Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Pennsylvania; Regulatory Amendments Addressing Reasonably Available Control Technology Requirements Under the 1997 and 2008 8-Hour Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards, 11155-11162 [2018-04933]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 50 / Wednesday, March 14, 2018 / Proposed Rules qualitative assessment approaches described in the draft RIS? The NRC plans to hold a public meeting to discuss this RIS and the issues associated with clarification of the applicability of the endorsed NEI 01–01 guidance. All comments that are to receive consideration in the final RIS must still be submitted electronically or in writing as indicated in the ADDRESSES section of this document. Additional details regarding the meeting will be posted at least 10 days prior to the public meeting on the NRC’s Public Meeting Schedule website at https:// www.nrc.gov/public-involve/publicmeetings/index.cfm. The NRC staff will make a final determination regarding issuance of the RIS after it considers any public comments received in response to this request. Proposed Action daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with PROPOSALS the RIS 2002–22 endorsement of the NEI 01–01 guidance by providing additional guidance for developing and documenting ‘‘qualitative assessments’’ that are used to provide an adequate basis for a licensee’s determination that a digital modification will exhibit a low likelihood of failure to support a conclusion when applying 10 CFR 50.59 that a license amendment is not needed. The NRC published a notice of opportunity for public comment on this RIS in the Federal Register on July 3, 2017 (82 FR 30913). Following that notice, the NRC staff engaged in multiple communications with the public and stakeholders and continued internal discussions about the RIS. As a result of these efforts, the NRC has substantially rewritten the RIS. Due to the extensive nature of these revisions, and in light of this additional opportunity for comment, the NRC is not directly responding to each comment received in the previous comment period. All comments and other communications associated with the previous version of this RIS can be found in ADAMS under Accession No. ML18039A804. BILLING CODE 7590–01–P The NRC is requesting public comments on the draft RIS. To the extent that the NRC’s revisions have not resolved a comment that was submitted in the previous comment period, the NRC asks that such comments be resubmitted for further consideration. Because of the extensive communication about this RIS, the NRC believes that stakeholders will be able to submit comments quickly. In addition, the NRC seeks to issue this RIS as expeditiously as possible to minimize misunderstandings about the NRC’s requirements for digital I&C modifications under 10 CFR 50.59. Therefore, the NRC is publishing the draft RIS with a 15 day comment period. Requests for extension of the comment period may be submitted as described above in the ADDRESSEES section. The NRC is also requesting specific comments on Figure 1 in the attachment of the draft RIS: • Does Figure 1 clearly explain the engineering evaluation process (as described in Section 4 of the RIS attachment) to determine sufficient dependability, which may be used in performing and documenting a qualitative assessment (as described in Section 3 of the RIS attachment)? • How could the figure and/or explanatory text in the draft RIS be modified to clarify the relationship between the engineering evaluation and VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:23 Mar 13, 2018 Jkt 244001 Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this day of March 7, 2018. For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Tekia Govan, Project Manager, ROP Support and Generic Communication Branch, Division of Inspection and Regional Support, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation. [FR Doc. 2018–04958 Filed 3–13–18; 8:45 am] ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 40 CFR Part 52 [EPA–R03–OAR–2017–0290; FRL–9975–14– Region 3] Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Pennsylvania; Regulatory Amendments Addressing Reasonably Available Control Technology Requirements Under the 1997 and 2008 8-Hour Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Proposed rule. AGENCY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing rulemaking action on a state implementation plan (SIP) revision submitted by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (Pennsylvania or the Commonwealth). This revision consists of regulatory amendments intended to meet certain reasonably available control technology (RACT) requirements under the 1997 and 2008 8-hour ozone national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS). EPA is proposing to approve most parts of the Pennsylvania SIP revision as meeting RACT requirements under the Clean Air SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 11155 Act (CAA). EPA is also proposing to conditionally approve certain provisions of this SIP revision, based upon Pennsylvania’s commitment to submit additional enforceable measures that meet RACT. This action is being taken under the CAA. DATES: Written comments must be received on or before April 13, 2018. ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA–R03– OAR–2017–0290 at https:// www.regulations.gov, or via email to Spielberger.susan@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: ´ Emlyn Velez-Rosa, (215) 814–2038, or by email at velez-rosa.emlyn@epa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On May 16, 2016, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) submitted a revision to the Pennsylvania SIP consisting of amendments to regulations in 25 Pa. Code Chapters 121 and 129, to meet certain RACT requirements of the CAA for both the 1997 and 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS. I. Background The Pennsylvania May 16, 2016 SIP revision submitted by PADEP includes the Pennsylvania regulations in 25 Pa. Code sections 129.96–129.100 titled ‘‘Additional RACT Requirements for Major Sources of NOX and VOCs’’ (the RACT II Rule) and amendments to 25 Pa. Code section 121.1, including E:\FR\FM\14MRP1.SGM 14MRP1 11156 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 50 / Wednesday, March 14, 2018 / Proposed Rules related definitions, to be incorporated into the Pennsylvania SIP. These regulatory amendments were adopted by PADEP on April 23, 2016 and effective on the same date upon publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. The May 16, 2016 SIP revision was submitted to satisfy certain CAA RACT requirements under both the 1997 and 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS for specific source categories. On July 18, 1997 (62 FR 38856), EPA promulgated a standard for ground level ozone based on 8-hour average concentrations (1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS). The 8-hour averaging period replaced the previous 1-hour averaging period, and the level of the NAAQS was changed from 0.12 parts per million (ppm) to 0.08 ppm. On April 30, 2004 (69 FR 23858), EPA designated nonattainment areas under the 1997 8hour ozone NAAQS. Designations included 16 nonattainment areas in Pennsylvania, with only 2 moderate nonattainment areas, namely Philadelphia-Wilmington-Atlantic City, PA–NJ–MD–DE (the Philadelphia Area) and Pittsburgh-Beaver Valley (the Pittsburgh Area). The remaining 14 areas in Pennsylvania were designated marginal nonattainment areas. See 40 CFR 81.339. On March 12, 2008 (73 FR 16436), EPA strengthened the 8-hour ozone standards, by revising its level to 0.075 ppm averaged over an 8-hour period (2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS). On May 21, 2012, EPA designated most areas in the country for the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS, including 5 marginal nonattainment areas in Pennsylvania: Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, Lancaster, Reading, the Philadelphia Area, and the Pittsburgh Area. See 77 FR 30088 and 40 CFR 81.339. On March 6, 2015 (80 FR 12264), EPA announced its revocation of the 1997 8hour ozone NAAQS for all purposes and for all areas in the country, effective on April 6, 2015. EPA also determined that certain nonattainment planning requirements continue to be in effect under the revoked standard for nonattainment areas under the 1997 8hour ozone NAAQS, including RACT. See 80 FR 12296 (March 6, 2015). daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with PROPOSALS A. RACT Requirements for Ozone The CAA regulates emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOX) and volatile organic compounds (VOC) to prevent photochemical reactions that result in ozone formation. RACT is an important strategy for reducing NOX and VOC emissions from major stationary sources within areas not meeting the ozone NAAQS. VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:23 Mar 13, 2018 Jkt 244001 Areas designated nonattainment for the ozone NAAQS are subject to the general nonattainment area planning requirements of CAA section 172. Section 172(c)(1) of the CAA provides that SIPs for nonattainment areas must include reasonably available control measures (RACM) for demonstrating attainment of all NAAQS, including emissions reductions from existing sources through adoption of RACT. Further, section 182(b)(2) of the CAA sets forth additional RACT requirements for ozone nonattainment areas classified as moderate or higher nonattainment. Section 182(b)(2) of the CAA sets forth three distinct requirements regarding RACT for the ozone NAAQS: First, section 182(b)(2)(A) requires states with ozone areas designated moderate or higher to submit a rule (or negative declaration) for each category of VOC sources in the nonattainment area covered by a Control Technique Guideline (CTG) document issued by EPA between November 15, 1990 and the date of attainment for an ozone NAAQS. These rules shall be submitted as SIP revisions within the period set forth by EPA in issuing the relevant CTG document. Second, section 182(b)(2)(B) requires a rule (or negative declaration) for all VOC sources in the nonattainment area covered by any CTG issued before November 15, 1990. And third, section 182(b)(2)(C) requires a rule or rules for implementing RACT for any other major stationary sources of VOCs located in the nonattainment area. In addition, section 182(f) subjects major stationary sources of NOX to the same RACT requirements that are applicable to major stationary sources of VOC. EPA has not issued any CTGs for categories of NOX sources, so the requirement in section 182(f) in essence refers to section 182(b)(2)(C). The ozone RACT requirements under section 182(b)(2) are usually referred to as VOC CTG RACT, non-CTG major VOC RACT, and major NOX RACT. Pursuant to section 183(c) of the CAA, EPA must revise and update CTGs and Alternative Control Techniques guidelines (ACTs) as the Administrator determines necessary. EPA’s CTGs establish presumptive RACT level control requirements for various source categories. The CTGs usually identify a particular control level which EPA recommends as being RACT. In some cases, EPA has issued ACTs for source categories, which in contrast to the CTGs, only present a range for possible control options but do not identify any particular option as the presumptive norm for what is RACT. States are required to address RACT for the source PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 categories covered by CTGs through adoption of rules as part of the SIP. Section 184(b)(1)(B) of the CAA applies the RACT requirements in section 182(b)(2) for moderate nonattainment areas to nonattainment areas classified as marginal and to attainment areas located within ozone transport regions established pursuant to section 184 of the CAA. Section 184(a) of the CAA established by law the current Ozone Transport Region (the OTR) comprised of 12 eastern states, including Pennsylvania. The requirement in section 184(b)(1)(B) is referred to as OTR RACT. A ‘‘major source’’ is defined based on the source’s potential to emit (PTE) of NOX, VOC, or both pollutants, and the applicable thresholds differ based on the classification of the nonattainment area in which the source is located. See sections 182(c)–(f) and 302 of the CAA. Since the 1970’s, EPA has consistently defined RACT as the lowest emission limit that a particular source is capable of meeting by the application of the control technology that is reasonably available considering technological and economic feasibility. See December 9, 1976 memorandum from Roger Strelow, Assistant Administrator for Air and Waste Management, to Regional Administrators, ‘‘Guidance for Determining Acceptability of SIP Regulations in Non-Attainment Areas,’’ and also 44 FR 53762 (September 17, 1979). EPA has provided more substantive RACT requirements through final implementation rules for each ozone NAAQS as well as through guidance. In 2004 and 2005, EPA promulgated an implementation rule for the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS in two phases (‘‘Phase 1 of the 1997 Ozone Implementation Rule’’ and ‘‘Phase 2 of the 1997 Ozone Implementation Rule’’). See 69 FR 23951 (April 30, 2004) and 70 FR 71612 (November 29, 2005), respectively. Particularly, the Phase 2 Ozone Implementation Rule addressed RACT statutory requirements under the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS. See 70 FR 71652. On March 6, 2015, EPA issued its final rule for implementing the 2008 8hour ozone NAAQS (‘‘the 2008 Ozone SIP Requirements Rule’’). See 80 FR 12264. At the same time, EPA revoked the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS, effective on April 6, 2015.1 The 2008 1 On February 16, 2018, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit (D.C. Cir. Court) issued an opinion on the 2008 Ozone SIP Requirements Rule. South Coast Air Quality Mgmt. Dist. v. EPA, No. 15–1115 (D.C. Cir. Feb. 16, 2018). The D.C. Cir. Court found certain parts reasonable and denied the petition for appeal on those. In particular, the D.C. Cir. Court upheld the E:\FR\FM\14MRP1.SGM 14MRP1 daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with PROPOSALS Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 50 / Wednesday, March 14, 2018 / Proposed Rules Ozone SIP Requirements Rule provided comprehensive requirements to transition from the revoked 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS to the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS, as codified in 40 CFR part 51, subpart AA, following revocation. Consistent with previous policy, EPA determined that areas designated nonattainment for both the 1997 and 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS at the time of revocation, must retain implementation of certain nonattainment area requirements (i.e. anti-backsliding requirements) for the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS as specified under section 182 of the CAA, including RACT. See 40 CFR 51.1100(o). An area remains subject to the anti-backsliding requirements for a revoked NAAQS until EPA approves a redesignation to attainment for the area for the 2008 8hour ozone NAAQS. There are no effects on applicable requirements for areas within the OTR, as a result of the revocation of the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS. Thus, Pennsylvania, as a state within the OTR, remains subject to RACT requirements for both the 1997 ozone NAAQS and the 2008 ozone NAAQS. In addressing RACT, the 2008 Ozone SIP Requirements Rule is consistent with existing policy and Phase 2 of the 1997 Ozone Implementation Rule. In the 2008 Ozone SIP Requirements Rule, EPA requires RACT measures to be implemented by January 1, 2017 for areas classified as moderate nonattainment or above and all areas of the OTR. EPA also provided in the 2008 Ozone SIP Requirements Rule that RACT SIPs must contain adopted RACT regulations, certifications where appropriate that existing provisions are RACT, and/or negative declarations stating that there are no sources in the nonattainment area covered by a specific CTG source category. In the preamble to the 2008 Ozone SIP Requirements Rule, EPA clarified that states must provide notice and opportunity for public comment on their RACT SIP submissions, even when submitting a certification that the existing provisions remain RACT or a negative declaration. States must submit appropriate supporting information for their RACT submissions, in accordance with the Phase 2 of the 1997 Ozone Implementation Rule. Adequate documentation must support that states have considered control technology that is economically and technologically use of NOX averaging to meet RACT requirements for 2008 ozone NAAQS. However, the Court also found certain other provisions, not relevant to this action, unreasonable. The D.C. Cir. Court vacated the provisions it found unreasonable. VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:23 Mar 13, 2018 Jkt 244001 feasible in determining RACT, based on information that is current as of the time of development of the RACT SIP. In addition, in the 2008 Ozone SIP Requirements Rule, EPA clarified that states can use weighted average NOX emissions rates from sources in the nonattainment area for meeting the major NOX RACT requirement under the CAA, as consistent with existing policy.2 EPA also recognized that states may conclude in some cases that sources already addressed by RACT determinations for the 1-hour and/or 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS may not need to implement additional controls to meet the 2008 ozone NAAQS RACT requirement. See 80 FR 12278–12279. B. Applicability of RACT Requirements in Pennsylvania As indicated earlier, RACT requirements apply to any ozone nonattainment areas classified as moderate or higher (serious, severe or extreme) under CAA sections 182(b)(2) and 182(f). Pennsylvania has outstanding ozone RACT requirements for both the 1997 and 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS. The entire Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is part of the OTR established under section 184 of the CAA and thus is subject statewide to the RACT requirements of CAA sections 182(b)(2) and 182(f), pursuant to section 184(b). At the time of revocation of the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS (effective April 6, 2015), only two moderate nonattainment areas remained in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for this standard, the Philadelphia and the Pittsburgh Areas. As required under EPA’s anti-backsliding provisions, these two moderate nonattainment areas continue to be subject to RACT under the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS. Given its location in the OTR, the remainder of the Commonwealth is also treated as moderate nonattainment area under the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS for any planning requirements under the revoked standard, including RACT. The OTR RACT requirement is also in effect under the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS throughout the Commonwealth, since 2 EPA’s NO RACT guidance ‘‘Nitrogen Oxides X Supplement to the General Preamble’’ (57 FR 55625; November 25, 1992) encouraged states to develop RACT programs that are based on ‘‘area wide average emission rates.’’ Additional guidance on area-wide RACT provisions is provided by EPA’s January 2001 economic incentive program guidance titled ‘‘Improving Air Quality with Economic Incentive Programs,’’ available at https:// www.epa.gov/ttn/oarpg/t1/memoranda/eipfin.pdf. In addition, as mentioned previously, the D.C. Cir. Court recently upheld the use of NOX averaging to meet RACT requirements for 2008 ozone NAAQS. South Coast Air Quality Mgmt. Dist. v. EPA, No. 15– 1115 (D.C. Cir. Feb. 16, 2018). PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 11157 EPA did not designate any nonattainment areas above marginal for this standard in Pennsylvania. Thus, in practice, the same RACT requirements continue to be applicable in Pennsylvania for both the 1997 and 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS. RACT must be evaluated and satisfied as separate requirements under each applicable standard. RACT applies to major sources of NOX and VOC under each ozone NAAQS or any VOC sources subject to CTG RACT. Which NOX and VOC sources in Pennsylvania are considered ‘‘major’’ and must be therefore subject to RACT, is dependent on the location of each source within the Commonwealth. Sources located in nonattainment areas would be subject to the ‘‘major source’’ definitions established under the CAA. In the case of Pennsylvania, sources located in any areas outside of moderate or above nonattainment areas, as part of the OTR, shall be treated as if these areas were moderate. States were required to make RACT SIP submissions for the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS by September 15, 2006. PADEP submitted a SIP revision on September 25, 2006, certifying that a number of previously approved VOC CTG and non-CTG RACT rules continued to satisfy RACT under the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS for the remainder of Pennsylvania.3 PADEP has met its obligations under the 1997 8hour ozone NAAQS for its CTG and non-CTG VOC sources. See 82 FR 31464 (July 7, 2017). RACT control measures addressing all applicable CAA requirements under the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS have been implemented and fully approved in the jurisdictions of Allegheny County and Philadelphia County in Pennsylvania. See 78 FR 34584 (June 10, 2013) and 81 FR 69687 (October 7, 2016). For the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS, states were required to submit RACT SIP revisions by July 20, 2014. On May 16, 2016, PADEP submitted a SIP revision addressing RACT under both the 1997 and 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS in Pennsylvania. Specifically, the May 16, 2016 SIP submittal intends to satisfy sections 182(b)(2)(C), 182(f), and 184 of the CAA for both the 1997 and 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS for Pennsylvania’s major NOX and VOC non-CTG sources, except ethylene production plants, surface active agents manufacturing, and mobile equipment repair and refinishing. 3 The September 15, 2006 SIP submittal initially included Pennsylvania’s certification of NOX RACT regulations; however, NOX RACT portions were withdrawn by PADEP on June 27, 2016. E:\FR\FM\14MRP1.SGM 14MRP1 11158 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 50 / Wednesday, March 14, 2018 / Proposed Rules This notice includes EPA’s rationale for proposing rulemaking action on the Pennsylvania May 16, 2016 SIP revision for purposes of meeting these RACT requirements under the CAA. EPA prepared two technical support documents (TSDs) in support of this proposed rulemaking action: ‘‘Technical Support Document for the Pennsylvania State Implementation Plan Revision for Certain Reasonably Available Control Technology Requirements under the 1997 and 2008 8-Hour Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards’’ and ‘‘Technical Support Document for the Pennsylvania State Implementation Plan Revision for Certain Reasonably Available Control Technology Requirements under the 1997 and 2008 8-Hour Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards- Cost Effective Analyses for Coal Fired Boilers.’’ For further details on this proposed rulemaking action, please refer to these TSDs, which are included as part of this rulemaking docket and are available online at www.regulations.gov. daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with PROPOSALS II. Summary of SIP Revision and EPA’s Evaluation The RACT II Rule applies statewide to existing major NOX and/or VOC sources in Pennsylvania, except those subject to other Pennsylvania regulations, as specified in 25 Pa. Code 129.96(a)–(b).4 All but one of the exempted rules listed in section 129.96(a)–(b) have been previously approved by EPA into the SIP to meet RACT requirements under the CAA. The RACT II Rule exempts all VOC source categories for which PADEP had adopted CTG RACT regulations at the time the RACT II Rule was finalized. In addition, regulations exempted under the RACT II Rule also apply to three non-CTG VOC source categories: (1) Ethylene production plants, (2) surface active agents manufacturing, and (3) mobile equipment repair and refinishing. The RACT II Rule also exempts 25 Pa. Code sections 129.301– 129.310, which has not been approved as RACT, although it is approved into the SIP. This regulation establishes NOX control requirements for glass melting furnaces. Any other NOX major sources in Pennsylvania are covered by the RACT II Rule. The RACT II Rule requirements apply to any emissions unit or process at an affected major source having a PTE of 1 ton per year (TPY) or more of NOX and/ or VOC. In the context of the rule, existing major sources are those already 4 In the context of the RACT II Rule, the terms ‘‘major NOX emitting facility’’ and ‘‘major VOC emitting facility,’’ as defined in 25 Pa Code section 121.1, are used to refer to major stationary sources. VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:23 Mar 13, 2018 Jkt 244001 in existence as of July 20, 2012 or any major sources installed or modified after July 20, 2012, which became a major source before January 1, 2017. The RACT II Rule establishes a general compliance date of January 1, 2017, as provided in paragraphs in 129.97(a) and 129.99(d)(4). EPA recognizes that RACT controls under the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS were required to be implemented in Pennsylvania by 2009 and that this requirement is past due; however, EPA believes that the May 16, 2016 SIP revision should sufficiently address the pending RACT obligations under the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS by addressing the more stringent RACT level of control under the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS. The general compliance date of the RACT II Rule is consistent with EPA’s required deadline for states to implement RACT controls under the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS. See 80 FR 12279. The RACT II Rule permits an affected major source that needs additional time to install an air pollution control device to meet the requirements under the RACT II Rule to petition PADEP for an alternative compliance schedule. The RACT II Rule also allows an owner or operator of a major source to petition an alternative compliance schedule if it needs additional time to install an air pollution control device on an affected emissions unit in order to comply with the RACT II requirements. These provisions allow the owner or operator in this situation to petition in writing for an alternative compliance schedule, by proposing an interim emission limit, and a later compliance date to implement such control device ‘‘as soon as possible but not later than 3 years after the written approval of the petition.’’ EPA believes that the language in the rule allows for Pennsylvania’s implementation of RACT controls as expeditiously as practicable. Section 129.97 of the RACT II Rule establishes NOX and VOC emission limits or operational requirements on certain types of emissions units in the affected major sources which Pennsylvania presumes to meet RACT, thus referred to in the rule as presumptive RACT. Operating requirements apply to smaller emissions units; namely, combustion units with rated heat input equal to or greater than 20 million British Thermal Units per hour (MMBTU/hr) and less than 50 MMBTU/hr, NOX sources with PTE of less than 5 TPY, VOC sources with PTE of less than 2.7 TPY, combustion units with rated heat input of less than 20 MMBTU/hour, and emergency generators operating less than 500 hours PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 in a 12-month rolling period. Presumptive RACT NOX limits are provided for combustion units, process heaters, combustion turbines, stationary internal combustion engines, cement kilns, and municipal waste combustors. Presumptive RACT VOC limits are provided for combustion turbines, stationary internal combustion engines, and municipal solid waste landfills. In evaluating whether controls and emission limitations meet RACT, EPA generally considers controls that have been achieved in practice by other similar existing sources to be technologically and economically feasible. For that reason, to evaluate PADEP’s RACT determinations under the RACT II Rule, EPA reviewed NOX emissions limits in effect in adjacent OTR states for certain source categories addressed by Pennsylvania’s rule.5 EPA also reviewed and considered guidance documents that have been published to assist states in identifying NOX RACT level of controls. EPA finds that the NOX presumptive limits in 25 Pa. Code section 129.97 of the RACT II Rule are comparable to NOX emission limitations in other states and consistent with EPA’s RACT guidance on additional control requirements. EPA finds that the presumptive requirements of the RACT II Rule represent emission limitations achievable through implementation of reasonably available controls. EPA also finds the VOC presumptive limits for combustion turbines and internal combustion engines to be reasonable considering feasibility of available controls. For municipal solid waste landfills, the RACT II Rule incorporates by reference as VOC presumptive limits the federal New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) in 40 CFR part 60, subpart Cc (Subpart Cc) and subpart WWW (Subpart WWW). EPA finds that the NSPS standards represent reasonably achievable NOX emissions limits based on the operation of reasonably available controls, and thus, meet RACT for this source category. EPA further evaluated the NOX presumptive requirements in 25 Pa. Code section 129.97 of the RACT II Rule that are applicable to large coal-fired boilers. Sources under these requirements would include utility boilers and large industrial boilers, which are a significant NOX emissions sector in Pennsylvania. The RACT II Rule establishes more rigorous requirements for large coal-fired boilers with certain post-combustion controls 5 EPA evaluated NO emission limits in adjacent X OTR states because the OTR states are all subject to the same RACT requirements for the 1997 and 2008 ozone NAAQS under CAA section 184. E:\FR\FM\14MRP1.SGM 14MRP1 daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with PROPOSALS Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 50 / Wednesday, March 14, 2018 / Proposed Rules in place, specifically selective catalytic reduction (SCR), while other coal-fired boilers without these controls in place are the subject of less stringent NOX emissions limits based on the boiler type. EPA finds that the presumptive limit of 0.12 pounds of NOX per heat input in million British Thermal Unit (lb/MMBTU) is consistent with the operation of SCR presently installed and reasonably represents RACT for coalfired boilers with this control in place. EPA evaluated economic feasibility of installing and operating additional postcombustion controls on any large coalfired boilers in Pennsylvania that to date do not have these controls, in order to determine which RACT control level is reasonable as a basis for PADEP’s presumptive requirements for this subset of boilers. EPA finds that Pennsylvania’s presumptive RACT determination for coal-fired boilers without post-combustion controls is reasonable, as it is based on the economic infeasibility of retrofitting coal-fired boilers in Pennsylvania. Thus, EPA concludes that PADEP has adequately established for coal-fired boilers NOX presumptive RACT requirements based on reasonably available controls that therefore represent RACT. For further details, refer to EPA’s ‘‘Technical Support Document for the Pennsylvania State Implementation Plan Revision for Certain Reasonably Available Control Technology Requirements under the 1997 and 2008 8-Hour Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards- Cost Effective Analyses for Coal Fired Boilers.’’ Pursuant to 25 Pa. Code section 129.97(g)(4), any combustion unit firing multiple fuels and subject to different presumptive limits for each fuel, must comply with a single NOX or VOC emission limit determined on a total heat input fuel weighted basis for any fuel representing 1% of more of the combustion unit’s annual fuel combustion on a heat input basis. EPA finds the RACT II Rule’s multiple fuel compliance method practicable and adequate for RACT. Affected major sources subject to the presumptive requirements of 25 Pa. Code section 129.97 that cannot comply with the applicable presumptive NOX limits for any given emissions units, may choose one of two alternative compliance options to establish RACT. Such sources may either propose an alternative NOX emissions limit based on average NOX emissions from multiple sources or else propose a source-specific emission NOX or VOC limit. VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:23 Mar 13, 2018 Jkt 244001 The NOX averaging provisions established in 25 Pa. Code section 129.98 allow the owner or operator of an affected major NOX source that is unable to meet a NOX presumptive limit for at least one of its emissions unit, to establish an alternative RACT limit by averaging the NOX emissions from the non-compliant emissions unit and other emissions units. Participating NOX emissions units can be located either within the same facility (facility-wide averaging) or in another facility but within the same nonattainment area (system-wide averaging). As discussed in the following section, EPA finds that 25 Pa. Code section 129.98 is not sufficient to address RACT for sources seeking averaging, without the specific NOX averaging provisions for any affected sources being submitted to EPA for SIP approval. Therefore, EPA is proposing to conditionally approve the provisions in 25 Pa. Code section 129.98. Additional discussion and explanation for this conditional approval is provided in the following section III of this notice. Under 25 Pa. Code section 129.99, the owner or operator of an affected major NOX and/or VOC source that is unable to meet a presumptive requirement under section 129.97, may propose an alternative RACT emissions limit, based on the feasibility evaluation of reasonably available controls for each emissions unit. The resulting limits are typically unique to the affected emissions unit and achievable through the application of specific controls, therefore referred to as source-specific RACT limits. In addition, an affected major source of NOX and/or VOC with any emissions unit that is not subject to any presumptive limits or requirements under 25 Pa. Code section 129.97, is required to propose a source-specific RACT limit under 25 Pa. Code section 129.99, similarly based on the evaluation of technologically and economically feasible controls. Section 129.99 outlines a common procedure for proposing a sourcespecific RACT limit, whether proposed as an alternative under section 129.99(a) or as required under section 129.99(b)– (c). A written RACT proposal under section 129.99 must be submitted to PADEP or local agency for any affected emissions units with PTE of 5.0 TPY or more of NOX and/or 2.7 TPY or more of VOC. Source-specific limits determined to be adequate by PADEP or local agency will be approved into federally enforceable permits and then submitted for EPA’s review and approval into the SIP to meet RACT. As discussed in the following section, EPA finds that 25 Pa. Code section 129.99 is not approvable PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 11159 by itself without further information on specific sources and is therefore not approvable as RACT for sources seeking or required to establish an alternative RACT limit. Therefore, EPA is proposing to conditionally approve the provisions in 25 Pa. Code section 129.99. Additional discussion and explanation for this conditional approval is provided in the section III of this notice. The RACT II Rule contains certain ancillary provisions to ensure RACT level of control for sources that have been previously subject to RACT or are subject to other federally enforceable requirements. Section 129.97(i) of the RACT II Rule provides that the presumptive requirements in section 129.97 will supersede any RACT requirements of a ‘‘RACT permit’’ issued prior April 23, 2016 under 25 Pa. Code sections 129.91–95, unless the RACT permit contains more stringent requirements. ‘‘RACT permits’’ under 25 Pa. Code sections 129.91–95 were submitted by Pennsylvania as SIP revisions and, if determined to meet RACT, were approved by EPA into the Pennsylvania SIP under 40 CFR 52.2020(d). Section 129.99(k) of the RACT II Rule provides that any sourcespecific requirements approved under section 129.99 will supersede any similar NOX and/or VOC requirements that have been approved into an existing enforceable permit issued for the affected source prior to April 23, 2016, except to the extent the existing permit requirements are more stringent. Subsequent RACT SIP revisions under section 129.99 must include a demonstration consistent with CAA section 110(l) to supersede any previously SIP approved RACT requirements, and such revisions will be evaluated and acted on by EPA separately. EPA finds that the provisions in sections 129.97(i) and 129.99(k) are approvable, as they adequately ensure that additional SIP revisions establishing RACT for major NOX and non-CTG VOC sources in Pennsylvania reflect the most stringent level of control for the affected sources. 25 Pa. Code section 129.100 of the RACT II Rule establishes compliance demonstration and recordkeeping requirements for affected sources. Specific monitoring and testing requirements are established for sources complying with presumptive RACT requirements under section 129.97. Recordkeeping requirements are established under section 129.100(d) for any affected sources under the RACT II Rule. Additional compliance demonstration requirements for NOX averaging or E:\FR\FM\14MRP1.SGM 14MRP1 daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with PROPOSALS 11160 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 50 / Wednesday, March 14, 2018 / Proposed Rules source-specific RACT alternative limits will be established by PADEP or the local permitting agency on a sourcespecific basis, in accordance with sections 129.98 and 129.99, respectively, and consistent with section 129.100. In the case of sources complying with 129.99, such additional compliance demonstration requirements will be submitted to EPA for approval into the SIP, along with the sourcespecific limits. Because section 129.98 does not contain any similar requirement to submit NOX averaging provisions for approval into the SIP, EPA finds that the RACT II Rule does not sufficiently establish compliance demonstration requirements for sources choosing to comply with NOX averaging under section 129.98, without submitting those additional compliance demonstration requirements to EPA for approval in the SIP. EPA is proposing conditional approval of the NOX averaging provisions in section 129.98, which will address the lack of specific compliance demonstration requirements for sources seeking to comply with these provisions. Additional discussion and explanation for this conditional approval is provided in the section III of this notice. Any definitions related to the RACT II Rule are codified in 25 Pa. Code section 121.1. The May 16, 2016 SIP revision included amendments to existing definitions: ‘‘CEMS— continuous emissions monitoring system,’’ ‘‘major NOX emitting facility,’’ ‘‘major VOC emitting facility,’’ ‘‘stationary internal combustion engine or stationary reciprocating internal combustion engine;’’ and included new definitions for ‘‘process heater,’’ ‘‘refinery gas,’’ ‘‘regenerative cycle combustion cycle combustion turbine,’’ ‘‘simple cycle combustion turbine,’’ and ‘‘stationary combustion turbine.’’ The definitional changes in 25 Pa. Code section 121.1 are consistent with requirements in the RACT II Rule and are thus approvable under CAA section 110. EPA finds that the presumptive requirements of 25 Pa. Code section 129.97 represent RACT for the NOX and VOC source categories affected by these provisions. EPA also finds that the applicability requirements of 25 Pa. Code section 129.96, the compliance demonstration requirements of 25 Pa. Code section 129.100, and the definitions in 25 Pa. Code section 121.1 are necessary to implement the RACT requirements of section 129.97. Thus, EPA finds that these particular provisions of the RACT II Rule are approvable in accordance with requirements in CAA sections 110, 172, VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:23 Mar 13, 2018 Jkt 244001 182, and 184 as meeting RACT for the affected major sources of non-CTG VOC and major sources of NOX under both the 1997 and 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS. As discussed in the following section, EPA is also proposing conditional approval of 25 Pa. Code sections 129.98 and 129.99. Additional details of Pennsylvania’s SIP submission and EPA’s reasoning for proposing approval of this SIP revision can be found in the ‘‘Technical Support Document for the Pennsylvania State Implementation Plan Revision for Certain Reasonably Available Control Technology Requirements under the 1997 and 2008 8-Hour Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards,’’ prepared for this rulemaking action and available online at www.regulations.gov for this rulemaking. III. Rationale for Proposing Conditional Approval of Certain Provisions EPA identified deficiencies in 25 Pa. Code sections 129.98 and 129.99, respectively, that prevent full approval of the RACT II Rule SIP revision. The NOX averaging provisions in 25 Pa. Code section 129.98 are deficient because they do not clearly specify how to properly establish an alternative RACT limit and do not require the submission of averaging NOX limits to EPA for SIP approval as RACT. EPA finds that the NOX averaging provisions, particularly as provided in section 129.98(e), are too vague to establish an adequate alternative RACT limit, without a specific determination for each source and specific inclusion into the Pennsylvania SIP of all permit conditions relevant to implementation of the NOX alternative limit for each affected source. Although section 129.98 (e) intended to define the alternative NOX RACT emission limit under a NOX averaging plan, the equation provided only stipulates that the cumulative actual NOX emissions from the emission units included in the averaging plan must be no greater than the cumulative allowable NOX emissions for those emissions units. Section 129.98(e) also specifies that the alternative NOX limit must be based on the application of the relevant presumptive NOX limit (as an emissions rate) under 25 Pa. Code section 129.97 or a more stringent limit and must be expressed as NOX mass emissions; and it requires compliance with the alternative NOX limit determined on a 30-day rolling basis. Neither 25 Pa. Code section 129.98(e) nor any other provision in section 129.98 establish how to properly compute the alternative NOX limit, such that an affected source can consistently establish an alternative limit and the PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 resulting limit is practically and federally enforceable to meet RACT and in accordance with CAA section 110(a)(2)(A). The lack of specificity in 25 Pa. Code section 129.98 allows certain unbounded discretion in determining an alternative NOX RACT limit, which correspondingly results in our inability to determine if such limit would be adequate for RACT for any major source required to meet RACT. Also, this uncertainty prevents consistent implementation of the NOX averaging provisions and ultimately prevents the adequate enforceability of these provisions as a practical matter. 25 Pa. Code Section 129.98 fails to provide, on its face, a generic mechanism to establish a presumptive alternative NOX limit. Further, EPA has long interpreted the RACT requirement of the CAA to mean states must adopt and submit regulations that include emission limitations 6 as applicable to the subject sources. In other words, a state would not fully meet the RACT requirement until it established emissions limitations applicable to the appropriate sets of sources. Hence, the NOX averaging provisions in section 129.98, even if sufficiently specific, would not be adequate to fully meet RACT in the absence of the submitted RACT emissions limitations for approval into the SIP.7 Consequently, NOX averaging alternative limits would need to be established on a source-specific basis, and would need to be submitted to EPA for approval into the SIP.8 With respect to 25 Pa. Code section 129.99 for source-specific RACT, EPA finds that the generic process to subsequently establish source-specific RACT emissions limits is deficient, because it lacks a date certain by which Pennsylvania must submit the relevant source-specific RACT SIP revisions to EPA to meet RACT requirements for the 1997 and 2008 ozone NAAQS. According to EPA’s longstanding policy, such ‘‘generic rule’’ or process cannot fully satisfy RACT, in the absence of the submitted emission limitations.9 Thus, 6 The use of the term emissions limitation is not meant to exclude the use of work practice standards or other operation and maintenance requirements that might be determined to be RACT. 7 EPA’s November 7, 1996 Memorandum ‘‘Approval Option for Generic RACT Rules Submitted to Meet the non-CTG VOC RACT Requirements and Certain NOX RACT Requirements.’’ 8 However, as mentioned previously, the D.C. Cir. Court recently upheld the use of NOX averaging to meet RACT requirements for 2008 ozone NAAQS. South Coast Air Quality Mgmt. Dist. v. EPA, No. 15– 1115 (D.C. Cir. Feb. 16, 2018). 9 EPA’s November 7, 1996 Memorandum ‘‘Approval Option for Generic RACT Rules E:\FR\FM\14MRP1.SGM 14MRP1 daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with PROPOSALS Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 50 / Wednesday, March 14, 2018 / Proposed Rules EPA cannot fully approve 25 Pa. Code section 129.99 of the RACT II Rule without the submission of all sourcespecific RACT limits established under these provisions. Further, EPA finds that the RACT II Rule does not specify compliance demonstration requirements for sources choosing to meet RACT by complying with NOX averaging under section 129.98. Section 129.100 only establishes recordkeeping requirements for sources complying with NOX averaging under section 129.98. Section 129.98 requires each source included in the NOX emissions averaging plan to provide methods for demonstrating compliance and recordkeeping and reporting requirements; however, those requirements are not required to be included into the SIP. Because these additional compliance demonstration requirements would need to be determined on a source-specific basis consistent with the limits and affected sources under a NOX averaging plan, EPA requires the submission of such requirements for approval into the SIP, in order for the alternative NOX limits under section 129.98 to be practically and federally enforceable, pursuant to CAA section 110(a)(2)(A). On September 26, 2017, PADEP submitted a supplemental document to EPA that included PADEP’s specific commitments to address the deficiencies in 25 Pa. Code sections 129.98 and 129.99. PADEP committed to submit to EPA, within 12 months of EPA’s final rulemaking action, additional SIP revisions that include the portions of enforceable permits containing the terms and conditions relevant for compliance with section 129.98, which would include the alternative NOX limits as averaging plans and relevant compliance demonstration requirements. PADEP also committed to submit within 12 months of EPA’s final rulemaking action, additional source-specific RACT SIP revisions containing source-specific RACT limits approved by PADEP under 25 Pa. Code section 129.99. A copy of PADEP’s September 22, 2017 documentation containing these commitments is available in the docket for this rulemaking and online at www.regulations.gov. EPA finds Pennsylvania’s commitments adequately address the deficiencies noted in this rulemaking action for 25 Pa. Code sections 129.98 and 129.99 and are a sufficient basis for EPA to propose conditional approval of Submitted to Meet the non-CTG VOC RACT Requirements and Certain NOX RACT Requirements.’’ VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:23 Mar 13, 2018 Jkt 244001 these provisions as meeting RACT for sources seeking a NOX averaging plan or source-specific RACT. Under section 110(k)(4) of the CAA, EPA may conditionally approve a plan based on a commitment from the state to adopt specific enforceable measures within 1 year from the date of approval. If the state fails to adopt and submit the specified measures by the end of 1 year (from the final conditional approval), or fails to submit anything at all, EPA will revert its conditional approval to a disapproval, triggering additional obligations under sections 179 and 110(c) of the CAA. In this event, EPA will send a letter to the state finding that it had failed to meet its commitment and that the SIP submittal is disapproved. Subsequently, a disapproval notice will be published in the Federal Register, and appropriate language will be inserted in the Code of Federal Regulations. EPA’s disapproval, effective as of the date of the letter to the state, will trigger a ‘‘clock’’ to impose sanctions under section 179(a) and for EPA to issue a federal implementation plan (FIP) under section 110(c)(1). For plan submittals required under Part D, such as ozone RACT, section 179(a) allows for up to 18 months for the state to correct the deficiency that is the subject of a finding or disapproval before EPA is required to impose sanctions. Further, section 110(c)(1) provides for up to 2 years for the state to correct the deficiency, or else additional sanctions apply at this time, and for EPA to approve a new submittal before being obligated to promulgate a FIP. Similarly, if EPA receives a submittal addressing the commitment but determines that the submittal is incomplete, EPA will send a letter to the state making such a finding. As with the failure to submit, the sanctions and FIP clocks will begin as of the date of the finding letter. In addition, where the state does make a complete submittal by the end of the 1-year period, EPA will have to evaluate that submittal to determine if it may be approved and take final action on the submittal within 12 months after the date EPA determines the submittal is complete. If the submittal does not adequately address the deficiencies that were the subject of the conditional approval, and is therefore not approvable, EPA will go through noticeand-comment rulemaking to disapprove the submittal. The 18-month clock for sanctions and the 2-year clock for a FIP start as of the date of final disapproval. If EPA determines that the rule is approvable, EPA will propose approval of the rule. In either instance, whether EPA finally approves or disapproves the PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 11161 rule, the conditional approval remains in effect until EPA takes its final action. By conditionally approving 25 Pa. Code sections 129.98 and 129.99, EPA would ensure that adequate RACT limits are established in addition to or as alternative to the presumptive RACT requirements of 25 Pa. Code section 129.97. Additional compliance demonstration requirements would also be approved into the SIP for sources complying with either 25 Pa. Code section 129.98 or 129.99, which would ensure adequate federal and practical enforceability of any additional RACT limits under the RACT II Rule for compliance with CAA section 110(a)(2)(A). In addition, with EPA’s conditional approval of these requirements, EPA would set a specific schedule for producing enforceable RACT measures, resulting in more timely implementation of RACT controls in Pennsylvania than would otherwise occur if EPA was to disapprove these provisions and require a federal plan for control. Conditional approval of 25 Pa. Code sections 129.98 and 129.99 should not result in the approved portions of the RACT II Rule being any more stringent than anticipated or intended by Pennsylvania. 25 Pa. Code 129.99 requires source-specific RACT to receive EPA approval and required sources complying with these requirements to submit an alternative proposal to PADEP by a date certain which has already passed. In addition, compliance with 25 Pa. Code sections 129.98 and 129.99 is intended in most cases as an alternative option for affected sources that are unable to comply with the established presumptive RACT emissions requirements under section 129.97. The presumptive RACT requirements in section 129.97 remain applicable unless and until a source receives approval of an alternative RACT limit (under 25 Pa. Code sections 129.98 and 129.99) and EPA approves such alternative RACT limits into the Pennsylvania SIP. Further, PADEP’s September 22, 2017 commitments confirm PADEP’s intention to submit alternative RACT limits under 25 Pa. Code sections 129.98 and 129.99 to EPA for SIP approval. The submission of any alternative RACT requirement approved by Pennsylvania as a SIP revision will not supplant the presumptive RACT requirements for purposes of Federal enforceability unless and until the alternative is fully approved by EPA into the SIP. In conclusion, EPA is proposing conditional approval under CAA section 110(k)(4) only of 25 Pa. Code sections 129.98 and 129.99 of the RACT II Rule E:\FR\FM\14MRP1.SGM 14MRP1 11162 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 50 / Wednesday, March 14, 2018 / Proposed Rules for the reasons provided above. EPA is also proposing full approval under CAA 110 of the rest of the RACT II Rule included for incorporation in the Pennsylvania SIP through PADEP’s May 16, 2016 SIP submittal, as EPA finds that the remainder of the RACT II Rule meets the intended RACT requirements under sections 172, 182, 184 and 110 of the CAA for the 1997 and 2008 ozone NAAQS. daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with PROPOSALS IV. Proposed Action EPA’s review of the Pennsylvania May 16, 2016 SIP submittal indicates that certain portions of the submittal are adequate to meet RACT requirements under the CAA for both the 1997 and 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS. EPA is proposing to fully approve into the SIP the provisions in 25 Pa. Code sections 129.96–129.97, and 129.100 of the RACT II Rule and relevant definitions in 25 Pa. Code section 121.1, adopted by Pennsylvania on April 23, 2016, as meeting RACT for the 1997 and 2008 ozone NAAQS. These provisions are adequate to meet the ozone-specific RACT requirements of sections 172, 182(b)(2)(C), 182(f), and 184 of the CAA for both the 1997 and 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS for specific NOX and VOC sources in Pennsylvania, and in accordance with section 110. In addition, EPA is proposing to conditionally approve 25 Pa. Code sections 129.98 and 129.99, as these provisions provide alternative RACT requirements which require further PADEP and EPA action in order to meet RACT requirements under the CAA. The provisions of 25 Pa. Code sections 129.98 and 129.99 will become fully approvable, if PADEP submits to EPA, within 12 months of EPA’s final action, additional SIP revisions that include any alternative NOX averaging limits and source-specific RACT limits adopted under sections 129.98 and 129.99, respectively, as well as any relevant compliance demonstration requirements. Once EPA has determined that PADEP has satisfied this condition, EPA shall remove the conditional nature of its approval and, at that time, the provisions in 25 Pa. Code sections 129.98 and 129.99 will receive a full approval status. Should PADEP fail to meet this condition, the final conditional approval of 25 Pa. Code sections 129.98 and 129.99 will convert to a disapproval. EPA is soliciting public comments on the issues discussed in this document. These comments will be considered before taking final action. VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:23 Mar 13, 2018 Jkt 244001 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 regulatory provisions of 25 Pa. Code sections 129.96–129.100 of the RACT II Rule and related amendments of 25 Pa Code section 121.1, as adopted by Pennsylvania on April 23, 2016. EPA has made, and will continue to make, these materials generally available through https://www.regulations.gov and 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); • is not an Executive Order 13771 (82 FR 9339, February 2, 2017) regulatory action because SIP approvals are exempted under Executive Order 12866. • 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); PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 • 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, concerning Pennsylvania’s 1997 and 2008 8-hour ozone reasonably available control technology for certain major NOx and VOC sources, 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. List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52 Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Incorporation by reference, Intergovernmental relations, Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Volatile organic compounds. Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq. Dated: February 23, 2018. Cosmo Servidio, Regional Administrator, Region III. [FR Doc. 2018–04933 Filed 3–13–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service 50 CFR Part 17 [Docket No. FWS–R2–ES–2016–0110; FXES11130900000 178 FF09E42000] RIN 1018–BB79 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Removing the BlackCapped Vireo From the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife; Availability of Post-Delisting Monitoring Plan Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Proposed rule; availability of supplemental information. AGENCY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\14MRP1.SGM 14MRP1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 50 (Wednesday, March 14, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 11155-11162]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-04933]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 52

