83_FR_4001 83 FR 3982 - Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Maryland; Nonattainment New Source Review Requirements for the 2008 8-Hour Ozone Standard

83 FR 3982 - Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Maryland; Nonattainment New Source Review Requirements for the 2008 8-Hour Ozone Standard

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 19 (January 29, 2018)

Page Range3982-3986
FR Document2018-01518

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving a state implementation plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of Maryland. The revision is in response to EPA's February 3, 2017 Findings of Failure to Submit for various requirements relating to the 2008 8-hour ozone national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS). This SIP revision is specific to nonattainment new source review (NNSR) requirements. EPA is approving this revision in accordance with the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA).

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 19 (Monday, January 29, 2018)
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 19 (Monday, January 29, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 3982-3986]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-01518]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 52

[EPA-R03-OAR-2017-0398; FRL-9973-37--Region 3]


Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; 
Maryland; Nonattainment New Source Review Requirements for the 2008 8-
Hour Ozone Standard

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving a state 
implementation plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of Maryland. 
The revision is in response to EPA's February 3, 2017 Findings of 
Failure to Submit for various requirements relating to the 2008 8-hour 
ozone national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS). This SIP revision 
is specific to nonattainment new source review (NNSR) requirements. EPA 
is approving this revision in accordance with the requirements of the 
Clean Air Act (CAA).

DATES: This final rule is effective on February 28, 2018.

ADDRESSES: EPA has established a docket for this action under Docket ID 
No. EPA-R03-OAR-2017-0398. All documents in the docket are listed on 
the http://www.regulations.gov website. Although listed in the index, 
some information is not publicly available, e.g., confidential business 
information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted 
by statute. Certain other material, such as copyrighted material, is 
not placed on the internet and will be publicly available only in hard 
copy form. Publicly available docket materials are available through 
http://www.regulations.gov, or please contact the person identified in 
the For Further Information Contact section for additional availability 
information.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. David Talley, (215) 814-2117, or 
by email at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    On May 8, 2017, the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) 
submitted on behalf of the State of Maryland a formal revision, 
requesting EPA's approval for the SIP of its NNSR Certification for the 
2008 Ozone Standard (Revision 17-01). The SIP revision is in response 
to EPA's final 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS Findings of Failure to Submit 
for NNSR requirements. See 82 FR 9158 (February 3, 2017). Specifically, 
Maryland is certifying that its existing NNSR program, covering the 
Baltimore Nonattainment Area (which includes Anne Arundel, Baltimore, 
Carroll, Harford, and Howard Counties and the city of Baltimore), the 
Philadelphia-Wilmington-Atlantic City Nonattainment Area (which 
includes Cecil County in Maryland), and the Washington, DC 
Nonattainment Area (which includes Calvert, Charles, Frederick, 
Montgomery, and Prince Georges Counties in Maryland) for the 2008 8-
hour ozone NAAQS, is at least as stringent as the requirements at 40 
CFR 51.165, as amended by the final rule titled ``Implementation of the 
2008 National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Ozone: State 
Implementation Plan Requirements'' (SIP Requirements Rule), for ozone 
and its precursors.\1\ See 80 FR 12264 (March 6, 2015).
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    \1\ The SIP Requirements Rule addresses a range of nonattainment 
area SIP requirements for the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS, including 
requirements pertaining to attainment demonstrations, reasonable 
further progress (RFP), reasonably available control technology, 
reasonably available control measures, major new source review, 
emission inventories, and the timing of SIP submissions and of 
compliance with emission control measures in the SIP. The rule also 
revokes the 1997 ozone NAAQS and establishes anti-backsliding 
requirements.

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[[Page 3983]]

A. 2008 8-Hour Ozone NAAQS

    On March 12, 2008, EPA promulgated a revised 8-hour ozone NAAQS of 
0.075 parts per million (ppm). See 73 FR 16436 (March 27, 2008). Under 
EPA's regulations at 40 CFR 50.15, the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS is 
attained when the three-year average of the annual fourth-highest daily 
maximum 8-hour average ambient air quality ozone concentrations is less 
than or equal to 0.075 ppm.
    Upon promulgation of a new or revised NAAQS, the CAA requires EPA 
to designate as nonattainment any area that is violating the NAAQS 
based on the three most recent years of ambient air quality data at the 
conclusion of the designation process. The Philadelphia-Wilmington-
Atlantic City Area and the Washington, DC Area were classified as 
marginal nonattainment areas, and the Baltimore Area was classified as 
a moderate nonattainment for the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS on May 21, 
2012 (effective July 20, 2012) using 2008-2010 ambient air quality 
data. See 77 FR 30088. On March 6, 2015, EPA issued the final SIP 
Requirements Rule, which establishes the requirements that state, 
tribal, and local air quality management agencies must meet as they 
develop implementation plans for areas where air quality exceeds the 
2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS. See 80 FR 12264. Areas that were designated as 
marginal ozone nonattainment areas were required to attain the 2008 8-
hour ozone NAAQS no later than July 20, 2015, based on 2012-2014 
monitoring data. See 40 CFR 51.1103. The Philadelphia-Wilmington-
Atlantic City Area and the Washington, DC Area did not attain the 2008 
8-hour ozone NAAQS by July 20, 2015; however, these areas did meet the 
CAA section 181(a)(5) criteria, as interpreted in 40 CFR 51.1107, for a 
one-year attainment date extension. See 81 FR 26697 (May 4, 2016). 
Therefore, on April 11, 2016, the EPA Administrator signed a final rule 
extending the Philadelphia-Wilmington-Atlantic City Area and the 
Washington, DC Area 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS attainment date from July 
20, 2015 to July 20, 2016. Id.\2\
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    \2\ EPA proposed approval of a Determination of Attainment (DOA) 
for the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS for the Philadelphia-Wilmington-
Atlantic City Area and the Washington, DC Area on April 18, 2017, 
and April 25, 2017, respectively. These proposed actions were based 
on complete, certified, and quality assured ambient air quality 
monitoring data for the 2013-2015 monitoring period. See 82 FR 18268 
(April 18, 2017) and 82 FR 19011 (April 25, 2017). It should be 
noted that a DOA does not alleviate the need for Maryland to certify 
that their existing SIP approved NNSR program is as stringent as the 
requirements at 40 CFR 51.165, as NNSR applies in nonattainment 
areas until an area has been redesignated to attainment. 
Subsequently, EPA issued final rulemaking actions on both of these 
DOAs. See 82 FR 50814 (November 2, 2017) (Philadelphia Area) and 82 
FR 52651 (November 14, 2017) (Washington, DC area).
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    Moderate areas, such as the Baltimore Area, are required to attain 
the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS no later than July 20, 2018, six years 
after the effective date of the initial nonattainment designations.\3\ 
See 40 CFR 51.1103. The statutorily required determination of 
attainment (DOA), for the Baltimore Area, which is due prior to the 
attainment date for the Area, has not passed and will be addressed in a 
future rulemaking action.
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    \3\ On June 1, 2015, EPA finalized a clean data determination 
(CDD) for the Baltimore Nonattainment Area. This determination was 
based upon complete, quality-assured, and certified ambient air 
quality monitoring data that shows the Baltimore Area has monitored 
attainment of the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS for the 2012-2014 
monitoring period. As a result of this determination, the 
requirement for the Baltimore Area to submit an attainment 
demonstration and associated reasonably available control measures 
(RACM), reasonable further progress plans (RFP), contingency 
measures, and other SIP revisions related to attainment of the 
standard are suspended for as long as the area continues to attain 
the 2008 8-hour ozone standard. See 80 FR 30941 (June 2, 2015). This 
action did not alleviate the need for Maryland to submit a NNSR 
Certification SIP revision, which is the subject of this rulemaking 
action.
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    Based on initial nonattainment designations for the 2008 8-hour 
ozone standard, as well as the March 6, 2015 final SIP Requirements 
Rule, Maryland was required to develop a SIP revision addressing 
certain CAA requirements for the Philadelphia-Wilmington-Atlantic City, 
Washington, DC, and Baltimore Areas, and submit to EPA a NNSR 
Certification SIP or SIP revision no later than 36 months after the 
effective date of area designations for the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS 
(i.e., July 20, 2015). See 80 FR 12264 (March 6, 2015). EPA is taking 
action on Maryland's May 8, 2017 NNSR Certification SIP revision. EPA's 
analysis of how this SIP revision addresses the NNSR requirements for 
the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS is provided in Section II below.

