Revisions to Lead Ambient Air Monitoring Requirements, 69050-69059 [E9-31049]
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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 249 / Wednesday, December 30, 2009 / Proposed Rules
• Fax: (303) 312–6064 (please alert
the individual listed in FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT if you are faxing
comments).
• Mail: Callie Videtich, Director, Air
Program, Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA), Region 8, Mailcode 8P–
AR, 1595 Wynkoop St., Denver,
Colorado 80202–1129.
• Hand Delivery: Callie Videtich,
Director, Air Program, Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA), Region 8, Mail
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• For additional information on
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1, 2009 (74 FR 62717) notice.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Catherine Roberts, Air Program, Mail
Code 8P–AR, Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA), Region 8, 1595 Wynkoop
St., Denver, Colorado 80202–1129, (303)
312–6025, roberts.catherine@epa.gov.
Dated: December 18, 2009.
Carol Rushin,
Acting Regional Administrator, Region 8.
[FR Doc. E9–30993 Filed 12–29–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 58
[EPA–HQ–OAR–2006–0735; FRL–9098–2]
RIN 2060–AP77
Revisions to Lead Ambient Air
Monitoring Requirements
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AGENCY: Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Proposed rule.
SUMMARY: The EPA issued a final rule
on November 12, 2008, (effective date
January 12, 2009) that revised the
National Ambient Air Quality Standards
(NAAQS) for lead and associated
monitoring requirements. This action
proposes revisions to the monitoring
requirements in that final rule
pertaining to where state and local
monitoring agencies (‘‘monitoring
agencies’’) would be required to conduct
lead monitoring.
DATES: Comments must be received on
or before February 16, 2010.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,
identified by Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–
OAR–2006–0735 by one of the following
methods:
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• https://www.regulations.gov: Follow
the on-line instructions for submitting
comments.
• E-mail: a-and-r-Docket@epa.gov.
• Fax: 202–566–9744.
• Mail: Docket No. EPA–HQ–OAR–
2006–0735, Environmental Protection
Agency, Mail Code 2822T, 1200
Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington,
DC 20460. Please include a total of two
copies. In addition, please mail a copy
of your comments on the information
collection provisions to the Office of
Information and Regulatory Affairs,
Office of Management and Budget
(OMB), Attn: Desk Officer for EPA, 725
17th St., NW., Washington, DC 20503.
• Hand Delivery: Docket No. EPA–
HQ–OAR–2006–0735, Environmental
Protection Agency, EPA West, Room
3334, 1301 Constitution Ave., NW.,
Washington, DC. Such deliveries are
only accepted during the Docket’s
normal hours of operation, and special
arrangements should be made for
deliveries of boxed information.
Instructions: Direct your comments to
Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–OAR–2006–
0735. The EPA’s policy is that all
comments received will be included in
the public docket without change and
may be made available online at
www.regulations.gov, including any
personal information provided, unless
the comment includes information
claimed to be Confidential Business
Information (CBI) or other information
whose disclosure is restricted by statute.
Do not submit information that you
consider to be CBI or otherwise
protected through www.regulations.gov
or e-mail. The www.regulations.gov Web
site is an ‘‘anonymous access’’ system,
which means EPA will not know your
identity or contact information unless
you provide it in the body of your
comment. If you send an e-mail
comment directly to EPA without going
through www.regulations.gov, your email address will be automatically
captured and included as part of the
comment that is placed in the public
docket and made available on the
Internet. If you submit an electronic
comment, EPA recommends that you
include your name and other contact
information in the body of your
comment and with any disk or CD–ROM
you submit. If EPA cannot read your
comment due to technical difficulties
and cannot contact you for clarification,
EPA may not be able to consider your
comment. Electronic files should avoid
the use of special characters, any form
of encryption, and be free of any defects
or viruses. For additional information
about EPA’s public docket, visit the EPA
Docket Center homepage at https://
www.epa.gov/epahome/dockets.htm.
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Docket: All documents in the docket
are listed in the www.regulations.gov
index. Although listed in the index,
some information is not publicly
available, e.g., CBI or other information
whose disclosure is restricted by statute.
Certain other material, such as
copyrighted material, will be publicly
available only in hard copy. Publicly
available docket materials are available
either electronically in
www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at
the Air and Radiation Docket and
Information Center, EPA/DC, EPA West,
Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave.,
NW., Washington, DC. The Public
Reading Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to
4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday,
excluding legal holidays. The telephone
number for the Public Reading Room is
(202) 566–1744, and the telephone
number for the Air and Radiation
Docket and Information Center is (202)
566–1742.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
further information contact Mr. Kevin
Cavender, Air Quality Assessment
Division, Office of Air Quality Planning
and Standards, U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, Mail Code C304–06,
Research Triangle Park, NC 27711;
telephone: 919–541–2364; fax: 919–
541–1903; e-mail:
cavender.kevin@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. General Information
A. What should I consider as I prepare
my comments for EPA?
1. Submitting CBI. Do not submit this
information to EPA through
www.regulations.gov or e-mail. Clearly
mark the part or all of the information
that you claim to be CBI. For CBI
information in a disk or CD–ROM that
you mail to EPA, mark the outside of the
disk or CD–ROM as CBI and then
identify electronically within the disk or
CD–ROM the specific information that
is claimed as CBI. In addition to one
complete version of the comment that
includes information claimed as CBI, a
copy of the comment that does not
contain the information claimed as CBI
must be submitted for inclusion in the
public docket. Information so marked
will not be disclosed except in
accordance with procedures set forth in
40 CFR part 2.
2. Tips for Preparing Your Comments.
When submitting comments, remember
to:
• Identify the rulemaking by docket
number and other identifying
information (subject heading, Federal
Register date, and page number).
• Follow directions—the agency may
ask you to respond to specific questions
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or organize comments by referencing a
Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) part
or section number.
• Explain why you agree or disagree,
suggest alternatives, and substitute
language for your requested changes.
• Describe any assumptions and
provide any technical information and/
or data that you used.
• If you estimate potential costs or
burdens, explain how you arrived at
your estimate in sufficient detail to
allow for it to be reproduced.
• Provide specific examples to
illustrate your concerns, and suggest
alternatives.
• Explain your views as clearly as
possible, avoiding the use of profanity
or personal threats.
• Make sure to submit your
comments by the comment period
deadline identified.
B. Availability of Related Information
A number of documents relevant to
this rulemaking, including the notice of
final rulemaking (73 FR 66964), the
notice of proposed rulemaking (73 FR
29184), the advance notice of proposed
rulemaking (72 FR 71488), the Air
Quality Criteria for Lead (Criteria
Document) (USEPA, 2006), the Staff
Paper, and other related technical
documents are available on EPA’s Office
of Air Quality Planning and Standards
(OAQPS) Technology Transfer Network
(TTN) Web site at https://www.epa.gov/
ttn/naaqs/standards/lead/
s_lead_index.html. These and other
related documents are also available for
inspection and copying in the EPA
docket identified above.
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C. When would a public hearing occur?
If anyone contacts EPA requesting to
speak at a public hearing concerning
this proposed rule by January 11, 2010,
we will hold a public hearing on
January 14, 2010. If January 14, 2010
falls on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday,
the hearing will be held on the
following Monday. Persons interested in
presenting oral testimony at the hearing,
or inquiring as to whether a hearing will
be held, should contact Kevin A.
Cavender at (919) 541–2364 at least 2
days in advance of the hearing. If a
public hearing is held, it will be held at
10 a.m. at the EPA’s campus located at
109 T.W. Alexander Drive in Research
Triangle Park, NC, or an alternate site
nearby. Under CAA section
307(d)(1)(V), the Administrator
determines that the provisions of
section 307(d) are applicable to this
proposal and all the procedural
requirements of section 307(d) will
apply to it.
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D. How is this document organized?
The information presented in this
document is organized as follows:
I. General Information
A. What should I consider as I prepare my
comments for EPA?
B. Availability of Related Information
C. When would a public hearing occur?
D. How is this document organized?
II. Background
III. Source-Oriented Monitoring
Requirements
A. Background on Source-Oriented
Monitoring Requirements
B. Issues With Source-Oriented Monitoring
Requirements
C. Reconsideration of Source-Oriented
Monitoring Requirements
IV. Monitoring of Airports
V. Non-Source-Oriented Monitoring
Requirements
A. Background on Non-Source-Oriented
Monitoring Requirements
B. Issues With Non-Source-Oriented
Monitoring Requirements
C. Reconsideration of Non-Source-Oriented
Monitoring Requirements
VI. Increase in Lead Monitors and Timeline
for Deploying New Monitors
VII. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
A. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory
Planning and Review
B. Paperwork Reduction Act
C. Regulatory Flexibility Act
D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
E. Executive Order 13132: Federalism
F. Executive Order 13175: Consultation
and Coordination With Indian Tribal
Governments
G. Executive Order 13045: Protection of
Children From Environmental Health
and Safety Risks
H. Executive Order 13211: Actions That
Significantly Affect Energy Supply,
Distribution or Use
I. National Technology Transfer and
Advancement Act
J. Executive Order 12898: Federal Actions
To Address Environmental Justice in
Minority Populations and Low-Income
Populations
VIII. References
II. Background
The EPA issued a final rule on
November 12, 2008, that revised the
NAAQS for lead and associated ambient
air lead monitoring requirements (73 FR
66964, codified at 40 CFR part 58). As
part of the lead monitoring
requirements, monitoring agencies are
required to monitor ambient air near
lead sources which are expected to or
have been shown to have a potential to
contribute to a 3-month average lead
concentration in ambient air in excess of
the level of the NAAQS. At a minimum,
monitoring agencies must monitor near
lead sources that emit 1.0 ton per year
(tpy) or more. However, this
requirement can be waived by the EPA
Regional Administrator if the
monitoring agency can demonstrate that
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the source will not contribute to a 3month average lead concentration in
ambient air in excess of 50 percent of
the level of the NAAQS (based on
historical monitoring data, modeling, or
other means).
Monitoring agencies are also currently
required to conduct lead monitoring in
large urban areas (identified as Core
Based Statistical Areas, or CBSAs, as
defined by the OMB) with a population
of 500,000 people or more. The
locations for these monitoring sites are
intended to measure neighborhood-scale
lead concentrations in urban areas
impacted by resuspended dust from
roadways, closed industrial sources
which previously were significant
sources of lead, hazardous waste sites,
construction and demolition projects, or
other fugitive dust sources of lead.
Following promulgation of the revised
lead NAAQS and monitoring
requirements, the Natural Resources
Defense Council (NRDC), the Missouri
Coalition for the Environment
Foundation, the Physicians for Social
Responsibility, and the Coalition to End
Childhood Lead Poisoning (‘‘the
Petitioners’’) petitioned (NRDC, 2009)
for a reconsideration of the lead
emission rate at which monitoring is
required (the ‘‘emission threshold,’’
currently 1.0 tpy). On July 22, 2009, the
EPA granted the petition to reconsider
aspects of the monitoring requirements
(Jackson, 2009). In response to the
petition, the EPA reviewed and
reconsidered the monitoring
requirements and is proposing revisions
to the requirements for both sourceoriented and non-source-oriented
monitoring for lead.
III. Source-Oriented Monitoring
Requirements
The EPA is proposing to change the
lead emission threshold at which
monitoring agencies are presumptively
required to conduct lead monitoring
near a lead source to 0.50 tpy from an
emissions threshold of 1.0 tpy. The EPA
is also seeking comments on alternative
emission thresholds between 0.50 tpy to
1.0 tpy. The following paragraphs
discuss the issues considered, the
proposed changes, and our rationale for
the proposed changes to the sourceoriented monitoring requirements.
A. Background on Source-Oriented
Monitoring Requirements
In the final revisions to the lead
NAAQS, the EPA noted that, due to the
dramatic drop in lead concentrations
since the phase-out of lead in motor
vehicle gasoline, we expected
concentrations of lead to approach the
revised level of the lead NAAQS
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primarily near sources of lead.
Accordingly, the EPA required
monitoring near lead emission sources
such as lead smelters, metallurgical
operations, battery manufacturing, and
other source categories that emit lead.
The EPA also noted in the final
NAAQS rulemaking that it is not
practical to conduct monitoring at every
lead emission source, nor is it likely that
very small lead emission sources will
cause ambient concentrations to exceed
the promulgated NAAQS. Therefore, the
EPA performed an analysis to determine
at what level of lead emissions (the
‘‘emissions threshold’’) it may be
possible for an emission source to cause
ambient lead concentrations to exceed
the lead NAAQS (Cavender, 2008). This
analysis looked at a range of levels and
indicated that, under reasonable worstcase conditions, a 0.50 tpy lead source
could cause ambient lead
concentrations to exceed the revised
lead NAAQS. The EPA also noted that,
by basing the monitoring requirements
on worst-case conditions, the EPA
would be ‘‘placing an unnecessary
burden on monitoring agencies to
evaluate or monitor around sources that
may not have a significant potential to
exceed the NAAQS.’’ As such, the EPA
required monitoring agencies to take
into account lead sources which are
expected to or have been shown to
contribute to a maximum lead
concentration in ambient air in excess of
the NAAQS including, and, at a
minimum, to conduct lead monitoring
[or request monitoring waivers as
allowed for under 40 CFR part 58,
Appendix D, paragraph 4.5(a)(ii)] near
lead sources emitting 1.0 or more tpy.
