New Source Review Regulations; Correction, 37918-37935 [2021-13905]
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37918
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 135 / Monday, July 19, 2021 / Rules and Regulations
Dated: July 14, 2021.
Leon McClain, Jr.,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Alternate Captain
of the Port Delaware Bay.
[FR Doc. 2021–15292 Filed 7–16–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110–04–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Parts 51 and 52
[EPA–HQ–OAR–2019–0435; FRL–10017–29–
OAR]
RIN 2060–AU46
New Source Review Regulations;
Correction
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule; correction.
AGENCY:
The Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) is amending several New
Source Review (NSR) regulations by
making the following types of changes:
Correcting typographical and
grammatical errors, removing court
vacated rule language, removing or
updating outdated or incorrect cross
references, conforming certain
provisions to changes contained in the
1990 Clean Air Act (CAA or Act)
Amendments, and removing certain
outdated grandfathering or transitional
exemptions.
SUMMARY:
This final rule is effective on
August 18, 2021.
ADDRESSES: The EPA has established a
docket for this action, identified by
Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–OAR–2019–
0435. All documents in the docket are
listed in 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 either electronically in the
docket or in hard copy at the EPA
Docket Center Reading Room, WJC West
Building, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution
Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004.
Out of an abundance of caution for
members of the public and our staff, the
EPA Docket Center and Reading Room
are closed to the public, with limited
exceptions, to reduce the risk of
transmitting COVID–19. Our Docket
Center staff will continue to provide
remote customer service via email,
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DATES:
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phone, and webform. For further
information on EPA Docket Center
services and the current status, please
visit us online at https://www.epa.gov/
dockets. The hours of operation at the
EPA Docket Center Reading Room are
8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Monday–Friday.
The telephone number for the EPA
Docket Center is (202) 566–1744.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
general questions about this document,
please contact Mr. Ben Garwood, New
Source Review Group, Air Quality
Policy Division, Office of Air Quality
Planning and Standards (C504–03),
Environmental Protection Agency,
Research Triangle Park, North Carolina,
27711; telephone number (919) 541–
1358; fax number (919) 541–4028; email
address: garwood.ben@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Throughout this document wherever
‘‘we,’’ ‘‘us,’’ or ‘‘our’’ is used, we mean
the EPA.
Table of Contents
I. Background
II. Response to Comments
III. Final Action
IV. Removal of Vacated Ozone NAAQS
Grandfathering and Ozone Interprecursor
Trading Provisions
V. Environmental Justice Considerations
VI. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
A. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory
Planning and Review and Executive
Order 13563: Improving Regulation and
Regulatory Review
B. Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA)
C. Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)
D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
(UMRA)
E. Executive Order 13132: Federalism
F. Executive Order 13175: Consultation
and Coordination With Indian Tribal
Governments
G. Executive Order 13045: Protection of
Children From Environmental Health
and Safety Risks
H. Executive Order 13211: Actions That
Significantly Affect Energy Supply,
Distribution, or Use
I. National Technology Transfer and
Advancement Act (NTTA)
J. Executive Order 12898: Federal Actions
To Address Environmental Justice in
Minority Populations and Low-Income
Populations
K. Congressional Review Act (CRA)
L. Judicial Review
VII. Statutory Authority
I. Background
The EPA published a notice of
proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on
December 20, 2019 (‘‘2019 NPRM’’ or
‘‘2019 proposal’’) 1 including revisions
to four sets of NSR regulations.2 The
FR 70092 (December 20, 2019).
2 The four sets of NSR regulations include the
Prevention of Significant Deterioration regulations
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proposed revisions were intended to
correct various typographical and
grammatical errors, remove regulatory
provisions that have been vacated by the
court, remove or update outdated or
incorrect cross references, conform
certain provisions to changes contained
in the 1990 CAA Amendments, and
remove outdated exemptions.
The NSR regulations have undergone
revisions and restructurings by the EPA
during their long history as a result of
statutory and policy changes, as well as
numerous court decisions. These
revisions and restructurings have
sometimes introduced errors within
those regulations. In this action, the
EPA is finalizing revisions to address
these inadvertent errors. The agency is
also finalizing other revisions to reflect
statutory changes enacted by Congress
which have already been applied in
practice or changes that have been
necessitated by court decisions. Thus,
the EPA considers this final rule to be
administrative in nature. The EPA’s
intent is to provide clarity to the
affected NSR regulations, but not to alter
the substantive requirements of those
regulations. The NSR regulations
affected by this action contain
requirements for the preconstruction
review of new major stationary sources
and major modifications of existing
major stationary sources.
In response to the 2019 proposal, the
EPA received 15 sets of comments: Five
from industries and industry
associations, five from anonymous
commenters, four from state agencies,
and one from an individual. The
commenters generally agreed with most
of the editorial and typographical
changes that the EPA had proposed.
Some commenters, however, disagreed
with some of the proposed changes and
made alternative recommendations for
consideration in the final rule. In
addition, some commenters identified
additional regulatory text needing
changes. The following section
addresses some of the significant
comments and provides the EPA’s
responses. For a complete description of
the comments received and the EPA’s
responses, please refer to the Response
to Comment (RTC) document that the
EPA has placed in the docket for this
rulemaking.
In order to provide a clear description
of the regulatory revisions contained in
the 2019 proposal, the EPA also
included a separate table in the
rulemaking docket showing each of the
at 40 CFR 51.166 and 52.21, and the Nonattainment
NSR regulations at 40 CFR 51.165 and part 51
Appendix S (also known as the Emission Offset
Interpretative Ruling).
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proposed changes in a redline/strikeout
(RLSO) format to clearly illustrate where
and what changes were proposed. Some
commenters correctly noted that there
were some inconsistencies between the
changes shown in the docketed table
and the revised regulatory text in the
2019 NPRM. These inconsistencies have
been corrected in this final rule and the
table has been revised to show all of the
changes that are being made to the four
sets of NSR regulations, including those
that have been made since the 2019
proposal. Further, the EPA has made
some very minor, non-substantive rule
language format conforming revisions in
this final rule as required by Office of
the Federal Register (OFR) guidelines
for rule language publication in the
Federal Register according to the
Document Drafting Handbook.3 These
rule language consistency edits from
OFR are contained in the final rule
language and the revised table. The
revised table is available in the docket
for this final rule (see Reference Table
of New Source Review Error
Corrections—Final Rule, in Docket ID.
No. EPA–HQ–OAR–2019–0435).
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II. Response to Comments
Based on the comments received, the
EPA is not finalizing some of the
proposed changes or is finalizing
revised versions of the proposed
changes. The following section provides
a summary of many of the comments
received and the EPA’s response to
those comments, including our rationale
for not finalizing some of the proposed
changes or modifying changes that were
originally proposed. All of comments
and responses, including those not
discussed in this preamble, are included
in the RTC, which the EPA has placed
in the docket for this rulemaking.
Comments Received and the EPA’s
Responses
A. Typographical, grammatical and
punctuation errors. The EPA proposed
to correct misspelled words, such as
those contained in 40 CFR
51.165(a)(1)(viii) and 51.166(j)(4). No
adverse comments were received
concerning these types of corrections.
The EPA did, however, receive
comments providing notification of
similar typographical errors, including
the incorrect use of the word ‘‘and’’ in
lieu of ‘‘through’’ in 40 CFR
51.166(b)(48)(ii) and 52.21(b)(49)(ii),
and is making these corrections along
with similar proposed corrections such
as the use of ‘‘that’’ in lieu of ‘‘than’’ in
40 CFR 52.21(b)(1)(iii)(z). The EPA is
3 See https://www.archives.gov/files/federalregister/write/handbook/ddh.pdf.
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also updating the rule language to
correct other errors identified by
commenters, including an inadvertent
reference to ‘‘Class II’’ in the proposed
revision to 40 CFR 52.21(u)(3), and
other minor clarifying edits (see 40 CFR
51.165(a)(1)(xxi)(A) through (D),
51.165(a)(1)(xl), Appendix S II.A.12,
Appendix S II.A.37, 51.166(b)(2)(iii)(a),
51.166(b)(12), 51.166(b)(32)(i) through
(iv), 51.166(b)(48)(ii), 51.166(j)(1),
51.166(w)(9)(ii), 52.21(b)(12),
52.21(b)(33)(i) through (iv),
52.21(b)(49)(iii), and 52.21(j)(1)). These
corrections are a logical outgrowth of
the proposal but, in any event, the EPA
also finds there is good cause to make
these corrections without soliciting
public comment on them because it
would be unnecessary given that the
changes are not substantive.4
In numerous instances, the EPA
proposed to correct inappropriate words
or punctuation, including
capitalizations, commas and hyphens,
such as those contained in 40 CFR
51.165(a)(2)(iii), Appendix S II.A.4.(iii),
and 52.21(b)(23)(ii). One adverse
comment was received on an edit
proposed to the definition of ‘‘emissions
increase’’ to change ‘‘is’’ to ‘‘shall be’’ to
make the language consistent
throughout the paragraph. The EPA had
only proposed this change in 40 CFR
52.21. The commenter pointed out that
the use of ‘‘is’’ is already consistent
within the paragraph and raised concern
that the proposed change could be seen
as suggesting that the provision would
function as a significant emissions rate
even though the EPA has not yet
completed a rulemaking to set a
significance level for GHGs. See 81 FR
68110 (October 3, 2016). Instead the
commenter suggested deleting a comma
to clarify the provision. The EPA agrees
with the commenter and is not changing
‘‘is’’ to ‘‘shall be’’ in 40 CFR
52.21(b)(49)(iii) and 51.166(b)(48)(iii).
Other errors identified by commenters
or identified by the EPA subsequent to
the 2019 proposal include the
inadvertent capitalization of ‘‘for’’ in 40
CFR 52.21(b)(48)(i)(c) and the incorrect
pluralization of the term ‘‘standard’’ in
40 CFR 51.166(j)(1). Correction of these
errors is a logical outgrowth of the
proposal but, in any event, the EPA also
finds there is good cause to make these
corrections without soliciting public
comment because it would be
unnecessary given that the changes are
not substantive.
4 See 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B); 42 U.S.C. 7407(d)(1).
For more information on the good cause exception
to notice and comment rulemaking, see Section IV
of this notice.
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B. Regulatory references. The EPA
proposed to correct the way in which
reference is made in one regulation to
requirements contained in another
regulation, such as references contained
in 40 CFR 51.165(a)(1)(v)(C)(5)(i),
51.166(b)(2)(iii)(e)(1), 51.166(b)(2)(iii)(f),
Appendix S II.A.5.(iii)(e)(1), and
Appendix S II.A.5.(iii)(f). In some cases,
the references were outdated, while
others simply referenced an incorrect
paragraph. The EPA did not receive
adverse comment on these changes and
the EPA is finalizing them in this rule.
The EPA is also updating a reference
made in 40 CFR 51.165(a)(3)(ii)(D) in
response to a comment requesting that
a reference made within this regulation
to a memorandum be updated to reflect
the subsequent codification of the
referenced language. The EPA is
similarly amending a dated reference in
40 CFR 51 Appendix S I. Introduction
and correcting an erroneous cross
reference in Paragraph IV.D from V to IV
in response to comments received.
These corrections are a logical
outgrowth of the proposal but, in any
event, the EPA also finds there is good
cause to make these corrections without
soliciting public comment given that the
changes are not substantive.
C. Court vacaturs. Some of the
proposed changes involve the removal
of text that the EPA needed to remove
to implement the vacatur of the
provision in a court ruling. These
changes include the following:
1. In 2003, the U.S. Court of Appeals
for the District of Columbia Circuit (D.C.
Circuit) indefinitely stayed the effective
date of the NSR provision known as the
Equipment Replacement Provision
(ERP), which amended the NSR
requirements in 2003 to add a Routine
Maintenance, Repair, and Replacement
Exclusion.5 The ERP allowed sources to
avoid NSR when replacing equipment
under certain circumstances. The stay of
the affected paragraphs was
subsequently noted in the CFR under
the three affected NSR regulations, 40
CFR 51.165, 51.166, 52.21.6 Later, in a
2006 decision, the court vacated the
ERP, concluding that the provision was
‘‘contrary to the plain language of
section 111(a)(4) of the Act.’’ New York
v. EPA, 443 F.3d 880, 883 (D.C. Cir.
2006) (‘‘New York II’’). The EPA is now
5 68
FR 61248 (October 27, 2003).
example, in 40 CFR 52.21, the following
note was added: ‘‘NOTE TO PARAGRAPH
(b)(2)(III)(a): ‘‘By court order on December 24, 2003,
the second sentence of this paragraph (b)(2)(iii)(a)
is stayed indefinitely. The stayed provisions will
become effective immediately if the court
terminates the stay. At that time, EPA will publish
a document in the Federal Register advising the
public of the termination of the stay.’’
6 For
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removing the vacated ERP provisions
consistent with New York II as well as
the notes contained in the affected NSR
regulations describing the indefinite
stay of the various affected provisions.
See proposed 40 CFR
51.165(a)(1)(v)(C)(1), 51.165(h),
51.166(b)(2)(iii)(a), 51.166(y),
52.21(b)(2)(iii)(a), and 52.21(cc).
Additionally, in the proposal, the EPA
noted that two components of the 2003
ERP rule, the criteria for ‘‘basic design
parameters’’ (contained at 40 CFR
51.165(h)(2), 51.166(y)(2), and
52.21(cc)(2)), and ‘‘process units’’
(contained at 40 CFR 51.165(a)(1)(xliii),
51.166(b)(53), and 52.21(b)(55)), are
incorporated within the definition of
‘‘replacement unit,’’ which was not part
of the New York II decision. See 40 CFR
51.165(a)(1)(xxi), 51.166(b)(32), and
52.21(b)(33). The EPA proposed to move
definitions and criteria for ‘‘basic design
parameters’’ and ‘‘process unit,’’ into
the definition of ‘‘replacement unit’’ in
each of the three affected NSR
regulations. See proposed 40 CFR
51.165(a)(1)(xxi)(E)–(F),
51.166(b)(32)(v)–(vi), and
52.21(b)(33)(v)–(vi).7 The EPA’s 2019
proposal to move this language to a
different location in the regulation
necessitated revising a cross reference
made to the definition of ‘‘basic design
parameters’’ to cite its new location. See
proposed 40 CFR 51.165(a)(1)(xxi)(C),
51.166(b)(32)(iii), and 52.21(b)(33)(iii).8
Commenters had a variety of different
recommendations in response to the
EPA’s 2019 proposal to relocate two
definitions which the EPA did not
consider to be subject to the court’s
vacatur decision. Those
recommendations introduced
alternative language for these
provisions. Some commenters
questioned the EPA’s proposal to
relocate certain components without
also providing a more comprehensive
7 There is language related to ‘‘process unit’’ that
is only relevant to the ERP and was therefore not
proposed to be retained within the definition of
‘‘replacement unit.’’
8 The EPA also notes that the ERP provisions and
definition of ‘‘replacement unit’’ (promulgated
under a separate rulemaking not affected by the
court’s ERP vacatur) were not added to the NSR
regulations at 40 CFR part 51 Appendix S when the
EPA amended the other NSR regulations in 2003.
To fix this omission of the replacement unit
provision, the EPA proposed to add the definition
of ‘‘replacement unit,’’ including the criteria for
‘‘basic design parameters’’ and ‘‘process unit,’’ to
Appendix S. See proposed paragraph II.A.37. In
addition, a provision explaining that a replacement
unit is considered to be an existing emissions unit
was proposed to be added to the definition of
‘‘emissions unit.’’ See proposed paragraph
II.A.7.(ii). Together, these proposed changes were
intended to make the Appendix S provisions
concerning replacement units consistent with the
other NSR regulations.
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rationale and opportunity for public
comment. One commenter objected to
moving the definition of ‘‘process unit’’
in an error corrections action, claiming
that retaining provisions that were
vacated by the court in a different
location amounted to a substantive
change because it ‘‘represents neither a
statutory change nor a change required
by a court decision.’’ The same
commenter claimed that the EPA
provided no rationale for why the
vacated definition of ‘‘process unit’’
should be retained, and further stated
that ‘‘[i]f EPA believes a definition is
necessary, it should provide an analysis
of why the specific definition it has
proposed is appropriate, instead of
simply relying on a definition included
in a rule that was vacated by a federal
court.’’ The commenter continued,
however, that, should the EPA decide to
define ‘‘process unit’’ as part of the
definition of ‘‘replacement unit,’’ then
‘‘[EPA] should clarify that this
definition is limited to determining
whether a unit meets the criteria for a
replacement unit. This clarification
would prevent confusion on the
implication of this term.’’ Finally, the
commenter recommended, as an
alternative, that the EPA ‘‘could propose
to eliminate the reference to process
unit in the definition of ‘replacement
unit’ and instead reference an
‘emissions unit.’ ’’
Three commenters recommended that
the EPA retain the definition of
‘‘functionally equivalent component’’
(e.g., 40 CFR 52.21(b)(56)), which the
EPA proposed to remove as part of the
ERP vacatur component of this rule.
One of the commenters recommended
that the EPA incorporate the definition
of ‘‘functionally equivalent component’’
into the definition of ‘‘replacement
unit’’ ‘‘in order to retain the clarification
that the ‘functionally equivalent
component’ definition provides.’’ One
of the commenters noted that ‘‘[t]he
replacement unit provision was
intended to recognize that identical
replacement is not required and often is
not possible, which is why EPA will
look to the ‘function’ and the ‘basic
design parameters.’ ’’ This commenter
concluded that ‘‘[b]y deleting this
definition, the intent of the replacement
unit concept could be undermined.’’
Finally, one of the commenters also
recommended that the EPA retain the
definition of ‘‘functionally equivalent
component,’’ as well as the definitions
of ‘‘process unit’’ and ‘‘basic design
parameters,’’ as separate definitions
rather than as part of the definition of
‘‘replacement unit.’’
A state commenter did not agree with
the EPA’s 2019 proposal to relocate the
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three examples of ‘‘process units’’ for
source categories, including refineries,
municipal waste incinerators, and steam
electric generating facilities. Another
commenter recommended that if the
EPA chose to retain an example of a
process unit for a steam electric
generating facility, the example should
not include equipment that does not
contribute to the production of
electricity. The commenter claimed that
‘‘EPA provides no explanation for the
inconsistency between its example for a
pulverized coal-fired facility and the
proposed regulatory text for a steam
electric generating facility, which states
that only portions of the plant that
contribute directly to the production of
electricity would be included in the
definition of ‘process unit.’’’
Another state agency commenter
noted that in the 2019 proposal the EPA
‘‘inadvertently’’ left out the paragraph
describing ‘‘pollution control
equipment,’’ which the commenter
stated was supposed to have been
included in the definition of ‘‘process
unit’’ and therefore should have been
included with the EPA’s proposal to
relocate the definition of ‘‘process unit.’’
The affected provision, previously
contained at 40 CFR
51.165(a)(1)(xliii)(B), 51.166(b)(53)(ii),
and 52.21(b)(55)(ii), reads as follows:
‘‘Pollution control equipment is not part
of the process unit, unless it serves a
dual function as both process and
control equipment. Administrative and
warehousing facilities are not part of the
process unit.’’
The EPA has carefully considered the
adverse comments concerning the
proposal to relocate certain provisions
that were part of the 2003 ERP rule
vacated by the court in 2006. Due to the
concerns expressed in the comments,
the EPA has decided to also remove
provisions pertaining to ‘‘process unit’’
and ‘‘basic design parameters’’ in this
final rule. Based upon comments
received, we have been persuaded that
the better interpretation of the judgment
in New York II is that the court vacated
the ERP rule in its entirety, such that the
EPA should remove all of this content
to effectuate the judgment. While the
replacement unit definition was
adopted in a separate 2003 rulemaking
that was not vacated by the court, that
rulemaking action (which pre-dated
New York II) does not provide a
sufficient basis to conclude that content
from the ERP rule that is referenced in
definition of the ‘‘replacement unit’’
survived the vacatur. Since this
dynamic is not addressed in New York
II and that opinion post-dates the 2003
rule, the EPA believes New York II is
best read as vacating all the content
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adopted in the ERP rule. Therefore, at
this time, the EPA is removing the
entirety of the ERP rule from the NSR
regulations and is not moving the
definitions of ‘‘basic design parameters’’
and ‘‘process unit’’ into the
‘‘replacement unit’’ definition in this
final rule. For the same reason, the EPA
is removing the definition of
‘‘functionally equivalent component’’ as
proposed.
As a result of this action, the NSR
regulations will lack a definition of
‘‘basic design parameters’’ and ‘‘process
unit’’ that can be applied in the context
of identifying whether a unit is a
‘‘replacement unit.’’ However, while not
controlling, the EPA and stakeholders
may continue to look to the vacated
definitions from the ERP rule to guide
their understanding of the definition of
‘‘replacement unit.’’ The EPA will
evaluate whether further rulemaking is
needed to restore definitions of ‘‘basic
design parameter’’ and ‘‘process unit.’’ If
this need does arise, such a rulemaking
would provide an opportunity for more
targeted public input on the way such
terms should be defined when applied
in the specific context of defining a
‘‘replacement unit’’ for purposes of
determining the method of calculating
the change in emissions from a project.
2. In 2007, the EPA removed certain
provisions pertaining to Clean Units
(CU) and Pollution Control Projects
(PCP), which were vacated by the D.C.
Circuit in New York v. EPA, 413 F.3d 3
(D.C. Cir. 2005) (‘‘New York I’’).9 The
EPA explained that, although the court’s
opinion addressed the CU and PCP
provisions in 40 CFR 52.21, but not the
corresponding provisions in 40 CFR
51.165 and 51.166, ‘‘the plain language
of the Court’s opinion clearly applies to
the parallel constructions in those latter
provisions . . . .’’ 72 FR 32526, 32527
(June 13, 2007). Accordingly, the EPA’s
2007 action was intended to remove the
relevant provisions from all three NSR
regulations, but the EPA only specified
its removal from 40 CFR 51.165 and not
40 CFR 51.166 and 52.21. Therefore, in
the 2019 NPRM, the EPA proposed to
remove the remaining CU and PCP
provisions that were vacated in
accordance with New York I. See
proposed 40 CFR 51.166(b)(3)(iii)(c),
52.21(b)(3)(iii)(b), and cross references
to vacated PCP provisions 40 CFR
51.165(a)(2)(ii)(A), 51.166(a)(7)(iv)(a),
and 52.21(a)(2)(iv)(a). The EPA did not
receive any adverse comments
addressing this aspect of the 2007
proposal and is therefore finalizing the
9 72
changes to the regulatory text
addressing the vacatur as proposed.
D. Outdated and incorrect references.
1. In 1980, the EPA made significant
revisions to the PSD regulations under
parts 51 and 52.10 One revision deleted
existing paragraph (k) and redesignated
paragraphs (l) through (s) as (k) through
(r). The EPA proposed to correct
incorrect references affected by the 1980
redesignation of paragraphs (l) through
(s). The EPA received no adverse
comment on this proposed revision and
will be finalizing this change. See 40
CFR 51.166(r)(2) and 52.21(r)(4).
2. In the same 1980 rulemaking, the
EPA added a provision under the source
obligation requirements at 40 CFR
52.21(r)(2) applicable to stationary
sources that might be granted a future
relaxation of a preconstruction permit
that previously enabled the source or
modification to be regulated as a
‘‘minor’’ rather than as a major
stationary source. The provision
requires the owner or operator of a
source or modification obtaining a
relaxation of the limits referenced to
comply with the permit requirements
for a major stationary source or major
modification as if construction had not
yet commenced on the source or
modification. The provision references
the permit requirements contained
under paragraphs (j) through (s) of 40
CFR 51.166. However, paragraph (s)
contains discretionary provisions
concerning the application of innovative
control technology. In light of the nonmandatory nature of those provisions, it
should not have been included in the
reference to required permit elements.
Accordingly, the EPA proposed to
correct the source obligation
requirement at 40 CFR 51.166(r)(2) by
removing the reference to paragraph (s)
and replacing it with a reference to
paragraph (r). See proposed 40 CFR
51.166(r)(2). The EPA received a
comment supporting this proposed
change, but no adverse comments, and
will therefore finalize this change as
proposed.
3. The Nonattainment New Source
Review (NNSR) regulations at 40 CFR
51.165 and 40 CFR part 51 Appendix S
contain a restriction which prohibits
sources that replace one hydrocarbon
compound with another of lesser
reactivity from obtaining emissions
credit for that replacement. See 40 CFR
51.165(a)(3)(ii)(D) and part 51 Appendix
S IV.C.4. At the same time, the
provisions make it clear that a source
may obtain an emissions credit, also
referred to as an offset credit (when
intended to be used as an emissions
FR 32526 (June 13, 2007).
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offset), in cases where a VOC is replaced
by an organic compound that is not
considered to be a VOC (i.e., recognized
to have negligible photochemical
reactivity). The EPA has now included
as part of the regulatory definition of
‘‘volatile organic compounds,’’ codified
at 40 CFR 51.100(s), organic compounds
that are not VOCs that the EPA included
in the definition because they have
negligible photochemical reactivity.
Accordingly, we proposed to revise both
sets of NNSR regulations to provide an
updated reference to the organic
compounds that the EPA does not
define as VOC.
Two commenters recommended that
the EPA completely delete, rather than
edit, these provisions, asserting that
they are outdated offset conditions. One
of the commenters, using CAA section
173(c) as their basis, noted that ‘‘[w]hen
the EPA changed from regulating
hydrocarbons to regulating VOC as a
single pollutant, the EPA no longer
considered reactivity in the offsets
provision.’’
The EPA recognizes that because of
the shift in how the EPA regulates
photochemically reactive compounds
that form ozone, this restriction on
offsets may no longer be necessary.
However, the EPA did not provide a
rationale for the wholesale removal of
this restriction. Therefore, the EPA is
making the proposed change, with some
small variations. The provisions will be
revised to update the list of negligible
photochemical reactive compounds and
to more clearly reflect the fact that the
organic compounds listed with
negligible photochemical reactivity are,
by definition, not VOCs. At worst, the
continued inclusion of this restriction
on offsets is merely redundant. The EPA
may consider whether to remove it in a
future action. See 40 CFR 51.100(s)(1)
and paragraph IV.C.4. at part 51
Appendix S.
4. In 1986, the NSR provisions in 40
CFR 51.18 were moved in a
restructuring rule that placed them
under new subpart I of part 51.11 40 CFR
51.18 is an obsolete reference to the
NSR regulations that were applicable to
minor sources, major sources locating in
areas that do not meet the National
Ambient Air Quality Standards
(NAAQS) (40 CFR 51.18(j)), and major
sources locating in areas that meet the
NAAQS, but significantly impact an
area that is not meeting the NAAQS (40
CFR 51.18(k)). Subpart I now contains
the preconstruction review
requirements for state minor NSR
programs (40 CFR 51.160–164) as well
as state major NNSR programs (40 CFR
11 51
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51.165) and state PSD programs (40 CFR
51.166).12 The EPA proposed to update
the reference to 40 CFR 51.18 in
Appendix S V.A. by replacing it with a
reference to 40 CFR 51.165, which
includes NSR requirements for major
stationary sources in nonattainment
areas. See proposed section V.A. [2nd
paragraph] of 40 CFR part 51, Appendix
S. The EPA received two comments
supporting this change as proposed and
received no adverse comments
regarding this proposed change. Upon
review for the final rule, the EPA
determined that the citation referencing
40 CFR 51.165 should be changed to 40
CFR 51.102 since the reference in
Appendix S Paragraph V.A. concerns
the proper public participation process
for a state implementation revision if
necessary to make an offset enforceable.