B. 2017 Findings of Failure To Submit SIP for the 2008 8-Hour Ozone 
NAAQS

    Areas designated nonattainment for the ozone NAAQS are subject to 
the general nonattainment area planning requirements of CAA section 172 
and also to the ozone-specific planning requirements of CAA section 
182.\4\ States in the ozone transport region (OTR), such as Maryland, 
are additionally subject to the requirements outlined in CAA section 
184.
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    \4\ Ozone nonattainment areas are classified based on the 
severity of their ozone levels (as determined based on the area's 
``design value,'' which represents air quality in the area for the 
most recent three years). The possible classifications for ozone 
nonattainment areas are Marginal, Moderate, Serious, Severe, and 
Extreme. See CAA section 181(a)(1).
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    Ozone nonattainment areas in the lower classification levels have 
fewer and/or less stringent mandatory air quality planning and control 
requirements than those in higher classifications. For a marginal area, 
such as the Philadelphia-Wilmington-Atlantic City Area and the 
Washington, DC Area, a state is required to submit a baseline emissions 
inventory, adopt a SIP requiring emissions statements from stationary 
sources, and implement a NNSR program for the relevant ozone standard. 
See CAA section 182(a). For a moderate area such as the Baltimore Area, 
a state needs to comply with the marginal area requirements, plus 
additional requirements, including the requirement to submit a 
demonstration that the area will attain in six years, the requirement 
to adopt and implement certain emissions controls, such as reasonably 
available control technology (RACT), and the requirement for greater 
emissions offsets for new or modified major stationary sources under 
the state's NNSR program. For each higher ozone nonattainment 
classification, a state needs to comply with all lower area 
classification requirements, plus additional emissions controls and 
more expansive NNSR offset requirements.
    The CAA sets out specific requirements for states in the OTR.\5\ 
Upon promulgation of the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS, states in the OTR 
were required to submit a SIP revision for RACT. See 40 CFR 51.1116. 
This requirement is the only recurring obligation for an OTR state upon 
revision of a NAAQS, unless that state also contains some portion of a 
nonattainment area for the revised NAAQS.\6\ In that case, the 
nonattainment requirements described previously also apply to those 
portions of that state.
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    \5\ CAA section 184 details specific requirements for a group of 
states (and the District of Columbia) that make up the OTR. States 
in the OTR are required to submit RACT SIP revisions and mandate a 
certain level of emissions control for the pollutants that form 
ozone, even if the areas in the state meet the ozone standards.
    \6\ NNSR requirements continue to apply in the OTR. See CAA 
section 184(b).
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    In the March 6, 2015 SIP Requirements Rule, EPA detailed the 
requirements applicable to ozone nonattainment areas, as well as 
requirements that apply in the OTR, and provided specific deadlines for 
SIP submittals. See 80 FR 12264.
    On February 3, 2017, EPA found that 15 states and the District of 
Columbia

[[Page 3984]]

failed to submit SIP revisions in a timely manner to satisfy certain 
requirements for the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS that apply to 
nonattainment areas and/or states in the OTR. See 82 FR 9158. As 
explained in that rulemaking action, consistent with the CAA and EPA 
regulations, these Findings of Failure to Submit established certain 
deadlines for the imposition of sanctions if a state does not submit a 
timely SIP revision addressing the requirements for which the finding 
is being made, and for the EPA to promulgate a federal implementation 
plan (FIP) to address any outstanding SIP requirements.
    EPA found that the State of Maryland failed to submit SIP revisions 
in a timely matter to satisfy NNSR requirements for its marginal and 
moderate nonattainment areas, specifically the Philadelphia-Wilmington-
Atlantic City Area, the Washington, DC Area, and the Baltimore Area.\7\ 
Maryland submitted its May 8, 2017 SIP revision to address the specific 
NNSR requirements for the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS, located in 40 CFR 
51.160-165, as well as its obligations under EPA's February 3, 2017 
Findings of Failure to Submit. EPA's analysis of how this SIP revision 
addresses the NNSR requirements for the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS and the 
Findings of Failure to Submit is provided in Section II below.
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    \7\ The EPA found that the State of Maryland also failed to 
submit SIP revisions for inspection and maintenance (I/M) basic and 
nitrogen oxide RACT for major sources. These SIP requirements will 
be addressed in separate rulemaking actions and will not be 
discussed here. See 82 FR 9158 (February 3, 2017).
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    On September 29, 2017 (82 FR 45475), EPA published a direct final 
rulemaking notice (DFRN) for the State of Maryland. In the DFRN, EPA 
approved the Maryland submittal pertaining to NNSR requirements for the 
2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS. On the same date (82 FR 45547), EPA published 
a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPR) for the action. EPA published the 
DFRN without prior proposal because the Agency viewed the submittals as 
noncontroversial and anticipated no adverse comments. EPA explained 
that if adverse comments were received during the comment period, the 
DFRN would be withdrawn and all public comments received would be 
addressed in a subsequent final rule based on the September 29, 2017 
proposed rule. EPA received an adverse comment, and on November 22, 
2017 (82 FR 55510) withdrew the DFRN.

II. Summary of SIP Revision and EPA Analysis

    This rulemaking action is specific to Maryland's NNSR requirements. 
NNSR is a preconstruction review permit program that applies to new 
major stationary sources or major modifications at existing sources 
located in a nonattainment area.\8\ The specific NNSR requirements for 
the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS are located in 40 CFR 51.160-165. The SIP 
Requirements Rule explained that, for each nonattainment area, a NNSR 
plan or plan revision was due no later than 36 months after the July 
20, 2012 effective date of area designations for the 2008 8-hour ozone 
standard (i.e., July 20, 2015).\9\
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    \8\ See CAA sections 172(c)(5), 173 and 182.
    \9\ With respect to states with nonattainment areas subject to a 
finding of failure to submit NNSR SIP revisions, such revisions 
would no longer be required if the area were redesignated to 
attainment. The CAA's prevention of significant deterioration (PSD) 
program requirements apply in lieu of NNSR after an area is 
redesignated to attainment. For areas outside the OTR, NNSR 
requirements do not apply in areas designated as attainment.
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    The minimum SIP requirements for NNSR permitting programs for the 
2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS are located in 40 CFR 51.165. See 40 CFR 
51.1114. These NNSR program requirements include those promulgated in 
the ``Phase 2 Rule'' implementing the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS (75 FR 
71018 (November 29, 2005)) and the SIP Requirements Rule implementing 
the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS. Under the Phase 2 Rule, the SIP for each 
ozone nonattainment area must contain NNSR provisions that: Set major 
source thresholds for oxides of nitrogen (NOX) and volatile 
organic compounds (VOC) pursuant to 40 CFR 51.165(a)(1)(iv)(A)(1)(i)-
(iv) and (2); classify physical changes as a major source if the change 
would constitute a major source by itself pursuant to 40 CFR 
51.165(a)(1)(iv)(A)(3); consider any significant net emissions increase 
of NOX as a significant net emissions increase for ozone 
pursuant to 40 CFR 51.165(a)(1)(v)(E); consider certain increases of 
VOC emissions in extreme ozone nonattainment areas as a significant net 
emissions increase and a major modification for ozone pursuant to 40 
CFR 51.165(a)(1)(v)(F); set significant emissions rates for VOC and 
NOX as ozone precursors pursuant to 40 CFR 
51.165(a)(1)(x)(A)-(C) and (E); contain provisions for emissions 
reductions credits pursuant to 40 CFR 51.165(a)(3)(ii)(C)(1)-(2); 
provide that the requirements applicable to VOC also apply to 
NOX pursuant to 40 CFR 51.165(a)(8); and set offset ratios 
for VOC and NOX pursuant to 40 CFR 51.165(a)(9)(i)-(iii) 
(renumbered as (a)(9)(ii)-(iv) under the SIP Requirements Rule for the 
2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS). Under the SIP Requirements Rule for the 2008 
8-hour ozone NAAQS, the SIP for each ozone nonattainment area 
designated nonattainment for the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS and designated 
nonattainment for the 1997 ozone NAAQS on April 6, 2015, must also 
contain NNSR provisions that include the anti-backsliding requirements 
at 40 CFR 51.1105. See 40 CFR 51.165(a)(12).
    Maryland's longstanding SIP approved NNSR program, established in 
Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) Air Quality Rule COMAR 26.11.17--
Nonattainment Provisions for Major New Sources and Major Modifications, 
applies to the construction and modification of major stationary 
sources in nonattainment areas. In its May 8, 2017 SIP revision, 
Maryland certifies that the version of the Air Quality Rule COMAR 
26.11.17 in the SIP is at least as stringent as the federal NNSR 
requirements for the Philadelphia-Wilmington-Atlantic City Area, the 
Washington, DC Area, and the Baltimore Area. EPA last approved 
revisions to the SIP approved version of Maryland's NNSR rule in 2012 
addressing, among other things, NSR Reform and NOX as a 
precursor to ozone. See 77 FR 45949 (August 2, 2012).\10\
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    \10\ On August 30, 2012, EPA published a rulemaking correcting 
minor errors in their August 2, 2012 final rule. The correction of 
these errors did not change EPA's final action to approve the 
Maryland regulations. See 77 FR 52605.
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    EPA notes that neither COMAR 26.11.17 nor Maryland's approved SIP 
contain a regulatory provision pertaining to any emissions change of 
VOC in extreme nonattainment areas, as specified in 40 CFR 
51.165(a)(1)(v)(F). However, Maryland has never had an area designated 
extreme nonattainment for any of the ozone NAAQS, and, thus, the 
Maryland SIP is not required to contain this provision until such a 
time. Additionally, the anti-backsliding provisions in 40 CFR 
51.165(a)(12) are not found in either COMAR 26.11.17 or the Maryland 
SIP. Maryland's major stationary source thresholds were established for 
the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS nonattainment designations and remain 
unchanged in Maryland's federally-approved SIP.\11\ Therefore, all of 
the sources located in the 2008 8-hour ozone nonattainment areas in 
Maryland are required to meet a major stationary source threshold of 25 
tons or

