Alternative Methods for Calculating Off-Cycle Credits Under the Light-Duty Vehicle Greenhouse Gas Emissions Program: Application From Toyota Motor North America, Inc., 28811-28812 [2019-13093]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 119 / Thursday, June 20, 2019 / Notices 28811 TABLE III—TEST INFORMATION RECEIVED FROM 03/01/2019 TO 03/31/2019—Continued Case No. Received date P–18–0325 ..... 3/18/2019 SN–18–0003 .. 3/5/2019 Type of test information Fish Acute Toxicity (OECD 203), Daphnia Acute Toxicity (OECD 202), Algae Acute Toxicity (OECD 201), Acute Oral Toxicity (OECD 401), Acute Dermal Toxicity (OECD 402), Dermal Irritation (OECD 404), Eye Irritation (OECD 405), Ready Biodegradability (OECD 301B), Activated Sludge Respiration Inhibition Tests (OECD 209), Ames Test (OECD 471), Skin Sensitization (OECD 406), Chromosome Aberration Test (OECD 473), 28-Day Oral Toxicity Study (OECD 407). Algae Growth Inhibition Study (OECD 201) ............................................. If you are interested in information that is not included in these tables, you may contact EPA’s technical information contact or general information contact as described under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT to access additional non-CBI information that may be available. Authority: 15 U.S.C. 2601 et seq. Dated: June 6, 2019. Megan Carroll, Acting Director, Information Management Division, Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics. [FR Doc. 2019–13099 Filed 6–19–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [FRL–9995–46–OAR] Alternative Methods for Calculating Off-Cycle Credits Under the Light-Duty Vehicle Greenhouse Gas Emissions Program: Application From Toyota Motor North America, Inc. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: EPA is requesting comment on an application from Toyota Motor North America, Inc. (‘‘Toyota’’) for offcycle carbon dioxide (CO2) credits under EPA’s light-duty vehicle greenhouse gas emissions standards. ‘‘Off-cycle’’ emission reductions can be achieved by employing technologies that result in real-world benefits, but where that benefit is not adequately captured on the test procedures used by manufacturers to demonstrate compliance with emission standards. EPA’s light-duty vehicle greenhouse gas program acknowledges these benefits by giving automobile manufacturers several options for generating ‘‘off-cycle’’ CO2 credits. Under the regulations, a manufacturer may apply for CO2 credits for off-cycle technologies that result in off-cycle benefits. In these cases, a manufacturer must provide EPA with a proposed methodology for determining jbell on DSK3GLQ082PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:47 Jun 19, 2019 Chemical substance Jkt 247001 the real-world off-cycle benefit. Toyota has submitted an application that describes methodologies for determining off-cycle credits from technologies described in their application. Pursuant to applicable regulations, EPA is making Toyota’s offcycle credit calculation methodologies available for public comment. Comments must be received on or before July 22, 2019. DATES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA–HQ– OAR–2019–0333, to the Federal eRulemaking Portal: https:// www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Once submitted, comments cannot be edited or withdrawn. The 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. The 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, 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. ADDRESSES: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Roberts French, Environmental Protection Specialist, Office of Transportation and Air Quality, Compliance Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2000 Traverwood Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48105. Telephone: (734) 214–4380. Fax: (734) 214–4869. Email address: french.roberts@epa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 (G) Benzenesulfonic acid, alkyl derivs., compds. with diisopropanolamine. (S) Lithium nickel oxide (LiNiO2). I. Background EPA’s light-duty vehicle greenhouse gas (GHG) program provides three pathways by which a manufacturer may accrue off-cycle carbon dioxide (CO2) credits for those technologies that achieve CO2 reductions in the real world but where those reductions are not adequately captured on the test used to determine compliance with the CO2 standards, and which are not otherwise reflected in the standards’ stringency. The first pathway is a predetermined list of credit values for specific off-cycle technologies that may be used beginning in model year 2014.1 This pathway allows manufacturers to use conservative credit values established by EPA for a wide range of technologies, with minimal data submittal or testing requirements, if the technologies meet EPA regulatory definitions. In cases where the off-cycle technology is not on the menu but additional laboratory testing can demonstrate emission benefits, a second pathway allows manufacturers to use a broader array of emission tests (known as ‘‘5-cycle’’ testing because the methodology uses five different testing procedures) to demonstrate and justify off-cycle CO2 credits.2 The additional emission tests allow emission benefits to be demonstrated over some elements of real-world driving not adequately captured by the GHG compliance tests, including high speeds, hard accelerations, and cold temperatures. These first two methodologies were completely defined through notice and comment rulemaking and therefore no additional process is necessary for manufacturers to use these methods. The third and last pathway allows manufacturers to seek EPA approval to use an alternative methodology for determining the off-cycle CO2 credits.3 This option is only available if the benefit of the technology cannot be adequately demonstrated using the 5cycle methodology. Manufacturers may 1 See 40 CFR 86.1869–12(b). 40 CFR 86.1869–12(c). 3 See 40 CFR 86.1869–12(d). 