40 CFR 51.102 addresses the public
notice for the preparation, adoption and
submittal of implementation plans and
is therefore a more appropriate reference
than the proposed reference to 40 CFR
51.165.
5. On December 31, 2002, the EPA
amended its NSR regulations to add,
among other things, provisions for
Plantwide Applicability Limitations
(PALs).13 In each of the NSR
regulations, new provisions were added
to require major stationary sources with
PAL permits to monitor affected
emissions units in accordance with
monitoring requirements set forth
elsewhere in the regulations. The PSD
regulations at 40 CFR 51.166 incorrectly
provided a reference to the
recordkeeping requirements under
paragraph (w)(13) instead of the
intended monitoring requirements for
PALs at paragraph (w)(12). The other
NSR regulations provided the correct
cross reference to the monitoring
requirements. The EPA proposed to
correctly reference the monitoring
requirements for PALs in 40 CFR
51.166(w)(7)(vii). The EPA received no
adverse comments on this proposed
change and will therefore finalize the
change as proposed.
6. On December 21, 2007, the EPA
amended the NSR regulations by, among
other things, adding new paragraphs to
explain when a stationary source will
have a ‘‘reasonable possibility’’ of
causing a significant emissions
increase.14 In 40 CFR 51.166(r)(6)(vi)(b),
reference is incorrectly made to
‘‘paragraph (a)(6)(vi)(a)’’ and
‘‘paragraphs (a)(6)(ii) through (v).’’ Both
12 Subpart I of part 51 also contains the PSD
regulations at 40 CFR 51.166, which were
previously codified at 40 CFR 51.24.
13 67 FR 80186 (December 31, 2002).
14 72 FR 72607 (December 21, 2007).
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references mistakingly reference
paragraph (a), which is where similar
references are made in the ‘‘reasonable
possibility’’ provision contained in 40
CFR 51.165(a)(6)(vi)(B). The EPA
proposed to correct the references in 40
CFR 51.166 by changing the language to
reference the applicable subparagraphs
under paragraph (r). The EPA did not
receive any adverse comments on the
proposed changes and will therefore
finalize the changes as proposed.
E. Clean Air Act Amendments. Some
of the corrections result from new
statutory requirements introduced in the
1990 CAA Amendments, which the EPA
did not address in subsequent
rulemakings involving the affected NSR
regulations.
1. Major source threshold for
municipal incinerators. The 1990 CAA
Amendments amended the definition of
‘‘major emitting facility’’ at section
169(1) by striking out the words ‘‘two
hundred and’’ as those words appeared
in the phrase ‘‘municipal incinerators
capable of charging more than two
hundred and fifty tons of refuse per
day.’’ 15 This amendment had the effect
of lowering the charging capacity
threshold for qualifying a municipal
incinerator as a ‘‘major emitting facility’’
from 250 tons of refuse per day to 50
tons per day when such incinerator
emits or has the potential to emit at least
100 tons per year of any regulated NSR
pollutant. In the 2019 NPRM, the EPA
proposed to revise all four sets of major
NSR regulations to reflect this change
with regards to the statutory definition
of ‘‘major emitting facility’’ for
municipal incinerators. See proposed 40
CFR part 51 Appendix S II.A.4.(iii)(h),
Appendix S II.F.8, 40 CFR
51.165(a)(1)(iv)(C)(8), 51.165(a)(4)(viii),
51.166(b)(1)(i)(a), 51.166(b)(1)(iii)(h),
51.166(i)(1)(ii)(h), 52.21(b)(1)(i)(a),
52.21(b)(1)(iii)(h), and 52.21(i)(1)(vii)(h).
The EPA did not receive any adverse
comments on the proposed changes and
will finalize the changes as proposed.
2. Standards under section 112 of the
Act. The NSR regulations in several
places refer to emissions standards
established pursuant to 40 CFR part 61.
See e.g., 40 CFR 51.166(b)(12). Part 61
contains national emission standards for
hazardous air pollutants (NESHAP),
which the EPA promulgated based on
the pre-1990 CAA Amendment version
of section 112. The 1990 CAA
Amendments revised section 112,
causing the EPA to promulgate
additional NESHAP, which are included
in part 63. Accordingly, to ensure that
the requirements associated with the
15 Par. (1). Public Law 101–549, section 305(b)
(1990).
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section 112 standards are adequately
addressed in the NSR regulations, the
EPA proposed that each regulatory
reference to part 61 should also include
a reference to part 63. The EPA
proposed to make the necessary updates
in the affected NSR regulations.
Several commenters recommended
various options that differed from the
2019 EPA proposal. A state agency
commenter recommended that the EPA
add reference to not only part 63 but
also to part 62. This, the commenter
noted, would ‘‘include all potentially
applicable federal standards’’ to specific
provisions under the affected NSR
regulations. 40 CFR part 62 sets forth
the Administrator’s approval and
disapproval of state plans for the control
of pollutants from facilities regulated
under CAA 111(d) and 129 and the
Administrator’s promulgation of such
plans or portions of plans when a state
has failed to provide an approvable plan
or portions thereof. Plans under part 62
contain standards of performance that
apply to existing sources that would be
subject to 40 CFR part 60 (standards of
performance for new stationary sources)
if such existing sources were new
sources. Such plans are approved state
plans or federal plans for each separate
source category.
Two commenters claimed that the
EPA has incorrectly proposed to add
reference to part 63 because the CAA at
section 112(b)(6), added to the Act in
1990, explicitly removes section 112
hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) from
the PSD program. One of the
commenters noted that the NNSR
program ‘‘inherently does not directly
regulate a HAP as it is not a criteria
pollutant with a national ambient air
quality standard.’’ Thus, the
commenters argued that the EPA was
incorrect in proposing to add reference
to part 63 and should additionally be
removing reference to part 61, which
also contains standards for HAPs. One
of the commenters concluded that
‘‘including part 61 and, as proposed,
part 63 in various NSR definitions will
give the mistaken impression that HAPs
are regulated by the NSR programs.’’
The commenters acknowledged that the
statutory definition of ‘‘best available
control technology’’ did include a
reference to standards promulgated
pursuant to CAA section 112; therefore,
one of the commenters recommended
that ‘‘[i]n order to reduce confusion
from the insertion of parts 61 and 63 to
the PSD BACT requirements and to
remain consistent with the 1991
transitional guidance, EPA should
clarify in the rule that BACT applies to
a regulated NSR pollutant by adding the
term ‘for a regulated NSR pollutant’
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after the term ‘major stationary source or
major modification’ in 40 CFR
51.166(j)(1) and 52.21(j)(1).’’
One commenter was concerned about
the EPA’s 2019 proposal to add
reference to part 63 to the definition of
‘‘allowable emissions.’’ The commenter
indicated that the addition of a
reference to part 63 therein would
indicate that Congress intended that
compliance with limits issued under
CAA section 112, as amended in 1990,
should not be considered creditable
reductions for netting purposes. The
commenter further stated that ‘‘there is
no indication that Congress intended
Maximum Achievable Control
Technology (‘MACT’) (or CAA section
112(f)) reductions to be excluded under
a creditability rationale.’’ Moreover, the
commenter argued that ‘‘[i]f EPA
intends this result . . . then the agency
must do it in a more substantive
rulemaking, not as part of this ‘error
correction’ rulemaking.’’
In light of several commenters’
adverse comments expressing concerns
about adding a reference to part 63
emissions standards to the NSR
regulations, the EPA has decided not to
finalize the proposed changes
concerning the part 63 reference, with
one exception. The EPA agrees that
additional assessment is needed to
determine how including HAPs in the
definitions of ‘‘allowable emissions’’
and ‘‘federally enforceable’’ would
function in practice and whether the
commenters’ concerns are justified.
However, in one particular case—the
definition of ‘‘BACT’’—the statute
expressly requires the inclusion of
emissions standards under CAA section
112 in that definition (which includes
emissions limitations contained in both
40 CFR parts 61 and 63). By adding the
restriction that BACT cannot allow
emissions in excess of 112 standards,
the EPA is not suggesting that HAPs are
regulated under NSR. Rather, there are
certain NSR regulated pollutants that
inherently include HAP pollutants. For
instance, PM may contain constituents
that include HAPs, such as cadmium.
By including the CAA section 112
standards in the restriction in the
definition of BACT, the EPA is ensuring
that BACT cannot allow emissions of
HAPs in excess of any applicable
section 112 standard under 40 CFR parts
61 and 63. See revised 40 CFR
51.165(a)(1)(xl), 51.166(b)(12), part 51
Appendix S II.A.34, and 52.21(b)(12).
F. Outdated exemptions. The PSD
regulations at 40 CFR 51.166 and 52.21
contain various exemption provisions
that allow certain permit applicants—
e.g., portable stationary sources and
nonprofit health or nonprofit
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educational institutions—to be exempt
from all or a portion of the PSD
preconstruction review requirements. In
some cases, these provisions allowed
permit applicants to be excluded from
certain requirements—e.g., new or
revised PM2.5 NAAQS or PSD
increments—which became effective
before a final permit could be issued,
commonly known as PM2.5
grandfathering provisions (see 40 CFR
51.166(i)(10) and 52.21(i)(11)). Some of
the existing exemption provisions are
outdated because the time in which they
were relevant has long since passed.
Accordingly, the EPA proposed to
remove such outdated provisions,
which allow for grandfathering or the
implementation of alternative
procedures for PSD permit applicants,
under the regulations at 40 CFR 51.166
and 52.21.
The EPA received a few adverse
comments concerning the proposed
removal of outdated exemptions. One of
these comments pertained to an
exemption that the EPA did not actually
propose to remove. The commenter
correctly pointed out that the PSD
exemption applicable to portable
sources, 40 CFR 52.21(i)(1)(viii),
continues to be relevant and should not
be removed. The EPA acknowledges
that the preamble text indicated that the
EPA proposed to delete paragraphs
(i)(1)(viii) through (x) of the 40 CFR
52.21 PSD regulations, which include
the portable source provision at
paragraph (i)(1)(viii). However, it was
not the EPA’s intention to delete
paragraph (i)(1)(viii) and a review of the
proposed regulatory text and the Error
Corrections Table in the docket shows
that the EPA did not actually include
the deletion of this paragraph in the
2019 proposal. Instead, the proposed
regulatory text shows the deletion of
only paragraphs (i)(1)(ix) and (x).
Accordingly, the EPA is not deleting the
portable source exemption provision at
40 CFR 52.21(i)(1)(viii) in this final
action. As proposed, the EPA is deleting
the following outdated exemption
provisions in the final rule: 40 CFR
51.166(i)(6) through (11); 52.21(i)(1)(i)
through (v), 52.21(i)(6) through (12), and
52.21(m)(1)(v), and 52.21(m)(1)(vii) and
(viii) and 52.21(i)(1)(ix) and (x).
The EPA received one comment
asking that the EPA retain the outdated
exclusion of carbon dioxide emissions
from biogenic material (the combustion
or decomposition of non-fossilized and
biodegradable organic material
originating from plants, animals, or
micro-organisms) from the definition of
‘‘subject to regulation.’’ This temporary
exclusion was vacated by a court in
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37923
2013 16 and expired on its own terms on
July 21, 2014. The commenter suggested
that, because this expiration was
relatively recent, ‘‘[r]etaining this
language will aid regulatory personnel,
owners/operators, and consultants in
the future when trying to fully
understand the basis for recent NSR
permitting determinations based on
EPA’s prior GHG requirements.’’ The
EPA is not persuaded that this justifies
retaining the vacated and outdated
provision. If anyone seeks to understand
the basis of older NSR permitting
decisions, they can consult the version
of the Code of Federal Regulations that
applied at the time of those decisions.
Therefore, the EPA is finalizing removal
of the vacated and outdated exclusion of
carbon dioxide emissions from biogenic
material from the definition of ‘‘subject
to regulation.’’ See 40 CFR
51.166(b)(48)(ii)(a) and
52.21(b)(49)(ii)(a).
III. Final Action
This final action corrects minor,
inadvertent, and non-substantive errors
in 40 CFR parts 51 and 52 which govern
NSR permitting programs, and updates
the regulatory text to reflect statutory
changes and certain court decisions
vacating elements of the regulatory text,
but does not change the requirements
within these programs. Based upon
comments received, as noted in this
preamble and the RTC document in the
docket, the EPA is moving forward with
the majority of the proposed minor edits
without change. Additionally, regarding
state SIP submittals, the 2019 NPRM
proposed that states need not be subject
to any deadline to make conforming
changes. The EPA received one
comment in support of this position and
no adverse comments. The EPA is
therefore reaffirming that states can
have discretion as to when to make
these changes and may choose to
combine them with other SIP
submittals. Also, please refer to the RTC
for further discussion about comments
which are not included in Section II of
this final rule preamble.
IV. Removal of Vacated Ozone NAAQS
Grandfathering and Ozone
Interprecursor Trading Provisions
This final action removes an
exemption in the PSD regulations
vacated by the D.C. Circuit in 2019 as
well as the ozone interprecursor trading
(IPT provision in the NNSR regulations
vacated by the D.C. Circuit in 2021. This
section explains the court’s vacatur of
16 Center for Biological Diversity v. EPA, 722 F.3d
401 (D.C. Cir. 2013).
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these provisions and the basis for their
removal.
On October 26, 2015, the EPA
promulgated a final rule containing
revised NAAQS for ozone and
grandfathering provisions that enabled
pending PSD permit applications to be
issued on the basis of a demonstration
that the proposed source would not
cause or contribute to a violation of the
prior ozone NAAQS in effect at the time
the permit application was deemed to
be complete or noticed for public
comment.17 The PSD grandfathering
provisions were promulgated as a
transition plan to reduce delays to
pending PSD permit applications that
may have otherwise been caused by the
revised ozone standards. The PSD
regulations implement CAA section
165(a)(3)(B) at 40 CFR 52.21(k)(1) and
51.166(k)(1) and require that PSD permit
applications include a demonstration
that emissions from the proposed
facility will not cause or contribute to a
violation of any NAAQS, which
generally means any NAAQS in effect
on the date of a PSD permit issuance.
Absent the PSD grandfathering
provision, this demonstration
requirement would have applied to the
2015 ozone NAAQS in any PSD permit
application pending at the time the 2015
ozone NAAQS became effective.
However, on August 23, 2019, the U.S.
Court of Appeals for the District of
Columbia Circuit concluded that the
EPA lacked the authority to grandfather
pending PSD permit applications in this
manner and vacated the ozone NAAQS
grandfathering provisions in a decision
resolving challenges brought by
industry, state, and environmental and
public health petitioners to the 2015
primary and secondary ozone NAAQS
and the PSD grandfathering provisions
that were promulgated with these
standards.18
On December 6, 2018, the EPA
promulgated the final implementation
rules for the 2015 ozone NAAQS,
including provisions to address for
ozone ground level ozone precursors
Oxides of Nitrogen (NOX) and VOC. The
provisions at 51.165(a)(11)(i) and Part
51 Appendix S Paragraph IV.G.5. were
promulgated to allow permit
applications to use IPT to satisfy the
NNSR offset requirement for ozone in
nonattainment areas. The IPT provisions
were designed to support the EPA’s
long-standing policy allowing NNSR
permit applicants to satisfy their offset
obligation for ozone precursors
substituting NOX for VOC, or vice versa,
FR 65292 (October 26, 2015).
Energy Corp. v. EPA, 936 F.3d 597 (D.C.
Cir. 2019).
supported by a technical demonstration
showing an equivalent, or greater, air
quality benefit with respect to ground
level ozone concentrations in the ozone
nonattainment area.19 On January 29,
2021, the D.C. Circuit concluded that
Ozone IPT is not permissible under the
CAA and vacated this part of the 2018
regulation.20 Thus, in this action, EPA is
removing the language allowing
interprecursor trading for ozone and
restoring the language in the NNSR
regulations to the form it was in after
the EPA’s 2008 PM2.5 implementation
rule.
The EPA did not include the removal
of these court-vacated provisions at 40
CFR 51.166(i)(11), 52.21(i)(12),
51.165(a)(11) and Part 51 Appendix S
Paragraph IV.G.5. in the proposal to this
rule. However, the EPA is adding this
action to this final rule without
providing an opportunity for public
comment or a public hearing because
the EPA finds that the Administrative
Procedure Act (APA) good cause
exemption applies here. In general, the
APA and section 307(d) of the CAA
require that general notice of proposed
rulemakings shall be published in the
Federal Register. Such notice must
provide an opportunity for public
participation in the rulemaking process.
However, the APA and section 307(d) of
the CAA provide an avenue for an
agency to directly issue a final
rulemaking in certain specific instances.
This may occur, in particular, when an
agency for good cause finds (and
incorporates the finding and a brief
statement of reasons in the rule issued)
that notice and public procedure
thereon are impracticable, unnecessary
or contrary to the public interest. See 5
U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B); 42 U.S.C.
7407(d)(1). The EPA has determined
that it is not necessary to provide a
public hearing or an opportunity for
public comment on this action because
amending the regulations to remove the
vacated grandfathering and ozone IPT
provisions is a necessary ministerial act.
Since the court vacated these
provisions, the EPA no longer has the
authority to allow the use of the affected
provisions. Therefore, in as much as this
action to remove the affected regulatory
text simply implements the decision of
the court, providing an opportunity for
public comment or a public hearing on
this issue would serve no useful
purpose.
In addition, providing notice and
comment would be contrary to the
public interest because it would
17 80
19 83
18 Murray
20 Sierra
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FR 62998 (December 6, 2018).
Club v. EPA, No. 15–1465 (D.C. Cir.
2021).
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unnecessarily delay the removal of the
unlawful grandfathering and ozone IPT
provisions from the Code of Federal
Regulations, which could result in
confusion for the regulated industry and
state, local, and tribal air agencies about
the PSD and NNSR regulations and
permitting. Promulgation of this rule
serves to clarify that sources cannot
continue to demonstrate their
compliance with the PSD and NNSR
requirements by relying on the prior
ozone NAAQS, or ozone IPT,
respectively, as was previously allowed.
It is thus in the public interest for the
EPA to remove the PSD Grandfathering
and Ozone IPT provisions without
delay. Consistent with the approach
described in section III, the EPA is not
establishing a deadline in this rule for
states to remove these provisions form
the SIPs. States thus have the discretion
as to when they amend their SIPs to
remove the Ozone PSD grandfathering
and Ozone IPT provisions and may
combine such changes with other SIP
submittals.
For these reasons, the EPA finds good
cause to issue a final rulemaking to
remove the ozone NAAQS
grandfathering and ozone NNSR IPT
provisions pursuant to section 553 of
the APA, 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B). Therefore,
the requirements of CAA section 307(d),
including the requirement for public
comment and hearing on proposed
rulemakings, do not apply to this action.
V. Environmental Justice
Considerations
This action corrects minor,
inadvertent, and non-substantive errors
in 40 CFR parts 51 and 52 governing
NSR permitting programs and updates
the regulatory text to reflect statutory
changes and certain court decisions
vacating elements of the regulatory text
but does not change the requirements
within these programs. Therefore, this
final rule will not change the protection
for all those residing, working, attending
school, or otherwise present in the
applicable areas, regardless of minority
and economic status. Further, this
action will not have potential
disproportionately high and adverse
human health or environmental effects
on minority, low-income, or indigenous
populations.
VI. Statutory and Executive Order
Reviews
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
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submitted to the Office of Management
and Budget (OMB) for review.
B. Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA)
This action does not impose an
information collection burden under the
PRA. This action is clerical in nature
and addresses non-controversial edits to
errors in the NSR regulatory text.
Therefore, this final rulemaking does
not impose any new information
collection burden under the PRA. OMB
has previously approved the
information collection activities
contained in the existing regulations
and has assigned OMB control number
2060–0003.
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. In making this
determination, the impact of concern is
any significant adverse economic
impact on small entities. An agency may
certify that a rule will not have a
significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities if
the rule relieves regulatory burden, has
no net burden or otherwise has a
positive economic effect on the small
entities subject to the rule. This action
corrects minor, inadvertent and nonsubstantive errors in existing rules. We
have therefore concluded that this
action will have no net regulatory
burden for all directly regulated 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.
This action corrects minor, inadvertent
and non-substantive errors in existing
rules.
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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: Consultation
and Coordination With Indian Tribal
Governments
This action does not have tribal
implications as specified in Executive
Order 13175. This action only makes
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technical amendments to correct minor,
inadvertent, and non-substantive errors
in existing rules. None of these
technical amendments has a substantial
direct effect on any tribal land; thus,
Executive Order 13175 does not apply
to this action.
G. Executive Order 13045: Protection of
Children From Environmental Health
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.
J. Executive Order 12898: Federal
Actions To Address Environmental
Justice in Minority Populations and
Low-Income Populations
This action does not have
disproportionately high and adverse
human health or environmental effects
on minority populations, low-income
populations, and/or indigenous peoples,
as specified in Executive Order 12898
(59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994).
The documentation for this decision
is contained in Section IV of this
preamble titled ‘‘Environmental Justice
Considerations.’’ This action makes
technical amendments to correct minor,
inadvertent, and non-substantive errors
to existing rules.
K. Congressional Review Act (CRA)
This action is subject to the CRA, and
the EPA will submit a rule report to
each House of the Congress and to the
Comptroller General of the United
States. This action is not a ‘‘major rule’’
as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2).
L. Judicial Review
Under CAA section 307(b)(1),
petitions for judicial review of any
nationally applicable regulation, or any
action the Administrator ‘‘finds and
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37925
publishes’’ as based on a determination
of nationwide scope or effect must be
filed in the United States Court of
Appeals for the District of Columbia
Circuit within 60 days of the date the
promulgation, approval, or action
appears in the Federal Register.21 These
technical amendments are nationally
applicable, as it corrects minor,
inadvertent, and non-substantive errors
to existing rules. As a result, petitions
for review of this final action must be
filed in the United States Court of
Appeals for the District of Columbia
Circuit by September 17, 2021. Filing a
petition for reconsideration by the
Administrator of this final action 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 must be filed
and shall not postpone the effectiveness
of this action.22
VII. Statutory Authority
The statutory authority for this action
is provided by 42 U.S.C. 7401, et seq.
List of Subjects
40 CFR Part 51
Environmental protection,
Administrative practice and procedure,
Air pollution control, Carbon monoxide,
Intergovernmental relations, Lead,
National Ambient Air Quality
Standards, New Source Review,
Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone, Particulate
matter, Preconstruction permitting,
Sulfur oxides, Transportation, Volatile
organic compounds.
40 CFR Part 52
Environmental protection,
Administrative practice and procedure,
Air pollution control, BACT, Carbon
monoxide, Incorporation by reference,
Intergovernmental relations, Lead,
National Ambient Air Quality
Standards, New Source Review,
Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone, Particulate
matter, Preconstruction permitting,
Sulfur oxides, Volatile organic
compounds.
Michael S. Regan,
Administrator.
For the reasons set forth in the
preamble, title 40, chapter I of the Code
of Federal Regulations is amended as
follows:
21 42
22 42
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U.S.C. 7607(b)(1).
U.S.C. 7607(d)(7)(B).
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PART 51—REQUIREMENTS FOR
PREPARATION, ADOPTION AND
SUBMITTAL OF IMPLEMENTATION
PLANS
1. The authority citation for part 51
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401, et seq.
Subpart I—Review of New Sources and
Modifications
2. Amend § 51.165 by:
a. Revising paragraph (a)(1)(iv)(C)(8);
b. Revising paragraph (a)(1)(v)(C)(1);
c. Revising paragraph (a)(1)(v)(C)(5)(i);
d. Revising paragraph (a)(1)(v)(C)(6);
e. Revising paragraph (a)(1)(viii);
f. Revising paragraph (a)(1)(xxi)(A)
through (D);
■ g. Revising paragraph (a)(1)(xl);
■ h. Removing paragraphs (a)(1)(xliii)
through (xlvi);
■ i. Revising paragraph (a)(2)(ii)(A);
■ j. Adding paragraph (a)(2)(iii);
■ k. Revising paragraph (a)(3)(ii)(D);
■ l. Revising paragraph (a)(4)(viii);
■ m. Revising paragraph (a)(11); and
■ n. Removing and reserving paragraph
(h);
The revisions read as follows:
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
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§ 51.165
Permit requirements.
(a) * * *
(1) * * *
(iv) * * *
(C) * * *
(8) Municipal incinerators capable of
charging more than 50 tons of refuse per
day;
*
*
*
*
*
(v) * * *
(C) * * *
(1) Routine maintenance, repair and
replacement;
*
*
*
*
*
(5) * * *
(i) The source was capable of
accommodating before December 21,
1976, unless such change would be
prohibited under any federally
enforceable permit condition which was
established after December 12, 1976,
pursuant to 40 CFR 52.21 or under
regulations approved pursuant to 40
CFR part 51, subpart I.
*
*
*
*
*
(6) An increase in the hours of
operation or in the production rate,
unless such change is prohibited under
any federally enforceable permit
condition which was established after
December 21, 1976, pursuant to 40 CFR
52.21 or regulations approved pursuant
to 40 CFR part 51, subpart I.
*
*
*
*
*
(viii) Secondary emissions means
emissions which would occur as a result
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of the construction or operation of a
major stationary source or major
modification, but do not come from the
major stationary source or major
modification itself. For the purpose of
this section, secondary emissions must
be specific, well defined, quantifiable,
and impact the same general area as the
stationary source or modification which
causes the secondary emissions.
Secondary emissions include emissions
from any offsite support facility which
would not be constructed or increase its
emissions except as a result of the
construction or operation of the major
stationary source or major modification.
Secondary emissions do not include any
emissions which come directly from a
mobile source, such as emissions from
the tailpipe of a motor vehicle, from a
train, or from a vessel.
*
*
*
*
*
(xxi) * * *
(A) The emissions unit is a
reconstructed unit within the meaning
of § 60.15(b)(1) of this chapter, or the
emissions unit completely takes the
place of an existing emissions unit;
(B) The emissions unit is identical to
or functionally equivalent to the
replaced emissions unit;
(C) The replacement does not alter the
basic design parameters of the process
unit; and
(D) The replaced emissions unit is
permanently removed from the major
stationary source, otherwise
permanently disabled, or permanently
barred from operation by a permit that
is enforceable as a practical matter. If
the replaced emissions unit is brought
back into operation, it shall constitute a
new emissions unit.
*
*
*
*
*
(xl) Best available control technology
(BACT) means an emissions limitation
(including a visible emissions standard)
based on the maximum degree of
reduction for each regulated NSR
pollutant which would be emitted from
any proposed major stationary source or
major modification which the reviewing
authority, on a case-by-case basis, taking
into account energy, environmental, and
economic impacts and other costs,
determines is achievable for such source
or modification through application of
production processes or available
methods, systems, and techniques,
including fuel cleaning or treatment or
innovative fuel combustion techniques
for control of such pollutant. In no event
shall application of best available
control technology result in emissions
of any pollutant which would exceed
the emissions allowed by any applicable
standard under 40 CFR part 60, 61, or
63. If the reviewing authority
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determines that technological or
economic limitations on the application
of measurement methodology to a
particular emissions unit would make
the imposition of an emissions standard
infeasible, a design, equipment, work
practice, operational standard, or
combination thereof, may be prescribed
instead to satisfy the requirement for the
application of BACT. Such standard
shall, to the degree possible, set forth
the emissions reduction achievable by
implementation of such design,
equipment, work practice or operation,
and shall provide for compliance by
means which achieve equivalent results.
