Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Maryland; Regional Haze Best Available Retrofit Technology Measure for Verso Luke Paper Mill, 24614-24617 [2017-10913]

Download as PDF sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS 24614 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 102 / Tuesday, May 30, 2017 / Proposed Rules (i) Is a ‘‘community unit,’’ as the comparable term is defined or interpreted in accordance with § 76.5(dd) of the rules and regulations of the Federal Communications Commission in effect as of November 23, 2014, 47 CFR 76.5(dd) (2014); (ii) That is located in whole or in part within the 35-mile specified zone of a television broadcast station licensed to a community in which a sports event is taking place, provided that if there is no television broadcast station licensed to the community in which a sports event is taking place, the applicable specified zone shall be that of the television broadcast station licensed to the community with which the sports event or team is identified, or, if the event or local team is not identified with any particular community, the nearest community to which a television station is licensed; and (iii) Whose royalty fee is specified by 17 U.S.C. 111(d)(1)(B); (3) A ‘‘television broadcast’’ of a sports event must qualify as a ‘‘nonnetwork television program’’ within the meaning of 17 U.S.C. 111(d)(3)(A); (4) An ‘‘eligible professional sports event’’ is a game involving teams that are members of the National Football League, Major League Baseball, the National Hockey League, the National Basketball Association, or the Women’s National Basketball Association; (5) An ‘‘eligible collegiate sports event’’ is a game involving a football or men’s basketball team that is a member of Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association on whose behalf the FCC Sports Blackout Rule (47 CFR 76.111) was invoked during the period from January 1, 2012 to November 23, 2014; (6) The term ‘‘specified zone’’ shall be defined as the comparable term is defined or interpreted in accordance with Section § 76.5(e) of the rules and regulations of the Federal Communications Commission in effect as of November 23, 2014, 47 CFR 76.5(e) (2014); (7) The term ‘‘gross receipts’’ shall have the same meaning as in 17 U.S.C. 111(d)(1)(B) and shall include all gross receipts of the covered cable system during the semiannual accounting period except those from the covered cable system’s subscribers who reside in: (i) The local service area of the primary transmitter, as defined in 17 U.S.C. 111(f)(4); (ii) Any community where the cable system has fewer than 1000 subscribers; (iii) Any community located wholly outside the specified zone referenced in paragraph (e)(1) above; and VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:39 May 26, 2017 Jkt 241001 (iv) Any community where the primary transmitter was lawfully carried prior to March 31, 1972; (8) The term ‘‘FCC Sports Blackout Rule’’ refers to § 76.111 of the rules and regulations of the Federal Communications Commission in effect as of November 23, 2014, 47 CFR76.111 (2014); (9) Subject to paragraph (e)(10) of this section, the surcharge will apply to the secondary transmission of the primary transmission of a live television broadcast of a sports event only where the holder of the broadcast rights to the sports event or its agent has given the covered cable system advance written notice regarding such secondary transmission as required by the former § 76.111(b) of the rules and regulations of the Federal Communications Commission in effect as of November 23, 2014, 47 CFR 76.111(b) & (c) (2014); and (10) In the case of collegiate sports events: (i) The holder of the broadcast rights or its agent also must attest that the specific team on whose behalf the surcharge notice is given meets the eligibility condition specified in paragraph (e)(5) of this section and provide documentary evidence in support thereof; and (ii) The number of events involving a specific team as to which a covered cable system must pay the surcharge will be no greater than the largest number of events as to which the Sports Blackout Rule (47 CFR 76.111) was invoked in a particular geographic area by such team during any one of the accounting periods occurring between January 1, 2012 and November 23, 2014. * * * * * Dated: May 23, 2017. Suzanne M. Barnett, Chief Copyright Royalty Judge. [FR Doc. 2017–10970 Filed 5–26–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 1410–72–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 40 CFR Part 52 [EPA–R03–OAR–2016–0783; FRL–9961–03– Region 3] Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Maryland; Regional Haze Best Available Retrofit Technology Measure for Verso Luke Paper Mill Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Proposed rule. AGENCY: PO 00000 Frm 00045 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve a state implementation plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of Maryland. This revision pertains to a best available retrofit technology (BART) alternative measure for the Verso Luke Paper Mill (the Mill) submitted by the State of Maryland. Maryland requests new emissions limits for sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOX) for power boiler 24 at the Mill and a SO2 cap on tons emitted per year for power boiler 25, while also requesting removal of the specific BART emission limits for SO2 and NOX from power boiler 25. The alternative BART measure will provide greater reasonable progress for SO2 and NOX for regional haze by resulting in additional emission reductions of 2,055 tons per year (tpy) of SO2 and an additional 804 tpy of NOX than would occur through the previously approved BART measure for power boiler 25, a BART subject source. This action is being taken under the Clean Air Act (CAA). DATES: Written comments must be received on or before June 29, 2017. ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA–R03– OAR–2016–0783 at https:// www.regulations.gov, or via email to rehn.brian@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: Irene Shandruk, (215) 814–2166, or by email at shandruk.irene@epa.gov. SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\30MYP1.SGM 30MYP1 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 102 / Tuesday, May 30, 2017 / Proposed Rules SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS I. Background Regional haze is impairment of visual range or colorization caused by air pollution, principally by fine particulate matter (PM2.5), produced by numerous sources and activities, located across a broad regional area. The sources include, but are not limited to, major and minor stationary sources, mobile sources, and area sources including non-anthropogenic sources. These sources and activities may emit PM2.5 (e.g., sulfates, nitrates, organic carbon, elemental carbon, and soil dust), and their precursors (e.g., SO2, NOX, and in some cases, ammonia and volatile organic compounds). Fine particulate matter can also cause serious health effects and mortality in humans, and contributes to environmental effects such as acid deposition and eutrophication. In the CAA Amendments of 1977, Congress established a program to protect and improve visibility in the Nation’s national parks and wilderness areas. See CAA section 169A. Congress amended the visibility provisions in the CAA in 1990 to focus attention on the problem of regional haze. See CAA section 169B. EPA promulgated regional haze regulations (RHR) in 1999 to implement sections 169A and 169B of the CAA. These regulations require states to develop and implement plans to ensure reasonable progress towards improving visibility in mandatory Class I Federal areas.1 See 64 FR 35714 (July 1, 1999); see also 70 FR 39104 (July 6, 2005) and 71 FR 60612 (October 13, 2006). The RHR requires each state’s regional haze implementation plan to contain emission limitations representing best available retrofit technology (BART) and schedules for compliance with BART for each source subject to BART, unless the state demonstrates that an emissions trading program or other alternative measure will achieve greater reasonable progress toward natural visibility conditions. The requirements for alternative measures are established at 40 CFR 51.308(e)(2). In addition to demonstrating greater reasonable progress towards improving visibility, among other things, the RHR also requires that all necessary emission 1 While Maryland has no Class I areas within its borders, there are several Class I areas nearby including Dolly Sods Wilderness Area and Otter Creek Wilderness Area in West Virginia; Brigantine Wilderness in New Jersey; Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina and Tennessee; James River Face and Shenandoah National Park in Virginia; Linville Gorge in North Carolina; and Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky. VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:39 May 26, 2017 Jkt 241001 reductions from a BART alternative take place during the period of the first longterm strategy for regional haze (i.e., 2008–2018) and requires a demonstration that the emission reductions from the alternative measure will be surplus to the reductions from measures adopted to meet CAA requirements as of the baseline date of the SIP. 40 CFR 51.308(e)(2). The baseline date for regional haze SIPs is 2002. See Memorandum from Lydia Wegman and Peter Tsirigotis, 2002 Base Year Emission Inventory SIP Planning: 8-hr Ozone, PM2.5, and Regional Haze Programs, November 8, 2002. https:// www.epa.gov/ttn/oarpg/t1/memoranda/ 2002bye-gm.pdf. See 79 FR 56322, 56328–29 (September 19, 2014) (proposing approval of alternative BART for Arizona SIP). Maryland’s regional haze SIP was submitted by the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) on February 13, 2012 and approved by EPA in June 2012. See 77 FR 39938 (June 13, 2012). This regional haze SIP included, among other measures, BART emission limits for power boiler 25 at the Verso Luke Paper Mill because power boiler 25 was a BART subject source. The BART emission limits which EPA had approved in June 2012 for power boiler 25 were 0.44 pounds per million British thermal units (lb/MMBtu) for SO2, a 30day rolling limit of 0.40 lb/MMBtu for NOX, and 0.07 lb/MMBtu for particulate matter (PM).2 II. Summary of SIP Revision and EPA’s Analysis On November 28, 2016, the State of Maryland through the MDE submitted to EPA a revision to the Maryland regional haze SIP consisting of a BART alternative measure for Verso Luke Paper Mill. The SIP revision seeks to revise the BART strategy for the Verso Luke Paper Mill, including specifically the emission limits for power boiler 25 for SO2 and NOX. MDE states that Verso Luke Paper Mill is eliminating the use of coal as a source of fuel used in power boiler 24 and replacing it with natural gas. MDE’s SIP