Alternative Method for Calculating Off-Cycle Credits Under the Light-Duty Vehicle Greenhouse Gas Emissions Program: Applications From Nissan North America, Inc., 8631-8633 [2021-02517]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 24 / Monday, February 8, 2021 / Notices Authority: 15 U.S.C. 2601 et seq. Dated: October 30, 2020. Madison Le, Director, New Chemicals Division, Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics. [FR Doc. 2021–02523 Filed 2–5–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [EPA–HQ–OPP–2020–0052; FRL–10016–94] Pesticide Product Registration; Receipt of Applications for New Uses (October 2020) Division (RD) (7505P), main telephone number: (703) 305–7090, email address: RDFRNotices@epa.gov. The mailing address for each contact person is: Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460–0001. As part of the mailing address, include the contact person’s name, division, and mail code. The division to contact is listed at the end of each application summary. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. General Information A. Does this action apply to me? You may be potentially affected by this action if you are an agricultural producer, food manufacturer, or pesticide manufacturer. The following SUMMARY: EPA has received applications list of North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) codes is to register new uses for pesticide products containing currently registered not intended to be exhaustive, but rather provides a guide to help readers active ingredients. Pursuant to the determine whether this document Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), EPA is hereby applies to them. Potentially affected entities may include: providing notice of receipt and • Crop production (NAICS code 111). opportunity to comment on these • Animal production (NAICS code applications. 112). DATES: Comments must be received on • Food manufacturing (NAICS code or before March 10, 2021. 311). ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, B. What should I consider as I prepare identified by the docket identification my comments for EPA? (ID) number and the File Symbol of the 1. Submitting CBI. Do not submit this EPA registration number of interest as shown in the body of this document, by information to EPA through regulations.gov or email. Clearly mark one of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: https:// the part or all of the information that www.regulations.gov. Follow the online you claim to be CBI. For CBI instructions for submitting comments. information in a disk or CD–ROM that Do not submit electronically any you mail to EPA, mark the outside of the information you consider to be disk or CD–ROM as CBI and then Confidential Business Information (CBI) identify electronically within the disk or or other information whose disclosure is CD–ROM the specific information that restricted by statute. is claimed as CBI. In addition to one • Mail: OPP Docket, Environmental complete version of the comment that Protection Agency Docket Center (EPA/ includes information claimed as CBI, a DC), (28221T), 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. copy of the comment that does not NW, Washington, DC 20460–0001. contain the information claimed as CBI • Hand Delivery: To make special must be submitted for inclusion in the arrangements for hand delivery or public docket. Information so marked delivery of boxed information, please will not be disclosed except in follow the instructions at https:// accordance with procedures set forth in www.epa.gov/dockets/where-send40 CFR part 2. comments-epa-dockets. 2. Tips for preparing your comments. Due to the public health concerns When preparing and submitting your related to COVID–19, the EPA Docket comments, see the commenting tips at Center (EPA/DC) and Reading Room is https://www.epa.gov/dockets/ closed to visitors with limited commenting-epa-dockets. exceptions. The staff continues to II. Registration Applications provide remote customer service via email, phone, and webform. For the EPA has received applications to latest status information on EPA/DC register new uses for pesticide products services and docket access, visit https:// containing currently registered active www.epa.gov/dockets. ingredients. Pursuant to the provisions of FIFRA section 3(c)(4) (7 U.S.C. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 136a(c)(4)), EPA is hereby providing Marietta Echeverria, Registration Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice. jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with NOTICES AGENCY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:48 Feb 05, 2021 Jkt 253001 PO 00000 Frm 00054 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 8631 notice of receipt and opportunity to comment on these applications. Notice of receipt of these applications does not imply a decision by the Agency on these applications. Notice of Receipts—New Uses 1. EPA Registration Number(s): 100– 811, 100–828, 100–953, 100–1663, and 100–1664. Docket ID number: EPA–HQ– OPP–2020–0417. Applicant: Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC, P.O. Box 18300, Greensboro, NC 27419. Active ingredient: Cyprodinil. Product type: Fungicide. Proposed Use(s): Brassica, leafy greens, subgroup 4–16B, except watercress; celtuce; fennel, Florence, fresh leaves and stalk; kohlrabi; leaf