Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Texas; Texas Low-Emission Diesel Fuel Program, 46448-46452 [05-15830]
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Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 153 / Wednesday, August 10, 2005 / Proposed Rules
F. International Tolerances
Codex MRLs have been established
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[FR Doc. 05–15738 Filed 8–9–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–M
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 26
[OPP–2005–0219; FRL–7728–9]
RIN 2070–AD57
Protections for Test Subjects in
Human Research; Notification to the
Secretaries of Agriculture and Health
and Human Services
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notification to the Secretaries of
Agriculture and Health and Human
Services.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: This document notifies the
public that the Administrator of EPA
has forwarded to the Secretaries of
Agriculture and Health and Human
Services a draft proposed rule under
sections 21 and 25(a) of the Federal
Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide
Act (FIFRA). The draft proposed rule
will formalize and clarify EPA’s policies
on the use of intentional human
exposure studies under FIFRA and the
Federal Food Drug and Cosmetic Act
(FFDCA). The proposed rule would
establish stringent ethical protections
for human subjects in certain types of
research conducted or sponsored by
entities other than the Federal
government (i.e., ‘‘third-parties’’). These
protections are consistent with
requirements currently in place under
the Federal Policy for the Protection of
Human Subjects of Research (the
‘‘Common Rule’’), which has been
adopted by 17 Federal agencies. The
draft proposed rule is not available to
the public until after it has been signed
by EPA.
ADDRESSES: EPA has established a
docket for this action under Docket
identification (ID) number OPP–2005–
0219. All documents in the docket are
listed in the EDOCKET index at http:/
/www.epa.gov/edocket. Although listed
in the index, some information is not
publicly available, i.e., CBI or other
information whose disclosure is
restricted by statute. Certain other
material, such as copyrighted material,
is not placed on the Internet and will be
publicly available only in hard copy
form. Publicly available docket
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materials are available either
electronically in EDOCKET or in hard
copy at the Public Information and
Records Integrity Branch (PIRIB), Rm.
119, Crystal Mall #2, 1801 S. Bell St.,
Arlington, VA, Monday through Friday,
excluding legal holidays. The Docket
telephone number is (703) 305–5805.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
William Jordan, Office of Pesticide
Programs (7501C), Environmental
Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania
Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460–
0001; telephone number: (703) 305–
1049; e-mail
address:jordan.william@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. General Information
A. Does this Action Apply to Me?
You may be potentially affected by
this action if you are an agricultural
producer, food manufacturer, or
pesticide manufacturer. Potentially
affected entities may include, but are
not limited to:
• Crop production (NAICS code 111)
• Animal production (NAICS code
112)
• Food manufacturing (NAICS code
311)
• Pesticide manufacturing (NAICS
code 32532)
This listing is not intended to be
exhaustive, but rather provides a guide
for readers regarding entities likely to be
affected by this action. Other types of
entities not listed in this unit could also
be affected. The North American
Industrial Classification System
(NAICS) codes have been provided to
assist you and others in determining
whether this action might apply to
certain entities. If you have any
questions regarding the applicability of
this action to a particular entity, consult
the person listed under FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT.
B. How Can I Access Electronic Copies
of this Document and Other Related
Information?
In addition to using EDOCKET (http:/
/www.epa.gov/edocket/), you may
access this Federal Register document
electronically through the EPA Internet
under the ‘‘Federal Register’’ listings at
https://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/. A
frequently updated electronic version of
40 CFR part 180 is available on E-CFR
Beta Site Two at https://
www.gpoaccess.gov/ecfr/.
II. What Action is EPA Taking?
Section 25(a)(2) of FIFRA provides
that the Administrator must provide the
Secretary of Agriculture with a copy of
any draft proposed rule at least 60 days
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before signing it for publication in the
Federal Register. Similarly, section
21(b) of FIFRA provides that the
Administrator must provide the
Secretary of Health and Human Services
with a copy of any draft proposed rule
pertaining to a public health pesticide at
least 60 days before signing it for
publication in the Federal Register. The
draft proposed rule is not available to
the public until after it has been signed
by EPA. If either Secretary comments in
writing regarding the draft proposed
rule within 30 days after receiving it,
the Administrator shall include in the
proposed rule when published in the
Federal Register the comments of the
Secretary and the Administrator’s
response to those comments. If the
Secretary does not comment in writing
within 30 days after receiving the draft
proposed rule, the Administrator may
sign the proposed regulation for
publication in the Federal Register
anytime after the 30–day period.
III. Do Any Statutory and Executive
Order Reviews Apply to this
Notification?
No. This document is not a rule, but
merely a notification of submission to
the Secretaries of Agriculture and
Health and Human Services. As such,
none of the regulatory assessment
requirements apply to this document.
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 26
Environmental protection, Human
research subjects, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements.
Dated: July 27, 2005.
James Jones,
Director, Office of Pesticide Programs.
[FR Doc. 05–15839 Filed 8–9–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–S
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 52
[R06–OAR–2005–TX–0020; FRL–7950–7]
Approval and Promulgation of Air
Quality Implementation Plans; Texas;
Texas Low-Emission Diesel Fuel
Program
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Proposed rule.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: EPA is proposing to approve
revisions to the State Implementation
Plan (SIP) for the state of Texas. This
revision makes changes to the Texas
Low-Emission Diesel (TXLED) Fuel
program. On April 6, 2005 EPA
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approved the compliance date change
that was part of this submittal. None of
the revisions being proposed for
approval change the ultimate
requirements regarding the reductions
to be achieved. As a result and in
accordance with section 110(l) of the
Act, 42 U.S.C. section 7410(l), these
revisions will not interfere with
attainment, reasonable further progress
or any other applicable requirement of
the Clean Air Act.
DATES: Comments must be received on
or before September 9, 2005.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,
identified by Regional Material in
EDocket (RME) ID No. R06–OAR–2005–
TX–0020, by one of the following
methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://
www.regulations.gov. Follow the online
instructions for submitting comments.