*
*
*
*
*
(2) * * *
(ii) * * *
(A) Except as otherwise provided in
paragraph (a)(2)(iii) of this section, and
consistent with the definition of major
modification contained in paragraph
(a)(1)(v)(A) of this section, a project is a
major modification for a regulated NSR
pollutant (as defined in paragraph
(a)(1)(xxxvii) of this section) if it causes
two types of emissions increases—a
significant emissions increase (as
defined in paragraph (a)(1)(xxvii) of this
section) and a significant net emissions
increase (as defined in paragraphs
(a)(1)(vi) and (x) of this section). The
project is not a major modification if it
does not cause a significant emissions
increase. If the project causes a
significant emissions increase, then the
project is a major modification only if it
also results in a significant net
emissions increase.
*
*
*
*
*
(iii) The plan shall require that for any
major stationary source with a PAL for
a regulated NSR pollutant, the major
stationary source shall comply with
requirements under paragraph (f) of this
section.
(3) * * *
(ii) * * *
(D) No emissions credit may be
allowed for replacing one hydrocarbon
compound with another of lesser
reactivity, except that emissions credit
may be allowed for the replacement
with those compounds listed as having
negligible photochemical reactivity in
§ 51.100(s).
*
*
*
*
*
(4) * * *
(viii) Municipal incinerators capable
of charging more than 50 tons of refuse
per day;
*
*
*
*
*
(11) The plan shall require that, in
meeting the emissions offset
requirements of paragraph (a)(3) of this
section, the emissions offsets obtained
shall be for the same regulated NSR
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pollutant, unless interprecursor
offsetting is permitted for a particular
pollutant as specified in this paragraph.
The plan may allow the offset
requirements in paragraph (a)(3) of this
section for direct PM2.5 emissions or
emissions of precursors of PM2.5 to be
satisfied by offsetting reductions in
direct PM2.5 emissions or emissions of
any PM2.5 precursor identified under
paragraph (a)(1)(xxxvii)(C) of this
section if such offsets comply with the
interprecursor trading hierarchy and
ratio established in the approved plan
for a particular nonattainment area.
*
*
*
*
*
■ 3. Amend § 51.166 by:
■ a. Revising paragraph (a)(7)
introductory text;
■ b. Revising paragraph (a)(7)(iv)(a);
■ c. Revising paragraph (a)(7)(v);
■ d. Revising paragraphs (b)(1)(i)(a) and
(c);
■ e. Revising paragraph (b)(1)(iii)(h);
■ f. Revising paragraph (b)(1)(iii)(z);
■ g. Revising paragraph (b)(2)(iii)(a);
■ h. Revising paragraph (b)(2)(iii)(e)(1);
■ i. Revising paragraph (b)(2)(iii)(f);
■ j. Removing and reserving paragraph
(b)(3)(iii)(c);
■ k. Revising paragraph (b)(12);
■ l. Revising paragraph (b)(23)(ii);
■ m. Revising paragraphs (b)(32)(i)
through (iv);
■ n. Revising paragraph (b)(48)(i);
■ o. Revising paragraphs (b)(48)(ii)
introductory text and (b)(48)(ii)(a);
■ p. Revising paragraph (b)(48)(iii);
■ q. Revising paragraph (b)(48)(iv)(b);
■ r. Removing paragraphs (b)(53)
through (56);
■ s. Revising paragraph (g)(4);
■ t. Revising paragraph (i)(1)(ii)(h);
■ u. Removing and reserving paragraphs
(i)(6) through (11);
■ v. Revising paragraphs (j)(1) and (2);
■ w. Revising paragraph (j)(4);
■ x. Revising paragraph (k)(1)
introductory text;
■ y. Revising paragraph (m)(1)(iii);
■ z. Revising paragraphs (p)(3) and (4);
■ aa. Revising paragraphs (p)(5)(i) and
(iii);
■ bb. Revising paragraph (p)(6)(iii);
■ cc. Revising paragraph (p)(7)
introductory text;
■ dd. Revising paragraph (r)(2);
■ ee. Revising paragraph (r)(6)(vi)(b);
■ ff. Revising paragraph (w)(7)(vii);
■ gg. Revising paragraph (w)(9)(ii); and
■ hh. Removing paragraph (y).
The revisions read as follows:
§ 51.166 Prevention of significant
deterioration of air quality.
(a) * * *
(7) Applicability. Each plan shall
contain procedures that incorporate the
requirements in paragraphs (a)(7)(i)
through (v) of this section.
*
*
*
*
*
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(iv) * * *
(a) Except as otherwise provided in
paragraph (a)(7)(v) of this section, and
consistent with the definition of major
modification contained in paragraph
(b)(2) of this section, a project is a major
modification for a regulated NSR
pollutant if it causes two types of
emissions increases—a significant
emissions increase (as defined in
paragraph (b)(39) of this section), and a
significant net emissions increase (as
defined in paragraphs (b)(3) and (23) of
this section). The project is not a major
modification if it does not cause a
significant emissions increase. If the
project causes a significant emissions
increase, then the project is a major
modification only if it also results in a
significant net emissions increase.
*
*
*
*
*
(v) The plan shall require that for any
major stationary source with a PAL for
a regulated NSR pollutant, the major
stationary source shall comply with
requirements under paragraph (w) of
this section.
(b) * * *
(1)(i) * * *
(a) Any of the following stationary
sources of air pollutants which emits, or
has the potential to emit, 100 tons per
year or more of any regulated NSR
pollutant: Fossil fuel-fired steam electric
plants of more than 250 million British
thermal units per hour heat input, coal
cleaning plants (with thermal dryers),
kraft pulp mills, portland cement plants,
primary zinc smelters, iron and steel
mill plants, primary aluminum ore
reduction plants (with thermal dryers),
primary copper smelters, municipal
incinerators capable of charging more
than 50 tons of refuse per day,
hydrofluoric, sulfuric, and nitric acid
plants, petroleum refineries, lime
plants, phosphate rock processing
plants, coke oven batteries, sulfur
recovery plants, carbon black plants
(furnace process), primary lead smelters,
fuel conversion plants, sintering plants,
secondary metal production plants,
chemical process plants (which does not
include ethanol production facilities
that produce ethanol by natural
fermentation included in NAICS codes
325193 or 312140), fossil-fuel boilers (or
combinations thereof) totaling more
than 250 million British thermal units
per hour heat input, petroleum storage
and transfer units with a total storage
capacity exceeding 300,000 barrels,
taconite ore processing plants, glass
fiber processing plants, and charcoal
production plants;
*
*
*
*
*
(c) Any physical change that would
occur at a stationary source not
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37927
otherwise qualifying under paragraph
(b)(1) of this section as a major
stationary source, if the change would
constitute a major stationary source by
itself.
*
*
*
*
*
(iii) * * *
(h) Municipal incinerators capable of
charging more than 50 tons of refuse per
day;
*
*
*
*
*
(z) Fossil fuel-fired steam electric
plants of more than 250 million British
thermal units per hour heat input, and
*
*
*
*
*
(2) * * *
(iii) * * *
(a) Routine maintenance, repair and
replacement;
*
*
*
*
*
(e) * * *
(1) The source was capable of
accommodating before January 6, 1975,
unless such change would be prohibited
under any federally enforceable permit
condition which was established after
January 6, 1975, pursuant to 40 CFR
52.21 or under regulations approved
pursuant to 40 CFR part 51, subpart I.
*
*
*
*
*
(f) An increase in the hours of
operation or in the production rate,
unless such change would be prohibited
under any federally enforceable permit
condition which was established after
January 6, 1975, pursuant to 40 CFR
52.21 or under regulations approved
pursuant to 40 CFR part 51, subpart I.
*
*
*
*
*
(12) Best available control technology
means an emissions limitation
(including a visible emissions standard)
based on the maximum degree of
reduction for each regulated NSR
pollutant which would be emitted from
any proposed major stationary source or
major modification which the reviewing
authority, on a case-by-case basis, taking
into account energy, environmental, and
economic impacts and other costs,
determines is achievable for such source
or modification through application of
production processes or available
methods, systems, and techniques,
including fuel cleaning or treatment or
innovative fuel combination techniques
for control of such pollutant. In no event
shall application of best available
control technology result in emissions
of any pollutant which would exceed
the emissions allowed by any applicable
standard under 40 CFR part 60, 61, or
63. If the reviewing authority
determines that technological or
economic limitations on the application
of measurement methodology to a
particular emissions unit would make
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the imposition of an emissions standard
infeasible, a design, equipment, work
practice, operational standard or
combination thereof, may be prescribed
instead to satisfy the requirement for the
application of best available control
technology. Such standard shall, to the
degree possible, set forth the emissions
reduction achievable by implementation
of such design, equipment, work
practice or operation, and shall provide
for compliance by means which achieve
equivalent results.
*
*
*
*
*
(23) * * *
(ii) Significant means, in reference to
a net emissions increase or the potential
of a source to emit a regulated NSR
pollutant that paragraph (b)(23)(i) of this
section does not list, any emissions rate.
*
*
*
*
*
(32) * * *
(i) The emissions unit is a
reconstructed unit within the meaning
of § 60.15(b)(1) of this chapter, or the
emissions unit completely takes the
place of an existing emissions unit;
(ii) The emissions unit is identical to
or functionally equivalent to the
replaced emissions unit;
(iii) The replacement does not change
the basic design parameter(s) of the
process unit;-and
(iv) The replaced emissions unit is
permanently removed from the major
stationary source, otherwise
permanently disabled, or permanently
barred from operation by a permit that
is enforceable as a practical matter. If
the replaced emissions unit is brought
back into operation, it shall constitute a
new emissions unit.
*
*
*
*
*
(48) * * *
(i) Greenhouse gases (GHGs), the air
pollutant defined in § 86.1818–12(a) of
this chapter as the aggregate group of six
greenhouse gases: Carbon dioxide,
nitrous oxide, methane,
hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons,
and sulfur hexafluoride, shall not be
subject to regulation except as provided
in paragraph (b)(48)(iv) of this section.
(ii) For purposes of paragraphs
(b)(48)(iii) and (iv) of this section, the
term tpy CO2 equivalent emissions
(CO2e) shall represent an amount of
GHGs emitted, and shall be computed as
follows:
(a) Multiplying the mass amount of
emissions (tpy), for each of the six
greenhouse gases in the pollutant GHGs,
by the gas’s associated global warming
potential published at Table A–1 to
subpart A of part 98 of this chapter—
Global Warming Potentials.
*
*
*
*
*
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(iii) The term emissions increase as
used in paragraph (b)(48)(iv) of this
section shall mean that both a
significant emissions increase (as
calculated using the procedures in
paragraph (a)(7)(iv) of this section) and
a significant net emissions increase (as
defined in paragraphs (b)(3) and (23) of
this section) occur. For the pollutant
GHGs, an emissions increase shall be
based on tpy CO2e, and shall be
calculated assuming the pollutant GHGs
is a regulated NSR pollutant and
‘‘significant’’ is defined as 75,000 tpy
CO2e instead of applying the value in
paragraph (b)(23)(ii) of this section.
(iv) * * *
(b) The stationary source is an
existing major stationary source for a
regulated NSR pollutant that is not
GHGs, and also will have an emissions
increase of a regulated NSR pollutant,
and an emissions increase of 75,000 tpy
CO2e or more.
*
*
*
*
*
(g) * * *
(4) The plan shall provide that lands
within the exterior boundaries of Indian
Reservations may be redesignated only
by the appropriate Indian Governing
Body. The appropriate Indian Governing
Body may submit to the Administrator
a proposal to redesignate areas Class I,
Class II, or Class III provided that:
*
*
*
*
*
(i) * * *
(1) * * *
(ii) * * *
(h) Municipal incinerators capable of
charging more than 50 tons of refuse per
day;
*
*
*
*
*
(j) * * *
(1) A major stationary source or major
modification shall meet each applicable
emissions limitation under the State
implementation plan and each
applicable emission standard-and
standard of performance under 40 CFR
part 60, 61, or 63.
(2) A new major stationary source
shall apply best available control
technology for each regulated NSR
pollutant that it would have the
potential to emit in significant amounts.
*
*
*
*
*
(4) For phased construction projects,
the determination of best available
control technology shall be reviewed
and modified as appropriate at the latest
reasonable time which occurs no later
than 18 months prior to commencement
of construction of each independent
phase of the project. At such time, the
owner or operator of the applicable
stationary source may be required to
demonstrate the adequacy of any
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previous determination of best available
control technology for the source.
(k) * * *
(1) Required demonstration. The plan
shall provide that the owner or operator
of the proposed source or modification
shall demonstrate that allowable
emission increases from the proposed
source or modification, in conjunction
with all other applicable emissions
increases or reductions (including
secondary emissions), would not cause
or contribute to air pollution in
violation of:
*
*
*
*
*
(m) * * *
(1) * * *
(iii) The plan shall provide that with
respect to any such pollutant (other than
nonmethane hydrocarbons) for which
such a standard does exist, the analysis
shall contain continuous air quality
monitoring data gathered for purposes
of determining whether emissions of
that pollutant would cause or contribute
to a violation of the standard or any
maximum allowable increase.
*
*
*
*
*
(p) * * *
(3) Denial—impact on air quality
related values. The plan shall provide a
mechanism whereby a Federal Land
Manager of any such lands may present
to the State, after the reviewing
authority’s preliminary determination
required under procedures developed in
accordance with paragraph (q) of this
section, a demonstration that the
emissions from the proposed source or
modification would have an adverse
impact on the air quality-related values
(including visibility) of any Federal
mandatory Class I lands,
notwithstanding that the change in air
quality resulting from emissions from
such source or modification would not
cause or contribute to concentrations
which would exceed the maximum
allowable increases for a Class I area. If
the State concurs with such
demonstration, the reviewing authority
shall not issue the permit.
(4) Class I variances. The plan may
provide that the owner or operator of a
proposed source or modification may
demonstrate to the Federal Land
Manager that the emissions from such
source would have no adverse impact
on the air quality related values of such
lands (including visibility),
notwithstanding that the change in air
quality resulting from emissions from
such source or modification would
cause or contribute to concentrations
which would exceed the maximum
allowable increases for a Class I area. If
the Federal land manager concurs with
such demonstration and so certifies to
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the State, the reviewing authority may,
provided that the applicable
requirements are otherwise met, issue
the permit with such emission
limitations as may be necessary to
assure that emissions of sulfur dioxide,
PM2.5, PM10, and nitrogen oxides would
not exceed the following maximum
allowable increases over minor source
baseline concentration for such
pollutants:
(5) * * *
(i) The owner or operator of a
proposed source or modification which
cannot be approved under procedures
developed pursuant to paragraph (p)(4)
of this section may demonstrate to the
Governor that the source or
modification cannot be constructed by
reason of any maximum allowable
increase for sulfur dioxide for periods of
twenty-four hours or less applicable to
any Class I area and, in the case of
Federal mandatory Class I areas, that a
variance under this clause would not
adversely affect the air quality related
values of the area (including visibility);
*
*
*
*
*
(iii) If such variance is granted, the
reviewing authority may issue a permit
to such source or modification in
accordance with provisions developed
pursuant to paragraph (p)(7) of this
section provided that the applicable
requirements of the plan are otherwise
met.
(6) * * *
(iii) If such a variance is approved, the
reviewing authority may issue a permit
in accordance with provisions
developed pursuant to the requirements
of paragraph (p)(7) of this section
provided that the applicable
requirements of the plan are otherwise
met.
(7) Emission limitations for
Presidential or gubernatorial variance.
The plan shall provide that, in the case
of a permit issued under procedures
developed pursuant to paragraph (p)(5)
or (6) of this section, the source or
modification shall comply with
emission limitations as may be
necessary to assure that emissions of
sulfur dioxide from the source or
modification would not (during any day
on which the otherwise applicable
maximum allowable increases are
exceeded) cause or contribute to
concentrations which would exceed the
following maximum allowable increases
over the baseline concentration and to
assure that such emissions would not
cause or contribute to concentrations
which exceed the otherwise applicable
maximum allowable increases for
periods of exposure of 24 hours or less
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for more than 18 days, not necessarily
consecutive, during any annual period:
*
*
*
*
*
(r) * * *
(2) The plan shall provide that at such
time that a particular source or
modification becomes a major stationary
source or major modification solely by
virtue of a relaxation in any enforceable
limitation which was established after
August 7, 1980, on the capacity of the
source or modification otherwise to emit
a pollutant, such as a restriction on
hours of operation, then the
requirements of paragraphs (j) through
(r) of this section shall apply to the
source or modification as though
construction had not yet commenced on
the source or modification.
*
*
*
*
*
(6) * * *
(vi) * * *
(b) A projected actual emissions
increase that, added to the amount of
emissions excluded under paragraph
(b)(40)(ii)(c) of this section, sums to at
least 50 percent of the amount that is a
‘‘significant emissions increase,’’ as
defined under paragraph (b)(39) of this
section (without reference to the amount
that is a significant net emissions
increase), for the regulated NSR
pollutant. For a project for which a
reasonable possibility occurs only
within the meaning of this paragraph
(r)(6)(vi)(b), and not also within the
meaning of paragraph (r)(6)(vi)(a) of this
section, then the provisions under
paragraphs (r)(6)(ii) through (v) of this
section do not apply to the project.
*
*
*
*
*
(w) * * *
(7) * * *
(vii) A requirement that the major
stationary source owner or operator
monitor all emissions units in
accordance with the provisions under
paragraph (w)(12) of this section.
*
*
*
*
*
(9) * * *
(ii) Each emissions unit(s) shall
comply with the allowable emission
limitation on a 12-month rolling basis.
The reviewing authority may approve
the use of monitoring systems (source
testing, emission factors, etc.) other than
CEMS, CERMS, PEMS, or CPMS to
demonstrate compliance with the
allowable emission limitation.
*
*
*
*
*
■ 4. Appendix S to part 51 is amended:
■ a. In section I by revising the first two
undesignated paragraphs;
■ b. In section II by:
■ i. Revising paragraph A.4.(i)(a);
■ ii. Revising paragraphs A.4.(iii)
introductory text and A.4.(iii)(h);
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iii. Revising paragraphs A.5.(iii)(e)(1)
and (2) and (f);
■ iv. Revising paragraphs A.7.(ii) and
A.34 and 35;
■ v. Adding paragraph A.37;
■ vi. Revising paragraph B;
■ vii. Revising paragraph F.(8); and
■ viii. Revising paragraph II.G;
■ c. In section III by:
■ i. Revising paragraphs B and C; and
■ ii. Revising paragraph D. Condition 1;
■ d. In section IV by:
■ i. Revising paragraphs A. Condition 1
and Condition 4;
■ ii. Revising paragraph B introductory
text;
■ iii. Revising paragraph B.(i).1;
■ iv. Revising paragraph C.3.(i);
■ v. Revising paragraphs C.3.(ii)
introductory text and C.3.(ii)(2);
■ vi. Revising paragraphs C.4 and 5;
■ vii. Revising paragraphs D and G.1
and 5;
■ viii. Revising paragraph H;
■ ix. Revising paragraph I.2;
■ x. Revising paragraph J.6.(ii); and
■ xi. Revising paragraph K.5 and
paragraph K.14 introductory text; and
■ e. In section V by revising paragraph
A.
The revisions read as follows:
■
Appendix S to Part 51—Emission Offset
Interpretative Ruling
I. Introduction
This appendix sets forth EPA’s
Interpretative Ruling on the preconstruction
review requirements for stationary sources of
air pollution (not including indirect sources)
under 40 CFR part 51, subpart I. A major new
source or major modification which would
locate in any area designated under section
107(d) of the Act as attainment or
unclassifiable for ozone that is located in an
ozone transport region or which would locate
in an area designated in 40 CFR part 81,
subpart C, as nonattainment for a pollutant
for which the source or modification would
be major may be allowed to construct only
if the stringent conditions set forth below are
met. These conditions are designed to ensure
that the new source’s emissions will be
controlled to the greatest degree possible;
that more than equivalent offsetting emission
reductions (emission offsets) will be obtained
from existing sources; and that there will be
progress toward achievement of the NAAQS.
For each area designated as exceeding a
NAAQS (nonattainment area) under 40 CFR
part 81, subpart C, or for any area designated
under section 107(d) of the Act as attainment
or unclassifiable for ozone that is located in
an ozone transport region, this Interpretative
Ruling will be superseded after June 30, 1979
(a) by preconstruction review provisions of
the revised SIP, if the SIP meets the
requirements of part D, Title 1, of the Act; or
(b) by a prohibition on construction under
the applicable SIP and section 110(a)(2)(I) of
the Act, if the SIP does not meet the
requirements of part D. The Ruling will
remain in effect to the extent not superseded
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under the Act. This prohibition on major new
source construction does not apply to a
source whose permit to construct was
applied for during a period when the SIP was
in compliance with part D, or before the
deadline for having a revised SIP in effect
that satisfies part D.
*
*
*
*
*
II. Initial Screening Analyses and
Determination of Applicable Requirements
A. * * *
4. (i) * * *
(a) Any stationary source of air pollutants
which emits, or has the potential to emit, 100
tons per year or more of a regulated NSR
pollutant (as defined in paragraph II.A.31 of
this Ruling), except that lower emissions
thresholds shall apply in areas subject to
subpart 2, subpart 3, or subpart 4 of part D,
title I of the Act, according to paragraphs
II.A.4(i)(a)(1) through (8) of this Ruling.
*
*
*
*
*
(iii) The fugitive emissions of a stationary
source shall not be included in determining
for any of the purposes of this Ruling
whether it is a major stationary source,
unless the source belongs to one of the
following categories of stationary sources:
*
*
*
*
*
(h) Municipal incinerators capable of
charging more than 50 tons of refuse per day;
*
*
*
*
*
5. * * *
(iii) * * *
(e) * * *
(1) The source was capable of
accommodating before December 21, 1976,
unless such change would be prohibited
under any federally enforceable permit
condition which was established after
December 21, 1976, pursuant to 40 CFR 52.21
or under regulations approved pursuant to 40
CFR part 51, subpart I; or
(2) The source is approved to use under
any permit issued under this Ruling;
*
*
*
*
*
(f) An increase in the hours of operation or
in the production rate, unless such change is
prohibited under any federally enforceable
permit condition which was established after
December 21, 1976, pursuant to 40 CFR 52.21
or under regulations approved pursuant to 40
CFR part 51, subpart I;
*
*
*
*
*
7. * * *
(ii) An existing emissions unit is any
emissions unit that does not meet the
requirements in paragraph II.A.7(i) of this
Ruling. A replacement unit, as defined in
paragraph II.A.37 of this Ruling, is an
existing emissions unit.
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*
*
*
*
*
34. Best available control technology
(BACT) means an emissions limitation
(including a visible emissions standard)
based on the maximum degree of reduction
for each regulated NSR pollutant which
would be emitted from any proposed major
stationary source or major modification
which the reviewing authority, on a case-bycase basis, taking into account energy,
environmental, and economic impacts and
other costs, determines is achievable for such
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source or modification through application of
production processes or available methods,
systems, and techniques, including fuel
cleaning or treatment or innovative fuel
combustion techniques for control of such
pollutant. In no event shall application of
best available control technology result in
emissions of any pollutant which would
exceed the emissions allowed by any
applicable standard under 40 CFR part 60,
61, or 63. If the reviewing authority
determines that technological or economic
limitations on the application of
measurement methodology to a particular
emissions unit would make the imposition of
an emissions standard infeasible, a design,
equipment, work practice, operational
standard, or combination thereof, may be
prescribed instead to satisfy the requirement
for the application of BACT. Such standard
shall, to the degree possible, set forth the
emissions reduction achievable by
implementation of such design, equipment,
work practice or operation, and shall provide
for compliance by means which achieve
equivalent results.
35. Prevention of Significant Deterioration
(PSD) permit means any permit that is issued
under a major source preconstruction permit
program that has been approved by the
Administrator and incorporated into the plan
to implement the requirements of § 51.166, or
under the program in § 52.21 of this chapter.
*
*
*
*
*
37. Replacement unit means an emissions
unit for which all the criteria listed in
paragraphs II.A.37(i) through (iv) of this
Ruling are met. No creditable emission
reductions shall be generated from shutting
down the existing emissions unit that is
replaced.
(i) The emissions unit is a reconstructed
unit within the meaning of § 60.15(b)(1) of
this chapter, or the emissions unit
completely takes the place of an existing
emissions unit;
(ii) The emissions unit is identical to or
functionally equivalent to the replaced
emissions unit;
(iii) The replacement does not alter the
basic design parameters of the process unit;
and
(iv) The replaced emissions unit is
permanently removed from the major
stationary source, otherwise permanently
disabled, or permanently barred from
operation by a permit that is enforceable as
a practical matter. If the replaced emissions
unit is brought back into operation, it shall
constitute a new emissions unit.
B. Review of all sources for emission
limitation compliance. The reviewing
authority must examine each proposed major
new source and proposed major
modification 1 to determine if such a source
will meet all applicable emission
requirements in the SIP, any applicable new
source performance standard in part 60 of
this chapter, or any national emission
standard for hazardous air pollutants in part
61 or 63 of this chapter. If the reviewing
authority determines that the proposed major
new source cannot meet the applicable
emission requirements, the permit to
construct must be denied.
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1 Hereafter the term source will be used to
denote both any source and any
modification.
*
*
*
*
*
F. * * *
(8) Municipal incinerators capable of
charging more than 50 tons of refuse per day;
*
*
*
*
*
G. Secondary emissions. Secondary
emissions need not be considered in
determining whether the emission rates in
section II.C. above would be exceeded.
However, if a source is subject to this Ruling
on the basis of the direct emissions from the
source, the applicable conditions of this
Ruling must also be met for secondary
emissions. However, secondary emissions
may be exempt from Conditions 1 and 2 of
section IV of this Ruling. Also, since EPA’s
authority to perform or require indirect
source review relating to mobile sources
regulated under Title II of the Act (motor
vehicles and aircraft) has been restricted by
statute, consideration of the indirect impacts
of motor vehicles and aircraft traffic is not
required under this Ruling.
III. * * *
B. Sources to which this section applies
must meet Conditions 1, 2, and 4 of section
IV.A. of this Ruling.2 However, such sources
may be exempt from Condition 3 of section
IV.A. of this Ruling.
2 The discussion in this paragraph is a
proposal, but represents EPA’s interim policy
until final rulemaking is completed.
C. Review of specified sources for air
quality impact. For stable air pollutants (i.e.,
SO2, particulate matter and CO), the
determination of whether a source will cause
or contribute to a violation of a NAAQS
generally should be made on a case-by-case
basis as of the proposed new source’s startup date using the source’s allowable
emissions in an atmospheric simulation
model (unless a source will clearly impact on
a receptor which exceeds a NAAQS).
