Air Plan Approval; AL; Section 128 Board Requirements for Infrastructure SIPs, 31454-31458 [2018-14525]

Download as PDF 31454 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 130 / Friday, July 6, 2018 / Rules and Regulations Review) defines a ‘‘significant regulatory action,’’ requiring review by OMB, unless OMB waives such review, as any regulatory action that is likely to result in a rule that may: (1) Have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more or adversely affect in a material way the economy, a sector of the economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, public health or safety, or State, local, or tribal governments or communities; (2) Create a serious inconsistency or otherwise interfere with an action taken or planned by another agency; (3) Materially alter the budgetary impact of entitlements, grants, user fees, or loan programs or the rights and obligations of recipients thereof; or (4) Raise novel legal or policy issues arising out of legal mandates, the President’s priorities, or the principles set forth in this Executive Order. The economic, interagency, budgetary, legal, and policy implications of this final rule have been examined, and it has been determined not to be a significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866. VA’s impact analysis can be found as a supporting document at https:// www.regulations.gov, usually within 48 hours after the rulemaking document is published. Additionally, a copy of the rulemaking and its impact analysis are available on VA’s website at https:// www.va.gov/orpm, by following the link for ‘‘VA Regulations Published From FY 2004 Through Fiscal Year To Date.’’ This rule is not an E.O. 13771 regulatory action because this rule is not significant under E.O. 12866 sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES Unfunded Mandates The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 requires, at 2 U.S.C. 1532, that agencies prepare an assessment of anticipated costs and benefits before issuing any rule that may result in an expenditure by State, local, and tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector, of $100 million or more (adjusted annually for inflation) in any one year. This final rule would have no such effect on State, local, and tribal governments, or on the private sector. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance numbers and titles for the programs affected by this document are 64.011—Veterans Dental Care; 64.012— Veterans Prescription Service; 64.013— Veterans Prosthetic Appliances; 64.014—Veterans State Domiciliary Care; 64.015—Veterans State Nursing Home Care; 64.026—Veterans State Adult Day Health Care; 64.029— Purchase Care Program; 64.033—VA VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:23 Jul 05, 2018 Jkt 244001 Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program; 64.034—VA Grants for Adaptive Sports Programs for Disabled Veterans and Disabled Members of the Armed Forces; 64.035— Veterans Transportation Program; 64.039—CHAMPVA; 64.040—VHA Inpatient Medicine; 64.041—VHA Outpatient Specialty Care; 64.042— VHA Inpatient Surgery; 64.043—VHA Mental Health Residential; 64.044— VHA Home Care; 64.045—VHA Outpatient Ancillary Services; 64.046— VHA Inpatient Psychiatry; 64.047— VHA Primary Care; 64.048—VHA Mental Health clinics; 64.049—VHA Community Living Center; 64.050— VHA Diagnostic Care. List of Subjects in 38 CFR Part 17 Administrative practice and procedure, Alcohol abuse, Alcoholism, Claims, Day care, Dental health, Drug abuse, Foreign relations, Government contracts, Grant programs-health, Grant programs-veterans, Health care, Health facilities, Health professions, Health records, Homeless, Medical and dental schools, Medical devices, Medical research, Mental health programs, Nursing home care, Philippines, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Scholarships and fellows, Travel, Transportation expenses, Veterans. Signing Authority The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, or designee, approved this document and authorized the undersigned to sign and submit the document to the Office of the Federal Register for publication electronically as an official document of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Jacquelyn Hayes-Byrd, Acting Chief of Staff, Department of Veterans Affairs, approved this document on June 28, 2018, for publication. Dated: July 2, 2018. Consuela Benjamin, Regulation Development Coordinator, Office of Regulation Policy & Management, Office of the Secretary, Department of Veterans Affairs. For the reasons set forth in the preamble, VA amends 38 CFR part 17 as follows: PART 17—MEDICAL 1. The authority citation for part 17 continues to read in part as follows: ■ Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, and as noted in specific sections. * * * * * 2. Amend § 17.101 by: a. Adding paragraph (a)(9). b. Revising the authority citation at the end of the section. ■ ■ ■ PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 The addition and revision read as follows: § 17.101 Collection or recovery by VA for medical care or services provided or furnished to a veteran for a nonserviceconnected disability. (a) * * * (9) Care provided under special treatment authorities. (i) Notwithstanding any other provisions in this section, VA will not seek recovery or collection of reasonable charges from a third party payer for: (A) Hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care provided by VA or at VA expense under 38 U.S.C. 1710(a)(2)(F) and (e). (B) Counseling and appropriate care and services furnished to veterans for psychological trauma authorized under 38 U.S.C. 1720D. (C) Medical examination, and hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care furnished to veteran for cancer of the head or neck as authorized under 38 U.S.C. 1720E. (ii) VA may continue to exercise its right to recover or collect reasonable charges from third parties, pursuant to this section, for the cost of care that VA provides to these same veterans for conditions and disabilities that VA determines are not covered by any of the special treatment authorities. * * * * * (Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1701, 1705, 1710, 1720D, 1720E, 1721, 1722, 1729) [FR Doc. 2018–14573 Filed 7–5–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8320–01–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 40 CFR Part 52 [EPA–R04–OAR–2017–0642; FRL–9980– 50—Region 4] Air Plan Approval; AL; Section 128 Board Requirements for Infrastructure SIPs Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Final rule. AGENCY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking final action to approve a State Implementation Plan (SIP) submission, submitted by the State of Alabama, through the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM), on October 24, 2017, and a portion of a December 9, 2015, infrastructure SIP submission. The October 24, 2017 submission addresses the general Clean Air Act (CAA or Act) conflict of interest SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\06JYR1.SGM 06JYR1 sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 130 / Friday, July 6, 2018 / Rules and Regulations requirements applicable to Alabama state boards or agency personnel with respect to the approval of permits or enforcement orders. This submission also specifically addresses requirements for implementation of the following national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS): 1997, 2006, and 2012 Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5), 2008 8-hour Ozone, 2008 Lead, 2010 Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), and 2010 Sulfur Dioxide (SO2). The CAA requires that each state adopt and submit a SIP for the implementation, maintenance and enforcement of each NAAQS promulgated by EPA. Whenever EPA promulgates a new or revised NAAQS, the CAA requires the state to make a new SIP submission establishing that the existing SIP meets the various applicable requirements, or revising the SIP to meet