Final Notice of Data Availability for EGU NOX, 62238-62245 [E7-21603]
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Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) part
or section number.
iii. Explain why you agree or disagree;
suggest alternatives and substitute
language for your requested changes.
iv. Describe any assumptions and
provide any technical information and/
or data that you used.
v. If you estimate potential costs or
burdens, explain how you arrived at
your estimate in sufficient detail to
allow for it to be reproduced.
vi. Provide specific examples to
illustrate your concerns and suggest
alternatives.
vii. Explain your views as clearly as
possible, avoiding the use of profanity
or personal threats.
viii. Make sure to submit your
comments by the comment period
deadline identified.
II. Docket ID Numbers
When submitting comments, please
use the docket ID number and the
pesticide petition number of interest, as
shown in the table.
Docket ID Number
PP 7F7236
EPA–HQ–OPP–2007–1020
PP 7F7254
EPA–HQ–OPP–2007–0830
PP 7F7249
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PP Number
EPA–HQ–OPP–2007–1025
III. What Action is the Agency Taking?
EPA is printing notice of the filing of
pesticide petitions received under
section 408 of the Federal Food, Drug,
and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), 21 U.S.C.
346a, proposing the establishment or
modification of regulations in 40 CFR
part 180 for residues of pesticide
chemicals in or on various food
commodities. EPA has determined that
the pesticide petitions described in this
notice contain data or information
regarding the elements set forth in
FFDCA section 408(d)(2); however, EPA
has not fully evaluated the sufficiency
of the submitted data at this time or
whether the data support granting of the
pesticide petitions. Additional data may
be needed before EPA rules on these
pesticide petitions.
Pursuant to 40 CFR 180.7(f), a
summary of each of the petitions
included in this notice, prepared by the
petitioner, is included in a docket EPA
has created for each rulemaking. The
docket for each of the petitions is
available on-line at https://
www.regulations.gov.
A. Amendment to Existing Tolerance
Exemption
1. PP 7F7236. Growth Products Ltd.,
P.O. Box 1259, White Plains, NY 10602,
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proposes to amend the tolerance
exemption in 40 CFR 180.1111 for
residues of the fungicide Bacillus
subtilis GB03 tolerance in or on all raw
agricultural commodities when applied
as a seed treatment for growing
agricultural crops in accordance with
good agricultural practice. Because this
petition is a request for an exemption
from the requirement of a tolerance
without numerical limitations, no
analytical method is required. Contact:
Susanne Cerrelli, (703) 308–8077,
cerrelli.susanne@epa.gov.
B. New Exemptions from Tolerance
2. PP 7F7254. Syngenta Seeds, Inc.,
P.O. Box 12257, 3054 E. Cornwallis Rd.,
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709,
proposes to establish an exemption from
the requirement of a tolerance for
residues of the plant-incorporated
protectant, Bacillus thuringiensis
Vip3Aa proteins in all plants when used
as plant-incorporated protectants in all
crops and agricultural commodities.
Syngenta’s original petition requested
an exemption for Bacillus thuringiensis
Vip3Aa19 and Vip3Aa20 proteins in all
plants; however, this original request
was amended by Syngenta in a letter to
the Agency dated September 6, 2007 to
Bacillus thuringiensis Vip3Aa proteins
in all plants. The petition includes a
reference to a description of the
analytical methods available to EPA for
the detection and measurement of the
pesticide chemical residues or an
explanation of why no such method is
needed. Contact: Alan Reynolds, (703)
605–0515, reynolds.alan@epa.gov.
3. PP 7F7249. Plasma Power Limited
of India, c/o OMC Ag Consulting, 828
Tanglewood Lane, East Lancing, MI
48823, proposes to establish an
exemption from the requirement of a
tolerance for residues of the insecticide,
Plasma Neem OilTM Manufacturing Use
Product in or on all food commodities.
Because this petition is a request for an
exemption from the requirement of a
tolerance without numerical limitations,
no analytical method is required.
Contact: Driss Benmhend, (703) 308–
9525, benmhend.driss@epa.gov.
List of Subjects
Environmental protection,
Agricultural commodities, Feed
additives, Food additives, Pesticides
and pests, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements.
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Dated: October 24, 2007.
Janet L. Andersen,
Director, Biopesticides and Pollution
Prevention Division, Office of Pesticide
Programs.
[FR Doc. E7–21601 Filed 11–1–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–S
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
[EPA–HQ–OAR–2004–0076; FRL–8490–4]
Final Notice of Data Availability for
EGU NOX Annual and NOX Ozone
Season Allocations for the Clean Air
Interstate Rule Federal Implementation
Plan Trading Programs
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice of data availability
(NODA).
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: On March 15, 2006, EPA
promulgated Federal Implementation
Plans (FIPs) for all States covered by the
Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR). The
CAIR FIPs will regulate electric
generating units (EGUs) in the affected
States and achieve the emission
reductions required by CAIR until each
affected State has an approved CAIR
State Implementation Plan (SIP) to
achieve the reductions. EPA will
withdraw a State’s FIP in coordination
with approval of a full CAIR SIP
implementing the requirements of CAIR.
The CAIR FIP indicates that the
Administrator will determine by order
the CAIR NOX allowance allocations. In
the CAIR FIP, EPA stated that it would
publish a NODA with NOX allowance
allocations for 2009 through 2014,
provide the public with the opportunity
to object to the allocations and
underlying data, and then publish a
final NODA (adjusted if necessary). On
August 4, 2006, EPA published a
preliminary NODA in the Federal
Register and accepted objections to the
data through an electronic docket. This
action constitutes the final NODA and
indicates the existing units receiving
CAIR NOX allowances under the FIPs
and the quantity of allowances to be
allocated to each unit. These FIP
allowances will only be recorded for
sources located in States that do not
have an approved SIP in place. Most
States have an approved SIP in place,
and the State determined allowances
will be recorded for sources in these
states.
In this NODA, the EPA is making
available to the public the Agency’s
final determination of the NOX annual
and NOX ozone season allocations
under the CAIR FIPs that EPA is making
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to individual existing units under the
CAIR FIP NOX annual and NOX ozone
season trading programs for 2009
through 2014, as well as the data
relating to those allocations. The NODA
references, or presents in tables, all
these data and the NOX annual and NOX
ozone season allowance allocations
calculated using the data and the
allocation formulas finalized in the
CAIR FIPs for existing units for 2009
through 2014.
DATES: The recordation deadline for
2009 CAIR FIP NOX allowances is
September 30, 2007. EPA intends to
record CAIR FIP NOX allowances in the
fall of 2007. EPA is close to taking final
action on many SIPs. Because it is EPA’s
preference to have States determine
allowances, EPA is trying to finalize
these approvals before allocating FIP
allowances, so wherever possible, Statedetermined allowances will be allocated
to sources.
Docket: The EPA has established a
docket for this action under Docket ID
No. EPA–HQ–OAR–2004–0076. All
documents in the docket are listed in
the www.regulations.gov index.
Although listed in the index, some
information is not publicly available,
i.e., confidential business information or
other information whose disclosure is
restricted by statute. Certain other
material, such as copyrighted material,
is not placed on the Internet and will be
publicly available only in hard copy
form. Publicly available docket
materials are available either
electronically in www.regulations.gov or
in hard copy at the EPA Docket Center,
EPA West, Room 3334, 1301
Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington,
DC. The Public Reading Room is open
from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday
through Friday, excluding legal
holidays. The telephone number for the
Public Reading Room is (202) 566–1744,
and the telephone number for the Air
Docket is (202) 566–1742.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
General questions concerning this
action and technical questions
concerning heat input or fuel data
should be addressed to Brian Fisher,
USEPA Headquarters, Ariel Rios
Building, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., Mail
Code 6204 J, Washington, DC 20460.
Telephone at (202) 343–9633, e-mail at
fisher.brian@epa.gov.
If mailing by courier, address package
to Brian Fisher, 1310 L St., NW., RM
#713G, Washington, DC 20005.
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SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Outline
1. General Information
2. What Is This Action?
3. How Are the Data in this NODA Related
to the CAIR FIP NOX Allowance
Allocations?
4. What Are the Sources of the EPA’s Data?
5. How Do I Interpret the Data Tables
Presented Through This NODA?
6. Is the EPA Requesting Objections to These
Data?
7. What Data Is EPA Making Available?
8. Where Can I Get the Data Discussed in
This NODA?
1. General Information
This action relates to §§ 97.141 and
97.341 of the CAIR FIP. These sections
indicate that the Administrator will
determine by order the CAIR NOX
allowance allocations. In the CAIR FIP,
EPA stated that it would publish a
NODA with NOX allowance allocations
for 2009 through 2014 (71 FR 25352).
Does This Action Apply to Me?
Categories and entities potentially
regulated by this action include the
following:
Category
NAICS code
Examples of potentially regulated entities
Industry ................................
Federal Government ............
State/local/Tribal government.
221112 ............................................................................
221122 ............................................................................
221122 ............................................................................
Fossil fuel-fired electric utility steam generating units.
Fossil fuel-fired electric utility steam generating units.
Fossil fuel-fired electric utility steam generating units
owned by municipalities.
Fossil fuel-fired electric utility steam generating units in
Indian Country.
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921150 ............................................................................
This table is not intended to be
exhaustive, but rather provides a guide
for readers regarding entities likely to be
regulated by this action. If you have any
questions regarding the applicability of
this action to a particular entity, review
§§ 97.102, 97.104, and 97.105 in the
CAIR FIP concerning NOX annual
emissions and §§ 97.302, 97.304, and
97.305 in the CAIR FIP concerning NOX
ozone season emissions. You may also
consult the person listed in the
preceding section under FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT.
The NOX allowance allocations in this
NODA are for existing units. Existing
units are units that commenced
operation before January 1, 2001. New
units, which commence operation on or
after January 1, 2001, will initially
receive allowances through the new unit
set aside. Once new units have
established a five-year baseline, they
will be incorporated into the calculation
for allowances for existing units for
future years to the extent the allowances
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for existing units have not already been
allocated.
The CAIR FIP rule states units will be
subject to the CAIR FIP trading
programs (i.e, to the CAIR FIP SO2, NOX
annual, or NOX ozone season programs,
as appropriate) if they are a stationary,
fossil-fuel-fired boiler or stationary,
fossil-fuel-fired combustion turbine
serving at any time on or after
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.
Certain cogeneration units or solid
waste incineration units meeting these
general applicability requirements are
exempt from the CAIR FIPs and are
described below. The inventory of
existing potential CAIR units, which
comprises the units allocated
allowances under this NODA, is based
on EPA’s preliminary application of the
general applicability requirements and
these exemptions. As discussed in the
preliminary NODA and in this action,
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the inventory does not reflect a final
determination of which units are subject
to the CAIR FIPs.
Cogeneration Unit Exemption
Certain cogeneration units meeting
the general applicability requirements
are exempt from the CAIR FIP trading
programs. Cogeneration units are units
having equipment used to produce
electricity and useful thermal energy for
industrial, commercial, heating, or
cooling purposes through sequential use
of energy and meeting certain operating
and efficiency standards. Any
cogeneration unit not serving at any
time (since the later of November 15,
1990 or the start-up of the unit) a
generator with a nameplate capacity
greater than 25 MWe, supplying more
than 1⁄3 potential electric output
capacity, and more than 219,000 Mwhrs, annually to any utility power
distribution system for sale is exempt
from the requirements of the CAIR FIP
trading rules. Otherwise, a cogeneration
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unit meeting the general applicability
requirements is subject to the CAIR
FIPs.
