Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; Mississippi; 110(a)(2)(G) Infrastructure Requirement for the 1997 and 2006 Fine Particulate Matter National Ambient Air Quality Standards, 61279-61281 [2012-24628]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 195 / Tuesday, October 9, 2012 / Rules and Regulations (2) Infrastructure Requirements for the 2006 Fine Particulate Matter National Ambient Air Quality Standards’’ at the end of the table to read as follows: § 52.1270 * 61279 Identification of plan. * * (e) * * * * * EPA-APPROVED MISSISSIPPI NON-REGULATORY PROVISIONS Applicable geographic or nonattainment area Name of nonregulatory SIP provision State submittal date/effective date EPA approval date Explanation * * 110(a)(1) and (2) Infrastructure Requirements for 1997 Fine Particulate Matter National Ambient Air Quality Standards. 110(a)(1) and (2) Infrastructure Requirements for 2006 Fine Particulate Matter National Ambient Air Quality Standards. * Mississippi ............. * 12/7/2007 * 10/9/2012 [Insert citation of publication]. * * With the exception of sections 110(a)(2)(D)(i), 110(a)(2)(E)(ii) and 110(a)(2)(G). Mississippi ............. 10/6/2009 10/9/2012 [Insert citation of publication]. With the exception of sections 110(a)(2)(D)(i), 110(a)(2)(E)(ii) and 110(a)(2)(G). [FR Doc. 2012–24631 Filed 10–5–12; 8:45 am] DATES: BILLING CODE 6560–50–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 40 CFR Part 52 [EPA–R04–OAR–2012–0238; FRL–9738–6] Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; Mississippi; 110(a)(2)(G) Infrastructure Requirement for the 1997 and 2006 Fine Particulate Matter National Ambient Air Quality Standards Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Final rule. AGENCY: EPA is taking final action to approve the State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision, submitted by the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, on July 26, 2012. This SIP revision was submitted to address Clean Air Act (CAA or Act) section 110(a)(2)(G). Specifically, EPA is approving Mississippi’s July 26, 2012, submission addressing section 110(a)(2)(G), of the CAA for both the 1997 and 2006 fine particulate matter (PM2.5) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). Section 110(a) of the CAA requires that each state adopt and submit a SIP for the implementation, maintenance, and enforcement of each NAAQS promulgated by the EPA, which is commonly referred to as an ‘‘infrastructure’’ SIP. The subject of this notice is limited to infrastructure element 110(a)(2)(G). All other applicable Mississippi infrastructure elements are being addressed in a separate rulemakings. wreier-aviles on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with RULES SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:00 Oct 05, 2012 Jkt 229001 Effective Date: This rule will be effective on November 8, 2012. ADDRESSES: EPA has established a docket for this action under Docket Identification No. EPA–R04–OAR– 2012–0238. All documents in the docket are listed on the www.regulations.gov Web site. Although listed in the index, some information is not publicly available, i.e., Confidential Business Information or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Certain other material, such as copyrighted material, is not placed on the Internet and will be publicly available only in hard copy form. Publicly available docket materials are available either electronically through www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at the Regulatory Development Section, Air Planning Branch, Air, Pesticides and Toxics Management Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 4, 61 Forsyth Street SW., Atlanta, Georgia 30303–8960. EPA requests that if at all possible, you contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section to schedule your inspection. The Regional Office’s official hours of business are Monday through Friday, 8:30 to 4:30 excluding Federal holidays. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sean Lakeman, Regulatory Development Section, Air Planning Branch, Air, Pesticides and Toxics Management Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 4, 61 Forsyth Street SW., Atlanta, Georgia 30303–8960. The telephone number is (404) 562–9043. Mr. Lakeman can be reached via electronic mail at lakeman.sean@epa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Table of Contents I. Background PO 00000 Frm 00051 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 II. This Action III. Final Action IV. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews I. Background Upon promulgation of a new or revised NAAQS, sections 110(a)(1) and (2) of the CAA require states to address basic SIP requirements, including emissions inventories, monitoring, and modeling to assure attainment and maintenance for that new NAAQS. On July 18, 1997 (62 FR 38652), EPA promulgated a new annual PM2.5 NAAQS and on October 17, 2006 (71 FR 61144), EPA promulgated a new 24-hour NAAQS. On July 31, 2012, EPA proposed to approve Mississippi’s submission addressing section 110(a)(2)(G). A summary of the background for today’s final action is provided below. See EPA’s July 31, 2012, proposed rulemaking at 77 FR 45320 for more detail. Section 110(a) of the CAA requires states to submit SIPs to provide for the implementation, maintenance, and enforcement of a new or revised NAAQS within three years following the promulgation of such NAAQS, or within such shorter period as EPA may prescribe. Section 110(a) imposes the obligation upon states to make a SIP submission to EPA for a new or revised NAAQS, but the contents of that submission may vary depending upon the facts and circumstances. The data and analytical tools available at the time the state develops and submits the SIP for a new or revised NAAQS affects the content of the submission. The contents of such SIP submissions may also vary depending upon what provisions the state’s existing SIP already contains. In the case of the 1997 annual and 2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS, states typically have met the basic program elements required in section 110(a)(2) through E:\FR\FM\09OCR1.SGM 09OCR1 61280 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 195 / Tuesday, October 9, 2012 / Rules and Regulations wreier-aviles on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with RULES earlier SIP submissions in connection with previous PM NAAQS. More specifically, section 110(a)(1) provides the procedural and timing requirements for SIPs. Section 110(a)(2) lists specific elements that states must meet for ‘‘infrastructure’’ SIP requirements related to a newly established or revised NAAQS. As