conflicts of interest. This means that what constitutes adequate 
disclosure may depend upon the specific facts and circumstances of a 
given situation. While EPA's 1978 guidance provides a recommended 
definition for ``adequately disclosed,'' this guidance also specifies 
that it does not create a requirement that all SIPs must include EPA's 
suggested definitions verbatim, or that states must include any 
definitions in SIPs at all.\5\ As noted in the proposed action, EPA has 
approved similar state law requirements for other states that closely 
track or mirror the explicit statutory language of section 128, and 
which do not define ``adequately disclosed.'' \6\ Nevertheless, EPA 
concludes that by requiring each member of the EMC and the management 
of ADEM to comply with applicable federal law and regulations, those 
individuals are required to disclose any potential conflicts of 
interest adequately. The determination of whether they have done so 
will turn upon the specific facts and circumstances of a given 
situation, per the explicit requirement of section 128(a)(2). Because 
Alabama's SIP revision meets CAA requirements and is consistent with 
EPA guidance and past approvals with respect to the requirements of 
section 128, EPA believes that state does not need to make the 
revisions suggested by the Commenter.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ 1978 Guidance, ``Model Letter from Regional Offices to 
States,'' at 2-3.
    \6\ See also EPA proposed rule on South Dakota, 79 FR 71040, 
71052, finalized at 80 FR 4799.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

III. Incorporation by Reference

    In this rule, EPA is finalizing regulatory text that includes 
incorporation by reference. In accordance with requirements of 1 CFR 
51.5, EPA is finalizing the incorporation by reference of ADEM's 
Section 335-1-1-.03, Organization and Duties of the Commission and 
Section 335-1-1-.04, Organization of the Department, state effective 
December 8, 2017, which revise Alabama's SIP to include language that 
mandates members of the Alabama Environmental Management Commission and 
the ADEM Director, Deputy Director, Division Chiefs, and all ADEM 
personnel meet all requirements of the state ethics law and the 
conflict of interest provisions of applicable Federal laws and 
regulations. EPA has made, and will continue to make, these

[[Page 31457]]

materials generally available through www.regulations.gov and at the 
EPA Region 4 Office (please contact the person identified in the For 
Further Information Contact section of this preamble for more 
information). Therefore, these materials have been approved by EPA for 
inclusion in the SIP, have been incorporated by reference by EPA into 
that plan, are fully federally enforceable under sections 110 and 113 
of the CAA as of the effective date of the final rulemaking of EPA's 
approval, and will be incorporated in the next update to the SIP 
compilation.\7\
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    \7\ 62 FR 27968 (May 22, 1997).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

IV. Final Action

    As described above, EPA is taking action to approve SIP revisions 
needed to assure that Alabama's SIP meets the state board requirements 
of section 128 of the CAA. Approval of Alabama's October 24, 2017 SIP 
submission, and a portion of the December 9, 2015 SIP submission also 
meets the section 110(a)(2)(E)(ii) infrastructure SIP requirements for 
the 1997, 2006, and 2012 PM2.5, 2008 8-hour Ozone, 2008 
Lead, 2010 NO2, and 2010 SO2 NAAQS. With this 
approval, the deficiencies that EPA identified in the previous partial 
disapprovals of Alabama's infrastructure SIP submissions related to the 
state board requirements for the 1997 and 2006 PM2.5, 2008 
8-hour Ozone, 2008 Lead, 2010 NO2, and 2010 SO2 
NAAQS are resolved.

V. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

    Under the CAA, the Administrator is required to approve a SIP 
submission that complies with the provisions of the Act and applicable 
Federal regulations. See 42 U.S.C. 7410(k); 40 CFR 52.02(a). Thus, in 
reviewing SIP submissions, EPA's role is to approve state choices, 
provided that they meet the criteria of the CAA. 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 (Pub. L. 104-4);
     Does not have Federalism implications as specified in 
Executive Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10, 1999);
     Is not an economically significant regulatory action based 
on health or safety risks subject to Executive Order 13045 (62 FR 
19885, April 23, 1997);
     Is not a significant regulatory action subject to 
Executive Order 13211 (66 FR 28355, May 22, 2001);
     Is not subject to requirements of Section 12(d) of the 
National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272 
note) because application of those requirements would be inconsistent 
with the CAA; and
     Does not provide EPA with the discretionary authority to 
address, as appropriate, disproportionate human health or environmental 
effects, using practicable and legally permissible methods, under 
Executive Order 12898 (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994).
    The SIP is not approved to apply on any Indian reservation land or 
in any other area where EPA or an Indian tribe has demonstrated that a 
tribe has jurisdiction. In those areas of Indian country, the rule does 
not have tribal implications as specified by Executive Order 13175 (65 
FR 67249, November 9, 2000), nor will it impose substantial direct 
costs on tribal governments or preempt tribal law.
    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 CAA, petitions for judicial review 
of this action must be filed in the United States Court of Appeals for 
the appropriate circuit by September 4, 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, Lead, Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone, 
Particulate matter, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Sulfur 
oxides, Volatile organic compounds.

    Dated: June 25, 2018.
Onis ``Trey'' Glenn, III,
Regional Administrator, Region 4.

    40 CFR part 52 is amended as follows:

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 B--Alabama

0
2. Section 52.50 is amended by:
0
a. In paragraph (c), adding a new heading for ``Chapter No. 335-1-1 
Organization'' and adding new entries for ``Section 335-1-1-.03,'' and 
``Section 335-1-1-.04'' at the beginning of the table; and
0
b. In paragraph (e), adding new entries for ``110(a)(1) and (2) 
Infrastructure Requirements for the 1997 Annual PM2.5 
NAAQS,'' ``110(a)(1) and (2) Infrastructure Requirements for the 2006 
24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS,'' ``110(a)(1) and (2) Infrastructure 
Requirements for the 2012 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS,'' ``110(a)(1) 
and (2) Infrastructure Requirements for the 2008 Lead NAAQS,'' 
``110(a)(1) and (2) Infrastructure Requirements for the 2008 8-hour 
Ozone NAAQS,'' ``110(a)(1) and (2) Infrastructure Requirements for the 
2010 NO2 NAAQS,'' and ``110(a)(1) and (2) Infrastructure 
Requirements for the 2010 SO2 NAAQS'' at the end of the 
table to read as follows:


Sec.  52.50   Identification of plan.