The CAIR FIP defined ‘‘cogeneration
unit’’ as a stationary, fossil-fuel-fired
boiler or stationary, fossil-fuel-fired
combustion turbine:
(1) Having equipment used to produce
electricity and useful thermal energy for
industrial, commercial, heating, or
cooling purposes through the sequential
use of energy; and
(2) Producing during the 12-month
period starting on the date the unit first
produces electricity and during any
calendar year after the calendar year in
which the unit first produces
electricity—
(i) For a topping-cycle cogeneration
unit,
(A) Useful thermal energy not less
than 5 percent of total energy output;
and
(B) Useful power that, when added to
one-half of useful thermal energy
produced, is not less then 42.5 percent
of total energy input, if useful thermal
energy produced is 15 percent or more
of total energy output, or not less than
45 percent of total energy input, if
useful thermal energy produced is less
than 15 percent of total energy output.
(ii) For a bottoming-cycle
cogeneration unit, useful power not less
than 45 percent of total energy input.
Subsequent to the CAIR FIP
rulemaking, EPA finalized another
action that modified the definition of
‘‘cogeneration unit’’ (and made other
revisions to the definitions under the
CAIR FIPs) to exclude energy input from
biomass fuel when calculating
efficiency of cogeneration units that are
boilers. This makes it possible for some
additional cogeneration units that cofire biomass to qualify for exemption
from the CAIR FIP rules. The inventory
of existing potential CAIR units and the
allocation tables in this action that are
based on the inventory reflect EPA’s
preliminary application of the revised
cogeneration unit definition and the
other revisions to the definitions under
the CAIR FIPs.
Solid Waste Incinerator Exemption
A solid waste incineration unit
meeting the general applicability
requirements and commencing
operation before January 1, 1985, for
which the average annual fuel
consumption of non-fossil fuels during
1985–1987 exceeded 80 percent and the
average annual fuel consumption of
non-fossil fuels during any 3
consecutive calendar years after 1990
exceeds 80 percent, is not subject to the
CAIR FIP cap-and-trade program.
Further, a solid waste incineration unit
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meeting the general applicability
requirements and commencing
operation on or after January 1, 1985, for
which the average annual fuel
consumption of non-fossil fuels for the
first 3 calendar years of operation
exceeds 80 percent and the average
annual fuel consumption of non-fossil
fuels during any 3 consecutive calendar
years after 1990 exceeds 80 percent, is
not subject to the CAIR FIP cap- and
trade program. The inventory of existing
potential CAIR units, and the allocation
tables in this action that are based on
the inventory, reflect EPA’s preliminary
application of the solid waste
incineration unit exemption.
2. What Is This Action?
In the March 15, 2006 final action on
the CAIR FIP, the EPA finalized NOX
annual and ozone season trading
programs for EGUs as the federal
implementation remedy for CAIR. The
EPA decided to adopt, as the FIP for
each State in the CAIR region, the model
cap-and-trade programs in the final
CAIR, modified slightly to allow for
federal instead of State implementation
(as revised March 15, 2006).
These programs include a NOX annual
trading program and NOX ozone season
trading program. As explained in the
CAIR FIP Notice of Final Rulemaking
(NFR), the FIP NOX annual and NOX
ozone season trading programs require
CAIR sources to hold allowances
sufficient to cover their emissions for
each control period. A CAIR NOX
annual allowance will authorize the
emission of a ton of NOX during a
calendar year, and a CAIR NOX ozone
season allowance will authorize the
emission of a ton of NOX during an
ozone season (May 1 through September
30).
In the CAIR FIP NFR, EPA adopted
the State NOX annual and NOX ozone
season emission budgets for each State
covered by a CAIR FIP (see Tables V–
1 and V–2 in the CAIR FIP NFR); these
are the same State emission budgets as
finalized in the CAIR. For each State
covered by the CAIR FIP NOX trading
programs, the State NOX budgets are the
total amount of allowances that EPA
will allocate to sources in that State for
use in the FIP NOX trading programs.
EPA determined the method for
allocating NOX annual and NOX ozone
season allowances under the FIP
through a process that included
extensive public participation.
In this action, we are finalizing the
inventory of existing units that currently
are potential CAIR units solely for
purposes of allocating allowances for
2009–2014, the heat input, fuel type,
and resulting baseline heat input data
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used to calculate the NOX allowance
allocation to the identified existing
potential CAIR units under the CAIR
FIPs, and the resulting allowance
allocations themselves for 2009–2014.1
The inventory of existing potential
CAIR units was proposed, and is
finalized, only for the purpose of
making allocations for 2009–2014. The
inventory, and the data on which the
inventory is based, can be revised in
future NODAs addressing allocations.
Furthermore, the inclusion of a unit in
the inventory (and thus in the FIP
allocations for 2009–2014) does not
constitute a determination that the unit
is subject to the requirements of the
CAIR FIPs; similarly, the exclusion of a
unit from the inventory (and thus from
the allowance allocations for 2009–
2014) does not constitute a
determination that the unit is not
covered by the CAIR FIPs. However,
EPA has made specific determinations
for certain individual units, for which
objections concerning the inclusion in
or exclusion from the inventory were
submitted in response to this NODA or
for which a request for an applicability
determination was submitted under
§ 97.104(c) or 97.304(c) are covered by
a CAIR FIP. These determinations are
binding, subject to any conditions set
forth in the respective determinations
and to any administrative appeals under
Part 78 of EPA’s regulations. Copies of
these determinations are included in the
docket for this NODA.
EPA notes that, in some cases where
objections to the inclusion of a unit in
or exclusion of a unit from the inventory
were submitted in response to this
NODA or where a request for an
applicability determination was
submitted under § 97.104(c) or
97.304(c), EPA issued an applicability
determination that is used in developing
the final inventory, and is included in
the docket, for this NODA. However, in
some cases EPA was unable to complete
the applicability determination in time
for issuance of this NODA. In the latter
cases, the units are being included in
the inventory of potential existing CAIR
units and allocated allowances in this
NODA. However, EPA intends to
complete the process of issuing an
applicability determination in each of
these cases in the relatively near future.
The inclusion of these units in the
inventory in no way indicates what
1 EPA notes that if, subsequent to this NODA, a
determination is made that a source included in
this inventory is not subject to CAIR, then the
Administrator will deduct any unused allocated
allowances as established in the procedures set
forth in §§ 97.154(b) and 97.354(b), and transfer
them to a new unit set-aside for the appropriate
State.
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applicability determination EPA will
make and whether the units are subject
to the CAIR FIPs. In fact, as discussed
below, the CAIR FIPs include
procedures for addressing units that are
allocated CAIR FIP allowances but are
subsequently determined not to be
subject to the CAIR FIPs.
This action explains what heat input
and fuel type data, and resulting
baseline heat inputs, are used in
calculating the allocation for each
potential existing unit and from where
these data came. The EPA published a
draft NODA in 2006 to provide
opportunity for the public (including
source owners and operators) to submit
objections to the underlying data
(including the resulting baseline heat
inputs and allocations). This action
incorporates data submitted through
those objections if the data were
determined to be the best available data.
Under the CAIR FIP trading rules (40
CFR 97.142(a)(3) and 97.342(a)(3)), we
explained that we determine what data
are the best available by ‘‘weighing the
likelihood that data are accurate and
reliable and giving greater weight to
data submitted to a governmental entity
in compliance with legal requirements
or substantiated by an independent
entity.’’ For existing potential CAIR
units, this NODA represents the final
determination of the heat input and fuel
type data used in the allocations for
2009–2014. Similarly, this NODA
represents the final determination of the
2009–2014 allocations themselves.
However, EPA will issue NODAs in the
future to address CAIR FIP allocations
for 2009–2014 for new potential CAIR
units and for 2015 and thereafter for
existing and new potential CAIR units
and will provide an opportunity for
objections.
The Agency’s preference is for States
to make decisions about NOX
allocations for their sources. Although
in this action EPA is determining NOX
allocations for the CAIR FIP trading
programs, we intend to record EPAdetermined allocations in allowance
accounts only for sources located in a
State without a timely, approved CAIR
SIP revision or a timely, approved
abbreviated CAIR SIP revision providing
for State-determined allocations. In
future NODAs, EPA intends to
determine allowance allocations only
for States subject to the FIP at that time.
Deadlines for States to submit CAIR
SIP revisions and associated NOX
allocations and for EPA to record NOX
allocations in source accounts are as
finalized in the CAIR (see 70 FR 25162,
25323 and 25326) and CAIR FIP (see 71
FR 25328, 25352–55). EPA discusses
these deadlines herein for informational
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purposes only. As finalized in the CAIR
and CAIR FIP NFRs, SIP submission
deadlines are as follows:
• Full CAIR SIP revision: Submit SIP
revision by September 11, 2006 and
initial set of NOX allocations (covering
at least 2009 through 2011) by October
31, 2006;
• Abbreviated CAIR SIP revision 2:
Submit SIP revision by March 31, 2007
and initial set of NOX allocations
(covering at least 2009 through 2011) by
April 30, 2007.
In this action, EPA determines CAIR
NOX allocations covering 2009 through
2014 under the CAIR FIPs. As finalized
in the CAIR FIP NFR, the Agency will
record EPA-determined CAIR NOX
allocations in source accounts one year
at a time for 2009 and 2010 in order to
provide flexibility to States to determine
allocations for their sources. The final
schedule for recording CAIR NOX
allocations under the FIP in source
accounts is shown in Table VI–2 in the
CAIR FIP NFR preamble and
reproduced here for informational
purposes:
TABLE I.—RECORDATION DEADLINES
FOR CAIR FIP NOX ALLOCATIONS
Deadline by which FIP NOX
allocations are recorded
(EPA-determined allocations or
State-determined allocations
using abbreviated CAIR
SIP revision)
CAIR
control
period
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
.....
.....
.....
.....
.....
.....
.....
.....
September 30, 2007.*
September 30, 2008.
September 30, 2009.
September 30, 2009.
September 30, 2009.
December 1, 2010.
December 1, 2011.
December 1, 2012.
* EPA intends to records these allowances
in the Fall of 2007.
3. How Are the Data in This NODA
Related to the CAIR FIP NOX
Allowance Allocations?
In the CAIR FIP NFR, EPA finalized
the schedule for determining and
recording NOX allocations. EPA also
finalized a methodology for calculating
unit level NOX allowances. This NODA
provides the unit level NOX allocations
for existing potential CAIR units for
2009 through 2014 calculated using this
methodology, as well as the data used
in determining the inventory of existing
potential CAIR units and the heat input
and fuel type data and resulting baseline
heat inputs, used in making the
allowance calculations.
2 See CAIR FIP NFR (71 FR 25352) for further
discussion of abbreviated CAIR SIP revisions.
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As provided in the CAIR FIP NOX
annual and ozone season trading rules
(see 40 CFR 97.141 and 97.341), EPA is
publishing this NODA with CAIR FIP
NOX allocations for existing potential
CAIR units for 2009 through 2014. This
final NODA reflects EPA’s consideration
of objections submitted to the 2006
CAIR FIP NODA that addressed whether
any individual unit is treated as an
existing potential CAIR unit eligible for
allowance allocations in accordance
with the applicability provisions in
these trading rules (see 40 CFR 97.104
and 97.305) and whether any unit
allocation is determined in accordance
with the allocation provisions in these
trading rules (see 40 CFR 97.142 and
97.342).
In the CAIR FIP NFR, EPA finalized
an allocation approach for NOX annual
and ozone season allowances for
existing units (i.e., units commencing
operation before January 1, 2001) and
new units (i.e., units commencing
operation on or after January 1, 2001)
that is consistent with the example
methodology in the CAIR SIP model
trading rules. EPA used the NOX
allocation method finalized in the FIP
NFR to calculate the existing unit NOX
allocations in this NODA. This action
does not address new unit allocations.
