Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; Florida; Infrastructure Requirements for the 2008 8-Hour Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards, 29306-29314 [2013-11868]
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G. Executive Order 13045, Protection of
Children From Environmental Health
Risks and Safety Risks
EPA interprets EO 13045 (62 FR
19885, April 23, 1997) as applying only
to those regulatory actions that concern
health or safety risks, such that the
analysis required under section 5–501 of
the EO has the potential to influence the
regulation. This action is not subject to
EO 13045 because it is not an
economically significant regulatory
action based on health or safety risks
subject to Executive Order 13045 (62 FR
19885, April 23, 1997). This proposed
partial approval and partial disapproval
under section 110 of the Clean Air Act
will not in-and-of itself create any new
regulations but simply disapproves
certain State requirements for inclusion
into the SIP.
H. Executive Order 13211, Actions That
Significantly Affect Energy Supply,
Distribution, or Use
This proposed rule is not subject to
Executive Order 13211 (66 FR 28355,
May 22, 2001) because it is not a
significant regulatory action under
Executive Order 12866.
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J. Executive Order 12898: Federal
Actions To Address Environmental
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mission by identifying and addressing,
as appropriate, disproportionately high
and adverse human health or
environmental effects of their programs,
policies, and activities on minority
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lacks the discretionary authority to
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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, Sulfur oxides, Visibility,
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Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
Dated: May 9, 2013.
Jared Blumenfeld,
Regional Administrator, Region 9.
[FR Doc. 2013–11976 Filed 5–17–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 52
[EPA–R04–OAR–2012–0692; FRL–9814–1]
Approval and Promulgation of
Implementation Plans; Florida;
Infrastructure Requirements for the
2008 8-Hour Ozone National Ambient
Air Quality Standards
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Proposed rule.
AGENCY:
EPA is proposing to approve
in part, and disapprove in part, the State
Implementation Plan (SIP) submission,
submitted by the State of Florida,
through the Florida Department of
Environmental Protection (FDEP) on
October 31, 2011, to demonstrate that
the State meets the infrastructure
requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA
or Act) for the 2008 8-hour ozone
national ambient air quality standards
(NAAQS). 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. FDEP certified that
the Florida SIP contains provisions that
ensure the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS
are implemented, enforced, and
maintained in Florida (hereafter referred
to as ‘‘infrastructure submission’’). EPA
is now taking two related actions on
FDEP’s infrastructure submission for
SUMMARY:
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Florida. First, EPA is proposing to
disapprove in part portions of Florida’s
infrastructure submission as it relates to
the regulation of greenhouse gas (GHG)
emissions. Second, EPA is proposing to
determine that Florida’s infrastructure
submission, addresses all other required
infrastructure elements for the 2008 8hour ozone NAAQS, with the exception
of the aforementioned portions and the
requirement that the SIP include
provisions prohibiting any source or
other type of emissions activity in one
state from interfering with measures to
protect visibility in another state.
DATES: Written comments must be
received on or before June 19, 2013.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,
identified by Docket ID No. EPA–R04–
OAR–2012–0692, by one of the
following methods:
1. www.regulations.gov: Follow the
on-line instructions for submitting
comments.
2. Email: R4-RDS@epa.gov.
3. Fax: (404) 562–9019.
4. Mail: ‘‘EPA–R04–OAR–2012–
0692,’’ 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.
5. Hand Delivery or Courier: Lynorae
Benjamin, 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. Such
deliveries are only accepted during the
Regional Office’s normal hours of
operation. The Regional Office’s official
hours of business are Monday through
Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding
Federal holidays.
Instructions: Direct your comments to
Docket ID No. EPA–R04–OAR–2012–
0692. EPA’s policy is that all comments
received will be included in the public
docket without change and may be
made available online at
www.regulations.gov, including any
personal information provided, unless
the comment includes information
claimed to be Confidential Business
Information (CBI) or other information
whose disclosure is restricted by statute.
Do not submit through
www.regulations.gov or email,
information that you consider to be CBI
or otherwise protected. The
www.regulations.gov Web site is an
‘‘anonymous access’’ system, which
means EPA will not know your identity
or contact information unless you
provide it in the body of your comment.
If you send an email comment directly
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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 97 / Monday, May 20, 2013 / Proposed Rules
to EPA without going through
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address will be automatically captured
and included as part of the comment
that is placed in the public docket and
made available on the Internet. If you
submit an electronic comment, EPA
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is not placed on the Internet and will be
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form. Publicly available docket
materials are available either
electronically in 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 a.m. to
4:30 p.m., excluding Federal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Nacosta C. Ward, 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) 562–9140.
Ms. Ward can be reached via electronic
mail at ward.nacosta@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Table of Contents
I. Background and Overview
II. What elements are required under sections
110(a)(1) and (2)?
III. Scope of Infrastructure SIPs
IV. What is EPA’s analysis of how Florida
addressed the elements of sections
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110(a)(1) and (2) ‘‘Infrastructure’’
Provisions?
V. Proposed Action
VI. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
I. Background and Overview
On March 27, 2008, EPA promulgated
a revised NAAQS for ozone based on 8hour average concentrations. EPA
revised the level of the 8-hour ozone
NAAQS to 0.075 parts per million. See
77 FR 16436. Pursuant to section
110(a)(1) of the CAA, states are required
to submit SIPs meeting the applicable
requirements of section 110(a)(2) within
three years after promulgation of a new
or revised NAAQS or within such
shorter period as EPA may prescribe.
Section 110(a)(2) requires states to
address basic SIP elements such as
requirements for monitoring, basic
program requirements and legal
authority that are designed to assure
attainment and maintenance of the
NAAQS. States were required to submit
such SIPs for the 2008 8-hour ozone
NAAQS to EPA no later than March
2011.
Florida’s infrastructure submission
was received by EPA on October 31,
2011, for the 2008 8-hour ozone
NAAQS. FDEP’s October 31, 2011,
infrastructure SIP submission for the
2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS also
addressed CAA section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I),
which requires that SIPs contain
adequate provisions prohibiting any
source or other type of emissions
activity in one state from contributing
significantly to nonattainment
maintenance of the NAAQS in another
state. On April 30, 2013, following the
recent EME Homer City Generation, L.P.
v. EPA, 696 F.3d 7 (D.C. Cir. 2012)
decision, Florida withdrew its
submission for section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I).
This decision addressed the
requirements of 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I), and
provided that a section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I)
SIP submission cannot be considered a
‘‘required’’ SIP submission until EPA
has defined a state’s obligations
pursuant to that section. See EME
Homer City, 696 F.3d at 32 (‘‘A SIP
logically cannot be deemed to lack a
‘required submission’ or deemed to be
deficient for failure to meet the good
neighbor obligation before EPA
quantifies the good neighbor
obligation.’’) EPA historically has
interpreted section 110(a)(1) of the CAA
as establishing the required submittal
date for SIPs addressing all of the
‘‘interstate transport’’ requirements in
section 110(a)(2)(D), including the
provisions in section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I)
regarding significant contribution to
nonattainment and interference with
maintenance. However, at this time in
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light of the EME Homer City opinion,
EPA is not treating the section
110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) SIP submission from
FDEP as a required SIP submission. The
EME Homer City opinion provides that
EPA does not have authority to
promulgate Federal Implementation
Plan (FIP) to address the requirements
of section 110(a)(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) until EPA
has identified emissions in a state that
significantly contribute to
nonattainment or interfere with
maintenance of the NAAQS in another
state and given the state an opportunity
to submit a SIP to address those
emissions. EME Homer City, 696 F.3d at
28.
Additionally, Florida did not submit
a SIP revision to adopt the appropriate
emission thresholds for determining
which new stationary sources and
modification projects become subject to
PSD permitting requirements for their
GHG emissions as promulgated in the
GHG Tailoring Rule. See 75 FR 31514,
June 3, 2010. Therefore, Florida’s
federally-approved SIP does not address
or provide adequate legal authority for,
the implementation of a GHG PSD
program in Florida. Approval of a
revision to address GHG is required to
meet sections 110(a)(2)(C), D(i)(II), and
(J) related to PSD. On December 30,
2010, EPA promulgated a FIP 1 under
CAA section 110(c)(1)(A) for Florida to
govern PSD permitting for GHG in the
State. Since the Florida SIP currently
does not provide adequate legal
authority to address the new GHG PSD
permitting requirements at or above the
emissions levels set in the GHG
Tailoring Rule, or at other appropriate
levels, it does not satisfy portions of the
aforementioned infrastructure
requirements. See 75 FR 82246. As a
result, EPA is proposing disapproval in
part portions of sections 110(a)(2)(C),
D(i)(II) and (J) of Florida infrastructure
SIP submission as related to GHG PSD
permitting requirements. EPA’s
proposed disapproval of these elements
does not result in any further obligation
on the part of Florida, because, as
described above, EPA has already
promulgated a FIP for the Florida PSD
program to address permitting GHGs at
or above the GHG Tailoring Rule
thresholds. Thus, today’s proposed
action to disapprove FDEP’s submission
for the PSD-related portions of sections
110(a)(2)(C), D(i)(II), and (J), once final,
will not require any further action by
either FDEP or EPA.
1 Action to Ensure Authority to Issue Permits
under the Prevention of Significant Deterioration
Program to Sources of Greenhouse Gas Emissions:
Federal Implementation Plan—Final Rule, 75 FR
82246 (December 30, 2010).
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Today’s action is proposing two
related actions on Florida’s October 31,
2011, submission. First, EPA is
proposing to approve Florida’s
infrastructure submission 2 for the
applicable requirements of the 2008 8hour ozone NAAQS, with the exception
of the visibility requirements of section
110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II), and the portions of
sections 110(a)(2)(C), D(i)(II), and (J)
related to GHG PSD permitting. With
respect to Florida’s infrastructure SIP
submission related to the visibility
requirements of section
110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II), EPA will act on this
portion of the submission in a separate
action. With respect to the portions of
sections 110(a)(2)(C), D(i)(II), and (J)
related to GHG PSD permitting
requirements, EPA is proposing to
disapprove Florida’s submission related
to these requirements. This action is not
approving any specific rule, but rather
proposing that Florida’s already
approved SIP meets certain CAA
requirements.
II. What elements are required under
sections 110(a)(1) and (2)?
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. In
particular, 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 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS,
states typically have met the basic
program elements required in section
110(a)(2) through earlier SIP
submissions in connection with the
1997 8-hour ozone 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
mentioned above, these requirements
2 As noted above, Florida withdrew the portions
of its infrastructure SIP submission related to the
requirements of section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I). As such,
this proposed action does not address these
requirements.
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include basic SIP elements such as
requirements for monitoring, basic
program requirements and legal
authority that are designed to assure
attainment and maintenance of the
NAAQS. The requirements that are the
subject of this proposed rulemaking are
summarized below.3
• 110(a)(2)(A): Emission limits and
other control measures.
• 110(a)(2)(B): Ambient air quality
monitoring/data system.
• 110(a)(2)(C): Program for
enforcement of control measures.4
• 110(a)(2)(D): Interstate transport.5
• 110(a)(2)(E): Adequate resources.
• 110(a)(2)(F): Stationary source
monitoring system.
• 110(a)(2)(G): Emergency power.
• 110(a)(2)(H): Future SIP revisions.
• 110(a)(2)(I): Areas designated
nonattainment and meet the applicable
requirements of part D.6
• 110(a)(2)(J): Consultation with
government officials; public
notification; and PSD and visibility
protection.
• 110(a)(2)(K): Air quality modeling/
data.
• 110(a)(2)(L): Permitting fees.
• 110(a)(2)(M): Consultation/
participation by affected local entities.
III. Scope of Infrastructure SIPs
EPA notes that this rulemaking does
not address four substantive issues that
are not integral to the Florida
3 Two elements identified in section 110(a)(2) are
not governed by the three year submission deadline
of section 110(a)(1) because SIPs incorporating
necessary local nonattainment area controls are not
due within three years after promulgation of a new
or revised NAAQS, but rather due at the time the
nonattainment area plan requirements are due
pursuant to section 172. These requirements are: (1)
Submissions required by section 110(a)(2)(C) to the
extent that subsection refers to a permit program as
required in part D Title I of the CAA; and (2)
submissions required by section 110(a)(2)(I) which
pertain to the nonattainment planning requirements
of part D, Title I of the CAA. Today’s proposed
rulemaking does not address infrastructure
elements related to section 110(a)(2)(I) or the
nonattainment planning requirements of
110(a)(2)(C).
