Air Quality State Implementation Plan Approval; Nevada; Infrastructure Requirements for the 2010 Sulfur Dioxide National Ambient Air Quality Standard, 41395-41397 [2020-13561]
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Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 133 / Friday, July 10, 2020 / Rules and Regulations
the removal of Customized Postage in
Order Number 5550.
List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 501
Administrative practice and
procedure, Authorization to
Manufacture and Distribute Postage
Evidencing Systems.
For the reasons stated in the
preamble, the Postal Service amends 39
CFR chapter I as follows:
PART 501—AUTHORIZATION TO
MANUFACTURE AND DISTRIBUTE
POSTAGE EVIDENCING SYSTEMS
1. The authority citation for part 501
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552(a); 39 U.S.C. 101,
401, 403, 404, 410, 2601, 2605; Inspector
General Act of 1978, as amended (Pub. L. 95–
452, as amended); 5 U.S.C. App. 3.
§ 501.21
■
[Removed]
Table of Contents
2. Remove § 501.21.
I. Summary of the Proposed Action
II. Public Comments and EPA Responses
III. Final Action
IV. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
Joshua J. Hofer,
Attorney, Federal Compliance.
[FR Doc. 2020–13566 Filed 7–9–20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710–12–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 52
[EPA–R09–OAR–2014–0812; FRL–10011–
07–Region 9]
Air Quality State Implementation Plan
Approval; Nevada; Infrastructure
Requirements for the 2010 Sulfur
Dioxide National Ambient Air Quality
Standard
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
The Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) is approving the
remaining portion of a state
implementation plan (SIP) revision
submitted by the State of Nevada. This
revision addresses the interstate
transport requirements of the Clean Air
Act (CAA) with respect to the 2010
1-hour sulfur dioxide (SO2) primary
national ambient air quality standard
(NAAQS). In this action, the EPA has
determined that Nevada will not
contribute significantly to
nonattainment or interfere with
maintenance of the 2010 1-hour SO2
NAAQS in any other state.
DATES: This rule will be effective on
August 10, 2020.
ADDRESSES: The EPA has established a
docket for this action under Docket ID
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SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:12 Jul 09, 2020
No. EPA–R09–OAR–2014–0812. All
documents in the docket are listed on
the https://www.regulations.gov
website. Although listed in the index,
some information is not publicly
available, e.g., 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 through https://
www.regulations.gov, or please contact
the person identified in the FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT section for
additional availability information.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom
Kelly, Air Planning Office (AIR–2), EPA
Region IX, (415) 947–4151, or by email
at kelly.thomasp@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Jkt 250001
I. Summary of the Proposed Action
On June 22, 2010, the EPA
promulgated a revised primary NAAQS
for SO2 at a level of 75 parts per billion
(ppb), based on a 3-year average of the
annual 99th percentile of 1-hour daily
maximum concentrations.1 Pursuant to
section 110(a)(1) of the CAA, states are
required to submit SIPs meeting the
applicable requirements of section
110(a)(2) within three years after
promulgation of a new or revised
NAAQS or a shorter period as the EPA
may prescribe. These SIPs, which the
EPA has historically referred to as
‘‘infrastructure SIPs,’’ are to provide for
the ‘‘implementation, maintenance, and
enforcement’’ of such NAAQS, and the
requirements are designed to ensure that
the structural components of each
state’s air quality management program
are adequate to meet the state’s
responsibility under the CAA. Section
110(a) of the CAA imposes the
obligation upon states to make a SIP
submission to the EPA for a new or
revised NAAQS, but the contents of
individual state submissions may vary
depending upon the facts and
circumstances. The content of the
revisions proposed in SIP submissions
may also vary depending upon what
provisions are already contained in the
state’s approved SIP. Section 110(a)(2)
requires states to address basic SIP
elements such as requirements for
monitoring, basic program
PO 00000
1 75
requirements, and legal authority that
are designed to assure attainment and
maintenance of the NAAQS.
