Revision of Air Quality Implementation Plan; California; Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District; Stationary Source Permits, 10589-10591 [2013-03249]
Download as PDF
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 31 / Thursday, February 14, 2013 / Proposed Rules
compliance with our 1997 8-hour ozone
standard. Our decision is also based, in
part, on the fact that both nonattainment
areas within the Commonwealth have
attained our 1997 8-hour ozone standard
by their attainment date of June 15, 2010
as noted in Section IV, Proposed Action.
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
IV. Proposed Action
EPA is proposing approval of
Massachusetts’ January 31, 2008 SIP
submittal that demonstrates that the
state has adopted air pollution control
strategies that represent RACT for
purposes of compliance with the 1997
8-hour ozone standard. Additionally, we
are proposing approval of two revised
regulations submitted by Massachusetts
on June 1, 2010: 310 CMR 7.18(8),
‘‘Solvent Metal Degreasing;’’ and 310
CMR 7.24(6), ‘‘Dispensing of Motor
Vehicle Fuel.’’
EPA has evaluated the VOC and NOX
stationary source control regulations
which Massachusetts contends meets
RACT for the 1997 8-hour ozone
standard, and determined that a level of
control consistent with RACT has been
implemented in the state for purposes of
the 1997 ozone standard. We do not
anticipate any difficulties with
enforcing the state’s standards, as EPA
has previously approved the rules
Massachusetts cites as the means by
which RACT is implemented. We have
determined that these regulatory
elements and the resulting reduction in
VOC and NOX emissions from major
sources demonstrate that a RACT level
of control for both pollutants has been
implemented in the state. EPA has
previously determined that
Massachusetts’ two 8-hour ozone
nonattainment areas attained the 1997
ozone standard by their attainment date,
based on quality-assured air monitoring
data. This determination was published
on May 29, 2012 (77 FR 31496) for the
Eastern Massachusetts nonattainment
area, and on June 19, 2012 (77 FR
36404) for the Western Massachusetts
nonattainment area. The improvements
in air quality represented by these clean
data determinations were brought about,
in part, by the RACT program
implemented by Massachusetts.
EPA is soliciting public comments on
the issues discussed in this notice or on
other relevant matters. These comments
will be considered before taking final
action. Interested parties may
participate in the Federal rulemaking
procedure by submitting written
comments to the EPA New England
Regional Office listed in the ADDRESSES
section of this Federal Register.
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:13 Feb 13, 2013
Jkt 229001
10589
V. Statutory and Executive Order
Reviews
costs on tribal governments or preempt
tribal law.
Under the Clean Air Act, 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 Clean Air Act.
Accordingly, this proposed 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 proposed action:
• Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory
action’’ subject to review by the Office
of Management and Budget under
Executive Order 12866 (58 FR 51735,
October 4, 1993);
• Does not impose an information
collection burden under the provisions
of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.);
• Is certified as not having a
significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities
under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5
U.S.C. 601 et seq.);
• Does not contain any unfunded
mandate or significantly or uniquely
affect small governments, as described
in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–4);
• Does not have Federalism
implications as specified in Executive
Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10,
1999);
• Is not an economically significant
regulatory action based on health or
safety risks subject to Executive Order
13045 (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997);
• Is not a significant regulatory action
subject to Executive Order 13211 (66 FR
28355, May 22, 2001);
• Is not subject to requirements of
Section 12(d) of the National
Technology Transfer and Advancement
Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272 note) because
application of those requirements would
be inconsistent with the Clean Air Act;
and
• Does not provide EPA with the
discretionary authority to address, as
appropriate, disproportionate human
health or environmental effects, using
practicable and legally permissible
methods, under Executive Order 12898
(59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994).
In addition, this rule does not have
tribal implications as specified by
Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249,
November 9, 2000), because the SIP is
not approved to apply in Indian country
located in the State, and EPA notes that
it will not impose substantial direct
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52
PO 00000
Frm 00030
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
Environmental protection, Air
pollution control, Carbon monoxide,
Incorporation by reference,
Intergovernmental relations, Lead,
Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone, Particulate
matter, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Sulfur oxides, Volatile
organic compounds.
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
Dated: February 5, 2013.
Ira W. Leighton,
Acting Regional Administrator, EPA Region
1.
