Air Plan Revisions; California; Placer County Air Pollution Control District; General Permit Requirements, New Source Review, 65816-65819 [2023-20673]
Download as PDF
65816
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 185 / Tuesday, September 26, 2023 / Rules and Regulations
on the Food Traceability List in
accordance with paragraph (d)(6) of this
section);
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OFFICE OF FOREIGN ASSETS CONTROL
Dated: September 20, 2023.
Lauren K. Roth,
Associate Commissioner for Policy.
BILLING CODE 4164–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Office of Foreign Assets Control
31 CFR Part 591
Publication of Venezuela Sanctions
Regulations Web General License 42
Office of Foreign Assets
Control, Treasury.
AGENCY:
Publication of a web general
license.
The Department of the
Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets
Control (OFAC) is publishing one
general license (GL) issued pursuant to
the Venezuela Sanctions Regulations:
GL 42, which was previously made
available on OFAC’s website.
SUMMARY:
GL 42 was issued on May 1,
2023. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
for additional relevant dates.
DATES:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
OFAC: Assistant Director for Licensing,
202–622–2480; Assistant Director for
Regulatory Affairs, 202–622–4855; or
Assistant Director for Compliance, 202–
622–2490.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Electronic Availability
This document and additional
information concerning OFAC are
available on OFAC’s website: https://
ofac.treasury.gov/.
Background
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
31 CFR Part 591
40 CFR Part 52
GENERAL LICENSE NO. 42
[EPA–R09–OAR–2021–0933; FRL–11004–
02–R9]
Authorizing Certain Transactions Related to
the Negotiation of Certain Settlement
Agreements With the IV Venezuelan
National Assembly and Certain Other
Persons
[FR Doc. 2023–20746 Filed 9–25–23; 8:45 am]
ACTION:
Venezuela Sanctions Regulations
On May 1, 2023, OFAC issued GL 42
to authorize certain transactions
otherwise prohibited by the Venezuela
Sanctions Regulations, 31 CFR part 591.
GL 42 was made available on OFAC’s
website (https://ofac.treasury.gov/)
when it was issued. The text of this GL
is provided below.
(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of
this general license, all transactions
prohibited by the Venezuela Sanctions
Regulations, 31 CFR part 591 (the VSR), that
are ordinarily incident and necessary to the
negotiation of settlement agreements with the
IV Venezuelan National Assembly seated on
January 5, 2016 (‘‘IV National Assembly’’), its
Delegated Commission, any entity
established by, or under the direction of, the
IV National Assembly to exercise its mandate
(‘‘IV National Assembly Entity’’), or any
person appointed or designated by, or whose
appointment or designation is retained by, an
IV National Assembly Entity, relating to any
debt of the Government of Venezuela,
Petro´leos de Venezuela, S.A. (PdVSA), or any
entity in which PdVSA owns, directly or
indirectly, a 50 percent or greater interest are
authorized.
Note 1 to paragraph (a). The authorization
in paragraph (a) of this general license
includes the negotiation of settlement
agreements with persons appointed or
designated by, or whose appointment or
designation is retained by, an IV National
Assembly Entity to the board of directors
(including any ad hoc boards of directors), or
as an executive officer of a Government of
Venezuela entity (including entities owned
or controlled, directly or indirectly, by the
Government of Venezuela).
(b) This general license does not authorize:
(1) Any transaction involving the
Venezuelan National Constituent Assembly
convened by Nicolas Maduro or the National
Assembly seated on January 5, 2021,
including their respective members and staff;
or
(2) Any transaction otherwise prohibited
by the VSR, including transactions involving
any person blocked pursuant to the VSR
other than the blocked persons described in
paragraph (a) of this general license, unless
separately authorized.
Andrea M. Gacki,
Director, Office of Foreign Assets Control.
Dated: May 1, 2023.
Bradley T. Smith,
Director, Office of Foreign Assets Control.
Note: This document was received for
publication by the Office of the Federal
Register on September 20, 2023.