2 See E:\FR\FM\20JNN1.SGM 20JNN1 jbell on DSK3GLQ082PROD with NOTICES 28812 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 119 / Thursday, June 20, 2019 / Notices also use this option for model years prior to 2014 to demonstrate off-cycle CO2 reductions for technologies that are on the predetermined list, or to demonstrate reductions that exceed those available via use of the predetermined list. Under the regulations, a manufacturer seeking to demonstrate off-cycle credits with an alternative methodology (i.e., under the third pathway described above) must describe a methodology that meets the following criteria: • Use modeling, on-road testing, onroad data collection, or other approved analytical or engineering methods; • Be robust, verifiable, and capable of demonstrating the real-world emissions benefit with strong statistical significance; • Result in a demonstration of baseline and controlled emissions over a wide range of driving conditions and number of vehicles such that issues of data uncertainty are minimized; • Result in data on a model type basis unless the manufacturer demonstrates that another basis is appropriate and adequate. Further, the regulations specify the following requirements regarding an application for off-cycle CO2 credits: • A manufacturer requesting off-cycle credits must develop a methodology for demonstrating and determining the benefit of the off-cycle technology and carry out any necessary testing and analysis required to support that methodology. • A manufacturer requesting off-cycle credits must conduct testing and/or prepare engineering analyses that demonstrate the in-use durability of the technology for the full useful life of the vehicle. • The application must contain a detailed description of the off-cycle technology and how it functions to reduce CO2 emissions under conditions not represented on the compliance tests. • The application must contain a list of the vehicle model(s) which will be equipped with the technology. • The application must contain a detailed description of the test vehicles selected and an engineering analysis that supports the selection of those vehicles for testing. • The application must contain all testing and/or simulation data required under the regulations, plus any other data the manufacturer has considered in the analysis. Finally, the alternative methodology must be approved by EPA prior to the manufacturer using it to generate credits. As part of the review process defined by regulation, the alternative methodology submitted to EPA for VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:47 Jun 19, 2019 Jkt 247001 consideration must be made available for public comment.4 EPA will consider public comments as part of its final decision to approve or deny the request for off-cycle credits. II. Off-Cycle Credit Applications Using the alternative methodology approach discussed above, Toyota Motor North America (‘‘Toyota’’) is applying for credits for model years 2012 and later. Toyota has applied for off-cycle credits using the alternative demonstration methodology pathway for an occupant-based, targeted cooling system (the ‘‘S-Flow’’ system) and for a pulse width modulated brushless motor power controller air conditioning technology, which improves the efficiency of the air conditioning system. III. EPA Decision Process EPA has reviewed the applications for completeness and is now making the applications available for public review and comment as required by the regulations. The off-cycle credit applications submitted by the manufacturer (with confidential business information redacted) have been placed in the public docket (see ADDRESSES section above) and on EPA’s website at https://www.epa.gov/vehicleand-engine-certification/complianceinformation-light-duty-greenhouse-gasghg-standards. EPA is providing a 30-day comment period on the applications for off-cycle credits described in this notice, as specified by the regulations. The manufacturers may submit a written rebuttal of comments for EPA’s consideration, or may revise an application in response to comments. After reviewing any public comments and any rebuttal of comments submitted by manufacturers, EPA will make a final decision regarding the credit requests. EPA will make its decision available to the public by placing a decision document (or multiple decision documents) in the docket and on EPA’s website at the same manufacturerspecific pages shown above. While the broad methodologies used by these manufacturers could potentially be used for other vehicles and by other manufacturers, the vehicle specific data needed to demonstrate the off-cycle emissions reductions would likely be different. In such cases, a new application would be required, including an opportunity for public comment. 4 See PO 00000 40 CFR 86.1869–12(d)(2). Frm 00025 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Dated: June 13, 2019. Byron J. Bunker, Director, Compliance Division, Office of Transportation and Air Quality, Office of Air and Radiation. [FR Doc. 2019–13093 Filed 6–19–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION Sunshine Act Meeting Tuesday, June 25, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. and its continuation on Thursday, June 27, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. PLACE: 1050 First Street NE, Washington, DC. STATUS: This meeting will be closed to the public. MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED: Compliance matters pursuant to 52 U.S.C. 30109. Information the premature disclosure of which would be likely to have a considerable adverse effect on the implementation of a proposed Commission action. Matters concerning participation in civil actions or proceedings or arbitration. * * * * * CONTACT PERSON FOR MORE INFORMATION: Judith Ingram, Press Officer, Telephone: (202) 694–1220. TIME AND DATE: Laura E. Sinram, Acting Secretary and Clerk of the Commission. [FR Doc. 2019–13260 Filed 6–18–19; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 6715–01–P FEDERAL RETIREMENT THRIFT INVESTMENT Sunshine Act Meetings June 24, 2019, 8:30 a.m. 77 K Street NE, 10th Floor, Washington, DC 20002. STATUS: Parts of these meetings will be closed and parts of these meetings will be closed. MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED: TIME AND DATE: PLACE: Portions Open to the Public 1. Approval of the May 29, 2019 Board Meeting Minutes 2. Monthly Reports (a) Participant Activity Report (b) Investment Performance (c) Legislative Report 3. Quarterly Reports (d) Vendor Risk Management 4. Enterprise Risk Management Update 5. Internal Auditor Update 6. Audit Remediation Review 7. OI Annual Report E:\FR\FM\20JNN1.SGM 20JNN1

