Rescission of the Source-Specific Federal Implementation Plan for Navajo Generating Station, Navajo Nation, 31918-31920 [2021-12574]
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31918
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 114 / Wednesday, June 16, 2021 / Rules and Regulations
from the Elba Island Cut Jetty Light to
the Eugene Talmage Memorial Bridge. It
is categorically excluded from further
review under paragraph L60(a) of
Appendix A, Table 1 of DHS Instruction
Manual 023–01–001–01, Rev. 1. A
Record of Environmental Consideration
supporting this determination is
available in the docket. For instructions
on locating the docket, see the
ADDRESSES section of this preamble.
G. Protest Activities
The Coast Guard respects the First
Amendment rights of protesters.
Protesters are asked to call or email the
person listed in the FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT section to
coordinate protest activities so that your
message can be received without
jeopardizing the safety or security of
people, places or vessels.
List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 165
Harbors, Marine safety, Navigation
(water), Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Security measures,
Waterways.
For the reasons discussed in the
preamble, the Coast Guard amends 33
CFR part 165 as follows:
1. The authority citation for part 165
continues to read as follows:
2. Add § 165.T07–0356 to read as
follows:
■
§ 165.T07–0356 Safety Zone; 4th of July
Boat Parade, Savannah River, Savannah,
GA.
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SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Throughout this document, ‘‘we,’’ ‘‘us,’’
and ‘‘our’’ refer to the EPA.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Parts 49 and 52
Authority: 46 U.S.C. 70034, 70051; 33 CFR
1.05–1, 6.04–1, 6.04–6, and 160.5;
Department of Homeland Security Delegation
No. 0170.1.
[EPA–R09–OAR–2021–0018; FRL–10024–
15–Region 9]
Rescission of the Source-Specific
Federal Implementation Plan for
Navajo Generating Station, Navajo
Nation
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
(a) Location. The following area is a
safety zone: All waters of the Savannah
River, from surface to bottom, from the
Elba Island Cut Jetty Light to the Eugene
Talmage Memorial Bridge.
(b) Definitions. As used in this
section, designated representative
means a Coast Guard Patrol
Commander, including a Coast Guard
coxswain, petty officer, or other officer
operating a Coast Guard vessel and a
Federal, State, and local officer
designated by or assisting the Captain of
the Port Savannah (COTP) in the
enforcement of the safety zone.
(c) Regulations. (1) Under the general
safety zone regulations in subpart C of
this part, you may not enter the safety
zone described in paragraph (a) of this
section unless authorized by the COTP
or the COTP’s designated representative.
Jkt 253001
Dated: June 3, 2021.
S.A. Richardson,
Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Coast Guard,
Acting, Captain of the Port.
BILLING CODE 9110–04–P
■
15:52 Jun 15, 2021
website. Although listed in the index,
some information is not publicly
available, e.g., Confidential Business
Information (CBI) or other information
whose disclosure is restricted by statute.
Certain other material, such as
copyrighted material, is not placed on
the internet and will be publicly
available only in hard copy form.
Publicly available docket materials are
available through https://
www.regulations.gov, or please contact
the person identified in the FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT section for
additional availability information. If
you need assistance in a language other
than English or if you are a person with
disabilities who needs a reasonable
accommodation at no cost to you, please
contact the person identified in the FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section.
[FR Doc. 2021–12582 Filed 6–15–21; 8:45 am]
PART 165—REGULATED NAVIGATION
AREAS AND LIMITED ACCESS AREAS
VerDate Sep<11>2014
(2) Persons or vessels desiring to
enter, transit through, anchor in, or
remain within the safety zone may
contact COTP Savannah by telephone at
(912) 652–4353, or a designated
representative via VHF radio on channel
16, to request authorization. If
authorization to enter, transit through,
anchor in, or remain within the
regulated area is granted by the COTP
Savannah or a designated
representative, all persons and vessels
receiving such authorization must
comply with the instructions of the
COTP Savannah or a designated
representative.
(3) The Coast Guard will provide
notice of the regulated areas by Local
Notice to Mariners, Broadcast Notice to
Mariners, Marine Safety Information
Bulletins, and on-scene designated
representatives.
