Air Plan Approval; Indiana; SO2, 30628-30631 [2019-13494]
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and in FERC’s Public Reference Room
during normal business hours (8:30 a.m.
to 5:00 p.m. Eastern time) at 888 First
Street NE, Room 2A, Washington DC
20426.
42. From FERC’s Home Page on the
internet, this information is available on
eLibrary. The full text of this document
is available on eLibrary in PDF and
Microsoft Word format for viewing,
printing, and/or downloading. To access
this document in eLibrary, type the
docket number excluding the last three
digits of this document in the docket
number field.
43. User assistance is available for
eLibrary and the FERC’s website during
normal business hours from FERC
Online Support at 202–502–6652 (toll
free at 1–866–208–3676) or email at
ferconlinesupport@ferc.gov, or the
Public Reference Room at (202) 502–
8371, TTY (202)502–8659. Email the
Public Reference Room at
public.referenceroom@ferc.gov.
VIII. Effective Date and Congressional
Notification
44. These regulations are effective
August 26, 2019. Pursuant to the
Congressional Review Act (5 U.S.C. 801
et seq.), the Office of Information and
Regulatory Affairs has designated this
rule as not a ‘‘major rule,’’ as defined by
5 U.S.C. 804(2).
List of Subjects
Electric power, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements.
18 CFR Part 385
Administrative practice and
procedure, Electric power, Penalties,
Pipelines, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements.
By the Commission.
Issued: June 20, 2019.
Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr.,
Deputy Secretary.
1. The authority citation for part 141
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 15 U.S.C. 79; 15 U.S.C. 717–
717z; 16 U.S.C. 791a–828c, 2601–2645; 31
U.S.C. 9701; 42 U.S.C. 7101–7352.2.
2. Amend § 141.2 by revising
paragraph (b)(1)(i) to read as follows:
■
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The Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) is approving a March 6,
2018 request by the Indiana Department
of Environmental Management (IDEM)
to revise its State Implementation Plan
(SIP) for the United States Steel-Gary
Works coke plant. The submission
involves the removal of sulfur dioxide
(SO2) emission limitations for the coke
plant at the United States Steel-Gary
Works (US Steel-Gary Works). The coke
plant permanently ceased operation on
March 30, 2015. The submission also
contains several other administrative
changes. The notice of proposed
rulemaking (NPRM) associated with this
final action was published on February
13, 2019. EPA received several
comments.
SUMMARY:
This final rule is effective on July
29, 2019.
PART 385—RULES OF PRACTICE AND
PROCEDURE
DATES:
3. The authority citation for part 385
continues to read as follows:
ADDRESSES:
■
Authority: 5 U.S.C. 551–557; 15 U.S.C.
717–717w, 3301–3432; 16 U.S.C. 791a–825v,
2601–2645; 28 U.S.C. 2461; 31 U.S.C. 3701,
9701; 42 U.S.C. 7101–7352, 16441, 16451–
16463; 49 U.S.C. 60502; 49 App. U.S.C. 1–85
(1988); 28 U.S.C. 2461 note (1990); 28 U.S.C.
2461 note (2015).
4. Amend § 385.2011 by adding
paragraph (a)(8) and revising paragraph
(c)(3) to read as follows:
■
§ 385.2011 Procedures for filing on
electronic media (Rule 2011).
*
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*
(a) * * *
(8) FERC Form No. 1–F, Annual
report for Nonmajor public utilities and
licensees.
*
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(c) * * *
(3) With the exception of the FERC
Form Nos. 1, 1–F, 2, 2–A, 6, 60, and
714, the electronic media must be
accompanied by the traditional
prescribed number of paper copies.
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PART 141—STATEMENTS and
REPORTS (SCHEDULES)
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(b) * * *
(1) * * *
(i) Generally. Each Nonmajor and
each Nonoperating (formerly designated
as Nonmajor) public utility and licensee
as defined in Part 101 of this chapter,
shall prepare and file with the
Commission FERC Form No. 1–F as
prescribed in § 385.2011 of this chapter
and as indicated in the General
Instructions set out in this form, and
must be properly completed and
verified. Filing on electronic media
pursuant to § 385.2011 of this chapter is
required.
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[FR Doc. 2019–13588 Filed 6–26–19; 8:45 am]
In consideration of the foregoing, the
Commission amends parts 141 and 385
of chapter I, title 18 of the Code of
Federal Regulations, as follows.
