83_FR_38260 83 FR 38110 - Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Maryland; Reasonably Available Control Technology (RACT) State Implementation Plan (SIP) Under the 2008 Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS)

83 FR 38110 - Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Maryland; Reasonably Available Control Technology (RACT) State Implementation Plan (SIP) Under the 2008 Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS)

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 150 (August 3, 2018)

Page Range38110-38112
FR Document2018-16603

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve a state implementation plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of Maryland. The State of Maryland's SIP revision satisfies the volatile organic compound (VOC) reasonably available control technology (RACT) requirements under the 2008 8-hour ozone national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS). The State of Maryland will address RACT for oxides of nitrogen (NO<INF>X</INF>) in another SIP submission. Maryland's RACT submittal for the 2008 ozone NAAQS includes (1) certification that previously adopted RACT controls in Maryland's SIP that were approved by EPA under the 1-hour ozone and 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS are based on the currently available technically and economically feasible controls, and that they continue to represent RACT; (2) a negative declaration demonstrating that no facilities exist in the state for the applicable control technique guideline (CTG) categories; and (3) adoption of new or more stringent RACT determinations. This action is being taken under the Clean Air Act (CAA).

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 150 (Friday, August 3, 2018)
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 150 (Friday, August 3, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 38110-38112]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-16603]



[[Page 38110]]

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 52

[EPA-R03-OAR-2018-0508; FRL-9981-69--Region 3]


Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; 
Maryland; Reasonably Available Control Technology (RACT) State 
Implementation Plan (SIP) Under the 2008 Ozone National Ambient Air 
Quality Standard (NAAQS)

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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

SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to 
approve a state implementation plan (SIP) revision submitted by the 
State of Maryland. The State of Maryland's SIP revision satisfies the 
volatile organic compound (VOC) reasonably available control technology 
(RACT) requirements under the 2008 8-hour ozone national ambient air 
quality standard (NAAQS). The State of Maryland will address RACT for 
oxides of nitrogen (NOX) in another SIP submission. 
Maryland's RACT submittal for the 2008 ozone NAAQS includes (1) 
certification that previously adopted RACT controls in Maryland's SIP 
that were approved by EPA under the 1-hour ozone and 1997 8-hour ozone 
NAAQS are based on the currently available technically and economically 
feasible controls, and that they continue to represent RACT; (2) a 
negative declaration demonstrating that no facilities exist in the 
state for the applicable control technique guideline (CTG) categories; 
and (3) adoption of new or more stringent RACT determinations. This 
action is being taken under the Clean Air Act (CAA).

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before September 4, 
2018.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID Number EPA-
R03-OAR-2018-0508 at http://www.regulations.gov, or via email to 
[email protected]. For comments submitted at Regulations.gov, 
follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Once submitted, 
comments cannot be edited or removed from Regulations.gov. For either 
manner of submission, 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. EPA will 
generally not consider comments or comment contents located outside of 
the primary submission (i.e., on the web, cloud, or other file sharing 
system). For additional submission methods, please contact the person 
identified in the For Further Information Contact section. For the full 
EPA public comment policy, information about CBI or multimedia 
submissions, and general guidance on making effective comments, please 
visit http://www2.epa.gov/dockets/commenting-epa-dockets.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gregory A. Becoat, (215) 814-2036, or 
by email at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On August 18, 2016, the Maryland Department 
of the Environment (MDE) submitted a revision to its SIP that addresses 
the requirements of RACT under the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS.

