Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Colorado; Attainment Demonstration for the 1997 8-Hour Ozone Standard, and Approval of Related Revisions, 42346-42361 [2010-17810]
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• 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 (Public Law 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.
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52
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Environmental protection, Air
pollution control, Carbon monoxide,
Intergovernmental relations, Lead,
Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone, Particulate
matter, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Sulfur oxides, Volatile
organic compounds.
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
Dated: July 12, 2010.
Carol Rushin,
Deputy Regional Administrator, Region 8.
[FR Doc. 2010–17790 Filed 7–20–10; 8:45 am]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 52
[EPA–R08–OAR–2010–0285; FRL–9177–2]
Approval and Promulgation of Air
Quality Implementation Plans;
Colorado; Attainment Demonstration
for the 1997 8-Hour Ozone Standard,
and Approval of Related Revisions
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Proposed rule.
AGENCY:
EPA is proposing to act on
proposed revisions to Colorado’s State
Implementation Plan (SIP). On June 18,
2009, Colorado submitted proposed SIP
revisions intended to ensure attainment
of the 1997 ozone National Ambient Air
Quality Standards (NAAQS) in the
Denver Metro Area/North Front Range
nonattainment area by 2010. The June
18, 2009 submittal consists of an ozone
attainment plan, which includes
emission inventories, a modeled
attainment demonstration using
photochemical grid modeling, a weight
of evidence analysis, and 2010 motor
vehicle emissions budgets for
transportation conformity. The
submittal also includes revisions to
Colorado Regulation Numbers 3 and 7
and to Colorado’s Ambient Air Quality
Standards Regulation. EPA is proposing
to approve the attainment
demonstration, the rest of the ozone
attainment plan, with limited
exceptions, and the revisions to
Colorado Regulation Number 3, Parts A
and B. EPA is proposing to approve
portions of the revisions to Colorado
Regulation Number 7 and to disapprove
other portions. EPA is proposing to
disapprove Colorado Regulation
Number 3, Part C, and Colorado’s
Ambient Air Quality Standards
Regulation. EPA is proposing to
disapprove limited portions of the
ozone attainment plan. EPA is
proposing these actions pursuant to
section 110 and part D of the Clean Air
Act (CAA) and EPA’s regulations.
DATES: Comments must be received on
or before August 20, 2010.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,
identified by Docket ID Regulation
Number EPA–R08–OAR–2010–0285, by
one of the following methods:
• https://www.regulations.gov. Follow
the on-line instructions for submitting
comments.
• E-mail: kenney.james@epa.gov.
• Fax: (303) 312–6064 (please alert
the individual listed in the FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT if you are faxing
comments).
SUMMARY:
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• Mail: James Kenney, Air Program,
EPA Region 8, Mailcode 8P–AR, 1595
Wynkoop St., Denver, Colorado 80202–
1129.
• Hand Delivery: James Kenney, Air
Program, EPA, Region 8, Mailcode 8P–
AR, 1595 Wynkoop St., Denver,
Colorado 80202–1129. Such deliveries
are only accepted Monday through
Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding
Federal holidays. Special arrangements
should be made for deliveries of boxed
information.
Instructions: Direct your comments to
Docket ID Regulation Number EPA–
R08–OAR–2010–0285. 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. 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 https://
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 https://
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www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at
the Air Program, EPA Region 8, 1595
Wynkoop Street, Denver, Colorado
80202–1129. EPA requests that if at all
possible, you contact the individual
listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT section to view the hard copy
of the docket. You may view the hard
copy of the docket Monday through
Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., excluding
Federal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
James C. Kenney, Air Program, EPA
Region 8, Mailcode 8P–AR, 1595
Wynkoop St., Denver, Colorado 80202–
1129, phone (303) 312–6176, e-mail
kenney.james@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Definitions
For the purpose of this document, we
are giving meaning to certain words or
initials as follows:
• The words or initials Act or CAA
mean or refer to the Clean Air Act,
unless the context indicates otherwise.
• The words EPA, we, us or our mean
or refer to the United States
Environmental Protection Agency.
• The initials SIP mean or refer to
State Implementation Plan.
• The words Colorado and State
mean the State of Colorado.
Table of Contents
I. General Information
II. What action is EPA proposing?
III. What is the background of this action?
IV. What is EPA’s evaluation of the SIP
revision?
A. Procedural Requirements
B. Monitoring
C. Emission Inventories
D. Photochemical Grid Modeling
E. Modeled Attainment Demonstration
F. Weight of Evidence
G. Specific OAP Language
H. SIP Control Measures
I. Transportation Conformity
V. Consideration of Section 110(l) of the CAA
VI. Proposed Action
VII. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
I. General Information
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What should I consider as I prepare my
comments for EPA?
1. Submitting CBI: Do not submit CBI
to EPA through https://
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
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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
the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)
pursuant to 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
or organize comments by referencing a
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.
II. What action is EPA proposing?
As enumerated below, EPA is
proposing various actions on Colorado’s
proposed revisions to its State
Implementation Plan (SIP) that it
submitted to EPA on June 18, 2009, to
ensure attainment of the 1997 ozone
National Ambient Air Quality Standards
(NAAQS) in the Denver Metro Area/
North Front Range (DMA/NFR)
nonattainment area. The DMA/NFR
nonattainment area includes Adams,
Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver,
Douglas, and Jefferson Counties, and
portions of Larimer and Weld Counties
(40 CFR 81.306).
Colorado’s proposed SIP revisions
consist of the following parts:
• 8-Hour Ozone Attainment Plan
(OAP), which includes monitoring
information, emission inventories, a
modeled attainment demonstration
using photochemical grid modeling, a
weight of evidence analysis, and 2010
motor vehicle emissions budgets
(MVEBs) for transportation conformity.
• Revisions to Regulation Number 3,
Parts A, B, and C.
• Revisions to Regulation Number 7.
• Revisions to Colorado’s Ambient
Air Quality Standards Regulation.
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We are proposing to approve
Colorado’s 2010 attainment
demonstration for the 1997 8-hour
ozone NAAQS. We are proposing to
approve the motor vehicle emissions
budgets contained in the OAP. We are
proposing to approve all other aspects of
the OAP, with the following limited
exceptions: we are proposing to
disapprove the last paragraph on page
IV–1 and the first paragraph on page IV–
2 of the OAP, we are proposing to
disapprove the words ‘‘federally
enforceable’’ in the second to last
paragraph on page V–6 of the OAP, and
we are proposing to disapprove the
reference to Attachment A in the OAP’s
Table of Contents and on page IV–3 of
the OAP.
We are proposing to approve the
revisions to Colorado Regulation
Number 3, Parts A and B. We are
proposing to disapprove the revisions to
Colorado Regulation Number 3, Part C.
We are proposing to approve the
following portions of the revisions to
Colorado Regulation Number 7:
• Revisions to Sections I through XI,
except for Colorado’s repeal of Section
II.D.
• Revisions to Sections XIII through
XVI.
We are proposing to disapprove the
following portions of the revisions to
Colorado Regulation Number 7:
• Colorado’s proposed repeal of
Section II.D.
• Revisions to Section XII.
We are proposing to disapprove the
revisions to Colorado’s Ambient Air
Quality Standards Regulation.
The provisions we are proposing to
approve meet the requirements of the
CAA and our regulations, including 40
CFR 81.300(e)(3)(ii)(D). The provisions
we are proposing to disapprove are
inconsistent with CAA requirements
and our regulations. The specific bases
for our proposed actions and our
analyses and findings are discussed in
this proposed rulemaking. Technical
information that we rely upon in this
proposal is contained in the State’s
technical support document (TSD). The
TSD is available on-line at https://
www.regulations.gov, Docket No. EPA–
R08–OAR–2010–0285.
III. What is the background of this
action?
On July 18, 1997, EPA promulgated a
revised 8-hour ozone standard of 0.08
parts per million (ppm) (62 FR 38855).
Ozone is formed from the
photochemical reaction of nitrogen
oxides (NOX) with volatile organic
compounds (VOCs). Under EPA
regulations (40 CFR part 50, Appendix
I), the 1997 0.08 ppm 8-hour ozone
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NAAQS is attained when the 3-year
average of the annual fourth highest
daily maximum 8-hour average ambient
ozone concentrations is less than or
equal to 0.08 ppm. Forty CFR part 50,
Appendix I, section 2.3, directs that the
third decimal place of the computed 3year average be rounded, with values
equal to or greater than 0.005 rounding
up. Thus, under our regulations, a
computed 3-year average ozone
concentration of 0.085 ppm is the
smallest value that is considered to be
greater than 0.08 ppm and a violation of
the standard.
On April 30, 2004, we designated
areas as attaining or not attaining the
1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS. As part of
that rule, we deferred the effective date
of a designation as nonattainment for
multiple areas of the country, including
the DMA/NFR area. These areas, which
were called Early Action Compact
(EACs) areas, agreed to follow a program
to achieve early reduction of emissions
necessary to attain the 1997 8-hour
standard in order to attain that standard
no later than December 31, 2007 (69 FR
23857). Because the DMA/NFR area
violated the 1997 8-hour standard
during the summer of 2007, the
nonattainment designation for the area
became effective on November 20, 2007.
Our regulations addressing EAC areas
that failed to attain the 1997 8-hour
ozone standard by December 31, 2007
(40 CFR § 81.300(e)(3)(ii)(D)) required
that Colorado submit an attainment
demonstration SIP for the 1997 8-hour
standard. Colorado submitted its revised
attainment demonstration SIP for the
DMA/NFR area on June 18, 2009.
IV. What is EPA’s evaluation of the SIP
revision?
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A. Procedural Requirements
The CAA requires that states meet
certain procedural requirements before
submitting SIP revisions to EPA.
Specifically, section 110(a)(2) of the
CAA requires that states adopt SIP
revisions after reasonable notice and
public hearing.
The Colorado Air Quality Control
Commission (AQCC) provided notice in
the Colorado Register on October 10,
2008 and held a public hearing on the
SIP revision on December 11 and 12,
2008. The Colorado AQCC adopted the
SIP revision on December 12, 2008. The
SIP revision became State effective on
January 30, 2009.1 Colorado met the
CAA’s procedural requirements for
reasonable notice and public hearing.
B. Monitoring
The monitoring section of the OAP
provides information with respect to the
location of ozone monitors in Colorado
(from southern Metropolitan Denver to
northern Fort Collins, including Rocky
Mountain National Park); the State’s
ambient air quality data assurance
program; a description and commitment
for continued operation of the ozone
monitoring network; and relevant 8hour average ozone monitoring data and
recovery rates from 2000 through
September 2008.
Ozone monitoring data was collected
following 40 CFR part 58; EPA’s
‘‘Quality Assurance Handbook for Air
Pollution Measurement Systems, Vol.
II—Ambient Air Quality Monitoring
Program’’; the Colorado Air Pollution
Control Division’s (APCD) Quality
Management Plan and Quality
Assurance Project Plan documents; and
Colorado’s Federally-approved
monitoring SIP (September, 23, 1993, 58
FR 49435).
Data for 2005–2007 and 2006–2008
reflect violations of the 8-hour ozone
NAAQS at the Rocky Flats North
monitor (values of 0.085 and 0.086 ppm,
respectively). Monitoring data are used
as a basis for photochemical grid
modeling in the attainment
demonstration, a process described
below. In the OAP, Colorado indicates
that it will continue to operate an
appropriate air quality monitoring
network in accordance with 40 CFR part
58.
C. Emissions Inventories
In the OAP, Colorado presents three
different emissions inventories for the
DMA/NFR nonattainment area: 2006
base case, 2010 base case, and 2010
control case. The inventories, in tons
per summer day, represent emissions
estimates for all source categories
during a typical summer day when
ozone formation is pronounced. The
emissions inventories catalog NOX and
VOC emissions because these pollutants
are precursors to ozone formation.
The 2006 base case inventory is the
‘‘base year’’ inventory for the attainment
demonstration. Base year inventories are
developed to help determine the
emissions reductions needed to
demonstrate attainment of the NAAQS.
A base year emissions inventory serves
as the starting point for attainmentdemonstration air quality modeling and
for determining the need for additional
SIP control measures.
Using 2006 as the base year emissions
inventory ensures that the inventory
reflects one of the years used for
calculating the design value that
resulted in the area’s nonattainment
designation. The design value is the 3year average of the annual fourth
highest daily maximum 8-hour average
ozone concentration (see 40 CFR part
50, Appendix D). In Colorado’s case, the
Denver area was violating the ozone
standard during the period of 2005–
2007, and, therefore, the nonattainment
designation became effective.
The 2010 base case emissions
inventory assumes the same federally
enforceable control measures that were
in place in 2006 and all federally
enforceable control measures that
became effective after 2006. These
control measures are described at pages
III–1 through III–3 of the OAP. As
described in greater detail below,
Colorado was able to demonstrate
attainment in 2010 based on the 2010
base case emissions inventory.
The 2010 control case emissions
inventory assumes the adoption and
implementation of additional control
measures beyond the measures assumed
for the 2010 base case. These additional
control measures are described at page
V–10 of the OAP (2008 State-only
revisions to Regulation Number 11 that
tightened tailpipe standards, 2008 Stateonly revisions to Regulation Number 7
that required low-bleed devices for
pneumatic controllers, an increase in
the system-wide reduction of
condensate tank VOC emissions from
75% to 81% in 2010, and 7.8 psi RVP
gasoline in the NFR area). While
Colorado was able to demonstrate
attainment without these additional
control measures, Colorado modeled the
2010 control case emissions inventory
to determine whether additional
reductions in ozone precursors (NOX
and VOCs) beyond the 2010 base case
would result in further reductions of
ozone.
The three emissions inventories
discussed above (i.e., 2006 base case
emissions inventory, 2010 base case
emissions inventory, and the 2010
control case emissions inventory) were
developed using EPA-approved
guidelines for stationary, mobile, and
area/off-road emission sources. Point
source emissions data were self-reported
to the State by individual sources. Onroad mobile source emissions data were
estimated using EPA models (MOBILE6)
and Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) data.
Area/off-road vehicle emissions were
1 State revisions to the SIP do not become
federally effective unless and until they are
approved by EPA. 40 CFR 51.105.
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developed using demographic
information. Future emissions were
projected through the use of economic
growth modeling and analysis. Table 1
shows the emissions by source category,
in tons per day (tpd), from the three
emission inventories.
TABLE 1—EMISSIONS INVENTORY DATA FOR SPECIFIC SOURCE CATEGORIES
2006 Base
2010 Base
2010 Control
Source Category (tons/avg. episode day)
NOX
VOC
NOX
VOC
NOX
VOC
55.6
9.5
12.5
0.3
3.1
0.7
0.4
10.2
19.0
1.8
58.5
10.0
14.0
0.3
3.6
1.6
0.5
11.0
22.0
2.0
58.5
10.0
14.0
0.3
3.6
1.6
0.5
11.0
22.0
2.0
Point Sources Subtotal ......................................................................................
81.0
32.1
86.4
37.0
86.4
37.0
Oil and Gas Point & Area Sources:
Condensate Tanks ....................................................................................................
Other O&G Point Sources ........................................................................................
Pneumatic Devices (Area Source) ...........................................................................
Unpermitted Fugitives (Area Sources) .....................................................................
Other Area Sources ..................................................................................................
............
22.6
............
............
17.1
126.5
6.8
24.8
16.2
10.8
............
23.6
............
............
22.5
129.6
8.6
31.1
20.4
13.7
............
23.6
............
............
22.5
105.6
8.6
12.0
20.4
13.7
O&G Point & Area Sources Subtotal ................................................................
39.7
185.2
46.2
203.3
46.2
160.1
Area Sources
Personal Care Products ...........................................................................................
Household Products .................................................................................................
Automotive Aftermarket Products .............................................................................
Architectural Coatings ...............................................................................................
Aircraft .......................................................................................................................
Railroad .....................................................................................................................
Other Coatings/Pesticides/Cooking/Misc ..................................................................
............
............
............
............
7.4
12.8
............
7.1
21.4
11.9
20.1
1.3
0.5
3.9
............
............
............
............
8.2
13.8
............
7.0
17.9
13.0
16.8
1.5
0.6
4.1
............
............
............
............
8.2
13.8
............
7.0
17.9
13.0
16.8
1.5
0.6
4.1
Area Source Subtotal ........................................................................................
20.2
66.3
22.1
61.0
22.1
61.0
Non-Road Mobile Sources:
Agricultural Equipment ..............................................................................................
Airport Equipment .....................................................................................................
Commercial Equipment ............................................................................................
Construction and Mining Equipment ........................................................................
Industrial Equipment .................................................................................................
Lawn and Garden Equip. (Commercial) ...................................................................
Lawn and Garden Equip. (Residential) ....................................................................
Boats/Recreational Equip/Misc .................................................................................
7.0
0.7
5.3
35.7
10.5
9.4
1.2
0.7
0.9
0.1
6.2
5.5
2.4
35.9
7.5
6.9
6.3
0.6
5.1
31.2
6.9
8.9
1.2
0.8
0.7
0.1
7.0
4.5
1.4
28.1
11.8
7.8
6.3
0.6
5.1
31.2
6.9
8.9
1.2
0.8
0.7
0.1
7.0
4.5
1.4
28.1
11.8
7.8
Non-Road Mobile Source Subtotal ....................................................................