17:21 Jun 26, 2019
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18 CFR Part 141
VerDate Sep<11>2014
§ 141.2 FERC Form No. 1–F, Annual report
for Nonmajor public utilities and licensees.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 52
[EPA–R05–OAR–2018–0126; FRL–9995–67–
Region 5]
Air Plan Approval; Indiana; SO2
Emission Limitations for United States
Steel-Gary Works
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA)
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
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EPA has established a
docket for this action under Docket ID
No. EPA–R05–OAR–2018–0126. 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
(CBI) 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 through
www.regulations.gov or at the
Environmental Protection Agency,
Region 5, Air and Radiation Division, 77
West Jackson Boulevard, Chicago,
Illinois 60604. This facility is open from
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through
Friday, excluding Federal holidays. We
recommend that you telephone Emily
Crispell, Environmental Scientist, at
(312) 353–8512 before visiting the
Region 5 office.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Emily Crispell, Environmental Scientist,
Control Strategies Section, Air Programs
Branch (AR–18J), Environmental
Protection Agency, Region 5, 77 West
Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, Illinois
60604, (312) 353–8512, crispell.emily@
epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Throughout this document whenever
‘‘we,’’ ‘‘us,’’ or ‘‘our’’ is used, we mean
EPA. This supplementary information
section is arranged as follows:
I. Background
II. Public Comments and EPA Responses
III. What action is EPA taking?
IV. Incorporation by Reference
V. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
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I. Background
On March 30, 2015, US Steel-Gary
Works permanently ceased the
operation of its coke plant. IDEM has
verified that the coke plant units were
decommissioned and permanently shut
down. IDEM then removed the coke
plant units from US Steel Gary-Works
Part 70 operating permit (IDEM permit
number 089–37337–00121 and 089–
35392–00121). IDEM has also revised
the SO2 SIP rules for US Steel-Gary
Works, which are currently codified at
326 Indiana Administrative Code (326
IAC) 7–4.1–20, by removing the SO2
emission limitations applicable to the
coke plant operation which allowed SO2
emissions from the coke plant. SO2
emission limitations which were not
applicable to the coke plant operation
were retained. US Steel-Gary Works
would be required to reapply for a Title
V operating permit to reopen the coke
plant facility. Administrative changes
such as renumbering were also made.
EPA proposed approval of the SIP on
February 13, 2019, and started a 30-day
public comment period on the proposal.
84 FR 3740.
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II. Public Comments and EPA
Responses
The public comment period on EPA’s
February 13, 2019 NPRM closed on
March 15, 2019. EPA received four
comments. One of the comments was
not relevant to the proposed action and
three were relevant and adverse. EPA’s
response to the comments are as
follows:
Comment 1: The commenter stated
that SO2 is harmful to the environment.
The commenter also noted that it is a
good idea to have emission limitations
on large companies. The commenter
further stated that SO2 is one of the
main reasons for acid rain, which can
harm infrastructure and wildlife.
EPA Response 1: The environmental
effects information provided by the
commenter is not in dispute in this
rulemaking. This rulemaking instead
addresses whether IDEM’s SIP revision
is adequate to meet the requirements of
Clean Air Act (CAA) section 110(l)
which provide that EPA shall not
approve a SIP revision if the plan would
interfere with any applicable
requirement concerning attainment of
the National Ambient Air Quality
Standards (NAAQS) and Reasonable
Further Progress (as defined in Section
171 of the CAA), or any other applicable
requirement of the CAA. EPA proposed
to find that IDEM’s SIP revision is
consistent with CAA section 110(l)
because the changes to the facility will
result in a decrease in SO2 emissions in
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17:21 Jun 26, 2019
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excess of 3,792 tons per year. See 84 FR
3741. US Steel-Gary Works will still
retain enforceable SO2 emissions limits
from operating scenario b of the original
rule for its remaining operating
emissions units. The effect of removing
the limits that applied to the coke plant
(and of retiring the permit terms that
authorized such emissions described in
IDEM permit number 089–37337–00121
and 089–35392–00121) is to eliminate
the allowable coke plant SO2 emissions
that were previously authorized.
Comment 2: The commenter stated
that numerous studies have shown the
harmful health effects of SO2 on humans
and animals, including respiratory
problems and fatality when inhaled in
large quantities. The commenter also
claimed that the wording of the revision
was vague, stating that an overall
reduction in SO2 would be allowed, but
without a concrete value. The
commenter also stated that the rule is
unenforceable and lacks specificity.