(d) Enforcement period. This section
will be enforced from 2:00 p.m. until
5:00 p.m., on July 4, 2021.
The Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) is taking final action to
rescind the federal implementation plan
(FIP) that regulates emissions from the
Navajo Generating Station (NGS), a coalfired power plant that was located on
the reservation lands of the Navajo
Nation near Page, Arizona. NGS
permanently ceased operations on
November 18, 2019, and the Clean Air
Act operating permit for this facility has
expired.
DATES: This rule will be effective on July
16, 2021.
ADDRESSES: The EPA has established a
docket for this action under Docket ID
No. EPA–R09–OAR–2021–0018. All
documents in the docket are listed on
the https://www.regulations.gov
SUMMARY:
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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Anita Lee, EPA Region IX, (415) 972–
3958, lee.anita@epa.gov.
Table of Contents
I. Background
II. Public Comments and EPA Responses
III. Final Action
IV. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
I. Background
On March 16, 2021, the EPA proposed
to rescind the FIP for NGS that we
promulgated on October 3, 1991 (‘‘1991
FIP’’), March 5, 2010 (‘‘2010 FIP’’), and
August 8, 2014 (‘‘2014 FIP’’).1 The
provisions of the 1991 action are
codified in the Code of Federal
Regulations (CFR) at 40 CFR 52.145(d),
the provisions of the 2010 action are
codified at 40 CFR 49.5513(a) through
(i), and provisions of the 2014 action are
codified at 40 CFR 49.5513(j). We refer
collectively to the provisions from the
1991, 2010, and 2014 actions as the
‘‘FIP’’ or the ‘‘NGS FIP.’’ The NGS FIP
includes federally enforceable emissions
limitations that apply to the fossil fuelfired steam generating equipment,
designated as Units 1, 2, and 3,
equipment associated with the coal and
ash handling, and the two auxiliary
steam boilers at NGS. These emissions
limitations apply to emissions of
particulate matter (PM), opacity, sulfur
dioxide (SO2), and oxides of nitrogen
(NOX). The EPA is proposing to rescind
the NGS FIP and remove the provisions
1 The EPA’s proposed rule is available at 86 FR
14392 (March 16, 2021). The provisions of the FIP
for NGS were published at 56 FR 50172 (October
3, 1991), 75 FR 10174 (March 5, 2010), and 79 FR
46552 (August 8, 2014).
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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 114 / Wednesday, June 16, 2021 / Rules and Regulations
of the FIP from 40 CFR 52.145(d) and 40
CFR 49.5513.
NGS was a coal-fired power plant that
ceased operation in 2019, located on the
reservation lands of the Navajo Nation,
just east of Page, Arizona, and
approximately 135 miles north of
Flagstaff. NGS was co-owned by several
entities and operated by Salt River
Project Agricultural Improvement and
Power District (SRP).2 The facility
consisted of three electric generating
units, each with a capacity of 750
megawatts (MW) net generation, with a
total capacity of 2250 MW. Operations
at the facility produced air pollutant
emissions, including emissions of SO2,
NOX, and PM. Pollution control
equipment at NGS included wet flue gas
desulfurization units for SO2 and PM
removal, electrostatic precipitators for
PM removal, and low-NOX burners with
separated over-fire air to reduce NOX
formation during the combustion
process. Had the facility not ceased
operations, the owner or operator of
NGS would have taken additional steps
by December 31, 2019 to reduce
emissions of NOX, pursuant to the
requirements of the 2014 FIP.
The EPA’s proposed action published
on March 16, 2021 described the EPA’s
authority to promulgate a FIP in Indian
country, provided an historical
overview of the NGS FIP actions, and
described the EPA’s basis for our
proposed action to rescind the NGS FIP,
including consideration of whether the
rescission of the FIP would interfere
with any Clean Air Act requirements.
Briefly, because NGS has permanently
ceased operation and all equipment
subject to the NGS FIP is no longer
operational, and because the facility no
longer holds a valid CAA title V permit
to operate, the EPA proposed to rescind
the FIP for NGS at 40 CFR 52.145(d) and
40 CFR 49.5513. Please see our
proposed rule for additional details.
