Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; Louisiana; Clean Air Interstate Rule Nitrogen Oxides Trading Programs, 45705-45712 [E7-16044]
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Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 157 / Wednesday, August 15, 2007 / Proposed Rules
(b) If you have not filed a request for
review by a Federal reviewing official
on or before the effective date of this
section and you have received an initial
determination under subpart B of this
part, we will process any request for
additional administrative review filed
after the effective date as either a
request for reconsideration by the State
agency or a request for hearing before an
administrative law judge if your State
uses the testing procedures under
§§ 404.906 and 416.1406 of this title.
(c) This subpart will no longer be
effective the day after a Federal
reviewing official issues a decision on
the last of the claims accepted for
review under paragraph (a) of this
section.
(d) If compelling evidence shows that
the Federal reviewing official process is
efficient, effective, and sustainable
given available Agency resources, the
Commissioner may reinstate the Federal
reviewing official process by publishing
a notice of proposed rulemaking in the
Federal Register.
[FR Doc. E7–16071 Filed 8–14–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4191–02–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Parts 52 and 97
[EPA–R06–OAR–2007–0651; FRL–8455–1]
Approval and Promulgation of
Implementation Plans; Louisiana;
Clean Air Interstate Rule Nitrogen
Oxides Trading Programs
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Proposed rule.
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AGENCY:
SUMMARY: EPA is proposing to approve
a revision to the Louisiana State
Implementation Plan (SIP) submitted by
the State of Louisiana on July 12, 2007,
as the Louisiana Clean Air Interstate
Rule (CAIR) Nitrogen Oxides (NOX)
Trading Programs abbreviated SIP. We
are proposing to approve Louisiana’s
CAIR NOX Annual and Ozone Season
Abbreviated SIP revision in parallel
with the Louisiana Department of
Environmental Quality’s (LDEQ)
rulemaking activities (‘‘parallel
processing’’). The abbreviated SIP
revision includes the Louisiana
methodology for allocation of annual
and ozone season NOX allowances. EPA
is proposing to determine that the
Louisiana CAIR NOX Trading Programs
abbreviated SIP revision satisfies the
applicable requirements of a CAIR
abbreviated SIP revision. EPA is also
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proposing to approve revisions to the
Louisiana SIP that establish
administrative reporting requirements
for all Louisiana CAIR programs; these
revisions were submitted on September
22, 2006, as part of the Louisiana CAIR
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) Trading Program
SIP. EPA is also proposing that the
Louisiana CAIR NOX Annual and Ozone
Season Abbreviated SIP will satisfy
Louisiana’s Clean Air Act (CAA) Section
110(a)(2)(D)(i) obligations to submit a
SIP revision that contains adequate
provisions to prohibit air emissions
from adversely affecting another State’s
air quality through interstate transport.
The intended effect of this action is to
reduce NOX emissions from the State of
Louisiana that are contributing to
nonattainment of the 8-hour ozone and
PM2.5 National Ambient Air Quality
Standards (NAAQS or standard) in
downwind states. This action is being
taken under section 110 of the CAA.
DATES: Comments must be received on
or before September 14, 2007.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,
identified by Docket ID No. EPA–R06–
OAR–2007–0651, by one of the
following methods:
(1) www.regulations.gov: Follow the
on-line instructions for submitting
comments.
(2) E-mail: Mr. Jeff Robinson at
robinson.jeffrey@epa.gov. Please also cc
the person listed in the FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT paragraph below.
(3) 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.
(4) Fax: Mr. Jeff Robinson, Chief, Air
Permits Section (6PD–R), at fax number
214–665–6762.
(5) Mail: Mr. Jeff Robinson, Chief, Air
Permits Section (6PD–R), Environmental
Protection Agency, 1445 Ross Avenue,
Suite 1200, Dallas, Texas 75202–2733.
(6) Hand or Courier Delivery: Mr. Jeff
Robinson, Chief, Air Permits Section
(6PD–R), Environmental Protection
Agency, 1445 Ross Avenue, Suite 1200,
Dallas, Texas 75202–2733. Such
deliveries are accepted only between the
hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
weekdays except for legal holidays.
Special arrangements should be made
for deliveries of boxed information.
Instructions: Direct your comments to
Docket ID No. EPA–R06–OAR–2007–
0651. 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.regulations.gov, including any
personal information provided, unless
the comment includes information
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claimed to be Confidential Business
Information (CBI) or other information
the disclosure of which is restricted by
statute. Do not submit information
through https://www.regulations.gov or
e-mail, if you believe that it is CBI or
otherwise protected from disclosure.
The https://www.regulations.gov Web
site is an ‘‘anonymous access’’ system,
which means that 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 https://www.regulations.gov,
your e-mail address will be
automatically captured and included as
part of the comment that is placed in the
public docket 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 along with any disk or CDROM submitted. 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 and any form of encryption
and should be free of any defects or
viruses. For additional information
about EPA’s public docket, visit the EPA
Docket Center homepage at https://
www.epa.gov/epahome/dockets.htm.
Docket: All documents in the docket
are listed in the https://
www.regulations.gov index. Although
listed in the index, some information is
not publicly available, e.g., CBI or other
information the disclosure of which is
restricted by statute. Certain other
material, such as copyrighted material,
will be publicly available only in hard
copy. Publicly available docket
materials are available either
electronically in https://
www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at
the Air Permits Section (6PD–R),
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 to make an
appointment. If possible, please make
the appointment at least two working
days in advance of your visit. A 15 cent
per page fee will be charged for making
photocopies of documents. On the day
of the visit, please check in at the EPA
Region 6 reception area on the seventh
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floor at 1445 Ross Avenue, Suite 700,
Dallas, Texas.
The State submittal related to this SIP
revision, and which is part of the EPA
docket, is also available for public
inspection at the State Air Agency listed
below during official business hours by
appointment:
Louisiana Department of
Environmental Quality, Office of
Environmental Quality Assessment, 602
N. Fifth Street, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
70802.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If
you have questions concerning today’s
proposal, please contact Ms. Adina
Wiley (6PD–R), Air Permits Section,
Environmental Protection Agency,
Region 6, 1445 Ross Avenue (6PD–R),
Suite 1200, Dallas, TX 75202–2733. The
telephone number is (214) 665–2115.
Ms. Wiley can also be reached via
electronic mail at wiley.adina@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Throughout this document, wherever
any reference to ‘‘we,’’ ‘‘us,’’ or ‘‘our’’ is
used, we mean EPA.
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Table of Contents
I. What Action Is EPA Proposing?
II. What Is the Regulatory History of CAIR
and the CAIR FIP?
III. What Are the General Requirements of
CAIR and the CAIR FIP?
IV. What Are the Types of CAIR SIP
Submittals?
V. What Is EPA’s Analysis of Louisiana’s
CAIR NOX Annual and Ozone Season
Abbreviated SIP Revision?
A. State Budgets for NOX Annual and
Ozone Season Allowance Allocations
B. CAIR NOX Annual and Ozone Season
Cap-and-Trade Programs
C. Applicability Provisions for Non-EGU
NOX SIP Call Sources
D. NOX Annual and Ozone Season
Allowance Allocations
E. Allocation of NOX Allowances From the
Compliance Supplement Pool
F. Individual Opt-In Units
VI. What Is EPA’s Analysis of the Section
110(a)(2)(D)(i) Requirements?
VII. Proposed Action
VIII. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
I. What Action Is EPA Proposing?
On July 12, 2007, the State of
Louisiana requested that EPA parallel
process an abbreviated revision to the
Louisiana SIP in conjunction with the
LDEQ’s rulemaking activities. The SIP
revision consists of new regulations that
establish the NOX annual and ozone
season allocation methodologies that are
to be used instead of the Federal
allocations in the Louisiana CAIR NOX
Annual and Ozone Season Federal
Implementation Plans (FIP). The
affected state regulations that we are
proposing to approve today as part of
the Louisiana CAIR NOX Trading
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Programs abbreviated SIP are enacted at
Louisiana Administrative Code, Title
33, Part III, Chapter 5, Sections 506(A)
and (B) (LAC 33:III.506(A) and (B)). EPA
is proposing to determine that the
Louisiana CAIR NOX Trading Programs
abbreviated SIP revision satisfies the
applicable requirements of a CAIR
abbreviated SIP revision at 40 CFR
51.123(p)(1) and (ee)(2). We are also at
this time proposing to approve revisions
to the Louisiana SIP at LAC 33:III.506
(D) and (E), submitted September 22,
2006, that establish administrative
reporting requirements germane to all
Louisiana CAIR programs. We had
deferred action on these subsections in
the Louisiana CAIR SO2 rulemaking
until we had the opportunity to review
and act upon the Louisiana CAIR NOX
programs (see 72 FR 39741).
The provisions of the Louisiana CAIR
NOX Annual and Ozone Season FIP at
40 CFR 52.984 require owners or
operators of NOX sources located in
Louisiana to meet the Federal NOX
annual and ozone season trading
programs found at 40 CFR part 97.
These Federal trading programs’ rules
include provisions at 40 CFR 97.144(a)
and 97.343(a) that if EPA approves the
Louisiana abbreviated SIP revision for
NOX annual and ozone season
allocation methodologies, then the
Federal NOX annual and ozone season
allocation methodologies no longer
apply. If EPA approves the Louisiana
NOX annual and ozone season
allocation methodologies into the
Louisiana SIP, then EPA under 40 CFR
52.984, 97.144(a), and 97.343(a) will not
make allocations for the CAIR NOX
sources in Louisiana; the LDEQ will
allocate NOX annual and ozone season
allowances using the Louisiana SIP
rules.
Consequently, if EPA approves the
Louisiana abbreviated SIP revision, EPA
is not required to take any rulemaking
action to change the Federal CAIR NOX
Annual and Ozone Season trading
programs in 40 CFR part 97 or to change
the Louisiana CAIR FIP for NOX annual
and ozone season emissions in 40 CFR
52.984. Rather EPA, by ministerial
action, will note in Appendix A.1. to
Subpart EE of 40 CFR Part 97, that
Louisiana has an approved SIP revision
for NOX annual allowances. Similarly,
EPA will note in Appendix A to Subpart
EEEE of 40 CFR Part 97, that Louisiana
has an approved SIP revision for NOX
ozone season allowances. Since the
Federal CAIR NOX Annual and Ozone
Season trading programs’ rules provide
for automatic revision of the Louisiana
CAIR FIP for NOX annual and ozone
season emissions upon approval of such
an abbreviated SIP revision, the
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Louisiana rules for NOX annual and
ozone season allowance allocations
would apply, rather than the Federal
rules governing allocations, upon the
effective date of approval.
In addition, EPA is also proposing to
approve a revision to Louisiana’s SIP to
address the ‘‘good neighbor’’ provisions
of section 110(a)(2)(D)(i) of the CAA.
This section of the Act requires each
State to submit a SIP that prohibits
emissions that could adversely affect
another State. The SIP must prevent
sources in the State from emitting
pollutants in amounts which will: (1)
Contribute significantly to downwind
nonattainment of the national ambient
air quality standards (NAAQS), (2)
interfere with maintenance of the
NAAQS, (3) interfere with provisions to
prevent significant deterioration of air
quality, and (4) interfere with efforts to
protect visibility.
Why are we ‘‘parallel processing’’ and
how does it work?
The Louisiana CAIR NOX Annual and
Ozone Season FIP includes a NOX
allowance recordation deadline of
September 30, 2007, at 40 CFR 97.153
and 97.353. As explained in the
preamble of our April 28, 2006,
promulgation of the CAIR FIPs, EPA
will only record State allowance
allocations if EPA has approved a full or
abbreviated SIP for the State which
specifies the allocation methodology
(see 71 FR 25354). The State of
Louisiana requested parallel processing
of the Louisiana CAIR NOX Trading
Program Abbreviated SIP revision to
expedite federal approval of the
Louisiana NOX annual and ozone season
allocation methodology.