* * * * *

[[Page 31458]]

    (c) * * *

                                        EPA-Approved Alabama Regulations
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             State
          State citation              Title/subject     effective date   EPA approval date       Explanation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        Chapter No. 335-1-1 Organization
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section 335-1-1-.03..............  Organization and          12/8/2017  7/6/2018, [Insert    ...................
                                    Duties of the                        citation of
                                    Commission.                          publication].
Section 335-1-1-.04..............  Organization of the       12/8/2017  7/6/2018, [Insert    ...................
                                    Department.                          citation of
                                                                         publication].
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *
    (e) * * *

                                 EPA-Approved Alabama Non-Regulatory Provisions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             State
    Name of nonregulatory SIP           Applicable      submittal date/
            provision                 geographic or        effective     EPA approval date       Explanation
                                    nonattainment area       date
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
110(a)(1) and (2) Infrastructure   Alabama............       12/8/2017  7/6/2018, [Insert    Addressing the
 Requirements for the 1997 Annual                                        citation of          state board
 PM2.5 NAAQS.                                                            publication].        requirements of
                                                                                              sections 128 and
                                                                                              110(a)(2)(E)(ii)
                                                                                              only.
110(a)(1) and (2) Infrastructure   Alabama............       12/8/2017  7/6/2018, [Insert    Addressing the
 Requirements for the 2006 24-                                           citation of          state board
 hour PM2.5 NAAQS.                                                       publication].        requirements of
                                                                                              sections 128 and
                                                                                              110(a)(2)(E)(ii)
                                                                                              only.
110(a)(1) and (2) Infrastructure   Alabama............       12/8/2017  7/6/2018, [Insert    Addressing the
 Requirements for the 2012 24-                                           citation of          state board
 hour PM2.5 NAAQS.                                                       publication].        requirements of
                                                                                              sections 128 and
                                                                                              110(a)(2)(E)(ii)
                                                                                              only.
110(a)(1) and (2) Infrastructure   Alabama............       12/8/2017  7/6/2018, [Insert    Addressing the
 Requirements for the 2008 Lead                                          citation of          state board
 NAAQS.                                                                  publication].        requirements of
                                                                                              sections 128 and
                                                                                              110(a)(2)(E)(ii)
                                                                                              only.
110(a)(1) and (2) Infrastructure   Alabama............       12/8/2017  7/6/2018, [Insert    Addressing the
 Requirements for the 2008 8-hour                                        citation of          state board
 Ozone NAAQS.                                                            publication].        requirements of
                                                                                              sections 128 and
                                                                                              110(a)(2)(E)(ii)
                                                                                              only.
110(a)(1) and (2) Infrastructure   Alabama............       12/8/2017  7/6/2018, [Insert    Addressing the
 Requirements for the 2010 NO2                                           citation of          state board
 NAAQS.                                                                  publication].        requirements of
                                                                                              sections 128 and
                                                                                              110(a)(2)(E)(ii)
                                                                                              only.
110(a)(1) and (2) Infrastructure   Alabama............       12/8/2017  7/6/2018, [Insert    Addressing the
 Requirements for the 2010 SO2                                           citation of          state board
 NAAQS.                                                                  publication].        requirements of
                                                                                              sections 128 and
                                                                                              110(a)(2)(E)(ii)
                                                                                              only.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sec.  52.53   [Amended]

0
3. Section 52.53 is amended by removing paragraphs (a) through (e).

[FR Doc. 2018-14525 Filed 7-5-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6560-50-P



                                              31454                 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 130 / Friday, July 6, 2018 / Rules and Regulations

