83 FR 49872 - Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; California; South Coast Serious Area Plan for the 2006 PM2.5
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 192 (October 3, 2018)
Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 192 (October 3, 2018)
| Page Range | 49872-49894 | |
| FR Document | 2018-21560 |
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 192 (Wednesday, October 3, 2018)] [Proposed Rules] [Pages 49872-49894] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2018-21560] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 40 CFR Part 52 [EPA-R09-OAR-2017-0490; FRL-9984-91--Region 9] Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; California; South Coast Serious Area Plan for the 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS AGENCY: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Proposed rule. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve state implementation plan (SIP) revisions submitted by California to address Clean Air Act (CAA or ``Act'') requirements for the 2006 24-hour fine particulate matter (PM2.5 ) national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS or ``standards'') in the Los Angeles-South Coast air basin (South Coast) Serious PM2.5 nonattainment area. The EPA is also proposing to approve 2017 and 2019 motor vehicle emissions budgets for transportation conformity purposes and inter-pollutant trading ratios for use in transportation conformity analyses. DATES: Any comments must arrive by November 2, 2018. ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-R09- OAR-2017-0490 at https://www.regulations.gov, or via email to [email protected]. For comments submitted at Regulations.gov, follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Once submitted, comments cannot be edited or removed from Regulations.gov. For either manner of submission, the EPA may publish any comment received to its public docket. Do not submit electronically any information you consider to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Multimedia submissions (audio, video, etc.) must be accompanied by a written comment. The written comment is considered the official comment and should include discussion of all points you wish to make. The EPA will generally not consider comments or comment contents located outside of the primary submission (i.e., on the web, cloud, or other file sharing system). For additional submission methods, please contact the person identified in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section. For the full EPA public comment policy, information about CBI or multimedia submissions, and general guidance on making effective comments, please visit http://www2.epa.gov/dockets/commenting-epa-dockets. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Wienke Tax, Air Planning Office (AIR- 2), EPA Region IX, (415) 947-4192, [email protected]. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Throughout this document, ``we,'' ``us'' and ``our'' refer to the EPA. Table of Contents I. Background II. Summary of the 2016 PM2.5 Plan III. Completeness Review of the 2016 PM2.5 Plan IV. Clean Air Act Requirements for PM2.5 Serious Area Plans V. Review of South Coast Serious Area Plan Addressing the 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS A. Emissions Inventory B. PM2.5 Precursors C. Best Available Control Measures D. Attainment Demonstration and Modeling E. Reasonable Further Progress and Quantitative Milestones F. Contingency Measures G. Major Stationary Source Control Requirements Under CAA Section 189(e) H. Motor Vehicle Emission Budgets VI. Summary of Proposed Actions and Request for Public Comment VII. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews I. Background On October 17, 2006, the EPA revised the 24-hour NAAQS for PM2.5 , particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 microns or less, to provide increased protection of public health by lowering the level from 65 micrograms per cubic meter ([micro]g/m\3\) to 35 [micro]g/m\3\.\1\ Epidemiological studies have shown statistically significant correlations between elevated PM2.5 levels and premature mortality. Other important health effects associated with PM2.5 exposure include aggravation of respiratory and cardiovascular disease (as indicated by increased hospital admissions, emergency room visits, absences from school or work, and [[Page 49873]] restricted activity days), changes in lung function and increased respiratory symptoms. Individuals particularly sensitive to PM2.5 exposure include older adults, people with heart and lung disease, and children.\2\ PM2.5 can be emitted directly into the atmosphere as a solid or liquid particle (``primary PM2.5 '' or ``direct PM2.5 '') or can be formed in the atmosphere as a result of various chemical reactions among precursor pollutants such as nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, volatile organic compounds, and ammonia (``secondary PM2.5 '').\3\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ 40 CFR 50.13 and 71 FR 61144 (October 17, 2006). The EPA first established NAAQS for PM2.5 on July 18, 1997 (62 FR 38652), including annual standards of 15.0 [micro]g/m\3\ based on a 3-year average of annual mean PM2.5 concentrations and 24-hour (daily) standards of 65 [micro]g/m\3\ based on a 3-year average of 98th percentile 24-hour concentrations (40 CFR 50.7). In 2012, the EPA revised the annual standards to lower them to 12 [micro]g/m\3\ (78 FR 3086, January 15, 2013, codified at 40 CFR 50.18). Unless otherwise noted, all references to the PM2.5 standards in this notice are to the 2006 24-hour NAAQS of 35 [micro]g/m\3\ codified at 40 CFR 50.13. \2\ 78 FR 3086 at 3088 (January 15, 2013). \3\ 72 FR 20586, 20589 (April 25, 2007). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Following promulgation of a new or revised NAAQS, the EPA is required by CAA section 107(d) to designate areas throughout the nation as attaining or not attaining the NAAQS. On November 13, 2009, the EPA designated the South Coast as nonattainment for the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 standards.\4\ This designation became effective on December 14, 2009.\5\ The South Coast area is also designated nonattainment for the 1997 annual and 24-hour PM2.5 standards.\6\ On June 2, 2014, the EPA classified the South Coast area as ``Moderate'' nonattainment for both the 1997 PM2.5 standards and the 2006 PM2.5 standards under subpart 4 of part D, title I of the Act.7 8 California submitted a plan addressing the Moderate area attainment planning requirements for the 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS in the South Coast on February 13, 2013, and submitted a supplement to this plan on March 4, 2015.\9\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \4\ 74 FR 58688 (November 13, 2009). \5\ 40 CFR 81.305. \6\ 70 FR 944 (January 5, 2005) and 40 CFR 81.305. In November 2007, California submitted the 2007 PM2.5 Plan to provide for attainment of the 1997 PM2.5 standards in the South Coast. In November 2011, the EPA approved all but the contingency measures in the 2007 PM2.5 Plan (76 FR 69928, November 9, 2011). In November 2011 and April 2013, the State submitted a revised contingency measure plan, which the EPA approved on October 29, 2013 (78 FR 64402). \7\ 79 FR 31566. \8\ The EPA took this action in response to a decision of the Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit finding that the EPA had erred in implementing the PM2.5 NAAQS pursuant solely to the general implementation provisions of subpart 1 of Part D, Title I of the Act, without also considering the particulate matter-specific provisions of subpart 4 of Part D. Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) v. EPA, 706 F.3d 428 (D.C. Cir. 2013). \9\ Letter from James N. Goldstene, Executive Officer, California Air Resources Board (CARB), to Jared Blumenfeld, Regional Administrator, EPA Region IX, with attachments (transmitting 2012 PM2.5 Plan), February 13, 2013, and letter from Richard W. Corey, Executive Officer, CARB, to Jared Blumenfeld, Regional Administrator, EPA Region IX, with attachments (transmitting 2015 supplement to 2012 PM2.5 Plan), March 4, 2015. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- On January 13, 2016, the EPA published a December 22, 2015 final rule reclassifying the South Coast area as ``Serious'' nonattainment under subpart 4, based on the EPA's determination that the area could not practicably attain the 2006 PM2.5 standards by the December 31, 2015 attainment date.\10\ This reclassification became effective on February 12, 2016. The reclassification was based upon the EPA's evaluation of ambient air quality data from the 2013-2015 period, indicating that it was not practicable for certain monitoring sites within the South Coast area to show PM2.5 design values at or below the level of the 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS by December 31, 2015.\11\ On April 14, 2016, we partially approved and partially disapproved California's Moderate area plan for the 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS in the South Coast.\12\ On February 12, 2018, we determined that California had corrected the deficiencies identified in our prior partial disapproval of this plan and terminated all sanction clocks triggered by that action.\13\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \10\ 81 FR 1514 (January 13, 2016). \11\ Id. at 1514; see also proposed rule, 80 FR 63640 (October 20, 2015). Air quality data for 2013-2015 indicated that the highest monitors in the South Coast area had a design value of 38 [micro]g/ m\3\ for the 24-hour standard. \12\ 81 FR 22025 (April 14, 2016). \13\ 83 FR 5923 (February 12, 2018). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The South Coast PM2.5 nonattainment area is home to about 17 million people, has a diverse economic base, and contains one of the highest-volume port areas in the world. For a precise description of the geographic boundaries of the South Coast PM2.5 nonattainment area, see 40 CFR 81.305. The local air district with primary responsibility for developing a plan to attain the 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS in this area is the South Coast Air Quality Management District (``District'' or SCAQMD). The District works cooperatively with the California Air Resources Board (CARB) in preparing these plans. Authority for regulating sources in the South Coast is split between the District, which has responsibility for regulating stationary and most area sources, and CARB, which has responsibility for regulating most mobile sources and some categories of consumer products. As a consequence of its reclassification as a Serious PM2.5 nonattainment area, the South Coast area became subject to a new attainment date under CAA section 188(c)(2) and the requirement to submit a Serious area plan that satisfies the requirements of part D of title I of the Act, including the requirements of subpart 4, for the 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS.\14\ Under subpart 4, the attainment date for an area classified as Serious is as expeditiously as practicable, but no later than the end of the tenth calendar year following designation. As explained in the EPA's final reclassification action, the Serious area plan for the South Coast must include provisions to assure that the best available control measures (BACM) for the control of direct PM2.5 and PM2.5 precursors shall be implemented no later than 4 years after the area is reclassified (CAA section 189(b)(1)(B)), and a demonstration (including air quality modeling) that the plan provides for attainment as expeditiously as practicable but no later than December 31, 2019, which is the latest permissible attainment date under CAA section 188(c)(2).\15\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \14\ 81 FR 1514, 1518 (January 13, 2016). \15\ Id. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Given the December 31, 2019 outermost attainment deadline for the South Coast area under section 188(c)(2), the EPA required the State to adopt and submit a Serious area plan for the South Coast within 18 months of the reclassification, well before the statutory SIP submission deadlines in CAA section 189(b)(2).\16\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \16\ Id. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- II. Summary of the 2016 PM2.5 Plan We are proposing action on portions of two California SIP submissions that address the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS Serious area plan requirements in the South Coast. The first submission is the ``Final 2016 Air Quality Management Plan (March 2017),'' adopted by the SCAQMD Governing Board on March 3, 2017 (``2016 AQMP''). CARB submitted the 2016 AQMP to the EPA on April 27, 2017.\17\ The second submission, also submitted to the EPA on April 27, 2017, is CARB's ``2016 State Strategy for the State Implementation Plan (March 2017)'' (``2016 State Strategy'').\18\ We refer to these SIP submissions collectively as the ``2016 PM2.5 Plan'' or ``Plan.'' --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \17\ Letter from Richard Corey, Executive Officer, CARB, to Alexis Strauss, Acting Regional Administrator, EPA Region IX, with enclosures, April 27, 2017. \18\ Id. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The 2016 AQMP is organized into eleven chapters, each addressing a specific topic. We summarize below each of the chapters relevant to the 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS.\19\ Chapter 1, [[Page 49874]] ``Introduction,'' introduces the 2016 AQMP, including its purpose, historical air quality progress in the South Coast, and the District's approach to air quality planning. Chapter 2, ``Air Quality and Health Effects,'' discusses current air quality in comparison with federal health-based air pollution standards. Chapter 3, ``Base Year and Future Emissions,'' summarizes emissions inventories, estimates current emissions by source and pollutant, and projects future emissions with and without growth. Chapter 4, ``Control Strategy and Implementation,'' presents the control strategy, specific measures, and implementation schedules to attain the air quality standards by the specified attainment dates. Chapter 5, ``Future Air Quality,'' describes the modeling approach used in the 2016 AQMP and summarizes the South Coast's future air quality projections with and without the control strategy. Chapter 6, ``Federal and State Clean Air Act Requirements,'' discusses specific federal and State requirements as they pertain to the South Coast, including anti-backsliding requirements for revoked standards. Chapter 11, ``Public Process and Participation,'' describes the District's public outreach effort associated with the development of the 2016 AQMP. A ``Glossary'' is provided at the end of the document, presenting definitions of commonly used terms found in the 2016 AQMP. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \19\ The following chapters in the 2016 AQMP are not relevant to the 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS and were not reviewed as part of today's action: Chapter 7, ``Current and Future Air Quality--Desert Nonattainment Areas,'' describes the air quality status of the Coachella Valley, including emissions inventories, designations, and current and future air quality; Chapter 8, ``Looking Beyond Current Requirements,'' assesses the South Coast air basin's status with respect to the 2015 8-hour ozone standard of 70 ppb; Chapter 9, ``Air Toxic Control Strategy,'' examines the ongoing efforts to reduce health risk from toxic air contaminants, co-benefits from reducing criteria pollutants, and potential future actions; and Chapter 10, ``Climate and Energy,'' provides a description of current and projected energy demand and supply issues in the South Coast air basin, and the relationship between air quality improvement and greenhouse gas mitigation goals. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The 2016 AQMP also includes numerous technical appendices, listed below:Appendix I (Health Effects) presents a summary of scientific findings on the health effects of ambient air pollutants. Appendix II (Current Air Quality) contains a detailed summary of the air quality in 2014, along with prior year trends, in both the South Coast and the Coachella Valley. Appendix III (Base and Future Year Emission Inventory) presents the 2012 base year emissions inventory and projected emission inventories of air pollutants in future attainment years for both annual average and summer planning inventories. Appendix IV-A (SCAQMD's Stationary and Mobile Source Control Measures) describes SCAQMD's proposed stationary and mobile source control measures to attain the federal ozone and PM 2.5 standards.Appendix IV-B (CARB's Mobile Source Strategy) describes CARB's proposed 2016 strategy to attain health-based federal air quality standards. Appendix IV-C (Regional Transportation Strategy and Control Measures) describes the Southern California Association of Governments' (SCAG) ``Final 2016-2040 Regional Transportation Plan/ Sustainable Communities Strategy'' and transportation control measures included in the 2016 PM 2.5 Plan.Appendix V (Modeling and Attainment Demonstrations) provides the details of the regional modeling for the attainment demonstration. Appendix VI (Compliance with Other Clean Air Act Requirements) provides the District's demonstration that the 2016 AQMP complies with specific federal and California Clean Air Act requirements. The additional documents adopted by CARB on March 23, 2017 supplement the analysis and demonstrations adopted by the SCAQMD on March 3, 2017. In particular, the ``CARB Staff Report, ARB Review of 2016 AQMP for the South Coast Air Basin and Coachella Valley,'' (``CARB Staff Report''), includes in Appendix D a weight of evidence analysis for the SCAQMD's attainment demonstration for the 24-hour and annual PM 2.5 NAAQS. In addition, the 2016 State Strategy discusses additional statewide measures, including mobile source measures, that will help the area reach attainment of the 2006 PM2.5 standards by the Serious area attainment date of December 31, 2019. We present our evaluation of the 2016 PM2.5 Plan in Section V of this proposed rule. III. Completeness Review of the 2016 PM2.5 Plan CAA sections 110(a)(1) and (2) and 110(l) require each state to provide reasonable public notice and opportunity for public hearing prior to the adoption and submission of a SIP or SIP revision to the EPA. To meet this requirement, every SIP submission should include evidence that adequate public notice was given and an opportunity for a public hearing was provided consistent with the EPA's implementing regulations in 40 CFR 51.102. Both the District and CARB satisfied applicable statutory and regulatory requirements for reasonable public notice and hearing prior to adoption and submission of the 2016 PM2.5 Plan. The District conducted numerous public workshops, provided a public comment period, and held a public hearing prior to the adoption of the 2016 AQMP on March 3, 2017.\20\ CARB provided the required public notice and opportunity for public comment prior to its March 23, 2017 public hearing and adoption of the 2016 AQMP and the 2016 State Strategy.\21\ Each submission includes proof of publication of notices for the respective public hearings, and transcripts for the public hearings.\22\ We find, therefore, that the 2016 PM2.5 Plan meets the procedural requirements for public notice and hearing in CAA sections 110(a) and 110(l). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \20\ SCAQMD, Notice of Public Hearing, Proposed 2016 Air Quality Management Plan for the South Coast Air Quality Management District and Report on the Health Impacts of Particulate Matter Air Pollution in the South Coast Air Basin, December 14, 2016. \21\ CARB, ``Notice of Public Meeting to Consider Adopting the 2016 Air Quality Management Plan for Ozone and PM2.5 for the South Coast Air Basin and the Coachella Valley,'' March 6, 2017. \22\ See Memorandum from Denise Garzaro, Clerk of the Board, SCAQMD, to Arlene Martinez, Administrative Secretary, Planning, Rule Development, and Area Sources, SUBJECT: SIP Documentation, January 24, 2017. See also California Air Resources Board, Notice of Public Meeting to Consider Adopting the 2016 Air Quality Management Plan for Ozone and PM2.5 for the South Coast Air Basin and the Coachella Valley, March 6, 2017. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- CAA section 110(k)(1)(B) requires the EPA to determine whether a SIP submission is complete within 60 days of receipt. This section also provides that any plan that the EPA has not affirmatively determined to be complete or incomplete will become complete by operation of law six months after the date of submission. The EPA's SIP completeness criteria are found in 40 CFR part 51, Appendix V. The 2016 PM2.5 Plan, which CARB submitted on April 27, 2017, became complete by operation of law on October 27, 2017. IV. Clean Air Act Requirements for PM2.5 Serious Area Plans A. PM2.5 Serious Area Plan Requirements Upon reclassification of a Moderate nonattainment area as a Serious nonattainment area under subpart 4, the CAA requires a state to submit the following Serious area SIP elements: \23\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \23\ See 81 FR 1514 (January 13, 2016) and 81 FR 58010 (August 24, 2016). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. A comprehensive, accurate, current inventory of actual emissions from all sources of PM2.5 and PM2.5 precursors in the area (CAA section 172(c)(3)); 2. Provisions to assure that BACM, including best available control technology (BACT), for the control of direct PM2.5 and PM2.5 precursors shall [[Page 49875]] be implemented no later than 4 years after the area is reclassified (CAA section 189(b)(1)(B)); 3. A demonstration (including air quality modeling) that the plan provides for attainment as expeditiously as practicable but no later than December 31, 2019 (CAA sections 188(c)(2) and 189(b)(1)(A)); 4. Plan provisions that require reasonable further progress (RFP) (CAA section 172(c)(2)); 5. Quantitative milestones that are to be achieved every 3 years until the area is redesignated attainment and that demonstrate RFP toward attainment by the applicable date (CAA section 189(c)); 6. Provisions to assure that control requirements applicable to major stationary sources of PM2.5 also apply to major stationary sources of PM2.5 precursors, except where a state demonstrates to the EPA's satisfaction that such sources do not contribute significantly to PM2.5 levels that exceed the standard in the area (CAA section 189(e)); 7. Contingency measures to be implemented if the area fails to meet RFP or to attain by the applicable attainment date (CAA section 172(c)(9)); and 8. A revision to the nonattainment new source review (NSR) program to lower the applicable ``major stationary source'' thresholds from 100 tons per year (tpy) to 70 tpy (CAA section 189(b)(3)).\24\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \24\ For any Serious area, the terms ``major source'' and ``major stationary source'' include any stationary source that emits or has the potential to emit at least 70 tons per year of PM10 (CAA section 189(b)(3)). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Serious area PM2.5 plans must also satisfy: The requirements for Moderate area plans in CAA section 189(a), to the extent those requirements have not already been satisfied in the Moderate area plan submitted for the area; the general requirements applicable to all SIP submissions under section 110 of the CAA; the requirement to provide necessary assurances that the implementing agencies have adequate personnel, funding and authority under CAA section 110(a)(2)(E); and the requirements concerning enforcement provisions in CAA section 110(a)(2)(C). The EPA provided its preliminary interpretations of the CAA's requirements for particulate matter plans under part D, title I of the Act in the following guidance documents: (1) ``State Implementation Plans; General Preamble for the Implementation of Title I of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990'' (``General Preamble''); \25\ (2) ``State Implementation Plans; General Preamble for the Implementation of Title I of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990; Supplemental'' (``Supplement''); \26\ and (3) ``State Implementation Plans for Serious PM-10 Nonattainment Areas, and Attainment Date Waivers for PM-10 Nonattainment Areas Generally; Addendum to the General Preamble for the Implementation of Title I of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990'' (``Addendum'').\27\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \25\ 57 FR 13498 (April 16, 1992). \26\ 57 FR 18070 (April 28, 1992). \27\ 59 FR 41998 (August 16, 1994). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Additionally, in an August 24, 2016 final rule entitled, ``Fine Particulate Matter National Ambient Air Quality Standards: State Implementation Plan Requirements'' (``PM2.5 SIP Requirements Rule''),\28\ the EPA established regulatory requirements and provided further interpretive guidance on the statutory SIP requirements that apply to areas designated nonattainment for the PM2.5 standards. We discuss these regulatory requirements and interpretations of the Act as appropriate in our evaluation of the 2016 PM2.5 Plan in section V of this proposed rule. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \28\ 81 FR 58010. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- V. Review of the South Coast Serious Area Plan Addressing the 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS A. Emissions Inventory 1. Requirements for Emissions Inventories CAA section 172(c)(3) requires that each SIP include a comprehensive, accurate, current inventory of actual emissions from all sources of the relevant pollutant or pollutants in the nonattainment area. This base year emissions inventory should provide a state's best estimate of actual emissions from all sources of the relevant pollutants in the area, i.e., all emissions that contribute to the formation of a particular NAAQS pollutant. For the PM2.5 NAAQS, the base year inventory must include direct PM2.5 emissions, separately reported filterable and condensable PM2.5 emissions, and emissions of all chemical precursors to the formation of secondary PM2.5 nitrogen oxides (NOX ), sulfur dioxide (SO2 ), volatile organic compounds (VOC), and ammonia (NH3 ).