[[Page 3985]]

more per year of VOC or NOX. This requirement continues to 
be more stringent than the 2008 8-hour ozone standards at issue in this 
action, and, thus, the above mentioned anti-backsliding requirements 
are not required.
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    \11\ Under the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS, the Baltimore Area was 
classified as serious nonattainment and the Philadelphia-Wilmington-
Atlantic City and Washington, DC Areas were classified as moderate 
nonattainment.
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    The version of COMAR 26.11.17 that is contained in the current SIP 
has not changed since the 2012 rulemaking where EPA last approved 
Maryland's NNSR provisions. This version of the rule covers the 
Philadelphia-Wilmington-Atlantic City, Washington, DC, and Baltimore 
Nonattainment Areas and remains adequate to meet all applicable NNSR 
requirements for the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS in 40 CFR 51.165, the 
Phase 2 Rule and the SIP Requirements Rule. A detailed description of 
the state submittal and EPA's evaluation is included in a technical 
support document (TSD) prepared in support of this rulemaking action. A 
copy of the TSD is available, upon request, from the EPA Regional 
Office listed in the ADDRESSES section of this document or is also 
available electronically within the Docket for this rulemaking action.

III. Public Comments and EPA Responses

    EPA received one comment on the proposed approval of MDE's May 8, 
2017 submittal requesting EPA's approval for the SIP of its NNSR 
Certification for the 2008 Ozone Standard (Revision 17-01).
    Comment: The commenter stated that it is unclear to them how 
Maryland met the requirements for a NNSR SIP for the OTR, but did not 
meet the requirements for the NNSR SIP for the Baltimore and 
Philadelphia areas. The commenter stated that if Maryland submitted a 
SIP for the OTR that met the NNSR requirements, then how is it possible 
Maryland did not meet the requirements for Philadelphia and Baltimore. 
The commenter then asserted that if Maryland did not submit a NNSR SIP 
for the OTR, then EPA needs to make a Finding of Failure to Submit for 
Maryland to submit a NNSR SIP for OTR requirements. The commenter 
further asserts that EPA should consider this comment a notice of 
intent to sue EPA for failing to perform its nondiscretionary duty to 
issue a Finding of Failure to Submit for Maryland's non-submission of a 
NNSR SIP for OTR requirements.
    EPA Response: EPA's September 29, 2017 DFRN would have approved 
Maryland's submittal of a SIP revision which specifically addressed the 
NNSR permitting requirements in CAA sections 172(c) and 182(b) for the 
2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS for the Baltimore and Philadelphia-Wilmington-
Atlantic City Nonattainment Areas. See 82 FR 45475.\12\ As explained in 
EPA's September 29, 2017 DFRN and in this present action, the Maryland 
submittal satisfies Maryland's requirement to submit a NNSR SIP 
revision for the Baltimore and Philadelphia-Wilmington-Atlantic City 
Nonattainment Areas in response to EPA's February 3, 2017 final 2008 8-
hour ozone NAAQS Findings of Failure to Submit for NNSR requirements. 
See 82 FR 9158. Maryland's obligations as a member of the OTR are not 
the subject of this rulemaking. Pursuant to CAA sections 182(f) and 
184(b)(2), major stationary sources of VOC and NOX in the 
OTR are subject to requirements applicable to major stationary sources 
in moderate nonattainment with ozone NAAQS which includes NNSR 
permitting requirements. The specific requirements for Maryland as an 
OTR state were discussed in EPA's February 3, 2017 Findings of Failure 
to Submit and will not be restated here. However, because EPA did not 
propose any action related to Maryland's NNSR requirements for the OTR, 
the commenter's statements related to Maryland's NNSR requirements for 
the OTR are not germane to this rulemaking. As discussed in EPA's DFRN, 
Maryland's NNSR provisions at COMAR 26.11.17 are in the Maryland SIP 
and meet the NNSR requirements for the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS for the 
Baltimore and Philadelphia-Wilmington-Atlantic City Nonattainment Areas 
as identified in the SIP Requirements Rule, for ozone and its 
precursors, as well as EPA's February 3, 2017 Findings of Failure to 
Submit, as noted previously. See 80 FR 12264 (March 6, 2015) and 82 FR 
9158, respectively.
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    \12\ While not addressed by the commenter, in addition to the 
Baltimore and Philadelphia-Wilmington-Atlantic City Nonattainment 
Areas, Maryland's submittal also addresses the Washington, DC 
Nonattainment Area.
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    Regarding the assertion that EPA should consider this comment to be 
the commenter's ``notice of intent'' to sue EPA for failing to perform 
its nondiscretionary duty to make a Finding of Failure to Submit for a 
NNSR SIP for the OTR requirements, EPA notes that requirements for 
serving upon EPA a notice of intent to sue are in CAA section 304 and 
in 40 CFR part 54, specifically in 40 CFR 54.2. Commenting within an 
unrelated rulemaking is not appropriate service of a notice of intent 
to sue pursuant to 40 CFR 54.2 and CAA section 304.

IV. Final Action

    EPA is approving Maryland's May 8, 2017 SIP revision addressing the 
NNSR requirements for the 2008 ozone NAAQS for the Philadelphia-
Wilmington-Atlantic City, Washington, DC, and Baltimore Nonattainment 
Areas. EPA has concluded that the State's submission fulfills the 40 
CFR 51.1114 revision requirement, meets the requirements of CAA 
sections 110 and 172 and the minimum SIP requirements of 40 CFR 51.165, 
as well as its obligations under EPA's February 3, 2017 Findings of 
Failure to Submit. See 82 FR 9158.

V. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

A. General Requirements

    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 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);

[[Page 3986]]

     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 rule 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.

B. Submission to Congress and the Comptroller General

    The Congressional Review Act, 5 U.S.C. 801 et seq., as added by the 
Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, generally 
provides that before a rule may take effect, the agency promulgating 
the rule must submit a rule report, which includes a copy of the rule, 
to each House of the Congress and to the Comptroller General of the 
United States. EPA will submit a report containing this action and 
other required information to the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of 
Representatives, and the Comptroller General of the United States prior 
to publication of the rule in the Federal Register. A major rule cannot 
take effect until 60 days after it is published in the Federal 
Register. This action is not a ``major rule'' as defined by 5 U.S.C. 
804(2).

