Official Release of EMFAC2007 Motor Vehicle Emission Factor Model for Use in the State of California, 3464-3467 [E8-876]
Download as PDF
3464
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 13 / Friday, January 18, 2008 / Notices
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
[ER–FRL–6695–1]
rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with NOTICES
Environmental Impacts Statements;
Notice of Availability
Responsible Agency: Office of Federal
Activities, General Information (202)
564–7167 or https://www.epa.gov/
compliance/nepa/.
Weekly receipt of Environmental Impact
Statements Filed 01/07/2008 through
01/11/2008. Pursuant to 40 CFR
1506.9.
EIS No. 20080008, Draft EIS, NPS, NY,
Governors Island National Monument,
General Management Plan,
Implementation, New York Harbor,
NY, Comment Period Ends: 03/18/
2008, Contact: Christine Gobrial 215–
597–1572.
EIS No. 20080009, Final EIS, AFS, WY,
Lower Valley Energy (LVE) Natural
Gas Pipeline Project, Construction
and Operation of a Pressurized
Natural Gas Pipeline, Special-UseAuthorization, Big Piney and Jackson
Ranger Districts, Bridger-Teton
National Forest, Sublette and Teton
Counties, WY, Wait Period Ends: 02/
19/2008, Contact: Greg Clark 307–
276–3375.
EIS No. 20080010, Draft EIS, FHW, 00,
US–231/I–10 Connector Project HPP–
1602–(507), Proposal to Build Limited
Access Facility from U.S. 231 North of
Dothan to the Alabama/Florida State
Line, Dale, Houston, Geneva Counties,
AL, Comment Period Ends: 03/03/
2008, Contact: Mark D. Bartlett 334–
223–7370.
EIS No. 20080011, Final EIS, FHW, AK,
Knik Arm Crossing Project, To
Provide Improved Access between the
Municipality of Anchorage and
Matanuska-Susitna Borough, AK,
Wait Period Ends: 02/19/2008,
Contact: Edrie Vinson 907–586–7464.
EIS No. 20080012, Final EIS, NAS, 00,
Programmatic—Constellation
Program, Develop the Flight Systems
and Earth-based Ground
Infrastructure for Future Missions,
International Space Station, The
Moon, Mars, and Beyond, Brevard
and Volusia Counties, FL; Hancock
County, MS; Orlean Parish, LA; Harris
County, TX; Madison County, AL;
Cuyahoga and Erie Counties, OH;
Hampton, VA; Santa Clara County,
CA; Dona Ana and Otero Counties,
NM; and Box Elder and Davis
Counties, UT, Wait Period Ends: 02/
19/2008, Contact: Kathleen Callister
202–358–1953.
EIS No. 20080013, Draft EIS, AFS, NM,
Santa Fe National Forest Project,
Settlement Land Transfers: Pueblo de
VerDate Aug<31>2005
16:37 Jan 17, 2008
Jkt 214001
San lldefonso, Pueblo of Santa Clara
and Los Alamos County,
Implementation, Santa Fe National
Forest, Los Alamos, Rio Arriba and
Santa Fe Counties, NM, Comment
Period Ends: 03/03/2008, Contact:
Sandy Hurlocked 505–753–7331.
EIS No. 20080014, Draft EIS, NPS, WA,
San Juan Island National Historical
Park, General Management Plan,
Implementation, WA, Comment
Period Ends: 03/17/2008, Contact:
Cheryl Teaque 206–220–4112.
EIS No. 20080015, Draft EIS, BLM, WY,
Westside Land Conveyance Project,
Congressionally-Mandated Transfer of
16,500 Acres of Public Land to the
Westside Irrigation District, Big Horn
and Washakie Counties, WY,
Comment Period Ends: 03/03/2008,
Contact: Don Ogaard 307–347–5160.
This document is available on the
Internet at: https://www.blm.gov/wy/st/
en/info/NEPA/wfodocs/westside.html.
EIS No. 20080016, Draft EIS, FHW, ID,
Three Cities River Crossing Project,
New Roadway Crossing of the Boise
River at the Juncture of the Cities of
Boise, Eagle and Garden, Ada County
Highway District (ACHD), Ada
County, ID, Comment Period Ends:
03/03/2008, Contact: Ross Blanchard
208–334–9180.
EIS No. 20080017, Final EIS, COE, CA,
San Clemente Dam Seismic Safety
Project, Increase Dam Safety to Meet
Current Design Standards, Monterey
County, CA, Wait Period Ends: 02/19/
2008, Contact: Robert Smith 415–503–
6792.
EIS No. 20080018, Draft EIS, FHW, CA,
Phase I—CA 11 Corridor Location and
Route Adoption and Location
Identification of the Otay Mesa East
Port of Entry (POE) on Otay Mesa,
Presidential Permit for the POE and
Acquisition of Right-of-Way Permit,
San Diego County, CA, Comment
Period Ends: 03/03/2008, Contact:
Cesar Perez 916–498–5065.
EIS No. 20080019, Draft EIS, MMS, 00,
Cape Wind Energy Project,
Construction, Operation and
Maintenance, and Decommissioning
of a Electric Generation Facility,
Barnstable, Nantucket and Duke
County, MA and Washington County,
RI, Comment Period Ends: 03/20/
2008, Contact: Dr. Rodney E. Cluck
703–787–1087.
EIS No. 20080020, Final EIS, FRC, NY,
Broadwater Liquefied Natural Gas
(LNG) Project, Construction and
Operation a Natural Gas Pipeline
Facilities, (Docket Nos. CP06–54, et
al.), Long Island Sound, NY, Wait
Period Ends: 02/19/2008, Contact:
Andy Black 1–866–208–3372.