[FR Doc. 2013–03472 Filed 2–13–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 52
[EPA–R09–OAR–2013–0064; FRL–9777–7]
Revision of Air Quality Implementation
Plan; California; Sacramento
Metropolitan Air Quality Management
District; Stationary Source Permits
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Proposed rule.
AGENCY:
EPA is proposing to fully
approve two permitting rules submitted
by California as a revision to the
Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality
Management District (SMAQMD or
District) portion of the California State
Implementation Plan (SIP). These rules
were adopted by the SMAQMD to
regulate the construction and
modification of stationary sources of air
pollution within Sacramento County.
EPA is proposing to approve this SIP
revision based on the Agency’s
conclusion that the rules are consistent
with applicable Clean Air Act (CAA)
requirements, policies and guidance.
Final approval of these rules would
make the rules federally enforceable and
correct program deficiencies identified
in a previous EPA rulemaking on July
20, 2011.
DATES: Any comments must arrive by
March 18, 2013.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments,
identified by docket number EPA–R09–
OAR–2013–0064, by one of the
following methods:
1. Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://
www.regulations.gov. Follow the on-line
instructions.
2. Email: R9airpermits@epa.gov.
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\14FEP1.SGM
14FEP1
10590
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 31 / Thursday, February 14, 2013 / Proposed Rules
3. Mail or deliver: Gerardo Rios (Air3), U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency Region IX, 75 Hawthorne Street,
San Francisco, CA 94105–3901.
Instructions: All comments will be
included in the public docket without
change and may be made available
online at https://www.regulations.gov,
including any personal information
provided, unless the comment includes
Confidential Business Information (CBI)
or other information whose disclosure is
restricted by statute. Information that
you consider CBI or otherwise protected
should be clearly identified as such and
should not be submitted through https://
www.regulations.gov or email. https://
www.regulations.gov is an ‘‘anonymous
access’’ system, and EPA will not know
your identity or contact information
unless you provide it in the body of
your comment. If you send email
directly to EPA, your email address will
be automatically captured and included
as part of the public comment. If EPA
cannot read your comment due to
technical difficulties and cannot contact
you for clarification, EPA may not be
able to consider your comment.
Electronic files should avoid the use of
special characters, any form of
encryption, and be free of any defects or
viruses.
Docket: EPA has established a docket
for this action under EPA–R09–OAR–
2013–0064. Generally, documents in the
docket for this action are available
electronically at https://
www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at
EPA Region IX, 75 Hawthorne Street,
San Francisco, California. While all
documents are listed at https://
www.regulations.gov, some information
may be publicly available only at the
hard copy location (e.g., copyrighted
material, large maps, multi-volume
reports), and some may not be publicly
available in either location (e.g., CBI).
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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Laura Yannayon, EPA Region IX, (415)
972–3534, yannayon.laura@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Throughout this document, ‘‘we,’’ ‘‘us’’
and ‘‘our’’ refer to EPA.
Table of Contents
I. The State’s Submittal
A. What rules did the State submit?
B. Are there other versions of these rules?
C. What is the purpose of the submitted
rules?
II. EPA’s Evaluation and Proposed Action
A. How is EPA evaluating the rules?
B. Do the rules meet the evaluation
criteria?
C. Proposed action and request for public
comment.
III. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
I. The State’s Submittal
A. What rules did the State submit?
Table 1 lists the rules addressed by
this proposal, including the dates they
were adopted by the local air agency
and submitted by the California Air
Resources Board (CARB).
TABLE 1—SUBMITTED RULES
Local agency
Rule No.
SMAQMD .................
SMAQMD .................
214
217
Rule title
Amended/Adopted
Federal New Source Review ........................................................
Public Notice Requirements for Permits .......................................
Amended 8/23/12 ......
Adopted 8/23/12 ........
CARB’s SIP submittal includes
evidence of public notice and adoption
of these regulations. We find that the
submittals for SMAQMD Rules 214 and
217 meet the completeness criteria in 40
CFR part 51, appendix V, which must be
met before formal EPA review.
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
B. Are there other versions of these
rules?
EPA approved a previous version of
Rule 214 into the SIP on July 20, 2011
(76 FR 43183). There are no previous
versions of Rule 217 in the SIP.
C. What is the purpose of the submitted
rules?
