Revisions to Final Response to Petition From New Jersey Regarding SO2, 79574-79578 [2011-32653]

Download as PDF 79574 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 246 / Thursday, December 22, 2011 / Proposed Rules Protection of Children Environment We have analyzed this proposed rule under Executive Order 13045, Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks. This proposed rule is not an economically significant rule and would not create an environmental risk to health or risk to safety that might disproportionately affect children. We have analyzed this proposed rule under Department of Homeland Security Management Directive 023–01 and Commandant Instruction M16475.lD, which guide the Coast Guard in complying with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321–4370f), and have made a preliminary determination that this action is one of a category of actions that do not individually or cumulatively have a significant effect on the human environment. This proposed rule involves establishing special local regulations issued in conjunction with a marine parade, as described in figure 2– 1, paragraph (34)(h), of the Instruction. Under figure 2–1, paragraph (34)(h), of the Instruction, an environmental analysis checklist and a categorical exclusion determination are not required for this proposed rule. We seek any comments or information that may lead to the discovery of a significant environmental impact from this proposed rule. Indian Tribal Governments This proposed rule does not have Tribal implications under Executive Order 13175, Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments, because it would not have a substantial direct effect on one or more Indian Tribes, on the relationship between the Federal Government and Indian Tribes, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities between the Federal Government and Indian Tribes. Energy Effects We have analyzed this proposed rule under Executive Order 13211, Actions Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use. We have determined that it is not a ‘‘significant energy action’’ under that order because it is not a ‘‘significant regulatory action’’ under Executive Order 12866 and is not likely to have a significant adverse effect on the supply, distribution, or use of energy. The Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs has not designated it as a significant energy action. Therefore, it does not require a Statement of Energy Effects under Executive Order 13211. jlentini on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS Technical Standards The National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act (NTTAA) (15 U.S.C. 272 note) directs agencies to use voluntary consensus standards in their regulatory activities unless the agency provides Congress, through the Office of Management and Budget, with an explanation of why using these standards would be inconsistent with applicable law or otherwise impractical. Voluntary consensus standards are technical standards (e.g., specifications of materials, performance, design, or operation; test methods; sampling procedures; and related management systems practices) that are developed or adopted by voluntary consensus standards bodies. This proposed rule does not use technical standards. Therefore, we did not consider the use of voluntary consensus standards. VerDate Mar<15>2010 19:15 Dec 21, 2011 Jkt 226001 List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 100 Marine safety, Navigation (water), Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Waterways. For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Coast Guard proposes to amend 33 CFR part 100 as follows: PART 100—SAFETY OF LIFE ON NAVIGABLE WATERS 1. The authority citation for part 100 continues to read as follows: Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1233. 2. Add a temporary § 100.T07–1095 to read as follows: § 100.T07–1095 Special Local Regulations; Patriot Challenge Kayak Race, Ashley River, Charleston, SC. (a) Regulated Areas. The following buffer zones are regulated areas during the Patriot Challenge Kayak Race: (1) All waters within 75 yards of the lead safety vessel; (2) all waters within 75 yards of the last safety vessel; and (3) all waters within 100 yards of all other participating vessels, including kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards. The identities of the lead safety vessel and the last safety vessel will be provided prior to the Patriot Challenge Kayak Race by Local Notice to Mariners and Broadcast Notice to Mariners. The race will begin at Brittlebank Park, transit southeast the Ashley River, head north between Shutes Folly Island and the Charleston peninsula, and then turn around in Tidewater Reach. The race PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 will return to Brittlebank Park by the same route. (b) Definition. The term ‘‘designated representative’’ means Coast Guard Patrol Commanders, including Coast Guard coxswains, petty officers, and other officers operating Coast Guard vessels, and Federal, state, and local officers designated by or assisting the Captain of the Port Charleston in the enforcement of the regulated areas. (c) Regulations. (1) All persons and vessels are prohibited from entering, transiting through, anchoring in, or remaining within the regulated areas unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Charleston or a designated representative. (2) Persons and vessels desiring to enter, transit through, anchor in, or remain within the regulated areas may contact the Captain of the Port Charleston by telephone at (843) 740– 7050, or a designated representative via VHF radio on channel 16, to request authorization. If authorization to enter, transit through, anchor in, or remain within the regulated areas is granted by the Captain of the Port Charleston or a designated representative, all persons and vessels receiving such authorization must comply with the instructions of the Captain of the Port Charleston or a designated representative. (3) The Coast Guard will provide notice of the regulated areas by Local Notice to Mariners, Broadcast Notice to Mariners, and on-scene designated representatives. (d) Enforcement Date. This rule will be enforced from 12:30 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. on April 28, 2012. Dated: December 5, 2011. M.F. White, Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Charleston. [FR Doc. 2011–32850 Filed 12–21–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 9110–04–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 40 CFR Part 52 [EPA–HQ–OAR–2011–0081; FRL–9609–5] RIN 2060–AQ69 Revisions to Final Response to Petition From New Jersey Regarding SO2 Emissions From the Portland Generating Station Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Proposed rule. AGENCY: E:\FR\FM\22DEP1.SGM 22DEP1 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 246 / Thursday, December 22, 2011 / Proposed Rules This action proposes to amend the preamble and regulatory text to the Final Response to Petition From New Jersey Regarding SO2 Emissions From the Portland Generating Station (Portland) published November 7, 2011, to revise minor misstatements. These revisions clarify the EPA’s finding that Portland significantly contributes to nonattainment or interferes with maintenance of the 1-hour sulfur dioxide (SO2) national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS) in the State of New Jersey, and not in specific counties within the state. These revisions have no impact on any other provisions of the rule. DATES: Comments. Written comment must be received on or before February 21, 2012. Public Hearing: If a public hearing on this proposal is requested by December 29, 2011, it will be held on January 11, 2012, at 9 a.m. at the U.S. EPA Region 3 Regional Office, 1650 Arch Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103– 2029. Please refer to SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for additional information on the comment period and the public hearing. ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA–HQ– OAR–2011–0081, by one of the following methods: • www.regulations.gov: Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments. • Email: a-and-r-docket@epa.gov. Attention Docket ID No. EPA–HQ– OAR–2011–0081. • Fax: (202) 566–9744. Attention Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–OAR–2011– 0081. • Mail: EPA Docket Center, EPA West (Air Docket), Attention Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–OAR–2011–0081, Environmental Protection Agency, Mailcode: 2822T, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW. Washington, DC 20460. • Hand Delivery: EPA Docket Center (Air Docket), Attention Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–OAR–2011–0081, Environmental Protection Agency, 1301 Constitution Avenue NW., Room 3334, 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–2011– 0081. The EPA’s policy is that all comments received will be included in the public docket without change and may be made available online at www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided, unless the comment includes information jlentini on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 19:15 Dec 21, 2011 Jkt 226001 claimed to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Do not submit information that you consider to be CBI or otherwise protected through www.regulations.gov or email. The www.regulations.gov Web site is an ‘‘anonymous access’’ system, which means the EPA will not know your identity or contact information unless you provide it in the body of your comment. If you send an email comment directly to the EPA without going through www.regulations.gov, your email address will be automatically captured and included as part of the comment that is placed in the public docket and made available on the Internet. If you submit an electronic comment, the 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 the EPA cannot read your comment due to technical difficulties and cannot contact you for clarification, the EPA may not be able to consider your comment. Electronic files should avoid the use of special characters and any form of encryption, and be free of any defects or viruses. For additional information about the EPA’s public docket, visit the EPA Docket Center homepage at https://www.epa.gov/ epahome/dockets.htm. Docket: All documents in the docket are listed in the www.regulations.gov index. Although listed in the index, some information is not publicly available, e.g., CBI or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Certain other material, such as copyrighted material, will be publicly available only in hard copy. Publicly available docket materials are available either electronically in www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at the EPA Docket Center EPA/DC, EPA West, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave. NW., Washington, DC. The Public Reading Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the Public Reading Room is (202) 566–1744, and the telephone number for the EPA Docket Center is (202) 566–1742. Mr. Todd Hawes (919) 541–5591, hawes.todd@epa.gov, or Ms. Gobeail McKinley (919) 541–5246, mckinley.gobeail@epa.gov, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, Air Quality Policy Division, Mail Code C539–04, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 79575 I. General Information A. Why is the EPA issuing this proposed rule? This document proposes minor amendments to the Final Response to Petition From New Jersey Regarding SO2 Emissions From the Portland Generating Station (See 76 FR 69052). We have published a direct final rule, making minor modifications to that rule in the ‘‘Rules and Regulations’’ section of this Federal Register because we view this as a noncontroversial action and anticipate no adverse comment. We have explained our reasons for this action in the preamble to the direct final rule. If we receive no adverse comment, we will not take further action on this proposed rule. If we receive adverse comment, we will withdraw the direct final rule and it will not take effect. We would address all public comments in any subsequent final rule based on this proposed rule. We do not intend to institute a second comment period on this action. Any parties interested in commenting must do so at this time. For further information, please see the information provided in the ADDRESSES section of this document. B. Where can I get a copy of this document and other related information? In addition to being available in the docket, an electronic copy of this proposal will also be available on the World Wide Web. Following signature by the EPA Administrator, a copy of this action will be posted on the EPA’s Web site www.epa.gov/ttn/oarpg/new.html. C. What should I consider as I prepare my comments for EPA? 1. Submitting CBI. Do not submit this information to EPA through www.regulations.gov or email. 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 the 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. Send or deliver information identified as CBI only to the following address: Roberto Morales, OAQPS Document Control Officer E:\FR\FM\22DEP1.SGM 22DEP1 79576 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 246 / Thursday, December 22, 2011 / Proposed Rules jlentini on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS (C404–02), U.S. EPA, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, Attention Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–OAR–2011–0081. 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 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) part or section number. • Explain why you agree or disagree; suggest alternatives and substitute language for your requested changes. • Describe any assumptions and provide any technical information and/ or data that you used. • If you estimate potential costs or burdens, explain how you arrived at your estimate in sufficient detail to allow for it to be reproduced. • Provide specific examples to illustrate your concerns, and suggest alternatives. • Explain your views as clearly as possible, avoiding the use of profanity or personal threats. • Make sure to submit your comments by the comment period deadline identified. D. How can I find information about a public hearing? The public hearing, if requested by December 29, 2011, will be held on January 11, 2012, at the EPA Region 3 Regional Office, 1650 Arch Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103–2029 from 9 a.m. until the last registered speaker has spoken. The EPA will make every effort to accommodate all speakers that arrive and register before 12 noon. Oral testimony will be limited to 5 minutes per commenter. The EPA encourages commenters to provide written versions of their oral testimonies either electronically or in paper copy. Verbatim transcripts and written statements will be included in the rulemaking docket. If you would like to present oral testimony at the hearing, please notify Ms. Pam S. Long, Air Quality Policy Division (C504–03), U.S. EPA, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, telephone number (919) 541–0641, long.pam@epa.gov. Persons interested in presenting oral testimony should notify Ms. Long at least 1 day in advance of the public hearing. The last day to register will be January 10, 2012. If using email to register, please provide the following information: Name, affiliation, address, email address, and telephone and fax numbers. Commenters should also notify Ms. VerDate Mar<15>2010 19:15 Dec 21, 2011 Jkt 226001 Long if they will need specific equipment, or if there are other special needs related to providing comments at the public hearing. The EPA will provide equipment for commenters to show overhead slides or make computerized slide presentations if we receive special requests in advance. The EPA encourages commenters to provide a copy of their oral testimony electronically (via email or CD) or in hard copy form. For updates and additional information on the public hearing, please check EPA’s Web site for this rulemaking, www.epa.gov/ttn/ oarpg/new.html. The public hearing will provide interested parties the opportunity to present data, views, or arguments concerning the proposed rule. The EPA may ask clarifying questions during the oral presentations, but will not respond to the presentations or comments at that time. Written statements and supporting information submitted during the comment period will be considered with the same weight as any oral comments and supporting information presented at a public hearing. E. How is the preamble organized? SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. General Information A. Why is the EPA issuing this proposed rule? B. Where can I get a copy of this document and other related information? C. What should I consider as I prepare my comments for EPA? D. How can I find information about a public hearing? E. How is the preamble organized? II. Specific Revisions III. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews A. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory Planning and Review and Executive Order 13563: Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review B. Paperwork Reduction Act C. Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act E. Executive Order 13132: Federalism F. Executive Order 13175: Consultation and Coordination With Indian Tribal Governments G. Executive Order 13045: Protection of Children From Environmental Health and Safety Risks H. Executive Order 13211: Actions That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use I. National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act J. Executive Order 12898: Federal Actions To Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations II. Specific Revisions The preamble and rule text to the Final Response to Petition From New PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 Jersey Regarding SO2 Emissions From the Portland Generating Station (See FR 76 69052) contain minor misstatements that the EPA is proposing to revise in this action. In the preamble section IV.A, Summary of the Modeling for the Proposed Rule, the EPA inadvertently referred to four specific counties in New Jersey when discussing violations of the 1-hour SO2 NAAQS. The statement reads, ‘‘The EPA also modeled the emissions from Portland using the AERMOD dispersion model and determined that the modeled concentrations from Portland, when combined with the relatively low background concentrations, cause violations of the 1-hour SO2 NAAQS in Morris, Sussex, Warren and Hunterdon Counties in New Jersey.’’ This conclusion is not correctly stated as the EPA’s modeling did not separately examine air quality in each of the four counties identified. A more accurate description of the EPA’s conclusion was presented in the April 7, 2011, proposal which did not refer to those counties in our explanations of the modeling results. Furthermore, between proposal and promulgation, the EPA did not separately examine each of the four counties identified, so in the final rule there was no reason to change this proposed description to specifically list counties. Therefore, we are now proposing to revise the statement in the November 7, 2011, final rule preamble to be consistent with the description in the April 7, 2011, proposal by removing the references to Morris, Sussex, Warren, and Hunterdon Counties. We propose that the statement will now read, ‘‘The EPA also modeled the emissions from Portland using the AERMOD dispersion model and determined that the modeled concentrations from Portland, when combined with the relatively low background concentrations, cause violations of the 1-hour SO2 NAAQS in New Jersey.’’ Similarly, in the rule text, Part 52— [Amended], Subpart NN—Pennsylvania, section 52.2039 in 40 CFR part 52, of the final rule, the EPA inadvertently referred to those same four counties in describing the finding of significant contribution to nonattainment and interference with maintenance of the 1-hour SO2 NAAQS. The provision reads, ‘‘The EPA has made a finding pursuant to section 126 of the Clean Air Act (the Act) that emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2) from the Portland Generating Station in Northampton County, Upper Mount Bethel Township, Pennsylvania (Portland) significantly contribute to nonattainment and E:\FR\FM\22DEP1.SGM 22DEP1 jlentini on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 246 / Thursday, December 22, 2011 / Proposed Rules interfere with maintenance of the 1-hour SO2 national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS) in Morris, Sussex, Warren, and Hunterdon Counties in New Jersey.’’ We propose that the rule text now read, ‘‘The EPA has made a finding pursuant to section 126 of the Clean Air Act (the Act) that emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2) from the Portland Generating Station in Northampton County, Upper Mount Bethel Township, Pennsylvania (Portland) significantly contribute to nonattainment and interfere with maintenance of the 1-hour SO2 national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS) in New Jersey.’’ Although the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) modeling analysis submitted with the September 2010 petition identified NAAQS violations at receptors in certain counties, the purpose of the EPA modeling was not to identify or corroborate the entire geographic footprint of the violations in New Jersey. The EPA modeling analysis was conducted for the purpose of corroborating the existence of NAAQS violations in New Jersey caused by Portland and for determining the remedy needed to eliminate all NAAQS violations caused by Portland. The EPA modeling thus focused upon identifying only the area where the maximum concentration was expected to occur. We used the same receptor grid for the final rule as for the proposed rule, which was focused on the area of maximum impacts occurring in Warren County, New Jersey. The remedy was determined by assessing the emission reduction needed to eliminate the maximum modeled violation in New Jersey, which occurs in close proximity to Portland in Warren County. There was no need to make an assessment of impacts at all locations within New Jersey since eliminating the NAAQS violations at the highest impacted receptor provided the basis for the remedy which, by its nature, would eliminate all modeled violations caused by Portland in the entire state. Therefore, the EPA finding pursuant to section 126 of the Clean Air Act (the Act) applies to New Jersey generally. The proposed revision is consistent with NJDEP’s request for a finding that emissions from Portland significantly contribute to nonattainment or interfere with maintenance of the 1-hour SO2 NAAQS in New Jersey. The proposed revision is also consistent with the language in sections 110 and 126 of the Act which is phrased such that the petitioner can request a finding that a source in one state is significantly VerDate Mar<15>2010 19:15 Dec 21, 2011 Jkt 226001 contributing to nonattainment or interfering with maintenance of the NAAQS in another state. The addition of the counties was neither necessary nor intentional and did not arise from a request from the petitioner or any other commenter. The proposed revision will not affect the emission limits, increments of progress, compliance schedules, or reporting provisions specified in the November 7, 2011 final rule. No adjustments to the existing modeling or other technical analyses and no new analyses are necessary to make the revisions. Accordingly, we are taking comment only on the proposed change to the phrasing used to describe our finding based on the analyses conducted for the remedy. The proposed revisions do not change the conclusions that the EPA made in the final rule. The EPA is requesting comment only on the specific revisions proposed herein. The EPA is not reopening or requesting comment on any other aspect of the rule published on November 7, 2011, including the agency’s air quality modeling, interim emission limits, final emission limits, increments of progress, rationale for the emission limits, or other requirements finalized in the November 7, 2011 rule. III. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews A. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory Planning and Review and Executive Order 13563: Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review This action simply revises minor wording errors in the November 7, 2011 rule. This action corrects a response to a petition that is narrow in scope and affects a single facility. This type of action is exempt from review under Executive Orders 12866 (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993) and 13563 (76 FR 3821, January 21, 2011). B. Paperwork Reduction Act This action does not impose an information collection burden under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq., because this proposed rule, if finalized, under section 126 of the CAA will not in-andof itself create any new information collection burdens but simply revises minor wording errors in the November 7, 2011, rule. These revisions clarify the EPA’s finding that Portland significantly contributes to nonattainment or interferes with maintenance of the 1-hour SO2 NAAQS in the State of New Jersey, not in specific counties within the state. Burden is defined at 5 CFR 1320.3(b). PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 79577 C. Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) The Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) generally requires an agency to prepare a regulatory flexibility analysis of any rule subject to notice and comment rulemaking requirements under the Administrative Procedure Act or any other statute unless the agency certifies that the rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. Small entities include small businesses, small organizations, and small governmental jurisdictions. For purposes of assessing the impacts of this rule on small entities, small entity is defined as: (1) A small business as defined by the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) regulations at 13 CFR 121.201; (2) a small governmental jurisdiction that is a government of a city, county, town, school district or special district with a population of less than 50,000; and (3) a small organization that is any not-for-profit enterprise which is independently owned and operated and is not dominant in its field. After considering the economic impacts of this proposed rule on small entities, I certify that this action will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. The revisions being proposed in this notice do not impose any new requirements on small entities. This action simply revises minor wording errors in the November 7, 2011, rule. These revisions clarify the EPA’s finding that Portland significantly contributes to nonattainment or interferes with maintenance of the 1hour SO2 NAAQS in the State of New Jersey, and not in specific counties within the state. We continue to be interested in the potential impacts of the proposed rule on small entities and welcome comments on issus related to such impacts. D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act This action does not contain a federal mandate that may result in expenditures of $100 million or more for state, local, and tribal governments, in the aggregate, or the private sector in any 1 year. This action proposes minor wording revisions to the November 7, 2011, final rule in this notice that are not expected to exceed $100 million or more for state, local, and tribal governments, in aggregate, or the private sector in any 1 year. This action simply revises minor wording errors in the November 7, 2011, rule. These revisions clarify the EPA’s finding that Portland significantly contributes to nonattainment or E:\FR\FM\22DEP1.SGM 22DEP1 79578 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 246 / Thursday, December 22, 2011 / Proposed Rules interferes with maintenance of the 1hour SO2 NAAQS in the State of New Jersey, and not in specific counties within the state. Thus, this rule is not subject to the requirements of sections 202 or 205 of UMRA. This rule is also not subject to the requirements of section 203 of UMRA because it contains no regulatory requirements that might significantly or uniquely affect small governments. Again, this action simply revises minor wording errors in the November 7, 2011, rule. These revisions clarify the EPA’s finding that Portland significantly contributes to nonattainment or interferes with maintenance of the 1hour SO2 NAAQS in the State of New Jersey, not in specific counties within the state. jlentini on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS E. Executive Order 13132: Federalism This action does not have federalism implications. It will not have substantial direct effects on the states, on the relationship between the national government and the states, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government, as specified in Executive Order 13132. The November 2011 final rule primarily affects private industry, and does not impose significant economic costs on state or local governments. This action simply revises minor wording errors in the November 7, 2011, rule. These revisions clarify the EPA’s finding that Portland significantly contributes to nonattainment or interferes with maintenance of the 1-hour SO2 NAAQS in the State of New Jersey, and not in specific counties within the state. Thus, Executive Order 13132 does not apply to this action. In the spirit of Executive Order 13132, and consistent with the EPA policy to promote communications between the EPA and state and local governments, the EPA specifically solicits comment on this proposed action from state and local officials. F. Executive Order 13175: Consultation and Coordination With Indian Tribal Governments This action does not have tribal implications, as specified in Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, November 9, 2000). It will not have a substantial direct effect on tribal governments, on the relationship between the federal government and Indian tribes, or the distribution of power and responsibilities between the federal government and Indian tribes. Thus, Executive Order 13175 does not apply to this action. This action simply revises minor wording errors in the November VerDate Mar<15>2010 19:15 Dec 21, 2011 Jkt 226001 7, 2011, rule. These revisions clarify the EPA’s finding that Portland significantly contributes to nonattainment or interferes with maintenance of the 1hour SO2 NAAQS in the State of New Jersey, and not in specific counties within the state. G. Executive Order 13045: Protection of Children From Environmental Health and Safety Risks This action is not subject to EO 13045 (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997) because it is not economically significant as defined in EO 12866, and because the Agency does not believe the environmental health or safety risks addressed by this action present a disproportionate risk to children. This action simply revises minor wording errors in the November 7, 2011, rule. These revisions clarify the EPA’s finding that Portland significantly contributes to nonattainment or interferes with maintenance of the 1hour SO2 NAAQS in the State of New Jersey, and not in specific counties within the state. The public is invited to submit comments or identify peer-reviewed studies and data, which the EPA may not be aware. H. Executive Order 13211: Actions That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use This action is not subject to Executive Order 13211 (66 FR 28355 (May 22, 2001)), because it is not a significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866. I. National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act Section 12(d) of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (‘‘NTTAA’’), Public Law No. 104–113, 12(d) (15 U.S.C. 272 note) directs the EPA to use voluntary consensus standards in its regulatory activities unless to do so would be inconsistent with applicable law or otherwise impractical. Voluntary consensus standards are technical standards (e.g., materials specifications, test methods, sampling procedures, and business practices) that are developed or adopted by voluntary consensus standards bodies. NTTAA directs the EPA to provide Congress, through OMB, explanations when the Agency decides not to use available and applicable voluntary consensus standards. This proposed rulemaking does not involve technical standards. Therefore, the EPA is not considering the use of any voluntary consensus standards. PO 00000 Frm 00031 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 9990 J. Executive Order 12898: Federal Actions To Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations Executive Order 12898 (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994) establishes federal executive policy on environmental justice. Its main provision directs federal agencies, to the greatest extent practicable and permitted by law, to make environmental justice part of their mission by identifying and addressing, as appropriate, disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental effects of their programs, policies, and activities on minority populations and low-income populations in the United States. The EPA has determined that this proposed rule will not have disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental effects on minority or low-income populations because it increases the level of environmental protection for all affected populations without having any disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental effects on any population, including any minority or low-income population. This rule proposes minor revisions to a previously promulgated rule. These revisions clarify the EPA’s finding that Portland significantly contributes to nonattainment or interferes with maintenance of the 1-hour SO2 NAAQS in the State of New Jersey, and not in specific counties within the state. List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52 Environmental protection, Administrative practice and procedures, Air pollution control, Incorporation by reference, Intergovernmental relations, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Sulfur dioxide. Dated: December 14, 2011. Lisa P. Jackson, Administrator. [FR Doc. 2011–32653 Filed 12–21–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P E:\FR\FM\22DEP1.SGM 22DEP1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 246 (Thursday, December 22, 2011)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 79574-79578]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-32653]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 52

