Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Virginia; Opacity Source Surveillance Methods, 8249-8252 [2010-3512]

Agencies

• ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 36 (Wednesday, February 24, 2010)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 8249-8252]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-3512]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 52

[EPA-R03-OAR-2010-0009; FRL-9115-9]


Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; 
Virginia; Opacity Source Surveillance Methods

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Direct final rule.

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SUMMARY: EPA is taking direct final action to approve revisions to the 
Commonwealth of Virginia State Implementation Plan (SIP). The revisions 
update methods for determining compliance with opacity standards for 
existing, new and modified stationary sources. EPA is approving these 
revisions in accordance with the requirements of the Clean Air Act 
(CAA).

DATES: This rule is effective on April 26, 2010 without further notice, 
unless EPA receives adverse written comment by March 26, 2010. If EPA 
receives such comments, it will publish a timely withdrawal of the 
direct final rule in the Federal Register and inform the public that 
the rule will not take effect.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID Number EPA-
R03-OAR-2010-0009 by one of the following methods:
    A. https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the on-line instructions for 
submitting comments.
    B. E-mail: fernandez.cristina@epa.gov.
    C. Mail: EPA-R03-OAR-2010-0009, Cristina Fernandez, Associate 
Director, Office of Air Program Planning, Mailcode 3AP30, U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency, Region III, 1650 Arch Street, 
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103.
    D. Hand Delivery: At the previously-listed EPA Region III address. 
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-R03-OAR-
2010-0009. EPA's policy is that all comments received will be included 
in the public docket without change, and may be made available online 
at https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information 
provided, unless the comment includes information claimed to be 
Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose 
disclosure is restricted by statute. Do not submit information that you 
consider to be CBI or otherwise protected through https://www.regulations.gov or e-mail. The https://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 https://www.regulations.gov, your e-mail address will be 
automatically captured and included as part of the comment that is 
placed in the public docket and made available on the Internet. If you 
submit an electronic comment, EPA recommends that you include your name 
and other contact information in the body of your comment 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.
    Docket: All documents in the electronic docket are listed in the 
https://www.regulations.gov index. Although listed in the index, some 
information is not publicly available, i.e., CBI or other information 
whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Certain other material, such 
as copyrighted material, is not placed on the Internet and will be 
publicly available only in hard copy form. Publicly available docket 
materials are available either electronically in https://www.regulations.gov or in hard copy during normal business hours at the 
Air Protection Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 
III, 1650 Arch Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103. Copies of the 
State submittal are available at the Virginia Department of 
Environmental Quality, 629 East Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Maria A. Pino, (215) 814-2181, or by 
e-mail at pino.maria@epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Throughout this document, whenever ``we,'' 
``us,'' or ``our'' is used, we mean EPA.

I. Background

    On August 25, 2008, the Commonwealth of Virginia submitted a formal 
revision to its SIP. The SIP revision consists of amendments to Title 9 
of the Virginia Administrative Code (VAC) to update methods for 
determining compliance with opacity standards for existing, new, and 
modified stationary sources.

[[Page 8250]]

Amendments to regulations 9VAC5-40-20 and 9VAC5-50-20 allow the use of 
continuous opacity monitoring system (COMS) data to determine 
compliance with opacity standards. The amendments also allow the use of 
other methods approved by EPA.

II. Summary of SIP Revision

    These revisions update regulations 9VAC5-40-20 and 9VAC5-50-20 to 
allow the use of data from a ``continuous monitoring by 
transmissometer'' or COMS, provided that the devise meets Performance 
Standard 1--Specifications and Test Procedures for Continuous Opacity 
Monitoring Systems in Stationary Sources in Appendix B to 40 CFR part 
60. The revisions also require that the devise be properly maintained 
and prohibit any alteration of the resulting data. Previously, 
compliance with opacity standards was determined by EPA Method 9, which 
requires a certified smoke reader to observe the emissions leaving the 
stack during daylight hours. EPA Method 9 had been the only Federally 
acceptable method to determine compliance with opacity standards and 
visibility requirements. However, on February 24, 1997, EPA promulgated 
its Credible Evidence Revisions, which clarified that non-reference 
test data, i.e., any creditable evidence, can be used in enforcement 
actions and for compliance determinations under the Clean Air Act (62 
FR 8314). Thus, Method 9 is not the exclusive means to determining 
compliance with opacity standards, and the use of data from COMS is 
deemed acceptable. This change strengthens the Virginia SIP by allowing 
the use of COMS data to determine compliance with opacity standards, 
which will make compliance determinations easier.
    The revisions also limit the use of alternative compliance methods 
to only methods which EPA has approved. These changes strengthen the 
Virginia SIP, which had previously allowed alternative methods, but did 
not specify that those methods must be approved by EPA.
    Virginia made these revisions to make regulations 9VAC5-40-20 and 
9VAC5-50-20 consistent with Sec.  10.1-1307.3.B of the Code of 
Virginia, which reads as follows:

    ``The Executive Director or his duly authorized representative 
may pursue enforcement action for a violation of opacity 
requirements or limits based on (i) visual observations conducted 
pursuant to methods approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection 
Agency, (ii) data from certified continuous opacity monitors, or 
(iii) other methods approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection 
Agency.''