Section 110(a)(2) of the CAA requires
that each SIP include, among other
things, a preconstruction permit
program to provide for regulation of the
construction and modification of
stationary sources within the areas
covered by the plan as necessary to
assure that the National Ambient Air
Quality Standards (NAAQS) are
achieved, including a permit program as
required in parts C and D of title I of the
CAA. For areas designated as
nonattainment for one or more NAAQS,
the SIP must include preconstruction
permit requirements for new or
modified major stationary sources of
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:13 Feb 13, 2013
Jkt 229001
such nonattainment pollutant(s),
commonly referred to as
‘‘Nonattainment New Source Review’’
or ‘‘NSR.’’ CAA 172(c)(5).
Sacramento County is currently
designated and classified as severe
nonattainment for the 1997 and 2008 8hour ozone NAAQS and moderate
nonattainment for the 24-hour PM10
NAAQS. The area is also designated
nonattainment for the 2006 24-hour
PM2.5 NAAQS. See 40 CFR 81.305.
Therefore, California is required under
part D of title I of the Act to adopt and
implement a SIP-approved NSR
program for the Sacramento area that
applies, at minimum, to new or
modified major stationary sources of the
following pollutants: volatile organic
compounds (VOCs), nitrogen oxides
(NOX), particulate matter of 10 microns
of less (PM10), particular matter of 2.5
microns or less (PM2.5) and sulfur oxides
(SOX).1
Rule 214 (Federal New Source
Review) implements the NSR
requirements under part D of title I of
the CAA for new or modified major
1 VOCs and NO are subject to NSR as precursors
X
to ozone, and NOX and SOX are subject to NSR as
precursors to PM2.5 in Sacramento County. See 40
CFR 51.165(a)(1)(xxxvii)(C).
PO 00000
Frm 00031
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
Submitted
9/26/12
9/26/12
stationary sources of these
nonattainment pollutants within
Sacramento County. Rule 217 (Public
Notice Requirements for Permits)
contains the public notice and other
procedural requirements for issuance of
permits to all minor sources and to new
or modified major sources of
nonattainment pollutants in the
County.2 The SMAQMD amended Rule
214 and adopted Rule 217 to correct
program deficiencies identified by EPA
on July 20, 2011 (76 FR 43183).
II. EPA’s Evaluation and Proposed
Action
A. How is EPA evaluating the rules?
EPA has reviewed the submitted
permitting rules for compliance with the
CAA’s general requirements for SIPs in
CAA section 110(a)(2), EPA’s
regulations for stationary source permit
programs in 40 CFR part 51, subpart I
(‘‘Review of New Sources and
Modifications’’), and the CAA
2 New or modified major stationary sources of air
pollutants for which Sacramento County is
designated attainment or unclassifiable are subject
to separate permitting procedures and requirements
under Rule 203 (Prevention of Significant
Deterioration), which EPA fully approved into the
California SIP on July 20, 2011. See 76 FR 43183.
E:\FR\FM\14FEP1.SGM
14FEP1
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 31 / Thursday, February 14, 2013 / Proposed Rules
requirements for SIP revisions in CAA
section 110(l).3 As explained below,
EPA is proposing to fully approve the
submitted rules.
B. Do the rules meet the evaluation
criteria?
With respect to procedures, CAA
sections 110(a) and 110(l) require that
revisions to a SIP be adopted by the
State after reasonable notice and public
hearing. EPA has promulgated specific
procedural requirements for SIP
revisions in 40 CFR part 51, subpart F.
These requirements include publication
of notices, by prominent advertisement
in the relevant geographic area, of a
public hearing on the proposed
revisions, a public comment period of at
least 30 days, and an opportunity for a
public hearing.
Based on our review of the public
process documentation included in the
SMAQMD’s September 26, 2012 rule
submittals, we find that the State has
provided sufficient evidence of public
notice and opportunity for comment
and public hearings prior to adoption
and submittal of these rules to EPA.
With respect to substantive
requirements, EPA has reviewed the
submitted rules in accordance with the
CAA and regulatory requirements that
apply to NSR permit programs under
part D of title I of the Act and the
general public notice requirements for
stationary source permits in 40 CFR
section 51.161. Based on our evaluation
of these rules, we are proposing to fully
approve Rule 214 as satisfying the CAA
and regulatory requirements for NSR
permit programs in part D of title I of
the Act and EPA’s NSR implementing
regulations in 40 CFR section 51.165 for
new or modified major stationary
sources proposing to locate in
Sacramento County. Additionally, we
are proposing to fully approve Rule 217
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
3 Section 110(l) of the CAA requires SIP revisions
to be subject to reasonable notice and public
hearing prior to adoption and submittal by states to
EPA and prohibits EPA from approving any SIP
revision that would interfere with any applicable
requirement concerning attainment and reasonable
further progress or any other applicable
requirement of the Act.