• Agency Web site: https://
docket.epa.gov/rmepub/ Regional
Material in EDocket (RME), EPA’s
electronic public docket and comment
system, is EPA’s preferred method for
receiving comments. Once in the
system, select ‘‘quick search,’’ then key
in the appropriate RME Docket
identification number. Follow the online instructions for submitting
comments.
• U.S. EPA Region 6 ‘‘Contact Us’’
Web site: https://epa.gov/region6/
r6coment.htm. Please click on ‘‘6PD’’
(Multimedia) and select ‘‘Air’’ before
submitting comments.
• E-mail: Mr Thomas Diggs at
diggs.thomas@epa.gov. Please also cc
the person listed in the FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT section below.
• Fax: Mr. Thomas Diggs, Chief, Air
Planning Section (6PD–L), at fax
number 214–665–7263.
• Mail: Mr. Thomas Diggs, Chief, Air
Planning Section (6PD–L),
Environmental Protection Agency, 1445
Ross Avenue, Suite 1200, Dallas, Texas
75202–2733.
• Hand or Courier Delivery: Mr.
Thomas Diggs, Chief, Air Planning
Section (6PD–L), Environmental
Protection Agency, 1445 Ross Avenue,
Suite 1200, Dallas, Texas 75202–2733.
Such deliveries are accepted only
between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.
weekdays except for legal holidays.
Special arrangements should be made
for deliveries of boxed information.
Instructions: Direct your comments to
Regional Material in EDocket (RME) ID
No. R06–OAR–2005–TX–0020. EPA’s
policy is that all comments received
will be included in the public file
without change, and may be made
available online at https://
docket.epa.gov/rmepub/, including any
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personal information provided, unless
the comment includes information
claimed to be Confidential Business
Information (CBI) or other information
the disclosure of which is restricted by
statute. Do not submit information
through Regional Material in EDocket
(RME), regulations.gov, or e-mail if you
believe that it is CBI or otherwise
protected from disclosure. The EPA
RME Web site and the Federal
regulations.gov are ‘‘anonymous access’’
systems, which means EPA will not
know your identity or contact
information unless you provide it in the
body of your comment. If you send an
e-mail comment directly to EPA without
going through RME or regulations.gov,
your e-mail address will be
automatically captured and included as
part of the comment that is placed in the
public file and made available on the
Internet. If you submit an electronic
comment, EPA recommends that you
include your name and other contact
information in the body of your
comment and with any disk or CD–ROM
you submit. 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. Electronic files should avoid
the use of special characters, any form
of encryption, and be free of any defects
or viruses.
Docket: All documents in the
electronic docket are listed in the
Regional Material in EDocket (RME)
index at https://docket.epa.gov/rmepub/.
Although listed in the index, some
information is not publicly available,
i.e., CBI or other information whose
disclosure is restricted by statute.
Certain other material, such as
copyrighted material, is not placed on
the Internet and will be publicly
available only in hard copy form.
Publicly available docket materials are
available either electronically in RME or
in the official file which is available at
the Air Planning Section (6PD–L),
Environmental Protection Agency, 1445
Ross Avenue, Suite 700, Dallas, Texas
75202–2733. The file will be made
available by appointment for public
inspection in the Region 6 FOIA Review
Room between the hours of 8:30 a.m.
and 4:30 p.m. weekdays except for legal
holidays. Contact the person listed in
the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
paragraph below or Mr. Bill Deese at
(214) 665–7253 to make an
appointment. If possible, please make
the appointment at least two working
days in advance of your visit. There will
be a 15 cent per page fee for making
photocopies of documents. On the day
of the visit, please check in at the EPA
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Region 6 reception area at 1445 Ross
Avenue, Suite 700, Dallas, Texas.
The State submittal is also available
for public inspection at the State Air
Agency listed below during official
business hours by appointment: Texas
Commission on Environmental Quailty,
Office of Air Quality, 12124 Park 35
Circle, Austin, Texas 78753.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms.
Sandra Rennie, Air Planning Section
(6PD–L), Environmental Protection
Agency, Region 6, 1445 Ross Avenue,
Suite 700, Dallas, Texas 75202–2733,
telephone (214) 665–7367; fax number
214–665–7263; e-mail address
rennie.sandra@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Throughout this document wherever
‘‘we,’’ ‘‘us,’’ or ‘‘our’’ is used, we mean
the EPA. This document concerns
control of Air Pollution of NOX and
VOCs from mobile sources in 110
counties of east Texas where the rule
applies.
What Action Are We Taking Today?
We approved the original TXLED rule
on November 14, 2001, (66 FR 57196) as
part of the Houston-Galveston
Attainment Demonstration SIP. On
December 15, 2004, the Texas
Commission on Environmental Quality
(TCEQ) Commissioners proposed to
revise the TXLED rule. The revisions
were adopted on March 9, 2005, and
submitted to EPA on March 23, 2005.
On February 16, 2005, the Executive
Director of the TCEQ submitted a letter
to EPA requesting parallel processing of
the compliance date portion of the SIP
revision for TXLED. EPA proposed
action prior to completion of the State
rulemaking process and, after
completion of the State process,
approved the compliance date portion
of the SIP revision for TXLED on April
6, 2005 (70 FR 17321).
The Executive Director of the TCEQ
submitted a letter to EPA on July 5,
2005, requesting that we not act on
certain portions of the rule revision as
it was submitted on March 23, 2005.
These exceptions are noted below in the
discussion of the rule. We are proposing
to approve those aspects of the rule on
which the TCEQ has not requested that
EPA postpone action.
What Did the State Submit?
The State submitted revisions to
TXLED rules found in 30 TAC 114.6 and
114.312, 114.314–114.316, 114.318, and
114.319. These include revisions to
definitions; low emission diesel
standards; registration of producers and
importers; approved test methods;
monitoring, recordkeeping, and
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reporting requirements; alternative
emission reduction plans; and affected
counties and compliance dates.
