Air Plan Approval; Oklahoma; Updates to the State Implementation Plan Incorporation by Reference Provisions, 13755-13758 [2023-04487]
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 43 / Monday, March 6, 2023 / Proposed Rules
part of its SIP submittal; the CAA and
applicable implementing regulations
neither prohibit nor require such an
evaluation. The EPA performed an
environmental justice analysis, as is
described above in the section titled,
‘‘Environmental Justice
Considerations.’’ The analysis was done
for the purpose of providing additional
context and information about this
rulemaking to the public, not as a basis
of the action. In addition, there is no
information in the record upon which
this decision is based inconsistent with
the stated goal of E.O. 12898 of
achieving environmental justice for
people of color, low-income
populations, and Indigenous peoples.
In addition, the SIP is not approved
to apply on any Indian reservation land
or in any other area where the EPA or
an Indian tribe has demonstrated that a
tribe has jurisdiction. In those areas of
Indian country, the proposed rule does
not have tribal implications and will not
impose substantial direct costs on tribal
governments or preempt tribal law as
specified by Executive Order 13175 (65
FR 67249, November 9, 2000).
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52
Environmental protection, Air
pollution control, Carbon monoxide,
Incorporation by reference,
Intergovernmental relations, Lead,
Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone, Particulate
matter, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Sulfur oxides, Volatile
organic compounds.
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
Dated: February 28, 2023.
Earthea Nance,
Regional Administrator, Region 6.
[FR Doc. 2023–04488 Filed 3–3–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 52
[EPA–R06–OAR–2022–0279; FRL–10675–
01–R6]
Air Plan Approval; Oklahoma; Updates
to the State Implementation Plan
Incorporation by Reference Provisions
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Proposed rule.
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AGENCY:
Pursuant to the Federal Clean
Air Act (CAA or the Act), the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
is proposing to approve revisions to the
Oklahoma State Implementation Plan
(SIP) submitted by the State of
SUMMARY:
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Oklahoma designee on December 17,
2021, and January 30, 2023. This action
addresses the submittal of revisions to
the Oklahoma SIP to update the
incorporation by reference provision of
Federal requirements under Oklahoma
Administrative Code (OAC).
DATES: Written comments must be
received on or before April 5, 2023.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,
identified by Docket No. EPA–R06–
OAR–2022–0279, at https://
www.regulations.gov or via email to
wiley.adina@epa.gov. Follow the online
instructions for submitting comments.
Once submitted, comments cannot be
edited or removed from Regulations.gov.
The EPA may publish any comment
received to its public docket. Do not
submit electronically any information
you consider to be Confidential
Business Information (CBI) or other
information whose disclosure is
restricted by statute. Multimedia
submissions (audio, video, etc.) must be
accompanied by a written comment.
The written comment is considered the
official comment and should include
discussion of all points you wish to
make. The EPA will generally not
consider comments or comment
contents located outside of the primary
submission (i.e. on the web, cloud, or
other file sharing system). For
additional submission methods, please
contact Adina Wiley, 214–665–2115,
wiley.adina@epa.gov. For the full EPA
public comment policy, information
about CBI or multimedia submissions,
and general guidance on making
effective comments, please visit https://
www.epa.gov/dockets/commenting-epadockets.
Docket: The index to the docket for
this action is available electronically at
www.regulations.gov. While all
documents in the docket are listed in
the index, some information may not be
publicly available due to docket file size
restrictions or content (e.g., CBI).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms.
Adina Wiley, EPA Region 6 Office, Air
Permits Section, 214–665–2115,
wiley.adina@epa.gov. Out of an
abundance of caution for members of
the public and our staff, the EPA Region
6 office may be closed to the public to
reduce the risk of transmitting COVID–
19. We encourage the public to submit
comments via https://
www.regulations.gov. Please call or
email the contact listed above if you
need alternative access to material
indexed but not provided in the docket.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Throughout this document wherever
‘‘we,’’ ‘‘us,’’ or ‘‘our’’ is used, we mean
the EPA.
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I. Background
Section 110 of the Act requires states
to develop air pollution regulations and
control strategies to ensure that air
quality meets the EPA’s National
Ambient Air Quality Standards
(NAAQS). These ambient standards are
established under section 109 of the Act
and they currently address six criteria
pollutants: Carbon monoxide, nitrogen
dioxide, ozone, lead, particulate matter,
and sulfur dioxide. The state’s air
regulations are contained in its SIP,
which is basically a clean air plan. Each
state is responsible for developing SIPs
to demonstrate how the NAAQS will be
achieved, maintained, and enforced.
The SIP must be submitted to the EPA
for approval, and any changes a state
makes to the approved SIP also must be
submitted to the EPA for approval.
On December 17, 2021, Mr. Kenneth
Wagner, Secretary of Energy and
Environment, submitted revisions to the
Oklahoma SIP that included the annual
SIP updates for 2021. The submittal
included revisions to OAC 252:100,
Subchapter 2 and Appendix Q to update
the incorporation by reference of
Federal requirements, which will be
addressed in this proposal.
On January 30, 2023, Mr. Ken
McQueen, Secretary of Energy and
Environment, submitted revisions to the
Oklahoma SIP that included the annual
SIP updates for 2022. This submittal
included revisions to OAC 252:100,
Subchapter 2 and Appendix Q to update
the incorporation by reference of
Federal requirements, which will be
addressed in this proposal. The
submittal also included revisions to
OAC 252:100, Subchapters 8, 37 and 39
which will be addressed by EPA at a
later date and in separate rulemakings.
