Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; New Mexico; Infrastructure for the 2010 Sulfur Dioxide National Ambient Air Quality Standards, 36956-36960 [2015-15911]

Download as PDF 36956 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 124 / Monday, June 29, 2015 / Proposed Rules Charleston by telephone at (843) 740– 7050, or a designated representative via VHF radio on channel 16, to request authorization. If authorization to enter, transit through, anchor in, or remain within the safety zone is granted by the Captain of the Port Charleston or a designated representative, all persons and vessels receiving such authorization must comply with the instructions of the Captain of the Port Charleston or designated representative. (2) The Coast Guard will provide notice of the regulated area by Marine Safety Information Bulletins, Local Notice to Mariners, Broadcast Notice to Mariners, and on-scene designated representatives. (e) Enforcement Dates. This rule will be enforced daily during the effective dates: From 4:00 p.m. through 6:45 p.m. on September 11, 9:00 a.m. through 7:30 p.m. on September 12, and 10:00 a.m. through 5:45 p.m. on September 13, 2015. Dated: June 17, 2015. G.L. Tomasulo, Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Charleston. [FR Doc. 2015–15934 Filed 6–26–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 9110–04–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 40 CFR Part 52 [EPA–R06–OAR–2014–0205; FRL–9929–68– Region 6] Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; New Mexico; Infrastructure for the 2010 Sulfur Dioxide National Ambient Air Quality Standards Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Proposed rule. AGENCY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve elements of a State Implementation Plan (SIP) submission from the State of New Mexico for the Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The submittal addresses how the existing SIP provides for implementation, maintenance, and enforcement of the 2010 SO2 NAAQS (infrastructure SIP or i-SIP). This i-SIP ensures that the State’s SIP is adequate to meet the state’s responsibilities under the Federal Clean Air Act (CAA). DATES: Written comments must be received on or before July 29, 2015. ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID Number EPA– Lhorne on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 13:38 Jun 26, 2015 Jkt 235001 R06–OAR–2014–0205, by one of the following methods: • www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions. • Email: Sherry Fuerst at fuerst.sherry@epa.gov. • Mail or delivery: Guy Donaldson, Chief, Air Planning Section (6PD–L), Environmental Protection Agency, 1445 Ross Avenue, Suite 1200, Dallas, Texas 75202–2733. Deliveries are accepted only between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays, and not on legal holidays. Special arrangements should be made for deliveries of boxed information. Instructions: Direct your comments to Docket ID No. EPA–R06–OAR–2014– 0205. 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. For additional information about EPA’s public docket visit the EPA Docket Center homepage at https:// www.epa.gov/epahome/dockets.htm. Docket: The index to the docket for this action is available electronically at www.regulations.gov and in hard copy at EPA Region 6, 1445 Ross Avenue, Suite 700, Dallas, Texas. While all documents in the docket are listed in the index, some information may be publicly available only at the hard copy location (e.g., copyrighted material), and PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 some may not be publicly available at either location (e.g., CBI). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sherry Fuerst, telephone 214–665–6454, fuerst.sherry@epa.gov. To inspect the hard copy materials, please schedule an appointment with her or Bill Deese at 214–665–7253. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Throughout this document wherever ‘‘we,’’ ‘‘us,’’ or ‘‘our’’ is used, we mean the EPA. I. Background On June 22, 2010, EPA revised the primary SO2 NAAQS (hereafter the 2010 SO2 NAAQS) to establish a new 1-hour standard, with a level of 75 parts per billion, based on the 3-year average of the annual 99th percentile of 1-hour daily maximum concentrations (75 FR 35520). Each state must submit an i-SIP within three years after the promulgation of a new or revised NAAQS. Section 110(a)(2) of the CAA includes a list of specific elements the i-SIP must meet. EPA issued guidance addressing the i-SIP elements for NAAQS.1 The Secretary of the New Mexico Environmental Department (NMED) submitted an i-SIP revision to address this revised NAAQS. EPA is proposing to approve the New Mexico i-SIP submittal for the 2010 SO2 NAAQS.2 II. EPA’s Evaluation of New Mexico’s i-SIP Submittal Below is a summary of EPA’s evaluation of the New Mexico i-SIP for each applicable element of 110(a)(2) A–M.3 New Mexico provided a demonstration of how the existing New Mexico SIP met all the requirements of the 2010 SO2 NAAQS on February 14, 2014. This SIP submission became complete by operation of law on August 14, 2014. See CAA section 110(k)(1)(B). 1 ‘‘Guidance on Infrastructure State Implementation Plan (SIP) Elements under Clean Air Act Sections 110(a)(1) and 110(a)(2),’’ Memorandum from Stephen D. Page, September 13, 2013. 2 Additional information on: The history of SO , 2 its levels, forms and, determination of compliance; EPA’s approach for reviewing i-SIPs; the details of the SIP submittal and EPA’s evaluation; the effect of recent court decisions on i-SIPs; the statute and regulatory citations in the New Mexico SIP specific to this review; the specific i-SIP applicable CAA and EPA regulatory citations; Federal Register Notice citations for New Mexico SIP approvals; New Mexico’s minor New Source Review program and EPA approval activities; and, New Mexico’s Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) program can be found in the Technical Support Document (TSD). 3 A detailed discussion of our evaluation can be found in the TSD for this action. The TSD can be accessed through www.regulations.gov (e-docket EPA–R06–OAR–2014–0205). E:\FR\FM\29JNP1.SGM 29JNP1 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 124 / Monday, June 29, 2015 / Proposed Rules Lhorne on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS (A) Emission limits and other control measures: The SIP must include enforceable emission limits and other control measures, means or techniques, schedules for compliance and other related matters as needed to implement, maintain and enforce each of the NAAQS.4 New Mexico’s Environmental Improvement Act (EIA) and Air Quality Control Act (AQCA) provide the Secretary, the NMED and the New Mexico Environmental Improvement Board (EIB) with broad legal authority. They can adopt emission standards and compliance schedules applicable to regulated entities; emission standards and limitations and any other measures necessary for attainment and maintenance of national standards; and, enforce applicable laws, regulations, standards and compliance schedules, and seek injunctive relief. This authority has been employed to adopt and submit multiple revisions to the New Mexico State Implementation Plan. The approved SIP for New Mexico is documented at 40 CFR part 52.1620, subpart GG.5 (B) Ambient air quality monitoring/ data system: The SIP must provide for establishment and implementation of ambient air quality monitors, collection and analysis of monitoring data, and providing the data to EPA upon request. The AQCA provides the authority allowing EIB and NMED to collect air monitoring data, quality-assure the results, and report the data. New Mexico maintains and operates a SO2 network to measure ambient levels. All monitoring data is measured using EPA approved methods and subject to the EPA quality assurance requirements. NMED submits all required data to EPA, following the EPA rules. The statewide network was approved into the SIP and it undergoes recurrent annual review by EPA.6 In addition, NMED conducts a recurrent assessment of its monitoring network every five years, which includes an evaluation of the need to 4 The specific nonattainment area plan requirements of section 110(a)(2)(I) are subject to the timing requirements of section 172, not the timing requirement of section 110(a)(1). Thus, section 110(a)(2)(A) does not require that states submit regulations or emissions limits specifically for attaining the 2010 SO2 NAAQS. Those SIP provisions are due as part of each state’s attainment plan, and will be addressed separately from the requirements of section 110(a)(2)(A). In the context of an infrastructure SIP, EPA is not evaluating the existing SIP provisions for this purpose. Instead, EPA is only evaluating whether the state’s SIP has basic structural provisions for the implementation of the NAAQS. 