petiole vegetable subgroup 22B; leafy greens subgroup 4–16A, except parsley, fresh leaves; lemon/lime subgroup 10– 10B; sugar apple; tropical and subtropical, small fruit, inedible peel, subgroup 24A; and vegetable, brassica, head and stem, group 5–16. Contact: RD. 2. EPA Registration Numbers: 100– 1462, 100–1463, 100–1465 and 100– 1467. Docket ID number: EPA–HQ– OPP–2020–0375. Applicant: Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC, P.O. Box 18300, Greensboro, NC 27419. Active ingredient: Bicyclopyrone. Product type: Herbicide. Proposed uses: Banana; broccoli; garlic, bulb; hops, dried cones; horseradish; onion, bulb; onion, green; papaya; plantains; strawberry; sweet potato, roots; timothy, forage; timothy, hay; and watermelon. Contact: RD. Authority: 7 U.S.C. 136 et seq. Dated: November 9, 2020. Delores Barber, Director, Information Technology and Resources Management Division, Office of Pesticide Programs. [FR Doc. 2021–02539 Filed 2–5–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [EPA–HQ– OAR–2019–0588; FRL–10016– 40–OAR] Alternative Method for Calculating OffCycle Credits Under the Light-Duty Vehicle Greenhouse Gas Emissions Program: Applications From Nissan North America, Inc. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: EPA is requesting comment on applications from Nissan North America, Inc., (Nissan) for off-cycle carbon dioxide (CO2) credits under SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\08FEN1.SGM 08FEN1 jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with NOTICES 8632 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 24 / Monday, February 8, 2021 / Notices EPA’s light-duty vehicle greenhouse gas emissions standards. ‘‘Off-cycle’’ emission reductions can be achieved by employing technologies that result in real-world benefits, but where that benefit is not adequately or entirely captured on the test procedures used by manufacturers to demonstrate compliance with emission standards. EPA’s light-duty vehicle greenhouse gas program acknowledges these benefits by giving automobile manufacturers several options for generating ‘‘off-cycle’’ carbon dioxide (CO2) credits. Under the regulations, a manufacturer may apply for CO2 credits for technologies that result in off-cycle benefits. In these cases, a manufacturer must provide EPA with a proposed methodology for determining the real-world off-cycle benefit. Nissan has submitted applications that describe methodologies for determining off-cycle credits from low-power-consumption compressor clutch technology. The application for compressor clutch technology includes test data to establish the 0.3 grams CO2/mile credit value compared to the industry standard clutch with similar performance characteristics (circa 2012). Nissan’s application is limited to 2017 and later model year vehicles. Pursuant to applicable regulations, EPA is making descriptions of the manufacturers’ offcycle credit calculation methodologies available for public comment. DATES: Comments must be received on or before March 10, 2021. ADDRESSES: Submit your comments referencing Docket ID No. EPA–HQ– OAR–2019–0588, to the Federal eRulemaking Portal: https:// www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Once submitted, comments cannot be edited or withdrawn. The EPA may publish any comment received to its public docket. Do not submit electronically any information you consider to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Multimedia submissions (audio, video, etc.) must be accompanied by a written comment. The written comment is considered the official comment and should include discussion of all points you wish to make. The EPA will generally not consider comments or comment contents located outside of the primary submission (i.e., on the web, cloud, or other file sharing system). For additional submission methods, the full EPA public comment policy, information about CBI or multimedia submissions, and general guidance on making effective comments, please visit VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:48 Feb 05, 2021 Jkt 253001 https://www2.epa.gov/dockets/ commenting-epa-dockets. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Wright, Environmental Protection Specialist, Office of Transportation and Air Quality, Compliance Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2000 Traverwood Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48105. Telephone: (734) 214–4467. Fax: (734) 214–4869. Email address: wright.davida@epa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background EPA’s light-duty vehicle greenhouse gas (GHG) program provides three pathways by which a manufacturer may accrue off-cycle carbon dioxide (CO2) credits for those technologies that achieve CO2 reductions in the real world but where those reductions are not adequately or entirely captured on the test used to determine compliance with the CO2 standards, and which are not otherwise reflected in the standards’ stringency. The first pathway is a predetermined list of credit values for specific off-cycle technologies that may be used beginning in model year 2014.1 This pathway allows manufacturers to use conservative credit values established by EPA for a wide range of technologies, with minimal data submittal or testing requirements. In cases where additional laboratory testing can demonstrate emission benefits, a