General Permits and Permits by Rule for the Federal Minor New Source Review Program in Indian Country for Six Source Categories, 70944-70966 [2016-23178]
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70944
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 199 / Friday, October 14, 2016 / Rules and Regulations
TABLE 1 TO § 165.1191—Continued
Event Description ................................................
Date .....................................................................
Location ...............................................................
Regulated Area ...................................................
*
*
Fireworks Display.
Second Saturday in October.
Capitola Pier in Capitola, CA.
1,000-foot safety zone around the navigable waters of the Capitola Pier.
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Dated: September 15, 2016.
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[FR Doc. 2016–24915 Filed 10–13–16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110–04–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 49
[EPA–HQ–OAR–2011–0151; FRL–9952–86–
OAR]
RIN 2060–AR98
General Permits and Permits by Rule
for the Federal Minor New Source
Review Program in Indian Country for
Six Source Categories
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
The Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) is finalizing general
permits for use in Indian country
pursuant to the Federal Minor New
Source Review (NSR) Program in Indian
Country for new or modified minor
sources in the following six source
categories: concrete batch plants; boilers
and emergency engines; stationary spark
ignition engines; stationary compression
ignition engines; graphic arts and
printing operations; and sawmill
facilities.
SUMMARY:
This final rule is effective on
November 14, 2016.
ADDRESSES: The EPA has established a
docket for this action under Docket ID
No. EPA–HQ–OAR–2011–0151. All
documents in the docket are listed in
the https://www.regulations.gov Web
site. Although listed in the index, some
information is not publicly available,
DATES:
*
*
e.g., Confidential Business Information
or other information whose disclosure is
restricted by statute. Certain other
material, such as copyrighted material,
is not placed on the Internet and will be
publicly available only in hard copy
form. Publicly available docket
materials are available electronically
through https://www.regulations.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Christopher Stoneman, Outreach and
Information Division, Office of Air
Quality Planning and Standards, (C–
304–03), Environmental Protection
Agency, Research Triangle Park, North
Carolina, 27711, telephone number
(919) 541–0823, facsimile number (919)
541–0072, email address:
stoneman.chris@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Throughout this document, ‘‘Reviewing
Authority,’’ ‘‘we,’’ ‘‘us’’ and ‘‘our’’ refer
to the EPA. The information in this
preamble is organized as follows:
Table of Contents
I. General Information
A. Does this action apply to me?
B. Where can I get a copy of this document
and other related information?
II. Overview of the Final Rule
III. Background
A. Federal Minor New Source Review
Program in Indian Country
B. General Permits and Permits by Rule for
the Federal Minor New Source Review
Program in Indian Country—Proposed
Rule
IV. Final Rulemaking Action
A. Permitting Documents and
Implementation Tools
B. Issues Concerning Aspects of Finalizing
a General Permit/Permit by Rule for
Graphic Arts and Printing Operations
C. Proposed Rule Change to the Federal
Indian Country Minor New Source
Review Rule in One Area: Shortening the
General Permit Application Review
Process From 90 to 45 Days for Graphic
Arts and Printing Operations
*
*
D. Control Technology Review
E. Setback Requirements
F. Requirements Relating to Threatened or
Endangered Species and Historic
Properties
G. Use of Throughput Limits and Capacity
Limits
V. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
A. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory
Planning and Review and Executive
Order 13563: Improving Regulation and
Regulatory Review
B. Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA)
C. Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)
D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
(UMRA)
E. Executive Order 13132: Federalism
F. Executive Order 13175: Consultation
and Coordination With Indian Tribal
Governments
G. Executive Order 13045: Protection of
Children From Environmental Health
Risks and Safety Risks
H. Executive Order 13211: Actions
Concerning Regulations That
Significantly Affect Energy Supply,
Distribution or Use
I. National Technology Transfer and
Advancement Act (NTTAA)
J. Executive Order 12898: Federal Actions
To Address Environmental Justice in
Minority Populations and Low-Income
Populations
K. Congressional Review Act (CRA)
I. General Information
A. Does this action apply to me?
Entities potentially affected by this
final action consist of owners and
operators of facilities included in the
following source categories that are
located, or planning to locate, in an
Indian reservation or in another area of
Indian country (as defined in 18 U.S.C.
1151) over which an Indian tribe, or the
EPA, has demonstrated that the tribe has
jurisdiction where there is no EPAapproved program in place and that are
subject to the requirements of the
Federal Indian Country Minor NSR rule.
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TABLE 1—SOURCE CATEGORIES
North
American
industry
classification
categories
Industry categories
Boilers and Emergency Engines ................................................
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2211
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Examples of regulated industries
Agriculture, Greenhouses.
Electric Power Generation.
Wood Product Manufacturing (Except Sawmill Facilities).
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70945
TABLE 1—SOURCE CATEGORIES—Continued
North
American
industry
classification
categories
Industry categories
311
327
Graphic Arts and Printing ...........................................................
424
611110
611210
611310
62
721120
813110
92
327320
327320
327320
327320
327320
327331
327332
327390
622110
2211
323111
Sawmill Facilities .........................................................................
323113
323117
321113
Concrete Batch Plants ................................................................
Engines .......................................................................................
This list is not intended to be
exhaustive, but rather to provide a guide
for readers regarding entities likely to be
potentially affected by this action. You
should examine the applicability
criteria in the Federal Minor NSR
Program in Indian Country (40 Code of
Federal Regulations (CFR) 49.153) to
determine whether your facility could
be affected by this action. If you have
any questions regarding the
applicability of this action to a
particular entity, contact the appropriate
person listed in the FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT section.
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B. Where can I get a copy of this
document and other related
information?
In addition to being available in the
docket, an electronic copy of this final
rule is posted on the tribal minor NSR
home page at https://www.epa.gov/
tribal-air/tribal-minor-new-sourcereview.
II. Overview of the Final Rule
In July 2011, the EPA issued the
Federal Minor NSR Program in Indian
Country rule 1 that established, among
1 ‘‘Review of New Sources and Modifications in
Indian Country,’’ U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, 76 FR 38748, July 1, 2011, https://
www.federalregister.gov/articles/2011/07/01/201114981/review-of-new-sources-and-modifications-inindian-country.
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Examples of regulated industries
Food Manufacturing.
Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing (Except ReadyMix Concrete).
Wholesale Trade, Nondurable Goods.
Elementary and Secondary Schools.
Junior Colleges.
Colleges, Universities and Professional Schools.
Health Care and Social Assistance.
Casino Hotels.
Religious Organizations.
Public Administration.
Concrete Batch Plants (including temporary).
Central-Mixed Concrete Manufacturing.
Truck-Mixed Concrete Manufacturing.
Transit-Mixed Concrete Manufacturing.
Ready-Mix Concrete Manufacturing and Distribution.
Concrete Manufacturing: All Types of Blocks and Bricks.
Concrete Manufacturing: All Types of Pipes and Conduit.
Concrete Block and Brick.
Medical and Surgical Hospitals.
Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution.
Printing: Flexographic, Rotogravure, Gravure, Letterpress,
Lithographic, Digital.
Commercial Printing, Newspapers, Print Shops.
Printing Books.
Sawmill Facilities.
other things, the requirements and
process for the preconstruction
permitting of minor sources in Indian
country. Under the rule, on or after 3
years from the effective date of the
Federal Indian Country Minor NSR rule
(September 2, 2014), an owner or
operator must obtain a preconstruction
permit from the Reviewing Authority,2
if the owner or operator intends to
construct a new true minor source 3 or
modify an existing true minor source in
Indian country. The rule also specifies
the process and requirements for using
general permits as a streamlined
permitting approach to authorize
construction and modification of true
minor sources. General permits
2 In this document, Reviewing Authority refers to
an EPA Regional office. However, tribes can become
reviewing authorities if they decide to assist the
EPA with implementing the minor NSR program in
their area through a delegation agreement.
3 True minor source means a source that emits, or
has the potential to emit, regulated NSR pollutants
in amounts that are less than the major source
thresholds under either the Prevention of
Significant Deterioration (PSD) program at 40 CFR
52.21, or the Major NSR program for Nonattainment
Areas in Indian Country at 40 CFR 49.166–49.173,
but equal to or greater than the minor NSR
thresholds in 40 CFR 49.153, without the need to
take an enforceable restriction to reduce its
Potential to Emit (PTE) to such levels. The PTE
includes fugitive emissions, to the extent that they
are quantifiable, only if the source belongs to one
of the 28 source categories listed in part 51,
appendix S, paragraph II.A.4(iii) or 40 CFR
52.21(b)(1)(iii), as applicable.
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streamline the preconstruction
permitting of new or modified true
minor sources because they involve the
issuance of one permit that can apply to
multiple stationary sources that have
similar emissions units.
In this action, the EPA is finalizing
general permits for the following six
source categories for the permitting of
affected emissions units and emissionsgenerating activities: concrete batch
plants; boilers and emergency engines;
stationary spark ignition engines;
stationary compression ignition engines;
graphic arts and printing operations;
and sawmill facilities. We are providing
the following implementation
documents and tools for all of the
permits we are finalizing today:
questionnaires; instructions; potential to
emit (PTE) calculators; background
documents; and Request for Coverage
Forms (applications). For all of these
permits, the implementation tools and
documents are available at either:
https://www.epa.gov/tribal-air/tribalminor-new-source-review or Docket ID
No. EPA–HQ–OAR–2011–0151.
Five prior actions are also relevant to
this action. First, in a final rulemaking
signed May 22, 2014, and published
June 16, 2014,4 the EPA amended the
4 ‘‘Review of New Sources and Modifications in
Indian Country Amendments to the Registration
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Federal Minor New Source Review
Program in Indian Country rule by
finalizing the following three actions:
1. Extending the minor NSR
permitting deadline for true minor
sources in the oil and natural gas sector
located, or planning to locate, in Indian
country (§ 49.151(c)(1)(iii)(B));
2. Adjusting the registration deadline
to conform to the extended permitting
deadline for true minor sources in the
oil and natural gas sector
(§§ 49.151(c)(1)(iii)(A) and
49.160(c)(1)(ii) and (iii)); and
3. Eliminating a requirement for all
true minor sources that begin
construction before September 2, 2014,
and are eligible to construct pursuant to
a general permit, to obtain a minor NSR
permit 6 months after the EPA publishes
the relevant general permit. No general
permits had been finalized by the date
6 months prior to September 2, 2014, so
the provision was moot
(§ 49.151(c)(1)(iii)(B)).
Second, on May 1, 2015, the EPA
published a final rule, ‘‘General Permits
and Permits by Rule for the Federal
Minor New Source Review Program in
Indian Country for Five Source
Categories,’’ to simplify the Clean Air
Act (CAA) permitting process for certain
smaller sources of air pollution
commonly found in Indian country.5 In
the action, the EPA finalized general
permits for use in Indian country for
new or modified minor sources in the
following two source categories: hot mix
asphalt plants and stone quarrying,
crushing and screening facilities. The
EPA also finalized permits by rule for
use in Indian country for new or
modified minor sources in three source
categories: auto body repair and
miscellaneous surface coating
operations; gasoline dispensing
facilities; and petroleum dry cleaning
facilities. The EPA also took final action
authorizing the use of general permits
established under the program to create
synthetic minor sources.
Third, on September 18, 2015, the
EPA proposed a federal implementation
plan (FIP) 6 that would apply to new
true minor sources and minor
modifications at existing true minor
sources in the production segment of
the oil and natural gas sector that are
locating or expanding in Indian
reservations or in other areas of Indian
country over which an Indian tribe, or
the EPA, has demonstrated the tribe’s
jurisdiction. The FIP was proposed to
satisfy the minor source permitting
requirement under the Federal Indian
Country Minor NSR rule.
Fourth, on February 24, 2016, we
finalized three amendments to the
Federal Indian Country Minor NSR rule
that we proposed in our September 18,
2015, proposal, along with the FIP:
1. We revised the deadline under
§ 49.151(c)(1)(iii)(B) by which new and
modified true minor sources in the oil
and natural gas sector that are located in
(or planning to locate in) reservation
areas of Indian country or other areas of
Indian country for which tribal
jurisdiction has been demonstrated
must obtain a minor NSR permit prior
to beginning construction. We extended
the deadline from March 2, 2016, to
October 3, 2016, for all new and
modified true minor sources within the
oil and natural gas sector located in
Indian country.
2. We revised § 49.151(c)(1)(iii)(A) to
conform the registration deadline to the
extended permitting deadline in
§ 49.151(c)(1)(iii)(B).
3. We revised § 49.160(c)(1)(ii) to
conform the registration deadline to the
extended permitting deadline in
§ 49.151(c)(1)(iii)(B).
Finally, on June 3, 2016, the EPA
published the final FIP for true minor
sources in the oil and natural gas sector
(and associated amendments to the
Federal Indian Country Minor NSR
rule).7 The final FIP applies to the true
minor sources in Indian country
engaged in the oil and natural gas
production and natural gas processing
segments of the oil and natural gas
sector.
and Permitting Deadlines for True Minor Sources,’’
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 79 FR
34231, June 16, 2014, https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/
pkg/FR-2014-06-16/pdf/2014-14030.pdf.
5 ‘‘General Permits and Permits by Rule for the
Federal Minor New Source Review Program in
Indian Country for Five Source Categories,’’ U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, 80 FR 25068,
May 1, 2015, https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR2015-05-01/pdf/FR-2015-05-01-FrontMatter.pdf.
6 ‘‘Review of New Sources and Modifications in
Indian Country: Federal Implementation Plan for
Managing Air Emissions from True Minor Sources
Engaged in Oil and Natural Gas Production in
Indian Country,’’ U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, 81 FR 56554, September 18, 2015, https://
www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2015-09-18/pdf/201521025.pdf.
7 ‘‘Federal Implementation Plan for True Minor
Sources in Indian Country in the Oil and Natural
Gas Production and Natural Gas Processing
Segments of the Oil and Natural Gas Sector;
Amendments to the Federal Minor New Source
Review Program in Indian Country to Address
Requirements for True Minor Sources in the Oil and
Natural Gas Sector,’’ U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, 81 FR 35944, June 3, 2016, https://
www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2016-06-03/pdf/201611969.pdf.
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III. Background
A. Federal Minor New Source Review
Program in Indian Country
1. What is the Federal Indian Country
minor NSR rule?
On August 21, 2006, the EPA
proposed the regulation: ‘‘Review of
New Sources and Modifications in
Indian Country’’ (i.e., Indian Country
NSR rule).8 Within this regulation, the
EPA proposed to protect air quality in
Indian country by establishing a FIP
program to regulate the modification
and construction of minor stationary
sources consistent with the
requirements of section 110(a)(2)(c) of
the CAA. (The proposal also included a
major source NSR program for areas of
Indian country designated as
nonattainment.) The minor source part
of the program is officially titled Federal
Minor New Source Review Program in
Indian Country, but we generally refer
to it as the Federal Indian Country
Minor NSR rule. Under the Federal
Indian Country Minor NSR rule, we
proposed to fill a regulatory gap and to
provide a mechanism for issuing
preconstruction permits for the
construction of new minor sources and
minor modifications at major and minor
sources in Indian country. We
promulgated final rules on July 1, 2011,9
and the FIP became effective on August
30, 2011.
The Federal Indian Country Minor
NSR rule applies to new and modified
minor stationary sources and to minor
modifications at existing major
stationary sources located in Indian
country 10 where there is no EPA8 ‘‘Review of New Sources and Modifications in
Indian Country,’’ U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, 71 FR 48696, August 21, 2006, https://
www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2006-08-21/html/066926.htm.
9 ‘‘Review of New Sources and Modifications in
Indian Country,’’ U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, 76 FR 38748, July 1, 2011, https://
www.federalregister.gov/articles/2011/07/01/201114981/review-of-new-sources-and-modifications-inindian-country.
10 The Federal Indian Country Minor NSR rule
defines ‘‘Indian country’’ to include three categories
of lands consistent with 18 U.S.C. 1151, i.e., Indian
reservations, dependent Indian communities, and
Indian allotments. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the
District of Columbia Circuit vacated the rule with
respect to non-reservation areas of Indian country
(i.e., dependent Indian communities and Indian
allotments) (Oklahoma Dept. of Environmental
Quality v. EPA, 740 F.3d 185 (D.C. Cir. 2014)). The
court held that the state, not tribes or the EPA, has
initial primary responsibility for implementation
plans under CAA section 110 in non-reservation
areas of Indian country in the absence of a
demonstration of tribal jurisdiction by the EPA or
a tribe. The rule, therefore, does not apply in nonreservation areas of Indian country unless a tribe or
the EPA has demonstrated that a tribe has
jurisdiction in a particular non-reservation area of
Indian country.
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approved program in place. Beginning
September 2, 2014, any new stationary
sources that will emit, or will have the
potential to emit, a regulated NSR
pollutant in amounts that will be: (1)
Equal to or greater than the minor NSR
thresholds established in the Federal
Indian Country Minor NSR rule; and (2)
less than the amount that would qualify
the source as a major source or a major
modification for purposes of the PSD
Program or nonattainment major NSR,
must apply for and obtain a minor NSR
permit before beginning construction of
the new source.
Likewise, any existing stationary
source (minor or major) must apply for
and obtain a minor NSR permit before
beginning construction of a physical or
operational change that will increase the
allowable emissions of the stationary
source by more than the specified minor
source threshold amounts, if the change
does not otherwise trigger the
permitting requirements of the PSD or
nonattainment major NSR program(s).11
Among other things, the Federal
Indian Country Minor NSR rule created
a framework for the EPA to streamline
the issuance of preconstruction permits
to true minor sources by using general
permits.
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2. What is a true minor source and how
does it differ from a synthetic minor
source?
‘‘True minor source’’ under the
Federal Indian Country Minor NSR rule
means a source that emits, or has the
PTE, regulated NSR pollutants in
amounts that are less than the major
source thresholds under either the PSD
Program at 40 CFR 52.21, or the Major
NSR Program for Nonattainment Areas
in Indian Country at 40 CFR 49.166–
49.173, but equal to or greater than the
minor NSR thresholds in § 49.153,
without the need to take an enforceable
restriction to reduce its PTE to such
levels. A source’s PTE includes fugitive
emissions, to the extent that they are
quantifiable, only if the source belongs
to one of the 28 source categories listed
in part 51, appendix S, paragraph
II.A.4(iii) or § 52.21(b)(1)(iii) of 40 CFR,
as applicable. By contrast, ‘‘synthetic
minor source’’ means a source that
otherwise has the PTE regulated NSR
pollutants in amounts that are at or
above those for major sources, but that
has taken a restriction so that its PTE is
11 A
source may, however, be subject to certain
monitoring, recordkeeping and reporting (MRR)
requirements under the major NSR programs, if the
change has a reasonable possibility of resulting in
a major modification. A source may be subject to
both the Federal Indian Country Minor NSR
Program and the ‘‘reasonable possibility’’ MRR
requirements of the major NSR program(s).
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less than such amounts. Such
restrictions must be enforceable as a
legal and practical matter.
70947
1. What was in the proposed rule?
On July 17, 2014, the EPA published
a proposed rule, ‘‘General Permits and
Permits by Rule for the Federal Minor
New Source Review Program in Indian
Country,’’ to simplify the CAA
permitting process for certain smaller
sources of air pollution commonly
found in Indian country.13 The
proposed action was intended to
facilitate the implementation of the
Federal Indian Country Minor Source
NSR rule issued by the EPA in July 2011
in a manner that minimized the
administrative and time burden
associated with the permitting process,
while at the same time adequately
protecting air quality in Indian country.
As its preferred approach, the EPA
made available draft general permits for
use in Indian country pursuant to the
Federal Indian Country Minor NSR rule
for new or modified true minor sources
in the following six source categories:
Concrete batch plants; boilers;
stationary spark ignition engines;
stationary compression ignition engines;
graphic arts and printing operations;
and sawmill facilities. In the alternative,
the EPA also proposed a permit by rule
for use in Indian country for new or
modified true minor sources in one of
the six source categories: graphic arts
and printing operations.
We requested comment on the
following areas:
1. All aspects of the permit
documents and implementation tools
for the six source categories:
• Concrete batch plants;
• Boilers; 14
• Stationary spark ignition engines;
• Stationary compression ignition
engines;
• Graphic arts and printing
operations; and
• Sawmill facilities;
2. The appropriateness of using a
streamlined general permit/permit by
rule application for one source category:
graphic arts and printing operations;
3. Various aspects of the EPA’s
conclusion on its control technology
review that the measures in the draft/
proposed permits are technically and
economically feasible and cost effective
because they are currently used by
similar sources in other areas of the
country;
4. Setback requirements, which are
provisions related to the location of the
emitting activities and the source
property boundary and certain nearby
structures;
5. The process for sources to address
threatened or endangered species and
historic properties with respect to the
six categories in the proposal;
6. Use of throughput limits and
capacity limits as surrogates for tons per
12 ‘‘Review of New Sources and Modifications in
Indian Country,’’ U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, 76 FR 38770, July 1, 2011, https://
www.federalregister.gov/articles/2011/07/01/201114981/review-of-new-sources-and-modifications-inindian-country.
13 ‘‘General Permits and Permits by Rule for the
Federal Minor New Source Review Program in
Indian Country,’’ U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, 79 FR 41846, July 17, 2014, https://
www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2014-07-17/pdf/201416814.pdf.
14 In the proposal for this action (79 FR 41846,
July 17, 2014), the title for the source category for
boilers did not include emergency engines; in this
final rule, we are adding emergency engines to the
source category title so that it encompasses boilers
and emergency engines.
3. What is a general permit?
The Federal Indian Country Minor
NSR rule specifies the process and
requirements for using general permits
to authorize construction and
modifications at true minor sources as a
streamlined permitting approach. A
general permit, for purposes of this
action, is a permit document that
contains standardized requirements that
multiple stationary sources can use. The
EPA may issue a general permit for
categories of emissions units or
stationary sources that are similar in
nature, have substantially similar
emissions, and would be subject to the
same or substantially similar permit
requirements.12 ‘‘Similar in nature’’
refers to size, processes, and operating
conditions. The purpose of a general
permit is to provide for protection of air
quality, while simplifying the
permitting process for similar minor
sources. General permits offer a costeffective means of issuing permits and
provide a quicker and simpler
mechanism for permitting minor
sources than the source-specific
permitting process.
While the final Federal Indian
Country Minor NSR rule contemplated
issuance of general permits by the EPA
Regional offices, we have determined,
for the permits we are finalizing here,
that a nationwide action is appropriate.
Through this action, we are finalizing
general permits to serve as
preconstruction permit authorizations
that contain emission limitations and
other restrictions to govern how
specified sources construct, modify and
operate.
B. General Permits and Permits by Rule
for the Federal Minor New Source
Review Program in Indian Country—
Proposed Rule
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year (tpy) allowable emission
limitations, or, alternatively,
establishment of annual allowable
emission limitations for each pollutant,
and the use of throughput limits as
surrogate monitoring measures to
demonstrate compliance with tpy
annual allowable emission limitations;
7. Finalizing both permitting
mechanisms for graphic arts and
printing operations by providing
authorization to construct or modify
true minor sources in this category via
permits by rule and by providing
enforceable limitations to create
synthetic minor sources in this category
via general permits; and
8. A proposed rule change to the
Federal Indian Country Minor NSR rule:
shortening the general permit
application review process from 90 to
45 days for graphic arts and printing
operations.
IV. Final Rulemaking Action
This section outlines the major areas
where we sought comment in the July
17, 2014, proposal, highlights our
responses to major comments received
and describes our final action. We
received 11 comments from industry (or
their representatives), 12 comments
from tribes (or their representatives), 1
comment from a local air quality agency
and 1 comment from a state
environmental agency. The Response to
Comments (RTC) Document can be
found in docket EPA–HQ–OAR–2011–
0151 and is available online at: https://
www.epa.gov/tribal-air/tribal-minornew-source-review. It contains more
detailed descriptions of the comments
we received and our responses to them.
A. Permitting Documents and
Implementation Tools
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1. Proposed Rule
As our preferred approach, the EPA
made available draft general permits for
use in Indian country pursuant to the
Federal Indian Country Minor NSR rule
for new or modified minor sources in
the following six source categories:
Concrete batch plants; boilers;
stationary spark ignition engines;
stationary compression ignition engines;
graphic arts and printing operations;
and sawmill facilities. In the alternative,
we also proposed a permit by rule for
use in Indian country for new or
modified minor sources in the graphic
arts and printing operations source
category. Overall, we sought comment
on all aspects of the permit documents
and implementation tools for these
source categories. Specifically, Section
VI of the July 17, 2014, proposal
provided a summary of the specific
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terms and conditions of the general
permits and indicated specific areas
where we requested comment.
2. Summary of Comments, Responses
and Final Action
The following sections provide an
abbreviated summary of changes to the
implementation tools, as well as
significant comments on the draft
general permits for the six source
categories in this final rule and our
responses. Detailed responses to the
comments on the permits and related
tools and documents are addressed in
the RTC Document. In our final action,
based on comments, we have made
substantive changes to the terms and
conditions of all of the draft permits and
the related implementation tools in
several areas, including the following:
setback requirements; throughput limits;
various control requirements; and
enhancements and clarifications to the
implementation tools.
a. Overview of Changes to Permits and
Implementation Tools
In direct response to public comments
(and upon further review), we are
revising the draft general permits and
implementation tools in many areas,
including as follows:
(1) Expanding the scope of the draft
boilers general permit to include
emergency engines so that the final
general permit is titled: ‘‘General Air
Quality Permit for New or Modified
Minor Source Boilers and Emergency
Engines in Indian Country’’;
(2) Removing emissions limitations
for emergency engines from the general
permits for the following three source
categories: Sawmill facilities, graphic
arts and printing operations and
concrete batch plants, as discussed
below with respect to the final engines
general permits (we did so because we
expect that emergency engines that are
not located at sources covered by a
general permit or permit by rule that we
have already developed, and that are not
otherwise exempt consistent with
§ 49.153 of the Federal Indian Country
Minor NSR rule,15 will be located at a
source with one or more boilers and,
thus, will be covered by the ‘‘General
Air Quality Permit for New or Modified
Minor Source Boilers and Emergency
Engines in Indian Country’’);
15 Under 40 CFR 49.153(c)(9), emergency
generator engines at a single source are ‘‘exempt’’
if the combined maximum horsepower (hp) rating
of all emergency generator engines is below 1,000
hp in attainment areas or 500 hp in ozone
nonattainment areas classified as Serious or lower.
If your source consists of only exempt equipment,
then you are not required to obtain a minor NSR
permit.
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(3) Recalculating maximum capacity
ratings for certain boilers in the final
‘‘General Air Quality Permit for New or
Modified Boilers and Emergency
Engines in Indian Country’’ based on
non-greenhouse gas (GHG) pollutants
(e.g., nitrogen oxides (NOX)) to reflect
the change in GHG permitting
requirements resulting from the U.S.
Supreme Court’s June 23, 2014, ruling 16
and to ensure minor source status for
eligible sources;
(4) Revising and reconfiguring control
options for the following three general
permits to accommodate their use by
sources seeking synthetic minor status:
‘‘General Air Quality Permit for New or
Modified Minor Source Spark Ignition
Engines in Indian Country,’’ ‘‘General
Air Quality Permit for New or Modified
Minor Source Compression Ignition
Engines in Indian Country’’ and
‘‘General Air Quality Permit for New or
Modified Minor Source Boilers and
Emergency Engines in Indian
Country’’; 17
(5) Revising the titles of all six general
permits in this action, to make it clear
that they are all available for true minor
and synthetic minor sources (including
all of the implementation tools), by
removing the words ‘‘true minor’’ (and
adding clarifying text to the Request for
Coverage Forms to reflect this expanded
coverage of source types);
(6) Adjusting the definition of
‘‘promptly’’ for reporting deviations
under the final ‘‘General Air Quality
Permit for New or Modified Boilers and
Emergency Engines in Indian Country’’
16 In setting the permitting capacity limits in the
draft boilers general permit, the ‘‘controlling’’
regulated pollutant considered in our evaluation
was GHGs. This pollutant was regarded as primarily
a factor for units emitting higher levels of carbon
dioxide (CO2), a GHG. Therefore, the draft
maximum capacity ratings for certain size boilers
were set for GHGs at levels sufficiently low to keep
eligible sources below the major source permitting
threshold of 100,000 tpy of CO2 equivalent. On June
23, 2014, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that sources
are no longer required to obtain a PSD permit solely
based on their GHG emissions. This means that a
source must trigger the major source PSD permitting
requirements for non-GHG pollutants, either as a
newly constructed source or as a modification at a
major source, in order to be subject to NSR Best
Available Control Technology (BACT) review for
GHGs. Therefore, the minor sources covered under
the final ‘‘General Air Quality Permit for New or
Modified Minor Source Boilers and Emergency
Engines in Indian Country’’ can be required to
obtain a permit based only on their emissions of
non-GHG pollutants.
17 This approach is consistent with the policy we
finalized on May 1, 2015, that allows for the use
of general permits in Indian country to create
synthetic minor sources. ‘‘General Permits and
Permits by Rule for the Federal Minor New Source
Review Program in Indian Country for Five Source
Categories,’’ U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
80 FR 25068, May 1, 2015, https://www.gpo.gov/
fdsys/pkg/FR-2015-05-01/pdf/FR-2015-05-01FrontMatter.pdf.
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and the final ‘‘General Air Quality
Permit for New or Modified Concrete
Batch Plants in Indian Country’’ to
conform to the definition of this term in
the general permits that the EPA has
already completed for hot mix asphalt
plants and stone quarrying, crushing
and screening facilities;
(7) Adjusting the condition
concerning the timing and location for
records retention in the final ‘‘General
Air Quality Permit for New or Modified
Concrete Batch Plants in Indian
Country’’ to conform to the
corresponding condition in the general
permits the EPA has already completed
for hot mix asphalt plants and stone
quarrying, crushing and screening
facilities;
(8) Revising the general permit for
sawmill facilities to accommodate
sources that may trigger the major
source threshold for hazardous air
pollutants (HAPs) prior to reaching the
80 ton per year/12-month rolling
emission limits in the permit and that,
thus, may need to seek synthetic minor
status for HAP emissions;
(9) Revising the throughput limits in
the final ‘‘General Air Quality Permit for
New or Modified Minor Source Sawmill
Facilities in Indian Country’’ to match
the revised input data provided in the
sawmill facilities PTE calculator (from
thousand board-feet (Mbf) to wood log
inputs expressed in tons);
(10) Correcting the board-foot
throughput limit in the ‘‘General Air
Quality Permit for New or Modified
Minor Source Sawmill Facilities in
Indian Country’’ to reflect corrections
made to the sawmill facilities PTE
calculator;
(11) Adding a separate throughput
limit to the final ‘‘General Air Quality
Permit for New or Modified Minor
Source Sawmill Facilities in Indian
Country’’ for Serious PM10 (particulate
matter equal to or less than 10 microns
in diameter) nonattainment areas and
PM2.5 (particulate matter equal to or less
than 2.5 microns in diameter)
nonattainment areas;
(12) Clarifying in the final ‘‘General
Air Quality Permit for New or Modified
Minor Source Sawmill Facilities in
Indian Country’’ that gaseous and
liquid-fueled auxiliary heaters up to 10
million British thermal units per hour
(MMBtu/hour) are allowed, separate
from the 30 MMBtu/hr boiler limit,
which can include solid fuels like
biomass;
(13) Revising the boiler and auxiliary
heater capacity limits for Severe and
Extreme ozone nonattainment areas in
the final ‘‘General Air Quality Permit for
New or Modified Minor Source Sawmill
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Facilities in Indian Country’’ to allow
for larger boiler capacity;
(14) Adding a condition to the
‘‘General Air Quality Permit for New or
Modified Minor Source Boilers and
Emergency Engines in Indian Country’’
that restricts all emergency engines in
Severe and Extreme ozone
nonattainment areas to units that are
model year 2006 or later to ensure the
sources’ emissions stay below major
source levels;
(15) Changing the permitting tools
(e.g., background documents) for the
source categories to reflect changes
made to permit requirements in areas
such as setbacks and treatment of
emergency engines;
(16) Retitling the implementation
tools for the boilers and emergency
engines source category to match the
change in the title of the general permit;
(17) Clarifying each of the
implementation tools for the final
‘‘General Air Quality Permit for New or
Modified Minor Source Spark Ignition
Engines in Indian Country’’ and the
final ‘‘General Air Quality Permit for
New or Modified Minor Source
Compression Ignition Engines in Indian
Country’’ to better identify the types of
sources likely to be eligible for these
permits and to clarify the requirements,
including reflecting the removal of the
emergency engines provisions from
these permits;
(18) Removing the list of eligibility
criteria at the front of the
questionnaires, to avoid confusion and
redundancy with the eligibility criteria
provided in the Request for Coverage
Forms;
(19) Changing the instructions and
questionnaires to reflect changes made
to the Request for Coverage Forms;
(20) Revising the Request for Coverage
Form for the final ‘‘General Air Quality
Permit for New or Modified Minor
Source Concrete Batch Plants in Indian
Country’’ to:
• Clarify that the source may seek
approval for multiple locations and that
additional locations may be added in
the future; and
• Add a section allowing a source to
list multiple source locations in cases
where a portable source is planning to
relocate and for which it wants
Reviewing Authority approval;
(21) Adding to the Request for
Coverage Forms for the general permits
a request for estimates of PTE and, at
existing sources, actual emissions, to
satisfy the minor source registration
requirement of § 49.160, and clarifying
that sources covered by the general
permits must also register under
§ 49.160 (submittal of the Request for
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Coverage Form satisfies that
requirement);
(22) Adding standards for non-engine
combustion units to the final ‘‘General
Air Quality Permit for New or Modified
Minor Source Graphic Arts and Printing
Operations in Indian Country’’;
(23) Revising the Request for Coverage
Form for the final ‘‘General Air Quality
Permit for New or Modified Minor
Source Graphic Arts and Printing
Operations in Indian Country’’ to
require more detailed information from
the applicant that is appropriate for a
general permit that is being made
available for both true minor and
synthetic minor sources;
(24) Revising the threatened and
endangered species and historic
properties screening procedures in the
Request for Coverage Forms to reflect
changes made to those same procedures
in response to comments that we
received on the January 14, 2014,
proposal that we also reflected in the
final rule ‘‘General Permits and Permits
by Rule for the Federal Minor New
Source Review Program in Indian
Country for Five Source Categories,’’
published on May 1, 2015; 18
(25) Correcting an error on the
‘‘Input’’ page for the PTE calculator for
the final ‘‘General Air Quality Permit for
New or Modified Minor Source Boilers
and Emergency Engines in Indian
Country’’ that did not properly sum
emissions for all of the small, auxiliary
heaters and boilers, and adjusting the
MMBtu/hr limit for boilers and hp for
engines for Extreme ozone
nonattainment areas once we corrected
the error; 19 and
(26) Adding the following caveat to
the PTE calculators for the six source
categories in this action: ‘‘If you have
one or more of the following units that
are exempt from the Indian Country
Minor NSR Program,20 please contact
18 ‘‘General Permits and Permits by Rule for the
Federal Minor New Source Review Program in
Indian Country for Five Source Categories,’’ U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, 80 FR 25068,
May 1, 2015, https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR2015-05-01/pdf/FR-2015-05-01-FrontMatter.pdf.
