Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; New Mexico; New Source Review (NSR) Preconstruction Permitting Program; Clarification of EPA's Approval of the Sunland Park Section 110(a)(1) Maintenance Plan for the 1997 8-Hour Ozone Standard, 15296-15299 [2013-05484]
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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 47 / Monday, March 11, 2013 / Rules and Regulations
VHF Channel 16. Vessel operators given
permission to enter or operate in the
safety zone must comply with all
directions given to them by the Captain
of the Port, Sector Lake Michigan, or his
on-scene representative.
Dated: February 26, 2013.
M.W. Sibley,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the
Port, Sector Lake Michigan.
[FR Doc. 2013–05546 Filed 3–8–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110–04–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 52
[EPA–R06–OAR–2005–NM–0006; FRL–
9788–8]
Approval and Promulgation of
Implementation Plans; New Mexico;
New Source Review (NSR)
Preconstruction Permitting Program;
Clarification of EPA’s Approval of the
Sunland Park Section 110(a)(1)
Maintenance Plan for the 1997 8-Hour
Ozone Standard
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
EPA is taking final action to
approve revisions to the applicable New
Source Review (NSR) State
Implementation Plan (SIP) for New
Mexico. Among the changes, EPA is
approving the following: the
establishment of a new Minor NSR
(MNSR) general construction permitting
program; changes to the MNSR Public
Participation requirements; the
establishment of three different types of
MNSR Permit Revisions; and the
addition of exemptions for de minimis
emission sources and activities from
obtaining a MNSR permit. EPA finds
that these revisions to the New Mexico
SIP comply with the Federal Clean Air
Act (the Act or CAA) and EPA
regulations and are consistent with EPA
policies. EPA also is providing
clarification of an earlier separate EPA
rulemaking action approving the
Section 110(a)(1) Maintenance Plan for
the 1997 8-hour ozone standard for the
Sunland Park 1997 8-hour attainment
area. This action is being taken under
section 110 of the Act.
DATES: This final rule is effective on
April 10, 2013.
ADDRESSES: EPA has established a
docket for this action under Docket ID
No. EPA–R06–OAR–2005–NM–0006.
All documents in the docket are listed
on the https://www.regulations.gov Web
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SUMMARY:
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site. Although listed in the index, some
information is not publicly available,
e.g., 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 https://
www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at
the Air Permits Section (6PD–R),
Environmental Protection Agency, 1445
Ross Avenue, Suite 700, Dallas, Texas
75202–2733. The file will be made
available by appointment for public
inspection in the Region 6 Freedom of
Information Act Review Room between
the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
weekdays except for legal holidays.
Contact the person listed in the FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
paragraph below or Mr. Bill Deese at
214–665–7253 to make an appointment.
If possible, please make the
appointment at least two working days
in advance of your visit. There will be
a 15 cent per page fee for making
photocopies of documents. On the day
of the visit, please check in at the EPA
Region 6 reception area at 1445 Ross
Avenue, Suite 700, Dallas, Texas.
The State submittals related to this
SIP revision, and which are part of the
EPA docket, are also available for public
inspection at the State Air Agency listed
below during official business hours by
appointment:
New Mexico Environment
Department, Air Quality Bureau, 1301
Siler Road, Building B, Santa Fe, New
Mexico.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms.
Ashley Mohr, Air Permits Section (6PD–
R), Environmental Protection Agency,
Region 6, 1445 Ross Avenue, Suite 700,
Dallas, Texas 75202–2733, telephone
(214) 665–7289; fax number (214) 665–
6762; email address
mohr.ashley@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Throughout this document, ‘‘we,’’ ‘‘us,’’
and ‘‘our’’ means EPA.
Table of Contents
I. What is the background for this action?
II. What public comments were received?
III. What final action is EPA taking?
A. What are we not addressing in this final
action?
IV. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
I. What is the background for this
action?