In order to expedite review, approval
of this revision is being proposed under
a procedure called ‘‘parallel processing’’
whereby EPA proposes rulemaking
action concurrently with the State’s
procedures for amending its regulations
(40 CFR part 51, Appendix V, section
2.3). If the State’s proposed revision is
substantially changed, EPA will
evaluate those subsequent changes and
may publish another notice of proposed
rulemaking. If no substantial changes
are made, EPA will publish a final
rulemaking on the revisions after
responding to any submitted comments.
Final rulemaking action by EPA will
occur only after the SIP revision has
been fully adopted by Louisiana and
submitted formally to EPA for
incorporation into the SIP. In addition,
any action by the State resulting in
undue delay in the adoption of the rules
may results in a re-proposal altering the
approvability of the SIP revision.
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II. What Is the Regulatory History of
CAIR and the CAIR FIP?
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EPA promulgated the CAIR on May
12, 2005 (70 FR 25162). In this rule,
EPA determined that 28 States and the
District of Columbia contribute
significantly to nonattainment and
interfere with maintenance of the
national ambient air quality standards
(NAAQS) for fine particles (PM2.5) and
/or 8-hour ozone in downwind States in
the eastern part of the country. As a
result, EPA required those upwind
States to revise their SIPs to include
control measures that reduce emissions
of SO2, which is a precursor to PM2.5
formation, and/or NOX, which is a
precursor to both ozone and PM2.5
formation. For jurisdictions that
contribute significantly to downwind
PM2.5 nonattainment, CAIR sets annual
State-wide emission reduction
requirements (i.e., budgets) for SO2 and
annual State-wide emission reduction
requirements for NOX. Similarly, for
jurisdictions that contribute
significantly to 8-hour ozone
nonattainment, CAIR sets statewide
emission reduction requirements for
NOX for the ozone season (defined at 40
CFR 97.302 as May 1st to September
30th). Under CAIR, States may
implement these emission budgets by
participating in the EPA-administered
cap-and-trade programs or by adopting
and submitting for EPA approval any
other control measures.
EPA found that Louisiana
significantly contributed to
nonattainment of the 8-hour ozone
standard in Texas and the PM2.5
standard in Alabama, resulting in
Louisiana being subject to the SO2, NOX
annual, and NOX ozone season
requirements of CAIR. Louisiana
submitted a SIP revision addressing the
SO2 requirements of CAIR on September
22, 2006. We approved this SIP revision
through a direct final action on July 20,
2007 (72 FR 39741).1 Today we are
proposing to approve the abbreviated
SIP revision addressing the Louisiana
NOX annual and ozone season
requirements of CAIR with this
rulemaking. There are no punitive
consequences for Louisiana failing to
1 Louisiana is subject to the CAIR SO Federal
2
Implementation Plan at 40 CFR 52.985 until EPA’s
final action becomes effective on the Louisiana
CAIR SO2 Trading Program SIP revision. If no
adverse comments are received on our direct final
action by August 20, 2007, the Louisiana CAIR SO2
Trading Program will be effective on September 18,
2007. We are not accepting comments on the
Louisiana CAIR SO2 Trading Program in this action;
if you would like to comment on the Louisiana
CAIR SO2 Trading Program please follow the
instructions at 72 FR 39741, Docket ID No. EPA–
06–OAR–2006–0849.
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submit SO2, NOX Annual, and NOX
Ozone Season CAIR SIPs.
CAIR sets forth what must be
included in SIPs to address the
requirements of section 110(a)(2)(D) of
the Act with regard to interstate
transport for the 8-hour ozone and PM2.5
NAAQS. EPA made national findings
(70 FR 21147), effective May 25, 2005,
that the affected States had failed to
submit SIPs meeting the requirements of
section 110(a)(2)(D). The SIPs were due
in July 2000, 3 years after the
promulgation of the 8-hour ozone and
PM2.5 NAAQS. These May 25, 2005,
findings started a 2-year clock for EPA
to promulgate a FIP to address the
requirements of section 110(a)(2)(D),
including the ‘‘good neighbor
provision’’ at section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)
which applies to interstate transport of
certain emissions. Under CAA section
110(c)(1), EPA may issue a FIP anytime
after such findings are made and must
do so within two years unless a SIP
revision correcting the deficiency is
approved by EPA before the FIP is
promulgated. On August 15, 2006, EPA
issued guidance for SIP submissions
that states should use to address the
requirements of section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)
for the 8-hour ozone and PM2.5 NAAQS.
On April 28, 2006, EPA promulgated
FIPs for all States covered by CAIR in
order to ensure the emissions reductions
required by CAIR are achieved on
schedule. See 40 CFR 52.35 and 52.36.
Each CAIR State is subject to the FIP
until the State fully adopts, and EPA
approves, a SIP revision meeting the
requirements of CAIR. The CAIR FIPs
require certain EGUs to participate in
the EPA-administered CAIR SO2, NOX
Annual, and NOX Ozone Season trading
programs, as appropriate, found at 40
CFR part 97. The CAIR FIPs’ SO2, NOX
Annual, and NOX Ozone Season trading
programs impose essentially the same
requirements as, and are integrated
with, the respective CAIR SIP trading
programs. The integration of the CAIR
FIP and SIP trading programs means
that these trading programs will work
together to create effectively a single
trading program for each regulated
pollutant (SO2, NOX annual, and NOX
ozone season) in all States covered by
the CAIR FIPs’ or SIPs’ trading program
for that pollutant. The CAIR FIPs also
allow States to submit abbreviated SIP
revisions that, if approved by EPA, will
automatically replace or supplement the
corresponding CAIR FIP provisions
(e.g., the methodology for allocating
NOX allowances to sources in the state),
while the CAIR FIPs remain in place for
all other provisions. See 40 CFR
51.123(p)(1)–(3) and (ee)(1)–(3), 71 FR
25328 and 25339 (April 28, 2006).
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On April 28, 2006, EPA published
two more CAIR-related final rules that
added the States of Delaware and New
Jersey to the list of States subject to
CAIR for PM2.5 and announced EPA’s
final decisions on reconsideration of
five issues without making any
substantive changes to the CAIR
requirements. On December 13, 2006,
EPA published minor, non-substantive
revisions that serve to clarify CAIR and
the CAIR FIP.
III. What Are the General Requirements
of CAIR and the CAIR FIP?
CAIR establishes State-wide emission
budgets for SO2 and NOX and is to be
implemented in two phases. The first
phase of NOX reductions starts in 2009
and continues through 2014, while the
first phase of SO2 reductions starts in
2010 and continues through 2014. The
second phase of reductions for both
NOX and SO2 starts in 2015 and
continues thereafter. CAIR requires
States to implement the budgets by
either: (1) Requiring EGUs to participate
in the EPA-administered cap-and-trade
programs: or, (2) adopting other control
measures of the State’s choosing and
demonstrating that such control
measures will result in compliance with
the applicable State SO2 and NOX
budgets.
The May 12, 2005, and April 28, 2006,
CAIR rules provide model rules that
States must adopt (with certain limited
changes, if desired) if they want to
participate in the EPA-administered
trading programs. The December 13,
2006, revisions to CAIR and the CAIR
FIPs were non-substantive and,
therefore, do not affect EPA’s evaluation
of a State’s SIP revision.
With two exceptions, only States that
choose to meet the requirements of
CAIR through methods that exclusively
regulate EGUs are allowed to participate
in the EPA-administered trading
programs. One exception is for States
that adopt the opt-in provisions of the
model rules to allow non-EGUs
individually to opt into the EPAadministered trading programs. The
other exception is for States that include
all non-EGUs from their NOX SIP Call
trading programs in their CAIR NOX
ozone season trading programs.
Louisiana was not subject to the NOX
SIP Call; therefore, the second exception
is not applicable.
IV. What Are the Types of CAIR SIP
Submittals?
States have the flexibility to choose
the type of control measures they will
use to meet the requirements of CAIR.
EPA anticipates that most States will
choose to meet the CAIR requirements
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by selecting an option that requires
EGUs to participate in the EPAadministered CAIR cap-and-trade
programs. For such States, EPA has
provided two approaches for submitting
and obtaining approval for CAIR SIP
revisions. States may submit full SIP
revisions that adopt the model CAIR
cap-and-trade rules. If approved, these
SIP revisions will fully replace the CAIR
FIPs. Alternatively, States may submit
abbreviated SIP revisions. The
provisions in the abbreviated SIP
revision, if approved into a State’s SIP,
will not replace that State’s CAIR FIP;
however, the requirements for the CAIR
FIPs at 40 CFR part 52 incorporate the
provisions of the Federal CAIR trading
programs in 40 CFR part 97. The Federal
CAIR trading programs in 40 CFR part
97 provide that whenever EPA approves
an abbreviated SIP revision, the
provisions in the abbreviated SIP
revision will be used in place of or in
conjunction with, as appropriate, the
corresponding provisions in 40 CFR part
97 of the State’s CAIR FIP (e.g., the NOX
allowance allocation methodology).
A State submitting an abbreviated SIP
revision, may submit limited SIP
revisions to tailor the CAIR FIP’s capand-trade programs to the state
submitting the revision. An abbreviated
SIP revision may establish certain
applicability and allowance allocation
provisions instead of or in conjunction
with the corresponding provisions in
the CAIR FIP’s rules in that State.
Specifically, an abbreviated SIP revision
may:
(1) Include NOX SIP Call trading
sources that are not EGUs under CAIR
in the CAIR FIP’s NOX Ozone Season
trading program;
(2) Provide for allocation of NOX
annual or ozone season allowances by
the State, rather than the Administrator,
and using a methodology chosen by the
State;
(3) Provide for allocation of NOX
annual allowances from the CSP by the
State, rather than by the Administrator,
and using the State’s choice of allowed,
alternative methodologies; or
(4) Allow units that are not otherwise
CAIR units to opt individually into the
CAIR FIP’s cap-and-trade programs
under the opt-in provisions in the CAIR
FIP’s rules.
With approval of an abbreviated SIP
revision, the State’s CAIR FIP remains
in place, as tailored to sources in that
State by the approved SIP revision.
Abbreviated SIP revisions can be
submitted in lieu of, or as part of, CAIR
full SIP revisions. States may want to
designate part of their full SIP as an
abbreviated SIP for EPA to act on first
when the timing of the State’s
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submission might not provide EPA with
sufficient time to approve the full SIP
prior to the deadline for recording NOX
allocations. This will help ensure that
the elements of the trading programs
where flexibility is allowed are
implemented according to the State’s
decisions. Submission of an abbreviated
SIP revision does not preclude future
submission of a CAIR full SIP revision.
In this case, Louisiana submitted an
abbreviated SIP revision that addresses
the allocation methodology for the NOX
Annual and Ozone Season programs.
Louisiana previously submitted a full
SIP revision to address the SO2
requirements of CAIR.
V. What Is EPA’s Analysis of
Louisiana’s CAIR NOX Annual and
Ozone Season Abbreviated SIP
Revision?
A. State Budgets for NOX Annual and
Ozone Season Allowance Allocations
The CAIR NOX annual and ozone
season budgets for Louisiana were
developed from historical heat input
data for EGUs. Using these data, EPA
calculated annual and ozone season
regional heat input values, which were
multiplied by 0.15 lb/mmBtu, for phase
1, and 0.125 lb/mmBtu, for phase 2, to
obtain regional NOX budgets for 2009–
2014 and for 2015 and thereafter,
respectively. EPA derived the Louisiana
NOX annual and ozone season budgets
from the regional budgets using
Louisiana heat input data adjusted by
fuel factors.
