Clean Air Plans; California; San Joaquin Valley Moderate Area Plan and Reclassification as Serious Nonattainment for the 2012 PM2.5, 67343-67350 [2021-25616]
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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 225 / Friday, November 26, 2021 / Rules and Regulations
such rule or action. This action may not
be challenged later in proceedings to
enforce its requirements (see CAA
section 307(b)(2)).
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52
Environmental protection, Air
pollution control, Ammonia,
Incorporation by reference,
Intergovernmental relations, Nitrogen
dioxide, Particulate matter, Reporting
and recordkeeping requirements, Sulfur
dioxide, Volatile organic compounds.
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
Dated: November 17, 2021.
Deborah Jordan,
Acting Regional Administrator, Region IX.
[FR Doc. 2021–25617 Filed 11–24–21; 8:45 am]
For the reasons stated in the
preamble, the EPA amends Chapter I,
title 40 of the Code of Federal
Regulations as follows:
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
40 CFR Parts 52 and 81
[EPA–R09–OAR–2021–0543; FRL–8846–02–
R9]
PART 52—APPROVAL AND
PROMULGATION OF
IMPLEMENTATION PLANS
Clean Air Plans; California; San
Joaquin Valley Moderate Area Plan and
Reclassification as Serious
Nonattainment for the 2012 PM2.5
NAAQS; Contingency Measures for the
2006 PM2.5 NAAQS
1. The authority citation for part 52
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
Subpart F—California
§ 52.220
Identification of plan—in part.
*
*
*
*
*
(c) * * *
(535) * * *
(i) * * *
(A) * * *
(1) Rule 4901, ‘‘Wood Burning
Fireplaces and Wood Burning Heaters,’’
except section 5.7.3, amended on June
20, 2019.
*
*
*
*
*
(537) * * *
(ii) * * *
(B) * * *
(5) 2018 Plan for the 1997, 2006, and
2012 PM2.5 Standards (‘‘2018 PM2.5
Plan’’), adopted November 15, 2018,
portions of Appendix B (‘‘Emissions
Inventory’’) pertaining to the 2013 base
year emissions inventories as they relate
to the 1997 annual PM2.5 NAAQS only.
*
*
*
*
*
■ 4. Section 52.237 is amended by
adding paragraph (a)(11) to read as
follows:
§ 52.237
Part D disapproval.
(a) * * *
(11) The following portions of the
‘‘2018 Plan for the 1997, 2006, and 2012
PM2.5 Standards’’ as they pertain to the
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Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
2. Section 52.220 is amended by
revising paragraph (c)(535)(i)(A)(1) and
adding paragraph (c)(537)(ii)(B)(5) to
read as follows:
■
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1997 annual PM2.5 standards in the San
Joaquin Valley are disapproved because
they do not meet the requirements of
Part D of the Clean Air Act:
Comprehensive precursor
demonstration, five percent annual
emissions reductions, best available
control measures/best available control
technology demonstration, attainment
demonstration, reasonable further
progress demonstration, quantitative
milestones, motor vehicle emissions
budgets, and contingency measures.
*
*
*
*
*
Jkt 256001
The Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) is taking final action on
all or portions of four state
implementation plan (SIP) revisions
submitted by California (‘‘State’’) to
address Clean Air Act (CAA or ‘‘Act’’)
requirements for the 2012 fine
particulate matter (‘‘PM2.5’’) national
ambient air quality standards (NAAQS
or ‘‘standards’’) and for the 2006 PM2.5
NAAQS in the San Joaquin Valley (SJV)
PM2.5 nonattainment area. Specifically,
the EPA is approving all but the
contingency measure element of the
submitted ‘‘Moderate’’ area plan for the
2012 PM2.5 NAAQS, as updated by the
submitted ‘‘Serious’’ area plan and
related supplement to the State strategy,
as meeting all applicable Moderate area
plan requirements for the 2012 PM2.5
NAAQS. In addition, the EPA is
approving 2022 motor vehicle emissions
budgets for use in transportation
conformity analyses for the 2012 PM2.5
NAAQS. The EPA is disapproving the
contingency measure element with
respect to the Moderate area
requirements for the 2012 PM2.5
NAAQS. The EPA is also reclassifying
the SJV PM2.5 nonattainment area,
including reservation areas of Indian
country and any other area of Indian
country within it where the EPA or a
SUMMARY:
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67343
tribe has demonstrated that the tribe has
jurisdiction, as a Serious nonattainment
area for the 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS based
on the EPA’s determination that the area
cannot practicably attain the standard
by the applicable Moderate area
attainment date of December 31, 2021.
As a consequence of this
reclassification, California is required to
submit a Serious area plan for the area
that includes a demonstration of
attainment by the applicable Serious
area attainment date, which is no later
than December 31, 2025, or by the most
expeditious alternative date practicable.
However, we note that California has
already submitted such Serious area
plan, which the EPA will address in a
separate rulemaking. Lastly, the EPA is
disapproving the contingency measure
element in the Serious area plan for the
2006 PM2.5 NAAQS.
DATES: This rule is effective on
December 27, 2021.
ADDRESSES: The EPA has established a
docket for this action under Docket ID
No. EPA–R09–OAR–2021–0543. All
documents in the docket are listed on
the https://www.regulations.gov
website. Although listed in the index,
some information is not publicly
available, e.g., Confidential Business
Information (CBI) or other information
whose disclosure is restricted by statute.
Certain other material, such as
copyrighted material, is not placed on
the internet and will be publicly
available only in hard copy form.
Publicly available docket materials are
available through https://
www.regulations.gov, or please contact
the person identified in the FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT section for
additional availability information. If
you need assistance in a language other
than English or if you are a person with
disabilities who needs a reasonable
accommodation at no cost to you, please
contact the person identified in the FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Khoi Nguyen, Air Planning Office (AIR–
2), EPA Region IX, 75 Hawthorne Street,
San Francisco, CA 94105, (415) 947–
4120, or by email at nguyen.khoi@
epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Throughout this document, ‘‘we,’’ ‘‘us,’’
and ‘‘our’’ refer to the EPA.
Table of Contents
I. Background
II. Public Comments and EPA Responses
III. Final Action
A. Approval of the Moderate Area Planning
Requirements for the 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS
(except the Contingency Measure
Element)
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B. Disapproval of the Contingency Measure
Elements for the 2006 and 2012 PM2.5
NAAQS
C. Reclassification as Serious
Nonattainment and Applicable
Attainment Date for the 2012 PM2.5
NAAQS
D. Reclassification of Reservation Areas of
Indian Country for the 2012 PM2.5
NAAQS
E. PM2.5 Serious Area SIP Requirements for
the 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS
IV. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
I. Background
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Epidemiological studies have shown
statistically significant correlations
between elevated levels of PM2.5
(particulate matter with a diameter of
2.5 microns or less) and premature
mortality. Other important health effects
associated with PM2.5 exposure include
aggravation of respiratory and
cardiovascular disease, changes in lung
function, and increased respiratory
symptoms. Individuals particularly
sensitive to PM2.5 exposure include
older adults, people with heart and lung
disease, and children.1 PM2.5 can be
emitted directly into the atmosphere as
a solid or liquid particle (‘‘primary
PM2.5’’ or ‘‘direct PM2.5’’) or can be
formed in the atmosphere as a result of
various chemical reactions among
precursor pollutants such as nitrogen
oxides (NOX), sulfur oxides, volatile
organic compounds, and ammonia
(‘‘secondary PM2.5’’).2
The EPA first established annual and
24-hour NAAQS for PM2.5 on July 18,
1997.3 The annual standard was set at
15.0 micrograms per cubic meter (mg/
m3) based on a 3-year average of annual
mean PM2.5 concentrations, and the 24hour (daily) standard was set at 65 mg/
m3 based on the 3-year average of the
annual 98th percentile values of 24-hour
PM2.5 concentrations at each monitor
within an area. We refer to these
standards as the ‘‘1997 PM2.5 NAAQS.’’
On October 17, 2006, the EPA revised
the level of the 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS
to 35 mg/m3 based on a 3-year average
of the annual 98th percentile values of
24-hour concentrations.4 We refer to
this standard as the ‘‘2006 PM2.5
NAAQS.’’ On January 15, 2013, the EPA
revised the annual standard to 12.0 mg/
m3 based on a 3-year average of annual
mean PM2.5 concentrations.5 We refer to
this standard as the ‘‘2012 PM2.5
NAAQS.’’
1 78
FR 3086, 3088 (January 15, 2013).
Air Quality Criteria for Particulate Matter,
No. EPA/600/P–99/002aF and EPA/600/P–99/
002bF, October 2004.
3 62 FR 38652 (codified at 40 CFR 50.7).
4 71 FR 61144 (codified at 40 CFR 50.13).
5 78 FR 3086 (codified at 40 CFR 50.18).
2 EPA,
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Following promulgation of a new or
revised NAAQS, the EPA is required by
CAA section 107(d) to designate areas
throughout the nation as attaining or not
attaining the NAAQS. On January 15,
2015, the EPA designated and classified
the SJV as Moderate nonattainment for
the 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS.6 With respect
to the 1997 PM2.5 NAAQS and the 2006
PM2.5 NAAQS, the SJV is designated
nonattainment and is classified as
Serious.7 The SJV PM2.5 nonattainment
area encompasses over 23,000 square
miles and includes all or part of eight
counties: San Joaquin, Stanislaus,
Merced, Madera, Fresno, Tulare, Kings,
and the valley portion of Kern.8 The
area is home to four million people and
is the nation’s leading agricultural
region. Stretching over 250 miles from
north to south and averaging 80 miles
wide, it is partially enclosed by the
Coast Mountain range to the west, the
Tehachapi Mountains to the south, and
the Sierra Nevada range to the east.
Under State law, the San Joaquin
Valley Unified Air Pollution Control
District (SJVUAPCD or ‘‘District’’) has
primary responsibility for developing
plans to provide for attainment of the
NAAQS in this area. The District works
cooperatively with the California Air
Resources Board (CARB) in preparing
these plans. Authority for regulating
sources under State jurisdiction in the
SJV is split between the District, which
has responsibility for regulating
stationary and most area sources, and
CARB, which has responsibility for
regulating most mobile sources and
some categories of consumer products.
CARB is also responsible for adoption
and submittal to the EPA of the
California SIP, which includes, among
other things, regional air quality plans.
Under CAA section 110(k), the EPA is
obligated to approve or disapprove SIPs
and SIP revisions as meeting or failing
to meet CAA requirements.
On September 1, 2021, we proposed
to approve or disapprove all or portions
of SIP revisions submitted by CARB to
address CAA requirements for the PM2.5
NAAQS in the SJV nonattainment area.9
Herein, we refer to our proposed rule
published on September 1, 2021, as the
‘‘proposed rule,’’ ‘‘proposal’’ or
‘‘proposed action.’’ On May 10, 2019,
CARB made two SIP submissions
intended to address the attainment plan
requirements for areas designated as
nonattainment for the 2012 PM2.5
6 80
FR 2206 (codified at 40 CFR 81.305).
the tables of area designations for the 1997
and 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS in 40 CFR 81.305.
8 For a precise description of the geographic
boundaries of the SJV PM2.5 nonattainment area, see
40 CFR 81.305.
9 86 FR 49100.
NAAQS.10 First, the ‘‘2016 Moderate
Area Plan for the 2012 PM2.5 Standard’’
(‘‘2016 PM2.5 Plan’’) addresses the
Moderate area attainment plan
requirements and includes a
demonstration of impracticability of
attaining the 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS in the
SJV by the latest permissible Moderate
area attainment date of December 31,
2021. In our proposal, the EPA proposed
action on all portions of the 2016 PM2.5
Plan. Second, the ‘‘2018 Plan for the
1997, 2006, and 2012 PM2.5 Standards’’
(‘‘2018 PM2.5 Plan’’) addresses the
Serious area attainment plan
requirements for the 2012 PM2.5
NAAQS, in anticipation of the
reclassification of SJV from Moderate to
Serious for that PM2.5 NAAQS. The 2018
PM2.5 Plan updates several elements in
the 2016 PM2.5 Plan, including the base
year emissions inventory, plan
precursor demonstration, controls
analysis, reasonable further progress
(RFP) and quantitative milestones, and
motor vehicle emission budgets (MVEBs
or ‘‘budgets’’).