I. Background

A. General

    Ozone is formed in the atmosphere by photochemical reactions 
between VOCs and NOX in the presence of sunlight. In order 
to reduce these ozone concentrations, the CAA requires control of VOC 
and NOX emission sources to achieve emission reductions in 
moderate or more serious ozone nonattainment areas. Among effective 
control measures, RACT controls significantly reduce VOC and 
NOX emissions from major stationary sources.
    RACT is defined as the lowest emission limitation that a particular 
source is capable of meeting by the application of control technology 
that is reasonably available considering technological and economic 
feasibility.\1\ Section 172(c)(1) of the CAA provides that SIPs for 
nonattainment areas must include reasonably available control measures 
(RACM) for attainment of the NAAQS, including emissions reductions from 
existing sources through adoption of RACT. A major source in a 
nonattainment area is defined as any stationary source that emits or 
has the potential to emit NOX or VOC emissions above a 
certain applicability threshold that is based on the ozone 
nonattainment classification of the area: Marginal, Moderate, Serious, 
or Severe. See ``major stationary source'' in CAA sections 182(b), 
184(b) and 302. Sections 182(b)(2) and 182(f)(1) of the CAA require 
states with moderate (or worse) ozone nonattainment areas to implement 
RACT controls on all stationary sources and source categories covered 
by a CTG document issued by EPA and on all major sources of VOC and 
NOX emissions located in the area. EPA's CTGs establish 
presumptive RACT control requirements for various VOC source 
categories. The CTGs typically identify a particular control level that 
EPA recommends as being RACT. In some cases, EPA has issued Alternative 
Control Techniques guidelines (ACTs) primarily for NOX 
source categories, which in contrast to the CTGs, only present a range 
for possible control options but do not identify any particular option 
as the presumptive norm for what is RACT. Section 183(c) of the CAA 
requires EPA to revise and update CTGs and ACTs as the Administrator 
determines necessary. EPA issued eleven new CTGs from 2006 through 2008 
for a total of 44 CTGs issued since November 1990. States are required 
to implement RACT for the source categories covered by CTGs through the 
SIP.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ See December 9, 1976 memorandum from Roger Strelow, 
Assistant Administrator for Air and Waste Management, to Regional 
Administrators, ``Guidance for Determining Acceptability of SIP 
Regulations in Non-Attainment Areas.'' see also 44 FR 53761, 53762 
(September 17, 1979).
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    Section 184(a) of the CAA established a single ozone transport 
region (OTR), comprising all or part of 12 eastern states and the 
District of Columbia.\2\ The entire State of Maryland is part of the 
OTR and, therefore, must comply with the RACT requirements in section 
184(b)(1)(B) and (2) of the CAA. Specifically, section 184(b)(1)(B) 
requires the implementation of RACT in OTR states with respect to all 
sources of VOC covered by a CTG. Additionally, section 184(b)(2) states 
that any stationary source with the potential to emit 50 tons per year 
(tpy) of VOCs shall be considered a major source and requires the 
implementation of major stationary source requirements in the OTR 
states as if the area were a moderate nonattainment area. A major 
source in a nonattainment area is defined as any stationary source that 
emits or has the potential to emit NOX or VOC emissions 
above a certain applicability threshold that is based on the ozone 
nonattainment classification of the area: Marginal, Moderate, Serious, 
or Severe. See ``major stationary source'' in CAA sections 182(b) and 
184(b).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ Only a portion of the Commonwealth of Virginia is included 
in the OTR.

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[[Page 38111]]

B. Maryland's History

    Maryland has been subject to the CAA RACT requirements because of 
previous ozone nonattainment designations. The Baltimore (which 
includes Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford, and Howard 
Counties, MD, and Baltimore City, MD), Washington DC (which includes 
Calvert, Charles, Frederick, Montgomery, and Prince George's Counties, 
MD), and Philadelphia (which includes Cecil County, MD) nonattainment 
areas were designated as severe 1-hour ozone nonattainment areas. Kent 
and Queen Anne's Counties, MD were designated as a marginal 1-hour 
ozone nonattainment area. The remaining Maryland counties were 
statutorily identified as moderate nonattainment because they are in 
the OTR. Since the early 1990s, Maryland has implemented numerous RACT 
controls throughout the State to meet the CAA's RACT requirements under 
the 1-hour and the 1997 8-hour ozone standards. Maryland also 
implemented controls necessary to meet the requirements of the 
NOX SIP Call (40 CFR 51.121). Under the 1997 8-hour ozone 
NAAQS, the Baltimore, Washington DC, and Philadelphia areas were 
designated as serious nonattainment areas. Kent and Queen Anne's 
Counties, MD were designated as a marginal ozone nonattainment area. 
The remaining Maryland counties were statutorily identified as moderate 
nonattainment because they are in the OTR. As a result, Maryland 
continued to be subject to the CAA RACT requirements. See 69 FR 23858, 
23931 (April 30, 2004). Maryland revised and promulgated its RACT 
regulations and demonstrated that it complied with the 1997 CAA RACT 
requirements in a SIP revision approved by EPA on July 13, 2012 (77 FR 
41278).
    Under CAA section 109(d), EPA is required to periodically review 
and promulgate, as necessary, revisions to the NAAQS to continue to 
protect human health and the environment. On March 27, 2008, EPA 
revised the 1997 8-hour ozone standard by lowering the 8-hour standard 
to 0.075 ppm level (73 FR 16436). On May 21, 2012, EPA finalized 
attainment/nonattainment designations for the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS 
(77 FR 30087). Under the 2008 8-hour ozone standard, EPA designated as 
nonattainment three areas that contain portions of Maryland. These 
nonattainment areas are: The Baltimore moderate nonattainment area; the 
Washington DC marginal nonattainment area; and the Philadelphia 
marginal nonattainment area. All other remaining Maryland counties are 
part of the OTR. As a result, the entire State of Maryland is required 
to address the CAA RACT requirements by submitting to EPA a SIP 
revision that demonstrates how Maryland meets RACT requirements under 
the revised 2008 ozone standard. Maryland is required to implement RACT 
for the 2008 ozone NAAQS on all VOC sources covered by a CTG issued by 
EPA, as well as all other major stationary sources located within the 
state boundaries. The RACT requirements under CAA sections 182 and 184 
apply to CTG sources, including eleven new CTGs that EPA issued between 
2006 and 2008, and any other major stationary sources of VOC or 
NOX. Maryland has retained its major source thresholds at 25 
tpy for VOC and NOX sources in the Baltimore, Washington, 
DC, and Philadelphia severe 1-hour ozone nonattainment areas. Maryland 
has retained its major source thresholds at 50 tpy for VOC and 100 tpy 
for NOX in all remaining Maryland counties, consistent with 
the CAA requirements for States in the OTR.

