[Federal Register: May 30, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 103)] [Rules and Regulations] [Page 29886-29889] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr30my07-12] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 40 CFR Part 52 [EPA-R09-OAR-2007-0236; FRL-8315-9] Revisions to the California State Implementation Plan, San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control District AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Direct final rule. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: EPA is taking direct final action to approve revisions to the San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control District (SJVUAPCD) portion of the California State Implementation Plan (SIP). These revisions concern Oxides of Nitrogen (NOX) emissions from Boilers, Steam Generators and Process Heaters (2.0 MMBtu/hr to 5.0 MMBtu/hr, and 0.075 MMBtu/hr to 2.0 MMBtu/hr); Dryers, Dehydrators, and Ovens; Natural Gas-Fired, Fan-Type [[Page 29887]] Residential Central Furnaces; and Solid Fuel Fired Boilers, Steam Generators and Process Heaters. We are approving local rules that regulate these emission sources under the Clean Air Act as amended in 1990 (CAA or the Act). DATES: This rule is effective on July 30, 2007 without further notice, unless EPA receives adverse comments by June 29, 2007. If we receive such comments, we will publish a timely withdrawal in the Federal Register to notify the public that this direct final rule will not take effect. ADDRESSES: Submit comments, identified by docket number EPA-R09-OAR- 2007-0236, by one of the following methods: 1. Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the on-line instructions. 2. E-mail: steckel.andrew@epa.gov. 3. Mail or deliver: Andrew Steckel (Air-4), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region IX, 75 Hawthorne Street, San Francisco, CA 94105-3901. Instructions: All comments will be included in the public docket without change and may be made available online at http://www.regulations.gov , including any personal information provided, unless the comment includes Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Information that you consider CBI or otherwise protected should be clearly identified as such and should not be submitted through the http://www.regulations.gov or e-mail http://www.regulations.gov is an ``anonymous access'' system, and EPA will not know your identity or contact information unless you provide it in the body of your comment. If you send e-mail directly to EPA, your e-mail address will be automatically captured and included as part of the public comment. If EPA cannot read your comment due to technical difficulties and cannot contact you for clarification, EPA may not be able to consider your comment. Docket: The index to the docket for this action is available electronically at http://www.regulations.gov and in hard copy at EPA Region IX, 75 Hawthorne Street, San Francisco, California. While all documents in the docket are listed in the index, some information may be publicly available only at the hard copy location (e.g., copyrighted material), and some may not be publicly available in either location (e.g., CBI). To inspect the hard copy materials, please schedule an appointment during normal business hours with the contact listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Francisco D[oacute][ntilde]ez, EPA Region IX, (415) 972-3956, Donez.Francisco@epa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Throughout this document, ``we,'' ``us'' and ``our'' refer to EPA. Table of Contents I. The State's Submittal A. What rules did the State submit? B. Are there other versions of these rules? C. What is the purpose of the submitted rules and rule revisions? II. EPA's Evaluation and Action A. How is EPA evaluating the rules? B. Do the rules meet the evaluation criteria? C. EPA recommendations to further improve the rules D. Public comment and final action III. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews I. The State's Submittal A. What rules did the State submit? Table 1 lists the rules we are approving with the dates that they were adopted by the local air agencies and submitted by the California Air Resources Board (CARB). Table 1.--Submitted Rules ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Local agency Rule No. Rule title Adopted Submitted ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SJVUAPCD.................................. 4307 Boilers, Steam Generators and 04/20/06 10/05/06 Process Heaters--2.0 MMBtu/ hr to 5.0 MMBtu/hr. SJVUAPCD.................................. 4308 Boilers, Steam Generators and 10/20/05 03/10/06 Process Heaters--0.075 MMBtu/ hr to 2.0 MMBtu/hr. SJVUAPCD.................................. 4309 Dryers, Dehydrators, and 12/15/05 03/10/06 Ovens. SJVUAPCD.................................. 4352 Solid Fuel Fired Boilers, 05/18/06 10/05/06 Steam Generators and Process Heaters. SJVUAPCD.................................. 4905 Natural Gas-Fired, Fan-Type 10/20/05 03/10/06 Residential Central Furnaces. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- On March 30, 2006, the submittals of Rules 4308, 4309, and 4905 were found to meet the completeness criteria in 40 CFR Part 51 Appendix V, which must be met before formal EPA review. On October 24, 2006, the submittals of Rules 4307 and 4352 were found to meet these completeness criteria. B. Are there other versions of these rules? Rules 4308, 4309, and 4905 are new rules submitted to us for the first time. There are no previous versions of Rule 4307 in the SIP, although the SJVUAPCD adopted an earlier version of this rule on December 15, 2005, and CARB submitted it to us on March 10, 2006. We approved a version of Rule 4352 into the SIP on February 11, 1999 (64 FR 6803). The SJVUAPCD adopted revisions to the SIP-approved version on May 18, 2006 and CARB submitted them to us on October 5, 2006. While we can act on only the most recently submitted version, we have reviewed materials provided with previous submittals. C. What is the purpose of the submitted rules and rule revisions? NOX helps produce ground-level ozone, smog and particulate matter, which harm human health and the environment. Section 110(a) of the CAA requires states to submit regulations that control NOX emissions. The amendments to Rule 4307 are purely administrative, and do no change any emissions reduction requirements. New Rule 4308 requires that small boilers, steam generators and process heaters (0.075 to 2.0 million British thermal units per hour, MMBtu/hr) be certified to meet NOX emission limits. New Rule 4309 limits NOX and carbon monoxide (CO) emissions from dryers, dehydrators and ovens with total rated heat input of 5.0 MMBtu/hr or greater. The amendments to Rule 4352 expand the rule's scope to apply to units with potential NOX emissions of 10 tons per year; the emissions limits have also been strengthened. New Rule 4905 limits NOX emissions from natural gas-fired, fan-type residential central furnaces with a rated heat input capacity of less than 175,000 Btu/hr, or a rated cooling capacity of less than 65,000 Btu/hr for combination heating and cooling units. EPA's technical support documents (TSD) have more information about these rules. II. EPA's Evaluation and Action A. How is EPA evaluating the rules? Generally, SIP rules must be enforceable (see section 110(a) of the Act), must require Reasonably Available [[Page 29888]] Control Technology (RACT) for each category of sources covered by a Control Technique Guideline (CTG) document as well as each major source in nonattainment areas (see sections 182(a)(2) and 182(f)), and must not relax existing requirements (see sections 110(l) and 193). The SJVUAPCD regulates a ``serious'' ozone nonattainment area (see 40 CFR part 81), so Rules 4307, 4308, 4309, 4352, and 4905 must fulfill RACT. In addition, the San Joaquin Valley is a ``serious'' particulate matter (PM-10) nonattainment area, and is therefore required under section 189(b)(1)(B) and (e) of the Act to implement Best Available Control Measures (BACM) (which includes Best Available Control Technology or BACT) for control of PM-10 precursor emissions, including NOX. Guidance and policy documents that we use to help evaluate enforceability and RACT requirements consistently include the following: 1. ``State Implementation Plans; Nitrogen Oxides Supplement to the General Preamble; Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 Implementation of Title I; Proposed Rule,'' (the NOX Supplement), 57 FR 55620, November 25, 1992. 2. ``Issues Relating to VOC Regulation Cutpoints, Deficiencies, and Deviations,'' U.S. EPA, May 25, 1988 (the Bluebook). 3. ``Guidance Document for Correcting Common VOC & Other Rule Deficiencies,'' U.S. EPA Region 9, August 21, 2001 (the Little Bluebook). 4. ``Determination of Reasonably Available Control Technology and Best Available Retrofit Control Technology for Industrial, Institutional, and Commercial Boilers, Steam Generators, and Process Heaters,'' California Air Resources Board, July 18, 1991. 5. ``Alternative Control Techniques Document--NOX Emissions from Industrial/Commercial/Institutional (ICI) Boilers,'' U.S. EPA, EPA-453/R-94-022, March 1994. 6. ``State Implementation Plans: Policy Regarding Excess Emissions during Malfunctions, Startup, and Shutdown,'' U.S. EPA Memorandum to Regional Administrators, September 20, 1999. B. Do the rules meet the evaluation criteria? We believe these rules are consistent with the relevant policy and guidance regarding enforceability, RACT, BACM, and SIP relaxations. The TSDs have more information on our evaluation. C. EPA Recommendations to Further Improve the Rules The TSDs describe additional rule revisions that do not affect EPA(s current action but are recommended for the next time the local agency modifies the rules. D. Public Comment and Final Action As authorized in section 110(k)(3) of the Act, EPA is fully approving the submitted rules because we believe they fulfill all relevant requirements. We do not think anyone will object to this approval, so we are finalizing it without proposing it in advance. However, in the Proposed Rules section of this Federal Register, we are simultaneously proposing approval of the same submitted rules. If we receive adverse comments by June 29, 2007, we will publish a timely withdrawal in the Federal Register to notify the public that the direct final approval will not take effect and we will address the comments in a subsequent final action based on the proposal. If we do not receive timely adverse comments, the direct final approval will be effective without further notice on July 30, 2007. This will incorporate these rules into the federally enforceable SIP. Please note that if EPA receives adverse comment on an amendment, paragraph, or section of this rule and if that provision may be severed from the remainder of the rule, EPA may adopt as final those provisions of the rule that are not the subject of an adverse comment. III. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews Under Executive Order 12866 (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993), this action is not a ``significant regulatory action'' and therefore is not subject to review by the Office of Management and Budget. For this reason, this action is also not subject to Executive Order 13211, ``Actions Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use'' (66 FR 28355, May 22, 2001). This action merely approves state law as meeting Federal requirements and imposes no additional requirements beyond those imposed by state law. Accordingly, the Administrator certifies that this rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.). Because this rule approves pre-existing requirements under state law and does not impose any additional enforceable duty beyond that required by state law, it 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). This rule also does not have tribal implications because it will not have a substantial direct effect on one or more Indian tribes, on the relationship between the Federal Government and Indian tribes, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities between the Federal Government and Indian tribes, as specified by Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, November 9, 2000). This action also does not have Federalism implications because it does not have substantial direct effects on the States, on the relationship between the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government, as specified in Executive Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10, 1999). This action merely approves a state rule implementing a Federal standard, and does not alter the relationship or the distribution of power and responsibilities established in the Clean Air Act. This rule also is not subject to Executive Order 13045 ``Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks'' (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997), because it approves a state rule implementing a Federal standard. In reviewing SIP submissions, EPA's role is to approve state choices, provided that they meet the criteria of the Clean Air Act. In this context, in the absence of a prior existing requirement for the State to use voluntary consensus standards (VCS), EPA has no authority to disapprove a SIP submission for failure to use VCS. It would thus be inconsistent with applicable law for EPA, when it reviews a SIP submission; to use VCS in place of a SIP submission that otherwise satisfies the provisions of the Clean Air Act. Thus, the requirements of section 12(d) of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272 note) do not apply. This rule does not impose an information collection burden under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). The Congressional Review Act, 5 U.S.C. 801 et seq., as added by the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, generally provides that before a rule may take effect, the agency promulgating the rule must submit a rule report, which includes a copy of the rule, to each House of the Congress and to the Comptroller General of the United States. EPA will submit a report containing this rule and other required information to the U.S. Senate, [[Page 29889]] the U.S. House of Representatives, and the Comptroller General of the United States prior to publication of the rule in the Federal Register. A major rule cannot take effect until 60 days after it is published in the Federal Register. This action is not a ``major rule'' as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2). Under section 307(b)(1) of the Clean Air Act, petitions for judicial review of this action must be filed in the United States Court of Appeals for the appropriate circuit by July 30, 2007. Filing a petition for reconsideration by the Administrator of this final rule does not affect the finality of this rule for the purposes of judicial review nor does it extend the time within which a petition for judicial review may be filed, and shall not postpone the effectiveness of such rule or action. This action may not be challenged later in proceedings to enforce its requirements. (See section 307(b)(2).) List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52 Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Incorporation by reference, Intergovernmental relations, Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone, Particulate matter, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements. Dated: April 30, 2007. Laura Yoshii, Acting Regional Administrator, Region IX. 0 Part 52, Chapter I, Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations is amended as follows: PART 52--[AMENDED] 0 1. The authority citation for part 52 continues to read as follows: Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq. Subpart F--California 0 2. Section 52.220 is amended by adding paragraphs (c)(344)(i)(C) and (347) to read as follows: Sec. 52.220 Identification of plan. * * * * * (c) * * * (344) * * * (i) * * * (C) San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Quality Management District. (1) Rule 4308, adopted on October 20, 2005; Rule 4309, adopted on December 15, 2005; and Rule 4905, adopted on October 20, 2005. * * * * * (347) New and amended regulations for the following APCDs were submitted on October 5, 2006, by the Governor's designee. (i) Incorporation by reference. (A) San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control District. (1) Rule 4307, adopted on April 20, 2006; and Rule 4352, adopted on May 18, 2006. * * * * * [FR Doc. E7-10236 Filed 5-29-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
Justia Lawyer, Legal Aid & Services Directory: Environmental Lawyers