Revisions to the California State Implementation Plan, Butte County Air Quality Management District, 38966-38969 [2015-16715]
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38966
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 130 / Wednesday, July 8, 2015 / Rules and Regulations
CTG source category
Negative declaration CTG reference document
2006
RACT
SIP
submitted
7/11/07
Wood Furniture Coating .................
EPA–453/R–96–007—Control of VOC Emissions from Wood Furniture
Manufacturing Operations.
X
compound (VOC), oxides of nitrogen
(NOX) and particulate matter (PM)
emissions from open burning. Under
authority of the Clean Air Act (CAA or
the Act), this action simultaneously
approves a local rule that regulates these
emission sources and directs BCAQMD
to correct rule deficiencies.
[FR Doc. 2015–16627 Filed 7–7–15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 52
[EPA–R09–OAR–2015–0037; FRL–9928–50–
Region 9]
DATES:
Revisions to the California State
Implementation Plan, Butte County Air
Quality Management District
ADDRESSES:
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
The Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) is finalizing a limited
approval and limited disapproval of
revisions to the Butte County Air
Quality Management District
(BCAQMD) portion of the California
State Implementation Plan (SIP). These
revisions concern volatile organic
SUMMARY:
This rule is effective on August
7, 2015.
The EPA has established
docket number EPA–R09–OAR–2015–
0037 for this action. Generally,
documents in the docket for this action
are available electronically at https://
www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at
EPA Region IX, 75 Hawthorne Street,
San Francisco, California 94105–3901.
While all documents in the docket are
listed at https://www.regulations.gov,
some information may be publicly
available only at the hard copy location
(e.g., copyrighted material, large maps,
multi-volume reports), and some may
not be available in either location (e.g.,
2009
RACT
SIP
submitted
10/27/09
2014
RACT
SIP
submitted
9/29/14
................
X
confidential business information
(CBI)). To inspect the hard copy
materials, please schedule an
appointment during normal business
hours with the contact listed in the FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Kevin Gong, EPA Region IX, (415) 972–
3073, Gong.Kevin@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Throughout this document, ‘‘we,’’ ‘‘us’’
and ‘‘our’’ refer to the EPA.
Table of Contents
I. Proposed Action
II. Public Comments and EPA Responses
III. EPA Action
IV. Incorporation by Reference
V. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
I. Proposed Action
On February 11, 2015, in 80 FR 7555,
the EPA proposed a limited approval
and limited disapproval of the following
rule that was submitted for
incorporation into the California SIP.
TABLE 1—SUBMITTED RULE
Local agency
Rule No.
Rule title
Amended
Submitted
BCAQMD ........................................................
300
Open Burning Requirements, Prohibitions
and Exemptions.
02/24/11
09/21/12
This rule supersedes the BCAQMD
rules currently in the California SIP as
listed below.
TABLE 2—RULES TO BE SUPERSEDED
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Rule
301
302
303
304
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
Title
............................................................................
............................................................................
............................................................................
............................................................................
............................................................................
............................................................................
............................................................................
............................................................................
............................................................................
............................................................................
............................................................................
............................................................................
............................................................................
315 ............................................................................
316 ............................................................................
317 ............................................................................
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SIP approval date
Prohibitions on Open Burning ..................................
Exemptions to Rule 301 ..........................................
Burn Permits ............................................................
Exemptions to Rule 303 ..........................................
Information Furnished by Permit Applicant .............
Ignition Hours ...........................................................
Notice of Intent to Ignite ..........................................
Freedom from Debris and Moisture .........................
Arrangement of Agricultural and Wood Waste ........
Drying Period ...........................................................
Wind Direction ..........................................................
Ignition Devices ........................................................
Burning of Vines or Bushes Treated with Herbicides.
Rice Straw Burning ..................................................
Field Crop Ignition ....................................................
Field Crops Harvested Prior to September 10 ........
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February
February
February
February
February
February
February
February
February
February
February
February
February
3,
3,
3,
3,
3,
3,
3,
3,
3,
3,
3,
3,
3,
1987
1987
1987
1987
1987
1987
1987
1987
1987
1987
1987
1987
1987
......
......
......
......
......
......
......
......
......
......
......
......
......
February 3, 1987 ......
February 3, 1987 ......
February 3, 1987 ......
08JYR1
FR citation
52
52
52
52
52
52
52
52
52
52
52
52
52
FR
FR
FR
FR
FR
FR
FR
FR
FR
FR
FR
FR
FR
3226.
3226.
