Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Montana; Revisions to Administrative Rules of Montana, 32361-32363 [2019-14243]
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Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 130 / Monday, July 8, 2019 / Proposed Rules
wording, punctuation and formatting
changes. EPA is proposing to approve
the changes to rule .2003 because these
changes do not alter transportation
conformity requirements for any
applicable area in North Carolina and
these changes are consistent with the
federal transportation conformity
requirements.
Section .2005 Memorandum of
Agreement is amended to provide a
more general reference to rule .2001
instead of referencing specific
subsections in rule .2001, and to make
non-substantive wording, punctuation
and formatting changes. EPA is
proposing to approve the changes to
rule .2005 because these changes do not
alter transportation conformity
requirements for any applicable area in
North Carolina and these changes are
consistent with the federal
transportation conformity requirements.
In summary, EPA views the
amendments described above as
consistent with the federal
transportation conformity requirements
and the Clean Air Act, and is proposing
to approve these rules, as amended, into
the North Carolina SIP.
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III. Incorporation by Reference
In this rule, EPA is proposing to
include in a final EPA rule regulatory
text that includes incorporation by
reference. In accordance with the
requirements of 1 CFR 51.5, EPA is
proposing to incorporate by reference
the following air quality rules in 15A
NCAC subchapter 2D.: Section .2001
Purpose, Scope and Applicability,
Section .2002 Definitions, Section .2003
Transportation Conformity
Determination, and Section .2005
Memorandum of Agreement, stateeffective January 1, 2018. EPA has
made, and will continue to make, these
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).
IV. Proposed Action
For the reasons explained above, EPA
is proposing to approve North Carolina’s
March 21, 2018, SIP revision, which
amends and readopts rules 15A NCAC
subchapter 2D.: .2001, .2002, .2003, and
.2005, for inclusion into North
Carolina’s SIP.
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.
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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,
if they meet the criteria of the CAA.
These actions merely propose to
approve state law as meeting Federal
requirements and does not impose
additional requirements beyond those
imposed by state law. For that reason,
these proposed actions:
• Are not significant regulatory
actions 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);
• Are not Executive Order 13771 (82
FR 9339, February 2, 2017) regulatory
actions because SIP approvals are
exempted under Executive Order 12866;
• Do not impose an information
collection burden under the provisions
of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.);
• Are 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.);
• Do not contain any unfunded
mandate or significantly or uniquely
affect small governments, as described
in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
of 1995 (Public Law 104–4);
• Do not have Federalism
implications as specified in Executive
Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10,
1999);
• Are not economically significant
regulatory actions based on health or
safety risks subject to Executive Order
13045 (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997);
• Are not significant regulatory
actions subject to Executive Order
13211 (66 FR 28355, May 22, 2001);
• Are 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
• Do 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.
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32361
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52
Environmental protection, Air
pollution control, Carbon monoxide,
Incorporation by reference,
Intergovernmental relations, Lead,
Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone, Particulate
matter, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Sulfur oxides, Volatile
organic compounds.
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
Dated: May 28, 2019.
Mary S. Walker,
Regional Administrator, Region 4.
[FR Doc. 2019–14143 Filed 7–5–19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 52
[EPA–R08–OAR–2019–0326; FRL–9995–94–
Region 8]
Approval and Promulgation of Air
Quality Implementation Plans;
Montana; Revisions to Administrative
Rules of Montana
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Proposed rule.
AGENCY:
The Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve
State Implementation Plan (SIP)
revisions submitted by the State of
Montana on February 23, 2017. The
revisions are to the Administrative
Rules of Montana (ARM) open burning
and permitting regulations to align the
ARM with the current Montana Code
Annotated (MCA) procedures for
appealing a permit and requesting a
hearing. The EPA is taking this action
pursuant to the Clean Air Act (CAA).