For sources of nitrogen oxides, the initial
determination of whether a source would
cause or contribute to a violation of the
NAAQS for NO2 should be made using an
atmospheric simulation model assuming all
the nitric oxide emitted is oxidized to NO2
by the time the plume reaches ground level.
The initial concentration estimates may be
adjusted if adequate data are available to
account for the expected oxidation rate.
For ozone, sources of volatile organic
compounds, locating outside a designated
ozone nonattainment area, will be presumed
to have no significant impact on the
designated nonattainment area. If ambient
monitoring indicates that the area of source
location is in fact nonattainment, then the
source may be permitted under the
provisions of any State plan adopted
pursuant to section 110(a)(2)(D) of the Act
until the area is designated nonattainment
and a State implementation plan revision is
approved. If no State plan pursuant to section
110(a)(2)(D) of the Act has been adopted and
approved, then this Ruling shall apply.
As noted above, the determination as to
whether a source would cause or contribute
to a violation of a NAAQS should be made
as of the new source’s start-up date.
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Therefore, if a designated nonattainment area
is projected to be an attainment area as part
of an approved SIP control strategy by the
new source start-up date, offsets would not
be required if the new source would not
cause a new violation.
D. * * *
Condition 1. The new source is required to
meet a more stringent emission limitation3
and/or the control of existing sources below
allowable levels is required so that the source
will not cause a violation of any NAAQS.
3 If the reviewing authority determines that
technological or economic limitations on the
application of measurement methodology to
a particular class of sources would make the
imposition of an enforceable numerical
emission standard infeasible, the authority
may instead prescribe a design, operational,
or equipment standard. In such cases, the
reviewing authority shall make its best
estimate as to the emission rate that will be
achieved and must specify that rate in the
required submission to EPA (see part V of
this Ruling). Any permits issued without an
enforceable numerical emission standard
must contain enforceable conditions which
assure that the design characteristics or
equipment will be properly maintained (or
that the operational conditions will be
properly performed) so as to continuously
achieve the assumed degree of control. Such
conditions shall be enforceable as emission
limitations by private parties under section
304. Hereafter, the term emission limitation
shall also include such design, operational,
or equipment standards.
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*
*
*
*
*
IV. * * *
A. * * *
Condition 1. The new source is required to
meet an emission limitation4 which specifies
the lowest achievable emission rate for such
source.
4 If the reviewing authority determines that
technological or economic limitations on the
application of measurement methodology to
a particular class of sources would make the
imposition of an enforceable numerical
emission standard infeasible, the authority
may instead prescribe a design, operational
or equipment standard. In such cases, the
reviewing authority shall make its best
estimate as to the emission rate that will be
achieved and must specify that rate in the
required submission to EPA (see part V of
this Ruling). Any permits issued without an
enforceable numerical emission standard
must contain enforceable conditions which
assure that the design characteristics or
equipment will be properly maintained (or
that the operational conditions will be
properly performed) so as to continuously
achieve the assumed degree of control. Such
conditions shall be enforceable as emission
limitations by private parties under section
304. Hereafter, the term emission limitation
shall also include such design, operational,
or equipment standards.
*
*
*
*
*
Condition 4. The emission offsets will
provide a positive net air quality benefit in
the affected area (see section IV.D. of this
Ruling). Atmospheric simulation modeling is
not necessary for volatile organic compounds
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and NOX. Fulfillment of Condition 3 under
section IV.A. of this Ruling and the
requirements under section IV.D. of this
Ruling will be considered adequate to meet
this condition.
*
*
*
*
*
B. Exemptions from certain conditions.
The reviewing authority may exempt the
following sources from Condition 1 under
section III.D. of this Ruling or Conditions 3
and 4 under section IV.A. of this Ruling:
(i) * * *
1. The applicant demonstrates that it made
its best efforts to obtain sufficient emission
offsets to comply with Condition 1 under
section III.D. of this Ruling or Conditions 3
and 4 under section IV.A. of this Ruling and
that such efforts were unsuccessful;
*
*
*
*
*
C. * * *
3. * * *
(i) Emissions reductions achieved by
shutting down an existing source or
curtailing production or operating hours may
be generally credited for offsets if they meet
the requirements in paragraphs IV.C.3.(i)(1)
and (2) of this Ruling.
*
*
*
*
*
(ii) Emissions reductions achieved by
shutting down an existing source or
curtailing production or operating hours and
that do not meet the requirements in
paragraphs IV.C.3.(i)(1) and (2) of this Ruling
may be generally credited only if:
*
*
*
*
*
(2) The applicant can establish that the
proposed new source is a replacement for the
shutdown or curtailed source, and the
emissions reductions achieved by the
shutdown or curtailment met the
requirements of paragraphs IV.C.3.(i)(1) and
(2) of this Ruling.
4. Credit for VOC substitution. No emission
offset credit may be allowed for replacing one
hydrocarbon compound with another of
lesser reactivity, except that an emission
credit may be allowed for the replacement
with those compounds listed as having
negligible photochemical reactivity in
§ 51.100(s).
5. ‘‘Banking’’ of emission offset credit. For
new sources obtaining permits by applying
offsets after January 16, 1979, the reviewing
authority may allow offsets that exceed the
requirements of reasonable progress toward
attainment (Condition 3 under paragraph
IV.A of this Ruling) to be ‘‘banked’’ (i.e.,
saved to provide offsets for a source seeking
a permit in the future) for use under this
Ruling. Likewise, the reviewing authority
may allow the owner of an existing source
that reduces its own emissions to bank any
resulting reductions beyond those required
by the SIP for use under this Ruling, even if
none of the offsets are applied immediately
to a new source permit. A reviewing
authority may allow these banked offsets to
be used under the preconstruction review
program required by part D of the Act, as
long as these banked emissions are identified
and accounted for in the SIP control strategy.
A reviewing authority may not approve the
construction of a source using banked offsets
if the new source would interfere with the
SIP control strategy or if such use would
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37931
violate any other condition set forth for use
of offsets. To preserve banked offsets, the
reviewing authority should identify them in
either a SIP revision or a permit, and
establish rules as to how and when they may
be used.
*
*
*
*
*
D. Location of offsetting emissions. The
owner or operator of a new or modified major
stationary source may comply with any offset
requirement in effect under this Ruling for
increased emissions of any air pollutant only
by obtaining emissions reductions of such air
pollutant from the same source or other
sources in the same nonattainment area,
except that the reviewing authority may
allow the owner or operator of a source to
obtain such emissions reductions in another
nonattainment area if the conditions under
paragraphs IV.D.1 and 2 of this Ruling are
met.
*
*
*
*
*
G. * * *
1. In meeting the emissions offset
requirements of Condition 3 under paragraph
IV.A. of this Ruling, the ratio of total actual
emissions reductions to the emissions
increase shall be at least 1:1 unless an
alternative ratio is provided for the
applicable nonattainment area in paragraphs
IV.G.2 through IV.G.4 of this Ruling.
*
*
*
*
*
5. Interpollutant offsetting. In meeting the
emissions offset requirements of paragraph
IV.A, Condition 3 of this Ruling, the
emissions offsets obtained shall be for the
same regulated NSR pollutant unless
interpollutant offsetting is permitted for a
particular pollutant as specified in this
paragraph IV.G.5. The offset requirements of
paragraph IV.A, Condition 3 of this Ruling
for direct PM2.5 emissions or emissions of
precursors of PM2.5 may be satisfied by
offsetting reductions of direct PM2.5
emissions or emissions of any PM2.5
precursor identified under paragraph II.A.31
(iii) of this Ruling if such offsets comply with
an interprecursor trading hierarchy and ratio
approved by the Administrator.
*
*
*
*
*
H. Additional provisions for emissions of
nitrogen oxides in ozone transport regions
and nonattainment areas. The requirements
of this Ruling applicable to major stationary
sources and major modifications of volatile
organic compounds shall apply to nitrogen
oxides emissions from major stationary
sources and major modifications of nitrogen
oxides in an ozone transport region or in any
ozone nonattainment area, except in ozone
nonattainment areas where the Administrator
has granted a NOX waiver applying the
standards set forth under section 182(f) of the
Act and the waiver continues to apply
I. * * *
2. For any major stationary source with a
PAL for a regulated NSR pollutant, the major
stationary source shall comply with
requirements under paragraph IV.K of this
Ruling.
J. * * *
6. * * *
(ii) A projected actual emissions increase
that, added to the amount of emissions
excluded under paragraph II.A.24(ii)(c) of
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this Ruling, sums to at least 50 percent of the
amount that is a ‘‘significant emissions
increase,’’ as defined under paragraph II.A.23
of this Ruling (without reference to the
amount that is a significant net emissions
increase), for the regulated NSR pollutant.
For a project for which a reasonable
possibility occurs only within the meaning of
paragraph IV.J.6(ii) of this Ruling, and not
also within the meaning of paragraph IV.J.6(i)
of this Ruling, then provisions in paragraphs
IV.J.2 through IV.J.5 of this Ruling do not
apply to the project.
*
*
*
*
*
K. * * *
5. Public participation requirement for
PALs. PALs for existing major stationary
sources shall be established, renewed, or
increased through a procedure that is
consistent with §§ 51.160 and 51.161. This
includes the requirement that the reviewing
authority provide the public with notice of
the proposed approval of a PAL permit and
at least a 30-day period for submittal of
public comment. The reviewing authority
must address all material comments before
taking final action on the permit.
*
*
*
*
*
14. Reporting and notification
requirements. The owner or operator shall
submit semi-annual monitoring reports and
prompt deviation reports to the reviewing
authority in accordance with the applicable
title V operating permit program. The reports
shall meet the requirements in paragraphs
IV.K.14(i) through (iii) of this Ruling.
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*
*
*
*
*
V. * * *
A. Source initiated emission offsets. A
source may propose emission offsets which
involve:
(1) Reductions from sources controlled by
the source owner (internal emission offsets);
and/or (2) reductions from neighboring
sources (external emission offsets). The
source does not have to investigate all
possible emission offsets. As long as the
emission offsets obtained represent
reasonable progress toward attainment, they
will be acceptable. It is the reviewing
authority’s responsibility to assure that the
emission offsets will be as effective as
proposed by the source. An internal emission
offset will be considered enforceable if it is
made a SIP requirement by inclusion as a
condition of the new source permit and the
permit is forwarded to the appropriate EPA
Regional Office.7 An external emission offset
will not be enforceable unless the affected
source(s) providing the emission reductions
is subject to a new SIP requirement to ensure
that its emissions will be reduced by a
specified amount in a specified time. Thus,
if the source(s) providing the emission
reductions does not obtain the necessary
reduction, it will be in violation of a SIP
requirement and subject to enforcement
action by EPA, the State, and/or private
parties.
7 The emission offset will, therefore, be
enforceable by EPA under section 113 of the
Act as an applicable SIP requirement and
will be enforceable by private parties under
section 304 of the Act as an emission
limitation.
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The form of the SIP revision may be a State
or local regulation, operating permit
condition, consent or enforcement order, or
any other mechanism available to the State
that is enforceable under the Clean Air Act.
If a SIP revision is required, the public
hearing on the revision may be substituted
for the normal public comment procedure
required for all major sources under § 51.102.
The formal publication of the SIP revision
approval in the Federal Register need not
appear before the source may proceed with
construction. To minimize uncertainty that
may be caused by these procedures, EPA
will, if requested by the State, propose a SIP
revision for public comment in the Federal
Register concurrently with the State public
hearing process. Of course, any major change
in the final permit/SIP revision submitted by
the State may require a reproposal by EPA.
*
*
*
*
*
PART 52—APPROVAL AND
PROMULGATION OF
IMPLEMENTATION PLANS
5. The authority citation for part 52
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401, et seq.
Subpart A—General Provisions
6. Amend § 52.21 by:
a. Revising paragraphs (a)(2)(iv)(a)
and (f);
■ c. Revising paragraphs (b)(1)(i)(a)
through (c);
■ d. Revising paragraphs (b)(1)(iii)(h)
and (z);
■ e. Revising paragraphs (b)(2)(iii)(a)
and (b);
■ f. Revising paragraphs (b)(2)(iii)(e)(1)
and (f);
■ g. Removing and reserving paragraph
(b)(3)(iii)(b);
■ h. Revising paragraph (b)(3)(vi)(c);
■ i. Revising paragraph (b)(12);
■ j. Revising paragraph (b)(23)(ii);
■ k. Revising paragraphs (b)(33)(i)
through (iv);
■ l. Revising paragraph (b)(41)(ii)(c);
■ m. Revising paragraph (b)(48)(i)(c);
■ n. Revising paragraph (b)(48)(ii)(d);
■ o. Revising paragraphs (b)(49)(i),
(b)(49)(ii) introductory text,
(b)(49)(ii)(a), and (b)(49)(iii);
■ p. Revising paragraph (b)(49)(iv)(b);
■ q. Revising paragraphs (b)(51);
■ r. Removing paragraphs (b)(55)
through (58);
■ s. Revising paragraph (g)(4)
introductory text;
■ t. Removing and reserving paragraphs
(i)(1)(i) through (v);
■ u. Revising paragraph (i)(1)(vii)(h);
■ v. Removing paragraphs (i)(1)(ix) and
(x);
■ w. Removing and reserving
paragraphs (i)(6) through (12);
■ x. Revising paragraph (j)(1);
■ y. Revising paragraph (m)(1)(i)(a);
■
■
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z. Removing and reserving paragraphs
(m)(1)(v), (vii), and (viii);
■ aa. Revising paragraph (n)(1)
introductory text;
■ bb. Revising paragraphs (p)(5)
introductory text, (p)(6) and (7), and
(p)(8) introductory text;
■ cc. Revising paragraph (r)(4);
■ dd. Revising paragraphs (u)(2)(ii) and
(u)(3);
■ ee. Revising paragraph (w)(1); and
■ ff. Removing paragraph (cc).
The revisions read as follows: § 52.21
Prevention of significant deterioration of
air quality.
(a) * * *
(2) * * *
(iv) * * *
(a) Except as otherwise provided in
paragraph (a)(2)(v) of this section, and
consistent with the definition of major
modification contained in paragraph
(b)(2) of this section, a project is a major
modification for a regulated NSR
pollutant if it causes two types of
emissions increases—a significant
emissions increase (as defined in
paragraph (b)(40) section) and a
significant net emissions increase (as
defined in paragraphs (b)(3) and (23) of
this section). The project is not a major
modification if it does not cause a
significant emissions increase. If the
project causes a significant emissions
increase, then the project is a major
modification only if it also results in a
significant net emissions increase.
*
*
*
*
*
(f) Hybrid test for projects that involve
multiple types of emissions units. A
significant emissions increase of a
regulated NSR pollutant is projected to
occur if the sum of the difference for all
emissions units, using the method
specified in paragraphs (a)(2)(iv)(c) and
(d) of this section as applicable with
respect to each emissions unit, equals or
exceeds the significant amount for that
pollutant (as defined in paragraph
(b)(23) of this section).
*
*
*
*
*
(b) * * *
(1)(i) * * *
(a) Any of the following stationary
sources of air pollutants which emits, or
has the potential to emit, 100 tons per
year or more of any regulated NSR
pollutant: Fossil fuel-fired steam electric
plants of more than 250 million British
thermal units per hour heat input, coal
cleaning plants (with thermal dryers),
kraft pulp mills, portland cement plants,
primary zinc smelters, iron and steel
mill plants, primary aluminum ore
reduction plants (with thermal dryers),
primary copper smelters, municipal
incinerators capable of charging more
than 50 tons of refuse per day,
■
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hydrofluoric, sulfuric, and nitric acid
plants, petroleum refineries, lime
plants, phosphate rock processing
plants, coke oven batteries, sulfur
recovery plants, carbon black plants
(furnace process), primary lead smelters,
fuel conversion plants, sintering plants,
secondary metal production plants,
chemical process plants (which does not
include ethanol production facilities
that produce ethanol by natural
fermentation included in NAICS codes
325193 or 312140), fossil-fuel boilers (or
combinations thereof) totaling more
than 250 million British thermal units
per hour heat input, petroleum storage
and transfer units with a total storage
capacity exceeding 300,000 barrels,
taconite ore processing plants, glass
fiber processing plants, and charcoal
production plants;
(b) Notwithstanding the stationary
source size specified in paragraph
(b)(1)(i)(a) of this section, any stationary
source which emits, or has the potential
to emit, 250 tons per year or more of a
regulated NSR pollutant; or
(c) Any physical change that would
occur at a stationary source not
otherwise qualifying under paragraph
(b)(1) of this section as a major
stationary source, if the change would
constitute a major stationary source by
itself.
*
*
*
*
*
(iii) * * *
(h) Municipal incinerators capable of
charging more than 50 tons of refuse per
day;
*
*
*
*
*
(z) Fossil fuel-fired steam electric
plants of more than 250 million British
thermal units per hour heat input, and
*
*
*
*
*
(2) * * *
(iii) * * *
(a) Routine maintenance, repair and
replacement;
(b) Use of an alternative fuel or raw
material by reason of an order under
sections 2(a) and (b) of the Energy
Supply and Environmental
Coordination Act of 1974 (or any
superseding legislation) or by reason of
a natural gas curtailment plan pursuant
to the Federal Power Act;
*
*
*
*
*
(e) * * *
(1) The source was capable of
accommodating before January 6, 1975,
unless such change would be prohibited
under any federally enforceable permit
condition which was established after
January 6, 1975, pursuant to 40 CFR
52.21 or under regulations approved
pursuant to 40 CFR part 51, subpart I;
or
*
*
*
*
*
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(f) An increase in the hours of
operation or in the production rate,
unless such change would be prohibited
under any federally enforceable permit
condition which was established after
January 6, 1975, pursuant to 40 CFR
52.21 or under regulations approved
pursuant to 40 CFR part 51, subpart I.
*
*
*
*
*
(vi) * * *
(c) It has approximately the same
qualitative significance for public health
and welfare as that attributed to the
increase from the particular change.
*
*
*
*
*
(12) Best available control technology
means an emissions limitation
(including a visible emission standard)
based on the maximum degree of
reduction for each pollutant subject to
regulation under the Act which would
be emitted from any proposed major
stationary source or major modification
which the Administrator, on a case-bycase basis, taking into account energy,
environmental, and economic impacts
and other costs, determines is
achievable for such source or
modification through application of
production processes or available
methods, systems, and techniques,
including fuel cleaning or treatment or
innovative fuel combustion techniques
for control of such pollutant. In no event
shall application of best available
control technology result in emissions
of any pollutant which would exceed
the emissions allowed by any applicable
standard under 40 CFR part 60, 61, or
63. If the Administrator determines that
technological or economic limitations
on the application of measurement
methodology to a particular emissions
unit would make the imposition of an
emissions standard infeasible, a design,
equipment, work practice, operational
standard, or combination thereof, may
be prescribed instead to satisfy the
requirement for the application of best
available control technology. Such
standard shall, to the degree possible,
set forth the emissions reduction
achievable by implementation of such
design, equipment, work practice or
operation, and shall provide for
compliance by means which achieve
equivalent results.
*
*
*
*
*
(23) * * *
(ii) Significant means, in reference to
a net emissions increase or the potential
of a source to emit a regulated NSR
pollutant that paragraph (b)(23)(i) of this
section does not list, any emissions rate.
*
*
*
*
*
(33) * * *
(i) The emissions unit is a
reconstructed unit within the meaning
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37933
of § 60.15(b)(1) of this chapter, or the
emissions unit completely takes the
place of an existing emissions unit;
(ii) The emissions unit is identical to
or functionally equivalent to the
replaced emissions unit;
(iii) The replacement does not alter
the basic design parameters of the
process unit; and
(iv) The replaced emissions unit is
permanently removed from the major
stationary source, otherwise
permanently disabled, or permanently
barred from operation by a permit that
is enforceable as a practical matter. If
the replaced emissions unit is brought
back into operation, it shall constitute a
new emissions unit.
*
*
*
*
*
(41) * * *
(ii) * * *
(c) Shall exclude, in calculating any
increase in emissions that results from
the particular project, that portion of the
unit’s emissions following the project
that an existing unit could have
accommodated during the consecutive
24-month period used to establish the
baseline actual emissions under
paragraph (b)(48) of this section and that
are also unrelated to the particular
project, including any increased
utilization due to product demand
growth; or
*
*
*
*
*
(48) * * *
(i) * * *
(c) For a regulated NSR pollutant,
when a project involves multiple
emissions units, only one consecutive
24-month period must be used to
determine the baseline actual emissions
for the emissions units being changed.
A different consecutive 24-month
period can be used for each regulated
pollutant.
*
*
*
*
*
(ii) * * *
(d) For a regulated NSR pollutant,
when a project involves multiple
emissions units, only one consecutive
24-month period must be used to
determine the baseline actual emissions
for all the emissions units being
changed. A different consecutive 24month period can be used for each
regulated NSR pollutant.
*
*
*
*
*
(49) * * *
(i) Greenhouse gases (GHGs), the air
pollutant defined in § 86.1818–12(a) of
this chapter as the aggregate group of six
greenhouse gases: Carbon dioxide,
nitrous oxide, methane,
hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons,
and sulfur hexafluoride, shall not be
subject to regulation except as provided
in paragraph (b)(49)(iv) of this section
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and shall not be subject to regulation if
the stationary source maintains its total
source-wide emissions below the GHG
PAL level, meets the requirements in
paragraphs (aa)(1) through (15) of this
section, and complies with the PAL
permit containing the GHG PAL.
(ii) For purposes of paragraphs
(b)(49)(iii) through (iv) of this section,
the term tpy CO2 equivalent emissions
(CO2e) shall represent an amount of
GHGs emitted, and shall be computed as
follows:
(a) Multiplying the mass amount of
emissions (tpy), for each of the six
greenhouse gases in the pollutant GHGs,
by the gas’s associated global warming
potential published at Table A–1 to
subpart A of part 98 of this chapter—
Global Warming Potentials.
*
*
*
*
*
(iii) The term emissions increase as
used in paragraph (b)(49)(iv) of this
section shall mean that both a
significant emissions increase (as
calculated using the procedures in
paragraph (a)(2)(iv) of this section) and
a significant net emissions increase (as
defined in paragraphs (b)(3) and (23) of
this section) occur. For the pollutant
GHGs, an emissions increase shall be
based on tpy CO2e, and shall be
calculated assuming the pollutant GHGs
is a regulated NSR pollutant and
‘‘significant’’ is defined as 75,000 tpy
CO2e instead of applying the value in
paragraph (b)(23)(ii) of this section.
(iv) * * *
(b) The stationary source is an
existing major stationary source for a
regulated NSR pollutant that is not
GHGs, and also will have an emissions
increase of a regulated NSR pollutant,
and an emissions increase of 75,000 tpy
CO2e or more.
*
*
*
*
*
(51) Reviewing authority means the
State air pollution control agency, local
agency, other State agency, Indian tribe,
or other agency authorized by the
Administrator to carry out a permit
program under § 51.165 or § 51.166 of
this chapter, or the Administrator in the
case of EPA-implemented permit
programs under this section.
*
*
*
*
*
(g) * * *
(4) Lands within the exterior
boundaries of Indian Reservations may
be redesignated only by the appropriate
Indian Governing Body. The appropriate
Indian Governing Body may submit to
the Administrator a proposal to
redesignate areas Class I, Class II, or
Class III provided that:
*
*
*
*
*
(i) * * *
(1) * * *
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(vii) * * *
(h) Municipal incinerators capable of
charging more than 50 tons of refuse per
day;
*
*
*
*
*
(j) * * *
(1) A major stationary source or major
modification shall meet each applicable
emissions limitation under the State
Implementation Plan and each
applicable emissions standard and
standard of performance under 40 CFR
part 60, 61, or 63.
*
*
*
*
*
(m) * * *
(1) * * *
(i) * * *
(a) For the source, each pollutant that
it would have the potential to emit in a
significant amount;
*
*
*
*
*
(n) * * *
(1) With respect to a source or
modification to which paragraphs (j),
(k), (m), and (o) of this section apply,
such information shall include:
*
*
*
*
*
(p) * * *
(5) Class I variances. The owner or
operator of a proposed source or
modification may demonstrate to the
Federal Land Manager that the
emissions from such source or
modification would have no adverse
impact on the air quality related values
of any such lands (including visibility),
notwithstanding that the change in air
quality resulting from emissions from
such source or modification would
cause or contribute to concentrations
which would exceed the maximum
allowable increases for a Class I area. If
the Federal Land Manager concurs with
such demonstration and he so certifies,
the State may authorize the
Administrator, provided that the
applicable requirements of this section
are otherwise met, to issue the permit
with such emission limitations as may
be necessary to assure that emissions of
sulfur dioxide, PM2.5, PM10, and
nitrogen oxides would not exceed the
following maximum allowable increases
over minor source baseline
concentration for such pollutants:
*
*
*
*
*
(6) Sulfur dioxide variance by
Governor with Federal Land Manager’s
concurrence. The owner or operator of
a proposed source or modification
which cannot be approved under
paragraph (p)(5) of this section may
demonstrate to the Governor that the
source cannot be constructed by reason
of any maximum allowable increase for
sulfur dioxide for a period of 24 hours
or less applicable to any Class I area
and, in the case of Federal mandatory
PO 00000
Frm 00044
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
Class I areas, that a variance under this
clause would not adversely affect the air
quality related values of the area
(including visibility). The Governor,
after consideration of the Federal Land
Manager’s recommendation (if any) and
subject to his concurrence, may, after
notice and public hearing, grant a
variance from such maximum allowable
increase. If such variance is granted, the
Administrator shall issue a permit to
such source or modification pursuant to
the requirements of paragraph (p)(8) of
this section provided that the applicable
requirements of this section are
otherwise met.
(7) Variance by the Governor with the
President’s concurrence. In any case
where the Governor recommends a
variance with which the Federal Land
Manager does not concur, the
recommendations of the Governor and
the Federal Land Manager shall be
transmitted to the President. The
President may approve the Governor’s
recommendation if he finds that the
variance is in the national interest. If the
variance is approved, the Administrator
shall issue a permit pursuant to the
requirements of paragraph (p)(8) of this
section provided that the applicable
requirements of this section are
otherwise met.
(8) Emission limitations for
Presidential or gubernatorial variance.
In the case of a permit issued pursuant
to paragraph (p)(6) or (7) of this section,
the source or modification shall comply
with such emission limitations as may
be necessary to assure that emissions of
sulfur dioxide from the source or
modification would not (during any day
on which the otherwise applicable
maximum allowable increases are
exceeded) cause or contribute to
concentrations which would exceed the
following maximum allowable increases
over the baseline concentration and to
assure that such emissions would not
cause or contribute to concentrations
which exceed the otherwise applicable
maximum allowable increases for
periods of exposure of 24 hours or less
for more than 18 days, not necessarily
consecutive, during any annual period:
*
*
*
*
*
(r) * * *
(4) At such time that a particular
source or modification becomes a major
stationary source or major modification
solely by virtue of a relaxation in any
enforceable limitation which was
established after August 7, 1980, on the
capacity of the source or modification
otherwise to emit a pollutant, such as a
restriction on hours of operation, then
the requirements of paragraphs (j)
through (s) of this section shall apply to
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the source or modification as though
construction had not yet commenced on
the source or modification.