4 This rulemaking only addresses requirements
for this element as they relate to attainment areas.
5 In accordance with the panel of the U.S. Court
of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit opinion, EPA at this
time is not treating section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) as a
required SIP submission. See EME Homer City
generation, L.P. v. EPA, 696 F.3d 7. Unless the EME
Homer City decision is reversed or otherwise
modified by the Supreme Court, states are not
required to submit 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) SIPs until the
EPA has quantified their obligations under that
section. The portions of the SIP submission relating
to 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II) (also referred to as prongs 3 and
4) and 110(a)(2)(D)(ii), in contrast, are required.
Prong 3 of 110(a)(2)(D)(i) and 110(a)(2)(D)(ii) are
being acted upon by EPA in today’s proposed
rulemaking. Prong 4 of 110(a)(2)(D)(i) will be acted
on in a separate action.
6 As mentioned above, this element is not
relevant to today’s proposed rulemaking.
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infrastructure SIP submission. These
four issues are: (i) Existing provisions
related to excess emissions during
periods of start-up, shutdown, or
malfunction at sources (SSM), that may
be contrary to the CAA and EPA’s
policies addressing such excess
emissions; (ii) existing provisions
related to ‘‘director’s variance’’ or
‘‘director’s discretion’’ that purport to
permit revisions to SIP approved
emissions limits with limited public
process or without requiring further
approval by EPA, that may be contrary
to the CAA (director’s discretion); (iii)
existing provisions for minor source
new source review (NSR) programs that
may be inconsistent with the
requirements of the CAA and EPA’s
regulations that pertain to such
programs (minor source NSR); and, (iv)
existing provisions for PSD programs
that may be inconsistent with current
requirements of EPA’s ‘‘Final NSR
Improvement Rule,’’ 67 FR 80186
(December 31, 2002), as amended by 72
FR 32526 (June 13, 2007) (NSR Reform).
Instead, EPA has indicated that it has
other authority to address any such
existing SIP defects in other
rulemakings, as appropriate. A detailed
rationale for why these four substantive
issues are not part of the scope of
infrastructure SIP rulemakings can be
found in EPA’s November 8, 2012,
proposed rule entitled, ‘‘Approval and
Promulgation of Implementation Plans;
Florida; 110(a)(1) and (2) Infrastructure
Requirements for the 1997 annual and
2006 24-hour Fine Particulate Matter
National Ambient Air Quality
Standards’’ in the section entitled,
‘‘Scope of Infrastructure SIPs.’’ See 77
FR 66927.
IV. What is EPA’s analysis of how
Florida addressed the elements of
Sections 110(a)(1) and (2)
‘‘Infrastructure’’ provisions?
EPA is proposing to take two actions
in response to Florida’s infrastructure
SIP submission for the 2008 8-hour
ozone NAAQS. FDEP’s infrastructure
submission addresses the provisions of
sections 110(a)(1) and (2) as described
below.
1. 110(a)(2)(A): Emission limits and
other control measures: There are
several regulations within Florida’s SIP
relevant to air quality control
regulations which include enforceable
emission limitations and other control
measures. Chapters 62–204, Air
Pollution Control Provisions; 62–210,
Stationary Sources—General
Requirements; and 62–296, Stationary
Sources—Emissions Standards,
establish emission limits for ozone and
address the required control measures,
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means and techniques for compliance
with the ozone NAAQS respectively.
EPA has made the preliminary
determination that the provisions
contained in these chapters and
Florida’s practices are adequate to
protect the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS
in the State.
In this action, EPA is not proposing to
approve or disapprove any existing
State provisions with regard to excess
emissions during SSM of operations at
a facility. EPA believes that a number of
states have SSM provisions which are
contrary to the CAA and existing EPA
guidance, ‘‘State Implementation Plans:
Policy Regarding Excess Emissions
During Malfunctions, Startup, and
Shutdown’’ (September 20, 1999), and
the Agency plans to address such state
regulations in a separate action.7 In the
meantime, EPA encourages any state
having a deficient SSM provision to take
steps to correct it as soon as possible.
Additionally, in this action, EPA is
not proposing to approve or disapprove
any existing State rules with regard to
director’s discretion or variance
provisions. EPA believes that a number
of states have such provisions which are
contrary to the CAA and existing EPA
guidance (52 FR 45109 (November 24,
1987)), and the Agency plans to take
action in the future to address such state
regulations. In the meantime, EPA
encourages any state having a director’s
discretion or variance provision which
is contrary to the CAA and EPA
guidance to take steps to correct the
deficiency as soon as possible.
2. 110(a)(2)(B) Ambient air quality
monitoring/data system: Chapters 62–
204, Air Pollution Control Provisions;
62–210, Stationary Sources—General
Requirements; 62–212, Stationary
Sources—Preconstruction Review; 62–
296, Stationary Sources—Emissions
Standards; and 62–297, Stationary
Sources—Emissions Monitoring, of the
Florida SIP, along with the Florida
Network Description and Ambient Air
Monitoring Network Plan, provide for
an ambient air quality monitoring
system in the State. Annually, EPA
approves the ambient air monitoring
network plan for the state agencies. In
May 2012, Florida submitted its
monitoring network plan to EPA, and on
September 11, 2012, EPA approved this
plan. Florida’s approved monitoring
network plan can be accessed at
7 On February 22, 2013, EPA published a
proposed action in the Federal Register entitled,
‘‘State Implementation Plans: Response to Petition
for Rulemaking; Findings of Substantial
Inadequacy; and SIP Calls to Amend Provisions
Applying to Excess Emissions During Periods of
Startup, Shutdown, and Malfunction; Proposed
Rule.’’
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www.regulations.gov using Docket ID
No. EPA–R04–OAR–2012–0692. EPA
has made the preliminary determination
that Florida’s SIP and practices are
adequate for the ambient air quality
monitoring and data system related to
the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS.
3. 110(a)(2)(C) Program for
enforcement of control measures
including review of proposed new
sources: Florida’s authority to regulate
new and modified sources of the ozone
precursors volatile organic compounds
(VOCs) and nitrogen oxides (NOX) to
assist in the protection of air quality in
nonattainment, attainment or
unclassifiable areas is established in
Chapters 62–210, Stationary Sources—
General Requirements, Section 200—
Definitions; and 62–212, Stationary
Sources—Preconstruction Review,
Section 400—Prevention of Significant
Deterioration, of the Florida SIP.
At present, there are four SIP
revisions that are relevant to EPA’s
review of FDEP’s infrastructure SIP
submission for the 2008 8-hour ozone
NAAQS in connection with the current
PSD-related infrastructure requirements.
See sections 110(a)(2)(C), prong 3 of
110(a)(2)(D)(i), and 110(a)(2)(J) of the
CAA. The EPA regulations that require
these SIP revisions are: (1) ‘‘Final Rule
To Implement the 8-Hour Ozone
National Ambient Air Quality
Standard—Phase 2; Final Rule’’
(November 29, 2005, 70 FR 71612)
(hereafter referred to as the ‘‘Phase II
Rule’’); (2) ‘‘Prevention of Significant
Deterioration and Title V Greenhouse
Gas [GHG] Tailoring Rule; Final Rule’’
(June 3, 2010, 75 FR 31514) (hereafter
referred to as the ‘‘GHG Tailoring
Rule’’); (3) ‘‘Implementation of the New
Source Review Program for Particulate
Matter Less Than 2.5 Micrometers; Final
Rule’’ (May 16, 2008, 73 FR 28321)
(hereafter referred to as the ‘‘NSR PM2.5
Rule’’); and, (4) ‘‘Final Rule on the
Prevention of Significant Deterioration
(PSD) for Particulate Matter Less Than
2.5 Micrometers (PM2.5)—Increments,
Significant Impact Levels (SILs) and
Significant Monitoring Concentration
(SMC); Final Rule’’ (October 20, 2010,
75 FR 64864) (hereafter referred to as
the‘‘PM2.5 PSD Increment-SILs-SMC
Rule (only as it relates to PM2.5
Increments)’’).
On October 19, 2007, and July 1,
2011, FDEP submitted revisions to EPA
for approval into the Florida SIP to
adopt federal requirements for NSR
permitting promulgated in the Phase II
Rule. FDEP’s submittal addressed the
structural PSD program revisions
required by the Phase II Rule, including
requirements to include NOX as an
ozone precursor for permitting purposes
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for PSD and nonattainment NSR. EPA
published a final action approving
FDEP’s revisions which incorporate
NOX as an ozone precursor on June 15,
2012. See 77 FR 35862. Thus, EPA has
preliminarily determined that the
infrastructure SIP submission is
approvable with respect to this issue.
The second revision pertains to
revisions to the PSD program
promulgated in EPA’s June 3, 2010,
Greenhouse Gas Tailoring Rule or ‘‘GHG
Tailoring Rule.’’ See 75 FR 31514.
Florida did not submit a SIP revision to
adopt the appropriate emission
thresholds for determining which new
stationary sources and modification
projects become subject to PSD
permitting requirements for their GHG
emissions as promulgated in the GHG
Tailoring Rule. Therefore, Florida’s
federally-approved SIP contained errors
that resulted in its failure to address, or
provide adequate legal authority for, the
implementation of a GHG PSD program
in Florida. Approval of a revision to
address GHG is required to meet
110(a)(2)(C). In the GHG SIP Call,8 EPA
determined that the State of Florida’s
SIP was substantially inadequate to
achieve CAA requirements because its
existing PSD program does not apply to
GHG-emitting sources; the rule finalized
a finding to the effect and promulgated
SIP call for 15 state and local permitting
authorities including Florida. EPA
explained that if a state, such as Florida,
identified in the SIP call, failed to
submit the required corrective SIP
revision by the applicable deadline,
EPA would promulgate a FIP under
CAA section 110(c)(1)(A) for that state
to govern PSD permitting for GHG. On
December 30, 2010, EPA promulgated a
FIP 9 for Florida because the State failed
to submit, by its December 22, 2010,
deadline, the corrective SIP revision to
apply its PSD program to sources of
GHG consistent with the thresholds
described in the GHG Tailoring rule.
The FIP ensured that a permitting
authority (i.e., EPA) would be available
to issue preconstruction PSD permits to
GHG-emitting sources in the State of
Florida. EPA took these actions through
interim final rulemaking, effective upon
publication, to ensure the availability of
a permitting authority—EPA—in Florida
for GHG-emitting sources when they
8 Action to Ensure Authority to Issue Permits
Under the Prevention of Significant Deterioration
Program to Sources of Greenhouse Gas Emissions:
Finding of Substantial Inadequacy and SIP Call,
Final Rule, 75 FR 77698 (December 13, 2010).
9 Action to Ensure Authority to Issue Permits
under the Prevention of Significant Deterioration
Program to Sources of Greenhouse Gas Emissions:
Federal Implementation Plan—Final Rule, 75 FR
82246 (December 30, 2010).
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became subject to PSD on January 2,
2011.
Since Florida currently does not have
adequate legal authority in its SIP to
address the GHG PSD permitting
requirements established in the GHG
Tailoring Rule, or at other appropriate
levels, it does not satisfy portions of
elements of the infrastructure
requirements. As a result, EPA is
proposing disapproval of FDEP’s
submission for the portions of
infrastructure elements 110(a)(2)(C),
(D)(i)(II), and (J) related to GHG PSD
permitting requirements. EPA’s
proposed disapproval of these elements,
if finalized, would not result in any
further obligation on the part of Florida
because EPA has already promulgated a
FIP for the Florida PSD program to
address permitting GHGs at or above the
GHG Tailoring Rule thresholds. See 76
FR 25178. Thus, today’s proposed
action to disapprove FDEP’s submission
for sections 110(a)(2)(C), (D)(i)(II), and
(J) as they relate to GHG PSD permitting
requirements, once final, will not
require any further action by either
FDEP or EPA.
The third and fourth revisions pertain
to the adoption of PSD and
Nonattainment New Source Review
(NNSR) requirements related to the
implementation of the NSR PM2.5 Rule
and PM2.5 PSD Increment-SILs-SMC
Rule (only as it relates to PM2.5
Increments). On March 15, 2012, FDEP
submitted revisions to its PSD/NSR
regulations for EPA approval to revise
Florida’s SIP and adopt required federal
PSD permitting provisions governing
the implementation of the NSR program
for PM2.5 as promulgated in the NSR
PM2.5 Rule and PM2.5 increments
pursuant to section 166(a) of the CAA to
prevent significant deterioration of air
quality in areas meeting the NAAQS.