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II. Public Comments and EPA
Responses
The EPA’s proposed action provided
a 30-day public comment period that
ended on April 15, 2021. During this
period, the EPA received two
comments, one from a private
individual and the other from SRP, both
in support of our proposed action to
rescind the FIP for NGS.3 We are not
2 The original participants in NGS were the
United States Bureau of Reclamation, SRP, Arizona
Public Service Company, Tucson Electric Company,
NV Energy, and the Los Angeles Department of
Water and Power (LADWP). SRP, serves as the
facility operator. Prior to the permanent closure of
NGS, SRP acquired the LADWP participant share in
NGS.
3 The comments are available in the docket for
this rulemaking at https://www.regulations.gov/
VerDate Sep<11>2014
15:52 Jun 15, 2021
Jkt 253001
providing responses to these comments
because they express support for our
proposed action.
III. Final Action
For the reasons discussed in detail in
the proposed rule and summarized
herein, the EPA is taking final action to
rescind the FIP for NGS at 40 CFR
52.145(d) and 40 CFR 49.5513.
IV. Statutory and Executive Order
Reviews
Additional information about these
statutes and Executive Orders can be
found at https://www.epa.gov/lawsregulations/laws-and-executive-orders.
A. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory
Planning and Review and Executive
Order 13563: Improving Regulation and
Regulatory Review
This action is not a significant
regulatory action and was therefore not
submitted to the Office of Management
and Budget for review. This rule applies
to only one facility and is therefore not
a rule of general applicability.
B. Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA)
This action does not impose an
information collection burden under the
PRA because this action does not
contain any information collection
activities.
C. Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)
I certify that this action will not have
a significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities
under the RFA. This action will not
impose any requirements on small
entities.
D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
(UMRA)
This action does not contain any
unfunded mandate as described in
UMRA, 2 U.S.C. 1531–1538, and does
not significantly or uniquely affect small
governments. The action imposes no
enforceable duty on any state, local or
tribal governments or the private sector.
E. Executive Order 13132: Federalism
This action does not have federalism
implications. It will not have substantial
direct effects on the states, on the
relationship between the national
government and the states, or on the
distribution of power and
responsibilities among the various
levels of government.
document/EPA-R09-OAR-2021-0018-0001/
comment.
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31919
F. Executive Order 13175: Coordination
With Indian Tribal Governments
This action does not have tribal
implications, as specified in Executive
Order 13175. The Navajo Generating
Station is located on the reservation
lands of the Navajo Nation, and the EPA
recognizes there has been significant
community and tribal interest in this
facility. The facility has already
permanently ceased operations and this
action simply rescinds previously
promulgated requirements applicable to
this shuttered facility. In addition, the
Navajo Nation EPA has already
determined that NGS no longer has the
right to operate. This action to rescind
the NGS FIP will not have substantial
direct effects on any Indian tribes, on
the relationship between the federal
government and Indian tribes, or on the
distribution of power and
responsibilities between the federal
government and Indian tribes. Thus,
Executive Order 13175 does not apply
to this action. However, on January 7,
2021, we invited the Navajo Nation to
consult on this proposed action.4 The
Navajo Nation did not request
consultation on this FIP rescission.
G. Executive Order 13045: Protection of
Children From Environmental Health
Risks and Safety Risks
The EPA interprets Executive Order
13045 as applying only to those
regulatory actions that concern
environmental health or safety risks that
the EPA has reason to believe may
disproportionately affect children, per
the definition of ‘‘covered regulatory
action’’ in section 2–202 of the
Executive Order. This action is not
subject to Executive Order 13045
because it does not concern an
environmental health risk or safety risk.
H. Executive Order 13211: Actions That
Significantly Affect Energy Supply,
Distribution, or Use
This action is not subject to Executive
Order 13211, because it is not a
significant regulatory action under
Executive Order 12866.
I. National Technology Transfer and
Advancement Act (NTTAA)
This rulemaking does not involve
technical standards.
4 Letter dated January 7, 2021 from Elizabeth J.
Adams, EPA Region IX, to Jonathan Nez, President
of the Navajo Nation, Re: Invitation to Consult on
a Request from the Salt River Project to Rescind the
Federal Implementation Plan for the Navajo
Generating Station.