3226.
3226.
3226.
3226.
3226.
3226.
3226.
3226.
3226.
3226.
3226.
52 FR 3226.
52 FR 3226.
52 FR 3226.
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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 130 / Wednesday, July 8, 2015 / Rules and Regulations
TABLE 2—RULES TO BE SUPERSEDED—Continued
Rule
Title
SIP approval date
FR citation
318 ............................................................................
Restriction of Burning During Poor Air Quality Conditions.
Certificate from Department of Fish and Game ......
Special Permit ..........................................................
Range Improvement Burning ...................................
Burning at Disposal Sites ........................................
Exemption to Rule 324 ............................................
February 3, 1987 ......
52 FR 3226.
February
February
February
February
February
52
52
52
52
52
320
322
323
324
325
............................................................................
............................................................................
............................................................................
............................................................................
............................................................................
We proposed a limited approval
because we determined that Rule 300
improves the SIP and is largely
consistent with the relevant CAA
requirements. We simultaneously
proposed a limited disapproval because
some rule provisions conflict with
section 110 and part D of the Act. These
provisions include the following:
1. Allowing the burning of rubbish
under variance approved by hearing
board in paragraphs 5.53 and 6.5.
2. Air Pollution Control Officer
discretion to waive drying time
requirements in paragraph 8.2.4.
Our proposed action contains more
information on the basis for this
rulemaking and on our evaluation of the
submittal.
II. Public Comments and EPA
Responses
The EPA’s proposed action provided
a 30-day public comment period. During
this period, we received no comments.
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III. EPA Action
No comments were submitted.
Therefore, as authorized in sections
110(k)(3) and 301(a) of the Act, the EPA
is finalizing a limited approval of the
submitted rule. This action incorporates
the submitted rule into the California
SIP, including those provisions
identified as deficient. As authorized
under section 110(k)(3), EPA is
simultaneously finalizing a limited
disapproval of the rule. As a result,
sanctions will be imposed unless the
EPA approves subsequent SIP revisions
that correct the rule deficiencies within
18 months of the effective date of this
action. These sanctions will be imposed
under section 179 of the Act according
to 40 CFR 52.31. In addition, the EPA
must promulgate a federal
implementation plan (FIP) under
section 110(c) unless we approve
subsequent SIP revisions that correct the
rule deficiencies within 24 months.
Note that the submitted rule has been
adopted by the BCAQMD, and the EPA’s
final limited disapproval does not
prevent the local agency from enforcing
it. The limited disapproval also does not
prevent any portion of the rule from
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being incorporated by reference into the
federally enforceable SIP as discussed in
a July 9, 1992 EPA memo found at:
https://www.epa.gov/nsr/ttnnsr01/gen/
pdf/memo-s.pdf.
IV. Incorporation by Reference
In this rule, the EPA is finalizing
regulatory text that includes
incorporation by reference. In
accordance with requirements of 1 CFR
51.5, the EPA is finalizing the
incorporation by reference of the
BCAQMD rules described in the
amendments to 40 CFR part 52 set forth
below. The EPA has made, and will
continue to make, these documents
available electronically through
www.regulations.gov and in hard copy
at the appropriate EPA office (see the
ADDRESSES section of this preamble for
more information).
V. Statutory and Executive Order
Reviews
A. Executive Order 12866, Regulatory
Planning and Review
The Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) has exempted this regulatory
action from Executive Order 12866,
entitled ‘‘Regulatory Planning and
Review.’’
B. Paperwork Reduction Act
This action does not impose an
information collection burden under the
provisions of the Paperwork Reduction
Act, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. Burden is
defined at 5 CFR 1320.3(b).
C. Regulatory Flexibility Act
The Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)
generally requires an agency to conduct
a regulatory flexibility analysis of any
rule subject to notice and comment
rulemaking requirements unless the
agency certifies that the rule will not
have a significant economic impact on
a substantial number of small entities.
Small entities include small businesses,
small not-for-profit enterprises, and
small governmental jurisdictions.
This rule will not have a significant
impact on a substantial number of small
entities because SIP limited approvals/
limited disapprovals under section 110
PO 00000
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3,
3,
3,
3,
3,
1987
1987
1987
1987
1987
......
......
......
......
......
FR
FR
FR
FR
FR
3226.
3226.
3226.
3226.
3226.
and subchapter I, part D of the Clean Air
Act do not create any new requirements
but simply approve requirements that
the State is already imposing. Therefore,
because this limited approval/limited
disapproval action does not create any
new requirements, I certify that this
action will not have a significant
economic impact on a substantial
number of small entities.