[EPA-R03-OAR-2017-0290; FRL-9975-14-Region 3]


Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; 
Pennsylvania; Regulatory Amendments Addressing Reasonably Available 
Control Technology Requirements Under the 1997 and 2008 8-Hour Ozone 
National Ambient Air Quality Standards

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing 
rulemaking action on a state implementation plan (SIP) revision 
submitted by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (Pennsylvania or the 
Commonwealth). This revision consists of regulatory amendments intended 
to meet certain reasonably available control technology (RACT) 
requirements under the 1997 and 2008 8-hour ozone national ambient air 
quality standards (NAAQS). EPA is proposing to approve most parts of 
the Pennsylvania SIP revision as meeting RACT requirements under the 
Clean Air Act (CAA). EPA is also proposing to conditionally approve 
certain provisions of this SIP revision, based upon Pennsylvania's 
commitment to submit additional enforceable measures that meet RACT. 
This action is being taken under the CAA.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before April 13, 2018.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-R03-
OAR-2017-0290 at https://www.regulations.gov, or via email to 
[email protected]. 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: Emlyn V[eacute]lez-Rosa, (215) 814-
2038, or by email at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On May 16, 2016, the Pennsylvania Department 
of Environmental Protection (PADEP) submitted a revision to the 
Pennsylvania SIP consisting of amendments to regulations in 25 Pa. Code 
Chapters 121 and 129, to meet certain RACT requirements of the CAA for 
both the 1997 and 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS.