The CAIR SIP requirements and the
Louisiana CAIR NOX Annual FIP
establish the NOX annual budgets for
Louisiana as 35,512 tons of NOX annual
emissions for 2009–2014 and 29,593
tons of NOX annual emissions in 2015
and thereafter. Louisiana’s submitted
rules at LAC 33:III.506(A)(2) establish
that the total amount of NOX annual
allowances allocated per control period
shall not exceed the CAIR NOX annual
budget at 40 CFR 97.140. Therefore, the
annual budgets as listed in 40 CFR
51.123 and 97.140 (35,512 tons in 2009–
2014 and 29,593 tons in 2015 and
thereafter) continue to apply.
The CAIR SIP requirements and the
Louisiana CAIR NOX Ozone Season FIP
establish the NOX ozone season budgets
for Louisiana as 17,085 tons of NOX
ozone season emissions for 2009–2014
and 14,238 tons of NOX ozone season
emissions in 2015 and thereafter.
Louisiana’s rules at LAC 33:III.506(B)(2)
establish that the total amount of NOX
ozone season allowances allocated per
control period shall not exceed the
CAIR NOX ozone season budget at 40
CFR 97.340. Therefore the ozone season
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budgets as listed in 40 CFR 51.123 and
97.340 (17,085 tons in 2009–2014 and
14,238 tons in 2015 and thereafter)
continue to apply.
The Louisiana abbreviated SIP
revision, being proposed today, does not
affect the budgets for the NOX annual
and ozone season programs. These
budgets are total amounts of allowances
available for allocation for each year
under the EPA-administered cap-andtrade programs under the Louisiana
CAIR NOX Annual and Ozone Season
FIPs. In short, the Louisiana abbreviated
SIP revision only affects allocations of
NOX annual and ozone season
allowances under the established
budgets.
B. CAIR NOX Annual and Ozone Season
Cap-and-Trade Programs
The CAIR NOX Annual and Ozone
Season FIPs for the States largely mirror
the structure of the NOX SIP Call modeltrading rule in 40 CFR part 96 subparts
A through I. While the provisions of the
NOX Annual and Ozone Season FIPs are
similar, there are some differences. For
example, the NOX Annual FIPs provide
for a compliance supplement pool
(CSP), which is discussed below and
under which allowances may be
awarded for early reductions of NOX
annual emissions.
EPA used the CAIR model trading
rules as the basis for the SO2, NOX
annual, and NOX ozone season trading
programs incorporated by reference into
the States’ CAIR FIPs. The CAIR FIPs’
trading programs’ rules are virtually
identical to the CAIR model trading
rules, with changes made to account for
federal rather than state
implementation. The CAIR model SO2,
NOX annual trading, and NOX ozone
season trading rules and the respective
CAIR FIPs’ trading programs are
designed to work together as integrated
SO2, NOX annual, and NOX ozone
season trading programs.
Louisiana is subject to the CAIR FIPs
for 8-hour ozone and PM2.5. These CAIR
FIPs for Louisiana, at 40 CFR 52.984 and
52.985, require owners or operators of
each NOX and SO2 CAIR source located
in Louisiana to meet the requirements of
the Federal CAIR NOX Annual, NOX
Ozone Season, and SO2 trading
programs in 40 CFR part 97. Consistent
with the flexibility given to States,
States may submit abbreviated SIP
revisions that will replace or
supplement, as appropriate, certain
provisions of its CAIR FIPs’ trading
programs. The July 12, 2007, submission
from Louisiana is such an abbreviated
SIP revision and is for the NOX annual
and ozone season trading programs.
Louisiana submitted a full SIP revision
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C. Applicability Provisions for Non-EGU
NOX SIP Call Sources
In general, the CAIR FIPs’ trading
programs apply to any stationary, fossilfuel-fired boiler or stationary, fossilfuel-fired combustion turbine serving at
any time, since the later of November
15, 1990 or the start-up of the unit’s
combustion chamber, a generator with
nameplate capacity of more than 25
MWe producing electricity for sale.
Because Louisiana was not included in
the NOX SIP Call trading program,
Louisiana does not have or need the
option of expanding the applicability
provisions of the CAIR NOX Ozone
Season Trading Program to include nonEGU NOX SIP Call sources.
D. NOX Annual and Ozone Season
Allowance Allocations
Under the NOX allowance allocation
methodology in the CAIR model trading
rules and in the CAIR FIPs’ trading
programs, NOX annual and ozone
season allowances are allocated to units
that have operated for five years, based
on heat input data from a three-year
period that are adjusted for fuel type by
using fuel factors of 1.0 for coal, 0.6 for
oil, and 0.4 for other fuels. The CAIR
model trading rules and the CAIR FIPs’
NOX Annual and Ozone Season trading
programs also provide a new unit setaside from which units without five
years of operation are allocated
allowances based on the units’ prior
year emissions.
The CAIR FIPs’ provisions provide
States with the flexibility to establish a
different NOX allowance allocation
methodology that will be used to
allocate allowances to sources in a State
if certain requirements are met
concerning the timing of submission of
units’ allocations to the Administrator
for recordation and the total amount of
allowances allocated for each control
period. In adopting alternative NOX
allowance allocation methodologies,
States have flexibility with regard to:
(1) The cost to recipients of the
allowances, which may be distributed
for free or auctioned;
(2) The frequency of allocations;
(3) The basis for allocating
allowances, which may be distributed,
for example, based on historical heat
input or electric and thermal output;
and
(4) The use of allowance set-asides
and, if used, their size.
Consistent with the flexibility given to
States in their CAIR FIPs’ provisions,
Louisiana has chosen to replace the
provisions of the Louisiana CAIR NOX
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Annual and Ozone Season FIPs
concerning the allocation of NOX annual
and ozone season allowances with its
own methodology. The LDEQ requested
assistance from the Louisiana Public
Service Commission (LPSC) to
determine the impact of CAIR
implementation on Louisiana electricity
ratepayers. Through this study and
extensive stakeholder involvement,
LDEQ developed and approved
regulations that will allocate NOX
allowances at no cost to the CAIR
subject units in Louisiana. Accordingly,
the LDEQ has approved provisions
establishing the NOX annual and ozone
season allocation methodologies at LAC
Title 33, Part III, Chapter 5, Sections 506
(A) and (B), respectively.
Section 506(A) establishes the
allocation methodology for the NOX
annual allowances. This section
replaces 40 CFR 97.141 and 97.142 as
promulgated by EPA on April 28, 2006.
All remaining provisions of the Federal
NOX Annual Trading Program at 40 CFR
Part 97, Subparts AA-HH continue to
apply to Louisiana CAIR sources.
Similarly, Section 506(B) establishes the
allocation methodology for the NOX
ozone season allowances. Section 506(b)
replaces 40 CFR 97.341 and 97.342 as
promulgated by EPA on April 28, 2006.
All remaining provisions of the Federal
NOX Ozone Season Trading Program at
40 CFR Part 97, Subparts AAAA–HHHH
continue to apply to CAIR-subject
sources in Louisiana.
The Louisiana NOX annual and ozone
season allocation methodologies are
structured identically. The CAIR units
in Louisiana are first divided into nonutility or utility unit categories. Nonutility units are those electric generating
units that have not been certified by the
LPSC or approved by a municipal
authority, a process under which the
unit is certified as being in the public
convenience and necessity. Utility units
are those units identified by the LPSC
or a municipal authority as electric
generating units that produce power for
the public convenience and necessity.
The utility unit category is further
subdivided based on number of years of
operating data before the allocation
submittal deadline to EPA. The utility
units without three years of operating
data prior to the allocation submittal
deadline to EPA are allocated
allowances as certified units. All other
utility units with three or more years of
operating data are allocated allowances
as utility units.
After determining the non-utility or
utility status of a unit, the LDEQ
proceeds with the calculation of
allowances; the non-utility unit
allocations are made first under both the
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45709
annual and ozone season trading
programs. The allocation methodology
for non-utility units is found at sections
506(A)(2)(a) and 506(B)(2)(a). For the
NOX annual trading program, the nonutility unit NOX allowances will equal
the average of the actual NOX annual
emissions of the three calendar years
immediately preceding the year in
which the allocations are submitted to
EPA. For the NOX ozone season trading
program, the non-utility unit NOX
allowances equal the average of the
actual NOX ozone season emissions of
the three calendar years immediately
preceding the year that allocations are
submitted to EPA. The actual NOX
emissions data used in both the annual
and ozone season trading programs is
the emissions inventory data reported
pursuant to LAC 33:III.919; if emissions
inventory data is not available then data
from the Acid Rain Program will be
substituted. The exception is that the
allowances submitted to EPA in 2007
will be based on emissions inventory
data from 2002, 2003, and 2004.
Once the non-utility unit allowances
have been subtracted from the total state
budget identified in sections 506(A)(2)
and (B)(2), the utility units are allocated
allowances proportionally based on heat
input data. Certified units (utility units
with less than three years of operating
data before the allocation submittal
deadline) are allocated based on
converted heat input as specified in
section 506(A)(2)(b) and 506(B)(2)(b). A
certified unit will be allocated
allowances for the control period in
which the unit will begin operation and
for each successive control period for
which no NOX allowances have been
previously allocated until three years of
operating data are available before the
allocation submittal deadline. The
converted heat input for the certified
unit is calculated from the gross
electrical output as stated in the
documentation for the LPSC or
municipal authority certification
process. Utility units (those units with
three or more years of operating data
before the allocation submittal deadline)
are allocated allowances based on the
adjusted heat input according to
sections 506(A)(2)(c) and 506(B)(2)(c).
The exception is that the allowances
submitted to EPA in 2007 will use the
average of the control period adjusted
heat input data from 2002, 2003, and
2004. The unit’s adjusted heat input is
calculated by multiplying the control
period heat input for the unit by 100
percent if the unit is coal-fired, by 60
percent if the unit is oil-fired, and by 40
percent if the unit is not coal- or oilfired. A unit’s control period heat input,
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status as coal-fired or oil-fired, and total
tons of NOX emissions during a control
period are determined in accordance
with 40 CFR Part 97 and reported
pursuant to LAC 33:III.919.
Sections 506(A)(3) and (B)(3) establish
the dates by which the LDEQ must
submit NOX annual and ozone season
allocations to EPA for recordation in
CAIR compliance accounts. No later
than April 30, 2007, the LDEQ submits
to EPA the CAIR NOX annual and ozone
season allowance allocations for the
control periods 2009, 2010, and 2011.
By October 31, 2008, for the year 2012,
and by October 31 of each year
thereafter, the LDEQ will submit to EPA
the NOX annual and ozone season
allowance allocations for the control
period in the fourth year after the year
of the applicable deadline for allocation
submission. LDEQ submitted NOX
annual and ozone season allowances for
control periods 2009, 2010, and 2011 on
April 27, 2007.
The Louisiana abbreviated SIP
revision, being proposed today, satisfies
the requirements for abbreviated SIP
allocation flexibility at 51.123(p)(1) and
(ee)(2). The provisions discussed above
ensure that the LDEQ will not allocate
more than the state budget in any given
control period and that the allocations
are submitted to EPA by the allocation
submittal deadline.
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E. Allocation of NOX Allowances from
the Compliance Supplement Pool
The CSP provides an incentive for
early reductions in NOX annual
emissions. The CSP consists of 200,000
CAIR NOX annual allowances of vintage
2009 for the entire CAIR region, and a
State’s share of the CSP is based upon
the State’s share of the projected
emission reductions under CAIR;
Louisiana’s share of the CSP is 2,251
NOX allowances. States may distribute
CSP allowances (one allowance for each
ton of early reduction) to sources that
make NOX reductions during 2007 or
2008 beyond what is required by any
applicable State or Federal emission
limitation. States also may distribute
CSP allowances based upon
ademonstration of need for an extension
of the 2009 deadline for implementing
emission controls.