To account for lead sources emitting
less than 1.0 tpy of lead that may have
the potential to cause lead
concentrations to exceed the lead
NAAQS, the November 12, 2008, final
rule provided the EPA Regional
Administrators the authority to require
additional monitoring beyond the
minimum monitoring requirements
where the likelihood of lead air quality
violations is significant or where the
emissions density, topography, or
population locations are complex and
varied. The EPA projected the sourceoriented portion of the network to be up
to 135 monitors based on these
requirements and on information
available at the time the final rule was
published (i.e., the 2002 National
Emissions Inventory (NEI)).1
B. Issues With Source-Oriented
Monitoring Requirements
The Petitioners cited several reasons
for EPA to reconsider the lead
monitoring emission threshold (NRDC,
2009). They noted that the finalized
emission threshold of 1.0 tpy was above
the proposed range of 200 to 600
kilograms per year and, therefore,
argued that the EPA failed to provide for
proper public comment on the 1.0 tpy
threshold. They also argued that the
selection of the 1.0 tpy emission
threshold was arbitrary and capricious
and that the EPA did not follow its own
analysis. Finally, they argued that the
1.0 tpy emission threshold would not
provide for an adequate margin of safety
as required by the Clean Air Act. The
EPA granted the petition to reconsider
the monitoring emission threshold
(Jackson, 2009), and this proposed rule
reflects our reconsideration of the
emission threshold.
C. Reconsideration of Source-Oriented
Monitoring Requirements
The monitoring emission threshold
was intended to identify lead sources
which may have the potential to
contribute to or approach an exceedance
of the lead NAAQS and near which lead
monitoring should be conducted (or
where a site-specific evaluation of the
potential for the lead source to
contribute to an exceedance of the lead
NAAQS should be performed). The
EPA’s analysis to determine the
emission threshold relied on three
different approaches.
One of the three approaches relied on
the use of existing lead monitoring data
near lead sources. The EPA believes this
approach provides the best information
on the potential impact of lead sources
on ambient lead concentrations because
it uses actual source-oriented lead
monitoring data from lead sources. As
such, this approach was reevaluated as
part of the EPA’s reconsideration using
updated design-values based on the
final data handling procedures
contained in 40 CFR part 50 Appendix
R. Under this approach, source-oriented
lead monitors within 1 mile of a lead
source (identified from the 2002 NEI)
were identified. This group of sites was
then narrowed down to sites near
facilities emitting 1 tpy or more of lead
into the ambient air, and then to sites
which were only impacted by one lead
emitting facility. Also, in cases where
more than one monitor was identified
within 1 mile of the same facility
emitting 1 tpy or more of lead annually,
the EPA only used the monitor
measuring the maximum lead
concentration in the analysis. In this
manner, the EPA identified seven
monitor-facility pairs meeting the
emissions and distance criteria. Using
data in the Air Quality System (AQS)
database (https://www.epa.gov/ttn/airs/
airsaqs/) for the years 2001–2003, the
EPA developed an estimate of the
maximum 3-month average lead
concentration for each monitoring site. 2
Next, EPA calculated a ratio of the
maximum 3-month average
concentration to the facility annual
emissions (as identified in the 2002 NEI)
to provide an estimate of the impact
from the facility in units of micrograms
per meter cubed (μg/m3) per tpy.
Dividing the level of the lead NAAQS
(0.15 μg/m3) by this ratio provides an
estimate of the annual emission level for
the facility which would result in
ambient lead concentrations just
meeting the lead NAAQS, referred to
here as a ‘‘site-specific emission
threshold’’ (see Table 1).
TABLE 1—DATA USED TO ESTIMATE FACILITY IMPACTS BASED ON MONITORING DATA
Maximum
3-month
average lead
concentration
(μg/m3)
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AQS site Id
011090003 .............................................................................
171190010 .............................................................................
290990013 .............................................................................
1 Note that the 2005 NEI is now available and the
EPA has used the lead emission estimates in the
2005 NEI for estimating the impact of these
proposed revisions. Based on the 2005 NEI, 111
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NEI 2002 facility
emission rate
(tpy)
1.2
0.33
1.8
4.5
1.3
58.8
source-oriented monitoring sites would be required
under the existing monitoring requirements.
2 The estimate of the maximum 3-month average
lead concentration for this analysis was completed
prior to promulgation of the final data handling
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Ratio
(μg/m3–tpy)
0.27
0.25
0.03
Site-specific
emission
threshold
(tpy)
0.56
0.59
4.90
rules contained in 40 CFR Part 50 Appendix R. As
such, minor differences in the estimated maximum
3-month average lead concentration appear in the
estimates presented below for the same time period.
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TABLE 1—DATA USED TO ESTIMATE FACILITY IMPACTS BASED ON MONITORING DATA—Continued
Maximum
3-month
average lead
concentration
(μg/m3)
AQS site Id
340231003
420110717
471870100
480850009
.............................................................................
.............................................................................
.............................................................................
.............................................................................
This analysis shows that four of these
seven lead sources support an emission
threshold less than the emission
threshold of 1.0 tpy set by the final rule
on the revised lead NAAQS.
As part of this reconsideration, the
EPA evaluated the stability and
NEI 2002 facility
emission rate
(tpy)
0.23
0.24
0.93
0.75
1.7
4.8
2.6
3.2
sensitivity of the above analysis. To
evaluate the stability of the site-specific
emission threshold calculation, the EPA
performed the same analysis for these
same seven facilities based on the
emission estimates from the 2002 and
2005 NEI (Table 2) and estimated design
Site-specific
emission
threshold
(tpy)
Ratio
(μg/m3–tpy)
0.14
0.05
0.36
0.23
1.11
3.00
0.42
0.64
values over the periods 2001–2003 and
2004–2006 (Table 3). Table 4
summarizes the site-specific emission
thresholds calculated for these periods.
TABLE 2—NEI EMISSION ESTIMATES
AQS site Id
011090003
171190010
290990013
340231003
420110717
471870100
480850009
....................
....................
....................
....................
....................
....................
....................
2002 NEI facility
emission rate
(tpy)
NEI facility Id
Facility name
NEI18383 ......................
NEI55848 ......................
NEI34412 ......................
NEINJ16031 ..................
NEI117 ..........................
NEI715 ..........................
NEI6493 ........................
Sanders Lead Co .................................................
National Steel Corp—Granite City Div .................
Doe Run Company, Herculaneum Smelter .........
Johnson Controls Battery Group Inc ....................
East Penn Mfg ......................................................
Metalico-College Grove, Inc. ................................
Gnb Metals Div .....................................................
2005 NEI facility
emission rate
(tpy)
4.5
1.3
58.8
1.7
4.8
2.6
3.2
4.44
0.90
28.09
1.34
1.88
2.55
3.18
TABLE 3—ESTIMATED DESIGN VALUES BASED ON ALTERNATIVE YEARS
2001–2003
Design value
(μg/m3)
AQS site Id
011090003
171190010
290990013
340231003
420110717
471870100
480850009
...............................................................................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................................................................
2004–2006
Design value
(μg/m3)
1.2
0.33
1.8
0.23
0.24
0.93
0.75
1.16
0.43
1.44
0.32
0.20
(3)
0.77
TABLE 4—ESTIMATED SITE-SPECIFIC EMISSION THRESHOLDS BASED ON ALTERNATIVE YEARS
Site-specific emission threshold
AQS site Id
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2002
011090003 ...............................................................................................................................................................
171190010 ...............................................................................................................................................................
290990013 ...............................................................................................................................................................
340231003 ...............................................................................................................................................................
420110717 ...............................................................................................................................................................
471870100 ...............................................................................................................................................................
480850009 ...............................................................................................................................................................
Minimum ..................................................................................................................................................................
Median .....................................................................................................................................................................
Maximum .................................................................................................................................................................
3 The EPA notes that, for facilities where
emissions have dramatically decreased in recent
years, re-entrained lead from historical deposits
may influence the emission threshold calculation to
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a greater extent than for facilities where lead
emissions have remained constant.
4 Monitoring data at this site did not meet the
minimum completeness requirements of 40 CFR
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2005
0.56
0.59
4.90
1.11
3.00
0.42
0.64
0.42
0.64
4.90
0.57
0.32
3 2.93
0.63
1.41
(4)
0.62
0.32
0.62
2.93
part 50 Appendix R for this time period. No design
value or site-specific emission factor was calculated
for this time period.
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Table 4 shows that, in most cases, the
calculated emission threshold remained
fairly constant for a given facility over
time, in general, varying by a factor of
2 or less. Site-specific emission
thresholds varied from 0.32 tpy to 4.9
tpy with a median of 0.63 tpy.
The EPA notes that these metrics may
be exaggerated by outliers due to the
limited number of facilities being
evaluated. As such, the EPA looked at
how these metrics changed when the
extreme sites (i.e., the highest and
lowest emitting sources) were removed.
Excluding site 290990013 resulted in a
lowering of the upper range to 3 tpy and
the median to 0.62 tpy, but did not
affect the minimum (0.32 tpy).
Excluding site 171190010 increases the
minimum to 0.42 and the median to
0.64 tpy, but does not affect the
maximum.
In the final rule, the EPA stated that
an emission threshold of 1.0 tpy ‘‘is
more likely to clearly identify sources
that would contribute to exceedances of
the NAAQS’’ as compared to a lower
emission threshold. Upon further
consideration and based on the sitespecific emission thresholds estimated
above, the EPA has decided to propose
a revision to the emission threshold.
Based on this sample of lead sources, it
appears that lead sources that emit less
than 1.0 tpy have the potential to cause
ambient lead concentrations to exceed
or approach the lead NAAQS.
Monitoring agencies would not identify
these sources based on a 1.0 tpy
emission threshold. This could result in
a number of areas with the potential to
have lead concentrations above the lead
NAAQS not being properly monitored
and could result in some areas where
the NAAQS is exceeded not being
identified as nonattainment for lead.
The EPA has reconsidered the
emission threshold and proposes to
lower the emission threshold to a level
of 0.50 tpy, which the EPA believes is
consistent with the analysis
documented for the final rule
(Cavender, 2008) and the findings of
this reconsideration. If this proposal is
finalized, monitoring agencies would be
required to conduct monitoring near
lead sources that emit 0.50 tpy or
greater, or request a waiver as allowed
by 40 CFR part 58, Appendix D,
paragraph 4.5(a)(ii). The EPA believes
an emission threshold of 0.50 tpy would
adequately identify those sources with
the potential to exceed the NAAQS
without placing undue burden on
monitoring agencies. The EPA is also
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seeking comments and supporting
information that could be used in
setting an emission threshold lower
than 0.5 tpy as well as higher than 0.5
tpy.
In addition, the EPA is proposing to
edit the wording of the source-oriented
monitoring requirement [40 CFR part
58, Appendix D, paragraph 4.5(a)] for
clarity. The EPA believes the edits are
merely editorial and do not change the
purpose and intent of the existing
requirement.
IV. Monitoring of Airports
In addition to the petition to
reconsider, the EPA has received
informal feedback from members of the
National Association of Clean Air
Agencies (NACAA) monitoring
subcommittee regarding monitoring of
airports from which lead is emitted as
a result of the use of leaded aviation fuel
(Cavender, 2009a). These NACAA
members believe that the final lead
NAAQS rulemaking inappropriately
treats airports in the same manner as
industrial lead sources and claim that
lead emissions at airports will have a
lesser impact on ambient lead
concentrations since the lead emissions
from airplanes taking off from or
landing at airports are spread out over
a larger area, unlike industrial sources
where the emissions may be emitted
from a few stacks.
The EPA has limited quantitative
information with which to evaluate the
impact on either on-airport or off-airport
ambient lead concentrations from
airports. One study conducted near the
Santa Monica airport measured a
maximum 3-month average lead
concentration of 0.1 μg/m3 near the
runway blast fence (Cavender, 2009b).
Based on the 2002 lead emission
estimate for the Santa Monica airport of
0.4 tpy (USEPA, 2008a), an estimated
site-specific emission threshold of 0.6
tpy can be calculated using the same
procedures used to estimate a sitespecific emission threshold as above
[i.e., 0.15 μg/m3/(0.1 μg/m3/0.4 tpy) =
0.6 tpy]. This site-specific emission
threshold (0.6 tpy) falls within the lower
end of the range of specific emission
thresholds calculated for industrial
sources above (0.32 to 4.9 tpy) and does
not support the case for different
treatment of airports.5 The EPA is not
5 The EPA notes that ‘‘urban background lead’’
(typically 0.02–0.03 μg/m3) may have a higher
impact on this estimate of the site-specific emission
threshold than in the estimates made for industrial
facilities since the urban background represents a
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aware of similar studies where lead was
monitored at or near the maximum
impact area and does not believe there
are sufficient data to develop or justify
a separate emission threshold for
airports.6 As such, the EPA proposes to
treat airports identically to other sources
of lead, and require monitoring agencies
to conduct lead monitoring [or request
a monitoring waiver as allowed under
40 CFR part 58, Appendix D, paragraph
4.5(a)(ii)] at or near airports that emit
0.50 tpy of lead, as is required for other
sources of lead.