Section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) of the CAA
requires SIPs to include provisions
prohibiting any source or other type of
emissions activity in one state from
emitting any air pollutant in amounts
that will contribute significantly to
nonattainment, or interfere with
maintenance, of the NAAQS in another
state. The two clauses of this section are
referred to as prong 1 (significant
contribution to nonattainment) and
prong 2 (interference with maintenance
of the NAAQS).
On June 3, 2013, the Nevada
Department of Environmental Protection
(NDEP) submitted a SIP revision
addressing the requirements of section
110(a)(2) of the CAA with respect to the
2010 SO2 NAAQS (‘‘2013 Nevada SIP
revision’’). On November 3, 2015, the
EPA partially approved and partially
disapproved portions of the 2013
Nevada SIP revision for the 2010 SO2
NAAQS.2 However, in that rulemaking,
the EPA did not take action on the
section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I), interstate
transport portion of the 2013 Nevada
SIP revision.3 On March 31, 2020, the
EPA proposed to approve the portion of
Nevada’s infrastructure submittal for the
2010 SO2 NAAQS pertaining to section
110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) of the CAA.4
In our proposed rulemaking, the EPA
described Nevada’s analysis and
provided supplemental information to
support the conclusion of the 2013
Nevada SIP Revision that Nevada meets
the CAA section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I)
prohibition against significant
contribution to nonattainment in
another state and interference with
maintenance in another state for the
2010 SO2 NAAQS. The NDEP
considered monitoring data, emissions
data, predominant wind direction in
Nevada, as well as nonattainment and
maintenance areas for the 1971 SO2
NAAQS and potential nonattainment
areas for the 2010 SO2 NAAQS in
contiguous and noncontiguous states,
and the distance between Nevada and
these areas.5
2 The EPA’s final rule (80 FR 67652) addressed
most elements of three separate SIP submittals for
the 2008 ozone NAAQS, the 2010 nitrogen dioxide
(NO2) NAAQS, and the 2010 SO2 NAAQS.
3 In addition to section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I)
provisions for SO2, the EPA did not act on the
section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) provisions of Nevada’s SIP
submittal for the 2008 ozone NAAQS. The EPA
approved the section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) portion of
Nevada’s submittal for the 2008 ozone NAAQS in
a subsequent rulemaking on February 3, 2017 (82
FR 9164).
4 85 FR 17810.
5 Because the EPA had not designated
nonattainment areas for the 2010 SO2 NAAQS prior
FR 35520 (June 22, 2010).
Frm 00075
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41395
Continued
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Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 133 / Friday, July 10, 2020 / Rules and Regulations
While the EPA relied on many of the
same factors as the 2013 Nevada SIP
revision, we collected more recent
monitoring and emissions data. In
addition, the EPA focused on a 50
kilometer (km) wide zone because the
physical properties of SO2 result in
relatively localized pollutant impacts
near an emissions source. We identified
no violating monitors near the Nevada
border, and the only violating monitors
in neighboring states are well outside
the range within which we might expect
them to be significantly impacted by
interstate transport of SO2 from Nevada.
Furthermore, we identified no SO2
sources within 50 km of the Nevada
border that are likely to be contributing
to a violation of the standard in another
state, and we concluded that it is
unlikely that sources farther from the
border are leading to violations.
Therefore, the EPA proposed that
Nevada was not significantly
contributing to nonattainment of the
2010 SO2 NAAQS in another state.
The EPA’s evaluation of the State’s
analysis of whether emissions sources
within Nevada interfere with
maintenance in other states also
considered state-wide and individual
facility emissions trends as well as SO2
emissions control rules from the three
air quality agencies in Nevada: The
NDEP, the Clark County Department of
Air Quality (now part of the Clark
County Department of Environment and
Sustainability), and the Washoe County
Air Quality Management Division. In
proposing to conclude that the 2013
Nevada SIP revision demonstrates that
SO2 emissions in the State will not
interfere with maintenance of the 2010
SO2 NAAQS in any other state, we cited
the downward trend in SO2 emissions
in Nevada and neighboring states; the
SIP-approved State and local measures
within Nevada that limit existing and
new facility emissions; and the low
ambient concentrations of SO2 in
Nevada and neighboring states.