already mentioned, these requirements include SIP infrastructure elements such as modeling, monitoring, and emissions inventories that are designed to assure attainment and maintenance of the NAAQS. However, EPA is only addressing element 110(a)(2)(G) in this action. II. This Action EPA is taking final action to approve Mississippi’s infrastructure submission as demonstrating that the State meets the applicable requirements of section 110(a)(2)(G) of the CAA for the 1997 annual and 2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS. Section 110(a) of the CAA requires that each state adopt and submit a SIP for the implementation, maintenance, and enforcement of each NAAQS promulgated by the EPA, which is commonly referred to as an ‘‘infrastructure’’ SIP. In a draft SIP revision provided to EPA on July 13, 2012, for parallel processing, Mississippi provided public notification of its certification that the Mississippi SIP contains provisions that ensure the 1997 annual and 2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS, as it relates to section 110(a)(2)(G), is implemented, enforced, and maintained in Mississippi. On July 31, 2012, EPA proposed to approve Mississippi’s July 13, 2012, draft SIP revision addressing section 110(a)(2)(G). EPA’s July 31, 2012 (77 FR 45320), proposed approval was contingent upon Mississippi providing EPA with a final SIP revision that was not changed significantly from the July 13, 2012, draft SIP revision. Mississippi provided its final SIP revision on July 26, 2012. There were no significant changes made to the final submittal. All other applicable Mississippi infrastructure elements are being addressed in a separate rulemakings. EPA received one off-topic comment on its July 31, 2012, proposed rulemaking to approve Mississippi’s July 13, 2012, draft SIP revision as meeting the section 110(a)(2)(G) requirements of the CAA for the 1997 annual and 2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS. The Commenter stated that EPA’s PM2.5 standard forces expensive mandates on states and industry and the designation process places a strain on local resources and discourages economic growth and EPA should withdraw the VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:00 Oct 05, 2012 Jkt 229001 PM2.5 standard. Also, the Commenter stated that EPA should consider public interest prior to entering into consent decrees. This comment does not appear to be related to the issues presented in the proposed rulemaking, and instead, appears related to a wholly separate topic—promulgation of the PM NAAQS. Promulgations of NAAQS involve public comment opportunities, and that would be the time to raise concerns specific to a particular NAAQS. Additionally, with regard to Commenter’s general statement about consent decrees, although it is not clear to which specific consent decree Commenter is referring, the CAA does provide for opportunities for public input regarding certain consent decrees. EPA does not interpret these comments as relevant to the topic of EPA’s July 31, 2012, proposed action, which proposed approval of Mississippi’s draft SIP revision pertaining to section 110(a)(2)(G) infrastructure requirements for the existing 1997 annual and 2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS. Instead, EPA interprets these comments as being off-topic and outside of the scope of today’s final rulemaking. Mississippi’s infrastructure submission regarding section 110(a)(2)(G), provided to EPA on July 26, 2012, in final form, addressed the 110(a)(2)(G) requirements for the 1997 annual and 2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS. EPA has determined that Mississippi’s July 26, 2012, submission is consistent with section 110 of the CAA. III. Final Action As already described, Mississippi has addressed section 110(a)(2)(G) requirements pursuant to EPA’s October 2, 2007, guidance to ensure that 1997 annual and 2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS are implemented, enforced, and maintained in Mississippi. EPA is taking final action to approve Mississippi’s July 26, 2012, submission for 1997 annual and 2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS because the submission is consistent with section 110 of the CAA. Today’s action is not approving any specific rule, but rather making a determination that Mississippi’s already approved SIP meets certain CAA requirements. IV. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews Under the CAA, the Administrator is required to approve a SIP submission that complies with the provisions of the Act and applicable federal regulations. 42 U.S.C. 7410(k); 40 CFR 52.02(a). Thus, in reviewing SIP submissions, PO 00000 Frm 00052 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 EPA’s role is to approve state choices, provided that they meet the criteria of the CAA. Accordingly, this action merely approves state law as meeting federal requirements and does not impose additional requirements beyond those imposed by state law. For that reason, this action: • Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory action’’ subject to review by the Office of Management and Budget under Executive Order 12866 (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993); • Does not impose an information collection burden under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.); • Is certified as not having a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.); • Does not contain any unfunded mandate or significantly or uniquely affect small governments, as described in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–4); • Does not have Federalism implications as specified in Executive Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10, 1999); • Is not an economically significant regulatory action based on health or safety risks subject to Executive Order 13045 (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997); • Is not a significant regulatory action subject to Executive Order 13211 (66 FR 28355, May 22, 2001); • Is not subject to requirements of Section 12(d) of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272 note) because application of those requirements would be inconsistent with the CAA; and • Does not provide EPA with the discretionary authority to address, as appropriate, disproportionate human health or environmental effects, using practicable and legally permissible methods, under Executive Order 12898 (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994). In addition, this rule does not have tribal implications as specified by Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, November 9, 2000), because the SIP is not approved to apply in Indian country, and