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[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 119 (Thursday, June 20, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28811-28812]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-13093]


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

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-9995-46-OAR]


Alternative Methods for Calculating Off-Cycle Credits Under the 
Light-Duty Vehicle Greenhouse Gas Emissions Program: Application From 
Toyota Motor North America, Inc.

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: EPA is requesting comment on an application from Toyota Motor 
North America, Inc. (``Toyota'') for off-cycle carbon dioxide 
(CO2) credits under EPA's light-duty vehicle greenhouse gas 
emissions standards. ``Off-cycle'' emission reductions can be achieved 
by employing technologies that result in real-world benefits, but where 
that benefit is not adequately captured on the test procedures used by 
manufacturers to demonstrate compliance with emission standards. EPA's 
light-duty vehicle greenhouse gas program acknowledges these benefits 
by giving automobile manufacturers several options for generating 
``off-cycle'' CO2 credits. Under the regulations, a 
manufacturer may apply for CO2 credits for off-cycle 
technologies that result in off-cycle benefits. In these cases, a 
manufacturer must provide EPA with a proposed methodology for 
determining the real-world off-cycle benefit. Toyota has submitted an 
application that describes methodologies for determining off-cycle 
credits from technologies described in their application. Pursuant to 
applicable regulations, EPA is making Toyota's off-cycle credit 
calculation methodologies available for public comment.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before July 22, 2019.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ- 
OAR-2019-0333, to the Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting 
comments. Once submitted, comments cannot be edited or withdrawn. The 
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. The 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, 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: Roberts French, Environmental 
Protection Specialist, Office of Transportation and Air Quality, 
Compliance Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2000 
Traverwood Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48105. Telephone: (734) 214-4380. Fax: 
(734) 214-4869. Email address: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    EPA's light-duty vehicle greenhouse gas (GHG) program provides 
three pathways by which a manufacturer may accrue off-cycle carbon 
dioxide (CO2) credits for those technologies that achieve 
CO2 reductions in the real world but where those reductions 
are not adequately captured on the test used to determine compliance 
with the CO2 standards, and which are not otherwise 
reflected in the standards' stringency. The first pathway is a 
predetermined list of credit values for specific off-cycle technologies 
that may be used beginning in model year 2014.\1\ This pathway allows 
manufacturers to use conservative credit values established by EPA for 
a wide range of technologies, with minimal data submittal or testing 
requirements, if the technologies meet EPA regulatory definitions. In 
cases where the off-cycle technology is not on the menu but additional 
laboratory testing can demonstrate emission benefits, a second pathway 
allows manufacturers to use a broader array of emission tests (known as 
``5-cycle'' testing because the methodology uses five different testing 
procedures) to demonstrate and justify off-cycle CO2 
credits.\2\ The additional emission tests allow emission benefits to be 
demonstrated over some elements of real-world driving not adequately 
captured by the GHG compliance tests, including high speeds, hard 
accelerations, and cold temperatures. These first two methodologies 
were completely defined through notice and comment rulemaking and 
therefore no additional process is necessary for manufacturers to use 
these methods. The third and last pathway allows manufacturers to seek 
EPA approval to use an alternative methodology for determining the off-
cycle CO2 credits.\3\ This option is only available if the 
benefit of the technology cannot be adequately demonstrated using the 
5-cycle methodology. Manufacturers may