The background for today’s action is
discussed in detail in our November 29,
2012 proposal (77 FR 71145). In that
notice, we proposed to approve
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revisions to the NSR SIP for New
Mexico submitted on May 29, 1998,
November 6, 1998, April 11, 2002, April
25, 2005, and November 2, 2006, which
incorporate changes to the Construction
Permits regulation contained in 20.2.72
of the New Mexico Administrative Code
(NMAC), also known as Part 72. Part 72
contains the provisions that establish
New Mexico’s Minor NSR permitting
program as well as preconstruction
permitting requirements potentially
applicable to other programs under the
NMAC. EPA also proposed to approve
as part of the New Mexico NSR SIP, the
letter dated November 7, 2012, from the
Secretary committing the New Mexico
Environment Department (NMED) Air
Quality Bureau to providing notification
on the NMED’s Web site of all second
30-day public comment periods
provided for under Paragraph B of
Section 206 of Part 72.
Our November 29, 2012 proposal
provides a detailed description of the
submittals and the rationale for EPA’s
proposed action, together with a
discussion of the opportunity to
comment. The public comment period
for this action closed on December 31,
2012.
II. What public comments were
received?
The Federal Register proposing
approval of these SIP revisions was
published on November 29, 2012, and
the public comment period closed on
December 31, 2012. EPA received one
comment letter submitted by the NMED
(hereinafter referred to as ‘‘the
commenter’’). The comment letter is
available for review in the docket for
this rulemaking. We received no adverse
comments on the proposed rule from
the commenter. The commenter
generally expressed support of EPA’s
proposed approval of these SIP
revisions, and raised two considerations
that EPA is clarifying in its responses.
Comment: The commenter raised a
concern about EPA’s reference in its
proposed action incorrectly referring to
the Sunland Park, New Mexico area as
being designated nonattainment for the
revoked 1-hour ozone National Ambient
Air Quality Standard (NAAQS). The
commenter contends that this area is no
longer designated as nonattainment for
the 1-hour ozone NAAQS.
Response: EPA agrees the Sunland
Park area is no longer designated
nonattainment for the 1-hour ozone
NAAQS.1 EPA revoked the 1-hour
ozone NAAQS for the Sunland Park area
1 EPA stated in the proposed action, in part:
‘‘* * *the only area designated nonattainment for
the 1-hour ozone NAAQS is Sunland Park.’’ 77 FR
71151, November 29, 2012.
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effective one year following the effective
date of the area’s designation as
attainment for the 1997 8-hour ozone
NAAQS—June 15, 2005.2 EPA
subsequently approved a maintenance
plan for the 8-hour standard for the
Sunland Park area under section
110(a)(1) of the CAA and 40 CFR
51.905(a)(3)(iii). Therefore, Sunland
Park’s prior designation under the 1hour ozone standard is of historical
interest only.3 As NMED points out,
EPA has determined that Sunland Park
has met all of its obligations under the
revoked 1-hour ozone standard.
Therefore, the reference to the prior 1hour ozone designation status of the
Sunland Park area in the proposal has
no effect on its current obligations.
Comment: The commenter states that
New Mexico submitted, and EPA
approved, a timely maintenance plan for
the new 8-hour ozone standard for the
Sunland Park area in accordance with
40 CFR 51.905(a)(3)(iii). The commenter
also states that EPA has previously
noted in its approval of the maintenance
plan, ‘‘[t]here are no outstanding
obligations under the 1-hour ozone
NAAQS’’ for the Sunland Park area. 76
FR 28181 at 28182 (May 16, 2011). The
commenter affirms that because the
State’s SIP-approved permitting rules
are self implementing, the Prevention of
Significant Deterioration (PSD)
permitting requirements became
applicable for the Sunland Park area
upon revocation of the 1-hour ozone
NAAQS.