C. EPA Guidance and Requirements

    EPA has provided more substantive RACT requirements through final 
implementation rules for each ozone NAAQS, as well as guidance. On 
March 6, 2015, EPA issued its final rule for implementing the 2008 8-
hour ozone NAAQS (the 2008 Ozone Implementation Rule). See 80 FR 12264. 
This rule addressed, among other things, control and planning 
obligations as they apply to nonattainment areas under the 2008 8-hour 
ozone NAAQS, including RACT and RACM. In this rule, EPA specifically 
required that states meet the RACT requirements either (1) through a 
certification that previously adopted RACT controls in their SIP 
revisions approved by EPA under a prior ozone NAAQS continue to 
represent adequate RACT control levels for attainment of the 2008 8-
hour ozone NAAQS, or (2) through the adoption of new or more stringent 
regulations or controls that represent RACT control levels. A 
certification must be accompanied by appropriate supporting information 
such as consideration of information received during the public comment 
period and consideration of new data. Adoption of new RACT regulations 
will occur when states have new stationary sources not covered by 
existing RACT regulations, or when new data or technical information 
indicates that a previously adopted RACT measure does not represent a 
newly available RACT control level. Additionally, states are required 
to submit a negative declaration if there are no CTG major sources of 
VOC and NOX emissions within the nonattainment area in lieu 
of, or in addition to, a certification.

II. Summary of SIP Revision

    On August 18, 2016 Maryland submitted a SIP revision to address all 
of the CAA RACT requirements of RACT set forth by the CAA under for the 
2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS (the 2016 RACT Submission). Specifically, 
Maryland's 2016 RACT Submission includes: (1) A certification that for 
certain categories of sources, previously-adopted VOC RACT controls in 
Maryland's SIP that were approved by EPA under the 1979 1-hour and 1997 
8-hour ozone NAAQS continue to be based on the currently available 
technically and economically feasible controls, and continue to 
represent RACT for implementation of the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS; (2) 
the adoption of new or more stringent regulations or controls that 
represent RACT control levels for certain categories of sources; and 
(3) a negative declaration that certain CTG or non-CTG major sources of 
VOC sources do not exist in Maryland.
    Most of Maryland's Regulations and Statutes, under Code of Maryland 
Regulations (COMAR) 26.11.06, 26.11.10, 26.11.11, 26.11.13, 26.11.14, 
26.11.19 and 26.11.24, contain the VOC RACT controls that were 
implemented and approved into Maryland's SIP under the 1-hour and 1997 
8-hour ozone NAAQS. Maryland also relies on COMAR 26.11.06.06--
``General Emissions Standards, Prohibitions, and Restrictions--Volatile 
Organic Compounds,'' to achieve significant reductions from unique VOC 
sources. Maryland is certifying that these regulations, all previously 
approved by EPA into the SIP, continue to meet the RACT requirements 
for the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS for major stationary sources of VOCs 
and CTG-covered sources of VOCs. Maryland also submitted a negative 
declaration for the CTGs that have not been adopted due to no affected 
facilities in Maryland, and included Alternative Control Technology 
(ACTs) in their review of applicable 2008 8-hour ozone RACT 
requirements. Maryland considered controls on other sources of VOCs not 
covered by a CTG and adopted rules whenever deemed to be reasonably 
available controls. Additionally, Maryland conducted a RACT analysis 
for each major Non-CTG stationary source of VOC. As previously 
discussed, Maryland retained its major source levels at 25 tpy for VOC 
sources in the Baltimore, Washington, DC and

[[Page 38112]]

Philadelphia 1-hour severe nonattainment areas. All remaining counties 
which are part of the OTR major source levels remain at 50 tpy for VOC. 
More detailed information on these provisions as well as a detailed 
summary of EPA's review can be found in the Technical Support Document 
(TSD) for this action which is available on line at 
www.regulations.gov, Docket number EPA-R03-OAR-2018-0508.

III. Proposed Action

    EPA has reviewed Maryland's 2016 RACT Submission and is proposing 
to approve Maryland's SIP revision on the basis that Maryland has met 
the RACT requirements for the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS as set forth by 
sections 182(b) and 184(b)(2) of the CAA. Maryland's SIP revision 
satisfies the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS RACT requirements through (1) 
certification that previously adopted RACT controls in Maryland's SIP 
that were approved by EPA under the 1-hour ozone and 1997 8-hour ozone 
NAAQS continue to be are based on the currently available technically 
and economically feasible controls, and that they continue to represent 
RACT; (2) a negative declaration demonstrating that no facilities exist 
in the state for certain the applicable CTG categories; and (3) 
adoption of new or more stringent RACT determinations when technically 
and economically feasible. EPA finds that Maryland's 2016 RACT 
Submission demonstrates that the State has adopted air pollution 
control strategies that represent RACT for the purposes of compliance 
with the 2008 8-hour ozone standard for all major stationary sources of 
VOC. EPA finds that Maryland's SIP implements RACT with respect to all 
sources of VOCs covered by a CTG issued prior to July 20, 2014, as well 
as represents RACT for all CTG VOC major stationary sources. EPA is 
soliciting public comments on the issues discussed in this document 
relevant to RACT requirements for Maryland for the 2008 ozone NAAQS. 
These comments will be considered before taking final action.