70.5
65.3
61.0
61.3
61.0
61.3
On-Road Mobile Sources Subtotal ....................................................................
165.5
129.7
122.9
109.2
118.9
106.0
Anthropogenic Subtotal .....................................................................................
376.8
478.6
338.5
471.8
334.6
425.4
Biogenic Subtotal ...............................................................................................
53.0
694.0
53.0
694.0
53.0
694.0
Total ............................................................................................................
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Point Sources:
Electric Generation Units ..........................................................................................
External Combustion Boilers ....................................................................................
Industrial Processes .................................................................................................
Petroleum and Solvent Evaporation .........................................................................
Other .........................................................................................................................
429.8
1172.6
391.5
1165.8
387.6
1119.4
Colorado employed EPA guidelines
for rule effectiveness when preparing
these emission inventories. Rule
effectiveness, expressed as a percentage,
represents the ability of a regulatory
program to control point sources to
achieve emissions reductions. Based on
control strategies for the oil and gas
source category, Colorado used 83
percent for rule effectiveness. A rule
effectiveness of 83 percent discounts the
emissions reductions from the control
measures by 17 percent. Based on
Colorado’s analysis, which considered
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compliance rates with existing control
measures, EPA finds that a value of 83
percent is reasonable for rule
effectiveness for oil and gas control
measures. For further detail regarding
Colorado’s analysis, the reader should
refer to Colorado’s TSD.
For oil and gas point and area sources,
the 2010 control case inventory reflects
a 43.2 tpd reduction in VOC emissions
as compared to the 2010 base case
inventory. For on-road mobile sources,
the 2010 control case inventory reflects
a 3.2 tpd reduction in VOC emissions as
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compared to the 2010 base case
inventory.
D. Photochemical Grid Modeling
Colorado conducted photochemical
grid modeling (hereafter referred to as
‘‘modeling’’) to demonstrate that the
emissions control strategy leads to
attainment of the NAAQS by 2010. The
modeling followed EPA’s
photochemical modeling guidance
(Guidance on the Use of Models and
Other Analyses for Demonstrating
Attainment of Air Quality Goals for
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Ozone, PM2.5, and Regional Haze, EPA–
454/B–07–002, April 2007).
The attainment demonstration
modeling utilized the Comprehensive
Air-quality Model with extensions
(CAMx), Sparse Matrix Operating
Kernel Emissions (SMOKE) system, and
Mesoscale Model 5 (MM5). Colorado
applied these models to data from June
2006 and July 2006. These models were
set up using a nested 36/12/4 kilometer
(km) domain structure. The 36 km
domain covering most of North America
was used to generate boundary
conditions (BCs) for the 12 km modeling
domain. CAMx was then used to
simulate ozone formation within the 12/
4 km modeling domain. The CAMx
simulation, sensitivity, and control
strategy evaluations runs were made on
the 12/4 km modeling domain.
EPA guidance recommends that
model performance be tested against
certain performance goals. Model
performance testing is used to
determine the model’s reliability in
projecting future year ozone
concentrations. Using meteorological
and emissions data from a historical
base period, ozone concentrations
predicted by the model are compared to
monitored ozone concentrations to
determine model performance.
EPA’s modeling guidance emphasizes
the use of graphical and diagnostic
evaluation techniques to assure that the
modeling captures the correct chemical
regimes and emission sources that result
in high ozone concentrations (i.e.,
assuring that the model is getting the
right answer for the right reason).
Colorado’s model performance
evaluation included such graphical and
diagnostic evaluation techniques. In
addition, EPA modeling guidance
includes three numerical performance
goals that are useful in evaluating ozone
models as part of the attainment
demonstration. These include: unpaired
accuracy of the peak ≤±20%; normalized
mean bias ≤±15%; and normalized mean
gross error ≤35%.
Using a June 1 through July 30, 2006
episode period, Colorado calculated the
mean normalized bias and gross error
statistical measures using all the
predicted and observed hourly ozone
pairs, matched by time and location, for
which the observed ozone was equal to
or greater than 0.060 ppm. The
evaluation showed that the modeling
achieved the ‘‘Unpaired Accuracy of the
Peak’’ performance goal of ≤±20% for 58
of the 60 simulation days of the episode
(i.e., 97% of the modeled days). There
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were 58 days rather than 60 with bias
and error comparisons during the
episode period because two days had no
observed ozone values greater than
0.060 ppm; thus, no statistics could be
calculated for those two days. Of the 58
days, 50 days (or 86%) achieved EPA’s
≤±15% performance for mean
normalized bias and all of them
achieved EPA’s performance goal for
mean normalized gross error.
The CAMx model also exhibited very
good agreement for VOC/NOX ratios on
most days, indicating that the model
was simulating the correct chemical
regimes. The performance of the CAMx
model in predicting ozone
concentrations, and precursor
concentrations, met EPA’s guidelines for
model performance. The model outputs
were consistent with the day-to-day
patterns of observed data, with low bias
and error. EPA concurs with Colorado’s
assessment that the model was properly
set up, met EPA performance
requirements, and was appropriately
used in its application.
E. Modeled Attainment Demonstration
The modeled attainment
demonstration for ozone is one in which
model estimates are used in a relative
sense rather than absolute sense. That
is, we take the ratio of the model’s
future (2010) to current (2006)
predictions at ozone monitors in the
DMA/NFR area. We call these ratios
‘‘Relative Response Factors’’ (RRFs).
Future ozone concentrations are
estimated at existing monitoring sites by
multiplying a modeled RRF at locations
near each monitor by the observationbased, monitor-specific, baseline design
value. The resulting predicted future
concentrations are then compared with
the 1997 0.08 ppm 8-hour ozone
NAAQS. If the predicted future
concentrations of ozone are lower than
0.08 ppm at all monitors, attainment is
demonstrated. The test for ozone is
based on the calculation of a single
mean ozone RRF for each monitor.
Table 2, below, summarizes the
estimated concentrations within the
Colorado 4 km grid domain for
Colorado’s 2006 base case, 2010 base
case, and final 2010 control measure
case modeling. The final 2010 control
measure case is not the same as the 2010
control case discussed in section III.C of
this action, above. Unlike the 2010
control case, the final 2010 control
measure case does not include emission
reductions from State-only measures.
Also, at the time Colorado prepared the
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2010 control case inventory, the AQCC
had not yet adopted final changes to
Regulation Number 7. The final changes
included greater system-wide
condensate tank VOC reductions in
2010—85% instead of 81%—and
additional control requirements.
Colorado used the final adopted version
of Regulation Number 7 to create a final
2010 control measure case inventory
and then modeled that inventory. For
further details, see page V–7 of the OAP
and Appendix I of Colorado’s TSD.
Table 2, below, displays three
scenarios: (1) 2005–2007 8-hour ozone
concentration Current Design Values
(DVC); (2) projected 2010 base case 8hour ozone concentration Future Design
Values (DVF); and (3) final 2010 control
measure case 8-hour ozone
concentration DVFs. Per EPA guidance,
the first set of DVFs in Table 2 (columns
4 and 5) are shown in ppm to the third
decimal place, with additional digits to
the right truncated, for comparison with
the NAAQS. (See 40 CFR part 51,
Appendix W, section 7.2.1.2, 40 CFR
part 50, Appendix I, section 2.1.1, and
Guidance on the Use of Models and
Other Analyses for Demonstrating
Attainment of Air Quality Goals for
Ozone, PM2.5, and Regional Haze, EPA–
454/B–07–002, April 2007.) The last set
of DVFs (columns 6 and 7) are displayed
to the nearest .0001 of a ppm. Although
not relevant to determining attainment
of the NAAQS, Colorado included these
last columns as part of its evaluation of
model performance, to attempt to
distinguish any differences in the ozone
projections between the 2010 base case
and final 2010 control measure
modeling and as part of its weight of
evidence analysis.
The maximum projected 8-hour ozone
design value for the 2010 base case and
final 2010 control measure case is 0.084
ppm at the Rocky Flats North and Fort
Collins West monitoring sites. Because
all projected 2010 8-hour ozone design
values are below 0.085 ppm, the 2010
base case and final 2010 control
measure case both pass the modeled
ozone attainment demonstration test.
However, because there are four
monitoring sites with projected 2010
DVFs of 0.082 ppm or higher (0.084
ppm at Rocky Flats North and Fort
Collins West, 0.083 ppm at Chatfield,
and 0.082 ppm at NREL), EPA’s
modeling guidance indicates a ‘‘weight
of evidence’’ (WOE) analysis should be
performed.
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TABLE 2—PROJECTED 2010 8-HOUR OZONE DVFS FOR THE 2010 BASE CASE AND FINAL 2010 CONTROL MEASURE
CASE
Monitor name
County
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Welby .........................................................
Highland ....................................................
S. Boulder Creek .......................................
Denver-CAMP ...........................................
Carriage .....................................................
Chatfield State Park ..................................
USAF Academy .........................................
Manitou Springs ........................................
Arvada .......................................................
Welch .........................................................
Rocky Flats North ......................................
NREL .........................................................
Fort Collins West—Note: DVC based on
two years of measured data.
Fort Collins ................................................
Greeley Weld Tower ..................................
Gunnison ...................................................
Larimer ......................................................
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2010 DVF (EPA Guidance)
(ppm)
Base case
Final control
measure case
2010 DVF (nearest 0.0001
ppm)
Base case
Final control
measure case
Adams ..........
Arapahoe .....
Boulder .........
Denver .........
Denver .........
Douglas ........
El Paso ........
El Paso ........
Jefferson ......
Jefferson ......
Jefferson ......
Jefferson ......
Larimer .........
0.070
0.078
0.081
0.056
0.074
0.084
0.073
0.074
0.079
0.075
0.085
0.082
0.086
0.070
0.077
0.080
0.056
0.074
0.083
0.072
0.073
0.079
0.075
0.084
0.082
0.084
0.070
0.077
0.080
0.056
0.074
0.083
0.072
0.073
0.079
0.075
0.084
0.082
0.084
0.0702
0.0773
0.0808
0.0560
0.0741
0.0834
0.0720
0.0737
0.0792
0.0750
0.0849
0.0823
0.0849
0.0702
0.0773
0.0807
0.0560
0.0741
0.0834
0.0720
0.0737
0.0791
0.0750
0.0849
0.0822
0.0848
Larimer .........
Weld .............
Gunnison ......
Larimer .........
0.074
0.078
0.068
0.076
0.073
0.077
0.067
0.075
0.073
0.077
0.067
0.075
0.0730
0.0777
0.0678
0.0752
0.0730
0.0775
0.0678
0.0752
For values that Colorado reported to
the nearest 0.0001 of a ppm, the
maximum projected DVF for the 2010
Base Case is 0.0849 ppm at both the
Rocky Flats North and Fort Collins West
monitoring sites (see Table 2).
According to Colorado’s modeling,
Colorado’s final 2010 control measures
would reduce the DVF at the Fort
Collins West monitoring site by 0.0001
ppm (to 0.0848 ppm) and would have
no effect at the Rocky Flats North
monitoring site (0.0849 ppm). Overall,
Colorado’s modeling projected that
Colorado’s final 2010 control measures
would reduce the 2010 DVF by 0.0001
ppm at four sites and by 0.0002 ppm at
one site, with the remainder of the
monitoring sites having identical DVFs
for the 2010 base case and final 2010
control measure case. The largest ozone
reduction due to Colorado’s final 2010
control measures (0.0002 ppm) was
projected to occur at the Weld County
Tower monitoring site (Greeley), which
is expected given the proximity of the
monitor to the oil and gas developments
in Weld County. Weld County is where
the largest VOC emission reductions
would occur due to Colorado’s final
2010 control measures for condensate
storage tanks. These results are
consistent with Colorado’s 2010
sensitivity modeling, which found that
proposed oil and gas emission controls
would have a bigger impact on ozone
concentrations at Fort Collins West than
Rocky Flats North.
Based on our analysis, we are
proposing approval of Colorado’s
modeled attainment demonstration.
Both the 2010 base case modeling and
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DVC
(2005–2007)
(ppm)
the final 2010 control measure case
modeling show that the DMA/NFR area
will attain the 8-hour ozone NAAQS by
2010. However, because we are
proposing to disapprove Colorado’s
revisions to Regulation Number 7,
Section XII, which Colorado relied on in
its final 2010 control measure modeling,
our proposed approval of Colorado’s
attainment demonstration is based on
the 2010 base case modeling.
Because Colorado’s modeling
demonstrates attainment in 2010 based
on existing SIP-approved measures, and
it is now 2010, such SIP-approved
measures represent all measures
necessary to demonstrate attainment as
expeditiously as practicable as per
section 172 of the CAA. Additional
control measures would not advance the
attainment date.
F. Weight of Evidence
As noted above, since four monitors
(Rocky Flats North, Fort Collins West,
Chatfield, and NREL) modeled
concentrations that fall into the range of
0.082 to 0.087 ppm, a weight of
evidence (WOE) analysis is
recommended by EPA (see ‘‘Guidance
on the Use of Models and Other
Analyses for Demonstrating Attainment
of Air Quality Goals for Ozone, PM2.5,
and Regional Haze,’’ EPA–454/B–07–
002, April 2007). A WOE analysis
involves one or more supplemental
analyses to enhance the assessment of
whether the planned emissions
reductions will result in attainment of
the 1997 0.08 ppm 8-hour ozone
NAAQS. The WOE analysis includes:
Monitoring and emission inventory
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trend analysis; review of the conceptual
model for ozone formation along the
North Front Range; additional modeling
metrics; alternative attainment test
methods; and assessment of the efficacy
of Colorado’s SIP-approved regulations,
state-only regulations, and voluntary
control measures. The WOE analysis is
then used to determine if the four
monitors that modeled ozone
concentrations in the range of 0.082 to
0.087 ppm are expected to demonstrate
attainment of the NAAQS.
Our review of the WOE analysis
identified a number of key points that
provide further evidence that the
modeling is reliable and that the DMA/
NFR area will attain the NAAQS. First,
although individual concentrations have
been highly variable, the aggregate trend
in weather-corrected 4th maximum time
series suggests ozone levels have been
flat from 2004 through 2008. The WOE
analysis suggests that ozone levels are
not trending upward in the DMA/NFR
and that the modeling conclusions are
reasonable. Second, the WOE analysis of
the weekend-weekday effect 2 related to
potential disbenefits from NOX
reductions shows a stronger effect in the
DMA and a weaker effect in outlying
areas. This spatial pattern is consistent
with the localized NOX disbenefit
predicted by the photochemical grid
modeling; thus, this aspect of the WOE
2 Some urban areas show higher ozone levels on
weekends. Some studies indicate that this increase
in ozone concentrations may result from decreased
weekend NOX emissions due to fewer trucks on the
road and differences in the distribution of
emissions. Under certain conditions, NOX acts to
reduce ozone concentrations.
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analysis supports the validity of the
modeling. Third, within the DMA,
potential increases in ozone
concentrations due to NOX emissions
reductions from the federal motor
vehicle control program do not appear
significant and should not threaten the
NAAQS. At monitoring locations
outside the DMA, the WOE analysis
suggests that reductions in NOX
emissions will reduce ozone, possibly
with greater efficiency than VOC
reductions. Fourth, the WOE analysis
includes other modeled metrics that
indicate reductions by 2010 in total
ozone, grid cells over 0.080 and 0.085
ppm 8-hour ozone, and grid cell-hours
over 0.080 and 0.085 ppm ozone based
on the various control scenarios. For
example, these metrics indicate a
reduction in total ozone and grid cells
greater than 0.085 ppm between the
2006 and 2010 base cases of 21% and
14%, respectively. This suggests that the
changes in emissions between the 2006
and 2010 base cases will reduce or have
reduced ozone concentrations.
EPA finds the WOE analysis provides
further support to the photochemical
grid modeling, and the modeling and
WOE support a determination that the
area will attain the 1997 0.08 ppm
8-hour ozone NAAQS by 2010.
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G. Specific OAP Language
We are proposing to disapprove the
last paragraph on page IV–1 and the first
paragraph on page IV–2 of the OAP
because these paragraphs indicate that
the OAP revises Section XII of
Regulation Number 7 as part of the SIP.
We are proposing to disapprove revised
Section XII of Regulation Number 7, and
approval of this language in the OAP
would potentially conflict with our
proposed disapproval of revised Section
XII. We are proposing to disapprove the
words ‘‘federally enforceable’’ in the
second to last paragraph on page V–6 of
the OAP for the same reason. The
language in question reads, ‘‘AQCC
action on December 12, 2008 adopted a
federally enforceable SIP control
measure revising Regulation No. 7
* * * ’’ Only our approval can make the
revisions federally enforceable.
Elsewhere, the OAP discusses
‘‘adopted SIP control measures’’ or
provisions that will be part of the SIP.