\29\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \29\ 40 CFR 51.1008. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- A state must include in its SIP submission documentation explaining how the emissions data were calculated. In estimating mobile source emissions, a state should use the latest emissions models and planning assumptions available at the time the SIP is developed. A state is also required to use the EPA's Compilation of Air Pollutant Emission Factors (``AP-42'') road dust method for calculating re-entrained road dust emissions from paved roads.30 31 The latest EPA-approved version of California's mobile source emission factor model for estimating tailpipe, brake and tire wear emissions from on-road mobile sources is EMFAC2014.\32\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \30\ The EPA released an update to AP-42 in January 2011, which revised the equation for estimating paved road dust emissions based on an updated data regression that included new emission tests results. See 76 FR 6328 (February 4, 2011). CARB used the revised 2011 AP-42 methodology in developing on-road mobile source emissions; see https://www.arb.ca.gov/ei/areasrc/fullpdf/full7-9_2016.pdf. \31\ AP-42 is the EPA's Compilation of Air Pollutant Emission Factors, and has been published since 1972 as the primary source of the EPA's emission factor information. It contains emission factors and process information for more than 200 air pollution source categories. A source category is a specific industry sector or group of similar emitting sources. The emission factors have been developed and compiled from source test data, material balance studies, and engineering estimates. \32\ 80 FR 77337 (December 14, 2015). EMFAC is short for EMission FACtor. The EPA announced the availability of the EMFAC2014 model for use in state implementation plan development and transportation conformity in California on December 14, 2015. The EPA's approval of the EMFAC2014 emissions model for SIP and conformity purposes was effective on the date of publication of the notice in the Federal Register. EMFAC2014 must be used for all new regional emissions analyses and CO, PM10 and PM2.5 hot-spot analyses that are started on or after December 14, 2017, which is the end of the grace period for EMFAC2014. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- In addition to the base year inventory submitted to meet the requirements of CAA section 172(c)(3), the State must also submit a projected attainment year inventory and emissions projections for each reasonable further progress (RFP) milestone year.\33\ These future emissions projections are necessary components of the attainment demonstration required under CAA section 189(a)(1) and (b)(1) and the demonstration of RFP required under section 172(c)(2).\34\ Emissions projections for future years (referred to in the 2016 PM2.5 Plan as ``baseline inventories'' or ``future baseline inventories'') should account for, among other things, the ongoing effects of economic growth and adopted emissions control requirements. The SIP should include documentation to [[Page 49876]] explain how the emissions projections were calculated. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \33\ See 40 CFR 51.1008 and 51.1012; see also U.S. EPA, ``Emissions Inventory Guidance for Implementation of Ozone and Particulate Matter National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) and Regional Haze Regulations'' (July 2017), available at https://www.epa.gov/air-emissions-inventories/air-emissions-inventory-guidance-implementation-ozone-and-particulate. \34\ See 40 CFR 51.1004, 51.1008, 51.1011, and 51.1012. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. Emissions Inventories in the 2016 PM2.5 Plan The annual average daily planning inventories for direct PM2.5 and all PM2.5 precursors (NOX , SOX , VOC, and ammonia) \35\ for the South Coast PM2.5 nonattainment area together with documentation for the inventories are found in Chapter 3, Appendix III and Appendix V of the 2016 AQMP. Appendix V also contains additional inventory documentation specific to the air quality modeling inventories. These portions of the 2016 AQMP contain annual average daily inventories of actual emissions for the base year of 2012 and projected inventories for the future RFP baseline year of 2017 and the attainment year of 2019, as well as the post-attainment RFP year of 2020.\36\ The annual average daily inventory is used to evaluate sources of emissions for attainment of the 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \35\ The 2016 PM2.5 Plan generally uses ``sulfur oxides'' or ``SOX '' in reference to SO2 as a precursor to the formation of PM2.5 . We use ``SOX '' and ``SO2 '' interchangeably throughout this notice. \36\ The 2016 PM2.5 Plan includes summer day inventories for ozone planning purposes and both a Moderate area plan and a Serious area plan for the 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS. The 2016 PM2.5 Plan therefore includes annual average and summer day inventories for all years between 2017 and 2031, except 2029. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Future emissions forecasts are primarily based on demographic and economic growth projections provided by SCAG, the metropolitan planning organization (MPO) for the Los Angeles area. Baseline inventories reflect all district control measures adopted prior to December 2015 and CARB rules adopted by November 2015. Growth factors used to project these baseline inventories are derived mainly from data obtained from SCAG.\37\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \37\ See 2016 AQMP, Appendix III, page III-2-6. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The emissions inventory is divided into two major source classifications: Stationary sources and mobile sources, which include on-road and non-road sources of emissions. Stationary sources include point and area sources. Point sources in the South Coast air basin that emit more than 4 tons per year (tpy) or more of VOC, NOX , SO2 , or PM report annual emissions to the District. Point source emissions for the 2012 base year emissions inventory are generally based on reported data from facilities using the District's Annual Emissions Reporting (AER) program.\38\ Area sources include smaller emissions sources distributed across the nonattainment area. CARB and the District estimate emissions for about 400 area source categories using established inventory methods, including publicly- available emission factors and activity information. Activity data may come from national survey data such as from the Energy Information Administration or from local sources such as the Southern California Gas Company, paint suppliers, and district databases. Emission factors can be based on a number of sources including source tests, compliance reports, and the EPA's AP-42. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \38\ See http://www.aqmd.gov/regulations/compliance/annual-emission-reporting. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Emissions inventories are constantly being revised and improved. Between the finalization of California's plan addressing Moderate area requirements for the 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS in the South Coast (``2012 PM2.5 Plan'') and the development of the 2016 PM2.5 Plan, the District improved and updated its emissions estimation methodologies for liquefied petroleum gas combustion sources, natural gas combustion sources, NOX emission sources subject to the District's Regional Clean Air Incentives Market (RECLAIM) program (based on 2015 program amendments), livestock waste management operations, gasoline dispensing facilities, composting operations, oil and gas production, and architectural coatings. On-road emissions inventories are calculated using CARB's EMFAC2014 model and the travel activity data provided by SCAG in ``The 2016-2040 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy.'' \39\ Re-entrained paved road dust emissions were calculated using the EPA's AP-42 road dust methodology.\40\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \39\ See http://scagrtpscs.net/Pages/FINAL2016RTPSCS.aspx. \40\ See CARB, Miscellaneous Process Methodology 7.9 Entrained Road Travel, Paved Road Dust, (Revised and updated, November 2016) available at https://www.arb.ca.gov/ei/areasrc/fullpdf/full7-9_2016.pdf. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- CARB provided emission inventories for off-road equipment, including construction and mining equipment, industrial and commercial equipment, lawn and garden equipment, agricultural equipment, ocean- going vessels, commercial harbor craft, locomotives, cargo handling equipment, pleasure craft, and recreational vehicles. CARB uses several models to estimate emissions for more than one hundred off-road equipment categories.\41\ Aircraft emissions are developed in conjunction with the airports in the region. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \41\ See 2016 PM2.5 Plan, Appendix III, p. III-1-24. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Table 1 provides a summary of the District's 2012 base year emissions estimates as annual averages, for direct PM2.5 and all PM2.5 precursors. These inventories provide the basis for the control measure analysis and the RFP and attainment demonstrations in the 2016 PM2.5 Plan. For a more detailed discussion of the inventories, see Appendix III of the 2016 AQMP. Table 1--South Coast 2012 Base Year Emissions [Annual average, tons/day] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Direct PM2.5 NOX SO2 VOC Ammonia ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stationary and Area Sources..... 44 70 10 212 63 On-Road Mobile Sources.......... 14 317 2 158 18 Off-Road Mobile Sources......... 8 153 6 100 0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total....................... 66 540 18 470 81 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Source: 2016 AQMP, Chapter 3, Table 3-1A. Values may not be precise due to rounding. Condensable Particulate Matter The PM2.5 SIP Requirements Rule states that ``[t]he inventory shall include direct PM2.5 emissions, separately reported PM2.5 filterable and condensable emissions, and emissions of the scientific PM2.5 precursors, including precursors that are not PM2.5 plan precursors pursuant to a precursor demonstration under Sec. 51.1006.'' \42\ On June 26, 2018, SCAQMD submitted a technical supplement containing emissions estimates for both condensable and filterable PM2.5 emissions from specified sources of [[Page 49877]] direct PM2.5 in the South Coast area.\43\ The supplement provides filterable and condensable emissions estimates, expressed as annual average PM2.5 emissions, for all of the identified source categories for the 2012 base year, the 2017 RFP year, and the 2019 attainment year, as well as subsequent years.\44\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \42\ 40 CFR 51.1008(a)(1)(iv). \43\ Letter from Philip Fine, Deputy Executive Officer, SCAQMD, to Amy Zimpfer, Associate Director, EPA Region IX, regarding ``Condensable and Filterable Portions of PM2.5 emissions in the 2016 AQMP,'' June 26, 2018. \44\ Id. at Appendix A. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The 2016 PM2.5 Plan relies on several SIP-approved rules that regulate direct PM emissions as part of the PM2.5 control strategy (e.g., Rule 445 (Wood-Burning Devices), adopted March 7, 2008, most recently revised May 3, 2013; Rule 1138 (Control of Emissions from Restaurant Operations), adopted November 14, 1997; and Rule 1155 (Particulate Matter (PM) Control Devices), adopted December 4, 2009, amended May 2, 2014). As part of our action on any rules that regulate direct PM2.5 emissions, we evaluate the emissions limits in the rule to ensure that they appropriately address condensable PM, as required by 40 CFR 51.1010(e). We note that the SIP- approved version of Rule 1138 requires testing according to the District's protocol, which requires measurement of both condensable and filterable PM in accordance with SCAQMD Test Method 5.1.\45\ We also note that the SIP-approved version of Rule 1155 requires measurement of both condensable and filterable PM in accordance with SCAQMD Test Methods 5.1, 5.2, or 5.3 as applicable.46 47 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \45\ See Rule 1138 (adopted November 14, 1997, approved July 11, 2001 at 66 FR 36170), paragraph (c)(1) and (g) and SCAQMD Protocol paragraph 3.1, and SCAQMD Protocol, Determination of Particulate and Volatile Organic Compound Emissions from Restaurant Operations, November 14, 1997 (available at http://yosemite.epa.gov/R9/ R9Testmethod.nsf/0/3D4DEB4D21AB4AAF882570AD005DFF69/$file/ SC%20Rest%20emiss.pdf). \46\ See Rule 1155 (adopted December 4, 2009, revised May 2, 2014, approved into the SIP March 16, 2015 at 80 FR 13495), paragraph (e)(6). \47\ See SCAQMD Test Method 5.1, Determination of Particulate Matter Emissions from Stationary Sources Using a Wet Impingement Train, March 1989; SCAQMD Test Method 5.2, Determination of Particulate Matter Emissions from Stationary Sources Using Heated Probe and Filter, March 1989; and SCAQMD Test Method 5.3, Determination of Particulate Matter Emissions from Stationary Sources Using an in-Stack Filter, October 2005. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. EPA's Evaluation and Proposed Action The emissions inventories in the 2016 PM2.5 Plan were made available to the public for comment and were subject to public hearing at both the District and State levels.\48\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \48\ See SCAQMD Board Resolution 17-2, p.3 and CARB Resolution 17-8, p. 4. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The inventories in the 2016 PM2.5 Plan are based on the most current and accurate information available to the State and District at the time the Plan and its inventories were being developed, including the latest EPA-approved version of California's mobile source emissions model, EMFAC2014, and the EPA's most recent AP-42 methodology for paved road dust.\49\ The inventories comprehensively address all source categories in the South Coast and were developed consistent with the EPA's inventory guidance. In accordance with 40 CFR 51.1008(b), the 2012 base year is one of the three years for which monitored data were used for reclassifying the area to Serious, and it represents actual annual average emissions of all sources within the nonattainment area. Direct PM2.5 and all PM2.5 precursors are included in the inventories, and filterable and condensable direct PM2.5 emissions are identified separately. For these reasons, we are proposing to approve the 2012 base year emissions inventory in the 2016 PM2.5 Plan as meeting the requirements of CAA section 172(c)(3) and 40 CFR 51.1008. We are also proposing to find that the future baseline inventories in the Plan provide an adequate basis for the BACM, RFP, and attainment demonstrations in the 2016 PM2.5 Plan. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \49\ CARB submitted the EMFAC2014 model to the EPA on May 21, 2015, and the EPA approved the model for use in California SIPs. 80 FR 77337 (December 14, 2015). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- B. PM2.5 Precursors 1. Requirements for the Control of PM2.5 Precursors The composition of PM2.5 is complex and highly variable due in part to the large contribution of secondary PM2.5 to total fine particle mass in most locations, and to the complexity of secondary particle formation processes. A large number of possible chemical reactions, often non-linear in nature, can convert gaseous SO2 , NOX , VOC, and ammonia to PM2.5 , making them precursors to PM2.5 .\50\ Formation of secondary PM2.5 may also depend on atmospheric conditions, including solar radiation, temperature, and relative humidity, and the interactions of precursors with preexisting particles and with cloud or fog droplets.\51\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \50\ EPA, Air Quality Criteria for Particulate Matter (EPA/600/ P-99/002aF, October 2004), Chapter 3. \51\ EPA, Regulatory Impact Analysis for the Final Revisions to the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Particulate Matter (EPA/452/R-12-005, December 2012), p. 2-1. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The 2007 PM2.5 Implementation Rule contained rebuttable presumptions concerning the four PM2.5 precursors applicable to attainment plans and control measures related to those plans.\52\ Although the rule included presumptions that states should address SO2 and NOX emissions in their attainment plans, it also included presumptions that regulation of VOCs and ammonia was not necessary. Specifically, in 40 CFR 51.1002(c) (as effective July 1, 2007), the EPA provided, among other things, that a state was ``not required to address VOC [and ammonia] as . . . PM2.5 attainment plan precursor[s] and to evaluate sources of VOC [and ammonia] emissions in the state for control measures,'' unless the state or the EPA provided an appropriate technical demonstration showing that emissions from sources of these pollutants ``significantly contribute'' to PM2.5 concentrations in the nonattainment area.\53\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \52\ 40 CFR 51.1002(c) (as effective July 1, 2007). \53\ 40 CFR 51.1002(c)(3), (4) (as effective July 1, 2007). See also 2007 PM2.5 Implementation Rule, 72 FR 20586 at 20589-97 (April 25, 2007). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- In NRDC, however, the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit (``D.C. Circuit'') remanded the EPA's 2007 PM2.5 Implementation Rule in its entirety, including the presumptions concerning VOC and ammonia in that rule.\54\ Although the court expressly declined to decide the specific challenge to these presumptions concerning precursors,\55\ the court cited CAA section 189(e) \56\ to support its observation that ``[a]mmonia is a precursor to fine particulate matter, making it a precursor to both PM2.5 and PM10 '' and that ``[f]or a PM10 nonattainment area governed by subpart 4, a precursor is presumptively regulated.'' \57\ Consistent with the NRDC decision, the EPA now interprets the Act to require that under subpart 4, a state must evaluate all PM2.5 precursors for regulation unless, for any given PM2.5 precursor, it demonstrates to the Administrator's satisfaction that such precursor does not contribute [[Page 49878]] significantly to PM2.5 levels that exceed the NAAQS in the nonattainment area. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \54\ NRDC v. EPA, 706 F.3d 428 (D.C. Cir. 2013). \55\ Id. at 437, n. 10. \56\ Section 189(e) of the CAA states that ``[t]he control requirements applicable under plans in effect under this part for major stationary sources of PM10 shall also apply to major stationary sources of PM10 precursors, except where the Administrator determines that such sources do not contribute significantly to PM10 levels which exceed the standard in the area.'' \57\ 706 F.3d at 436, n. 7 (D.C. Cir. 2013). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The provisions of subpart 4 do not define the term ``precursor'' for purposes of PM2.5 , nor do they explicitly require the control of any specifically identified PM precursor. The statutory definition of ``air pollutant,'' however, provides that the term ``includes any precursors to the formation of any air pollutant, to the extent the Administrator has identified such precursor or precursors for the particular purpose for which the term `air pollutant' is used.'' \58\ The EPA has identified SO2 , NOX , VOC, and ammonia as precursors to the formation of PM2.5 . Accordingly, the attainment plan requirements of subpart 4 apply to emissions of all four precursor pollutants and direct PM2.5 from all types of stationary, area, and mobile sources, except as otherwise provided in the Act (e.g., CAA section 189(e)). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \58\ See CAA section 302(g). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Section 189(e) of the Act requires that the control requirements for major stationary sources of direct PM10 also apply to major stationary sources of PM10 precursors, except where the Administrator determines that such sources do not contribute significantly to PM10 levels that exceed the standard in the area. Section 189(e) contains the only express exception to the control requirements under subpart 4 (e.g., requirements for reasonably available control measures (RACM) and reasonably available control technology (RACT), BACM and BACT, most stringent measures (MSM), and NSR) for sources of direct PM2.5 and PM2.5 precursor emissions. Although section 189(e) explicitly addresses only major stationary sources, the EPA interprets the Act as authorizing it also to determine, under appropriate circumstances, that regulation of specific PM2.5 precursors from other source categories in a given nonattainment area is not necessary. For example, under the EPA's longstanding interpretation of the control requirements that apply to stationary, area, and mobile sources of PM10 precursors in the nonattainment area under CAA section 172(c)(1) and subpart 4,\59\ a state may demonstrate in a SIP submission that control of a certain precursor pollutant is not necessary in light of its insignificant contribution to ambient PM10 levels in the nonattainment area.\60\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \59\ General Preamble, 57 FR 13498 at 13539-42 (April 16, 1992). \60\ Courts have upheld this approach to the requirements of subpart 4 for PM10 . See, e.g., Assoc. of Irritated Residents v. EPA, et al., 423 F.3d 989 (9th Cir. 2005).7 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The PM2.5 SIP Requirements Rule recognizes that the treatment of PM2.5 precursors is an important issue in developing a PM2.5 attainment plan.\61\ The rule provides flexibility for areas where a particular PM2.5 precursor or precursors may not contribute significantly to PM2.5 levels that exceed the NAAQS. The rule provides for optional precursor demonstrations that a state may choose to submit to the EPA to establish that sources of particular precursors need not be regulated for purposes of attainment planning or in the nonattainment NSR (NNSR) permitting program for a specific nonattainment area. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \61\ See, e.g., 81 FR 58010 at 58017. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- We are evaluating the 2016 PM2.5 Plan in accordance with the presumption embodied within subpart 4 that all PM2.5 precursors must be addressed in the State's evaluation of potential control measures, unless the State adequately demonstrates that emissions of a particular precursor or precursors do not contribute significantly to ambient PM2.5 levels that exceed the PM2.5 NAAQS in the nonattainment area. In reviewing any determination by the State to exclude a PM2.5 precursor from the required evaluation of potential control measures, we consider both the magnitude of the precursor's contribution to ambient PM2.5 concentrations in the nonattainment area and the sensitivity of ambient PM2.5 concentrations in the area to reductions in emissions of that precursor. 2. Evaluation of Precursors in the 2016 PM2.5 Plan The 2016 PM2 Plan discusses the five primary pollutants that contribute to the mass of the ambient aerosol (i.e., ammonia, NOX, SO2 , VOC, and directly emitted PM2.5 ) and states that various combinations of reductions in these pollutants could all provide a path to clean air.\62\ The 2016 PM2.5 Plan assesses and presents the relative effectiveness of each ton of precursor emission reductions, considering the resulting ambient improvements in PM2.5 air quality measured in micrograms per cubic meter.\63\ As presented in the weight of evidence discussion in the 2016 PM2.5 Plan, trends of PM2.5 and NOx emissions suggest a direct response between lower emissions and improved air quality. The Community Multiscale Air Quality Modeling System (CMAQ) simulations in the 2016 PM2.5 Plan provide a set of response factors for direct PM2.5 , NOX , SO2 and VOCs, based on improvements to ambient 24-hour PM2.5 levels resulting from reductions of each pollutant. The contribution of ammonia emissions is embedded as a component of the SO2 and NOX factors because ammonium nitrate and ammonium sulfate are the resultant particulate species formed in the atmosphere. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \62\ 2016 PM2.5 Plan, Appendix VI, p. VI-F-1, as well as Appendix V, p. V-5-51 and Appendix V, Attachment 8, Relative Contributions of Precursor Emissions Reductions to Simulated Controlled Future-Year 24-hour PM2.5 Concentrations. \63\ 2016 PM2.5 Plan, Appendix V, Attachment 8, Relative Contributions of Precursor Emissions Reductions to Simulated Controlled Future-Year 24-hour PM2.5 Concentrations. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The 2016 PM2.5 Plan describes how reductions in NOX , SO2 , VOC and ammonia precursor emissions contribute to attainment of the PM2.5 standard in the South Coast area and contain the District's evaluation of available control measures for all four of these PM2.5 precursor pollutants, in addition to direct PM2.5 , consistent with the regulatory presumptions under subpart 4. The 2016 PM2.5 Plan also contains a discussion of the control requirements applicable to major stationary sources under CAA section 189(e).\64\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \64\ See 2016 PM2.5 Plan at Appendix VI-F. In a separate rulemaking to approve revisions to SCAQMD's nonattainment New Source Review (NNSR) program, the EPA determined that the control requirements applicable under the SCAQMD SIP to major stationary sources of direct PM2.5 also apply to major stationary sources of NOX , SO2, and VOC, and that major stationary sources of ammonia do not contribute significantly to PM2.5 levels which exceed the PM2.5 standards in the area. See 80 FR 24821 (May 1, 2015). This rulemaking addressed the control requirements of CAA section 189(e) only for NNSR purposes and not for attainment planning purposes under subpart 1 and 4 of part D, title I of the Act. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. Proposed Action Based on a review of the information provided in the 2016 PM2.5 Plan and other information available to the EPA, we agree with the State's conclusion that all four chemical precursors to PM2.5 must be regulated for purposes of attaining the 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS in the South Coast area. We discuss the state's evaluation of potential control measures for direct PM2.5 , NOX , SO2 , VOC and ammonia in section V.C below. C. Best Available Control Measures 1. Requirements for Best Available Control Measures For any serious PM2.5 nonattainment area, section 189(b)(1)(B) of the Act requires that a state submit provisions to assure that BACM for the control of PM2.5 and PM2.5 precursors shall be implemented no later than four years after the date the area is reclassified as a serious area. The EPA defines BACM as, among other things, the maximum [[Page 49879]] degree of emissions reduction achievable for a source or source category, which is determined on a case-by-case basis considering energy, environmental, and economic impacts.\65\ We generally consider BACM a control level that goes beyond existing RACM-level controls, for example by expanding the use of RACM controls or by requiring preventative measures instead of remediation.\66\ Indeed, as implementation of BACM and BACT is required when a Moderate nonattainment area is reclassified as Serious due to its inability to attain the NAAQS through implementation of ``reasonable'' measures, it is logical that ``best'' control measures should represent a more stringent and potentially more costly level of control.\67\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \65\ Addendum at 42010, 42013. \66\ Id. at 42011, 42013. \67\ Id. at 42009-42010. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Section 189(b)(1)(B) of the Act allows states, in appropriate circumstances, to delay implementation of BACM until the date four years after reclassification. Because the EPA reclassified the South Coast area as a Serious area for the 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS effective February 12, 2016, the date four years after reclassification is February 12, 2020. In this case, however, all BACM for PM2.5 and PM2.5 precursors in the South Coast must be implemented no later than December 31, 2019, the outermost statutory attainment date for the South Coast area under section 188(c)(2).\68\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \68\ CAA section 189(b)(1)(B) establishes an outermost deadline (``no later than four years after the date the area is reclassified'') and does not preclude an earlier implementation deadline for BACM where necessary to satisfy the attainment requirements of the Act. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Under the PM2.5 SIP Requirements Rule, control measures that can be implemented in whole or in part by the end of the fourth year following an area's reclassification as a Serious area are considered BACM, and control measures that can only be implemented after this period but before the attainment date are considered ``additional feasible measures.'' \69\ The EPA has defined ``additional feasible measures'' as ``those measures and technologies that otherwise meet the criteria for BACM/BACT but that can only be implemented in whole or in part beginning 4 years after reclassification of an area, but no later than the statutory attainment date for the area.'' \70\ Given that the statutory attainment date is less than three years from the effective date of the reclassification of the South Coast area, additional feasible measures are not required in this particular case. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \69\ 40 CFR 51.1010(a)(4). ``Additional feasible measures'' may be necessary in certain circumstances to implement the requirements of CAA section 172(c)(6), which states that nonattainment area plans shall include enforceable emission limitations and such other control measures, means or techniques, as well as schedules and timetables for compliance, as may be necessary or appropriate to provide for attainment of the NAAQS by the applicable attainment date. \70\ 40 CFR 51.1000. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Addendum and the PM2.5 SIP Requirements Rule discuss the following steps for determining BACM: 1. Develop a comprehensive emission inventory of the sources of directly-emitted PM2.5 and PM2.5 precursors; 2. Identify potential control measures; 3. Determine whether an available control measure or technology is technologically feasible; and 4. Determine whether an available control technology or measure is economically feasible.\71\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \71\ Addendum. at 42012-42014, and 81 FR 58010 (August 24, 2016) at 58084-58085. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Once these analyses are complete, a state must use this information to develop enforceable control measures and submit them to the EPA for evaluation under CAA section 110. We use these steps as guidelines in our evaluation of the BACM measures and related analyses in the 2016 PM2.5 Plan. 2. BACM Analysis in the 2016 PM2.5 Plan a. Identifying the Sources of PM2.5 and PM2.5 Precursors The first step in determining BACM is to develop a detailed emissions inventory of the sources of direct PM2.5 and PM2.5 precursors that can be used with modeling to determine the effects of these sources on ambient PM2.5 levels. As discussed in section V.A of this proposed rule, Chapter 3 and Appendix III of the 2016 AQMP contain the planning inventories for direct PM2.5 and all PM2.5 precursors (NOX , SO2 , VOC, and ammonia) for the South Coast PM2.5 nonattainment area together with documentation to support these inventories. Based on these inventories, the District identified the following source categories as key emission sources in the South Coast nonattainment area:Residential Fuel Combustion--Wood Combustion--Wood Stoves Farming Operations--Livestock Wastes Paved Road Dust--Paved Road Travel Dust--Local Streets Cooking--Commercial Charbroiling Other (Miscellaneous Processes)--Other \72\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \72\ This source category includes ammonia emissions from humans, pets, diapers and household ammonia use. See electronic mail from Kalam Cheung, SCAQMD, to Wienke Tax, EPA Region IX, September 29, 2017. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Light-Duty Passenger-- Catalyst Hot Stabilized Light-Duty Passenger--Catalyst Brake Wear Light-Duty Trucks 2--Catalyst Hot Stabilized Medium-Duty Trucks--Catalyst Hot Stabilized Medium-Heavy-Duty Diesel Trucks--Diesel Hot Stabilized Heavy-Heavy-Duty Diesel Trucks--Diesel Hot Stabilized Commercial/Industrial Mobile Equipment--Construction and Mining.\73\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \73\ 2016 AQMP, Appendix VI, p. VI-A-14, Table VI-A-6. Of these 12 source categories, the District identified four categories --------------------------------------------------------------------------- that it has the authority to regulate: Residential Fuel Combustion--Wood combustion--Wood stoves Farming operations--Livestock Waste Paved Road dust--Paved Road Travel Dust--Local Streets Cooking--Commercial Charbroiling.\74\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \74\ Id. Appendix VI of the 2016 AQMP identifies the stationary, area, and mobile sources of direct PM 2.5 , NOX , VOC, SO2 and ammonia in the South Coast that are subject to State or District emissions control measures, or transportation control measures implemented by the SCAG. Table VI-A-6 of the 2016 AQMP lists the key source categories together with each source category's 2012 emissions levels expressed as ``PM2.5 -equivalent'' emissions in tons per day (tpd). Based on this identification of stationary, area, and mobile sources of direct PM2.5 , NOX , VOC, SO2 and ammonia in the South Coast, we believe the 2016 PM2.5 Plan appropriately identifies all emission sources and source categories that must be subject to evaluation for potential control measures consistent with the requirements of subpart 4. b. Identification and Implementation of BACM As part of its process for identifying candidate BACM and considering the technical and economic feasibility of additional control measures, CARB, the District and SCAG reviewed the EPA's guidance documents on BACM, guidance documents on control measures for direct PM2.5 , NOX , VOC, ammonia and SO2 emissions sources, and control measures implemented in other ozone and PM2.5 nonattainment areas in California and other states. The State, District, and SCAG's evaluations of potential BACM for each source category identified above are found in [[Page 49880]] Appendix IV-A, Appendix IV-B, Appendix IV-C, and Appendix VI of the 2016 AQMP. In the following sections, we review key components of the State, District, and SCAG's demonstrations concerning BACM for the identified sources of direct PM2.5 , NOX , VOC, SO2 and ammonia emissions in the South Coast. We provide a more detailed evaluation of several of the District's regulations in our technical support document (TSD),\75\ together with recommendations for possible improvements to these rules. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \75\ US EPA Region 9, Technical Support Document for the Proposed Approval of South Coast AQMD's Serious Area Plan for the 2006 PM2.5 National Ambient Air Quality Standards (Docket Number EPA-R09-OAR-2017-0490), September 2018. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Based on our evaluation of these demonstrations, we propose to determine that the 2016 PM2.5 Plan provides for the implementation of BACM for sources of direct PM2.5 and PM2.5 precursors as expeditiously as practicable, for the purposes of the 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS in the South Coast area in accordance with the requirements of CAA section 189(b)(1)(B) and 40 CFR 51.1010. i. State and District Measures for Stationary and Area Sources The District's BACM process and control measure evaluations are described in detail in Appendix IV-A and Appendix VI of the 2016 AQMP. For each identified source category, the District identified both its adopted control measures and potential additional control measures based on measures implemented in other areas, measures identified in EPA regulations or guidance (e.g., in control technique guidelines (CTGs), alternative control technique documents (ACTs), new source performance standards (NSPSs), or in the EPA's ``Menu of Control Measures for NAAQS Implementation''), or measures identified in prior EPA rulemaking documents (e.g., recommendations in the EPA's technical support documents for prior SIP actions).\76\ \77\ The District evaluated these potential additional control measures to determine whether implementation of the measures would be technologically and economically feasible in the South Coast.\78\ In addition, the District considered other available control options (beyond those included in other SIPs or identified in federal/state regulations or guidance), such as measures that the State or District have previously considered ``beyond RACM.'' The District also evaluated these potential control measures to determine whether implementation would be technologically and economically feasible in the South Coast. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \76\ 2016 AQMP, Appendix VI, pp. VI-A-12 to VI-A-36. \77\ The Menu of Control Measures can be found at https://www.epa.gov/air-quality-implementation-plans/menu-control-measures-naaqs-implementation. \78\ 2016 AQMP, Appendix VI, pp. VI-A-32 to VI-A-40. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Residential Wood-Burning Devices SCAQMD Rule 445 (``Wood-Burning Devices''), amended May 3, 2013, establishes requirements for the sale, operation, and installation of wood-burning devices within the South Coast air basin that are designed to reduce PM emissions from such devices. The EPA approved Rule 445, as amended, into the California SIP on September 26, 2013.\79\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \79\ 78 FR 59249. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Under Rule 445, persons who manufacture, sell, or install wood- burning devices, commercial firewood sellers, and property owners or tenants who operate wood-burning devices are subject to specific requirements concerning the types of wood-burning devices that may be manufactured, sold, or installed, the types of fuels that may be burned in such devices, and labeling requirements. Rule 445 also establishes a mandatory winter wood-burning curtailment whenever the Executive Officer declares that ambient PM2.5 levels are forecasted to exceed 30 [micro]g/m\3\ at specified source receptor areas. The District compared the requirements of Rule 445 to several rules implemented elsewhere in California that are designed to limit PM emissions from residential wood-burning devices. Based on this review, the District concludes that Rule 445 is generally equivalent to these other rules. Rule 445 does not require the removal of old wood stoves upon resale of a home, as do rules implemented in several other areas, but it does contain a categorical prohibition on the installation of any wood-burning device in new residential developments. Several other air districts prohibit or limit the installation of non-certified wood- burning devices but allow for installation of EPA-certified devices in new developments. Based on our evaluation of the information provided in the 2016 AQMP and additional information obtained during our review of the Plan, we agree with the SCAQMD's conclusion that Rule 445 implements BACM for the control of PM2.5 from residential wood-burning devices. Confined Animal Facilities and Livestock Waste SCAQMD Rule 1127 (``Emission Reductions from Livestock Waste''), adopted August 6, 2004, and Rule 223 (``Emission Reduction Permits for Large Confined Animal Facilities''), adopted June 2, 2006, together establish requirements to reduce emissions of ammonia, VOCs, and other pollutants emitted from confined animal facilities and related operations. The EPA approved Rule 1127 and Rule 223 into the California SIP on May 23, 2013 and July 13, 2015, respectively.\80\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \80\ 78 FR 30768 and 80 FR 39966. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rule 1127 applies to dairy farms with 50 or more cows, heifers, and/or calves and to manure processing operations, such as composting operations and anaerobic digesters. The rule requires operators of dairy farms and manure processing operations to use specified best management practices to reduce pollutant emissions during the removal and disposal of manure from corrals, among other things. Rule 223 applies to large confined animal facilities (LCAFs) and prohibits owners/operators of such facilities from building, altering, replacing or operating an LCAF without first obtaining a permit from the District. The permit application must include, among other things, an emissions mitigation plan that identifies the mitigation measures to be implemented at the facility. For each source category covered by the rule, owners/operators must implement a prescribed number of mitigation measures among a list of options or as approved by the District, CARB, and the EPA. The District compared the key requirements of Rule 1127 and Rule 223 to analogous requirements implemented in other parts of California and in Idaho. Based on this evaluation, the District concludes that Rule 1127 and Rule 223 together establish requirements for confined animal facilities and related operations that are generally equivalent to the requirements in these other areas. The District also considered several additional control methods to further reduce ammonia emissions from livestock waste, including application of acidifiers (sodium bisulfate), dietary manipulation, feed additives, manure slurry injection, and microbial/manure additives. The 2016 AQMP contains a commitment by the District to adopt in 2019 an additional ammonia control measure for livestock waste to be implemented in 2020. The proposed measure is identified in the plan as BCM-04.\81\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \81\ See 2016 AQMP, Chapter 4, Table 4-7; 2016 AQMP, Appendix IV-A, pp. IV-A-202 to IV-A-209 (describing BCM-04); and SCAQMD, Governing Board Resolution No. 17-2 (March 3, 2017), at p. 9. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- [[Page 49881]] Based on our evaluation of the information provided in the 2016 AQMP and additional information obtained during our review of the Plan, we agree with the SCAQMD's conclusion that Rule 1127 and Rule 223 together implement BACM for the control of ammonia and VOCs from confined animal facilities and related operations. Paved and Unpaved Roads and Livestock Operations Rule 1186 (``PM10 Emissions from Paved and Unpaved Roads, and Livestock Operations''), amended July 11, 2008, establishes requirements to reduce the entrainment of particulate matter as a result of vehicular travel on paved and unpaved public roads and livestock operations. The EPA approved Rule 1186 into the California SIP on March 7, 2012.\82\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \82\ 77 FR 13495. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Under Rule 1186, owners and operators of paved roads with average daily vehicle trips exceeding certain thresholds must remove visible roadway accumulation within specified periods of time and provide curbing or paved shoulders of certain widths when constructing new or widened roads. Rule 1186 also requires local government agencies that own or maintain paved roads to procure only certified street sweeping equipment for routine street sweeping; establishes requirements for owners and operators of certain unpaved roads to pave, apply chemical stabilization, or install signs to reduce vehicular speeds; and requires owners and operators of livestock operations to cease hay grinding activities during certain times of day, if visible emissions extend more than 50 feet from a hay grinding source. The District compared the key requirements of Rule 1186 to analogous requirements implemented in other parts of California and in Nevada. Based on this evaluation, the District concludes that Rule 1186 is generally equivalent to the requirements in these other areas. To further reduce PM2.5 emissions in areas with high vehicular activity, the District also considered several additional control techniques, such as increasing the frequency of street sweeping with certified equipment and specifying the most effective track out prevention measures. The District concludes that an increase in the required frequency of street sweeping is not economically feasible at this time because most areas in the South Coast air basin already require regular street sweeping and a requirement to conduct more frequent street sweeping would achieve only minimal emission reductions. Based on our evaluation of the information provided in the 2016 AQMP and additional information obtained during our review of the Plan, we agree with the SCAQMD's conclusion that Rule 1186 implements BACM for the control of PM2.5 from paved and unpaved roads and livestock operations. Commercial Charbroiling SCAQMD Rule 1138 (``Control of Emissions from Restaurant Operations''), adopted November 14, 1997, establishes control requirements to reduce PM and VOC emissions from ``chain-driven'' charbroilers at commercial cooking operations. The rule does not apply to ``under-fired'' charbroilers. EPA approved Rule 1138 into the California SIP on July 11, 2001.\83\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \83\ 66 FR 36170. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Under Rule 1138, chain-driven charbroilers that cook more than 875 pounds of meat per week are required to be equipped and operated with a catalytic oxidizer control device that has been tested and certified by the Executive Officer to reduce PM and VOC emissions. The District compared the requirements of Rule 1138 to several rules implemented in other parts of California and in other states that are designed to limit PM and/or VOC emissions from commercial charbroilers. Based on its review of analogous regulations implemented in these other areas, the District concludes that Rule 1138 is generally equivalent to those regulations. Several times over the past 20 years and most recently in 2009, the District considered amending Rule 1138 to regulate PM emissions from under-fired charbroilers, but to date the District has not identified control measures for under-fired charbroilers that are both technologically and economically feasible for implementation in the South Coast. Although three other local agencies have adopted control requirements that apply to under-fired charbroilers (the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, and the City of Aspen, Colorado), no commercially-available control devices for under-fired charbroilers have yet been found to meet these control requirements.\84\ The 2016 AQMP contains a commitment by the District to adopt a control measure in 2018 that requires controls on under-fired charbroilers by 2025. The proposed measure is identified in the Plan as BCM-01.\85\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \84\ See Technical Support Document for the Proposed Approval of South Coast AQMD's Serious Area Plan for the 2006 PM2.5 National Ambient Air Quality Standards (Docket Number EPA-R09-OAR-2017-0490), at pp. 13-14; see also 2016 AQMP, Appendix IV-A, pp. IV-A-186 to IV- A-190. \85\ See 2016 AQMP, Chapter 4, Table 4-7; Appendix IV-A, pp. IV- A-186 to IV-A-192 (describing BCM-01); and SCAQMD, Governing Board Resolution No. 17-2 (March 3, 2017), at p. 9. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Based on our evaluation of the information provided in the 2016 AQMP and additional information obtained during our review of the Plan, we agree with the SCAQMD's conclusion that Rule 1138 and BCM-01 together implement BACM for the control of PM2.5 from commercial charbroilers. Consumer Products CARB and the SCAQMD both have well-established programs to regulate VOC emissions from consumer products used by both household and institutional consumers, including detergents; cleaning compounds; polishes; floor finishes; cosmetics; personal care products; home, lawn, and garden products; disinfectants; sanitizers; aerosol paints; and automotive specialty products. Specifically, CARB has adopted three regulations that establish VOC and reactivity limits for 129 consumer product categories.\86\ The first regulation (Article 1) covers the categories of antiperspirants and deodorants. The second regulation (Article 2) covers numerous categories and is simply called the ``General Consumer Products Regulation.'' The third regulation (Article 3) covers categories of aerosol coatings. The EPA approved amendments to these regulations into the California SIP on October 17, 2014.\87\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \86\ These regulations are codified in the California Code of Regulations, Title 17, Division 3, Chapter 1, Subchapter 8.5-- Consumer Products; Article 2--Consumer Products. \87\ 79 FR 62346 (October 17, 2014). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The SCAQMD also regulates certain categories of consumer products, including architectural coatings, wood products, solvents and degreasers, consumer paint thinners, and inks.\88\ For example, South Coast's implementation of Rule 1113 [[Page 49882]] (``Architectural Coatings'') establishes emission limits for paints and other architectural coating products that have achieved VOC emission reductions in the South Coast area. The EPA approved Rule 1113, as amended June 3, 2011, into the California SIP on March 26, 2013.\89\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \88\ See, e.g., South Coast Rule 1107, Coating of Metal Parts and Products, approved into the SIP on November 24, 2008 (73 FR 70883); South Coast Rule 1122, Solvent Degreasers, approved into the SIP on February 8, 2006 (71 FR 6350); and South Coast Rule 1130, Graphic Arts, approved into the SIP on July 14, 2015 (80 FR 40915). \89\ 78 FR 18244 (March 26, 2013). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Based on our evaluation of the information about these programs in the 2016 AQMP, we agree with the State's and District's conclusion that these SIP-approved regulations implement BACM for the control of VOCs from consumer products. ii. State Measures for Mobile Sources The 2016 AQMP identifies light-duty passenger vehicles, light-duty trucks, medium-duty trucks, medium-heavy-duty diesel trucks, heavy- heavy-duty diesel trucks, and commercial/industrial mobile equipment (construction and mining equipment) as key mobile sources of emissions of PM2.5 and PM2.5 precursors. CARB describes the mobile source control measures that regulate PM2.5 and PM2.5 precursor emissions from these sources in Appendix VI- A, Attachment VI-A-3, and Attachment VI-C-1 of the 2016 AQMP. Under the CAA, the EPA is charged with establishing national emissions limits for mobile sources. States are generally preempted from establishing such limits except for California, which can establish these limits subject to EPA waiver or authorization under CAA section 209 (referred to herein as ``waiver measures''). Over the years, the EPA has issued waivers (for on-road vehicles and engines measures) or authorizations (for non-road vehicle and engine measures) for many mobile source regulations adopted by CARB. California attainment and maintenance plans, including the 2016 PM2.5 Plan for the South Coast, rely on emissions reductions from implementation of the waiver measures through the use of emissions models such as EMFAC2014. Historically, the EPA has allowed California to take into account emissions reductions from CARB regulations for which the EPA has issued waiver or authorizations under CAA section 209, notwithstanding the fact that these regulations have not been approved as part of the California SIP. However, in response to the decision by the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (``Ninth Circuit'') in Committee for a Better Arvin v. EPA, the EPA has since approved mobile source regulations for which waiver authorizations have been issued as revisions to the California SIP.