II. The EPA’s Evaluation
The accompanying Technical Support
Document for this action includes a
detailed analysis of the submitted
revisions to the Oklahoma SIP which
are the subject of this proposed
rulemaking. Our analysis indicates that
the December 17, 2021 and January 30,
2023, SIP revisions addressed in this
proposed rulemaking action were
developed in accordance with the CAA
and the State provided reasonable
notice and public hearing.
The ODEQ submitted revisions on
December 17, 2021 and January 30,
2023, to update the Incorporation by
Reference provisions found in the
Oklahoma SIP. In the December 17,
2021, submittal the ODEQ provided
amendments to OAC 252:100–2–3 and
Appendix Q that were adopted on June
11, 2021, and effective September 15,
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 43 / Monday, March 6, 2023 / Proposed Rules
2021. The January 30, 2023, submittal
included amendments to OAC 252:100–
2–3 and Appendix Q that were adopted
on June 21, 2022, and effective
September 15, 2022. These revisions
ensure the Oklahoma SIP maintains
consistency with current Federal
requirements by updating the opening
paragraph of OAC 252:100–2–3 to
include the current incorporation by
reference date and revoking and
replacing the prior version of Appendix
Q. Specifically, the ODEQ updated the
incorporation by reference requirements
of:
• 40 CFR part 50, appendices B and
J, to ensure the Oklahoma SIP uses the
current Federal reference methods for
determining compliance with the
NAAQS,
• 40 CFR part 51, subpart A, table 1
to appendix A to use current
requirements in the Oklahoma emission
inventory reporting requirements,
• 40 CFR part 51, paragraph
51.100(s)(1) of subpart F, to use the
Federal definition of volatile organic
compound,
• 40 CFR part 51, appendix P, to use
Federal emission monitoring
requirements,
• 40 CFR part 51, appendix W, to use
current Federal guidance on air quality
models, and
• 40 CFR part 98, table A–1 of subpart
A, to use current global warming
potentials in the Oklahoma air
permitting programs.
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III. Impact on Areas of Indian Country
Following the U.S. Supreme Court
decision in McGirt v. Oklahoma, 140 S.
Ct. 2452 (2020), the Governor of the
State of Oklahoma requested approval
under Section 10211(a) of the Safe,
Accountable, Flexible, Efficient
Transportation Equity Act of 2005: A
Legacy for Users, Public Law 109–59,
119 Stat. 1144, 1937 (August 10, 2005)
(‘‘SAFETEA’’), to administer in certain
areas of Indian country (as defined at 18
U.S.C. 1151) the State’s environmental
regulatory programs that were
previously approved by the EPA for
areas outside of Indian country. The
State’s request excluded certain areas of
Indian country further described below.
In addition, the State only sought
approval to the extent that such
approval is necessary for the State to
administer a program in light of
Oklahoma Dept. of Environmental
Quality v. EPA, 740 F.3d 185 (D.C. Cir.
2014).1
1 In ODEQ v. EPA, the D.C. Circuit held that
under the CAA, a state has the authority to
implement a SIP in non-reservation areas of Indian
country in the state, where there has been no
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On October 1, 2020, the EPA
approved Oklahoma’s SAFETEA request
to administer all the State’s EPAapproved environmental regulatory
programs, including the Oklahoma SIP,
in the requested areas of Indian country.
As requested by Oklahoma, the EPA’s
approval under SAFETEA does not
include Indian country lands, including
rights-of-way running through the same,
that: (1) qualify as Indian allotments, the
Indian titles to which have not been
extinguished, under 18 U.S.C. 1151(c);
(2) are held in trust by the United States
on behalf of an individual Indian or
Tribe; or (3) are owned in fee by a Tribe,
if the Tribe (a) acquired that fee title to
such land, or an area that included such
land, in accordance with a treaty with
the United States to which such Tribe
was a party, and (b) never allotted the
land to a member or citizen of the Tribe
(collectively ‘‘excluded Indian country
lands’’).
The EPA’s approval under SAFETEA
expressly provided that to the extent
EPA’s prior approvals of Oklahoma’s
environmental programs excluded
Indian country, any such exclusions are
superseded for the geographic areas of
Indian country covered by the EPA’s
approval of Oklahoma’s SAFETEA
request.2 The approval also provided
that future revisions or amendments to
Oklahoma’s approved environmental
regulatory programs would extend to
the covered areas of Indian country
(without any further need for additional
requests under SAFETEA).
The EPA is proposing to approve
updates to the Oklahoma SIP
incorporation by reference provisions to
maintain consistency with Federal
requirements, which will apply
statewide in Oklahoma. Consistent with
the D.C. Circuit’s decision in ODEQ v.
EPA and with the EPA’s October 1,
2020, SAFETEA approval, if this
approval is finalized as proposed, these
SIP revisions will apply to all Indian
country within the State of Oklahoma,
other than the excluded Indian country
demonstration of tribal jurisdiction. Under the D.C.
