83_FR_34954 83 FR 34813 - Air Plan Approval; Washington; Interstate Transport Requirements for the 2015 Ozone NAAQS

83 FR 34813 - Air Plan Approval; Washington; Interstate Transport Requirements for the 2015 Ozone NAAQS

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 141 (July 23, 2018)

Page Range34813-34816
FR Document2018-15625

The Clean Air Act (CAA) requires each State Implementation Plan (SIP) to contain adequate provisions prohibiting emissions that will have certain adverse air quality effects in other states. On February 7, 2018, the State of Washington made a submittal to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to address these requirements for the 2015 ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The EPA is proposing to approve the submittal as meeting the requirement that each SIP contain adequate provisions to prohibit emissions that will significantly contribute to nonattainment or interfere with maintenance of the 2015 ozone NAAQS in any other state.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 141 (Monday, July 23, 2018)
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 141 (Monday, July 23, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 34813-34816]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-15625]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 52

[EPA-R10-OAR-2018-0061; FRL-9981-08--Region 10]


Air Plan Approval; Washington; Interstate Transport Requirements 
for the 2015 Ozone NAAQS

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: The Clean Air Act (CAA) requires each State Implementation 
Plan (SIP) to contain adequate provisions prohibiting emissions that 
will have certain adverse air quality effects in other states. On 
February 7, 2018, the State of Washington made a submittal to the 
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to address these requirements for 
the 2015 ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The EPA 
is proposing to approve the submittal as meeting the requirement that 
each SIP contain adequate provisions to prohibit emissions that will 
significantly contribute to nonattainment or interfere with maintenance 
of the 2015 ozone NAAQS in any other state.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before August 22, 2018.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-R10-
OAR-2018-0061 at https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online 
instructions for submitting comments. Once submitted, comments cannot 
be edited or removed from Regulations.gov. The EPA may publish any 
comment received to its public docket. Do not submit electronically any 
information you consider to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) 
or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. 
Multimedia submissions (audio, video, etc.) must be accompanied by a 
written comment. The written comment is considered the official comment 
and should include discussion of all points you wish to make. The EPA 
will generally not consider comments or comment contents located 
outside of the primary submission (i.e. on the web, cloud, or other 
file sharing system). For additional submission methods, the full EPA 
public comment policy, information about CBI or multimedia submissions, 
and general guidance on making effective comments, please visit https://www.epa.gov/dockets/commenting-epa-dockets.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeff Hunt at (206) 553-0256, or 
hunt.jeff@epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Throughout this document whenever ``we,'' 
``us,'' or ``our'' is used, it is intended to refer to the EPA. This 
supplementary information section is arranged as follows:

Table of Contents

I. Background
II. State Submittal
III. EPA Evaluation
IV. Proposed Action
V. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

I. Background

    On October 1, 2015, the EPA promulgated a revision to the ozone 
NAAQS (2015 ozone NAAQS), lowering the level of both the primary and 
secondary standards to 0.070 parts per million (ppm).\1\ Section 
110(a)(1) of the CAA requires states to submit, within 3 years after 
promulgation of a new or revised standard, SIPs meeting the applicable 
elements of section 110(a)(2).\2\ One of these applicable requirements 
is found in section 110(a)(2)(D)(i), otherwise known as the good 
neighbor provision, which generally requires SIPs to contain adequate 
provisions to prohibit in-state emissions activities from having 
certain adverse air quality effects on other states due to interstate 
transport of pollution. There are four prongs within CAA section 
110(a)(2)(D)(i): Section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) contains prongs 1 and 2, 
while section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II) includes prongs 3 and 4. This action 
addresses the first two prongs under section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I). Under 
prongs 1 and 2 of the good neighbor provision, a state's SIP for a new 
or revised NAAQS must contain adequate provisions prohibiting any 
source or other type of emissions activity within the state from 
emitting air pollutants in amounts that will contribute significantly 
to nonattainment of the NAAQS in another state (prong 1) or from 
interfering with maintenance of the NAAQS in another state (prong 2). 
Under section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) of the CAA, the EPA gives independent 
significance to evaluating prong 1 and prong 2.
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    \1\ National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Ozone Final Rule, 
80 FR 65292 (October 26, 2015).
    \2\ SIP revisions that are intended to meet the requirements of 
section 110(a)(1) and (2) of the CAA are often referred to as 
infrastructure SIPs and the elements under 110(a)(2) are referred to 
as infrastructure requirements.
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    We note that the EPA has addressed the interstate transport 
requirements of CAA section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) with respect to prior 
ozone NAAQS in several regulatory actions, including the Cross-State 
Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR), which addressed interstate transport

[[Page 34814]]

