Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; State of Kansas Regional Haze State Implementation Plan Revision and 2014 Five-Year Progress Report, 32874-32879 [2015-13943]

Download as PDF asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS 32874 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 111 / Wednesday, June 10, 2015 / Proposed Rules the CAA. Accordingly, this action merely proposes to approve state law as meeting Federal requirements and does not impose additional requirements beyond those imposed by state law. For that reason, this action: • Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory action’’ subject to review by the Office of Management and Budget under Executive Order 12866 (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993) 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 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 it does not involve technical standards; and • does not provide the 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). The SIP is not approved to apply on any Indian reservation land in Washington except for as specifically noted below and is also not approved to apply in any other area where the EPA or an Indian tribe has demonstrated that a tribe has jurisdiction. In those areas of Indian country, the rule does not have tribal implications and will not impose substantial direct costs on tribal governments or preempt tribal law as specified by Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, November 9, 2000). Washington’s SIP is approved to apply on non-trust land within the exterior boundaries of the Puyallup Indian Reservation, also known as the 1873 Survey Area. Under the Puyallup Tribe of Indians Settlement Act of 1989, 25 VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:20 Jun 09, 2015 Jkt 235001 U.S.C. 1773, Congress explicitly provided state and local agencies in Washington authority over activities on non-trust lands within the 1873 Survey Area. List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52 Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Incorporation by reference, Particulate matter, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements. Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq. Dated: May 29, 2015. Dennis J. McLerran, Regional Administrator, Region 10. [FR Doc. 2015–14225 Filed 6–9–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 40 CFR Part 52 [EPA–R07–OAR–2015–0299; FRL–9928–91Region 7] Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; State of Kansas Regional Haze State Implementation Plan Revision and 2014 Five-Year Progress Report Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Proposed rule. AGENCY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve the Kansas State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted to EPA by the State of Kansas on March 10, 2015, documenting that the State’s existing plan is making adequate progress to achieve visibility goals by 2018. The Kansas SIP revision addressed the Regional Haze Rule (RHR) requirements under the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act) to submit a report describing progress in achieving reasonable progress goals (RPGs) to improve visibility in Federally designated areas in nearby states that may be affected by emissions from sources in Kansas. EPA is proposing to approve Kansas’ determination that the existing RH SIP is adequate to meet the visibility goals and requires no substantive revision at this time. DATES: Comments must be received on or before July 10, 2015. ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA–R07– OAR–2015–0299, by one of the following methods: 1. www.regulations.gov: Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments. 2. Email: krabbe.stephen@epa.gov. SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 3. Mail or Hand Delivery: Stephen Krabbe, Environmental Protection Agency, Air Planning and Development Branch, 11201 Renner Boulevard, Lenexa, Kansas 66219. Instructions: Direct your comments to Docket ID No. EPA–R07–OAR–2015– 0299. EPA’s policy is that all comments received will be included in the public docket without change and may be made available online at www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided, unless the comment includes information claimed to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Do not submit information that you consider to be CBI or otherwise protected through www.regulations.gov or email. The www.regulations.gov Web site is an ‘‘anonymous access’’ system, which means EPA will not know your identity or contact information unless you provide it in the body of your comment. If you send an email comment directly to EPA without going through www.regulations.gov, your email address will be automatically captured and included as part of the comment that is placed in the public docket and made available on the Internet. If you submit an electronic comment, EPA recommends that you include your name and other contact information in the body of your comment and with any disk or CD–ROM you submit. If EPA cannot read your comment due to technical difficulties and cannot contact you for clarification, EPA may not be able to consider your comment. Electronic files should avoid the use of special characters, any form of encryption, and be free of any defects or viruses. Docket. All documents in the electronic docket are listed in the www.regulations.gov index. Although listed in the index, some information is not publicly available, e.g., CBI or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Certain other material, such as copyrighted material, will be publicly available only in hard copy. Publicly available docket materials are available either electronically in www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at the Environmental Protection Agency, Air Planning and Development Branch, 11201 Renner Boulevard, Lenexa, Kansas 66219. EPA requests that you contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section to schedule your inspection. The interested persons wanting to examine these documents should make an appointment with the office at least 24 hours in advance. E:\FR\FM\10JNP1.SGM 10JNP1 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 111 / Wednesday, June 10, 2015 / Proposed Rules FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: A. Background on Regional Haze Stephen Krabbe, Environmental Protection Agency, Air Planning and Development Branch, 11201 Renner Boulevard, Lenexa, Kansas 66219 at 913–551–7991, or by email at krabbe.stephen@epa.gov. Regional haze is a visibility impairment produced by many sources and activities located across a broad geographic area that emit fine particulates that impair visibility by scattering and absorbing light, thereby reducing the clarity, color, and visible distance that one can see. These fine particles also can cause serious health effects and mortality in humans and contribute to environmental impacts, such as acid deposition and eutrophication of water bodies. The RHR uses the deciview as the principle metric for measuring visibility and for the RPGs that serve as interim visibility goals toward meeting the national visibility goal of reaching natural conditions by 2064. A deciview expresses uniform changes in haziness in terms of common increments across the entire range of visibility conditions, from pristine to extremely hazy conditions. Deciviews are determined by using air quality measurements to estimate light extinction, and then transforming the value of light extinction using a logarithmic function. Deciview is a more useful measure for tracking progress in improving visibility than light extinction because each deciview change is an equal incremental change in visibility perceived by the human eye. Most people can detect a change in visibility at one deciview. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Throughout this document ‘‘we,’’ ‘‘us,’’ or ‘‘our’’ refer to EPA. This section provides additional information by addressing the following: I. What is being addressed in this document? A. Background on Regional Haze B. Background on Regional Haze Plans C. Requirements for Regional Haze Progress Reports II. Have the requirements for approval of a SIP revision been met? A. EPA’s Evaluation of Kansas’ Progress Report 1. Status of Control Measures 2. Emissions Reductions and Progress 3. Visibility Progress 4. Emissions Tracking 5. Assessment of Changes Impeding Visibility Progress 6. Assessment of Current Strategy 7. Review of Current Monitoring Strategy B. Determination of Adequacy of Existing Regional Haze Plan C. Consultation With Federal Land Managers III. What action is EPA taking? asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS I. What is being addressed in this document? EPA is proposing to approve the Kansas Department of Health and Environment’s (KDHE) determination that the existing Kansas RH SIP is adequate to achive the established Reasonable Progress Goals (RPGs) for Class I areas affected by Kansas sources, and therefore requires no substantive revision at this time. EPA’s proposed approval is based on the Kansas State Implementation Plan Revision for the Attainment and Maintenance of NAAQS for Regional Haze (2014 Progress Report) (‘‘Progress Report or ‘‘Report’’) submitted by KDHE to EPA on March 10, 2015, that addresses 51.308(g) and (h) of the RHR. The Progress Report demonstrates that the emission control measures in the existing RH SIP are sufficient to enable other states with Class I areas affected by emissions from sources in Kansas to meet all established RPGs for 2018. We are also proposing to find that Kansas fulfilled the requirements in 51.308(i)(2), (3), and (4) to provide Federal Land Managers (FLMs) with an opportunity to consult on the RH SIP revision, describe how KDHE addressed the FLMs’ comments, and provide procedures for continuing consultation. VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:20 Jun 09, 2015 Jkt 235001 B. Background on Regional Haze Plans In section 169A(a)(1) of the CAA amendmnets of 1977, Congress created a program to protect visibility in designated national parks and wilderness areas, establishing as a national goal the ‘‘prevention of any future, and the remedying of any existing, impairment of visibility in mandatory Class I Federal areas which impairment results from manmade air pollution.’’ In accordance with section 169A of the CAA and after consulting with the Departmnet of Interior, EPA promulgated a list of 156 mandatory Class I Federal areas where visibility is identified as an important value (44 FR 69122, November 30, 1979). In this notice, we refer to mandatory Class I Federal areas as ‘‘Class I areas.’’ Kansas does not have any Class I areas within the state. With the CAA amendments of 1990, Congress added section 169B to address regional haze issues. EPA promulgated a rule to address regional haze on July 1, 1999, known as the Regional Haze Rule (64 FR 35713). The RHR revised the existing visibility regulations in 40 CFR 51.308 to integrate provisions addressing regional haze impairment PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 32875 and to establish a comprehensive visibility protection program for Class I areas. KDHE submitted its initial RH SIP to EPA on October 26, 2009, in accordance with the requirements of 40 CFR 51.308 for the first regional haze planning period ending in 2018. EPA approved the Kansas RH SIP for the first planning period on December 27, 2011 (76 FR 80754). The Progress Report from KDHE is the first evaluation of whether the existing Kansas RH SIP is sufficient to enable other states affected by emissions from sources in Kansas to meet the established visibility goals for 2018. C. Requirements for Regional Haze Progress Reports States are required to submit a progress report in the form of a SIP revision every five years that evaluates progress towards the RPGs for each mandatory Class I Federal area within the state and in each mandatory Class I Federal area outside the state which may be affected by emissions from within the state. 40 CFR 51.308(g). States are also required to submit, at the same time as the progress report, a determination of the adequacy of the state’s existing regional haze SIP. 40 CFR 51.308(h). The first progress report SIP is due five years after submittal of the initial regional haze SIP. In summary,1 the seven elements are: (1) A description of the status of measures in the approved regional haze SIP; (2) a summary of emissions reductions achieved; (3) an assessment of visibility conditions for each Class I area in the state; (4) an analysis of changes in emissions from sources and activities within the state; (5) an assessment of any significant changes in anthropogenic emissions within or outside the state that have limited or impeded progress in Class I areas impacted by the state’s sources; (6) an assessment of the sufficiency of the approved regional haze SIP; and (7) a review of the state’s visibility monitoring strategy. Under 40 CFR 51.308(h), states are required to submit, at the same time as the progress report SIP, a determination of the adequacy of their existing regional haze SIP and to take one of four possible actions based on information in the progress report. In summary,2 these actions are to: (1) Submit a negative declaration to EPA that no further substantive revision to the state’s existing regional haze SIP is needed; (2) 1 Please refer to 40 CFR 51.308(g) for the exact Rule requirements. 2 Please refer to 40 CFR 51.308(h) for the exact Rule requirements. E:\FR\FM\10JNP1.SGM 10JNP1 32876 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 111 / Wednesday, June 10, 2015 / Proposed Rules provide notification to EPA (and other state(s) that participated in the regional planning process) if the state determines that its existing regional haze SIP is or may be inadequate to ensure reasonable progress at one or more Class I areas due to emissions from sources in other state(s) that participated in the regional planning process, and collaborate with these other state(s) to develop additional strategies to address deficiencies; (3) provide notification with supporting information to EPA if the state determines that its existing regional haze SIP is or may be inadequate to ensure reasonable progress at one or more Class I areas due to emissions from sources in another country; or (4) revise its regional haze SIP to address deficiencies within one year if the state determines that its existing regional haze SIP is or may be inadequate to ensure reasonable progress in one or more Class I areas due to emissions from sources within the state. A state must document that it provided FLMs with an opportunity for consultation prior to holding a public hearing on an RH SIP or plan revision as required in 40 CFR 51.308(i)(2). In addition, a state must include a description of how it addressed any comments from the FLMs, and provide procedures for continuing consultation with the FLMs as required in 40 CFR 51.208(i)(3) and (4). asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS II. Have the requirements for approval of a SIP revision been met? The state submission has met the public notice requirements for SIP submissions in accordance with 40 CFR 51.102. The submission also satisfied the completeness criteria of 40 CFR part 51, appendix V. In addition, as explained above, the revision meets the substantive SIP requirements of the CAA, including section 110 and implementing regulations. A. EPA’s Evaluation of Kansas’ Progress Report This section describes Kansas’ Progress Report and EPA’s evaluation of the Report in relation to the seven elements listed in 40 CFR 51.308(g) and the determination of adequacy in 40 CFR 51.308(h). We also review the requirement in 40 CFR 51.308(i)(2) for state and FLM coordination on a plan revision. 1. Status of Control Measures 40 CFR 51.308(g)(1) requires a description of the status of implementation of all measures included in the regional haze SIP for achieving RPGs for Class I areas both within and outside the state. Kansas VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:20 Jun 09, 2015 Jkt 235001 evaluated the status of all measures included in its 2009 regional haze SIP in accordance with 40 CFR 51.308(g)(1). In its Progress Report, Kansas summarizes the long-term strategy for emissions reductions of all air pollutants that may affect visibility. The state notes that Nitrogen Oxides (NOX) and Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) are the most important pollutants in reducing visibility and includes details of the strategies implemented to reduce those pollutants. The measures include both state and Federal programs. The state programs include unit-specific emissions limits for the five electric generating units that are subject to BART and were included in agreements between KDHE and the owners of the EGU’s, which were later modified by an enforcement settlement between EPA and Westar Energy. The measures also include applicable Federal programs (e.g., Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) standards, the 2007 Heavy-Duty Highway Rule, Tier 2 Vehicle and Gasoline Sulfur Program, and the Clean Air Nonroad Diesel Rule). The state documents the implementation status of measures from its regional haze SIP as well as describes significant measures resulting from EPA regulations other than the regional haze program as they pertain to the state’s sources. Kansas describes the implementation status of measures from its regional haze SIP, including the status of control measures to meet BART and reasonable progress requirements, as well as the status of significant measures resulting from EPA regulations. EPA proposes to find that Kansas’ analysis adequately addresses 40 CFR 51.308(g)(1) for reasons discussed above. 2. Emissions Reductions and Progess 40 CFR 51.308(g)(2) requires a summary of the emissions reductions achieved in the state through the measures subject to 40 CFR 51.308(g)(1). In its regional haze SIP and Progress Report, Kansas focuses its assessment on NOX and SO2 emissions from stationary sources because the state determined that these sources accounted for the majority of the visibility-impairing pollution from Kansas. SO2 emissions from subject-toBART facilities decreased in Kansas from 80,828 tons in 2003 to 17,026 tons in 2012, a 79 percent decrease. Also, NOX emissions decreased from 60,936 tons in 2002 to 16,434 tons in 2012, a 73 percent decrease. Kansas noted that reasonable progress units declined 60 percent for NOX and 77 percent for SO2 from 2002 to 2012. Much of these PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 reductions were not mandated by the Regional Haze SIP, but by the 2010 Westar Energy settlement 3 and closure of the Lafarge Midwest–Fredonia Portland cement kilns. EPA proposes to conclude that Kansas has adequately addressed 40 CFR 51.308(g)(2). The state provides actual emissions reductions of NOX and SO2 from EGUs and other large NOX and SO2 sources in Kansas that have occurred since Kansas submitted its regional haze SIP. The state also provides estimates of emissions of NOX and SO2 for 2018. Kansas appropriately focused on NOX and SO2 emissions from its EGUs and other stationary sources in its progress report SIP because it previously identified these emissions as the most significant contributors to visibility impairment at those Class I areas that Kansas sources impact. Given the large NOX and SO2 reductions at subject-to-BART EGUs and other sources that have actually occurred, further analysis of emissions from other sources or other pollutants was ultimately unnecessary in this first implementation period. Because no additional controls were found to be necessary for reasonable progress for the first implementation period for evaluated sources in Kansas, EPA proposes to find that no further discussion of emissions reductions from controls was necessary in the Progress Report. 