California State Nonroad Engine Pollution Control Standards; In-Use Diesel-Fueled Transport Refrigeration Units (TRUs) and TRU Generator Sets and Facilities Where TRUs Operate; Request for Within-the-Scope and Full Authorization; Opportunity for Public Hearing and Comment, 71791-71793 [2015-29368]
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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 221 / Tuesday, November 17, 2015 / Notices
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
[EPA–HQ–OAR–2015–0224; FRL–9939–16–
OAR]
California State Nonroad Engine
Pollution Control Standards; In-Use
Diesel-Fueled Transport Refrigeration
Units (TRUs) and TRU Generator Sets
and Facilities Where TRUs Operate;
Request for Within-the-Scope and Full
Authorization; Opportunity for Public
Hearing and Comment
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
The California Air Resources
Board (CARB) has notified the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
that it has adopted amendments to its
In-Use Diesel-Fueled Transport
Refrigeration Units (TRUs) and TRU
Generator Sets and Facilities Where
TRUs Operate (together ‘‘2011 TRU
Amendments’’) regulation. By letter
dated March 2, 2015, CARB asked that
EPA authorize these amendments
pursuant to section 209(e) of the Clean
Air Act. CARB seeks confirmation that
certain 2011 TRU Amendments are
within the scope of prior authorizations
issued by EPA, or, in the alternative,
that such amendments merit full
authorization. CARB also seeks a full
authorization for other 2011 TRU
Amendments. This notice announces
that EPA has tentatively scheduled a
public hearing to consider California’s
authorization request for the 2011 TRU
Amendments and that EPA is now
accepting written comment on the
request.
SUMMARY:
EPA has tentatively scheduled a
public hearing concerning CARB’s
request on January 6, 2016, at 10 a.m.
ET. EPA will hold a hearing only if any
party notifies EPA by December 15,
2015 to express interest in presenting
the Agency with oral testimony. Parties
wishing to present oral testimony at the
public hearing should provide written
notice to David Dickinson at the email
address noted below. If EPA receives a
request for a public hearing, that hearing
will be held at the William Jefferson
Clinton Building (North), Room 5528 at
1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW.,
Washington, DC 20460. If EPA does not
receive a request for a public hearing,
then EPA will not hold a hearing, and
instead will consider CARB’s request
based on written submissions to the
docket. Any party may submit written
comments until February 8, 2016.
Any person who wishes to know
whether a hearing will be held may call
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DATES:
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David Dickinson at (202) 343–9256 on
or after December 16, 2015.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,
identified by Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–
OAR–2015–0224, by one of the
following methods:
• Online at https://
www.regulations.gov: Follow the Online
Instructions for Submitting Comments.
• Email: a-and-r-docket@epa.gov.
• Fax: (202) 566–9744.
• Mail: Air and Radiation Docket,
Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–OAR–2015–
0224, U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, Mail code: 6102T, 1200
Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington,
DC 20460. Please include a total of two
copies.
• Hand Delivery: EPA Docket Center,
Public Reading Room, EPA West
Building, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution
Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20460.
Such deliveries are only accepted
during the Docket’s normal hours of
operation, and special arrangements
should be made for deliveries of boxed
information.
Online Instructions for Submitting
Comments: Direct your comments to
Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–OAR–2015–
0224. EPA’s policy is that all comments
we receive will be included in the
public docket without change and may
be made available online at https://
www.regulations.gov, including any
personal information provided, unless
the comment includes information
claimed to be Confidential Business
Information (CBI) or other information
whose disclosure is restricted by statute.
Do not submit information that you
consider to be CBI or otherwise
protected through https://
www.regulations.gov or email. The
https://www.regulations.gov Web site is
an ‘‘anonymous access’’ system, which
means EPA will not know your identity
or contact information unless you
provide it in the body of your comment.
If you send an email comment directly
to EPA without going through https://
www.regulations.gov, your email
address will automatically be captured
and included as part of the comment
that is placed in the public docket and
made available on the Internet. If you
submit an electronic comment, EPA
recommends that you include your
name and other contact information in
the body of your comment and with any
disk or CD–ROM you submit. If EPA
cannot read your comment due to
technical difficulties and cannot contact
you for clarification, EPA may not be
able to consider your comment.
Electronic files should avoid the use of
special characters, any form of
encryption, and be free of any defects or
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71791
viruses. For additional information
about EPA’s public docket visit the EPA
Docket Center homepage at https://www.
epa.gov/epahome/dockets.htm.
EPA will make available for public
inspection materials submitted by
CARB, written comments received from
any interested parties, and any
testimony given at the public hearing.