with respect to the 1997 ozone NAAQS as well as the 1997 and 2006 fine 
particulate matter standards, and the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule 
Update for the 2008 Ozone NAAQS (CSAPR Update).\3\ These actions only 
addressed interstate transport in to the eastern United States \4\ and 
did not address the 2015 ozone NAAQS.
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    \3\ See Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR) Final Rule, 76 FR 
48208 (August 8, 2011); CSAPR Update for the 2008 Ozone NAAQS (CSAPR 
Update) Final Rule, 81 FR 74504 (October 26, 2016).
    \4\ For purposes of CSAPR and the CSAPR Update action, the 
western U.S. (or the West) was considered to consist of the 11 
western contiguous states of Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, 
Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. 
The eastern U.S. (or the East) was considered to consist of the 37 
states east of the 11 western states.
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    Through the development and implementation of CSAPR, the CSAPR 
Update and previous rulemakings pursuant to the good neighbor 
provision,\5\ the EPA, working in partnership with states, developed 
the following four-step interstate transport framework to address the 
requirements of the good neighbor provision for the ozone NAAQS: \6\ 
(1) Identify downwind air quality problems; (2) identify upwind states 
that impact those downwind air quality problems sufficiently such that 
they are considered ``linked'' and therefore warrant further review and 
analysis; (3) identify the emissions reductions necessary (if any), 
considering cost and air quality factors, to prevent linked upwind 
states identified in step 2 from contributing significantly to 
nonattainment or interfering with maintenance of the NAAQS at the 
locations of the downwind air quality problems; and (4) adopt permanent 
and enforceable measures needed to achieve those emissions reductions. 
This four-step framework has also been used to address interstate 
transport with respect to prior ozone NAAQS in the western United 
States.\7\
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    \5\ Other rulemakings addressing ozone transport include the 
NOX SIP Call, 63 FR 57356 (October 27, 1998), and the 
Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR), 70 FR 25162 (May 12, 2005).
    \6\ The four-step interstate framework has also been used to 
address requirements of the good neighbor provision for some 
previous particulate matter (PM) NAAQS, including in the western 
United States. See, e.g., 83 FR 30380 (June 28, 2018).
    \7\ See, e.g., Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality State 
Implementation Plans; California; Interstate Transport Requirements 
for Ozone, Fine Particular Matter, and Sulfur Dioxide, Proposed 
Rule, 83 FR 5375, 5376-77 (February 7, 2018).
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    The EPA has released several documents containing information 
relevant to evaluating interstate transport with respect to the 2015 
ozone NAAQS. First, on January 6, 2017, the EPA published a notice of 
data availability (NODA) with preliminary interstate ozone transport 
modeling with projected ozone design values for 2023, on which we 
requested comment.\8\ On October 27, 2017, we released a memorandum 
(2017 memorandum) containing updated modeling data for 2023, which 
incorporated changes made in response to comments on the NODA.\9\ 
Although the 2017 memorandum also released data for a 2023 modeling 
year, we specifically stated that the modeling may be useful for states 
developing SIPs to address remaining good neighbor obligations for the 
2008 ozone NAAQS but did not address the 2015 ozone NAAQS. Finally, on 
March 27, 2018, we issued a memorandum (2018 memorandum) indicating the 
same 2023 modeling data released in the 2017 memorandum would also be 
useful for evaluating potential downwind air quality problems with 
respect to the 2015 ozone NAAQS (step 1 of the four-step framework). 
The 2018 memorandum also included newly available contribution modeling 
results to assist states in evaluating their impact on potential 
downwind air quality problems (step 2 of the four-step framework) in 
their efforts to develop good neighbor SIPs for the 2015 ozone NAAQS to 
address their interstate transport obligations.\10\
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    \8\ See Notice of Availability of the Environmental Protection 
Agency's Preliminary Interstate Ozone Transport Modeling Data for 
the 2015 Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS), 82 FR 
1733 (January 6, 2017).
    \9\ See Information on the Interstate Transport State 
Implementation Plan Submissions for the 2008 Ozone National Ambient 
Air Quality Standards under Clean Air Act Section 
110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I), October 27, 2017.
    \10\ See Information on the Interstate Transport State 
Implementation Plan Submissions for the 2015 Ozone National Ambient 
Air Quality Standards under Clean Air Act Section 
110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I), March 27, 2018.
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    The 2018 memorandum describes the process and results of the 
updated photochemical modeling to project ambient ozone levels for the 
year 2023. The memorandum explains that the selection of the 2023 
analytic year aligns with the 2015 ozone NAAQS attainment year for 
Moderate nonattainment areas. As described in more detail in the 2017 
and 2018 memoranda, the EPA used photochemical air quality modeling to 
project ozone concentrations at air quality monitoring sites to 2023 
and estimated state-by-state ozone contributions to those 2023 
concentrations. This modeling used the Comprehensive Air Quality Model 
with Extensions (CAMx version 6.40) to model average and maximum design 
values in 2023 in order to identify potential nonattainment and 
maintenance receptors with respect to the 2015 ozone NAAQS. The 
memorandum presents the design values in two ways: First, following the 
EPA's historic ``3 x 3'' approach to evaluating all sites, and second, 
following the modified approach for coastal monitoring sites in which 
``overwater'' modeling data were not included in the calculation of 
future year design values.
    For purposes of identifying potential nonattainment and maintenance 
receptors in 2023, the EPA applied the same approach used in the CSAPR 
Update, wherein the EPA considered a combination of monitoring data and 
modeling projections to identify monitoring sites that are projected to 
have problems attaining or maintaining the NAAQS. Specifically, the EPA 
identified nonattainment receptors as those monitoring sites with 
current measured values exceeding the NAAQS that also have projected 
(i.e., in 2023) average design values exceeding the NAAQS. The EPA 
identified maintenance receptors as those monitoring sites with maximum 
design values exceeding the NAAQS. This included sites with current 
measured values below the NAAQS with projected average and maximum 
design values exceeding the NAAQS, and monitoring sites with projected 
average design values below the NAAQS but with projected maximum design 
values exceeding the NAAQS. The EPA included the design values and 
monitoring data for all monitoring sites projected to be potential 
nonattainment or maintenance receptors based on the updated 2023 
modeling in Attachment B to the 2018 memorandum.
    After identifying potential downwind nonattainment and maintenance 
sites, the EPA next performed nationwide, state-level ozone source-
apportionment modeling to estimate the expected contribution to these 
nonattainment and maintenance sites from each state (excluding Alaska 
and Hawaii). The EPA performed air quality model runs for a modeling 
domain that covers the 48 contiguous United States and adjacent 
portions of Canada and Mexico. The EPA included contribution 
information resulting from the source-apportionment modeling in 
Attachment C to the 2018 memorandum.
    In the CSAPR and the CSAPR Update, the EPA used a threshold of one 
percent of the NAAQS to determine whether a given upwind state was 
``linked'' at step 2 of the four-step framework and would therefore 
contribute to downwind nonattainment and maintenance sites (also known 
as receptors) identified in

[[Page 34815]]

step 1. If a state's impact did not exceed the one percent threshold, 
the upwind state was not ``linked'' to a downwind air quality problem, 
and the EPA therefore concluded the state will not significantly 
contribute to nonattainment or interfere with maintenance of the NAAQS 
in the downwind states. However, if a state's impact exceeded the one 
percent threshold, the state's emissions were further evaluated in step 
3, taking into account both air quality and cost considerations, to 
determine what, if any, emissions reductions might be necessary to 
address the good neighbor provision. The EPA has not determined what an 
appropriate threshold would be for identifying at step 2 of the 
framework whether an upwind state is linked, and therefore contributes 
to a downwind air quality problem with respect to the 2015 ozone NAAQS. 
However, as discussed in more detail below, the EPA is using a similar 
preliminary approach for the 2015 ozone NAAQS in reviewing Washington's 
SIP.
    For more specific information on the modeling and analysis, please 
see 2017 and 2018 memoranda, the Notice of Data Availability for the 
preliminary interstate transport assessment, and the supporting 
technical documents included in the docket for this action.
    While the 2018 memorandum presented information regarding the EPA's 
latest analysis of ozone transport following the approaches the EPA has 
taken in prior regional rulemaking actions, the EPA has not made any 
final determinations regarding how states should identify downwind 
receptors with respect to the 2015 ozone NAAQS at step 1 of the four-
step framework, or what threshold should be used to identify ``linked'' 
upwind states at step 2. Rather, the EPA noted that states have 
flexibility in developing their own SIPs to follow somewhat different 
analytical approaches than the EPA, so long as their chosen approach 
has an adequate technical justification and is consistent with the 
requirements of the CAA. The 2018 memorandum therefore included as 
Attachment A a preliminary list of potential flexibilities that the EPA 
concluded may warrant further discussion as states develop good 
neighbor SIPs addressing the 2015 ozone NAAQS. In presenting the list, 
the EPA did not make any determination whether the potential 
flexibilities are consistent with the CAA nor did the EPA specifically 
recommend any particular approach.