revision submittal seeks alternative BART emission limits for SO2 and NOX for power boiler 24, and seeks to remove the previously approved BART requirements for SO2 and NOX from power boiler 25 and replace them with 2 While EPA’s approval of Maryland’s regional haze SIP in 2012 included a PM limit for power boiler 25 of 0.07 lb/MMBtu, Maryland is not seeking to revise that PM limit for BART on power boiler 25 and thus the PM limit of 0.07 lb/MMBtu remains on power boiler 25. See 77 FR 39938. This rulemaking action pertains to adjusting the BART limits for SO2 and NOX for power boiler 25. PO 00000 Frm 00046 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 24615 new, alternative emission requirements. Specifically, for power boiler 24 at the Mill, Maryland’s SIP revision seeks to establish (1) a new BART emission limit of 0.28 lb/MMBtu, measured as an hourly average for SO2; (2) a new BART emission limit of 0.4 lb/MMBtu, measured on a 30-day rolling average for NOX; and (3) associated monitoring, recordkeeping and reporting requirements. For power boiler 25, this SIP revision seeks to: (1) Remove the SO2 BART emission limit approved by EPA in June 2012 and seeks to establish an annual SO2 cap of 9,876 tons measured on a 12-month rolling average; (2) remove the NOX BART emission limit but retain existing requirements under COMAR 26.11.14.07 applicable to the power boiler; and (3) impose associated monitoring, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements. The BART requirements for PM approved by EPA in June 2012 on power boiler 25 would remain unchanged on power boiler 25. MDE’s analysis demonstrates that the alternative SO2 BART measure (i.e. new SO2 emission limit on power boiler 24; removal of approved SO2 BART limit and new annual SO2 cap on power boiler 25) would provide an additional 2,055 tpy in SO2 emissions reductions (or 20% more emission reductions) than the tons per year to be reduced by the currently approved BART requirements on power boiler 25. MDE’s analysis also shows that the alternative NOX BART measure on power boiler 24 (with removed BART limit on power boiler 25) would provide an additional 804 tpy in NOX emission reductions than the currently approved BART requirements on power boiler 25. Finally, MDE’s analysis shows that the alternative NOX BART measure on power boiler 24 would provide a 227 tons per ozone season NOX benefit than would the currently approved BART requirements on power boiler 25. Thus, with the additional SO2 and NOX emission reductions per year, EPA finds that the alternative SO2 and NOX BART emission limits on power boiler 24 (with the SO2 tpy cap on power boiler 25) will provide for greater reasonable progress toward achieving natural visibility conditions than would be achieved through the currently approved BART emission limits on power boiler 25. EPA also finds the emission reductions from the new limits on power boiler 24 (and SO2 tpy cap on power boiler 25) have been implemented before the end of the first regional haze planning period (i.e., 2018). In addition, the emission reductions from the proposed BART emission limits for power boiler 24 for E:\FR\FM\30MYP1.SGM 30MYP1 24616 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 102 / Tuesday, May 30, 2017 / Proposed Rules sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS SO2 and NOX are surplus to reductions resulting from CAA requirements as of the baseline date of the SIP or 2002. More information on Maryland’s SIP submittal and on EPA’s analysis of emission reductions from the alternative BART measure (including discussion of the reductions as implemented and surplus) is provided in the Technical Support Document (TSD) which is available online at www.regulations.gov for this rulemaking. Therefore, EPA finds Maryland’s SIP revision for the alternative BART emission limits for SO2 and NOX for power boiler 24 (and SO2 cap on power boiler 25) meet the requirements for an alternative BART measure in accordance with CAA section 169A and as established at 40 CFR 51.308(e)(2) in the RHR. In addition, EPA finds that this SIP revision, which seeks to remove BART SO2 and NOX emission limits for power boiler 25 from the approved Maryland regional haze SIP, meets the requirements of CAA section 110(l) and will not interfere with attainment and maintenance of any NAAQS, reasonable further progress or any other applicable CAA requirement. EPA finds that Maryland has demonstrated that additional SO2 and NOX emission reductions will be achieved each year with the alternative BART emission limits on power boiler 24 and SO2 tpy cap on power boiler 25, and as such, no interference with reasonable further progress or any NAAQS is expected. As discussed previously, the alternative BART emission limits on power boiler 24 meet other CAA requirements in section 169A and 40 CFR 51.308(e)(2). More information on Maryland’s SIP submittal and demonstration of greater reasonable progress from the alternative BART measure is provided in the TSD under Docket ID No. EPA–R03–OAR– 2016–0783 which is available online at www.regulations.gov for this rulemaking. EPA is soliciting public comments on the issues discussed in this document. These comments will be considered before taking final action. III. Proposed Action EPA has reviewed Maryland’s SIP revision seeking an alternative BART measure and emission limits for power boiler 24 (and SO2 tpy cap on power boiler 25) compared to EPA’s previously