3. Visibility Progress 40 CFR 51.308(g)(3) requires that states with Class I areas provide the following information for the most impaired and least impaired days for each area, with values expressed in terms of five-year averages of these annual values: current visibility conditions; the difference between current visibility conditions and baseline visibility conditions; and the change in visibility impairment over the past five years. Kansas does not have any Class I areas within its boundaries, and as this section pertains only to states containing Class I areas, therefore, no further discussion is necessary. However, Kansas noted in its Progress Report that it is beneficial to have a record of visibility conditions at the Class I areas that are most affected by Kansas sources. The state analyzed four Class I areas, with a focus on the Wichita Mountains Wilderness area (the nearest Class I area to Kansas and most impacted by Kansas sources). The state compared the slope of the glide path of 3 U.S. v. Westar Energy, Inc. 09–CV–2059 (D. Kan.) E:\FR\FM\10JNP1.SGM 10JNP1 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 111 / Wednesday, June 10, 2015 / Proposed Rules asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS natural visibility conditions in 2064 to the slope of the best-fit line of five-year visibility averages from 2002 to 2011 (in deciviews) for the 20 percent worst days and 20 percent best days. The analysis showed that visibility at all four Class I areas was improving at a rate faster than the glide path for the 20 percent worst days. Only the Wichita Mountains Wilderness area was not improving faster than the glidepath for the 20 percent best days, although visibility was still improving in the area. EPA proposes to conclude that Kansas has adequately addressed 40 CFR 51.308(g)(3). 4. Emissions Tracking 40 CFR 51.308(g)(4) requires an analysis tracking emissions changes of visibility-impairing pollutants from the state’s sources by type or category over the past five years based on the most recent updated emissions inventory. In its Progress Report, Kansas presents data from a statewide emissions inventory developed for the year 2002 and compares this data to the National Emissions Inventory (NEI) 2011 version 1 (dated September 30, 2013), or simply the 2011 NEIv1. For both the 2002 dataset and the 2011 NEIv1 data, pollutants inventoried include NOX, Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5), Coarse Particulate Matter (PM10), Ammonia (NH3), and SO2. The emissions inventories from both the 2002 dataset and the 2011 NEIv1 include all point, nonpoint, onroad, and nonroad sources. The state interpolated values for 2009 through 2013 based on emissions inventory data. This shows that emissions of the key visibility-impairing pollutants identified by Kansas, NOX and SO2, continued to drop from 2009 to 2013 (decreasing 32,227 and 64,359 tons, respectively). Kansas noted that emissions of NOX and SO2, the primary contributors to visibility impairment from anthropogenic sources, are down significantly (10 percent for NOX and 59.6 percent for SO2). However, the state noted that NH3 and particulate matter (PM) emissions were reported up from the 2002 to 2011 inventories and need to be addressed. The state cited changes in the way that these pollutants were reported for each inventory as the reason for most of the reported increases in NH3 and PM. Accounting for the differing reporting methods shows that PM2.5 and PM10 emissions from fires is slightly up by 2011, however, this pollutant source is highly variable. While ideally the five-year period to be analyzed for emissions inventory changes is the time period since the current regional haze SIP was submitted, there is an inevitable time VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:20 Jun 09, 2015 Jkt 235001 lag in developing and reporting complete emissions inventories once equality-assured emissions data becomes available. Therefore, EPA believes that there is some flexibility in the five-year time period that states can select. Kansas tracked changes in emissions of visibility-impairing pollutants using the 2011 NEIv1, which was the most recent updated inventory of actual emissions for the state at the time that it developed the progress report SIP. EPA believes that Kansas’s use of the five-year period from 2009 to 2013 reflects an accurate picture of the actual emissions realized between 2002–2013, and as in many cases, Kansas had already reached or surpassed their 2018 goals by 2013. EPA proposes to conclude that Kansas has adequately addressed 40 CFR 51.308(g)(4). 5. Assessment of Changes Impeding Visbility Progress 40 CFR 51.308(g)(5) requires an assessment of any significant changes in anthropogenic emissions within or outside the state that have occurred over the past five years that have limited or impeded progress in reducing pollutant emissions and improving visibility in Class I areas impacted by the state’s sources. In its Progress Report, Kansas addresses the changes in anthropogenic emissions between 2009 and 2013 throughout the Midwest, especially due to sources installing controls to comply with present and near-future air quality standards (the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards Rule and the Clean Air Interstate Rule). Kansas noted that there have been significant reductions among anthropogenic emissions source categories, especially EGU’s, with decreases in SO2 of 17.5 percent and NOX of 30.9 percent in Kansas and bordering states combined. Kansas demonstrated that there are no significant changes in anthropogenic emissions that have impeded progress in reducing emissions and improving visibility in Class I areas impacted by Kansas and bordering state sources. The state referenced its analyses in the progress report SIP identifying an overall downward trend in these emissions from 2009 to 2013 in Kansas. Further, the progress report SIP shows that Kansas is on track to meeting its 2018 emissions projections. EPA proposes to find that Kansas has adequately addressed 40 CFR 51.308(g)(5). 6. Assessment of Current Strategy 40 CFR 51.308(g)(6) requires an assessment of whether the current PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 32877 regional haze SIP is sufficient to enable Kansas, or other states, to meet the RPGs for Class I areas affected by emissions from the state. In its Progress Report, Kansas states that it believes that the elements and strategies outlined in its original regional haze SIP are sufficient to enable Kansas and other neighboring states to meet all of the established RPGs and no further revision to the initial Kansas Regional Haze SIP is needed at this time. To support this conclusion, Kansas notes that anthropogenic emissions of NOX has dropped 10 percent and SO2 has dropped 59.6 percent. EPA views this requirement as a qualitative assessment that should evaluate emissions and visibility trends and other readily available information, including expected emissions reductions associated with measures with compliance dates that have not yet become effective. Kansas referenced the improving visibility trends at affected Class I areas and the downward emissions trends in the state, with a focus on NOX and SO2 emissions from Kansas’ EGUs that support Kansas’ determination that its regional haze SIP is sufficient to meet RPGs for Class I areas outside the state impacted by Kansas sources. EPA believes that Kansas’ conclusion regarding the sufficiency of the regional haze SIP is appropriate because of the calculated visibility improvement using the latest available data and the downward trend in NOX and SO2 emissions from sources in Kansas. EPA proposes to conclude that Kansas has adequately addressed 40 CFR 51.308(g)(6). 7. Review of Current Monitoring Strategy 40 CFR 51.308(g)(7) requires a review of the state’s visibility monitoring strategy and an assessment of whether any modifications to the monitoring strategy are necessary. In its progress report SIP, Kansas summarizes the existing IMPROVE monitoring network and its intended continued reliance on IMPROVE for visibility planning. Kansas operates two IMPROVE Protocol sampling sites, one at Cedar Bluff State Park in Trego County and the other at Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve in the Flint Hills region of eastern Kansas. Kansas has updated its monitoring plan annually and will consider the need to operate two IMPROVE sites with increasingly constrained finances. EPA proposes to conclude that Kansas has adequately addressed the sufficiency of its monitoring strategy as required by 40 CFR 51.308(g)(7). E:\FR\FM\10JNP1.SGM 10JNP1 32878 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 111 / Wednesday, June 10, 2015 / Proposed Rules asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS B. Determination of Adequacy of Existing Regional Haze Plan Under 40 CFR 51.308(h), states are required to take one of four possible actions based on the information gathered and conclusions made in the progress report SIP. The following section summarizes: (1) The action taken by Kansas under 40 CFR 51.308(h); (2) Kansas’s rationale for the selected action; and (3) EPA’s analysis and proposed determination regarding the state’s action. In its Progress Report, Kansas took the action provided for by 40 CFR 51.308(h)(1), which allows a state to submit a negative declaration to EPA if the state determines that the existing regional haze SIP requires no further substantive revision at this time to achieve the RPGs for Class I areas affected by the state’s sources. The basis for Kansas’ negative declaration is the findings from the progress report (as discussed in section II. A. of this action), including the findings that: NOX and SO2 emissions from Kansas’s sources have decreased beyond original projections; and the NOX and SO2 emissions from EGUs in Kansas are already below the levels projected for 2018 in the regional haze SIP and are expected to continue to trend downward for the next five years. Based on these findings, EPA proposes to agree with Kansas’ conclusion under 40 CFR 51.308(h) that no further substantive changes to its regional haze SIP are required at this time. C. Consultation With Federal Land Managers On November 25, 2014, KDHE provided to the FLMs, a revision to Kansas’ SIP reporting on progress made during the first implementation period toward RPGs for Class I areas in the state and Class I areas outside the state that are affected by emissions from Kansas’s sources. Notification was published in the Kansas Register, regional newspapers, and the KDHE Web site on October 23, 2014. A public hearing was not held because KDHE received no requests for a public hearing and the public comment period ended on November 21, 2014. On March 10, 2015, KDHE submitted the SIP to EPA. Kansas’ Progress Report includes the FLMs comments and KDHE’s response to those comments in Appendix I to the Progress Report. In the section 3.8 Federal Land Manager (FLM) Coordination, KDHE commits to continuing policy discussions with the FLMs. EPA proposes to find that KDHE has addressed the requirements in VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:20 Jun 09, 2015 Jkt 235001 51.308(i)(2), (3), and (4) to provide FLMs with an opportunity for consultation in person and at least 60 days prior to a public hearing on the SIP revision; include a description in the SIP revision of how it addressed any comments from the FLMs; and provide procedures for continuing consultation between the State and FLMs. III. What action is EPA taking? EPA is proposing approval of a revision to the Kansas SIP, submitted by the State of Kansas on March 10, 2015, as meeting the applicable regional haze requirements as set forth in 40 CFR 51.308(g) and 51.308(h). We are processing this as a proposed action because we are soliciting comments on this proposed action. Final rulemaking will occur after consideration of any comments. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews Under the CAA, the Administrator is required to approve a SIP submission that complies with the provisions of the Act and applicable Federal regulations. 42 U.S.C. 7410(k); 40 CFR 52.02(a). Thus, in reviewing SIP submissions, EPA’s role is to approve state choices, provided that they meet the criteria of the CAA. Accordingly, this action merely approves state law as meeting Federal requirements and does not impose additional requirements beyond those imposed by state law. For that reason, this action: • Is not a significant regulatory action subject to review by the Office of Management and Budget under Executive Orders 12866 (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993) 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 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); PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 • is not subject to requirements of Section 12(d) of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272 note) because application of those requirements would be inconsistent with the Clean Air Act; and • does not provide EPA with the discretionary authority to address, as appropriate, disproportionate human health or environmental effects, using practicable and legally permissible methods, under Executive Order 12898 (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994). The SIP is not approved to apply on any Indian reservation land or in any other area where EPA or an Indian tribe has demonstrated that a tribe has jurisdiction. In those areas of Indian country, the rule does not have tribal implications and will not impose substantial direct costs on tribal governments or preempt tribal law as specified by Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, November 9, 2000). The Congressional Review Act, 5 U.S.C. 801 et seq., as added by the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, generally provides that before a rule may take effect, the agency promulgating the rule must submit a rule report, which includes a copy of the rule, to each House of the Congress and to the Comptroller General of the United States. EPA will submit a report containing this proposed action and other required information to the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of Representatives, and the Comptroller General of the United States prior to publication of the rule in the Federal Register. A major rule cannot take effect until 60 days after it is published in the Federal Register. This proposed action is not a ‘‘major rule’’ as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2). Under section 307(b)(1) of the CAA, petitions for judicial review of this action must be filed in the United States Court of Appeals for the appropriate circuit by August 10, 2015. Filing a petition for reconsideration by the Administrator of this proposed rule does not affect the finality of this rulemaking for the purposes of judicial review nor does it extend the time within which a petition for judicial review may be filed, and shall not postpone the effectiveness of such future rule or action. This proposed action may not be challenged later in proceedings to enforce its requirements. (See section 307(b)(2).) List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52 Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Carbon monoxide, Incorporation by reference, Intergovernmental relations, Lead, E:\FR\FM\10JNP1.SGM 10JNP1 32879 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 111 / Wednesday, June 10, 2015 / Proposed Rules Chapter I, title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations is amended as follows: Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone, Particulate matter, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Sulfur oxides, Volatile organic compounds. PART 52—APPROVAL AND PROMULGATION OF IMPLEMENTATION PLANS Dated: May 28, 2015. Mark Hague, Acting Regional Administrator, Region 7. 2. In § 52.870 the table in paragraph (e) is amended by adding new entry (40) at the end of the table to read as follows: ■ § 52.870 1. The authority citation for part 52 continues to read as follows: ■ For the reasons stated in the preamble, EPA proposes to amend 40 CFR part 52 as set forth below: Subpart R—KANSAS * Identification of plan. * * (e) * * * * * Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et. seq. EPA-APPROVED KANSAS NONREGULATORY PROVISIONS Applicable geographic or Nonattainment area Name of nonregulatory SIP provision * * * * (40) State Implementation Plan (SIP) Revision for Statewide ....................... the Attainment and Maintenance of National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Regional Haze (2014 Five-Year Progress Report) [FR Doc. 2015–13943 Filed 6–9–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 40 CFR Part 721 [EPA–HQ–OPPT–2014–0390; FRL–9927–60] RIN 2070–AB27 Significant New Use Rule on Certain Chemical Substances Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Proposed rule. AGENCY: EPA is proposing significant new use rules (SNURs) under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for 30 chemical substances which were the subject of premanufacture notices (PMNs). This action would require persons who intend to manufacture (including import) or process any of the chemical substances for an activity that is designated as a significant new use by this proposed rule to notify EPA at least 90 days before commencing that activity. The required notification would provide EPA with the opportunity to evaluate the intended use and, if necessary, to prohibit or limit the activity before it occurs. DATES: Comments must be received on or before July 10, 2015. ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by docket identification (ID) number EPA–HQ–OPPT–2014–0390, by one of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: https:// www.regulations.gov. asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:20 Jun 09, 2015 Jkt 235001 State submittal date * * 3/10/15 6/10/15 [Insert Federal Register citation]. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Do not submit electronically any information you consider to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. • Mail: Document Control Office (7407M), Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics (OPPT), Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460–0001. • Hand Delivery: To make special arrangements for hand delivery or delivery of boxed information, please follow the instructions at https:// www.epa.gov/dockets/contacts.html. Additional instructions on commenting or visiting the docket, along with more information about dockets generally, is available at https://www.epa.gov/dockets. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For technical information contact: Kenneth Moss, Chemical Control Division (7405M), Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460–0001; telephone number: (202) 564–9232; email address: moss.kenneth@epa.gov. For general information contact: The TSCA-Hotline, ABVI-Goodwill, 422 South Clinton Ave., Rochester, NY 14620; telephone number: (202) 554– 1404; email address: TSCA-Hotline@ epa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. General Information A. Does this action apply to me? You may be potentially affected by this action if you manufacture, process, or use the chemical substances PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 EPA approval date Explanation * contained in this proposed rule. The following list of North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) codes is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather provides a guide to help readers determine whether this document applies to them. Potentially affected entities may include: • Manufacturers (including importers) or processors of one or more subject chemical substances (NAICS codes 325 and 324110), e.g., chemical manufacturing and petroleum refineries. This action may also affect certain entities through pre-existing import certification and export notification rules under TSCA. Chemical importers are subject to the TSCA section 13 (15 U.S.C. 2612) import certification requirements promulgated at 19 CFR 12.118 through 12.127 and 19 CFR 127.28. Chemical importers must certify that the shipment of the chemical substance complies with all applicable rules and orders under TSCA. Importers of chemicals subject to these SNURs must certify their compliance with the SNUR requirements. The EPA policy in support of import certification appears at 40 CFR part 707, subpart B. In addition, any persons who export or intend to export a chemical substance to a proposed or final rule are subject to the export notification provisions of TSCA section 12(b) (15 U.S.C. 2611(b)) (see § 721.20), and must comply with the export notification requirements in 40 CFR part 707, subpart D. B. What should I consider as I prepare my comments for EPA? 1. Submitting CBI. Do not submit this information to EPA through regulations.gov or email. Clearly mark E:\FR\FM\10JNP1.SGM 10JNP1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 111 (Wednesday, June 10, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 32874-32879]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-13943]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 52