Approval of these regulations into the
SIP address the relevant requirements of
sections 110(a)(2)(C), (D)(i)(II), and (J).
EPA finalized approval of Florida’s
March 15, 2012, submittal on September
19, 2012. See 77 FR 58027.
EPA notes that on September 19,
2012, the Agency approved the SMC
portion of the PM2.5 PSD IncrementSILs-SMC Rule into the Florida SIP. See
77 FR 58027. Since that time, on
January 22, 2013, the U.S. Court of
Appeals for the District of Columbia,
issued a decision that, inter alia,
vacated the provisions adding the PM2.5
SMC to the federal regulations, at 40
CFR 51.166(i)(5)(i)(c) and
52.21(i)(5)(i)(c), that were promulgated
as part of the 2010 PM2.5 PSD
Increment-SILs-SMC Rule. See Sierra
Club v. EPA, 703 F.3d 458 (D.C. Cir.
2013). In its decision, the court held that
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EPA did not have the authority to use
SMCs to exempt permit applicants from
the statutory requirement in section
165(e)(2) of the CAA that ambient
monitoring data for PM2.5 be included in
all PSD permit applications. Thus,
although the PM2.5 SMC was not a
required element of a State’s PSD
program and thus not a structural
requirement for purposes of
infrastructure SIPs, were a SIP-approved
PSD program that contains such a
provision to use that provision to issue
new permits without requiring ambient
PM2.5 monitoring data, such application
of the SIP would be inconsistent with
the court’s opinion and the
requirements of section 165(e)(2) of the
CAA.
Given the clarity of the court’s
decision, it would now be inappropriate
for Florida to continue to allow
applicants for any pending or future
PSD permits to rely on the PM2.5 SMC
in order to avoid compiling ambient
monitoring data for PM2.5. Because of
the vacatur of the EPA regulations, the
SMC provisions included in Florida’s
SIP-approved PSD programs on the
basis of EPA’s regulations are unlawful
and no longer enforceable by law.
Permits issued on the basis of these
provisions as they appear in approved
SIPs would be inconsistent with the
CAA and difficult to defend in
administrative and judicial challenges.
Thus, the SIP provisions may not be
applied even prior to their removal from
the SIP. Florida should instead require
applicants requesting a PSD permit,
including those having already been
applied for but for which the permit has
not yet been received, to submit ambient
PM2.5 monitoring data in accordance
with the CAA requirements whenever
either direct PM2.5 or any PM2.5
precursor is emitted in a significant
amount.10 As the previously-approved
PM2.5 SMC provisions in the Florida SIP
are no longer enforceable, EPA does not
believe the existence of the provisions
in the State’s SIP precludes today’s
proposed approval of portions of the
infrastructure SIP submission for
Florida as it relates to the 2008 8-hour
ozone NAAQS.
EPA intends to initiate a rulemaking
to correct SIPs that were approved with
regard to the PM2.5 SMCs prior to the
court’s decision. EPA also advises the
10 In lieu of the applicants’ need to set out PM
2.5
monitors to collect ambient data, applicants may
submit PM2.5 ambient data collected from existing
monitoring networks when the permitting authority
deems such data to be representative of the air
quality in the area of concern for the year preceding
receipt of the application. EPA believes that
applicants will generally be able to rely on existing
representative monitoring data to satisfy the
monitoring data requirement.
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States to begin preparations to remove
the PM2.5 SMC provisions from their
state PSD regulations and SIPs.
However, EPA has not yet set a deadline
requiring States to take action to revise
their existing PSD programs to address
the court’s decision.
These SIP revisions and the FIP for
GHG 11 address requisite requirements
of infrastructure elements 110(a)(2)(C),
D(i)(II), and (J). The FIP that is currently
in place to address GHG requirements in
Florida will remain until Florida
submits a final submission to EPA for
federal approval and EPA takes final
action on the submission.
Finally, EPA notes that today’s action
is not proposing to approve or
disapprove the State’s existing minor
NSR program itself to the extent that it
is inconsistent with EPA’s regulations
governing this program. EPA believes
that a number of states may have minor
NSR provisions that are contrary to the
existing EPA regulations for this
program. EPA intends to work with
states to reconcile state minor NSR
programs with EPA’s regulatory
provisions for the program. The
statutory requirements of section
110(a)(2)(C) provide for considerable
flexibility in designing minor NSR
programs, and EPA believes it may be
time to revisit the regulatory
requirements for this program to give
the states an appropriate level of
flexibility to design a program that
meets their particular air quality
concerns, while assuring reasonable
consistency across the country in
protecting the NAAQS with respect to
new and modified minor sources.
EPA has made the preliminary
determination that Florida’s SIP and
practices are adequate for program
enforcement of control measures
including review of proposed new
sources related to the 2008 8-hour ozone
NAAQS. For the portion of this element
that EPA is disapproving related to GHG
PSD permitting requirements, EPA has
made the preliminary determination
that the already promulgated FIP for
Florida is adequate for program
enforcement of control measures
including review of proposed new
sources related to the 2008 8-hour ozone
NAAQS.
4. 110(a)(2)(D)(i) and (ii) Interstate
and International transport provisions:
Section 110(a)(2)(D) has two
11 (1) EPA’s approval of Florida’s PSD/NSR
regulations which address the Ozone
Implementation NSR Update requirements, (2)
EPA’s FIP for PSD GHG Tailoring Rule revisions
which addresses the thresholds for GHG permitting
applicability in Florida, (3) EPA’s approval of
Florida’s NSR PM2.5 Rule, and (4) EPA’s approval
of Florida’s PM2.5 PSD Increment-SILs-SMC Rule.
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components; 110(a)(2)(D)(i) and
110(a)(2)(D)(ii). Section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)
includes four distinct components,
commonly referred to as ‘‘prongs,’’ that
must be addressed in SIP submissions.
The first two prongs, which are codified
in section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I), are
provisions that prohibit any source or
other type of emissions activity in one
state from contributing significantly to
nonattainment of the NAAQS in another
state (‘‘prong 1’’), and interfering with
maintenance of the NAAQS in another
state (‘‘prong 2’’). The third and fourth
prongs, which are codified in section
110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II), are provisions that
prohibit emissions activity in one state
interfering with measures required to
prevent significant deterioration of air
quality in another state (‘‘prong 3’’), or
to protect visibility in another state
(‘‘prong 4’’). Section 110(a)(2)(D)(ii)
requires SIPs to include provisions
insuring compliance with sections 115
and 126 of the Act, relating to interstate
and international pollution abatement.
EPA’s analysis of FDEP’s infrastructure
submission with regard to the
requirements of 110(a)(2)(D) is as
follows:
110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I): Florida does not
currently have a section
110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) submission for the
2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS before the
Agency.12 However, in accordance with
the panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals
for the D.C. Circuit opinion, a SIP
submission addressing section
110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) from the State of
Florida is not currently required. See
EME Homer City, 696 F.3d 7. The
opinion in EME Homer City concluded
that EPA cannot promulgate a FIP to
address the requirements of
110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) for a state until EPA
has first quantified the emissions that
must be prohibited under that
provision. See EME Homer City, 696
F.3d at 28 (‘‘explaining that EPA must,
after quantifying state’s obligations
under section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) give
states an initial opportunity to
implement the obligations through
SIPs’’). As such, the lack of a
submission from Florida does not
currently trigger a FIP pursuant to
section 110(c)(1) unless the EME Homer
City decision is reversed or otherwise
modified by the Supreme Court.
110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II)—prong 3: With
regard to prong 3 of section
110(a)(2)(D)(i), this requirement may be
met by the state’s confirmation in an
infrastructure SIP submission that new
major sources and major modifications
12 As previously described, Florida withdrew this
portion of its infrastructure submission related to
section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) on April 30, 2013.
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in the state are subject to a PSD program
meeting all the current structural
requirements of part C of title I of the
CAA or (if the state contains a
nonattainment area for the relevant
pollutant) to a NNSR program that
implements the 2008 8-hour ozone
NAAQS. As discussed in more detail
above with respect to section
110(a)(2)(C), FDEP’s infrastructure SIP
submission describes the PSD Program
provisions contained in for Florida’s SIP
that provide the necessary structural
PSD requirements to satisfy prong 3
requirements, with the exception of
those necessary to address GHG
permitting. Because the Florida SIP does
not currently provide adequate legal
authority to address GHG PSD
permitting requirements, EPA is
proposing disapproval of the Florida
prong 3 infrastructure SIP submission
related to the GHG PSD permitting
requirements. As previously described,
EPA has promulgated a FIP for Florida
addressing these GHG permitting
requirements, and as such, EPA’s
proposed disapproval, if finalized,
would not result in further obligations
on the part of Florida because the FIP
addresses the permitting of GHGs at our
above the applicable Tailoring Rule
thresholds. See 75 FR 82246.
EPA has preliminarily determined
that the Florida SIP meets the relevant
PSD program requirements, with the
exception of those for pertaining to
GHG. Accordingly, in this action EPA is
proposing to approve in part, and
disapprove in part, Florida’s
infrastructure SIP submission as
meeting the applicable requirements of
prong 3 of section 110(a)(2)(D)(i).
110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II)—prong 4: Prong 4 of
section 110(a)(2)(D)(i) requires that SIPs
include provisions prohibiting any
source or other type of emissions
activity in one state from interfering
with measures to protect visibility in
another state. In this rulemaking, EPA is
not proposing any action on prong 4 and
instead will do so in a separate action.
110(a)(2)(D)(ii) Interstate and
International transport provisions: With
regard to 110(a)(2)(D)(ii), Chapter 62–
210, Stationary Sources—General
Requirements of the Florida SIP outlines
how Florida will notify neighboring
states of potential impacts from new or
modified sources. EPA is unaware of
any pending obligations for the State of
Florida pursuant to sections 115 or 126
of the CAA. EPA has made the
preliminary determination that Florida’s
SIP and practices are adequate for
insuring compliance with the applicable
requirements relating to interstate and
international pollution abatement for
the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS.
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5. 110(a)(2)(E) Adequate resources:
Section 110(a)(2)(E) requires that each
implementation plan provide (i)
necessary assurances that the State will
have adequate personnel, funding, and
authority under state law to carry out its
implementation plan, (ii) that the State
comply with the requirements
respecting State Boards pursuant to
section 128 of the Act, and (iii)
necessary assurances that, where the
State has relied on a local or regional
government, agency, or instrumentality
for the implementation of any plan
provision, the State has responsibility
for ensuring adequate implementation
of such plan provisions.
In support of EPA’s proposal to
approve sections 110(a)(2)(E)(i), (ii), and
(iii), EPA notes that FDEP is responsible
for promulgating rules and regulations
for the NAAQS, emissions standards
general policies, a system of permits,
and fee schedules for the review of
plans, and other planning needs. As
evidence of the adequacy of FDEP’s
resources, EPA submitted a letter to
Florida on February 28, 2013, outlining
105 grant commitments and the current
status of these commitments for fiscal
year 2012. The letter EPA submitted to
Florida can be accessed at
www.regulations.gov using Docket ID
No. EPA–R04–OAR–2012–0692.
Annually, states update these grant
commitments based on current SIP
requirements, air quality planning, and
applicable requirements related to the
NAAQS. Florida satisfactorily met all
commitments agreed to in the Air
Planning Agreement for fiscal year 2012,
therefore Florida’s grants were finalized.
On July 30, 2012, EPA approved Florida
statutes into the SIP to comply with
section 128 respecting state boards. See
77 FR 44485. EPA has made the
preliminary determination that Florida
has adequate resources for
implementation of the 2008 8-hour
ozone NAAQS.
6. 110(a)(2)(F) Stationary source
monitoring system: Florida’s
infrastructure submission describes how
the State establishes requirements for
emissions compliance testing and
utilizes emissions sampling and
analysis. It further describes how the
State ensures the quality of its data
through observing emissions and
monitoring operations. Florida FDEP
uses these data to track progress towards
maintaining the NAAQS, develop
control and maintenance strategies,
identify sources and general emission
levels, and determine compliance with
emission regulations and additional
EPA requirements. These requirements
are provided in Chapters 62–210,
Stationary Sources—General
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Requirements; 62–212, Stationary
Sources—Preconstruction Review; 62–
296, Stationary Sources—Emissions
Standards; and 62–297, Stationary
Sources—Emissions Monitoring.