19 The draft spreadsheet underestimated
emissions for this source category and the
correction and adjustment had the greatest effect on
emissions estimates for sources in Extreme ozone
nonattainment areas.
20 All units/categories listed under § 49.153(c),
including the ones listed below, are exempt from
the Federal Minor NSR Program in Indian Country
and emissions from such sources are, therefore, not
counted in calculating a source’s PTE for the
purpose of determining whether the source’s PTE
exceeds the minor source permitting thresholds.
However, emissions from the units/categories listed
under § 49.153(c) shall be included when
calculating a source’s PTE for the purpose of
determining whether the source is a major source
under either PSD or nonattainment NSR programs.
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your EPA Regional office before you use
this calculator to determine whether
you need to obtain a minor NSR permit:
• Internal combustion engines used
for landscaping purposes;
• Emergency generators, designed
solely for the purpose of providing
electrical power during power outages:
Æ In nonattainment areas classified as
Serious or lower, the total maximum
manufacturer’s site-rated hp of all units
shall be below 500;
Æ In attainment areas, the total
maximum manufacturer’s site-rated hp
of all units shall be below 1,000;
• Stationary internal combustion
engines with a manufacturer’s site-rated
hp of less than 5; and
• Furnaces or boilers used for space
heating that use only gaseous fuel, with
a total maximum heat input (i.e., from
all units combined) of:
Æ In nonattainment areas classified as
Serious or lower, 5 MMBtu/hr or less;
Æ In nonattainment areas classified as
Severe or Extreme, 2 MMBtu/hr or less;
and
Æ In attainment areas, 10 MMBtu/hr
or less.’’
In addition, we made some changes in
the general provisions that are included
in all of the final permits from this final
action and the May 1, 2015, final action.
One commenter stated that the
condition in the draft general permits
concerning Notification of Change in
Ownership is unclear in establishing
whether it is the responsibility of the
new permittee or the old permittee to
comply with the notification
requirements. The same commenter
requested that certain conditions of the
draft general permit be clarified to cover
situations in which there is a change of
operator, but the ownership of the
equipment is the same. In response to
the comments, the EPA has clarified in
the permits for the six source categories
covered by this action that it is the
responsibility of the new permittee to
submit a written or electronic notice to
the Reviewing Authority within 90 days
before or after the change in ownership
is effective. For all of the permits, we
have also modified the two conditions
related to changes in ownership that
appear in Sections 5 and 6 to include
the word ‘‘operator’’ to clarify that these
conditions cover a change in either
ownership or operator where the
equipment is the same.21
One commenter stated that the term
‘‘Responsible Official’’ should be
defined to ensure truth, accuracy and
completeness of required reports. The
21 The conditions are: Notification of Change in
Ownership or Operator (Section 5) and Change in
Ownership or Operator (Section 6).
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EPA agrees and, in response to the
comment, we have added a definition of
‘‘Responsible Official’’ to each of the
final permits.
Two commenters supported the
proposed rule’s approach of requiring
each source to post the current
Approval of the Request for Coverage
and to label each affected emissions unit
and associated air pollution control
technology with the identification
numbers listed in the approval. One
commenter recommended that the
general permit and the most current
approval of the request for coverage for
the permitted source ‘‘must be made
available immediately upon request,’’ as
opposed to ‘‘must be posted.’’ The
commenter stated that it was not
necessary to label the air pollution
control equipment, as the description
and serial numbers are provided in the
application. The EPA acknowledges the
support of the commenters with respect
to posting the Approval of the Request
for Coverage. Upon review of comments
received related to the posting of the
general permit in addition to the
Approval of the Request for Coverage,
the EPA is revising the permits to
exclude the requirement that the general
permits must be posted. Posting of the
Approval of the Request for Coverage is
required under 40 CFR 49.156(e)(6), but
general permits themselves are not
required under the regulation to be
posted and only need to be available on
site as needed. Regarding the labeling of
emission units and air pollution control
equipment, identification and labeling
of these units is needed to facilitate
identification by inspectors of
equipment covered under a general
permit without the need to refer to the
application. Therefore, the EPA is
finalizing the labeling requirements as
proposed.
Three commenters supported
incorporating the Approval of the
Request for Coverage into the general
permit, in order to ensure that the
revision procedures in 40 CFR 49.159
would apply to revisions a Reviewing
Authority may need to make to a
previously issued Approval of a Request
for Coverage. Two commenters
recommended that the EPA consider
amending 40 CFR 49.156 to include a
provision that specifically allows for
revisions to a previously issued
Approval of a Request for Coverage
under a general permit. Upon review of
comments received related to
incorporating the Approval of the
Request for Coverage into the general
permits, the EPA is finalizing each
general permit to include the proposed
language in the draft general permits
related to incorporating the Approval of
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the Request for Coverage into each
permit.
In addition, we have added a
provision to all of the permits to address
those circumstances that can cause a
permit to become invalid under 40 CFR
49.156(e)(8). In the general permits in
this action, the provision can be found
in Section 6.
b. Comments and Responses Concerning
General Permits for Concrete Batch
Plants
One commenter objected to the visible
emissions 10 percent opacity limit
included in the draft concrete batch
plants general permit. The commenter
argued that the limit would create an
unequal playing field with existing
concrete batch facilities subject to the
Federal Air Rules for Reservations’
(FARR) requirements for limiting visible
emissions (40 CFR 49.124). The EPA
acknowledges that the draft visible
emissions opacity limit in the final
‘‘General Air Quality Permit for New or
Modified Minor Source Concrete Batch
Plants’’ (10 percent) is more stringent
than the opacity limit provided for
facilities in the FARR.22 The opacity
limit in the FARR is a generally
applicable requirement that applies to
any person who owns or operates an air
pollution source, regardless of whether
the equipment is existing, new, or
modified. This limit was not specifically
developed for concrete batch plants.
The EPA’s general permit for concrete
batch plants applies to new or modified
concrete batch plants, for which we
have determined a 10 percent opacity
limit is achievable. In our Background
Document 23 for this permit, our review
of state general permits for this source
category indicated a range of opacity
limits. For all of the states researched,
the limits ranged from no visible
emissions allowed to 25 percent, with
only one state having a 40 percent
opacity limit. Furthermore, the opacity
limit is consistent with the opacity
limits for the ‘‘General Air Quality
Permit for New or Modified Minor
Source Stone Quarrying, Crushing, and
Screening Facilities in Indian Country’’
(7–12 percent) and less than the opacity
limit for the ‘‘General Air Quality
22 The FARR is limited in scope to Indian
Reservations in EPA Region 10. The opacity limit
in the FARR at 40 CFR 49.124(d) is the visible
emissions from an air pollution source must not
exceed 20% opacity, averaged over any consecutive
six-minute period, unless paragraph (d)(2) or (3) of
49 CFR 49.124(d) applies to the air pollution
source.
23 Background Document: General Air Quality
Permit for New or Modified Minor Source Concrete
Batch Plants in Indian Country, Docket ID No. EPA–
HQ–OAR–2011–0151, https://www.epa.gov/tribalair/tribal-minor-new-source-review.
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Permit for New or Modified Minor
Source Hot Mix Asphalt Plants in
Indian Country’’ (20 percent or greater),
both made available in the final rule on
April 17, 2015.24 We continue to believe
that a 10 percent opacity limit is
achievable for new or modified concrete
batch plant sources and, as a result, we
are not revising the opacity limit for the
final ‘‘General Air Quality Permit for
New or Modified Minor Source
Concrete Batch Plants in Indian
Country.’’
Another commenter recommended
that the EPA consider the requirements
in the South Coast Air Quality
Management District (SCAQMD) Rule
1155—Particulate Matter from Control
Devices (used to establish requirements
for permitted PM air pollution control
devices) and Rule 1157—PM10 Emission
Reductions From Aggregate and Related
Operations (which includes general
performance standards and work
practice requirements for opacity,
unloading, loading and transferring
operations, storage piles and related
equipment), in establishing provisions
in the draft concrete batch general
permit. The commenter also requested
that the general permit include certain
BACT 25 requirements related to
controlling PM10. One commenter
specifically requested that the EPA
consider certain control devices for
either wet central mix plants or transit
mix plants. The EPA considered
SCAQMD rules when developing some
of the nonattainment area emission
requirements and a review of the
requirements suggested by the
commenter and those in the draft
general permit indicate that the draft
permit conditions are already at least as
stringent as those suggested by the
commenter. Therefore, no changes in
this regard were made to the final
‘‘General Air Quality Permit for New or
Modified Concrete Batch Plants in
Indian Country.’’
One commenter supported the use of
the draft general permit for concrete
batch plants to authorize relocation of a
concrete batch plant to a pre-approved
site location. The EPA recognizes that
concrete batch plants are portable and
may require the flexibility to relocate to
24 ‘‘General Permits and Permits by Rule for the
Federal Minor New Source Review Program in
Indian Country for Five Source Categories,’’ U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, 80 FR 25068,
May 1, 2015, https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR2015-05-01/pdf/FR-2015-05-01-FrontMatter.pdf.
25 For federal purposes, BACT is a requirement
for major sources under the PSD Program. However,
here and elsewhere in this document where
responses to comments are discussed, the term is
being used as it is used by the SCAQMD air
program in the context of minor source NSR
permitting in nonattainment areas.
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additional areas in the future. We have
revised the Request for Coverage Form
for the final ‘‘General Air Quality Permit
for New or Modified Concrete Batch
Plants in Indian Country’’ to clarify that
the facility may seek up-front approval
of multiple locations and that additional
locations may be added in the future.
c. Comments and Responses Concerning
General Permits for Boilers
One commenter requested that the
EPA consider the requirements in three
SCAQMD Rules that apply to boilers,
including Rule 1146—Emissions of
Oxides of Nitrogen from Industrial,
Institutional and Commercial Boilers,
Steam Generators, and Process Heaters;
Rule 1146.1—Emissions of Oxides of
Nitrogen from Small Industrial,
Institutional, and Commercial Boilers,
Steam Generators, and Process Heaters;
and Rule 1146.2—Emissions of Oxides
of Nitrogen from Large Water Heaters
and Small Boilers and Process Heaters.
The commenter stated that these rules
limit emissions of NOX and carbon
monoxide (CO) and have requirements
for initial and periodic testing,
monitoring and recordkeeping. The EPA
considered SCAQMD rules when
developing some of the nonattainment
area emission requirements and a
review of the requirements suggested by
the commenter and those in the draft
general permit indicates that the draft
permit conditions are generally
consistent with those suggested by the
commenter for Severe and Extreme
ozone nonattainment areas. For
example, the emission limits for NOX
and CO of the final ‘‘General Air Quality
Permit for New or Modified Minor
Source Boilers and Emergency Engines
in Indian Country’’ are consistent with
SCAQMD Rules 1146 and 1146.1. For
each boiler rated at or above 2 MMBtu/
hr in a Severe or Extreme ozone
nonattainment area, the final permit is
consistent with SCAQMD Rules 1146
and 1146.1 by containing a limit of nine
parts per million (ppm) at 3 percent
oxygen for NOX and a limit of 400 ppm
at 3 percent oxygen for CO. However,
for boilers rated below 2.0 MMBtu/hr in
Severe or Extreme ozone nonattainment
areas, we did not apply the requirement
in SCAQMD Rule 1146.2 for owner/
operators to purchase SCAQMD
‘‘compliant’’ boilers. As this is a
nationally applicable regulation, we did
not find it appropriate to require
SCAQMD-compliant boilers in
applicable areas everywhere due to their
uncertain availability outside of the
South Coast region of California.
Instead, emissions from these small
boilers and auxiliary heaters (those
rated less than 2.0 MMBtu/hr) are
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restricted by limiting the combined
rating of all small boilers and auxiliary
heaters to a total of 10 MMBtu/hr in
Extreme ozone nonattainment areas and
20 MMBtu/hr in all other areas.
We disagree that these boiler
requirements should apply in all areas,
as suggested by the commenter. The
limits suggested by the commenter are
not typically associated with attainment
areas or Marginal, Moderate, or Serious
ozone nonattainment areas. No changes
were made to the final ‘‘General Air
Quality Permit for New or Modified
Minor Source Boilers and Emergency
Engines in Indian Country,’’ as a result
of this comment.
d. Comments and Responses Concerning
General Permits for Stationary Spark
Ignition and Compression Ignition
Engines
Two commenters expressed confusion
regarding the reference to Table 1 of the
New Source Performance Standard
(NSPS), 40 CFR part 60, subpart JJJJ, in
the draft spark ignition engines general
permit. One commenter noted that it is
unclear whether the EPA is limiting the
use of engines ≥100 hp to only those
manufactured after the dates
incorporated from Table 1 to 40 CFR
part 60, subpart JJJJ, in the draft spark
ignition engines general permit, or if the
specified emission limits from Table 1
must be met regardless of the date of
engine manufacture. Another
commenter stated that the emission
limits only appear to apply to engines
manufactured after 2010. One
commenter noted that this would
exclude other newer engines and would
be more restrictive than the NSPS for
spark ignition engines (NSPS, 40 CFR
part 60, subpart JJJJ). The commenter
also stated that the draft emission limits
from Table 1 are appropriate for new,
modified, or reconstructed engines after
July 1, 2010, or January 1, 2011, but are
not appropriate for older existing
engines not subject to the spark ignition
engines NSPS (40 CFR part 60, subpart
JJJJ) or those engines subject to the NSPS
after 2007, but before the 2010 or 2011
dates listed in Table 1. The commenter
asserted that, for NSPS engines, all of
the emission limits and dates in Table
1 should apply to engines ≥100 hp, and
that, for non-NSPS engines, emission
controls should be no more stringent
than those required in National
Emission Standards for Hazardous Air
Pollutants (NESHAP) in 40 CFR part 63,
subpart ZZZZ, for existing engines.
Another commenter stated that the
general permits should allow for the use
of existing engines in attainment areas.
Commenters recommended that the EPA
consider the Texas Commission on
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Environmental Quality’s Permit by Rule
for engines found in 30 Texas Air Code
section 106.512 as a model.
The EPA acknowledges that our draft
general permit did not clearly state our
intent with regard to the types of nonemergency spark ignition engines
eligible to operate under the draft
general permit for spark ignition
engines. We are revising the final
‘‘General Air Quality Permit for New or
Modified Minor Source Spark Ignition
Engines in Indian Country’’ to clarify
this issue. As a result, the requirements
applicable to existing non-emergency
engines in the NESHAP at 40 CFR part
63, subpart ZZZZ, are not needed in the
general permit. The EPA disagrees with
the commenter’s suggestion that the use
of engines manufactured prior to these
dates should be allowed for attainment
areas. Given the types of stationary
sources we expect to be eligible for the
final spark ignition engines general
permit, we continue to determine that
pre-2010 or pre-2011 engines should not
be eligible for this permit. For this
permit, where the covered stationary
sources will mainly consist of nonemergency engines, it is necessary to
limit the types of engines eligible to
operate under the permit to those with
the most current technology to be
protective of the National Ambient Air
Quality Standards (NAAQS), even in
attainment areas. We note that we have
not taken this approach for all of the
general permits. For example, the
general permits for hot mix asphalt
plants; stone quarrying, crushing, and
screening operations; and concrete
batch plants allow for the use of existing
compression ignition non-emergency
engines. However, in those cases the
engines covered are smaller and are not
the primary equipment (and, thus,
emissions) at the source.
The Texas Commission on
Environmental Quality’s Permit by Rule
for engines found in 30 Texas Air Code
section 106.512 suggested by the
commenter appears to apply to a
broader group of stationary sources (i.e.,
turbines) and is not limited to spark
ignition engines. Thus, its limits would
not be translatable to a general permit
limited to spark ignition engines.
We are clarifying each of the draft
documents for the spark ignition and
compression ignition engines general
permits to better identify the types of
sources that are eligible for these
permits. Additionally, the EPA did not
intend that the draft engines permits
would apply to sources where nonexempt emergency engines are present
(alone or in combination with other
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emissions sources),26 or to engines in
the oil and natural gas production and
natural gas processing segments of the
oil and natural gas sector for which the
EPA has issued a separate, final
rulemaking.27 Therefore, we are revising
the title of the draft boiler general
permit to ‘‘General Air Quality Permit
for New or Modified Minor Source
Boilers and Emergency Engines in
Indian Country’’ to clarify that sources
with non-exempt emergency engines
should apply for that general permit.
One commenter stated that the
engines general permits reference
certain certification or emission
requirements at 40 CFR part 89, 40 CFR
part 90, 40 CFR part 1048, and Table 1
to 40 CFR part 60, subpart JJJJ, which
contain complex language that may
require engine operators to conduct
legal analytical work. The commenter
requested that the EPA list these
requirements more succinctly in order
to help tribal operators determine
whether their sources are subject to
certain requirements and what the
requirements are. The commenter also
requested that the EPA clarify the
applications to make them as easy to
understand as possible, noting that
tables would be easier to follow than
text.
The EPA acknowledges that the
language contained in the engine
regulations can be complex and
potentially difficult for individual
owners or operators of engines to
understand. This is why the EPA has
generally designed the permit
requirements for engines to require the
owner or operator to simply install
certified engines. We are revising the
draft general permit for spark ignition
engines to specifically list the
applicable emission standards from
Table 1 to 40 CFR part 60, subpart JJJJ,
instead of incorporating them by
reference.28 We have also revised the
26 Under 40 CFR 49.153(c)(9), emergency
generator engines at a single source are ‘‘exempt’’
if the combined maximum hp rating is below 1,000
hp in attainment areas or 500 hp in ozone
nonattainment areas classified as Serious or lower.
If your source consists of only exempt equipment,
then you are not required to obtain a minor NSR
permit.
27 ‘‘Federal Implementation Plan for True Minor
Sources in Indian Country in the Oil and Natural
Gas Production and Natural Gas Processing
Segments of the Oil and Natural Gas Sector;
Amendments to the Federal Minor New Source
Review Program in Indian Country to Address
Requirements for True Minor Sources in the Oil and
Natural Gas Sector,’’ U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, 81 FR 35944, June 3, 2016, https://
www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2016-06-03/pdf/201611969.pdf.
28 The draft general permit for spark ignition
engines also contained a typographical error that
referenced ‘‘40 CFR subpart JJJJ’’ instead of the
correct citation 40 CFR part 60, subpart JJJJ.
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permitting documents as suggested to
provide more clarity to the applicable
requirements.
Two commenters stated that, in the
draft compression ignition engines
general permit, the EPA excludes
existing compression ignition engines in
Condition 19, which requires nonemergency engines to be model year
2014 or later. The commenters argued
that requiring sources to install only
new engines would be inappropriate
and inconsistent with existing engine
rules. One commenter further stated that
no state prohibits the relocation of
existing engines, which would be
prohibited under the proposed rule. The
EPA notes that the commenters seem to
misinterpret the intent of the draft
permits for engines. These general
permits are intended for a limited set of
stationary sources—those consisting
primarily of non-emergency engines. We
generally expect the final ‘‘General Air
Quality Permit for New or Modified
Minor Source Spark Ignition Engines in
Indian Country’’ and the final ‘‘General
Air Quality Permit for New or Modified
Minor Source Compression Ignition
Engines in Indian Country’’ to be used
by sources in Indian country that, for
example, provide electricity or pump
groundwater in areas where power from
the grid is not available. The general
permits are not intended to be used by
all source categories with nonemergency engines. Each permit is
intended for a particular source
category. We are clarifying each of the
documents for the spark ignition and
compression ignition permits to better
identify the types of sources likely to be
eligible for these permits. Finally, we
note that the general permits for engines
do not prohibit relocation of engines.
While we limit the types of engines that
can be used under the permits, engines
that meet the permit requirements may
be relocated to a new or modified,
permitted stationary source.29
Three commenters expressed the view
that including compliance requirements
for emergency spark ignition engines in
a compression ignition engine permit
and compliance requirements for
emergency compression ignition
engines in a spark ignition engine
permit creates confusion. One
commenter remarked that it is unclear
29 We have provided guidance on the in-kind
replacement of units in the preamble to the final
rule issued on May 30, 2014, in which we clarified
requirements for such units in the Federal Indian
Country Minor NSR rule. ‘‘Review of New Sources
and Modifications in Indian Country—
Amendments to the Federal Indian Country Minor
New Source Review Rule,’’ U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, 79 FR 31035, May 30, 2014,
https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2014-05-30/pdf/
2014-11499.pdf.
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which permit would be appropriate for
a source operating an emergency
compression ignition engine, and what
criteria are used to determine when an
emergency compression ignition engine
would be covered under one permit or
another. The EPA notes that draft
permits for compression ignition and
spark ignition engines contain limits on
the combined hp rating for emergency
engines that are at, or below, the
exemption thresholds finalized in 40
CFR 49.153(c). Therefore, we are
removing the emergency engine
provisions from these two general
permits, as this equipment is exempt
from the program at the thresholds in
the permits.30 We are revising the
Request for Coverage Forms and
questionnaires for these permits to
identify this exemption. During the
development of the engines general
permits, the EPA finalized exemptions
for certain emergency engines at 40 CFR
49.153(c).
Two commenters asserted that stack
testing procedures for emergency
engines are inappropriate and not
required by states. Instead, the
commenters recommended that the EPA
include maximum non-emergency run
time hour limits (e.g., 500 hours/year) in
both the spark ignition and compression
ignition engines general permits. The
EPA disagrees that we should replace
the testing requirements with limits on
the hours an emergency engine can
operate in non-emergency situations.
However, as noted above, we are
removing the requirements for
emergency engines from the final
‘‘General Air Quality Permit for New or
Modified Minor Source Spark Ignition
Engines in Indian Country’’ and the
final ‘‘General Air Quality Permit for
New or Modified Minor Source
Compression Ignition Engines in Indian
Country.’’
Two commenters questioned the
specific testing procedures outlined in
the engines general permits. One
commenter stated that the outlined
procedures for stack testing were
contradictory with regard to engine load
during testing. In the draft spark
ignition engines general permit, another
commenter stated that emissions testing
requirements should allow portable
analyzer testing and test methods other
than the EPA reference methods. The
commenter stated that allowing portable
analyzers is necessary due to the remote
30 Emergency generator engines at a single source
are ‘‘exempt’’ if the combined maximum hp rating
is less than 1,000 hp in attainment areas or less than
500 hp in ozone nonattainment areas classified as
Serious or below. If your source consists of only
exempt equipment, then you are not required to
obtain a minor NSR permit.
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and dispersed nature of many engines.
The EPA recognizes that some engines
typically do not operate within 10
percent of peak load. However, the
‘‘within 10 percent peak load’’
requirement was included in the permit
to be consistent with the testing
requirements in the applicable NSPS.
This allows testing conducted under the
NSPS to be used for the general permit
as well. The EPA has generally included
a requirement in our general permits to
ensure testing is conducted under
typical operating conditions to avoid
testing being conducted, for example,
during startup or malfunction. We do
not find the two provisions to be
contradictory. Regarding the use of
portable analyzers, the draft general
permit for spark ignition engines
provides for the use of test methods
identified in 40 CFR part 60, appendix
A, which allow the use of a portable
analyzer. In addition, the draft spark
ignition engines general permit
specifically references the use of
portable analyzers. No changes have
been made to the final ‘‘General Air
Quality Permit for New or Modified
Minor Source Spark Ignition Engines in
Indian Country,’’ as a result of this
comment.
One commenter stated that the
requirement to monitor fuel use for each
engine on a monthly basis is not
practical, given the many remote
locations where engines are used for oil
and gas production. The commenter
further asserted that because the
standards are based on an emissions/hphour basis, fuel measurement is
unnecessary to demonstrate compliance.
The EPA notes that these general
permits do not apply to engines in the
oil and natural gas production and
natural gas processing segments of the
oil and natural gas sector for which the
EPA has issued a separate, final
rulemaking in the form of a FIP.31 32 We
do not anticipate that sources outside of
the oil and natural gas production and
natural gas processing segments of the
31 ‘‘Federal Implementation Plan for True Minor
Sources in Indian Country in the Oil and Natural
Gas Production and Natural Gas Processing
Segments of the Oil and Natural Gas Sector;
Amendments to the Federal Minor New Source
Review Program in Indian Country to Address
Requirements for True Minor Sources in the Oil and
Natural Gas Sector,’’ U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, 81 FR 35944, June 3, 2016, https://
www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2016-06-03/pdf/201611969.pdf.
32 The final oil and natural gas FIP focuses on the
oil and natural gas production and natural gas
processing segments of the oil and natural gas
sector because we believe that these segments
include the majority of the true minor sources in
the sector that would need to obtain a minor source
permit in areas covered by the Federal Indian
Country Minor NSR rule.
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70953
oil and natural gas sector with
stationary spark ignition and
compression ignition engines will have
difficulty meeting the monthly fuel use
requirements. Thus, no changes have
been made to the final permits as a
result of this comment.
One commenter requested that the
EPA provide clear direction for
authorization of in-kind replacement
engines. The commenter noted that
engines are frequently swapped out
with an in-kind engine to minimize
compressor downtime, and that these
replacements have the same or lower
emissions than the engine being
replaced. Two commenters noted that
existing compressors may be moved and
installed at another site to meet
production needs. One commenter
argued that the EPA must allow for
relocation of existing engines without
requiring them to be retrofitted. Another
commenter suggested that the EPA
consider the permit by rule and general
permitting programs run by the states of
Texas, Colorado, and Louisiana as
models to address relocation of existing
engines.
Because these commenters represent
the oil and natural gas industry, the EPA
infers that the commenters are referring
to engines used in the oil and natural
gas sector. The EPA notes that these
general permits do not apply to engines
in the oil and natural gas production
and natural gas processing segments of
the oil and natural gas sector for which
the EPA has issued a separate, final
rulemaking in the form of a FIP.33 The
general permits being finalized for
engines in this action do not contain
any specific conditions related to inkind replacements. The commenter has
not provided a specific description for
what is meant by ‘‘in-kind’’
replacements, only alluding to the fact
they have ‘‘the same or lower emissions
than the engine being replaced.’’ We
cannot provide a more detailed response
other than to point the commenter to
how we addressed the issue of
emissions unit relocation/replacement
in the oil and natural gas industry in
response to comments on final
amendments to add to the list of
33 ‘‘Federal Implementation Plan for True Minor
Sources in Indian Country in the Oil and Natural
Gas Production and Natural Gas Processing
Segments of the Oil and Natural Gas Sector;
Amendments to the Federal Minor New Source
Review Program in Indian Country to Address
Requirements for True Minor Sources in the Oil and
Natural Gas Sector,’’ U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, 81 FR 35944, June 3, 2016, https://
www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2016-06-03/pdf/201611969.pdf.
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exempted units in the Federal Indian
Country Minor NSR rule.34
In the Federal Indian Country Minor
NSR rule, we indicated our
understanding that, in oil and gas sector
operations, moving a single piece of
equipment from one facility to another,
or replacing a piece of equipment with
a new one, can occur on a regular basis.
For clarification purposes, we believed
that it would be beneficial to both
sources and reviewing authorities for us
to list the different situations involving
a piece of equipment (a unit) that we
believed would be most common, and to
specify the outcome with respect to
minor NSR permitting and registration.
In the preamble to the final rule, we
listed expected outcomes to provide
guidance on how we would address
certain ‘‘relocation’’ scenarios. We did,
however, indicate that the source
owner/operator should still verify with
its Reviewing Authority that the
scenario provided, and its stated
outcome, applies to its case.35
Regardless, each model year engine has
to meet its applicable emissions control
NSPS requirements.
One commenter stated that the
requirement to ‘‘maintain onsite all
records required to be kept by this
permit’’ is not practical at unmanned oil
and natural gas production facilities.
The commenter asked that the
requirement be modified to recognize
that records for unmanned facilities are
normally kept at an office having
operational control of the unmanned
facility where the engines are located.
The EPA notes that these general
permits do not apply to engines in the
oil and natural gas production and
natural gas processing segments of the
oil and natural gas sector for which the
EPA has issued a separate, final
rulemaking in the form of a FIP.36
We do not anticipate that sources
outside of the oil and natural gas
production and natural gas processing
segments of the oil and natural gas
sector with stationary spark ignition and
compression ignition engines will have
34 ‘‘Review of New Sources and Modifications in
Indian Country: Amendments to the Federal Indian
Country Minor New Source Review Rule,’’ U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, 79 FR 31035,
May 30, 2014, https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR2014-05-30/pdf/2014-11499.pdf.
35 Ibid.
36 ‘‘Federal Implementation Plan for True Minor
Sources in Indian Country in the Oil and Natural
Gas Production and Natural Gas Processing
Segments of the Oil and Natural Gas Sector;
Amendments to the Federal Minor New Source
Review Program in Indian Country to Address
Requirements for True Minor Sources in the Oil and
Natural Gas Sector,’’ U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, 81 FR 35944, June 3, 2016, https://
www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2016-06-03/pdf/201611969.pdf.
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difficulty meeting the recordkeeping
requirements. Therefore, no changes
have been made to the final permits as
a result of this comment.
Two commenters stated that the
reporting requirements in the draft
general permits for engines are
equivalent to the requirements for major
sources subject to Title V. The
commenters argued that these
requirements are not appropriate for
minor or area sources. Specifically, the
commenters asserted that deviation
reporting, compliance certifications, and
requiring signature by a Title V
equivalent ‘‘responsible official’’ is
overly burdensome to minor sources.
The commenters also stated that these
requirements would increase the burden
on the EPA to review these reports. One
commenter asserted that engines that
are already affected sources of an NSPS
or NESHAP should have no additional
requirements (reporting or otherwise).
While the reporting requirements
contained in the draft general permits
may be similar to reporting
requirements of the Title V Program, the
EPA disagrees that a change is
warranted. In developing the draft
general permits, the EPA followed the
Federal Indian Country Minor NSR rule,
40 CFR 49.155(a)(5), which identifies
reporting requirements that must be
included in each permit. The EPA
cannot simply rely on assumed existing
reporting and other requirements from
other rules (e.g., NSPS or NESHAP) to
ensure compliance with the emission
limitations in our general permits.
However, in some instances the
reporting requirements in the final
permits in this action are similar to or
identical to reporting requirements in
NESHAP and NSPS standards. Thus, for
some requirements reporting under the
other standards will also suffice for
these permits. (If a permittee has a
question about whether a particular
reporting requirement under a NESHAP
or NSPS will also suffice for these
permits, they should work with the
Reviewing Authority during the review
process.) Further, the requirement to
have a responsible official sign reports
is common and consistent with state
permitting programs. It is unclear why
this certification would be costly or
overly burdensome for permittees, as
the commenter has not provided any
specific information demonstrating an
actual problem or a particular difficulty.
One commenter stated that the
timeframe for submittal of performance
test reports in the draft engines permits
is too short. The commenter noted that
performance test reports are typically
required to be submitted within 60 days
of completion of the test by NSPS and
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NESHAP requirements for engines. The
commenter also asked that stack test
reporting required for NSPS and
NESHAP satisfy the requirements for
minor NSR reporting. In response, the
EPA is extending the timeframe for
submittal of performance test reports to
60 days for both the final ‘‘General Air
Quality Permit for New or Modified
Minor Source Spark Ignition Engines in
Indian Country’’ and the final ‘‘General
Air Quality Permit for New or Modified
Minor Source Compression Ignition
Engines in Indian Country.’’ This
timeframe is consistent with the
requirements of 40 CFR part 60, subpart
JJJJ, and 40 CFR part 63, subpart ZZZZ.
Additionally, we are revising the draft
engines general permits to clarify that
facilities may satisfy the initial and
subsequent stack testing requirements in
the general permits by using the initial
and subsequent performance tests
performed to meet NSPS and NESHAP
requirements, assuming the required
testing requirements in the permits are
met.
Two commenters requested that the
engines general permits include
provisions to establish a source as
synthetic minor for criteria pollutants
and/or HAPs. Another commenter
asserted that the EPA must require more
stringent monitoring, recordkeeping and
reporting for these sources.