IV. Incorporation by Reference

    In this proposed rule, EPA is proposing to include in a final EPA 
rule regulatory text that includes incorporation by reference. In 
accordance with requirements of 1 CFR 51.5, EPA is proposing to 
incorporate by reference source-specific RACT determinations under the 
2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS for certain major sources of VOC emissions. EPA 
has made, and will continue to make, these materials generally 
available through http://www.regulations.gov and at the EPA Region III 
Office (please contact the person identified in the For Further 
Information Contact section of this preamble for more information).

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, 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 proposed action:
     Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' subject to 
review by the Office of Management and Budget under Executive Orders 
12866 (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993) and 13563 (76 FR 3821, January 21, 
2011);
     Is not an Executive Order 13771 (82 FR 9339, February 2, 
2017) regulatory action because SIP approvals are exempted under 
Executive Order 12866.
     Does not impose an information collection burden under the 
provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.);
     Is certified as not having a significant economic impact 
on a substantial number of small entities under the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.);
     Does not contain any unfunded mandate or significantly or 
uniquely affect small governments, as described in the Unfunded 
Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-4);
     Does not have Federalism implications as specified in 
Executive Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10, 1999);
     Is not an economically significant regulatory action based 
on health or safety risks subject to Executive Order 13045 (62 FR 
19885, April 23, 1997);
     Is not a significant regulatory action subject to 
Executive Order 13211 (66 FR 28355, May 22, 2001);
     Is not subject to requirements of Section 12(d) of the 
National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272 
note) because application of those requirements would be inconsistent 
with the CAA; and
     Does not provide EPA with the discretionary authority to 
address, as appropriate, disproportionate human health or environmental 
effects, using practicable and legally permissible methods, under 
Executive Order 12898 (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994).

In addition, this proposed rule, Maryland's 2008 8-hour ozone RACT SIP 
revision does not have tribal implications as specified by Executive 
Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, November 9, 2000), because the SIP is not 
approved to apply in Indian country located in the state, and EPA notes 
that it will not impose substantial direct costs on tribal governments 
or preempt tribal law.

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52

    Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Incorporation by 
reference, Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements, Volatile organic compounds.

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

    Dated: July 24, 2018.
Cecil Rodrigues,
Acting Regional Administrator, Region III.
[FR Doc. 2018-16603 Filed 8-2-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6560-50-P



                                                38110                    Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 150 / Friday, August 3, 2018 / Proposed Rules