I. Background

    The Pennsylvania May 16, 2016 SIP revision submitted by PADEP 
includes the Pennsylvania regulations in 25 Pa. Code sections 129.96-
129.100 titled ``Additional RACT Requirements for Major Sources of 
NOX and VOCs'' (the RACT II Rule) and amendments to 25 Pa. 
Code section 121.1, including

[[Page 11156]]

related definitions, to be incorporated into the Pennsylvania SIP. 
These regulatory amendments were adopted by PADEP on April 23, 2016 and 
effective on the same date upon publication in the Pennsylvania 
Bulletin. The May 16, 2016 SIP revision was submitted to satisfy 
certain CAA RACT requirements under both the 1997 and 2008 8-hour ozone 
NAAQS for specific source categories.
    On July 18, 1997 (62 FR 38856), EPA promulgated a standard for 
ground level ozone based on 8-hour average concentrations (1997 8-hour 
ozone NAAQS). The 8-hour averaging period replaced the previous 1-hour 
averaging period, and the level of the NAAQS was changed from 0.12 
parts per million (ppm) to 0.08 ppm. On April 30, 2004 (69 FR 23858), 
EPA designated nonattainment areas under the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS. 
Designations included 16 nonattainment areas in Pennsylvania, with only 
2 moderate nonattainment areas, namely Philadelphia-Wilmington-Atlantic 
City, PA-NJ-MD-DE (the Philadelphia Area) and Pittsburgh-Beaver Valley 
(the Pittsburgh Area). The remaining 14 areas in Pennsylvania were 
designated marginal nonattainment areas. See 40 CFR 81.339.
    On March 12, 2008 (73 FR 16436), EPA strengthened the 8-hour ozone 
standards, by revising its level to 0.075 ppm averaged over an 8-hour 
period (2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS). On May 21, 2012, EPA designated most 
areas in the country for the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS, including 5 
marginal nonattainment areas in Pennsylvania: Allentown-Bethlehem-
Easton, Lancaster, Reading, the Philadelphia Area, and the Pittsburgh 
Area. See 77 FR 30088 and 40 CFR 81.339.
    On March 6, 2015 (80 FR 12264), EPA announced its revocation of the 
1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS for all purposes and for all areas in the 
country, effective on April 6, 2015. EPA also determined that certain 
nonattainment planning requirements continue to be in effect under the 
revoked standard for nonattainment areas under the 1997 8-hour ozone 
NAAQS, including RACT. See 80 FR 12296 (March 6, 2015).

A. RACT Requirements for Ozone

    The CAA regulates emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOX) and 
volatile organic compounds (VOC) to prevent photochemical reactions 
that result in ozone formation. RACT is an important strategy for 
reducing NOX and VOC emissions from major stationary sources 
within areas not meeting the ozone NAAQS.
    Areas designated nonattainment for the ozone NAAQS are subject to 
the general nonattainment area planning requirements of CAA section 
172. Section 172(c)(1) of the CAA provides that SIPs for nonattainment 
areas must include reasonably available control measures (RACM) for 
demonstrating attainment of all NAAQS, including emissions reductions 
from existing sources through adoption of RACT. Further, section 
182(b)(2) of the CAA sets forth additional RACT requirements for ozone 
nonattainment areas classified as moderate or higher nonattainment.
    Section 182(b)(2) of the CAA sets forth three distinct requirements 
regarding RACT for the ozone NAAQS: First, section 182(b)(2)(A) 
requires states with ozone areas designated moderate or higher to 
submit a rule (or negative declaration) for each category of VOC 
sources in the nonattainment area covered by a Control Technique 
Guideline (CTG) document issued by EPA between November 15, 1990 and 
the date of attainment for an ozone NAAQS. These rules shall be 
submitted as SIP revisions within the period set forth by EPA in 
issuing the relevant CTG document. Second, section 182(b)(2)(B) 
requires a rule (or negative declaration) for all VOC sources in the 
nonattainment area covered by any CTG issued before November 15, 1990. 
And third, section 182(b)(2)(C) requires a rule or rules for 
implementing RACT for any other major stationary sources of VOCs 
located in the nonattainment area.
    In addition, section 182(f) subjects major stationary sources of 
NOX to the same RACT requirements that are applicable to 
major stationary sources of VOC. EPA has not issued any CTGs for 
categories of NOX sources, so the requirement in section 
182(f) in essence refers to section 182(b)(2)(C). The ozone RACT 
requirements under section 182(b)(2) are usually referred to as VOC CTG 
RACT, non-CTG major VOC RACT, and major NOX RACT.
    Pursuant to section 183(c) of the CAA, EPA must revise and update 
CTGs and Alternative Control Techniques guidelines (ACTs) as the 
Administrator determines necessary. EPA's CTGs establish presumptive 
RACT level control requirements for various source categories. The CTGs 
usually identify a particular control level which EPA recommends as 
being RACT. In some cases, EPA has issued ACTs for source categories, 
which in contrast to the CTGs, only present a range for possible 
control options but do not identify any particular option as the 
presumptive norm for what is RACT. States are required to address RACT 
for the source categories covered by CTGs through adoption of rules as 
part of the SIP.
    Section 184(b)(1)(B) of the CAA applies the RACT requirements in 
section 182(b)(2) for moderate nonattainment areas to nonattainment 
areas classified as marginal and to attainment areas located within 
ozone transport regions established pursuant to section 184 of the CAA. 
Section 184(a) of the CAA established by law the current Ozone 
Transport Region (the OTR) comprised of 12 eastern states, including 
Pennsylvania. The requirement in section 184(b)(1)(B) is referred to as 
OTR RACT. A ``major source'' is defined based on the source's potential 
to emit (PTE) of NOX, VOC, or both pollutants, and the 
applicable thresholds differ based on the classification of the 
nonattainment area in which the source is located. See sections 182(c)-
(f) and 302 of the CAA.
    Since the 1970's, EPA has consistently defined RACT as the lowest 
emission limit that a particular source is capable of meeting by the 
application of the control technology that is reasonably available 
considering technological and economic feasibility. See December 9, 
1976 memorandum from Roger Strelow, Assistant Administrator for Air and 
Waste Management, to Regional Administrators, ``Guidance for 
Determining Acceptability of SIP Regulations in Non-Attainment Areas,'' 
and also 44 FR 53762 (September 17, 1979).
    EPA has provided more substantive RACT requirements through final 
implementation rules for each ozone NAAQS as well as through guidance. 
In 2004 and 2005, EPA promulgated an implementation rule for the 1997 
8-hour ozone NAAQS in two phases (``Phase 1 of the 1997 Ozone 
Implementation Rule'' and ``Phase 2 of the 1997 Ozone Implementation 
Rule''). See 69 FR 23951 (April 30, 2004) and 70 FR 71612 (November 29, 
2005), respectively. Particularly, the Phase 2 Ozone Implementation 
Rule addressed RACT statutory requirements under the 1997 8-hour ozone 
NAAQS. See 70 FR 71652.
    On March 6, 2015, EPA issued its final rule for implementing the 
2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS (``the 2008 Ozone SIP Requirements Rule''). See 
80 FR 12264. At the same time, EPA revoked the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS, 
effective on April 6, 2015.\1\ The 2008

[[Page 11157]]

Ozone SIP Requirements Rule provided comprehensive requirements to 
transition from the revoked 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS to the 2008 8-hour 
ozone NAAQS, as codified in 40 CFR part 51, subpart AA, following 
revocation. Consistent with previous policy, EPA determined that areas 
designated nonattainment for both the 1997 and 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS 
at the time of revocation, must retain implementation of certain 
nonattainment area requirements (i.e. anti-backsliding requirements) 
for the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS as specified under section 182 of the 
CAA, including RACT. See 40 CFR 51.1100(o). An area remains subject to 
the anti-backsliding requirements for a revoked NAAQS until EPA 
approves a redesignation to attainment for the area for the 2008 8-hour 
ozone NAAQS. There are no effects on applicable requirements for areas 
within the OTR, as a result of the revocation of the 1997 8-hour ozone 
NAAQS. Thus, Pennsylvania, as a state within the OTR, remains subject 
to RACT requirements for both the 1997 ozone NAAQS and the 2008 ozone 
NAAQS.
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    \1\ On February 16, 2018, the United States Court of Appeals for 
the District of Columbia Circuit (D.C. Cir. Court) issued an opinion 
on the 2008 Ozone SIP Requirements Rule. South Coast Air Quality 
Mgmt. Dist. v. EPA, No. 15-1115 (D.C. Cir. Feb. 16, 2018). The D.C. 
Cir. Court found certain parts reasonable and denied the petition 
for appeal on those. In particular, the D.C. Cir. Court upheld the 
use of NOX averaging to meet RACT requirements for 2008 
ozone NAAQS. However, the Court also found certain other provisions, 
not relevant to this action, unreasonable. The D.C. Cir. Court 
vacated the provisions it found unreasonable.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In addressing RACT, the 2008 Ozone SIP Requirements Rule is 
consistent with existing policy and Phase 2 of the 1997 Ozone 
Implementation Rule. In the 2008 Ozone SIP Requirements Rule, EPA 
requires RACT measures to be implemented by January 1, 2017 for areas 
classified as moderate nonattainment or above and all areas of the OTR. 
EPA also provided in the 2008 Ozone SIP Requirements Rule that RACT 
SIPs must contain adopted RACT regulations, certifications where 
appropriate that existing provisions are RACT, and/or negative 
declarations stating that there are no sources in the nonattainment 
area covered by a specific CTG source category. In the preamble to the 
2008 Ozone SIP Requirements Rule, EPA clarified that states must 
provide notice and opportunity for public comment on their RACT SIP 
submissions, even when submitting a certification that the existing 
provisions remain RACT or a negative declaration. States must submit 
appropriate supporting information for their RACT submissions, in 
accordance with the Phase 2 of the 1997 Ozone Implementation Rule. 
Adequate documentation must support that states have considered control 
technology that is economically and technologically feasible in 
determining RACT, based on information that is current as of the time 
of development of the RACT SIP.
    In addition, in the 2008 Ozone SIP Requirements Rule, EPA clarified 
that states can use weighted average NOX emissions rates 
from sources in the nonattainment area for meeting the major 
NOX RACT requirement under the CAA, as consistent with 
existing policy.\2\ EPA also recognized that states may conclude in 
some cases that sources already addressed by RACT determinations for 
the 1-hour and/or 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS may not need to implement 
additional controls to meet the 2008 ozone NAAQS RACT requirement. See 
80 FR 12278-12279.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ EPA's NOX RACT guidance ``Nitrogen Oxides 
Supplement to the General Preamble'' (57 FR 55625; November 25, 
1992) encouraged states to develop RACT programs that are based on 
``area wide average emission rates.'' Additional guidance on area-
wide RACT provisions is provided by EPA's January 2001 economic 
incentive program guidance titled ``Improving Air Quality with 
Economic Incentive Programs,'' available at https://www.epa.gov/ttn/oarpg/t1/memoranda/eipfin.pdf. In addition, as mentioned previously, 
the D.C. Cir. Court recently upheld the use of NOX 
averaging to meet RACT requirements for 2008 ozone NAAQS. South 
Coast Air Quality Mgmt. Dist. v. EPA, No. 15-1115 (D.C. Cir. Feb. 
16, 2018).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