PO 00000
Frm 00017
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Amended Notices
EIS No. 20070508, Draft EIS, AFS, 00,
Wild and Scenic River Suitability
Study for National Forest System
Lands on the Ashley, Dixie, Fishlake,
Manti-La Sal, Uinta and WasatchCache National Forests in UT and
Portion of National Forests extend
into Colorado and Wyoming, several
counties, UT, Montrose County, CO
and Uinta County, WY, Wait Period
Ends: 02/15/2008, Contact: Catherine
Kahlow 435–783–4338. Revision of
FR Notice Published 12/07/2007:
Extending Comment Period from 01/
22/2008 to 02/15/2008.
Dated: January 15, 2008.
Robert W. Hargrove,
Director, NEPA Compliance Division, Office
of Federal Activities.
[FR Doc. E8–881 Filed 1–17–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
[CAXXX–NOA; FRL–8517–9]
Official Release of EMFAC2007 Motor
Vehicle Emission Factor Model for Use
in the State of California
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice of Availability.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: EPA is approving and
announcing the availability of the latest
version of the California EMFAC model
for use in state implementation plan
(SIP) development in California.
EMFAC2007 is the latest update to the
EMFAC model for use by California
state and local governments to meet
Clean Air Act (CAA) requirements. The
new model, which is based on new and
improved data, calculates air pollution
emission factors for passenger cars,
trucks, motorcycles, motor homes and
buses. Today’s notice also sets the date
after which EMFAC2007 is required to
be used statewide in all new regional
emissions analyses and carbon
monoxide (CO) hot-spot analyses for
transportation conformity
determinations in California. EPA also
intends to approve EMFAC2007 in the
future for particulate matter (PM10 and
PM2.5) hot-spot analyses in California,
once EPA issues quantitative hot-spot
modeling guidance for such analyses.
Since the EMFAC model is used only in
California, EPA’s approval of the model
does not affect MOBILE model users in
other states.
DATES: This determination is effective
January 18, 2008. EMFAC2007 must be
used for all new regional emissions
E:\FR\FM\18JAN1.SGM
18JAN1
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 13 / Friday, January 18, 2008 / Notices
analyses and CO hot-spot analyses that
are started on or after April 18, 2008.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Karina O’Connor,
oconnor.karina@epa.gov, (775) 833–
1276, Air Planning Office (AIR–2), Air
Division, U.S. EPA, Region 9, 75
Hawthorne Street, San Francisco,
California, 94105–3901. For questions
regarding the future development of
quantitative PM10 and PM2.5 hot-spot
modeling guidance, contact Meg
Patulski, patulski.meg@epa.gov, (734)
214–4842, Transportation and Regional
Programs Division, U.S. EPA’s Office of
Transportation and Air Quality, 2000
Traverwood Road, Ann Arbor, MI
48105.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Copies of
the official version of the EMFAC2007
model are available on the California
Air Resources Board (CARB) Web site:
https://www.arb.ca.gov/msei/onroad/
latest_version.htm (model, technical
support documents, etc).
rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with NOTICES
I. Background
A. What Is the EMFAC Model?
The EMFAC model (short for
EMission FACtor) is a computer model
that can estimate emission rates for onroad mobile sources (‘‘motor vehicles’’)
for calendar years from 1970 to 2040
operating in California. Pollutant
emissions for hydrocarbons (HC), CO,
nitrogen oxides (NOX), PM10, PM2.5,
lead, and sulfur oxides are output from
the model. Emissions are calculated for
thirteen different vehicles classes
comprised of passenger cars, various
types of trucks and buses, motorcycles,
and motor homes. The EMFAC2007
model is operated with a user-friendly
graphical user interface (GUI) which
facilitates data input and allows the
development of alternative emissions
scenarios through a What If Scenarios
(WIS) generator. The WIS interface can
be used to incorporate updated vehicle
data, adjust ambient conditions or make
changes to potential emission control
programs in a specific area.
EMFAC is used to calculate current
and future inventories of motor vehicle
emissions at the state, air district, air
basin, or county level. EMFAC contains
default vehicle activity data, and the
option of modifying that data, so it can
be used to estimate a motor vehicle
emission inventory in tons/day for a
specific year, month, or season, and as
a function of ambient temperature,
relative humidity, vehicle population,
mileage accrual, miles of travel and
speeds. Thus the model can be used to
make decisions about air pollution
policies and programs at the local or
state level. Inventories based on EMFAC
VerDate Aug<31>2005
16:37 Jan 17, 2008
Jkt 214001
are also used to meet the federal CAA’s
SIP and transportation conformity
requirements. Transportation
conformity is required under CAA
section 176(c) to ensure that federally
supported transportation plans,
transportation improvement programs
(TIPs), and highway and transit projects
are consistent with (‘‘conform to’’) the
purpose of the SIP.
B. What Versions of EMFAC Are
Currently in Use in California?
Most SIPs in California were
developed using EMFAC2002 (released
by CARB in October 2002) or
EMFAC2000 (released by CARB in May
2000). EPA approved use of
EMFAC2000 in January 2002 only for
the San Francisco Bay Area (67 FR
1464). EPA approved EMFAC2002 in
April 2003 (68 FR 15720) for all areas
in California.
EMFAC2002 was considered a major
update to previous versions of EMFAC
and most SIPs in California were
updated with EMFAC2002 in the 2003–
2006 timeframe. EMFAC2002 included
significant changes to its model
interface, new data and methodologies
regarding calculation of motor vehicle
emissions, revision to implementation
data for control measures, and
corrections to technical errors
mentioned in our prior approval of
EMFAC2000. Areas with SIP motor
vehicle emissions budgets developed
using earlier versions of EMFAC were
required to use EMFAC2002 for regional
conformity analyses at the end of the
grace period provided by 40 CFR
93.111(b).
C. Why Is EPA Announcing Its Approval
of the EMFAC Model?