C. Petitions for Judicial Review

    Under section 307(b)(1) of the CAA, petitions for judicial review 
of this action must be filed in the United States Court of Appeals for 
the appropriate circuit by March 30, 2018. Filing a petition for 
reconsideration by the Administrator of this final rule does not affect 
the finality of this action for the purposes of judicial review nor 
does it extend the time within which a petition for judicial review may 
be filed, and shall not postpone the effectiveness of such rule or 
action. This action approving Maryland's 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS 
Certification SIP revision for NNSR may not be challenged later in 
proceedings to enforce its requirements. (See section 307(b)(2).)

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52

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

    Dated: January 11, 2018.
Cosmo Servidio,
Regional Administrator, Region III.

    40 CFR part 52 is amended as follows:

PART 52--APPROVAL AND PROMULGATION OF IMPLEMENTATION PLANS

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

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

Subpart V--Maryland

0
2. In Sec.  52.1070, the table in paragraph (e) is amended by adding 
the entry ``2008 8-Hour Ozone NAAQS Nonattainment New Source Review 
Requirements'' at the end of the table to read as follows:


Sec.  52.1070   Identification of plan.

* * * * *
    (e) * * *

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  State
    Name of non-regulatory SIP       Applicable geographic      submittal     EPA approval date     Additional
             revision                        area                 date                              explanation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
2008 8-Hour Ozone NAAQS            The Baltimore Area              5/8/2017  1/29/2018, [insert
 Nonattainment New Source Review    (includes Anne Arundel,                   Federal Register
 Requirements.                      Baltimore, Carroll,                       citation].
                                    Harford, and Howard
                                    Counties and the city
                                    of Baltimore), the
                                    Philadelphia-Wilmington-
                                    Atlantic City Area
                                    (includes Cecil County
                                    in Maryland), and the
                                    Washington, DC Area
                                    (includes Calvert,
                                    Charles, Frederick,
                                    Montgomery, and Prince
                                    Georges Counties in
                                    Maryland).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[FR Doc. 2018-01518 Filed 1-26-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6560-50-P



                                              3982              Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 19 / Monday, January 29, 2018 / Rules and Regulations

                                                                                                 MASSACHUSETTS NON REGULATORY—Continued
                                                                                                        Applicable               State submittal date/
                                                 Name of non regulatory SIP provision                 geographic or                                                  EPA approved date 3               Explanations
                                                                                                                                    effective date
                                                                                                    nonattainment area

                                              Massachusetts June 1, 2009 SIP Revision              Statewide .................   6/1/2009 ...................   01/25/2013, 78 FR 5292
                                                 Table of Contents Item 7, ‘‘Documenta-
                                                 tion of IM SIP Revision consistent with
                                                 42 USC Section 7511a and Section
                                                 182(c)(3)(A) of the Clean Air Act.’’.
                                              ‘‘Massachusetts Regional Haze State Im-              Statewide .................   8/9/2012 ...................   9/19/2013, 78 FR 57487
                                                 plementation Plan’’ dated August 9, 2012.
                                              A letter from the MassDEP dated August 9,            Statewide .................   8/9/2001 ...................   4/24/2014, 79 FR 22774
                                                 2001 submitting a revision to the SIP.
                                              A letter from the MassDEP dated Sep-                 Statewide .................   9/14/2006 .................    4/24/2014, 79 FR 22774
                                                 tember 14, 2006 submitting a revision to
                                                 the SIP.
                                              A letter from the MassDEP dated February             Statewide .................   2/13/2008 .................    4/24/2014, 79 FR 22774
                                                 13, 2008 submitting a revision to the SIP.
                                              A letter from the MassDEP dated January              Statewide .................   1/18/2013 .................    4/24/2014, 79 FR 22774
                                                 18, 2013 withdrawing certain outdated
                                                 and obsolete regulation submittals and
                                                 replacing them with currently effective
                                                 versions of the regulation for approval
                                                 and inclusion into the SIP.
                                              A letter from the MassDEP dated Novem-               Statewide .................   11/6/2013 .................    12/8/2015, 80 FR 76225
                                                 ber 6, 2013 submitting a revision to the
                                                 SIP.
                                              A letter from the MassDEP dated May 5,               Statewide .................   5/5/2015 ...................   11/29/2016, 81 FR 85897
                                                 2015 submitting a revision to the SIP.
                                                3 To determine the EPA effective date for a specific provision listed in this table, consult the Federal Register notice cited in this column for
                                              the particular provision.


                                              [FR Doc. 2018–01513 Filed 1–26–18; 8:45 am]             DATES:  This final rule is effective on                       2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS Findings of
                                              BILLING CODE 6560–50–P                                  February 28, 2018.                                            Failure to Submit for NNSR
                                                                                                      ADDRESSES: EPA has established a                              requirements. See 82 FR 9158 (February
                                                                                                      docket for this action under Docket ID                        3, 2017). Specifically, Maryland is
                                              ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION                                No. EPA–R03–OAR–2017–0398. All                                certifying that its existing NNSR
                                              AGENCY                                                  documents in the docket are listed on                         program, covering the Baltimore
                                                                                                      the http://www.regulations.gov website.                       Nonattainment Area (which includes
                                              40 CFR Part 52                                          Although listed in the index, some                            Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll,
                                                                                                      information is not publicly available,                        Harford, and Howard Counties and the
                                              [EPA–R03–OAR–2017–0398; FRL–9973–                       e.g., confidential business information                       city of Baltimore), the Philadelphia-
                                              37—Region 3]                                            (CBI) or other information whose                              Wilmington-Atlantic City
                                                                                                      disclosure is restricted by statute.                          Nonattainment Area (which includes
                                              Approval and Promulgation of Air                                                                                      Cecil County in Maryland), and the
                                                                                                      Certain other material, such as
                                              Quality Implementation Plans;
                                                                                                      copyrighted material, is not placed on                        Washington, DC Nonattainment Area
                                              Maryland; Nonattainment New Source
                                                                                                      the internet and will be publicly                             (which includes Calvert, Charles,
                                              Review Requirements for the 2008 8-
                                                                                                      available only in hard copy form.                             Frederick, Montgomery, and Prince
                                              Hour Ozone Standard
                                                                                                      Publicly available docket materials are                       Georges Counties in Maryland) for the
                                              AGENCY:  Environmental Protection                       available through http://                                     2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS, is at least
                                              Agency (EPA).                                           www.regulations.gov, or please contact                        as stringent as the requirements at 40
                                              ACTION: Final rule.                                     the person identified in the FOR FURTHER                      CFR 51.165, as amended by the final
                                                                                                      INFORMATION CONTACT section for                               rule titled ‘‘Implementation of the 2008
                                              SUMMARY:   The Environmental Protection                 additional availability information.                          National Ambient Air Quality Standards
                                              Agency (EPA) is approving a state                       FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.                          for Ozone: State Implementation Plan
                                              implementation plan (SIP) revision                      David Talley, (215) 814–2117, or by                           Requirements’’ (SIP Requirements Rule),
                                              submitted by the State of Maryland. The                 email at talley.david@epa.gov.                                for ozone and its precursors.1 See 80 FR
                                              revision is in response to EPA’s                        SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                                    12264 (March 6, 2015).
                                              February 3, 2017 Findings of Failure to
                                              Submit for various requirements relating                I. Background                                                   1 The SIP Requirements Rule addresses a range of

                                              to the 2008 8-hour ozone national                          On May 8, 2017, the Maryland                               nonattainment area SIP requirements for the 2008
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                                                                                                                                                                    8-hour ozone NAAQS, including requirements
                                              ambient air quality standards (NAAQS).                  Department of the Environment (MDE)                           pertaining to attainment demonstrations, reasonable
                                              This SIP revision is specific to                        submitted on behalf of the State of                           further progress (RFP), reasonably available control
                                              nonattainment new source review                         Maryland a formal revision, requesting                        technology, reasonably available control measures,
                                              (NNSR) requirements. EPA is approving                   EPA’s approval for the SIP of its NNSR                        major new source review, emission inventories, and
                                                                                                                                                                    the timing of SIP submissions and of compliance
                                              this revision in accordance with the                    Certification for the 2008 Ozone                              with emission control measures in the SIP. The rule
                                              requirements of the Clean Air Act                       Standard (Revision 17–01). The SIP                            also revokes the 1997 ozone NAAQS and
                                              (CAA).                                                  revision is in response to EPA’s final                        establishes anti-backsliding requirements.