Additionally, the 2018 PM2.5 Plan
incorporates by reference the ‘‘San
Joaquin Valley Supplement to the 2016
State Strategy for the State
Implementation Plan’’ (‘‘Valley State
SIP Strategy’’), a related plan adopted by
CARB on October 25, 2018, and
submitted to the EPA on May 10, 2019,
with the 2018 PM2.5 Plan. For the
purposes of this action, the relevant
portion of the Valley State SIP Strategy
includes the control measure
commitments associated with the
quantitative milestones for 2019 and
2022. Lastly, with respect to applicable
requirements for contingency measures
for the 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS and 2006
PM2.5 NAAQS, we evaluated the
contingency measure elements of the
2016 PM2.5 Plan and 2018 PM2.5 Plan as
supplemented by the July 19, 2019
submittal of a SIP revision that includes
a contingency provision (section 5.7.3)
in the SJVUAPCD’s rule (Rule 4901)
limiting emissions from wood burning
fireplaces, wood burning heaters, and
outdoor wood burning devices.
In this document, the EPA is
finalizing action on the 2016 PM2.5 Plan
and those portions of the 2018 PM2.5
Plan that apply to the Moderate area
plan requirements for the 2012 PM2.5
NAAQS. However, the EPA is not, at
this time, acting on those portions of the
2018 PM2.5 Plan that are not relevant to
our evaluation of compliance with
Moderate area plan requirements for
7 See
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10 CARB submitted the two plans electronically
on May 10, 2019, as an attachment to a letter dated
May 9, 2019, from Richard W. Corey, Executive
Officer, CARB, to Mike Stoker, Regional
Administrator, EPA Region IX.
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2012 PM2.5 NAAQS, such as the best
available control measures (BACM)
demonstration, control strategy
commitments, attainment
demonstration, RFP demonstration and
quantitative milestones for later years,
and MVEBs for later years. In our
proposal, we also proposed action on
the portion of the 2018 PM2.5 Plan that
addresses the contingency measure
requirement for the 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS,
and we are taking final action on the
contingency measure element for the
2006 PM2.5 NAAQS in this document.
For more information about these
submittals, please see our proposed
rule.
As part of our proposed action, we
proposed to approve the following
elements of the 2016 PM2.5 Plan and
2018 PM2.5 Plan as meeting the statutory
and regulatory Moderate area
requirements for the 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS
in the SJV nonattainment area: The 2013
base year emissions inventories in the
2016 PM2.5 Plan, as revised in the 2018
PM2.5 Plan; the reasonably available
control measures (RACM)/reasonably
available control technology
demonstration and additional
reasonable measures for all sources of
direct PM2.5 and NOX in the 2016 PM2.5
Plan, as supplemented in the 2018 PM2.5
Plan; the demonstration in the 2016
PM2.5 Plan that attainment by the
Moderate area attainment date of
December 31, 2021, is impracticable; the
RFP demonstration in the 2016 PM2.5
Plan, as revised in 2018 PM2.5 Plan; the
quantitative milestones in the 2016
PM2.5 Plan, as revised in the 2018 PM2.5
Plan and the Valley State SIP Strategy;
and the motor vehicle emissions
budgets for 2022 in the 2018 PM2.5
Plan.11
In support of our proposed approval
of the above SIP elements, we proposed
to approve the demonstrations in the
2016 PM2.5 Plan and the 2018 PM2.5
Plan that emissions of ammonia, sulfur
oxides, and volatile organic compounds
do not contribute significantly to
ambient PM2.5 levels that exceed the
2012 PM2.5 NAAQS in the SJV. We also
found that the photochemical modeling
in the 2016 PM2.5 Plan and 2018 PM2.5
Plan is adequate for the purposes of
supporting the RFP demonstration and
11 With respect to the budgets, we proposed to
limit the duration of the approval of the budgets to
last only until the effective date of the EPA’s
adequacy finding for any subsequently submitted
budgets. We proposed to do so at CARB’s request
and in light of the benefits of using EMFAC2017derived budgets prior to our taking final action on
the future SIP revision that includes the updated
budgets. EMFAC2017 is a version of CARB’s
EMFAC (short for EMission FACtor) model for use
in SIP development and transportation conformity.
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the demonstration of impracticability in
the 2016 PM2.5 Plan.
The EPA also proposed to disapprove
contingency measure elements because,
among other reasons, the elements
include no specific measures to be
undertaken if the State fails to submit a
quantitative milestone report for the
area, or if the area fails to meet RFP or
a quantitative milestone. Specifically,
the proposed disapprovals apply to the
2016 PM2.5 Plan for the 2012 PM2.5
NAAQS, as revised in the 2018 PM2.5
Plan and supplemented by section 5.7.3
of District Rule 4901 (‘‘Wood Burning
Fireplaces and Wood Burning
Heaters’’),12 and the contingency
measure element of the 2018 PM2.5 Plan
for the 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS, as
supplemented by section 5.7.3 of
District Rule 4901. In addition, with
respect to the contingency measure
element in the 2018 PM2.5 Plan for the
2006 PM2.5 NAAQS, as supplemented
by section 5.7.3 of District Rule 4901,
the element includes a specific measure
that may not result in any emissions
reductions following a failure to attain
the 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS by the
applicable attainment date under certain
circumstances.
Because the EPA previously approved
the Serious area plan RFP and
attainment demonstrations and the
MVEBs for the 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS,13
and because we proposed to approve the
Moderate area plan RACM, additional
reasonable measures, and RFP
demonstrations, and MVEBs for the
2012 PM2.5 NAAQS, we also proposed
to issue a protective finding under 40
CFR 93.120(a)(3) to the disapproval of
the contingency measures elements. As
explained in our proposed rule, without
a protective finding, the final
disapprovals would result in a
conformity freeze, under which only
projects in the first four years of the
most recent conforming Regional
Transportation Plan (RTP) and
Transportation Improvement Programs
(TIP) can proceed. Generally, during a
freeze, no new RTPs, TIPs, or RTP/TIP
amendments can be found to conform
until another control strategy
implementation plan revision fulfilling
the same CAA requirements is
12 As explained in our proposed rule, the EPA has
taken final action to approve District Rule 4901
(including section 5.7.3), but in that approval, we
noted that we were not evaluating the contingency
measure in section 5.7.3 of revised Rule 4901 for
compliance with all requirements of the CAA and
the EPA’s implementing regulations that apply to
such measures. See 86 FR 49132–49134. In this
action, we have completed our evaluation and are
disapproving section 5.7.3 of Rule 4901 with
respect to applicable contingency measure
requirements for the 2006 and 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS.
13 85 FR 44192.
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67345
submitted, the EPA finds its motor
vehicle emissions budget(s) adequate
pursuant to section 93.118 or approves
the submission, and conformity to the
implementation plan revision is
determined.14 Under a protective
finding, the final disapproval of the
contingency measures elements will not
result in a transportation conformity
freeze in the SJV PM2.5 nonattainment
area and the metropolitan planning
organizations (MPOs) may continue to
make transportation conformity
determinations.
Lastly, we proposed to reclassify the
SJV PM2.5 nonattainment area, including
reservation areas of Indian country and
any other area where the EPA or a tribe
has demonstrated that a tribe has
jurisdiction within the SJV, as Serious
nonattainment for the 2012 PM2.5
standard based on the agency’s
determination that the SJV cannot
practicably attain the standard by the
Moderate area attainment date of
December 31, 2021.
With respect to reclassification, in the
proposed rule, we explained that under
section 188(c)(2) of the Act, the
attainment date for a Serious area ‘‘shall
be as expeditiously as practicable but no
later than the end of the tenth calendar
year beginning after the area’s
designation as nonattainment. . . .’’
The EPA designated the SJV as
nonattainment for the 2012 PM2.5
standard effective April 15, 2015.15
Therefore, as a result of our
reclassification of the SJV as a Serious
nonattainment area, the attainment date
under section 188(c)(2) of the Act for the
2012 PM2.5 NAAQS in this area is as
expeditiously as practicable but no later
than December 31, 2025.
Our proposed rule also identified the
Serious area attainment plan elements
that California would, upon
reclassification, have to submit to satisfy
the statutory requirements that apply to
Serious areas, including the
requirements of subpart 4 of part D, title
I of the Act. The EPA explained that
under section 189(b)(2) of the Act, the
state must submit the required
provisions to implement BACM,
including best available control
technology (BACT),16 no later than 18
14 40
CFR 93.120(a)(2).
FR 2206 (codified at 40 CFR 81.305).
16 The EPA defines BACM as, among other things,
the maximum degree of emissions reduction
achievable for a source or source category, which
is determined on a case-by-case basis considering
energy, environmental, and economic impacts. 59
FR 41998, 42010 and 42014 (August 16, 1994).
BACM must be implemented for all categories of
sources in a Serious PM2.5 nonattainment area
unless the state adequately demonstrates that a
particular source category does not contribute
15 80
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months after reclassification. Because an
up-to-date emissions inventory serves as
the foundation for a state’s BACM and
BACT determinations, the EPA
proposed to also require the State to
submit the emissions inventory required
under CAA section 172(c)(3) within 18
months after the effective date of final
reclassification. Similarly, because an
effective evaluation of BACM and BACT
requires evaluation of the precursor
pollutants that must be controlled to
provide for expeditious attainment in
the area, the EPA proposed to require
the State to submit any optional
precursor insignificance demonstrations
by this same date. The EPA also
proposed an 18-month deadline for
submittal of any nonattainment new
source review (NNSR) SIP revisions
required to satisfy the requirements of
CAA sections 189(b)(3) and 189(e).
The EPA proposed to require the State
to submit the attainment demonstration
required under section 189(b)(1)(A) and
all other attainment-related plan
elements for the SJV nonattainment area
no later the end of the eighth calendar
year after designation—i.e., by
December 31, 2023. We noted that
although section 189(b)(2) generally
provides for up to four years after a
discretionary reclassification for the
state to submit the required attainment
demonstration, given the timing of the
reclassification action less than two
years before the Moderate area
attainment date, it is appropriate in this
case for the EPA to establish an earlier
SIP submission deadline to assure
timely implementation of the statutory
requirements.
The EPA also noted in our proposed
rule that the 2018 PM2.5 Plan, submitted
concurrently with the 2016 PM2.5 Plan
on May 10, 2019, includes a Serious
area attainment demonstration,
emissions inventory, attainment-related
plan elements, and BACM and BACT
provisions. CARB also submitted a SIP
submission for the Serious area NNSR
requirements on November 20, 2019.
The EPA intends to evaluate and act on
the Serious area plan and NNSR SIP
submissions for the 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS
in the SJV through separate
rulemakings, as appropriate.17
Please see our September 1, 2021
proposed rule for additional background
and a more detailed explanation of the
rationale for our proposed actions.
significantly to nonattainment of the PM2.5
standard. Id. at 42011–42012.
17 We are establishing deadlines for submittal of
SIP revisions that have already been submitted to
timely address any elements that may be withdrawn
in the future.
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II. Public Comments and EPA
Responses
2022 SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY MVEBS
FOR THE 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS
[Annual average, tpd]
The EPA’s proposed rule provided a
30-day public comment period that
ended on October 1, 2021. During this
period, the EPA did not receive any
comments.