Response: EPA agrees the SIP’s PSD
rules are self-implementing and, as a
result, the PSD SIP permitting
requirements are applicable to the
Sunland Park area. As long as New
Mexico interprets its SIP as applying
PSD to Sunland Park, upon approval of
the Sunland Park maintenance plan for
the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS, the 1hour ozone Nonattainment NSR (NNSR)
permitting requirements for the Sunland
Park area were no longer required. New
Mexico submitted, and EPA approved, a
timely maintenance plan for the 1997 8hour ozone NAAQS for the Sunland
Park area.4 Consistent with this
confirmation, provided in the comment
letter from NMED, that the New Mexico
SIP’s PSD rules are self-implementing
and therefore applicable to the Sunland
Park area, EPA wishes to clarify its
previous approval of the Sunland Park
2 Codified
at 70 FR 44470, April 3, 2005.
list of past 1-hour ozone designations in 40
CFR part 81 for Sunland Park is a historical
reference only.
4 Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality
Implementation Plans; New Mexico; Sunland Park
Section 110(A)(1) Maintenance Plan for the 1997 8hour Ozone Standard, 76 FR 28181, May 16, 2011.
3 The
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maintenance plan for the 1997 8-hour
ozone NAAQS. Our previous approval
did not make clear that New Mexico’s
PSD SIP permitting requirements are
applicable to the Sunland Park area, and
therefore EPA would not require the
continued application of 1-hour ozone
NNSR permitting requirements for the
area upon approval of the maintenance
plan. Consistent with the commenter’s
affirmation and EPA’s confirmation that
the New Mexico SIP’s PSD rules are
self-implementing, EPA clarifies that the
PSD SIP permitting requirements have
been applicable to the Sunland Park
area from the effective date of EPA’s
approval of the maintenance plan.
III. What final action is EPA taking?
We are approving the SIP revisions to
the Construction Permits regulation
found in Part 72 that were submitted by
New Mexico on May 29, 1998,
November 6, 1998, April 11, 2002, April
25, 2005, and November 2, 2006, and
the letter from the Secretary dated
November 7, 2012. This action is being
taken under section 110 of the CAA.
Additionally, EPA is clarifying
statements made in the proposed action
and the approach it took with respect to
the 1-hour ozone nonattainment NSR/
PSD transition in its approval of the
Sunland Park 110(a)(1) maintenance
plan.
A. What are we not addressing in this
final action?
EPA is only taking final action on the
severable revisions to Part 72 contained
in the five SIP revision submittals listed
above that were submitted to us for
review and incorporation into the New
Mexico SIP. By severable, we mean that
the portions of the SIP revision
submittals relating to Part 72 can be
implemented independently of the
remaining portions of the submittal,
without affecting the stringency of the
submitted rules. In addition, the
remaining portions of the submittal are
not necessary for approval of the
provisions addressing Part 72. The
following is a list of other revisions
contained in the November 6, 1998,
April 11, 2002, April 25, 2005, and
November 2, 2006 submittals that are
not being addressed in this final action:
• The November 6, 1998 submittal
from New Mexico also contained
revisions to correct errors in 20.2.70
NMAC—Operating Permits. Because
20.2.70 NMAC is outside the scope of
the New Mexico SIP, the revisions to the
Operating Permits provisions were not
submitted as revisions to the state’s SIP.
• The April 11, 2002 submittal from
New Mexico also contained revisions to
20.2.73 NMAC—Notice of Intent and
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Emissions Inventory Requirements,
20.2.74 NMAC—Permits—Prevention of
Significant Deterioration, 20.2.75
NMAC—Construction Permit Fees, and
20.2.79 NMAC—Permits—
Nonattainment Areas. Portions of the
submittal related to Parts 73, 74, 75, and
79 have been or will be addressed in
separate SIP revisions reviews and rule
actions, as necessary.
• The April 11, 2002 submittal also
included documentation related to an
additional revision to 20.2.72 NMAC
(filed with the State Records Center on
February 28, 2001, effective March 30,
2001), which was submitted to EPA for
informational purposes only and was
not submitted for approval under the
SIP. Therefore, the February 28, 2001
state adopted revisions to Part 72 are not
included in this final action.
• The April 25, 2005 submittal from
New Mexico also contained revisions to
20.2.66 NMAC—Cotton Gins, 20.2.73
NMAC—Notice of Intent and Emissions
Inventory Requirements, and 20.2.75
NMAC—Construction Permit Fees.
Portions of the submittal related to Parts
66, 73, and 75 have been or will be
addressed in separate SIP revisions
reviews and rule actions, as necessary.