II. State Submittal

    On February 7, 2018, Washington submitted a SIP revision addressing 
the CAA section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) interstate transport requirements 
for the 2015 ozone NAAQS. Washington relied upon the EPA's preliminary 
photochemical air quality modeling for the 2015 ozone NAAQS, contained 
in the January 6, 2017 NODA discussed above, which was the most current 
data available at the time of Washington's submittal. Washington 
reviewed the EPA's preliminary 2023 modeling, determined that the 
future year projections are appropriate, and concurred with the EPA's 
preliminary photochemical modeling results, which indicate that 
Washington's largest contribution to potential downwind nonattainment 
and maintenance sites would be 0.15 ppb and 0.11 ppb, respectively. 
Washington compared these values to a screening threshold of 0.70 ppb, 
representing one percent of the 2015 ozone NAAQS, and concluded that 
emissions from Washington sources will not significantly contribute to 
nonattainment or interfere with maintenance of the 2015 ozone NAAQS in 
any other state.

III. EPA Evaluation

    As previously discussed, the 2018 memorandum is the most up-to-date 
information the EPA has developed to inform our analysis of upwind 
state linkages to downwind air quality problems. The 2018 memorandum 
identifies potential downwind nonattainment and maintenance receptors, 
using the definitions applied in the CSAPR Update. Relevant here, the 
2018 memorandum identifies 56 potential nonattainment and maintenance 
receptors in the West in Arizona (2), California (49), and Colorado 
(5).\11\ The 2018 memorandum also provides contribution data regarding 
the impact of other states on the potential receptors. Although the EPA 
has not identified a specific threshold for identifying contribution at 
step 2 for the 2015 ozone NAAQS, for purposes of evaluating 
Washington's 2015 ozone NAAQS interstate transport SIP submittal, we 
are proposing that at least where a state's contributions are less than 
one percent to downwind nonattainment and maintenance sites, it is 
reasonable to conclude the state's impact is not a contribution. While 
the EPA has indicated in Attachment A to the 2018 memorandum that 
states may consider alternative thresholds for identifying states that 
will contribute to downwind air quality problems--so long as the 
alternative threshold is technically justified--the EPA believes it is 
reasonable to continue to conclude that states with an impact below a 
threshold of one percent of the NAAQS will not significantly contribute 
to nonattainment or interfere with maintenance of the NAAQS in any 
other state. This is consistent with our prior action on Washington's 
SIP with respect to the 2008 ozone NAAQS and with the EPA's approach to 
both the 1997 and 2008 ozone NAAQS in CSAPR and the CSAPR Update.\12\
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    \11\ As discussed above, the EPA has indicated that states may 
have flexibilities to follow a different analytic approach to 
evaluating interstate transport, including the identification of 
downwind air quality problems. Because the EPA is concluding that 
Washington will have an insignificant impact on any potential 
receptors identified in its analysis, it need not definitively 
determine whether these areas should be treated as receptors for the 
2015 ozone standard.
    \12\ 80 FR 77578 (December 15, 2015).
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    The EPA's updated 2023 modeling discussed in the 2018 memorandum 
indicates that Washington's largest contributions to any potential 
downwind nonattainment and maintenance receptor in the West are 0.20 
ppb and 0.16 ppb, respectively.\13\ These values are below a one 
percent screening threshold of 0.70 ppb, and as a result, identify no 
linkages between Washington and 2023 downwind potential nonattainment 
and maintenance sites. Washington's projected contribution to potential 
receptors in the East is even lower. Accordingly, we propose to 
conclude that emissions from Washington will not contribute to these 
potential receptors, and thus, the state will not significantly 
contribute to nonattainment or interfere with maintenance of the NAAQS 
in any other state.
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    \13\ The EPA's analysis indicates specifically that Washington 
will have a 0.20 ppb impact at the potential nonattainment receptor 
in Sacramento, California (60670012), which has a projected average 
design value of 74.5 ppb, a maximum design value of 75.9 ppb, and a 
2014-2016 design value of 83 ppb. The EPA's analysis further 
indicates that Washington will have a 0.16 ppb impact at the 
potential maintenance receptor in Tulare, California (61072002), 
which has which has a projected average design value of 68.9 ppb, a 
maximum design value of 71.4 ppb, and a 2014-2016 design value of 80 
ppb. We note that the updated methodology slightly increased 
Washington's modeled contribution to the projected nonattainment and 
maintenance receptors compared to the preliminary photochemical 
modeling, but, as described in this action, remain at a contribution 
level of less than one percent of the 2015 ozone NAAQS.
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    We also note that the EPA has assessed potential transport to the 
Shoshone-Bannock Tribes of the Fort Hall Reservation in southeast 
Idaho, which the EPA approved to be treated as an affected downwind 
state for CAA

[[Page 34816]]

sections 110(a)(2)(D) and 126. While the tribes do not operate an ozone 
monitor, the nearest ozone monitors to Fort Hall Reservation are in Ada 
County, Idaho; Boise area (AQS site IDs 160010010 and 160010017) and 
Butte County, Idaho; Idaho Falls (AQS site ID 160230101). Past and 
present design values for ozone are complete, valid and below the 
current standard. The EPA's modeled 2023 average and maximum design 
values suggest these ozone concentrations will continue to decline. We 
therefore propose to find that it is reasonable to conclude that 
emissions from Washington will not contribute significantly to 
nonattainment or interfere with maintenance of the 2015 ozone NAAQS at 
the Fort Hall Reservation. A memorandum summarizing our evaluation can 
be found in the docket for this action.

IV. Proposed Action

    As discussed in Section II, Washington concluded that emissions 
from the state will not significantly contribute to nonattainment or 
interfere with maintenance of the 2015 ozone NAAQS in any other state. 
The EPA's updated modeling, discussed in Section III confirms this 
finding. We are proposing to approve the Washington SIP as meeting CAA 
section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) requirements for the 2015 ozone NAAQS. The 
EPA is requesting comments on the proposed approval.

