California State Motor Vehicle Pollution Control Standards; Malfunction and Diagnostic System Requirements for 2004 and Subsequent Model Year Passenger Cars, Light-Duty Trucks, and Medium-Duty Vehicles and Engines; Request for Waiver Determination; Opportunity for Public Hearing and Comment, 69106-69109 [2014-27503]

Download as PDF 69106 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 224 / Thursday, November 20, 2014 / Notices regulations must not undermine California’s determination that its standards, in the aggregate, are as protective of public health and welfare as applicable federal standards. Second, the amended regulations must not affect consistency with section 202(a) of the Act. Third, the amended regulations must not raise any ‘‘new issues’’ affecting EPA’s prior waivers. III. EPA’s Request for Comments EPA invites public comment on CARB’s request, including but not limited to the following issues. A. 2013 HD OBD Amendments Withinthe-Scope or Full Waiver First, we request comment on whether CARB’s 2013 HD OBD amendments should be considered under the withinthe-scope analysis or whether they should be considered under the full waiver criteria. Specifically, we request comment on whether California’s 2013 HD OBD amendments (1) undermine California’s previous determination that its standards, in the aggregate, are at least as protective of public health and welfare as comparable federal standards, (2) affect the consistency of California’s requirements with section 202(a) of the Act, and (3) raise any other ‘‘new issue’’ affecting EPA’s previous waiver or authorization determinations. rmajette on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES B. Whether 2013 HD OBD Amendments Meet the Criteria for New Waiver Should any party believe that CARB’s 2013 HD OBD amendments do not merit consideration as within-the-scope of the previous waivers, EPA also requests comment on whether those amendments meet the criteria for full waiver. Specifically, we request comment on: (a) Whether CARB’s determination that its standards, in the aggregate, are at least as protective of public health and welfare as applicable federal standards is arbitrary and capricious, (b) whether California needs such standards to meet compelling and extraordinary conditions, and (c) whether California’s standards and accompanying enforcement procedures are consistent with section 202(a) of the CAA. IV. Procedures for Public Participation If a hearing is held, the Agency will make a record of the proceedings. Interested parties may arrange with the reporter at the hearing to obtain a copy of the transcript at their own expense. Regardless of whether a public hearing is held, EPA will keep the record open until February 16, 2015. Upon expiration of the comment period, EPA will render a decision on CARB’s request based on the record from the VerDate Sep<11>2014 13:37 Nov 19, 2014 Jkt 235001 public hearing, if any, all relevant written submissions, and other information that the Agency deems pertinent. All information will be available for inspection at the EPA Air Docket No. EPA–HQ–OAR–2014–0699. Persons with comments containing proprietary information must distinguish such information from other comments to the greatest extent possible and label it as ‘‘Confidential Business Information’’ (‘‘CBI’’). If a person making comments wants EPA to base its decision on a submission labeled as CBI, then a non-confidential version of the document that summarizes the key data or information should be submitted to the public docket. To ensure that proprietary information is not inadvertently placed in the public docket, submissions containing such information should be sent directly to the contact person listed above and not to the public docket. Information covered by a claim of confidentiality will be disclosed by EPA only to the extent allowed, and according to the procedures set forth in 40 CFR part 2. If no claim of confidentiality accompanies the submission when EPA receives it, EPA will make it available to the public without further notice to the person making comments. Dated: November 12, 2014. Christopher Grundler, Director, Office of Transportation and Air Quality, Office of Air and Radiation. [FR Doc. 2014–27495 Filed 11–19–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [FRL–9919–55–OAR] California State Motor Vehicle Pollution Control Standards; Malfunction and Diagnostic System Requirements for 2004 and Subsequent Model Year Passenger Cars, Light-Duty Trucks, and MediumDuty Vehicles and Engines; Request for Waiver Determination; Opportunity for Public Hearing and Comment Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice of Opportunity for Public Hearing and Comment. AGENCY: The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has notified EPA that it has adopted amendments to regulations entitled ‘‘Malfunction and Diagnostic System Requirements—2004 and Subsequent Model-Year Passenger Cars, Light-Duty Trucks, and Medium-Duty Vehicles and Engines’’ (OBD II SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Requirements) and amendments to regulations entitled ‘‘Enforcement of Malfunction and Diagnostic System Requirements for 2004 and Subsequent Model-Year Passenger Cars, Light-Duty Trucks, and Medium-Duty Vehicles and Engines’’ (OBD II Enforcement Regulation). CARB adopted amendments to the OBD II Requirements through rulemakings in 1997, 2003, 2007 and 2010, and to the OBD II Requirements and OBD II Enforcement Regulation in 2012 and 2013. These amendments are collectively referred to herein as the OBD II Amendments. EPA previously granted California a waiver for the original OBD II Requirements, as last amended in 1995. EPA has also previously given notice and taken comments on the 1997 and 2003 OBD II amendments, but did not act on California’s waiver requests for those amendments. CARB now requests that EPA confirm that all the OBD II Amendments be found within the scope of the previously granted waiver or, alternatively, that EPA grant a full waiver of preemption for the various amendments. This notice announces that EPA has tentatively scheduled a public hearing to consider California’s requests for the 2007, 2010, 2012, and 2013 OBD II Amendments, and that EPA is additionally accepting written comment on California’s waiver requests, and on the effect of the 2007, 2010, 2012, and 2013 OBD II Amendments on the prior 1997 and 2003 OBD II Amendments for which EPA previously took comments. DATES: EPA has tentatively scheduled a public hearing concerning CARB’s request on January 14, 2015 at 10 a.m. ET. EPA will hold a hearing only if any party notifies EPA by December 15, 2014 to express interest in presenting the Agency with oral testimony. Parties that wish to present oral testimony at the public hearing should provide written notice to David Read at the email address noted below. If EPA receives a request for a public hearing, that hearing will be held at the William Jefferson Clinton Building (North), Room 5530 at 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460. If EPA does not receive a request for a public hearing, then EPA will not hold a hearing, and will instead consider CARB’s request based on written submissions to the docket. Any party may submit written comments until February 16, 2015. Any person who wishes to know whether a hearing will be held may call David Read at (734) 214–4367 on or after December 17, 2014. E:\FR\FM\20NON1.SGM 20NON1 