Additionally, Florida is required to
submit emissions data to EPA for
purposes of the National Emissions
Inventory (NEI). The NEI is EPA’s
central repository for air emissions data.
EPA published the Air Emissions
Reporting Rule (AERR) on December 5,
2008, which modified the requirements
for collecting and reporting air
emissions data (73 FR 76539). The
AERR shortened the time states had to
report emissions data from 17 to 12
months, giving states one calendar year
to submit emissions data. All states are
required to submit a comprehensive
emissions inventory every three years
and report emissions for certain larger
sources annually through EPA’s online
Emissions Inventory System. States
report emissions data for the six criteria
pollutants and the precursors that form
them—nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide,
ammonia, lead, carbon monoxide,
particulate matter, and volatile organic
compounds. Many states also
voluntarily report emissions of
hazardous air pollutants. Florida made
its latest update to the NEI on February
27, 2013. EPA compiles the emissions
data, supplementing it where necessary,
and releases it to the general public
through the Web site https://
www.epa.gov/ttn/chief/
eiinformation.html. EPA has made the
preliminary determination that Florida’s
SIP and practices are adequate for the
stationary source monitoring systems
related to the 2008 8-hour ozone
NAAQS.
7. 110(a)(2)(G) Emergency power:
Florida’s infrastructure SIP submission
identifies air pollution emergency
episodes and preplanned abatement
strategies as outlined in Florida Statutes
403.131 and 120.569(2)(n). These
statutes were submitted for inclusion to
the SIP to address the requirements of
section 110(a)(2)(G) of the CAA and
have been approved by EPA on July 30,
2012. See 77 FR 44485. EPA has made
the preliminary determination that
Florida’s SIP and practices are adequate
for emergency powers related to the
2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS.
8. 110(a)(2)(H) Future SIP revisions:
FDEP is responsible for adopting air
quality rules and revising SIPs as
needed to attain or maintain the
NAAQS in Florida. FDEP has the ability
and authority to respond to calls for SIP
revisions, and has provided a number of
SIP revisions over the years for
implementation of the NAAQS. Florida
does not have any nonattainment areas
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for the 2008 8-hour ozone standard but
has made an infrastructure submission
for this standard, which is the subject of
this rulemaking. EPA has made the
preliminary determination that Florida’s
SIP and practices adequately
demonstrate a commitment to provide
future SIP revisions related to the 2008
8-hour ozone NAAQS when necessary.
9. 110(a)(2)(J): EPA is proposing to
approve in part, and disapprove in part,
Florida’s infrastructure SIP for the 2008
8-hour ozone NAAQS with respect to
the requirements in section 110(a)(2)(J)
to include a program in the SIP that
provides for meeting the applicable
consultation requirements of section
121, the public notification
requirements of section 127, and the
PSD and visibility protection
requirements of part C of the Act.
110(a)(2)(J) (121 consultation)
Consultation with government officials:
Chapters 62–204, Air Pollution Control
Provisions and 62–212, Stationary
Sources—Preconstruction Review, as
well as Florida’s Regional Haze
Implementation Plan (which allows for
consultation between appropriate state,
local, and tribal air pollution control
agencies as well as the corresponding
Federal Land Managers), provide for
consultation with government officials
whose jurisdictions might be affected by
SIP development activities. Florida
adopted state-wide consultation
procedures for the implementation of
transportation conformity. These
consultation procedures include
considerations associated with the
development of mobile inventories for
SIPs. Implementation of transportation
conformity as outlined in the
consultation procedures requires FDEP
to consult with federal, state and local
transportation and air quality agency
officials on the development of motor
vehicle emissions budgets. EPA has
made the preliminary determination
that Florida’s SIP and practices
adequately demonstrate consultation
with government officials related to the
2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS when
necessary.
110(a)(2)(J) (127 public notification)
Public notification: FDEP has public
notice mechanisms in place to notify the
public of ozone and other pollutant
forecasting, including an air quality
monitoring Web site providing ground
level ozone alerts, https://
www.dep.state.fl.us/air/air_quality/
countyaqi.htm. Florida also has state
statutes, 403.131, Injunctive relief,
remedies and 120.569(n) (relating to
emergency orders) which allow the state
to seek injunctive relief to prevent
irreparable damage to air quality. In
addition, the Florida SIP contains
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federally-approved provisions to
monitor air pollution episodes for ozone
and particulate matter contained in
Chapter 62–256.300, Prohibitions. EPA
has made the preliminary determination
that Florida’s SIP and practices
adequately demonstrate the State’s
ability to provide public notification
related to the 2008 8-hour ozone
NAAQS when necessary.
110(a)(2)(J) (PSD) PSD: Florida’s
authority to regulate new and modified
sources of the ozone precursors VOCs
and NOx to assist in the protection of air
quality in nonattainment, attainment or
unclassifiable areas is established in
Chapters 62–210, Stationary Sources—
General Requirements, Section 200—
Definitions, and 62–212, Stationary
Sources—Preconstruction Review,
Section 400—Prevention of Significant
Deterioration of the Florida SIP.
Accordingly, as with the PSD related
elements of the infrastructure SIP, this
portion of element (J) also requires
compliance with the Phase II Rule, the
GHG Tailoring Rule, the NSR PM2.5
Rule, and the PM2.5 PSD IncrementSILs-SMC Rule. EPA has approved into
the Florida SIP or has promulgated a FIP
to address each of these requirements,
and as such, the requisite PSD-related
requirements of infrastructure element
110(a)(2)(J) have been addressed.
However, as with infrastructure
elements 110(a)(2)(C), and prong 3 of
110(a)(2)(D)(i), EPA has preliminarily
determined that FDEP’s infrastructure
SIP submission does not fully meet
element 110(a)(2)(J) due to the existing
GHG permitting FIP for Florida. As
discussed in more detail above with
respect to section 110(a)(2)(C), FDEP’s
SIP contains provisions for Florida’s
PSD program that reflect relevant SIP
revisions of the structural PSD
requirements with the exception of the
authority to regulate new GHG PSD
permitting requirements at or above the
levels of emissions set in the GHG
Tailoring Rule, or at other appropriate
levels. On December 30, 2010, EPA
promulgated a FIP 13 for those states
including Florida, because they failed to
submit, a corrective SIP revision to
apply its PSD program to sources of
GHG consistent with the thresholds
described in the GHG Tailoring rule.
EPA has preliminarily determined
that the Florida SIP meets the relevant
PSD program requirements, with the
exception of those for pertaining to
GHG. Accordingly, in this action EPA is
proposing to approve in part, and
13 Action to Ensure Authority to Issue Permits
under the Prevention of Significant Deterioration
Program to Sources of Greenhouse Gas Emissions:
Federal Implementation Plan—Final Rule, 75 FR
82246 (December 30, 2010).
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disapprove in part, Florida’s
infrastructure SIP submission as
meeting the applicable requirements of
110(a)(2)(J). As previously described,
EPA’s proposed disapproval of section
110(a)(2)(J) related to GHG PSD
permiting, if finalized, would not result
in further obligations on the part of
Florida because the FIP addresses the
permitting of GHGs at our above the
applicable Tailoring Rule thresholds.
See 75 FR 82246.
110(a)(2)(J) Visibility protection: With
regard to the visibility protection aspect
of 110(a)(2)(J), EPA recognizes that
states are subject to visibility and
regional haze program requirements
under part C of the Act (which includes
sections 169A and 169B). In the event
of the establishment of a new NAAQS,
however, the visibility and regional
haze program requirements under part C
do not change. Thus, EPA finds that
there are no applicable visibility
obligations under part C ‘‘triggered’’
under section 110(a)(2)(J) when a new
NAAQS becomes effective. Florida has
submitted SIP revisions to satisfy the
requirements of the CAA Section 169A
and 169B, and the regional haze and
BART rules contained in 40 CFR 51.308.
On November 29, 2012, EPA published
a final rulemaking approving certain
BART determinations under Florida’s
regional haze program. See 77 FR 71111.
EPA has proposed full approval of the
remaining aspects of Florida’s regional
haze program on December 10, 2012.
See 77 FR 73369. In EPA’s view, the
current status of Florida’s regional haze
SIP as having not been fully approved
is not a bar to full approval of the
infrastructure SIP submission with
respect to the visibility protection
aspect of 110(a)(2)(J), and EPA is
proposing to fully approve the
infrastructure SIP for this aspect.
10. 110(a)(2)(K) Air quality and
modeling/data: Chapter 62–204.800,
Federal Regulations Adopted by
Reference, incorporates by reference 40
CFR 52.21(l), which specifies that air
modeling be conducted in accordance
with 40 CFR part 51, Appendix W
‘‘Guideline on Air Quality Models.’’
These regulations demonstrate that
Florida has the authority to provide
relevant data for the purpose of
predicting the effect on ambient air
quality of the 8-hour ozone NAAQS.
Additionally, Florida supports a
regional effort to coordinate the
development of emissions inventories
and conduct regional modeling for
several NAAQS, including the 1997 8hour ozone NAAQS, for the
Southeastern states. Taken as a whole,
Florida’s air quality regulations
demonstrate that FDEP has the authority
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to provide relevant data for the purpose
of predicting the effect on ambient air
quality of the 8-hour ozone NAAQS.
EPA has made the preliminary
determination that Florida’s SIP and
practices adequately demonstrate the
State’s ability to provide for air quality
and modeling, along with analysis of the
associated data, related to the 2008 8hour ozone NAAQS when necessary.
11. 110(a)(2)(L) Permitting fees:
Florida addresses the review of
construction permits as previously
discussed in 110(a)(2)(C). Permitting
fees in Florida are collected through the
State’s federally-approved title V fees
program, according to State regulation
403.087(6)(a), Permit Fees. EPA has
made the preliminary determination
that Florida’s SIP and practices
adequately provide for permitting fees
related to the 2008 8-hour ozone
NAAQS when necessary.
12. 110(a)(2)(M) Consultation/
participation by affected local entities:
Chapter 62–204, Air Pollution Control
Provisions, requires that SIPs be
submitted in accordance with 40 CFR
part 51, Subpart F, for permitting
purposes. Florida statute 403.061(21)
authorizes FDEP to ‘‘[a]dvise, consult,
cooperate and enter into agreements
with other agencies of the state, the
Federal Government, other states,
interstate agencies, groups, political
subdivisions, and industries affected by
the provisions of this act, rules, or
policies of the department.’’
Furthermore, FDEP has demonstrated
consultation with, and participation by,
affected local entities through its work
with local political subdivisions during
the developing of its Transportation
Conformity SIP and Regional Haze
Implementation Plan. EPA has made the
preliminary determination that Florida’s
SIP and practices adequately
demonstrate consultation with affected
local entities related to the 2008 8-hour
ozone NAAQS when necessary.
V. Proposed Action
As described above, Florida has
addressed the elements of the CAA
section 110(a)(1) and (2) SIP
requirements being proposed for
approval to ensure that the 2008 8-hour
ozone NAAQS are implemented,
enforced, and maintained in Florida.
EPA is now proposing two related
actions on Florida’s October 31, 2011,
submission. First, EPA is proposing to
approve Florida’s infrastructure
submission for the applicable
requirements of the 2008 8-hour ozone
NAAQS, with the exception prong 4 of
section 110(a)(2)(D)(i), and the portions
of sections 110(a)(2)(C), prong 3 of D(i),
and (J) related to GHG PSD permitting.
PO 00000
Frm 00056
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
29313
With respect to Florida infrastructure
SIP submission related to prong 4 of
section 110(a)(2)(D)(i), EPA will act on
this portion of the submission in a
separate action. With respect to the
portions of sections 110(a)(2)(C), prong
3 of D(i) and (J) related to GHG PSD
permitting requirements, EPA is
proposing to disapprove Florida’s
submission related to these
requirements.
VI. 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 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 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
E:\FR\FM\20MYP1.SGM
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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 97 / Monday, May 20, 2013 / Proposed Rules
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, Intergovernmental
relations, Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone,
Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Volatile organic
compounds.
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
Dated: May 6, 2013.
A. Stanley Meiburg,
Acting Regional Administrator, Region 4.
[FR Doc. 2013–11868 Filed 5–17–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 52
[EPA–R08–OAR–2012–0350; FRL–9815–2]
Approval and Promulgation of State
Implementation Plans; State of Utah;
Interstate Transport of Pollution for the
2006 PM2.5 NAAQS
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Proposed rule.