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 CAA and applicable 
federal regulations. 42 U.S.C. 7410(k); 40 CFR 52.02(a). Thus, in 
reviewing SIP submissions, the EPA's role is to approve state choices, 
provided that they meet the criteria of the CAA. Accordingly, this 
action merely 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 the EPA with the discretionary authority 
to address, as appropriate, disproportionate human health or 
environmental effects, using practicable and legally permissible 
methods, under Executive Order 12898 (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994).
    In addition, the SIP is not approved to apply on any Indian 
reservation land or in any other area where the EPA or an Indian tribe 
has demonstrated that a tribe has jurisdiction. In those areas of 
Indian country, the rule does not have tribal implications and will not 
impose substantial direct costs on tribal governments or preempt tribal 
law as specified by Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, November 9, 
2000).

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52

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

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

    Dated: July 11, 2018.
Chris Hladick,
Regional Administrator, Region 10.
[FR Doc. 2018-15625 Filed 7-20-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P



                                                                          Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 141 / Monday, July 23, 2018 / Proposed Rules                                                   34813

                                                   • Does not impose an information                      ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION                              SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                                collection burden under the provisions                   AGENCY                                                Throughout this document whenever
                                                of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44                                                                             ‘‘we,’’ ‘‘us,’’ or ‘‘our’’ is used, it is
                                                U.S.C. 3501 et seq.);                                    40 CFR Part 52                                        intended to refer to the EPA. This
                                                   • Is certified as not having a                        [EPA–R10–OAR–2018–0061; FRL–9981–                     SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section is
                                                significant economic impact on a                         08—Region 10]                                         arranged as follows:
                                                substantial number of small entities                                                                           Table of Contents
                                                under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5                  Air Plan Approval; Washington;
                                                                                                         Interstate Transport Requirements for                 I. Background
                                                U.S.C. 601 et seq.);                                                                                           II. State Submittal
                                                                                                         the 2015 Ozone NAAQS
                                                   • Does not contain any unfunded                                                                             III. EPA Evaluation
                                                mandate or significantly or uniquely                     AGENCY:  Environmental Protection                     IV. Proposed Action
                                                affect small governments, as described                   Agency (EPA).                                         V. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
                                                in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act                      ACTION: Proposed rule.
                                                of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–4);                                                                                       I. Background
                                                                                                         SUMMARY:    The Clean Air Act (CAA)                      On October 1, 2015, the EPA
                                                   • Does not have federalism                            requires each State Implementation Plan
                                                implications as specified in Executive                                                                         promulgated a revision to the ozone
                                                                                                         (SIP) to contain adequate provisions                  NAAQS (2015 ozone NAAQS), lowering
                                                Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10,                     prohibiting emissions that will have
                                                1999);                                                                                                         the level of both the primary and
                                                                                                         certain adverse air quality effects in                secondary standards to 0.070 parts per
                                                   • Is not an economically significant                  other states. On February 7, 2018, the                million (ppm).1 Section 110(a)(1) of the
                                                regulatory action based on health or                     State of Washington made a submittal to               CAA requires states to submit, within 3
                                                safety risks subject to Executive Order                  the Environmental Protection Agency                   years after promulgation of a new or
                                                13045 (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997);                     (EPA) to address these requirements for               revised standard, SIPs meeting the
                                                   • Is not a significant regulatory action              the 2015 ozone National Ambient Air                   applicable elements of section
                                                subject to Executive Order 13211 (66 FR                  Quality Standards (NAAQS). The EPA is                 110(a)(2).2 One of these applicable
                                                28355, May 22, 2001);                                    proposing to approve the submittal as                 requirements is found in section
                                                                                                         meeting the requirement that each SIP
                                                   • Is not subject to requirements of                                                                         110(a)(2)(D)(i), otherwise known as the
                                                                                                         contain adequate provisions to prohibit               good neighbor provision, which
                                                Section 12(d) of the National
                                                                                                         emissions that will significantly                     generally requires SIPs to contain
                                                Technology Transfer and Advancement
                                                                                                         contribute to nonattainment or interfere              adequate provisions to prohibit in-state
                                                Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272 note) because
                                                                                                         with maintenance of the 2015 ozone                    emissions activities from having certain
                                                application of those requirements would
                                                                                                         NAAQS in any other state.                             adverse air quality effects on other states
                                                be inconsistent with the Clean Air Act;
                                                                                                         DATES: Written comments must be                       due to interstate transport of pollution.
                                                and
                                                                                                         received on or before August 22, 2018.                There are four prongs within CAA
                                                   • Does not provide the EPA with the
                                                                                                         ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,                      section 110(a)(2)(D)(i): Section
                                                discretionary authority to address, as
                                                                                                         identified by Docket ID No. EPA–R10–                  110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) contains prongs 1 and
                                                appropriate, disproportionate human
                                                                                                         OAR–2018–0061 at https://                             2, while section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II)
                                                health or environmental effects, using                   www.regulations.gov. Follow the online
                                                practicable and legally permissible                                                                            includes prongs 3 and 4. This action
                                                                                                         instructions for submitting comments.                 addresses the first two prongs under
                                                methods, under Executive Order 12898                     Once submitted, comments cannot be
                                                (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994).                                                                               section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I). Under prongs 1
                                                                                                         edited or removed from Regulations.gov.               and 2 of the good neighbor provision, a
                                                   In addition, the SIP is not proposed to               The EPA may publish any comment                       state’s SIP for a new or revised NAAQS
                                                apply on any Indian reservation land or                  received to its public docket. Do not                 must contain adequate provisions
                                                in any other area where the EPA or an                    submit electronically any information                 prohibiting any source or other type of
                                                Indian tribe has demonstrated that a                     you consider to be Confidential                       emissions activity within the state from
                                                tribe has jurisdiction. In those areas of                Business Information (CBI) or other                   emitting air pollutants in amounts that
                                                Indian country, the rule does not have                   information whose disclosure is                       will contribute significantly to
                                                tribal implications and will not impose                  restricted by statute. Multimedia                     nonattainment of the NAAQS in another
                                                substantial direct costs on tribal                       submissions (audio, video, etc.) must be              state (prong 1) or from interfering with
                                                governments or preempt tribal law as                     accompanied by a written comment.                     maintenance of the NAAQS in another
                                                specified by Executive Order 13175 (65                   The written comment is considered the                 state (prong 2). Under section
                                                FR 67249, November 9, 2000).                             official comment and should include                   110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) of the CAA, the EPA
                                                                                                         discussion of all points you wish to                  gives independent significance to
                                                List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52
                                                                                                         make. The EPA will generally not                      evaluating prong 1 and prong 2.
                                                  Environmental protection, Air                          consider comments or comment                             We note that the EPA has addressed
                                                pollution control, Carbon monoxide,                      contents located outside of the primary               the interstate transport requirements of
                                                Incorporation by reference,                              submission (i.e. on the web, cloud, or                CAA section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) with
                                                Intergovernmental relations, Lead,                       other file sharing system). For                       respect to prior ozone NAAQS in
                                                Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone, Particulate                     additional submission methods, the full               several regulatory actions, including the
                                                matter, Reporting and recordkeeping                      EPA public comment policy,                            Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR),
amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with PROPOSALS1




