Finding of Failure To Submit State Implementation Plans Required for the 1997 8-Hour Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard; North Carolina and South Carolina, 21550-21554 [E9-10683]
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21550
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 88 / Friday, May 8, 2009 / Rules and Regulations
Dated: April 27, 2009.
Fred M. Rosa, Jr.,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander,
Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. E9–10751 Filed 5–7–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–15–P
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND
SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 165
[Docket No. USCG–2009–0288]
Safety Zone; Chicago Harbor, Navy
Pier East, Chicago, IL
Coast Guard, DHS.
Notice of enforcement of
regulation.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
SUMMARY: The Coast Guard will enforce
the Navy Pier East Safety Zone in
Chicago Harbor from 9 p.m. until 9:40
p.m. on May 22, 2009. This action is
necessary to protect vessels and people
from the hazards associated with
fireworks displays. All vessels must
obtain permission from the Captain of
the Port or his on-scene representative
to enter, move within or exit the safety
zone.
DATES: The regulations in § 165.933 will
be enforced from 9 p.m. on May 22,
2009 to 9:40 p.m. on May 22, 2009.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If
you have questions on this notice, call
or e-mail LCDR Kimber Bannan,
Prevention Department, Coast Guard
Sector Lake Michigan, Milwaukee, WI at
(414) 747–7154, e-mail
Kimber.L.Bannon@uscg.mil.
The Coast
Guard will enforce the Safety Zone,
Navy Pier East, Chicago Harbor,
Chicago, IL, found in 33 CFR 165.933
(published on June 13, 2007 at 72 FR
32525) on May 22, 2009 from 9 p.m.
through 9:40 p.m., for the Municipal
Clerks of Illinois Fireworks.
The general regulations in 33 CFR
165.23 apply. All persons and vessels
must comply with the instructions of
the Coast Guard Captain of the Port or
a designated representative. All vessels
must obtain permission from the
Captain of the Port or his designated
representative to enter, move within or
exit the safety zone. Vessels and persons
granted permission to enter the safety
zone shall obey all lawful orders or
directions of the Captain of the Port or
a designated representative. While
within a safety zone, all vessels shall
operate at the minimum speed
necessary to maintain a safe course.
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SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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Upon being hailed by the U.S. Coast
Guard by siren, radio, flashing light or
other means, the operator of a vessel
shall proceed as directed.
This notice is issued under authority
of 33 CFR 165.933 Safety Zone, Navy
Pier East, Chicago Harbor, Chicago, IL,
and 5 U.S.C. 552(a). In addition to this
notice in the Federal Register, the Coast
Guard will provide the maritime
community with advance notification of
these enforcement periods via broadcast
Notice to Mariners and Local Notice to
Mariners.
The Captain of the Port will issue a
Broadcast Notice to Mariners notifying
the public when enforcement of the
safety zone established by this section is
suspended. The Captain of the Port may
be contacted via U.S. Coast Guard
Sector Lake Michigan on channel 16,
VHF–FM.
Dated: April 23, 2009.
Bruce C. Jones,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the
Port Lake Michigan.
[FR Doc. E9–10756 Filed 5–7–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–15–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 52
[EPA–R04–OAR–2009–0043; FRL–8901–8]
Finding of Failure To Submit State
Implementation Plans Required for the
1997 8-Hour Ozone National Ambient
Air Quality Standard; North Carolina
and South Carolina
AGENCY: Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
SUMMARY: EPA is taking a final action
finding that North Carolina and South
Carolina have failed to submit state
implementation plan (SIP) revisions to
satisfy certain requirements of the Clean
Air Act (CAA) for the 1997 8-hour ozone
national ambient air quality standards
(NAAQS). The submissions at issue
were due because the Charlotte bi-state
area (Charlotte Area), which includes
areas in both North and South Carolina,
is a moderate nonattainment area for the
1997 8-hour ozone standard. Under the
CAA and EPA’s implementing
regulations, states with nonattainment
areas classified as moderate, serious,
severe or extreme were required to
submit by June 15, 2007, SIPs:
demonstrating how each nonattainment
area would attain the 1997 8-hour ozone
standard as expeditiously as practicable
but no later than the applicable dates
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established in the implementing
regulations and demonstrating
reasonable further progress (RFP).
Additionally, states were required by
September 15, 2006, to submit for these
same areas, SIPs demonstrating that
sources specified under the CAA were
subject to reasonably available control
technology requirements (RACT). North
Carolina and South Carolina made these
required submissions but later withdrew
the attainment demonstration
submissions for the Charlotte Area. As
a result, EPA is making a finding of
failure to submit for both North Carolina
and South Carolina of the attainment
demonstrations for the Charlotte Area.
DATES: Effective Date: This action is
effective on May 8, 2009.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
General questions concerning this
notice should be addressed to Mr.
Richard A. Schutt, U.S. EPA Region 4;
e-mail: Schutt.dick@epa.gov; telephone
(404) 562–9033.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Table of Contents
I. Background
II. Statutory Requirements
III. Consequences of Findings of Failure To
Submit
IV. Final Action
V. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
I. Background
The CAA requires states with areas
that are designated nonattainment for
the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS to
develop a SIP providing how such areas
will attain and maintain the NAAQS.
Part D of title I of the CAA specifies the
required elements of a SIP for an area
designated nonattainment. These
requirements include, but are not
limited to, RFP, RACT, and an
attainment demonstration. See CAA
sections 172 and 182. On March 24,
2008, EPA published a final rule in the
Federal Register announcing that EPA
had found that 11 states failed to make
required SIP submissions for 11
nonattainment areas and 3 states or
portions of states in the Ozone
Transport Region. 73 FR 15416. At that
time, EPA was in receipt of the required
submissions from North Carolina and
South Carolina for RFP, RACT and an
attainment demonstration. However,
both North Carolina and South Carolina
have since withdrawn their attainment
demonstration submittals, thus resulting
in their failure to submit a required SIP.
EPA received the required submittals
from North Carolina on June 15, 2007,
and South Carolina on August 31, 2007.
EPA reviewed the submittals, as well as
air quality data from the ozone season
in 2007 and, more recently, preliminary
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data from the ozone season in 2008.
After undertaking this review, EPA sent
North Carolina and South Carolina
letters on November 17, 2008,
explaining its intention to propose
disapproval of the attainment
demonstrations for the Charlotte Area
for the 1997 8-hour ozone standard by
January 9, 2009, unless the States
requested voluntary reclassification
from moderate to serious. EPA’s letter
was prompted by air quality data for the
area which indicates that the area will
be unable to meet the latest moderate
area attainment date of June 2010,
which was the attainment date relied on
in the submitted attainment
demonstrations. On December 19, 2008,
and December 22, 2008, the states of
North Carolina and South Carolina,
respectively, submitted letters to EPA
withdrawing their attainment
demonstrations for the Charlotte area.