                                              Review) defines a ‘‘significant                          Supportive Services for Veteran                         The addition and revision read as
                                              regulatory action,’’ requiring review by                 Families Program; 64.034—VA Grants                    follows:
                                              OMB, unless OMB waives such review,                      for Adaptive Sports Programs for
                                              as any regulatory action that is likely to               Disabled Veterans and Disabled                        § 17.101 Collection or recovery by VA for
                                                                                                                                                             medical care or services provided or
                                              result in a rule that may: (1) Have an                   Members of the Armed Forces; 64.035—                  furnished to a veteran for a nonservice-
                                              annual effect on the economy of $100                     Veterans Transportation Program;                      connected disability.
                                              million or more or adversely affect in a                 64.039—CHAMPVA; 64.040—VHA
                                                                                                                                                                (a) * * *
                                              material way the economy, a sector of                    Inpatient Medicine; 64.041—VHA                           (9) Care provided under special
                                              the economy, productivity, competition,                  Outpatient Specialty Care; 64.042—                    treatment authorities. (i)
                                              jobs, the environment, public health or                  VHA Inpatient Surgery; 64.043—VHA
                                                                                                                                                             Notwithstanding any other provisions in
                                              safety, or State, local, or tribal                       Mental Health Residential; 64.044—
                                                                                                                                                             this section, VA will not seek recovery
                                              governments or communities; (2) Create                   VHA Home Care; 64.045—VHA
                                                                                                                                                             or collection of reasonable charges from
                                              a serious inconsistency or otherwise                     Outpatient Ancillary Services; 64.046—
                                                                                                                                                             a third party payer for:
                                              interfere with an action taken or                        VHA Inpatient Psychiatry; 64.047—                        (A) Hospital care, medical services,
                                              planned by another agency; (3)                           VHA Primary Care; 64.048—VHA                          and nursing home care provided by VA
                                              Materially alter the budgetary impact of                 Mental Health clinics; 64.049—VHA
                                                                                                                                                             or at VA expense under 38 U.S.C.
                                              entitlements, grants, user fees, or loan                 Community Living Center; 64.050—
                                                                                                                                                             1710(a)(2)(F) and (e).
                                              programs or the rights and obligations of                VHA Diagnostic Care.                                     (B) Counseling and appropriate care
                                              recipients thereof; or (4) Raise novel                                                                         and services furnished to veterans for
                                                                                                       List of Subjects in 38 CFR Part 17
                                              legal or policy issues arising out of legal                                                                    psychological trauma authorized under
                                              mandates, the President’s priorities, or                   Administrative practice and
                                                                                                       procedure, Alcohol abuse, Alcoholism,                 38 U.S.C. 1720D.
                                              the principles set forth in this Executive                                                                        (C) Medical examination, and hospital
                                              Order.                                                   Claims, Day care, Dental health, Drug
                                                                                                       abuse, Foreign relations, Government                  care, medical services, and nursing
                                                 The economic, interagency,
                                                                                                       contracts, Grant programs-health, Grant               home care furnished to veteran for
                                              budgetary, legal, and policy
                                                                                                       programs-veterans, Health care, Health                cancer of the head or neck as authorized
                                              implications of this final rule have been
                                                                                                       facilities, Health professions, Health                under 38 U.S.C. 1720E.
                                              examined, and it has been determined                                                                              (ii) VA may continue to exercise its
                                              not to be a significant regulatory action                records, Homeless, Medical and dental
                                                                                                       schools, Medical devices, Medical                     right to recover or collect reasonable
                                              under Executive Order 12866. VA’s
                                                                                                       research, Mental health programs,                     charges from third parties, pursuant to
                                              impact analysis can be found as a
                                                                                                       Nursing home care, Philippines,                       this section, for the cost of care that VA
                                              supporting document at http://
                                                                                                       Reporting and recordkeeping                           provides to these same veterans for
                                              www.regulations.gov, usually within 48
                                                                                                       requirements, Scholarships and fellows,               conditions and disabilities that VA
                                              hours after the rulemaking document is
                                                                                                       Travel, Transportation expenses,                      determines are not covered by any of the
                                              published. Additionally, a copy of the
                                                                                                       Veterans.                                             special treatment authorities.
                                              rulemaking and its impact analysis are
                                              available on VA’s website at http://                                                                           *       *   *      *    *
                                                                                                       Signing Authority
                                              www.va.gov/orpm, by following the link                                                                         (Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1701, 1705,
                                              for ‘‘VA Regulations Published From FY                     The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, or               1710, 1720D, 1720E, 1721, 1722, 1729)
                                              2004 Through Fiscal Year To Date.’’                      designee, approved this document and                  [FR Doc. 2018–14573 Filed 7–5–18; 8:45 am]
                                              This rule is not an E.O. 13771 regulatory                authorized the undersigned to sign and
                                                                                                                                                             BILLING CODE 8320–01–P
                                              action because this rule is not                          submit the document to the Office of the
                                              significant under E.O. 12866                             Federal Register for publication
                                                                                                       electronically as an official document of
                                              Unfunded Mandates                                        the Department of Veterans Affairs.                   ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
                                                                                                       Jacquelyn Hayes-Byrd, Acting Chief of                 AGENCY
                                                 The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
                                              of 1995 requires, at 2 U.S.C. 1532, that                 Staff, Department of Veterans Affairs,
                                                                                                                                                             40 CFR Part 52
                                              agencies prepare an assessment of                        approved this document on June 28,
                                              anticipated costs and benefits before                    2018, for publication.                                [EPA–R04–OAR–2017–0642; FRL–9980–
                                              issuing any rule that may result in an                                                                         50—Region 4]
                                                                                                          Dated: July 2, 2018.
                                              expenditure by State, local, and tribal                  Consuela Benjamin,                                    Air Plan Approval; AL; Section 128
                                              governments, in the aggregate, or by the                 Regulation Development Coordinator, Office            Board Requirements for Infrastructure
                                              private sector, of $100 million or more                  of Regulation Policy & Management, Office             SIPs
                                              (adjusted annually for inflation) in any                 of the Secretary, Department of Veterans
                                              one year. This final rule would have no                  Affairs.                                              AGENCY:  Environmental Protection
                                              such effect on State, local, and tribal                    For the reasons set forth in the                    Agency (EPA).
                                              governments, or on the private sector.                   preamble, VA amends 38 CFR part 17 as                 ACTION: Final rule.
                                              Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance                   follows:
                                                                                                                                                             SUMMARY:   The Environmental Protection
                                                The Catalog of Federal Domestic                        PART 17—MEDICAL                                       Agency (EPA) is taking final action to
                                              Assistance numbers and titles for the                                                                          approve a State Implementation Plan
                                              programs affected by this document are                   ■ 1. The authority citation for part 17               (SIP) submission, submitted by the State
                                              64.011—Veterans Dental Care; 64.012—                     continues to read in part as follows:                 of Alabama, through the Alabama
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                                              Veterans Prescription Service; 64.013—                     Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, and as noted in           Department of Environmental
                                              Veterans Prosthetic Appliances;                          specific sections.                                    Management (ADEM), on October 24,
                                              64.014—Veterans State Domiciliary                        *     *     *    *     *                              2017, and a portion of a December 9,
                                              Care; 64.015—Veterans State Nursing                      ■ 2. Amend § 17.101 by:                               2015, infrastructure SIP submission.
                                              Home Care; 64.026—Veterans State                         ■ a. Adding paragraph (a)(9).                         The October 24, 2017 submission
                                              Adult Day Health Care; 64.029—                           ■ b. Revising the authority citation at               addresses the general Clean Air Act
                                              Purchase Care Program; 64.033—VA                         the end of the section.                               (CAA or Act) conflict of interest


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                                                                    Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 130 / Friday, July 6, 2018 / Rules and Regulations                                         31455