AGENCY:
EPA is proposing to
disapprove a portion of a State
Implementation Plan (SIP) submission
from the State of Utah that is intended
to demonstrate that its SIP meets certain
interstate transport requirements of the
Clean Air Act (‘‘Act’’ or ‘‘CAA’’) for the
2006 fine particulate matter (‘‘PM2.5’’)
National Ambient Air Quality Standards
(NAAQS). This SIP submission
addresses the requirement that Utah’s
SIP contain adequate provisions to
prohibit air emissions from adversely
affecting another state’s air quality
through interstate transport.
Specifically, EPA is proposing to
disapprove the portion of the Utah SIP
submission that addresses the CAA
requirement prohibiting emissions from
Utah sources from significantly
contributing to nonattainment of the
2006 PM2.5 NAAQS in any other state or
interfering with maintenance of the
2006 PM2.5 NAAQS by any other state.
Under a recent court decision, this
disapproval does not trigger an
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
SUMMARY:
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17:21 May 17, 2013
Jkt 229001
obligation for EPA to promulgate a
Federal Implementation Plan (FIP) to
address these interstate transport
requirements.
Comments must be received on
or before June 19, 2013.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,
identified by Docket ID No. EPA–R08–
OAR–2012–0350, by one of the
following methods:
• https://www.regulations.gov. Follow
the on-line instructions for submitting
comments.
• Email: clark.adam@epa.gov.
• Fax: (303) 312–6064 (please alert
the individual listed in the FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT if you are faxing
comments).
• Mail: Carl Daly, Director, Air
Program, Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA), Region 8, Mailcode 8P–
AR, 1595 Wynkoop Street, Denver,
Colorado 80202–1129.
• Hand Delivery: Carl Daly, Director,
Air Program, Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA), Region 8, Mailcode 8P–
AR, 1595 Wynkoop, Denver, Colorado
80202–1129. Such deliveries are only
accepted Monday through Friday, 8:00
a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding Federal
holidays. Special arrangements should
be made for deliveries of boxed
information.
Instructions: Direct your comments to
Docket ID No. EPA–R08–OAR–2012–
0350. EPA’s policy is that all comments
received 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 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://
www.regulations.gov or email. The
https://www.regulations.gov Web site is
an ‘‘anonymous access’’ system, which
means EPA will not know your identity
or contact information unless you
provide it in the body of your comment.
If you send an email comment directly
to EPA, without going through https://
www.regulations.gov, your email
address will be automatically captured
and included as part of the comment
that is placed in the public docket and
made available on the Internet. If you
submit an electronic comment, EPA
recommends that you include your
name and other contact information in
the body of your comment and with any
disk or CD–ROM you submit. If EPA
cannot read your comment due to
technical difficulties and cannot contact
DATES:
PO 00000
Frm 00057
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
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. For additional instructions on
submitting comments, go to Section I.
General Information of the
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of
this document.
Docket: All documents in the docket
are listed in the https://
www.regulations.gov index. Although
listed in the index, some information is
not publicly available, e.g., CBI or other
information whose disclosure is
restricted by statute. Certain other
material, such as copyrighted material,
will be publicly available only in hard
copy. Publicly-available docket
materials are available either
electronically in https://
www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at
the Air Program, Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA), Region 8,
Mailcode 8P–AR, 1595 Wynkoop,
Denver, Colorado 80202–1129. EPA
requests that if at all possible, you
contact the individual listed in the FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section to
view the hard copy of the docket. You
may view the hard copy of the docket
Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to
4:00 p.m., excluding Federal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Adam Clark, Air Program, U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency,
Region 8, Mailcode 8P–AR, 1595
Wynkoop, Denver, Colorado 80202–
1129, (303) 312–7104,
clark.adam@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Definitions
For the purpose of this document, we
are giving meaning to certain words or
initials as follows:
(i) The words or initials Act or CAA
mean or refer to the Clean Air Act,
unless the context indicates otherwise.
(ii) The initials CAIR mean or refer to
the Clean Air Interstate Rule
(iii) The initials CSAPR mean or refer
to the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule
(iv) The words EPA, we, us or our
mean or refer to the United States
Environmental Protection Agency.
(v) The initials SIP mean or refer to
State Implementation Plan.
(vi) The initials UDEQ mean or refer
to the Utah Department of
Environmental Quality.
(vii) The words Utah and State mean
the State of Utah.
Table of Contents
I. General Information
II. Background
E:\FR\FM\20MYP1.SGM
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 97 (Monday, May 20, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 29306-29314]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-11868]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 52
[EPA-R04-OAR-2012-0692; FRL-9814-1]
Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; Florida;
Infrastructure Requirements for the 2008 8-Hour Ozone National Ambient
Air Quality Standards
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Proposed rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: EPA is proposing to approve in part, and disapprove in part,
the State Implementation Plan (SIP) submission, submitted by the State
of Florida, through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection
(FDEP) on October 31, 2011, to demonstrate that the State meets the
infrastructure requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act) for the
2008 8-hour ozone national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS). 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.
FDEP certified that the Florida SIP contains provisions that ensure the
2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS are implemented, enforced, and maintained in
Florida (hereafter referred to as ``infrastructure submission''). EPA
is now taking two related actions on FDEP's infrastructure submission
for Florida. First, EPA is proposing to disapprove in part portions of
Florida's infrastructure submission as it relates to the regulation of
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Second, EPA is proposing to determine
that Florida's infrastructure submission, addresses all other required
infrastructure elements for the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS, with the
exception of the aforementioned portions and the requirement that the
SIP include provisions prohibiting any source or other type of
emissions activity in one state from interfering with measures to
protect visibility in another state.
DATES: Written comments must be received on or before June 19, 2013.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-R04-
OAR-2012-0692, by one of the following methods:
1. www.regulations.gov: Follow the on-line instructions for
submitting comments.
2. Email: R4-RDS@epa.gov.
3. Fax: (404) 562-9019.
4. Mail: ``EPA-R04-OAR-2012-0692,'' 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.
5. Hand Delivery or Courier: Lynorae Benjamin, 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. Such deliveries are
only accepted during the Regional Office's normal hours of operation.
The Regional Office's official hours of business are Monday through
Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding Federal holidays.
Instructions: Direct your comments to Docket ID No. EPA-R04-OAR-
2012-0692. EPA's policy is that all comments received will be included
in the public docket without change and may be made available online at
www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided,
unless the comment includes information claimed to be Confidential
Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is
restricted by statute. Do not submit through www.regulations.gov or
email, information that you consider to be CBI or otherwise protected.
The www.regulations.gov Web site is an ``anonymous access'' system,
which means EPA will not know your identity or contact information
unless you provide it in the body of your comment. If you send an email
comment directly
[[Page 29307]]
to EPA without going through www.regulations.gov, your email address
will be automatically captured and included as part of the comment that
is placed in the public docket and made available on the Internet. If
you submit an electronic comment, EPA recommends that you include your
name and other contact information in the body of your comment and with
any disk or CD-ROM you submit. If 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. For additional information about EPA's public
docket visit the EPA Docket Center homepage at https://www.epa.gov/epahome/dockets.htm.
Docket: All documents in the electronic docket are listed in the
www.regulations.gov index. Although listed in the index, some
information is not publicly available, i.e., CBI 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 in 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 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.,
excluding Federal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nacosta C. Ward, 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) 562-9140. Ms. Ward can be reached via electronic mail at
ward.nacosta@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Table of Contents
I. Background and Overview
II. What elements are required under sections 110(a)(1) and (2)?
III. Scope of Infrastructure SIPs
IV. What is EPA's analysis of how Florida addressed the elements of
sections 110(a)(1) and (2) ``Infrastructure'' Provisions?
V. Proposed Action
VI. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
I. Background and Overview
On March 27, 2008, EPA promulgated a revised NAAQS for ozone based
on 8-hour average concentrations. EPA revised the level of the 8-hour
ozone NAAQS to 0.075 parts per million. See 77 FR 16436. Pursuant to
section 110(a)(1) of the CAA, states are required to submit SIPs
meeting the applicable requirements of section 110(a)(2) within three
years after promulgation of a new or revised NAAQS or within such
shorter period as EPA may prescribe. Section 110(a)(2) requires states
to address basic SIP elements such as requirements for monitoring,
basic program requirements and legal authority that are designed to
assure attainment and maintenance of the NAAQS. States were required to
submit such SIPs for the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS to EPA no later than
March 2011.
Florida's infrastructure submission was received by EPA on October
31, 2011, for the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS. FDEP's October 31, 2011,
infrastructure SIP submission for the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS also
addressed CAA section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I), which requires that SIPs
contain adequate provisions prohibiting any source or other type of
emissions activity in one state from contributing significantly to
nonattainment maintenance of the NAAQS in another state. On April 30,
2013, following the recent EME Homer City Generation, L.P. v. EPA, 696
F.3d 7 (D.C. Cir. 2012) decision, Florida withdrew its submission for
section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I). This decision addressed the requirements of
110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I), and provided that a section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) SIP
submission cannot be considered a ``required'' SIP submission until EPA
has defined a state's obligations pursuant to that section. See EME
Homer City, 696 F.3d at 32 (``A SIP logically cannot be deemed to lack
a `required submission' or deemed to be deficient for failure to meet
the good neighbor obligation before EPA quantifies the good neighbor
obligation.'') EPA historically has interpreted section 110(a)(1) of
the CAA as establishing the required submittal date for SIPs addressing
all of the ``interstate transport'' requirements in section
110(a)(2)(D), including the provisions in section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I)
regarding significant contribution to nonattainment and interference
with maintenance. However, at this time in light of the EME Homer City
opinion, EPA is not treating the section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) SIP
submission from FDEP as a required SIP submission. The EME Homer City
opinion provides that EPA does not have authority to promulgate Federal
Implementation Plan (FIP) to address the requirements of section
110(a)(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) until EPA has identified emissions in a state
that significantly contribute to nonattainment or interfere with
maintenance of the NAAQS in another state and given the state an
opportunity to submit a SIP to address those emissions. EME Homer City,
696 F.3d at 28.
Additionally, Florida did not submit a SIP revision to adopt the
appropriate emission thresholds for determining which new stationary
sources and modification projects become subject to PSD permitting
requirements for their GHG emissions as promulgated in the GHG
Tailoring Rule. See 75 FR 31514, June 3, 2010. Therefore, Florida's
federally-approved SIP does not address or provide adequate legal
authority for, the implementation of a GHG PSD program in Florida.
Approval of a revision to address GHG is required to meet sections
110(a)(2)(C), D(i)(II), and (J) related to PSD. On December 30, 2010,
EPA promulgated a FIP \1\ under CAA section 110(c)(1)(A) for Florida to
govern PSD permitting for GHG in the State. Since the Florida SIP
currently does not provide adequate legal authority to address the new
GHG PSD permitting requirements at or above the emissions levels set in
the GHG Tailoring Rule, or at other appropriate levels, it does not
satisfy portions of the aforementioned infrastructure requirements. See
75 FR 82246. As a result, EPA is proposing disapproval in part portions
of sections 110(a)(2)(C), D(i)(II) and (J) of Florida infrastructure
SIP submission as related to GHG PSD permitting requirements. EPA's
proposed disapproval of these elements does not result in any further
obligation on the part of Florida, because, as described above, EPA has
already promulgated a FIP for the Florida PSD program to address
permitting GHGs at or above the GHG Tailoring Rule thresholds. Thus,
today's proposed action to disapprove FDEP's submission for the PSD-
related portions of sections 110(a)(2)(C), D(i)(II), and (J), once
final, will not require any further action by either FDEP or EPA.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Action to Ensure Authority to Issue Permits under the
Prevention of Significant Deterioration Program to Sources of
Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Federal Implementation Plan--Final Rule,
75 FR 82246 (December 30, 2010).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 29308]]
Today's action is proposing two related actions on Florida's
October 31, 2011, submission. First, EPA is proposing to approve
Florida's infrastructure submission \2\ for the applicable requirements
of the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS, with the exception of the visibility
requirements of section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II), and the portions of
sections 110(a)(2)(C), D(i)(II), and (J) related to GHG PSD permitting.
