Stay of the Effectiveness of Requirements; Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; New Mexico; Federal Implementation Plan for Interstate Transport of Pollution Affecting Visibility and Best Available Retrofit Technology Determination, 41697-41699 [2012-16952]
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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 136 / Monday, July 16, 2012 / Rules and Regulations
(a), (b), (c), (d), and (e) are applicable to
manufacturers, importers, and
processors of this substance.
(2) Limitations or revocation of
certain notification requirements. The
provisions of § 721.185 apply to this
section.
[FR Doc. 2012–17276 Filed 7–13–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 52
[EPA–R06–OAR–2010–0846; FRL–9698–3]
Stay of the Effectiveness of
Requirements; Approval and
Promulgation of Implementation Plans;
New Mexico; Federal Implementation
Plan for Interstate Transport of
Pollution Affecting Visibility and Best
Available Retrofit Technology
Determination
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
The EPA is granting an
administrative stay of the final rule
titled ‘‘Approval and Promulgation of
Implementation Plans; New Mexico;
Federal Implementation Plan for
Interstate Transport of Pollution
Affecting Visibility and Best Available
Retrofit Technology Determination’’
under the authority of the
Administrative Procedure Act (APA) for
90 days. Today’s action reflects this stay
in the Code of Federal Regulations.
DATES: Effective July 16, 2012. 40 CFR
52.1628 is stayed until October 15,
2012.
SUMMARY:
EPA has established a
docket for this action under Docket ID
No. EPA–R06–OAR–2010–0846. All
documents in the docket are listed in
the Federal eRulemaking portal index at
https://www.regulations.gov and are
available either electronically at https://
www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at
EPA Region 6, 1445 Ross Ave., Dallas,
TX, 75202–2733. To inspect the hard
copy materials, please schedule an
appointment during normal business
hours with the contact listed in the FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section.
A reasonable fee may be charged for
copies.
wreier-aviles on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with RULES
ADDRESSES:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Agustin Carbo-Lugo, EPA Region 6,
(214) 665–8037, CarboLugo.Agustin@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Throughout this document wherever
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‘‘we,’’ ‘‘us,’’ ‘‘our,’’ or ‘‘the Agency’’ is
used, we mean the EPA. Unless
otherwise specified, when we say the
‘‘San Juan Generating Station,’’ or
‘‘SJGS,’’ we mean units 1, 2, 3, and 4,
inclusive.
I. Background
On August 22, 2011, the EPA
published a final rule disapproving a
portion of the State Implementation
Plan (SIP) revision received from the
State of New Mexico on September 17,
2007, for the purpose of addressing the
‘‘good neighbor’’ requirements of
section 110(a)(2)(D)(i) of the Clean Air
Act (CAA or Act) for the 1997 8-hour
ozone National Ambient Air Quality
Standards (NAAQS or standards) and
the 1997 fine particulate matter (PM2.5)
NAAQS (the ‘‘NM FIP Rule’’, 76 FR
52388). In that action, EPA disapproved
the New Mexico Interstate Transport SIP
provisions that address the requirement
of section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II) that
emissions from New Mexico sources do
not interfere with measures required in
the SIP of any other state under part C
of the CAA to protect visibility. We
found that New Mexico sources, except
the San Juan Generating Station (SJGS),
were sufficiently controlled to eliminate
interference from those sources with the
visibility programs of other states. EPA
promulgated a Federal Implementation
Plan (FIP) requiring the implementation
of nitrogen oxides (NOX) and sulfur
dioxide (SO2) emission limits necessary
at the San Juan Generating Station to
prevent such interference. This FIP also
addresses the Regional Haze (RH) Best
Available Retrofit Technology (BART)
requirement for NOX for SJGS. In
addition, EPA implemented sulfuric
acid (H2SO4) hourly emission limits at
the SJGS, to minimize the contribution
of this compound to visibility
impairment. Finally, we found that
compliance with the NOX, SO2, and
H2SO4 emission limits must be within 5
years of the effective date of our final
rule consistent with the requirements of
the regional haze regulations.
Petitions for judicial review of the
final rule were subsequently filed in the
United States Court of Appeals for the
Tenth Circuit. The petitioners bringing
those challenges are WildEarth
Guardians, Public Service of New
Mexico (PNM), and New Mexico
Governor Susana Martinez with the
New Mexico Environment Department.