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II. Public Comments and EPA
Responses
The public comment period for the
proposed rule opened on March 31,
2020, the date of its publication in the
Federal Register, and closed on April
30, 2020. The EPA received no
to submittal of the 2013 Nevada SIP revision,
Nevada addressed potential nonattainment areas for
the 2010 SO2 NAAQS. The EPA has subsequently
completed designations for Nevada and most other
contiguous and noncontiguous states in separate
rulemaking actions (78 FR 47191, August 5, 2013;
81 FR 45039, July 12, 2016; 81 FR 89870, December
13, 2016; 83 FR 1098, January 18, 2018). The EPA
designated the state of Nevada as Attainment/
Unclassifiable for the 2010 SO2 standard (83 FR
1098, January 9, 2018).
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comments on the proposed action
during the public comment period.
III. Final Action
Under CAA section 110(k)(3) and
based on the evaluation and rationale
presented in the proposed rule, the EPA
is approving the 2013 Nevada SIP
revision as meeting CAA section
110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I). The State has
demonstrated that Nevada’s SIP has
adequate provisions prohibiting any
source or other type of emissions
activity in the State from emitting any
air pollutant in amounts that will
contribute significantly to
nonattainment or interfere with
maintenance of the 2010 1-hour SO2
NAAQS in any other state.
IV. Statutory and Executive Order
Reviews
Under the Clean Air Act, 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 Clean Air
Act. 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);
PO 00000
Frm 00076
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
• 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 Clean Air Act;
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 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. The 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 Clean
Air Act, petitions for judicial review of
this action must be filed in the United
States Court of Appeals for the
appropriate circuit by September 8,
2020. 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).)
E:\FR\FM\10JYR1.SGM
10JYR1
Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 133 / Friday, July 10, 2020 / Rules and Regulations
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52
Air pollution control, Approval and
promulgation of implementation plans,
Environmental protection, Incorporation
by reference, and Sulfur oxides.
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
Dated: June 17, 2020.
John Busterud,
Regional Administrator, Region IX.
For the reasons stated in the
preamble, EPA amends Chapter I, title
40 of the Code of Federal Regulations as
follows:
PART 52—APPROVAL AND
PROMULGATION OF
IMPLEMENTATION PLANS
1. The authority citation for Part 52
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
Subpart DD Nevada
2. Amend § 52.1472 by revising
paragraph (j) to read as follows:
■
§ 52.1472
Approval status.
*
*
*
*
*
(j) 2010 1-hour sulfur dioxide
NAAQS: The SIPs submitted on June 3,
2013, are disapproved for CAA elements
110(a)(2)(C), (D)(i)(II), (D)(ii), and (J) for
the NDEP and Washoe County portions
of the Nevada SIP.
[FR Doc. 2020–13561 Filed 7–9–20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 52
[EPA–R08–OAR–2019–0688; FRL–10010–
35–Region 8]
Approval and Promulgation of Air
Quality State Implementation Plans;
State of Utah; Revisions to the Utah
Division of Administrative Rules;
R307–101–3
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
The Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) is approving revisions to
the Utah Divison of Administrative
Rules, specifically R307–101–3
submitted by the State of Utah on
August 19, 2019, and R307–405–02 and
R307–410–03 submitted by the State of
Utah on December 16, 2019. The
submittal for R307–101–3 requests a
State Implementation Plan (SIP)
revision to change the date incorporated
by reference from the Code of Federal
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SUMMARY:
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Regulations (CFR) to July 1, 2016 to July
1, 2017. Amendments to R307–405–02
and R307–410–03 update the part of the
CFR incorporated by reference in the
rules to the July 1, 2018 version. This
action is being taken under the Clean
Air Act (CAA or Act).
DATES: This rule is effective on August
10, 2020.
ADDRESSES: The EPA has established a
docket for this action under Docket ID
No. EPA–R08–OAR–2019–0688. All
documents in the docket are listed on
the https://www.regulations.gov website.
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, is not placed on
the internet and will be publicly
available only in hard copy form.