B. Applicability of RACT Requirements in Pennsylvania

    As indicated earlier, RACT requirements apply to any ozone 
nonattainment areas classified as moderate or higher (serious, severe 
or extreme) under CAA sections 182(b)(2) and 182(f). Pennsylvania has 
outstanding ozone RACT requirements for both the 1997 and 2008 8-hour 
ozone NAAQS. The entire Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is part of the OTR 
established under section 184 of the CAA and thus is subject statewide 
to the RACT requirements of CAA sections 182(b)(2) and 182(f), pursuant 
to section 184(b).
    At the time of revocation of the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS (effective 
April 6, 2015), only two moderate nonattainment areas remained in the 
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for this standard, the Philadelphia and 
the Pittsburgh Areas. As required under EPA's anti-backsliding 
provisions, these two moderate nonattainment areas continue to be 
subject to RACT under the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS. Given its location 
in the OTR, the remainder of the Commonwealth is also treated as 
moderate nonattainment area under the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS for any 
planning requirements under the revoked standard, including RACT. The 
OTR RACT requirement is also in effect under the 2008 8-hour ozone 
NAAQS throughout the Commonwealth, since EPA did not designate any 
nonattainment areas above marginal for this standard in Pennsylvania. 
Thus, in practice, the same RACT requirements continue to be applicable 
in Pennsylvania for both the 1997 and 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS. RACT 
must be evaluated and satisfied as separate requirements under each 
applicable standard.
    RACT applies to major sources of NOX and VOC under each 
ozone NAAQS or any VOC sources subject to CTG RACT. Which 
NOX and VOC sources in Pennsylvania are considered ``major'' 
and must be therefore subject to RACT, is dependent on the location of 
each source within the Commonwealth. Sources located in nonattainment 
areas would be subject to the ``major source'' definitions established 
under the CAA. In the case of Pennsylvania, sources located in any 
areas outside of moderate or above nonattainment areas, as part of the 
OTR, shall be treated as if these areas were moderate.
    States were required to make RACT SIP submissions for the 1997 8-
hour ozone NAAQS by September 15, 2006. PADEP submitted a SIP revision 
on September 25, 2006, certifying that a number of previously approved 
VOC CTG and non-CTG RACT rules continued to satisfy RACT under the 1997 
8-hour ozone NAAQS for the remainder of Pennsylvania.\3\ PADEP has met 
its obligations under the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS for its CTG and non-
CTG VOC sources. See 82 FR 31464 (July 7, 2017). RACT control measures 
addressing all applicable CAA requirements under the 1997 8-hour ozone 
NAAQS have been implemented and fully approved in the jurisdictions of 
Allegheny County and Philadelphia County in Pennsylvania. See 78 FR 
34584 (June 10, 2013) and 81 FR 69687 (October 7, 2016).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ The September 15, 2006 SIP submittal initially included 
Pennsylvania's certification of NOX RACT regulations; 
however, NOX RACT portions were withdrawn by PADEP on 
June 27, 2016.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    For the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS, states were required to submit 
RACT SIP revisions by July 20, 2014. On May 16, 2016, PADEP submitted a 
SIP revision addressing RACT under both the 1997 and 2008 8-hour ozone 
NAAQS in Pennsylvania. Specifically, the May 16, 2016 SIP submittal 
intends to satisfy sections 182(b)(2)(C), 182(f), and 184 of the CAA 
for both the 1997 and 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS for Pennsylvania's major 
NOX and VOC non-CTG sources, except ethylene production 
plants, surface active agents manufacturing, and mobile equipment 
repair and refinishing.

[[Page 11158]]

    This notice includes EPA's rationale for proposing rulemaking 
action on the Pennsylvania May 16, 2016 SIP revision for purposes of 
meeting these RACT requirements under the CAA. EPA prepared two 
technical support documents (TSDs) in support of this proposed 
rulemaking action: ``Technical Support Document for the Pennsylvania 
State Implementation Plan Revision for Certain Reasonably Available 
Control Technology Requirements under the 1997 and 2008 8-Hour Ozone 
National Ambient Air Quality Standards'' and ``Technical Support 
Document for the Pennsylvania State Implementation Plan Revision for 
Certain Reasonably Available Control Technology Requirements under the 
1997 and 2008 8-Hour Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards- Cost 
Effective Analyses for Coal Fired Boilers.'' For further details on 
this proposed rulemaking action, please refer to these TSDs, which are 
included as part of this rulemaking docket and are available online at 
www.regulations.gov.

II. Summary of SIP Revision and EPA's Evaluation

    The RACT II Rule applies statewide to existing major NOX 
and/or VOC sources in Pennsylvania, except those subject to other 
Pennsylvania regulations, as specified in 25 Pa. Code 129.96(a)-(b).\4\ 
All but one of the exempted rules listed in section 129.96(a)-(b) have 
been previously approved by EPA into the SIP to meet RACT requirements 
under the CAA. The RACT II Rule exempts all VOC source categories for 
which PADEP had adopted CTG RACT regulations at the time the RACT II 
Rule was finalized. In addition, regulations exempted under the RACT II 
Rule also apply to three non-CTG VOC source categories: (1) Ethylene 
production plants, (2) surface active agents manufacturing, and (3) 
mobile equipment repair and refinishing. The RACT II Rule also exempts 
25 Pa. Code sections 129.301-129.310, which has not been approved as 
RACT, although it is approved into the SIP. This regulation establishes 
NOX control requirements for glass melting furnaces. Any 
other NOX major sources in Pennsylvania are covered by the 
RACT II Rule.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ In the context of the RACT II Rule, the terms ``major 
NOX emitting facility'' and ``major VOC emitting 
facility,'' as defined in 25 Pa Code section 121.1, are used to 
refer to major stationary sources.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The RACT II Rule requirements apply to any emissions unit or 
process at an affected major source having a PTE of 1 ton per year 
(TPY) or more of NOX and/or VOC. In the context of the rule, 
existing major sources are those already in existence as of July 20, 
2012 or any major sources installed or modified after July 20, 2012, 
which became a major source before January 1, 2017. The RACT II Rule 
establishes a general compliance date of January 1, 2017, as provided 
in paragraphs in 129.97(a) and 129.99(d)(4). EPA recognizes that RACT 
controls under the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS were required to be 
implemented in Pennsylvania by 2009 and that this requirement is past 
due; however, EPA believes that the May 16, 2016 SIP revision should 
sufficiently address the pending RACT obligations under the 1997 8-hour 
ozone NAAQS by addressing the more stringent RACT level of control 
under the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS. The general compliance date of the 
RACT II Rule is consistent with EPA's required deadline for states to 
implement RACT controls under the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS. See 80 FR 
12279.
    The RACT II Rule permits an affected major source that needs 
additional time to install an air pollution control device to meet the 
requirements under the RACT II Rule to petition PADEP for an 
alternative compliance schedule. The RACT II Rule also allows an owner 
or operator of a major source to petition an alternative compliance 
schedule if it needs additional time to install an air pollution 
control device on an affected emissions unit in order to comply with 
the RACT II requirements. These provisions allow the owner or operator 
in this situation to petition in writing for an alternative compliance 
schedule, by proposing an interim emission limit, and a later 
compliance date to implement such control device ``as soon as possible 
but not later than 3 years after the written approval of the 
petition.'' EPA believes that the language in the rule allows for 
Pennsylvania's implementation of RACT controls as expeditiously as 
practicable.
    Section 129.97 of the RACT II Rule establishes NOX and 
VOC emission limits or operational requirements on certain types of 
emissions units in the affected major sources which Pennsylvania 
presumes to meet RACT, thus referred to in the rule as presumptive 
RACT. Operating requirements apply to smaller emissions units; namely, 
combustion units with rated heat input equal to or greater than 20 
million British Thermal Units per hour (MMBTU/hr) and less than 50 
MMBTU/hr, NOX sources with PTE of less than 5 TPY, VOC 
sources with PTE of less than 2.7 TPY, combustion units with rated heat 
input of less than 20 MMBTU/hour, and emergency generators operating 
less than 500 hours in a 12-month rolling period. Presumptive RACT 
NOX limits are provided for combustion units, process 
heaters, combustion turbines, stationary internal combustion engines, 
cement kilns, and municipal waste combustors. Presumptive RACT VOC 
limits are provided for combustion turbines, stationary internal 
combustion engines, and municipal solid waste landfills.
    In evaluating whether controls and emission limitations meet RACT, 
EPA generally considers controls that have been achieved in practice by 
other similar existing sources to be technologically and economically 
feasible. For that reason, to evaluate PADEP's RACT determinations 
under the RACT II Rule, EPA reviewed NOX emissions limits in 
effect in adjacent OTR states for certain source categories addressed 
by Pennsylvania's rule.\5\ EPA also reviewed and considered guidance 
documents that have been published to assist states in identifying 
NOX RACT level of controls. EPA finds that the 
NOX presumptive limits in 25 Pa. Code section 129.97 of the 
RACT II Rule are comparable to NOX emission limitations in 
other states and consistent with EPA's RACT guidance on additional 
control requirements. EPA finds that the presumptive requirements of 
the RACT II Rule represent emission limitations achievable through 
implementation of reasonably available controls. EPA also finds the VOC 
presumptive limits for combustion turbines and internal combustion 
engines to be reasonable considering feasibility of available controls. 
For municipal solid waste landfills, the RACT II Rule incorporates by 
reference as VOC presumptive limits the federal New Source Performance 
Standards (NSPS) in 40 CFR part 60, subpart Cc (Subpart Cc) and subpart 
WWW (Subpart WWW). EPA finds that the NSPS standards represent 
reasonably achievable NOX emissions limits based on the 
operation of reasonably available controls, and thus, meet RACT for 
this source category.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ EPA evaluated NOX emission limits in adjacent OTR 
states because the OTR states are all subject to the same RACT 
requirements for the 1997 and 2008 ozone NAAQS under CAA section 
184.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    EPA further evaluated the NOX presumptive requirements 
in 25 Pa. Code section 129.97 of the RACT II Rule that are applicable 
to large coal-fired boilers. Sources under these requirements would 
include utility boilers and large industrial boilers, which are a 
significant NOX emissions sector in Pennsylvania. The RACT 
II Rule establishes more rigorous requirements for large coal-fired 
boilers with certain post-combustion controls