5 https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/40/ 52.1620. 6 A copy of the 2014 Annual Air Monitoring Network Plan and EPA’s approval letter are included in the docket for this proposed rulemaking. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:06 Jun 26, 2015 Jkt 235001 conduct ambient monitoring for SO2, as required by EPA rules. The most recent of these 5-year monitoring network assessments was conducted by NMED and approved by EPA.7 The NMED Web site provides the monitor locations and posts past and current concentrations of criteria pollutants measured in the State’s network of monitors.8 (C) Program for enforcement: The SIP must include the following three elements: (1) A program providing for enforcement of the measure in paragraph A above; (2) a program for the regulation of the modification and construction of stationary sources as necessary to protect the applicable NAAQS (i.e., state-wide permitting of minor sources); and (3) a permit program to meet the major source permitting requirements of the CAA (for areas designated as attainment or unclassifiable for the NAAQS in question).9 (1) Enforcement of SIP Measures. As noted in (A), the state statutes provide authority for the Secretary, EIB and the NMED to enforce the requirements of the AQCA, and any regulations, permits, or final compliance orders. Its statutes also provide the Secretary, the NMED and the EIB with general enforcement powers. Among other things, they can file lawsuits to compel compliance with the statutes and regulations; commence civil actions; issue field citations; conduct investigations of regulated entities; collect criminal and civil penalties; develop and enforce rules and standards related to protection of air quality; issue compliance orders; pursue criminal prosecutions; investigate, enter into remediation agreements; and issue emergency cease and desist orders. The AQAC also provides additional enforcement authorities and funding mechanisms. (2) Minor New Source Review (NSR). The SIP is required to include measures to regulate construction and modification of stationary sources to protect the NAAQS. New Mexico’s minor NSR permitting requirements are approved as part of the SIP.10 7 A copy of the 2010 5-year ambient monitoring network assessment and EPA’s approval letter are included in the docket for this proposed rulemaking. 8 See https://air.nmenv.state.nm.us. 9 As discussed in further detail in the TSD. 10 EPA is not proposing to approve or disapprove New Mexico’s existing minor NSR program to the extent that it may be inconsistent with EPA’s regulations governing this program. EPA has maintained that the CAA does not require that new infrastructure SIP submissions correct any defects in existing EPA-approved provisions of minor NSR programs in order for EPA to approve the infrastructure SIP for element C (e.g., 76 FR 41076– 41079, July 13, 2011). EPA believes that a number PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 36957 (3) Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) permit program. New Mexico’s PSD portion of the SIP covers all NSR regulated pollutants as well as the requirements for the 2010 SO2 NAAQS and has been approved by EPA.11 (D) Interstate and international transport: There are four requirements the SIP must include relating to interstate transport. These four requirements are referred to as prongs 1 through 4. Prongs 1 and 2 require adequate provisions prohibiting any source or other type of emissions activity in one state from contributing significantly to nonattainment, or interfering with maintenance, of any NAAQS in another state. Prong 3 and 4 prohibit interfering with measures required of any other state to prevent significant deterioration of air quality or to protect visibility. In addition, States must comply with requirements to prevent transport of international air pollution. New Mexico did not address Prongs 1 and 2 in this submission. EPA intends to develop guidance and additional information for the states to address these requirements. We expect that New Mexico will make a SIP submittal for prongs 1 and 2 at a later time. The necessary provisions for prong 3 are contained in the PSD portion of the SIP. The prong 4 requirement was met by our approval of the regional haze and visibility component of the SIP. New Mexico’s SIP includes provisions that satisfy the CAA interstate pollution abatement requirements prongs 3 and 4. There are no final findings by EPA that New Mexico air emissions affect other countries. Therefore, New Mexico has no international obligations. If EPA makes such a finding, NMED will consult with EPA. (E) Adequate authority, resources, implementation, and oversight: The SIP must provide for the following: (1) Necessary assurances that the state (and other entities within the state responsible for implementing the SIP) will have adequate personnel, funding, and authority under state or local law to implement the SIP, and that there are no legal impediments to such implementation; (2) requirements relating to state boards; and (3) necessary assurances that the state has responsibility for ensuring adequate implementation of any plan provision for which it relies on local governments of states may have minor NSR provisions that are contrary to the existing EPA regulations for this program. The statutory requirements of section 110(a)(2)(C) provide for considerable flexibility in designing minor NSR programs. 11 As discussed further in the TSD. E:\FR\FM\29JNP1.SGM 29JNP1 Lhorne on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS 36958 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 124 / Monday, June 29, 2015 / Proposed Rules or other entities to carry out that portion of the plan. Both elements A and E address the requirement that there is adequate authority to implement and enforce the SIP and that there are no legal impediments. This i-SIP submission for the 2010 SO2 NAAQS describes the SIP regulations governing the various functions of personnel within the EIB and NMED, including the administrative, technical support, planning, enforcement, and permitting functions of the program. With respect to funding, the AQCA requires NMED to establish an emissions fee schedule for sources in order to fund the reasonable costs of administering various air pollution control programs and authorizes NMED to collect additional fees necessary to cover reasonable costs associated with processing of air permit applications. EPA conducts periodic program reviews to ensure that the state has adequate resources and funding to among other things implement and enforce the SIP. As required by the CAA, the EIA and the SIP stipulate that any board or body, which approves permits or enforcement orders, must have at least a majority of members who represent the public interest and do not derive any ‘‘significant portion’’ of their income from persons subject to permits and enforcement orders or who appear