[EPA-HQ-OAR-2011-0081; FRL-9609-5]
RIN 2060-AQ69


Revisions to Final Response to Petition From New Jersey Regarding 
SO2 Emissions From the Portland Generating Station

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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[[Page 79575]]

SUMMARY: This action proposes to amend the preamble and regulatory text 
to the Final Response to Petition From New Jersey Regarding 
SO2 Emissions From the Portland Generating Station 
(Portland) published November 7, 2011, to revise minor misstatements. 
These revisions clarify the EPA's finding that Portland significantly 
contributes to nonattainment or interferes with maintenance of the 1-
hour sulfur dioxide (SO2) national ambient air quality 
standard (NAAQS) in the State of New Jersey, and not in specific 
counties within the state. These revisions have no impact on any other 
provisions of the rule.

DATES: Comments. Written comment must be received on or before February 
21, 2012.
    Public Hearing: If a public hearing on this proposal is requested 
by December 29, 2011, it will be held on January 11, 2012, at 9 a.m. at 
the U.S. EPA Region 3 Regional Office, 1650 Arch Street, Philadelphia, 
Pennsylvania 19103-2029. Please refer to SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for 
additional information on the comment period and the public hearing.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-
OAR-2011-0081, by one of the following methods:
     www.regulations.gov: Follow the on-line instructions for 
submitting comments.
     Email: a-and-r-docket@epa.gov. Attention Docket ID No. 
EPA-HQ-OAR-2011-0081.
     Fax: (202) 566-9744. Attention Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-
2011-0081.
     Mail: EPA Docket Center, EPA West (Air Docket), Attention 
Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2011-0081, Environmental Protection Agency, 
Mailcode: 2822T, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW. Washington, DC 20460.
     Hand Delivery: EPA Docket Center (Air Docket), Attention 
Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2011-0081, Environmental Protection Agency, 
1301 Constitution Avenue NW., Room 3334, 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-
2011-0081. The EPA's policy is that all comments received will be 
included in the public docket without change and may be made available 
online at www.regulations.gov, including any personal information 
provided, unless the comment includes information claimed to be 
Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose 
disclosure is restricted by statute. Do not submit information that you 
consider to be CBI or otherwise protected through www.regulations.gov 
or email. The www.regulations.gov Web site is an ``anonymous access'' 
system, which means the EPA will not know your identity or contact 
information unless you provide it in the body of your comment. If you 
send an email comment directly to the EPA without going through 
www.regulations.gov, your email address will be automatically captured 
and included as part of the comment that is placed in the public docket 
and made available on the Internet. If you submit an electronic 
comment, the 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 the EPA cannot read your comment due to technical 
difficulties and cannot contact you for clarification, the EPA may not 
be able to consider your comment. Electronic files should avoid the use 
of special characters and any form of encryption, and be free of any 
defects or viruses. For additional information about the EPA's public 
docket, visit the EPA Docket Center homepage at https://www.epa.gov/epahome/dockets.htm.
    Docket: All documents in the docket are listed in the 
www.regulations.gov index. Although listed in the index, some 
information is not publicly available, e.g., CBI or other information 
whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Certain other material, such 
as copyrighted material, will be publicly available only in hard copy. 
Publicly available docket materials are available either electronically 
in www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at the EPA Docket Center EPA/DC, 
EPA West, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave. NW., Washington, DC. The 
Public Reading Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the Public 
Reading Room is (202) 566-1744, and the telephone number for the EPA 
Docket Center is (202) 566-1742.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Todd Hawes (919) 541-5591, 
hawes.todd@epa.gov, or Ms. Gobeail McKinley (919) 541-5246, 
mckinley.gobeail@epa.gov, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, 
Air Quality Policy Division, Mail Code C539-04, Research Triangle Park, 
NC 27711.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. General Information

A. Why is the EPA issuing this proposed rule?

    This document proposes minor amendments to the Final Response to 
Petition From New Jersey Regarding SO2 Emissions From the 
Portland Generating Station (See 76 FR 69052). We have published a 
direct final rule, making minor modifications to that rule in the 
``Rules and Regulations'' section of this Federal Register because we 
view this as a noncontroversial action and anticipate no adverse 
comment. We have explained our reasons for this action in the preamble 
to the direct final rule.
    If we receive no adverse comment, we will not take further action 
on this proposed rule. If we receive adverse comment, we will withdraw 
the direct final rule and it will not take effect. We would address all 
public comments in any subsequent final rule based on this proposed 
rule. We do not intend to institute a second comment period on this 
action. Any parties interested in commenting must do so at this time. 
For further information, please see the information provided in the 
ADDRESSES section of this document.