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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 114 / Wednesday, June 16, 2021 / Rules and Regulations
J. Executive Order 12898: Federal
Actions To Address Environmental
Justice in Minority Populations and
Low-Income Populations
The EPA believes that this action is
not subject to Executive Order 12898 (59
FR 7629, February 16, 1994) because it
does not establish an environmental
health or safety standard. The facility
has already permanently ceased
operations and this action simply
rescinds previously promulgated
requirements applicable to this
shuttered facility. Therefore, the EPA
considers this action to have no impacts
to human health and the environment,
and to have no potential
disproportionately high and adverse
effects on minority, low-income, or
indigenous populations.
K. The Congressional Review Act
The Congressional Review Act, 5
U.S.C. 801 et seq., as added by the Small
Business Regulatory Enforcement
Fairness Act of 1996, generally provides
that before a rule may take effect, the
agency promulgating the rule must
submit a rule report, which includes a
copy of the rule, to each House of the
Congress and to the Comptroller General
of the United States. The EPA will
submit a report containing this action
and other required information to the
U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of
Representatives, and the Comptroller
General of the United States prior to
publication of the rule in the Federal
Register. A major rule cannot take effect
until 60 days after it is published in the
Federal Register. This action is not a
‘‘major rule’’ as defined by 5 U.S.C.
804(2).
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L. Judicial Review
Under section 307(b)(1) of the CAA,
petitions for judicial review of this
action must be filed in the United States
Court of Appeals for the appropriate
circuit by August 16, 2021. Filing a
petition for reconsideration by the
Administrator of this final rule does not
affect the finality of this action for the
purposes of judicial review nor does it
extend the time within which a petition
for judicial review may be filed, and
shall not postpone the effectiveness of
such rule or action. This action may not
be challenged later in proceedings to
enforce its requirements. (See section
307(b)(2)).
List of Subjects
40 CFR Part 49
Environmental protection,
Administrative practice and procedure,
Air pollution control, Incorporation by
reference, Indians, Intergovernmental
VerDate Sep<11>2014
15:52 Jun 15, 2021
Jkt 253001
relations, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements.
40 CFR Part 52
Environmental protection, Air
pollution control, Incorporation by
reference, Intergovernmental relations,
Particulate matter, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements, Visibility.
Michael S. Regan,
Administrator.
For reasons discussed in the
preamble, EPA amends Chapter I, title
40, of the Code of Federal Regulations
as follows:
PART 49—INDIAN COUNTRY: AIR
QUALITY PLANNING AND
MANAGEMENT
1. The authority citation for part 49
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401, et seq.
SUBPART L—IMPLEMENTATION
PLANS FOR TRIBES—REGION IX
§ 49.5513
■
[Removed and Reserved]
2. Remove and reserve § 49.5513.
PART 52—APPROVAL AND
PROMULGATION OF
IMPLEMENTATION PLANS
3. The authority citation for part 52
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401, et seq.
Subpart D—Arizona
§ 52.145
[Amended]
4. Section 52.145 amended by
removing and reserving paragraph (d).
■
[FR Doc. 2021–12574 Filed 6–15–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 52
[EPA–R05–OAR–2020–0542; FRL–10024–
89-Region 5]
Air Plan Approval; Illinois; Volatile
Organic Material Definition Update
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
The Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) is approving a revision to
the Illinois State Implementation Plan
(SIP). The revision is amending the
Illinois Administrative Code (IAC) by
updating the definition of volatile
organic material (VOM) and volatile
organic compounds (VOC) to exclude
SUMMARY:
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(Z) -1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluorobut-2-ene.
This revision is consistent with an EPA
rulemaking in 2018, which exempted
this compound from the Federal
definition of VOC on the basis that the
compound makes a negligible
contribution to tropospheric ozone
formation. EPA proposed to approve
this action on February 11, 2021 and
received no adverse comments.
DATES: This final rule is effective on July
16, 2021.
ADDRESSES: EPA has established a
docket for this action under Docket ID
No. EPA–R05–OAR–2020–0542. All
documents in the docket are listed on
the www.regulations.gov website.
Although listed in the index, some
information is not publicly available,
i.e., Confidential Business Information
(CBI) or other information whose
disclosure is restricted by statute.
Certain other material, such as
copyrighted material, is not placed on
the internet and will be publicly
available only in hard copy form.