DATES: Written comments must be
received on or before August 7, 2019.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,
identified by Docket ID No. EPA–R08–
OAR–2019–0326, to the Federal
Rulemaking Portal: https://
www.regulations.gov. Follow the online
instructions for submitting comments.
Once submitted, comments cannot be
edited or removed from
www.regulations.gov. 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
SUMMARY:
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32362
Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 130 / Monday, July 8, 2019 / Proposed Rules
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.
Docket: All documents in the docket
are listed in the www.regulations.gov
index. Although listed in the index,
some information is not publicly
available, e.g., CBI or other information
whose disclosure is restricted by statute.
Certain other material, such as
copyrighted material, will be publicly
available only in hard copy. Publicly
available docket materials are available
either electronically in
www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at
the Air and Radiation Division,
Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA), Region 8, 1595 Wynkoop Street,
Denver, Colorado 80202–1129. The EPA
requests that if at all possible, you
contact the individual listed in the FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section to
view the hard copy of the docket. You
may view the hard copy of the docket
Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to
4:00 p.m., excluding federal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jaslyn Dobrahner, Air and Radiation
Division, EPA, Region 8, Mailcode
8ARD–QP, 1595 Wynkoop Street,
Denver, Colorado 80202–1129, (303)
312–6252, dobrahner.jaslyn@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
jbell on DSK3GLQ082PROD with PROPOSALS
I. Background
On February 23, 2017, the State of
Montana submitted a SIP revision
containing amendments to open burning
and permitting regulations in the ARM
at 17.8.610, Major Open Burning Source
Restrictions; 17.8.612, Conditional Air
Quality Open Burning Permits; 17.8.613,
Christmas Tree Waste Open Burning
Permits; 17.8.614, Commercial Film
Production Open Burning Permits;
17.8.615, Firefighter Training; and
17.8.749, Conditions for Issuance or
Denial of Permit.1 The amendments: (1)
Add references to sections 75–2–211,
Permits for Construction, Installation,
Alteration, or Use and 75–2–213, Energy
Development Project—Hearing and
1 The February 23, 2017, submittal also included
revisions to 17.8.1210, General Requirements for
Air Quality Operating Permit Content. However, the
state does not want us to act on 17.8.1210, because
it is not part of the federal SIP. (Memorandum from
State of Montana to the EPA (June 26, 2019)).
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Procedures of the MCA pertaining to the
process for appealing air quality
permits, including requesting a hearing;
(2) remove duplicative language in the
ARM; and (3) and make minor editorial
changes. The Montana Board of
Environmental Review adopted the
amendments on June 3, 2016 (effective
July 9, 2016).
II. Analysis of State Submittal
We evaluated Montana’s February 23,
2017, submittal regarding amendments
to the State’s ARM. The amendments to
ARM 17.8.610(3), 17.8.612(10) and (11),
17.8.613(8) and (9), 17.8.614(8) and (9),
and 17.8.615(6) and (7) incorporate by
reference section 75–2–211 of the MCA
pertaining to the permit appeals
process, including requesting a hearing.
These statutes provide as follows:
• That a person who is directly and
adversely affected by the issuance or
denial of a permit may request a hearing
within 15 days after the state renders a
decision;
• that a request for hearing does not
stay the state’s decision on an
application unless the board orders a
stay; and
• an affidavit supporting the request
for hearing must be filed within 30 days
after the issuance or denial of a permit.
The revisions also remove
corresponding duplicative language
between the ARM and MCA and make
editorial changes.
The language in the revisions to
17.8.610, 17.8.612, 17.8.613, 17.8.614,
and 17.8.615 referencing 75–2–211,
MCA, is equivalent to the language
being removed from these sections of
the ARM except for 17.8.610. According
to the State,2 17.8.610 had not been
updated during the last State revision in
2011, whereas 17.8.612, 17.8.613,
17.8.614, and 17.8.615 had been
amended by the State and subsequently
approved into the SIP on August 20,
2015.3 The revisions to 17.8.610 in the
February 23, 2017, submittal are
identical to the revisions we approved
in our August 20, 2015 rulemaking to
17.8.612, 17.8.613, 17.8.614, and
17.8.615 in that they require a hearing
request affidavit to be filed within 30
days after the department renders a
decision, remove an automatic stay of
the department’s decision to issue a
permit upon a permit appeal, and add
conditions and procedures for when the
board may order a stay.