III. Final Action
A. Approval of the Moderate Area
Planning Requirements for the 2012
PM2.5 NAAQS (Except the Contingency
Measure Element)
For the reasons discussed in detail in
the proposed rule and summarized
herein, under CAA section 110(k)(3), the
EPA is taking final action to approve the
following elements of the 2016 PM2.5
Plan and 2018 PM2.5 Plan as meeting the
Moderate area requirements for the 2012
PM2.5 NAAQS:
• The 2013 base year emissions
inventories in the 2016 PM2.5 Plan, as
revised in the 2018 PM2.5 Plan, as
meeting the requirements of CAA
section 172(c)(3) and 40 CFR 51.1008(a);
• the reasonably available control
measures/reasonably available control
technology demonstration and
additional reasonable measures for all
sources of direct PM2.5 and NOX in the
2016 PM2.5 Plan, as supplemented in the
2018 PM2.5 Plan, as meeting the
requirements of CAA sections 172(c)(1)
and 189(a)(1)(C) and 40 CFR 51.1009;
• the demonstration in the 2016 PM2.5
Plan that attainment by the Moderate
area attainment date of December 31,
2021, is impracticable as meeting the
requirements of CAA section
189(a)(1)(B)(ii) and 40 CFR 51.1011(a);
• the reasonable further progress
demonstration in the 2016 PM2.5 Plan,
as revised in 2018 PM2.5 Plan, as
meeting the requirements of CAA
section 172(c)(2) and 40 CFR 51.1012(a);
• the quantitative milestones in the
2016 PM2.5 Plan, as revised in the 2018
PM2.5 Plan and the Valley State SIP
Strategy, as meeting the requirements of
CAA section 189(c) and 40 CFR
51.1013(a)(1); and
• the following motor vehicle
emissions budgets for 2022 in the 2018
PM2.5 Plan as meeting the requirements
of CAA section 176(c) and 40 CFR part
93, subpart A: 18
18 The budgets that the EPA is approving relate
to the 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS only, and our approval
does not affect the status of the previouslyapproved MVEBs for the 1997 annual and 24-hour
PM2.5 NAAQS and 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS and related
trading mechanisms that remain in effect for those
PM2.5 NAAQS.
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County
2022
(post-attainment year)
PM2.5
Fresno .............................................
Kern (San Joaquin Valley portion) ..
Kings ...............................................
Madera ............................................
Merced ............................................
San Joaquin ....................................
Stanislaus ........................................
Tulare ..............................................
0.9
0.8
0.2
0.2
0.3
0.6
0.4
0.4
NOX
21.2
19.4
4.1
3.5
7.6
10.0
8.1
6.9
Source: 2018 PM2.5 Plan, App. D, Table 3–3.
Budgets are rounded up to the nearest tenth.
With respect to the budgets, we are
limiting the duration of our approval of
the budgets to last only until the
effective date of the EPA’s adequacy
finding for any subsequently submitted
budgets. Also, we are approving the
6.5:1 NOX for PM2.5 trading mechanism
as an enforceable component of the
transportation conformity program for
the SJV for the 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS.
Furthermore, we are determining that
the submitted 2022 budgets included in
the 2018 PM2.5 Plan for the 2012 PM2.5
NAAQS are adequate for transportation
conformity purposes.19
B. Disapproval of the Contingency
Measure Elements for the 2006 and
2012 PM2.5 NAAQS
Pursuant to CAA section 110(k)(3),
the EPA is finalizing disapproval of the
contingency measure elements for
failure to meet the requirements of CAA
section 172(c)(9) and 40 CFR 51.1014.
The disapproved elements are for the
2016 PM2.5 Plan for the 2012 PM2.5
NAAQS, as revised in the 2018 PM2.5
Plan and supplemented by section 5.7.3
of District Rule 4901, and the
contingency measure element of the
2018 PM2.5 Plan for the 2006 PM2.5
NAAQS, as supplemented by section
5.7.3 of District Rule 4901.
As a consequence of our disapproval,
the offset sanction in CAA section
179(b)(2) will apply in the SJV 18
months after the effective date of our
action, and the highway funding
sanctions in CAA section 179(b)(1) will
apply in the area six months after the
offset sanction is imposed.20 Neither
sanction will be imposed under the
CAA if the State submits and we
approve, prior to the implementation of
the sanctions, a SIP revision that
corrects the deficiencies that we identify
19 Pursuant to 40 CFR 93.118(f)(2)(iii), the EPA’s
adequacy determination is effective upon
publication of this final rule in the Federal
Register.
20 40 CFR 52.31.
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in our final action. The EPA intends to
work with CARB and the SJVUAPCD to
correct the deficiencies in a timely
manner. As noted in our proposed rule,
the EPA is already subject to a statutory
deadline to promulgate a federal
implementation plan to address the
contingency measure requirements for
San Joaquin Valley for the 2006 PM2.5
NAAQS and 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS due to
the prior finding that California had
failed to submit SIP revisions to address
those requirements within the
prescribed periods.21
The EPA is also finalizing our
issuance of a protective finding under
40 CFR 93.120(a)(3) to the disapproval
of the contingency measure elements.
Under a protective finding, the final
disapproval of the contingency
measures elements will not result in a
transportation conformity freeze in the
SJV PM2.5 nonattainment area and the
MPOs may continue to make
transportation conformity
determinations.
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C. Reclassification as Serious
Nonattainment and Applicable
Attainment Date for the 2012 PM2.5
NAAQS
In accordance with section 188(b)(1)
of the Act, the EPA is taking final action
to reclassify the SJV PM2.5
nonattainment area from Moderate to
Serious nonattainment for the 2012
PM2.5 standard, based on the agency’s
determination that the SJV cannot
practicably attain the standard by the
Moderate area attainment date of
December 31, 2021. Pursuant to section
188(c)(2) of the Act, the applicable
attainment date for SJV as a Serious
nonattainment area for the 2012 PM2.5
NAAQS is as expeditiously as
practicable but no later than December
31, 2025, or by the most expeditious
alternative date practicable and no later
than December 31, 2030, in accordance
with the requirements of CAA sections
189(b) and 188(e).
D. Reclassification of Reservation Areas
of Indian Country for the 2012 PM2.5
NAAQS
When the SJV nonattainment area was
designated nonattainment for the 2012
PM2.5 NAAQS, eight Indian tribes were
located within the boundaries of the
nonattainment area. These tribes
include Big Sandy Rancheria of Western
Mono Indians of California, Cold
Springs Rancheria of Mono Indians of
California, Northfork Rancheria of Mono
Indians of California, Picayune
21 83 FR 62720 (December 6, 2018) (Finding of
failure to submit certain PM2.5 SIP revisions for San
Joaquin Valley). Also, see the proposed rule at
49135.
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Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians of
California, Santa Rosa Indian
Community of the Santa Rosa
Rancheria, California, Table Mountain
Rancheria, Tejon Indian Tribe, and Tule
River Indian Tribe of the Tule River
Reservation, California.
We have considered the relevance of
our final action to reclassify the SJV
nonattainment area as Serious
nonattainment for the 2012 PM2.5
standard for each tribe located within
the SJV nonattainment area. As
discussed in more detail in our
proposed rule, we believe that the same
facts and circumstances that support the
reclassification for the non-Indian
country lands also support
reclassification for reservation areas of
Indian country 22 and any other areas of
Indian country where the EPA or a tribe
has demonstrated that the tribe has
jurisdiction located within the SJV
nonattainment area.23 In this final
action, the EPA is therefore exercising
its authority under CAA section
188(b)(1) to reclassify reservation areas
of Indian country and any other areas of
Indian country where the EPA or a tribe
has demonstrated that the tribe has
jurisdiction geographically located in
the SJV nonattainment area to Serious
for the 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS. The EPA
contacted tribal officials early in the
process of developing this action to
provide time for tribal officials to have
meaningful and timely input into its
development.24 We notified tribal
officials when the proposed action
published in the Federal Register and
continue to invite Indian tribes in the
SJV nonattainment area to contact the
EPA with any questions about the
effects of this reclassification on tribal
interests and air quality. We note that
although eligible tribes may seek the
EPA’s approval of relevant tribal
22 ‘‘Indian country’’ as defined at 18 U.S.C. 1151
refers to ‘‘(a) all land within the limits of any Indian
reservation under the jurisdiction of the United
States Government, notwithstanding the issuance of
any patent, and including rights-of-way running
through the reservation, (b) all dependent Indian
communities within the borders of the United
States whether within the original or subsequently
acquired territory thereof, and whether within or
without the limits of a state, and (c) all Indian
allotments, the Indian titles to which have not been
extinguished, including rights-of-way running
through the same.’’
23 85 FR 40026, 40055–40056.
24 As discussed in more detail in our proposed
rule, the EPA sent letters dated March 3, 2021, to
tribal officials inviting government-to-government
consultation. These letters can be found in the
docket. See also a summary of the EPA’s outreach
to tribes in the San Joaquin Valley; memorandum
dated August 3, 2021, from Rory Mays, Air
Planning Office, Air and Radiation Division, EPA
Region IX, to Docket No. EPA–R09–OAR–2021–
0543. We did not receive any request for
consultation.
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67347
programs under the CAA, none of the
affected tribes will be required to submit
an implementation plan as a result of
this reclassification.
E. PM2.5 Serious Area SIP Requirements
for the 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS
As a consequence of our
reclassification of the SJV
nonattainment area as a Serious
nonattainment area for the 2012 PM2.5
NAAQS, California is required to
submit, within 18 months after the
effective date of the reclassification, an
emissions inventory, provisions to
assure that BACM shall be implemented
no later than four years after the date of
reclassification, and any NNSR SIP
revisions required to satisfy the
requirements of CAA sections 189(b)(3)
and 189(e). California will also be
required to submit, by December 31,
2023, a Serious area plan that satisfies
the requirements of part D of title I of
the Act. This plan must include a
demonstration that the SJV will attain
the 2012 PM2.5 standard as
expeditiously as practicable but no later
than December 31, 2025, or by the most
expeditious alternative date practicable
and no later than December 31, 2030, in
accordance with the requirements of
CAA sections 189(b) and 188(e). The
Serious area must also include plan
provisions that require RFP; quantitative
milestones that are to be achieved every
three years until the area is redesignated
attainment and that demonstrate RFP
toward attainment by the applicable
date; provisions to assure that control
requirements applicable to major
stationary sources of PM2.5 also apply to
major stationary sources of PM2.5
precursors, except where the state
demonstrates to the EPA’s satisfaction
that such sources do not contribute
significantly to PM2.5 levels that exceed
the standard in the area; and
contingency measures to be
implemented if the area fails to meet
RFP or to attain by the applicable
attainment date.
We note that the 2018 PM2.5 Plan,
submitted concurrently with the 2016
PM2.5 Plan on May 10, 2019, includes a
Serious area attainment demonstration,
emissions inventory, attainment-related
plan elements, and BACM/BACT
provisions for the 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS.
CARB also submitted a SIP submission
for the Serious area NNSR requirements
on November 20, 2019. The EPA intends
to evaluate and act on the Serious area
plan and NNSR SIP submissions for the
2012 PM2.5 NAAQS in the SJV through
separate rulemakings, as appropriate.
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IV. Statutory and Executive Order
Reviews
Additional information about these
statutes and Executive Orders can be
found at https://www.epa.gov/lawsregulations/laws-and-executive-orders.
A. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory
Planning and Review and Executive
Order 13563: Improving Regulation and
Regulatory Review
This action is not a significant
regulatory action and was therefore not
submitted to the Office of Management
and Budget (OMB) for review.
B. Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA)
This action does not impose an
information collection burden under the
PRA because this action does not
impose additional requirements beyond
those imposed by State law.
C. Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)
I certify that this action will not have
a significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities
under the RFA. This action will not
impose any requirements on small
entities. This action would approve or
disapprove State plans as meeting
federal requirements and would not
impose additional requirements beyond
those imposed by State law.
Additionally, this action reclassifies the
SJV nonattainment area as Serious
nonattainment for the 2012 PM2.5
NAAQS and does not itself regulate
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. This action does not
impose additional requirements beyond
those imposed by State law.
Additionally, this action reclassifies the
SJV nonattainment area as Serious
nonattainment for the 2012 PM2.5
NAAQS and would not itself impose
any federal intergovernmental mandate.