Moreover, due to the nature of the
Federal-State relationship under the
Clean Air Act, preparation of flexibility
analysis would constitute Federal
inquiry into the economic
reasonableness of State action. The
Clean Air Act forbids the EPA to base
its actions concerning SIPs on such
grounds. Union Electric Co., v. U.S.
EPA, 427 U.S. 246, 255–66 (1976); 42
U.S.C. 7410(a)(2).
D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
Under sections 202 of the Unfunded
Mandates Reform Act of 1995
(‘‘Unfunded Mandates Act’’), signed
into law on March 22, 1995, the EPA
must prepare a budgetary impact
statement to accompany any proposed
or final rule that includes a Federal
mandate that may result in estimated
costs to State, local, or tribal
governments in the aggregate; or to the
private sector, of $100 million or more.
Under section 205, the EPA must select
the most cost-effective and least
burdensome alternative that achieves
the objectives of the rule and is
consistent with statutory requirements.
Section 203 requires the EPA to
establish a plan for informing and
advising any small governments that
may be significantly or uniquely
impacted by the rule.
The EPA has determined that the
limited approval/limited disapproval
action promulgated does not include a
Federal mandate that may result in
estimated costs of $100 million or more
to either State, local, or tribal
governments in the aggregate, or to the
private sector. This Federal action
approves pre-existing requirements
under State or local law, and imposes
no new requirements. Accordingly, no
additional costs to State, local, or tribal
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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 130 / Wednesday, July 8, 2015 / Rules and Regulations
governments, or to the private sector,
result from this action.
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E. Executive Order 13132, Federalism
Federalism (64 FR 43255, August 10,
1999) revokes and replaces Executive
Orders 12612 (Federalism) and 12875
(Enhancing the Intergovernmental
Partnership). Executive Order 13132
requires the EPA to develop an
accountable process to ensure
‘‘meaningful and timely input by State
and local officials in the development of
regulatory policies that have federalism
implications.’’ ‘‘Policies that have
federalism implications’’ is defined in
the Executive Order to include
regulations that have ‘‘substantial direct
effects on the States, on the relationship
between the national government and
the States, or on the distribution of
power and responsibilities among the
various levels of government.’’ Under
Executive Order 13132, the EPA may
not issue a regulation that has
federalism implications, that imposes
substantial direct compliance costs, and
that is not required by statute, unless
the Federal government provides the
funds necessary to pay the direct
compliance costs incurred by State and
local governments, or the EPA consults
with State and local officials early in the
process of developing the proposed
regulation. The EPA also may not issue
a regulation that has federalism
implications and that preempts State
law unless the Agency consults with
State and local officials early in the
process of developing the proposed
regulation.
This rule will not have substantial
direct effects on the States, on the
relationship between the national
government and the States, or on the
distribution of power and
responsibilities among the various
levels of government, as specified in
Executive Order 13132, because it
merely approves a State rule
implementing a Federal standard, and
does not alter the relationship or the
distribution of power and
responsibilities established in the Clean
Air Act. Thus, the requirements of
section 6 of the Executive Order do not
apply to this rule.
F. Executive Order 13175, Coordination
With Indian Tribal Governments
Executive Order 13175, entitled
‘‘Consultation and Coordination with
Indian Tribal Governments’’ (65 FR
67249, November 9, 2000), requires the
EPA to develop an accountable process
to ensure ‘‘meaningful and timely input
by tribal officials in the development of
regulatory policies that have tribal
implications.’’ This final rule does not
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have tribal implications, as specified in
Executive Order 13175. It will not have
substantial direct effects on tribal
governments, on the relationship
between the Federal government and
Indian tribes, or on the distribution of
power and responsibilities between the
Federal government and Indian tribes.
Thus, Executive Order 13175 does not
apply to this rule.
and adverse human health or
environmental effects of their programs,
policies, and activities on minority
populations and low-income
populations in the United States.
The EPA lacks the discretionary
authority to address environmental
justice in this rulemaking.
G. Executive Order 13045, Protection of
Children From Environmental Health
Risks and Safety Risks
The EPA interprets Executive Order
13045 (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997) as
applying only to those regulatory
actions that concern health or safety
risks, such that the analysis required
under section 5–501 of the Executive
Order has the potential to influence the
regulation. This rule is not subject to
Executive Order 13045, because it
approves a State rule implementing a
Federal standard.