before the board on issues related to the CAA or AQCA. The members of the board or body, or the head of an agency with similar powers, are required to adequately disclose any potential conflicts of interest. With respect to assurances that the State has responsibility to implement the SIP adequately when it authorizes local or other agencies to carry out portions of the plan, the EIA and the AQCA designate the NMED as the primary air pollution control agency. The statutes allow for local agencies to carry out some or all of the Act’s responsibilities. There is one local air quality control agency, the Albuquerque/Bernalillo County Air Quality Control Board, which assumes jurisdiction for local administration and enforcement of the AQCA in Bernalillo County. There are Albuquerque/Bernalillo County SIP provisions which are part of the New Mexico SIP.12 (F) Stationary source monitoring system: The SIP requires the 12 Albuquerque/Bernalillo County SIP https:// yosemite.epa.gov/r6/Sip0304.nsf/home!Open View&Start=1&Count=30&Collapse=4.4#4.4 or https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/40/52.1620. VerDate Sep<11>2014 13:38 Jun 26, 2015 Jkt 235001 establishment of a system to monitor emissions from stationary sources and to submit periodic emission reports. It must require the installation, maintenance, and replacement of equipment, and the implementation of other necessary steps, by owners or operators of stationary sources, to monitor emissions from sources. The SIP shall also require periodic reports on the nature and amounts of emissions and emissions-related data from sources, and require that the state correlate the source reports with emission limitations or standards established under the CAA. These reports must be made available for public inspection at reasonable times. The AQCA authorizes the NMED to require persons engaged in operations which result in air pollution to monitor or test emissions and to file reports containing information relating to the nature and amount of emissions. There also are SIP state regulations pertaining to sampling and testing and requirements for reporting of emissions inventories. In addition, SIP rules establish general requirements for maintaining records and reporting emissions. The NMED uses this information, in addition to information obtained from other sources, to track progress towards maintaining the NAAQS, developing control and maintenance strategies, identifying sources and general emission levels, and determining compliance with SIP regulations and additional EPA requirements. The SIP requires this information be made available to the public. Provisions concerning the handling of confidential data and proprietary business information are included in the SIP’s regulations. These rules specifically exclude from confidential treatment any records concerning the nature and amount of emissions reported by sources. (G) Emergency authority: The SIP must provide for authority to address activities causing imminent and substantial endangerment to public health or welfare or the environment and to include contingency plans to implement such authorities as necessary. The AQCA provides NMED with authority to address environmental emergencies, and NMED has contingency plans to implement emergency episode provisions. Upon a finding that any owner/ operator is unreasonably affecting the public health, safety or welfare, or the health of animal or plant life, or property, AQCA authorizes NMED to, after a reasonable attempt to give notice, PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 declare a state of emergency and issue without hearing an emergency special order directing the owner/operator to cease such pollution immediately. The New Mexico ‘‘Air Pollution Episode Contingency Plan for New Mexico,’’ is part of the SIP. However, because of the low levels of SO2 emissions monitored statewide, New Mexico is not required to have contingency plans for this revised NAAQS. However, to provide additional protection, the State has general emergency powers to address any possible dangerous SO2 episode if necessary to protect the environment and public health. (H) Future SIP revisions: States must have the authority to revise their SIPs in response to changes in the NAAQS, availability of improved methods for attaining the NAAQS, or in response to an EPA finding that the SIP is substantially inadequate to attain the NAAQS. The AQCA requires the NMED to revise its SIP, as necessary, to account for revisions of the NAAQS, new NAAQS, to attain and maintain the NAAQS, to abate air pollution, to adopt more effective methods of attaining the NAAQS, and to respond to EPA SIP calls. (I) Nonattainment areas: New Mexico presently does not have any nonattainment areas for SO2 and EPA believes that nonattainment area requirements should be treated separately from the i-SIP requirements.13 If necessary, EPA will take action through a separate rulemaking process on the nonattainment area requirements. (J) Consultation with government officials, public notification, PSD and visibility protection: The SIP must meet the following three requirements: (1) Relating to interagency consultation regarding certain CAA requirements; (2) relating to public notification of NAAQS exceedances and related issues; and, (3) prevention of significant deterioration of air quality and visibility protection. (1) Interagency consultation: As required by the AQCA, there must be a public hearing before the adoption of any regulations or emission control requirements and all interested persons are given a reasonable opportunity to submit data, view, or arguments orally or in writing and to examine witnesses testifying at the hearing. In addition, the AQAC provides the NMED the power and duty to ‘‘advise, consult, contract 13 This infrastructure SIP rulemaking will not address the New Mexico program for provisions related to nonattainment areas, since EPA considers evaluation of these provisions to be outside the scope of infrastructure SIP actions. E:\FR\FM\29JNP1.SGM 29JNP1 Lhorne on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 124 / Monday, June 29, 2015 / Proposed Rules with and cooperate with local authorities, other states, the federal government and other interested persons or groups in regard to matters of common interest in the field of air quality control . . .’’. Furthermore, New Mexico’s PSD SIP rules mandate that the NMED shall provide for public participation and notification regarding permitting applications to any other state or local air pollution control agencies, local government officials of the city or county where the source will be located, tribal authorities, and Federal Land Managers (FLMs) whose lands may be affected by emissions from the source or modification. Additionally, the State’s PSD SIP rules require the NMED to consult with FLMs regarding permit applications for sources with the potential to impact Class I Federal Areas. The SIP also includes a commitment to consult continually with the FLMs on the review and implementation of the visibility program, and the State recognizes the expertise of the FLMs in monitoring and new source review applicability analyses for visibility and has agreed to notify the FLMs of any advance notification or early consultation with a major new or modifying source prior to the submission of the permit application. The State’s Transportation Conformity SIP rules provide procedures for interagency consultation, resolution of conflicts, and public notification. (2) Public Notification: The i-SIP provides the SIP regulatory citations requiring the NMED to regularly notify the public of instances or areas in which any NAAQS are exceeded. Included in the SIP are the rules for NMED to advise the public of the health hazard associated with such exceedances; and enhance public awareness of measures that can prevent such exceedances and of ways in