Partial Approval and Partial Disapproval of Air Quality State Implementation Plans; California; Infrastructure Requirements for Ozone, 65755-65774 [2020-22061]
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Carl C. Risch,
Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs,
Department of State.
BILLING CODE 4710–06–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 52
[EPA–R09–OAR–2020–0096; FRL–10014–
93-Region 9]
Partial Approval and Partial
Disapproval of Air Quality State
Implementation Plans; California;
Infrastructure Requirements for Ozone
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Proposed rule.
AGENCY:
The Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) is proposing to partially
approve and partially disapprove the
state implementation plan (SIP) revision
submitted by the State of California
pursuant to the requirements of the
Clean Air Act (CAA or ‘‘Act’’) for the
implementation, maintenance, and
enforcement of the 2015 national
ambient air quality standards (NAAQS
or ‘‘standards’’) for ozone. As part of
this action, we are proposing to
reclassify certain regions of the State for
emergency episode planning purposes
with respect to ozone. We are also
proposing to approve into the SIP an
updated state provision addressing CAA
conflict of interest requirements, and
emergency episode planning rules for
Amador County Air Pollution Control
District (APCD), Calaveras County
APCD, Mariposa County APCD,
Northern Sierra Air Quality
Management District (AQMD), and
Tuolumne County APCD. Finally, we
are proposing to approve an exemption
from emergency episode planning
requirements for ozone for Lake County
AQMD. We are taking comments on this
proposal and, after considering any
comments submitted, plan to take final
action.
DATES: Written comments must be
received on or before November 16,
2020.
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Submit your comments,
identified by Docket ID No. EPA–R09–
OAR–2020–0096 at https://
www.regulations.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. The EPA may publish
any comment received to its public
docket. Do not submit electronically any
information you consider to be
Confidential Business Information (CBI)
or other information whose disclosure is
restricted by statute. Multimedia
submissions (audio, video, etc.) must be
accompanied by a written comment.
The written comment is considered the
official comment and should include
discussion of all points you wish to
make. The EPA will generally not
consider comments or comment
contents located outside of the primary
submission (i.e., on the web, cloud, or
other file sharing system). For
additional submission methods, or if
you need assistance in a language other
than English, or if you are a person with
a disability who needs a reasonable
accommodation at no cost to you, please
contact the person identified in the FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section.
For the full EPA public comment policy,
information about CBI or multimedia
submissions, and general guidance on
making effective comments, please visit
https://www.epa.gov/dockets/
commenting-epa-dockets.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Panah Stauffer, EPA Region IX, 75
Hawthorne St., San Francisco, CA
94105. By phone: (415) 972–3247 or by
email at stauffer.panah@
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Throughout this document, the terms
‘‘we,’’ ‘‘us,’’ and ‘‘our’’ refer to EPA.
ADDRESSES:
[FR Doc. 2020–19926 Filed 10–15–20; 8:45 am]
SUMMARY:
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Table of Contents
I. The EPA’s Approach to the Review of
Infrastructure SIP Submittals
II. Background
A. Statutory Requirements
B. NAAQS Addressed by this Proposal
C. EPA Guidance Documents
III. California’s Submittals
IV. The EPA’s Evaluation and Proposed
Action
A. Proposed Approvals and Partial
Approvals
B. Proposed Partial Disapprovals
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C. The EPA’s Evaluation of California’s
Submittal
D. Proposed Approval of State and Local
Provisions into the California SIP
E. Proposed Approval of Reclassification
Requests for Emergency Episode
Planning
F. The EPA’s Action
V. Incorporation by Reference
VI. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
I. The EPA’s Approach to the Review of
Infrastructure SIP Submittals
The EPA is acting upon two SIP
submittals from California that address
the infrastructure requirements of CAA
sections 110(a)(1) and 110(a)(2) for the
2015 ozone NAAQS. Whenever the EPA
promulgates a new or revised NAAQS,
CAA section 110(a)(1) requires states to
make SIP submissions to provide for the
implementation, maintenance, and
enforcement of the NAAQS. This type of
SIP submission is commonly referred to
as an ‘‘infrastructure SIP.’’ These
submissions must meet the various
requirements of CAA section 110(a)(2),
as applicable. Due to ambiguity in some
of the language of CAA section
110(a)(2), the EPA believes that it is
appropriate to interpret these provisions
in the specific context of acting on
infrastructure SIP submissions. The EPA
has previously provided comprehensive
guidance on the application of these
provisions through a guidance
document for infrastructure SIP
submissions 1 and through regional
actions on infrastructure submissions.
Unless otherwise noted below, we are
following that existing approach in
acting on this submission. In addition,
in the context of acting on such
infrastructure submissions, the EPA
evaluates the submitting state’s SIP for
facial compliance with statutory and
regulatory requirements, not for the
1 The EPA explains and elaborates on these
ambiguities and its approach to address them in its
September 13, 2013 Infrastructure SIP Guidance
(available at https://www3.epa.gov/airquality/
urbanair/sipstatus/docs/
Guidance_on_Infrastructure_SIP_Elements_
Multipollutant_FINAL_Sept_2013.pdf), as well as
in numerous EPA actions, including the EPA’s prior
action on California’s infrastructure SIP to address
the 1997 and 2008 ozone NAAQS (79 FR 63350
(October 23, 2014)).
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state’s implementation of its SIP.2 The
EPA has other authority to address any
issues concerning a state’s
implementation of the rules,
regulations, consent orders, etc., that
comprise its SIP.
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II. Background
A. Statutory Requirements
As discussed in section I of this
proposed rule, CAA section 110(a)(1)
requires each state to submit to the EPA,
within three years after the
promulgation of a primary or secondary
NAAQS or any revision thereof, an
infrastructure SIP revision that provides
for the implementation, maintenance,
and enforcement of such NAAQS.
Section 110(a)(2) contains the
infrastructure SIP requirements, which
generally relate to the information,
authorities, compliance assurances,
procedural requirements, and control
measures that constitute the
‘‘infrastructure’’ of a state’s air quality
management program. These
infrastructure SIP requirements (or
‘‘elements’’) required by section
110(a)(2) are as follows:
• Section 110(a)(2)(A): Emission
limits and other control measures.
• Section 110(a)(2)(B): Ambient air
quality monitoring/data system.
• Section 110(a)(2)(C): Program for
enforcement of control measures and
regulation of new and modified
stationary sources.
• Section 110(a)(2)(D)(i): Interstate
pollution transport.
• Section 110(a)(2)(D)(ii): Interstate
pollution abatement and international
air pollution.
• Section 110(a)(2)(E): Adequate
resources and authority, conflict of
interest, and oversight of local and
regional government agencies.
• Section 110(a)(2)(F): Stationary
source monitoring and reporting.
• Section 110(a)(2)(G): Emergency
episodes.
• Section 110(a)(2)(H): SIP revisions.
• Section 110(a)(2)(J): Consultation
with government officials, public
notification, prevention of significant
deterioration (PSD), and visibility
protection.
• Section 110(a)(2)(K): Air quality
modeling and submittal of modeling
data.
• Section 110(a)(2)(L): Permitting
fees.
• Section 110(a)(2)(M): Consultation/
participation by affected local entities.
Two elements identified in section
110(a)(2) are not governed by the three2 See U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
decision in Montana Environmental Information
Center v. EPA, No. 16–71933 (Aug. 30, 2018).
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year submittal deadline of section
110(a)(1) and are therefore not
addressed in this action. These two
elements are: (i) Section 110(a)(2)(C) to
the extent it refers to permit programs
required under part D (nonattainment
new source review (NSR)), and (ii)
section 110(a)(2)(I), pertaining to the
nonattainment planning requirements of
part D. As a result, this action does not
address requirements for the
nonattainment NSR portion of section
110(a)(2)(C) or the whole of section
110(a)(2)(I).
B. NAAQS Addressed by This Proposal
Ground-level ozone pollution is
formed from the reaction of volatile
organic compounds (VOC) and oxides of
nitrogen (NOX) in the presence of
sunlight. These two pollutants, referred
to as ozone precursors, are emitted by
many types of sources, including on-and
off-road motor vehicles and engines,
power plants and industrial facilities,
and smaller area sources such as lawn
and garden equipment and paints.
Scientific evidence indicates that
adverse public health effects occur
following exposure to elevated levels of
ozone, particularly in children and
adults with lung disease. Breathing air
containing ozone can reduce lung
function and inflame airways, which
can increase respiratory symptoms and
aggravate asthma or other lung diseases.
On October 26, 2015, the EPA
promulgated a revised NAAQS for
ozone.3 The EPA had previously
promulgated NAAQS for ozone in 1979,
1997 and 2008. The 2015 ozone NAAQS
revised the level of the standards to
0.070 parts per million (ppm) averaged
across eight hours.
C. EPA Guidance Documents
EPA has issued several guidance
memos on infrastructure SIPs that have
informed our evaluation, including the
following:
• March 2, 1978 guidance on the
conflict of interest requirements of
section 128, pursuant to the requirement
of section 110(a)(2)(E)(ii).4
• August 15, 2006 guidance on the
interstate transport requirements of
section 110(a)(2)(D)(i) with respect to
the 1997 ozone and 1997 fine
particulate matter (PM2.5) NAAQS
(‘‘2006 Transport Guidance’’).5
3 80
FR 65292.
4 Memorandum
dated March 2, 1978, from David
O. Bickart, Deputy General Counsel, Office of
General Counsel (OGC), ‘‘Guidance to States for
Meeting Conflict of Interest Requirements of
Section 128.’’
5 Memorandum dated August 15, 2006, from
William T. Harnett, Director, Air Quality Policy
Division, Office of Air Quality Planning and
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• September 25, 2009 guidance on
infrastructure SIP requirements for the
2006 PM2.5 NAAQS (‘‘2009
Infrastructure SIP Guidance’’).6
• September 13, 2013 guidance on
infrastructure SIP requirements for the
2008 ozone, 2010 nitrogen dioxide
(NO2), 2010 sulfur dioxide (SO2), 2012
PM2.5, and future NAAQS (‘‘2013
Infrastructure SIP Guidance’’).7
III. California’s Submittal
In California, the California Air
Resources Board (CARB or ‘‘State’’) is
the state agency responsible for the
adoption and submission to the EPA of
California SIPs and SIP revisions. CARB
submitted its infrastructure SIP revision
(‘‘2018 Infrastructure SIP’’ or
‘‘California’s 2018 Submittal’’) for the
2015 ozone NAAQS on October 1,
2018.8
On June 25, 2020, CARB
supplemented its 2018 Infrastructure
SIP by submitting ozone emergency
episode contingency plans for San Luis
Obispo County APCD, Amador County
APCD, Calaveras County APCD,
Mariposa County APCD, Northern Sierra
AQMD, and Tuolumne County APCD.9
It also submitted an exemption request
from emergency episode planning
requirements for Lake County AQMD
based on that District’s attainment
status. This submittal (‘‘California’s
2020 Submittal’’) addresses CAA section
110(a)(2)(G) requirements for the 2015
ozone NAAQS.
We find that these submittals (referred
to collectively herein as ‘‘California’s
Infrastructure SIP Submittals’’) meet the
procedural requirements for public
participation under CAA section
110(a)(2) and 40 CFR 51.102. We also
find that they meet the applicable
completeness criteria in Appendix V to
Standards (OAQPS), ‘‘Guidance for State
Implementation Plan Submissions to Meet Current
Outstanding Obligations Under Section
110(a)(2)(D)(i) for the 8-Hour Ozone and PM2.5
National Ambient Air Quality Standards.’’
6 Memorandum dated September 25, 2009, from
William T. Harnett, Director, Air Quality Policy
Division, OAQPS, ‘‘Guidance on SIP Elements
Required Under Sections 110(a)(1) and (2) for the
2006 24-Hour Fine Particulate Matter National
Ambient Air Quality Standards.’’
7 Memorandum dated September 13, 2013, from
Stephen D. Page, Director, OAQPS, ‘‘Guidance on
Infrastructure State Implementation Plan Elements
under Clean Air Act Sections 110(a)(1) and
110(a)(2).’’
8 Letter dated October 1, 2018, from Richard W.
Corey, Executive Officer, CARB, to Michael Stoker,
Regional Administrator, EPA Region IX.
9 Letter dated June 16, 2020, from Richard W.
Corey, Executive Officer, CARB, to John Busterud,
Regional Administrator, EPA Region IX, with Ozone
Emergency Episode Plans for Amador County, San
Luis Obispo County, Northern Sierra, Tuolumne
County, Mariposa County, and Calaveras County
and Exemption Request for Lake County.
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40 CFR part 51. We are proposing to act
on California’s Infrastructure SIP
Submittals.
IV. The EPA’s Evaluation and Proposed
Action
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A. Proposed Approvals and Partial
Approvals
Based upon the evaluation presented
in this notice, the EPA proposes to
approve California’s Infrastructure SIP
Submittals with respect to the 2015
ozone NAAQS for the following
infrastructure SIP requirements.
Proposed partial approvals are indicated
by the parenthetical ‘‘(in part).’’
• Section 110(a)(2)(A): Emission
limits and other control measures.
• Section 110(a)(2)(B): Ambient air
quality monitoring/data system.
• Section 110(a)(2)(C) (in part):
Program for enforcement of control
measures and regulation of new and
modified stationary sources.
• 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II) (in part): Interstate
pollution transport.
• Section 110(a)(2)(D)(ii) (in part):
Interstate pollution abatement and
international air pollution.
• Section 110(a)(2)(E): Adequate
resources and authority, conflict of
interest, and oversight of local and
regional government agencies.
• Section 110(a)(2)(F): Stationary
source monitoring and reporting.
• Section 110(a)(2)(G): Emergency
episodes.
• Section 110(a)(2)(H): SIP revisions.
• Section 110(a)(2)(J) (in part):
Consultation with government officials,
public notification, PSD, and visibility
protection.
• Section 110(a)(2)(K): Air quality
modeling and submittal of modeling
data.
• Section 110(a)(2)(L): Permitting
fees.
• Section 110(a)(2)(M): Consultation/
participation by affected local entities.
B. Proposed Partial Disapprovals
EPA proposes to partially disapprove
California’s Infrastructure SIP
Submittals with respect to the NAAQS
identified for each of the following
infrastructure SIP requirements (details
of the partial disapprovals are presented
after this list):
• Section 110(a)(2)(C) (in part):
Program for enforcement of control
measures and regulation of new and
modified stationary sources (due to
prevention of significant deterioration
(PSD) program deficiencies in certain air
districts).
• Section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II) (in part):
Interstate pollution transport (due to
PSD program deficiencies in certain air
districts).
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• Section 110(a)(2)(D)(ii) (in part):
Interstate pollution abatement and
international air pollution.
• Section 110(a)(2)(J) (in part):
Consultation with government officials,
public notification, PSD, and visibility
protection (due to PSD program
deficiencies in certain air districts).
These partial disapprovals are for
districts in California that do not have
fully SIP-approved PSD programs. The
disapprovals will not create any new
consequences for these districts or the
EPA as the districts already implement
the EPA’s federal PSD program at 40
CFR 52.21, pursuant to delegation
agreements, for all regulated NSR
pollutants. They will also not create any
new highway sanctions, which are not
triggered by disapprovals of
infrastructure SIPs.
At this time, the EPA is not acting on
the interstate transport requirements of
110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I), which prohibits
emission sources from contributing
significantly to nonattainment, or
interfering with maintenance, of the
NAAQS in another state. The EPA will
propose action on the interstate
transport requirements for the 2015
ozone NAAQS in a separate notice.
C. The EPA’s Evaluation of California’s
Submittal
We have evaluated California’s 2018
Infrastructure SIP and the existing
provisions of the California SIP for
compliance with the infrastructure SIP
requirements of CAA section 110(a)(2)
and applicable regulations in 40 CFR
part 51 (‘‘Requirements for Preparation,
Adoption, and Submittal of State
Implementation Plans’’).
1. CAA Section 110(a)(2)(A)—Emission
Limits and Other Control Measures
a. Statutory and Regulatory
Requirements
Section 110(a)(2)(A) requires SIPs to
‘‘include enforceable emission
limitations and other control measures,
means, or techniques (including
economic incentives such as fees,
marketable permits, and auctions of
emissions rights), as well as schedules
and timetables for compliance, as may
be necessary or appropriate to meet the
applicable requirements of this Act.’’
In the 2013 Infrastructure SIP
Guidance, the EPA states that a
submittal meets the requirements of
CAA section 110(a)(2)(A) if it identifies
‘‘existing EPA-approved SIP provisions
or new SIP provisions that the air
agency has adopted and submitted for
EPA approval that limit emissions of
pollutants relevant to the subject
NAAQS, including precursors of the
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relevant NAAQS pollutant where
applicable.’’
VOC and NOX are precursors to ozone
formation across all source categories.
Their emissions are grouped into two
general categories: Stationary sources
and mobile sources. Stationary sources
are further divided into ‘‘point’’ and
‘‘area’’ sources. Point sources typically
refer to permitted facilities that have
one or more identified and fixed pieces
of equipment and emissions points.
Stationary area sources are many
smaller point sources, and include
sources that have internal combustion
engines, and gasoline dispensing
facilities (gas stations). Area sources
consist of widespread and numerous
smaller emission sources, such as small
permitted facilities and households. The
mobile sources category can be divided
into two major subcategories: ‘‘on-road’’
and ‘‘off-road’’ mobile sources. On-road
mobile sources include light-duty
automobiles, light-, medium-, and
heavy-duty trucks, and motorcycles.
Off-road mobile sources include aircraft,
locomotives, construction equipment,
mobile equipment, and recreational
vehicles.
b. Summary of the State’s Submission
In its 2018 submittal, California
describes different regulatory authorities
in California involving state, local, and
federal governments. The submittal
explains that the state agency, California
Air Resources Board (CARB), has
authority to adopt and implement
controls for on-road and off-road mobile
sources, as well as for the fuels that
power them. CARB also has authority to
regulate consumer products. Local air
pollution control districts have
authority to adopt and implement
controls for stationary sources and small
local businesses. If a district fails to
meet its responsibilities, CARB is
authorized to act in its stead. Some of
CARB’s authorities also complement
federal control measures, such as
standards for fuels and vehicles that the
EPA establishes. Although CARB
acknowledges that several areas in
California have not yet met the ozone
standards, it notes that current and
future regulations implemented under
state and local authority will enable
continued progress towards attaining
those standards.
CARB describes how it has regulated
a wide range of mobile sources,
including heavy-duty trucks and
passenger vehicles that are already in
use. CARB has also regulated fuels. In
the submittal, CARB states that these
regulations have reduced emissions
from vehicles and off-road sources such
as lawn and garden equipment,
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recreational vehicles and boats, and
construction equipment.
Starting with mobile sources,
California states that its stringent motor
vehicle and fuel standards, in-use rules,
and inspection programs such as Smog
Check and heavy-duty truck inspections
have resulted in cars and trucks that are
99 percent and 98 percent cleaner,
respectively, than their uncontrolled
counterparts. In addition, CARB
describes its emission standards for offroad sources and states that it has
collaborated with the EPA to regulate
sources subject to a combination of state
and federal authority, as exemplified by
locomotive engine standards and lowsulfur diesel fuel standards for nearshore ships.
With respect to stationary sources and
small local businesses, CARB states that
emission limits are achieved through a
combination of prohibitory rules
establishing emission limits by facility
type, permits specifying equipment use
and operating parameters, and an NSR
program that allows industrial growth
while mitigating environmental
impacts. Examples of facilities regulated
under such district programs include
refineries, manufacturing facilities,
cement plants, refinishing operations,
electrical generation and biomass
facilities, boilers, and generators.10 The
state then provides examples of SIPapproved emission control measures for
VOCs (listed as hydrocarbons, or HC)
and NOX.11
Finally, CARB notes that all EPAapproved SIP provisions that limit
emissions of ozone precursors, along
with all other pollutants, are listed
online at the website https://
www.epa.gov/sips-ca. These rules, along
with others mentioned in California’s
submittal, are discussed further in our
evaluation section below.
c. The EPA’s Review of the State’s
Submission
California’s 2018 Infrastructure SIP
broadly describes, and provides
examples of, the emission limitations
employed by the State and air districts
to achieve emission reductions that will
help areas within the State attain and
maintain the 2015 ozone NAAQS. The
submittal also includes the table below
with specific examples of measures that
control emissions of ozone precursors.
Some emissions control one precursor,
while others control multiple precursors
and may also control other pollutants
that are not affected by the 2015 ozone
NAAQS. The control measures in this
table reflect the authorities of state and
local air agencies in a variety of
geographic areas in California. These
measures control the ozone precursors
of HCs, VOCs, and NOX. The state-level
regulations reflect state authority to
regulate emissions from vehicles and
fuels and to regulate consumer
products. The local air district
regulations reflect local authority to
regulate stationary sources, such as
boilers and cement kilns, as well as
stationary area sources like confined
animal feeding operations. Additional
examples of rules that control ozone
precursor emissions were discussed in
the EPA’s Overarching Technical
Support Document 12 for our 2016 final
action on California’s Infrastructure SIP
Submission for the 2008 ozone NAAQS.
TABLE 1—EXAMPLES OF CALIFORNIA SIP-APPROVED EMISSION CONTROL MEASURES
Pollutant or
precursor
emission
controlled a
Rule description
Exhaust Emissions Standards and Test Procedures—1985 & Subsequent Model Heavy-Duty Engines and Vehicles.
Exhaust Emissions Standards and Test Procedures—2004 & Subsequent Model Passenger Cars, Light-Duty Trucks, and Medium-Duty
Vehicles.
California Reformulated Gasoline Regulations ..........................................
Rule/regulation
number b
Federal Register
citation
HC, NOX, PM,
CO.
HC, NOX, PM,
CO.
State Regulation 13 CCR 1956.8 ...
75 FR 26653.
State Regulation 13 CCR 1961 ......
75 FR 26653.
HC, SOX .......
60 FR 43379, 75 FR 26653.
Regulations for Large Spark-Ignition Engines and Off-Road Large Spark
Ignition Engine Fleet Requirements.
Consumer Products ...................................................................................
VOC ..............
RECLAIM (Regional Clean Air Incentives Market) Program .....................
NOX Emissions from Natural Gas Fired, Fan-Type Central Furnace .......
Crude Oil Production Sumps .....................................................................
NOX ..............
NOX ..............
HC ................
Confined Animal Facility Operations .........................................................
VOC ..............
Portland Cement Kilns ...............................................................................
Glass Melting Furnaces .............................................................................
Transfer of Gasoline into Vehicle Fuel Tanks ...........................................
Stationary Internal Combustion Engines Located at Major Stationary
Sources of NOX.
NOX and CO from Boilers, Steam Generators and Process Heaters in
Petroleum Refineries.
NOX ..............
VOC, NOX ....
HC ................
NOX ..............
State Regulation 13 CCR 2250–
2297.
State Regulation 13 CCR 2433, 13
CCR 2775–2775.2.
State Regulation, 17 CCR Subchapter 8.5, Article 2.
South Coast AQMD Rule 2002 .......
South Coast AQMD Rule 1111 .......
San Joaquin Valley APCD Rule
4402.
San Joaquin Valley APCD Rule
4570.
Mojave Desert AQMD Rule 1161 ...
Mojave Desert AQMD Rule 1165 ...
Sacramento Metro AQMD Rule 449
Sacramento Metro AQMD Rule 412
NOX ..............
Bay Area AQMD Rule 10 ................
HC, NOX .......
80 FR 76468.
77 FR 7535.
80 FR 43176.
81 FR 17390.
77 FR 64227.
77 FR 2228.
68
77
78
61
FR
FR
FR
FR
9015.
39181.
898.
18962.
73 FR 17896.
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a HC = hydrocarbons; NO = oxides of nitrogen; PM = particulate matter; CO = carbon monoxide; SO = oxides of sulfur; VOC = volatile organic compounds, SO
X
X
2
= sulfur dioxide.
b CCR = California Code of Regulations, AQMD = Air Quality Management District, APCD = Air Pollution Control District.
In sum, the state and local emission
limit provisions in the California SIP,
including those cited in California’s
2018 Submittal, for mobile, area, and
stationary sources address a wide
variety of sources and are extensive. The
10 California’s
11 Id.
2018 Infrastructure SIP, 6.
at 7, Table 3.
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NOX and VOC emission limits serve to
limit ambient ozone concentrations,
which will help all areas in the State
attain and maintain the 2015 ozone
NAAQS. We therefore propose to find
that the SIP-approved emission limits
discussed in California’s Infrastructure
SIP Submittals and in this notice
provide an adequate basis to conclude
that California meets the requirements
of CAA section 110(a)(2)(A) for the 2015
ozone NAAQS.
12 California Infrastructure SIP Overarching
Technical Support Document, U.S. EPA, Region 9
(September 2014).
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2. CAA Section 110(a)(2)(B)—Ambient
Air Quality Monitoring/Data System
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a. Statutory and Regulatory
Requirements
Section 110(a)(2)(B) of the CAA
requires SIPs to ‘‘provide for
establishment and operation of
appropriate devices, methods, systems,
and procedures necessary to—(i)
monitor, compile, and analyze data on
ambient air quality, and (ii) upon
request, make such data available to the
Administrator.’’
In the 2013 Infrastructure SIP
Guidance, the EPA states that a
submittal meets the requirements of
CAA section 110(a)(2)(B) if it cites its
authority to perform air quality
monitoring, collect air quality data, and
submit that data to the EPA, and
provides a narrative description of how
those provisions meet the requirements.
The guidance notes that some
authorizing provisions may provide
general authority that includes
monitoring activities. In the 2013
Infrastructure SIP Guidance, the EPA
also notes that, for new or revised
NAAQS, submittals should describe
how the state will meet changes in
monitoring requirements.
b. Summary of the State’s Submission
In its 2018 Infrastructure SIP,
California cites its overall authority to
implement air quality control programs
in Health and Safety Code (HSC) 39602.
CARB also cites HSC 39607(a) and
39607(c) as the provisions that authorize
it to collect air quality data and to
monitor air pollutants in cooperation
with local agencies, including local air
districts.13 Although these provisions
are not SIP-approved, they direct the
state to ‘‘[e]stablish a program to secure
data on air quality in each air basin’’
and to ‘‘[m]onitor air pollutants in
cooperation with districts and with
other agencies.’’
In its submittal, California goes on to
describe the state’s monitoring network
and requirements. CARB notes that over
700 monitors operate at over 250 sites
in the State and that current information
about individual monitors, and the data
the monitors collect, are available on
CARB’s website. The data are also
reported to the EPA’s Air Quality
System.
CARB describes how it and local
districts conduct annual evaluations of
the adequacy of the monitoring
networks in annual network monitoring
reports submitted to the EPA. Ten
districts submit their own reports, and
CARB submits a report that covers the
13 California’s
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remaining 25 districts. The reports
provide information about monitoring
locations and data collected at those
sites. Types of monitoring conducted at
these sites include ‘‘State and Local Air
Monitoring sites, National Core multipollutant monitoring stations, Chemical
Speciation Network sites, Special
Purpose Monitoring sites, and
Photochemical Assessment Monitoring
sites operated by CARB and the
districts, as well as other data providers
such as the National Park Service in
more than 30 Core Based Statistical
Areas.’’ 14 The EPA approves the reports
and provides information on areas
where the network can be improved.
CARB explains that data that are
collected for federal purposes are
measured using EPA-approved methods
and that they are subject to the quality
assurance and siting requirements of 40
CFR part 58.
The 2018 Infrastructure SIP
submission notes that the 2015 ozone
standard did not establish new
monitoring requirements, and states that
the current network is adequate to
continue monitoring for attainment
status with the new standard.
c. The EPA’s Review of the State’s
Submission
In its 2018 submittal, CARB cites HSC
section 39602 for overarching SIP
authority, and HSC sections 39607(a)
and (c) for specific authority to establish
air quality monitoring with the air
districts. CARB also describes
California’s network of monitors, how
data are collected and made publicly
available online, and how data are
submitted to the EPA annually. We
propose to find that California’s
provisions for monitoring and data
collection provide adequate authority to
monitor ambient air quality for purposes
of CAA section 110(a)(2)(B) with respect
to the 2015 ozone NAAQS.
With respect to California’s
compliance with the federal regulatory
requirements relevant for section
110(a)(2)(B), we reviewed California’s
2018 Infrastructure SIP in conjunction
with California’s 2019 Annual Network
Plans (ANPs) and the EPA response
letters to those plans. As California’s
2018 Infrastructure SIP notes, CARB and
ten districts submit ANPs to the EPA
every year. The most recent ANPs
California was required to submit to the
EPA were for the year 2019. The EPA
has approved all of the 2019 ANPs, and
they are included in the docket for this
action, along with the EPA’s response
letters. Consequently, California’s 2018
Infrastructure SIP, along with its 2017
14 Id.
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ANPs, provide an adequate basis for the
EPA to propose approval with respect to
CAA section 110(a)(2)(B).
3. CAA Section 110(a)(2)(C)—Program
for Enforcement of Control Measures
and for Construction or Modification of
Stationary Sources
a. Statutory and Regulatory
Requirements
Section 110(a)(2)(C) requires that each
SIP ‘‘include a program to provide for
the enforcement of the measures
described in [section 110(a)(2)(A)], and
regulation of the modification and
construction of any stationary source
within the areas covered by the plan as
necessary to assure that [NAAQS] are
achieved, including a permit program as
required in parts C and D [of title I of
the Act].’’
