Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; State of Kansas; Infrastructure SIP Requirements for the 2010 Nitrogen Dioxide National Ambient Air Quality Standard, 51277-51287 [2014-20513]
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Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 167 / Thursday, August 28, 2014 / Proposed Rules
quarantine pests and has been produced
in accordance with the requirements of
the systems approach in 7 CFR 319.56–
70.
Done in Washington, DC, this 22nd day of
August 2014.
Kevin Shea,
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2014–20494 Filed 8–27–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–34–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 52
[EPA–R07–OAR–2014–0500; FRL–9915–90–
Region 7]
Approval and Promulgation of
Implementation Plans; State of
Kansas; Infrastructure SIP
Requirements for the 2010 Nitrogen
Dioxide National Ambient Air Quality
Standard
Environmental Protection
Agency.
ACTION: Proposed rule.
AGENCY:
The Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve
elements of a State Implementation Plan
(SIP) submission from the State of
Kansas addressing the applicable
requirements of Clean Air Act (CAA)
section 110 for the 2010 National
Ambient Air Quality Standards
(NAAQS) for Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2).
Section 110 requires that each state
adopt and submit a SIP to support
implementation, maintenance, and
enforcement of each new or revised
NAAQS promulgated by EPA. These
SIPs are commonly referred to as
‘‘infrastructure’’ SIPs. The infrastructure
requirements are designed to ensure that
the structural components of each
state’s air quality management program
are adequate to meet the state’s
responsibilities under the CAA.
DATES: Comments must be received on
or before September 29, 2014.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,
identified by Docket ID No. EPA–R07–
OAR–2014–0500, by one of the
following methods:
1. https://www.regulations.gov. Follow
the on-line instructions for submitting
comments.
2. Email: kemp.lachala@epa.gov.
3. Mail: Ms. Lachala Kemp, Air
Planning and Development Branch, U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency,
Region 7, Air and Waste Management
Division, 11201 Renner Boulevard,
Lenexa, Kansas 66219.
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SUMMARY:
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4. Hand Delivery or Courier: Deliver
your comments to Ms. Lachala Kemp,
Air Planning and Development Branch,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
Region 7, Air and Waste Management
Division, 11201 Renner Boulevard,
Lenexa, Kansas 66219.
Instructions: Direct your comments to
Docket ID No. EPA–R07–OAR–2014–
0500. 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 through https://
www.regulations.gov or email
information that you consider to be CBI
or otherwise protected. 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
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 should be free of any
defects or viruses.
Docket: All documents in the
electronic docket are listed in the
https://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, will be publicly
available only in hard copy. Publicly
available docket materials are available
either electronically at https://
www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
Region 7, 11201 Renner Boulevard,
Lenexa, Kansas 66219 from 8:00 a.m. to
4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday,
excluding legal holidays. The interested
persons wanting to examine these
documents should make an
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appointment with the office at least 24
hours in advance.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms.
Lachala Kemp, Air Planning and
Development Branch, U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency,
Region 7, 11201 Renner Boulevard,
Lenexa, KS 66219; telephone number:
(913) 551–7214; fax number: (913) 551–
7065; email address: kemp.lachala@
epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Throughout this document whenever
‘‘we,’’ ‘‘us,’’ or ‘‘our’’ is used, we refer
to EPA. This section provides additional
information by addressing the following
questions:
I. What is a section 110(a)(1) and (2)
infrastructure SIP?
II. What are the applicable elements under
sections 110(a)(1) and (2)?
III. What is EPA’s approach to the review of
infrastructure SIP submissions?
IV. What is EPA’s evaluation of how the state
addressed the relevant elements of
sections 110(a)(1) and (2)?
V. What action is EPA proposing?
VI. Statutory and Executive Order Review
I. What is a section 110(a)(1) and (2)
infrastructure SIP?
Section 110(a)(1) of the CAA requires,
in part, that states make a SIP
submission to EPA to implement,
maintain and enforce each of the
NAAQS promulgated by EPA after
reasonable notice and public hearings.
Section 110(a)(2) includes a list of
specific elements that such
infrastructure SIP submissions must
address. SIPs meeting the requirements
of sections 110(a)(1) and (2) are to be
submitted by states within three years
after promulgation of a new or revised
NAAQS. These SIP submissions are
commonly referred to as
‘‘infrastructure’’ SIPs.
II. What are the applicable elements
under sections 110(a)(1) and (2)?
On February 9, 2010, EPA established
a new 1-hour primary NO2 NAAQS
(hereafter the 2010 NO2 NAAQS) at a
level of 100 parts per billion (ppb),
based on the 3-year average of the 98th
percentile of the yearly distribution of 1hour daily maximum concentrations.
(75 FR 6473)
For the 2010 NO2 NAAQS, states
typically have met many of the basic
program elements required in section
110(a)(2) through earlier SIP
submissions in connection with
previous NAAQS. Nevertheless,
pursuant to section 110(a)(1), states
have to review and revise, as
appropriate, their existing SIPs to
ensure that the SIPs are adequate to
address the 2010 NO2 NAAQS. To assist
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states in meeting this statutory
requirement, EPA issued guidance on
September 13, 2013 (2013 Guidance),
addressing the infrastructure SIP
elements required under section 110
(a)(1) and (2) for the 2010 NO2 NAAQS.1
EPA will address these elements below
under the following headings: (A)
Emission limits and other control
measures; (B) Ambient air quality
monitoring/data system; (C) Program for
enforcement of control measures
(prevention of significant deterioration)
(PSD)), New Source Review for
nonattainment areas, and construction
and modification of all stationary
sources); (D) Interstate and international
transport; (E) Adequate authority,
resources, implementation, and
oversight; (F) Stationary source
monitoring system; (G) Emergency
authority; (H) Future SIP revisions; (I)
Nonattainment areas; (J) Consultation
with government officials, public
notification, prevention of significant
deterioration (PSD), and visibility
protection; (K) Air quality and
modeling/data; (L) Permitting fees; and
(M) Consultation/participation by
affected local entities.
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III. What is EPA’s approach to the
review of infrastructure SIP
submissions?
EPA is acting upon the March 19,
2013, and May 9, 2013, SIP submissions
from Kansas that address the
infrastructure requirements of CAA
sections 110(a)(1) and 110(a)(2) for the
2010 NO2 NAAQS. The requirement for
states to make a SIP submission of this
type arises out of CAA section 110(a)(1).
Pursuant to section 110(a)(1), states
must make SIP submissions ‘‘within 3
years (or such shorter period as the
Administrator may prescribe) after the
promulgation of a national primary
ambient air quality standard (or any
revision thereof),’’ and these SIP
submissions are to provide for the
‘‘implementation, maintenance, and
enforcement’’ of such NAAQS. The
statute directly imposes on states the
duty to make these SIP submissions,
and the requirement to make the
submissions is not conditioned upon
EPA’s taking any action other than
promulgating a new or revised NAAQS.
Section 110(a)(2) includes a list of
specific elements that ‘‘[e]ach such
plan’’ submission must address.
1 Stephen D. Page, Director, Air Quality Policy
Division, Office of Air Quality Planning and
Standards, ‘‘Guidance on Infrastructure State
Implementation Plan (SIP) Elements Under Clean
Air Act Sections 110(a)(1) and 110(a)(2),’’
Memorandum to EPA Regional Air Division
Directors, Regions I–X, September 13, 2013.
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EPA has historically referred to these
SIP submissions made for the purpose
of satisfying the requirements of CAA
sections 110(a)(1) and 110(a)(2) as
‘‘infrastructure SIP’’ submissions.
Although the term ‘‘infrastructure SIP’’
does not appear in the CAA, EPA uses
the term to distinguish this particular
type of SIP submission from
submissions that are intended to satisfy
other SIP requirements under the CAA,
such as ‘‘nonattainment SIP’’ or
‘‘attainment plan SIP’’ submissions to
address the nonattainment planning
requirements of part D of title I of the
CAA, ‘‘regional haze SIP’’ submissions
required by EPA rule to address the
visibility protection requirements of
CAA section 169A, and nonattainment
new source review permit program
submissions to address the permit
requirements of CAA, title I, part D.
Section 110(a)(1) addresses the timing
and general requirements for
infrastructure SIP submissions, and
section 110(a)(2) provides more details
concerning the required contents of
these submissions. The list of required
elements provided in section 110(a)(2)
contains a wide variety of disparate
provisions, some of which pertain to
required legal authority, some of which
pertain to required substantive program
provisions, and some of which pertain
to requirements for both authority and
substantive program provisions.2 EPA
therefore believes that while the timing
requirement in section 110(a)(1) is
unambiguous, some of the other
statutory provisions are ambiguous. In
particular, EPA believes that the list of
required elements for infrastructure SIP
submissions provided in section
110(a)(2) contains ambiguities
concerning what is required for
inclusion in an infrastructure SIP
submission.
The following examples of
ambiguities illustrate the need for EPA
to interpret some section 110(a)(1) and
section 110(a)(2) requirements with
respect to infrastructure SIP
submissions for a given new or revised
NAAQS. One example of ambiguity is
that section 110(a)(2) requires that
‘‘each’’ SIP submission must meet the
list of requirements therein, while EPA
has long noted that this literal reading
of the statute is internally inconsistent
and would create a conflict with the
2 For example: Section 110(a)(2)(E)(i) provides
that states must provide assurances that they have
adequate legal authority under state and local law
to carry out the SIP; section 110(a)(2)(C) provides
that states must have a SIP-approved program to
address certain sources as required by part C of title
I of the CAA; and section 110(a)(2)(G) provides that
states must have legal authority to address
emergencies as well as contingency plans that are
triggered in the event of such emergencies.
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nonattainment provisions in part D of
title I of the Act, which specifically
address nonattainment SIP
requirements.3 Section 110(a)(2)(I)
pertains to nonattainment SIP
requirements and part D addresses
when attainment plan SIP submissions
to address nonattainment area
requirements are due. For example,
section 172(b) requires EPA to establish
a schedule for submission of such plans
for certain pollutants when the
Administrator promulgates the
designation of an area as nonattainment,
and section 107(d)(1)(B) allows up to
two years, or in some cases three years,
for such designations to be
promulgated.4 This ambiguity illustrates
that rather than apply all the stated
requirements of section 110(a)(2) in a
strict literal sense, EPA must determine
which provisions of section 110(a)(2)
are applicable for a particular
infrastructure SIP submission.
Another example of ambiguity within
sections 110(a)(1) and 110(a)(2) with
respect to infrastructure SIPs pertains to
whether states must meet all of the
infrastructure SIP requirements in a
single SIP submission, and whether EPA
must act upon such SIP submission in
a single action. Although section
110(a)(1) directs states to submit ‘‘a
plan’’ to meet these requirements, EPA
interprets the CAA to allow states to
make multiple SIP submissions
separately addressing infrastructure SIP
elements for the same NAAQS. If states
elect to make such multiple SIP
submissions to meet the infrastructure
SIP requirements, EPA can elect to act
on such submissions either individually
or in a larger combined action.5
3 See, e.g., ‘‘Rule To Reduce Interstate Transport
of Fine Particulate Matter and Ozone (Clean Air
Interstate Rule); Revisions to Acid Rain Program;
Revisions to the NOX SIP Call; Final Rule,’’ 70 FR
25162, at 25163–65 (May 12, 2005) (explaining
relationship between timing requirement of section
110(a)(2)(D) versus section 110(a)(2)(I)).
4 EPA notes that this ambiguity within section
110(a)(2) is heightened by the fact that various
subparts of part D set specific dates for submission
of certain types of SIP submissions in designated
nonattainment areas for various pollutants. Note,
e.g., that section 182(a)(1) provides specific dates
for submission of emissions inventories for the
ozone NAAQS. Some of these specific dates are
necessarily later than three years after promulgation
of the new or revised NAAQS.
5 See, e.g., ‘‘Approval and Promulgation of
Implementation Plans; New Mexico; Revisions to
the New Source Review (NSR) State
Implementation Plan (SIP); Prevention of
Significant Deterioration (PSD) and Nonattainment
New Source Review (NNSR) Permitting,’’ 78 FR
4339 (January 22, 2013) (EPA’s final action
approving the structural PSD elements of the New
Mexico SIP submitted by the State separately to
meet the requirements of EPA’s 2008 PM2.5 NSR
rule), and ‘‘Approval and Promulgation of Air
Quality Implementation Plans; New Mexico;
Infrastructure and Interstate Transport
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Similarly, EPA interprets the CAA to
allow it to take action on the individual
parts of one larger, comprehensive
infrastructure SIP submission for a
given NAAQS without concurrent
action on the entire submission. For
example, EPA has sometimes elected to
act at different times on various
elements and sub-elements of the same
infrastructure SIP submission.6
Ambiguities within sections 110(a)(1)
and 110(a)(2) may also arise with
respect to infrastructure SIP submission
requirements for different NAAQS.
Thus, EPA notes that not every element
of section 110(a)(2) would be relevant,
or as relevant, or relevant in the same
way, for each new or revised NAAQS.
The states’ attendant infrastructure SIP
submissions for each NAAQS therefore
could be different. For example, the
monitoring requirements that a state
might need to meet in its infrastructure
SIP submission for purposes of section
110(a)(2)(B) could be very different for
different pollutants, for example
because the content and scope of a
state’s infrastructure SIP submission to
meet this element might be very
different for an entirely new NAAQS
than for a minor revision to an existing
NAAQS.7
EPA notes that interpretation of
section 110(a)(2) is also necessary when
EPA reviews other types of SIP
submissions required under the CAA.
Therefore, as with infrastructure SIP
submissions, EPA also has to identify
and interpret the relevant elements of
section 110(a)(2) that logically apply to
these other types of SIP submissions.
For example, section 172(c)(7) requires
that attainment plan SIP submissions
required by part D have to meet the
‘‘applicable requirements’’ of section
110(a)(2). Thus, for example, attainment
plan SIP submissions must meet the
requirements of section 110(a)(2)(A)
regarding enforceable emission limits
and control measures and section
110(a)(2)(E)(i) regarding air agency
Requirements for the 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS,’’ (78 FR
4337) (January 22, 2013) (EPA’s final action on the
infrastructure SIP for the 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS).
6 On December 14, 2007, the State of Tennessee,
through the Tennessee Department of Environment
and Conservation, made a SIP revision to EPA
demonstrating that the State meets the requirements
of sections 110(a)(1) and (2). EPA proposed action
for infrastructure SIP elements (C) and (J) on
January 23, 2012 (77 FR 3213) and took final action
on March 14, 2012 (77 FR 14976). On April 16,
2012 (77 FR 22533) and July 23, 2012 (77 FR
42997), EPA took separate proposed and final
actions on all other section 110(a)(2) infrastructure
SIP elements of Tennessee’s December 14, 2007
submittal.
7 For example, implementation of the 1997 PM
2.5
NAAQS required the deployment of a system of
new monitors to measure ambient levels of that new
indicator species for the new NAAQS.
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resources and authority. By contrast, it
is clear that attainment plan SIP
submissions required by part D would
not need to meet the portion of section
110(a)(2)(C) that pertains to the PSD
program required in part C of title I of
the CAA, because PSD does not apply
to a pollutant for which an area is
designated nonattainment and thus
subject to part D planning requirements.
As this example illustrates, each type of
SIP submission may implicate some
elements of section 110(a)(2) but not
others.
Given the potential for ambiguity in
some of the statutory language of section
110(a)(1) and section 110(a)(2), EPA
believes that it is appropriate to
interpret the ambiguous portions of
section 110(a)(1) and section 110(a)(2)
in the context of acting on a particular
SIP submission. In other words, EPA
assumes that Congress could not have
intended that each and every SIP
submission, regardless of the NAAQS in
question or the history of SIP
development for the relevant pollutant,
would meet each of the requirements, or
meet each of them in the same way.
Therefore, EPA has adopted an
approach under which it reviews
infrastructure SIP submissions against
the list of elements in section 110(a)(2),
but only to the extent each element
applies for that particular NAAQS.
Historically, EPA has elected to use
guidance documents to make
recommendations to states for
infrastructure SIPs, in some cases
conveying needed interpretations on
newly arising issues and in some cases
conveying interpretations that have
already been developed and applied to
individual SIP submissions for
particular elements.8 EPA developed the
2013 Guidance document to provide
states with up-to-date guidance for
infrastructure SIPs for any new or
revised NAAQS. Within the 2013
guidance, EPA describes the duty of
states to make infrastructure SIP
submissions to meet basic structural SIP
requirements within three years of
promulgation of a new or revised
NAAQS. EPA also made
recommendations about many specific
subsections of section 110(a)(2) that are
relevant in the context of infrastructure
SIP submissions.9 The guidance also
8 EPA notes, however, that nothing in the CAA
requires EPA to provide guidance or to promulgate
regulations for infrastructure SIP submissions. The
CAA directly applies to states and requires the
submission of infrastructure SIP submissions,
regardless of whether or not EPA provides guidance
or regulations pertaining to such submissions. EPA
elects to issue such guidance in order to assist
states, as appropriate.