those requirements. This type of SIP submission is commonly referred to as an ‘‘infrastructure’’ SIP. In this action, EPA is approving the October 24, 2017, submission with respect to: The CAA conflict of interest requirements; and the related conflict of interest infrastructure SIP requirements for the 1997, 2006, and 2012 PM2.5, 2008 8-hour Ozone, 2008 Lead, 2010 NO2, and 2010 SO2 NAAQS. In addition, EPA is approving a portion of ADEM’s December 9, 2015, infrastructure SIP submission (as supplemented by the October 24, 2017 submission) related to the conflict of interest requirements for the 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS. This action removes EPA’s obligation to promulgate a Federal Implementation Plan (FIP) to address these CAA state board requirements for Alabama. DATES: This rule will be effective August 6, 2018. ADDRESSES: EPA has established a docket for this action under Docket Identification No. EPA–R04–OAR– 2017–0642. All documents in the docket are listed on the www.regulations.gov website. Although listed in the index, some information is not publicly available, i.e., Confidential Business Information or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Certain other material, such as copyrighted material, is not placed on the internet and will be publicly available only in hard copy form. Publicly available docket materials are available either electronically through www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at the Air Regulatory Management Section, Air Planning and Implementation Branch, Air, Pesticides and Toxics Management Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 4, 61 Forsyth Street SW, Atlanta, Georgia 30303–8960. EPA requests that VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:23 Jul 05, 2018 Jkt 244001 if at all possible, you contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section to schedule your inspection. The Regional Office’s official hours of business are Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding Federal holidays. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nacosta C. Ward, Air Regulatory Management Section, Air Planning and Implementation Branch, Air, Pesticides and Toxics Management Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 4, 61 Forsyth Street SW, Atlanta, Georgia 30303–8960. The telephone number is (404) 562–9140. Ms. Ward can be reached via electronic mail at ward.nacosta@epa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background States must submit infrastructure SIP submissions meeting the applicable requirements of sections 110(a)(1) and (2) of the CAA within three years after EPA’s promulgation of a new or revised NAAQS. Sections 110(a)(1) and (2) require states to address basic SIP requirements, including emissions inventories, monitoring, and modeling to assure attainment and maintenance of the new or revised NAAQS. More specifically, section 110(a)(1) provides the procedural and timing requirements for infrastructure SIP submissions. Section 110(a)(2) lists specific requirements that states must meet for ‘‘infrastructure’’ SIP purposes, as applicable, related to the newly established or revised NAAQS. In particular, section 110(a)(2)(E)(ii) requires states to include provisions in their SIP to address the state board requirements of section 128. EPA is finalizing its proposed approval of Alabama’s December 9, 2015 and October 24, 2017,1 submissions to incorporate into its SIP certain regulatory provisions to address the state board requirements of section 128. As a result of the addition of these new SIP provisions to meet the requirements of section 128, EPA is also finalizing approval of these submissions as satisfying the section 110(a)(2)(E)(ii) infrastructure requirement for the 1997, 2006, and 2012 PM2.5, 2008 8-hour Ozone, 2008 Lead, 2010 NO2, and 2010 SO2 NAAQS. This final action fully addresses the SIP deficiencies related to section 110(a)(2)(E)(ii) and section 128 from EPA’s prior disapprovals of infrastructure SIP submissions for the 1997 and 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS on October 15, 2012 (77 FR 62449), 2008 8hour Ozone NAAQS on April 2, 2015 1 Alabama’s October 24, 2017 submission became state effective on December 8, 2017. PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 31455 (80 FR 17689), 2008 Lead NAAQS on October 9, 2015 (80 FR 61111), 2010 NO2 NAAQS on November 21, 2016 (81 FR 83142), and 2010 SO2 NAAQS on January 12, 2017 (82 FR 3637). Thus, this final action also satisfies EPA’s FIP obligation with regard to that infrastructure SIP requirement for these NAAQS based on the prior disapprovals. EPA proposed to approve Alabama’s October 24, 2017, submission related to the state board requirements as meeting the requirements of section 128, and also as meeting the infrastructure requirements of section 110(a)(2)(E)(ii) for the 1997 and 2006 PM2.5, 2008 8hour Ozone, 2008 Lead, 2010 NO2, and 2010 SO2 NAAQS and a portion of the December 9, 2015, infrastructure SIP submission related to the state board requirements for the 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS in a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPR) published on February 8, 2018 (83 FR 5594). The details of Alabama’s submissions and the rationale for EPA’s actions related to how Alabama addressed the requirements of section 128 and the related infrastructure section 110(a)(2)(E)(ii) requirements for the aforementioned NAAQS are explained in the NPR. II. Response to Comments EPA received a total of nine sets of comments, but only one commenter submitted comments that are relevant to this action. Comment 1: The Commenter contends that Alabama’s new provisions related to conflicts of interest do not fully comply with the CAA section 128 because the provisions apply to the members of applicable boards or bodies, rather than to the board or body itself. Specifically, the Commenter states: ‘‘because the 128(a)(1) applies to the board itself but [Alabama Rule] 335–1– 1–.03(1)(h) does not apply to the board itself, but rather to its members, 335–1– 1–.03(1)(h) does not meet the requirement of 128(a)(1).’’ The Commenter contends that this raises concerns about the enforceability of this provision. The Commenter expresses concern that it could not name the board itself as a defendant because the provision does not apply to the board, and that it could be difficult to enforce the conflict of interest provisions against individual board members because the members each could assert they are not the majority. The Commenter also expresses concern about remedies in such an enforcement action, contending that a ‘‘U.S. District Judge would have to decide which members to remove from the board.’’ Therefore, the Commenter suggested E:\FR\FM\06JYR1.SGM 06JYR1 31456 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 130 / Friday, July 6, 2018 / Rules and Regulations sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES that EPA should only conditionally approve the SIP submissions— specifically, that EPA approve the submissions on the condition that the state revise 335–1–1–.03(1)(h) so that it applies to the Alabama Environmental Management Commission (EMC) as a collective entity, rather than to the individual members of the EMC. EPA’s Response 1: EPA does not agree with the Commenter that Alabama Rule 335–1–1–.03(2)(h) 2 does not satisfy the requirements of section 128(a)(1) because the provision applies to each individual member of the board or body, rather than to the board or body itself as a whole. Section 128(a)(1) requires SIPs to (a) ‘‘contain requirements that (1) any board or body which approves permits or enforcement orders under [the CAA] shall have at least a majority of members who represent the public interest and do not derive any significant portion of income from persons subject to permits or enforcement orders under [the CAA].’’ Upon approval, the Alabama SIP will contain requirements to ensure that the EMC will have at least a majority of members who represent the public interest and who do not derive a significant portion of income from regulated entities, and that all of the members of the EMC will disclose any potential conflicts of interest. This is because the EMC is made up of the members themselves (there is no separate governing board or body) and because each member will be responsible for meeting all requirements of section 128, including the majority requirements of section 128(a)(1). By electing to make each individual member of the EMC directly responsible for compliance with section 128 requirements, Alabama has assured that the EMC as a whole will meet these requirements. Further, EPA notes that the CAA does not explicitly require that the provisions of section 128(a)(1) apply directly to a board or body itself as a distinct entity. Ultimately, the requirements of this provisions are met if a majority of board members meet the public-interest and significant-portion-of-income requirements. In fact, as noted in the notice of proposed approval, 83 FR 5597, states have some flexibility to determine the specific provisions needed to satisfy the requirements of 2 The Commenter provided a citation to Alabama rule 335–1–1–.03(1)(h) in its comments, but the SIP submission requests incorporation of Alabama rule 335–1–1–.03(2)(h). EPA notes that Alabama rule 335–1–1–.03 does not include a (1)(h), and believes the Commenter’s citation was in error. EPA is, therefore, citing to 335–1–1–.03(2)(h) in its responses to the comments. VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:23 Jul 05, 2018 Jkt 244001 section 128, so long as the statutory requirements are met.3 4 In this instance, Alabama determined that requiring each member of the board to meet the requirements of section 128(a)(1) is an appropriate means to assure that the EMC as a whole meets the substantive requirements. Thus, EPA believes Alabama’s approach satisfies the majority composition requirements of section 128(a)(1), about which the commenter expressed concern, and does not require any amendment. The Commenter also expresses concern about potential difficulties with pursuing citizen suits as a basis for suggesting that Rule 335–1–1–.03(2)(h) is not enforceable. Specifically, the Commenter suggests that it would be unable to name the board itself as a defendant, then posits that individual board members could say they are not the majority, and concludes that a ‘‘U.S. District Judge would have to decide which members to remove from the board.’’ EPA does not agree that being unable to seek enforcement against the board itself versus the individual members will preclude enforcement of the requirements in the event of potential noncompliance. EPA does not believe that Rule 335–1–1–.03(2)(h) presents unique enforcement challenges or that requiring compliance by each member of the EMC, rather than the EMC itself, eliminates the opportunity for judicial review for non-compliance. In particular, the EPA does not agree that the only remedy available to a federal district court is for the court to decide which members to remove from the board. For example, the court could direct board members to comply with the section 128 requirements. Comment 2: The Commenter also expresses concerns ‘‘with regard to CAA 128(a)(2)’s obligation to adequately disclose potential conflicts of interest, [Rule] 335–1–1–.03(1)(h) and [Rule] 335–1–1–.04(6)’s lack of any specifics as to what constitutes adequate disclosure can lead to confusion and potential lengthy litigation.’’ EPA’s Response 2: EPA does not agree that omitting an explicit regulatory 3 The U.S. House of Representatives conference committee report for the 1977 amendments stated that ‘‘it is the responsibility of each state to determine the specific requirements to meet the general requirements of [section 128].’’ H.R. Rep. 95–564 (1977), reprinted in Legislative History of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1977, 526–527 (1978). 4 In guidance, EPA has recognized that states may have a variety of procedures and special concerns that may warrant differing approaches to implementation of section 128. ‘‘Guidance to States for Meeting Conflict of Interest Requirements of Section 128,’’ Memorandum from David O. Bickart, Deputy General Counsel, to Regional Air Directors, March 2, 1978 (‘‘1978 Guidance’’). PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 definition or other specification of what constitutes adequate disclosure is impermissible. EPA notes that the CAA itself does not define what constitutes ‘‘adequately’’ disclosing potential conflicts of interest. This means that what constitutes adequate disclosure may depend upon the specific facts and circumstances of a given situation. While EPA’s 1978 guidance provides a recommended definition for ‘‘adequately disclosed,’’ this guidance also specifies that it does not create a requirement that all SIPs must include EPA’s suggested definitions verbatim, or that states must include any definitions in SIPs at all.5 As noted in the proposed action, EPA has approved similar state law requirements for other states that closely track or mirror the explicit statutory language of section 128, and which do not define ‘‘adequately disclosed.’’ 6 Nevertheless, EPA concludes that by requiring each member of the EMC and the management of ADEM to comply with applicable federal law and regulations, those individuals are required to disclose any potential conflicts of interest adequately. The determination of whether they have done so will turn upon the specific facts and circumstances of a given situation, per the explicit requirement of section 128(a)(2). Because Alabama’s SIP revision meets CAA requirements and is consistent with EPA guidance and past approvals with respect to the requirements of section 128, EPA believes that state does not need to make the revisions suggested by the Commenter. III. Incorporation by Reference In this rule, EPA is finalizing regulatory text that includes incorporation by reference. In accordance with requirements of 1 CFR 51.5, EPA is finalizing the incorporation by reference of ADEM’s Section 335–1– 1–.03, Organization and Duties of the Commission and Section 335–1–1–.04, Organization of the Department, state effective December 8, 2017, which revise Alabama’s SIP to include language that mandates members of the Alabama Environmental Management Commission and the ADEM Director, Deputy Director, Division Chiefs, and all ADEM personnel meet all requirements of the state ethics law and the conflict of interest provisions of applicable Federal laws and regulations. EPA has made, and will continue to make, these 5 1978 Guidance, ‘‘Model Letter from Regional Offices to States,’’ at 2–3. 6 See also EPA proposed rule on South Dakota, 79 FR 71040, 71052, finalized at 80 FR 4799. E:\FR\FM\06JYR1.SGM 06JYR1 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 130 / Friday, July 6, 2018 / Rules and Regulations materials generally available through www.regulations.gov and at the EPA Region 4 Office (please contact the person identified in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this preamble for more information). Therefore, these materials have been approved by EPA for inclusion in the SIP, have been incorporated by reference by EPA into that plan, are fully federally enforceable under sections 110 and 113 of the CAA as of the effective date of the final rulemaking of EPA’s approval, and will be incorporated in the next update to the SIP compilation.7 sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES IV. Final Action As described above, EPA is taking action to approve SIP revisions needed to assure that Alabama’s SIP meets the state board requirements of section 128 of the CAA. Approval of Alabama’s October 24, 2017 SIP submission, and a portion of the December 9, 2015 SIP submission also meets the section 110(a)(2)(E)(ii) infrastructure SIP requirements for the 1997, 2006, and 2012 PM2.5, 2008 8-hour Ozone, 2008 Lead, 2010 NO2, and 2010 SO2 NAAQS. With this approval, the deficiencies that EPA identified in the previous partial disapprovals of Alabama’s infrastructure SIP submissions related to the state board requirements for the 1997 and 2006 PM2.5, 2008 8-hour Ozone, 2008 Lead, 2010 NO2, and 2010 SO2 NAAQS are resolved. 