As such, EPA no longer has pending
before it the required attainment
demonstrations for the 1997 8-hour
ozone standard for either the North
Carolina or South Carolina portion of
the Charlotte Area. Therefore, EPA is
now making a finding of failure to
submit for North Carolina and South
Carolina for these required SIPs.
Specifically, this finding is for the
attainment demonstration requirement
found in sections 172, 182(b), of the
CAA, and 40 CFR 51.112 and 40 CFR
51.908 (c) and (d), of EPA’s
implementing regulations.
On January 9, 2009, letters were sent
to North Carolina and South Carolina
informing them that as a result of the
withdrawal of their attainment
demonstrations, EPA would be moving
forward with a finding of failure to
submit the attainment demonstration
SIP elements. On January 9, 2009, EPA
also sent the Catawba Indian Nation a
letter informing them of this pending
EPA action. The Catawba Indian Nation
has land that is included in York
County, South Carolina, which is
included as part of the Charlotte Area.1
These letters, and any accompanying
enclosures, have been included in the
docket to this rulemaking.
II. Statutory Requirements
On July 18, 1997, EPA issued a
revised ozone standard. At that time, the
ozone standard was 0.12 parts per
million (ppm) measured over a 1-hour
period. EPA revised the NAAQS to rely
on an 8-hour averaging period (versus 1
hour for the previous NAAQS), and the
1 The Catawba Indian Nation does not have
jurisdiction over CAA implementation. See, e.g., 69
FR 23858, 23862 (April 30, 2004) (EPA 8-hour
ozone classifications explaining Tribal
involvement).
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level of the standard was changed from
0.12 ppm to 0.08 ppm (62 FR 38856).
EPA’s initial implementation strategy
for the 1997 8-hour standard was
vacated and remanded by the Supreme
Court. Whitman v. American Trucking
Associations, Inc., 531 U.S. 457 (2001).
On April 30, 2004 (69 FR 23951) and on
November 29, 2005 (70 FR 71612), EPA
published final rules that addressed the
elements related to implementation of
the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS (Phase 1
and Phase 2 Implementation Rules). In
an April 30, 2004, rulemaking (69 FR
23858), EPA designated attainment and
nonattainment areas for the 1997 8-hour
ozone standard, and specified the
classification for each nonattainment
area. The 1997 8-hour ozone
designations took effect on June 15,
2004. The November 30, 2005, Phase 2
implementation rule set forth deadlines
for state and local governments to
develop and submit to EPA
implementation plans designed to meet
the 1997 8-hour standard by reducing
air pollutant emissions contributing to
ground-level ozone concentrations. The
Phase 2 Rule required states with
nonattainment areas to submit SIPs by
June 15, 2007, demonstrating how each
nonattainment area would attain the
1997 8-hour ozone standard as
expeditiously as practicable, but no later
than specified dates and demonstrating
how the area would make reasonable
further progress toward attainment in
the years prior to the attainment year.
Additionally, the Phase 2 Rule required
states to submit SIPs requiring RACT for
nonattainment areas and for areas
within the OTR by September 15, 2006.
III. Consequences of Findings of Failure
To Submit
The CAA establishes specific
consequences if EPA finds that a state
has failed to submit a SIP or, with
regard to a submitted SIP, EPA
determines it is incomplete or
disapproves it. CAA section 179(a)(1).
Additionally, any of these findings also
triggers an obligation for EPA to
promulgate a Federal Implementation
Plan (FIP) if the states have not
submitted, and EPA has not approved
the required SIP within 2 years of the
finding. CAA section 110(c). The first
finding, that a state has failed to submit
a plan or one or more elements of a plan
required under the CAA, is the finding
relevant to this action.
EPA is finding that North Carolina
and South Carolina have failed to make
required attainment demonstration SIP
submissions for the Charlotte Area. If
EPA has not affirmatively determined
that North Carolina and South Carolina
have made the required complete
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submittals for the area within 18 months
of the effective date of this action,
pursuant to CAA section 179(a) and (b)
and 40 CFR 52.31, the offset sanction
identified in CAA section 179(b)(2) will
apply in the area subject to the finding.2
The highway funding sanction will
apply six months after the offset
sanctions applies if EPA has not
determined that the states submitted
complete attainment demonstration
submittals within that time. The
sanctions clock will stop and the
sanctions will not take effect if, within
the required timeframe after the date of
the finding, EPA finds that the States
have made complete attainment
demonstration submittals. In addition,
we note that if the area is reclassified to
serious or above for the 1997 8-hour
standard, the area will then have a new
attainment demonstration requirement
for its new classification and such
reclassification would stop the sanction
clock triggered for the moderate area
attainment demonstration.
In addition, this finding triggers EPA’s
FIP obligation. However, EPA is not
required to promulgate a FIP if the
States make the required SIP submittals
and EPA takes final action to approve
the submittals within 2 years of EPA’s
finding. Additionally, if the area is
reclassified for the 1997 ozone standard,
EPA would be relieved of the FIP
obligation.
IV. Final Action
In this action, EPA is making a
finding that North Carolina and South
Carolina have failed to submit the
required moderate-area attainment
demonstration SIP submittals for the
Charlotte Area for the 1997 8-hour
ozone standard. This finding starts the
sanctions clock and a 24-month clock
for the promulgation of a FIP by EPA.
This action will be effective on May 8,
2009.
2 If EPA has not affirmatively determined that the
state has made a complete submission within 6
months after the offset sanction is imposed, then
the highway funding sanction will apply in areas
designated nonattainment, in accordance with CAA
section 179(b)(1) and 40 CFR 52.31. If the highway
funding sanction is implemented, the conformity
status of the transportation plans and transportation
improvement programs will lapse on the date of
implementation of the highway sanctions. During a
conformity lapse, only projects that are exempt
from transportation conformity, transportation
control measures that are in the approved SIP, and
project phases that were approved prior to the start
of the lapse can proceed.
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V. Statutory and Executive Order
Reviews
A. Notice and Comment Under the
Administrative Procedure Act (APA)
This is a final EPA action, but is not
subject to notice-and-comment
requirements of the APA, 5 U.S.C.
553(b). EPA believes that because of the
limited time provided to make findings
of failure to submit regarding SIP
submissions, Congress did not intend
such findings to be subject to noticeand-comment rulemaking. However, to
the extent such findings are subject to
notice-and-comment rulemaking, EPA
invokes the good cause exception
pursuant to the APA, 5 U.S.C.