EPA Response 2: The NPRM
specifically states that changes to the
facility will result in a decrease in SO2
emissions in excess of 3,792 tons per
year. 84 FR 3741. Concerning the
enforceability of the emission limits at
US Steel-Gary Works, the changes to
and approval of the rule into the SIP
removes the previously allowable levels
of SO2 emissions from the nowshutdown coke plant. This, combined
with the removal of permit terms
allowing coke plant SO2 emissions, has
the effect of not allowing any SO2
emissions to occur from the coke plant.
If the coke plant were to come back into
operation, before it could have any SO2
emissions it would have to obtain
regulatory and/or permit terms that
would make such emissions permissible
at all and set new emission limits that
are both state and federally enforceable.
Regarding the commenter’s statement
about the health effects, EPA finds that
this SIP revision provides for a
reduction in excess of 3,792 tons per
year in allowable SO2 emissions and
does not interfere with Indiana’s ability
to attain or maintain the NAAQS which
are protective of public health.
Comment 3: The commenter stated
that there should be no tolerances for
SO2 emissions, and that SO2 emission
limitations should not be removed. The
commenter noted that SO2 is partly
responsible for acid rain, which is one
of the main reasons that the CAA was
amended. The commenter added that
companies should have SO2 limitations
and that the removal of SO2 standards
would be ‘‘disastrous’’ to our
environment. The commenter also
believes that EPA should stop issuing
permits that allow facilities to emit SO2
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30629
and EPA should research technology to
produce power or products without
emitting harmful pollutants.
EPA Response 3: This action removes
references to emission limitations for
decommissioned emissions units
associated with the coke plant at US
Steel-Gary Works which were
permanently shut down on March 30,
2015. By removing the limits for the
shutdown coke plant units and by
surrendering its permit terms for those
emission units, US Steel-Gary Works is
no longer allowed to emit SO2 from
those coke plant emission units without
obtaining enforceable operating permits.
By removing those emissions limits US
Steel-Gary Works will reduce allowable
emissions of SO2 by approximately
3792.2 tons per year. This rulemaking
does not increase any allowable
emissions at US Steel-Gary Works. All
remaining emissions units at US SteelGary Works, which were not associated
with the coke plant, are retaining
enforceable emissions limits from
operating scenario b of the original rule.
The commenter’s statement about the
removal of the SO2 standards being
disastrous to the environment is
unrelated to this rulemaking. The
standards for SO2 are regulated under
the NAAQS. Regarding the commenter’s
statement that EPA should stop issuing
permits that allow facilities to emit SO2,
the CAA title V part 70 permitting
program allows states to issue legally
enforceable operating permits that are
compliant with the NAAQS. Lastly, the
commenter stated that EPA should
research clean energy technology. EPA
provides grants to institutions
researching clean energy technology and
EPA’s clean energy programs can be
found on this website https://
www.epa.gov/energy/clean-energyprograms.
III. What action is EPA taking?
EPA is approving IDEM’s March 6,
2018 submittal as a revision to its
existing SIP for US Steel-Gary Works.
Specifically, EPA is approving revisions
to Indiana rule 326 IAC 7–4.1–20 ‘‘U.S.
Steel-Gary Works sulfur dioxide
emission limitations’’.
IV. 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 the Indiana Regulations
described in the amendments to 40 CFR
part 52 set forth below. EPA has made,
and will continue to make, these
documents generally available through
www.regulations.gov, and at the EPA
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Region 5 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
State implementation plan, 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 by reference in the next
update to the SIP compilation.1
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 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, 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 and will not impose
substantial direct costs on tribal
governments or preempt tribal law as
specified by Executive Order 13175 (65
FR 67249, November 9, 2000).
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 August 26, 2019. 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,
Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Sulfur oxides.
Dated: June 13, 2019.
Cathy Stepp,
Regional Administrator, Region 5.
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.
2. In § 52.770, the table in paragraph
(c) is amended under ‘‘Article 7. Sulfur
Dioxide Rules,’’ ‘‘Rule 4.1. Lake County
Sulfur Dioxide Emission Limitations,’’
by revising the entry for ‘‘7–4.1–20’’ to
read as follows:
■
§ 52.770
*
Identification of plan.
*
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(c) * * *
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EPA—APPROVED INDIANA REGULATIONS
Indiana
citation
Indiana
effective date
Subject
*
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*
EPA
approval date
*
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Article 7. Sulfur Dioxide Rules
1 62
FR 27968 (May 22, 1997).