second pathway allows manufacturers to use a broader array of emission tests (known as ‘‘5-cycle’’ testing because the methodology uses five different testing procedures) to demonstrate and justify off-cycle CO2 credits.2 The additional emission tests allow emission benefits to be demonstrated over some elements of real-world driving not captured by the GHG compliance tests, including high speeds, hard accelerations, and cold temperatures. Credits determined according to either of these methodologies do not undergo additional public review. The third and last pathway allows manufacturers to seek EPA approval to use an alternative methodology for determining the offcycle CO2 credits.3 This option is only available if the benefit of the technology cannot be adequately demonstrated using the 5-cycle methodology. Manufacturers may also use this option for model years prior to 2014 to demonstrate off-cycle CO2 reductions for technologies that are on the predetermined list, or to demonstrate 1 See 40 CFR 86.1869–12(b). 40 CFR 86.1869–12(c). 3 See 40 CFR 86.1869–12(d). reductions that exceed those available via use of the predetermined list. Under the regulations, a manufacturer seeking to demonstrate off-cycle credits with an alternative methodology (i.e., under the third pathway described above) must describe a methodology that meets the following criteria: • Use modeling, on-road testing, onroad data collection, or other approved analytical or engineering methods; • Be robust, verifiable, and capable of demonstrating the real-world emissions benefit with strong statistical significance; • Result in a demonstration of baseline and controlled emissions over a wide range of driving conditions and number of vehicles such that issues of data uncertainty are minimized; • Result in data on a model type basis unless the manufacturer demonstrates that another basis is appropriate and adequate. Further, the regulations specify the following requirements regarding an application for off-cycle CO2 credits: • A manufacturer requesting off-cycle credits must develop a methodology for demonstrating and determining the benefit of the off-cycle technology, and carry out any necessary testing and analysis required to support that methodology. • A manufacturer requesting off-cycle credits must conduct testing and/or prepare engineering analyses that demonstrate the in-use durability of the technology for the full useful life of the vehicle. • The application must contain a detailed description of the off-cycle technology and how it functions to reduce CO2 emissions under conditions not represented on the compliance tests. • The application must contain a list of the vehicle model(s) which will be equipped with the technology. • The application must contain a detailed description of the test vehicles selected and an engineering analysis that supports the selection of those vehicles for testing. • The application must contain all testing and/or simulation data required under the regulations, plus any other data the manufacturer has considered in the analysis. Finally, the alternative methodology must be approved by EPA prior to the manufacturer using it to generate credits. As part of the review process defined by regulation, the alternative methodology submitted to EPA for consideration must be made available for public comment.4 EPA will consider public comments as part of its final 2 See PO 00000 Frm 00055 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 4 See E:\FR\FM\08FEN1.SGM 40 CFR 86.1869–12(d)(2). 08FEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 24 / Monday, February 8, 2021 / Notices decision to approve or deny the request for off-cycle credits. jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with NOTICES II. Off-Cycle Credit Applications Using the alternative methodology approach discussed above, Nissan is applying for credits for model years 2017 and later. Nissan has applied for off-cycle credits using the alternative demonstration methodology pathway for the low-power-consumption clutch technology. The application covers 2017 model year and later vehicles. The methodologies described by Nissan are generally consistent with those used by other manufacturers to determine similar credit values. The requested credit value is 0.3 grams CO2/mile. III. EPA Decision Process EPA has reviewed the applications for completeness and is now making the applications available for public review and comment as required by the regulations. The off-cycle credit applications submitted by Nissan (with confidential business information redacted) have been placed in the public docket (see ADDRESSES section above) and on EPA’s website at https:// www.epa.gov/ve-certification/ compliance-information-light-dutygreenhouse-gas-ghg-standards. EPA is providing a 30-day comment period on the applications for off-cycle credits described in this notice, as specified by the regulations. The manufacturers may submit a written rebuttal of comments for EPA’s consideration, or may revise an application in response to comments. After reviewing any public comments and any rebuttal of comments submitted by manufacturers, EPA will make a final decision regarding the credit requests. An EPA decision regarding these offcycle credit requests will only apply to the vehicles and model years specified in the applications submitted by each manufacturer. EPA