553(b)(3)(B). Notice and comment are
unnecessary because no EPA judgment
is involved in making a nonsubstantive
finding of failure to submit elements of
SIP submissions required by the CAA.
Furthermore, providing notice and
comment would be impracticable
because of the limited time provided
under the statute for making such
determinations. Finally, notice and
comment would be contrary to the
public interest because it would divert
agency resources from the critical
substantive review of complete SIPs.
See 58 FR 51270, 51272, n.17 (October
1, 1993); 59 FR 39832, 39853 (August 4,
1994).
B. Effective Date Under the APA
This action will be effective on May
8, 2009. Under the APA, 5 U.S.C.
553(d)(3), agency rulemaking may take
effect before 30 days after the date of
publication in the Federal Register if
the agency has good cause to specify an
earlier effective date. This action
concerns SIP submissions that are
already overdue; and EPA previously
cautioned the affected states that the SIP
submissions were overdue and that EPA
was considering taking this action. In
addition, this action simply starts a
‘‘clock’’ that will not result in sanctions
against the states for 18 months, and
that the states may ‘‘turn off’’ through
the submission of complete SIP
submittals. These reasons support an
effective date prior to 30 days after the
date of publication.
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C. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory
Planning and Review
This action is not a ‘‘significant
regulatory action’’ under the terms of
Executive Order 12866 (58 FR 51735,
October 4, 1993) and is therefore not
subject to review under the Executive
Order. The Order defines ‘‘significant
regulatory action’’ as one that is likely
to result in a rule that may:
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(1) Have an annual effect on the
economy of $100 million or more or
adversely affect in a material way the
economy, a sector of the economy,
productivity, competition, jobs, the
environment, public health or safety, or
state, local, or Tribal governments or
communities;
(2) Create a serious inconsistency or
otherwise interfere with an action taken
or planned by another agency;
(3) Materially alter the budgetary
impact of entitlements, grants, user fees,
or loan programs or the rights and
obligations of recipients thereof; or
(4) Raise novel legal or policy issues
arising out of legal mandates, the
President’s priorities, or the principles
set forth in the Executive Order.
Pursuant to the terms of Executive
Order 12866, it has been determined
that this rule is not a ‘‘significant
regulatory action’’ because none of the
above factors apply. As such, this final
rule was not submitted to OMB for
review.
D. Paperwork Reduction Act
This action does not impose an
information collection burden under the
provisions of the Paperwork Reduction
Act, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. This rule
relates to the requirement in the CAA
for states to submit SIPs under section
Part D of title I of the CAA to satisfy
elements required for the 1997 8-hour
ozone NAAQS. The present final rule
does not establish any new information
collection requirement. Burden means
that total time, effort, or financial
resources expended by persons to
generate, maintain, retain, or disclose or
provide information to or for a Federal
agency. This includes the time needed
to review instructions; develop, acquire,
install, and utilize technology and
systems for the purposes of collecting,
validating, and verifying information,
processing and maintaining
information, and disclosing and
providing information; adjust the
existing ways to comply with any
previously applicable instructions and
requirements; train personnel to be able
to respond to a collection of
information; search data sources;
complete and review the collection of
information; and transmit or otherwise
disclose the information. An Agency
may not conduct or sponsor, and a
person is not required to respond to a
collection of information unless it
displays a currently valid OMB control
number. The OMB control numbers for
EPA’s regulations in the CFR are listed
in 40 CFR part 9.
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E. Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)
This final rule is not subject to the
Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA), which
generally requires an agency to prepare
a regulatory flexibility analysis for any
rule that will have a significant
economic impact on a substantial
number of small entities. The RFA
applies only to rules subject to notice
and comment rulemaking requirements
under the APA or any other statute. This
rule is not subject to notice and
comment requirements under the APA
or any other statute because although
the rule is subject to the APA, the
Agency has invoked the ‘‘good cause’’
exemption under 5 U.S.C. 553(b),
therefore it is not subject to the notice
and comment requirement.
F. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
Title II of the Unfunded Mandate
Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA), Public
Law 104–4, establishes requirements for
Federal Agencies to assess the effects of
their regulatory actions on state, local
and Tribal governments and the private
sector. Under section 202 of the UMRA,
EPA generally must prepare a written
statement, including a cost-benefit
analysis, for proposed and final rules
with ‘‘Federal mandate’’ that may result
in expenditures to state, local, and
Tribal governments, in the aggregate, or
to the private sector, of $100 million or
more in any 1 year. Before promulgating
an EPA rule for which a written
statement is needed, section 205 of the
UMRA generally requires EPA to
identify and consider a reasonable
number of regulatory alternatives and
adopt the least costly, most costeffective or least burdensome alternative
that achieves the objectives of the rule.
The provisions of section 205 do not
apply when they are inconsistent with
applicable law. Moreover, section 205
allows EPA to adopt an alternative other
than the least costly, most cost-effective
or least burdensome alternative if the
Administrator publishes with the final
rule an explanation of why that
alternative was not adopted. Before EPA
establishes any regulatory requirements
that may significantly or uniquely affect
small governments, including Tribal
governments, it must have developed
under section 203 of the UMRA a small
government agency plan. The plan must
provide for notifying potentially
affected small governments to have
meaningful and timely input in the
development of EPA regulatory
proposals with significant Federal
intergovernmental mandates, and
informing, educating, and advising
small government on compliance with
regulatory requirements. This action
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does not include a Federal mandate
within the meaning of UMRA that may
result in expenditures of $100 million or
more in any 1 year by either state, local,
or Tribal governments in the aggregate
or to the private sector, and therefore, is
not subject to the requirements of
sections 202 and 205 of the UMRA. It
does not create any additional
requirements beyond those of the 1997
8-hour ozone NAAQS (62 FR 38652; 62
FR 38856, July 18, 1997), therefore, no
UMRA analysis is needed. EPA has
determined that this action is not a
Federal mandate. The CAA provisions
require states to submit SIPs. This
notice merely provides a finding that
the States at issue have not met the
requirement to submit certain SIPs and
begins a clock that could result in the
imposition of sanctions if the states
continue to not meet this statutory
obligation. This notice does not, by
itself, require any particular action by
any state, local, or Tribal government; or
by the private sector. For the same
reasons, EPA has determined that this
rule contains no regulatory
requirements that might significantly or
uniquely affect small governments. The
EPA believes that any new controls
imposed as a result of this action will
not cost in the aggregate $100 million or
more annually. Thus, this Federal action
will not impose mandates that will
require expenditures of $100 million or
more in the aggregate in any 1 year.