In our final action signed on April 17,
2015,37 we finalized a policy that allows
for the use of general permits in Indian
country to create synthetic minor
sources. Consistent with the policy, and
after considering the concerns raised by
commenters, we are finalizing the
‘‘General Air Quality Permit for New or
Modified Minor Source Spark Ignition
Engines in Indian Country’’ and the
‘‘General Air Quality Permit for New or
Modified Minor Compression Ignition
Engines in Indian Country’’ to allow for
their use by true minor sources and to
create synthetic minor sources.38 For the
final ‘‘General Air Quality Permit for
New or Modified Minor Source
Compression Ignition Engines in Indian
Country,’’ we added operational limits
so that the permit serves both true
minor and synthetic minor sources. For
the same purpose, for the final ‘‘General
Air Quality Permit for New or Modified
37 ‘‘General Permits and Permits by Rule for the
Federal Minor New Source Review Program in
Indian Country for Five Source Categories,’’ U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, 80 FR 25068,
May 1, 2015, https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR2015-05-01/pdf/FR-2015-05-01-FrontMatter.pdf.
38 The Request for Coverage Forms for these
permits list the different control options available
to sources seeking coverage under the permits,
making it clear which options are for true minor
sources and which options are for synthetic minor
sources.
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Minor Source Spark Ignition Engines in
Indian Country,’’ we created synthetic
minor limits for fuel use for only natural
gas engines as we believe that is the
most likely fuel use scenario. We do not
feel that we have sufficient information
available to create these limits for other
fuel types, as the other fuels can have
varying characteristics, which will
change engine efficiency and affect
emissions. We do not see a need to add
any additional monitoring,
recordkeeping and reporting
requirements for synthetic minor
sources as the existing requirements in
the general permits are sufficient to
ensure sources’ emissions will remain
below major source levels.
Two commenters requested
clarification on the proposed FIP or
permit by rule considered in the
Advance Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking.39 The commenters noted
that it is not clear whether the draft
engines general permits cover engines
located at oil and natural gas production
facilities. The EPA recognizes that it
was unclear at the time of proposal
whether the draft permits would apply
to engines located at oil and natural gas
production facilities. The final engines
general permits do not apply to engines
in the oil and natural gas production
and natural gas processing segments of
the oil and natural gas sector for which
the EPA has issued a separate, final
rulemaking in the form of a FIP
following consideration of comments
received on the proposed FIP.40 Only
new sources or modifications consisting
of one or more non-emergency engines
that are not located in the oil and
natural gas production and natural gas
processing segments of the oil and
natural gas sector are eligible to apply
for coverage under the spark ignition
and/or compression ignition stationary
engines general permits. Engines in the
oil and natural gas production and
natural gas processing segments of the
oil and natural gas sector have been
addressed in the separate, final
rulemaking.41
39 ‘‘Managing Emissions From Oil and Natural
Gas Production in Indian Country,’’ U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency,’’ 79 FR 32502,
June 5, 2014, https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR2014-06-05/pdf/2014-12951.pdf.
40 ‘‘Federal Implementation Plan for True Minor
Sources in Indian Country in the Oil and Natural
Gas Production and Natural Gas Processing
Segments of the Oil and Natural Gas Sector;
Amendments to the Federal Minor New Source
Review Program in Indian Country to Address
Requirements for True Minor Sources in the Oil and
Natural Gas Sector,’’ U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, 81 FR 35944, June 3, 2016, https://
www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2016-06-03/pdf/201611969.pdf.
41 Ibid.
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One commenter representing oil and
natural gas sector interests expressed a
preference for a permit by rule
mechanism for compression ignition
and spark ignition engines in lieu of a
general permit, and recommended that
the EPA consider, as an example, the
permit by rule in the Texas
Administrative Code, Title 30, Part 1,
Chapter 106, Subchapter A, Rule section
106.4, coupled with the engine-specific
Permits by Rule 106.511 and 106.512.
The commenter stated that a permit by
rule allows sources the flexibility to
install and operate engines without
delays arising from review and approval
by permitting authorities. The
commenter also pointed out that a
primary advantage of implementing a
permit by rule or FIP would be that a
new federal decision triggering the
Endangered Species Act (ESA) and
National Historic Preservation Act
(NHPA) would not be made each time
a source avails itself of the permit by
rule or FIP. Regarding the use of a
permit by rule or FIP for compression
ignition and spark ignition engines, the
EPA did not propose the use of these
permitting mechanisms in the proposed
rule and does not consider their use
appropriate at this time. Thus, we did
not seek comment on their use at the
time of proposal. Furthermore, the draft
permits do not apply to engines in the
oil and natural gas production and
natural gas processing segments of the
oil and natural gas sector. The EPA has
issued a separate, final rulemaking
addressing oil and natural gas
production sources, including nonemergency engines located at such
sources.42
e. Comments and Responses Concerning
General Permits for Graphic Arts and
Printing Operations
One commenter noted that the
preamble description of ‘‘graphic arts’’
does not match the description in the
draft general permit and that the draft
general permit does not include screen
printing and manual and sheet-fed
techniques. The EPA has corrected the
discrepancy and modified the final
questionnaire and Request for Coverage
Form to clarify that the final ‘‘General
Air Quality Permit for New or Modified
Minor Source Graphic Arts and Printing
Operations in Indian Country’’ applies
to sheet-fed printing operations.
One commenter recommended that all
solvent cleaning operations (except
batch loaded cold cleaners) comply with
emission standards similar to SCAQMD
Rule 1171. The EPA considered
SCAQMD rules when developing some
42 Ibid.
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of the nonattainment area emission
requirements. We have determined that
the additional limits and work practice
standards not already included in the
draft permit should only be added to the
requirements for Serious and above
ozone nonattainment areas. As a result,
we are revising requirements in the final
‘‘General Air Quality Permit for New or
Modified Minor Source Graphic Arts
and Printing Operations in Indian
Country’’ to include additional emission
limits and work practice standards
consistent with SCAQMD Rule 1171
that apply only in Serious and above
ozone nonattainment areas.
One commenter noted that the term
‘‘reasonable time’’ in Condition 9 of the
draft permit is subjective and not easily
enforceable, and requested a specific
timeframe. The EPA agrees with the
commenter and replaced ‘‘reasonable
time’’ with ‘‘30 days unless another
timeframe is specified by the EPA’’ in
the final ‘‘General Air Quality Permit for
New or Modified Minor Source Graphic
Arts and Printing Operations in Indian
Country.’’ We have made this change in
all of the final permits included in this
action.
One commenter recommended that
the volatile organic compound (VOC)
limits in Condition 17 of the draft
general permit for graphic arts and
printing operations be changed to grams
per liter (g/L) of ink/coating/adhesive
less water and exempt compounds. The
EPA agrees with the recommendation
that the coating content limits in
Condition 17 should also be provided in
g/L and has added VOC content limits
measured in g/L. We also agree with the
recommendation that the coating
content limits be on an ‘‘as applied’’
basis, excluding water, and have
modified the final ‘‘General Air Quality
Permit for New or Modified Minor
Source Graphic Arts and Printing
Operations in Indian Country,’’
accordingly. In response to the same
comment, we have also added a
definition for VOC to the final ‘‘General
Air Quality Permit for New or Modified
Minor Source Graphic Arts and Printing
Operations in Indian Country’’ to clarify
the compounds not included when
considering VOC.
One commenter stated that Serious
and above ozone nonattainment area
VOC limits for inks, coatings and
adhesives should be limited, measured
and reported in g/L or pounds/gallon
(lbs/gal), excluding water and any other
compounds exempted by the permitting
authority or the local/neighboring air
district. The same commenter
recommended for all areas that the
proposed percent alcohol or percent
alcohol substitute limits in Condition 18
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of the draft general permit be converted
to an equivalent VOC content limit in g/
L, as applied, including water and
exempt compounds. The same
commenter requested that if the
standards for fountain solution are
changed to VOC content rather than
percent alcohol or alcohol substitute,
then the log required in Condition 31 of
the draft general permit should reflect:
(1) The units (e.g., g/L or lbs/gal, as
applied, including water and exempt
compounds) of the fountain solution
standards; (2) the units (e.g., g/L or lbs/
gal, as applied, less water and exempt
compounds) of the VOC limits for the
coating, ink or adhesive; and (3) the
units (e.g., g/L or lbs/gal, as applied, less
water and exempt compounds) of the
VOC limits. The commenter also
recommended that the VOC limits in
Attachment C for all materials except
fountain solution should be g/L or lbs/
gal, less water and less exempt
compounds, and that the VOC limits for
fountain solution should be converted
to an equivalent VOC content limit in g/
L, as applied, including water and
exempt compounds.
The EPA generally agrees with the
commenters and has made
corresponding changes to the final
permit conditions. The EPA agrees with
the recommendation that the
nonattainment area VOC ink, coating,
and adhesive content limits should also
be provided in g/L and lbs/gal, which is
how we presented the draft VOC
content limits for nonattainment areas
in the draft permit. We have retained
the VOC limits provided in g/L and lbs/
gal in the final ‘‘General Air Quality
Permit for New or Modified Minor
Source Graphic Arts and Printing
Operations in Indian Country.’’ We also
agree with the recommendation that the
coating content limits should be on an
‘‘as applied’’ basis, excluding water and
other compounds. We have added a
definition for VOC to the final permit to
clarify the compounds not included
when considering VOC. We have also
made corresponding changes to the
recordkeeping requirements, as
appropriate.
One commenter requested that the
EPA clarify Condition 21 of the draft
general permit to apply only to flexible
packaging printing operations. In the
final ‘‘General Air Quality Permit for
New or Modified Minor Source Graphic
Arts and Printing Operations in Indian
Country,’’ the EPA agrees with the
commenter and we have revised the
heading for the draft condition that
reads ‘‘Exemption for Non-compliant
Materials’’ to a new heading,
‘‘Exemption for Flexible Packaging
Printing Operations,’’ to clarify that the
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non-compliant materials exemption is
only applicable for flexible packaging
printing.
One commenter requested that the
frequency of monitoring of the usage of
all VOC-containing material (Condition
27 of the draft general permit) be
changed from a weekly basis to a daily
basis. The EPA agrees with this
recommendation as it relates to certain
nonattainment areas and we are,
accordingly, revising the final ‘‘General
Air Quality Permit for New or Modified
Minor Source Graphic Arts and Printing
Operations in Indian Country’’ to
include a requirement for daily
monitoring of VOC usage for Serious
and above ozone nonattainment areas.
The EPA has concluded that a greater
level of monitoring is necessary: (1) To
protect air quality in areas that are
designated as Serious and above ozone
nonattainment; and (2) to ensure a
consistent set of requirements across
state and tribal areas in common
airsheds.
One commenter requested that the
EPA add requirements for performance
testing at facilities with air pollution
control equipment to verify the overall
VOC control efficiency and to quantify
the NOX emissions from any air
pollution control equipment (e.g.,
oxidizers). The EPA agrees with the
commenter and has added testing
requirements for potential add-on
control equipment. (The option for
owners or operators to rely on add-on
control devices for compliance was
added to the permit in response to
another comment.) For each add-on
control system used at a graphic arts
and printing operation source, the
source must conduct an initial
performance test within certain
timeframes to verify compliance with
the add-on control standards according
to a test plan submitted to the
Reviewing Authority. The testing is to
determine the capture/control efficiency
of the emission control system. The
source must also conduct subsequent
performance tests every five years.
One commenter requested that the
monthly record requirements in
Conditions 31 through 33 of the draft
general permit be clarified to specify
calendar-monthly records. Although the
EPA intended that records be kept on a
calendar-monthly basis, we recognize
that the draft permit was unclear. We
are, therefore, revising the final
‘‘General Air Quality Permit for New or
Modified Minor Source Graphic Arts
and Printing Operations in Indian
Country’’ to clarify that the
recordkeeping requirements are to be
kept on a calendar-monthly basis. This
means under the final permit each
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source must update a log of their usage
of VOC-containing material and report
that usage on a calendar-monthly basis.
One commenter requested that if
requirements to conduct additional
performance tests are added to the
general permit, the EPA should include
a requirement for recording the results
of each performance test. The EPA
agrees that the results of all performance
tests should be recorded and the records
maintained. As a result, in authorizing
the use of add-on controls, we included
recordkeeping and reporting
requirements for specified performance
testing for add-on control equipment.
One commenter recommended that
the definition of ‘‘coldset’’ be modified
to clarify that coldset printing
operations include presses with infrared
or other energy curing devices such as
ultraviolet dryers. The same commenter
recommended that the definition of
‘‘heatset’’ be modified to clarify that
coldset printing operations do not
include presses with infrared or other
energy curing devices such as
ultraviolet dryers. The EPA has
reviewed these definitions and agrees
that the language suggested by the
commenter provides additional
clarifications that can help facilitate a
better understanding of the permit’s
requirements. We have revised the
definitions, accordingly, to add the
commenter’s suggested language.
One commenter recommended that
the definition of ‘‘offset lithographic and
letterpress printing operation’’ be
modified to be consistent with
SCAQMD Rule 1130. The EPA has
reviewed this definition and agrees with
the language suggested by the
commenter because the change provides
additional clarification that can help
facilitate understanding of the permit’s
requirements. We have revised the
definition accordingly.
One commenter recommended that
the EPA add a definition for ‘‘exempt
compounds,’’ including compounds in
the jurisdiction of neighboring air
districts to Indian country (SCAQMD
Rule 102). The EPA agrees that the
definition of VOCs provided in the final
‘‘General Air Quality Permit for New or
Modified Minor Source Graphic Arts
and Printing Operations in Indian
Country’’ (that was not provided in the
draft permit) should identify ‘‘exempt
compounds.’’ We have revised the ink/
coating content limits to regulate on an
‘‘as applied’’ basis, excluding water. We
have also added a definition for VOC to
the final ‘‘General Air Quality Permit for
New or Modified Minor Source Graphic
Arts and Printing Operations in Indian
Country’’ to clarify which compounds
are not included when considering
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VOC. However, in lieu of referencing
the exempt compounds in SCAQMD
Rule 102, the definition references the
list of exempt compounds in 40 CFR
51.100(s)(1), which we have determined
to be more generally applicable to
sources in Indian country.
One commenter recommended that
the EPA include a definition for
‘‘fountain solution’’ and provided a
suggestion. The EPA agrees that
including such a definition will
improve the rule’s efficacy and
enforceability and agrees that the
commenter’s proposed definition is
appropriate. As a result, we have added
the suggested definition for ‘‘fountain
solution’’ to the final ‘‘General Air
Quality Permit for New or Modified
Minor Source Graphic Arts and Printing
Operations in Indian Country.’’
One commenter recommended that
the EPA include a definition for ‘‘grams
of VOC per liter of coating (or ink or
adhesive), less water and less exempt
compounds.’’ The commenter provided
the EPA with a calculation method for
VOC content per liter of coating used.
The EPA agrees that the information
suggested by the commenter will
improve the permit’s efficacy. We have,
therefore, added the information to the
Sample Calculations section of the final
‘‘General Air Quality Permit for New or
Modified Minor Source Graphic Arts
and Printing Operations in Indian
Country.’’
One commenter recommended that
the sample calculations in Attachment
D of the general permit should include
more representative values for heatset
lithographic ink. The commenter also
noted a typographical error for the VOC
retention factor for heatset lithographic
ink, which should be listed as 20
percent instead of 30 percent. In
addition, the EPA acknowledges that the
sample calculations in Attachment D of
the permit should reflect more
representative values for heatset
lithographic inks because it is intended
to provide ‘‘real world’’ values. We have
modified Attachment D to include more
representative values and to correct the
erroneous VOC retention factor.
One commenter requested that the
EPA add language to clarify that these
are uncontrolled VOC emissions. The
commenter referenced language in the
preamble which indicates that printing
presses ‘‘would need to be able to
demonstrate compliance with the
permit (25 tpy VOC) without the
consideration of controls.’’ The same
commenter requested that the EPA add
language to clarify what equipment ‘‘all
printing lines’’ includes (i.e.,
combustion emissions from gas-fired
equipment, air pollution control
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equipment, internal combustion
engines, pre-press operations, or other
non-printing related VOC-emitting
operations performed). The EPA agrees
with the commenter’s suggestion of
clarifying the permit language. We have
done so by clarifying that compliance
with the following condition must not
consider the reduction in emissions
from any add-on control technology:
‘‘The permittee shall not allow volatile
organic compound (VOC) emissions
from an individual printing press
(printing line) to exceed 25 tons per
year.’’ The EPA also agrees with the
commenter that the equipment included
in all printing lines should be identified
in the permit. The permit has been
revised accordingly.
Two commenters supported the
proposal to increase the stringency of
the overall tpy emission limitations for
all printing lines at a facility based on
the increasing classification of the ozone
nonattainment area designation.
Another commenter asserted that, for
nonattainment areas, the EPA should
require the most stringent emissions
limitation or installation of BACT based
on requirements of the neighboring air
district, regardless of the facility’s PTE
or throughput. The commenter argued
that emissions generated in these areas
would have an effect on the neighboring
district’s air quality.
The EPA has determined that the VOC
content limits in the draft general
permit for graphic arts and printing
operations effectively limit VOC
emissions in nonattainment areas and
are consistent with the BACT
requirements suggested by the
commenter. However, we are also
adding add-on control requirements for
this source category as an option for
complying with the VOC content limits
contained in the draft permit. This
option provides owners and operators
the flexibility to use non-compliant
materials, while also protecting air
quality. Finally, we note that the EPA
has the authority to determine that a
particular general permit is no longer
sufficient to protect air quality for new
or modified sources in a geographic area
and, therefore, does not meet the
requirements of the Federal Indian
Country Minor NSR rule. Such a
determination would, for example,
consider local air quality conditions,
typical control technology and other
emission reduction measures used by
similar sources in surrounding areas,
anticipated economic growth of the
area, and/or cost-effective emission
reduction alternatives.
One commenter argued that facilities
utilizing fuel combustion heating units
(e.g., ovens, dryers, oxidizers) in Serious
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and above ozone nonattainment areas
should use only natural gas as their
primary fuel for heatset printing presses
(non-electric heated), and that the NOX
emissions from heatset printing presses
should not exceed 30 parts per million,
volumetric dry, corrected to 3 percent
oxygen. The same commenter requested
that if NOX concentration limits are
added to the emissions limits and
standards for gas-fired dryers/ovens on
heatset printing presses, the EPA should
consider adding requirements for
performance tests to be conducted on
heatset printing press ovens with gasfired burners to demonstrate
compliance. The EPA has considered
the commenter’s recommendations and
has included the requirements proposed
by the commenter into the requirements
for ozone nonattainment areas in the
final ‘‘General Air Quality Permit for
New or Modified Minor Source Graphic
Arts and Printing Operations in Indian
Country.’’ The EPA has concluded that
in ozone nonattainment areas a greater
level of control is required to protect air
quality. Thus, the requirements, which
would reduce levels of NOX from
combustion sources, are appropriate for
these areas. Therefore, we have added
an overall capacity limit for combustion
units, excluding engines, that applies to
all areas, attainment and nonattainment.
The more stringent provisions
recommended by the commenter will
apply only to Severe and Extreme ozone
nonattainment areas because they are
necessary to ensure that the permit
provides adequate air quality protection.
We have not required the more stringent
provisions in Serious ozone
nonattainment areas because we do not
believe that in those areas the extra
control is necessary to protect air
quality. We have also revised the permit
to reflect associated monitoring and
recordkeeping requirements.
One commenter stated that in
nonattainment areas, all facilities
should vent ovens to air pollution
control equipment with a minimum 95
percent overall VOC control efficiency.
The commenter requested that the EPA
clarify that in an Extreme ozone
nonattainment area (the South Coast
and San Joaquin Valley Air Basins), the
major source threshold for VOC is 10
tpy. The commenter referenced the
SCAQMD BACT for PM and VOC
emissions from a heatset lithographic
printing press, which requires venting
the press oven to air pollution control
equipment with a minimum 95 percent
overall VOC control efficiency. The
commenter noted that the facility VOC
emission threshold for a general permit
can be as low as 7 tpy from all printing
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lines combined; however, all heatset
lithographic printing press ovens should
be vented to air pollution control
equipment with a minimum 95 percent
overall VOC control efficiency. The EPA
has included the requirements proposed
by the commenter in the requirements
of the final ‘‘General Air Quality Permit
for New or Modified Minor Source
Graphic Arts and Printing Operations in
Indian Country’’ to allow sources the
flexibility to use add-on control
requirements as an alternative to the
VOC content limits in the permit. In
addition, we are making the add-on
control requirement mandatory in
Extreme ozone nonattainment areas.
Furthermore, we have determined that
provisions similar to those in the
SCAQMD requirements identified by
the commenter are appropriate to
include because the only Extreme ozone
nonattainment areas in Indian country
are located in California. In addition, we
are also clarifying that in ozone
nonattainment areas, new or modified
sources must obtain a permit for VOC
emissions increases of 2 tpy or more.
Sources in Extreme ozone
nonattainment areas emitting above 7
tpy are not eligible for the final ‘‘General
Air Quality Permit for New or Modified
Minor Source Graphic Arts and Printing
Operations in Indian Country’’ and must
obtain a source-specific permit prior to
beginning construction.
One commenter recommended, for
nonattainment areas, that all solvent
cleaning operations (excluding batch
loaded cold cleaners) should comply
with lower emission standards. The
commenter requested that the EPA
consider the standards in SCAQMD
Rule 1171. The EPA considered
SCAQMD rules when developing some
of the nonattainment area emission
requirements for Serious and above
ozone nonattainment areas and
concluded that the requirements in
SCAQMD Rule 1171 are appropriate for
inclusion in the final permit generally
because they are necessary to ensure
consistency (and, thus, a more level
playing field) with requirements in
neighboring areas under local
requirements. The EPA has, therefore,
included the emission standards and
specific work practice standards in Rule
1171 referenced by the commenter as
requirements in the final permit for
sources in nonattainment areas.
One commenter recommended that, at
graphic arts and printing operations in
nonattainment areas, compression
ignition emergency engines should
comply with NSPS 40 CFR part 60,
subpart IIII, and NESHAP 40 CFR part
63, subpart ZZZZ. The commenter also
recommended additional limits on
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operating hours of up to 50 hours per
year for maintenance and testing and
200 hours per year total operation for
nonattainment areas. The EPA disagrees
with the commenter that compression
ignition emergency engines at graphic
arts and printing operations in
nonattainment areas should meet limits
on operating hours in addition to
complying with 40 CFR part 60, subpart
IIII, and 40 CFR part 63, subpart ZZZZ.
Additional operating limits are
unnecessary and would conflict with
the requirements of the NSPS and
NESHAP, which would create an
additional, unjustified reporting burden
for sources. However, we do agree that
in nonattainment areas, emergency
engines that are not otherwise exempt
from the Federal Indian Country Minor
NSR Program should be certified to the
EPA’s standards in 40 CFR part 60,
subpart IIII. The final ‘‘General Air
Quality Permit for New or Modified
Minor Source Boilers and Emergency
Engines in Indian Country’’ has been
revised, accordingly.
f. Comments and Responses Concerning
General Permits for Sawmill Facilities
One commenter stated that
prohibiting open burning (Condition 16
in the draft sawmill facilities general
permit) conflicts with the FARR open
burning rule (40 CFR 49.131). The EPA
notes that the condition in the draft
general permit only bans open burning
at sawmills. It is not intended to
prohibit open burning of all kinds, but
was included to prevent operators of
sawmill facilities from burning waste or
other disposed materials on the property
of the mill. It does not prohibit open
burning at locations other than sawmill
facilities and, thus, is consistent with
the FARR in that regard. The EPA does
not believe that there is a conflict.
However, disposal of any waste from
sawmill facility activity must be
handled in accordance with applicable
requirements in all tribal, local and
federal regulations and statutes.
One commenter objected to Condition
11 in the draft sawmill facilities general
permit, stating that it is not necessary to
label emission units and air pollution
control equipment with identification
numbers, and that serial numbers or the
location of the unit should suffice. The
EPA believes that the identification and
labeling of emission units and air
pollution equipment is needed to
facilitate identification of equipment
covered under the general permit by
inspectors. Therefore, we are finalizing
the labeling requirements included in
the draft permit. It is worth noting that
this requirement is consistent with all of
the other permits in this final action and
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in the final action that we finalized in
May 2015.43
One commenter stated that the
pollution control requirements in
Conditions 24 to 26 of the draft sawmill
facilities general permit are too specific.
The EPA disagrees. Specific permit
conditions are necessary in order to
ensure that the conditions in the general
permit are enforceable. No changes have
been made to the permit conditions in
the final ‘‘General Air Quality Permit for
New or Modified Minor Source Sawmill
Facilities in Indian Country,’’ as a result
of this comment.
One commenter noted that if a planar
mill does not have a baghouse or fabric
filter, per Condition 24 of the draft
sawmill facilities general permit, they
would be required to obtain a sourcespecific permit. The same commenter
stated that, per Condition 25 of the draft
general permit, sawmill facilities with
uncovered outdoor operations, or with
covered operations that do not have a
baghouse or fabric filter, would need to
obtain a source-specific permit. The
same commenter also stated that, per
Condition 26 of the draft general permit,
sawmill facility operations that are
indoors without a baghouse or fabric
filter would be required to get a sourcespecific permit. In all three cases, the
EPA agrees and has determined that the
use of a baghouse or fabric filter is a
reasonable and readily available
technology for new or modified sources
indoors and covered facilities outdoors.
Sources that cannot, or do not wish to,
install a baghouse or fabric filter must
seek a source-specific permit.
One commenter objected to weekly
visible emissions surveys (Conditions
33 and 34 of the draft sawmill facilities
general permit). The commenter argued
that weekly surveys would be
burdensome, especially compared to
Title V sawmill facilities that have a
quarterly survey frequency. The EPA
disagrees with the commenter that
weekly visible emission surveys are
overly burdensome. They are not
resource-intensive to accomplish using
Method 22,44 as specified in the draft
permit (versus the Method 9 45 opacity
43 ‘‘General Permits and Permits by Rule for the
Federal Minor New Source Review Program in
Indian Country for Five Source Categories,’’ U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, 80 FR 25068,
May 1, 2015, https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR2015-05-01/pdf/FR-2015-05-01-FrontMatter.pdf.
44 Appendix A–4 to 40 CFR part 60—Test
Methods 6 through 10B, Method 9—Visual
determination of the opacity of emissions from
stationary sources, https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/
text-idx?SID=ff80e78b603d3fe6e25595510b35f885&
mc=true&node=pt40.8.60&rgn=div5#ap40.8.60.a_
67.
45 Appendix A–7 to 40 CFR part 60—Test
Methods 19 through 25E, Method 22—Visual
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test, which requires certified observers).
The fact that there may be some Title V
permits for sawmills that only require
quarterly surveys does not mean that
quarterly monitoring is appropriate for
sources wishing to operate pursuant to
the general permit. The general permits
developed by the EPA have consistently
used weekly surveys for monitoring
opacity and fugitive emissions. Frequent
monitoring of equipment is necessary to
ensure a source is in compliance at all
times. No changes have been made to
the conditions of the final ‘‘General Air
Quality Permit for New or Modified
Minor Source Sawmill Facilities in
Indian Country,’’ as a result of this
comment.
One commenter pointed out that
Condition 35 of the draft sawmill
facilities general permit, which requires
an initial performance test for fugitive
emissions, references Condition 17 of
the draft sawmill facilities general
permit, which applies to emissions
units and not sources of fugitive
emissions. The EPA has corrected the
final ‘‘General Air Quality Permit for
New or Modified Minor Source Sawmill
Facilities in Indian Country,’’ which
inadvertently applied only to affected
emission units. We have modified the
final permit to also require that sources
of fugitive emissions not discharge into
the atmosphere any gases that exhibit 20
percent opacity or greater averaged over
any consecutive 6-minute period. These
changes correct the final ‘‘General Air
Quality Permit for New or Modified
Minor Source Sawmill Facilities in
Indian Country,’’ which requires an
initial performance test to verify
compliance with its opacity limitations.
One commenter stated that the testing
requirements in Condition 37 of the
draft sawmill facilities general permit
for emergency engines are excessive,
especially for older engines. The EPA
disagrees with the commenter that the
testing requirements for emergency
engines are excessive. The requirements
in the permit only apply to engines that
have not been certified to the applicable
standards in the permit. The testing
requirements are necessary to ensure
that uncertified engines under the
permit comply with applicable limits in
the permit.
One commenter recommended
revising Condition 40.b. of the draft
sawmill facilities general permit to read:
‘‘For each kiln, monthly throughput ‘by
species’ in Mbf.’’ The EPA agrees with
the commenter’s recommendation,
determination of fugitive emissions from material
sources and smoke emissions from flares, https://
www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=ff80e
78b603d3fe6e25595510b35f885&mc=true&node
=pt40.8.60&rgn=div5#ap40.8.60.a_67.
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which clarifies that records must be
kept that reflect the monthly throughput
of the individual tree species because
different species release differing
amounts of VOC. We have modified the
final ‘‘General Air Quality Permit for
New or Modified Minor Source Sawmill
Facilities in Indian Country,’’
accordingly.
One commenter pointed out a circular
reference in Condition 50.c. of the draft
sawmill facilities general permit. The
commenter is correct that Condition
50.c. in the draft general permit
inadvertently contained a circular
reference. We have modified the
‘‘Annual Reports’’ Condition in the final
‘‘General Air Quality Permit for New or
Modified Minor Source Sawmill
Facilities in Indian Country’’ to refer
correctly to the ‘‘Deviation Reports’’
Condition.
One commenter noted that, in the
request for coverage for the draft
sawmill facilities general permit, when
the answer to a question would
invalidate the use of a general permit,
the instructions sometimes direct the
applicant to contact the permitting
authority for a source-specific permit.
However, in other instances the
instructions do not tell the applicant
that they do not qualify for the general
permit. The EPA acknowledges that not
all of the questions on the Request for
Coverage Form include a directive to
contact the permitting authority for a
source-specific permit based on a
particular answer. This directive was
only included for questions for which a
specific ‘‘yes’’ or ‘‘no’’ answer would
result in permittees not qualifying for
the sawmill facilities general permit. In
the case of Question 19 in the draft
Request for Coverage Form, which was
identified by the commenter as an
example, the question requests the
distance of the facility from the nearest
property boundary or nearest residence.
Because we are not finalizing setback
requirements for sawmill facilities, this
question has been removed from the
Request for Coverage Form; therefore,
the commenter’s concern regarding this
particular question is moot.
B. Issues Concerning Aspects of
Finalizing a General Permit/Permit by
Rule for Graphic Arts and Printing
Operations
1. Proposed Rule
In the July 17, 2014, proposed rule,
we proposed two types of minor NSR
preconstruction permits to help
streamline permitting of true minor
sources that construct or modify in
Indian country and that belong to one of
six additional source categories. The
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first type of permit is a general permit
and the second type is a permit by rule.
As our preferred approach, we made
available draft general permits for the
six source categories. As an alternative,
for graphic arts and printing operations,
we requested comment on whether, in
lieu of establishing a general permit for
the source category, we should instead
adopt a permit by rule.
We requested comment on all aspects
of a draft general permit or proposed
permit by rule for graphic arts and
printing operations. We noted that we
might not finalize the draft general
permit for graphic arts and printing
operations, if we finalized a permit by
rule for the source category.
Alternatively, we indicated that we
might opt to finalize both permitting
mechanisms for the source category, and
might tailor one of the permitting
mechanisms to provide authorization to
construct or modify true minor sources
(i.e., permit by rule) and another to
provide enforceable limitations to create
synthetic minor sources (i.e., general
permit). We specifically requested
comment on this ‘‘hybrid’’ approach.
In the proposal, we sought comments
on all aspects of the draft
implementation tools we provided (e.g.,
general permit Request for Coverage
Form). The draft general permit
application for graphic arts and printing
operations is more streamlined because
sources in the category represent more
straightforward operations, largely
involve one air pollutant (i.e., VOCs)
and, therefore, could necessitate less
intensive review for approval. The draft
general permit application form for the
category asks for basic solvent usage
information and whether the source has
complied or will comply with relevant
requirements. By contrast, the draft
general permit applications for concrete
batch plants, engines, boilers and
sawmill facilities request more detailed
technical information about the
proposed facility in question because
these facilities are more complex and
can involve multiple operations and
pollutants. The draft form was also
intended to serve as a Notification of
Coverage Form for sources seeking
coverage under a permit by rule, should
we have decided to issue one for this
category.
2. Summary of Comments, Responses
and Final Action
With respect to comments on the
appropriateness of utilizing a permit by
rule for graphic arts and printing
operations, responses are addressed
here and in Section 2.0 of the RTC
Document. Overall, as a result of the
comments received on the proposal and
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our continued evaluation of the
circumstances, we are issuing only a
general permit for graphic arts and
printing operations. Three commenters
provided comments regarding the EPA’s
proposal to establish a permit by rule for
graphic arts and printing operations.
One commenter agreed that the
approach could provide significant time
savings due to its streamlined approach.
However, two commenters were
concerned that a permit by rule
approach does not provide the public,
including Indian tribes, the opportunity
to comment on a minor source’s use of
the permit. Another commenter
disagreed that a permit by rule is
consistent with the Federal Indian
Country Minor NSR rule, which
requires preconstruction permits. The
commenter asserted that use of a permit
by rule would effectively mean that
sources exceeding the minor source
permit threshold are effectively exempt
from permitting. One commenter argued
that the use of a permit by rule on tribal
lands is not appropriate for either true
minor or synthetic minor sources. Two
commenters requested that the EPA
provide either a notice and comment
period or a consultation process for
tribes for the permit by rule approach,
citing that tribes must be given an
opportunity to comment to recognize
their sovereignty. For these reasons, the
commenters supported only a general
permit approach.