9 EPA’s September 13, 2013, guidance did not
make recommendations with respect to
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discusses the substantively important
issues that are germane to certain
subsections of section 110(a)(2).
Significantly, EPA interprets sections
110(a)(1) and 110(a)(2) such that
infrastructure SIP submissions need to
address certain issues and need not
address others. Accordingly, EPA
reviews each infrastructure SIP
submission for compliance with the
applicable statutory provisions of
section 110(a)(2), as appropriate.
As an example, section 110(a)(2)(E)(ii)
is a required element of section
110(a)(2) for infrastructure SIP
submissions. Under this element, a state
must meet the substantive requirements
of section 128, which pertain to state
boards that approve permits or
enforcement orders and heads of
executive agencies with similar powers.
Thus, EPA reviews infrastructure SIP
submissions to ensure that the state’s
SIP appropriately addresses the
requirements of section 110(a)(2)(E)(ii)
and section 128. The 2013 Guidance
explains EPA’s interpretation that there
may be a variety of ways by which states
can appropriately address these
substantive statutory requirements,
depending on the structure of an
individual state’s permitting or
enforcement program (e.g., whether
permits and enforcement orders are
approved by a multi-member board or
by a head of an executive agency).
However they are addressed by the
state, the substantive requirements of
section 128 are necessarily included in
EPA’s evaluation of infrastructure SIP
submissions because section
110(a)(2)(E)(ii) explicitly requires that
the state satisfy the provisions of section
128.
As another example, EPA’s review of
infrastructure SIP submissions with
respect to the PSD program
requirements in sections 110(a)(2)(C),
(D)(i)(II), and (J) focuses upon the
structural PSD program requirements
contained in part C and EPA’s PSD
regulations. Structural PSD program
requirements include provisions
necessary for the PSD program to
address all regulated sources and New
Source Review (NSR) pollutants,
infrastructure SIP submissions to address section
110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I). EPA issued the guidance shortly
after the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to review the
D.C. Circuit decision in EME Homer City, 696 F.3d
7 (D.C. Cir. 2012) which had interpreted the
requirements of section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I). In light of
the uncertainty created by this litigation (which
culminated in the Supreme Court’s recent decision,
134 SCt. 1584), EPA elected not to provide
additional guidance on the requirements of section
110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) at that time. As the guidance is
neither binding nor required by statute, whether
EPA elects to provide guidance on a particular
section has no impact on a state’s CAA obligations.
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including greenhouse gases (GHGs). By
contrast, structural PSD program
requirements do not include provisions
that are not required under EPA’s
regulations at 40 CFR 51.166 but are
merely available as an option for the
state, such as the option to provide
grandfathering of complete permit
applications with respect to the 2012
PM2.5 NAAQS. Accordingly, the latter
optional provisions are types of
provisions EPA considers irrelevant in
the context of an infrastructure SIP
action.
For other section 110(a)(2) elements,
however, EPA’s review of a state’s
infrastructure SIP submission focuses
on assuring that the state’s SIP meets
basic structural requirements. For
example, section 110(a)(2)(C) includes,
inter alia, the requirement that states
have a program to regulate minor new
sources. Thus, EPA evaluates whether
the state has an EPA-approved minor
NSR program and whether the program
addresses the pollutants relevant to that
NAAQS. In the context of acting on an
infrastructure SIP submission, however,
EPA does not think it is necessary to
conduct a review of each and every
provision of a state’s existing minor
source program (i.e., already in the
existing SIP) for compliance with the
requirements of the CAA and EPA’s
regulations that pertain to such
programs.
With respect to certain other issues,
EPA does not believe that an action on
a state’s infrastructure SIP submission is
necessarily the appropriate type of
action in which to address possible
deficiencies in a state’s existing SIP.
These issues include: (i) Existing
provisions related to excess emissions
from sources during periods of startup,
shutdown, or malfunction that may be
contrary to the CAA and EPA’s policies
addressing such excess emissions
(‘‘SSM’’); (ii) existing provisions related
to ‘‘director’s variance’’ or ‘‘director’s
discretion’’ that may be contrary to the
CAA because they purport to allow
revisions to SIP-approved emissions
limits while limiting public process or
not requiring further approval by EPA;
and (iii) 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’’). Thus, EPA believes it may
approve an infrastructure SIP
submission without scrutinizing the
totality of the existing SIP for such
potentially deficient provisions and may
approve the submission even if it is
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aware of such existing provisions.10 It is
important to note that EPA’s approval of
a state’s infrastructure SIP submission
should not be construed as explicit or
implicit re-approval of any existing
potentially deficient provisions that
relate to the three specific issues just
described.
EPA’s approach to review of
infrastructure SIP submissions is to
identify the CAA requirements that are
logically applicable to that submission.
EPA believes that this approach to the
review of a particular infrastructure SIP
submission is appropriate, because it
would not be reasonable to read the
general requirements of section
110(a)(1) and the list of elements in
110(a)(2) as requiring review of each
and every provision of a state’s existing
SIP against all requirements in the CAA
and EPA regulations merely for
purposes of assuring that the state in
question has the basic structural
elements for a functioning SIP for a new
or revised NAAQS. Because SIPs have
grown by accretion over the decades as
statutory and regulatory requirements
under the CAA have evolved, they may
include some outmoded provisions and
historical artifacts. These provisions,
while not fully up to date, nevertheless
may not pose a significant problem for
the purposes of ‘‘implementation,
maintenance, and enforcement’’ of a
new or revised NAAQS when EPA
evaluates adequacy of the infrastructure
SIP submission. EPA believes that a
better approach is for states and EPA to
focus attention on those elements of
section 110(a)(2) of the CAA most likely
to warrant a specific SIP revision due to
the promulgation of a new or revised
NAAQS or other factors.
For example, EPA’s 2013 Guidance
gives simpler recommendations with
respect to carbon monoxide than other
NAAQS pollutants to meet the visibility
requirements of section
110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II), because carbon
monoxide does not affect visibility. As
a result, an infrastructure SIP
submission for any future new or
revised NAAQS for carbon monoxide
need only state this fact in order to
address the visibility prong of section
110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II).
Finally, EPA believes that its
approach with respect to infrastructure
SIP requirements is based on a
reasonable reading of sections 110(a)(1)
10 By contrast, EPA notes that if a state were to
include a new provision in an infrastructure SIP
submission that contained a legal deficiency, such
as a new exemption for excess emissions during
SSM events, then EPA would need to evaluate that
provision for compliance against the rubric of
applicable CAA requirements in the context of the
action on the infrastructure SIP.
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and 110(a)(2) because the CAA provides
other avenues and mechanisms to
address specific substantive deficiencies
in existing SIPs. These other statutory
tools allow EPA to take appropriately
tailored action, depending upon the
nature and severity of the alleged SIP
deficiency. Section 110(k)(5) authorizes
EPA to issue a ‘‘SIP call’’ whenever the
Agency determines that a state’s SIP is
substantially inadequate to attain or
maintain the NAAQS, to mitigate
interstate transport, or to otherwise
comply with the CAA.11 Section
110(k)(6) authorizes EPA to correct
errors in past actions, such as past
approvals of SIP submissions.12
Significantly, EPA’s determination that
an action on a state’s infrastructure SIP
submission is not the appropriate time
and place to address all potential
existing SIP deficiencies does not
preclude EPA’s subsequent reliance on
provisions in section 110(a)(2) as part of
the basis for action to correct those
deficiencies at a later time. For example,
although it may not be appropriate to
require a state to eliminate all existing
inappropriate director’s discretion
provisions in the course of acting on an
infrastructure SIP submission, EPA
believes that section 110(a)(2)(A) may be
among the statutory bases that EPA
relies upon in the course of addressing
such deficiency in a subsequent
action.13
IV. What is EPA’s evaluation of how the
state addressed the relevant elements of
sections 110(a)(1) and (2)?
EPA Region 7 received Kansas’
infrastructure SIP submission for the
2010 NO2 standard on March 19, 2013,
11 For example, EPA issued a SIP call to Utah to
address specific existing SIP deficiencies related to
the treatment of excess emissions during SSM
events. See ‘‘Finding of Substantial Inadequacy of
Implementation Plan; Call for Utah State
Implementation Plan Revisions,’’ 74 FR 21639
(April 18, 2011).
12 EPA has used this authority to correct errors in
past actions on SIP submissions related to PSD
programs. See ‘‘Limitation of Approval of
Prevention of Significant Deterioration Provisions
Concerning Greenhouse Gas Emitting-Sources in
State Implementation Plans; Final Rule,’’ 75 FR
82536 (December 30, 2010). EPA has previously
used its authority under CAA section 110(k)(6) to
remove numerous other SIP provisions that the
Agency determined it had approved in error. See,
e.g., 61 FR 38664 (July 25, 1996) and 62 FR 34641
(June 27, 1997) (corrections to American Samoa,
Arizona, California, Hawaii, and Nevada SIPs); 69
FR 67062 (November 16, 2004) (corrections to
California SIP); and 74 FR 57051 (November 3,
2009) (corrections to Arizona and Nevada SIPs).
13 See, e.g., EPA’s disapproval of a SIP submission
from Colorado on the grounds that it would have
included a director’s discretion provision
inconsistent with CAA requirements, including
section 110(a)(2)(A). See, e.g., 75 FR 42342 at 42344
(July 21, 2010) (proposed disapproval of director’s
discretion provisions); 76 FR 4540 (January 26,
2011) (final disapproval of such provisions).
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with a supplemental revision May 9,
2013. The SIP submissions became
complete as a matter of law on
September 19, 2013. EPA has reviewed
Kansas’ infrastructure SIP submissions
and the applicable statutory and
regulatory authorities and provisions
referenced in those submissions or
referenced in Kansas’ SIP. Below is
EPA’s evaluation of how the state
addressed the relevant elements of
section 110(a)(2) for the 2010 NO2
NAAQS.
(A) Emission limits and other control
measures: Section 110(a)(2)(A) requires
SIPs to include enforceable emission
limits and other control measures,
means or techniques, schedules for
compliance and other related matters as
needed to implement, maintain and
enforce each NAAQS.14
The State of Kansas’ statutes and
regulations authorize the Kansas
Department of Health and Environment
(KDHE) to regulate air quality and
implement air quality control
regulations. KDHE’s statutory authority
can be found in chapter 65, article 30 of
the Kansas Statutes Annotated (KSA),
otherwise known as the Kansas Air
Quality Act. KSA section 65–3003
places the responsibility for air quality
conservation and control of air pollution
with the Secretary of Health and
Environment (‘‘Secretary’’). The
Secretary in turn administers the Kansas
Air Quality Act through the Division of
Environment within KDHE. Air
pollution is defined in KSA section 65–
3002(c) as the presence in the outdoor
atmosphere of one or more air
contaminants in such quantities and
duration as is, or tends significantly to
be, injurious to human health or
welfare, animal or plant life, or
property, or would unreasonably
interfere with the enjoyment of life or
property, or would contribute to the
formation of regional haze.
KSA section 65–3005(a)(1) provides
authority to the Secretary to adopt,
amend and repeal rules and regulations
implementing the Kansas Air Quality
Act. It also gives the Secretary the
authority to establish ambient air
quality standards for the State of Kansas
14 The specific nonattainment area plan
requirements of section 110(a)(2)(I) are subject to
the timing requirements of section 172, not the
timing requirement of section 110(a)(1). Thus,
section 110(a)(2)(A) does not require that states
submit regulations or emissions limits specifically
for attaining the 2010 NO2 NAAQS. Those SIP
provisions are due as part of each state’s attainment
plan, and will be addressed separately from the
requirements of section 110(a)(2)(A). In the context
of an infrastructure SIP, EPA is not evaluating the
existing SIP provisions for this purpose. Instead,
EPA is only evaluating whether the state’s SIP has
basic structural provisions for the implementation
of the NAAQS.
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as a whole or for any part thereof. KSA
section 65–3005(a)(12). The Secretary
has the authority to promulgate rules
and regulations to ensure that Kansas is
in compliance with the provisions of the
Act, in furtherance of a policy to
implement laws and regulations
consistent with those of the Federal
government. KSA section 65–3005(b).
The Secretary also has the authority to
establish emission control requirements
as appropriate to facilitate the
accomplishment of the purposes of the
Kansas Air Quality Act. KSA section
65–3010(a).
Based upon review of the state’s
infrastructure SIP submissions for the
2010 NO2 NAAQS, and relevant
statutory and regulatory authorities and
provisions referenced in the
submissions or referenced in Kansas’
SIP, EPA believes that the Kansas SIP
adequately addresses the requirements
of section 110(a)(2)(A) for the 2010 NO2
NAAQS and is proposing to approve
this element of the March 19, 2013, and
May 9, 2013, SIP submissions.
(B) Ambient air quality monitoring/
data system: Section 110(a)(2)(B)
requires SIPs to include provisions to
provide for establishment and operation
of ambient air quality monitors,
collection and analysis of ambient air
quality data, and making these data
available to EPA upon request.
To address this element, KSA section
65–3007 provides the enabling authority
necessary for Kansas to fulfill the
requirements of section 110(a)(2)(B).
This provision gives the Secretary the
authority to classify air contaminant
sources which, in his or her judgment,
may cause or contribute to air pollution.
Furthermore, the Secretary has the
authority to require such air
contaminant sources to monitor
emissions, operating parameters,
ambient impacts of any source
emissions, and any other parameters
deemed necessary. The Secretary can
also require these sources to keep
records and make reports consistent
with the Kansas Air Quality Act. KSA
section 65–3007(b).
Kansas has an air quality monitoring
network operated by KDHE and local air
quality agencies that collects air quality
data that are compiled, analyzed, and
reported to EPA. KDHE’s Web site
contains up-to-date information about
air quality monitoring, including a
description of the network and
information about the monitoring of
NO2. See, generally, https://
www.kdheks.gov/bar/air-monitor/
indexMon.html. KDHE also conducts
five-year monitoring network
assessments, including the NO2
monitoring network, as required by 40
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CFR 58.10(d). On December 3, 2013,
EPA approved Kansas’ 2013–2014
Ambient Air Monitoring Network Plan.
This plan includes, among other things,
the location for the NO2 monitoring
network in Kansas. Specifically, KDHE
operates four nitrogen dioxide monitors
in the state in accordance with the
source-oriented nitrogen dioxide
monitoring requirements of 40 CFR part
58, appendix D, paragraph 4.3. Data
gathered by the monitors is submitted to
EPA’s Air Quality System, which in
turn determines if the network site
monitors are in compliance with the
NAAQS.
Within KDHE, the Bureau of Air
implements these requirements. Along
with its other duties, the Monitoring
and Planning Section collects air
monitoring data, quality assures the
results, and reports the data. The data is
then used to develop the appropriate
regulatory or outreach strategies to
reduce air pollution.
Based upon review of the state’s
infrastructure SIP submissions for the
2010 NO2 NAAQS, and relevant
statutory and regulatory authorities and
provisions referenced in the
submissions or referenced in Kansas’
SIP, EPA believes that the Kansas SIP
adequately addresses the requirements
of section 110(a)(2)(B) for the 2010 NO2
NAAQS and is proposing to approve
this element of the March 19, 2013, and
May 9, 2013, SIP submissions.
(C) Program for enforcement of
control measures (PSD, New Source
Review for nonattainment areas, and
construction and modification of all
stationary sources): Section 110(a)(2)(C)
requires states to include the following
three elements in the SIP: (1) A program
providing for enforcement of all SIP
measures described in section
110(a)(2)(A); (2) a program for the
regulation of the modification and
construction of stationary sources as
necessary to protect the applicable
NAAQS (i.e., state-wide permitting of
minor sources); and (3) a permit
program to meet the major source
permitting requirements of the CAA (for
areas designated as attainment or
unclassifiable for the NAAQS in
question).15
(1) Enforcement of SIP Measures.
With respect to enforcement of
requirements of the SIP, KSA section
65–3005(a)(3) gives the Secretary the
authority to issue orders, permits and
approvals as may be necessary to
15 As discussed in further detail below, this
infrastructure SIP rulemaking will not address the
Kansas program for nonattainment area related
provisions, since EPA considers evaluation of these
provisions to be outside the scope of infrastructure
SIP actions.