With respect to Florida's infrastructure SIP submission related to the
visibility requirements of section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II), EPA will act on
this portion of the submission in a separate action. With respect to
the portions of sections 110(a)(2)(C), D(i)(II), and (J) related to GHG
PSD permitting requirements, EPA is proposing to disapprove Florida's
submission related to these requirements. This action is not approving
any specific rule, but rather proposing that Florida's already approved
SIP meets certain CAA requirements.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ As noted above, Florida withdrew the portions of its
infrastructure SIP submission related to the requirements of section
110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I). As such, this proposed action does not address
these requirements.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
II. What elements are required under sections 110(a)(1) and (2)?
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. In particular, 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 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS, states typically
have met the basic program elements required in section 110(a)(2)
through earlier SIP submissions in connection with the 1997 8-hour
ozone 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 mentioned above, these
requirements include basic SIP elements such as requirements for
monitoring, basic program requirements and legal authority that are
designed to assure attainment and maintenance of the NAAQS. The
requirements that are the subject of this proposed rulemaking are
summarized below.\3\
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\3\ Two elements identified in section 110(a)(2) are not
governed by the three year submission deadline of section 110(a)(1)
because SIPs incorporating necessary local nonattainment area
controls are not due within three years after promulgation of a new
or revised NAAQS, but rather due at the time the nonattainment area
plan requirements are due pursuant to section 172. These
requirements are: (1) Submissions required by section 110(a)(2)(C)
to the extent that subsection refers to a permit program as required
in part D Title I of the CAA; and (2) submissions required by
section 110(a)(2)(I) which pertain to the nonattainment planning
requirements of part D, Title I of the CAA. Today's proposed
rulemaking does not address infrastructure elements related to
section 110(a)(2)(I) or the nonattainment planning requirements of
110(a)(2)(C).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
110(a)(2)(A): Emission limits and other control measures.
110(a)(2)(B): Ambient air quality monitoring/data system.
110(a)(2)(C): Program for enforcement of control
measures.\4\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\4\ This rulemaking only addresses requirements for this element
as they relate to attainment areas.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
110(a)(2)(D): Interstate transport.\5\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\5\ In accordance with the panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals
for the D.C. Circuit opinion, EPA at this time is not treating
section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) as a required SIP submission. See EME
Homer City generation, L.P. v. EPA, 696 F.3d 7. Unless the EME Homer
City decision is reversed or otherwise modified by the Supreme
Court, states are not required to submit 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) SIPs
until the EPA has quantified their obligations under that section.
The portions of the SIP submission relating to 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II)
(also referred to as prongs 3 and 4) and 110(a)(2)(D)(ii), in
contrast, are required. Prong 3 of 110(a)(2)(D)(i) and
110(a)(2)(D)(ii) are being acted upon by EPA in today's proposed
rulemaking. Prong 4 of 110(a)(2)(D)(i) will be acted on in a
separate action.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
110(a)(2)(E): Adequate resources.
110(a)(2)(F): Stationary source monitoring system.
110(a)(2)(G): Emergency power.
110(a)(2)(H): Future SIP revisions.
110(a)(2)(I): Areas designated nonattainment and meet the
applicable requirements of part D.\6\
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\6\ As mentioned above, this element is not relevant to today's
proposed rulemaking.
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110(a)(2)(J): Consultation with government officials;
public notification; and PSD and visibility protection.
110(a)(2)(K): Air quality modeling/data.
110(a)(2)(L): Permitting fees.
110(a)(2)(M): Consultation/participation by affected local
entities.
III. Scope of Infrastructure SIPs
EPA notes that this rulemaking does not address four substantive
issues that are not integral to the Florida infrastructure SIP
submission. These four issues are: (i) Existing provisions related to
excess emissions during periods of start-up, shutdown, or malfunction
at sources (SSM), that may be contrary to the CAA and EPA's policies
addressing such excess emissions; (ii) existing provisions related to
``director's variance'' or ``director's discretion'' that purport to
permit revisions to SIP approved emissions limits with limited public
process or without requiring further approval by EPA, that may be
contrary to the CAA (director's discretion); (iii) existing provisions
for minor source new source review (NSR) programs that may be
inconsistent with the requirements of the CAA and EPA's regulations
that pertain to such programs (minor source NSR); and, (iv) existing
provisions for PSD programs that may be inconsistent with current
requirements of EPA's ``Final NSR Improvement Rule,'' 67 FR 80186
(December 31, 2002), as amended by 72 FR 32526 (June 13, 2007) (NSR
Reform).
Instead, EPA has indicated that it has other authority to address
any such existing SIP defects in other rulemakings, as appropriate. A
detailed rationale for why these four substantive issues are not part
of the scope of infrastructure SIP rulemakings can be found in EPA's
November 8, 2012, proposed rule entitled, ``Approval and Promulgation
of Implementation Plans; Florida; 110(a)(1) and (2) Infrastructure
Requirements for the 1997 annual and 2006 24-hour Fine Particulate
Matter National Ambient Air Quality Standards'' in the section
entitled, ``Scope of Infrastructure SIPs.'' See 77 FR 66927.
IV. What is EPA's analysis of how Florida addressed the elements of
Sections 110(a)(1) and (2) ``Infrastructure'' provisions?
EPA is proposing to take two actions in response to Florida's
infrastructure SIP submission for the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS. FDEP's
infrastructure submission addresses the provisions of sections
110(a)(1) and (2) as described below.
1. 110(a)(2)(A): Emission limits and other control measures: There
are several regulations within Florida's SIP relevant to air quality
control regulations which include enforceable emission limitations and
other control measures. Chapters 62-204, Air Pollution Control
Provisions; 62-210, Stationary Sources--General Requirements; and 62-
296, Stationary Sources--Emissions Standards, establish emission limits
for ozone and address the required control measures,
[[Page 29309]]
means and techniques for compliance with the ozone NAAQS respectively.
EPA has made the preliminary determination that the provisions
contained in these chapters and Florida's practices are adequate to
protect the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS in the State.
In this action, EPA is not proposing to approve or disapprove any
existing State provisions with regard to excess emissions during SSM of
operations at a facility. EPA believes that a number of states have SSM
provisions which are contrary to the CAA and existing EPA guidance,
``State Implementation Plans: Policy Regarding Excess Emissions During
Malfunctions, Startup, and Shutdown'' (September 20, 1999), and the
Agency plans to address such state regulations in a separate action.\7\
In the meantime, EPA encourages any state having a deficient SSM
provision to take steps to correct it as soon as possible.
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\7\ On February 22, 2013, EPA published a proposed action in the
Federal Register entitled, ``State Implementation Plans: Response to
Petition for Rulemaking; Findings of Substantial Inadequacy; and SIP
Calls to Amend Provisions Applying to Excess Emissions During
Periods of Startup, Shutdown, and Malfunction; Proposed Rule.''
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Additionally, in this action, EPA is not proposing to approve or
disapprove any existing State rules with regard to director's
discretion or variance provisions. EPA believes that a number of states
have such provisions which are contrary to the CAA and existing EPA
guidance (52 FR 45109 (November 24, 1987)), and the Agency plans to
take action in the future to address such state regulations. In the
meantime, EPA encourages any state having a director's discretion or
variance provision which is contrary to the CAA and EPA guidance to
take steps to correct the deficiency as soon as possible.
2. 110(a)(2)(B) Ambient air quality monitoring/data system:
Chapters 62-204, Air Pollution Control Provisions; 62-210, Stationary
Sources--General Requirements; 62-212, Stationary Sources--
Preconstruction Review; 62-296, Stationary Sources--Emissions
Standards; and 62-297, Stationary Sources--Emissions Monitoring, of the
Florida SIP, along with the Florida Network Description and Ambient Air
Monitoring Network Plan, provide for an ambient air quality monitoring
system in the State. Annually, EPA approves the ambient air monitoring
network plan for the state agencies. In May 2012, Florida submitted its
monitoring network plan to EPA, and on September 11, 2012, EPA approved
this plan. Florida's approved monitoring network plan can be accessed
at www.regulations.gov using Docket ID No. EPA-R04-OAR-2012-0692. EPA
has made the preliminary determination that Florida's SIP and practices
are adequate for the ambient air quality monitoring and data system
related to the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS.
3. 110(a)(2)(C) Program for enforcement of control measures
including review of proposed new sources: Florida's authority to
regulate new and modified sources of the ozone precursors volatile
organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen oxides (NOX) to assist
in the protection of air quality in nonattainment, attainment or
unclassifiable areas is established in Chapters 62-210, Stationary
Sources--General Requirements, Section 200--Definitions; and 62-212,
Stationary Sources--Preconstruction Review, Section 400--Prevention of
Significant Deterioration, of the Florida SIP.
At present, there are four SIP revisions that are relevant to EPA's
review of FDEP's infrastructure SIP submission for the 2008 8-hour
ozone NAAQS in connection with the current PSD-related infrastructure
requirements. See sections 110(a)(2)(C), prong 3 of 110(a)(2)(D)(i),
and 110(a)(2)(J) of the CAA. The EPA regulations that require these SIP
revisions are: (1) ``Final Rule To Implement the 8-Hour Ozone National
Ambient Air Quality Standard--Phase 2; Final Rule'' (November 29, 2005,
70 FR 71612) (hereafter referred to as the ``Phase II Rule''); (2)
``Prevention of Significant Deterioration and Title V Greenhouse Gas
[GHG] Tailoring Rule; Final Rule'' (June 3, 2010, 75 FR 31514)
(hereafter referred to as the ``GHG Tailoring Rule''); (3)
``Implementation of the New Source Review Program for Particulate
Matter Less Than 2.5 Micrometers; Final Rule'' (May 16, 2008, 73 FR
28321) (hereafter referred to as the ``NSR PM2.5 Rule'');
and, (4) ``Final Rule on the Prevention of Significant Deterioration
(PSD) for Particulate Matter Less Than 2.5 Micrometers
(PM2.5)--Increments, Significant Impact Levels (SILs) and
Significant Monitoring Concentration (SMC); Final Rule'' (October 20,
2010, 75 FR 64864) (hereafter referred to as the``PM2.5 PSD
Increment-SILs-SMC Rule (only as it relates to PM2.5
Increments)'').
On October 19, 2007, and July 1, 2011, FDEP submitted revisions to
EPA for approval into the Florida SIP to adopt federal requirements for
NSR permitting promulgated in the Phase II Rule. FDEP's submittal
addressed the structural PSD program revisions required by the Phase II
Rule, including requirements to include NOX as an ozone
precursor for permitting purposes for PSD and nonattainment NSR. EPA
published a final action approving FDEP's revisions which incorporate
NOX as an ozone precursor on June 15, 2012. See 77 FR 35862.
Thus, EPA has preliminarily determined that the infrastructure SIP
submission is approvable with respect to this issue.
The second revision pertains to revisions to the PSD program
promulgated in EPA's June 3, 2010, Greenhouse Gas Tailoring Rule or
``GHG Tailoring Rule.'' See 75 FR 31514. Florida did not submit a SIP
revision to adopt the appropriate emission thresholds for determining
which new stationary sources and modification projects become subject
to PSD permitting requirements for their GHG emissions as promulgated
in the GHG Tailoring Rule. Therefore, Florida's federally-approved SIP
contained errors that resulted in its failure to address, or provide
adequate legal authority for, the implementation of a GHG PSD program
in Florida. Approval of a revision to address GHG is required to meet
110(a)(2)(C). In the GHG SIP Call,\8\ EPA determined that the State of
Florida's SIP was substantially inadequate to achieve CAA requirements
because its existing PSD program does not apply to GHG-emitting
sources; the rule finalized a finding to the effect and promulgated SIP
call for 15 state and local permitting authorities including Florida.
EPA explained that if a state, such as Florida, identified in the SIP
call, failed to submit the required corrective SIP revision by the
applicable deadline, EPA would promulgate a FIP under CAA section
110(c)(1)(A) for that state to govern PSD permitting for GHG. On
December 30, 2010, EPA promulgated a FIP \9\ for Florida because the
State failed to submit, by its December 22, 2010, deadline, the
corrective SIP revision to apply its PSD program to sources of GHG
consistent with the thresholds described in the GHG Tailoring rule. The
FIP ensured that a permitting authority (i.e., EPA) would be available
to issue preconstruction PSD permits to GHG-emitting sources in the
State of Florida. EPA took these actions through interim final
rulemaking, effective upon publication, to ensure the availability of a
permitting authority--EPA--in Florida for GHG-emitting sources when
they
[[Page 29310]]
became subject to PSD on January 2, 2011.
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\8\ Action to Ensure Authority to Issue Permits Under the
Prevention of Significant Deterioration Program to Sources of
Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Finding of Substantial Inadequacy and SIP
Call, Final Rule, 75 FR 77698 (December 13, 2010).
