Determination of Attainment of the 2012 Annual Fine Particulate Matter Standard; Pennsylvania; Delaware County Nonattainment Area, 89868-89870 [2016-29751]
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89868
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 239 / Tuesday, December 13, 2016 / Rules and Regulations
PART 370—NOTICE AND
RECORDKEEPING REQUIREMENTS
FOR STATUTORY LICENSES
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
1. The authority citation for part 370
continues to read as follows:
[EPA–R03–OAR–2016–0455; FRL–9956–41–
Region 3]
40 CFR Part 52
■
Authority: 17 U.S.C. 112(e)(4), 114(f)(4)(A).
2. Amend § 370.4 in paragraph (b) by
revising the definition of ‘‘Eligible
Minimum Fee Webcaster’’ to read as
follows:
■
§ 370.4 Reports of use of sound
recordings under statutory license for
nonsubscription transmission services,
preexisting satellite digital audio radio
services, new subscription services and
business establishment services.
Dated: November 15, 2016.
Suzanne M. Barnett,
Chief Copyright Royalty Judge.
Approved:
Carla D. Hayden,
Librarian of Congress.
[FR Doc. 2016–29761 Filed 12–12–16; 8:45 am]
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Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Direct final rule.
AGENCY:
The Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) is making a final
determination that the Delaware
County, Pennsylvania moderate
nonattainment area (the Delaware
County Area) has attained the 2012
annual fine particulate matter (PM2.5)
national ambient air quality standard
(NAAQS). This determination of
attainment, also known as a clean data
determination, is based upon quality
assured, certified, and complete ambient
air quality monitoring data showing that
this area has monitored attainment of
the 2012 annual PM2.5 NAAQS based on
the 2013–2015 data available in EPA’s
Air Quality System (AQS) database. As
a result of this determination, the
requirements for the Delaware County
Area to submit an attainment
demonstration, associated reasonably
available control measures (RACM), a
reasonable further progress (RFP) plan,
contingency measures, and other
planning state implementation plan
(SIP) revisions related to attainment of
the standard shall be suspended for so
long as the area continues to meet the
2012 annual PM2.5 NAAQS. This action
is being taken under the Clean Air Act
(CAA).
DATES: This rule is effective on February
13, 2017 without further notice, unless
EPA receives adverse written comment
by January 12, 2017. If EPA receives
such comments, it will publish a timely
withdrawal of the direct final rule in the
Federal Register and inform the public
that the rule will not take effect.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,
identified by Docket ID No. EPA–R03–
OAR–2016–0455 at https://
www.regulations.gov, or via email to
pino.maria@epa.gov. For comments
submitted at Regulations.gov, follow the
online instructions for submitting
comments. Once submitted, comments
cannot be edited or removed from
Regulations.gov. For either manner of
submission, EPA may publish any
comment received to its public docket.
Do not submit electronically any
information you consider to be
SUMMARY:
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(b) * * *
Eligible Minimum Fee Webcaster
means a nonsubscription transmission
service whose payments for eligible
transmissions do not exceed the annual
minimum fee established for licensees
relying upon the statutory licenses set
forth in 17 U.S.C. 112(e) and 114; and:
(i) Is a licensee that owns and
operates a terrestrial AM or FM radio
station that is licensed by the Federal
Communications Commission; or
(ii) Is directly operated by, or
affiliated with and officially sanctioned
by, a domestically accredited primary or
secondary school, college, university, or
other post-secondary degree-granting
institution; and
(A) The digital audio transmission
operations of which are, during the
course of the year, staffed substantially
by students enrolled in such institution;
(B) Is exempt from taxation under
section 501 of the Internal Revenue
Code, has applied for such exemption,
or is operated by a State or possession
or any governmental entity or
subordinate thereof, or by the United
States or District of Columbia, for
exclusively public purposes; and
(C) Is not a ‘‘public broadcasting
entity’’ (as defined in 17 U.S.C. 118(f))
qualified to receive funding from the
Corporation for Public Broadcasting
pursuant to the criteria set forth in 47
U.S.C. 396.
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Determination of Attainment of the
2012 Annual Fine Particulate Matter
Standard; Pennsylvania; Delaware
County Nonattainment Area
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confidential business information (CBI)
or other information whose disclosure is
restricted by statute. Multimedia
submissions (audio, video, etc.) must be
accompanied by a written comment.