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effectuate the purposes of the Kansas
Air Quality Act and enforce the Act by
all appropriate administrative and
judicial proceedings. Pursuant to KSA
section 65–3006, the Secretary also has
the authority to enforce rules,
regulations and standards to implement
the Kansas Air Quality Act and to
employ the professional, technical and
other staff to effectuate the provisions of
the Act. In addition, if the Secretary or
the director of the Division of
Environment finds that any person has
violated any provision of any approval,
permit or compliance plan or any
provision of the Kansas Air Quality Act
or any rule or regulation promulgated
thereunder, he or she may issue an
order directing the person to take such
action as necessary to correct the
violation. KSA section 65–3011.
KSA section 65–3018 gives the
Secretary or the Director of the Division
of Environment the authority to impose
a monetary penalty against any person
who, among other things, either violates
any order or permit issued under the
Kansas Air Quality Act, or violates any
provision of the Act or rule or regulation
promulgated thereunder. Section 65–
3028 provides for criminal penalties for
knowing violations.
(2) Minor New Source Review. Section
110(a)(2)(C) also requires that the SIP
include measures to regulate
construction and modification of
stationary sources to protect the
NAAQS. With respect to smaller sources
that meet the criteria listed in KAR 28–
19–300(b) ‘‘Construction Permits and
Approvals,’’ Kansas has a SIP-approved
permitting program. Any person
proposing to conduct a construction or
modification at such a source must
obtain approval from KDHE prior to
commencing construction or
modification. If KDHE determines that
air contaminant emissions from a source
will interfere with attainment or
maintenance of the NAAQS, it cannot
issue an approval to construct or modify
that source (KAR 28–19–301(d)
‘‘Construction Permits and Approvals;
Application and Issuance’’).
In this action, EPA is proposing to
approve Kansas’ infrastructure SIP for
the 2010 NO2 standard with respect to
the general requirement in section
110(a)(2)(C) to include a program in the
SIP that regulates the modification and
construction of any stationary source as
necessary to assure that the NAAQS are
achieved. In this action, EPA is not
proposing to approve or disapprove the
state’s existing minor NSR program to
the extent that it is inconsistent with
EPA’s regulations governing this
program. EPA has maintained that the
CAA does not require that new
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infrastructure SIP submissions correct
any defects in existing EPA-approved
provisions of minor NSR programs in
order for EPA to approve the
infrastructure SIP for element (C) (e.g.,
76 FR 41076–41079).
(3) Prevention of Significant
Deterioration (PSD) permit program.
Kansas also has a program approved by
EPA as meeting the requirements of part
C, relating to prevention of significant
deterioration of air quality. In order to
demonstrate that Kansas has met this
sub-element, this PSD program must
cover requirements not just for the 2010
NO2 NAAQS, but for all other regulated
NSR pollutants as well.
In a previous action on June 20, 2013,
EPA determined that Kansas has a
program in place that meets all the PSD
requirements related to all other
required pollutants (78 FR 37126).
Therefore, Kansas has adopted all
necessary provisions to ensure that its
PSD program covers the requirements
for the NO2 NAAQS and all other
regulated NSR pollutants.
Based upon review of the state’s
infrastructure SIP submissions for the
2010 NO2 NAAQS, and relevant
statutory and regulatory authorities and
provisions referenced in the
submissions or referenced in Kansas’
SIP, EPA believes that the Kansas SIP
adequately addresses the requirements
of section 110(a)(2)(C) for the 2010 NO2
NAAQS and is proposing to approve
this element of the March 19, 2013, and
May 9, 2013, SIP submissions.
(D) Interstate and international
transport: Section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)
includes four requirements referred to
as prongs 1 through 4. Prongs 1 and 2
are provided at section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I);
Prongs 3 and 4 are provided at section
110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II). Section
110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) requires SIPs to include
adequate provisions prohibiting any
source or other type of emissions
activity in one state from contributing
significantly to nonattainment, or
interfering with maintenance, of any
NAAQS in another state. Section
110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II) requires SIPs to
include adequate provisions prohibiting
any source or other type of emissions
activity in one state from interfering
with measures required of any other
state to prevent significant deterioration
of air quality or to protect visibility.
With respect to section
110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I)—prongs 1 and 2,
Kansas’ SIP contain provisions to
address these requirements. Kansas’
submissions provide an analysis that
demonstrates the declining contribution
of the State’s NO2 emissions. The
submissions also analyze monitored
occurrences of NO2 emissions in the
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states surrounding Kansas and
concluded based on modeling and
prevailing wind patterns that those
occurrences did not originate from
Kansas, or were very unlikely to
originate from Kansas. See Kansas’
submission, at pgs. 8–10. Based on that,
Kansas believes that emissions of NO2
from Kansas sources are not
significantly contributing to
nonattainment or interfering with
maintenance in a downwind state.
On February 17, 2012 (77 FR 9532),
EPA promulgated a rule that established
air quality designations for all areas in
the country for the 2010 NO2 NAAQS
based on air quality monitoring data for
the period 2008–2010. Based upon that
data, EPA determined that no area of the
country is violating the 2010 NO2
NAAQS. Furthermore, the current
network of monitors in Kansas indicates
that NO2 design values are below the
standard.
With respect to the PSD requirements
of section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II)—prong 3,
EPA notes that Kansas’ satisfaction of
the applicable infrastructure SIP PSD
requirements for attainment/
unclassifiable areas of the 2010 NO2
NAAQS have been detailed in the
section addressing section 110(a)(2)(C).
EPA also notes that the proposed action
in that section related to PSD is
consistent with the proposed approval
related to PSD for section
110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II).
With regard to the applicable
requirements for visibility protection of
section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II)—prong 4,
states are subject to visibility and
regional haze program requirements
under part C of the CAA (which
includes sections 169A and 169B). The
2013 Guidance states that these
requirements can be satisfied by an
approved SIP addressing reasonably
attributable visibility impairment, if
required, and an approved SIP
addressing regional haze.
Kansas meets this requirement
through EPA’s final approval of Kansas’
regional haze plan on December 27,
2011 (76 FR 80754). In this final
approval, EPA determined that the
Kansas SIP met requirements of the
CAA, for states to prevent any future
and remedy any existing anthropogenic
impairment of visibility in Class I areas
caused by emissions of air pollutants
located over a wide geographic area.
Therefore, EPA is proposing to fully
approve this aspect of the submission.
Section 110(a)(2)(D)(ii) also requires
that the SIP insure compliance with the
applicable requirements of sections 126
and 115 of the CAA, relating to
interstate and international pollution
abatement, respectively.
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Section 126(a) of the CAA requires
new or modified sources to notify
neighboring states of potential impacts
from sources within the state. The
Kansas regulations address abatement of
the effects of interstate pollution. For
example, KAR 28–19–350(k)(2)
‘‘Prevention of Significant Deterioration
(PSD) of Air Quality’’ requires KDHE,
prior to issuing any construction permit
for a proposed new major source or
major modification, to notify EPA, as
well as: Any state or local air pollution
control agency having jurisdiction in the
air quality control region in which the
new or modified installation will be
located; the chief executives of the city
and county where the source will be
located; any comprehensive regional
land use planning agency having
jurisdiction where the source will be
located; and any state, Federal land
manager, or Indian governing body
whose lands will be affected by
emissions from the new source or
modification.16 See also KAR 28–19–204
‘‘General Provisions; Permit Issuance
and Modification; Public Participation’’
for additional public participation
requirements. In addition, no Kansas
source or sources have been identified
by EPA as having any interstate impacts
under section 126 in any pending
actions relating to any air pollutant.
Section 115 of the CAA authorizes
EPA to require a state to revise its SIP
under certain conditions to alleviate
international transport into another
country. There are no final findings
under section 115 of the CAA against
Kansas with respect to any air pollutant.
Thus, the state’s SIP does not need to
include any provisions to meet the
requirements of section 115.
Based upon review of the state’s
infrastructure SIP submissions for the
2010 NO2 NAAQS, and relevant
statutory and regulatory authorities and
provisions referenced in the
submissions or referenced in Kansas’
SIP, EPA believes that Kansas has the
adequate infrastructure needed to
address section 110(a)(2)(D) for the 2010
NO2 NAAQS and is proposing to
approve this element of the March 19,
2013, and May 9, 2013, submissions.
(E) Adequate authority, resources,
implementation, and oversight: Section
110(a)(2)(E) requires that SIPs provide
for the following: (1) Necessary
assurances that the state (and other
entities within the state responsible for
implementing the SIP) will have
adequate personnel, funding, and
authority under state or local law to
16 KAR 28–19–16k(b) provides similar
requirements for construction permits issued in
nonattainment areas.
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implement the SIP, and that there are no
legal impediments to such
implementation; (2) requirements that
the state comply with the requirements
relating to state boards, pursuant to
section 128 of the CAA; and (3)
necessary assurances that the state has
responsibility for ensuring adequate
implementation of any plan provision
for which it relies on local governments
or other entities to carry out that portion
of the plan.
(1) Section 110(a)(2)(E)(i) requires
states to establish that they have
adequate personnel, funding and
authority. With respect to adequate
authority, we have previously discussed
Kansas’ statutory and regulatory
authority to implement the 2010 NO2
NAAQS, primarily in the discussion of
section 110(a)(2)(A) above. Neither
Kansas nor EPA has identified any legal
impediments in the state’s SIP to
implementation of the NAAQS.
With respect to adequate resources,
KDHE asserts that it has adequate
personnel to implement the SIP. The
Kansas statutes provide the Secretary
the authority to employ technical,
professional and other staff to effectuate
the purposes of the Kansas Air Quality
Act from funds appropriated and
available for these purposes. See KSA
section 65–3006(b). Within KDHE, the
Bureau of Air implements the Kansas
Air Quality Act. This Bureau is further
divided into the Air Compliance and
Enforcement Section, Air Permit
Section; the Monitoring and Planning
Section; and the Radiation and Asbestos
Control Section.
With respect to funding, the Kansas
Legislature annually approves funding
and personnel resources for KDHE to
implement the air program. The annual
budget process provides a periodic
update that enables KDHE and the local
agencies to adjust funding and
personnel needs. In addition, the Kansas
statutes grant the Secretary authority to
establish various fees for sources, to
cover any and all parts of administering
the provisions of the Kansas Air Quality
Act. For example, KSA section 65–
3008(f) grants the Secretary authority to
fix, charge, and collect fees for
construction approvals and permits (and
the renewals thereof). KSA section 65–
3024 grants the Secretary the authority
to establish annual emissions fees.
These emission fees, along with any
moneys recovered by the state under the
provisions of the Kansas Air Quality
Act, are deposited into an air quality fee
fund in the state treasury. Moneys in the
air quality fee fund can only be used for
the purpose of administering the Kansas
Air Quality Act.
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Kansas also uses funds in the nonTitle V subaccounts, along with General
Revenue funds and EPA grants under,
for example, sections 103 and 105 of the
Act, to fund the programs. EPA
conducts periodic program reviews to
ensure that the state has adequate
resources and funding to, among other
things, implement the SIP.
(2) Conflict of interest provisions—
section 128. Section 110(a)(2)(E)(ii)
requires that each state SIP meet the
requirements of section 128, relating to
representation on state boards and
conflicts of interest by members of such
boards. Section 128(a)(1) requires that
any board or body which approves
permits or enforcement orders under the
CAA must have at least a majority of
members who represent the public
interest and do not derive any
‘‘significant portion’’ of their income
from persons subject to permits and
enforcement orders under the CAA.
Section 128(a)(2) requires that members
of such a board or body, or the head of
an agency with similar powers,
adequately disclose any potential
conflicts of interest.
On June 20, 2013, EPA approved
Kansas’ SIP revision addressing the
section 128 requirements (78 FR 37126).
For a detailed discussion on EPA’s
analysis of how Kansas meets the
section 128 requirements, see EPA’s
April 17, 2013, proposed approval of
Kansas’ 1997 and 2006 PM2.5
infrastructure SIP (78 FR 22827).
(3) With respect to assurances that the
state has responsibility to implement
the SIP adequately when it authorizes
local or other agencies to carry out
portions of the plan, KSA section 65–
3005(a)(8) grants the Secretary authority
to encourage local units of government
to handle air pollution problems within
their own jurisdictions and to provide
technical and consultative assistance
therefor. The Secretary may also enter
into agreements with local units of
government to administer all or part of
the provisions of the Kansas Air Quality
Act in the units’ respective
jurisdictions. In fact, KSA section 65–
3016 allows for cities and/or counties
(or combinations thereof) to form local
air quality conservation authorities.
These authorities will then have the
authority to enforce air quality rules and
regulations adopted by the Secretary
and adopt any additional rules,
regulations and standards as needed to
maintain satisfactory air quality within
their jurisdictions.
At the same time, the Kansas statutes
also retain authority in the Secretary to
carry out the provisions of the state air
pollution control law. KSA section 65–
3003 specifically places responsibility
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for air quality conservation and control
of air pollution with the Secretary. The
Secretary shall then administer the
Kansas Air Quality Act through the
Division of Environment. As an example
of this retention of authority, KSA
section 65–3016 only allows for the
formation of local air quality
conservation authorities with the
approval of the Secretary. In addition,
although these authorities can adopt
additional air quality rules, regulations
and standards, they may only do so if
those rules, regulations and standards
are in compliance with those set by the
Secretary for that area. Currently, KDHE
oversees the following local agencies
that implement that Kansas Air Quality
Act: The City of Wichita Office of
Environmental Health, Johnson County
Department of Health and Environment,
and Unified Government of Wyandotte
County-Kansas City, Kansas Public
Health Department.
Based upon review of the state’s
infrastructure SIP submissions for the
2010 NO2 NAAQS and relevant
statutory and regulatory authorities and
provisions referenced in the
submissions or referenced in Kansas’
SIP, EPA believes that Kansas has the
adequate infrastructure needed to
address section 110(a)(2)(E) for the 2010
NO2 NAAQS and is proposing to
approve this element of the March 19,
2013, and May 9, 2013, submissions.
(F) Stationary source monitoring
system: Section 110(a)(2)(F) requires
states to establish a system to monitor
emissions from stationary sources and
to submit periodic emission reports.
Each SIP shall require the installation,
maintenance, and replacement of
equipment, and the implementation of
other necessary steps, by owners or
operators of stationary sources, to
monitor emissions from such sources.
The SIP shall also require periodic
reports on the nature and amounts of
emissions and emissions-related data
from such sources, and requires that the
state correlate the source reports with
emission limitations or standards
established under the CAA. These
reports must be made available for
public inspection at reasonable times.
To address this element, KSA section
65–3007 gives the Secretary the
authority to classify air contaminant
sources which, in his or her judgment,
may cause or contribute to air pollution.
The Secretary shall require air
contaminant emission sources to
monitor emissions, operating
parameters, ambient impact of any
source emissions, and any other
parameters deemed necessary.
Furthermore, the Secretary may require
these emissions sources to keep records
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and make reports consistent with the
purposes of the Kansas Air Quality Act.
In addition, KAR 28–19–12(A)
‘‘Measurement of Emissions’’ states that
KDHE may require any person
responsible for the operation of an
emissions source to make or have tests
made to determine the rate of
contaminant emissions from the source
whenever it has reason to believe that
existing emissions exceed limitations
specified in the Kansas air quality
regulations. At the same time, KDHE
may also conduct its own tests of
emissions from any source. KAR 28–19–
12(B). The Kansas regulations also
require that all Class I operating permits
include requirements for monitoring of
emissions (KAR 28–19–512(a)(9) ‘‘Class
I Operating Permits; Permit Content’’).
Kansas makes all monitoring reports
(as well as compliance plans and
compliance certifications) submitted as
part of a construction permit or Class I
or Class II permit application publicly
available. See KSA section 65–3015(a);
KAR 28–19–204(c)(6) ‘‘General
Provisions; Permit Issuance and
Modification; Public Participation.’’
KDHE uses this information to track
progress towards maintaining the
NAAQS, developing control and
maintenance strategies, identifying
sources and general emission levels, and
determining compliance with emission
regulations and additional EPA
requirements. Although the Kansas
statutes allow a person to request that
records or information reported to
KDHE be regarded and treated as
confidential on the grounds that it
constitutes trade secrets, emission data
is specifically excluded from this
protection. See KSA section 65–3015(b).
Based upon review of the state’s
infrastructure SIP submissions for the
2010 NO2 NAAQS, and relevant
statutory and regulatory authorities and
provisions referenced in the
submissions or referenced in Kansas’
SIP, EPA believes that Kansas has the
adequate infrastructure needed to
address section 110(a)(2)(F) for the 2010
NO2 NAAQS and is proposing to
approve this element of the March 19,
2013, and May 9, 2013, submissions.