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. The EPA will
submit a report containing this rule 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 action is not a
‘‘major rule’’ as defined by 5 U.S.C.
804(2). This rule will be effective on
August 7, 2015.
H. Executive Order 13211, Actions That
Significantly Affect Energy Supply,
Distribution, or Use
This rule is not subject to Executive
Order 13211, ‘‘Actions Concerning
Regulations That Significantly Affect
Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use’’ (66
FR 28355, May 22, 2001) because it is
not a significant regulatory action under
Executive Order 12866.
I. National Technology Transfer and
Advancement Act
Section 12 of the National Technology
Transfer and Advancement Act
(NTTAA) of 1995 requires Federal
agencies to evaluate existing technical
standards when developing a new
regulation. To comply with NTTAA, the
EPA must consider and use ‘‘voluntary
consensus standards’’ (VCS) if available
and applicable when developing
programs and policies unless doing so
would be inconsistent with applicable
law or otherwise impractical.
The EPA believes that VCS are
inapplicable to this action. This action
does not require the public to perform
activities conducive to the use of VCS.
J. Executive Order 12898: Federal
Actions To Address Environmental
Justice in Minority Populations and
Low-Income Population
Executive Order (E.O.) 12898 (59 FR
7629 (Feb. 16, 1994)) establishes federal
executive policy on environmental
justice. Its main provision directs
federal agencies, to the greatest extent
practicable and permitted by law, to
make environmental justice part of their
mission by identifying and addressing,
as appropriate, disproportionately high
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K. Congressional Review Act
L. Petitions for Judicial Review
Under section 307(b)(1) of the Clean
Air Act, petitions for judicial review of
this action must be filed in the United
States Court of Appeals for the
appropriate circuit by September 8,
2015. Filing a petition for
reconsideration by the Administrator of
this final rule does not affect the finality
of this rule 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 rule
or action. This 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, Incorporation by
reference, Intergovernmental relations,
Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone, Particulate
matter, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Volatile organic
compounds.
Dated: May 18, 2015.
Jared Blumenfeld,
Regional Administrator, Region IX.
Part 52, chapter I, title 40 of the Code
of Federal Regulations is amended as
follows:
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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 130 / Wednesday, July 8, 2015 / Rules and Regulations
PART 52—[AMENDED]
1. The authority citation for part 52
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
Subpart F—California
2. Section 52.220 is amended by
adding paragraphs (c)(168)(i)(A)(7) and
(c)(423)(i)(G)(1) to read as follows:
■
§ 52.220
Identification of plan.
*
*
*
*
*
(c) * * *
(168) * * *
(i) * * *
(A) * * *
(7) Previously approved on February
3, 1987 in paragraph (c)(168)(i)(A)(1) of
this section and now deleted with
replacement in paragraph
(c)(423)(i)(G)(1) by Butte County APCD,
Rule 300, as amended on February 24,
2011, Rules 301, 302, 303, 304, 306, 307,
308, 309, 310, 311, 312, 313, 314, 315,
316, 317, 318, 319, 320, 322, 323, 324
and 325.
*
*
*
*
*
(423) * * *
(i) * * *
(G) Butte County Air Quality
Management District.
(1) Rule 300, ‘‘Open Burning
Requirements, Prohibitions and
Exemptions,’’ amended on February 24,
2011.
*
*
*
*
*
[FR Doc. 2015–16715 Filed 7–7–15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 52
[EPA–R07–OAR–2015–0106 FRL–9926–49–
Region 7]
Approval and Promulgation of Air
Quality Implementation Plans;
Nebraska; Update to Materials
Incorporated by Reference
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule; notice of
administrative change.
AGENCY:
The Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) is updating the materials
submitted by Nebraska that are
incorporated by reference (IBR) into the
state implementation plan (SIP). EPA is
also notifying the public of the
correction of certain typographical
errors within the IBR table. The
regulations affected by this update have
been previously submitted by the state
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SUMMARY:
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agency and approved by EPA. This
update affects the SIP materials that are
available for public inspection at the
National Archives and Records
Administration (NARA), and the
Regional Office.
DATES: This rule is effective on July 8,
2015.