The EPA is not finalizing a permit by
rule, either in lieu of or in conjunction
with a general permit, for the graphic
arts and printing operations source
category for two reasons. First, many
sources in this source category are major
sources and require synthetic minor
source permits in order to gain minor
source status. While some of these
sources may be true minor sources, the
potential variation in size of individual
sources warrants including a
mechanism for creating synthetic minor
sources. The permit by rule is not a
mechanism that can be used to create
synthetic minor sources; the general
permit is a mechanism that can create
synthetic minor sources, as it affords the
opportunity for the Reviewing Authority
to perform a review. The EPA
established this approach when we
finalized the first set of general permits
and permits by rule in May 2015.46
Thus, a general permit is more
appropriate for this source category.
Second, we agree with commenters that
46 ‘‘General Permits and Permits by Rule for the
Federal Minor New Source Review Program in
Indian Country for Five Source Categories,’’ U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, 80 FR 25068,
May 1, 2015, https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR2015-05-01/pdf/2015-09739.pdf.
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the permit by rule approach does not
provide the public, including Indian
tribes, the opportunity to comment
about a minor source’s use of the
permit. We are, therefore, finalizing a
general permit for this source category,
which is an approach that affords the
public an opportunity to object to a
source gaining coverage under the
permit pursuant to 40 CFR 49.157(a)(5).
The EPA disagrees with the
commenter that the use of permits by
rule effectively means that sources
exceeding the minor source permit
threshold are exempt from a permit. We
also disagree that the permits by rule are
not consistent with the concept of
preconstruction permits in the Federal
Indian Country Minor NSR rule. A
permit by rule establishes a standard set
of requirements that must be met by any
source commencing construction in
reliance on that permit and, thus, serves
the same purpose as any other
preconstruction permit. The primary
difference between a permit by rule and
a general permit is procedural, not
substantive. As to consistency with the
concept of preconstruction permits in
the Federal Indian Country Minor NSR
rule, the rule specifically authorizes the
issuance of the general permits and the
permits by rule we have issued thus
far.47
With respect to comments on
finalizing both permitting mechanisms
for graphic arts and printing operations,
we include responses here and in
Section 7.0 of the RTC Document. As
noted, we have decided to finalize only
a general permit for graphic arts and
printing operations, rather than to make
both permit types available for the
graphic arts and printing operations
source category. We are not finalizing
the proposed ‘‘hybrid’’ approach for
graphic arts and printing operations
because the EPA does not believe that
sources in the source category are
appropriate candidates for permits by
rule, particularly since some of them
may be major sources seeking synthetic
minor status. Furthermore, we believe
that having two permit types would add
additional complication to
administration of the rule with little, if
any, apparent benefit. We are not
adopting such a hybrid approach.
Finally, the EPA did not receive any
comments on the issue of using a
streamlined general permit/permit by
rule application for graphic arts and
printing operations. However, because
this permit will serve as a general
permit for true minor and synthetic
minor sources, we are enhancing the
application to request additional details
47 Ibid.
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about equipment present at the site.
Since applicant sources could
potentially be major sources seeking
minor source status, we need to ensure
that we have sufficient information to be
able to make an approval review
decision.
C. Proposed Rule Change to the Federal
Indian Country Minor New Source
Review Rule in One Area: Shortening
the General Permit Application Review
Process From 90 to 45 Days for Graphic
Arts and Printing Operations
1. Proposed Rule
In the July 17, 2014, proposed rule,
we proposed to change the Federal
Indian Country Minor NSR rule at 40
CFR 49.156(e)(4) to shorten the general
permit application review process from
90 to 45 days for one source category:
Graphic arts and printing operations.
2. Summary of Comments, Responses
and Final Action
This section provides a brief summary
of other significant comments received
and our responses. A full summary of
the comments received on this subject
and our responses are presented in
Section 8.0 of the RTC Document.
Two commenters supported the
proposal to amend 40 CFR 49.156(e)(4)
to shorten the review period to 45 days
for the graphic arts and printing
operations permit. Conversely, one
commenter recommended not reducing
the review period since the EPA
requires time to: (1) Review the material
safety data sheets of graphic arts
materials used; (2) review the
specifications on gas-fired burners on
heatset printing presses and oxidizers;
and (3) evaluate internal combustion
engines for compliance with NSPS and
NESHAP requirements. We agree with
the commenter that this source category
requires a 90-day review period,
particularly since the general permit is
also serving as a permit to create
synthetic minor sources. Consequently,
the EPA is not finalizing revisions to
§ 49.156(e)(4) to shorten the general
permit application review process from
90 to 45 days for the graphic arts and
printing operations source category.
D. Control Technology Review
1. Proposed Rule
In the proposal, we requested
comment on various aspects of the
EPA’s conclusion following its control
technology review that, because the
control measures in the draft general
permits are currently used by other
similar sources in other areas of the
country, the measures in the draft
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permits are technically and
economically feasible and cost effective.
2. Summary of Comments, Responses
and Final Action
This section provides a brief summary
of significant comments received and
our responses. A full summary of the
comments received on this subject and
our responses are presented in Section
3.0 of the RTC Document. The EPA is
largely retaining the basic approach to
the control technology review outlined
in the July 17, 2014, proposal.
One commenter expressed confusion
over the term ‘‘control technology.’’ The
commenter requested the EPA clarify if
this refers to add-on controls or if it
includes controls that may be part of the
equipment itself. In response, we note
that the term ‘‘control technology’’
refers to integrated controls, add-on
controls and other emissions reduction
techniques (e.g., work practice
standards and the use of compliant
materials).
One commenter stated that because
the EPA intends to issue general permits
at the national level instead of through
Regional Administrators, the Agency
should require the most stringent
requirements applicable in adjacent
areas of Indian country. The commenter
recommended that the general permits
require the use of BACT and the most
current version of adjacent area rules
and regulations to avoid a competitive
disadvantage. The commenter also
noted that the EPA may wish to
consider making general permits
applicable only within one of the EPA
Regions, in order to avoid making
sources in Indian country subject to
more stringent requirements than those
in adjacent states.
Regarding the level at which the EPA
issues general permits, the commenter is
correct that all of the general permits
that the EPA has established to date
(including this set) have been at the
national level. However, we may in the
future issue general permits (or permits
by rule) on a smaller geographic scale
for a particular state or region of the
country. In fact, in the first batch of
streamlined permits we issued, we
indicated that EPA Region 9 will be
developing a general permit or permit
by rule for areas within California for
gasoline dispensing facilities.48 In
addition, once the EPA issues a general
permit at the national level, Regional
offices serving as the Reviewing
Authority are responsible for processing
the Request for Coverage and issuing the
Approval of Request for Coverage under
nationally-issued general permits (as
48 Ibid.
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well as any general permits issued by
that Region for a smaller geographic
area), Alternatively, a tribe may serve as
the Reviewing Authority for its area of
Indian country by taking delegation of
responsibility for implementing the
permit program.
Regarding other points made by the
commenter, the EPA crafted the minor
source general permits to ensure air
quality is properly protected and to
provide a streamlined approach, where
appropriate. We undertook a survey of
existing national and state requirements,
and reviewed, weighed and compared
these requirements to develop general
permits that would help provide a level
playing field for minor sources in Indian
country. The EPA has not necessarily
adopted the most stringent of these
observed standards, but, rather, has
evaluated relevant rules and regulations
to determine the most appropriate and
commonly employed standards for each
source and unit type covered under the
Federal Indian Country Minor NSR rule.
The EPA has the authority to determine
that a particular general permit or
permit by rule is no longer sufficient to
protect air quality for new or modified
sources in a particular geographic area
and, thus, does not meet the
requirements of the Federal Indian
Country Minor NSR rule. Such a
determination would consider, for
example, local air quality conditions,
typical control technology of other
emission reduction measures used by
similar sources in surrounding areas,
anticipated economic growth in the area
and/or cost-effective emission reduction
alternatives. If the EPA were to make
such a determination, it could either
issue a revised general permit for use in
that area or require sources in that area
to obtain source-specific permits. In
addition, the EPA Regional
Administrators may adopt general
permits or permits by rule that apply
within those areas.
E. Setback Requirements
1. Proposed Rule
For the draft general permits for
boilers, concrete batch plants, engines,
and sawmill facilities, we included
permit provisions related to the location
of emitting activities relative to the
source property boundary. We call these
provisions, which are designed to
minimize the impacts of emissions,
setback requirements. Under a setback
requirement, sources may not locate or
expand within a specific distance from
the property boundary and nearest
residences. We proposed that these
provisions seemed both reasonable and
prudent measures to protect local air
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70961
quality, and are economically feasible
and cost effective.
2. Summary of Comments, Responses
and Final Action
This section provides a brief summary
of significant comments received and
our responses. A full summary of the
comments received on this subject and
our responses are presented in Section
4.0 of the RTC Document.
Two commenters supported the
inclusion of setback requirements for
boilers, concrete batch plants, spark and
compression ignition engines, and
sawmill facilities. These commenters
requested that the EPA not only apply
the setback requirements to schools and
nursing homes, but also to other
physical locations such as community
centers, health care facilities, hospitals,
agricultural fields, ball fields, parks,
locations designated for cultural and
subsistence activities, and waterways.
The same commenters requested that
the EPA carefully consider each tribe’s
sovereign right to manage and oversee
land use within its own boundaries. The
commenters noted that some tribes may
not provide for setback requirements
where others may already have setback
requirements that are less restrictive
than those in the draft permits. The
commenters recommended that the EPA
consult and communicate with tribes on
the application of setback requirements
and that the EPA insert a provision in
the general permits allowing a tribe to
obtain a partial or full waiver from the
requirements (e.g., from the types of
buildings to which the requirements
apply).
Two commenters objected to the
inclusion of setback requirements in the
stationary compression ignition and
spark ignition engines general permits.
The commenters argued that the EPA
has not demonstrated the need for or
provided any data to support setback
requirements and that no current NSPS
or NESHAP for engines includes similar
requirements. The commenters further
argued that setting distances to property
boundaries is counter to, and conflicts
with, federal and state agency
requirements for land management and
parks and wildlife preserves created to
minimize surface disturbance and
encroachment on endangered species
areas. One commenter noted that
specific setback requirements are
already included in Indian mineral
leases. Another commenter urged that
setback regulations have historically
been considered ‘‘land use’’ regulation
relegated to state and local jurisdictions.
The commenters stated that establishing
a setback requirement that applies to all
of Indian country would create
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jurisdictional conflicts. The commenter
further warned that the EPA would be
setting precedent that could cause other
regulatory agencies to follow suit.
One commenter did not support the
use of physical markers on a property to
show compliance with the setback
requirements.
Due to the lack of an EPA analysis
demonstrating the air quality benefits of
requiring setbacks, we lack sufficient
information to incorporate them in the
final general permits for boilers and
emergency engines, concrete batch
plants, spark and compression ignition
engines, and sawmill facilities.
Therefore, the final general permits for
these source categories do not contain
setback provisions. Nonetheless, the
Reviewing Authority retains the
discretion to deny the granting of source
coverage under the general permits for
any source category based on local air
quality concerns.
F. Requirements Relating to Threatened
or Endangered Species and Historic
Properties
1. Proposed Rule
The ESA requires federal agencies to
ensure, in consultation with the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service and/or the
National Marine Fisheries Service (the
Services), that any action they
authorize, fund, or carry out will not
likely jeopardize the continued
existence of any listed threatened or
endangered species, or destroy or
adversely modify the designated critical
habitat of such species. The NHPA
requires federal agencies to take into
account the effects of their undertakings
on historic properties—i.e., properties
that are either listed on, or eligible for
listing on, the National Register of
Historic Places—and to provide the
Advisory Council on Historic
Preservation (the Council) a reasonable
opportunity to comment on such
undertakings. We provided draft
screening processes in Appendices to
the draft Request for Coverage Forms for
the draft general permits that we made
available for comment to ensure
appropriate consideration of listed
species and historic properties.
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2. Summary of Comments, Responses
and Final Action
This section provides a brief summary
of significant comments received and
our responses. A full summary of the
comments received on this subject and
our responses are presented in Section
5.0 of the RTC Document. Overall, as a
result of the comments we received, we
are largely retaining the processes we
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presented in the proposal with some
adjustment in this final action.
Two commenters expressed concerns
regarding provisions for listed species
and historic properties. One commenter
contended that the Bureau of Land
Management (BLM) and the Bureau of
Indian Affairs (BIA) currently develop a
resource management plan for oil and
gas activities on Indian lands that
triggers ESA and NHPA review. The
commenter argued that it is unnecessary
to repeat an ESA or NHPA review
during the general permit process given
that it may rely on this existing review.
The commenter further asserted that the
proposed provisions would require
minor source permit applicants to
interface with various federal agencies
in the absence of any procedures
governing that interaction, and that the
legal consequences of certifying
compliance with the ESA and NHPA are
undefined.
The EPA is aware that new sources
locating in Indian country may also
need approvals or other authorizations
from other federal agencies such as the
BIA or the BLM, which may trigger a
review under the ESA and/or the NHPA.
Such approvals or authorizations by
other agencies are, however, separate
from the authorization provided in the
EPA’s minor NSR general permits.
However, to avoid duplication of effort,
we believe it is appropriate for facilities
seeking to be covered under the general
permits to use listed species and
historic property assessments, analyses,
and outcomes obtained through BIA/
BLM’s separate compliance with the
ESA and NHPA in connection with their
own actions to satisfy the relevant
screening procedures for coverage under
the minor NSR general permits. We
anticipate that where a separate ESA or
NHPA compliance process is
undertaken by BIA/BLM in connection
with a new source, that process will
satisfy the EPA’s permit screening
procedures.
Therefore, we have modified the
listed species procedures in appendix A
for endangered and threatened species
that are attached to the Request for
Coverage Forms to clarify that this
approach is the first consideration in the
screening process. We believe that this
option as a first choice is already clear
in the historic property screening
procedures and, therefore, we have not
revised appendix B in that regard in the
historic properties procedures included
with the Request for Coverage Forms.
One commenter expressed concerns
about the ability of permit applicants to
meet the compliance requirements of
the ESA and NHPA, citing limitations in
time and availability of in-house
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expertise. The commenter asserted that
the process could be costly and
requested whether the EPA has assessed
the time and cost impacts to comply
with the ESA and NHPA. The EPA
understands that satisfactorily
addressing the screening procedures for
threatened and endangered species and
historic properties will impose some
burden on sources seeking coverage
under general permits. However, we
have attempted to streamline the
screening processes in order to
minimize the effort needed to complete
them. For example, both sets of
procedures have been clarified to make
more explicit that sources can, as
appropriate, rely on prior assessments
performed by other federal agencies to
satisfy the procedures.
G. Use of Throughput Limits and
Capacity Limits
1. Proposed Rule
The Federal Indian Country Minor
NSR rule requires the Reviewing
Authority to establish annual allowable
emission limitations for each affected
emissions unit and for each NSRregulated pollutant emitted by the unit,
if the unit is issued an enforceable
limitation lower than the PTE of that
unit (see 40 CFR 49.155(a)(2)). The EPA
included throughput, fuel usage, and
materials usage limitations and
compliance monitoring requirements in
the draft general permits and proposed
permit by rule as a means for limiting
emissions and demonstrating
compliance with those limits.
For the six source categories in this
action, some states (but not all) provide
both annual tpy allowable emission
limitations and throughput limits in
their general permits. Other states
provide only overall production limits
that limit the amount of throughput a
facility can process over a period of
time. We requested comment on the use
of throughput limits as a surrogate for
tpy allowable emission limitations, or,
alternatively, establishment of annual
allowable emission limitations for each
pollutant, and the use of throughput
limits as surrogate monitoring measures
to demonstrate compliance with tpy
annual allowable emission limitations.
2. Summary of Comments, Responses
and Final Action
This section provides a brief summary
of significant comments received and
our responses. A full summary of the
comments received on this subject and
our responses are presented in Section
6.0 of the RTC Document. In the final
general permits, the EPA has retained
the throughput limits contained in the
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draft general permits, except that we
have revised the limits in the final
general permits for boilers and
emergency engines, spark ignition
engines, compression ignition engines
and sawmill facilities. This has
included adding control options and
fuel-based limits to accommodate
synthetic minor sources.
Two commenters supported the use of
throughput production limits as a
surrogate for annual tpy emission limits
in the draft concrete batch plants
general permit. The commenters
declared that facilities currently track
information about the material they
process, and that complying with a
throughput limitation would be less
costly. One commenter stated that the
proposed rule does not provide for
different production limits for facilities
located in attainment and
nonattainment areas for PM, and
requested that the EPA consider this
issue more closely.
The EPA appreciates the commenters’
support for the use of throughput limits.
The EPA also appreciates the
commenters’ concern regarding separate
production limits for PM10 and PM2.5
nonattainment areas. We set the
throughput limit in the draft concrete
batch plants general permit to ensure
that a source in any area (attainment or
nonattainment) would not be a major
source.
For the draft boilers general permit,
two commenters supported the use of
varying capacity limits as a surrogate for
annual tpy emission limits based on
boiler and process heater size. The
commenters supported the use of
different capacity limits for process
heaters and process heaters and boilers
combined located in ozone
nonattainment areas. The commenters
also supported finalizing two boilers
general permits—one intended for
smaller, simpler sources using capacity
limits, and one for larger, more complex
sources using tpy emission limitations
and additional monitoring and
recordkeeping. The EPA has decided to
issue only one final ‘‘General Air
Quality Permit for New or Modified
Minor Source Boilers and Emergency
Engines in Indian Country,’’ which also
covers emergency engines. We do not
agree that two are needed. We believe
that one permit for boilers can
accommodate boilers of varying sizes.
Two commenters expressed concerns
with the capacity limits included in the
draft spark ignition engines general
permit. The commenters noted an
inconsistency between the engine site
capacity limit of 1,750 hp and the
emission limits set by reference to Table
1 of 40 CFR part 60, subpart JJJJ. One
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commenter provided the example that,
using the EPA’s PTE spreadsheet and a
single 1,000 hp 4-stroke lean burn
engine, the CO limit of 2.0 grams per
hp-hour in Table 1 yields a total annual
CO emission PTE of just under 20 tpy,
which would allow for up to 5,000 hp
site capacity based on a 100 tpy limit.
The commenters stated that these issues
bring into question whether the draft
spark ignition and compression ignition
engines permits should include
capacity-based limits or emissionsbased limits. Both commenters reasoned
that emission limits are preferable to
capacity limits, because an emission
limit approach would allow flexibility
for operators to determine how to
configure engines. One commenter
argued that if the EPA uses capacity
limits, then it would seem pointless to
also include emission limits or
monitoring. The commenter stated that
capacity limits are most appropriate for
small engines to simplify exclusion
from minor source NSR, stating that
neither the draft spark ignition engines
general permit nor the draft
compression ignition engines general
permit addressed excluding low
emitting small engines. The commenter
further argued that the upper limit used
should actually be 250 tpy to avoid the
PSD Program in attainment areas.
The EPA acknowledges that, in setting
the capacity limits in the draft spark
ignition engines general permit, the
limit was based on the highest emission
factor under the NSPS for the various
engines types. We also acknowledge
that there is significant variability in the
emission factors for the different types
of engines. Given the differences, we are
revising the capacity limits to add a
fuel-based capacity limit option for
natural gas-fired spark ignition engines.
In addition, the draft spark ignition
engines general permit does not apply to
engines in the oil and natural gas
production and natural gas processing
segments of the oil and natural gas
sector. The EPA has issued a separate,
final rulemaking addressing oil and
natural gas activities that includes
requirements for non-emergency
engines.49 Non-emergency spark
ignition engines (and any additional
emergency engines) located at sources
that are not in the oil and natural gas
49 ‘‘Federal Implementation Plan for True Minor
Sources in Indian Country in the Oil and Natural
Gas Production and Natural Gas Processing
Segments of the Oil and Natural Gas Sector;
Amendments to the Federal Minor New Source
Review Program in Indian Country to Address
Requirements for True Minor Sources in the Oil and
Natural Gas Sector,’’ U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, 81 FR 35944, June 3, 2016, https://
www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2016-06-03/pdf/201611969.pdf.
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production and natural gas processing
segments of the oil and natural gas
sector are eligible for coverage under the
final ‘‘General Air Quality Permit for
New or Modified Minor Source Spark
Ignition Engines in Indian Country.’’
Regarding excluding small engines,
we note that the Federal Indian Country
Minor NSR rule exempts stationary
internal combustion engines with a
manufacturer’s site-rated hp of less than
50. The EPA finalized this exemption
during the development of the general
permits.50 We have revised the
permitting documents to reflect this
exemption.
Regarding the use of emission limits
versus capacity limits, we have retained
the capacity limits but we have also
added additional flexibility by allowing
for the use of synthetic minor fuel limits
in lieu of the engine capacity limits.
This flexibility is close to the approach
suggested by the commenter, as it
allows for engines of greater capacity as
long as overall fuel use remains below
the specified threshold. We consider
this approach the best option for the
types of owners and operators that we
expect to be subject to the permits—
striking a balance between flexibility
and ease of compliance. Sources
needing even greater operational
flexibility should consider applying for
a source-specific permit. The general
permits are intended for common,
straightforward permitting actions.
Regarding the upper tpy emission
limit used for setting the limits in the
permit, we disagree with the
commenter’s suggestion of using 250
tpy. While the EPA will still determine
when sources applying for a general
permit need a source-specific permit
due to air quality concerns, we do not
believe that will occur as often as would
be required if we used the upper
threshold in attainment areas proposed
by the commenter.
Two commenters supported the
proposed approach for establishing
capacity limits for compression ignition
emergency and non-emergency engine
sources that differentiate among
locations in ozone attainment,
unclassifiable, or Marginal/Moderate
ozone nonattainment areas. The
commenters requested that the EPA
explain why the draft general permit for
stationary spark ignition engines does
not use a similar approach. One
commenter stated that nonattainment
minor source permitting should be
50 ‘‘Review of New Sources and Modifications in
Indian Country—Amendments to the Federal
Indian Country Minor New Source Review Rule,’’
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 79 FR
31035, May 30, 2014, https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/
pkg/FR-2014-05-30/pdf/2014-11499.pdf.
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regionally specific and based on
emissions inventory evaluation and
modeling to determine the requirements
after a designation is made. The
commenter declared that because no
nonattainment designation has been
made in any tribal land areas, it is
premature to specify minor source
permitting requirements. The EPA notes
that the draft general permit for spark
ignition engines does not need separate
limits for sources in different types of
ozone areas. The limiting pollutant—the
pollutant with the highest emissions in
setting the capacity limits—is CO. The
established limits in the draft general
permit are set low enough to ensure
sources in ozone nonattainment areas
will be below the major source
thresholds, regardless of the area’s
classification. The final ‘‘General Air
Quality Permit for New or Modified
Minor Source Spark Ignition Engines in
Indian Country’’ is not available in
Serious CO nonattainment areas.
Currently, there are no CO
nonattainment areas.
Regarding the comment that
nonattainment minor source permitting
should be based on an emissions
inventory evaluation and modeling, in
this instance it is not necessary to
develop an emissions inventory or
perform ambient air modeling in order
to establish minor source permits in
attainment or nonattainment areas that
are protective of air quality. The general
permits in this action are intended to
prevent the construction of sources that
would interfere with attainment or
maintenance of the NAAQS in
attainment and nonattainment areas.
However, some of the general permits in
this action do not cover all potential
nonattainment areas because, in order to
protect air quality in such areas, we
would have had to construct an overly
stringent, potentially unworkable permit
for such sources in such areas. A better
alternative is to direct such sources to
work with the Reviewing Authority to
develop a more workable, sourcespecific permit. Moreover, the
Reviewing Authority has the discretion
under the Federal Indian Country Minor
NSR rule to not grant coverage under a
general permit to a particular source or
in a particular area if there is a concern
that the general permit will not be
protective of air quality in the area.
Three commenters supported the
EPA’s draft emission limitations for
sawmill facilities, including a limitation
of 25 million board feet on a 12-month
rolling basis and a total tpy VOC
emission limitation that becomes more
stringent based on the increasing
classification of the ozone
nonattainment area in which the facility
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is located. However, one commenter
asserted that it was unlikely a sawmill
facility would be a true minor NSR
facility and approach 80 tpy VOC
without triggering the major source
threshold for HAPs (Condition 23 of the
draft sawmill facilities general permit).
Regarding the comment that a source
may trigger the major source threshold
for HAPs prior to reaching the 80 ton
per year/12-month rolling emission
limits, the EPA has determined that
such a scenario could arise and has
added a synthetic minor limit for HAP
emissions in the final ‘‘General Air
Quality Permit for New or Modified
Minor Source Sawmill Facilities in
Indian Country.’’
One commenter requested that the
EPA use a 12-month rolling total limit
for the production limits and emissions
limitations in Conditions 19, 23 and 41
of the draft sawmill facilities general
permit. The commenter also expressed
concern that new sources in operation
for less than 12 months would not be
able to determine compliance with the
draft conditions for the first 11 months.
The commenter provided draft language
for consideration.
The EPA notes that the draft sawmill
facilities permit uses a 12-month rolling
total for the production limits and
emissions limitations in Conditions 19,
23, and 41 of the draft general permit.
Regarding the concern that new sources
would have difficulty determining
compliance with the draft conditions in
the first 11 months, the general permit
requires that sources maintain records
of monthly production and monthly
VOC emissions and submit an annual
report that evaluates the source’s
compliance status with the emission
limitations and standards. This will
allow a source to evaluate its eventual
compliance with the 12-month rolling
total well before the 12th month. We
have not modified the final ‘‘General Air
Quality Permit for New or Modified
Minor Source Sawmill Facilities in
Indian Country,’’ as suggested by the
commenter.
V. Statutory and Executive Order
Reviews
A. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory
Planning and Review and Executive
Order 13563: Improving Regulation and
Regulatory Review
This action is not a significant
regulatory action and was, therefore, not
submitted to the Office of Management
and Budget (OMB) for review.
B. Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA)
This action does not impose any new
information collection burden under the
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PRA. OMB has previously approved the
information collection activities
contained in the existing regulations
and has assigned OMB Control Number
2060–0003. The general permits
finalized in this action do not impose
any new obligations or enforceable
duties on any state, local or tribal
government or the private sector. This
action merely establishes general
permits to aid sources in satisfying the
requirements of the Federal Indian
Country Minor NSR rule.
C. Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)
I certify that this action will not have
a significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities
under the RFA. In making this
determination, the impact of concern is
any significant adverse economic
impact on small entities. An agency may
certify that a rule will not have a
significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities if
the rule relieves regulatory burden, has
no net burden or otherwise has a
positive economic effect on the small
entities subject to the rule. The EPA
analyzed the impact of streamlined
permitting on small entities in the
Federal Indian Country Minor NSR
rule.51 The EPA determined that that
action would not have a significant
economic impact on a substantial
number of small entities. This action
merely implements a particular aspect
of the Federal Indian Country Minor
NSR rule. As a result, this action will
not have a significant economic impact
on a substantial number of small
entities. We have, therefore, concluded
that this action will have no net
regulatory burden for all directly
regulated small entities. And, by
establishing general permits that
simplify and shorten the permitting
process, this rule will lessen the burden
on small business in the affected source
categories that are seeking to construct
in Indian country.
D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
(UMRA)
This action does not contain any
unfunded mandate, as described in the
UMRA, 2 U.S.C. 1531–1538, and does
not significantly or uniquely affect small
governments. Sources that choose to use
one or more of the general permits
finalized in this action must comply
with the requirements contained
therein; however, no source is required
51 ‘‘Review of New Sources and Modifications in
Indian Country,’’ U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, 76 FR 38748, July 1, 2011, https://
www.federalregister.gov/articles/2011/07/01/201114981/review-of-new-sources-and-modifications-inindian-country.
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to use the general permits. As a result,
the action imposes no enforceable duty
on any state, local or tribal government
or the private sector.
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E. Executive Order 13132: Federalism
This action does not have federalism
implications. It 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.
F. Executive Order 13175: Consultation
and Coordination With Indian Tribal
Governments
This action has tribal implications.
However, it will neither impose
substantial direct compliance costs on
federally recognized tribal governments,
nor preempt tribal law. The EPA
conducted outreach on the July 17,
2014, proposal via on-going monthly
meetings with tribal environmental
professionals in the development of this
final action. The EPA offered
consultation to elected tribal officials
immediately after proposal on June 14,
2014, via letter to 566 tribes to provide
an opportunity for meaningful and
timely input into the development of
this regulation. No tribal officials
requested consultation on this action.
Two commenters took exception to
the EPA’s claim that the proposed rule
would ‘‘not impose duties or
responsibilities on tribes.’’ The
commenters noted that several Indian
tribes own and operate facilities covered
under source categories identified in the
draft rule, and, thus, the draft rule will
impose duties or responsibilities on
some tribes. The commenters requested
that the EPA review the number of
tribes that own and operate facilities
represented by the source categories
listed in the proposed rule and
determine the extent of the duties and
responsibilities imposed on the tribes.
The EPA disagrees with the assertion
that the rule ‘‘imposes duties or
responsibilities on tribes.’’ As noted in
the preamble to the proposed rule, the
EPA concluded that the rule would not
impose duties or responsibilities on
tribes, although it will have tribal
implications. Some tribes may own
affected facilities in the source
categories for which we are issuing
general permits via this action.
However, this action merely provides
general permits to aid interested minor
sources in Indian country in satisfying
the already existing requirement under
the Federal Indian Country Minor NSR
rule that they obtain a minor source
permit. This action does not impose any
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13:00 Oct 13, 2016
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requirements on sources in these source
categories that may need to obtain a
minor source permit to construct in
Indian country. The use of the general
permits in this final action is optional;
they do not impose any compliance
requirements on any source unless and
until the EPA grants coverage under one
of the permits to a source.
This action reflects tribal comments
on and priorities for developing general
permits and permits by rule in Indian
country. The RTC document details all
of the comments we received on the July
17, 2014, proposal from tribal and other
entities. We received comments from 5
tribal commenters. We have responded
favorably to tribal comments in the
several areas, including:
• General support for the
establishment of general permits for the
six categories;
• Structure and general requirements
of the draft general permits;
• Authorizing multiple locations for
the use of certain general permits;
• Specific provisions of the draft
spark ignition and compression ignition
engines general permits;
• Specific provisions of the draft
sawmill facilities general permit;
• Utilizing a permit by rule for
graphic arts and printing operations;
and
• Use of throughput limits and
capacity limits.
G. Executive Order 13045: Protection of
Children From Environmental Health
Risks and Safety Risks
The EPA interprets Executive Order
13045 as applying only to those
regulatory actions that concern
environmental health or safety risks that
the EPA has reason to believe may
disproportionately affect children, per
the definition of ‘‘covered regulatory
action’’ in Section 2–202 of the
Executive Order. This action is not
subject to Executive Order 13045
because it does not concern an
environmental health risk or safety risk.
H. Executive Order 13211: Actions
Concerning Regulations That
Significantly Affect Energy Supply,
Distribution or Use
This action is not subject to Executive
Order 13211, because it is not a
significant regulatory action under
Executive Order 12866.
I. National Technology Transfer and
Advancement Act (NTTAA)
The final action involves technical
standards. The EPA has decided to use
the EPA Methods 5, 7, 9, 10, 18, 22 and
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70965
25A of 40 CFR part 60, appendix A.52
Three voluntary consensus standards
were identified as applicable for
purposes of the proposal:
1. ANSI/ASME PTC 19.10–1981 part
10 ‘‘Flue and Exhaust Gas Analyses’’
(alternative to the EPA Method 7);
2. ASTM D7520–09 ‘‘Standard Test
Method for Determining Opacity of a
Plume in the Outdoor Ambient
Atmosphere’’ (alternative to the EPA
Method 9); and
3. ASTM D6420–99 (2010) ‘‘Test
method for Determination of Gaseous
Organic Compounds by Direct Interface
Gas Chromatography/Mass
Spectrometry’’ (alternative to the EPA
Method 18).
We are not finalizing these in this
rulemaking. The use of these voluntary
consensus standards would not be
practical with applicable law due to a
lack of equivalency, documentation,
validation data and other important
technical and policy considerations.
The EPA did not receive comments that
have caused us to alter the standards
and methods in the final permits.
J. Executive Order 12898: Federal
Actions To Address Environmental
Justice in Minority Populations and
Low-Income Populations
The EPA believes that the human
health or environmental risk addressed
by this action will not have potential,
disproportionately high and adverse
human health or environmental effects
on minority, low-income or indigenous
populations. This action does not affect
the level of protection provided to
human health or the environment.
Rather, this final rule implements
certain aspects of the Federal Indian
Country Minor NSR rule. Therefore, this
final action will not have a
disproportionately high and adverse
human health or environmental effects
on minorities, low-income or
indigenous populations in the United
States.
Our primary goal in developing this
program is to ensure that air resources
in Indian country will be protected in
the manner intended by the CAA. We
believe that when sources have permits
52 Information on any available voluntary
consensus standards that we indicated could be
used as alternatives to the emissions measurement
standards in the draft general permits can be found
in: ‘‘Voluntary Consensus Standard Results for
General Permits and Permits by Rule for the Indian
Country Minor New Source Review Program; 40
CFR part 49, subparts 156(c) and 162,’’ from Robin
Segall, Acting Group Leader, Measurement
Technology Group, to Laura McKelvey, Group
Leader, Community and Tribal Programs Group,
February 7, 2014, Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–OAR–
2011–0151, https://www.epa.gov/tribal-air/tribalminor-new-source-review.