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 Act and applicable Federal regulations. See 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. 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 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 7 62 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). The SIP is not approved to apply on any Indian reservation land or in any other area where EPA or an Indian tribe has demonstrated that a tribe has jurisdiction. In those areas of Indian country, the rule does not have tribal implications as specified by Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, November 9, 2000), nor will it impose substantial direct costs on tribal governments or preempt tribal law. The Congressional Review Act, 5 U.S.C. 801 et seq., as added by the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, generally provides that before a rule may take effect, the agency promulgating the rule must submit a rule report, which includes a copy of the rule, to each House of the Congress and to the Comptroller General of the United States. EPA will submit a report containing this action and other required information to the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of Representatives, and the Comptroller General of the United States prior to publication of the rule in the Federal Register. A major rule cannot take effect until 60 days after it is published in the Federal Register. This action is not a ‘‘major rule’’ as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2). Under section 307(b)(1) of the CAA, petitions for judicial review of this action must be filed in the United States Court of Appeals for the appropriate circuit by September 4, 2018. Filing a petition for reconsideration by the Administrator of this final rule does not affect the finality of this action for the purposes of judicial review nor does it extend the time within which a petition for judicial review may be filed, and shall not postpone the effectiveness of such rule or action. This action may not be challenged later in proceedings to enforce its requirements. See section 307(b)(2). List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52 Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Incorporation by reference, Intergovernmental relations, Lead, Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone, Particulate matter, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Sulfur oxides, Volatile organic compounds. Dated: June 25, 2018. Onis ‘‘Trey’’ Glenn, III, Regional Administrator, Region 4. 40 CFR part 52 is amended as follows: PART 52—APPROVAL AND PROMULGATION OF IMPLEMENTATION PLANS 1. The authority citation for part 52 continues to read as follows: ■ Authority: 42 .U.S.C. 7401 et seq. Subpart B—Alabama 2. Section 52.50 is amended by: a. In paragraph (c), adding a new heading for ‘‘Chapter No. 335–1–1 Organization’’ and adding new entries for ‘‘Section 335–1–1–.03,’’ and ‘‘Section 335–1–1–.04’’ at the beginning of the table; and ■ b. In paragraph (e), adding new entries for ‘‘110(a)(1) and (2) Infrastructure Requirements for the 1997 Annual PM2.5 NAAQS,’’ ‘‘110(a)(1) and (2) Infrastructure Requirements for the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS,’’ ‘‘110(a)(1) and (2) Infrastructure Requirements for the 2012 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS,’’ ‘‘110(a)(1) and (2) Infrastructure Requirements for the 2008 Lead NAAQS,’’ ‘‘110(a)(1) and (2) Infrastructure Requirements for the 2008 8-hour Ozone NAAQS,’’ ‘‘110(a)(1) and (2) Infrastructure Requirements for the 2010 NO2 NAAQS,’’ and ‘‘110(a)(1) and (2) Infrastructure Requirements for the 2010 SO2 NAAQS’’ at the end of the table to read as follows: ■ ■ § 52.50 * * Identification of plan. * FR 27968 (May 22, 1997). VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:23 Jul 05, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 31457 E:\FR\FM\06JYR1.SGM 06JYR1 * * 31458 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 130 / Friday, July 6, 2018 / Rules and Regulations (c) * * * EPA-APPROVED ALABAMA REGULATIONS State citation State effective date Title/subject EPA approval date Explanation Chapter No. 335–1–1 Organization Section 335–1–1–.03 .............. Section 335–1–1–.04 .............. * * * Organization and Duties of the Commission. Organization of the Department. * * * 12/8/2017 12/8/2017 * * 7/6/2018, [Insert citation of publication]. 7/6/2018, [Insert citation of publication]. * * * * (e) * * * EPA-APPROVED ALABAMA NON-REGULATORY PROVISIONS Name of nonregulatory SIP provision Applicable geographic or nonattainment area State submittal date/ effective date EPA approval date * * * 110(a)(1) and (2) InfrastrucAlabama ................................. ture Requirements for the 1997 Annual PM2.5 NAAQS. * 12/8/2017 * 7/6/2018, [Insert citation of publication]. 110(a)(1) and (2) InfrastrucAlabama ................................. ture Requirements for the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS. 12/8/2017 7/6/2018, [Insert citation of publication]. 110(a)(1) and (2) InfrastrucAlabama ................................. ture Requirements for the 2012 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS. 12/8/2017 7/6/2018, [Insert citation of publication]. 110(a)(1) and (2) Infrastructure Requirements for the 2008 Lead NAAQS. Alabama ................................. 12/8/2017 7/6/2018, [Insert citation of publication]. 110(a)(1) and (2) InfrastrucAlabama ................................. ture Requirements for the 2008 8-hour Ozone NAAQS. 12/8/2017 7/6/2018, [Insert citation of publication]. 110(a)(1) and (2) Infrastructure Requirements for the 2010 NO2 NAAQS. Alabama ................................. 12/8/2017 7/6/2018, [Insert citation of publication]. 110(a)(1) and (2) Infrastructure Requirements for the 2010 SO2 NAAQS. Alabama ................................. 12/8/2017 7/6/2018, [Insert citation of publication]. § 52.53 [Amended] 3. Section 52.53 is amended by removing paragraphs (a) through (e). ■ FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 47 CFR Part 54 [FR Doc. 2018–14525 Filed 7–5–18; 8:45 am] [WC Docket Nos. 10–90; FCC 18–53] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES Connect America Fund Federal Communications Commission. ACTION: Denial of petition for reconsideration. AGENCY: In this document, the Federal Communications Commission SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:23 Jul 05, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 Explanation * * Addressing the state board requirements of sections 128 and 110(a)(2)(E)(ii) only. Addressing the state board requirements of sections 128 and 110(a)(2)(E)(ii) only. Addressing the state board requirements of sections 128 and 110(a)(2)(E)(ii) only. Addressing the state board requirements of sections 128 and 110(a)(2)(E)(ii) only. Addressing the state board requirements of sections 128 and 110(a)(2)(E)(ii) only. Addressing the state board requirements of sections 128 and 110(a)(2)(E)(ii) only. Addressing the state board requirements of sections 128 and 110(a)(2)(E)(ii) only. (Commission) addresses the petition for reconsideration filed by Alaska Communications Systems (ACS) of the October 31, 2016 Commission’s ACS Connect America Fund (CAF) Phase II Order. The Commission denies the petition. The denial of the petition for reconsideration is effective August 6, 2018. DATES: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alexander Minard, Wireline Competition Bureau, (202) 418–7400 or TTY: (202) 418–0484. E:\FR\FM\06JYR1.SGM 06JYR1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 130 (Friday, July 6, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 31454-31458]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-14525]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 52