In the 2013 Infrastructure SIP
guidance, the EPA states, ‘‘[t]his
element consists of three sub-elements;
enforcement, state-wide regulation of
new and modified minor sources and
minor modifications of major sources;
and preconstruction permitting of major
sources and major modifications in
areas designated attainment or
unclassifiable for the subject NAAQS as
required by CAA title I part C (i.e., the
major source PSD program).’’ The EPA’s
guidance also explains that the element
C requirement for infrastructure SIPs to
comply with CAA title I part C
requirements encompasses all regulated
NSR pollutants, not just the 2015 ozone
NAAQS.
i. Enforcement
With respect to the requirement to
include a program to provide for the
enforcement of control measures, the
EPA is evaluating the state’s general
enforcement authorities to determine
whether they have been approved into
California’s SIP and whether they
adequately provide for SIP enforcement
statewide. In the 2013 Infrastructure SIP
Guidance, the EPA states, ‘‘To satisfy
this subelement, an infrastructure SIP
submission should identify the statutes,
regulations, or other provisions in the
existing SIP (or new provisions that are
submitted as part of the infrastructure
SIP to be incorporated into the SIP) that
provide for enforcement of those
emission limits and control measures
that the air agency has identified in its
submission for purposes of satisfying
Element A.’’
ii. PSD Permitting
The EPA is also evaluating whether
California has a complete PSD
permitting program in place covering
the requirements for all NAAQS
pollutants. The PSD program applies to
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any new major source or a source
making a major modification in an
attainment area. The program
requirements include installation of the
best available control technology
(BACT), an air quality analysis, an
additional impacts analysis, and public
involvement. For the purposes of
infrastructure SIPs, the EPA evaluates
whether state PSD programs address the
following ‘‘structural elements’’: (1)
Provisions identifying NOX as an ozone
precursor consistent with the
requirements of the EPA’s Phase 2
implementation rule for the 1997 8-hour
ozone NAAQS; 15 (2) provisions to
regulate PM2.5, including condensable
PM, and its precursor emissions (SO2 in
all areas, and NOX and/or VOC as
appropriate), consistent with the
requirements of the EPA’s NSR/PSD
implementation rule for the 1997 PM2.5
NAAQS; 16 and (3) provisions to
regulate Greenhouse Gases (GHGs)
consistent with the EPA’s regulations to
implement the PSD program for GHGs,
including ‘‘Prevention of Significant
Deterioration and Title V Greenhouse
Gas Tailoring Rule,’’ 17 and ‘‘Limitation
of Approval of Prevention of Significant
Deterioration Provisions Concerning
Greenhouse Gas Emitting-Sources in
State Implementation Plans,’’ 18 as
applicable.
iii. Minor NSR
With respect to the requirement to
include a program that provides for
regulation of the modification and
construction of stationary sources, the
EPA is evaluating whether California
has existing EPA-approved SIP
provisions for Minor NSR for the 2015
ozone NAAQS. The Minor NSR program
applies to a new minor source and/or a
minor modification at both major and
minor sources, in both attainment and
nonattainment areas. Major sources are
facilities that have the potential to emit
pollutants in amounts equal to or greater
than the corresponding major source
threshold levels. These threshold levels
vary by pollutant and/or source
category. Major sources must comply
with specific emission limits, which are
generally more stringent in
nonattainment areas. Minor sources are
facilities that have the potential to emit
pollutants in amounts less than the
corresponding major source thresholds.
Under the Minor NSR program, new
sources or modifications at existing
15 70 FR 71611 (November 29, 2005) (codified at
40 CFR 51.166(b)(1)(ii), (b)(2)(ii), (b)(23)(i),
(b)(49)(i)).
16 73 FR 28321 (May 16, 2008) (codified at 40 CFR
51.166(b)(23)(i), (b)(49)(i), (b)(49)(vi)).
17 75 FR 31514 (June 3, 2010).
18 75 FR 82535 (December 30, 2010).
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sources must comply with any
emissions control measures required by
the state. The program must not
interfere with attainment or
maintenance of the NAAQS or the
control strategies of a SIP or tribal
implementation plan (TIP).
b. Summary of the State’s Submission
i. Enforcement
California’s 2018 Infrastructure SIP
describes three provisions of the state
HSC that provide CARB and air districts
with enforcement authority. HSC
section 40001(a) states, ‘‘Subject to the
powers and duties of the state board, the
districts shall adopt and enforce rules
and regulations to achieve and maintain
the state and federal ambient air quality
standards in all areas affected by
emission sources under their
jurisdiction, and shall enforce all
applicable provisions of state and
federal law.’’ HSC section 40000 gives
CARB the authority to regulate mobile
sources and local air districts the
authority to regulate all other sources.
California’s HSC thus provides for the
control of all types of sources and for
the enforcement of those controls. In
addition, HSC section 39002 gives local
and regional authorities primary
responsibility for control of air pollution
from all sources other than vehicular
sources.
ii. PSD Permitting
In its 2018 Infrastructure SIP, CARB
explains that districts have the authority
to adopt and enforce PSD permitting
programs under HSC section 40000. The
state explains that PSD applies
statewide for new major sources or
major modifications to existing major
sources of NO2, SO2 and CO because all
areas in California are designated as
attainment or unclassifiable for each
NAAQS for those pollutants. PSD also
applies in areas that are attainment or
unclassifiable for the other NAAQS. A
spreadsheet 19 listing the attainment
status of California air districts for all
NAAQS is included in the docket for
this rulemaking. PSD permits can be
issued by local districts, the EPA, or
both.
The submittal includes a table from
the EPA’s website listing districts that
have SIP-approved PSD permit
programs. The table indicates that 14
districts have PSD programs that are
approved into the SIP: Bay Area,20 Butte
County,21 Eastern Kern,22 Feather
19 EPA Region IX, Spreadsheet of Nonattainment
Areas in California Air Districts.
20 83 FR 23372 (May 21, 2018).
21 80 FR 69880 (November 12, 2015).
22 77 FR 73316 (December 10, 2012).
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River,23 Great Basin,24 Imperial
County,25 Monterey Bay,26 Placer
County,27 Sacramento Metro,28 San
Joaquin Valley,29 San Luis Obispo,30
Santa Barbara,31 Yolo-Solano,32 and
Ventura.33 At the time of CARB’s
submission of the 2018 Infrastructure
SIP, Sacramento Metro was incorrectly
listed on the EPA’s website as having a
fully SIP-approved PSD program.
Sacramento Metro, along with four other
air districts (Mendocino, North Coast,
Northern Sonoma, and South Coast)
operate PSD programs under a partial
Federal Implementation Plan (FIP) and
are not completely SIP-approved. The
website has since been corrected.34 The
remaining 17 districts in California
operate either partially or fully under a
FIP, and do not have full SIP-approved
PSD programs. Therefore, 22 air districts
in California do not fully meet the PSD
requirements of element C.
iii. Minor NSR
For Minor NSR programs, California
reiterates that local districts are
responsible for regulating stationary
sources in California under HSC 39002
and 40000. CARB explains that this
responsibility extends to implementing
a Minor NSR program, and that all 35
California air districts administer their
own Minor NSR programs. CARB also
explains that many of the NSR rules are
SIP-approved and explains that
information about the approval status of
those rules is available from the EPA.
c. The EPA’s Review of the State’s
Submission
i. Enforcement
California described HSC sections
39002, 40000, and 40001 in its 2018
Infrastructure SIP submittal. These three
provisions provide authority to CARB
and local air districts to enforce the
emission limits on mobile and
stationary sources which were described
in element A.
In addition to the three authority
provisions cited in California’s 2018
Infrastructure SIP, CARB has identified
other statutory enforcement authorities
in previous submittals. These include
23 80
FR 69880.
24 Id.
25 77
FR 73316.
FR 15899 (March 26, 2015).
27 77 FR 73316.
28 76 FR 43183 (July 20, 2011).
29 77 FR 65305 (October 26, 2012).
30 80 FR 69880.
31 80 FR 69880.
32 77 FR 73316.
33 82 FR 13243 (March 10, 2017).
34 https://www.epa.gov/caa-permitting/air-permitdelegation-and-psd-sip-approval-status-epa-region9#ca (last visited on September 14, 2020).
26 80
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HSC 40752, which requires the air
pollution control officers for each air
district to observe and enforce rules,
regulations, and permit conditions, and
HSC 40753, which gives air pollution
control officers authority to enforce
certain air pollution-related provisions
of California’s Vehicular Code. They
also included the provisions of HSC
section 42400 et seq., which establish
criminal and civil penalties for
violations of state and district rules,
regulations, and permits. Further, the
EPA’s proposal to approve California’s
previous infrastructure SIP identified
additional statutory provisions that
relate to inspection and enforcement
authority at the state and district level.
It also identified numerous SIPapproved state and local rules that
provide CARB and the air districts with
authority to enforce SIP-approved
emissions limits on various types of
sources. These measures are described
in the EPA’s Overarching Technical
Support Document for the EPA’s action
on California’s previous Infrastructure
SIP submission.35 Some of the
enforcement authorities apply broadly,
while others are specific to the SIPapproved rules they address. For
example, Lassen County APCD’s
agricultural burning rule cites the
penalty provisions of HSC 42400 and
establishes procedures for documenting
violations of that rule. San Joaquin
Valley APCD’s rules 1040 and 1050 are
general enforcement and penalty
provisions that incorporate the
enforcement authorities and penalty
provisions of the state HSC into district
rules.
Based on the provisions cited in
California’s 2018 Infrastructure SIP and
the SIP-approved provisions discussed
in the EPA’s previous action on
California’s multi-pollutant
infrastructure SIP, we propose to
approve California’s 2018 Infrastructure
SIP submittal with respect to the
requirement in section 110(a)(2)(C) to
include a program to provide for the
enforcement of control measures.
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ii. PSD Permitting
For the 13 local air districts with EPAapproved PSD programs, we are
proposing to partially approve
California’s 2018 Infrastructure SIP for
the PSD portion of 110(a)(2)(C). This
represents an increase from the EPA’s
2016 final action on California’s
previous infrastructure SIP, when only
seven air districts met the PSD
35 California Infrastructure SIP Overarching
Technical Support Document, U.S. EPA, Region 9
(September 2014).
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requirements.36 These districts’ PSD
programs met all of the structural
elements, in addition to other
requirements for PSD rule approval, and
were fully approved into the SIP.
Of the remaining 22 local air districts,
five are subject to a partial FIP, which
means their programs cover some, but
not all, of the structural elements. These
are the Mendocino County, North Coast
Unified, Northern Sonoma County,
Sacramento Metro, and South Coast air
district PSD programs. South Coast
AQMD has a SIP-approved PSD program
for GHGs only, but it does not have a
SIP-approved PSD program to address
the other two structural elements.
Mendocino County AQMD, Northern
Sonoma County APCD, and Sacramento
Metro AQMD each have PSD programs
that generally address the structural
PSD elements, but certain sources are
subject to a FIP rather than the local
PSD program.37 In addition, the PSD
program of North Coast Unified AQMD
is subject to a FIP to address
deficiencies related to identifying NOX
as an ozone precursor and specifying
requirements for the regulation of PM2.5,
PM2.5 precursors, condensable PM2.5, or
PSD increments for PM2.5. None of the
17 remaining air districts in California
have SIP-approved PSD programs.
Consequently, they do not meet any of
the structural elements.
For the 22 local air districts that do
not meet each of the structural PSD
elements for all criteria pollutants, we
are proposing to partially disapprove
California’s 2018 Infrastructure SIP for
the PSD-related requirements of CAA
section 110(a)(2)(C). However, because
each of these districts is already subject
to a PSD FIP for each of the specific
deficiencies, a final action of this
proposed partial disapproval will not
trigger any new obligation for the EPA
to promulgate a FIP.
iii. Minor NSR
In the EPA’s final rule approving
California’s previous infrastructure SIP,
we determined that all California air
districts had SIP-approved minor source
permit programs that require minor
sources to obtain a permit prior to
construction. These Minor NSR
programs cover all NAAQS through a
broad definition of the term ‘‘air
contaminants.’’ The EPA’s approvals are
codified at 40 CFR 52.220 and have not
36 81
FR 18766 at 18772 (April 1, 2016).
sources are cogeneration and resource
recovery projects, projects with stack heights greater
than 65 meters or that use ‘‘dispersion techniques’’
as defined in 51.100 (which are major sources or
major modifications under 52.21), and sources for
which the EPA has issued permits under 52.21 for
which applications were received by July 31, 1985.
37 These
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been removed or replaced. Some local
program rules have been updated; a
table of those rules and their citations is
included in the docket for this
rulemaking.38 Because all districts in
California continue to have approved
minor source permit programs, the EPA
proposes to approve the 2018
Infrastructure SIP for the Minor NSR
requirements of element C.
4. CAA Section 110(a)(2)(D)—Interstate
and International Air Pollution
a. Statutory and Regulatory
Requirements
The requirements of CAA section
110(a)(2)(D) can be broken down into
six sub-elements. The EPA refers to the
first four of these sub-elements as
‘‘prongs.’’ Prongs 1 and 2, which
include the requirements of CAA
section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I), prohibit
emission sources from contributing
significantly to nonattainment, or
interfering with maintenance, of the
NAAQS in another state. The EPA is not
evaluating California’s 2018 Submittal
against those requirements at this time
and will propose action on the interstate
transport requirements for the 2015
ozone NAAQS in a separate notice.
CAA section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II)
requires SIPs to include provisions
prohibiting any source or other type of
emissions activity in one state from
interfering with measures required of
any other state to prevent significant
deterioration of air quality (Prong 3) or
from interfering with measures required
of any other state to protect visibility in
Class I areas (Prong 4). The EPA’s 2006
Transport Guidance states that the
requirements of interstate transport
Prong 3 may be met by the state’s
confirmation in a SIP submission that
major sources and major modifications
in the state are subject to PSD and
nonattainment NSR programs that
implement the relevant standards.39 The
EPA’s subsequent guidance memos rely
or expand upon the legal and technical
rationale presented in the 2006
Transport Guidance.40
Therefore, to meet the requirements of
Prong 3 in section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II)
regarding measures to prevent
significant deterioration of air quality,
states may submit infrastructure SIPs
confirming that major sources and major
modifications in the state are subject to
comprehensive EPA-approved PSD
programs and nonattainment NSR
programs that address the NAAQS
38 EPA Region IX, Spreadsheet of California
Minor NSR Programs.
39 2006 Transport Guidance, 6.
40 2009 Infrastructure SIP Guidance, 4–5, and
2013 Infrastructure SIP Guidance, 30–32.
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pollutants for areas of the state that have
been designated nonattainment. States
waiting for EPA action on their
nonattainment NSR programs may
implement 40 CFR part 51 Appendix S
to meet this infrastructure SIP
requirement.
Prong 4 of section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II)
prohibits emissions activity within one
state from interfering with measures
required in another state to protect
visibility. In the 2013 Infrastructure SIP
Guidance, the EPA indicates that states
can meet the requirements of Prong 4 by
having an approved SIP that fully meets
the EPA’s regulations for regional haze.
The fifth and sixth sub-elements
under 110(a)(2)(D) concern the interstate
pollution abatement requirements of
CAA section 126 and the international
transport requirements of CAA section
115. In the EPA’s 2013 Infrastructure
SIP Guidance, the EPA states that this
sub-element is satisfied when an
infrastructure SIP ensures compliance
with the applicable requirements of
CAA sections 126(a), 126(b) and 126(c),
and 115.
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b. Summary of the State’s Submission
For Prong 3, California states in its
2018 submittal that the requirement to
prevent states from interfering with the
ability of other states to prevent
significant deterioration of air quality
can be satisfied by SIP-approved PSD
programs and SIP-approved
nonattainment NSR programs. CARB
states that, as described in the
submission for element C, 14 districts
have SIP-approved PSD programs.
However, as noted earlier in this notice,
only 13 districts have SIP-approved PSD
programs. CARB also notes that many
districts in California have SIPapproved nonattainment NSR programs.
For Prong 4, CARB states that the EPA
fully approved California’s Regional
Haze SIP in June 2011.41
For the requirements of
110(a)(2)(D)(ii) concerning interstate
pollution abatement and international
transport, CARB states in its submittal
that no CAA 126 petitions have been
filed by other states against California
regarding emissions from any source or
group of stationary sources that cause or
would cause or contribute to violations
of the NAAQS in the petitioning state.
With respect to the international
pollution abatement provisions of CAA
section 115, CARB states that the EPA
Administrator has not made any
findings that California causes or
contributes to air pollution in a foreign
country that may reasonably be
41 76
FR 34608 (June 14, 2011).
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anticipated to endanger public health or
welfare.
c. The EPA’s Review of the State’s
Submission
In the 2013 Infrastructure SIP
Guidance, the EPA explains its
interpretation of Prong 3 ‘‘to mean that
the infrastructure SIP submission
should have provisions to prevent
emissions of any regulated pollutant
from interfering with any other air
agency’s comprehensive PSD permitting
program, in addition to the new or
revised NAAQS that is the subject of the
infrastructure submission.’’ It also notes
that, since nonattainment NSR
requirements are due after infrastructure
SIPs for new and revised NAAQS, ‘‘a
fully approved nonattainment NSR
program with respect to any previous
NAAQS may generally be considered by
the EPA as adequate for purposes of
meeting the requirement of prong 3 with
respect to sources and pollutants subject
to such program.’’ Because all districts
in California are in attainment for at
least one NAAQS, a SIP-approved PSD
program is necessary to meet the
requirements of Prong 3. In areas that
are nonattainment for any NAAQS, a
prior SIP-approved nonattainment NSR
program is also required. A spreadsheet
listing the attainment status of all
California air districts for all NAAQS is
included in the docket for this
rulemaking.42
To determine whether California
meets the Prong 3 requirements, we
analyzed the attainment status of each
district for all NAAQS to determine
whether they are required to have SIPapproved PSD programs, SIP-approved
nonattainment NSR programs, or both.
Nine districts have both SIP-approved
PSD programs and SIP-approved
nonattainment NSR programs: Bay Area,
Butte, Eastern Kern, Feather River,
Imperial, Placer, San Joaquin, Ventura,
and Yolo-Solano. San Luis Obispo has
a SIP-approved PSD program and
submitted a 2008 ozone nonattainment
NSR rule that has not yet been approved
by the EPA, so the district relies on 40
CFR part 51 Appendix S for permitting
of sources that emit ozone precursors.43
We propose to fully approve these 10
districts for the requirements of element
D, Prong 3.
Three additional districts, Great
Basin, Monterey Bay, and Santa Barbara,
have SIP-approved PSD programs.
42 EPA Region IX, Spreadsheet of Nonattainment
Areas in California Air Districts.
43 Letter dated September 25, 2019, from Dora K.
Drexler, Manager, Engineering & Compliance
Division, San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution
Control District, to Gerardo Rios, Chief, Air Permits
Office, EPA Region IX.
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Monterey Bay and Santa Barbara are in
attainment with all NAAQS, so their
PSD programs alone are sufficient to
meet the requirements of Prong 3. Great
Basin is a nonattainment area for PM10
that has a previously approved
nonattainment NSR program, which
satisfies the requirements of Prong 3.
We propose to fully approve these three
districts for the requirements of element
D, Prong 3.
Twelve districts have SIP-approved
nonattainment NSR programs or are
using Appendix S, but do not have a
SIP-approved PSD program covering all
pollutants. These districts are
Amador,44 Antelope Valley, Calaveras,
El Dorado, Mariposa,45 Mojave Desert,
Northern Sierra,46 Sacramento Metro,
San Diego, South Coast, Tehama,47 and
Tuolumne.48 We propose to partially
disapprove these 12 districts for the PSD
requirements of element D, Prong 3.
Because these districts already
implement the EPA’s PSD FIP, there are
no further consequences and no further
FIP obligations on the EPA.
Ten districts are in attainment for all
NAAQS and have no SIP-approved PSD
programs in place. These districts are
Colusa, Glenn, Lake, Lassen,
Mendocino, Modoc, North Coast,
Northern Sonoma, Shasta, and Siskiyou.
Because these districts are not
nonattainment for any NAAQS,
nonattainment NSR requirements do not
apply. However, because these districts
all implement the EPA’s PSD FIP, they
do not meet the PSD requirements of
element D, Prong 3. We propose to
partially disapprove these districts for
element D, Prong 3. Because these
districts implement the EPA’s PSD FIP,
no further FIP obligation applies.
The requirements of Prong 4 relate to
the Regional Haze Rule. The EPA
previously approved California’s most
recent SIP submittal for Regional
Haze.49 As noted in the EPA’s 2013
Infrastructure SIP Guidance, an
44 Letter dated September 17, 2019, from Jim
McHargue, Air Pollution Control Officer, Amador
Air District, to Gerardo Rios, Chief, Air Permits
Office, EPA Region IX.
45 Letter dated August 23, 2019, from Eric
Sergienko, Director, Mariposa County Air Pollution
Control District, to Gerardo Rios, Chief, Air Permits
Office, EPA Region IX.
46 Letter dated August 27, 2019, from Gretchen
Bennitt, Executive Director, Northern Sierra Air
Quality Management District, to Gerardo Rios,
Chief, Air Permits Office, EPA Region IX.
47 Letter dated September 27, 2019, from Joseph
Tona, County of Tehama Air Pollution Control
District, to Gerardo Rios, Chief, Air Permits Office,
EPA Region IX.
48 Letter dated November 4, 2019, from Kelle
Schroeder, Air Pollution Control Officer, County of
Tuolumne, to Gerardo Rios, Chief, Air Permits
Office, EPA Region IX.
49 76 FR 34608 (June 14, 2011).
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approved Regional Haze submittal
meets the requirements for Prong 4. We
therefore propose to approve the 2018
Infrastructure SIP for the Prong 4
requirements of CAA section
110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II).
With respect to the requirement in
CAA section 110(a)(2)(D)(ii) regarding
compliance with the applicable
requirements of section 126 relating to
interstate pollution abatement, we note
that the requirements of section 126(b)
and (c), which pertain to petitions by
affected states to EPA regarding sources
violating the interstate transport
provisions of CAA section
110(a)(2)(D)(i), do not apply to our
action because there are no such
pending petitions relating to California.
We therefore concur with California in
this regard and have evaluated its 2018
Submittal only for purposes of
compliance with CAA section 126(a).
Section 126(a) of the CAA requires
that each SIP require that proposed,
major new or modified sources, which
may significantly contribute to
violations of the NAAQS in any air
quality control region in other states, to
notify all potentially affected, nearby
states. Many of California’s 35
permitting jurisdictions (i.e., air
districts) have SIP-approved PSD permit
programs that require notice to nearby
states consistent with the EPA’s relevant
requirements. Specifically, the
following air districts meet the
requirements of CAA section 126(a): Bay
Area, Butte, Eastern Kern, Feather River,
Imperial, Placer, San Joaquin, Ventura,
Yolo-Solano, San Luis Obispo, Great
Basin, Monterey Bay, and Santa Barbara.
We are proposing partial approval of the
2018 Infrastructure SIP for these
districts for the requirements of CAA
110(a)(2)(D)(ii).
The remaining air districts do not
have fully SIP-approved PSD programs
covering all pollutants. Thus, California
remains deficient with respect to the
PSD requirements in part C, title I of the
Act and with respect to the requirement
in CAA section 126(a) regarding
notification to affected, nearby states of
major new or modified sources
proposing to locate in these remaining
air districts. We are proposing partial
disapproval of the 2018 Infrastructure
SIP for the requirements of
110(a)(2)(D)(ii) for Amador, Antelope
Valley, Calaveras, Colusa, El Dorado,
Glenn, Lake, Lassen, Mariposa,
Mendocino, Modoc, Mojave Desert,
North Coast, Northern Sierra, Northern
Sonoma, Sacramento Metro, San Diego,
Shasta, Siskiyou South Coast, Tehama,
and Tuolumne air districts. These
deficiencies are, however, adequately
addressed with respect to all regulated
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NSR pollutants in such air districts by
the Federal PSD program in 40 CFR
52.21 and no further action is required.
For these reasons, we propose to find
that the California SIP partially meets,
and partially does not meet the
requirement in CAA section
110(a)(2)(D)(ii) regarding compliance
with the applicable interstate pollution
abatement requirements of CAA section
126.
Section 115 of the CAA authorizes the
EPA Administrator to require a state to
revise its SIP when certain criteria are
met and the Administrator has reason to
believe that any air pollutant emitted in
the United States causes or contributes
to air pollution which may reasonably
be anticipated to endanger public health
or welfare in a foreign country. The
Administrator may do so by giving
formal notification to the governor of
the state in which the emissions
originate. Because no such formal
notification has been made with respect
to emissions originating in California, as
noted in California’s 2018 Submittal, the
EPA has no reason to approve or
disapprove any existing state rules with
regard to CAA section 115. Therefore,
we propose to find that the existing
California SIP is sufficient to satisfy the
requirement in CAA section
110(a)(2)(D)(ii) regarding compliance
with the applicable requirements of
section 115.
5. CAA Section 110(a)(2)(E)—Resources,
Authority, and Oversight
a. Statutory and Regulatory
Requirements
Section 110(a)(2)(E) of the CAA
requires SIPs to provide (i) necessary
assurances that the state (or, except
where the Administrator deems
inappropriate, the general purpose local
government or governments, or a
regional agency designated by the state
or general purpose local governments
for such purpose) will have adequate
personnel, funding, and authority under
state (and, as appropriate, local) law to
carry out such implementation plan
(and is not prohibited by any provision
of federal or state law from carrying out
such implementation plan or portion
thereof), (ii) requirements that the state
comply with the requirements regarding
state boards under section 128, and (iii)
necessary assurances that, where the
state has relied on a local or regional
government, agency, or instrumentality
for the implementation of any plan
provision, the state has responsibility
for ensuring adequate implementation
of such plan provision.
In the 2013 Infrastructure SIP
Guidance, the EPA states that, in order
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to meet the requirements of subelement
(i) of 110(a)(2)(E) of the CAA,
infrastructure SIP submittals should
identify the organizations involved in
developing, implementing, and
enforcing EPA-approved SIP provisions
for the relevant NAAQS, and describe
their responsibilities. It also states that
submittals should explain how
resources, personnel, and legal authority
are adequate to meet any changes in
resources requirements that may be
needed to meet the new or revised
NAAQS.
In order to address the requirements
of subelement (ii) regarding state boards
under section 128, the provisions that
implement section 128 need to be
approved into the SIP. These provisions
apply to any board or body that has
responsibility for approving permits or
enforcement orders or has authority to
hear appeals of permits or enforcement
orders. Specifically, such boards or
bodies must have at least a majority of
members who represent the public
interest and do not derive any
significant portion of their income from
persons subject to CAA permits or
enforcement orders. In addition, any
potential conflicts of interest by
members of such board or body or the
head of an executive agency with
similar powers must be adequately
disclosed. The EPA has previously
approved California provisions that
address these conflict of interest
requirements 50 and is evaluating
updates to those provisions in this
submittal.
In order to meet subelement (iii),
states that have authorized local or
regional agencies to implement SIPs
must provide necessary assurances that
the state air agency retains
responsibility for adequate SIP
implementation of the relevant NAAQS,
in this case the 2015 ozone NAAQS.
b. Summary of the State’s Submission
Regarding legal authority, CARB’s
2018 Infrastructure SIP cites HSC
sections 39600 and 39602, which
designate CARB as the authority
responsible for all air pollution control
purposes set forth in federal law. CARB
also notes that HSC 39002 provides
CARB authority to implement control
activities in areas where local or
regional authorities fail to meet their
responsibilities under state law. In
previous submittals, CARB also
described various HSC provisions that
give the state authority to regulate
mobile sources, as well as provisions
that give districts the authority to
regulate stationary sources and
50 81
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provisions that give other agencies, such
as the California Department of
Pesticide Regulation, the authority to
regulate other sources, such as
pesticides.51
Regarding funding and personnel,
California states that ‘‘the 2017–2018
CARB and district budgets totaled over
$2.2 billion, with more than 3,600 fulltime equivalent staff positions.’’ It
explains that the state legislature
approves CARB’s budget and staff
resources every year and that district
governing boards approve local air
district budgets. CARB has the
opportunity to present annual budget
requests to meet the requirements of the
CAA through the legislative budget
process. While CARB cannot predict
future levels of funding, it notes that
CARB’s programs are mandated, that the
agency has been funded through state
appropriations for three decades, and
that the Budget Act of 2018 included
$1.370 billion for CARB at the time of
submission.
CARB notes that a majority of its
budget and district budgets go toward
meeting CAA requirements. It also
explains that fees from regulated entities
make up a portion of CARB’s budget
and can only be used for air pollution
control. Revenues from fees and taxes
related to motor vehicles are also
deposited into an account at the state
level and are required to be used for
mitigation of air and sound emissions
from motor vehicles. At the district
level, funding also comes from fees from
regulated entities, motor vehicle
registration fees, grants, and other
sources.
Regarding conflict of interest
provisions, California’s 2018 Submittal
explains that Government Code (GC)
82048(a) and California Code of
Regulations (CCR), Title 2, section
18700 define ‘‘public officials’’ and
‘‘members’’ of state or local government
to include any ‘‘individual who
performs duties as part of a committee,
board, commission, group, or other
body’’ that possesses ‘‘decisionmaking
authority’’, including by making ‘‘a final
government decision.’’ CARB further
explains that this broad definition
encompasses the members of hearing
boards and local district boards, as well
as air pollution control officers, who
approve permits or enforcement orders
in California.
CARB also states that, under CCR,
Title 2, section 18700, public officials
may not make, participate in or
influence decisions in which they have
51 California Infrastructure SIP Overarching
Technical Support Document, U.S. EPA, Region 9
(September 2014).
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a foreseeable material financial interest.
This financial interest in a decision is
defined in GC section 87103 as a
material effect on the public official, or
his or her immediate family, that is
distinguishable from the financial effect
on the public. According to the state,
‘‘section 87103 also provides that a
public official has a financial interest in
a decision if it involves: a business or
property in which they have $2,000 or
more invested; any source of income
amounting to $500 or more within a
year; any business where they are a
director, officer, trustee, employee, or
manager; or any donor who has given
them $250 or more within a year.’’ 52
CARB goes on to note that GC section
87302 creates requirements for board
members to file disclosures of economic
interests in order to disclose potential
conflicts of interest. This includes the
regular filing of Form 700 statements,
which are made public.