• The November 2, 2006 submittal
from New Mexico also contained
revisions to 20.2.3 NMAC—Ambient Air
Quality Standards, 20.2.70 NMAC—
Operating Permits, and 20.2.99 NMAC—
Conformity to the State Implementation
Plan of Transportation Plans, Programs
and Projects. Portions of the submittal
related to Parts 3, 70, and 99 have been
or will be addressed in separate SIP
revisions reviews and rule actions, as
necessary.
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.);
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• 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
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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
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 May 10, 2013. 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, Carbon monoxide,
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Incorporation by reference,
Intergovernmental relations, Lead,
Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone, Particulate
matter, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Sulfur oxides, Volatile
organic compounds.
Dated: February 26, 2013.
Samuel Coleman, P.E.,
Acting Regional Administrator, Region 6.
40 CFR part 52 is amended as follows:
PART 52—[AMENDED]
1. The authority citation for part 52
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
Subpart GG—New Mexico
2. Section 52.1620 is amended as
follows:
■ a. The first table in paragraph (c)
entitled ‘‘EPA Approved New Mexico
Regulations’’ is amended by revising the
entry for part 72.
■ b. The second table in paragraph (e)
entitled ‘‘EPA Approved Nonregulatory
Provisions and Quasi-Regulatory
Measures in the New Mexico SIP’’ is
amended by adding to the end of the
table a new entry for ‘‘Letter of
commitment for the New Mexico SIP for
Minor NSR Public Notice.’’
The revision and addition read as
follows:
■
§ 52.1620
*
Identification of plan.
*
*
(c) * * *
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*
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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 47 / Monday, March 11, 2013 / Rules and Regulations
EPA APPROVED NEW MEXICO REGULATIONS
State citation
State approval/
effective date
Title/subject
EPA approval date
Comments
New Mexico Administrative Code (NMAC) Title 20—Environment Protection Chapter 2—Air Quality
*
Part 72 ..................
*
Construction Permits.
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
(e) * * *
*
*
*
*
*
3/11/2013 [Insert
FR page number
where document
begins].
*
*
*
*
The SIP includes NMED’s letter dated 11/7/2012, which
commits the NMED Air Quality Bureau to providing notification on the NMED’s website of all second 30-day
public comment periods provided for under paragraph B
of 20.2.72.206. NOT in SIP: the definitions of ‘‘Accelerated review’’, ‘‘Affiliate’’, ‘‘Conflict of interest’’, ‘‘Interested party’’ and ‘‘Qualified outside firm’’ in 20.2.72.7;
subsection (B)(15) of 20.2.72.203; subsection (H) of
20.2.72.208; 20.2.72.221; 20.2.72.400–20.2.72.499; and
20.2.72.502. References to 20.2.77, 20.2.78, and
20.2.82 are approved for Part 72 only; underlying and
related regulations for referred Parts NOT in SIP.
*
*
*
*
*
9/6/2006
*
EPA APPROVED NONREGULATORY AND QUASI-REGULATORY MEASURES IN THE NEW MEXICO SIP
Name of SIP provision
Applicable geographic
or nonattainment area
*
Letter of commitment
for the New Mexico
SIP for Minor NSR
Public Notice.
*
Statewide (except
Bernalillo County).
[FR Doc. 2013–05484 Filed 3–8–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 271
[EPA–R02–RCRA–2013–0144; FRL–9693–2]
New York: Final Authorization of State
Hazardous Waste Management
Program Revision
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Direct final rule.
AGENCY:
New York State has applied to
EPA for final authorization of changes to
its hazardous waste program under the
Solid Waste Disposal Act, as amended,
commonly referred to as the Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).
EPA has determined that these changes,
with limited exceptions, satisfy all
requirements needed to qualify for final
authorization, and is authorizing the
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SUMMARY:
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State submittal/
effective date
*
11/7/2012
EPA approval date
*
*
3/11/2013 [Insert FR
page number where
document begins].
State’s changes through this direct final
action.