We are proposing to approve the
revisions in ARM 17.8.610(3),
17.8.612(10) and (11), 17.8.613(8) and
2 Email from State of Montana to the EPA
(September 30, 2016).
3 80 FR 50582 (August 20, 2015).
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(9), 17.8.614(8) and (9), and 17.8.615(6)
and (7) because these revisions are
either equivalent to the current
federally-approved SIP (for 17.8.612,
17.8.613, 17.8.614, 17.8.615) or have
been previously approved into the SIP
in similar sections (for 17.8.610). In both
instances, we previously determined
that the revisions do not conflict with
the CAA.4
The amendments to ARM 17.8.749(7)
incorporate by reference section 75–2–
213 of the MCA pertaining to the
hearing and appeals procedures for
permit applicants of energy
development projects. The permit
appeals procedures in 75–2–213 pertain
to air quality permit decisions on energy
development projects that differ from
the general procedures described in 75–
2–211, MCA. Specifically, the statutes
proposed for approval within 75–2–213,
MCA allow a permit applicant the
following hearing procedures:
• The applicant may request a
hearing within 30 days after the
department renders a decision;
• a request for hearing must be
limited to those issues presented to the
state during the public comment period
unless the issue is related to a material
change in federal or state law made
during the public comment period, to a
judicial decision issued after the
comment period, or to a material change
to the draft permit finalized after an
opportunity for comment;
• an affidavit supporting the request
must be filed with the request for a
hearing; and
• the applicant may, by filing a
written election to the board within 15
days of receipt of request for hearing,
elect a hearing before the board or have
the matter submitted directly to the
district court for judicial review.
The revisions also make a minor
editorial change.
An important consideration before the
EPA approves programs under the CAA
is that the state must provide the same
opportunity for judicial review of the air
permitting actions in state court as
would be available in federal court. The
proposed revisions to 17.8.749, to
incorporate the applicable statutes in
75–2–213, MCA, are in accordance with
CAA sections 307(b) and 307(d)(7)(B)
which provide for the judicial review of
an air quality action and limits
objections to an action to those that
were raised with reasonable specificity
during the public comment period,
respectively. Additionally, if the
Administrator refuses to convene a
proceeding, a person may seek review in
4 80
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FR 30987 (June 1, 2015).
08JYP1
Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 130 / Monday, July 8, 2019 / Proposed Rules
the United States court of appeals.5
Similarly, 75–2–213, MCA provides
permit applicants with the election to
have the matter proceed to hearing
before the state board or to have the
matter submitted directly to the district
court for judicial review. We therefore
conclude that the revisions do not
conflict with CAA requirements for
judicial review of air permitting actions
and propose to approve the revisions to
17.8.749.
32363
III. The EPA’s Proposed Action
In this action, the EPA is proposing to
approve SIP amendments to
Administrative Rules of Montana,
shown in Table 1, submitted by the
State of Montana on February 23, 2017.
TABLE 1—LIST OF MONTANA AMENDMENTS THAT THE EPA IS PROPOSING TO APPROVE
Amended Sections in the February 23, 2017 Submittal Proposed for Approval
17.8.610(3), 17.8.612(10) and (11), 17.8.613(8) and (9), 17.8.614(8) and (9), 17.8.615(6) and (7), 17.8.749(7).
IV. Incorporation by Reference
In this document, the EPA is
proposing to include regulatory text in
a final EPA rule that includes
incorporation by reference. In
accordance with requirements of 1 CFR
51.5, the EPA is proposing to
incorporate by reference the
amendments described in section III.