Circuit’s decision, the CAA does not provide
authority to states to implement SIPs in Indian
reservations. ODEQ did not, however, substantively
address the separate authority in Indian country
provided specifically to Oklahoma under
SAFETEA. That separate authority was not invoked
until the State submitted its request under
SAFETEA, and was not approved until EPA’s
decision, described in this section, on October 1,
2020.
2 EPA’s prior approvals relating to Oklahoma’s
SIP frequently noted that the SIP was not approved
to apply in areas of Indian country (consistent with
the D.C. Circuit’s decision in ODEQ v. EPA) located
in the state. See, e.g., 85 FR 20178, 20180 (April 10,
2020). Such prior expressed limitations are
superseded by the EPA’s approval of Oklahoma’s
SAFETEA request.
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lands, as described above. Because—per
the State’s request under SAFETEA—
EPA’s October 1, 2020, approval does
not displace any SIP authority
previously exercised by the State under
the CAA as interpreted in ODEQ v. EPA,
the SIP will also apply to any Indian
allotments or dependent Indian
communities located outside of an
Indian reservation over which there has
been no demonstration of tribal
authority.3
IV. Proposed Action
We are proposing to approve under
section 110 of the CAA, the December
17, 2021, and January 30, 2023,
revisions to the Oklahoma SIP to update
the incorporation by reference dates for
Federal requirements. We have
determined that these revisions were
developed in accordance with the CAA
and the EPA’s regulations, policy, and
guidance for SIP development.
The EPA proposes approval of the
following revisions to the Oklahoma SIP
adopted on June 11, 2021, effective
September 15, 2021, and submitted to
the EPA on December 17, 2021:
• Revisions to OAC 252:100–2–3,
Incorporation by Reference,
• Repeal of OAC 252:100, Appendix
Q, and
• Adoption of new OAC 252:100.
Appendix Q.
The EPA proposes approval of the
following revisions to the Oklahoma SIP
adopted on June 21, 2022, effective
September 15, 2022, and submitted to
the EPA on January 30, 2023:
• Revisions to OAC 252:100–2–3,
Incorporation by Reference,
• Repeal of OAC 252:100, Appendix
Q, and
• Adoption of new OAC 252:100.
Appendix Q.
V. Environmental Justice
Considerations
The EPA reviewed demographic data,
which provides an assessment of
3 In accordance with Executive Order 13990, EPA
is currently reviewing our October 1, 2020
SAFETEA approval and expects to engage in further
discussions with tribal governments and the State
of Oklahoma as part of this review. EPA also notes
that the October 1, 2020 approval is the subject of
a pending challenge in Federal court. (Pawnee v.
Regan, No. 20–9635 (10th Cir.)). Pending
completion of EPA’s review, EPA is proceeding
with this proposed action in accordance with the
October 1, 2020 approval. EPA’s final action on the
approved revisions to the Oklahoma SIP that
include revisions to OAC 252:100–2–3 and
Appendix Q will address the scope of the state’s
program with respect to Indian country, and may
make any appropriate adjustments, based on the
status of our review at that time. If EPA’s final
action on Oklahoma’s SIP is taken before our review
of the SAFETEA approval is complete, EPA may
make further changes to the approval of Oklahoma’s
program to reflect the outcome of the SAFETEA
review.
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 43 / Monday, March 6, 2023 / Proposed Rules
individual demographic groups of the
populations living within Oklahoma.4
The EPA then compared the data to the
national average for each of the
demographic groups. The results of this
analysis are being provided for
informational and transparency
purposes. The results of the
demographic analysis indicate that, for
populations within Oklahoma, the
percent people of color (persons who
reported their race as a category other
than White alone (not Hispanic or
Latino)) is less than the national average
(35 percent versus 40 percent). Within
people of color, the percent of the
population that is Black or African
American alone is lower than the
national average (7.8 percent versus 13.4
percent) and the percent of the
population that is American Indian/
Alaska Native is significantly higher
than the national average (9.4 percent
versus 1.3 percent). The percent of the
population that is two or more races is
higher than the national averages (6.3
percent versus 2.8 percent). The percent
of persons in poverty in Oklahoma is
higher than the national average (14.3
percent versus 11.4 percent). The
percent of persons aged 25 years and
older with a high school diploma in
Oklahoma is similar to the national
average (88.6 percent versus 88.5
percent), while the percent with a
Bachelor’s degree or higher is below the
national average (26.1 percent versus
32.9 percent).
This action proposes to approve
revisions to the Oklahoma SIP to update
the incorporation by reference
provisions to maintain consistency with
Federal requirements; thus, enabling the
State of Oklahoma to implement control
strategies and permitting programs. We
expect that this action, if finalized, will
generally achieve emissions reductions
and contribute to reduced
environmental and health impacts on all
populations in Oklahoma, including
people of color and low-income
populations. Further, there is no
information in the record indicating that
this action is expected to have
disproportionately high or adverse
human health or environmental effects
on a particular group of people.
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VI. Incorporation by Reference
In this action, we are proposing to
include in a final rule regulatory text
that includes incorporation by
reference. In accordance with the
requirements of 1 CFR 51.5, we are
4 See the United States Census Bureau’s
QuickFacts on Oklahoma at https://
www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/OK,US/
PST045221.
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proposing to incorporate by reference
revisions to the Oklahoma regulations
that update Oklahoma’s incorporation
by reference of certain Federal
regulations in 40 CFR parts 50, 51, and
98 identified and discussed in Section
II, The EPA’s Evaluation, and Section
IV, Proposed Action, of this preamble.