will make its decision available to the public by placing a decision document (or multiple decision documents) in the docket and on EPA’s website at https:// www.epa.gov/ve-certification/ compliance-information-light-dutygreenhouse-gas-ghg-standards. An EPA decision to approve off-cycle credit requests would only apply to the manufacturers, model years, vehicles, and technologies specified in the credit applications. Such decision would not apply to other vehicles or vehicles from other manufacturers. While the broad methodologies used by these manufacturers could potentially be used for other vehicles and by other manufacturers, the vehicle specific data needed to demonstrate the off-cycle emissions reductions would likely be VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:48 Feb 05, 2021 Jkt 253001 different. In such cases, a new application would be required, including an opportunity for public comment. Dated: November 10, 2020. Byron Bunker, Director, Compliance Division, Office of Transportation and Air Quality, Office of Air and Radiation. [FR Doc. 2021–02517 Filed 2–5–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [EPA–HQ–OPP–2020–0049; FRL–10016–92] Pesticide Product Registration; Receipt of Applications for New Active Ingredients (October 2020) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: 8633 services and docket access, visit https:// www.epa.gov/dockets. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Charles Smith, Biopesticides and Pollution Prevention Division (7511P), main telephone number: (703) 305– 7090, email address: BPPDFRNotices@ epa.gov; or Marietta Echeverria, Registration Division (7505P), main telephone number: (703) 305–7090, email address: RDFRNotices@epa.gov. The mailing address for each contact person is: Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460–0001. As part of the mailing address, include the contact person’s name, division, and mail code. The division to contact is listed at the end of each application summary. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. General Information A. Does this action apply to me? You may be potentially affected by SUMMARY: EPA has received applications to register pesticide products containing this action if you are an agricultural producer, food manufacturer, or active ingredients not included in any pesticide manufacturer. The following currently registered pesticide products. list of North American Industrial Pursuant to the Federal Insecticide, Classification System (NAICS) codes is Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), EPA is hereby providing notice not intended to be exhaustive, but rather provides a guide to help readers of receipt and opportunity to comment determine whether this document on these applications. applies to them. Potentially affected DATES: Comments must be received on entities may include: or before March 10, 2021. • Crop production (NAICS code 111). ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, • Animal production (NAICS code identified by the docket identification 112). (ID) number and the File Symbol of • Food manufacturing (NAICS code interest as shown in the body of this 311). document, by one of the following • Pesticide manufacturing (NAICS methods: code 32532). • Federal eRulemaking Portal: https:// www.regulations.gov. Follow the online B. What should I consider as I prepare my comments for EPA? instructions for submitting comments. 1. Submitting CBI. Do not submit this Do not submit electronically any information to EPA through information you consider to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) regulations.gov or email. Clearly mark or other information whose disclosure is the part or all of the information that you claim to be CBI. For CBI restricted by statute. information in a disk or CD–ROM that • Mail: OPP Docket, Environmental you mail to EPA, mark the outside of the Protection Agency Docket Center (EPA/ disk or CD–ROM as CBI and then DC), (28221T), 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. identify electronically within the disk or NW, Washington, DC 20460–0001. • Hand Delivery: To make special CD–ROM the specific information that arrangements for hand delivery or is claimed as CBI. In addition to one delivery of boxed information, please complete version of the comment that follow the instructions at https:// includes information claimed as CBI, a www.epa.gov/dockets/where-sendcopy of the comment that does not comments-epa-dockets. contain the information claimed as CBI Due to the public health concerns must be submitted for inclusion in the related to COVID–19, the EPA Docket public docket. Information so marked Center (EPA/DC) and Reading Room is will not be disclosed except in closed to visitors with limited accordance with procedures set forth in exceptions. The staff continues to 40 CFR part 2. 2. Tips for preparing your comments. provide remote customer service via When preparing and submitting your email, phone, and webform. For the comments, see the commenting tips at latest status information on EPA/DC PO 00000 Frm 00056 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\08FEN1.SGM 08FEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 24 (Monday, February 8, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8631-8633]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-02517]