federally enforceable BART limits for SO2 and NOX on power boiler 25. EPA finds that the alternative BART measure for Verso Luke Paper Mill with SO2 and NOX limits as alternative BART on power boiler 24 will result in greater emission reductions in SO2 and NOX from the facility and provide greater reasonable progress and greater VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:39 May 26, 2017 Jkt 241001 visibility improvement than the currently approved BART measure which applies solely to power boiler 25. Specifically, the conversion of power boiler 24 from a coal-burning boiler to a natural gas power boiler with new emission limits contained within a federally enforceable permit is expected to result in fewer SO2 and NOX emissions from the Mill. MDE’s analysis shows that in comparison to the currently approved BART requirements on power boiler 25, the alternative BART measure on power boiler 24 of 0.28 lb/MMBtu, measured as an hourly average for SO2 and 0.4 lb/MMBtu, measured on a 30-day rolling average for NOX with the 9,876 SO2 cap on power boiler 25, would provide (1) an additional 2,055 tpy in SO2 emissions reductions; (2) an additional 804 tpy in NOX emission reductions; and (3) a 227 tons per ozone season NOX benefit. In addition, EPA finds that the alternative BART emission limits will result in reductions surplus to CAA requirements as of 2002 and will be implemented prior to the end of 2018. EPA proposes to approve the November 28, 2016 SIP submittal as it meets the requirements in CAA section 169A and in 40 CFR 51.308(e)(2). EPA also proposes to incorporate by reference the permit requirements for power boilers 24 and 25 issued August 17, 2016 for the Mill, which include alternative emission requirements, as well as monitoring, recordkeeping and reporting requirements. EPA also finds that this SIP revision meets the requirements of CAA section 110(l) and will not interfere with attainment and maintenance of any NAAQS, reasonable further progress or any other applicable CAA requirement. Therefore, EPA proposes to approve Maryland’s November 28, 2016 SIP revision submittal as it meets CAA requirements. IV. Incorporation by Reference In this proposed rule, EPA is proposing to include in a final EPA rule regulatory text that includes incorporation by reference. In accordance with requirements of 1 CFR 51.5, EPA is proposing to incorporate by reference the permit requirements for power boilers 24 and 25 issued August 17, 2016 for Verso Luke Paper Mill, which include alternative emission requirements, as well as monitoring, recordkeeping and reporting requirements for power boilers 24 and 25 as discussed in section II of this notice of proposed rulemaking and the TSD. EPA has made, and will continue to make, these materials generally available through https:// PO 00000 Frm 00047 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 www.regulations.gov and/or at the EPA Region III Office (please contact the person identified in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this preamble for more information). V. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews Under the CAA, the Administrator is required to approve a SIP submission that complies with the provisions of the CAA and applicable federal regulations. 42 U.S.C. 7410(k); 40 CFR 52.02(a). Thus, in reviewing SIP submissions, EPA’s role is to approve state choices, provided that they meet the criteria of the CAA. Accordingly, this action merely approves state law as meeting federal requirements and does not impose additional requirements beyond those imposed by state law. For that reason, this proposed action: • 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 (Pub. L. 104–4); • does not have federalism implications as specified in Executive Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10, 1999); • is not an economically significant regulatory action based on health or safety risks subject to Executive Order 13045 (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997); • is not a significant regulatory action subject to Executive Order 13211 (66 FR 28355, May 22, 2001); • is not subject to requirements of Section 12(d) of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272 note) because application of those requirements would be inconsistent with the CAA; and • does not provide EPA with the discretionary authority to address, as appropriate, disproportionate human health or environmental effects, using practicable and legally permissible methods, under Executive Order 12898 (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994). In addition, this proposed rule, pertaining to alternative BART emission limits for Verso Luke Paper Mill, does E:\FR\FM\30MYP1.SGM 30MYP1 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 102 / Tuesday, May 30, 2017 / Proposed Rules 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. List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52 Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Incorporation by reference, Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone, Particulate matter, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Sulfur oxides, Volatile organic compounds. Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq. Dated: March 6, 2017. Cecil Rodrigues, Acting Regional Administrator, Region III. [FR Doc. 2017–10913 Filed 5–26–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 40 CFR Part 52 [EPA–R03–OAR–2016–0267; FRL–9962–74– Region 3] Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; District of Columbia; Regional Haze Five-Year Progress Report State Implementation Plan Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Proposed rule. AGENCY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing approval of a revision to the District of Columbia State Implementation Plan (SIP) submitted by the District of Columbia (the District) through the District of Columbia Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE). The District’s SIP revision addresses requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA) and EPA’s rules that require states to submit periodic reports describing progress towards reasonable progress goals (RPGs) established for regional haze and a determination of the adequacy of the state’s existing SIP addressing regional haze (regional haze SIP). EPA is proposing approval of the District’s SIP revision because EPA has determined that it satisfactorily addresses the progress report and adequacy determination requirements for the first implementation period for regional haze. This action is being taken under the CAA. DATES: Written comments must be received on or before June 29, 2017. sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:39 May 26, 2017 Jkt 241001 Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA–R03– OAR–2016–0267 at https:// www.regulations.gov, or via email to rehn.brian@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: Sara Calcinore, (215) 814–2043, or by email at calcinore.sara@epa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On March 2, 2016, the District submitted, as a SIP revision (progress report SIP), a report on progress made for visibility improvement in the first implementation period. This progress report SIP included a determination that the existing regional haze SIP requires no substantive revision to achieve the established regional haze visibility improvement and emissions reduction goals. ADDRESSES: I. Background States are required to submit, in the form of a SIP revision, a progress report that evaluates progress towards the RPGs for each mandatory Class I federal area within the state and in each mandatory Class I federal area outside the state which may be affected by emissions from within the state. See 40 CFR 51.308(g). States are also required to submit, at the same time as the progress report, a determination of the adequacy of the state’s existing regional haze SIP. See 40 CFR 51.308(h). The progress report SIP is due five years after submittal of the initial regional PO 00000 Frm 00048 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 24617 haze SIP. On October 27, 2011, DOEE submitted its first regional haze SIP in accordance with the requirements of 40 CFR 51.308. On February 2, 2012 (77 FR 5191), EPA approved the District’s first regional haze SIP. The District submitted its first progress report SIP on March 2, 2016 prior to the October 27, 2016 due date. II. Requirements for the Regional Haze Progress Report SIPs and Adequacy Determinations Under 40 CFR 51.308(g), states must submit a regional haze progress report as a SIP revision that addresses, at a minimum, the seven elements found in 40 CFR 51.308(g). As described in further detail in section III of this rulemaking action, to meet the progress report requirement, 40 CFR 51.308(g) requires: (1) A description of the status of measures in the approved regional haze SIP; (2) a summary of emissions reductions achieved; (3) an assessment of visibility conditions for each Class I area in the state; (4) an analysis of changes in emissions from sources and activities within the state; (5) an assessment of any significant changes in anthropogenic emissions within or outside the state that have limited or impeded progress in Class I areas impacted by the state’s sources; (6) an assessment of the sufficiency of the approved regional haze SIP; and (7) a review of the state’s visibility monitoring strategy. Under 40 CFR 51.308(h), states are required to submit, at the same time as the progress report SIP, a determination of the adequacy of their existing regional haze SIP and to take one of four possible actions based on information in the progress report. As described in further detail in section III of this rulemaking action, to meet the adequacy determination requirement, 40 CFR 51.308(h) requires states to either: (1) Submit a negative declaration to EPA that no further substantive revision to the state’s existing regional haze SIP is needed; (2) provide notification to EPA (and other state(s) that participated in the regional planning process) if the state determines that its existing regional haze SIP is or may be inadequate to ensure reasonable progress at one or more Class I areas due to emissions from sources in other state(s) that participated in the regional planning process, and collaborate with these other state(s) to develop additional strategies to address deficiencies; (3) provide notification with supporting information to EPA if the state determines that its existing regional haze SIP is or may be inadequate to ensure reasonable progress at one or E:\FR\FM\30MYP1.SGM 30MYP1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 102 (Tuesday, May 30, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 24614-24617]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-10913]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 52