DATES: This final authorization will
become effective on May 10, 2013
unless EPA receives adverse written
comment by April 10, 2013. If EPA
receives such comment, it will publish
a timely withdrawal of this direct final
rule or those paragraphs or sections of
this rule which are the subject of the
comments opposing the authorization in
the Federal Register and inform the
public that only the portion of the rule
that is not withdrawn will take effect.
(See Section E of SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION for further details).
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,
identified by EPA–R02–RCRA–2013–
0144, by one of the following methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://
www.regulations.gov. Follow the on-line
instructions for submitting comments.
• Email: infurna.michael@.epa.gov.
• Fax: (212) 637–4437, to the
attention of Michael Infurna.
• Mail: Send written comments to
Michael Infurna, EPA, Region 2, 290
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Explanation
*
*
Letter dated 11/7/2012 from NMED to EPA
that commits the NMED Air Quality Bureau
to providing notification on the NMED’s
website of all second 30-day public comment periods provided for under paragraph
B of 20.2.72.206.
Broadway, 22nd Floor, New York, NY
10007.
• Hand Delivery or Courier: Deliver
your comments to Michael Infurna,
EPA, Region 2, 290 Broadway, 22nd
Floor, New York, NY 10007. Such
deliveries are only accepted during the
Regional Office’s normal hours of
operation. The public is advised to call
in advance to verify the business hours.
Special arrangements should be made
for deliveries of boxed information.
Instructions: Direct your comments to
Docket ID No. EPA–R02–RCRA–2013–
0144. EPA’s policy is that all comments
received will be included in the public
docket without change and may be
made available on line at https://
www.regulations.gov, including any
personal information provided, unless
the comment includes information
claimed to be Confidential Business
Information (CBI) or other information
whose disclosure is restricted by statute.
Do not submit information that you
consider to be CBI or otherwise
protected through https://
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 47 (Monday, March 11, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 15296-15299]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-05484]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 52
[EPA-R06-OAR-2005-NM-0006; FRL-9788-8]
Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; New Mexico;
New Source Review (NSR) Preconstruction Permitting Program;
Clarification of EPA's Approval of the Sunland Park Section 110(a)(1)
Maintenance Plan for the 1997 8-Hour Ozone Standard
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: EPA is taking final action to approve revisions to the
applicable New Source Review (NSR) State Implementation Plan (SIP) for
New Mexico. Among the changes, EPA is approving the following: the
establishment of a new Minor NSR (MNSR) general construction permitting
program; changes to the MNSR Public Participation requirements; the
establishment of three different types of MNSR Permit Revisions; and
the addition of exemptions for de minimis emission sources and
activities from obtaining a MNSR permit. EPA finds that these revisions
to the New Mexico SIP comply with the Federal Clean Air Act (the Act or
CAA) and EPA regulations and are consistent with EPA policies. EPA also
is providing clarification of an earlier separate EPA rulemaking action
approving the Section 110(a)(1) Maintenance Plan for the 1997 8-hour
ozone standard for the Sunland Park 1997 8-hour attainment area. This
action is being taken under section 110 of the Act.
DATES: This final rule is effective on April 10, 2013.
ADDRESSES: EPA has established a docket for this action under Docket ID
No. EPA-R06-OAR-2005-NM-0006. All documents in the docket are listed on
the https://www.regulations.gov Web site. Although listed in the index,
some information is not publicly available, e.g., 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 https://www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at
the Air Permits Section (6PD-R), Environmental Protection Agency, 1445
Ross Avenue, Suite 700, Dallas, Texas 75202-2733. The file will be made
available by appointment for public inspection in the Region 6 Freedom
of Information Act Review Room between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30
p.m. weekdays except for legal holidays. Contact the person listed in
the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT paragraph below or Mr. Bill Deese
at 214-665-7253 to make an appointment. If possible, please make the
appointment at least two working days in advance of your visit. There
will be a 15 cent per page fee for making photocopies of documents. On
the day of the visit, please check in at the EPA Region 6 reception
area at 1445 Ross Avenue, Suite 700, Dallas, Texas.