CAA section 172(c)(3) and 40 CFR
51.112(a)(1) require that SIP inventories
be based on the most current, accurate,
and applicable models that are available
at the time the SIP is developed. CAA
section 176(c)(1) requires that the latest
emissions estimates be used in
conformity analyses. EPA approves
models that fulfill these requirements.
Under 40 CFR 93.111(a), EPA must
approve new versions of EMFAC for SIP
purposes before they can be used in
transportation conformity analyses. In
an April 18, 2007 letter, CARB
requested that EPA approve
EMFAC2007 for use in developing SIPs
and in determining conformity in
California. EMFAC2007 is a significant
change from previous EMFAC models
and is capable of calculating motor
vehicle emissions for all California
areas. EMFAC2007 is being approved as
the latest emissions model for statewide
use in SIP development. Since the
PO 00000
Frm 00018
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
3465
EMFAC model is only used in
California, EPA’s statewide approval of
the model does not affect MOBILE
emissions factor model users in other
states.
D. Why Have Transportation Agencies
Stopped Using EMFAC2002 for Regional
Conformity Emissions Analyses?
On February 1, 2007, the Federal
Highway Administration (FHWA) sent a
letter to all of the Metropolitan Planning
Organizations in California and Caltrans
Districts indicating that, after August 1,
2007, they would not be able to start any
new transportation conformity
determinations that require a new
regional emissions analysis, unless the
analysis incorporates more recent
vehicle data consistent with the latest
planning assumptions requirements in
the conformity rule (40 CFR 93.110).
The letter indicated that updated
vehicle data was available in
EMFAC2007, which was released to the
public in November 2006. The letter
indicated that FHWA, the Federal
Transit Administration (FTA), and EPA
were providing agencies with a 6-month
transition period, beginning on February
1, 2007 before the new vehicle fleet data
was required in conformity
determinations. Consistent with the
EPA/USDOT January 18, 2001, guidance
on latest planning assumptions and
EPA’s July 1, 2004 final rule (69 FR
40052–40056), new vehicle registration
data must be used when it is available
at the start of new conformity analyses.
Since newer vehicle data was available
but was not included in the older
version of EMFAC, EMFAC2002 has not
been used in any new regional
emissions analyses that were started
since August 1, 2007.
II. EPA Action
A. What Version of EMFAC Is EPA
Approving?
In this notice, EPA is approving and
announcing that EMFAC2007 is
available to use in statewide California
SIP development and for regional
emissions analyses and carbon
monoxide (CO) hot-spot analyses for
transportation conformity analyses.
EMFAC2007 was developed by CARB
and transmitted for approval to EPA on
April 18, 2007.
On January 28, 2003, CARB also
transmitted a methodology
(‘‘Recommended Methods for Use of
EMFAC2002 to Develop Motor Vehicle
Emission Budgets and Assess
Conformity’’) to adjust vehicle activity
data used by EMFAC2007 when
updated data is available. EPA
previously approved this CARB
E:\FR\FM\18JAN1.SGM
18JAN1
3466
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 13 / Friday, January 18, 2008 / Notices
methodology on April 1, 2003 (68 FR
15720, at 15721) for use with
EMFAC2002, since the transportation
conformity rule (40 CFR 93.110)
requires areas to use the latest
information for estimating vehicle
activity. With EMFAC2007, CARB has
not made any changes to the
methodology to adjust vehicle activity
data, and therefore the existing
approved methodology will continue to
be approved with no change. However,
the methodology has been included in
the updates to Chapter 8 of the EMFAC
user’s guide. Therefore, CARB’s
methodology should continue to be
used to update vehicle activity data in
EMFAC2007, as described in the
EMFAC user’s guide.
rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with NOTICES
B. What Analyses Can EMFAC2007 Be
Used For?
EPA is approving the model to
estimate regional emissions of HC, CO,
NOX, PM10, PM2.5, lead, and sulfur
oxides. However, EMFAC2007 will only
be used in transportation conformity for
pollutants and precursors that affect
transportation emissions, e.g., HC, NOX,
CO, PM10 and PM2.5.
EPA is also approving EMFAC2007 to
estimate CO emissions for hot-spot
analyses involving individual
transportation projects. A hot-spot
analysis is defined in 40 CFR 93.101 as
an estimation of likely future localized
pollutant concentrations resulting from
a new transportation project and a
comparison of those concentrations to
the relevant air quality standard. This
analysis is conducted on a smaller scale,
e.g., for a congested roadway
intersection.
EPA also notes that today’s approval
action does not impact what
methodology is required for calculating
re-entrained road dust or ammonia
emissions for regional PM10 and PM2.5
SIP and transportation conformity
analyses. EMFAC2007’s PM10 and PM2.5
estimates do not include such
emissions. When applicable, PM10 and
PM2.5 nonattainment and maintenance
areas are required to use EPA’s AP–42
road dust method for calculating road
dust emissions, unless a local method is
approved by EPA.1 EMFAC2007 does
not estimate ammonia emissions; air
quality and transportation agencies
should contact the regional office if
ammonia emission estimates are
needed.
1 For further information, see EPA’s August 2,
2007 memorandum entitled, ‘‘Policy Guidance on
the Use of the November 1, 2006, Update to AP–
42 for Re-entrained Road Dust for SIP Development
and Transportation Conformity.’’
VerDate Aug<31>2005
16:37 Jan 17, 2008
Jkt 214001
C. Is EMFAC2007 Being Approved for
PM10 and PM2.5 Hot-spot Analyses At
This Time?
On March 10, 2006, EPA published a
final rule that established the
transportation conformity procedures
for analyzing PM10 and PM2.5 hot-spot
impacts of new projects involving
significant levels of on-road diesel
traffic (71 FR 12468). Quantitative PM10
and PM2.5 hot-spot analyses have not yet
been required for the projects of local air
quality concern described in 40 CFR
93.123(b)(1) due to the need to develop
EPA modeling guidance and appropriate
methods (71 FR at 12498–12502).