EPA notes that it will not impose substantial direct costs on tribal governments or preempt tribal law. The Congressional Review Act, 5 U.S.C. 801 et seq., as added by the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, generally provides that before a rule may take effect, the agency promulgating the rule must submit a rule report, which includes a copy of the rule, to each House of the Congress and to the Comptroller General E:\FR\FM\09OCR1.SGM 09OCR1 61281 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 195 / Tuesday, October 9, 2012 / Rules and Regulations of the United States. EPA will submit a report containing this action and other required information to the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of Representatives, and the Comptroller General of the United States prior to publication of the rule in the Federal Register. A major rule cannot take effect until 60 days after it is published in the Federal Register. This action is not a ‘‘major rule’’ as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2). Under section 307(b)(1) of the CAA, petitions for judicial review of this action must be filed in the United States Court of Appeals for the appropriate circuit by December 10, 2012. Filing a petition for reconsideration by the Administrator of this final rule does not affect the finality of this action for the purposes of judicial review nor does it extend the time within which a petition for judicial review may be filed, and shall not postpone the effectiveness of such rule or action. This action may not be challenged later in proceedings to enforce its requirements. See section 307(b)(2). PART 52—APPROVAL AND PROMULGATION OF IMPLEMENTATION PLANS 1. The authority citation for part 52 continues to read as follows: ■ Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq. List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52 Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Incorporation by reference, Intergovernmental relations, Nitrogen dioxide, Particulate Matter, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Volatile organic compounds. Subpart Z—Mississippi 2. Section 52.1270 paragraph (e), is amended by adding a new entry for ‘‘110(a)(2)(G) Infrastructure Requirement for the 1997 and 2006 Fine Particulate Matter National Ambient Air Quality Standards’’ at the end of the table to read as follows: ■ Dated: September 25, 2012. A. Stanley Meiburg, Acting Regional Administrator, Region 4. § 52.1270 * 40 CFR part 52 is amended as follows: Identification of plan. * * (e) * * * * * EPA-APPROVED MISSISSIPPI NON-REGULATORY PROVISIONS Applicable geographic or nonattainment area Name of nonregulatory SIP provision State submittal date/effective date * * * * 110(a)(2)(G) Infrastructure Requirement for the Mississippi .................... 1997 and 2006 Fine Particulate Matter National Ambient Air Quality Standards. [FR Doc. 2012–24628 Filed 10–5–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 40 CFR Part 80 [EPA–HQ–OAR–2012–0223; FRL 9733–3] Regulation of Fuels and Fuel Additives: Modifications to Renewable Fuel Standard and Diesel Sulfur Programs Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Direct final rule. AGENCY: EPA is issuing this direct final rule to amend the definition of heating oil in the Renewable Fuel Standard (‘‘RFS’’ or ‘‘RFS2’’) program under section 211(o) of the Clean Air Act. This amendment will expand the scope of renewable fuels that can generate Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) as heating oil to include fuel oil produced from qualifying renewable biomass that will be used to generate heat to warm buildings or other facilities where people live, work, recreate, or conduct other activities. Fuel oils used to generate process heat, power, or other functions will not be wreier-aviles on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with RULES SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:00 Oct 05, 2012 Jkt 229001 EPA approval date * 7/26/2012 * 10/9/2012 [Insert citation of publication]. included in the amended definition. Producers or importers of fuel oil that meets the amended definition of heating oil will be allowed to generate RINs, provided that the fuel oil meets the other requirements specified in the RFS regulations. This amendment will not modify or limit fuel included in the current definition of heating oil. EPA is also amending the requirements under EPA’s diesel sulfur program related to the sulfur content of locomotive and marine diesel fuel produced by transmix processors. These amendments will allow locomotive and marine diesel fuel produced by transmix processors to meet a maximum 500 parts per million (ppm) sulfur standard provided that; the fuel is used in older technology locomotive and marine engines that do not require 15 ppm sulfur diesel fuel, the fuel is used outside of the Northeast Mid-Atlantic Area, and the fuel is kept segregated from other fuel. These amendments will provide significant regulatory relief for transmix processors while having a neutral or net positive environmental impact. EPA is also amending the fuel marker requirements for 500 ppm sulfur locomotive and marine (LM) diesel fuel to address an oversight in the original rulemaking where the regulations failed to incorporate provisions described in the PO 00000 Frm 00053 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 Explanation * rulemaking preamble to allow for solvent yellow 124 marker to transition out of the distribution system. DATES: This rule is effective on December 10, 2012 without further notice, unless EPA receives adverse comment or a public hearing request by November 8, 2012. If EPA receives a timely adverse comment or a hearing request on the rule or any specific portion of this rule, we will publish a withdrawal of the rule or a specific portion of the rule in the Federal Register informing the public that the rule or portions of the rule with adverse comment will not take effect. If a public hearing is requested, we will publish a notice in the Federal Register announcing the date and location of the hearing at least 14 days prior to the hearing. ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA–HQ– OAR–2012–0223, 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 Air and Radiation Docket ID EPA–HQ–OAR–2012–0223. • Fax: 731–214–4051. • Mail: Air and Radiation Docket, Docket No. EPA–HQ–OAR–2012–0223, E:\FR\FM\09OCR1.SGM 09OCR1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 195 (Tuesday, October 9, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 61279-61281]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-24628]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 52