In its 2018 Infrastructure SIP, CARB
updated some of the conflict of interest
statutes that were previously submitted
to the EPA. Specifically, CCR, Title 2,
section 18700 was changed to
incorporate certain conflict of interest
requirements contained in the version of
section 18701 that was approved into
the SIP in our 2016 action on
California’s multi-pollutant
Infrastructure SIP.53 Corresponding
parts of section 18701 were also
removed. 54 CARB’s 2018 submittal
included the revised text of both
sections 18700 and 18701.
c. The EPA’s Review of the State’s
Submission
California’s 2018 Infrastructure SIP
provides assurance that the agencies
charged with implementing federal
clean air requirements have the
necessary authority and resources to do
so. The EPA has previously determined
that these authorities comply with 40
CFR 51.240,55 and we find that they
continue to do so. While California’s
Infrastructure SIP Submittals do not
provide specific personnel and funding
figures for each of the state and district
air agencies, the 2017–2018 total figures
of $2.2 billion with over 3,600 full-time
equivalent staff positions represent a
very large investment towards fulfilling
state and federal clean air requirements
and goals. The state also describes
52 California’s
2018 Submittal, 17.
53 81 FR 18766 (April 1, 2016).
54 See technical clarification dated March 21,
2019, from Matthew Densberger, CARB, to Panah
Stauffer, EPA Region IX. Subject: California iSIP
Conflict of Interest Provisions.
55 California Infrastructure SIP Overarching
Technical Support Document, U.S. EPA, Region 9
(September 2014).
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funding that comes from the legislature,
fees, state and federal grants in its
submittal. We conclude that the
information on funding levels and
sources, as well as personnel levels, are
a fair representation of the state’s
resources and provide the necessary
assurance of adequate funding and
personnel to implement the 2015 ozone
NAAQS. Therefore, we propose to find
that California’s 2018 Submittal meets
the resource- and authority-related
requirements of CAA section
110(a)(2)(E)(i).
California’s SIP submission includes
GC statutes and California CCR
provisions that impose the requirements
mandated by CAA section 128. The EPA
previously approved several versions of
these provisions into the SIP when it
took final action on California’s multipollutant infrastructure SIP submittal in
2016.56
In addition to referencing three
provisions that the EPA relied upon in
its final approval of California’s conflict
of interest requirements in 2016, the
State has also included an updated
version of CCR, Title 2, section 18700,
which maintains the key provisions of
that section and also incorporates
language in CCR, Title 2, section 18701
that the EPA previously approved into
the SIP. We are proposing to approve
the updated versions of CCR, Title 2,
sections 18700 and 18701 into the SIP.
These updated provisions continue to
meet the conflict of interest
requirements of CAA sections
110(a)(2)(E)(ii) and 128.
In our final approval of California’s
conflict of interest requirements in
2016, the EPA concurred with
California’s interpretation that ‘‘those
who approve permits or enforcement
orders within California . . . are ‘public
officials’ ’’ and, by extension, that
permits and enforcement orders fall
within the meaning of ‘‘governmental
decision.’’ 57 The revised provisions of
CCR, Title 2, section 18700(a) continue
to define public officials’ disqualifying
financial interests based on reasonably
foreseeable material financial effects.
The revised section 18700 also
continues to refer to section 18703 to
define specific levels of financial
interest and income that would
constitute a disqualifying financial
56 The provisions that were previously approved
into the SIP in 2016, which remain in the SIP and
form part of the basis of our proposed approval of
California’s 2015 Ozone SIP submission for the
conflict of interest requirements in CAA sections
110(a)(2)(E)(ii) and 128, include California
Government Code sections 82048, 87103, and
87302.
57 California Infrastructure SIP Conflict of Interest
Technical Support Document, U.S. EPA, Region 9
(September 2014).
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interest for a public official. In addition,
these limitations on a public official’s
actions continue to be on-going, and a
public official must abide by them
throughout his or her time as a public
official. Thus, the requirements of the
revised section 18700 apply in such a
way that a board that acts on permits
and/or enforcement orders may never
have a majority of persons that have a
conflict of interest. We find that the
revised provisions of section 18700
meet the requirements of CAA section
128(a)(1).
The requirements for disclosure in GC
section 87302 have not changed and
continue to meet the requirements of
CAA section 128(a)(2). GC 87302 creates
requirements for the conflict of interest
codes for local agencies, which must
include initial and annual disclosures of
financial interests. Air districts may
have their own agency conflict of
interest codes or may be governed by
the conflict of interest provisions in
their county administrative codes,
depending on the geographic
jurisdiction of the district. For example,
San Joaquin Valley APCD has its own
conflict of interest code that
incorporates by reference the state
conflict of interest regulations.58 This
and other air district codes identify
which officials are required to file under
the conflict of interest provisions. Those
officials include district governing
board members, hearing board members,
and certain employees. In addition,
governing boards may be mostly or
entirely composed of elected officials,
such as county supervisors and city
councilmembers. Such officials are
specifically required to disclose
financial interests in the process of
campaigning and being elected to those
offices by GC 87200. The statewide
statutes and regulations governing
conflicts of interest ensure that air
district boards and employees disclose
their financial interests.
Therefore, we propose to find that GC
sections 82048, 87103, and 87302, in
combination with the updated version
of CCR, Title 2, section 18700, are
adequate to meet the requirements of
CAA section 128. We also propose to
approve the updated versions of CCR,
Title 2, section 18700 and CCR, Title 2,
section 18701 into the SIP to replace the
previous versions of CCR, Title 2,
sections 18700 and 18701.
Regarding oversight of local agencies,
pursuant to CAA section
110(a)(2)(E)(iii), HSC section 41500(c)
58 https://www.valleyair.org/Board_meetings/GB/
agenda_minutes/Agenda/2019/August/final/18.pdf
and https://www.valleyair.org/Board_meetings/GB/
agenda_minutes/Agenda/2019/June/final/25.pdf
(last visited on September 14, 2020).
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requires CARB to review air district
enforcement programs and determine
whether ‘‘reasonable action is being
taken to enforce their programs, rules,
and regulations.’’ In turn, if CARB finds
that a district is not taking reasonable
action, HSC section 41505 grants CARB
the authority, after public hearing, to
exercise the district’s powers to achieve
and maintain the state and federal
ambient air quality standards. These
provide the necessary assurances that,
where the State has relied on the air
districts, CARB retains responsibility for
ensuring adequate implementation of
the SIP. We propose to find that HSC
sections 41500(c) and 41505 provide the
State with adequate oversight authority
as required under CAA section
110(a)(2)(E)(iii) and 40 CFR 51.232(b)(2).
6. CAA Section 110(a)(2)(F)—Stationary
Source Monitoring and Reporting
a. Statutory and Regulatory
Requirements
CAA section 110(a)(2)(F) requires: (i)
The installation, maintenance, and
replacement of equipment, and the
implementation of other necessary
steps, by owners or operators of
stationary sources to monitor emissions
from such sources, (ii) periodic reports
on the nature and amounts of emissions
and emissions-related data from such
sources, and (iii) correlation of such
reports by the state agency with any
emission limitations or standards
established pursuant to the CAA, which
reports shall be available at reasonable
times for public inspection.
Pursuant to 40 CFR 51.212, SIPs must
provide for periodic testing and
inspection of stationary sources as well
as enforceable test methods for emission
limits. In addition, plans must not
preclude the use of credible evidence of
compliance to establish whether
emission standards have been violated.
To meet these requirements, in the 2013
Infrastructure SIP Guidance the EPA
indicates that SIP submissions should
describe the air agency programs for
source testing, reference the statutory
authority for the air agency program,
and certify the absence of any provision
preventing the use of any credible
evidence.
In addition, 40 CFR 51.211, 40 CFR
51.321–51.323, the EPA’s Air Emissions
Reporting Rule, and 40 CFR 51.45(b)
establish requirements for states to
receive emissions reports from
stationary sources and to submit
periodic emission inventory reports to
the EPA. In the 2013 Infrastructure SIP
Guidance, the EPA notes that all states
have existing periodic source reporting
and emission inventory practices, so
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65765
submittals may be able to certify
existing air agency reporting authority
and requirements.
Finally, 40 CFR 51.116 creates
requirements for correlating source
emissions reports with emission
limitations or standards based on
applicable test method(s) or averaging
period(s). In the 2013 Infrastructure SIP
Guidance, the EPA explains that
submittals should reference or include
air agency requirements that provide for
correlation between estimated emissions
and allowable emissions, as well as the
public availability of emission reports
by sources.
b. Summary of the State’s Submission
In its 2018 submittal, CARB states that
local districts are responsible for
developing stationary source emission
monitoring and reporting requirements.
It cites HSC section 4001(a), which
requires districts to adopt and enforce
regulations to maintain federal ambient
air quality standards, and HSC section
41511, which gives the state board and
the district authority to require
stationary source owners to determine
the amount of emissions from their
sources. For testing and inspection of
stationary sources, California notes that
districts have the authority to conduct
inspections and take samples under
HSC section 41510. Although CARB
does not certify the absence of any
provision preventing the use of credible
evidence in its 2018 submittal, it notes
that credible evidence includes the data
from stationary source emission
monitoring rules.59
CARB says in its 2018 submittal that
districts typically fulfill the stationary
source monitoring requirements by
adopting regulations that establish
emission limits and reporting
requirements, including the
requirements under the Air Emissions
Reporting Requirements (AERR) Rule.
Under these rules, stationary source
owners and operators must determine
the amount of pollutants emitted by
their facilities. CARB explains that these
rules may be incorporated into the SIP
after they are adopted by the districts.
California’s submittal includes a table of
examples of SIP-approved local district
rules that fulfill federal monitoring and
reporting requirements.60 These rules
all require continuous emissions
monitoring systems (CEMS) at
stationary sources and include
requirements for stationary sources to
report their emissions or to maintain
59 California’s
60 California’s
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emissions data and make them available
to the local air district on request.
CARB goes on to explain that, while
some districts have rules that cover both
monitoring and reporting, others have
separate requirements for stationary
source reporting. A second table in the
submittal 61 provides examples of SIPapproved stationary source reporting
rules. These rules range from requiring
sources to provide written emissions
statements to the local air district to
making daily air monitoring data public.
In addition to the rules listed in the
tables in the submittals, California’s
submittal includes links to two online
databases. The first is California’s
District Rules Database,62 which has
stationary source rules for all districts;
the rules in this online database may be
SIP-approved. The second is the EPA’s
website listing state rules that have been
approved into the SIP.63
For correlation of stationary source
emission reports with applicable
emission limits, California refers again
to its overarching authorities in HSC
section 41511. The state explains that
all 35 local air districts in California
address the correlation requirements
through their programs for stationary
source testing, inspection, and
compliance. For example, some air
districts have rules that require CEMS
equipment. Those rules require sources
to assess compliance with applicable
emission limits and may include
calculation procedures to correlate
emissions with the applicable emission
standards. CARB states that some air
districts have SIP-approved rules that
closely mirror the language of 40 CFR
51.116(c), such as Mendocino County
AQMD Rule 240(e)(3) (‘‘Permit to
Operate—Compliance Verification’’)
and Great Basin Unified APCD Rule
215(D) (‘‘Public Availability of
Emissions Data’’). Finally, it states that
all California air districts have federallyapproved Title V operating permit
programs wherein each permit specifies
the air pollution requirements that
apply to the permitted source, including
those for emission limits, monitoring,
recordkeeping, and reporting.
CARB explains that it is responsible
for compiling stationary source
emissions data from the districts and
reporting it to the EPA. The submittal
includes a link to CARB’s internet
Facility Search Tool, which allows the
61 Id.
at 22.
62 https://ww3.arb.ca.gov/drdb/drdb.htm
(last
visited on September 14, 2020).
63 https://www.epa.gov/air-qualityimplementation-plans/approved-air-qualityimplementation-plans-region9?readform&count=100&state=California (last
visited on September 14, 2020).
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public to search for facilities’ emissions
of criteria and toxic pollutants. CARB
notes that California’s emissions
inventory includes information from
over 14,000 stationary sources and
requires sources to report at rates lower
than the federal AERR’s reporting
thresholds. The emissions inventory is
relevant to all federal criteria pollutant
standards, including the 2015 ozone
standard.
c. The EPA’s Review of the State’s
Submission
California presents information in its
2018 Infrastructure SIP on the state’s
and districts’ overarching authorities to
adopt rules and regulations to determine
emissions from stationary sources,
specify recordkeeping and reporting
requirements, assess compliance with
emission limits and permit conditions,
and make such data available to the
public. The submittal also references
databases of specific stationary sources
within California, and representative
examples of SIP-approved regulations
that require stationary source
monitoring, reporting, and correlation of
emission limits with applicable
emission limits and permit conditions.
We find that the example SIP-approved
rules cited in California’s 2018
Infrastructure SIP submittal are
representative of the State as a whole.
Therefore, we propose to find that the
overarching authorities and SIPapproved regulations provide an
adequate basis to conclude that
California meets the requirements of
CAA section 110(a)(2)(F), as discussed
below.
The underlying California statutes
that provide authority for CARB and the
air districts to adopt rules and
regulations to determine emissions from
stationary sources, specify
recordkeeping and reporting
requirements, assess compliance with
emission limits and permit conditions,
and make such data available to the
public include HSC sections 40001(a),
41510, and 41511. CARB maintains an
extensive online database of stationary
sources and a means for the public to
filter emissions data by air basin,
county, or source category via a facility
search engine on its website.64
In reviewing SIP-approved regulations
for stationary source monitoring and
reporting, we primarily reviewed the
examples provided in California’s 2018
Submittal and present our evaluation for
each of the three sub-elements of section
64 https://www.arb.ca.gov/app/emsinv/facinfo/
facinfo.php?_
ga=2.153745848.1835329346.15887258541437116183.1580401972 (last visited on September
14, 2020).
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110(a)(2)(F) as follows. For section
110(a)(2)(F)(i), California’s 2018
Submittal cites several rules that require
stationary source monitoring, especially
for CEMS on applicable equipment. For
instance:
• Placer County APCD Rule 233,
section 500 requires CEMS for NOX
emissions from biomass boilers;
• Santa Barbara County APCD Rule
328(C) requires continuous emissions
monitoring for NOX, SO2, and opacity
from fossil fuel-fired steam generators,
for NOX from nitric acid plants, and for
SO2 from sulfuric acid plants, for SO2
from certain fluid bed cokers, for SO2
from CO boilers of regenerators of fluid
bed catalytic cracking units, and for SO2
and opacity from fluid bed catalytic
cracking units;
• South Coast AQMD Rule 1146
requires boilers, steam generators, and
process heaters equal to or greater than
5 million British thermal units per hour
to install CEMS for ammonia emissions;
and
• San Joaquin Valley APCD Rule
4354, section (5.9) requires CEMS for
emissions of NOX, VOCs, and SOX from
glass melting furnaces under certain
conditions.
We propose to find that these and
other examples in the California SIP are
consistent with the stationary source
monitoring requirement of CAA section
110(a)(2)(F)(i).
With respect to CAA section
110(a)(2)(F)(ii), California’s 2018
Submittal provides examples of SIPapproved regulations for several
districts that require reporting of
stationary source emissions data. For
example:
• Bay Area Regulation 2, Rule 1–429
requires permitted sources that may
emit VOC or NOX and subject to the
Rule to provide the District a written
statement showing actual emissions
from the source,
• Santa Barbara County APCD Rule
212 requires sources permitted to emit
10 tons per year (tpy) or more of NOX
or reactive organic compounds (ROG, or
VOC) to annually report actual
emissions of NOX or VOC in writing to
the air district,
• San Diego County APCD Rule 19.3,
section (c)(3) similarly requires annual
reporting by sources emitting 25 tpy or
more of NOX or VOC in writing to the
air district, and
• South Coast AQMD Rule 1420.1,
sections (m) and (n) set requirements for
large lead-acid battery facilities to
monitor lead (Pb) emissions, report
them to the district, and retain records
of emissions.
We propose to find that these
examples and others in the California
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SIP provide for periodic reports on the
nature and amount of emissions from
applicable stationary sources, consistent
with CAA section 110(a)(2)(F)(ii).
With respect to CAA section
110(a)(2)(F)(iii), California points to SIPapproved rules that require emission
data from stationary source owners or
operators to be correlated with
applicable emission limitations and
control measures and for that
information to be available to the public
during normal business hours at the
district offices. For example, Mendocino
County AQMD Rule 1–240(e)(3) and
Great Basin Unified APCD Rule 215(D)
track the language of 40 CFR 51.116(c)
by requiring that emissions data will be
correlated with applicable emission
limits and other control measures and
be made publicly available. California’s
online database includes a facility
search engine, which makes emissions
information publicly available for
correlation. Therefore, based on the
extent of the source categories and sizes
that are required to report emissions,
California’s publicly available emissions
databases, and the examples of SIPapproved rules requiring correlation of
reported emissions with emission
limitations, we propose to find that the
California SIP meets the correlation and
public availability requirements of CAA
section 110(a)(2)(F)(iii).
7. CAA Section 110(a)(2)(G)—
Emergency Powers and Contingency
Plans
a. Statutory and Regulatory
Requirements
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Section 110(a)(2)(G) of the CAA
requires infrastructure SIPs to ‘‘provide
for authority comparable to that in [CAA
section 303],’’ which reads as follows:
Notwithstanding any other provision of
this chapter, the Administrator, upon receipt
of evidence that a pollution source or
combination of sources (including moving
sources) is presenting an imminent and
substantial endangerment to public health or
welfare, or the environment, may bring suit
on behalf of the United States in the
appropriate United States district court to
immediately restrain any person causing or
contributing to the alleged pollution to stop
the emission of air pollutants causing or
contributing to such pollution or to take such
other action as may be necessary. If it is not
practicable to assure prompt protection of
public health or welfare or the environment
by commencement of such a civil action, the
Administrator may issue such orders as may
be necessary to protect public health or
welfare or the environment. Prior to taking
any action under this section, the
Administrator shall consult with appropriate
State and local authorities and attempt to
confirm the accuracy of the information on
which the action proposed to be taken is
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based. Any order issued by the Administrator
under this section shall be effective upon
issuance and shall remain in effect for a
period of not more than 60 days, unless the
Administrator brings an action pursuant to
the first sentence of this section before the
expiration of that period. Whenever the
Administrator brings such an action within
the 60-day period, such order shall remain in
effect for an additional 14 days or for such
longer period as may be authorized by the
court in which such action is brought.
In the 2013 Infrastructure SIP
Guidance, the EPA states that the best
practice for states is to submit, for
inclusion in the SIP, the statutory or
regulatory provisions that provide
authority comparable to CAA section
303 or to cite and include a copy of such
provisions, without including them in
the SIP, with a narrative of how they
meet the requirements of section
110(a)(2)(G). The guidance also clarifies
that contingency plans should be
submitted for approval into the SIP (if
not already in the SIP) for regions
classified Priority I, IA, or II (Priority II
applies only to the sulfur dioxide and
particulate matter NAAQS).
The air quality thresholds for
classifying air quality control regions
(AQCRs) are prescribed in 40 CFR
51.150 and are pollutant-specific (e.g.,
ozone) rather than being specific to any
given NAAQS (e.g., 1997 ozone
NAAQS). For ozone, an AQCR with a 1hour ozone level greater than 0.10 ppm
over the most recent three-year period
must be classified Priority I. If the ozone
levels in an AQCR are primarily due to
a single point source, it is classified as
Priority IA. All other ozone areas are
classified Priority III. Pursuant to 40
CFR 51.151 and 51.152, AQCRs that are
classified Priority I or IA for ozone are
required to have SIP-approved
emergency episode contingency plans,
while those classified Priority III are not
required to have such plans. The
purpose of emergency episode
contingency plans is to ensure that the
regions ‘‘provide for taking action
necessary to prevent ambient pollutant
concentrations’’ from reaching the
significant harm levels defined in 40
CFR 51.151. For ozone, the significant
harm level is 0.6 ppm for a 2-hour
average.
Under 40 CFR 51.152 emergency
episode contingency plans are required
to specify two or more stages of episode
criteria based on pollutant levels at any
monitoring site. Plans must provide for
public announcement whenever any
episode stage has been determined to
exist and must specify adequate
emission control actions to be taken at
each episode stage. Examples of
adequate actions are provided in
Appendix L to 40 CFR part 51.
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In addition, 40 CFR 51.152 requires
prompt acquisition of forecasts of
atmospheric stagnation conditions and
of updates of such forecasts as
frequently as they are issued by the
National Weather Service, inspection of
sources to ascertain compliance with
applicable emission control action
requirements, and communications
procedures for transmitting status
reports and orders as to emission
control actions to be taken during an
episode stage. The provisions of 40 CFR
51.152(d) also allow the Administrator
to exempt portions of Priority I regions
that have been designated as attainment
or unclassifiable for NAAQS such as the
2015 ozone standard.65
b. Summary of the State’s Submission
In the California 2018 Infrastructure
SIP, the State requested that the EPA
reclassify the Lake County, North
Central Coast, and South Central Coast
AQCRs from Priority III to Priority I
based on hourly ozone data from 2015–
2017.66 Consistent with the provisions
of 40 CFR 51.153, reclassification of
AQCRs must rely on the most recent
three years of air quality data. CARB
states in its 2018 submittal that the
remaining Priority III AQCRs remain
Priority III for ozone. This means their
ozone levels have not crossed the
Priority I threshold for ozone based on
the most recent three years of air quality
data.
In its 2018 submittal, CARB identifies
the air districts that fall within each
AQCR in order to determine which
districts need to develop emergency
episode contingency plans. The Lake
County AQCR includes the Lake County
AQMD. The North Central Coast AQCR
includes the Monterey Bay Air
Resources District, which already has a
SIP-approved emergency episode
contingency plan. The South Central
Coast includes the San Luis Obispo
County APCD. CARB identifies Lake
County AQMD and San Luis Obispo
County APCD as needing to develop and
submit emergency episode contingency
plans for ozone based on the requested
AQCR reclassifications.
In addition to the air districts
identified above, five air districts in the
Mountain Counties AQCR are identified
in the 2018 plan as needing to develop
and submit emergency episode
65 This authority is delegated to the Regional
Administrator based on Delegation 7–10
(‘‘Approval/Disapproval of State Implementation
Plans’’), which grants Regional Administrators the
authority to ‘‘propose or take final action on any
State implementation plan under section 110 of the
Clean Air Act.’’
66 EPA, Region IX, Spreadsheet of Air Quality
Control Regions with Maximum 1-hour Ozone
Values Over 100 ppb for 2015–2017.
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contingency plans for ozone for the first
time. These are Amador County APCD,
Calaveras County APCD, Mariposa
County APCD, Northern Sierra AQMD,
and Tuolumne County APCD.
On June 25, 2020, CARB
supplemented its 2018 Infrastructure
SIP by submitting ozone emergency
episode contingency plans for San Luis
Obispo County APCD, Amador County
APCD, Calaveras County APCD,
Mariposa County APCD, Northern Sierra
AQMD, and Tuolumne County APCD. It
also submitted an exemption request
from emergency episode planning
requirements for Lake County AQMD
based on that District’s attainment
status.
Pursuant to the requirements of 40
CFR 51.152, each of the emergency
episode plans included in the submittal
outlines three stages of an ozone
emergency (i.e., Alert, Warning and
Emergency) based on monitored levels
for the one-hour ozone concentration.
For example, Amador, Western Nevada,
Tuolumne, and Calaveras include an
Alert stage of 0.20 ppm, a Warning stage
of 0.40 ppm, and an Emergency stage of
0.50 ppm. At each episode stage, the
plans provide actions to be
implemented by the local air district,
local offices of emergency services, local
offices of education superintendents,
local emitting facilities, and members of
the public. These measures include
prohibiting open burning, requesting
that schools close, requesting that
members of the public take mass transit
instead of driving, and requesting that
stationary sources emitting ozone
precursors shut down. At the episode
stages that include measures for
stationary sources, the submitted plans
also include provisions for inspection of
those sources to make sure they are
complying with the relevant plan
requirements.
The emergency episode plans also
provide for public announcement of
these ozone emergency stages and
communications procedures for
transmitting status reports and orders
during each episode stage. Each plan
includes a list of government agencies,
news media, facilities, and individuals
who will be notified when any of the
ozone emergency episode stages are
reached. These lists include local
county offices of emergency services,
the county superintendents of
education, outreach staff at the local air
pollution control districts, and
television and radio stations. The plans
submitted to the EPA also account for
acquiring forecasts from the National
Weather Service, regional ‘‘Spare the
Air’’ programs, and data generated
internally by air districts for submission
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to public air quality information
resources such as the AirNow website.
The Lake County AQCR is made up of
only one air district, the Lake County
AQMD. In its 2018 submittal, CARB
requests that this AQCR be reclassified
to Priority I, and California’s 2020
submittal includes an exemption
request for Lake County from the
emergency episode contingency
planning requirements for ozone. The
request is based on Lake County’s
attainment status and EPA discretion to
exempt attainment areas from the
emergency episode contingency
planning requirements under 40 CFR
51.152(d)(1).
c. The EPA’s Review of the State’s
Submission
In California’s 2018 submittal, the
State requests that three AQCRs be
reclassified as Priority I for the purposes
of requiring emergency episode
contingency plans for ozone. In
addition, it notes that 5 air districts in
the Mountain Counties AQCR also met
the threshold for Priority I ozone areas
in the 2015–2017 time period. The air
quality monitoring data for 2015–2017
indicates that the areas identified in the
2018 submission, along with the areas
that have been previously classified as
Priority I, are those that exceeded 0.10
ppm for 1-hour ozone measurements. In
addition, the emissions inventory
information provided in California’s
2020 Submittal shows that the ozone
levels in these areas are due to a mix of
sources, including mobile sources,
rather than to a single stationary source.
On the basis of California’s ambient air
quality data for 2015–2017, we are
proposing to grant California’s requests
to reclassify Lake County, North Central
Coast, and South Central Coast to
Priority I regions.
The ozone emergency episode
contingency plans for San Luis Obispo
County APCD, Amador County APCD,
Calaveras County APCD, Mariposa
County APCD, Northern Sierra AQMD,
and Tuolumne County APCD meet the
requirements of 51.152(a). Specifically,
each plan specifies ‘‘two or more stages
of episode criteria’’ and ‘‘adequate
emission control actions to be taken at
each episode stage’’. Each plan also
provides for ‘‘public announcement
whenever any episode stage has been
determined to exist.’’
For example, Calaveras County
APCD’s ozone emergency episode
contingency plan establishes three
episode stages. At every stage, an
emergency episode notification is
prepared and sent to eight categories of
recipients. These include the Calaveras
County Health Officer, the Calaveras
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County Office of Emergency Services,
the Calaveras County of Education
Superintendent, neighboring air
pollution control districts, as well as
major newspapers, television and radio
stations and online services. Actions at
the first stage, which corresponds to
hourly ozone concentrations at or above
0.20 ppm, include prohibiting all open
burning and requesting industrial
permitted facilities to initiate control
actions, including reducing or curtailing
production. At stage 3, which
corresponds to hourly ozone
concentrations at or above 0.50 ppm, the
plan specifies closing all non-emergency
commercial and industrial facilities, all
government facilities which are not
immediately necessary for public health
and safety, national security or national
defense, and closing all recreational
facilities. These closures would be
implemented through the County Office
of Emergency Services.
The ozone emergency episode
contingency plans for San Luis Obispo
County APCD, Amador County APCD,
Calaveras County APCD, Mariposa
County APCD, Northern Sierra AQMD,
and Tuolumne County APCD also meet
the requirements of 51.152(b).
Specifically, they provide for ‘‘prompt
acquisition of forecasts of atmospheric
stagnation conditions and of updates of
such forecasts as frequently as they are
issued by the National Weather
Service,’’ as required by 40 CFR
51.152(b)(1). For example, the ozone
emergency episode plan for Amador
APCD explains that Amador APCD,
Northern Sierra AQMD, Tuolumne
APCD and Mariposa County APCD
support the regional Spare the Air
program in the Mountain Counties
AQCR. This is ‘‘an air pollution
forecasting program which provides
notifications to the public on the daily
ozone concentration forecasts, along
with advisories with an episodic ozone
reduction element, during the summer
ozone season.’’ 67 According to
California’s 2020 submittal, the Spare
the Air program notifications include
current ozone concentration
measurements from all monitoring
stations within the Mountain Counties
Air Basin, and forecasts, based on the
meteorological conditions from the
National Weather Service advisories and
local agencies.68 The ozone emergency
episode plan submitted for Calaveras
County similarly discusses how the
District participates in the same
program, noting that the ‘‘District works
cooperatively with CARB and
neighboring counties on the daily burn
67 California’s
68 Id.
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day information.’’ Tuolumne County
APCD’s plan states that the District will
‘‘in coordination with the National
Weather Service (NWS) Hanford and
Sacramento forecast offices provide
prompt notification of air quality
forecasts to the public when
atmospheric stagnation conditions
would result in substantially high ozone
concentrations.’’ 69 San Luis Obispo
APCD’s plan describes how the district
publishes 6-day air quality forecasts
through its own website as well as the
AirNow website, the EnviroFlash email
program, the AirAware alerts text
program, and through the National
Weather Service’s communications.
Each of the district plans also provide
for ‘‘communications procedures for
transmitting status reports and orders as
to emission control actions to be taken
during an episode stage, including
procedures for contact with public
officials, major emission sources, public
health, safety, and emergency agencies
and news media’’, as required by 40
CFR 51.152(b)(3). For example, the
Northern Sierra AQMD notification list
for each ozone emergency episode stage
includes CARB, upwind and downwind
districts, major newspapers, television
and radio stations, regional Spare the
Air programs, District permitted
facilities, and District staff who do
public outreach. The Tuolumne County
APCD notification list for each ozone
emergency episode stage includes
CARB, the Tuolumne County Office of
Emergency Services, the Tuolumne
County Office of Education, adjacent air
districts, as well as newspapers,
television and radio stations, and online
media.