(G) Emergency authority: Section
110(a)(2)(G) requires SIPs to provide for
authority to address activities causing
imminent and substantial endangerment
to public health or welfare or the
environment (comparable to the
authorities provided in section 303 of
the CAA), and to include contingency
plans to implement such authorities as
necessary.
KSA section 65–3012(a) states that
whenever the Secretary receives
evidence that emissions from an air
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pollution source or combination of
sources presents an imminent and
substantial endangerment to public
health or welfare or to the environment,
he or she may issue a temporary order
directing the owner or operator, or both,
to take such steps as necessary to
prevent the act or eliminate the practice.
Upon issuance of this temporary order,
the Secretary may then commence an
action in the district court to enjoin
these acts or practices.
KAR 28–19–56 ‘‘Episode Criteria’’
allows the Secretary to proclaim an air
pollution alert, air pollution warning, or
air pollution emergency whenever he or
she determines that the accumulation of
air contaminants at any sampling
location has attained levels which
could, if such levels are sustained or
exceeded, threaten the public health.
KAR 28–19–57 ‘‘Emission Reduction
Requirements’’ imposes restrictions on
emission sources in the event one of
these three air pollution episode
statuses is declared.
Based upon review of the state’s
infrastructure SIP submissions for the
2010 NO2 NAAQS, and relevant
statutory and regulatory authorities and
provisions referenced in those
submissions or referenced in Kansas’
SIP, EPA believes that the Kansas SIP
adequately addresses section
110(a)(2)(G) for the 2010 NO2 NAAQS
and is proposing to approve this
element of the March 19, 2013, and May
9, 2013, submissions.
(H) Future SIP revisions: Section
110(a)(2)(H) requires states to have the
authority to revise their SIPs in response
to changes in the NAAQS, availability of
improved methods for attaining the
NAAQS, or in response to an EPA
finding that the SIP is substantially
inadequate to attain the NAAQS.
KSA section 65–3005(b) specifically
states that it is the policy of the state of
Kansas to regulate the air quality of the
state and implement laws and
regulations that are applied equally and
uniformly throughout the state and
consistent with that of the Federal
government. Therefore, the Secretary
has the authority to promulgate rules
and regulations to ensure that Kansas is
in compliance with the provisions of the
Federal CAA. KSA 65–3005(b)(1).
As discussed previously, KSA section
65–3005(a)(1) provides authority to the
Secretary to adopt, amend and repeal
rules and regulations implementing and
consistent with the Kansas Air Quality
Act. The Secretary also has the authority
to establish ambient air quality
standards for the state of Kansas or any
part thereof. KSA section 65–
3005(a)(12). Therefore, as a whole, the
Secretary has the authority to revise
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rules as necessary to respond to any
necessary changes in the NAAQS.
Based upon review of the state’s
infrastructure SIP submissions for the
2010 NO2 NAAQS, and relevant
statutory and regulatory authorities and
provisions referenced in the
submissions or referenced in Kansas’
SIP, EPA believes that Kansas has
adequate authority to address section
110(a)(2)(H) for the 2010 NO2 NAAQS
and is proposing to approve this
element of the March 19, 2013, and May
19, 2013, submissions.
(I) Nonattainment areas: Section
110(a)(2)(I) requires that in the case of
a plan or plan revision for areas
designated as nonattainment areas,
states must meet applicable
requirements of part D of the CAA,
relating to SIP requirements for
designated nonattainment areas.
As noted earlier, EPA does not expect
infrastructure SIP submissions to
address subsection (I). The specific SIP
submissions for designated
nonattainment areas, as required under
CAA title I, part D, are subject to
different submission schedules than
those for section 110 infrastructure
elements. Instead, EPA will take action
on part D attainment plan SIP
submissions through a separate
rulemaking governed by the
requirements for nonattainment areas,
as described in part D.
(J) Consultation with government
officials, public notification, PSD and
visibility protection: Section 110(a)(2)(J)
requires SIPs to meet the applicable
requirements of the following CAA
provisions: (1) Section 121, relating to
interagency consultation regarding
certain CAA requirements; (2) section
127, relating to public notification of
NAAQS exceedances and related issues;
and (3) part C of the CAA, relating to
prevention of significant deterioration of
air quality and visibility protection.
(1) With respect to interagency
consultation, the SIP should provide a
process for consultation with generalpurpose local governments, designated
organizations of elected officials of local
governments, and any Federal Land
Manager having authority over Federal
land to which the SIP applies. KSA
section 65–3005(a)(14) grants the
Secretary the authority to advise,
consult and cooperate with other
agencies of the state, local governments,
other states, interstate and interlocal
agencies, and the Federal government.
Furthermore, as noted earlier in the
discussion on section 110(a)(2)(D),
Kansas’ regulations require that
whenever it receives a construction
permit application for a new source or
a modification, KDHE must notify state
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and local air pollution control agencies,
as well as regional land use planning
agencies and any state, Federal land
manager, or Indian governing body
whose lands will be affected by
emissions from the new source or
modification. See KAR 28–19–350(k)(2)
‘‘Prevention of Significant Deterioration
(PSD) of Air Quality.’’
(2) With respect to the requirements
for public notification in section 127,
the infrastructure SIP should provide
citations to regulations in the SIP
requiring the air agency to regularly
notify the public of instances or areas in
which any NAAQS are exceeded; advise
the public of the health hazard
associated with such exceedances; and
enhance public awareness of measures
that can prevent such exceedances and
of ways in which the public can
participate in the regulatory and other
efforts to improve air quality.
As discussed previously with element
(G), KAR 28–19–56 ‘‘Episode Critera’’
contains provisions that allow the
Secretary to proclaim an air pollution
alert, air pollution warning, or air
pollution emergency status whenever he
or she determines that the accumulation
of air contaminants at any sampling
location has attained levels which
could, if such levels are sustained or
exceeded, threaten the public health.
Any of these emergency situations can
also be declared by the Secretary even
in the absence of issuance of a high air
pollution potential advisory or
equivalent advisory from a local
weather bureau meteorologist, if
deemed necessary to protect the public
health. In the event of such an
emergency situation, public notification
will occur through local weather
bureaus.
In addition, information regarding air
pollution and related issues is provided
on a KDHE Web site, https://
www.kdheks.gov/bar/. This information
includes air quality data, information
regarding the NAAQS, health effects of
poor air quality, and links to the Kansas
Air Quality Monitoring Network. KDHE
also has an ‘‘Outreach and Education’’
Web page (https://www.kdheks.gov/bar/
air_outreach/air_quality_edu.htm) with
information on how individuals can
take measures to reduce emissions and
improve air quality in daily activities.
(3) With respect to the applicable
requirements of part C of the CAA,
relating to PSD of air quality and
visibility protection, as noted in above
under element (C), the Kansas SIP meets
the PSD requirements, incorporating the
Federal rule by reference. With respect
to the visibility component of section
110(a)(2)(J), EPA recognizes that states
are subject to visibility and regional
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haze program requirements under part C
of the CAA. However, when EPA
establishes or revises a NAAQS, these
visibility and regional haze
requirements under part C do not
change. EPA believes that there are no
new visibility protection requirements
under part C as a result of a revised
NAAQS. Therefore, there are no newly
applicable visibility protection
obligations pursuant to element J after
the promulgation of a new or revised
NAAQS.
Nevertheless, as noted above in
section D, EPA has already approved
Kansas’ Regional Haze Plan and
determined that it met the CAA
requirements for preventing future and
remedying existing impairment of
visibility caused by air pollutants.
Based upon review of the state’s
infrastructure SIP submissions for the
2010 NO2 NAAQS, and relevant
statutory and regulatory authorities and
provisions referenced in the
submissions or referenced in Kansas’
SIP, EPA believes that Kansas has met
the applicable requirements of section
110(a)(2)(J) for the 2010 NO2 NAAQS in
the state and is therefore proposing to
approve this element of the March 19,
2013, and May 9, 2013, submissions.
(K) Air quality and modeling/data:
Section 110(a)(2)(K) requires that SIPs
provide for performing air quality
modeling, as prescribed by EPA, to
predict the effects on ambient air quality
of any emissions of any NAAQS
pollutant, and for submission of such
data to EPA upon request.
Kansas has authority to conduct air
quality modeling and report the results
of such modeling to EPA. KSA section
65–3005(a)(9) gives the Secretary the
authority to encourage and conduct
studies, investigations and research
relating to air contamination and air
pollution and their causes, effects,
prevention, abatement and control. As
an example of regulatory authority to
perform modeling for purposes of
determining NAAQS compliance, the
regulations at KAR 28–19–350
‘‘Prevention of Significant Deterioration
(PSD) of Air Quality’’ incorporate EPA
modeling guidance in 40 CFR part 51,
appendix W for the purposes of
demonstrating compliance or noncompliance with a NAAQS.
The Kansas statutes and regulations
also give KDHE the authority to require
that modeling data be submitted for
analysis. KSA section 65–3007(b) grants
the Secretary the authority to require air
contaminant emission sources to
monitor emissions, operating
parameters, ambient impact of any
source emissions or any other
parameters deemed necessary. The
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Secretary may also require these sources
to keep records and make reports
consistent with the purposes of the
Kansas Air Quality Act. These reports
could include information as may be
required by the Secretary concerning the
location, size, and height of
contaminant outlets, processes
employed, fuels used, and the nature
and time periods or duration of
emissions, and such information as is
relevant to air pollution and available or
reasonably capable of being assembled.
KSA section 65–3007(c).
Based upon review of the state’s
infrastructure SIP submissions for the
2010 NO2 NAAQS, and relevant
statutory and regulatory authorities and
provisions referenced in the
submissions or referenced in Kansas’
SIP, EPA believes that Kansas has the
adequate infrastructure needed to
address section 110(a)(2)(K) for the 2010
NO2 NAAQS and is proposing to
approve this element of the March 19,
2013, and May 9, 2013, submissions.
(L) Permitting Fees: Section
110(a)(2)(L) requires SIPs to require
each major stationary source to pay
permitting fees to the permitting
authority, as a condition of any permit
required under the CAA, to cover the
cost of reviewing and acting upon any
application for such a permit, and, if the
permit is issued, the costs of
implementing and enforcing the terms
of the permit. The fee requirement
applies until a fee program established
by the state pursuant to Title V of the
CAA, relating to operating permits, is
approved by EPA.
KSA section 65–3008(f) allows the
Secretary to fix, charge, and collect fees
for approvals and permits (and the
renewals thereof). KSA section 65–3024
grants the Secretary the authority to
establish annual emissions fees. Fees
from the construction permits and
approvals are deposited into the Kansas
state treasury and credited to the state
general fund. Emissions fees are
deposited into an air quality fee fund in
the Kansas state treasury. Moneys in the
air quality fee fund can only be used for
the purpose of administering the Kansas
Air Quality Act.
Kansas’ Title V program, found at
KAR 28–19–500 to 28–19–564, was
approved by EPA on January 30, 1996
(61 FR 2938). EPA reviews the Kansas
Title V program, including Title V fee
structure, separately from this proposed
action. Because the Title V program and
associated fees legally are not part of the
SIP, the infrastructure SIP action we are
proposing today does not preclude EPA
from taking future action regarding
Kansas’ Title V program.
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Based upon review of the state’s
infrastructure SIP submissions for the
2010 NO2 NAAQS, and relevant
statutory and regulatory authorities and
provisions referenced in the
submissions or referenced in Kansas’
SIP, EPA believes that the requirements
of section 110(a)(2)(L) for the 2010 NO2
NAAQS are met and is proposing to
approve this element of the March 13,
2013, and May 9, 2013, submissions.
(M) Consultation/participation by
affected local entities: Section
110(a)(2)(M) requires SIPs to provide for
consultation and participation by local
political subdivisions affected by the
SIP.
KSA section 65–3005(a)(8)(A) gives
the Secretary the authority to encourage
local units of government to handle air
pollution problems within their
respective jurisdictions and on a
cooperative basis and to provide
technical and consultative assistance
therefor. The Secretary may also enter
into agreements with local units of
government to administer all or part of
the provisions on the Kansas Air
Quality Act in the units’ respective
jurisdiction. The Secretary also has the
authority to advise, consult, and
cooperate with local governments. KSA
section 65–3005(a)(14). He or she may
enter into contracts and agreements
with local governments as is necessary
to accomplish the goals of the Kansas
Air Quality Act. KSA section 65–
3005(a)(16).
Currently, KDHE’s Bureau of Air has
signed state and/or local agreements
with the Department of Air Quality from
the Unified Government of Wyandotte
County—Kansas City, Kansas; the
Wichita Office of Environmental Health;
the Johnson County Department of
Health and Environment; and the MidAmerica Regional Council. These
agreements establish formal
partnerships between the Bureau of Air
and these local agencies to work
together to develop and annually update
strategic goals, objectives and strategies
for reducing emissions and improving
air quality.
In addition, as previously noted in the
discussion about section 110(a)(2)(J),
Kansas’ statutes and regulations require
that KDHE consult with local political
subdivisions for the purposes of
carrying out its air pollution control
responsibilities.
Based upon review of the state’s
infrastructure SIP submissions for the
2010 NO2 NAAQS, and relevant
statutory and regulatory authorities and
provisions referenced in the
submissions or referenced in Kansas’
SIP, EPA believes that Kansas has the
adequate infrastructure needed to
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address section 110(a)(2)(M) for the
2010 NO2 NAAQS and is proposing to
approve this element of the March 19,
2013, and May 9, 2013, submissions.
V. What action is EPA proposing?
EPA is proposing to approve the
infrastructure SIP submissions from
Kansas which addresses the
requirements of CAA sections 110(a)(1)
and (2) as applicable to the 2010 NO2
NAAQS. Specifically, EPA is proposing
to approve the following infrastructure
elements, or portions thereof:
110(a)(2)(A), (B), (C), (D), (E), (F), (G),
(H), (J), (K), (L), and (M). As discussed
in each applicable section of this
rulemaking, EPA is not proposing action
on section 110(a)(2)(I)—Nonattainment
Area Plan or Plan Revisions Under Part
D and on the visibility protection
portion of section 110(a)(2)(J).
Based upon review of the state’s
infrastructure SIP submissions and
relevant statutory and regulatory
authorities and provisions referenced in
those submissions or referenced in
Kansas’ SIP, EPA believes that Kansas
has the infrastructure to address all
applicable required elements of sections
110(a)(1) and (2) (except otherwise
noted) to ensure that the 2010 NO2
NAAQS are implemented in the state.
We are hereby soliciting comment on
this proposed action. Final rulemaking
will occur after consideration of any
comments.
VI. Statutory and Executive Order
Review
Under the CAA, the Administrator is
required to approve a SIP submission
that complies with the provisions of the
CAA and applicable Federal regulations.
42 U.S.C. 7410(k); 40 CFR 52.02(a).
Thus, in reviewing SIP submissions,
EPA’s role is to approve state choices,
provided that they meet the criteria of
the CAA. Accordingly, this action
merely approves state law as meeting
Federal requirements and does not
impose additional requirements beyond
those imposed by state law. For that
reason, this proposed action:
• Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory
action’’ under the terms of Executive
Order 12866 (58 FR 51735, October 4,
1993) and is therefore not subject to
review under Executive Orders 12866
and 13563 (76 FR 3821, January 21,
2011).
• 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
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under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5
U.S.C. 601 et seq.);
• does not contain any unfunded
mandate or significantly or uniquely
affect small governments, as described
in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–4);
• does not have Federalism
implications as specified in Executive
Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10,
1999);
• is not an economically significant
regulatory action based on health or
safety risks subject to Executive Order
13045 (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997);
• is not a significant regulatory action
subject to Executive Order 13211 (66 FR
28355, May 22, 2001);
• is not subject to requirements of
section 12(d) of the National
Technology Transfer and Advancement
Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272 note) because
application of those requirements would
be inconsistent with the CAA; and
• does not provide EPA with the
discretionary authority to address, as
appropriate, disproportionate human
health or environmental effects, using
practicable and legally permissible
methods, under Executive Order 12898
(59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994).
In addition, this rule does not have
Tribal implications as specified by
Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249,
November 9, 2000), because the SIP is
not approved to apply in Indian country
located in the state, and EPA notes that
it will not impose substantial direct
costs on tribal governments or preempt
tribal law.
Statutory Authority
The statutory authority for this action
is provided by section 110 of the CAA,
as amended (42 U.S.C. 7410).
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52
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Environmental protection, Air
pollution control, Incorporation by
reference, Intergovernmental relations,
Nitrogen Dioxide, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements.
Dated: August 15, 2014.
Karl Brooks,
Regional Administrator, Region 7.
[FR Doc. 2014–20513 Filed 8–27–14; 8:45 am]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 52
[EPA–R09–OAR–2014–0417 FRL–9913–14–
Region 9]
Revisions to the California State
Implementation Plan, Imperial County
Air Pollution Control District and
Shasta County Air Quality
Management District
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Proposed rule.