By a letter to the EPA Administrator,
dated April 26, 2012, the Governor of
New Mexico requested ‘‘a short term
(90-day) stay’’ of the federal
implementation plan to evaluate the
potential for alternatives to the rule
requirements. She presents a stay as
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41697
being necessary for ‘‘meaningful,
productive negotiations’’ that may lead
to an avoidance of litigation. By a letter
to the acting Regional Administrator of
EPA Region 6, dated May 8, 2012, PNM
also requested ‘‘an opportunity to
engage in productive discussions as
proposed by Governor Martinez.’’
We support discussions of any
alternatives to the federal
implementation plan that would be
consistent with regional haze rule
requirements and the requirements of
section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II) of the CAA. If
such an alternative arises through
discussions with the State of New
Mexico, as well as other stakeholders, it
may provide a basis for submittal by the
state of a revised SIP, withdrawal of the
FIP, and the resolution of pending
litigation.
II. Today’s Final Rule
A. Issuance of a Stay and Delay of the
Effectiveness of the NM FIP Rule
Pursuant to section 705 of the APA,
the EPA hereby stays the effectiveness
of the NM FIP Rule for a period of 90
days from the date of publication of this
Federal Register notice. By this action,
we are staying the effectiveness of the
rule published in the Federal Register
on August 22, 2011 (76 FR 52388). This
stay of effectiveness will remain in
place for 90 days from today. This
action adds a note to 40 CFR 52.1628
that there is a 90 day stay of the
effectiveness of the NM FIP Rule, but, in
its substance, it does not alter any future
compliance requirements. There are no
compliance obligations under the terms
of the NM FIP that arise during the 90
day period.
Under section 705 of the APA, ‘‘an
agency * * * may postpone the
effective date of [an] action taken by it
pending judicial review.’’ This source of
authority requires an Agency finding
that ‘‘justice requires’’ a temporary stay
of rule requirements. Accordingly, as
groundwork for the mentioned
discussions among the Agency, the State
of New Mexico, and other stakeholders,
EPA now finds that justice requires a
90-day stay of the rule’s effectiveness.
Our temporary stay of the effectiveness
of the NM FIP Rule applies only to any
requirements established in 40 CFR
52.1628 during the 90-day stay and does
not extend the ultimate compliance
timeframe set out in the rule, which is
a statutory requirement under CAA
section 169A(b)(2)(A). Nevertheless,
EPA intends to undertake a future
rulemaking to either: (1) Extend the
compliance time for the NM FIP to
accommodate the stay; or (2) account for
an alternative proposal. If the
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41698
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 136 / Monday, July 16, 2012 / Rules and Regulations
discussions of new alternatives lead to
an additional regulatory proposal, the
public would have the opportunity to
evaluate and comment on such new
proposal through EPA’s rulemaking
process.
B. Basis for Making This Action
Effective on the Date of Publication
The EPA also believes that there is
good cause to make today’s action
effective immediately, rather than
effective within 30 days, within the
meaning of 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3). One
purpose of the 30-day waiting period
prescribed in 5 U.S.C. 553(d) is to give
affected parties a reasonable time to
adjust their behavior and prepare before
the final action takes effect. Whereas
here, the affected parties are
anticipating this action and requesting
the flexibility it provides, and any delay
in its effectiveness will result in
unnecessary delays for productive
negotiations. Therefore, balancing the
necessity for immediate implementation
against principles of fundamental
fairness, which require that all affected
persons be afforded a reasonable
amount of time to prepare for the
effective date of this action, EPA has
determined that it is unnecessary,
impracticable and contrary to the public
interest to delay this action.
Additionally, since this action does not
‘‘implement, interpret, or prescribe law
or policy,’’ within the meaning of 5
U.S.C. 551(4), nor makes changes to
substantive requirements, EPA
concludes that it does not constitute a
substantive rulemaking. Therefore, it is
not subject to notice and comment
requirements.
III. Statutory and Executive Order
Reviews
A. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory
Planning and Review and Executive
Order 13563: Improving Regulation and
Regulatory Review 13563
This action will stay the effectiveness
of the NM FIP for 90 days and imposes
no additional requirements. 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).
wreier-aviles on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with RULES
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. Under the
Paperwork Reduction Act, a ‘‘collection
of information’’ is defined as a
requirement for ‘‘answers to * * *
identical reporting or recordkeeping
requirements imposed on ten or more
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Jkt 226001
persons * * *’’ 44 U.S.C. 3502(3)(A).