which the public can participate in the regulatory and other efforts to improve air quality. In addition, as discussed for infrastructure element B above, the NMED air monitoring Web site provides live air quality data for each of the monitoring stations in New Mexico.8 The Web site also provides information on the health effects of ozone, particulate matter, and other criteria pollutants. (3) PSD and Visibility Protection: The PSD requirements here are the same as those addressed under (C). The New Mexico SIP requirements relating to visibility and regional haze are not affected when EPA establishes or revises a NAAQS. Therefore, EPA believes that there are no new visibility protection requirements due to the revision of the NAAQS, and consequently there are no VerDate Sep<11>2014 13:38 Jun 26, 2015 Jkt 235001 newly applicable visibility protection obligations pursuant to infrastructure element J after the promulgation of a new or revised NAAQS. (K) Air quality and modeling/data: The SIP must provide for performing air quality modeling, as prescribed by EPA, to predict the effects on ambient air quality of any emissions of any NAAQS pollutant, and for submission of such data to EPA upon request. The NMED has the power and duty, under the AQCA to investigate and develop facts providing for the functions of environmental air quality assessment. Past modeling and emissions reductions measures have been submitted by the State and approved into the SIP. Additionally, New Mexico has the ability to perform modeling for the primary and secondary SO2 standards and other criteria pollutant NAAQS on a case-by-case permit basis consistent with their SIPapproved PSD rules and with EPA guidance. The New Mexico AQCA authorizes and requires NMED to cooperate with the federal government and local authorities concerning matters of common interest in the field of air quality control, thereby allowing the agency to make such submissions to the EPA. (L) Permitting Fees: The SIP must require each major stationary source to pay permitting fees to the permitting authority, as a condition of any permit required under the CAA, to cover the cost of reviewing and acting upon any application for such a permit, and, if the permit is issued, the costs of implementing and enforcing the terms of the permit. The fee requirement applies until a fee program established by the state pursuant to Title V of the CAA, relating to operating permits, is approved by EPA. See element (E) above for the description of the mandatory collection of permitting fees outlined in the SIP. (M) Consultation/participation by affected local entities: The SIP must provide for consultation and participation by local political subdivisions affected by the SIP. See element J (1) and (2) for a discussion of the SIP’s public participation process, the authority to advise and consult, and the PSD SIP’s public participation requirements. Additionally, the AQCA also requires initiation of cooperative action between local authorities and the NMED, between one local authority and another, or among any combination of local authorities and the NMED for control of air pollution in areas having related air pollution problems that PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 36959 overlap the boundaries of political subdivisions, and entering into agreements and compacts with adjoining states and Indian tribes, where appropriate. NMED has a long history of successful cooperation with the local air quality authority in Albuquerque/ Bernalillo County and tribal governments. The transportation conformity component of New Mexico’s SIP requires that interagency consultation and opportunity for public involvement be provided before making transportation conformity determinations and before adopting applicable SIP revisions on transportation-related issues. III. Proposed Action EPA is proposing to approve the February 14, 2014, infrastructure SIP submission from New Mexico, which addresses the requirements of CAA sections 110(a)(1) and (2) as applicable to the 2010 SO2 NAAQS. Specifically, EPA is proposing to approve the following infrastructure elements, or portions thereof: 110(a)(2)(A), (B), (C), (D), (E), (F), (G), (H), (J), (K), (L), and (M). EPA is not proposing action on section 110(a)(2)(I)—Nonattainment Area Plan or Plan Revisions, nor on the visibility protection portion of section 110(a)(2)(J) as EPA believes these need not be addressed in the i-SIP. Based upon review of the state’s infrastructure SIP submissions and relevant statutory and regulatory authorities and provisions referenced in these submissions or referenced in New Mexico’s SIP, EPA believes that New Mexico has the infrastructure in place to address all applicable required elements of sections 110(a)(1) and (2) (except otherwise noted) to ensure that the 2010 SO2 NAAQS are implemented in the state. IV. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews Under the Clean Air Act, 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 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 E:\FR\FM\29JNP1.SGM 29JNP1 36960 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 124 / Monday, June 29, 2015 / Proposed Rules Lhorne on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS Executive Order 12866 (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993); • Does not impose an information collection burden under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.); • Is certified as not having a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.); • Does not contain any unfunded mandate or significantly or uniquely affect small governments, as described in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–4); • Does not have Federalism implications as specified in Executive Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10, 1999); • Is not an economically significant regulatory action based on health or VerDate Sep<11>2014 13:38 Jun 26, 2015 Jkt 235001 safety risks subject to Executive Order 13045 (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997); • Is not a significant regulatory action subject to Executive Order 13211 (66 FR 28355, May 22, 2001); • Is not subject to requirements of Section 12(d) of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272 note) because application of those requirements would be inconsistent with the CAA; and • Does not provide EPA with the discretionary authority to address, as appropriate, disproportionate human health or environmental effects, using practicable and legally permissible methods, under Executive Order 12898 (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994). EPA is not proposing to approve this infrastructure SIP certification to apply on any Indian reservation land or in any other area where EPA or an Indian tribe has demonstrated that a tribe has PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 9990 jurisdiction. In those areas of Indian country, this proposed approval of an infrastructure SIP certification does not have tribal implications as specified by Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, November 9, 2000), nor will it impose substantial direct costs on tribal governments or preempt tribal law. List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52 Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Incorporation by reference, Intergovernmental relations, Sulfur dioxide reporting and recordkeeping requirements. Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq. Dated: June 18, 2015. Ron Curry, Regional Administrator, Region 6. [FR Doc. 2015–15911 Filed 6–26–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P E:\FR\FM\29JNP1.SGM 29JNP1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 124 (Monday, June 29, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 36956-36960]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-15911]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 52