The EPA has made, and will continue
to make, these materials generally
available through www.regulations.gov
and at the EPA Region 8 Office (please
contact the person identified in the FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of
this preamble for more information).
jbell on DSK3GLQ082PROD with PROPOSALS
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.
42 U.S.C. 7410(k); 40 CFR 52.02(a).
Thus, in reviewing SIP submissions, the
EPA’s role is to approve state choices,
provided that they meet the criteria of
the CAA. Accordingly, this action
merely proposes to approve 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.);
5 CAA
• Does not contain any unfunded
mandate or significantly or uniquely
affect small governments, as described
in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
of 1995 (Public Law 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 the 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 the EPA or
an Indian tribe has demonstrated that a
tribe has jurisdiction. In those areas of
Indian country, the proposed 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).
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52
Environmental protection, Air
pollution control, Carbon monoxide,
Incorporation by reference,
Intergovernmental relations,
Greenhouse gases, Lead, Nitrogen
dioxide, Ozone, Particulate matter,
Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Sulfur oxides, Volatile
organic compounds.
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
Dated: June 28, 2019.
Gregory Sopkin,
Regional Administrator, EPA Region 8.
[FR Doc. 2019–14243 Filed 7–5–19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 62
[EPA–R09–OAR–2019–0344; FRL–9995–98–
Region 9]
Approval and Promulgation of State
Plans for Designated Facilities and
Pollutants; Arizona; Control of
Emissions From Existing Municipal
Solid Waste Landfills
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Proposed rule.
AGENCY:
The Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve a
state plan submitted by the State of
Arizona. This state plan submittal
pertains to the regulation of landfill gas
and its components, including methane,
from existing municipal solid waste
(MSW) landfills. Arizona’s state plan
was submitted in response to the EPA’s
promulgation of Emissions Guidelines
and Compliance Times for MSW
landfills. This action is being taken
under the Clean Air Act (CAA).
DATES: Written comments must be
received on or before August 7, 2019.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,
identified by Docket ID No. EPA–R09–
OAR–2019–03440344 at https://
www.regulations.gov, or via email to
buss.jeffrey@epa.gov. For comments
submitted at Regulations.gov, follow the
online instructions for submitting
comments. Once submitted, comments
cannot be edited or removed from
Regulations.gov. For either manner of
submission, the EPA may publish any
comment received to its public docket.
Do not submit electronically any
information you consider to be
SUMMARY:
307(d)(7)(B).
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 130 (Monday, July 8, 2019)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 32361-32363]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-14243]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 52
[EPA-R08-OAR-2019-0326; FRL-9995-94-Region 8]
Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans;
Montana; Revisions to Administrative Rules of Montana
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Proposed rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to
approve State Implementation Plan (SIP) revisions submitted by the
State of Montana on February 23, 2017. The revisions are to the
Administrative Rules of Montana (ARM) open burning and permitting
regulations to align the ARM with the current Montana Code Annotated
(MCA) procedures for appealing a permit and requesting a hearing. The
EPA is taking this action pursuant to the Clean Air Act (CAA).
DATES: Written comments must be received on or before August 7, 2019.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-R08-
OAR-2019-0326, to the Federal Rulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting
comments. Once submitted, comments cannot be edited or removed from
www.regulations.gov. 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
[[Page 32362]]
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.
Docket: All documents in the docket are listed in the
www.regulations.gov index. Although listed in the index, some
information is not publicly available, e.g., CBI or other information
whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Certain other material, such
as copyrighted material, will be publicly available only in hard copy.