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                                                                 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 19 / Monday, January 29, 2018 / Rules and Regulations                                                      3983

                                              A. 2008 8-Hour Ozone NAAQS                                 Moderate areas, such as the Baltimore                 States in the ozone transport region
                                                 On March 12, 2008, EPA promulgated                   Area, are required to attain the 2008 8-                 (OTR), such as Maryland, are
                                              a revised 8-hour ozone NAAQS of 0.075                   hour ozone NAAQS no later than July                      additionally subject to the requirements
                                              parts per million (ppm). See 73 FR                      20, 2018, six years after the effective                  outlined in CAA section 184.
                                              16436 (March 27, 2008). Under EPA’s                     date of the initial nonattainment                          Ozone nonattainment areas in the
                                              regulations at 40 CFR 50.15, the 2008 8-                designations.3 See 40 CFR 51.1103. The                   lower classification levels have fewer
                                              hour ozone NAAQS is attained when                       statutorily required determination of                    and/or less stringent mandatory air
                                              the three-year average of the annual                    attainment (DOA), for the Baltimore                      quality planning and control
                                              fourth-highest daily maximum 8-hour                     Area, which is due prior to the                          requirements than those in higher
                                              average ambient air quality ozone                       attainment date for the Area, has not                    classifications. For a marginal area, such
                                              concentrations is less than or equal to                 passed and will be addressed in a future                 as the Philadelphia-Wilmington-
                                              0.075 ppm.                                              rulemaking action.                                       Atlantic City Area and the Washington,
                                                 Upon promulgation of a new or                           Based on initial nonattainment                        DC Area, a state is required to submit a
                                              revised NAAQS, the CAA requires EPA                     designations for the 2008 8-hour ozone                   baseline emissions inventory, adopt a
                                              to designate as nonattainment any area                  standard, as well as the March 6, 2015                   SIP requiring emissions statements from
                                              that is violating the NAAQS based on                    final SIP Requirements Rule, Maryland                    stationary sources, and implement a
                                              the three most recent years of ambient                  was required to develop a SIP revision                   NNSR program for the relevant ozone
                                              air quality data at the conclusion of the               addressing certain CAA requirements                      standard. See CAA section 182(a). For a
                                              designation process. The Philadelphia-                  for the Philadelphia-Wilmington-                         moderate area such as the Baltimore
                                              Wilmington-Atlantic City Area and the                   Atlantic City, Washington, DC, and                       Area, a state needs to comply with the
                                              Washington, DC Area were classified as                  Baltimore Areas, and submit to EPA a                     marginal area requirements, plus
                                              marginal nonattainment areas, and the                   NNSR Certification SIP or SIP revision                   additional requirements, including the
                                              Baltimore Area was classified as a                      no later than 36 months after the                        requirement to submit a demonstration
                                              moderate nonattainment for the 2008 8-                  effective date of area designations for                  that the area will attain in six years, the
                                              hour ozone NAAQS on May 21, 2012                        the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS (i.e., July                  requirement to adopt and implement
                                              (effective July 20, 2012) using 2008–                   20, 2015). See 80 FR 12264 (March 6,                     certain emissions controls, such as
                                              2010 ambient air quality data. See 77 FR                2015). EPA is taking action on                           reasonably available control technology
                                              30088. On March 6, 2015, EPA issued                     Maryland’s May 8, 2017 NNSR                              (RACT), and the requirement for greater
                                              the final SIP Requirements Rule, which                  Certification SIP revision. EPA’s                        emissions offsets for new or modified
                                                                                                      analysis of how this SIP revision                        major stationary sources under the
                                              establishes the requirements that state,
                                                                                                      addresses the NNSR requirements for                      state’s NNSR program. For each higher
                                              tribal, and local air quality management
                                                                                                      the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS is                           ozone nonattainment classification, a
                                              agencies must meet as they develop
                                                                                                      provided in Section II below.                            state needs to comply with all lower
                                              implementation plans for areas where
                                              air quality exceeds the 2008 8-hour                     B. 2017 Findings of Failure To Submit                    area classification requirements, plus
                                              ozone NAAQS. See 80 FR 12264. Areas                     SIP for the 2008 8-Hour Ozone NAAQS                      additional emissions controls and more
                                              that were designated as marginal ozone                                                                           expansive NNSR offset requirements.
                                                                                                        Areas designated nonattainment for
                                              nonattainment areas were required to                                                                               The CAA sets out specific
                                                                                                      the ozone NAAQS are subject to the
                                              attain the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS no                                                                            requirements for states in the OTR.5
                                                                                                      general nonattainment area planning
                                              later than July 20, 2015, based on 2012–                                                                         Upon promulgation of the 2008 8-hour
                                                                                                      requirements of CAA section 172 and
                                              2014 monitoring data. See 40 CFR                                                                                 ozone NAAQS, states in the OTR were
                                                                                                      also to the ozone-specific planning
                                              51.1103. The Philadelphia-Wilmington-                                                                            required to submit a SIP revision for
                                                                                                      requirements of CAA section 182.4
                                              Atlantic City Area and the Washington,                                                                           RACT. See 40 CFR 51.1116. This
                                              DC Area did not attain the 2008 8-hour                  issued final rulemaking actions on both of these
                                                                                                                                                               requirement is the only recurring
                                              ozone NAAQS by July 20, 2015;                           DOAs. See 82 FR 50814 (November 2, 2017)                 obligation for an OTR state upon
                                              however, these areas did meet the CAA                   (Philadelphia Area) and 82 FR 52651 (November 14,        revision of a NAAQS, unless that state
                                                                                                      2017) (Washington, DC area).                             also contains some portion of a
                                              section 181(a)(5) criteria, as interpreted                 3 On June 1, 2015, EPA finalized a clean data
                                              in 40 CFR 51.1107, for a one-year                                                                                nonattainment area for the revised
                                                                                                      determination (CDD) for the Baltimore
                                              attainment date extension. See 81 FR                    Nonattainment Area. This determination was based         NAAQS.6 In that case, the
                                              26697 (May 4, 2016). Therefore, on                      upon complete, quality-assured, and certified            nonattainment requirements described
                                                                                                      ambient air quality monitoring data that shows the       previously also apply to those portions
                                              April 11, 2016, the EPA Administrator                   Baltimore Area has monitored attainment of the
                                              signed a final rule extending the                       2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS for the 2012–2014
                                                                                                                                                               of that state.
                                              Philadelphia-Wilmington-Atlantic City                   monitoring period. As a result of this                     In the March 6, 2015 SIP
                                              Area and the Washington, DC Area 2008                   determination, the requirement for the Baltimore         Requirements Rule, EPA detailed the
                                              8-hour ozone NAAQS attainment date                      Area to submit an attainment demonstration and           requirements applicable to ozone
                                                                                                      associated reasonably available control measures         nonattainment areas, as well as
                                              from July 20, 2015 to July 20, 2016. Id.2               (RACM), reasonable further progress plans (RFP),
                                                                                                      contingency measures, and other SIP revisions            requirements that apply in the OTR, and
                                                 2 EPA proposed approval of a Determination of        related to attainment of the standard are suspended      provided specific deadlines for SIP
                                              Attainment (DOA) for the 2008 8-hour ozone              for as long as the area continues to attain the 2008     submittals. See 80 FR 12264.
                                              NAAQS for the Philadelphia-Wilmington-Atlantic          8-hour ozone standard. See 80 FR 30941 (June 2,            On February 3, 2017, EPA found that
                                              City Area and the Washington, DC Area on April          2015). This action did not alleviate the need for
                                              18, 2017, and April 25, 2017, respectively. These       Maryland to submit a NNSR Certification SIP              15 states and the District of Columbia
                                              proposed actions were based on complete, certified,     revision, which is the subject of this rulemaking
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                                                                                                      action.                                                    5 CAA section 184 details specific requirements
                                              and quality assured ambient air quality monitoring
                                              data for the 2013–2015 monitoring period. See 82           4 Ozone nonattainment areas are classified based      for a group of states (and the District of Columbia)
                                              FR 18268 (April 18, 2017) and 82 FR 19011 (April        on the severity of their ozone levels (as determined     that make up the OTR. States in the OTR are
                                              25, 2017). It should be noted that a DOA does not       based on the area’s ‘‘design value,’’ which              required to submit RACT SIP revisions and
                                              alleviate the need for Maryland to certify that their   represents air quality in the area for the most recent   mandate a certain level of emissions control for the
                                              existing SIP approved NNSR program is as stringent      three years). The possible classifications for ozone     pollutants that form ozone, even if the areas in the
                                              as the requirements at 40 CFR 51.165, as NNSR           nonattainment areas are Marginal, Moderate,              state meet the ozone standards.
                                              applies in nonattainment areas until an area has        Serious, Severe, and Extreme. See CAA section              6 NNSR requirements continue to apply in the