The EPA estimates airport-specific
lead inventories using a method similar
to that used by the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) to estimate
inventories of other criteria pollutants
emitted by aircraft at airport facilities in
its Emissions and Dispersion Modeling
System (EDMS). The method EPA uses
to calculate airport-specific lead
inventories is briefly described here and
a more complete description is available
in other documents (USEPA 2008a). The
EPA’s method for calculating airportspecific lead inventories requires as
input the following data: The activity of
piston-engine aircraft at a facility, fuel
consumption rates by these aircraft
during the various modes of the landing
and takeoff cycle (LTO), time in each
mode (taxi/idle-out, takeoff, climb-out,
approach, and taxi/idle-in), the
concentration of lead in the fuel, and
the retention of lead in the engine and
oil. We use information from national
databases to supply this information.
The data inputs for which states or local
authorities may be able to obtain
airport-specific data are:
(1) Airport-specific LTO activity for
piston-powered aircraft, including the
fraction of piston-engine activity
conducted by single versus twin-engine
aircraft. There are no national databases
that provide airport-specific LTO
activity data for piston-engine aircraft
separately from turbojet and turboprop
aircraft (turboprop and turbojet powered
aircraft use jet fuel, which does not
contain lead). Some airport facilities
higher percentage of the total lead concentration.
Basing the calculation on just the impact from the
airport would result in a higher site-specific
emission threshold estimate.
6 EPA notes that additional information may
become available regarding the Santa Monica
airport lead study, or other similar studies, prior to
the issuance of a final rule. If additional
information does become available before this rule
is finalized (e.g., a final study report on the Santa
Monica airport), EPA will take such information
into account.
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collect this information and states may
use these data to calculate airportspecific lead inventories.
(2) The time spent in each mode of
the LTO cycle. EPA uses the EDMS
scenario property of International Civil
Aviation Organization/USEPA Default—
Times in Mode, with a 16-minute taxiin/taxi-out time according to EPA’s
Procedures for Emission Inventory
Preparation, Volume IV: Mobile
Sources, 1992. We are requesting
airport-specific information for these
times in each mode of the LTO cycle.
We also request information regarding
the time spent in run-up checks
conducted by piston-engine aircraft
prior to take-off. This mode of operation
is not currently included in EPA’s
airport-specific lead inventories.
(3) Other data inputs for the airportspecific lead inventory calculation for
which states or local authorities may
provide airport-specific information
include the concentration of lead in the
aviation gasoline supplied at an airport,
and the fraction of lead in fuel that is
retained in the engine and oil, and
actual fuel consumption rates by the
piston-engine aircraft operating at
specific airports.
The EPA identified 55 airports that
may exceed the proposed 0.50 tpy
emission threshold. Under this
proposed rule, state and local
monitoring agencies would be required
to monitor these airports, request a
waiver as allowed under 40 CFR part 58
Appendix D (by performing dispersion
modeling to demonstrate that estimated
maximum lead concentrations would be
less than 50 percent of the lead
NAAQS), or demonstrate that the actual
emissions from a given airport are less
than 0.50 tpy (by using site-specific
values for the factors identified above in
lieu of the national average values used
by the EPA). The EPA is requesting
airport-specific data inputs that states or
other local authorities could provide to
EPA, particularly for airports that would
be subject to lead monitoring in the
context of this proposed rule.
The EPA solicits comments on the
availability of other data that may be
useful in considering an alternative
emission threshold for airports. The
Agency also seeks comment on whether
EPA should consider other factors or
criteria that might be useful in
determining if a different approach is
appropriate for identifying those
airports that have the potential to
approach or contribute to violations of
the lead NAAQS. For example, the EPA
could require monitoring at airports that
the EPA determines have the potential
to cause increased ambient lead
concentrations approaching or
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contributing to violations of the NAAQS
based on criteria including the
estimated lead emissions and other
factors such as the number of runways
where piston-engine aircraft operate.
However, we do not currently have
information regarding the impact of
airport-specific attributes on ambient
lead concentrations. The EPA solicits
comments on alternative approaches
including the factors that could be
considered in identifying airports that
may require monitoring. We also request
data to support the relationship between
airport-specific factors or attributes and
ambient lead concentrations.
V. Non-Source-Oriented Monitoring
Requirements
The EPA is proposing to replace the
current non-source-oriented monitoring
approach with the requirement for lead
monitoring at the national multipollutant monitoring network known as
NCore. The following paragraphs
discuss the issues considered, the
proposed changes, and our rationale for
the proposed changes to the non-sourceoriented monitoring requirements.
A. Background on Non-Source-Oriented
Monitoring Requirements
As part of the November 2008
revisions to the lead NAAQS, the EPA
required one lead monitor site in each
CBSA with a population of 500,000
people or more—leading to 101
monitors. These monitors are to be
located to measure neighborhood scale
(as described in 40 CFR part 58,
Appendix D, paragraph 1.2(b)(3)) lead
concentrations in urban areas impacted
by re-suspended dust from roadways,
closed industrial sources which
previously were significant sources of
lead, hazardous waste sites,
construction and demolition projects, or
other fugitive dust sources of lead.
The EPA had proposed (73 FR 29184)
and taken comment on a smaller nonsource-oriented lead monitoring
network that included 1 monitor in each
CBSA with a population of 1,000,000 or
more people, located to measure typical
neighborhood scale lead concentrations
in urban areas—which would have
required 50 monitors. The EPA noted
that data from these non-source-oriented
monitors would be helpful in better
characterizing population exposure to
ambient air related lead and may assist
in determining nonattainment
boundaries.
Concerns were raised during review
of the draft final notice that noninventoried lead sources in urban areas,
such as closed industrial sources,
hazardous waste sites, and construction
and demolition projects could
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potentially result in ambient lead
concentrations in excess of the lead
NAAQS. To address these concerns, the
EPA modified the siting criteria to
require non-source-oriented monitors to
be sited to evaluate these noninventoried lead sources. The EPA also
lowered the population threshold from
requiring monitoring at CBSAs with a
population of 1,000,000 people or more
to requiring monitoring at CBSAs with
a population of 500,000 people or more.
B. Issues With Non-Source-Oriented
Monitoring Requirements
Some sources of lead which are not in
the current NEI that could result in
ambient lead concentrations in excess of
the lead NAAQS have been identified
(USEPA, 2008b). However, as currently
written, it is not clear that the nonsource-oriented monitoring
requirements would result in monitors
near such non-inventoried sources. The
non-source-oriented monitors are to be
sited as neighborhood scale monitors.
Yet, lead concentrations drop off rapidly
with distance away from a source, such
that it is unlikely that non-sourceoriented monitors would identify the
maximum lead concentration near noninventoried sources where the lead
NAAQS could be exceeded.
Furthermore, locations near noninventoried sources outside of CBSAs
with a population of 500,000 people or
more would not be addressed by the
current non-source-oriented
requirements and, as such, these sources
would not necessarily be monitored.
The final siting requirements also would
not support the measurement of trends
in typical urban lead concentrations,
one of EPA’s original objectives.
C. Reconsideration of Non-SourceOriented Monitoring Requirements
After further consideration, the EPA
believes the most appropriate approach
to achieve the placement of monitors
near non-inventoried sources that have
the potential to cause an exceedance of
the NAAQS is through the existing
source-oriented monitoring network
requirements (paragraph 4.5(a) of
Appendix D to 40 CFR part 58) which
require monitoring agencies to conduct
lead monitoring at sources ‘‘which are
expected to or have been shown to
contribute to a maximum lead
concentration in ambient air in excess of
the NAAQS’’ and the EPA Regional
Administrators’ authority to require
monitoring ‘‘where the likelihood of
lead air quality violations is
significant.’’ These non-inventoried lead
sources may be identified by monitoring
agencies, the EPA, or concerned citizens
as part of the network plan review and
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approval requirements. Furthermore,
monitors sited under the sourceoriented monitoring requirements are
required to be sited at the location of
estimated maximum concentration and,
as such, better serve the purpose of
identifying violations of the lead
NAAQS.
The EPA believes it is appropriate to
re-emphasize the objectives identified in
the prior proposed rule for non-sourceoriented monitors, i.e., measuring
typical neighborhood-scale lead
concentrations in urban areas so we can
better understand the risk posed by lead
to the general population, and to
provide information that could assist
with the determination of
nonattainment boundaries. In addition,
the EPA believes non-source-oriented
sites are important to support the
development of long-term trends at
typical concentrations sites.
The EPA notes that these objectives
match those of the multi-pollutant
NCore network required under section 3
of Appendix D to 40 CFR part 58 and
also believes that EPA’s increasing
support for multi-pollutant
measurements should be considered in
the design of the lead network. The
NCore network is intended to be a longterm, multi-pollutant, monitoring
network that not only provides
information useful to NAAQS
attainment decisions, but also provides
data needed to broaden the
understanding of air quality conditions
and pollutant interactions, evaluate air
quality models, develop emission
control strategies, and support long-term
health studies. We also note that lead
monitoring is already required in at
least one NCore site per EPA Region. As
such, one option for implementing lead
non-source-oriented monitoring is to
require lead monitoring at all NCore
sites rather than the population-based
approach currently used. This option
provides a similar result to that of
basing the non-source-oriented
monitoring requirements on population
(as was established in the November
2008 final rule) and has additional
similarities with the provisions adopted
in the final rule on the revised lead
NAAQS including:
• The size of the network would be
approximately the same as the original
proposal but would span a wider range
of populations. The NCore network will
consist of approximately 80 sites, with
approximately 50 of these being in
urban areas with a population of
500,000 people or more.
• NCore sites will be neighborhoodscale sites.
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• NCore sites are long-term trends
sites suitable for long-term population
exposure studies.
In addition, many NCore sites will
have the low-volume PM10 sampler
necessary to conduct lead monitoring,
reducing the cost and time necessary to
implement the non-source-oriented
monitoring requirements.7 Additional
information on the objectives and
specific sites for NCore can be obtained
online at https://www.epa.gov/ttn/amtic/
ncore/. Due to the many
advantages of including lead monitoring
at NCore sites rather than having
separate non-source-oriented
monitoring requirements, the EPA is
proposing to revise the existing nonsource-oriented monitoring
requirements (paragraph 4.5(b) of
Appendix D to 40 CFR part 58) to
require lead monitoring at all NCore
sites in place of the current CBSA
population-based requirements. The
EPA seeks comments on the use of the
NCore network to meet the non-sourceoriented monitoring objectives for lead.
The EPA also seeks comments on
whether lead monitoring should be
required at all NCore sites, or only
NCore sites in large urban areas (e.g., in
CBSAs with a population greater than
500,000 people).
The EPA is also proposing to make a
minor edit to the existing monitoring
requirements. Paragraph 3(c) of
Appendix D to 40 CFR part 58 requires
lead monitoring at 10 NCore sites,
located in the most populated MSA/
CSA in each of the 10 EPA Regions.
This requirement was added prior to the
recent lead monitoring revisions and
was intended to provide for
measurement of long-term lead trends
away from lead sources. Since lead
monitoring would be required at all
NCore sites if this proposal is finalized,
paragraph 3(c) of Appendix D to 40 CFR
part 58 is redundant and, as such, the
EPA proposes to delete this paragraph.
VI. Increase in Lead Monitors and
Timeline for Deploying New Monitors
These proposed revisions to the
monitoring requirements will result in
an increase in the number of lead
monitors that monitoring agencies must
7 EPA expects that low-volume PM
10 samplers
will be used at many NCore sites in order to meet
the existing requirement for PM10–2.5 measurements.
However, EPA notes that some NCore sites may use
a dichotomous sampler or a continuous PM10–2.5
sampler that would not be compatible with leadPM10 sampling such that these sites would need to
add an additional low-volume PM10 sampler to
perform lead-PM10 sampling. In addition, if leadPM10 concentrations are found to be greater than
0.10 μg/m3, a lead-TSP sampler would be required
at the NCore site according to paragraph 2.10.1.1 of
Appendix C to 40 CFR part 58, within 6 months.
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deploy and operate relative to the
estimated number of monitors for the
November 2008 final rule. Based on the
2005 NEI and the 2002 estimates for
lead emissions from airports (EPA,
2008a), the current monitoring
requirements would require up to 212
lead monitors—111 source-oriented
monitors8 (106 industrial and 5 airport)
and 101 non-source-oriented monitors.
Based on the monitoring requirements
proposed here, the number of total
required monitors increases to 352
monitors with 272 source-oriented
monitors (217 industrial and 55 airport)
and 80 non-source-oriented monitors.
However, we expect that the number of
actual lead monitors will likely be less
than 352 since these numbers do not
take into account the probability that
monitoring agencies will request and
attain waivers from source-oriented
monitoring requirements for some of the
lead sources identified as emitting more
than 0.50 tpy of lead.
This proposal does not change the
current requirement for monitoring
agencies to have lead monitors installed
and operating near sources emitting 1.0
tpy of lead or more by January 1, 2010
(i.e., the deadline specified in the
November 2008 final rule). The EPA
proposes that if we revise the
monitoring requirements, monitoring
agencies would have 6 months from the
effective date of the final rule to update
their annual monitoring network plans.