New unit allocation and recordation
provisions under the CAIR FIP may be
found in §§ 97.141, 97.341, 97.153 and
97.353. See 71 FR 25356–58 for detailed
description of the allocation method.
EPA will publish a preliminary and
final NODA in 2009 for new unit
allowance allocations for 2009.
The NOX allocation method in the
CAIR FIP NFR was finalized through a
process that involved significant public
participation. The NOX CAIR FIP NODA
did not open the allocation method for
public comment. EPA provides a
summary of the NOX allocation method
herein for informational purposes only.
Allocations in this NODA are for
existing units for the first 6 control
periods (2009 through 2014) of the CAIR
NOX annual and NOX ozone season
trading programs. The 2009 allowance
allocations will be recorded in the fall
of 2007. It is possible that future year
allowance allocations (2010 through
2014) will differ from those in this
NODA as new potential CAIR units
develop baseline heat input values and
are treated as existing potential CAIR
units, and as units that are not potential
CAIR units become potential CAIR
units. The NOX allocation method
finalized in the CAIR FIP NFR allocates
by using annual heat input data from
the years 2000 through 2004 to develop
baseline heat inputs. The annual heat
input values are adjusted using fuel
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adjustment factors (1.0 for coal-fired
units, 0.6 for oil-fired units, and 0.4 for
units fired with all other fuels (e.g.,
natural gas)). The 3 highest annual heat
input values for the unit are averaged to
determine the unit’s baseline heat input.
Finally, the total amount of allowances
available for allocation each year to
existing units in a given State (i.e., 95%
of the State trading budget) is allocated
to each individual unit in proportion to
the unit’s share of the total baseline heat
input for all existing potential CAIR
units in the State. The same
methodology applies for ozone season
allowances, only ozone season heat
input is used in place of annual heat
input.
This NODA provides unit NOX
allocations calculated according to the
method finalized in the CAIR FIP NFR.
Section 8 of this NODA describes where
to locate the allocation tables. The heat
input and fuel type data used to
determine these allocations are
described in section 4 of this NODA.
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4. What Are the Sources of EPA’s Data?
A. Development of the Inventory of
Existing Potential CAIR Units
Diagram 1 in the Technical Support
Document (TSD) provides a general
overview of how the inventory of
existing potential CAIR units was
developed. Any existing unit currently
reporting monitoring data under the
Acid Rain Program (referred to in this
NODA as ‘‘Acid Rain units’’) in a CAIR
FIP State, except for an Acid Rain
Program opt-in unit, was included as an
existing potential CAIR unit. The list of
Acid Rain units in the States was
generated from EPA’s Acid Rain
Program database. Units not reporting
monitoring data under the Acid Rain
Program (referred to in this NODA as
‘‘non-Acid Rain units’’) that are existing
potential CAIR units were identified
using data reported by owners of
generators to the Energy Information
Administration (EIA) on forms 860 and
767 or through objections submitted by
the source owners and operators.
From the EIA form 860 database, EPA
identified, for non-Acid Rain units, all
generators with a nameplate capacity
greater than 25 MWe served by a boiler
or turbine with a fossil fuel energy
source. In determining whether a unit
has a fossil fuel energy source, EPA
applied the definition of ‘‘fossil fuel’’ in
the CAIR FIPs (40 CFR 97.102 and
97.302). From that list we then excluded
generators as follows:
• EPA excluded non-utility
generators which did not sell electricity
to a utility based on EIA form 860b data
from 1999 and 2000. EIA form 860b
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sales data were not available after 2000
due to changes in the EIA form 860b.
Consequently, the exclusion of
generators for purposes of allocating
allowances in this NODA does not
necessarily mean that these generators
are excluded for purposes of
determining whether boilers or turbines
serving them are subject to the CAIR
FIPs. EPA believes, based on
preliminary consideration of the
applicability provisions of the CAIR
FIPS, that many of these units may not
be subject to the CAIR FIPs. However,
if, on or after November 15, 1990, any
of these generators produced electricity
that was sold, the units serving that
generator may be subject to the CAIR
FIPs.
• From EIA form 860, EPA excluded
generators at municipal waste
combustors. The CAIR rule provides an
exemption for solid waste incineration
units similar to the Acid Rain Program
exemption in 40 CFR Part 72.
• From EIA form 860b (1999 and
2000), EPA excluded all generators at
facilities that were certified (in
accordance with Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission (FERC)
regulations) as qualifying cogeneration
facilities and that had annual, plantwide sales of one third or less of the
potential generating capacity, or had
annual sales less than 219,000 MW-hrs,
to an electric utility. This information
was only available at the plant level.
Since electricity sales data were not
available at the unit level for other years
and a unit must meet these criteria
annually to qualify for the cogeneration
exemption, exclusion of generators for
allocating allowances in this notice does
not necessarily mean that boilers and
combustion turbines serving the
generators are not subject to the CAIR
FIPs. Moreover, FERC regulations
require, as part of the criteria for
qualifying cogeneration facilities that
facilities meet certain efficiency
requirements to the extent natural gas or
oil is combusted. Under CAIR, a unit
must meet the efficiency requirements
with regard to all fuel types combusted,
except, in the case of boilers, biomass.
Consequently, exclusion of generators
for allocating allowances in this notice
does not necessarily mean that boilers
and combustion turbines serving the
generators are not subject to the CAIR
FIPs.
From the EIA form 767 database, EPA
identified as potential CAIR units all
boilers located at non-Acid Rain plants
(commencing operation before January
1, 2001) serving the generators
remaining on the generator list after the
above-described exclusions. Simple and
combined cycle combustion turbines
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were identified based directly on the
generator ID and prime mover type in
EIA form 860.
From EIA form 860 EPA identified all
simple combustion turbines, at Acid
Rain plants, with a nameplate capacity
greater than 25 MWe, a fossil fuel
energy source, and an online date prior
to January 1991. These simple
combustion turbines are potential CAIR
units even though they may be nonAcid Rain units since they have
reported to EIA that they sell electricity
to a utility based on utility ownership
or EIA form 860b data from 1999 and
2000 and serve a generator greater than
25 MWe.
The resulting list of non-Acid Rain
units was also checked against EPA’s
National Electric Energy Data System
(NEEDS) database. The NEEDS database
contains a list of electric generating
units used to construct the ‘‘model’’
plants that represent existing and
planned/committed units in EPA
modeling applications of the Integrated
Planning Model (IPM). The NEEDs
check resulted in the addition of a
number of non-Acid Rain pre-1991
combined cycle combustion turbines at
Acid Rain plants.
EPA also included specific units in
the inventory of existing potential CAIR
units based on objections and
supporting data submitted to the EPA by
the owners or operators of the units
involved.
EPA notes, as discussed above, that
inclusion of a unit in, or exclusion of a
unit from, the inventory of existing
potential CAIR units (and thus the
allocations for 2009–2014) reflects only
a preliminary application of the
applicability provisions of the CAIR
FIPs and does not constitute a
determination of whether the unit is
subject to a CAIR FIP. The inventory
was developed in order to enable EPA
to calculate allowance allocations for
existing units, and the data that EPA
used in developing the inventory are not
complete and have certain limitations.
In contrast, the applicability on the
CAIR FIPs to individual units must be
determined based on a complete review
of all relevant data, whether or not all
such data were provided at the time the
inventory was developed, and final
application of the applicability
provisions to that data. In fact, because
an inventory developed for purposes of
allowance allocation may not be entirely
consistent with final applicability
determinations, §§ 97.142(e) and
97.342(e) establish procedures to be
applied when the Administrator
determines that a unit that has been
allocated allowances turns out not to
actually be a CAIR unit, i.e., not to
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actually be a unit subject to the
requirements of a CAIR FIP. For
example, if this determination is made
after the allowance allocation is
recorded but before deductions for
compliance with the allowance-holding
requirement are made under
§§ 97.154(b) and 97.354(b), the
Administrator will deduct the
allowances and transfer them to a new
unit set-aside for the appropriate State.
The public, including owners and
operators of units that should have
been, but were not included in the
inventory of existing potential CAIR
units in the preliminary NODA, was
asked to submit objections, in response
to the August 4, 2006 NODA, informing
EPA that the units should be added to
the inventory and allocated allowances,
consistent with the applicability criteria
in the CAIR FIP (in §§ 97.104 and
97.304). The data necessary for
allowance allocations were also to be
provided.
Applicability objections received in
response to the August 4, 2006 NODA,
and EPA’s response concerning whether
to add the units or remove the units
from the inventory of existing potential
CAIR units are described in the
Response to Objections Document and
copies of the applicability
determinations are included in the CAIR
FIP docket.
A unit that is not allocated allowances
because of its exclusion from the
inventory may ultimately be determined
to be a CAIR unit. Each CAIR unit is
subject to the allowance-holding
requirements of CAIR regardless of
whether the unit is allocated any
allowances.
B. Annual and Ozone Season Fuel Heat
Input Data for Acid Rain Units
EPA used heat input data reported by
units under the Acid Rain Program for
2000 through 2004 in order to develop
annual and ozone season baseline heat
input. Fuel-adjusted heat input was
calculated based on the reported heat
input and the primary fuel type (by
year) that was reported to EPA in the
unit’s Acid Rain Program monitoring
plan. For units that reported coal as
their primary fuel for the year, EPA did
not adjust their heat input. For units
reporting oil as their primary fuel, EPA
multiplied their heat input by 0.6. If the
primary fuel was not coal or oil, the heat
input for the year was multiplied by 0.4.
For some units, the use of the primary
fuel type to identify the appropriate
CAIR fuel adjustment factor may not
yield the same result as using the CAIR
FIP definition of ‘‘coal-fired’’ or ‘‘oilfired’’ to identify the appropriate factor.
Under the CAIR FIP, a coal-fired unit is
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a unit which burns any amount of coal
in a year, and an oil-fired unit is a unit
which had more than 15% of its yearly
heat input from oil and burned no coal.
The use of primary fuel type will not
match the CAIR FIP definition in cases
where coal was burned in a year, but
was not listed as the primary fuel, or
when more than 15% of a year’s heat
input was from oil, but oil was not
listed as the primary fuel. EPA used the
primary fuel type, as a surrogate for the
data necessary to apply the terms ‘‘coalfired’’ and ‘‘oil-fired’’, because under
the Acid Rain Program, more detailed
fuel use data are reported only for units
using non-continuous emission
monitoring methods. Because of this
limitation on the data used by EPA, the
fuel-adjusted heat input calculated for
some units may be lower than if the
calculation were based on more precise
data. Owners and operators were asked
to provide, in response to the August 4,
2006 NODA, any available, more precise
data on fuel use. Fuel type objections
and EPA’s response are described in the
Response to Objections document. EPA
accepted the fuel type objections to the
fuel determinations based on
monitoring plan data in the preliminary
NODA.
C. Annual and Ozone Season Fuel Heat
Input Data for Non-Acid Rain Units
EIA data, as well as Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission (FERC) form
423 data, were used to calculate annual
and ozone season fuel-adjusted heat
input for non-Acid Rain units.3
The data sources and calculation
methods vary by the type of unit and
data year. The EIA and FERC databases
that were used were downloaded in
October 2005 and are available on EIA’s
Web site at https://www.eia.doe.gov/
cneaf/electricity/page/data.html.
For the August 4, 2006 NODA
inventory, we also replaced the
calculated ozone season heat input data
with data reported to EPA under the
OTC NOX Budget Program and the NOX
SIP Call NOX Budget Trading Program,
if available. For the final inventory,
based on objections received, we also
replaced the calculated annual values
with data reported to EPA for a full
twelve months under the OTC NOX
Budget Program and the NOX SIP Call
NOX Budget Trading Program.4 The
3 In some cases, heat input information was not
available for all or a portion of the baseline period.