We have made, and will continue to
make, these documents generally
available electronically through
www.regulations.gov (please contact the
person identified in the FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT section of this
preamble for more information).
VII. Statutory and Executive Order
Reviews
Under the CAA, the Administrator is
required to approve a SIP submission
that complies with the provisions of the
Act and applicable Federal regulations.
42 U.S.C. 7410(k); 40 CFR 52.02(a).
Thus, in reviewing SIP submissions, the
EPA’s role is to approve state choices,
provided that they meet the criteria of
the CAA. Accordingly, this action
merely proposes to approve state law as
meeting Federal requirements and does
not impose additional requirements
beyond those imposed by state law. For
that reason, this action:
• Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory
action’’ subject to review by the Office
of Management and Budget under
Executive Orders 12866 (58 FR 51735,
October 4, 1993) and 13563 (76 FR 3821,
January 21, 2011);
• Does not impose an information
collection burden under the provisions
of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.);
• Is certified as not having a
significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities
under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5
U.S.C. 601 et seq.);
• Does not contain any unfunded
mandate or significantly or uniquely
affect small governments, as described
in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–4);
• Does not have federalism
implications as specified in Executive
Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10,
1999);
• Is not an economically significant
regulatory action based on health or
safety risks subject to Executive Order
13045 (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997);
• Is not a significant regulatory action
subject to Executive Order 13211 (66 FR
28355, May 22, 2001);
• Is not subject to requirements of
section 12(d) of the National
Technology Transfer and Advancement
Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272 note) because
application of those requirements would
be inconsistent with the CAA; and
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• Does not provide EPA with the
discretionary authority to address, as
appropriate, disproportionate human
health or environmental effects, using
practicable and legally permissible
methods, under Executive Order 12898
(59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994).
Executive Order 12898 (Federal
Actions To Address Environmental
Justice in Minority Populations and
Low-Income Populations, 59 FR 7629,
February 16, 1994) directs Federal
agencies to identify and address
‘‘disproportionately high and adverse
human health or environmental effects’’
of their actions on minority populations
and low-income populations to the
greatest extent practicable and
permitted by law. EPA defines
environmental justice (EJ) as ‘‘the fair
treatment and meaningful involvement
of all people regardless of race, color,
national origin, or income with respect
to the development, implementation,
and enforcement of environmental laws,
regulations, and policies.’’ EPA further
defines the term fair treatment to mean
that ‘‘no group of people should bear a
disproportionate burden of
environmental harms and risks,
including those resulting from the
negative environmental consequences of
industrial, governmental, and
commercial operations or programs and
policies.’’
The air agency did not evaluate
environmental justice considerations as
part of its SIP submittal; the CAA and
applicable implementing regulations
neither prohibit nor require such an
evaluation. The EPA performed an
environmental justice analysis, as is
described above in the section titled,
‘‘Environmental Justice
Considerations.’’ The analysis was done
for the purpose of providing additional
context and information about this
rulemaking to the public, not as a basis
of the action. Due to the nature of the
action being taken here, this action is
expected to have a neutral to positive
impact on the air quality of the affected
area. In addition, there is no information
in the record upon which this decision
is based inconsistent with the stated
goal of E.O. 12898 of achieving
environmental justice for people of
color, low-income populations, and
Indigenous peoples.
This proposed approval of revisions
to the Oklahoma SIP that update the
incorporation by reference dates for
Federal requirements as discussed more
fully elsewhere in this document will
apply, if finalized as proposed, to
certain areas of Indian country as
discussed in the preamble, and therefore
has tribal implications as specified in
E.O. 13175 (65 FR 67249, November 9,
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2000). However, this action will neither
impose substantial direct compliance
costs on federally recognized tribal
governments, nor preempt tribal law.
This action will not impose substantial
direct compliance costs on federally
recognized tribal governments because
no actions will be required of tribal
governments. This action will also not
preempt tribal law as no Oklahoma tribe
implements a regulatory program under
the CAA, and thus does not have
applicable or related tribal laws.
Consistent with the EPA Policy on
Consultation and Coordination with
Indian Tribes (May 4, 2011), the EPA
has engaged with tribal governments
that may be affected by this action and
provided information about this action.
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52
Environmental protection, Air
pollution control, Carbon monoxide,
Incorporation by reference,
Intergovernmental relations, Lead,
Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone, Particulate
matter, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Sulfur oxides, Volatile
organic compounds.
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
Dated: February 28, 2023.
Earthea Nance,
Regional Administrator, Region 6.
[FR Doc. 2023–04487 Filed 3–3–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 1090
[EPA–HQ–OAR–2022–0513; FRL–9845–01–
OAR]
RIN 2060–AV73
Request From States for Removal of
Gasoline Volatility Waiver
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Proposed rule.
AGENCY:
NAICS 1 code
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Category
Industry
Industry
Industry
Industry
Industry
Industry
Industry
Industry
Industry
Industry
Industry
Industry
1 North
Pursuant to provisions
specified by the Clean Air Act (CAA),
governors of eight states submitted
petitions requesting that EPA remove
the 1-pound per square inch (psi) Reid
vapor pressure (RVP) waiver for summer
gasoline-ethanol blended fuels
containing 10 percent ethanol (E10).
