Approval and Disapproval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Colorado; Revision to Definitions; Construction Permit Program; Regulation 3, 68570-68575 [2010-28133]
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Previous Port Access Route Studies
A port access route study was
announced in the Federal Register on
April 16, 1979 (44 FR 22543) and
modified on January 31, 1980 (45 FR
7026) that studied the whole of Alaska’s
maritime coast. Notice of study results
were published on December 14, 1981
(46 FR 61049). Only a portion of the
current study area was included in the
previous port access route study, as the
previous study excluded all areas west
of 170 degrees West longitude and also
did not consider areas north of the
Bering Strait.
Necessity for a New Port Access Route
Study
The Coast Guard is always seeking
ways to enhance the safety of life at sea.
Since 2007’s record minimum for
summer sea ice cover in the Arctic,
international attention has been focused
on the region and its potential
accessibility for shipping and natural
resource exploration. One significant
study released in April 2009 by the
Arctic Council entitled ‘‘Arctic Marine
Shipping Assessment’’ noted both the
sparse nature of aids to navigation in the
United States Arctic as well as the
absence of vessel routing measures in
the Bering Strait. According to the
study, significant increases in shipping
are not expected in the near term.
However, the U.S. Coast Guard desires
to begin its study process so that
essential safeguards are in place in
advance of any future shipping increase.
The Coast Guard has identified a
potential safety enhancement by
increasing predictability of vessel traffic
patterns in this area with an established
vessel routing system. When vessels
follow predictable and charted routing
measures such as a TSS, congestion may
be reduced, and mariners may be better
able to predict where vessel interactions
may occur and act accordingly.
This study will assess whether the
creation of a vessel routing system is
advisable to increase the predictability
of vessel movements, which may
decrease the potential for collisions, oil
spills, and other events that could
threaten the marine environment.
There are numerous interested
stakeholders with concerns regarding
this region, and the U.S. Coast Guard is
committed to ensuring that all
viewpoints are obtained and considered
prior to moving forward with any vessel
routing measure implementation.
Timeline, Study Area, and Process of
this PARS: The Seventeenth Coast
Guard District will conduct this PARS.
The study will begin immediately upon
publication of this notice and should
take at least 24 months to complete.
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The study area is described as an area
bounded by a line connecting the
following geographic positions:
• 62°30′ N, 173°00′ W;
• 62°30′ N, 167°30′ W;
• 67°30′ N, 167°30′ W;
• 67°30′ N, 168°58′37″ W, thence
following the Russian Federation/
United States maritime boundary line to
position
• 63°40′ N, 173°00′ W, thence to the
first geographical position.
As part of this study, we will analyze
vessel traffic density, agency and
stakeholder experience in vessel traffic
management, navigation, ship handling,
and effects of weather. We encourage
you to participate in the study process
by submitting comments in response to
this notice.
We will publish the results of the
PARS in the Federal Register. It is
possible that the study may validate the
status quo (no routing measures) and
conclude that no changes are necessary.
It is also possible that the study may
recommend one or more changes to
enhance navigational safety and the
efficiency of vessel traffic management.
The recommendations may lead to
future rulemakings or appropriate
international agreements.
Possible Scope of the Recommendations
We are attempting to determine the
scope of any safety problems associated
with vessel transits in the study area.
We expect that information gathered
during the study will help us identify
any problems and appropriate solutions.
The study may recommend that we—
Æ Maintain current vessel routing
measures, if any;
Æ Establish a Traffic Separation
Scheme (TSS);
Æ Create one or more precautionary
areas;
Æ Create one or more inshore traffic
zones;
Æ Create deep-draft routes;
Æ Establish area(s) to be avoided;
Æ Establish, disestablish, or modify
anchorage grounds;
Æ Establish a Regulated Navigation
Area (RNA) with specific vessel
operating requirements to ensure safe
navigation near shallow water; and
Æ Identify any other appropriate
ships’ routing measures to be used.
Questions
To help us conduct the port access
route study, we request information that
will help answer the following
questions, although comments on other
issues addressed in this document are
also welcome. In responding to a
question, please explain your reasons
for each answer and follow the
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instructions under ‘‘Public Participation
and Request for Comments’’ above.
1. What navigational hazards do
vessels operating in the study areas
face? Please describe.
2. Are there strains on safe navigation
in the Bering Strait, such as increasing
traffic density? If so, please describe.
3. What are the benefits and
drawbacks to establishing new routing
measures? Please describe.
4. What impacts, both positive and
negative, would new routing measures
have on the study area?
5. What costs and benefits are
associated with the potential study
recommendations listed above? What
measures do you think are most cost
effective?
This document is issued under
authority of 33 U.S.C. 1223(c) and
5 U.S.C. 552.
Dated: September 24, 2010.
Christopher C. Colvin,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander,
Seventeenth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2010–28115 Filed 11–5–10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–15–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 52
[EPA–R08–OAR–2007–1027; FRL–9223–3]
Approval and Disapproval and
Promulgation of Air Quality
Implementation Plans; Colorado;
Revision to Definitions; Construction
Permit Program; Regulation 3
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Proposed Rule.
AGENCY:
EPA is proposing to partially
approve and partially disapprove State
Implementation Plan (SIP) revisions
submitted by the State of Colorado on
June 20, 2003 and April 12, 2004. The
intended effect of this proposal is to
approve those portions of the revisions
to Colorado’s Regulation 3 that place
restrictions on increment consumption,
add innovative control technology as an
alternative to BACT requirements and
make other changes as described in
more detail below. In addition, EPA
proposes to disapprove those portions of
the rule revisions that EPA determined
are inconsistent with the Clean Air Act
(CAA), including provisions relating to
pollution control projects. This action is
being taken under section 110 of the
CAA.
SUMMARY:
Comments must be received on
or before December 8, 2010.
DATES:
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Submit your comments,
identified by Docket ID No. EPA–R08–
OAR–2007–1027, by one of the
following methods:
• https://www.regulations.gov. Follow
the on-line instructions for submitting
comments.
• E-mail: komp.mark@epa.gov.
• Fax: (303) 312–6064 (please alert
the individual listed in the FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT if you are faxing
comments).
• Mail: Callie Videtich, Director, Air
Program, Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA), Region 8, Mailcode 8P–
AR, 1595 Wynkoop Street, Denver,
Colorado 80202–1129.
• Hand Delivery: Callie Videtich,
Director, Air Program, Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA), Region 8,
Mailcode 8P–AR, 1595 Wynkoop Street,
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 No. EPA–R08–OAR–2007–
1027. 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 instructions on
submitting comments, go to Section I.
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ADDRESSES:
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General Information of the
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
I. General Information
section of
this document.