It was not clear whether this was the result of a unit
not operating or a unit failing to report its
operations. A zero value was applied for heat input
in these cases. This may have resulted in an
incorrect baseline heat input for the unit involved.
4 Initially EPA did not use data reported under
the NOX Budget programs for non-Acid Rain units.
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62243
reported heat input was used in
conjunction with information regarding
the primary fuel for the year (reported
in the monitoring plan) to calculate the
fuel-adjusted heat input.
In addition, EPA also utilized
information provided as part of the
CAIR rulemaking process. More
specifically, EPA used annual heat
input data submitted in response to
EPA’s Supplemental CAIR Proposal
published in the Federal Register on
June 10, 2004.
Boilers
For 2000, fuel-adjusted annual and
ozone season heat input were calculated
for each utility boiler based on EIA form
767 monthly fuel use and heat content
data. The fuel-adjusted 2000 annual
heat input was calculated at the plant
level for non-utility boilers based on
EIA form 860b data. The fuel usage and
heat content information in EIA form
860b is reported at the plant level, so
the fuel-adjusted heat input was first
calculated for the plant and then
apportioned equally to each boiler (at
the plant) that is a potential CAIR unit.
The ozone season heat input for nonutility boilers was based on multiplying
the annual heat input by the fraction of
the five ozone-season months to 12
annual months (5⁄12).5
Beginning in 2001, both utility and
non-utility boilers reported using EIA
form 767, so fuel-adjusted heat input
was calculated for each boiler based on
monthly fuel usage and heat content
data from that EIA form for the 2001
through 2004 period.
Although data for 2000 was
developed as described above, EPA
decided not to use the 2000 data in
certain cases, i.e., where a plant
included both existing potential CAIR
units and existing units that are not
treated as potential CAIR units. Since in
those cases the 2000 unit level heat
input could not be determined for
existing potential CAIR units alone
without attributing to them heat input
that actually may be for units that are
not potential CAIR units and this
additional heat input could be
significant, EPA decided, in those cases,
to exclude the 2000 heat input data and
use the average of the three highest
annual heat input values during 2001
Some units only report ozone season quarters, and
therefore the heat input for these reflect less than
a full year’s operation.
5 Plants that were sold in 2000 and changed status
from utility to non-utility sometimes reported using
both the utility and non-utility forms for that year.
To avoid double counting of heat input in these
cases, EPA used only the data from utility form or
the data from the non-utility form for the plant,
whichever set of data resulted in the higher heat
input for the plant.
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through 2004 in calculating NOX
allowance allocations. In any case
where the use of unit level data (for
2000 or for any other relevant period)
will affect the calculation of the baseline
heat input of a unit, the owners and
operators of the unit were given the
opportunity to provide EPA, in response
to the preliminary NODA, the unit level
data.
Simple Combustion Turbines and
Combined Cycle Units at Non-Acid Rain
Plants
The following procedures were used
for simple combustion turbines and
combined cycle units at non-Acid Rain
plants, which include certain utility and
non-utility plants.6 For 2000, data from
the EIA form 860b was used to calculate
simple combustion turbine and
combined cycle unit fuel-adjusted heat
input for the non-utility plants in a
similar manner as the 2000 non-utility
boiler calculation. Annual fuel-adjusted
heat input was calculated at the plant
level. Data from the EIA form 759 and
FERC form 423 were used to calculate
simple combustion turbine and
combined cycle heat input for the utility
plants. The EIA form 759 provided
monthly fuel usage at the prime mover
level (simple combustion turbine,
combined cycle combustion turbine,
and combined cycle steam turbine), and
the FERC form 423 provided gaseous
and liquid fuel heat content for the
plants. The prime mover fuel-adjusted
heat input for the plant was apportioned
equally to each potential CAIR unit at
the plant by prime mover type (with
combined cycle combustion turbine and
steam turbine heat inputs combined to
provide a single combined cycle heat
input). To the extent the plant includes
both potential CAIR units and units that
are not treated as potential CAIR units,
this approach may have resulted in
calculated heat input values exceeding
the actual heat input for the potential
CAIR units. Unlike the boiler data, that
required apportioning plant level data
only for 2000, combustion turbine EIA
data are only available at the plant level
for all of the years. Therefore the
approach taken for boilers, i.e.,
exclusion of a year of plant level data
when that data may be impacted by
units not subject to CAIR, was not
available. In any case where the use of
unit level data (for 2000 or for any other
relevant period) will affect calculation
of the baseline heat input of a unit, the
owners and operators were given the
opportunity to provide to the EPA, in
response to the preliminary NODA in
2006, the unit level data. Ozone-season
6 See
note 2.
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heat input was calculated based on the
⁄ fraction of ozone-season months to
annual months.
In 2001 the EIA form 759 was
renamed as form 906, with separate
similar versions for non-utility and
utility plant prime mover level fuel
usage. Data for the non-utility and
utility plants from these forms were
combined with the FERC form 423 heat
content data to calculate prime mover
level fuel-adjusted heat input. This
prime mover level annual and ozone
season heat input was then apportioned
equally to each simple combustion
turbine or combined cycle turbine (at
the plant) that is a potential CAIR unit
by prime mover type as described
earlier for the 2000 utility units.
EIA combined the utility and nonutility reporting forms in 2002 and
changed the format. The EIA form 906
for 2002 through 2004 provided both
fuel usage and fuel heat input on a
monthly basis. The annual and ozone
season fuel-adjusted heat input was
totaled for each of the non-utility and
utility plants at the prime mover level
and then apportioned equally to each
potential CAIR unit at the plant, as
described above for the 2000 and 2001
EIA form 759 and 906 data.
5 12
Non-Acid Rain Simple Combustion
Turbines at Acid Rain Plants
The fuel-adjusted heat inputs for nonAcid Rain simple combustion turbines
located at Acid Rain plants with no
Acid Rain combustion turbines were
calculated and apportioned in a similar
manner as described above for simple
combustion turbines and combined
cycle units at non-Acid Rain plants.
Heat inputs, however, for non-Acid
Rain combustion turbines located at
plants with Acid Rain combustion
turbines had to be calculated in a
different manner in order to not double
count heat input. At these plants the
plant or prime mover level heat input,
calculated with EIA data as described
above, included heat input from both
the non-Acid Rain and Acid Rain
turbines. Since the baseline heat input
for the Acid Rain turbines at the plant
was taken from data reported to EPA
under the Acid Rain Program, the Acid
Rain data was subtracted from the total
EIA-based combustion turbine and
combined cycle heat input. The
remaining fuel-adjusted heat input was
then apportioned equally to each of the
non-Acid Rain turbines. In some cases
the difference between EIA and Acid
Rain heat input was zero or even
negative resulting in zero heat input for
the non-Acid Rain units.
Heat input and fuel type objections
received in response to the August 4,
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2006 NODA, and EPA’s response
concerning whether to modify the
baseline heat input, are described in the
Response to Objections Document. EPA
accepted objections that provided unit
level data for units for which EPA has
relied on plant level EIA data. EPA also
accepted objections for units for which
EPA had used unit level EIA data, if the
objector identified that it had notified
EIA of data issues. EPA also accepted
heat input objections if the source
provided an objection with new heat
input data and an explanation of why
the newly submitted data constituted
best available data. Also some objectors
had pointed out an error in EPA’s
calculation of 2002 through 2004 ozone
season boiler heat input that were based
on EIA form 767 data. EPA corrected the
calculation error and has revised the
EIA based ozone season heat input for
those years.
5. How Do I Interpret the Data Tables
Presented Through This NODA?
This section provides a brief
description of the types of data included
in each table of this NODA. A more
detailed description of the data tables
may be found in the TSD titled ‘‘Data
Field Description for the Final CAIR FIP
NOX Annual and NOX Ozone-season
Allocation Tables’’, which is available
in the docket and on the Web site
mentioned in Section 8. The CAIR
Annual and Ozone Season NOX
Allocation tables were created primarily
using data reported to EPA (under the
Acid Rain Program) and the EIA. For a
number of units, annual and ozone
season allocations were based on heat
input and fuel information provided in
response to the August 4, 2006 NODA.
In addition, for a small number of nonAcid Rain units, annual allocations
incorporated heat input information
provided by the source owner or
operator in response to EPA’s June 10,
2004 Supplemental CAIR Proposal.
Tables 1 and 2 contain the annual and
ozone season unit NOX allowance
allocations and the baseline heat input.
Tables 3, 4, 5, and 6 contain the EIA,
EPA, and objector data regarding heat
input and primary fuel used to calculate
the annual allocations. Tables 7, 8, and
9 contain additional EIA, EPA, and
objector data used to calculate ozone
season allocations.
Some units (i.e., units not reporting
under the Acid Rain Program, OTC NOX
Budget Program, or NOX SIP Call NOX
Budget Trading Program during a
portion of the baseline period) use heat
input data available from both EIA and
EPA to compile the baseline heat input.
For these units the EIA annual heat
input data are used until the first full
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year of Acid Rain Program or NOX
Budget Program data are available.
Ozone season heat inputs used for the
ozone season allocation are from the
data reported under the Acid Rain
Program, OTC NOX Budget Program,
and NOX SIP Call NOX Budget Trading
Program, if available, in Table 8.
Otherwise EIA data in Table 7 or sourceprovided data in Table 9 were used.
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6. Is the EPA Requesting Objections to
These Data?
EPA is not requesting objections to
the data in the data tables in this NODA.
This action constitutes a final action for
determining the CAIR FIP NOX
allowance allocations for existing units
for 2009–2014.
7. What Data Is the EPA Making
Available?
EPA has used the best data currently
available to develop an inventory of
existing units that currently are
potentially covered by the CAIR FIPs
and to calculate each existing unit’s
allowance allocations for 2009 through
2014. Through the NODA, EPA is
making available to the public,
including unit owners and operators,
the data used in developing the
inventory of potential existing CAIR
units, the heat input and fuel type data
and resulting baseline heat inputs used
in the allocation calculations, and the
allocations resulting from such
calculations.
As discussed above, the inventory of
existing potential CAIR units, and the
data on which the inventory is based,
are final for purposes of determining
what units should be allocated
allowances in this NODA and are not
final for purposes of future NODAs
concerning future allocations and for
purposes of determining whether a unit
is subject to the requirements of the
CAIR FIPs.7 Further, the heat input and
fuel type data and resulting baseline
heat inputs used in this NODA are final
for purposes of determining CAIR NOX
FIP allowances for 2009–2014. EPA
intends to use, for the units in the
inventory in this NODA, these data
(including the baseline heat inputs) in
calculating allocations in future NODA
addressing future years. These data
include: EPA heat input and fuel type
data under the Acid Rain Program for
the years 2000 through 2004, under the
NOX Budget Program (NBP) for 2000
through 2002 for Ozone Transport
Commission (OTC) units, and under the
NOX Budget Trading Program for 2003
and 2004 for units under the NOX SIP
Call; and heat input and fuel data
7 See
note 1.
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15:58 Nov 01, 2007
Jkt 214001
obtained in EIA databases for units that
are not under these programs. The
2009–2014 allocations in the NODA,
calculated using these data, are also
final.
In particular, this action makes
available to the public: NOX annual and
NOX ozone season allocations for
individual units in CAIR States for the
FIP; the adjusted heat input values for
each unit for 2000 through 2004; the
baseline heat inputs used to calculate
the allocations; the other data used to
include units in, or exclude units from,
the inventory of existing potential CAIR
units for which allocations are
calculated; and objector data received
during the objection period that were
used in the final inventory and
allowance determinations for units.