The State submittals related to this SIP revision, and which are
part of the EPA docket, are also available for public inspection at the
State Air Agency listed below during official business hours by
appointment:
New Mexico Environment Department, Air Quality Bureau, 1301 Siler
Road, Building B, Santa Fe, New Mexico.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Ashley Mohr, Air Permits Section
(6PD-R), Environmental Protection Agency, Region 6, 1445 Ross Avenue,
Suite 700, Dallas, Texas 75202-2733, telephone (214) 665-7289; fax
number (214) 665-6762; email address mohr.ashley@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Throughout this document, ``we,'' ``us,''
and ``our'' means EPA.
Table of Contents
I. What is the background for this action?
II. What public comments were received?
III. What final action is EPA taking?
A. What are we not addressing in this final action?
IV. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
I. What is the background for this action?
The background for today's action is discussed in detail in our
November 29, 2012 proposal (77 FR 71145). In that notice, we proposed
to approve revisions to the NSR SIP for New Mexico submitted on May 29,
1998, November 6, 1998, April 11, 2002, April 25, 2005, and November 2,
2006, which incorporate changes to the Construction Permits regulation
contained in 20.2.72 of the New Mexico Administrative Code (NMAC), also
known as Part 72. Part 72 contains the provisions that establish New
Mexico's Minor NSR permitting program as well as preconstruction
permitting requirements potentially applicable to other programs under
the NMAC. EPA also proposed to approve as part of the New Mexico NSR
SIP, the letter dated November 7, 2012, from the Secretary committing
the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) Air Quality Bureau to
providing notification on the NMED's Web site of all second 30-day
public comment periods provided for under Paragraph B of Section 206 of
Part 72.
Our November 29, 2012 proposal provides a detailed description of
the submittals and the rationale for EPA's proposed action, together
with a discussion of the opportunity to comment. The public comment
period for this action closed on December 31, 2012.
II. What public comments were received?
The Federal Register proposing approval of these SIP revisions was
published on November 29, 2012, and the public comment period closed on
December 31, 2012. EPA received one comment letter submitted by the
NMED (hereinafter referred to as ``the commenter''). The comment letter
is available for review in the docket for this rulemaking. We received
no adverse comments on the proposed rule from the commenter. The
commenter generally expressed support of EPA's proposed approval of
these SIP revisions, and raised two considerations that EPA is
clarifying in its responses.
Comment: The commenter raised a concern about EPA's reference in
its proposed action incorrectly referring to the Sunland Park, New
Mexico area as being designated nonattainment for the revoked 1-hour
ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS). The commenter
contends that this area is no longer designated as nonattainment for
the 1-hour ozone NAAQS.
Response: EPA agrees the Sunland Park area is no longer designated
nonattainment for the 1-hour ozone NAAQS.\1\ EPA revoked the 1-hour
ozone NAAQS for the Sunland Park area
[[Page 15297]]
effective one year following the effective date of the area's
designation as attainment for the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS--June 15,
2005.\2\ EPA subsequently approved a maintenance plan for the 8-hour
standard for the Sunland Park area under section 110(a)(1) of the CAA
and 40 CFR 51.905(a)(3)(iii). Therefore, Sunland Park's prior
designation under the 1-hour ozone standard is of historical interest
only.\3\ As NMED points out, EPA has determined that Sunland Park has
met all of its obligations under the revoked 1-hour ozone standard.
Therefore, the reference to the prior 1-hour ozone designation status
of the Sunland Park area in the proposal has no effect on its current
obligations.
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\1\ EPA stated in the proposed action, in part: ``* * *the only
area designated nonattainment for the 1-hour ozone NAAQS is Sunland
Park.'' 77 FR 71151, November 29, 2012.
\2\ Codified at 70 FR 44470, April 3, 2005.
\3\ The list of past 1-hour ozone designations in 40 CFR part 81
for Sunland Park is a historical reference only.
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Comment: The commenter states that New Mexico submitted, and EPA
approved, a timely maintenance plan for the new 8-hour ozone standard
for the Sunland Park area in accordance with 40 CFR 51.905(a)(3)(iii).