The written comment is considered the
official comment and should include
discussion of all points you wish to
make. EPA will generally not consider
comments or comment contents located
outside of the primary submission (i.e.
on the web, cloud, or other file sharing
system). For additional submission
methods, please contact the person
identified in the ‘‘For Further
Information Contact’’ section. For the
full EPA public comment policy,
information about CBI or multimedia
submissions, and general guidance on
making effective comments, please visit
https://www2.epa.gov/dockets/
commenting-epa-dockets.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Gavin Huang, (215) 814–2042, or by
email at huang.gavin@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
On December 14, 2012, EPA
promulgated a revised primary annual
PM2.5 NAAQS to provide increased
protection of public health from fine
particle pollution (the 2012 PM2.5
NAAQS). 78 FR 3086 (January 15, 2013).
In that action, EPA strengthened the
primary annual PM2.5 standard,
lowering the level from 15.0 micrograms
per cubic meter (mg/m3) to 12.0 mg/m3.
The 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS is attained
when the 3-year average of the annual
arithmetic means does not exceed 12.0
mg/m3. See 40 CFR 50.18. On December
18, 2014 (80 FR 2206), EPA made
designation determinations, as required
by CAA section 107(d)(1), for the 2012
PM2.5 NAAQS. In that action, EPA
designated the Delaware County Area as
moderate nonattainment for the 2012
annual PM2.5 NAAQS. See 40 CFR
81.339.
Under EPA’s longstanding Clean Data
Policy,1 which was codified in EPA’s
Clean Air Fine Particulate
Implementation Rule (72 FR 20586,
April 25, 2007), EPA may issue a
determination of attainment after notice
and comment rulemaking determining
that a specific area is attaining the
relevant standard. See 40 CFR 51.1004.
The effect of a clean data determination
is to suspend the requirement for the
area to submit an attainment
demonstration, RACM, RFP plan,
contingency measures, and any other
planning SIPs related to attainment for
1 ‘‘Clean Data Policy for the Fine Particle National
Ambient Air Quality Standards,’’ Memorandum
from Stephen D. Page, December 14, 2004.
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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 239 / Tuesday, December 13, 2016 / Rules and Regulations
as long as the area continues to attain
the standard.
EPA issued the Fine Particulate
Matter National Ambient Air Quality
Standards: State Implementation Plan
Requirements on July 29, 2016 (effective
October 24, 2016). 81 FR 58010 (August
24, 2016). In that rule, EPA reaffirmed
the Clean Data Policy at 40 CFR
51.1015, as follows:
Upon a determination by EPA that a
moderate PM2.5 nonattainment area has
attained the PM2.5 NAAQS, the requirements
for the state to submit an attainment
demonstration, provisions demonstrating that
reasonably available control measures
(including reasonably available control
technology for stationary sources) shall be
implemented no later than 4 years following
the date of designation of the area, reasonable
further progress plan, quantitative milestones
and quantitative milestone reports, and
contingency measures for the area shall be
suspended until such time as: (1) The area is
redesignated to attainment, after which such
requirements are permanently discharged; or,
(2) EPA determines that the area has reviolated the PM2.5 NAAQS, at which time the
state shall submit such attainment plan
elements for the moderate nonattainment
area by a future date to be determined by
EPA and announced through publication in
the Federal Register at the time EPA
determines the area is violating the PM2.5
NAAQS. See 40 CFR 51.1015.
II. EPA’s Evaluation
Under EPA regulations at 40 CFR part
50, § 50.18 and appendix N, the annual
89869
primary PM2.5 standard is met when the
3-year average of PM2.5 annual mean
mass concentrations for each eligible
monitoring site is less than or equal to
12 mg/m3. Three years of valid annual
means are required to produce a valid
annual PM2.5 NAAQS design value. A
year meets data completeness
requirements when quarterly data
capture rates for all four quarters are at
least 75 percent from eligible
monitoring sites. See 40 CFR part 50,
appendix N. There is one PM2.5 monitor
in the Delaware County Area. Table 1
shows the Delaware County Area design
value for the 2012 annual PM2.5 NAAQS
for the years 2013–2015 at the Delaware
County monitor.
TABLE 1—2013–2015 ANNUAL PM2.5 VALUES FOR DELAWARE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Weighted mean
(μg/m 3)
Complete quarters
Monitor ID
2013
420450002 ...................