[EPA-R04-OAR-2017-0642; FRL-9980-50--Region 4]


Air Plan Approval; AL; Section 128 Board Requirements for 
Infrastructure SIPs

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking final 
action to approve a State Implementation Plan (SIP) submission, 
submitted by the State of Alabama, through the Alabama Department of 
Environmental Management (ADEM), on October 24, 2017, and a portion of 
a December 9, 2015, infrastructure SIP submission. The October 24, 2017 
submission addresses the general Clean Air Act (CAA or Act) conflict of 
interest

[[Page 31455]]

requirements applicable to Alabama state boards or agency personnel 
with respect to the approval of permits or enforcement orders. This 
submission also specifically addresses requirements for implementation 
of the following national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS): 1997, 
2006, and 2012 Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5), 2008 8-hour 
Ozone, 2008 Lead, 2010 Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), and 2010 
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2). The CAA requires that each state adopt 
and submit a SIP for the implementation, maintenance and enforcement of 
each NAAQS promulgated by EPA. Whenever EPA promulgates a new or 
revised NAAQS, the CAA requires the state to make a new SIP submission 
establishing that the existing SIP meets the various applicable 
requirements, or revising the SIP to meet those requirements. This type 
of SIP submission is commonly referred to as an ``infrastructure'' SIP. 
In this action, EPA is approving the October 24, 2017, submission with 
respect to: The CAA conflict of interest requirements; and the related 
conflict of interest infrastructure SIP requirements for the 1997, 
2006, and 2012 PM2.5, 2008 8-hour Ozone, 2008 Lead, 2010 
NO2, and 2010 SO2 NAAQS. In addition, EPA is 
approving a portion of ADEM's December 9, 2015, infrastructure SIP 
submission (as supplemented by the October 24, 2017 submission) related 
to the conflict of interest requirements for the 2012 PM2.5 
NAAQS. This action removes EPA's obligation to promulgate a Federal 
Implementation Plan (FIP) to address these CAA state board requirements 
for Alabama.

DATES: This rule will be effective August 6, 2018.