Each of the district plans also provide
for ‘‘inspection of sources to ascertain
compliance with applicable emission
control action requirements,’’ as
required by 40 CFR 51.152(b)(2). For
example, the Amador County APCD
plan includes a provision to ‘‘[c]onduct
on-site inspection of targeted facilities
to ascertain accomplishment of
applicable emission control actions’’
that applies beginning at the Alert
(0.20ppm) stage.70 The Northern Sierra
AQMD plan states that it will ‘‘rely on
both continuous emission monitoring
technology and inspection to . . .
ascertain compliance with applicable
emission control action requirements
during any ozone emergency episode
stage . . .’’ 71 Mariposa County APCD
and Calaveras County APCD use similar
language to Amador County in their
plans. The Tuolumne County APCD
plan indicates the District will ‘‘strive to
inspect those sources that represent the
greatest contribution of ozone precursor
emissions and will ascertain whether
[they] are adhering to the applicable
emission control action requirements
specified in the Emergency Episode
Actions.’’ 72 The San Luis Obispo
County APCD plan identifies the
following action at each emergency
episode stage: ‘‘If conditions do not
threaten inspectors’ safety, confirm
control actions have been
implemented.’’ 73
The emergency episode contingency
plans for ozone in California’s 2020
submittal for Amador County APCD,
San Luis Obispo County APCD,
Northern Sierra AQMD, Tuolumne
County APCD, Mariposa County APCD,
and Calaveras County APCD meet the
requirements of 40 CFR 51.152(a) to
specify two or more stages of episode
criteria, provide for public
announcement whenever any episode
stage has been determined to exist, and
to specify adequate emission control
actions to be taken at each episode
stage. These emergency episode
contingency plans also meet the
requirements of 40 CFR 51.152(b) to
provide for prompt acquisition of
forecasts of atmospheric stagnation
conditions, to provide for inspection of
sources to ascertain compliance with
applicable emission control action
requirements, and provide for
communications procedures for
transmitting status reports and orders as
to emission control actions to be taken
during an episode stage. We propose to
approve these emergency episode
contingency plans into the California
SIP.
The other portion of California’s 2020
submittal is the exemption request for
ozone emergency episode planning
requirements for Lake County AQMD.
The request is based on Lake County
being in attainment for all ozone
standards as well as all other NAAQS.74
In this request, Lake County
demonstrates the largely rural nature of
the area and documents that the largest
sources of ozone precursors in the
county emit less than 50 tpy of each.
Further, it notes that the highest 1-hour
ozone concentration observed in the last
40 years has been 0.103 ppm.
Because of Lake County’s attainment
status for ozone, it meets the criteria of
51.152(d)(1) that permit the
Administrator to exempt those portions
of Priority I regions which have been
72 Id.
at 67.
at 35.
74 EPA, Region IX, Spreadsheet of Nonattainment
Areas in California Air Districts.
69 California’s
2020 Submittal, 67.
70 California’s 2020 Submittal, 16.
71 Id. at 52.
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designated as attainment under section
107 of the CAA. The mix of ozone
precursor sources in the County, as well
as the historical 1-hour ozone levels
below 0.10 ppm make it unlikely that
additional measures are needed to keep
ozone pollution below the significant
harm level of 0.6 ppm. We propose to
approve the request to exempt the Lake
County AQMD from emergency episode
contingency planning requirements of
40 CFR 51.152.
8. CAA Section 110(a)(2)(H)—SIP
Revisions
a. Statutory and Regulatory
Requirements
Section 110(a)(2)(H) requires SIPs to
‘‘provide for revision of such plan—(i)
from time to time as may be necessary
to take account of revisions of such
national primary or secondary ambient
air quality standard or the availability of
improved or more expeditious methods
of attaining such standard, and (ii)
except as provided in paragraph
110(a)(3)(C), whenever the
Administrator finds on the basis of
information available to the
Administrator that the plan is
substantially inadequate to attain the
national ambient air quality standard
which it implements or to otherwise
comply with any additional
requirements established’’ under this
Act.
In the 2013 Infrastructure SIP
Guidance, the EPA explains that states
may comply with the requirements of
element H by providing a reference or
citation to the provisions that provide
the air agency with authority to meet
these requirements, along with a
narrative explanation of how the
provisions serve that function.
b. Summary of the State’s Submission
California states in its 2018 submittal
that California has revised and will
continue to revise its SIP as mandated
by the EPA. It states that CARB is
submitting a revised SIP for the 2015
ozone NAAQS and that CARB will
continue to work with local districts to
develop approvable SIPs as federal
standards change, as new attainment
methods become available, or as the
EPA determines an existing SIP is
inadequate. California’s 2018 Submittal
also cites HSC section 39602 as
designating CARB as the agency
responsible for implementing the
federal CAA, which includes
responsibility for preparing and
submitting revisions to the California
SIP to address new or revised standards
or improved methods of meeting the
standards. CARB also states that HSC
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section 39602 gives it responsibility for
revising the California SIP if the EPA
finds the SIP inadequate. It states that
CARB consults with the air districts and
other affected entities in developing SIP
revisions and receives public comments
on SIP revisions before submitting them
to the EPA.
c. The EPA’s Review of the State’s
Submission
California’s 2018 Infrastructure SIP
describes the general capacity,
commitment, and process of the State to
submit SIP revisions as required. It cites
the overarching statutory authority of
CARB to implement the CAA, including
submission of SIP revisions to address
new and revised NAAQS and improved
methods of meeting the NAAQS. We
have reviewed the authority provisions
of HSC section 39602 and considered
the authority provisions analyzed under
110(a)(2)(E)(i) above. We propose to find
that they provide for SIP revisions in
response to NAAQS revisions or
whenever the EPA Administrator finds
the California SIP to be substantially
inadequate to attain the NAAQS or does
not comply with requirements
established under the Act, and therefore
meet the requirements of CAA section
110(a)(2)(H).
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9. CAA Section 110(a)(2)(I)—Plan
Revisions for Nonattainment Areas
CAA section 110(a)(2)(I) requires SIPs
to ‘‘in the case of a plan or plan revision
for an area designated as a
nonattainment area, meet the applicable
requirements of part D (relating to
nonattainment areas).’’
While this section requires states to
meet nonattainment area requirements,
pursuant to CAA title I, part D, when
submitting plans or plan revisions for
nonattainment areas, the EPA has
concluded that the submission of, and
subsequent EPA action on,
nonattainment SIP revisions by states is
not governed by the three-year
submission deadline identified in CAA
section 110(a)(1). Instead, SIP revisions
for nonattainment areas are due and
evaluated under the requirements for
nonattainment areas described in part D.
Thus, we do not include a summary of
California’s response to this requirement
nor an evaluation of such response.
10. CAA Section 110(a)(2)(J)—
Consultation, Public Notification,
Visibility Protection, and PSD
a. Statutory and Regulatory
Requirements
Section 110(a)(2)(J) of the CAA
requires SIPs to ‘‘meet the applicable
requirements of section 121 (relating to
consultation), section 127 (relating to
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public notification), and part C (relating
to prevention of significant deterioration
of air quality and visibility protection).’’
Regarding the consultation portion of
element J, in the 2013 Infrastructure SIP
Guidance, the EPA explains that states
may meet the requirements by showing
that there is an established process for
consultation with general-purpose local
governments, designated organizations
of elected officials of local governments,
and any federal land manager having
authority over federal land to which the
plan applies. Submittals should also
identify organizations that participate in
plan development, implementation or
enforcement under 40 CFR 51.240, and
should include any related agreements
among agencies to do this work.
CAA section 127 requires SIPs to
contain measures to effectively notify
the public during any calendar year on
a regular basis of instances or areas in
which any NAAQS is exceeded or was
exceeded during any portion of the
preceding calendar year; to advise the
public of the health hazards associated
with such pollution; and to enhance
public awareness of the measures which
can be taken to prevent such standards
from being exceeded and the ways in
which the public can participate in
regulatory and other efforts to improve
air quality. Such measures may include
the posting of warning signs on
interstate highway access points to
metropolitan areas or television, radio,
or press notices or information. In the
2013 Infrastructure SIP Guidance, the
EPA indicates that state submittals can
meet this portion of the requirement by
showing the air agency regularly notifies
the public of NAAQS exceedances and
the associated health hazards, and that
it makes the public aware of air quality
measures and ways to participate in
them.
In EPA’s 2013 Infrastructure SIP
Guidance, the EPA states that the PSDrelated requirements of element J are the
same as those of element C. For that
reason, we refer to the 2018 state
submittal and our evaluation of element
C above for the PSD requirements of
element J.
Regarding the visibility protection
requirements of element J, the EPA’s
2013 Guidance notes that the CAA
visibility protection requirements do not
change when the EPA issues a new or
revised NAAQS. The guidance states
that air agencies do not need to address
visibility protection requirements in
infrastructure SIP submissions.
b. Summary of the State’s Submission
Regarding the consultation portion of
element J, California’s 2018 Submittal
largely includes the same information as
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prior infrastructure SIP submittals. It
cites HSC section 39602, which
designates CARB as the agency
responsible for implementing the
federal CAA and coordinating with local
air districts.75 CARB notes that the
districts are governed by boards
primarily composed of elected officials
and that the districts also play a role in
developing SIP provisions. It states that
the air districts collaborate through
workgroups under the California Air
Pollution Control Officers Association
(CAPCOA) to discuss air quality matters
and that CAPCOA meets regularly with
state and federal air quality officials to
develop rules and ensure their
consistent application. The submittal
provides examples of the local, state,
and federal stakeholders CARB works
with in developing SIP revisions such as
California’s 2007 State Strategy for the
1997 ozone and 1997 PM2.5 NAAQS.
These stakeholders include the
metropolitan planning organizations
(MPOs) and the regional transportation
planning agencies (RTPAs) located
throughout the State. The submittal also
lists stakeholders, including federal
land managers, with whom CARB
consulted during the development of
California’s 2009 Regional Haze Plan,
and describes how CARB coordinates
with federal land managers and other
agencies on an ongoing basis for
Regional Haze planning. In addition, the
submittal cites the public notification
requirements for state regulations under
the California Administrative
Procedures Act as well as the public
hearing requirements for district rules
and regulations under HSC section
40725.
In California’s 2018 Submittal, CARB
also states that, once a SIP revision is
submitted to the EPA, consultation is
on-going. For example, CARB, the EPA,
the California Environmental Protection
Agency (CalEPA), and the South Coast
and San Joaquin Valley air districts have
signed a memorandum of agreement
(MOA) committing to develop and test
new air quality control technologies and
creating the Clean Air Technology
Initiative with the purpose of
accelerating ‘‘progress in meeting
current and future federal standards’’ in
South Coast and San Joaquin Valley.76
The submittal identifies another
example of such consultation in CARB’s
memorandum of understanding (MOU)
with Union Pacific and Burlington
Northern Santa Fe railroads to reduce
diesel emissions from rail yards.
Regarding public notification of
exceedances of air quality standards, in
75 California’s
76 California’s
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California’s 2018 Submittal, CARB
reiterates past submittals, referring to
the requirements in HSC section
39607(a) for CARB to acquire and
publicly report air quality data for each
air basin in the State. CARB explains
that it maintains both current and
historical data online. CARB also notes
that HSC 40718 requires CARB to
publish maps online that show areas
violating federal air quality standards.77
In addition, the air districts provide
daily information about local air quality
levels online. Finally, the submittal
cites several websites that contain
information on the health effects of air
pollution, current air quality, and what
the public can do to reduce air
pollution.78
Regarding PSD requirements,
California’s 2018 Submittal refers to the
PSD-approved programs described in
element C. For visibility protection
requirements, CARB notes the
explanation in the EPA’s 2013
Infrastructure SIP guidance that NAAQS
revisions do not create new visibility
protection requirements and points out
that California has an approved
Regional Haze SIP.79
c. The EPA’s Review of the State’s
Submission
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Regarding the consultation
requirements of element J, we have
reviewed California’s 2018 Submittal,
and propose to find that it provides a
satisfactory process of consultation,
consistent with CAA section 121 and 40
CFR 51.240. In its submittal, CARB cites
its overarching responsibility in HSC
section 39602 to implement the CAA,
including the requirement to coordinate
the activities of all districts necessary to
comply with the CAA. The districts are
governed by boards comprised primarily
of local elected officials. They also play
a role in developing, implementing, and
enforcing SIP provisions. CARB states
that the air districts collaborate through
workgroups under CAPCOA to discuss
air quality matters and that CAPCOA
meets regularly with state and federal
air quality officials to develop rules and
ensure their consistent application.
California’s submittal also provides
examples of local government
organizations, including MPOs,
organizations of elected officials, and
77 Website on ‘‘Area Designations Maps/State and
National’’ (https://www.arb.ca.gov/desig/adm/
adm.htm) (last visited on September 14, 2020).
78 CARB’s websites on ‘‘Health Effects of Air
Pollution’’ (https://www.arb.ca.gov/research/health/
health.htm), AQMIS (https://www.arb.ca.gov/
aqmis2/aqmis2.php), and ‘‘Air Pollution and What
You Can Do’’ (https://www.arb.ca.gov/html/
cando.htm) (last visited on September 14, 2020).
79 76 FR 34608 (June 14, 2011).
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federal land managers who are
consulted during SIP development, and
provides an example of an MOA among
CARB, the EPA, CalEPA, San Joaquin
Valley APCD, and South Coast AQMD.
We propose to find that California’s
Infrastructure SIP meets the
consultation requirement of CAA
section 110(a)(2)(J).
In 1980, the EPA approved
intergovernmental consultation
procedures into California’s SIP.80 That
SIP submittal fulfilled the requirements
of 40 CFR 51.240, designating the local
air districts as the lead agencies for the
adoption, review, and periodic update
of basin-wide air pollution control plans
for submission to CARB. It also
specified that the air districts will
propose, adopt, implement, and enforce
control measures concerning stationary
sources within their jurisdictions. The
‘‘Chapter 25—Intergovernmental
Relations’’ 81 portion of that submittal
included a MOU between CARB and
Caltrans, the state transportation agency.
The MOU outlined how the two
agencies will work together on
transportation controls in
nonattainment air plans, on
transportation plans and programs, and
to ensure consistency of transportation
plans, programs, and projects with the
SIP. These provisions previously
approved into the California SIP
reinforce the consultation procedures
described in California’s recent SIP
submittals.
With respect to the requirements of
CAA section 127 and 40 CFR 51.285,
California’s 2018 Infrastructure SIP
provides for adequate public
notification. HSC section 39607(a)
requires CARB to acquire and publicly
report data on each air basin and HSC
section 40718(a) requires CARB to
publish maps of areas violating the
NAAQS. In its 2018 submittal, CARB
explains how it and the districts publish
information online about air quality
(including the current Air Quality
Index), the health effects of air
pollution, and what the public can do
about air pollution. The submittal also
describes the public hearing
requirements applicable to CARB and
the air districts. Thus, we propose to
find that California’s Infrastructure SIP
Submittals meet the public notification
requirements of CAA section
110(a)(2)(J).
As discussed above, when the EPA
establishes or revises a NAAQS, the
80 45
FR 53136 (August 11, 1980).
25, Intergovernmental Relations,
Revision to State of California Implementation Plan
for the Attainment and Maintenance of Ambient Air
Quality Standards. Adopted by the CARB, October
26, 1978.
81 Chapter
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visibility protection requirements under
CAA title I, part C do not change and,
therefore, there are no newly applicable
visibility protection obligations
pursuant to CAA section 110(a)(2)(J).
We propose to find that California’s
Infrastructure SIP Submittals meets the
visibility protection requirements of
CAA section 110(a)(2)(J).
Regarding the PSD requirements of
element J, we rely upon our earlier
evaluation of the PSD portion of CAA
section 110(a)(2)(C). For the 13 local air
districts that have EPA-approved PSD
programs, we are proposing to partially
approve California’s 2018 Infrastructure
SIP. For the 22 local air districts that do
not have EPA-approved PSD programs,
we are proposing to partially disapprove
California’s 2018 Infrastructure SIP.
Because the EPA has already delegated
the PSD FIP at 40 CFR 52.21 to each of
the districts without fully approved PSD
programs, finalization of this proposed,
partial disapproval will not trigger any
new obligation for the EPA to
promulgate a FIP.
11. CAA Section 110(a)(2)(K)—Air
Quality Modeling and Submission of
Modeling Data
a. Statutory and Regulatory
Requirements
Section 110(a)(2)(K) requires SIPs to
provide for: ‘‘(i) The performance of
such air quality modeling as the
Administrator may prescribe for the
purpose of predicting the effect on
ambient air quality of any emissions of
any air pollutant for which the
Administrator has established a national
ambient air quality standard, and (ii) the
submission, upon request, of data
related to such air quality modeling to
the Administrator.’’ To satisfy section
110(a)(2)(K), in the 2013 Infrastructure
SIP Guidance, the EPA indicates that
states can provide a reference or citation
to the provisions that give it authority
to do the modeling and data submission
required by this element, as well as a
narrative explanation of how the state
meets the requirements of this element.
b. Summary of the State’s Submission
California’s 2018 Submittal refers to
HSC 39602, which designates CARB as
the air pollution agency for all purposes
set forth in federal law and thereby
gives it the authority to conduct air
quality monitoring as required under
the CAA. CARB explains in the
submittal how California meets the
modeling requirements of element K. It
notes that CARB has established an air
quality modeling group, which models
primary and secondary pollutants, and
states that CARB’s modeling complies
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with EPA guidance. It explains that
CARB ensures modeling performed by
districts complies with federal
requirements and that CARB and the
districts also document and make public
their SIP-related modeling protocols as
part of the SIP review process. CARB
also notes that modeling results are
made available to the EPA and other
stakeholders upon request.
c. The EPA’s Review of the State’s
Submission
California’s 2018 Infrastructure SIP
identifies HSC 39602, which grants
CARB its overarching SIP authority, as
its statutory basis for authority to
conduct modeling, and describes how it
and the districts perform air quality
modeling following guidelines
prescribed by the EPA. In the EPA’s
proposal to approve California’s
infrastructure SIP for earlier NAAQS,
we also identified examples of
attainment modeling, such as in the
2007 State Strategy for 1997 ozone and
1997 PM2.5, and in the attainment SIP
for the 2008 Pb NAAQS for Los Angeles
County.82 We found they provided
evidence of California’s authority to
conduct modeling and submit its data
and analysis to the EPA in conjunction
with a SIP revision. We propose to find
that the broad authority of HSC section
39602 in conjunction with the various
modeling efforts undertaken by CARB
and the districts provide for ambient air
quality modeling and data submission
consistent with CAA section
110(a)(2)(K).
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12. CAA Section 110(a)(2)(L)—Permit
Fees
a. Statutory and Regulatory
Requirements
Section 110(a)(2)(L) requires that each
SIP require the owner or operator of
each major stationary source to pay to
the permitting authority, as a condition
of any permit required under the Act, a
fee sufficient to cover (i) the reasonable
costs of reviewing and acting upon any
application for such a permit, and (ii) if
the owner or operator receives a permit
for such source, the reasonable costs of
implementing and enforcing the terms
and conditions of any such permit (not
including any court costs or other costs
associated with any enforcement
action), until such fee requirement is
superseded with respect to such sources
by the Administrator’s approval of a fee
program under title V of the Act.
In the 2013 Infrastructure SIP
Guidance, the EPA states that fee
programs are not required to be part of
the EPA-approved SIP. We explain that
82 79
FR 63350 (October 23, 2014).
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infrastructure SIP submittals should
provide citations to the regulations that
provide for the collection of permitting
fees to cover all CAA permitting,
implementation, and enforcement for
new and modified major sources as well
as existing major sources.
b. Summary of the State’s Submission
In its 2018 submittal, California states
that California’s 35 air districts bear
responsibility for stationary source
permitting and have regulations
requiring the payment of fees from
facilities subject to CAA title V
requirements. The submittal cites HSC
section 42311 as authorizing local air
districts ‘‘to adopt a schedule of fees for
the evaluation, issuance, and renewal of
permits to cover the cost of air district
programs related to permitting
stationary sources.’’ It states that major
source permit applicants are assessed a
fee for processing their application for
an authority to construct or a permit to
operate. The submittal also provides a
link to CARB’s website that provides a
general overview of title V permitting in
California.83
In its 2018 submittal, CARB further
notes that the EPA has approved the
title V programs of all 35 air districts, as
reflected in 40 CFR part 70, Appendix
A (‘‘Approval Status of State and Local
Operating Permits Programs’’) and
provides a table that identifies the title
V rule for each air district. The
submittal explains that the rules cited in
the table ‘‘represent the district’s
primary implementation rule, and in
some cases, there may be other district
rules that are also relevant to the Title
V process.’’ 84
c. The EPA’s Review of the State’s
Submission
We have reviewed California’s
response to this requirement and have
also considered air district provisions
approved into the California SIP. We
agree with California that HSC section
42311 provides authority to require fees
for the evaluation, issuance, and
renewal of stationary sources, including
new and existing major sources, except
for South Coast AQMD, whose similar
permit fee authority is instead found in
HSC section 40510(b). We also agree
that all 35 air districts have fully
approved title V operating permit
programs. Such program approvals
supersede the operating fee
requirements of CAA section
110(a)(2)(L).
83 https://www.arb.ca.gov/fcaa/tv/tvinfo/
overview.htm (last visited on September 14, 2020).
84 California’s 2018 Submittal, 38.
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In addition to the title V fee programs,
districts in California have SIPapproved rules requiring the payment of
fees for construction and operating
permits. In the EPA’s 2016 final action
on California’s Infrastructure SIP
submittals for earlier NAAQS, we
provided examples of these rules for
Bay Area AQMD, Sacramento Metro
AQMD, and Yolo-Solano AQMD.85
Additional examples of local district fee
rules that have recently been updated
include Mojave Desert AQMD Rule
301,86 San Joaquin Valley APCD Rule
3010,87 Monterey Bay ARD Regulation
III.88 and South Coast AQMD Rule
301.89
Therefore, based on the federally
approved title V programs for all 35 air
districts, the air district rules cited in
California’s 2018 submittal that
establish permit fee requirements for
major sources, and the local district
rules that implement fees to cover
permitting, implementation, and
enforcement for new and modified
major sources, we propose to find that
California meets the requirements of
CAA section 110(a)(2)(L).
13. CAA Section 110(a)(2)(M)—
Consultation and Participation by
Affected Local Entities
a. Statutory and Regulatory
Requirements
Section 110(a)(2)(M) requires SIPs to
‘‘provide for consultation and
participation by local political
subdivisions affected by the plan.’’ In
the 2013 Infrastructure SIP Guidance,
the EPA explains that, to meet the
requirements of element M, states may
identify their policies or procedures that
allow and promote such consultation in
their SIP submittals.
b. Summary of the State’s Submission
In its 2018 submittal, California states
that CARB ‘‘routinely consults and
provides liaison’’ with all districts,
particularly on SIP revisions. The
submittal explains that district boards
are composed of local elected officials,
so consultation with air districts
provides for consultation with and
participation by local government
85 https://www.regulations.gov/
document?D=EPA-R09-OAR-2014-0547-0008 (last
visited on September 14, 2020).
86 https://mdaqmd.ca.gov/home/
showdocument?id=6783 (last visited on September
14, 2020).
87 https://www.valleyair.org/rules/currntrules/
2018/R3010-a2.pdf (last visited on September 14,
2020).
88 https://ww3.arb.ca.gov/drdb/mbu/curhtml/
r300.pdf (last visited on September 14, 2020).
89 https://www.aqmd.gov/docs/default-source/
rule-book/reg-iii/rule-301-June-2019.pdf (last visited
on September 14, 2020).
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entities. CARB states that HSC section
41650 et seq. requires CARB ‘‘to
conduct public hearings and to solicit
testimony from air districts, air quality
planning agencies, and the public when
adopting SIP-related documents’’ for
nonattainment area plans. It also adds
that the air districts have a similar
process for participation and comment
on proposed regulatory actions.
CARB reiterates that HSC section
39602 designates CARB as the agency in
charge of implementing federal air
pollution law and that it requires CARB
to coordinate the activities of all air
districts necessary to comply with the
CAA. It also reiterates that the California
Administrative Procedures Act, GC
section 11340, et seq., requires
notification and comment opportunities
to parties affected by proposed state
regulations, and that HSC section 40725
requires air districts to provide for
public review when adopting,
amending, or repealing district rules.
c. The EPA’s Review of the State’s
Submission
In its 2018 submittal, CARB highlights
its regular consultation with the air
districts, whose governing boards are
made up of local elected officials. The
submittal cites HSC section 41650,
which requires CARB to conduct public
hearings on nonattainment plans. The
submittal cites HSC section 39602,
which requires CARB to coordinate the
SIP activities of the air districts, the
California Administrative Procedures
Act, which has public notification
requirements for state regulations, and
HSC section 40725, which has public
notification requirements for districtlevel rules. In addition, as noted in our
evaluation for the consultation
requirements of CAA section
110(a)(2)(J), CARB also consults with
MPOs and RTPAs, which can be
considered local political subdivisions
of the state in that they address
metropolitan and regional
transportation planning issues and
include elected officials representing
their respective local areas.
California’s SIP submittal
demonstrates that the air districts and
the government entities represented by
their boards are the local political
subdivisions affected by the plan. The
submittal enumerates how the districts
are involved and consulted during the
planning process. We therefore propose
to conclude that California adequately
provides for consultation and
participation by local political
subdivisions affected by the California
SIP, and that California’s Infrastructure
SIP Submittals meet CAA section
110(a)(2)(M).
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D. Proposed Approval of State and
Local Provisions Into the California SIP
As part of this action, we are also
proposing to approve two revised state
regulations and five air district rules
into the California SIP. Specifically, we
propose to approve into the SIP the
updated provisions CCR, Title 2,
sections 18700 and 18701. These
revised regulations were part of
California’s 2018 Submittal and
continue to address the conflict of
interest requirements of CAA sections
110(a)(2)(E)(ii) and 128. We also
propose to approve into the SIP five
Ozone Emergency Episode Plans for
Amador County APCD, Calaveras
County APCD, Mariposa County APCD,
Northern Sierra AQMD, and Tuolumne
County APCD to address the emergency
episode planning requirements of CAA
section 110(a)(2)(G) and 40 CFR part 51,
subpart H.
E. Proposed Approval of
Reclassification Requests for Emergency
Episode Planning
In its 2018 submittal, CARB requested
that the EPA reclassify three AQCRs
with respect to the emergency episode
planning requirements of CAA section
110(a)(2)(G) and 40 CFR part 51, subpart
H, as applicable to ozone, NO2, and SO2.
The air quality tests for classifying
AQCRs are prescribed in 40 CFR 51.150
and are pollutant-specific (e.g., ozone)
rather than being specific to any given
NAAQS (e.g., 1997 ozone NAAQS).
Consistent with the provisions of 40
CFR 51.153, reclassification of AQCRs
must rely on the most recent three years
of air quality data. For ozone, an AQCR
with a 1-hour ozone level greater than
0.10 ppm over the most recent threeyear period must be classified Priority I,
while all other areas are classified
Priority III. AQCRs that are classified
Priority I are required to have SIPapproved emergency episode
contingency plans, while those
classified Priority III are not required to
have such plans, pursuant to 40 CFR
51.151 and 51.152. We interpret 40 CFR
51.153 as establishing the means for
states to review air quality data and
request a higher or lower classification
for any given region and as providing
the regulatory basis for the EPA to
reclassify such regions, as appropriate,
under CAA sections 110(a)(2)(G) and
301(a)(1).
On the basis of California’s ambient
air quality data for 2015–2017, we are
proposing to grant California’s request
to reclassify Lake County, North Central
Coast, and South Central Coast to
Priority I areas.
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F. The EPA’s Action
Under CAA 110(a), we are proposing
to partially approve and partially
disapprove California’s 2018
Infrastructure SIP. Specifically, we are
proposing to approve the submittal for
the requirements of CAA sections
110(a)(2)(A), 110(a)(2)(B), 110(a)(2)(E),
110(a)(2)(F), 110(a)(2)(H), 110(a)(2)(K),
110(a)(2)(L), and 110(a)(2)(M). We are
also proposing to partially approve and
partially disapprove the submittal for
CAA sections 110(a)(2)(C),
110(a)(2)(D)(ii), and 110(a)(2)(J) due to
PSD program deficiencies in certain air
districts. These partial disapprovals will
not create any new consequences as the
air districts with PSD deficiencies are
already subject to PSD FIPs.
To meet CAA 110(a)(2)(E)(ii)
requirements, we are proposing to
approve into the SIP the updated
versions of CCR, Title 2, sections 18700
and 18701, to replace the previous
versions of 2 CCR 18700 and 18701.
To meet the requirements of CAA
110(a)(2)(G), we are proposing to
approve California’s 2020 Submittal.
This includes the ozone emergency
episode contingency plans for Amador
County APCD, San Luis Obispo County
APCD, Northern Sierra AQMD,
Tuolumne County APCD, Mariposa
County APCD, and Calaveras County
APCD, as well as the exemption request
for Lake County AQMD.
At this time, EPA is not acting on
110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I), which prohibits
emission sources from contributing
significantly to nonattainment, or
interfering with maintenance, of the
NAAQS in another state. The EPA will
propose action on the interstate
transport requirements for the 2015
ozone NAAQS in a separate notice.
We are soliciting comments on these
proposed actions. We will accept
comments from the public for 30 days
following publication of this proposal in
the Federal Register and will consider
any relevant comments before taking
final action.
V. Incorporation by Reference
In this rule, the EPA is proposing to
include in a final EPA rule regulatory
text that includes incorporation by
reference. In accordance with
requirements of 1 CFR 51.5, the EPA is
proposing to incorporate by reference
two revised state provisions from the
California Code of Regulations for the
conflict of interest requirements of CAA
sections 110(a)(2)(E)(ii) and 128. These
revised provisions are California Code
of Regulations, Title 2, Sections 18700
and 18701. Similarly, the EPA is also
proposing to incorporate by reference
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five Ozone Emergency Episode Plans for
Amador County APCD, Calaveras
County APCD, Mariposa County APCD,
Northern Sierra AQMD, and Tuolumne
County APCD for the emergency
episode planning requirements of CAA
section 110(a)(2)(G) and 40 CFR part 51,
subpart H. The EPA has made, and will
continue to make, these materials
available through https://
www.regulations.gov and at the EPA
Region IX Office (please contact the
person identified in the FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT section of this
preamble for more information).