We interpret these various references as
reflecting the AQCC’s intent to submit
the referenced regulations to us for
approval and not as an indication that
they are already part of the federally
approved SIP or that our approval of the
OAP alone will make the referenced
regulations part of the federally
approved SIP. We are acting on the
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referenced regulations as separate
elements.
We are also proposing to disapprove
the reference to Attachment A in the
OAP’s Table of Contents and on page
IV–3 of the OAP because Attachment A
was not submitted to us with the OAP
and because the revisions referenced as
being included in that Attachment A
(revisions to Regulation Number 7,
Regulation Number 3, and the Ambient
Standards Regulation) were submitted
to us separately for our action. As noted,
we are acting on the revisions to those
regulations as separate elements in this
action.
H. SIP Control Measures
Colorado Regulation Number 3
Colorado submitted revisions to
Regulation Number 3, Parts A, B, and C,
along with the OAP. Among other
things, Part A requires stationary
sources to submit Air Pollutant
Emission Notices (APENs) to Colorado
before emitting pollutants. A source’s
APEN must include information about
location and nature of the source and
expected emissions. Part A also contains
various exemptions from APEN filing.
Colorado’s proposed revisions to Part A
would remove several of these
exemptions from the regulation. This
would subject the specified source
categories to APEN filing and potential
regulation under Regulation Number 7,
which uses the APEN-filing threshold in
Regulation Number 3, Part A, as the
trigger for applicability of various
requirements.
Regulation Number 3, Part B, contains
construction permit requirements for
stationary sources. Part B also contains
various exemptions from minor source
construction permit requirements. Part
B contains a generic exemption for
sources that are not required to file an
APEN. Colorado recognized that its
proposed removal of the APEN-filing
exemption for certain sources under
Part A would also have the effect of
subjecting those sources to minor source
construction permit requirements under
Part B. For four types of sources,
Colorado determined that this would
not be appropriate and adopted a
revision to Part B that would continue
to exempt these four types of sources
from minor source construction
permitting. The premise behind all the
minor source construction permitting
exemptions in Part B is that the
emissions from the specified sources are
deemed to have a negligible impact on
air quality.
Regulation Number 3, Part C, contains
Colorado’s operating permit
requirements. Colorado submitted
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proposed revisions to Part C that remove
certain oil and gas activities from Part
C’s insignificant activity exemption.
For the reasons discussed below, we
are proposing to approve Parts A and B.
The proposed revisions to Regulation
Number 3, Part A, eliminate provisions
that exempt the following specific types
of oil and gas-related emission points
from the APEN requirements: Petroleum
industry flares with emissions of less
than 5 tons per year, specified crude oil
truck loading equipment, oil and gas
production wastewater, crude oil
storage tanks, surface water storage
impoundments for certain oil
production wastewater, and condensate
storage tanks where production through
the tank amounts to less than 730
barrels per year. The elimination of
these exemptions means that the facility
will need to file APENs with the State,
which should allow Colorado to collect
more accurate inventory information
regarding emissions related to oil and
gas operations. This would also subject
the specified source categories to the
condensate storage tank VOC control
requirements of Regulation Number 7,
Section XII, which uses the APEN-filing
threshold in Regulation Number 3, Part
A, as an applicability threshold.
The proposed revisions to Regulation
Number 3, Part B maintain an existing
exemption from minor source
construction permitting requirements
for certain emission points. The
emission points consist of certain
petroleum industry flares with
emissions less than 5 tons per year,
crude oil truck loading equipment and
condensate truck loading equipment, oil
and gas production wastewater, and
crude oil storage tanks. As noted above,
under the current SIP-approved version
of Regulation Number 3, Part B, any
emission points exempt from filing
APENs are also exempt from minor
source construction permit
requirements. See Regulation Number 3,
Part B, Section III.D.1.a, as contained in
the EPA-approved SIP at https://
yosemite.epa.gov/R8/R8Sips.nsf/e5e850
cc767bc8b3872573a9004cad73/75c2
d810353a706a87256b7b0066624d?Open
Document. Thus, approval of Colorado’s
proposed revisions to Part B would not
change the status quo with regard to
construction permitting requirements
for these emission points.
The revisions to Parts A and B make
the SIP more stringent by subjecting
additional emission sources to reporting
requirements. We are proposing to
approve these revisions because they
strengthen the SIP.
Regarding Part B of Regulation
Number 3, we note that there is a
discrepancy between the numbering of
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the submitted revisions and the EPAapproved SIP. Colorado added new
Sections II.D.1.k, l, m, and n to Part B
to specify the four types of emissions
points that will continue to be exempt
from minor source construction
permitting requirements. However, in
the current EPA-approved SIP, Section
III.D.1 of Part B lists the types of
emissions points that are exempt from
minor source construction permitting
requirements.3 These emissions points
are listed in Sections III.D.1.a through j.
For purposes of this action, we are
interpreting Colorado’s proposed
revisions to Part B, in the form of
Sections II.D.1.k through n, as being an
addition to Section III.D.1, and
following immediately after Section
III.D.1.j of Part B of the EPA-approved
SIP. As part of our final rulemaking
action, we will craft appropriate
regulatory language to effectuate our
interpretation.
EPA is proposing to disapprove
Colorado’s proposed revisions to
Regulation Number 3, Part C. As noted
above, Regulation Number 3, Part C,
contains Colorado’s operating permit
regulations, which we do not approve
into the SIP. Instead, we approve
operating permit regulations under our
operating permit regulations at 40 CFR
part 70. Thus, we intend to consider
approval of Colorado’s proposed Part C
revisions pursuant to our part 70
regulations at such time as Colorado
submits an appropriate request under 40
CFR 70.4(i). The revisions are
meaningless absent their regulatory
context, and that regulatory context is
not part of the EPA-approved SIP and is
not incorporated by reference into 40
CFR part 52. Instead, the approval status
of Colorado’s part 70 program is
reflected in 40 CFR part 70, Appendix
A. Thus, because we are obligated to act
on the State’s SIP submission, we plan
to disapprove these revisions as a
revision to the SIP. If the State requests
to withdraw Part C from the SIP revision
prior to the time we take final action, we
would not be obligated to take final
action because Part C would no longer
be pending before the Agency as a SIP
revision. Additionally, if requested by
the State, we will separately consider
these revisions as a revision to the
approved operating permit program for
the State.
Colorado Regulation Number 7
Regulation Number 7 contains various
requirements intended to reduce
3 Colorado previously submitted revisions to Part
B that contain changes to the numbering of Part B
provisions; we will be acting on those revisions
separately.
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emissions of ozone precursors. These
are in the form of specific emission
limits applicable to various industries
and generic Reasonably Available
Control Technology (RACT)
requirements. EPA approved the repeal
and re-promulgation of Regulation
Number 7 in 1981 (46 FR 16687, March
13, 1981) and has approved various
revisions to parts of Regulation Number
7 over the years. Most recently, in 2008
EPA approved revisions to the control
requirements for condensate storage
tanks in Section XII (73 FR 8194,
February 13, 2008).
Colorado submitted proposed
revisions to Regulation Number 7 along
with the OAP. On November 18, 2009,
Colorado corrected the version of
Regulation Number 7 it had submitted
to reposition the words ‘‘State Only’’ in
various sections of Regulation Number
7.
Colorado made substantive revisions
to certain limited parts of Regulation
Number 7, particularly Section XII, and
also made non-substantive revisions to
numerous parts of the regulation. For
ease of consideration, Colorado
submitted the full text of Regulation
Number 7 as a SIP revision for our
approval (with the exception of
provisions designated ‘‘State Only’’). We
are only seeking comment on Colorado’s
proposed changes to the SIP-approved
version of Regulation Number 7, which
are described below; we do not view
this rulemaking as re-opening our past
approval of the portions of the
regulation that were not substantively
modified by the State as part of this
submission.
As noted above, Colorado designated
various parts of Regulation Number 7
‘‘State Only’’ and in Section I.A.1.c
indicated that sections designated ‘‘State
Only’’ are not federally enforceable. Our
interpretation is that provisions
designated ‘‘State Only’’ have not been
submitted to us for approval since one
of the key purposes of a SIP approval is
to make the submitted regulations
federally enforceable. Instead, we
interpret these provisions to have been
submitted for informational purposes.
Hence, we are not proposing to act on
the portions of Regulation Number 7
designated ‘‘State Only’’ and do not
discuss them further unless they impact
the portions of the regulation that
Colorado intended to be federally
enforceable.
Analysis of Regulation Number 7
Changes by Section
Section I:
Section I contains applicability
provisions, definitions of new and
existing sources, and related provisions.
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42353
Except for minor clerical changes,4 this
section remains unchanged from the
current SIP-approved version. Thus, we
are proposing to approve the changes to
conform the SIP to Colorado’s
regulation.
Section II:
Section II contains general provisions.
Section II.A contains definitions. The
State alphabetized the definitions
Otherwise, the definitions are
unchanged. The State made minor
clerical changes to Section II.B, which
contains an exemption for emissions of
organic compounds having negligible
photochemical reactivity. The State
made minor clerical changes to Section
II.C, which contains generic RACT
requirements.
Section II as submitted reflects
Colorado’s repeal of Sections II.E and F.
Colorado had previously submitted
Sections II.E and F to us for approval,
but we never acted on them. Section II.E
would have allowed Colorado to
approve alternative emission control
plans, compliance methods, test
methods, and test procedures without
EPA approval of a source-specific SIP
revision. However, subsequent to
submitting Section II.E to us, Colorado
repealed it (in November 2003). Section
II.F would have allowed Gates Rubber
Company to satisfy VOC RACT
requirements in Regulation Number 7
related to surface coating operations by
obtaining emission reduction credits
from Coors Brewing Company. Gates
Rubber Company stopped operating a
few years ago, and Colorado repealed
Section II.F as part of its December 12,
2008 rulemaking.
We are proposing to approve the
changes to Sections II.A, B, and C as
minor, non-substantive revisions.
Because section II.E and F were never
approved as part of the SIP, the State
repeal of those provisions has no
meaning for this action. However, we
are proposing to approve the language of
Regulation Number 7 that reflects the
repeal of II.E and F to conform the SIP
to the numbering of Colorado’s
regulation.
In addition to the changes noted
above, the submitted revision to Section
II reflects Colorado’s repeal of Section
II.D.5 The SIP-approved version of
4 When we describe changes as clerical in this
proposed action, we are referring to changes like
section renumbering, alphabetizing of definitions,
minor grammatical and editorial revisions, and
changes in capitalization.
5 In March of 1996, Colorado adopted changes to
Section II.D as a matter of State law and submitted
the revisions to us for approval. The revisions were
part of an effort by Colorado at that time to establish
a de minimis exemption from Regulation Number
7’s RACT requirements. EPA never approved
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Section II.D requires sources to seek a
revision to the SIP to gain approval of
alternative control plans and test
methods and indicates that no
alternative is effective until the
alternative is approved as a revision to
the SIP. Colorado originally adopted
Section II.D in September 1989 to
address specific EPA concerns that
Colorado’s RACT rule would allow
changes to control requirements or test
methods without EPA approval.
We are proposing to disapprove the
repeal of Section II.D for the following
reasons: (1) A court might interpret the
repeal to allow the State to approve
alternative control requirements and test
methods without EPA approval, and
without public involvement, which
could undermine the enforceability of
Regulation Number 7’s RACT
requirements and would be inconsistent
with the CAA, particularly section
110(i); (2) the State has offered no
explanation or justification for the
repeal; and (3) other sections of
Regulation Number 7 still cross-
reference Section II.D as specifying
necessary procedures for gaining
approval of alternative control
requirements and test methods (See,
e.g., Section IX.A.5.c of Regulation
Number 7), and, therefore, removing
Section II.D would introduce ambiguity
into the Regulation.
Our proposed disapproval of the
repeal of Section II.D does not
undermine the validity of the
attainment demonstration. Rather, it
strengthens it by ensuring that EPA and
public review will be required before a
source may use an alternative control
requirement or test method. Such
review will help ensure that any such
alternative would not interfere with the
effectiveness of the program as relied on
for purposes of demonstrating
attainment. Although we are proposing
to disapprove the repeal of Section II.D,
our disapproval would not trigger
sanctions or a FIP obligation. This is
because the repeal of Section II.D is not
required by the CAA (see CAA section
179), and our disapproval of the repeal
of Section II.D would not leave a
deficiency in the SIP. Section II.D will
remain in the SIP after disapproval of
Colorado’s proposed repeal, and it will
be incumbent on sources and the State
to comply with Section II.D’s
requirements. Thus, there would be
nothing for the State to correct through
a SIP revision and nothing for us to
correct through a FIP.
Sections III through XI:
The changes are clerical in nature and
do not affect the substance of the
requirements. Therefore, we are
proposing to approve the changes.
Section XII:
Section XII contains the emission
control requirements for condensate
storage tanks. The State reorganized
Section XII and included additional
control requirements for condensate
tanks. The following table outlines the
reorganization/renumbering contained
in Colorado’s proposed revisions to
Section XII:
Corresponding EPA-approved section
XII section number
Subject
XII.A .....................................................
XII.A.1 ..................................................
XII.A.1.a through c ...............................
XII.A.1.d ...............................................
XII.A.2 ..................................................
XII.A.3 ..................................................
XII.A .....................................................
XII.A.1 ..................................................
XII.A.1.a through c ...............................
None ....................................................
XII.D.4 ..................................................
None ....................................................
XII.A.4 ..................................................
None ....................................................
XII.A.5 ..................................................
XII.A.8 ..................................................
XII.B.1, 2, 3, 9, 12, and 14 ..................
XII.B.4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, and 13 ........
XII.D.1; XII.D.5 through 9 ....................
None ....................................................
XII.C.1.a ...............................................
XII.D.2.a ...............................................
XII.C.1.b ...............................................
XII.C.1.c ...............................................
XII.D.2.b ...............................................
XII.A.7 and XII.A.4.h ............................
XII.C.1.d ...............................................
XII.C.1.e and f ......................................
XII.C.2 and XII.C.2.a ............................
XII.C.2.b ...............................................
XII.D.2.c ...............................................
None ....................................................
XII.D.3 ..................................................
None ....................................................
XII.D .....................................................
XII.D.1 ..................................................
XII.D.2.a(i) through (x) .........................
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Colorado revised section XII section
number
XII.A.2 ..................................................
None ....................................................
XII.A.2.a through h ...............................
XII.D.2.b ...............................................
XII.E .....................................................
XII.E.1 ..................................................
XII.A.9 ..................................................
XII.A.3 ..................................................
None ....................................................
XII.E.2 ..................................................
None ....................................................
Applicability.
Applicability.
Applicability.
Applicability.
Exception to applicability for oil refineries.
Applicability for natural gas processing plants and certain natural gas compressor stations. Indicates they are subject to
Section XII.G.
Applicability for certain glycol natural gas dehydrators, natural
gas compressor stations, drip stations, or gas processing
plants. Indicates they are only subject to XII.B and XII.H.
Exception to applicability based on uncontrolled actual VOC
emissions threshold of 30 tons per year.
Definitions of various terms.
Definitions of various terms. XII.B.13 contains a State-only
definition.
General requirements for operation/maintenance of control
equipment.
General requirement to minimize leakage VOCs.
Air pollution control equipment control efficiency. Failure to operate and maintain control equipment at indicated locations
is a violation.
Requirements for combustion devices.
State-only requirements related to combustion devices.
Emission factors for emission estimates.
State-only. Emission factors for emission estimates in areas
other than the 8-hour ozone control area (DMA/NFR nonattainment area).
Emission control requirements for condensate tanks.
Control requirement for new and modified condensate tanks.
System-wide control requirements for condensate storage
tanks.
Alternative emission control equipment.
Monitoring.
Requirements for control equipment other than a combustion
device.
State only requirement related to new and modified tanks controlled by a combustion device.
Colorado’s 1996 changes to Section II.D. Based on
EPA’s indication that it intended to disapprove
Colorado’s 1996 changes to Section II.D, Colorado
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repealed Section II.D entirely in November 2003.
Colorado did not re-adopt the pre-1996 version of
Section II.D, and the version of Regulation Number
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7 that we are considering in this action indicates
that Section II.D has been repealed.
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42355
Corresponding EPA-approved section
XII section number
Subject
XII.E.3., XII.E.3.a and b .......................
XII.E.4 ..................................................
XII.E.4.a–d ...........................................
XII.E.5 ..................................................
XII.F ......................................................
XII.F.1 and 2 ........................................
XII.F.3 ...................................................
XII.F.3.a(i) ............................................
XII.F.3.a(ii) and (iii) ...............................
XII.A.3.a and b .....................................
XII.A.4.j ................................................
XII.A.3.c–f ............................................
None ....................................................
XII.A.4 and XII.A.5 ...............................
XII.A.10 and 11 ....................................
XII.A.4 ..................................................
XII.A.4.a ...............................................
XII.A.4.b and c .....................................
XII.F.3.a(iv) ...........................................
XII.A.4.d.i .............................................
XII.F.3.a(v)–(vii) ....................................
XII.A.4.d.ii–iv ........................................