This action does not require any tribe to
submit implementation plans.
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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.
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16:31 Nov 24, 2021
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F. Executive Order 13175: Coordination
With Indian Tribal Governments
Executive Order 13175, entitled
‘‘Consultation and Coordination with
Indian Tribal Governments’’ (65 FR
67249, November 9, 2000), requires the
EPA to develop an accountable process
to ensure ‘‘meaningful and timely input
by tribal officials in the development of
regulatory policies that have tribal
implications.’’ ‘‘Policies that have Tribal
implications’’ is defined in the
Executive Order to include regulations
that have ‘‘substantial direct effects on
one or more Indian tribes, on the
relationship between the federal
government and the Indian tribes, or on
the distribution of power and
responsibilities between the federal
government and Indian Tribes.’’
Eight Indian tribes are located within
the boundaries of the SJV nonattainment
area for the 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS: The Big
Sandy Rancheria of Western Mono
Indians of California, the Cold Springs
Rancheria of Mono Indians of
California, the Northfork Rancheria of
Mono Indians of California, the
Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi
Indians of California, the Santa Rosa
Indian Community of the Santa Rosa
Rancheria, California, the Table
Mountain Rancheria, the Tejon Indian
Tribe, and the Tule River Indian Tribe
of the Tule River Reservation,
California.
The EPA’s actions on the SIP
elements submitted by California to
address the Moderate area requirements
for the 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS and the
contingency measure requirement for
the 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS do not have
tribal implications because the SIP is
not approved to apply on any Indian
reservation land or in any other area
where the EPA or an Indian tribe has
demonstrated that a tribe has
jurisdiction. In those areas of Indian
country, the actions on the SIP
submittals do not have tribal
implications and do not impose
substantial direct costs on tribal
governments or preempt tribal law as
specified by Executive Order 13175.
The EPA has concluded that the
reclassification might have tribal
implications for the purposes of
Executive Order 13175 but does not
impose substantial direct costs upon the
tribes, nor would it preempt tribal law.
The reclassification from Moderate to
Serious for a PM2.5 NAAQS would
typically affect the EPA’s
implementation of the new source
review program because of the lower
‘‘major source’’ threshold triggered by
reclassification (70 tons per year for
direct PM2.5 and precursors to PM2.5).
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However, because the SJV
nonattainment area is already classified
as Serious for the 1997 and 2006 PM2.5
NAAQS, the lower thresholds already
apply within the nonattainment area,
and the reclassification from Moderate
to Serious for the 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS
has no additional effect. The same is
true for any tribal projects that require
federal permits, approvals, or funding.
Such projects are subject to the
requirements of the EPA’s general
conformity rule, and federal permits,
approvals, or funding for the projects
would typically become more difficult
to obtain because of the lower de
minimis thresholds triggered by
reclassification but, in this case, the
lower de minimis thresholds already
apply within the SJV.
Given the potential implications, the
EPA contacted tribal officials during the
process of developing the September 1,
2021 proposed rule to provide an
opportunity to have meaningful and
timely input into its development. On
March 3, 2021, we sent letters to leaders
of the eight tribes with areas of Indian
country in the SJV nonattainment area
inviting government-to-government
consultation on the rulemaking effort.
We requested that the tribal leaders, or
their designated consultation
representatives, notify us of their
interest in government-to-government
consultation by April 5, 2021. We did
not receive any request for consultation,
and we did not receive any public
comments on our proposed action.
G. Executive Order 13045: Protection of
Children From Environmental Health
Risks and Safety Risks
The EPA interprets Executive Order
13045 as applying only to those
regulatory actions that concern
environmental health or safety risks that
the EPA has reason to believe may
disproportionately affect children, per
the definition of ‘‘covered regulatory
action’’ in section 2–202 of the
Executive Order. This action is not
subject to Executive Order 13045
because it approves or disapproves State
plans implementing a federal standard
and reclassifies the SJV nonattainment
area as Serious nonattainment for the
2012 PM2.5 NAAQS, triggering Serious
area planning requirements under the
CAA. This action does not establish an
environmental standard intended to
mitigate health or safety risks.
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
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List of Subjects
significant regulatory action under
Executive Order 12866.
40 CFR Part 52
I. National Technology Transfer and
Advancement Act (NTTAA)
Environmental protection, Air
pollution control, Ammonia,
Incorporation by reference,
Intergovernmental relations, Nitrogen
dioxide, Particulate matter, Reporting
and recordkeeping requirements, Sulfur
dioxide, Volatile organic compounds.
This rulemaking does not involve
technical standards.
J. Executive Order 12898: Federal
Actions To Address Environmental
Justice in Minority Populations and
Low-Income Populations
40 CFR Part 81
The EPA has determined that this
action will not have potential
disproportionately high and adverse
human health or environmental effects
on minority or low-income populations
because they do not affect the level of
protection provided to human health or
the environment. This action approves
or disapproves State plans
implementing a federal standard and
reclassifies the SJV nonattainment area
as Serious nonattainment for the 2012
PM2.5 NAAQS, triggering additional
Serious area planning requirements
under the CAA.
K. Congressional Review Act (CRA)
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L. Petitions for Judicial Review
Under section 307(b)(1) of the Clean
Air Act, petitions for judicial review of
this action must be filed in the United
States Court of Appeals for the
appropriate circuit by January 25, 2022.
Filing a petition for reconsideration by
the Administrator of this final rule does
not affect the finality of this rule for the
purposes of judicial review nor does it
extend the time within which a petition
for judicial review may be filed, and
shall not postpone the effectiveness of
such rule or action. This action may not
be challenged later in proceedings to
enforce its requirements (see section
307(b)(2)).
16:31 Nov 24, 2021
Jkt 256001
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
Dated: November 17, 2021.
Deborah Jordan,
Acting Regional Administrator, Region IX.
For the reasons started in the
preamble, the EPA amends Chapter I,
title 40 of the Code of Federal
Regulations as follows:
PART 52—APPROVAL AND
PROMULGATION OF
IMPLEMENTATION PLANS
1. The authority citation for part 52
continues to read as follows:
■
The Congressional Review Act, 5
U.S.C. 801 et seq., as added by the Small
Business Regulatory Enforcement
Fairness Act of 1996, generally provides
that before a rule may take effect, the
agency promulgating the rule must
submit a rule report, which includes a
copy of the rule, to each House of the
Congress and to the Comptroller General
of the United States. The EPA will
submit a report containing this action
and other required information to the
U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of
Representatives, and the Comptroller
General of the United States prior to
publication of the rule in the Federal
Register. A major rule cannot take effect
until 60 days after it is published in the
Federal Register. This action is not a
‘‘major rule’’ as defined by 5 U.S.C.
804(2).
VerDate Sep<11>2014
Environmental protection, Air
pollution control, Particulate matter.
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
excluding section 3.7 (‘‘Contingency
Measures’’).
*
*
*
*
*
■ 3. Section 52.237 is amended by
adding paragraphs (a)(9) and (10) to read
as follows:
§ 52.237
Part D disapproval.
(a) * * *
(9) The contingency measure portion
of the 2016 Moderate Area Plan for the
2012 PM2.5 Standard (‘‘2016 PM2.5
Plan’’), adopted September 15, 2016, as
modified by the 2018 Plan for the 1997,
2006, and 2012 PM2.5 Standards (‘‘2018
PM2.5 Plan’’), adopted November 15,
2018, for San Joaquin Valley as a
Moderate nonattainment area with
respect to the 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS.
(10) The contingency measure portion
of the 2018 Plan for the 1997, 2006, and
2012 PM2.5 Standards (‘‘2018 PM2.5
Plan’’), adopted November 15, 2018, for
San Joaquin Valley with respect to the
2006 PM2.5 NAAQS.
*
*
*
*
*
■ 4. Section 52.244 is amended by
revising paragraph (f) introductory text
and adding paragraph (f)(2) to read as
follows:
§ 52.244
Subpart F—California
67349
Motor vehicle emissions budgets.
*
2. Section 52.220 is amended by
adding paragraphs (c)(537)(ii)(A)(7) and
(c)(537)(ii)(B)(3) and (4) to read as
follows:
■
§ 52.220
Identification of plan—in part.
*
*
*
*
*
(c) * * *
(537) * * *.
(ii) * * *
(A) * * *
(7) ‘‘Appendix H, RFP, Quantitative
Milestones, and Contingency, 2018 Plan
for the 1997, 2006, and 2012 PM2.5
Standards, Appendix H Revised
February 11, 2020’’ (portions pertaining
to the 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS as a Moderate
area, only, and excluding section H.3
(‘‘Contingency Measures’’)).
(B) * * *
(3) 2018 Plan for the 1997, 2006, and
2012 PM2.5 Standards (‘‘2018 PM2.5
Plan’’), adopted November 15, 2018
(portions pertaining to the 2012 PM2.5
NAAQS as a Moderate area, only, and
excluding Chapter 5 (‘‘Demonstration of
Federal Requirements for 1997 PM2.5
Standards’’), Chapter 6 (‘‘Demonstration
of Federal Requirements for 2006 PM2.5
Standards’’) and Appendix H, section
H.3 (‘‘Contingency Measures’’)).
(4) 2016 Moderate Area Plan for the
2012 PM2.5 Standard (‘‘2016 PM2.5
Plan’’), adopted September 15, 2016,
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*
*
*
*
(f) Approval of the motor vehicle
emissions budgets for the following
PM2.5 reasonable further progress or
attainment SIPs will apply for
transportation conformity purposes only
until new budgets based on updated
planning data and models have been
submitted and EPA has found the
budgets to be adequate for conformity
purposes.
*
*
*
*
*
(2) San Joaquin Valley, for the 2012
PM2.5 NAAQS only (Year 2022 budgets
only), approved December 27, 2021.
■ 5. Section 52.245 is amended by
adding paragraph (f) to read as follows:
§ 52.245
New Source Review rules.
*
*
*
*
*
(f) Within 18 months after the
effective date of the reclassification of
the San Joaquin Valley nonattainment
area from Moderate to Serious for the
2012 PM2.5 NAAQS, the New Source
Review rules for PM2.5 for the San
Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution
Control District must be revised and
submitted as a SIP revision. The rules
must satisfy the requirements of
sections 189(b)(3) and 189(e) and all
other applicable requirements of the
Clean Air Act for implementation of the
2012 PM2.5 NAAQS in nonattainment
areas classified as Serious.
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6. Section 52.247 is amended by
removing and reserving paragraph (f)
and by adding paragraph (o).
The addition reads as follows:
■
§ 52.247 Control Strategy and regulations:
Fine Particle Matter.
*
*
*
*
*
(o) Within 18 months after the
effective date of the reclassification of
the reclassification of the San Joaquin
Valley nonattainment area from
Moderate to Serious for the 2012 PM2.5
NAAQS, California must adopt and
submit an emissions inventory and
provisions to assure that BACM shall be
implemented no later than four years
after the date of reclassification. Also,
by December 31, 2023, California must
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
adopt and submit a Serious area plan
that includes an attainment
demonstration, a reasonable further
progress plan, quantitative milestones,
contingency measures, and such other
measures as may be necessary or
appropriate to provide for attainment of
the 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS by the
applicable attainment date, in
accordance with the requirements of
subparts 1 and 4 of part D, title I of the
Clean Air Act.
Subpart C—Section 107 Attainment
Status Designations
8. Section 81.305 is amended in the
table under ‘‘California—2012 Annual
PM2.5 NAAQS [Primary],’’ by revising
the entry for ‘‘San Joaquin Valley, CA’’
to read as follows:
■
§ 81.305
*
PART 81—DESIGNATION OF AREAS
FOR AIR QUALITY PLANNING
PURPOSES
California.
*
*
*
*
7. The authority citation for part 81
continues to read as follows:
■
CALIFORNIA—2012 ANNUAL PM2.5 NAAQS
[Primary]
Designation
Classification
Designated Area 1
Date 2
*
*
*
*
San Joaquin Valley, CA:
Fresno County ............................................................................................................................