\90\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \90\ See, e.g., 81 FR 39424 (June 16, 2016), 82 FR 14447 (March 21, 2017), and 83 FR 23232 (May 18, 2018). See also Committee for a Better Arvin, 786 F.3d 1169 (9th Cir. 2015). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Given the need for significant emissions reductions from mobile sources to meet the NAAQS in California nonattainment areas, CARB has been a leader in the development of stringent control measures for on- road and off-road mobile sources and fuels.\91\ CARB's mobile source program extends beyond regulations that are subject to the waiver or authorization process set forth in CAA section 209 to include standards and other requirements to control emissions from in-use heavy-duty trucks and buses, gasoline and diesel fuel specifications, and many other types of mobile sources. Generally, these regulations have been submitted and approved as revisions to the California SIP.\92\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \91\ California regulations use the term ``off-road'' to refer to ``nonroad'' vehicles and engines. \92\ See, e.g., the EPA's approval of standards and other requirements to control emissions from in-use heavy-duty diesel- powered trucks, at 77 FR 20308 (April 4, 2012), revisions to the California on-road reformulated gasoline and diesel fuel regulations at 75 FR 26653 (May 12, 2010), and revisions to the California motor vehicle I/M program at 75 FR 38023 (July 1, 2010). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- In addition to waiver measures, CARB has adopted operational requirements for in-use vehicles, rules that limit the amount of pollutants allowed in transportation fuels, and incentive programs that provide funding to replace or retrofit older, dirtier vehicles and equipment with cleaner technologies.\93\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \93\ 2016 AQMP, Appendix VI-A, Attachment VI-A-3, pp. VI-A-108- 109. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The EPA previously determined that California's mobile source control programs constituted BACM for PM10 purposes in the San Joaquin Valley.\94\ Since then, the State has adopted additional mobile source control measures including the Advanced Clean Cars (ACC) program, heavy-duty vehicle idling rules, revisions to the State's vehicle inspection and maintenance (I/M) program, in-use rules for on- road and non-road diesel vehicles, and emissions standards for non-road equipment, farm and cargo handling equipment, and recreational vehicles.\95\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \94\ 69 FR 5412 at 5419 (February 4, 2004). \95\ 2016 AQMP, Appendix VI-A, Attachment VI-A-3, p. VI-A-103. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- CARB's BACM analysis provides a discussion of the measures adopted and implemented for each of the source categories identified in Table VI-A-6 of the 2016 AQMP that are not under district jurisdiction. We discuss each of these mobile source categories below. Light and Medium-Duty Vehicles This category includes light-duty passenger cars, light-duty trucks, and medium-duty trucks. The source category's base year emissions are approximately 119 tpd NOX , 129 tpd VOC, 1.7 tpd SO2 , 17.1 tpd ammonia, and 8.2 tpd direct PM2.5 .\96\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \96\ 2016 AQMP, Appendix III, Attachment A. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- CARB has a long history of adopting programs for reducing emissions from this source category. Light-duty and medium-duty motor vehicles are currently subject to California's ``Low-Emission Vehicle III'' (LEV III) standards as well as a ``Zero Emission Vehicle'' (ZEV) requirement. The LEV III standards are consistent, or harmonized, with the subsequently adopted national Tier 3 standards for the same vehicles. California's ZEV program, however, does not have a national counterpart and results in additional emissions reductions as it phases in a requirement that 15% of new light-duty vehicle sales consist of ZEV or partial ZEV.\97\ Light and medium-duty vehicles are also regulated under California's ACC program. We approved the ACC into the SIP on June 16, 2016.\98\ Taken as a whole, California's standards for light and medium-duty vehicles are more stringent than the federal standards. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \97\ 78 FR 2112 at 2119 (January 9, 2013). \98\ 81 FR 39424 (June 16, 2016). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- California has also adopted regulations for gasoline fuel (California Reformulated Gasoline or ``CaRFG'') that reduce emissions from light-duty and medium-duty vehicles. The EPA approved the CaRFG regulations into the California SIP on May 12, 2010.\99\ In our action proposing to approve CaRFG3, we noted that the EPA had previously determined that emissions reductions from CaRFG3 would be equal to or greater than the emissions reductions from the corresponding federal RFG program.\100\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \99\ 75 FR 26653 (May 12, 2010). \100\ 74 FR 33196 at 33198 (July 10, 2009). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Heavy-Duty Vehicles This category includes heavy-heavy-duty diesel vehicles, heavy-duty gas and diesel trucks, heavy-duty gas and diesel urban buses, school buses and motor homes. The emissions from this category are approximately 195 tpd NOX , 6.23 tpd direct PM2.5, 12.47 tpd VOC, 0.29 tpd, SO2, and 0.97 tpd ammonia.\101\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \101\ 2016 AQMP, Appendix III, Attachment A. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- California has the most stringent heavy-duty vehicle emissions control measures in the nation, including engine standards for diesel and gasoline [[Page 49883]] vehicles, idling requirements, certification procedures, on-board diagnostic requirements, and verification measures for emissions control devices. Many of these control measures are subject to the CAA waiver process and have also been submitted for inclusion in and approved into the SIP.\102\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \102\ See 81 FR 39424 (June 16, 2016), 82 FR 14446 (March 21, 2017), and 83 FR 23232 (May 18, 2018). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- California has also adopted many in-use requirements to help reduce emissions from the vehicles already on the road, which may remain in use for many years. Among the most recently adopted in-use requirements are the Truck and Bus Regulation and Drayage Truck Regulation (often referred to as the ``Cleaner In-Use Heavy-Duty Trucks Measure''), which became effective in 2011 and the EPA approved into the SIP in 2012.\103\ The Truck and Bus Regulation and Drayage Truck Regulation are designed to reduce emissions of diesel PM, NOX , and other pollutants from in-use trucks and buses and establish, among other things, phased-in PM control requirements from 2014 through 2023 based on truck engine mode year. These and other regulations applicable to heavy-duty diesel trucks (HDDTs) will continue to reduce emissions of diesel PM and NOX through the RFP and attainment planning years. For instance, model year (MY) 1994 and 1995 HDDT engines must be upgraded to meet the 2010 model year truck engine emissions standards by 2016, and MY 1996-1999 engines must be upgraded by January 1, 2020.\104\ The emissions reductions from these rules represent a large portion of the NOX emissions reductions upon which the Plan's RFP and attainment demonstration rely. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \103\ 77 FR 20308, April 4, 2012. \104\ Title 13, California Code of Regulations, Section 2025 (``Regulation to Reduce Emissions of Diesel Particulate Matter, Oxides of Nitrogen and Other Criteria Pollutants, from In-Use Heavy- Duty Diesel-Fueled Vehicles''), paragraphs (e), (f), and (g), effective December 14, 2011. See also the EPA's final rule approving CARB's Truck and Bus Rule. 77 FR 20308 at 20309-20310 (April 4, 2012). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Finally, California has adopted regulations for diesel fuel that further reduce emissions from heavy-duty trucks. The EPA approved these diesel fuel regulations into the California SIP on May 12, 2010.\105\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \105\ See 75 FR 26653. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Off-Road Vehicles and Engines This category includes off-road compression ignition (diesel) engines and equipment, small spark ignition (gasoline) off-road engines and equipment less than 25 horsepower (hp) (e.g., lawn and garden equipment), off-road large gasoline engines and equipment greater than 25 hp (e.g., forklifts, portable generators), and airport ground service equipment. The emissions from this category total approximately 66 tpd NOX , 4 tpd direct PM2.5, 51.5 tpd VOC, 0.07 tpd SO2 , and 0.09 tpd ammonia.\106\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \106\ 2016 AQMP, Appendix III, Attachment A. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- As it has done for the on-road categories discussed above, CARB has adopted stringent new emissions standards subject to EPA authorization under CAA section 209(e) and in-use measures or requirements for this source category (e.g., incentives for early introduction of cleaner engines and equipment and requirements to limit vehicle idling). CARB has been regulating off-road equipment since the 1990s, and its new engine standards for off-road vehicles and engines are generally as stringent as the corresponding federal standards. For larger off-road equipment, which can have a slow turnover rate, CARB adopted an in-use off-road regulation in 2007 that requires owners of off-road equipment in the construction and other industries to retrofit or replace older engines/equipment with newer, cleaner models. The off-road regulation imposes idling limitations.\107\ CARB's off-road emissions control program also includes comprehensive in-use requirements for legacy fleets.\108\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \107\ Id. \108\ 2016 AQMP, Appendix VI-A, p. VI-A-104, also Appendix VI-C, pp. VI-C-21 to VI-C-22. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Title 13, Section 2449 of the California Code of Regulation (CCR), ``Regulation for In-Use Off-Road Diesel-Fueled Fleets (Off-Road Regulation)'' was adopted by CARB in July 2007 and requires off-road diesel vehicle fleets to reduce emissions by meeting NOX and PM fleet average standards. A provision of the Off-Road Regulation (Title 13, CCR, Section 2449.2) allows air districts to opt-in and requires the largest fleets to apply for funding to meet more stringent NOX targets. In 2008, SCAQMD developed the Surplus Off-Road Opt-In for NOX (SOON) Program. The SOON Program is designed to achieve additional NOX reductions beyond those that would be obtained from the State's In-Use Off-Road Vehicle Regulation. The program provides funding to large fleets for the purchase of commercially-available low-emission heavy-duty engines to achieve near- term reduction of NOX emissions from in-use off-road diesel vehicles. Fleets that participate in the SOON Program can apply for funding for NOX exhaust retrofits, repowers or equipment replacements. We approved the SCAQMD SOON program into the SIP on November 21, 2016.\109\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \109\ 81 FR 83154. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- iii. Local Jurisdiction Transportation Control Measures Transportation control measures (TCMs) are, in general, measures designed to reduce emissions from on-road motor vehicles through reductions in vehicle miles traveled (VMT) or traffic congestion. TCMs can reduce PM2.5 emissions in both the on-road motor vehicle exhaust and paved road dust source categories by reducing VMT and vehicle trips. They can also reduce vehicle exhaust emissions by relieving congestion. EPA guidance states that where mobile sources contribute significantly to PM2.5 violations, ``the state must, at a minimum, address the transportation control measures listed in CAA section 108(f) to determine whether such measures are achievable in the area considering energy, environmental and economic impacts and other costs.'' \110\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \110\ Addendum at 42013. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Appendix IV-C, ``Regional Transportation Strategy and Control Measures,'' contains SCAG's BACM analysis for TCMs. Consistent with EPA guidance, SCAG addressed the TCMs listed in CAA section 108(f) following a four-step process. SCAG first reviewed ongoing implementation of TCMs in the South Coast air basin. SCAG also reviewed TCMs implemented in all other Moderate and Serious PM2.5 and PM10 nonattainment areas throughout the country (e.g., Salt Lake City, Utah; Fairbanks, Alaska; and San Joaquin Valley, California) and compared them to the TCMs being implemented in the South Coast.\111\ SCAG then reviewed the TCMs not being implemented in the SCAG region and provided a reasoned justification for any TCMs not implemented in the SCAG region.\112\ Finally, SCAG concluded that its TCM program provides a BACM level of control. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \111\ See 2016 AQMP, Appendix IV-C, pp. IV-C-38 and IV-C-39, Table 8. \112\ See 2016 AQMP, Appendix IV-C, pp. IV-C-42 to IV-C-50, Table 9. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- TCMs in the South Coast air basin fall into three main categories: (1) Transit, intermodal facilities, and nonmotorized transportation mode facilities (i.e., bike/pedestrian facilities), (2) high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes, high occupancy toll (HOT) lanes, and pricing alternatives, and (3) information-based TCM strategies. Between 2012 and 2020, SCAG estimates a 23% increase in HOV, HOT and toll lanes, a 7.4% increase in operation miles of regular transit buses, a 10% increase in operation miles of [[Page 49884]] rapid transit and express buses, a 38.8% increase in operation miles of transit rail, and a 40% increase in Class 1-4 bikeway miles.\113\ TCM funding is guaranteed through the timeframe of the 2016 PM2.5 Plan and beyond, with transportation sales tax measures through 2039 and 2040 in the four counties in the South Coast air basin.\114\ The county-specific sales tax revenue provides a guaranteed funding source for more than 50% of the TCM projects.\115\ In addition, SCAG has a standardized program for selecting cost- effective control measures. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \113\ See 2016 AQMP, Appendix IV-C, p. IV-C-34. \114\ Id. \115\ See 2016 AQMP, Appendix IV-C, p. IV-C-36. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. The EPA's Evaluation and Conclusion We have reviewed the District's determination in the 2016 AQMP that its stationary and area source control measures represent BACM for PM2.5 and PM2.5 precursors. In our review, we also considered our previous evaluations of the District's rules in connection with our approval of the SCAQMD's RACT SIP demonstration for the 2008 ozone NAAQS.\116\ Based on this review, we believe the District's rules provide for the implementation of BACM for stationary and area sources of PM2.5 and PM2.5 precursors. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \116\ 82 FR 43850 (September 20, 2017). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- With respect to mobile sources, we recognize that CARB's current program addresses the full range of mobile sources in the South Coast through regulatory programs for both new and in-use vehicles. With respect to transportation controls, we note that SCAG has adopted a program to fund cost-effective TCMs. Overall, we believe that the programs developed and administered by CARB and SCAG provide for the implementation of BACM for PM2.5 and PM2.5 precursors in the South Coast nonattainment area. For these reasons, we propose to find that the 2016 PM2.5 Plan provides for the implementation of BACM for all sources of direct PM2.5 and PM2.5 precursors as expeditiously as practicable, for purposes of the 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS in the South Coast area, in accordance with the requirements of CAA section 189(b)(1)(B) and 40 CFR 51.1010. D. Attainment Demonstration and Modeling Section 189(b)(1)(A) of the CAA requires that each Serious area plan include a demonstration (including air quality modeling) that the plan provides for attainment of the PM2.5 NAAQS by the applicable attainment date or, where a state is seeking an extension of the attainment date under section 188(e), a demonstration that attainment by that date is impracticable and that the plan provides for attainment by the most expeditious alternative date practicable. We discuss below our evaluation of the modeling approach in the Plan, and the control strategy in the Plan for attaining the 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS by the most expeditious date practicable. Evaluation of Air Quality Modeling Approach and Results The EPA's PM2.5 modeling guidance \117\ (``Modeling Guidance'' and ``Modeling Guidance Update'') recommends that a photochemical model, such as CAMx \118\ or CMAQ, be used to simulate a base case, with meteorological and emissions inputs reflecting a base case year, to replicate concentrations monitored in that year. The model application to the base case year undergoes a performance evaluation to ensure that it satisfactorily agrees with concentrations monitored in that year. The model may then be used to simulate emissions occurring in other years required for a plan, namely the base year (which may differ from the base case year) and future year.\119\ The modeled response to the emission changes between those years is used to calculate Relative Response Factors (RRFs), which are applied to the design value in the base year to estimate the projected design value in the future year for comparison against the NAAQS. Separate RRFs are estimated for each chemical species component of PM2.5 , and for each quarter of the year, to reflect their differing responses to seasonal meteorological conditions and emissions. Because each chemical species is handled separately, before applying an RRF, the base year design value must be speciated using available chemical species measurements, that is, each day's measured PM2.5 design value must be split into its species components. The Modeling Guidance provides additional detail on the recommended approach.\120\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \117\ ``Draft Modeling Guidance for Demonstrating Attainment of Air Quality Goals for Ozone, PM2.5 , and Regional Haze'' Memorandum from Richard Wayland, Air Quality Assessment Division, OAQPS, EPA to Regional Air Program Managers, EPA, December 3, 2014 (``Modeling Guidance''), ``Guidance on the Use of Models and Other Analyses for Demonstrating Attainment of Air Quality Goals for Ozone, PM2.5 , and Regional Haze,'' EPA-454/B-07-002, April 2007 (``Modeling Guidance''); and ``Update to the 24 Hour PM2.5 NAAQS Modeled Attainment Test,'' Memorandum from Tyler Fox, Air Quality Modeling Group, OAQPS, EPA to Regional Air Program Managers, EPA, June 28, 2011 (``Modeling Guidance Update''). \118\ CAMx is a multi-scale photochemical modeling system for gas and particulate air pollution. \119\ In this section, we use the terms ``base case,'' ``base year'' or ``baseline,'' and ``future year'' as described in section 2.3 of the EPA's Modeling Guidance. The ``base case'' modeling simulates measured concentrations for a given time period, using emissions and meteorology for that same year. The modeling ``base year'' (which can be the same as the base case year) is the emissions starting point for the plan and for projections to the future year, both of which are modeled for the attainment demonstration. See Modeling Guidance at pp. 33-34. Note that CARB sometimes uses ``base year'' synonymously with ``base case'' and ``reference year'' instead of ``base year.'' \120\ Modeling Guidance Update at 43 ff. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 24-Hour PM2.5 Modeling Approach The CMAQ simulations were conducted for each day in the 2012 base year.\121\ A set of species-specific RRFs was generated for the 2019 future year simulation from the top 10% of modeled PM2.5 days. RRFs were generated for the ammonium ion, nitrate ion, sulfate ion, organic carbon, elemental carbon, sea salt, and a combined grouping of other primary PM2.5 material. Future year concentrations of each of the seven component species were calculated by applying the model-generated quarterly RRFs to the speciated 24-hour PM2.5 data for each of the five years used in the design value calculation.\122\ The speciation fractions used to generate 24- hour speciated PM2.5 values were determined from the ``high'' days.\123\ A weighted average of the resulting future year 98th percentile concentrations for each of the five years was used to calculate future design values for the attainment demonstration.\124\ Future year PM2.5 24-hour average design values were projected for 2019, the Serious area attainment deadline for the 2006 standard of 35 [mu]g/m\3\. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \121\ CMAQ Version 5.0.2 \122\ The design value is based on a weighted average of data from 2010 to 2014. \123\ Particle bound water was determined using the EPA's regression model approximation of the Aerosol Inorganics Model (AIM) based on simulated concentrations of the ammonium, nitrate and sulfate ions (EPA, 2006). A blank mass of 0.5 [mu]g/m\3\ was added to each base and future year simulation. \124\ The 32 days in each year (8 per quarter) were then reranked based on the sum of all predicted PM species to establish a new 98th percentile concentration. The 98th percentile value was determined based on the FRM sampling frequency. All the SASS sites except Fontana have a daily FRM sampling, which gives the 8th highest day as the 98th percentile. Fontana has every-three-day sampling, thus the 3rd highest day becomes the 98th percentile. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Future Air Quality A simulation of 2019 baseline emissions (no additional controls) was conducted to assess future 24-hour PM2.5 levels in the South Coast air basin. The simulation used the projected emissions from 2012, which reflect all adopted control measures that will be [[Page 49885]] implemented by December 31, 2019. Simulation of the 2019 baseline emissions indicates that the South Coast air basin will attain the federal 24-hour PM2.5 standard in 2019 without additional controls. The projected 2019 design value is 32.1 [mu]g/m\3\ at Mira Loma, the highest site in the South Coast air basin. Table 2 shows future 24-hour PM2.5 air quality projections at the South Coast air basin design site (Mira Loma) and the four other PM2.5 monitoring sites equipped with comprehensive particulate species characterization. Shown in the table are the base year design values for 2012 along with projections for 2019. All of the sites are projected to meet the 24-hour PM2.5 standard by 2019 without additional reductions beyond already adopted control measures. Table 2--Future 24-Hour PM2.5 Air Quality Projections at Selected Monitoring Sites in the South Coast Air Basin ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 24-hour PM 2.5 24-hour PM 2.5 98th percentile 98th percentile concentration concentration total mass Monitoring site location total mass for projected for base year, 2012 2019 ([mu]g/m ([mu]g/m \3\) \3\) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Anaheim........................... 25.82 23.46 Fontana........................... 32.74 28.01 Los Angeles....................... 30.52 27.60 Mira Loma......................... 36.52 31.36 Rubidoux.......................... 33.16 28.27 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The EPA's regulations require that monitoring data for comparison to the NAAQS be collected using specific equipment and procedures to ensure accuracy and reliability.\125\ For each NAAQS, the default monitoring equipment and the required procedures for operating it are termed the Federal Reference Method (FRM); an alternative approach, termed a Federal Equivalent Method may also be used if it is demonstrated to give results comparable to an FRM monitor. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \125\ 40 CFR parts 53 and 58. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Evaluation of Control Strategy The attainment control strategy in the 2016 PM2.5 Plan consists of state and district baseline measures that continue to achieve emission reductions between the Plan's base year of 2012 and the attainment year of 2019. With respect to baseline measures for stationary and area sources, the District identified the District rules and their projected emission levels in Appendix VI, section VI-C of the 2016 AQMP and described each of the District measures that contribute to RFP and attainment.\126\ The District control measures listed in this section of the Plan have been approved into the California SIP.\127\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \126\ See 2016 AQMP, Appendix VI, Table VI-C-4, p. VI-C-8. \127\ See EPA Region 9's website for information on district control measures that have been approved into the California SIP, available at: https://www.epa.gov/sips-ca/epa-approved-south-coast-air-district-regulations-california-sip. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- With respect to mobile sources, the State identified the source categories and described the EMFAC2014 emission factor model used to project their future emission levels in Chapter 3 and Appendix III of the 2016 AQMP.\128\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \128\ 2016 AQMP, pages III-2-73 and Attachment D-1 to Appendix III. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Table 3 below summarizes the emission reductions needed in the South Coast to attain the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS by the end of 2019. Table 3--Summary of Direct PM2.5 and Precursor Emission Reductions Needed for the 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS Attainment Demonstration ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2006 24-hour standard attainment by 2019 (tpd annual average) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PM2.5 NOX SO2 VOC NH3 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A. 2012 emissions inventory..... 66 540 18 470 81 B. 2019 baseline emissions 64 353 17 376 74 inventory...................... C. 2019 controlled emissions 64 353 17 376 74 inventory...................... D. Total emission reductions 2 187 1 94 7 needed by attainment year (A - C)............................. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Source: 2016 PM2.5 Plan, Chapter 3, and Appendix VI, Table VI-C-5. The Plan identifies several district and state measures that will achieve emission reductions and contribute to expeditious attainment of the 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS. These are described in the sections of this proposed rulemaking on BACM and RFP. In sum, the attainment demonstration in the 2016 PM2.5 Plan relies on numerous state and district baseline regulations that collectively are projected to achieve emission reductions sufficient for the South Coast area to attain the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 standard by the end of 2019. EPA's Evaluation and Proposed Action As discussed above, the 2016 PM2.5 Plan's air quality modeling demonstrates that the South Coast will attain the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 standard of 35 [micro]g/m\3\ by December 31, 2019. This demonstration is based on expeditious implementation of the state's and district's BACM control strategy for [[Page 49886]] stationary, area, and mobile sources in the 2016 PM2.5 Plan and ongoing reductions from state and local control measures already approved into the SIP. Based on our evaluation, we propose to determine that the 2016 PM2.5 Plan provides for attainment of the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 standards by the most expeditious date practicable, consistent with the requirements of CAA section 189(b)(1)(A) and 40 CFR 51.1011(b). E. Reasonable Further Progress and Quantitative Milestones 1. Requirements for Reasonable Further Progress and Quantitative Milestones Section 172(c)(2) of the Act states that all nonattainment area plans shall require RFP. In addition, CAA section 189(c) requires that all PM2.5 nonattainment area SIPs contain quantitative milestones to be achieved every three years until the area is redesignated to attainment and which demonstrate RFP, as defined in CAA section 171(1). Section 171(1) of the Act defines RFP as the annual incremental reductions in emissions of the relevant air pollutant as are required by part D, title I of the Act or as may reasonably be required by the Administrator for the purpose of ensuring attainment of the NAAQS by the applicable date. Neither subpart 1 nor subpart 4 of part D, title I of the Act requires that a set percentage of emissions reductions be achieved in any given year for purposes of satisfying the RFP requirement. RFP has historically been met by showing annual incremental emissions reductions sufficient generally to maintain at least linear progress toward attainment by the applicable deadline.\129\ As discussed in EPA guidance in the Addendum, requiring linear progress in reductions of direct PM2.5 and any individual precursor in a PM2.5 plan may be appropriate in situations where: --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \129\ Addendum at 42015. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------The pollutant is emitted by a large number and range of sources, the relationship between any individual source or source category and overall air quality is not well known, a chemical transformation is involved (e.g., secondary particulate significantly contributes to PM 2.5 levels over the standard), and/orthe emission reductions necessary to attain the PM 2.5 standard are inventory-wide.\130\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \130\ Id. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Addendum states that requiring linear progress may be less appropriate in other situations, such as:Where there are a limited number of sources of direct PM 2.5 or a precursor,where the relationships between individual sources and air quality are relatively well defined, and/or where the emission control systems utilized (e.g., at major point sources) will result in swift and dramatic emission reductions. In nonattainment areas characterized by any of these latter conditions, RFP may be better represented as step-wise progress as controls are implemented and achieve significant reductions soon thereafter. For example, if an area's nonattainment problem can be attributed to a few major sources, EPA guidance states that RFP may be met by ``adherence to an ambitious compliance schedule'' that is likely to periodically yield significant reductions of direct PM 2.5 or a PM2.5 precursor.\131\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \131\ Id. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Plans for PM2.5 nonattainment areas should include detailed schedules for compliance with emission control measures in the area and provide corresponding annual emission reductions to be achieved by each milestone in the schedule.\132\ In reviewing an attainment plan under subpart 4, the EPA considers whether the annual incremental emissions reductions to be achieved are reasonable in light of the statutory objective of timely attainment. Although early implementation of the most cost-effective control measures is often appropriate, states should consider both cost-effectiveness and pollution reduction effectiveness when developing implementation schedules for control measures and may implement measures that are more effective at reducing PM2.5 earlier to provide greater public health benefits.\133\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \132\ Id. at 42016. \133\ Id. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The PM2.5 SIP Requirements Rule establishes specific regulatory requirements for purposes of satisfying the Act's RFP requirements and provides related guidance in the preamble to the rule. Specifically, under the PM2.5 SIP Requirements Rule, each PM2.5 attainment plan must contain an RFP plan that includes, at minimum, the following four components: (1) An implementation schedule for control measures; (2) RFP projected emissions for direct PM2.5 and all PM2.5 plan precursors for each applicable milestone year, based on the anticipated control measure implementation schedule; (3) a demonstration that the control strategy and implementation schedule will achieve reasonable progress toward attainment between the base year and the attainment year; and (4) a demonstration that by the end of the calendar year for each milestone date for the area, pollutant emissions will be at levels that reflect either generally linear progress or stepwise progress in reducing emissions on an annual basis between the base year and the attainment year.\134\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \134\ 40 CFR 51.1012(a). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The preamble to the PM2.5 SIP Requirements Rule provides that emissions from one or more PM2.5 plan precursors may increase over the attainment planning period, provided the state demonstrates that reductions of direct PM2.5 combined with the aggregate reductions of PM2.5 plan precursors support expeditious attainment of the applicable PM2.5 NAAQS. This approach recognizes the fact that different precursors have different impacts on PM2.5 concentrations depending upon the atmospheric chemistry specific to each area.\135\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \135\ 81 FR 58010 at 58057 (August 24, 2016). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Section 189(c) of the Act requires that PM2.5 attainment plans include quantitative milestones that demonstrate RFP. The purpose of the quantitative milestones is to allow periodic evaluation of the area's progress towards attainment of the PM2.5 NAAQS consistent with RFP requirements. Because RFP is an annual emission reduction requirement and the quantitative milestones are to be achieved every three years, when a state demonstrates compliance with the quantitative milestone requirement, it should also demonstrate that RFP has been achieved during each of the relevant three years. Quantitative milestones should provide an objective means to evaluate progress toward attainment meaningfully, e.g., through imposition of emissions controls in the attainment plan and the requirement to quantify those required emissions reductions. The CAA also requires states to submit, within 90 days after each milestone date, milestone reports that include technical support sufficient to document completion statistics for appropriate milestones, e.g., calculations and any assumptions made concerning emission reductions to date.\136\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \136\ Addendum at 42016, 42017. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The CAA does not specify the starting point for counting the three- year periods for quantitative milestones under CAA section 189(c). In the General Preamble and Addendum, the EPA interpreted the CAA to require that the starting point for the first three-year period be the due [[Page 49887]] date for the Moderate area plan submission.\137\ In keeping with this historical approach, the EPA established December 31, 2014, as the starting point for the first 3-year period under CAA section 189(c) for the 2006 PM2.5 standards in the South Coast. This date was the due date established in the EPA's June 2, 2014 Deadline and Classification Rule for the State's submission of any additional attainment-related SIP elements necessary to satisfy the subpart 4 Moderate area requirements for the 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS in the South Coast area.\138\ Thus, December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2020, are the milestone dates that the Serious area plan must address, at minimum. The EPA believes that establishing December 31, 2017, as the first quantitative milestone date is an appropriate means for implementing the requirements of subpart 4 for the 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \137\ General Preamble at 13539, Addendum at 42016. \138\ 79 FR 31566 (June 2, 2014) (final rule establishing subpart 4 moderate area classifications and deadline for related SIP submissions) (``Classification and Deadline Rule''). Although the Classification and Deadline Rule did not affect any action that the EPA had previously taken under CAA section 110(k) on a SIP for a PM2.5 nonattainment area, the EPA noted that states may need to submit additional SIP elements to fully comply with the applicable requirements of subpart 4, even for areas with previously approved PM2.5 attainment plans, and that the deadline for any such additional plan submissions was December 31, 2014. Id. at 31569. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The PM2.5 SIP Requirements Rule also requires that Serious area attainment plans contain one additional quantitative milestone to be met in the three-year period following the Serious area attainment date.\139\ If the area fails to attain, this additional milestone provides the EPA with the tools necessary to monitor the area's continued progress toward attainment while the state develops a new attainment plan under CAA section 189(d). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \139\ 40 CFR 51.1013(a)(4). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. RFP Plan and Quantitative Milestones in the 2016 PM2.5 Plan The RFP plan and quantitative milestones are discussed in Appendix VI, section VI-C (pp. VI-C-5 to VI-C-8) of the 2016 AQMP. The Plan estimates that emissions of direct PM2.5 , NOX , VOC, SO2 and ammonia will generally decline from the 2012 base year to 2019 and states that emissions of each of these pollutants will remain below the levels needed to show ``generally linear progress'' from 2012 to 2019, the year that the Plan projects to be the earliest practicable attainment date for the 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS.\140\ The Plan's emissions inventory shows that direct PM2.5 , NOX , VOC, SO2 and ammonia are emitted by a large number and range of sources in the South Coast and that the emission reductions needed for each of these pollutants are inventory wide.\141\ Table VI-C-4 of the 2016 AQMP contains an implementation schedule for District control measures and Table VI-C-3 of the 2016 AQMP (reproduced in Table 4 below) contains RFP projected emissions for each quantitative milestone year and the attainment year. Based on these analyses, the District concludes that its adopted control strategy will achieve, for each pollutant, projected emission levels at or below the RFP, quantitative milestone, and attainment year target emission levels (see Table 5 below).\142\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \140\ 2016 AQMP, Appendix VI-C, p. VI-C-7, Tables VI-C-3 and VI- C-3A. \141\ 2016 AQMP, Chapter 4 and Appendices IV-A, VI-B and VI-C. \142\ 2016 AQMP, Appendix VI-C, p. VI-C-6. Table 4--24-Hour PM2.5 Baseline Emissions for Base and Milestone Years [Annual average tpd] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2017 2020 Pollutant 2012 (Quantitative 2019 (Attainment (Quantitative milestone) deadline) milestone) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PM2.5............................... 66.4 63.8 63.9 63.9 NOX................................. 540 398 353 330 SO2................................. 18.4 17.1 16.6 16.7 VOC................................. 470 392 376 370 NH3................................. 81.1 75.5 74.0 73.3 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Source: 2016 AQMP, Appendix VI-C, Table VI-C-3. Table 5--Summary of 24-Hour PM2.5 RFP Calculations [Annual average tpd] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Row Calculation step PM2.5 NOX SO2 VOC NH3 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1........... 2012 base year 66.4 540 18.4 470 81.1 emissions. 2........... Annual percent 0.55 4.9 1.4 2.9 1.2 change needed to show linear progress (%). 3........... 2017 Target Needed 64.6 406 17.1 403 76.0 to show linear progress (tpd). 4........... 2017 Baseline 63.8 398 17.1 392 75.5 emissions (tpd). 5........... Projected 0 0 0 0 0 shortfall (tpd). 6........... Surplus in 2017 0.85 8.6 0.05 10.4 0.48 (tpd). 7........... Emissions 0.36 26.7 0.25 13.5 1.0 Equivalent to 1 Year's Worth of RFP. 8........... 2019 Baseline 63.9 353 16.6 376 74.0 Emissions (tpd). ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Source: 2016 AQMP, Appendix VI-C, Table VI-C-3A. The 2016 PM2.5 Plan documents the State's conclusion that all BACM and BACT for these pollutants are being implemented as expeditiously as practicable and identifies projected levels of direct PM2.5 , NOX , VOC, ammonia, and SO2 emissions in 2017 and 2019 that reflect full implementation of the state, district, [[Page 49888]] and SCAG's BACM/BACT control strategy for these pollutants.\143\ The BACM control strategy that provides the basis for these emissions projections is described in Chapter 4, Appendix IV, and Appendix VI of the 2016 AQMP. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \143\ 2016 AQMP, Appendix VI-C, pp. VI-C-5 to VI-C-11; see also evaluation of BACM/BACT in section V.C of this proposed rule. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Direct PM2.5 The District has several stationary and area source rules that are projected to contribute to RFP and attainment of the PM2.5 standards.\144\ For example, Rule 444 (Open Burning) achieved reductions of direct PM2.5 from the base year of 2012 to the 2017 RFP year. In addition, Rule 445 (Wood-Burning Devices) was amended in 2013 by lowering the mandatory winter burning curtailment program threshold for residential wood burning and extending the curtailment to the entire South Coast air basin, thereby further limiting emissions from one of the largest combustion sources of direct PM2.5 in the South Coast nonattainment area.\145\ These rule amendments provide part of the incremental emission reductions of direct PM2.5 from the 2012 base year to the 2017 RFP milestone year.\146\ Measures to control sources of direct PM2.5 are also presented in the Plan's BACM analyses and reflected in the Plan's baseline emission projections. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \144\ 2016 AQMP, Appendix VI-A, p. VI-A-34. \145\ 2016 AQMP, Appendix III; see also 78 FR 59249 (September 26, 2013). \146\ 2016 AQMP, Appendix VI-C, p. VI-C-1, Table VI-C-4. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Plan highlights on-road and other mobile source control measures as the primary means for achieving direct PM2.5 emission reductions. CARB's implementation of the Truck and Bus Regulation (referred to in the Plan as the ``On-Road Heavy-Duty Diesel Vehicles (In-Use) Regulation'') achieved PM2.5 emissions reductions beginning in 2012.\147\ Lighter trucks and buses were required to replace 1995 and older engines with a 2010 MY by 2015. The 2010 MY engines include particulate filters. CARB's LEV II program includes particulate matter emissions limits by MY for 2016, and the LEV III program has stricter emission limits for 2017 and beyond. For off-road vehicles, CARB adopted the In-Use Off Road Diesel-Fueled Fleets Regulation (``Off-Road Regulation'') in 2007. The Off-Road Regulation requires owners to replace older vehicles or engines with newer, cleaner models to either (1) retire older vehicles or reduce their use, or (2) to apply retrofit exhaust controls. Off-road fleets are required to meet increasingly strict fleet average indices over time.\148\ These indices reflect a fleet's overall emissions rate of PM and NOX for model year and horsepower combinations. Fleets were also banned from adding Tier 0 off-road engines as of January 1, 2014.\149\ CARB implemented a similar ban on Tier 1 engines between January 1, 2014 (large fleets) and January 1, 2016 (small fleets). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \147\ The State's quantitative milestone report for the 2017 milestone indicates that the requirement for heavier trucks to install diesel particulate filters was fully implemented by 2016. See SCAQMD, ``2017 Quantitative Milestone Report for 2006 24-hour PM2.5 National Ambient Air Quality Standard,'' March 2018 (``2017 QM Report''), p. 11. \148\ A fleet average index is an indicator of a fleet's overall emissions rate of particulate matter and NOx based on the horsepower and model year of each engine in the fleet. \149\ Tier 0 engines meet 1995 to 1999 emission standards, depending on engine size and horsepower. See https://www.assocpower.com/eqdata/tech/US-EPA-Tier-Chart_1995-2004.php. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nitrogen Oxides The District regulates numerous NOX emission sources such as residential space and water heating devices, stationary internal combustion engines, and various sizes of boilers, steam generators, and process heaters used in industrial settings. The 2016 AQMP identifies the following South Coast regulations as measures that achieve ongoing NOX reductions with compliance dates during the RFP and attainment years of the Plan: Rule 1111 (Reductions of NOX from Natural Gas-Fired, Fan-Type Central Furnaces), Rule 1110.2 (Emissions from Gaseous- and Liquid-Fueled Engines), Rule 1121 (Control of Nitrogen Oxides from Residential-Type, Natural Gas-Fired Water Heaters), Rule 1146 (Emission of Oxides of Nitrogen from Industrial, Institutional, Commercial Boilers, Steam Generators, and Process Heaters), Rule 1146.1 (Emission of Oxides of Nitrogen from Small Industrial, Institutional, Commercial Boilers, Steam Generators, and Process Heaters), Rule 1146.2 (Emission of Oxides of Nitrogen from Large Water Heaters and Small Boilers and Process Heaters), and Rule 1147 (NOX Reductions from Miscellaneous Sources).\150\ \151\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \150\ 2016 AQMP, Appendix VI-C, Table VI-C-4 and p. VI-C-8. \151\ Rule 1111 was mistakenly listed as Rule 1110 in the 2016 AQMP, Appendix VI, Table VI-C-4. See 2017 QM Report at p. 6, footnote 1. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- For on-road and non-road mobile sources, which represent the largest sources of NOX emissions in the nonattainment area, the 2016 AQMP lists numerous CARB regulations and discusses the key regulations that limit emissions of direct PM2.5 as well as NOX, VOC, SO2 and ammonia from these sources.\152\ For example, the regulations that apply to the three largest sources of NOX in the South Coast--heavy-duty diesel trucks, light- and medium-duty passenger vehicles, and off-road equipment--are discussed in the 2016 AQMP at Appendix VI-C, Attachment VI-C-1, ``California Existing Mobile Source Control Program,'' and CARB's emission projections for these sources are presented in the Plan's emissions inventory.\153\ The Plan also shows that NOX emission levels in each milestone year and the attainment year are projected to be well below the levels needed to show generally linear progress toward attainment. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \152\ 2016 AQMP, Appendix IV-C, Attachment VI-C-1. \153\ 2016 AQMP, Appendix IV-C, Attachment VI-C-1, pp. VI-C-19- 21. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Truck and Bus Regulation and Drayage Truck Regulation became effective in 2011 and have rolling compliance deadlines based on truck engine model year. These and other regulations applicable to heavy-duty diesel trucks will continue to reduce emissions of diesel particulate matter and NOX through the RFP and attainment planning years.\154\ For example, MY 1994 and 1995 heavy-duty diesel truck engines were required to be upgraded to meet the 2010 MY truck engine emission standards by 2016, and MY 1996-1999 engines must be upgraded by January 1, 2020.\155\ The emission reductions from these rules represent the largest portion of the NOX emission reductions upon which the 2016 PM2.5 Plan's attainment and RFP demonstrations rely.\156\ Emission reductions between 2012 and 2017 were achieved through the requirements for particulate filters and cleaner engine standards. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \154\ 2016 AQMP, Appendix IV-C, p. VI-C-20. \155\ Title 13, California Code of Regulations, Section 2025 (``Regulation to Reduce Emissions of Diesel Particulate Matter, Oxides of Nitrogen and Other Criteria Pollutants, from In-Use Heavy- Duty Diesel-Fueled Vehicles''), paragraphs (e), (f), and (g), effective December 14, 2011. See also 77 FR 20308 at 20309-20310 (April 4, 2012) (final rule approving CARB's Truck and Bus Rule into California SIP). \156\ 2016 AQMP, Appendix III, Attachment B. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- California also has the authority under the CAA to regulate light- and medium-duty vehicle engines. A key control program for these vehicles is the ACC program.\157\ The ACC program implements a variety of regulations including the LEV III program, with criteria pollutant emission limits for non-methane organic gases (NMOG) \158\ [[Page 49889]] and NOX as well as particulate matter, which phased in starting in 2014 and continues through the RFP year of 2017 and beyond. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \157\ See 81 FR 39424, June 16, 2016. \158\ NMOG means the combination of organic gases other than methane as calculated in 40 CFR 1066.635. Note that for this part, the organic gases are summed on a mass basis without any adjustment for photochemical reactivity. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- CARB's Cleaner In-Use Off-road Equipment regulation was first approved in 2007 to reduce PM2.5 and NOX emissions from in-use off-road heavy-duty diesel vehicles in California such as those used in construction, mining, and industrial operations. The regulation reduces emissions of PM2.5 and NOX by targeting the existing fleet and imposing idling limits, restrictions on use of older vehicles, and requirements to retrofit or replace the oldest engines. For example, Tier 0 engines could not be added to fleets after January 1, 2014, and Tier 1 engines could not be added after January 1, 2016. The regulation is phased in between January 1, 2014 and January 1, 2019.\159\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \159\ 2016 AQMP, Appendix VI-C, Attachment VI-C-1, p. VI-C-23 and VI-C-24. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Volatile Organic Compounds As with other precursors, the District regulates stationary and area sources of VOC, and CARB is largely responsible for both on-road and off-road mobile sources. The 2016 AQMP highlights three stationary source VOC rules that contribute to RFP: Rule 1114 (Petroleum Refinery Coking Operations), Rule 1177 (Liquified Petroleum Gas Transfer and Dispensing), and Rule 1113 (Architectural Coatings).\160\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \160\ The District projects that revisions to Rule 1113 that it adopted after submitting the 2016 AQMP are projected to result in an additional 0.88 tpd of VOC reductions by 2019. See 2017 QM Report, p. 8. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- As with NOX , the majority of VOC emissions reductions that occur between the base year of 2012 and the 2017 RFP year come from on-road mobile sources and other mobile sources that are under the State's jurisdiction. CARB highlights its ACC program, which reduces emission from light- and medium-duty vehicles. The ACC program has a combined NMOG plus NOx fleet average requirement that began in 2014. Ammonia With respect to ammonia, the Plan states that, while both NOX and ammonia participate in forming ammonium nitrate (i.e., secondary PM2.5 ), NOX emission reductions are more effective at reducing ambient PM2.5 than ammonia reductions.