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
the Air Program, Environmental
Protection Agency (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:
Mark Komp, Air Program, 1595
Wynkoop Street, Mailcode: 8P–AR,
Denver, Colorado 80202–1129, (303)
312–6022, komp.mark@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Table of Contents
I. General Information
II. Background of State’s Submittals
III. EPA Analysis of State’s Submittals
IV. Consideration of Section 110(l) of the
CAA
V. Proposed Action
VI. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
Definitions
For the purpose of this document, we
are giving meaning to certain words or
initials as follows:
(i) The words or initials Act or CAA
mean or refer to the Clean Air Act,
unless the context indicates otherwise.
(ii) The words EPA, we, us or our
mean or refer to the United States
Environmental Protection Agency.
(iii) The initials SIP mean or refer to
State Implementation Plan.
(iv) The words State or Colorado
mean the State of Colorado, unless the
context indicates otherwise.
(v) The initials APEN mean or refer to
Air Pollutant Emission Notice.
(vi) The initials NSR mean or refer to
New Source Review, the initials RACT
mean or refer to Reasonably Available
Control Technology, and the initials
NAAQS mean or refer to National
Ambient Air Quality Standards.
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A. What Should I Consider as I Prepare
My Comments for EPA?
1. Submitting CBI. Do not submit this
information to EPA through https://
regulations.gov or e-mail. Clearly mark
the part or all of the information that
you claim to be CBI. For CBI
information in a disk or CD–ROM that
you mail to EPA, mark the outside of the
disk or CD–ROM as CBI and then
identify electronically within the disk or
CD–ROM the specific information that
is claimed as CBI. In addition to one
complete version of the comment that
includes information claimed as CBI, a
copy of the comment that does not
contain the information claimed as CBI
must be submitted for inclusion in the
public docket. Information so marked
will not be disclosed except in
accordance with procedures set forth in
40 CFR part 2.
2. Tips for Preparing Your Comments.
When submitting comments, remember
to:
a. Identify the rulemaking by docket
number and other identifying
information (subject heading, Federal
Register date and page number).
b. Follow directions—The agency may
ask you to respond to specific questions
or organize comments by referencing a
Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) part
or section number.
c. Explain why you agree or disagree;
suggest alternatives and substitute
language for your requested changes.
d. Describe any assumptions and
provide any technical information and/
or data that you used.
e. If you estimate potential costs or
burdens, explain how you arrived at
your estimate in sufficient detail to
allow for it to be reproduced.
f. Provide specific examples to
illustrate your concerns, and suggest
alternatives.
g. Explain your views as clearly as
possible, avoiding the use of profanity
or personal threats.
h. Make sure to submit your
comments by the comment period
deadline identified.
II. Background of State’s Submittals
On June 20, 2003 and on April 12,
2004, the State of Colorado submitted
formal revisions to its SIP that changed
or deleted numerous definitions in Part
A of the State’s Regulation Number 3.
Primarily, these were minor changes
designed to fix ambiguous language, to
make the definitions more readable or to
delete obsolete or duplicative
definitions. In addition to the
clarifications, formatting and readability
changes were made to the definition
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section and a number of definitions
were added or modified to reflect
developments in Federal law. Also, in
the April 12, 2004 submittal, the only
revision to Parts A and B of Regulation
3 was a minor change to Part A, Section
I.A regarding the availability of material
incorporated by reference.
One modified definition was for nonroad engines. In response to the 1990
CAA Amendments, Federal case law,
and EPA’s interpretation of the term,
Colorado modified the definition of a
non-road engine. The definition was
also moved from the Air Pollutant
Emission Notice (APEN) section of
Regulation 3 (Part A, Section II) to the
definition section (Part A, Section I). In
addition, Colorado took steps to keep
track of these sources by requiring a
non-road engine rated at 1200
horsepower or greater to file a Colorado
APEN. The filing of an APEN for nonroad engines is stipulated by Colorado’s
SIP revisions to be a State-only
requirement.
New definitions also included the
definition of Pollution Control Projects
at existing electric utility steam
generating units and the use of Clean
Coal Technology at these units.
Colorado also revised its definitions of
actual emissions and major modification
to include special provisions governing
physical or operational changes at
electric utility steam generating units.
These new definitions and revisions
responded to changes in the Federal
regulations arising out of the decision in
the Wisconsin Electric Power Company
(‘‘WEPCO’’) case (Wisconsin Electric
Power Co. v. Reilly, 893 F.2d 901 (7th
Cir. 1990)). As a result of the WEPCO
decision, EPA’s NSR regulations were
changed in 1992 and Colorado
responded to the changes by adding
these definitions to its Regulation 3.
Revisions were also submitted
involving Part B of Colorado’s
Regulation 3. Part B describes the
process air emission sources must go
through to obtain a required
construction permit prior to
commencing operation. The State’s
submittals modified the exemptions
from construction permitting, modified
requirements for permit applicants,
added restrictions on increment
consumption, and added provisions
regarding innovative control technology.
Colorado added language to its area
classification section of Part B, Section
V stating that within certain Class II
areas in the State (for example, certain
National Monuments that are not Class
I areas), sulfur dioxide concentration
increases over baseline concentrations
are limited to the amount permitted in
Class I areas as established under
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Section 163(b) of the Federal CAA. Such
increases are not allowed if the Federal
Land Manager determines and the State
concurs that there would be an adverse
impact on air quality from the sulfur
dioxide concentration increase.
In Section III.D.1.c(iii), Colorado
modified the exemption from
construction permitting for stationary
internal combustion engines. The State
also limited to 75 percent the amount
that a new major stationary source or
major modification may consume of an
applicable pollutant increment (Part B,
Section VII.A.5). Sources may ask for a
waiver from the limit.
Finally, the State added the ability for
a pollution source to request from the
State a waiver from Best Available
Control Technology (BACT)
requirements, if the source installed and
the State approved a system of
Innovative Control Technology (Part B,
Section IX). The owner or operator of an
emission source using this technology
would receive the waiver under the
condition that the source using the
Innovative Control Technology agrees to
achieve a level of continuous emissions
reduction greater than or equivalent to
BACT. The level of emission reduction
must be achieved no later than four
years from time of startup. At no time
may the technology cause any violation
of an applicable NAAQS.
III. EPA Analysis of State’s Submittals
We have evaluated Colorado’s June
20, 2003 and April 12, 2004 submittals
regarding revisions to the State’s
Regulation 3, Parts A and B. We propose
to approve most of the revisions but also
propose to disapprove certain revisions
within the June 20, 2003 submittal.
What EPA Is Proposing To Disapprove
The State revised the definition of
nonroad engine (Part A Section I.B.40).
