Environmental Protection Agency 2024 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The EPA is amending specific provisions in the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule to improve data quality and consistency. This action updates the General Provisions to reflect revised global warming potentials; expands reporting to additional sectors; improves the calculation, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements by updating existing methodologies; improves data verifications; and provides for collection of additional data to better inform and be relevant to a wide variety of Clean Air Act provisions that the EPA carries out. This action adds greenhouse gas monitoring and reporting for five source categories including coke calcining; ceramics manufacturing; calcium carbide production; caprolactam, glyoxal, and glyoxylic acid production; and facilities conducting geologic sequestration of carbon dioxide with enhanced oil recovery. These revisions also include changes that will improve implementation of the rule such as updates to applicability estimation methodologies, simplifying calculation and monitoring methodologies, streamlining recordkeeping and reporting, and other minor technical corrections or clarifications. This action also establishes and amends confidentiality determinations for the reporting of certain data elements to be added or substantially revised in these amendments.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving a revision to the Indiana State Implementation Plan (SIP), authorizing temporary alternative opacity limitations at the BP Products North America, Inc. (BP) facility in Whiting, Indiana during startup and shutdown. This approval is consistent with the Clean Air Act (CAA) and EPA regulations regarding emissions during these periods in the refinery sector. EPA proposed to approve this SIP submission on August 17, 2022, and received no comments.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve revisions to Michigan Air Pollution Control rules Part 2 Air Use Approval for inclusion in the Michigan State Implementation Plan (SIP).

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has submitted an information collection request (ICR), Underground Storage Tanks: Technical and Financial Requirements, and State Program Approval Procedures (EPA ICR Number 1360.18, OMB Control Number 2050-0068) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act. This is a proposed extension of the ICR, which is currently approved through April 30, 2024. Public comments were previously requested via the Federal Register on July 11, 2023 during a 60-day comment period. This notice allows for an additional 30 days for public comments.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), this document announces the availability of and solicits public comment on the following Information Collection Request (ICR) that EPA is planning to submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB): "Notice of Arrival of Pesticides and Devices under section 17(c) of FIFRA," identified by EPA ICR No. 0152.15 and OMB Control No. 2070-0020. This ICR represents a renewal of an existing ICR that is currently approved through January 31, 2025. Before submitting the ICR to OMB for review and approval under the PRA, EPA is soliciting comments on specific aspects of the information collection that is summarized in this document. The ICR and accompanying material are available in the docket for public review and comment.

The Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment (CPHEA) within U.S. EPA's Office of Research and Development is announcing a workshop entitled "Workshop to Discuss Policy-Relevant Science to Inform EPA's Integrated Plan for the Review of the Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards". This workshop is being organized by CPHEA and the Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards within U.S. EPA's Office of Air and Radiation. This will be a four-day virtual workshop and will be open to the public through a public event registration website.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is planning to submit an information collection request (ICR), RCRA Section 3007 Survey for Drum Reconditioning Facilities (EPA ICR Number 2800.01, OMB Control Number 2050-NEW), to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act. Before doing so, EPA is soliciting public comments on specific aspects of the proposed information collection as described below. This is a request for approval of a new collection. This notice allows for 60 days for public comments.

This regulation establishes a tolerance for residues of cyclaniliprole in or on Vegetable, cucurbit, group 9. Interregional Research Project Number 4 (IR-4) requested this tolerance under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), this document announces the availability of and solicits public comment on the following Information Collection Request (ICR) that EPA is planning to submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB): "Reporting and Recordkeeping for Asbestos Abatement Worker Protection," identified by EPA ICR No. 1246.15 and OMB Control No. 2070-0072. This ICR represents a renewal of an existing ICR that is currently approved through January 31, 2025. Before submitting the ICR to OMB for review and approval under the PRA, EPA is soliciting comments on specific aspects of the information collection that is summarized in this document. The ICR and accompanying material are available in the docket for public review and comment.