2014
2015
2013
2014
2015
11.5
12.6
10.7
4
4
4
Consistent with the requirements
contained in 40 CFR part 50, EPA has
reviewed the PM2.5 ambient air quality
monitoring data for the monitoring
period from 2013 through 2015 for the
Delaware County Area, as recorded in
the AQS database. As shown from Table
1, each quarter in 2013–2015 is
complete with all four quarters
reporting data capture rates of at least 75
percent from the only monitor.
Additionally, the certified annual
design value for 2013–2015 is 11.6 mg/
m3, which is below the 2012 annual
primary PM2.5 standard of 12 mg/m3.
Therefore, the Delaware County Area
has attained the 2012 annual PM2.5
NAAQS in accordance with the
requirements in 40 CFR part 50, § 50.18
and appendix N.
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III. Final Action
EPA is determining that the Delaware
County Area has attained the 2012
annual PM2.5 NAAQS. As provided in
40 CFR 51.1015, finalization of this
determination, suspends the
requirements for this area to submit an
attainment demonstration, associated
RACM, RFP plan, contingency
measures, and any other planning SIP
revisions related to the attainment of the
2012 PM2.5 NAAQS, so long as this area
continues to meet the standard. This
determination of attainment does not
constitute a redesignation to attainment.
The Delaware County Area will remain
designated nonattainment for the 2012
annual PM2.5 NAAQS until such time as
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EPA determines that the Delaware
County Area meets the CAA
requirements for redesignation to
attainment, including an approved
maintenance plan, pursuant to sections
107 and 175A of the CAA.
EPA is publishing this rule without
prior proposal because EPA views this
as a noncontroversial amendment and
anticipates no adverse comment.
However, in the ‘‘Proposed Rules’’
section of this Federal Register, EPA is
publishing a separate document that
will serve as the proposal to approve the
determination of attainment if adverse
comments are filed. This rule will be
effective on February 13, 2017 without
further notice unless EPA receives
adverse comment by January 12, 2017.
If EPA receives adverse comment, EPA
will publish a timely withdrawal in the
Federal Register informing the public
that the rule will not take effect. EPA
will address all public comments in a
subsequent final rule based on the
proposed rule. EPA will not institute a
second comment period on this action.
Any parties interested in commenting
must do so at this time.
IV. Statutory and Executive Order
Reviews
A. General Requirements
This rulemaking action makes a
determination of attainment of the 2012
PM2.5 NAAQS based on air quality and
does not impose additional
requirements. For that reason, this
determination of attainment:
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Certified
annual design
value
2013–2015
(μg/m 3)
11.6
• Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory
action’’ subject to review by the Office
of Management and Budget under
Executive Orders 12866 (58 FR 51735,
October 4, 1993) and 13563 (76 FR 3821,
January 21, 2011);
• Does not impose an information
collection burden under the provisions
of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.);
• Is certified as not having a
significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities
under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5
U.S.C. 601 et seq.);
• Does not contain any unfunded
mandate or significantly or uniquely
affect small governments, as described
in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
of 1995 (Public Law 104–4);
• Does not have federalism
implications as specified in Executive
Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10,
1999);
• Is not an economically significant
regulatory action based on health or
safety risks subject to Executive Order
13045 (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997);
• Is not a significant regulatory action
subject to Executive Order 13211 (66 FR
28355, May 22, 2001);
• Is not subject to requirements of
section 12(d) of the National
Technology Transfer and Advancement
Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272 note) because
application of those requirements would
be inconsistent with the CAA; and
• Does not provide EPA with the
discretionary authority to address, as
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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 239 / Tuesday, December 13, 2016 / Rules and Regulations
appropriate, disproportionate human
health or environmental effects, using
practicable and legally permissible
methods, under Executive Order 12898
(59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994).
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B. Submission to Congress and the
Comptroller General
The Congressional Review Act, 5
U.S.C. 801 et seq., as added by the Small
Business Regulatory Enforcement
Fairness Act of 1996, generally provides
that before a rule may take effect, the
agency promulgating the rule must
submit a rule report, which includes a
copy of the rule, to each House of the
Congress and to the Comptroller General
of the United States. EPA will submit a
report containing this action and other
required information to the U.S. Senate,
the U.S. House of Representatives, and
the Comptroller General of the United
States prior to publication of the rule in
the Federal Register. A major rule
cannot take effect until 60 days after it
is published in the Federal Register.