Section 93.123(b)(4) of the conformity
rule states that the requirements for
quantitative PM10 and PM2.5 hot-spot
analyses will not take effect until EPA
releases modeling guidance and
announces in the Federal Register that
these requirements are in effect. At
present, project sponsors are currently
following EPA and FHWA’s qualitative
hot-spot modeling guidance for
conformity determinations involving
projects of local air quality concern.2
EMFAC2007 is capable of assessing
project-level emissions for PM10 and
PM2.5 hot-spot analyses, but as
described in the March 2006 final rule
and 40 CFR 93.123(b)(4), EPA believes
that quantitative PM hot-spot modeling
guidance is also necessary before
quantitative PM hot-spot analyses can
be required. Therefore, since such
guidance is currently not available, EPA
is not approving EMFAC2007 for PM10
and PM2.5 hot-spot conformity analyses
at this time.
Over the next year, EPA intends to
develop quantitative PM10 and PM2.5
hot-spot modeling guidance, which will
contain information on how to use
EMFAC2007 and how to apply the
appropriate dispersion models for such
analyses in California. EPA will
announce the availability of the
guidance and approval of EMFAC2007
for quantitative PM hot-spot analyses
when the guidance is completed for
California. EPA will consult with
FHWA, FTA, CARB, the California state
department of transportation (Caltrans),
other stakeholders, and the public in the
development of this guidance, as
described in the March 2006 final rule.
Please see the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT section if you have questions
regarding the development of
conformity guidance for quantitative
PM10 and PM2.5 hot-spot analyses in
California.
2 ‘‘Transportation Conformity Guidance for
Qualitative Hot-Spot Analyses in PM2.5 and PM10
Nonattainment and Maintenance Areas’’ jointly
published by EPA and FHWA in March 2006.
PO 00000
Frm 00019
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
D. Why Does EPA Consider EMFAC2007
as a Major Update to EMFAC?
EMFAC2007 includes new data and
methodologies regarding calculation of
motor vehicle emissions and revisions
to implementation data for control
measures. EMFAC2007 includes
updated data supporting new emission
factors and speed correction factors for
estimating emissions from heavy-heavy
duty diesel trucks. The model includes
modifications to the algorithms for
inspection and maintenance as well as
corrections for heavy-duty truck gas cap
benefits from the inspection and
maintenance program. Impacts of
ethanol permeation and updates to fuel
correction factors are included as well
as revisions to particulate brake wear
emissions. EMFAC2007 incorporates
new temperature and humidity profiles.
In addition to these changes, which
impact emission factors for each area in
California, EMFAC incorporates new
mileage accrual rates and speed
distributions, a redistribution of heavyduty diesel truck vehicle miles traveled
(VMT) and updated VMT for all vehicle
classes. CARB’s web site describes these
and other model changes at: https://
www.arb.ca.gov/msei/
workshops.htm#work20061115.
E. How Were Stakeholders and the
Public Involved in the EMFAC
Development Process?
Since 2005, CARB has held a series of
public workshops to discuss proposed
model updates and receive comments
on interim versions of the new model.
Three workshops were held to solicit
input from stakeholders and the public
in March of 2005. Then, in workshops
held on September 11 and November 15
and 16, 2006, CARB described the latest
EMFAC changes under consideration
and sought public input. Those changes
are reflected in the final EMFAC2007
model submitted to EPA in April 2007.
One additional public information
briefing was held on December 15, 2006,
to share the emissions estimates
resulting from use of the final model
with updated travel activity, as well as
plans for transmittal of EMFAC2007 to
U.S. EPA. CARB has also discussed both
the model and the impact of the changes
to emission totals for the state at the
workshops.
CARB also released a series of
technical memos that describe each
update to the model, and public
presentations that summarize the
changes from earlier versions of the
model. The technical memos are
available on CARB’s Web site at: https://
www.arb.ca.gov/msei/supportdocs.htm.
Each memo describes the model update,
E:\FR\FM\18JAN1.SGM
18JAN1
3467
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 13 / Friday, January 18, 2008 / Notices
rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with NOTICES
the reason for the change, how the
change was incorporated into the
EMFAC model, and the resulting
emissions impact. All presentations
from the public workshops are available
on the CARB Web site at: https://
www.arb.ca.gov/msei/
workshops.htm#work200612. These
presentations summarize the major
changes to the EMFAC model and
contain tables showing the impacts of
the changes both statewide and by
county for HC, CO, NOX, PM10, and
PM2.5.
F. Will a Transportation Conformity
Grace Period Be Set by This Approval?
Yes. The transportation conformity
rule (40 CFR part 93.111) requires that
conformity analyses be based on the
latest motor vehicle emissions model
approved by EPA for SIP purposes for
a state or area. Section 176(c)(1) of the
CAA states that ‘‘* * * [t]he
determination of conformity shall be
based on the most recent estimates of
emissions, and such estimates shall be
determined from the most recent
population, employment, travel, and
congestion estimates. * * *’’ When EPA
approves a new emissions model such
as EMFAC2007, a grace period is
established before the model is required
for conformity analyses. However, areas
have the option of using the new model
prior to the end of the grace period. The
conformity rule provides for a grace
period for new emissions models of
between 3 to 24 months. In consultation
with FHWA and FTA, EPA considers
many factors in establishing the length
of the grace period, including the degree
of change in emissions models and the
effects of the new model on the
transportation planning process (40 CFR
93.111).
Upon consideration of all of these
factors, EPA is establishing a 3-month
grace period before EMFAC2007 is
required for the following conformity
analyses:
• All new HC, NOX, PM10, PM2.5 and
CO regional emissions analyses (e.g.,
supporting transportation plan and TIP
conformity determinations); and
• All new CO hot-spot analyses
supporting project-level conformity
determinations.