The CAIR and the Louisiana CAIR
NOX Annual FIP’s provisions allocate
2,251 NOX allowances to the Louisiana
CSP (under 40 CFR 51.123 and 97.143)
and establish specific methodologies for
allocations of CSP allowances. States
may choose an allowed, alternative CSP
allocation methodology to be used to
allocate CSP allowances to sources in
those States.
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Consistent with the flexibility given to
States in the CAIR FIPs, Louisiana has
chosen not to modify the CSP allocation
methodology in the CAIR NOX annual
federal trading program. Therefore, EPA
will continue to administer the CSP
allocations pursuant to the methodology
at 40 CFR 97.143.
F. Individual Opt-In Units
The opt-in provisions of CAIR and the
States CAIR FIPs’ provisions allow for
certain non-EGUs (i.e., boilers,
combustion turbines, and other
stationary fossil-fuel-fired devices) that
do not meet the applicability criteria for
a CAIR trading program to participate
voluntarily in (i.e., opt into) the CAIR
trading programs. A non-EGU may opt
into one or more of the CAIR trading
programs. In order to qualify to opt into
a CAIR trading program, a unit must
vent all emissions through a stack and
be able to meet monitoring,
recordkeeping, and reporting
requirements of 40 CFR part 75. The
owners and operators seeking to opt a
unit into a CAIR trading program must
apply for a CAIR opt-in permit. If the
unit is issued a CAIR opt-in permit, the
unit becomes a CAIR unit, is allocated
allowances, and must meet the same
allowance holding and emissions
monitoring and reporting requirements
as other units subject to that CAIR
trading program. The opt-in provisions
provide for two methodologies for
allocating allowances for opt-in units,
one methodology that applies to opt-in
units in general and a second
methodology that allocates allowances
only to opt-in units that the owners and
operators intend to repower before
January 1, 2015.
States have several options
concerning the opt-in provisions. The
rules for each of the States’ CAIR FIPs’
trading programs include opt-in
provisions that are essentially the same
as those in the respective CAIR SIP
model rules, except that the States’
CAIR FIPs’ opt-in provisions become
effective in a State only if the State’s
abbreviated SIP revision adopts the optin provisions. The State may adopt the
opt-in provisions entirely or may adopt
them but exclude one of the allowance
allocation methodologies. The State also
has the option of not adopting any optin provisions in the abbreviated SIP
revision and thereby providing for its
CAIR FIP’s trading programs to be
implemented in the State without the
ability for units to opt into the
programs.
Consistent with the flexibility given to
States in the FIPs’ provisions, Louisiana
has chosen not to allow non-EGUs to
participate in the Louisiana CAIR FIP
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NOX Annual and Ozone Season trading
programs.
VI. What Is EPA’s Analysis of the
Section 110(a)(2)(D)(i) Requirements?
The Louisiana CAIR NOX Trading
Program abbreviated SIP revision
submitted on July 12, 2007, also
addressed the requirements of section
110(a)(2)(D)(i) of the CAA with respect
to 8-hour ozone and PM2.5. This SIP
revision contains provisions that
address significant contribution,
interference with maintenance,
prevention of significant deterioration,
and protection of visibility by following
approaches described and explained in
EPA’s August 15, 2006 memorandum,
‘‘Guidance for State Implementation
Plan (SIP) Submissions to Meet Current
Outstanding Obligations Under Section
110(a)(2)(D)(i) for the 8-Hour Ozone and
PM2.5 National Ambient Air Quality
Standards.’’
Louisiana addresses the ‘‘significant
contribution’’ and ‘‘interference with
maintenance’’ requirements by
complying with the requirements of
CAIR. EPA promulgated CAIR on May
12, 2005, and concluded that the States
will meet their section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)
obligations to address the ‘‘significant
contribution’’ and ‘‘interference with
maintenance’’ requirements by
complying with the CAIR requirements.
Louisiana has addressed these first two
elements by requiring Louisiana CAIR
sources to participate in the EPAadministered NOX annual, NOX ozone
season, and SO2 cap-and-trade
programs; Louisiana incorporated by
reference the CAIR model rules for the
SO2 Trading program and has submitted
an abbreviated SIP revision that
establishes the NOX annual and ozone
season allocation methodologies for use
in the Louisiana CAIR NOX annual and
ozone season FIP. Participation in the
NOX annual, NOX ozone season, and
SO2 trading programs will reduce
emissions from the state that would
contribute significantly to
nonattainment or interfere with the
maintenance of the ozone and
particulate matter NAAQS in any
downwind state.
Louisiana addresses the ‘‘prevention
of significant deterioration’’ requirement
through their Prevention of Significant
Deterioration (PSD) and New Source
Review (NSR) programs. Section
110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II) requires States to
submit SIPs that contain adequate
provisions prohibiting ‘‘any source or
other type of emission activity within
the State from emitting any air pollutant
in amounts which will * * * interfere
with measures required to be included
in the applicable implementation plan
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for any other State * * * to prevent
significant deterioration of air quality.’’
For ozone, Louisiana has confirmed
that major sources in Louisiana are
subject to the approved PSD and NSR
programs that implement the ozone
standard. Additionally, Louisiana has
promulgated rule revisions to address
requirements of the Phase II Ozone
Rule, and this rule is included in the
State’s 2006 General SIP revisions
proposed on April 20, 2007. For PM2.5
standards, Louisiana has confirmed that
major sources in Louisiana are subject to
the approved PSD and NSR programs
implemented in accordance with EPA’s
interim guidance which allows the use
of PM10 as a surrogate for PM2.5 in the
PSD and NSR programs.
Louisiana addresses the ‘‘protection of
visibility’’ requirement through the
regional haze program. Section
110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II) contains a requirement
for all States to submit SIPs that contain
adequate provisions prohibiting ‘‘any
source or other type of emission activity
within the State from emitting any air
pollutant in amounts which will * * *
interfere with measures required to be
included in the applicable
implementation plan for any other State
* * * to protect visibility.’’
EPA has previously found that all
States contain sources whose emissions
are reasonably anticipated to impact
visibility adversely in one or more Class
I areas. Pursuant to this finding, States
are currently under an obligation to
submit SIPs that contain measures to
address regional haze, including a longterm strategy to address visibility
impairment for each Class I area which
may be affected by emissions from a
State. The States and Regional Planning
Organizations are currently engaged in
the task of identifying those Class I areas
impacted by each State’s emissions and
developing strategies for addressing
regional haze to be included in the
States’ regional haze SIPs. These SIP
submissions are due no later than
December 17, 2007. Louisiana intends to
submit a regional haze SIP by the
submittal deadline to satisfy its
obligation to ‘‘protect visibility’’ under
section 110(a)(2)(D)(i).
As a result, EPA believes that it is
currently premature to determine
whether State SIPs for 8-hour ozone or
PM2.5 contain adequate provisions to
prohibit emissions that interfere with
SIP measures in other States designed to
protect visibility. Accordingly, EPA
believes that Louisiana does not need to
make a substantive SIP submission to
address the ‘‘protect visibility’’
requirement of section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II)
for the 8-hour ozone and PM2.5 NAAQS
at this point in time.
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VII. Proposed Action
EPA is proposing to approve a
revision to the Louisiana SIP, the
Louisiana CAIR NOX Trading Programs
Abbreviated SIP revision, submitted on
July 12, 2007, by the State of Louisiana
(LAC 33:III.506(A) and (B)). We are also
proposing to approve revisions to the
Louisiana SIP establishing
administrative reporting requirements
for all Louisiana CAIR programs; these
revisions were submitted with the
Louisiana CAIR SO2 Trading Program
on September 22, 2006 (LAC
33:III.506(D) and (E)). Louisiana is
covered by the CAIR NOX Annual and
Ozone Season FIPs, which require
participation in the EPA-administered
CAIR FIP cap-and-trade programs for
NOX annual and ozone emissions.
Under this abbreviated SIP revision and
consistent with the flexibility given to
Louisiana in its CAIR NOX Annual and
Ozone Season FIPs’ provisions, the
Louisiana provisions for allocating
allowances under the Louisiana CAIR
FIPs’ NOX annual and ozone season
trading program are proposed as part of
the Louisiana SIP. EPA has determined
that the abbreviated SIP revision meets
the applicable requirements in 40 CFR
51.123(p)(1) and (ee)(2) with regard to
NOX annual and ozone season
allowance allocations. EPA is not
proposing any changes to the Louisiana
CAIR NOX Annual and Ozone Season
FIPs’ provisions, except to the extent
that if we finalize the proposed
Louisiana CAIR NOX Trading Programs
abbreviated SIP, then EPA, by
ministerial action, will note in
Appendix A.1. to Subpart EE of 40 CFR
Part 97, that Louisiana has an approved
SIP revision providing for NOX annual
allowance allocations. Similarly, EPA
will note in Appendix A to Subpart
EEEE of 40 CFR Part 97, that Louisiana
has an approved SIP revision providing
for NOX ozone season allowance
allocations. Since 40 CFR part 97
provides for automatic revision of the
Louisiana CAIR FIP for NOX annual and
ozone season emissions (under 40 CFR
52.984) upon approval of such an
abbreviated SIP revision, the Louisiana
rules for NOX annual and ozone season
allowance allocations would apply,
rather than the Federal rules governing
allocations, upon the effective date of
approval.
EPA is also proposing that this
revision adequately addresses the
required elements of 110(a)(2)(D)(i),
with the exception of the protect
visibility requirement. This requirement
will be re-evaluated after the regional
haze SIP revision is completed and
submitted to EPA.
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45711
VIII. 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 and because this
action will not have a significant,
adverse effect on the supply,
distribution, or use of energy, 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 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 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
proposed 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
indicates that approval will result in
ministerial changes to the appropriate
appendices of the CAIR FIP’s trading
rules, and does not alter the relationship
or the distribution of power and
responsibilities established in the Act.
The EPA interprets Executive Order
13045, ‘‘Protection of Children from
Environmental Health Risks and Safety
Risks’’ (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997), as
applying only to those regulatory
actions that concern health or safety
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risks such that the analysis required
under section 5–501 of the Executive
Order has the potential to influence the
regulation. This proposed rule is not
subject to Executive Order 13045
because it would approve a state rule
implementing a Federal standard.
Executive Order 12898 (59 FR 7629,
February 16, 1994) establishes federal
executive policy on environmental
justice. Because this proposed rule
merely approves a state rule
implementing a Federal standard, EPA
lacks the discretionary authority to
modify today’s regulatory decision on
the basis of environmental justice
considerations.
In reviewing SIP submissions, EPA’s
role is to approve state choices,
provided that they meet the criteria of
the 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 Act. Thus, the requirements of
section 12(d) of the National
Technology Transfer and Advancement
Act of 1995 (1 5 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.).
List of Subjects
40 CFR Part 52
Environmental protection, Air
pollution control, Intergovernmental
relations, Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone,
Particulate matter, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements, Sulfur
oxides.
40 CFR Part 97
Environmental protection, Air
pollution control, Administrative
practice and procedure,
Intergovernmental relations, Nitrogen
oxides, Ozone, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements.
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Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
Dated: August 7, 2007.
Richard E. Greene,
Regional Administrator, EPA Region 6.
[FR Doc. E7–16044 Filed 8–14–07; 8:45 am]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 271
[FRL–8455–4]
Arkansas: Final Authorization of State
Hazardous Waste Management
Program Revisions
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Proposed rule.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The State of Arkansas has
applied to EPA for Final Authorization
of changes to its hazardous waste
program under the Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).