Materials relevant to this proceeding are
contained in the Air and Radiation
Docket and Information Center,
maintained in Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–
OAR–2015–0224. Publicly available
docket materials are available either
electronically through https://
www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at
the Air and Radiation Docket in the EPA
Headquarters Library, EPA West
Building, Room 3334, located at 1301
Constitution Avenue NW., Washington,
DC. The Public Reading Room is open
to the public on all federal government
work days from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.;
generally, it is open Monday through
Friday, excluding holidays. The
telephone number for the Reading Room
is (202) 566–1744. The Air and
Radiation Docket and Information
Center’s Web site is https://www.epa.gov/
oar/docket.html. The electronic mail
(email) address for the Air and
Radiation Docket is: a-and-r-Docket@
epa.gov, the telephone number is (202)
566–1742, and the fax number is (202)
566–9744. An electronic version of the
public docket is available through the
federal government’s electronic public
docket and comment system. You may
access EPA dockets at https://
www.regulations.gov. After opening the
https://www.regulations.gov Web site,
enter, in the ‘‘Enter Keyword or ID’’ fillin box to view documents in the record.
Although a part of the official docket,
the public docket does not include
Confidential Business Information
(‘‘CBI’’) or other information whose
disclosure is restricted by statute.
EPA’s Office of Transportation and
Air Quality also maintains a Web page
that contains general information on its
review of California waiver and
authorization requests. Included on that
page are links to prior waiver and
authorization Federal Register notices.
The page can be accessed at https://www.
epa.gov/otaq/cafr.htm.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
David Dickinson, Attorney-Advisor,
Transportation and Climate Division,
Office of Transportation and Air
Quality, U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW.,
(6405J), Washington, DC 20460.
Telephone: (202) 343–9256. Fax: (202)
343–2804. Email: dickinson.david@
epa.gov.
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71792
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 221 / Tuesday, November 17, 2015 / Notices
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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I. California’s TRU Regulations;
Within-the-Scope Request and Request
for Full Authorization
CARB’s TRU regulations require TRU
engines to meet in-use standards that
vary by horsepower (hp) range and have
two levels of emissions stringency
(LETRU and ULETRU—low-emission
and ultra-low emission transportation
refrigeration units, respectively) that are
phased in over time.1 The 2011
Amendments provide owners of 2001
through 2003 model year (MY) TRU
engines that complied with the LETRU
in-use performance standards by
specified compliance deadlines a oneyear extension of the deadline to
comply with the more stringent
ULETRU in-use performance
standards.2 The 2011 Amendments also
clarify manual recordkeeping
requirements for electric standbyequipped TRUs and ultimately require
automated electronic tracking system
requirements for such TRUs; establish
requirements for businesses that
arrange, hire, contract, or dispatch the
transport of goods in TRU-equipped
trucks, trailers or containers; and
address other issues that arose during
the initial implementation of the TRU
regulation.3
By letter dated March 2, 2015, CARB
submitted a request to EPA pursuant to
section 209(e) of the Clean Air Act (CAA
or the Act) for confirmation that its 2011
Amendments fall within the scope of
EPA’s previous authorizations, or, in the
alternate, a full authorization for those
amendments. Included in the withinthe-scope request are the 2011
Amendments that (1) extend the
ULETRU compliance date for MY 2003
and older TRUs that complied with the
LETRU standard by specified dates; (2)
extend compliance dates when
compliant technology is unavailable or
delayed for certain reasons; (3) establish
new exemptions; 4 and (4) allow in-use
1 CARB’s amended regulation is codified at
California Code of Regulations (CCR), title 13,
section 2477. EPA granted California a full
authorization for the initial TRU regulation in 2009
(74 FR 3030 (January 16, 2009)). EPA confirmed
California’s 2010 amendments were within the
scope of the initial TRU authorization in 2013 (78
FR 38970 (June 28, 2013)).
2 The 2011 TRU Amendments also provide an
extension of applicable compliance dates should
compliant technology not be available.
3 For a complete description of CARB’s amended
TRU regulation and the provisions which CARB
seeks EPA’s authorization see CARB’s incoming
request to EPA (and accompanying documents)
submitted to the public docket at EPA–HQ–OAR–
2015–0224.
4 These new exemptions are listed in section II G
of CARB’s authorization request, EPA–HQ–OAR–
2015–0224–0002 at p. 12–13.
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performance standards and associated
compliance deadlines to be based on the
year the TRU was manufactured instead
of the TRU engine model year. CARB
also seeks within-the-scope
confirmation that certain amendments
to its accompanying enforcement
procedures are within the scope of prior
EPA authorizations.5 CARB seeks a full
authorization for a subset of the 2011
Amendments that set forth requirements
for repowering TRUs with new
replacement engines and that allow
owners to repower TRUs with rebuilt
engines meeting certain requirements.