This action is not a ‘‘major rule’’ as
defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2).
In addition, this rulemaking
determining that the Delaware County
Area has attained the 2012 annual PM2.5
NAAQS does not have tribal
implications as specified by Executive
Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, November 9,
2000), because the SIP is not approved
to apply in Indian country located in the
state, and EPA notes that it will not
impose substantial direct costs on tribal
governments or preempt tribal law.
C. Petitions for Judicial Review
Under section 307(b)(1) of the CAA,
petitions for judicial review of this
action must be filed in the United States
Court of Appeals for the appropriate
circuit by February 13, 2017. Filing a
petition for reconsideration by the
Administrator of this final rule does not
affect the finality of this action for the
purposes of judicial review nor does it
extend the time within which a petition
for judicial review may be filed, and
shall not postpone the effectiveness of
such rule or action. Parties with
objections to this direct final rule are
encouraged to file a comment in
response to the parallel notice of
proposed rulemaking for this action
published in the proposed rules section
of this Federal Register, rather than file
an immediate petition for judicial
review of this direct final rule, so that
EPA can withdraw this direct final rule
and address the comment in the
proposed rulemaking action.
This determination of attainment of
the 2012 annual PM2.5 NAAQS for the
Delaware County nonattainment area
may not be challenged later in
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proceedings to enforce its requirements.
(See section 307(b)(2)).
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52
40 CFR Part 81
Environmental protection, Air
pollution control, Incorporation by
reference, Intergovernmental relations,
Particulate matter, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements.
[EPA–HQ–OAR–2014–0464; FRL–9956–10–
OAR]
Dated: November 22, 2016.
Shawn M. Garvin,
Regional Administrator, Region III.
40 CFR part 52 is amended as follows:
PART 52—APPROVAL AND
PROMULGATION OF
IMPLEMENTATION PLANS
1. The authority citation for part 52
continues to read as follows:
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
Subpart NN—Pennsylvania
2. In § 52.2059, add paragraph (u) to
read as follows:
■
Control strategy: Particulate
*
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(u) Determination of attainment. EPA
has determined based on 2013 to 2015
ambient air quality monitoring data, that
the Delaware County, Pennsylvania
moderate nonattainment area has
attained the 2012 annual fine particulate
matter (PM2.5) primary national ambient
air quality standard (NAAQS). This
determination, in accordance with 40
CFR 51.1015, suspends the
requirements for this area to submit an
attainment demonstration, associated
reasonably available control measures, a
reasonable further progress plan,
contingency measures, and other
planning state implementation plan
revisions related to attainment of the
standard for as long as this area
continues to meet the 2012 annual PM2.5
NAAQS.
[FR Doc. 2016–29751 Filed 12–12–16; 8:45 am]
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Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
This rule establishes the
initial air quality designations for four
areas in Texas for the 2010 primary
sulfur dioxide (SO2) National Ambient
Air Quality Standard (NAAQS). The
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
is designating three of the areas as
nonattainment because they do not meet
the NAAQS. One area is being
designated unclassifiable because it
cannot be classified on the basis of
available information as meeting or not
meeting the NAAQS. The designations
are based on the weight of evidence for
each area, including available air quality
monitoring data and air quality
modeling. For the areas designated
nonattainment by this rule, the Clean
Air Act (CAA) directs the state of Texas
to undertake certain planning and
pollution control activities to attain the
SO2 NAAQS as expeditiously as
practicable. This action is a supplement
to the final rule addressing the second
round of area designations for the 2010
SO2 NAAQS, which the EPA
Administrator signed on June 30, 2016.
DATES: The effective date of this rule is
January 12, 2017.
ADDRESSES: The EPA has established a
docket for the second round of
designations, including this
supplemental action, under Docket ID
No. EPA–HQ–OAR–2014–0464. 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 in
https://www.regulations.gov.
In addition, the EPA has established
a Web site for the 2010 SO2 NAAQS
designations rulemakings at: https://
SUMMARY:
■
§ 52.2059
matter.