Why Are These Revisions Approvable?
We thoroughly analyzed the rule
revisions to ensure that they did not
compromise the integrity of the
approved SIP. Many changes were
nonsubstantive editorial or format
changes. Some substantive changes are
considered minor. Major substantive
changes that needed a more thorough
analysis are discussed below. A detailed
analysis can be found in the Technical
Support Document that accompanies
this action.
Section 114.312. Low Emission Diesel
Standards
In 114.312(b) the sulfur standard is
removed. The sulfur standard is no
longer needed in this rule because the
federal ultra-low sulfur diesel standards
are now promulgated and will reduce
sulfur in on-highway diesel in 2006 and
in nonroad equipment starting in 2007.
Removal of sulfur by itself does not
influence NOX emissions when the fuel
is combusted unless advanced
technology equipment is used. This
equipment is not required to be
manufactured until federal compliance
dates beginning in 2006 and 2007.
While the delay in achieving sulfur
reductions does not impact NOX
emissions and therefore does not impact
ozone plans in Texas, it does impact
SO2 and PM emissions. However, there
are no PM or SO2 nonattainment areas
in the area covered by the rule so the
delay in the sulfur requirement will not
interfere with attainment of these
standards. Because the affected areas are
in attainment of these standards before
the compliance date of these standards,
these revisions will not interfere with
any applicable requirements concerning
nonattainment nor will they have an
adverse impact on reasonable further
progress. Therefore, the repeal of the
sulfur standard will not interfere with
attainment, reasonable further progress
or any other applicable requirement of
the Act.
Renumbered 114.312(f) removes EPA
from approval of alternative
formulations. This revision is not
approvable unless the executive director
discretion is removed from the
replicable test procedures in 114.315.
The State requested that EPA not act
upon the executive director discretion
portions of 114.315 because the State
plans to remove these references in
future rulemakings.
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Section 114.314. Registration of Diesel
Producers and Importers
The previously approved SIP required
registration with the State by all
suppliers of diesel fuel in the affected
area as of December 1, 2004, to gather
data on suppliers and potential
suppliers. In the revisions approved on
April 6, 2005, the deadline to register
was changed to May 1, 2005.
Section 114.315. Approved Test
Methods
We are taking no action on subsection
§ 114.315(b) nor Alternative V at
§ 114.315(c)(4)(C)(ii)(V) at the request of
the State. These citations give the
executive director discretion for
changing test methods. The State
requested in the letter dated July 5,
2005, that we not act on these portions
of the submittal.
Subsection (c) contains the methods
and procedures for getting an alternative
fuel formulation tested and approved.
The adopted amendments to
§ 114.315(c) clarify and update existing
references and provide additional
flexibility in the testing of alternative
formulations. Adopted revisions to
§ 114.315(c)(1)(C) and also to
§ 114.315(c)(4) replace or add language
to reference the active version of the
appropriate test methods or procedures
rather than the date-specific versions.
These revisions will ensure the use of
the most accurate and up-to-date testing
methods or procedures by ASTM or
EPA.
The adopted revision to
§ 114.315(c)(1)(C) clarifies the diesel
grades and sulfur content of the
reference fuel for the testing of
alternative formulations. Because the
sulfur requirements were removed from
§ 114.312, revisions to § 114.315(c)(3)(A)
set the sulfur limit of the reference fuel
at a maximum value of 15 parts per
million (ppm). This limit matches the
federal sulfur requirements starting in
2006.
The revision to § 114.315(c)(4)(C)
provides additional flexibility in the
testing of new diesel formulations under
§ 114.312(f). These revisions amend the
test sequences to now include
sequences for testing with cold and hot
start exhaust emission testing cycles.
The revisions also contain sequences for
testing only with hot start exhaust
emission test cycles, including a new
sequence for testing formulations that
require an extended duration
conditioning cycle. Alternative I at
§ 114.315(c)(4)(C)(ii)(I) is retained from
the approved rule. Clarification that 20
or 21 hot-start tests must be run with
each fuel is now included for the first
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three alternatives. These revisions allow
increased flexibility in test procedures
while assuring adequate data is
available for a determination of
emission reductions from the proposed
alternatives and, therefore, are
approvable.
Alternative IV at
§ 114.315(c)(4)(C)(ii)(IV) does not clearly
specify that at least 20 tests must be run
as in the first three alternatives. If only
a few tests were run on each fuel, it
would not be similar enough to the first
three alternatives for us to say it is
effectively the same as the others. At
least 20 tests must be run on each fuel
for Alternative IV. In addition, the
conditioning cycle must include four
tests on the candidate fuel but not count
them toward the data used to evaluate
the emission impacts of the candidate
fuel. This sets a new baseline from
which to make the determination. The
State is currently providing guidance on
the testing requirements, clarifying that
20 tests must be run for Alternative IV
and 4 additional tests are necessary as
a conditioning cycle.
The major revision to § 114.315(c)(5)
is a new formula that specifies the
measurement tolerances per pollutant
type that will be acceptable when
calculating whether the emissions
generated by a candidate fuel are
comparable to the emissions generated
by the reference fuel. This formula is
essentially the same as the one in the
California diesel fuel rules.
The revision to § 114.315(c)(6) adds
consultation with the EPA into the
process to approve an alternative fuel
formulation. This provides EPA input
into the process to ensure the adequacy
of the alternative fuel formulations and
is approvable.
By letter dated July 5, 2005, the State
has asked that EPA not consider
Alternative V at § 114.315(c)(4)(C)(ii)(V).
This provision gives the executive
director discretion to approve other test
sequences considered to be equivalent.
We are taking no action on this
provision in this action.