[EPA-R04-OAR-2012-0238; FRL-9738-6]


Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; Mississippi; 
110(a)(2)(G) Infrastructure Requirement for the 1997 and 2006 Fine 
Particulate Matter National Ambient Air Quality Standards

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: EPA is taking final action to approve the State Implementation 
Plan (SIP) revision, submitted by the Mississippi Department of 
Environmental Quality, on July 26, 2012. This SIP revision was 
submitted to address Clean Air Act (CAA or Act) section 110(a)(2)(G). 
Specifically, EPA is approving Mississippi's July 26, 2012, submission 
addressing section 110(a)(2)(G), of the CAA for both the 1997 and 2006 
fine particulate matter (PM2.5) National Ambient Air Quality 
Standards (NAAQS). Section 110(a) of the CAA requires that each state 
adopt and submit a SIP for the implementation, maintenance, and 
enforcement of each NAAQS promulgated by the EPA, which is commonly 
referred to as an ``infrastructure'' SIP. The subject of this notice is 
limited to infrastructure element 110(a)(2)(G). All other applicable 
Mississippi infrastructure elements are being addressed in a separate 
rulemakings.

DATES: Effective Date: This rule will be effective on November 8, 2012.

ADDRESSES: EPA has established a docket for this action under Docket 
Identification No. EPA-R04-OAR-2012-0238. All documents in the docket 
are listed on the www.regulations.gov Web site. Although listed in the 
index, some information is not publicly available, i.e., Confidential 
Business Information or other information whose disclosure is 
restricted by statute. Certain other material, such as copyrighted 
material, is not placed on the Internet and will be publicly available 
only in hard copy form. Publicly available docket materials are 
available either electronically through www.regulations.gov or in hard 
copy at the Regulatory Development Section, Air Planning Branch, Air, 
Pesticides and Toxics Management Division, U.S. Environmental 
Protection Agency, Region 4, 61 Forsyth Street SW., Atlanta, Georgia 
30303-8960. EPA requests that if at all possible, you contact the 
person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section to 
schedule your inspection. The Regional Office's official hours of 
business are Monday through Friday, 8:30 to 4:30 excluding Federal 
holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sean Lakeman, Regulatory Development 
Section, Air Planning Branch, Air, Pesticides and Toxics Management 
Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 4, 61 Forsyth 
Street SW., Atlanta, Georgia 30303-8960. The telephone number is (404) 
562-9043. Mr. Lakeman can be reached via electronic mail at 
lakeman.sean@epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Table of Contents