The update would incorporate plans for
source-oriented monitors near lead
sources emitting 0.50 tpy or more, but
less than 1.0 tpy. The EPA is also
proposing to allow 1 year from the date
of the final rule for monitoring agencies
to install and begin operation of sourceoriented monitors near lead sources
emitting 0.50 tpy or more, but less than
1.0 tpy.
The EPA notes that the timeline
described above would require
monitoring agencies to evaluate, site,
and install up to 161 source-oriented
monitoring sites within 1 year of
promulgation of the revised monitoring
requirements. While the EPA believes
this is feasible, the EPA seeks comments
on the appropriateness of allowing
deployment in phases requiring half of
the sites for sources between 0.50 and
1.0 tpy to be installed during the first
year following promulgation of the final
monitoring requirements, and for the
remaining half to be installed during the
second year following promulgation of
the final monitoring requirements. The
8 Note that the current estimate of the required
source-oriented sites is lower than the estimate
identified in the final rule (135 sites) because the
current estimate is based on the 2005 NEI rather
than the 2002 NEI.
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EPA solicits comments on what factors
should be considered when prioritizing
which sites should be installed during
the first year versus the second. The
EPA specifically solicits comments on
an alternative deployment schedule that
would allow for monitors near airports
to be deployed over 2 years, and on
what factors should be considered when
prioritizing airports to receive monitors
in the first year of deployment.
Monitoring agencies must have
installed and begun operation of
required NCore sites and monitors
(other than lead) by January 1, 2011.
Because the necessary siting and site
installation will already be in place at
NCore sites, the EPA does not believe
any additional time beyond that of the
existing NCore schedule is required for
monitoring agencies to install any
necessary lead monitors and begin lead
sampling at NCore sites. As such, the
EPA is proposing to require monitoring
agencies to commence lead sampling at
NCore sites when NCore sites are to
become operational, no later than
January 1, 2011.
The EPA recognizes that these
proposed requirements will not be
finalized until spring 2010 at the earliest
which is just a few months before
monitoring agencies are currently
required to submit their lead network
plans for non-source-oriented monitors
(July 1, 2010). Because this
reconsideration may affect where nonsource-oriented monitors may be
required, the EPA is advising
monitoring agencies to not site or install
non-source-oriented monitors until after
this reconsideration is complete and the
final revisions are promulgated.
VII. Statutory and Executive Order
Reviews
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A. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory
Planning and Review
Under Executive Order 12866 (58 FR
51735, October 4, 1993), this action is a
‘‘significant regulatory action’’ because
it was deemed to ‘‘raise novel legal or
policy issues.’’ Accordingly, EPA
submitted this action to the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) for
review under Executive Order 12866
and any changes made in response to
OMB recommendations have been
documented in the docket for this
action.
B. Paperwork Reduction Act
The information collection
requirements in this proposed rule have
been submitted for approval to OMB
under the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44
U.S.C. 3501 et seq. The Information
Collection Request (ICR) document
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prepared by EPA has been assigned EPA
ICR number 2378.01.
The monitoring, recordkeeping, and
reporting requirements in 40 CFR parts
58 are specifically authorized by
sections 100, 301(a), and 319 of the
Clean Air Act (CAA). All information
submitted to EPA pursuant to the
monitoring, recordkeeping, and
reporting requirements for which a
claim of confidentiality is made is
safeguarded according to Agency
policies in 40 CFR part 2, subpart B.
The information collected and
reported under 40 CFR part 58 is needed
to determine compliance with the
NAAQS, to characterize air quality and
associated health and ecosystem
impacts, to develop emissions control
strategies, and to measure progress for
the air pollution program. The proposed
amendments would revise the technical
requirements for lead monitoring sites,
require the siting and operation of
additional lead ambient air monitors,
and require the reporting of the
collected ambient lead monitoring data
to EPA’s AQS. The annual average
reporting burden for the collection
under 40 CFR part 58 (averaged over the
first 3 years of this ICR) for 105
respondents is estimated to increase by
a total of 19,551 labor hours per year
with an increase of $1,849,264 per year.
Burden is defined at 5 CFR 1320.3(b).
State, local, and tribal entities are
eligible for state assistance grants
provided by the federal government
under the CAA which can be used for
monitors and related activities.
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 40
CFR are listed in 40 CFR part 9.
To comment on the Agency’s need for
this information, the accuracy of the
provided burden estimates, and any
suggested methods for minimizing
respondent burden, EPA has established
a public docket for this rule, which
includes this ICR, under Docket ID
number EPA–HQ–OAR–2006–0735.
Submit any comments related to the ICR
to EPA and OMB. See ADDRESSES
section at the beginning of this notice
for where to submit comments to EPA.
Send comments to OMB at the Office of
Information and Regulatory Affairs,
Office of Management and Budget, 725
17th Street, NW., Washington, DC
20503, Attention: Desk Office for EPA.
Since OMB is required to make a
decision concerning the ICR between 30
and 60 days after December 30, 2009, a
comment to OMB is best assured of
having its full effect if OMB receives it
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69057
by January 29, 2010. The final rule will
respond to any OMB or public
comments on the information collection
requirements contained in this proposal.
C. Regulatory Flexibility Act
The Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)
generally requires an agency to prepare
a regulatory flexibility analysis of any
rule subject to notice and comment
rulemaking requirements under the
Administrative Procedure Act or any
other statute unless the agency certifies
that the rule will not have a significant
economic impact on a substantial
number of small entities. Small entities
include small businesses, small
organizations, and small governmental
jurisdictions.
For purposes of assessing the impacts
of this rule on small entities, small
entity is defined as: (1) A small business
as defined by the Small Business
Administration’s (SBA) regulations at 13
CFR 121.201; (2) a small governmental
jurisdiction that is a government of a
city, county, town, school district, or
special district with a population of less
than 50,000; and (3) a small
organization that is any not-for-profit
enterprise which is independently
owned and operated and is not
dominant in its field.
After considering the economic
impacts of this proposed rule on small
entities, I certify that this action will not
have a significant economic impact on
a substantial number of small entities.
This proposed rule will not impose any
requirements on small entities. Rather,
this rule establishes monitoring
requirements for state and local (where
applicable) monitoring agencies. The
EPA continues to be interested in the
potential impacts of the proposed rule
on small entities and welcomes
comments on issues related to such
impacts.
D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
(UMRA)
This rule does not contain a federal
mandate that may result in expenditures
of $100 million or more for state, local,
and Tribal governments, in the
aggregate, or the private sector in any 1
year. The proposed amendments to 40
CFR part 58 are estimated to increase
the ambient air monitoring costs by $1.8
million and 19,551 labor hours from
present levels. Thus, this rule is not
subject to the requirements of sections
202 or 205 of UMRA.
This rule is also not subject to the
requirements of section 203 of UMRA
because it contains no regulatory
requirements that might significantly or
uniquely affect small governments.
Small governments that may be affected
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by the proposed amendments are
already meeting similar requirements
under the existing rules, and the costs
of changing the network design
requirements would be borne, in part,
by the federal government through state
assistance grants.
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E. 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’’ are defined in
the Executive Order to include
regulations that 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.’’
This proposed 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 rule does
not alter the relationship between the
federal government and the states
regarding the establishment and
implementation of air quality
improvement programs as codified in
the CAA. Under section 109 of the CAA,
EPA is mandated to establish NAAQS;
however, CAA section 116 preserves the
rights of states to establish more
stringent requirements if deemed
necessary by a state. Furthermore, this
rule does not impact CAA section 107
which establishes that the states have
primary responsibility for
implementation of the NAAQS. Finally,
as noted in section D (above) on UMRA,
this rule does not impose significant
costs on state, local, or Tribal
governments or the private sector. Thus,
Executive Order 13132 does not apply
to this rule.
However, EPA recognizes that states
will have a substantial interest in this
rule and any corresponding revisions to
associated air quality surveillance
requirements, 40 CFR part 58.
Therefore, in the spirit of Executive
Order 13132, and consistent with EPA
policy to promote communications
between EPA and state and local
governments, EPA specifically solicits
comment on this proposed rule from
state and local officials.
VerDate Nov<24>2008
15:37 Dec 29, 2009
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F. Executive Order 13175: Consultation
and Coordination With Indian Tribal
Governments
This action does not have Tribal
implications, as specified in Executive
Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, November 9,
2000). It does not have a substantial
direct effect on one or more Indian
Tribes, since Tribes are not obligated to
adopt or implement any NAAQS. Thus,
Executive Order 13175 does not apply
to this action. EPA specifically solicits
additional comment on this proposed
action from Tribal officials.
G. Executive Order 13045: Protection of
Children From Environmental Health &
Safety Risks
The EPA interprets Executive Order
13045 (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997) as
applying only to those regulatory
actions that concern health or safety
risks, such that the analysis required
under section 5–501 of the Executive
Order has the potential to influence the
regulation. This action is not subject to
Executive Order 13045 because it does
not establish an environmental standard
intended to mitigate health or safety
risks.
H. Executive Order 13211: Actions That
Significantly Affect Energy Supply,
Distribution, or Use
This action is not a ‘‘significant
energy action’’ as defined in Executive
Order 13211 (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.
This proposed rule would result in an
insignificant increase in power
consumption associated with the
additional power required to run 140
additional monitors nationwide.
I. National Technology Transfer and
Advancement Act
Section 12(d) of the National
Technology Transfer and Advancement
Act of 1995 (‘‘NTTAA’’), Public Law
104–113, 12(d) (15 U.S.C. 272 note)
directs EPA to use voluntary consensus
standards in its regulatory activities
unless to do so would be inconsistent
with applicable law or otherwise
impractical. Voluntary consensus
standards are technical standards (e.g.,
materials specifications, test methods,
sampling procedures, and business
practices) that are developed or adopted
by voluntary consensus standards
bodies. NTTAA directs EPA to provide
Congress, through OMB, explanations
when the Agency decides not to use
available and applicable voluntary
consensus standards.
This proposed rulemaking does not
involve technical standards. Therefore,
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EPA is not considering the use of any
voluntary consensus standards.
J. Executive Order 12898: Federal
Actions To Address Environmental
Justice in Minority Populations and
Low-Income Populations
Executive Order 12898 (59 FR 7629
(Feb. 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.
The EPA has determined that this
proposed rule will not have
disproportionately high and adverse
human health or environmental effects
on minority or low-income populations
because it increases the level of
environmental protection for all affected
populations without having any
disproportionately high and adverse
human health or environmental effects
on any population, including any
minority or low-income population.
VIII. References
Cavender, K. (2008). Development of Final
Source-oriented Monitoring Emission
Threshold. Memorandum to the Lead
NAAQS Review Docket. EPA–HQ–OAR–
2006–0735. Available online at: https://
www.epa.gov/ttnnaaqs/standards/lead/
data/20081015Cavender.pdf.
Cavender, K. (2009a). Summary of Discussion
of Lead Monitoring Near Airports at Spring
2009 NACAA Monitoring Subcommittee
Meeting. Memorandum to the Lead
NAAQS Review Docket. EPA–HQ–OAR–
2006–0735.
Cavender, K. (2009b). Review of Pb
Monitoring Conducted Near General
Aviation Airports. Memorandum to the
Lead NAAQS Review Docket. EPA–HQ–
OAR–2006–0735.
Fine, Philip (2007). Community-Scale Air
Toxics Monitoring—Sun Valley
Neighborhood and General Aviation
Airports. Presented at the U.S. EPA Air
Toxics Data Analysis Workshop—Chicago,
IL, October 2–4, 2007. EPA–HQ–OAR–
2006–0735. Available online at: https://
www.epa.gov/ttn/amtic/files/ambient/
airtox/2007-workshop/07_100307_fine.pdf.
Jackson, L. (2009). Letter to petitioners. EPA–
HQ–OAR–2006–0735. Available online at:
https://www.epa.gov/air/lead/pdfs/
OAR.09.000.7687.pdf.
NRDC, et al. (2009). Petition to Reconsider.
EPA–HQ–OAR–2006–0735. Available
online at: https://www.epa.gov/air/lead/
pdfs/0122009petitionReconsideration.pdf.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
(2006). Air Quality Criteria for Lead
E:\FR\FM\30DEP1.SGM
30DEP1
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 249 / Wednesday, December 30, 2009 / Proposed Rules
(Second External Review Draft).
Washington, DC, EPA/600/R–05/144aB–
bB. Available online at: https://
cfpub.epa.gov/ncea/cfm/
recordisplay.cfm?deid=158823.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
(2008a). Lead Emissions from the Use of
Leaded Aviation Gasoline in the United
States. EPA420–R–08–020. Available
online at: https://www.epa.gov/ttn/chief/
net/tsd_avgas_lead_inventory_2002.pdf.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
(2008b). Regulatory Impact Analysis of the
Proposed Revisions to the National
Ambient Air Quality Standards for Lead.
EPA–HQ–OAR–2006–0735.
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 58
Air pollution control, Environmental
protection, Intergovernmental relations,
Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements.
Dated: December 23, 2009.
Lisa P. Jackson,
Administrator.
For the reasons stated in the
preamble, title 40, chapter I, part 58 of
the Code of Federal Regulations is
proposed to be amended as follows:
PART 58—[AMENDED]
1. The authority citation for part 58
continues to read as follows:
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7403, 7410, 7601(a),
7611, and 7619.