The revision adopted in § 114.315(d)
adds requirements for what must be
included in the application for approval
of alternative diesel fuel formulations
using additives. Adopted new paragraph
(1) outlines that the application
provided to the executive director must
include the identity, chemical
composition, and concentration of each
additive used in the formulation, and
the test method by which the presence
and concentration of the additive may
be determined. Adopted new paragraph
(2) outlines what will be included in the
executive director’s approval
notification of an alternative diesel fuel
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formulation. The adopted paragraph
requires an approval notification to
identify the total aromatic hydrocarbon
content, cetane number, and other
parameters as appropriate and as
determined in accordance with the test
methods identified in § 114.315(a). For
alternative diesel fuel formulations
using additives, the approval notice
must specify, at a minimum, the
identity, the minimum concentration,
and the treatment rate of the additives
used, along with the minimum
specifications for the base fuel to be
used in the approved formulation as
determined by the test method
identified in § 114.315(d)(1).
As a final point in the discussion of
this subsection, we would like to clarify
what could be included as
‘‘demonstrated to the satisfaction of
* * * EPA’’ in § 114.315(d). Any fuel or
fuel additive that has been verified by
EPA through our Voluntary Diesel
Retrofit Program/Environmental
Technology Verification program could
be considered demonstrated to the
satisfaction of EPA. Also, a fuel
prepared using EPA’s Unified Model
(the Model) could be included. The
Model was created to evaluate the
emission reduction benefits of TXLED
in highway vehicles. In a memo from
Bob Larson, EPA’s Office of
Transportation and Air Quality to Carl
Edlund, Director of the Multimedia
Permitting and Planning Divison,
Region 6 of the EPA, dated September
27, 2001, we stated that the Unified
Model should not be used to evaluate
any other diesel fuel control program.
Allowing the use of the Unified Model
by refiners to evaluate diesel that can
achieve the same NOX reductions as
TXLED smooths the path to compliance.
Alternative emission reduction plans
would not be required in this case.
Along with this clarification, we make
the following caveats regarding the use
of the Unified Model for this purpose:
(1) It is for use only in the Texas LowEmission Diesel program because it was
developed specifically for evaluating
TXLED. No other state may adopt this
Model as a compliance tool or to
evaluate the benefits of their own staterun diesel fuel program.
(2) The Unified Model allows the
production of fuels using Cetane
improvers. It does not allow for the use
of any other additive.
(3) The Unified model was created
primarily for highway vehicles. For
highway vehicles the benefits decrease
over time starting in 2004. In running
the Model to determine a formulation,
the evaluation year used in the Model
will make a difference in the benefit.
The Unified Model can be used for
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nonroad without decreasing benefits
over time because nonroad engines do
not have exhaust gas recirculation
(EGR).
Section 114.316. Monitoring,
Recordkeeping, and Reporting
Requirements
New subsection (d) removes the sulfur
testing requirement. The proposed
gallonage requirement was revised at
adoption from 50,000 gallons of LED
produced to 250,000 gallons. In the
approved SIP, no gallonage requirement
was included, so this change is more
stringent. Sampling for sulfur was
removed as a State requirement.
New subsection (e) contains additive
sampling language that is more stringent
than what was previously approved.
Several administrative revisions were
made. One is to provide records to the
executive director within 15 days
instead of five days of a written request.
The other is a change to the 15 day
requirement for companies to send in
quarterly reports after the end of a
quarter. This was changed at adoption
to 45 days based on comments received
during the State public comment period.
These changes were made to be
consistent with EPA requirements for
these activities.
In § 114.316(g)(7) two new
certification statements were added to
account for diesel that may need further
processing before becoming TXLED, and
alternative fuel formulations of TXLED.
These replace one certification that was
deleted.
The sulfur requirement was removed
from § 114.316(h)(2). This change is
approvable for reasons discussed earlier.
New language in § 114.316(k) adds
specific recordkeeping and reporting
requirements for producers or importers
that have Alternate Emission Reduction
Plans, thus enhancing enforcement of
the program. This language strengthens
the SIP which previously required that
plans ‘‘contain adequate enforcement
provisions.’’ This includes information
that producers must put into quarterly
reports, e.g., volume of diesel fuel
produced subject to the provisions of
the alternative emission reduction plan,
the volume of diesel fuel not produced
but sold or supplied by the producer
that is subject to provisions of the
alternative emission reduction plan, the
volume of additive utilized by the
producer to produce diesel fuel subject
to the provisions of the alternative
emission reduction plan. This is
approvable because it enhances
enforcement of the program.
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Section 114.318. Alternative Emission
Reduction Plans
The meaning of this section remains
essentially unchanged after reformatting
and minor substantive changes.
Language now in (d) was revised to
allow plan implementation with
executive director approval. In the SIPapproved version, it was implied but
not explicitly stated that
implementation of plans was allowed
upon EPA and executive director
approval. This has now been clarified.
The July 5, 2005 letter from the State
indicates that the language in 30 Tex.
Admin. Code § 114.318(d) is meant to
reference the approval mentioned in
§ 114.318(a) and therefore is interpreted
to include EPA approval as well.
Ultimately, if the plans that the State
submits to EPA for approval as a SIP
revision when implemented do not add
up to equivalent or comparable
reductions in NOX, the State will be
responsible for replacing the lost
reductions with other reductions not yet
claimed. It is also presumed that the
State will take appropriate enforcement
action on any producer or importer that
does not comply by supplying
equivalent or comparable NOX
reductions through a fuel strategy.
Section 114.319. Affected Counties and
Compliance Dates
As stated previously, on February 16,
2005 the Executive Director of the TCEQ
submitted a letter to EPA requesting
parallel processing of the compliance
date portion of the SIP revision for
TXLED. We proposed approval on
February 24, 2005, and gave final
approval on April 6, 2005 (70 FR
17321).
In § 114.319(b)(1) five more counties
were included in the Dallas-Fort Worth
area bringing the total to nine for that
area. These counties were part of the
DFW Extended Compliance area under
the 1-hour ozone standard, and are now
part of the DFW 8-hour nonattainment
area.