CARB also seeks a full authorization for
a series amendments to the TRU
accompanying enforcement
procedures.6
II. Clean Air Act Nonroad Engine and
Vehicle Authorizations
Section 209(e)(1) of the CAA prohibits
states and local governments from
adopting or attempting to enforce any
standard or requirement relating to the
control of emissions from certain types
of new nonroad vehicles or engines. The
Act also preempts states from adopting
and enforcing standards and other
requirements related to the control of
emissions from other types of new
nonroad vehicles or engines as well as
non-new nonroad engines or vehicles.
Section 209(e)(2), however, requires the
Administrator, after notice and
opportunity for public hearing, to
authorize California to adopt and
enforce standards and other
requirements relating to the control of
emissions from such preempted
vehicles or engines if California
determines that California standards
will be, in the aggregate, at least as
protective of public health and welfare
as applicable Federal standards.
However, EPA shall not grant such
authorization if it finds that (1) the
determination of California is arbitrary
and capricious; (2) California does not
need such California standards to meet
compelling and extraordinary
conditions; or (3) California standards
and accompanying enforcement
procedures are not consistent with
[CAA section 209].7 In addition, other
5 These amendments to the TRU accompanying
enforcement procedures are listed in CARB’s
authorization request, EPA–HQ–OAR–2015–0244–
0002 at p. 24.
6 These amendments to the TRU accompanying
enforcement procedures are listed in CARB’s
authorization request, EPA–HQ–OAR–2015–0224–
0002 at p. 25.
7 EPA’s review of California regulations under
section 209 is not a broad review of the
reasonableness of the regulations or its
compatibility with all other laws. Sections 209(b)
and 209(e) of the Clean Air Act limit EPA’s
authority to deny California requests for waivers
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states with air quality attainment plans
may adopt and enforce such regulations
if the standards and the implementation
and enforcement procedures are
identical to California’s standards. On
July 20, 1994, EPA promulgated a rule
that sets forth, among other things,
regulations providing the criteria, as
found in section 209(e)(2), which EPA
must consider before granting any
California authorization request for new
nonroad engine or vehicle emission
standards.8 EPA revised these
regulations in 1997.9 As stated in the
preamble to the 1994 rule, EPA has
historically interpreted the section
209(e)(2)(A)(iii) ‘‘consistency’’ inquiry
to require, at minimum, that California
standards and enforcement procedures
be consistent with section 209(a),
section 209(e)(1), and section
209(b)(1)(C) (as EPA has interpreted that
subsection in the context of section
209(b) motor vehicle waivers).10
In order to be consistent with section
209(a), California’s nonroad standards
and enforcement procedures must not
apply to new motor vehicles or new
motor vehicle engines. To be consistent
with section 209(e)(1), California’s
nonroad standards and enforcement
procedures must not attempt to regulate
and authorizations to the three criteria listed
therein. As a result, EPA has consistently refrained
from denying California’s requests for waivers and
authorizations based on any other criteria. In
instances where the U.S. Court of Appeals has
reviewed EPA decisions declining to deny waiver
requests based on criteria not found in section
209(b), the Court has upheld and agreed with EPA’s
determination. See Motor and Equipment
Manufacturers Ass’n v. Nichols, 142 F.3d 449, 462–
63, 466–67 (D.C. Cir.1998), Motor and Equipment
Manufacturers Ass’n v. EPA, 627 F.2d 1095, 1111,
1114–20 (D.C. Cir. 1979). See also 78 FR 58090,
58120 (September 20, 2013).
8 59 FR 36969 (July 20, 1994).
9 62 FR 67733 (December 30, 1997). The
applicable regulations, now in 40 CFR part 1074,
subpart B, § 1074.105, provide:
(a) The Administrator will grant the authorization
if California determines that its standards will be,
in the aggregate, at least as protective of public
health and welfare as otherwise applicable federal
standards.
(b) The authorization will not be granted if the
Administrator finds that any of the following are
true:
(1) California’s determination is arbitrary and
capricious.
(2) California does not need such standards to
meet compelling and extraordinary conditions.
(3) The California standards and accompanying
enforcement procedures are not consistent with
section 209 of the Act.
(c) In considering any request to authorize
California to adopt or enforce standards or other
requirements relating to the control of emissions
from new nonroad spark-ignition engines smaller
than 50 horsepower, the Administrator will give
appropriate consideration to safety factors
(including the potential increased risk of burn or
fire) associated with compliance with the California
standard.
10 59 FR 36969 (July 20, 1994).