EPA proposes to grant Final
Authorization to the State of Arkansas.
In the ‘‘Rules and Regulations’’ section
of this Federal Register, EPA is
authorizing the changes by an
immediate final rule. EPA did not make
a proposal prior to the immediate final
rule because we believe this action is
not controversial and do not expect
comments that oppose it. We have
explained the reasons for this
authorization in the preamble to the
immediate final rule. Unless we get
written comments which oppose this
authorization during the comment
period, the immediate final rule will
become effective on the date it
establishes, and we will not take further
action on this proposal. If we receive
comments that oppose this action, we
will withdraw the immediate final rule
and it will not take effect. We will then
respond to public comments in a later
final rule based on this proposal. You
may not have another opportunity for
comment. If you want to comment on
this action, you must do so at this time.
DATES: Send your written comments by
September 14, 2007.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments to
Alima Patterson, Region 6, Regional
Authorization Coordinator (6PD–O),
Multimedia Planning and Permitting
Division, at the address shown below.
You can examine copies of the materials
submitted by the State of Arkansas
during normal business hours at the
following locations: EPA, Region 6,
1445 Ross Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75202–
2733, phone number (214) 665–8533;
Arkansas Department of Environmental
Quality 8101 Interstate 30, Little Rock,
Arkansas 72219–8913, (501) 682–0876.
Comments may also be submitted
electronically or through hand delivery/
courier; please follow the detailed
instructions in the ADDRESSES section of
the immediate final rule which is
located in the Rules section of this
Federal Register.
PO 00000
Frm 00014
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Alima Patterson (214) 665–8533.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: For
additional information, please see the
immediate final rule published in the
‘‘Rules and Regulations’’ section of this
Federal Register.
Dated: July 25, 2007.
Lawrence E. Starfield,
Acting Regional Administrator, Region 6.
[FR Doc. E7–16012 Filed 8–14–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS
COMMISSION
47 CFR Part 73
[MM Docket No. 99–325; FCC 07–33]
Digital Audio Broadcasting Systems
and Their Impact on the Terrestrial
Radio Broadcast Service
Federal Communications
Commission.
ACTION: Proposed rule.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: In this document, the
Commission proposes rules to address
issues that were left unresolved in the
Commission’s Second Report and
Order, FCC 07–33. Specifically, the
Commission seeks comment on how to
ensure that the amount of subscriptionbased radio service is limited, whether
the Commission can and should impose
spectrum fees on portions of the digital
bandwidth used by broadcasters to
provide subscription services, whether
statutory requirements and subscription
regulations should apply to
subscription-based services, whether
any new public interest requirements
should be imposed on digital audio
broadcasters, whether enhanced public
disclosure rules should apply to radio
stations, and whether the rules
regarding unattended stations should be
reviewed and modified.
DATES: Comments for this proceeding
are due on or before October 15, 2007;
reply comments are due on or before
November 13, 2007.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments,
identified by MM Docket No. 99–325, by
any of the following methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://
www.regulations.gov. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments.
• Federal Communications
Commission’s Web site: https://
www.fcc.gov/cgb/ecfs/. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments.
• People With Disabilities: Contact
the FCC to request reasonable
accommodations (accessible format
E:\FR\FM\15AUP1.SGM
15AUP1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 157 (Wednesday, August 15, 2007)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 45705-45712]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-16044]
=======================================================================
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Parts 52 and 97
[EPA-R06-OAR-2007-0651; FRL-8455-1]
Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; Louisiana;
Clean Air Interstate Rule Nitrogen Oxides Trading Programs
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Proposed rule.
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SUMMARY: EPA is proposing to approve a revision to the Louisiana State
Implementation Plan (SIP) submitted by the State of Louisiana on July
12, 2007, as the Louisiana Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) Nitrogen
Oxides (NOX) Trading Programs abbreviated SIP. We are
proposing to approve Louisiana's CAIR NOX Annual and Ozone
Season Abbreviated SIP revision in parallel with the Louisiana
Department of Environmental Quality's (LDEQ) rulemaking activities
(``parallel processing''). The abbreviated SIP revision includes the
Louisiana methodology for allocation of annual and ozone season
NOX allowances. EPA is proposing to determine that the
Louisiana CAIR NOX Trading Programs abbreviated SIP revision
satisfies the applicable requirements of a CAIR abbreviated SIP
revision. EPA is also proposing to approve revisions to the Louisiana
SIP that establish administrative reporting requirements for all
Louisiana CAIR programs; these revisions were submitted on September
22, 2006, as part of the Louisiana CAIR Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)
Trading Program SIP. EPA is also proposing that the Louisiana CAIR
NOX Annual and Ozone Season Abbreviated SIP will satisfy
Louisiana's Clean Air Act (CAA) Section 110(a)(2)(D)(i) obligations to
submit a SIP revision that contains adequate provisions to prohibit air
emissions from adversely affecting another State's air quality through
interstate transport.
The intended effect of this action is to reduce NOX
emissions from the State of Louisiana that are contributing to
nonattainment of the 8-hour ozone and PM2.5 National Ambient
Air Quality Standards (NAAQS or standard) in downwind states. This
action is being taken under section 110 of the CAA.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before September 14, 2007.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-R06-
OAR-2007-0651, by one of the following methods:
(1) www.regulations.gov: Follow the on-line instructions for
submitting comments.
(2) E-mail: Mr. Jeff Robinson at robinson.jeffrey@epa.gov. Please
also cc the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
paragraph below.
(3) 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.
(4) Fax: Mr. Jeff Robinson, Chief, Air Permits Section (6PD-R), at
fax number 214-665-6762.
(5) Mail: Mr. Jeff Robinson, Chief, Air Permits Section (6PD-R),
Environmental Protection Agency, 1445 Ross Avenue, Suite 1200, Dallas,
Texas 75202-2733.
(6) Hand or Courier Delivery: Mr. Jeff Robinson, Chief, Air Permits
Section (6PD-R), Environmental Protection Agency, 1445 Ross Avenue,
Suite 1200, Dallas, Texas 75202-2733. Such deliveries are accepted only
between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. weekdays except for legal
holidays. Special arrangements should be made for deliveries of boxed
information.
Instructions: Direct your comments to Docket ID No. EPA-R06-OAR-
2007-0651. 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.regulations.gov, 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 https://www.regulations.gov or e-mail, if you believe that it is
CBI or otherwise protected from disclosure. The https://
www.regulations.gov Web site is an ``anonymous access'' system, which
means that 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 https://
www.regulations.gov, your e-mail address will be automatically captured
and included as part of the comment that is placed in the public docket
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 along with any disk or CD-ROM
submitted. 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 and any form of encryption and should be free of any
defects or viruses. For additional information about EPA's public
docket, visit the EPA Docket Center homepage at https://www.epa.gov/
epahome/dockets.htm.
Docket: All documents in the docket are listed in the https://
www.regulations.gov index. Although listed in the index, some
information is not publicly available, e.g., CBI or other information
the disclosure of which is restricted by statute. Certain other
material, such as copyrighted material, will be publicly available only
in hard copy. Publicly available docket materials are available either
electronically in https://www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at the Air
Permits Section (6PD-R), 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 to make an appointment. If
possible, please make the appointment at least two working days in
advance of your visit. A 15 cent per page fee will be charged for
making photocopies of documents. On the day of the visit, please check
in at the EPA Region 6 reception area on the seventh
[[Page 45706]]
floor at 1445 Ross Avenue, Suite 700, Dallas, Texas.
The State submittal related to this SIP revision, and which is part
of the EPA docket, is also available for public inspection at the State
Air Agency listed below during official business hours by appointment:
Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, Office of
Environmental Quality Assessment, 602 N. Fifth Street, Baton Rouge,
Louisiana 70802.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions concerning
today's proposal, please contact Ms. Adina Wiley (6PD-R), Air Permits
Section, Environmental Protection Agency, Region 6, 1445 Ross Avenue
(6PD-R), Suite 1200, Dallas, TX 75202-2733. The telephone number is
(214) 665-2115. Ms. Wiley can also be reached via electronic mail at
wiley.adina@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Throughout this document, wherever any
reference to ``we,'' ``us,'' or ``our'' is used, we mean EPA.
Table of Contents
I. What Action Is EPA Proposing?
II. What Is the Regulatory History of CAIR and the CAIR FIP?
III. What Are the General Requirements of CAIR and the CAIR FIP?
IV. What Are the Types of CAIR SIP Submittals?
V. What Is EPA's Analysis of Louisiana's CAIR NOX Annual
and Ozone Season Abbreviated SIP Revision?
A. State Budgets for NOX Annual and Ozone Season
Allowance Allocations
B. CAIR NOX Annual and Ozone Season Cap-and-Trade
Programs
C. Applicability Provisions for Non-EGU NOX SIP Call
Sources
D. NOX Annual and Ozone Season Allowance Allocations
E. Allocation of NOX Allowances From the Compliance
Supplement Pool
F. Individual Opt-In Units
VI. What Is EPA's Analysis of the Section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)
Requirements?
VII. Proposed Action
VIII. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
I. What Action Is EPA Proposing?
On July 12, 2007, the State of Louisiana requested that EPA
parallel process an abbreviated revision to the Louisiana SIP in
conjunction with the LDEQ's rulemaking activities. The SIP revision
consists of new regulations that establish the NOX annual
and ozone season allocation methodologies that are to be used instead
of the Federal allocations in the Louisiana CAIR NOX Annual
and Ozone Season Federal Implementation Plans (FIP). The affected state
regulations that we are proposing to approve today as part of the
Louisiana CAIR NOX Trading Programs abbreviated SIP are
enacted at Louisiana Administrative Code, Title 33, Part III, Chapter
5, Sections 506(A) and (B) (LAC 33:III.506(A) and (B)). EPA is
proposing to determine that the Louisiana CAIR NOX Trading
Programs abbreviated SIP revision satisfies the applicable requirements
of a CAIR abbreviated SIP revision at 40 CFR 51.123(p)(1) and (ee)(2).
We are also at this time proposing to approve revisions to the
Louisiana SIP at LAC 33:III.506 (D) and (E), submitted September 22,
2006, that establish administrative reporting requirements germane to
all Louisiana CAIR programs. We had deferred action on these
subsections in the Louisiana CAIR SO2 rulemaking until we
had the opportunity to review and act upon the Louisiana CAIR
NOX programs (see 72 FR 39741).
The provisions of the Louisiana CAIR NOX Annual and
Ozone Season FIP at 40 CFR 52.984 require owners or operators of
NOX sources located in Louisiana to meet the Federal
NOX annual and ozone season trading programs found at 40 CFR
part 97. These Federal trading programs' rules include provisions at 40
CFR 97.144(a) and 97.343(a) that if EPA approves the Louisiana
abbreviated SIP revision for NOX annual and ozone season
allocation methodologies, then the Federal NOX annual and
ozone season allocation methodologies no longer apply. If EPA approves
the Louisiana NOX annual and ozone season allocation
methodologies into the Louisiana SIP, then EPA under 40 CFR 52.984,
97.144(a), and 97.343(a) will not make allocations for the CAIR
NOX sources in Louisiana; the LDEQ will allocate
NOX annual and ozone season allowances using the Louisiana
SIP rules.
Consequently, if EPA approves the Louisiana abbreviated SIP
revision, EPA is not required to take any rulemaking action to change
the Federal CAIR NOX Annual and Ozone Season trading
programs in 40 CFR part 97 or to change the Louisiana CAIR FIP for
NOX annual and ozone season emissions in 40 CFR 52.984.