Because the temporary stay is for the
effectiveness of a rule that applies to a
single facility, (SJGS), the Paperwork
Reduction Act does not apply. See 5
CFR part 1320(c).
Burden means the total time, effort, or
financial resources expended by persons
to generate, maintain, retain, or disclose
or provide information to or for a
Federal agency. This includes the time
needed to review instructions; develop,
acquire, install, and utilize technology
and systems for the purposes of
collecting, validating, and verifying
information, processing and
maintaining information, and disclosing
and providing information; adjust the
existing ways to comply with any
previously applicable instructions and
requirements; train personnel to be able
to respond to a collection of
information; search data sources;
complete and review the collection of
information; and transmit or otherwise
disclose the information.
An agency may not conduct or
sponsor, and a person is not required to
respond to a collection of information
unless it displays a currently valid OMB
control number. The OMB control
numbers for our regulations in 40 CFR
are listed in 40 CFR part 9.
C. Regulatory Flexibility Act
This action is not subject to the
Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA), which
generally requires an agency to prepare
a regulatory flexibility analysis for any
rule that will have a significant
economic impact on a substantial
number of small entities. The RFA
applies only to rules subject to notice
and comment rulemaking requirements
under the APA or any other statute. This
action is not subject to notice and
comment requirements under the APA
or any other statute because, although
subject to the APA, this action does not
‘‘implement, interpret, or prescribe law
or policy,’’ within the meaning of APA
§ 551(4).
D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
(UMRA)
This action contains no Federal
mandates under the provisions of Title
II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform
Act of 1995 (UMRA), 2 U.S.C. 1531–
1538 for State, local, or tribal
governments or the private sector. EPA
has determined that this temporary stay
does not contain a Federal mandate that
may result in expenditures that exceed
the inflation-adjusted UMRA threshold
of $100 million by State, local, or Tribal
governments or the private sector in any
1-year. Therefore, this action is not
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subject to the requirements of sections
202 or 205 of the UMRA.
This action 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. This
action stays the effectiveness of the NM
FIP for 90 days and imposes no
additional regulatory requirements.
E. Executive Order 13132: Federalism
This temporary stay 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. This action
merely temporarily stays the
effectiveness of a final rule. Thus,
Executive Order 13132 does not apply
to this action.
F. Executive Order 13175: Consultation
and Coordination With Indian Tribal
Governments
EPA will consult and coordinate with
Tribes regarding BART alternatives
during the stay, however, this temporary
stay does not have tribal implications as
specified by Executive Order 13175 (65
FR 67249, November 9, 2000), because
it neither imposes substantial direct
compliance costs on tribal governments,
nor preempts tribal law. Furthermore,
this action does not ‘‘implement,
interpret, or prescribe law or policy,’’
within the meaning of 5 U.S.C. 551(4),
and therefore, it does not constitute a
substantive rulemaking. As such, this
action only grants a 90-day stay of the
effectiveness of the NM FIP Rule
without altering any future established
compliance requirements. Therefore, the
requirements of section 5(b) and 5(c) of
the Executive Order do not apply to this
action.
G. Executive Order 13045: Protection of
Children From Environmental Health
Risks and Safety Risks
This temporary stay is not subject to
Executive Order 13045 because it is not
a rule of general applicability, it is not
economically significant as defined
under Executive Order 12866, and does
not have a disproportionate effect on
children.
Executive Order 13045: Protection of
Children from Environmental Health
Risks and Safety Risks (62 FR 19885,
April 23, 1997), applies to any rule that:
(1) Is determined to be economically
significant as defined under Executive
Order 12866, and (2) concerns an
environmental health or safety risk that
E:\FR\FM\16JYR1.SGM
16JYR1
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 136 / Monday, July 16, 2012 / Rules and Regulations
EPA has reason to believe may have a
disproportionate effect on children. If
the regulatory action meets both criteria,
the Agency must evaluate the
environmental health or safety effects of
the planned rule on children, and
explain why the planned regulation is
preferable to other potentially effective
and reasonably feasible alternatives
considered by the Agency.