In particular, EPA is making the
following data available:
• EIA Annual Heat Input: EIA data
were used to obtain heat input and fuel
type data for those units that are subject
to the CAIR rule, but are not reporting
annually under the Acid Rain Program,
OTC NOX Budget Program, or the NOX
SIP Call NOX Budget Trading Program.
• EIA Ozone Season Heat Input.
• EPA Acid Rain Program Annual
Heat Input.
• EPA Acid Rain Program, OTC NOX
Budget Program, and NOX SIP Call NOX
Budget Trading Program Ozone Season
Heat Input.
• Unit NOX Annual Allowance
Allocation Table.
• Unit NOX Ozone Season Allocation
Table.
• Objector data that were used in
inventory and the final allocations.
8. Where Can I Get the Data Discussed
in This NODA?
Tables 1 through 9, which include the
allowance allocations, baseline heat
input, adjusted heat input, and fuel type
data, are available in an Excel file titled
‘‘Final Data for EGU NOX Annual and
NOX Ozone Season Allocations for the
Clean Air Interstate Rule Federal
Implementation Plan Trading Programs
(2009 through 2014 allowance
allocations) on the CAMD Web site at
https://www.epa.gov/airmarkets/cair/
NODA. The ‘‘NODA’’ link will open a
Web page which contains this excel file,
along with the NODA, Technical
Support Document, Response to
Objections Document, and copies of the
applicability determinations made in
connection with this NODA in PDF
format. The NODA is titled ‘‘Final
Notice of Data Availability for EGU NOX
Annual and NOX Ozone Season
Allocations for the Clean Air Interstate
Rule Federal Implementation Plan
Trading Program (2009 through 2014
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62245
allowance allocations).’’ The TSD is
titled ‘‘Data Field Description for the
CAIR FIP NOX Annual and NOX Ozone
Season Allocation Tables (2009 through
2014 allowance allocations).’’ The
Response to Objections document is
titled ‘‘Response to the Objections for
the Notice of Data Availability (NODA),
Proposed Allocation of NOX Allowances
under the Clean Air Interstate Rule
(CAIR) Federal Implementation Plan
(FIP).’’ In addition, these files are in the
CAIR FIP Docket (Docket ID no. EPA–
HQ–OAR–2004–0076).
Other data used in developing the
inventory of potential existing CAIR
units can be found on the EIA Web site
through the link given in section 4 of
this NODA.
Dated October 25, 2007.
Brian McLean,
Director, Office of Atmospheric Programs.
[FR Doc. E7–21603 Filed 11–1–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
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CORPORATION
Sunshine Act; Notice of Agency
Meeting
Pursuant to the provisions of the
‘‘Government in the Sunshine Act’’ (5
U.S.C. 552b), notice is hereby given that
the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation’s Board of Directors will
meet in open session at 2 p.m. on
Monday, November 5, 2007, to consider
the following matters:
Summary Agenda: No substantive
discussion of the following items is
anticipated. These matters will be
resolved with a single vote unless a
member of the Board of Directors
requests that an item be moved to the
discussion agenda.
Disposition of minutes of previous
Board of Directors’ meetings.
Memorandum and resolution re:
Amendments to FDIC Rules and
Regulations Relating to Suspension,
Removal, and Prohibition in the Case of
Certain Criminal Offenses and Rules
and Regulations Applicable to
Proceedings Relating to Cease-andDesist Orders.
Discussion Agenda
Memorandum and resolution re: Final
Rule regarding Risk-Based Capital
Standards: Advanced Capital Adequacy
Framework.
Memorandum and resolution re:
Interagency Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking Relating to the Accuracy
and Integrity of Information Furnished
to Consumer Reporting Agencies and
E:\FR\FM\02NON1.SGM
02NON1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 212 (Friday, November 2, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 62238-62245]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-21603]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[EPA-HQ-OAR-2004-0076; FRL-8490-4]
Final Notice of Data Availability for EGU NOX Annual and NOX
Ozone Season Allocations for the Clean Air Interstate Rule Federal
Implementation Plan Trading Programs
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice of data availability (NODA).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: On March 15, 2006, EPA promulgated Federal Implementation
Plans (FIPs) for all States covered by the Clean Air Interstate Rule
(CAIR). The CAIR FIPs will regulate electric generating units (EGUs) in
the affected States and achieve the emission reductions required by
CAIR until each affected State has an approved CAIR State
Implementation Plan (SIP) to achieve the reductions. EPA will withdraw
a State's FIP in coordination with approval of a full CAIR SIP
implementing the requirements of CAIR.
The CAIR FIP indicates that the Administrator will determine by
order the CAIR NOX allowance allocations. In the CAIR FIP,
EPA stated that it would publish a NODA with NOX allowance
allocations for 2009 through 2014, provide the public with the
opportunity to object to the allocations and underlying data, and then
publish a final NODA (adjusted if necessary). On August 4, 2006, EPA
published a preliminary NODA in the Federal Register and accepted
objections to the data through an electronic docket. This action
constitutes the final NODA and indicates the existing units receiving
CAIR NOX allowances under the FIPs and the quantity of
allowances to be allocated to each unit. These FIP allowances will only
be recorded for sources located in States that do not have an approved
SIP in place. Most States have an approved SIP in place, and the State
determined allowances will be recorded for sources in these states.
In this NODA, the EPA is making available to the public the
Agency's final determination of the NOX annual and
NOX ozone season allocations under the CAIR FIPs that EPA is
making
[[Page 62239]]
to individual existing units under the CAIR FIP NOX annual
and NOX ozone season trading programs for 2009 through 2014,
as well as the data relating to those allocations. The NODA references,
or presents in tables, all these data and the NOX annual and
NOX ozone season allowance allocations calculated using the
data and the allocation formulas finalized in the CAIR FIPs for
existing units for 2009 through 2014.
DATES: The recordation deadline for 2009 CAIR FIP NOX
allowances is September 30, 2007. EPA intends to record CAIR FIP
NOX allowances in the fall of 2007. EPA is close to taking
final action on many SIPs. Because it is EPA's preference to have
States determine allowances, EPA is trying to finalize these approvals
before allocating FIP allowances, so wherever possible, State-
determined allowances will be allocated to sources.
Docket: The EPA has established a docket for this action under
Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2004-0076. All documents in the docket are
listed in the www.regulations.gov index. Although listed in the index,
some information is not publicly available, i.e., confidential business
information or other information whose disclosure is restricted by
statute. Certain other material, such as copyrighted material, is not
placed on the Internet and will be publicly available only in hard copy
form. Publicly available docket materials are available either
electronically in www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at the EPA Docket
Center, EPA West, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington,
DC. The Public Reading Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday
through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the
Public Reading Room is (202) 566-1744, and the telephone number for the
Air Docket is (202) 566-1742.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: General questions concerning this
action and technical questions concerning heat input or fuel data
should be addressed to Brian Fisher, USEPA Headquarters, Ariel Rios
Building, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., Mail Code 6204 J, Washington, DC
20460. Telephone at (202) 343-9633, e-mail at fisher.brian@epa.gov.
If mailing by courier, address package to Brian Fisher, 1310 L St.,
NW., RM 713G, Washington, DC 20005.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Outline
1. General Information
2. What Is This Action?
3. How Are the Data in this NODA Related to the CAIR FIP
NOX Allowance Allocations?
4. What Are the Sources of the EPA's Data?
5. How Do I Interpret the Data Tables Presented Through This NODA?
6. Is the EPA Requesting Objections to These Data?
7. What Data Is EPA Making Available?
8. Where Can I Get the Data Discussed in This NODA?
1. General Information
This action relates to Sec. Sec. 97.141 and 97.341 of the CAIR
FIP. These sections indicate that the Administrator will determine by
order the CAIR NOX allowance allocations. In the CAIR FIP,
EPA stated that it would publish a NODA with NOX allowance
allocations for 2009 through 2014 (71 FR 25352).
Does This Action Apply to Me?
Categories and entities potentially regulated by this action
include the following:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Examples of
Category NAICS code potentially
regulated entities
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Industry.................... 221112.............. Fossil fuel-fired
electric utility
steam generating
units.
Federal Government.......... 221122.............. Fossil fuel-fired
electric utility
steam generating
units.
State/local/Tribal 221122.............. Fossil fuel-fired
government. electric utility
steam generating
units owned by
municipalities.
921150.............. Fossil fuel-fired
electric utility
steam generating
units in Indian
Country.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
This table is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather provides a
guide for readers regarding entities likely to be regulated by this
action. If you have any questions regarding the applicability of this
action to a particular entity, review Sec. Sec. 97.102, 97.104, and
97.105 in the CAIR FIP concerning NOX annual emissions and
Sec. Sec. 97.302, 97.304, and 97.305 in the CAIR FIP concerning
NOX ozone season emissions. You may also consult the person
listed in the preceding section under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
The NOX allowance allocations in this NODA are for
existing units. Existing units are units that commenced operation
before January 1, 2001. New units, which commence operation on or after
January 1, 2001, will initially receive allowances through the new unit
set aside. Once new units have established a five-year baseline, they
will be incorporated into the calculation for allowances for existing
units for future years to the extent the allowances for existing units
have not already been allocated.
The CAIR FIP rule states units will be subject to the CAIR FIP
trading programs (i.e, to the CAIR FIP SO2, NOX
annual, or NOX ozone season programs, as appropriate) if
they are a stationary, fossil-fuel-fired boiler or stationary, fossil-
fuel-fired combustion turbine serving at any time on or after 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. Certain cogeneration units or solid waste incineration units
meeting these general applicability requirements are exempt from the
CAIR FIPs and are described below. The inventory of existing potential
CAIR units, which comprises the units allocated allowances under this
NODA, is based on EPA's preliminary application of the general
applicability requirements and these exemptions. As discussed in the
preliminary NODA and in this action, the inventory does not reflect a
final determination of which units are subject to the CAIR FIPs.
Cogeneration Unit Exemption
Certain cogeneration units meeting the general applicability
requirements are exempt from the CAIR FIP trading programs.
Cogeneration units are units having equipment used to produce
electricity and useful thermal energy for industrial, commercial,
heating, or cooling purposes through sequential use of energy and
meeting certain operating and efficiency standards. Any cogeneration
unit not serving at any time (since the later of November 15, 1990 or
the start-up of the unit) a generator with a nameplate capacity greater
than 25 MWe, supplying more than \1/3\ potential electric output
capacity, and more than 219,000 Mw-hrs, annually to any utility power
distribution system for sale is exempt from the requirements of the
CAIR FIP trading rules. Otherwise, a cogeneration
[[Page 62240]]
unit meeting the general applicability requirements is subject to the
CAIR FIPs.
The CAIR FIP defined ``cogeneration unit'' as a stationary, fossil-
fuel-fired boiler or stationary, fossil-fuel-fired combustion turbine:
(1) Having equipment used to produce electricity and useful thermal
energy for industrial, commercial, heating, or cooling purposes through
the sequential use of energy; and
(2) Producing during the 12-month period starting on the date the
unit first produces electricity and during any calendar year after the
calendar year in which the unit first produces electricity--
(i) For a topping-cycle cogeneration unit,
(A) Useful thermal energy not less than 5 percent of total energy
output; and
(B) Useful power that, when added to one-half of useful thermal
energy produced, is not less then 42.5 percent of total energy input,
if useful thermal energy produced is 15 percent or more of total energy
output, or not less than 45 percent of total energy input, if useful
thermal energy produced is less than 15 percent of total energy output.
(ii) For a bottoming-cycle cogeneration unit, useful power not less
than 45 percent of total energy input.