                                                requirements.                                            information about CBI or multimedia                   which addressed interstate transport
                                                   Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
                                                                                                         submissions, and general guidance on
                                                                                                         making effective comments, please visit                 1 National Ambient Air Quality Standards for
                                                  Dated: July 13, 2018.                                  https://www.epa.gov/dockets/                          Ozone Final Rule, 80 FR 65292 (October 26, 2015).
                                                Debra Thomas,                                            commenting-epa-dockets.                                 2 SIP revisions that are intended to meet the

                                                Acting Regional Administrator, Region 8.                                                                       requirements of section 110(a)(1) and (2) of the CAA
                                                                                                         FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeff
                                                                                                                                                               are often referred to as infrastructure SIPs and the
                                                [FR Doc. 2018–15481 Filed 7–20–18; 8:45 am]              Hunt at (206) 553–0256, or hunt.jeff@                 elements under 110(a)(2) are referred to as
                                                BILLING CODE 6560–50–P                                   epa.gov.                                              infrastructure requirements.



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                                                34814                     Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 141 / Monday, July 23, 2018 / Proposed Rules

                                                with respect to the 1997 ozone NAAQS                     availability (NODA) with preliminary                    potential nonattainment and
                                                as well as the 1997 and 2006 fine                        interstate ozone transport modeling                     maintenance receptors with respect to
                                                particulate matter standards, and the                    with projected ozone design values for                  the 2015 ozone NAAQS. The
                                                Cross-State Air Pollution Rule Update                    2023, on which we requested                             memorandum presents the design
                                                for the 2008 Ozone NAAQS (CSAPR                          comment.8 On October 27, 2017, we                       values in two ways: First, following the
                                                Update).3 These actions only addressed                   released a memorandum (2017                             EPA’s historic ‘‘3 x 3’’ approach to
                                                interstate transport in to the eastern                   memorandum) containing updated                          evaluating all sites, and second,
                                                United States 4 and did not address the                  modeling data for 2023, which                           following the modified approach for
                                                2015 ozone NAAQS.                                        incorporated changes made in response                   coastal monitoring sites in which
                                                   Through the development and                           to comments on the NODA.9 Although                      ‘‘overwater’’ modeling data were not
                                                implementation of CSAPR, the CSAPR                       the 2017 memorandum also released                       included in the calculation of future
                                                Update and previous rulemakings                          data for a 2023 modeling year, we                       year design values.
                                                pursuant to the good neighbor                            specifically stated that the modeling                      For purposes of identifying potential
                                                provision,5 the EPA, working in                          may be useful for states developing SIPs                nonattainment and maintenance
                                                partnership with states, developed the                   to address remaining good neighbor                      receptors in 2023, the EPA applied the
                                                following four-step interstate transport                 obligations for the 2008 ozone NAAQS                    same approach used in the CSAPR
                                                framework to address the requirements                    but did not address the 2015 ozone                      Update, wherein the EPA considered a
                                                of the good neighbor provision for the                   NAAQS. Finally, on March 27, 2018, we                   combination of monitoring data and
                                                ozone NAAQS: 6 (1) Identify downwind                     issued a memorandum (2018                               modeling projections to identify
                                                air quality problems; (2) identify                       memorandum) indicating the same 2023                    monitoring sites that are projected to
                                                upwind states that impact those                          modeling data released in the 2017                      have problems attaining or maintaining
                                                downwind air quality problems                            memorandum would also be useful for                     the NAAQS. Specifically, the EPA
                                                sufficiently such that they are                          evaluating potential downwind air                       identified nonattainment receptors as
                                                considered ‘‘linked’’ and therefore                      quality problems with respect to the                    those monitoring sites with current
                                                warrant further review and analysis; (3)                 2015 ozone NAAQS (step 1 of the four-                   measured values exceeding the NAAQS
                                                identify the emissions reductions                        step framework). The 2018                               that also have projected (i.e., in 2023)
                                                necessary (if any), considering cost and                 memorandum also included newly                          average design values exceeding the
                                                air quality factors, to prevent linked                   available contribution modeling results                 NAAQS. The EPA identified
                                                upwind states identified in step 2 from                  to assist states in evaluating their impact             maintenance receptors as those
                                                contributing significantly to                            on potential downwind air quality                       monitoring sites with maximum design
                                                nonattainment or interfering with                        problems (step 2 of the four-step                       values exceeding the NAAQS. This
                                                maintenance of the NAAQS at the                          framework) in their efforts to develop                  included sites with current measured
                                                locations of the downwind air quality                    good neighbor SIPs for the 2015 ozone                   values below the NAAQS with projected
                                                problems; and (4) adopt permanent and                    NAAQS to address their interstate                       average and maximum design values
                                                enforceable measures needed to achieve                   transport obligations.10                                exceeding the NAAQS, and monitoring
                                                those emissions reductions. This four-                      The 2018 memorandum describes the                    sites with projected average design