AGENCY:
The Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve
revisions to the Imperial County Air
Pollution Control District (ICAPCD) and
the Shasta County Air Quality
Management District (SHAQMD)
portion of the California State
Implementation Plan (SIP). We are
proposing to approve local rules
regarding enhanced monitoring under
the Clean Air Act (CAA or the Act).
DATES: Any comments on this proposal
must arrive by September 29, 2014.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments,
identified by docket number EPA–R09–
OAR–2014–0417, by one of the
following methods:
1. Federal eRulemaking Portal:
www.regulations.gov. Follow the on-line
instructions.
2. Email: steckel.andrew@epa.gov.
3. Mail or deliver: Andrew Steckel
(Air-4), U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency Region IX, 75 Hawthorne Street,
San Francisco, CA 94105–3901.
Instructions: All comments will be
included in the public docket without
change and may be made available
online at www.regulations.gov,
including any personal information
provided, unless the comment includes
Confidential Business Information (CBI)
or other information whose disclosure is
restricted by statute. Information that
you consider CBI or otherwise protected
should be clearly identified as such and
should not be submitted through
www.regulations.gov or email.
www.regulations.gov is an ‘‘anonymous
access’’ system, and EPA will not know
your identity or contact information
unless you provide it in the body of
your comment. If you send email
directly to EPA, your email address will
be automatically captured and included
as part of the public comment. If EPA
cannot read your comment due to
technical difficulties and cannot contact
you for clarification, EPA may not be
able to consider your comment.
Electronic files should avoid the use of
special characters, any form of
SUMMARY:
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encryption, and be free of any defects or
viruses.
Docket: Generally, documents in the
docket for this action are available
electronically at www.regulations.gov
and in hard copy at EPA Region IX, 75
Hawthorne Street, San Francisco,
California 94105–3901. While all
documents in the docket are listed at
www.regulations.gov, some information
may be publicly available only at the
hard copy location (e.g., copyrighted
material, large maps), and some may not
be publicly available in either location
(e.g., CBI). To inspect the hard copy
materials, please schedule an
appointment during normal business
hours with the contact listed in the FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Vanessa Graham, EPA Region IX, (415)
947–4120, graham.vanessa@epa.gov.
This
proposal addresses local rules for
ICAPCD Rule 910, Enhanced Monitoring
and SHAQMD Rule 3:8, Enhanced
Monitoring and Compliance
Certification for Major Sources as
Defined by Title V. In the Rules and
Regulations section of this Federal
Register, we are approving these local
rules in a direct final action without
prior proposal because we believe these
SIP revisions are not controversial. If we
receive adverse comments, however, we
will publish a timely withdrawal of the
direct final rule and address the
comments in subsequent action based
on this proposed rule. Please note that
if we receive adverse comment on an
amendment, paragraph, or section of
this rule and if that provision may be
severed from the remainder of the rule,
we may adopt as final those provisions
of the rule that are not the subject of an
adverse comment.
We do not plan to open a second
comment period, so anyone interested
in commenting should do so at this
time. If we do not receive adverse
comments, no further activity is
planned. For further information, please
see the direct final action.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Dated: May 23, 2014.
Jared Blumenfeld,
Regional Administrator, Region IX.
[FR Doc. 2014–20505 Filed 8–27–14; 8:45 am]
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 167 (Thursday, August 28, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 51277-51287]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-20513]
=======================================================================
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 52
[EPA-R07-OAR-2014-0500; FRL-9915-90-Region 7]
Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; State of
Kansas; Infrastructure SIP Requirements for the 2010 Nitrogen Dioxide
National Ambient Air Quality Standard
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.
ACTION: Proposed rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to
approve elements of a State Implementation Plan (SIP) submission from
the State of Kansas addressing the applicable requirements of Clean Air
Act (CAA) section 110 for the 2010 National Ambient Air Quality
Standards (NAAQS) for Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2). Section 110
requires that each state adopt and submit a SIP to support
implementation, maintenance, and enforcement of each new or revised
NAAQS promulgated by EPA. These SIPs are commonly referred to as
``infrastructure'' SIPs. The infrastructure requirements are designed
to ensure that the structural components of each state's air quality
management program are adequate to meet the state's responsibilities
under the CAA.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before September 29, 2014.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-R07-
OAR-2014-0500, by one of the following methods:
1. https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the on-line instructions for
submitting comments.
2. Email: kemp.lachala@epa.gov.
3. Mail: Ms. Lachala Kemp, Air Planning and Development Branch,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 7, Air and Waste
Management Division, 11201 Renner Boulevard, Lenexa, Kansas 66219.
4. Hand Delivery or Courier: Deliver your comments to Ms. Lachala
Kemp, Air Planning and Development Branch, U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, Region 7, Air and Waste Management Division, 11201
Renner Boulevard, Lenexa, Kansas 66219.
Instructions: Direct your comments to Docket ID No. EPA-R07-OAR-
2014-0500. 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 through https://www.regulations.gov or email information that you consider to be CBI or
otherwise protected. 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 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 should be
free of any defects or viruses.
Docket: All documents in the electronic docket are listed in the
https://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, will be publicly available only in hard copy.
Publicly available docket materials are available either electronically
at https://www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, Region 7, 11201 Renner Boulevard, Lenexa, Kansas
66219 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding
legal holidays. The interested persons wanting to examine these
documents should make an appointment with the office at least 24 hours
in advance.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Lachala Kemp, Air Planning and
Development Branch, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 7,
11201 Renner Boulevard, Lenexa, KS 66219; telephone number: (913) 551-
7214; fax number: (913) 551-7065; email address: kemp.lachala@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Throughout this document whenever ``we,''
``us,'' or ``our'' is used, we refer to EPA. This section provides
additional information by addressing the following questions:
I. What is a section 110(a)(1) and (2) infrastructure SIP?
II. What are the applicable elements under sections 110(a)(1) and
(2)?
III. What is EPA's approach to the review of infrastructure SIP
submissions?
IV. What is EPA's evaluation of how the state addressed the relevant
elements of sections 110(a)(1) and (2)?
V. What action is EPA proposing?
VI. Statutory and Executive Order Review
I. What is a section 110(a)(1) and (2) infrastructure SIP?
Section 110(a)(1) of the CAA requires, in part, that states make a
SIP submission to EPA to implement, maintain and enforce each of the
NAAQS promulgated by EPA after reasonable notice and public hearings.
Section 110(a)(2) includes a list of specific elements that such
infrastructure SIP submissions must address. SIPs meeting the
requirements of sections 110(a)(1) and (2) are to be submitted by
states within three years after promulgation of a new or revised NAAQS.
These SIP submissions are commonly referred to as ``infrastructure''
SIPs.
II. What are the applicable elements under sections 110(a)(1) and (2)?
On February 9, 2010, EPA established a new 1-hour primary
NO2 NAAQS (hereafter the 2010 NO2 NAAQS) at a
level of 100 parts per billion (ppb), based on the 3-year average of
the 98th percentile of the yearly distribution of 1-hour daily maximum
concentrations. (75 FR 6473)
For the 2010 NO2 NAAQS, states typically have met many
of the basic program elements required in section 110(a)(2) through
earlier SIP submissions in connection with previous NAAQS.
Nevertheless, pursuant to section 110(a)(1), states have to review and
revise, as appropriate, their existing SIPs to ensure that the SIPs are
adequate to address the 2010 NO2 NAAQS. To assist
[[Page 51278]]
states in meeting this statutory requirement, EPA issued guidance on
September 13, 2013 (2013 Guidance), addressing the infrastructure SIP
elements required under section 110 (a)(1) and (2) for the 2010
NO2 NAAQS.\1\ EPA will address these elements below under
the following headings: (A) Emission limits and other control measures;
(B) Ambient air quality monitoring/data system; (C) Program for
enforcement of control measures (prevention of significant
deterioration) (PSD)), New Source Review for nonattainment areas, and
construction and modification of all stationary sources); (D)
Interstate and international transport; (E) Adequate authority,
resources, implementation, and oversight; (F) Stationary source
monitoring system; (G) Emergency authority; (H) Future SIP revisions;
(I) Nonattainment areas; (J) Consultation with government officials,
public notification, prevention of significant deterioration (PSD), and
visibility protection; (K) Air quality and modeling/data; (L)
Permitting fees; and (M) Consultation/participation by affected local
entities.
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\1\ Stephen D. Page, Director, Air Quality Policy Division,
Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, ``Guidance on
Infrastructure State Implementation Plan (SIP) Elements Under Clean
Air Act Sections 110(a)(1) and 110(a)(2),'' Memorandum to EPA
Regional Air Division Directors, Regions I-X, September 13, 2013.
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III. What is EPA's approach to the review of infrastructure SIP
submissions?
EPA is acting upon the March 19, 2013, and May 9, 2013, SIP
submissions from Kansas that address the infrastructure requirements of
CAA sections 110(a)(1) and 110(a)(2) for the 2010 NO2 NAAQS.
The requirement for states to make a SIP submission of this type arises
out of CAA section 110(a)(1). Pursuant to section 110(a)(1), states
must make SIP submissions ``within 3 years (or such shorter period as
the Administrator may prescribe) after the promulgation of a national
primary ambient air quality standard (or any revision thereof),'' and
these SIP submissions are to provide for the ``implementation,
maintenance, and enforcement'' of such NAAQS. The statute directly
imposes on states the duty to make these SIP submissions, and the
requirement to make the submissions is not conditioned upon EPA's
taking any action other than promulgating a new or revised NAAQS.
Section 110(a)(2) includes a list of specific elements that ``[e]ach
such plan'' submission must address.
EPA has historically referred to these SIP submissions made for the
purpose of satisfying the requirements of CAA sections 110(a)(1) and
110(a)(2) as ``infrastructure SIP'' submissions. Although the term
``infrastructure SIP'' does not appear in the CAA, EPA uses the term to
distinguish this particular type of SIP submission from submissions
that are intended to satisfy other SIP requirements under the CAA, such
as ``nonattainment SIP'' or ``attainment plan SIP'' submissions to
address the nonattainment planning requirements of part D of title I of
the CAA, ``regional haze SIP'' submissions required by EPA rule to
address the visibility protection requirements of CAA section 169A, and
nonattainment new source review permit program submissions to address
the permit requirements of CAA, title I, part D.
Section 110(a)(1) addresses the timing and general requirements for
infrastructure SIP submissions, and section 110(a)(2) provides more
details concerning the required contents of these submissions. The list
of required elements provided in section 110(a)(2) contains a wide
variety of disparate provisions, some of which pertain to required
legal authority, some of which pertain to required substantive program
provisions, and some of which pertain to requirements for both
authority and substantive program provisions.\2\ EPA therefore believes
that while the timing requirement in section 110(a)(1) is unambiguous,
some of the other statutory provisions are ambiguous. In particular,
EPA believes that the list of required elements for infrastructure SIP
submissions provided in section 110(a)(2) contains ambiguities
concerning what is required for inclusion in an infrastructure SIP
submission.
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\2\ For example: Section 110(a)(2)(E)(i) provides that states
must provide assurances that they have adequate legal authority
under state and local law to carry out the SIP; section 110(a)(2)(C)
provides that states must have a SIP-approved program to address
certain sources as required by part C of title I of the CAA; and
section 110(a)(2)(G) provides that states must have legal authority
to address emergencies as well as contingency plans that are
triggered in the event of such emergencies.
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The following examples of ambiguities illustrate the need for EPA
to interpret some section 110(a)(1) and section 110(a)(2) requirements
with respect to infrastructure SIP submissions for a given new or
revised NAAQS. One example of ambiguity is that section 110(a)(2)
requires that ``each'' SIP submission must meet the list of
requirements therein, while EPA has long noted that this literal
reading of the statute is internally inconsistent and would create a
conflict with the nonattainment provisions in part D of title I of the
Act, which specifically address nonattainment SIP requirements.\3\
Section 110(a)(2)(I) pertains to nonattainment SIP requirements and
part D addresses when attainment plan SIP submissions to address
nonattainment area requirements are due. For example, section 172(b)
requires EPA to establish a schedule for submission of such plans for
certain pollutants when the Administrator promulgates the designation
of an area as nonattainment, and section 107(d)(1)(B) allows up to two
years, or in some cases three years, for such designations to be
promulgated.\4\ This ambiguity illustrates that rather than apply all
the stated requirements of section 110(a)(2) in a strict literal sense,
EPA must determine which provisions of section 110(a)(2) are applicable
for a particular infrastructure SIP submission.
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\3\ See, e.g., ``Rule To Reduce Interstate Transport of Fine
Particulate Matter and Ozone (Clean Air Interstate Rule); Revisions
to Acid Rain Program; Revisions to the NOX SIP Call;
Final Rule,'' 70 FR 25162, at 25163-65 (May 12, 2005) (explaining
relationship between timing requirement of section 110(a)(2)(D)
versus section 110(a)(2)(I)).
\4\ EPA notes that this ambiguity within section 110(a)(2) is
heightened by the fact that various subparts of part D set specific
dates for submission of certain types of SIP submissions in
designated nonattainment areas for various pollutants. Note, e.g.,
that section 182(a)(1) provides specific dates for submission of
emissions inventories for the ozone NAAQS. Some of these specific
dates are necessarily later than three years after promulgation of
the new or revised NAAQS.
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Another example of ambiguity within sections 110(a)(1) and
110(a)(2) with respect to infrastructure SIPs pertains to whether
states must meet all of the infrastructure SIP requirements in a single
SIP submission, and whether EPA must act upon such SIP submission in a
single action. Although section 110(a)(1) directs states to submit ``a
plan'' to meet these requirements, EPA interprets the CAA to allow
states to make multiple SIP submissions separately addressing
infrastructure SIP elements for the same NAAQS. If states elect to make
such multiple SIP submissions to meet the infrastructure SIP
requirements, EPA can elect to act on such submissions either
individually or in a larger combined action.\5\
[[Page 51279]]
Similarly, EPA interprets the CAA to allow it to take action on the
individual parts of one larger, comprehensive infrastructure SIP
submission for a given NAAQS without concurrent action on the entire
submission. For example, EPA has sometimes elected to act at different
times on various elements and sub-elements of the same infrastructure
SIP submission.\6\
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\5\ See, e.g., ``Approval and Promulgation of Implementation
Plans; New Mexico; Revisions to the New Source Review (NSR) State
Implementation Plan (SIP); Prevention of Significant Deterioration
(PSD) and Nonattainment New Source Review (NNSR) Permitting,'' 78 FR
4339 (January 22, 2013) (EPA's final action approving the structural
PSD elements of the New Mexico SIP submitted by the State separately
to meet the requirements of EPA's 2008 PM2.5 NSR rule),
and ``Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans;
New Mexico; Infrastructure and Interstate Transport Requirements for
the 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS,'' (78 FR 4337) (January 22, 2013)
(EPA's final action on the infrastructure SIP for the 2006
PM2.5 NAAQS).
\6\ On December 14, 2007, the State of Tennessee, through the
Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, made a SIP
revision to EPA demonstrating that the State meets the requirements
of sections 110(a)(1) and (2). EPA proposed action for
infrastructure SIP elements (C) and (J) on January 23, 2012 (77 FR
3213) and took final action on March 14, 2012 (77 FR 14976). On
April 16, 2012 (77 FR 22533) and July 23, 2012 (77 FR 42997), EPA
took separate proposed and final actions on all other section
110(a)(2) infrastructure SIP elements of Tennessee's December 14,
2007 submittal.
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Ambiguities within sections 110(a)(1) and 110(a)(2) may also arise
with respect to infrastructure SIP submission requirements for
different NAAQS. Thus, EPA notes that not every element of section
110(a)(2) would be relevant, or as relevant, or relevant in the same
way, for each new or revised NAAQS. The states' attendant
infrastructure SIP submissions for each NAAQS therefore could be
different. For example, the monitoring requirements that a state might
need to meet in its infrastructure SIP submission for purposes of
section 110(a)(2)(B) could be very different for different pollutants,
for example because the content and scope of a state's infrastructure
SIP submission to meet this element might be very different for an
entirely new NAAQS than for a minor revision to an existing NAAQS.\7\
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\7\ For example, implementation of the 1997 PM2.5
NAAQS required the deployment of a system of new monitors to measure
ambient levels of that new indicator species for the new NAAQS.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
EPA notes that interpretation of section 110(a)(2) is also
necessary when EPA reviews other types of SIP submissions required
under the CAA. Therefore, as with infrastructure SIP submissions, EPA
also has to identify and interpret the relevant elements of section
110(a)(2) that logically apply to these other types of SIP submissions.