ADDRESSES: EPA has established a docket for this action under Docket 
Identification No. EPA-R04-OAR-2017-0642. All documents in the docket 
are listed on the www.regulations.gov website. Although listed in the 
index, some information is not publicly available, i.e., Confidential 
Business Information or other information whose disclosure is 
restricted by statute. Certain other material, such as copyrighted 
material, is not placed on the internet and will be publicly available 
only in hard copy form. Publicly available docket materials are 
available either electronically through www.regulations.gov or in hard 
copy at the Air Regulatory Management Section, Air Planning and 
Implementation Branch, Air, Pesticides and Toxics Management Division, 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 4, 61 Forsyth Street SW, 
Atlanta, Georgia 30303-8960. EPA requests that if at all possible, you 
contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT 
section to schedule your inspection. The Regional Office's official 
hours of business are Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., 
excluding Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nacosta C. Ward, Air Regulatory 
Management Section, Air Planning and Implementation Branch, Air, 
Pesticides and Toxics Management Division, U.S. Environmental 
Protection Agency, Region 4, 61 Forsyth Street SW, Atlanta, Georgia 
30303-8960. The telephone number is (404) 562-9140. Ms. Ward can be 
reached via electronic mail at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    States must submit infrastructure SIP submissions meeting the 
applicable requirements of sections 110(a)(1) and (2) of the CAA within 
three years after EPA's promulgation of a new or revised NAAQS. 
Sections 110(a)(1) and (2) require states to address basic SIP 
requirements, including emissions inventories, monitoring, and modeling 
to assure attainment and maintenance of the new or revised NAAQS. More 
specifically, section 110(a)(1) provides the procedural and timing 
requirements for infrastructure SIP submissions. Section 110(a)(2) 
lists specific requirements that states must meet for 
``infrastructure'' SIP purposes, as applicable, related to the newly 
established or revised NAAQS. In particular, section 110(a)(2)(E)(ii) 
requires states to include provisions in their SIP to address the state 
board requirements of section 128.
    EPA is finalizing its proposed approval of Alabama's December 9, 
2015 and October 24, 2017,\1\ submissions to incorporate into its SIP 
certain regulatory provisions to address the state board requirements 
of section 128. As a result of the addition of these new SIP provisions 
to meet the requirements of section 128, EPA is also finalizing 
approval of these submissions as satisfying the section 
110(a)(2)(E)(ii) infrastructure requirement for the 1997, 2006, and 
2012 PM2.5, 2008 8-hour Ozone, 2008 Lead, 2010 
NO2, and 2010 SO2 NAAQS. This final action fully 
addresses the SIP deficiencies related to section 110(a)(2)(E)(ii) and 
section 128 from EPA's prior disapprovals of infrastructure SIP 
submissions for the 1997 and 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS on October 15, 
2012 (77 FR 62449), 2008 8-hour Ozone NAAQS on April 2, 2015 (80 FR 
17689), 2008 Lead NAAQS on October 9, 2015 (80 FR 61111), 2010 
NO2 NAAQS on November 21, 2016 (81 FR 83142), and 2010 
SO2 NAAQS on January 12, 2017 (82 FR 3637). Thus, this final 
action also satisfies EPA's FIP obligation with regard to that 
infrastructure SIP requirement for these NAAQS based on the prior 
disapprovals.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ Alabama's October 24, 2017 submission became state effective 
on December 8, 2017.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    EPA proposed to approve Alabama's October 24, 2017, submission 
related to the state board requirements as meeting the requirements of 
section 128, and also as meeting the infrastructure requirements of 
section 110(a)(2)(E)(ii) for the 1997 and 2006 PM2.5, 2008 
8-hour Ozone, 2008 Lead, 2010 NO2, and 2010 SO2 
NAAQS and a portion of the December 9, 2015, infrastructure SIP 
submission related to the state board requirements for the 2012 
PM2.5 NAAQS in a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPR) 
published on February 8, 2018 (83 FR 5594). The details of Alabama's 
submissions and the rationale for EPA's actions related to how Alabama 
addressed the requirements of section 128 and the related 
infrastructure section 110(a)(2)(E)(ii) requirements for the 
aforementioned NAAQS are explained in the NPR.

II. Response to Comments

    EPA received a total of nine sets of comments, but only one 
commenter submitted comments that are relevant to this action.
    Comment 1: The Commenter contends that Alabama's new provisions 
related to conflicts of interest do not fully comply with the CAA 
section 128 because the provisions apply to the members of applicable 
boards or bodies, rather than to the board or body itself. 
Specifically, the Commenter states: ``because the 128(a)(1) applies to 
the board itself but [Alabama Rule] 335-1-1-.03(1)(h) does not apply to 
the board itself, but rather to its members, 335-1-1-.03(1)(h) does not 
meet the requirement of 128(a)(1).'' The Commenter contends that this 
raises concerns about the enforceability of this provision. The 
Commenter expresses concern that it could not name the board itself as 
a defendant because the provision does not apply to the board, and that 
it could be difficult to enforce the conflict of interest provisions 
against individual board members because the members each could assert 
they are not the majority. The Commenter also expresses concern about 
remedies in such an enforcement action, contending that a ``U.S. 
District Judge would have to decide which members to remove from the 
board.'' Therefore, the Commenter suggested

[[Page 31456]]