Proposed Action
We are proposing approval of the
revisions to the TXLED rule as
submitted March 23, 2005, with the
following exceptions: (1) The
compliance date changes that were
already approved on April 6, 2005; (2)
revisions to Approved Test Methods in
§§ 114.315(b) and 114.315(c)(4)(C)(ii)(V)
that the State specifically requested we
not process at this time as specified
above. None of the revisions being
proposed for approval change the
ultimate requirements regarding the
reductions to be achieved. As a result
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and in accordance with section 110(l) of
the Act, 42 U.S.C. section 7410(l), these
revisions will not interfere with
attainment, reasonable further progress
or any other applicable requirement of
the Clean Air Act.
Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
Under Executive Order 12866 (58 FR
51735, October 4, 1993), this proposed
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 proposed action merely
proposes to approve state law as
meeting Federal requirements and
imposes no additional requirements
beyond those imposed by state law.
Accordingly, the Administrator certifies
that this proposed 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
proposes to approve 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 proposed 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
proposes to approve 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 proposed 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),
VerDate jul<14>2003
15:14 Aug 09, 2005
Jkt 205001
because it is not economically
significant.
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 proposed
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.).
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52
Environmental protection, Air
pollution control, Carbon Monoxide,
Hydrocarbons, Incorporation by
reference, Intergovernmental relations,
Lead, Nitrogen oxides, Ozone,
Particulate matter, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements, Sulfur
oxides, Volatile organic compounds.
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
Dated: August 2, 2005.
Richard E. Greene,
Regional Administrator, Region 6.
[FR Doc. 05–15830 Filed 8–9–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 63
[OAR–2004–0019, FRL–7950–9]
RIN 2060–AK10
National Emission Standards for
Gasoline Distribution Facilities (Bulk
Gasoline Terminals and Pipeline
Breakout Stations)
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Proposed decision; request for
public comment.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: On December 14, 1994, we
promulgated National Emission
Standards for Gasoline Distribution
Facilities (Bulk Gasoline Terminals and
Pipeline Breakout Stations) (59 FR
64318). The national emission standards
limit and control hazardous air
pollutants (HAP) that are known or
PO 00000
Frm 00016
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
suspected to cause cancer or have other
serious health or environmental effects.
Section 112(f)(2) of the Clean Air Act
(CAA) directs EPA to assess the risk
remaining (residual risk) after the
application of national emission
standards controls. Also, CAA section
112(d)(6) requires us to review and
revise the national emission standards
as necessary by taking into account
developments in practices, processes,
and control technologies. The proposal
announces a decision and requests
public comments on the residual risk
assessment and technology review for
the national emission standards. We are
proposing no further action at this time
to revise the national emission
standards.
DATES: Comments. Submit comments on
or before October 11, 2005.
Public Hearing. If anyone contacts the
EPA requesting to speak at a public
hearing by August 30, 2005, a public
hearing will be held on September 7,
2005.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,
identified by Docket ID No. OAR–2004–
0019, by one of the following methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://
www.regulations.gov. Follow the on-line
instructions for submitting comments.
• Agency Web site: https://
www.epa.gov/edocket. EDOCKET, EPA’s
electronic public docket and comment
system, is EPA’s preferred method for
receiving comments. Follow the on-line
instructions for submitting comments.
• E-mail: a-and-r-docket@epa.gov.
• Fax: (202) 566–1741.
• Mail: Air Docket, EPA, Mailcode:
6102T, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW.,
Washington, DC 20460. Please include a
total of two copies.
• Hand Delivery: EPA, 1301
Constitution Ave., NW., Room B102,
Washington, DC 20460. Such deliveries
are only accepted during the Docket’s
normal hours of operation, and special
arrangements should be made for
deliveries of boxed information.
Instructions: Direct your comments to
Docket ID No. OAR–2004–0019. The
EPA’s policy is that all comments
received will be included in the public
docket without change and may be
made available online at https://
www.epa.gov/edocket, including any
personal information provided, unless
the comment includes information
claimed to be Confidential Business
Information (CBI) or other information
whose disclosure is restricted by statute.
Do not submit information that you
consider to be CBI or otherwise
protected through EDOCKET,
regulations.gov, or e-mail. The EPA
EDOCKET and the federal
E:\FR\FM\10AUP1.SGM
10AUP1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 153 (Wednesday, August 10, 2005)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 46448-46452]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-15830]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 52
[R06-OAR-2005-TX-0020; FRL-7950-7]
Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans;
Texas; Texas Low-Emission Diesel Fuel Program
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Proposed rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: EPA is proposing to approve revisions to the State
Implementation Plan (SIP) for the state of Texas. This revision makes
changes to the Texas Low-Emission Diesel (TXLED) Fuel program. On April
6, 2005 EPA
[[Page 46449]]
approved the compliance date change that was part of this submittal.
None of the revisions being proposed for approval change the ultimate
requirements regarding the reductions to be achieved. As a result and
in accordance with section 110(l) of the Act, 42 U.S.C. section
7410(l), these revisions will not interfere with attainment, reasonable
further progress or any other applicable requirement of the Clean Air
Act.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before September 9, 2005.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Regional Material in
EDocket (RME) ID No. R06-OAR-2005-TX-0020, by one of the following
methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the online instructions for submitting comments.
Agency Web site: https://docket.epa.gov/rmepub/ Regional
Material in EDocket (RME), EPA's electronic public docket and comment
system, is EPA's preferred method for receiving comments. Once in the
system, select ``quick search,'' then key in the appropriate RME Docket
identification number. Follow the on-line instructions for submitting
comments.
U.S. EPA Region 6 ``Contact Us'' Web site: https://epa.gov/
region6/r6coment.htm. Please click on ``6PD'' (Multimedia) and select
``Air'' before submitting comments.
E-mail: Mr Thomas Diggs at diggs.thomas@epa.gov. Please
also cc the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
section below.