I. Background
II. This Action
III. Final Action
IV. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

I. Background

    Upon promulgation of a new or revised NAAQS, sections 110(a)(1) and 
(2) of the CAA require states to address basic SIP requirements, 
including emissions inventories, monitoring, and modeling to assure 
attainment and maintenance for that new NAAQS. On July 18, 1997 (62 FR 
38652), EPA promulgated a new annual PM2.5 NAAQS and on 
October 17, 2006 (71 FR 61144), EPA promulgated a new 24-hour NAAQS. On 
July 31, 2012, EPA proposed to approve Mississippi's submission 
addressing section 110(a)(2)(G). A summary of the background for 
today's final action is provided below. See EPA's July 31, 2012, 
proposed rulemaking at 77 FR 45320 for more detail.
    Section 110(a) of the CAA requires states to submit SIPs to provide 
for the implementation, maintenance, and enforcement of a new or 
revised NAAQS within three years following the promulgation of such 
NAAQS, or within such shorter period as EPA may prescribe. Section 
110(a) imposes the obligation upon states to make a SIP submission to 
EPA for a new or revised NAAQS, but the contents of that submission may 
vary depending upon the facts and circumstances. The data and 
analytical tools available at the time the state develops and submits 
the SIP for a new or revised NAAQS affects the content of the 
submission. The contents of such SIP submissions may also vary 
depending upon what provisions the state's existing SIP already 
contains. In the case of the 1997 annual and 2006 24-hour 
PM2.5 NAAQS, states typically have met the basic program 
elements required in section 110(a)(2) through

[[Page 61280]]

earlier SIP submissions in connection with previous PM NAAQS.
    More specifically, section 110(a)(1) provides the procedural and 
timing requirements for SIPs. Section 110(a)(2) lists specific elements 
that states must meet for ``infrastructure'' SIP requirements related 
to a newly established or revised NAAQS. As already mentioned, these 
requirements include SIP infrastructure elements such as modeling, 
monitoring, and emissions inventories that are designed to assure 
attainment and maintenance of the NAAQS. However, EPA is only 
addressing element 110(a)(2)(G) in this action.

II. This Action

    EPA is taking final action to approve Mississippi's infrastructure 
submission as demonstrating that the State meets the applicable 
requirements of section 110(a)(2)(G) of the CAA for the 1997 annual and 
2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS. Section 110(a) of the CAA requires 
that each state adopt and submit a SIP for the implementation, 
maintenance, and enforcement of each NAAQS promulgated by the EPA, 
which is commonly referred to as an ``infrastructure'' SIP. In a draft 
SIP revision provided to EPA on July 13, 2012, for parallel processing, 
Mississippi provided public notification of its certification that the 
Mississippi SIP contains provisions that ensure the 1997 annual and 
2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS, as it relates to section 
110(a)(2)(G), is implemented, enforced, and maintained in Mississippi.
    On July 31, 2012, EPA proposed to approve Mississippi's July 13, 
2012, draft SIP revision addressing section 110(a)(2)(G). EPA's July 
31, 2012 (77 FR 45320), proposed approval was contingent upon 
Mississippi providing EPA with a final SIP revision that was not 
changed significantly from the July 13, 2012, draft SIP revision. 
Mississippi provided its final SIP revision on July 26, 2012. There 
were no significant changes made to the final submittal. All other 
applicable Mississippi infrastructure elements are being addressed in a 
separate rulemakings.
    EPA received one off-topic comment on its July 31, 2012, proposed 
rulemaking to approve Mississippi's July 13, 2012, draft SIP revision 
as meeting the section 110(a)(2)(G) requirements of the CAA for the 
1997 annual and 2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS. The Commenter 
stated that EPA's PM2.5 standard forces expensive mandates 
on states and industry and the designation process places a strain on 
local resources and discourages economic growth and EPA should withdraw 
the PM2.5 standard. Also, the Commenter stated that EPA 
should consider public interest prior to entering into consent decrees.
    This comment does not appear to be related to the issues presented 
in the proposed rulemaking, and instead, appears related to a wholly 
separate topic--promulgation of the PM NAAQS. Promulgations of NAAQS 
involve public comment opportunities, and that would be the time to 
raise concerns specific to a particular NAAQS. Additionally, with 
regard to Commenter's general statement about consent decrees, although 
it is not clear to which specific consent decree Commenter is 
referring, the CAA does provide for opportunities for public input 
regarding certain consent decrees.
    EPA does not interpret these comments as relevant to the topic of 
EPA's July 31, 2012, proposed action, which proposed approval of 
Mississippi's draft SIP revision pertaining to section 110(a)(2)(G) 
infrastructure requirements for the existing 1997 annual and 2006 24-
hour PM2.5 NAAQS. Instead, EPA interprets these comments as 
being off-topic and outside of the scope of today's final rulemaking.
    Mississippi's infrastructure submission regarding section 
110(a)(2)(G), provided to EPA on July 26, 2012, in final form, 
addressed the 110(a)(2)(G) requirements for the 1997 annual and 2006 
24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS. EPA has determined that Mississippi's 
July 26, 2012, submission is consistent with section 110 of the CAA.