[EPA-R07-OAR-2015-0299; FRL-9928-91-Region 7]


Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; 
State of Kansas Regional Haze State Implementation Plan Revision and 
2014 Five-Year Progress Report

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to 
approve the Kansas State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted 
to EPA by the State of Kansas on March 10, 2015, documenting that the 
State's existing plan is making adequate progress to achieve visibility 
goals by 2018. The Kansas SIP revision addressed the Regional Haze Rule 
(RHR) requirements under the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act) to submit a 
report describing progress in achieving reasonable progress goals 
(RPGs) to improve visibility in Federally designated areas in nearby 
states that may be affected by emissions from sources in Kansas. EPA is 
proposing to approve Kansas' determination that the existing RH SIP is 
adequate to meet the visibility goals and requires no substantive 
revision at this time.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before July 10, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-R07-
OAR-2015-0299, by one of the following methods:
    1. www.regulations.gov: Follow the on-line instructions for 
submitting comments.
    2. Email: krabbe.stephen@epa.gov.
    3. Mail or Hand Delivery: Stephen Krabbe, Environmental Protection 
Agency, Air Planning and Development Branch, 11201 Renner Boulevard, 
Lenexa, Kansas 66219.
    Instructions: Direct your comments to Docket ID No. EPA-R07-OAR-
2015-0299. EPA's policy is that all comments received will be included 
in the public docket without change and may be made available online at 
www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided, 
unless the comment includes information claimed to be Confidential 
Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is 
restricted by statute. Do not submit information that you consider to 
be CBI or otherwise protected through www.regulations.gov or email. The 
www.regulations.gov Web site is an ``anonymous access'' system, which 
means EPA will not know your identity or contact information unless you 
provide it in the body of your comment. If you send an email comment 
directly to EPA without going through www.regulations.gov, your email 
address will be automatically captured and included as part of the 
comment that is placed in the public docket and made available on the 
Internet. If you submit an electronic comment, EPA recommends that you 
include your name and other contact information in the body of your 
comment and with any disk or CD-ROM you submit. If EPA cannot read your 
comment due to technical difficulties and cannot contact you for 
clarification, EPA may not be able to consider your comment. Electronic 
files should avoid the use of special characters, any form of 
encryption, and be free of any defects or viruses.
    Docket. All documents in the electronic docket are listed in the 
www.regulations.gov index. Although listed in the index, some 
information is not publicly available, e.g., CBI or other information 
whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Certain other material, such 
as copyrighted material, will be publicly available only in hard copy. 
Publicly available docket materials are available either electronically 
in www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at the Environmental Protection 
Agency, Air Planning and Development Branch, 11201 Renner Boulevard, 
Lenexa, Kansas 66219. EPA requests that you contact the person listed 
in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section to schedule your 
inspection. The interested persons wanting to examine these documents 
should make an appointment with the office at least 24 hours in 
advance.

[[Page 32875]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephen Krabbe, Environmental 
Protection Agency, Air Planning and Development Branch, 11201 Renner 
Boulevard, Lenexa, Kansas 66219 at 913-551-7991, or by email at 
krabbe.stephen@epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Throughout this document ``we,'' ``us,'' or 
``our'' refer to EPA. This section provides additional information by 
addressing the following:

I. What is being addressed in this document?
    A. Background on Regional Haze
    B. Background on Regional Haze Plans
    C. Requirements for Regional Haze Progress Reports
II. Have the requirements for approval of a SIP revision been met?
    A. EPA's Evaluation of Kansas' Progress Report
    1. Status of Control Measures
    2. Emissions Reductions and Progress
    3. Visibility Progress
    4. Emissions Tracking
    5. Assessment of Changes Impeding Visibility Progress
    6. Assessment of Current Strategy
    7. Review of Current Monitoring Strategy
    B. Determination of Adequacy of Existing Regional Haze Plan
    C. Consultation With Federal Land Managers
III. What action is EPA taking?

I. What is being addressed in this document?

    EPA is proposing to approve the Kansas Department of Health and 
Environment's (KDHE) determination that the existing Kansas RH SIP is 
adequate to achive the established Reasonable Progress Goals (RPGs) for 
Class I areas affected by Kansas sources, and therefore requires no 
substantive revision at this time. EPA's proposed approval is based on 
the Kansas State Implementation Plan Revision for the Attainment and 
Maintenance of NAAQS for Regional Haze (2014 Progress Report) 
(``Progress Report or ``Report'') submitted by KDHE to EPA on March 10, 
2015, that addresses 51.308(g) and (h) of the RHR. The Progress Report 
demonstrates that the emission control measures in the existing RH SIP 
are sufficient to enable other states with Class I areas affected by 
emissions from sources in Kansas to meet all established RPGs for 2018. 
We are also proposing to find that Kansas fulfilled the requirements in 
51.308(i)(2), (3), and (4) to provide Federal Land Managers (FLMs) with 
an opportunity to consult on the RH SIP revision, describe how KDHE 
addressed the FLMs' comments, and provide procedures for continuing 
consultation.

A. Background on Regional Haze

    Regional haze is a visibility impairment produced by many sources 
and activities located across a broad geographic area that emit fine 
particulates that impair visibility by scattering and absorbing light, 
thereby reducing the clarity, color, and visible distance that one can 
see. These fine particles also can cause serious health effects and 
mortality in humans and contribute to environmental impacts, such as 
acid deposition and eutrophication of water bodies.
    The RHR uses the deciview as the principle metric for measuring 
visibility and for the RPGs that serve as interim visibility goals 
toward meeting the national visibility goal of reaching natural 
conditions by 2064. A deciview expresses uniform changes in haziness in 
terms of common increments across the entire range of visibility 
conditions, from pristine to extremely hazy conditions. Deciviews are 
determined by using air quality measurements to estimate light 
extinction, and then transforming the value of light extinction using a 
logarithmic function. Deciview is a more useful measure for tracking 
progress in improving visibility than light extinction because each 
deciview change is an equal incremental change in visibility perceived 
by the human eye. Most people can detect a change in visibility at one 
deciview.