Fax: Mr. Thomas Diggs, Chief, Air Planning Section (6PD-
L), at fax number 214-665-7263.
Mail: Mr. Thomas Diggs, Chief, Air Planning Section (6PD-
L), Environmental Protection Agency, 1445 Ross Avenue, Suite 1200,
Dallas, Texas 75202-2733.
Hand or Courier Delivery: Mr. Thomas Diggs, Chief, Air
Planning Section (6PD-L), Environmental Protection Agency, 1445 Ross
Avenue, Suite 1200, Dallas, Texas 75202-2733. Such deliveries are
accepted only between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays except
for legal holidays. Special arrangements should be made for deliveries
of boxed information.
Instructions: Direct your comments to Regional Material in EDocket
(RME) ID No. R06-OAR-2005-TX-0020. EPA's policy is that all comments
received will be included in the public file without change, and may be
made available online at https://docket.epa.gov/rmepub/, including any
personal information provided, unless the comment includes information
claimed to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other
information the disclosure of which is restricted by statute. Do not
submit information through Regional Material in EDocket (RME),
regulations.gov, or e-mail if you believe that it is CBI or otherwise
protected from disclosure. The EPA RME Web site and the Federal
regulations.gov are ``anonymous access'' systems, which means EPA will
not know your identity or contact information unless you provide it in
the body of your comment. If you send an e-mail comment directly to EPA
without going through RME or regulations.gov, your e-mail address will
be automatically captured and included as part of the comment that is
placed in the public file and made available on the Internet. If you
submit an electronic comment, EPA recommends that you include your name
and other contact information in the body of your comment and with any
disk or CD-ROM you submit. 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. Electronic files should avoid
the use of special characters, any form of encryption, and be free of
any defects or viruses.
Docket: All documents in the electronic docket are listed in the
Regional Material in EDocket (RME) index at https://docket.epa.gov/
rmepub/. Although listed in the index, some information is not publicly
available, i.e., CBI or other information whose disclosure is
restricted by statute. Certain other material, such as copyrighted
material, is not placed on the Internet and will be publicly available
only in hard copy form. Publicly available docket materials are
available either electronically in RME or in the official file which is
available at the Air Planning Section (6PD-L), Environmental Protection
Agency, 1445 Ross Avenue, Suite 700, Dallas, Texas 75202-2733. The file
will be made available by appointment for public inspection in the
Region 6 FOIA Review Room between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
weekdays except for legal holidays. Contact the person listed in the
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT paragraph below or Mr. Bill Deese at
(214) 665-7253 to make an appointment. If possible, please make the
appointment at least two working days in advance of your visit. There
will be a 15 cent per page fee for making photocopies of documents. On
the day of the visit, please check in at the EPA Region 6 reception
area at 1445 Ross Avenue, Suite 700, Dallas, Texas.
The State submittal is also available for public inspection at the
State Air Agency listed below during official business hours by
appointment: Texas Commission on Environmental Quailty, Office of Air
Quality, 12124 Park 35 Circle, Austin, Texas 78753.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Sandra Rennie, Air Planning
Section (6PD-L), Environmental Protection Agency, Region 6, 1445 Ross
Avenue, Suite 700, Dallas, Texas 75202-2733, telephone (214) 665-7367;
fax number 214-665-7263; e-mail address rennie.sandra@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Throughout this document wherever ``we,''
``us,'' or ``our'' is used, we mean the EPA. This document concerns
control of Air Pollution of NOX and VOCs from mobile sources
in 110 counties of east Texas where the rule applies.
What Action Are We Taking Today?
We approved the original TXLED rule on November 14, 2001, (66 FR
57196) as part of the Houston-Galveston Attainment Demonstration SIP.
On December 15, 2004, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
(TCEQ) Commissioners proposed to revise the TXLED rule. The revisions
were adopted on March 9, 2005, and submitted to EPA on March 23, 2005.
On February 16, 2005, the Executive Director of the TCEQ submitted
a letter to EPA requesting parallel processing of the compliance date
portion of the SIP revision for TXLED. EPA proposed action prior to
completion of the State rulemaking process and, after completion of the
State process, approved the compliance date portion of the SIP revision
for TXLED on April 6, 2005 (70 FR 17321).
The Executive Director of the TCEQ submitted a letter to EPA on
July 5, 2005, requesting that we not act on certain portions of the
rule revision as it was submitted on March 23, 2005. These exceptions
are noted below in the discussion of the rule. We are proposing to
approve those aspects of the rule on which the TCEQ has not requested
that EPA postpone action.
What Did the State Submit?
The State submitted revisions to TXLED rules found in 30 TAC 114.6
and 114.312, 114.314-114.316, 114.318, and 114.319. These include
revisions to definitions; low emission diesel standards; registration
of producers and importers; approved test methods; monitoring,
recordkeeping, and
[[Page 46450]]
reporting requirements; alternative emission reduction plans; and
affected counties and compliance dates.
Why Are These Revisions Approvable?
We thoroughly analyzed the rule revisions to ensure that they did
not compromise the integrity of the approved SIP. Many changes were
nonsubstantive editorial or format changes. Some substantive changes
are considered minor. Major substantive changes that needed a more
thorough analysis are discussed below. A detailed analysis can be found
in the Technical Support Document that accompanies this action.
Section 114.312. Low Emission Diesel Standards
In 114.312(b) the sulfur standard is removed. The sulfur standard
is no longer needed in this rule because the federal ultra-low sulfur
diesel standards are now promulgated and will reduce sulfur in on-
highway diesel in 2006 and in nonroad equipment starting in 2007.