Air Quality Designations for the 2010
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) Primary National
Ambient Air Quality Standard—
Supplement to Round 2 for Four Areas
in Texas: Freestone and Anderson
Counties, Milam County, Rusk and
Panola Counties, and Titus County
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 239 (Tuesday, December 13, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 89868-89870]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-29751]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 52
[EPA-R03-OAR-2016-0455; FRL-9956-41-Region 3]
Determination of Attainment of the 2012 Annual Fine Particulate
Matter Standard; Pennsylvania; Delaware County Nonattainment Area
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Direct final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is making a final
determination that the Delaware County, Pennsylvania moderate
nonattainment area (the Delaware County Area) has attained the 2012
annual fine particulate matter (PM2.5) national ambient air
quality standard (NAAQS). This determination of attainment, also known
as a clean data determination, is based upon quality assured,
certified, and complete ambient air quality monitoring data showing
that this area has monitored attainment of the 2012 annual
PM2.5 NAAQS based on the 2013-2015 data available in EPA's
Air Quality System (AQS) database. As a result of this determination,
the requirements for the Delaware County Area to submit an attainment
demonstration, associated reasonably available control measures (RACM),
a reasonable further progress (RFP) plan, contingency measures, and
other planning state implementation plan (SIP) revisions related to
attainment of the standard shall be suspended for so long as the area
continues to meet the 2012 annual PM2.5 NAAQS. This action
is being taken under the Clean Air Act (CAA).
DATES: This rule is effective on February 13, 2017 without further
notice, unless EPA receives adverse written comment by January 12,
2017. If EPA receives such comments, it will publish a timely
withdrawal of the direct final rule in the Federal Register and inform
the public that the rule will not take effect.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-R03-
OAR-2016-0455 at https://www.regulations.gov, or via email to
pino.maria@epa.gov. For comments submitted at Regulations.gov, follow
the online instructions for submitting comments. Once submitted,
comments cannot be edited or removed from Regulations.gov. For either
manner of submission, EPA may publish any comment received to its
public docket. Do not submit electronically any information you
consider to be confidential business information (CBI) or other
information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Multimedia
submissions (audio, video, etc.) must be accompanied by a written
comment. The written comment is considered the official comment and
should include discussion of all points you wish to make. EPA will
generally not consider comments or comment contents located outside of
the primary submission (i.e. on the web, cloud, or other file sharing
system). For additional submission methods, please contact the person
identified in the ``For Further Information Contact'' section. For the
full EPA public comment policy, information about CBI or multimedia
submissions, and general guidance on making effective comments, please
visit https://www2.epa.gov/dockets/commenting-epa-dockets.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gavin Huang, (215) 814-2042, or by
email at huang.gavin@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
On December 14, 2012, EPA promulgated a revised primary annual
PM2.5 NAAQS to provide increased protection of public health
from fine particle pollution (the 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS). 78 FR
3086 (January 15, 2013). In that action, EPA strengthened the primary
annual PM2.5 standard, lowering the level from 15.0
micrograms per cubic meter (mg/m\3\) to 12.0 mg/m\3\. The 2012
PM2.5 NAAQS is attained when the 3-year average of the
annual arithmetic means does not exceed 12.0 mg/m\3\. See 40 CFR 50.18.