The commenter also states that EPA has previously noted in its approval
of the maintenance plan, ``[t]here are no outstanding obligations under
the 1-hour ozone NAAQS'' for the Sunland Park area. 76 FR 28181 at
28182 (May 16, 2011). The commenter affirms that because the State's
SIP-approved permitting rules are self implementing, the Prevention of
Significant Deterioration (PSD) permitting requirements became
applicable for the Sunland Park area upon revocation of the 1-hour
ozone NAAQS.
Response: EPA agrees the SIP's PSD rules are self-implementing and,
as a result, the PSD SIP permitting requirements are applicable to the
Sunland Park area. As long as New Mexico interprets its SIP as applying
PSD to Sunland Park, upon approval of the Sunland Park maintenance plan
for the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS, the 1-hour ozone Nonattainment NSR
(NNSR) permitting requirements for the Sunland Park area were no longer
required. New Mexico submitted, and EPA approved, a timely maintenance
plan for the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS for the Sunland Park area.\4\
Consistent with this confirmation, provided in the comment letter from
NMED, that the New Mexico SIP's PSD rules are self-implementing and
therefore applicable to the Sunland Park area, EPA wishes to clarify
its previous approval of the Sunland Park maintenance plan for the 1997
8-hour ozone NAAQS. Our previous approval did not make clear that New
Mexico's PSD SIP permitting requirements are applicable to the Sunland
Park area, and therefore EPA would not require the continued
application of 1-hour ozone NNSR permitting requirements for the area
upon approval of the maintenance plan. Consistent with the commenter's
affirmation and EPA's confirmation that the New Mexico SIP's PSD rules
are self-implementing, EPA clarifies that the PSD SIP permitting
requirements have been applicable to the Sunland Park area from the
effective date of EPA's approval of the maintenance plan.
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\4\ Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation
Plans; New Mexico; Sunland Park Section 110(A)(1) Maintenance Plan
for the 1997 8-hour Ozone Standard, 76 FR 28181, May 16, 2011.
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III. What final action is EPA taking?
We are approving the SIP revisions to the Construction Permits
regulation found in Part 72 that were submitted by New Mexico on May
29, 1998, November 6, 1998, April 11, 2002, April 25, 2005, and
November 2, 2006, and the letter from the Secretary dated November 7,
2012. This action is being taken under section 110 of the CAA.
Additionally, EPA is clarifying statements made in the proposed action
and the approach it took with respect to the 1-hour ozone nonattainment
NSR/PSD transition in its approval of the Sunland Park 110(a)(1)
maintenance plan.
A. What are we not addressing in this final action?
EPA is only taking final action on the severable revisions to Part
72 contained in the five SIP revision submittals listed above that were
submitted to us for review and incorporation into the New Mexico SIP.
By severable, we mean that the portions of the SIP revision submittals
relating to Part 72 can be implemented independently of the remaining
portions of the submittal, without affecting the stringency of the
submitted rules. In addition, the remaining portions of the submittal
are not necessary for approval of the provisions addressing Part 72.
The following is a list of other revisions contained in the November 6,
1998, April 11, 2002, April 25, 2005, and November 2, 2006 submittals
that are not being addressed in this final action:
The November 6, 1998 submittal from New Mexico also
contained revisions to correct errors in 20.2.70 NMAC--Operating
Permits. Because 20.2.70 NMAC is outside the scope of the New Mexico
SIP, the revisions to the Operating Permits provisions were not
submitted as revisions to the state's SIP.
The April 11, 2002 submittal from New Mexico also
contained revisions to 20.2.73 NMAC--Notice of Intent and Emissions
Inventory Requirements, 20.2.74 NMAC--Permits--Prevention of
Significant Deterioration, 20.2.75 NMAC--Construction Permit Fees, and
20.2.79 NMAC--Permits--Nonattainment Areas. Portions of the submittal
related to Parts 73, 74, 75, and 79 have been or will be addressed in
separate SIP revisions reviews and rule actions, as necessary.