*
*
*
*
*
(u) * * *
(2) * * *
(ii) The delegate agency shall send a
copy of any public comment notice
required under paragraph (q) of this
section to the Administrator through the
appropriate Regional Office.
(3) In the case of a source or
modification which proposes to
construct in a Class III area, emissions
from which would cause or contribute
to air quality exceeding the maximum
allowable increase applicable if the area
were designated a Class II area, and
where no standard under section 111 of
the Act has been promulgated for such
source category, the Administrator must
approve the determination of best
available control technology as set forth
in the permit.
*
*
*
*
*
(w) * * *
(1) Any permit issued under this
section or a prior version of this section
shall remain in effect, unless and until
it expires under paragraph (r)(2) of this
section or is rescinded under this
paragraph (w).
*
*
*
*
*
[FR Doc. 2021–13905 Filed 7–16–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS
COMMISSION
47 CFR Part 73
[MB Docket No. 21–178; RM–11905; DA 21–
770; FR ID 36875]
Television Broadcasting Services New
Orleans, Louisiana
Federal Communications
Commission.
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
On April 21, 2021, the Media
Bureau, Video Division (Bureau) issued
a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
(NPRM) in response to a petition for
rulemaking filed by the Greater New
Orleans Educational Television
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SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
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Foundation (Petitioner), the licensee of
noncommercial educational PBS
member station WYES–TV, channel
*11, New Orleans, Louisiana, requesting
the substitution of channel *28 for
channel *11 at New Orleans in the DTV
Table of Allotments. For the reasons set
forth in the Report and Order referenced
below, the Bureau amends FCC
regulations to substitute channel *28 for
channel *11 at New Orleans.
DATES: Effective July 19, 2021.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Joyce Bernstein, Media Bureau, at (202)
418–1647 or Joyce.Bernstein@fcc.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
proposed rule was published at 86 FR
23340 on May 3, 2021. The Petitioner
filed comments in support of the
petition reaffirming its commitment to
apply for channel *28. No other
comments were filed. The Petitioner
states that WYES–TV is the only station
licensed to New Orleans operating on a
VHF channel, and moving to a UHF
channel would improve viewers’ access
to WYES–TV’s PBS and other public
television programming by improving
indoor reception and resolving VHF
reception issues. In addition, the
Petitioner submitted an analysis, using
the Commission’s TVStudy software
analysis program, demonstrating that it
will continue to serve all of the
population located within the licensed
channel *11 contour.
This is a synopsis of the
Commission’s Report and Order, MB
Docket No. 21–178; RM–11905; DA 21–
770, adopted July 2, 2021, and released
July 2, 2021. The full text of this
document is available for download at
https://www.fcc.gov/edocs. To request
materials in accessible formats for
people with disabilities (braille, large
print, electronic files, audio format),
send an email to fcc504@fcc.gov or call
the Consumer & Governmental Affairs
Bureau at 202–418–0530 (voice), 202–
418–0432 (tty).
This document does not contain
information collection requirements
subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act
of 1995, Public Law 104–13. In addition,
therefore, it does not contain any
proposed information collection burden
‘‘for small business concerns with fewer
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Sfmt 9990
than 25 employees,’’ pursuant to the
Small Business Paperwork Relief Act of
2002, Public Law 107–198, see 44 U.S.C.
3506(c)(4). Provisions of the Regulatory
Flexibility Act of 1980, 5 U.S.C. 601–
612, do not apply to this proceeding.
The Commission will send a copy of
this Report and Order in a report to be
sent to Congress and the Government
Accountability Office pursuant to the
Congressional Review Act, see 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A).
List of Subjects in 47 CFR Part 73
Television.
Federal Communications Commission.
Thomas Horan,
Chief of Staff, Media Bureau.
Final Rule
For the reasons discussed in the
preamble, the Federal Communications
Commission amends 47 CFR part 73 as
follows:
PART 73—RADIO BROADCAST
SERVICE
1. The authority citation for part 73
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 47 U.S.C. 154, 155, 301, 303,
307, 309, 310, 334, 336, 339.
2. In § 73.622, in paragraph (i), amend
the Post-Transition Table of DTV
Allotments, under Louisiana, by
revising the entry for ‘‘New Orleans’’ to
read as follows:
■
§ 73.622 Digital television table of
allotments.
*
*
*
(i) * * *
*
*
Community
*
*
Channel No.
*
*
*
LOUISIANA
*
*
*
New Orleans ..........................
*
*
*
*
*
15, 21, 26, *28, 29,
*31, 36, 43, 50
*
*
[FR Doc. 2021–15260 Filed 7–16–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712–01–P
E:\FR\FM\19JYR1.SGM
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 135 (Monday, July 19, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 37918-37935]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-13905]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Parts 51 and 52
[EPA-HQ-OAR-2019-0435; FRL-10017-29-OAR]
RIN 2060-AU46
New Source Review Regulations; Correction
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule; correction.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is amending several
New Source Review (NSR) regulations by making the following types of
changes: Correcting typographical and grammatical errors, removing
court vacated rule language, removing or updating outdated or incorrect
cross references, conforming certain provisions to changes contained in
the 1990 Clean Air Act (CAA or Act) Amendments, and removing certain
outdated grandfathering or transitional exemptions.
DATES: This final rule is effective on August 18, 2021.
ADDRESSES: The EPA has established a docket for this action, identified
by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2019-0435. All documents in the docket are
listed in 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 either electronically in the docket or in hard
copy at the EPA Docket Center Reading Room, WJC West Building, Room
3334, 1301 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004. Out of an
abundance of caution for members of the public and our staff, the EPA
Docket Center and Reading Room are closed to the public, with limited
exceptions, to reduce the risk of transmitting COVID-19. Our Docket
Center staff will continue to provide remote customer service via
email, phone, and webform. For further information on EPA Docket Center
services and the current status, please visit us online at https://www.epa.gov/dockets. The hours of operation at the EPA Docket Center
Reading Room are 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday. The telephone
number for the EPA Docket Center is (202) 566-1744.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For general questions about this
document, please contact Mr. Ben Garwood, New Source Review Group, Air
Quality Policy Division, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards
(C504-03), Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park,
North Carolina, 27711; telephone number (919) 541-1358; fax number
(919) 541-4028; email address: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Throughout this document wherever ``we,''
``us,'' or ``our'' is used, we mean the EPA.
Table of Contents
I. Background
II. Response to Comments
III. Final Action
IV. Removal of Vacated Ozone NAAQS Grandfathering and Ozone
Interprecursor Trading Provisions
V. Environmental Justice Considerations
VI. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
A. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory Planning and Review and
Executive Order 13563: Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review
B. Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA)
C. Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)
D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA)
E. Executive Order 13132: Federalism
F. Executive Order 13175: Consultation and Coordination With
Indian Tribal Governments
G. Executive Order 13045: Protection of Children From
Environmental Health and Safety Risks
H. Executive Order 13211: Actions That Significantly Affect
Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use
I. National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act (NTTA)
J. Executive Order 12898: Federal Actions To Address
Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income
Populations
K. Congressional Review Act (CRA)
L. Judicial Review
VII. Statutory Authority
I. Background
The EPA published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on
December 20, 2019 (``2019 NPRM'' or ``2019 proposal'') \1\ including
revisions to four sets of NSR regulations.\2\ The proposed revisions
were intended to correct various typographical and grammatical errors,
remove regulatory provisions that have been vacated by the court,
remove or update outdated or incorrect cross references, conform
certain provisions to changes contained in the 1990 CAA Amendments, and
remove outdated exemptions.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ 84 FR 70092 (December 20, 2019).
\2\ The four sets of NSR regulations include the Prevention of
Significant Deterioration regulations at 40 CFR 51.166 and 52.21,
and the Nonattainment NSR regulations at 40 CFR 51.165 and part 51
Appendix S (also known as the Emission Offset Interpretative
Ruling).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The NSR regulations have undergone revisions and restructurings by
the EPA during their long history as a result of statutory and policy
changes, as well as numerous court decisions. These revisions and
restructurings have sometimes introduced errors within those
regulations. In this action, the EPA is finalizing revisions to address
these inadvertent errors. The agency is also finalizing other revisions
to reflect statutory changes enacted by Congress which have already
been applied in practice or changes that have been necessitated by
court decisions. Thus, the EPA considers this final rule to be
administrative in nature. The EPA's intent is to provide clarity to the
affected NSR regulations, but not to alter the substantive requirements
of those regulations. The NSR regulations affected by this action
contain requirements for the preconstruction review of new major
stationary sources and major modifications of existing major stationary
sources.
In response to the 2019 proposal, the EPA received 15 sets of
comments: Five from industries and industry associations, five from
anonymous commenters, four from state agencies, and one from an
individual. The commenters generally agreed with most of the editorial
and typographical changes that the EPA had proposed. Some commenters,
however, disagreed with some of the proposed changes and made
alternative recommendations for consideration in the final rule. In
addition, some commenters identified additional regulatory text needing
changes. The following section addresses some of the significant
comments and provides the EPA's responses. For a complete description
of the comments received and the EPA's responses, please refer to the
Response to Comment (RTC) document that the EPA has placed in the
docket for this rulemaking.
In order to provide a clear description of the regulatory revisions
contained in the 2019 proposal, the EPA also included a separate table
in the rulemaking docket showing each of the
[[Page 37919]]
proposed changes in a redline/strikeout (RLSO) format to clearly
illustrate where and what changes were proposed. Some commenters
correctly noted that there were some inconsistencies between the
changes shown in the docketed table and the revised regulatory text in
the 2019 NPRM. These inconsistencies have been corrected in this final
rule and the table has been revised to show all of the changes that are
being made to the four sets of NSR regulations, including those that
have been made since the 2019 proposal. Further, the EPA has made some
very minor, non-substantive rule language format conforming revisions
in this final rule as required by Office of the Federal Register (OFR)
guidelines for rule language publication in the Federal Register
according to the Document Drafting Handbook.\3\ These rule language
consistency edits from OFR are contained in the final rule language and
the revised table. The revised table is available in the docket for
this final rule (see Reference Table of New Source Review Error
Corrections--Final Rule, in Docket ID. No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2019-0435).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\ See https://www.archives.gov/files/federal-register/write/handbook/ddh.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
II. Response to Comments
Based on the comments received, the EPA is not finalizing some of
the proposed changes or is finalizing revised versions of the proposed
changes. The following section provides a summary of many of the
comments received and the EPA's response to those comments, including
our rationale for not finalizing some of the proposed changes or
modifying changes that were originally proposed. All of comments and
responses, including those not discussed in this preamble, are included
in the RTC, which the EPA has placed in the docket for this rulemaking.
Comments Received and the EPA's Responses
A. Typographical, grammatical and punctuation errors. The EPA
proposed to correct misspelled words, such as those contained in 40 CFR
51.165(a)(1)(viii) and 51.166(j)(4). No adverse comments were received
concerning these types of corrections. The EPA did, however, receive
comments providing notification of similar typographical errors,
including the incorrect use of the word ``and'' in lieu of ``through''
in 40 CFR 51.166(b)(48)(ii) and 52.21(b)(49)(ii), and is making these
corrections along with similar proposed corrections such as the use of
``that'' in lieu of ``than'' in 40 CFR 52.21(b)(1)(iii)(z). The EPA is
also updating the rule language to correct other errors identified by
commenters, including an inadvertent reference to ``Class II'' in the
proposed revision to 40 CFR 52.21(u)(3), and other minor clarifying
edits (see 40 CFR 51.165(a)(1)(xxi)(A) through (D), 51.165(a)(1)(xl),
Appendix S II.A.12, Appendix S II.A.37, 51.166(b)(2)(iii)(a),
51.166(b)(12), 51.166(b)(32)(i) through (iv), 51.166(b)(48)(ii),
51.166(j)(1), 51.166(w)(9)(ii), 52.21(b)(12), 52.21(b)(33)(i) through
(iv), 52.21(b)(49)(iii), and 52.21(j)(1)). These corrections are a
logical outgrowth of the proposal but, in any event, the EPA also finds
there is good cause to make these corrections without soliciting public
comment on them because it would be unnecessary given that the changes
are not substantive.\4\
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\4\ See 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B); 42 U.S.C. 7407(d)(1). For more
information on the good cause exception to notice and comment
rulemaking, see Section IV of this notice.
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In numerous instances, the EPA proposed to correct inappropriate
words or punctuation, including capitalizations, commas and hyphens,
such as those contained in 40 CFR 51.165(a)(2)(iii), Appendix S
II.A.4.(iii), and 52.21(b)(23)(ii). One adverse comment was received on
an edit proposed to the definition of ``emissions increase'' to change
``is'' to ``shall be'' to make the language consistent throughout the
paragraph. The EPA had only proposed this change in 40 CFR 52.21. The
commenter pointed out that the use of ``is'' is already consistent
within the paragraph and raised concern that the proposed change could
be seen as suggesting that the provision would function as a
significant emissions rate even though the EPA has not yet completed a
rulemaking to set a significance level for GHGs. See 81 FR 68110
(October 3, 2016). Instead the commenter suggested deleting a comma to
clarify the provision. The EPA agrees with the commenter and is not
changing ``is'' to ``shall be'' in 40 CFR 52.21(b)(49)(iii) and
51.166(b)(48)(iii).
Other errors identified by commenters or identified by the EPA
subsequent to the 2019 proposal include the inadvertent capitalization
of ``for'' in 40 CFR 52.21(b)(48)(i)(c) and the incorrect pluralization
of the term ``standard'' in 40 CFR 51.166(j)(1). Correction of these
errors is a logical outgrowth of the proposal but, in any event, the
EPA also finds there is good cause to make these corrections without
soliciting public comment because it would be unnecessary given that
the changes are not substantive.
B. Regulatory references. The EPA proposed to correct the way in
which reference is made in one regulation to requirements contained in
another regulation, such as references contained in 40 CFR
51.165(a)(1)(v)(C)(5)(i), 51.166(b)(2)(iii)(e)(1),
51.166(b)(2)(iii)(f), Appendix S II.A.5.(iii)(e)(1), and Appendix S
II.A.5.(iii)(f). In some cases, the references were outdated, while
others simply referenced an incorrect paragraph. The EPA did not
receive adverse comment on these changes and the EPA is finalizing them
in this rule. The EPA is also updating a reference made in 40 CFR
51.165(a)(3)(ii)(D) in response to a comment requesting that a
reference made within this regulation to a memorandum be updated to
reflect the subsequent codification of the referenced language. The EPA
is similarly amending a dated reference in 40 CFR 51 Appendix S I.
Introduction and correcting an erroneous cross reference in Paragraph
IV.D from V to IV in response to comments received. These corrections
are a logical outgrowth of the proposal but, in any event, the EPA also
finds there is good cause to make these corrections without soliciting
public comment given that the changes are not substantive.
C. Court vacaturs. Some of the proposed changes involve the removal
of text that the EPA needed to remove to implement the vacatur of the
provision in a court ruling. These changes include the following:
1. In 2003, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia
Circuit (D.C. Circuit) indefinitely stayed the effective date of the
NSR provision known as the Equipment Replacement Provision (ERP), which
amended the NSR requirements in 2003 to add a Routine Maintenance,
Repair, and Replacement Exclusion.\5\ The ERP allowed sources to avoid
NSR when replacing equipment under certain circumstances. The stay of
the affected paragraphs was subsequently noted in the CFR under the
three affected NSR regulations, 40 CFR 51.165, 51.166, 52.21.\6\ Later,
in a 2006 decision, the court vacated the ERP, concluding that the
provision was ``contrary to the plain language of section 111(a)(4) of
the Act.'' New York v. EPA, 443 F.3d 880, 883 (D.C. Cir. 2006) (``New
York II''). The EPA is now
[[Page 37920]]
removing the vacated ERP provisions consistent with New York II as well
as the notes contained in the affected NSR regulations describing the
indefinite stay of the various affected provisions. See proposed 40 CFR
51.165(a)(1)(v)(C)(1), 51.165(h), 51.166(b)(2)(iii)(a), 51.166(y),
52.21(b)(2)(iii)(a), and 52.21(cc).
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\5\ 68 FR 61248 (October 27, 2003).
\6\ For example, in 40 CFR 52.21, the following note was added:
``NOTE TO PARAGRAPH (b)(2)(III)(a): ``By court order on December 24,
2003, the second sentence of this paragraph (b)(2)(iii)(a) is stayed
indefinitely. The stayed provisions will become effective
immediately if the court terminates the stay. At that time, EPA will
publish a document in the Federal Register advising the public of
the termination of the stay.''
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Additionally, in the proposal, the EPA noted that two components of
the 2003 ERP rule, the criteria for ``basic design parameters''
(contained at 40 CFR 51.165(h)(2), 51.166(y)(2), and 52.21(cc)(2)), and
``process units'' (contained at 40 CFR 51.165(a)(1)(xliii),
51.166(b)(53), and 52.21(b)(55)), are incorporated within the
definition of ``replacement unit,'' which was not part of the New York
II decision. See 40 CFR 51.165(a)(1)(xxi), 51.166(b)(32), and
52.21(b)(33). The EPA proposed to move definitions and criteria for
``basic design parameters'' and ``process unit,'' into the definition
of ``replacement unit'' in each of the three affected NSR regulations.
See proposed 40 CFR 51.165(a)(1)(xxi)(E)-(F), 51.166(b)(32)(v)-(vi),
and 52.21(b)(33)(v)-(vi).\7\ The EPA's 2019 proposal to move this
language to a different location in the regulation necessitated
revising a cross reference made to the definition of ``basic design
parameters'' to cite its new location. See proposed 40 CFR
51.165(a)(1)(xxi)(C), 51.166(b)(32)(iii), and 52.21(b)(33)(iii).\8\
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\7\ There is language related to ``process unit'' that is only
relevant to the ERP and was therefore not proposed to be retained
within the definition of ``replacement unit.''
\8\ The EPA also notes that the ERP provisions and definition of
``replacement unit'' (promulgated under a separate rulemaking not
affected by the court's ERP vacatur) were not added to the NSR
regulations at 40 CFR part 51 Appendix S when the EPA amended the
other NSR regulations in 2003. To fix this omission of the
replacement unit provision, the EPA proposed to add the definition
of ``replacement unit,'' including the criteria for ``basic design
parameters'' and ``process unit,'' to Appendix S. See proposed
paragraph II.A.37. In addition, a provision explaining that a
replacement unit is considered to be an existing emissions unit was
proposed to be added to the definition of ``emissions unit.'' See
proposed paragraph II.A.7.(ii). Together, these proposed changes
were intended to make the Appendix S provisions concerning
replacement units consistent with the other NSR regulations.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commenters had a variety of different recommendations in response
to the EPA's 2019 proposal to relocate two definitions which the EPA
did not consider to be subject to the court's vacatur decision. Those
recommendations introduced alternative language for these provisions.
Some commenters questioned the EPA's proposal to relocate certain
components without also providing a more comprehensive rationale and
opportunity for public comment. One commenter objected to moving the
definition of ``process unit'' in an error corrections action, claiming
that retaining provisions that were vacated by the court in a different
location amounted to a substantive change because it ``represents
neither a statutory change nor a change required by a court decision.''
The same commenter claimed that the EPA provided no rationale for why
the vacated definition of ``process unit'' should be retained, and
further stated that ``[i]f EPA believes a definition is necessary, it
should provide an analysis of why the specific definition it has
proposed is appropriate, instead of simply relying on a definition
included in a rule that was vacated by a federal court.'' The commenter
continued, however, that, should the EPA decide to define ``process
unit'' as part of the definition of ``replacement unit,'' then ``[EPA]
should clarify that this definition is limited to determining whether a
unit meets the criteria for a replacement unit. This clarification
would prevent confusion on the implication of this term.'' Finally, the
commenter recommended, as an alternative, that the EPA ``could propose
to eliminate the reference to process unit in the definition of
`replacement unit' and instead reference an `emissions unit.' ''
Three commenters recommended that the EPA retain the definition of
``functionally equivalent component'' (e.g., 40 CFR 52.21(b)(56)),
which the EPA proposed to remove as part of the ERP vacatur component
of this rule. One of the commenters recommended that the EPA
incorporate the definition of ``functionally equivalent component''
into the definition of ``replacement unit'' ``in order to retain the
clarification that the `functionally equivalent component' definition
provides.'' One of the commenters noted that ``[t]he replacement unit
provision was intended to recognize that identical replacement is not
required and often is not possible, which is why EPA will look to the
`function' and the `basic design parameters.' '' This commenter
concluded that ``[b]y deleting this definition, the intent of the
replacement unit concept could be undermined.'' Finally, one of the
commenters also recommended that the EPA retain the definition of
``functionally equivalent component,'' as well as the definitions of
``process unit'' and ``basic design parameters,'' as separate
definitions rather than as part of the definition of ``replacement
unit.''
A state commenter did not agree with the EPA's 2019 proposal to
relocate the three examples of ``process units'' for source categories,
including refineries, municipal waste incinerators, and steam electric
generating facilities. Another commenter recommended that if the EPA
chose to retain an example of a process unit for a steam electric
generating facility, the example should not include equipment that does
not contribute to the production of electricity. The commenter claimed
that ``EPA provides no explanation for the inconsistency between its
example for a pulverized coal-fired facility and the proposed
regulatory text for a steam electric generating facility, which states
that only portions of the plant that contribute directly to the
production of electricity would be included in the definition of
`process unit.'''
Another state agency commenter noted that in the 2019 proposal the
EPA ``inadvertently'' left out the paragraph describing ``pollution
control equipment,'' which the commenter stated was supposed to have
been included in the definition of ``process unit'' and therefore
should have been included with the EPA's proposal to relocate the
definition of ``process unit.'' The affected provision, previously
contained at 40 CFR 51.165(a)(1)(xliii)(B), 51.166(b)(53)(ii), and
52.21(b)(55)(ii), reads as follows: ``Pollution control equipment is
not part of the process unit, unless it serves a dual function as both
process and control equipment. Administrative and warehousing
facilities are not part of the process unit.''
The EPA has carefully considered the adverse comments concerning
the proposal to relocate certain provisions that were part of the 2003
ERP rule vacated by the court in 2006. Due to the concerns expressed in
the comments, the EPA has decided to also remove provisions pertaining
to ``process unit'' and ``basic design parameters'' in this final rule.
Based upon comments received, we have been persuaded that the better
interpretation of the judgment in New York II is that the court vacated
the ERP rule in its entirety, such that the EPA should remove all of
this content to effectuate the judgment. While the replacement unit
definition was adopted in a separate 2003 rulemaking that was not
vacated by the court, that rulemaking action (which pre-dated New York
II) does not provide a sufficient basis to conclude that content from
the ERP rule that is referenced in definition of the ``replacement
unit'' survived the vacatur. Since this dynamic is not addressed in New
York II and that opinion post-dates the 2003 rule, the EPA believes New
York II is best read as vacating all the content
[[Page 37921]]
adopted in the ERP rule. Therefore, at this time, the EPA is removing
the entirety of the ERP rule from the NSR regulations and is not moving
the definitions of ``basic design parameters'' and ``process unit''
into the ``replacement unit'' definition in this final rule. For the
same reason, the EPA is removing the definition of ``functionally
equivalent component'' as proposed.
As a result of this action, the NSR regulations will lack a
definition of ``basic design parameters'' and ``process unit'' that can
be applied in the context of identifying whether a unit is a
``replacement unit.'' However, while not controlling, the EPA and
stakeholders may continue to look to the vacated definitions from the
ERP rule to guide their understanding of the definition of
``replacement unit.'' The EPA will evaluate whether further rulemaking
is needed to restore definitions of ``basic design parameter'' and
``process unit.'' If this need does arise, such a rulemaking would
provide an opportunity for more targeted public input on the way such
terms should be defined when applied in the specific context of
defining a ``replacement unit'' for purposes of determining the method
of calculating the change in emissions from a project. 2. In 2007, the
EPA removed certain provisions pertaining to Clean Units (CU) and
Pollution Control Projects (PCP), which were vacated by the D.C.
Circuit in New York v. EPA, 413 F.3d 3 (D.C. Cir. 2005) (``New York
I'').\9\ The EPA explained that, although the court's opinion addressed
the CU and PCP provisions in 40 CFR 52.21, but not the corresponding
provisions in 40 CFR 51.165 and 51.166, ``the plain language of the
Court's opinion clearly applies to the parallel constructions in those
latter provisions . . . .'' 72 FR 32526, 32527 (June 13, 2007).
Accordingly, the EPA's 2007 action was intended to remove the relevant
provisions from all three NSR regulations, but the EPA only specified
its removal from 40 CFR 51.165 and not 40 CFR 51.166 and 52.21.
Therefore, in the 2019 NPRM, the EPA proposed to remove the remaining
CU and PCP provisions that were vacated in accordance with New York I.
See proposed 40 CFR 51.166(b)(3)(iii)(c), 52.21(b)(3)(iii)(b), and
cross references to vacated PCP provisions 40 CFR 51.165(a)(2)(ii)(A),
51.166(a)(7)(iv)(a), and 52.21(a)(2)(iv)(a). The EPA did not receive
any adverse comments addressing this aspect of the 2007 proposal and is
therefore finalizing the changes to the regulatory text addressing the
vacatur as proposed.
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\9\ 72 FR 32526 (June 13, 2007).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
D. Outdated and incorrect references.
1. In 1980, the EPA made significant revisions to the PSD
regulations under parts 51 and 52.\10\ One revision deleted existing
paragraph (k) and redesignated paragraphs (l) through (s) as (k)
through (r). The EPA proposed to correct incorrect references affected
by the 1980 redesignation of paragraphs (l) through (s). The EPA
received no adverse comment on this proposed revision and will be
finalizing this change. See 40 CFR 51.166(r)(2) and 52.21(r)(4).
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\10\ 45 FR 52676 (August 7, 1980).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. In the same 1980 rulemaking, the EPA added a provision under the
source obligation requirements at 40 CFR 52.21(r)(2) applicable to
stationary sources that might be granted a future relaxation of a
preconstruction permit that previously enabled the source or
modification to be regulated as a ``minor'' rather than as a major
stationary source. The provision requires the owner or operator of a
source or modification obtaining a relaxation of the limits referenced
to comply with the permit requirements for a major stationary source or
major modification as if construction had not yet commenced on the
source or modification. The provision references the permit
requirements contained under paragraphs (j) through (s) of 40 CFR
51.166. However, paragraph (s) contains discretionary provisions
concerning the application of innovative control technology. In light
of the non-mandatory nature of those provisions, it should not have
been included in the reference to required permit elements.
Accordingly, the EPA proposed to correct the source obligation
requirement at 40 CFR 51.166(r)(2) by removing the reference to
paragraph (s) and replacing it with a reference to paragraph (r). See
proposed 40 CFR 51.166(r)(2). The EPA received a comment supporting
this proposed change, but no adverse comments, and will therefore
finalize this change as proposed.
3. The Nonattainment New Source Review (NNSR) regulations at 40 CFR
51.165 and 40 CFR part 51 Appendix S contain a restriction which
prohibits sources that replace one hydrocarbon compound with another of
lesser reactivity from obtaining emissions credit for that replacement.