III. Final Action

    As already described, Mississippi has addressed section 
110(a)(2)(G) requirements pursuant to EPA's October 2, 2007, guidance 
to ensure that 1997 annual and 2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS are 
implemented, enforced, and maintained in Mississippi. EPA is taking 
final action to approve Mississippi's July 26, 2012, submission for 
1997 annual and 2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS because the 
submission is consistent with section 110 of the CAA. Today's action is 
not approving any specific rule, but rather making a determination that 
Mississippi's already approved SIP meets certain CAA requirements.

IV. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

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

In addition, this rule does not have tribal implications as specified 
by Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, November 9, 2000), because the 
SIP is not approved to apply in Indian country, and EPA notes that it 
will not impose substantial direct costs on tribal governments or 
preempt tribal law.
    The Congressional Review Act, 5 U.S.C. 801 et seq., as added by the 
Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, generally 
provides that before a rule may take effect, the agency promulgating 
the rule must submit a rule report, which includes a copy of the rule, 
to each House of the Congress and to the Comptroller General

[[Page 61281]]

of the United States. EPA will submit a report containing this action 
and other required information to the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of 
Representatives, and the Comptroller General of the United States prior 
to publication of the rule in the Federal Register. A major rule cannot 
take effect until 60 days after it is published in the Federal 
Register. This action is not a ``major rule'' as defined by 5 U.S.C. 
804(2).
    Under section 307(b)(1) of the CAA, petitions for judicial review 
of this action must be filed in the United States Court of Appeals for 
the appropriate circuit by December 10, 2012. Filing a petition for 
reconsideration by the Administrator of this final rule does not affect 
the finality of this action for the purposes of judicial review nor 
does it extend the time within which a petition for judicial review may 
be filed, and shall not postpone the effectiveness of such rule or 
action. This action may not be challenged later in proceedings to 
enforce its requirements. See section 307(b)(2).

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52

    Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Incorporation by 
reference, Intergovernmental relations, Nitrogen dioxide, Particulate 
Matter, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Volatile organic 
compounds.

    Dated: September 25, 2012.
A. Stanley Meiburg,
Acting Regional Administrator, Region 4.

    40 CFR part 52 is amended as follows:

PART 52--APPROVAL AND PROMULGATION OF IMPLEMENTATION PLANS

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

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

Subpart Z--Mississippi

0
2. Section 52.1270 paragraph (e), is amended by adding a new entry for 
``110(a)(2)(G) Infrastructure Requirement for the 1997 and 2006 Fine 
Particulate Matter National Ambient Air Quality Standards'' at the end 
of the table to read as follows:


Sec.  52.1270  Identification of plan.

* * * * *
    (e) * * *

                               EPA-Approved Mississippi Non-Regulatory Provisions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        Applicable           State
    Name of nonregulatory SIP         geographic or     submittal date/  EPA approval date       Explanation
            provision               nonattainment area  effective date
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
110(a)(2)(G) Infrastructure        Mississippi........       7/26/2012  10/9/2012 [Insert    ...................
 Requirement for the 1997 and                                            citation of
 2006 Fine Particulate Matter                                            publication].
 National Ambient Air Quality
 Standards.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[FR Doc. 2012-24628 Filed 10-5-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
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