Subsequent to the CAIR FIP rulemaking, EPA finalized another action
that modified the definition of ``cogeneration unit'' (and made other
revisions to the definitions under the CAIR FIPs) to exclude energy
input from biomass fuel when calculating efficiency of cogeneration
units that are boilers. This makes it possible for some additional
cogeneration units that co-fire biomass to qualify for exemption from
the CAIR FIP rules. The inventory of existing potential CAIR units and
the allocation tables in this action that are based on the inventory
reflect EPA's preliminary application of the revised cogeneration unit
definition and the other revisions to the definitions under the CAIR
FIPs.
Solid Waste Incinerator Exemption
A solid waste incineration unit meeting the general applicability
requirements and commencing operation before January 1, 1985, for which
the average annual fuel consumption of non-fossil fuels during 1985-
1987 exceeded 80 percent and the average annual fuel consumption of
non-fossil fuels during any 3 consecutive calendar years after 1990
exceeds 80 percent, is not subject to the CAIR FIP cap-and-trade
program. Further, a solid waste incineration unit meeting the general
applicability requirements and commencing operation on or after January
1, 1985, for which the average annual fuel consumption of non-fossil
fuels for the first 3 calendar years of operation exceeds 80 percent
and the average annual fuel consumption of non-fossil fuels during any
3 consecutive calendar years after 1990 exceeds 80 percent, is not
subject to the CAIR FIP cap- and trade program. The inventory of
existing potential CAIR units, and the allocation tables in this action
that are based on the inventory, reflect EPA's preliminary application
of the solid waste incineration unit exemption.
2. What Is This Action?
In the March 15, 2006 final action on the CAIR FIP, the EPA
finalized NOX annual and ozone season trading programs for
EGUs as the federal implementation remedy for CAIR. The EPA decided to
adopt, as the FIP for each State in the CAIR region, the model cap-and-
trade programs in the final CAIR, modified slightly to allow for
federal instead of State implementation (as revised March 15, 2006).
These programs include a NOX annual trading program and
NOX ozone season trading program. As explained in the CAIR
FIP Notice of Final Rulemaking (NFR), the FIP NOX annual and
NOX ozone season trading programs require CAIR sources to
hold allowances sufficient to cover their emissions for each control
period. A CAIR NOX annual allowance will authorize the
emission of a ton of NOX during a calendar year, and a CAIR
NOX ozone season allowance will authorize the emission of a
ton of NOX during an ozone season (May 1 through September
30).
In the CAIR FIP NFR, EPA adopted the State NOX annual
and NOX ozone season emission budgets for each State covered
by a CAIR FIP (see Tables V-1 and V-2 in the CAIR FIP NFR); these are
the same State emission budgets as finalized in the CAIR. For each
State covered by the CAIR FIP NOX trading programs, the
State NOX budgets are the total amount of allowances that
EPA will allocate to sources in that State for use in the FIP
NOX trading programs. EPA determined the method for
allocating NOX annual and NOX ozone season
allowances under the FIP through a process that included extensive
public participation.
In this action, we are finalizing the inventory of existing units
that currently are potential CAIR units solely for purposes of
allocating allowances for 2009-2014, the heat input, fuel type, and
resulting baseline heat input data used to calculate the NOX
allowance allocation to the identified existing potential CAIR units
under the CAIR FIPs, and the resulting allowance allocations themselves
for 2009-2014.\1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ EPA notes that if, subsequent to this NODA, a determination
is made that a source included in this inventory is not subject to
CAIR, then the Administrator will deduct any unused allocated
allowances as established in the procedures set forth in Sec. Sec.
97.154(b) and 97.354(b), and transfer them to a new unit set-aside
for the appropriate State.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The inventory of existing potential CAIR units was proposed, and is
finalized, only for the purpose of making allocations for 2009-2014.
The inventory, and the data on which the inventory is based, can be
revised in future NODAs addressing allocations. Furthermore, the
inclusion of a unit in the inventory (and thus in the FIP allocations
for 2009-2014) does not constitute a determination that the unit is
subject to the requirements of the CAIR FIPs; similarly, the exclusion
of a unit from the inventory (and thus from the allowance allocations
for 2009-2014) does not constitute a determination that the unit is not
covered by the CAIR FIPs. However, EPA has made specific determinations
for certain individual units, for which objections concerning the
inclusion in or exclusion from the inventory were submitted in response
to this NODA or for which a request for an applicability determination
was submitted under Sec. 97.104(c) or 97.304(c) are covered by a CAIR
FIP. These determinations are binding, subject to any conditions set
forth in the respective determinations and to any administrative
appeals under Part 78 of EPA's regulations. Copies of these
determinations are included in the docket for this NODA.
EPA notes that, in some cases where objections to the inclusion of
a unit in or exclusion of a unit from the inventory were submitted in
response to this NODA or where a request for an applicability
determination was submitted under Sec. 97.104(c) or 97.304(c), EPA
issued an applicability determination that is used in developing the
final inventory, and is included in the docket, for this NODA. However,
in some cases EPA was unable to complete the applicability
determination in time for issuance of this NODA. In the latter cases,
the units are being included in the inventory of potential existing
CAIR units and allocated allowances in this NODA. However, EPA intends
to complete the process of issuing an applicability determination in
each of these cases in the relatively near future. The inclusion of
these units in the inventory in no way indicates what
[[Page 62241]]
applicability determination EPA will make and whether the units are
subject to the CAIR FIPs. In fact, as discussed below, the CAIR FIPs
include procedures for addressing units that are allocated CAIR FIP
allowances but are subsequently determined not to be subject to the
CAIR FIPs.
This action explains what heat input and fuel type data, and
resulting baseline heat inputs, are used in calculating the allocation
for each potential existing unit and from where these data came. The
EPA published a draft NODA in 2006 to provide opportunity for the
public (including source owners and operators) to submit objections to
the underlying data (including the resulting baseline heat inputs and
allocations). This action incorporates data submitted through those
objections if the data were determined to be the best available data.
Under the CAIR FIP trading rules (40 CFR 97.142(a)(3) and
97.342(a)(3)), we explained that we determine what data are the best
available by ``weighing the likelihood that data are accurate and
reliable and giving greater weight to data submitted to a governmental
entity in compliance with legal requirements or substantiated by an
independent entity.'' For existing potential CAIR units, this NODA
represents the final determination of the heat input and fuel type data
used in the allocations for 2009-2014. Similarly, this NODA represents
the final determination of the 2009-2014 allocations themselves.
However, EPA will issue NODAs in the future to address CAIR FIP
allocations for 2009-2014 for new potential CAIR units and for 2015 and
thereafter for existing and new potential CAIR units and will provide
an opportunity for objections.
The Agency's preference is for States to make decisions about
NOX allocations for their sources. Although in this action
EPA is determining NOX allocations for the CAIR FIP trading
programs, we intend to record EPA-determined allocations in allowance
accounts only for sources located in a State without a timely, approved
CAIR SIP revision or a timely, approved abbreviated CAIR SIP revision
providing for State-determined allocations. In future NODAs, EPA
intends to determine allowance allocations only for States subject to
the FIP at that time.
Deadlines for States to submit CAIR SIP revisions and associated
NOX allocations and for EPA to record NOX
allocations in source accounts are as finalized in the CAIR (see 70 FR
25162, 25323 and 25326) and CAIR FIP (see 71 FR 25328, 25352-55). EPA
discusses these deadlines herein for informational purposes only. As
finalized in the CAIR and CAIR FIP NFRs, SIP submission deadlines are
as follows:
Full CAIR SIP revision: Submit SIP revision by September
11, 2006 and initial set of NOX allocations (covering at
least 2009 through 2011) by October 31, 2006;
Abbreviated CAIR SIP revision \2\: Submit SIP revision by
March 31, 2007 and initial set of NOX allocations (covering
at least 2009 through 2011) by April 30, 2007.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ See CAIR FIP NFR (71 FR 25352) for further discussion of
abbreviated CAIR SIP revisions.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
In this action, EPA determines CAIR NOX allocations
covering 2009 through 2014 under the CAIR FIPs. As finalized in the
CAIR FIP NFR, the Agency will record EPA-determined CAIR NOX
allocations in source accounts one year at a time for 2009 and 2010 in
order to provide flexibility to States to determine allocations for
their sources. The final schedule for recording CAIR NOX
allocations under the FIP in source accounts is shown in Table VI-2 in
the CAIR FIP NFR preamble and reproduced here for informational
purposes:
Table I.--Recordation Deadlines for CAIR FIP NOX Allocations
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deadline by which FIP NOX
allocations are recorded (EPA-
determined allocations or
CAIR control period State-determined allocations
using abbreviated CAIR SIP
revision)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2009................................... September 30, 2007.*
2010................................... September 30, 2008.
2011................................... September 30, 2009.
2012................................... September 30, 2009.
2013................................... September 30, 2009.
2014................................... December 1, 2010.
2015................................... December 1, 2011.
2016................................... December 1, 2012.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* EPA intends to records these allowances in the Fall of 2007.
3. How Are the Data in This NODA Related to the CAIR FIP NOX
Allowance Allocations?
In the CAIR FIP NFR, EPA finalized the schedule for determining and
recording NOX allocations. EPA also finalized a methodology
for calculating unit level NOX allowances. This NODA
provides the unit level NOX allocations for existing
potential CAIR units for 2009 through 2014 calculated using this
methodology, as well as the data used in determining the inventory of
existing potential CAIR units and the heat input and fuel type data and
resulting baseline heat inputs, used in making the allowance
calculations.
As provided in the CAIR FIP NOX annual and ozone season
trading rules (see 40 CFR 97.141 and 97.341), EPA is publishing this
NODA with CAIR FIP NOX allocations for existing potential
CAIR units for 2009 through 2014. This final NODA reflects EPA's
consideration of objections submitted to the 2006 CAIR FIP NODA that
addressed whether any individual unit is treated as an existing
potential CAIR unit eligible for allowance allocations in accordance
with the applicability provisions in these trading rules (see 40 CFR
97.104 and 97.305) and whether any unit allocation is determined in
accordance with the allocation provisions in these trading rules (see
40 CFR 97.142 and 97.342).
In the CAIR FIP NFR, EPA finalized an allocation approach for
NOX annual and ozone season allowances for existing units
(i.e., units commencing operation before January 1, 2001) and new units
(i.e., units commencing operation on or after January 1, 2001) that is
consistent with the example methodology in the CAIR SIP model trading
rules. EPA used the NOX allocation method finalized in the
FIP NFR to calculate the existing unit NOX allocations in
this NODA. This action does not address new unit allocations. New unit
allocation and recordation provisions under the CAIR FIP may be found
in Sec. Sec. 97.141, 97.341, 97.153 and 97.353. See 71 FR 25356-58 for
detailed description of the allocation method. EPA will publish a
preliminary and final NODA in 2009 for new unit allowance allocations
for 2009.
The NOX allocation method in the CAIR FIP NFR was
finalized through a process that involved significant public
participation. The NOX CAIR FIP NODA did not open the
allocation method for public comment. EPA provides a summary of the
NOX allocation method herein for informational purposes
only.
Allocations in this NODA are for existing units for the first 6
control periods (2009 through 2014) of the CAIR NOX annual
and NOX ozone season trading programs. The 2009 allowance
allocations will be recorded in the fall of 2007. It is possible that
future year allowance allocations (2010 through 2014) will differ from
those in this NODA as new potential CAIR units develop baseline heat
input values and are treated as existing potential CAIR units, and as
units that are not potential CAIR units become potential CAIR units.
The NOX allocation method finalized in the CAIR FIP NFR
allocates by using annual heat input data from the years 2000 through
2004 to develop baseline heat inputs. The annual heat input values are
adjusted using fuel
[[Page 62242]]
adjustment factors (1.0 for coal-fired units, 0.6 for oil-fired units,
and 0.4 for units fired with all other fuels (e.g., natural gas)). The
3 highest annual heat input values for the unit are averaged to
determine the unit's baseline heat input. Finally, the total amount of
allowances available for allocation each year to existing units in a
given State (i.e., 95% of the State trading budget) is allocated to
each individual unit in proportion to the unit's share of the total
baseline heat input for all existing potential CAIR units in the State.