[EPA-R06-OAR-2014-0205; FRL-9929-68-Region 6]


Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; New Mexico; 
Infrastructure for the 2010 Sulfur Dioxide National Ambient Air Quality 
Standards

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to 
approve elements of a State Implementation Plan (SIP) submission from 
the State of New Mexico for the Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) 
National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The submittal addresses 
how the existing SIP provides for implementation, maintenance, and 
enforcement of the 2010 SO2 NAAQS (infrastructure SIP or i-
SIP). This i-SIP ensures that the State's SIP is adequate to meet the 
state's responsibilities under the Federal Clean Air Act (CAA).

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before July 29, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID Number EPA-
R06-OAR-2014-0205, by one of the following methods:
     www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions.
     Email: Sherry Fuerst at fuerst.sherry@epa.gov.
     Mail or delivery: Guy Donaldson, Chief, Air Planning 
Section (6PD-L), Environmental Protection Agency, 1445 Ross Avenue, 
Suite 1200, Dallas, Texas 75202-2733. Deliveries are accepted only 
between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays, and not on legal 
holidays. Special arrangements should be made for deliveries of boxed 
information.
    Instructions: Direct your comments to Docket ID No. EPA-R06-OAR-
2014-0205. 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. For additional 
information about EPA's public docket visit the EPA Docket Center 
homepage at https://www.epa.gov/epahome/dockets.htm.
    Docket: The index to the docket for this action is available 
electronically at www.regulations.gov and in hard copy at EPA Region 6, 
1445 Ross Avenue, Suite 700, Dallas, Texas. While all documents in the 
docket are listed in the index, some information may be publicly 
available only at the hard copy location (e.g., copyrighted material), 
and some may not be publicly available at either location (e.g., CBI).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sherry Fuerst, telephone 214-665-6454, 
fuerst.sherry@epa.gov. To inspect the hard copy materials, please 
schedule an appointment with her or Bill Deese at 214-665-7253.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Throughout this document wherever ``we,'' 
``us,'' or ``our'' is used, we mean the EPA.

I. Background

    On June 22, 2010, EPA revised the primary SO2 NAAQS 
(hereafter the 2010 SO2 NAAQS) to establish a new 1-hour 
standard, with a level of 75 parts per billion, based on the 3-year 
average of the annual 99th percentile of 1-hour daily maximum 
concentrations (75 FR 35520). Each state must submit an i-SIP within 
three years after the promulgation of a new or revised NAAQS. Section 
110(a)(2) of the CAA includes a list of specific elements the i-SIP 
must meet. EPA issued guidance addressing the i-SIP elements for 
NAAQS.\1\ The Secretary of the New Mexico Environmental Department 
(NMED) submitted an i-SIP revision to address this revised NAAQS.
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    \1\ ``Guidance on Infrastructure State Implementation Plan (SIP) 
Elements under Clean Air Act Sections 110(a)(1) and 110(a)(2),'' 
Memorandum from Stephen D. Page, September 13, 2013.
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    EPA is proposing to approve the New Mexico i-SIP submittal for the 
2010 SO2 NAAQS.\2\
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    \2\ Additional information on: The history of SO2, 
its levels, forms and, determination of compliance; EPA's approach 
for reviewing i-SIPs; the details of the SIP submittal and EPA's 
evaluation; the effect of recent court decisions on i-SIPs; the 
statute and regulatory citations in the New Mexico SIP specific to 
this review; the specific i-SIP applicable CAA and EPA regulatory 
citations; Federal Register Notice citations for New Mexico SIP 
approvals; New Mexico's minor New Source Review program and EPA 
approval activities; and, New Mexico's Prevention of Significant 
Deterioration (PSD) program can be found in the Technical Support 
Document (TSD).
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II. EPA's Evaluation of New Mexico's i-SIP Submittal

    Below is a summary of EPA's evaluation of the New Mexico i-SIP for 
each applicable element of 110(a)(2) A-M.\3\ New Mexico provided a 
demonstration of how the existing New Mexico SIP met all the 
requirements of the 2010 SO2 NAAQS on February 14, 2014. 
This SIP submission became complete by operation of law on August 14, 
2014. See CAA section 110(k)(1)(B).
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    \3\ A detailed discussion of our evaluation can be found in the 
TSD for this action. The TSD can be accessed through 
www.regulations.gov (e-docket EPA-R06-OAR-2014-0205).

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[[Page 36957]]