Subpart B—[Amended]
2. Section 58.10 is amended by
revising paragraph (a)(4) to read as
follows:
erowe on DSK5CLS3C1PROD with PROPOSALS-1
§ 58.10 Annual monitoring network plan
and periodic network assessment.
(a) * * *
(4) A plan for establishing sourceoriented lead monitoring sites in
accordance with the requirements of
appendix D to this part for lead sources
emitting 1.0 tpy or greater shall be
submitted to the EPA Regional
Administrator no later than July 1, 2009,
as part of the annual network plan
required in paragraph (a)(1) of this
section. The plan shall provide for the
required source-oriented lead
monitoring sites for lead sources
emitting 1.0 tpy or greater to be
operational by January 1, 2010. A plan
for establishing source-oriented lead
monitoring sites in accordance with the
requirements of appendix D to this part
for lead sources emitting greater than
0.50 tpy but less than 1.0 tpy shall be
submitted to the EPA Regional
Administrator no later than June 30,
2010. The plan shall provide for the
required source-oriented lead
monitoring sites for lead sources
emitting greater than 0.50 tpy but less
VerDate Nov<24>2008
15:37 Dec 29, 2009
Jkt 220001
69059
than 1.0 tpy to be operational by
December 30, 2010.
*
*
*
*
*
3. Appendix D to Part 58 is amended
as follows:
a. By revising paragraph 3.(b),
b. By removing and reserving
paragraph 3.(c),
c. By revising 4.5.(a), and
d. By revising paragraph 4.5.(b).
oriented lead monitoring at each NCore site
required under paragraph 3 of this appendix.
Appendix D to Part 58—Network
Design Criteria for Ambient Air Quality
Monitoring
[DA 09–2605; MB Docket No. 09–230; RM–
11586]
*
*
*
*
*
3. * * *
(b) The NCore sites must measure, at a
minimum, PM2.5 particle mass using
continuous and integrated/filter-based
samplers, speciated PM2.5, PM10–2.5 particle
mass, speciated PM10–2.5, O3, SO2, CO, NO/
NOy, lead, wind speed, wind direction,
relative humidity, and ambient temperature.
(c) [Reserved.]
*
*
*
*
*
4.5 * * * (a) State and, where appropriate,
local agencies are required to conduct
ambient air lead monitoring near lead
sources which are expected to or have been
shown to contribute to a maximum lead
concentration in ambient air in excess of the
NAAQS, taking into account the logistics and
potential for population exposure. At a
minimum, there must be one source-oriented
SLAMS site located to measure the maximum
lead concentration in ambient air resulting
from each lead source which emits 0.50 or
more tons per year based on either the most
recent National Emission Inventory (https://
www.epa.gov/ttn/chief/eiinformation.html)
or other scientifically justifiable methods and
data (such as improved emissions factors or
site-specific data) taking into account
logistics and the potential for population
exposure.
(i) One monitor may be used to meet the
requirement in paragraph 4.5(a) for all
sources involved when the location of the
maximum lead concentration due to one lead
source is expected to also be impacted by
lead emissions from a nearby source (or
multiple sources). This monitor must be
sited, taking into account logistics and the
potential for population exposure, where the
lead concentration from all sources combined
is expected to be at its maximum.
(ii) The Regional Administrator may waive
the requirement in paragraph 4.5(a) for
monitoring near lead sources if the state or,
where appropriate, local agency can
demonstrate the lead source will not
contribute to a maximum lead concentration
in ambient air in excess of 50 percent of the
NAAQS (based on historical monitoring data,
modeling, or other means). The waiver must
be renewed once every 5 years as part of the
network assessment required under
§ 58.10(d).
(b) State and, where appropriate, local
agencies are required to conduct non-source-
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*
*
*
*
*
[FR Doc. E9–31049 Filed 12–29–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS
COMMISSION
47 CFR Part 73
Television Broadcasting Services;
Seaford, DE
AGENCY: Federal Communications
Commission.
ACTION: Proposed rule.
SUMMARY: The Commission proposes the
allotment of channel 5 to Seaford,
Delaware. The Commission is waiving
the freeze on the filing of new DTV
allotments to initiate this proceeding
and to advance the policy, as set forth
in Section 331(a) of the
Communications Act of 1934, as
amended, to allocate not less than one
very high frequency (‘‘VHF’’)
commercial television channel to each
State, if technically feasible.
DATES: Comments must be filed on or
before January 29, 2010, and reply
comments on or before February 16,
2010.
ADDRESSES: Federal Communications
Commission, Office of the Secretary,
445 12th Street, SW., Washington, DC
20554.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Adrienne Y. Denysyk,
adrienne.denysyk@fcc.gov, Media
Bureau, (202) 418–1600.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a
synopsis of the Commission’s Notice of
Proposed Rule Making, MB Docket No.
09–230, adopted December 17, 2009,
and released December 18, 2009. The
full text of this document is available for
public inspection and copying during
normal business hours in the FCC’s
Reference Information Center at Portals
II, CY–A257, 445 12th Street, SW.,
Washington, DC, 20554. This document
will also be available via ECFS (https://
www.fcc.gov/cgb/ecfs/). (Documents
will be available electronically in ASCII,
Word 97, and/or Adobe Acrobat.) This
document may be purchased from the
Commission’s duplicating contractor,
Best Copy and Printing, Inc., 445 12th
Street, SW., Room CY–B402,
Washington, DC 20554, telephone
1–800–478–3160 or via e-mail https://
www.BCPIWEB.com. To request this
E:\FR\FM\30DEP1.SGM
30DEP1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 249 (Wednesday, December 30, 2009)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 69050-69059]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-31049]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 58
[EPA-HQ-OAR-2006-0735; FRL-9098-2]
RIN 2060-AP77
Revisions to Lead Ambient Air Monitoring Requirements
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Proposed rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The EPA issued a final rule on November 12, 2008, (effective
date January 12, 2009) that revised the National Ambient Air Quality
Standards (NAAQS) for lead and associated monitoring requirements. This
action proposes revisions to the monitoring requirements in that final
rule pertaining to where state and local monitoring agencies
(``monitoring agencies'') would be required to conduct lead monitoring.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before February 16, 2010.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-
OAR-2006-0735 by one of the following methods:
https://www.regulations.gov: Follow the on-line
instructions for submitting comments.
E-mail: a-and-r-Docket@epa.gov.
Fax: 202-566-9744.
Mail: Docket No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2006-0735, Environmental
Protection Agency, Mail Code 2822T, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW.,
Washington, DC 20460. Please include a total of two copies. In
addition, please mail a copy of your comments on the information
collection provisions to the Office of Information and Regulatory
Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Attn: Desk Officer for
EPA, 725 17th St., NW., Washington, DC 20503.
Hand Delivery: Docket No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2006-0735,
Environmental Protection Agency, EPA West, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution
Ave., NW., Washington, DC. Such deliveries are only accepted during the
Docket's normal hours of operation, and special arrangements should be
made for deliveries of boxed information.
Instructions: Direct your comments to Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-
2006-0735. The EPA's policy is that all comments received will be
included in the public docket without change and may be made available
online at www.regulations.gov, including any personal information
provided, unless the comment includes information claimed to be
Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose
disclosure is restricted by statute. Do not submit information that you
consider to be CBI or otherwise protected through www.regulations.gov
or e-mail. The www.regulations.gov Web site is an ``anonymous access''
system, which means EPA will not know your identity or contact
information unless you provide it in the body of your comment. If you
send an e-mail comment directly to EPA without going through
www.regulations.gov, your e-mail address will be automatically captured
and included as part of the comment that is placed in the public docket
and made available on the Internet. If you submit an electronic
comment, EPA recommends that you include your name and other contact
information in the body of your comment and with any disk or CD-ROM you
submit. If EPA cannot read your comment due to technical difficulties
and cannot contact you for clarification, EPA may not be able to
consider your comment. Electronic files should avoid the use of special
characters, any form of encryption, and be free of any defects or
viruses. For additional information about EPA's public docket, visit
the EPA Docket Center homepage at https://www.epa.gov/epahome/dockets.htm.
Docket: All documents in the docket are listed in the
www.regulations.gov index. Although listed in the index, some
information is not publicly available, e.g., CBI or other information
whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Certain other material, such
as copyrighted material, will be publicly available only in hard copy.
Publicly available docket materials are available either electronically
in www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at the Air and Radiation Docket
and Information Center, EPA/DC, EPA West, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution
Ave., NW., Washington, DC. The Public Reading Room is open from 8:30
a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The
telephone number for the Public Reading Room is (202) 566-1744, and the
telephone number for the Air and Radiation Docket and Information
Center is (202) 566-1742.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information contact Mr.
Kevin Cavender, Air Quality Assessment Division, Office of Air Quality
Planning and Standards, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Mail Code
C304-06, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711; telephone: 919-541-2364;
fax: 919-541-1903; e-mail: cavender.kevin@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. General Information
A. What should I consider as I prepare my comments for EPA?
1. Submitting CBI. Do not submit this information to EPA through
www.regulations.gov or e-mail. Clearly mark the part or all of the
information that you claim to be CBI. For CBI information in a disk or
CD-ROM that you mail to EPA, mark the outside of the disk or CD-ROM as
CBI and then identify electronically within the disk or CD-ROM the
specific information that is claimed as CBI. In addition to one
complete version of the comment that includes information claimed as
CBI, a copy of the comment that does not contain the information
claimed as CBI must be submitted for inclusion in the public docket.
Information so marked will not be disclosed except in accordance with
procedures set forth in 40 CFR part 2.
2. Tips for Preparing Your Comments. When submitting comments,
remember to:
Identify the rulemaking by docket number and other
identifying information (subject heading, Federal Register date, and
page number).
Follow directions--the agency may ask you to respond to
specific questions
[[Page 69051]]
or organize comments by referencing a Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)
part or section number.
Explain why you agree or disagree, suggest alternatives,
and substitute language for your requested changes.
Describe any assumptions and provide any technical
information and/or data that you used.
If you estimate potential costs or burdens, explain how
you arrived at your estimate in sufficient detail to allow for it to be
reproduced.
Provide specific examples to illustrate your concerns, and
suggest alternatives.
Explain your views as clearly as possible, avoiding the
use of profanity or personal threats.
Make sure to submit your comments by the comment period
deadline identified.
B. Availability of Related Information
A number of documents relevant to this rulemaking, including the
notice of final rulemaking (73 FR 66964), the notice of proposed
rulemaking (73 FR 29184), the advance notice of proposed rulemaking (72
FR 71488), the Air Quality Criteria for Lead (Criteria Document)
(USEPA, 2006), the Staff Paper, and other related technical documents
are available on EPA's Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards
(OAQPS) Technology Transfer Network (TTN) Web site at https://www.epa.gov/ttn/naaqs/standards/lead/s_lead_index.html. These and
other related documents are also available for inspection and copying
in the EPA docket identified above.
C. When would a public hearing occur?
If anyone contacts EPA requesting to speak at a public hearing
concerning this proposed rule by January 11, 2010, we will hold a
public hearing on January 14, 2010. If January 14, 2010 falls on a
Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, the hearing will be held on the following
Monday. Persons interested in presenting oral testimony at the hearing,
or inquiring as to whether a hearing will be held, should contact Kevin
A. Cavender at (919) 541-2364 at least 2 days in advance of the
hearing. If a public hearing is held, it will be held at 10 a.m. at the
EPA's campus located at 109 T.W. Alexander Drive in Research Triangle
Park, NC, or an alternate site nearby. Under CAA section 307(d)(1)(V),
the Administrator determines that the provisions of section 307(d) are
applicable to this proposal and all the procedural requirements of
section 307(d) will apply to it.
D. How is this document organized?
The information presented in this document is organized as follows:
I. General Information
A. What should I consider as I prepare my comments for EPA?
B. Availability of Related Information
C. When would a public hearing occur?
D. How is this document organized?
II. Background
III. Source-Oriented Monitoring Requirements
A. Background on Source-Oriented Monitoring Requirements
B. Issues With Source-Oriented Monitoring Requirements
C. Reconsideration of Source-Oriented Monitoring Requirements
IV. Monitoring of Airports
V. Non-Source-Oriented Monitoring Requirements
A. Background on Non-Source-Oriented Monitoring Requirements
B. Issues With Non-Source-Oriented Monitoring Requirements
C. Reconsideration of Non-Source-Oriented Monitoring
Requirements
VI. Increase in Lead Monitors and Timeline for Deploying New
Monitors
VII. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
A. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory Planning and Review
B. Paperwork Reduction Act
C. Regulatory Flexibility Act
D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
E. Executive Order 13132: Federalism
F. Executive Order 13175: Consultation and Coordination With
Indian Tribal Governments
G. Executive Order 13045: Protection of Children From
Environmental Health and Safety Risks
H. Executive Order 13211: Actions That Significantly Affect
Energy Supply, Distribution or Use
I. National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act
J. Executive Order 12898: Federal Actions To Address
Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income
Populations
VIII. References
II. Background
The EPA issued a final rule on November 12, 2008, that revised the
NAAQS for lead and associated ambient air lead monitoring requirements
(73 FR 66964, codified at 40 CFR part 58). As part of the lead
monitoring requirements, monitoring agencies are required to monitor
ambient air near lead sources which are expected to or have been shown
to have a potential to contribute to a 3-month average lead
concentration in ambient air in excess of the level of the NAAQS. At a
minimum, monitoring agencies must monitor near lead sources that emit
1.0 ton per year (tpy) or more. However, this requirement can be waived
by the EPA Regional Administrator if the monitoring agency can
demonstrate that the source will not contribute to a 3-month average
lead concentration in ambient air in excess of 50 percent of the level
of the NAAQS (based on historical monitoring data, modeling, or other
means).