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 224 / Thursday, November 20, 2014 / Notices Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA–HQ– OAR–2013–0573, by one of the following methods: • On-Line at https:// www.regulations.gov: Follow the OnLine Instructions for Submitting Comments. • Email: a-and-r-docket@epa.gov. • Fax: (202) 566–1741. • Mail: Air and Radiation Docket, Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–OAR–2013– 0573, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Mailcode: 6102T, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20460. Please include a total of two copies. • Hand Delivery: EPA Docket Center, Public Reading Room, EPA West Building, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20460. Such deliveries are only accepted during the Docket’s normal hours of operation, and special arrangements should be made for deliveries of boxed information. On-Line Instructions for Submitting Comments: Direct your comments to Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–OAR–2013– 0573. EPA’s policy is that all comments we receive will be included in the public docket without change and may be made available online at https:// www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided, unless the comment includes information claimed to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Do not submit information that you consider to be CBI or otherwise protected through https:// www.regulations.gov or email. The https://www.regulations.gov Web site is an ‘‘anonymous access’’ system, which means EPA will not know your identity or contact information unless you provide it in the body of your comment. If you send an email comment directly to EPA without going through https:// www.regulations.gov, your email address will automatically be captured and included as part of the comment that is placed in the public docket and made available on the Internet. If you submit an electronic comment, EPA recommends that you include your name and other contact information in the body of your comment and with any disk or CD–ROM you submit. If EPA cannot read your comment due to technical difficulties and cannot contact you for clarification, EPA may not be able to consider your comment. Electronic files should avoid the use of special characters, any form of encryption, and be free of any defects or viruses. For additional information about EPA’s public docket visit the EPA rmajette on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES ADDRESSES: VerDate Sep<11>2014 13:37 Nov 19, 2014 Jkt 235001 Docket Center homepage at https:// www.epa.gov/epahome/dockets.htm. EPA will make available for public inspection materials submitted by CARB, written comments received from any interested parties, and any testimony given at the public hearing. Materials relevant to this proceeding are contained in the Air and Radiation Docket and Information Center, maintained in Docket ID No. EPA–HQ– OAR–2013–0573. Publicly available docket materials are available either electronically through https:// www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at the Air and Radiation Docket in the EPA Headquarters Library, EPA West Building, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC. The Public Reading Room is open to the public on all federal government work days from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; generally, it is open Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. The telephone number for the Reading Room is (202) 566–1744. The Air and Radiation Docket and Information Center’s Web site is https://www.epa.gov/ oar/docket.html. The electronic mail (email) address for the Air and Radiation Docket is: a-and-r-Docket@ epa.gov, the telephone number is (202) 566–1742, and the fax number is (202) 566–9744. An electronic version of the public docket is available through the federal government’s electronic public docket and comment system. You may access EPA dockets at https:// www.regulations.gov. After opening the https://www.regulations.gov Web site, enter EPA–HQ–OAR–2013–0573, in the ‘‘Enter Keyword or ID’’ fill-in box to view documents in the record. Although a part of the official docket, the public docket does not include CBI or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. EPA’s Office of Transportation and Air Quality also maintains a Web page that contains general information on its review of California waiver requests. Included on that page are links to prior waiver and authorization Federal Register notices. The page can be accessed at https://www.epa.gov/otaq/ cafr.htm. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Read, Attorney, Office of Transportation and Air Quality, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2565 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48105. Telephone: (734) 214–4367. Fax: (734) 214–4212. Email: read.david@epa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 69107 I. California’s OBD II Requirements and Enforcement Regulation CARB initially adopted the OBD II Requirements in July 1990 and then adopted amendments in 1992, 1993, and 1995. The OBD II Requirements direct motor vehicle manufacturers to incorporate vehicle onboard diagnostic (OBD) systems meeting particular requirements on all new passenger cars, light-duty trucks, and medium-duty vehicles and engines. Specifically, manufacturers are required to install OBD II systems that effectively monitor all emission-related components and systems on the motor vehicle for proper operation and for deterioration or malfunctions that cause emissions to exceed specific thresholds. The regulations also require that OBD II systems provide specific diagnostic information in a standardized format through a standardized serial data link on-board the vehicles to ensure that service and repair technicians can properly and promptly repair identified malfunctions. In October 1996,1 EPA issued a waiver under section 209(b) of the Clean Air Act (‘‘CAA’’ or ‘‘the Act’’) for the OBD II Requirements adopted in 1990 and as amended in 1992, 1993, and 1995. CARB subsequently adopted further amendments to the OBD II Requirements in 1997 and 2003 2 and requested that EPA confirm those amendments to be within the scope of the previously granted OBD II waiver.3 EPA published a notice of opportunity for hearing and comment on the 1997 and 2003 California requests on February 5, 2004.4 The 1997 and 2003 waiver requests are currently pending a determination by EPA. On August 9, 2007, CARB adopted additional amendments to the OBD II Requirements and minor amendments to the OBD II Enforcement Regulation. The amendments became operative on November 9, 2007. The 2007 OBD II Requirements amendments were made, inter alia, to address manufacturer 1 The decision was signed on October 2, 1996, and published at 61 FR 53371 (October 11, 1996). 2 The Board initially approved the amendments at rulemakings held respectively on December 12, 1996, April 25, 2002, and September 28, 2006. 3 On December 24, 1997, CARB requested that the 1997 amendments be found within the scope of the previously granted waiver. On October 30, 2003, CARB requested that the 2003 amendments be found within the scope of the previously granted waiver. The October 30, 2003, request further asked that the OBD II Enforcement Regulation be found within the scope of the previously granted waiver for ‘‘California’s Enforcement of New and In-Use Vehicle Standards,’’ title 13, Cal. Code Regs. Section 2100 et seq. (see 61 FR 53371 (October 11, 1996), 43 FR 9344 (March 7, 1978), and 43 FR 25729 (June 14, 1978)). 