                                              requirements applicable to Alabama                       if at all possible, you contact the person            (80 FR 17689), 2008 Lead NAAQS on
                                              state boards or agency personnel with                    listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION                 October 9, 2015 (80 FR 61111), 2010
                                              respect to the approval of permits or                    CONTACT section to schedule your                      NO2 NAAQS on November 21, 2016 (81
                                              enforcement orders. This submission                      inspection. The Regional Office’s                     FR 83142), and 2010 SO2 NAAQS on
                                              also specifically addresses requirements                 official hours of business are Monday                 January 12, 2017 (82 FR 3637). Thus,
                                              for implementation of the following                      through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.,                this final action also satisfies EPA’s FIP
                                              national ambient air quality standards                   excluding Federal holidays.                           obligation with regard to that
                                              (NAAQS): 1997, 2006, and 2012 Fine                       FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                      infrastructure SIP requirement for these
                                              Particulate Matter (PM2.5), 2008 8-hour                  Nacosta C. Ward, Air Regulatory                       NAAQS based on the prior
                                              Ozone, 2008 Lead, 2010 Nitrogen                          Management Section, Air Planning and                  disapprovals.
                                              Dioxide (NO2), and 2010 Sulfur Dioxide                   Implementation Branch, Air, Pesticides                  EPA proposed to approve Alabama’s
                                              (SO2). The CAA requires that each state                  and Toxics Management Division, U.S.                  October 24, 2017, submission related to
                                              adopt and submit a SIP for the                           Environmental Protection Agency,                      the state board requirements as meeting
                                              implementation, maintenance and                          Region 4, 61 Forsyth Street SW, Atlanta,              the requirements of section 128, and
                                              enforcement of each NAAQS                                Georgia 30303–8960. The telephone                     also as meeting the infrastructure
                                              promulgated by EPA. Whenever EPA                         number is (404) 562–9140. Ms. Ward                    requirements of section 110(a)(2)(E)(ii)
                                              promulgates a new or revised NAAQS,                      can be reached via electronic mail at                 for the 1997 and 2006 PM2.5, 2008 8-
                                              the CAA requires the state to make a                     ward.nacosta@epa.gov.                                 hour Ozone, 2008 Lead, 2010 NO2, and
                                              new SIP submission establishing that                     SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                            2010 SO2 NAAQS and a portion of the
                                              the existing SIP meets the various                                                                             December 9, 2015, infrastructure SIP
                                              applicable requirements, or revising the                 I. Background                                         submission related to the state board
                                              SIP to meet those requirements. This                        States must submit infrastructure SIP              requirements for the 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS
                                              type of SIP submission is commonly                       submissions meeting the applicable                    in a notice of proposed rulemaking
                                              referred to as an ‘‘infrastructure’’ SIP. In             requirements of sections 110(a)(1) and                (NPR) published on February 8, 2018
                                              this action, EPA is approving the                        (2) of the CAA within three years after               (83 FR 5594). The details of Alabama’s
                                              October 24, 2017, submission with                        EPA’s promulgation of a new or revised                submissions and the rationale for EPA’s
                                              respect to: The CAA conflict of interest                 NAAQS. Sections 110(a)(1) and (2)                     actions related to how Alabama
                                              requirements; and the related conflict of                require states to address basic SIP                   addressed the requirements of section
                                              interest infrastructure SIP requirements                 requirements, including emissions                     128 and the related infrastructure
                                              for the 1997, 2006, and 2012 PM2.5, 2008                 inventories, monitoring, and modeling                 section 110(a)(2)(E)(ii) requirements for
                                              8-hour Ozone, 2008 Lead, 2010 NO2,                       to assure attainment and maintenance of               the aforementioned NAAQS are
                                              and 2010 SO2 NAAQS. In addition, EPA                     the new or revised NAAQS. More                        explained in the NPR.
                                              is approving a portion of ADEM’s                         specifically, section 110(a)(1) provides              II. Response to Comments
                                              December 9, 2015, infrastructure SIP                     the procedural and timing requirements
                                                                                                       for infrastructure SIP submissions.                      EPA received a total of nine sets of
                                              submission (as supplemented by the
                                                                                                       Section 110(a)(2) lists specific                      comments, but only one commenter
                                              October 24, 2017 submission) related to                                                                        submitted comments that are relevant to
                                              the conflict of interest requirements for                requirements that states must meet for
                                                                                                       ‘‘infrastructure’’ SIP purposes, as                   this action.
                                              the 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS. This action                                                                                 Comment 1: The Commenter contends
                                              removes EPA’s obligation to promulgate                   applicable, related to the newly
                                                                                                       established or revised NAAQS. In                      that Alabama’s new provisions related
                                              a Federal Implementation Plan (FIP) to                                                                         to conflicts of interest do not fully
                                              address these CAA state board                            particular, section 110(a)(2)(E)(ii)
                                                                                                       requires states to include provisions in              comply with the CAA section 128
                                              requirements for Alabama.                                                                                      because the provisions apply to the
                                              DATES: This rule will be effective August
                                                                                                       their SIP to address the state board
                                                                                                       requirements of section 128.                          members of applicable boards or bodies,
                                              6, 2018.                                                                                                       rather than to the board or body itself.
                                                                                                          EPA is finalizing its proposed
                                              ADDRESSES: EPA has established a                         approval of Alabama’s December 9,                     Specifically, the Commenter states:
                                              docket for this action under Docket                      2015 and October 24, 2017,1                           ‘‘because the 128(a)(1) applies to the
                                              Identification No. EPA–R04–OAR–                          submissions to incorporate into its SIP               board itself but [Alabama Rule] 335–1–
                                              2017–0642. All documents in the docket                   certain regulatory provisions to address              1–.03(1)(h) does not apply to the board
                                              are listed on the www.regulations.gov                    the state board requirements of section               itself, but rather to its members, 335–1–
                                              website. Although listed in the index,                   128. As a result of the addition of these             1–.03(1)(h) does not meet the
                                              some information is not publicly                         new SIP provisions to meet the                        requirement of 128(a)(1).’’ The
                                              available, i.e., Confidential Business                   requirements of section 128, EPA is also              Commenter contends that this raises
                                              Information or other information whose                   finalizing approval of these submissions              concerns about the enforceability of this
                                              disclosure is restricted by statute.                     as satisfying the section 110(a)(2)(E)(ii)            provision. The Commenter expresses
                                              Certain other material, such as                          infrastructure requirement for the 1997,              concern that it could not name the
                                              copyrighted material, is not placed on                   2006, and 2012 PM2.5, 2008 8-hour                     board itself as a defendant because the
                                              the internet and will be publicly                        Ozone, 2008 Lead, 2010 NO2, and 2010                  provision does not apply to the board,
                                              available only in hard copy form.                        SO2 NAAQS. This final action fully                    and that it could be difficult to enforce
                                              Publicly available docket materials are                  addresses the SIP deficiencies related to             the conflict of interest provisions
                                              available either electronically through                  section 110(a)(2)(E)(ii) and section 128              against individual board members
                                              www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at                   from EPA’s prior disapprovals of                      because the members each could assert
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                                              the Air Regulatory Management Section,                   infrastructure SIP submissions for the                they are not the majority. The
                                              Air Planning and Implementation                          1997 and 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS on                          Commenter also expresses concern
                                              Branch, Air, Pesticides and Toxics                       October 15, 2012 (77 FR 62449), 2008 8-               about remedies in such an enforcement
                                              Management Division, U.S.                                hour Ozone NAAQS on April 2, 2015                     action, contending that a ‘‘U.S. District
                                              Environmental Protection Agency,                                                                               Judge would have to decide which
                                              Region 4, 61 Forsyth Street SW, Atlanta,                   1 Alabama’s October 24, 2017 submission became      members to remove from the board.’’
                                              Georgia 30303–8960. EPA requests that                    state effective on December 8, 2017.                  Therefore, the Commenter suggested