[[Page 11159]]

in place, specifically selective catalytic reduction (SCR), while other 
coal-fired boilers without these controls in place are the subject of 
less stringent NOX emissions limits based on the boiler 
type. EPA finds that the presumptive limit of 0.12 pounds of 
NOX per heat input in million British Thermal Unit (lb/
MMBTU) is consistent with the operation of SCR presently installed and 
reasonably represents RACT for coal-fired boilers with this control in 
place. EPA evaluated economic feasibility of installing and operating 
additional post-combustion controls on any large coal-fired boilers in 
Pennsylvania that to date do not have these controls, in order to 
determine which RACT control level is reasonable as a basis for PADEP's 
presumptive requirements for this subset of boilers. EPA finds that 
Pennsylvania's presumptive RACT determination for coal-fired boilers 
without post-combustion controls is reasonable, as it is based on the 
economic infeasibility of retrofitting coal-fired boilers in 
Pennsylvania. Thus, EPA concludes that PADEP has adequately established 
for coal-fired boilers NOX presumptive RACT requirements 
based on reasonably available controls that therefore represent RACT. 
For further details, refer to EPA's ``Technical Support Document for 
the Pennsylvania State Implementation Plan Revision for Certain 
Reasonably Available Control Technology Requirements under the 1997 and 
2008 8-Hour Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards- Cost 
Effective Analyses for Coal Fired Boilers.''
    Pursuant to 25 Pa. Code section 129.97(g)(4), any combustion unit 
firing multiple fuels and subject to different presumptive limits for 
each fuel, must comply with a single NOX or VOC emission 
limit determined on a total heat input fuel weighted basis for any fuel 
representing 1% of more of the combustion unit's annual fuel combustion 
on a heat input basis. EPA finds the RACT II Rule's multiple fuel 
compliance method practicable and adequate for RACT.
    Affected major sources subject to the presumptive requirements of 
25 Pa. Code section 129.97 that cannot comply with the applicable 
presumptive NOX limits for any given emissions units, may 
choose one of two alternative compliance options to establish RACT. 
Such sources may either propose an alternative NOX emissions 
limit based on average NOX emissions from multiple sources 
or else propose a source-specific emission NOX or VOC limit.
    The NOX averaging provisions established in 25 Pa. Code 
section 129.98 allow the owner or operator of an affected major 
NOX source that is unable to meet a NOX 
presumptive limit for at least one of its emissions unit, to establish 
an alternative RACT limit by averaging the NOX emissions 
from the non-compliant emissions unit and other emissions units. 
Participating NOX emissions units can be located either 
within the same facility (facility-wide averaging) or in another 
facility but within the same nonattainment area (system-wide 
averaging). As discussed in the following section, EPA finds that 25 
Pa. Code section 129.98 is not sufficient to address RACT for sources 
seeking averaging, without the specific NOX averaging 
provisions for any affected sources being submitted to EPA for SIP 
approval. Therefore, EPA is proposing to conditionally approve the 
provisions in 25 Pa. Code section 129.98. Additional discussion and 
explanation for this conditional approval is provided in the following 
section III of this notice.
    Under 25 Pa. Code section 129.99, the owner or operator of an 
affected major NOX and/or VOC source that is unable to meet 
a presumptive requirement under section 129.97, may propose an 
alternative RACT emissions limit, based on the feasibility evaluation 
of reasonably available controls for each emissions unit. The resulting 
limits are typically unique to the affected emissions unit and 
achievable through the application of specific controls, therefore 
referred to as source-specific RACT limits. In addition, an affected 
major source of NOX and/or VOC with any emissions unit that 
is not subject to any presumptive limits or requirements under 25 Pa. 
Code section 129.97, is required to propose a source-specific RACT 
limit under 25 Pa. Code section 129.99, similarly based on the 
evaluation of technologically and economically feasible controls.
    Section 129.99 outlines a common procedure for proposing a source-
specific RACT limit, whether proposed as an alternative under section 
129.99(a) or as required under section 129.99(b)-(c). A written RACT 
proposal under section 129.99 must be submitted to PADEP or local 
agency for any affected emissions units with PTE of 5.0 TPY or more of 
NOX and/or 2.7 TPY or more of VOC. Source-specific limits 
determined to be adequate by PADEP or local agency will be approved 
into federally enforceable permits and then submitted for EPA's review 
and approval into the SIP to meet RACT. As discussed in the following 
section, EPA finds that 25 Pa. Code section 129.99 is not approvable by 
itself without further information on specific sources and is therefore 
not approvable as RACT for sources seeking or required to establish an 
alternative RACT limit. Therefore, EPA is proposing to conditionally 
approve the provisions in 25 Pa. Code section 129.99. Additional 
discussion and explanation for this conditional approval is provided in 
the section III of this notice.
    The RACT II Rule contains certain ancillary provisions to ensure 
RACT level of control for sources that have been previously subject to 
RACT or are subject to other federally enforceable requirements. 
Section 129.97(i) of the RACT II Rule provides that the presumptive 
requirements in section 129.97 will supersede any RACT requirements of 
a ``RACT permit'' issued prior April 23, 2016 under 25 Pa. Code 
sections 129.91-95, unless the RACT permit contains more stringent 
requirements. ``RACT permits'' under 25 Pa. Code sections 129.91-95 
were submitted by Pennsylvania as SIP revisions and, if determined to 
meet RACT, were approved by EPA into the Pennsylvania SIP under 40 CFR 
52.2020(d). Section 129.99(k) of the RACT II Rule provides that any 
source-specific requirements approved under section 129.99 will 
supersede any similar NOX and/or VOC requirements that have 
been approved into an existing enforceable permit issued for the 
affected source prior to April 23, 2016, except to the extent the 
existing permit requirements are more stringent. Subsequent RACT SIP 
revisions under section 129.99 must include a demonstration consistent 
with CAA section 110(l) to supersede any previously SIP approved RACT 
requirements, and such revisions will be evaluated and acted on by EPA 
separately. EPA finds that the provisions in sections 129.97(i) and 
129.99(k) are approvable, as they adequately ensure that additional SIP 
revisions establishing RACT for major NOX and non-CTG VOC 
sources in Pennsylvania reflect the most stringent level of control for 
the affected sources.
    25 Pa. Code section 129.100 of the RACT II Rule establishes 
compliance demonstration and recordkeeping requirements for affected 
sources. Specific monitoring and testing requirements are established 
for sources complying with presumptive RACT requirements under section 
129.97. Recordkeeping requirements are established under section 
129.100(d) for any affected sources under the RACT II Rule.
    Additional compliance demonstration requirements for NOX 
averaging or

[[Page 11160]]

source-specific RACT alternative limits will be established by PADEP or 
the local permitting agency on a source-specific basis, in accordance 
with sections 129.98 and 129.99, respectively, and consistent with 
section 129.100. In the case of sources complying with 129.99, such 
additional compliance demonstration requirements will be submitted to 
EPA for approval into the SIP, along with the source-specific limits. 
Because section 129.98 does not contain any similar requirement to 
submit NOX averaging provisions for approval into the SIP, 
EPA finds that the RACT II Rule does not sufficiently establish 
compliance demonstration requirements for sources choosing to comply 
with NOX averaging under section 129.98, without submitting 
those additional compliance demonstration requirements to EPA for 
approval in the SIP. EPA is proposing conditional approval of the 
NOX averaging provisions in section 129.98, which will 
address the lack of specific compliance demonstration requirements for 
sources seeking to comply with these provisions. Additional discussion 
and explanation for this conditional approval is provided in the 
section III of this notice.
    Any definitions related to the RACT II Rule are codified in 25 Pa. 
Code section 121.1. The May 16, 2016 SIP revision included amendments 
to existing definitions: ``CEMS--continuous emissions monitoring 
system,'' ``major NOX emitting facility,'' ``major VOC 
emitting facility,'' ``stationary internal combustion engine or 
stationary reciprocating internal combustion engine;'' and included new 
definitions for ``process heater,'' ``refinery gas,'' ``regenerative 
cycle combustion cycle combustion turbine,'' ``simple cycle combustion 
turbine,'' and ``stationary combustion turbine.'' The definitional 
changes in 25 Pa. Code section 121.1 are consistent with requirements 
in the RACT II Rule and are thus approvable under CAA section 110.
    EPA finds that the presumptive requirements of 25 Pa. Code section 
129.97 represent RACT for the NOX and VOC source categories 
affected by these provisions. EPA also finds that the applicability 
requirements of 25 Pa. Code section 129.96, the compliance 
demonstration requirements of 25 Pa. Code section 129.100, and the 
definitions in 25 Pa. Code section 121.1 are necessary to implement the 
RACT requirements of section 129.97. Thus, EPA finds that these 
particular provisions of the RACT II Rule are approvable in accordance 
with requirements in CAA sections 110, 172, 182, and 184 as meeting 
RACT for the affected major sources of non-CTG VOC and major sources of 
NOX under both the 1997 and 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS. As 
discussed in the following section, EPA is also proposing conditional 
approval of 25 Pa. Code sections 129.98 and 129.99.
    Additional details of Pennsylvania's SIP submission and EPA's 
reasoning for proposing approval of this SIP revision can be found in 
the ``Technical Support Document for the Pennsylvania State 
Implementation Plan Revision for Certain Reasonably Available Control 
Technology Requirements under the 1997 and 2008 8-Hour Ozone National 
Ambient Air Quality Standards,'' prepared for this rulemaking action 
and available online at www.regulations.gov for this rulemaking.

III. Rationale for Proposing Conditional Approval of Certain Provisions

    EPA identified deficiencies in 25 Pa. Code sections 129.98 and 
129.99, respectively, that prevent full approval of the RACT II Rule 
SIP revision. The NOX averaging provisions in 25 Pa. Code 
section 129.98 are deficient because they do not clearly specify how to 
properly establish an alternative RACT limit and do not require the 
submission of averaging NOX limits to EPA for SIP approval 
as RACT. EPA finds that the NOX averaging provisions, 
particularly as provided in section 129.98(e), are too vague to 
establish an adequate alternative RACT limit, without a specific 
determination for each source and specific inclusion into the 
Pennsylvania SIP of all permit conditions relevant to implementation of 
the NOX alternative limit for each affected source. Although 
section 129.98 (e) intended to define the alternative NOX 
RACT emission limit under a NOX averaging plan, the equation 
provided only stipulates that the cumulative actual NOX 
emissions from the emission units included in the averaging plan must 
be no greater than the cumulative allowable NOX emissions 
for those emissions units. Section 129.98(e) also specifies that the 
alternative NOX limit must be based on the application of 
the relevant presumptive NOX limit (as an emissions rate) 
under 25 Pa. Code section 129.97 or a more stringent limit and must be 
expressed as NOX mass emissions; and it requires compliance 
with the alternative NOX limit determined on a 30-day 
rolling basis. Neither 25 Pa. Code section 129.98(e) nor any other 
provision in section 129.98 establish how to properly compute the 
alternative NOX limit, such that an affected source can 
consistently establish an alternative limit and the resulting limit is 
practically and federally enforceable to meet RACT and in accordance 
with CAA section 110(a)(2)(A).
    The lack of specificity in 25 Pa. Code section 129.98 allows 
certain unbounded discretion in determining an alternative 
NOX RACT limit, which correspondingly results in our 
inability to determine if such limit would be adequate for RACT for any 
major source required to meet RACT. Also, this uncertainty prevents 
consistent implementation of the NOX averaging provisions 
and ultimately prevents the adequate enforceability of these provisions 
as a practical matter. 25 Pa. Code Section 129.98 fails to provide, on 
its face, a generic mechanism to establish a presumptive alternative 
NOX limit.
    Further, EPA has long interpreted the RACT requirement of the CAA 
to mean states must adopt and submit regulations that include emission 
limitations \6\ as applicable to the subject sources. In other words, a 
state would not fully meet the RACT requirement until it established 
emissions limitations applicable to the appropriate sets of sources. 
Hence, the NOX averaging provisions in section 129.98, even 
if sufficiently specific, would not be adequate to fully meet RACT in 
the absence of the submitted RACT emissions limitations for approval 
into the SIP.\7\ Consequently, NOX averaging alternative 
limits would need to be established on a source-specific basis, and 
would need to be submitted to EPA for approval into the SIP.\8\
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    \6\ The use of the term emissions limitation is not meant to 
exclude the use of work practice standards or other operation and 
maintenance requirements that might be determined to be RACT.
    \7\ EPA's November 7, 1996 Memorandum ``Approval Option for 
Generic RACT Rules Submitted to Meet the non-CTG VOC RACT 
Requirements and Certain NOX RACT Requirements.''
    \8\ However, as mentioned previously, the D.C. Cir. Court 
recently upheld the use of NOX averaging to meet RACT 
requirements for 2008 ozone NAAQS. South Coast Air Quality Mgmt. 
Dist. v. EPA, No. 15-1115 (D.C. Cir. Feb. 16, 2018).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    With respect to 25 Pa. Code section 129.99 for source-specific 
RACT, EPA finds that the generic process to subsequently establish 
source-specific RACT emissions limits is deficient, because it lacks a 
date certain by which Pennsylvania must submit the relevant source-
specific RACT SIP revisions to EPA to meet RACT requirements for the 
1997 and 2008 ozone NAAQS. According to EPA's longstanding policy, such 
``generic rule'' or process cannot fully satisfy RACT, in the absence 
of the submitted emission limitations.\9\ Thus,