[[Page 28812]]

also use this option for model years prior to 2014 to demonstrate off-
cycle CO2 reductions for technologies that are on the 
predetermined list, or to demonstrate reductions that exceed those 
available via use of the predetermined list.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ See 40 CFR 86.1869-12(b).
    \2\ See 40 CFR 86.1869-12(c).
    \3\ See 40 CFR 86.1869-12(d).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Under the regulations, a manufacturer seeking to demonstrate off-
cycle credits with an alternative methodology (i.e., under the third 
pathway described above) must describe a methodology that meets the 
following criteria:
     Use modeling, on-road testing, on-road data collection, or 
other approved analytical or engineering methods;
     Be robust, verifiable, and capable of demonstrating the 
real-world emissions benefit with strong statistical significance;
     Result in a demonstration of baseline and controlled 
emissions over a wide range of driving conditions and number of 
vehicles such that issues of data uncertainty are minimized;
     Result in data on a model type basis unless the 
manufacturer demonstrates that another basis is appropriate and 
adequate.
    Further, the regulations specify the following requirements 
regarding an application for off-cycle CO2 credits:
     A manufacturer requesting off-cycle credits must develop a 
methodology for demonstrating and determining the benefit of the off-
cycle technology and carry out any necessary testing and analysis 
required to support that methodology.
     A manufacturer requesting off-cycle credits must conduct 
testing and/or prepare engineering analyses that demonstrate the in-use 
durability of the technology for the full useful life of the vehicle.
     The application must contain a detailed description of the 
off-cycle technology and how it functions to reduce CO2 
emissions under conditions not represented on the compliance tests.
     The application must contain a list of the vehicle 
model(s) which will be equipped with the technology.
     The application must contain a detailed description of the 
test vehicles selected and an engineering analysis that supports the 
selection of those vehicles for testing.
     The application must contain all testing and/or simulation 
data required under the regulations, plus any other data the 
manufacturer has considered in the analysis.
    Finally, the alternative methodology must be approved by EPA prior 
to the manufacturer using it to generate credits. As part of the review 
process defined by regulation, the alternative methodology submitted to 
EPA for consideration must be made available for public comment.\4\ EPA 
will consider public comments as part of its final decision to approve 
or deny the request for off-cycle credits.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ See 40 CFR 86.1869-12(d)(2).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

II. Off-Cycle Credit Applications

    Using the alternative methodology approach discussed above, Toyota 
Motor North America (``Toyota'') is applying for credits for model 
years 2012 and later. Toyota has applied for off-cycle credits using 
the alternative demonstration methodology pathway for an occupant-
based, targeted cooling system (the ``S-Flow'' system) and for a pulse 
width modulated brushless motor power controller air conditioning 
technology, which improves the efficiency of the air conditioning 
system.

III. EPA Decision Process

    EPA has reviewed the applications for completeness and is now 
making the applications available for public review and comment as 
required by the regulations. The off-cycle credit applications 
submitted by the manufacturer (with confidential business information 
redacted) have been placed in the public docket (see ADDRESSES section 
above) and on EPA's website at https://www.epa.gov/vehicle-and-engine-certification/compliance-information-light-duty-greenhouse-gas-ghg-standards.
    EPA is providing a 30-day comment period on the applications for 
off-cycle credits described in this notice, as specified by the 
regulations. The manufacturers may submit a written rebuttal of 
comments for EPA's consideration, or may revise an application in 
response to comments. After reviewing any public comments and any 
rebuttal of comments submitted by manufacturers, EPA will make a final 
decision regarding the credit requests. EPA will make its decision 
available to the public by placing a decision document (or multiple 
decision documents) in the docket and on EPA's website at the same 
manufacturer-specific pages shown above. While the broad methodologies 
used by these manufacturers could potentially be used for other 
vehicles and by other manufacturers, the vehicle specific data needed 
to demonstrate the off-cycle emissions reductions would likely be 
different. In such cases, a new application would be required, 
including an opportunity for public comment.

    Dated: June 13, 2019.
Byron J. Bunker,
Director, Compliance Division, Office of Transportation and Air 
Quality, Office of Air and Radiation.
[FR Doc. 2019-13093 Filed 6-19-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
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