4 See 69 FR 5542 (February 5, 2004). E:\FR\FM\20NON1.SGM 20NON1 rmajette on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 69108 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 224 / Thursday, November 20, 2014 / Notices compliance concerns and to align the monitoring requirements with those adopted by CARB in 2005 for heavy duty diesel engines. By letter dated January 22, 2008, CARB requested that EPA find that the 2007 amendments fall within the scope of the previous waiver. On April 5, 2010, CARB adopted additional amendments to the OBD II Requirements, but not to the OBD II Enforcment Regulation. The amendments became operative on June 17, 2010. The 2010 OBD II Requirements amendments were made primarily to harmonize the mediumduty diesel vehicle requirements with proposed revisions to monitoring requirements for heavy duty diesel engines. By letter dated December 15, 2010, CARB requested that EPA find that the 2010 OBD II Requirements amendments fall within the scope of the previous waiver or, alternatively, that a new waiver be granted for the amendments. On March 12, 2012, and on June 26, 2013, CARB adopted additional amendments to the OBD II Requirements and to the OBD II Enforcement Regulation. The 2012 OBD II amendments became operative August 7, 2012. The 2013 OBD II amendments became operative on July 31, 2013. The 2012 OBD II amendments were primarily made to relax and/or clarify OBD II requirements in response to manufacturer concerns. The 2013 OBD II amendments primarily affect mediumduty vehicles, to align the OBD II monitoring requirements with those adopted by CARB for heavy duty diesel engines. By letter dated February 12, 2014, CARB requested that EPA find that the 2012 and 2013 OBD II amendments fall within the scope of the previous waiver or, alternatively, that a full waiver be granted for the amendments. The various amendments to the OBD II Requirements are codified at title 13, California Code of Regulations, section 1968.2. The various amendments to the OBD II Enforcement Regulation are codified at title 13, California Code of Regulations, section 1968.5. CARB seeks a determination that the 2007, 2010, 2012, and 2013 OBD II Amendments are within the scope of the previous waiver or, alternatively, that EPA grant California a full waiver of preemption for the OBD II Amendments. II. Clean Air Act Waivers of Preemption Section 209(a) of the Clean Air Act preempts states and local governments from setting emission standards for new motor vehicles and engines. It provides: VerDate Sep<11>2014 13:37 Nov 19, 2014 Jkt 235001 No State or any political subdivision thereof shall adopt or attempt to enforce any standard relating to the control of emissions from new motor vehicles or new motor vehicle engines subject to this part. No state shall require certification, inspection or any other approval relating to the control of emissions from any new motor vehicle or new motor vehicle engine as condition precedent to the initial retail sale, titling (if any), or registration of such motor vehicle, motor vehicle engine, or equipment. Through operation of section 209(b) of the Act, California is able to seek and receive a waiver of section 209(a)’s preemption. If certain criteria are met, section 209(b)(1) of the Act requires the Administrator, after notice and opportunity for public hearing, to waive application of the prohibitions of section 209(a). Section 209(b)(1) only allows a waiver to be granted for any state that had adopted standards (other than crankcase emission standards) for the control of emissions from new motor vehicles or new motor vehicle engines prior to March 30, 1966, if the state determines that its standards will be, in the aggregate, at least as protective of public health and welfare as applicable Federal standards (i.e., if such state makes a ‘‘protectiveness determination’’). Because California was the only state to have adopted standards prior to 1966, it is the only state that is qualified to seek and receive a waiver.5 The Administrator must grant 6 a waiver unless she finds that: (A) California’s above-noted ‘‘protectiveness determination’’ is arbitrary and capricious; 7 (B) California does not need such state standards to meet compelling and extraordinary conditions; 8 or (C) California’s standards and accompanying enforcement procedures are not consistent with section 202(a) of the Act.9 EPA has previously stated that consistency with section 202(a) requires 5 See S. Rep. No. 90–403 at 632 (1967). review of California regulations under section 209 is not a broad review of the reasonableness of the regulations or its compatibility with all other laws. Sections 209(b) and 209(e) of the Clean Air Act limit EPA’s authority to deny California requests for waivers and authorizations to the three criteria listed therein. As a result, EPA has consistently refrained from denying California’s requests for waivers and authorizations based on any other criteria. In instances where the U.S. Court of Appeals has reviewed EPA decisions declining to deny waiver requests based on criteria not found in section 209(b), the Court has upheld and agreed with EPA’s determination. See Motor and Equipment Manufacturers Ass’n v. Nichols, 142 F.3d 449, 462– 63, 466–67 (D.C. Cir. 1998), Motor and Equipment Manufacturers Ass’n v. EPA, 627 F.2d 1095, 1111, 1114–20 (D.C. Cir. 1979). See also 78 FR 58090, 58120 (September 20, 2013). 7 CAA § 209(b)(1)(A). 8 CAA § 209(b)(1)(B). 9 CAA § 209(b)(1)(C). 6 EPA’s PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 that California’s standards must be technologically feasible within the lead time provided, giving due consideration to costs, and that California and applicable Federal test procedures be consistent.10 If California amends regulations that were previously granted a waiver, EPA can confirm that the amended regulations are within the scope of the previously granted waiver. Such withinthe-scope amendments are permissible without a full waiver review if three conditions are met. First, the amended regulations must not undermine California’s determination that its standards, in the aggregate, are as protective of public health and welfare as applicable federal standards. Second, the amended regulations must not affect consistency with section 202(a) of the Act. Third, the amended regulations must not raise any ‘‘new issues’’ affecting EPA’s prior waivers. III. EPA’s Request for Comments EPA invites public comment on each of CARB’s requests, including but not limited to the following issues. A. 2007, 2010, 2012, and 2013 OBD II Amendments Within-the-Scope or Full Waiver First, we request comment on whether CARB’s 2007, 2010, 2012, and 2013 OBD II Amendments, whether individually or collectively assessed, should be considered under the withinthe-scope analysis or whether they should be considered under the full waiver criteria. Specifically, we request comment on whether California’s 2007, 2010, 2012, and 2013 OBD II Amendments (1) undermine California’s previous determination that its standards, in the aggregate, are at least as protective of public health and welfare as comparable Federal standards, (2) affect the consistency of California’s requirements with section 202(a) of the Act, and (3) raise any other ‘‘new issue’’ affecting EPA’s previous waiver or authorization determinations. B. Whether 2007, 