XII.F.3.a(viii) .........................................
XII.F.3.a(ix)–(x) ....................................
XII.F.3.b–d ............................................
XII.A.4.e ...............................................
XII.A.4.f–g ............................................
XII.A.4.h–j ............................................
XII.F.3.e ................................................
XII.F.3.f .................................................
None ....................................................
None ....................................................
XII.F.4 ...................................................
XII.F.4.a ................................................
XII.F.4.b–c ............................................
XII.F.4.d ................................................
XII.A.5 ..................................................
XII.A.5.a ...............................................
XII.A.5.b–c ...........................................
XII.A.5.d ...............................................
XII.F.4.e ................................................
XII.A.5.e ...............................................
XII.F.4.f .................................................
XII.A.5.f ................................................
XII.F.4.g ................................................
XII.A.5.g ...............................................
XII.F.4.h ................................................
XII.F.4.i .................................................
XII.F.4.j .................................................
XII.F.4.k ................................................
XII.A.5.h ...............................................
XII.A.5.i ................................................
XII.A.5.j ................................................
XII.A.5.k ...............................................
XII.F.4.l .................................................
XII.A.5.l ................................................
XII.F.4.m–n ...........................................
XII.F.5 ...................................................
None ....................................................
XII.A.6 ..................................................
XII.G .....................................................
XII.B .....................................................
XII.G.1
XII.G.2
XII.G.3
XII.G.4
XII.G.5
..................................................
..................................................
..................................................
..................................................
..................................................
XII.B.1 ..................................................
XII.B.2 ..................................................
XII.B.3 ..................................................
XII.B.4 ..................................................
None ....................................................
XII.G.6 ..................................................
None ....................................................
XII.H .....................................................
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Colorado revised section XII section
number
XII.C .....................................................
Checks for combustion devices.
Documentation of inspections.
Requirements for the weekly check.
State-only requirements for surveillance systems.
Recordkeeping and reporting requirements.
Marking of AIRS numbers on tanks.
Introductory language for recordkeeping.
List of tanks and production volumes.
Listing of emission factors and location and control efficiencies.
List weekly and monthly production values. Describes how to
determine the averages.
List weekly and monthly uncontrolled actual and controlled actual emissions by tank and system-wide. List percent reductions weekly and monthly.
Note any downtime and account for it.
Maintaining and mailing of spreadsheet.
Failure to have control equipment as indicated on spread
sheet is violation. Retain spread sheets for five years. Maintain records of inspections.
State only. Maintain records of required surveillance system.
State only. Keep records for new and modified tanks—when
installed, etc.
Reporting for system-wide requirements.
List tanks and production volumes.
List emission factor and location and control efficiency.
What different reports must show based on time of year.
Emissions individual tanks.
What different reports must show based on time of year.
Emissions system-wide.
What different reports must show based on time of year. Percent reduction system-wide.
Note shutdown of control equipment and account for same in
totals.
State whether required reductions were achieved.
Include any information requested by the Division.
Retention period.
Additional reporting, monthly reporting of problems and corrective actions.
Identify before ozone season tanks being controlled to meet
system-wide control requirements.
State-only additional requirements for certifications.
Exemption from record-keeping and reporting requirements for
natural gas compressor stations and drip stations authorized
to operate pursuant to a construction or operating permit.
Requirements for gas processing plants. Introductory statement.
Part 60 leak detection applies.
Applicability of control equipment.
Compliance date for existing plants.
Compliance date for new plants.
New exemption for natural gas compressor stations and drip
stations if certain conditions are met.
Says that natural gas compressor station or natural gas drip
station that has a glycol natural gas dehydrator and/or natural gas-fired stationary or portable engine is subject to Section XII.H and/or XVI.
Requirements that apply to vents from gas-condensate-glycol
separators on glycol natural gas dehydrators at an oil and
gas exploration and production operation, natural gas compressor station, drip station or gas-processing plant.
The main feature of Section XII
remains the requirement for systemwide reductions in condensate storage
tank VOC emissions. The current EPAapproved Section XII requires that
uncontrolled actual condensate tank
VOC emissions in the DMA/NFR area be
reduced on a weekly basis during the
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summer ozone season by 75% systemwide beginning May 1, 2007, and 78%
beginning May 1, 2012. Revised Section
XII (Section XII.D.2) requires an 81%
system-wide reduction in uncontrolled
actual weekly condensate tank VOC
emissions during the summer ozone
season beginning May 1, 2009, an 85%
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reduction beginning May 1, 2010, and a
90% reduction beginning May 1, 2011.
Also, most of the definitions and
monitoring, recordkeeping, and
reporting requirements in Section XII
are unchanged. However, because of
deficiencies in Colorado’s proposed
revisions to Section XII, we cannot
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approve revised Section XII. Below, we
describe in detail Colorado’s proposed
revisions to Section XII and the basis for
our proposed disapproval of such
revisions.
As noted above, Colorado was able to
demonstrate attainment using the 2010
base case inventory. This inventory
assumed the continuation of Section XII
requirements as contained in the current
EPA-approved SIP, and no new SIP
control measures. Thus, disapproval of
Colorado’s proposed Section XII
revisions would not invalidate the
attainment demonstration and, thus,
would not trigger sanctions or a FIP
obligation.
revised Sections XII.C.2.a.(ii) and
a.(ii)(A), Colorado deleted the reference
to gas-condensate-glycol separators.
Revised Section XII.H still requires a 90
percent reduction in emissions at
certain gas-condensate-glycol
separators, and Colorado has not
explained why an emission factor
specified or determined under Section
XII.C.2 will not be needed to determine
compliance with Section XII.H. We
believe an emission factor will be
needed to ensure that the reduction
requirement in Section XII.H can be
enforced. Thus, this is a deficiency in
revised Section XII that forms part of the
basis for our proposed disapproval of
Analysis of Specific Section XII
Revisions
Section XII.D.
Section XII.D contains an
introductory statement regarding the
control requirements for atmospheric
condensate storage tanks. The changes
to current SIP-approved Section XII.A.2
are minor. While the statement that
‘‘[e]mission reductions shall not be
required for each and every unit’’ is
misleading because the control
requirement in revised Section XII.D.1
for new and modified condensate tanks
applies to every tank, this misstatement
would not undermine the enforceability
of the requirements in Section XII.D.1.
However, Colorado should correct this
statement.
Section XII.A.
Section XII.A defines the applicability
of Section XII requirements and is
consistent with the current EPAapproved applicability provisions in
Section XII.
Section XII.B.
Section XII.B contains definitions
specific to Section XII. The substance of
the definitions contained in Sections
XII.B.1, 2, 3, 9, 12, and 14 is unchanged
from the definitions contained in SIPapproved Sections XII.D.1 and XII.D.5
through 9. The other definitions in
revised Section XII.B define the
following terms that are used in Section
XII: auto-igniter, calendar week,
condensate storage tank, downtime,
existing, modified or modification, and
new. The definitions are clear,
straightforward, and accurate. The
definitions of auto-igniter and existing
are only pertinent to State-only
provisions and thus have no meaning
for our SIP action.
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Section XII.C.1.
Section XII.C.1 contains general
requirements for air pollution control
equipment and prevention of leakage.
Colorado did not change the substance
of the corresponding EPA-approved
provisions.
Section XII.C.2.
Section XII.C.2 describes the emission
factors to be used for estimating
emissions and emissions reductions
from condensate storage tanks under
Section XII. Colorado made one change
to the substance of the corresponding
EPA-approved provisions: In the current
EPA-approved SIP (Sections XII.D.3.b
and 3.b.i), the emission factors to be
used are specified for condensate
storage tanks at natural gas compressor
stations, natural gas drip stations, and
gas-condensate-glycol separators. In
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Section XII.D.1.
Section XII.D.1 requires owners or
operators of any new or modified
condensate tank at exploration and
production sites to route emissions to
air pollution control equipment that has
a control efficiency of at least 95% for
VOCs. This requirement applies for the
first 90 days after the date of first
production or after a well is newly
drilled, re-completed, re-fractured, or
otherwise stimulated. After the initial
90 days, the emission controls required
by this subsection may be removed
provided the source can demonstrate
compliance with the system-wide
provisions specified in other
subsections of section XII. This new
requirement would strengthen the SIP.
Section XII.D.2.a.
Section XII.D.2.a contains the systemwide control requirements for
condensate storage tanks. The current
SIP provides for a weekly 75% systemwide VOC reduction during the summer
ozone season beginning in 2010. As
noted above, the revised section
significantly increases the summer
ozone season weekly VOC reduction
requirements from the current EPAapproved requirements, to 85%
beginning in 2010 and 90% beginning
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in 2011. However, the revised
provisions specify no system-wide
weekly VOC reduction requirement after
the 2012 summer ozone season.6
As noted previously, Colorado was
able to demonstrate attainment based on
a 75% system-wide weekly VOC
reduction from condensate storage tanks
beginning in 2010. While revised
Section XII would provide more
stringent reductions in the short term,
including the attainment year, it
contains no weekly emission reduction
requirement after the 2012 summer
ozone season. Thus, although it is more
stringent in the short term, it is less
stringent over the long term, and the
State has not demonstrated how this
weakening of the SIP will not interfere
with maintenance of the NAAQS. This
deficiency forms part of the basis for our
proposed disapproval of revised Section
XII.
Section XII.D.2.b.
Section XII.D.2.b is a re-numbered
version of current EPA-approved
Section XII.A.9. This section contains a
process for approval of alternative
emissions control equipment and
pollution prevention devices and
processes. Among other things, the
section specifies requirements for public
participation and EPA approval.
Colorado did not change the substance
of this provision, but simply
renumbered it from Section XII.A.9 to
now be section XII.D.2.b.
The revised section contains
typographical errors that Colorado
should correct. In Section XII.D.2.b,
Colorado should delete the word ‘‘this’’
in ‘‘this Section XII.D.2.a’’ because
Section XII.D.2.a is not part of Section
XII.D.2.b. In Section XII.D.2.b.(i)(E), the
reference to ‘‘the spreadsheet and annual
report required by Sections XII.F.4 and
XII.F.5’’ should be to ‘‘the spreadsheet
and annual report required by Sections
XII.F.3 and XII.F.4.’’
Section XII.E.
Section XII.E contains the monitoring
requirements that are currently
specified in EPA-approved Sections
XII.A.3 and XII.A.4.j. Colorado retained
the basic requirement for weekly
inspections or monitoring.
Colorado improved certain
provisions. For example, under revised
Section XII.E, an owner or operator
must ensure that the control equipment
is not only operating, but that it is
operating properly. Revised Section
XII.E.1 adds a requirement that owners
6 We note that the system-wide weekly reduction
requirement of 78% that commences in May 2012
in the current EPA-approved version of Section XII
contains no termination date.
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or operators of control equipment other
than a combustion device follow
manufacturer’s recommended
maintenance and inspect the equipment
to ensure proper maintenance and
operation. Revised Section XII.E.4
(current XII.A.4.j) adds a requirement
that the owner or operator document
any corrective actions taken and the
name of the individual performing the
corrective actions resulting from a
weekly inspection. Revised Sections
XII.E.4.a through d add the requirement
that the owner or operator not only
perform certain checks, but that the
owner or operator document those
checks.
Revised Section XII.E.3 is deficient. It
specifies certain inspection and/or
monitoring requirements for combustion
devices. It introduces two possible
means to monitor/inspect the
combustion device, but one of them—
use of a surveillance system—is
designated as a State Only option. The
federally-enforceable SIP cannot
provide a compliance option that is only
available as a matter of State law.
Discussions with the State have
revealed that use of a surveillance
system was not intended as an
alternative to the monitoring method
contained in Section XII.E.3.a, but as a
technique that owners/operators could
use on a trial basis in addition to the
method contained in Section XII.E.3.a.
Thus, the word ‘‘either’’ in Section
XII.E.3 and the words ‘‘and/or’’ in
XII.E.3.a are not appropriate. This
deficiency forms part of the basis for our
proposed disapproval of revised Section
XII.
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Section XII.F.
Section XII.F contains recordkeeping
and reporting requirements that are
currently specified in EPA-approved
Sections XII.A.4 and XII.A.5. The
recordkeeping requirements specify
information that must be listed on a
spreadsheet that owners/operators must
maintain. Many of the provisions are
identical to those in the current EPAapproved SIP.
Sections XII.F.1 through 4.
In Sections XII.F.1 through 4,
Colorado made a few substantive
changes to the existing provisions. In
revised Section XII.F.3, Colorado added
a sentence requiring the owner or
operator to track VOC reductions on a
calendar weekly and calendar monthly
basis to demonstrate compliance with
system-wide VOC reduction
requirements. Colorado also specified
that owners/operators would need to
use the Division-approved spreadsheet
to track VOC emissions and reductions,
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not just any spreadsheet. These changes
are reasonable and consistent with CAA
requirements.
In revised Section XII.F.3.a(i), which
requires the spreadsheet to list the
condensate storage tanks subject to
Section XII and the production volumes
for each tank, Colorado specified that
the spreadsheet must list monthly
production volumes. It is unclear why
Colorado added the word ‘‘monthly’’
because the following sentence, which
Colorado did not change, requires the
owner/operator to list the most recent
measurement of such production and
the time period covered by the
measurement. Also, revised Section
XII.F.3.a(iv) requires the owner/operator
to list the production volume for each
tank as a weekly and monthly average
based on the most recent measurement
available and specifies the method for
pro-rating that measurement over the
weekly or monthly period. Given the
specificity of Section XII.F.3.a(iv), we
are not concerned that the addition of
the word ‘‘monthly’’ in revised Section
XII.F.3.a(i) would undermine the
enforceability of the regulation.
However, Colorado should remove the
word ‘‘monthly’’ in revised Section
XII.F.3.a(i).
Revised Section XII.F.3.c requires
owners/operators to retain a copy of
each weekly and monthly spreadsheet
for five years instead of the three years
required by current EPA-approved
Section XII.A.4.i.
Revised Section XII.F.3.d requires
owners/operators to maintain records of
inspections required by Section XII.E
but does not specify a period for
maintenance of the records. This is
consistent with EPA-approved Section
XII.A.4.j. However, we consider this
something that Colorado should
address. Typically, EPA recommends
that such records be kept for a minimum
of five years.
Revised Section XII.F.3 does not
contain adequate recordkeeping for the
control requirement that applies to new
and modified condensate tanks under
Section XII.D.1. As noted above, for new
and modified condensate tanks, owners
or operators are required to use air
pollution control equipment with a
control efficiency of at least 95% for the
first 90 days. However, the regulation
only specifies State-only recordkeeping
requirements relevant to this
requirement—in Section XII.F.3.f—and
includes no reporting requirements that
would be federally enforceable. To meet
CAA requirements, the regulation, at a
minimum, should specify that owners/
operators provide notification and
maintain certain records. We believe
relevant records would include, but may
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42357
not be limited to: The date a new
atmospheric condensate storage tank
was installed, or the date a well was
newly drilled, re-completed, refractured or otherwise stimulated; the
date the control equipment was
installed and, if applicable, removed;
the manufacturer’s design specifications
for the control equipment; the
manufacturer’s operation and
maintenance specifications/instructions
for the control equipment; and any
downtime of the control equipment or
other operational problems and
corrective action taken. The regulation
should also specify a record retention
period for such records. The regulation
specifies a five-year retention period for
other records, and it would be
appropriate to specify the same
retention period for these records. The
regulation should also specify that
owners/operators need to report within
a reasonable period of time after the
date the new atmospheric condensate
storage tank was installed or the date
the well was newly drilled, recompleted, re-fractured or otherwise
stimulated. The regulation should also
require the owner/operator to report any
non-compliance with the requirements
of Section XII.D.1 within a reasonable
time frame. The deficiencies in
recordkeeping and reporting
requirements pertaining to the control
requirements of revised Section XII.D.1
form part of the basis for our proposed
disapproval of revised Section XII.
In revised Section XII.F.4, Colorado
made minor changes to current EPAapproved reporting requirements.
Revised Section XII.F.4.a requires the
semi-annual reports to list all
condensate storage tanks subject to or
used to comply with the system-wide
reduction requirements, not just those
subject to such requirements. This
reflects the change to the regulation that
allows owners/operators to control
tanks with emissions below the APEN
filing levels to meet the percent
reduction requirement in Section
XII.D.2. In revised Sections XII.F.4.d
through f Colorado clarified that the
April 30 reports must include the
monthly emissions information and the
November 30 reports must include the
weekly emissions information. In
revised Section XII.F.4.g, Colorado
deleted the requirement in current EPAapproved Section XII.A.5.g that the
owner/operator note in the report ‘‘the
date the source believes the shutdown
[of control equipment] occurred,
including the basis for such belief.’’ We
believe this deletion is reasonable
because the owner/operator is not likely
to be able to make an accurate estimate
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of the date the shutdown occurred, and,
thus, the information is not likely to be
meaningful in an enforcement context.
In revised Section XII.F.4.h, Colorado
clarified monthly versus weekly
reporting requirements. In revised
Section XII.F.4.j, Colorado increased the
retention period for reports from three
years to five years. These changes are
consistent with CAA requirements.