    (A) Emission limits and other control measures: The SIP must 
include enforceable emission limits and other control measures, means 
or techniques, schedules for compliance and other related matters as 
needed to implement, maintain and enforce each of the NAAQS.\4\ New 
Mexico's Environmental Improvement Act (EIA) and Air Quality Control 
Act (AQCA) provide the Secretary, the NMED and the New Mexico 
Environmental Improvement Board (EIB) with broad legal authority. They 
can adopt emission standards and compliance schedules applicable to 
regulated entities; emission standards and limitations and any other 
measures necessary for attainment and maintenance of national 
standards; and, enforce applicable laws, regulations, standards and 
compliance schedules, and seek injunctive relief. This authority has 
been employed to adopt and submit multiple revisions to the New Mexico 
State Implementation Plan. The approved SIP for New Mexico is 
documented at 40 CFR part 52.1620, subpart GG.\5\
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    \4\ The specific nonattainment area plan requirements of section 
110(a)(2)(I) are subject to the timing requirements of section 172, 
not the timing requirement of section 110(a)(1). Thus, section 
110(a)(2)(A) does not require that states submit regulations or 
emissions limits specifically for attaining the 2010 SO2 
NAAQS. Those SIP provisions are due as part of each state's 
attainment plan, and will be addressed separately from the 
requirements of section 110(a)(2)(A). In the context of an 
infrastructure SIP, EPA is not evaluating the existing SIP 
provisions for this purpose. Instead, EPA is only evaluating whether 
the state's SIP has basic structural provisions for the 
implementation of the NAAQS.
    \5\ https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/40/52.1620.
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    (B) Ambient air quality monitoring/data system: The SIP must 
provide for establishment and implementation of ambient air quality 
monitors, collection and analysis of monitoring data, and providing the 
data to EPA upon request.
    The AQCA provides the authority allowing EIB and NMED to collect 
air monitoring data, quality-assure the results, and report the data. 
New Mexico maintains and operates a SO2 network to measure 
ambient levels. All monitoring data is measured using EPA approved 
methods and subject to the EPA quality assurance requirements. NMED 
submits all required data to EPA, following the EPA rules. The 
statewide network was approved into the SIP and it undergoes recurrent 
annual review by EPA.\6\ In addition, NMED conducts a recurrent 
assessment of its monitoring network every five years, which includes 
an evaluation of the need to conduct ambient monitoring for 
SO2, as required by EPA rules. The most recent of these 5-
year monitoring network assessments was conducted by NMED and approved 
by EPA.\7\ The NMED Web site provides the monitor locations and posts 
past and current concentrations of criteria pollutants measured in the 
State's network of monitors.\8\
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    \6\ A copy of the 2014 Annual Air Monitoring Network Plan and 
EPA's approval letter are included in the docket for this proposed 
rulemaking.
    \7\ A copy of the 2010 5-year ambient monitoring network 
assessment and EPA's approval letter are included in the docket for 
this proposed rulemaking.
    \8\ See https://air.nmenv.state.nm.us.
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    (C) Program for enforcement: The SIP must include the following 
three elements: (1) A program providing for enforcement of the measure 
in paragraph A above; (2) a program for the regulation of the 
modification and construction of stationary sources as necessary to 
protect the applicable NAAQS (i.e., state-wide permitting of minor 
sources); and (3) a permit program to meet the major source permitting 
requirements of the CAA (for areas designated as attainment or 
unclassifiable for the NAAQS in question).\9\
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    \9\ As discussed in further detail in the TSD.
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    (1) Enforcement of SIP Measures. As noted in (A), the state 
statutes provide authority for the Secretary, EIB and the NMED to 
enforce the requirements of the AQCA, and any regulations, permits, or 
final compliance orders. Its statutes also provide the Secretary, the 
NMED and the EIB with general enforcement powers. Among other things, 
they can file lawsuits to compel compliance with the statutes and 
regulations; commence civil actions; issue field citations; conduct 
investigations of regulated entities; collect criminal and civil 
penalties; develop and enforce rules and standards related to 
protection of air quality; issue compliance orders; pursue criminal 
prosecutions; investigate, enter into remediation agreements; and issue 
emergency cease and desist orders. The AQAC also provides additional 
enforcement authorities and funding mechanisms.
    (2) Minor New Source Review (NSR). The SIP is required to include 
measures to regulate construction and modification of stationary 
sources to protect the NAAQS. New Mexico's minor NSR permitting 
requirements are approved as part of the SIP.\10\
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    \10\ EPA is not proposing to approve or disapprove New Mexico's 
existing minor NSR program to the extent that it may be inconsistent 
with EPA's regulations governing this program. EPA has maintained 
that the CAA does not require that new infrastructure SIP 
submissions correct any defects in existing EPA-approved provisions 
of minor NSR programs in order for EPA to approve the infrastructure 
SIP for element C (e.g., 76 FR 41076-41079, July 13, 2011). EPA 
believes that a number of states may have minor NSR provisions that 
are contrary to the existing EPA regulations for this program. The 
statutory requirements of section 110(a)(2)(C) provide for 
considerable flexibility in designing minor NSR programs.
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    (3) Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) permit program. 
New Mexico's PSD portion of the SIP covers all NSR regulated pollutants 
as well as the requirements for the 2010 SO2 NAAQS and has 
been approved by EPA.\11\
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    \11\ As discussed further in the TSD.
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    (D) Interstate and international transport: There are four 
requirements the SIP must include relating to interstate transport. 
These four requirements are referred to as prongs 1 through 4. Prongs 1 
and 2 require adequate provisions prohibiting any source or other type 
of emissions activity in one state from contributing significantly to 
nonattainment, or interfering with maintenance, of any NAAQS in another 
state. Prong 3 and 4 prohibit interfering with measures required of any 
other state to prevent significant deterioration of air quality or to 
protect visibility. In addition, States must comply with requirements 
to prevent transport of international air pollution.
    New Mexico did not address Prongs 1 and 2 in this submission. EPA 
intends to develop guidance and additional information for the states 
to address these requirements. We expect that New Mexico will make a 
SIP submittal for prongs 1 and 2 at a later time.
    The necessary provisions for prong 3 are contained in the PSD 
portion of the SIP. The prong 4 requirement was met by our approval of 
the regional haze and visibility component of the SIP.
    New Mexico's SIP includes provisions that satisfy the CAA 
interstate pollution abatement requirements prongs 3 and 4. There are 
no final findings by EPA that New Mexico air emissions affect other 
countries. Therefore, New Mexico has no international obligations. If 
EPA makes such a finding, NMED will consult with EPA.
    (E) Adequate authority, resources, implementation, and oversight: 
The SIP must provide for the following: (1) Necessary assurances that 
the state (and other entities within the state responsible for 
implementing the SIP) will have adequate personnel, funding, and 
authority under state or local law to implement the SIP, and that there 
are no legal impediments to such implementation; (2) requirements 
relating to state boards; and (3) necessary assurances that the state 
has responsibility for ensuring adequate implementation of any plan 
provision for which it relies on local governments