that EPA should only conditionally approve the SIP submissions--
specifically, that EPA approve the submissions on the condition that 
the state revise 335-1-1-.03(1)(h) so that it applies to the Alabama 
Environmental Management Commission (EMC) as a collective entity, 
rather than to the individual members of the EMC.
    EPA's Response 1: EPA does not agree with the Commenter that 
Alabama Rule 335-1-1-.03(2)(h) \2\ does not satisfy the requirements of 
section 128(a)(1) because the provision applies to each individual 
member of the board or body, rather than to the board or body itself as 
a whole. Section 128(a)(1) requires SIPs to (a) ``contain requirements 
that (1) any board or body which approves permits or enforcement orders 
under [the CAA] shall have at least a majority of members who represent 
the public interest and do not derive any significant portion of income 
from persons subject to permits or enforcement orders under [the 
CAA].'' Upon approval, the Alabama SIP will contain requirements to 
ensure that the EMC will have at least a majority of members who 
represent the public interest and who do not derive a significant 
portion of income from regulated entities, and that all of the members 
of the EMC will disclose any potential conflicts of interest. This is 
because the EMC is made up of the members themselves (there is no 
separate governing board or body) and because each member will be 
responsible for meeting all requirements of section 128, including the 
majority requirements of section 128(a)(1). By electing to make each 
individual member of the EMC directly responsible for compliance with 
section 128 requirements, Alabama has assured that the EMC as a whole 
will meet these requirements.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ The Commenter provided a citation to Alabama rule 335-1-
1-.03(1)(h) in its comments, but the SIP submission requests 
incorporation of Alabama rule 335-1-1-.03(2)(h). EPA notes that 
Alabama rule 335-1-1-.03 does not include a (1)(h), and believes the 
Commenter's citation was in error. EPA is, therefore, citing to 335-
1-1-.03(2)(h) in its responses to the comments.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Further, EPA notes that the CAA does not explicitly require that 
the provisions of section 128(a)(1) apply directly to a board or body 
itself as a distinct entity. Ultimately, the requirements of this 
provisions are met if a majority of board members meet the public-
interest and significant-portion-of-income requirements. In fact, as 
noted in the notice of proposed approval, 83 FR 5597, states have some 
flexibility to determine the specific provisions needed to satisfy the 
requirements of section 128, so long as the statutory requirements are 
met.3 4 In this instance, Alabama determined that requiring 
each member of the board to meet the requirements of section 128(a)(1) 
is an appropriate means to assure that the EMC as a whole meets the 
substantive requirements. Thus, EPA believes Alabama's approach 
satisfies the majority composition requirements of section 128(a)(1), 
about which the commenter expressed concern, and does not require any 
amendment.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ The U.S. House of Representatives conference committee 
report for the 1977 amendments stated that ``it is the 
responsibility of each state to determine the specific requirements 
to meet the general requirements of [section 128].'' H.R. Rep. 95-
564 (1977), reprinted in Legislative History of the Clean Air Act 
Amendments of 1977, 526-527 (1978).
    \4\ In guidance, EPA has recognized that states may have a 
variety of procedures and special concerns that may warrant 
differing approaches to implementation of section 128. ``Guidance to 
States for Meeting Conflict of Interest Requirements of Section 
128,'' Memorandum from David O. Bickart, Deputy General Counsel, to 
Regional Air Directors, March 2, 1978 (``1978 Guidance'').
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Commenter also expresses concern about potential difficulties 
with pursuing citizen suits as a basis for suggesting that Rule 335-1-
1-.03(2)(h) is not enforceable. Specifically, the Commenter suggests 
that it would be unable to name the board itself as a defendant, then 
posits that individual board members could say they are not the 
majority, and concludes that a ``U.S. District Judge would have to 
decide which members to remove from the board.'' EPA does not agree 
that being unable to seek enforcement against the board itself versus 
the individual members will preclude enforcement of the requirements in 
the event of potential noncompliance. EPA does not believe that Rule 
335-1-1-.03(2)(h) presents unique enforcement challenges or that 
requiring compliance by each member of the EMC, rather than the EMC 
itself, eliminates the opportunity for judicial review for non-
compliance. In particular, the EPA does not agree that the only remedy 
available to a federal district court is for the court to decide which 
members to remove from the board. For example, the court could direct 
board members to comply with the section 128 requirements.
    Comment 2: The Commenter also expresses concerns ``with regard to 
CAA 128(a)(2)'s obligation to adequately disclose potential conflicts 
of interest, [Rule] 335-1-1-.03(1)(h) and [Rule] 335-1-1-.04(6)'s lack 
of any specifics as to what constitutes adequate disclosure can lead to 
confusion and potential lengthy litigation.''
    EPA's Response 2: EPA does not agree that omitting an explicit 
regulatory definition or other specification of what constitutes 
adequate disclosure is impermissible. EPA notes that the CAA itself 
does not define what constitutes ``adequately'' disclosing potential 
conflicts of interest. This means that what constitutes adequate 
disclosure may depend upon the specific facts and circumstances of a 
given situation. While EPA's 1978 guidance provides a recommended 
definition for ``adequately disclosed,'' this guidance also specifies 
that it does not create a requirement that all SIPs must include EPA's 
suggested definitions verbatim, or that states must include any 
definitions in SIPs at all.\5\ As noted in the proposed action, EPA has 
approved similar state law requirements for other states that closely 
track or mirror the explicit statutory language of section 128, and 
which do not define ``adequately disclosed.'' \6\ Nevertheless, EPA 
concludes that by requiring each member of the EMC and the management 
of ADEM to comply with applicable federal law and regulations, those 
individuals are required to disclose any potential conflicts of 
interest adequately. The determination of whether they have done so 
will turn upon the specific facts and circumstances of a given 
situation, per the explicit requirement of section 128(a)(2). Because 
Alabama's SIP revision meets CAA requirements and is consistent with 
EPA guidance and past approvals with respect to the requirements of 
section 128, EPA believes that state does not need to make the 
revisions suggested by the Commenter.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ 1978 Guidance, ``Model Letter from Regional Offices to 
States,'' at 2-3.
    \6\ See also EPA proposed rule on South Dakota, 79 FR 71040, 
71052, finalized at 80 FR 4799.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

III. Incorporation by Reference

    In this rule, EPA is finalizing regulatory text that includes 
incorporation by reference. In accordance with requirements of 1 CFR 
51.5, EPA is finalizing the incorporation by reference of ADEM's 
Section 335-1-1-.03, Organization and Duties of the Commission and 
Section 335-1-1-.04, Organization of the Department, state effective 
December 8, 2017, which revise Alabama's SIP to include language that 
mandates members of the Alabama Environmental Management Commission and 
the ADEM Director, Deputy Director, Division Chiefs, and all ADEM 
personnel meet all requirements of the state ethics law and the 
conflict of interest provisions of applicable Federal laws and 
regulations. EPA has made, and will continue to make, these

[[Page 31457]]

materials generally available through www.regulations.gov and at the 
EPA Region 4 Office (please contact the person identified in the For 
Further Information Contact section of this preamble for more 
information). Therefore, these materials have been approved by EPA for 
inclusion in the SIP, have been incorporated by reference by EPA into 
that plan, are fully federally enforceable under sections 110 and 113 
of the CAA as of the effective date of the final rulemaking of EPA's 
approval, and will be incorporated in the next update to the SIP 
compilation.\7\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ 62 FR 27968 (May 22, 1997).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

IV. Final Action

    As described above, EPA is taking action to approve SIP revisions 
needed to assure that Alabama's SIP meets the state board requirements 
of section 128 of the CAA. Approval of Alabama's October 24, 2017 SIP 
submission, and a portion of the December 9, 2015 SIP submission also 
meets the section 110(a)(2)(E)(ii) infrastructure SIP requirements for 
the 1997, 2006, and 2012 PM2.5, 2008 8-hour Ozone, 2008 
Lead, 2010 NO2, and 2010 SO2 NAAQS. With this 
approval, the deficiencies that EPA identified in the previous partial 
disapprovals of Alabama's infrastructure SIP submissions related to the 
state board requirements for the 1997 and 2006 PM2.5, 2008 
8-hour Ozone, 2008 Lead, 2010 NO2, and 2010 SO2 
NAAQS are resolved.