Publicly available docket materials are available either electronically
in www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at the Air and Radiation
Division, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Region 8, 1595 Wynkoop
Street, Denver, Colorado 80202-1129. The EPA requests that if at all
possible, you contact the individual listed in the FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT section to view the hard copy of the docket. You
may view the hard copy of the docket Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m.
to 4:00 p.m., excluding federal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jaslyn Dobrahner, Air and Radiation
Division, EPA, Region 8, Mailcode 8ARD-QP, 1595 Wynkoop Street, Denver,
Colorado 80202-1129, (303) 312-6252, [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
On February 23, 2017, the State of Montana submitted a SIP revision
containing amendments to open burning and permitting regulations in the
ARM at 17.8.610, Major Open Burning Source Restrictions; 17.8.612,
Conditional Air Quality Open Burning Permits; 17.8.613, Christmas Tree
Waste Open Burning Permits; 17.8.614, Commercial Film Production Open
Burning Permits; 17.8.615, Firefighter Training; and 17.8.749,
Conditions for Issuance or Denial of Permit.\1\ The amendments: (1) Add
references to sections 75-2-211, Permits for Construction,
Installation, Alteration, or Use and 75-2-213, Energy Development
Project--Hearing and Procedures of the MCA pertaining to the process
for appealing air quality permits, including requesting a hearing; (2)
remove duplicative language in the ARM; and (3) and make minor
editorial changes. The Montana Board of Environmental Review adopted
the amendments on June 3, 2016 (effective July 9, 2016).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The February 23, 2017, submittal also included revisions to
17.8.1210, General Requirements for Air Quality Operating Permit
Content. However, the state does not want us to act on 17.8.1210,
because it is not part of the federal SIP. (Memorandum from State of
Montana to the EPA (June 26, 2019)).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
II. Analysis of State Submittal
We evaluated Montana's February 23, 2017, submittal regarding
amendments to the State's ARM. The amendments to ARM 17.8.610(3),
17.8.612(10) and (11), 17.8.613(8) and (9), 17.8.614(8) and (9), and
17.8.615(6) and (7) incorporate by reference section 75-2-211 of the
MCA pertaining to the permit appeals process, including requesting a
hearing. These statutes provide as follows:
That a person who is directly and adversely affected by
the issuance or denial of a permit may request a hearing within 15 days
after the state renders a decision;
that a request for hearing does not stay the state's
decision on an application unless the board orders a stay; and
an affidavit supporting the request for hearing must be
filed within 30 days after the issuance or denial of a permit.
The revisions also remove corresponding duplicative language
between the ARM and MCA and make editorial changes.
The language in the revisions to 17.8.610, 17.8.612, 17.8.613,
17.8.614, and 17.8.615 referencing 75-2-211, MCA, is equivalent to the
language being removed from these sections of the ARM except for
17.8.610. According to the State,\2\ 17.8.610 had not been updated
during the last State revision in 2011, whereas 17.8.612, 17.8.613,
17.8.614, and 17.8.615 had been amended by the State and subsequently
approved into the SIP on August 20, 2015.\3\ The revisions to 17.8.610
in the February 23, 2017, submittal are identical to the revisions we
approved in our August 20, 2015 rulemaking to 17.8.612, 17.8.613,
17.8.614, and 17.8.615 in that they require a hearing request affidavit
to be filed within 30 days after the department renders a decision,
remove an automatic stay of the department's decision to issue a permit
upon a permit appeal, and add conditions and procedures for when the
board may order a stay.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ Email from State of Montana to the EPA (September 30, 2016).