[[Page 36958]]

or other entities to carry out that portion of the plan.
    Both elements A and E address the requirement that there is 
adequate authority to implement and enforce the SIP and that there are 
no legal impediments.
    This i-SIP submission for the 2010 SO2 NAAQS describes 
the SIP regulations governing the various functions of personnel within 
the EIB and NMED, including the administrative, technical support, 
planning, enforcement, and permitting functions of the program.
    With respect to funding, the AQCA requires NMED to establish an 
emissions fee schedule for sources in order to fund the reasonable 
costs of administering various air pollution control programs and 
authorizes NMED to collect additional fees necessary to cover 
reasonable costs associated with processing of air permit applications. 
EPA conducts periodic program reviews to ensure that the state has 
adequate resources and funding to among other things implement and 
enforce the SIP.
    As required by the CAA, the EIA and the SIP stipulate that any 
board or body, which approves permits or enforcement orders, must have 
at least a majority of members who represent the public interest and do 
not derive any ``significant portion'' of their income from persons 
subject to permits and enforcement orders or who appear before the 
board on issues related to the CAA or AQCA. The members of the board or 
body, or the head of an agency with similar powers, are required to 
adequately disclose any potential conflicts of interest.
    With respect to assurances that the State has responsibility to 
implement the SIP adequately when it authorizes local or other agencies 
to carry out portions of the plan, the EIA and the AQCA designate the 
NMED as the primary air pollution control agency. The statutes allow 
for local agencies to carry out some or all of the Act's 
responsibilities.
    There is one local air quality control agency, the Albuquerque/
Bernalillo County Air Quality Control Board, which assumes jurisdiction 
for local administration and enforcement of the AQCA in Bernalillo 
County. There are Albuquerque/Bernalillo County SIP provisions which 
are part of the New Mexico SIP.\12\
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    \12\ Albuquerque/Bernalillo County SIP https://yosemite.epa.gov/r6/Sip0304.nsf/home!OpenView&Start=1&Count=30&Collapse=4.4#4.4 or 
https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/40/52.1620.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (F) Stationary source monitoring system: The SIP requires the 
establishment of a system to monitor emissions from stationary sources 
and to submit periodic emission reports. It must require the 
installation, maintenance, and replacement of equipment, and the 
implementation of other necessary steps, by owners or operators of 
stationary sources, to monitor emissions from sources. The SIP shall 
also require periodic reports on the nature and amounts of emissions 
and emissions-related data from sources, and require that the state 
correlate the source reports with emission limitations or standards 
established under the CAA. These reports must be made available for 
public inspection at reasonable times.
    The AQCA authorizes the NMED to require persons engaged in 
operations which result in air pollution to monitor or test emissions 
and to file reports containing information relating to the nature and 
amount of emissions. There also are SIP state regulations pertaining to 
sampling and testing and requirements for reporting of emissions 
inventories. In addition, SIP rules establish general requirements for 
maintaining records and reporting emissions.
    The NMED uses this information, in addition to information obtained 
from other sources, to track progress towards maintaining the NAAQS, 
developing control and maintenance strategies, identifying sources and 
general emission levels, and determining compliance with SIP 
regulations and additional EPA requirements. The SIP requires this 
information be made available to the public. Provisions concerning the 
handling of confidential data and proprietary business information are 
included in the SIP's regulations. These rules specifically exclude 
from confidential treatment any records concerning the nature and 
amount of emissions reported by sources.
    (G) Emergency authority: The SIP must provide for authority to 
address activities causing imminent and substantial endangerment to 
public health or welfare or the environment and to include contingency 
plans to implement such authorities as necessary.
    The AQCA provides NMED with authority to address environmental 
emergencies, and NMED has contingency plans to implement emergency 
episode provisions.
    Upon a finding that any owner/operator is unreasonably affecting 
the public health, safety or welfare, or the health of animal or plant 
life, or property, AQCA authorizes NMED to, after a reasonable attempt 
to give notice, declare a state of emergency and issue without hearing 
an emergency special order directing the owner/operator to cease such 
pollution immediately.
    The New Mexico ``Air Pollution Episode Contingency Plan for New 
Mexico,'' is part of the SIP. However, because of the low levels of 
SO2 emissions monitored statewide, New Mexico is not 
required to have contingency plans for this revised NAAQS. However, to 
provide additional protection, the State has general emergency powers 
to address any possible dangerous SO2 episode if necessary 
to protect the environment and public health.
    (H) Future SIP revisions: States must have the authority to revise 
their SIPs in response to changes in the NAAQS, availability of 
improved methods for attaining the NAAQS, or in response to an EPA 
finding that the SIP is substantially inadequate to attain the NAAQS.
    The AQCA requires the NMED to revise its SIP, as necessary, to 
account for revisions of the NAAQS, new NAAQS, to attain and maintain 
the NAAQS, to abate air pollution, to adopt more effective methods of 
attaining the NAAQS, and to respond to EPA SIP calls.
    (I) Nonattainment areas: New Mexico presently does not have any 
non-attainment areas for SO2 and EPA believes that 
nonattainment area requirements should be treated separately from the 
i-SIP requirements.\13\ If necessary, EPA will take action through a 
separate rulemaking process on the non-attainment area requirements.
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    \13\ This infrastructure SIP rulemaking will not address the New 
Mexico program for provisions related to nonattainment areas, since 
EPA considers evaluation of these provisions to be outside the scope 
of infrastructure SIP actions.
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    (J) Consultation with government officials, public notification, 
PSD and visibility protection: The SIP must meet the following three 
requirements: (1) Relating to interagency consultation regarding 
certain CAA requirements; (2) relating to public notification of NAAQS 
exceedances and related issues; and, (3) prevention of significant 
deterioration of air quality and visibility protection.
    (1) Interagency consultation: As required by the AQCA, there must 
be a public hearing before the adoption of any regulations or emission 
control requirements and all interested persons are given a reasonable 
opportunity to submit data, view, or arguments orally or in writing and 
to examine witnesses testifying at the hearing. In addition, the AQAC 
provides the NMED the power and duty to ``advise, consult, contract

[[Page 36959]]