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and compliance reporting requirements,
that means that there will be reduced
emissions and greater responsibility on
the part of sources. This final action will
reduce adverse impacts by improving
air quality in Indian country. In
addition, we seek to establish a flexible
preconstruction permitting program for
minor sources in Indian country that is
comparable to similar programs in
neighboring states in order to create a
more level regulatory playing field for
owners and operators within and
outside of Indian country. This final
action will reduce an existing disparity
by filling the regulatory gap.
K. Congressional Review Act (CRA)
This action is subject to the
Congressional Review Act, and the EPA
will submit a rule report to each House
of the Congress and to the Comptroller
General of the United States. This action
is not a ‘‘major rule’’ as defined by 5
U.S.C. 804(2).
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 49
Environmental protection,
Administrative practices and
procedures, Air pollution control,
Indians, Indians-law, Indians-tribal
government, Intergovernmental
relations, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements.
Dated: September 16, 2016.
Gina McCarthy,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2016–23178 Filed 10–13–16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 52
[EPA–R04–OAR–2016–0312; FRL–9954–08–
Region 4]
Air Plan Approval; KY; Removal of
Stage II Gasoline Vapor Recovery
Program
Environmental Protection
Agency.
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
The Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) is approving changes to
the Kentucky State Implementation Plan
(SIP) submitted by the Commonwealth
of Kentucky, through the Kentucky
Energy and Environmental Cabinet, on
May 3, 2016. This SIP revision removes
Stage II vapor control requirements for
new and upgraded gasoline dispensing
facilities in the State and allows for the
decommissioning of existing Stage II
equipment in Boone, Campbell and
Kenton Counties in Kentucky
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SUMMARY:
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Jkt 241001
(hereinafter referred to as the ‘‘Northern
Kentucky Area’’ or ‘‘Area’’). EPA
determined that Kentucky’s May 3,
2016, SIP revision is approvable because
it is consistent with the Clean Air Act
(CAA or Act).
DATES: This rule will be effective
November 14, 2016.
ADDRESSES: EPA has established a
docket for this action under Docket
Identification No. EPA–R04–OAR–
2016–0312. All documents in the docket
are listed on the www.regulations.gov
Web site. Although listed in the index,
some information may not be publicly
available, i.e., Confidential Business
Information or other information whose
disclosure is restricted by statute.
Certain other material, such as
copyrighted material, is not placed on
the Internet and will be publicly
available only in hard copy form.
Publicly available docket materials are
available either electronically through
www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at
the Air Regulatory Management Section,
Air Planning and Implementation
Branch, Air, Pesticides and Toxics
Management Division, U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency,
Region 4, 61 Forsyth Street SW.,
Atlanta, Georgia 30303–8960. EPA
requests that if at all possible, you
contact the person listed in the FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section to
schedule your inspection. The Regional
Office’s official hours of business are
Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to
4:30 p.m., excluding federal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Kelly Sheckler, Air Regulatory
Management Section, Air Planning and
Implementation Branch, Pesticides and
Toxics Management Division, Region 4,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
61 Forsyth Street SW., Atlanta, Georgia
30303–8960. Ms. Sheckler’s telephone
number is (404) 562–9222. She can also
be reached via electronic mail at
sheckler.kelly@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
On February 3, 1998, the
Commonwealth of Kentucky submitted
a SIP revision to address the Stage II
requirements 1 for the Northern
Kentucky Area.2 EPA approved that SIP
1 Stage II is a system designed to capture
displaced vapors that emerge from inside a
vehicle’s fuel tank, when gasoline is dispensed into
the tank. There are two basic types of Stage II
systems, the balance type and the vacuum assist
type.
2 On November 6, 1991, EPA designated and
classified Boone, Campbell and Kenton Counties in
Kentucky as part of the seven-county area in and
around the Cincinnati-Hamilton, OH–KY, area as a
moderate nonattainment area for the 1-hour ozone
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revision, containing Kentucky
regulation 401 KAR 59:174—Stage II
controls at gasoline dispensing facilities,
in a notice published on February 8,
1999 (63 FR 67586). On May 3, 2016,
the Commonwealth of Kentucky
submitted a SIP revision to EPA seeking
modifications of the Stage II
requirements in the Northern Kentucky
Area. Specifically, it sought the removal
of the Stage II requirements in Kentucky
regulation 401 KAR 59:174—Stage II
Controls at gasoline dispensing
facilities. EPA published a proposed
rulemaking on August 17, 2016, to
approve that SIP revision. The details of
Kentucky’s submittal and the rationale
for EPA’s action are explained in the
proposed rulemaking. See 81 FR 54780.
The comment period for this proposed
rulemaking closed on September 16,
2016. EPA did not receive any
comments, adverse or otherwise, during
the public comment period.
II. Incorporation by Reference
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 Kentucky regulation 401
KAR 59:174—Stage II Controls at
gasoline dispensing facilities, effective
May 3, 2016, which removes Stage II
vapor control requirements for new and
upgraded gasoline dispensing facilities
in the State. Therefore, these materials
have been approved by EPA for
inclusion in the State implementation
plan, have been incorporated by
reference by EPA into that plan, are
fully federally enforceable under
sections 110 and 113 of the CAA as of
the effective date of the final rulemaking
of EPA’s approval, and will be
incorporated by reference by the
Director of the Federal Register in the
next update to the SIP compilation.3
EPA has made, and will continue to
make, these materials generally
available through www.regulations.gov
and/or at the EPA Region 4 Office
(please contact the person identified in
the ‘‘For Further Information Contact’’
section of this preamble for more
information)
NAAQS. See 56 FR 56694. The ‘‘moderate’’
classification triggered various statutory
requirements for the Area, including the
requirement pursuant to section 182(b)(3) of the
CAA to require all owners and operators of gasoline
dispensing systems to install and operate Stage II.
EPA redesignated the Northern Kentucky portion of
the Area to attainment for the 1-hour ozone
NAAQS, effective July 31, 2002. See 67 FR 49600.
3 62 FR 27968 (May 22, 1997).
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 199 (Friday, October 14, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 70944-70966]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-23178]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 49
[EPA-HQ-OAR-2011-0151; FRL-9952-86-OAR]
RIN 2060-AR98
General Permits and Permits by Rule for the Federal Minor New
Source Review Program in Indian Country for Six Source Categories
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is finalizing
general permits for use in Indian country pursuant to the Federal Minor
New Source Review (NSR) Program in Indian Country for new or modified
minor sources in the following six source categories: concrete batch
plants; boilers and emergency engines; stationary spark ignition
engines; stationary compression ignition engines; graphic arts and
printing operations; and sawmill facilities.
DATES: This final rule is effective on November 14, 2016.
ADDRESSES: The EPA has established a docket for this action under
Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2011-0151. All documents in the docket are
listed in the https://www.regulations.gov Web site. Although listed in
the index, some information is not publicly available, e.g.,
Confidential Business Information or other information whose disclosure
is restricted by statute. Certain other material, such as copyrighted
material, is not placed on the Internet and will be publicly available
only in hard copy form. Publicly available docket materials are
available electronically through https://www.regulations.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christopher Stoneman, Outreach and
Information Division, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, (C-
304-03), Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North
Carolina, 27711, telephone number (919) 541-0823, facsimile number
(919) 541-0072, email address: stoneman.chris@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Throughout this document, ``Reviewing
Authority,'' ``we,'' ``us'' and ``our'' refer to the EPA. The
information in this preamble is organized as follows:
Table of Contents
I. General Information
A. Does this action apply to me?
B. Where can I get a copy of this document and other related
information?
II. Overview of the Final Rule
III. Background
A. Federal Minor New Source Review Program in Indian Country
B. General Permits and Permits by Rule for the Federal Minor New
Source Review Program in Indian Country--Proposed Rule
IV. Final Rulemaking Action
A. Permitting Documents and Implementation Tools
B. Issues Concerning Aspects of Finalizing a General Permit/
Permit by Rule for Graphic Arts and Printing Operations
C. Proposed Rule Change to the Federal Indian Country Minor New
Source Review Rule in One Area: Shortening the General Permit
Application Review Process From 90 to 45 Days for Graphic Arts and
Printing Operations
D. Control Technology Review
E. Setback Requirements
F. Requirements Relating to Threatened or Endangered Species and
Historic Properties
G. Use of Throughput Limits and Capacity Limits
V. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
A. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory Planning and Review and
Executive Order 13563: Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review
B. Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA)
C. Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)
D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA)
E. Executive Order 13132: Federalism
F. Executive Order 13175: Consultation and Coordination With
Indian Tribal Governments
G. Executive Order 13045: Protection of Children From
Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks
H. Executive Order 13211: Actions Concerning Regulations That
Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution or Use
I. National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act (NTTAA)
J. Executive Order 12898: Federal Actions To Address
Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income
Populations
K. Congressional Review Act (CRA)
I. General Information
A. Does this action apply to me?
Entities potentially affected by this final action consist of
owners and operators of facilities included in the following source
categories that are located, or planning to locate, in an Indian
reservation or in another area of Indian country (as defined in 18
U.S.C. 1151) over which an Indian tribe, or the EPA, has demonstrated
that the tribe has jurisdiction where there is no EPA-approved program
in place and that are subject to the requirements of the Federal Indian
Country Minor NSR rule.
Table 1--Source Categories
------------------------------------------------------------------------
North
American
Industry categories industry Examples of regulated
classification industries
categories
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Boilers and Emergency Engines.. 11 Agriculture,
Greenhouses.
2211 Electric Power
Generation.
321 Wood Product
Manufacturing (Except
Sawmill Facilities).
[[Page 70945]]
311 Food Manufacturing.
327 Nonmetallic Mineral
Product Manufacturing
(Except Ready-Mix
Concrete).
424 Wholesale Trade,
Nondurable Goods.
611110 Elementary and
Secondary Schools.
611210 Junior Colleges.
611310 Colleges, Universities
and Professional
Schools.
62 Health Care and Social
Assistance.
721120 Casino Hotels.
813110 Religious
Organizations.
92 Public Administration.
Concrete Batch Plants.......... 327320 Concrete Batch Plants
(including temporary).
327320 Central-Mixed Concrete
Manufacturing.
327320 Truck-Mixed Concrete
Manufacturing.
327320 Transit-Mixed Concrete
Manufacturing.
327320 Ready-Mix Concrete
Manufacturing and
Distribution.
327331 Concrete Manufacturing:
All Types of Blocks
and Bricks.
327332 Concrete Manufacturing:
All Types of Pipes and
Conduit.
327390 Concrete Block and
Brick.
Engines........................ 622110 Medical and Surgical
Hospitals.
2211 Electric Power
Generation,
Transmission and
Distribution.
Graphic Arts and Printing...... 323111 Printing: Flexographic,
Rotogravure, Gravure,
Letterpress,
Lithographic, Digital.
323113 Commercial Printing,
Newspapers, Print
Shops.
323117 Printing Books.
Sawmill Facilities............. 321113 Sawmill Facilities.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
This list is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather to provide a
guide for readers regarding entities likely to be potentially affected
by this action. You should examine the applicability criteria in the
Federal Minor NSR Program in Indian Country (40 Code of Federal
Regulations (CFR) 49.153) to determine whether your facility could be
affected by this action. If you have any questions regarding the
applicability of this action to a particular entity, contact the
appropriate person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
section.
B. Where can I get a copy of this document and other related
information?
In addition to being available in the docket, an electronic copy of
this final rule is posted on the tribal minor NSR home page at https://www.epa.gov/tribal-air/tribal-minor-new-source-review.
II. Overview of the Final Rule
In July 2011, the EPA issued the Federal Minor NSR Program in
Indian Country rule \1\ that established, among other things, the
requirements and process for the preconstruction permitting of minor
sources in Indian country. Under the rule, on or after 3 years from the
effective date of the Federal Indian Country Minor NSR rule (September
2, 2014), an owner or operator must obtain a preconstruction permit
from the Reviewing Authority,\2\ if the owner or operator intends to
construct a new true minor source \3\ or modify an existing true minor
source in Indian country. The rule also specifies the process and
requirements for using general permits as a streamlined permitting
approach to authorize construction and modification of true minor
sources. General permits streamline the preconstruction permitting of
new or modified true minor sources because they involve the issuance of
one permit that can apply to multiple stationary sources that have
similar emissions units.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ ``Review of New Sources and Modifications in Indian
Country,'' U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 76 FR 38748, July
1, 2011, https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2011/07/01/2011-14981/review-of-new-sources-and-modifications-in-indian-country.
\2\ In this document, Reviewing Authority refers to an EPA
Regional office. However, tribes can become reviewing authorities if
they decide to assist the EPA with implementing the minor NSR
program in their area through a delegation agreement.
\3\ True minor source means a source that emits, or has the
potential to emit, regulated NSR pollutants in amounts that are less
than the major source thresholds under either the Prevention of
Significant Deterioration (PSD) program at 40 CFR 52.21, or the
Major NSR program for Nonattainment Areas in Indian Country at 40
CFR 49.166-49.173, but equal to or greater than the minor NSR
thresholds in 40 CFR 49.153, without the need to take an enforceable
restriction to reduce its Potential to Emit (PTE) to such levels.
The PTE includes fugitive emissions, to the extent that they are
quantifiable, only if the source belongs to one of the 28 source
categories listed in part 51, appendix S, paragraph II.A.4(iii) or
40 CFR 52.21(b)(1)(iii), as applicable.
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In this action, the EPA is finalizing general permits for the
following six source categories for the permitting of affected
emissions units and emissions-generating activities: concrete batch
plants; boilers and emergency engines; stationary spark ignition
engines; stationary compression ignition engines; graphic arts and
printing operations; and sawmill facilities. We are providing the
following implementation documents and tools for all of the permits we
are finalizing today: questionnaires; instructions; potential to emit
(PTE) calculators; background documents; and Request for Coverage Forms
(applications). For all of these permits, the implementation tools and
documents are available at either: https://www.epa.gov/tribal-air/tribal-minor-new-source-review or Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2011-0151.
Five prior actions are also relevant to this action. First, in a
final rulemaking signed May 22, 2014, and published June 16, 2014,\4\
the EPA amended the
[[Page 70946]]
Federal Minor New Source Review Program in Indian Country rule by
finalizing the following three actions:
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\4\ ``Review of New Sources and Modifications in Indian Country
Amendments to the Registration and Permitting Deadlines for True
Minor Sources,'' U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 79 FR 34231,
June 16, 2014, https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2014-06-16/pdf/2014-14030.pdf.
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1. Extending the minor NSR permitting deadline for true minor
sources in the oil and natural gas sector located, or planning to
locate, in Indian country (Sec. 49.151(c)(1)(iii)(B));
2. Adjusting the registration deadline to conform to the extended
permitting deadline for true minor sources in the oil and natural gas
sector (Sec. Sec. 49.151(c)(1)(iii)(A) and 49.160(c)(1)(ii) and
(iii)); and
3. Eliminating a requirement for all true minor sources that begin
construction before September 2, 2014, and are eligible to construct
pursuant to a general permit, to obtain a minor NSR permit 6 months
after the EPA publishes the relevant general permit. No general permits
had been finalized by the date 6 months prior to September 2, 2014, so
the provision was moot (Sec. 49.151(c)(1)(iii)(B)).
Second, on May 1, 2015, the EPA published a final rule, ``General
Permits and Permits by Rule for the Federal Minor New Source Review
Program in Indian Country for Five Source Categories,'' to simplify the
Clean Air Act (CAA) permitting process for certain smaller sources of
air pollution commonly found in Indian country.\5\ In the action, the
EPA finalized general permits for use in Indian country for new or
modified minor sources in the following two source categories: hot mix
asphalt plants and stone quarrying, crushing and screening facilities.
The EPA also finalized permits by rule for use in Indian country for
new or modified minor sources in three source categories: auto body
repair and miscellaneous surface coating operations; gasoline
dispensing facilities; and petroleum dry cleaning facilities. The EPA
also took final action authorizing the use of general permits
established under the program to create synthetic minor sources.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\5\ ``General Permits and Permits by Rule for the Federal Minor
New Source Review Program in Indian Country for Five Source
Categories,'' U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 80 FR 25068, May
1, 2015, https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2015-05-01/pdf/FR-2015-05-01-FrontMatter.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Third, on September 18, 2015, the EPA proposed a federal
implementation plan (FIP) \6\ that would apply to new true minor
sources and minor modifications at existing true minor sources in the
production segment of the oil and natural gas sector that are locating
or expanding in Indian reservations or in other areas of Indian country
over which an Indian tribe, or the EPA, has demonstrated the tribe's
jurisdiction. The FIP was proposed to satisfy the minor source
permitting requirement under the Federal Indian Country Minor NSR rule.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\6\ ``Review of New Sources and Modifications in Indian Country:
Federal Implementation Plan for Managing Air Emissions from True
Minor Sources Engaged in Oil and Natural Gas Production in Indian
Country,'' U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 81 FR 56554,
September 18, 2015, https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2015-09-18/pdf/2015-21025.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fourth, on February 24, 2016, we finalized three amendments to the
Federal Indian Country Minor NSR rule that we proposed in our September
18, 2015, proposal, along with the FIP:
1. We revised the deadline under Sec. 49.151(c)(1)(iii)(B) by
which new and modified true minor sources in the oil and natural gas
sector that are located in (or planning to locate in) reservation areas
of Indian country or other areas of Indian country for which tribal
jurisdiction has been demonstrated must obtain a minor NSR permit prior
to beginning construction. We extended the deadline from March 2, 2016,
to October 3, 2016, for all new and modified true minor sources within
the oil and natural gas sector located in Indian country.
2. We revised Sec. 49.151(c)(1)(iii)(A) to conform the
registration deadline to the extended permitting deadline in Sec.
49.151(c)(1)(iii)(B).
3. We revised Sec. 49.160(c)(1)(ii) to conform the registration
deadline to the extended permitting deadline in Sec.
49.151(c)(1)(iii)(B).
Finally, on June 3, 2016, the EPA published the final FIP for true
minor sources in the oil and natural gas sector (and associated
amendments to the Federal Indian Country Minor NSR rule).\7\ The final
FIP applies to the true minor sources in Indian country engaged in the
oil and natural gas production and natural gas processing segments of
the oil and natural gas sector.
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\7\ ``Federal Implementation Plan for True Minor Sources in
Indian Country in the Oil and Natural Gas Production and Natural Gas
Processing Segments of the Oil and Natural Gas Sector; Amendments to
the Federal Minor New Source Review Program in Indian Country to
Address Requirements for True Minor Sources in the Oil and Natural
Gas Sector,'' U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 81 FR 35944,
June 3, 2016, https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2016-06-03/pdf/2016-11969.pdf.
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III. Background
A. Federal Minor New Source Review Program in Indian Country
1. What is the Federal Indian Country minor NSR rule?
On August 21, 2006, the EPA proposed the regulation: ``Review of
New Sources and Modifications in Indian Country'' (i.e., Indian Country
NSR rule).\8\ Within this regulation, the EPA proposed to protect air
quality in Indian country by establishing a FIP program to regulate the
modification and construction of minor stationary sources consistent
with the requirements of section 110(a)(2)(c) of the CAA. (The proposal
also included a major source NSR program for areas of Indian country
designated as nonattainment.) The minor source part of the program is
officially titled Federal Minor New Source Review Program in Indian
Country, but we generally refer to it as the Federal Indian Country
Minor NSR rule. Under the Federal Indian Country Minor NSR rule, we
proposed to fill a regulatory gap and to provide a mechanism for
issuing preconstruction permits for the construction of new minor
sources and minor modifications at major and minor sources in Indian
country. We promulgated final rules on July 1, 2011,\9\ and the FIP
became effective on August 30, 2011.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\8\ ``Review of New Sources and Modifications in Indian
Country,'' U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 71 FR 48696, August
21, 2006, https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2006-08-21/html/06-6926.htm.
\9\ ``Review of New Sources and Modifications in Indian
Country,'' U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 76 FR 38748, July
1, 2011, https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2011/07/01/2011-14981/review-of-new-sources-and-modifications-in-indian-country.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Federal Indian Country Minor NSR rule applies to new and
modified minor stationary sources and to minor modifications at
existing major stationary sources located in Indian country \10\ where
there is no EPA-
[[Page 70947]]
approved program in place. Beginning September 2, 2014, any new
stationary sources that will emit, or will have the potential to emit,
a regulated NSR pollutant in amounts that will be: (1) Equal to or
greater than the minor NSR thresholds established in the Federal Indian
Country Minor NSR rule; and (2) less than the amount that would qualify
the source as a major source or a major modification for purposes of
the PSD Program or nonattainment major NSR, must apply for and obtain a
minor NSR permit before beginning construction of the new source.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\10\ The Federal Indian Country Minor NSR rule defines ``Indian
country'' to include three categories of lands consistent with 18
U.S.C. 1151, i.e., Indian reservations, dependent Indian
communities, and Indian allotments. The U.S. Court of Appeals for
the District of Columbia Circuit vacated the rule with respect to
non-reservation areas of Indian country (i.e., dependent Indian
communities and Indian allotments) (Oklahoma Dept. of Environmental
Quality v. EPA, 740 F.3d 185 (D.C. Cir. 2014)). The court held that
the state, not tribes or the EPA, has initial primary responsibility
for implementation plans under CAA section 110 in non-reservation
areas of Indian country in the absence of a demonstration of tribal
jurisdiction by the EPA or a tribe. The rule, therefore, does not
apply in non-reservation areas of Indian country unless a tribe or
the EPA has demonstrated that a tribe has jurisdiction in a
particular non-reservation area of Indian country.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Likewise, any existing stationary source (minor or major) must
apply for and obtain a minor NSR permit before beginning construction
of a physical or operational change that will increase the allowable
emissions of the stationary source by more than the specified minor
source threshold amounts, if the change does not otherwise trigger the
permitting requirements of the PSD or nonattainment major NSR
program(s).\11\
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\11\ A source may, however, be subject to certain monitoring,
recordkeeping and reporting (MRR) requirements under the major NSR
programs, if the change has a reasonable possibility of resulting in
a major modification. A source may be subject to both the Federal
Indian Country Minor NSR Program and the ``reasonable possibility''
MRR requirements of the major NSR program(s).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Among other things, the Federal Indian Country Minor NSR rule
created a framework for the EPA to streamline the issuance of
preconstruction permits to true minor sources by using general permits.
2. What is a true minor source and how does it differ from a synthetic
minor source?
``True minor source'' under the Federal Indian Country Minor NSR
rule means a source that emits, or has the PTE, regulated NSR
pollutants in amounts that are less than the major source thresholds
under either the PSD Program at 40 CFR 52.21, or the Major NSR Program
for Nonattainment Areas in Indian Country at 40 CFR 49.166-49.173, but
equal to or greater than the minor NSR thresholds in Sec. 49.153,
without the need to take an enforceable restriction to reduce its PTE
to such levels. A source's PTE includes fugitive emissions, to the
extent that they are quantifiable, only if the source belongs to one of
the 28 source categories listed in part 51, appendix S, paragraph
II.A.4(iii) or Sec. 52.21(b)(1)(iii) of 40 CFR, as applicable. By
contrast, ``synthetic minor source'' means a source that otherwise has
the PTE regulated NSR pollutants in amounts that are at or above those
for major sources, but that has taken a restriction so that its PTE is
less than such amounts. Such restrictions must be enforceable as a
legal and practical matter.
3. What is a general permit?
The Federal Indian Country Minor NSR rule specifies the process and
requirements for using general permits to authorize construction and
modifications at true minor sources as a streamlined permitting
approach. A general permit, for purposes of this action, is a permit
document that contains standardized requirements that multiple
stationary sources can use. The EPA may issue a general permit for
categories of emissions units or stationary sources that are similar in
nature, have substantially similar emissions, and would be subject to
the same or substantially similar permit requirements.\12\ ``Similar in
nature'' refers to size, processes, and operating conditions. The
purpose of a general permit is to provide for protection of air
quality, while simplifying the permitting process for similar minor
sources. General permits offer a cost-effective means of issuing
permits and provide a quicker and simpler mechanism for permitting
minor sources than the source-specific permitting process.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\12\ ``Review of New Sources and Modifications in Indian
Country,'' U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 76 FR 38770, July
1, 2011, https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2011/07/01/2011-14981/review-of-new-sources-and-modifications-in-indian-country.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
While the final Federal Indian Country Minor NSR rule contemplated
issuance of general permits by the EPA Regional offices, we have
determined, for the permits we are finalizing here, that a nationwide
action is appropriate. Through this action, we are finalizing general
permits to serve as preconstruction permit authorizations that contain
emission limitations and other restrictions to govern how specified
sources construct, modify and operate.
B. General Permits and Permits by Rule for the Federal Minor New Source
Review Program in Indian Country--Proposed Rule
1. What was in the proposed rule?
On July 17, 2014, the EPA published a proposed rule, ``General
Permits and Permits by Rule for the Federal Minor New Source Review
Program in Indian Country,'' to simplify the CAA permitting process for
certain smaller sources of air pollution commonly found in Indian
country.\13\ The proposed action was intended to facilitate the
implementation of the Federal Indian Country Minor Source NSR rule
issued by the EPA in July 2011 in a manner that minimized the
administrative and time burden associated with the permitting process,
while at the same time adequately protecting air quality in Indian
country.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\13\ ``General Permits and Permits by Rule for the Federal Minor
New Source Review Program in Indian Country,'' U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, 79 FR 41846, July 17, 2014, https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2014-07-17/pdf/2014-16814.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
As its preferred approach, the EPA made available draft general
permits for use in Indian country pursuant to the Federal Indian
Country Minor NSR rule for new or modified true minor sources in the
following six source categories: Concrete batch plants; boilers;
stationary spark ignition engines; stationary compression ignition
engines; graphic arts and printing operations; and sawmill facilities.
In the alternative, the EPA also proposed a permit by rule for use in
Indian country for new or modified true minor sources in one of the six
source categories: graphic arts and printing operations.
We requested comment on the following areas:
1. All aspects of the permit documents and implementation tools for
the six source categories:
Concrete batch plants;
Boilers; \14\
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\14\ In the proposal for this action (79 FR 41846, July 17,
2014), the title for the source category for boilers did not include
emergency engines; in this final rule, we are adding emergency
engines to the source category title so that it encompasses boilers
and emergency engines.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stationary spark ignition engines;
Stationary compression ignition engines;
Graphic arts and printing operations; and
Sawmill facilities;
2. The appropriateness of using a streamlined general permit/permit
by rule application for one source category: graphic arts and printing
operations;
3. Various aspects of the EPA's conclusion on its control
technology review that the measures in the draft/proposed permits are
technically and economically feasible and cost effective because they
are currently used by similar sources in other areas of the country;
4. Setback requirements, which are provisions related to the
location of the emitting activities and the source property boundary
and certain nearby structures;
5. The process for sources to address threatened or endangered
species and historic properties with respect to the six categories in
the proposal;
6. Use of throughput limits and capacity limits as surrogates for
tons per
[[Page 70948]]
year (tpy) allowable emission limitations, or, alternatively,
establishment of annual allowable emission limitations for each
pollutant, and the use of throughput limits as surrogate monitoring
measures to demonstrate compliance with tpy annual allowable emission
limitations;
7. Finalizing both permitting mechanisms for graphic arts and
printing operations by providing authorization to construct or modify
true minor sources in this category via permits by rule and by
providing enforceable limitations to create synthetic minor sources in
this category via general permits; and
8. A proposed rule change to the Federal Indian Country Minor NSR
rule: shortening the general permit application review process from 90
to 45 days for graphic arts and printing operations.
IV. Final Rulemaking Action
This section outlines the major areas where we sought comment in
the July 17, 2014, proposal, highlights our responses to major comments
received and describes our final action. We received 11 comments from
industry (or their representatives), 12 comments from tribes (or their
representatives), 1 comment from a local air quality agency and 1
comment from a state environmental agency. The Response to Comments
(RTC) Document can be found in docket EPA-HQ-OAR-2011-0151 and is
available online at: https://www.epa.gov/tribal-air/tribal-minor-new-source-review. It contains more detailed descriptions of the comments
we received and our responses to them.
A. Permitting Documents and Implementation Tools
1. Proposed Rule
As our preferred approach, the EPA made available draft general
permits for use in Indian country pursuant to the Federal Indian
Country Minor NSR rule for new or modified minor sources in the
following six source categories: Concrete batch plants; boilers;
stationary spark ignition engines; stationary compression ignition
engines; graphic arts and printing operations; and sawmill facilities.
In the alternative, we also proposed a permit by rule for use in Indian
country for new or modified minor sources in the graphic arts and
printing operations source category. Overall, we sought comment on all
aspects of the permit documents and implementation tools for these
source categories. Specifically, Section VI of the July 17, 2014,
proposal provided a summary of the specific terms and conditions of the
general permits and indicated specific areas where we requested
comment.