Rather EPA, by ministerial action, will note in Appendix A.1. to
Subpart EE of 40 CFR Part 97, that Louisiana has an approved SIP
revision for NOX annual allowances. Similarly, EPA will note
in Appendix A to Subpart EEEE of 40 CFR Part 97, that Louisiana has an
approved SIP revision for NOX ozone season allowances. Since
the Federal CAIR NOX Annual and Ozone Season trading
programs' rules provide for automatic revision of the Louisiana CAIR
FIP for NOX annual and ozone season emissions upon approval
of such an abbreviated SIP revision, the Louisiana rules for
NOX annual and ozone season allowance allocations would
apply, rather than the Federal rules governing allocations, upon the
effective date of approval.
In addition, EPA is also proposing to approve a revision to
Louisiana's SIP to address the ``good neighbor'' provisions of section
110(a)(2)(D)(i) of the CAA. This section of the Act requires each State
to submit a SIP that prohibits emissions that could adversely affect
another State. The SIP must prevent sources in the State from emitting
pollutants in amounts which will: (1) Contribute significantly to
downwind nonattainment of the national ambient air quality standards
(NAAQS), (2) interfere with maintenance of the NAAQS, (3) interfere
with provisions to prevent significant deterioration of air quality,
and (4) interfere with efforts to protect visibility.
Why are we ``parallel processing'' and how does it work?
The Louisiana CAIR NOX Annual and Ozone Season FIP
includes a NOX allowance recordation deadline of September
30, 2007, at 40 CFR 97.153 and 97.353. As explained in the preamble of
our April 28, 2006, promulgation of the CAIR FIPs, EPA will only record
State allowance allocations if EPA has approved a full or abbreviated
SIP for the State which specifies the allocation methodology (see 71 FR
25354). The State of Louisiana requested parallel processing of the
Louisiana CAIR NOX Trading Program Abbreviated SIP revision
to expedite federal approval of the Louisiana NOX annual and
ozone season allocation methodology.
In order to expedite review, approval of this revision is being
proposed under a procedure called ``parallel processing'' whereby EPA
proposes rulemaking action concurrently with the State's procedures for
amending its regulations (40 CFR part 51, Appendix V, section 2.3). If
the State's proposed revision is substantially changed, EPA will
evaluate those subsequent changes and may publish another notice of
proposed rulemaking. If no substantial changes are made, EPA will
publish a final rulemaking on the revisions after responding to any
submitted comments. Final rulemaking action by EPA will occur only
after the SIP revision has been fully adopted by Louisiana and
submitted formally to EPA for incorporation into the SIP. In addition,
any action by the State resulting in undue delay in the adoption of the
rules may results in a re-proposal altering the approvability of the
SIP revision.
[[Page 45707]]
II. What Is the Regulatory History of CAIR and the CAIR FIP?
EPA promulgated the CAIR on May 12, 2005 (70 FR 25162). In this
rule, EPA determined that 28 States and the District of Columbia
contribute significantly to nonattainment and interfere with
maintenance of the national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for
fine particles (PM2.5) and /or 8-hour ozone in downwind
States in the eastern part of the country. As a result, EPA required
those upwind States to revise their SIPs to include control measures
that reduce emissions of SO2, which is a precursor to
PM2.5 formation, and/or NOX, which is a precursor
to both ozone and PM2.5 formation. For jurisdictions that
contribute significantly to downwind PM2.5 nonattainment,
CAIR sets annual State-wide emission reduction requirements (i.e.,
budgets) for SO2 and annual State-wide emission reduction
requirements for NOX. Similarly, for jurisdictions that
contribute significantly to 8-hour ozone nonattainment, CAIR sets
statewide emission reduction requirements for NOX for the
ozone season (defined at 40 CFR 97.302 as May 1st to September 30th).
Under CAIR, States may implement these emission budgets by
participating in the EPA-administered cap-and-trade programs or by
adopting and submitting for EPA approval any other control measures.
EPA found that Louisiana significantly contributed to nonattainment
of the 8-hour ozone standard in Texas and the PM2.5 standard
in Alabama, resulting in Louisiana being subject to the SO2,
NOX annual, and NOX ozone season requirements of
CAIR. Louisiana submitted a SIP revision addressing the SO2
requirements of CAIR on September 22, 2006. We approved this SIP
revision through a direct final action on July 20, 2007 (72 FR
39741).\1\ Today we are proposing to approve the abbreviated SIP
revision addressing the Louisiana NOX annual and ozone
season requirements of CAIR with this rulemaking. There are no punitive
consequences for Louisiana failing to submit SO2,
NOX Annual, and NOX Ozone Season CAIR SIPs.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Louisiana is subject to the CAIR SO2 Federal
Implementation Plan at 40 CFR 52.985 until EPA's final action
becomes effective on the Louisiana CAIR SO2 Trading
Program SIP revision. If no adverse comments are received on our
direct final action by August 20, 2007, the Louisiana CAIR
SO2 Trading Program will be effective on September 18,
2007. We are not accepting comments on the Louisiana CAIR
SO2 Trading Program in this action; if you would like to
comment on the Louisiana CAIR SO2 Trading Program please
follow the instructions at 72 FR 39741, Docket ID No. EPA-06-OAR-
2006-0849.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
CAIR sets forth what must be included in SIPs to address the
requirements of section 110(a)(2)(D) of the Act with regard to
interstate transport for the 8-hour ozone and PM2.5 NAAQS.
EPA made national findings (70 FR 21147), effective May 25, 2005, that
the affected States had failed to submit SIPs meeting the requirements
of section 110(a)(2)(D). The SIPs were due in July 2000, 3 years after
the promulgation of the 8-hour ozone and PM2.5 NAAQS. These
May 25, 2005, findings started a 2-year clock for EPA to promulgate a
FIP to address the requirements of section 110(a)(2)(D), including the
``good neighbor provision'' at section 110(a)(2)(D)(i) which applies to
interstate transport of certain emissions. Under CAA section 110(c)(1),
EPA may issue a FIP anytime after such findings are made and must do so
within two years unless a SIP revision correcting the deficiency is
approved by EPA before the FIP is promulgated. On August 15, 2006, EPA
issued guidance for SIP submissions that states should use to address
the requirements of section 110(a)(2)(D)(i) for the 8-hour ozone and
PM2.5 NAAQS.
On April 28, 2006, EPA promulgated FIPs for all States covered by
CAIR in order to ensure the emissions reductions required by CAIR are
achieved on schedule. See 40 CFR 52.35 and 52.36. Each CAIR State is
subject to the FIP until the State fully adopts, and EPA approves, a
SIP revision meeting the requirements of CAIR. The CAIR FIPs require
certain EGUs to participate in the EPA-administered CAIR
SO2, NOX Annual, and NOX Ozone Season
trading programs, as appropriate, found at 40 CFR part 97. The CAIR
FIPs' SO2, NOX Annual, and NOX Ozone
Season trading programs impose essentially the same requirements as,
and are integrated with, the respective CAIR SIP trading programs. The
integration of the CAIR FIP and SIP trading programs means that these
trading programs will work together to create effectively a single
trading program for each regulated pollutant (SO2,
NOX annual, and NOX ozone season) in all States
covered by the CAIR FIPs' or SIPs' trading program for that pollutant.
The CAIR FIPs also allow States to submit abbreviated SIP revisions
that, if approved by EPA, will automatically replace or supplement the
corresponding CAIR FIP provisions (e.g., the methodology for allocating
NOX allowances to sources in the state), while the CAIR FIPs
remain in place for all other provisions. See 40 CFR 51.123(p)(1)-(3)
and (ee)(1)-(3), 71 FR 25328 and 25339 (April 28, 2006).
On April 28, 2006, EPA published two more CAIR-related final rules
that added the States of Delaware and New Jersey to the list of States
subject to CAIR for PM2.5 and announced EPA's final
decisions on reconsideration of five issues without making any
substantive changes to the CAIR requirements. On December 13, 2006, EPA
published minor, non-substantive revisions that serve to clarify CAIR
and the CAIR FIP.
III. What Are the General Requirements of CAIR and the CAIR FIP?
CAIR establishes State-wide emission budgets for SO2 and
NOX and is to be implemented in two phases. The first phase
of NOX reductions starts in 2009 and continues through 2014,
while the first phase of SO2 reductions starts in 2010 and
continues through 2014. The second phase of reductions for both
NOX and SO2 starts in 2015 and continues
thereafter. CAIR requires States to implement the budgets by either:
(1) Requiring EGUs to participate in the EPA-administered cap-and-trade
programs: or, (2) adopting other control measures of the State's
choosing and demonstrating that such control measures will result in
compliance with the applicable State SO2 and NOX
budgets.
The May 12, 2005, and April 28, 2006, CAIR rules provide model
rules that States must adopt (with certain limited changes, if desired)
if they want to participate in the EPA-administered trading programs.
The December 13, 2006, revisions to CAIR and the CAIR FIPs were non-
substantive and, therefore, do not affect EPA's evaluation of a State's
SIP revision.
With two exceptions, only States that choose to meet the
requirements of CAIR through methods that exclusively regulate EGUs are
allowed to participate in the EPA-administered trading programs. One
exception is for States that adopt the opt-in provisions of the model
rules to allow non-EGUs individually to opt into the EPA-administered
trading programs. The other exception is for States that include all
non-EGUs from their NOX SIP Call trading programs in their
CAIR NOX ozone season trading programs. Louisiana was not
subject to the NOX SIP Call; therefore, the second exception
is not applicable.
IV. What Are the Types of CAIR SIP Submittals?
States have the flexibility to choose the type of control measures
they will use to meet the requirements of CAIR. EPA anticipates that
most States will choose to meet the CAIR requirements
[[Page 45708]]
by selecting an option that requires EGUs to participate in the EPA-
administered CAIR cap-and-trade programs. For such States, EPA has
provided two approaches for submitting and obtaining approval for CAIR
SIP revisions. States may submit full SIP revisions that adopt the
model CAIR cap-and-trade rules. If approved, these SIP revisions will
fully replace the CAIR FIPs. Alternatively, States may submit
abbreviated SIP revisions. The provisions in the abbreviated SIP
revision, if approved into a State's SIP, will not replace that State's
CAIR FIP; however, the requirements for the CAIR FIPs at 40 CFR part 52
incorporate the provisions of the Federal CAIR trading programs in 40
CFR part 97. The Federal CAIR trading programs in 40 CFR part 97
provide that whenever EPA approves an abbreviated SIP revision, the
provisions in the abbreviated SIP revision will be used in place of or
in conjunction with, as appropriate, the corresponding provisions in 40
CFR part 97 of the State's CAIR FIP (e.g., the NOX allowance
allocation methodology).
A State submitting an abbreviated SIP revision, may submit limited
SIP revisions to tailor the CAIR FIP's cap-and-trade programs to the
state submitting the revision. An abbreviated SIP revision may
establish certain applicability and allowance allocation provisions
instead of or in conjunction with the corresponding provisions in the
CAIR FIP's rules in that State. Specifically, an abbreviated SIP
revision may:
(1) Include NOX SIP Call trading sources that are not
EGUs under CAIR in the CAIR FIP's NOX Ozone Season trading
program;
(2) Provide for allocation of NOX annual or ozone season
allowances by the State, rather than the Administrator, and using a
methodology chosen by the State;
(3) Provide for allocation of NOX annual allowances from
the CSP by the State, rather than by the Administrator, and using the
State's choice of allowed, alternative methodologies; or
(4) Allow units that are not otherwise CAIR units to opt
individually into the CAIR FIP's cap-and-trade programs under the opt-
in provisions in the CAIR FIP's rules.
With approval of an abbreviated SIP revision, the State's CAIR FIP
remains in place, as tailored to sources in that State by the approved
SIP revision.