Revised Section XII.F.4.l contains a
reference to ‘‘this Section XII.D.2.’’ The
word ‘‘this’’ should be deleted. This
typographical error is not significant
enough to undermine the enforceability
of the regulation, but Colorado should
correct it.
Section XII.F.5.
Section XII.F.5 contains an exemption
from Section XII’s record-keeping and
reporting requirements for owners/
operators of natural gas compressor
stations (NGCSs) or natural gas drip
stations (NGDSs) authorized to operate
pursuant to a construction permit or
Title V operating permit if certain
conditions are met. Colorado removed
one of the conditions for this exemption
contained in current EPA-approved
Section XII.A.6. The removed condition
provided that total emissions from
condensate storage tanks associated
with such NGCSs and NGDSs could not
exceed 30 tons per year. If we approve
the deletion of this condition, the
recordkeeping and reporting
requirements for the relevant sources
with emissions exceeding the 30 tons
per year threshold would need to be
established through construction or
Title V operating permits. Our
interpretation of the CAA is that
provisions such as monitoring,
recordkeeping, and reporting
requirements that are needed to ensure
the enforceability of the applicable
control requirements contained in a SIP
must also be contained in the SIP and
cannot be left to development in a
permit. See. e.g., CAA sections
110(a)(2)(A) and (F), 40 CFR part 51,
Subpart K, and 40 CFR part 51,
Appendix V. This deficiency forms part
of the basis for our proposed
disapproval of revised Section XII.
We approved the prior version of the
exemption because Section XII’s systemwide VOC reduction requirements were
limited to systems with emissions over
30 tons per year. In other words, all
owners/operators, including owners/
operators of NGCSs and NGDSs, were
exempt from Section XII’s main
requirements, including the
recordkeeping and reporting
requirements, if emissions from their
units were under 30 tons per year.
Revised Section XII.F.5 also contains
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typographical errors. In the first line, the
reference to ‘‘Sections XII’’ should be to
‘‘Section XII.’’ In XII.F.5.a, the reference
to ‘‘this Section XII.A’’ should be to
‘‘Section XII.D.’’
Section XII.G.
Section XII.G specifies the control
requirements applicable to gasprocessing plants and corresponds to
current EPA-approved Section XII.B.
EPA-approved Section XII.B requires
gas-processing plants to meet the
requirements in Section XII.B
specifically applicable to such plants as
well as the requirements in current
EPA-approved Section XII.C, pertaining
to certain still vents and vents from gascondensate-glycol separators, and
Section XVI, pertaining to emissions
from stationary and portable engines.
Revised Section XII.G requires gasprocessing plants to additionally
comply with the requirements of revised
Section XII.B, the definitions section,
and revised Sections XII.C.1.a and
XII.C.1.b, which specify maintenance
and design requirements for control
equipment and the obligation to
minimize leakage of VOCs to the
atmosphere. It appears that this change
would strengthen the requirements
applicable to gas-processing plants.
Section XII.G.1.
Section XII.G.1 specifies that NSPS
leak detection and repair requirements
apply regardless of the date of
construction of the facility. Colorado
made no substantive changes to this
provision.
Section XII.G.2.
Section XII.G.2 specifies the
applicability threshold for installation
of control equipment at gas-processing
plants and the efficiency requirement
for the control equipment. In current
EPA-approved Section XII.B.2,
installation of control equipment is
triggered if condensate storage tank
throughput exceeds ‘‘APEN de minimis
levels.’’ In revised Section XII.G.2,
installation is triggered if uncontrolled
emissions from a tank or tank battery are
greater than or equal to two tons per
year. We cannot determine whether this
change would strengthen the regulation,
weaken it, or leave it the same because
we cannot determine whether the same
tanks or tank batteries would have to
install control equipment or not.
Colorado also revised the control
efficiency requirement from 95%, with
no averaging period specified, to 95%
with a rolling 12-month averaging
period. We are not convinced this
change is consistent with CAA
requirements. The revised regulation
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contains no provisions for testing or
determining whether the 95% control
has been achieved on a rolling 12-month
basis, and if the goal is to have owners/
operators install and operate flares with
a control efficiency of at least 95%,
specifying an averaging period is not
particularly meaningful. These issues
form part of the basis for our proposed
disapproval of revised Section XII.
Section XII.G.3.
Section XII.G.3 specifies the
compliance date for existing natural gas
processing plants. Colorado did not
change the substance of this provision.
Section XII.G.4.
Revised Section XII.G.4, which
specifies the compliance date for new
gas processing plants, contains
typographical errors. The reference to
‘‘this Section XII.B’’ should be to ‘‘this
Section XII.G.’’ The reference to Section
XII.C should be to Section XII.H.
Section XII.G.5.
Section XII.G.5 is entirely new. It
adds an exemption from the otherwise
applicable requirements of Section XII
for an owner or operator of any NGCS
or NGDS, but only if the owner or
operator applies control equipment
designed to achieve a VOC control
efficiency of at least 95% to each
condensate storage tank or tank battery
with uncontrolled VOC emissions
greater than or equal to two tons per
year and meets certain other
requirements. While this is a more
stringent requirement than the systemwide requirement because it requires
95% control at each tank or tank battery
over the threshold rather than a
maximum of 90% control system-wide,
Section XII does not specify
recordkeeping and reporting
requirements to support the provisions
of revised Section XII.G.5. Adequate
recordkeeping and reporting
requirements in the SIP are necessary to
ensure the enforceability of the control
requirement and to meet CAA
requirements. This deficiency forms
part of the basis for our proposed
disapproval of revised Section XII.
Section XII.G.6.
Section XII.G.6 is new. It specifies
that a NGCS or NGDS subject to Section
XII.G at which a glycol natural gas
dehydrator or natural gas-fired
stationary or portable engine is operated
shall be subject to Section XII.H and/or
XVI. We interpret this to mean that the
provisions of Sections XII.H and XVI, as
applicable, would apply to such
facilities in addition to the provisions of
Section XII.G. We view this as a
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clarifying change that is consistent with
CAA requirements.
Section XII.H.
Section XII.H specifies control
requirements for still vents and vents
from gas-condensate-glycol separators
on glycol natural gas dehydrators
located at oil and gas exploration and
production operations, natural gas
compressor stations, drip stations, or
gas-processing plants. In revised Section
XII.H, Colorado attempted to clarify
current EPA-approved Section XII.C’s
applicability threshold for control
requirements. The relevant language in
revised Section XII.H reads as follows:
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This Section XII.C shall not apply to any
single natural gas dehydrator, or grouping of
dehydrators at an oil and gas exploration and
production operation, natural gas compressor
station, drip station or gas-processing plant,
with uncontrolled actual emissions of
volatile organic compounds of less than 15
tons per year. To determine if a grouping of
dehydrators exceeds the 15 tons per year
threshold aggregate emissions from all
dehydrators on site (contiguous and
adjacent). The control requirement in this
Section XII.H. shall apply to each natural gas
dehydrator within a grouping that has actual
uncontrolled emissions above one ton per
year. The control requirement in this Section
XII.H. shall not apply to a natural gas
dehydrator with emissions below the APEN
reporting thresholds in Regulation Number 3,
Part A, Section II.D that is part of a grouping
of dehydrators, but the emissions from such
dehydrator shall be included in the
calculation.
As written, this passage lacks clarity
and contains redundant language that
EPA cannot approve. While we think we
understand the intent—that emissions
from all dehydrators are counted in
determining whether the 15-ton-peryear threshold is exceeded, but the
control requirement only applies to
dehydrators with actual uncontrolled
emissions above one ton per year—the
redundant language and lack of
punctuation or missing words in the
third sentence of revised Section XII.H
create uncertainty. The same is true of
stating the threshold for control in two
different ways: Controls apply where
emissions exceed one ton per year
versus controls don’t apply where
emissions are below the APEN reporting
thresholds. This deficiency forms part of
the basis for our proposed disapproval
of revised Section XII.
We also note that in the quoted
passage above, the reference to ‘‘This
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section XII.C’’ should be to ‘‘This section
XII.H’’ and that Colorado should correct
this typographical error.
Proposed Action on Section XII
Revisions
Based on the deficiencies noted
above, we are proposing to disapprove
the Section XII revisions. While several
of the changes contained in revised
Section XII would strengthen the SIP,
we are unable to use our authority for
partial or limited approval. First, under
the circumstances involved here and
based on our interpretation of the CAA,
it is not appropriate to replace a fully
approved Section XII in the SIP with a
revised Section XII that contains
deficiencies. Second, we have no means
to approve only those provisions that
strengthen the SIP and reject the rest
because Colorado completely
reorganized and renumbered Section
XII’s provisions. The numbering of any
relevant subsections that we could
approve would not match the
numbering of the current EPA-approved
subsections; the resulting SIP rule
would be unintelligible. Thus, we find
that our only available course of action
is to propose to disapprove all of revised
Section XII.
Sections XIII through XVI
Sections XIII through XVI changes are
clerical in nature and do not affect the
substance of the requirements.
Therefore, we are proposing to approve
the changes in Sections XIII through
XVI.
Ambient Air Quality Standards
Regulation
We are proposing to disapprove
Colorado’s proposed revisions to its
ambient air quality standards regulation.
Colorado’s ambient air quality standards
regulation duplicates information
contained in other parts of the SIP and
in our regulations. For example, the
ambient air quality standards regulation
restates the motor vehicle emissions
budgets for various areas. However,
under our regulations, the budgets are
determined by the applicable control
strategy SIP or maintenance plan, not by
Colorado’s ambient air quality standards
regulation. Similarly, the ambient air
quality standards regulation defines the
boundaries and designations of various
areas in Colorado. However, EPA
defines the designations and boundaries
of areas in its own regulations. Approval
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42359
of the ambient air quality standards
regulation could lead to confusion in
the event of conflict between the
ambient air quality standards regulation
and our regulations or other parts of the
SIP.
Because we are obligated to act on the
State’s SIP submission, we plan to
disapprove these revisions to the
ambient air quality standards regulation
as a revision to the SIP. If the State
requests to withdraw the regulation
from the SIP revision prior to the time
we take final action, we would not be
obligated to take final action because the
revisions to the ambient air quality
standards regulation would no longer be
pending before the Agency as a SIP
revision.
I. Transportation Conformity
Under section 176(c) of the CAA,
transportation plans, transportation
improvement programs, and new
transportation projects, such as the
construction of new highways, must
‘‘conform’’ to (i.e., be consistent with)
applicable SIPs. Conformity to a SIP
means that transportation activities will
not produce new air quality violations,
worsen existing violations, or delay
timely attainment of the NAAQS. EPA’s
conformity rule provisions in 40 CFR
part 93 establish the criteria and
procedures for determining whether or
not these plans, programs, and projects
conform to the SIP. In particular, our
regulations require a demonstration that
emissions from these plans, programs,
and projects will be consistent with the
motor vehicle emissions budgets
(MVEBs) in the SIP (40 CFR 93.118).
The MVEBs are defined as that portion
of the total allowable emissions defined
in the SIP for a certain date, for the
purpose of meeting reasonable further
progress milestones or demonstrating
attainment or maintenance of the
NAAQS, allocated to highway and
transit vehicle use and emissions.
EPA’s requirements on MVEBs are
found in 40 CFR 93.118 and 93.124, and
MVEBs are further explained in the
preamble to the November 24, 1993,
transportation conformity rule (58 FR
62193–62196). Colorado derived the
MVEBs for NOX and VOCs from its 2010
base case attainment demonstration and
defined the MVEBs in Chapter VI of the
OAP. We list the MVEBs in Table 3,
below.
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TABLE 3—IDENTIFICATION OF 2010 NOX AND VOC MVEBS
2010 NOX
Emissions
(tons per day)
Area of applicability
2010 VOC
Emissions
(tons per day)
20.5
102.4
19.5
89.7
Total Nonattainment Area ........................................................................................................................
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Northern Subarea ............................................................................................................................................
Southern Subarea ............................................................................................................................................
122.9
109.2
Once Colorado submitted the OAP to
us, we determined the adequacy of the
MVEBs per the procedures and criteria
contained in 40 CFR 93.118. On October
15, 2009, we announced the availability
of the attainment demonstration and the
MVEBs on EPA’s transportation
conformity adequacy Web site and
solicited public comment. The public
comment period closed on November
16, 2009; we received no comments. All
of this information is available at EPA’s
conformity Web site: https://
www.epa.gov/otaq/stateresources/
transconf/currsips.htm#denver-me.
In a January 21, 2010 letter to the
Colorado Department of Public Health
and Environment, we found that the
2010 NOX and VOC MVEBs in the OAP
were adequate. We announced our
adequacy finding in the Federal
Register on March 4, 2010, and the
OAP’s MVEBs became effective on
March 19, 2010. As a result, as of that
date, the Denver Regional Council of
Governments (DRCOG), the North Front
Range Transportation and Air Quality
Planning Council (NFRT), the Colorado
Department of Transportation, and the
U.S. Department of Transportation were
required to use these MVEBs for
transportation conformity
determinations. However, we note that
we are not bound by our prior adequacy
determination in this action.
Our analysis indicates that the MVEBs
are consistent with and clearly related
to the emissions inventory and the
control measures in the SIP, and that the
MVEBs, when considered together with
all other emissions sources, are
consistent with attainment of the 1997
8-hour ozone NAAQS in 2010. (See 40
CFR 93.118(e)(4).) Therefore we are
proposing approval of the MVEBs as
reflected in Table 3 above.
We note that our proposed approval
applies to the Northern Subarea and
Southern Subarea MVEBs as well as the
Total Nonattainment Area MVEBs. The
Northern Subarea is defined in the OAP
as the area denoted by the ozone
nonattainment area north of the Boulder
County northern boundary and
extended through southern Weld
County to the Morgan County line. This
area includes NFRT’s regional planning
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area as well as part of the Upper Front
Range Transportation Planning Region
(TPR) in Larimer and Weld counties.
The Southern Subarea is defined in
the OAP as the area denoted by the
ozone nonattainment area south of the
Boulder County northern boundary and
extended through southern Weld
County to the Morgan County line. This
area includes the nonattainment portion
of DRCOG’s regional planning area and
the southern Weld County portion of the
Upper Front Range TPR. We note that
both subareas are further identified in
Figure 2: ‘‘8-hour Ozone Emission
Budget Subareas’’ at page VI–6 in the
OAP.
In addition to proposing approval of
the MVEBs, we are also proposing to
approve the process described in the
OAP for use of the Total Nonattainment
Area MVEBs and the subarea MVEBs.
Per the OAP, the initial conformity
determination must use the Total
Nonattainment Area MVEBs for NOX
and VOCs. After the initial conformity
determination, DRCOG and NFRT may
switch from using the Total
Nonattainment Area MVEBs to using the
subarea MVEBs for determining
conformity. To switch to use of the
subarea MVEBs (or to subsequently
switch back to use of the Total
Nonattainment Area MVEBs,) DRCOG
and the NFRT must use the process
described in the OAP at pages VI–4 and
VI–5.
V. Consideration of Section 110(l) of the
CAA
Section 110(l) of the CAA states that
a SIP revision cannot be approved if the
revision would interfere with any
applicable requirement concerning
attainment and reasonable further
progress towards attainment of a
NAAQS or any other applicable
requirement of the CAA. The parts of
the OAP and the regulation revisions we
are proposing to approve will not
interfere with attainment, reasonable
further progress, or any other applicable
requirement of the CAA. The OAP
contains a valid modeled attainment
demonstration showing the area will
attain by 2010. As described elsewhere
in this action, we are proposing to
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disapprove Colorado’s proposed repeal
of Section II.D of Regulation Number 7,
Colorado’s revisions to Section XII of
Regulation Number 7, Colorado’s
revisions to Part C of Regulation
Number 3, Colorado’s revisions to its
Ambient Air Quality Standards
regulation, and specific limited portions
of the OAP because those provisions do
not meet all applicable requirements of
the CAA.
VI. Proposed Action
We are proposing to approve
Colorado’s 2010 attainment
demonstration for the 1997 8-hour
ozone NAAQS. We are proposing to
approve the motor vehicle emissions
budgets contained in the OAP. We are
proposing to approve all other aspects of
the OAP, with the following limited
exceptions: we are proposing to
disapprove the last paragraph on page
IV–1 and the first paragraph on page IV–
2 of the OAP, we are proposing to
disapprove the words ‘‘federally
enforceable’’ in the second to last
paragraph on page V–6 of the OAP, and
we are proposing to disapprove the
reference to Attachment A in the OAP’s
Table of Contents and on page IV–3 of
the OAP.
We are proposing to approve the
revisions to Colorado Regulation
Number 3, Parts A and B. We are
proposing to disapprove the revisions to
Colorado Regulation Number 3, Part C.
We are proposing to approve the
following portions of the revisions to
Colorado Regulation Number 7:
• Revisions to Sections I through XI,
except for Colorado’s repeal of Section
II.D.
• Revisions to Sections XIII through
XVI.