2. Summary of Comments, Responses and Final Action
The following sections provide an abbreviated summary of changes to
the implementation tools, as well as significant comments on the draft
general permits for the six source categories in this final rule and
our responses. Detailed responses to the comments on the permits and
related tools and documents are addressed in the RTC Document. In our
final action, based on comments, we have made substantive changes to
the terms and conditions of all of the draft permits and the related
implementation tools in several areas, including the following: setback
requirements; throughput limits; various control requirements; and
enhancements and clarifications to the implementation tools.
a. Overview of Changes to Permits and Implementation Tools
In direct response to public comments (and upon further review), we
are revising the draft general permits and implementation tools in many
areas, including as follows:
(1) Expanding the scope of the draft boilers general permit to
include emergency engines so that the final general permit is titled:
``General Air Quality Permit for New or Modified Minor Source Boilers
and Emergency Engines in Indian Country'';
(2) Removing emissions limitations for emergency engines from the
general permits for the following three source categories: Sawmill
facilities, graphic arts and printing operations and concrete batch
plants, as discussed below with respect to the final engines general
permits (we did so because we expect that emergency engines that are
not located at sources covered by a general permit or permit by rule
that we have already developed, and that are not otherwise exempt
consistent with Sec. 49.153 of the Federal Indian Country Minor NSR
rule,\15\ will be located at a source with one or more boilers and,
thus, will be covered by the ``General Air Quality Permit for New or
Modified Minor Source Boilers and Emergency Engines in Indian
Country'');
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\15\ Under 40 CFR 49.153(c)(9), emergency generator engines at a
single source are ``exempt'' if the combined maximum horsepower (hp)
rating of all emergency generator engines is below 1,000 hp in
attainment areas or 500 hp in ozone nonattainment areas classified
as Serious or lower. If your source consists of only exempt
equipment, then you are not required to obtain a minor NSR permit.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) Recalculating maximum capacity ratings for certain boilers in
the final ``General Air Quality Permit for New or Modified Boilers and
Emergency Engines in Indian Country'' based on non-greenhouse gas (GHG)
pollutants (e.g., nitrogen oxides (NOX)) to reflect the
change in GHG permitting requirements resulting from the U.S. Supreme
Court's June 23, 2014, ruling \16\ and to ensure minor source status
for eligible sources;
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\16\ In setting the permitting capacity limits in the draft
boilers general permit, the ``controlling'' regulated pollutant
considered in our evaluation was GHGs. This pollutant was regarded
as primarily a factor for units emitting higher levels of carbon
dioxide (CO2), a GHG. Therefore, the draft maximum
capacity ratings for certain size boilers were set for GHGs at
levels sufficiently low to keep eligible sources below the major
source permitting threshold of 100,000 tpy of CO2
equivalent. On June 23, 2014, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that
sources are no longer required to obtain a PSD permit solely based
on their GHG emissions. This means that a source must trigger the
major source PSD permitting requirements for non-GHG pollutants,
either as a newly constructed source or as a modification at a major
source, in order to be subject to NSR Best Available Control
Technology (BACT) review for GHGs. Therefore, the minor sources
covered under the final ``General Air Quality Permit for New or
Modified Minor Source Boilers and Emergency Engines in Indian
Country'' can be required to obtain a permit based only on their
emissions of non-GHG pollutants.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4) Revising and reconfiguring control options for the following
three general permits to accommodate their use by sources seeking
synthetic minor status: ``General Air Quality Permit for New or
Modified Minor Source Spark Ignition Engines in Indian Country,''
``General Air Quality Permit for New or Modified Minor Source
Compression Ignition Engines in Indian Country'' and ``General Air
Quality Permit for New or Modified Minor Source Boilers and Emergency
Engines in Indian Country''; \17\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\17\ This approach is consistent with the policy we finalized on
May 1, 2015, that allows for the use of general permits in Indian
country to create synthetic minor sources. ``General Permits and
Permits by Rule for the Federal Minor New Source Review Program in
Indian Country for Five Source Categories,'' U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, 80 FR 25068, May 1, 2015, https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2015-05-01/pdf/FR-2015-05-01-FrontMatter.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
(5) Revising the titles of all six general permits in this action,
to make it clear that they are all available for true minor and
synthetic minor sources (including all of the implementation tools), by
removing the words ``true minor'' (and adding clarifying text to the
Request for Coverage Forms to reflect this expanded coverage of source
types);
(6) Adjusting the definition of ``promptly'' for reporting
deviations under the final ``General Air Quality Permit for New or
Modified Boilers and Emergency Engines in Indian Country''
[[Page 70949]]
and the final ``General Air Quality Permit for New or Modified Concrete
Batch Plants in Indian Country'' to conform to the definition of this
term in the general permits that the EPA has already completed for hot
mix asphalt plants and stone quarrying, crushing and screening
facilities;
(7) Adjusting the condition concerning the timing and location for
records retention in the final ``General Air Quality Permit for New or
Modified Concrete Batch Plants in Indian Country'' to conform to the
corresponding condition in the general permits the EPA has already
completed for hot mix asphalt plants and stone quarrying, crushing and
screening facilities;
(8) Revising the general permit for sawmill facilities to
accommodate sources that may trigger the major source threshold for
hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) prior to reaching the 80 ton per year/
12-month rolling emission limits in the permit and that, thus, may need
to seek synthetic minor status for HAP emissions;
(9) Revising the throughput limits in the final ``General Air
Quality Permit for New or Modified Minor Source Sawmill Facilities in
Indian Country'' to match the revised input data provided in the
sawmill facilities PTE calculator (from thousand board-feet (Mbf) to
wood log inputs expressed in tons);
(10) Correcting the board-foot throughput limit in the ``General
Air Quality Permit for New or Modified Minor Source Sawmill Facilities
in Indian Country'' to reflect corrections made to the sawmill
facilities PTE calculator;
(11) Adding a separate throughput limit to the final ``General Air
Quality Permit for New or Modified Minor Source Sawmill Facilities in
Indian Country'' for Serious PM10 (particulate matter equal
to or less than 10 microns in diameter) nonattainment areas and
PM2.5 (particulate matter equal to or less than 2.5 microns
in diameter) nonattainment areas;
(12) Clarifying in the final ``General Air Quality Permit for New
or Modified Minor Source Sawmill Facilities in Indian Country'' that
gaseous and liquid-fueled auxiliary heaters up to 10 million British
thermal units per hour (MMBtu/hour) are allowed, separate from the 30
MMBtu/hr boiler limit, which can include solid fuels like biomass;
(13) Revising the boiler and auxiliary heater capacity limits for
Severe and Extreme ozone nonattainment areas in the final ``General Air
Quality Permit for New or Modified Minor Source Sawmill Facilities in
Indian Country'' to allow for larger boiler capacity;
(14) Adding a condition to the ``General Air Quality Permit for New
or Modified Minor Source Boilers and Emergency Engines in Indian
Country'' that restricts all emergency engines in Severe and Extreme
ozone nonattainment areas to units that are model year 2006 or later to
ensure the sources' emissions stay below major source levels;
(15) Changing the permitting tools (e.g., background documents) for
the source categories to reflect changes made to permit requirements in
areas such as setbacks and treatment of emergency engines;
(16) Retitling the implementation tools for the boilers and
emergency engines source category to match the change in the title of
the general permit;
(17) Clarifying each of the implementation tools for the final
``General Air Quality Permit for New or Modified Minor Source Spark
Ignition Engines in Indian Country'' and the final ``General Air
Quality Permit for New or Modified Minor Source Compression Ignition
Engines in Indian Country'' to better identify the types of sources
likely to be eligible for these permits and to clarify the
requirements, including reflecting the removal of the emergency engines
provisions from these permits;
(18) Removing the list of eligibility criteria at the front of the
questionnaires, to avoid confusion and redundancy with the eligibility
criteria provided in the Request for Coverage Forms;
(19) Changing the instructions and questionnaires to reflect
changes made to the Request for Coverage Forms;
(20) Revising the Request for Coverage Form for the final ``General
Air Quality Permit for New or Modified Minor Source Concrete Batch
Plants in Indian Country'' to:
Clarify that the source may seek approval for multiple
locations and that additional locations may be added in the future; and
Add a section allowing a source to list multiple source
locations in cases where a portable source is planning to relocate and
for which it wants Reviewing Authority approval;
(21) Adding to the Request for Coverage Forms for the general
permits a request for estimates of PTE and, at existing sources, actual
emissions, to satisfy the minor source registration requirement of
Sec. 49.160, and clarifying that sources covered by the general
permits must also register under Sec. 49.160 (submittal of the Request
for Coverage Form satisfies that requirement);
(22) Adding standards for non-engine combustion units to the final
``General Air Quality Permit for New or Modified Minor Source Graphic
Arts and Printing Operations in Indian Country'';
(23) Revising the Request for Coverage Form for the final ``General
Air Quality Permit for New or Modified Minor Source Graphic Arts and
Printing Operations in Indian Country'' to require more detailed
information from the applicant that is appropriate for a general permit
that is being made available for both true minor and synthetic minor
sources;
(24) Revising the threatened and endangered species and historic
properties screening procedures in the Request for Coverage Forms to
reflect changes made to those same procedures in response to comments
that we received on the January 14, 2014, proposal that we also
reflected in the final rule ``General Permits and Permits by Rule for
the Federal Minor New Source Review Program in Indian Country for Five
Source Categories,'' published on May 1, 2015; \18\
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\18\ ``General Permits and Permits by Rule for the Federal Minor
New Source Review Program in Indian Country for Five Source
Categories,'' U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 80 FR 25068, May
1, 2015, https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2015-05-01/pdf/FR-2015-05-01-FrontMatter.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
(25) Correcting an error on the ``Input'' page for the PTE
calculator for the final ``General Air Quality Permit for New or
Modified Minor Source Boilers and Emergency Engines in Indian Country''
that did not properly sum emissions for all of the small, auxiliary
heaters and boilers, and adjusting the MMBtu/hr limit for boilers and
hp for engines for Extreme ozone nonattainment areas once we corrected
the error; \19\ and
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\19\ The draft spreadsheet underestimated emissions for this
source category and the correction and adjustment had the greatest
effect on emissions estimates for sources in Extreme ozone
nonattainment areas.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
(26) Adding the following caveat to the PTE calculators for the six
source categories in this action: ``If you have one or more of the
following units that are exempt from the Indian Country Minor NSR
Program,\20\ please contact
[[Page 70950]]
your EPA Regional office before you use this calculator to determine
whether you need to obtain a minor NSR permit:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\20\ All units/categories listed under Sec. 49.153(c),
including the ones listed below, are exempt from the Federal Minor
NSR Program in Indian Country and emissions from such sources are,
therefore, not counted in calculating a source's PTE for the purpose
of determining whether the source's PTE exceeds the minor source
permitting thresholds. However, emissions from the units/categories
listed under Sec. 49.153(c) shall be included when calculating a
source's PTE for the purpose of determining whether the source is a
major source under either PSD or nonattainment NSR programs.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal combustion engines used for landscaping purposes;
Emergency generators, designed solely for the purpose of
providing electrical power during power outages:
[cir] In nonattainment areas classified as Serious or lower, the
total maximum manufacturer's site-rated hp of all units shall be below
500;
[cir] In attainment areas, the total maximum manufacturer's site-
rated hp of all units shall be below 1,000;
Stationary internal combustion engines with a
manufacturer's site-rated hp of less than 5; and
Furnaces or boilers used for space heating that use only
gaseous fuel, with a total maximum heat input (i.e., from all units
combined) of:
[cir] In nonattainment areas classified as Serious or lower, 5
MMBtu/hr or less;
[cir] In nonattainment areas classified as Severe or Extreme, 2
MMBtu/hr or less; and
[cir] In attainment areas, 10 MMBtu/hr or less.''
In addition, we made some changes in the general provisions that
are included in all of the final permits from this final action and the
May 1, 2015, final action. One commenter stated that the condition in
the draft general permits concerning Notification of Change in
Ownership is unclear in establishing whether it is the responsibility
of the new permittee or the old permittee to comply with the
notification requirements. The same commenter requested that certain
conditions of the draft general permit be clarified to cover situations
in which there is a change of operator, but the ownership of the
equipment is the same. In response to the comments, the EPA has
clarified in the permits for the six source categories covered by this
action that it is the responsibility of the new permittee to submit a
written or electronic notice to the Reviewing Authority within 90 days
before or after the change in ownership is effective. For all of the
permits, we have also modified the two conditions related to changes in
ownership that appear in Sections 5 and 6 to include the word
``operator'' to clarify that these conditions cover a change in either
ownership or operator where the equipment is the same.\21\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\21\ The conditions are: Notification of Change in Ownership or
Operator (Section 5) and Change in Ownership or Operator (Section
6).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
One commenter stated that the term ``Responsible Official'' should
be defined to ensure truth, accuracy and completeness of required
reports. The EPA agrees and, in response to the comment, we have added
a definition of ``Responsible Official'' to each of the final permits.
Two commenters supported the proposed rule's approach of requiring
each source to post the current Approval of the Request for Coverage
and to label each affected emissions unit and associated air pollution
control technology with the identification numbers listed in the
approval. One commenter recommended that the general permit and the
most current approval of the request for coverage for the permitted
source ``must be made available immediately upon request,'' as opposed
to ``must be posted.'' The commenter stated that it was not necessary
to label the air pollution control equipment, as the description and
serial numbers are provided in the application. The EPA acknowledges
the support of the commenters with respect to posting the Approval of
the Request for Coverage. Upon review of comments received related to
the posting of the general permit in addition to the Approval of the
Request for Coverage, the EPA is revising the permits to exclude the
requirement that the general permits must be posted. Posting of the
Approval of the Request for Coverage is required under 40 CFR
49.156(e)(6), but general permits themselves are not required under the
regulation to be posted and only need to be available on site as
needed. Regarding the labeling of emission units and air pollution
control equipment, identification and labeling of these units is needed
to facilitate identification by inspectors of equipment covered under a
general permit without the need to refer to the application. Therefore,
the EPA is finalizing the labeling requirements as proposed.
Three commenters supported incorporating the Approval of the
Request for Coverage into the general permit, in order to ensure that
the revision procedures in 40 CFR 49.159 would apply to revisions a
Reviewing Authority may need to make to a previously issued Approval of
a Request for Coverage. Two commenters recommended that the EPA
consider amending 40 CFR 49.156 to include a provision that
specifically allows for revisions to a previously issued Approval of a
Request for Coverage under a general permit. Upon review of comments
received related to incorporating the Approval of the Request for
Coverage into the general permits, the EPA is finalizing each general
permit to include the proposed language in the draft general permits
related to incorporating the Approval of the Request for Coverage into
each permit.
In addition, we have added a provision to all of the permits to
address those circumstances that can cause a permit to become invalid
under 40 CFR 49.156(e)(8). In the general permits in this action, the
provision can be found in Section 6.
b. Comments and Responses Concerning General Permits for Concrete Batch
Plants
One commenter objected to the visible emissions 10 percent opacity
limit included in the draft concrete batch plants general permit. The
commenter argued that the limit would create an unequal playing field
with existing concrete batch facilities subject to the Federal Air
Rules for Reservations' (FARR) requirements for limiting visible
emissions (40 CFR 49.124). The EPA acknowledges that the draft visible
emissions opacity limit in the final ``General Air Quality Permit for
New or Modified Minor Source Concrete Batch Plants'' (10 percent) is
more stringent than the opacity limit provided for facilities in the
FARR.\22\ The opacity limit in the FARR is a generally applicable
requirement that applies to any person who owns or operates an air
pollution source, regardless of whether the equipment is existing, new,
or modified. This limit was not specifically developed for concrete
batch plants. The EPA's general permit for concrete batch plants
applies to new or modified concrete batch plants, for which we have
determined a 10 percent opacity limit is achievable. In our Background
Document \23\ for this permit, our review of state general permits for
this source category indicated a range of opacity limits. For all of
the states researched, the limits ranged from no visible emissions
allowed to 25 percent, with only one state having a 40 percent opacity
limit. Furthermore, the opacity limit is consistent with the opacity
limits for the ``General Air Quality Permit for New or Modified Minor
Source Stone Quarrying, Crushing, and Screening Facilities in Indian
Country'' (7-12 percent) and less than the opacity limit for the
``General Air Quality
[[Page 70951]]
Permit for New or Modified Minor Source Hot Mix Asphalt Plants in
Indian Country'' (20 percent or greater), both made available in the
final rule on April 17, 2015.\24\ We continue to believe that a 10
percent opacity limit is achievable for new or modified concrete batch
plant sources and, as a result, we are not revising the opacity limit
for the final ``General Air Quality Permit for New or Modified Minor
Source Concrete Batch Plants in Indian Country.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\22\ The FARR is limited in scope to Indian Reservations in EPA
Region 10. The opacity limit in the FARR at 40 CFR 49.124(d) is the
visible emissions from an air pollution source must not exceed 20%
opacity, averaged over any consecutive six-minute period, unless
paragraph (d)(2) or (3) of 49 CFR 49.124(d) applies to the air
pollution source.
\23\ Background Document: General Air Quality Permit for New or
Modified Minor Source Concrete Batch Plants in Indian Country,
Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2011-0151, https://www.epa.gov/tribal-air/tribal-minor-new-source-review.
\24\ ``General Permits and Permits by Rule for the Federal Minor
New Source Review Program in Indian Country for Five Source
Categories,'' U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 80 FR 25068, May
1, 2015, https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2015-05-01/pdf/FR-2015-05-01-FrontMatter.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Another commenter recommended that the EPA consider the
requirements in the South Coast Air Quality Management District
(SCAQMD) Rule 1155--Particulate Matter from Control Devices (used to
establish requirements for permitted PM air pollution control devices)
and Rule 1157--PM10 Emission Reductions From Aggregate and
Related Operations (which includes general performance standards and
work practice requirements for opacity, unloading, loading and
transferring operations, storage piles and related equipment), in
establishing provisions in the draft concrete batch general permit. The
commenter also requested that the general permit include certain BACT
\25\ requirements related to controlling PM10. One commenter
specifically requested that the EPA consider certain control devices
for either wet central mix plants or transit mix plants. The EPA
considered SCAQMD rules when developing some of the nonattainment area
emission requirements and a review of the requirements suggested by the
commenter and those in the draft general permit indicate that the draft
permit conditions are already at least as stringent as those suggested
by the commenter. Therefore, no changes in this regard were made to the
final ``General Air Quality Permit for New or Modified Concrete Batch
Plants in Indian Country.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\25\ For federal purposes, BACT is a requirement for major
sources under the PSD Program. However, here and elsewhere in this
document where responses to comments are discussed, the term is
being used as it is used by the SCAQMD air program in the context of
minor source NSR permitting in nonattainment areas.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
One commenter supported the use of the draft general permit for
concrete batch plants to authorize relocation of a concrete batch plant
to a pre-approved site location. The EPA recognizes that concrete batch
plants are portable and may require the flexibility to relocate to
additional areas in the future. We have revised the Request for
Coverage Form for the final ``General Air Quality Permit for New or
Modified Concrete Batch Plants in Indian Country'' to clarify that the
facility may seek up-front approval of multiple locations and that
additional locations may be added in the future.
c. Comments and Responses Concerning General Permits for Boilers
One commenter requested that the EPA consider the requirements in
three SCAQMD Rules that apply to boilers, including Rule 1146--
Emissions of Oxides of Nitrogen from Industrial, Institutional and
Commercial Boilers, Steam Generators, and Process Heaters; Rule
1146.1--Emissions of Oxides of Nitrogen from Small Industrial,
Institutional, and Commercial Boilers, Steam Generators, and Process
Heaters; and Rule 1146.2--Emissions of Oxides of Nitrogen from Large
Water Heaters and Small Boilers and Process Heaters. The commenter
stated that these rules limit emissions of NOX and carbon
monoxide (CO) and have requirements for initial and periodic testing,
monitoring and recordkeeping. The EPA considered SCAQMD rules when
developing some of the nonattainment area emission requirements and a
review of the requirements suggested by the commenter and those in the
draft general permit indicates that the draft permit conditions are
generally consistent with those suggested by the commenter for Severe
and Extreme ozone nonattainment areas. For example, the emission limits
for NOX and CO of the final ``General Air Quality Permit for
New or Modified Minor Source Boilers and Emergency Engines in Indian
Country'' are consistent with SCAQMD Rules 1146 and 1146.1. For each
boiler rated at or above 2 MMBtu/hr in a Severe or Extreme ozone
nonattainment area, the final permit is consistent with SCAQMD Rules
1146 and 1146.1 by containing a limit of nine parts per million (ppm)
at 3 percent oxygen for NOX and a limit of 400 ppm at 3
percent oxygen for CO. However, for boilers rated below 2.0 MMBtu/hr in
Severe or Extreme ozone nonattainment areas, we did not apply the
requirement in SCAQMD Rule 1146.2 for owner/operators to purchase
SCAQMD ``compliant'' boilers. As this is a nationally applicable
regulation, we did not find it appropriate to require SCAQMD-compliant
boilers in applicable areas everywhere due to their uncertain
availability outside of the South Coast region of California. Instead,
emissions from these small boilers and auxiliary heaters (those rated
less than 2.0 MMBtu/hr) are restricted by limiting the combined rating
of all small boilers and auxiliary heaters to a total of 10 MMBtu/hr in
Extreme ozone nonattainment areas and 20 MMBtu/hr in all other areas.
We disagree that these boiler requirements should apply in all
areas, as suggested by the commenter. The limits suggested by the
commenter are not typically associated with attainment areas or
Marginal, Moderate, or Serious ozone nonattainment areas. No changes
were made to the final ``General Air Quality Permit for New or Modified
Minor Source Boilers and Emergency Engines in Indian Country,'' as a
result of this comment.
d. Comments and Responses Concerning General Permits for Stationary
Spark Ignition and Compression Ignition Engines
Two commenters expressed confusion regarding the reference to Table
1 of the New Source Performance Standard (NSPS), 40 CFR part 60,
subpart JJJJ, in the draft spark ignition engines general permit. One
commenter noted that it is unclear whether the EPA is limiting the use
of engines >=100 hp to only those manufactured after the dates
incorporated from Table 1 to 40 CFR part 60, subpart JJJJ, in the draft
spark ignition engines general permit, or if the specified emission
limits from Table 1 must be met regardless of the date of engine
manufacture. Another commenter stated that the emission limits only
appear to apply to engines manufactured after 2010. One commenter noted
that this would exclude other newer engines and would be more
restrictive than the NSPS for spark ignition engines (NSPS, 40 CFR part
60, subpart JJJJ). The commenter also stated that the draft emission
limits from Table 1 are appropriate for new, modified, or reconstructed
engines after July 1, 2010, or January 1, 2011, but are not appropriate
for older existing engines not subject to the spark ignition engines
NSPS (40 CFR part 60, subpart JJJJ) or those engines subject to the
NSPS after 2007, but before the 2010 or 2011 dates listed in Table 1.
The commenter asserted that, for NSPS engines, all of the emission
limits and dates in Table 1 should apply to engines >=100 hp, and that,
for non-NSPS engines, emission controls should be no more stringent
than those required in National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air
Pollutants (NESHAP) in 40 CFR part 63, subpart ZZZZ, for existing
engines. Another commenter stated that the general permits should allow
for the use of existing engines in attainment areas. Commenters
recommended that the EPA consider the Texas Commission on
[[Page 70952]]
Environmental Quality's Permit by Rule for engines found in 30 Texas
Air Code section 106.512 as a model.
The EPA acknowledges that our draft general permit did not clearly
state our intent with regard to the types of non-emergency spark
ignition engines eligible to operate under the draft general permit for
spark ignition engines. We are revising the final ``General Air Quality
Permit for New or Modified Minor Source Spark Ignition Engines in
Indian Country'' to clarify this issue. As a result, the requirements
applicable to existing non-emergency engines in the NESHAP at 40 CFR
part 63, subpart ZZZZ, are not needed in the general permit. The EPA
disagrees with the commenter's suggestion that the use of engines
manufactured prior to these dates should be allowed for attainment
areas. Given the types of stationary sources we expect to be eligible
for the final spark ignition engines general permit, we continue to
determine that pre-2010 or pre-2011 engines should not be eligible for
this permit. For this permit, where the covered stationary sources will
mainly consist of non-emergency engines, it is necessary to limit the
types of engines eligible to operate under the permit to those with the
most current technology to be protective of the National Ambient Air
Quality Standards (NAAQS), even in attainment areas. We note that we
have not taken this approach for all of the general permits. For
example, the general permits for hot mix asphalt plants; stone
quarrying, crushing, and screening operations; and concrete batch
plants allow for the use of existing compression ignition non-emergency
engines. However, in those cases the engines covered are smaller and
are not the primary equipment (and, thus, emissions) at the source.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality's Permit by Rule for
engines found in 30 Texas Air Code section 106.512 suggested by the
commenter appears to apply to a broader group of stationary sources
(i.e., turbines) and is not limited to spark ignition engines. Thus,
its limits would not be translatable to a general permit limited to
spark ignition engines.
We are clarifying each of the draft documents for the spark
ignition and compression ignition engines general permits to better
identify the types of sources that are eligible for these permits.
Additionally, the EPA did not intend that the draft engines permits
would apply to sources where non-exempt emergency engines are present
(alone or in combination with other emissions sources),\26\ or to
engines in the oil and natural gas production and natural gas
processing segments of the oil and natural gas sector for which the EPA
has issued a separate, final rulemaking.\27\ Therefore, we are revising
the title of the draft boiler general permit to ``General Air Quality
Permit for New or Modified Minor Source Boilers and Emergency Engines
in Indian Country'' to clarify that sources with non-exempt emergency
engines should apply for that general permit.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\26\ Under 40 CFR 49.153(c)(9), emergency generator engines at a
single source are ``exempt'' if the combined maximum hp rating is
below 1,000 hp in attainment areas or 500 hp in ozone nonattainment
areas classified as Serious or lower. If your source consists of
only exempt equipment, then you are not required to obtain a minor
NSR permit.
\27\ ``Federal Implementation Plan for True Minor Sources in
Indian Country in the Oil and Natural Gas Production and Natural Gas
Processing Segments of the Oil and Natural Gas Sector; Amendments to
the Federal Minor New Source Review Program in Indian Country to
Address Requirements for True Minor Sources in the Oil and Natural
Gas Sector,'' U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 81 FR 35944,
June 3, 2016, https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2016-06-03/pdf/2016-11969.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
One commenter stated that the engines general permits reference
certain certification or emission requirements at 40 CFR part 89, 40
CFR part 90, 40 CFR part 1048, and Table 1 to 40 CFR part 60, subpart
JJJJ, which contain complex language that may require engine operators
to conduct legal analytical work. The commenter requested that the EPA
list these requirements more succinctly in order to help tribal
operators determine whether their sources are subject to certain
requirements and what the requirements are. The commenter also
requested that the EPA clarify the applications to make them as easy to
understand as possible, noting that tables would be easier to follow
than text.
The EPA acknowledges that the language contained in the engine
regulations can be complex and potentially difficult for individual
owners or operators of engines to understand. This is why the EPA has
generally designed the permit requirements for engines to require the
owner or operator to simply install certified engines. We are revising
the draft general permit for spark ignition engines to specifically
list the applicable emission standards from Table 1 to 40 CFR part 60,
subpart JJJJ, instead of incorporating them by reference.\28\ We have
also revised the permitting documents as suggested to provide more
clarity to the applicable requirements.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\28\ The draft general permit for spark ignition engines also
contained a typographical error that referenced ``40 CFR subpart
JJJJ'' instead of the correct citation 40 CFR part 60, subpart JJJJ.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Two commenters stated that, in the draft compression ignition
engines general permit, the EPA excludes existing compression ignition
engines in Condition 19, which requires non-emergency engines to be
model year 2014 or later. The commenters argued that requiring sources
to install only new engines would be inappropriate and inconsistent
with existing engine rules. One commenter further stated that no state
prohibits the relocation of existing engines, which would be prohibited
under the proposed rule. The EPA notes that the commenters seem to
misinterpret the intent of the draft permits for engines. These general
permits are intended for a limited set of stationary sources--those
consisting primarily of non-emergency engines. We generally expect the
final ``General Air Quality Permit for New or Modified Minor Source
Spark Ignition Engines in Indian Country'' and the final ``General Air
Quality Permit for New or Modified Minor Source Compression Ignition
Engines in Indian Country'' to be used by sources in Indian country
that, for example, provide electricity or pump groundwater in areas
where power from the grid is not available. The general permits are not
intended to be used by all source categories with non-emergency
engines. Each permit is intended for a particular source category. We
are clarifying each of the documents for the spark ignition and
compression ignition permits to better identify the types of sources
likely to be eligible for these permits. Finally, we note that the
general permits for engines do not prohibit relocation of engines.
While we limit the types of engines that can be used under the permits,
engines that meet the permit requirements may be relocated to a new or
modified, permitted stationary source.\29\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\29\ We have provided guidance on the in-kind replacement of
units in the preamble to the final rule issued on May 30, 2014, in
which we clarified requirements for such units in the Federal Indian
Country Minor NSR rule. ``Review of New Sources and Modifications in
Indian Country--Amendments to the Federal Indian Country Minor New
Source Review Rule,'' U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 79 FR
31035, May 30, 2014, https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2014-05-30/pdf/2014-11499.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three commenters expressed the view that including compliance
requirements for emergency spark ignition engines in a compression
ignition engine permit and compliance requirements for emergency
compression ignition engines in a spark ignition engine permit creates
confusion. One commenter remarked that it is unclear
[[Page 70953]]
which permit would be appropriate for a source operating an emergency
compression ignition engine, and what criteria are used to determine
when an emergency compression ignition engine would be covered under
one permit or another. The EPA notes that draft permits for compression
ignition and spark ignition engines contain limits on the combined hp
rating for emergency engines that are at, or below, the exemption
thresholds finalized in 40 CFR 49.153(c). Therefore, we are removing
the emergency engine provisions from these two general permits, as this
equipment is exempt from the program at the thresholds in the
permits.\30\ We are revising the Request for Coverage Forms and
questionnaires for these permits to identify this exemption. During the
development of the engines general permits, the EPA finalized
exemptions for certain emergency engines at 40 CFR 49.153(c).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\30\ Emergency generator engines at a single source are
``exempt'' if the combined maximum hp rating is less than 1,000 hp
in attainment areas or less than 500 hp in ozone nonattainment areas
classified as Serious or below. If your source consists of only
exempt equipment, then you are not required to obtain a minor NSR
permit.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Two commenters asserted that stack testing procedures for emergency
engines are inappropriate and not required by states. Instead, the
commenters recommended that the EPA include maximum non-emergency run
time hour limits (e.g., 500 hours/year) in both the spark ignition and
compression ignition engines general permits. The EPA disagrees that we
should replace the testing requirements with limits on the hours an
emergency engine can operate in non-emergency situations. However, as
noted above, we are removing the requirements for emergency engines
from the final ``General Air Quality Permit for New or Modified Minor
Source Spark Ignition Engines in Indian Country'' and the final
``General Air Quality Permit for New or Modified Minor Source
Compression Ignition Engines in Indian Country.''
Two commenters questioned the specific testing procedures outlined
in the engines general permits. One commenter stated that the outlined
procedures for stack testing were contradictory with regard to engine
load during testing. In the draft spark ignition engines general
permit, another commenter stated that emissions testing requirements
should allow portable analyzer testing and test methods other than the
EPA reference methods. The commenter stated that allowing portable
analyzers is necessary due to the remote and dispersed nature of many
engines. The EPA recognizes that some engines typically do not operate
within 10 percent of peak load. However, the ``within 10 percent peak
load'' requirement was included in the permit to be consistent with the
testing requirements in the applicable NSPS. This allows testing
conducted under the NSPS to be used for the general permit as well. The
EPA has generally included a requirement in our general permits to
ensure testing is conducted under typical operating conditions to avoid
testing being conducted, for example, during startup or malfunction. We
do not find the two provisions to be contradictory. Regarding the use
of portable analyzers, the draft general permit for spark ignition
engines provides for the use of test methods identified in 40 CFR part
60, appendix A, which allow the use of a portable analyzer. In
addition, the draft spark ignition engines general permit specifically
references the use of portable analyzers. No changes have been made to
the final ``General Air Quality Permit for New or Modified Minor Source
Spark Ignition Engines in Indian Country,'' as a result of this
comment.
One commenter stated that the requirement to monitor fuel use for
each engine on a monthly basis is not practical, given the many remote
locations where engines are used for oil and gas production. The
commenter further asserted that because the standards are based on an
emissions/hp-hour basis, fuel measurement is unnecessary to demonstrate
compliance. The EPA notes that these general permits do not apply to
engines in the oil and natural gas production and natural gas
processing segments of the oil and natural gas sector for which the EPA
has issued a separate, final rulemaking in the form of a
FIP.31 32 We do not anticipate that sources outside of the
oil and natural gas production and natural gas processing segments of
the oil and natural gas sector with stationary spark ignition and
compression ignition engines will have difficulty meeting the monthly
fuel use requirements. Thus, no changes have been made to the final
permits as a result of this comment.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\31\ ``Federal Implementation Plan for True Minor Sources in
Indian Country in the Oil and Natural Gas Production and Natural Gas
Processing Segments of the Oil and Natural Gas Sector; Amendments to
the Federal Minor New Source Review Program in Indian Country to
Address Requirements for True Minor Sources in the Oil and Natural
Gas Sector,'' U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 81 FR 35944,
June 3, 2016, https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2016-06-03/pdf/2016-11969.pdf.
\32\ The final oil and natural gas FIP focuses on the oil and
natural gas production and natural gas processing segments of the
oil and natural gas sector because we believe that these segments
include the majority of the true minor sources in the sector that
would need to obtain a minor source permit in areas covered by the
Federal Indian Country Minor NSR rule.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
One commenter requested that the EPA provide clear direction for
authorization of in-kind replacement engines. The commenter noted that
engines are frequently swapped out with an in-kind engine to minimize
compressor downtime, and that these replacements have the same or lower
emissions than the engine being replaced. Two commenters noted that
existing compressors may be moved and installed at another site to meet
production needs. One commenter argued that the EPA must allow for
relocation of existing engines without requiring them to be
retrofitted. Another commenter suggested that the EPA consider the
permit by rule and general permitting programs run by the states of
Texas, Colorado, and Louisiana as models to address relocation of
existing engines.
Because these commenters represent the oil and natural gas
industry, the EPA infers that the commenters are referring to engines
used in the oil and natural gas sector. The EPA notes that these
general permits do not apply to engines in the oil and natural gas
production and natural gas processing segments of the oil and natural
gas sector for which the EPA has issued a separate, final rulemaking in
the form of a FIP.\33\ The general permits being finalized for engines
in this action do not contain any specific conditions related to in-
kind replacements. The commenter has not provided a specific
description for what is meant by ``in-kind'' replacements, only
alluding to the fact they have ``the same or lower emissions than the
engine being replaced.'' We cannot provide a more detailed response
other than to point the commenter to how we addressed the issue of
emissions unit relocation/replacement in the oil and natural gas
industry in response to comments on final amendments to add to the list
of
[[Page 70954]]
exempted units in the Federal Indian Country Minor NSR rule.\34\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\33\ ``Federal Implementation Plan for True Minor Sources in
Indian Country in the Oil and Natural Gas Production and Natural Gas
Processing Segments of the Oil and Natural Gas Sector; Amendments to
the Federal Minor New Source Review Program in Indian Country to
Address Requirements for True Minor Sources in the Oil and Natural
Gas Sector,'' U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 81 FR 35944,
June 3, 2016, https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2016-06-03/pdf/2016-11969.pdf.
\34\ ``Review of New Sources and Modifications in Indian
Country: Amendments to the Federal Indian Country Minor New Source
Review Rule,'' U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 79 FR 31035,
May 30, 2014, https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2014-05-30/pdf/2014-11499.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the Federal Indian Country Minor NSR rule, we indicated our
understanding that, in oil and gas sector operations, moving a single
piece of equipment from one facility to another, or replacing a piece
of equipment with a new one, can occur on a regular basis. For
clarification purposes, we believed that it would be beneficial to both
sources and reviewing authorities for us to list the different
situations involving a piece of equipment (a unit) that we believed
would be most common, and to specify the outcome with respect to minor
NSR permitting and registration. In the preamble to the final rule, we
listed expected outcomes to provide guidance on how we would address
certain ``relocation'' scenarios. We did, however, indicate that the
source owner/operator should still verify with its Reviewing Authority
that the scenario provided, and its stated outcome, applies to its
case.\35\ Regardless, each model year engine has to meet its applicable
emissions control NSPS requirements.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\35\ Ibid.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
One commenter stated that the requirement to ``maintain onsite all
records required to be kept by this permit'' is not practical at
unmanned oil and natural gas production facilities. The commenter asked
that the requirement be modified to recognize that records for unmanned
facilities are normally kept at an office having operational control of
the unmanned facility where the engines are located. The EPA notes that
these general permits do not apply to engines in the oil and natural
gas production and natural gas processing segments of the oil and
natural gas sector for which the EPA has issued a separate, final
rulemaking in the form of a FIP.\36\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\36\ ``Federal Implementation Plan for True Minor Sources in
Indian Country in the Oil and Natural Gas Production and Natural Gas
Processing Segments of the Oil and Natural Gas Sector; Amendments to
the Federal Minor New Source Review Program in Indian Country to
Address Requirements for True Minor Sources in the Oil and Natural
Gas Sector,'' U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 81 FR 35944,
June 3, 2016, https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2016-06-03/pdf/2016-11969.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
We do not anticipate that sources outside of the oil and natural
gas production and natural gas processing segments of the oil and
natural gas sector with stationary spark ignition and compression
ignition engines will have difficulty meeting the recordkeeping
requirements. Therefore, no changes have been made to the final permits
as a result of this comment.
Two commenters stated that the reporting requirements in the draft
general permits for engines are equivalent to the requirements for
major sources subject to Title V. The commenters argued that these
requirements are not appropriate for minor or area sources.
Specifically, the commenters asserted that deviation reporting,
compliance certifications, and requiring signature by a Title V
equivalent ``responsible official'' is overly burdensome to minor
sources. The commenters also stated that these requirements would
increase the burden on the EPA to review these reports. One commenter
asserted that engines that are already affected sources of an NSPS or
NESHAP should have no additional requirements (reporting or otherwise).