The same methodology applies for ozone season allowances, only ozone
season heat input is used in place of annual heat input.
This NODA provides unit NOX allocations calculated
according to the method finalized in the CAIR FIP NFR. Section 8 of
this NODA describes where to locate the allocation tables. The heat
input and fuel type data used to determine these allocations are
described in section 4 of this NODA.
4. What Are the Sources of EPA's Data?
A. Development of the Inventory of Existing Potential CAIR Units
Diagram 1 in the Technical Support Document (TSD) provides a
general overview of how the inventory of existing potential CAIR units
was developed. Any existing unit currently reporting monitoring data
under the Acid Rain Program (referred to in this NODA as ``Acid Rain
units'') in a CAIR FIP State, except for an Acid Rain Program opt-in
unit, was included as an existing potential CAIR unit. The list of Acid
Rain units in the States was generated from EPA's Acid Rain Program
database. Units not reporting monitoring data under the Acid Rain
Program (referred to in this NODA as ``non-Acid Rain units'') that are
existing potential CAIR units were identified using data reported by
owners of generators to the Energy Information Administration (EIA) on
forms 860 and 767 or through objections submitted by the source owners
and operators.
From the EIA form 860 database, EPA identified, for non-Acid Rain
units, all generators with a nameplate capacity greater than 25 MWe
served by a boiler or turbine with a fossil fuel energy source. In
determining whether a unit has a fossil fuel energy source, EPA applied
the definition of ``fossil fuel'' in the CAIR FIPs (40 CFR 97.102 and
97.302). From that list we then excluded generators as follows:
EPA excluded non-utility generators which did not sell
electricity to a utility based on EIA form 860b data from 1999 and
2000. EIA form 860b sales data were not available after 2000 due to
changes in the EIA form 860b. Consequently, the exclusion of generators
for purposes of allocating allowances in this NODA does not necessarily
mean that these generators are excluded for purposes of determining
whether boilers or turbines serving them are subject to the CAIR FIPs.
EPA believes, based on preliminary consideration of the applicability
provisions of the CAIR FIPS, that many of these units may not be
subject to the CAIR FIPs. However, if, on or after November 15, 1990,
any of these generators produced electricity that was sold, the units
serving that generator may be subject to the CAIR FIPs.
From EIA form 860, EPA excluded generators at municipal
waste combustors. The CAIR rule provides an exemption for solid waste
incineration units similar to the Acid Rain Program exemption in 40 CFR
Part 72.
From EIA form 860b (1999 and 2000), EPA excluded all
generators at facilities that were certified (in accordance with
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) regulations) as qualifying
cogeneration facilities and that had annual, plant-wide sales of one
third or less of the potential generating capacity, or had annual sales
less than 219,000 MW-hrs, to an electric utility. This information was
only available at the plant level. Since electricity sales data were
not available at the unit level for other years and a unit must meet
these criteria annually to qualify for the cogeneration exemption,
exclusion of generators for allocating allowances in this notice does
not necessarily mean that boilers and combustion turbines serving the
generators are not subject to the CAIR FIPs. Moreover, FERC regulations
require, as part of the criteria for qualifying cogeneration facilities
that facilities meet certain efficiency requirements to the extent
natural gas or oil is combusted. Under CAIR, a unit must meet the
efficiency requirements with regard to all fuel types combusted,
except, in the case of boilers, biomass. Consequently, exclusion of
generators for allocating allowances in this notice does not
necessarily mean that boilers and combustion turbines serving the
generators are not subject to the CAIR FIPs.
From the EIA form 767 database, EPA identified as potential CAIR
units all boilers located at non-Acid Rain plants (commencing operation
before January 1, 2001) serving the generators remaining on the
generator list after the above-described exclusions. Simple and
combined cycle combustion turbines were identified based directly on
the generator ID and prime mover type in EIA form 860.
From EIA form 860 EPA identified all simple combustion turbines, at
Acid Rain plants, with a nameplate capacity greater than 25 MWe, a
fossil fuel energy source, and an online date prior to January 1991.
These simple combustion turbines are potential CAIR units even though
they may be non-Acid Rain units since they have reported to EIA that
they sell electricity to a utility based on utility ownership or EIA
form 860b data from 1999 and 2000 and serve a generator greater than 25
MWe.
The resulting list of non-Acid Rain units was also checked against
EPA's National Electric Energy Data System (NEEDS) database. The NEEDS
database contains a list of electric generating units used to construct
the ``model'' plants that represent existing and planned/committed
units in EPA modeling applications of the Integrated Planning Model
(IPM). The NEEDs check resulted in the addition of a number of non-Acid
Rain pre-1991 combined cycle combustion turbines at Acid Rain plants.
EPA also included specific units in the inventory of existing
potential CAIR units based on objections and supporting data submitted
to the EPA by the owners or operators of the units involved.
EPA notes, as discussed above, that inclusion of a unit in, or
exclusion of a unit from, the inventory of existing potential CAIR
units (and thus the allocations for 2009-2014) reflects only a
preliminary application of the applicability provisions of the CAIR
FIPs and does not constitute a determination of whether the unit is
subject to a CAIR FIP. The inventory was developed in order to enable
EPA to calculate allowance allocations for existing units, and the data
that EPA used in developing the inventory are not complete and have
certain limitations. In contrast, the applicability on the CAIR FIPs to
individual units must be determined based on a complete review of all
relevant data, whether or not all such data were provided at the time
the inventory was developed, and final application of the applicability
provisions to that data. In fact, because an inventory developed for
purposes of allowance allocation may not be entirely consistent with
final applicability determinations, Sec. Sec. 97.142(e) and 97.342(e)
establish procedures to be applied when the Administrator determines
that a unit that has been allocated allowances turns out not to
actually be a CAIR unit, i.e., not to
[[Page 62243]]
actually be a unit subject to the requirements of a CAIR FIP. For
example, if this determination is made after the allowance allocation
is recorded but before deductions for compliance with the allowance-
holding requirement are made under Sec. Sec. 97.154(b) and 97.354(b),
the Administrator will deduct the allowances and transfer them to a new
unit set-aside for the appropriate State.
The public, including owners and operators of units that should
have been, but were not included in the inventory of existing potential
CAIR units in the preliminary NODA, was asked to submit objections, in
response to the August 4, 2006 NODA, informing EPA that the units
should be added to the inventory and allocated allowances, consistent
with the applicability criteria in the CAIR FIP (in Sec. Sec. 97.104
and 97.304). The data necessary for allowance allocations were also to
be provided.
Applicability objections received in response to the August 4, 2006
NODA, and EPA's response concerning whether to add the units or remove
the units from the inventory of existing potential CAIR units are
described in the Response to Objections Document and copies of the
applicability determinations are included in the CAIR FIP docket.
A unit that is not allocated allowances because of its exclusion
from the inventory may ultimately be determined to be a CAIR unit. Each
CAIR unit is subject to the allowance-holding requirements of CAIR
regardless of whether the unit is allocated any allowances.
B. Annual and Ozone Season Fuel Heat Input Data for Acid Rain Units
EPA used heat input data reported by units under the Acid Rain
Program for 2000 through 2004 in order to develop annual and ozone
season baseline heat input. Fuel-adjusted heat input was calculated
based on the reported heat input and the primary fuel type (by year)
that was reported to EPA in the unit's Acid Rain Program monitoring
plan. For units that reported coal as their primary fuel for the year,
EPA did not adjust their heat input. For units reporting oil as their
primary fuel, EPA multiplied their heat input by 0.6. If the primary
fuel was not coal or oil, the heat input for the year was multiplied by
0.4.
For some units, the use of the primary fuel type to identify the
appropriate CAIR fuel adjustment factor may not yield the same result
as using the CAIR FIP definition of ``coal-fired'' or ``oil-fired'' to
identify the appropriate factor. Under the CAIR FIP, a coal-fired unit
is a unit which burns any amount of coal in a year, and an oil-fired
unit is a unit which had more than 15% of its yearly heat input from
oil and burned no coal. The use of primary fuel type will not match the
CAIR FIP definition in cases where coal was burned in a year, but was
not listed as the primary fuel, or when more than 15% of a year's heat
input was from oil, but oil was not listed as the primary fuel. EPA
used the primary fuel type, as a surrogate for the data necessary to
apply the terms ``coal-fired'' and ``oil-fired'', because under the
Acid Rain Program, more detailed fuel use data are reported only for
units using non-continuous emission monitoring methods. Because of this
limitation on the data used by EPA, the fuel-adjusted heat input
calculated for some units may be lower than if the calculation were
based on more precise data. Owners and operators were asked to provide,
in response to the August 4, 2006 NODA, any available, more precise
data on fuel use. Fuel type objections and EPA's response are described
in the Response to Objections document. EPA accepted the fuel type
objections to the fuel determinations based on monitoring plan data in
the preliminary NODA.
C. Annual and Ozone Season Fuel Heat Input Data for Non-Acid Rain Units
EIA data, as well as Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
form 423 data, were used to calculate annual and ozone season fuel-
adjusted heat input for non-Acid Rain units.\3\
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\3\ In some cases, heat input information was not available for
all or a portion of the baseline period. It was not clear whether
this was the result of a unit not operating or a unit failing to
report its operations. A zero value was applied for heat input in
these cases. This may have resulted in an incorrect baseline heat
input for the unit involved.
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The data sources and calculation methods vary by the type of unit
and data year. The EIA and FERC databases that were used were
downloaded in October 2005 and are available on EIA's Web site at
https://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/electricity/page/data.html.
For the August 4, 2006 NODA inventory, we also replaced the
calculated ozone season heat input data with data reported to EPA under
the OTC NOX Budget Program and the NOX SIP Call
NOX Budget Trading Program, if available. For the final
inventory, based on objections received, we also replaced the
calculated annual values with data reported to EPA for a full twelve
months under the OTC NOX Budget Program and the
NOX SIP Call NOX Budget Trading Program.\4\ The
reported heat input was used in conjunction with information regarding
the primary fuel for the year (reported in the monitoring plan) to
calculate the fuel-adjusted heat input.
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\4\ Initially EPA did not use data reported under the
NOX Budget programs for non-Acid Rain units. Some units
only report ozone season quarters, and therefore the heat input for
these reflect less than a full year's operation.
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In addition, EPA also utilized information provided as part of the
CAIR rulemaking process. More specifically, EPA used annual heat input
data submitted in response to EPA's Supplemental CAIR Proposal
published in the Federal Register on June 10, 2004.
Boilers
For 2000, fuel-adjusted annual and ozone season heat input were
calculated for each utility boiler based on EIA form 767 monthly fuel
use and heat content data. The fuel-adjusted 2000 annual heat input was
calculated at the plant level for non-utility boilers based on EIA form
860b data. The fuel usage and heat content information in EIA form 860b
is reported at the plant level, so the fuel-adjusted heat input was
first calculated for the plant and then apportioned equally to each
boiler (at the plant) that is a potential CAIR unit. The ozone season
heat input for non-utility boilers was based on multiplying the annual
heat input by the fraction of the five ozone-season months to 12 annual
months (\5/12\).\5\
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\5\ Plants that were sold in 2000 and changed status from
utility to non-utility sometimes reported using both the utility and
non-utility forms for that year. To avoid double counting of heat
input in these cases, EPA used only the data from utility form or
the data from the non-utility form for the plant, whichever set of
data resulted in the higher heat input for the plant.