Abbreviated SIP revisions can be submitted in lieu of, or as part
of, CAIR full SIP revisions. States may want to designate part of their
full SIP as an abbreviated SIP for EPA to act on first when the timing
of the State's submission might not provide EPA with sufficient time to
approve the full SIP prior to the deadline for recording NOX
allocations. This will help ensure that the elements of the trading
programs where flexibility is allowed are implemented according to the
State's decisions. Submission of an abbreviated SIP revision does not
preclude future submission of a CAIR full SIP revision. In this case,
Louisiana submitted an abbreviated SIP revision that addresses the
allocation methodology for the NOX Annual and Ozone Season
programs. Louisiana previously submitted a full SIP revision to address
the SO2 requirements of CAIR.
V. What Is EPA's Analysis of Louisiana's CAIR NOX Annual and
Ozone Season Abbreviated SIP Revision?
A. State Budgets for NOX Annual and Ozone Season Allowance Allocations
The CAIR NOX annual and ozone season budgets for
Louisiana were developed from historical heat input data for EGUs.
Using these data, EPA calculated annual and ozone season regional heat
input values, which were multiplied by 0.15 lb/mmBtu, for phase 1, and
0.125 lb/mmBtu, for phase 2, to obtain regional NOX budgets
for 2009-2014 and for 2015 and thereafter, respectively. EPA derived
the Louisiana NOX annual and ozone season budgets from the
regional budgets using Louisiana heat input data adjusted by fuel
factors.
The CAIR SIP requirements and the Louisiana CAIR NOX
Annual FIP establish the NOX annual budgets for Louisiana as
35,512 tons of NOX annual emissions for 2009-2014 and 29,593
tons of NOX annual emissions in 2015 and thereafter.
Louisiana's submitted rules at LAC 33:III.506(A)(2) establish that the
total amount of NOX annual allowances allocated per control
period shall not exceed the CAIR NOX annual budget at 40 CFR
97.140. Therefore, the annual budgets as listed in 40 CFR 51.123 and
97.140 (35,512 tons in 2009-2014 and 29,593 tons in 2015 and
thereafter) continue to apply.
The CAIR SIP requirements and the Louisiana CAIR NOX
Ozone Season FIP establish the NOX ozone season budgets for
Louisiana as 17,085 tons of NOX ozone season emissions for
2009-2014 and 14,238 tons of NOX ozone season emissions in
2015 and thereafter. Louisiana's rules at LAC 33:III.506(B)(2)
establish that the total amount of NOX ozone season
allowances allocated per control period shall not exceed the CAIR
NOX ozone season budget at 40 CFR 97.340. Therefore the
ozone season budgets as listed in 40 CFR 51.123 and 97.340 (17,085 tons
in 2009-2014 and 14,238 tons in 2015 and thereafter) continue to apply.
The Louisiana abbreviated SIP revision, being proposed today, does
not affect the budgets for the NOX annual and ozone season
programs. These budgets are total amounts of allowances available for
allocation for each year under the EPA-administered cap-and-trade
programs under the Louisiana CAIR NOX Annual and Ozone
Season FIPs. In short, the Louisiana abbreviated SIP revision only
affects allocations of NOX annual and ozone season
allowances under the established budgets.
B. CAIR NOX Annual and Ozone Season Cap-and-Trade Programs
The CAIR NOX Annual and Ozone Season FIPs for the States
largely mirror the structure of the NOX SIP Call model-
trading rule in 40 CFR part 96 subparts A through I. While the
provisions of the NOX Annual and Ozone Season FIPs are
similar, there are some differences. For example, the NOX
Annual FIPs provide for a compliance supplement pool (CSP), which is
discussed below and under which allowances may be awarded for early
reductions of NOX annual emissions.
EPA used the CAIR model trading rules as the basis for the
SO2, NOX annual, and NOX ozone season
trading programs incorporated by reference into the States' CAIR FIPs.
The CAIR FIPs' trading programs' rules are virtually identical to the
CAIR model trading rules, with changes made to account for federal
rather than state implementation. The CAIR model SO2,
NOX annual trading, and NOX ozone season trading
rules and the respective CAIR FIPs' trading programs are designed to
work together as integrated SO2, NOX annual, and
NOX ozone season trading programs.
Louisiana is subject to the CAIR FIPs for 8-hour ozone and
PM2.5. These CAIR FIPs for Louisiana, at 40 CFR 52.984 and
52.985, require owners or operators of each NOX and
SO2 CAIR source located in Louisiana to meet the
requirements of the Federal CAIR NOX Annual, NOX
Ozone Season, and SO2 trading programs in 40 CFR part 97.
Consistent with the flexibility given to States, States may submit
abbreviated SIP revisions that will replace or supplement, as
appropriate, certain provisions of its CAIR FIPs' trading programs. The
July 12, 2007, submission from Louisiana is such an abbreviated SIP
revision and is for the NOX annual and ozone season trading
programs. Louisiana submitted a full SIP revision
[[Page 45709]]
for the SO2 trading program on September 22, 2006.
C. Applicability Provisions for Non-EGU NOX SIP Call Sources
In general, the CAIR FIPs' trading programs apply to any
stationary, fossil-fuel-fired boiler or stationary, fossil-fuel-fired
combustion turbine serving at any time, since the later of November 15,
1990 or the start-up of the unit's combustion chamber, a generator with
nameplate capacity of more than 25 MWe producing electricity for sale.
Because Louisiana was not included in the NOX SIP Call
trading program, Louisiana does not have or need the option of
expanding the applicability provisions of the CAIR NOX Ozone
Season Trading Program to include non-EGU NOX SIP Call
sources.
D. NOX Annual and Ozone Season Allowance Allocations
Under the NOX allowance allocation methodology in the
CAIR model trading rules and in the CAIR FIPs' trading programs,
NOX annual and ozone season allowances are allocated to
units that have operated for five years, based on heat input data from
a three-year period that are adjusted for fuel type by using fuel
factors of 1.0 for coal, 0.6 for oil, and 0.4 for other fuels. The CAIR
model trading rules and the CAIR FIPs' NOX Annual and Ozone
Season trading programs also provide a new unit set-aside from which
units without five years of operation are allocated allowances based on
the units' prior year emissions.
The CAIR FIPs' provisions provide States with the flexibility to
establish a different NOX allowance allocation methodology
that will be used to allocate allowances to sources in a State if
certain requirements are met concerning the timing of submission of
units' allocations to the Administrator for recordation and the total
amount of allowances allocated for each control period. In adopting
alternative NOX allowance allocation methodologies, States
have flexibility with regard to:
(1) The cost to recipients of the allowances, which may be
distributed for free or auctioned;
(2) The frequency of allocations;
(3) The basis for allocating allowances, which may be distributed,
for example, based on historical heat input or electric and thermal
output; and
(4) The use of allowance set-asides and, if used, their size.
Consistent with the flexibility given to States in their CAIR FIPs'
provisions, Louisiana has chosen to replace the provisions of the
Louisiana CAIR NOX Annual and Ozone Season FIPs concerning
the allocation of NOX annual and ozone season allowances
with its own methodology. The LDEQ requested assistance from the
Louisiana Public Service Commission (LPSC) to determine the impact of
CAIR implementation on Louisiana electricity ratepayers. Through this
study and extensive stakeholder involvement, LDEQ developed and
approved regulations that will allocate NOX allowances at no
cost to the CAIR subject units in Louisiana. Accordingly, the LDEQ has
approved provisions establishing the NOX annual and ozone
season allocation methodologies at LAC Title 33, Part III, Chapter 5,
Sections 506 (A) and (B), respectively.
Section 506(A) establishes the allocation methodology for the
NOX annual allowances. This section replaces 40 CFR 97.141
and 97.142 as promulgated by EPA on April 28, 2006. All remaining
provisions of the Federal NOX Annual Trading Program at 40
CFR Part 97, Subparts AA-HH continue to apply to Louisiana CAIR
sources. Similarly, Section 506(B) establishes the allocation
methodology for the NOX ozone season allowances. Section
506(b) replaces 40 CFR 97.341 and 97.342 as promulgated by EPA on April
28, 2006. All remaining provisions of the Federal NOX Ozone
Season Trading Program at 40 CFR Part 97, Subparts AAAA-HHHH continue
to apply to CAIR-subject sources in Louisiana.
The Louisiana NOX annual and ozone season allocation
methodologies are structured identically. The CAIR units in Louisiana
are first divided into non-utility or utility unit categories. Non-
utility units are those electric generating units that have not been
certified by the LPSC or approved by a municipal authority, a process
under which the unit is certified as being in the public convenience
and necessity. Utility units are those units identified by the LPSC or
a municipal authority as electric generating units that produce power
for the public convenience and necessity. The utility unit category is
further subdivided based on number of years of operating data before
the allocation submittal deadline to EPA. The utility units without
three years of operating data prior to the allocation submittal
deadline to EPA are allocated allowances as certified units. All other
utility units with three or more years of operating data are allocated
allowances as utility units.
After determining the non-utility or utility status of a unit, the
LDEQ proceeds with the calculation of allowances; the non-utility unit
allocations are made first under both the annual and ozone season
trading programs. The allocation methodology for non-utility units is
found at sections 506(A)(2)(a) and 506(B)(2)(a). For the NOX
annual trading program, the non-utility unit NOX allowances
will equal the average of the actual NOX annual emissions of
the three calendar years immediately preceding the year in which the
allocations are submitted to EPA. For the NOX ozone season
trading program, the non-utility unit NOX allowances equal
the average of the actual NOX ozone season emissions of the
three calendar years immediately preceding the year that allocations
are submitted to EPA. The actual NOX emissions data used in
both the annual and ozone season trading programs is the emissions
inventory data reported pursuant to LAC 33:III.919; if emissions
inventory data is not available then data from the Acid Rain Program
will be substituted. The exception is that the allowances submitted to
EPA in 2007 will be based on emissions inventory data from 2002, 2003,
and 2004.
Once the non-utility unit allowances have been subtracted from the
total state budget identified in sections 506(A)(2) and (B)(2), the
utility units are allocated allowances proportionally based on heat
input data. Certified units (utility units with less than three years
of operating data before the allocation submittal deadline) are
allocated based on converted heat input as specified in section
506(A)(2)(b) and 506(B)(2)(b). A certified unit will be allocated
allowances for the control period in which the unit will begin
operation and for each successive control period for which no
NOX allowances have been previously allocated until three
years of operating data are available before the allocation submittal
deadline. The converted heat input for the certified unit is calculated
from the gross electrical output as stated in the documentation for the
LPSC or municipal authority certification process. Utility units (those
units with three or more years of operating data before the allocation
submittal deadline) are allocated allowances based on the adjusted heat
input according to sections 506(A)(2)(c) and 506(B)(2)(c). The
exception is that the allowances submitted to EPA in 2007 will use the
average of the control period adjusted heat input data from 2002, 2003,
and 2004. The unit's adjusted heat input is calculated by multiplying
the control period heat input for the unit by 100 percent if the unit
is coal-fired, by 60 percent if the unit is oil-fired, and by 40
percent if the unit is not coal- or oil-fired. A unit's control period
heat input,
[[Page 45710]]
status as coal-fired or oil-fired, and total tons of NOX
emissions during a control period are determined in accordance with 40
CFR Part 97 and reported pursuant to LAC 33:III.919.
Sections 506(A)(3) and (B)(3) establish the dates by which the LDEQ
must submit NOX annual and ozone season allocations to EPA
for recordation in CAIR compliance accounts. No later than April 30,
2007, the LDEQ submits to EPA the CAIR NOX annual and ozone
season allowance allocations for the control periods 2009, 2010, and
2011. By October 31, 2008, for the year 2012, and by October 31 of each
year thereafter, the LDEQ will submit to EPA the NOX annual
and ozone season allowance allocations for the control period in the
fourth year after the year of the applicable deadline for allocation
submission. LDEQ submitted NOX annual and ozone season
allowances for control periods 2009, 2010, and 2011 on April 27, 2007.