While the reporting requirements contained in the draft general
permits may be similar to reporting requirements of the Title V
Program, the EPA disagrees that a change is warranted. In developing
the draft general permits, the EPA followed the Federal Indian Country
Minor NSR rule, 40 CFR 49.155(a)(5), which identifies reporting
requirements that must be included in each permit. The EPA cannot
simply rely on assumed existing reporting and other requirements from
other rules (e.g., NSPS or NESHAP) to ensure compliance with the
emission limitations in our general permits. However, in some instances
the reporting requirements in the final permits in this action are
similar to or identical to reporting requirements in NESHAP and NSPS
standards. Thus, for some requirements reporting under the other
standards will also suffice for these permits. (If a permittee has a
question about whether a particular reporting requirement under a
NESHAP or NSPS will also suffice for these permits, they should work
with the Reviewing Authority during the review process.) Further, the
requirement to have a responsible official sign reports is common and
consistent with state permitting programs. It is unclear why this
certification would be costly or overly burdensome for permittees, as
the commenter has not provided any specific information demonstrating
an actual problem or a particular difficulty.
One commenter stated that the timeframe for submittal of
performance test reports in the draft engines permits is too short. The
commenter noted that performance test reports are typically required to
be submitted within 60 days of completion of the test by NSPS and
NESHAP requirements for engines. The commenter also asked that stack
test reporting required for NSPS and NESHAP satisfy the requirements
for minor NSR reporting. In response, the EPA is extending the
timeframe for submittal of performance test reports to 60 days for both
the final ``General Air Quality Permit for New or Modified Minor Source
Spark Ignition Engines in Indian Country'' and the final ``General Air
Quality Permit for New or Modified Minor Source Compression Ignition
Engines in Indian Country.'' This timeframe is consistent with the
requirements of 40 CFR part 60, subpart JJJJ, and 40 CFR part 63,
subpart ZZZZ. Additionally, we are revising the draft engines general
permits to clarify that facilities may satisfy the initial and
subsequent stack testing requirements in the general permits by using
the initial and subsequent performance tests performed to meet NSPS and
NESHAP requirements, assuming the required testing requirements in the
permits are met.
Two commenters requested that the engines general permits include
provisions to establish a source as synthetic minor for criteria
pollutants and/or HAPs. Another commenter asserted that the EPA must
require more stringent monitoring, recordkeeping and reporting for
these sources.
In our final action signed on April 17, 2015,\37\ we finalized a
policy that allows for the use of general permits in Indian country to
create synthetic minor sources. Consistent with the policy, and after
considering the concerns raised by commenters, we are finalizing the
``General Air Quality Permit for New or Modified Minor Source Spark
Ignition Engines in Indian Country'' and the ``General Air Quality
Permit for New or Modified Minor Compression Ignition Engines in Indian
Country'' to allow for their use by true minor sources and to create
synthetic minor sources.\38\ For the final ``General Air Quality Permit
for New or Modified Minor Source Compression Ignition Engines in Indian
Country,'' we added operational limits so that the permit serves both
true minor and synthetic minor sources. For the same purpose, for the
final ``General Air Quality Permit for New or Modified
[[Page 70955]]
Minor Source Spark Ignition Engines in Indian Country,'' we created
synthetic minor limits for fuel use for only natural gas engines as we
believe that is the most likely fuel use scenario. We do not feel that
we have sufficient information available to create these limits for
other fuel types, as the other fuels can have varying characteristics,
which will change engine efficiency and affect emissions. We do not see
a need to add any additional monitoring, recordkeeping and reporting
requirements for synthetic minor sources as the existing requirements
in the general permits are sufficient to ensure sources' emissions will
remain below major source levels.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\37\ ``General Permits and Permits by Rule for the Federal Minor
New Source Review Program in Indian Country for Five Source
Categories,'' U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 80 FR 25068, May
1, 2015, https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2015-05-01/pdf/FR-2015-05-01-FrontMatter.pdf.
\38\ The Request for Coverage Forms for these permits list the
different control options available to sources seeking coverage
under the permits, making it clear which options are for true minor
sources and which options are for synthetic minor sources.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Two commenters requested clarification on the proposed FIP or
permit by rule considered in the Advance Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking.\39\ The commenters noted that it is not clear whether the
draft engines general permits cover engines located at oil and natural
gas production facilities. The EPA recognizes that it was unclear at
the time of proposal whether the draft permits would apply to engines
located at oil and natural gas production facilities. The final engines
general permits do not apply to engines in the oil and natural gas
production and natural gas processing segments of the oil and natural
gas sector for which the EPA has issued a separate, final rulemaking in
the form of a FIP following consideration of comments received on the
proposed FIP.\40\ Only new sources or modifications consisting of one
or more non-emergency engines that are not located in the oil and
natural gas production and natural gas processing segments of the oil
and natural gas sector are eligible to apply for coverage under the
spark ignition and/or compression ignition stationary engines general
permits. Engines in the oil and natural gas production and natural gas
processing segments of the oil and natural gas sector have been
addressed in the separate, final rulemaking.\41\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\39\ ``Managing Emissions From Oil and Natural Gas Production in
Indian Country,'' U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,'' 79 FR
32502, June 5, 2014, https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2014-06-05/pdf/2014-12951.pdf.
\40\ ``Federal Implementation Plan for True Minor Sources in
Indian Country in the Oil and Natural Gas Production and Natural Gas
Processing Segments of the Oil and Natural Gas Sector; Amendments to
the Federal Minor New Source Review Program in Indian Country to
Address Requirements for True Minor Sources in the Oil and Natural
Gas Sector,'' U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 81 FR 35944,
June 3, 2016, https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2016-06-03/pdf/2016-11969.pdf.
\41\ Ibid.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
One commenter representing oil and natural gas sector interests
expressed a preference for a permit by rule mechanism for compression
ignition and spark ignition engines in lieu of a general permit, and
recommended that the EPA consider, as an example, the permit by rule in
the Texas Administrative Code, Title 30, Part 1, Chapter 106,
Subchapter A, Rule section 106.4, coupled with the engine-specific
Permits by Rule 106.511 and 106.512. The commenter stated that a permit
by rule allows sources the flexibility to install and operate engines
without delays arising from review and approval by permitting
authorities. The commenter also pointed out that a primary advantage of
implementing a permit by rule or FIP would be that a new federal
decision triggering the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and National
Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) would not be made each time a source
avails itself of the permit by rule or FIP. Regarding the use of a
permit by rule or FIP for compression ignition and spark ignition
engines, the EPA did not propose the use of these permitting mechanisms
in the proposed rule and does not consider their use appropriate at
this time. Thus, we did not seek comment on their use at the time of
proposal. Furthermore, the draft permits do not apply to engines in the
oil and natural gas production and natural gas processing segments of
the oil and natural gas sector. The EPA has issued a separate, final
rulemaking addressing oil and natural gas production sources, including
non-emergency engines located at such sources.\42\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\42\ Ibid.
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e. Comments and Responses Concerning General Permits for Graphic Arts
and Printing Operations
One commenter noted that the preamble description of ``graphic
arts'' does not match the description in the draft general permit and
that the draft general permit does not include screen printing and
manual and sheet-fed techniques. The EPA has corrected the discrepancy
and modified the final questionnaire and Request for Coverage Form to
clarify that the final ``General Air Quality Permit for New or Modified
Minor Source Graphic Arts and Printing Operations in Indian Country''
applies to sheet-fed printing operations.
One commenter recommended that all solvent cleaning operations
(except batch loaded cold cleaners) comply with emission standards
similar to SCAQMD Rule 1171. The EPA considered SCAQMD rules when
developing some of the nonattainment area emission requirements. We
have determined that the additional limits and work practice standards
not already included in the draft permit should only be added to the
requirements for Serious and above ozone nonattainment areas. As a
result, we are revising requirements in the final ``General Air Quality
Permit for New or Modified Minor Source Graphic Arts and Printing
Operations in Indian Country'' to include additional emission limits
and work practice standards consistent with SCAQMD Rule 1171 that apply
only in Serious and above ozone nonattainment areas.
One commenter noted that the term ``reasonable time'' in Condition
9 of the draft permit is subjective and not easily enforceable, and
requested a specific timeframe. The EPA agrees with the commenter and
replaced ``reasonable time'' with ``30 days unless another timeframe is
specified by the EPA'' in the final ``General Air Quality Permit for
New or Modified Minor Source Graphic Arts and Printing Operations in
Indian Country.'' We have made this change in all of the final permits
included in this action.
One commenter recommended that the volatile organic compound (VOC)
limits in Condition 17 of the draft general permit for graphic arts and
printing operations be changed to grams per liter (g/L) of ink/coating/
adhesive less water and exempt compounds. The EPA agrees with the
recommendation that the coating content limits in Condition 17 should
also be provided in g/L and has added VOC content limits measured in g/
L. We also agree with the recommendation that the coating content
limits be on an ``as applied'' basis, excluding water, and have
modified the final ``General Air Quality Permit for New or Modified
Minor Source Graphic Arts and Printing Operations in Indian Country,''
accordingly. In response to the same comment, we have also added a
definition for VOC to the final ``General Air Quality Permit for New or
Modified Minor Source Graphic Arts and Printing Operations in Indian
Country'' to clarify the compounds not included when considering VOC.
One commenter stated that Serious and above ozone nonattainment
area VOC limits for inks, coatings and adhesives should be limited,
measured and reported in g/L or pounds/gallon (lbs/gal), excluding
water and any other compounds exempted by the permitting authority or
the local/neighboring air district. The same commenter recommended for
all areas that the proposed percent alcohol or percent alcohol
substitute limits in Condition 18
[[Page 70956]]
of the draft general permit be converted to an equivalent VOC content
limit in g/L, as applied, including water and exempt compounds. The
same commenter requested that if the standards for fountain solution
are changed to VOC content rather than percent alcohol or alcohol
substitute, then the log required in Condition 31 of the draft general
permit should reflect: (1) The units (e.g., g/L or lbs/gal, as applied,
including water and exempt compounds) of the fountain solution
standards; (2) the units (e.g., g/L or lbs/gal, as applied, less water
and exempt compounds) of the VOC limits for the coating, ink or
adhesive; and (3) the units (e.g., g/L or lbs/gal, as applied, less
water and exempt compounds) of the VOC limits. The commenter also
recommended that the VOC limits in Attachment C for all materials
except fountain solution should be g/L or lbs/gal, less water and less
exempt compounds, and that the VOC limits for fountain solution should
be converted to an equivalent VOC content limit in g/L, as applied,
including water and exempt compounds.
The EPA generally agrees with the commenters and has made
corresponding changes to the final permit conditions. The EPA agrees
with the recommendation that the nonattainment area VOC ink, coating,
and adhesive content limits should also be provided in g/L and lbs/gal,
which is how we presented the draft VOC content limits for
nonattainment areas in the draft permit. We have retained the VOC
limits provided in g/L and lbs/gal in the final ``General Air Quality
Permit for New or Modified Minor Source Graphic Arts and Printing
Operations in Indian Country.'' We also agree with the recommendation
that the coating content limits should be on an ``as applied'' basis,
excluding water and other compounds. We have added a definition for VOC
to the final permit to clarify the compounds not included when
considering VOC. We have also made corresponding changes to the
recordkeeping requirements, as appropriate.
One commenter requested that the EPA clarify Condition 21 of the
draft general permit to apply only to flexible packaging printing
operations. In the final ``General Air Quality Permit for New or
Modified Minor Source Graphic Arts and Printing Operations in Indian
Country,'' the EPA agrees with the commenter and we have revised the
heading for the draft condition that reads ``Exemption for Non-
compliant Materials'' to a new heading, ``Exemption for Flexible
Packaging Printing Operations,'' to clarify that the non-compliant
materials exemption is only applicable for flexible packaging printing.
One commenter requested that the frequency of monitoring of the
usage of all VOC-containing material (Condition 27 of the draft general
permit) be changed from a weekly basis to a daily basis. The EPA agrees
with this recommendation as it relates to certain nonattainment areas
and we are, accordingly, revising the final ``General Air Quality
Permit for New or Modified Minor Source Graphic Arts and Printing
Operations in Indian Country'' to include a requirement for daily
monitoring of VOC usage for Serious and above ozone nonattainment
areas. The EPA has concluded that a greater level of monitoring is
necessary: (1) To protect air quality in areas that are designated as
Serious and above ozone nonattainment; and (2) to ensure a consistent
set of requirements across state and tribal areas in common airsheds.
One commenter requested that the EPA add requirements for
performance testing at facilities with air pollution control equipment
to verify the overall VOC control efficiency and to quantify the
NOX emissions from any air pollution control equipment
(e.g., oxidizers). The EPA agrees with the commenter and has added
testing requirements for potential add-on control equipment. (The
option for owners or operators to rely on add-on control devices for
compliance was added to the permit in response to another comment.) For
each add-on control system used at a graphic arts and printing
operation source, the source must conduct an initial performance test
within certain timeframes to verify compliance with the add-on control
standards according to a test plan submitted to the Reviewing
Authority. The testing is to determine the capture/control efficiency
of the emission control system. The source must also conduct subsequent
performance tests every five years.
One commenter requested that the monthly record requirements in
Conditions 31 through 33 of the draft general permit be clarified to
specify calendar-monthly records. Although the EPA intended that
records be kept on a calendar-monthly basis, we recognize that the
draft permit was unclear. We are, therefore, revising the final
``General Air Quality Permit for New or Modified Minor Source Graphic
Arts and Printing Operations in Indian Country'' to clarify that the
recordkeeping requirements are to be kept on a calendar-monthly basis.
This means under the final permit each source must update a log of
their usage of VOC-containing material and report that usage on a
calendar-monthly basis.
One commenter requested that if requirements to conduct additional
performance tests are added to the general permit, the EPA should
include a requirement for recording the results of each performance
test. The EPA agrees that the results of all performance tests should
be recorded and the records maintained. As a result, in authorizing the
use of add-on controls, we included recordkeeping and reporting
requirements for specified performance testing for add-on control
equipment.
One commenter recommended that the definition of ``coldset'' be
modified to clarify that coldset printing operations include presses
with infrared or other energy curing devices such as ultraviolet
dryers. The same commenter recommended that the definition of
``heatset'' be modified to clarify that coldset printing operations do
not include presses with infrared or other energy curing devices such
as ultraviolet dryers. The EPA has reviewed these definitions and
agrees that the language suggested by the commenter provides additional
clarifications that can help facilitate a better understanding of the
permit's requirements. We have revised the definitions, accordingly, to
add the commenter's suggested language.
One commenter recommended that the definition of ``offset
lithographic and letterpress printing operation'' be modified to be
consistent with SCAQMD Rule 1130. The EPA has reviewed this definition
and agrees with the language suggested by the commenter because the
change provides additional clarification that can help facilitate
understanding of the permit's requirements. We have revised the
definition accordingly.
One commenter recommended that the EPA add a definition for
``exempt compounds,'' including compounds in the jurisdiction of
neighboring air districts to Indian country (SCAQMD Rule 102). The EPA
agrees that the definition of VOCs provided in the final ``General Air
Quality Permit for New or Modified Minor Source Graphic Arts and
Printing Operations in Indian Country'' (that was not provided in the
draft permit) should identify ``exempt compounds.'' We have revised the
ink/coating content limits to regulate on an ``as applied'' basis,
excluding water. We have also added a definition for VOC to the final
``General Air Quality Permit for New or Modified Minor Source Graphic
Arts and Printing Operations in Indian Country'' to clarify which
compounds are not included when considering
[[Page 70957]]
VOC. However, in lieu of referencing the exempt compounds in SCAQMD
Rule 102, the definition references the list of exempt compounds in 40
CFR 51.100(s)(1), which we have determined to be more generally
applicable to sources in Indian country.
One commenter recommended that the EPA include a definition for
``fountain solution'' and provided a suggestion. The EPA agrees that
including such a definition will improve the rule's efficacy and
enforceability and agrees that the commenter's proposed definition is
appropriate. As a result, we have added the suggested definition for
``fountain solution'' to the final ``General Air Quality Permit for New
or Modified Minor Source Graphic Arts and Printing Operations in Indian
Country.''
One commenter recommended that the EPA include a definition for
``grams of VOC per liter of coating (or ink or adhesive), less water
and less exempt compounds.'' The commenter provided the EPA with a
calculation method for VOC content per liter of coating used. The EPA
agrees that the information suggested by the commenter will improve the
permit's efficacy. We have, therefore, added the information to the
Sample Calculations section of the final ``General Air Quality Permit
for New or Modified Minor Source Graphic Arts and Printing Operations
in Indian Country.''
One commenter recommended that the sample calculations in
Attachment D of the general permit should include more representative
values for heatset lithographic ink. The commenter also noted a
typographical error for the VOC retention factor for heatset
lithographic ink, which should be listed as 20 percent instead of 30
percent. In addition, the EPA acknowledges that the sample calculations
in Attachment D of the permit should reflect more representative values
for heatset lithographic inks because it is intended to provide ``real
world'' values. We have modified Attachment D to include more
representative values and to correct the erroneous VOC retention
factor.
One commenter requested that the EPA add language to clarify that
these are uncontrolled VOC emissions. The commenter referenced language
in the preamble which indicates that printing presses ``would need to
be able to demonstrate compliance with the permit (25 tpy VOC) without
the consideration of controls.'' The same commenter requested that the
EPA add language to clarify what equipment ``all printing lines''
includes (i.e., combustion emissions from gas-fired equipment, air
pollution control equipment, internal combustion engines, pre-press
operations, or other non-printing related VOC-emitting operations
performed). The EPA agrees with the commenter's suggestion of
clarifying the permit language. We have done so by clarifying that
compliance with the following condition must not consider the reduction
in emissions from any add-on control technology: ``The permittee shall
not allow volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from an individual
printing press (printing line) to exceed 25 tons per year.'' The EPA
also agrees with the commenter that the equipment included in all
printing lines should be identified in the permit. The permit has been
revised accordingly.
Two commenters supported the proposal to increase the stringency of
the overall tpy emission limitations for all printing lines at a
facility based on the increasing classification of the ozone
nonattainment area designation. Another commenter asserted that, for
nonattainment areas, the EPA should require the most stringent
emissions limitation or installation of BACT based on requirements of
the neighboring air district, regardless of the facility's PTE or
throughput. The commenter argued that emissions generated in these
areas would have an effect on the neighboring district's air quality.
The EPA has determined that the VOC content limits in the draft
general permit for graphic arts and printing operations effectively
limit VOC emissions in nonattainment areas and are consistent with the
BACT requirements suggested by the commenter. However, we are also
adding add-on control requirements for this source category as an
option for complying with the VOC content limits contained in the draft
permit. This option provides owners and operators the flexibility to
use non-compliant materials, while also protecting air quality.
Finally, we note that the EPA has the authority to determine that a
particular general permit is no longer sufficient to protect air
quality for new or modified sources in a geographic area and,
therefore, does not meet the requirements of the Federal Indian Country
Minor NSR rule. Such a determination would, for example, consider local
air quality conditions, typical control technology and other emission
reduction measures used by similar sources in surrounding areas,
anticipated economic growth of the area, and/or cost-effective emission
reduction alternatives.
One commenter argued that facilities utilizing fuel combustion
heating units (e.g., ovens, dryers, oxidizers) in Serious and above
ozone nonattainment areas should use only natural gas as their primary
fuel for heatset printing presses (non-electric heated), and that the
NOX emissions from heatset printing presses should not
exceed 30 parts per million, volumetric dry, corrected to 3 percent
oxygen. The same commenter requested that if NOX
concentration limits are added to the emissions limits and standards
for gas-fired dryers/ovens on heatset printing presses, the EPA should
consider adding requirements for performance tests to be conducted on
heatset printing press ovens with gas-fired burners to demonstrate
compliance. The EPA has considered the commenter's recommendations and
has included the requirements proposed by the commenter into the
requirements for ozone nonattainment areas in the final ``General Air
Quality Permit for New or Modified Minor Source Graphic Arts and
Printing Operations in Indian Country.'' The EPA has concluded that in
ozone nonattainment areas a greater level of control is required to
protect air quality. Thus, the requirements, which would reduce levels
of NOX from combustion sources, are appropriate for these
areas. Therefore, we have added an overall capacity limit for
combustion units, excluding engines, that applies to all areas,
attainment and nonattainment. The more stringent provisions recommended
by the commenter will apply only to Severe and Extreme ozone
nonattainment areas because they are necessary to ensure that the
permit provides adequate air quality protection. We have not required
the more stringent provisions in Serious ozone nonattainment areas
because we do not believe that in those areas the extra control is
necessary to protect air quality. We have also revised the permit to
reflect associated monitoring and recordkeeping requirements.
One commenter stated that in nonattainment areas, all facilities
should vent ovens to air pollution control equipment with a minimum 95
percent overall VOC control efficiency. The commenter requested that
the EPA clarify that in an Extreme ozone nonattainment area (the South
Coast and San Joaquin Valley Air Basins), the major source threshold
for VOC is 10 tpy. The commenter referenced the SCAQMD BACT for PM and
VOC emissions from a heatset lithographic printing press, which
requires venting the press oven to air pollution control equipment with
a minimum 95 percent overall VOC control efficiency. The commenter
noted that the facility VOC emission threshold for a general permit can
be as low as 7 tpy from all printing
[[Page 70958]]
lines combined; however, all heatset lithographic printing press ovens
should be vented to air pollution control equipment with a minimum 95
percent overall VOC control efficiency. The EPA has included the
requirements proposed by the commenter in the requirements of the final
``General Air Quality Permit for New or Modified Minor Source Graphic
Arts and Printing Operations in Indian Country'' to allow sources the
flexibility to use add-on control requirements as an alternative to the
VOC content limits in the permit. In addition, we are making the add-on
control requirement mandatory in Extreme ozone nonattainment areas.
Furthermore, we have determined that provisions similar to those in the
SCAQMD requirements identified by the commenter are appropriate to
include because the only Extreme ozone nonattainment areas in Indian
country are located in California. In addition, we are also clarifying
that in ozone nonattainment areas, new or modified sources must obtain
a permit for VOC emissions increases of 2 tpy or more. Sources in
Extreme ozone nonattainment areas emitting above 7 tpy are not eligible
for the final ``General Air Quality Permit for New or Modified Minor
Source Graphic Arts and Printing Operations in Indian Country'' and
must obtain a source-specific permit prior to beginning construction.
One commenter recommended, for nonattainment areas, that all
solvent cleaning operations (excluding batch loaded cold cleaners)
should comply with lower emission standards. The commenter requested
that the EPA consider the standards in SCAQMD Rule 1171. The EPA
considered SCAQMD rules when developing some of the nonattainment area
emission requirements for Serious and above ozone nonattainment areas
and concluded that the requirements in SCAQMD Rule 1171 are appropriate
for inclusion in the final permit generally because they are necessary
to ensure consistency (and, thus, a more level playing field) with
requirements in neighboring areas under local requirements. The EPA
has, therefore, included the emission standards and specific work
practice standards in Rule 1171 referenced by the commenter as
requirements in the final permit for sources in nonattainment areas.
One commenter recommended that, at graphic arts and printing
operations in nonattainment areas, compression ignition emergency
engines should comply with NSPS 40 CFR part 60, subpart IIII, and
NESHAP 40 CFR part 63, subpart ZZZZ. The commenter also recommended
additional limits on operating hours of up to 50 hours per year for
maintenance and testing and 200 hours per year total operation for
nonattainment areas. The EPA disagrees with the commenter that
compression ignition emergency engines at graphic arts and printing
operations in nonattainment areas should meet limits on operating hours
in addition to complying with 40 CFR part 60, subpart IIII, and 40 CFR
part 63, subpart ZZZZ. Additional operating limits are unnecessary and
would conflict with the requirements of the NSPS and NESHAP, which
would create an additional, unjustified reporting burden for sources.
However, we do agree that in nonattainment areas, emergency engines
that are not otherwise exempt from the Federal Indian Country Minor NSR
Program should be certified to the EPA's standards in 40 CFR part 60,
subpart IIII. The final ``General Air Quality Permit for New or
Modified Minor Source Boilers and Emergency Engines in Indian Country''
has been revised, accordingly.
f. Comments and Responses Concerning General Permits for Sawmill
Facilities
One commenter stated that prohibiting open burning (Condition 16 in
the draft sawmill facilities general permit) conflicts with the FARR
open burning rule (40 CFR 49.131). The EPA notes that the condition in
the draft general permit only bans open burning at sawmills. It is not
intended to prohibit open burning of all kinds, but was included to
prevent operators of sawmill facilities from burning waste or other
disposed materials on the property of the mill. It does not prohibit
open burning at locations other than sawmill facilities and, thus, is
consistent with the FARR in that regard. The EPA does not believe that
there is a conflict. However, disposal of any waste from sawmill
facility activity must be handled in accordance with applicable
requirements in all tribal, local and federal regulations and statutes.
One commenter objected to Condition 11 in the draft sawmill
facilities general permit, stating that it is not necessary to label
emission units and air pollution control equipment with identification
numbers, and that serial numbers or the location of the unit should
suffice. The EPA believes that the identification and labeling of
emission units and air pollution equipment is needed to facilitate
identification of equipment covered under the general permit by
inspectors. Therefore, we are finalizing the labeling requirements
included in the draft permit. It is worth noting that this requirement
is consistent with all of the other permits in this final action and in
the final action that we finalized in May 2015.\43\
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\43\ ``General Permits and Permits by Rule for the Federal Minor
New Source Review Program in Indian Country for Five Source
Categories,'' U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 80 FR 25068, May
1, 2015, https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2015-05-01/pdf/FR-2015-05-01-FrontMatter.pdf.
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One commenter stated that the pollution control requirements in
Conditions 24 to 26 of the draft sawmill facilities general permit are
too specific. The EPA disagrees. Specific permit conditions are
necessary in order to ensure that the conditions in the general permit
are enforceable. No changes have been made to the permit conditions in
the final ``General Air Quality Permit for New or Modified Minor Source
Sawmill Facilities in Indian Country,'' as a result of this comment.
One commenter noted that if a planar mill does not have a baghouse
or fabric filter, per Condition 24 of the draft sawmill facilities
general permit, they would be required to obtain a source-specific
permit. The same commenter stated that, per Condition 25 of the draft
general permit, sawmill facilities with uncovered outdoor operations,
or with covered operations that do not have a baghouse or fabric
filter, would need to obtain a source-specific permit. The same
commenter also stated that, per Condition 26 of the draft general
permit, sawmill facility operations that are indoors without a baghouse
or fabric filter would be required to get a source-specific permit. In
all three cases, the EPA agrees and has determined that the use of a
baghouse or fabric filter is a reasonable and readily available
technology for new or modified sources indoors and covered facilities
outdoors. Sources that cannot, or do not wish to, install a baghouse or
fabric filter must seek a source-specific permit.
One commenter objected to weekly visible emissions surveys
(Conditions 33 and 34 of the draft sawmill facilities general permit).
The commenter argued that weekly surveys would be burdensome,
especially compared to Title V sawmill facilities that have a quarterly
survey frequency. The EPA disagrees with the commenter that weekly
visible emission surveys are overly burdensome. They are not resource-
intensive to accomplish using Method 22,\44\ as specified in the draft
permit (versus the Method 9 \45\ opacity
[[Page 70959]]
test, which requires certified observers). The fact that there may be
some Title V permits for sawmills that only require quarterly surveys
does not mean that quarterly monitoring is appropriate for sources
wishing to operate pursuant to the general permit. The general permits
developed by the EPA have consistently used weekly surveys for
monitoring opacity and fugitive emissions. Frequent monitoring of
equipment is necessary to ensure a source is in compliance at all
times. No changes have been made to the conditions of the final
``General Air Quality Permit for New or Modified Minor Source Sawmill
Facilities in Indian Country,'' as a result of this comment.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\44\ Appendix A-4 to 40 CFR part 60--Test Methods 6 through 10B,
Method 9--Visual determination of the opacity of emissions from
stationary sources, https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=ff80e78b603d3fe6e25595510b35f885&mc=true&node=pt40.8.60&rgn=div5#ap40.8.60.a_67.
\45\ Appendix A-7 to 40 CFR part 60--Test Methods 19 through
25E, Method 22--Visual determination of fugitive emissions from
material sources and smoke emissions from flares, https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=ff80e78b603d3fe6e25595510b35f885&mc=true&node=pt40.8.60&rgn=div5#ap40.8.60.a_67.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
One commenter pointed out that Condition 35 of the draft sawmill
facilities general permit, which requires an initial performance test
for fugitive emissions, references Condition 17 of the draft sawmill
facilities general permit, which applies to emissions units and not
sources of fugitive emissions. The EPA has corrected the final
``General Air Quality Permit for New or Modified Minor Source Sawmill
Facilities in Indian Country,'' which inadvertently applied only to
affected emission units. We have modified the final permit to also
require that sources of fugitive emissions not discharge into the
atmosphere any gases that exhibit 20 percent opacity or greater
averaged over any consecutive 6-minute period. These changes correct
the final ``General Air Quality Permit for New or Modified Minor Source
Sawmill Facilities in Indian Country,'' which requires an initial
performance test to verify compliance with its opacity limitations.
One commenter stated that the testing requirements in Condition 37
of the draft sawmill facilities general permit for emergency engines
are excessive, especially for older engines. The EPA disagrees with the
commenter that the testing requirements for emergency engines are
excessive. The requirements in the permit only apply to engines that
have not been certified to the applicable standards in the permit. The
testing requirements are necessary to ensure that uncertified engines
under the permit comply with applicable limits in the permit.
One commenter recommended revising Condition 40.b. of the draft
sawmill facilities general permit to read: ``For each kiln, monthly
throughput `by species' in Mbf.'' The EPA agrees with the commenter's
recommendation, which clarifies that records must be kept that reflect
the monthly throughput of the individual tree species because different
species release differing amounts of VOC. We have modified the final
``General Air Quality Permit for New or Modified Minor Source Sawmill
Facilities in Indian Country,'' accordingly.
One commenter pointed out a circular reference in Condition 50.c.
of the draft sawmill facilities general permit. The commenter is
correct that Condition 50.c. in the draft general permit inadvertently
contained a circular reference. We have modified the ``Annual Reports''
Condition in the final ``General Air Quality Permit for New or Modified
Minor Source Sawmill Facilities in Indian Country'' to refer correctly
to the ``Deviation Reports'' Condition.
One commenter noted that, in the request for coverage for the draft
sawmill facilities general permit, when the answer to a question would
invalidate the use of a general permit, the instructions sometimes
direct the applicant to contact the permitting authority for a source-
specific permit. However, in other instances the instructions do not
tell the applicant that they do not qualify for the general permit. The
EPA acknowledges that not all of the questions on the Request for
Coverage Form include a directive to contact the permitting authority
for a source-specific permit based on a particular answer. This
directive was only included for questions for which a specific ``yes''
or ``no'' answer would result in permittees not qualifying for the
sawmill facilities general permit. In the case of Question 19 in the
draft Request for Coverage Form, which was identified by the commenter
as an example, the question requests the distance of the facility from
the nearest property boundary or nearest residence. Because we are not
finalizing setback requirements for sawmill facilities, this question
has been removed from the Request for Coverage Form; therefore, the
commenter's concern regarding this particular question is moot.
B. Issues Concerning Aspects of Finalizing a General Permit/Permit by
Rule for Graphic Arts and Printing Operations
1. Proposed Rule
In the July 17, 2014, proposed rule, we proposed two types of minor
NSR preconstruction permits to help streamline permitting of true minor
sources that construct or modify in Indian country and that belong to
one of six additional source categories. The first type of permit is a
general permit and the second type is a permit by rule. As our
preferred approach, we made available draft general permits for the six
source categories. As an alternative, for graphic arts and printing
operations, we requested comment on whether, in lieu of establishing a
general permit for the source category, we should instead adopt a
permit by rule.
We requested comment on all aspects of a draft general permit or
proposed permit by rule for graphic arts and printing operations. We
noted that we might not finalize the draft general permit for graphic
arts and printing operations, if we finalized a permit by rule for the
source category. Alternatively, we indicated that we might opt to
finalize both permitting mechanisms for the source category, and might
tailor one of the permitting mechanisms to provide authorization to
construct or modify true minor sources (i.e., permit by rule) and
another to provide enforceable limitations to create synthetic minor
sources (i.e., general permit). We specifically requested comment on
this ``hybrid'' approach.
In the proposal, we sought comments on all aspects of the draft
implementation tools we provided (e.g., general permit Request for
Coverage Form). The draft general permit application for graphic arts
and printing operations is more streamlined because sources in the
category represent more straightforward operations, largely involve one
air pollutant (i.e., VOCs) and, therefore, could necessitate less
intensive review for approval. The draft general permit application
form for the category asks for basic solvent usage information and
whether the source has complied or will comply with relevant
requirements. By contrast, the draft general permit applications for
concrete batch plants, engines, boilers and sawmill facilities request
more detailed technical information about the proposed facility in
question because these facilities are more complex and can involve
multiple operations and pollutants. The draft form was also intended to
serve as a Notification of Coverage Form for sources seeking coverage
under a permit by rule, should we have decided to issue one for this
category.