The grace period begins today and
ends on April 18, 2008. As discussed
earlier in the notice, the last version of
EMFAC (EMFAC2002) is no longer used
in California for new regional emissions
analyses for transportation plan and TIP
conformity determinations. Therefore it
is appropriate to set a short grace period
since all areas in California will need to
use EMFAC2007 to begin any new
regional conformity analyses. A longer
VerDate Aug<31>2005
16:37 Jan 17, 2008
Jkt 214001
grace period would provide no practical
benefit for transportation plan and TIP
conformity determinations, since older
EMFAC models cannot be used in new
regional analyses due to the latest
planning assumptions requirements in
the conformity rule (40 CFR 93.110).
When the grace period ends on April
18, 2008, EMFAC2007 will become the
only approved motor vehicle emissions
model for all new regional and CO hotspot transportation conformity analyses
across California. In general, this means
that all new HC, NOX, PM10, PM2.5, and
CO regional conformity analyses and CO
hot-spot analyses started after the end of
the 3-month grace period must be based
on EMFAC2007, even if the SIP is based
on an earlier version of the EMFAC
model.
G. Can Areas Use Any Other Models
During the Grace Period?
Yes, in limited cases. CO hot-spot
analyses for project-level conformity
determinations can be based on
EMFAC2002 if the analysis was begun
before the end of the grace period,
started before August 1, 2007 and if the
final environmental document for the
project is issued no more than three
years after the issuance of the draft
environmental document (see 40 CFR
93.111(c)). The interagency consultation
process should be used if it is unclear
whether an EMFAC2002 based analysis
is covered by the circumstances
described above.
H. Future Updates to EMFAC
On January 31, 2006, CARB submitted
a letter to EPA and to the California
Division of the FHWA indicating the
State’s intention to update future
revisions to EMFAC. These EMFAC
updates would reflect, among other new
information, updated vehicle fleet data
every three years. In California,
Metropolitan Planning Organizations
and Air Districts have not been able to
update vehicle fleet data embedded into
EMFAC. The EPA/USDOT January 18,
2001, guidance on latest planning
assumptions and EPA’s July 2004 final
rule, indicate that new vehicle
registration data must be used when it
is available prior to the start of new
conformity analyses and that states
should update the data at least every
five years. The State reaffirmed their
commitment to keeping the latest
planning assumptions included in
EMFAC updated on a three year cycle
in the April 18, 2007 EMFAC submittal
letter. The next update to the planning
assumptions in EMFAC is expected in
2010, which would most likely also
include updates to the emissions factors
of the model as well.
PO 00000
Frm 00020
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
III. Summary of EPA Actions
EPA is approving EMFAC2007 as
submitted by CARB on April 18, 2007
with the following limitations and
conditions:
(1) The approval is limited to
California.
(2) The approval is Statewide and
applies to estimation of emissions of
hydrocarbon, carbon monoxide,
nitrogen oxides, particulate matter
(PM10 and PM2.5), lead, and sulfur
oxides. However, EMFAC2007 will only
be used in transportation conformity
analyses for pollutants and precursors
that affect regional on-road mobile
emissions and are applicable in a given
nonattainment or maintenance area.
EPA is also approving EMFAC2007 to
estimate hot-spot emissions for carbon
monoxide conformity analyses.
(3) A 3-month statewide
transportation conformity grace period
will be established beginning January
18, 2008 and ending April 18, 2008 for
the transportation conformity uses
described in (2) above.
Dated: January 10, 2008.
Jane Diamond,
Acting Regional Administrator, Region IX.
[FR Doc. E8–876 Filed 1–17–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
COMMISSION
Sunshine Act Meeting; Cancellation
Equal
Employment Opportunity Commission.
‘‘FEDERAL REGISTER’’ CITATION OF
PREVIOUS ANNOUNCEMENT: 73 FR 1343,
Tuesday, January 8, 2008.
AGENCY HOLDING THE MEETING:
PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED TIME AND DATE OF
MEETING: Tuesday, January 15, 2008, 3
p.m. (Eastern Time).
CHANGE IN THE MEETING:
The meeting has
been cancelled.
CONTACT PERSON FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Stephen Llewellyn, Executive Officer on
(202) 663–4070.
Dated: January 15, 2008.
Stephen Llewellyn,
Executive Officer, Executive Secretariat.
[FR Doc. 08–187 Filed 1–17–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6570–01–M
FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION
Sunshine Act Notices
Wednesday, January 23,
2008 at 10 a.m.
PLACE: 999 E. Street, NW., Washington,
DC.
DATE AND TIME:
E:\FR\FM\18JAN1.SGM
18JAN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 13 (Friday, January 18, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3464-3467]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-876]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[CAXXX-NOA; FRL-8517-9]
Official Release of EMFAC2007 Motor Vehicle Emission Factor Model
for Use in the State of California
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice of Availability.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: EPA is approving and announcing the availability of the latest
version of the California EMFAC model for use in state implementation
plan (SIP) development in California. EMFAC2007 is the latest update to
the EMFAC model for use by California state and local governments to
meet Clean Air Act (CAA) requirements. The new model, which is based on
new and improved data, calculates air pollution emission factors for
passenger cars, trucks, motorcycles, motor homes and buses. Today's
notice also sets the date after which EMFAC2007 is required to be used
statewide in all new regional emissions analyses and carbon monoxide
(CO) hot-spot analyses for transportation conformity determinations in
California. EPA also intends to approve EMFAC2007 in the future for
particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) hot-spot
analyses in California, once EPA issues quantitative hot-spot modeling
guidance for such analyses. Since the EMFAC model is used only in
California, EPA's approval of the model does not affect MOBILE model
users in other states.