\161\ Control measures for ammonia sources are described in Appendix VI of the Plan. For example, South Coast Rules 223 and 1127, which regulate confined animal facilities and manure waste from these facilities, control ammonia, as do the District's composting measures (i.e., Rules 1133, 1133.1, 1133.2 and 1133.3). These rules and the methods they use to control ammonia emissions are discussed at length in Appendix VI-B of the 2016 AQMP, and their emission projections are presented collectively under farming operations (for confined animal feeding operations and manure) or waste disposal (for composting categories) in the Plan's emissions inventory.\162\ We discuss our evaluation of these rules for purposes of satisfying BACM requirements in section V.C of this proposed rule. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \161\ 2016 AQMP, Appendix V, p. V-6-61. \162\ 2016 AQMP, Appendix IV-A, p. IV-A-98-103. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The District ascribes the reductions in ammonia during the period from 2012 to 2017 to decreases in farming operations in the South Coast air basin, as well as reductions in emissions from mobile sources largely achieved by state regulations for on-road motor vehicles. Sulfur Dioxide Reductions of SO2 in the South Coast nonattainment area during the period from 2012 to 2017 were mainly from mobile source reductions. The majority of the SO2 reductions come from non-road mobile sources, primarily reductions from state regulation of ocean-going vessels. Quantitative Milestones The 2016 AQMP identifies a milestone date of December 31, 2017, which is the date 3 years after December 31, 2014, and a second milestone date of December 31, 2020, which is the milestone date that falls within 3 years after the applicable attainment date (December 31, 2019). The 2016 AQMP also identifies target RFP emissions levels for direct PM2.5 , NOX , VOC, NH3 , and SO2 for the 2017 milestone year, the 2019 attainment year, and the 2020 post-attainment year milestone, and adopted control measures to be implemented by each of these years in accordance with the control strategy in the Plan.\163\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \163\ 2016 AQMP, Appendix VI-C, pp. VI-C-6 and VI-C-7. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. Evaluation and Proposed Actions The 2016 PM2.5 Plan describes the control measures for direct PM2.5 , NOX , SO2 , VOC and ammonia implemented during each year of the attainment plan and demonstrates that these measures, which provide the bases for the emissions projections in the RFP plan, are being implemented as expeditiously as practicable. Additionally, the Plan contains projected RFP emission levels for direct PM2.5 and all PM2.5 precursors for the 2017 and 2020 milestone years and for the 2019 attainment year, based on the anticipated implementation schedule for the attainment control strategy. The Plan also demonstrates that the control strategy will achieve RFP toward attainment between the 2012 base year and the 2019 attainment year. Finally, the 2016 PM2.5 Plan demonstrates that, by the end of the calendar year for each milestone date for the area, emissions of direct PM2.5 and all PM2.5 precursors will be reduced at rates representing generally linear progress toward attainment. We agree with the State and District's conclusion that generally linear progress is an appropriate measure of RFP for the 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS in the South Coast area given that PM2.5 and its precursors are emitted by a large number and range of sources in the South Coast, the emission reductions needed for these pollutants are inventory wide,\164\ and secondary particulates contribute significantly to ambient PM2.5 levels in the South Coast area.\165\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \164\ See generally 2016 AQMP, Appendix IV-A and B and Appendix VI-A. \165\ See 2016 AQMP, Appendix V, p. V-6-61. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Accordingly, we propose to determine that the 2016 PM2.5 Plan requires the annual incremental reductions in emissions of direct PM2.5 and PM2.5 precursors that are necessary for ensuring attainment of the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS by December 31, 2019, in accordance with the requirements of CAA sections 171(1) and 172(c)(2) and 40 CFR 51.1012. Additionally, the 2016 PM2.5 Plan identifies milestone dates that are consistent with the requirements of 40 CFR 51.1013(a)(4) and target emissions levels for direct PM2.5 and all PM2.5 precursors to be achieved by these milestone dates through implementation of the attainment control strategy. These target emission levels and associated control requirements provide for objective evaluation of the area's progress towards attainment of the 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS. We propose to determine that these quantitative milestones satisfy the requirements of CAA section 189(c) and 40 CFR 51.1013. On April 2, 2018, CARB submitted the ``2017 Quantitative Milestone Report for the 2006 24-Hour PM2.5 National Ambient Air Quality Standards (March 2018)'' (``2017 QM Report'') to the EPA.\166\ The 2017 QM report includes a [[Page 49890]] certification from the Governor's designee that the 2017 quantitative milestones for the South Coast PM2.5 nonattainment area have been achieved and a demonstration that the adopted control strategy has been fully implemented. The 2017 QM Report also contains a demonstration of how the emissions reductions achieved to date compare to those required or scheduled to meet RFP. The State and District conclude in the 2017 QM Report that the South Coast area is on track to attain the 2006 p.m.2.5 NAAQS by the projected attainment date for the area, which is December 31, 2019. On September 7, 2018, the EPA determined that the South Coast 2017 QM Report was adequate.\167\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \166\ Letter from Richard W. Corey, Executive Officer, CARB, to Alexis Strauss, Acting Regional Administrator, EPA Region IX, with attachment, April 2, 2018. \167\ Letter from Andrew R. Wheeler EPA, Acting Administrator, to Richard W. Corey, Executive Officer, CARB, regarding 2017 Quantitative Milestone Report for 2006 24-hour PM2.5 National Ambient Air Quality Standards, September 7, 2018. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- F. Contingency Measures 1. Requirements for Contingency Measures Under CAA section 172(c)(9), each SIP for a nonattainment area must include contingency measures to be implemented if an area fails to meet RFP (``RFP contingency measures'') or fails to attain the NAAQS by the applicable attainment date (``attainment contingency measures''). Under the PM2.5 SIP Requirements Rule, PM2.5 attainment plans must include contingency measures to be implemented following a determination by the EPA that the state has failed: (1) To meet any RFP requirement in the approved SIP, (2) to meet any quantitative milestone in the approved SIP, (3) to submit a required quantitative milestone report, or (4) to attain the applicable PM2.5 NAAQS by the applicable attainment date. Contingency measures must be fully adopted rules or control measures that are ready to be implemented quickly upon failure to meet RFP or failure of the area to meet the relevant NAAQS by the applicable attainment date. The purpose of contingency measures is to continue progress in reducing emissions while a state revises its SIP to meet the missed RFP requirement or to correct continuing nonattainment. Neither the CAA nor the EPA's implementing regulations establish a specific level of emissions reductions that implementation of contingency measures must achieve, but the EPA has taken the position that contingency measures should provide for emissions reductions equivalent to approximately one year of reductions needed for RFP. In general, we expect all actions needed to effect full implementation of the measures to occur within 60 days after EPA notifies the state of a failure to meet RFP or to attain.\168\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \168\ General Preamble at 13512, 13543-44 and Addendum at 42014- 42015. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- To satisfy the requirements of 40 CFR 51.1014, the contingency measures adopted as part of a PM2.5 attainment plan must: (1) consist of control measures for the area that are not otherwise included in the control strategy or that achieve emissions reductions not otherwise relied upon in the control strategy for the area (e.g., to meet RACM/RACT, BACM/BACT, or MSM requirements), and (2) specify the timeframe within which their requirements become effective following any of the EPA determinations specified in 40 CFR 51.1014(a). The Ninth Circuit recently rejected the EPA's interpretation of CAA section 172(c)(9) as allowing for early implementation of contingency measures, in a decision called Bahr v. EPA (``Bahr'').\169\ In Bahr, the Ninth Circuit concluded that contingency measures must take effect at the time the area fails to make RFP or attain by the applicable attainment date, not before. Thus, within the geographic jurisdiction of the Ninth Circuit, states cannot rely on early-implemented measures to comply with the contingency measure requirements under CAA section 172(c)(9). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \169\ Bahr v. EPA, 836 F.3d 1218, at 1235-1237 (9th Cir. 2016). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. Contingency Measures in the 2016 PM2.5 Plan The 2016 PM2.5 Plan addresses the contingency measure requirement in Chapter 4 of the 2016 AQMP and in section H of the CARB Staff Report. Chapter 4 of the 2016 AQMP addresses contingency measures for failure to attain by describing emission reductions to be achieved by an adopted measure, South Coast Rule 445 (Wood-Burning Devices). The 2016 PM2.5 Plan does not specifically address contingency measures for failure to meet RFP. The CARB Staff Report provides a brief statement acknowledging the recent Bahr decision and committing to work with the EPA and the District to provide additional documentation or develop any needed SIP revisions consistent with that decision. 3. EPA's Evaluation and Proposed Action As explained above in Section V.E, on April 2, 2018, CARB submitted a quantitative milestone report demonstrating that the 2017 quantitative milestones in the 2016 PM2.5 Plan have been achieved, and the EPA has determined that this milestone report is adequate. Because the State and District have demonstrated that the South Coast area has met its 2017 quantitative milestones, RFP contingency measures for 2017 are no longer needed. Accordingly, we are proposing to find that the RFP contingency measure requirement for the 2017 RFP milestone year is now moot as applied to the South Coast. The sole purpose of RFP contingency measures is to provide continued progress if an area fails to meet its RFP or quantitative milestone requirements. Failure to meet RFP or quantitative milestones for 2017 would have required California to implement RFP contingency measures and to revise the 2016 PM2.5 Plan to assure that it still provided for attainment by the applicable attainment date of December 31, 2019. In this case, however, the 2017 QM Report demonstrates that actual emissions levels in 2017 were consistent with the approved 2017 RFP milestone year targets for direct PM2.5 and all precursor pollutants (NOX , SO2 , VOCs, and ammonia) regulated in the 2016 PM2.5 Plan. Accordingly, RFP contingency measures for 2017 no longer have meaning or purpose, and the EPA proposes to find that the requirement for them is now moot. We are not proposing any action at this time on the attainment contingency measure component of the 2016 PM2.5 Plan and will act on that component through a subsequent rulemaking, as appropriate. G. Major Stationary Source Control Requirements Under CAA Section 189(e) Section 189(e) of the Act specifically requires that the control requirements applicable to major stationary sources of direct PM2.5 also apply to major stationary sources of PM2.5 precursors, except where the Administrator determines that such sources do not contribute significantly to PM2.5 levels that exceed the standards in the area.\170\ The control requirements applicable to major stationary sources of direct PM2.5 in a Serious PM2.5 nonattainment area include, at minimum, the requirements of a NNSR permit program meeting the requirements of CAA sections 172(c)(5) and 189(b)(3).\171\ As part of our January 13, 2016 final action to reclassify the [[Page 49891]] South Coast area as Serious nonattainment for the 2006 PM2.5 standards, we established a deadline 18 months from the effective date of our reclassification (or August 14, 2017) for the State to submit NNSR SIP revisions addressing the requirements of CAA sections 189(b)(3) and 189(e) of the Act.\172\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \170\ General Preamble at 13539 and 13541-42. \171\ CAA section 189(b)(1) (requiring that Serious area plans include provisions submitted to meet the requirements for Moderate areas in section 189(a)(1)). \172\ 81 FR 1514, at 1515 (January 13, 2016). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- California submitted NNSR SIP revisions to address the subpart 4 requirements for Serious PM2.5 nonattainment areas on May 8, 2017.\173\ We are not proposing any action on this submission at this time. We will act on this submission through a subsequent rulemaking, as appropriate. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \173\ Letter from Richard W. Corey, Executive Officer, CARB, to Alexis Strauss, Acting Regional Administrator, EPA Region IX, May 8, 2017. California previously submitted NNSR SIP revisions to address the subpart 4 requirements for Moderate PM2.5 nonattainment areas, and the EPA approved these SIP revisions on May 1, 2015 (80 FR 24821). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- H. Motor Vehicle Emission Budgets 1. Requirements for Motor Vehicle Emissions Budgets Section 176(c) of the CAA requires federal actions in nonattainment and maintenance areas to conform to the SIP's goals of eliminating or reducing the severity and number of violations of the NAAQS and achieving expeditious attainment of the standards. Conformity to the SIP's goals means that such actions will not: (1) Cause or contribute to violations of a NAAQS, (2) worsen the severity of an existing violation, or (3) delay timely attainment of any NAAQS or any interim milestone. Actions involving Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) or Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funding or approval are subject to the EPA's transportation conformity rule, codified at 40 CFR part 93, subpart A. Under this rule, metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) in nonattainment and maintenance areas coordinate with state and local air quality and transportation agencies, the EPA, FHWA, and FTA to demonstrate that an area's regional transportation plans (RTP) and transportation improvement programs (TIP) conform to the applicable SIP. This demonstration is typically done by showing that estimated emissions from existing and planned highway and transit systems are less than or equal to the motor vehicle emissions budgets (``budgets'' or ``MVEB'') contained in all control strategy SIPs. An attainment, maintenance, or RFP SIP should include budgets for the attainment year, each required RFP milestone year, or the last year of the maintenance plan, as appropriate, for direct PM2.5 and PM2.5 precursors subject to transportation conformity analyses. Budgets are generally established for specific years and specific pollutants or precursors and must reflect all of the motor vehicle control measures contained in the attainment and RFP demonstrations.\174\ Under the PM2.5 SIP Requirements Rule, Serious area PM2.5 attainment plans must define appropriate quantitative milestones and include projected RFP emission levels for direct PM2.5 and all PM2.5 plan precursors in each milestone year.\175\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \174\ 40 CFR 93.118(e)(4)(v). \175\ See 81 FR 58010, 58091-58092. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- PM2.5 plans should identify budgets for direct PM2.5 , NOX and all other PM2.5 precursors for which on-road emissions are determined to significantly contribute to PM2.5 levels in the area for each RFP milestone year and the attainment year, if the plan demonstrates attainment. All direct PM2.5 SIP budgets should include direct PM2.5 motor vehicle emissions from tailpipes, brake wear, and tire wear. A state must also consider whether re-entrained paved road dust, unpaved road dust, or highway and transit construction dust are significant contributors and should be included in the direct PM2.5 budget.\176\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \176\ 40 CFR 93.102(b) and 93.122(f); see also conformity rule preamble at 69 FR 40004, 40031-40036 (July 1, 2004). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- For an area designated nonattainment for the 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS before January 15, 2015, the attainment plan must contain quantitative milestones to be achieved no later than 3 years after December 31, 2014, and every 3 years thereafter until the milestone date that falls within 3 years after the applicable attainment date.\177\ As the EPA explained in the preamble to the PM2.5 SIP Requirements Rule, it is important to include a post-attainment year quantitative milestone to ensure that, if the area fails to attain by the attainment date, the EPA can continue to monitor the area's progress toward attainment while the state develops a new attainment plan.\178\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \177\ 40 CFR 51.1013(a)(4), see also 81 FR 58010, 58058 and 58063-58064 (August 24, 2016). \178\ See 81 FR 58010, 58063-58064 (August 24, 2016). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Transportation conformity trading mechanisms are allowed under 40 CFR 93.124 where a SIP establishes appropriate mechanisms for such trades. The basis for the trading mechanism is the SIP attainment modeling that established the relative contribution of each PM2.5 precursor pollutant. The applicability of emission trading between conformity budgets for conformity purposes is described in 40 CFR 93.124(c). In general, only budgets in approved SIPs can be used for transportation conformity purposes. However, section 93.118(e) of the transportation conformity rule allows budgets in a SIP submission to apply for conformity purposes before the SIP submission is approved under certain circumstances. First, there must not be any other approved SIP budgets that have been established for the same year, pollutant, and CAA requirement. Second, the EPA must find that the submitted SIP budgets are adequate for transportation conformity purposes. To be found adequate, the submission must meet the conformity adequacy requirements of 40 CFR 93.118(e)(4) and (5). The transportation conformity rule allows for replacement of previously approved budgets by submitted motor vehicle emissions budgets that the EPA has found adequate, if the EPA has limited the duration of its prior approval to the period before it finds replacement budgets adequate.\179\ However, the EPA will consider a state's request to limit the duration of an MVEB approval only if the request includes the following elements: --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \179\ 40 CFR 93.118(e)(1). ---------------------------------------------------------------------------An acknowledgement and explanation as to why the budgets under consideration have become outdated or deficient; A commitment to update the budgets as part of a comprehensive SIP update; and A request that the EPA limit the duration of its approval to the time when new budgets have been found to be adequate for transportation conformity purposes.\180\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \180\ See, e.g., 67 FR 69139 (November 15, 2002), limiting our prior approval of budgets in certain California SIPs. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. Motor Vehicle Emissions Budgets in the 2016 PM 2.5 Plan Consistent with the requirements of 40 CFR 51.1013(a)(4), the 2016 PM2.5 Plan identifies December 31, 2017, as the first quantitative milestone date (i.e., the date 3 years after December 31, 2014). The second quantitative milestone date is December 31, 2020, and is also the last milestone date identified in the Plan because it falls within 3 years after the December 31, 2019 attainment date for the area.\181\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \181\ Under CAA section 188(c)(2), a Serious PM2.5 nonattainment area must attain the PM2.5 NAAQS as expeditiously as practicable but no later than the end of the tenth calendar year after the area is designated as nonattainment. Because the South Coast area was designated as nonattainment for the 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS effective December 14, 2009 (74 FR 58688, November 13, 2009), the latest permissible attainment date for the area is December 31, 2019. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- [[Page 49892]] The 2016 PM2.5 Plan includes budgets for direct PM2.5, NOX , and VOC for 2017 and 2019 (RFP milestone year and projected attainment year, respectively) and for 2020 (post-attainment year quantitative milestone).\182\ The budgets were calculated using EMFAC2014, CARB's latest version of the EMFAC model for estimating emissions from on-road vehicles operating in California, and SCAG's latest modeled VMT and speed distributions from the 2016 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy adopted in April of 2016. The budgets reflect annual average emissions because those emissions are linked with the District's attainment demonstration for the 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \182\ 2016 PM2.5 Plan, Appendix VI-D and Table VI-D-4 (for 2017, 2019, and 2020 budgets). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The direct PM2.5 budgets include tailpipe, brake wear, and tire wear emissions as well as paved road dust, unpaved road dust, and road construction dust emissions.\183\ The Plan includes budgets for VOC and NOX because they are regulated precursors under the Plan. Under 40 CFR 93.102(b)(2)(v), states are not required to include budgets for SO2 and/or NH3 unless EPA or the state has made a finding that transportation-related emissions of any of these precursors within the nonattainment area are significant contributors to the PM2.5 nonattainment problem. Neither the State nor the EPA has made such a funding. The budgets included in the 2016 PM2.5 Plan are shown in Table 6 below. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \183\ 2016 PM2.5 Plan, Appendix VI-D, Table VI-D-3, p. VI-D-4. [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP03OC18.004 In the submittal letter for the 2016 PM2.5 Plan, CARB requested that we limit the duration of our approval of the budgets to the period before the effective date of the EPA's adequacy finding for any subsequently submitted budgets.\184\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \184\ Letter from Richard W. Corey, Executive Officer, CARB, to Alexis Strauss, Acting Regional Administrator, EPA Region IX, page 3, April 27, 2017. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- We found the budgets for the 2017 RFP year and the 2019 attainment year adequate in a letter dated December 19, 2017.\185\ In today's action, we are proposing to approve these budgets. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \185\ Id. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Conformity Trading Mechanism The 2016 PM2.5 Plan also includes a proposed trading mechanism for transportation conformity analyses that would allow future decreases in NOX emissions from on-road mobile sources to offset any on-road increases in PM2.5 , using the ratios shown in Table 7 below.\186\ For the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS the State is proposing to use the same ratios that were submitted for use with that NAAQS in the 2012 PM2.5 Plan.\187\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \186\ 2016 PM2.5 Plan, Appendix VI-D, Table VI-D-5. \187\ 82 FR 22025 (April 14, 2016). Table 7--Trading Equivalencies for 2006 24-Hour PM2.5 NAAQS ------------------------------------------------------------------------ NOX VOC PM2.5 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ NOX........................................ 1 3.151 0.067 VOC........................................ 0.317 1 0.021 PM2.5...................................... 14.833 46.792 1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Source: 2016 PM2.5 Plan, Appendix VI-D, Table VI-D-5, and letter from Phil Fine, Deputy Executive Officer, SCAQMD, to Amy Zimpfer, Associate Director, Air Division, EPA Region 9, March 14, 2018. To ensure that the trading mechanism does not affect the ability of the South Coast to meet the NOX budget, the NOX emission reductions available to supplement the PM2.5 budget would only be those remaining after the NOX budget has been met.\188\ SCAG must clearly document the calculations used in the trading when demonstrating conformity, along with any additional reductions of NOX , PM2.5 or VOC emissions in the conformity analysis. It should be noted that the trading calculations are performed prior to the final rounding to demonstrate conformity with the budgets. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \188\ 2016 PM2.5 Plan, Appendix VI-D, page VI-D-5. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The District provided a clarification as to how the trading mechanism would be implemented in a March 14, 2018 letter.\189\ In that letter, the District clarified that the trading mechanism identified in the 2012 AQMP for the 2006 PM2.5 24-hour NAAQS, which the EPA did not previously act on, is [[Page 49893]] included in the 2016 AQMP for approval by the EPA for use by SCAG in conformity determinations for the 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS for analysis years after the attainment year of 2019. The letter also explained why these trading ratios are still appropriate for use in conformity determinations even though they are derived from modeling conducted for the 2012 AQMP. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \189\ Letter from Philip Fine, Deputy Executive Officer, Planning, Rule Development, and Area Sources, SCAQMD, to Amy Zimpfer, Associate Director, Air Division, EPA Region IX, regarding trading ratios among PM2.5 precursors, March 14, 2018. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The 2016 PM2.5 Plan also provides that SCAG, the MPO responsible for demonstrating transportation conformity, shall clearly document the calculations used in the trading, along with any additional reductions of NOX , PM2.5 or VOC emissions in the conformity analysis. 3. EPA's Evaluation and Proposed Actions The EPA generally first conducts a preliminary review of budgets submitted with an attainment, RFP, or maintenance plan for adequacy, prior to acting on the plan itself, and did so with respect to the replacement PM2.5 budgets in the 2016 PM2.5 Plan. On October 18, 2017, the EPA announced the availability of the 2016 PM2.5 Plan with budgets and a 30-day public comment period. This announcement was posted on EPA's Adequacy website at: https://www.epa.gov/state-and-local-transportation/state-implementation-plans-sip-submissions-currently-under-epa. The comment period for this notification ended on November 17, 2017. We did not receive any comments during this comment period. We found the budgets adequate on December 19, 2017.\190\ A notice of the adequacy finding was published in the Federal Register on January 5, 2018.\191\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \190\ Letter from Matthew J. Lakin, Acting Director, Air Division, EPA Region IX, to Richard W. Corey, Executive Officer, CARB, December 19, 2017. \191\ See 83 FR 679, January 5, 2018. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Based on the information about SO2 and ammonia emissions in the Plan and in accordance with 40 CFR 93.102(b)(2)(v), we propose to find that it is not necessary to establish motor vehicle emissions budgets for transportation-related emissions of SO2 and ammonia to attain the 2006 PM2.5 standards in the South Coast. For the reasons discussed in sections V.D. and V.E. of this proposed rule, we are proposing to approve the RFP and attainment demonstrations in the 2016 PM2.5 Plan. The 2017 RFP and 2019 attainment budgets, as given in Table 6 of this proposed rule, are consistent with these demonstrations, are clearly identified and precisely quantified, and meet all other applicable statutory and regulatory requirements including the adequacy criteria in 93.118(e)(4) and (5). For these reasons, the EPA proposes to approve the budgets listed in Table 6 above. We provided a more detailed discussion in our adequacy letter, which can be found in the docket for today's action. We are not taking action on the 2020 budgets at this time. Although the post-attainment year quantitative milestone is a required element of the Serious area plan, it is not necessary to demonstrate transportation conformity for 2020 or to use the 2020 budgets in transportation conformity determinations until such time as the area fails to attain the 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS. Additionally, the EPA has not yet started the adequacy process for the 2020 budgets. Therefore, the EPA is not taking action on the submitted budgets for 2020 in the 2016 PM2.5 Plan at this time. If the EPA were to either find adequate or approve the post- attainment milestone year budgets now, those budgets would have to be used in transportation conformity determinations that are made after the effective date of the adequacy finding or approval even if the South Coast area ultimately attains the PM2.5 NAAQS by the Serious area attainment date. This would mean that SCAG would be required to demonstrate conformity for the post-attainment date milestone year and all later years addressed in the conformity determination (e.g., the last year of the metropolitan transportation plan) to the post-attainment date RFP budgets rather than the budgets associated with the attainment year for the area (i.e., the budgets for 2019). The EPA does not believe that it is necessary to demonstrate conformity using these post-attainment year budgets in areas that either the EPA anticipates will attain by the attainment date or in areas that attain by the attainment date. The EPA has found adequate the budgets for the first milestone year (2017) and the attainment year (2019) for the South Coast PM2.5 nonattainment area.\192\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \192\ Letter from Matthew J. Lakin, Acting Director, Air Division, EPA Region IX, to Richard W. Corey, Executive Officer, CARB, December 19, 2017, and 83 FR 679 (January 5, 2018). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- If the EPA determines that the South Coast area has failed to attain the 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS by the applicable attainment date, the EPA will begin the budget adequacy and approval processes for the post-attainment year (2020) budgets. If the EPA finds the 2020 budgets adequate or approves them, those budgets will have to be used in subsequent transportation conformity determinations. The EPA believes that initiating the process to act on the submitted post- attainment year MVEBs following a determination that the area has failed to attain by the Serious area attainment date ensures that transportation activities will not cause or contribute to new violations, increase the frequency or severity of any existing violations, or delay timely attainment or any required interim emission reductions or milestones in the South Coast nonattainment area, consistent with the requirements of CAA section 176(c)(1)(B). We have previously approved motor vehicle emissions budgets for the 1997 annual and 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS.\193\ These budgets will continue to apply for the 1997 PM2.5 NAAQS in the South Coast area. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \193\ 76 FR 69928, at 69951 (November 9, 2011). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The EPA has reviewed the trading mechanism described on pages VI-D- 5 and VI-D-6 in Appendix VI-D of the 2016 AQMP and, given the clarification letter submitted to the EPA on March 14, 2018, finds this trading mechanism appropriate for use in transportation conformity analyses in the South Coast for the 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS. We agree with the District that these trading ratios are still appropriate for use in transportation conformity determinations even though they are derived from modeling conducted for the 2012 AQMP. We therefore propose to approve the trading mechanism as an enforceable component of the transportation conformity program for the South Coast for the 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS. In the submittal letter for the 2016 PM2.5 Plan, CARB requested that we limit the duration of our approval of the budgets to the period before the effective date of the EPA's adequacy finding for any subsequently submitted budgets.\194\ The transportation conformity rule allows us to limit the approval of budgets.\195\ CARB's request does not, however, contain an acknowledgement and explanation as to why the budgets under consideration will become outdated or a commitment to update the budgets as part of a comprehensive SIP update. Therefore, we are not proposing at this time to limit the duration of our approval of the submitted budgets. In order to limit the duration of our approval, we would need the information described above to determine whether such limitation is reasonable and appropriate in this case. Once CARB has provided the necessary information, we intend to review it and [[Page 49894]] take appropriate action. If we propose to limit the duration of our approval of the budgets in the 2016 PM2.5 Plan, we will provide the public an opportunity to comment. The duration of our approval of the submitted budgets will not be limited until we complete such a rulemaking. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \194\ See letter dated April 27, 2017, from Richard W. Corey, Executive Officer, CARB, to Alexis Strauss, Acting Regional Administrator, EPA Region IX, page 3. \195\ 40 CFR 93.118(e)(1). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- VI. Summary of Proposed Actions and Request for Public Comment Under CAA section 110(k)(3), the EPA is proposing to approve SIP revisions submitted by California to address the Act's Serious area planning requirements for the 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS in the South Coast nonattainment area. Specifically, the EPA is proposing to approve the following elements of the 2016 PM2.5 Plan: 1. A comprehensive, accurate, current inventory of actual emissions from all sources of PM2.5 and PM2.5 precursors in the area (CAA section 172(c)(3)); 2. Provisions to assure that BACM, including BACT, for the control of direct PM2.5 and PM2.5 precursors shall be implemented no later than 4 years after the area is reclassified (CAA section 189(b)(1)(B)); 3. A demonstration (including air quality modeling) that the plan provides for attainment as expeditiously as practicable but no later than December 31, 2019 (CAA sections 188(c)(2) and 189(b)(1)(A)); 4. Plan provisions that require RFP (CAA section 172(c)(2)); 5. Quantitative milestones that are to be achieved every 3 years until the area is redesignated attainment and which demonstrate RFP toward attainment by the applicable date (CAA section 189(c)); and 6. 2017 and 2019 motor vehicle emissions budgets, as shown in Table 6 of this proposed rule, because they are derived from an approvable RFP plan and attainment demonstration and meet the requirements of CAA section 176(c) and 40 CFR part 93, subpart A. The EPA is also proposing to approve the interpollutant trading mechanism provided in the 2016 PM2.5 Plan and clarified in a March 14, 2018 letter from the District for use in transportation conformity analyses for the 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS, in accordance with 40 CFR 93.124. We are not proposing any action at this time on the attainment contingency measure component of the 2016 PM2.5 Plan. Finally, the EPA is proposing to find that the requirement for contingency measures to be undertaken if the area fails to make reasonable further progress under CAA section 172(c)(9) is moot as applied to the 2017 milestone year, because the State and District have demonstrated to the EPA's satisfaction that the 2017 milestones have been met. We will accept comments from the public on these proposals for the next 30 days. The deadline and instructions for submission of comments are provided in the DATES and ADDRESSES sections at the beginning of this preamble. VII. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews Under the Clean Air Act, the Administrator is required to approve a SIP submission that complies with the provisions of the Act and applicable federal regulations. 42 U.S.C. 7410(k); 40 CFR 52.02(a). Thus, in reviewing SIP submissions, the EPA's role is to approve state choices, provided that they meet the criteria of the Clean Air Act. Accordingly, this proposed action merely proposes to approve state law as meeting federal requirements and does not impose additional requirements beyond those imposed by state law. For that reason, this proposed action:Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' subject to review by the Office of Management and Budget under Executive Orders 12866 (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993) and 13563 (76 FR 3821, January 21, 2011); is not an Executive Order 13771 (82 FR 9339, February 2, 2017) regulatory action because SIP approvals are exempted under Executive Order 12866; does not impose an information collection burden under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.); is certified as not having a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.); does not contain any unfunded mandate or significantly or uniquely affect small governments, as described in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-4); does not have Federalism implications as specified in Executive Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10, 1999); is not an economically significant regulatory action based on health or safety risks subject to Executive Order 13045 (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997); is not a significant regulatory action subject to Executive Order 13211 (66 FR 28355, May 22, 2001); is not subject to requirements of Section 12(d) of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272 note) because application of those requirements would be inconsistent with the Clean Air Act; and does not provide the EPA with the discretionary authority to address disproportionate human health or environmental effects with practical, appropriate, and legally permissible methods under Executive Order 12898 (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994). In addition, the SIP is not approved to apply on any Indian reservation land or in any other area where the EPA or an Indian tribe has demonstrated that a tribe has jurisdiction. In those areas of Indian country, the rule does not have tribal implications and will not impose substantial direct costs on tribal governments or preempt tribal law as specified by Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, November 9, 2000). List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52 Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Ammonia, Incorporation by reference, Intergovernmental relations, Oxides of nitrogen, Particulate matter, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Sulfur oxides, Volatile organic compounds. Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq. Dated: September 24, 2018. Deborah Jordan, Acting Regional Administrator, Region 9. [FR Doc. 2018-21560 Filed 10-2-18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
![49872 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 192 / Wednesday, October 3, 2018 / Proposed Rules
Executive Orders 12866 (58 FR 51735, Dated: September 21, 2018. additional submission methods, please
October 4, 1993) and 13563 (76 FR 3821, Deborah Jordan, contact the person identified in the FOR
January 21, 2011); Acting Regional Administrator, Region IX. FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section.
• is not an Executive Order 13771 (82 [FR Doc. 2018–21467 Filed 10–2–18; 8:45 am] For the full EPA public comment policy,
FR 9339, February 2, 2017) regulatory BILLING CODE 6560–50–P information about CBI or multimedia
action because SIP approvals are submissions, and general guidance on
exempted under Executive Order 12866; making effective comments, please visit
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION http://www2.epa.gov/dockets/
• does not impose an information commenting-epa-dockets.
AGENCY
collection burden under the provisions
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 40 CFR Part 52
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.); Wienke Tax, Air Planning Office (AIR–
[EPA–R09–OAR–2017–0490; FRL–9984– 2), EPA Region IX, (415) 947–4192,
• is certified as not having a 91—Region 9] tax.wienke@epa.gov.
significant economic impact on a SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
substantial number of small entities Approval and Promulgation of Throughout this document, ‘‘we,’’ ‘‘us’’
under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 Implementation Plans; California; and ‘‘our’’ refer to the EPA.
U.S.C. 601 et seq.); South Coast Serious Area Plan for the
• does not contain any unfunded 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS Table of Contents
mandate or significantly or uniquely AGENCY: U.S. Environmental Protection I. Background
affect small governments, as described Agency (EPA). II. Summary of the 2016 PM2.5 Plan
in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act III. Completeness Review of the 2016 PM2.5
ACTION: Proposed rule. Plan
of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–4);
IV. Clean Air Act Requirements for PM2.5
• does not have Federalism SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Serious Area Plans
implications as specified in Executive Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve V. Review of South Coast Serious Area Plan
Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10, state implementation plan (SIP) Addressing the 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS
1999); revisions submitted by California to A. Emissions Inventory
address Clean Air Act (CAA or ‘‘Act’’) B. PM2.5 Precursors
• is not an economically significant C. Best Available Control Measures
requirements for the 2006 24-hour fine
regulatory action based on health or particulate matter (PM2.5) national D. Attainment Demonstration and
safety risks subject to Executive Order ambient air quality standards (NAAQS Modeling
13045 (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997); or ‘‘standards’’) in the Los Angeles- E. Reasonable Further Progress and
• is not a significant regulatory action Quantitative Milestones
South Coast air basin (South Coast) F. Contingency Measures
subject to Executive Order 13211 (66 FR Serious PM2.5 nonattainment area. The G. Major Stationary Source Control
28355, May 22, 2001); EPA is also proposing to approve 2017 Requirements Under CAA Section 189(e)
• is not subject to requirements of and 2019 motor vehicle emissions H. Motor Vehicle Emission Budgets
Section 12(d) of the National budgets for transportation conformity VI. Summary of Proposed Actions and
Technology Transfer and Advancement purposes and inter-pollutant trading Request for Public Comment
Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272 note) because ratios for use in transportation VII. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
application of those requirements would conformity analyses. I. Background
be inconsistent with the Clean Air Act; DATES: Any comments must arrive by
November 2, 2018. On October 17, 2006, the EPA revised
and
the 24-hour NAAQS for PM2.5,
• does not provide the EPA with the ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,
particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5
discretionary authority to address identified by Docket ID No. EPA–R09– microns or less, to provide increased
disproportionate human health or OAR–2017–0490 at https:// protection of public health by lowering
environmental effects with practical, www.regulations.gov, or via email to the level from 65 micrograms per cubic
appropriate, and legally permissible tax.wienke@epa.gov. For comments meter (mg/m3) to 35 mg/m3.1
methods under Executive Order 12898 submitted at Regulations.gov, follow the
Epidemiological studies have shown
(59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994). online instructions for submitting
statistically significant correlations
comments. Once submitted, comments
In addition, the SIP is not approved between elevated PM2.5 levels and
cannot be edited or removed from
to apply on any Indian reservation land premature mortality. Other important
Regulations.gov. For either manner of
or in any other area where the EPA or health effects associated with PM2.5
submission, the EPA may publish any
an Indian tribe has demonstrated that a exposure include aggravation of
comment received to its public docket.
tribe has jurisdiction. In those areas of respiratory and cardiovascular disease
Do not submit electronically any
Indian country, the rule does not have (as indicated by increased hospital
information you consider to be
tribal implications and will not impose admissions, emergency room visits,
Confidential Business Information (CBI)
substantial direct costs on tribal absences from school or work, and
or other information whose disclosure is
governments or preempt tribal law as
restricted by statute. Multimedia
specified by Executive Order 13175 (65 1 40 CFR 50.13 and 71 FR 61144 (October 17,
submissions (audio, video, etc.) must be 2006). The EPA first established NAAQS for PM2.5
FR 67249, November 9, 2000).
accompanied by a written comment. on July 18, 1997 (62 FR 38652), including annual
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with PROPOSALS
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52 The written comment is considered the standards of 15.0 mg/m3 based on a 3-year average
of annual mean PM2.5 concentrations and 24-hour
official comment and should include (daily) standards of 65 mg/m3 based on a 3-year
Environmental protection, Air discussion of all points you wish to average of 98th percentile 24-hour concentrations
pollution control, Incorporation by make. The EPA will generally not (40 CFR 50.7). In 2012, the EPA revised the annual
reference, Intergovernmental relations, consider comments or comment standards to lower them to 12 mg/m3 (78 FR 3086,
Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone, Reporting and contents located outside of the primary January 15, 2013, codified at 40 CFR 50.18). Unless
recordkeeping requirements. otherwise noted, all references to the PM2.5
submission (i.e., on the web, cloud, or standards in this notice are to the 2006 24-hour
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq. other file sharing system). For NAAQS of 35 mg/m3 codified at 40 CFR 50.13.
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![49876 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 192 / Wednesday, October 3, 2018 / Proposed Rules
explain how the emissions projections Stationary sources and mobile sources, NOX emission sources subject to the
were calculated. which include on-road and non-road District’s Regional Clean Air Incentives
sources of emissions. Stationary sources Market (RECLAIM) program (based on
2. Emissions Inventories in the 2016
include point and area sources. Point 2015 program amendments), livestock
PM2.5 Plan
sources in the South Coast air basin that waste management operations, gasoline
The annual average daily planning emit more than 4 tons per year (tpy) or dispensing facilities, composting
inventories for direct PM2.5 and all more of VOC, NOX, SO2, or PM report operations, oil and gas production, and
PM2.5 precursors (NOX, SOX, VOC, and annual emissions to the District. Point architectural coatings.
ammonia) 35 for the South Coast PM2.5 source emissions for the 2012 base year On-road emissions inventories are
nonattainment area together with emissions inventory are generally based calculated using CARB’s EMFAC2014
documentation for the inventories are on reported data from facilities using model and the travel activity data
found in Chapter 3, Appendix III and the District’s Annual Emissions provided by SCAG in ‘‘The 2016–2040
Appendix V of the 2016 AQMP. Reporting (AER) program.38 Area Regional Transportation Plan/
Appendix V also contains additional sources include smaller emissions Sustainable Communities Strategy.’’ 39
inventory documentation specific to the sources distributed across the Re-entrained paved road dust emissions
air quality modeling inventories. These nonattainment area. CARB and the were calculated using the EPA’s AP–42
portions of the 2016 AQMP contain District estimate emissions for about 400 road dust methodology.40
annual average daily inventories of area source categories using established CARB provided emission inventories
actual emissions for the base year of inventory methods, including publicly- for off-road equipment, including
2012 and projected inventories for the available emission factors and activity construction and mining equipment,
future RFP baseline year of 2017 and the information. Activity data may come industrial and commercial equipment,
attainment year of 2019, as well as the from national survey data such as from lawn and garden equipment,
post-attainment RFP year of 2020.36 The the Energy Information Administration agricultural equipment, ocean-going
annual average daily inventory is used or from local sources such as the vessels, commercial harbor craft,
to evaluate sources of emissions for Southern California Gas Company, paint locomotives, cargo handling equipment,
attainment of the 24-hour PM2.5 suppliers, and district databases. pleasure craft, and recreational vehicles.
NAAQS. Emission factors can be based on a CARB uses several models to estimate
Future emissions forecasts are number of sources including source emissions for more than one hundred
primarily based on demographic and tests, compliance reports, and the EPA’s off-road equipment categories.41 Aircraft
economic growth projections provided AP–42. emissions are developed in conjunction
by SCAG, the metropolitan planning Emissions inventories are constantly with the airports in the region.
organization (MPO) for the Los Angeles being revised and improved. Between Table 1 provides a summary of the
area. Baseline inventories reflect all the finalization of California’s plan District’s 2012 base year emissions
district control measures adopted prior addressing Moderate area requirements estimates as annual averages, for direct
to December 2015 and CARB rules for the 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS in the South PM2.5 and all PM2.5 precursors. These
adopted by November 2015. Growth Coast (‘‘2012 PM2.5 Plan’’) and the inventories provide the basis for the
factors used to project these baseline development of the 2016 PM2.5 Plan, the control measure analysis and the RFP
inventories are derived mainly from District improved and updated its and attainment demonstrations in the
data obtained from SCAG.37 emissions estimation methodologies for 2016 PM2.5 Plan. For a more detailed
The emissions inventory is divided liquefied petroleum gas combustion discussion of the inventories, see
into two major source classifications: sources, natural gas combustion sources, Appendix III of the 2016 AQMP.
TABLE 1—SOUTH COAST 2012 BASE YEAR EMISSIONS
[Annual average, tons/day]
Direct PM2.5 NOX SO2 VOC Ammonia
Stationary and Area Sources ............................................... 44 70 10 212 63
On-Road Mobile Sources .................................................... 14 317 2 158 18
Off-Road Mobile Sources .................................................... 8 153 6 100 0
Total .............................................................................. 66 540 18 470 81
Source: 2016 AQMP, Chapter 3, Table 3–1A. Values may not be precise due to rounding.