The revised definition of ‘‘nonroad
engine’’ includes State-only
requirements. As noted above, Colorado
designated various parts of Regulation
Number 3 State Only. In Section
I.B.40.c., the State said this section is
designated State Only and, therefore,
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 3
designated State Only and do not
discuss them further unless they impact
the portions of the regulation that
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Colorado intended to be Federally
enforceable.
The State added terms and definitions
(Section I.B.70) including for a
‘‘pollution control project’’ (I.B.70.d) in
response to EPA’s 1992 WEPCO rule.
Under the definition of ‘‘modification’’
(I.B.36), the State also added provisions
related to these definitions, including
for pollution control projects
(I.B.36.b(iii)(G)). On June 24, 2005, the
Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit
vacated the Pollution Control Project
portion of the WEPCO rule as well as
the corresponding portion of EPA’s 2002
NSR rule (State of New York et. al. v.
EPA, 413 F3d3 (DC Cir. 2005)).
Therefore, EPA proposes to disapprove
Part A, Sections I.B.36.b(iii)(G)and
I.B.70.d in Regulation 3.
EPA also proposes to disapprove the
new provisions in Part A, Section IV.C.
regarding emissions trading under
permit caps. These new provisions
apply to both construction permits and
to CAA Title V operating permits. For
operating permits, the provisions should
not be incorporated into the Federally
enforceable version of the Colorado SIP.
Instead, they should be submitted
separately under 40 CFR 70.4(i) as a
revision of Colorado’s approved
operating permit program. To the extent
that these new provisions apply to
Prevention of Significant Deterioration
(PSD) or nonattainment NSR for major
sources or major modifications, they are
not allowed by the regulations in 40
CFR 51.166 or 51.165. EPA provides a
mechanism for establishing permit caps
through plant wide applicability
limitations (PALs). The provisions in
IV.C for emissions trading under permit
caps do not meet the requirements for
PALs in 40 CFR 51.165(f) and
51.166(w). Therefore, EPA is proposing
to disapprove the provisions for
emissions trading under permit caps set
forth in Section IV.C.
In Part A Section V.F.5, Colorado
expanded the acronym Lowest
Achievable Emission Rate (LAER) as
one instance of a regulation-wide style
change that expanded many acronyms.
The revision apparently inadvertently
deleted the requirement that trading
transactions may not be used
inconsistently with or to circumvent
requirements of LAER. EPA proposes to
disapprove this change because
emissions trading must be consistent
with other requirements of the CAA,
including LAER.
Turning to Part B of Regulation 3, in
Section III.D.1.c(iii), the State modified
the requirements for stationary internal
combustion engines to be exempt from
construction permitting. Previously, all
such engines were exempt if they had
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actual emissions of less than five tons
per year or were rated less than fifty
horsepower. Under the revision, in
attainment areas such engines are
exempt if they have uncontrolled actual
emissions of less than ten tons per year
or are rated less than one hundred
horsepower; thus, more engines may be
exempt from construction permitting
under the revision. Under section 110(l)
of the CAA, EPA cannot approve a SIP
revision that would interfere with any
applicable requirement concerning
attainment or reasonable further
progress, as define in Section 171 of the
CAA, or any other applicable
requirement of the CAA. The State did
not provide a demonstration or other
analysis that the expansion of the
exemption satisfies the requirements of
section 110(l). EPA believes that
exempting a potentially greater number
of stationary engines from construction
permitting may result in increased
emissions of criteria pollutants such as
NOx. EPA therefore proposes to
disapprove the revision to Section
III.D.I.c(iii).
Finally in Part B, Section IV.B.2 and
Section IV.H.8 regarding operating and
maintenance plans and recordkeeping
formats, the revisions to these
provisions have the effect of exempting
a source’s operating and maintenance
plan for control equipment and
recordkeeping format from public
comment. This is contrary to the public
participation requirements of 40 CFR
51.161(a), which require the State to
allow public comment on information
submitted by owners and operators. As
set out in 40 CFR 51.160(c) and (a), the
submitted information subject to public
comment must include information on
operation of the source as necessary for
the State to determine that the
construction or modification of the
source will not violate the applicable
portions of the control strategy or
interfere with attainment or
maintenance of a national standard. As
the exempted information appears to
fall within this requirement, EPA
proposes to disapprove this revision.
What EPA Is Proposing To Approve
The State added language to its
definition of actual emissions (Section
I.B.1.d) for electric utility steam
generating units. The State defined
actual emissions by allowing the actual
emissions from the unit following a
physical or operational change of the
unit to equal the actual annual
emissions of the unit provided the
operator can provide information from a
five year period showing no emission
increase resulting from the unit’s
physical or operational change. This
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revised definition is consistent with
EPA’s 1992 WEPCO rule discussed
earlier in this proposed rule. Although
a term used (‘‘representative actual
annual emissions’’) is that of the WEPCO
rule, the substance of the revised
definition is also consistent with current
Federal regulations I 40 CFR 51.165 and
51.166, and EPA, therefore, proposes to
approve the revised definition.
The State also modified its definition
for commenced construction in Section
I.B.13 by excluding certain construction
activities from the requirement for a
permit. Planning activities, site clearing
and grading, ordering equipment and
materials, storing of equipment,
constructing personnel trailers,
engineering and design changes, and
geotechnical investigation do not
require that a permit be issued prior to
these activities. EPA proposes to
approve this change in the definition of
commenced construction as it is
consistent with EPA guidance
interpreting the equivalent term, ‘‘begin
actual construction’’. (See
Memorandum, ‘‘Construction Activities
Prior to Issuance of a PSD Permit with
Respect to ‘Begin Actual Construction’ ’’
from Edward E. Reich (March 28,
1986)). As noted in that guidance,
though, such activity, if undertaken
prior to issuance of a permit, is at the
risk of the owner or operator and would
not guarantee that the permit would be
forthcoming.
The revisions to Regulation 3
excluded the consideration of clean coal
technology demonstration projects as a
major modification when the projects do
not result in an increase in the potential
to emit any regulated pollutant. EPA is
proposing to approve this revision since
the revision is consistent with the
Federal NSR regulations described at 40
CFR 51.165 and 51.166.
Earlier in this proposed rule EPA
stated that we were disapproving
Pollution Control Projects as defined in
Section I.B.70.d of Colorado’s
Regulation 3. However, the remainder of
the revised definitions within Part A,
Section I.B.70 is consistent with EPA’s
1992 WEPCO rule and with current
Federal NSR regulations. These
definitions include clean coal
technology, electric utility steam
generating unit, reactivation of very
clean coal-fired electric utility steam
generating unit, repowering,
representative actual annual emissions,
temporary clean coal technology
demonstration project and wet
screening operations. EPA is proposing
to approve this revision since the
revision is consistent with the Federal
NSR regulations.