[FR Doc. 2023–20797 Filed 9–25–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4810–AL–P
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Air Plan Revisions; California; Placer
County Air Pollution Control District;
General Permit Requirements, New
Source Review
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
The Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) is taking final action on
two permitting rules submitted as a
revision to the Placer County Air
Pollution Control District (PCAPCD or
‘‘District’’) portion of the California
State Implementation Plan (SIP). We are
finalizing an approval of one rule and
finalizing a limited approval and
limited disapproval of the second rule.
These revisions concern the District’s
New Source Review (NSR) permitting
program for new and modified sources
of air pollution under title I of the Clean
Air Act (CAA or ‘‘Act’’). This final
action stops all sanction and federal
implementation plan clocks started by
our April 20, 2020 limited approval and
limited disapproval. This action also
adds regulatory text to clarify that Placer
County is no longer subject to the
Federal Implementation Plan related to
protection of visibility.
DATES: This rule is effective on October
26, 2023.
ADDRESSES: The EPA has established a
docket for this action under Docket No.
EPA–R09–OAR–2021–0933. 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. 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: PoChieh Ting, EPA Region IX, 75
SUMMARY:
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 185 / Tuesday, September 26, 2023 / Rules and Regulations
IV. Incorporation by Reference
V. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
Hawthorne St., San Francisco, CA
94105. By phone at (415) 972–3191 or
by email at ting.pochieh@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Throughout this document, ‘‘we,’’ ‘‘us,’’
and ‘‘our’’ refer to the EPA.
Table of Contents
I. Proposed Action
II. Public Comments
III. EPA Action
I. Proposed Action
On July 24, 2023, the EPA proposed
approval of Rule 501 and limited
approval and limited disapproval of
Rule 502, listed in Table 1, as a revision
to the California SIP.1 These rules
constitute part of the District’s program
for preconstruction review and
permitting of new or modified
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stationary sources under its jurisdiction.
The rule revisions that are the subject of
this action represent an update to the
District’s preconstruction review and
permitting program and are intended to
satisfy the requirements under part D of
title I of the Act (‘‘Nonattainment NSR’’
or ‘‘NNSR’’) as well as the general
preconstruction review requirements
under section 110(a)(2)(C) of the Act
(‘‘Minor NSR’’).
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TABLE—SUBMITTED RULES
Rule No.
Rule title
501 ...............
502 ...............
General Permit Requirements ..............................................................................................
New Source Review ..............................................................................................................
We proposed to approve Rule 501 and
to issue a limited approval of Rule 502
because we determined that Rule 501
complies, and Rule 502 mostly
complies, with the relevant CAA
requirements. Our proposal identified
the following deficiencies in Rule 502:
1. Rule 502 does not contain
provisions to restrict permitting when
the EPA finds the SIP is not being
adequately implemented in the area, as
required under CAA section 173(a)(4).
2. The definition of the term ‘‘Major
Modification’’ in Section 231 of the rule
does not correctly apply the CAA
section 182(c)(6) requirements regarding
aggregation of net emission increases
and incorrectly specifies use of potential
to emit as the basis for calculating
emission increases.
3. The rule does not contain the
definition of ‘‘Federal Land Manager’’
from 40 CFR 51.165(a)(1)(xlii).
4. The definition of the term ‘‘Major
Stationary Source—Sacramento Air
Basin’’ in Section 229 of the rule does
not specify a major source threshold for
ammonia, which is a PM2.5 precursor, as
required by 40 CFR 51.165(a)(13).
Similarly, the definition of the term
‘‘Major Modification’’ in Section 231 of
the rule is deficient because it relies on
the section 229 definition.
5. The definition of ‘‘Sacramento
Valley Air Basin’’ in Section 251 does
not include a small area that is included
in the federal definition of the
Sacramento PM2.5 nonattainment area.
Therefore, the rule is deficient because
it does not apply the PM2.5 NNSR
program requirements to this area, as
required under CAA section 173.
As described in our proposal, the
EPA’s final approval of Rule 501 and
limited approval of 502 addresses our
1 88
2 85
FR 47409.