Publicly available docket materials are
available either through
www.regulations.gov or at the
Environmental Protection Agency,
Region 5, Air and Radiation Division, 77
West Jackson Boulevard, Chicago,
Illinois 60604. This facility is open from
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through
Friday, excluding Federal holidays and
facility closures due to COVID–19. We
recommend that you telephone Andrew
Lee, Physical Scientist, at (312) 353–
7645 before visiting the Region 5 office.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Andrew Lee, Physical Scientist,
Attainment Planning and Maintenance
Section, Air Programs Branch (AR–18J),
Environmental Protection Agency,
Region 5, 77 West Jackson Boulevard,
Chicago, Illinois 60604, (312) 353–7645,
lee.andrew.c@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Throughout this document whenever
‘‘we,’’ ‘‘us,’’ or ‘‘our’’ is used, we mean
EPA.
I. Background Information
On February 11, 2021, EPA proposed
to approve a revision to the Illinois SIP
by updating the definition of volatile
organic material or volatile organic
compound at 35 IAC 211.7150 to
exclude (Z)-1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluorobut-2ene. See 86 FR 9307. This revision is
consistent with an EPA rulemaking
exempting this compound from the
Federal definition of VOC at 40 CFR
51.100(s) due to its negligible
contribution to tropospheric ozone
formation. See 83 FR 61127 (Nov. 28,
2018). An explanation of the Clean Air
Act (CAA) requirements, a detailed
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 114 (Wednesday, June 16, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 31918-31920]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-12574]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Parts 49 and 52
[EPA-R09-OAR-2021-0018; FRL-10024-15-Region 9]
Rescission of the Source-Specific Federal Implementation Plan for
Navajo Generating Station, Navajo Nation
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking final
action to rescind the federal implementation plan (FIP) that regulates
emissions from the Navajo Generating Station (NGS), a coal-fired power
plant that was located on the reservation lands of the Navajo Nation
near Page, Arizona. NGS permanently ceased operations on November 18,
2019, and the Clean Air Act operating permit for this facility has
expired.
DATES: This rule will be effective on July 16, 2021.
ADDRESSES: The EPA has established a docket for this action under
Docket ID No. EPA-R09-OAR-2021-0018. All documents in the docket are
listed on the https://www.regulations.gov website. Although listed in
the index, some information is not publicly available, e.g.,
Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose
disclosure is restricted by statute. Certain other material, such as
copyrighted material, is not placed on the internet and will be
publicly available only in hard copy form. Publicly available docket
materials are available through https://www.regulations.gov, or please
contact the person identified in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
section for additional availability information. If you need assistance
in a language other than English or if you are a person with
disabilities who needs a reasonable accommodation at no cost to you,
please contact the person identified in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT section.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Anita Lee, EPA Region IX, (415) 972-
3958, [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Throughout this document, ``we,'' ``us,''
and ``our'' refer to the EPA.
Table of Contents
I. Background
II. Public Comments and EPA Responses
III. Final Action
IV. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
I. Background
On March 16, 2021, the EPA proposed to rescind the FIP for NGS that
we promulgated on October 3, 1991 (``1991 FIP''), March 5, 2010 (``2010
FIP''), and August 8, 2014 (``2014 FIP'').\1\ The provisions of the
1991 action are codified in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 40
CFR 52.145(d), the provisions of the 2010 action are codified at 40 CFR
49.5513(a) through (i), and provisions of the 2014 action are codified
at 40 CFR 49.5513(j). We refer collectively to the provisions from the
1991, 2010, and 2014 actions as the ``FIP'' or the ``NGS FIP.'' The NGS
FIP includes federally enforceable emissions limitations that apply to
the fossil fuel-fired steam generating equipment, designated as Units
1, 2, and 3, equipment associated with the coal and ash handling, and
the two auxiliary steam boilers at NGS. These emissions limitations
apply to emissions of particulate matter (PM), opacity, sulfur dioxide
(SO2), and oxides of nitrogen (NOX). The EPA is
proposing to rescind the NGS FIP and remove the provisions
[[Page 31919]]
of the FIP from 40 CFR 52.145(d) and 40 CFR 49.5513.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The EPA's proposed rule is available at 86 FR 14392 (March
16, 2021). The provisions of the FIP for NGS were published at 56 FR
50172 (October 3, 1991), 75 FR 10174 (March 5, 2010), and 79 FR
46552 (August 8, 2014).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
NGS was a coal-fired power plant that ceased operation in 2019,
located on the reservation lands of the Navajo Nation, just east of
Page, Arizona, and approximately 135 miles north of Flagstaff. NGS was
co-owned by several entities and operated by Salt River Project
Agricultural Improvement and Power District (SRP).\2\ The facility
consisted of three electric generating units, each with a capacity of
750 megawatts (MW) net generation, with a total capacity of 2250 MW.