Monitoring agencies are also currently required to conduct lead
monitoring in large urban areas (identified as Core Based Statistical
Areas, or CBSAs, as defined by the OMB) with a population of 500,000
people or more. The locations for these monitoring sites are intended
to measure neighborhood-scale lead concentrations in urban areas
impacted by resuspended dust from roadways, closed industrial sources
which previously were significant sources of lead, hazardous waste
sites, construction and demolition projects, or other fugitive dust
sources of lead.
Following promulgation of the revised lead NAAQS and monitoring
requirements, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), the
Missouri Coalition for the Environment Foundation, the Physicians for
Social Responsibility, and the Coalition to End Childhood Lead
Poisoning (``the Petitioners'') petitioned (NRDC, 2009) for a
reconsideration of the lead emission rate at which monitoring is
required (the ``emission threshold,'' currently 1.0 tpy). On July 22,
2009, the EPA granted the petition to reconsider aspects of the
monitoring requirements (Jackson, 2009). In response to the petition,
the EPA reviewed and reconsidered the monitoring requirements and is
proposing revisions to the requirements for both source-oriented and
non-source-oriented monitoring for lead.
III. Source-Oriented Monitoring Requirements
The EPA is proposing to change the lead emission threshold at which
monitoring agencies are presumptively required to conduct lead
monitoring near a lead source to 0.50 tpy from an emissions threshold
of 1.0 tpy. The EPA is also seeking comments on alternative emission
thresholds between 0.50 tpy to 1.0 tpy. The following paragraphs
discuss the issues considered, the proposed changes, and our rationale
for the proposed changes to the source-oriented monitoring
requirements.
A. Background on Source-Oriented Monitoring Requirements
In the final revisions to the lead NAAQS, the EPA noted that, due
to the dramatic drop in lead concentrations since the phase-out of lead
in motor vehicle gasoline, we expected concentrations of lead to
approach the revised level of the lead NAAQS
[[Page 69052]]
primarily near sources of lead. Accordingly, the EPA required
monitoring near lead emission sources such as lead smelters,
metallurgical operations, battery manufacturing, and other source
categories that emit lead.
The EPA also noted in the final NAAQS rulemaking that it is not
practical to conduct monitoring at every lead emission source, nor is
it likely that very small lead emission sources will cause ambient
concentrations to exceed the promulgated NAAQS. Therefore, the EPA
performed an analysis to determine at what level of lead emissions (the
``emissions threshold'') it may be possible for an emission source to
cause ambient lead concentrations to exceed the lead NAAQS (Cavender,
2008). This analysis looked at a range of levels and indicated that,
under reasonable worst-case conditions, a 0.50 tpy lead source could
cause ambient lead concentrations to exceed the revised lead NAAQS. The
EPA also noted that, by basing the monitoring requirements on worst-
case conditions, the EPA would be ``placing an unnecessary burden on
monitoring agencies to evaluate or monitor around sources that may not
have a significant potential to exceed the NAAQS.'' As such, the EPA
required monitoring agencies to take into account lead sources which
are expected to or have been shown to contribute to a maximum lead
concentration in ambient air in excess of the NAAQS including, and, at
a minimum, to conduct lead monitoring [or request monitoring waivers as
allowed for under 40 CFR part 58, Appendix D, paragraph 4.5(a)(ii)]
near lead sources emitting 1.0 or more tpy. To account for lead sources
emitting less than 1.0 tpy of lead that may have the potential to cause
lead concentrations to exceed the lead NAAQS, the November 12, 2008,
final rule provided the EPA Regional Administrators the authority to
require additional monitoring beyond the minimum monitoring
requirements where the likelihood of lead air quality violations is
significant or where the emissions density, topography, or population
locations are complex and varied. The EPA projected the source-oriented
portion of the network to be up to 135 monitors based on these
requirements and on information available at the time the final rule
was published (i.e., the 2002 National Emissions Inventory (NEI)).\1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Note that the 2005 NEI is now available and the EPA has used
the lead emission estimates in the 2005 NEI for estimating the
impact of these proposed revisions. Based on the 2005 NEI, 111
source-oriented monitoring sites would be required under the
existing monitoring requirements.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
B. Issues With Source-Oriented Monitoring Requirements
The Petitioners cited several reasons for EPA to reconsider the
lead monitoring emission threshold (NRDC, 2009). They noted that the
finalized emission threshold of 1.0 tpy was above the proposed range of
200 to 600 kilograms per year and, therefore, argued that the EPA
failed to provide for proper public comment on the 1.0 tpy threshold.
They also argued that the selection of the 1.0 tpy emission threshold
was arbitrary and capricious and that the EPA did not follow its own
analysis. Finally, they argued that the 1.0 tpy emission threshold
would not provide for an adequate margin of safety as required by the
Clean Air Act. The EPA granted the petition to reconsider the
monitoring emission threshold (Jackson, 2009), and this proposed rule
reflects our reconsideration of the emission threshold.
C. Reconsideration of Source-Oriented Monitoring Requirements
The monitoring emission threshold was intended to identify lead
sources which may have the potential to contribute to or approach an
exceedance of the lead NAAQS and near which lead monitoring should be
conducted (or where a site-specific evaluation of the potential for the
lead source to contribute to an exceedance of the lead NAAQS should be
performed). The EPA's analysis to determine the emission threshold
relied on three different approaches.
One of the three approaches relied on the use of existing lead
monitoring data near lead sources. The EPA believes this approach
provides the best information on the potential impact of lead sources
on ambient lead concentrations because it uses actual source-oriented
lead monitoring data from lead sources. As such, this approach was
reevaluated as part of the EPA's reconsideration using updated design-
values based on the final data handling procedures contained in 40 CFR
part 50 Appendix R. Under this approach, source-oriented lead monitors
within 1 mile of a lead source (identified from the 2002 NEI) were
identified. This group of sites was then narrowed down to sites near
facilities emitting 1 tpy or more of lead into the ambient air, and
then to sites which were only impacted by one lead emitting facility.
Also, in cases where more than one monitor was identified within 1 mile
of the same facility emitting 1 tpy or more of lead annually, the EPA
only used the monitor measuring the maximum lead concentration in the
analysis. In this manner, the EPA identified seven monitor-facility
pairs meeting the emissions and distance criteria. Using data in the
Air Quality System (AQS) database (https://www.epa.gov/ttn/airs/airsaqs/
) for the years 2001-2003, the EPA developed an estimate of the maximum
3-month average lead concentration for each monitoring site. \2\ Next,
EPA calculated a ratio of the maximum 3-month average concentration to
the facility annual emissions (as identified in the 2002 NEI) to
provide an estimate of the impact from the facility in units of
micrograms per meter cubed ([mu]g/m\3\) per tpy. Dividing the level of
the lead NAAQS (0.15 [mu]g/m\3\) by this ratio provides an estimate of
the annual emission level for the facility which would result in
ambient lead concentrations just meeting the lead NAAQS, referred to
here as a ``site-specific emission threshold'' (see Table 1).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ The estimate of the maximum 3-month average lead
concentration for this analysis was completed prior to promulgation
of the final data handling rules contained in 40 CFR Part 50
Appendix R. As such, minor differences in the estimated maximum 3-
month average lead concentration appear in the estimates presented
below for the same time period.
Table 1--Data Used To Estimate Facility Impacts Based on Monitoring Data
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maximum 3-month
average lead NEI 2002 facility Ratio ([mu]g/ Site-specific
AQS site Id concentration emission rate m\3\-tpy) emission
([mu]g/m\3\) (tpy) threshold (tpy)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
011090003.......................... 1.2 4.5 0.27 0.56
171190010.......................... 0.33 1.3 0.25 0.59
290990013.......................... 1.8 58.8 0.03 4.90
[[Page 69053]]
340231003.......................... 0.23 1.7 0.14 1.11
420110717.......................... 0.24 4.8 0.05 3.00
471870100.......................... 0.93 2.6 0.36 0.42
480850009.......................... 0.75 3.2 0.23 0.64
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This analysis shows that four of these seven lead sources support
an emission threshold less than the emission threshold of 1.0 tpy set
by the final rule on the revised lead NAAQS.
As part of this reconsideration, the EPA evaluated the stability
and sensitivity of the above analysis. To evaluate the stability of the
site-specific emission threshold calculation, the EPA performed the
same analysis for these same seven facilities based on the emission
estimates from the 2002 and 2005 NEI (Table 2) and estimated design
values over the periods 2001-2003 and 2004-2006 (Table 3). Table 4
summarizes the site-specific emission thresholds calculated for these
periods.
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\3\ The EPA notes that, for facilities where emissions have
dramatically decreased in recent years, re-entrained lead from
historical deposits may influence the emission threshold calculation
to a greater extent than for facilities where lead emissions have
remained constant.
\4\ Monitoring data at this site did not meet the minimum
completeness requirements of 40 CFR part 50 Appendix R for this time
period. No design value or site-specific emission factor was
calculated for this time period.
Table 2--NEI Emission Estimates
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2002 NEI facility 2005 NEI facility
AQS site Id NEI facility Id Facility name emission rate emission rate
(tpy) (tpy)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
011090003....................... NEI18383........... Sanders Lead Co.... 4.5 4.44
171190010....................... NEI55848........... National Steel 1.3 0.90
Corp--Granite City
Div.
290990013....................... NEI34412........... Doe Run Company, 58.8 28.09
Herculaneum
Smelter.
340231003....................... NEINJ16031......... Johnson Controls 1.7 1.34
Battery Group Inc.
420110717....................... NEI117............. East Penn Mfg...... 4.8 1.88
471870100....................... NEI715............. Metalico-College 2.6 2.55
Grove, Inc..
480850009....................... NEI6493............ Gnb Metals Div..... 3.2 3.18
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table 3--Estimated Design Values Based on Alternative Years
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2001-2003 2004-2006
AQS site Id Design value Design value
([mu]g/m\3\) ([mu]g/m\3\)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
011090003............................... 1.2 1.16
171190010............................... 0.33 0.43
290990013............................... 1.8 1.44
340231003............................... 0.23 0.32
420110717............................... 0.24 0.20
471870100............................... 0.93 (\3\)
480850009............................... 0.75 0.77
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table 4--Estimated Site-Specific Emission Thresholds Based on
Alternative Years
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Site-specific emission
threshold
AQS site Id -------------------------------
2002 2005
------------------------------------------------------------------------
011090003............................... 0.56 0.57
171190010............................... 0.59 0.32
290990013............................... 4.90 \3\ 2.93
340231003............................... 1.11 0.63
420110717............................... 3.00 1.41
471870100............................... 0.42 (\4\)
480850009............................... 0.64 0.62
Minimum................................. 0.42 0.32
Median.................................. 0.64 0.62
Maximum................................. 4.90 2.93
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 69054]]
Table 4 shows that, in most cases, the calculated emission
threshold remained fairly constant for a given facility over time, in
general, varying by a factor of 2 or less. Site-specific emission
thresholds varied from 0.32 tpy to 4.9 tpy with a median of 0.63 tpy.
The EPA notes that these metrics may be exaggerated by outliers due
to the limited number of facilities being evaluated. As such, the EPA
looked at how these metrics changed when the extreme sites (i.e., the
highest and lowest emitting sources) were removed. Excluding site
290990013 resulted in a lowering of the upper range to 3 tpy and the
median to 0.62 tpy, but did not affect the minimum (0.32 tpy).
Excluding site 171190010 increases the minimum to 0.42 and the median
to 0.64 tpy, but does not affect the maximum.
In the final rule, the EPA stated that an emission threshold of 1.0
tpy ``is more likely to clearly identify sources that would contribute
to exceedances of the NAAQS'' as compared to a lower emission
threshold. Upon further consideration and based on the site-specific
emission thresholds estimated above, the EPA has decided to propose a
revision to the emission threshold. Based on this sample of lead
sources, it appears that lead sources that emit less than 1.0 tpy have
the potential to cause ambient lead concentrations to exceed or
approach the lead NAAQS. Monitoring agencies would not identify these
sources based on a 1.0 tpy emission threshold. This could result in a
number of areas with the potential to have lead concentrations above
the lead NAAQS not being properly monitored and could result in some
areas where the NAAQS is exceeded not being identified as nonattainment
for lead.