Removal of sulfur by itself does not influence NOX emissions
when the fuel is combusted unless advanced technology equipment is
used. This equipment is not required to be manufactured until federal
compliance dates beginning in 2006 and 2007. While the delay in
achieving sulfur reductions does not impact NOX emissions
and therefore does not impact ozone plans in Texas, it does impact
SO2 and PM emissions. However, there are no PM or
SO2 nonattainment areas in the area covered by the rule so
the delay in the sulfur requirement will not interfere with attainment
of these standards. Because the affected areas are in attainment of
these standards before the compliance date of these standards, these
revisions will not interfere with any applicable requirements
concerning nonattainment nor will they have an adverse impact on
reasonable further progress. Therefore, the repeal of the sulfur
standard will not interfere with attainment, reasonable further
progress or any other applicable requirement of the Act.
Renumbered 114.312(f) removes EPA from approval of alternative
formulations. This revision is not approvable unless the executive
director discretion is removed from the replicable test procedures in
114.315. The State requested that EPA not act upon the executive
director discretion portions of 114.315 because the State plans to
remove these references in future rulemakings.
Section 114.314. Registration of Diesel Producers and Importers
The previously approved SIP required registration with the State by
all suppliers of diesel fuel in the affected area as of December 1,
2004, to gather data on suppliers and potential suppliers. In the
revisions approved on April 6, 2005, the deadline to register was
changed to May 1, 2005.
Section 114.315. Approved Test Methods
We are taking no action on subsection Sec. 114.315(b) nor
Alternative V at Sec. 114.315(c)(4)(C)(ii)(V) at the request of the
State. These citations give the executive director discretion for
changing test methods. The State requested in the letter dated July 5,
2005, that we not act on these portions of the submittal.
Subsection (c) contains the methods and procedures for getting an
alternative fuel formulation tested and approved. The adopted
amendments to Sec. 114.315(c) clarify and update existing references
and provide additional flexibility in the testing of alternative
formulations. Adopted revisions to Sec. 114.315(c)(1)(C) and also to
Sec. 114.315(c)(4) replace or add language to reference the active
version of the appropriate test methods or procedures rather than the
date-specific versions. These revisions will ensure the use of the most
accurate and up-to-date testing methods or procedures by ASTM or EPA.
The adopted revision to Sec. 114.315(c)(1)(C) clarifies the diesel
grades and sulfur content of the reference fuel for the testing of
alternative formulations. Because the sulfur requirements were removed
from Sec. 114.312, revisions to Sec. 114.315(c)(3)(A) set the sulfur
limit of the reference fuel at a maximum value of 15 parts per million
(ppm). This limit matches the federal sulfur requirements starting in
2006.
The revision to Sec. 114.315(c)(4)(C) provides additional
flexibility in the testing of new diesel formulations under Sec.
114.312(f). These revisions amend the test sequences to now include
sequences for testing with cold and hot start exhaust emission testing
cycles. The revisions also contain sequences for testing only with hot
start exhaust emission test cycles, including a new sequence for
testing formulations that require an extended duration conditioning
cycle. Alternative I at Sec. 114.315(c)(4)(C)(ii)(I) is retained from
the approved rule. Clarification that 20 or 21 hot-start tests must be
run with each fuel is now included for the first three alternatives.
These revisions allow increased flexibility in test procedures while
assuring adequate data is available for a determination of emission
reductions from the proposed alternatives and, therefore, are
approvable.
Alternative IV at Sec. 114.315(c)(4)(C)(ii)(IV) does not clearly
specify that at least 20 tests must be run as in the first three
alternatives. If only a few tests were run on each fuel, it would not
be similar enough to the first three alternatives for us to say it is
effectively the same as the others. At least 20 tests must be run on
each fuel for Alternative IV. In addition, the conditioning cycle must
include four tests on the candidate fuel but not count them toward the
data used to evaluate the emission impacts of the candidate fuel. This
sets a new baseline from which to make the determination. The State is
currently providing guidance on the testing requirements, clarifying
that 20 tests must be run for Alternative IV and 4 additional tests are
necessary as a conditioning cycle.
The major revision to Sec. 114.315(c)(5) is a new formula that
specifies the measurement tolerances per pollutant type that will be
acceptable when calculating whether the emissions generated by a
candidate fuel are comparable to the emissions generated by the
reference fuel. This formula is essentially the same as the one in the
California diesel fuel rules.
The revision to Sec. 114.315(c)(6) adds consultation with the EPA
into the process to approve an alternative fuel formulation. This
provides EPA input into the process to ensure the adequacy of the
alternative fuel formulations and is approvable.
By letter dated July 5, 2005, the State has asked that EPA not
consider Alternative V at Sec. 114.315(c)(4)(C)(ii)(V). This provision
gives the executive director discretion to approve other test sequences
considered to be equivalent. We are taking no action on this provision
in this action.
The revision adopted in Sec. 114.315(d) adds requirements for what
must be included in the application for approval of alternative diesel
fuel formulations using additives. Adopted new paragraph (1) outlines
that the application provided to the executive director must include
the identity, chemical composition, and concentration of each additive
used in the formulation, and the test method by which the presence and
concentration of the additive may be determined. Adopted new paragraph
(2) outlines what will be included in the executive director's approval
notification of an alternative diesel fuel
[[Page 46451]]
formulation. The adopted paragraph requires an approval notification to
identify the total aromatic hydrocarbon content, cetane number, and
other parameters as appropriate and as determined in accordance with
the test methods identified in Sec. 114.315(a). For alternative diesel
fuel formulations using additives, the approval notice must specify, at
a minimum, the identity, the minimum concentration, and the treatment
rate of the additives used, along with the minimum specifications for
the base fuel to be used in the approved formulation as determined by
the test method identified in Sec. 114.315(d)(1).
As a final point in the discussion of this subsection, we would
like to clarify what could be included as ``demonstrated to the
satisfaction of * * * EPA'' in Sec. 114.315(d). Any fuel or fuel
additive that has been verified by EPA through our Voluntary Diesel
Retrofit Program/Environmental Technology Verification program could be
considered demonstrated to the satisfaction of EPA. Also, a fuel
prepared using EPA's Unified Model (the Model) could be included. The
Model was created to evaluate the emission reduction benefits of TXLED
in highway vehicles. In a memo from Bob Larson, EPA's Office of
Transportation and Air Quality to Carl Edlund, Director of the
Multimedia Permitting and Planning Divison, Region 6 of the EPA, dated
September 27, 2001, we stated that the Unified Model should not be used
to evaluate any other diesel fuel control program. Allowing the use of
the Unified Model by refiners to evaluate diesel that can achieve the
same NOX reductions as TXLED smooths the path to compliance.