In accordance with the Clean Air Act, as amended (CAA or the Act), notice is given of a proposed consent decree in Our Children's Earth Foundation v. Michael Regan, No. 1:23-cv-2848 (D.D.C.). On September 26, 2023, Plaintiff Our Children's Earth Foundation filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. Plaintiff alleged that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or the Agency) failed to perform certain non-discretionary duties in accordance with the Act to timely respond to numerous state implementation plan (SIP) submissions from the States of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, South Carolina, and Texas. The proposed consent decree would establish deadlines for EPA to act on certain submissions.

In accordance with section 113(g) of the Clean Air Act, as amended ("CAA" or "the Act"), the Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA" or "the Agency") is providing notice of a proposed settlement agreement in Cleveland-Cliffs, Inc. v. Environmental Protection Agency, Case No. 16-2643 (8th Cir.) (and consolidated cases). Petitioners Cleveland-Cliffs, Inc. (Cliffs) and Cleveland- Cliffs Steel, LLC (Cliffs Steel) filed petitions for review in the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, challenging final rules promulgated by EPA under the CAA related to regional haze best available retrofit technology determinations for taconite facilities in Michigan and Minnesota. The proposed settlement agreement would establish deadlines for EPA to take certain, specified actions.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve revisions to the Antelope Valley Air Quality Management District (AVAQMD) and the Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District (MDAQMD) portions of the California State Implementation Plan (SIP) concerning rules submitted to address section 185 of the Clean Air Act (CAA or the Act) with respect to the 1979 1-hour ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS or standard). We are proposing action on these local rules that were submitted as equivalent alternatives to a statutory section 185 program. We are taking comments on this proposal and plan to follow with a final action.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is providing notice of the availability of data on emission allowance allocations to certain units under the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR) trading programs. EPA has completed final calculations for the allocations of allowances from the new unit set-asides (NUSAs) for the 2023 control periods and has posted spreadsheets containing the calculations on EPA's website. EPA has also completed calculations for allocations of the remaining 2023 NUSA allowances to existing units and has posted spreadsheets containing those calculations on EPA's website as well. Additionally, EPA is making available an estimate of the data and calculations to be used in the allowance bank recalibration process for the 2024 control period under the CSAPR NOX Ozone Season Group 3 Trading Program.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is promulgating new greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions standards for model year (MY) 2032 and later heavy-duty highway vehicles that phase in starting as early MY 2027 for certain vehicle categories. The phase in revises certain MY 2027 GHG standards that were established previously under EPA's Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Fuel Efficiency Standards for Medium- and Heavy-Duty Engines and VehiclesPhase 2 rule ("HD GHG Phase 2"). This document also updates discrete elements of the Averaging Banking and Trading program, including providing additional flexibilities for manufacturers to support the implementation of the Phase 3 program balanced by limiting the availability of certain advanced technology credits initially established under the HD GHG Phase 2 rule. EPA is also adding warranty requirements for batteries and other components of zero-emission vehicles and requiring customer-facing battery state-of- health monitors for plug-in hybrid and battery electric vehicles. In this action, we are also finalizing additional revisions, including clarifying and editorial amendments to certain highway heavy-duty vehicle provisions and certain test procedures for heavy-duty engines.

Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announces an upcoming meeting of the Mobile Sources Technical Review Subcommittee (MSTRS), which is a subcommittee under the Clean Air Act Advisory Committee (CAAAC). This is a hybrid (both in-person and virtual) meeting and open to the public. The meeting will include discussion of current topics and presentations about activities being conducted by EPA's Office of Transportation and Air Quality. MSTRS listserv subscribers will receive notification when the agenda is available on the Subcommittee website. To subscribe to the MSTRS listserv, send an email to MSTRS@epa.gov.

This notice announces the availability of EPA's draft human health and ecological risk assessments for the registration review of formaldehyde and paraformaldehyde and opens a 60-day public comment period on this document.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or the Agency) is announcing the availability of and seeking public comment on a draft document titled "Draft Risk Evaluation for Asbestos Part 2: Supplemental Evaluation Including Legacy Uses and Associated Disposals of Asbestos" and is announcing a webinar on May 13, 2024. EPA is evaluating legacy uses and associated disposals of asbestos including chrysotile asbestos, five additional fiber types, asbestos-containing talc, and Libby asbestos. EPA has used the best available science to preliminarily determine that asbestos poses unreasonable risk to human health.