We are proposing to disapprove the
following portions of the revisions to
Colorado Regulation Number 7:
• Colorado’s proposed repeal of
Section II.D.
• Revisions to Section XII.
We are proposing to disapprove the
revisions to Colorado’s Ambient Air
Quality Standards Regulation.
The provisions we are proposing to
approve meet the requirements of the
CAA and our regulations, including 40
CFR 81.300(e)(3)(ii)(D). The provisions
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we are proposing to disapprove are
inconsistent with CAA requirements
and our regulations. Our specific
analyses and findings are discussed
above in the body of this proposed
rulemaking.
EPA is soliciting public comments on
its proposed rulemaking as discussed in
this document. EPA will consider these
comments before taking final action.
Interested parties may participate in the
Federal rulemaking process by
submitting written comments to EPA as
discussed in this action.
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VII. Statutory and Executive Order
Reviews
Under the CAA, 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 CAA. Accordingly, this proposed
action merely approves some State law
as meeting Federal requirements and
disapproves other State law because it
does not meet Federal requirements;
this proposed action does not impose
additional requirements beyond those
imposed by State law. For that reason,
this proposed 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
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application of those requirements would
be inconsistent with the CAA; 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.
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52
Environmental protection, Air
pollution control, Intergovernmental
relations, Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone,
Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Volatile organic
compounds.
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
Dated: July 12, 2010.
Carol Rushin,
Acting Regional Administrator, Region 8.
[FR Doc. 2010–17810 Filed 7–20–10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 300
[EPA–HQ–SFUND–1987–0002; FRL–9177–1]
National Oil and Hazardous
Substances Pollution Contingency
Plan; National Priorities List: Partial
Deletion of the Rocky Mountain
Arsenal Federal Facility
Environmental Protection
Agency.
ACTION: Proposed rule, reopening of
public comment period.
AGENCY:
The Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) Region 8 issued a Notice
of Intent to Delete portions of the Rocky
Mountain Arsenal Federal Facility
(RMA) from the National Priorities List
(NPL) on June 17, 2010. The portions
proposed for deletion are the Central
and Eastern Surface Areas of the OnPost Operable Unit (OU3) including
surface media and structures (CES) and
the surface media of the entire Off-Post
Operable Unit (OU4) (OPS). A formal
request was made to extend the public
comment period which is scheduled to
end on July 19, 2010. In response, EPA
is reopening the public comment period
for an additional 30 days concluding on
August 16, 2010.
SUMMARY:
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42361
The NPL, promulgated pursuant to
section 105 of the Comprehensive
Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act
(CERCLA) of 1980, as amended, is an
appendix of the National Oil and
Hazardous Substances Pollution
Contingency Plan (NCP). The EPA and
the State of Colorado, through the
Colorado Department of Public Health
and Environment (CDPHE), have
determined that all appropriate
response actions under CERCLA at the
CES and OPS, other than operation,
maintenance, and five-year reviews,
have been completed.
This rationale for deleting the CES
and OPS from RMA has not changed.
The Federal Register notice for the
proposed deletion (75 FR 34405)
discusses this rationale in detail.
DATES: The comment period for the
proposed rule published June 17, 2010,
at 75 FR 34405, is reopened. Comments
concerning the proposed partial
deletion may be submitted to EPA on or
before August 16, 2010.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,
identified by Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–
SFUND–1987–0002, by one of the
following methods:
• https://www.regulations.gov: Follow
the on-line instructions for submitting
comments.
• E-mail: chergo.jennifer@epa.gov.
• Fax: 303–312–7110.
• Mail: Ms. Jennifer Chergo,
Community Involvement Coordinator
(8OC), U.S. EPA, Region 8, 1595
Wynkoop Street, Denver, Colorado
80202–1129.
• Hand Delivery: 1595 Wynkoop
Street, Denver, Colorado 80202–1129.
Such deliveries are only accepted
during the Docket’s normal hours of
operation, and special arrangements
should be made for deliveries of boxed
information.
Docket: All documents in the docket
are listed in the https://
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 https://
www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at:
—EPA’s Region 8 Superfund Records
Center, 1595 Wynkoop Street, Denver,
Colorado 80202–2466. Hours: 8 a.m.
to 4 p.m. by appointment (call 303–
312–6473), Monday through Friday,
excluding legal holidays; and the
—Joint Administrative Records
Document Facility, Rocky Mountain
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 139 (Wednesday, July 21, 2010)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 42346-42361]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-17810]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 52
[EPA-R08-OAR-2010-0285; FRL-9177-2]
Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans;
Colorado; Attainment Demonstration for the 1997 8-Hour Ozone Standard,
and Approval of Related Revisions
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Proposed rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: EPA is proposing to act on proposed revisions to Colorado's
State Implementation Plan (SIP). On June 18, 2009, Colorado submitted
proposed SIP revisions intended to ensure attainment of the 1997 ozone
National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) in the Denver Metro
Area/North Front Range nonattainment area by 2010. The June 18, 2009
submittal consists of an ozone attainment plan, which includes emission
inventories, a modeled attainment demonstration using photochemical
grid modeling, a weight of evidence analysis, and 2010 motor vehicle
emissions budgets for transportation conformity. The submittal also
includes revisions to Colorado Regulation Numbers 3 and 7 and to
Colorado's Ambient Air Quality Standards Regulation. EPA is proposing
to approve the attainment demonstration, the rest of the ozone
attainment plan, with limited exceptions, and the revisions to Colorado
Regulation Number 3, Parts A and B. EPA is proposing to approve
portions of the revisions to Colorado Regulation Number 7 and to
disapprove other portions. EPA is proposing to disapprove Colorado
Regulation Number 3, Part C, and Colorado's Ambient Air Quality
Standards Regulation. EPA is proposing to disapprove limited portions
of the ozone attainment plan. EPA is proposing these actions pursuant
to section 110 and part D of the Clean Air Act (CAA) and EPA's
regulations.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before August 20, 2010.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID Regulation
Number EPA-R08-OAR-2010-0285, by one of the following methods:
https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the on-line
instructions for submitting comments.
E-mail: kenney.james@epa.gov.
Fax: (303) 312-6064 (please alert the individual listed in
the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT if you are faxing comments).
Mail: James Kenney, Air Program, EPA Region 8, Mailcode
8P-AR, 1595 Wynkoop St., Denver, Colorado 80202-1129.
Hand Delivery: James Kenney, Air Program, EPA, Region 8,
Mailcode 8P-AR, 1595 Wynkoop St., Denver, Colorado 80202-1129. Such
deliveries are only accepted Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30
p.m., excluding Federal holidays. Special arrangements should be made
for deliveries of boxed information.
Instructions: Direct your comments to Docket ID Regulation Number
EPA-R08-OAR-2010-0285. 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. 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 https://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 https://
[[Page 42347]]
www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at the Air Program, EPA Region 8,
1595 Wynkoop Street, Denver, Colorado 80202-1129. EPA requests that if
at all possible, you contact the individual listed in the FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT section to view the hard copy of the docket. You
may view the hard copy of the docket Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4
p.m., excluding Federal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James C. Kenney, Air Program, EPA
Region 8, Mailcode 8P-AR, 1595 Wynkoop St., Denver, Colorado 80202-
1129, phone (303) 312-6176, e-mail kenney.james@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Definitions
For the purpose of this document, we are giving meaning to certain
words or initials as follows:
The words or initials Act or CAA mean or refer to the
Clean Air Act, unless the context indicates otherwise.
The words EPA, we, us or our mean or refer to the United
States Environmental Protection Agency.
The initials SIP mean or refer to State Implementation
Plan.
The words Colorado and State mean the State of Colorado.
Table of Contents
I. General Information
II. What action is EPA proposing?
III. What is the background of this action?
IV. What is EPA's evaluation of the SIP revision?
A. Procedural Requirements
B. Monitoring
C. Emission Inventories
D. Photochemical Grid Modeling
E. Modeled Attainment Demonstration
F. Weight of Evidence
G. Specific OAP Language
H. SIP Control Measures
I. Transportation Conformity
V. Consideration of Section 110(l) of the CAA
VI. Proposed Action
VII. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
I. General Information
What should I consider as I prepare my comments for EPA?
1. Submitting CBI: Do not submit CBI to EPA through https://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 the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) pursuant
to 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 or organize comments by referencing a 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.
II. What action is EPA proposing?
As enumerated below, EPA is proposing various actions on Colorado's
proposed revisions to its State Implementation Plan (SIP) that it
submitted to EPA on June 18, 2009, to ensure attainment of the 1997
ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) in the Denver
Metro Area/North Front Range (DMA/NFR) nonattainment area. The DMA/NFR
nonattainment area includes Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield,
Denver, Douglas, and Jefferson Counties, and portions of Larimer and
Weld Counties (40 CFR 81.306).
Colorado's proposed SIP revisions consist of the following parts:
8-Hour Ozone Attainment Plan (OAP), which includes
monitoring information, emission inventories, a modeled attainment
demonstration using photochemical grid modeling, a weight of evidence
analysis, and 2010 motor vehicle emissions budgets (MVEBs) for
transportation conformity.
Revisions to Regulation Number 3, Parts A, B, and C.
Revisions to Regulation Number 7.
Revisions to Colorado's Ambient Air Quality Standards
Regulation.
We are proposing to approve Colorado's 2010 attainment
demonstration for the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS. We are proposing to
approve the motor vehicle emissions budgets contained in the OAP. We
are proposing to approve all other aspects of the OAP, with the
following limited exceptions: we are proposing to disapprove the last
paragraph on page IV-1 and the first paragraph on page IV-2 of the OAP,
we are proposing to disapprove the words ``federally enforceable'' in
the second to last paragraph on page V-6 of the OAP, and we are
proposing to disapprove the reference to Attachment A in the OAP's
Table of Contents and on page IV-3 of the OAP.
We are proposing to approve the revisions to Colorado Regulation
Number 3, Parts A and B. We are proposing to disapprove the revisions
to Colorado Regulation Number 3, Part C.
We are proposing to approve the following portions of the revisions
to Colorado Regulation Number 7:
Revisions to Sections I through XI, except for Colorado's
repeal of Section II.D.
Revisions to Sections XIII through XVI.
We are proposing to disapprove the following portions of the
revisions to Colorado Regulation Number 7:
Colorado's proposed repeal of Section II.D.
Revisions to Section XII.
We are proposing to disapprove the revisions to Colorado's Ambient
Air Quality Standards Regulation.
The provisions we are proposing to approve meet the requirements of
the CAA and our regulations, including 40 CFR 81.300(e)(3)(ii)(D). The
provisions we are proposing to disapprove are inconsistent with CAA
requirements and our regulations. The specific bases for our proposed
actions and our analyses and findings are discussed in this proposed
rulemaking. Technical information that we rely upon in this proposal is
contained in the State's technical support document (TSD). The TSD is
available on-line at https://www.regulations.gov, Docket No. EPA-R08-
OAR-2010-0285.
III. What is the background of this action?
On July 18, 1997, EPA promulgated a revised 8-hour ozone standard
of 0.08 parts per million (ppm) (62 FR 38855). Ozone is formed from the
photochemical reaction of nitrogen oxides (NOX) with
volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Under EPA regulations (40 CFR part
50, Appendix I), the 1997 0.08 ppm 8-hour ozone
[[Page 42348]]
NAAQS is attained when the 3-year average of the annual fourth highest
daily maximum 8-hour average ambient ozone concentrations is less than
or equal to 0.08 ppm. Forty CFR part 50, Appendix I, section 2.3,
directs that the third decimal place of the computed 3-year average be
rounded, with values equal to or greater than 0.005 rounding up. Thus,
under our regulations, a computed 3-year average ozone concentration of
0.085 ppm is the smallest value that is considered to be greater than
0.08 ppm and a violation of the standard.
On April 30, 2004, we designated areas as attaining or not
attaining the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS. As part of that rule, we
deferred the effective date of a designation as nonattainment for
multiple areas of the country, including the DMA/NFR area. These areas,
which were called Early Action Compact (EACs) areas, agreed to follow a
program to achieve early reduction of emissions necessary to attain the
1997 8-hour standard in order to attain that standard no later than
December 31, 2007 (69 FR 23857). Because the DMA/NFR area violated the
1997 8-hour standard during the summer of 2007, the nonattainment
designation for the area became effective on November 20, 2007.
Our regulations addressing EAC areas that failed to attain the 1997
8-hour ozone standard by December 31, 2007 (40 CFR Sec.
81.300(e)(3)(ii)(D)) required that Colorado submit an attainment
demonstration SIP for the 1997 8-hour standard. Colorado submitted its
revised attainment demonstration SIP for the DMA/NFR area on June 18,
2009.
IV. What is EPA's evaluation of the SIP revision?
A. Procedural Requirements
The CAA requires that states meet certain procedural requirements
before submitting SIP revisions to EPA. Specifically, section 110(a)(2)
of the CAA requires that states adopt SIP revisions after reasonable
notice and public hearing.
The Colorado Air Quality Control Commission (AQCC) provided notice
in the Colorado Register on October 10, 2008 and held a public hearing
on the SIP revision on December 11 and 12, 2008. The Colorado AQCC
adopted the SIP revision on December 12, 2008. The SIP revision became
State effective on January 30, 2009.\1\ Colorado met the CAA's
procedural requirements for reasonable notice and public hearing.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ State revisions to the SIP do not become federally effective
unless and until they are approved by EPA. 40 CFR 51.105.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
B. Monitoring
The monitoring section of the OAP provides information with respect
to the location of ozone monitors in Colorado (from southern
Metropolitan Denver to northern Fort Collins, including Rocky Mountain
National Park); the State's ambient air quality data assurance program;
a description and commitment for continued operation of the ozone
monitoring network; and relevant 8-hour average ozone monitoring data
and recovery rates from 2000 through September 2008.
Ozone monitoring data was collected following 40 CFR part 58; EPA's
``Quality Assurance Handbook for Air Pollution Measurement Systems,
Vol. II--Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Program''; the Colorado Air
Pollution Control Division's (APCD) Quality Management Plan and Quality
Assurance Project Plan documents; and Colorado's Federally-approved
monitoring SIP (September, 23, 1993, 58 FR 49435).
Data for 2005-2007 and 2006-2008 reflect violations of the 8-hour
ozone NAAQS at the Rocky Flats North monitor (values of 0.085 and 0.086
ppm, respectively). Monitoring data are used as a basis for
photochemical grid modeling in the attainment demonstration, a process
described below. In the OAP, Colorado indicates that it will continue
to operate an appropriate air quality monitoring network in accordance
with 40 CFR part 58.
C. Emissions Inventories
In the OAP, Colorado presents three different emissions inventories
for the DMA/NFR nonattainment area: 2006 base case, 2010 base case, and
2010 control case. The inventories, in tons per summer day, represent
emissions estimates for all source categories during a typical summer
day when ozone formation is pronounced. The emissions inventories
catalog NOX and VOC emissions because these pollutants are
precursors to ozone formation.
The 2006 base case inventory is the ``base year'' inventory for the
attainment demonstration. Base year inventories are developed to help
determine the emissions reductions needed to demonstrate attainment of
the NAAQS. A base year emissions inventory serves as the starting point
for attainment-demonstration air quality modeling and for determining
the need for additional SIP control measures.
Using 2006 as the base year emissions inventory ensures that the
inventory reflects one of the years used for calculating the design
value that resulted in the area's nonattainment designation. The design
value is the 3-year average of the annual fourth highest daily maximum
8-hour average ozone concentration (see 40 CFR part 50, Appendix D). In
Colorado's case, the Denver area was violating the ozone standard
during the period of 2005-2007, and, therefore, the nonattainment
designation became effective.
The 2010 base case emissions inventory assumes the same federally
enforceable control measures that were in place in 2006 and all
federally enforceable control measures that became effective after
2006. These control measures are described at pages III-1 through III-3
of the OAP. As described in greater detail below, Colorado was able to
demonstrate attainment in 2010 based on the 2010 base case emissions
inventory.
The 2010 control case emissions inventory assumes the adoption and
implementation of additional control measures beyond the measures
assumed for the 2010 base case. These additional control measures are
described at page V-10 of the OAP (2008 State-only revisions to
Regulation Number 11 that tightened tailpipe standards, 2008 State-only
revisions to Regulation Number 7 that required low-bleed devices for
pneumatic controllers, an increase in the system-wide reduction of
condensate tank VOC emissions from 75% to 81% in 2010, and 7.8 psi RVP
gasoline in the NFR area). While Colorado was able to demonstrate
attainment without these additional control measures, Colorado modeled
the 2010 control case emissions inventory to determine whether
additional reductions in ozone precursors (NOX and VOCs)
beyond the 2010 base case would result in further reductions of ozone.
The three emissions inventories discussed above (i.e., 2006 base
case emissions inventory, 2010 base case emissions inventory, and the
2010 control case emissions inventory) were developed using EPA-
approved guidelines for stationary, mobile, and area/off-road emission
sources. Point source emissions data were self-reported to the State by
individual sources. On-road mobile source emissions data were estimated
using EPA models (MOBILE6) and Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) data. Area/
off-road vehicle emissions were
[[Page 42349]]
developed using demographic information. Future emissions were
projected through the use of economic growth modeling and analysis.