2010, 2012, and 2013 OBD II Amendments Meet the Criteria for Full Waiver Should any party believe that the 2007, 2010, 2012, or 2013 OBD II Amendments do not merit consideration as within-the-scope of the previous waiver, EPA also requests comment on whether those amendments meet the criteria for full waiver. Specifically, we request comment on: (a) whether 10 See, e.g., 74 FR 32767 (July 8, 2009); see also Motor and Equipment Manufacturers Association v. EPA, 627 F.2d 1095, 1126 (D.C. Cir. 1979). E:\FR\FM\20NON1.SGM 20NON1 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 224 / Thursday, November 20, 2014 / Notices CARB’s determination that its standards, in the aggregate, are at least as protective of public health and welfare as applicable federal standards is arbitrary and capricious, (b) whether California needs such standards to meet compelling and extraordinary conditions, and (c) whether California’s standards and accompanying enforcement procedures are consistent with section 202(a) of the Clean Air Act. rmajette on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES C. Effect of Newer OBD II Amendments on 1997 or 2003 Amendments As stated above, EPA has previously given notice and taken comments on CARB’s requests for within-the-scope determinations related to CARB’s 1997 and 2003 OBD II amendments. As those requests are still pending, EPA will additionally take comment on any relevant effects of the 2007 and 2010 amendments on the prior 1997 and 2003 OBD II amendments. EPA will consider such comments in any decision on CARB’s 1997 and 2003 OBD II amendments as well. IV. Procedures for Public Participation If a hearing is held, the Agency will make a record of the proceedings. Interested parties may arrange with the reporter at the hearing to obtain a copy of the transcript at their own expense. Regardless of whether a public hearing is held, EPA will keep the record open until February 16, 2015. Upon expiration of the comment period, EPA will render a decision on CARB’s request based on the record from the public hearing, if any, all relevant written submissions, and other information that the Agency deems pertinent. All information will be available for inspection at the EPA Air Docket No. EPA–HQ–OAR–2013–0573. Persons with comments containing proprietary information must distinguish such information from other comments to the greatest extent possible and label it as ‘‘Confidential Business Information’’ (‘‘CBI’’). If a person making comments wants EPA to base its decision on a submission labeled as CBI, then a non-confidential version of the document that summarizes the key data or information should be submitted to the public docket. To ensure that proprietary information is not inadvertently placed in the public docket, submissions containing such information should be sent directly to the contact person listed above and not to the public docket. Information covered by a claim of confidentiality will be disclosed by EPA only to the extent allowed, and according to the procedures set forth in 40 CFR part 2. If no claim of confidentiality VerDate Sep<11>2014 13:37 Nov 19, 2014 Jkt 235001 accompanies the submission when EPA receives it, EPA will make it available to the public without further notice to the person making comments. Dated: November 12, 2014. Christopher Grundler, Director, Office of Transportation and Air Quality, Office of Air and Radiation. [FR Doc. 2014–27503 Filed 11–19–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION [OMB 3060–0565, 3060–0912 and 3060– 0922] Information Collections Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission Under Delegated Authority Federal Communications Commission. ACTION: Notice and request for comments. AGENCY: As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens, and as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501– 3520), the Federal Communication Commission (FCC or Commission) invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the following information collections. Comments are requested concerning: Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Commission, including whether the information shall have practical utility; the accuracy of the Commission’s burden estimate; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on the respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology; and ways to further reduce the information collection burden on small business concerns with fewer than 25 employees. The FCC may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. No person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information subject to the PRA that does not display a valid OMB control number. DATES: Written PRA comments should be submitted on or before January 20, 2015. If you anticipate that you will be submitting comments, but find it difficult to do so within the period of SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 69109 time allowed by this notice, you should advise the contact listed below as soon as possible. ADDRESSES: Direct all PRA comments to Cathy Williams, FCC, via email PRA@ fcc.gov and to Cathy.Williams@fcc.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information about the information collection, contact Cathy Williams at (202) 418–2918. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: OMB Control Number: 3060–0565. Title: Section 76.944, Commission Review of Franchising Authority Decisions on Rates for the Basic Service Tier and Associated Equipment. Form Number: N/A. Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection. Respondents: Business or other forprofit entities; State, Local or Tribal Government. Number of Respondents and Responses: 32 respondents; 32 responses. Estimated Time per Response: 2–30 hours. Frequency of Response: On occasion reporting requirement; Third party disclosure requirement. Obligation to Respond: Required to obtain benefits. The statutory authority for this collection of information is contained in Sections 4(i) and 623 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended. Nature and Extent of Confidentiality: There is no need for confidentiality with this collection of information. Total Annual Burden: 816 hours. Total Annual Costs: $4,800. Privacy Impact Assessment(s): No impact(s). Needs and Uses: 47 CFR 76.944(b) provides that any participant at the franchising authority level in a ratemaking proceeding may file an appeal of the franchising authority’s decision with the Commission within 30 days of release of the text of the franchising authority’s decision as computed under § 1.4(b) of this chapter. Appeals shall be served on the franchising authority or other authority that issued the rate decision. Where the state is the appropriate decision-making authority, the state shall forward a copy of the appeal to the appropriate local official(s). Oppositions may be filed within 15 days after the appeal is filed, and must be served on the parties appealing the rate decision. Replies may be filed seven (7) days after the last day for oppositions and shall be served on the parties to the proceeding. OMB Control Number: 3060–0922. Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection. E:\FR\FM\20NON1.SGM 20NON1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 224 (Thursday, November 20, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69106-69109]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-27503]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-9919-55-OAR]