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VI. 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 proposed 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 proposed 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);
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• 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
disproportionate human health or
environmental effects with practical,
appropriate, 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).
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52
Environmental protection, Air
pollution control, Incorporation by
reference, Intergovernmental relations,
Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements, and
Volatile Organic Compounds.
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
Dated: September 30, 2020.
John Busterud,
Regional Administrator, Region IX.
[FR Doc. 2020–22061 Filed 10–15–20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 60
[EPA–HQ–OAR–2020–0372; FRL–10015–53–
OAR]
RIN 2060–AU91
Standards of Performance for Volatile
Organic Liquid Storage Vessels
(Including Petroleum Liquid Storage
Vessels) for Which Construction,
Reconstruction, or Modification
Commenced After July 23, 1984
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Proposed rule.
AGENCY:
The U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing
amendments to the Standards of
Performance for Volatile Organic Liquid
Storage Vessels (Including Petroleum
Liquid Storage Vessels) for Which
Construction, Reconstruction, or
Modification Commenced After July 23,
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00025
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
1984. We are proposing specific
amendments that would allow owners
or operators of storage vessels subject to
the Standards of Performance for
Volatile Organic Liquid Storage Vessels
and equipped with either an external
floating roof (EFR) or internal floating
roof (IFR) to voluntarily elect to comply
with the requirements specified in the
National Emission Standards for Storage
Vessels (Tanks)—Control Level 2 as an
alternative standard, in lieu of the
requirements specified in the Standards
of Performance for Volatile Organic
Liquid Storage Vessels, subject to
certain caveats and exceptions for
monitoring, recordkeeping, and
reporting.
DATES:
Comments. Comments must be
received on or before November 30,
2020. Under the Paperwork Reduction
Act (PRA), comments on the
information collection provisions are
best assured of consideration if the
Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) receives a copy of your
comments on or before November 16,
2020.
Public hearing. If anyone contacts us
requesting a public hearing on or before
October 21, 2020, we will hold a virtual
public hearing. See SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION for information on
requesting and registering for a public
hearing.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments,
identified by Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–
OAR–2020–0372, by any of the
following methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal:
https://www.regulations.gov/ (our
preferred method). Follow the online
instructions for submitting comments.
• Email: a-and-r-docket@epa.gov.
Include Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–OAR–
2020–0372 in the subject line of the
message.
• Fax: (202) 566–9744. Attention
Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–OAR–2020–
0372.
• Mail: U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, EPA Docket Center,
Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–OAR–2020–
0372, Mail Code 28221T, 1200
Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington,
DC 20460.
• Hand Delivery or Courier (by
scheduled appointment only): EPA
Docket Center, WJC West Building,
Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Avenue
NW, Washington, DC 20004. The Docket
Center’s hours of operation are 8:30
a.m.–4:30 p.m., Monday–Friday (except
Federal holidays).
Instructions: All submissions received
must include the Docket ID No. for this
rulemaking. Comments received may be
E:\FR\FM\16OCP1.SGM
16OCP1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 201 (Friday, October 16, 2020)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 65755-65774]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-22061]
=======================================================================
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 52
[EPA-R09-OAR-2020-0096; FRL-10014-93-Region 9]
Partial Approval and Partial Disapproval of Air Quality State
Implementation Plans; California; Infrastructure Requirements for Ozone
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Proposed rule.
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SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to
partially approve and partially disapprove the state implementation
plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of California pursuant to
the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA or ``Act'') for the
implementation, maintenance, and enforcement of the 2015 national
ambient air quality standards (NAAQS or ``standards'') for ozone. As
part of this action, we are proposing to reclassify certain regions of
the State for emergency episode planning purposes with respect to
ozone. We are also proposing to approve into the SIP an updated state
provision addressing CAA conflict of interest requirements, and
emergency episode planning rules for Amador County Air Pollution
Control District (APCD), Calaveras County APCD, Mariposa County APCD,
Northern Sierra Air Quality Management District (AQMD), and Tuolumne
County APCD. Finally, we are proposing to approve an exemption from
emergency episode planning requirements for ozone for Lake County AQMD.
We are taking comments on this proposal and, after considering any
comments submitted, plan to take final action.
DATES: Written comments must be received on or before November 16,
2020.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-R09-
OAR-2020-0096 at https://www.regulations.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. The EPA may publish any comment received to its public
docket. Do not submit electronically any information you consider to be
Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose
disclosure is restricted by statute. Multimedia submissions (audio,
video, etc.) must be accompanied by a written comment. The written
comment is considered the official comment and should include
discussion of all points you wish to make. The EPA will generally not
consider comments or comment contents located outside of the primary
submission (i.e., on the web, cloud, or other file sharing system). For
additional submission methods, or if you need assistance in a language
other than English, or if you are a person with a disability who needs
a reasonable accommodation at no cost to you, please contact the person
identified in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section. For the full
EPA public comment policy, information about CBI or multimedia
submissions, and general guidance on making effective comments, please
visit https://www.epa.gov/dockets/commenting-epa-dockets.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Panah Stauffer, EPA Region IX, 75
Hawthorne St., San Francisco, CA 94105. By phone: (415) 972-3247 or by
email at [email protected]
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Throughout this document, the terms ``we,''
``us,'' and ``our'' refer to EPA.
Table of Contents
I. The EPA's Approach to the Review of Infrastructure SIP Submittals
II. Background
A. Statutory Requirements
B. NAAQS Addressed by this Proposal
C. EPA Guidance Documents
III. California's Submittals
IV. The EPA's Evaluation and Proposed Action
A. Proposed Approvals and Partial Approvals
B. Proposed Partial Disapprovals
C. The EPA's Evaluation of California's Submittal
D. Proposed Approval of State and Local Provisions into the
California SIP
E. Proposed Approval of Reclassification Requests for Emergency
Episode Planning
F. The EPA's Action
V. Incorporation by Reference
VI. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
I. The EPA's Approach to the Review of Infrastructure SIP Submittals
The EPA is acting upon two SIP submittals from California that
address the infrastructure requirements of CAA sections 110(a)(1) and
110(a)(2) for the 2015 ozone NAAQS. Whenever the EPA promulgates a new
or revised NAAQS, CAA section 110(a)(1) requires states to make SIP
submissions to provide for the implementation, maintenance, and
enforcement of the NAAQS. This type of SIP submission is commonly
referred to as an ``infrastructure SIP.'' These submissions must meet
the various requirements of CAA section 110(a)(2), as applicable. Due
to ambiguity in some of the language of CAA section 110(a)(2), the EPA
believes that it is appropriate to interpret these provisions in the
specific context of acting on infrastructure SIP submissions. The EPA
has previously provided comprehensive guidance on the application of
these provisions through a guidance document for infrastructure SIP
submissions \1\ and through regional actions on infrastructure
submissions. Unless otherwise noted below, we are following that
existing approach in acting on this submission. In addition, in the
context of acting on such infrastructure submissions, the EPA evaluates
the submitting state's SIP for facial compliance with statutory and
regulatory requirements, not for the
[[Page 65756]]
state's implementation of its SIP.\2\ The EPA has other authority to
address any issues concerning a state's implementation of the rules,
regulations, consent orders, etc., that comprise its SIP.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The EPA explains and elaborates on these ambiguities and its
approach to address them in its September 13, 2013 Infrastructure
SIP Guidance (available at https://www3.epa.gov/airquality/urbanair/sipstatus/docs/
Guidance_on_Infrastructure_SIP_Elements_Multipollutant_FINAL_Sept
_2013.pdf), as well as in numerous EPA actions, including the EPA's
prior action on California's infrastructure SIP to address the 1997
and 2008 ozone NAAQS (79 FR 63350 (October 23, 2014)).
\2\ See U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit decision in
Montana Environmental Information Center v. EPA, No. 16-71933 (Aug.
30, 2018).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
II. Background
A. Statutory Requirements
As discussed in section I of this proposed rule, CAA section
110(a)(1) requires each state to submit to the EPA, within three years
after the promulgation of a primary or secondary NAAQS or any revision
thereof, an infrastructure SIP revision that provides for the
implementation, maintenance, and enforcement of such NAAQS. Section
110(a)(2) contains the infrastructure SIP requirements, which generally
relate to the information, authorities, compliance assurances,
procedural requirements, and control measures that constitute the
``infrastructure'' of a state's air quality management program. These
infrastructure SIP requirements (or ``elements'') required by section
110(a)(2) are as follows:
Section 110(a)(2)(A): Emission limits and other control
measures.
Section 110(a)(2)(B): Ambient air quality monitoring/data
system.
Section 110(a)(2)(C): Program for enforcement of control
measures and regulation of new and modified stationary sources.
Section 110(a)(2)(D)(i): Interstate pollution transport.
Section 110(a)(2)(D)(ii): Interstate pollution abatement
and international air pollution.
Section 110(a)(2)(E): Adequate resources and authority,
conflict of interest, and oversight of local and regional government
agencies.
Section 110(a)(2)(F): Stationary source monitoring and
reporting.
Section 110(a)(2)(G): Emergency episodes.
Section 110(a)(2)(H): SIP revisions.
Section 110(a)(2)(J): Consultation with government
officials, public notification, prevention of significant deterioration
(PSD), and visibility protection.
Section 110(a)(2)(K): Air quality modeling and submittal
of modeling data.
Section 110(a)(2)(L): Permitting fees.
Section 110(a)(2)(M): Consultation/participation by
affected local entities.
Two elements identified in section 110(a)(2) are not governed by
the three-year submittal deadline of section 110(a)(1) and are
therefore not addressed in this action. These two elements are: (i)
Section 110(a)(2)(C) to the extent it refers to permit programs
required under part D (nonattainment new source review (NSR)), and (ii)
section 110(a)(2)(I), pertaining to the nonattainment planning
requirements of part D. As a result, this action does not address
requirements for the nonattainment NSR portion of section 110(a)(2)(C)
or the whole of section 110(a)(2)(I).
B. NAAQS Addressed by This Proposal
Ground-level ozone pollution is formed from the reaction of
volatile organic compounds (VOC) and oxides of nitrogen
(NOX) in the presence of sunlight. These two pollutants,
referred to as ozone precursors, are emitted by many types of sources,
including on-and off-road motor vehicles and engines, power plants and
industrial facilities, and smaller area sources such as lawn and garden
equipment and paints. Scientific evidence indicates that adverse public
health effects occur following exposure to elevated levels of ozone,
particularly in children and adults with lung disease. Breathing air
containing ozone can reduce lung function and inflame airways, which
can increase respiratory symptoms and aggravate asthma or other lung
diseases.
On October 26, 2015, the EPA promulgated a revised NAAQS for
ozone.\3\ The EPA had previously promulgated NAAQS for ozone in 1979,
1997 and 2008. The 2015 ozone NAAQS revised the level of the standards
to 0.070 parts per million (ppm) averaged across eight hours.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\ 80 FR 65292.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
C. EPA Guidance Documents
EPA has issued several guidance memos on infrastructure SIPs that
have informed our evaluation, including the following:
March 2, 1978 guidance on the conflict of interest
requirements of section 128, pursuant to the requirement of section
110(a)(2)(E)(ii).\4\
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\4\ Memorandum dated March 2, 1978, from David O. Bickart,
Deputy General Counsel, Office of General Counsel (OGC), ``Guidance
to States for Meeting Conflict of Interest Requirements of Section
128.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
August 15, 2006 guidance on the interstate transport
requirements of section 110(a)(2)(D)(i) with respect to the 1997 ozone
and 1997 fine particulate matter (PM2.5) NAAQS (``2006
Transport Guidance'').\5\
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\5\ Memorandum dated August 15, 2006, from William T. Harnett,
Director, Air Quality Policy Division, Office of Air Quality
Planning and Standards (OAQPS), ``Guidance for State Implementation
Plan Submissions to Meet Current Outstanding Obligations Under
Section 110(a)(2)(D)(i) for the 8-Hour Ozone and PM2.5
National Ambient Air Quality Standards.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
September 25, 2009 guidance on infrastructure SIP
requirements for the 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS (``2009 Infrastructure
SIP Guidance'').\6\
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\6\ Memorandum dated September 25, 2009, from William T.
Harnett, Director, Air Quality Policy Division, OAQPS, ``Guidance on
SIP Elements Required Under Sections 110(a)(1) and (2) for the 2006
24-Hour Fine Particulate Matter National Ambient Air Quality
Standards.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
September 13, 2013 guidance on infrastructure SIP
requirements for the 2008 ozone, 2010 nitrogen dioxide
(NO2), 2010 sulfur dioxide (SO2), 2012
PM2.5, and future NAAQS (``2013 Infrastructure SIP
Guidance'').\7\
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\7\ Memorandum dated September 13, 2013, from Stephen D. Page,
Director, OAQPS, ``Guidance on Infrastructure State Implementation
Plan Elements under Clean Air Act Sections 110(a)(1) and
110(a)(2).''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
III. California's Submittal
In California, the California Air Resources Board (CARB or
``State'') is the state agency responsible for the adoption and
submission to the EPA of California SIPs and SIP revisions. CARB
submitted its infrastructure SIP revision (``2018 Infrastructure SIP''
or ``California's 2018 Submittal'') for the 2015 ozone NAAQS on October
1, 2018.\8\
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\8\ Letter dated October 1, 2018, from Richard W. Corey,
Executive Officer, CARB, to Michael Stoker, Regional Administrator,
EPA Region IX.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
On June 25, 2020, CARB supplemented its 2018 Infrastructure SIP by
submitting ozone emergency episode contingency plans for San Luis
Obispo County APCD, Amador County APCD, Calaveras County APCD, Mariposa
County APCD, Northern Sierra AQMD, and Tuolumne County APCD.\9\ It also
submitted an exemption request from emergency episode planning
requirements for Lake County AQMD based on that District's attainment
status. This submittal (``California's 2020 Submittal'') addresses CAA
section 110(a)(2)(G) requirements for the 2015 ozone NAAQS.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\9\ Letter dated June 16, 2020, from Richard W. Corey, Executive
Officer, CARB, to John Busterud, Regional Administrator, EPA Region
IX, with Ozone Emergency Episode Plans for Amador County, San Luis
Obispo County, Northern Sierra, Tuolumne County, Mariposa County,
and Calaveras County and Exemption Request for Lake County.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
We find that these submittals (referred to collectively herein as
``California's Infrastructure SIP Submittals'') meet the procedural
requirements for public participation under CAA section 110(a)(2) and
40 CFR 51.102. We also find that they meet the applicable completeness
criteria in Appendix V to
[[Page 65757]]
40 CFR part 51. We are proposing to act on California's Infrastructure
SIP Submittals.
IV. The EPA's Evaluation and Proposed Action
A. Proposed Approvals and Partial Approvals
Based upon the evaluation presented in this notice, the EPA
proposes to approve California's Infrastructure SIP Submittals with
respect to the 2015 ozone NAAQS for the following infrastructure SIP
requirements. Proposed partial approvals are indicated by the
parenthetical ``(in part).''
Section 110(a)(2)(A): Emission limits and other control
measures.
Section 110(a)(2)(B): Ambient air quality monitoring/data
system.
Section 110(a)(2)(C) (in part): Program for enforcement of
control measures and regulation of new and modified stationary sources.
110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II) (in part): Interstate pollution
transport.
Section 110(a)(2)(D)(ii) (in part): Interstate pollution
abatement and international air pollution.
Section 110(a)(2)(E): Adequate resources and authority,
conflict of interest, and oversight of local and regional government
agencies.
Section 110(a)(2)(F): Stationary source monitoring and
reporting.
Section 110(a)(2)(G): Emergency episodes.
Section 110(a)(2)(H): SIP revisions.
Section 110(a)(2)(J) (in part): Consultation with
government officials, public notification, PSD, and visibility
protection.
Section 110(a)(2)(K): Air quality modeling and submittal
of modeling data.
Section 110(a)(2)(L): Permitting fees.
Section 110(a)(2)(M): Consultation/participation by
affected local entities.
B. Proposed Partial Disapprovals
EPA proposes to partially disapprove California's Infrastructure
SIP Submittals with respect to the NAAQS identified for each of the
following infrastructure SIP requirements (details of the partial
disapprovals are presented after this list):
Section 110(a)(2)(C) (in part): Program for enforcement of
control measures and regulation of new and modified stationary sources
(due to prevention of significant deterioration (PSD) program
deficiencies in certain air districts).
Section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II) (in part): Interstate
pollution transport (due to PSD program deficiencies in certain air
districts).
Section 110(a)(2)(D)(ii) (in part): Interstate pollution
abatement and international air pollution.
Section 110(a)(2)(J) (in part): Consultation with
government officials, public notification, PSD, and visibility
protection (due to PSD program deficiencies in certain air districts).
These partial disapprovals are for districts in California that do
not have fully SIP-approved PSD programs. The disapprovals will not
create any new consequences for these districts or the EPA as the
districts already implement the EPA's federal PSD program at 40 CFR
52.21, pursuant to delegation agreements, for all regulated NSR
pollutants. They will also not create any new highway sanctions, which
are not triggered by disapprovals of infrastructure SIPs.
At this time, the EPA is not acting on the interstate transport
requirements of 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I), which prohibits emission sources
from contributing significantly to nonattainment, or interfering with
maintenance, of the NAAQS in another state. The EPA will propose action
on the interstate transport requirements for the 2015 ozone NAAQS in a
separate notice.
C. The EPA's Evaluation of California's Submittal
We have evaluated California's 2018 Infrastructure SIP and the
existing provisions of the California SIP for compliance with the
infrastructure SIP requirements of CAA section 110(a)(2) and applicable
regulations in 40 CFR part 51 (``Requirements for Preparation,
Adoption, and Submittal of State Implementation Plans'').
1. CAA Section 110(a)(2)(A)--Emission Limits and Other Control Measures
a. Statutory and Regulatory Requirements
Section 110(a)(2)(A) requires SIPs to ``include enforceable
emission limitations and other control measures, means, or techniques
(including economic incentives such as fees, marketable permits, and
auctions of emissions rights), as well as schedules and timetables for
compliance, as may be necessary or appropriate to meet the applicable
requirements of this Act.''
In the 2013 Infrastructure SIP Guidance, the EPA states that a
submittal meets the requirements of CAA section 110(a)(2)(A) if it
identifies ``existing EPA-approved SIP provisions or new SIP provisions
that the air agency has adopted and submitted for EPA approval that
limit emissions of pollutants relevant to the subject NAAQS, including
precursors of the relevant NAAQS pollutant where applicable.''
VOC and NOX are precursors to ozone formation across all
source categories. Their emissions are grouped into two general
categories: Stationary sources and mobile sources. Stationary sources
are further divided into ``point'' and ``area'' sources. Point sources
typically refer to permitted facilities that have one or more
identified and fixed pieces of equipment and emissions points.
Stationary area sources are many smaller point sources, and include
sources that have internal combustion engines, and gasoline dispensing
facilities (gas stations). Area sources consist of widespread and
numerous smaller emission sources, such as small permitted facilities
and households. The mobile sources category can be divided into two
major subcategories: ``on-road'' and ``off-road'' mobile sources. On-
road mobile sources include light-duty automobiles, light-, medium-,
and heavy-duty trucks, and motorcycles. Off-road mobile sources include
aircraft, locomotives, construction equipment, mobile equipment, and
recreational vehicles.
b. Summary of the State's Submission
In its 2018 submittal, California describes different regulatory
authorities in California involving state, local, and federal
governments. The submittal explains that the state agency, California
Air Resources Board (CARB), has authority to adopt and implement
controls for on-road and off-road mobile sources, as well as for the
fuels that power them. CARB also has authority to regulate consumer
products. Local air pollution control districts have authority to adopt
and implement controls for stationary sources and small local
businesses. If a district fails to meet its responsibilities, CARB is
authorized to act in its stead. Some of CARB's authorities also
complement federal control measures, such as standards for fuels and
vehicles that the EPA establishes. Although CARB acknowledges that
several areas in California have not yet met the ozone standards, it
notes that current and future regulations implemented under state and
local authority will enable continued progress towards attaining those
standards.
CARB describes how it has regulated a wide range of mobile sources,
including heavy-duty trucks and passenger vehicles that are already in
use. CARB has also regulated fuels. In the submittal, CARB states that
these regulations have reduced emissions from vehicles and off-road
sources such as lawn and garden equipment,
[[Page 65758]]
recreational vehicles and boats, and construction equipment.
Starting with mobile sources, California states that its stringent
motor vehicle and fuel standards, in-use rules, and inspection programs
such as Smog Check and heavy-duty truck inspections have resulted in
cars and trucks that are 99 percent and 98 percent cleaner,
respectively, than their uncontrolled counterparts. In addition, CARB
describes its emission standards for off-road sources and states that
it has collaborated with the EPA to regulate sources subject to a
combination of state and federal authority, as exemplified by
locomotive engine standards and low-sulfur diesel fuel standards for
near-shore ships.
With respect to stationary sources and small local businesses, CARB
states that emission limits are achieved through a combination of
prohibitory rules establishing emission limits by facility type,
permits specifying equipment use and operating parameters, and an NSR
program that allows industrial growth while mitigating environmental
impacts. Examples of facilities regulated under such district programs
include refineries, manufacturing facilities, cement plants,
refinishing operations, electrical generation and biomass facilities,
boilers, and generators.\10\ The state then provides examples of SIP-
approved emission control measures for VOCs (listed as hydrocarbons, or
HC) and NOX.\11\
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\10\ California's 2018 Infrastructure SIP, 6.
\11\ Id. at 7, Table 3.
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Finally, CARB notes that all EPA-approved SIP provisions that limit
emissions of ozone precursors, along with all other pollutants, are
listed online at the website https://www.epa.gov/sips-ca. These rules,
along with others mentioned in California's submittal, are discussed
further in our evaluation section below.
c. The EPA's Review of the State's Submission
California's 2018 Infrastructure SIP broadly describes, and
provides examples of, the emission limitations employed by the State
and air districts to achieve emission reductions that will help areas
within the State attain and maintain the 2015 ozone NAAQS. The
submittal also includes the table below with specific examples of
measures that control emissions of ozone precursors. Some emissions
control one precursor, while others control multiple precursors and may
also control other pollutants that are not affected by the 2015 ozone
NAAQS. The control measures in this table reflect the authorities of
state and local air agencies in a variety of geographic areas in
California. These measures control the ozone precursors of HCs, VOCs,
and NOX. The state-level regulations reflect state authority
to regulate emissions from vehicles and fuels and to regulate consumer
products. The local air district regulations reflect local authority to
regulate stationary sources, such as boilers and cement kilns, as well
as stationary area sources like confined animal feeding operations.
Additional examples of rules that control ozone precursor emissions
were discussed in the EPA's Overarching Technical Support Document \12\
for our 2016 final action on California's Infrastructure SIP Submission
for the 2008 ozone NAAQS.
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\12\ California Infrastructure SIP Overarching Technical Support
Document, U.S. EPA, Region 9 (September 2014).
Table 1--Examples of California SIP-Approved Emission Control Measures
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollutant or precursor
Rule description emission controlled a Rule/regulation number Federal Register
b citation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Exhaust Emissions Standards and Test HC, NOX, PM, CO........ State Regulation 13 CCR 75 FR 26653.
Procedures--1985 & Subsequent Model 1956.8.
Heavy-Duty Engines and Vehicles.
Exhaust Emissions Standards and Test HC, NOX, PM, CO........ State Regulation 13 CCR 75 FR 26653.
Procedures--2004 & Subsequent Model 1961.
Passenger Cars, Light-Duty Trucks,
and Medium-Duty Vehicles.
California Reformulated Gasoline HC, SOX................ State Regulation 13 CCR 60 FR 43379, 75 FR
Regulations. 2250-2297. 26653.
Regulations for Large Spark-Ignition HC, NOX................ State Regulation 13 CCR 80 FR 76468.
Engines and Off-Road Large Spark 2433, 13 CCR 2775-
Ignition Engine Fleet Requirements. 2775.2.
Consumer Products.................... VOC.................... State Regulation, 17 77 FR 7535.
CCR Subchapter 8.5,
Article 2.
RECLAIM (Regional Clean Air NOX.................... South Coast AQMD Rule 80 FR 43176.
Incentives Market) Program. 2002.
NOX Emissions from Natural Gas Fired, NOX.................... South Coast AQMD Rule 81 FR 17390.
Fan-Type Central Furnace. 1111.
Crude Oil Production Sumps........... HC..................... San Joaquin Valley APCD 77 FR 64227.
Rule 4402.
Confined Animal Facility Operations.. VOC.................... San Joaquin Valley APCD 77 FR 2228.
Rule 4570.
Portland Cement Kilns................ NOX.................... Mojave Desert AQMD Rule 68 FR 9015.
1161.
Glass Melting Furnaces............... VOC, NOX............... Mojave Desert AQMD Rule 77 FR 39181.
1165.
Transfer of Gasoline into Vehicle HC..................... Sacramento Metro AQMD 78 FR 898.
Fuel Tanks. Rule 449.
Stationary Internal Combustion NOX.................... Sacramento Metro AQMD 61 FR 18962.
Engines Located at Major Stationary Rule 412.
Sources of NOX.
NOX and CO from Boilers, Steam NOX.................... Bay Area AQMD Rule 10.. 73 FR 17896.
Generators and Process Heaters in
Petroleum Refineries.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\a\ HC = hydrocarbons; NOX = oxides of nitrogen; PM = particulate matter; CO = carbon monoxide; SOX = oxides of
sulfur; VOC = volatile organic compounds, SO2 = sulfur dioxide.
\b\ CCR = California Code of Regulations, AQMD = Air Quality Management District, APCD = Air Pollution Control
District.
In sum, the state and local emission limit provisions in the
California SIP, including those cited in California's 2018 Submittal,
for mobile, area, and stationary sources address a wide variety of
sources and are extensive. The NOX and VOC emission limits
serve to limit ambient ozone concentrations, which will help all areas
in the State attain and maintain the 2015 ozone NAAQS. We therefore
propose to find that the SIP-approved emission limits discussed in
California's Infrastructure SIP Submittals and in this notice provide
an adequate basis to conclude that California meets the requirements of
CAA section 110(a)(2)(A) for the 2015 ozone NAAQS.
[[Page 65759]]
2. CAA Section 110(a)(2)(B)--Ambient Air Quality Monitoring/Data System
a. Statutory and Regulatory Requirements
Section 110(a)(2)(B) of the CAA requires SIPs to ``provide for
establishment and operation of appropriate devices, methods, systems,
and procedures necessary to--(i) monitor, compile, and analyze data on
ambient air quality, and (ii) upon request, make such data available to
the Administrator.''
In the 2013 Infrastructure SIP Guidance, the EPA states that a
submittal meets the requirements of CAA section 110(a)(2)(B) if it
cites its authority to perform air quality monitoring, collect air
quality data, and submit that data to the EPA, and provides a narrative
description of how those provisions meet the requirements. The guidance
notes that some authorizing provisions may provide general authority
that includes monitoring activities. In the 2013 Infrastructure SIP
Guidance, the EPA also notes that, for new or revised NAAQS, submittals
should describe how the state will meet changes in monitoring
requirements.
b. Summary of the State's Submission
In its 2018 Infrastructure SIP, California cites its overall
authority to implement air quality control programs in Health and
Safety Code (HSC) 39602. CARB also cites HSC 39607(a) and 39607(c) as
the provisions that authorize it to collect air quality data and to
monitor air pollutants in cooperation with local agencies, including
local air districts.\13\ Although these provisions are not SIP-
approved, they direct the state to ``[e]stablish a program to secure
data on air quality in each air basin'' and to ``[m]onitor air
pollutants in cooperation with districts and with other agencies.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\13\ California's 2018 Infrastructure SIP, 8.
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In its submittal, California goes on to describe the state's
monitoring network and requirements. CARB notes that over 700 monitors
operate at over 250 sites in the State and that current information
about individual monitors, and the data the monitors collect, are
available on CARB's website. The data are also reported to the EPA's
Air Quality System.
CARB describes how it and local districts conduct annual
evaluations of the adequacy of the monitoring networks in annual
network monitoring reports submitted to the EPA. Ten districts submit
their own reports, and CARB submits a report that covers the remaining
25 districts. The reports provide information about monitoring
locations and data collected at those sites. Types of monitoring
conducted at these sites include ``State and Local Air Monitoring
sites, National Core multi-pollutant monitoring stations, Chemical
Speciation Network sites, Special Purpose Monitoring sites, and
Photochemical Assessment Monitoring sites operated by CARB and the
districts, as well as other data providers such as the National Park
Service in more than 30 Core Based Statistical Areas.'' \14\ The EPA
approves the reports and provides information on areas where the
network can be improved. CARB explains that data that are collected for
federal purposes are measured using EPA-approved methods and that they
are subject to the quality assurance and siting requirements of 40 CFR
part 58.
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\14\ Id. at 9.
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The 2018 Infrastructure SIP submission notes that the 2015 ozone
standard did not establish new monitoring requirements, and states that
the current network is adequate to continue monitoring for attainment
status with the new standard.
c. The EPA's Review of the State's Submission
In its 2018 submittal, CARB cites HSC section 39602 for overarching
SIP authority, and HSC sections 39607(a) and (c) for specific authority
to establish air quality monitoring with the air districts. CARB also
describes California's network of monitors, how data are collected and
made publicly available online, and how data are submitted to the EPA
annually. We propose to find that California's provisions for
monitoring and data collection provide adequate authority to monitor
ambient air quality for purposes of CAA section 110(a)(2)(B) with
respect to the 2015 ozone NAAQS.