[EPA-R03-OAR-2016-0783; FRL-9961-03-Region 3]


Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; 
Maryland; Regional Haze Best Available Retrofit Technology Measure for 
Verso Luke Paper Mill

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Proposed rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to 
approve a state implementation plan (SIP) revision submitted by the 
State of Maryland. This revision pertains to a best available retrofit 
technology (BART) alternative measure for the Verso Luke Paper Mill 
(the Mill) submitted by the State of Maryland. Maryland requests new 
emissions limits for sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen 
oxides (NOX) for power boiler 24 at the Mill and a 
SO2 cap on tons emitted per year for power boiler 25, while 
also requesting removal of the specific BART emission limits for 
SO2 and NOX from power boiler 25. The alternative 
BART measure will provide greater reasonable progress for 
SO2 and NOX for regional haze by resulting in 
additional emission reductions of 2,055 tons per year (tpy) of 
SO2 and an additional 804 tpy of NOX than would 
occur through the previously approved BART measure for power boiler 25, 
a BART subject source. This action is being taken under the Clean Air 
Act (CAA).

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before June 29, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-R03-
OAR-2016-0783 at https://www.regulations.gov, or via email to 
rehn.brian@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: Irene Shandruk, (215) 814-2166, or by 
email at shandruk.irene@epa.gov.

[[Page 24615]]


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    Regional haze is impairment of visual range or colorization caused 
by air pollution, principally by fine particulate matter 
(PM2.5), produced by numerous sources and activities, 
located across a broad regional area. The sources include, but are not 
limited to, major and minor stationary sources, mobile sources, and 
area sources including non-anthropogenic sources. These sources and 
activities may emit PM2.5 (e.g., sulfates, nitrates, organic 
carbon, elemental carbon, and soil dust), and their precursors (e.g., 
SO2, NOX, and in some cases, ammonia and volatile 
organic compounds). Fine particulate matter can also cause serious 
health effects and mortality in humans, and contributes to 
environmental effects such as acid deposition and eutrophication.
    In the CAA Amendments of 1977, Congress established a program to 
protect and improve visibility in the Nation's national parks and 
wilderness areas. See CAA section 169A. Congress amended the visibility 
provisions in the CAA in 1990 to focus attention on the problem of 
regional haze. See CAA section 169B. EPA promulgated regional haze 
regulations (RHR) in 1999 to implement sections 169A and 169B of the 
CAA. These regulations require states to develop and implement plans to 
ensure reasonable progress towards improving visibility in mandatory 
Class I Federal areas.\1\ See 64 FR 35714 (July 1, 1999); see also 70 
FR 39104 (July 6, 2005) and 71 FR 60612 (October 13, 2006).
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    \1\ While Maryland has no Class I areas within its borders, 
there are several Class I areas nearby including Dolly Sods 
Wilderness Area and Otter Creek Wilderness Area in West Virginia; 
Brigantine Wilderness in New Jersey; Great Smoky Mountains National 
Park in North Carolina and Tennessee; James River Face and 
Shenandoah National Park in Virginia; Linville Gorge in North 
Carolina; and Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky.
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    The RHR requires each state's regional haze implementation plan to 
contain emission limitations representing best available retrofit 
technology (BART) and schedules for compliance with BART for each 
source subject to BART, unless the state demonstrates that an emissions 
trading program or other alternative measure will achieve greater 
reasonable progress toward natural visibility conditions. The 
requirements for alternative measures are established at 40 CFR 
51.308(e)(2).
    In addition to demonstrating greater reasonable progress towards 
improving visibility, among other things, the RHR also requires that 
all necessary emission reductions from a BART alternative take place 
during the period of the first long-term strategy for regional haze 
(i.e., 2008-2018) and requires a demonstration that the emission 
reductions from the alternative measure will be surplus to the 
reductions from measures adopted to meet CAA requirements as of the 
baseline date of the SIP. 40 CFR 51.308(e)(2). The baseline date for 
regional haze SIPs is 2002. See Memorandum from Lydia Wegman and Peter 
Tsirigotis, 2002 Base Year Emission Inventory SIP Planning: 8-hr Ozone, 
PM2.5, and Regional Haze Programs, November 8, 2002. https://www.epa.gov/ttn/oarpg/t1/memoranda/2002bye-gm.pdf. See 79 FR 56322, 
56328-29 (September 19, 2014) (proposing approval of alternative BART 
for Arizona SIP).
    Maryland's regional haze SIP was submitted by the Maryland 
Department of the Environment (MDE) on February 13, 2012 and approved 
by EPA in June 2012. See 77 FR 39938 (June 13, 2012). This regional 
haze SIP included, among other measures, BART emission limits for power 
boiler 25 at the Verso Luke Paper Mill because power boiler 25 was a 
BART subject source. The BART emission limits which EPA had approved in 
June 2012 for power boiler 25 were 0.44 pounds per million British 
thermal units (lb/MMBtu) for SO2, a 30-day rolling limit of 
0.40 lb/MMBtu for NOX, and 0.07 lb/MMBtu for particulate 
matter (PM).\2\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ While EPA's approval of Maryland's regional haze SIP in 2012 
included a PM limit for power boiler 25 of 0.07 lb/MMBtu, Maryland 
is not seeking to revise that PM limit for BART on power boiler 25 
and thus the PM limit of 0.07 lb/MMBtu remains on power boiler 25. 
See 77 FR 39938. This rulemaking action pertains to adjusting the 
BART limits for SO2 and NOX for power boiler 
25.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