                                                ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION                                submissions (audio, video, etc.) must be              the ozone nonattainment classification
                                                AGENCY                                                  accompanied by a written comment.                     of the area: Marginal, Moderate, Serious,
                                                                                                        The written comment is considered the                 or Severe. See ‘‘major stationary source’’
                                                40 CFR Part 52                                          official comment and should include                   in CAA sections 182(b), 184(b) and 302.
                                                [EPA–R03–OAR–2018–0508; FRL–9981–
                                                                                                        discussion of all points you wish to                  Sections 182(b)(2) and 182(f)(1) of the
                                                69—Region 3]                                            make. EPA will generally not consider                 CAA require states with moderate (or
                                                                                                        comments or comment contents located                  worse) ozone nonattainment areas to
                                                Approval and Promulgation of Air                        outside of the primary submission (i.e.,              implement RACT controls on all
                                                Quality Implementation Plans;                           on the web, cloud, or other file sharing              stationary sources and source categories
                                                Maryland; Reasonably Available                          system). For additional submission                    covered by a CTG document issued by
                                                Control Technology (RACT) State                         methods, please contact the person
                                                                                                                                                              EPA and on all major sources of VOC
                                                Implementation Plan (SIP) Under the                     identified in the FOR FURTHER
                                                                                                        INFORMATION CONTACT section. For the
                                                                                                                                                              and NOX emissions located in the area.
                                                2008 Ozone National Ambient Air                                                                               EPA’s CTGs establish presumptive
                                                Quality Standard (NAAQS)                                full EPA public comment policy,
                                                                                                        information about CBI or multimedia                   RACT control requirements for various
                                                AGENCY:  Environmental Protection                       submissions, and general guidance on                  VOC source categories. The CTGs
                                                Agency (EPA).                                           making effective comments, please visit               typically identify a particular control
                                                ACTION: Proposed rule.                                  http://www2.epa.gov/dockets/                          level that EPA recommends as being
                                                                                                        commenting-epa-dockets.                               RACT. In some cases, EPA has issued
                                                SUMMARY:    The Environmental Protection                FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                      Alternative Control Techniques
                                                Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve a                  Gregory A. Becoat, (215) 814–2036, or                 guidelines (ACTs) primarily for NOX
                                                state implementation plan (SIP) revision                by email at becoat.gregory@epa.gov.                   source categories, which in contrast to
                                                submitted by the State of Maryland. The                                                                       the CTGs, only present a range for
                                                                                                        SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On August
                                                State of Maryland’s SIP revision satisfies                                                                    possible control options but do not
                                                                                                        18, 2016, the Maryland Department of
                                                the volatile organic compound (VOC)                                                                           identify any particular option as the
                                                                                                        the Environment (MDE) submitted a
                                                reasonably available control technology                                                                       presumptive norm for what is RACT.
                                                                                                        revision to its SIP that addresses the
                                                (RACT) requirements under the 2008 8-                                                                         Section 183(c) of the CAA requires EPA
                                                                                                        requirements of RACT under the 2008 8-
                                                hour ozone national ambient air quality                                                                       to revise and update CTGs and ACTs as
                                                                                                        hour ozone NAAQS.
                                                standard (NAAQS). The State of                                                                                the Administrator determines necessary.
                                                Maryland will address RACT for oxides                   I. Background
                                                                                                                                                              EPA issued eleven new CTGs from 2006
                                                of nitrogen (NOX) in another SIP                        A. General                                            through 2008 for a total of 44 CTGs
                                                submission. Maryland’s RACT submittal                                                                         issued since November 1990. States are
                                                for the 2008 ozone NAAQS includes (1)                     Ozone is formed in the atmosphere by
                                                                                                        photochemical reactions between VOCs                  required to implement RACT for the
                                                certification that previously adopted
                                                                                                        and NOX in the presence of sunlight. In               source categories covered by CTGs
                                                RACT controls in Maryland’s SIP that
                                                                                                        order to reduce these ozone                           through the SIP.
                                                were approved by EPA under the 1-hour
                                                ozone and 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS                       concentrations, the CAA requires                         Section 184(a) of the CAA established
                                                are based on the currently available                    control of VOC and NOX emission                       a single ozone transport region (OTR),
                                                technically and economically feasible                   sources to achieve emission reductions                comprising all or part of 12 eastern
                                                controls, and that they continue to                     in moderate or more serious ozone                     states and the District of Columbia.2 The
                                                represent RACT; (2) a negative                          nonattainment areas. Among effective                  entire State of Maryland is part of the
                                                declaration demonstrating that no                       control measures, RACT controls                       OTR and, therefore, must comply with
                                                facilities exist in the state for the                   significantly reduce VOC and NOX                      the RACT requirements in section
                                                applicable control technique guideline                  emissions from major stationary                       184(b)(1)(B) and (2) of the CAA.
                                                (CTG) categories; and (3) adoption of                   sources.                                              Specifically, section 184(b)(1)(B)
                                                new or more stringent RACT                                RACT is defined as the lowest
                                                                                                                                                              requires the implementation of RACT in
                                                determinations. This action is being                    emission limitation that a particular
                                                                                                                                                              OTR states with respect to all sources of
                                                taken under the Clean Air Act (CAA).                    source is capable of meeting by the
                                                                                                                                                              VOC covered by a CTG. Additionally,
                                                                                                        application of control technology that is
                                                DATES: Written comments must be                                                                               section 184(b)(2) states that any
                                                                                                        reasonably available considering
                                                received on or before September 4,                      technological and economic feasibility.1              stationary source with the potential to
                                                2018.                                                                                                         emit 50 tons per year (tpy) of VOCs shall
                                                                                                        Section 172(c)(1) of the CAA provides
                                                ADDRESSES:   Submit your comments,                      that SIPs for nonattainment areas must                be considered a major source and
                                                identified by Docket ID Number EPA–                     include reasonably available control                  requires the implementation of major
                                                R03–OAR–2018–0508 at http://                            measures (RACM) for attainment of the                 stationary source requirements in the
                                                www.regulations.gov, or via email to                    NAAQS, including emissions                            OTR states as if the area were a
                                                spielberger.susan@epa.gov. For                          reductions from existing sources                      moderate nonattainment area. A major
                                                comments submitted at Regulations.gov,                  through adoption of RACT. A major                     source in a nonattainment area is
                                                follow the online instructions for                      source in a nonattainment area is                     defined as any stationary source that
                                                submitting comments. Once submitted,                    defined as any stationary source that                 emits or has the potential to emit NOX
                                                comments cannot be edited or removed                    emits or has the potential to emit NOX                or VOC emissions above a certain
amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with PROPOSALS1




                                                from Regulations.gov. For either manner                 or VOC emissions above a certain                      applicability threshold that is based on
                                                of submission, EPA may publish any                      applicability threshold that is based on              the ozone nonattainment classification
                                                comment received to its public docket.                                                                        of the area: Marginal, Moderate, Serious,
                                                Do not submit electronically any                           1 See December 9, 1976 memorandum from Roger
                                                                                                                                                              or Severe. See ‘‘major stationary source’’
                                                information you consider to be                          Strelow, Assistant Administrator for Air and Waste    in CAA sections 182(b) and 184(b).
                                                                                                        Management, to Regional Administrators,
                                                confidential business information (CBI)                 ‘‘Guidance for Determining Acceptability of SIP
                                                or other information whose disclosure is                Regulations in Non-Attainment Areas.’’ see also 44       2 Only a portion of the Commonwealth of Virginia

                                                restricted by statute. Multimedia                       FR 53761, 53762 (September 17, 1979).                 is included in the OTR.