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                                              31456                 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 130 / Friday, July 6, 2018 / Rules and Regulations

                                              that EPA should only conditionally                       section 128, so long as the statutory                 definition or other specification of what
                                              approve the SIP submissions—                             requirements are met.3 4 In this instance,            constitutes adequate disclosure is
                                              specifically, that EPA approve the                       Alabama determined that requiring each                impermissible. EPA notes that the CAA
                                              submissions on the condition that the                    member of the board to meet the                       itself does not define what constitutes
                                              state revise 335–1–1–.03(1)(h) so that it                requirements of section 128(a)(1) is an               ‘‘adequately’’ disclosing potential
                                              applies to the Alabama Environmental                     appropriate means to assure that the                  conflicts of interest. This means that
                                              Management Commission (EMC) as a                         EMC as a whole meets the substantive                  what constitutes adequate disclosure
                                              collective entity, rather than to the                    requirements. Thus, EPA believes                      may depend upon the specific facts and
                                              individual members of the EMC.                           Alabama’s approach satisfies the                      circumstances of a given situation.
                                                 EPA’s Response 1: EPA does not agree                  majority composition requirements of                  While EPA’s 1978 guidance provides a
                                              with the Commenter that Alabama Rule                     section 128(a)(1), about which the                    recommended definition for
                                              335–1–1–.03(2)(h) 2 does not satisfy the                 commenter expressed concern, and does                 ‘‘adequately disclosed,’’ this guidance
                                              requirements of section 128(a)(1)                        not require any amendment.                            also specifies that it does not create a
                                              because the provision applies to each                       The Commenter also expresses                       requirement that all SIPs must include
                                              individual member of the board or body,                  concern about potential difficulties with             EPA’s suggested definitions verbatim, or
                                              rather than to the board or body itself                  pursuing citizen suits as a basis for                 that states must include any definitions
                                              as a whole. Section 128(a)(1) requires                   suggesting that Rule 335–1–1–.03(2)(h)                in SIPs at all.5 As noted in the proposed
                                              SIPs to (a) ‘‘contain requirements that                  is not enforceable. Specifically, the                 action, EPA has approved similar state
                                              (1) any board or body which approves                     Commenter suggests that it would be                   law requirements for other states that
                                              permits or enforcement orders under                      unable to name the board itself as a                  closely track or mirror the explicit
                                              [the CAA] shall have at least a majority                 defendant, then posits that individual                statutory language of section 128, and
                                              of members who represent the public                      board members could say they are not                  which do not define ‘‘adequately
                                              interest and do not derive any                           the majority, and concludes that a ‘‘U.S.             disclosed.’’ 6 Nevertheless, EPA
                                              significant portion of income from                       District Judge would have to decide                   concludes that by requiring each
                                              persons subject to permits or                            which members to remove from the                      member of the EMC and the
                                              enforcement orders under [the CAA].’’                    board.’’ EPA does not agree that being                management of ADEM to comply with
                                              Upon approval, the Alabama SIP will                      unable to seek enforcement against the                applicable federal law and regulations,
                                              contain requirements to ensure that the                  board itself versus the individual                    those individuals are required to
                                              EMC will have at least a majority of                     members will preclude enforcement of                  disclose any potential conflicts of
                                              members who represent the public                         the requirements in the event of                      interest adequately. The determination
                                              interest and who do not derive a                         potential noncompliance. EPA does not                 of whether they have done so will turn
                                              significant portion of income from                       believe that Rule 335–1–1–.03(2)(h)                   upon the specific facts and
                                              regulated entities, and that all of the                  presents unique enforcement challenges                circumstances of a given situation, per
                                              members of the EMC will disclose any                     or that requiring compliance by each                  the explicit requirement of section
                                              potential conflicts of interest. This is                 member of the EMC, rather than the                    128(a)(2). Because Alabama’s SIP
                                              because the EMC is made up of the                        EMC itself, eliminates the opportunity                revision meets CAA requirements and is
                                              members themselves (there is no                          for judicial review for non-compliance.               consistent with EPA guidance and past
                                              separate governing board or body) and                    In particular, the EPA does not agree                 approvals with respect to the