DATES: This determination is effective January 18, 2008. EMFAC2007 must
be used for all new regional emissions
[[Page 3465]]
analyses and CO hot-spot analyses that are started on or after April
18, 2008.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karina O'Connor,
oconnor.karina@epa.gov, (775) 833-1276, Air Planning Office (AIR-2),
Air Division, U.S. EPA, Region 9, 75 Hawthorne Street, San Francisco,
California, 94105-3901. For questions regarding the future development
of quantitative PM10 and PM2.5 hot-spot modeling
guidance, contact Meg Patulski, patulski.meg@epa.gov, (734) 214-4842,
Transportation and Regional Programs Division, U.S. EPA's Office of
Transportation and Air Quality, 2000 Traverwood Road, Ann Arbor, MI
48105.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Copies of the official version of the
EMFAC2007 model are available on the California Air Resources Board
(CARB) Web site: https://www.arb.ca.gov/msei/onroad/latest_version.htm
(model, technical support documents, etc).
I. Background
A. What Is the EMFAC Model?
The EMFAC model (short for EMission FACtor) is a computer model
that can estimate emission rates for on-road mobile sources (``motor
vehicles'') for calendar years from 1970 to 2040 operating in
California. Pollutant emissions for hydrocarbons (HC), CO, nitrogen
oxides (NOX), PM10, PM2.5, lead, and
sulfur oxides are output from the model. Emissions are calculated for
thirteen different vehicles classes comprised of passenger cars,
various types of trucks and buses, motorcycles, and motor homes. The
EMFAC2007 model is operated with a user-friendly graphical user
interface (GUI) which facilitates data input and allows the development
of alternative emissions scenarios through a What If Scenarios (WIS)
generator. The WIS interface can be used to incorporate updated vehicle
data, adjust ambient conditions or make changes to potential emission
control programs in a specific area.
EMFAC is used to calculate current and future inventories of motor
vehicle emissions at the state, air district, air basin, or county
level. EMFAC contains default vehicle activity data, and the option of
modifying that data, so it can be used to estimate a motor vehicle
emission inventory in tons/day for a specific year, month, or season,
and as a function of ambient temperature, relative humidity, vehicle
population, mileage accrual, miles of travel and speeds. Thus the model
can be used to make decisions about air pollution policies and programs
at the local or state level. Inventories based on EMFAC are also used
to meet the federal CAA's SIP and transportation conformity
requirements. Transportation conformity is required under CAA section
176(c) to ensure that federally supported transportation plans,
transportation improvement programs (TIPs), and highway and transit
projects are consistent with (``conform to'') the purpose of the SIP.
B. What Versions of EMFAC Are Currently in Use in California?
Most SIPs in California were developed using EMFAC2002 (released by
CARB in October 2002) or EMFAC2000 (released by CARB in May 2000). EPA
approved use of EMFAC2000 in January 2002 only for the San Francisco
Bay Area (67 FR 1464). EPA approved EMFAC2002 in April 2003 (68 FR
15720) for all areas in California.
EMFAC2002 was considered a major update to previous versions of
EMFAC and most SIPs in California were updated with EMFAC2002 in the
2003-2006 timeframe. EMFAC2002 included significant changes to its
model interface, new data and methodologies regarding calculation of
motor vehicle emissions, revision to implementation data for control
measures, and corrections to technical errors mentioned in our prior
approval of EMFAC2000. Areas with SIP motor vehicle emissions budgets
developed using earlier versions of EMFAC were required to use
EMFAC2002 for regional conformity analyses at the end of the grace
period provided by 40 CFR 93.111(b).
C. Why Is EPA Announcing Its Approval of the EMFAC Model?
CAA section 172(c)(3) and 40 CFR 51.112(a)(1) require that SIP
inventories be based on the most current, accurate, and applicable
models that are available at the time the SIP is developed. CAA section
176(c)(1) requires that the latest emissions estimates be used in
conformity analyses. EPA approves models that fulfill these
requirements.
Under 40 CFR 93.111(a), EPA must approve new versions of EMFAC for
SIP purposes before they can be used in transportation conformity
analyses. In an April 18, 2007 letter, CARB requested that EPA approve
EMFAC2007 for use in developing SIPs and in determining conformity in
California. EMFAC2007 is a significant change from previous EMFAC
models and is capable of calculating motor vehicle emissions for all
California areas. EMFAC2007 is being approved as the latest emissions
model for statewide use in SIP development. Since the EMFAC model is
only used in California, EPA's statewide approval of the model does not
affect MOBILE emissions factor model users in other states.
D. Why Have Transportation Agencies Stopped Using EMFAC2002 for
Regional Conformity Emissions Analyses?
On February 1, 2007, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) sent
a letter to all of the Metropolitan Planning Organizations in
California and Caltrans Districts indicating that, after August 1,
2007, they would not be able to start any new transportation conformity
determinations that require a new regional emissions analysis, unless
the analysis incorporates more recent vehicle data consistent with the
latest planning assumptions requirements in the conformity rule (40 CFR
93.110). The letter indicated that updated vehicle data was available
in EMFAC2007, which was released to the public in November 2006. The
letter indicated that FHWA, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA),
and EPA were providing agencies with a 6-month transition period,
beginning on February 1, 2007 before the new vehicle fleet data was
required in conformity determinations. Consistent with the EPA/USDOT
January 18, 2001, guidance on latest planning assumptions and EPA's
July 1, 2004 final rule (69 FR 40052-40056), new vehicle registration
data must be used when it is available at the start of new conformity
analyses. Since newer vehicle data was available but was not included
in the older version of EMFAC, EMFAC2002 has not been used in any new
regional emissions analyses that were started since August 1, 2007.
II. EPA Action
A. What Version of EMFAC Is EPA Approving?
In this notice, EPA is approving and announcing that EMFAC2007 is
available to use in statewide California SIP development and for
regional emissions analyses and carbon monoxide (CO) hot-spot analyses
for transportation conformity analyses. EMFAC2007 was developed by CARB
and transmitted for approval to EPA on April 18, 2007.