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                                                                         Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 150 / Friday, August 3, 2018 / Proposed Rules                                          38111

                                                B. Maryland’s History                                   As a result, the entire State of Maryland             are no CTG major sources of VOC and
                                                   Maryland has been subject to the CAA                 is required to address the CAA RACT                   NOX emissions within the
                                                RACT requirements because of previous                   requirements by submitting to EPA a                   nonattainment area in lieu of, or in
                                                ozone nonattainment designations. The                   SIP revision that demonstrates how                    addition to, a certification.
                                                Baltimore (which includes Anne                          Maryland meets RACT requirements
                                                                                                                                                              II. Summary of SIP Revision
                                                Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford,                   under the revised 2008 ozone standard.
                                                                                                        Maryland is required to implement                        On August 18, 2016 Maryland
                                                and Howard Counties, MD, and
                                                                                                        RACT for the 2008 ozone NAAQS on all                  submitted a SIP revision to address all
                                                Baltimore City, MD), Washington DC
                                                                                                        VOC sources covered by a CTG issued                   of the CAA RACT requirements of
                                                (which includes Calvert, Charles,
                                                                                                        by EPA, as well as all other major                    RACT set forth by the CAA under for
                                                Frederick, Montgomery, and Prince
                                                                                                        stationary sources located within the                 the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS (the
                                                George’s Counties, MD), and                                                                                   2016 RACT Submission). Specifically,
                                                Philadelphia (which includes Cecil                      state boundaries. The RACT
                                                                                                        requirements under CAA sections 182                   Maryland’s 2016 RACT Submission
                                                County, MD) nonattainment areas were                                                                          includes: (1) A certification that for
                                                designated as severe 1-hour ozone                       and 184 apply to CTG sources,
                                                                                                        including eleven new CTGs that EPA                    certain categories of sources, previously-
                                                nonattainment areas. Kent and Queen                                                                           adopted VOC RACT controls in
                                                Anne’s Counties, MD were designated                     issued between 2006 and 2008, and any
                                                                                                        other major stationary sources of VOC or              Maryland’s SIP that were approved by
                                                as a marginal 1-hour ozone                                                                                    EPA under the 1979 1-hour and 1997 8-
                                                                                                        NOX. Maryland has retained its major
                                                nonattainment area. The remaining                                                                             hour ozone NAAQS continue to be
                                                                                                        source thresholds at 25 tpy for VOC and
                                                Maryland counties were statutorily                                                                            based on the currently available
                                                                                                        NOX sources in the Baltimore,
                                                identified as moderate nonattainment                                                                          technically and economically feasible
                                                                                                        Washington, DC, and Philadelphia
                                                because they are in the OTR. Since the                                                                        controls, and continue to represent
                                                                                                        severe 1-hour ozone nonattainment
                                                early 1990s, Maryland has implemented                                                                         RACT for implementation of the 2008 8-
                                                                                                        areas. Maryland has retained its major
                                                numerous RACT controls throughout                                                                             hour ozone NAAQS; (2) the adoption of
                                                                                                        source thresholds at 50 tpy for VOC and
                                                the State to meet the CAA’s RACT                                                                              new or more stringent regulations or
                                                                                                        100 tpy for NOX in all remaining
                                                requirements under the 1-hour and the                                                                         controls that represent RACT control
                                                                                                        Maryland counties, consistent with the
                                                1997 8-hour ozone standards. Maryland                                                                         levels for certain categories of sources;
                                                                                                        CAA requirements for States in the
                                                also implemented controls necessary to                                                                        and (3) a negative declaration that
                                                                                                        OTR.