This action acts on those requests from
the Governors of Illinois, Iowa,
Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio,
South Dakota, and Wisconsin by
proposing to remove the 1-psi waiver.
EPA also received multiple petitions
from stakeholders requesting an
extension of the effective date to the
summer of 2024. This action proposes to
delay the effective date for one year
consistent with statutory provisions.
Thus, we propose an effective date for
all states of April 28, 2024. This action
also proposes a regulatory process by
which a state may request to reinstate
the 1-psi waiver.
DATES: Comments: Comments must be
received on or before April 20, 2023.
Public hearing: EPA will hold a
virtual public hearing on March 21,
2023. Please refer to the SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION section for additional
information on the public hearing.
ADDRESSES: Comments. You may send
comments, identified by Docket ID No.
EPA–HQ–OAR–2022–0513, by any of
the following methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal:
https://www.regulations.gov (our
preferred method) Follow the online
instructions for submitting comments.
• Email: a-and-r-Docket@epa.gov.
Include Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–OAR–
2022–0513 in the subject line of the
message.
• Mail: U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, EPA Docket Center,
Air Docket, Mail Code 28221T, 1200
Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington,
DC 20460.
• Hand Delivery or Courier: EPA
Docket Center, WJC West Building,
Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Avenue
NW, Washington, DC 20004. The Docket
SUMMARY:
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Center’s hours of operations are 8:30
a.m.–4:30 p.m., Monday–Friday (except
Federal Holidays).
Instructions: All submissions received
must include the Docket ID No. for this
rulemaking. Comments received may be
posted without change to https://
www.regulations.gov, including any
personal information provided. For the
full EPA public comment policy,
information about confidential business
information (CBI) or multimedia
submissions, and general guidance on
making effective comments, please visit
https://www.epa.gov/dockets/
commenting-epa-dockets.
Public hearing. The virtual public
hearing will be held on March 21, 2023.
The hearing will begin at 9:00 a.m.
Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) and end
when all parties who wish to speak have
had an opportunity to do so. All hearing
attendees (including even those who do
not intend to provide testimony) should
register for the public hearing by March
16, 2023. Information on how to register
can be found at https://www.epa.gov/
gasoline-standards. Additional
information regarding the hearing
appears below under SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION.
For
questions regarding this action, contact
Lauren Michaels, Office of
Transportation and Air Quality,
Compliance Division, Environmental
Protection Agency, 2000 Traverwood
Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48105; telephone
number: (734) 214–4640; email address:
michaels.lauren@epa.gov. For questions
regarding the public hearing, contact
Nick Parsons at RFS-Hearing@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Does this action apply to me?
Entities potentially affected by this
proposed rule are those involved with
the production, distribution, and sale of
transportation fuels, including gasoline
and diesel fuel. Potentially affected
categories include:
Examples of potentially affected entities
Natural gas liquids extraction and fractionation.
Natural gas production and distribution.
Petroleum refineries (including importers).
Butane and pentane manufacturers.
Ethyl alcohol manufacturing.
Manufacturers of gasoline additives.
Petroleum bulk stations and terminals.
Petroleum and petroleum products wholesalers.
Fuel retailers.
Other fuel dealers.
Natural gas liquids pipelines, refined petroleum products pipelines.
Other warehousing and storage—bulk petroleum storage.
American Industry Classification System (NAICS).
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 43 (Monday, March 6, 2023)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 13755-13758]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-04487]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 52
[EPA-R06-OAR-2022-0279; FRL-10675-01-R6]
Air Plan Approval; Oklahoma; Updates to the State Implementation
Plan Incorporation by Reference Provisions
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Proposed rule.
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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the Federal Clean Air Act (CAA or the Act), the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve revisions
to the Oklahoma State Implementation Plan (SIP) submitted by the State
of Oklahoma designee on December 17, 2021, and January 30, 2023. This
action addresses the submittal of revisions to the Oklahoma SIP to
update the incorporation by reference provision of Federal requirements
under Oklahoma Administrative Code (OAC).
DATES: Written comments must be received on or before April 5, 2023.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket No. EPA-R06-OAR-
2022-0279, at https://www.regulations.gov or via email to
[email protected]. Follow the online instructions for submitting
comments. Once submitted, comments cannot be edited or removed from
Regulations.gov. The EPA may publish any comment received to its public
docket. Do not submit electronically any information you consider to be
Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose
disclosure is restricted by statute. Multimedia submissions (audio,
video, etc.) must be accompanied by a written comment. The written
comment is considered the official comment and should include
discussion of all points you wish to make. The EPA will generally not
consider comments or comment contents located outside of the primary
submission (i.e. on the web, cloud, or other file sharing system). For
additional submission methods, please contact Adina Wiley, 214-665-
2115, [email protected]. For the full EPA public comment policy,
information about CBI or multimedia submissions, and general guidance
on making effective comments, please visit https://www.epa.gov/dockets/commenting-epa-dockets.
Docket: The index to the docket for this action is available
electronically at www.regulations.gov. While all documents in the
docket are listed in the index, some information may not be publicly
available due to docket file size restrictions or content (e.g., CBI).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Adina Wiley, EPA Region 6 Office,
Air Permits Section, 214-665-2115, [email protected]. Out of an
abundance of caution for members of the public and our staff, the EPA
Region 6 office may be closed to the public to reduce the risk of
transmitting COVID-19. We encourage the public to submit comments via
https://www.regulations.gov. Please call or email the contact listed
above if you need alternative access to material indexed but not
provided in the docket.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Throughout this document wherever ``we,''
``us,'' or ``our'' is used, we mean the EPA.