California State Motor Vehicle Pollution Control Standards; 
Malfunction and Diagnostic System Requirements for 2004 and Subsequent 
Model Year Passenger Cars, Light-Duty Trucks, and Medium-Duty Vehicles 
and Engines; Request for Waiver Determination; Opportunity for Public 
Hearing and Comment

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of Opportunity for Public Hearing and Comment.

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

SUMMARY: The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has notified EPA 
that it has adopted amendments to regulations entitled ``Malfunction 
and Diagnostic System Requirements--2004 and Subsequent Model-Year 
Passenger Cars, Light-Duty Trucks, and Medium-Duty Vehicles and 
Engines'' (OBD II Requirements) and amendments to regulations entitled 
``Enforcement of Malfunction and Diagnostic System Requirements for 
2004 and Subsequent Model-Year Passenger Cars, Light-Duty Trucks, and 
Medium-Duty Vehicles and Engines'' (OBD II Enforcement Regulation). 
CARB adopted amendments to the OBD II Requirements through rulemakings 
in 1997, 2003, 2007 and 2010, and to the OBD II Requirements and OBD II 
Enforcement Regulation in 2012 and 2013. These amendments are 
collectively referred to herein as the OBD II Amendments. EPA 
previously granted California a waiver for the original OBD II 
Requirements, as last amended in 1995. EPA has also previously given 
notice and taken comments on the 1997 and 2003 OBD II amendments, but 
did not act on California's waiver requests for those amendments. CARB 
now requests that EPA confirm that all the OBD II Amendments be found 
within the scope of the previously granted waiver or, alternatively, 
that EPA grant a full waiver of preemption for the various amendments. 
This notice announces that EPA has tentatively scheduled a public 
hearing to consider California's requests for the 2007, 2010, 2012, and 
2013 OBD II Amendments, and that EPA is additionally accepting written 
comment on California's waiver requests, and on the effect of the 2007, 
2010, 2012, and 2013 OBD II Amendments on the prior 1997 and 2003 OBD 
II Amendments for which EPA previously took comments.

DATES: EPA has tentatively scheduled a public hearing concerning CARB's 
request on January 14, 2015 at 10 a.m. ET. EPA will hold a hearing only 
if any party notifies EPA by December 15, 2014 to express interest in 
presenting the Agency with oral testimony. Parties that wish to present 
oral testimony at the public hearing should provide written notice to 
David Read at the email address noted below. If EPA receives a request 
for a public hearing, that hearing will be held at the William 
Jefferson Clinton Building (North), Room 5530 at 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. 
NW., Washington, DC 20460. If EPA does not receive a request for a 
public hearing, then EPA will not hold a hearing, and will instead 
consider CARB's request based on written submissions to the docket. Any 
party may submit written comments until February 16, 2015.
    Any person who wishes to know whether a hearing will be held may 
call David Read at (734) 214-4367 on or after December 17, 2014.