See 40 CFR 51.165(a)(3)(ii)(D) and part 51 Appendix S IV.C.4. At the
same time, the provisions make it clear that a source may obtain an
emissions credit, also referred to as an offset credit (when intended
to be used as an emissions offset), in cases where a VOC is replaced by
an organic compound that is not considered to be a VOC (i.e.,
recognized to have negligible photochemical reactivity). The EPA has
now included as part of the regulatory definition of ``volatile organic
compounds,'' codified at 40 CFR 51.100(s), organic compounds that are
not VOCs that the EPA included in the definition because they have
negligible photochemical reactivity. Accordingly, we proposed to revise
both sets of NNSR regulations to provide an updated reference to the
organic compounds that the EPA does not define as VOC.
Two commenters recommended that the EPA completely delete, rather
than edit, these provisions, asserting that they are outdated offset
conditions. One of the commenters, using CAA section 173(c) as their
basis, noted that ``[w]hen the EPA changed from regulating hydrocarbons
to regulating VOC as a single pollutant, the EPA no longer considered
reactivity in the offsets provision.''
The EPA recognizes that because of the shift in how the EPA
regulates photochemically reactive compounds that form ozone, this
restriction on offsets may no longer be necessary. However, the EPA did
not provide a rationale for the wholesale removal of this restriction.
Therefore, the EPA is making the proposed change, with some small
variations. The provisions will be revised to update the list of
negligible photochemical reactive compounds and to more clearly reflect
the fact that the organic compounds listed with negligible
photochemical reactivity are, by definition, not VOCs. At worst, the
continued inclusion of this restriction on offsets is merely redundant.
The EPA may consider whether to remove it in a future action. See 40
CFR 51.100(s)(1) and paragraph IV.C.4. at part 51 Appendix S.
4. In 1986, the NSR provisions in 40 CFR 51.18 were moved in a
restructuring rule that placed them under new subpart I of part 51.\11\
40 CFR 51.18 is an obsolete reference to the NSR regulations that were
applicable to minor sources, major sources locating in areas that do
not meet the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) (40 CFR
51.18(j)), and major sources locating in areas that meet the NAAQS, but
significantly impact an area that is not meeting the NAAQS (40 CFR
51.18(k)). Subpart I now contains the preconstruction review
requirements for state minor NSR programs (40 CFR 51.160-164) as well
as state major NNSR programs (40 CFR
[[Page 37922]]
51.165) and state PSD programs (40 CFR 51.166).\12\ The EPA proposed to
update the reference to 40 CFR 51.18 in Appendix S V.A. by replacing it
with a reference to 40 CFR 51.165, which includes NSR requirements for
major stationary sources in nonattainment areas. See proposed section
V.A. [2nd paragraph] of 40 CFR part 51, Appendix S. The EPA received
two comments supporting this change as proposed and received no adverse
comments regarding this proposed change. Upon review for the final
rule, the EPA determined that the citation referencing 40 CFR 51.165
should be changed to 40 CFR 51.102 since the reference in Appendix S
Paragraph V.A. concerns the proper public participation process for a
state implementation revision if necessary to make an offset
enforceable. 40 CFR 51.102 addresses the public notice for the
preparation, adoption and submittal of implementation plans and is
therefore a more appropriate reference than the proposed reference to
40 CFR 51.165.
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\11\ 51 FR 40656 (November 7, 1986).
\12\ Subpart I of part 51 also contains the PSD regulations at
40 CFR 51.166, which were previously codified at 40 CFR 51.24.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. On December 31, 2002, the EPA amended its NSR regulations to
add, among other things, provisions for Plantwide Applicability
Limitations (PALs).\13\ In each of the NSR regulations, new provisions
were added to require major stationary sources with PAL permits to
monitor affected emissions units in accordance with monitoring
requirements set forth elsewhere in the regulations. The PSD
regulations at 40 CFR 51.166 incorrectly provided a reference to the
recordkeeping requirements under paragraph (w)(13) instead of the
intended monitoring requirements for PALs at paragraph (w)(12). The
other NSR regulations provided the correct cross reference to the
monitoring requirements. The EPA proposed to correctly reference the
monitoring requirements for PALs in 40 CFR 51.166(w)(7)(vii). The EPA
received no adverse comments on this proposed change and will therefore
finalize the change as proposed.
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\13\ 67 FR 80186 (December 31, 2002).
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6. On December 21, 2007, the EPA amended the NSR regulations by,
among other things, adding new paragraphs to explain when a stationary
source will have a ``reasonable possibility'' of causing a significant
emissions increase.\14\ In 40 CFR 51.166(r)(6)(vi)(b), reference is
incorrectly made to ``paragraph (a)(6)(vi)(a)'' and ``paragraphs
(a)(6)(ii) through (v).'' Both references mistakingly reference
paragraph (a), which is where similar references are made in the
``reasonable possibility'' provision contained in 40 CFR
51.165(a)(6)(vi)(B). The EPA proposed to correct the references in 40
CFR 51.166 by changing the language to reference the applicable
subparagraphs under paragraph (r). The EPA did not receive any adverse
comments on the proposed changes and will therefore finalize the
changes as proposed.
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\14\ 72 FR 72607 (December 21, 2007).
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E. Clean Air Act Amendments. Some of the corrections result from
new statutory requirements introduced in the 1990 CAA Amendments, which
the EPA did not address in subsequent rulemakings involving the
affected NSR regulations.
1. Major source threshold for municipal incinerators. The 1990 CAA
Amendments amended the definition of ``major emitting facility'' at
section 169(1) by striking out the words ``two hundred and'' as those
words appeared in the phrase ``municipal incinerators capable of
charging more than two hundred and fifty tons of refuse per day.'' \15\
This amendment had the effect of lowering the charging capacity
threshold for qualifying a municipal incinerator as a ``major emitting
facility'' from 250 tons of refuse per day to 50 tons per day when such
incinerator emits or has the potential to emit at least 100 tons per
year of any regulated NSR pollutant. In the 2019 NPRM, the EPA proposed
to revise all four sets of major NSR regulations to reflect this change
with regards to the statutory definition of ``major emitting facility''
for municipal incinerators. See proposed 40 CFR part 51 Appendix S
II.A.4.(iii)(h), Appendix S II.F.8, 40 CFR 51.165(a)(1)(iv)(C)(8),
51.165(a)(4)(viii), 51.166(b)(1)(i)(a), 51.166(b)(1)(iii)(h),
51.166(i)(1)(ii)(h), 52.21(b)(1)(i)(a), 52.21(b)(1)(iii)(h), and
52.21(i)(1)(vii)(h). The EPA did not receive any adverse comments on
the proposed changes and will finalize the changes as proposed.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\15\ Par. (1). Public Law 101-549, section 305(b) (1990).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Standards under section 112 of the Act. The NSR regulations in
several places refer to emissions standards established pursuant to 40
CFR part 61. See e.g., 40 CFR 51.166(b)(12). Part 61 contains national
emission standards for hazardous air pollutants (NESHAP), which the EPA
promulgated based on the pre-1990 CAA Amendment version of section 112.
The 1990 CAA Amendments revised section 112, causing the EPA to
promulgate additional NESHAP, which are included in part 63.
Accordingly, to ensure that the requirements associated with the
section 112 standards are adequately addressed in the NSR regulations,
the EPA proposed that each regulatory reference to part 61 should also
include a reference to part 63. The EPA proposed to make the necessary
updates in the affected NSR regulations.
Several commenters recommended various options that differed from
the 2019 EPA proposal. A state agency commenter recommended that the
EPA add reference to not only part 63 but also to part 62. This, the
commenter noted, would ``include all potentially applicable federal
standards'' to specific provisions under the affected NSR regulations.
40 CFR part 62 sets forth the Administrator's approval and disapproval
of state plans for the control of pollutants from facilities regulated
under CAA 111(d) and 129 and the Administrator's promulgation of such
plans or portions of plans when a state has failed to provide an
approvable plan or portions thereof. Plans under part 62 contain
standards of performance that apply to existing sources that would be
subject to 40 CFR part 60 (standards of performance for new stationary
sources) if such existing sources were new sources. Such plans are
approved state plans or federal plans for each separate source
category.
Two commenters claimed that the EPA has incorrectly proposed to add
reference to part 63 because the CAA at section 112(b)(6), added to the
Act in 1990, explicitly removes section 112 hazardous air pollutants
(HAPs) from the PSD program. One of the commenters noted that the NNSR
program ``inherently does not directly regulate a HAP as it is not a
criteria pollutant with a national ambient air quality standard.''
Thus, the commenters argued that the EPA was incorrect in proposing to
add reference to part 63 and should additionally be removing reference
to part 61, which also contains standards for HAPs. One of the
commenters concluded that ``including part 61 and, as proposed, part 63
in various NSR definitions will give the mistaken impression that HAPs
are regulated by the NSR programs.'' The commenters acknowledged that
the statutory definition of ``best available control technology'' did
include a reference to standards promulgated pursuant to CAA section
112; therefore, one of the commenters recommended that ``[i]n order to
reduce confusion from the insertion of parts 61 and 63 to the PSD BACT
requirements and to remain consistent with the 1991 transitional
guidance, EPA should clarify in the rule that BACT applies to a
regulated NSR pollutant by adding the term `for a regulated NSR
pollutant'
[[Page 37923]]
after the term `major stationary source or major modification' in 40
CFR 51.166(j)(1) and 52.21(j)(1).''
One commenter was concerned about the EPA's 2019 proposal to add
reference to part 63 to the definition of ``allowable emissions.'' The
commenter indicated that the addition of a reference to part 63 therein
would indicate that Congress intended that compliance with limits
issued under CAA section 112, as amended in 1990, should not be
considered creditable reductions for netting purposes. The commenter
further stated that ``there is no indication that Congress intended
Maximum Achievable Control Technology (`MACT') (or CAA section 112(f))
reductions to be excluded under a creditability rationale.'' Moreover,
the commenter argued that ``[i]f EPA intends this result . . . then the
agency must do it in a more substantive rulemaking, not as part of this
`error correction' rulemaking.''
In light of several commenters' adverse comments expressing
concerns about adding a reference to part 63 emissions standards to the
NSR regulations, the EPA has decided not to finalize the proposed
changes concerning the part 63 reference, with one exception. The EPA
agrees that additional assessment is needed to determine how including
HAPs in the definitions of ``allowable emissions'' and ``federally
enforceable'' would function in practice and whether the commenters'
concerns are justified. However, in one particular case--the definition
of ``BACT''--the statute expressly requires the inclusion of emissions
standards under CAA section 112 in that definition (which includes
emissions limitations contained in both 40 CFR parts 61 and 63). By
adding the restriction that BACT cannot allow emissions in excess of
112 standards, the EPA is not suggesting that HAPs are regulated under
NSR. Rather, there are certain NSR regulated pollutants that inherently
include HAP pollutants. For instance, PM may contain constituents that
include HAPs, such as cadmium. By including the CAA section 112
standards in the restriction in the definition of BACT, the EPA is
ensuring that BACT cannot allow emissions of HAPs in excess of any
applicable section 112 standard under 40 CFR parts 61 and 63. See
revised 40 CFR 51.165(a)(1)(xl), 51.166(b)(12), part 51 Appendix S
II.A.34, and 52.21(b)(12).
F. Outdated exemptions. The PSD regulations at 40 CFR 51.166 and
52.21 contain various exemption provisions that allow certain permit
applicants--e.g., portable stationary sources and nonprofit health or
nonprofit educational institutions--to be exempt from all or a portion
of the PSD preconstruction review requirements. In some cases, these
provisions allowed permit applicants to be excluded from certain
requirements--e.g., new or revised PM2.5 NAAQS or PSD
increments--which became effective before a final permit could be
issued, commonly known as PM2.5 grandfathering provisions
(see 40 CFR 51.166(i)(10) and 52.21(i)(11)). Some of the existing
exemption provisions are outdated because the time in which they were
relevant has long since passed. Accordingly, the EPA proposed to remove
such outdated provisions, which allow for grandfathering or the
implementation of alternative procedures for PSD permit applicants,
under the regulations at 40 CFR 51.166 and 52.21.
The EPA received a few adverse comments concerning the proposed
removal of outdated exemptions. One of these comments pertained to an
exemption that the EPA did not actually propose to remove. The
commenter correctly pointed out that the PSD exemption applicable to
portable sources, 40 CFR 52.21(i)(1)(viii), continues to be relevant
and should not be removed. The EPA acknowledges that the preamble text
indicated that the EPA proposed to delete paragraphs (i)(1)(viii)
through (x) of the 40 CFR 52.21 PSD regulations, which include the
portable source provision at paragraph (i)(1)(viii). However, it was
not the EPA's intention to delete paragraph (i)(1)(viii) and a review
of the proposed regulatory text and the Error Corrections Table in the
docket shows that the EPA did not actually include the deletion of this
paragraph in the 2019 proposal. Instead, the proposed regulatory text
shows the deletion of only paragraphs (i)(1)(ix) and (x). Accordingly,
the EPA is not deleting the portable source exemption provision at 40
CFR 52.21(i)(1)(viii) in this final action. As proposed, the EPA is
deleting the following outdated exemption provisions in the final rule:
40 CFR 51.166(i)(6) through (11); 52.21(i)(1)(i) through (v),
52.21(i)(6) through (12), and 52.21(m)(1)(v), and 52.21(m)(1)(vii) and
(viii) and 52.21(i)(1)(ix) and (x).
The EPA received one comment asking that the EPA retain the
outdated exclusion of carbon dioxide emissions from biogenic material
(the combustion or decomposition of non-fossilized and biodegradable
organic material originating from plants, animals, or micro-organisms)
from the definition of ``subject to regulation.'' This temporary
exclusion was vacated by a court in 2013 \16\ and expired on its own
terms on July 21, 2014. The commenter suggested that, because this
expiration was relatively recent, ``[r]etaining this language will aid
regulatory personnel, owners/operators, and consultants in the future
when trying to fully understand the basis for recent NSR permitting
determinations based on EPA's prior GHG requirements.'' The EPA is not
persuaded that this justifies retaining the vacated and outdated
provision. If anyone seeks to understand the basis of older NSR
permitting decisions, they can consult the version of the Code of
Federal Regulations that applied at the time of those decisions.
Therefore, the EPA is finalizing removal of the vacated and outdated
exclusion of carbon dioxide emissions from biogenic material from the
definition of ``subject to regulation.'' See 40 CFR
51.166(b)(48)(ii)(a) and 52.21(b)(49)(ii)(a).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\16\ Center for Biological Diversity v. EPA, 722 F.3d 401 (D.C.
Cir. 2013).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
III. Final Action
This final action corrects minor, inadvertent, and non-substantive
errors in 40 CFR parts 51 and 52 which govern NSR permitting programs,
and updates the regulatory text to reflect statutory changes and
certain court decisions vacating elements of the regulatory text, but
does not change the requirements within these programs. Based upon
comments received, as noted in this preamble and the RTC document in
the docket, the EPA is moving forward with the majority of the proposed
minor edits without change. Additionally, regarding state SIP
submittals, the 2019 NPRM proposed that states need not be subject to
any deadline to make conforming changes. The EPA received one comment
in support of this position and no adverse comments. The EPA is
therefore reaffirming that states can have discretion as to when to
make these changes and may choose to combine them with other SIP
submittals. Also, please refer to the RTC for further discussion about
comments which are not included in Section II of this final rule
preamble.
IV. Removal of Vacated Ozone NAAQS Grandfathering and Ozone
Interprecursor Trading Provisions
This final action removes an exemption in the PSD regulations
vacated by the D.C. Circuit in 2019 as well as the ozone interprecursor
trading (IPT provision in the NNSR regulations vacated by the D.C.
Circuit in 2021. This section explains the court's vacatur of
[[Page 37924]]
these provisions and the basis for their removal.
On October 26, 2015, the EPA promulgated a final rule containing
revised NAAQS for ozone and grandfathering provisions that enabled
pending PSD permit applications to be issued on the basis of a
demonstration that the proposed source would not cause or contribute to
a violation of the prior ozone NAAQS in effect at the time the permit
application was deemed to be complete or noticed for public
comment.\17\ The PSD grandfathering provisions were promulgated as a
transition plan to reduce delays to pending PSD permit applications
that may have otherwise been caused by the revised ozone standards. The
PSD regulations implement CAA section 165(a)(3)(B) at 40 CFR
52.21(k)(1) and 51.166(k)(1) and require that PSD permit applications
include a demonstration that emissions from the proposed facility will
not cause or contribute to a violation of any NAAQS, which generally
means any NAAQS in effect on the date of a PSD permit issuance. Absent
the PSD grandfathering provision, this demonstration requirement would
have applied to the 2015 ozone NAAQS in any PSD permit application
pending at the time the 2015 ozone NAAQS became effective. However, on
August 23, 2019, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia
Circuit concluded that the EPA lacked the authority to grandfather
pending PSD permit applications in this manner and vacated the ozone
NAAQS grandfathering provisions in a decision resolving challenges
brought by industry, state, and environmental and public health
petitioners to the 2015 primary and secondary ozone NAAQS and the PSD
grandfathering provisions that were promulgated with these
standards.\18\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\17\ 80 FR 65292 (October 26, 2015).
\18\ Murray Energy Corp. v. EPA, 936 F.3d 597 (D.C. Cir. 2019).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
On December 6, 2018, the EPA promulgated the final implementation
rules for the 2015 ozone NAAQS, including provisions to address for
ozone ground level ozone precursors Oxides of Nitrogen (NOX)
and VOC. The provisions at 51.165(a)(11)(i) and Part 51 Appendix S
Paragraph IV.G.5. were promulgated to allow permit applications to use
IPT to satisfy the NNSR offset requirement for ozone in nonattainment
areas. The IPT provisions were designed to support the EPA's long-
standing policy allowing NNSR permit applicants to satisfy their offset
obligation for ozone precursors substituting NOX for VOC, or
vice versa, supported by a technical demonstration showing an
equivalent, or greater, air quality benefit with respect to ground
level ozone concentrations in the ozone nonattainment area.\19\ On
January 29, 2021, the D.C. Circuit concluded that Ozone IPT is not
permissible under the CAA and vacated this part of the 2018
regulation.\20\ Thus, in this action, EPA is removing the language
allowing interprecursor trading for ozone and restoring the language in
the NNSR regulations to the form it was in after the EPA's 2008
PM2.5 implementation rule.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\19\ 83 FR 62998 (December 6, 2018).
\20\ Sierra Club v. EPA, No. 15-1465 (D.C. Cir. 2021).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The EPA did not include the removal of these court-vacated
provisions at 40 CFR 51.166(i)(11), 52.21(i)(12), 51.165(a)(11) and
Part 51 Appendix S Paragraph IV.G.5. in the proposal to this rule.
However, the EPA is adding this action to this final rule without
providing an opportunity for public comment or a public hearing because
the EPA finds that the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) good cause
exemption applies here. In general, the APA and section 307(d) of the
CAA require that general notice of proposed rulemakings shall be
published in the Federal Register. Such notice must provide an
opportunity for public participation in the rulemaking process.
However, the APA and section 307(d) of the CAA provide an avenue for an
agency to directly issue a final rulemaking in certain specific
instances. This may occur, in particular, when an agency for good cause
finds (and incorporates the finding and a brief statement of reasons in
the rule issued) that notice and public procedure thereon are
impracticable, unnecessary or contrary to the public interest. See 5
U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B); 42 U.S.C. 7407(d)(1). The EPA has determined that
it is not necessary to provide a public hearing or an opportunity for
public comment on this action because amending the regulations to
remove the vacated grandfathering and ozone IPT provisions is a
necessary ministerial act. Since the court vacated these provisions,
the EPA no longer has the authority to allow the use of the affected
provisions. Therefore, in as much as this action to remove the affected
regulatory text simply implements the decision of the court, providing
an opportunity for public comment or a public hearing on this issue
would serve no useful purpose.
In addition, providing notice and comment would be contrary to the
public interest because it would unnecessarily delay the removal of the
unlawful grandfathering and ozone IPT provisions from the Code of
Federal Regulations, which could result in confusion for the regulated
industry and state, local, and tribal air agencies about the PSD and
NNSR regulations and permitting. Promulgation of this rule serves to
clarify that sources cannot continue to demonstrate their compliance
with the PSD and NNSR requirements by relying on the prior ozone NAAQS,
or ozone IPT, respectively, as was previously allowed. It is thus in
the public interest for the EPA to remove the PSD Grandfathering and
Ozone IPT provisions without delay. Consistent with the approach
described in section III, the EPA is not establishing a deadline in
this rule for states to remove these provisions form the SIPs. States
thus have the discretion as to when they amend their SIPs to remove the
Ozone PSD grandfathering and Ozone IPT provisions and may combine such
changes with other SIP submittals.
For these reasons, the EPA finds good cause to issue a final
rulemaking to remove the ozone NAAQS grandfathering and ozone NNSR IPT
provisions pursuant to section 553 of the APA, 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B).
Therefore, the requirements of CAA section 307(d), including the
requirement for public comment and hearing on proposed rulemakings, do
not apply to this action.
V. Environmental Justice Considerations
This action corrects minor, inadvertent, and non-substantive errors
in 40 CFR parts 51 and 52 governing NSR permitting programs and updates
the regulatory text to reflect statutory changes and certain court
decisions vacating elements of the regulatory text but does not change
the requirements within these programs. Therefore, this final rule will
not change the protection for all those residing, working, attending
school, or otherwise present in the applicable areas, regardless of
minority and economic status. Further, this action will not have
potential disproportionately high and adverse human health or
environmental effects on minority, low-income, or indigenous
populations.
VI. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
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
[[Page 37925]]
submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review.
B. Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA)
This action does not impose an information collection burden under
the PRA. This action is clerical in nature and addresses non-
controversial edits to errors in the NSR regulatory text. Therefore,
this final rulemaking does not impose any new information collection
burden under the PRA. OMB has previously approved the information
collection activities contained in the existing regulations and has
assigned OMB control number 2060-0003.
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. In
making this determination, the impact of concern is any significant
adverse economic impact on small entities. An agency may certify that a
rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial
number of small entities if the rule relieves regulatory burden, has no
net burden or otherwise has a positive economic effect on the small
entities subject to the rule. This action corrects minor, inadvertent
and non-substantive errors in existing rules. We have therefore
concluded that this action will have no net regulatory burden for all
directly regulated 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. This action corrects
minor, inadvertent and non-substantive errors in existing rules.
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: Consultation and Coordination With Indian
Tribal Governments
This action does not have tribal implications as specified in
Executive Order 13175. This action only makes technical amendments to
correct minor, inadvertent, and non-substantive errors in existing
rules. None of these technical amendments has a substantial direct
effect on any tribal land; thus, Executive Order 13175 does not apply
to this action.
G. Executive Order 13045: Protection of Children From Environmental
Health 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.
J. Executive Order 12898: Federal Actions To Address Environmental
Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations
This action does not have disproportionately high and adverse human
health or environmental effects on minority populations, low-income
populations, and/or indigenous peoples, as specified in Executive Order
12898 (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994).
The documentation for this decision is contained in Section IV of
this preamble titled ``Environmental Justice Considerations.'' This
action makes technical amendments to correct minor, inadvertent, and
non-substantive errors to existing rules.
K. Congressional Review Act (CRA)
This action is subject to the CRA, and the EPA will submit a rule
report to each House of the Congress and to the Comptroller General of
the United States. This action is not a ``major rule'' as defined by 5
U.S.C. 804(2).
L. Judicial Review
Under CAA section 307(b)(1), petitions for judicial review of any
nationally applicable regulation, or any action the Administrator
``finds and publishes'' as based on a determination of nationwide scope
or effect must be filed in the United States Court of Appeals for the
District of Columbia Circuit within 60 days of the date the
promulgation, approval, or action appears in the Federal Register.\21\
These technical amendments are nationally applicable, as it corrects
minor, inadvertent, and non-substantive errors to existing rules. As a
result, petitions for review of this final action must be filed in the
United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit by
September 17, 2021. Filing a petition for reconsideration by the
Administrator of this final action 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 must be filed and shall not
postpone the effectiveness of this action.\22\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\21\ 42 U.S.C. 7607(b)(1).
\22\ 42 U.S.C. 7607(d)(7)(B).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
VII. Statutory Authority
The statutory authority for this action is provided by 42 U.S.C.
7401, et seq.
List of Subjects
40 CFR Part 51
Environmental protection, Administrative practice and procedure,
Air pollution control, Carbon monoxide, Intergovernmental relations,
Lead, National Ambient Air Quality Standards, New Source Review,
Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone, Particulate matter, Preconstruction
permitting, Sulfur oxides, Transportation, Volatile organic compounds.
40 CFR Part 52
Environmental protection, Administrative practice and procedure,
Air pollution control, BACT, Carbon monoxide, Incorporation by
reference, Intergovernmental relations, Lead, National Ambient Air
Quality Standards, New Source Review, Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone,
Particulate matter, Preconstruction permitting, Sulfur oxides, Volatile
organic compounds.
Michael S. Regan,
Administrator.
For the reasons set forth in the preamble, title 40, chapter I of
the Code of Federal Regulations is amended as follows:
[[Page 37926]]
PART 51--REQUIREMENTS FOR PREPARATION, ADOPTION AND SUBMITTAL OF
IMPLEMENTATION PLANS
0
1. The authority citation for part 51 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401, et seq.
Subpart I--Review of New Sources and Modifications
0
2. Amend Sec. 51.165 by:
0
a. Revising paragraph (a)(1)(iv)(C)(8);
0
b. Revising paragraph (a)(1)(v)(C)(1);
0
c. Revising paragraph (a)(1)(v)(C)(5)(i);
0
d. Revising paragraph (a)(1)(v)(C)(6);
0
e. Revising paragraph (a)(1)(viii);
0
f. Revising paragraph (a)(1)(xxi)(A) through (D);
0
g. Revising paragraph (a)(1)(xl);
0
h. Removing paragraphs (a)(1)(xliii) through (xlvi);
0
i. Revising paragraph (a)(2)(ii)(A);
0
j. Adding paragraph (a)(2)(iii);
0
k. Revising paragraph (a)(3)(ii)(D);
0
l. Revising paragraph (a)(4)(viii);
0
m. Revising paragraph (a)(11); and
0
n. Removing and reserving paragraph (h);
The revisions read as follows:
Sec. 51.165 Permit requirements.
(a) * * *
(1) * * *
(iv) * * *
(C) * * *
(8) Municipal incinerators capable of charging more than 50 tons of
refuse per day;
* * * * *
(v) * * *
(C) * * *
(1) Routine maintenance, repair and replacement;
* * * * *
(5) * * *
(i) The source was capable of accommodating before December 21,
1976, unless such change would be prohibited under any federally
enforceable permit condition which was established after December 12,
1976, pursuant to 40 CFR 52.21 or under regulations approved pursuant
to 40 CFR part 51, subpart I.
* * * * *
(6) An increase in the hours of operation or in the production
rate, unless such change is prohibited under any federally enforceable
permit condition which was established after December 21, 1976,
pursuant to 40 CFR 52.21 or regulations approved pursuant to 40 CFR
part 51, subpart I.