H. Executive Order 13211: Actions
Concerning Regulations 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
This temporary stay is not subject to
the National Technology Transfer and
Advancement Act of 1995 (‘‘NTTAA’’).
Section 12(d) of the NTTAA, Public Law
104–113, 12(d) (15 U.S.C. 272 note),
directs EPA to use voluntary consensus
standards in its regulatory activities
unless to do so would be inconsistent
with applicable law or otherwise
impractical. Voluntary consensus
standards are technical standards (e.g.,
materials specifications, test methods,
sampling procedures, and business
practices) that are developed or adopted
by voluntary consensus standards
bodies. NTTAA directs EPA to provide
Congress, through OMB, explanations
when the Agency decides not to use
available and applicable voluntary
consensus standards.
This action does not involve technical
standards. Therefore, EPA did not
consider the use of any voluntary
consensus standards.
wreier-aviles on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with RULES
J. Executive Order 12898: Federal
Actions to Address Environmental
Justice in Minority Populations and
Low-Income Populations
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14:23 Jul 13, 2012
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EPA has determined that this action
will not have disproportionately high
and adverse human health or
environmental effects on minority or
low-income populations because it does
not change the substance of 40 CFR
52.1628.
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
K. Congressional Review Act
RIN 2126–AB41
This action is not subject to the
Congressional Review Act (‘‘CRA’’). The
CRA, 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. The Section 804(3) of the
CRA defines ‘‘rule’’ as having the same
meaning given to such term in section
551 of the APA. See 5 U.S.C. 551(4).
Since this action is not designed to
implement, interpret, or prescribe law
or policy, within the meaning of APA,
this action is exempted from the
reporting requirements of the CRA.
Transportation of Household Goods in
Interstate Commerce; Consumer
Protection Regulations: Household
Goods Motor Carrier Record Retention
Requirements
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52
Environmental protection, Air
pollution control, Best available control
technology, Incorporation by reference,
Intergovernmental relations, Interstate
transport of pollution, Nitrogen dioxide,
Ozone, Particulate matter, Regional
haze, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Sulfur dioxide, Visibility.
Dated: July 2, 2012.
Lisa P. Jackson,
Administrator.
Title 40, chapter I, of the Code of
Federal Regulations is amended as
follows:
PART 52—[AMENDED]
1. The authority citation for part 52
continues to read as follows:
■
This temporary stay is not subject to
Executive Order 12898. 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.
41699
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
2. Effective July 16, 2012, 40 CFR
52.1628 is stayed until October 15,
2012.
■
[FR Doc. 2012–16952 Filed 7–13–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
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Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration
49 CFR Part 375
[Docket No. FMCSA–2011–0313]
Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration (FMCSA), DOT.
ACTION: Direct final rule; request for
comments.
AGENCY:
FMCSA amends the
regulations governing the period during
which household goods (HHG) motor
carriers must retain documentation of
an individual shipper’s waiver of
receipt of printed copies of consumer
protection materials. This change
harmonizes the retention period with
other document retention requirements
applicable to HHG motor carriers.
FMCSA also amends the regulations to
clarify that a HHG motor carrier is not
required to retain waiver documentation
from any individual shippers for whom
the carrier does not actually provide
services. This rule responds to a petition
filed by the American Moving and
Storage Association (AMSA).
DATES: This final rule is effective
November 13, 2012, unless an adverse
comment, or notice of intent to submit
an adverse comment, is either submitted
to the above docket via https://
www.regulations.gov on or before
August 15, 2012 or reaches the Docket
Management Facility by that date. If an
adverse comment, or notice of intent to
submit an adverse comment, is received
by August 15, 2012, we will withdraw
this direct final rule and publish a
timely notice of withdrawal in the
Federal Register.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
identified by docket number FMCSA–
2011–0313 using any one of the
following methods:
(1) Federal eRulemaking Portal:
https://www.regulations.gov.
(2) Fax: 202–493–2251.
(3) Mail: Docket Management Facility
(M–30) West Building Ground Floor
Room W12–140, U.S. Department of
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey
Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590–
0001.