Alternative emission reduction plans would not be required in this
case.
Along with this clarification, we make the following caveats
regarding the use of the Unified Model for this purpose:
(1) It is for use only in the Texas Low-Emission Diesel program
because it was developed specifically for evaluating TXLED. No other
state may adopt this Model as a compliance tool or to evaluate the
benefits of their own state-run diesel fuel program.
(2) The Unified Model allows the production of fuels using Cetane
improvers. It does not allow for the use of any other additive.
(3) The Unified model was created primarily for highway vehicles.
For highway vehicles the benefits decrease over time starting in 2004.
In running the Model to determine a formulation, the evaluation year
used in the Model will make a difference in the benefit. The Unified
Model can be used for nonroad without decreasing benefits over time
because nonroad engines do not have exhaust gas recirculation (EGR).
Section 114.316. Monitoring, Recordkeeping, and Reporting Requirements
New subsection (d) removes the sulfur testing requirement. The
proposed gallonage requirement was revised at adoption from 50,000
gallons of LED produced to 250,000 gallons. In the approved SIP, no
gallonage requirement was included, so this change is more stringent.
Sampling for sulfur was removed as a State requirement.
New subsection (e) contains additive sampling language that is more
stringent than what was previously approved.
Several administrative revisions were made. One is to provide
records to the executive director within 15 days instead of five days
of a written request. The other is a change to the 15 day requirement
for companies to send in quarterly reports after the end of a quarter.
This was changed at adoption to 45 days based on comments received
during the State public comment period. These changes were made to be
consistent with EPA requirements for these activities.
In Sec. 114.316(g)(7) two new certification statements were added
to account for diesel that may need further processing before becoming
TXLED, and alternative fuel formulations of TXLED. These replace one
certification that was deleted.
The sulfur requirement was removed from Sec. 114.316(h)(2). This
change is approvable for reasons discussed earlier.
New language in Sec. 114.316(k) adds specific recordkeeping and
reporting requirements for producers or importers that have Alternate
Emission Reduction Plans, thus enhancing enforcement of the program.
This language strengthens the SIP which previously required that plans
``contain adequate enforcement provisions.'' This includes information
that producers must put into quarterly reports, e.g., volume of diesel
fuel produced subject to the provisions of the alternative emission
reduction plan, the volume of diesel fuel not produced but sold or
supplied by the producer that is subject to provisions of the
alternative emission reduction plan, the volume of additive utilized by
the producer to produce diesel fuel subject to the provisions of the
alternative emission reduction plan. This is approvable because it
enhances enforcement of the program.
Section 114.318. Alternative Emission Reduction Plans
The meaning of this section remains essentially unchanged after
reformatting and minor substantive changes. Language now in (d) was
revised to allow plan implementation with executive director approval.
In the SIP-approved version, it was implied but not explicitly stated
that implementation of plans was allowed upon EPA and executive
director approval. This has now been clarified. The July 5, 2005 letter
from the State indicates that the language in 30 Tex. Admin. Code Sec.
114.318(d) is meant to reference the approval mentioned in Sec.
114.318(a) and therefore is interpreted to include EPA approval as
well. Ultimately, if the plans that the State submits to EPA for
approval as a SIP revision when implemented do not add up to equivalent
or comparable reductions in NOX, the State will be
responsible for replacing the lost reductions with other reductions not
yet claimed. It is also presumed that the State will take appropriate
enforcement action on any producer or importer that does not comply by
supplying equivalent or comparable NOX reductions through a
fuel strategy.
Section 114.319. Affected Counties and Compliance Dates
As stated previously, on February 16, 2005 the Executive Director
of the TCEQ submitted a letter to EPA requesting parallel processing of
the compliance date portion of the SIP revision for TXLED. We proposed
approval on February 24, 2005, and gave final approval on April 6, 2005
(70 FR 17321).
In Sec. 114.319(b)(1) five more counties were included in the
Dallas-Fort Worth area bringing the total to nine for that area. These
counties were part of the DFW Extended Compliance area under the 1-hour
ozone standard, and are now part of the DFW 8-hour nonattainment area.
Proposed Action
We are proposing approval of the revisions to the TXLED rule as
submitted March 23, 2005, with the following exceptions: (1) The
compliance date changes that were already approved on April 6, 2005;
(2) revisions to Approved Test Methods in Sec. Sec. 114.315(b) and
114.315(c)(4)(C)(ii)(V) that the State specifically requested we not
process at this time as specified above. None of the revisions being
proposed for approval change the ultimate requirements regarding the
reductions to be achieved. As a result
[[Page 46452]]
and in accordance with section 110(l) of the Act, 42 U.S.C. section
7410(l), these revisions will not interfere with attainment, reasonable
further progress or any other applicable requirement of the Clean Air
Act.
Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
Under Executive Order 12866 (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993), this
proposed 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
proposed action merely proposes to approve state law as meeting Federal
requirements and imposes no additional requirements beyond those
imposed by state law. Accordingly, the Administrator certifies that
this proposed 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 proposes to approve 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 proposed 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 proposes to approve 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
proposed 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 is not economically significant.
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 proposed 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.).
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52
Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Carbon Monoxide,
Hydrocarbons, Incorporation by reference, Intergovernmental relations,
Lead, Nitrogen oxides, Ozone, Particulate matter, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements, Sulfur oxides, Volatile organic compounds.
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
Dated: August 2, 2005.
Richard E. Greene,
Regional Administrator, Region 6.
[FR Doc. 05-15830 Filed 8-9-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P