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:13 Feb 13, 2013
Jkt 229001
as satisfying the general public notice
requirements in 40 CFR 51.161 for both
minor source permits and major source
NSR permits issued in Sacramento
County. Final approval of Rule 214 and
Rule 217 would correct all deficiencies
in SMAQMD’s permit programs
identified in our July 20, 2011 final rule.
See 76 FR 43183. The Technical
Support Document (TSD) for this action
contains a more detailed discussion of
our evaluation.
C. Proposed action and request for
public comment
For the reasons given above and
described more fully in the TSD for this
rulemaking, EPA is proposing to fully
approve Rule 214 and Rule 217 into the
California SIP pursuant to CAA section
110(k)(3). We will accept comments
from the public on this proposal for the
next 30 days.
III. Statutory and Executive Order
Reviews
Under the Clean Air Act, 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 Clean Air Act.
Accordingly, this action merely
proposes to approve State law as
meeting Federal requirements and does
not impose additional requirements
beyond those imposed by State law. For
that reason, this proposed action:
• Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory
action’’ subject to review by the Office
of Management and Budget under
Executive Order 12866 (58 FR 51735,
October 4, 1993);
• Does not impose an information
collection burden under the provisions
of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.);
• Is certified as not having a
significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities
under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5
U.S.C. 601 et seq.);
PO 00000
Frm 00032
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 9990
10591
• 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 Clean Air Act;
and
• Does not provide EPA with the
discretionary authority to address
disproportionate human health or
environmental effects with practical,
appropriate, and legally permissible
methods under Executive Order 12898
(59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994).
In addition, this proposed rule does
not have tribal implications as specified
by Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249,
November 9, 2000), because the SIP is
not approved to apply in Indian country
located in the State, and EPA notes that
it will not impose substantial direct
costs on tribal governments or preempt
tribal law.
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52
Environmental protection, Air
pollution control, Incorporation by
reference, Intergovernmental relations,
Ozone, Particulate matter, Reporting
and recordkeeping requirements,
Volatile organic compounds.
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
Dated: January 29, 2013.
Jared Blumenfeld,
Regional Administrator, Region IX.
[FR Doc. 2013–03249 Filed 2–13–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
E:\FR\FM\14FEP1.SGM
14FEP1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 31 (Thursday, February 14, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 10589-10591]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-03249]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 52
[EPA-R09-OAR-2013-0064; FRL-9777-7]
Revision of Air Quality Implementation Plan; California;
Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District; Stationary
Source Permits
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Proposed rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: EPA is proposing to fully approve two permitting rules
submitted by California as a revision to the Sacramento Metropolitan
Air Quality Management District (SMAQMD or District) portion of the
California State Implementation Plan (SIP). These rules were adopted by
the SMAQMD to regulate the construction and modification of stationary
sources of air pollution within Sacramento County. EPA is proposing to
approve this SIP revision based on the Agency's conclusion that the
rules are consistent with applicable Clean Air Act (CAA) requirements,
policies and guidance. Final approval of these rules would make the
rules federally enforceable and correct program deficiencies identified
in a previous EPA rulemaking on July 20, 2011.
DATES: Any comments must arrive by March 18, 2013.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments, identified by docket number EPA-R09-OAR-
2013-0064, by one of the following methods:
1. Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. Follow
the on-line instructions.
2. Email: R9airpermits@epa.gov.
[[Page 10590]]
3. Mail or deliver: Gerardo Rios (Air-3), U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency Region IX, 75 Hawthorne Street, San Francisco, CA
94105-3901.
Instructions: All comments will be included in the public docket
without change and may be made available online at https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided,
unless the comment includes Confidential Business Information (CBI) or
other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute.
Information that you consider CBI or otherwise protected should be
clearly identified as such and should not be submitted through https://www.regulations.gov or email. https://www.regulations.gov is an
``anonymous access'' system, and EPA will not know your identity or
contact information unless you provide it in the body of your comment.
If you send email directly to EPA, your email address will be
automatically captured and included as part of the public comment. If
EPA cannot read your comment due to technical difficulties and cannot
contact you for clarification, EPA may not be able to consider your
comment. Electronic files should avoid the use of special characters,
any form of encryption, and be free of any defects or viruses.