On December 18, 2014 (80 FR 2206), EPA made designation determinations,
as required by CAA section 107(d)(1), for the 2012 PM2.5
NAAQS. In that action, EPA designated the Delaware County Area as
moderate nonattainment for the 2012 annual PM2.5 NAAQS. See
40 CFR 81.339.
Under EPA's longstanding Clean Data Policy,\1\ which was codified
in EPA's Clean Air Fine Particulate Implementation Rule (72 FR 20586,
April 25, 2007), EPA may issue a determination of attainment after
notice and comment rulemaking determining that a specific area is
attaining the relevant standard. See 40 CFR 51.1004. The effect of a
clean data determination is to suspend the requirement for the area to
submit an attainment demonstration, RACM, RFP plan, contingency
measures, and any other planning SIPs related to attainment for
[[Page 89869]]
as long as the area continues to attain the standard.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ ``Clean Data Policy for the Fine Particle National Ambient
Air Quality Standards,'' Memorandum from Stephen D. Page, December
14, 2004.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
EPA issued the Fine Particulate Matter National Ambient Air Quality
Standards: State Implementation Plan Requirements on July 29, 2016
(effective October 24, 2016). 81 FR 58010 (August 24, 2016). In that
rule, EPA reaffirmed the Clean Data Policy at 40 CFR 51.1015, as
follows:
Upon a determination by EPA that a moderate PM2.5
nonattainment area has attained the PM2.5 NAAQS, the
requirements for the state to submit an attainment demonstration,
provisions demonstrating that reasonably available control measures
(including reasonably available control technology for stationary
sources) shall be implemented no later than 4 years following the
date of designation of the area, reasonable further progress plan,
quantitative milestones and quantitative milestone reports, and
contingency measures for the area shall be suspended until such time
as: (1) The area is redesignated to attainment, after which such
requirements are permanently discharged; or, (2) EPA determines that
the area has re-violated the PM2.5 NAAQS, at which time
the state shall submit such attainment plan elements for the
moderate nonattainment area by a future date to be determined by EPA
and announced through publication in the Federal Register at the
time EPA determines the area is violating the PM2.5
NAAQS. See 40 CFR 51.1015.
II. EPA's Evaluation
Under EPA regulations at 40 CFR part 50, Sec. 50.18 and appendix
N, the annual primary PM2.5 standard is met when the 3-year
average of PM2.5 annual mean mass concentrations for each
eligible monitoring site is less than or equal to 12 [mu]g/m\3\. Three
years of valid annual means are required to produce a valid annual
PM2.5 NAAQS design value. A year meets data completeness
requirements when quarterly data capture rates for all four quarters
are at least 75 percent from eligible monitoring sites. See 40 CFR part
50, appendix N. There is one PM2.5 monitor in the Delaware
County Area. Table 1 shows the Delaware County Area design value for
the 2012 annual PM2.5 NAAQS for the years 2013-2015 at the
Delaware County monitor.
Table 1--2013-2015 Annual PM2.5 Values for Delaware County, Pennsylvania
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weighted mean ([mu]g/m \3\) Complete quarters Certified
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ annual design
Monitor ID value 2013-
2013 2014 2015 2013 2014 2015 2015 ([mu]g/m
\3\)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
420450002........................ 11.5 12.6 10.7 4 4 4 11.6
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Consistent with the requirements contained in 40 CFR part 50, EPA
has reviewed the PM2.5 ambient air quality monitoring data
for the monitoring period from 2013 through 2015 for the Delaware
County Area, as recorded in the AQS database. As shown from Table 1,
each quarter in 2013-2015 is complete with all four quarters reporting
data capture rates of at least 75 percent from the only monitor.
Additionally, the certified annual design value for 2013-2015 is 11.6
[mu]g/m\3\, which is below the 2012 annual primary PM2.5
standard of 12 [mu]g/m\3\. Therefore, the Delaware County Area has
attained the 2012 annual PM2.5 NAAQS in accordance with the
requirements in 40 CFR part 50, Sec. 50.18 and appendix N.
III. Final Action
EPA is determining that the Delaware County Area has attained the
2012 annual PM2.5 NAAQS. As provided in 40 CFR 51.1015,
finalization of this determination, suspends the requirements for this
area to submit an attainment demonstration, associated RACM, RFP plan,
contingency measures, and any other planning SIP revisions related to
the attainment of the 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS, so long as this area
continues to meet the standard. This determination of attainment does
not constitute a redesignation to attainment. The Delaware County Area
will remain designated nonattainment for the 2012 annual
PM2.5 NAAQS until such time as EPA determines that the
Delaware County Area meets the CAA requirements for redesignation to
attainment, including an approved maintenance plan, pursuant to
sections 107 and 175A of the CAA.
EPA is publishing this rule without prior proposal because EPA
views this as a noncontroversial amendment and anticipates no adverse
comment. However, in the ``Proposed Rules'' section of this Federal
Register, EPA is publishing a separate document that will serve as the
proposal to approve the determination of attainment if adverse comments
are filed. This rule will be effective on February 13, 2017 without
further notice unless EPA receives adverse comment by January 12, 2017.
If EPA receives adverse comment, EPA will publish a timely withdrawal
in the Federal Register informing the public that the rule will not
take effect. EPA will address all public comments in a subsequent final
rule based on the proposed rule. EPA will not institute a second
comment period on this action. Any parties interested in commenting
must do so at this time.