                                              because each member will be                              that the only remedy available to a                   requirements of section 128, EPA
                                              responsible for meeting all requirements                 federal district court is for the court to            believes that state does not need to
                                              of section 128, including the majority                   decide which members to remove from                   make the revisions suggested by the
                                              requirements of section 128(a)(1). By                    the board. For example, the court could               Commenter.
                                              electing to make each individual                         direct board members to comply with
                                              member of the EMC directly responsible                   the section 128 requirements.                         III. Incorporation by Reference
                                              for compliance with section 128                             Comment 2: The Commenter also                         In this rule, EPA is finalizing
                                              requirements, Alabama has assured that                   expresses concerns ‘‘with regard to CAA               regulatory text that includes
                                              the EMC as a whole will meet these                       128(a)(2)’s obligation to adequately                  incorporation by reference. In
                                              requirements.                                            disclose potential conflicts of interest,             accordance with requirements of 1 CFR
                                                 Further, EPA notes that the CAA does                  [Rule] 335–1–1–.03(1)(h) and [Rule]                   51.5, EPA is finalizing the incorporation
                                              not explicitly require that the provisions               335–1–1–.04(6)’s lack of any specifics as             by reference of ADEM’s Section 335–1–
                                              of section 128(a)(1) apply directly to a                 to what constitutes adequate disclosure               1–.03, Organization and Duties of the
                                              board or body itself as a distinct entity.               can lead to confusion and potential                   Commission and Section 335–1–1–.04,
                                              Ultimately, the requirements of this                     lengthy litigation.’’                                 Organization of the Department, state
                                              provisions are met if a majority of board                   EPA’s Response 2: EPA does not agree
                                                                                                                                                             effective December 8, 2017, which
                                              members meet the public-interest and                     that omitting an explicit regulatory
                                                                                                                                                             revise Alabama’s SIP to include
                                              significant-portion-of-income                              3 The U.S. House of Representatives conference
                                                                                                                                                             language that mandates members of the
                                              requirements. In fact, as noted in the                   committee report for the 1977 amendments stated       Alabama Environmental Management
                                              notice of proposed approval, 83 FR                       that ‘‘it is the responsibility of each state to      Commission and the ADEM Director,
                                              5597, states have some flexibility to                    determine the specific requirements to meet the       Deputy Director, Division Chiefs, and all
                                              determine the specific provisions                        general requirements of [section 128].’’ H.R. Rep.
                                                                                                       95–564 (1977), reprinted in Legislative History of
                                                                                                                                                             ADEM personnel meet all requirements
                                              needed to satisfy the requirements of                    the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1977, 526–527         of the state ethics law and the conflict
                                                                                                                                                             of interest provisions of applicable
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                                                                                                       (1978).
                                                2 The Commenter provided a citation to Alabama           4 In guidance, EPA has recognized that states may
                                                                                                                                                             Federal laws and regulations. EPA has
                                              rule 335–1–1–.03(1)(h) in its comments, but the SIP      have a variety of procedures and special concerns
                                              submission requests incorporation of Alabama rule        that may warrant differing approaches to
                                                                                                                                                             made, and will continue to make, these
                                              335–1–1–.03(2)(h). EPA notes that Alabama rule           implementation of section 128. ‘‘Guidance to States
                                                                                                                                                               5 1978 Guidance, ‘‘Model Letter from Regional
                                              335–1–1–.03 does not include a (1)(h), and believes      for Meeting Conflict of Interest Requirements of
                                              the Commenter’s citation was in error. EPA is,           Section 128,’’ Memorandum from David O. Bickart,      Offices to States,’’ at 2–3.
                                              therefore, citing to 335–1–1–.03(2)(h) in its            Deputy General Counsel, to Regional Air Directors,      6 See also EPA proposed rule on South Dakota, 79

                                              responses to the comments.                               March 2, 1978 (‘‘1978 Guidance’’).                    FR 71040, 71052, finalized at 80 FR 4799.



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                                                                      Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 130 / Friday, July 6, 2018 / Rules and Regulations                                                31457