Kern County (part) ......................................................................................................................
That portion of Kern County which lies west and north of a line described as follows:
Beginning at the Kern-Los Angeles County boundary and running north and east
along the northwest boundary of the Rancho La Libre Land Grant to the point of intersection with the range line common to Range 16 West and Range 17 West, San
Bernardino Base and Meridian; north along the range line to the point of intersection
with the Rancho El Tejon Land Grant boundary; then southeast, northeast, and northwest along the boundary of the Rancho El Tejon Land Grant to the northwest corner
of Section 3, Township 11 North, Range 17 West; then west 1.2 miles; then north to
the Rancho El Tejon Land Grant boundary; then northwest along the Rancho El Tejon
Land Grant boundary line to the southeast corner of Section 34, Township 32 South,
Range 30 East, Mount Diablo Base and Meridian; then north to the northwest corner
of Section 35, Township 31 South, Range 30 East; then northeast along the boundary
of the Rancho El Tejon Land Grant to the southwest corner of Section 18, Township
31 South, Range 31 East; then east to the southeast corner of Section 13, Township
31 South, Range 31 East; then north along the range line common to Range 31 East
and Range 32 East, Mount Diablo Base and Meridian, to the northwest corner of Section 6, Township 29 South, Range 32 East; then east to the southwest corner of Section 31, Township 28 South, Range 32 East; then north along the range line common
to Range 31 East and Range 32 East to the northwest corner of Section 6, Township
28 South, Range 32 East, then west to the southeast corner of Section 36, Township
27 South, Range 31 East, then north along the range line common to Range 31 East
and Range 32 East to the Kern-Tulare County boundary.
Kings County ...............................................................................................................................
Madera County ...........................................................................................................................
Merced County ............................................................................................................................
San Joaquin County ...................................................................................................................
Stanislaus County .......................................................................................................................
Tulare County .............................................................................................................................
*
*
*
*
Type
*
*
*
*
12/27/2021
12/27/2021
Serious.
Serious.
....................
....................
....................
....................
....................
....................
Nonattainment
Nonattainment
Nonattainment
Nonattainment
Nonattainment
Nonattainment
12/27/2021
12/27/2021
12/27/2021
12/27/2021
12/27/2021
12/27/2021
Serious.
Serious.
Serious.
Serious.
Serious.
Serious.
*
*
*
[FR Doc. 2021–25616 Filed 11–24–21; 8:45 am]
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areas of Indian country located in each county or area, except as otherwise specified.
2 This date is April 15, 2015, unless otherwise noted.
*
Type
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1 Includes
*
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E:\FR\FM\26NOR1.SGM
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 225 (Friday, November 26, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 67343-67350]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-25616]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Parts 52 and 81
[EPA-R09-OAR-2021-0543; FRL-8846-02-R9]
Clean Air Plans; California; San Joaquin Valley Moderate Area
Plan and Reclassification as Serious Nonattainment for the 2012 PM2.5
NAAQS; Contingency Measures for the 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking final
action on all or portions of four state implementation plan (SIP)
revisions submitted by California (``State'') to address Clean Air Act
(CAA or ``Act'') requirements for the 2012 fine particulate matter
(``PM2.5'') national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS or
``standards'') and for the 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS in the San
Joaquin Valley (SJV) PM2.5 nonattainment area. Specifically,
the EPA is approving all but the contingency measure element of the
submitted ``Moderate'' area plan for the 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS,
as updated by the submitted ``Serious'' area plan and related
supplement to the State strategy, as meeting all applicable Moderate
area plan requirements for the 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS. In
addition, the EPA is approving 2022 motor vehicle emissions budgets for
use in transportation conformity analyses for the 2012 PM2.5
NAAQS. The EPA is disapproving the contingency measure element with
respect to the Moderate area requirements for the 2012 PM2.5
NAAQS. The EPA is also reclassifying the SJV PM2.5
nonattainment area, including reservation areas of Indian country and
any other area of Indian country within it where the EPA or a tribe has
demonstrated that the tribe has jurisdiction, as a Serious
nonattainment area for the 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS based on the
EPA's determination that the area cannot practicably attain the
standard by the applicable Moderate area attainment date of December
31, 2021. As a consequence of this reclassification, California is
required to submit a Serious area plan for the area that includes a
demonstration of attainment by the applicable Serious area attainment
date, which is no later than December 31, 2025, or by the most
expeditious alternative date practicable. However, we note that
California has already submitted such Serious area plan, which the EPA
will address in a separate rulemaking. Lastly, the EPA is disapproving
the contingency measure element in the Serious area plan for the 2006
PM2.5 NAAQS.
DATES: This rule is effective on December 27, 2021.
ADDRESSES: The EPA has established a docket for this action under
Docket ID No. EPA-R09-OAR-2021-0543. All documents in the docket are
listed on the https://www.regulations.gov website. Although listed in
the index, some information is not publicly available, e.g.,
Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose
disclosure is restricted by statute. Certain other material, such as
copyrighted material, is not placed on the internet and will be
publicly available only in hard copy form. Publicly available docket
materials are available through https://www.regulations.gov, or please
contact the person identified in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
section for additional availability information. If you need assistance
in a language other than English or if you are a person with
disabilities who needs a reasonable accommodation at no cost to you,
please contact the person identified in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT section.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Khoi Nguyen, Air Planning Office (AIR-
2), EPA Region IX, 75 Hawthorne Street, San Francisco, CA 94105, (415)
947-4120, or by email at [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Throughout this document, ``we,'' ``us,''
and ``our'' refer to the EPA.
Table of Contents
I. Background
II. Public Comments and EPA Responses
III. Final Action
A. Approval of the Moderate Area Planning Requirements for the
2012 PM2.5 NAAQS (except the Contingency Measure Element)
[[Page 67344]]
B. Disapproval of the Contingency Measure Elements for the 2006
and 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS
C. Reclassification as Serious Nonattainment and Applicable
Attainment Date for the 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS
D. Reclassification of Reservation Areas of Indian Country for
the 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS
E. PM2.5 Serious Area SIP Requirements for the 2012
PM2.5 NAAQS
IV. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
I. Background
Epidemiological studies have shown statistically significant
correlations between elevated levels of PM2.5 (particulate
matter with a diameter of 2.5 microns or less) and premature mortality.
Other important health effects associated with PM2.5
exposure include aggravation of respiratory and cardiovascular disease,
changes in lung function, and increased respiratory symptoms.
Individuals particularly sensitive to PM2.5 exposure include
older adults, people with heart and lung disease, and children.\1\
PM2.5 can be emitted directly into the atmosphere as a solid
or liquid particle (``primary PM2.5'' or ``direct
PM2.5'') or can be formed in the atmosphere as a result of
various chemical reactions among precursor pollutants such as nitrogen
oxides (NOX), sulfur oxides, volatile organic compounds, and
ammonia (``secondary PM2.5'').\2\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ 78 FR 3086, 3088 (January 15, 2013).
\2\ EPA, Air Quality Criteria for Particulate Matter, No. EPA/
600/P-99/002aF and EPA/600/P-99/002bF, October 2004.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The EPA first established annual and 24-hour NAAQS for
PM2.5 on July 18, 1997.\3\ The annual standard was set at
15.0 micrograms per cubic meter ([micro]g/m\3\) based on a 3-year
average of annual mean PM2.5 concentrations, and the 24-hour
(daily) standard was set at 65 [micro]g/m\3\ based on the 3-year
average of the annual 98th percentile values of 24-hour
PM2.5 concentrations at each monitor within an area. We
refer to these standards as the ``1997 PM2.5 NAAQS.'' On
October 17, 2006, the EPA revised the level of the 24-hour
PM2.5 NAAQS to 35 [micro]g/m\3\ based on a 3-year average of
the annual 98th percentile values of 24-hour concentrations.\4\ We
refer to this standard as the ``2006 PM2.5 NAAQS.'' On
January 15, 2013, the EPA revised the annual standard to 12.0 [micro]g/
m\3\ based on a 3-year average of annual mean PM2.5
concentrations.\5\ We refer to this standard as the ``2012
PM2.5 NAAQS.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\ 62 FR 38652 (codified at 40 CFR 50.7).
\4\ 71 FR 61144 (codified at 40 CFR 50.13).
\5\ 78 FR 3086 (codified at 40 CFR 50.18).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Following promulgation of a new or revised NAAQS, the EPA is
required by CAA section 107(d) to designate areas throughout the nation
as attaining or not attaining the NAAQS. On January 15, 2015, the EPA
designated and classified the SJV as Moderate nonattainment for the
2012 PM2.5 NAAQS.\6\ With respect to the 1997
PM2.5 NAAQS and the 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS, the SJV is
designated nonattainment and is classified as Serious.\7\ The SJV
PM2.5 nonattainment area encompasses over 23,000 square
miles and includes all or part of eight counties: San Joaquin,
Stanislaus, Merced, Madera, Fresno, Tulare, Kings, and the valley
portion of Kern.\8\ The area is home to four million people and is the
nation's leading agricultural region. Stretching over 250 miles from
north to south and averaging 80 miles wide, it is partially enclosed by
the Coast Mountain range to the west, the Tehachapi Mountains to the
south, and the Sierra Nevada range to the east.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\6\ 80 FR 2206 (codified at 40 CFR 81.305).
\7\ See the tables of area designations for the 1997 and 2006
PM2.5 NAAQS in 40 CFR 81.305.
\8\ For a precise description of the geographic boundaries of
the SJV PM2.5 nonattainment area, see 40 CFR 81.305.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Under State law, the San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution
Control District (SJVUAPCD or ``District'') has primary responsibility
for developing plans to provide for attainment of the NAAQS in this
area. The District works cooperatively with the California Air
Resources Board (CARB) in preparing these plans. Authority for
regulating sources under State jurisdiction in the SJV is split between
the District, which has responsibility for regulating stationary and
most area sources, and CARB, which has responsibility for regulating
most mobile sources and some categories of consumer products. CARB is
also responsible for adoption and submittal to the EPA of the
California SIP, which includes, among other things, regional air
quality plans. Under CAA section 110(k), the EPA is obligated to
approve or disapprove SIPs and SIP revisions as meeting or failing to
meet CAA requirements.
On September 1, 2021, we proposed to approve or disapprove all or
portions of SIP revisions submitted by CARB to address CAA requirements
for the PM2.5 NAAQS in the SJV nonattainment area.\9\
Herein, we refer to our proposed rule published on September 1, 2021,
as the ``proposed rule,'' ``proposal'' or ``proposed action.'' On May
10, 2019, CARB made two SIP submissions intended to address the
attainment plan requirements for areas designated as nonattainment for
the 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS.\10\ First, the ``2016 Moderate Area
Plan for the 2012 PM2.5 Standard'' (``2016 PM2.5
Plan'') addresses the Moderate area attainment plan requirements and
includes a demonstration of impracticability of attaining the 2012
PM2.5 NAAQS in the SJV by the latest permissible Moderate
area attainment date of December 31, 2021. In our proposal, the EPA
proposed action on all portions of the 2016 PM2.5 Plan.
Second, the ``2018 Plan for the 1997, 2006, and 2012 PM2.5
Standards'' (``2018 PM2.5 Plan'') addresses the Serious area
attainment plan requirements for the 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS, in
anticipation of the reclassification of SJV from Moderate to Serious
for that PM2.5 NAAQS. The 2018 PM2.5 Plan updates
several elements in the 2016 PM2.5 Plan, including the base
year emissions inventory, plan precursor demonstration, controls
analysis, reasonable further progress (RFP) and quantitative
milestones, and motor vehicle emission budgets (MVEBs or ``budgets'').
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\9\ 86 FR 49100.