The Louisiana abbreviated SIP revision, being proposed today,
satisfies the requirements for abbreviated SIP allocation flexibility
at 51.123(p)(1) and (ee)(2). The provisions discussed above ensure that
the LDEQ will not allocate more than the state budget in any given
control period and that the allocations are submitted to EPA by the
allocation submittal deadline.
E. Allocation of NOX Allowances from the Compliance Supplement Pool
The CSP provides an incentive for early reductions in
NOX annual emissions. The CSP consists of 200,000 CAIR
NOX annual allowances of vintage 2009 for the entire CAIR
region, and a State's share of the CSP is based upon the State's share
of the projected emission reductions under CAIR; Louisiana's share of
the CSP is 2,251 NOX allowances. States may distribute CSP
allowances (one allowance for each ton of early reduction) to sources
that make NOX reductions during 2007 or 2008 beyond what is
required by any applicable State or Federal emission limitation. States
also may distribute CSP allowances based upon ademonstration of need
for an extension of the 2009 deadline for implementing emission
controls.
The CAIR and the Louisiana CAIR NOX Annual FIP's
provisions allocate 2,251 NOX allowances to the Louisiana
CSP (under 40 CFR 51.123 and 97.143) and establish specific
methodologies for allocations of CSP allowances. States may choose an
allowed, alternative CSP allocation methodology to be used to allocate
CSP allowances to sources in those States.
Consistent with the flexibility given to States in the CAIR FIPs,
Louisiana has chosen not to modify the CSP allocation methodology in
the CAIR NOX annual federal trading program. Therefore, EPA
will continue to administer the CSP allocations pursuant to the
methodology at 40 CFR 97.143.
F. Individual Opt-In Units
The opt-in provisions of CAIR and the States CAIR FIPs' provisions
allow for certain non-EGUs (i.e., boilers, combustion turbines, and
other stationary fossil-fuel-fired devices) that do not meet the
applicability criteria for a CAIR trading program to participate
voluntarily in (i.e., opt into) the CAIR trading programs. A non-EGU
may opt into one or more of the CAIR trading programs. In order to
qualify to opt into a CAIR trading program, a unit must vent all
emissions through a stack and be able to meet monitoring,
recordkeeping, and reporting requirements of 40 CFR part 75. The owners
and operators seeking to opt a unit into a CAIR trading program must
apply for a CAIR opt-in permit. If the unit is issued a CAIR opt-in
permit, the unit becomes a CAIR unit, is allocated allowances, and must
meet the same allowance holding and emissions monitoring and reporting
requirements as other units subject to that CAIR trading program. The
opt-in provisions provide for two methodologies for allocating
allowances for opt-in units, one methodology that applies to opt-in
units in general and a second methodology that allocates allowances
only to opt-in units that the owners and operators intend to repower
before January 1, 2015.
States have several options concerning the opt-in provisions. The
rules for each of the States' CAIR FIPs' trading programs include opt-
in provisions that are essentially the same as those in the respective
CAIR SIP model rules, except that the States' CAIR FIPs' opt-in
provisions become effective in a State only if the State's abbreviated
SIP revision adopts the opt-in provisions. The State may adopt the opt-
in provisions entirely or may adopt them but exclude one of the
allowance allocation methodologies. The State also has the option of
not adopting any opt-in provisions in the abbreviated SIP revision and
thereby providing for its CAIR FIP's trading programs to be implemented
in the State without the ability for units to opt into the programs.
Consistent with the flexibility given to States in the FIPs'
provisions, Louisiana has chosen not to allow non-EGUs to participate
in the Louisiana CAIR FIP NOX Annual and Ozone Season
trading programs.
VI. What Is EPA's Analysis of the Section 110(a)(2)(D)(i) Requirements?
The Louisiana CAIR NOX Trading Program abbreviated SIP
revision submitted on July 12, 2007, also addressed the requirements of
section 110(a)(2)(D)(i) of the CAA with respect to 8-hour ozone and
PM2.5. This SIP revision contains provisions that address
significant contribution, interference with maintenance, prevention of
significant deterioration, and protection of visibility by following
approaches described and explained in EPA's August 15, 2006 memorandum,
``Guidance for State Implementation Plan (SIP) Submissions to Meet
Current Outstanding Obligations Under Section 110(a)(2)(D)(i) for the
8-Hour Ozone and PM2.5 National Ambient Air Quality
Standards.''
Louisiana addresses the ``significant contribution'' and
``interference with maintenance'' requirements by complying with the
requirements of CAIR. EPA promulgated CAIR on May 12, 2005, and
concluded that the States will meet their section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)
obligations to address the ``significant contribution'' and
``interference with maintenance'' requirements by complying with the
CAIR requirements. Louisiana has addressed these first two elements by
requiring Louisiana CAIR sources to participate in the EPA-administered
NOX annual, NOX ozone season, and SO2
cap-and-trade programs; Louisiana incorporated by reference the CAIR
model rules for the SO2 Trading program and has submitted an
abbreviated SIP revision that establishes the NOX annual and
ozone season allocation methodologies for use in the Louisiana CAIR
NOX annual and ozone season FIP. Participation in the
NOX annual, NOX ozone season, and SO2
trading programs will reduce emissions from the state that would
contribute significantly to nonattainment or interfere with the
maintenance of the ozone and particulate matter NAAQS in any downwind
state.
Louisiana addresses the ``prevention of significant deterioration''
requirement through their Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD)
and New Source Review (NSR) programs. Section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II)
requires States to submit SIPs that contain adequate provisions
prohibiting ``any source or other type of emission activity within the
State from emitting any air pollutant in amounts which will * * *
interfere with measures required to be included in the applicable
implementation plan
[[Page 45711]]
for any other State * * * to prevent significant deterioration of air
quality.''
For ozone, Louisiana has confirmed that major sources in Louisiana
are subject to the approved PSD and NSR programs that implement the
ozone standard. Additionally, Louisiana has promulgated rule revisions
to address requirements of the Phase II Ozone Rule, and this rule is
included in the State's 2006 General SIP revisions proposed on April
20, 2007. For PM2.5 standards, Louisiana has confirmed that
major sources in Louisiana are subject to the approved PSD and NSR
programs implemented in accordance with EPA's interim guidance which
allows the use of PM10 as a surrogate for PM2.5
in the PSD and NSR programs.
Louisiana addresses the ``protection of visibility'' requirement
through the regional haze program. Section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II) contains
a requirement for all States to submit SIPs that contain adequate
provisions prohibiting ``any source or other type of emission activity
within the State from emitting any air pollutant in amounts which will
* * * interfere with measures required to be included in the applicable
implementation plan for any other State * * * to protect visibility.''
EPA has previously found that all States contain sources whose
emissions are reasonably anticipated to impact visibility adversely in
one or more Class I areas. Pursuant to this finding, States are
currently under an obligation to submit SIPs that contain measures to
address regional haze, including a long-term strategy to address
visibility impairment for each Class I area which may be affected by
emissions from a State. The States and Regional Planning Organizations
are currently engaged in the task of identifying those Class I areas
impacted by each State's emissions and developing strategies for
addressing regional haze to be included in the States' regional haze
SIPs. These SIP submissions are due no later than December 17, 2007.
Louisiana intends to submit a regional haze SIP by the submittal
deadline to satisfy its obligation to ``protect visibility'' under
section 110(a)(2)(D)(i).
As a result, EPA believes that it is currently premature to
determine whether State SIPs for 8-hour ozone or PM2.5
contain adequate provisions to prohibit emissions that interfere with
SIP measures in other States designed to protect visibility.
Accordingly, EPA believes that Louisiana does not need to make a
substantive SIP submission to address the ``protect visibility''
requirement of section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II) for the 8-hour ozone and
PM2.5 NAAQS at this point in time.
VII. Proposed Action
EPA is proposing to approve a revision to the Louisiana SIP, the
Louisiana CAIR NOX Trading Programs Abbreviated SIP
revision, submitted on July 12, 2007, by the State of Louisiana (LAC
33:III.506(A) and (B)). We are also proposing to approve revisions to
the Louisiana SIP establishing administrative reporting requirements
for all Louisiana CAIR programs; these revisions were submitted with
the Louisiana CAIR SO2 Trading Program on September 22, 2006
(LAC 33:III.506(D) and (E)). Louisiana is covered by the CAIR
NOX Annual and Ozone Season FIPs, which require
participation in the EPA-administered CAIR FIP cap-and-trade programs
for NOX annual and ozone emissions. Under this abbreviated
SIP revision and consistent with the flexibility given to Louisiana in
its CAIR NOX Annual and Ozone Season FIPs' provisions, the
Louisiana provisions for allocating allowances under the Louisiana CAIR
FIPs' NOX annual and ozone season trading program are
proposed as part of the Louisiana SIP. EPA has determined that the
abbreviated SIP revision meets the applicable requirements in 40 CFR
51.123(p)(1) and (ee)(2) with regard to NOX annual and ozone
season allowance allocations. EPA is not proposing any changes to the
Louisiana CAIR NOX Annual and Ozone Season FIPs' provisions,
except to the extent that if we finalize the proposed Louisiana CAIR
NOX Trading Programs abbreviated SIP, then EPA, by
ministerial action, will note in Appendix A.1. to Subpart EE of 40 CFR
Part 97, that Louisiana has an approved SIP revision providing for
NOX annual allowance allocations. Similarly, EPA will note
in Appendix A to Subpart EEEE of 40 CFR Part 97, that Louisiana has an
approved SIP revision providing for NOX ozone season
allowance allocations. Since 40 CFR part 97 provides for automatic
revision of the Louisiana CAIR FIP for NOX annual and ozone
season emissions (under 40 CFR 52.984) upon approval of such an
abbreviated SIP revision, the Louisiana rules for NOX annual
and ozone season allowance allocations would apply, rather than the
Federal rules governing allocations, upon the effective date of
approval.
EPA is also proposing that this revision adequately addresses the
required elements of 110(a)(2)(D)(i), with the exception of the protect
visibility requirement. This requirement will be re-evaluated after the
regional haze SIP revision is completed and submitted to EPA.
VIII. 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 and because this action will not have a
significant, adverse effect on the supply, distribution, or use of
energy, 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 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 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 proposed 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 indicates that approval will result in ministerial changes
to the appropriate appendices of the CAIR FIP's trading rules, and does
not alter the relationship or the distribution of power and
responsibilities established in the Act. The EPA interprets Executive
Order 13045, ``Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks
and Safety Risks'' (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997), as applying only to
those regulatory actions that concern health or safety
[[Page 45712]]
risks such that the analysis required under section 5-501 of the
Executive Order has the potential to influence the regulation. This
proposed rule is not subject to Executive Order 13045 because it would
approve a state rule implementing a Federal standard. Executive Order
12898 (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994) establishes federal executive
policy on environmental justice. Because this proposed rule merely
approves a state rule implementing a Federal standard, EPA lacks the
discretionary authority to modify today's regulatory decision on the
basis of environmental justice considerations.
In reviewing SIP submissions, EPA's role is to approve state
choices, provided that they meet the criteria of the 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 Act. Thus, the requirements of section
12(d) of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995
(1 5 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.).
List of Subjects
40 CFR Part 52
Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Intergovernmental
relations, Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone, Particulate matter, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements, Sulfur oxides.
40 CFR Part 97
Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Administrative
practice and procedure, Intergovernmental relations, Nitrogen oxides,
Ozone, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
Dated: August 7, 2007.
Richard E. Greene,
Regional Administrator, EPA Region 6.
[FR Doc. E7-16044 Filed 8-14-07; 8:45 am]
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