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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 221 / Tuesday, November 17, 2015 / Notices
engine categories that are permanently
preempted from state regulation. To
determine consistency with section
209(b)(1)(C), EPA typically reviews
nonroad authorization requests under
the same ‘‘consistency’’ criteria that are
applied to motor vehicle waiver
requests. Pursuant to section
209(b)(1)(C), the Administrator shall not
grant California a motor vehicle waiver
if she finds that California ‘‘standards
and accompanying enforcement
procedures are not consistent with
[section 202(a)]’’ of the Act. Previous
decisions granting waivers and
authorizations have noted that state
standards and enforcement procedures
are inconsistent with section 202(a) if:
(1) There is inadequate lead time to
permit the development of the necessary
technology giving appropriate
consideration to the cost of compliance
within that time, or (2) the federal and
state testing procedures impose
inconsistent certification
requirements.11
If California amends regulations that
EPA has already authorized, California
can seek EPA confirmation that the
amendments are within the scope of the
previous authorization. A within-thescope confirmation, without a full
authorization review, is permissible if
three conditions are met.12 First, the
amended regulations must not
undermine California’s determination
that its standards, in the aggregate, are
as protective of public health and
welfare as applicable federal standards.
Second, the amended regulations must
not affect consistency with section
202(a) of the Act. Third, the amended
regulations must not raise any ‘‘new
issues’’ affecting EPA’s prior
authorizations.
In considering whether to grant
authorizations for accompanying
enforcement procedures tied to
standards for which an authorization
has already been granted, EPA addresses
questions as to whether the enforcement
procedures undermine California’s
determination that its standards are as
protective of public health and welfare
as applicable federal standards, and
whether the enforcement procedures are
consistent with section 202(a).13
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III. EPA’s Request for Comments
As stated above, EPA is offering the
opportunity for a public hearing, and is
requesting written comment on issues
relevant to a within-the-scope analysis
11 Id. See also 78 FR 58090, 58092 (September 20,
2013).
12 See 78 FR 38970, 38972 (June 28, 2013).
13 See CAA section 209(e)(2)(A)(i) and (iii), 42
U.S.C. 7543(e)(2)(A) (i) and (iii).
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18:14 Nov 16, 2015
Jkt 238001
and a full authorization analysis.
Specifically, we request comment on
whether the 2011 Amendments (1)
undermine California’s previous
determination that its standards, in the
aggregate, are at least as protective of
public health and welfare as comparable
federal standards; (2) affect the
consistency of California’s requirements
with section 209 of the Act; or (3) raise
any other new issues affecting EPA’s
previous waiver or authorization
determinations.
Should any party believe that the
amendments are not within the scope of
the previous authorizations, EPA also
requests comment on whether the 2011
Amendments meet the criteria for a full
authorization. Specifically, we request
comment on: (a) Whether CARB’s
determination that its standards, in the
aggregate, are at least as protective of
public health and welfare as applicable
federal standards is arbitrary and
capricious; (b) whether California needs
such standards to meet compelling and
extraordinary conditions; and (c)
whether California’s standards and
accompanying enforcement procedures
are consistent with section 209 of the
Act.
IV. Procedures for Public Participation
If a hearing is held, the Agency will
make a verbatim record of the
proceedings. Interested parties may
arrange with the reporter at the hearing
to obtain a copy of the transcript at their
own expense. Regardless of whether a
public hearing is held, EPA will keep
the record open until February 8, 2016.
Upon expiration of the comment period,
the Administrator will render a decision
on CARB’s request based on the record
from the public hearing, if any, all
relevant written submissions, and other
information that she deems pertinent.
All information will be available for
inspection at the EPA Air Docket No.
EPA–HQ–OAR–2015–0224.
Persons with comments containing
proprietary information must
distinguish such information from other
comments to the greatest extent possible
and label it as ‘‘Confidential Business
Information’’ (CBI). If a person making
comments wants EPA to base its
decision on a submission labeled as CBI,
then a non-confidential version of the
document that summarizes the key data
or information should be submitted to
the public docket. To ensure that
proprietary information is not
inadvertently placed in the public
docket, submissions containing such
information should be sent directly to
the contact person listed above and not
to the public docket. Information
covered by a claim of confidentiality
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71793
will be disclosed by EPA only to the
extent allowed, and according to the
procedures set forth in 40 CFR part 2.
If no claim of confidentiality
accompanies the submission when EPA
receives it, EPA will make it available
to the public without further notice to
the person making comments.
Dated: November 9, 2015.
Christopher Grundler,
Director, Office of Transportation and Air
Quality, Office of Air and Radiation.