[[Page 69107]]


ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-
OAR-2013-0573, by one of the following methods:
     On-Line at https://www.regulations.gov: Follow the On-Line 
Instructions for Submitting Comments.
     Email: a-and-r-docket@epa.gov.
     Fax: (202) 566-1741.
     Mail: Air and Radiation Docket, Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-
2013-0573, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Mailcode: 6102T, 1200 
Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20460. Please include a total 
of two copies.
     Hand Delivery: EPA Docket Center, Public Reading Room, EPA 
West Building, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 
20460. Such deliveries are only accepted during the Docket's normal 
hours of operation, and special arrangements should be made for 
deliveries of boxed information.
    On-Line Instructions for Submitting Comments: Direct your comments 
to Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2013-0573. EPA's policy is that all 
comments we receive will be included in the public docket without 
change and may be made available online at https://www.regulations.gov, 
including any personal information provided, unless the comment 
includes information claimed to be Confidential Business Information 
(CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. 
Do not submit information that you consider to be CBI or otherwise 
protected through https://www.regulations.gov or email. The https://www.regulations.gov Web site is an ``anonymous access'' system, which 
means EPA will not know your identity or contact information unless you 
provide it in the body of your comment. If you send an email comment 
directly to EPA without going through https://www.regulations.gov, your 
email address will automatically be captured and included as part of 
the comment that is placed in the public docket and made available on 
the Internet. If you submit an electronic comment, EPA recommends that 
you include your name and other contact information in the body of your 
comment and with any disk or CD-ROM you submit. If EPA cannot read your 
comment due to technical difficulties and cannot contact you for 
clarification, EPA may not be able to consider your comment. Electronic 
files should avoid the use of special characters, any form of 
encryption, and be free of any defects or viruses. For additional 
information about EPA's public docket visit the EPA Docket Center 
homepage at https://www.epa.gov/epahome/dockets.htm.
    EPA will make available for public inspection materials submitted 
by CARB, written comments received from any interested parties, and any 
testimony given at the public hearing. Materials relevant to this 
proceeding are contained in the Air and Radiation Docket and 
Information Center, maintained in Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2013-0573. 
Publicly available docket materials are available either electronically 
through https://www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at the Air and 
Radiation Docket in the EPA Headquarters Library, EPA West Building, 
Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC. The Public 
Reading Room is open to the public on all federal government work days 
from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; generally, it is open Monday through 
Friday, excluding holidays. The telephone number for the Reading Room 
is (202) 566-1744. The Air and Radiation Docket and Information 
Center's Web site is https://www.epa.gov/oar/docket.html. The electronic 
mail (email) address for the Air and Radiation Docket is: a-and-r-
Docket@epa.gov, the telephone number is (202) 566-1742, and the fax 
number is (202) 566-9744. An electronic version of the public docket is 
available through the federal government's electronic public docket and 
comment system. You may access EPA dockets at https://www.regulations.gov. After opening the https://www.regulations.gov Web 
site, enter EPA-HQ-OAR-2013-0573, in the ``Enter Keyword or ID'' fill-
in box to view documents in the record. Although a part of the official 
docket, the public docket does not include CBI or other information 
whose disclosure is restricted by statute.
    EPA's Office of Transportation and Air Quality also maintains a Web 
page that contains general information on its review of California 
waiver requests. Included on that page are links to prior waiver and 
authorization Federal Register notices. The page can be accessed at 
https://www.epa.gov/otaq/cafr.htm.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Read, Attorney, Office of 
Transportation and Air Quality, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 
2565 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48105. Telephone: (734) 214-4367. 
Fax: (734) 214-4212. Email: read.david@epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. California's OBD II Requirements and Enforcement Regulation

    CARB initially adopted the OBD II Requirements in July 1990 and 
then adopted amendments in 1992, 1993, and 1995. The OBD II 
Requirements direct motor vehicle manufacturers to incorporate vehicle 
onboard diagnostic (OBD) systems meeting particular requirements on all 
new passenger cars, light-duty trucks, and medium-duty vehicles and 
engines. Specifically, manufacturers are required to install OBD II 
systems that effectively monitor all emission-related components and 
systems on the motor vehicle for proper operation and for deterioration 
or malfunctions that cause emissions to exceed specific thresholds. The 
regulations also require that OBD II systems provide specific 
diagnostic information in a standardized format through a standardized 
serial data link on-board the vehicles to ensure that service and 
repair technicians can properly and promptly repair identified 
malfunctions.
    In October 1996,\1\ EPA issued a waiver under section 209(b) of the 
Clean Air Act (``CAA'' or ``the Act'') for the OBD II Requirements 
adopted in 1990 and as amended in 1992, 1993, and 1995. CARB 
subsequently adopted further amendments to the OBD II Requirements in 
1997 and 2003 \2\ and requested that EPA confirm those amendments to be 
within the scope of the previously granted OBD II waiver.\3\ EPA 
published a notice of opportunity for hearing and comment on the 1997 
and 2003 California requests on February 5, 2004.\4\ The 1997 and 2003 
waiver requests are currently pending a determination by EPA.
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    \1\ The decision was signed on October 2, 1996, and published at 
61 FR 53371 (October 11, 1996).
    \2\ The Board initially approved the amendments at rulemakings 
held respectively on December 12, 1996, April 25, 2002, and 
September 28, 2006.
    \3\ On December 24, 1997, CARB requested that the 1997 
amendments be found within the scope of the previously granted 
waiver. On October 30, 2003, CARB requested that the 2003 amendments 
be found within the scope of the previously granted waiver. The 
October 30, 2003, request further asked that the OBD II Enforcement 
Regulation be found within the scope of the previously granted 
waiver for ``California's Enforcement of New and In-Use Vehicle 
Standards,'' title 13, Cal. Code Regs. Section 2100 et seq. (see 61 
FR 53371 (October 11, 1996), 43 FR 9344 (March 7, 1978), and 43 FR 
25729 (June 14, 1978)).
    \4\ See 69 FR 5542 (February 5, 2004).
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    On August 9, 2007, CARB adopted additional amendments to the OBD II 
Requirements and minor amendments to the OBD II Enforcement Regulation. 
The amendments became operative on November 9, 2007. The 2007 OBD II 
Requirements amendments were made, inter alia, to address manufacturer