The EPA has reconsidered the emission threshold and proposes to
lower the emission threshold to a level of 0.50 tpy, which the EPA
believes is consistent with the analysis documented for the final rule
(Cavender, 2008) and the findings of this reconsideration. If this
proposal is finalized, monitoring agencies would be required to conduct
monitoring near lead sources that emit 0.50 tpy or greater, or request
a waiver as allowed by 40 CFR part 58, Appendix D, paragraph
4.5(a)(ii). The EPA believes an emission threshold of 0.50 tpy would
adequately identify those sources with the potential to exceed the
NAAQS without placing undue burden on monitoring agencies. The EPA is
also seeking comments and supporting information that could be used in
setting an emission threshold lower than 0.5 tpy as well as higher than
0.5 tpy.
In addition, the EPA is proposing to edit the wording of the
source-oriented monitoring requirement [40 CFR part 58, Appendix D,
paragraph 4.5(a)] for clarity. The EPA believes the edits are merely
editorial and do not change the purpose and intent of the existing
requirement.
IV. Monitoring of Airports
In addition to the petition to reconsider, the EPA has received
informal feedback from members of the National Association of Clean Air
Agencies (NACAA) monitoring subcommittee regarding monitoring of
airports from which lead is emitted as a result of the use of leaded
aviation fuel (Cavender, 2009a). These NACAA members believe that the
final lead NAAQS rulemaking inappropriately treats airports in the same
manner as industrial lead sources and claim that lead emissions at
airports will have a lesser impact on ambient lead concentrations since
the lead emissions from airplanes taking off from or landing at
airports are spread out over a larger area, unlike industrial sources
where the emissions may be emitted from a few stacks.
The EPA has limited quantitative information with which to evaluate
the impact on either on-airport or off-airport ambient lead
concentrations from airports. One study conducted near the Santa Monica
airport measured a maximum 3-month average lead concentration of 0.1
[mu]g/m3 near the runway blast fence (Cavender, 2009b).
Based on the 2002 lead emission estimate for the Santa Monica airport
of 0.4 tpy (USEPA, 2008a), an estimated site-specific emission
threshold of 0.6 tpy can be calculated using the same procedures used
to estimate a site-specific emission threshold as above [i.e., 0.15
[mu]g/m3/(0.1 [mu]g/m3/0.4 tpy) = 0.6 tpy]. This
site-specific emission threshold (0.6 tpy) falls within the lower end
of the range of specific emission thresholds calculated for industrial
sources above (0.32 to 4.9 tpy) and does not support the case for
different treatment of airports.\5\ The EPA is not aware of similar
studies where lead was monitored at or near the maximum impact area and
does not believe there are sufficient data to develop or justify a
separate emission threshold for airports.\6\ As such, the EPA proposes
to treat airports identically to other sources of lead, and require
monitoring agencies to conduct lead monitoring [or request a monitoring
waiver as allowed under 40 CFR part 58, Appendix D, paragraph
4.5(a)(ii)] at or near airports that emit 0.50 tpy of lead, as is
required for other sources of lead.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\5\ The EPA notes that ``urban background lead'' (typically
0.02-0.03 [mu]g/m3) may have a higher impact on this
estimate of the site-specific emission threshold than in the
estimates made for industrial facilities since the urban background
represents a higher percentage of the total lead concentration.
Basing the calculation on just the impact from the airport would
result in a higher site-specific emission threshold estimate.
\6\ EPA notes that additional information may become available
regarding the Santa Monica airport lead study, or other similar
studies, prior to the issuance of a final rule. If additional
information does become available before this rule is finalized
(e.g., a final study report on the Santa Monica airport), EPA will
take such information into account.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The EPA estimates airport-specific lead inventories using a method
similar to that used by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to
estimate inventories of other criteria pollutants emitted by aircraft
at airport facilities in its Emissions and Dispersion Modeling System
(EDMS). The method EPA uses to calculate airport-specific lead
inventories is briefly described here and a more complete description
is available in other documents (USEPA 2008a). The EPA's method for
calculating airport-specific lead inventories requires as input the
following data: The activity of piston-engine aircraft at a facility,
fuel consumption rates by these aircraft during the various modes of
the landing and takeoff cycle (LTO), time in each mode (taxi/idle-out,
takeoff, climb-out, approach, and taxi/idle-in), the concentration of
lead in the fuel, and the retention of lead in the engine and oil. We
use information from national databases to supply this information. The
data inputs for which states or local authorities may be able to obtain
airport-specific data are:
(1) Airport-specific LTO activity for piston-powered aircraft,
including the fraction of piston-engine activity conducted by single
versus twin-engine aircraft. There are no national databases that
provide airport-specific LTO activity data for piston-engine aircraft
separately from turbojet and turboprop aircraft (turboprop and turbojet
powered aircraft use jet fuel, which does not contain lead). Some
airport facilities
[[Page 69055]]
collect this information and states may use these data to calculate
airport-specific lead inventories.
(2) The time spent in each mode of the LTO cycle. EPA uses the EDMS
scenario property of International Civil Aviation Organization/USEPA
Default--Times in Mode, with a 16-minute taxi-in/taxi-out time
according to EPA's Procedures for Emission Inventory Preparation,
Volume IV: Mobile Sources, 1992. We are requesting airport-specific
information for these times in each mode of the LTO cycle. We also
request information regarding the time spent in run-up checks conducted
by piston-engine aircraft prior to take-off. This mode of operation is
not currently included in EPA's airport-specific lead inventories.
(3) Other data inputs for the airport-specific lead inventory
calculation for which states or local authorities may provide airport-
specific information include the concentration of lead in the aviation
gasoline supplied at an airport, and the fraction of lead in fuel that
is retained in the engine and oil, and actual fuel consumption rates by
the piston-engine aircraft operating at specific airports.
The EPA identified 55 airports that may exceed the proposed 0.50
tpy emission threshold. Under this proposed rule, state and local
monitoring agencies would be required to monitor these airports,
request a waiver as allowed under 40 CFR part 58 Appendix D (by
performing dispersion modeling to demonstrate that estimated maximum
lead concentrations would be less than 50 percent of the lead NAAQS),
or demonstrate that the actual emissions from a given airport are less
than 0.50 tpy (by using site-specific values for the factors identified
above in lieu of the national average values used by the EPA). The EPA
is requesting airport-specific data inputs that states or other local
authorities could provide to EPA, particularly for airports that would
be subject to lead monitoring in the context of this proposed rule.
The EPA solicits comments on the availability of other data that
may be useful in considering an alternative emission threshold for
airports. The Agency also seeks comment on whether EPA should consider
other factors or criteria that might be useful in determining if a
different approach is appropriate for identifying those airports that
have the potential to approach or contribute to violations of the lead
NAAQS. For example, the EPA could require monitoring at airports that
the EPA determines have the potential to cause increased ambient lead
concentrations approaching or contributing to violations of the NAAQS
based on criteria including the estimated lead emissions and other
factors such as the number of runways where piston-engine aircraft
operate. However, we do not currently have information regarding the
impact of airport-specific attributes on ambient lead concentrations.
The EPA solicits comments on alternative approaches including the
factors that could be considered in identifying airports that may
require monitoring. We also request data to support the relationship
between airport-specific factors or attributes and ambient lead
concentrations.
V. Non-Source-Oriented Monitoring Requirements
The EPA is proposing to replace the current non-source-oriented
monitoring approach with the requirement for lead monitoring at the
national multi-pollutant monitoring network known as NCore. The
following paragraphs discuss the issues considered, the proposed
changes, and our rationale for the proposed changes to the non-source-
oriented monitoring requirements.
A. Background on Non-Source-Oriented Monitoring Requirements
As part of the November 2008 revisions to the lead NAAQS, the EPA
required one lead monitor site in each CBSA with a population of
500,000 people or more--leading to 101 monitors. These monitors are to
be located to measure neighborhood scale (as described in 40 CFR part
58, Appendix D, paragraph 1.2(b)(3)) lead concentrations in urban areas
impacted by re-suspended dust from roadways, closed industrial sources
which previously were significant sources of lead, hazardous waste
sites, construction and demolition projects, or other fugitive dust
sources of lead.
The EPA had proposed (73 FR 29184) and taken comment on a smaller
non-source-oriented lead monitoring network that included 1 monitor in
each CBSA with a population of 1,000,000 or more people, located to
measure typical neighborhood scale lead concentrations in urban areas--
which would have required 50 monitors. The EPA noted that data from
these non-source-oriented monitors would be helpful in better
characterizing population exposure to ambient air related lead and may
assist in determining nonattainment boundaries.
Concerns were raised during review of the draft final notice that
non-inventoried lead sources in urban areas, such as closed industrial
sources, hazardous waste sites, and construction and demolition
projects could potentially result in ambient lead concentrations in
excess of the lead NAAQS. To address these concerns, the EPA modified
the siting criteria to require non-source-oriented monitors to be sited
to evaluate these non-inventoried lead sources. The EPA also lowered
the population threshold from requiring monitoring at CBSAs with a
population of 1,000,000 people or more to requiring monitoring at CBSAs
with a population of 500,000 people or more.
B. Issues With Non-Source-Oriented Monitoring Requirements
Some sources of lead which are not in the current NEI that could
result in ambient lead concentrations in excess of the lead NAAQS have
been identified (USEPA, 2008b). However, as currently written, it is
not clear that the non-source-oriented monitoring requirements would
result in monitors near such non-inventoried sources. The non-source-
oriented monitors are to be sited as neighborhood scale monitors. Yet,
lead concentrations drop off rapidly with distance away from a source,
such that it is unlikely that non-source-oriented monitors would
identify the maximum lead concentration near non-inventoried sources
where the lead NAAQS could be exceeded. Furthermore, locations near
non-inventoried sources outside of CBSAs with a population of 500,000
people or more would not be addressed by the current non-source-
oriented requirements and, as such, these sources would not necessarily
be monitored. The final siting requirements also would not support the
measurement of trends in typical urban lead concentrations, one of
EPA's original objectives.
C. Reconsideration of Non-Source-Oriented Monitoring Requirements
After further consideration, the EPA believes the most appropriate
approach to achieve the placement of monitors near non-inventoried
sources that have the potential to cause an exceedance of the NAAQS is
through the existing source-oriented monitoring network requirements
(paragraph 4.5(a) of Appendix D to 40 CFR part 58) which require
monitoring agencies to conduct lead monitoring at sources ``which are
expected to or have been shown to contribute to a maximum lead
concentration in ambient air in excess of the NAAQS'' and the EPA
Regional Administrators' authority to require monitoring ``where the
likelihood of lead air quality violations is significant.'' These non-
inventoried lead sources may be identified by monitoring agencies, the
EPA, or concerned citizens as part of the network plan review and
[[Page 69056]]
approval requirements. Furthermore, monitors sited under the source-
oriented monitoring requirements are required to be sited at the
location of estimated maximum concentration and, as such, better serve
the purpose of identifying violations of the lead NAAQS.
The EPA believes it is appropriate to re-emphasize the objectives
identified in the prior proposed rule for non-source-oriented monitors,
i.e., measuring typical neighborhood-scale lead concentrations in urban
areas so we can better understand the risk posed by lead to the general
population, and to provide information that could assist with the
determination of nonattainment boundaries. In addition, the EPA
believes non-source-oriented sites are important to support the
development of long-term trends at typical concentrations sites.
The EPA notes that these objectives match those of the multi-
pollutant NCore network required under section 3 of Appendix D to 40
CFR part 58 and also believes that EPA's increasing support for multi-
pollutant measurements should be considered in the design of the lead
network. The NCore network is intended to be a long-term, multi-
pollutant, monitoring network that not only provides information useful
to NAAQS attainment decisions, but also provides data needed to broaden
the understanding of air quality conditions and pollutant interactions,
evaluate air quality models, develop emission control strategies, and
support long-term health studies. We also note that lead monitoring is
already required in at least one NCore site per EPA Region. As such,
one option for implementing lead non-source-oriented monitoring is to
require lead monitoring at all NCore sites rather than the population-
based approach currently used. This option provides a similar result to
that of basing the non-source-oriented monitoring requirements on
population (as was established in the November 2008 final rule) and has
additional similarities with the provisions adopted in the final rule
on the revised lead NAAQS including:
The size of the network would be approximately the same as
the original proposal but would span a wider range of populations. The
NCore network will consist of approximately 80 sites, with
approximately 50 of these being in urban areas with a population of
500,000 people or more.
NCore sites will be neighborhood-scale sites.
NCore sites are long-term trends sites suitable for long-
term population exposure studies.
In addition, many NCore sites will have the low-volume
PM10 sampler necessary to conduct lead monitoring, reducing
the cost and time necessary to implement the non-source-oriented
monitoring requirements.\7\ Additional information on the objectives
and specific sites for NCore can be obtained online at https://www.epa.gov/ttn/amtic/ncore/. Due to the many advantages of
including lead monitoring at NCore sites rather than having separate
non-source-oriented monitoring requirements, the EPA is proposing to
revise the existing non-source-oriented monitoring requirements
(paragraph 4.5(b) of Appendix D to 40 CFR part 58) to require lead
monitoring at all NCore sites in place of the current CBSA population-
based requirements. The EPA seeks comments on the use of the NCore
network to meet the non-source-oriented monitoring objectives for lead.