\3\ 80 FR 50582 (August 20, 2015).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
We are proposing to approve the revisions in ARM 17.8.610(3),
17.8.612(10) and (11), 17.8.613(8) and (9), 17.8.614(8) and (9), and
17.8.615(6) and (7) because these revisions are either equivalent to
the current federally-approved SIP (for 17.8.612, 17.8.613, 17.8.614,
17.8.615) or have been previously approved into the SIP in similar
sections (for 17.8.610). In both instances, we previously determined
that the revisions do not conflict with the CAA.\4\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\4\ 80 FR 30987 (June 1, 2015).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The amendments to ARM 17.8.749(7) incorporate by reference section
75-2-213 of the MCA pertaining to the hearing and appeals procedures
for permit applicants of energy development projects. The permit
appeals procedures in 75-2-213 pertain to air quality permit decisions
on energy development projects that differ from the general procedures
described in 75-2-211, MCA. Specifically, the statutes proposed for
approval within 75-2-213, MCA allow a permit applicant the following
hearing procedures:
The applicant may request a hearing within 30 days after
the department renders a decision;
a request for hearing must be limited to those issues
presented to the state during the public comment period unless the
issue is related to a material change in federal or state law made
during the public comment period, to a judicial decision issued after
the comment period, or to a material change to the draft permit
finalized after an opportunity for comment;
an affidavit supporting the request must be filed with the
request for a hearing; and
the applicant may, by filing a written election to the
board within 15 days of receipt of request for hearing, elect a hearing
before the board or have the matter submitted directly to the district
court for judicial review.
The revisions also make a minor editorial change.
An important consideration before the EPA approves programs under
the CAA is that the state must provide the same opportunity for
judicial review of the air permitting actions in state court as would
be available in federal court. The proposed revisions to 17.8.749, to
incorporate the applicable statutes in 75-2-213, MCA, are in accordance
with CAA sections 307(b) and 307(d)(7)(B) which provide for the
judicial review of an air quality action and limits objections to an
action to those that were raised with reasonable specificity during the
public comment period, respectively. Additionally, if the Administrator
refuses to convene a proceeding, a person may seek review in
[[Page 32363]]
the United States court of appeals.\5\ Similarly, 75-2-213, MCA
provides permit applicants with the election to have the matter proceed
to hearing before the state board or to have the matter submitted
directly to the district court for judicial review. We therefore
conclude that the revisions do not conflict with CAA requirements for
judicial review of air permitting actions and propose to approve the
revisions to 17.8.749.
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\5\ CAA 307(d)(7)(B).
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III. The EPA's Proposed Action
In this action, the EPA is proposing to approve SIP amendments to
Administrative Rules of Montana, shown in Table 1, submitted by the
State of Montana on February 23, 2017.
Table 1--List of Montana Amendments That the EPA Is Proposing To Approve
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amended Sections in the February 23, 2017 Submittal Proposed for
Approval
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17.8.610(3), 17.8.612(10) and (11), 17.8.613(8) and (9), 17.8.614(8) and
(9), 17.8.615(6) and (7), 17.8.749(7).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
IV. Incorporation by Reference
In this document, the EPA is proposing to include regulatory text
in a final EPA rule that includes incorporation by reference. In
accordance with requirements of 1 CFR 51.5, the EPA is proposing to
incorporate by reference the amendments described in section III. The
EPA has made, and will continue to make, these materials generally
available through www.regulations.gov and at the EPA Region 8 Office
(please contact the person identified in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT section of this preamble for more information).
V. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
Under the CAA, the Administrator is required to approve a SIP
submission that complies with the provisions of the Act and applicable
federal regulations. 42 U.S.C. 7410(k); 40 CFR 52.02(a). Thus, in
reviewing SIP submissions, the EPA's role is to approve state choices,
provided that they meet the criteria of the CAA. Accordingly, this
action merely proposes to approve 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 (Public Law 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 the 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 the EPA or an Indian tribe
has demonstrated that a tribe has jurisdiction. In those areas of
Indian country, the proposed 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).
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52
Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Carbon monoxide,
Incorporation by reference, Intergovernmental relations, Greenhouse
gases, Lead, Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone, Particulate matter, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements, Sulfur oxides, Volatile organic compounds.
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
Dated: June 28, 2019.
Gregory Sopkin,
Regional Administrator, EPA Region 8.
[FR Doc. 2019-14243 Filed 7-5-19; 8:45 am]
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