[FR Doc. 2015–29368 Filed 11–16–15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
[FRL–9937–19–OECA]
National Environmental Justice
Advisory Council; Notification of
Public Teleconference Meetings and
Public Comment
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
Pursuant to the Federal
Advisory Committee Act (FACA), Public
Law 92–463, the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) hereby
provides notice that the National
Environmental Justice Advisory Council
(NEJAC) will host a two (2) public
teleconference meetings on Wednesday,
December 2, 2015, from 12:30 p.m. to
2:30 p.m. Eastern Time and Tuesday,
December 15, 2015, from 3:30 p.m. to
5:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Items to be
discussed by NEJAC over these coming
meetings include respectively: U.S.
Housing and Urban Development Final
Rule on Affirmatively Furthering Fair
Housing and Assessment Tool; and
Chemical Plant Safety and Community
Revitalization: 20 Years of the
Brownfields Program.
There will be an opportunity for the
public to comment on Wednesday,
December 2, 2015, from 1:30 p.m. to
2:30 p.m. and Tuesday, December 15,
2015 from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Members of the public are encouraged
to provide comments relevant to the
topics of the meeting.
For additional information about
registering to attend the meeting or to
provide public comment, please see
‘‘REGISTRATION’’ under
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
DATES: The NEJAC teleconference
meeting on Wednesday, December 2,
2015, will begin promptly at 12:30 p.m.
Eastern Time. The NEJAC
teleconference meeting on Tuesday,
SUMMARY:
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 221 (Tuesday, November 17, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 71791-71793]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-29368]
[[Page 71791]]
=======================================================================
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[EPA-HQ-OAR-2015-0224; FRL-9939-16-OAR]
California State Nonroad Engine Pollution Control Standards; In-
Use Diesel-Fueled Transport Refrigeration Units (TRUs) and TRU
Generator Sets and Facilities Where TRUs Operate; Request for Within-
the-Scope and Full Authorization; Opportunity for Public Hearing and
Comment
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has notified the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that it has adopted amendments to
its In-Use Diesel-Fueled Transport Refrigeration Units (TRUs) and TRU
Generator Sets and Facilities Where TRUs Operate (together ``2011 TRU
Amendments'') regulation. By letter dated March 2, 2015, CARB asked
that EPA authorize these amendments pursuant to section 209(e) of the
Clean Air Act. CARB seeks confirmation that certain 2011 TRU Amendments
are within the scope of prior authorizations issued by EPA, or, in the
alternative, that such amendments merit full authorization. CARB also
seeks a full authorization for other 2011 TRU Amendments. This notice
announces that EPA has tentatively scheduled a public hearing to
consider California's authorization request for the 2011 TRU Amendments
and that EPA is now accepting written comment on the request.
DATES: EPA has tentatively scheduled a public hearing concerning CARB's
request on January 6, 2016, at 10 a.m. ET. EPA will hold a hearing only
if any party notifies EPA by December 15, 2015 to express interest in
presenting the Agency with oral testimony. Parties wishing to present
oral testimony at the public hearing should provide written notice to
David Dickinson at the email address noted below. If EPA receives a
request for a public hearing, that hearing will be held at the William
Jefferson Clinton Building (North), Room 5528 at 1200 Pennsylvania Ave.
NW., Washington, DC 20460. If EPA does not receive a request for a
public hearing, then EPA will not hold a hearing, and instead will
consider CARB's request based on written submissions to the docket. Any
party may submit written comments until February 8, 2016.
Any person who wishes to know whether a hearing will be held may
call David Dickinson at (202) 343-9256 on or after December 16, 2015.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-
OAR-2015-0224, by one of the following methods:
Online at https://www.regulations.gov: Follow the Online
Instructions for Submitting Comments.
Email: a-and-r-docket@epa.gov.
Fax: (202) 566-9744.
Mail: Air and Radiation Docket, Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-
2015-0224, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Mail code: 6102T, 1200
Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20460. Please include a total
of two copies.
Hand Delivery: EPA Docket Center, Public Reading Room, EPA
West Building, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC
20460. Such deliveries are only accepted during the Docket's normal
hours of operation, and special arrangements should be made for
deliveries of boxed information.
Online Instructions for Submitting Comments: Direct your comments
to Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2015-0224. EPA's policy is that all
comments we receive will be included in the public docket without
change and may be made available online at https://www.regulations.gov,
including any personal information provided, unless the comment
includes information claimed to be Confidential Business Information
(CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute.