Condensable Particulate Matter condensable emissions, and emissions technical supplement containing
of the scientific PM2.5 precursors, emissions estimates for both
The PM2.5 SIP Requirements Rule including precursors that are not PM2.5 condensable and filterable PM2.5
states that ‘‘[t]he inventory shall include plan precursors pursuant to a precursor emissions from specified sources of
direct PM2.5 emissions, separately demonstration under § 51.1006.’’ 42 On
reported PM2.5 filterable and June 26, 2018, SCAQMD submitted a
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with PROPOSALS
35 The 2016 PM
2.5 Plan generally uses ‘‘sulfur therefore includes annual average and summer day 40 See CARB, Miscellaneous Process Methodology
oxides’’ or ‘‘SOX’’ in reference to SO2 as a precursor inventories for all years between 2017 and 2031, 7.9 Entrained Road Travel, Paved Road Dust,
to the formation of PM2.5. We use ‘‘SOX’’ and ‘‘SO2’’ except 2029. (Revised and updated, November 2016) available at
interchangeably throughout this notice. 37 See 2016 AQMP, Appendix III, page III–2–6.
https://www.arb.ca.gov/ei/areasrc/fullpdf/full7-9_
36 The 2016 PM 38 See http://www.aqmd.gov/regulations/
2.5 Plan includes summer day 2016.pdf.
inventories for ozone planning purposes and both compliance/annual-emission-reporting. 41 See 2016 PM
2.5 Plan, Appendix III, p. III–1–24.
a Moderate area plan and a Serious area plan for 39 See http://scagrtpscs.net/Pages/
42 40 CFR 51.1008(a)(1)(iv).
the 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS. The 2016 PM2.5 Plan FINAL2016RTPSCS.aspx.
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![Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 192 / Wednesday, October 3, 2018 / Proposed Rules 49877
direct PM2.5 in the South Coast area.43 public hearing at both the District and The 2007 PM2.5 Implementation Rule
The supplement provides filterable and State levels.48 contained rebuttable presumptions
condensable emissions estimates, The inventories in the 2016 PM2.5 concerning the four PM2.5 precursors
expressed as annual average PM2.5 Plan are based on the most current and applicable to attainment plans and
emissions, for all of the identified accurate information available to the control measures related to those
source categories for the 2012 base year, State and District at the time the Plan plans.52 Although the rule included
the 2017 RFP year, and the 2019 and its inventories were being presumptions that states should address
attainment year, as well as subsequent developed, including the latest EPA- SO2 and NOX emissions in their
years.44 approved version of California’s mobile attainment plans, it also included
The 2016 PM2.5 Plan relies on several source emissions model, EMFAC2014, presumptions that regulation of VOCs
SIP-approved rules that regulate direct and the EPA’s most recent AP–42 and ammonia was not necessary.
PM emissions as part of the PM2.5 methodology for paved road dust.49 The Specifically, in 40 CFR 51.1002(c) (as
control strategy (e.g., Rule 445 (Wood- inventories comprehensively address all effective July 1, 2007), the EPA
Burning Devices), adopted March 7, source categories in the South Coast and provided, among other things, that a
2008, most recently revised May 3, were developed consistent with the state was ‘‘not required to address VOC
2013; Rule 1138 (Control of Emissions EPA’s inventory guidance. In [and ammonia] as . . . PM2.5 attainment
from Restaurant Operations), adopted accordance with 40 CFR 51.1008(b), the plan precursor[s] and to evaluate
November 14, 1997; and Rule 1155 2012 base year is one of the three years sources of VOC [and ammonia]
(Particulate Matter (PM) Control for which monitored data were used for emissions in the state for control
Devices), adopted December 4, 2009, reclassifying the area to Serious, and it measures,’’ unless the state or the EPA
amended May 2, 2014). As part of our represents actual annual average provided an appropriate technical
action on any rules that regulate direct emissions of all sources within the demonstration showing that emissions
PM2.5 emissions, we evaluate the nonattainment area. Direct PM2.5 and all
emissions limits in the rule to ensure from sources of these pollutants
PM2.5 precursors are included in the
that they appropriately address ‘‘significantly contribute’’ to PM2.5
inventories, and filterable and
condensable PM, as required by 40 CFR concentrations in the nonattainment
condensable direct PM2.5 emissions are
51.1010(e). We note that the SIP- area.53
identified separately. For these reasons,
approved version of Rule 1138 requires we are proposing to approve the 2012 In NRDC, however, the United States
testing according to the District’s base year emissions inventory in the Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit
protocol, which requires measurement 2016 PM2.5 Plan as meeting the (‘‘D.C. Circuit’’) remanded the EPA’s
of both condensable and filterable PM in requirements of CAA section 172(c)(3) 2007 PM2.5 Implementation Rule in its
accordance with SCAQMD Test Method and 40 CFR 51.1008. We are also entirety, including the presumptions
5.1.45 We also note that the SIP- proposing to find that the future concerning VOC and ammonia in that
approved version of Rule 1155 requires baseline inventories in the Plan provide rule.54 Although the court expressly
measurement of both condensable and an adequate basis for the BACM, RFP, declined to decide the specific
filterable PM in accordance with and attainment demonstrations in the challenge to these presumptions
SCAQMD Test Methods 5.1, 5.2, or 5.3 2016 PM2.5 Plan. concerning precursors,55 the court cited
as applicable.46 47 CAA section 189(e) 56 to support its
B. PM2.5 Precursors
3. EPA’s Evaluation and Proposed observation that ‘‘[a]mmonia is a
Action 1. Requirements for the Control of PM2.5 precursor to fine particulate matter,
Precursors making it a precursor to both PM2.5 and
The emissions inventories in the 2016 PM10’’ and that ‘‘[f]or a PM10
PM2.5 Plan were made available to the The composition of PM2.5 is complex
and highly variable due in part to the nonattainment area governed by subpart
public for comment and were subject to 4, a precursor is presumptively
large contribution of secondary PM2.5 to
43 Letter from Philip Fine, Deputy Executive total fine particle mass in most regulated.’’ 57 Consistent with the NRDC
Officer, SCAQMD, to Amy Zimpfer, Associate locations, and to the complexity of decision, the EPA now interprets the
Director, EPA Region IX, regarding ‘‘Condensable secondary particle formation processes. Act to require that under subpart 4, a
and Filterable Portions of PM2.5 emissions in the A large number of possible chemical state must evaluate all PM2.5 precursors
2016 AQMP,’’ June 26, 2018. for regulation unless, for any given
44 Id. at Appendix A.
reactions, often non-linear in nature,
45 See Rule 1138 (adopted November 14, 1997, can convert gaseous SO2, NOX, VOC, PM2.5 precursor, it demonstrates to the
approved July 11, 2001 at 66 FR 36170), paragraph and ammonia to PM2.5, making them Administrator’s satisfaction that such
(c)(1) and (g) and SCAQMD Protocol paragraph 3.1, precursors to PM2.5.50 Formation of precursor does not contribute
and SCAQMD Protocol, Determination of secondary PM2.5 may also depend on
Particulate and Volatile Organic Compound
Emissions from Restaurant Operations, November
atmospheric conditions, including solar Standards for Particulate Matter (EPA/452/R–12–
radiation, temperature, and relative 005, December 2012), p. 2–1.
14, 1997 (available at http://yosemite.epa.gov/R9/ 52 40 CFR 51.1002(c) (as effective July 1, 2007).
R9Testmethod.nsf/0/3D4DEB4D21AB4AAF882570 humidity, and the interactions of 53 40 CFR 51.1002(c)(3), (4) (as effective July 1,
AD005DFF69/$file/SC%20Rest%20emiss.pdf). precursors with preexisting particles
46 See Rule 1155 (adopted December 4, 2009, 2007). See also 2007 PM2.5 Implementation Rule, 72
and with cloud or fog droplets.51 FR 20586 at 20589–97 (April 25, 2007).
revised May 2, 2014, approved into the SIP March
54 NRDC v. EPA, 706 F.3d 428 (D.C. Cir. 2013).
16, 2015 at 80 FR 13495), paragraph (e)(6).
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with PROPOSALS
48 See SCAQMD Board Resolution 17–2, p.3 and 55 Id. at 437, n. 10.
47 See SCAQMD Test Method 5.1, Determination
of Particulate Matter Emissions from Stationary CARB Resolution 17–8, p. 4. 56 Section 189(e) of the CAA states that ‘‘[t]he
49 CARB submitted the EMFAC2014 model to the
Sources Using a Wet Impingement Train, March control requirements applicable under plans in
1989; SCAQMD Test Method 5.2, Determination of EPA on May 21, 2015, and the EPA approved the effect under this part for major stationary sources
Particulate Matter Emissions from Stationary model for use in California SIPs. 80 FR 77337 of PM10 shall also apply to major stationary sources
Sources Using Heated Probe and Filter, March (December 14, 2015). of PM10 precursors, except where the Administrator
50 EPA, Air Quality Criteria for Particulate Matter determines that such sources do not contribute
1989; and SCAQMD Test Method 5.3,
Determination of Particulate Matter Emissions from (EPA/600/P–99/002aF, October 2004), Chapter 3. significantly to PM10 levels which exceed the
Stationary Sources Using an in-Stack Filter, October 51 EPA, Regulatory Impact Analysis for the Final standard in the area.’’
2005. Revisions to the National Ambient Air Quality 57 706 F.3d at 436, n. 7 (D.C. Cir. 2013).
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![Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 192 / Wednesday, October 3, 2018 / Proposed Rules 49887
date for the Moderate area plan The PM2.5 SIP Requirements Rule also ‘‘generally linear progress’’ from 2012 to
submission.137 In keeping with this requires that Serious area attainment 2019, the year that the Plan projects to
historical approach, the EPA established plans contain one additional be the earliest practicable attainment
December 31, 2014, as the starting point quantitative milestone to be met in the date for the 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS.140 The
for the first 3-year period under CAA three-year period following the Serious Plan’s emissions inventory shows that
section 189(c) for the 2006 PM2.5 area attainment date.139 If the area fails direct PM2.5, NOX, VOC, SO2 and
standards in the South Coast. This date to attain, this additional milestone ammonia are emitted by a large number
was the due date established in the provides the EPA with the tools and range of sources in the South Coast
EPA’s June 2, 2014 Deadline and necessary to monitor the area’s and that the emission reductions needed
Classification Rule for the State’s continued progress toward attainment for each of these pollutants are
while the state develops a new inventory wide.141 Table VI–C–4 of the
submission of any additional
attainment plan under CAA section 2016 AQMP contains an
attainment-related SIP elements 189(d).
necessary to satisfy the subpart 4 implementation schedule for District
Moderate area requirements for the 2006 2. RFP Plan and Quantitative Milestones control measures and Table VI–C–3 of
PM2.5 NAAQS in the South Coast in the 2016 PM2.5 Plan the 2016 AQMP (reproduced in Table 4
area.138 Thus, December 31, 2017 and The RFP plan and quantitative below) contains RFP projected
December 31, 2020, are the milestone milestones are discussed in Appendix emissions for each quantitative
dates that the Serious area plan must VI, section VI–C (pp. VI–C–5 to VI–C– milestone year and the attainment year.
address, at minimum. The EPA believes 8) of the 2016 AQMP. The Plan Based on these analyses, the District
that establishing December 31, 2017, as estimates that emissions of direct PM2.5, concludes that its adopted control
the first quantitative milestone date is NOX, VOC, SO2 and ammonia will strategy will achieve, for each pollutant,
an appropriate means for implementing generally decline from the 2012 base projected emission levels at or below
the requirements of subpart 4 for the year to 2019 and states that emissions of the RFP, quantitative milestone, and
2006 PM2.5 NAAQS. each of these pollutants will remain attainment year target emission levels
below the levels needed to show (see Table 5 below).142
TABLE 4—24-HOUR PM2.5 BASELINE EMISSIONS FOR BASE AND MILESTONE YEARS
[Annual average tpd]
2017 2019 2020
Pollutant 2012 (Quantitative (Attainment (Quantitative
milestone) deadline) milestone)
PM2.5 ........................................................................................ 66.4 63.8 63.9 63.9
NOX .......................................................................................... 540 398 353 330
SO2 .......................................................................................... 18.4 17.1 16.6 16.7
VOC ......................................................................................... 470 392 376 370
NH3 .......................................................................................... 81.1 75.5 74.0 73.3
Source: 2016 AQMP, Appendix VI–C, Table VI–C–3.
TABLE 5—SUMMARY OF 24-HOUR PM2.5 RFP CALCULATIONS
[Annual average tpd]
Row Calculation step PM2.5 NOX SO2 VOC NH3
1 ........ 2012 base year emissions .................................... 66.4 540 18.4 470 81.1
2 ........ Annual percent change needed to show linear 0.55 4.9 1.4 2.9 1.2
progress (%).
3 ........ 2017 Target Needed to show linear progress 64.6 406 17.1 403 76.0
(tpd).
4 ........ 2017 Baseline emissions (tpd) ............................. 63.8 398 17.1 392 75.5
5 ........ Projected shortfall (tpd) ......................................... 0 0 0 0 0
6 ........ Surplus in 2017 (tpd) ............................................ 0.85 8.6 0.05 10.4 0.48
7 ........ Emissions Equivalent to 1 Year’s Worth of RFP .. 0.36 26.7 0.25 13.5 1.0
8 ........ 2019 Baseline Emissions (tpd) ............................. 63.9 353 16.6 376 74.0
Source: 2016 AQMP, Appendix VI–C, Table VI–C–3A.
The 2016 PM2.5 Plan documents the implemented as expeditiously as ammonia, and SO2 emissions in 2017
State’s conclusion that all BACM and practicable and identifies projected and 2019 that reflect full
BACT for these pollutants are being levels of direct PM2.5, NOX, VOC, implementation of the state, district,
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with PROPOSALS
137 General Preamble at 13539, Addendum at CAA section 110(k) on a SIP for a PM2.5 139 40
CFR 51.1013(a)(4).
42016. nonattainment area, the EPA noted that states may 140 2016
AQMP, Appendix VI–C, p. VI–C–7,
138 79 FR 31566 (June 2, 2014) (final rule need to submit additional SIP elements to fully Tables VI–C–3 and VI–C–3A.
establishing subpart 4 moderate area classifications comply with the applicable requirements of subpart 141 2016 AQMP, Chapter 4 and Appendices IV–
and deadline for related SIP submissions) 4, even for areas with previously approved PM2.5
(‘‘Classification and Deadline Rule’’). Although the attainment plans, and that the deadline for any such A, VI–B and VI–C.
142 2016 AQMP, Appendix VI–C, p. VI–C–6.
Classification and Deadline Rule did not affect any additional plan submissions was December 31,
action that the EPA had previously taken under 2014. Id. at 31569.
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![49894 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 192 / Wednesday, October 3, 2018 / Proposed Rules
take appropriate action. If we propose to the EPA’s satisfaction that the 2017 • does not provide the EPA with the
limit the duration of our approval of the milestones have been met. discretionary authority to address
budgets in the 2016 PM2.5 Plan, we will We will accept comments from the disproportionate human health or
provide the public an opportunity to public on these proposals for the next environmental effects with practical,
comment. The duration of our approval 30 days. The deadline and instructions appropriate, and legally permissible
of the submitted budgets will not be for submission of comments are methods under Executive Order 12898
limited until we complete such a provided in the DATES and ADDRESSES (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994).
rulemaking. sections at the beginning of this In addition, the SIP is not approved
preamble. to apply on any Indian reservation land
VI. Summary of Proposed Actions and
Request for Public Comment VII. Statutory and Executive Order or in any other area where the EPA or
Reviews an Indian tribe has demonstrated that a
Under CAA section 110(k)(3), the EPA tribe has jurisdiction. In those areas of
is proposing to approve SIP revisions Under the Clean Air Act, the Indian country, the rule does not have
submitted by California to address the Administrator is required to approve a tribal implications and will not impose
Act’s Serious area planning SIP submission that complies with the substantial direct costs on tribal
requirements for the 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS provisions of the Act and applicable governments or preempt tribal law as
in the South Coast nonattainment area. federal regulations. 42 U.S.C. 7410(k); specified by Executive Order 13175 (65
Specifically, the EPA is proposing to 40 CFR 52.02(a). Thus, in reviewing SIP FR 67249, November 9, 2000).
approve the following elements of the submissions, the EPA’s role is to
2016 PM2.5 Plan: approve state choices, provided that List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52
1. A comprehensive, accurate, current they meet the criteria of the Clean Air Environmental protection, Air
inventory of actual emissions from all Act. Accordingly, this proposed action pollution control, Ammonia,
sources of PM2.5 and PM2.5 precursors in merely proposes to approve state law as Incorporation by reference,
the area (CAA section 172(c)(3)); meeting federal requirements and does Intergovernmental relations, Oxides of
2. Provisions to assure that BACM, not impose additional requirements nitrogen, Particulate matter, Reporting
including BACT, for the control of beyond those imposed by state law. For and recordkeeping requirements, Sulfur
direct PM2.5 and PM2.5 precursors shall that reason, this proposed action: oxides, Volatile organic compounds.
be implemented no later than 4 years • Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory
after the area is reclassified (CAA Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
action’’ subject to review by the Office
section 189(b)(1)(B)); of Management and Budget under Dated: September 24, 2018.
3. A demonstration (including air Executive Orders 12866 (58 FR 51735, Deborah Jordan,
quality modeling) that the plan provides October 4, 1993) and 13563 (76 FR 3821, Acting Regional Administrator, Region 9.
for attainment as expeditiously as January 21, 2011); [FR Doc. 2018–21560 Filed 10–2–18; 8:45 am]
practicable but no later than December • is not an Executive Order 13771 (82 BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
31, 2019 (CAA sections 188(c)(2) and FR 9339, February 2, 2017) regulatory
189(b)(1)(A)); action because SIP approvals are
4. Plan provisions that require RFP exempted under Executive Order 12866; ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
(CAA section 172(c)(2)); • does not impose an information AGENCY
5. Quantitative milestones that are to collection burden under the provisions
be achieved every 3 years until the area of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 40 CFR Part 52
is redesignated attainment and which U.S.C. 3501 et seq.); [EPA–R06–OAR–2008–0408; FRL–9984–
demonstrate RFP toward attainment by • is certified as not having a 28—Region 6]
the applicable date (CAA section significant economic impact on a
189(c)); and substantial number of small entities Approval and Promulgation of
6. 2017 and 2019 motor vehicle under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 Implementation Plans; Texas;
emissions budgets, as shown in Table 6 U.S.C. 601 et seq.); Interstate Transport Requirements for
of this proposed rule, because they are • does not contain any unfunded the 1997 Ozone National Ambient Air
derived from an approvable RFP plan mandate or significantly or uniquely Quality Standards
and attainment demonstration and meet affect small governments, as described
the requirements of CAA section 176(c) in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act AGENCY: Environmental Protection
and 40 CFR part 93, subpart A. of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–4); Agency (EPA).
The EPA is also proposing to approve • does not have Federalism ACTION: Proposed rule.
the interpollutant trading mechanism implications as specified in Executive
provided in the 2016 PM2.5 Plan and Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10, SUMMARY: Pursuant to the Federal Clean
clarified in a March 14, 2018 letter from 1999); Air Act (CAA or the Act), the
the District for use in transportation • is not an economically significant Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
conformity analyses for the 2006 PM2.5 regulatory action based on health or is proposing to approve portions of two
NAAQS, in accordance with 40 CFR safety risks subject to Executive Order Texas State Implementation Plan (SIP)
93.124. We are not proposing any action 13045 (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997); submittals that pertain to the good
at this time on the attainment • is not a significant regulatory action neighbor and interstate transport
contingency measure component of the subject to Executive Order 13211 (66 FR requirements of the CAA with respect to
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with PROPOSALS
2016 PM2.5 Plan. Finally, the EPA is 28355, May 22, 2001); the 1997 ozone National Ambient Air
proposing to find that the requirement • is not subject to requirements of Quality Standards (NAAQS). The good
for contingency measures to be Section 12(d) of the National neighbor provision requires each state,
undertaken if the area fails to make Technology Transfer and Advancement in its SIP, to prohibit emissions that will
reasonable further progress under CAA Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272 note) because significantly contribute to
section 172(c)(9) is moot as applied to application of those requirements would nonattainment, or interfere with
the 2017 milestone year, because the be inconsistent with the Clean Air Act; maintenance, of a NAAQS in other
State and District have demonstrated to and states. In this action, EPA is proposing
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Document Created: 2018-10-03 02:29:58
Document Modified: 2018-10-03 02:29:58
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Proposed Rules | |
| Action | Proposed rule. | |
| Dates | Any comments must arrive by November 2, 2018. | |
| Contact | Wienke Tax, Air Planning Office (AIR- 2), EPA Region IX, (415) 947-4192, [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 83 FR 49872 | |
| CFR Associated | Environmental Protection; Air Pollution Control; Ammonia; Incorporation by Reference; Intergovernmental Relations; Oxides of Nitrogen; Particulate Matter; Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements; Sulfur Oxides and Volatile Organic Compounds |
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