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

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ- OAR-2019-0588; FRL-10016-40-OAR]


Alternative Method for Calculating Off-Cycle Credits Under the 
Light-Duty Vehicle Greenhouse Gas Emissions Program: Applications From 
Nissan North America, Inc.

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: EPA is requesting comment on applications from Nissan North 
America, Inc., (Nissan) for off-cycle carbon dioxide (CO2) 
credits under

[[Page 8632]]

EPA's light-duty vehicle greenhouse gas emissions standards. ``Off-
cycle'' emission reductions can be achieved by employing technologies 
that result in real-world benefits, but where that benefit is not 
adequately or entirely captured on the test procedures used by 
manufacturers to demonstrate compliance with emission standards. EPA's 
light-duty vehicle greenhouse gas program acknowledges these benefits 
by giving automobile manufacturers several options for generating 
``off-cycle'' carbon dioxide (CO2) credits. Under the 
regulations, a manufacturer may apply for CO2 credits for 
technologies that result in off-cycle benefits. In these cases, a 
manufacturer must provide EPA with a proposed methodology for 
determining the real-world off-cycle benefit. Nissan has submitted 
applications that describe methodologies for determining off-cycle 
credits from low-power-consumption compressor clutch technology. The 
application for compressor clutch technology includes test data to 
establish the 0.3 grams CO2/mile credit value compared to the industry 
standard clutch with similar performance characteristics (circa 2012). 
Nissan's application is limited to 2017 and later model year vehicles. 
Pursuant to applicable regulations, EPA is making descriptions of the 
manufacturers' off-cycle credit calculation methodologies available for 
public comment.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before March 10, 2021.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments referencing Docket ID No. EPA-HQ- OAR-
2019-0588, to the Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting 
comments. Once submitted, comments cannot be edited or withdrawn. The 
EPA may publish any comment received to its public docket. Do not 
submit electronically any information you consider to be Confidential 
Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is 
restricted by statute. Multimedia submissions (audio, video, etc.) must 
be accompanied by a written comment. The written comment is considered 
the official comment and should include discussion of all points you 
wish to make. The EPA will generally not consider comments or comment 
contents located outside of the primary submission (i.e., on the web, 
cloud, or other file sharing system). For additional submission 
methods, the full EPA public comment policy, information about CBI or 
multimedia submissions, and general guidance on making effective 
comments, please visit https://www2.epa.gov/dockets/commenting-epa-dockets.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Wright, Environmental Protection 
Specialist, Office of Transportation and Air Quality, Compliance 
Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2000 Traverwood Drive, 
Ann Arbor, MI 48105. Telephone: (734) 214-4467. Fax: (734) 214-4869. 
Email address: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    EPA's light-duty vehicle greenhouse gas (GHG) program provides 
three pathways by which a manufacturer may accrue off-cycle carbon 
dioxide (CO2) credits for those technologies that achieve 
CO2 reductions in the real world but where those reductions 
are not adequately or entirely captured on the test used to determine 
compliance with the CO2 standards, and which are not 
otherwise reflected in the standards' stringency. The first pathway is 
a predetermined list of credit values for specific off-cycle 
technologies that may be used beginning in model year 2014.\1\ This 
pathway allows manufacturers to use conservative credit values 
established by EPA for a wide range of technologies, with minimal data 
submittal or testing requirements. In cases where additional laboratory 
testing can demonstrate emission benefits, a second pathway allows 
manufacturers to use a broader array of emission tests (known as ``5-
cycle'' testing because the methodology uses five different testing 
procedures) to demonstrate and justify off-cycle CO2 
credits.\2\ The additional emission tests allow emission benefits to be 
demonstrated over some elements of real-world driving not captured by 
the GHG compliance tests, including high speeds, hard accelerations, 
and cold temperatures. Credits determined according to either of these 
methodologies do not undergo additional public review. The third and 
last pathway allows manufacturers to seek EPA approval to use an 
alternative methodology for determining the off-cycle CO2 
credits.\3\ This option is only available if the benefit of the 
technology cannot be adequately demonstrated using the 5-cycle 
methodology. Manufacturers may also use this option for model years 
prior to 2014 to demonstrate off-cycle CO2 reductions for 
technologies that are on the predetermined list, or to demonstrate 
reductions that exceed those available via use of the predetermined 
list.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