Publicly available docket materials are
available through https://
www.regulations.gov, or please contact
the person identified in the FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT section for
additional availability information.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Amrita Singh, Air and Radiation
Division, EPA, Region 8, Mailcode
8ARD–QP, 1595 Wynkoop Street,
Denver, Colorado 80202–1129, (303)
312–6103, singh.amrita@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Throughout this document wherever
‘‘we,’’ ‘‘us’’ or ‘‘our’’ is used, we mean
the EPA.
I. Background
On March 13, 2020 (85 FR 14606), the
EPA proposed approval of the Revisions
to the Utah Divison of Administrative
Rules, specifically, R307–101–3, R307–
405–02, and R307–410–03. The EPA
received revisions to R307–101–3,
General Requirements; Version of Code
of Federal Regulations Incorporated by
Reference from the State of Utah on
August 19, 2019. These revisions allow
R307 rules that reference section R307–
101–3 to update the incorporation date
with only one rule amendment.
The EPA received revisions to (1)
R307–405–02. Permits: Major Sources in
Attainment or Unclassified Areas (PSD)
Applicability; and (2) R307–410–03
Permits. Emissions Impact Analysis on
December 16, 2019. The revisions
submitted for both R307–405–02 and
R307–405–02 update the version of the
CFR that is incorporated by reference
throughout the Utah Air Quality rules.
The rule change for R307–405–02
updates the version of 40 CFR 52.21
from the July 11, 2011 version to the
July 1, 2018 version. Lastly, the
amendment to rule R307–410–03
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41397
updates the version of 40 CFR part 51,
appendix W, incorporated by reference
from the July 1, 2005 version to the July
1, 2018 version.
II. Response to Comments
The comment period for our March
13, 2020 (85 FR 14606), proposed rule
was open for 30 days. The EPA did not
receive any comments.
III. Final Action
The EPA is approving the SIP revision
to R307–101–3, General Requirements;
Version of the Code of Federal
Regulations Incorporated by Reference
submitted on August 19, 2019.
Additionally, EPA is also approving
revisions to (1) R307–405–02 Permits:
Major Sources in Attainment or
Unclassified Areas (PSD) Applicability;
and (2) R307–410–03 Permits. Emission
Impact Analysis which were both
submitted on December 16, 2019.
IV. Incorporation by Reference
In this document, the EPA is
finalizing regulatory text that includes
incorporation by reference. In
accordance with requirements of 1 CFR
51.5, the EPA is incorporating by
reference the Utah Air Quality rules
promulgated in R307–101–3, R307–405–
02, and R307–410–03 as discussed in
section III. of the preamble. 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).
Therefore, these materials have been
approved by the EPA for inclusion in
the State implementation plan, have
been incorporated by reference by the
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 the EPA’s approval,
and will be incorporated by reference in
the next update to the SIP compilation.1
V. Statutory and Executive Orders
Review
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 approves state law as meeting
Federal requirements and does not
impose additional requirements beyond
1 62
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FR 27968 (May 22, 1997).
10JYR1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 133 (Friday, July 10, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 41395-41397]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-13561]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 52
[EPA-R09-OAR-2014-0812; FRL-10011-07-Region 9]
Air Quality State Implementation Plan Approval; Nevada;
Infrastructure Requirements for the 2010 Sulfur Dioxide National
Ambient Air Quality Standard
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving the
remaining portion of a state implementation plan (SIP) revision
submitted by the State of Nevada. This revision addresses the
interstate transport requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA) with
respect to the 2010 1-hour sulfur dioxide (SO2) primary
national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS). In this action, the EPA
has determined that Nevada will not contribute significantly to
nonattainment or interfere with maintenance of the 2010 1-hour
SO2 NAAQS in any other state.
DATES: This rule will be effective on August 10, 2020.