                                                step framework has also been used to                     process and results of the updated                      values below the NAAQS but with
                                                address interstate transport with respect                photochemical modeling to project                       projected maximum design values
                                                to prior ozone NAAQS in the western                      ambient ozone levels for the year 2023.                 exceeding the NAAQS. The EPA
                                                United States.7                                          The memorandum explains that the                        included the design values and
                                                   The EPA has released several                          selection of the 2023 analytic year aligns              monitoring data for all monitoring sites
                                                documents containing information                         with the 2015 ozone NAAQS attainment                    projected to be potential nonattainment
                                                relevant to evaluating interstate                        year for Moderate nonattainment areas.                  or maintenance receptors based on the
                                                transport with respect to the 2015 ozone                 As described in more detail in the 2017                 updated 2023 modeling in Attachment
                                                NAAQS. First, on January 6, 2017, the                    and 2018 memoranda, the EPA used                        B to the 2018 memorandum.
                                                EPA published a notice of data                           photochemical air quality modeling to                      After identifying potential downwind
                                                                                                                                                                 nonattainment and maintenance sites,
                                                                                                         project ozone concentrations at air
                                                                                                                                                                 the EPA next performed nationwide,
                                                  3 See Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR)
                                                                                                         quality monitoring sites to 2023 and
                                                Final Rule, 76 FR 48208 (August 8, 2011); CSAPR                                                                  state-level ozone source-apportionment
                                                                                                         estimated state-by-state ozone
                                                Update for the 2008 Ozone NAAQS (CSAPR                                                                           modeling to estimate the expected
                                                Update) Final Rule, 81 FR 74504 (October 26, 2016).      contributions to those 2023
                                                                                                                                                                 contribution to these nonattainment and
                                                  4 For purposes of CSAPR and the CSAPR Update           concentrations. This modeling used the
                                                                                                                                                                 maintenance sites from each state
                                                action, the western U.S. (or the West) was               Comprehensive Air Quality Model with
                                                considered to consist of the 11 western contiguous
                                                                                                                                                                 (excluding Alaska and Hawaii). The
                                                                                                         Extensions (CAMx version 6.40) to
                                                states of Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho,                                                                  EPA performed air quality model runs
                                                                                                         model average and maximum design
                                                Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah,                                                                       for a modeling domain that covers the
                                                Washington, and Wyoming. The eastern U.S. (or the        values in 2023 in order to identify
                                                                                                                                                                 48 contiguous United States and
                                                East) was considered to consist of the 37 states east
                                                of the 11 western states.                                  8 See Notice of Availability of the Environmental
                                                                                                                                                                 adjacent portions of Canada and
                                                  5 Other rulemakings addressing ozone transport         Protection Agency’s Preliminary Interstate Ozone        Mexico. The EPA included contribution
                                                include the NOX SIP Call, 63 FR 57356 (October 27,       Transport Modeling Data for the 2015 Ozone              information resulting from the source-
                                                1998), and the Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR), 70      National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS),          apportionment modeling in Attachment
                                                FR 25162 (May 12, 2005).                                 82 FR 1733 (January 6, 2017).                           C to the 2018 memorandum.
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                                                  6 The four-step interstate framework has also been       9 See Information on the Interstate Transport State
                                                                                                                                                                    In the CSAPR and the CSAPR Update,
                                                used to address requirements of the good neighbor        Implementation Plan Submissions for the 2008
                                                provision for some previous particulate matter (PM)      Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards            the EPA used a threshold of one percent
                                                NAAQS, including in the western United States.           under Clean Air Act Section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I),         of the NAAQS to determine whether a
                                                See, e.g., 83 FR 30380 (June 28, 2018).                  October 27, 2017.                                       given upwind state was ‘‘linked’’ at step
                                                  7 See, e.g., Approval and Promulgation of Air            10 See Information on the Interstate Transport
                                                                                                                                                                 2 of the four-step framework and would
                                                Quality State Implementation Plans; California;          State Implementation Plan Submissions for the
                                                Interstate Transport Requirements for Ozone, Fine        2015 Ozone National Ambient Air Quality
                                                                                                                                                                 therefore contribute to downwind
                                                Particular Matter, and Sulfur Dioxide, Proposed          Standards under Clean Air Act Section                   nonattainment and maintenance sites
                                                Rule, 83 FR 5375, 5376–77 (February 7, 2018).            110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I), March 27, 2018.                     (also known as receptors) identified in