                                                meet the requirements of the NOX SIP                                                                          certain CTG or non-CTG major sources
                                                Call (40 CFR 51.121). Under the 1997 8-                 C. EPA Guidance and Requirements                      of VOC sources do not exist in
                                                hour ozone NAAQS, the Baltimore,                           EPA has provided more substantive                  Maryland.
                                                Washington DC, and Philadelphia areas                   RACT requirements through final                          Most of Maryland’s Regulations and
                                                were designated as serious                              implementation rules for each ozone                   Statutes, under Code of Maryland
                                                nonattainment areas. Kent and Queen                     NAAQS, as well as guidance. On March                  Regulations (COMAR) 26.11.06,
                                                Anne’s Counties, MD were designated                     6, 2015, EPA issued its final rule for                26.11.10, 26.11.11, 26.11.13, 26.11.14,
                                                as a marginal ozone nonattainment area.                 implementing the 2008 8-hour ozone                    26.11.19 and 26.11.24, contain the VOC
                                                The remaining Maryland counties were                    NAAQS (the 2008 Ozone                                 RACT controls that were implemented
                                                statutorily identified as moderate                      Implementation Rule). See 80 FR 12264.                and approved into Maryland’s SIP
                                                nonattainment because they are in the                   This rule addressed, among other                      under the 1-hour and 1997 8-hour ozone
                                                OTR. As a result, Maryland continued to                 things, control and planning obligations              NAAQS. Maryland also relies on
                                                be subject to the CAA RACT                              as they apply to nonattainment areas                  COMAR 26.11.06.06—‘‘General
                                                requirements. See 69 FR 23858, 23931                    under the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS,                    Emissions Standards, Prohibitions, and
                                                (April 30, 2004). Maryland revised and                  including RACT and RACM. In this                      Restrictions—Volatile Organic
                                                promulgated its RACT regulations and                    rule, EPA specifically required that                  Compounds,’’ to achieve significant
                                                demonstrated that it complied with the                  states meet the RACT requirements                     reductions from unique VOC sources.
                                                1997 CAA RACT requirements in a SIP                     either (1) through a certification that               Maryland is certifying that these
                                                revision approved by EPA on July 13,                    previously adopted RACT controls in                   regulations, all previously approved by
                                                2012 (77 FR 41278).                                     their SIP revisions approved by EPA                   EPA into the SIP, continue to meet the
                                                   Under CAA section 109(d), EPA is                     under a prior ozone NAAQS continue to                 RACT requirements for the 2008 8-hour
                                                required to periodically review and                     represent adequate RACT control levels                ozone NAAQS for major stationary
                                                promulgate, as necessary, revisions to                  for attainment of the 2008 8-hour ozone               sources of VOCs and CTG-covered
                                                the NAAQS to continue to protect                        NAAQS, or (2) through the adoption of                 sources of VOCs. Maryland also
                                                human health and the environment. On                    new or more stringent regulations or                  submitted a negative declaration for the
                                                March 27, 2008, EPA revised the 1997                    controls that represent RACT control                  CTGs that have not been adopted due to
                                                8-hour ozone standard by lowering the                   levels. A certification must be                       no affected facilities in Maryland, and
                                                8-hour standard to 0.075 ppm level (73                  accompanied by appropriate supporting                 included Alternative Control
                                                FR 16436). On May 21, 2012, EPA                         information such as consideration of                  Technology (ACTs) in their review of
                                                finalized attainment/nonattainment                      information received during the public                applicable 2008 8-hour ozone RACT
                                                designations for the 2008 8-hour ozone                  comment period and consideration of                   requirements. Maryland considered
                                                NAAQS (77 FR 30087). Under the 2008                     new data. Adoption of new RACT                        controls on other sources of VOCs not
                                                8-hour ozone standard, EPA designated                   regulations will occur when states have               covered by a CTG and adopted rules
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                                                as nonattainment three areas that                       new stationary sources not covered by                 whenever deemed to be reasonably
                                                contain portions of Maryland. These                     existing RACT regulations, or when new                available controls. Additionally,
                                                nonattainment areas are: The Baltimore                  data or technical information indicates               Maryland conducted a RACT analysis
                                                moderate nonattainment area; the                        that a previously adopted RACT                        for each major Non-CTG stationary
                                                Washington DC marginal nonattainment                    measure does not represent a newly                    source of VOC. As previously discussed,
                                                area; and the Philadelphia marginal                     available RACT control level.                         Maryland retained its major source
                                                nonattainment area. All other remaining                 Additionally, states are required to                  levels at 25 tpy for VOC sources in the
                                                Maryland counties are part of the OTR.                  submit a negative declaration if there                Baltimore, Washington, DC and