The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (FY 2020 NDAA) was signed into law on December 19, 2019. Section 7361 of the FY 2020 NDAA directs the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to publish interim guidance on the destruction and disposal of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and materials containing PFAS and to update the guidance at least every three years, as appropriate. The EPA is releasing an update to the December 20, 2020, interim guidance for public comment. The updated guidance builds on information pertaining to technologies that may be feasible and appropriate for the destruction or disposal of PFAS and PFAS-containing materials. The 2024 interim guidance also identifies key data gaps and uncertainties that must be resolved before the EPA can issue more definitive recommendations about PFAS destruction and disposal technologies.

The U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing the Agency's decision to deny a petition requesting the removal of the Stationary Combustion Turbines source category from the list of categories of major sources of hazardous air pollutants (HAP) subject to regulation the Clean Air Act (CAA). The petition was submitted jointly by American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, the American Petroleum Institute, the American Public Power Association, the Gas Turbine Association, the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America, and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association ("the petitioners"). The EPA is denying the petition based on the EPA's determination that the petition is incomplete and because we have found that the submitted information is inadequate to determine that no source in the category emits HAP in quantities that may cause a lifetime risk of cancer greater than 1-in-1 million to the individual in the population who is most exposed to emissions of such pollutants from the source. We have reached this decision based on review of the risk analysis and other information submitted by petitioners and on consideration of turbine testing results received from a CAA information request. The EPA is denying the petition with prejudice and will deny any future petition to delist as a matter of law unless such future petition is accompanied by substantial new information or analysis.

This notice announces that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Region 9 issued an approval to the Fort Independence Indian Community of Paiute Indians of the Fort Independence Indian Reservation (Fort Independence Indian Community) under the Clean Air Act's Tribal Minor New Source Review (NSR) Program. The EPA approved the Fort Independence Indian Community's Request for Coverage under the General Air Quality Permit for New or Modified Minor Source Gasoline Dispensing Facilities in Indian Country within California for the Oak Creek Travel Center. This approval authorizes the construction of the Oak Creek Travel Center under the Tribal Minor NSR Program.

EPA is required under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), as amended by the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act, to make information publicly available and to publish information in the Federal Register pertaining to submissions under TSCA section 5, including notice of receipt of a Premanufacture notice (PMN), Significant New Use Notice (SNUN) or Microbial Commercial Activity Notice (MCAN), including an amended notice or test information; an exemption application (Biotech exemption); an application for a test marketing exemption (TME), both pending and/or concluded; a notice of commencement (NOC) of manufacture (including import) for new chemical substances; and a periodic status report on new chemical substances that are currently under EPA review or have recently concluded review. This document covers the period from 3/01/ 2024 to 3/31/2024.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing that a virtual public hearing will be held for the proposed action titled, "Review of the Secondary National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Oxides of Nitrogen, Oxides of Sulfur, and Particulate Matter" which is published elsewhere in this Federal Register. The hearing will be held on May 8, 2024. Based on the EPA's review of the ecological air quality criteria and the secondary national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for oxides of nitrogen (N oxides), oxides of sulfur (SOX), and particulate matter (PM), the EPA is proposing to revise the existing secondary SO2 standard. Additionally, the Agency proposes to retain the existing secondary standards for N oxides and PM. The EPA also proposes revisions to data handling requirements for the proposed secondary SO2 standard.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve assorted revisions to Ohio's particulate matter rules that the state requested EPA approve into the Ohio State Implementation Plan (SIP) under the Clean Air Act (CAA). The updates to Ohio's particulate matter rules include revisions to remove provisions for facilities or emissions units that have permanently shut down, update facility names and addresses, and make nonsubstantive revisions to the language of the rules.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of Georgia through the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GA DNR), Environmental Protection Division (EPD), via a letter dated May 24, 2022. The revision seeks to remove the requirement for Enhanced Stage I Gasoline Vapor Recovery Systems (i.e., Stage 1 EVR) at existing gasoline dispensing facilities (GDFs) in Catoosa, Richmond, and Walker counties. EPA is proposing to approve this change pursuant to the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act).