                                              materials generally available through                      of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44                       Under section 307(b)(1) of the CAA,
                                              www.regulations.gov and at the EPA                         U.S.C. 3501 et seq.);                                 petitions for judicial review of this
                                              Region 4 Office (please contact the                           • Is certified as not having a                     action must be filed in the United States
                                              person identified in the FOR FURTHER                       significant economic impact on a                      Court of Appeals for the appropriate
                                              INFORMATION CONTACT section of this                        substantial number of small entities                  circuit by September 4, 2018. Filing a
                                              preamble for more information).                            under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5               petition for reconsideration by the
                                              Therefore, these materials have been                       U.S.C. 601 et seq.);                                  Administrator of this final rule does not
                                              approved by EPA for inclusion in the                          • Does not contain any unfunded                    affect the finality of this action for the
                                              SIP, have been incorporated by                             mandate or significantly or uniquely                  purposes of judicial review nor does it
                                              reference by EPA into that plan, are                       affect small governments, as described                extend the time within which a petition
                                              fully federally enforceable under                          in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act                   for judicial review may be filed, and
                                              sections 110 and 113 of the CAA as of                      of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–4);                              shall not postpone the effectiveness of
                                              the effective date of the final rulemaking                    • Does not have Federalism                         such rule or action. This action may not
                                              of EPA’s approval, and will be                             implications as specified in Executive                be challenged later in proceedings to
                                              incorporated in the next update to the                     Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10,                  enforce its requirements. See section
                                              SIP compilation.7                                          1999);                                                307(b)(2).
                                                                                                            • Is not an economically significant
                                              IV. Final Action                                           regulatory action based on health or                  List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52
                                                As described above, EPA is taking                        safety risks subject to Executive Order                 Environmental protection, Air
                                              action to approve SIP revisions needed                     13045 (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997);                  pollution control, Incorporation by
                                              to assure that Alabama’s SIP meets the                        • Is not a significant regulatory action           reference, Intergovernmental relations,
                                              state board requirements of section 128                    subject to Executive Order 13211 (66 FR               Lead, Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone,
                                              of the CAA. Approval of Alabama’s                          28355, May 22, 2001);                                 Particulate matter, Reporting and
                                              October 24, 2017 SIP submission, and a                        • Is not subject to requirements of                recordkeeping requirements, Sulfur
                                              portion of the December 9, 2015 SIP                        Section 12(d) of the National                         oxides, Volatile organic compounds.
                                              submission also meets the section                          Technology Transfer and Advancement                     Dated: June 25, 2018.
                                              110(a)(2)(E)(ii) infrastructure SIP                        Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272 note) because
                                                                                                                                                               Onis ‘‘Trey’’ Glenn, III,
                                              requirements for the 1997, 2006, and                       application of those requirements would
                                                                                                                                                               Regional Administrator, Region 4.
                                              2012 PM2.5, 2008 8-hour Ozone, 2008                        be inconsistent with the CAA; and
                                              Lead, 2010 NO2, and 2010 SO2 NAAQS.                           • Does not provide EPA with the                        40 CFR part 52 is amended as follows:
                                              With this approval, the deficiencies that                  discretionary authority to address, as
                                                                                                         appropriate, disproportionate human                   PART 52—APPROVAL AND
                                              EPA identified in the previous partial
                                                                                                         health or environmental effects, using                PROMULGATION OF
                                              disapprovals of Alabama’s infrastructure
                                                                                                         practicable and legally permissible                   IMPLEMENTATION PLANS
                                              SIP submissions related to the state
                                              board requirements for the 1997 and                        methods, under Executive Order 12898
                                                                                                                                                               ■ 1. The authority citation for part 52
                                              2006 PM2.5, 2008 8-hour Ozone, 2008                        (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994).
                                                                                                            The SIP is not approved to apply on                continues to read as follows:
                                              Lead, 2010 NO2, and 2010 SO2 NAAQS
                                                                                                         any Indian reservation land or in any                     Authority: 42 .U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
                                              are resolved.
                                                                                                         other area where EPA or an Indian tribe
                                              V. Statutory and Executive Order                           has demonstrated that a tribe has                     Subpart B—Alabama
                                              Reviews                                                    jurisdiction. In those areas of Indian                ■  2. Section 52.50 is amended by:
                                                Under the CAA, the Administrator is                      country, the rule does not have tribal                ■  a. In paragraph (c), adding a new
                                              required to approve a SIP submission                       implications as specified by Executive                heading for ‘‘Chapter No. 335–1–1
                                              that complies with the provisions of the                   Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, November 9,                 Organization’’ and adding new entries
                                              Act and applicable Federal regulations.                    2000), nor will it impose substantial                 for ‘‘Section 335–1–1–.03,’’ and
                                              See 42 U.S.C. 7410(k); 40 CFR 52.02(a).                    direct costs on tribal governments or                 ‘‘Section 335–1–1–.04’’ at the beginning
                                              Thus, in reviewing SIP submissions,                        preempt tribal law.                                   of the table; and
                                              EPA’s role is to approve state choices,                       The Congressional Review Act, 5                    ■ b. In paragraph (e), adding new entries
                                              provided that they meet the criteria of                    U.S.C. 801 et seq., as added by the Small             for ‘‘110(a)(1) and (2) Infrastructure
                                              the CAA. This action merely approves                       Business Regulatory Enforcement                       Requirements for the 1997 Annual PM2.5
                                              state law as meeting Federal                               Fairness Act of 1996, generally provides              NAAQS,’’ ‘‘110(a)(1) and (2)
                                              requirements and does not impose                           that before a rule may take effect, the               Infrastructure Requirements for the 2006
                                              additional requirements beyond those                       agency promulgating the rule must                     24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS,’’ ‘‘110(a)(1) and
                                              imposed by state law. For that reason,                     submit a rule report, which includes a                (2) Infrastructure Requirements for the
                                              this action:                                               copy of the rule, to each House of the                2012 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS,’’ ‘‘110(a)(1)
                                                • Is not a significant regulatory action                 Congress and to the Comptroller General               and (2) Infrastructure Requirements for
                                              subject to review by the Office of                         of the United States. EPA will submit a               the 2008 Lead NAAQS,’’ ‘‘110(a)(1) and
                                              Management and Budget under                                report containing this action and other               (2) Infrastructure Requirements for the
                                              Executive Orders 12866 (58 FR 51735,                       required information to the U.S. Senate,              2008 8-hour Ozone NAAQS,’’ ‘‘110(a)(1)
                                              October 4, 1993) and 13563 (76 FR 3821,                    the U.S. House of Representatives, and                and (2) Infrastructure Requirements for
                                              January 21, 2011);                                         the Comptroller General of the United                 the 2010 NO2 NAAQS,’’ and ‘‘110(a)(1)
                                                • Is not an Executive Order 13771 (82                    States prior to publication of the rule in            and (2) Infrastructure Requirements for
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES




                                              FR 9339, February 2, 2017) regulatory                      the Federal Register. A major rule                    the 2010 SO2 NAAQS’’ at the end of the
                                              action because SIP approvals are                           cannot take effect until 60 days after it             table to read as follows:
                                              exempted under Executive Order 12866;                      is published in the Federal Register.
                                                • Does not impose an information                         This action is not a ‘‘major rule’’ as                § 52.50     Identification of plan.
                                              collection burden under the provisions                     defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2).                           *       *      *     *      *

                                                7 62   FR 27968 (May 22, 1997).