(4) Hand Delivery: Same as mail
address above, between 9 a.m. and
5 p.m., E.T., Monday through Friday,
SUMMARY:
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 136 (Monday, July 16, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 41697-41699]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-16952]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 52
[EPA-R06-OAR-2010-0846; FRL-9698-3]
Stay of the Effectiveness of Requirements; Approval and
Promulgation of Implementation Plans; New Mexico; Federal
Implementation Plan for Interstate Transport of Pollution Affecting
Visibility and Best Available Retrofit Technology Determination
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The EPA is granting an administrative stay of the final rule
titled ``Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; New Mexico;
Federal Implementation Plan for Interstate Transport of Pollution
Affecting Visibility and Best Available Retrofit Technology
Determination'' under the authority of the Administrative Procedure Act
(APA) for 90 days. Today's action reflects this stay in the Code of
Federal Regulations.
DATES: Effective July 16, 2012. 40 CFR 52.1628 is stayed until October
15, 2012.
ADDRESSES: EPA has established a docket for this action under Docket ID
No. EPA-R06-OAR-2010-0846. All documents in the docket are listed in
the Federal eRulemaking portal index at https://www.regulations.gov and
are available either electronically at https://www.regulations.gov or in
hard copy at EPA Region 6, 1445 Ross Ave., Dallas, TX, 75202-2733. To
inspect the hard copy materials, please schedule an appointment during
normal business hours with the contact listed in the FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT section. A reasonable fee may be charged for
copies.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Agustin Carbo-Lugo, EPA Region 6,
(214) 665-8037, Carbo-Lugo.Agustin@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Throughout this document wherever ``we,''
``us,'' ``our,'' or ``the Agency'' is used, we mean the EPA. Unless
otherwise specified, when we say the ``San Juan Generating Station,''
or ``SJGS,'' we mean units 1, 2, 3, and 4, inclusive.
I. Background
On August 22, 2011, the EPA published a final rule disapproving a
portion of the State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision received from
the State of New Mexico on September 17, 2007, for the purpose of
addressing the ``good neighbor'' requirements of section
110(a)(2)(D)(i) of the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act) for the 1997 8-hour
ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS or standards) and
the 1997 fine particulate matter (PM2.5) NAAQS (the ``NM FIP
Rule'', 76 FR 52388). In that action, EPA disapproved the New Mexico
Interstate Transport SIP provisions that address the requirement of
section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II) that emissions from New Mexico sources do
not interfere with measures required in the SIP of any other state
under part C of the CAA to protect visibility. We found that New Mexico
sources, except the San Juan Generating Station (SJGS), were
sufficiently controlled to eliminate interference from those sources
with the visibility programs of other states. EPA promulgated a Federal
Implementation Plan (FIP) requiring the implementation of nitrogen
oxides (NOX) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission
limits necessary at the San Juan Generating Station to prevent such
interference. This FIP also addresses the Regional Haze (RH) Best
Available Retrofit Technology (BART) requirement for NOX for
SJGS. In addition, EPA implemented sulfuric acid
(H2SO4) hourly emission limits at the SJGS, to
minimize the contribution of this compound to visibility impairment.
Finally, we found that compliance with the NOX,
SO2, and H2SO4 emission limits must be
within 5 years of the effective date of our final rule consistent with
the requirements of the regional haze regulations.
Petitions for judicial review of the final rule were subsequently
filed in the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. The
petitioners bringing those challenges are WildEarth Guardians, Public
Service of New Mexico (PNM), and New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez
with the New Mexico Environment Department.
By a letter to the EPA Administrator, dated April 26, 2012, the
Governor of New Mexico requested ``a short term (90-day) stay'' of the
federal implementation plan to evaluate the potential for alternatives
to the rule requirements. She presents a stay as being necessary for
``meaningful, productive negotiations'' that may lead to an avoidance
of litigation. By a letter to the acting Regional Administrator of EPA
Region 6, dated May 8, 2012, PNM also requested ``an opportunity to
engage in productive discussions as proposed by Governor Martinez.''
We support discussions of any alternatives to the federal
implementation plan that would be consistent with regional haze rule
requirements and the requirements of section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II) of the
CAA. If such an alternative arises through discussions with the State
of New Mexico, as well as other stakeholders, it may provide a basis
for submittal by the state of a revised SIP, withdrawal of the FIP, and
the resolution of pending litigation.