                                              been redesignated to attainment. Subsequently, EPA      181(a)(1).                                               OTR. See CAA section 184(b).



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                                              3984              Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 19 / Monday, January 29, 2018 / Rules and Regulations

                                              failed to submit SIP revisions in a                     II. Summary of SIP Revision and EPA                      (a)(9)(ii)–(iv) under the SIP
                                              timely manner to satisfy certain                        Analysis                                                 Requirements Rule for the 2008 8-hour
                                              requirements for the 2008 8-hour ozone                     This rulemaking action is specific to                 ozone NAAQS). Under the SIP
                                              NAAQS that apply to nonattainment                       Maryland’s NNSR requirements. NNSR                       Requirements Rule for the 2008 8-hour
                                              areas and/or states in the OTR. See 82                  is a preconstruction review permit                       ozone NAAQS, the SIP for each ozone
                                              FR 9158. As explained in that                           program that applies to new major                        nonattainment area designated
                                              rulemaking action, consistent with the                  stationary sources or major                              nonattainment for the 2008 8-hour
                                              CAA and EPA regulations, these                          modifications at existing sources located                ozone NAAQS and designated
                                              Findings of Failure to Submit                           in a nonattainment area.8 The specific                   nonattainment for the 1997 ozone
                                              established certain deadlines for the                   NNSR requirements for the 2008 8-hour                    NAAQS on April 6, 2015, must also
                                              imposition of sanctions if a state does                 ozone NAAQS are located in 40 CFR                        contain NNSR provisions that include
                                              not submit a timely SIP revision                        51.160–165. The SIP Requirements Rule                    the anti-backsliding requirements at 40
                                              addressing the requirements for which                   explained that, for each nonattainment                   CFR 51.1105. See 40 CFR 51.165(a)(12).
                                              the finding is being made, and for the                  area, a NNSR plan or plan revision was                      Maryland’s longstanding SIP
                                              EPA to promulgate a federal                             due no later than 36 months after the                    approved NNSR program, established in
                                              implementation plan (FIP) to address                    July 20, 2012 effective date of area                     Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR)
                                              any outstanding SIP requirements.                       designations for the 2008 8-hour ozone                   Air Quality Rule COMAR 26.11.17—
                                                                                                      standard (i.e., July 20, 2015).9                         Nonattainment Provisions for Major
                                                 EPA found that the State of Maryland                                                                          New Sources and Major Modifications,
                                                                                                         The minimum SIP requirements for
                                              failed to submit SIP revisions in a                                                                              applies to the construction and
                                                                                                      NNSR permitting programs for the 2008
                                              timely matter to satisfy NNSR                                                                                    modification of major stationary sources
                                                                                                      8-hour ozone NAAQS are located in 40
                                              requirements for its marginal and                                                                                in nonattainment areas. In its May 8,
                                                                                                      CFR 51.165. See 40 CFR 51.1114. These
                                              moderate nonattainment areas,                           NNSR program requirements include                        2017 SIP revision, Maryland certifies
                                              specifically the Philadelphia-                          those promulgated in the ‘‘Phase 2                       that the version of the Air Quality Rule
                                              Wilmington-Atlantic City Area, the                      Rule’’ implementing the 1997 8-hour                      COMAR 26.11.17 in the SIP is at least
                                              Washington, DC Area, and the Baltimore                  ozone NAAQS (75 FR 71018 (November                       as stringent as the federal NNSR
                                              Area.7 Maryland submitted its May 8,                    29, 2005)) and the SIP Requirements                      requirements for the Philadelphia-
                                              2017 SIP revision to address the specific               Rule implementing the 2008 8-hour                        Wilmington-Atlantic City Area, the
                                              NNSR requirements for the 2008 8-hour                   ozone NAAQS. Under the Phase 2 Rule,                     Washington, DC Area, and the Baltimore
                                              ozone NAAQS, located in 40 CFR                          the SIP for each ozone nonattainment                     Area. EPA last approved revisions to the
                                              51.160–165, as well as its obligations                  area must contain NNSR provisions                        SIP approved version of Maryland’s
                                              under EPA’s February 3, 2017 Findings                   that: Set major source thresholds for                    NNSR rule in 2012 addressing, among
                                              of Failure to Submit. EPA’s analysis of                 oxides of nitrogen (NOX) and volatile                    other things, NSR Reform and NOX as a
                                              how this SIP revision addresses the                     organic compounds (VOC) pursuant to                      precursor to ozone. See 77 FR 45949
                                              NNSR requirements for the 2008 8-hour                   40 CFR 51.165(a)(1)(iv)(A)(1)(i)–(iv) and                (August 2, 2012).10
                                              ozone NAAQS and the Findings of                         (2); classify physical changes as a major                   EPA notes that neither COMAR
                                              Failure to Submit is provided in Section                source if the change would constitute a                  26.11.17 nor Maryland’s approved SIP
                                              II below.                                               major source by itself pursuant to 40                    contain a regulatory provision
                                                 On September 29, 2017 (82 FR 45475),                 CFR 51.165(a)(1)(iv)(A)(3); consider any                 pertaining to any emissions change of
                                              EPA published a direct final rulemaking                 significant net emissions increase of                    VOC in extreme nonattainment areas, as
                                              notice (DFRN) for the State of Maryland.                NOX as a significant net emissions                       specified in 40 CFR 51.165(a)(1)(v)(F).
                                              In the DFRN, EPA approved the                           increase for ozone pursuant to 40 CFR                    However, Maryland has never had an
                                              Maryland submittal pertaining to NNSR                   51.165(a)(1)(v)(E); consider certain                     area designated extreme nonattainment
                                              requirements for the 2008 8-hour ozone                  increases of VOC emissions in extreme                    for any of the ozone NAAQS, and, thus,
                                              NAAQS. On the same date (82 FR                          ozone nonattainment areas as a                           the Maryland SIP is not required to
                                              45547), EPA published a notice of                       significant net emissions increase and a                 contain this provision until such a time.
                                              proposed rulemaking (NPR) for the                       major modification for ozone pursuant                    Additionally, the anti-backsliding
                                              action. EPA published the DFRN                          to 40 CFR 51.165(a)(1)(v)(F); set                        provisions in 40 CFR 51.165(a)(12) are
                                              without prior proposal because the                      significant emissions rates for VOC and                  not found in either COMAR 26.11.17 or
                                              Agency viewed the submittals as                         NOX as ozone precursors pursuant to 40                   the Maryland SIP. Maryland’s major
                                              noncontroversial and anticipated no                     CFR 51.165(a)(1)(x)(A)–(C) and (E);                      stationary source thresholds were
                                              adverse comments. EPA explained that                    contain provisions for emissions                         established for the 1997 8-hour ozone
                                              if adverse comments were received                       reductions credits pursuant to 40 CFR                    NAAQS nonattainment designations
                                              during the comment period, the DFRN                     51.165(a)(3)(ii)(C)(1)–(2); provide that                 and remain unchanged in Maryland’s
                                              would be withdrawn and all public                       the requirements applicable to VOC also                  federally-approved SIP.11 Therefore, all
                                              comments received would be addressed                    apply to NOX pursuant to 40 CFR                          of the sources located in the 2008 8-
                                              in a subsequent final rule based on the                 51.165(a)(8); and set offset ratios for                  hour ozone nonattainment areas in
                                              September 29, 2017 proposed rule. EPA                   VOC and NOX pursuant to 40 CFR                           Maryland are required to meet a major
                                              received an adverse comment, and on                     51.165(a)(9)(i)–(iii) (renumbered as                     stationary source threshold of 25 tons or
                                              November 22, 2017 (82 FR 55510)                           8 See CAA sections 172(c)(5), 173 and 182.                10 On August 30, 2012, EPA published a
                                              withdrew the DFRN.
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                                                                                                        9 With  respect to states with nonattainment areas     rulemaking correcting minor errors in their August
                                                                                                      subject to a finding of failure to submit NNSR SIP       2, 2012 final rule. The correction of these errors did
                                                 7 The EPA found that the State of Maryland also      revisions, such revisions would no longer be             not change EPA’s final action to approve the
                                              failed to submit SIP revisions for inspection and       required if the area were redesignated to attainment.    Maryland regulations. See 77 FR 52605.
                                              maintenance (I/M) basic and nitrogen oxide RACT         The CAA’s prevention of significant deterioration           11 Under the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS, the