ADDRESSES: SIP materials which are
incorporated by reference into 40 CFR
part 52 are available for inspection at
the following locations: Environmental
Protection Agency, Region 7, 11201
Renner Boulevard, Lenexa, Kansas
66219; or at https://www.epa.gov/
region07/air/rules/fedapprv.htm; and
the National Archives and Records
Administration. For information on the
availability of this material at NARA,
call (202) 741–6030, or go to:
www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/
ibr-locations.html.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jan
Simpson at (913) 551–7089, or by email
at simpson.jan@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
The SIP is a living document which
the state revises as necessary to address
the unique air pollution problems in the
state. Therefore, EPA from time to time
must take action on SIP revisions
containing new and/or revised
regulations to make them part of the
SIP. On May 22, 1997 (62 FR 27968),
EPA revised the procedures for
incorporating by reference Federallyapproved SIPs, as a result of
consultations between EPA and the
Office of Federal Register (OFR). The
description of the revised SIP
document, IBR procedures and
‘‘Identification of plan’’ format are
discussed in further detail in the May
22, 1997, Federal Register document.
On February 12, 1999, EPA published
a document in the Federal Register (64
FR 7091) beginning the new IBR
procedure for Nebraska. On December 1,
2003, (68 FR 67045) and on July 30,
2009 (74 FR 37939), EPA published
updates to the IBR material for
Nebraska.
In this document, EPA is publishing
an updated set of tables listing the
regulatory (i.e., IBR) materials in the
Nebraska SIP taking into account the
additions, deletions, and revisions to
those materials previously submitted by
the state agency and approved by EPA.
We are removing the EPA Headquarters
Library from paragraph (b)(3), as IBR
materials are no longer available at this
location. Table (e) revisions include:
• Adding text in the explanation
column for (6)–(27).
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38969
II. EPA Action
In this action, EPA is doing the
following:
A. Announcing the update to the IBR
material as of December 31, 2014.
B. Revising the entry in § 52.1420(b)
to reflect the update and corrections.
C. Revising certain entries in
§ 52.1420(e) as described above;
D. Correcting the date format in the
‘‘State effective date’’ or ‘‘State
submittal date’’ and ‘‘EPA approval
date’’ columns in § 52.1420(c), (d) and
(e). Dates are numerical month/day/year
without additional zeros;
E. Modifying the Federal Register
citation in § 52.1420(c), (d) and (e) to
reflect the beginning page of the
preamble as opposed to the page
number of the regulatory text.
EPA has determined that this rule
falls under the ‘‘good cause’’ exemption
in section 553(b)(3)(B) of the
Administrative Procedures Act (APA)
which, upon finding ‘‘good cause,’’
authorizes agencies to dispense with
public participation and section
553(d)(3), which allows an agency to
make a rule effective immediately
(thereby avoiding the 30-day delayed
effective date otherwise provided for in
the APA). This rule simply codifies
provisions which are already in effect as
a matter of law in Federal and approved
State programs. Under section 553 of the
APA, an agency may find good cause
where procedures are ‘‘impractical,
unnecessary, or contrary to the public
interest.’’ Public comment is
‘‘unnecessary’’ and ‘‘contrary to the
public interest’’ since the codification
only reflects existing law. Immediate
notice in the CFR benefits the public by
providing notice of the updated
Nebraska SIP compilation.
Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
In this rule, EPA is finalizing
regulatory text that includes
incorporation by reference. In
accordance with requirements of 1 CFR
51.5, EPA is finalizing the incorporation
by reference of the Nebraska regulations
described in the amendments to 40 CFR
part 52 set forth below. EPA has made,
and will continue to make, these
documents generally available
electronically through
www.regulations.gov and/or in hard
copy at the appropriate EPA office (see
the ADDRESSES section of this preamble
for more information).
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,
E:\FR\FM\08JYR1.SGM
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 130 (Wednesday, July 8, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 38966-38969]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-16715]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 52
[EPA-R09-OAR-2015-0037; FRL-9928-50-Region 9]
Revisions to the California State Implementation Plan, Butte
County Air Quality Management District
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is finalizing a
limited approval and limited disapproval of revisions to the Butte
County Air Quality Management District (BCAQMD) portion of the
California State Implementation Plan (SIP). These revisions concern
volatile organic compound (VOC), oxides of nitrogen (NOX)
and particulate matter (PM) emissions from open burning. Under
authority of the Clean Air Act (CAA or the Act), this action
simultaneously approves a local rule that regulates these emission
sources and directs BCAQMD to correct rule deficiencies.
DATES: This rule is effective on August 7, 2015.