II. Today's Final Rule
A. Issuance of a Stay and Delay of the Effectiveness of the NM FIP Rule
Pursuant to section 705 of the APA, the EPA hereby stays the
effectiveness of the NM FIP Rule for a period of 90 days from the date
of publication of this Federal Register notice. By this action, we are
staying the effectiveness of the rule published in the Federal Register
on August 22, 2011 (76 FR 52388). This stay of effectiveness will
remain in place for 90 days from today. This action adds a note to 40
CFR 52.1628 that there is a 90 day stay of the effectiveness of the NM
FIP Rule, but, in its substance, it does not alter any future
compliance requirements. There are no compliance obligations under the
terms of the NM FIP that arise during the 90 day period.
Under section 705 of the APA, ``an agency * * * may postpone the
effective date of [an] action taken by it pending judicial review.''
This source of authority requires an Agency finding that ``justice
requires'' a temporary stay of rule requirements. Accordingly, as
groundwork for the mentioned discussions among the Agency, the State of
New Mexico, and other stakeholders, EPA now finds that justice requires
a 90-day stay of the rule's effectiveness. Our temporary stay of the
effectiveness of the NM FIP Rule applies only to any requirements
established in 40 CFR 52.1628 during the 90-day stay and does not
extend the ultimate compliance timeframe set out in the rule, which is
a statutory requirement under CAA section 169A(b)(2)(A). Nevertheless,
EPA intends to undertake a future rulemaking to either: (1) Extend the
compliance time for the NM FIP to accommodate the stay; or (2) account
for an alternative proposal. If the
[[Page 41698]]
discussions of new alternatives lead to an additional regulatory
proposal, the public would have the opportunity to evaluate and comment
on such new proposal through EPA's rulemaking process.
B. Basis for Making This Action Effective on the Date of Publication
The EPA also believes that there is good cause to make today's
action effective immediately, rather than effective within 30 days,
within the meaning of 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3). One purpose of the 30-day
waiting period prescribed in 5 U.S.C. 553(d) is to give affected
parties a reasonable time to adjust their behavior and prepare before
the final action takes effect. Whereas here, the affected parties are
anticipating this action and requesting the flexibility it provides,
and any delay in its effectiveness will result in unnecessary delays
for productive negotiations. Therefore, balancing the necessity for
immediate implementation against principles of fundamental fairness,
which require that all affected persons be afforded a reasonable amount
of time to prepare for the effective date of this action, EPA has
determined that it is unnecessary, impracticable and contrary to the
public interest to delay this action. Additionally, since this action
does not ``implement, interpret, or prescribe law or policy,'' within
the meaning of 5 U.S.C. 551(4), nor makes changes to substantive
requirements, EPA concludes that it does not constitute a substantive
rulemaking. Therefore, it is not subject to notice and comment
requirements.
III. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
A. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory Planning and Review and Executive
Order 13563: Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review 13563
This action will stay the effectiveness of the NM FIP for 90 days
and imposes no additional requirements. 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.
Under the Paperwork Reduction Act, a ``collection of information'' is
defined as a requirement for ``answers to * * * identical reporting or
recordkeeping requirements imposed on ten or more persons * * *'' 44
U.S.C. 3502(3)(A). Because the temporary stay is for the effectiveness
of a rule that applies to a single facility, (SJGS), the Paperwork
Reduction Act does not apply. See 5 CFR part 1320(c).
Burden means the total time, effort, or financial resources
expended by persons to generate, maintain, retain, or disclose or
provide information to or for a Federal agency. This includes the time
needed to review instructions; develop, acquire, install, and utilize
technology and systems for the purposes of collecting, validating, and
verifying information, processing and maintaining information, and
disclosing and providing information; adjust the existing ways to
comply with any previously applicable instructions and requirements;
train personnel to be able to respond to a collection of information;
search data sources; complete and review the collection of information;
and transmit or otherwise disclose the information.
An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required
to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a
currently valid OMB control number. The OMB control numbers for our
regulations in 40 CFR are listed in 40 CFR part 9.
C. Regulatory Flexibility Act
This action is not subject to the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA),
which generally requires an agency to prepare a regulatory flexibility
analysis for any rule that will have a significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities. The RFA applies only to rules
subject to notice and comment rulemaking requirements under the APA or
any other statute. This action is not subject to notice and comment
requirements under the APA or any other statute because, although
subject to the APA, this action does not ``implement, interpret, or
prescribe law or policy,'' within the meaning of APA Sec. 551(4).
D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA)
This action contains no Federal mandates under the provisions of
Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA), 2 U.S.C.