Do not submit information that you consider to be CBI or otherwise
protected through https://www.regulations.gov or email. The https://www.regulations.gov Web site is an ``anonymous access'' system, which
means EPA will not know your identity or contact information unless you
provide it in the body of your comment. If you send an email comment
directly to EPA without going through https://www.regulations.gov, your
email address will automatically be captured and included as part of
the comment that is placed in the public docket and made available on
the Internet. If you submit an electronic comment, EPA recommends that
you include your name and other contact information in the body of your
comment and with any disk or CD-ROM you submit. If EPA cannot read your
comment due to technical difficulties and cannot contact you for
clarification, EPA may not be able to consider your comment. Electronic
files should avoid the use of special characters, any form of
encryption, and be free of any defects or viruses. For additional
information about EPA's public docket visit the EPA Docket Center
homepage at https://www.epa.gov/epahome/dockets.htm.
EPA will make available for public inspection materials submitted
by CARB, written comments received from any interested parties, and any
testimony given at the public hearing. Materials relevant to this
proceeding are contained in the Air and Radiation Docket and
Information Center, maintained in Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2015-0224.
Publicly available docket materials are available either electronically
through https://www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at the Air and
Radiation Docket in the EPA Headquarters Library, EPA West Building,
Room 3334, located at 1301 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC. The
Public Reading Room is open to the public on all federal government
work days from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; generally, it is open Monday
through Friday, excluding holidays. The telephone number for the
Reading Room is (202) 566-1744. The Air and Radiation Docket and
Information Center's Web site is https://www.epa.gov/oar/docket.html.
The electronic mail (email) address for the Air and Radiation Docket
is: a-and-r-Docket@epa.gov, the telephone number is (202) 566-1742, and
the fax number is (202) 566-9744. An electronic version of the public
docket is available through the federal government's electronic public
docket and comment system. You may access EPA dockets at https://www.regulations.gov. After opening the https://www.regulations.gov Web
site, enter, in the ``Enter Keyword or ID'' fill-in box to view
documents in the record. Although a part of the official docket, the
public docket does not include Confidential Business Information
(``CBI'') or other information whose disclosure is restricted by
statute.
EPA's Office of Transportation and Air Quality also maintains a Web
page that contains general information on its review of California
waiver and authorization requests. Included on that page are links to
prior waiver and authorization Federal Register notices. The page can
be accessed at https://www.epa.gov/otaq/cafr.htm.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Dickinson, Attorney-Advisor,
Transportation and Climate Division, Office of Transportation and Air
Quality, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave.
NW., (6405J), Washington, DC 20460. Telephone: (202) 343-9256. Fax:
(202) 343-2804. Email: dickinson.david@epa.gov.
[[Page 71792]]
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. California's TRU Regulations; Within-the-Scope Request and Request
for Full Authorization
CARB's TRU regulations require TRU engines to meet in-use standards
that vary by horsepower (hp) range and have two levels of emissions
stringency (LETRU and ULETRU--low-emission and ultra-low emission
transportation refrigeration units, respectively) that are phased in
over time.\1\ The 2011 Amendments provide owners of 2001 through 2003
model year (MY) TRU engines that complied with the LETRU in-use
performance standards by specified compliance deadlines a one-year
extension of the deadline to comply with the more stringent ULETRU in-
use performance standards.\2\ The 2011 Amendments also clarify manual
recordkeeping requirements for electric standby-equipped TRUs and
ultimately require automated electronic tracking system requirements
for such TRUs; establish requirements for businesses that arrange,
hire, contract, or dispatch the transport of goods in TRU-equipped
trucks, trailers or containers; and address other issues that arose
during the initial implementation of the TRU regulation.\3\
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\1\ CARB's amended regulation is codified at California Code of
Regulations (CCR), title 13, section 2477. EPA granted California a
full authorization for the initial TRU regulation in 2009 (74 FR
3030 (January 16, 2009)). EPA confirmed California's 2010 amendments
were within the scope of the initial TRU authorization in 2013 (78
FR 38970 (June 28, 2013)).
\2\ The 2011 TRU Amendments also provide an extension of
applicable compliance dates should compliant technology not be
available.
\3\ For a complete description of CARB's amended TRU regulation
and the provisions which CARB seeks EPA's authorization see CARB's
incoming request to EPA (and accompanying documents) submitted to
the public docket at EPA-HQ-OAR-2015-0224.
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By letter dated March 2, 2015, CARB submitted a request to EPA
pursuant to section 209(e) of the Clean Air Act (CAA or the Act) for
confirmation that its 2011 Amendments fall within the scope of EPA's
previous authorizations, or, in the alternate, a full authorization for
those amendments. Included in the within-the-scope request are the 2011
Amendments that (1) extend the ULETRU compliance date for MY 2003 and
older TRUs that complied with the LETRU standard by specified dates;
(2) extend compliance dates when compliant technology is unavailable or
delayed for certain reasons; (3) establish new exemptions; \4\ and (4)
allow in-use performance standards and associated compliance deadlines
to be based on the year the TRU was manufactured instead of the TRU
engine model year. CARB also seeks within-the-scope confirmation that
certain amendments to its accompanying enforcement procedures are
within the scope of prior EPA authorizations.\5\ CARB seeks a full
authorization for a subset of the 2011 Amendments that set forth
requirements for repowering TRUs with new replacement engines and that
allow owners to repower TRUs with rebuilt engines meeting certain
requirements. CARB also seeks a full authorization for a series
amendments to the TRU accompanying enforcement procedures.\6\
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\4\ These new exemptions are listed in section II G of CARB's
authorization request, EPA-HQ-OAR-2015-0224-0002 at p. 12-13.