Docket: EPA has established a docket for this action under EPA-R09-
OAR-2013-0064. Generally, documents in the docket for this action are
available electronically at https://www.regulations.gov or in hard copy
at EPA Region IX, 75 Hawthorne Street, San Francisco, California. While
all documents are listed at https://www.regulations.gov, some
information may be publicly available only at the hard copy location
(e.g., copyrighted material, large maps, multi-volume reports), and
some may not be publicly available in either location (e.g., CBI). 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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Laura Yannayon, EPA Region IX, (415)
972-3534, yannayon.laura@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Throughout this document, ``we,'' ``us'' and
``our'' refer to EPA.
Table of Contents
I. The State's Submittal
A. What rules did the State submit?
B. Are there other versions of these rules?
C. What is the purpose of the submitted rules?
II. EPA's Evaluation and Proposed Action
A. How is EPA evaluating the rules?
B. Do the rules meet the evaluation criteria?
C. Proposed action and request for public comment.
III. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
I. The State's Submittal
A. What rules did the State submit?
Table 1 lists the rules addressed by this proposal, including the
dates they were adopted by the local air agency and submitted by the
California Air Resources Board (CARB).
Table 1--Submitted Rules
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Local agency Rule No. Rule title Amended/Adopted Submitted
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SMAQMD.......................... 214 Federal New Source Amended 8/23/12.............. 9/26/12
Review.
SMAQMD.......................... 217 Public Notice Adopted 8/23/12.............. 9/26/12
Requirements for
Permits.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CARB's SIP submittal includes evidence of public notice and
adoption of these regulations. We find that the submittals for SMAQMD
Rules 214 and 217 meet the completeness criteria in 40 CFR part 51,
appendix V, which must be met before formal EPA review.
B. Are there other versions of these rules?
EPA approved a previous version of Rule 214 into the SIP on July
20, 2011 (76 FR 43183). There are no previous versions of Rule 217 in
the SIP.
C. What is the purpose of the submitted rules?
Section 110(a)(2) of the CAA requires that each SIP include, among
other things, a preconstruction permit program to provide for
regulation of the construction and modification of stationary sources
within the areas covered by the plan as necessary to assure that the
National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) are achieved, including
a permit program as required in parts C and D of title I of the CAA.
For areas designated as nonattainment for one or more NAAQS, the SIP
must include preconstruction permit requirements for new or modified
major stationary sources of such nonattainment pollutant(s), commonly
referred to as ``Nonattainment New Source Review'' or ``NSR.'' CAA
172(c)(5).
Sacramento County is currently designated and classified as severe
nonattainment for the 1997 and 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS and moderate
nonattainment for the 24-hour PM10 NAAQS. The area is also
designated nonattainment for the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS.
See 40 CFR 81.305. Therefore, California is required under part D of
title I of the Act to adopt and implement a SIP-approved NSR program
for the Sacramento area that applies, at minimum, to new or modified
major stationary sources of the following pollutants: volatile organic
compounds (VOCs), nitrogen oxides (NOX), particulate matter
of 10 microns of less (PM10), particular matter of 2.5
microns or less (PM2.5) and sulfur oxides
(SOX).\1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ VOCs and NOX are subject to NSR as precursors to
ozone, and NOX and SOX are subject to NSR as
precursors to PM2.5 in Sacramento County. See 40 CFR
51.165(a)(1)(xxxvii)(C).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rule 214 (Federal New Source Review) implements the NSR
requirements under part D of title I of the CAA for new or modified
major stationary sources of these nonattainment pollutants within
Sacramento County. Rule 217 (Public Notice Requirements for Permits)
contains the public notice and other procedural requirements for
issuance of permits to all minor sources and to new or modified major
sources of nonattainment pollutants in the County.\2\ The SMAQMD
amended Rule 214 and adopted Rule 217 to correct program deficiencies
identified by EPA on July 20, 2011 (76 FR 43183).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ New or modified major stationary sources of air pollutants
for which Sacramento County is designated attainment or
unclassifiable are subject to separate permitting procedures and
requirements under Rule 203 (Prevention of Significant
Deterioration), which EPA fully approved into the California SIP on
July 20, 2011. See 76 FR 43183.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