B. Where can I get a copy of this document and other related 
information?

    In addition to being available in the docket, an electronic copy of 
this proposal will also be available on the World Wide Web. Following 
signature by the EPA Administrator, a copy of this action will be 
posted on the EPA's Web site www.epa.gov/ttn/oarpg/new.html.

C. What should I consider as I prepare my comments for EPA?

    1. Submitting CBI. Do not submit this information to EPA through 
www.regulations.gov or email. 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 the 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. Send or deliver information 
identified as CBI only to the following address: Roberto Morales, OAQPS 
Document Control Officer

[[Page 79576]]

(C404-02), U.S. EPA, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, Attention Docket 
ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2011-0081.
    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 Code of 
Federal Regulations (CFR) part or section number.
     Explain why you agree or disagree; suggest alternatives 
and substitute language for your requested changes.
     Describe any assumptions and provide any technical 
information and/or data that you used.
     If you estimate potential costs or burdens, explain how 
you arrived at your estimate in sufficient detail to allow for it to be 
reproduced.
     Provide specific examples to illustrate your concerns, and 
suggest alternatives.
     Explain your views as clearly as possible, avoiding the 
use of profanity or personal threats.
     Make sure to submit your comments by the comment period 
deadline identified.

D. How can I find information about a public hearing?

    The public hearing, if requested by December 29, 2011, will be held 
on January 11, 2012, at the EPA Region 3 Regional Office, 1650 Arch 
Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103-2029 from 9 a.m. until the 
last registered speaker has spoken. The EPA will make every effort to 
accommodate all speakers that arrive and register before 12 noon. Oral 
testimony will be limited to 5 minutes per commenter. The EPA 
encourages commenters to provide written versions of their oral 
testimonies either electronically or in paper copy. Verbatim 
transcripts and written statements will be included in the rulemaking 
docket. If you would like to present oral testimony at the hearing, 
please notify Ms. Pam S. Long, Air Quality Policy Division (C504-03), 
U.S. EPA, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, telephone number (919) 541-
0641, long.pam@epa.gov. Persons interested in presenting oral testimony 
should notify Ms. Long at least 1 day in advance of the public hearing. 
The last day to register will be January 10, 2012. If using email to 
register, please provide the following information: Name, affiliation, 
address, email address, and telephone and fax numbers. Commenters 
should also notify Ms. Long if they will need specific equipment, or if 
there are other special needs related to providing comments at the 
public hearing. The EPA will provide equipment for commenters to show 
overhead slides or make computerized slide presentations if we receive 
special requests in advance. The EPA encourages commenters to provide a 
copy of their oral testimony electronically (via email or CD) or in 
hard copy form. For updates and additional information on the public 
hearing, please check EPA's Web site for this rulemaking, www.epa.gov/ttn/oarpg/new.html. The public hearing will provide interested parties 
the opportunity to present data, views, or arguments concerning the 
proposed rule. The EPA may ask clarifying questions during the oral 
presentations, but will not respond to the presentations or comments at 
that time. Written statements and supporting information submitted 
during the comment period will be considered with the same weight as 
any oral comments and supporting information presented at a public 
hearing.

E. How is the preamble organized?

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. General Information
    A. Why is the EPA issuing this proposed rule?
    B. Where can I get a copy of this document and other related 
information?
    C. What should I consider as I prepare my comments for EPA?
    D. How can I find information about a public hearing?
    E. How is the preamble organized?
II. Specific Revisions
III. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
    A. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory Planning and Review and 
Executive Order 13563: Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review
    B. Paperwork Reduction Act
    C. Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)
    D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
    E. Executive Order 13132: Federalism
    F. Executive Order 13175: Consultation and Coordination With 
Indian Tribal Governments
    G. Executive Order 13045: Protection of Children From 
Environmental Health and Safety Risks
    H. Executive Order 13211: Actions That Significantly Affect 
Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use
    I. National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act
    J. Executive Order 12898: Federal Actions To Address 
Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income 
Populations

II. Specific Revisions

    The preamble and rule text to the Final Response to Petition From 
New Jersey Regarding SO2 Emissions From the Portland 
Generating Station (See FR 76 69052) contain minor misstatements that 
the EPA is proposing to revise in this action. In the preamble section 
IV.A, Summary of the Modeling for the Proposed Rule, the EPA 
inadvertently referred to four specific counties in New Jersey when 
discussing violations of the 1-hour SO2 NAAQS. The statement 
reads, ``The EPA also modeled the emissions from Portland using the 
AERMOD dispersion model and determined that the modeled concentrations 
from Portland, when combined with the relatively low background 
concentrations, cause violations of the 1-hour SO2 NAAQS in 
Morris, Sussex, Warren and Hunterdon Counties in New Jersey.'' This 
conclusion is not correctly stated as the EPA's modeling did not 
separately examine air quality in each of the four counties identified. 
A more accurate description of the EPA's conclusion was presented in 
the April 7, 2011, proposal which did not refer to those counties in 
our explanations of the modeling results. Furthermore, between proposal 
and promulgation, the EPA did not separately examine each of the four 
counties identified, so in the final rule there was no reason to change 
this proposed description to specifically list counties. Therefore, we 
are now proposing to revise the statement in the November 7, 2011, 
final rule preamble to be consistent with the description in the April 
7, 2011, proposal by removing the references to Morris, Sussex, Warren, 
and Hunterdon Counties. We propose that the statement will now read, 
``The EPA also modeled the emissions from Portland using the AERMOD 
dispersion model and determined that the modeled concentrations from 
Portland, when combined with the relatively low background 
concentrations, cause violations of the 1-hour SO2 NAAQS in 
New Jersey.''
    Similarly, in the rule text, Part 52--[Amended], Subpart NN--
Pennsylvania, section 52.2039 in 40 CFR part 52, of the final rule, the 
EPA inadvertently referred to those same four counties in describing 
the finding of significant contribution to nonattainment and 
interference with maintenance of the 1-hour SO2 NAAQS. The 
provision reads, ``The EPA has made a finding pursuant to section 126 
of the Clean Air Act (the Act) that emissions of sulfur dioxide 
(SO2) from the Portland Generating Station in Northampton 
County, Upper Mount Bethel Township, Pennsylvania (Portland) 
significantly contribute to nonattainment and