G. Executive Order 13132: Federalism
Executive Order 13132, entitled
‘‘Federalism’’ (64 FR 43255, August 10,
1999), requires EPA to develop an
accountable process to ensure
‘‘meaningful and timely input by state
and local officials in the development of
regulatory policies that have federalism
implications.’’ ‘‘Policies that have
federalism implications’’ is defined in
the Executive Order to include
regulations that have ‘‘substantial direct
effects on the states, or the relationship
between the national government and
the states, or on the distribution of
power and responsibilities among the
various levels of government.’’ This
final rule does not have federalism
implications. It will not have substantial
direct effects on the states, on the
relationship between the national
government and the states, or on the
distribution of power and
responsibilities among the various
levels of government, as specified in
Executive Order 13132. The CAA
establishes the scheme whereby states
take the lead in developing plans to
meet the NAAQS and the Federal
Government acts as a backstop where
states fail to take the required actions.
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This rule will not modify the
relationship of the states and EPA for
purposes of developing programs to
implement the NAAQS. Thus, Executive
Order 13132 does not apply to this rule.
H. Executive Order 13175: Consultation
and Coordination With Indian Tribal
Governments
Executive Order 13175, entitled
‘‘Consultation and Coordination With
Indian Tribal Governments’’ (65 FR
67249, November 9, 2000), requires EPA
to develop an accountable process to
ensure ‘‘meaningful and timely input by
Tribal officials in the development of
regulatory policies that have Tribal
implications.’’ EPA has concluded that
this final rule will not have Tribal
implications. It will neither impose
substantial direct compliance costs on
Tribal governments, nor preempt Tribal
law. This rule responds to the
requirement in the CAA for states to
submit SIPs to satisfy the nonattainment
area requirements of the CAA for the
1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS. The CAA
requires states with areas that are
designated nonattainment for the
NAAQS to develop a SIP describing
how the state will attain and maintain
the NAAQS. There are Tribal
governments within certain
nonattainment areas for which this rule
turns on a sanctions clock. However,
this rule does not have Tribal
implications because it does not impose
any compliance costs on Tribal
governments nor does it preempt Tribal
law. The rule will not have a substantial
direct effect on one or more Indian
Tribes, on the relationship between the
Federal Government and Indian Tribes,
or on the distribution of power and
responsibilities between the Federal
Government and Indian Tribes, as
specified by Executive Order 13175 (65
FR 67249, November 9, 2000).
I. Executive Order 13045: Protection of
Children From Environmental Health
and Safety Risks
Executive Order 13045: ‘‘Protection of
Children From Environmental Health
Risks and Safety Risks’’ (62 FR 19885,
April 23, 1997) applies to any rule that:
(1) Is determined to be ‘‘economically
significant’’ as defined under Executive
Order 12866, and (2) concerns an
environmental health or safety risk that
EPA has reason to believe may have a
disproportionate effect on children. If
the regulatory action meets both criteria,
the Agency must evaluate the
environmental health or safety effects of
the planned rule on children, and
explain why the planned regulation is
preferable to other potentially effective
and reasonably feasible alternatives
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21553
considered by the Agency. This final
rule is not subject to the Executive
Order because it is not economically
significant as defined in Executive
Order 12866, and because the Agency
does not have reason to believe the
environmental health or safety risks
addressed by this action present a
disproportionate risk to children. This
action should reduce the levels of
harmful pollutants in the air that should
reduce harmful effects on children.
J. Executive Order 13211: Actions That
Significantly Affect Energy Supply,
Distribution, or Use
This rule is not a ‘‘significant energy
action’’ as defined in Executive Order
13211, ‘‘Actions Concerning Regulations
That Significantly Affect Energy Supply,
Distribution, or Use’’ (66 FR 28355 (May
22, 2001)) because it is not likely to
have a significant adverse effect on the
supply, distribution, or use of energy. In
this action, EPA is finding that several
states have failed to submit SIPs to
satisfy certain nonattainment area
requirements of the CAA for the 1997 8hour ozone NAAQS.
K. Executive Order 12898: Federal
Actions To Address Environmental
Justice in Minority Populations and
Low-Income Populations
Executive Order 12898 (59 FR 7629
(February 16, 1994)) establishes Federal
executive policy on environmental
justice. Its main provision directs
Federal agencies, to the greatest extent
practicable and permitted by law, to
make environmental justice part of their
mission by identifying and addressing,
as appropriate, disproportionately high
and adverse human health or
environmental effects of their programs,
policies, and activities on minority
populations and low-income
populations in the United States. EPA
has determined that this final rule will
not have disproportionately high and
adverse human health or environmental
effects on minority or low-income
populations because it does not directly
affect the level of protection provided to
human health or the environment. This
notice finds that certain states have not
met the requirement to submit one or
more SIPs and begins a clock that could
result in the imposition of sanctions if
the states continue to not meet this
statutory obligation. If the states fail to
submit the required SIPs or if they
submit SIPs that EPA cannot approve,
then EPA will be required to develop
the plans in lieu of the states.
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21554
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 88 / Friday, May 8, 2009 / Rules and Regulations
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52
L. National Technology Transfer
Advancement Act
Section 12(d) of the National
Technology Transfer Advancement Act
of 1995 (NTTAA), Public Law 104–113,
(15 U.S.C. 272 note) directs EPA to use
voluntary consensus standards (VCS) in
its regulatory activities unless to do so
would be inconsistent with applicable
law or otherwise impracticable. VCS are
technical standards (e.g., materials
specifications, test methods, sampling
procedures, and business practices) that
are developed or adopted by VCS
bodies. The NTTAA directs EPA to
provide Congress, through OMB,
explanations when the Agency decides
not to use available and applicable VCS.
This action does not involve technical
standards. Therefore, EPA did not
consider the use of any VCS.
M. Congressional Review Act
The Congressional Review Act, 5
U.S.C. 801 et seq., as added by the Small
Business Regulatory Enforcement
Fairness Act of 1996, generally provides
that before a rule may take effect, the
agency promulgating the rule must
submit a rule report, which includes a
copy of the rule, to each House of the
Congress and to the Comptroller General
of the United States. EPA will submit a
report containing this rule and other
required information to the U.S. Senate,
the U.S. House of Representatives, and
the Comptroller General of the United
States prior to publication of the rule in
the Federal Register. A major rule
cannot take effect until 60 days after it
is published in the Federal Register.
This action is not a ‘‘major rule’’ as
defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2). This rule
will be effective May 8, 2009.
hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with RULES
N. Judicial Review
Under section 307(b)(1) of the CAA,
petitions for judicial review of this
action must be filed in the United States
Court of Appeals for the District of
Columbia Circuit Court within 60 days
from the date final action is published
in the Federal Register. Filing a petition
for reconsideration by the Administrator
of this final rule does not affect the
finality of this rule for the purposes of
judicial review nor does it extend the
time within which a petition for judicial
review must be filed, and shall not
postpone the effectiveness of such rule
or action. Thus, any petitions for review
of this action making findings of failure
to submit attainment demonstration
SIPs for the Charlotte Area, must be
filed in the Court of Appeals for the
District of Columbia Circuit within 60
days from the date final action is
published in the Federal Register.