\9\ Action to Ensure Authority to Issue Permits under the
Prevention of Significant Deterioration Program to Sources of
Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Federal Implementation Plan--Final Rule,
75 FR 82246 (December 30, 2010).
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Since Florida currently does not have adequate legal authority in
its SIP to address the GHG PSD permitting requirements established in
the GHG Tailoring Rule, or at other appropriate levels, it does not
satisfy portions of elements of the infrastructure requirements. As a
result, EPA is proposing disapproval of FDEP's submission for the
portions of infrastructure elements 110(a)(2)(C), (D)(i)(II), and (J)
related to GHG PSD permitting requirements. EPA's proposed disapproval
of these elements, if finalized, would not result in any further
obligation on the part of Florida because EPA has already promulgated a
FIP for the Florida PSD program to address permitting GHGs at or above
the GHG Tailoring Rule thresholds. See 76 FR 25178. Thus, today's
proposed action to disapprove FDEP's submission for sections
110(a)(2)(C), (D)(i)(II), and (J) as they relate to GHG PSD permitting
requirements, once final, will not require any further action by either
FDEP or EPA.
The third and fourth revisions pertain to the adoption of PSD and
Nonattainment New Source Review (NNSR) requirements related to the
implementation of the NSR PM2.5 Rule and PM2.5
PSD Increment-SILs-SMC Rule (only as it relates to PM2.5
Increments). On March 15, 2012, FDEP submitted revisions to its PSD/NSR
regulations for EPA approval to revise Florida's SIP and adopt required
federal PSD permitting provisions governing the implementation of the
NSR program for PM2.5 as promulgated in the NSR
PM2.5 Rule and PM2.5 increments pursuant to
section 166(a) of the CAA to prevent significant deterioration of air
quality in areas meeting the NAAQS. Approval of these regulations into
the SIP address the relevant requirements of sections 110(a)(2)(C),
(D)(i)(II), and (J). EPA finalized approval of Florida's March 15,
2012, submittal on September 19, 2012. See 77 FR 58027.
EPA notes that on September 19, 2012, the Agency approved the SMC
portion of the PM2.5 PSD Increment-SILs-SMC Rule into the
Florida SIP. See 77 FR 58027. Since that time, on January 22, 2013, the
U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, issued a decision
that, inter alia, vacated the provisions adding the PM2.5
SMC to the federal regulations, at 40 CFR 51.166(i)(5)(i)(c) and
52.21(i)(5)(i)(c), that were promulgated as part of the 2010
PM2.5 PSD Increment-SILs-SMC Rule. See Sierra Club v. EPA,
703 F.3d 458 (D.C. Cir. 2013). In its decision, the court held that EPA
did not have the authority to use SMCs to exempt permit applicants from
the statutory requirement in section 165(e)(2) of the CAA that ambient
monitoring data for PM2.5 be included in all PSD permit
applications. Thus, although the PM2.5 SMC was not a
required element of a State's PSD program and thus not a structural
requirement for purposes of infrastructure SIPs, were a SIP-approved
PSD program that contains such a provision to use that provision to
issue new permits without requiring ambient PM2.5 monitoring
data, such application of the SIP would be inconsistent with the
court's opinion and the requirements of section 165(e)(2) of the CAA.
Given the clarity of the court's decision, it would now be
inappropriate for Florida to continue to allow applicants for any
pending or future PSD permits to rely on the PM2.5 SMC in
order to avoid compiling ambient monitoring data for PM2.5.
Because of the vacatur of the EPA regulations, the SMC provisions
included in Florida's SIP-approved PSD programs on the basis of EPA's
regulations are unlawful and no longer enforceable by law. Permits
issued on the basis of these provisions as they appear in approved SIPs
would be inconsistent with the CAA and difficult to defend in
administrative and judicial challenges. Thus, the SIP provisions may
not be applied even prior to their removal from the SIP. Florida should
instead require applicants requesting a PSD permit, including those
having already been applied for but for which the permit has not yet
been received, to submit ambient PM2.5 monitoring data in
accordance with the CAA requirements whenever either direct
PM2.5 or any PM2.5 precursor is emitted in a
significant amount.\10\ As the previously-approved PM2.5 SMC
provisions in the Florida SIP are no longer enforceable, EPA does not
believe the existence of the provisions in the State's SIP precludes
today's proposed approval of portions of the infrastructure SIP
submission for Florida as it relates to the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS.
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\10\ In lieu of the applicants' need to set out PM2.5
monitors to collect ambient data, applicants may submit
PM2.5 ambient data collected from existing monitoring
networks when the permitting authority deems such data to be
representative of the air quality in the area of concern for the
year preceding receipt of the application. EPA believes that
applicants will generally be able to rely on existing representative
monitoring data to satisfy the monitoring data requirement.
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EPA intends to initiate a rulemaking to correct SIPs that were
approved with regard to the PM2.5 SMCs prior to the court's
decision. EPA also advises the States to begin preparations to remove
the PM2.5 SMC provisions from their state PSD regulations
and SIPs. However, EPA has not yet set a deadline requiring States to
take action to revise their existing PSD programs to address the
court's decision.
These SIP revisions and the FIP for GHG \11\ address requisite
requirements of infrastructure elements 110(a)(2)(C), D(i)(II), and
(J). The FIP that is currently in place to address GHG requirements in
Florida will remain until Florida submits a final submission to EPA for
federal approval and EPA takes final action on the submission.
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\11\ (1) EPA's approval of Florida's PSD/NSR regulations which
address the Ozone Implementation NSR Update requirements, (2) EPA's
FIP for PSD GHG Tailoring Rule revisions which addresses the
thresholds for GHG permitting applicability in Florida, (3) EPA's
approval of Florida's NSR PM2.5 Rule, and (4) EPA's
approval of Florida's PM2.5 PSD Increment-SILs-SMC Rule.
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Finally, EPA notes that today's action is not proposing to approve
or disapprove the State's existing minor NSR program itself to the
extent that it is inconsistent with EPA's regulations governing this
program. EPA believes that a number of states may have minor NSR
provisions that are contrary to the existing EPA regulations for this
program. EPA intends to work with states to reconcile state minor NSR
programs with EPA's regulatory provisions for the program. The
statutory requirements of section 110(a)(2)(C) provide for considerable
flexibility in designing minor NSR programs, and EPA believes it may be
time to revisit the regulatory requirements for this program to give
the states an appropriate level of flexibility to design a program that
meets their particular air quality concerns, while assuring reasonable
consistency across the country in protecting the NAAQS with respect to
new and modified minor sources.
EPA has made the preliminary determination that Florida's SIP and
practices are adequate for program enforcement of control measures
including review of proposed new sources related to the 2008 8-hour
ozone NAAQS. For the portion of this element that EPA is disapproving
related to GHG PSD permitting requirements, EPA has made the
preliminary determination that the already promulgated FIP for Florida
is adequate for program enforcement of control measures including
review of proposed new sources related to the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS.
4. 110(a)(2)(D)(i) and (ii) Interstate and International transport
provisions: Section 110(a)(2)(D) has two
[[Page 29311]]
components; 110(a)(2)(D)(i) and 110(a)(2)(D)(ii). Section
110(a)(2)(D)(i) includes four distinct components, commonly referred to
as ``prongs,'' that must be addressed in SIP submissions. The first two
prongs, which are codified in section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I), are
provisions that prohibit any source or other type of emissions activity
in one state from contributing significantly to nonattainment of the
NAAQS in another state (``prong 1''), and interfering with maintenance
of the NAAQS in another state (``prong 2''). The third and fourth
prongs, which are codified in section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II), are
provisions that prohibit emissions activity in one state interfering
with measures required to prevent significant deterioration of air
quality in another state (``prong 3''), or to protect visibility in
another state (``prong 4''). Section 110(a)(2)(D)(ii) requires SIPs to
include provisions insuring compliance with sections 115 and 126 of the
Act, relating to interstate and international pollution abatement.
EPA's analysis of FDEP's infrastructure submission with regard to the
requirements of 110(a)(2)(D) is as follows:
110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I): Florida does not currently have a section
110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) submission for the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS before
the Agency.\12\ However, in accordance with the panel of the U.S. Court
of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit opinion, a SIP submission addressing
section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) from the State of Florida is not currently
required. See EME Homer City, 696 F.3d 7. The opinion in EME Homer City
concluded that EPA cannot promulgate a FIP to address the requirements
of 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) for a state until EPA has first quantified the
emissions that must be prohibited under that provision. See EME Homer
City, 696 F.3d at 28 (``explaining that EPA must, after quantifying
state's obligations under section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) give states an
initial opportunity to implement the obligations through SIPs''). As
such, the lack of a submission from Florida does not currently trigger
a FIP pursuant to section 110(c)(1) unless the EME Homer City decision
is reversed or otherwise modified by the Supreme Court.
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\12\ As previously described, Florida withdrew this portion of
its infrastructure submission related to section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I)
on April 30, 2013.
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110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II)--prong 3: With regard to prong 3 of section
110(a)(2)(D)(i), this requirement may be met by the state's
confirmation in an infrastructure SIP submission that new major sources
and major modifications in the state are subject to a PSD program
meeting all the current structural requirements of part C of title I of
the CAA or (if the state contains a nonattainment area for the relevant
pollutant) to a NNSR program that implements the 2008 8-hour ozone
NAAQS. As discussed in more detail above with respect to section
110(a)(2)(C), FDEP's infrastructure SIP submission describes the PSD
Program provisions contained in for Florida's SIP that provide the
necessary structural PSD requirements to satisfy prong 3 requirements,
with the exception of those necessary to address GHG permitting.
Because the Florida SIP does not currently provide adequate legal
authority to address GHG PSD permitting requirements, EPA is proposing
disapproval of the Florida prong 3 infrastructure SIP submission
related to the GHG PSD permitting requirements. As previously
described, EPA has promulgated a FIP for Florida addressing these GHG
permitting requirements, and as such, EPA's proposed disapproval, if
finalized, would not result in further obligations on the part of
Florida because the FIP addresses the permitting of GHGs at our above
the applicable Tailoring Rule thresholds. See 75 FR 82246.
EPA has preliminarily determined that the Florida SIP meets the
relevant PSD program requirements, with the exception of those for
pertaining to GHG. Accordingly, in this action EPA is proposing to
approve in part, and disapprove in part, Florida's infrastructure SIP
submission as meeting the applicable requirements of prong 3 of section
110(a)(2)(D)(i).
110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II)--prong 4: Prong 4 of section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)
requires that SIPs include provisions prohibiting any source or other
type of emissions activity in one state from interfering with measures
to protect visibility in another state. In this rulemaking, EPA is not
proposing any action on prong 4 and instead will do so in a separate
action.
110(a)(2)(D)(ii) Interstate and International transport provisions:
With regard to 110(a)(2)(D)(ii), Chapter 62-210, Stationary Sources--
General Requirements of the Florida SIP outlines how Florida will
notify neighboring states of potential impacts from new or modified
sources. EPA is unaware of any pending obligations for the State of
Florida pursuant to sections 115 or 126 of the CAA. EPA has made the
preliminary determination that Florida's SIP and practices are adequate
for insuring compliance with the applicable requirements relating to
interstate and international pollution abatement for the 2008 8-hour
ozone NAAQS.
5. 110(a)(2)(E) Adequate resources: Section 110(a)(2)(E) requires
that each implementation plan provide (i) necessary assurances that the
State will have adequate personnel, funding, and authority under state
law to carry out its implementation plan, (ii) that the State comply
with the requirements respecting State Boards pursuant to section 128
of the Act, and (iii) necessary assurances that, where the State has
relied on a local or regional government, agency, or instrumentality
for the implementation of any plan provision, the State has
responsibility for ensuring adequate implementation of such plan
provisions.
In support of EPA's proposal to approve sections 110(a)(2)(E)(i),
(ii), and (iii), EPA notes that FDEP is responsible for promulgating
rules and regulations for the NAAQS, emissions standards general
policies, a system of permits, and fee schedules for the review of
plans, and other planning needs. As evidence of the adequacy of FDEP's
resources, EPA submitted a letter to Florida on February 28, 2013,
outlining 105 grant commitments and the current status of these
commitments for fiscal year 2012. The letter EPA submitted to Florida
can be accessed at www.regulations.gov using Docket ID No. EPA-R04-OAR-
2012-0692. Annually, states update these grant commitments based on
current SIP requirements, air quality planning, and applicable
requirements related to the NAAQS. Florida satisfactorily met all
commitments agreed to in the Air Planning Agreement for fiscal year
2012, therefore Florida's grants were finalized. On July 30, 2012, EPA
approved Florida statutes into the SIP to comply with section 128
respecting state boards. See 77 FR 44485. EPA has made the preliminary
determination that Florida has adequate resources for implementation of
the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS.