[[Page 69108]]

compliance concerns and to align the monitoring requirements with those 
adopted by CARB in 2005 for heavy duty diesel engines. By letter dated 
January 22, 2008, CARB requested that EPA find that the 2007 amendments 
fall within the scope of the previous waiver.
    On April 5, 2010, CARB adopted additional amendments to the OBD II 
Requirements, but not to the OBD II Enforcment Regulation. The 
amendments became operative on June 17, 2010. The 2010 OBD II 
Requirements amendments were made primarily to harmonize the medium-
duty diesel vehicle requirements with proposed revisions to monitoring 
requirements for heavy duty diesel engines. By letter dated December 
15, 2010, CARB requested that EPA find that the 2010 OBD II 
Requirements amendments fall within the scope of the previous waiver 
or, alternatively, that a new waiver be granted for the amendments.
    On March 12, 2012, and on June 26, 2013, CARB adopted additional 
amendments to the OBD II Requirements and to the OBD II Enforcement 
Regulation. The 2012 OBD II amendments became operative August 7, 2012. 
The 2013 OBD II amendments became operative on July 31, 2013. The 2012 
OBD II amendments were primarily made to relax and/or clarify OBD II 
requirements in response to manufacturer concerns. The 2013 OBD II 
amendments primarily affect medium-duty vehicles, to align the OBD II 
monitoring requirements with those adopted by CARB for heavy duty 
diesel engines. By letter dated February 12, 2014, CARB requested that 
EPA find that the 2012 and 2013 OBD II amendments fall within the scope 
of the previous waiver or, alternatively, that a full waiver be granted 
for the amendments.
    The various amendments to the OBD II Requirements are codified at 
title 13, California Code of Regulations, section 1968.2. The various 
amendments to the OBD II Enforcement Regulation are codified at title 
13, California Code of Regulations, section 1968.5.
    CARB seeks a determination that the 2007, 2010, 2012, and 2013 OBD 
II Amendments are within the scope of the previous waiver or, 
alternatively, that EPA grant California a full waiver of preemption 
for the OBD II Amendments.

II. Clean Air Act Waivers of Preemption

    Section 209(a) of the Clean Air Act preempts states and local 
governments from setting emission standards for new motor vehicles and 
engines. It provides:

    No State or any political subdivision thereof shall adopt or 
attempt to enforce any standard relating to the control of emissions 
from new motor vehicles or new motor vehicle engines subject to this 
part. No state shall require certification, inspection or any other 
approval relating to the control of emissions from any new motor 
vehicle or new motor vehicle engine as condition precedent to the 
initial retail sale, titling (if any), or registration of such motor 
vehicle, motor vehicle engine, or equipment.