With respect to California's compliance with the federal regulatory
requirements relevant for section 110(a)(2)(B), we reviewed
California's 2018 Infrastructure SIP in conjunction with California's
2019 Annual Network Plans (ANPs) and the EPA response letters to those
plans. As California's 2018 Infrastructure SIP notes, CARB and ten
districts submit ANPs to the EPA every year. The most recent ANPs
California was required to submit to the EPA were for the year 2019.
The EPA has approved all of the 2019 ANPs, and they are included in the
docket for this action, along with the EPA's response letters.
Consequently, California's 2018 Infrastructure SIP, along with its 2017
ANPs, provide an adequate basis for the EPA to propose approval with
respect to CAA section 110(a)(2)(B).
3. CAA Section 110(a)(2)(C)--Program for Enforcement of Control
Measures and for Construction or Modification of Stationary Sources
a. Statutory and Regulatory Requirements
Section 110(a)(2)(C) requires that each SIP ``include a program to
provide for the enforcement of the measures described in [section
110(a)(2)(A)], and regulation of the modification and construction of
any stationary source within the areas covered by the plan as necessary
to assure that [NAAQS] are achieved, including a permit program as
required in parts C and D [of title I of the Act].''
In the 2013 Infrastructure SIP guidance, the EPA states, ``[t]his
element consists of three sub-elements; enforcement, state-wide
regulation of new and modified minor sources and minor modifications of
major sources; and preconstruction permitting of major sources and
major modifications in areas designated attainment or unclassifiable
for the subject NAAQS as required by CAA title I part C (i.e., the
major source PSD program).'' The EPA's guidance also explains that the
element C requirement for infrastructure SIPs to comply with CAA title
I part C requirements encompasses all regulated NSR pollutants, not
just the 2015 ozone NAAQS.
i. Enforcement
With respect to the requirement to include a program to provide for
the enforcement of control measures, the EPA is evaluating the state's
general enforcement authorities to determine whether they have been
approved into California's SIP and whether they adequately provide for
SIP enforcement statewide. In the 2013 Infrastructure SIP Guidance, the
EPA states, ``To satisfy this subelement, an infrastructure SIP
submission should identify the statutes, regulations, or other
provisions in the existing SIP (or new provisions that are submitted as
part of the infrastructure SIP to be incorporated into the SIP) that
provide for enforcement of those emission limits and control measures
that the air agency has identified in its submission for purposes of
satisfying Element A.''
ii. PSD Permitting
The EPA is also evaluating whether California has a complete PSD
permitting program in place covering the requirements for all NAAQS
pollutants. The PSD program applies to
[[Page 65760]]
any new major source or a source making a major modification in an
attainment area. The program requirements include installation of the
best available control technology (BACT), an air quality analysis, an
additional impacts analysis, and public involvement. For the purposes
of infrastructure SIPs, the EPA evaluates whether state PSD programs
address the following ``structural elements'': (1) Provisions
identifying NOX as an ozone precursor consistent with the
requirements of the EPA's Phase 2 implementation rule for the 1997 8-
hour ozone NAAQS; \15\ (2) provisions to regulate PM2.5,
including condensable PM, and its precursor emissions (SO2
in all areas, and NOX and/or VOC as appropriate), consistent
with the requirements of the EPA's NSR/PSD implementation rule for the
1997 PM2.5 NAAQS; \16\ and (3) provisions to regulate
Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) consistent with the EPA's regulations to
implement the PSD program for GHGs, including ``Prevention of
Significant Deterioration and Title V Greenhouse Gas Tailoring Rule,''
\17\ and ``Limitation of Approval of Prevention of Significant
Deterioration Provisions Concerning Greenhouse Gas Emitting-Sources in
State Implementation Plans,'' \18\ as applicable.
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\15\ 70 FR 71611 (November 29, 2005) (codified at 40 CFR
51.166(b)(1)(ii), (b)(2)(ii), (b)(23)(i), (b)(49)(i)).
\16\ 73 FR 28321 (May 16, 2008) (codified at 40 CFR
51.166(b)(23)(i), (b)(49)(i), (b)(49)(vi)).
\17\ 75 FR 31514 (June 3, 2010).
\18\ 75 FR 82535 (December 30, 2010).
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iii. Minor NSR
With respect to the requirement to include a program that provides
for regulation of the modification and construction of stationary
sources, the EPA is evaluating whether California has existing EPA-
approved SIP provisions for Minor NSR for the 2015 ozone NAAQS. The
Minor NSR program applies to a new minor source and/or a minor
modification at both major and minor sources, in both attainment and
nonattainment areas. Major sources are facilities that have the
potential to emit pollutants in amounts equal to or greater than the
corresponding major source threshold levels. These threshold levels
vary by pollutant and/or source category. Major sources must comply
with specific emission limits, which are generally more stringent in
nonattainment areas. Minor sources are facilities that have the
potential to emit pollutants in amounts less than the corresponding
major source thresholds.
Under the Minor NSR program, new sources or modifications at
existing sources must comply with any emissions control measures
required by the state. The program must not interfere with attainment
or maintenance of the NAAQS or the control strategies of a SIP or
tribal implementation plan (TIP).
b. Summary of the State's Submission
i. Enforcement
California's 2018 Infrastructure SIP describes three provisions of
the state HSC that provide CARB and air districts with enforcement
authority. HSC section 40001(a) states, ``Subject to the powers and
duties of the state board, the districts shall adopt and enforce rules
and regulations to achieve and maintain the state and federal ambient
air quality standards in all areas affected by emission sources under
their jurisdiction, and shall enforce all applicable provisions of
state and federal law.'' HSC section 40000 gives CARB the authority to
regulate mobile sources and local air districts the authority to
regulate all other sources. California's HSC thus provides for the
control of all types of sources and for the enforcement of those
controls. In addition, HSC section 39002 gives local and regional
authorities primary responsibility for control of air pollution from
all sources other than vehicular sources.
ii. PSD Permitting
In its 2018 Infrastructure SIP, CARB explains that districts have
the authority to adopt and enforce PSD permitting programs under HSC
section 40000. The state explains that PSD applies statewide for new
major sources or major modifications to existing major sources of
NO2, SO2 and CO because all areas in California
are designated as attainment or unclassifiable for each NAAQS for those
pollutants. PSD also applies in areas that are attainment or
unclassifiable for the other NAAQS. A spreadsheet \19\ listing the
attainment status of California air districts for all NAAQS is included
in the docket for this rulemaking. PSD permits can be issued by local
districts, the EPA, or both.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\19\ EPA Region IX, Spreadsheet of Nonattainment Areas in
California Air Districts.
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The submittal includes a table from the EPA's website listing
districts that have SIP-approved PSD permit programs. The table
indicates that 14 districts have PSD programs that are approved into
the SIP: Bay Area,\20\ Butte County,\21\ Eastern Kern,\22\ Feather
River,\23\ Great Basin,\24\ Imperial County,\25\ Monterey Bay,\26\
Placer County,\27\ Sacramento Metro,\28\ San Joaquin Valley,\29\ San
Luis Obispo,\30\ Santa Barbara,\31\ Yolo-Solano,\32\ and Ventura.\33\
At the time of CARB's submission of the 2018 Infrastructure SIP,
Sacramento Metro was incorrectly listed on the EPA's website as having
a fully SIP-approved PSD program. Sacramento Metro, along with four
other air districts (Mendocino, North Coast, Northern Sonoma, and South
Coast) operate PSD programs under a partial Federal Implementation Plan
(FIP) and are not completely SIP-approved. The website has since been
corrected.\34\ The remaining 17 districts in California operate either
partially or fully under a FIP, and do not have full SIP-approved PSD
programs. Therefore, 22 air districts in California do not fully meet
the PSD requirements of element C.
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\20\ 83 FR 23372 (May 21, 2018).
\21\ 80 FR 69880 (November 12, 2015).
\22\ 77 FR 73316 (December 10, 2012).
\23\ 80 FR 69880.
\24\ Id.
\25\ 77 FR 73316.
\26\ 80 FR 15899 (March 26, 2015).
\27\ 77 FR 73316.
\28\ 76 FR 43183 (July 20, 2011).
\29\ 77 FR 65305 (October 26, 2012).
\30\ 80 FR 69880.
\31\ 80 FR 69880.
\32\ 77 FR 73316.
\33\ 82 FR 13243 (March 10, 2017).
\34\ https://www.epa.gov/caa-permitting/air-permit-delegation-and-psd-sip-approval-status-epa-region-9#ca (last visited on
September 14, 2020).
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iii. Minor NSR
For Minor NSR programs, California reiterates that local districts
are responsible for regulating stationary sources in California under
HSC 39002 and 40000. CARB explains that this responsibility extends to
implementing a Minor NSR program, and that all 35 California air
districts administer their own Minor NSR programs. CARB also explains
that many of the NSR rules are SIP-approved and explains that
information about the approval status of those rules is available from
the EPA.
c. The EPA's Review of the State's Submission
i. Enforcement
California described HSC sections 39002, 40000, and 40001 in its
2018 Infrastructure SIP submittal. These three provisions provide
authority to CARB and local air districts to enforce the emission
limits on mobile and stationary sources which were described in element
A.
In addition to the three authority provisions cited in California's
2018 Infrastructure SIP, CARB has identified other statutory
enforcement authorities in previous submittals. These include
[[Page 65761]]
HSC 40752, which requires the air pollution control officers for each
air district to observe and enforce rules, regulations, and permit
conditions, and HSC 40753, which gives air pollution control officers
authority to enforce certain air pollution-related provisions of
California's Vehicular Code. They also included the provisions of HSC
section 42400 et seq., which establish criminal and civil penalties for
violations of state and district rules, regulations, and permits.
Further, the EPA's proposal to approve California's previous
infrastructure SIP identified additional statutory provisions that
relate to inspection and enforcement authority at the state and
district level. It also identified numerous SIP-approved state and
local rules that provide CARB and the air districts with authority to
enforce SIP-approved emissions limits on various types of sources.
These measures are described in the EPA's Overarching Technical Support
Document for the EPA's action on California's previous Infrastructure
SIP submission.\35\ Some of the enforcement authorities apply broadly,
while others are specific to the SIP-approved rules they address. For
example, Lassen County APCD's agricultural burning rule cites the
penalty provisions of HSC 42400 and establishes procedures for
documenting violations of that rule. San Joaquin Valley APCD's rules
1040 and 1050 are general enforcement and penalty provisions that
incorporate the enforcement authorities and penalty provisions of the
state HSC into district rules.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\35\ California Infrastructure SIP Overarching Technical Support
Document, U.S. EPA, Region 9 (September 2014).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Based on the provisions cited in California's 2018 Infrastructure
SIP and the SIP-approved provisions discussed in the EPA's previous
action on California's multi-pollutant infrastructure SIP, we propose
to approve California's 2018 Infrastructure SIP submittal with respect
to the requirement in section 110(a)(2)(C) to include a program to
provide for the enforcement of control measures.
ii. PSD Permitting
For the 13 local air districts with EPA-approved PSD programs, we
are proposing to partially approve California's 2018 Infrastructure SIP
for the PSD portion of 110(a)(2)(C). This represents an increase from
the EPA's 2016 final action on California's previous infrastructure
SIP, when only seven air districts met the PSD requirements.\36\ These
districts' PSD programs met all of the structural elements, in addition
to other requirements for PSD rule approval, and were fully approved
into the SIP.
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\36\ 81 FR 18766 at 18772 (April 1, 2016).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Of the remaining 22 local air districts, five are subject to a
partial FIP, which means their programs cover some, but not all, of the
structural elements. These are the Mendocino County, North Coast
Unified, Northern Sonoma County, Sacramento Metro, and South Coast air
district PSD programs. South Coast AQMD has a SIP-approved PSD program
for GHGs only, but it does not have a SIP-approved PSD program to
address the other two structural elements. Mendocino County AQMD,
Northern Sonoma County APCD, and Sacramento Metro AQMD each have PSD
programs that generally address the structural PSD elements, but
certain sources are subject to a FIP rather than the local PSD
program.\37\ In addition, the PSD program of North Coast Unified AQMD
is subject to a FIP to address deficiencies related to identifying
NOX as an ozone precursor and specifying requirements for
the regulation of PM2.5, PM2.5 precursors,
condensable PM2.5, or PSD increments for PM2.5.
None of the 17 remaining air districts in California have SIP-approved
PSD programs. Consequently, they do not meet any of the structural
elements.
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\37\ These sources are cogeneration and resource recovery
projects, projects with stack heights greater than 65 meters or that
use ``dispersion techniques'' as defined in 51.100 (which are major
sources or major modifications under 52.21), and sources for which
the EPA has issued permits under 52.21 for which applications were
received by July 31, 1985.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the 22 local air districts that do not meet each of the
structural PSD elements for all criteria pollutants, we are proposing
to partially disapprove California's 2018 Infrastructure SIP for the
PSD-related requirements of CAA section 110(a)(2)(C). However, because
each of these districts is already subject to a PSD FIP for each of the
specific deficiencies, a final action of this proposed partial
disapproval will not trigger any new obligation for the EPA to
promulgate a FIP.
iii. Minor NSR
In the EPA's final rule approving California's previous
infrastructure SIP, we determined that all California air districts had
SIP-approved minor source permit programs that require minor sources to
obtain a permit prior to construction. These Minor NSR programs cover
all NAAQS through a broad definition of the term ``air contaminants.''
The EPA's approvals are codified at 40 CFR 52.220 and have not been
removed or replaced. Some local program rules have been updated; a
table of those rules and their citations is included in the docket for
this rulemaking.\38\ Because all districts in California continue to
have approved minor source permit programs, the EPA proposes to approve
the 2018 Infrastructure SIP for the Minor NSR requirements of element
C.
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\38\ EPA Region IX, Spreadsheet of California Minor NSR
Programs.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. CAA Section 110(a)(2)(D)--Interstate and International Air Pollution
a. Statutory and Regulatory Requirements
The requirements of CAA section 110(a)(2)(D) can be broken down
into six sub-elements. The EPA refers to the first four of these sub-
elements as ``prongs.'' Prongs 1 and 2, which include the requirements
of CAA section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I), prohibit emission sources from
contributing significantly to nonattainment, or interfering with
maintenance, of the NAAQS in another state. The EPA is not evaluating
California's 2018 Submittal against those requirements at this time and
will propose action on the interstate transport requirements for the
2015 ozone NAAQS in a separate notice.
CAA section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II) requires SIPs to include provisions
prohibiting any source or other type of emissions activity in one state
from interfering with measures required of any other state to prevent
significant deterioration of air quality (Prong 3) or from interfering
with measures required of any other state to protect visibility in
Class I areas (Prong 4). The EPA's 2006 Transport Guidance states that
the requirements of interstate transport Prong 3 may be met by the
state's confirmation in a SIP submission that major sources and major
modifications in the state are subject to PSD and nonattainment NSR
programs that implement the relevant standards.\39\ The EPA's
subsequent guidance memos rely or expand upon the legal and technical
rationale presented in the 2006 Transport Guidance.\40\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\39\ 2006 Transport Guidance, 6.
\40\ 2009 Infrastructure SIP Guidance, 4-5, and 2013
Infrastructure SIP Guidance, 30-32.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Therefore, to meet the requirements of Prong 3 in section
110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II) regarding measures to prevent significant
deterioration of air quality, states may submit infrastructure SIPs
confirming that major sources and major modifications in the state are
subject to comprehensive EPA-approved PSD programs and nonattainment
NSR programs that address the NAAQS
[[Page 65762]]
pollutants for areas of the state that have been designated
nonattainment. States waiting for EPA action on their nonattainment NSR
programs may implement 40 CFR part 51 Appendix S to meet this
infrastructure SIP requirement.
Prong 4 of section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II) prohibits emissions activity
within one state from interfering with measures required in another
state to protect visibility. In the 2013 Infrastructure SIP Guidance,
the EPA indicates that states can meet the requirements of Prong 4 by
having an approved SIP that fully meets the EPA's regulations for
regional haze.
The fifth and sixth sub-elements under 110(a)(2)(D) concern the
interstate pollution abatement requirements of CAA section 126 and the
international transport requirements of CAA section 115. In the EPA's
2013 Infrastructure SIP Guidance, the EPA states that this sub-element
is satisfied when an infrastructure SIP ensures compliance with the
applicable requirements of CAA sections 126(a), 126(b) and 126(c), and
115.
b. Summary of the State's Submission
For Prong 3, California states in its 2018 submittal that the
requirement to prevent states from interfering with the ability of
other states to prevent significant deterioration of air quality can be
satisfied by SIP-approved PSD programs and SIP-approved nonattainment
NSR programs. CARB states that, as described in the submission for
element C, 14 districts have SIP-approved PSD programs. However, as
noted earlier in this notice, only 13 districts have SIP-approved PSD
programs. CARB also notes that many districts in California have SIP-
approved nonattainment NSR programs. For Prong 4, CARB states that the
EPA fully approved California's Regional Haze SIP in June 2011.\41\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\41\ 76 FR 34608 (June 14, 2011).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the requirements of 110(a)(2)(D)(ii) concerning interstate
pollution abatement and international transport, CARB states in its
submittal that no CAA 126 petitions have been filed by other states
against California regarding emissions from any source or group of
stationary sources that cause or would cause or contribute to
violations of the NAAQS in the petitioning state. With respect to the
international pollution abatement provisions of CAA section 115, CARB
states that the EPA Administrator has not made any findings that
California causes or contributes to air pollution in a foreign country
that may reasonably be anticipated to endanger public health or
welfare.
c. The EPA's Review of the State's Submission
In the 2013 Infrastructure SIP Guidance, the EPA explains its
interpretation of Prong 3 ``to mean that the infrastructure SIP
submission should have provisions to prevent emissions of any regulated
pollutant from interfering with any other air agency's comprehensive
PSD permitting program, in addition to the new or revised NAAQS that is
the subject of the infrastructure submission.'' It also notes that,
since nonattainment NSR requirements are due after infrastructure SIPs
for new and revised NAAQS, ``a fully approved nonattainment NSR program
with respect to any previous NAAQS may generally be considered by the
EPA as adequate for purposes of meeting the requirement of prong 3 with
respect to sources and pollutants subject to such program.'' Because
all districts in California are in attainment for at least one NAAQS, a
SIP-approved PSD program is necessary to meet the requirements of Prong
3. In areas that are nonattainment for any NAAQS, a prior SIP-approved
nonattainment NSR program is also required. A spreadsheet listing the
attainment status of all California air districts for all NAAQS is
included in the docket for this rulemaking.\42\
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\42\ EPA Region IX, Spreadsheet of Nonattainment Areas in
California Air Districts.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
To determine whether California meets the Prong 3 requirements, we
analyzed the attainment status of each district for all NAAQS to
determine whether they are required to have SIP-approved PSD programs,
SIP-approved nonattainment NSR programs, or both.
Nine districts have both SIP-approved PSD programs and SIP-approved
nonattainment NSR programs: Bay Area, Butte, Eastern Kern, Feather
River, Imperial, Placer, San Joaquin, Ventura, and Yolo-Solano. San
Luis Obispo has a SIP-approved PSD program and submitted a 2008 ozone
nonattainment NSR rule that has not yet been approved by the EPA, so
the district relies on 40 CFR part 51 Appendix S for permitting of
sources that emit ozone precursors.\43\ We propose to fully approve
these 10 districts for the requirements of element D, Prong 3.
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\43\ Letter dated September 25, 2019, from Dora K. Drexler,
Manager, Engineering & Compliance Division, San Luis Obispo County
Air Pollution Control District, to Gerardo Rios, Chief, Air Permits
Office, EPA Region IX.
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Three additional districts, Great Basin, Monterey Bay, and Santa
Barbara, have SIP-approved PSD programs. Monterey Bay and Santa Barbara
are in attainment with all NAAQS, so their PSD programs alone are
sufficient to meet the requirements of Prong 3. Great Basin is a
nonattainment area for PM10 that has a previously approved
nonattainment NSR program, which satisfies the requirements of Prong 3.
We propose to fully approve these three districts for the requirements
of element D, Prong 3.
Twelve districts have SIP-approved nonattainment NSR programs or
are using Appendix S, but do not have a SIP-approved PSD program
covering all pollutants. These districts are Amador,\44\ Antelope
Valley, Calaveras, El Dorado, Mariposa,\45\ Mojave Desert, Northern
Sierra,\46\ Sacramento Metro, San Diego, South Coast, Tehama,\47\ and
Tuolumne.\48\ We propose to partially disapprove these 12 districts for
the PSD requirements of element D, Prong 3. Because these districts
already implement the EPA's PSD FIP, there are no further consequences
and no further FIP obligations on the EPA.
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\44\ Letter dated September 17, 2019, from Jim McHargue, Air
Pollution Control Officer, Amador Air District, to Gerardo Rios,
Chief, Air Permits Office, EPA Region IX.
\45\ Letter dated August 23, 2019, from Eric Sergienko,
Director, Mariposa County Air Pollution Control District, to Gerardo
Rios, Chief, Air Permits Office, EPA Region IX.
\46\ Letter dated August 27, 2019, from Gretchen Bennitt,
Executive Director, Northern Sierra Air Quality Management District,
to Gerardo Rios, Chief, Air Permits Office, EPA Region IX.
\47\ Letter dated September 27, 2019, from Joseph Tona, County
of Tehama Air Pollution Control District, to Gerardo Rios, Chief,
Air Permits Office, EPA Region IX.
\48\ Letter dated November 4, 2019, from Kelle Schroeder, Air
Pollution Control Officer, County of Tuolumne, to Gerardo Rios,
Chief, Air Permits Office, EPA Region IX.
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Ten districts are in attainment for all NAAQS and have no SIP-
approved PSD programs in place. These districts are Colusa, Glenn,
Lake, Lassen, Mendocino, Modoc, North Coast, Northern Sonoma, Shasta,
and Siskiyou. Because these districts are not nonattainment for any
NAAQS, nonattainment NSR requirements do not apply. However, because
these districts all implement the EPA's PSD FIP, they do not meet the
PSD requirements of element D, Prong 3. We propose to partially
disapprove these districts for element D, Prong 3. Because these
districts implement the EPA's PSD FIP, no further FIP obligation
applies.
The requirements of Prong 4 relate to the Regional Haze Rule. The
EPA previously approved California's most recent SIP submittal for
Regional Haze.\49\ As noted in the EPA's 2013 Infrastructure SIP
Guidance, an
[[Page 65763]]
approved Regional Haze submittal meets the requirements for Prong 4. We
therefore propose to approve the 2018 Infrastructure SIP for the Prong
4 requirements of CAA section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\49\ 76 FR 34608 (June 14, 2011).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
With respect to the requirement in CAA section 110(a)(2)(D)(ii)
regarding compliance with the applicable requirements of section 126
relating to interstate pollution abatement, we note that the
requirements of section 126(b) and (c), which pertain to petitions by
affected states to EPA regarding sources violating the interstate
transport provisions of CAA section 110(a)(2)(D)(i), do not apply to
our action because there are no such pending petitions relating to
California. We therefore concur with California in this regard and have
evaluated its 2018 Submittal only for purposes of compliance with CAA
section 126(a).
Section 126(a) of the CAA requires that each SIP require that
proposed, major new or modified sources, which may significantly
contribute to violations of the NAAQS in any air quality control region
in other states, to notify all potentially affected, nearby states.
Many of California's 35 permitting jurisdictions (i.e., air districts)
have SIP-approved PSD permit programs that require notice to nearby
states consistent with the EPA's relevant requirements. Specifically,
the following air districts meet the requirements of CAA section
126(a): Bay Area, Butte, Eastern Kern, Feather River, Imperial, Placer,
San Joaquin, Ventura, Yolo-Solano, San Luis Obispo, Great Basin,
Monterey Bay, and Santa Barbara. We are proposing partial approval of
the 2018 Infrastructure SIP for these districts for the requirements of
CAA 110(a)(2)(D)(ii).
The remaining air districts do not have fully SIP-approved PSD
programs covering all pollutants. Thus, California remains deficient
with respect to the PSD requirements in part C, title I of the Act and
with respect to the requirement in CAA section 126(a) regarding
notification to affected, nearby states of major new or modified
sources proposing to locate in these remaining air districts. We are
proposing partial disapproval of the 2018 Infrastructure SIP for the
requirements of 110(a)(2)(D)(ii) for Amador, Antelope Valley,
Calaveras, Colusa, El Dorado, Glenn, Lake, Lassen, Mariposa, Mendocino,
Modoc, Mojave Desert, North Coast, Northern Sierra, Northern Sonoma,
Sacramento Metro, San Diego, Shasta, Siskiyou South Coast, Tehama, and
Tuolumne air districts. These deficiencies are, however, adequately
addressed with respect to all regulated NSR pollutants in such air
districts by the Federal PSD program in 40 CFR 52.21 and no further
action is required. For these reasons, we propose to find that the
California SIP partially meets, and partially does not meet the
requirement in CAA section 110(a)(2)(D)(ii) regarding compliance with
the applicable interstate pollution abatement requirements of CAA
section 126.
Section 115 of the CAA authorizes the EPA Administrator to require
a state to revise its SIP when certain criteria are met and the
Administrator has reason to believe that any air pollutant emitted in
the United States causes or contributes to air pollution which may
reasonably be anticipated to endanger public health or welfare in a
foreign country. The Administrator may do so by giving formal
notification to the governor of the state in which the emissions
originate. Because no such formal notification has been made with
respect to emissions originating in California, as noted in
California's 2018 Submittal, the EPA has no reason to approve or
disapprove any existing state rules with regard to CAA section 115.
Therefore, we propose to find that the existing California SIP is
sufficient to satisfy the requirement in CAA section 110(a)(2)(D)(ii)
regarding compliance with the applicable requirements of section 115.
5. CAA Section 110(a)(2)(E)--Resources, Authority, and Oversight
a. Statutory and Regulatory Requirements
Section 110(a)(2)(E) of the CAA requires SIPs to provide (i)
necessary assurances that the state (or, except where the Administrator
deems inappropriate, the general purpose local government or
governments, or a regional agency designated by the state or general
purpose local governments for such purpose) will have adequate
personnel, funding, and authority under state (and, as appropriate,
local) law to carry out such implementation plan (and is not prohibited
by any provision of federal or state law from carrying out such
implementation plan or portion thereof), (ii) requirements that the
state comply with the requirements regarding state boards under section
128, and (iii) necessary assurances that, where the state has relied on
a local or regional government, agency, or instrumentality for the
implementation of any plan provision, the state has responsibility for
ensuring adequate implementation of such plan provision.
In the 2013 Infrastructure SIP Guidance, the EPA states that, in
order to meet the requirements of subelement (i) of 110(a)(2)(E) of the
CAA, infrastructure SIP submittals should identify the organizations
involved in developing, implementing, and enforcing EPA-approved SIP
provisions for the relevant NAAQS, and describe their responsibilities.
It also states that submittals should explain how resources, personnel,
and legal authority are adequate to meet any changes in resources
requirements that may be needed to meet the new or revised NAAQS.
In order to address the requirements of subelement (ii) regarding
state boards under section 128, the provisions that implement section
128 need to be approved into the SIP. These provisions apply to any
board or body that has responsibility for approving permits or
enforcement orders or has authority to hear appeals of permits or
enforcement orders. Specifically, such boards or bodies must have at
least a majority of members who represent the public interest and do
not derive any significant portion of their income from persons subject
to CAA permits or enforcement orders. In addition, any potential
conflicts of interest by members of such board or body or the head of
an executive agency with similar powers must be adequately disclosed.
The EPA has previously approved California provisions that address
these conflict of interest requirements \50\ and is evaluating updates
to those provisions in this submittal.
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\50\ 81 FR 18766 (April 1, 2016).
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In order to meet subelement (iii), states that have authorized
local or regional agencies to implement SIPs must provide necessary
assurances that the state air agency retains responsibility for
adequate SIP implementation of the relevant NAAQS, in this case the
2015 ozone NAAQS.
b. Summary of the State's Submission
Regarding legal authority, CARB's 2018 Infrastructure SIP cites HSC
sections 39600 and 39602, which designate CARB as the authority
responsible for all air pollution control purposes set forth in federal
law. CARB also notes that HSC 39002 provides CARB authority to
implement control activities in areas where local or regional
authorities fail to meet their responsibilities under state law. In
previous submittals, CARB also described various HSC provisions that
give the state authority to regulate mobile sources, as well as
provisions that give districts the authority to regulate stationary
sources and
[[Page 65764]]
provisions that give other agencies, such as the California Department
of Pesticide Regulation, the authority to regulate other sources, such
as pesticides.\51\
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\51\ California Infrastructure SIP Overarching Technical Support
Document, U.S. EPA, Region 9 (September 2014).
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Regarding funding and personnel, California states that ``the 2017-
2018 CARB and district budgets totaled over $2.2 billion, with more
than 3,600 full-time equivalent staff positions.'' It explains that the
state legislature approves CARB's budget and staff resources every year
and that district governing boards approve local air district budgets.
CARB has the opportunity to present annual budget requests to meet the
requirements of the CAA through the legislative budget process. While
CARB cannot predict future levels of funding, it notes that CARB's
programs are mandated, that the agency has been funded through state
appropriations for three decades, and that the Budget Act of 2018
included $1.370 billion for CARB at the time of submission.
CARB notes that a majority of its budget and district budgets go
toward meeting CAA requirements. It also explains that fees from
regulated entities make up a portion of CARB's budget and can only be
used for air pollution control. Revenues from fees and taxes related to
motor vehicles are also deposited into an account at the state level
and are required to be used for mitigation of air and sound emissions
from motor vehicles. At the district level, funding also comes from
fees from regulated entities, motor vehicle registration fees, grants,
and other sources.