VerDate Nov<24>2008
14:27 May 07, 2009
Jkt 217001
Environmental protection,
Administrative practice and procedure,
Air pollution control, Incorporation by
reference, Intergovernmental relations,
Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements.
Dated: April 29, 2009.
A. Stanley Meiburg,
Acting Regional Administrator, Region 4.
[FR Doc. E9–10683 Filed 5–7–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 745
Lead-Based Paint Poisoning
Prevention in Certain Residential
Structures
CFR Correction
In Title 40 of the Code of Federal
Regulations, parts 700 to 789, revised as
of July 1, 2008, on page 609, in
§ 745.225, remove the phrase ‘‘leadbased paint activities’’ and add in its
place the phrase ‘‘renovator, dust
sampling technician, or lead-based paint
activities’’ in paragraphs (c)(13)(i) (two
occurrences); (c)(13)(ii) introductory
text, (A), and (B); (c)(13)(iii); (c)(13)(vi);
and (c)(13)(viii).
[FR Doc. E9–10939 Filed 5–7–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 1505–01–D
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND
SECURITY
Coast Guard
46 CFR Part 8
[Docket No. USCG–2008–1014]
RIN 1625–AB31
International Air Pollution Prevention
(IAPP) Certificates
Coast Guard, DHS.
Direct final rule; request for
comments.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
SUMMARY: By this direct final rule, the
Coast Guard amends its vessel
inspection regulations to add the
International Air Pollution Prevention
(IAPP) certificate to the list of
certificates a recognized classification
society may be authorized to issue on
behalf of the United States. This action
is being taken because the United States
recently deposited an instrument of
ratification with the International
PO 00000
Frm 00022
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
Maritime Organization for Annex VI of
the International Convention for the
Prevention of Pollution by Ships, 1973
as modified by the Protocol of 1978
(MARPOL 73/78). As a result, Annex VI
entered into force for the United States
on January 8, 2009. This rulemaking
will offer a more efficient means for U.S.
ships to obtain an IAPP certificate.
DATES: This rule is effective August 6,
2009, unless an adverse comment, or
notice of intent to submit an adverse
comment, is either submitted to our
online docket via https://
www.regulations.gov on or before June
22, 2009 or reaches the Docket
Management Facility by that date. If an
adverse comment, or notice of intent to
submit an adverse comment, is received
by June 22, 2009, we will withdraw this
direct final rule and publish a timely
notice of withdrawal in the Federal
Register.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
identified by docket number USCG–
2008–1014 using any one of the
following methods:
(1) Federal eRulemaking Portal:
https://www.regulations.gov.
(2) Fax: 202–493–2251.
(3) Mail: Docket Management Facility
(M–30), U.S. Department of
Transportation, West Building, Ground
Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey
Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590–
0001.
(4) Hand delivery: Same as mail
address above, between 9 a.m. and 5
p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays. The telephone number
is 202–366–9329.
To avoid duplication, please use only
one of these methods. For instructions
on submitting comments, see the
‘‘Public Participation and Request for
Comments’’ portion of the
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section
below.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If
you have questions on this rule, call Mr.
Wayne Lundy, Systems Engineering
Division, Coast Guard, telephone 202–
372–1379. If you have questions on
viewing or submitting material to the
docket, call Renee V. Wright, Program
Manager, Docket Operations, telephone
202–366–9826.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Table of Contents for the Preamble
I. Public Participation and Request for
Comments
A. Submitting Comments
B. Viewing Comments and Documents
C. Privacy Act
D. Public Meeting
II. Abbreviations
III. Regulatory Information
IV. Background and Purpose
E:\FR\FM\08MYR1.SGM
08MYR1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 88 (Friday, May 8, 2009)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 21550-21554]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-10683]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 52
[EPA-R04-OAR-2009-0043; FRL-8901-8]
Finding of Failure To Submit State Implementation Plans Required
for the 1997 8-Hour Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard; North
Carolina and South Carolina
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: EPA is taking a final action finding that North Carolina and
South Carolina have failed to submit state implementation plan (SIP)
revisions to satisfy certain requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA)
for the 1997 8-hour ozone national ambient air quality standards
(NAAQS). The submissions at issue were due because the Charlotte bi-
state area (Charlotte Area), which includes areas in both North and
South Carolina, is a moderate nonattainment area for the 1997 8-hour
ozone standard. Under the CAA and EPA's implementing regulations,
states with nonattainment areas classified as moderate, serious, severe
or extreme were required to submit by June 15, 2007, SIPs:
demonstrating how each nonattainment area would attain the 1997 8-hour
ozone standard as expeditiously as practicable but no later than the
applicable dates established in the implementing regulations and
demonstrating reasonable further progress (RFP). Additionally, states
were required by September 15, 2006, to submit for these same areas,
SIPs demonstrating that sources specified under the CAA were subject to
reasonably available control technology requirements (RACT). North
Carolina and South Carolina made these required submissions but later
withdrew the attainment demonstration submissions for the Charlotte
Area. As a result, EPA is making a finding of failure to submit for
both North Carolina and South Carolina of the attainment demonstrations
for the Charlotte Area.
DATES: Effective Date: This action is effective on May 8, 2009.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: General questions concerning this
notice should be addressed to Mr. Richard A. Schutt, U.S. EPA Region 4;
e-mail: Schutt.dick@epa.gov; telephone (404) 562-9033.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Table of Contents
I. Background
II. Statutory Requirements
III. Consequences of Findings of Failure To Submit
IV. Final Action
V. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
I. Background
The CAA requires states with areas that are designated
nonattainment for the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS to develop a SIP
providing how such areas will attain and maintain the NAAQS. Part D of
title I of the CAA specifies the required elements of a SIP for an area
designated nonattainment. These requirements include, but are not
limited to, RFP, RACT, and an attainment demonstration. See CAA
sections 172 and 182. On March 24, 2008, EPA published a final rule in
the Federal Register announcing that EPA had found that 11 states
failed to make required SIP submissions for 11 nonattainment areas and
3 states or portions of states in the Ozone Transport Region. 73 FR
15416. At that time, EPA was in receipt of the required submissions
from North Carolina and South Carolina for RFP, RACT and an attainment
demonstration. However, both North Carolina and South Carolina have
since withdrawn their attainment demonstration submittals, thus
resulting in their failure to submit a required SIP.