2. Summary of Comments, Responses and Final Action
With respect to comments on the appropriateness of utilizing a
permit by rule for graphic arts and printing operations, responses are
addressed here and in Section 2.0 of the RTC Document. Overall, as a
result of the comments received on the proposal and
[[Page 70960]]
our continued evaluation of the circumstances, we are issuing only a
general permit for graphic arts and printing operations. Three
commenters provided comments regarding the EPA's proposal to establish
a permit by rule for graphic arts and printing operations. One
commenter agreed that the approach could provide significant time
savings due to its streamlined approach. However, two commenters were
concerned that a permit by rule approach does not provide the public,
including Indian tribes, the opportunity to comment on a minor source's
use of the permit. Another commenter disagreed that a permit by rule is
consistent with the Federal Indian Country Minor NSR rule, which
requires preconstruction permits. The commenter asserted that use of a
permit by rule would effectively mean that sources exceeding the minor
source permit threshold are effectively exempt from permitting. One
commenter argued that the use of a permit by rule on tribal lands is
not appropriate for either true minor or synthetic minor sources. Two
commenters requested that the EPA provide either a notice and comment
period or a consultation process for tribes for the permit by rule
approach, citing that tribes must be given an opportunity to comment to
recognize their sovereignty. For these reasons, the commenters
supported only a general permit approach.
The EPA is not finalizing a permit by rule, either in lieu of or in
conjunction with a general permit, for the graphic arts and printing
operations source category for two reasons. First, many sources in this
source category are major sources and require synthetic minor source
permits in order to gain minor source status. While some of these
sources may be true minor sources, the potential variation in size of
individual sources warrants including a mechanism for creating
synthetic minor sources. The permit by rule is not a mechanism that can
be used to create synthetic minor sources; the general permit is a
mechanism that can create synthetic minor sources, as it affords the
opportunity for the Reviewing Authority to perform a review. The EPA
established this approach when we finalized the first set of general
permits and permits by rule in May 2015.\46\ Thus, a general permit is
more appropriate for this source category. Second, we agree with
commenters that the permit by rule approach does not provide the
public, including Indian tribes, the opportunity to comment about a
minor source's use of the permit. We are, therefore, finalizing a
general permit for this source category, which is an approach that
affords the public an opportunity to object to a source gaining
coverage under the permit pursuant to 40 CFR 49.157(a)(5).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\46\ ``General Permits and Permits by Rule for the Federal Minor
New Source Review Program in Indian Country for Five Source
Categories,'' U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 80 FR 25068, May
1, 2015, https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2015-05-01/pdf/2015-09739.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The EPA disagrees with the commenter that the use of permits by
rule effectively means that sources exceeding the minor source permit
threshold are exempt from a permit. We also disagree that the permits
by rule are not consistent with the concept of preconstruction permits
in the Federal Indian Country Minor NSR rule. A permit by rule
establishes a standard set of requirements that must be met by any
source commencing construction in reliance on that permit and, thus,
serves the same purpose as any other preconstruction permit. The
primary difference between a permit by rule and a general permit is
procedural, not substantive. As to consistency with the concept of
preconstruction permits in the Federal Indian Country Minor NSR rule,
the rule specifically authorizes the issuance of the general permits
and the permits by rule we have issued thus far.\47\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\47\ Ibid.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
With respect to comments on finalizing both permitting mechanisms
for graphic arts and printing operations, we include responses here and
in Section 7.0 of the RTC Document. As noted, we have decided to
finalize only a general permit for graphic arts and printing
operations, rather than to make both permit types available for the
graphic arts and printing operations source category. We are not
finalizing the proposed ``hybrid'' approach for graphic arts and
printing operations because the EPA does not believe that sources in
the source category are appropriate candidates for permits by rule,
particularly since some of them may be major sources seeking synthetic
minor status. Furthermore, we believe that having two permit types
would add additional complication to administration of the rule with
little, if any, apparent benefit. We are not adopting such a hybrid
approach.
Finally, the EPA did not receive any comments on the issue of using
a streamlined general permit/permit by rule application for graphic
arts and printing operations. However, because this permit will serve
as a general permit for true minor and synthetic minor sources, we are
enhancing the application to request additional details about equipment
present at the site. Since applicant sources could potentially be major
sources seeking minor source status, we need to ensure that we have
sufficient information to be able to make an approval review decision.
C. Proposed Rule Change to the Federal Indian Country Minor New Source
Review Rule in One Area: Shortening the General Permit Application
Review Process From 90 to 45 Days for Graphic Arts and Printing
Operations
1. Proposed Rule
In the July 17, 2014, proposed rule, we proposed to change the
Federal Indian Country Minor NSR rule at 40 CFR 49.156(e)(4) to shorten
the general permit application review process from 90 to 45 days for
one source category: Graphic arts and printing operations.
2. Summary of Comments, Responses and Final Action
This section provides a brief summary of other significant comments
received and our responses. A full summary of the comments received on
this subject and our responses are presented in Section 8.0 of the RTC
Document.
Two commenters supported the proposal to amend 40 CFR 49.156(e)(4)
to shorten the review period to 45 days for the graphic arts and
printing operations permit. Conversely, one commenter recommended not
reducing the review period since the EPA requires time to: (1) Review
the material safety data sheets of graphic arts materials used; (2)
review the specifications on gas-fired burners on heatset printing
presses and oxidizers; and (3) evaluate internal combustion engines for
compliance with NSPS and NESHAP requirements. We agree with the
commenter that this source category requires a 90-day review period,
particularly since the general permit is also serving as a permit to
create synthetic minor sources. Consequently, the EPA is not finalizing
revisions to Sec. 49.156(e)(4) to shorten the general permit
application review process from 90 to 45 days for the graphic arts and
printing operations source category.
D. Control Technology Review
1. Proposed Rule
In the proposal, we requested comment on various aspects of the
EPA's conclusion following its control technology review that, because
the control measures in the draft general permits are currently used by
other similar sources in other areas of the country, the measures in
the draft
[[Page 70961]]
permits are technically and economically feasible and cost effective.
2. Summary of Comments, Responses and Final Action
This section provides a brief summary of significant comments
received and our responses. A full summary of the comments received on
this subject and our responses are presented in Section 3.0 of the RTC
Document. The EPA is largely retaining the basic approach to the
control technology review outlined in the July 17, 2014, proposal.
One commenter expressed confusion over the term ``control
technology.'' The commenter requested the EPA clarify if this refers to
add-on controls or if it includes controls that may be part of the
equipment itself. In response, we note that the term ``control
technology'' refers to integrated controls, add-on controls and other
emissions reduction techniques (e.g., work practice standards and the
use of compliant materials).
One commenter stated that because the EPA intends to issue general
permits at the national level instead of through Regional
Administrators, the Agency should require the most stringent
requirements applicable in adjacent areas of Indian country. The
commenter recommended that the general permits require the use of BACT
and the most current version of adjacent area rules and regulations to
avoid a competitive disadvantage. The commenter also noted that the EPA
may wish to consider making general permits applicable only within one
of the EPA Regions, in order to avoid making sources in Indian country
subject to more stringent requirements than those in adjacent states.
Regarding the level at which the EPA issues general permits, the
commenter is correct that all of the general permits that the EPA has
established to date (including this set) have been at the national
level. However, we may in the future issue general permits (or permits
by rule) on a smaller geographic scale for a particular state or region
of the country. In fact, in the first batch of streamlined permits we
issued, we indicated that EPA Region 9 will be developing a general
permit or permit by rule for areas within California for gasoline
dispensing facilities.\48\ In addition, once the EPA issues a general
permit at the national level, Regional offices serving as the Reviewing
Authority are responsible for processing the Request for Coverage and
issuing the Approval of Request for Coverage under nationally-issued
general permits (as well as any general permits issued by that Region
for a smaller geographic area), Alternatively, a tribe may serve as the
Reviewing Authority for its area of Indian country by taking delegation
of responsibility for implementing the permit program.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\48\ Ibid.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Regarding other points made by the commenter, the EPA crafted the
minor source general permits to ensure air quality is properly
protected and to provide a streamlined approach, where appropriate. We
undertook a survey of existing national and state requirements, and
reviewed, weighed and compared these requirements to develop general
permits that would help provide a level playing field for minor sources
in Indian country. The EPA has not necessarily adopted the most
stringent of these observed standards, but, rather, has evaluated
relevant rules and regulations to determine the most appropriate and
commonly employed standards for each source and unit type covered under
the Federal Indian Country Minor NSR rule. The EPA has the authority to
determine that a particular general permit or permit by rule is no
longer sufficient to protect air quality for new or modified sources in
a particular geographic area and, thus, does not meet the requirements
of the Federal Indian Country Minor NSR rule. Such a determination
would consider, for example, local air quality conditions, typical
control technology of other emission reduction measures used by similar
sources in surrounding areas, anticipated economic growth in the area
and/or cost-effective emission reduction alternatives. If the EPA were
to make such a determination, it could either issue a revised general
permit for use in that area or require sources in that area to obtain
source-specific permits. In addition, the EPA Regional Administrators
may adopt general permits or permits by rule that apply within those
areas.
E. Setback Requirements
1. Proposed Rule
For the draft general permits for boilers, concrete batch plants,
engines, and sawmill facilities, we included permit provisions related
to the location of emitting activities relative to the source property
boundary. We call these provisions, which are designed to minimize the
impacts of emissions, setback requirements. Under a setback
requirement, sources may not locate or expand within a specific
distance from the property boundary and nearest residences. We proposed
that these provisions seemed both reasonable and prudent measures to
protect local air quality, and are economically feasible and cost
effective.
2. Summary of Comments, Responses and Final Action
This section provides a brief summary of significant comments
received and our responses. A full summary of the comments received on
this subject and our responses are presented in Section 4.0 of the RTC
Document.
Two commenters supported the inclusion of setback requirements for
boilers, concrete batch plants, spark and compression ignition engines,
and sawmill facilities. These commenters requested that the EPA not
only apply the setback requirements to schools and nursing homes, but
also to other physical locations such as community centers, health care
facilities, hospitals, agricultural fields, ball fields, parks,
locations designated for cultural and subsistence activities, and
waterways. The same commenters requested that the EPA carefully
consider each tribe's sovereign right to manage and oversee land use
within its own boundaries. The commenters noted that some tribes may
not provide for setback requirements where others may already have
setback requirements that are less restrictive than those in the draft
permits. The commenters recommended that the EPA consult and
communicate with tribes on the application of setback requirements and
that the EPA insert a provision in the general permits allowing a tribe
to obtain a partial or full waiver from the requirements (e.g., from
the types of buildings to which the requirements apply).
Two commenters objected to the inclusion of setback requirements in
the stationary compression ignition and spark ignition engines general
permits. The commenters argued that the EPA has not demonstrated the
need for or provided any data to support setback requirements and that
no current NSPS or NESHAP for engines includes similar requirements.
The commenters further argued that setting distances to property
boundaries is counter to, and conflicts with, federal and state agency
requirements for land management and parks and wildlife preserves
created to minimize surface disturbance and encroachment on endangered
species areas. One commenter noted that specific setback requirements
are already included in Indian mineral leases. Another commenter urged
that setback regulations have historically been considered ``land use''
regulation relegated to state and local jurisdictions. The commenters
stated that establishing a setback requirement that applies to all of
Indian country would create
[[Page 70962]]
jurisdictional conflicts. The commenter further warned that the EPA
would be setting precedent that could cause other regulatory agencies
to follow suit.
One commenter did not support the use of physical markers on a
property to show compliance with the setback requirements.
Due to the lack of an EPA analysis demonstrating the air quality
benefits of requiring setbacks, we lack sufficient information to
incorporate them in the final general permits for boilers and emergency
engines, concrete batch plants, spark and compression ignition engines,
and sawmill facilities. Therefore, the final general permits for these
source categories do not contain setback provisions. Nonetheless, the
Reviewing Authority retains the discretion to deny the granting of
source coverage under the general permits for any source category based
on local air quality concerns.
F. Requirements Relating to Threatened or Endangered Species and
Historic Properties
1. Proposed Rule
The ESA requires federal agencies to ensure, in consultation with
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and/or the National Marine Fisheries
Service (the Services), that any action they authorize, fund, or carry
out will not likely jeopardize the continued existence of any listed
threatened or endangered species, or destroy or adversely modify the
designated critical habitat of such species. The NHPA requires federal
agencies to take into account the effects of their undertakings on
historic properties--i.e., properties that are either listed on, or
eligible for listing on, the National Register of Historic Places--and
to provide the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (the Council)
a reasonable opportunity to comment on such undertakings. We provided
draft screening processes in Appendices to the draft Request for
Coverage Forms for the draft general permits that we made available for
comment to ensure appropriate consideration of listed species and
historic properties.
2. Summary of Comments, Responses and Final Action
This section provides a brief summary of significant comments
received and our responses. A full summary of the comments received on
this subject and our responses are presented in Section 5.0 of the RTC
Document. Overall, as a result of the comments we received, we are
largely retaining the processes we presented in the proposal with some
adjustment in this final action.
Two commenters expressed concerns regarding provisions for listed
species and historic properties. One commenter contended that the
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
currently develop a resource management plan for oil and gas activities
on Indian lands that triggers ESA and NHPA review. The commenter argued
that it is unnecessary to repeat an ESA or NHPA review during the
general permit process given that it may rely on this existing review.
The commenter further asserted that the proposed provisions would
require minor source permit applicants to interface with various
federal agencies in the absence of any procedures governing that
interaction, and that the legal consequences of certifying compliance
with the ESA and NHPA are undefined.
The EPA is aware that new sources locating in Indian country may
also need approvals or other authorizations from other federal agencies
such as the BIA or the BLM, which may trigger a review under the ESA
and/or the NHPA. Such approvals or authorizations by other agencies
are, however, separate from the authorization provided in the EPA's
minor NSR general permits. However, to avoid duplication of effort, we
believe it is appropriate for facilities seeking to be covered under
the general permits to use listed species and historic property
assessments, analyses, and outcomes obtained through BIA/BLM's separate
compliance with the ESA and NHPA in connection with their own actions
to satisfy the relevant screening procedures for coverage under the
minor NSR general permits. We anticipate that where a separate ESA or
NHPA compliance process is undertaken by BIA/BLM in connection with a
new source, that process will satisfy the EPA's permit screening
procedures.
Therefore, we have modified the listed species procedures in
appendix A for endangered and threatened species that are attached to
the Request for Coverage Forms to clarify that this approach is the
first consideration in the screening process. We believe that this
option as a first choice is already clear in the historic property
screening procedures and, therefore, we have not revised appendix B in
that regard in the historic properties procedures included with the
Request for Coverage Forms.
One commenter expressed concerns about the ability of permit
applicants to meet the compliance requirements of the ESA and NHPA,
citing limitations in time and availability of in-house expertise. The
commenter asserted that the process could be costly and requested
whether the EPA has assessed the time and cost impacts to comply with
the ESA and NHPA. The EPA understands that satisfactorily addressing
the screening procedures for threatened and endangered species and
historic properties will impose some burden on sources seeking coverage
under general permits. However, we have attempted to streamline the
screening processes in order to minimize the effort needed to complete
them. For example, both sets of procedures have been clarified to make
more explicit that sources can, as appropriate, rely on prior
assessments performed by other federal agencies to satisfy the
procedures.
G. Use of Throughput Limits and Capacity Limits
1. Proposed Rule
The Federal Indian Country Minor NSR rule requires the Reviewing
Authority to establish annual allowable emission limitations for each
affected emissions unit and for each NSR-regulated pollutant emitted by
the unit, if the unit is issued an enforceable limitation lower than
the PTE of that unit (see 40 CFR 49.155(a)(2)). The EPA included
throughput, fuel usage, and materials usage limitations and compliance
monitoring requirements in the draft general permits and proposed
permit by rule as a means for limiting emissions and demonstrating
compliance with those limits.
For the six source categories in this action, some states (but not
all) provide both annual tpy allowable emission limitations and
throughput limits in their general permits. Other states provide only
overall production limits that limit the amount of throughput a
facility can process over a period of time. We requested comment on the
use of throughput limits as a surrogate for tpy allowable emission
limitations, or, alternatively, establishment of annual allowable
emission limitations for each pollutant, and the use of throughput
limits as surrogate monitoring measures to demonstrate compliance with
tpy annual allowable emission limitations.
2. Summary of Comments, Responses and Final Action
This section provides a brief summary of significant comments
received and our responses. A full summary of the comments received on
this subject and our responses are presented in Section 6.0 of the RTC
Document. In the final general permits, the EPA has retained the
throughput limits contained in the
[[Page 70963]]
draft general permits, except that we have revised the limits in the
final general permits for boilers and emergency engines, spark ignition
engines, compression ignition engines and sawmill facilities. This has
included adding control options and fuel-based limits to accommodate
synthetic minor sources.
Two commenters supported the use of throughput production limits as
a surrogate for annual tpy emission limits in the draft concrete batch
plants general permit. The commenters declared that facilities
currently track information about the material they process, and that
complying with a throughput limitation would be less costly. One
commenter stated that the proposed rule does not provide for different
production limits for facilities located in attainment and
nonattainment areas for PM, and requested that the EPA consider this
issue more closely.
The EPA appreciates the commenters' support for the use of
throughput limits. The EPA also appreciates the commenters' concern
regarding separate production limits for PM10 and
PM2.5 nonattainment areas. We set the throughput limit in
the draft concrete batch plants general permit to ensure that a source
in any area (attainment or nonattainment) would not be a major source.
For the draft boilers general permit, two commenters supported the
use of varying capacity limits as a surrogate for annual tpy emission
limits based on boiler and process heater size. The commenters
supported the use of different capacity limits for process heaters and
process heaters and boilers combined located in ozone nonattainment
areas. The commenters also supported finalizing two boilers general
permits--one intended for smaller, simpler sources using capacity
limits, and one for larger, more complex sources using tpy emission
limitations and additional monitoring and recordkeeping. The EPA has
decided to issue only one final ``General Air Quality Permit for New or
Modified Minor Source Boilers and Emergency Engines in Indian
Country,'' which also covers emergency engines. We do not agree that
two are needed. We believe that one permit for boilers can accommodate
boilers of varying sizes.
Two commenters expressed concerns with the capacity limits included
in the draft spark ignition engines general permit. The commenters
noted an inconsistency between the engine site capacity limit of 1,750
hp and the emission limits set by reference to Table 1 of 40 CFR part
60, subpart JJJJ. One commenter provided the example that, using the
EPA's PTE spreadsheet and a single 1,000 hp 4-stroke lean burn engine,
the CO limit of 2.0 grams per hp-hour in Table 1 yields a total annual
CO emission PTE of just under 20 tpy, which would allow for up to 5,000
hp site capacity based on a 100 tpy limit. The commenters stated that
these issues bring into question whether the draft spark ignition and
compression ignition engines permits should include capacity-based
limits or emissions-based limits. Both commenters reasoned that
emission limits are preferable to capacity limits, because an emission
limit approach would allow flexibility for operators to determine how
to configure engines. One commenter argued that if the EPA uses
capacity limits, then it would seem pointless to also include emission
limits or monitoring. The commenter stated that capacity limits are
most appropriate for small engines to simplify exclusion from minor
source NSR, stating that neither the draft spark ignition engines
general permit nor the draft compression ignition engines general
permit addressed excluding low emitting small engines. The commenter
further argued that the upper limit used should actually be 250 tpy to
avoid the PSD Program in attainment areas.
The EPA acknowledges that, in setting the capacity limits in the
draft spark ignition engines general permit, the limit was based on the
highest emission factor under the NSPS for the various engines types.
We also acknowledge that there is significant variability in the
emission factors for the different types of engines. Given the
differences, we are revising the capacity limits to add a fuel-based
capacity limit option for natural gas-fired spark ignition engines. In
addition, the draft spark ignition engines general permit does not
apply to engines in the oil and natural gas production and natural gas
processing segments of the oil and natural gas sector. The EPA has
issued a separate, final rulemaking addressing oil and natural gas
activities that includes requirements for non-emergency engines.\49\
Non-emergency spark ignition engines (and any additional emergency
engines) located at sources that are not in the oil and natural gas
production and natural gas processing segments of the oil and natural
gas sector are eligible for coverage under the final ``General Air
Quality Permit for New or Modified Minor Source Spark Ignition Engines
in Indian Country.''
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\49\ ``Federal Implementation Plan for True Minor Sources in
Indian Country in the Oil and Natural Gas Production and Natural Gas
Processing Segments of the Oil and Natural Gas Sector; Amendments to
the Federal Minor New Source Review Program in Indian Country to
Address Requirements for True Minor Sources in the Oil and Natural
Gas Sector,'' U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 81 FR 35944,
June 3, 2016, https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2016-06-03/pdf/2016-11969.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Regarding excluding small engines, we note that the Federal Indian
Country Minor NSR rule exempts stationary internal combustion engines
with a manufacturer's site-rated hp of less than 50. The EPA finalized
this exemption during the development of the general permits.\50\ We
have revised the permitting documents to reflect this exemption.
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\50\ ``Review of New Sources and Modifications in Indian
Country--Amendments to the Federal Indian Country Minor New Source
Review Rule,'' U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 79 FR 31035,
May 30, 2014, https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2014-05-30/pdf/2014-11499.pdf.
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Regarding the use of emission limits versus capacity limits, we
have retained the capacity limits but we have also added additional
flexibility by allowing for the use of synthetic minor fuel limits in
lieu of the engine capacity limits. This flexibility is close to the
approach suggested by the commenter, as it allows for engines of
greater capacity as long as overall fuel use remains below the
specified threshold. We consider this approach the best option for the
types of owners and operators that we expect to be subject to the
permits--striking a balance between flexibility and ease of compliance.
Sources needing even greater operational flexibility should consider
applying for a source-specific permit. The general permits are intended
for common, straightforward permitting actions.
Regarding the upper tpy emission limit used for setting the limits
in the permit, we disagree with the commenter's suggestion of using 250
tpy. While the EPA will still determine when sources applying for a
general permit need a source-specific permit due to air quality
concerns, we do not believe that will occur as often as would be
required if we used the upper threshold in attainment areas proposed by
the commenter.
Two commenters supported the proposed approach for establishing
capacity limits for compression ignition emergency and non-emergency
engine sources that differentiate among locations in ozone attainment,
unclassifiable, or Marginal/Moderate ozone nonattainment areas. The
commenters requested that the EPA explain why the draft general permit
for stationary spark ignition engines does not use a similar approach.
One commenter stated that nonattainment minor source permitting should
be
[[Page 70964]]
regionally specific and based on emissions inventory evaluation and
modeling to determine the requirements after a designation is made. The
commenter declared that because no nonattainment designation has been
made in any tribal land areas, it is premature to specify minor source
permitting requirements. The EPA notes that the draft general permit
for spark ignition engines does not need separate limits for sources in
different types of ozone areas. The limiting pollutant--the pollutant
with the highest emissions in setting the capacity limits--is CO. The
established limits in the draft general permit are set low enough to
ensure sources in ozone nonattainment areas will be below the major
source thresholds, regardless of the area's classification. The final
``General Air Quality Permit for New or Modified Minor Source Spark
Ignition Engines in Indian Country'' is not available in Serious CO
nonattainment areas. Currently, there are no CO nonattainment areas.
Regarding the comment that nonattainment minor source permitting
should be based on an emissions inventory evaluation and modeling, in
this instance it is not necessary to develop an emissions inventory or
perform ambient air modeling in order to establish minor source permits
in attainment or nonattainment areas that are protective of air
quality. The general permits in this action are intended to prevent the
construction of sources that would interfere with attainment or
maintenance of the NAAQS in attainment and nonattainment areas.
However, some of the general permits in this action do not cover all
potential nonattainment areas because, in order to protect air quality
in such areas, we would have had to construct an overly stringent,
potentially unworkable permit for such sources in such areas. A better
alternative is to direct such sources to work with the Reviewing
Authority to develop a more workable, source-specific permit. Moreover,
the Reviewing Authority has the discretion under the Federal Indian
Country Minor NSR rule to not grant coverage under a general permit to
a particular source or in a particular area if there is a concern that
the general permit will not be protective of air quality in the area.
Three commenters supported the EPA's draft emission limitations for
sawmill facilities, including a limitation of 25 million board feet on
a 12-month rolling basis and a total tpy VOC emission limitation that
becomes more stringent based on the increasing classification of the
ozone nonattainment area in which the facility is located. However, one
commenter asserted that it was unlikely a sawmill facility would be a
true minor NSR facility and approach 80 tpy VOC without triggering the
major source threshold for HAPs (Condition 23 of the draft sawmill
facilities general permit). Regarding the comment that a source may
trigger the major source threshold for HAPs prior to reaching the 80
ton per year/12-month rolling emission limits, the EPA has determined
that such a scenario could arise and has added a synthetic minor limit
for HAP emissions in the final ``General Air Quality Permit for New or
Modified Minor Source Sawmill Facilities in Indian Country.''
One commenter requested that the EPA use a 12-month rolling total
limit for the production limits and emissions limitations in Conditions
19, 23 and 41 of the draft sawmill facilities general permit. The
commenter also expressed concern that new sources in operation for less
than 12 months would not be able to determine compliance with the draft
conditions for the first 11 months. The commenter provided draft
language for consideration.
The EPA notes that the draft sawmill facilities permit uses a 12-
month rolling total for the production limits and emissions limitations
in Conditions 19, 23, and 41 of the draft general permit. Regarding the
concern that new sources would have difficulty determining compliance
with the draft conditions in the first 11 months, the general permit
requires that sources maintain records of monthly production and
monthly VOC emissions and submit an annual report that evaluates the
source's compliance status with the emission limitations and standards.
This will allow a source to evaluate its eventual compliance with the
12-month rolling total well before the 12th month. We have not modified
the final ``General Air Quality Permit for New or Modified Minor Source
Sawmill Facilities in Indian Country,'' as suggested by the commenter.
V. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
A. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory Planning and Review and Executive
Order 13563: Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review
This action is not a significant regulatory action and was,
therefore, not submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
for review.
B. Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA)
This action does not impose any new information collection burden
under the PRA. OMB has previously approved the information collection
activities contained in the existing regulations and has assigned OMB
Control Number 2060-0003. The general permits finalized in this action
do not impose any new obligations or enforceable duties on any state,
local or tribal government or the private sector. This action merely
establishes general permits to aid sources in satisfying the
requirements of the Federal Indian Country Minor NSR rule.
C. Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)
I certify that this action will not have a significant economic
impact on a substantial number of small entities under the RFA. In
making this determination, the impact of concern is any significant
adverse economic impact on small entities. An agency may certify that a
rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial
number of small entities if the rule relieves regulatory burden, has no
net burden or otherwise has a positive economic effect on the small
entities subject to the rule. The EPA analyzed the impact of
streamlined permitting on small entities in the Federal Indian Country
Minor NSR rule.\51\ The EPA determined that that action would not have
a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small
entities. This action merely implements a particular aspect of the
Federal Indian Country Minor NSR rule. As a result, this action will
not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small
entities. We have, therefore, concluded that this action will have no
net regulatory burden for all directly regulated small entities. And,
by establishing general permits that simplify and shorten the
permitting process, this rule will lessen the burden on small business
in the affected source categories that are seeking to construct in
Indian country.
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\51\ ``Review of New Sources and Modifications in Indian
Country,'' U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 76 FR 38748, July
1, 2011, https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2011/07/01/2011-14981/review-of-new-sources-and-modifications-in-indian-country.
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D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA)
This action does not contain any unfunded mandate, as described in
the UMRA, 2 U.S.C. 1531-1538, and does not significantly or uniquely
affect small governments. Sources that choose to use one or more of the
general permits finalized in this action must comply with the
requirements contained therein; however, no source is required
[[Page 70965]]
to use the general permits. As a result, the action imposes no
enforceable duty on any state, local or tribal government or the
private sector.
E. Executive Order 13132: Federalism
This action does not have federalism implications. It 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.
F. Executive Order 13175: Consultation and Coordination With Indian
Tribal Governments
This action has tribal implications. However, it will neither
impose substantial direct compliance costs on federally recognized
tribal governments, nor preempt tribal law. The EPA conducted outreach
on the July 17, 2014, proposal via on-going monthly meetings with
tribal environmental professionals in the development of this final
action. The EPA offered consultation to elected tribal officials
immediately after proposal on June 14, 2014, via letter to 566 tribes
to provide an opportunity for meaningful and timely input into the
development of this regulation. No tribal officials requested
consultation on this action.
Two commenters took exception to the EPA's claim that the proposed
rule would ``not impose duties or responsibilities on tribes.'' The
commenters noted that several Indian tribes own and operate facilities
covered under source categories identified in the draft rule, and,
thus, the draft rule will impose duties or responsibilities on some
tribes. The commenters requested that the EPA review the number of
tribes that own and operate facilities represented by the source
categories listed in the proposed rule and determine the extent of the
duties and responsibilities imposed on the tribes. The EPA disagrees
with the assertion that the rule ``imposes duties or responsibilities
on tribes.'' As noted in the preamble to the proposed rule, the EPA
concluded that the rule would not impose duties or responsibilities on
tribes, although it will have tribal implications. Some tribes may own
affected facilities in the source categories for which we are issuing
general permits via this action. However, this action merely provides
general permits to aid interested minor sources in Indian country in
satisfying the already existing requirement under the Federal Indian
Country Minor NSR rule that they obtain a minor source permit. This
action does not impose any requirements on sources in these source
categories that may need to obtain a minor source permit to construct
in Indian country. The use of the general permits in this final action
is optional; they do not impose any compliance requirements on any
source unless and until the EPA grants coverage under one of the
permits to a source.
This action reflects tribal comments on and priorities for
developing general permits and permits by rule in Indian country. The
RTC document details all of the comments we received on the July 17,
2014, proposal from tribal and other entities. We received comments
from 5 tribal commenters. We have responded favorably to tribal
comments in the several areas, including:
General support for the establishment of general permits
for the six categories;
Structure and general requirements of the draft general
permits;
Authorizing multiple locations for the use of certain
general permits;
Specific provisions of the draft spark ignition and
compression ignition engines general permits;
Specific provisions of the draft sawmill facilities
general permit;
Utilizing a permit by rule for graphic arts and printing
operations; and
Use of throughput limits and capacity limits.
G. Executive Order 13045: Protection of Children From Environmental
Health Risks and Safety Risks
The EPA interprets Executive Order 13045 as applying only to those
regulatory actions that concern environmental health or safety risks
that the EPA has reason to believe may disproportionately affect
children, per the definition of ``covered regulatory action'' in
Section 2-202 of the Executive Order. This action is not subject to
Executive Order 13045 because it does not concern an environmental
health risk or safety risk.
H. Executive Order 13211: Actions Concerning Regulations That
Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution or Use
This action is not subject to Executive Order 13211, because it is
not a significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866.
I. National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act (NTTAA)
The final action involves technical standards. The EPA has decided
to use the EPA Methods 5, 7, 9, 10, 18, 22 and 25A of 40 CFR part 60,
appendix A.\52\ Three voluntary consensus standards were identified as
applicable for purposes of the proposal:
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\52\ Information on any available voluntary consensus standards
that we indicated could be used as alternatives to the emissions
measurement standards in the draft general permits can be found in:
``Voluntary Consensus Standard Results for General Permits and
Permits by Rule for the Indian Country Minor New Source Review
Program; 40 CFR part 49, subparts 156(c) and 162,'' from Robin
Segall, Acting Group Leader, Measurement Technology Group, to Laura
McKelvey, Group Leader, Community and Tribal Programs Group,
February 7, 2014, Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2011-0151, https://www.epa.gov/tribal-air/tribal-minor-new-source-review.
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1. ANSI/ASME PTC 19.10-1981 part 10 ``Flue and Exhaust Gas
Analyses'' (alternative to the EPA Method 7);
2. ASTM D7520-09 ``Standard Test Method for Determining Opacity of
a Plume in the Outdoor Ambient Atmosphere'' (alternative to the EPA
Method 9); and
3. ASTM D6420-99 (2010) ``Test method for Determination of Gaseous
Organic Compounds by Direct Interface Gas Chromatography/Mass
Spectrometry'' (alternative to the EPA Method 18).
We are not finalizing these in this rulemaking. The use of these
voluntary consensus standards would not be practical with applicable
law due to a lack of equivalency, documentation, validation data and
other important technical and policy considerations. The EPA did not
receive comments that have caused us to alter the standards and methods
in the final permits.
J. Executive Order 12898: Federal Actions To Address Environmental
Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations
The EPA believes that the human health or environmental risk
addressed by this action will not have potential, disproportionately
high and adverse human health or environmental effects on minority,
low-income or indigenous populations. This action does not affect the
level of protection provided to human health or the environment.
Rather, this final rule implements certain aspects of the Federal
Indian Country Minor NSR rule. Therefore, this final action will not
have a disproportionately high and adverse human health or
environmental effects on minorities, low-income or indigenous
populations in the United States.
Our primary goal in developing this program is to ensure that air
resources in Indian country will be protected in the manner intended by
the CAA. We believe that when sources have permits
[[Page 70966]]
and compliance reporting requirements, that means that there will be
reduced emissions and greater responsibility on the part of sources.
This final action will reduce adverse impacts by improving air quality
in Indian country. In addition, we seek to establish a flexible
preconstruction permitting program for minor sources in Indian country
that is comparable to similar programs in neighboring states in order
to create a more level regulatory playing field for owners and
operators within and outside of Indian country. This final action will
reduce an existing disparity by filling the regulatory gap.
K. Congressional Review Act (CRA)
This action is subject to the Congressional Review Act, and the EPA
will submit a rule report to each House of the Congress and to the
Comptroller General of the United States. This action is not a ``major
rule'' as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2).
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 49
Environmental protection, Administrative practices and procedures,
Air pollution control, Indians, Indians-law, Indians-tribal government,
Intergovernmental relations, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
Dated: September 16, 2016.
Gina McCarthy,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2016-23178 Filed 10-13-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P