ADDRESSES: The EPA has established docket number EPA-R09-OAR-2015-0037
for this action. Generally, documents in the docket for this action are
available electronically at https://www.regulations.gov or in hard copy
at EPA Region IX, 75 Hawthorne Street, San Francisco, California 94105-
3901. While all documents in the docket are listed at https://www.regulations.gov, some information may be publicly available only at
the hard copy location (e.g., copyrighted material, large maps, multi-
volume reports), and some may not be available in either location
(e.g., confidential business information (CBI)). To inspect the hard
copy materials, please schedule an appointment during normal business
hours with the contact listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
section.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kevin Gong, EPA Region IX, (415) 972-
3073, Gong.Kevin@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Throughout this document, ``we,'' ``us'' and
``our'' refer to the EPA.
Table of Contents
I. Proposed Action
II. Public Comments and EPA Responses
III. EPA Action
IV. Incorporation by Reference
V. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
I. Proposed Action
On February 11, 2015, in 80 FR 7555, the EPA proposed a limited
approval and limited disapproval of the following rule that was
submitted for incorporation into the California SIP.
Table 1--Submitted Rule
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Local agency Rule No. Rule title Amended Submitted
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BCAQMD.............................. 300 Open Burning 02/24/11 09/21/12
Requirements,
Prohibitions and
Exemptions.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This rule supersedes the BCAQMD rules currently in the California
SIP as listed below.
Table 2--Rules To Be Superseded
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rule Title SIP approval date FR citation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
301............................... Prohibitions on Open February 3, 1987............... 52 FR 3226.
Burning.
302............................... Exemptions to Rule February 3, 1987............... 52 FR 3226.
301.
303............................... Burn Permits........ February 3, 1987............... 52 FR 3226.
304............................... Exemptions to Rule February 3, 1987............... 52 FR 3226.
303.
306............................... Information February 3, 1987............... 52 FR 3226.
Furnished by Permit
Applicant.
307............................... Ignition Hours...... February 3, 1987............... 52 FR 3226.
308............................... Notice of Intent to February 3, 1987............... 52 FR 3226.
Ignite.
309............................... Freedom from Debris February 3, 1987............... 52 FR 3226.
and Moisture.
310............................... Arrangement of February 3, 1987............... 52 FR 3226.
Agricultural and
Wood Waste.
311............................... Drying Period....... February 3, 1987............... 52 FR 3226.
312............................... Wind Direction...... February 3, 1987............... 52 FR 3226.
313............................... Ignition Devices.... February 3, 1987............... 52 FR 3226.
314............................... Burning of Vines or February 3, 1987............... 52 FR 3226.
Bushes Treated with
Herbicides.
315............................... Rice Straw Burning.. February 3, 1987............... 52 FR 3226.
316............................... Field Crop Ignition. February 3, 1987............... 52 FR 3226.
317............................... Field Crops February 3, 1987............... 52 FR 3226.
Harvested Prior to
September 10.
[[Page 38967]]
318............................... Restriction of February 3, 1987............... 52 FR 3226.
Burning During Poor
Air Quality
Conditions.
320............................... Certificate from February 3, 1987............... 52 FR 3226.
Department of Fish
and Game.
322............................... Special Permit...... February 3, 1987............... 52 FR 3226.
323............................... Range Improvement February 3, 1987............... 52 FR 3226.
Burning.
324............................... Burning at Disposal February 3, 1987............... 52 FR 3226.
Sites.
325............................... Exemption to Rule February 3, 1987............... 52 FR 3226.
324.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We proposed a limited approval because we determined that Rule 300
improves the SIP and is largely consistent with the relevant CAA
requirements. We simultaneously proposed a limited disapproval because
some rule provisions conflict with section 110 and part D of the Act.
These provisions include the following:
1. Allowing the burning of rubbish under variance approved by
hearing board in paragraphs 5.53 and 6.5.
2. Air Pollution Control Officer discretion to waive drying time
requirements in paragraph 8.2.4.
Our proposed action contains more information on the basis for this
rulemaking and on our evaluation of the submittal.
II. Public Comments and EPA Responses
The EPA's proposed action provided a 30-day public comment period.
During this period, we received no comments.