EPA received the required submittals from North Carolina on June
15, 2007, and South Carolina on August 31, 2007. EPA reviewed the
submittals, as well as air quality data from the ozone season in 2007
and, more recently, preliminary
[[Page 21551]]
data from the ozone season in 2008. After undertaking this review, EPA
sent North Carolina and South Carolina letters on November 17, 2008,
explaining its intention to propose disapproval of the attainment
demonstrations for the Charlotte Area for the 1997 8-hour ozone
standard by January 9, 2009, unless the States requested voluntary
reclassification from moderate to serious. EPA's letter was prompted by
air quality data for the area which indicates that the area will be
unable to meet the latest moderate area attainment date of June 2010,
which was the attainment date relied on in the submitted attainment
demonstrations. On December 19, 2008, and December 22, 2008, the states
of North Carolina and South Carolina, respectively, submitted letters
to EPA withdrawing their attainment demonstrations for the Charlotte
area. As such, EPA no longer has pending before it the required
attainment demonstrations for the 1997 8-hour ozone standard for either
the North Carolina or South Carolina portion of the Charlotte Area.
Therefore, EPA is now making a finding of failure to submit for North
Carolina and South Carolina for these required SIPs. Specifically, this
finding is for the attainment demonstration requirement found in
sections 172, 182(b), of the CAA, and 40 CFR 51.112 and 40 CFR 51.908
(c) and (d), of EPA's implementing regulations.
On January 9, 2009, letters were sent to North Carolina and South
Carolina informing them that as a result of the withdrawal of their
attainment demonstrations, EPA would be moving forward with a finding
of failure to submit the attainment demonstration SIP elements. On
January 9, 2009, EPA also sent the Catawba Indian Nation a letter
informing them of this pending EPA action. The Catawba Indian Nation
has land that is included in York County, South Carolina, which is
included as part of the Charlotte Area.\1\ These letters, and any
accompanying enclosures, have been included in the docket to this
rulemaking.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Catawba Indian Nation does not have jurisdiction over
CAA implementation. See, e.g., 69 FR 23858, 23862 (April 30, 2004)
(EPA 8-hour ozone classifications explaining Tribal involvement).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
II. Statutory Requirements
On July 18, 1997, EPA issued a revised ozone standard. At that
time, the ozone standard was 0.12 parts per million (ppm) measured over
a 1-hour period. EPA revised the NAAQS to rely on an 8-hour averaging
period (versus 1 hour for the previous NAAQS), and the level of the
standard was changed from 0.12 ppm to 0.08 ppm (62 FR 38856). EPA's
initial implementation strategy for the 1997 8-hour standard was
vacated and remanded by the Supreme Court. Whitman v. American Trucking
Associations, Inc., 531 U.S. 457 (2001). On April 30, 2004 (69 FR
23951) and on November 29, 2005 (70 FR 71612), EPA published final
rules that addressed the elements related to implementation of the 1997
8-hour ozone NAAQS (Phase 1 and Phase 2 Implementation Rules). In an
April 30, 2004, rulemaking (69 FR 23858), EPA designated attainment and
nonattainment areas for the 1997 8-hour ozone standard, and specified
the classification for each nonattainment area. The 1997 8-hour ozone
designations took effect on June 15, 2004. The November 30, 2005, Phase
2 implementation rule set forth deadlines for state and local
governments to develop and submit to EPA implementation plans designed
to meet the 1997 8-hour standard by reducing air pollutant emissions
contributing to ground-level ozone concentrations. The Phase 2 Rule
required states with nonattainment areas to submit SIPs by June 15,
2007, demonstrating how each nonattainment area would attain the 1997
8-hour ozone standard as expeditiously as practicable, but no later
than specified dates and demonstrating how the area would make
reasonable further progress toward attainment in the years prior to the
attainment year. Additionally, the Phase 2 Rule required states to
submit SIPs requiring RACT for nonattainment areas and for areas within
the OTR by September 15, 2006.
III. Consequences of Findings of Failure To Submit
The CAA establishes specific consequences if EPA finds that a state
has failed to submit a SIP or, with regard to a submitted SIP, EPA
determines it is incomplete or disapproves it. CAA section 179(a)(1).
Additionally, any of these findings also triggers an obligation for EPA
to promulgate a Federal Implementation Plan (FIP) if the states have
not submitted, and EPA has not approved the required SIP within 2 years
of the finding. CAA section 110(c). The first finding, that a state has
failed to submit a plan or one or more elements of a plan required
under the CAA, is the finding relevant to this action.
EPA is finding that North Carolina and South Carolina have failed
to make required attainment demonstration SIP submissions for the
Charlotte Area. If EPA has not affirmatively determined that North
Carolina and South Carolina have made the required complete submittals
for the area within 18 months of the effective date of this action,
pursuant to CAA section 179(a) and (b) and 40 CFR 52.31, the offset
sanction identified in CAA section 179(b)(2) will apply in the area
subject to the finding.\2\ The highway funding sanction will apply six
months after the offset sanctions applies if EPA has not determined
that the states submitted complete attainment demonstration submittals
within that time. The sanctions clock will stop and the sanctions will
not take effect if, within the required timeframe after the date of the
finding, EPA finds that the States have made complete attainment
demonstration submittals. In addition, we note that if the area is
reclassified to serious or above for the 1997 8-hour standard, the area
will then have a new attainment demonstration requirement for its new
classification and such reclassification would stop the sanction clock
triggered for the moderate area attainment demonstration.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ If EPA has not affirmatively determined that the state has
made a complete submission within 6 months after the offset sanction
is imposed, then the highway funding sanction will apply in areas
designated nonattainment, in accordance with CAA section 179(b)(1)
and 40 CFR 52.31. If the highway funding sanction is implemented,
the conformity status of the transportation plans and transportation
improvement programs will lapse on the date of implementation of the
highway sanctions. During a conformity lapse, only projects that are
exempt from transportation conformity, transportation control
measures that are in the approved SIP, and project phases that were
approved prior to the start of the lapse can proceed.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
In addition, this finding triggers EPA's FIP obligation. However,
EPA is not required to promulgate a FIP if the States make the required
SIP submittals and EPA takes final action to approve the submittals
within 2 years of EPA's finding. Additionally, if the area is
reclassified for the 1997 ozone standard, EPA would be relieved of the
FIP obligation.
IV. Final Action
In this action, EPA is making a finding that North Carolina and
South Carolina have failed to submit the required moderate-area
attainment demonstration SIP submittals for the Charlotte Area for the
1997 8-hour ozone standard. This finding starts the sanctions clock and
a 24-month clock for the promulgation of a FIP by EPA. This action will
be effective on May 8, 2009.