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                                                                          Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 141 / Monday, July 23, 2018 / Proposed Rules                                                      34815

                                                step 1. If a state’s impact did not exceed               II. State Submittal                                      nonattainment and maintenance sites, it
                                                the one percent threshold, the upwind                       On February 7, 2018, Washington                       is reasonable to conclude the state’s
                                                state was not ‘‘linked’’ to a downwind                   submitted a SIP revision addressing the                  impact is not a contribution. While the
                                                air quality problem, and the EPA                         CAA section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) interstate                EPA has indicated in Attachment A to
                                                therefore concluded the state will not                   transport requirements for the 2015                      the 2018 memorandum that states may
                                                significantly contribute to                              ozone NAAQS. Washington relied upon                      consider alternative thresholds for
                                                nonattainment or interfere with                          the EPA’s preliminary photochemical                      identifying states that will contribute to
                                                maintenance of the NAAQS in the                          air quality modeling for the 2015 ozone                  downwind air quality problems—so
                                                downwind states. However, if a state’s                   NAAQS, contained in the January 6,                       long as the alternative threshold is
                                                impact exceeded the one percent                          2017 NODA discussed above, which                         technically justified—the EPA believes
                                                threshold, the state’s emissions were                    was the most current data available at                   it is reasonable to continue to conclude
                                                further evaluated in step 3, taking into                 the time of Washington’s submittal.                      that states with an impact below a
                                                                                                         Washington reviewed the EPA’s                            threshold of one percent of the NAAQS
                                                account both air quality and cost
                                                                                                         preliminary 2023 modeling, determined                    will not significantly contribute to
                                                considerations, to determine what, if
                                                                                                         that the future year projections are                     nonattainment or interfere with
                                                any, emissions reductions might be                                                                                maintenance of the NAAQS in any other
                                                necessary to address the good neighbor                   appropriate, and concurred with the
                                                                                                         EPA’s preliminary photochemical                          state. This is consistent with our prior
                                                provision. The EPA has not determined                                                                             action on Washington’s SIP with respect
                                                what an appropriate threshold would be                   modeling results, which indicate that
                                                                                                         Washington’s largest contribution to                     to the 2008 ozone NAAQS and with the
                                                for identifying at step 2 of the                                                                                  EPA’s approach to both the 1997 and
                                                framework whether an upwind state is                     potential downwind nonattainment and
                                                                                                         maintenance sites would be 0.15 ppb                      2008 ozone NAAQS in CSAPR and the
                                                linked, and therefore contributes to a                                                                            CSAPR Update.12
                                                downwind air quality problem with                        and 0.11 ppb, respectively. Washington
                                                                                                                                                                     The EPA’s updated 2023 modeling
                                                respect to the 2015 ozone NAAQS.                         compared these values to a screening
                                                                                                                                                                  discussed in the 2018 memorandum
                                                                                                         threshold of 0.70 ppb, representing one
                                                However, as discussed in more detail                                                                              indicates that Washington’s largest
                                                                                                         percent of the 2015 ozone NAAQS, and
                                                below, the EPA is using a similar                                                                                 contributions to any potential
                                                                                                         concluded that emissions from                            downwind nonattainment and
                                                preliminary approach for the 2015
                                                                                                         Washington sources will not                              maintenance receptor in the West are
                                                ozone NAAQS in reviewing
                                                                                                         significantly contribute to                              0.20 ppb and 0.16 ppb, respectively.13
                                                Washington’s SIP.                                        nonattainment or interfere with                          These values are below a one percent
                                                   For more specific information on the                  maintenance of the 2015 ozone NAAQS                      screening threshold of 0.70 ppb, and as
                                                modeling and analysis, please see 2017                   in any other state.                                      a result, identify no linkages between
                                                and 2018 memoranda, the Notice of                                                                                 Washington and 2023 downwind
                                                                                                         III. EPA Evaluation
                                                Data Availability for the preliminary                                                                             potential nonattainment and
                                                interstate transport assessment, and the                    As previously discussed, the 2018
                                                                                                         memorandum is the most up-to-date                        maintenance sites. Washington’s
                                                supporting technical documents                                                                                    projected contribution to potential
                                                included in the docket for this action.                  information the EPA has developed to
                                                                                                                                                                  receptors in the East is even lower.
                                                                                                         inform our analysis of upwind state
                                                   While the 2018 memorandum                                                                                      Accordingly, we propose to conclude
                                                                                                         linkages to downwind air quality
                                                presented information regarding the                                                                               that emissions from Washington will
                                                                                                         problems. The 2018 memorandum
                                                EPA’s latest analysis of ozone transport                                                                          not contribute to these potential
                                                                                                         identifies potential downwind
                                                following the approaches the EPA has                                                                              receptors, and thus, the state will not
                                                                                                         nonattainment and maintenance
                                                taken in prior regional rulemaking                                                                                significantly contribute to
                                                                                                         receptors, using the definitions applied
                                                actions, the EPA has not made any final                                                                           nonattainment or interfere with
                                                                                                         in the CSAPR Update. Relevant here,
                                                determinations regarding how states                                                                               maintenance of the NAAQS in any other
                                                                                                         the 2018 memorandum identifies 56
                                                should identify downwind receptors                                                                                state.
                                                                                                         potential nonattainment and                                 We also note that the EPA has
                                                with respect to the 2015 ozone NAAQS                     maintenance receptors in the West in
                                                at step 1 of the four-step framework, or                                                                          assessed potential transport to the
                                                                                                         Arizona (2), California (49), and                        Shoshone-Bannock Tribes of the Fort
                                                what threshold should be used to                         Colorado (5).11 The 2018 memorandum
                                                identify ‘‘linked’’ upwind states at step                                                                         Hall Reservation in southeast Idaho,
                                                                                                         also provides contribution data                          which the EPA approved to be treated
                                                2. Rather, the EPA noted that states have                regarding the impact of other states on                  as an affected downwind state for CAA
                                                flexibility in developing their own SIPs                 the potential receptors. Although the
                                                to follow somewhat different analytical                  EPA has not identified a specific                          12 80 FR 77578 (December 15, 2015).
                                                approaches than the EPA, so long as                      threshold for identifying contribution at                  13 The  EPA’s analysis indicates specifically that
                                                their chosen approach has an adequate                    step 2 for the 2015 ozone NAAQS, for                     Washington will have a 0.20 ppb impact at the
                                                technical justification and is consistent                purposes of evaluating Washington’s                      potential nonattainment receptor in Sacramento,
                                                                                                                                                                  California (60670012), which has a projected
                                                with the requirements of the CAA. The                    2015 ozone NAAQS interstate transport                    average design value of 74.5 ppb, a maximum
                                                2018 memorandum therefore included                       SIP submittal, we are proposing that at                  design value of 75.9 ppb, and a 2014–2016 design
                                                as Attachment A a preliminary list of                    least where a state’s contributions are                  value of 83 ppb. The EPA’s analysis further
                                                potential flexibilities that the EPA                     less than one percent to downwind                        indicates that Washington will have a 0.16 ppb
                                                                                                                                                                  impact at the potential maintenance receptor in
                                                concluded may warrant further                                                                                     Tulare, California (61072002), which has which has
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                                                discussion as states develop good                           11 As discussed above, the EPA has indicated that
                                                                                                                                                                  a projected average design value of 68.9 ppb, a
                                                neighbor SIPs addressing the 2015                        states may have flexibilities to follow a different      maximum design value of 71.4 ppb, and a 2014–
                                                                                                         analytic approach to evaluating interstate transport,    2016 design value of 80 ppb. We note that the
                                                ozone NAAQS. In presenting the list,                     including the identification of downwind air             updated methodology slightly increased
                                                the EPA did not make any                                 quality problems. Because the EPA is concluding          Washington’s modeled contribution to the projected
                                                determination whether the potential                      that Washington will have an insignificant impact        nonattainment and maintenance receptors
                                                flexibilities are consistent with the CAA                on any potential receptors identified in its analysis,   compared to the preliminary photochemical
                                                                                                         it need not definitively determine whether these         modeling, but, as described in this action, remain
                                                nor did the EPA specifically recommend                   areas should be treated as receptors for the 2015        at a contribution level of less than one percent of
                                                any particular approach.                                 ozone standard.                                          the 2015 ozone NAAQS.