\5\ These amendments to the TRU accompanying enforcement
procedures are listed in CARB's authorization request, EPA-HQ-OAR-
2015-0244-0002 at p. 24.
\6\ These amendments to the TRU accompanying enforcement
procedures are listed in CARB's authorization request, EPA-HQ-OAR-
2015-0224-0002 at p. 25.
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II. Clean Air Act Nonroad Engine and Vehicle Authorizations
Section 209(e)(1) of the CAA prohibits states and local governments
from adopting or attempting to enforce any standard or requirement
relating to the control of emissions from certain types of new nonroad
vehicles or engines. The Act also preempts states from adopting and
enforcing standards and other requirements related to the control of
emissions from other types of new nonroad vehicles or engines as well
as non-new nonroad engines or vehicles. Section 209(e)(2), however,
requires the Administrator, after notice and opportunity for public
hearing, to authorize California to adopt and enforce standards and
other requirements relating to the control of emissions from such
preempted vehicles or engines if California determines that California
standards will be, in the aggregate, at least as protective of public
health and welfare as applicable Federal standards. However, EPA shall
not grant such authorization if it finds that (1) the determination of
California is arbitrary and capricious; (2) California does not need
such California standards to meet compelling and extraordinary
conditions; or (3) California standards and accompanying enforcement
procedures are not consistent with [CAA section 209].\7\ In addition,
other states with air quality attainment plans may adopt and enforce
such regulations if the standards and the implementation and
enforcement procedures are identical to California's standards. On July
20, 1994, EPA promulgated a rule that sets forth, among other things,
regulations providing the criteria, as found in section 209(e)(2),
which EPA must consider before granting any California authorization
request for new nonroad engine or vehicle emission standards.\8\ EPA
revised these regulations in 1997.\9\ As stated in the preamble to the
1994 rule, EPA has historically interpreted the section
209(e)(2)(A)(iii) ``consistency'' inquiry to require, at minimum, that
California standards and enforcement procedures be consistent with
section 209(a), section 209(e)(1), and section 209(b)(1)(C) (as EPA has
interpreted that subsection in the context of section 209(b) motor
vehicle waivers).\10\
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\7\ EPA's review of California regulations under section 209 is
not a broad review of the reasonableness of the regulations or its
compatibility with all other laws. Sections 209(b) and 209(e) of the
Clean Air Act limit EPA's authority to deny California requests for
waivers and authorizations to the three criteria listed therein. As
a result, EPA has consistently refrained from denying California's
requests for waivers and authorizations based on any other criteria.
In instances where the U.S. Court of Appeals has reviewed EPA
decisions declining to deny waiver requests based on criteria not
found in section 209(b), the Court has upheld and agreed with EPA's
determination. See Motor and Equipment Manufacturers Ass'n v.
Nichols, 142 F.3d 449, 462-63, 466-67 (D.C. Cir.1998), Motor and
Equipment Manufacturers Ass'n v. EPA, 627 F.2d 1095, 1111, 1114-20
(D.C. Cir. 1979). See also 78 FR 58090, 58120 (September 20, 2013).
\8\ 59 FR 36969 (July 20, 1994).
\9\ 62 FR 67733 (December 30, 1997). The applicable regulations,
now in 40 CFR part 1074, subpart B, Sec. 1074.105, provide:
(a) The Administrator will grant the authorization if California
determines that its standards will be, in the aggregate, at least as
protective of public health and welfare as otherwise applicable
federal standards.
(b) The authorization will not be granted if the Administrator
finds that any of the following are true:
(1) California's determination is arbitrary and capricious.
(2) California does not need such standards to meet compelling
and extraordinary conditions.
(3) The California standards and accompanying enforcement
procedures are not consistent with section 209 of the Act.
(c) In considering any request to authorize California to adopt
or enforce standards or other requirements relating to the control
of emissions from new nonroad spark-ignition engines smaller than 50
horsepower, the Administrator will give appropriate consideration to
safety factors (including the potential increased risk of burn or
fire) associated with compliance with the California standard.