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                                                38112                    Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 150 / Friday, August 3, 2018 / Proposed Rules

                                                Philadelphia 1-hour severe                              Region III Office (please contact the                 In addition, this proposed rule,
                                                nonattainment areas. All remaining                      person identified in the FOR FURTHER                  Maryland’s 2008 8-hour ozone RACT
                                                counties which are part of the OTR                      INFORMATION CONTACT section of this                   SIP revision does not have tribal
                                                major source levels remain at 50 tpy for                preamble for more information).                       implications as specified by Executive
                                                VOC. More detailed information on                                                                             Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, November 9,
                                                these provisions as well as a detailed                  V. Statutory and Executive Order                      2000), because the SIP is not approved
                                                summary of EPA’s review can be found                    Reviews                                               to apply in Indian country located in the
                                                in the Technical Support Document                          Under the CAA, the Administrator is                state, and EPA notes that it will not
                                                (TSD) for this action which is available                required to approve a SIP submission                  impose substantial direct costs on tribal
                                                on line at www.regulations.gov, Docket                  that complies with the provisions of the              governments or preempt tribal law.
                                                number EPA–R03–OAR–2018–0508.                           CAA and applicable Federal regulations.
                                                                                                        42 U.S.C. 7410(k); 40 CFR 52.02(a).                   List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52
                                                III. Proposed Action                                                                                            Environmental protection, Air
                                                                                                        Thus, in reviewing SIP submissions,
                                                   EPA has reviewed Maryland’s 2016                     EPA’s role is to approve state choices,               pollution control, Incorporation by
                                                RACT Submission and is proposing to                     provided that they meet the criteria of               reference, Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone,
                                                approve Maryland’s SIP revision on the                  the CAA. Accordingly, this action                     Reporting and recordkeeping
                                                basis that Maryland has met the RACT                    merely approves state law as meeting                  requirements, Volatile organic
                                                requirements for the 2008 8-hour ozone                  Federal requirements and does not                     compounds.
                                                NAAQS as set forth by sections 182(b)                   impose additional requirements beyond                   Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
                                                and 184(b)(2) of the CAA. Maryland’s                    those imposed by state law. For that
                                                SIP revision satisfies the 2008 8-hour                                                                          Dated: July 24, 2018.
                                                                                                        reason, this proposed action:
                                                                                                                                                              Cecil Rodrigues,
                                                ozone NAAQS RACT requirements                              • Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory
                                                through (1) certification that previously               action’’ subject to review by the Office              Acting Regional Administrator, Region III.
                                                adopted RACT controls in Maryland’s                     of Management and Budget under                        [FR Doc. 2018–16603 Filed 8–2–18; 8:45 am]
                                                SIP that were approved by EPA under                     Executive Orders 12866 (58 FR 51735,                  BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
                                                the 1-hour ozone and 1997 8-hour ozone                  October 4, 1993) and 13563 (76 FR 3821,
                                                NAAQS continue to be are based on the                   January 21, 2011);
                                                currently available technically and                        • Is not an Executive Order 13771 (82              ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
                                                economically feasible controls, and that                FR 9339, February 2, 2017) regulatory                 AGENCY
                                                they continue to represent RACT; (2) a                  action because SIP approvals are
                                                negative declaration demonstrating that                                                                       40 CFR Part 52
                                                                                                        exempted under Executive Order 12866.
                                                no facilities exist in the state for certain               • Does not impose an information                   [EPA–R03–OAR–2016–0373; FRL–9981–
                                                the applicable CTG categories; and (3)                  collection burden under the provisions                68—Region 3]
                                                adoption of new or more stringent                       of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44
                                                RACT determinations when technically                    U.S.C. 3501 et seq.);                                 Approval and Promulgation of Air
                                                and economically feasible. EPA finds                       • Is certified as not having a                     Quality Implementation Plans; West
                                                that Maryland’s 2016 RACT Submission                    significant economic impact on a                      Virginia; Interstate Transport
                                                demonstrates that the State has adopted                 substantial number of small entities                  Requirements for the 2012 Fine
                                                air pollution control strategies that                   under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5               Particulate Matter Standard
                                                represent RACT for the purposes of                      U.S.C. 601 et seq.);                                  AGENCY:  Environmental Protection
                                                compliance with the 2008 8-hour ozone                      • Does not contain any unfunded                    Agency (EPA).
                                                standard for all major stationary sources               mandate or significantly or uniquely                  ACTION: Proposed rule.
                                                of VOC. EPA finds that Maryland’s SIP                   affect small governments, as described
                                                implements RACT with respect to all                     in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act                   SUMMARY:   The Environmental Protection
                                                sources of VOCs covered by a CTG                        of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–4);                              Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve a
                                                issued prior to July 20, 2014, as well as                  • Does not have Federalism                         state implementation plan (SIP) revision
                                                represents RACT for all CTG VOC major                   implications as specified in Executive                submitted by the state of West Virginia.
                                                stationary sources. EPA is soliciting                   Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10,                  This revision pertains to the
                                                public comments on the issues                           1999);                                                infrastructure requirement for interstate
                                                discussed in this document relevant to                     • Is not an economically significant               transport of pollution with respect to
                                                RACT requirements for Maryland for the                  regulatory action based on health or                  the 2012 fine particulate matter (PM2.5)
                                                2008 ozone NAAQS. These comments                        safety risks subject to Executive Order               national ambient air quality standards
                                                will be considered before taking final                  13045 (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997);                  (NAAQS). EPA is approving this
                                                action.                                                    • Is not a significant regulatory action           revision in accordance with the
                                                                                                        subject to Executive Order 13211 (66 FR               requirements of the Clean Air Act
                                                IV. Incorporation by Reference                          28355, May 22, 2001);                                 (CAA).
                                                  In this proposed rule, EPA is                            • Is not subject to requirements of
                                                proposing to include in a final EPA rule                                                                      DATES: Written comments must be
                                                                                                        Section 12(d) of the National
                                                regulatory text that includes                           Technology Transfer and Advancement                   received on or before September 4,
                                                incorporation by reference. In                          Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272 note) because              2018.
                                                accordance with requirements of 1 CFR                   application of those requirements would               ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,
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                                                51.5, EPA is proposing to incorporate by                be inconsistent with the CAA; and                     identified by Docket ID No. EPA–R03–
                                                reference source-specific RACT                             • Does not provide EPA with the                    OAR–2016–0373 at http://
                                                determinations under the 2008 8-hour                    discretionary authority to address, as                www.regulations.gov, or via email to
                                                ozone NAAQS for certain major sources                   appropriate, disproportionate human                   spielberger.susan@epa.gov. For
                                                of VOC emissions. EPA has made, and                     health or environmental effects, using                comments submitted at Regulations.gov,
                                                will continue to make, these materials                  practicable and legally permissible                   follow the online instructions for
                                                generally available through http://                     methods, under Executive Order 12898                  submitting comments. Once submitted,
                                                www.regulations.gov and at the EPA                      (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994).                      comments cannot be edited or removed


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Document Created: 2018-11-06 10:35:00
Document Modified: 2018-11-06 10:35:00
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 September 4, 2018.
ContactGregory A. Becoat, (215) 814-2036, or by email at [email protected]
FR Citation83 FR 38110 
CFR AssociatedEnvironmental Protection; Air Pollution Control; Incorporation by Reference; Nitrogen Dioxide; Ozone; Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements and Volatile Organic Compounds

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