Table 1 shows the emissions by source category, in tons per day (tpd),
from the three emission inventories.
Table 1--Emissions Inventory Data for Specific Source Categories
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2006 Base 2010 Base 2010 Control
Source Category (tons/avg. episode day) -----------------------------------------------------
NOX VOC NOX VOC NOX VOC
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Point Sources:
Electric Generation Units............................. 55.6 0.7 58.5 1.6 58.5 1.6
External Combustion Boilers........................... 9.5 0.4 10.0 0.5 10.0 0.5
Industrial Processes.................................. 12.5 10.2 14.0 11.0 14.0 11.0
Petroleum and Solvent Evaporation..................... 0.3 19.0 0.3 22.0 0.3 22.0
Other................................................. 3.1 1.8 3.6 2.0 3.6 2.0
-----------------------------------------------------
Point Sources Subtotal............................ 81.0 32.1 86.4 37.0 86.4 37.0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oil and Gas Point & Area Sources:
Condensate Tanks...................................... ....... 126.5 ....... 129.6 ....... 105.6
Other O&G Point Sources............................... 22.6 6.8 23.6 8.6 23.6 8.6
Pneumatic Devices (Area Source)....................... ....... 24.8 ....... 31.1 ....... 12.0
Unpermitted Fugitives (Area Sources).................. ....... 16.2 ....... 20.4 ....... 20.4
Other Area Sources.................................... 17.1 10.8 22.5 13.7 22.5 13.7
-----------------------------------------------------
O&G Point & Area Sources Subtotal................. 39.7 185.2 46.2 203.3 46.2 160.1
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Area Sources
Personal Care Products................................ ....... 7.1 ....... 7.0 ....... 7.0
Household Products.................................... ....... 21.4 ....... 17.9 ....... 17.9
Automotive Aftermarket Products....................... ....... 11.9 ....... 13.0 ....... 13.0
Architectural Coatings................................ ....... 20.1 ....... 16.8 ....... 16.8
Aircraft.............................................. 7.4 1.3 8.2 1.5 8.2 1.5
Railroad.............................................. 12.8 0.5 13.8 0.6 13.8 0.6
Other Coatings/Pesticides/Cooking/Misc................ ....... 3.9 ....... 4.1 ....... 4.1
-----------------------------------------------------
Area Source Subtotal.............................. 20.2 66.3 22.1 61.0 22.1 61.0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Non-Road Mobile Sources:
Agricultural Equipment................................ 7.0 0.9 6.3 0.7 6.3 0.7
Airport Equipment..................................... 0.7 0.1 0.6 0.1 0.6 0.1
Commercial Equipment.................................. 5.3 6.2 5.1 7.0 5.1 7.0
Construction and Mining Equipment..................... 35.7 5.5 31.2 4.5 31.2 4.5
Industrial Equipment.................................. 10.5 2.4 6.9 1.4 6.9 1.4
Lawn and Garden Equip. (Commercial)................... 9.4 35.9 8.9 28.1 8.9 28.1
Lawn and Garden Equip. (Residential).................. 1.2 7.5 1.2 11.8 1.2 11.8
Boats/Recreational Equip/Misc......................... 0.7 6.9 0.8 7.8 0.8 7.8
-----------------------------------------------------
Non-Road Mobile Source Subtotal................... 70.5 65.3 61.0 61.3 61.0 61.3
-----------------------------------------------------
On-Road Mobile Sources Subtotal................... 165.5 129.7 122.9 109.2 118.9 106.0
-----------------------------------------------------
Anthropogenic Subtotal............................ 376.8 478.6 338.5 471.8 334.6 425.4
-----------------------------------------------------
Biogenic Subtotal................................. 53.0 694.0 53.0 694.0 53.0 694.0
-----------------------------------------------------
Total......................................... 429.8 1172.6 391.5 1165.8 387.6 1119.4
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Colorado employed EPA guidelines for rule effectiveness when
preparing these emission inventories. Rule effectiveness, expressed as
a percentage, represents the ability of a regulatory program to control
point sources to achieve emissions reductions. Based on control
strategies for the oil and gas source category, Colorado used 83
percent for rule effectiveness. A rule effectiveness of 83 percent
discounts the emissions reductions from the control measures by 17
percent. Based on Colorado's analysis, which considered compliance
rates with existing control measures, EPA finds that a value of 83
percent is reasonable for rule effectiveness for oil and gas control
measures. For further detail regarding Colorado's analysis, the reader
should refer to Colorado's TSD.
For oil and gas point and area sources, the 2010 control case
inventory reflects a 43.2 tpd reduction in VOC emissions as compared to
the 2010 base case inventory. For on-road mobile sources, the 2010
control case inventory reflects a 3.2 tpd reduction in VOC emissions as
compared to the 2010 base case inventory.
D. Photochemical Grid Modeling
Colorado conducted photochemical grid modeling (hereafter referred
to as ``modeling'') to demonstrate that the emissions control strategy
leads to attainment of the NAAQS by 2010. The modeling followed EPA's
photochemical modeling guidance (Guidance on the Use of Models and
Other Analyses for Demonstrating Attainment of Air Quality Goals for
[[Page 42350]]
Ozone, PM2.5, and Regional Haze, EPA-454/B-07-002, April 2007).
The attainment demonstration modeling utilized the Comprehensive
Air-quality Model with extensions (CAMx), Sparse Matrix Operating
Kernel Emissions (SMOKE) system, and Mesoscale Model 5 (MM5). Colorado
applied these models to data from June 2006 and July 2006. These models
were set up using a nested 36/12/4 kilometer (km) domain structure. The
36 km domain covering most of North America was used to generate
boundary conditions (BCs) for the 12 km modeling domain. CAMx was then
used to simulate ozone formation within the 12/4 km modeling domain.
The CAMx simulation, sensitivity, and control strategy evaluations runs
were made on the 12/4 km modeling domain.
EPA guidance recommends that model performance be tested against
certain performance goals. Model performance testing is used to
determine the model's reliability in projecting future year ozone
concentrations. Using meteorological and emissions data from a
historical base period, ozone concentrations predicted by the model are
compared to monitored ozone concentrations to determine model
performance.
EPA's modeling guidance emphasizes the use of graphical and
diagnostic evaluation techniques to assure that the modeling captures
the correct chemical regimes and emission sources that result in high
ozone concentrations (i.e., assuring that the model is getting the
right answer for the right reason). Colorado's model performance
evaluation included such graphical and diagnostic evaluation
techniques. In addition, EPA modeling guidance includes three numerical
performance goals that are useful in evaluating ozone models as part of
the attainment demonstration. These include: unpaired accuracy of the
peak <=20%; normalized mean bias <=15%; and
normalized mean gross error <=35%.
Using a June 1 through July 30, 2006 episode period, Colorado
calculated the mean normalized bias and gross error statistical
measures using all the predicted and observed hourly ozone pairs,
matched by time and location, for which the observed ozone was equal to
or greater than 0.060 ppm. The evaluation showed that the modeling
achieved the ``Unpaired Accuracy of the Peak'' performance goal of
<=20% for 58 of the 60 simulation days of the episode
(i.e., 97% of the modeled days). There were 58 days rather than 60 with
bias and error comparisons during the episode period because two days
had no observed ozone values greater than 0.060 ppm; thus, no
statistics could be calculated for those two days. Of the 58 days, 50
days (or 86%) achieved EPA's <=15% performance for mean
normalized bias and all of them achieved EPA's performance goal for
mean normalized gross error.
The CAMx model also exhibited very good agreement for VOC/
NOX ratios on most days, indicating that the model was
simulating the correct chemical regimes. The performance of the CAMx
model in predicting ozone concentrations, and precursor concentrations,
met EPA's guidelines for model performance. The model outputs were
consistent with the day-to-day patterns of observed data, with low bias
and error. EPA concurs with Colorado's assessment that the model was
properly set up, met EPA performance requirements, and was
appropriately used in its application.
E. Modeled Attainment Demonstration
The modeled attainment demonstration for ozone is one in which
model estimates are used in a relative sense rather than absolute
sense. That is, we take the ratio of the model's future (2010) to
current (2006) predictions at ozone monitors in the DMA/NFR area. We
call these ratios ``Relative Response Factors'' (RRFs). Future ozone
concentrations are estimated at existing monitoring sites by
multiplying a modeled RRF at locations near each monitor by the
observation-based, monitor-specific, baseline design value. The
resulting predicted future concentrations are then compared with the
1997 0.08 ppm 8-hour ozone NAAQS. If the predicted future
concentrations of ozone are lower than 0.08 ppm at all monitors,
attainment is demonstrated. The test for ozone is based on the
calculation of a single mean ozone RRF for each monitor.
Table 2, below, summarizes the estimated concentrations within the
Colorado 4 km grid domain for Colorado's 2006 base case, 2010 base
case, and final 2010 control measure case modeling. The final 2010
control measure case is not the same as the 2010 control case discussed
in section III.C of this action, above. Unlike the 2010 control case,
the final 2010 control measure case does not include emission
reductions from State-only measures. Also, at the time Colorado
prepared the 2010 control case inventory, the AQCC had not yet adopted
final changes to Regulation Number 7. The final changes included
greater system-wide condensate tank VOC reductions in 2010--85% instead
of 81%--and additional control requirements. Colorado used the final
adopted version of Regulation Number 7 to create a final 2010 control
measure case inventory and then modeled that inventory. For further
details, see page V-7 of the OAP and Appendix I of Colorado's TSD.
Table 2, below, displays three scenarios: (1) 2005-2007 8-hour
ozone concentration Current Design Values (DVC); (2) projected 2010
base case 8-hour ozone concentration Future Design Values (DVF); and
(3) final 2010 control measure case 8-hour ozone concentration DVFs.
Per EPA guidance, the first set of DVFs in Table 2 (columns 4 and 5)
are shown in ppm to the third decimal place, with additional digits to
the right truncated, for comparison with the NAAQS. (See 40 CFR part
51, Appendix W, section 7.2.1.2, 40 CFR part 50, Appendix I, section
2.1.1, and Guidance on the Use of Models and Other Analyses for
Demonstrating Attainment of Air Quality Goals for Ozone, PM2.5, and
Regional Haze, EPA-454/B-07-002, April 2007.) The last set of DVFs
(columns 6 and 7) are displayed to the nearest .0001 of a ppm. Although
not relevant to determining attainment of the NAAQS, Colorado included
these last columns as part of its evaluation of model performance, to
attempt to distinguish any differences in the ozone projections between
the 2010 base case and final 2010 control measure modeling and as part
of its weight of evidence analysis.
The maximum projected 8-hour ozone design value for the 2010 base
case and final 2010 control measure case is 0.084 ppm at the Rocky
Flats North and Fort Collins West monitoring sites. Because all
projected 2010 8-hour ozone design values are below 0.085 ppm, the 2010
base case and final 2010 control measure case both pass the modeled
ozone attainment demonstration test. However, because there are four
monitoring sites with projected 2010 DVFs of 0.082 ppm or higher (0.084
ppm at Rocky Flats North and Fort Collins West, 0.083 ppm at Chatfield,
and 0.082 ppm at NREL), EPA's modeling guidance indicates a ``weight of
evidence'' (WOE) analysis should be performed.
[[Page 42351]]
Table 2--Projected 2010 8-Hour Ozone DVFs for the 2010 Base Case and Final 2010 Control Measure Case
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2010 DVF (EPA Guidance) (ppm) 2010 DVF (nearest 0.0001 ppm)
DVC (2005- ---------------------------------------------------------------
Monitor name County 2007) (ppm) Final control Final control
Base case measure case Base case measure case
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Welby.................................... Adams........................ 0.070 0.070 0.070 0.0702 0.0702
Highland................................. Arapahoe..................... 0.078 0.077 0.077 0.0773 0.0773
S. Boulder Creek......................... Boulder...................... 0.081 0.080 0.080 0.0808 0.0807
Denver-CAMP.............................. Denver....................... 0.056 0.056 0.056 0.0560 0.0560
Carriage................................. Denver....................... 0.074 0.074 0.074 0.0741 0.0741
Chatfield State Park..................... Douglas...................... 0.084 0.083 0.083 0.0834 0.0834
USAF Academy............................. El Paso...................... 0.073 0.072 0.072 0.0720 0.0720
Manitou Springs.......................... El Paso...................... 0.074 0.073 0.073 0.0737 0.0737
Arvada................................... Jefferson.................... 0.079 0.079 0.079 0.0792 0.0791
Welch.................................... Jefferson.................... 0.075 0.075 0.075 0.0750 0.0750
Rocky Flats North........................ Jefferson.................... 0.085 0.084 0.084 0.0849 0.0849
NREL..................................... Jefferson.................... 0.082 0.082 0.082 0.0823 0.0822
Fort Collins West--Note: DVC based on two Larimer...................... 0.086 0.084 0.084 0.0849 0.0848
years of measured data.
Fort Collins............................. Larimer...................... 0.074 0.073 0.073 0.0730 0.0730
Greeley Weld Tower....................... Weld......................... 0.078 0.077 0.077 0.0777 0.0775
Gunnison................................. Gunnison..................... 0.068 0.067 0.067 0.0678 0.0678
Larimer.................................. Larimer...................... 0.076 0.075 0.075 0.0752 0.0752
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For values that Colorado reported to the nearest 0.0001 of a ppm,
the maximum projected DVF for the 2010 Base Case is 0.0849 ppm at both
the Rocky Flats North and Fort Collins West monitoring sites (see Table
2). According to Colorado's modeling, Colorado's final 2010 control
measures would reduce the DVF at the Fort Collins West monitoring site
by 0.0001 ppm (to 0.0848 ppm) and would have no effect at the Rocky
Flats North monitoring site (0.0849 ppm). Overall, Colorado's modeling
projected that Colorado's final 2010 control measures would reduce the
2010 DVF by 0.0001 ppm at four sites and by 0.0002 ppm at one site,
with the remainder of the monitoring sites having identical DVFs for
the 2010 base case and final 2010 control measure case. The largest
ozone reduction due to Colorado's final 2010 control measures (0.0002
ppm) was projected to occur at the Weld County Tower monitoring site
(Greeley), which is expected given the proximity of the monitor to the
oil and gas developments in Weld County. Weld County is where the
largest VOC emission reductions would occur due to Colorado's final
2010 control measures for condensate storage tanks. These results are
consistent with Colorado's 2010 sensitivity modeling, which found that
proposed oil and gas emission controls would have a bigger impact on
ozone concentrations at Fort Collins West than Rocky Flats North.
Based on our analysis, we are proposing approval of Colorado's
modeled attainment demonstration. Both the 2010 base case modeling and
the final 2010 control measure case modeling show that the DMA/NFR area
will attain the 8-hour ozone NAAQS by 2010. However, because we are
proposing to disapprove Colorado's revisions to Regulation Number 7,
Section XII, which Colorado relied on in its final 2010 control measure
modeling, our proposed approval of Colorado's attainment demonstration
is based on the 2010 base case modeling.
Because Colorado's modeling demonstrates attainment in 2010 based
on existing SIP-approved measures, and it is now 2010, such SIP-
approved measures represent all measures necessary to demonstrate
attainment as expeditiously as practicable as per section 172 of the
CAA. Additional control measures would not advance the attainment date.
F. Weight of Evidence
As noted above, since four monitors (Rocky Flats North, Fort
Collins West, Chatfield, and NREL) modeled concentrations that fall
into the range of 0.082 to 0.087 ppm, a weight of evidence (WOE)
analysis is recommended by EPA (see ``Guidance on the Use of Models and
Other Analyses for Demonstrating Attainment of Air Quality Goals for
Ozone, PM2.5, and Regional Haze,'' EPA-454/B-07-002, April 2007). A WOE
analysis involves one or more supplemental analyses to enhance the
assessment of whether the planned emissions reductions will result in
attainment of the 1997 0.08 ppm 8-hour ozone NAAQS. The WOE analysis
includes: Monitoring and emission inventory trend analysis; review of
the conceptual model for ozone formation along the North Front Range;
additional modeling metrics; alternative attainment test methods; and
assessment of the efficacy of Colorado's SIP-approved regulations,
state-only regulations, and voluntary control measures. The WOE
analysis is then used to determine if the four monitors that modeled
ozone concentrations in the range of 0.082 to 0.087 ppm are expected to
demonstrate attainment of the NAAQS.