6. 110(a)(2)(F) Stationary source monitoring system: Florida's
infrastructure submission describes how the State establishes
requirements for emissions compliance testing and utilizes emissions
sampling and analysis. It further describes how the State ensures the
quality of its data through observing emissions and monitoring
operations. Florida FDEP uses these data to track progress towards
maintaining the NAAQS, develop control and maintenance strategies,
identify sources and general emission levels, and determine compliance
with emission regulations and additional EPA requirements. These
requirements are provided in Chapters 62-210, Stationary Sources--
General
[[Page 29312]]
Requirements; 62-212, Stationary Sources--Preconstruction Review; 62-
296, Stationary Sources--Emissions Standards; and 62-297, Stationary
Sources--Emissions Monitoring.
Additionally, Florida is required to submit emissions data to EPA
for purposes of the National Emissions Inventory (NEI). The NEI is
EPA's central repository for air emissions data. EPA published the Air
Emissions Reporting Rule (AERR) on December 5, 2008, which modified the
requirements for collecting and reporting air emissions data (73 FR
76539). The AERR shortened the time states had to report emissions data
from 17 to 12 months, giving states one calendar year to submit
emissions data. All states are required to submit a comprehensive
emissions inventory every three years and report emissions for certain
larger sources annually through EPA's online Emissions Inventory
System. States report emissions data for the six criteria pollutants
and the precursors that form them--nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide,
ammonia, lead, carbon monoxide, particulate matter, and volatile
organic compounds. Many states also voluntarily report emissions of
hazardous air pollutants. Florida made its latest update to the NEI on
February 27, 2013. EPA compiles the emissions data, supplementing it
where necessary, and releases it to the general public through the Web
site https://www.epa.gov/ttn/chief/eiinformation.html. EPA has made the
preliminary determination that Florida's SIP and practices are adequate
for the stationary source monitoring systems related to the 2008 8-hour
ozone NAAQS.
7. 110(a)(2)(G) Emergency power: Florida's infrastructure SIP
submission identifies air pollution emergency episodes and preplanned
abatement strategies as outlined in Florida Statutes 403.131 and
120.569(2)(n). These statutes were submitted for inclusion to the SIP
to address the requirements of section 110(a)(2)(G) of the CAA and have
been approved by EPA on July 30, 2012. See 77 FR 44485. EPA has made
the preliminary determination that Florida's SIP and practices are
adequate for emergency powers related to the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS.
8. 110(a)(2)(H) Future SIP revisions: FDEP is responsible for
adopting air quality rules and revising SIPs as needed to attain or
maintain the NAAQS in Florida. FDEP has the ability and authority to
respond to calls for SIP revisions, and has provided a number of SIP
revisions over the years for implementation of the NAAQS. Florida does
not have any nonattainment areas for the 2008 8-hour ozone standard but
has made an infrastructure submission for this standard, which is the
subject of this rulemaking. EPA has made the preliminary determination
that Florida's SIP and practices adequately demonstrate a commitment to
provide future SIP revisions related to the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS
when necessary.
9. 110(a)(2)(J): EPA is proposing to approve in part, and
disapprove in part, Florida's infrastructure SIP for the 2008 8-hour
ozone NAAQS with respect to the requirements in section 110(a)(2)(J) to
include a program in the SIP that provides for meeting the applicable
consultation requirements of section 121, the public notification
requirements of section 127, and the PSD and visibility protection
requirements of part C of the Act.
110(a)(2)(J) (121 consultation) Consultation with government
officials: Chapters 62-204, Air Pollution Control Provisions and 62-
212, Stationary Sources--Preconstruction Review, as well as Florida's
Regional Haze Implementation Plan (which allows for consultation
between appropriate state, local, and tribal air pollution control
agencies as well as the corresponding Federal Land Managers), provide
for consultation with government officials whose jurisdictions might be
affected by SIP development activities. Florida adopted state-wide
consultation procedures for the implementation of transportation
conformity. These consultation procedures include considerations
associated with the development of mobile inventories for SIPs.
Implementation of transportation conformity as outlined in the
consultation procedures requires FDEP to consult with federal, state
and local transportation and air quality agency officials on the
development of motor vehicle emissions budgets. EPA has made the
preliminary determination that Florida's SIP and practices adequately
demonstrate consultation with government officials related to the 2008
8-hour ozone NAAQS when necessary.
110(a)(2)(J) (127 public notification) Public notification: FDEP
has public notice mechanisms in place to notify the public of ozone and
other pollutant forecasting, including an air quality monitoring Web
site providing ground level ozone alerts, https://www.dep.state.fl.us/air/air_quality/countyaqi.htm. Florida also has state statutes,
403.131, Injunctive relief, remedies and 120.569(n) (relating to
emergency orders) which allow the state to seek injunctive relief to
prevent irreparable damage to air quality. In addition, the Florida SIP
contains federally-approved provisions to monitor air pollution
episodes for ozone and particulate matter contained in Chapter 62-
256.300, Prohibitions. EPA has made the preliminary determination that
Florida's SIP and practices adequately demonstrate the State's ability
to provide public notification related to the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS
when necessary.
110(a)(2)(J) (PSD) PSD: Florida's authority to regulate new and
modified sources of the ozone precursors VOCs and NOx to
assist in the protection of air quality in nonattainment, attainment or
unclassifiable areas is established in Chapters 62-210, Stationary
Sources--General Requirements, Section 200--Definitions, and 62-212,
Stationary Sources--Preconstruction Review, Section 400--Prevention of
Significant Deterioration of the Florida SIP. Accordingly, as with the
PSD related elements of the infrastructure SIP, this portion of element
(J) also requires compliance with the Phase II Rule, the GHG Tailoring
Rule, the NSR PM2.5 Rule, and the PM2.5 PSD
Increment-SILs-SMC Rule. EPA has approved into the Florida SIP or has
promulgated a FIP to address each of these requirements, and as such,
the requisite PSD-related requirements of infrastructure element
110(a)(2)(J) have been addressed. However, as with infrastructure
elements 110(a)(2)(C), and prong 3 of 110(a)(2)(D)(i), EPA has
preliminarily determined that FDEP's infrastructure SIP submission does
not fully meet element 110(a)(2)(J) due to the existing GHG permitting
FIP for Florida. As discussed in more detail above with respect to
section 110(a)(2)(C), FDEP's SIP contains provisions for Florida's PSD
program that reflect relevant SIP revisions of the structural PSD
requirements with the exception of the authority to regulate new GHG
PSD permitting requirements at or above the levels of emissions set in
the GHG Tailoring Rule, or at other appropriate levels. On December 30,
2010, EPA promulgated a FIP \13\ for those states including Florida,
because they failed to submit, a corrective SIP revision to apply its
PSD program to sources of GHG consistent with the thresholds described
in the GHG Tailoring rule.
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\13\ Action to Ensure Authority to Issue Permits under the
Prevention of Significant Deterioration Program to Sources of
Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Federal Implementation Plan--Final Rule,
75 FR 82246 (December 30, 2010).
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EPA has preliminarily determined that the Florida SIP meets the
relevant PSD program requirements, with the exception of those for
pertaining to GHG. Accordingly, in this action EPA is proposing to
approve in part, and
[[Page 29313]]
disapprove in part, Florida's infrastructure SIP submission as meeting
the applicable requirements of 110(a)(2)(J). As previously described,
EPA's proposed disapproval of section 110(a)(2)(J) related to GHG PSD
permiting, if finalized, would not result in further obligations on the
part of Florida because the FIP addresses the permitting of GHGs at our
above the applicable Tailoring Rule thresholds. See 75 FR 82246.
110(a)(2)(J) Visibility protection: With regard to the visibility
protection aspect of 110(a)(2)(J), EPA recognizes that states are
subject to visibility and regional haze program requirements under part
C of the Act (which includes sections 169A and 169B). In the event of
the establishment of a new NAAQS, however, the visibility and regional
haze program requirements under part C do not change. Thus, EPA finds
that there are no applicable visibility obligations under part C
``triggered'' under section 110(a)(2)(J) when a new NAAQS becomes
effective. Florida has submitted SIP revisions to satisfy the
requirements of the CAA Section 169A and 169B, and the regional haze
and BART rules contained in 40 CFR 51.308. On November 29, 2012, EPA
published a final rulemaking approving certain BART determinations
under Florida's regional haze program. See 77 FR 71111. EPA has
proposed full approval of the remaining aspects of Florida's regional
haze program on December 10, 2012. See 77 FR 73369. In EPA's view, the
current status of Florida's regional haze SIP as having not been fully
approved is not a bar to full approval of the infrastructure SIP
submission with respect to the visibility protection aspect of
110(a)(2)(J), and EPA is proposing to fully approve the infrastructure
SIP for this aspect.
10. 110(a)(2)(K) Air quality and modeling/data: Chapter 62-204.800,
Federal Regulations Adopted by Reference, incorporates by reference 40
CFR 52.21(l), which specifies that air modeling be conducted in
accordance with 40 CFR part 51, Appendix W ``Guideline on Air Quality
Models.'' These regulations demonstrate that Florida has the authority
to provide relevant data for the purpose of predicting the effect on
ambient air quality of the 8-hour ozone NAAQS. Additionally, Florida
supports a regional effort to coordinate the development of emissions
inventories and conduct regional modeling for several NAAQS, including
the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS, for the Southeastern states. Taken as a
whole, Florida's air quality regulations demonstrate that FDEP has the
authority to provide relevant data for the purpose of predicting the
effect on ambient air quality of the 8-hour ozone NAAQS. EPA has made
the preliminary determination that Florida's SIP and practices
adequately demonstrate the State's ability to provide for air quality
and modeling, along with analysis of the associated data, related to
the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS when necessary.
11. 110(a)(2)(L) Permitting fees: Florida addresses the review of
construction permits as previously discussed in 110(a)(2)(C).
Permitting fees in Florida are collected through the State's federally-
approved title V fees program, according to State regulation
403.087(6)(a), Permit Fees. EPA has made the preliminary determination
that Florida's SIP and practices adequately provide for permitting fees
related to the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS when necessary.
12. 110(a)(2)(M) Consultation/participation by affected local
entities: Chapter 62-204, Air Pollution Control Provisions, requires
that SIPs be submitted in accordance with 40 CFR part 51, Subpart F,
for permitting purposes. Florida statute 403.061(21) authorizes FDEP to
``[a]dvise, consult, cooperate and enter into agreements with other
agencies of the state, the Federal Government, other states, interstate
agencies, groups, political subdivisions, and industries affected by
the provisions of this act, rules, or policies of the department.''
Furthermore, FDEP has demonstrated consultation with, and participation
by, affected local entities through its work with local political
subdivisions during the developing of its Transportation Conformity SIP
and Regional Haze Implementation Plan. EPA has made the preliminary
determination that Florida's SIP and practices adequately demonstrate
consultation with affected local entities related to the 2008 8-hour
ozone NAAQS when necessary.
V. Proposed Action
As described above, Florida has addressed the elements of the CAA
section 110(a)(1) and (2) SIP requirements being proposed for approval
to ensure that the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS are implemented, enforced,
and maintained in Florida. EPA is now proposing two related actions on
Florida's October 31, 2011, submission. First, EPA is proposing to
approve Florida's infrastructure submission for the applicable
requirements of the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS, with the exception prong 4
of section 110(a)(2)(D)(i), and the portions of sections 110(a)(2)(C),
prong 3 of D(i), and (J) related to GHG PSD permitting. With respect to
Florida infrastructure SIP submission related to prong 4 of section
110(a)(2)(D)(i), EPA will act on this portion of the submission in a
separate action. With respect to the portions of sections 110(a)(2)(C),
prong 3 of D(i) and (J) related to GHG PSD permitting requirements, EPA
is proposing to disapprove Florida's submission related to these
requirements.
VI. 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
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 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
[[Page 29314]]
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, Intergovernmental
relations, Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Volatile organic compounds.
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
Dated: May 6, 2013.
A. Stanley Meiburg,
Acting Regional Administrator, Region 4.
[FR Doc. 2013-11868 Filed 5-17-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P