For example, section 172(c)(7) requires that attainment plan SIP
submissions required by part D have to meet the ``applicable
requirements'' of section 110(a)(2). Thus, for example, attainment plan
SIP submissions must meet the requirements of section 110(a)(2)(A)
regarding enforceable emission limits and control measures and section
110(a)(2)(E)(i) regarding air agency resources and authority. By
contrast, it is clear that attainment plan SIP submissions required by
part D would not need to meet the portion of section 110(a)(2)(C) that
pertains to the PSD program required in part C of title I of the CAA,
because PSD does not apply to a pollutant for which an area is
designated nonattainment and thus subject to part D planning
requirements. As this example illustrates, each type of SIP submission
may implicate some elements of section 110(a)(2) but not others.
Given the potential for ambiguity in some of the statutory language
of section 110(a)(1) and section 110(a)(2), EPA believes that it is
appropriate to interpret the ambiguous portions of section 110(a)(1)
and section 110(a)(2) in the context of acting on a particular SIP
submission. In other words, EPA assumes that Congress could not have
intended that each and every SIP submission, regardless of the NAAQS in
question or the history of SIP development for the relevant pollutant,
would meet each of the requirements, or meet each of them in the same
way. Therefore, EPA has adopted an approach under which it reviews
infrastructure SIP submissions against the list of elements in section
110(a)(2), but only to the extent each element applies for that
particular NAAQS.
Historically, EPA has elected to use guidance documents to make
recommendations to states for infrastructure SIPs, in some cases
conveying needed interpretations on newly arising issues and in some
cases conveying interpretations that have already been developed and
applied to individual SIP submissions for particular elements.\8\ EPA
developed the 2013 Guidance document to provide states with up-to-date
guidance for infrastructure SIPs for any new or revised NAAQS. Within
the 2013 guidance, EPA describes the duty of states to make
infrastructure SIP submissions to meet basic structural SIP
requirements within three years of promulgation of a new or revised
NAAQS. EPA also made recommendations about many specific subsections of
section 110(a)(2) that are relevant in the context of infrastructure
SIP submissions.\9\ The guidance also discusses the substantively
important issues that are germane to certain subsections of section
110(a)(2). Significantly, EPA interprets sections 110(a)(1) and
110(a)(2) such that infrastructure SIP submissions need to address
certain issues and need not address others. Accordingly, EPA reviews
each infrastructure SIP submission for compliance with the applicable
statutory provisions of section 110(a)(2), as appropriate.
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\8\ EPA notes, however, that nothing in the CAA requires EPA to
provide guidance or to promulgate regulations for infrastructure SIP
submissions. The CAA directly applies to states and requires the
submission of infrastructure SIP submissions, regardless of whether
or not EPA provides guidance or regulations pertaining to such
submissions. EPA elects to issue such guidance in order to assist
states, as appropriate.
\9\ EPA's September 13, 2013, guidance did not make
recommendations with respect to infrastructure SIP submissions to
address section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I). EPA issued the guidance shortly
after the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to review the D.C. Circuit
decision in EME Homer City, 696 F.3d 7 (D.C. Cir. 2012) which had
interpreted the requirements of section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I). In light
of the uncertainty created by this litigation (which culminated in
the Supreme Court's recent decision, 134 SCt. 1584), EPA elected not
to provide additional guidance on the requirements of section
110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) at that time. As the guidance is neither binding
nor required by statute, whether EPA elects to provide guidance on a
particular section has no impact on a state's CAA obligations.
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As an example, section 110(a)(2)(E)(ii) is a required element of
section 110(a)(2) for infrastructure SIP submissions. Under this
element, a state must meet the substantive requirements of section 128,
which pertain to state boards that approve permits or enforcement
orders and heads of executive agencies with similar powers. Thus, EPA
reviews infrastructure SIP submissions to ensure that the state's SIP
appropriately addresses the requirements of section 110(a)(2)(E)(ii)
and section 128. The 2013 Guidance explains EPA's interpretation that
there may be a variety of ways by which states can appropriately
address these substantive statutory requirements, depending on the
structure of an individual state's permitting or enforcement program
(e.g., whether permits and enforcement orders are approved by a multi-
member board or by a head of an executive agency). However they are
addressed by the state, the substantive requirements of section 128 are
necessarily included in EPA's evaluation of infrastructure SIP
submissions because section 110(a)(2)(E)(ii) explicitly requires that
the state satisfy the provisions of section 128.
As another example, EPA's review of infrastructure SIP submissions
with respect to the PSD program requirements in sections 110(a)(2)(C),
(D)(i)(II), and (J) focuses upon the structural PSD program
requirements contained in part C and EPA's PSD regulations. Structural
PSD program requirements include provisions necessary for the PSD
program to address all regulated sources and New Source Review (NSR)
pollutants,
[[Page 51280]]
including greenhouse gases (GHGs). By contrast, structural PSD program
requirements do not include provisions that are not required under
EPA's regulations at 40 CFR 51.166 but are merely available as an
option for the state, such as the option to provide grandfathering of
complete permit applications with respect to the 2012 PM2.5
NAAQS. Accordingly, the latter optional provisions are types of
provisions EPA considers irrelevant in the context of an infrastructure
SIP action.
For other section 110(a)(2) elements, however, EPA's review of a
state's infrastructure SIP submission focuses on assuring that the
state's SIP meets basic structural requirements. For example, section
110(a)(2)(C) includes, inter alia, the requirement that states have a
program to regulate minor new sources. Thus, EPA evaluates whether the
state has an EPA-approved minor NSR program and whether the program
addresses the pollutants relevant to that NAAQS. In the context of
acting on an infrastructure SIP submission, however, EPA does not think
it is necessary to conduct a review of each and every provision of a
state's existing minor source program (i.e., already in the existing
SIP) for compliance with the requirements of the CAA and EPA's
regulations that pertain to such programs.
With respect to certain other issues, EPA does not believe that an
action on a state's infrastructure SIP submission is necessarily the
appropriate type of action in which to address possible deficiencies in
a state's existing SIP. These issues include: (i) Existing provisions
related to excess emissions from sources during periods of startup,
shutdown, or malfunction that may be contrary to the CAA and EPA's
policies addressing such excess emissions (``SSM''); (ii) existing
provisions related to ``director's variance'' or ``director's
discretion'' that may be contrary to the CAA because they purport to
allow revisions to SIP-approved emissions limits while limiting public
process or not requiring further approval by EPA; and (iii) 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''). Thus, EPA believes it may approve an infrastructure SIP
submission without scrutinizing the totality of the existing SIP for
such potentially deficient provisions and may approve the submission
even if it is aware of such existing provisions.\10\ It is important to
note that EPA's approval of a state's infrastructure SIP submission
should not be construed as explicit or implicit re-approval of any
existing potentially deficient provisions that relate to the three
specific issues just described.
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\10\ By contrast, EPA notes that if a state were to include a
new provision in an infrastructure SIP submission that contained a
legal deficiency, such as a new exemption for excess emissions
during SSM events, then EPA would need to evaluate that provision
for compliance against the rubric of applicable CAA requirements in
the context of the action on the infrastructure SIP.
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EPA's approach to review of infrastructure SIP submissions is to
identify the CAA requirements that are logically applicable to that
submission. EPA believes that this approach to the review of a
particular infrastructure SIP submission is appropriate, because it
would not be reasonable to read the general requirements of section
110(a)(1) and the list of elements in 110(a)(2) as requiring review of
each and every provision of a state's existing SIP against all
requirements in the CAA and EPA regulations merely for purposes of
assuring that the state in question has the basic structural elements
for a functioning SIP for a new or revised NAAQS. Because SIPs have
grown by accretion over the decades as statutory and regulatory
requirements under the CAA have evolved, they may include some outmoded
provisions and historical artifacts. These provisions, while not fully
up to date, nevertheless may not pose a significant problem for the
purposes of ``implementation, maintenance, and enforcement'' of a new
or revised NAAQS when EPA evaluates adequacy of the infrastructure SIP
submission. EPA believes that a better approach is for states and EPA
to focus attention on those elements of section 110(a)(2) of the CAA
most likely to warrant a specific SIP revision due to the promulgation
of a new or revised NAAQS or other factors.
For example, EPA's 2013 Guidance gives simpler recommendations with
respect to carbon monoxide than other NAAQS pollutants to meet the
visibility requirements of section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II), because carbon
monoxide does not affect visibility. As a result, an infrastructure SIP
submission for any future new or revised NAAQS for carbon monoxide need
only state this fact in order to address the visibility prong of
section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II).
Finally, EPA believes that its approach with respect to
infrastructure SIP requirements is based on a reasonable reading of
sections 110(a)(1) and 110(a)(2) because the CAA provides other avenues
and mechanisms to address specific substantive deficiencies in existing
SIPs. These other statutory tools allow EPA to take appropriately
tailored action, depending upon the nature and severity of the alleged
SIP deficiency. Section 110(k)(5) authorizes EPA to issue a ``SIP
call'' whenever the Agency determines that a state's SIP is
substantially inadequate to attain or maintain the NAAQS, to mitigate
interstate transport, or to otherwise comply with the CAA.\11\ Section
110(k)(6) authorizes EPA to correct errors in past actions, such as
past approvals of SIP submissions.\12\ Significantly, EPA's
determination that an action on a state's infrastructure SIP submission
is not the appropriate time and place to address all potential existing
SIP deficiencies does not preclude EPA's subsequent reliance on
provisions in section 110(a)(2) as part of the basis for action to
correct those deficiencies at a later time. For example, although it
may not be appropriate to require a state to eliminate all existing
inappropriate director's discretion provisions in the course of acting
on an infrastructure SIP submission, EPA believes that section
110(a)(2)(A) may be among the statutory bases that EPA relies upon in
the course of addressing such deficiency in a subsequent action.\13\
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\11\ For example, EPA issued a SIP call to Utah to address
specific existing SIP deficiencies related to the treatment of
excess emissions during SSM events. See ``Finding of Substantial
Inadequacy of Implementation Plan; Call for Utah State
Implementation Plan Revisions,'' 74 FR 21639 (April 18, 2011).
\12\ EPA has used this authority to correct errors in past
actions on SIP submissions related to PSD programs. See ``Limitation
of Approval of Prevention of Significant Deterioration Provisions
Concerning Greenhouse Gas Emitting-Sources in State Implementation
Plans; Final Rule,'' 75 FR 82536 (December 30, 2010). EPA has
previously used its authority under CAA section 110(k)(6) to remove
numerous other SIP provisions that the Agency determined it had
approved in error. See, e.g., 61 FR 38664 (July 25, 1996) and 62 FR
34641 (June 27, 1997) (corrections to American Samoa, Arizona,
California, Hawaii, and Nevada SIPs); 69 FR 67062 (November 16,
2004) (corrections to California SIP); and 74 FR 57051 (November 3,
2009) (corrections to Arizona and Nevada SIPs).
\13\ See, e.g., EPA's disapproval of a SIP submission from
Colorado on the grounds that it would have included a director's
discretion provision inconsistent with CAA requirements, including
section 110(a)(2)(A). See, e.g., 75 FR 42342 at 42344 (July 21,
2010) (proposed disapproval of director's discretion provisions); 76
FR 4540 (January 26, 2011) (final disapproval of such provisions).
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IV. What is EPA's evaluation of how the state addressed the relevant
elements of sections 110(a)(1) and (2)?
EPA Region 7 received Kansas' infrastructure SIP submission for the
2010 NO2 standard on March 19, 2013,
[[Page 51281]]
with a supplemental revision May 9, 2013. The SIP submissions became
complete as a matter of law on September 19, 2013. EPA has reviewed
Kansas' infrastructure SIP submissions and the applicable statutory and
regulatory authorities and provisions referenced in those submissions
or referenced in Kansas' SIP. Below is EPA's evaluation of how the
state addressed the relevant elements of section 110(a)(2) for the 2010
NO2 NAAQS.
(A) Emission limits and other control measures: Section
110(a)(2)(A) requires SIPs to include enforceable emission limits and
other control measures, means or techniques, schedules for compliance
and other related matters as needed to implement, maintain and enforce
each NAAQS.\14\
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\14\ The specific nonattainment area plan requirements of
section 110(a)(2)(I) are subject to the timing requirements of
section 172, not the timing requirement of section 110(a)(1). Thus,
section 110(a)(2)(A) does not require that states submit regulations
or emissions limits specifically for attaining the 2010
NO2 NAAQS. Those SIP provisions are due as part of each
state's attainment plan, and will be addressed separately from the
requirements of section 110(a)(2)(A). In the context of an
infrastructure SIP, EPA is not evaluating the existing SIP
provisions for this purpose. Instead, EPA is only evaluating whether
the state's SIP has basic structural provisions for the
implementation of the NAAQS.
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The State of Kansas' statutes and regulations authorize the Kansas
Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) to regulate air quality and
implement air quality control regulations. KDHE's statutory authority
can be found in chapter 65, article 30 of the Kansas Statutes Annotated
(KSA), otherwise known as the Kansas Air Quality Act. KSA section 65-
3003 places the responsibility for air quality conservation and control
of air pollution with the Secretary of Health and Environment
(``Secretary''). The Secretary in turn administers the Kansas Air
Quality Act through the Division of Environment within KDHE. Air
pollution is defined in KSA section 65-3002(c) as the presence in the
outdoor atmosphere of one or more air contaminants in such quantities
and duration as is, or tends significantly to be, injurious to human
health or welfare, animal or plant life, or property, or would
unreasonably interfere with the enjoyment of life or property, or would
contribute to the formation of regional haze.
KSA section 65-3005(a)(1) provides authority to the Secretary to
adopt, amend and repeal rules and regulations implementing the Kansas
Air Quality Act. It also gives the Secretary the authority to establish
ambient air quality standards for the State of Kansas as a whole or for
any part thereof. KSA section 65-3005(a)(12). The Secretary has the
authority to promulgate rules and regulations to ensure that Kansas is
in compliance with the provisions of the Act, in furtherance of a
policy to implement laws and regulations consistent with those of the
Federal government. KSA section 65-3005(b). The Secretary also has the
authority to establish emission control requirements as appropriate to
facilitate the accomplishment of the purposes of the Kansas Air Quality
Act. KSA section 65-3010(a).
Based upon review of the state's infrastructure SIP submissions for
the 2010 NO2 NAAQS, and relevant statutory and regulatory
authorities and provisions referenced in the submissions or referenced
in Kansas' SIP, EPA believes that the Kansas SIP adequately addresses
the requirements of section 110(a)(2)(A) for the 2010 NO2
NAAQS and is proposing to approve this element of the March 19, 2013,
and May 9, 2013, SIP submissions.
(B) Ambient air quality monitoring/data system: Section
110(a)(2)(B) requires SIPs to include provisions to provide for
establishment and operation of ambient air quality monitors, collection
and analysis of ambient air quality data, and making these data
available to EPA upon request.
To address this element, KSA section 65-3007 provides the enabling
authority necessary for Kansas to fulfill the requirements of section
110(a)(2)(B). This provision gives the Secretary the authority to
classify air contaminant sources which, in his or her judgment, may
cause or contribute to air pollution. Furthermore, the Secretary has
the authority to require such air contaminant sources to monitor
emissions, operating parameters, ambient impacts of any source
emissions, and any other parameters deemed necessary. The Secretary can
also require these sources to keep records and make reports consistent
with the Kansas Air Quality Act. KSA section 65-3007(b).
Kansas has an air quality monitoring network operated by KDHE and
local air quality agencies that collects air quality data that are
compiled, analyzed, and reported to EPA. KDHE's Web site contains up-
to-date information about air quality monitoring, including a
description of the network and information about the monitoring of
NO2. See, generally, https://www.kdheks.gov/bar/air-monitor/indexMon.html. KDHE also conducts five-year monitoring network
assessments, including the NO2 monitoring network, as
required by 40 CFR 58.10(d). On December 3, 2013, EPA approved Kansas'
2013-2014 Ambient Air Monitoring Network Plan. This plan includes,
among other things, the location for the NO2 monitoring
network in Kansas. Specifically, KDHE operates four nitrogen dioxide
monitors in the state in accordance with the source-oriented nitrogen
dioxide monitoring requirements of 40 CFR part 58, appendix D,
paragraph 4.3. Data gathered by the monitors is submitted to EPA's Air
Quality System, which in turn determines if the network site monitors
are in compliance with the NAAQS.
Within KDHE, the Bureau of Air implements these requirements. Along
with its other duties, the Monitoring and Planning Section collects air
monitoring data, quality assures the results, and reports the data. The
data is then used to develop the appropriate regulatory or outreach
strategies to reduce air pollution.