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EPA—APPROVED INDIANA REGULATIONS—Continued
Indiana
citation
Indiana
effective date
Subject
*
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EPA
approval date
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Notes
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Rule 4.1. Lake County Sulfur Dioxide Emission Limitations
*
7–4.1–20
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U.S. Steel-Gary Works sulfur dioxide emission
limitations.
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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS
COMMISSION
47 CFR Part 73
[MB Docket No. 19–118; RM–11838; DA 19–
553]
Television Broadcasting Services
Buffalo, New York
Federal Communications
Commission.
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
At the request of Nexstar
Broadcasting, Inc. (Nexstar), licensee of
television station WNLO(TV) channel
32, Buffalo, New York (WNLO), and
WUTV Licensee, LLC (WUTV Licensee),
the licensee of television station
WUTV(TV), channel 36, Buffalo, New
York, the Commission has before it a
notice of proposed rulemaking
proposing the substitution of channels
for DTV station WNLO (currently
channel 32) and WUTV (currently
channel 36). WUTV would continue to
operate from its existing pre-auction
location and WNLO would move the
Nexstar shared facilities in the site
previously vacated by WIVB–TV
(Buffalo, New York (CBS) (WIVB), the
station with which it is sharing. The
channel substitution serves the public
interest because it would allow for a
more efficient allocation of UHF
television channels and resolve
significant over-the-air reception
problems in WIVB’s prior service area.
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*
Effective June 27, 2019.
*
Varsha Mangel, Media Bureau, at (202)
418–0073, or Varsha.Mangel@fcc.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The notice
of proposed rulemaking published on
May 7, 2019 (84 FR 19897). This is a
synopsis of the Commission’s Report
and Order, MB Docket No. 19–118; RM–
11838; DA 19–553, adopted June 12,
2019, and released June 12, 2019. The
full text of this document is available for
public inspection and copying during
normal business hours in the FCC’s
Reference Information Center at Portals
II, CY–A257, 445 12th Street SW,
Washington, DC 20554, or online at
https://apps.fcc.gov/ecfs/. To request
materials in accessible formats (Braille,
large print, computer diskettes, or audio
recordings), please send an email to
FCC504@fcc.gov or call the Consumer &
Government Affairs Bureau at (202)
418–0530 (VOICE), (202) 418–0432
(TTY).
This document does not contain
information collection requirements
subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act
of 1995, Public Law 104–13. In addition,
therefore, it does not contain any
proposed information collection burden
‘‘for small business concerns with fewer
than 25 employees,’’ pursuant to the
Small Business Paperwork Relief Act of
2002, Public Law 107–198, see 44 U.S.C.
3506(c)(4). Provisions of the Regulatory
Flexibility Act of 1980, 5 U.S.C. 601–
612, do not apply to this proceeding.
The Commission will send a copy of
this Report and Order in a report to be
sent to Congress and the Government
Accountability Office pursuant to the
Congressional review Act, see 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A).
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List of Subjects in 47 CFR Part 73
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
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SUMMARY:
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DATES:
[FR Doc. 2019–13494 Filed 6–26–19; 8:45 am]
VerDate Sep<11>2014
*
2/21/2018
Television.
Federal Communications Commission.
Barbara Kreisman,
Chief, Video Division, Media Bureau.
Final Rule
For the reasons discussed in the
preamble, the Federal Communications
Commission amends 47 CFR part 73 as
follows:
PART 73—RADIO BROADCAST
SERVICES
1. The authority citation for part 73
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 47 U.S.C. 154, 155, 301, 303,
307, 309, 310, 334, 336, 339.
2. Section 73.622(i), the PostTransition Table of DTV Allotments, is
amended under New York by revising
the entry for ‘‘Buffalo’’ to read as
follows:
■
§ 73.622 Digital television table of
allotments.
*
*
*
(i) * * *
*
*
Community
*
New York.
*
Channel No.
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
Buffalo ....................... 14, 32, 33, 36, 38,
39, *43, 49
*
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[FR Doc. 2019–13129 Filed 6–26–19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712–01–P
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 124 (Thursday, June 27, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 30628-30631]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-13494]
=======================================================================
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 52
[EPA-R05-OAR-2018-0126; FRL-9995-67-Region 5]
Air Plan Approval; Indiana; SO2 Emission Limitations for United
States Steel-Gary Works
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving a March
6, 2018 request by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management
(IDEM) to revise its State Implementation Plan (SIP) for the United
States Steel-Gary Works coke plant. The submission involves the removal
of sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission limitations for the coke
plant at the United States Steel-Gary Works (US Steel-Gary Works). The
coke plant permanently ceased operation on March 30, 2015. The
submission also contains several other administrative changes. The
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) associated with this final action
was published on February 13, 2019. EPA received several comments.