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68573
Colorado revised its fee schedule in
Part A, Section VI.D by eliminating the
dollar amount of the annual fee and
referring the fee applicant to provisions
provided in Colorado’s Revised Statutes
Section 25–7–114.7. Colorado also
revised the filing of claims regarding
confidential information and how the
State elevates such claims (Part A,
Section VII.). EPA believes these
revisions are consistent with the
requirements of the Act and therefore
proposes to approve them.
Construction permit review
requirements regarding reasonable
available control technology (RACT) for
minor sources in attainment/
maintenance areas were added in Part B,
Section IV.D.3.e. These requirements
mirror the existing requirements in
Section IV.D.2.d for minor sources in
nonattainment areas. This revision
strengthens the SIP by extending RACT
requirements to attainment and
maintenance areas and EPA therefore
proposes to approve them.
As noted in Section II of this
proposed rule, in Part B, Section V of
Colorado’s Regulation 3, the State made
the restrictions on maximum allowable
increases of sulfur dioxide
concentrations over baseline
concentrations in Class I areas also
applicable to certain Class II areas, such
as certain National Monuments that are
not Class I areas. This change
strengthens the SIP by making the more
stringent Class I restrictions also
applicable in the listed Class II areas
and EPA therefore proposes to approve
the revision.
Increment consumption restrictions
were also added to Part B of Colorado’s
Regulation 3. In Section VIII.A.5 it
specifies that no new major stationary
source or major modification shall
individually consume more than 75
percent of an applicable increment.
These new provisions apply to PSD for
major sources or major modifications
EPA is proposing to approve this
revision as the revision is more stringent
than Federal requirements regarding
increment consumption.
Finally, the State added Part B,
Section IX regarding the use of
innovative control technology. Major
stationary sources may request from the
State a waiver from BACT requirements
if a system of innovative control
technology is provided by the source
and approved by the State. EPA is
proposing to approve this revision since
the revision is consistent with the
Federal NSR regulations described at 40
CFR 51.166(b)(19).
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IV. 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 toward attainment of the
NAAQS or any other applicable
requirement of the Act. The Colorado
SIP revisions being approved that are
the subject of this document do not
interfere with attainment of the NAAQS
or any other applicable requirement of
the Act. In regard to the June 20, 2003,
and April 12, 2004 submittals, EPA
proposes to approve several revisions to
the State’s Regulation Number 3. These
portions do not relax the stringency of
the Colorado SIP and in some cases
strengthen it. In the case of innovative
control technology, an air emission
source may only use it as long as the
technology provides for a level of
continuous emission reduction greater
than or equivalent to BACT. In the one
instance in which a revised provision
appears to relax the stringency of the
SIP (Part B, Section III.D.1.c(iii)), EPA
proposes to disapprove the revised
provision. Therefore, the portions of the
revisions proposed for approval satisfy
section 110(l) requirements because
they do not relax existing SIP
requirements.
V. Proposed Action
For the reasons expressed above, we
propose to approve Parts A and B of
Regulation 3 as submitted on June 20,
2003 and April 12, 2004 with the
following exceptions. EPA proposes to
disapprove portions of Part A in
Sections I.B.36(b)(iii)(G) and I.B.70(d)
relating to pollution control projects due
to the decision of the DC Circuit Court
of Appeals, and to not act on the portion
in Section I.B.40.c providing State-only
requirements for nonroad engines, as we
regard that portion to not be part of the
submittal. EPA also proposes to
disapprove the addition of Part A,
Section IV.D. regarding emissions
trading under permit caps. The revision
to Part A, Section V.F.5 is proposed for
disapproval because it inadvertently
removes the provision for LAER.
Furthermore, EPA proposes to
disapprove the revision to the
construction permit exemption in Part
B, Section III.D.1.c(iii), as it does not
appear to satisfy the criteria of section
110(l) of the CAA. Finally, EPA
proposes to disapprove revisions to Part
B, Section IV.B2 and Section IV.H.8
because the revisions prevent public
comment on operating and maintenance
plans and recordkeeping formats.
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The State added language to its
definition of actual emissions (Section
I.B.1.d) for electric utility steam
generating units. EPA proposes to
approve the revised definition. The
State also modified its definition for
commenced construction in Section
I.B.13 by excluding certain construction
activities from the requirement for a
permit. EPA proposes to approve this
change in the definition of commenced
construction as it is consistent with EPA
guidance. The revisions to Regulation 3
excluded the consideration of clean coal
technology demonstration projects as a
major modification when the projects do
not result in an increase in the potential
to emit of any regulated pollutant. EPA
is proposing to approve this revision
since the revision is consistent with the
Federal NSR regulations. Revised
definitions within Part A, Section
I.B.70, with the exception of the
definition of a Pollution Control Project
are consistent with EPA’s 1992 WEPCO
rule and with current Federal NSR
regulations. EPA is proposing to
approve these revised definitions since
they are consistent with the Federal
NSR regulations. Colorado revised its
fee schedule in Part A, Section VI.D by
eliminating the dollar amount of the
annual fee and referring the fee
applicant to provisions provided in
Colorado’s Revised Statutes Section 25–
7–114.7. EPA believes this revision is
consistent with the requirements of the
Act and therefore proposes to approve
the revision. In Part B, Section V of
Colorado’s Regulation 3, the State made
the restrictions on maximum allowable
increases of sulfur dioxide
concentrations over baseline
concentrations in Class I areas also
applicable to certain Class II areas, such
as certain National Monuments that are
not Class I areas. Increment
consumption restrictions were also
added to Part B, Section VIII.A.5 of
Colorado’s Regulation 3. EPA proposes
to approve these revisions.
The State added Part B, Section IX
regarding the use of innovative control
technology. Major stationary sources
may request from the State a waiver
from BACT requirements if a system of
innovative control technology is
provided by the source and approved by
the State. EPA is proposing to approve
this revision since the revision is
consistent with the Federal NSR
regulations. The remaining revisions in
Part A and B of Regulation 3 submitted
on June 20, 2003 and April 12, 2004
involve editorial and grammatical
changes and are consistent with EPA’s
interpretations of the Act. We propose
to approve these revisions.
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VI. Statutory and Executive Order
Review
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 action
merely approves State law as meeting
Federal requirements and does not
impose additional requirements beyond
those imposed by State law. For that
reason, this action:
• Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory
action’’ subject to review by the Office
of Management and Budget under
Executive Order 12866 (58 FR 51735,
October 4, 1993);
• Does not impose an information
collection burden under the provisions
of the Paperwork Reduction Act
(44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.);
• Is certified as not having a
significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities
under the Regulatory Flexibility Act
(5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.);
• Does not contain any unfunded
mandate or significantly or uniquely
affect small governments, as described
in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–4);
• Does not have Federalism
implications as specified in Executive
Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10,
1999);
• Is not an economically significant
regulatory action based on health or
safety risks subject to Executive Order
13045 (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997);
• Is not a significant regulatory action
subject to Executive Order 13211 (66 FR
28355, May 22, 2001);
• Is not subject to requirements of
Section 12(d) of the National
Technology Transfer and Advancement
Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272 note) because
application of those requirements would
be inconsistent with the 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.