III. EPA Action
No comments were submitted. Therefore, as authorized in sections
110(k)(3) and 301(a) of the Act, the EPA is finalizing a limited
approval of the submitted rule. This action incorporates the submitted
rule into the California SIP, including those provisions identified as
deficient. As authorized under section 110(k)(3), EPA is simultaneously
finalizing a limited disapproval of the rule. As a result, sanctions
will be imposed unless the EPA approves subsequent SIP revisions that
correct the rule deficiencies within 18 months of the effective date of
this action. These sanctions will be imposed under section 179 of the
Act according to 40 CFR 52.31. In addition, the EPA must promulgate a
federal implementation plan (FIP) under section 110(c) unless we
approve subsequent SIP revisions that correct the rule deficiencies
within 24 months. Note that the submitted rule has been adopted by the
BCAQMD, and the EPA's final limited disapproval does not prevent the
local agency from enforcing it. The limited disapproval also does not
prevent any portion of the rule from being incorporated by reference
into the federally enforceable SIP as discussed in a July 9, 1992 EPA
memo found at: https://www.epa.gov/nsr/ttnnsr01/gen/pdf/memo-s.pdf.
IV. Incorporation by Reference
In this rule, the EPA is finalizing regulatory text that includes
incorporation by reference. In accordance with requirements of 1 CFR
51.5, the EPA is finalizing the incorporation by reference of the
BCAQMD rules described in the amendments to 40 CFR part 52 set forth
below. The EPA has made, and will continue to make, these documents
available electronically through www.regulations.gov and in hard copy
at the appropriate EPA office (see the ADDRESSES section of this
preamble for more information).
V. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
A. Executive Order 12866, Regulatory Planning and Review
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has exempted this
regulatory action from Executive Order 12866, entitled ``Regulatory
Planning and Review.''
B. Paperwork Reduction Act
This action does not impose an information collection burden under
the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.
Burden is defined at 5 CFR 1320.3(b).
C. Regulatory Flexibility Act
The Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) generally requires an agency
to conduct a regulatory flexibility analysis of any rule subject to
notice and comment rulemaking requirements unless the agency certifies
that the rule will not have a significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities. Small entities include small
businesses, small not-for-profit enterprises, and small governmental
jurisdictions.
This rule will not have a significant impact on a substantial
number of small entities because SIP limited approvals/limited
disapprovals under section 110 and subchapter I, part D of the Clean
Air Act do not create any new requirements but simply approve
requirements that the State is already imposing. Therefore, because
this limited approval/limited disapproval action does not create any
new requirements, I certify that this action will not have a
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.
Moreover, due to the nature of the Federal-State relationship under
the Clean Air Act, preparation of flexibility analysis would constitute
Federal inquiry into the economic reasonableness of State action. The
Clean Air Act forbids the EPA to base its actions concerning SIPs on
such grounds. Union Electric Co., v. U.S. EPA, 427 U.S. 246, 255-66
(1976); 42 U.S.C. 7410(a)(2).
D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
Under sections 202 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995
(``Unfunded Mandates Act''), signed into law on March 22, 1995, the EPA
must prepare a budgetary impact statement to accompany any proposed or
final rule that includes a Federal mandate that may result in estimated
costs to State, local, or tribal governments in the aggregate; or to
the private sector, of $100 million or more. Under section 205, the EPA
must select the most cost-effective and least burdensome alternative
that achieves the objectives of the rule and is consistent with
statutory requirements. Section 203 requires the EPA to establish a
plan for informing and advising any small governments that may be
significantly or uniquely impacted by the rule.
The EPA has determined that the limited approval/limited
disapproval action promulgated does not include a Federal mandate that
may result in estimated costs of $100 million or more to either State,
local, or tribal governments in the aggregate, or to the private
sector. This Federal action approves pre-existing requirements under
State or local law, and imposes no new requirements. Accordingly, no
additional costs to State, local, or tribal
[[Page 38968]]
governments, or to the private sector, result from this action.
E. Executive Order 13132, Federalism
Federalism (64 FR 43255, August 10, 1999) revokes and replaces
Executive Orders 12612 (Federalism) and 12875 (Enhancing the
Intergovernmental Partnership). Executive Order 13132 requires the EPA
to develop an accountable process to ensure ``meaningful and timely
input by State and local officials in the development of regulatory
policies that have federalism implications.'' ``Policies that have
federalism implications'' is defined in the Executive Order to include
regulations that have ``substantial direct effects on the States, on
the relationship between the national government and the States, or on
the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels
of government.'' Under Executive Order 13132, the EPA may not issue a
regulation that has federalism implications, that imposes substantial
direct compliance costs, and that is not required by statute, unless
the Federal government provides the funds necessary to pay the direct
compliance costs incurred by State and local governments, or the EPA
consults with State and local officials early in the process of
developing the proposed regulation. The EPA also may not issue a
regulation that has federalism implications and that preempts State law
unless the Agency consults with State and local officials early in the
process of developing the proposed regulation.