DATES: This final rule is effective on July 29, 2019.
ADDRESSES: EPA has established a docket for this action under Docket ID
No. EPA-R05-OAR-2018-0126. 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 (CBI) 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
through www.regulations.gov or at the Environmental Protection Agency,
Region 5, Air and Radiation Division, 77 West Jackson Boulevard,
Chicago, Illinois 60604. This facility is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30
p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding Federal holidays. We recommend
that you telephone Emily Crispell, Environmental Scientist, at (312)
353-8512 before visiting the Region 5 office.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Emily Crispell, Environmental
Scientist, Control Strategies Section, Air Programs Branch (AR-18J),
Environmental Protection Agency, Region 5, 77 West Jackson Boulevard,
Chicago, Illinois 60604, (312) 353-8512, [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Throughout this document whenever ``we,''
``us,'' or ``our'' is used, we mean EPA. This supplementary information
section is arranged as follows:
I. Background
II. Public Comments and EPA Responses
III. What action is EPA taking?
IV. Incorporation by Reference
V. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
[[Page 30629]]
I. Background
On March 30, 2015, US Steel-Gary Works permanently ceased the
operation of its coke plant. IDEM has verified that the coke plant
units were decommissioned and permanently shut down. IDEM then removed
the coke plant units from US Steel Gary-Works Part 70 operating permit
(IDEM permit number 089-37337-00121 and 089-35392-00121). IDEM has also
revised the SO2 SIP rules for US Steel-Gary Works, which are
currently codified at 326 Indiana Administrative Code (326 IAC) 7-4.1-
20, by removing the SO2 emission limitations applicable to
the coke plant operation which allowed SO2 emissions from
the coke plant. SO2 emission limitations which were not
applicable to the coke plant operation were retained. US Steel-Gary
Works would be required to reapply for a Title V operating permit to
reopen the coke plant facility. Administrative changes such as
renumbering were also made. EPA proposed approval of the SIP on
February 13, 2019, and started a 30-day public comment period on the
proposal. 84 FR 3740.
II. Public Comments and EPA Responses
The public comment period on EPA's February 13, 2019 NPRM closed on
March 15, 2019. EPA received four comments. One of the comments was not
relevant to the proposed action and three were relevant and adverse.
EPA's response to the comments are as follows:
Comment 1: The commenter stated that SO2 is harmful to
the environment. The commenter also noted that it is a good idea to
have emission limitations on large companies. The commenter further
stated that SO2 is one of the main reasons for acid rain,
which can harm infrastructure and wildlife.
EPA Response 1: The environmental effects information provided by
the commenter is not in dispute in this rulemaking. This rulemaking
instead addresses whether IDEM's SIP revision is adequate to meet the
requirements of Clean Air Act (CAA) section 110(l) which provide that
EPA shall not approve a SIP revision if the plan would interfere with
any applicable requirement concerning attainment of the National
Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) and Reasonable Further Progress
(as defined in Section 171 of the CAA), or any other applicable
requirement of the CAA. EPA proposed to find that IDEM's SIP revision
is consistent with CAA section 110(l) because the changes to the
facility will result in a decrease in SO2 emissions in
excess of 3,792 tons per year. See 84 FR 3741. US Steel-Gary Works will
still retain enforceable SO2 emissions limits from operating
scenario b of the original rule for its remaining operating emissions
units. The effect of removing the limits that applied to the coke plant
(and of retiring the permit terms that authorized such emissions
described in IDEM permit number 089-37337-00121 and 089-35392-00121) is
to eliminate the allowable coke plant SO2 emissions that
were previously authorized.
Comment 2: The commenter stated that numerous studies have shown
the harmful health effects of SO2 on humans and animals,
including respiratory problems and fatality when inhaled in large
quantities. The commenter also claimed that the wording of the revision
was vague, stating that an overall reduction in SO2 would be
allowed, but without a concrete value. The commenter also stated that
the rule is unenforceable and lacks specificity.