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Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 215 / Monday, November 8, 2010 / Proposed Rules
The Congressional Review Act, 5
U.S.C. 801 et seq., as added by the Small
Business Regulatory Enforcement
Fairness Act of 1996, generally provides
that before a rule may take effect, the
agency promulgating the rule must
submit a rule report, which includes a
copy of the rule, to each House of the
Congress and to the Comptroller General
of the United States. EPA will submit a
report containing this action and other
required information to the U.S. Senate,
the U.S. House of Representatives, and
the Comptroller General of the United
States prior to publication of the rule in
the Federal Register. A major rule
cannot take effect until 60 days after it
is published in the Federal Register.
This action is not a ‘‘major rule’’ as
defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2).
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52
Environmental protection, Air
pollution control, Carbon monoxide,
Incorporation by reference,
Intergovernmental relations, Lead,
Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone, Particulate
matter, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Sulfur oxides, Volatile
organic compounds.
Dated: October 29, 2010.
Judith Wong,
Acting Deputy Regional Administrator,
Region 8.
[FR Doc. 2010–28133 Filed 11–5–10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Parts 86, 1033, 1039, 1042,
1045, 1054, and 1065
[EPA–HQ–OAR–2010–0142; FRL–9220–7]
RIN 2060–AO69
Revisions To In-Use Testing for HeavyDuty Diesel Engines and Vehicles;
Emissions Measurement and
Instrumentation; Not-to-Exceed
Emission Standards; and Technical
Amendments for Off-Highway Engines
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.
AGENCY:
This NPRM proposes to make
several revisions to EPA’s mobile source
emission programs and test procedures.
EPA believes that each of these is minor
and non-controversial in nature. Most of
the proposed changes arise from the
results of the collaborative test program
and related technical work we
conducted for the highway heavy-duty
diesel in-use testing program. Most
noteworthy here is the proposal to adopt
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SUMMARY:
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a particulate matter measurement
allowance for use with portable
emission measurement systems. Related
to this are two provisions to align the inuse program timing requirements with
completion of the program as required
in current regulations and the
incorporation of revisions to a few
technical requirements in the testing
regulations based on information
learned in this and one other test
program. Finally, the NPRM proposes to
modify a few transitional flexibilities for
locomotive, recreational marine, and
Tier 4 nonroad engines and incorporates
a handful of minor corrections.
DATES: Written comments must be
received by December 8, 2010. Request
for a public hearing must be received by
November 23, 2010. If we receive a
request for a public hearing, we will
publish information related to the
timing and location of the hearing and
the timing of a new deadline for public
comments.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,
identified by Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–
OAR–2010–0142, by one of the
following methods:
• https://www.regulations.gov: Follow
the on-line instructions for submitting
comments.
• E-mail: a-and-r-docket@epa.gov.
• Fax: (202) 566–9744.
• Mail: Environmental Protection
Agency, Mail Code: 2822T, 1200
Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington,
DC 20460. Please include two copies.
• Hand Delivery: U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, EPA Headquarters
Library, EPA West Building, Room:
3334, 1301 Constitution Avenue, NW.,
Washington, DC. Such deliveries are
only accepted during the Docket’s
normal hours of operation, and special
arrangements should be made for
deliveries of boxed information.
Instructions: Direct your comments to
Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–OAR–2010–
0142. 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.
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68575
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/oar/dockets.html.
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
the EPA Docket Center, EPA West
Building, EPA Headquarters Library,
Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Avenue,
NW., Washington, DC. The Public
Reading Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to
4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday,
excluding legal holidays. The telephone
number for the Public Reading Room is
(202) 566–1744, and the telephone
number for the Air Docket is (202) 566–
1742.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rich
Wilcox, Assessment and Standards
Division, Office of Transportation and
Air Quality, 2000 Traverwood Drive,
Ann Arbor, MI 48105; telephone
number: (734) 214–4390; fax number:
(734) 214–4050; email address:
laroo.chris@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. General Information
In the ‘‘Rules and Regulations’’ section
of this Federal Register, we are making
these revisions as a direct final rule
without prior proposal because we view
these revisions as noncontroversial and
anticipate no adverse comment.
The regulatory text for this proposed
rule is included in the direct final rule
and parties should review that rule for
the regulatory text. If we receive no
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 215 (Monday, November 8, 2010)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 68570-68575]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-28133]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 52
[EPA-R08-OAR-2007-1027; FRL-9223-3]
Approval and Disapproval and Promulgation of Air Quality
Implementation Plans; Colorado; Revision to Definitions; Construction
Permit Program; Regulation 3
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Proposed Rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: EPA is proposing to partially approve and partially disapprove
State Implementation Plan (SIP) revisions submitted by the State of
Colorado on June 20, 2003 and April 12, 2004. The intended effect of
this proposal is to approve those portions of the revisions to
Colorado's Regulation 3 that place restrictions on increment
consumption, add innovative control technology as an alternative to
BACT requirements and make other changes as described in more detail
below. In addition, EPA proposes to disapprove those portions of the
rule revisions that EPA determined are inconsistent with the Clean Air
Act (CAA), including provisions relating to pollution control projects.
This action is being taken under section 110 of the CAA.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before December 8, 2010.
[[Page 68571]]
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-R08-
OAR-2007-1027, by one of the following methods:
https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the on-line
instructions for submitting comments.
E-mail: komp.mark@epa.gov.
Fax: (303) 312-6064 (please alert the individual listed in
the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT if you are faxing comments).
Mail: Callie Videtich, Director, Air Program,
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Region 8, Mailcode 8P-AR, 1595
Wynkoop Street, Denver, Colorado 80202-1129.
Hand Delivery: Callie Videtich, Director, Air Program,
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Region 8, Mailcode 8P-AR, 1595
Wynkoop Street, 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 No. EPA-R08-OAR-
2007-1027. 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 instructions on submitting
comments, go to Section I. General Information of the SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION section of this document.
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 the Air Program,
Environmental Protection Agency (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: Mark Komp, Air Program, 1595 Wynkoop
Street, Mailcode: 8P-AR, Denver, Colorado 80202-1129, (303) 312-6022,
komp.mark@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Table of Contents
I. General Information
II. Background of State's Submittals
III. EPA Analysis of State's Submittals
IV. Consideration of Section 110(l) of the CAA
V. Proposed Action
VI. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
Definitions
For the purpose of this document, we are giving meaning to certain
words or initials as follows:
(i) The words or initials Act or CAA mean or refer to the Clean Air
Act, unless the context indicates otherwise.