Based upon review of the state's infrastructure SIP submissions for
the 2010 NO2 NAAQS, and relevant statutory and regulatory
authorities and provisions referenced in the submissions or referenced
in Kansas' SIP, EPA believes that the Kansas SIP adequately addresses
the requirements of section 110(a)(2)(B) for the 2010 NO2
NAAQS and is proposing to approve this element of the March 19, 2013,
and May 9, 2013, SIP submissions.
(C) Program for enforcement of control measures (PSD, New Source
Review for nonattainment areas, and construction and modification of
all stationary sources): Section 110(a)(2)(C) requires states to
include the following three elements in the SIP: (1) A program
providing for enforcement of all SIP measures described in section
110(a)(2)(A); (2) a program for the regulation of the modification and
construction of stationary sources as necessary to protect the
applicable NAAQS (i.e., state-wide permitting of minor sources); and
(3) a permit program to meet the major source permitting requirements
of the CAA (for areas designated as attainment or unclassifiable for
the NAAQS in question).\15\
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\15\ As discussed in further detail below, this infrastructure
SIP rulemaking will not address the Kansas program for nonattainment
area related provisions, since EPA considers evaluation of these
provisions to be outside the scope of infrastructure SIP actions.
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(1) Enforcement of SIP Measures. With respect to enforcement of
requirements of the SIP, KSA section 65-3005(a)(3) gives the Secretary
the authority to issue orders, permits and approvals as may be
necessary to
[[Page 51282]]
effectuate the purposes of the Kansas Air Quality Act and enforce the
Act by all appropriate administrative and judicial proceedings.
Pursuant to KSA section 65-3006, the Secretary also has the authority
to enforce rules, regulations and standards to implement the Kansas Air
Quality Act and to employ the professional, technical and other staff
to effectuate the provisions of the Act. In addition, if the Secretary
or the director of the Division of Environment finds that any person
has violated any provision of any approval, permit or compliance plan
or any provision of the Kansas Air Quality Act or any rule or
regulation promulgated thereunder, he or she may issue an order
directing the person to take such action as necessary to correct the
violation. KSA section 65-3011.
KSA section 65-3018 gives the Secretary or the Director of the
Division of Environment the authority to impose a monetary penalty
against any person who, among other things, either violates any order
or permit issued under the Kansas Air Quality Act, or violates any
provision of the Act or rule or regulation promulgated thereunder.
Section 65-3028 provides for criminal penalties for knowing violations.
(2) Minor New Source Review. Section 110(a)(2)(C) also requires
that the SIP include measures to regulate construction and modification
of stationary sources to protect the NAAQS. With respect to smaller
sources that meet the criteria listed in KAR 28-19-300(b)
``Construction Permits and Approvals,'' Kansas has a SIP-approved
permitting program. Any person proposing to conduct a construction or
modification at such a source must obtain approval from KDHE prior to
commencing construction or modification. If KDHE determines that air
contaminant emissions from a source will interfere with attainment or
maintenance of the NAAQS, it cannot issue an approval to construct or
modify that source (KAR 28-19-301(d) ``Construction Permits and
Approvals; Application and Issuance'').
In this action, EPA is proposing to approve Kansas' infrastructure
SIP for the 2010 NO2 standard with respect to the general
requirement in section 110(a)(2)(C) to include a program in the SIP
that regulates the modification and construction of any stationary
source as necessary to assure that the NAAQS are achieved. In this
action, EPA is not proposing to approve or disapprove the state's
existing minor NSR program to the extent that it is inconsistent with
EPA's regulations governing this program. EPA has maintained that the
CAA does not require that new infrastructure SIP submissions correct
any defects in existing EPA-approved provisions of minor NSR programs
in order for EPA to approve the infrastructure SIP for element (C)
(e.g., 76 FR 41076-41079).
(3) Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) permit program.
Kansas also has a program approved by EPA as meeting the requirements
of part C, relating to prevention of significant deterioration of air
quality. In order to demonstrate that Kansas has met this sub-element,
this PSD program must cover requirements not just for the 2010
NO2 NAAQS, but for all other regulated NSR pollutants as
well.
In a previous action on June 20, 2013, EPA determined that Kansas
has a program in place that meets all the PSD requirements related to
all other required pollutants (78 FR 37126). Therefore, Kansas has
adopted all necessary provisions to ensure that its PSD program covers
the requirements for the NO2 NAAQS and all other regulated
NSR pollutants.
Based upon review of the state's infrastructure SIP submissions for
the 2010 NO2 NAAQS, and relevant statutory and regulatory
authorities and provisions referenced in the submissions or referenced
in Kansas' SIP, EPA believes that the Kansas SIP adequately addresses
the requirements of section 110(a)(2)(C) for the 2010 NO2
NAAQS and is proposing to approve this element of the March 19, 2013,
and May 9, 2013, SIP submissions.
(D) Interstate and international transport: Section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)
includes four requirements referred to as prongs 1 through 4. Prongs 1
and 2 are provided at section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I); Prongs 3 and 4 are
provided at section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II). Section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I)
requires SIPs to include adequate provisions prohibiting any source or
other type of emissions activity in one state from contributing
significantly to nonattainment, or interfering with maintenance, of any
NAAQS in another state. Section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II) requires SIPs to
include adequate provisions prohibiting any source or other type of
emissions activity in one state from interfering with measures required
of any other state to prevent significant deterioration of air quality
or to protect visibility.
With respect to section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I)--prongs 1 and 2, Kansas'
SIP contain provisions to address these requirements. Kansas'
submissions provide an analysis that demonstrates the declining
contribution of the State's NO2 emissions. The submissions
also analyze monitored occurrences of NO2 emissions in the
states surrounding Kansas and concluded based on modeling and
prevailing wind patterns that those occurrences did not originate from
Kansas, or were very unlikely to originate from Kansas. See Kansas'
submission, at pgs. 8-10. Based on that, Kansas believes that emissions
of NO2 from Kansas sources are not significantly
contributing to nonattainment or interfering with maintenance in a
downwind state.
On February 17, 2012 (77 FR 9532), EPA promulgated a rule that
established air quality designations for all areas in the country for
the 2010 NO2 NAAQS based on air quality monitoring data for
the period 2008-2010. Based upon that data, EPA determined that no area
of the country is violating the 2010 NO2 NAAQS. Furthermore,
the current network of monitors in Kansas indicates that NO2
design values are below the standard.
With respect to the PSD requirements of section
110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II)--prong 3, EPA notes that Kansas' satisfaction of
the applicable infrastructure SIP PSD requirements for attainment/
unclassifiable areas of the 2010 NO2 NAAQS have been
detailed in the section addressing section 110(a)(2)(C). EPA also notes
that the proposed action in that section related to PSD is consistent
with the proposed approval related to PSD for section
110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II).
With regard to the applicable requirements for visibility
protection of section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II)--prong 4, states are subject
to visibility and regional haze program requirements under part C of
the CAA (which includes sections 169A and 169B). The 2013 Guidance
states that these requirements can be satisfied by an approved SIP
addressing reasonably attributable visibility impairment, if required,
and an approved SIP addressing regional haze.
Kansas meets this requirement through EPA's final approval of
Kansas' regional haze plan on December 27, 2011 (76 FR 80754). In this
final approval, EPA determined that the Kansas SIP met requirements of
the CAA, for states to prevent any future and remedy any existing
anthropogenic impairment of visibility in Class I areas caused by
emissions of air pollutants located over a wide geographic area.
Therefore, EPA is proposing to fully approve this aspect of the
submission.
Section 110(a)(2)(D)(ii) also requires that the SIP insure
compliance with the applicable requirements of sections 126 and 115 of
the CAA, relating to interstate and international pollution abatement,
respectively.
[[Page 51283]]
Section 126(a) of the CAA requires new or modified sources to
notify neighboring states of potential impacts from sources within the
state. The Kansas regulations address abatement of the effects of
interstate pollution. For example, KAR 28-19-350(k)(2) ``Prevention of
Significant Deterioration (PSD) of Air Quality'' requires KDHE, prior
to issuing any construction permit for a proposed new major source or
major modification, to notify EPA, as well as: Any state or local air
pollution control agency having jurisdiction in the air quality control
region in which the new or modified installation will be located; the
chief executives of the city and county where the source will be
located; any comprehensive regional land use planning agency having
jurisdiction where the source will be located; and any state, Federal
land manager, or Indian governing body whose lands will be affected by
emissions from the new source or modification.\16\ See also KAR 28-19-
204 ``General Provisions; Permit Issuance and Modification; Public
Participation'' for additional public participation requirements. In
addition, no Kansas source or sources have been identified by EPA as
having any interstate impacts under section 126 in any pending actions
relating to any air pollutant.
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\16\ KAR 28-19-16k(b) provides similar requirements for
construction permits issued in nonattainment areas.
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Section 115 of the CAA authorizes EPA to require a state to revise
its SIP under certain conditions to alleviate international transport
into another country. There are no final findings under section 115 of
the CAA against Kansas with respect to any air pollutant. Thus, the
state's SIP does not need to include any provisions to meet the
requirements of section 115.
Based upon review of the state's infrastructure SIP submissions for
the 2010 NO2 NAAQS, and relevant statutory and regulatory
authorities and provisions referenced in the submissions or referenced
in Kansas' SIP, EPA believes that Kansas has the adequate
infrastructure needed to address section 110(a)(2)(D) for the 2010
NO2 NAAQS and is proposing to approve this element of the
March 19, 2013, and May 9, 2013, submissions.
(E) Adequate authority, resources, implementation, and oversight:
Section 110(a)(2)(E) requires that SIPs provide for the following: (1)
Necessary assurances that the state (and other entities within the
state responsible for implementing the SIP) will have adequate
personnel, funding, and authority under state or local law to implement
the SIP, and that there are no legal impediments to such
implementation; (2) requirements that the state comply with the
requirements relating to state boards, pursuant to section 128 of the
CAA; and (3) necessary assurances that the state has responsibility for
ensuring adequate implementation of any plan provision for which it
relies on local governments or other entities to carry out that portion
of the plan.
(1) Section 110(a)(2)(E)(i) requires states to establish that they
have adequate personnel, funding and authority. With respect to
adequate authority, we have previously discussed Kansas' statutory and
regulatory authority to implement the 2010 NO2 NAAQS,
primarily in the discussion of section 110(a)(2)(A) above. Neither
Kansas nor EPA has identified any legal impediments in the state's SIP
to implementation of the NAAQS.
With respect to adequate resources, KDHE asserts that it has
adequate personnel to implement the SIP. The Kansas statutes provide
the Secretary the authority to employ technical, professional and other
staff to effectuate the purposes of the Kansas Air Quality Act from
funds appropriated and available for these purposes. See KSA section
65-3006(b). Within KDHE, the Bureau of Air implements the Kansas Air
Quality Act. This Bureau is further divided into the Air Compliance and
Enforcement Section, Air Permit Section; the Monitoring and Planning
Section; and the Radiation and Asbestos Control Section.
With respect to funding, the Kansas Legislature annually approves
funding and personnel resources for KDHE to implement the air program.
The annual budget process provides a periodic update that enables KDHE
and the local agencies to adjust funding and personnel needs. In
addition, the Kansas statutes grant the Secretary authority to
establish various fees for sources, to cover any and all parts of
administering the provisions of the Kansas Air Quality Act. For
example, KSA section 65-3008(f) grants the Secretary authority to fix,
charge, and collect fees for construction approvals and permits (and
the renewals thereof). KSA section 65-3024 grants the Secretary the
authority to establish annual emissions fees. These emission fees,
along with any moneys recovered by the state under the provisions of
the Kansas Air Quality Act, are deposited into an air quality fee fund
in the state treasury. Moneys in the air quality fee fund can only be
used for the purpose of administering the Kansas Air Quality Act.
Kansas also uses funds in the non-Title V subaccounts, along with
General Revenue funds and EPA grants under, for example, sections 103
and 105 of the Act, to fund the programs. EPA conducts periodic program
reviews to ensure that the state has adequate resources and funding to,
among other things, implement the SIP.
(2) Conflict of interest provisions--section 128. Section
110(a)(2)(E)(ii) requires that each state SIP meet the requirements of
section 128, relating to representation on state boards and conflicts
of interest by members of such boards. Section 128(a)(1) requires that
any board or body which approves permits or enforcement orders under
the CAA must have at least a majority of members who represent the
public interest and do not derive any ``significant portion'' of their
income from persons subject to permits and enforcement orders under the
CAA. Section 128(a)(2) requires that members of such a board or body,
or the head of an agency with similar powers, adequately disclose any
potential conflicts of interest.
On June 20, 2013, EPA approved Kansas' SIP revision addressing the
section 128 requirements (78 FR 37126). For a detailed discussion on
EPA's analysis of how Kansas meets the section 128 requirements, see
EPA's April 17, 2013, proposed approval of Kansas' 1997 and 2006
PM2.5 infrastructure SIP (78 FR 22827).
(3) With respect to assurances that the state has responsibility to
implement the SIP adequately when it authorizes local or other agencies
to carry out portions of the plan, KSA section 65-3005(a)(8) grants the
Secretary authority to encourage local units of government to handle
air pollution problems within their own jurisdictions and to provide
technical and consultative assistance therefor. The Secretary may also
enter into agreements with local units of government to administer all
or part of the provisions of the Kansas Air Quality Act in the units'
respective jurisdictions. In fact, KSA section 65-3016 allows for
cities and/or counties (or combinations thereof) to form local air
quality conservation authorities. These authorities will then have the
authority to enforce air quality rules and regulations adopted by the
Secretary and adopt any additional rules, regulations and standards as
needed to maintain satisfactory air quality within their jurisdictions.
At the same time, the Kansas statutes also retain authority in the
Secretary to carry out the provisions of the state air pollution
control law. KSA section 65-3003 specifically places responsibility
[[Page 51284]]
for air quality conservation and control of air pollution with the
Secretary. The Secretary shall then administer the Kansas Air Quality
Act through the Division of Environment. As an example of this
retention of authority, KSA section 65-3016 only allows for the
formation of local air quality conservation authorities with the
approval of the Secretary. In addition, although these authorities can
adopt additional air quality rules, regulations and standards, they may
only do so if those rules, regulations and standards are in compliance
with those set by the Secretary for that area. Currently, KDHE oversees
the following local agencies that implement that Kansas Air Quality
Act: The City of Wichita Office of Environmental Health, Johnson County
Department of Health and Environment, and Unified Government of
Wyandotte County-Kansas City, Kansas Public Health Department.
Based upon review of the state's infrastructure SIP submissions for
the 2010 NO2 NAAQS and relevant statutory and regulatory
authorities and provisions referenced in the submissions or referenced
in Kansas' SIP, EPA believes that Kansas has the adequate
infrastructure needed to address section 110(a)(2)(E) for the 2010
NO2 NAAQS and is proposing to approve this element of the
March 19, 2013, and May 9, 2013, submissions.
(F) Stationary source monitoring system: Section 110(a)(2)(F)
requires states to establish a system to monitor emissions from
stationary sources and to submit periodic emission reports. Each SIP
shall require the installation, maintenance, and replacement of
equipment, and the implementation of other necessary steps, by owners
or operators of stationary sources, to monitor emissions from such
sources. The SIP shall also require periodic reports on the nature and
amounts of emissions and emissions-related data from such sources, and
requires that the state correlate the source reports with emission
limitations or standards established under the CAA. These reports must
be made available for public inspection at reasonable times.
To address this element, KSA section 65-3007 gives the Secretary
the authority to classify air contaminant sources which, in his or her
judgment, may cause or contribute to air pollution. The Secretary shall
require air contaminant emission sources to monitor emissions,
operating parameters, ambient impact of any source emissions, and any
other parameters deemed necessary. Furthermore, the Secretary may
require these emissions sources to keep records and make reports
consistent with the purposes of the Kansas Air Quality Act.
In addition, KAR 28-19-12(A) ``Measurement of Emissions'' states
that KDHE may require any person responsible for the operation of an
emissions source to make or have tests made to determine the rate of
contaminant emissions from the source whenever it has reason to believe
that existing emissions exceed limitations specified in the Kansas air
quality regulations. At the same time, KDHE may also conduct its own
tests of emissions from any source. KAR 28-19-12(B). The Kansas
regulations also require that all Class I operating permits include
requirements for monitoring of emissions (KAR 28-19-512(a)(9) ``Class I
Operating Permits; Permit Content'').
Kansas makes all monitoring reports (as well as compliance plans
and compliance certifications) submitted as part of a construction
permit or Class I or Class II permit application publicly available.