[[Page 79577]]

interfere with maintenance of the 1-hour SO2 national 
ambient air quality standard (NAAQS) in Morris, Sussex, Warren, and 
Hunterdon Counties in New Jersey.'' We propose that the rule text now 
read, ``The EPA has made a finding pursuant to section 126 of the Clean 
Air Act (the Act) that emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2) 
from the Portland Generating Station in Northampton County, Upper Mount 
Bethel Township, Pennsylvania (Portland) significantly contribute to 
nonattainment and interfere with maintenance of the 1-hour 
SO2 national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS) in New 
Jersey.''
    Although the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection 
(NJDEP) modeling analysis submitted with the September 2010 petition 
identified NAAQS violations at receptors in certain counties, the 
purpose of the EPA modeling was not to identify or corroborate the 
entire geographic footprint of the violations in New Jersey. The EPA 
modeling analysis was conducted for the purpose of corroborating the 
existence of NAAQS violations in New Jersey caused by Portland and for 
determining the remedy needed to eliminate all NAAQS violations caused 
by Portland. The EPA modeling thus focused upon identifying only the 
area where the maximum concentration was expected to occur. We used the 
same receptor grid for the final rule as for the proposed rule, which 
was focused on the area of maximum impacts occurring in Warren County, 
New Jersey. The remedy was determined by assessing the emission 
reduction needed to eliminate the maximum modeled violation in New 
Jersey, which occurs in close proximity to Portland in Warren County. 
There was no need to make an assessment of impacts at all locations 
within New Jersey since eliminating the NAAQS violations at the highest 
impacted receptor provided the basis for the remedy which, by its 
nature, would eliminate all modeled violations caused by Portland in 
the entire state. Therefore, the EPA finding pursuant to section 126 of 
the Clean Air Act (the Act) applies to New Jersey generally. The 
proposed revision is consistent with NJDEP's request for a finding that 
emissions from Portland significantly contribute to nonattainment or 
interfere with maintenance of the 1-hour SO2 NAAQS in New 
Jersey. The proposed revision is also consistent with the language in 
sections 110 and 126 of the Act which is phrased such that the 
petitioner can request a finding that a source in one state is 
significantly contributing to nonattainment or interfering with 
maintenance of the NAAQS in another state. The addition of the counties 
was neither necessary nor intentional and did not arise from a request 
from the petitioner or any other commenter.
    The proposed revision will not affect the emission limits, 
increments of progress, compliance schedules, or reporting provisions 
specified in the November 7, 2011 final rule. No adjustments to the 
existing modeling or other technical analyses and no new analyses are 
necessary to make the revisions. Accordingly, we are taking comment 
only on the proposed change to the phrasing used to describe our 
finding based on the analyses conducted for the remedy. The proposed 
revisions do not change the conclusions that the EPA made in the final 
rule. The EPA is requesting comment only on the specific revisions 
proposed herein. The EPA is not reopening or requesting comment on any 
other aspect of the rule published on November 7, 2011, including the 
agency's air quality modeling, interim emission limits, final emission 
limits, increments of progress, rationale for the emission limits, or 
other requirements finalized in the November 7, 2011 rule.

III. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

A. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory Planning and Review and Executive 
Order 13563: Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review

    This action simply revises minor wording errors in the November 7, 
2011 rule. This action corrects a response to a petition that is narrow 
in scope and affects a single facility. This type of action is exempt 
from review under Executive Orders 12866 (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993) 
and 13563 (76 FR 3821, January 21, 2011).

B. Paperwork Reduction Act

    This action does not impose an information collection burden under 
the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq., 
because this proposed rule, if finalized, under section 126 of the CAA 
will not in-and-of itself create any new information collection burdens 
but simply revises minor wording errors in the November 7, 2011, rule. 
These revisions clarify the EPA's finding that Portland significantly 
contributes to nonattainment or interferes with maintenance of the 1-
hour SO2 NAAQS in the State of New Jersey, not in specific 
counties within the state.
    Burden is defined at 5 CFR 1320.3(b).

C. Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) generally requires an agency 
to prepare a regulatory flexibility analysis of any rule subject to 
notice and comment rulemaking requirements under the Administrative 
Procedure Act or any other statute unless the agency certifies that the 
rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial 
number of small entities. Small entities include small businesses, 
small organizations, and small governmental jurisdictions.
    For purposes of assessing the impacts of this rule on small 
entities, small entity is defined as: (1) A small business as defined 
by the Small Business Administration's (SBA) regulations at 13 CFR 
121.201; (2) a small governmental jurisdiction that is a government of 
a city, county, town, school district or special district with a 
population of less than 50,000; and (3) a small organization that is 
any not-for-profit enterprise which is independently owned and operated 
and is not dominant in its field.
    After considering the economic impacts of this proposed rule on 
small entities, I certify that this action will not have a significant 
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. The 
revisions being proposed in this notice do not impose any new 
requirements on small entities. This action simply revises minor 
wording errors in the November 7, 2011, rule. These revisions clarify 
the EPA's finding that Portland significantly contributes to 
nonattainment or interferes with maintenance of the 1-hour 
SO2 NAAQS in the State of New Jersey, and not in specific 
counties within the state.
    We continue to be interested in the potential impacts of the 
proposed rule on small entities and welcome comments on issus related 
to such impacts.