EPA Response 2: The NPRM specifically states that changes to the
facility will result in a decrease in SO2 emissions in
excess of 3,792 tons per year. 84 FR 3741. Concerning the
enforceability of the emission limits at US Steel-Gary Works, the
changes to and approval of the rule into the SIP removes the previously
allowable levels of SO2 emissions from the now-shutdown coke
plant. This, combined with the removal of permit terms allowing coke
plant SO2 emissions, has the effect of not allowing any
SO2 emissions to occur from the coke plant. If the coke
plant were to come back into operation, before it could have any
SO2 emissions it would have to obtain regulatory and/or
permit terms that would make such emissions permissible at all and set
new emission limits that are both state and federally enforceable.
Regarding the commenter's statement about the health effects, EPA finds
that this SIP revision provides for a reduction in excess of 3,792 tons
per year in allowable SO2 emissions and does not interfere
with Indiana's ability to attain or maintain the NAAQS which are
protective of public health.
Comment 3: The commenter stated that there should be no tolerances
for SO2 emissions, and that SO2 emission
limitations should not be removed. The commenter noted that
SO2 is partly responsible for acid rain, which is one of the
main reasons that the CAA was amended. The commenter added that
companies should have SO2 limitations and that the removal
of SO2 standards would be ``disastrous'' to our environment.
The commenter also believes that EPA should stop issuing permits that
allow facilities to emit SO2 and EPA should research
technology to produce power or products without emitting harmful
pollutants.
EPA Response 3: This action removes references to emission
limitations for decommissioned emissions units associated with the coke
plant at US Steel-Gary Works which were permanently shut down on March
30, 2015. By removing the limits for the shutdown coke plant units and
by surrendering its permit terms for those emission units, US Steel-
Gary Works is no longer allowed to emit SO2 from those coke
plant emission units without obtaining enforceable operating permits.
By removing those emissions limits US Steel-Gary Works will reduce
allowable emissions of SO2 by approximately 3792.2 tons per
year. This rulemaking does not increase any allowable emissions at US
Steel-Gary Works. All remaining emissions units at US Steel-Gary Works,
which were not associated with the coke plant, are retaining
enforceable emissions limits from operating scenario b of the original
rule.
The commenter's statement about the removal of the SO2
standards being disastrous to the environment is unrelated to this
rulemaking. The standards for SO2 are regulated under the
NAAQS. Regarding the commenter's statement that EPA should stop issuing
permits that allow facilities to emit SO2, the CAA title V
part 70 permitting program allows states to issue legally enforceable
operating permits that are compliant with the NAAQS. Lastly, the
commenter stated that EPA should research clean energy technology. EPA
provides grants to institutions researching clean energy technology and
EPA's clean energy programs can be found on this website https://www.epa.gov/energy/clean-energy-programs.
III. What action is EPA taking?
EPA is approving IDEM's March 6, 2018 submittal as a revision to
its existing SIP for US Steel-Gary Works. Specifically, EPA is
approving revisions to Indiana rule 326 IAC 7-4.1-20 ``U.S. Steel-Gary
Works sulfur dioxide emission limitations''.
IV. 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 the Indiana
Regulations described in the amendments to 40 CFR part 52 set forth
below. EPA has made, and will continue to make, these documents
generally available through www.regulations.gov, and at the EPA
[[Page 30630]]
Region 5 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 State implementation plan, 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 by reference in
the next update to the SIP compilation.\1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ 62 FR 27968 (May 22, 1997).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 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, 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 and will not impose
substantial direct costs on tribal governments or preempt tribal law as
specified by Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, November 9, 2000).
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 August 26, 2019. 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, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Sulfur oxides.
Dated: June 13, 2019.
Cathy Stepp,
Regional Administrator, Region 5.
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.
0
2. In Sec. 52.770, the table in paragraph (c) is amended under
``Article 7. Sulfur Dioxide Rules,'' ``Rule 4.1. Lake County Sulfur
Dioxide Emission Limitations,'' by revising the entry for ``7-4.1-20''
to read as follows:
Sec. 52.770 Identification of plan.
* * * * *
(c) * * *
EPA--Approved Indiana Regulations
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Indiana
Indiana citation Subject effective date EPA approval date Notes
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * * * *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Article 7. Sulfur Dioxide Rules
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[[Page 30631]]
* * * * * * *
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Rule 4.1. Lake County Sulfur Dioxide Emission Limitations
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * * * *
7-4.1-20............. U.S. Steel-Gary Works 2/21/2018 6/27/2019, [insert .....................
sulfur dioxide emission Federal Register
limitations. citation].
* * * * * * *
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* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2019-13494 Filed 6-26-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P