Regarding conflict of interest provisions, California's 2018
Submittal explains that Government Code (GC) 82048(a) and California
Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 2, section 18700 define ``public
officials'' and ``members'' of state or local government to include any
``individual who performs duties as part of a committee, board,
commission, group, or other body'' that possesses ``decisionmaking
authority'', including by making ``a final government decision.'' CARB
further explains that this broad definition encompasses the members of
hearing boards and local district boards, as well as air pollution
control officers, who approve permits or enforcement orders in
California.
CARB also states that, under CCR, Title 2, section 18700, public
officials may not make, participate in or influence decisions in which
they have a foreseeable material financial interest. This financial
interest in a decision is defined in GC section 87103 as a material
effect on the public official, or his or her immediate family, that is
distinguishable from the financial effect on the public. According to
the state, ``section 87103 also provides that a public official has a
financial interest in a decision if it involves: a business or property
in which they have $2,000 or more invested; any source of income
amounting to $500 or more within a year; any business where they are a
director, officer, trustee, employee, or manager; or any donor who has
given them $250 or more within a year.'' \52\ CARB goes on to note that
GC section 87302 creates requirements for board members to file
disclosures of economic interests in order to disclose potential
conflicts of interest. This includes the regular filing of Form 700
statements, which are made public.
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\52\ California's 2018 Submittal, 17.
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In its 2018 Infrastructure SIP, CARB updated some of the conflict
of interest statutes that were previously submitted to the EPA.
Specifically, CCR, Title 2, section 18700 was changed to incorporate
certain conflict of interest requirements contained in the version of
section 18701 that was approved into the SIP in our 2016 action on
California's multi-pollutant Infrastructure SIP.\53\ Corresponding
parts of section 18701 were also removed. \54\ CARB's 2018 submittal
included the revised text of both sections 18700 and 18701.
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\53\ 81 FR 18766 (April 1, 2016).
\54\ See technical clarification dated March 21, 2019, from
Matthew Densberger, CARB, to Panah Stauffer, EPA Region IX. Subject:
California iSIP Conflict of Interest Provisions.
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c. The EPA's Review of the State's Submission
California's 2018 Infrastructure SIP provides assurance that the
agencies charged with implementing federal clean air requirements have
the necessary authority and resources to do so. The EPA has previously
determined that these authorities comply with 40 CFR 51.240,\55\ and we
find that they continue to do so. While California's Infrastructure SIP
Submittals do not provide specific personnel and funding figures for
each of the state and district air agencies, the 2017-2018 total
figures of $2.2 billion with over 3,600 full-time equivalent staff
positions represent a very large investment towards fulfilling state
and federal clean air requirements and goals. The state also describes
funding that comes from the legislature, fees, state and federal grants
in its submittal. We conclude that the information on funding levels
and sources, as well as personnel levels, are a fair representation of
the state's resources and provide the necessary assurance of adequate
funding and personnel to implement the 2015 ozone NAAQS. Therefore, we
propose to find that California's 2018 Submittal meets the resource-
and authority-related requirements of CAA section 110(a)(2)(E)(i).
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\55\ California Infrastructure SIP Overarching Technical Support
Document, U.S. EPA, Region 9 (September 2014).
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California's SIP submission includes GC statutes and California CCR
provisions that impose the requirements mandated by CAA section 128.
The EPA previously approved several versions of these provisions into
the SIP when it took final action on California's multi-pollutant
infrastructure SIP submittal in 2016.\56\
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\56\ The provisions that were previously approved into the SIP
in 2016, which remain in the SIP and form part of the basis of our
proposed approval of California's 2015 Ozone SIP submission for the
conflict of interest requirements in CAA sections 110(a)(2)(E)(ii)
and 128, include California Government Code sections 82048, 87103,
and 87302.
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In addition to referencing three provisions that the EPA relied
upon in its final approval of California's conflict of interest
requirements in 2016, the State has also included an updated version of
CCR, Title 2, section 18700, which maintains the key provisions of that
section and also incorporates language in CCR, Title 2, section 18701
that the EPA previously approved into the SIP. We are proposing to
approve the updated versions of CCR, Title 2, sections 18700 and 18701
into the SIP. These updated provisions continue to meet the conflict of
interest requirements of CAA sections 110(a)(2)(E)(ii) and 128.
In our final approval of California's conflict of interest
requirements in 2016, the EPA concurred with California's
interpretation that ``those who approve permits or enforcement orders
within California . . . are `public officials' '' and, by extension,
that permits and enforcement orders fall within the meaning of
``governmental decision.'' \57\ The revised provisions of CCR, Title 2,
section 18700(a) continue to define public officials' disqualifying
financial interests based on reasonably foreseeable material financial
effects. The revised section 18700 also continues to refer to section
18703 to define specific levels of financial interest and income that
would constitute a disqualifying financial
[[Page 65765]]
interest for a public official. In addition, these limitations on a
public official's actions continue to be on-going, and a public
official must abide by them throughout his or her time as a public
official. Thus, the requirements of the revised section 18700 apply in
such a way that a board that acts on permits and/or enforcement orders
may never have a majority of persons that have a conflict of interest.
We find that the revised provisions of section 18700 meet the
requirements of CAA section 128(a)(1).
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\57\ California Infrastructure SIP Conflict of Interest
Technical Support Document, U.S. EPA, Region 9 (September 2014).
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The requirements for disclosure in GC section 87302 have not
changed and continue to meet the requirements of CAA section 128(a)(2).
GC 87302 creates requirements for the conflict of interest codes for
local agencies, which must include initial and annual disclosures of
financial interests. Air districts may have their own agency conflict
of interest codes or may be governed by the conflict of interest
provisions in their county administrative codes, depending on the
geographic jurisdiction of the district. For example, San Joaquin
Valley APCD has its own conflict of interest code that incorporates by
reference the state conflict of interest regulations.\58\ This and
other air district codes identify which officials are required to file
under the conflict of interest provisions. Those officials include
district governing board members, hearing board members, and certain
employees. In addition, governing boards may be mostly or entirely
composed of elected officials, such as county supervisors and city
councilmembers. Such officials are specifically required to disclose
financial interests in the process of campaigning and being elected to
those offices by GC 87200. The statewide statutes and regulations
governing conflicts of interest ensure that air district boards and
employees disclose their financial interests.
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\58\ https://www.valleyair.org/Board_meetings/GB/agenda_minutes/Agenda/2019/August/final/18.pdf and https://www.valleyair.org/Board_meetings/GB/agenda_minutes/Agenda/2019/June/final/25.pdf (last
visited on September 14, 2020).
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Therefore, we propose to find that GC sections 82048, 87103, and
87302, in combination with the updated version of CCR, Title 2, section
18700, are adequate to meet the requirements of CAA section 128. We
also propose to approve the updated versions of CCR, Title 2, section
18700 and CCR, Title 2, section 18701 into the SIP to replace the
previous versions of CCR, Title 2, sections 18700 and 18701.
Regarding oversight of local agencies, pursuant to CAA section
110(a)(2)(E)(iii), HSC section 41500(c) requires CARB to review air
district enforcement programs and determine whether ``reasonable action
is being taken to enforce their programs, rules, and regulations.'' In
turn, if CARB finds that a district is not taking reasonable action,
HSC section 41505 grants CARB the authority, after public hearing, to
exercise the district's powers to achieve and maintain the state and
federal ambient air quality standards. These provide the necessary
assurances that, where the State has relied on the air districts, CARB
retains responsibility for ensuring adequate implementation of the SIP.
We propose to find that HSC sections 41500(c) and 41505 provide the
State with adequate oversight authority as required under CAA section
110(a)(2)(E)(iii) and 40 CFR 51.232(b)(2).
6. CAA Section 110(a)(2)(F)--Stationary Source Monitoring and Reporting
a. Statutory and Regulatory Requirements
CAA section 110(a)(2)(F) requires: (i) The installation,
maintenance, and replacement of equipment, and the implementation of
other necessary steps, by owners or operators of stationary sources to
monitor emissions from such sources, (ii) periodic reports on the
nature and amounts of emissions and emissions-related data from such
sources, and (iii) correlation of such reports by the state agency with
any emission limitations or standards established pursuant to the CAA,
which reports shall be available at reasonable times for public
inspection.
Pursuant to 40 CFR 51.212, SIPs must provide for periodic testing
and inspection of stationary sources as well as enforceable test
methods for emission limits. In addition, plans must not preclude the
use of credible evidence of compliance to establish whether emission
standards have been violated. To meet these requirements, in the 2013
Infrastructure SIP Guidance the EPA indicates that SIP submissions
should describe the air agency programs for source testing, reference
the statutory authority for the air agency program, and certify the
absence of any provision preventing the use of any credible evidence.
In addition, 40 CFR 51.211, 40 CFR 51.321-51.323, the EPA's Air
Emissions Reporting Rule, and 40 CFR 51.45(b) establish requirements
for states to receive emissions reports from stationary sources and to
submit periodic emission inventory reports to the EPA. In the 2013
Infrastructure SIP Guidance, the EPA notes that all states have
existing periodic source reporting and emission inventory practices, so
submittals may be able to certify existing air agency reporting
authority and requirements.
Finally, 40 CFR 51.116 creates requirements for correlating source
emissions reports with emission limitations or standards based on
applicable test method(s) or averaging period(s). In the 2013
Infrastructure SIP Guidance, the EPA explains that submittals should
reference or include air agency requirements that provide for
correlation between estimated emissions and allowable emissions, as
well as the public availability of emission reports by sources.
b. Summary of the State's Submission
In its 2018 submittal, CARB states that local districts are
responsible for developing stationary source emission monitoring and
reporting requirements. It cites HSC section 4001(a), which requires
districts to adopt and enforce regulations to maintain federal ambient
air quality standards, and HSC section 41511, which gives the state
board and the district authority to require stationary source owners to
determine the amount of emissions from their sources. For testing and
inspection of stationary sources, California notes that districts have
the authority to conduct inspections and take samples under HSC section
41510. Although CARB does not certify the absence of any provision
preventing the use of credible evidence in its 2018 submittal, it notes
that credible evidence includes the data from stationary source
emission monitoring rules.\59\
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\59\ California's 2018 Infrastructure SIP, 18-19.
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CARB says in its 2018 submittal that districts typically fulfill
the stationary source monitoring requirements by adopting regulations
that establish emission limits and reporting requirements, including
the requirements under the Air Emissions Reporting Requirements (AERR)
Rule. Under these rules, stationary source owners and operators must
determine the amount of pollutants emitted by their facilities. CARB
explains that these rules may be incorporated into the SIP after they
are adopted by the districts. California's submittal includes a table
of examples of SIP-approved local district rules that fulfill federal
monitoring and reporting requirements.\60\ These rules all require
continuous emissions monitoring systems (CEMS) at stationary sources
and include requirements for stationary sources to report their
emissions or to maintain
[[Page 65766]]
emissions data and make them available to the local air district on
request.
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\60\ California's 2018 Infrastructure SIP, 20.
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CARB goes on to explain that, while some districts have rules that
cover both monitoring and reporting, others have separate requirements
for stationary source reporting. A second table in the submittal \61\
provides examples of SIP-approved stationary source reporting rules.
These rules range from requiring sources to provide written emissions
statements to the local air district to making daily air monitoring
data public.
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\61\ Id. at 22.
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In addition to the rules listed in the tables in the submittals,
California's submittal includes links to two online databases. The
first is California's District Rules Database,\62\ which has stationary
source rules for all districts; the rules in this online database may
be SIP-approved. The second is the EPA's website listing state rules
that have been approved into the SIP.\63\
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\62\ https://ww3.arb.ca.gov/drdb/drdb.htm (last visited on
September 14, 2020).
\63\ https://www.epa.gov/air-quality-implementation-plans/approved-air-quality-implementation-plans-region-9?readform&count=100&state=California (last visited on September 14,
2020).
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For correlation of stationary source emission reports with
applicable emission limits, California refers again to its overarching
authorities in HSC section 41511. The state explains that all 35 local
air districts in California address the correlation requirements
through their programs for stationary source testing, inspection, and
compliance. For example, some air districts have rules that require
CEMS equipment. Those rules require sources to assess compliance with
applicable emission limits and may include calculation procedures to
correlate emissions with the applicable emission standards. CARB states
that some air districts have SIP-approved rules that closely mirror the
language of 40 CFR 51.116(c), such as Mendocino County AQMD Rule
240(e)(3) (``Permit to Operate--Compliance Verification'') and Great
Basin Unified APCD Rule 215(D) (``Public Availability of Emissions
Data''). Finally, it states that all California air districts have
federally-approved Title V operating permit programs wherein each
permit specifies the air pollution requirements that apply to the
permitted source, including those for emission limits, monitoring,
recordkeeping, and reporting.
CARB explains that it is responsible for compiling stationary
source emissions data from the districts and reporting it to the EPA.
The submittal includes a link to CARB's internet Facility Search Tool,
which allows the public to search for facilities' emissions of criteria
and toxic pollutants. CARB notes that California's emissions inventory
includes information from over 14,000 stationary sources and requires
sources to report at rates lower than the federal AERR's reporting
thresholds. The emissions inventory is relevant to all federal criteria
pollutant standards, including the 2015 ozone standard.
c. The EPA's Review of the State's Submission
California presents information in its 2018 Infrastructure SIP on
the state's and districts' overarching authorities to adopt rules and
regulations to determine emissions from stationary sources, specify
recordkeeping and reporting requirements, assess compliance with
emission limits and permit conditions, and make such data available to
the public. The submittal also references databases of specific
stationary sources within California, and representative examples of
SIP-approved regulations that require stationary source monitoring,
reporting, and correlation of emission limits with applicable emission
limits and permit conditions. We find that the example SIP-approved
rules cited in California's 2018 Infrastructure SIP submittal are
representative of the State as a whole. Therefore, we propose to find
that the overarching authorities and SIP-approved regulations provide
an adequate basis to conclude that California meets the requirements of
CAA section 110(a)(2)(F), as discussed below.
The underlying California statutes that provide authority for CARB
and the air districts to adopt rules and regulations to determine
emissions from stationary sources, specify recordkeeping and reporting
requirements, assess compliance with emission limits and permit
conditions, and make such data available to the public include HSC
sections 40001(a), 41510, and 41511. CARB maintains an extensive online
database of stationary sources and a means for the public to filter
emissions data by air basin, county, or source category via a facility
search engine on its website.\64\
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\64\ https://www.arb.ca.gov/app/emsinv/facinfo/facinfo.php?_ga=2.153745848.1835329346.1588725854-1437116183.1580401972 (last visited on September 14, 2020).
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In reviewing SIP-approved regulations for stationary source
monitoring and reporting, we primarily reviewed the examples provided
in California's 2018 Submittal and present our evaluation for each of
the three sub-elements of section 110(a)(2)(F) as follows. For section
110(a)(2)(F)(i), California's 2018 Submittal cites several rules that
require stationary source monitoring, especially for CEMS on applicable
equipment. For instance:
Placer County APCD Rule 233, section 500 requires CEMS for
NOX emissions from biomass boilers;
Santa Barbara County APCD Rule 328(C) requires continuous
emissions monitoring for NOX, SO2, and opacity
from fossil fuel-fired steam generators, for NOX from nitric
acid plants, and for SO2 from sulfuric acid plants, for
SO2 from certain fluid bed cokers, for SO2 from
CO boilers of regenerators of fluid bed catalytic cracking units, and
for SO2 and opacity from fluid bed catalytic cracking units;
South Coast AQMD Rule 1146 requires boilers, steam
generators, and process heaters equal to or greater than 5 million
British thermal units per hour to install CEMS for ammonia emissions;
and
San Joaquin Valley APCD Rule 4354, section (5.9) requires
CEMS for emissions of NOX, VOCs, and SOX from
glass melting furnaces under certain conditions.
We propose to find that these and other examples in the California
SIP are consistent with the stationary source monitoring requirement of
CAA section 110(a)(2)(F)(i).
With respect to CAA section 110(a)(2)(F)(ii), California's 2018
Submittal provides examples of SIP-approved regulations for several
districts that require reporting of stationary source emissions data.
For example:
Bay Area Regulation 2, Rule 1-429 requires permitted
sources that may emit VOC or NOX and subject to the Rule to
provide the District a written statement showing actual emissions from
the source,
Santa Barbara County APCD Rule 212 requires sources
permitted to emit 10 tons per year (tpy) or more of NOX or
reactive organic compounds (ROG, or VOC) to annually report actual
emissions of NOX or VOC in writing to the air district,
San Diego County APCD Rule 19.3, section (c)(3) similarly
requires annual reporting by sources emitting 25 tpy or more of
NOX or VOC in writing to the air district, and
South Coast AQMD Rule 1420.1, sections (m) and (n) set
requirements for large lead-acid battery facilities to monitor lead
(Pb) emissions, report them to the district, and retain records of
emissions.
We propose to find that these examples and others in the California
[[Page 65767]]
SIP provide for periodic reports on the nature and amount of emissions
from applicable stationary sources, consistent with CAA section
110(a)(2)(F)(ii).
With respect to CAA section 110(a)(2)(F)(iii), California points to
SIP-approved rules that require emission data from stationary source
owners or operators to be correlated with applicable emission
limitations and control measures and for that information to be
available to the public during normal business hours at the district
offices. For example, Mendocino County AQMD Rule 1-240(e)(3) and Great
Basin Unified APCD Rule 215(D) track the language of 40 CFR 51.116(c)
by requiring that emissions data will be correlated with applicable
emission limits and other control measures and be made publicly
available. California's online database includes a facility search
engine, which makes emissions information publicly available for
correlation. Therefore, based on the extent of the source categories
and sizes that are required to report emissions, California's publicly
available emissions databases, and the examples of SIP-approved rules
requiring correlation of reported emissions with emission limitations,
we propose to find that the California SIP meets the correlation and
public availability requirements of CAA section 110(a)(2)(F)(iii).
7. CAA Section 110(a)(2)(G)--Emergency Powers and Contingency Plans
a. Statutory and Regulatory Requirements
Section 110(a)(2)(G) of the CAA requires infrastructure SIPs to
``provide for authority comparable to that in [CAA section 303],''
which reads as follows:
Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the
Administrator, upon receipt of evidence that a pollution source or
combination of sources (including moving sources) is presenting an
imminent and substantial endangerment to public health or welfare,
or the environment, may bring suit on behalf of the United States in
the appropriate United States district court to immediately restrain
any person causing or contributing to the alleged pollution to stop
the emission of air pollutants causing or contributing to such
pollution or to take such other action as may be necessary. If it is
not practicable to assure prompt protection of public health or
welfare or the environment by commencement of such a civil action,
the Administrator may issue such orders as may be necessary to
protect public health or welfare or the environment. Prior to taking
any action under this section, the Administrator shall consult with
appropriate State and local authorities and attempt to confirm the
accuracy of the information on which the action proposed to be taken
is based. Any order issued by the Administrator under this section
shall be effective upon issuance and shall remain in effect for a
period of not more than 60 days, unless the Administrator brings an
action pursuant to the first sentence of this section before the
expiration of that period. Whenever the Administrator brings such an
action within the 60-day period, such order shall remain in effect
for an additional 14 days or for such longer period as may be
authorized by the court in which such action is brought.
In the 2013 Infrastructure SIP Guidance, the EPA states that the
best practice for states is to submit, for inclusion in the SIP, the
statutory or regulatory provisions that provide authority comparable to
CAA section 303 or to cite and include a copy of such provisions,
without including them in the SIP, with a narrative of how they meet
the requirements of section 110(a)(2)(G). The guidance also clarifies
that contingency plans should be submitted for approval into the SIP
(if not already in the SIP) for regions classified Priority I, IA, or
II (Priority II applies only to the sulfur dioxide and particulate
matter NAAQS).
The air quality thresholds for classifying air quality control
regions (AQCRs) are prescribed in 40 CFR 51.150 and are pollutant-
specific (e.g., ozone) rather than being specific to any given NAAQS
(e.g., 1997 ozone NAAQS). For ozone, an AQCR with a 1-hour ozone level
greater than 0.10 ppm over the most recent three-year period must be
classified Priority I. If the ozone levels in an AQCR are primarily due
to a single point source, it is classified as Priority IA. All other
ozone areas are classified Priority III. Pursuant to 40 CFR 51.151 and
51.152, AQCRs that are classified Priority I or IA for ozone are
required to have SIP-approved emergency episode contingency plans,
while those classified Priority III are not required to have such
plans. The purpose of emergency episode contingency plans is to ensure
that the regions ``provide for taking action necessary to prevent
ambient pollutant concentrations'' from reaching the significant harm
levels defined in 40 CFR 51.151. For ozone, the significant harm level
is 0.6 ppm for a 2-hour average.
Under 40 CFR 51.152 emergency episode contingency plans are
required to specify two or more stages of episode criteria based on
pollutant levels at any monitoring site. Plans must provide for public
announcement whenever any episode stage has been determined to exist
and must specify adequate emission control actions to be taken at each
episode stage. Examples of adequate actions are provided in Appendix L
to 40 CFR part 51.
In addition, 40 CFR 51.152 requires prompt acquisition of forecasts
of atmospheric stagnation conditions and of updates of such forecasts
as frequently as they are issued by the National Weather Service,
inspection of sources to ascertain compliance with applicable emission
control action requirements, and communications procedures for
transmitting status reports and orders as to emission control actions
to be taken during an episode stage. The provisions of 40 CFR 51.152(d)
also allow the Administrator to exempt portions of Priority I regions
that have been designated as attainment or unclassifiable for NAAQS
such as the 2015 ozone standard.\65\
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\65\ This authority is delegated to the Regional Administrator
based on Delegation 7-10 (``Approval/Disapproval of State
Implementation Plans''), which grants Regional Administrators the
authority to ``propose or take final action on any State
implementation plan under section 110 of the Clean Air Act.''
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b. Summary of the State's Submission
In the California 2018 Infrastructure SIP, the State requested that
the EPA reclassify the Lake County, North Central Coast, and South
Central Coast AQCRs from Priority III to Priority I based on hourly
ozone data from 2015-2017.\66\ Consistent with the provisions of 40 CFR
51.153, reclassification of AQCRs must rely on the most recent three
years of air quality data. CARB states in its 2018 submittal that the
remaining Priority III AQCRs remain Priority III for ozone. This means
their ozone levels have not crossed the Priority I threshold for ozone
based on the most recent three years of air quality data.
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\66\ EPA, Region IX, Spreadsheet of Air Quality Control Regions
with Maximum 1-hour Ozone Values Over 100 ppb for 2015-2017.
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In its 2018 submittal, CARB identifies the air districts that fall
within each AQCR in order to determine which districts need to develop
emergency episode contingency plans. The Lake County AQCR includes the
Lake County AQMD. The North Central Coast AQCR includes the Monterey
Bay Air Resources District, which already has a SIP-approved emergency
episode contingency plan. The South Central Coast includes the San Luis
Obispo County APCD. CARB identifies Lake County AQMD and San Luis
Obispo County APCD as needing to develop and submit emergency episode
contingency plans for ozone based on the requested AQCR
reclassifications.
In addition to the air districts identified above, five air
districts in the Mountain Counties AQCR are identified in the 2018 plan
as needing to develop and submit emergency episode
[[Page 65768]]
contingency plans for ozone for the first time. These are Amador County
APCD, Calaveras County APCD, Mariposa County APCD, Northern Sierra
AQMD, and Tuolumne County APCD.
On June 25, 2020, CARB supplemented its 2018 Infrastructure SIP by
submitting ozone emergency episode contingency plans for San Luis
Obispo County APCD, Amador County APCD, Calaveras County APCD, Mariposa
County APCD, Northern Sierra AQMD, and Tuolumne County APCD. It also
submitted an exemption request from emergency episode planning
requirements for Lake County AQMD based on that District's attainment
status.
Pursuant to the requirements of 40 CFR 51.152, each of the
emergency episode plans included in the submittal outlines three stages
of an ozone emergency (i.e., Alert, Warning and Emergency) based on
monitored levels for the one-hour ozone concentration. For example,
Amador, Western Nevada, Tuolumne, and Calaveras include an Alert stage
of 0.20 ppm, a Warning stage of 0.40 ppm, and an Emergency stage of
0.50 ppm. At each episode stage, the plans provide actions to be
implemented by the local air district, local offices of emergency
services, local offices of education superintendents, local emitting
facilities, and members of the public. These measures include
prohibiting open burning, requesting that schools close, requesting
that members of the public take mass transit instead of driving, and
requesting that stationary sources emitting ozone precursors shut down.
At the episode stages that include measures for stationary sources, the
submitted plans also include provisions for inspection of those sources
to make sure they are complying with the relevant plan requirements.
The emergency episode plans also provide for public announcement of
these ozone emergency stages and communications procedures for
transmitting status reports and orders during each episode stage. Each
plan includes a list of government agencies, news media, facilities,
and individuals who will be notified when any of the ozone emergency
episode stages are reached. These lists include local county offices of
emergency services, the county superintendents of education, outreach
staff at the local air pollution control districts, and television and
radio stations. The plans submitted to the EPA also account for
acquiring forecasts from the National Weather Service, regional ``Spare
the Air'' programs, and data generated internally by air districts for
submission to public air quality information resources such as the
AirNow website.
The Lake County AQCR is made up of only one air district, the Lake
County AQMD. In its 2018 submittal, CARB requests that this AQCR be
reclassified to Priority I, and California's 2020 submittal includes an
exemption request for Lake County from the emergency episode
contingency planning requirements for ozone. The request is based on
Lake County's attainment status and EPA discretion to exempt attainment
areas from the emergency episode contingency planning requirements
under 40 CFR 51.152(d)(1).
c. The EPA's Review of the State's Submission
In California's 2018 submittal, the State requests that three AQCRs
be reclassified as Priority I for the purposes of requiring emergency
episode contingency plans for ozone. In addition, it notes that 5 air
districts in the Mountain Counties AQCR also met the threshold for
Priority I ozone areas in the 2015-2017 time period. The air quality
monitoring data for 2015-2017 indicates that the areas identified in
the 2018 submission, along with the areas that have been previously
classified as Priority I, are those that exceeded 0.10 ppm for 1-hour
ozone measurements. In addition, the emissions inventory information
provided in California's 2020 Submittal shows that the ozone levels in
these areas are due to a mix of sources, including mobile sources,
rather than to a single stationary source. On the basis of California's
ambient air quality data for 2015-2017, we are proposing to grant
California's requests to reclassify Lake County, North Central Coast,
and South Central Coast to Priority I regions.
The ozone emergency episode contingency plans for San Luis Obispo
County APCD, Amador County APCD, Calaveras County APCD, Mariposa County
APCD, Northern Sierra AQMD, and Tuolumne County APCD meet the
requirements of 51.152(a). Specifically, each plan specifies ``two or
more stages of episode criteria'' and ``adequate emission control
actions to be taken at each episode stage''. Each plan also provides
for ``public announcement whenever any episode stage has been
determined to exist.''
For example, Calaveras County APCD's ozone emergency episode
contingency plan establishes three episode stages. At every stage, an
emergency episode notification is prepared and sent to eight categories
of recipients. These include the Calaveras County Health Officer, the
Calaveras County Office of Emergency Services, the Calaveras County of
Education Superintendent, neighboring air pollution control districts,
as well as major newspapers, television and radio stations and online
services. Actions at the first stage, which corresponds to hourly ozone
concentrations at or above 0.20 ppm, include prohibiting all open
burning and requesting industrial permitted facilities to initiate
control actions, including reducing or curtailing production. At stage
3, which corresponds to hourly ozone concentrations at or above 0.50
ppm, the plan specifies closing all non-emergency commercial and
industrial facilities, all government facilities which are not
immediately necessary for public health and safety, national security
or national defense, and closing all recreational facilities. These
closures would be implemented through the County Office of Emergency
Services.
The ozone emergency episode contingency plans for San Luis Obispo
County APCD, Amador County APCD, Calaveras County APCD, Mariposa County
APCD, Northern Sierra AQMD, and Tuolumne County APCD also meet the
requirements of 51.152(b). Specifically, they provide for ``prompt
acquisition of forecasts of atmospheric stagnation conditions and of
updates of such forecasts as frequently as they are issued by the
National Weather Service,'' as required by 40 CFR 51.152(b)(1). For
example, the ozone emergency episode plan for Amador APCD explains that
Amador APCD, Northern Sierra AQMD, Tuolumne APCD and Mariposa County
APCD support the regional Spare the Air program in the Mountain
Counties AQCR. This is ``an air pollution forecasting program which
provides notifications to the public on the daily ozone concentration
forecasts, along with advisories with an episodic ozone reduction
element, during the summer ozone season.'' \67\ According to
California's 2020 submittal, the Spare the Air program notifications
include current ozone concentration measurements from all monitoring
stations within the Mountain Counties Air Basin, and forecasts, based
on the meteorological conditions from the National Weather Service
advisories and local agencies.\68\ The ozone emergency episode plan
submitted for Calaveras County similarly discusses how the District
participates in the same program, noting that the ``District works
cooperatively with CARB and neighboring counties on the daily burn
[[Page 65769]]
day information.'' Tuolumne County APCD's plan states that the District
will ``in coordination with the National Weather Service (NWS) Hanford
and Sacramento forecast offices provide prompt notification of air
quality forecasts to the public when atmospheric stagnation conditions
would result in substantially high ozone concentrations.'' \69\ San
Luis Obispo APCD's plan describes how the district publishes 6-day air
quality forecasts through its own website as well as the AirNow
website, the EnviroFlash email program, the AirAware alerts text
program, and through the National Weather Service's communications.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\67\ California's 2020 submittal, 11.
\68\ Id.
\69\ California's 2020 Submittal, 67.
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Each of the district plans also provide for ``communications
procedures for transmitting status reports and orders as to emission
control actions to be taken during an episode stage, including
procedures for contact with public officials, major emission sources,
public health, safety, and emergency agencies and news media'', as
required by 40 CFR 51.152(b)(3). For example, the Northern Sierra AQMD
notification list for each ozone emergency episode stage includes CARB,
upwind and downwind districts, major newspapers, television and radio
stations, regional Spare the Air programs, District permitted
facilities, and District staff who do public outreach. The Tuolumne
County APCD notification list for each ozone emergency episode stage
includes CARB, the Tuolumne County Office of Emergency Services, the
Tuolumne County Office of Education, adjacent air districts, as well as
newspapers, television and radio stations, and online media.