II. Summary of SIP Revision and EPA's Analysis

    On November 28, 2016, the State of Maryland through the MDE 
submitted to EPA a revision to the Maryland regional haze SIP 
consisting of a BART alternative measure for Verso Luke Paper Mill. The 
SIP revision seeks to revise the BART strategy for the Verso Luke Paper 
Mill, including specifically the emission limits for power boiler 25 
for SO2 and NOX.
    MDE states that Verso Luke Paper Mill is eliminating the use of 
coal as a source of fuel used in power boiler 24 and replacing it with 
natural gas. MDE's SIP revision submittal seeks alternative BART 
emission limits for SO2 and NOX for power boiler 
24, and seeks to remove the previously approved BART requirements for 
SO2 and NOX from power boiler 25 and replace them 
with new, alternative emission requirements. Specifically, for power 
boiler 24 at the Mill, Maryland's SIP revision seeks to establish (1) a 
new BART emission limit of 0.28 lb/MMBtu, measured as an hourly average 
for SO2; (2) a new BART emission limit of 0.4 lb/MMBtu, 
measured on a 30-day rolling average for NOX; and (3) 
associated monitoring, recordkeeping and reporting requirements. For 
power boiler 25, this SIP revision seeks to: (1) Remove the 
SO2 BART emission limit approved by EPA in June 2012 and 
seeks to establish an annual SO2 cap of 9,876 tons measured 
on a 12-month rolling average; (2) remove the NOX BART 
emission limit but retain existing requirements under COMAR 26.11.14.07 
applicable to the power boiler; and (3) impose associated monitoring, 
recordkeeping, and reporting requirements. The BART requirements for PM 
approved by EPA in June 2012 on power boiler 25 would remain unchanged 
on power boiler 25.
    MDE's analysis demonstrates that the alternative SO2 
BART measure (i.e. new SO2 emission limit on power boiler 
24; removal of approved SO2 BART limit and new annual 
SO2 cap on power boiler 25) would provide an additional 
2,055 tpy in SO2 emissions reductions (or 20% more emission 
reductions) than the tons per year to be reduced by the currently 
approved BART requirements on power boiler 25. MDE's analysis also 
shows that the alternative NOX BART measure on power boiler 
24 (with removed BART limit on power boiler 25) would provide an 
additional 804 tpy in NOX emission reductions than the 
currently approved BART requirements on power boiler 25. Finally, MDE's 
analysis shows that the alternative NOX BART measure on 
power boiler 24 would provide a 227 tons per ozone season 
NOX benefit than would the currently approved BART 
requirements on power boiler 25.
    Thus, with the additional SO2 and NOX 
emission reductions per year, EPA finds that the alternative 
SO2 and NOX BART emission limits on power boiler 
24 (with the SO2 tpy cap on power boiler 25) will provide 
for greater reasonable progress toward achieving natural visibility 
conditions than would be achieved through the currently approved BART 
emission limits on power boiler 25. EPA also finds the emission 
reductions from the new limits on power boiler 24 (and SO2 
tpy cap on power boiler 25) have been implemented before the end of the 
first regional haze planning period (i.e., 2018). In addition, the 
emission reductions from the proposed BART emission limits for power 
boiler 24 for

[[Page 24616]]

SO2 and NOX are surplus to reductions resulting 
from CAA requirements as of the baseline date of the SIP or 2002. More 
information on Maryland's SIP submittal and on EPA's analysis of 
emission reductions from the alternative BART measure (including 
discussion of the reductions as implemented and surplus) is provided in 
the Technical Support Document (TSD) which is available online at 
www.regulations.gov for this rulemaking. Therefore, EPA finds 
Maryland's SIP revision for the alternative BART emission limits for 
SO2 and NOX for power boiler 24 (and 
SO2 cap on power boiler 25) meet the requirements for an 
alternative BART measure in accordance with CAA section 169A and as 
established at 40 CFR 51.308(e)(2) in the RHR.
    In addition, EPA finds that this SIP revision, which seeks to 
remove BART SO2 and NOX emission limits for power 
boiler 25 from the approved Maryland regional haze SIP, meets the 
requirements of CAA section 110(l) and will not interfere with 
attainment and maintenance of any NAAQS, reasonable further progress or 
any other applicable CAA requirement. EPA finds that Maryland has 
demonstrated that additional SO2 and NOX emission 
reductions will be achieved each year with the alternative BART 
emission limits on power boiler 24 and SO2 tpy cap on power 
boiler 25, and as such, no interference with reasonable further 
progress or any NAAQS is expected. As discussed previously, the 
alternative BART emission limits on power boiler 24 meet other CAA 
requirements in section 169A and 40 CFR 51.308(e)(2). More information 
on Maryland's SIP submittal and demonstration of greater reasonable 
progress from the alternative BART measure is provided in the TSD under 
Docket ID No. EPA-R03-OAR-2016-0783 which is available online at 
www.regulations.gov for this rulemaking. EPA is soliciting public 
comments on the issues discussed in this document. These comments will 
be considered before taking final action.