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                                              31458                    Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 130 / Friday, July 6, 2018 / Rules and Regulations

                                                  (c) * * *

                                                                                                               EPA-APPROVED ALABAMA REGULATIONS
                                                                                                                                             State
                                                          State citation                                Title/subject                                                   EPA approval date                      Explanation
                                                                                                                                         effective date

                                                                                                                        Chapter No. 335–1–1 Organization

                                              Section 335–1–1–.03 ..............           Organization and Duties of                         12/8/2017           7/6/2018, [Insert citation of
                                                                                             the Commission.                                                        publication].
                                              Section 335–1–1–.04 ..............           Organization of the Depart-                        12/8/2017           7/6/2018, [Insert citation of
                                                                                             ment.                                                                  publication].

                                                          *                            *                           *                              *                          *                     *                      *



                                              *       *       *       *       *                                     (e) * * *

                                                                                                 EPA-APPROVED ALABAMA NON-REGULATORY PROVISIONS
                                                                                                                                            State
                                                  Name of nonregulatory SIP                    Applicable geographic or                 submittal date/                 EPA approval date                      Explanation
                                                          provision                              nonattainment area                        effective
                                                                                                                                             date


                                                       *                    *                       *                                          *                             *                     *                      *
                                              110(a)(1) and (2) Infrastruc-   Alabama .................................                       12/8/2017           7/6/2018, [Insert citation of        Addressing the state board
                                                ture Requirements for the                                                                                           publication].                        requirements of sections
                                                1997 Annual PM2.5 NAAQS.                                                                                                                                 128 and 110(a)(2)(E)(ii)
                                                                                                                                                                                                         only.
                                              110(a)(1) and (2) Infrastruc- Alabama .................................                         12/8/2017           7/6/2018, [Insert citation of        Addressing the state board
                                                ture Requirements for the                                                                                           publication].                        requirements of sections
                                                2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS.                                                                                                                                128 and 110(a)(2)(E)(ii)
                                                                                                                                                                                                         only.
                                              110(a)(1) and (2) Infrastruc- Alabama .................................                         12/8/2017           7/6/2018, [Insert citation of        Addressing the state board
                                                ture Requirements for the                                                                                           publication].                        requirements of sections
                                                2012 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS.                                                                                                                                128 and 110(a)(2)(E)(ii)
                                                                                                                                                                                                         only.
                                              110(a)(1) and (2) Infrastruc-                Alabama .................................          12/8/2017           7/6/2018, [Insert citation of        Addressing the state board
                                                ture Requirements for the                                                                                           publication].                        requirements of sections
                                                2008 Lead NAAQS.                                                                                                                                         128 and 110(a)(2)(E)(ii)
                                                                                                                                                                                                         only.
                                              110(a)(1) and (2) Infrastruc- Alabama .................................                         12/8/2017           7/6/2018, [Insert citation of        Addressing the state board
                                                ture Requirements for the                                                                                           publication].                        requirements of sections
                                                2008 8-hour Ozone NAAQS.                                                                                                                                 128 and 110(a)(2)(E)(ii)
                                                                                                                                                                                                         only.
                                              110(a)(1) and (2) Infrastruc-                Alabama .................................          12/8/2017           7/6/2018, [Insert citation of        Addressing the state board
                                                ture Requirements for the                                                                                           publication].                        requirements of sections
                                                2010 NO2 NAAQS.                                                                                                                                          128 and 110(a)(2)(E)(ii)
                                                                                                                                                                                                         only.
                                              110(a)(1) and (2) Infrastruc-                Alabama .................................          12/8/2017           7/6/2018, [Insert citation of        Addressing the state board
                                                ture Requirements for the                                                                                           publication].                        requirements of sections
                                                2010 SO2 NAAQS.                                                                                                                                          128 and 110(a)(2)(E)(ii)
                                                                                                                                                                                                         only.



                                              § 52.53     [Amended]                                              FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS                                            (Commission) addresses the petition for
                                                                                                                 COMMISSION                                                        reconsideration filed by Alaska
                                              ■ 3. Section 52.53 is amended by                                                                                                     Communications Systems (ACS) of the
                                              removing paragraphs (a) through (e).                               47 CFR Part 54                                                    October 31, 2016 Commission’s ACS
                                              [FR Doc. 2018–14525 Filed 7–5–18; 8:45 am]                                                                                           Connect America Fund (CAF) Phase II
                                              BILLING CODE 6560–50–P                                             [WC Docket Nos. 10–90; FCC 18–53]                                 Order. The Commission denies the
                                                                                                                                                                                   petition.
                                                                                                                 Connect America Fund
                                                                                                                                                                                   DATES: The denial of the petition for
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES




                                                                                                                 AGENCY: Federal Communications                                    reconsideration is effective August 6,
                                                                                                                 Commission.                                                       2018.
                                                                                                                 ACTION: Denial of petition for
                                                                                                                 reconsideration.                                                  FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                                                                                                                                                                   Alexander Minard, Wireline
                                                                                                                        In this document, the Federal
                                                                                                                 SUMMARY:                                                          Competition Bureau, (202) 418–7400 or
                                                                                                                 Communications Commission                                         TTY: (202) 418–0484.


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Document Created: 2018-07-06 00:46:43
Document Modified: 2018-07-06 00:46:43
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 rule will be effective August 6, 2018.
ContactNacosta C. Ward, Air Regulatory Management Section, Air Planning and Implementation Branch, Air, Pesticides and Toxics Management Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 4, 61 Forsyth Street SW, Atlanta, Georgia 30303-8960. The telephone number is (404) 562-9140. Ms. Ward can be reached via electronic mail at [email protected]
FR Citation83 FR 31454 
CFR AssociatedEnvironmental Protection; Air Pollution Control; Incorporation by Reference; Intergovernmental Relations; Lead; Nitrogen Dioxide; Ozone; Particulate Matter; Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements; Sulfur Oxides and Volatile Organic Compounds

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