with and cooperate with local authorities, other states, the federal 
government and other interested persons or groups in regard to matters 
of common interest in the field of air quality control . . .''. 
Furthermore, New Mexico's PSD SIP rules mandate that the NMED shall 
provide for public participation and notification regarding permitting 
applications to any other state or local air pollution control 
agencies, local government officials of the city or county where the 
source will be located, tribal authorities, and Federal Land Managers 
(FLMs) whose lands may be affected by emissions from the source or 
modification. Additionally, the State's PSD SIP rules require the NMED 
to consult with FLMs regarding permit applications for sources with the 
potential to impact Class I Federal Areas. The SIP also includes a 
commitment to consult continually with the FLMs on the review and 
implementation of the visibility program, and the State recognizes the 
expertise of the FLMs in monitoring and new source review applicability 
analyses for visibility and has agreed to notify the FLMs of any 
advance notification or early consultation with a major new or 
modifying source prior to the submission of the permit application. The 
State's Transportation Conformity SIP rules provide procedures for 
interagency consultation, resolution of conflicts, and public 
notification.
    (2) Public Notification: The i-SIP provides the SIP regulatory 
citations requiring the NMED to regularly notify the public of 
instances or areas in which any NAAQS are exceeded. Included in the SIP 
are the rules for NMED to advise the public of the health hazard 
associated with such exceedances; and enhance public awareness of 
measures that can prevent such exceedances and of ways in which the 
public can participate in the regulatory and other efforts to improve 
air quality. In addition, as discussed for infrastructure element B 
above, the NMED air monitoring Web site provides live air quality data 
for each of the monitoring stations in New Mexico.\8\ The Web site also 
provides information on the health effects of ozone, particulate 
matter, and other criteria pollutants.
    (3) PSD and Visibility Protection: The PSD requirements here are 
the same as those addressed under (C). The New Mexico SIP requirements 
relating to visibility and regional haze are not affected when EPA 
establishes or revises a NAAQS. Therefore, EPA believes that there are 
no new visibility protection requirements due to the revision of the 
NAAQS, and consequently there are no newly applicable visibility 
protection obligations pursuant to infrastructure element J after the 
promulgation of a new or revised NAAQS.
    (K) Air quality and modeling/data: The SIP must provide for 
performing air quality modeling, as prescribed by EPA, to predict the 
effects on ambient air quality of any emissions of any NAAQS pollutant, 
and for submission of such data to EPA upon request.
    The NMED has the power and duty, under the AQCA to investigate and 
develop facts providing for the functions of environmental air quality 
assessment. Past modeling and emissions reductions measures have been 
submitted by the State and approved into the SIP. Additionally, New 
Mexico has the ability to perform modeling for the primary and 
secondary SO2 standards and other criteria pollutant NAAQS 
on a case-by-case permit basis consistent with their SIP-approved PSD 
rules and with EPA guidance.
    The New Mexico AQCA authorizes and requires NMED to cooperate with 
the federal government and local authorities concerning matters of 
common interest in the field of air quality control, thereby allowing 
the agency to make such submissions to the EPA.
    (L) Permitting Fees: The SIP must require each major stationary 
source to pay permitting fees to the permitting authority, as a 
condition of any permit required under the CAA, to cover the cost of 
reviewing and acting upon any application for such a permit, and, if 
the permit is issued, the costs of implementing and enforcing the terms 
of the permit. The fee requirement applies until a fee program 
established by the state pursuant to Title V of the CAA, relating to 
operating permits, is approved by EPA.
    See element (E) above for the description of the mandatory 
collection of permitting fees outlined in the SIP.
    (M) Consultation/participation by affected local entities: The SIP 
must provide for consultation and participation by local political 
subdivisions affected by the SIP.
    See element J (1) and (2) for a discussion of the SIP's public 
participation process, the authority to advise and consult, and the PSD 
SIP's public participation requirements. Additionally, the AQCA also 
requires initiation of cooperative action between local authorities and 
the NMED, between one local authority and another, or among any 
combination of local authorities and the NMED for control of air 
pollution in areas having related air pollution problems that overlap 
the boundaries of political subdivisions, and entering into agreements 
and compacts with adjoining states and Indian tribes, where 
appropriate. NMED has a long history of successful cooperation with the 
local air quality authority in Albuquerque/Bernalillo County and tribal 
governments. The transportation conformity component of New Mexico's 
SIP requires that interagency consultation and opportunity for public 
involvement be provided before making transportation conformity 
determinations and before adopting applicable SIP revisions on 
transportation-related issues.

III. Proposed Action

    EPA is proposing to approve the February 14, 2014, infrastructure 
SIP submission from New Mexico, which addresses the requirements of CAA 
sections 110(a)(1) and (2) as applicable to the 2010 SO2 
NAAQS. Specifically, EPA is proposing to approve the following 
infrastructure elements, or portions thereof: 110(a)(2)(A), (B), (C), 
(D), (E), (F), (G), (H), (J), (K), (L), and (M). EPA is not proposing 
action on section 110(a)(2)(I)--Nonattainment Area Plan or Plan 
Revisions, nor on the visibility protection portion of section 
110(a)(2)(J) as EPA believes these need not be addressed in the i-SIP. 
Based upon review of the state's infrastructure SIP submissions and 
relevant statutory and regulatory authorities and provisions referenced 
in these submissions or referenced in New Mexico's SIP, EPA believes 
that New Mexico has the infrastructure in place to address all 
applicable required elements of sections 110(a)(1) and (2) (except 
otherwise noted) to ensure that the 2010 SO2 NAAQS are 
implemented in the state.

IV. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

    Under the Clean Air Act, 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 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

[[Page 36960]]

Executive Order 12866 (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993);
     Does not impose an information collection burden under the 
provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.);
     Is certified as not having a significant economic impact 
on a substantial number of small entities under the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.);
     Does not contain any unfunded mandate or significantly or 
uniquely affect small governments, as described in the Unfunded 
Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-4);
     Does not have Federalism implications as specified in 
Executive Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10, 1999);
     Is not an economically significant regulatory action based 
on health or safety risks subject to Executive Order 13045 (62 FR 
19885, April 23, 1997);
     Is not a significant regulatory action subject to 
Executive Order 13211 (66 FR 28355, May 22, 2001);
     Is not subject to requirements of Section 12(d) of the 
National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272 
note) because application of those requirements would be inconsistent 
with the CAA; and
     Does not provide EPA with the discretionary authority to 
address, as appropriate, disproportionate human health or environmental 
effects, using practicable and legally permissible methods, under 
Executive Order 12898 (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994).
    EPA is not proposing to approve this infrastructure SIP 
certification 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, this proposed approval 
of an infrastructure SIP certification does not have tribal 
implications as specified by Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, 
November 9, 2000), nor will it impose substantial direct costs on 
tribal governments or preempt tribal law.

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52

    Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Incorporation by 
reference, Intergovernmental relations, Sulfur dioxide reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements.

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

    Dated: June 18, 2015.
Ron Curry,
Regional Administrator, Region 6.
[FR Doc. 2015-15911 Filed 6-26-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
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