II. EPA's Evaluation and Proposed Action
A. How is EPA evaluating the rules?
EPA has reviewed the submitted permitting rules for compliance with
the CAA's general requirements for SIPs in CAA section 110(a)(2), EPA's
regulations for stationary source permit programs in 40 CFR part 51,
subpart I (``Review of New Sources and Modifications''), and the CAA
[[Page 10591]]
requirements for SIP revisions in CAA section 110(l).\3\ As explained
below, EPA is proposing to fully approve the submitted rules.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\ Section 110(l) of the CAA requires SIP revisions to be
subject to reasonable notice and public hearing prior to adoption
and submittal by states to EPA and prohibits EPA from approving any
SIP revision that would interfere with any applicable requirement
concerning attainment and reasonable further progress or any other
applicable requirement of the Act.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
B. Do the rules meet the evaluation criteria?
With respect to procedures, CAA sections 110(a) and 110(l) require
that revisions to a SIP be adopted by the State after reasonable notice
and public hearing. EPA has promulgated specific procedural
requirements for SIP revisions in 40 CFR part 51, subpart F. These
requirements include publication of notices, by prominent advertisement
in the relevant geographic area, of a public hearing on the proposed
revisions, a public comment period of at least 30 days, and an
opportunity for a public hearing.
Based on our review of the public process documentation included in
the SMAQMD's September 26, 2012 rule submittals, we find that the State
has provided sufficient evidence of public notice and opportunity for
comment and public hearings prior to adoption and submittal of these
rules to EPA.
With respect to substantive requirements, EPA has reviewed the
submitted rules in accordance with the CAA and regulatory requirements
that apply to NSR permit programs under part D of title I of the Act
and the general public notice requirements for stationary source
permits in 40 CFR section 51.161. Based on our evaluation of these
rules, we are proposing to fully approve Rule 214 as satisfying the CAA
and regulatory requirements for NSR permit programs in part D of title
I of the Act and EPA's NSR implementing regulations in 40 CFR section
51.165 for new or modified major stationary sources proposing to locate
in Sacramento County. Additionally, we are proposing to fully approve
Rule 217 as satisfying the general public notice requirements in 40 CFR
51.161 for both minor source permits and major source NSR permits
issued in Sacramento County. Final approval of Rule 214 and Rule 217
would correct all deficiencies in SMAQMD's permit programs identified
in our July 20, 2011 final rule. See 76 FR 43183. The Technical Support
Document (TSD) for this action contains a more detailed discussion of
our evaluation.
C. Proposed action and request for public comment
For the reasons given above and described more fully in the TSD for
this rulemaking, EPA is proposing to fully approve Rule 214 and Rule
217 into the California SIP pursuant to CAA section 110(k)(3). We will
accept comments from the public on this proposal for the next 30 days.
III. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
Under the Clean Air Act, 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 Clean Air Act.
Accordingly, this action merely proposes to approve State law as
meeting Federal requirements and does not impose additional
requirements beyond those imposed by State law. For that reason, this
proposed action:
Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' subject to
review by the Office of Management and Budget under Executive Order
12866 (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993);
Does not impose an information collection burden under the
provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.);
Is certified as not having a significant economic impact
on a substantial number of small entities under the Regulatory
Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.);
Does not contain any unfunded mandate or significantly or
uniquely affect small governments, as described in the Unfunded
Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-4);
Does not have Federalism implications as specified in
Executive Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10, 1999);
Is not an economically significant regulatory action based
on health or safety risks subject to Executive Order 13045 (62 FR
19885, April 23, 1997);
Is not a significant regulatory action subject to
Executive Order 13211 (66 FR 28355, May 22, 2001);
Is not subject to requirements of Section 12(d) of the
National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272
note) because application of those requirements would be inconsistent
with the Clean Air Act; and
Does not provide EPA with the discretionary authority to
address disproportionate human health or environmental effects with
practical, appropriate, and legally permissible methods under Executive
Order 12898 (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994).
In addition, this proposed rule does not have tribal implications
as specified by Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, November 9, 2000),
because the SIP is not approved to apply in Indian country located in
the State, and EPA notes that it will not impose substantial direct
costs on tribal governments or preempt tribal law.
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52
Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Incorporation by
reference, Intergovernmental relations, Ozone, Particulate matter,
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Volatile organic compounds.
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
Dated: January 29, 2013.
Jared Blumenfeld,
Regional Administrator, Region IX.
[FR Doc. 2013-03249 Filed 2-13-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P