\10\ CARB submitted the two plans electronically on May 10,
2019, as an attachment to a letter dated May 9, 2019, from Richard
W. Corey, Executive Officer, CARB, to Mike Stoker, Regional
Administrator, EPA Region IX.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Additionally, the 2018 PM2.5 Plan incorporates by
reference the ``San Joaquin Valley Supplement to the 2016 State
Strategy for the State Implementation Plan'' (``Valley State SIP
Strategy''), a related plan adopted by CARB on October 25, 2018, and
submitted to the EPA on May 10, 2019, with the 2018 PM2.5
Plan. For the purposes of this action, the relevant portion of the
Valley State SIP Strategy includes the control measure commitments
associated with the quantitative milestones for 2019 and 2022. Lastly,
with respect to applicable requirements for contingency measures for
the 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS and 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS, we
evaluated the contingency measure elements of the 2016 PM2.5
Plan and 2018 PM2.5 Plan as supplemented by the July 19,
2019 submittal of a SIP revision that includes a contingency provision
(section 5.7.3) in the SJVUAPCD's rule (Rule 4901) limiting emissions
from wood burning fireplaces, wood burning heaters, and outdoor wood
burning devices.
In this document, the EPA is finalizing action on the 2016
PM2.5 Plan and those portions of the 2018 PM2.5
Plan that apply to the Moderate area plan requirements for the 2012
PM2.5 NAAQS. However, the EPA is not, at this time, acting
on those portions of the 2018 PM2.5 Plan that are not
relevant to our evaluation of compliance with Moderate area plan
requirements for
[[Page 67345]]
2012 PM2.5 NAAQS, such as the best available control
measures (BACM) demonstration, control strategy commitments, attainment
demonstration, RFP demonstration and quantitative milestones for later
years, and MVEBs for later years. In our proposal, we also proposed
action on the portion of the 2018 PM2.5 Plan that addresses
the contingency measure requirement for the 2006 PM2.5
NAAQS, and we are taking final action on the contingency measure
element for the 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS in this document. For more
information about these submittals, please see our proposed rule.
As part of our proposed action, we proposed to approve the
following elements of the 2016 PM2.5 Plan and 2018
PM2.5 Plan as meeting the statutory and regulatory Moderate
area requirements for the 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS in the SJV
nonattainment area: The 2013 base year emissions inventories in the
2016 PM2.5 Plan, as revised in the 2018 PM2.5
Plan; the reasonably available control measures (RACM)/reasonably
available control technology demonstration and additional reasonable
measures for all sources of direct PM2.5 and NOX
in the 2016 PM2.5 Plan, as supplemented in the 2018
PM2.5 Plan; the demonstration in the 2016 PM2.5
Plan that attainment by the Moderate area attainment date of December
31, 2021, is impracticable; the RFP demonstration in the 2016
PM2.5 Plan, as revised in 2018 PM2.5 Plan; the
quantitative milestones in the 2016 PM2.5 Plan, as revised
in the 2018 PM2.5 Plan and the Valley State SIP Strategy;
and the motor vehicle emissions budgets for 2022 in the 2018
PM2.5 Plan.\11\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\11\ With respect to the budgets, we proposed to limit the
duration of the approval of the budgets to last only until the
effective date of the EPA's adequacy finding for any subsequently
submitted budgets. We proposed to do so at CARB's request and in
light of the benefits of using EMFAC2017-derived budgets prior to
our taking final action on the future SIP revision that includes the
updated budgets. EMFAC2017 is a version of CARB's EMFAC (short for
EMission FACtor) model for use in SIP development and transportation
conformity.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
In support of our proposed approval of the above SIP elements, we
proposed to approve the demonstrations in the 2016 PM2.5
Plan and the 2018 PM2.5 Plan that emissions of ammonia,
sulfur oxides, and volatile organic compounds do not contribute
significantly to ambient PM2.5 levels that exceed the 2012
PM2.5 NAAQS in the SJV. We also found that the photochemical
modeling in the 2016 PM2.5 Plan and 2018 PM2.5
Plan is adequate for the purposes of supporting the RFP demonstration
and the demonstration of impracticability in the 2016 PM2.5
Plan.
The EPA also proposed to disapprove contingency measure elements
because, among other reasons, the elements include no specific measures
to be undertaken if the State fails to submit a quantitative milestone
report for the area, or if the area fails to meet RFP or a quantitative
milestone. Specifically, the proposed disapprovals apply to the 2016
PM2.5 Plan for the 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS, as revised
in the 2018 PM2.5 Plan and supplemented by section 5.7.3 of
District Rule 4901 (``Wood Burning Fireplaces and Wood Burning
Heaters''),\12\ and the contingency measure element of the 2018
PM2.5 Plan for the 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS, as
supplemented by section 5.7.3 of District Rule 4901. In addition, with
respect to the contingency measure element in the 2018 PM2.5
Plan for the 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS, as supplemented by section
5.7.3 of District Rule 4901, the element includes a specific measure
that may not result in any emissions reductions following a failure to
attain the 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS by the applicable attainment
date under certain circumstances.
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\12\ As explained in our proposed rule, the EPA has taken final
action to approve District Rule 4901 (including section 5.7.3), but
in that approval, we noted that we were not evaluating the
contingency measure in section 5.7.3 of revised Rule 4901 for
compliance with all requirements of the CAA and the EPA's
implementing regulations that apply to such measures. See 86 FR
49132-49134. In this action, we have completed our evaluation and
are disapproving section 5.7.3 of Rule 4901 with respect to
applicable contingency measure requirements for the 2006 and 2012
PM2.5 NAAQS.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Because the EPA previously approved the Serious area plan RFP and
attainment demonstrations and the MVEBs for the 2006 PM2.5
NAAQS,\13\ and because we proposed to approve the Moderate area plan
RACM, additional reasonable measures, and RFP demonstrations, and MVEBs
for the 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS, we also proposed to issue a
protective finding under 40 CFR 93.120(a)(3) to the disapproval of the
contingency measures elements. As explained in our proposed rule,
without a protective finding, the final disapprovals would result in a
conformity freeze, under which only projects in the first four years of
the most recent conforming Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) and
Transportation Improvement Programs (TIP) can proceed. Generally,
during a freeze, no new RTPs, TIPs, or RTP/TIP amendments can be found
to conform until another control strategy implementation plan revision
fulfilling the same CAA requirements is submitted, the EPA finds its
motor vehicle emissions budget(s) adequate pursuant to section 93.118
or approves the submission, and conformity to the implementation plan
revision is determined.\14\ Under a protective finding, the final
disapproval of the contingency measures elements will not result in a
transportation conformity freeze in the SJV PM2.5
nonattainment area and the metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs)
may continue to make transportation conformity determinations.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\13\ 85 FR 44192.
\14\ 40 CFR 93.120(a)(2).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lastly, we proposed to reclassify the SJV PM2.5
nonattainment area, including reservation areas of Indian country and
any other area where the EPA or a tribe has demonstrated that a tribe
has jurisdiction within the SJV, as Serious nonattainment for the 2012
PM2.5 standard based on the agency's determination that the
SJV cannot practicably attain the standard by the Moderate area
attainment date of December 31, 2021.
With respect to reclassification, in the proposed rule, we
explained that under section 188(c)(2) of the Act, the attainment date
for a Serious area ``shall be as expeditiously as practicable but no
later than the end of the tenth calendar year beginning after the
area's designation as nonattainment. . . .'' The EPA designated the SJV
as nonattainment for the 2012 PM2.5 standard effective April
15, 2015.\15\ Therefore, as a result of our reclassification of the SJV
as a Serious nonattainment area, the attainment date under section
188(c)(2) of the Act for the 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS in this area
is as expeditiously as practicable but no later than December 31, 2025.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\15\ 80 FR 2206 (codified at 40 CFR 81.305).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Our proposed rule also identified the Serious area attainment plan
elements that California would, upon reclassification, have to submit
to satisfy the statutory requirements that apply to Serious areas,
including the requirements of subpart 4 of part D, title I of the Act.
The EPA explained that under section 189(b)(2) of the Act, the state
must submit the required provisions to implement BACM, including best
available control technology (BACT),\16\ no later than 18
[[Page 67346]]
months after reclassification. Because an up-to-date emissions
inventory serves as the foundation for a state's BACM and BACT
determinations, the EPA proposed to also require the State to submit
the emissions inventory required under CAA section 172(c)(3) within 18
months after the effective date of final reclassification. Similarly,
because an effective evaluation of BACM and BACT requires evaluation of
the precursor pollutants that must be controlled to provide for
expeditious attainment in the area, the EPA proposed to require the
State to submit any optional precursor insignificance demonstrations by
this same date. The EPA also proposed an 18-month deadline for
submittal of any nonattainment new source review (NNSR) SIP revisions
required to satisfy the requirements of CAA sections 189(b)(3) and
189(e).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\16\ The EPA defines BACM as, among other things, the maximum
degree of emissions reduction achievable for a source or source
category, which is determined on a case-by-case basis considering
energy, environmental, and economic impacts. 59 FR 41998, 42010 and
42014 (August 16, 1994). BACM must be implemented for all categories
of sources in a Serious PM2.5 nonattainment area unless
the state adequately demonstrates that a particular source category
does not contribute significantly to nonattainment of the
PM2.5 standard. Id. at 42011-42012.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The EPA proposed to require the State to submit the attainment
demonstration required under section 189(b)(1)(A) and all other
attainment-related plan elements for the SJV nonattainment area no
later the end of the eighth calendar year after designation--i.e., by
December 31, 2023. We noted that although section 189(b)(2) generally
provides for up to four years after a discretionary reclassification
for the state to submit the required attainment demonstration, given
the timing of the reclassification action less than two years before
the Moderate area attainment date, it is appropriate in this case for
the EPA to establish an earlier SIP submission deadline to assure
timely implementation of the statutory requirements.
The EPA also noted in our proposed rule that the 2018
PM2.5 Plan, submitted concurrently with the 2016
PM2.5 Plan on May 10, 2019, includes a Serious area
attainment demonstration, emissions inventory, attainment-related plan
elements, and BACM and BACT provisions. CARB also submitted a SIP
submission for the Serious area NNSR requirements on November 20, 2019.
The EPA intends to evaluate and act on the Serious area plan and NNSR
SIP submissions for the 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS in the SJV through
separate rulemakings, as appropriate.\17\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\17\ We are establishing deadlines for submittal of SIP
revisions that have already been submitted to timely address any
elements that may be withdrawn in the future.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please see our September 1, 2021 proposed rule for additional
background and a more detailed explanation of the rationale for our
proposed actions.
II. Public Comments and EPA Responses
The EPA's proposed rule provided a 30-day public comment period
that ended on October 1, 2021. During this period, the EPA did not
receive any comments.
III. Final Action
A. Approval of the Moderate Area Planning Requirements for the 2012
PM2.5 NAAQS (Except the Contingency Measure Element)
For the reasons discussed in detail in the proposed rule and
summarized herein, under CAA section 110(k)(3), the EPA is taking final
action to approve the following elements of the 2016 PM2.5
Plan and 2018 PM2.5 Plan as meeting the Moderate area
requirements for the 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS:
The 2013 base year emissions inventories in the 2016
PM2.5 Plan, as revised in the 2018 PM2.5 Plan, as
meeting the requirements of CAA section 172(c)(3) and 40 CFR
51.1008(a);
the reasonably available control measures/reasonably
available control technology demonstration and additional reasonable
measures for all sources of direct PM2.5 and NOX
in the 2016 PM2.5 Plan, as supplemented in the 2018
PM2.5 Plan, as meeting the requirements of CAA sections
172(c)(1) and 189(a)(1)(C) and 40 CFR 51.1009;
the demonstration in the 2016 PM2.5 Plan that
attainment by the Moderate area attainment date of December 31, 2021,
is impracticable as meeting the requirements of CAA section
189(a)(1)(B)(ii) and 40 CFR 51.1011(a);
the reasonable further progress demonstration in the 2016
PM2.5 Plan, as revised in 2018 PM2.5 Plan, as
meeting the requirements of CAA section 172(c)(2) and 40 CFR
51.1012(a);
the quantitative milestones in the 2016 PM2.5
Plan, as revised in the 2018 PM2.5 Plan and the Valley State
SIP Strategy, as meeting the requirements of CAA section 189(c) and 40
CFR 51.1013(a)(1); and
the following motor vehicle emissions budgets for 2022 in
the 2018 PM2.5 Plan as meeting the requirements of CAA
section 176(c) and 40 CFR part 93, subpart A: \18\
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\18\ The budgets that the EPA is approving relate to the 2012
PM2.5 NAAQS only, and our approval does not affect the
status of the previously-approved MVEBs for the 1997 annual and 24-
hour PM2.5 NAAQS and 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS and
related trading mechanisms that remain in effect for those
PM2.5 NAAQS.