1531-1538 for State, local, or tribal governments or the private
sector. EPA has determined that this temporary stay does not contain a
Federal mandate that may result in expenditures that exceed the
inflation-adjusted UMRA threshold of $100 million by State, local, or
Tribal governments or the private sector in any 1-year. Therefore, this
action is not subject to the requirements of sections 202 or 205 of the
UMRA.
This action 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. This action stays
the effectiveness of the NM FIP for 90 days and imposes no additional
regulatory requirements.
E. Executive Order 13132: Federalism
This temporary stay 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. This action merely temporarily
stays the effectiveness of a final rule. Thus, Executive Order 13132
does not apply to this action.
F. Executive Order 13175: Consultation and Coordination With Indian
Tribal Governments
EPA will consult and coordinate with Tribes regarding BART
alternatives during the stay, however, this temporary stay does not
have tribal implications as specified by Executive Order 13175 (65 FR
67249, November 9, 2000), because it neither imposes substantial direct
compliance costs on tribal governments, nor preempts tribal law.
Furthermore, this action does not ``implement, interpret, or prescribe
law or policy,'' within the meaning of 5 U.S.C. 551(4), and therefore,
it does not constitute a substantive rulemaking. As such, this action
only grants a 90-day stay of the effectiveness of the NM FIP Rule
without altering any future established compliance requirements.
Therefore, the requirements of section 5(b) and 5(c) of the Executive
Order do not apply to this action.
G. Executive Order 13045: Protection of Children From Environmental
Health Risks and Safety Risks
This temporary stay is not subject to Executive Order 13045 because
it is not a rule of general applicability, it is not economically
significant as defined under Executive Order 12866, and does not have a
disproportionate effect on children.
Executive Order 13045: Protection of Children from Environmental
Health Risks and Safety Risks (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997), applies to
any rule that: (1) Is determined to be economically significant as
defined under Executive Order 12866, and (2) concerns an environmental
health or safety risk that
[[Page 41699]]
EPA has reason to believe may have a disproportionate effect on
children. If the regulatory action meets both criteria, the Agency must
evaluate the environmental health or safety effects of the planned rule
on children, and explain why the planned regulation is preferable to
other potentially effective and reasonably feasible alternatives
considered by the Agency.
H. Executive Order 13211: Actions Concerning Regulations 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
This temporary stay is not subject to the National Technology
Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (``NTTAA''). Section 12(d) of the
NTTAA, Public Law 104-113, 12(d) (15 U.S.C. 272 note), directs EPA to
use voluntary consensus standards in its regulatory activities unless
to do so would be inconsistent with applicable law or otherwise
impractical. Voluntary consensus standards are technical standards
(e.g., materials specifications, test methods, sampling procedures, and
business practices) that are developed or adopted by voluntary
consensus standards bodies. NTTAA directs EPA to provide Congress,
through OMB, explanations when the Agency decides not to use available
and applicable voluntary consensus standards.
This action does not involve technical standards. Therefore, EPA
did not consider the use of any voluntary consensus standards.
J. Executive Order 12898: Federal Actions to Address Environmental
Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations
This temporary stay is not subject to Executive Order 12898.
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.
EPA has determined that this action will not have
disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental
effects on minority or low-income populations because it does not
change the substance of 40 CFR 52.1628.
K. Congressional Review Act
This action is not subject to the Congressional Review Act
(``CRA''). The CRA, 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. The Section 804(3) of the CRA defines ``rule'' as having
the same meaning given to such term in section 551 of the APA. See 5
U.S.C. 551(4). Since this action is not designed to implement,
interpret, or prescribe law or policy, within the meaning of APA, this
action is exempted from the reporting requirements of the CRA.
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52
Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Best available
control technology, Incorporation by reference, Intergovernmental
relations, Interstate transport of pollution, Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone,
Particulate matter, Regional haze, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Sulfur dioxide, Visibility.
Dated: July 2, 2012.
Lisa P. Jackson,
Administrator.
Title 40, chapter I, of the Code of Federal Regulations is amended
as follows:
PART 52--[AMENDED]
0
1. The authority citation for part 52 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
0
2. Effective July 16, 2012, 40 CFR 52.1628 is stayed until October 15,
2012.
[FR Doc. 2012-16952 Filed 7-13-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P