Through operation of section 209(b) of the Act, California is able to 
seek and receive a waiver of section 209(a)'s preemption. If certain 
criteria are met, section 209(b)(1) of the Act requires the 
Administrator, after notice and opportunity for public hearing, to 
waive application of the prohibitions of section 209(a). Section 
209(b)(1) only allows a waiver to be granted for any state that had 
adopted standards (other than crankcase emission standards) for the 
control of emissions from new motor vehicles or new motor vehicle 
engines prior to March 30, 1966, if the state determines that its 
standards will be, in the aggregate, at least as protective of public 
health and welfare as applicable Federal standards (i.e., if such state 
makes a ``protectiveness determination''). Because California was the 
only state to have adopted standards prior to 1966, it is the only 
state that is qualified to seek and receive a waiver.\5\ The 
Administrator must grant \6\ a waiver unless she finds that: (A) 
California's above-noted ``protectiveness determination'' is arbitrary 
and capricious; \7\ (B) California does not need such state standards 
to meet compelling and extraordinary conditions; \8\ or (C) 
California's standards and accompanying enforcement procedures are not 
consistent with section 202(a) of the Act.\9\ EPA has previously stated 
that consistency with section 202(a) requires that California's 
standards must be technologically feasible within the lead time 
provided, giving due consideration to costs, and that California and 
applicable Federal test procedures be consistent.\10\
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    \5\ See S. Rep. No. 90-403 at 632 (1967).
    \6\ EPA's review of California regulations under section 209 is 
not a broad review of the reasonableness of the regulations or its 
compatibility with all other laws. Sections 209(b) and 209(e) of the 
Clean Air Act limit EPA's authority to deny California requests for 
waivers and authorizations to the three criteria listed therein. As 
a result, EPA has consistently refrained from denying California's 
requests for waivers and authorizations based on any other criteria. 
In instances where the U.S. Court of Appeals has reviewed EPA 
decisions declining to deny waiver requests based on criteria not 
found in section 209(b), the Court has upheld and agreed with EPA's 
determination. See Motor and Equipment Manufacturers Ass'n v. 
Nichols, 142 F.3d 449, 462-63, 466-67 (D.C. Cir. 1998), Motor and 
Equipment Manufacturers Ass'n v. EPA, 627 F.2d 1095, 1111, 1114-20 
(D.C. Cir. 1979). See also 78 FR 58090, 58120 (September 20, 2013).
    \7\ CAA Sec.  209(b)(1)(A).
    \8\ CAA Sec.  209(b)(1)(B).
    \9\ CAA Sec.  209(b)(1)(C).
    \10\ See, e.g., 74 FR 32767 (July 8, 2009); see also Motor and 
Equipment Manufacturers Association v. EPA, 627 F.2d 1095, 1126 
(D.C. Cir. 1979).
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    If California amends regulations that were previously granted a 
waiver, EPA can confirm that the amended regulations are within the 
scope of the previously granted waiver. Such within-the-scope 
amendments are permissible without a full waiver review if three 
conditions are met. First, the amended regulations must not undermine 
California's determination that its standards, in the aggregate, are as 
protective of public health and welfare as applicable federal 
standards. Second, the amended regulations must not affect consistency 
with section 202(a) of the Act. Third, the amended regulations must not 
raise any ``new issues'' affecting EPA's prior waivers.

III. EPA's Request for Comments

    EPA invites public comment on each of CARB's requests, including 
but not limited to the following issues.

A. 2007, 2010, 2012, and 2013 OBD II Amendments Within-the-Scope or 
Full Waiver

    First, we request comment on whether CARB's 2007, 2010, 2012, and 
2013 OBD II Amendments, whether individually or collectively assessed, 
should be considered under the within-the-scope analysis or whether 
they should be considered under the full waiver criteria. Specifically, 
we request comment on whether California's 2007, 2010, 2012, and 2013 
OBD II Amendments (1) undermine California's previous determination 
that its standards, in the aggregate, are at least as protective of 
public health and welfare as comparable Federal standards, (2) affect 
the consistency of California's requirements with section 202(a) of the 
Act, and (3) raise any other ``new issue'' affecting EPA's previous 
waiver or authorization determinations.

B. Whether 2007, 2010, 2012, and 2013 OBD II Amendments Meet the 
Criteria for Full Waiver

    Should any party believe that the 2007, 2010, 2012, or 2013 OBD II 
Amendments do not merit consideration as within-the-scope of the 
previous waiver, EPA also requests comment on whether those amendments 
meet the criteria for full waiver. Specifically, we request comment on: 
(a) whether

[[Page 69109]]

CARB's determination that its standards, in the aggregate, are at least 
as protective of public health and welfare as applicable federal 
standards is arbitrary and capricious, (b) whether California needs 
such standards to meet compelling and extraordinary conditions, and (c) 
whether California's standards and accompanying enforcement procedures 
are consistent with section 202(a) of the Clean Air Act.

C. Effect of Newer OBD II Amendments on 1997 or 2003 Amendments

    As stated above, EPA has previously given notice and taken comments 
on CARB's requests for within-the-scope determinations related to 
CARB's 1997 and 2003 OBD II amendments. As those requests are still 
pending, EPA will additionally take comment on any relevant effects of 
the 2007 and 2010 amendments on the prior 1997 and 2003 OBD II 
amendments. EPA will consider such comments in any decision on CARB's 
1997 and 2003 OBD II amendments as well.

IV. Procedures for Public Participation

    If a hearing is held, the Agency will make a record of the 
proceedings. Interested parties may arrange with the reporter at the 
hearing to obtain a copy of the transcript at their own expense. 
Regardless of whether a public hearing is held, EPA will keep the 
record open until February 16, 2015. Upon expiration of the comment 
period, EPA will render a decision on CARB's request based on the 
record from the public hearing, if any, all relevant written 
submissions, and other information that the Agency deems pertinent. All 
information will be available for inspection at the EPA Air Docket No. 
EPA-HQ-OAR-2013-0573.
    Persons with comments containing proprietary information must 
distinguish such information from other comments to the greatest extent 
possible and label it as ``Confidential Business Information'' 
(``CBI''). If a person making comments wants EPA to base its decision 
on a submission labeled as CBI, then a non-confidential version of the 
document that summarizes the key data or information should be 
submitted to the public docket. To ensure that proprietary information 
is not inadvertently placed in the public docket, submissions 
containing such information should be sent directly to the contact 
person listed above and not to the public docket. Information covered 
by a claim of confidentiality will be disclosed by EPA only to the 
extent allowed, and according to the procedures set forth in 40 CFR 
part 2. If no claim of confidentiality accompanies the submission when 
EPA receives it, EPA will make it available to the public without 
further notice to the person making comments.

    Dated: November 12, 2014.
Christopher Grundler,
Director, Office of Transportation and Air Quality, Office of Air and 
Radiation.
[FR Doc. 2014-27503 Filed 11-19-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
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