On January 28, 2003, CARB also transmitted a methodology
(``Recommended Methods for Use of EMFAC2002 to Develop Motor Vehicle
Emission Budgets and Assess Conformity'') to adjust vehicle activity
data used by EMFAC2007 when updated data is available. EPA previously
approved this CARB
[[Page 3466]]
methodology on April 1, 2003 (68 FR 15720, at 15721) for use with
EMFAC2002, since the transportation conformity rule (40 CFR 93.110)
requires areas to use the latest information for estimating vehicle
activity. With EMFAC2007, CARB has not made any changes to the
methodology to adjust vehicle activity data, and therefore the existing
approved methodology will continue to be approved with no change.
However, the methodology has been included in the updates to Chapter 8
of the EMFAC user's guide. Therefore, CARB's methodology should
continue to be used to update vehicle activity data in EMFAC2007, as
described in the EMFAC user's guide.
B. What Analyses Can EMFAC2007 Be Used For?
EPA is approving the model to estimate regional emissions of HC,
CO, NOX, PM10, PM2.5, lead, and sulfur
oxides. However, EMFAC2007 will only be used in transportation
conformity for pollutants and precursors that affect transportation
emissions, e.g., HC, NOX, CO, PM10 and
PM2.5.
EPA is also approving EMFAC2007 to estimate CO emissions for hot-
spot analyses involving individual transportation projects. A hot-spot
analysis is defined in 40 CFR 93.101 as an estimation of likely future
localized pollutant concentrations resulting from a new transportation
project and a comparison of those concentrations to the relevant air
quality standard. This analysis is conducted on a smaller scale, e.g.,
for a congested roadway intersection.
EPA also notes that today's approval action does not impact what
methodology is required for calculating re-entrained road dust or
ammonia emissions for regional PM10 and PM2.5 SIP
and transportation conformity analyses. EMFAC2007's PM10 and
PM2.5 estimates do not include such emissions. When
applicable, PM10 and PM2.5 nonattainment and
maintenance areas are required to use EPA's AP-42 road dust method for
calculating road dust emissions, unless a local method is approved by
EPA.\1\ EMFAC2007 does not estimate ammonia emissions; air quality and
transportation agencies should contact the regional office if ammonia
emission estimates are needed.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ For further information, see EPA's August 2, 2007 memorandum
entitled, ``Policy Guidance on the Use of the November 1, 2006,
Update to AP-42 for Re-entrained Road Dust for SIP Development and
Transportation Conformity.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
C. Is EMFAC2007 Being Approved for PM10 and PM2.5 Hot-spot Analyses At
This Time?
On March 10, 2006, EPA published a final rule that established the
transportation conformity procedures for analyzing PM10 and
PM2.5 hot-spot impacts of new projects involving significant
levels of on-road diesel traffic (71 FR 12468). Quantitative
PM10 and PM2.5 hot-spot analyses have not yet
been required for the projects of local air quality concern described
in 40 CFR 93.123(b)(1) due to the need to develop EPA modeling guidance
and appropriate methods (71 FR at 12498-12502). Section 93.123(b)(4) of
the conformity rule states that the requirements for quantitative
PM10 and PM2.5 hot-spot analyses will not take
effect until EPA releases modeling guidance and announces in the
Federal Register that these requirements are in effect. At present,
project sponsors are currently following EPA and FHWA's qualitative
hot-spot modeling guidance for conformity determinations involving
projects of local air quality concern.\2\ EMFAC2007 is capable of
assessing project-level emissions for PM10 and
PM2.5 hot-spot analyses, but as described in the March 2006
final rule and 40 CFR 93.123(b)(4), EPA believes that quantitative PM
hot-spot modeling guidance is also necessary before quantitative PM
hot-spot analyses can be required. Therefore, since such guidance is
currently not available, EPA is not approving EMFAC2007 for
PM10 and PM2.5 hot-spot conformity analyses at
this time.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ ``Transportation Conformity Guidance for Qualitative Hot-
Spot Analyses in PM2.5 and PM10 Nonattainment
and Maintenance Areas'' jointly published by EPA and FHWA in March
2006.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Over the next year, EPA intends to develop quantitative
PM10 and PM2.5 hot-spot modeling guidance, which
will contain information on how to use EMFAC2007 and how to apply the
appropriate dispersion models for such analyses in California. EPA will
announce the availability of the guidance and approval of EMFAC2007 for
quantitative PM hot-spot analyses when the guidance is completed for
California. EPA will consult with FHWA, FTA, CARB, the California state
department of transportation (Caltrans), other stakeholders, and the
public in the development of this guidance, as described in the March
2006 final rule. Please see the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section
if you have questions regarding the development of conformity guidance
for quantitative PM10 and PM2.5 hot-spot analyses
in California.
D. Why Does EPA Consider EMFAC2007 as a Major Update to EMFAC?
EMFAC2007 includes new data and methodologies regarding calculation
of motor vehicle emissions and revisions to implementation data for
control measures. EMFAC2007 includes updated data supporting new
emission factors and speed correction factors for estimating emissions
from heavy-heavy duty diesel trucks. The model includes modifications
to the algorithms for inspection and maintenance as well as corrections
for heavy-duty truck gas cap benefits from the inspection and
maintenance program. Impacts of ethanol permeation and updates to fuel
correction factors are included as well as revisions to particulate
brake wear emissions. EMFAC2007 incorporates new temperature and
humidity profiles. In addition to these changes, which impact emission
factors for each area in California, EMFAC incorporates new mileage
accrual rates and speed distributions, a redistribution of heavy-duty
diesel truck vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and updated VMT for all
vehicle classes. CARB's web site describes these and other model
changes at: https://www.arb.ca.gov/msei/workshops.htm#work20061115.
E. How Were Stakeholders and the Public Involved in the EMFAC
Development Process?