                                              for major sources. These SIP requirements will be       (PSD) program requirements apply in lieu of NNSR         Baltimore Area was classified as serious
                                              addressed in separate rulemaking actions and will       after an area is redesignated to attainment. For areas   nonattainment and the Philadelphia-Wilmington-
                                              not be discussed here. See 82 FR 9158 (February 3,      outside the OTR, NNSR requirements do not apply          Atlantic City and Washington, DC Areas were
                                              2017).                                                  in areas designated as attainment.                       classified as moderate nonattainment.



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                                                                Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 19 / Monday, January 29, 2018 / Rules and Regulations                                           3985

                                              more per year of VOC or NOX. This                       8-hour ozone NAAQS for the Baltimore                   IV. Final Action
                                              requirement continues to be more                        and Philadelphia-Wilmington-Atlantic
                                              stringent than the 2008 8-hour ozone                    City Nonattainment Areas. See 82 FR                      EPA is approving Maryland’s May 8,
                                              standards at issue in this action, and,                 45475.12 As explained in EPA’s                         2017 SIP revision addressing the NNSR
                                              thus, the above mentioned anti-                         September 29, 2017 DFRN and in this                    requirements for the 2008 ozone
                                              backsliding requirements are not                        present action, the Maryland submittal                 NAAQS for the Philadelphia-
                                              required.                                               satisfies Maryland’s requirement to                    Wilmington-Atlantic City, Washington,
                                                 The version of COMAR 26.11.17 that                   submit a NNSR SIP revision for the                     DC, and Baltimore Nonattainment
                                              is contained in the current SIP has not                 Baltimore and Philadelphia-                            Areas. EPA has concluded that the
                                              changed since the 2012 rulemaking                       Wilmington-Atlantic City                               State’s submission fulfills the 40 CFR
                                              where EPA last approved Maryland’s                      Nonattainment Areas in response to                     51.1114 revision requirement, meets the
                                              NNSR provisions. This version of the                    EPA’s February 3, 2017 final 2008 8-                   requirements of CAA sections 110 and
                                              rule covers the Philadelphia-                           hour ozone NAAQS Findings of Failure                   172 and the minimum SIP requirements
                                              Wilmington-Atlantic City, Washington,                   to Submit for NNSR requirements. See                   of 40 CFR 51.165, as well as its
                                              DC, and Baltimore Nonattainment Areas                   82 FR 9158. Maryland’s obligations as a                obligations under EPA’s February 3,
                                              and remains adequate to meet all                        member of the OTR are not the subject                  2017 Findings of Failure to Submit. See
                                              applicable NNSR requirements for the                    of this rulemaking. Pursuant to CAA                    82 FR 9158.
                                              2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS in 40 CFR                       sections 182(f) and 184(b)(2), major                   V. Statutory and Executive Order
                                              51.165, the Phase 2 Rule and the SIP                    stationary sources of VOC and NOX in                   Reviews
                                              Requirements Rule. A detailed                           the OTR are subject to requirements
                                              description of the state submittal and                  applicable to major stationary sources in              A. General Requirements
                                              EPA’s evaluation is included in a                       moderate nonattainment with ozone                         Under the CAA, the Administrator is
                                              technical support document (TSD)                        NAAQS which includes NNSR                              required to approve a SIP submission
                                              prepared in support of this rulemaking                  permitting requirements. The specific                  that complies with the provisions of the
                                              action. A copy of the TSD is available,                 requirements for Maryland as an OTR                    CAA and applicable federal regulations.
                                              upon request, from the EPA Regional                     state were discussed in EPA’s February                 42 U.S.C. 7410(k); 40 CFR 52.02(a).
                                              Office listed in the ADDRESSES section of               3, 2017 Findings of Failure to Submit                  Thus, in reviewing SIP submissions,
                                              this document or is also available                      and will not be restated here. However,                EPA’s role is to approve state choices,
                                              electronically within the Docket for this               because EPA did not propose any action                 provided that they meet the criteria of
                                              rulemaking action.                                      related to Maryland’s NNSR                             the CAA. Accordingly, this action
                                              III. Public Comments and EPA                            requirements for the OTR, the                          merely approves state law as meeting
                                              Responses                                               commenter’s statements related to                      federal requirements and does not
                                                 EPA received one comment on the                      Maryland’s NNSR requirements for the                   impose additional requirements beyond
                                              proposed approval of MDE’s May 8,                       OTR are not germane to this rulemaking.                those imposed by state law. For that
                                              2017 submittal requesting EPA’s                         As discussed in EPA’s DFRN,                            reason, this action:
                                              approval for the SIP of its NNSR                        Maryland’s NNSR provisions at COMAR                       • Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory
                                              Certification for the 2008 Ozone                        26.11.17 are in the Maryland SIP and                   action’’ subject to review by the Office
                                              Standard (Revision 17–01).                              meet the NNSR requirements for the                     of Management and Budget under
                                                 Comment: The commenter stated that                   2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS for the                        Executive Orders 12866 (58 FR 51735,
                                              it is unclear to them how Maryland met                  Baltimore and Philadelphia-                            October 4, 1993) and 13563 (76 FR 3821,
                                              the requirements for a NNSR SIP for the                 Wilmington-Atlantic City                               January 21, 2011);
                                              OTR, but did not meet the requirements                  Nonattainment Areas as identified in                      • Is not an Executive Order 13771 (82
                                              for the NNSR SIP for the Baltimore and                  the SIP Requirements Rule, for ozone                   FR 9339, February 2, 2017) regulatory
                                              Philadelphia areas. The commenter                       and its precursors, as well as EPA’s                   action because SIP approvals are
                                              stated that if Maryland submitted a SIP                 February 3, 2017 Findings of Failure to                exempted under Executive Order 12866.
                                              for the OTR that met the NNSR                           Submit, as noted previously. See 80 FR
                                                                                                      12264 (March 6, 2015) and 82 FR 9158,                     • Does not impose an information
                                              requirements, then how is it possible                                                                          collection burden under the provisions
                                              Maryland did not meet the requirements                  respectively.
                                                                                                         Regarding the assertion that EPA                    of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44
                                              for Philadelphia and Baltimore. The                                                                            U.S.C. 3501 et seq.);
                                              commenter then asserted that if                         should consider this comment to be the
                                                                                                      commenter’s ‘‘notice of intent’’ to sue                   • Is certified as not having a
                                              Maryland did not submit a NNSR SIP
                                                                                                      EPA for failing to perform its                         significant economic impact on a
                                              for the OTR, then EPA needs to make a
                                                                                                      nondiscretionary duty to make a                        substantial number of small entities
                                              Finding of Failure to Submit for
                                                                                                      Finding of Failure to Submit for a NNSR                under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5
                                              Maryland to submit a NNSR SIP for
                                                                                                      SIP for the OTR requirements, EPA                      U.S.C. 601 et seq.);
                                              OTR requirements. The commenter
                                              further asserts that EPA should consider                notes that requirements for serving upon                  • Does not contain any unfunded
                                              this comment a notice of intent to sue                  EPA a notice of intent to sue are in CAA               mandate or significantly or uniquely
                                              EPA for failing to perform its                          section 304 and in 40 CFR part 54,                     affect small governments, as described
                                              nondiscretionary duty to issue a Finding                specifically in 40 CFR 54.2.                           in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
                                              of Failure to Submit for Maryland’s non-                Commenting within an unrelated                         of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–4);
                                              submission of a NNSR SIP for OTR                        rulemaking is not appropriate service of                  • Does not have federalism
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                                              requirements.                                           a notice of intent to sue pursuant to 40               implications as specified in Executive
                                                 EPA Response: EPA’s September 29,                    CFR 54.2 and CAA section 304.                          Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10,
                                              2017 DFRN would have approved                                                                                  1999);
                                              Maryland’s submittal of a SIP revision                    12 While not addressed by the commenter, in
                                                                                                                                                                • Is not an economically significant
                                                                                                      addition to the Baltimore and Philadelphia-
                                              which specifically addressed the NNSR                   Wilmington-Atlantic City Nonattainment Areas,
                                                                                                                                                             regulatory action based on health or
                                              permitting requirements in CAA                          Maryland’s submittal also addresses the                safety risks subject to Executive Order
                                              sections 172(c) and 182(b) for the 2008                 Washington, DC Nonattainment Area.                     13045 (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997);