[[Page 21552]]
V. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
A. Notice and Comment Under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA)
This is a final EPA action, but is not subject to notice-and-
comment requirements of the APA, 5 U.S.C. 553(b). EPA believes that
because of the limited time provided to make findings of failure to
submit regarding SIP submissions, Congress did not intend such findings
to be subject to notice-and-comment rulemaking. However, to the extent
such findings are subject to notice-and-comment rulemaking, EPA invokes
the good cause exception pursuant to the APA, 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B).
Notice and comment are unnecessary because no EPA judgment is involved
in making a nonsubstantive finding of failure to submit elements of SIP
submissions required by the CAA. Furthermore, providing notice and
comment would be impracticable because of the limited time provided
under the statute for making such determinations. Finally, notice and
comment would be contrary to the public interest because it would
divert agency resources from the critical substantive review of
complete SIPs. See 58 FR 51270, 51272, n.17 (October 1, 1993); 59 FR
39832, 39853 (August 4, 1994).
B. Effective Date Under the APA
This action will be effective on May 8, 2009. Under the APA, 5
U.S.C. 553(d)(3), agency rulemaking may take effect before 30 days
after the date of publication in the Federal Register if the agency has
good cause to specify an earlier effective date. This action concerns
SIP submissions that are already overdue; and EPA previously cautioned
the affected states that the SIP submissions were overdue and that EPA
was considering taking this action. In addition, this action simply
starts a ``clock'' that will not result in sanctions against the states
for 18 months, and that the states may ``turn off'' through the
submission of complete SIP submittals. These reasons support an
effective date prior to 30 days after the date of publication.
C. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory Planning and Review
This action is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under the
terms of Executive Order 12866 (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993) and is
therefore not subject to review under the Executive Order. The Order
defines ``significant regulatory action'' as one that is likely to
result in a rule that may:
(1) Have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more or
adversely affect in a material way the economy, a sector of the
economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, public
health or safety, or state, local, or Tribal governments or
communities;
(2) Create a serious inconsistency or otherwise interfere with an
action taken or planned by another agency;
(3) Materially alter the budgetary impact of entitlements, grants,
user fees, or loan programs or the rights and obligations of recipients
thereof; or
(4) Raise novel legal or policy issues arising out of legal
mandates, the President's priorities, or the principles set forth in
the Executive Order.
Pursuant to the terms of Executive Order 12866, it has been
determined that this rule is not a ``significant regulatory action''
because none of the above factors apply. As such, this final rule was
not submitted to OMB for review.
D. Paperwork Reduction Act
This action does not impose an information collection burden under
the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.
This rule relates to the requirement in the CAA for states to submit
SIPs under section Part D of title I of the CAA to satisfy elements
required for the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS. The present final rule does
not establish any new information collection requirement. Burden means
that total time, effort, or financial resources expended by persons to
generate, maintain, retain, or disclose or provide information to or
for a Federal agency. This includes the time needed to review
instructions; develop, acquire, install, and utilize technology and
systems for the purposes of collecting, validating, and verifying
information, processing and maintaining information, and disclosing and
providing information; adjust the existing ways to comply with any
previously applicable instructions and requirements; train personnel to
be able to respond to a collection of information; search data sources;
complete and review the collection of information; and transmit or
otherwise disclose the information. An Agency may not conduct or
sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to a collection of
information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.
The OMB control numbers for EPA's regulations in the CFR are listed in
40 CFR part 9.
E. Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)
This final rule is not subject to the Regulatory Flexibility Act
(RFA), which generally requires an agency to prepare a regulatory
flexibility analysis for any rule that will have a significant economic
impact on a substantial number of small entities. The RFA applies only
to rules subject to notice and comment rulemaking requirements under
the APA or any other statute. This rule is not subject to notice and
comment requirements under the APA or any other statute because
although the rule is subject to the APA, the Agency has invoked the
``good cause'' exemption under 5 U.S.C. 553(b), therefore it is not
subject to the notice and comment requirement.
F. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
Title II of the Unfunded Mandate Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA), Public
Law 104-4, establishes requirements for Federal Agencies to assess the
effects of their regulatory actions on state, local and Tribal
governments and the private sector. Under section 202 of the UMRA, EPA
generally must prepare a written statement, including a cost-benefit
analysis, for proposed and final rules with ``Federal mandate'' that
may result in expenditures to state, local, and Tribal governments, in
the aggregate, or to the private sector, of $100 million or more in any
1 year. Before promulgating an EPA rule for which a written statement
is needed, section 205 of the UMRA generally requires EPA to identify
and consider a reasonable number of regulatory alternatives and adopt
the least costly, most cost-effective or least burdensome alternative
that achieves the objectives of the rule. The provisions of section 205
do not apply when they are inconsistent with applicable law. Moreover,
section 205 allows EPA to adopt an alternative other than the least
costly, most cost-effective or least burdensome alternative if the
Administrator publishes with the final rule an explanation of why that
alternative was not adopted. Before EPA establishes any regulatory
requirements that may significantly or uniquely affect small
governments, including Tribal governments, it must have developed under
section 203 of the UMRA a small government agency plan. The plan must
provide for notifying potentially affected small governments to have
meaningful and timely input in the development of EPA regulatory
proposals with significant Federal intergovernmental mandates, and
informing, educating, and advising small government on compliance with
regulatory requirements. This action
[[Page 21553]]
does not include a Federal mandate within the meaning of UMRA that may
result in expenditures of $100 million or more in any 1 year by either
state, local, or Tribal governments in the aggregate or to the private
sector, and therefore, is not subject to the requirements of sections
202 and 205 of the UMRA. It does not create any additional requirements
beyond those of the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS (62 FR 38652; 62 FR 38856,
July 18, 1997), therefore, no UMRA analysis is needed. EPA has
determined that this action is not a Federal mandate. The CAA
provisions require states to submit SIPs. This notice merely provides a
finding that the States at issue have not met the requirement to submit
certain SIPs and begins a clock that could result in the imposition of
sanctions if the states continue to not meet this statutory obligation.
This notice does not, by itself, require any particular action by any
state, local, or Tribal government; or by the private sector. For the
same reasons, EPA has determined that this rule contains no regulatory
requirements that might significantly or uniquely affect small
governments. The EPA believes that any new controls imposed as a result
of this action will not cost in the aggregate $100 million or more
annually. Thus, this Federal action will not impose mandates that will
require expenditures of $100 million or more in the aggregate in any 1
year.
G. Executive Order 13132: Federalism
Executive Order 13132, entitled ``Federalism'' (64 FR 43255, August
10, 1999), requires EPA to develop an accountable process to ensure
``meaningful and timely input by state and local officials in the
development of regulatory policies that have federalism implications.''