2022 San Joaquin Valley MVEBs for the 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS
[Annual average, tpd]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2022 (post-
attainment year)
County -------------------
PM2.5 NOX
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fresno.............................................. 0.9 21.2
Kern (San Joaquin Valley portion)................... 0.8 19.4
Kings............................................... 0.2 4.1
Madera.............................................. 0.2 3.5
Merced.............................................. 0.3 7.6
San Joaquin......................................... 0.6 10.0
Stanislaus.......................................... 0.4 8.1
Tulare.............................................. 0.4 6.9
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source: 2018 PM2.5 Plan, App. D, Table 3-3. Budgets are rounded up to
the nearest tenth.
With respect to the budgets, we are limiting the duration of our
approval of the budgets to last only until the effective date of the
EPA's adequacy finding for any subsequently submitted budgets. Also, we
are approving the 6.5:1 NOX for PM2.5 trading
mechanism as an enforceable component of the transportation conformity
program for the SJV for the 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS. Furthermore,
we are determining that the submitted 2022 budgets included in the 2018
PM2.5 Plan for the 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS are adequate
for transportation conformity purposes.\19\
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\19\ Pursuant to 40 CFR 93.118(f)(2)(iii), the EPA's adequacy
determination is effective upon publication of this final rule in
the Federal Register.
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B. Disapproval of the Contingency Measure Elements for the 2006 and
2012 PM2.5 NAAQS
Pursuant to CAA section 110(k)(3), the EPA is finalizing
disapproval of the contingency measure elements for failure to meet the
requirements of CAA section 172(c)(9) and 40 CFR 51.1014. The
disapproved elements are for the 2016 PM2.5 Plan for the
2012 PM2.5 NAAQS, as revised in the 2018 PM2.5
Plan and supplemented by section 5.7.3 of District Rule 4901, and the
contingency measure element of the 2018 PM2.5 Plan for the
2006 PM2.5 NAAQS, as supplemented by section 5.7.3 of
District Rule 4901.
As a consequence of our disapproval, the offset sanction in CAA
section 179(b)(2) will apply in the SJV 18 months after the effective
date of our action, and the highway funding sanctions in CAA section
179(b)(1) will apply in the area six months after the offset sanction
is imposed.\20\ Neither sanction will be imposed under the CAA if the
State submits and we approve, prior to the implementation of the
sanctions, a SIP revision that corrects the deficiencies that we
identify
[[Page 67347]]
in our final action. The EPA intends to work with CARB and the SJVUAPCD
to correct the deficiencies in a timely manner. As noted in our
proposed rule, the EPA is already subject to a statutory deadline to
promulgate a federal implementation plan to address the contingency
measure requirements for San Joaquin Valley for the 2006
PM2.5 NAAQS and 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS due to the prior
finding that California had failed to submit SIP revisions to address
those requirements within the prescribed periods.\21\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\20\ 40 CFR 52.31.
\21\ 83 FR 62720 (December 6, 2018) (Finding of failure to
submit certain PM2.5 SIP revisions for San Joaquin
Valley). Also, see the proposed rule at 49135.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The EPA is also finalizing our issuance of a protective finding
under 40 CFR 93.120(a)(3) to the disapproval of the contingency measure
elements. Under a protective finding, the final disapproval of the
contingency measures elements will not result in a transportation
conformity freeze in the SJV PM2.5 nonattainment area and
the MPOs may continue to make transportation conformity determinations.
C. Reclassification as Serious Nonattainment and Applicable Attainment
Date for the 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS
In accordance with section 188(b)(1) of the Act, the EPA is taking
final action to reclassify the SJV PM2.5 nonattainment area
from Moderate to Serious nonattainment for the 2012 PM2.5
standard, based on the agency's determination that the SJV cannot
practicably attain the standard by the Moderate area attainment date of
December 31, 2021. Pursuant to section 188(c)(2) of the Act, the
applicable attainment date for SJV as a Serious nonattainment area for
the 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS is as expeditiously as practicable but
no later than December 31, 2025, or by the most expeditious alternative
date practicable and no later than December 31, 2030, in accordance
with the requirements of CAA sections 189(b) and 188(e).
D. Reclassification of Reservation Areas of Indian Country for the 2012
PM2.5 NAAQS
When the SJV nonattainment area was designated nonattainment for
the 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS, eight Indian tribes were located
within the boundaries of the nonattainment area. These tribes include
Big Sandy Rancheria of Western Mono Indians of California, Cold Springs
Rancheria of Mono Indians of California, Northfork Rancheria of Mono
Indians of California, Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians of
California, Santa Rosa Indian Community of the Santa Rosa Rancheria,
California, Table Mountain Rancheria, Tejon Indian Tribe, and Tule
River Indian Tribe of the Tule River Reservation, California.
We have considered the relevance of our final action to reclassify
the SJV nonattainment area as Serious nonattainment for the 2012
PM2.5 standard for each tribe located within the SJV
nonattainment area. As discussed in more detail in our proposed rule,
we believe that the same facts and circumstances that support the
reclassification for the non-Indian country lands also support
reclassification for reservation areas of Indian country \22\ and any
other areas of Indian country where the EPA or a tribe has demonstrated
that the tribe has jurisdiction located within the SJV nonattainment
area.\23\ In this final action, the EPA is therefore exercising its
authority under CAA section 188(b)(1) to reclassify reservation areas
of Indian country and any other areas of Indian country where the EPA
or a tribe has demonstrated that the tribe has jurisdiction
geographically located in the SJV nonattainment area to Serious for the
2012 PM2.5 NAAQS. The EPA contacted tribal officials early
in the process of developing this action to provide time for tribal
officials to have meaningful and timely input into its development.\24\
We notified tribal officials when the proposed action published in the
Federal Register and continue to invite Indian tribes in the SJV
nonattainment area to contact the EPA with any questions about the
effects of this reclassification on tribal interests and air quality.
We note that although eligible tribes may seek the EPA's approval of
relevant tribal programs under the CAA, none of the affected tribes
will be required to submit an implementation plan as a result of this
reclassification.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\22\ ``Indian country'' as defined at 18 U.S.C. 1151 refers to
``(a) all land within the limits of any Indian reservation under the
jurisdiction of the United States Government, notwithstanding the
issuance of any patent, and including rights-of-way running through
the reservation, (b) all dependent Indian communities within the
borders of the United States whether within the original or
subsequently acquired territory thereof, and whether within or
without the limits of a state, and (c) all Indian allotments, the
Indian titles to which have not been extinguished, including rights-
of-way running through the same.''
\23\ 85 FR 40026, 40055-40056.
\24\ As discussed in more detail in our proposed rule, the EPA
sent letters dated March 3, 2021, to tribal officials inviting
government-to-government consultation. These letters can be found in
the docket. See also a summary of the EPA's outreach to tribes in
the San Joaquin Valley; memorandum dated August 3, 2021, from Rory
Mays, Air Planning Office, Air and Radiation Division, EPA Region
IX, to Docket No. EPA-R09-OAR-2021-0543. We did not receive any
request for consultation.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
E. PM2.5 Serious Area SIP Requirements for the 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS
As a consequence of our reclassification of the SJV nonattainment
area as a Serious nonattainment area for the 2012 PM2.5
NAAQS, California is required to submit, within 18 months after the
effective date of the reclassification, an emissions inventory,
provisions to assure that BACM shall be implemented no later than four
years after the date of reclassification, and any NNSR SIP revisions
required to satisfy the requirements of CAA sections 189(b)(3) and
189(e). California will also be required to submit, by December 31,
2023, a Serious area plan that satisfies the requirements of part D of
title I of the Act. This plan must include a demonstration that the SJV
will attain the 2012 PM2.5 standard as expeditiously as
practicable but no later than December 31, 2025, or by the most
expeditious alternative date practicable and no later than December 31,
2030, in accordance with the requirements of CAA sections 189(b) and
188(e). The Serious area must also include plan provisions that require
RFP; quantitative milestones that are to be achieved every three years
until the area is redesignated attainment and that demonstrate RFP
toward attainment by the applicable date; provisions to assure that
control requirements applicable to major stationary sources of
PM2.5 also apply to major stationary sources of
PM2.5 precursors, except where the state demonstrates to the
EPA's satisfaction that such sources do not contribute significantly to
PM2.5 levels that exceed the standard in the area; and
contingency measures to be implemented if the area fails to meet RFP or
to attain by the applicable attainment date.
We note that the 2018 PM2.5 Plan, submitted concurrently
with the 2016 PM2.5 Plan on May 10, 2019, includes a Serious
area attainment demonstration, emissions inventory, attainment-related
plan elements, and BACM/BACT provisions for the 2012 PM2.5
NAAQS. CARB also submitted a SIP submission for the Serious area NNSR
requirements on November 20, 2019. The EPA intends to evaluate and act
on the Serious area plan and NNSR SIP submissions for the 2012
PM2.5 NAAQS in the SJV through separate rulemakings, as
appropriate.
[[Page 67348]]
IV. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
Additional information about these statutes and Executive Orders
can be found at https://www.epa.gov/laws-regulations/laws-and-executive-orders.
A. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory Planning and Review and Executive
Order 13563: Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review
This action is not a significant regulatory action and was
therefore not submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
for review.
B. Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA)
This action does not impose an information collection burden under
the PRA because this action does not impose additional requirements
beyond those imposed by State law.
C. Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)
I certify that this action will not have a significant economic
impact on a substantial number of small entities under the RFA. This
action will not impose any requirements on small entities. This action
would approve or disapprove State plans as meeting federal requirements
and would not impose additional requirements beyond those imposed by
State law. Additionally, this action reclassifies the SJV nonattainment
area as Serious nonattainment for the 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS and
does not itself regulate 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. This action does not impose additional requirements
beyond those imposed by State law. Additionally, this action
reclassifies the SJV nonattainment area as Serious nonattainment for
the 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS and would not itself impose any federal
intergovernmental mandate. This action does not require any tribe to
submit implementation plans.
E. Executive Order 13132: Federalism
This action does not have federalism implications. It will not have
substantial direct effects on the states, on the relationship between
the national government and the states, or on the distribution of power
and responsibilities among the various levels of government.
F. Executive Order 13175: Coordination With Indian Tribal Governments
Executive Order 13175, entitled ``Consultation and Coordination
with Indian Tribal Governments'' (65 FR 67249, November 9, 2000),
requires the EPA to develop an accountable process to ensure
``meaningful and timely input by tribal officials in the development of
regulatory policies that have tribal implications.'' ``Policies that
have Tribal implications'' is defined in the Executive Order to include
regulations that have ``substantial direct effects on one or more
Indian tribes, on the relationship between the federal government and
the Indian tribes, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities
between the federal government and Indian Tribes.''
Eight Indian tribes are located within the boundaries of the SJV
nonattainment area for the 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS: The Big Sandy
Rancheria of Western Mono Indians of California, the Cold Springs
Rancheria of Mono Indians of California, the Northfork Rancheria of
Mono Indians of California, the Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi
Indians of California, the Santa Rosa Indian Community of the Santa
Rosa Rancheria, California, the Table Mountain Rancheria, the Tejon
Indian Tribe, and the Tule River Indian Tribe of the Tule River
Reservation, California.