(ii) The words EPA, we, us or our mean or refer to the United
States Environmental Protection Agency.
(iii) The initials SIP mean or refer to State Implementation Plan.
(iv) The words State or Colorado mean the State of Colorado, unless
the context indicates otherwise.
(v) The initials APEN mean or refer to Air Pollutant Emission
Notice.
(vi) The initials NSR mean or refer to New Source Review, the
initials RACT mean or refer to Reasonably Available Control Technology,
and the initials NAAQS mean or refer to National Ambient Air Quality
Standards.
I. General Information
A. What Should I Consider as I Prepare My Comments for EPA?
1. Submitting CBI. Do not submit this information to EPA through
https://regulations.gov or e-mail. Clearly mark the part or all of the
information that you claim to be CBI. For CBI information in a disk or
CD-ROM that you mail to EPA, mark the outside of the disk or CD-ROM as
CBI and then identify electronically within the disk or CD-ROM the
specific information that is claimed as CBI. In addition to one
complete version of the comment that includes information claimed as
CBI, a copy of the comment that does not contain the information
claimed as CBI must be submitted for inclusion in the public docket.
Information so marked will not be disclosed except in accordance with
procedures set forth in 40 CFR part 2.
2. Tips for Preparing Your Comments. When submitting comments,
remember to:
a. Identify the rulemaking by docket number and other identifying
information (subject heading, Federal Register date and page number).
b. Follow directions--The agency may ask you to respond to specific
questions or organize comments by referencing a Code of Federal
Regulations (CFR) part or section number.
c. Explain why you agree or disagree; suggest alternatives and
substitute language for your requested changes.
d. Describe any assumptions and provide any technical information
and/or data that you used.
e. If you estimate potential costs or burdens, explain how you
arrived at your estimate in sufficient detail to allow for it to be
reproduced.
f. Provide specific examples to illustrate your concerns, and
suggest alternatives.
g. Explain your views as clearly as possible, avoiding the use of
profanity or personal threats.
h. Make sure to submit your comments by the comment period deadline
identified.
II. Background of State's Submittals
On June 20, 2003 and on April 12, 2004, the State of Colorado
submitted formal revisions to its SIP that changed or deleted numerous
definitions in Part A of the State's Regulation Number 3. Primarily,
these were minor changes designed to fix ambiguous language, to make
the definitions more readable or to delete obsolete or duplicative
definitions. In addition to the clarifications, formatting and
readability changes were made to the definition
[[Page 68572]]
section and a number of definitions were added or modified to reflect
developments in Federal law. Also, in the April 12, 2004 submittal, the
only revision to Parts A and B of Regulation 3 was a minor change to
Part A, Section I.A regarding the availability of material incorporated
by reference.
One modified definition was for non-road engines. In response to
the 1990 CAA Amendments, Federal case law, and EPA's interpretation of
the term, Colorado modified the definition of a non-road engine. The
definition was also moved from the Air Pollutant Emission Notice (APEN)
section of Regulation 3 (Part A, Section II) to the definition section
(Part A, Section I). In addition, Colorado took steps to keep track of
these sources by requiring a non-road engine rated at 1200 horsepower
or greater to file a Colorado APEN. The filing of an APEN for non-road
engines is stipulated by Colorado's SIP revisions to be a State-only
requirement.
New definitions also included the definition of Pollution Control
Projects at existing electric utility steam generating units and the
use of Clean Coal Technology at these units. Colorado also revised its
definitions of actual emissions and major modification to include
special provisions governing physical or operational changes at
electric utility steam generating units. These new definitions and
revisions responded to changes in the Federal regulations arising out
of the decision in the Wisconsin Electric Power Company (``WEPCO'')
case (Wisconsin Electric Power Co. v. Reilly, 893 F.2d 901 (7th Cir.
1990)). As a result of the WEPCO decision, EPA's NSR regulations were
changed in 1992 and Colorado responded to the changes by adding these
definitions to its Regulation 3.
Revisions were also submitted involving Part B of Colorado's
Regulation 3. Part B describes the process air emission sources must go
through to obtain a required construction permit prior to commencing
operation. The State's submittals modified the exemptions from
construction permitting, modified requirements for permit applicants,
added restrictions on increment consumption, and added provisions
regarding innovative control technology.
Colorado added language to its area classification section of Part
B, Section V stating that within certain Class II areas in the State
(for example, certain National Monuments that are not Class I areas),
sulfur dioxide concentration increases over baseline concentrations are
limited to the amount permitted in Class I areas as established under
Section 163(b) of the Federal CAA. Such increases are not allowed if
the Federal Land Manager determines and the State concurs that there
would be an adverse impact on air quality from the sulfur dioxide
concentration increase.
In Section III.D.1.c(iii), Colorado modified the exemption from
construction permitting for stationary internal combustion engines. The
State also limited to 75 percent the amount that a new major stationary
source or major modification may consume of an applicable pollutant
increment (Part B, Section VII.A.5). Sources may ask for a waiver from
the limit.
Finally, the State added the ability for a pollution source to
request from the State a waiver from Best Available Control Technology
(BACT) requirements, if the source installed and the State approved a
system of Innovative Control Technology (Part B, Section IX). The owner
or operator of an emission source using this technology would receive
the waiver under the condition that the source using the Innovative
Control Technology agrees to achieve a level of continuous emissions
reduction greater than or equivalent to BACT. The level of emission
reduction must be achieved no later than four years from time of
startup. At no time may the technology cause any violation of an
applicable NAAQS.
III. EPA Analysis of State's Submittals
We have evaluated Colorado's June 20, 2003 and April 12, 2004
submittals regarding revisions to the State's Regulation 3, Parts A and
B. We propose to approve most of the revisions but also propose to
disapprove certain revisions within the June 20, 2003 submittal.
What EPA Is Proposing To Disapprove
The State revised the definition of nonroad engine (Part A Section
I.B.40). The revised definition of ``nonroad engine'' includes State-
only requirements. As noted above, Colorado designated various parts of
Regulation Number 3 State Only. In Section I.B.40.c., the State said
this section is designated State Only and, therefore, 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 3 designated State Only and do
not discuss them further unless they impact the portions of the
regulation that Colorado intended to be Federally enforceable.
The State added terms and definitions (Section I.B.70) including
for a ``pollution control project'' (I.B.70.d) in response to EPA's
1992 WEPCO rule. Under the definition of ``modification'' (I.B.36), the
State also added provisions related to these definitions, including for
pollution control projects (I.B.36.b(iii)(G)). On June 24, 2005, the
Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit vacated the Pollution Control
Project portion of the WEPCO rule as well as the corresponding portion
of EPA's 2002 NSR rule (State of New York et. al. v. EPA, 413 F3d3 (DC
Cir. 2005)). Therefore, EPA proposes to disapprove Part A, Sections
I.B.36.b(iii)(G)and I.B.70.d in Regulation 3.