I. Background
Section 110 of the Act requires states to develop air pollution
regulations and control strategies to ensure that air quality meets the
EPA's National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). These ambient
standards are established under section 109 of the Act and they
currently address six criteria pollutants: Carbon monoxide, nitrogen
dioxide, ozone, lead, particulate matter, and sulfur dioxide. The
state's air regulations are contained in its SIP, which is basically a
clean air plan. Each state is responsible for developing SIPs to
demonstrate how the NAAQS will be achieved, maintained, and enforced.
The SIP must be submitted to the EPA for approval, and any changes a
state makes to the approved SIP also must be submitted to the EPA for
approval.
On December 17, 2021, Mr. Kenneth Wagner, Secretary of Energy and
Environment, submitted revisions to the Oklahoma SIP that included the
annual SIP updates for 2021. The submittal included revisions to OAC
252:100, Subchapter 2 and Appendix Q to update the incorporation by
reference of Federal requirements, which will be addressed in this
proposal.
On January 30, 2023, Mr. Ken McQueen, Secretary of Energy and
Environment, submitted revisions to the Oklahoma SIP that included the
annual SIP updates for 2022. This submittal included revisions to OAC
252:100, Subchapter 2 and Appendix Q to update the incorporation by
reference of Federal requirements, which will be addressed in this
proposal. The submittal also included revisions to OAC 252:100,
Subchapters 8, 37 and 39 which will be addressed by EPA at a later date
and in separate rulemakings.
II. The EPA's Evaluation
The accompanying Technical Support Document for this action
includes a detailed analysis of the submitted revisions to the Oklahoma
SIP which are the subject of this proposed rulemaking. Our analysis
indicates that the December 17, 2021 and January 30, 2023, SIP
revisions addressed in this proposed rulemaking action were developed
in accordance with the CAA and the State provided reasonable notice and
public hearing.
The ODEQ submitted revisions on December 17, 2021 and January 30,
2023, to update the Incorporation by Reference provisions found in the
Oklahoma SIP. In the December 17, 2021, submittal the ODEQ provided
amendments to OAC 252:100-2-3 and Appendix Q that were adopted on June
11, 2021, and effective September 15,
[[Page 13756]]
2021. The January 30, 2023, submittal included amendments to OAC
252:100-2-3 and Appendix Q that were adopted on June 21, 2022, and
effective September 15, 2022. These revisions ensure the Oklahoma SIP
maintains consistency with current Federal requirements by updating the
opening paragraph of OAC 252:100-2-3 to include the current
incorporation by reference date and revoking and replacing the prior
version of Appendix Q. Specifically, the ODEQ updated the incorporation
by reference requirements of:
40 CFR part 50, appendices B and J, to ensure the Oklahoma
SIP uses the current Federal reference methods for determining
compliance with the NAAQS,
40 CFR part 51, subpart A, table 1 to appendix A to use
current requirements in the Oklahoma emission inventory reporting
requirements,
40 CFR part 51, paragraph 51.100(s)(1) of subpart F, to
use the Federal definition of volatile organic compound,
40 CFR part 51, appendix P, to use Federal emission
monitoring requirements,
40 CFR part 51, appendix W, to use current Federal
guidance on air quality models, and
40 CFR part 98, table A-1 of subpart A, to use current
global warming potentials in the Oklahoma air permitting programs.
III. Impact on Areas of Indian Country
Following the U.S. Supreme Court decision in McGirt v. Oklahoma,
140 S. Ct. 2452 (2020), the Governor of the State of Oklahoma requested
approval under Section 10211(a) of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible,
Efficient Transportation Equity Act of 2005: A Legacy for Users, Public
Law 109-59, 119 Stat. 1144, 1937 (August 10, 2005) (``SAFETEA''), to
administer in certain areas of Indian country (as defined at 18 U.S.C.
1151) the State's environmental regulatory programs that were
previously approved by the EPA for areas outside of Indian country. The
State's request excluded certain areas of Indian country further
described below. In addition, the State only sought approval to the
extent that such approval is necessary for the State to administer a
program in light of Oklahoma Dept. of Environmental Quality v. EPA, 740
F.3d 185 (D.C. Cir. 2014).\1\
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\1\ In ODEQ v. EPA, the D.C. Circuit held that under the CAA, a
state has the authority to implement a SIP in non-reservation areas
of Indian country in the state, where there has been no
demonstration of tribal jurisdiction. Under the D.C. Circuit's
decision, the CAA does not provide authority to states to implement
SIPs in Indian reservations. ODEQ did not, however, substantively
address the separate authority in Indian country provided
specifically to Oklahoma under SAFETEA. That separate authority was
not invoked until the State submitted its request under SAFETEA, and
was not approved until EPA's decision, described in this section, on
October 1, 2020.