Our review of the WOE analysis identified a number of key points
that provide further evidence that the modeling is reliable and that
the DMA/NFR area will attain the NAAQS. First, although individual
concentrations have been highly variable, the aggregate trend in
weather-corrected 4th maximum time series suggests ozone levels have
been flat from 2004 through 2008. The WOE analysis suggests that ozone
levels are not trending upward in the DMA/NFR and that the modeling
conclusions are reasonable. Second, the WOE analysis of the weekend-
weekday effect \2\ related to potential disbenefits from NOX
reductions shows a stronger effect in the DMA and a weaker effect in
outlying areas. This spatial pattern is consistent with the localized
NOX disbenefit predicted by the photochemical grid modeling;
thus, this aspect of the WOE
[[Page 42352]]
analysis supports the validity of the modeling. Third, within the DMA,
potential increases in ozone concentrations due to NOX
emissions reductions from the federal motor vehicle control program do
not appear significant and should not threaten the NAAQS. At monitoring
locations outside the DMA, the WOE analysis suggests that reductions in
NOX emissions will reduce ozone, possibly with greater
efficiency than VOC reductions. Fourth, the WOE analysis includes other
modeled metrics that indicate reductions by 2010 in total ozone, grid
cells over 0.080 and 0.085 ppm 8-hour ozone, and grid cell-hours over
0.080 and 0.085 ppm ozone based on the various control scenarios. For
example, these metrics indicate a reduction in total ozone and grid
cells greater than 0.085 ppm between the 2006 and 2010 base cases of
21% and 14%, respectively. This suggests that the changes in emissions
between the 2006 and 2010 base cases will reduce or have reduced ozone
concentrations.
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\2\ Some urban areas show higher ozone levels on weekends. Some
studies indicate that this increase in ozone concentrations may
result from decreased weekend NOX emissions due to fewer
trucks on the road and differences in the distribution of emissions.
Under certain conditions, NOX acts to reduce ozone
concentrations.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
EPA finds the WOE analysis provides further support to the
photochemical grid modeling, and the modeling and WOE support a
determination that the area will attain the 1997 0.08 ppm 8-hour ozone
NAAQS by 2010.
G. Specific OAP Language
We are proposing to disapprove the last paragraph on page IV-1 and
the first paragraph on page IV-2 of the OAP because these paragraphs
indicate that the OAP revises Section XII of Regulation Number 7 as
part of the SIP. We are proposing to disapprove revised Section XII of
Regulation Number 7, and approval of this language in the OAP would
potentially conflict with our proposed disapproval of revised Section
XII. We are proposing to disapprove the words ``federally enforceable''
in the second to last paragraph on page V-6 of the OAP for the same
reason. The language in question reads, ``AQCC action on December 12,
2008 adopted a federally enforceable SIP control measure revising
Regulation No. 7 * * * '' Only our approval can make the revisions
federally enforceable.
Elsewhere, the OAP discusses ``adopted SIP control measures'' or
provisions that will be part of the SIP. We interpret these various
references as reflecting the AQCC's intent to submit the referenced
regulations to us for approval and not as an indication that they are
already part of the federally approved SIP or that our approval of the
OAP alone will make the referenced regulations part of the federally
approved SIP. We are acting on the referenced regulations as separate
elements.
We are also proposing to disapprove the reference to Attachment A
in the OAP's Table of Contents and on page IV-3 of the OAP because
Attachment A was not submitted to us with the OAP and because the
revisions referenced as being included in that Attachment A (revisions
to Regulation Number 7, Regulation Number 3, and the Ambient Standards
Regulation) were submitted to us separately for our action. As noted,
we are acting on the revisions to those regulations as separate
elements in this action.
H. SIP Control Measures
Colorado Regulation Number 3
Colorado submitted revisions to Regulation Number 3, Parts A, B,
and C, along with the OAP. Among other things, Part A requires
stationary sources to submit Air Pollutant Emission Notices (APENs) to
Colorado before emitting pollutants. A source's APEN must include
information about location and nature of the source and expected
emissions. Part A also contains various exemptions from APEN filing.
Colorado's proposed revisions to Part A would remove several of these
exemptions from the regulation. This would subject the specified source
categories to APEN filing and potential regulation under Regulation
Number 7, which uses the APEN-filing threshold in Regulation Number 3,
Part A, as the trigger for applicability of various requirements.
Regulation Number 3, Part B, contains construction permit
requirements for stationary sources. Part B also contains various
exemptions from minor source construction permit requirements. Part B
contains a generic exemption for sources that are not required to file
an APEN. Colorado recognized that its proposed removal of the APEN-
filing exemption for certain sources under Part A would also have the
effect of subjecting those sources to minor source construction permit
requirements under Part B. For four types of sources, Colorado
determined that this would not be appropriate and adopted a revision to
Part B that would continue to exempt these four types of sources from
minor source construction permitting. The premise behind all the minor
source construction permitting exemptions in Part B is that the
emissions from the specified sources are deemed to have a negligible
impact on air quality.
Regulation Number 3, Part C, contains Colorado's operating permit
requirements. Colorado submitted proposed revisions to Part C that
remove certain oil and gas activities from Part C's insignificant
activity exemption.
For the reasons discussed below, we are proposing to approve Parts
A and B.
The proposed revisions to Regulation Number 3, Part A, eliminate
provisions that exempt the following specific types of oil and gas-
related emission points from the APEN requirements: Petroleum industry
flares with emissions of less than 5 tons per year, specified crude oil
truck loading equipment, oil and gas production wastewater, crude oil
storage tanks, surface water storage impoundments for certain oil
production wastewater, and condensate storage tanks where production
through the tank amounts to less than 730 barrels per year. The
elimination of these exemptions means that the facility will need to
file APENs with the State, which should allow Colorado to collect more
accurate inventory information regarding emissions related to oil and
gas operations. This would also subject the specified source categories
to the condensate storage tank VOC control requirements of Regulation
Number 7, Section XII, which uses the APEN-filing threshold in
Regulation Number 3, Part A, as an applicability threshold.
The proposed revisions to Regulation Number 3, Part B maintain an
existing exemption from minor source construction permitting
requirements for certain emission points. The emission points consist
of certain petroleum industry flares with emissions less than 5 tons
per year, crude oil truck loading equipment and condensate truck
loading equipment, oil and gas production wastewater, and crude oil
storage tanks. As noted above, under the current SIP-approved version
of Regulation Number 3, Part B, any emission points exempt from filing
APENs are also exempt from minor source construction permit
requirements. See Regulation Number 3, Part B, Section III.D.1.a, as
contained in the EPA-approved SIP at https://yosemite.epa.gov/R8/R8Sips.nsf/e5e850cc767bc8b3872573a9004cad73/75c2d810353a706a87256b7b0066624d?OpenDocument. Thus, approval of
Colorado's proposed revisions to Part B would not change the status quo
with regard to construction permitting requirements for these emission
points.
The revisions to Parts A and B make the SIP more stringent by
subjecting additional emission sources to reporting requirements. We
are proposing to approve these revisions because they strengthen the
SIP.
Regarding Part B of Regulation Number 3, we note that there is a
discrepancy between the numbering of
[[Page 42353]]
the submitted revisions and the EPA-approved SIP. Colorado added new
Sections II.D.1.k, l, m, and n to Part B to specify the four types of
emissions points that will continue to be exempt from minor source
construction permitting requirements. However, in the current EPA-
approved SIP, Section III.D.1 of Part B lists the types of emissions
points that are exempt from minor source construction permitting
requirements.\3\ These emissions points are listed in Sections
III.D.1.a through j. For purposes of this action, we are interpreting
Colorado's proposed revisions to Part B, in the form of Sections
II.D.1.k through n, as being an addition to Section III.D.1, and
following immediately after Section III.D.1.j of Part B of the EPA-
approved SIP. As part of our final rulemaking action, we will craft
appropriate regulatory language to effectuate our interpretation.
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\3\ Colorado previously submitted revisions to Part B that
contain changes to the numbering of Part B provisions; we will be
acting on those revisions separately.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
EPA is proposing to disapprove Colorado's proposed revisions to
Regulation Number 3, Part C. As noted above, Regulation Number 3, Part
C, contains Colorado's operating permit regulations, which we do not
approve into the SIP. Instead, we approve operating permit regulations
under our operating permit regulations at 40 CFR part 70. Thus, we
intend to consider approval of Colorado's proposed Part C revisions
pursuant to our part 70 regulations at such time as Colorado submits an
appropriate request under 40 CFR 70.4(i). The revisions are meaningless
absent their regulatory context, and that regulatory context is not
part of the EPA-approved SIP and is not incorporated by reference into
40 CFR part 52. Instead, the approval status of Colorado's part 70
program is reflected in 40 CFR part 70, Appendix A. Thus, because we
are obligated to act on the State's SIP submission, we plan to
disapprove these revisions as a revision to the SIP. If the State
requests to withdraw Part C from the SIP revision prior to the time we
take final action, we would not be obligated to take final action
because Part C would no longer be pending before the Agency as a SIP
revision. Additionally, if requested by the State, we will separately
consider these revisions as a revision to the approved operating permit
program for the State.
Colorado Regulation Number 7
Regulation Number 7 contains various requirements intended to
reduce emissions of ozone precursors. These are in the form of specific
emission limits applicable to various industries and generic Reasonably
Available Control Technology (RACT) requirements. EPA approved the
repeal and re-promulgation of Regulation Number 7 in 1981 (46 FR 16687,
March 13, 1981) and has approved various revisions to parts of
Regulation Number 7 over the years. Most recently, in 2008 EPA approved
revisions to the control requirements for condensate storage tanks in
Section XII (73 FR 8194, February 13, 2008).
Colorado submitted proposed revisions to Regulation Number 7 along
with the OAP. On November 18, 2009, Colorado corrected the version of
Regulation Number 7 it had submitted to reposition the words ``State
Only'' in various sections of Regulation Number 7.
Colorado made substantive revisions to certain limited parts of
Regulation Number 7, particularly Section XII, and also made non-
substantive revisions to numerous parts of the regulation. For ease of
consideration, Colorado submitted the full text of Regulation Number 7
as a SIP revision for our approval (with the exception of provisions
designated ``State Only''). We are only seeking comment on Colorado's
proposed changes to the SIP-approved version of Regulation Number 7,
which are described below; we do not view this rulemaking as re-opening
our past approval of the portions of the regulation that were not
substantively modified by the State as part of this submission.
As noted above, Colorado designated various parts of Regulation
Number 7 ``State Only'' and in Section I.A.1.c indicated that sections
designated ``State Only'' are not federally enforceable. Our
interpretation is that provisions designated ``State Only'' have not
been submitted to us for approval since one of the key purposes of a
SIP approval is to make the submitted regulations federally
enforceable. Instead, we interpret these provisions to have been
submitted for informational purposes. Hence, we are not proposing to
act on the portions of Regulation Number 7 designated ``State Only''
and do not discuss them further unless they impact the portions of the
regulation that Colorado intended to be federally enforceable.
Analysis of Regulation Number 7 Changes by Section
Section I:
Section I contains applicability provisions, definitions of new and
existing sources, and related provisions. Except for minor clerical
changes,\4\ this section remains unchanged from the current SIP-
approved version. Thus, we are proposing to approve the changes to
conform the SIP to Colorado's regulation.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\4\ When we describe changes as clerical in this proposed
action, we are referring to changes like section renumbering,
alphabetizing of definitions, minor grammatical and editorial
revisions, and changes in capitalization.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section II:
Section II contains general provisions. Section II.A contains
definitions. The State alphabetized the definitions Otherwise, the
definitions are unchanged. The State made minor clerical changes to
Section II.B, which contains an exemption for emissions of organic
compounds having negligible photochemical reactivity. The State made
minor clerical changes to Section II.C, which contains generic RACT
requirements.
Section II as submitted reflects Colorado's repeal of Sections II.E
and F. Colorado had previously submitted Sections II.E and F to us for
approval, but we never acted on them. Section II.E would have allowed
Colorado to approve alternative emission control plans, compliance
methods, test methods, and test procedures without EPA approval of a
source-specific SIP revision. However, subsequent to submitting Section
II.E to us, Colorado repealed it (in November 2003). Section II.F would
have allowed Gates Rubber Company to satisfy VOC RACT requirements in
Regulation Number 7 related to surface coating operations by obtaining
emission reduction credits from Coors Brewing Company. Gates Rubber
Company stopped operating a few years ago, and Colorado repealed
Section II.F as part of its December 12, 2008 rulemaking.
We are proposing to approve the changes to Sections II.A, B, and C
as minor, non-substantive revisions. Because section II.E and F were
never approved as part of the SIP, the State repeal of those provisions
has no meaning for this action. However, we are proposing to approve
the language of Regulation Number 7 that reflects the repeal of II.E
and F to conform the SIP to the numbering of Colorado's regulation.
In addition to the changes noted above, the submitted revision to
Section II reflects Colorado's repeal of Section II.D.\5\ The SIP-
approved version of
[[Page 42354]]
Section II.D requires sources to seek a revision to the SIP to gain
approval of alternative control plans and test methods and indicates
that no alternative is effective until the alternative is approved as a
revision to the SIP. Colorado originally adopted Section II.D in
September 1989 to address specific EPA concerns that Colorado's RACT
rule would allow changes to control requirements or test methods
without EPA approval.
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\5\ In March of 1996, Colorado adopted changes to Section II.D
as a matter of State law and submitted the revisions to us for
approval. The revisions were part of an effort by Colorado at that
time to establish a de minimis exemption from Regulation Number 7's
RACT requirements. EPA never approved Colorado's 1996 changes to
Section II.D. Based on EPA's indication that it intended to
disapprove Colorado's 1996 changes to Section II.D, Colorado
repealed Section II.D entirely in November 2003. Colorado did not
re-adopt the pre-1996 version of Section II.D, and the version of
Regulation Number 7 that we are considering in this action indicates
that Section II.D has been repealed.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
We are proposing to disapprove the repeal of Section II.D for the
following reasons: (1) A court might interpret the repeal to allow the
State to approve alternative control requirements and test methods
without EPA approval, and without public involvement, which could
undermine the enforceability of Regulation Number 7's RACT requirements
and would be inconsistent with the CAA, particularly section 110(i);
(2) the State has offered no explanation or justification for the
repeal; and (3) other sections of Regulation Number 7 still cross-
reference Section II.D as specifying necessary procedures for gaining
approval of alternative control requirements and test methods (See,
e.g., Section IX.A.5.c of Regulation Number 7), and, therefore,
removing Section II.D would introduce ambiguity into the Regulation.
Our proposed disapproval of the repeal of Section II.D does not
undermine the validity of the attainment demonstration. Rather, it
strengthens it by ensuring that EPA and public review will be required
before a source may use an alternative control requirement or test
method. Such review will help ensure that any such alternative would
not interfere with the effectiveness of the program as relied on for
purposes of demonstrating attainment. Although we are proposing to
disapprove the repeal of Section II.D, our disapproval would not
trigger sanctions or a FIP obligation. This is because the repeal of
Section II.D is not required by the CAA (see CAA section 179), and our
disapproval of the repeal of Section II.D would not leave a deficiency
in the SIP. Section II.D will remain in the SIP after disapproval of
Colorado's proposed repeal, and it will be incumbent on sources and the
State to comply with Section II.D's requirements. Thus, there would be
nothing for the State to correct through a SIP revision and nothing for
us to correct through a FIP.
Sections III through XI:
The changes are clerical in nature and do not affect the substance
of the requirements. Therefore, we are proposing to approve the
changes.
Section XII:
Section XII contains the emission control requirements for
condensate storage tanks. The State reorganized Section XII and
included additional control requirements for condensate tanks. The
following table outlines the reorganization/renumbering contained in
Colorado's proposed revisions to Section XII:
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Corresponding EPA-
Colorado revised section XII section approved section XII Subject
number section number
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XII.A................................. XII.A.................... Applicability.
XII.A.1............................... XII.A.1.................. Applicability.
XII.A.1.a through c................... XII.A.1.a through c...... Applicability.
XII.A.1.d............................. None..................... Applicability.
XII.A.2............................... XII.D.4.................. Exception to applicability for oil refineries.
XII.A.3............................... None..................... Applicability for natural gas processing plants and certain natural gas compressor
stations. Indicates they are subject to Section XII.G.
XII.A.4............................... None..................... Applicability for certain glycol natural gas dehydrators, natural gas compressor
stations, drip stations, or gas processing plants. Indicates they are only subject
to XII.B and XII.H.
XII.A.5............................... XII.A.8.................. Exception to applicability based on uncontrolled actual VOC emissions threshold of 30
tons per year.
XII.B.1, 2, 3, 9, 12, and 14.......... XII.D.1; XII.D.5 through Definitions of various terms.
9.
XII.B.4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, and 13... None..................... Definitions of various terms. XII.B.13 contains a State-only definition.
XII.C.1.a............................. XII.D.2.a................ General requirements for operation/maintenance of control equipment.
XII.C.1.b............................. XII.D.2.b................ General requirement to minimize leakage VOCs.
XII.C.1.c............................. XII.A.7 and XII.A.4.h.... Air pollution control equipment control efficiency. Failure to operate and maintain
control equipment at indicated locations is a violation.
XII.C.1.d............................. XII.D.2.c................ Requirements for combustion devices.
XII.C.1.e and f....................... None..................... State-only requirements related to combustion devices.
XII.C.2 and XII.C.2.a................. XII.D.3.................. Emission factors for emission estimates.
XII.C.2.b............................. None..................... State-only. Emission factors for emission estimates in areas other than the 8-hour
ozone control area (DMA/NFR nonattainment area).
XII.D................................. XII.A.2..............