B. Background on Regional Haze Plans

    In section 169A(a)(1) of the CAA amendmnets of 1977, Congress 
created a program to protect visibility in designated national parks 
and wilderness areas, establishing as a national goal the ``prevention 
of any future, and the remedying of any existing, impairment of 
visibility in mandatory Class I Federal areas which impairment results 
from manmade air pollution.'' In accordance with section 169A of the 
CAA and after consulting with the Departmnet of Interior, EPA 
promulgated a list of 156 mandatory Class I Federal areas where 
visibility is identified as an important value (44 FR 69122, November 
30, 1979). In this notice, we refer to mandatory Class I Federal areas 
as ``Class I areas.'' Kansas does not have any Class I areas within the 
state.
    With the CAA amendments of 1990, Congress added section 169B to 
address regional haze issues. EPA promulgated a rule to address 
regional haze on July 1, 1999, known as the Regional Haze Rule (64 FR 
35713). The RHR revised the existing visibility regulations in 40 CFR 
51.308 to integrate provisions addressing regional haze impairment and 
to establish a comprehensive visibility protection program for Class I 
areas.
    KDHE submitted its initial RH SIP to EPA on October 26, 2009, in 
accordance with the requirements of 40 CFR 51.308 for the first 
regional haze planning period ending in 2018. EPA approved the Kansas 
RH SIP for the first planning period on December 27, 2011 (76 FR 
80754). The Progress Report from KDHE is the first evaluation of 
whether the existing Kansas RH SIP is sufficient to enable other states 
affected by emissions from sources in Kansas to meet the established 
visibility goals for 2018.

C. Requirements for Regional Haze Progress Reports

    States are required to submit a progress report in the form of a 
SIP revision every five years that evaluates progress towards the RPGs 
for each mandatory Class I Federal area within the state and in each 
mandatory Class I Federal area outside the state which may be affected 
by emissions from within the state. 40 CFR 51.308(g). States are also 
required to submit, at the same time as the progress report, a 
determination of the adequacy of the state's existing regional haze 
SIP. 40 CFR 51.308(h). The first progress report SIP is due five years 
after submittal of the initial regional haze SIP. In summary,\1\ the 
seven elements are: (1) A description of the status of measures in the 
approved regional haze SIP; (2) a summary of emissions reductions 
achieved; (3) an assessment of visibility conditions for each Class I 
area in the state; (4) an analysis of changes in emissions from sources 
and activities within the state; (5) an assessment of any significant 
changes in anthropogenic emissions within or outside the state that 
have limited or impeded progress in Class I areas impacted by the 
state's sources; (6) an assessment of the sufficiency of the approved 
regional haze SIP; and (7) a review of the state's visibility 
monitoring strategy.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ Please refer to 40 CFR 51.308(g) for the exact Rule 
requirements.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Under 40 CFR 51.308(h), states are required to submit, at the same 
time as the progress report SIP, a determination of the adequacy of 
their existing regional haze SIP and to take one of four possible 
actions based on information in the progress report. In summary,\2\ 
these actions are to: (1) Submit a negative declaration to EPA that no 
further substantive revision to the state's existing regional haze SIP 
is needed; (2)

[[Page 32876]]

provide notification to EPA (and other state(s) that participated in 
the regional planning process) if the state determines that its 
existing regional haze SIP is or may be inadequate to ensure reasonable 
progress at one or more Class I areas due to emissions from sources in 
other state(s) that participated in the regional planning process, and 
collaborate with these other state(s) to develop additional strategies 
to address deficiencies; (3) provide notification with supporting 
information to EPA if the state determines that its existing regional 
haze SIP is or may be inadequate to ensure reasonable progress at one 
or more Class I areas due to emissions from sources in another country; 
or (4) revise its regional haze SIP to address deficiencies within one 
year if the state determines that its existing regional haze SIP is or 
may be inadequate to ensure reasonable progress in one or more Class I 
areas due to emissions from sources within the state.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ Please refer to 40 CFR 51.308(h) for the exact Rule 
requirements.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    A state must document that it provided FLMs with an opportunity for 
consultation prior to holding a public hearing on an RH SIP or plan 
revision as required in 40 CFR 51.308(i)(2). In addition, a state must 
include a description of how it addressed any comments from the FLMs, 
and provide procedures for continuing consultation with the FLMs as 
required in 40 CFR 51.208(i)(3) and (4).

II. Have the requirements for approval of a SIP revision been met?

    The state submission has met the public notice requirements for SIP 
submissions in accordance with 40 CFR 51.102. The submission also 
satisfied the completeness criteria of 40 CFR part 51, appendix V. In 
addition, as explained above, the revision meets the substantive SIP 
requirements of the CAA, including section 110 and implementing 
regulations.

A. EPA's Evaluation of Kansas' Progress Report

    This section describes Kansas' Progress Report and EPA's evaluation 
of the Report in relation to the seven elements listed in 40 CFR 
51.308(g) and the determination of adequacy in 40 CFR 51.308(h). We 
also review the requirement in 40 CFR 51.308(i)(2) for state and FLM 
coordination on a plan revision.
1. Status of Control Measures
    40 CFR 51.308(g)(1) requires a description of the status of 
implementation of all measures included in the regional haze SIP for 
achieving RPGs for Class I areas both within and outside the state. 
Kansas evaluated the status of all measures included in its 2009 
regional haze SIP in accordance with 40 CFR 51.308(g)(1). In its 
Progress Report, Kansas summarizes the long-term strategy for emissions 
reductions of all air pollutants that may affect visibility. The state 
notes that Nitrogen Oxides (NOX) and Sulfur Dioxide 
(SO2) are the most important pollutants in reducing 
visibility and includes details of the strategies implemented to reduce 
those pollutants. The measures include both state and Federal programs. 
The state programs include unit-specific emissions limits for the five 
electric generating units that are subject to BART and were included in 
agreements between KDHE and the owners of the EGU's, which were later 
modified by an enforcement settlement between EPA and Westar Energy. 
The measures also include applicable Federal programs (e.g., Maximum 
Achievable Control Technology (MACT) standards, the 2007 Heavy-Duty 
Highway Rule, Tier 2 Vehicle and Gasoline Sulfur Program, and the Clean 
Air Nonroad Diesel Rule). The state documents the implementation status 
of measures from its regional haze SIP as well as describes significant 
measures resulting from EPA regulations other than the regional haze 
program as they pertain to the state's sources. Kansas describes the 
implementation status of measures from its regional haze SIP, including 
the status of control measures to meet BART and reasonable progress 
requirements, as well as the status of significant measures resulting 
from EPA regulations.
    EPA proposes to find that Kansas' analysis adequately addresses 40 
CFR 51.308(g)(1) for reasons discussed above.
2. Emissions Reductions and Progess
    40 CFR 51.308(g)(2) requires a summary of the emissions reductions 
achieved in the state through the measures subject to 40 CFR 
51.308(g)(1). In its regional haze SIP and Progress Report, Kansas 
focuses its assessment on NOX and SO2 emissions 
from stationary sources because the state determined that these sources 
accounted for the majority of the visibility-impairing pollution from 
Kansas. SO2 emissions from subject-to-BART facilities 
decreased in Kansas from 80,828 tons in 2003 to 17,026 tons in 2012, a 
79 percent decrease. Also, NOX emissions decreased from 
60,936 tons in 2002 to 16,434 tons in 2012, a 73 percent decrease. 
Kansas noted that reasonable progress units declined 60 percent for 
NOX and 77 percent for SO2 from 2002 to 2012. 
Much of these reductions were not mandated by the Regional Haze SIP, 
but by the 2010 Westar Energy settlement \3\ and closure of the Lafarge 
Midwest-Fredonia Portland cement kilns.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ U.S. v. Westar Energy, Inc. 09-CV-2059 (D. Kan.)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    EPA proposes to conclude that Kansas has adequately addressed 40 
CFR 51.308(g)(2). The state provides actual emissions reductions of 
NOX and SO2 from EGUs and other large 
NOX and SO2 sources in Kansas that have occurred 
since Kansas submitted its regional haze SIP. The state also provides 
estimates of emissions of NOX and SO2 for 2018. 
Kansas appropriately focused on NOX and SO2 
emissions from its EGUs and other stationary sources in its progress 
report SIP because it previously identified these emissions as the most 
significant contributors to visibility impairment at those Class I 
areas that Kansas sources impact.
    Given the large NOX and SO2 reductions at 
subject-to-BART EGUs and other sources that have actually occurred, 
further analysis of emissions from other sources or other pollutants 
was ultimately unnecessary in this first implementation period. Because 
no additional controls were found to be necessary for reasonable 
progress for the first implementation period for evaluated sources in 
Kansas, EPA proposes to find that no further discussion of emissions 
reductions from controls was necessary in the Progress Report.
3. Visibility Progress
    40 CFR 51.308(g)(3) requires that states with Class I areas provide 
the following information for the most impaired and least impaired days 
for each area, with values expressed in terms of five-year averages of 
these annual values: current visibility conditions; the difference 
between current visibility conditions and baseline visibility 
conditions; and the change in visibility impairment over the past five 
years.
    Kansas does not have any Class I areas within its boundaries, and 
as this section pertains only to states containing Class I areas, 
therefore, no further discussion is necessary. However, Kansas noted in 
its Progress Report that it is beneficial to have a record of 
visibility conditions at the Class I areas that are most affected by 
Kansas sources. The state analyzed four Class I areas, with a focus on 
the Wichita Mountains Wilderness area (the nearest Class I area to 
Kansas and most impacted by Kansas sources). The state compared the 
slope of the glide path of