Each of the district plans also provide for ``inspection of sources
to ascertain compliance with applicable emission control action
requirements,'' as required by 40 CFR 51.152(b)(2). For example, the
Amador County APCD plan includes a provision to ``[c]onduct on-site
inspection of targeted facilities to ascertain accomplishment of
applicable emission control actions'' that applies beginning at the
Alert (0.20ppm) stage.\70\ The Northern Sierra AQMD plan states that it
will ``rely on both continuous emission monitoring technology and
inspection to . . . ascertain compliance with applicable emission
control action requirements during any ozone emergency episode stage .
. .'' \71\ Mariposa County APCD and Calaveras County APCD use similar
language to Amador County in their plans. The Tuolumne County APCD plan
indicates the District will ``strive to inspect those sources that
represent the greatest contribution of ozone precursor emissions and
will ascertain whether [they] are adhering to the applicable emission
control action requirements specified in the Emergency Episode
Actions.'' \72\ The San Luis Obispo County APCD plan identifies the
following action at each emergency episode stage: ``If conditions do
not threaten inspectors' safety, confirm control actions have been
implemented.'' \73\
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\70\ California's 2020 Submittal, 16.
\71\ Id. at 52.
\72\ Id. at 67.
\73\ Id. at 35.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The emergency episode contingency plans for ozone in California's
2020 submittal for Amador County APCD, San Luis Obispo County APCD,
Northern Sierra AQMD, Tuolumne County APCD, Mariposa County APCD, and
Calaveras County APCD meet the requirements of 40 CFR 51.152(a) to
specify two or more stages of episode criteria, provide for public
announcement whenever any episode stage has been determined to exist,
and to specify adequate emission control actions to be taken at each
episode stage. These emergency episode contingency plans also meet the
requirements of 40 CFR 51.152(b) to provide for prompt acquisition of
forecasts of atmospheric stagnation conditions, to provide for
inspection of sources to ascertain compliance with applicable emission
control action requirements, and provide for communications procedures
for transmitting status reports and orders as to emission control
actions to be taken during an episode stage. We propose to approve
these emergency episode contingency plans into the California SIP.
The other portion of California's 2020 submittal is the exemption
request for ozone emergency episode planning requirements for Lake
County AQMD. The request is based on Lake County being in attainment
for all ozone standards as well as all other NAAQS.\74\ In this
request, Lake County demonstrates the largely rural nature of the area
and documents that the largest sources of ozone precursors in the
county emit less than 50 tpy of each. Further, it notes that the
highest 1-hour ozone concentration observed in the last 40 years has
been 0.103 ppm.
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\74\ EPA, Region IX, Spreadsheet of Nonattainment Areas in
California Air Districts.
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Because of Lake County's attainment status for ozone, it meets the
criteria of 51.152(d)(1) that permit the Administrator to exempt those
portions of Priority I regions which have been designated as attainment
under section 107 of the CAA. The mix of ozone precursor sources in the
County, as well as the historical 1-hour ozone levels below 0.10 ppm
make it unlikely that additional measures are needed to keep ozone
pollution below the significant harm level of 0.6 ppm. We propose to
approve the request to exempt the Lake County AQMD from emergency
episode contingency planning requirements of 40 CFR 51.152.
8. CAA Section 110(a)(2)(H)--SIP Revisions
a. Statutory and Regulatory Requirements
Section 110(a)(2)(H) requires SIPs to ``provide for revision of
such plan--(i) from time to time as may be necessary to take account of
revisions of such national primary or secondary ambient air quality
standard or the availability of improved or more expeditious methods of
attaining such standard, and (ii) except as provided in paragraph
110(a)(3)(C), whenever the Administrator finds on the basis of
information available to the Administrator that the plan is
substantially inadequate to attain the national ambient air quality
standard which it implements or to otherwise comply with any additional
requirements established'' under this Act.
In the 2013 Infrastructure SIP Guidance, the EPA explains that
states may comply with the requirements of element H by providing a
reference or citation to the provisions that provide the air agency
with authority to meet these requirements, along with a narrative
explanation of how the provisions serve that function.
b. Summary of the State's Submission
California states in its 2018 submittal that California has revised
and will continue to revise its SIP as mandated by the EPA. It states
that CARB is submitting a revised SIP for the 2015 ozone NAAQS and that
CARB will continue to work with local districts to develop approvable
SIPs as federal standards change, as new attainment methods become
available, or as the EPA determines an existing SIP is inadequate.
California's 2018 Submittal also cites HSC section 39602 as designating
CARB as the agency responsible for implementing the federal CAA, which
includes responsibility for preparing and submitting revisions to the
California SIP to address new or revised standards or improved methods
of meeting the standards. CARB also states that HSC
[[Page 65770]]
section 39602 gives it responsibility for revising the California SIP
if the EPA finds the SIP inadequate. It states that CARB consults with
the air districts and other affected entities in developing SIP
revisions and receives public comments on SIP revisions before
submitting them to the EPA.
c. The EPA's Review of the State's Submission
California's 2018 Infrastructure SIP describes the general
capacity, commitment, and process of the State to submit SIP revisions
as required. It cites the overarching statutory authority of CARB to
implement the CAA, including submission of SIP revisions to address new
and revised NAAQS and improved methods of meeting the NAAQS. We have
reviewed the authority provisions of HSC section 39602 and considered
the authority provisions analyzed under 110(a)(2)(E)(i) above. We
propose to find that they provide for SIP revisions in response to
NAAQS revisions or whenever the EPA Administrator finds the California
SIP to be substantially inadequate to attain the NAAQS or does not
comply with requirements established under the Act, and therefore meet
the requirements of CAA section 110(a)(2)(H).
9. CAA Section 110(a)(2)(I)--Plan Revisions for Nonattainment Areas
CAA section 110(a)(2)(I) requires SIPs to ``in the case of a plan
or plan revision for an area designated as a nonattainment area, meet
the applicable requirements of part D (relating to nonattainment
areas).''
While this section requires states to meet nonattainment area
requirements, pursuant to CAA title I, part D, when submitting plans or
plan revisions for nonattainment areas, the EPA has concluded that the
submission of, and subsequent EPA action on, nonattainment SIP
revisions by states is not governed by the three-year submission
deadline identified in CAA section 110(a)(1). Instead, SIP revisions
for nonattainment areas are due and evaluated under the requirements
for nonattainment areas described in part D. Thus, we do not include a
summary of California's response to this requirement nor an evaluation
of such response.
10. CAA Section 110(a)(2)(J)--Consultation, Public Notification,
Visibility Protection, and PSD
a. Statutory and Regulatory Requirements
Section 110(a)(2)(J) of the CAA requires SIPs to ``meet the
applicable requirements of section 121 (relating to consultation),
section 127 (relating to public notification), and part C (relating to
prevention of significant deterioration of air quality and visibility
protection).''
Regarding the consultation portion of element J, in the 2013
Infrastructure SIP Guidance, the EPA explains that states may meet the
requirements by showing that there is an established process for
consultation with general-purpose local governments, designated
organizations of elected officials of local governments, and any
federal land manager having authority over federal land to which the
plan applies. Submittals should also identify organizations that
participate in plan development, implementation or enforcement under 40
CFR 51.240, and should include any related agreements among agencies to
do this work.
CAA section 127 requires SIPs to contain measures to effectively
notify the public during any calendar year on a regular basis of
instances or areas in which any NAAQS is exceeded or was exceeded
during any portion of the preceding calendar year; to advise the public
of the health hazards associated with such pollution; and to enhance
public awareness of the measures which can be taken to prevent such
standards from being exceeded and the ways in which the public can
participate in regulatory and other efforts to improve air quality.
Such measures may include the posting of warning signs on interstate
highway access points to metropolitan areas or television, radio, or
press notices or information. In the 2013 Infrastructure SIP Guidance,
the EPA indicates that state submittals can meet this portion of the
requirement by showing the air agency regularly notifies the public of
NAAQS exceedances and the associated health hazards, and that it makes
the public aware of air quality measures and ways to participate in
them.
In EPA's 2013 Infrastructure SIP Guidance, the EPA states that the
PSD-related requirements of element J are the same as those of element
C. For that reason, we refer to the 2018 state submittal and our
evaluation of element C above for the PSD requirements of element J.
Regarding the visibility protection requirements of element J, the
EPA's 2013 Guidance notes that the CAA visibility protection
requirements do not change when the EPA issues a new or revised NAAQS.
The guidance states that air agencies do not need to address visibility
protection requirements in infrastructure SIP submissions.
b. Summary of the State's Submission
Regarding the consultation portion of element J, California's 2018
Submittal largely includes the same information as prior infrastructure
SIP submittals. It cites HSC section 39602, which designates CARB as
the agency responsible for implementing the federal CAA and
coordinating with local air districts.\75\ CARB notes that the
districts are governed by boards primarily composed of elected
officials and that the districts also play a role in developing SIP
provisions. It states that the air districts collaborate through
workgroups under the California Air Pollution Control Officers
Association (CAPCOA) to discuss air quality matters and that CAPCOA
meets regularly with state and federal air quality officials to develop
rules and ensure their consistent application. The submittal provides
examples of the local, state, and federal stakeholders CARB works with
in developing SIP revisions such as California's 2007 State Strategy
for the 1997 ozone and 1997 PM2.5 NAAQS. These stakeholders
include the metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) and the regional
transportation planning agencies (RTPAs) located throughout the State.
The submittal also lists stakeholders, including federal land managers,
with whom CARB consulted during the development of California's 2009
Regional Haze Plan, and describes how CARB coordinates with federal
land managers and other agencies on an ongoing basis for Regional Haze
planning. In addition, the submittal cites the public notification
requirements for state regulations under the California Administrative
Procedures Act as well as the public hearing requirements for district
rules and regulations under HSC section 40725.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\75\ California's 2018 Infrastructure SIP, 29.
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In California's 2018 Submittal, CARB also states that, once a SIP
revision is submitted to the EPA, consultation is on-going. For
example, CARB, the EPA, the California Environmental Protection Agency
(CalEPA), and the South Coast and San Joaquin Valley air districts have
signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) committing to develop and test
new air quality control technologies and creating the Clean Air
Technology Initiative with the purpose of accelerating ``progress in
meeting current and future federal standards'' in South Coast and San
Joaquin Valley.\76\ The submittal identifies another example of such
consultation in CARB's memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Union
Pacific and Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroads to reduce diesel
emissions from rail yards.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\76\ California's 2018 Infrastructure SIP, 34.
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Regarding public notification of exceedances of air quality
standards, in
[[Page 65771]]
California's 2018 Submittal, CARB reiterates past submittals, referring
to the requirements in HSC section 39607(a) for CARB to acquire and
publicly report air quality data for each air basin in the State. CARB
explains that it maintains both current and historical data online.
CARB also notes that HSC 40718 requires CARB to publish maps online
that show areas violating federal air quality standards.\77\ In
addition, the air districts provide daily information about local air
quality levels online. Finally, the submittal cites several websites
that contain information on the health effects of air pollution,
current air quality, and what the public can do to reduce air
pollution.\78\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\77\ Website on ``Area Designations Maps/State and National''
(https://www.arb.ca.gov/desig/adm/adm.htm) (last visited on September
14, 2020).
\78\ CARB's websites on ``Health Effects of Air Pollution''
(https://www.arb.ca.gov/research/health/health.htm), AQMIS (https://www.arb.ca.gov/aqmis2/aqmis2.php), and ``Air Pollution and What You
Can Do'' (https://www.arb.ca.gov/html/cando.htm) (last visited on
September 14, 2020).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Regarding PSD requirements, California's 2018 Submittal refers to
the PSD-approved programs described in element C. For visibility
protection requirements, CARB notes the explanation in the EPA's 2013
Infrastructure SIP guidance that NAAQS revisions do not create new
visibility protection requirements and points out that California has
an approved Regional Haze SIP.\79\
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\79\ 76 FR 34608 (June 14, 2011).
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c. The EPA's Review of the State's Submission
Regarding the consultation requirements of element J, we have
reviewed California's 2018 Submittal, and propose to find that it
provides a satisfactory process of consultation, consistent with CAA
section 121 and 40 CFR 51.240. In its submittal, CARB cites its
overarching responsibility in HSC section 39602 to implement the CAA,
including the requirement to coordinate the activities of all districts
necessary to comply with the CAA. The districts are governed by boards
comprised primarily of local elected officials. They also play a role
in developing, implementing, and enforcing SIP provisions. CARB states
that the air districts collaborate through workgroups under CAPCOA to
discuss air quality matters and that CAPCOA meets regularly with state
and federal air quality officials to develop rules and ensure their
consistent application. California's submittal also provides examples
of local government organizations, including MPOs, organizations of
elected officials, and federal land managers who are consulted during
SIP development, and provides an example of an MOA among CARB, the EPA,
CalEPA, San Joaquin Valley APCD, and South Coast AQMD. We propose to
find that California's Infrastructure SIP meets the consultation
requirement of CAA section 110(a)(2)(J).
In 1980, the EPA approved intergovernmental consultation procedures
into California's SIP.\80\ That SIP submittal fulfilled the
requirements of 40 CFR 51.240, designating the local air districts as
the lead agencies for the adoption, review, and periodic update of
basin-wide air pollution control plans for submission to CARB. It also
specified that the air districts will propose, adopt, implement, and
enforce control measures concerning stationary sources within their
jurisdictions. The ``Chapter 25--Intergovernmental Relations'' \81\
portion of that submittal included a MOU between CARB and Caltrans, the
state transportation agency. The MOU outlined how the two agencies will
work together on transportation controls in nonattainment air plans, on
transportation plans and programs, and to ensure consistency of
transportation plans, programs, and projects with the SIP. These
provisions previously approved into the California SIP reinforce the
consultation procedures described in California's recent SIP
submittals.
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\80\ 45 FR 53136 (August 11, 1980).
\81\ Chapter 25, Intergovernmental Relations, Revision to State
of California Implementation Plan for the Attainment and Maintenance
of Ambient Air Quality Standards. Adopted by the CARB, October 26,
1978.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
With respect to the requirements of CAA section 127 and 40 CFR
51.285, California's 2018 Infrastructure SIP provides for adequate
public notification. HSC section 39607(a) requires CARB to acquire and
publicly report data on each air basin and HSC section 40718(a)
requires CARB to publish maps of areas violating the NAAQS. In its 2018
submittal, CARB explains how it and the districts publish information
online about air quality (including the current Air Quality Index), the
health effects of air pollution, and what the public can do about air
pollution. The submittal also describes the public hearing requirements
applicable to CARB and the air districts. Thus, we propose to find that
California's Infrastructure SIP Submittals meet the public notification
requirements of CAA section 110(a)(2)(J).
As discussed above, when the EPA establishes or revises a NAAQS,
the visibility protection requirements under CAA title I, part C do not
change and, therefore, there are no newly applicable visibility
protection obligations pursuant to CAA section 110(a)(2)(J). We propose
to find that California's Infrastructure SIP Submittals meets the
visibility protection requirements of CAA section 110(a)(2)(J).
Regarding the PSD requirements of element J, we rely upon our
earlier evaluation of the PSD portion of CAA section 110(a)(2)(C). For
the 13 local air districts that have EPA-approved PSD programs, we are
proposing to partially approve California's 2018 Infrastructure SIP.
For the 22 local air districts that do not have EPA-approved PSD
programs, we are proposing to partially disapprove California's 2018
Infrastructure SIP. Because the EPA has already delegated the PSD FIP
at 40 CFR 52.21 to each of the districts without fully approved PSD
programs, finalization of this proposed, partial disapproval will not
trigger any new obligation for the EPA to promulgate a FIP.
11. CAA Section 110(a)(2)(K)--Air Quality Modeling and Submission of
Modeling Data
a. Statutory and Regulatory Requirements
Section 110(a)(2)(K) requires SIPs to provide for: ``(i) The
performance of such air quality modeling as the Administrator may
prescribe for the purpose of predicting the effect on ambient air
quality of any emissions of any air pollutant for which the
Administrator has established a national ambient air quality standard,
and (ii) the submission, upon request, of data related to such air
quality modeling to the Administrator.'' To satisfy section
110(a)(2)(K), in the 2013 Infrastructure SIP Guidance, the EPA
indicates that states can provide a reference or citation to the
provisions that give it authority to do the modeling and data
submission required by this element, as well as a narrative explanation
of how the state meets the requirements of this element.
b. Summary of the State's Submission
California's 2018 Submittal refers to HSC 39602, which designates
CARB as the air pollution agency for all purposes set forth in federal
law and thereby gives it the authority to conduct air quality
monitoring as required under the CAA. CARB explains in the submittal
how California meets the modeling requirements of element K. It notes
that CARB has established an air quality modeling group, which models
primary and secondary pollutants, and states that CARB's modeling
complies
[[Page 65772]]
with EPA guidance. It explains that CARB ensures modeling performed by
districts complies with federal requirements and that CARB and the
districts also document and make public their SIP-related modeling
protocols as part of the SIP review process. CARB also notes that
modeling results are made available to the EPA and other stakeholders
upon request.
c. The EPA's Review of the State's Submission
California's 2018 Infrastructure SIP identifies HSC 39602, which
grants CARB its overarching SIP authority, as its statutory basis for
authority to conduct modeling, and describes how it and the districts
perform air quality modeling following guidelines prescribed by the
EPA. In the EPA's proposal to approve California's infrastructure SIP
for earlier NAAQS, we also identified examples of attainment modeling,
such as in the 2007 State Strategy for 1997 ozone and 1997
PM2.5, and in the attainment SIP for the 2008 Pb NAAQS for
Los Angeles County.\82\ We found they provided evidence of California's
authority to conduct modeling and submit its data and analysis to the
EPA in conjunction with a SIP revision. We propose to find that the
broad authority of HSC section 39602 in conjunction with the various
modeling efforts undertaken by CARB and the districts provide for
ambient air quality modeling and data submission consistent with CAA
section 110(a)(2)(K).
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\82\ 79 FR 63350 (October 23, 2014).
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12. CAA Section 110(a)(2)(L)--Permit Fees
a. Statutory and Regulatory Requirements
Section 110(a)(2)(L) requires that each SIP require the owner or
operator of each major stationary source to pay to the permitting
authority, as a condition of any permit required under the Act, a fee
sufficient to cover (i) the reasonable costs of reviewing and acting
upon any application for such a permit, and (ii) if the owner or
operator receives a permit for such source, the reasonable costs of
implementing and enforcing the terms and conditions of any such permit
(not including any court costs or other costs associated with any
enforcement action), until such fee requirement is superseded with
respect to such sources by the Administrator's approval of a fee
program under title V of the Act.
In the 2013 Infrastructure SIP Guidance, the EPA states that fee
programs are not required to be part of the EPA-approved SIP. We
explain that infrastructure SIP submittals should provide citations to
the regulations that provide for the collection of permitting fees to
cover all CAA permitting, implementation, and enforcement for new and
modified major sources as well as existing major sources.
b. Summary of the State's Submission
In its 2018 submittal, California states that California's 35 air
districts bear responsibility for stationary source permitting and have
regulations requiring the payment of fees from facilities subject to
CAA title V requirements. The submittal cites HSC section 42311 as
authorizing local air districts ``to adopt a schedule of fees for the
evaluation, issuance, and renewal of permits to cover the cost of air
district programs related to permitting stationary sources.'' It states
that major source permit applicants are assessed a fee for processing
their application for an authority to construct or a permit to operate.
The submittal also provides a link to CARB's website that provides a
general overview of title V permitting in California.\83\
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\83\ https://www.arb.ca.gov/fcaa/tv/tvinfo/overview.htm (last
visited on September 14, 2020).
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In its 2018 submittal, CARB further notes that the EPA has approved
the title V programs of all 35 air districts, as reflected in 40 CFR
part 70, Appendix A (``Approval Status of State and Local Operating
Permits Programs'') and provides a table that identifies the title V
rule for each air district. The submittal explains that the rules cited
in the table ``represent the district's primary implementation rule,
and in some cases, there may be other district rules that are also
relevant to the Title V process.'' \84\
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\84\ California's 2018 Submittal, 38.
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c. The EPA's Review of the State's Submission
We have reviewed California's response to this requirement and have
also considered air district provisions approved into the California
SIP. We agree with California that HSC section 42311 provides authority
to require fees for the evaluation, issuance, and renewal of stationary
sources, including new and existing major sources, except for South
Coast AQMD, whose similar permit fee authority is instead found in HSC
section 40510(b). We also agree that all 35 air districts have fully
approved title V operating permit programs. Such program approvals
supersede the operating fee requirements of CAA section 110(a)(2)(L).
In addition to the title V fee programs, districts in California
have SIP-approved rules requiring the payment of fees for construction
and operating permits. In the EPA's 2016 final action on California's
Infrastructure SIP submittals for earlier NAAQS, we provided examples
of these rules for Bay Area AQMD, Sacramento Metro AQMD, and Yolo-
Solano AQMD.\85\ Additional examples of local district fee rules that
have recently been updated include Mojave Desert AQMD Rule 301,\86\ San
Joaquin Valley APCD Rule 3010,\87\ Monterey Bay ARD Regulation III.\88\
and South Coast AQMD Rule 301.\89\
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\85\ https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=EPA-R09-OAR-2014-0547-0008 (last visited on September 14, 2020).
\86\ https://mdaqmd.ca.gov/home/showdocument?id=6783 (last
visited on September 14, 2020).
\87\ https://www.valleyair.org/rules/currntrules/2018/R3010-a2.pdf (last visited on September 14, 2020).
\88\ https://ww3.arb.ca.gov/drdb/mbu/curhtml/r300.pdf (last
visited on September 14, 2020).
\89\ https://www.aqmd.gov/docs/default-source/rule-book/reg-iii/rule-301-June-2019.pdf (last visited on September 14, 2020).
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Therefore, based on the federally approved title V programs for all
35 air districts, the air district rules cited in California's 2018
submittal that establish permit fee requirements for major sources, and
the local district rules that implement fees to cover permitting,
implementation, and enforcement for new and modified major sources, we
propose to find that California meets the requirements of CAA section
110(a)(2)(L).
13. CAA Section 110(a)(2)(M)--Consultation and Participation by
Affected Local Entities
a. Statutory and Regulatory Requirements
Section 110(a)(2)(M) requires SIPs to ``provide for consultation
and participation by local political subdivisions affected by the
plan.'' In the 2013 Infrastructure SIP Guidance, the EPA explains that,
to meet the requirements of element M, states may identify their
policies or procedures that allow and promote such consultation in
their SIP submittals.
b. Summary of the State's Submission
In its 2018 submittal, California states that CARB ``routinely
consults and provides liaison'' with all districts, particularly on SIP
revisions. The submittal explains that district boards are composed of
local elected officials, so consultation with air districts provides
for consultation with and participation by local government
[[Page 65773]]
entities. CARB states that HSC section 41650 et seq. requires CARB ``to
conduct public hearings and to solicit testimony from air districts,
air quality planning agencies, and the public when adopting SIP-related
documents'' for nonattainment area plans. It also adds that the air
districts have a similar process for participation and comment on
proposed regulatory actions.
CARB reiterates that HSC section 39602 designates CARB as the
agency in charge of implementing federal air pollution law and that it
requires CARB to coordinate the activities of all air districts
necessary to comply with the CAA. It also reiterates that the
California Administrative Procedures Act, GC section 11340, et seq.,
requires notification and comment opportunities to parties affected by
proposed state regulations, and that HSC section 40725 requires air
districts to provide for public review when adopting, amending, or
repealing district rules.
c. The EPA's Review of the State's Submission
In its 2018 submittal, CARB highlights its regular consultation
with the air districts, whose governing boards are made up of local
elected officials. The submittal cites HSC section 41650, which
requires CARB to conduct public hearings on nonattainment plans. The
submittal cites HSC section 39602, which requires CARB to coordinate
the SIP activities of the air districts, the California Administrative
Procedures Act, which has public notification requirements for state
regulations, and HSC section 40725, which has public notification
requirements for district-level rules. In addition, as noted in our
evaluation for the consultation requirements of CAA section
110(a)(2)(J), CARB also consults with MPOs and RTPAs, which can be
considered local political subdivisions of the state in that they
address metropolitan and regional transportation planning issues and
include elected officials representing their respective local areas.
California's SIP submittal demonstrates that the air districts and
the government entities represented by their boards are the local
political subdivisions affected by the plan. The submittal enumerates
how the districts are involved and consulted during the planning
process. We therefore propose to conclude that California adequately
provides for consultation and participation by local political
subdivisions affected by the California SIP, and that California's
Infrastructure SIP Submittals meet CAA section 110(a)(2)(M).
D. Proposed Approval of State and Local Provisions Into the California
SIP
As part of this action, we are also proposing to approve two
revised state regulations and five air district rules into the
California SIP. Specifically, we propose to approve into the SIP the
updated provisions CCR, Title 2, sections 18700 and 18701. These
revised regulations were part of California's 2018 Submittal and
continue to address the conflict of interest requirements of CAA
sections 110(a)(2)(E)(ii) and 128. We also propose to approve into the
SIP five Ozone Emergency Episode Plans for Amador County APCD,
Calaveras County APCD, Mariposa County APCD, Northern Sierra AQMD, and
Tuolumne County APCD to address the emergency episode planning
requirements of CAA section 110(a)(2)(G) and 40 CFR part 51, subpart H.
E. Proposed Approval of Reclassification Requests for Emergency Episode
Planning
In its 2018 submittal, CARB requested that the EPA reclassify three
AQCRs with respect to the emergency episode planning requirements of
CAA section 110(a)(2)(G) and 40 CFR part 51, subpart H, as applicable
to ozone, NO2, and SO2. The air quality tests for
classifying AQCRs are prescribed in 40 CFR 51.150 and are pollutant-
specific (e.g., ozone) rather than being specific to any given NAAQS
(e.g., 1997 ozone NAAQS). Consistent with the provisions of 40 CFR
51.153, reclassification of AQCRs must rely on the most recent three
years of air quality data. For ozone, an AQCR with a 1-hour ozone level
greater than 0.10 ppm over the most recent three-year period must be
classified Priority I, while all other areas are classified Priority
III. AQCRs that are classified Priority I are required to have SIP-
approved emergency episode contingency plans, while those classified
Priority III are not required to have such plans, pursuant to 40 CFR
51.151 and 51.152. We interpret 40 CFR 51.153 as establishing the means
for states to review air quality data and request a higher or lower
classification for any given region and as providing the regulatory
basis for the EPA to reclassify such regions, as appropriate, under CAA
sections 110(a)(2)(G) and 301(a)(1).
On the basis of California's ambient air quality data for 2015-
2017, we are proposing to grant California's request to reclassify Lake
County, North Central Coast, and South Central Coast to Priority I
areas.
F. The EPA's Action
Under CAA 110(a), we are proposing to partially approve and
partially disapprove California's 2018 Infrastructure SIP.
Specifically, we are proposing to approve the submittal for the
requirements of CAA sections 110(a)(2)(A), 110(a)(2)(B), 110(a)(2)(E),
110(a)(2)(F), 110(a)(2)(H), 110(a)(2)(K), 110(a)(2)(L), and
110(a)(2)(M). We are also proposing to partially approve and partially
disapprove the submittal for CAA sections 110(a)(2)(C),
110(a)(2)(D)(ii), and 110(a)(2)(J) due to PSD program deficiencies in
certain air districts. These partial disapprovals will not create any
new consequences as the air districts with PSD deficiencies are already
subject to PSD FIPs.
To meet CAA 110(a)(2)(E)(ii) requirements, we are proposing to
approve into the SIP the updated versions of CCR, Title 2, sections
18700 and 18701, to replace the previous versions of 2 CCR 18700 and
18701.
To meet the requirements of CAA 110(a)(2)(G), we are proposing to
approve California's 2020 Submittal. This includes the ozone emergency
episode contingency plans for Amador County APCD, San Luis Obispo
County APCD, Northern Sierra AQMD, Tuolumne County APCD, Mariposa
County APCD, and Calaveras County APCD, as well as the exemption
request for Lake County AQMD.
At this time, EPA is not acting on 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I), which
prohibits emission sources from contributing significantly to
nonattainment, or interfering with maintenance, of the NAAQS in another
state. The EPA will propose action on the interstate transport
requirements for the 2015 ozone NAAQS in a separate notice.
We are soliciting comments on these proposed actions. We will
accept comments from the public for 30 days following publication of
this proposal in the Federal Register and will consider any relevant
comments before taking final action.
V. Incorporation by Reference
In this rule, the EPA is proposing to include in a final EPA rule
regulatory text that includes incorporation by reference. In accordance
with requirements of 1 CFR 51.5, the EPA is proposing to incorporate by
reference two revised state provisions from the California Code of
Regulations for the conflict of interest requirements of CAA sections
110(a)(2)(E)(ii) and 128. These revised provisions are California Code
of Regulations, Title 2, Sections 18700 and 18701. Similarly, the EPA
is also proposing to incorporate by reference
[[Page 65774]]
five Ozone Emergency Episode Plans for Amador County APCD, Calaveras
County APCD, Mariposa County APCD, Northern Sierra AQMD, and Tuolumne
County APCD for the emergency episode planning requirements of CAA
section 110(a)(2)(G) and 40 CFR part 51, subpart H. The EPA has made,
and will continue to make, these materials available through https://www.regulations.gov and at the EPA Region IX Office (please contact the
person identified in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of
this preamble for more information).
VI. 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 proposed 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
proposed 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 disproportionate human health or environmental effects with
practical, appropriate, 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).
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52
Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Incorporation by
reference, Intergovernmental relations, Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone,
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, and Volatile Organic
Compounds.
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
Dated: September 30, 2020.
John Busterud,
Regional Administrator, Region IX.
[FR Doc. 2020-22061 Filed 10-15-20; 8:45 am]
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