See KSA section 65-3015(a); KAR 28-19-204(c)(6) ``General Provisions;
Permit Issuance and Modification; Public Participation.'' KDHE uses
this information to track progress towards maintaining the NAAQS,
developing control and maintenance strategies, identifying sources and
general emission levels, and determining compliance with emission
regulations and additional EPA requirements. Although the Kansas
statutes allow a person to request that records or information reported
to KDHE be regarded and treated as confidential on the grounds that it
constitutes trade secrets, emission data is specifically excluded from
this protection. See KSA section 65-3015(b).
Based upon review of the state's infrastructure SIP submissions for
the 2010 NO2 NAAQS, and relevant statutory and regulatory
authorities and provisions referenced in the submissions or referenced
in Kansas' SIP, EPA believes that Kansas has the adequate
infrastructure needed to address section 110(a)(2)(F) for the 2010
NO2 NAAQS and is proposing to approve this element of the
March 19, 2013, and May 9, 2013, submissions.
(G) Emergency authority: Section 110(a)(2)(G) requires SIPs to
provide for authority to address activities causing imminent and
substantial endangerment to public health or welfare or the environment
(comparable to the authorities provided in section 303 of the CAA), and
to include contingency plans to implement such authorities as
necessary.
KSA section 65-3012(a) states that whenever the Secretary receives
evidence that emissions from an air pollution source or combination of
sources presents an imminent and substantial endangerment to public
health or welfare or to the environment, he or she may issue a
temporary order directing the owner or operator, or both, to take such
steps as necessary to prevent the act or eliminate the practice. Upon
issuance of this temporary order, the Secretary may then commence an
action in the district court to enjoin these acts or practices.
KAR 28-19-56 ``Episode Criteria'' allows the Secretary to proclaim
an air pollution alert, air pollution warning, or air pollution
emergency whenever he or she determines that the accumulation of air
contaminants at any sampling location has attained levels which could,
if such levels are sustained or exceeded, threaten the public health.
KAR 28-19-57 ``Emission Reduction Requirements'' imposes restrictions
on emission sources in the event one of these three air pollution
episode statuses is declared.
Based upon review of the state's infrastructure SIP submissions for
the 2010 NO2 NAAQS, and relevant statutory and regulatory
authorities and provisions referenced in those submissions or
referenced in Kansas' SIP, EPA believes that the Kansas SIP adequately
addresses section 110(a)(2)(G) for the 2010 NO2 NAAQS and is
proposing to approve this element of the March 19, 2013, and May 9,
2013, submissions.
(H) Future SIP revisions: Section 110(a)(2)(H) requires states to
have the authority to revise their SIPs in response to changes in the
NAAQS, availability of improved methods for attaining the NAAQS, or in
response to an EPA finding that the SIP is substantially inadequate to
attain the NAAQS.
KSA section 65-3005(b) specifically states that it is the policy of
the state of Kansas to regulate the air quality of the state and
implement laws and regulations that are applied equally and uniformly
throughout the state and consistent with that of the Federal
government. Therefore, the Secretary has the authority to promulgate
rules and regulations to ensure that Kansas is in compliance with the
provisions of the Federal CAA. KSA 65-3005(b)(1).
As discussed previously, KSA section 65-3005(a)(1) provides
authority to the Secretary to adopt, amend and repeal rules and
regulations implementing and consistent with the Kansas Air Quality
Act. The Secretary also has the authority to establish ambient air
quality standards for the state of Kansas or any part thereof. KSA
section 65-3005(a)(12). Therefore, as a whole, the Secretary has the
authority to revise
[[Page 51285]]
rules as necessary to respond to any necessary changes in the NAAQS.
Based upon review of the state's infrastructure SIP submissions for
the 2010 NO2 NAAQS, and relevant statutory and regulatory
authorities and provisions referenced in the submissions or referenced
in Kansas' SIP, EPA believes that Kansas has adequate authority to
address section 110(a)(2)(H) for the 2010 NO2 NAAQS and is
proposing to approve this element of the March 19, 2013, and May 19,
2013, submissions.
(I) Nonattainment areas: Section 110(a)(2)(I) requires that in the
case of a plan or plan revision for areas designated as nonattainment
areas, states must meet applicable requirements of part D of the CAA,
relating to SIP requirements for designated nonattainment areas.
As noted earlier, EPA does not expect infrastructure SIP
submissions to address subsection (I). The specific SIP submissions for
designated nonattainment areas, as required under CAA title I, part D,
are subject to different submission schedules than those for section
110 infrastructure elements. Instead, EPA will take action on part D
attainment plan SIP submissions through a separate rulemaking governed
by the requirements for nonattainment areas, as described in part D.
(J) Consultation with government officials, public notification,
PSD and visibility protection: Section 110(a)(2)(J) requires SIPs to
meet the applicable requirements of the following CAA provisions: (1)
Section 121, relating to interagency consultation regarding certain CAA
requirements; (2) section 127, relating to public notification of NAAQS
exceedances and related issues; and (3) part C of the CAA, relating to
prevention of significant deterioration of air quality and visibility
protection.
(1) With respect to interagency consultation, the SIP should
provide a process for consultation with general-purpose local
governments, designated organizations of elected officials of local
governments, and any Federal Land Manager having authority over Federal
land to which the SIP applies. KSA section 65-3005(a)(14) grants the
Secretary the authority to advise, consult and cooperate with other
agencies of the state, local governments, other states, interstate and
interlocal agencies, and the Federal government. Furthermore, as noted
earlier in the discussion on section 110(a)(2)(D), Kansas' regulations
require that whenever it receives a construction permit application for
a new source or a modification, KDHE must notify state and local air
pollution control agencies, as well as regional land use planning
agencies and any state, Federal land manager, or Indian governing body
whose lands will be affected by emissions from the new source or
modification. See KAR 28-19-350(k)(2) ``Prevention of Significant
Deterioration (PSD) of Air Quality.''
(2) With respect to the requirements for public notification in
section 127, the infrastructure SIP should provide citations to
regulations in the SIP requiring the air agency to regularly notify the
public of instances or areas in which any NAAQS are exceeded; advise
the public of the health hazard associated with such exceedances; and
enhance public awareness of measures that can prevent such exceedances
and of ways in which the public can participate in the regulatory and
other efforts to improve air quality.
As discussed previously with element (G), KAR 28-19-56 ``Episode
Critera'' contains provisions that allow the Secretary to proclaim an
air pollution alert, air pollution warning, or air pollution emergency
status whenever he or she determines that the accumulation of air
contaminants at any sampling location has attained levels which could,
if such levels are sustained or exceeded, threaten the public health.
Any of these emergency situations can also be declared by the Secretary
even in the absence of issuance of a high air pollution potential
advisory or equivalent advisory from a local weather bureau
meteorologist, if deemed necessary to protect the public health. In the
event of such an emergency situation, public notification will occur
through local weather bureaus.
In addition, information regarding air pollution and related issues
is provided on a KDHE Web site, https://www.kdheks.gov/bar/. This
information includes air quality data, information regarding the NAAQS,
health effects of poor air quality, and links to the Kansas Air Quality
Monitoring Network. KDHE also has an ``Outreach and Education'' Web
page (https://www.kdheks.gov/bar/airoutreach/
airqualityedu.htm) with information on how
individuals can take measures to reduce emissions and improve air
quality in daily activities.
(3) With respect to the applicable requirements of part C of the
CAA, relating to PSD of air quality and visibility protection, as noted
in above under element (C), the Kansas SIP meets the PSD requirements,
incorporating the Federal rule by reference. With respect to the
visibility component of section 110(a)(2)(J), EPA recognizes that
states are subject to visibility and regional haze program requirements
under part C of the CAA. However, when EPA establishes or revises a
NAAQS, these visibility and regional haze requirements under part C do
not change. EPA believes that there are no new visibility protection
requirements under part C as a result of a revised NAAQS. Therefore,
there are no newly applicable visibility protection obligations
pursuant to element J after the promulgation of a new or revised NAAQS.
Nevertheless, as noted above in section D, EPA has already approved
Kansas' Regional Haze Plan and determined that it met the CAA
requirements for preventing future and remedying existing impairment of
visibility caused by air pollutants.
Based upon review of the state's infrastructure SIP submissions for
the 2010 NO2 NAAQS, and relevant statutory and regulatory
authorities and provisions referenced in the submissions or referenced
in Kansas' SIP, EPA believes that Kansas has met the applicable
requirements of section 110(a)(2)(J) for the 2010 NO2 NAAQS
in the state and is therefore proposing to approve this element of the
March 19, 2013, and May 9, 2013, submissions.
(K) Air quality and modeling/data: Section 110(a)(2)(K) requires
that SIPs provide for performing air quality modeling, as prescribed by
EPA, to predict the effects on ambient air quality of any emissions of
any NAAQS pollutant, and for submission of such data to EPA upon
request.
Kansas has authority to conduct air quality modeling and report the
results of such modeling to EPA. KSA section 65-3005(a)(9) gives the
Secretary the authority to encourage and conduct studies,
investigations and research relating to air contamination and air
pollution and their causes, effects, prevention, abatement and control.
As an example of regulatory authority to perform modeling for purposes
of determining NAAQS compliance, the regulations at KAR 28-19-350
``Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) of Air Quality''
incorporate EPA modeling guidance in 40 CFR part 51, appendix W for the
purposes of demonstrating compliance or non-compliance with a NAAQS.
The Kansas statutes and regulations also give KDHE the authority to
require that modeling data be submitted for analysis. KSA section 65-
3007(b) grants the Secretary the authority to require air contaminant
emission sources to monitor emissions, operating parameters, ambient
impact of any source emissions or any other parameters deemed
necessary. The
[[Page 51286]]
Secretary may also require these sources to keep records and make
reports consistent with the purposes of the Kansas Air Quality Act.
These reports could include information as may be required by the
Secretary concerning the location, size, and height of contaminant
outlets, processes employed, fuels used, and the nature and time
periods or duration of emissions, and such information as is relevant
to air pollution and available or reasonably capable of being
assembled. KSA section 65-3007(c).
Based upon review of the state's infrastructure SIP submissions for
the 2010 NO2 NAAQS, and relevant statutory and regulatory
authorities and provisions referenced in the submissions or referenced
in Kansas' SIP, EPA believes that Kansas has the adequate
infrastructure needed to address section 110(a)(2)(K) for the 2010
NO2 NAAQS and is proposing to approve this element of the
March 19, 2013, and May 9, 2013, submissions.
(L) Permitting Fees: Section 110(a)(2)(L) requires SIPs to require
each major stationary source to pay permitting fees to the permitting
authority, as a condition of any permit required under the CAA, to
cover the cost of reviewing and acting upon any application for such a
permit, and, if the permit is issued, the costs of implementing and
enforcing the terms of the permit. The fee requirement applies until a
fee program established by the state pursuant to Title V of the CAA,
relating to operating permits, is approved by EPA.
KSA section 65-3008(f) allows the Secretary to fix, charge, and
collect fees for approvals and permits (and the renewals thereof). KSA
section 65-3024 grants the Secretary the authority to establish annual
emissions fees. Fees from the construction permits and approvals are
deposited into the Kansas state treasury and credited to the state
general fund. Emissions fees are deposited into an air quality fee fund
in the Kansas state treasury. Moneys in the air quality fee fund can
only be used for the purpose of administering the Kansas Air Quality
Act.
Kansas' Title V program, found at KAR 28-19-500 to 28-19-564, was
approved by EPA on January 30, 1996 (61 FR 2938). EPA reviews the
Kansas Title V program, including Title V fee structure, separately
from this proposed action. Because the Title V program and associated
fees legally are not part of the SIP, the infrastructure SIP action we
are proposing today does not preclude EPA from taking future action
regarding Kansas' Title V program.
Based upon review of the state's infrastructure SIP submissions for
the 2010 NO2 NAAQS, and relevant statutory and regulatory
authorities and provisions referenced in the submissions or referenced
in Kansas' SIP, EPA believes that the requirements of section
110(a)(2)(L) for the 2010 NO2 NAAQS are met and is proposing
to approve this element of the March 13, 2013, and May 9, 2013,
submissions.
(M) Consultation/participation by affected local entities: Section
110(a)(2)(M) requires SIPs to provide for consultation and
participation by local political subdivisions affected by the SIP.
KSA section 65-3005(a)(8)(A) gives the Secretary the authority to
encourage local units of government to handle air pollution problems
within their respective jurisdictions and on a cooperative basis and to
provide technical and consultative assistance therefor. The Secretary
may also enter into agreements with local units of government to
administer all or part of the provisions on the Kansas Air Quality Act
in the units' respective jurisdiction. The Secretary also has the
authority to advise, consult, and cooperate with local governments. KSA
section 65-3005(a)(14). He or she may enter into contracts and
agreements with local governments as is necessary to accomplish the
goals of the Kansas Air Quality Act. KSA section 65-3005(a)(16).
Currently, KDHE's Bureau of Air has signed state and/or local
agreements with the Department of Air Quality from the Unified
Government of Wyandotte County--Kansas City, Kansas; the Wichita Office
of Environmental Health; the Johnson County Department of Health and
Environment; and the Mid-America Regional Council. These agreements
establish formal partnerships between the Bureau of Air and these local
agencies to work together to develop and annually update strategic
goals, objectives and strategies for reducing emissions and improving
air quality.
In addition, as previously noted in the discussion about section
110(a)(2)(J), Kansas' statutes and regulations require that KDHE
consult with local political subdivisions for the purposes of carrying
out its air pollution control responsibilities.
Based upon review of the state's infrastructure SIP submissions for
the 2010 NO2 NAAQS, and relevant statutory and regulatory
authorities and provisions referenced in the submissions or referenced
in Kansas' SIP, EPA believes that Kansas has the adequate
infrastructure needed to address section 110(a)(2)(M) for the 2010
NO2 NAAQS and is proposing to approve this element of the
March 19, 2013, and May 9, 2013, submissions.
V. What action is EPA proposing?
EPA is proposing to approve the infrastructure SIP submissions from
Kansas which addresses the requirements of CAA sections 110(a)(1) and
(2) as applicable to the 2010 NO2 NAAQS. Specifically, EPA
is proposing to approve the following infrastructure elements, or
portions thereof: 110(a)(2)(A), (B), (C), (D), (E), (F), (G), (H), (J),
(K), (L), and (M). As discussed in each applicable section of this
rulemaking, EPA is not proposing action on section 110(a)(2)(I)--
Nonattainment Area Plan or Plan Revisions Under Part D and on the
visibility protection portion of section 110(a)(2)(J).
Based upon review of the state's infrastructure SIP submissions and
relevant statutory and regulatory authorities and provisions referenced
in those submissions or referenced in Kansas' SIP, EPA believes that
Kansas has the infrastructure to address all applicable required
elements of sections 110(a)(1) and (2) (except otherwise noted) to
ensure that the 2010 NO2 NAAQS are implemented in the state.
We are hereby soliciting comment on this proposed action. Final
rulemaking will occur after consideration of any comments.
VI. Statutory and Executive Order Review
Under the CAA, the Administrator is required to approve a SIP
submission that complies with the provisions of the CAA and applicable
Federal regulations. 42 U.S.C. 7410(k); 40 CFR 52.02(a). Thus, in
reviewing SIP submissions, EPA's role is to approve state choices,
provided that they meet the criteria of the CAA. Accordingly, this
action merely approves state law as meeting Federal requirements and
does not impose additional requirements beyond those imposed by state
law. For that reason, this proposed action:
Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under the terms
of Executive Order 12866 (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993) and is
therefore not subject to review under Executive Orders 12866 and 13563
(76 FR 3821, January 21, 2011).
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
[[Page 51287]]
under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.);
does not contain any unfunded mandate or significantly or
uniquely affect small governments, as described in the Unfunded
Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-4);
does not have Federalism implications as specified in
Executive Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10, 1999);
is not an economically significant regulatory action based
on health or safety risks subject to Executive Order 13045 (62 FR
19885, April 23, 1997);
is not a significant regulatory action subject to
Executive Order 13211 (66 FR 28355, May 22, 2001);
is not subject to requirements of section 12(d) of the
National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272
note) because application of those requirements would be inconsistent
with the CAA; and
does not provide EPA with the discretionary authority to
address, as appropriate, disproportionate human health or environmental
effects, using practicable and legally permissible methods, under
Executive Order 12898 (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994).
In addition, this rule does not have Tribal implications as
specified by Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, November 9, 2000),
because the SIP is not approved to apply in Indian country located in
the state, and EPA notes that it will not impose substantial direct
costs on tribal governments or preempt tribal law.
Statutory Authority
The statutory authority for this action is provided by section 110
of the CAA, as amended (42 U.S.C. 7410).
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52
Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Incorporation by
reference, Intergovernmental relations, Nitrogen Dioxide, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements.
Dated: August 15, 2014.
Karl Brooks,
Regional Administrator, Region 7.
[FR Doc. 2014-20513 Filed 8-27-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P