[[Page 11161]]

EPA cannot fully approve 25 Pa. Code section 129.99 of the RACT II Rule 
without the submission of all source-specific RACT limits established 
under these provisions.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \9\ EPA's November 7, 1996 Memorandum ``Approval Option for 
Generic RACT Rules Submitted to Meet the non-CTG VOC RACT 
Requirements and Certain NOX RACT Requirements.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Further, EPA finds that the RACT II Rule does not specify 
compliance demonstration requirements for sources choosing to meet RACT 
by complying with NOX averaging under section 129.98. 
Section 129.100 only establishes recordkeeping requirements for sources 
complying with NOX averaging under section 129.98. Section 
129.98 requires each source included in the NOX emissions 
averaging plan to provide methods for demonstrating compliance and 
recordkeeping and reporting requirements; however, those requirements 
are not required to be included into the SIP. Because these additional 
compliance demonstration requirements would need to be determined on a 
source-specific basis consistent with the limits and affected sources 
under a NOX averaging plan, EPA requires the submission of 
such requirements for approval into the SIP, in order for the 
alternative NOX limits under section 129.98 to be 
practically and federally enforceable, pursuant to CAA section 
110(a)(2)(A).
    On September 26, 2017, PADEP submitted a supplemental document to 
EPA that included PADEP's specific commitments to address the 
deficiencies in 25 Pa. Code sections 129.98 and 129.99. PADEP committed 
to submit to EPA, within 12 months of EPA's final rulemaking action, 
additional SIP revisions that include the portions of enforceable 
permits containing the terms and conditions relevant for compliance 
with section 129.98, which would include the alternative NOX 
limits as averaging plans and relevant compliance demonstration 
requirements. PADEP also committed to submit within 12 months of EPA's 
final rulemaking action, additional source-specific RACT SIP revisions 
containing source-specific RACT limits approved by PADEP under 25 Pa. 
Code section 129.99. A copy of PADEP's September 22, 2017 documentation 
containing these commitments is available in the docket for this 
rulemaking and online at www.regulations.gov.
    EPA finds Pennsylvania's commitments adequately address the 
deficiencies noted in this rulemaking action for 25 Pa. Code sections 
129.98 and 129.99 and are a sufficient basis for EPA to propose 
conditional approval of these provisions as meeting RACT for sources 
seeking a NOX averaging plan or source-specific RACT. Under 
section 110(k)(4) of the CAA, EPA may conditionally approve a plan 
based on a commitment from the state to adopt specific enforceable 
measures within 1 year from the date of approval. If the state fails to 
adopt and submit the specified measures by the end of 1 year (from the 
final conditional approval), or fails to submit anything at all, EPA 
will revert its conditional approval to a disapproval, triggering 
additional obligations under sections 179 and 110(c) of the CAA.
    In this event, EPA will send a letter to the state finding that it 
had failed to meet its commitment and that the SIP submittal is 
disapproved. Subsequently, a disapproval notice will be published in 
the Federal Register, and appropriate language will be inserted in the 
Code of Federal Regulations. EPA's disapproval, effective as of the 
date of the letter to the state, will trigger a ``clock'' to impose 
sanctions under section 179(a) and for EPA to issue a federal 
implementation plan (FIP) under section 110(c)(1). For plan submittals 
required under Part D, such as ozone RACT, section 179(a) allows for up 
to 18 months for the state to correct the deficiency that is the 
subject of a finding or disapproval before EPA is required to impose 
sanctions. Further, section 110(c)(1) provides for up to 2 years for 
the state to correct the deficiency, or else additional sanctions apply 
at this time, and for EPA to approve a new submittal before being 
obligated to promulgate a FIP. Similarly, if EPA receives a submittal 
addressing the commitment but determines that the submittal is 
incomplete, EPA will send a letter to the state making such a finding. 
As with the failure to submit, the sanctions and FIP clocks will begin 
as of the date of the finding letter.
    In addition, where the state does make a complete submittal by the 
end of the 1-year period, EPA will have to evaluate that submittal to 
determine if it may be approved and take final action on the submittal 
within 12 months after the date EPA determines the submittal is 
complete. If the submittal does not adequately address the deficiencies 
that were the subject of the conditional approval, and is therefore not 
approvable, EPA will go through notice-and-comment rulemaking to 
disapprove the submittal. The 18-month clock for sanctions and the 2-
year clock for a FIP start as of the date of final disapproval. If EPA 
determines that the rule is approvable, EPA will propose approval of 
the rule. In either instance, whether EPA finally approves or 
disapproves the rule, the conditional approval remains in effect until 
EPA takes its final action.
    By conditionally approving 25 Pa. Code sections 129.98 and 129.99, 
EPA would ensure that adequate RACT limits are established in addition 
to or as alternative to the presumptive RACT requirements of 25 Pa. 
Code section 129.97. Additional compliance demonstration requirements 
would also be approved into the SIP for sources complying with either 
25 Pa. Code section 129.98 or 129.99, which would ensure adequate 
federal and practical enforceability of any additional RACT limits 
under the RACT II Rule for compliance with CAA section 110(a)(2)(A). In 
addition, with EPA's conditional approval of these requirements, EPA 
would set a specific schedule for producing enforceable RACT measures, 
resulting in more timely implementation of RACT controls in 
Pennsylvania than would otherwise occur if EPA was to disapprove these 
provisions and require a federal plan for control.
    Conditional approval of 25 Pa. Code sections 129.98 and 129.99 
should not result in the approved portions of the RACT II Rule being 
any more stringent than anticipated or intended by Pennsylvania. 25 Pa. 
Code 129.99 requires source-specific RACT to receive EPA approval and 
required sources complying with these requirements to submit an 
alternative proposal to PADEP by a date certain which has already 
passed. In addition, compliance with 25 Pa. Code sections 129.98 and 
129.99 is intended in most cases as an alternative option for affected 
sources that are unable to comply with the established presumptive RACT 
emissions requirements under section 129.97. The presumptive RACT 
requirements in section 129.97 remain applicable unless and until a 
source receives approval of an alternative RACT limit (under 25 Pa. 
Code sections 129.98 and 129.99) and EPA approves such alternative RACT 
limits into the Pennsylvania SIP. Further, PADEP's September 22, 2017 
commitments confirm PADEP's intention to submit alternative RACT limits 
under 25 Pa. Code sections 129.98 and 129.99 to EPA for SIP approval. 
The submission of any alternative RACT requirement approved by 
Pennsylvania as a SIP revision will not supplant the presumptive RACT 
requirements for purposes of Federal enforceability unless and until 
the alternative is fully approved by EPA into the SIP.
    In conclusion, EPA is proposing conditional approval under CAA 
section 110(k)(4) only of 25 Pa. Code sections 129.98 and 129.99 of the 
RACT II Rule

[[Page 11162]]

for the reasons provided above. EPA is also proposing full approval 
under CAA 110 of the rest of the RACT II Rule included for 
incorporation in the Pennsylvania SIP through PADEP's May 16, 2016 SIP 
submittal, as EPA finds that the remainder of the RACT II Rule meets 
the intended RACT requirements under sections 172, 182, 184 and 110 of 
the CAA for the 1997 and 2008 ozone NAAQS.

IV. Proposed Action

    EPA's review of the Pennsylvania May 16, 2016 SIP submittal 
indicates that certain portions of the submittal are adequate to meet 
RACT requirements under the CAA for both the 1997 and 2008 8-hour ozone 
NAAQS. EPA is proposing to fully approve into the SIP the provisions in 
25 Pa. Code sections 129.96-129.97, and 129.100 of the RACT II Rule and 
relevant definitions in 25 Pa. Code section 121.1, adopted by 
Pennsylvania on April 23, 2016, as meeting RACT for the 1997 and 2008 
ozone NAAQS. These provisions are adequate to meet the ozone-specific 
RACT requirements of sections 172, 182(b)(2)(C), 182(f), and 184 of the 
CAA for both the 1997 and 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS for specific 
NOX and VOC sources in Pennsylvania, and in accordance with 
section 110.
    In addition, EPA is proposing to conditionally approve 25 Pa. Code 
sections 129.98 and 129.99, as these provisions provide alternative 
RACT requirements which require further PADEP and EPA action in order 
to meet RACT requirements under the CAA. The provisions of 25 Pa. Code 
sections 129.98 and 129.99 will become fully approvable, if PADEP 
submits to EPA, within 12 months of EPA's final action, additional SIP 
revisions that include any alternative NOX averaging limits 
and source-specific RACT limits adopted under sections 129.98 and 
129.99, respectively, as well as any relevant compliance demonstration 
requirements. Once EPA has determined that PADEP has satisfied this 
condition, EPA shall remove the conditional nature of its approval and, 
at that time, the provisions in 25 Pa. Code sections 129.98 and 129.99 
will receive a full approval status. Should PADEP fail to meet this 
condition, the final conditional approval of 25 Pa. Code sections 
129.98 and 129.99 will convert to a disapproval. EPA is soliciting 
public comments on the issues discussed in this document. These 
comments will be considered before taking final action.

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 regulatory provisions of 25 Pa. Code 
sections 129.96-129.100 of the RACT II Rule and related amendments of 
25 Pa Code section 121.1, as adopted by Pennsylvania on April 23, 2016. 
EPA has made, and will continue to make, these materials generally 
available through https://www.regulations.gov and 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);
     is not an Executive Order 13771 (82 FR 9339, February 2, 
2017) regulatory action because SIP approvals are exempted under 
Executive Order 12866.
     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, concerning Pennsylvania's 1997 and 
2008 8-hour ozone reasonably available control technology for certain 
major NOx and VOC sources, 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.

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52

    Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Incorporation by 
reference, Intergovernmental relations, Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone, 
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Volatile organic compounds.

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

    Dated: February 23, 2018.
 Cosmo Servidio,
 Regional Administrator, Region III.
[FR Doc. 2018-04933 Filed 3-13-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
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