[[Page 32877]]

natural visibility conditions in 2064 to the slope of the best-fit line 
of five-year visibility averages from 2002 to 2011 (in deciviews) for 
the 20 percent worst days and 20 percent best days. The analysis showed 
that visibility at all four Class I areas was improving at a rate 
faster than the glide path for the 20 percent worst days. Only the 
Wichita Mountains Wilderness area was not improving faster than the 
glidepath for the 20 percent best days, although visibility was still 
improving in the area.
    EPA proposes to conclude that Kansas has adequately addressed 40 
CFR 51.308(g)(3).
4. Emissions Tracking
    40 CFR 51.308(g)(4) requires an analysis tracking emissions changes 
of visibility-impairing pollutants from the state's sources by type or 
category over the past five years based on the most recent updated 
emissions inventory. In its Progress Report, Kansas presents data from 
a statewide emissions inventory developed for the year 2002 and 
compares this data to the National Emissions Inventory (NEI) 2011 
version 1 (dated September 30, 2013), or simply the 2011 NEIv1. For 
both the 2002 dataset and the 2011 NEIv1 data, pollutants inventoried 
include NOX, Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5), 
Coarse Particulate Matter (PM10), Ammonia (NH3), 
and SO2. The emissions inventories from both the 2002 
dataset and the 2011 NEIv1 include all point, nonpoint, onroad, and 
nonroad sources. The state interpolated values for 2009 through 2013 
based on emissions inventory data. This shows that emissions of the key 
visibility-impairing pollutants identified by Kansas, NOX 
and SO2, continued to drop from 2009 to 2013 (decreasing 
32,227 and 64,359 tons, respectively). Kansas noted that emissions of 
NOX and SO2, the primary contributors to 
visibility impairment from anthropogenic sources, are down 
significantly (10 percent for NOX and 59.6 percent for 
SO2). However, the state noted that NH3 and 
particulate matter (PM) emissions were reported up from the 2002 to 
2011 inventories and need to be addressed. The state cited changes in 
the way that these pollutants were reported for each inventory as the 
reason for most of the reported increases in NH3 and PM. 
Accounting for the differing reporting methods shows that 
PM2.5 and PM10 emissions from fires is slightly 
up by 2011, however, this pollutant source is highly variable.
    While ideally the five-year period to be analyzed for emissions 
inventory changes is the time period since the current regional haze 
SIP was submitted, there is an inevitable time lag in developing and 
reporting complete emissions inventories once equality-assured 
emissions data becomes available. Therefore, EPA believes that there is 
some flexibility in the five-year time period that states can select. 
Kansas tracked changes in emissions of visibility-impairing pollutants 
using the 2011 NEIv1, which was the most recent updated inventory of 
actual emissions for the state at the time that it developed the 
progress report SIP. EPA believes that Kansas's use of the five-year 
period from 2009 to 2013 reflects an accurate picture of the actual 
emissions realized between 2002-2013, and as in many cases, Kansas had 
already reached or surpassed their 2018 goals by 2013. EPA proposes to 
conclude that Kansas has adequately addressed 40 CFR 51.308(g)(4).
5. Assessment of Changes Impeding Visbility Progress
    40 CFR 51.308(g)(5) requires an assessment of any significant 
changes in anthropogenic emissions within or outside the state that 
have occurred over the past five years that have limited or impeded 
progress in reducing pollutant emissions and improving visibility in 
Class I areas impacted by the state's sources.
    In its Progress Report, Kansas addresses the changes in 
anthropogenic emissions between 2009 and 2013 throughout the Midwest, 
especially due to sources installing controls to comply with present 
and near-future air quality standards (the Mercury and Air Toxics 
Standards Rule and the Clean Air Interstate Rule). Kansas noted that 
there have been significant reductions among anthropogenic emissions 
source categories, especially EGU's, with decreases in SO2 
of 17.5 percent and NOX of 30.9 percent in Kansas and 
bordering states combined.
    Kansas demonstrated that there are no significant changes in 
anthropogenic emissions that have impeded progress in reducing 
emissions and improving visibility in Class I areas impacted by Kansas 
and bordering state sources. The state referenced its analyses in the 
progress report SIP identifying an overall downward trend in these 
emissions from 2009 to 2013 in Kansas. Further, the progress report SIP 
shows that Kansas is on track to meeting its 2018 emissions 
projections.
    EPA proposes to find that Kansas has adequately addressed 40 CFR 
51.308(g)(5).
6. Assessment of Current Strategy
    40 CFR 51.308(g)(6) requires an assessment of whether the current 
regional haze SIP is sufficient to enable Kansas, or other states, to 
meet the RPGs for Class I areas affected by emissions from the state. 
In its Progress Report, Kansas states that it believes that the 
elements and strategies outlined in its original regional haze SIP are 
sufficient to enable Kansas and other neighboring states to meet all of 
the established RPGs and no further revision to the initial Kansas 
Regional Haze SIP is needed at this time. To support this conclusion, 
Kansas notes that anthropogenic emissions of NOX has dropped 
10 percent and SO2 has dropped 59.6 percent.
    EPA views this requirement as a qualitative assessment that should 
evaluate emissions and visibility trends and other readily available 
information, including expected emissions reductions associated with 
measures with compliance dates that have not yet become effective. 
Kansas referenced the improving visibility trends at affected Class I 
areas and the downward emissions trends in the state, with a focus on 
NOX and SO2 emissions from Kansas' EGUs that 
support Kansas' determination that its regional haze SIP is sufficient 
to meet RPGs for Class I areas outside the state impacted by Kansas 
sources. EPA believes that Kansas' conclusion regarding the sufficiency 
of the regional haze SIP is appropriate because of the calculated 
visibility improvement using the latest available data and the downward 
trend in NOX and SO2 emissions from sources in 
Kansas. EPA proposes to conclude that Kansas has adequately addressed 
40 CFR 51.308(g)(6).
7. Review of Current Monitoring Strategy
    40 CFR 51.308(g)(7) requires a review of the state's visibility 
monitoring strategy and an assessment of whether any modifications to 
the monitoring strategy are necessary. In its progress report SIP, 
Kansas summarizes the existing IMPROVE monitoring network and its 
intended continued reliance on IMPROVE for visibility planning. Kansas 
operates two IMPROVE Protocol sampling sites, one at Cedar Bluff State 
Park in Trego County and the other at Tallgrass Prairie National 
Preserve in the Flint Hills region of eastern Kansas. Kansas has 
updated its monitoring plan annually and will consider the need to 
operate two IMPROVE sites with increasingly constrained finances.
    EPA proposes to conclude that Kansas has adequately addressed the 
sufficiency of its monitoring strategy as required by 40 CFR 
51.308(g)(7).