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On October 1, 2020, the EPA approved Oklahoma's SAFETEA request to
administer all the State's EPA-approved environmental regulatory
programs, including the Oklahoma SIP, in the requested areas of Indian
country. As requested by Oklahoma, the EPA's approval under SAFETEA
does not include Indian country lands, including rights-of-way running
through the same, that: (1) qualify as Indian allotments, the Indian
titles to which have not been extinguished, under 18 U.S.C. 1151(c);
(2) are held in trust by the United States on behalf of an individual
Indian or Tribe; or (3) are owned in fee by a Tribe, if the Tribe (a)
acquired that fee title to such land, or an area that included such
land, in accordance with a treaty with the United States to which such
Tribe was a party, and (b) never allotted the land to a member or
citizen of the Tribe (collectively ``excluded Indian country lands'').
The EPA's approval under SAFETEA expressly provided that to the
extent EPA's prior approvals of Oklahoma's environmental programs
excluded Indian country, any such exclusions are superseded for the
geographic areas of Indian country covered by the EPA's approval of
Oklahoma's SAFETEA request.\2\ The approval also provided that future
revisions or amendments to Oklahoma's approved environmental regulatory
programs would extend to the covered areas of Indian country (without
any further need for additional requests under SAFETEA).
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\2\ EPA's prior approvals relating to Oklahoma's SIP frequently
noted that the SIP was not approved to apply in areas of Indian
country (consistent with the D.C. Circuit's decision in ODEQ v. EPA)
located in the state. See, e.g., 85 FR 20178, 20180 (April 10,
2020). Such prior expressed limitations are superseded by the EPA's
approval of Oklahoma's SAFETEA request.
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The EPA is proposing to approve updates to the Oklahoma SIP
incorporation by reference provisions to maintain consistency with
Federal requirements, which will apply statewide in Oklahoma.
Consistent with the D.C. Circuit's decision in ODEQ v. EPA and with the
EPA's October 1, 2020, SAFETEA approval, if this approval is finalized
as proposed, these SIP revisions will apply to all Indian country
within the State of Oklahoma, other than the excluded Indian country
lands, as described above. Because--per the State's request under
SAFETEA--EPA's October 1, 2020, approval does not displace any SIP
authority previously exercised by the State under the CAA as
interpreted in ODEQ v. EPA, the SIP will also apply to any Indian
allotments or dependent Indian communities located outside of an Indian
reservation over which there has been no demonstration of tribal
authority.\3\
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\3\ In accordance with Executive Order 13990, EPA is currently
reviewing our October 1, 2020 SAFETEA approval and expects to engage
in further discussions with tribal governments and the State of
Oklahoma as part of this review. EPA also notes that the October 1,
2020 approval is the subject of a pending challenge in Federal
court. (Pawnee v. Regan, No. 20-9635 (10th Cir.)). Pending
completion of EPA's review, EPA is proceeding with this proposed
action in accordance with the October 1, 2020 approval. EPA's final
action on the approved revisions to the Oklahoma SIP that include
revisions to OAC 252:100-2-3 and Appendix Q will address the scope
of the state's program with respect to Indian country, and may make
any appropriate adjustments, based on the status of our review at
that time. If EPA's final action on Oklahoma's SIP is taken before
our review of the SAFETEA approval is complete, EPA may make further
changes to the approval of Oklahoma's program to reflect the outcome
of the SAFETEA review.
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IV. Proposed Action
We are proposing to approve under section 110 of the CAA, the
December 17, 2021, and January 30, 2023, revisions to the Oklahoma SIP
to update the incorporation by reference dates for Federal
requirements. We have determined that these revisions were developed in
accordance with the CAA and the EPA's regulations, policy, and guidance
for SIP development.
The EPA proposes approval of the following revisions to the
Oklahoma SIP adopted on June 11, 2021, effective September 15, 2021,
and submitted to the EPA on December 17, 2021:
Revisions to OAC 252:100-2-3, Incorporation by Reference,
Repeal of OAC 252:100, Appendix Q, and
Adoption of new OAC 252:100. Appendix Q.
The EPA proposes approval of the following revisions to the
Oklahoma SIP adopted on June 21, 2022, effective September 15, 2022,
and submitted to the EPA on January 30, 2023:
Revisions to OAC 252:100-2-3, Incorporation by Reference,
Repeal of OAC 252:100, Appendix Q, and
Adoption of new OAC 252:100. Appendix Q.
V. Environmental Justice Considerations
The EPA reviewed demographic data, which provides an assessment of
[[Page 13757]]
individual demographic groups of the populations living within
Oklahoma.\4\ The EPA then compared the data to the national average for
each of the demographic groups. The results of this analysis are being
provided for informational and transparency purposes. The results of
the demographic analysis indicate that, for populations within
Oklahoma, the percent people of color (persons who reported their race
as a category other than White alone (not Hispanic or Latino)) is less
than the national average (35 percent versus 40 percent). Within people
of color, the percent of the population that is Black or African
American alone is lower than the national average (7.8 percent versus
13.4 percent) and the percent of the population that is American
Indian/Alaska Native is significantly higher than the national average
(9.4 percent versus 1.3 percent). The percent of the population that is
two or more races is higher than the national averages (6.3 percent
versus 2.8 percent). The percent of persons in poverty in Oklahoma is
higher than the national average (14.3 percent versus 11.4 percent).
The percent of persons aged 25 years and older with a high school
diploma in Oklahoma is similar to the national average (88.6 percent
versus 88.5 percent), while the percent with a Bachelor's degree or
higher is below the national average (26.1 percent versus 32.9
percent).