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

[[Page 8633]]

decision to approve or deny the request for off-cycle credits.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

II. Off-Cycle Credit Applications

    Using the alternative methodology approach discussed above, Nissan 
is applying for credits for model years 2017 and later. Nissan has 
applied for off-cycle credits using the alternative demonstration 
methodology pathway for the low-power-consumption clutch technology. 
The application covers 2017 model year and later vehicles. The 
methodologies described by Nissan are generally consistent with those 
used by other manufacturers to determine similar credit values. The 
requested credit value is 0.3 grams CO2/mile.

III. EPA Decision Process

    EPA has reviewed the applications for completeness and is now 
making the applications available for public review and comment as 
required by the regulations. The off-cycle credit applications 
submitted by Nissan (with confidential business information redacted) 
have been placed in the public docket (see ADDRESSES section above) and 
on EPA's website at https://www.epa.gov/ve-certification/compliance-information-light-duty-greenhouse-gas-ghg-standards. EPA is providing a 
30-day comment period on the applications for off-cycle credits 
described in this notice, as specified by the regulations. The 
manufacturers may submit a written rebuttal of comments for EPA's 
consideration, or may revise an application in response to comments. 
After reviewing any public comments and any rebuttal of comments 
submitted by manufacturers, EPA will make a final decision regarding 
the credit requests. An EPA decision regarding these off-cycle credit 
requests will only apply to the vehicles and model years specified in 
the applications submitted by each manufacturer. EPA will make its 
decision available to the public by placing a decision document (or 
multiple decision documents) in the docket and on EPA's website at 
https://www.epa.gov/ve-certification/compliance-information-light-duty-greenhouse-gas-ghg-standards. An EPA decision to approve off-cycle 
credit requests would only apply to the manufacturers, model years, 
vehicles, and technologies specified in the credit applications. Such 
decision would not apply to other vehicles or vehicles from other 
manufacturers. While the broad methodologies used by these 
manufacturers could potentially be used for other vehicles and by other 
manufacturers, the vehicle specific data needed to demonstrate the off-
cycle emissions reductions would likely be different. In such cases, a 
new application would be required, including an opportunity for public 
comment.

    Dated: November 10, 2020.
Byron Bunker,
Director, Compliance Division, Office of Transportation and Air 
Quality, Office of Air and Radiation.
[FR Doc. 2021-02517 Filed 2-5-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
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