The EPA also seeks comments on whether lead monitoring should be
required at all NCore sites, or only NCore sites in large urban areas
(e.g., in CBSAs with a population greater than 500,000 people).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\7\ EPA expects that low-volume PM10 samplers will be
used at many NCore sites in order to meet the existing requirement
for PM10-2.5 measurements. However, EPA notes that some
NCore sites may use a dichotomous sampler or a continuous
PM10-2.5 sampler that would not be compatible with lead-
PM10 sampling such that these sites would need to add an
additional low-volume PM10 sampler to perform lead-
PM10 sampling. In addition, if lead-PM10
concentrations are found to be greater than 0.10 [mu]g/m\3\, a lead-
TSP sampler would be required at the NCore site according to
paragraph 2.10.1.1 of Appendix C to 40 CFR part 58, within 6 months.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The EPA is also proposing to make a minor edit to the existing
monitoring requirements. Paragraph 3(c) of Appendix D to 40 CFR part 58
requires lead monitoring at 10 NCore sites, located in the most
populated MSA/CSA in each of the 10 EPA Regions. This requirement was
added prior to the recent lead monitoring revisions and was intended to
provide for measurement of long-term lead trends away from lead
sources. Since lead monitoring would be required at all NCore sites if
this proposal is finalized, paragraph 3(c) of Appendix D to 40 CFR part
58 is redundant and, as such, the EPA proposes to delete this
paragraph.
VI. Increase in Lead Monitors and Timeline for Deploying New Monitors
These proposed revisions to the monitoring requirements will result
in an increase in the number of lead monitors that monitoring agencies
must deploy and operate relative to the estimated number of monitors
for the November 2008 final rule. Based on the 2005 NEI and the 2002
estimates for lead emissions from airports (EPA, 2008a), the current
monitoring requirements would require up to 212 lead monitors--111
source-oriented monitors\8\ (106 industrial and 5 airport) and 101 non-
source-oriented monitors. Based on the monitoring requirements proposed
here, the number of total required monitors increases to 352 monitors
with 272 source-oriented monitors (217 industrial and 55 airport) and
80 non-source-oriented monitors. However, we expect that the number of
actual lead monitors will likely be less than 352 since these numbers
do not take into account the probability that monitoring agencies will
request and attain waivers from source-oriented monitoring requirements
for some of the lead sources identified as emitting more than 0.50 tpy
of lead.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\8\ Note that the current estimate of the required source-
oriented sites is lower than the estimate identified in the final
rule (135 sites) because the current estimate is based on the 2005
NEI rather than the 2002 NEI.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
This proposal does not change the current requirement for
monitoring agencies to have lead monitors installed and operating near
sources emitting 1.0 tpy of lead or more by January 1, 2010 (i.e., the
deadline specified in the November 2008 final rule). The EPA proposes
that if we revise the monitoring requirements, monitoring agencies
would have 6 months from the effective date of the final rule to update
their annual monitoring network plans. The update would incorporate
plans for source-oriented monitors near lead sources emitting 0.50 tpy
or more, but less than 1.0 tpy. The EPA is also proposing to allow 1
year from the date of the final rule for monitoring agencies to install
and begin operation of source-oriented monitors near lead sources
emitting 0.50 tpy or more, but less than 1.0 tpy.
The EPA notes that the timeline described above would require
monitoring agencies to evaluate, site, and install up to 161 source-
oriented monitoring sites within 1 year of promulgation of the revised
monitoring requirements. While the EPA believes this is feasible, the
EPA seeks comments on the appropriateness of allowing deployment in
phases requiring half of the sites for sources between 0.50 and 1.0 tpy
to be installed during the first year following promulgation of the
final monitoring requirements, and for the remaining half to be
installed during the second year following promulgation of the final
monitoring requirements. The
[[Page 69057]]
EPA solicits comments on what factors should be considered when
prioritizing which sites should be installed during the first year
versus the second. The EPA specifically solicits comments on an
alternative deployment schedule that would allow for monitors near
airports to be deployed over 2 years, and on what factors should be
considered when prioritizing airports to receive monitors in the first
year of deployment.
Monitoring agencies must have installed and begun operation of
required NCore sites and monitors (other than lead) by January 1, 2011.
Because the necessary siting and site installation will already be in
place at NCore sites, the EPA does not believe any additional time
beyond that of the existing NCore schedule is required for monitoring
agencies to install any necessary lead monitors and begin lead sampling
at NCore sites. As such, the EPA is proposing to require monitoring
agencies to commence lead sampling at NCore sites when NCore sites are
to become operational, no later than January 1, 2011.
The EPA recognizes that these proposed requirements will not be
finalized until spring 2010 at the earliest which is just a few months
before monitoring agencies are currently required to submit their lead
network plans for non-source-oriented monitors (July 1, 2010). Because
this reconsideration may affect where non-source-oriented monitors may
be required, the EPA is advising monitoring agencies to not site or
install non-source-oriented monitors until after this reconsideration
is complete and the final revisions are promulgated.
VII. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
A. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory Planning and Review
Under Executive Order 12866 (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993), this
action is a ``significant regulatory action'' because it was deemed to
``raise novel legal or policy issues.'' Accordingly, EPA submitted this
action to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review under
Executive Order 12866 and any changes made in response to OMB
recommendations have been documented in the docket for this action.
B. Paperwork Reduction Act
The information collection requirements in this proposed rule have
been submitted for approval to OMB under the Paperwork Reduction Act,
44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. The Information Collection Request (ICR)
document prepared by EPA has been assigned EPA ICR number 2378.01.
The monitoring, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements in 40 CFR
parts 58 are specifically authorized by sections 100, 301(a), and 319
of the Clean Air Act (CAA). All information submitted to EPA pursuant
to the monitoring, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements for which
a claim of confidentiality is made is safeguarded according to Agency
policies in 40 CFR part 2, subpart B.
The information collected and reported under 40 CFR part 58 is
needed to determine compliance with the NAAQS, to characterize air
quality and associated health and ecosystem impacts, to develop
emissions control strategies, and to measure progress for the air
pollution program. The proposed amendments would revise the technical
requirements for lead monitoring sites, require the siting and
operation of additional lead ambient air monitors, and require the
reporting of the collected ambient lead monitoring data to EPA's AQS.
The annual average reporting burden for the collection under 40 CFR
part 58 (averaged over the first 3 years of this ICR) for 105
respondents is estimated to increase by a total of 19,551 labor hours
per year with an increase of $1,849,264 per year. Burden is defined at
5 CFR 1320.3(b). State, local, and tribal entities are eligible for
state assistance grants provided by the federal government under the
CAA which can be used for monitors and related activities.
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 40 CFR are listed in 40 CFR part 9.
To comment on the Agency's need for this information, the accuracy
of the provided burden estimates, and any suggested methods for
minimizing respondent burden, EPA has established a public docket for
this rule, which includes this ICR, under Docket ID number EPA-HQ-OAR-
2006-0735. Submit any comments related to the ICR to EPA and OMB. See
ADDRESSES section at the beginning of this notice for where to submit
comments to EPA. Send comments to OMB at the Office of Information and
Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, 725 17th Street,
NW., Washington, DC 20503, Attention: Desk Office for EPA. Since OMB is
required to make a decision concerning the ICR between 30 and 60 days
after December 30, 2009, a comment to OMB is best assured of having its
full effect if OMB receives it by January 29, 2010. The final rule will
respond to any OMB or public comments on the information collection
requirements contained in this proposal.
C. Regulatory Flexibility Act
The Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) generally requires an agency
to prepare a regulatory flexibility analysis of any rule subject to
notice and comment rulemaking requirements under the Administrative
Procedure Act or any other statute unless the agency certifies that the
rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial
number of small entities. Small entities include small businesses,
small organizations, and small governmental jurisdictions.
For purposes of assessing the impacts of this rule on small
entities, small entity is defined as: (1) A small business as defined
by the Small Business Administration's (SBA) regulations at 13 CFR
121.201; (2) a small governmental jurisdiction that is a government of
a city, county, town, school district, or special district with a
population of less than 50,000; and (3) a small organization that is
any not-for-profit enterprise which is independently owned and operated
and is not dominant in its field.
After considering the economic impacts of this proposed rule on
small entities, I certify that this action will not have a significant
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. This
proposed rule will not impose any requirements on small entities.
Rather, this rule establishes monitoring requirements for state and
local (where applicable) monitoring agencies. The EPA continues to be
interested in the potential impacts of the proposed rule on small
entities and welcomes comments on issues related to such impacts.
D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA)
This rule does not contain a federal mandate that may result in
expenditures of $100 million or more for state, local, and Tribal
governments, in the aggregate, or the private sector in any 1 year. The
proposed amendments to 40 CFR part 58 are estimated to increase the
ambient air monitoring costs by $1.8 million and 19,551 labor hours
from present levels. Thus, this rule is not subject to the requirements
of sections 202 or 205 of UMRA.
This rule is also not subject to the requirements of section 203 of
UMRA because it contains no regulatory requirements that might
significantly or uniquely affect small governments. Small governments
that may be affected
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by the proposed amendments are already meeting similar requirements
under the existing rules, and the costs of changing the network design
requirements would be borne, in part, by the federal government through
state assistance grants.
E. 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'' are defined in the
Executive Order to include regulations that 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.''
This proposed 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 rule does not alter the
relationship between the federal government and the states regarding
the establishment and implementation of air quality improvement
programs as codified in the CAA. Under section 109 of the CAA, EPA is
mandated to establish NAAQS; however, CAA section 116 preserves the
rights of states to establish more stringent requirements if deemed
necessary by a state. Furthermore, this rule does not impact CAA
section 107 which establishes that the states have primary
responsibility for implementation of the NAAQS. Finally, as noted in
section D (above) on UMRA, this rule does not impose significant costs
on state, local, or Tribal governments or the private sector. Thus,
Executive Order 13132 does not apply to this rule.
However, EPA recognizes that states will have a substantial
interest in this rule and any corresponding revisions to associated air
quality surveillance requirements, 40 CFR part 58. Therefore, in the
spirit of Executive Order 13132, and consistent with EPA policy to
promote communications between EPA and state and local governments, EPA
specifically solicits comment on this proposed rule from state and
local officials.
F. Executive Order 13175: Consultation and Coordination With Indian
Tribal Governments
This action does not have Tribal implications, as specified in
Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, November 9, 2000). It does not have
a substantial direct effect on one or more Indian Tribes, since Tribes
are not obligated to adopt or implement any NAAQS. Thus, Executive
Order 13175 does not apply to this action. EPA specifically solicits
additional comment on this proposed action from Tribal officials.
G. Executive Order 13045: Protection of Children From Environmental
Health & Safety Risks
The EPA interprets Executive Order 13045 (62 FR 19885, April 23,
1997) as applying only to those regulatory actions that concern health
or safety risks, such that the analysis required under section 5-501 of
the Executive Order has the potential to influence the regulation. This
action is not subject to Executive Order 13045 because it does not
establish an environmental standard intended to mitigate health or
safety risks.
H. Executive Order 13211: Actions That Significantly Affect Energy
Supply, Distribution, or Use
This action is not a ``significant energy action'' as defined in
Executive Order 13211 (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. This proposed rule would result in an
insignificant increase in power consumption associated with the
additional power required to run 140 additional monitors nationwide.
I. National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act
Section 12(d) of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement
Act of 1995 (``NTTAA''), Public Law 104-113, 12(d) (15 U.S.C. 272 note)
directs EPA to use voluntary consensus standards in its regulatory
activities unless to do so would be inconsistent with applicable law or
otherwise impractical. Voluntary consensus standards are technical
standards (e.g., materials specifications, test methods, sampling
procedures, and business practices) that are developed or adopted by
voluntary consensus standards bodies. NTTAA directs EPA to provide
Congress, through OMB, explanations when the Agency decides not to use
available and applicable voluntary consensus standards.
This proposed rulemaking does not involve technical standards.
Therefore, EPA is not considering the use of any voluntary consensus
standards.
J. Executive Order 12898: Federal Actions To Address Environmental
Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations
Executive Order 12898 (59 FR 7629 (Feb. 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.
The EPA has determined that this proposed rule will not have
disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental
effects on minority or low-income populations because it increases the
level of environmental protection for all affected populations without
having any disproportionately high and adverse human health or
environmental effects on any population, including any minority or low-
income population.
VIII. References
Cavender, K. (2008). Development of Final Source-oriented Monitoring
Emission Threshold. Memorandum to the Lead NAAQS Review Docket. EPA-
HQ-OAR-2006-0735. Available online at: https://www.epa.gov/ttnnaaqs/standards/lead/data/20081015Cavender.pdf.
Cavender, K. (2009a). Summary of Discussion of Lead Monitoring Near
Airports at Spring 2009 NACAA Monitoring Subcommittee Meeting.
Memorandum to the Lead NAAQS Review Docket. EPA-HQ-OAR-2006-0735.
Cavender, K. (2009b). Review of Pb Monitoring Conducted Near General
Aviation Airports. Memorandum to the Lead NAAQS Review Docket. EPA-
HQ-OAR-2006-0735.
Fine, Philip (2007). Community-Scale Air Toxics Monitoring--Sun
Valley Neighborhood and General Aviation Airports. Presented at the
U.S. EPA Air Toxics Data Analysis Workshop--Chicago, IL, October 2-
4, 2007. EPA-HQ-OAR-2006-0735. Available online at: https://www.epa.gov/ttn/amtic