The EPA's actions on the SIP elements submitted by California to
address the Moderate area requirements for the 2012 PM2.5
NAAQS and the contingency measure requirement for the 2006
PM2.5 NAAQS do not have tribal implications because the SIP
is not approved to apply on any Indian reservation land or in any other
area where the EPA or an Indian tribe has demonstrated that a tribe has
jurisdiction. In those areas of Indian country, the actions on the SIP
submittals do not have tribal implications and do not impose
substantial direct costs on tribal governments or preempt tribal law as
specified by Executive Order 13175.
The EPA has concluded that the reclassification might have tribal
implications for the purposes of Executive Order 13175 but does not
impose substantial direct costs upon the tribes, nor would it preempt
tribal law. The reclassification from Moderate to Serious for a
PM2.5 NAAQS would typically affect the EPA's implementation
of the new source review program because of the lower ``major source''
threshold triggered by reclassification (70 tons per year for direct
PM2.5 and precursors to PM2.5). However, because
the SJV nonattainment area is already classified as Serious for the
1997 and 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS, the lower thresholds already
apply within the nonattainment area, and the reclassification from
Moderate to Serious for the 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS has no
additional effect. The same is true for any tribal projects that
require federal permits, approvals, or funding. Such projects are
subject to the requirements of the EPA's general conformity rule, and
federal permits, approvals, or funding for the projects would typically
become more difficult to obtain because of the lower de minimis
thresholds triggered by reclassification but, in this case, the lower
de minimis thresholds already apply within the SJV.
Given the potential implications, the EPA contacted tribal
officials during the process of developing the September 1, 2021
proposed rule to provide an opportunity to have meaningful and timely
input into its development. On March 3, 2021, we sent letters to
leaders of the eight tribes with areas of Indian country in the SJV
nonattainment area inviting government-to-government consultation on
the rulemaking effort. We requested that the tribal leaders, or their
designated consultation representatives, notify us of their interest in
government-to-government consultation by April 5, 2021. We did not
receive any request for consultation, and we did not receive any public
comments on our proposed action.
G. Executive Order 13045: Protection of Children From Environmental
Health Risks and Safety Risks
The EPA interprets Executive Order 13045 as applying only to those
regulatory actions that concern environmental health or safety risks
that the EPA has reason to believe may disproportionately affect
children, per the definition of ``covered regulatory action'' in
section 2-202 of the Executive Order. This action is not subject to
Executive Order 13045 because it approves or disapproves State plans
implementing a federal standard and reclassifies the SJV nonattainment
area as Serious nonattainment for the 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS,
triggering Serious area planning requirements under the CAA. This
action does not establish an environmental standard intended to
mitigate health or safety risks.
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
[[Page 67349]]
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
The EPA has determined that this action will not have potential
disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental
effects on minority or low-income populations because they do not
affect the level of protection provided to human health or the
environment. This action approves or disapproves State plans
implementing a federal standard and reclassifies the SJV nonattainment
area as Serious nonattainment for the 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS,
triggering additional Serious area planning requirements under the CAA.
K. Congressional Review Act (CRA)
The Congressional Review Act, 5 U.S.C. 801 et seq., as added by the
Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, generally
provides that before a rule may take effect, the agency promulgating
the rule must submit a rule report, which includes a copy of the rule,
to each House of the Congress and to the Comptroller General of the
United States. The EPA will submit a report containing this action and
other required information to the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of
Representatives, and the Comptroller General of the United States prior
to publication of the rule in the Federal Register. A major rule cannot
take effect until 60 days after it is published in the Federal
Register. This action is not a ``major rule'' as defined by 5 U.S.C.
804(2).
L. Petitions for Judicial Review
Under section 307(b)(1) of the Clean Air Act, petitions for
judicial review of this action must be filed in the United States Court
of Appeals for the appropriate circuit by January 25, 2022. Filing a
petition for reconsideration by the Administrator of this final rule
does not affect the finality of this rule for the purposes of judicial
review nor does it extend the time within which a petition for judicial
review may be filed, and shall not postpone the effectiveness of such
rule or action. This action may not be challenged later in proceedings
to enforce its requirements (see section 307(b)(2)).
List of Subjects
40 CFR Part 52
Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Ammonia,
Incorporation by reference, Intergovernmental relations, Nitrogen
dioxide, Particulate matter, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements,
Sulfur dioxide, Volatile organic compounds.
40 CFR Part 81
Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Particulate
matter.
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
Dated: November 17, 2021.
Deborah Jordan,
Acting Regional Administrator, Region IX.
For the reasons started in the preamble, the EPA amends Chapter I,
title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations as follows:
PART 52--APPROVAL AND PROMULGATION OF IMPLEMENTATION PLANS
0
1. The authority citation for part 52 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
Subpart F--California
0
2. Section 52.220 is amended by adding paragraphs (c)(537)(ii)(A)(7)
and (c)(537)(ii)(B)(3) and (4) to read as follows:
Sec. 52.220 Identification of plan--in part.
* * * * *
(c) * * *
(537) * * *.
(ii) * * *
(A) * * *
(7) ``Appendix H, RFP, Quantitative Milestones, and Contingency,
2018 Plan for the 1997, 2006, and 2012 PM2.5 Standards,
Appendix H Revised February 11, 2020'' (portions pertaining to the 2012
PM2.5 NAAQS as a Moderate area, only, and excluding section
H.3 (``Contingency Measures'')).
(B) * * *
(3) 2018 Plan for the 1997, 2006, and 2012 PM2.5
Standards (``2018 PM2.5 Plan''), adopted November 15, 2018
(portions pertaining to the 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS as a Moderate
area, only, and excluding Chapter 5 (``Demonstration of Federal
Requirements for 1997 PM2.5 Standards''), Chapter 6
(``Demonstration of Federal Requirements for 2006 PM2.5
Standards'') and Appendix H, section H.3 (``Contingency Measures'')).
(4) 2016 Moderate Area Plan for the 2012 PM2.5 Standard
(``2016 PM2.5 Plan''), adopted September 15, 2016, excluding
section 3.7 (``Contingency Measures'').
* * * * *
0
3. Section 52.237 is amended by adding paragraphs (a)(9) and (10) to
read as follows:
Sec. 52.237 Part D disapproval.
(a) * * *
(9) The contingency measure portion of the 2016 Moderate Area Plan
for the 2012 PM2.5 Standard (``2016 PM2.5
Plan''), adopted September 15, 2016, as modified by the 2018 Plan for
the 1997, 2006, and 2012 PM2.5 Standards (``2018
PM2.5 Plan''), adopted November 15, 2018, for San Joaquin
Valley as a Moderate nonattainment area with respect to the 2012
PM2.5 NAAQS.
(10) The contingency measure portion of the 2018 Plan for the 1997,
2006, and 2012 PM2.5 Standards (``2018 PM2.5
Plan''), adopted November 15, 2018, for San Joaquin Valley with respect
to the 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS.
* * * * *
0
4. Section 52.244 is amended by revising paragraph (f) introductory
text and adding paragraph (f)(2) to read as follows:
Sec. 52.244 Motor vehicle emissions budgets.
* * * * *
(f) Approval of the motor vehicle emissions budgets for the
following PM2.5 reasonable further progress or attainment
SIPs will apply for transportation conformity purposes only until new
budgets based on updated planning data and models have been submitted
and EPA has found the budgets to be adequate for conformity purposes.
* * * * *
(2) San Joaquin Valley, for the 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS only
(Year 2022 budgets only), approved December 27, 2021.
0
5. Section 52.245 is amended by adding paragraph (f) to read as
follows:
Sec. 52.245 New Source Review rules.
* * * * *
(f) Within 18 months after the effective date of the
reclassification of the San Joaquin Valley nonattainment area from
Moderate to Serious for the 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS, the New Source
Review rules for PM2.5 for the San Joaquin Valley Unified
Air Pollution Control District must be revised and submitted as a SIP
revision. The rules must satisfy the requirements of sections 189(b)(3)
and 189(e) and all other applicable requirements of the Clean Air Act
for implementation of the 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS in nonattainment
areas classified as Serious.
[[Page 67350]]
0
6. Section 52.247 is amended by removing and reserving paragraph (f)
and by adding paragraph (o).
The addition reads as follows:
Sec. 52.247 Control Strategy and regulations: Fine Particle Matter.
* * * * *
(o) Within 18 months after the effective date of the
reclassification of the reclassification of the San Joaquin Valley
nonattainment area from Moderate to Serious for the 2012
PM2.5 NAAQS, California must adopt and submit an emissions
inventory and provisions to assure that BACM shall be implemented no
later than four years after the date of reclassification. Also, by
December 31, 2023, California must adopt and submit a Serious area plan
that includes an attainment demonstration, a reasonable further
progress plan, quantitative milestones, contingency measures, and such
other measures as may be necessary or appropriate to provide for
attainment of the 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS by the applicable
attainment date, in accordance with the requirements of subparts 1 and
4 of part D, title I of the Clean Air Act.
PART 81--DESIGNATION OF AREAS FOR AIR QUALITY PLANNING PURPOSES
0
7. The authority citation for part 81 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
Subpart C--Section 107 Attainment Status Designations
0
8. Section 81.305 is amended in the table under ``California--2012
Annual PM2.5 NAAQS [Primary],'' by revising the entry for
``San Joaquin Valley, CA'' to read as follows:
Sec. 81.305 California.
* * * * *
California--2012 Annual PM2.5 NAAQS
[Primary]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Designation Classification
Designated Area \1\ -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date \2\ Type Date \2\ Type
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * * * *
San Joaquin Valley, CA:
Fresno County................. ........... Nonattainment........... 12/27/2021 Serious.
Kern County (part)............ ........... Nonattainment........... 12/27/2021 Serious.
That portion of Kern
County which lies west
and north of a line
described as follows:
Beginning at the Kern-Los
Angeles County boundary
and running north and
east along the northwest
boundary of the Rancho La
Libre Land Grant to the
point of intersection
with the range line
common to Range 16 West
and Range 17 West, San
Bernardino Base and
Meridian; north along the
range line to the point
of intersection with the
Rancho El Tejon Land
Grant boundary; then
southeast, northeast, and
northwest along the
boundary of the Rancho El
Tejon Land Grant to the
northwest corner of
Section 3, Township 11
North, Range 17 West;
then west 1.2 miles; then
north to the Rancho El
Tejon Land Grant
boundary; then northwest
along the Rancho El Tejon
Land Grant boundary line
to the southeast corner
of Section 34, Township
32 South, Range 30 East,
Mount Diablo Base and
Meridian; then north to
the northwest corner of
Section 35, Township 31
South, Range 30 East;
then northeast along the
boundary of the Rancho El
Tejon Land Grant to the
southwest corner of
Section 18, Township 31
South, Range 31 East;
then east to the
southeast corner of
Section 13, Township 31
South, Range 31 East;
then north along the
range line common to
Range 31 East and Range
32 East, Mount Diablo
Base and Meridian, to the
northwest corner of
Section 6, Township 29
South, Range 32 East;
then east to the
southwest corner of
Section 31, Township 28
South, Range 32 East;
then north along the
range line common to
Range 31 East and Range
32 East to the northwest
corner of Section 6,
Township 28 South, Range
32 East, then west to the
southeast corner of
Section 36, Township 27
South, Range 31 East,
then north along the
range line common to
Range 31 East and Range
32 East to the Kern-
Tulare County boundary.
Kings County.................. ........... Nonattainment........... 12/27/2021 Serious.
Madera County................. ........... Nonattainment........... 12/27/2021 Serious.
Merced County................. ........... Nonattainment........... 12/27/2021 Serious.
San Joaquin County............ ........... Nonattainment........... 12/27/2021 Serious.
Stanislaus County............. ........... Nonattainment........... 12/27/2021 Serious.
Tulare County................. ........... Nonattainment........... 12/27/2021 Serious.
* * * * * * *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Includes areas of Indian country located in each county or area, except as otherwise specified.
\2\ This date is April 15, 2015, unless otherwise noted.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2021-25616 Filed 11-24-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P