Operations at the facility produced air pollutant emissions, including
emissions of SO2, NOX, and PM. Pollution control
equipment at NGS included wet flue gas desulfurization units for
SO2 and PM removal, electrostatic precipitators for PM
removal, and low-NOX burners with separated over-fire air to
reduce NOX formation during the combustion process. Had the
facility not ceased operations, the owner or operator of NGS would have
taken additional steps by December 31, 2019 to reduce emissions of
NOX, pursuant to the requirements of the 2014 FIP.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ The original participants in NGS were the United States
Bureau of Reclamation, SRP, Arizona Public Service Company, Tucson
Electric Company, NV Energy, and the Los Angeles Department of Water
and Power (LADWP). SRP, serves as the facility operator. Prior to
the permanent closure of NGS, SRP acquired the LADWP participant
share in NGS.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The EPA's proposed action published on March 16, 2021 described the
EPA's authority to promulgate a FIP in Indian country, provided an
historical overview of the NGS FIP actions, and described the EPA's
basis for our proposed action to rescind the NGS FIP, including
consideration of whether the rescission of the FIP would interfere with
any Clean Air Act requirements. Briefly, because NGS has permanently
ceased operation and all equipment subject to the NGS FIP is no longer
operational, and because the facility no longer holds a valid CAA title
V permit to operate, the EPA proposed to rescind the FIP for NGS at 40
CFR 52.145(d) and 40 CFR 49.5513. Please see our proposed rule for
additional details.
II. Public Comments and EPA Responses
The EPA's proposed action provided a 30-day public comment period
that ended on April 15, 2021. During this period, the EPA received two
comments, one from a private individual and the other from SRP, both in
support of our proposed action to rescind the FIP for NGS.\3\ We are
not providing responses to these comments because they express support
for our proposed action.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\ The comments are available in the docket for this rulemaking
at https://www.regulations.gov/document/EPA-R09-OAR-2021-0018-0001/comment.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
III. Final Action
For the reasons discussed in detail in the proposed rule and
summarized herein, the EPA is taking final action to rescind the FIP
for NGS at 40 CFR 52.145(d) and 40 CFR 49.5513.
IV. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
Additional information about these statutes and Executive Orders
can be found at https://www.epa.gov/laws-regulations/laws-and-executive-orders.
A. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory Planning and Review and Executive
Order 13563: Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review
This action is not a significant regulatory action and was
therefore not submitted to the Office of Management and Budget for
review. This rule applies to only one facility and is therefore not a
rule of general applicability.
B. Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA)
This action does not impose an information collection burden under
the PRA because this action does not contain any information collection
activities.
C. Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)
I certify that this action will not have a significant economic
impact on a substantial number of small entities under the RFA. This
action will not impose any requirements on small entities.
D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA)
This action does not contain any unfunded mandate as described in
UMRA, 2 U.S.C. 1531-1538, and does not significantly or uniquely affect
small governments. The action imposes no enforceable duty on any state,
local or tribal governments or the private sector.
E. Executive Order 13132: Federalism
This action does not have federalism implications. It will not have
substantial direct effects on the states, on the relationship between
the national government and the states, or on the distribution of power
and responsibilities among the various levels of government.
F. Executive Order 13175: Coordination With Indian Tribal Governments
This action does not have tribal implications, as specified in
Executive Order 13175. The Navajo Generating Station is located on the
reservation lands of the Navajo Nation, and the EPA recognizes there
has been significant community and tribal interest in this facility.