* * * * *
(viii) Secondary emissions means emissions which would occur as a
result of the construction or operation of a major stationary source or
major modification, but do not come from the major stationary source or
major modification itself. For the purpose of this section, secondary
emissions must be specific, well defined, quantifiable, and impact the
same general area as the stationary source or modification which causes
the secondary emissions. Secondary emissions include emissions from any
offsite support facility which would not be constructed or increase its
emissions except as a result of the construction or operation of the
major stationary source or major modification. Secondary emissions do
not include any emissions which come directly from a mobile source,
such as emissions from the tailpipe of a motor vehicle, from a train,
or from a vessel.
* * * * *
(xxi) * * *
(A) The emissions unit is a reconstructed unit within the meaning
of Sec. 60.15(b)(1) of this chapter, or the emissions unit completely
takes the place of an existing emissions unit;
(B) The emissions unit is identical to or functionally equivalent
to the replaced emissions unit;
(C) The replacement does not alter the basic design parameters of
the process unit; and
(D) The replaced emissions unit is permanently removed from the
major stationary source, otherwise permanently disabled, or permanently
barred from operation by a permit that is enforceable as a practical
matter. If the replaced emissions unit is brought back into operation,
it shall constitute a new emissions unit.
* * * * *
(xl) Best available control technology (BACT) means an emissions
limitation (including a visible emissions standard) based on the
maximum degree of reduction for each regulated NSR pollutant which
would be emitted from any proposed major stationary source or major
modification which the reviewing authority, on a case-by-case basis,
taking into account energy, environmental, and economic impacts and
other costs, determines is achievable for such source or modification
through application of production processes or available methods,
systems, and techniques, including fuel cleaning or treatment or
innovative fuel combustion techniques for control of such pollutant. In
no event shall application of best available control technology result
in emissions of any pollutant which would exceed the emissions allowed
by any applicable standard under 40 CFR part 60, 61, or 63. If the
reviewing authority determines that technological or economic
limitations on the application of measurement methodology to a
particular emissions unit would make the imposition of an emissions
standard infeasible, a design, equipment, work practice, operational
standard, or combination thereof, may be prescribed instead to satisfy
the requirement for the application of BACT. Such standard shall, to
the degree possible, set forth the emissions reduction achievable by
implementation of such design, equipment, work practice or operation,
and shall provide for compliance by means which achieve equivalent
results.
* * * * *
(2) * * *
(ii) * * *
(A) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (a)(2)(iii) of this
section, and consistent with the definition of major modification
contained in paragraph (a)(1)(v)(A) of this section, a project is a
major modification for a regulated NSR pollutant (as defined in
paragraph (a)(1)(xxxvii) of this section) if it causes two types of
emissions increases--a significant emissions increase (as defined in
paragraph (a)(1)(xxvii) of this section) and a significant net
emissions increase (as defined in paragraphs (a)(1)(vi) and (x) of this
section). The project is not a major modification if it does not cause
a significant emissions increase. If the project causes a significant
emissions increase, then the project is a major modification only if it
also results in a significant net emissions increase.
* * * * *
(iii) The plan shall require that for any major stationary source
with a PAL for a regulated NSR pollutant, the major stationary source
shall comply with requirements under paragraph (f) of this section.
(3) * * *
(ii) * * *
(D) No emissions credit may be allowed for replacing one
hydrocarbon compound with another of lesser reactivity, except that
emissions credit may be allowed for the replacement with those
compounds listed as having negligible photochemical reactivity in Sec.
51.100(s).
* * * * *
(4) * * *
(viii) Municipal incinerators capable of charging more than 50 tons
of refuse per day;
* * * * *
(11) The plan shall require that, in meeting the emissions offset
requirements of paragraph (a)(3) of this section, the emissions offsets
obtained shall be for the same regulated NSR
[[Page 37927]]
pollutant, unless interprecursor offsetting is permitted for a
particular pollutant as specified in this paragraph. The plan may allow
the offset requirements in paragraph (a)(3) of this section for direct
PM2.5 emissions or emissions of precursors of
PM2.5 to be satisfied by offsetting reductions in direct
PM2.5 emissions or emissions of any PM2.5
precursor identified under paragraph (a)(1)(xxxvii)(C) of this section
if such offsets comply with the interprecursor trading hierarchy and
ratio established in the approved plan for a particular nonattainment
area.
* * * * *
0
3. Amend Sec. 51.166 by:
0
a. Revising paragraph (a)(7) introductory text;
0
b. Revising paragraph (a)(7)(iv)(a);
0
c. Revising paragraph (a)(7)(v);
0
d. Revising paragraphs (b)(1)(i)(a) and (c);
0
e. Revising paragraph (b)(1)(iii)(h);
0
f. Revising paragraph (b)(1)(iii)(z);
0
g. Revising paragraph (b)(2)(iii)(a);
0
h. Revising paragraph (b)(2)(iii)(e)(1);
0
i. Revising paragraph (b)(2)(iii)(f);
0
j. Removing and reserving paragraph (b)(3)(iii)(c);
0
k. Revising paragraph (b)(12);
0
l. Revising paragraph (b)(23)(ii);
0
m. Revising paragraphs (b)(32)(i) through (iv);
0
n. Revising paragraph (b)(48)(i);
0
o. Revising paragraphs (b)(48)(ii) introductory text and
(b)(48)(ii)(a);
0
p. Revising paragraph (b)(48)(iii);
0
q. Revising paragraph (b)(48)(iv)(b);
0
r. Removing paragraphs (b)(53) through (56);
0
s. Revising paragraph (g)(4);
0
t. Revising paragraph (i)(1)(ii)(h);
0
u. Removing and reserving paragraphs (i)(6) through (11);
0
v. Revising paragraphs (j)(1) and (2);
0
w. Revising paragraph (j)(4);
0
x. Revising paragraph (k)(1) introductory text;
0
y. Revising paragraph (m)(1)(iii);
0
z. Revising paragraphs (p)(3) and (4);
0
aa. Revising paragraphs (p)(5)(i) and (iii);
0
bb. Revising paragraph (p)(6)(iii);
0
cc. Revising paragraph (p)(7) introductory text;
0
dd. Revising paragraph (r)(2);
0
ee. Revising paragraph (r)(6)(vi)(b);
0
ff. Revising paragraph (w)(7)(vii);
0
gg. Revising paragraph (w)(9)(ii); and
0
hh. Removing paragraph (y).
The revisions read as follows:
Sec. 51.166 Prevention of significant deterioration of air quality.
(a) * * *
(7) Applicability. Each plan shall contain procedures that
incorporate the requirements in paragraphs (a)(7)(i) through (v) of
this section.
* * * * *
(iv) * * *
(a) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (a)(7)(v) of this
section, and consistent with the definition of major modification
contained in paragraph (b)(2) of this section, a project is a major
modification for a regulated NSR pollutant if it causes two types of
emissions increases--a significant emissions increase (as defined in
paragraph (b)(39) of this section), and a significant net emissions
increase (as defined in paragraphs (b)(3) and (23) of this section).
The project is not a major modification if it does not cause a
significant emissions increase. If the project causes a significant
emissions increase, then the project is a major modification only if it
also results in a significant net emissions increase.
* * * * *
(v) The plan shall require that for any major stationary source
with a PAL for a regulated NSR pollutant, the major stationary source
shall comply with requirements under paragraph (w) of this section.
(b) * * *
(1)(i) * * *
(a) Any of the following stationary sources of air pollutants which
emits, or has the potential to emit, 100 tons per year or more of any
regulated NSR pollutant: Fossil fuel-fired steam electric plants of
more than 250 million British thermal units per hour heat input, coal
cleaning plants (with thermal dryers), kraft pulp mills, portland
cement plants, primary zinc smelters, iron and steel mill plants,
primary aluminum ore reduction plants (with thermal dryers), primary
copper smelters, municipal incinerators capable of charging more than
50 tons of refuse per day, hydrofluoric, sulfuric, and nitric acid
plants, petroleum refineries, lime plants, phosphate rock processing
plants, coke oven batteries, sulfur recovery plants, carbon black
plants (furnace process), primary lead smelters, fuel conversion
plants, sintering plants, secondary metal production plants, chemical
process plants (which does not include ethanol production facilities
that produce ethanol by natural fermentation included in NAICS codes
325193 or 312140), fossil-fuel boilers (or combinations thereof)
totaling more than 250 million British thermal units per hour heat
input, petroleum storage and transfer units with a total storage
capacity exceeding 300,000 barrels, taconite ore processing plants,
glass fiber processing plants, and charcoal production plants;
* * * * *
(c) Any physical change that would occur at a stationary source not
otherwise qualifying under paragraph (b)(1) of this section as a major
stationary source, if the change would constitute a major stationary
source by itself.
* * * * *
(iii) * * *
(h) Municipal incinerators capable of charging more than 50 tons of
refuse per day;
* * * * *
(z) Fossil fuel-fired steam electric plants of more than 250
million British thermal units per hour heat input, and
* * * * *
(2) * * *
(iii) * * *
(a) Routine maintenance, repair and replacement;
* * * * *
(e) * * *
(1) The source was capable of accommodating before January 6, 1975,
unless such change would be prohibited under any federally enforceable
permit condition which was established after January 6, 1975, pursuant
to 40 CFR 52.21 or under regulations approved pursuant to 40 CFR part
51, subpart I.
* * * * *
(f) An increase in the hours of operation or in the production
rate, unless such change would be prohibited under any federally
enforceable permit condition which was established after January 6,
1975, pursuant to 40 CFR 52.21 or under regulations approved pursuant
to 40 CFR part 51, subpart I.
* * * * *
(12) Best available control technology means an emissions
limitation (including a visible emissions standard) based on the
maximum degree of reduction for each regulated NSR pollutant which
would be emitted from any proposed major stationary source or major
modification which the reviewing authority, on a case-by-case basis,
taking into account energy, environmental, and economic impacts and
other costs, determines is achievable for such source or modification
through application of production processes or available methods,
systems, and techniques, including fuel cleaning or treatment or
innovative fuel combination techniques for control of such pollutant.
In no event shall application of best available control technology
result in emissions of any pollutant which would exceed the emissions
allowed by any applicable standard under 40 CFR part 60, 61, or 63. If
the reviewing authority determines that technological or economic
limitations on the application of measurement methodology to a
particular emissions unit would make
[[Page 37928]]
the imposition of an emissions standard infeasible, a design,
equipment, work practice, operational standard or combination thereof,
may be prescribed instead to satisfy the requirement for the
application of best available control technology. Such standard shall,
to the degree possible, set forth the emissions reduction achievable by
implementation of such design, equipment, work practice or operation,
and shall provide for compliance by means which achieve equivalent
results.
* * * * *
(23) * * *
(ii) Significant means, in reference to a net emissions increase or
the potential of a source to emit a regulated NSR pollutant that
paragraph (b)(23)(i) of this section does not list, any emissions rate.
* * * * *
(32) * * *
(i) The emissions unit is a reconstructed unit within the meaning
of Sec. 60.15(b)(1) of this chapter, or the emissions unit completely
takes the place of an existing emissions unit;
(ii) The emissions unit is identical to or functionally equivalent
to the replaced emissions unit;
(iii) The replacement does not change the basic design parameter(s)
of the process unit;-and
(iv) The replaced emissions unit is permanently removed from the
major stationary source, otherwise permanently disabled, or permanently
barred from operation by a permit that is enforceable as a practical
matter. If the replaced emissions unit is brought back into operation,
it shall constitute a new emissions unit.
* * * * *
(48) * * *
(i) Greenhouse gases (GHGs), the air pollutant defined in Sec.
86.1818-12(a) of this chapter as the aggregate group of six greenhouse
gases: Carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, methane, hydrofluorocarbons,
perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride, shall not be subject to
regulation except as provided in paragraph (b)(48)(iv) of this section.
(ii) For purposes of paragraphs (b)(48)(iii) and (iv) of this
section, the term tpy CO2 equivalent emissions
(CO2e) shall represent an amount of GHGs emitted, and shall
be computed as follows:
(a) Multiplying the mass amount of emissions (tpy), for each of the
six greenhouse gases in the pollutant GHGs, by the gas's associated
global warming potential published at Table A-1 to subpart A of part 98
of this chapter--Global Warming Potentials.
* * * * *
(iii) The term emissions increase as used in paragraph (b)(48)(iv)
of this section shall mean that both a significant emissions increase
(as calculated using the procedures in paragraph (a)(7)(iv) of this
section) and a significant net emissions increase (as defined in
paragraphs (b)(3) and (23) of this section) occur. For the pollutant
GHGs, an emissions increase shall be based on tpy CO2e, and
shall be calculated assuming the pollutant GHGs is a regulated NSR
pollutant and ``significant'' is defined as 75,000 tpy CO2e
instead of applying the value in paragraph (b)(23)(ii) of this section.
(iv) * * *
(b) The stationary source is an existing major stationary source
for a regulated NSR pollutant that is not GHGs, and also will have an
emissions increase of a regulated NSR pollutant, and an emissions
increase of 75,000 tpy CO2e or more.
* * * * *
(g) * * *
(4) The plan shall provide that lands within the exterior
boundaries of Indian Reservations may be redesignated only by the
appropriate Indian Governing Body. The appropriate Indian Governing
Body may submit to the Administrator a proposal to redesignate areas
Class I, Class II, or Class III provided that:
* * * * *
(i) * * *
(1) * * *
(ii) * * *
(h) Municipal incinerators capable of charging more than 50 tons of
refuse per day;
* * * * *
(j) * * *
(1) A major stationary source or major modification shall meet each
applicable emissions limitation under the State implementation plan and
each applicable emission standard-and standard of performance under 40
CFR part 60, 61, or 63.
(2) A new major stationary source shall apply best available
control technology for each regulated NSR pollutant that it would have
the potential to emit in significant amounts.
* * * * *
(4) For phased construction projects, the determination of best
available control technology shall be reviewed and modified as
appropriate at the latest reasonable time which occurs no later than 18
months prior to commencement of construction of each independent phase
of the project. At such time, the owner or operator of the applicable
stationary source may be required to demonstrate the adequacy of any
previous determination of best available control technology for the
source.
(k) * * *
(1) Required demonstration. The plan shall provide that the owner
or operator of the proposed source or modification shall demonstrate
that allowable emission increases from the proposed source or
modification, in conjunction with all other applicable emissions
increases or reductions (including secondary emissions), would not
cause or contribute to air pollution in violation of:
* * * * *
(m) * * *
(1) * * *
(iii) The plan shall provide that with respect to any such
pollutant (other than nonmethane hydrocarbons) for which such a
standard does exist, the analysis shall contain continuous air quality
monitoring data gathered for purposes of determining whether emissions
of that pollutant would cause or contribute to a violation of the
standard or any maximum allowable increase.
* * * * *
(p) * * *
(3) Denial--impact on air quality related values. The plan shall
provide a mechanism whereby a Federal Land Manager of any such lands
may present to the State, after the reviewing authority's preliminary
determination required under procedures developed in accordance with
paragraph (q) of this section, a demonstration that the emissions from
the proposed source or modification would have an adverse impact on the
air quality-related values (including visibility) of any Federal
mandatory Class I lands, notwithstanding that the change in air quality
resulting from emissions from such source or modification would not
cause or contribute to concentrations which would exceed the maximum
allowable increases for a Class I area. If the State concurs with such
demonstration, the reviewing authority shall not issue the permit.
(4) Class I variances. The plan may provide that the owner or
operator of a proposed source or modification may demonstrate to the
Federal Land Manager that the emissions from such source would have no
adverse impact on the air quality related values of such lands
(including visibility), notwithstanding that the change in air quality
resulting from emissions from such source or modification would cause
or contribute to concentrations which would exceed the maximum
allowable increases for a Class I area. If the Federal land manager
concurs with such demonstration and so certifies to
[[Page 37929]]
the State, the reviewing authority may, provided that the applicable
requirements are otherwise met, issue the permit with such emission
limitations as may be necessary to assure that emissions of sulfur
dioxide, PM2.5, PM10, and nitrogen oxides would
not exceed the following maximum allowable increases over minor source
baseline concentration for such pollutants:
(5) * * *
(i) The owner or operator of a proposed source or modification
which cannot be approved under procedures developed pursuant to
paragraph (p)(4) of this section may demonstrate to the Governor that
the source or modification cannot be constructed by reason of any
maximum allowable increase for sulfur dioxide for periods of twenty-
four hours or less applicable to any Class I area and, in the case of
Federal mandatory Class I areas, that a variance under this clause
would not adversely affect the air quality related values of the area
(including visibility);
* * * * *
(iii) If such variance is granted, the reviewing authority may
issue a permit to such source or modification in accordance with
provisions developed pursuant to paragraph (p)(7) of this section
provided that the applicable requirements of the plan are otherwise
met.
(6) * * *
(iii) If such a variance is approved, the reviewing authority may
issue a permit in accordance with provisions developed pursuant to the
requirements of paragraph (p)(7) of this section provided that the
applicable requirements of the plan are otherwise met.
(7) Emission limitations for Presidential or gubernatorial
variance. The plan shall provide that, in the case of a permit issued
under procedures developed pursuant to paragraph (p)(5) or (6) of this
section, the source or modification shall comply with emission
limitations as may be necessary to assure that emissions of sulfur
dioxide from the source or modification would not (during any day on
which the otherwise applicable maximum allowable increases are
exceeded) cause or contribute to concentrations which would exceed the
following maximum allowable increases over the baseline concentration
and to assure that such emissions would not cause or contribute to
concentrations which exceed the otherwise applicable maximum allowable
increases for periods of exposure of 24 hours or less for more than 18
days, not necessarily consecutive, during any annual period:
* * * * *
(r) * * *
(2) The plan shall provide that at such time that a particular
source or modification becomes a major stationary source or major
modification solely by virtue of a relaxation in any enforceable
limitation which was established after August 7, 1980, on the capacity
of the source or modification otherwise to emit a pollutant, such as a
restriction on hours of operation, then the requirements of paragraphs
(j) through (r) of this section shall apply to the source or
modification as though construction had not yet commenced on the source
or modification.
* * * * *
(6) * * *
(vi) * * *
(b) A projected actual emissions increase that, added to the amount
of emissions excluded under paragraph (b)(40)(ii)(c) of this section,
sums to at least 50 percent of the amount that is a ``significant
emissions increase,'' as defined under paragraph (b)(39) of this
section (without reference to the amount that is a significant net
emissions increase), for the regulated NSR pollutant. For a project for
which a reasonable possibility occurs only within the meaning of this
paragraph (r)(6)(vi)(b), and not also within the meaning of paragraph
(r)(6)(vi)(a) of this section, then the provisions under paragraphs
(r)(6)(ii) through (v) of this section do not apply to the project.
* * * * *
(w) * * *
(7) * * *
(vii) A requirement that the major stationary source owner or
operator monitor all emissions units in accordance with the provisions
under paragraph (w)(12) of this section.
* * * * *
(9) * * *
(ii) Each emissions unit(s) shall comply with the allowable
emission limitation on a 12-month rolling basis. The reviewing
authority may approve the use of monitoring systems (source testing,
emission factors, etc.) other than CEMS, CERMS, PEMS, or CPMS to
demonstrate compliance with the allowable emission limitation.
* * * * *
0
4. Appendix S to part 51 is amended:
0
a. In section I by revising the first two undesignated paragraphs;
0
b. In section II by:
0
i. Revising paragraph A.4.(i)(a);
0
ii. Revising paragraphs A.4.(iii) introductory text and A.4.(iii)(h);
0
iii. Revising paragraphs A.5.(iii)(e)(1) and (2) and (f);
0
iv. Revising paragraphs A.7.(ii) and A.34 and 35;
0
v. Adding paragraph A.37;
0
vi. Revising paragraph B;
0
vii. Revising paragraph F.(8); and
0
viii. Revising paragraph II.G;
0
c. In section III by:
0
i. Revising paragraphs B and C; and
0
ii. Revising paragraph D. Condition 1;
0
d. In section IV by:
0
i. Revising paragraphs A. Condition 1 and Condition 4;
0
ii. Revising paragraph B introductory text;
0
iii. Revising paragraph B.(i).1;
0
iv. Revising paragraph C.3.(i);
0
v. Revising paragraphs C.3.(ii) introductory text and C.3.(ii)(2);
0
vi. Revising paragraphs C.4 and 5;
0
vii. Revising paragraphs D and G.1 and 5;
0
viii. Revising paragraph H;
0
ix. Revising paragraph I.2;
0
x. Revising paragraph J.6.(ii); and
0
xi. Revising paragraph K.5 and paragraph K.14 introductory text; and
0
e. In section V by revising paragraph A.
The revisions read as follows:
Appendix S to Part 51--Emission Offset Interpretative Ruling
I. Introduction
This appendix sets forth EPA's Interpretative Ruling on the
preconstruction review requirements for stationary sources of air
pollution (not including indirect sources) under 40 CFR part 51,
subpart I. A major new source or major modification which would
locate in any area designated under section 107(d) of the Act as
attainment or unclassifiable for ozone that is located in an ozone
transport region or which would locate in an area designated in 40
CFR part 81, subpart C, as nonattainment for a pollutant for which
the source or modification would be major may be allowed to
construct only if the stringent conditions set forth below are met.
These conditions are designed to ensure that the new source's
emissions will be controlled to the greatest degree possible; that
more than equivalent offsetting emission reductions (emission
offsets) will be obtained from existing sources; and that there will
be progress toward achievement of the NAAQS.
For each area designated as exceeding a NAAQS (nonattainment
area) under 40 CFR part 81, subpart C, or for any area designated
under section 107(d) of the Act as attainment or unclassifiable for
ozone that is located in an ozone transport region, this
Interpretative Ruling will be superseded after June 30, 1979 (a) by
preconstruction review provisions of the revised SIP, if the SIP
meets the requirements of part D, Title 1, of the Act; or (b) by a
prohibition on construction under the applicable SIP and section
110(a)(2)(I) of the Act, if the SIP does not meet the requirements
of part D. The Ruling will remain in effect to the extent not
superseded
[[Page 37930]]
under the Act. This prohibition on major new source construction
does not apply to a source whose permit to construct was applied for
during a period when the SIP was in compliance with part D, or
before the deadline for having a revised SIP in effect that
satisfies part D.
* * * * *
II. Initial Screening Analyses and Determination of Applicable
Requirements
A. * * *
4. (i) * * *
(a) Any stationary source of air pollutants which emits, or has
the potential to emit, 100 tons per year or more of a regulated NSR
pollutant (as defined in paragraph II.A.31 of this Ruling), except
that lower emissions thresholds shall apply in areas subject to
subpart 2, subpart 3, or subpart 4 of part D, title I of the Act,
according to paragraphs II.A.4(i)(a)(1) through (8) of this Ruling.
* * * * *
(iii) The fugitive emissions of a stationary source shall not be
included in determining for any of the purposes of this Ruling
whether it is a major stationary source, unless the source belongs
to one of the following categories of stationary sources:
* * * * *
(h) Municipal incinerators capable of charging more than 50 tons
of refuse per day;
* * * * *
5. * * *
(iii) * * *
(e) * * *
(1) The source was capable of accommodating before December 21,
1976, unless such change would be prohibited under any federally
enforceable permit condition which was established after December
21, 1976, pursuant to 40 CFR 52.21 or under regulations approved
pursuant to 40 CFR part 51, subpart I; or
(2) The source is approved to use under any permit issued under
this Ruling;
* * * * *
(f) An increase in the hours of operation or in the production
rate, unless such change is prohibited under any federally
enforceable permit condition which was established after December
21, 1976, pursuant to 40 CFR 52.21 or under regulations approved
pursuant to 40 CFR part 51, subpart I;
* * * * *
7. * * *
(ii) An existing emissions unit is any emissions unit that does
not meet the requirements in paragraph II.A.7(i) of this Ruling. A
replacement unit, as defined in paragraph II.A.37 of this Ruling, is
an existing emissions unit.
* * * * *
34. Best available control technology (BACT) means an emissions
limitation (including a visible emissions standard) based on the
maximum degree of reduction for each regulated NSR pollutant which
would be emitted from any proposed major stationary source or major
modification which the reviewing authority, on a case-by-case basis,
taking into account energy, environmental, and economic impacts and
other costs, determines is achievable for such source or
modification through application of production processes or
available methods, systems, and techniques, including fuel cleaning
or treatment or innovative fuel combustion techniques for control of
such pollutant. In no event shall application of best available
control technology result in emissions of any pollutant which would
exceed the emissions allowed by any applicable standard under 40 CFR
part 60, 61, or 63. If the reviewing authority determines that
technological or economic limitations on the application of
measurement methodology to a particular emissions unit would make
the imposition of an emissions standard infeasible, a design,
equipment, work practice, operational standard, or combination
thereof, may be prescribed instead to satisfy the requirement for
the application of BACT. Such standard shall, to the degree
possible, set forth the emissions reduction achievable by
implementation of such design, equipment, work practice or
operation, and shall provide for compliance by means which achieve
equivalent results.
35. Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) permit means
any permit that is issued under a major source preconstruction
permit program that has been approved by the Administrator and
incorporated into the plan to implement the requirements of Sec.
51.166, or under the program in Sec. 52.21 of this chapter.
* * * * *
37. Replacement unit means an emissions unit for which all the
criteria listed in paragraphs II.A.37(i) through (iv) of this Ruling
are met. No creditable emission reductions shall be generated from
shutting down the existing emissions unit that is replaced.
(i) The emissions unit is a reconstructed unit within the
meaning of Sec. 60.15(b)(1) of this chapter, or the emissions unit
completely takes the place of an existing emissions unit;
(ii) The emissions unit is identical to or functionally
equivalent to the replaced emissions unit;
(iii) The replacement does not alter the basic design parameters
of the process unit; and
(iv) The replaced emissions unit is permanently removed from the
major stationary source, otherwise permanently disabled, or
permanently barred from operation by a permit that is enforceable as
a practical matter. If the replaced emissions unit is brought back
into operation, it shall constitute a new emissions unit.
B. Review of all sources for emission limitation compliance. The
reviewing authority must examine each proposed major new source and
proposed major modification \1\ to determine if such a source will
meet all applicable emission requirements in the SIP, any applicable
new source performance standard in part 60 of this chapter, or any
national emission standard for hazardous air pollutants in part 61
or 63 of this chapter. If the reviewing authority determines that
the proposed major new source cannot meet the applicable emission
requirements, the permit to construct must be denied.
\1\ Hereafter the term source will be used to denote both any
source and any modification.
* * * * *
F. * * *
(8) Municipal incinerators capable of charging more than 50 tons
of refuse per day;
* * * * *
G. Secondary emissions. Secondary emissions need not be
considered in determining whether the emission rates in section
II.C. above would be exceeded. However, if a source is subject to
this Ruling on the basis of the direct emissions from the source,
the applicable conditions of this Ruling must also be met for
secondary emissions. However, secondary emissions may be exempt from
Conditions 1 and 2 of section IV of this Ruling. Also, since EPA's
authority to perform or require indirect source review relating to
mobile sources regulated under Title II of the Act (motor vehicles
and aircraft) has been restricted by statute, consideration of the
indirect impacts of motor vehicles and aircraft traffic is not
required under this Ruling.
III. * * *
B. Sources to which this section applies must meet Conditions 1,
2, and 4 of section IV.A. of this Ruling.\2\ However, such sources
may be exempt from Condition 3 of section IV.A. of this Ruling.
\2\ The discussion in this paragraph is a proposal, but
represents EPA's interim policy until final rulemaking is completed.