EPA also proposes to disapprove the new provisions in Part A,
Section IV.C. regarding emissions trading under permit caps. These new
provisions apply to both construction permits and to CAA Title V
operating permits. For operating permits, the provisions should not be
incorporated into the Federally enforceable version of the Colorado
SIP. Instead, they should be submitted separately under 40 CFR 70.4(i)
as a revision of Colorado's approved operating permit program. To the
extent that these new provisions apply to Prevention of Significant
Deterioration (PSD) or nonattainment NSR for major sources or major
modifications, they are not allowed by the regulations in 40 CFR 51.166
or 51.165. EPA provides a mechanism for establishing permit caps
through plant wide applicability limitations (PALs). The provisions in
IV.C for emissions trading under permit caps do not meet the
requirements for PALs in 40 CFR 51.165(f) and 51.166(w). Therefore, EPA
is proposing to disapprove the provisions for emissions trading under
permit caps set forth in Section IV.C.
In Part A Section V.F.5, Colorado expanded the acronym Lowest
Achievable Emission Rate (LAER) as one instance of a regulation-wide
style change that expanded many acronyms. The revision apparently
inadvertently deleted the requirement that trading transactions may not
be used inconsistently with or to circumvent requirements of LAER. EPA
proposes to disapprove this change because emissions trading must be
consistent with other requirements of the CAA, including LAER.
Turning to Part B of Regulation 3, in Section III.D.1.c(iii), the
State modified the requirements for stationary internal combustion
engines to be exempt from construction permitting. Previously, all such
engines were exempt if they had
[[Page 68573]]
actual emissions of less than five tons per year or were rated less
than fifty horsepower. Under the revision, in attainment areas such
engines are exempt if they have uncontrolled actual emissions of less
than ten tons per year or are rated less than one hundred horsepower;
thus, more engines may be exempt from construction permitting under the
revision. Under section 110(l) of the CAA, EPA cannot approve a SIP
revision that would interfere with any applicable requirement
concerning attainment or reasonable further progress, as define in
Section 171 of the CAA, or any other applicable requirement of the CAA.
The State did not provide a demonstration or other analysis that the
expansion of the exemption satisfies the requirements of section
110(l). EPA believes that exempting a potentially greater number of
stationary engines from construction permitting may result in increased
emissions of criteria pollutants such as NOx. EPA therefore proposes to
disapprove the revision to Section III.D.I.c(iii).
Finally in Part B, Section IV.B.2 and Section IV.H.8 regarding
operating and maintenance plans and recordkeeping formats, the
revisions to these provisions have the effect of exempting a source's
operating and maintenance plan for control equipment and recordkeeping
format from public comment. This is contrary to the public
participation requirements of 40 CFR 51.161(a), which require the State
to allow public comment on information submitted by owners and
operators. As set out in 40 CFR 51.160(c) and (a), the submitted
information subject to public comment must include information on
operation of the source as necessary for the State to determine that
the construction or modification of the source will not violate the
applicable portions of the control strategy or interfere with
attainment or maintenance of a national standard. As the exempted
information appears to fall within this requirement, EPA proposes to
disapprove this revision.
What EPA Is Proposing To Approve
The State added language to its definition of actual emissions
(Section I.B.1.d) for electric utility steam generating units. The
State defined actual emissions by allowing the actual emissions from
the unit following a physical or operational change of the unit to
equal the actual annual emissions of the unit provided the operator can
provide information from a five year period showing no emission
increase resulting from the unit's physical or operational change. This
revised definition is consistent with EPA's 1992 WEPCO rule discussed
earlier in this proposed rule. Although a term used (``representative
actual annual emissions'') is that of the WEPCO rule, the substance of
the revised definition is also consistent with current Federal
regulations I 40 CFR 51.165 and 51.166, and EPA, therefore, proposes to
approve the revised definition.
The State also modified its definition for commenced construction
in Section I.B.13 by excluding certain construction activities from the
requirement for a permit. Planning activities, site clearing and
grading, ordering equipment and materials, storing of equipment,
constructing personnel trailers, engineering and design changes, and
geotechnical investigation do not require that a permit be issued prior
to these activities. EPA proposes to approve this change in the
definition of commenced construction as it is consistent with EPA
guidance interpreting the equivalent term, ``begin actual
construction''. (See Memorandum, ``Construction Activities Prior to
Issuance of a PSD Permit with Respect to `Begin Actual Construction' ''
from Edward E. Reich (March 28, 1986)). As noted in that guidance,
though, such activity, if undertaken prior to issuance of a permit, is
at the risk of the owner or operator and would not guarantee that the
permit would be forthcoming.
The revisions to Regulation 3 excluded the consideration of clean
coal technology demonstration projects as a major modification when the
projects do not result in an increase in the potential to emit any
regulated pollutant. EPA is proposing to approve this revision since
the revision is consistent with the Federal NSR regulations described
at 40 CFR 51.165 and 51.166.
Earlier in this proposed rule EPA stated that we were disapproving
Pollution Control Projects as defined in Section I.B.70.d of Colorado's
Regulation 3. However, the remainder of the revised definitions within
Part A, Section I.B.70 is consistent with EPA's 1992 WEPCO rule and
with current Federal NSR regulations. These definitions include clean
coal technology, electric utility steam generating unit, reactivation
of very clean coal-fired electric utility steam generating unit,
repowering, representative actual annual emissions, temporary clean
coal technology demonstration project and wet screening operations. EPA
is proposing to approve this revision since the revision is consistent
with the Federal NSR regulations.
Colorado revised its fee schedule in Part A, Section VI.D by
eliminating the dollar amount of the annual fee and referring the fee
applicant to provisions provided in Colorado's Revised Statutes Section
25-7-114.7. Colorado also revised the filing of claims regarding
confidential information and how the State elevates such claims (Part
A, Section VII.). EPA believes these revisions are consistent with the
requirements of the Act and therefore proposes to approve them.
Construction permit review requirements regarding reasonable
available control technology (RACT) for minor sources in attainment/
maintenance areas were added in Part B, Section IV.D.3.e. These
requirements mirror the existing requirements in Section IV.D.2.d for
minor sources in nonattainment areas. This revision strengthens the SIP
by extending RACT requirements to attainment and maintenance areas and
EPA therefore proposes to approve them.
As noted in Section II of this proposed rule, in Part B, Section V
of Colorado's Regulation 3, the State made the restrictions on maximum
allowable increases of sulfur dioxide concentrations over baseline
concentrations in Class I areas also applicable to certain Class II
areas, such as certain National Monuments that are not Class I areas.