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                                                34816                     Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 141 / Monday, July 23, 2018 / Proposed Rules

                                                sections 110(a)(2)(D) and 126. While the                    • Is certified as not having a                      ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
                                                tribes do not operate an ozone monitor,                  significant economic impact on a                       AGENCY
                                                the nearest ozone monitors to Fort Hall                  substantial number of small entities
                                                Reservation are in Ada County, Idaho;                    under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5                40 CFR Part 52
                                                Boise area (AQS site IDs 160010010 and                   U.S.C. 601 et seq.);                                   [EPA–R08–OAR–2018–0388, FRL–9980–
                                                160010017) and Butte County, Idaho;
                                                                                                            • Does not contain any unfunded                     67—Region 8]
                                                Idaho Falls (AQS site ID 160230101).
                                                Past and present design values for ozone                 mandate or significantly or uniquely
                                                                                                                                                                Approval and Promulgation of State
                                                are complete, valid and below the                        affect small governments, as described                 Implementation Plan Revisions;
                                                current standard. The EPA’s modeled                      in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act                    Infrastructure Monitoring
                                                2023 average and maximum design                          of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–4);                               Requirements for the 2008 Pb, 2010
                                                values suggest these ozone                                  • Does not have Federalism                          SO2, 2010 NO2 and 2012 PM2.5 National
                                                concentrations will continue to decline.                 implications as specified in Executive                 Ambient Air Quality Standards; Utah
                                                We therefore propose to find that it is                  Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10,
                                                reasonable to conclude that emissions                                                                           AGENCY:  Environmental Protection
                                                                                                         1999);                                                 Agency (EPA).
                                                from Washington will not contribute
                                                significantly to nonattainment or                           • Is not an economically significant                ACTION: Proposed rule.
                                                interfere with maintenance of the 2015                   regulatory action based on health or
                                                                                                         safety risks subject to Executive Order                SUMMARY:   The Environmental Protection
                                                ozone NAAQS at the Fort Hall                                                                                    Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve
                                                Reservation. A memorandum                                13045 (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997);
                                                                                                                                                                elements of State Implementation Plan
                                                summarizing our evaluation can be                           • Is not a significant regulatory action            (SIP) revisions from the State of Utah to
                                                found in the docket for this action.                     subject to Executive Order 13211 (66 FR                demonstrate the State meets
                                                IV. Proposed Action                                      28355, May 22, 2001);                                  infrastructure monitoring requirements
                                                   As discussed in Section II,                              • Is not subject to requirements of                 of the Clean Air Act (Act or CAA) for
                                                                                                         Section 12(d) of the National                          the National Ambient Air Quality
                                                Washington concluded that emissions
                                                                                                         Technology Transfer and Advancement                    Standards (NAAQS) promulgated for
                                                from the state will not significantly
                                                                                                         Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272 note) because               lead (Pb) on October 15, 2008, nitrogen
                                                contribute to nonattainment or interfere                                                                        dioxide (NO2) on January 22, 2010,
                                                with maintenance of the 2015 ozone                       application of those requirements would
                                                                                                         be inconsistent with the CAA; and                      sulfur dioxide (SO2) on June 2, 2010,
                                                NAAQS in any other state. The EPA’s                                                                             and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) on
                                                updated modeling, discussed in Section                      • Does not provide the EPA with the                 December 14, 2012. Section 110(a) of
                                                III confirms this finding. We are                        discretionary authority to address, as                 the CAA requires that each state submit
                                                proposing to approve the Washington                      appropriate, disproportionate human                    a SIP for the implementation,
                                                SIP as meeting CAA section                               health or environmental effects, using                 maintenance and enforcement of each
                                                110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) requirements for the                  practicable and legally permissible                    NAAQS promulgated by the EPA.
                                                2015 ozone NAAQS. The EPA is                             methods, under Executive Order 12898                   DATES: Written comments must be
                                                requesting comments on the proposed                      (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994).                       received on or before August 22, 2018.
                                                approval.
                                                                                                            In addition, the SIP is not approved                ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,
                                                V. Statutory and Executive Order                         to apply on any Indian reservation land                identified by Docket ID No. EPA–R08–
                                                Reviews                                                  or in any other area where the EPA or                  OAR–2018–0388 at http://
                                                  Under the CAA, the Administrator is                    an Indian tribe has demonstrated that a                www.regulations.gov. Follow the online
                                                required to approve a SIP submission                     tribe has jurisdiction. In those areas of              instructions for submitting comments.
                                                that complies with the provisions of the                 Indian country, the rule does not have                 Once submitted, comments cannot be
                                                CAA and applicable federal regulations.                  tribal implications and will not impose                edited or removed from
                                                42 U.S.C. 7410(k); 40 CFR 52.02(a).                      substantial direct costs on tribal                     www.regulations.gov. The EPA may
                                                Thus, in reviewing SIP submissions, the                  governments or preempt tribal law as                   publish any comment received to its
                                                EPA’s role is to approve state choices,                                                                         public docket. Do not submit
                                                                                                         specified by Executive Order 13175 (65
                                                provided that they meet the criteria of                                                                         electronically any information you
                                                                                                         FR 67249, November 9, 2000).
                                                the CAA. Accordingly, this action                                                                               consider to be Confidential Business
                                                merely approves state law as meeting                     List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52                     Information (CBI) or other information
                                                federal requirements and does not                                                                               whose disclosure is restricted by statute.
                                                impose additional requirements beyond                      Environmental protection, Air                        Multimedia submissions (audio, video,
                                                those imposed by state law. For that                     pollution control, Incorporation by                    etc.) must be accompanied by a written
                                                reason, this action:                                     reference, Intergovernmental relations,                comment. The written comment is
                                                  • Is not a significant regulatory action               Ozone, Reporting and recordkeeping                     considered the official comment and
                                                subject to review by the Office of                       requirements.                                          should include discussion of all points
                                                Management and Budget under                                   Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.                 you wish to make. The EPA will
                                                Executive Orders 12866 (58 FR 51735,                                                                            generally not consider comments or
                                                                                                           Dated: July 11, 2018.                                comment contents located outside of the
                                                October 4, 1993) and 13563 (76 FR 3821,
                                                January 21, 2011);                                       Chris Hladick,                                         primary submission (i.e., on the web,
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                                                  • Is not an Executive Order 13771 (82                  Regional Administrator, Region 10.                     cloud, or other file sharing system). For
                                                FR 9339, February 2, 2017) regulatory                    [FR Doc. 2018–15625 Filed 7–20–18; 8:45 am]            additional submission methods, the full
                                                action because SIP approvals are                         BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
                                                                                                                                                                EPA public comment policy,
                                                exempted under Executive Order 12866;                                                                           information about CBI or multimedia
                                                  • Does not impose an information                                                                              submissions, and general guidance on
                                                collection burden under the provisions                                                                          making effective comments, please visit
                                                of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44                                                                              http://www2.epa.gov/dockets/
                                                U.S.C. 3501 et seq.);                                                                                           commenting-epa-dockets.


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Document Created: 2018-07-21 00:47:58
Document Modified: 2018-07-21 00:47:58
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionProposed Rules
ActionProposed rule.
DatesWritten comments must be received on or before August 22, 2018.
ContactJeff Hunt at (206) 553-0256, or [email protected]
FR Citation83 FR 34813 
CFR AssociatedEnvironmental Protection; Air Pollution Control; Incorporation by Reference; Intergovernmental Relations; Ozone and Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements

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