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Beginning in 2001, both utility and non-utility boilers reported
using EIA form 767, so fuel-adjusted heat input was calculated for each
boiler based on monthly fuel usage and heat content data from that EIA
form for the 2001 through 2004 period.
Although data for 2000 was developed as described above, EPA
decided not to use the 2000 data in certain cases, i.e., where a plant
included both existing potential CAIR units and existing units that are
not treated as potential CAIR units. Since in those cases the 2000 unit
level heat input could not be determined for existing potential CAIR
units alone without attributing to them heat input that actually may be
for units that are not potential CAIR units and this additional heat
input could be significant, EPA decided, in those cases, to exclude the
2000 heat input data and use the average of the three highest annual
heat input values during 2001
[[Page 62244]]
through 2004 in calculating NOX allowance allocations. In
any case where the use of unit level data (for 2000 or for any other
relevant period) will affect the calculation of the baseline heat input
of a unit, the owners and operators of the unit were given the
opportunity to provide EPA, in response to the preliminary NODA, the
unit level data.
Simple Combustion Turbines and Combined Cycle Units at Non-Acid Rain
Plants
The following procedures were used for simple combustion turbines
and combined cycle units at non-Acid Rain plants, which include certain
utility and non-utility plants.\6\ For 2000, data from the EIA form
860b was used to calculate simple combustion turbine and combined cycle
unit fuel-adjusted heat input for the non-utility plants in a similar
manner as the 2000 non-utility boiler calculation. Annual fuel-adjusted
heat input was calculated at the plant level. Data from the EIA form
759 and FERC form 423 were used to calculate simple combustion turbine
and combined cycle heat input for the utility plants. The EIA form 759
provided monthly fuel usage at the prime mover level (simple combustion
turbine, combined cycle combustion turbine, and combined cycle steam
turbine), and the FERC form 423 provided gaseous and liquid fuel heat
content for the plants. The prime mover fuel-adjusted heat input for
the plant was apportioned equally to each potential CAIR unit at the
plant by prime mover type (with combined cycle combustion turbine and
steam turbine heat inputs combined to provide a single combined cycle
heat input). To the extent the plant includes both potential CAIR units
and units that are not treated as potential CAIR units, this approach
may have resulted in calculated heat input values exceeding the actual
heat input for the potential CAIR units. Unlike the boiler data, that
required apportioning plant level data only for 2000, combustion
turbine EIA data are only available at the plant level for all of the
years. Therefore the approach taken for boilers, i.e., exclusion of a
year of plant level data when that data may be impacted by units not
subject to CAIR, was not available. In any case where the use of unit
level data (for 2000 or for any other relevant period) will affect
calculation of the baseline heat input of a unit, the owners and
operators were given the opportunity to provide to the EPA, in response
to the preliminary NODA in 2006, the unit level data. Ozone-season heat
input was calculated based on the \5/12\ fraction of ozone-season
months to annual months.
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\6\ See note 2.
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In 2001 the EIA form 759 was renamed as form 906, with separate
similar versions for non-utility and utility plant prime mover level
fuel usage. Data for the non-utility and utility plants from these
forms were combined with the FERC form 423 heat content data to
calculate prime mover level fuel-adjusted heat input. This prime mover
level annual and ozone season heat input was then apportioned equally
to each simple combustion turbine or combined cycle turbine (at the
plant) that is a potential CAIR unit by prime mover type as described
earlier for the 2000 utility units.
EIA combined the utility and non-utility reporting forms in 2002
and changed the format. The EIA form 906 for 2002 through 2004 provided
both fuel usage and fuel heat input on a monthly basis. The annual and
ozone season fuel-adjusted heat input was totaled for each of the non-
utility and utility plants at the prime mover level and then
apportioned equally to each potential CAIR unit at the plant, as
described above for the 2000 and 2001 EIA form 759 and 906 data.
Non-Acid Rain Simple Combustion Turbines at Acid Rain Plants
The fuel-adjusted heat inputs for non-Acid Rain simple combustion
turbines located at Acid Rain plants with no Acid Rain combustion
turbines were calculated and apportioned in a similar manner as
described above for simple combustion turbines and combined cycle units
at non-Acid Rain plants.
Heat inputs, however, for non-Acid Rain combustion turbines located
at plants with Acid Rain combustion turbines had to be calculated in a
different manner in order to not double count heat input. At these
plants the plant or prime mover level heat input, calculated with EIA
data as described above, included heat input from both the non-Acid
Rain and Acid Rain turbines. Since the baseline heat input for the Acid
Rain turbines at the plant was taken from data reported to EPA under
the Acid Rain Program, the Acid Rain data was subtracted from the total
EIA-based combustion turbine and combined cycle heat input. The
remaining fuel-adjusted heat input was then apportioned equally to each
of the non-Acid Rain turbines. In some cases the difference between EIA
and Acid Rain heat input was zero or even negative resulting in zero
heat input for the non-Acid Rain units.
Heat input and fuel type objections received in response to the
August 4, 2006 NODA, and EPA's response concerning whether to modify
the baseline heat input, are described in the Response to Objections
Document. EPA accepted objections that provided unit level data for
units for which EPA has relied on plant level EIA data. EPA also
accepted objections for units for which EPA had used unit level EIA
data, if the objector identified that it had notified EIA of data
issues. EPA also accepted heat input objections if the source provided
an objection with new heat input data and an explanation of why the
newly submitted data constituted best available data. Also some
objectors had pointed out an error in EPA's calculation of 2002 through
2004 ozone season boiler heat input that were based on EIA form 767
data. EPA corrected the calculation error and has revised the EIA based
ozone season heat input for those years.
5. How Do I Interpret the Data Tables Presented Through This NODA?
This section provides a brief description of the types of data
included in each table of this NODA. A more detailed description of the
data tables may be found in the TSD titled ``Data Field Description for
the Final CAIR FIP NOX Annual and NOX Ozone-
season Allocation Tables'', which is available in the docket and on the
Web site mentioned in Section 8. The CAIR Annual and Ozone Season
NOX Allocation tables were created primarily using data
reported to EPA (under the Acid Rain Program) and the EIA. For a number
of units, annual and ozone season allocations were based on heat input
and fuel information provided in response to the August 4, 2006 NODA.
In addition, for a small number of non-Acid Rain units, annual
allocations incorporated heat input information provided by the source
owner or operator in response to EPA's June 10, 2004 Supplemental CAIR
Proposal.
Tables 1 and 2 contain the annual and ozone season unit
NOX allowance allocations and the baseline heat input.
Tables 3, 4, 5, and 6 contain the EIA, EPA, and objector data regarding
heat input and primary fuel used to calculate the annual allocations.
Tables 7, 8, and 9 contain additional EIA, EPA, and objector data used
to calculate ozone season allocations.
Some units (i.e., units not reporting under the Acid Rain Program,
OTC NOX Budget Program, or NOX SIP Call
NOX Budget Trading Program during a portion of the baseline
period) use heat input data available from both EIA and EPA to compile
the baseline heat input. For these units the EIA annual heat input data
are used until the first full
[[Page 62245]]
year of Acid Rain Program or NOX Budget Program data are
available. Ozone season heat inputs used for the ozone season
allocation are from the data reported under the Acid Rain Program, OTC
NOX Budget Program, and NOX SIP Call
NOX Budget Trading Program, if available, in Table 8.
Otherwise EIA data in Table 7 or source-provided data in Table 9 were
used.
6. Is the EPA Requesting Objections to These Data?
EPA is not requesting objections to the data in the data tables in
this NODA. This action constitutes a final action for determining the
CAIR FIP NOX allowance allocations for existing units for
2009-2014.
7. What Data Is the EPA Making Available?
EPA has used the best data currently available to develop an
inventory of existing units that currently are potentially covered by
the CAIR FIPs and to calculate each existing unit's allowance
allocations for 2009 through 2014. Through the NODA, EPA is making
available to the public, including unit owners and operators, the data
used in developing the inventory of potential existing CAIR units, the
heat input and fuel type data and resulting baseline heat inputs used
in the allocation calculations, and the allocations resulting from such
calculations.
As discussed above, the inventory of existing potential CAIR units,
and the data on which the inventory is based, are final for purposes of
determining what units should be allocated allowances in this NODA and
are not final for purposes of future NODAs concerning future
allocations and for purposes of determining whether a unit is subject
to the requirements of the CAIR FIPs.\7\ Further, the heat input and
fuel type data and resulting baseline heat inputs used in this NODA are
final for purposes of determining CAIR NOX FIP allowances
for 2009-2014. EPA intends to use, for the units in the inventory in
this NODA, these data (including the baseline heat inputs) in
calculating allocations in future NODA addressing future years. These
data include: EPA heat input and fuel type data under the Acid Rain
Program for the years 2000 through 2004, under the NOX
Budget Program (NBP) for 2000 through 2002 for Ozone Transport
Commission (OTC) units, and under the NOX Budget Trading
Program for 2003 and 2004 for units under the NOX SIP Call;
and heat input and fuel data obtained in EIA databases for units that
are not under these programs. The 2009-2014 allocations in the NODA,
calculated using these data, are also final.
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\7\ See note 1.
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In particular, this action makes available to the public:
NOX annual and NOX ozone season allocations for
individual units in CAIR States for the FIP; the adjusted heat input
values for each unit for 2000 through 2004; the baseline heat inputs
used to calculate the allocations; the other data used to include units
in, or exclude units from, the inventory of existing potential CAIR
units for which allocations are calculated; and objector data received
during the objection period that were used in the final inventory and
allowance determinations for units.
In particular, EPA is making the following data available:
EIA Annual Heat Input: EIA data were used to obtain heat
input and fuel type data for those units that are subject to the CAIR
rule, but are not reporting annually under the Acid Rain Program, OTC
NOX Budget Program, or the NOX SIP Call
NOX Budget Trading Program.
EIA Ozone Season Heat Input.
EPA Acid Rain Program Annual Heat Input.
EPA Acid Rain Program, OTC NOX Budget Program,
and NOX SIP Call NOX Budget Trading Program Ozone
Season Heat Input.
Unit NOX Annual Allowance Allocation Table.
Unit NOX Ozone Season Allocation Table.
Objector data that were used in inventory and the final
allocations.
8. Where Can I Get the Data Discussed in This NODA?
Tables 1 through 9, which include the allowance allocations,
baseline heat input, adjusted heat input, and fuel type data, are
available in an Excel file titled ``Final Data for EGU NOX
Annual and NOX Ozone Season Allocations for the Clean Air
Interstate Rule Federal Implementation Plan Trading Programs (2009
through 2014 allowance allocations) on the CAMD Web site at https://
www.epa.gov/airmarkets/cair/NODA. The ``NODA'' link will open a Web
page which contains this excel file, along with the NODA, Technical
Support Document, Response to Objections Document, and copies of the
applicability determinations made in connection with this NODA in PDF
format. The NODA is titled ``Final Notice of Data Availability for EGU
NOX Annual and NOX Ozone Season Allocations for
the Clean Air Interstate Rule Federal Implementation Plan Trading
Program (2009 through 2014 allowance allocations).'' The TSD is titled
``Data Field Description for the CAIR FIP NOX Annual and
NOX Ozone Season Allocation Tables (2009 through 2014
allowance allocations).'' The Response to Objections document is titled
``Response to the Objections for the Notice of Data Availability
(NODA), Proposed Allocation of NOX Allowances under the
Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) Federal Implementation Plan (FIP).''
In addition, these files are in the CAIR FIP Docket (Docket ID no. EPA-
HQ-OAR-2004-0076).
Other data used in developing the inventory of potential existing
CAIR units can be found on the EIA Web site through the link given in
section 4 of this NODA.
Dated October 25, 2007.
Brian McLean,
Director, Office of Atmospheric Programs.
[FR Doc. E7-21603 Filed 11-1-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P