ADDRESSES: The EPA has established a docket for this action under
Docket ID No. EPA-R09-OAR-2014-0812. All documents in the docket are
listed on the https://www.regulations.gov website. Although listed in
the index, some information is not publicly available, e.g.,
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 through https://www.regulations.gov, or please
contact the person identified in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
section for additional availability information.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Kelly, Air Planning Office (AIR-
2), EPA Region IX, (415) 947-4151, or by email at
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Table of Contents
I. Summary of the Proposed Action
II. Public Comments and EPA Responses
III. Final Action
IV. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
I. Summary of the Proposed Action
On June 22, 2010, the EPA promulgated a revised primary NAAQS for
SO2 at a level of 75 parts per billion (ppb), based on a 3-
year average of the annual 99th percentile of 1-hour daily maximum
concentrations.\1\ Pursuant to section 110(a)(1) of the CAA, states are
required to submit SIPs meeting the applicable requirements of section
110(a)(2) within three years after promulgation of a new or revised
NAAQS or a shorter period as the EPA may prescribe. These SIPs, which
the EPA has historically referred to as ``infrastructure SIPs,'' are to
provide for the ``implementation, maintenance, and enforcement'' of
such NAAQS, and the requirements are designed to ensure that the
structural components of each state's air quality management program
are adequate to meet the state's responsibility under the CAA. Section
110(a) of the CAA imposes the obligation upon states to make a SIP
submission to the EPA for a new or revised NAAQS, but the contents of
individual state submissions may vary depending upon the facts and
circumstances. The content of the revisions proposed in SIP submissions
may also vary depending upon what provisions are already contained in
the state's approved SIP. Section 110(a)(2) requires states to address
basic SIP elements such as requirements for monitoring, basic program
requirements, and legal authority that are designed to assure
attainment and maintenance of the NAAQS.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ 75 FR 35520 (June 22, 2010).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) of the CAA requires SIPs to include
provisions prohibiting any source or other type of emissions activity
in one state from emitting any air pollutant in amounts that will
contribute significantly to nonattainment, or interfere with
maintenance, of the NAAQS in another state. The two clauses of this
section are referred to as prong 1 (significant contribution to
nonattainment) and prong 2 (interference with maintenance of the
NAAQS).
On June 3, 2013, the Nevada Department of Environmental Protection
(NDEP) submitted a SIP revision addressing the requirements of section
110(a)(2) of the CAA with respect to the 2010 SO2 NAAQS
(``2013 Nevada SIP revision''). On November 3, 2015, the EPA partially
approved and partially disapproved portions of the 2013 Nevada SIP
revision for the 2010 SO2 NAAQS.\2\ However, in that
rulemaking, the EPA did not take action on the section
110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I), interstate transport portion of the 2013 Nevada SIP
revision.\3\ On March 31, 2020, the EPA proposed to approve the portion
of Nevada's infrastructure submittal for the 2010 SO2 NAAQS
pertaining to section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) of the CAA.\4\
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\2\ The EPA's final rule (80 FR 67652) addressed most elements
of three separate SIP submittals for the 2008 ozone NAAQS, the 2010
nitrogen dioxide (NO2) NAAQS, and the 2010 SO2
NAAQS.
\3\ In addition to section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) provisions for
SO2, the EPA did not act on the section
110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) provisions of Nevada's SIP submittal for the 2008
ozone NAAQS. The EPA approved the section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) portion
of Nevada's submittal for the 2008 ozone NAAQS in a subsequent
rulemaking on February 3, 2017 (82 FR 9164).
\4\ 85 FR 17810.
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In our proposed rulemaking, the EPA described Nevada's analysis and
provided supplemental information to support the conclusion of the 2013
Nevada SIP Revision that Nevada meets the CAA section
110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) prohibition against significant contribution to
nonattainment in another state and interference with maintenance in
another state for the 2010 SO2 NAAQS. The NDEP considered
monitoring data, emissions data, predominant wind direction in Nevada,
as well as nonattainment and maintenance areas for the 1971
SO2 NAAQS and potential nonattainment areas for the 2010
SO2 NAAQS in contiguous and noncontiguous states, and the
distance between Nevada and these areas.\5\
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\5\ Because the EPA had not designated nonattainment areas for
the 2010 SO2 NAAQS prior to submittal of the 2013 Nevada
SIP revision, Nevada addressed potential nonattainment areas for the
2010 SO2 NAAQS. The EPA has subsequently completed
designations for Nevada and most other contiguous and noncontiguous
states in separate rulemaking actions (78 FR 47191, August 5, 2013;
81 FR 45039, July 12, 2016; 81 FR 89870, December 13, 2016; 83 FR
1098, January 18, 2018). The EPA designated the state of Nevada as
Attainment/Unclassifiable for the 2010 SO2 standard (83
FR 1098, January 9, 2018).