[[Page 32878]]

B. Determination of Adequacy of Existing Regional Haze Plan

    Under 40 CFR 51.308(h), states are required to take one of four 
possible actions based on the information gathered and conclusions made 
in the progress report SIP. The following section summarizes: (1) The 
action taken by Kansas under 40 CFR 51.308(h); (2) Kansas's rationale 
for the selected action; and (3) EPA's analysis and proposed 
determination regarding the state's action.
    In its Progress Report, Kansas took the action provided for by 40 
CFR 51.308(h)(1), which allows a state to submit a negative declaration 
to EPA if the state determines that the existing regional haze SIP 
requires no further substantive revision at this time to achieve the 
RPGs for Class I areas affected by the state's sources. The basis for 
Kansas' negative declaration is the findings from the progress report 
(as discussed in section II. A. of this action), including the findings 
that: NOX and SO2 emissions from Kansas's sources 
have decreased beyond original projections; and the NOX and 
SO2 emissions from EGUs in Kansas are already below the 
levels projected for 2018 in the regional haze SIP and are expected to 
continue to trend downward for the next five years.
    Based on these findings, EPA proposes to agree with Kansas' 
conclusion under 40 CFR 51.308(h) that no further substantive changes 
to its regional haze SIP are required at this time.

C. Consultation With Federal Land Managers

    On November 25, 2014, KDHE provided to the FLMs, a revision to 
Kansas' SIP reporting on progress made during the first implementation 
period toward RPGs for Class I areas in the state and Class I areas 
outside the state that are affected by emissions from Kansas's sources. 
Notification was published in the Kansas Register, regional newspapers, 
and the KDHE Web site on October 23, 2014. A public hearing was not 
held because KDHE received no requests for a public hearing and the 
public comment period ended on November 21, 2014. On March 10, 2015, 
KDHE submitted the SIP to EPA.
    Kansas' Progress Report includes the FLMs comments and KDHE's 
response to those comments in Appendix I to the Progress Report. In the 
section 3.8 Federal Land Manager (FLM) Coordination, KDHE commits to 
continuing policy discussions with the FLMs.
    EPA proposes to find that KDHE has addressed the requirements in 
51.308(i)(2), (3), and (4) to provide FLMs with an opportunity for 
consultation in person and at least 60 days prior to a public hearing 
on the SIP revision; include a description in the SIP revision of how 
it addressed any comments from the FLMs; and provide procedures for 
continuing consultation between the State and FLMs.

III. What action is EPA taking?

    EPA is proposing approval of a revision to the Kansas SIP, 
submitted by the State of Kansas on March 10, 2015, as meeting the 
applicable regional haze requirements as set forth in 40 CFR 51.308(g) 
and 51.308(h). We are processing this as a proposed action because we 
are soliciting comments on this proposed action. Final rulemaking will 
occur after consideration of any comments.

Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

    Under the CAA, the Administrator is required to approve a SIP 
submission that complies with the provisions of the Act and applicable 
Federal regulations. 42 U.S.C. 7410(k); 40 CFR 52.02(a). Thus, in 
reviewing SIP submissions, EPA's role is to approve state choices, 
provided that they meet the criteria of the CAA. Accordingly, this 
action merely approves state law as meeting Federal requirements and 
does not impose additional requirements beyond those imposed by state 
law. For that reason, this action:
     Is not a significant regulatory action subject to review 
by the Office of Management and Budget under Executive Orders 12866 (58 
FR 51735, October 4, 1993) 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 under the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.);
     does not contain any unfunded mandate or significantly or 
uniquely affect small governments, as described in the Unfunded 
Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-4);
     does not have Federalism implications as specified in 
Executive Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10, 1999);
     is not an economically significant regulatory action based 
on health or safety risks subject to Executive Order 13045 (62 FR 
19885, April 23, 1997);
     is not a significant regulatory action subject to 
Executive Order 13211 (66 FR 28355, May 22, 2001);
     is not subject to requirements of Section 12(d) of the 
National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272 
note) because application of those requirements would be inconsistent 
with the Clean Air Act; and
     does not provide EPA with the discretionary authority to 
address, as appropriate, disproportionate human health or environmental 
effects, using practicable and legally permissible methods, under 
Executive Order 12898 (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994).
    The SIP is not approved to apply on any Indian reservation land or 
in any other area where EPA or an Indian tribe has demonstrated that a 
tribe has jurisdiction. In those areas of Indian country, the rule does 
not have tribal implications and will not impose substantial direct 
costs on tribal governments or preempt tribal law as specified by 
Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, November 9, 2000).
    The Congressional Review Act, 5 U.S.C. 801 et seq., as added by the 
Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, generally 
provides that before a rule may take effect, the agency promulgating 
the rule must submit a rule report, which includes a copy of the rule, 
to each House of the Congress and to the Comptroller General of the 
United States. EPA will submit a report containing this proposed action 
and other required information to the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of 
Representatives, and the Comptroller General of the United States prior 
to publication of the rule in the Federal Register. A major rule cannot 
take effect until 60 days after it is published in the Federal 
Register. This proposed action is not a ``major rule'' as defined by 5 
U.S.C. 804(2).
    Under section 307(b)(1) of the CAA, petitions for judicial review 
of this action must be filed in the United States Court of Appeals for 
the appropriate circuit by August 10, 2015. Filing a petition for 
reconsideration by the Administrator of this proposed rule does not 
affect the finality of this rulemaking for the purposes of judicial 
review nor does it extend the time within which a petition for judicial 
review may be filed, and shall not postpone the effectiveness of such 
future rule or action. This proposed action may not be challenged later 
in proceedings to enforce its requirements. (See section 307(b)(2).)

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52

    Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Carbon monoxide, 
Incorporation by reference, Intergovernmental relations, Lead,

[[Page 32879]]

Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone, Particulate matter, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements, Sulfur oxides, Volatile organic compounds.

    Dated: May 28, 2015.
Mark Hague,
Acting Regional Administrator, Region 7.

    For the reasons stated in the preamble, EPA proposes to amend 40 
CFR part 52 as set forth below:

    Chapter I, title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations is amended 
as follows:

PART 52--APPROVAL AND PROMULGATION OF IMPLEMENTATION PLANS

0
1. The authority citation for part 52 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et. seq.

Subpart R--KANSAS

0
2. In Sec.  52.870 the table in paragraph (e) is amended by adding new 
entry (40) at the end of the table to read as follows:


Sec.  52.870  Identification of plan.

* * * * *
    (e) * * *

                                  EPA-Approved Kansas Nonregulatory Provisions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     Applicable
   Name of nonregulatory SIP       geographic or       State
           provision               Nonattainment     submittal   EPA approval date           Explanation
                                        area            date
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
(40) State Implementation Plan   Statewide........      3/10/15  6/10/15 [Insert    ............................
 (SIP) Revision for the                                           Federal Register
 Attainment and Maintenance of                                    citation].
 National Ambient Air Quality
 Standards for Regional Haze
 (2014 Five-Year Progress
 Report)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[FR Doc. 2015-13943 Filed 6-9-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
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