This change strengthens the SIP by making the more stringent Class I
restrictions also applicable in the listed Class II areas and EPA
therefore proposes to approve the revision.
Increment consumption restrictions were also added to Part B of
Colorado's Regulation 3. In Section VIII.A.5 it specifies that no new
major stationary source or major modification shall individually
consume more than 75 percent of an applicable increment. These new
provisions apply to PSD for major sources or major modifications EPA is
proposing to approve this revision as the revision is more stringent
than Federal requirements regarding increment consumption.
Finally, the State added Part B, Section IX regarding the use of
innovative control technology. Major stationary sources may request
from the State a waiver from BACT requirements if a system of
innovative control technology is provided by the source and approved by
the State. EPA is proposing to approve this revision since the revision
is consistent with the Federal NSR regulations described at 40 CFR
51.166(b)(19).
[[Page 68574]]
IV. 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
toward attainment of the NAAQS or any other applicable requirement of
the Act. The Colorado SIP revisions being approved that are the subject
of this document do not interfere with attainment of the NAAQS or any
other applicable requirement of the Act. In regard to the June 20,
2003, and April 12, 2004 submittals, EPA proposes to approve several
revisions to the State's Regulation Number 3. These portions do not
relax the stringency of the Colorado SIP and in some cases strengthen
it. In the case of innovative control technology, an air emission
source may only use it as long as the technology provides for a level
of continuous emission reduction greater than or equivalent to BACT. In
the one instance in which a revised provision appears to relax the
stringency of the SIP (Part B, Section III.D.1.c(iii)), EPA proposes to
disapprove the revised provision. Therefore, the portions of the
revisions proposed for approval satisfy section 110(l) requirements
because they do not relax existing SIP requirements.
V. Proposed Action
For the reasons expressed above, we propose to approve Parts A and
B of Regulation 3 as submitted on June 20, 2003 and April 12, 2004 with
the following exceptions. EPA proposes to disapprove portions of Part A
in Sections I.B.36(b)(iii)(G) and I.B.70(d) relating to pollution
control projects due to the decision of the DC Circuit Court of
Appeals, and to not act on the portion in Section I.B.40.c providing
State-only requirements for nonroad engines, as we regard that portion
to not be part of the submittal. EPA also proposes to disapprove the
addition of Part A, Section IV.D. regarding emissions trading under
permit caps. The revision to Part A, Section V.F.5 is proposed for
disapproval because it inadvertently removes the provision for LAER.
Furthermore, EPA proposes to disapprove the revision to the
construction permit exemption in Part B, Section III.D.1.c(iii), as it
does not appear to satisfy the criteria of section 110(l) of the CAA.
Finally, EPA proposes to disapprove revisions to Part B, Section IV.B2
and Section IV.H.8 because the revisions prevent public comment on
operating and maintenance plans and recordkeeping formats.
The State added language to its definition of actual emissions
(Section I.B.1.d) for electric utility steam generating units. EPA
proposes to approve the revised definition. The State also modified its
definition for commenced construction in Section I.B.13 by excluding
certain construction activities from the requirement for a permit. EPA
proposes to approve this change in the definition of commenced
construction as it is consistent with EPA guidance. The revisions to
Regulation 3 excluded the consideration of clean coal technology
demonstration projects as a major modification when the projects do not
result in an increase in the potential to emit of any regulated
pollutant. EPA is proposing to approve this revision since the revision
is consistent with the Federal NSR regulations. Revised definitions
within Part A, Section I.B.70, with the exception of the definition of
a Pollution Control Project are consistent with EPA's 1992 WEPCO rule
and with current Federal NSR regulations. EPA is proposing to approve
these revised definitions since they are consistent with the Federal
NSR regulations. Colorado revised its fee schedule in Part A, Section
VI.D by eliminating the dollar amount of the annual fee and referring
the fee applicant to provisions provided in Colorado's Revised Statutes
Section 25-7-114.7. EPA believes this revision is consistent with the
requirements of the Act and therefore proposes to approve the revision.
In Part B, Section V of Colorado's Regulation 3, the State made the
restrictions on maximum allowable increases of sulfur dioxide
concentrations over baseline concentrations in Class I areas also
applicable to certain Class II areas, such as certain National
Monuments that are not Class I areas. Increment consumption
restrictions were also added to Part B, Section VIII.A.5 of Colorado's
Regulation 3. EPA proposes to approve these revisions.
The State added Part B, Section IX regarding the use of innovative
control technology. Major stationary sources may request from the State
a waiver from BACT requirements if a system of innovative control
technology is provided by the source and approved by the State. EPA is
proposing to approve this revision since the revision is consistent
with the Federal NSR regulations. The remaining revisions in Part A and
B of Regulation 3 submitted on June 20, 2003 and April 12, 2004 involve
editorial and grammatical changes and are consistent with EPA's
interpretations of the Act. We propose to approve these revisions.
VI. Statutory and Executive Order Review
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
action merely approves State law as meeting Federal requirements and
does not impose additional requirements beyond those imposed by State
law. For that reason, this action:
Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' subject to
review by the Office of Management and Budget under Executive Order
12866 (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993);
Does not impose an information collection burden under the
provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.);
Is certified as not having a significant economic impact
on a substantial number of small entities under the Regulatory
Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.);
Does not contain any unfunded mandate or significantly or
uniquely affect small governments, as described in the Unfunded
Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-4);
Does not have Federalism implications as specified in
Executive Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10, 1999);
Is not an economically significant regulatory action based
on health or safety risks subject to Executive Order 13045 (62 FR
19885, April 23, 1997);
Is not a significant regulatory action subject to
Executive Order 13211 (66 FR 28355, May 22, 2001);
Is not subject to requirements of Section 12(d) of the
National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272
note) because application of those requirements would be inconsistent
with the 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.
[[Page 68575]]
The Congressional Review Act, 5 U.S.C. 801 et seq., as added by the
Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, generally
provides that before a rule may take effect, the agency promulgating
the rule must submit a rule report, which includes a copy of the rule,
to each House of the Congress and to the Comptroller General of the
United States. EPA will submit a report containing this action and
other required information to the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of
Representatives, and the Comptroller General of the United States prior
to publication of the rule in the Federal Register. A major rule cannot
take effect until 60 days after it is published in the Federal
Register. This action is not a ``major rule'' as defined by 5 U.S.C.
804(2).
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52
Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Carbon monoxide,
Incorporation by reference, Intergovernmental relations, Lead, Nitrogen
dioxide, Ozone, Particulate matter, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Sulfur oxides, Volatile organic compounds.
Dated: October 29, 2010.
Judith Wong,
Acting Deputy Regional Administrator, Region 8.
[FR Doc. 2010-28133 Filed 11-5-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P