\10\ 59 FR 36969 (July 20, 1994).
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In order to be consistent with section 209(a), California's nonroad
standards and enforcement procedures must not apply to new motor
vehicles or new motor vehicle engines. To be consistent with section
209(e)(1), California's nonroad standards and enforcement procedures
must not attempt to regulate
[[Page 71793]]
engine categories that are permanently preempted from state regulation.
To determine consistency with section 209(b)(1)(C), EPA typically
reviews nonroad authorization requests under the same ``consistency''
criteria that are applied to motor vehicle waiver requests. Pursuant to
section 209(b)(1)(C), the Administrator shall not grant California a
motor vehicle waiver if she finds that California ``standards and
accompanying enforcement procedures are not consistent with [section
202(a)]'' of the Act. Previous decisions granting waivers and
authorizations have noted that state standards and enforcement
procedures are inconsistent with section 202(a) if: (1) There is
inadequate lead time to permit the development of the necessary
technology giving appropriate consideration to the cost of compliance
within that time, or (2) the federal and state testing procedures
impose inconsistent certification requirements.\11\
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\11\ Id. See also 78 FR 58090, 58092 (September 20, 2013).
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If California amends regulations that EPA has already authorized,
California can seek EPA confirmation that the amendments are within the
scope of the previous authorization. A within-the-scope confirmation,
without a full authorization review, is permissible if three conditions
are met.\12\ First, the amended regulations must not undermine
California's determination that its standards, in the aggregate, are as
protective of public health and welfare as applicable federal
standards. Second, the amended regulations must not affect consistency
with section 202(a) of the Act. Third, the amended regulations must not
raise any ``new issues'' affecting EPA's prior authorizations.
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\12\ See 78 FR 38970, 38972 (June 28, 2013).
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In considering whether to grant authorizations for accompanying
enforcement procedures tied to standards for which an authorization has
already been granted, EPA addresses questions as to whether the
enforcement procedures undermine California's determination that its
standards are as protective of public health and welfare as applicable
federal standards, and whether the enforcement procedures are
consistent with section 202(a).\13\
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\13\ See CAA section 209(e)(2)(A)(i) and (iii), 42 U.S.C.
7543(e)(2)(A) (i) and (iii).
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III. EPA's Request for Comments
As stated above, EPA is offering the opportunity for a public
hearing, and is requesting written comment on issues relevant to a
within-the-scope analysis and a full authorization analysis.
Specifically, we request comment on whether the 2011 Amendments (1)
undermine California's previous determination that its standards, in
the aggregate, are at least as protective of public health and welfare
as comparable federal standards; (2) affect the consistency of
California's requirements with section 209 of the Act; or (3) raise any
other new issues affecting EPA's previous waiver or authorization
determinations.
Should any party believe that the amendments are not within the
scope of the previous authorizations, EPA also requests comment on
whether the 2011 Amendments meet the criteria for a full authorization.
Specifically, we request comment on: (a) Whether CARB's determination
that its standards, in the aggregate, are at least as protective of
public health and welfare as applicable federal standards is arbitrary
and capricious; (b) whether California needs such standards to meet
compelling and extraordinary conditions; and (c) whether California's
standards and accompanying enforcement procedures are consistent with
section 209 of the Act.
IV. Procedures for Public Participation
If a hearing is held, the Agency will make a verbatim record of the
proceedings. Interested parties may arrange with the reporter at the
hearing to obtain a copy of the transcript at their own expense.
Regardless of whether a public hearing is held, EPA will keep the
record open until February 8, 2016. Upon expiration of the comment
period, the Administrator will render a decision on CARB's request
based on the record from the public hearing, if any, all relevant
written submissions, and other information that she deems pertinent.
All information will be available for inspection at the EPA Air Docket
No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2015-0224.
Persons with comments containing proprietary information must
distinguish such information from other comments to the greatest extent
possible and label it as ``Confidential Business Information'' (CBI).
If a person making comments wants EPA to base its decision on a
submission labeled as CBI, then a non-confidential version of the
document that summarizes the key data or information should be
submitted to the public docket. To ensure that proprietary information
is not inadvertently placed in the public docket, submissions
containing such information should be sent directly to the contact
person listed above and not to the public docket. Information covered
by a claim of confidentiality will be disclosed by EPA only to the
extent allowed, and according to the procedures set forth in 40 CFR
part 2. If no claim of confidentiality accompanies the submission when
EPA receives it, EPA will make it available to the public without
further notice to the person making comments.
Dated: November 9, 2015.
Christopher Grundler,
Director, Office of Transportation and Air Quality, Office of Air and
Radiation.
[FR Doc. 2015-29368 Filed 11-16-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P