The April 11, 2002 submittal also included documentation
related to an additional revision to 20.2.72 NMAC (filed with the State
Records Center on February 28, 2001, effective March 30, 2001), which
was submitted to EPA for informational purposes only and was not
submitted for approval under the SIP. Therefore, the February 28, 2001
state adopted revisions to Part 72 are not included in this final
action.
The April 25, 2005 submittal from New Mexico also
contained revisions to 20.2.66 NMAC--Cotton Gins, 20.2.73 NMAC--Notice
of Intent and Emissions Inventory Requirements, and 20.2.75 NMAC--
Construction Permit Fees. Portions of the submittal related to Parts
66, 73, and 75 have been or will be addressed in separate SIP revisions
reviews and rule actions, as necessary.
The November 2, 2006 submittal from New Mexico also
contained revisions to 20.2.3 NMAC--Ambient Air Quality Standards,
20.2.70 NMAC--Operating Permits, and 20.2.99 NMAC--Conformity to the
State Implementation Plan of Transportation Plans, Programs and
Projects. Portions of the submittal related to Parts 3, 70, and 99 have
been or will be addressed in separate SIP revisions reviews and rule
actions, as necessary.
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.);
[[Page 15298]]
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
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 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 May 10, 2013. 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, Carbon monoxide,
Incorporation by reference, Intergovernmental relations, Lead, Nitrogen
dioxide, Ozone, Particulate matter, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Sulfur oxides, Volatile organic compounds.
Dated: February 26, 2013.
Samuel Coleman, P.E.,
Acting Regional Administrator, Region 6.
40 CFR part 52 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.
Subpart GG--New Mexico
0
2. Section 52.1620 is amended as follows:
0
a. The first table in paragraph (c) entitled ``EPA Approved New Mexico
Regulations'' is amended by revising the entry for part 72.
0
b. The second table in paragraph (e) entitled ``EPA Approved
Nonregulatory Provisions and Quasi-Regulatory Measures in the New
Mexico SIP'' is amended by adding to the end of the table a new entry
for ``Letter of commitment for the New Mexico SIP for Minor NSR Public
Notice.''
The revision and addition read as follows:
Sec. 52.1620 Identification of plan.
* * * * *
(c) * * *
[[Page 15299]]
EPA Approved New Mexico Regulations
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State approval/
State citation Title/subject effective date EPA approval date Comments
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New Mexico Administrative Code (NMAC) Title 20--Environment Protection Chapter 2--Air Quality
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* * * * * * *
Part 72............................... Construction Permits..... 9/6/2006 3/11/2013 [Insert FR page The SIP includes NMED's letter dated 11/
number where document 7/2012, which commits the NMED Air
begins]. Quality Bureau to providing
notification on the NMED's website of
all second 30-day public comment
periods provided for under paragraph B
of 20.2.72.206. NOT in SIP: the
definitions of ``Accelerated review'',
``Affiliate'', ``Conflict of
interest'', ``Interested party'' and
``Qualified outside firm'' in
20.2.72.7; subsection (B)(15) of
20.2.72.203; subsection (H) of
20.2.72.208; 20.2.72.221; 20.2.72.400-
20.2.72.499; and 20.2.72.502.
References to 20.2.77, 20.2.78, and
20.2.82 are approved for Part 72 only;
underlying and related regulations for
referred Parts NOT in SIP.
* * * * * * *
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* * * * *
(e) * * *
* * * * *
EPA Approved Nonregulatory and Quasi-Regulatory Measures in the New Mexico SIP
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Applicable
geographic or State submittal/
Name of SIP provision nonattainment effective date EPA approval date Explanation
area
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * * * *
Letter of commitment for the Statewide (except 11/7/2012 3/11/2013 [Insert Letter dated 11/7/2012
New Mexico SIP for Minor NSR Bernalillo FR page number from NMED to EPA that
Public Notice. County). where document commits the NMED Air
begins]. Quality Bureau to
providing
notification on the
NMED's website of all
second 30-day public
comment periods
provided for under
paragraph B of
20.2.72.206.
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[FR Doc. 2013-05484 Filed 3-8-13; 8:45 am]
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