Since 2005, CARB has held a series of public workshops to discuss
proposed model updates and receive comments on interim versions of the
new model. Three workshops were held to solicit input from stakeholders
and the public in March of 2005. Then, in workshops held on September
11 and November 15 and 16, 2006, CARB described the latest EMFAC
changes under consideration and sought public input. Those changes are
reflected in the final EMFAC2007 model submitted to EPA in April 2007.
One additional public information briefing was held on December 15,
2006, to share the emissions estimates resulting from use of the final
model with updated travel activity, as well as plans for transmittal of
EMFAC2007 to U.S. EPA. CARB has also discussed both the model and the
impact of the changes to emission totals for the state at the
workshops.
CARB also released a series of technical memos that describe each
update to the model, and public presentations that summarize the
changes from earlier versions of the model. The technical memos are
available on CARB's Web site at: https://www.arb.ca.gov/msei/
supportdocs.htm. Each memo describes the model update,
[[Page 3467]]
the reason for the change, how the change was incorporated into the
EMFAC model, and the resulting emissions impact. All presentations from
the public workshops are available on the CARB Web site at: https://
www.arb.ca.gov/msei/workshops.htm#work200612. These presentations
summarize the major changes to the EMFAC model and contain tables
showing the impacts of the changes both statewide and by county for HC,
CO, NOX, PM10, and PM2.5.
F. Will a Transportation Conformity Grace Period Be Set by This
Approval?
Yes. The transportation conformity rule (40 CFR part 93.111)
requires that conformity analyses be based on the latest motor vehicle
emissions model approved by EPA for SIP purposes for a state or area.
Section 176(c)(1) of the CAA states that ``* * * [t]he determination of
conformity shall be based on the most recent estimates of emissions,
and such estimates shall be determined from the most recent population,
employment, travel, and congestion estimates. * * *'' When EPA approves
a new emissions model such as EMFAC2007, a grace period is established
before the model is required for conformity analyses. However, areas
have the option of using the new model prior to the end of the grace
period. The conformity rule provides for a grace period for new
emissions models of between 3 to 24 months. In consultation with FHWA
and FTA, EPA considers many factors in establishing the length of the
grace period, including the degree of change in emissions models and
the effects of the new model on the transportation planning process (40
CFR 93.111).
Upon consideration of all of these factors, EPA is establishing a
3-month grace period before EMFAC2007 is required for the following
conformity analyses:
All new HC, NOX, PM10,
PM2.5 and CO regional emissions analyses (e.g., supporting
transportation plan and TIP conformity determinations); and
All new CO hot-spot analyses supporting project-level
conformity determinations.
The grace period begins today and ends on April 18, 2008. As
discussed earlier in the notice, the last version of EMFAC (EMFAC2002)
is no longer used in California for new regional emissions analyses for
transportation plan and TIP conformity determinations. Therefore it is
appropriate to set a short grace period since all areas in California
will need to use EMFAC2007 to begin any new regional conformity
analyses. A longer grace period would provide no practical benefit for
transportation plan and TIP conformity determinations, since older
EMFAC models cannot be used in new regional analyses due to the latest
planning assumptions requirements in the conformity rule (40 CFR
93.110).
When the grace period ends on April 18, 2008, EMFAC2007 will become
the only approved motor vehicle emissions model for all new regional
and CO hot-spot transportation conformity analyses across California.
In general, this means that all new HC, NOX,
PM10, PM2.5, and CO regional conformity analyses
and CO hot-spot analyses started after the end of the 3-month grace
period must be based on EMFAC2007, even if the SIP is based on an
earlier version of the EMFAC model.
G. Can Areas Use Any Other Models During the Grace Period?
Yes, in limited cases. CO hot-spot analyses for project-level
conformity determinations can be based on EMFAC2002 if the analysis was
begun before the end of the grace period, started before August 1, 2007
and if the final environmental document for the project is issued no
more than three years after the issuance of the draft environmental
document (see 40 CFR 93.111(c)). The interagency consultation process
should be used if it is unclear whether an EMFAC2002 based analysis is
covered by the circumstances described above.
H. Future Updates to EMFAC
On January 31, 2006, CARB submitted a letter to EPA and to the
California Division of the FHWA indicating the State's intention to
update future revisions to EMFAC. These EMFAC updates would reflect,
among other new information, updated vehicle fleet data every three
years. In California, Metropolitan Planning Organizations and Air
Districts have not been able to update vehicle fleet data embedded into
EMFAC. The EPA/USDOT January 18, 2001, guidance on latest planning
assumptions and EPA's July 2004 final rule, indicate that new vehicle
registration data must be used when it is available prior to the start
of new conformity analyses and that states should update the data at
least every five years. The State reaffirmed their commitment to
keeping the latest planning assumptions included in EMFAC updated on a
three year cycle in the April 18, 2007 EMFAC submittal letter. The next
update to the planning assumptions in EMFAC is expected in 2010, which
would most likely also include updates to the emissions factors of the
model as well.
III. Summary of EPA Actions
EPA is approving EMFAC2007 as submitted by CARB on April 18, 2007
with the following limitations and conditions:
(1) The approval is limited to California.
(2) The approval is Statewide and applies to estimation of
emissions of hydrocarbon, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate
matter (PM10 and PM2.5), lead, and sulfur oxides.
However, EMFAC2007 will only be used in transportation conformity
analyses for pollutants and precursors that affect regional on-road
mobile emissions and are applicable in a given nonattainment or
maintenance area. EPA is also approving EMFAC2007 to estimate hot-spot
emissions for carbon monoxide conformity analyses.
(3) A 3-month statewide transportation conformity grace period will
be established beginning January 18, 2008 and ending April 18, 2008 for
the transportation conformity uses described in (2) above.
Dated: January 10, 2008.
Jane Diamond,
Acting Regional Administrator, Region IX.
[FR Doc. E8-876 Filed 1-17-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P