III. General Information Pertaining to SIP Submittals From the 
Commonwealth of Virginia

    In 1995, Virginia adopted legislation that provides, subject to 
certain conditions, for an environmental assessment (audit) 
``privilege'' for voluntary compliance evaluations performed by a 
regulated entity. The legislation further addresses the relative burden 
of proof for parties either asserting the privilege or seeking 
disclosure of documents for which the privilege is claimed. Virginia's 
legislation also provides, subject to certain conditions, for a penalty 
waiver for violations of environmental laws when a regulated entity 
discovers such violations pursuant to a voluntary compliance evaluation 
and voluntarily discloses such violations to the Commonwealth and takes 
prompt and appropriate measures to remedy the violations. Virginia's 
Voluntary Environmental Assessment Privilege Law, Va. Code Sec. 10.1-
1198, provides a privilege that protects from disclosure documents and 
information about the content of those documents that are the product 
of a voluntary environmental assessment. The Privilege Law does not 
extend to documents or information (1) that are generated or developed 
before the commencement of a voluntary environmental assessment; (2) 
that are prepared independently of the assessment process; (3) that 
demonstrate a clear, imminent and substantial danger to the public 
health or environment; or (4) that are required by law.
    On January 12, 1998, the Commonwealth of Virginia Office of the 
Attorney General provided a legal opinion that states that the 
Privilege Law, Va. Code Sec. 10.1-1198, precludes granting a privilege 
to documents and information ``required by law,'' including documents 
and information ``required by Federal law to maintain program 
delegation, authorization or approval,'' since Virginia must ``enforce 
Federally authorized environmental programs in a manner that is no less 
stringent than their Federal counterparts. * * *'' The opinion 
concludes that ``[r]egarding Sec.  10.1-1198, therefore, documents or 
other information needed for civil or criminal enforcement under one of 
these programs could not be privileged because such documents and 
information are essential to pursuing enforcement in a manner required 
by Federal law to maintain program delegation, authorization or 
approval.''
    Virginia's Immunity law, Va. Code Sec. 10.1-1199, provides that 
``[t]o the extent consistent with requirements imposed by Federal 
law,'' any person making a voluntary disclosure of information to a 
State agency regarding a violation of an environmental statute, 
regulation, permit, or administrative order is granted immunity from 
administrative or civil penalty. The Attorney General's January 12, 
1998 opinion states that the quoted language renders this statute 
inapplicable to enforcement of any Federally authorized programs, since 
``no immunity could be afforded from administrative, civil, or criminal 
penalties because granting such immunity would not be consistent with 
Federal law, which is one of the criteria for immunity.''
    Therefore, EPA has determined that Virginia's Privilege and 
Immunity statutes will not preclude the Commonwealth from enforcing its 
program consistent with the Federal requirements. In any event, because 
EPA has also determined that a State audit privilege and immunity law 
can affect only State enforcement and cannot have any impact on Federal 
enforcement authorities, EPA may at any time invoke its authority under 
the CAA, including, for example, sections 113, 167, 205, 211 or 213, to 
enforce the requirements or prohibitions of the State plan, 
independently of any State enforcement effort. In addition, citizen 
enforcement under section 304 of the CAA is likewise unaffected by 
this, or any, State audit privilege or immunity law.

IV. Final Action

    EPA is approving revisions to the Virginia SIP that amend 
regulations 9VAC5-40-20 and 9VAC5-50-20 to update methods for 
determining compliance with opacity standards for existing, new, and 
modified stationary sources. The amendments allow the use of data from 
COMS or other EPA-approved methods to determine compliance with opacity 
standards.
    EPA is publishing this rule without prior proposal because the 
Agency views this as a noncontroversial amendment and anticipates no 
adverse comment. However, in the ``Proposed Rules'' section of today's 
Federal Register, EPA is publishing a separate document that will serve 
as the proposal to approve the SIP revision if adverse comments are 
filed. This rule will be effective on April 26, 2010 without further 
notice unless EPA receives adverse comment by March 26, 2010. If EPA 
receives adverse comment, EPA will publish a timely withdrawal in the 
Federal Register informing the public that the rule will not take 
effect. EPA will address all public comments in a

[[Page 8251]]

subsequent final rule based on the proposed rule. EPA will not 
institute a second comment period on this action. Any parties 
interested in commenting must do so at this time. Please note that if 
EPA receives adverse comment on an amendment, paragraph, or section of 
this rule and if that provision may be severed from the remainder of 
the rule, EPA may adopt as final those provisions of the rule that are 
not the subject of an adverse comment.

V. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

A. General Requirements

    Under the Clean Air Act, the Administrator is required to approve a 
SIP submission that complies with the provisions of the Act and 
applicable Federal regulations. 42 U.S.C. 7410(k); 40 CFR 52.02(a). 
Thus, in reviewing SIP submissions, EPA's role is to approve State 
choices, provided that they meet the criteria of the Clean Air Act. 
Accordingly, this action merely approves State law as meeting Federal 
requirements and does not impose additional requirements beyond those 
imposed by State law. For that reason, this action:
     Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' subject to 
review by the Office of Management and Budget under Executive Order 
12866 (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993);
     Does not impose an information collection burden under the 
provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.);
     Is certified as not having a significant economic impact 
on a substantial number of small entities under the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.);
     Does not contain any unfunded mandate or significantly or 
uniquely affect small governments, as described in the Unfunded 
Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-4);
     Does not have Federalism implications as specified in 
Executive Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10, 1999);
     Is not an economically significant regulatory action based 
on health or safety risks subject to Executive Order 13045 (62 FR 
19885, April 23, 1997);
     Is not a significant regulatory action subject to 
Executive Order 13211 (66 FR 28355, May 22, 2001);
     Is not subject to requirements of Section 12(d) of the 
National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272 
note) because application of those requirements would be inconsistent 
with the Clean Air Act; and
     Does not provide EPA with the discretionary authority to 
address, as appropriate, disproportionate human health or environmental 
effects, using practicable and legally permissible methods, under 
Executive Order 12898 (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994).
    In addition, this rule does not have Tribal implications as 
specified by Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, November 9, 2000), 
because the SIP is not approved to apply in Indian country located in 
the State, and EPA notes that it will not impose substantial direct 
costs on Tribal governments or preempt Tribal law.

B. Submission to Congress and the Comptroller General

    The Congressional Review Act, 5 U.S.C. 801 et seq., as added by the 
Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, generally 
provides that before a rule may take effect, the agency promulgating 
the rule must submit a rule report, which includes a copy of the rule, 
to each House of the Congress and to the Comptroller General of the 
United States. EPA will submit a report containing this action and 
other required information to the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of 
Representatives, and the Comptroller General of the United States prior 
to publication of the rule in the Federal Register. A major rule cannot 
take effect until 60 days after it is published in the Federal 
Register. This action is not a ``major rule'' as defined by 5 U.S.C. 
804(2).

C. Petitions for Judicial Review

    Under section 307(b)(1) of the Clean Air Act, petitions for 
judicial review of this action must be filed in the United States Court 
of Appeals for the appropriate circuit by April 26, 2010. Filing a 
petition for reconsideration by the Administrator of this final rule 
does not affect the finality of this action for the purposes of 
judicial review nor does it extend the time within which a petition for 
judicial review may be filed, and shall not postpone the effectiveness 
of such rule or action. Parties with objections to this direct final 
rule are encouraged to file a comment in response to the parallel 
notice of proposed rulemaking for this action published in the proposed 
rules section of today's Federal Register, rather than file an 
immediate petition for judicial review of this direct final rule, so 
that EPA can withdraw this direct final rule and address the comment in 
the proposed rulemaking. This action, which revises the Virginia SIP to 
update methods for determining compliance with opacity standards for 
existing, new and modified stationary sources, may not be challenged 
later in proceedings to enforce its requirements. (See section 
307(b)(2).)

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52

    Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Nitrogen dioxide, 
Particulate matter, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Sulfur 
oxides.

    Dated: February 1, 2010.
W.C. Early,
Acting Regional Administrator, Region III.

0
40 CFR part 52 is amended as follows:

PART 52--[AMENDED]

0
1. The authority citation for 40 CFR part 52 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.

Subpart VV--Virginia


0
2. In Sec.  52.2420, the table in paragraph (c) is amended by revising 
the entries for Chapter 40, Section 5-40-20 and Chapter 50, Section 5-
50-20 to read as follows:


Sec.  52.2420  Identification of plan.

* * * * *
    (c) * * *

                                 EPA-Approved Virginia Regulations and Statutes
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                                                           State                             Explanation (former
      State citation             Title/subject        effective date    EPA approval date       SIP citation)
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                                                  * * * * * * *
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                                 9 VAC 5 Chapter 40 Existing Stationary Sources
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[[Page 8252]]

 
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                                            Part I Special Provisions
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                                                  * * * * * * *
5-40-20..................  Compliance...............        12/12/07  02/24/10 [Insert       Revisions to
                                                                       page number where     paragraph A.3.
                                                                       the document
                                                                       begins].
 
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                             9 VAC 5 Chapter 50 New and Modified Stationary Sources
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                                                  * * * * * * *
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                                            Part I Special Provisions
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                                                  * * * * * * *
5-50-20..................  Compliance...............        12/12/07  02/24/10 [Insert       Revisions to
                                                                       page number where     paragraph A.3.
                                                                       the document
                                                                       begins].
 
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[FR Doc. 2010-3512 Filed 2-23-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P