This rule will not have substantial direct effects on the States,
on the relationship between the national government and the States, or
on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various
levels of government, as specified in Executive Order 13132, because it
merely approves a State rule implementing a Federal standard, and does
not alter the relationship or the distribution of power and
responsibilities established in the Clean Air Act. Thus, the
requirements of section 6 of the Executive Order do not apply to this
rule.
F. Executive Order 13175, Coordination With Indian Tribal Governments
Executive Order 13175, entitled ``Consultation and Coordination
with Indian Tribal Governments'' (65 FR 67249, November 9, 2000),
requires the EPA to develop an accountable process to ensure
``meaningful and timely input by tribal officials in the development of
regulatory policies that have tribal implications.'' This final rule
does not have tribal implications, as specified in Executive Order
13175. It will not have substantial direct effects on tribal
governments, on the relationship between the Federal government and
Indian tribes, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities
between the Federal government and Indian tribes. Thus, Executive Order
13175 does not apply to this rule.
G. Executive Order 13045, Protection of Children From Environmental
Health Risks and Safety Risks
The EPA interprets Executive Order 13045 (62 FR 19885, April 23,
1997) as applying only to those regulatory actions that concern health
or safety risks, such that the analysis required under section 5-501 of
the Executive Order has the potential to influence the regulation. This
rule is not subject to Executive Order 13045, because it approves a
State rule implementing a Federal standard.
H. Executive Order 13211, Actions That Significantly Affect Energy
Supply, Distribution, or Use
This rule is not subject to Executive Order 13211, ``Actions
Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply,
Distribution, or Use'' (66 FR 28355, May 22, 2001) because it is not a
significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866.
I. National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act
Section 12 of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act
(NTTAA) of 1995 requires Federal agencies to evaluate existing
technical standards when developing a new regulation. To comply with
NTTAA, the EPA must consider and use ``voluntary consensus standards''
(VCS) if available and applicable when developing programs and policies
unless doing so would be inconsistent with applicable law or otherwise
impractical.
The EPA believes that VCS are inapplicable to this action. This
action does not require the public to perform activities conducive to
the use of VCS.
J. Executive Order 12898: Federal Actions To Address Environmental
Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Population
Executive Order (E.O.) 12898 (59 FR 7629 (Feb. 16, 1994))
establishes federal executive policy on environmental justice. Its main
provision directs federal agencies, to the greatest extent practicable
and permitted by law, to make environmental justice part of their
mission by identifying and addressing, as appropriate,
disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental
effects of their programs, policies, and activities on minority
populations and low-income populations in the United States.
The EPA lacks the discretionary authority to address environmental
justice in this rulemaking.
K. Congressional Review Act
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. The EPA will submit a report containing this rule 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 action is not a ``major rule'' as defined by 5 U.S.C.
804(2). This rule will be effective on August 7, 2015.
L. Petitions for Judicial Review
Under section 307(b)(1) of the Clean Air Act, petitions for
judicial review of this action must be filed in the United States Court
of Appeals for the appropriate circuit by September 8, 2015. Filing a
petition for reconsideration by the Administrator of this final rule
does not affect the finality of this rule 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
rule or action. This 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, Incorporation by
reference, Intergovernmental relations, Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone,
Particulate matter, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Volatile
organic compounds.
Dated: May 18, 2015.
Jared Blumenfeld,
Regional Administrator, Region IX.
Part 52, chapter I, title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations is
amended as follows:
[[Page 38969]]
PART 52--[AMENDED]
0
1. The authority citation for part 52 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
Subpart F--California
0
2. Section 52.220 is amended by adding paragraphs (c)(168)(i)(A)(7) and
(c)(423)(i)(G)(1) to read as follows:
Sec. 52.220 Identification of plan.
* * * * *
(c) * * *
(168) * * *
(i) * * *
(A) * * *
(7) Previously approved on February 3, 1987 in paragraph
(c)(168)(i)(A)(1) of this section and now deleted with replacement in
paragraph (c)(423)(i)(G)(1) by Butte County APCD, Rule 300, as amended
on February 24, 2011, Rules 301, 302, 303, 304, 306, 307, 308, 309,
310, 311, 312, 313, 314, 315, 316, 317, 318, 319, 320, 322, 323, 324
and 325.
* * * * *
(423) * * *
(i) * * *
(G) Butte County Air Quality Management District.
(1) Rule 300, ``Open Burning Requirements, Prohibitions and
Exemptions,'' amended on February 24, 2011.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2015-16715 Filed 7-7-15; 8:45 am]
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