``Policies that have federalism implications'' is defined in the
Executive Order to include regulations that have ``substantial direct
effects on the states, or the relationship between the national
government and the states, or on the distribution of power and
responsibilities among the various levels of government.'' This final
rule does not have federalism implications. It will not have
substantial direct effects on the states, on the relationship between
the national government and the states, or on the distribution of power
and responsibilities among the various levels of government, as
specified in Executive Order 13132. The CAA establishes the scheme
whereby states take the lead in developing plans to meet the NAAQS and
the Federal Government acts as a backstop where states fail to take the
required actions. This rule will not modify the relationship of the
states and EPA for purposes of developing programs to implement the
NAAQS. Thus, Executive Order 13132 does not apply to this rule.
H. Executive Order 13175: Consultation and Coordination With Indian
Tribal Governments
Executive Order 13175, entitled ``Consultation and Coordination
With Indian Tribal Governments'' (65 FR 67249, November 9, 2000),
requires EPA to develop an accountable process to ensure ``meaningful
and timely input by Tribal officials in the development of regulatory
policies that have Tribal implications.'' EPA has concluded that this
final rule will not have Tribal implications. It will neither impose
substantial direct compliance costs on Tribal governments, nor preempt
Tribal law. This rule responds to the requirement in the CAA for states
to submit SIPs to satisfy the nonattainment area requirements of the
CAA for the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS. The CAA requires states with areas
that are designated nonattainment for the NAAQS to develop a SIP
describing how the state will attain and maintain the NAAQS. There are
Tribal governments within certain nonattainment areas for which this
rule turns on a sanctions clock. However, this rule does not have
Tribal implications because it does not impose any compliance costs on
Tribal governments nor does it preempt Tribal law. The rule will not
have a substantial direct effect on one or more Indian Tribes, on the
relationship between the Federal Government and Indian Tribes, or on
the distribution of power and responsibilities between the Federal
Government and Indian Tribes, as specified by Executive Order 13175 (65
FR 67249, November 9, 2000).
I. Executive Order 13045: Protection of Children From Environmental
Health and Safety Risks
Executive Order 13045: ``Protection of Children From Environmental
Health Risks and Safety Risks'' (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997) applies
to any rule that: (1) Is determined to be ``economically significant''
as defined under Executive Order 12866, and (2) concerns an
environmental health or safety risk that EPA has reason to believe may
have a disproportionate effect on children. If the regulatory action
meets both criteria, the Agency must evaluate the environmental health
or safety effects of the planned rule on children, and explain why the
planned regulation is preferable to other potentially effective and
reasonably feasible alternatives considered by the Agency. This final
rule is not subject to the Executive Order because it is not
economically significant as defined in Executive Order 12866, and
because the Agency does not have reason to believe the environmental
health or safety risks addressed by this action present a
disproportionate risk to children. This action should reduce the levels
of harmful pollutants in the air that should reduce harmful effects on
children.
J. Executive Order 13211: Actions That Significantly Affect Energy
Supply, Distribution, or Use
This rule is not a ``significant energy action'' as defined in
Executive Order 13211, ``Actions Concerning Regulations That
Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use'' (66 FR 28355
(May 22, 2001)) because it is not likely to have a significant adverse
effect on the supply, distribution, or use of energy. In this action,
EPA is finding that several states have failed to submit SIPs to
satisfy certain nonattainment area requirements of the CAA for the 1997
8-hour ozone NAAQS.
K. Executive Order 12898: Federal Actions To Address Environmental
Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations
Executive Order 12898 (59 FR 7629 (February 16, 1994)) establishes
Federal executive policy on environmental justice. Its main provision
directs Federal agencies, to the greatest extent practicable and
permitted by law, to make environmental justice part of their mission
by identifying and addressing, as appropriate, disproportionately high
and adverse human health or environmental effects of their programs,
policies, and activities on minority populations and low-income
populations in the United States. EPA has determined that this final
rule will not have disproportionately high and adverse human health or
environmental effects on minority or low-income populations because it
does not directly affect the level of protection provided to human
health or the environment. This notice finds that certain states have
not met the requirement to submit one or more SIPs and begins a clock
that could result in the imposition of sanctions if the states continue
to not meet this statutory obligation. If the states fail to submit the
required SIPs or if they submit SIPs that EPA cannot approve, then EPA
will be required to develop the plans in lieu of the states.
[[Page 21554]]
L. National Technology Transfer Advancement Act
Section 12(d) of the National Technology Transfer Advancement Act
of 1995 (NTTAA), Public Law 104-113, (15 U.S.C. 272 note) directs EPA
to use voluntary consensus standards (VCS) in its regulatory activities
unless to do so would be inconsistent with applicable law or otherwise
impracticable. VCS are technical standards (e.g., materials
specifications, test methods, sampling procedures, and business
practices) that are developed or adopted by VCS bodies. The NTTAA
directs EPA to provide Congress, through OMB, explanations when the
Agency decides not to use available and applicable VCS. This action
does not involve technical standards. Therefore, EPA did not consider
the use of any VCS.
M. Congressional Review Act
The Congressional Review Act, 5 U.S.C. 801 et seq., as added by the
Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, generally
provides that before a rule may take effect, the agency promulgating
the rule must submit a rule report, which includes a copy of the rule,
to each House of the Congress and to the Comptroller General of the
United States. EPA will submit a report containing this rule and other
required information to the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of
Representatives, and the Comptroller General of the United States prior
to publication of the rule in the Federal Register. A major rule cannot
take effect until 60 days after it is published in the Federal
Register. This action is not a ``major rule'' as defined by 5 U.S.C.
804(2). This rule will be effective May 8, 2009.
N. Judicial Review
Under section 307(b)(1) of the CAA, petitions for judicial review
of this action must be filed in the United States Court of Appeals for
the District of Columbia Circuit Court within 60 days from the date
final action is published in the Federal Register. Filing a petition
for reconsideration by the Administrator of this final rule does not
affect the finality of this rule for the purposes of judicial review
nor does it extend the time within which a petition for judicial review
must be filed, and shall not postpone the effectiveness of such rule or
action. Thus, any petitions for review of this action making findings
of failure to submit attainment demonstration SIPs for the Charlotte
Area, must be filed in the Court of Appeals for the District of
Columbia Circuit within 60 days from the date final action is published
in the Federal Register.
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52
Environmental protection, Administrative practice and procedure,
Air pollution control, Incorporation by reference, Intergovernmental
relations, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
Dated: April 29, 2009.
A. Stanley Meiburg,
Acting Regional Administrator, Region 4.
[FR Doc. E9-10683 Filed 5-7-09; 8:45 am]
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