III. Proposed Action

    EPA has reviewed Maryland's SIP revision seeking an alternative 
BART measure and emission limits for power boiler 24 (and 
SO2 tpy cap on power boiler 25) compared to EPA's previously 
federally enforceable BART limits for SO2 and NOX 
on power boiler 25. EPA finds that the alternative BART measure for 
Verso Luke Paper Mill with SO2 and NOX limits as 
alternative BART on power boiler 24 will result in greater emission 
reductions in SO2 and NOX from the facility and 
provide greater reasonable progress and greater visibility improvement 
than the currently approved BART measure which applies solely to power 
boiler 25. Specifically, the conversion of power boiler 24 from a coal-
burning boiler to a natural gas power boiler with new emission limits 
contained within a federally enforceable permit is expected to result 
in fewer SO2 and NOX emissions from the Mill. 
MDE's analysis shows that in comparison to the currently approved BART 
requirements on power boiler 25, the alternative BART measure on power 
boiler 24 of 0.28 lb/MMBtu, measured as an hourly average for 
SO2 and 0.4 lb/MMBtu, measured on a 30-day rolling average 
for NOX with the 9,876 SO2 cap on power boiler 
25, would provide (1) an additional 2,055 tpy in SO2 
emissions reductions; (2) an additional 804 tpy in NOX 
emission reductions; and (3) a 227 tons per ozone season NOX 
benefit. In addition, EPA finds that the alternative BART emission 
limits will result in reductions surplus to CAA requirements as of 2002 
and will be implemented prior to the end of 2018. EPA proposes to 
approve the November 28, 2016 SIP submittal as it meets the 
requirements in CAA section 169A and in 40 CFR 51.308(e)(2). EPA also 
proposes to incorporate by reference the permit requirements for power 
boilers 24 and 25 issued August 17, 2016 for the Mill, which include 
alternative emission requirements, as well as monitoring, recordkeeping 
and reporting requirements.
    EPA also finds that this SIP revision meets the requirements of CAA 
section 110(l) and will not interfere with attainment and maintenance 
of any NAAQS, reasonable further progress or any other applicable CAA 
requirement. Therefore, EPA proposes to approve Maryland's November 28, 
2016 SIP revision submittal as it meets CAA requirements.

IV. Incorporation by Reference

    In this proposed rule, EPA is proposing to include in a final EPA 
rule regulatory text that includes incorporation by reference. In 
accordance with requirements of 1 CFR 51.5, EPA is proposing to 
incorporate by reference the permit requirements for power boilers 24 
and 25 issued August 17, 2016 for Verso Luke Paper Mill, which include 
alternative emission requirements, as well as monitoring, recordkeeping 
and reporting requirements for power boilers 24 and 25 as discussed in 
section II of this notice of proposed rulemaking and the TSD. EPA has 
made, and will continue to make, these materials generally available 
through https://www.regulations.gov and/or at the EPA Region III Office 
(please contact the person identified in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
CONTACT section of this preamble for more information).

V. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

    Under the CAA, the Administrator is required to approve a SIP 
submission that complies with the provisions of the CAA and applicable 
federal regulations. 42 U.S.C. 7410(k); 40 CFR 52.02(a). Thus, in 
reviewing SIP submissions, EPA's role is to approve state choices, 
provided that they meet the criteria of the CAA. Accordingly, this 
action merely approves state law as meeting federal requirements and 
does not impose additional requirements beyond those imposed by state 
law. For that reason, this proposed action:
     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 (Pub. L. 104-4);
     does not have federalism implications as specified in 
Executive Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10, 1999);
     is not an economically significant regulatory action based 
on health or safety risks subject to Executive Order 13045 (62 FR 
19885, April 23, 1997);
     is not a significant regulatory action subject to 
Executive Order 13211 (66 FR 28355, May 22, 2001);
     is not subject to requirements of Section 12(d) of the 
National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272 
note) because application of those requirements would be inconsistent 
with the CAA; and
     does not provide EPA with the discretionary authority to 
address, as appropriate, disproportionate human health or environmental 
effects, using practicable and legally permissible methods, under 
Executive Order 12898 (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994).
    In addition, this proposed rule, pertaining to alternative BART 
emission limits for Verso Luke Paper Mill, does

[[Page 24617]]

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.

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52

    Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Incorporation by 
reference, Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone, Particulate matter, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements, Sulfur oxides, Volatile organic compounds.

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

    Dated: March 6, 2017.
Cecil Rodrigues,
Acting Regional Administrator, Region III.
[FR Doc. 2017-10913 Filed 5-26-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
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