C. Review of specified sources for air quality impact. For
stable air pollutants (i.e., SO2, particulate matter and
CO), the determination of whether a source will cause or contribute
to a violation of a NAAQS generally should be made on a case-by-case
basis as of the proposed new source's start-up date using the
source's allowable emissions in an atmospheric simulation model
(unless a source will clearly impact on a receptor which exceeds a
NAAQS).
For sources of nitrogen oxides, the initial determination of
whether a source would cause or contribute to a violation of the
NAAQS for NO2 should be made using an atmospheric
simulation model assuming all the nitric oxide emitted is oxidized
to NO2 by the time the plume reaches ground level. The
initial concentration estimates may be adjusted if adequate data are
available to account for the expected oxidation rate.
For ozone, sources of volatile organic compounds, locating
outside a designated ozone nonattainment area, will be presumed to
have no significant impact on the designated nonattainment area. If
ambient monitoring indicates that the area of source location is in
fact nonattainment, then the source may be permitted under the
provisions of any State plan adopted pursuant to section
110(a)(2)(D) of the Act until the area is designated nonattainment
and a State implementation plan revision is approved. If no State
plan pursuant to section 110(a)(2)(D) of the Act has been adopted
and approved, then this Ruling shall apply.
As noted above, the determination as to whether a source would
cause or contribute to a violation of a NAAQS should be made as of
the new source's start-up date.
[[Page 37931]]
Therefore, if a designated nonattainment area is projected to be an
attainment area as part of an approved SIP control strategy by the
new source start-up date, offsets would not be required if the new
source would not cause a new violation.
D. * * *
Condition 1. The new source is required to meet a more stringent
emission limitation\3\ and/or the control of existing sources below
allowable levels is required so that the source will not cause a
violation of any NAAQS.
\3\ If the reviewing authority determines that technological or
economic limitations on the application of measurement methodology
to a particular class of sources would make the imposition of an
enforceable numerical emission standard infeasible, the authority
may instead prescribe a design, operational, or equipment standard.
In such cases, the reviewing authority shall make its best estimate
as to the emission rate that will be achieved and must specify that
rate in the required submission to EPA (see part V of this Ruling).
Any permits issued without an enforceable numerical emission
standard must contain enforceable conditions which assure that the
design characteristics or equipment will be properly maintained (or
that the operational conditions will be properly performed) so as to
continuously achieve the assumed degree of control. Such conditions
shall be enforceable as emission limitations by private parties
under section 304. Hereafter, the term emission limitation shall
also include such design, operational, or equipment standards.
* * * * *
IV. * * *
A. * * *
Condition 1. The new source is required to meet an emission
limitation\4\ which specifies the lowest achievable emission rate
for such source.
\4\ If the reviewing authority determines that technological or
economic limitations on the application of measurement methodology
to a particular class of sources would make the imposition of an
enforceable numerical emission standard infeasible, the authority
may instead prescribe a design, operational or equipment standard.
In such cases, the reviewing authority shall make its best estimate
as to the emission rate that will be achieved and must specify that
rate in the required submission to EPA (see part V of this Ruling).
Any permits issued without an enforceable numerical emission
standard must contain enforceable conditions which assure that the
design characteristics or equipment will be properly maintained (or
that the operational conditions will be properly performed) so as to
continuously achieve the assumed degree of control. Such conditions
shall be enforceable as emission limitations by private parties
under section 304. Hereafter, the term emission limitation shall
also include such design, operational, or equipment standards.
* * * * *
Condition 4. The emission offsets will provide a positive net
air quality benefit in the affected area (see section IV.D. of this
Ruling). Atmospheric simulation modeling is not necessary for
volatile organic compounds and NOX. Fulfillment of
Condition 3 under section IV.A. of this Ruling and the requirements
under section IV.D. of this Ruling will be considered adequate to
meet this condition.
* * * * *
B. Exemptions from certain conditions. The reviewing authority
may exempt the following sources from Condition 1 under section
III.D. of this Ruling or Conditions 3 and 4 under section IV.A. of
this Ruling:
(i) * * *
1. The applicant demonstrates that it made its best efforts to
obtain sufficient emission offsets to comply with Condition 1 under
section III.D. of this Ruling or Conditions 3 and 4 under section
IV.A. of this Ruling and that such efforts were unsuccessful;
* * * * *
C. * * *
3. * * *
(i) Emissions reductions achieved by shutting down an existing
source or curtailing production or operating hours may be generally
credited for offsets if they meet the requirements in paragraphs
IV.C.3.(i)(1) and (2) of this Ruling.
* * * * *
(ii) Emissions reductions achieved by shutting down an existing
source or curtailing production or operating hours and that do not
meet the requirements in paragraphs IV.C.3.(i)(1) and (2) of this
Ruling may be generally credited only if:
* * * * *
(2) The applicant can establish that the proposed new source is
a replacement for the shutdown or curtailed source, and the
emissions reductions achieved by the shutdown or curtailment met the
requirements of paragraphs IV.C.3.(i)(1) and (2) of this Ruling.
4. Credit for VOC substitution. No emission offset credit may be
allowed for replacing one hydrocarbon compound with another of
lesser reactivity, except that an emission credit may be allowed for
the replacement with those compounds listed as having negligible
photochemical reactivity in Sec. 51.100(s).
5. ``Banking'' of emission offset credit. For new sources
obtaining permits by applying offsets after January 16, 1979, the
reviewing authority may allow offsets that exceed the requirements
of reasonable progress toward attainment (Condition 3 under
paragraph IV.A of this Ruling) to be ``banked'' (i.e., saved to
provide offsets for a source seeking a permit in the future) for use
under this Ruling. Likewise, the reviewing authority may allow the
owner of an existing source that reduces its own emissions to bank
any resulting reductions beyond those required by the SIP for use
under this Ruling, even if none of the offsets are applied
immediately to a new source permit. A reviewing authority may allow
these banked offsets to be used under the preconstruction review
program required by part D of the Act, as long as these banked
emissions are identified and accounted for in the SIP control
strategy. A reviewing authority may not approve the construction of
a source using banked offsets if the new source would interfere with
the SIP control strategy or if such use would violate any other
condition set forth for use of offsets. To preserve banked offsets,
the reviewing authority should identify them in either a SIP
revision or a permit, and establish rules as to how and when they
may be used.
* * * * *
D. Location of offsetting emissions. The owner or operator of a
new or modified major stationary source may comply with any offset
requirement in effect under this Ruling for increased emissions of
any air pollutant only by obtaining emissions reductions of such air
pollutant from the same source or other sources in the same
nonattainment area, except that the reviewing authority may allow
the owner or operator of a source to obtain such emissions
reductions in another nonattainment area if the conditions under
paragraphs IV.D.1 and 2 of this Ruling are met.
* * * * *
G. * * *
1. In meeting the emissions offset requirements of Condition 3
under paragraph IV.A. of this Ruling, the ratio of total actual
emissions reductions to the emissions increase shall be at least 1:1
unless an alternative ratio is provided for the applicable
nonattainment area in paragraphs IV.G.2 through IV.G.4 of this
Ruling.
* * * * *
5. Interpollutant offsetting. In meeting the emissions offset
requirements of paragraph IV.A, Condition 3 of this Ruling, the
emissions offsets obtained shall be for the same regulated NSR
pollutant unless interpollutant offsetting is permitted for a
particular pollutant as specified in this paragraph IV.G.5. The
offset requirements of paragraph IV.A, Condition 3 of this Ruling
for direct PM2.5 emissions or emissions of precursors of
PM2.5 may be satisfied by offsetting reductions of direct
PM2.5 emissions or emissions of any PM2.5
precursor identified under paragraph II.A.31 (iii) of this Ruling if
such offsets comply with an interprecursor trading hierarchy and
ratio approved by the Administrator.
* * * * *
H. Additional provisions for emissions of nitrogen oxides in
ozone transport regions and nonattainment areas. The requirements of
this Ruling applicable to major stationary sources and major
modifications of volatile organic compounds shall apply to nitrogen
oxides emissions from major stationary sources and major
modifications of nitrogen oxides in an ozone transport region or in
any ozone nonattainment area, except in ozone nonattainment areas
where the Administrator has granted a NOX waiver applying
the standards set forth under section 182(f) of the Act and the
waiver continues to apply
I. * * *
2. For any major stationary source with a PAL for a regulated
NSR pollutant, the major stationary source shall comply with
requirements under paragraph IV.K of this Ruling.
J. * * *
6. * * *
(ii) A projected actual emissions increase that, added to the
amount of emissions excluded under paragraph II.A.24(ii)(c) of
[[Page 37932]]
this Ruling, sums to at least 50 percent of the amount that is a
``significant emissions increase,'' as defined under paragraph
II.A.23 of this Ruling (without reference to the amount that is a
significant net emissions increase), for the regulated NSR
pollutant. For a project for which a reasonable possibility occurs
only within the meaning of paragraph IV.J.6(ii) of this Ruling, and
not also within the meaning of paragraph IV.J.6(i) of this Ruling,
then provisions in paragraphs IV.J.2 through IV.J.5 of this Ruling
do not apply to the project.
* * * * *
K. * * *
5. Public participation requirement for PALs. PALs for existing
major stationary sources shall be established, renewed, or increased
through a procedure that is consistent with Sec. Sec. 51.160 and
51.161. This includes the requirement that the reviewing authority
provide the public with notice of the proposed approval of a PAL
permit and at least a 30-day period for submittal of public comment.
The reviewing authority must address all material comments before
taking final action on the permit.
* * * * *
14. Reporting and notification requirements. The owner or
operator shall submit semi-annual monitoring reports and prompt
deviation reports to the reviewing authority in accordance with the
applicable title V operating permit program. The reports shall meet
the requirements in paragraphs IV.K.14(i) through (iii) of this
Ruling.
* * * * *
V. * * *
A. Source initiated emission offsets. A source may propose
emission offsets which involve:
(1) Reductions from sources controlled by the source owner
(internal emission offsets); and/or (2) reductions from neighboring
sources (external emission offsets). The source does not have to
investigate all possible emission offsets. As long as the emission
offsets obtained represent reasonable progress toward attainment,
they will be acceptable. It is the reviewing authority's
responsibility to assure that the emission offsets will be as
effective as proposed by the source. An internal emission offset
will be considered enforceable if it is made a SIP requirement by
inclusion as a condition of the new source permit and the permit is
forwarded to the appropriate EPA Regional Office.\7\ An external
emission offset will not be enforceable unless the affected
source(s) providing the emission reductions is subject to a new SIP
requirement to ensure that its emissions will be reduced by a
specified amount in a specified time. Thus, if the source(s)
providing the emission reductions does not obtain the necessary
reduction, it will be in violation of a SIP requirement and subject
to enforcement action by EPA, the State, and/or private parties.
\7\ The emission offset will, therefore, be enforceable by EPA
under section 113 of the Act as an applicable SIP requirement and
will be enforceable by private parties under section 304 of the Act
as an emission limitation.
The form of the SIP revision may be a State or local regulation,
operating permit condition, consent or enforcement order, or any
other mechanism available to the State that is enforceable under the
Clean Air Act. If a SIP revision is required, the public hearing on
the revision may be substituted for the normal public comment
procedure required for all major sources under Sec. 51.102. The
formal publication of the SIP revision approval in the Federal
Register need not appear before the source may proceed with
construction. To minimize uncertainty that may be caused by these
procedures, EPA will, if requested by the State, propose a SIP
revision for public comment in the Federal Register concurrently
with the State public hearing process. Of course, any major change
in the final permit/SIP revision submitted by the State may require
a reproposal by EPA.
* * * * *
PART 52--APPROVAL AND PROMULGATION OF IMPLEMENTATION PLANS
0
5. The authority citation for part 52 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401, et seq.
Subpart A--General Provisions
0
6. Amend Sec. 52.21 by:
0
a. Revising paragraphs (a)(2)(iv)(a) and (f);
0
c. Revising paragraphs (b)(1)(i)(a) through (c);
0
d. Revising paragraphs (b)(1)(iii)(h) and (z);
0
e. Revising paragraphs (b)(2)(iii)(a) and (b);
0
f. Revising paragraphs (b)(2)(iii)(e)(1) and (f);
0
g. Removing and reserving paragraph (b)(3)(iii)(b);
0
h. Revising paragraph (b)(3)(vi)(c);
0
i. Revising paragraph (b)(12);
0
j. Revising paragraph (b)(23)(ii);
0
k. Revising paragraphs (b)(33)(i) through (iv);
0
l. Revising paragraph (b)(41)(ii)(c);
0
m. Revising paragraph (b)(48)(i)(c);
0
n. Revising paragraph (b)(48)(ii)(d);
0
o. Revising paragraphs (b)(49)(i), (b)(49)(ii) introductory text,
(b)(49)(ii)(a), and (b)(49)(iii);
0
p. Revising paragraph (b)(49)(iv)(b);
0
q. Revising paragraphs (b)(51);
0
r. Removing paragraphs (b)(55) through (58);
0
s. Revising paragraph (g)(4) introductory text;
0
t. Removing and reserving paragraphs (i)(1)(i) through (v);
0
u. Revising paragraph (i)(1)(vii)(h);
0
v. Removing paragraphs (i)(1)(ix) and (x);
0
w. Removing and reserving paragraphs (i)(6) through (12);
0
x. Revising paragraph (j)(1);
0
y. Revising paragraph (m)(1)(i)(a);
0
z. Removing and reserving paragraphs (m)(1)(v), (vii), and (viii);
0
aa. Revising paragraph (n)(1) introductory text;
0
bb. Revising paragraphs (p)(5) introductory text, (p)(6) and (7), and
(p)(8) introductory text;
0
cc. Revising paragraph (r)(4);
0
dd. Revising paragraphs (u)(2)(ii) and (u)(3);
0
ee. Revising paragraph (w)(1); and
0
ff. Removing paragraph (cc).
The revisions read as follows: Sec. 52.21 Prevention of
significant deterioration of air quality.
(a) * * *
(2) * * *
(iv) * * *
(a) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (a)(2)(v) of this
section, and consistent with the definition of major modification
contained in paragraph (b)(2) of this section, a project is a major
modification for a regulated NSR pollutant if it causes two types of
emissions increases--a significant emissions increase (as defined in
paragraph (b)(40) section) and a significant net emissions increase (as
defined in paragraphs (b)(3) and (23) of this section). The project is
not a major modification if it does not cause a significant emissions
increase. If the project causes a significant emissions increase, then
the project is a major modification only if it also results in a
significant net emissions increase.
* * * * *
(f) Hybrid test for projects that involve multiple types of
emissions units. A significant emissions increase of a regulated NSR
pollutant is projected to occur if the sum of the difference for all
emissions units, using the method specified in paragraphs (a)(2)(iv)(c)
and (d) of this section as applicable with respect to each emissions
unit, equals or exceeds the significant amount for that pollutant (as
defined in paragraph (b)(23) of this section).
* * * * *
(b) * * *
(1)(i) * * *
(a) Any of the following stationary sources of air pollutants which
emits, or has the potential to emit, 100 tons per year or more of any
regulated NSR pollutant: Fossil fuel-fired steam electric plants of
more than 250 million British thermal units per hour heat input, coal
cleaning plants (with thermal dryers), kraft pulp mills, portland
cement plants, primary zinc smelters, iron and steel mill plants,
primary aluminum ore reduction plants (with thermal dryers), primary
copper smelters, municipal incinerators capable of charging more than
50 tons of refuse per day,
[[Page 37933]]
hydrofluoric, sulfuric, and nitric acid plants, petroleum refineries,
lime plants, phosphate rock processing plants, coke oven batteries,
sulfur recovery plants, carbon black plants (furnace process), primary
lead smelters, fuel conversion plants, sintering plants, secondary
metal production plants, chemical process plants (which does not
include ethanol production facilities that produce ethanol by natural
fermentation included in NAICS codes 325193 or 312140), fossil-fuel
boilers (or combinations thereof) totaling more than 250 million
British thermal units per hour heat input, petroleum storage and
transfer units with a total storage capacity exceeding 300,000 barrels,
taconite ore processing plants, glass fiber processing plants, and
charcoal production plants;
(b) Notwithstanding the stationary source size specified in
paragraph (b)(1)(i)(a) of this section, any stationary source which
emits, or has the potential to emit, 250 tons per year or more of a
regulated NSR pollutant; or
(c) Any physical change that would occur at a stationary source not
otherwise qualifying under paragraph (b)(1) of this section as a major
stationary source, if the change would constitute a major stationary
source by itself.
* * * * *
(iii) * * *
(h) Municipal incinerators capable of charging more than 50 tons of
refuse per day;
* * * * *
(z) Fossil fuel-fired steam electric plants of more than 250
million British thermal units per hour heat input, and
* * * * *
(2) * * *
(iii) * * *
(a) Routine maintenance, repair and replacement;
(b) Use of an alternative fuel or raw material by reason of an
order under sections 2(a) and (b) of the Energy Supply and
Environmental Coordination Act of 1974 (or any superseding legislation)
or by reason of a natural gas curtailment plan pursuant to the Federal
Power Act;
* * * * *
(e) * * *
(1) The source was capable of accommodating before January 6, 1975,
unless such change would be prohibited under any federally enforceable
permit condition which was established after January 6, 1975, pursuant
to 40 CFR 52.21 or under regulations approved pursuant to 40 CFR part
51, subpart I; or
* * * * *
(f) An increase in the hours of operation or in the production
rate, unless such change would be prohibited under any federally
enforceable permit condition which was established after January 6,
1975, pursuant to 40 CFR 52.21 or under regulations approved pursuant
to 40 CFR part 51, subpart I.
* * * * *
(vi) * * *
(c) It has approximately the same qualitative significance for
public health and welfare as that attributed to the increase from the
particular change.
* * * * *
(12) Best available control technology means an emissions
limitation (including a visible emission standard) based on the maximum
degree of reduction for each pollutant subject to regulation under the
Act which would be emitted from any proposed major stationary source or
major modification which the Administrator, on a case-by-case basis,
taking into account energy, environmental, and economic impacts and
other costs, determines is achievable for such source or modification
through application of production processes or available methods,
systems, and techniques, including fuel cleaning or treatment or
innovative fuel combustion techniques for control of such pollutant. In
no event shall application of best available control technology result
in emissions of any pollutant which would exceed the emissions allowed
by any applicable standard under 40 CFR part 60, 61, or 63. If the
Administrator determines that technological or economic limitations on
the application of measurement methodology to a particular emissions
unit would make the imposition of an emissions standard infeasible, a
design, equipment, work practice, operational standard, or combination
thereof, may be prescribed instead to satisfy the requirement for the
application of best available control technology. Such standard shall,
to the degree possible, set forth the emissions reduction achievable by
implementation of such design, equipment, work practice or operation,
and shall provide for compliance by means which achieve equivalent
results.
* * * * *
(23) * * *
(ii) Significant means, in reference to a net emissions increase or
the potential of a source to emit a regulated NSR pollutant that
paragraph (b)(23)(i) of this section does not list, any emissions rate.
* * * * *
(33) * * *
(i) The emissions unit is a reconstructed unit within the meaning
of Sec. 60.15(b)(1) of this chapter, or the emissions unit completely
takes the place of an existing emissions unit;
(ii) The emissions unit is identical to or functionally equivalent
to the replaced emissions unit;
(iii) The replacement does not alter the basic design parameters of
the process unit; and
(iv) The replaced emissions unit is permanently removed from the
major stationary source, otherwise permanently disabled, or permanently
barred from operation by a permit that is enforceable as a practical
matter. If the replaced emissions unit is brought back into operation,
it shall constitute a new emissions unit.
* * * * *
(41) * * *
(ii) * * *
(c) Shall exclude, in calculating any increase in emissions that
results from the particular project, that portion of the unit's
emissions following the project that an existing unit could have
accommodated during the consecutive 24-month period used to establish
the baseline actual emissions under paragraph (b)(48) of this section
and that are also unrelated to the particular project, including any
increased utilization due to product demand growth; or
* * * * *
(48) * * *
(i) * * *
(c) For a regulated NSR pollutant, when a project involves multiple
emissions units, only one consecutive 24-month period must be used to
determine the baseline actual emissions for the emissions units being
changed. A different consecutive 24-month period can be used for each
regulated pollutant.
* * * * *
(ii) * * *
(d) For a regulated NSR pollutant, when a project involves multiple
emissions units, only one consecutive 24-month period must be used to
determine the baseline actual emissions for all the emissions units
being changed. A different consecutive 24-month period can be used for
each regulated NSR pollutant.
* * * * *
(49) * * *
(i) Greenhouse gases (GHGs), the air pollutant defined in Sec.
86.1818-12(a) of this chapter as the aggregate group of six greenhouse
gases: Carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, methane, hydrofluorocarbons,
perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride, shall not be subject to
regulation except as provided in paragraph (b)(49)(iv) of this section
[[Page 37934]]
and shall not be subject to regulation if the stationary source
maintains its total source-wide emissions below the GHG PAL level,
meets the requirements in paragraphs (aa)(1) through (15) of this
section, and complies with the PAL permit containing the GHG PAL.
(ii) For purposes of paragraphs (b)(49)(iii) through (iv) of this
section, the term tpy CO2 equivalent emissions
(CO2e) shall represent an amount of GHGs emitted, and shall
be computed as follows:
(a) Multiplying the mass amount of emissions (tpy), for each of the
six greenhouse gases in the pollutant GHGs, by the gas's associated
global warming potential published at Table A-1 to subpart A of part 98
of this chapter--Global Warming Potentials.
* * * * *
(iii) The term emissions increase as used in paragraph (b)(49)(iv)
of this section shall mean that both a significant emissions increase
(as calculated using the procedures in paragraph (a)(2)(iv) of this
section) and a significant net emissions increase (as defined in
paragraphs (b)(3) and (23) of this section) occur. For the pollutant
GHGs, an emissions increase shall be based on tpy CO2e, and
shall be calculated assuming the pollutant GHGs is a regulated NSR
pollutant and ``significant'' is defined as 75,000 tpy CO2e
instead of applying the value in paragraph (b)(23)(ii) of this section.
(iv) * * *
(b) The stationary source is an existing major stationary source
for a regulated NSR pollutant that is not GHGs, and also will have an
emissions increase of a regulated NSR pollutant, and an emissions
increase of 75,000 tpy CO2e or more.
* * * * *
(51) Reviewing authority means the State air pollution control
agency, local agency, other State agency, Indian tribe, or other agency
authorized by the Administrator to carry out a permit program under
Sec. 51.165 or Sec. 51.166 of this chapter, or the Administrator in
the case of EPA-implemented permit programs under this section.
* * * * *
(g) * * *
(4) Lands within the exterior boundaries of Indian Reservations may
be redesignated only by the appropriate Indian Governing Body. The
appropriate Indian Governing Body may submit to the Administrator a
proposal to redesignate areas Class I, Class II, or Class III provided
that:
* * * * *
(i) * * *
(1) * * *
(vii) * * *
(h) Municipal incinerators capable of charging more than 50 tons of
refuse per day;
* * * * *
(j) * * *
(1) A major stationary source or major modification shall meet each
applicable emissions limitation under the State Implementation Plan and
each applicable emissions standard and standard of performance under 40
CFR part 60, 61, or 63.
* * * * *
(m) * * *
(1) * * *
(i) * * *
(a) For the source, each pollutant that it would have the potential
to emit in a significant amount;
* * * * *
(n) * * *
(1) With respect to a source or modification to which paragraphs
(j), (k), (m), and (o) of this section apply, such information shall
include:
* * * * *
(p) * * *
(5) Class I variances. The owner or operator of a proposed source
or modification may demonstrate to the Federal Land Manager that the
emissions from such source or modification would have no adverse impact
on the air quality related values of any such lands (including
visibility), notwithstanding that the change in air quality resulting
from emissions from such source or modification would cause or
contribute to concentrations which would exceed the maximum allowable
increases for a Class I area. If the Federal Land Manager concurs with
such demonstration and he so certifies, the State may authorize the
Administrator, provided that the applicable requirements of this
section are otherwise met, to issue the permit with such emission
limitations as may be necessary to assure that emissions of sulfur
dioxide, PM2.5, PM10, and nitrogen oxides would
not exceed the following maximum allowable increases over minor source
baseline concentration for such pollutants:
* * * * *
(6) Sulfur dioxide variance by Governor with Federal Land Manager's
concurrence. The owner or operator of a proposed source or modification
which cannot be approved under paragraph (p)(5) of this section may
demonstrate to the Governor that the source cannot be constructed by
reason of any maximum allowable increase for sulfur dioxide for a
period of 24 hours or less applicable to any Class I area and, in the
case of Federal mandatory Class I areas, that a variance under this
clause would not adversely affect the air quality related values of the
area (including visibility). The Governor, after consideration of the
Federal Land Manager's recommendation (if any) and subject to his
concurrence, may, after notice and public hearing, grant a variance
from such maximum allowable increase. If such variance is granted, the
Administrator shall issue a permit to such source or modification
pursuant to the requirements of paragraph (p)(8) of this section
provided that the applicable requirements of this section are otherwise
met.
(7) Variance by the Governor with the President's concurrence. In
any case where the Governor recommends a variance with which the
Federal Land Manager does not concur, the recommendations of the
Governor and the Federal Land Manager shall be transmitted to the
President. The President may approve the Governor's recommendation if
he finds that the variance is in the national interest. If the variance
is approved, the Administrator shall issue a permit pursuant to the
requirements of paragraph (p)(8) of this section provided that the
applicable requirements of this section are otherwise met.
(8) Emission limitations for Presidential or gubernatorial
variance. In the case of a permit issued pursuant to paragraph (p)(6)
or (7) of this section, the source or modification shall comply with
such emission limitations as may be necessary to assure that emissions
of sulfur dioxide from the source or modification would not (during any
day on which the otherwise applicable maximum allowable increases are
exceeded) cause or contribute to concentrations which would exceed the
following maximum allowable increases over the baseline concentration
and to assure that such emissions would not cause or contribute to
concentrations which exceed the otherwise applicable maximum allowable
increases for periods of exposure of 24 hours or less for more than 18
days, not necessarily consecutive, during any annual period:
* * * * *
(r) * * *
(4) At such time that a particular source or modification becomes a
major stationary source or major modification solely by virtue of a
relaxation in any enforceable limitation which was established after
August 7, 1980, on the capacity of the source or modification otherwise
to emit a pollutant, such as a restriction on hours of operation, then
the requirements of paragraphs (j) through (s) of this section shall
apply to
[[Page 37935]]
the source or modification as though construction had not yet commenced
on the source or modification.
* * * * *
(u) * * *
(2) * * *
(ii) The delegate agency shall send a copy of any public comment
notice required under paragraph (q) of this section to the
Administrator through the appropriate Regional Office.
(3) In the case of a source or modification which proposes to
construct in a Class III area, emissions from which would cause or
contribute to air quality exceeding the maximum allowable increase
applicable if the area were designated a Class II area, and where no
standard under section 111 of the Act has been promulgated for such
source category, the Administrator must approve the determination of
best available control technology as set forth in the permit.
* * * * *
(w) * * *
(1) Any permit issued under this section or a prior version of this
section shall remain in effect, unless and until it expires under
paragraph (r)(2) of this section or is rescinded under this paragraph
(w).
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2021-13905 Filed 7-16-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P