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 Act and applicable 
Federal regulations. See 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. 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 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).
    The SIP is not approved to apply on any Indian reservation land or 
in any other area where EPA or an Indian tribe has demonstrated that a 
tribe has jurisdiction. In those areas of Indian country, the rule does 
not have tribal implications as specified by Executive Order 13175 (65 
FR 67249, November 9, 2000), nor will it impose substantial direct 
costs on tribal governments or preempt tribal law.
    The Congressional Review Act, 5 U.S.C. 801 et seq., as added by the 
Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, generally 
provides that before a rule may take effect, the agency promulgating 
the rule must submit a rule report, which includes a copy of the rule, 
to each House of the Congress and to the Comptroller General of the 
United States. EPA will submit a report containing this action and 
other required information to the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of 
Representatives, and the Comptroller General of the United States prior 
to publication of the rule in the Federal Register. A major rule cannot 
take effect until 60 days after it is published in the Federal 
Register. This action is not a ``major rule'' as defined by 5 U.S.C. 
804(2).
    Under section 307(b)(1) of the CAA, petitions for judicial review 
of this action must be filed in the United States Court of Appeals for 
the appropriate circuit by September 4, 2018. Filing a petition for 
reconsideration by the Administrator of this final rule does not affect 
the finality of this action for the purposes of judicial review nor 
does it extend the time within which a petition for judicial review may 
be filed, and shall not postpone the effectiveness of such rule or 
action. This action may not be challenged later in proceedings to 
enforce its requirements. See section 307(b)(2).

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52

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

    Dated: June 25, 2018.
Onis ``Trey'' Glenn, III,
Regional Administrator, Region 4.

    40 CFR part 52 is amended as follows:

PART 52--APPROVAL AND PROMULGATION OF IMPLEMENTATION PLANS

0
1. The authority citation for part 52 continues to read as follows:

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

Subpart B--Alabama

0
2. Section 52.50 is amended by:
0
a. In paragraph (c), adding a new heading for ``Chapter No. 335-1-1 
Organization'' and adding new entries for ``Section 335-1-1-.03,'' and 
``Section 335-1-1-.04'' at the beginning of the table; and
0
b. In paragraph (e), adding new entries for ``110(a)(1) and (2) 
Infrastructure Requirements for the 1997 Annual PM2.5 
NAAQS,'' ``110(a)(1) and (2) Infrastructure Requirements for the 2006 
24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS,'' ``110(a)(1) and (2) Infrastructure 
Requirements for the 2012 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS,'' ``110(a)(1) 
and (2) Infrastructure Requirements for the 2008 Lead NAAQS,'' 
``110(a)(1) and (2) Infrastructure Requirements for the 2008 8-hour 
Ozone NAAQS,'' ``110(a)(1) and (2) Infrastructure Requirements for the 
2010 NO2 NAAQS,'' and ``110(a)(1) and (2) Infrastructure 
Requirements for the 2010 SO2 NAAQS'' at the end of the 
table to read as follows:


Sec.  52.50   Identification of plan.

* * * * *

[[Page 31458]]

    (c) * * *

                                        EPA-Approved Alabama Regulations
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             State
          State citation              Title/subject     effective date   EPA approval date       Explanation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        Chapter No. 335-1-1 Organization
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section 335-1-1-.03..............  Organization and          12/8/2017  7/6/2018, [Insert    ...................
                                    Duties of the                        citation of
                                    Commission.                          publication].
Section 335-1-1-.04..............  Organization of the       12/8/2017  7/6/2018, [Insert    ...................
                                    Department.                          citation of
                                                                         publication].
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *
    (e) * * *

                                 EPA-Approved Alabama Non-Regulatory Provisions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             State
    Name of nonregulatory SIP           Applicable      submittal date/
            provision                 geographic or        effective     EPA approval date       Explanation
                                    nonattainment area       date
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
110(a)(1) and (2) Infrastructure   Alabama............       12/8/2017  7/6/2018, [Insert    Addressing the
 Requirements for the 1997 Annual                                        citation of          state board
 PM2.5 NAAQS.                                                            publication].        requirements of
                                                                                              sections 128 and
                                                                                              110(a)(2)(E)(ii)
                                                                                              only.
110(a)(1) and (2) Infrastructure   Alabama............       12/8/2017  7/6/2018, [Insert    Addressing the
 Requirements for the 2006 24-                                           citation of          state board
 hour PM2.5 NAAQS.                                                       publication].        requirements of
                                                                                              sections 128 and
                                                                                              110(a)(2)(E)(ii)
                                                                                              only.
110(a)(1) and (2) Infrastructure   Alabama............       12/8/2017  7/6/2018, [Insert    Addressing the
 Requirements for the 2012 24-                                           citation of          state board
 hour PM2.5 NAAQS.                                                       publication].        requirements of
                                                                                              sections 128 and
                                                                                              110(a)(2)(E)(ii)
                                                                                              only.
110(a)(1) and (2) Infrastructure   Alabama............       12/8/2017  7/6/2018, [Insert    Addressing the
 Requirements for the 2008 Lead                                          citation of          state board
 NAAQS.                                                                  publication].        requirements of
                                                                                              sections 128 and
                                                                                              110(a)(2)(E)(ii)
                                                                                              only.
110(a)(1) and (2) Infrastructure   Alabama............       12/8/2017  7/6/2018, [Insert    Addressing the
 Requirements for the 2008 8-hour                                        citation of          state board
 Ozone NAAQS.                                                            publication].        requirements of
                                                                                              sections 128 and
                                                                                              110(a)(2)(E)(ii)
                                                                                              only.
110(a)(1) and (2) Infrastructure   Alabama............       12/8/2017  7/6/2018, [Insert    Addressing the
 Requirements for the 2010 NO2                                           citation of          state board
 NAAQS.                                                                  publication].        requirements of
                                                                                              sections 128 and
                                                                                              110(a)(2)(E)(ii)
                                                                                              only.
110(a)(1) and (2) Infrastructure   Alabama............       12/8/2017  7/6/2018, [Insert    Addressing the
 Requirements for the 2010 SO2                                           citation of          state board
 NAAQS.                                                                  publication].        requirements of
                                                                                              sections 128 and
                                                                                              110(a)(2)(E)(ii)
                                                                                              only.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sec.  52.53   [Amended]

0
3. Section 52.53 is amended by removing paragraphs (a) through (e).

[FR Doc. 2018-14525 Filed 7-5-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6560-50-P


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