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                                              3986              Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 19 / Monday, January 29, 2018 / Rules and Regulations

                                                 • Is not a significant regulatory action              submit a rule report, which includes a                  List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52
                                              subject to Executive Order 13211 (66 FR                  copy of the rule, to each House of the
                                              28355, May 22, 2001);                                    Congress and to the Comptroller General                   Environmental protection, Air
                                                 • Is not subject to requirements of                   of the United States. EPA will submit a                 pollution control, Incorporation by
                                              section 12(d) of the National                            report containing this action and other                 reference, Intergovernmental relations,
                                              Technology Transfer and Advancement                      required information to the U.S. Senate,                Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone, Reporting and
                                              Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272 note) because                 the U.S. House of Representatives, and                  recordkeeping requirements, Volatile
                                              application of those requirements would                  the Comptroller General of the United                   organic compounds.
                                              be inconsistent with the CAA; and                        States prior to publication of the rule in                Dated: January 11, 2018.
                                                 • Does not provide EPA with the                       the Federal Register. A major rule                      Cosmo Servidio,
                                              discretionary authority to address, as                   cannot take effect until 60 days after it               Regional Administrator, Region III.
                                              appropriate, disproportionate human                      is published in the Federal Register.
                                              health or environmental effects, using                   This action is not a ‘‘major rule’’ as                      40 CFR part 52 is amended as follows:
                                              practicable and legally permissible                      defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2).
                                              methods, under Executive Order 12898                                                                             PART 52—APPROVAL AND
                                              (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994).                         C. Petitions for Judicial Review                        PROMULGATION OF
                                                 In addition, this rule does not have                     Under section 307(b)(1) of the CAA,                  IMPLEMENTATION PLANS
                                              tribal implications as specified by                      petitions for judicial review of this
                                              Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249,                      action must be filed in the United States               ■ 1. The authority citation for part 52
                                              November 9, 2000), because the SIP is                    Court of Appeals for the appropriate                    continues to read as follows:
                                              not approved to apply in Indian country                  circuit by March 30, 2018. Filing a                         Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
                                              located in the state, and EPA notes that                 petition for reconsideration by the
                                              it will not impose substantial direct                    Administrator of this final rule does not               Subpart V—Maryland
                                              costs on tribal governments or preempt                   affect the finality of this action for the
                                              tribal law.                                              purposes of judicial review nor does it                 ■  2. In § 52.1070, the table in paragraph
                                                                                                       extend the time within which a petition                 (e) is amended by adding the entry
                                              B. Submission to Congress and the                        for judicial review may be filed, and                   ‘‘2008 8-Hour Ozone NAAQS
                                              Comptroller General                                      shall not postpone the effectiveness of                 Nonattainment New Source Review
                                                The Congressional Review Act, 5                        such rule or action. This action                        Requirements’’ at the end of the table to
                                              U.S.C. 801 et seq., as added by the Small                approving Maryland’s 2008 8-hour                        read as follows:
                                              Business Regulatory Enforcement                          ozone NAAQS Certification SIP revision
                                              Fairness Act of 1996, generally provides                 for NNSR may not be challenged later in                 § 52.1070    Identification of plan.
                                              that before a rule may take effect, the                  proceedings to enforce its requirements.                *       *    *      *     *
                                              agency promulgating the rule must                        (See section 307(b)(2).)                                    (e) * * *

                                                                                                                                                     State
                                                Name of non-regulatory                                                                                                                             Additional
                                                                                                 Applicable geographic area                        submittal           EPA approval date
                                                    SIP revision                                                                                                                                  explanation
                                                                                                                                                     date


                                                       *                       *                      *                    *                             *                      *                      *
                                              2008 8-Hour Ozone               The Baltimore Area (includes Anne Arundel, Balti-                       5/8/2017     1/29/2018, [insert Federal
                                                NAAQS Nonattainment              more, Carroll, Harford, and Howard Counties and                                     Register citation].
                                                New Source Review                the city of Baltimore), the Philadelphia-Wilmington-
                                                Requirements.                    Atlantic City Area (includes Cecil County in Mary-
                                                                                 land), and the Washington, DC Area (includes
                                                                                 Calvert, Charles, Frederick, Montgomery, and
                                                                                 Prince Georges Counties in Maryland).



                                              [FR Doc. 2018–01518 Filed 1–26–18; 8:45 am]              ACTION: Final rule; notification of final               requirements were in addition to the
                                              BILLING CODE 6560–50–P                                   action on reconsideration.                              inspection and monitoring requirements
                                                                                                                                                               for containers and their closure devices
                                                                                                       SUMMARY:   This action finalizes                        already required by the OSWRO
                                              ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION                                 amendments to the National Emission                     NESHAP. This final action removes the
                                              AGENCY                                                   Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants                  additional monitoring requirements for
                                                                                                       (NESHAP) for Off-Site Waste and                         PRDs on containers that resulted from
                                              40 CFR Part 63                                           Recovery Operations (OSWRO). The                        the 2015 amendments because we have
                                                                                                       final amendments address continuous                     determined that they are not necessary.
                                              [EPA–HQ–OAR–2012–0360; FRL–9972–89–                      monitoring on pressure relief devices                   This action does not substantially
                                              OAR]                                                     (PRDs) on containers. This issue was                    change the level of environmental
                                                                                                       raised in a petition for reconsideration                protection provided under the OSWRO
                                              RIN 2060–AT48                                            of the 2015 amendments to the OSWRO                     NESHAP, but reduces burden to this
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                                                                                                       NESHAP, which were based on the                         industry compared to the current rule
                                              National Emission Standards for                          residual risk and technology review                     by $28 million in capital costs related to
                                              Hazardous Air Pollutants: Off-Site                       (RTR). Among other things, the 2015                     compliance, and $4.2 million per year
                                              Waste and Recovery Operations                            amendments established additional                       in total annualized costs under a 7
                                                                                                       monitoring requirements for all PRDs,                   percent interest rate. Over 15 years at a
                                              AGENCY: Environmental Protection                         including PRDs on containers. For PRDs                  7-percent discount rate, this constitutes
                                              Agency (EPA).                                            on containers, these monitoring                         an estimated reduction of $39 million in


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Document Created: 2018-01-27 00:57:33
Document Modified: 2018-01-27 00:57:33
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionRules and Regulations
ActionFinal rule.
DatesThis final rule is effective on February 28, 2018.
ContactMr. David Talley, (215) 814-2117, or by email at [email protected]
FR Citation83 FR 3982 
CFR AssociatedEnvironmental Protection; Air Pollution Control; Incorporation by Reference; Intergovernmental Relations; Nitrogen Dioxide; Ozone; Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements and Volatile Organic Compounds

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