IV. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
A. General Requirements
This rulemaking action makes a determination of attainment of the
2012 PM2.5 NAAQS based on air quality and does not impose
additional requirements. For that reason, this determination of
attainment:
Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' subject to
review by the Office of Management and Budget under Executive Orders
12866 (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993) and 13563 (76 FR 3821, January 21,
2011);
Does not impose an information collection burden under the
provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.);
Is certified as not having a significant economic impact
on a substantial number of small entities under the Regulatory
Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.);
Does not contain any unfunded mandate or significantly or
uniquely affect small governments, as described in the Unfunded
Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (Public Law 104-4);
Does not have federalism implications as specified in
Executive Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10, 1999);
Is not an economically significant regulatory action based
on health or safety risks subject to Executive Order 13045 (62 FR
19885, April 23, 1997);
Is not a significant regulatory action subject to
Executive Order 13211 (66 FR 28355, May 22, 2001);
Is not subject to requirements of section 12(d) of the
National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272
note) because application of those requirements would be inconsistent
with the CAA; and
Does not provide EPA with the discretionary authority to
address, as
[[Page 89870]]
appropriate, disproportionate human health or environmental effects,
using practicable and legally permissible methods, under Executive
Order 12898 (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994).
B. Submission to Congress and the Comptroller General
The Congressional Review Act, 5 U.S.C. 801 et seq., as added by the
Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, generally
provides that before a rule may take effect, the agency promulgating
the rule must submit a rule report, which includes a copy of the rule,
to each House of the Congress and to the Comptroller General of the
United States. EPA will submit a report containing this action and
other required information to the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of
Representatives, and the Comptroller General of the United States prior
to publication of the rule in the Federal Register. A major rule cannot
take effect until 60 days after it is published in the Federal
Register. This action is not a ``major rule'' as defined by 5 U.S.C.
804(2).
In addition, this rulemaking determining that the Delaware County
Area has attained the 2012 annual PM2.5 NAAQS does not have
tribal implications as specified by Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249,
November 9, 2000), because the SIP is not approved to apply in Indian
country located in the state, and EPA notes that it will not impose
substantial direct costs on tribal governments or preempt tribal law.
C. Petitions for Judicial Review
Under section 307(b)(1) of the CAA, petitions for judicial review
of this action must be filed in the United States Court of Appeals for
the appropriate circuit by February 13, 2017. Filing a petition for
reconsideration by the Administrator of this final rule does not affect
the finality of this action for the purposes of judicial review nor
does it extend the time within which a petition for judicial review may
be filed, and shall not postpone the effectiveness of such rule or
action. Parties with objections to this direct final rule are
encouraged to file a comment in response to the parallel notice of
proposed rulemaking for this action published in the proposed rules
section of this Federal Register, rather than file an immediate
petition for judicial review of this direct final rule, so that EPA can
withdraw this direct final rule and address the comment in the proposed
rulemaking action.
This determination of attainment of the 2012 annual
PM2.5 NAAQS for the Delaware County nonattainment area may
not be challenged later in proceedings to enforce its requirements.
(See section 307(b)(2)).
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52
Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Incorporation by
reference, Intergovernmental relations, Particulate matter, Reporting
and recordkeeping requirements.
Dated: November 22, 2016.
Shawn M. Garvin,
Regional Administrator, Region III.
40 CFR part 52 is amended as follows:
PART 52--APPROVAL AND PROMULGATION OF IMPLEMENTATION PLANS
0
1. The authority citation for part 52 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
Subpart NN--Pennsylvania
0
2. In Sec. 52.2059, add paragraph (u) to read as follows:
Sec. 52.2059 Control strategy: Particulate matter.
* * * * *
(u) Determination of attainment. EPA has determined based on 2013
to 2015 ambient air quality monitoring data, that the Delaware County,
Pennsylvania moderate nonattainment area has attained the 2012 annual
fine particulate matter (PM2.5) primary national ambient air
quality standard (NAAQS). This determination, in accordance with 40 CFR
51.1015, suspends the requirements for this area to submit an
attainment demonstration, associated reasonably available control
measures, a reasonable further progress plan, contingency measures, and
other planning state implementation plan revisions related to
attainment of the standard for as long as this area continues to meet
the 2012 annual PM2.5 NAAQS.
[FR Doc. 2016-29751 Filed 12-12-16; 8:45 am]
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