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\4\ See the United States Census Bureau's QuickFacts on Oklahoma
at https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/OK,US/PST045221.
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This action proposes to approve revisions to the Oklahoma SIP to
update the incorporation by reference provisions to maintain
consistency with Federal requirements; thus, enabling the State of
Oklahoma to implement control strategies and permitting programs. We
expect that this action, if finalized, will generally achieve emissions
reductions and contribute to reduced environmental and health impacts
on all populations in Oklahoma, including people of color and low-
income populations. Further, there is no information in the record
indicating that this action is expected to have disproportionately high
or adverse human health or environmental effects on a particular group
of people.
VI. Incorporation by Reference
In this action, we are proposing to include in a final rule
regulatory text that includes incorporation by reference. In accordance
with the requirements of 1 CFR 51.5, we are proposing to incorporate by
reference revisions to the Oklahoma regulations that update Oklahoma's
incorporation by reference of certain Federal regulations in 40 CFR
parts 50, 51, and 98 identified and discussed in Section II, The EPA's
Evaluation, and Section IV, Proposed Action, of this preamble. We have
made, and will continue to make, these documents generally available
electronically through www.regulations.gov (please contact the person
identified in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this
preamble for more information).
VII. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
Under the CAA, the Administrator is required to approve a SIP
submission that complies with the provisions of the Act and applicable
Federal regulations. 42 U.S.C. 7410(k); 40 CFR 52.02(a). Thus, in
reviewing SIP submissions, the EPA's role is to approve state choices,
provided that they meet the criteria of the CAA. Accordingly, this
action merely proposes to approve state law as meeting Federal
requirements and does not impose additional requirements beyond those
imposed by state law. For that reason, this action:
Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' subject to
review by the Office of Management and Budget under Executive Orders
12866 (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993) and 13563 (76 FR 3821, January 21,
2011);
Does not impose an information collection burden under the
provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.);
Is certified as not having a significant economic impact
on a substantial number of small entities under the Regulatory
Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.);
Does not contain any unfunded mandate or significantly or
uniquely affect small governments, as described in the Unfunded
Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-4);
Does not have federalism implications as specified in
Executive Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10, 1999);
Is not an economically significant regulatory action based
on health or safety risks subject to Executive Order 13045 (62 FR
19885, April 23, 1997);
Is not a significant regulatory action subject to
Executive Order 13211 (66 FR 28355, May 22, 2001);
Is not subject to requirements of section 12(d) of the
National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272
note) because application of those requirements would be inconsistent
with the CAA; and
Does not provide EPA with the discretionary authority to
address, as appropriate, disproportionate human health or environmental
effects, using practicable and legally permissible methods, under
Executive Order 12898 (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994).
Executive Order 12898 (Federal Actions To Address Environmental
Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations, 59 FR 7629,
February 16, 1994) directs Federal agencies to identify and address
``disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental
effects'' of their actions on minority populations and low-income
populations to the greatest extent practicable and permitted by law.
EPA defines environmental justice (EJ) as ``the fair treatment and
meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color,
national origin, or income with respect to the development,
implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and
policies.'' EPA further defines the term fair treatment to mean that
``no group of people should bear a disproportionate burden of
environmental harms and risks, including those resulting from the
negative environmental consequences of industrial, governmental, and
commercial operations or programs and policies.''
The air agency did not evaluate environmental justice
considerations as part of its SIP submittal; the CAA and applicable
implementing regulations neither prohibit nor require such an
evaluation. The EPA performed an environmental justice analysis, as is
described above in the section titled, ``Environmental Justice
Considerations.'' The analysis was done for the purpose of providing
additional context and information about this rulemaking to the public,
not as a basis of the action. Due to the nature of the action being
taken here, this action is expected to have a neutral to positive
impact on the air quality of the affected area. In addition, there is
no information in the record upon which this decision is based
inconsistent with the stated goal of E.O. 12898 of achieving
environmental justice for people of color, low-income populations, and
Indigenous peoples.
This proposed approval of revisions to the Oklahoma SIP that update
the incorporation by reference dates for Federal requirements as
discussed more fully elsewhere in this document will apply, if
finalized as proposed, to certain areas of Indian country as discussed
in the preamble, and therefore has tribal implications as specified in
E.O. 13175 (65 FR 67249, November 9,
[[Page 13758]]
2000). However, this action will neither impose substantial direct
compliance costs on federally recognized tribal governments, nor
preempt tribal law. This action will not impose substantial direct
compliance costs on federally recognized tribal governments because no
actions will be required of tribal governments. This action will also
not preempt tribal law as no Oklahoma tribe implements a regulatory
program under the CAA, and thus does not have applicable or related
tribal laws. Consistent with the EPA Policy on Consultation and
Coordination with Indian Tribes (May 4, 2011), the EPA has engaged with
tribal governments that may be affected by this action and provided
information about this action.
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52
Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Carbon monoxide,
Incorporation by reference, Intergovernmental relations, Lead, Nitrogen
dioxide, Ozone, Particulate matter, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Sulfur oxides, Volatile organic compounds.
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
Dated: February 28, 2023.
Earthea Nance,
Regional Administrator, Region 6.
[FR Doc. 2023-04487 Filed 3-3-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P