D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

    This action does not contain a federal mandate that may result in 
expenditures of $100 million or more for state, local, and tribal 
governments, in the aggregate, or the private sector in any 1 year. 
This action proposes minor wording revisions to the November 7, 2011, 
final rule in this notice that are not expected to exceed $100 million 
or more for state, local, and tribal governments, in aggregate, or the 
private sector in any 1 year. This action simply revises minor wording 
errors in the November 7, 2011, rule. These revisions clarify the EPA's 
finding that Portland significantly contributes to nonattainment or

[[Page 79578]]

interferes with maintenance of the 1-hour SO2 NAAQS in the 
State of New Jersey, and not in specific counties within the state. 
Thus, this rule is not subject to the requirements of sections 202 or 
205 of UMRA.
    This rule is also not subject to the requirements of section 203 of 
UMRA because it contains no regulatory requirements that might 
significantly or uniquely affect small governments. Again, this action 
simply revises minor wording errors in the November 7, 2011, rule. 
These revisions clarify the EPA's finding that Portland significantly 
contributes to nonattainment or interferes with maintenance of the 1-
hour SO2 NAAQS in the State of New Jersey, not in specific 
counties within the state.

E. Executive Order 13132: Federalism

    This action does not have federalism implications. It will not have 
substantial direct effects on the states, on the relationship between 
the national government and the states, or on the distribution of power 
and responsibilities among the various levels of government, as 
specified in Executive Order 13132. The November 2011 final rule 
primarily affects private industry, and does not impose significant 
economic costs on state or local governments. This action simply 
revises minor wording errors in the November 7, 2011, rule. These 
revisions clarify the EPA's finding that Portland significantly 
contributes to nonattainment or interferes with maintenance of the 1-
hour SO2 NAAQS in the State of New Jersey, and not in 
specific counties within the state. Thus, Executive Order 13132 does 
not apply to this action.
    In the spirit of Executive Order 13132, and consistent with the EPA 
policy to promote communications between the EPA and state and local 
governments, the EPA specifically solicits comment on this proposed 
action from state and local officials.

F. Executive Order 13175: Consultation and Coordination With Indian 
Tribal Governments

    This action does not have tribal implications, as specified in 
Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, November 9, 2000). It will not have 
a substantial direct effect on tribal governments, on the relationship 
between the federal government and Indian tribes, or the distribution 
of power and responsibilities between the federal government and Indian 
tribes. Thus, Executive Order 13175 does not apply to this action. This 
action simply revises minor wording errors in the November 7, 2011, 
rule. These revisions clarify the EPA's finding that Portland 
significantly contributes to nonattainment or interferes with 
maintenance of the 1-hour SO2 NAAQS in the State of New 
Jersey, and not in specific counties within the state.

G. Executive Order 13045: Protection of Children From Environmental 
Health and Safety Risks

    This action is not subject to EO 13045 (62 FR 19885, April 23, 
1997) because it is not economically significant as defined in EO 
12866, and because the Agency does not believe the environmental health 
or safety risks addressed by this action present a disproportionate 
risk to children. This action simply revises minor wording errors in 
the November 7, 2011, rule. These revisions clarify the EPA's finding 
that Portland significantly contributes to nonattainment or interferes 
with maintenance of the 1-hour SO2 NAAQS in the State of New 
Jersey, and not in specific counties within the state.
    The public is invited to submit comments or identify peer-reviewed 
studies and data, which the EPA may not be aware.

H. Executive Order 13211: Actions That Significantly Affect Energy 
Supply, Distribution, or Use

    This action is not subject to Executive Order 13211 (66 FR 28355 
(May 22, 2001)), because it is not a significant regulatory action 
under Executive Order 12866.

I. National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act

    Section 12(d) of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement 
Act of 1995 (``NTTAA''), Public Law No. 104-113, 12(d) (15 U.S.C. 272 
note) directs the EPA to use voluntary consensus standards in its 
regulatory activities unless to do so would be inconsistent with 
applicable law or otherwise impractical. Voluntary consensus standards 
are technical standards (e.g., materials specifications, test methods, 
sampling procedures, and business practices) that are developed or 
adopted by voluntary consensus standards bodies. NTTAA directs the EPA 
to provide Congress, through OMB, explanations when the Agency decides 
not to use available and applicable voluntary consensus standards.
    This proposed rulemaking does not involve technical standards. 
Therefore, the EPA is not considering the use of any voluntary 
consensus standards.

J. Executive Order 12898: Federal Actions To Address Environmental 
Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations

    Executive Order 12898 (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994) establishes 
federal executive policy on environmental justice. Its main provision 
directs federal agencies, to the greatest extent practicable and 
permitted by law, to make environmental justice part of their mission 
by identifying and addressing, as appropriate, disproportionately high 
and adverse human health or environmental effects of their programs, 
policies, and activities on minority populations and low-income 
populations in the United States.
    The EPA has determined that this proposed rule will not have 
disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental 
effects on minority or low-income populations because it increases the 
level of environmental protection for all affected populations without 
having any disproportionately high and adverse human health or 
environmental effects on any population, including any minority or low-
income population. This rule proposes minor revisions to a previously 
promulgated rule. These revisions clarify the EPA's finding that 
Portland significantly contributes to nonattainment or interferes with 
maintenance of the 1-hour SO2 NAAQS in the State of New 
Jersey, and not in specific counties within the state.

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52

    Environmental protection, Administrative practice and procedures, 
Air pollution control, Incorporation by reference, Intergovernmental 
relations, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Sulfur dioxide.

    Dated: December 14, 2011.
Lisa P. Jackson,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2011-32653 Filed 12-21-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
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