The facility has already permanently ceased operations and this action
simply rescinds previously promulgated requirements applicable to this
shuttered facility. In addition, the Navajo Nation EPA has already
determined that NGS no longer has the right to operate. This action to
rescind the NGS FIP will not have substantial direct effects on any
Indian tribes, on the relationship between the federal government and
Indian tribes, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities
between the federal government and Indian tribes. Thus, Executive Order
13175 does not apply to this action. However, on January 7, 2021, we
invited the Navajo Nation to consult on this proposed action.\4\ The
Navajo Nation did not request consultation on this FIP rescission.
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\4\ Letter dated January 7, 2021 from Elizabeth J. Adams, EPA
Region IX, to Jonathan Nez, President of the Navajo Nation, Re:
Invitation to Consult on a Request from the Salt River Project to
Rescind the Federal Implementation Plan for the Navajo Generating
Station.
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G. Executive Order 13045: Protection of Children From Environmental
Health Risks and Safety Risks
The EPA interprets Executive Order 13045 as applying only to those
regulatory actions that concern environmental health or safety risks
that the EPA has reason to believe may disproportionately affect
children, per the definition of ``covered regulatory action'' in
section 2-202 of the Executive Order. This action is not subject to
Executive Order 13045 because it does not concern an environmental
health risk or safety risk.
H. Executive Order 13211: Actions That Significantly Affect Energy
Supply, Distribution, or Use
This action is not subject to Executive Order 13211, because it is
not a significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866.
I. National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act (NTTAA)
This rulemaking does not involve technical standards.
[[Page 31920]]
J. Executive Order 12898: Federal Actions To Address Environmental
Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations
The EPA believes that this action is not subject to Executive Order
12898 (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994) because it does not establish an
environmental health or safety standard. The facility has already
permanently ceased operations and this action simply rescinds
previously promulgated requirements applicable to this shuttered
facility. Therefore, the EPA considers this action to have no impacts
to human health and the environment, and to have no potential
disproportionately high and adverse effects on minority, low-income, or
indigenous populations.
K. The Congressional Review Act
The Congressional Review Act, 5 U.S.C. 801 et seq., as added by the
Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, generally
provides that before a rule may take effect, the agency promulgating
the rule must submit a rule report, which includes a copy of the rule,
to each House of the Congress and to the Comptroller General of the
United States. The EPA will submit a report containing this action and
other required information to the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of
Representatives, and the Comptroller General of the United States prior
to publication of the rule in the Federal Register. A major rule cannot
take effect until 60 days after it is published in the Federal
Register. This action is not a ``major rule'' as defined by 5 U.S.C.
804(2).
L. Judicial Review
Under section 307(b)(1) of the CAA, petitions for judicial review
of this action must be filed in the United States Court of Appeals for
the appropriate circuit by August 16, 2021. Filing a petition for
reconsideration by the Administrator of this final rule does not affect
the finality of this action for the purposes of judicial review nor
does it extend the time within which a petition for judicial review may
be filed, and shall not postpone the effectiveness of such rule or
action. This action may not be challenged later in proceedings to
enforce its requirements. (See section 307(b)(2)).
List of Subjects
40 CFR Part 49
Environmental protection, Administrative practice and procedure,
Air pollution control, Incorporation by reference, Indians,
Intergovernmental relations, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
40 CFR Part 52
Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Incorporation by
reference, Intergovernmental relations, Particulate matter, Reporting
and recordkeeping requirements, Visibility.
Michael S. Regan,
Administrator.
For reasons discussed in the preamble, EPA amends Chapter I, title
40, of the Code of Federal Regulations as follows:
PART 49--INDIAN COUNTRY: AIR QUALITY PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT
0
1. The authority citation for part 49 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401, et seq.
SUBPART L--IMPLEMENTATION PLANS FOR TRIBES--REGION IX
Sec. 49.5513 [Removed and Reserved]
0
2. Remove and reserve Sec. 49.5513.
PART 52--APPROVAL AND PROMULGATION OF IMPLEMENTATION PLANS
0
3. The authority citation for part 52 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401, et seq.
Subpart D--Arizona
Sec. 52.145 [Amended]
0
4. Section 52.145 amended by removing and reserving paragraph (d).
[FR Doc. 2021-12574 Filed 6-15-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P