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[[Page 41396]]
While the EPA relied on many of the same factors as the 2013 Nevada
SIP revision, we collected more recent monitoring and emissions data.
In addition, the EPA focused on a 50 kilometer (km) wide zone because
the physical properties of SO2 result in relatively
localized pollutant impacts near an emissions source. We identified no
violating monitors near the Nevada border, and the only violating
monitors in neighboring states are well outside the range within which
we might expect them to be significantly impacted by interstate
transport of SO2 from Nevada. Furthermore, we identified no
SO2 sources within 50 km of the Nevada border that are
likely to be contributing to a violation of the standard in another
state, and we concluded that it is unlikely that sources farther from
the border are leading to violations. Therefore, the EPA proposed that
Nevada was not significantly contributing to nonattainment of the 2010
SO2 NAAQS in another state.
The EPA's evaluation of the State's analysis of whether emissions
sources within Nevada interfere with maintenance in other states also
considered state-wide and individual facility emissions trends as well
as SO2 emissions control rules from the three air quality
agencies in Nevada: The NDEP, the Clark County Department of Air
Quality (now part of the Clark County Department of Environment and
Sustainability), and the Washoe County Air Quality Management Division.
In proposing to conclude that the 2013 Nevada SIP revision demonstrates
that SO2 emissions in the State will not interfere with
maintenance of the 2010 SO2 NAAQS in any other state, we
cited the downward trend in SO2 emissions in Nevada and
neighboring states; the SIP-approved State and local measures within
Nevada that limit existing and new facility emissions; and the low
ambient concentrations of SO2 in Nevada and neighboring
states.
II. Public Comments and EPA Responses
The public comment period for the proposed rule opened on March 31,
2020, the date of its publication in the Federal Register, and closed
on April 30, 2020. The EPA received no comments on the proposed action
during the public comment period.
III. Final Action
Under CAA section 110(k)(3) and based on the evaluation and
rationale presented in the proposed rule, the EPA is approving the 2013
Nevada SIP revision as meeting CAA section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I). The
State has demonstrated that Nevada's SIP has adequate provisions
prohibiting any source or other type of emissions activity in the State
from emitting any air pollutant in amounts that will contribute
significantly to nonattainment or interfere with maintenance of the
2010 1-hour SO2 NAAQS in any other state.
IV. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
Under the Clean Air Act, 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 Clean Air Act.
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 Clean Air Act; 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 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. The 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 Clean Air Act, petitions for
judicial review of this action must be filed in the United States Court
of Appeals for the appropriate circuit by September 8, 2020. 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).)
[[Page 41397]]
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52
Air pollution control, Approval and promulgation of implementation
plans, Environmental protection, Incorporation by reference, and Sulfur
oxides.
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
Dated: June 17, 2020.
John Busterud,
Regional Administrator, Region IX.
For the reasons stated in the preamble, EPA amends Chapter I, title
40 of the Code of Federal Regulations as follows:
PART 52--APPROVAL AND PROMULGATION OF IMPLEMENTATION PLANS
0
1. The authority citation for Part 52 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
Subpart DD Nevada
0
2. Amend Sec. 52.1472 by revising paragraph (j) to read as follows:
Sec. 52.1472 Approval status.
* * * * *
(j) 2010 1-hour sulfur dioxide NAAQS: The SIPs submitted on June 3,
2013, are disapproved for CAA elements 110(a)(2)(C), (D)(i)(II),
(D)(ii), and (J) for the NDEP and Washoe County portions of the Nevada
SIP.
[FR Doc. 2020-13561 Filed 7-9-20; 8:45 am]
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