FR 21777.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
Amended date
April 20, 2020 limited disapproval
action.2
II. Public Comments
The EPA’s proposed action provided
a 30-day public comment period. During
this period, no comments were
submitted on our proposal.
III. EPA Action
No comments were submitted on our
proposal. Therefore, as authorized in
sections 110(k)(3) and 301(a) of the Act,
the EPA is finalizing approval of Rule
501 and limited approval of Rule 502.
This action incorporates the submitted
rules into the California SIP and
replaces the versions of these rules
previously approved into the SIP.3 The
approval of Rule 501 stops all sanction
and federal implementation plan clocks
started by our April 20, 2020 limited
approval and limited disapproval
action. In conjunction with the EPA’s
SIP approval of the District’s visibility
provisions for sources subject to the
NNSR program as meeting the relevant
requirements of 40 CFR 51.307, this
action also revises the regulatory
provision at 40 CFR 52.281(d)
concerning the applicability of the
visibility Federal Implementation Plan
(FIP) at 40 CFR 52.28 as it pertains to
California, to provide that this FIP does
not apply to sources subject to review
under the District’s SIP-approved NNSR
program.
Additionally, as authorized in
sections 110(k)(3) and 301(a) of the Act,
the EPA is simultaneously finalizing a
limited disapproval of Rule 502. Our
limited disapproval final action triggers
an obligation on the EPA to promulgate
a FIP unless the State corrects the
deficiencies, and the EPA approves the
3 As described in the EPA’s July 24, 2023
proposed action, the EPA previously issued a
limited approval of Rule 501 on April, 20, 2020 (85
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8/12/2021
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related plan revisions, within two years
of the final action. Additionally,
because the deficiencies relate to NNSR
requirements under part D of title I of
the Act, the offset sanction in CAA
section 179(b)(2) will apply in the
designated ozone and PM2.5
nonattainment areas in Placer County 18
months after the effective date of a final
limited disapproval, and the highway
funding sanctions in CAA section
179(b)(1) will apply in the areas six
months after the offset sanction is
imposed. Section 179 sanctions will not
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 have identified in our final
action. The EPA intends to work with
the District to correct the deficiencies in
a timely manner.
IV. Incorporation by Reference
In this rule, the EPA is finalizing
regulatory text that includes
incorporation by reference. In
accordance with requirements of 1 CFR
51.5, the EPA is finalizing the
incorporation by reference of the rules
described in Section I of this preamble,
which pertain to new source review
permit programs, and set forth below in
the amendments to 40 CFR 52. The EPA
has made, and will continue to make,
these documents available through
https://www.regulations.gov and at the
EPA Region IX Office (please contact the
person identified in the FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT section of this
preamble for more information).
FR 21777) and previously approved Rule 502 on
September 29, 2014 (79 FR 58263). See 88 FR
47409, 47410, Table 2.
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 185 / Tuesday, September 26, 2023 / Rules and Regulations
V. Statutory and Executive Order
Reviews
responsibilities among the various
levels of government.
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 review state choices,
and approve those choices if they meet
the minimum criteria of the Act.
Accordingly, this final action is
finalizing a limited approval and
limited disapproval of state law as
meeting federal requirements and does
not impose additional requirements
beyond those imposed by state law.
Additional information about these
statutes and Executive orders can be
found at https://www.epa.gov/lawsregulations/laws-and-executive-orders.
F. Executive Order 13175: Coordination
With Indian Tribal Governments
This action does not have tribal
implications, as specified in Executive
Order 13175, 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, and will not impose
substantial direct costs on tribal
governments or preempt tribal law.
Thus, Executive Order 13175 does not
apply to this action.
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 beyond those imposed by state
law.
D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
(UMRA)
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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.
Accordingly, no additional costs to
State, local, or tribal governments, or to
the private sector, will result from this
action.
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
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G. Executive Order 13045: Protection of
Children From Environmental Health
Risks and Safety Risks
The EPA interprets Executive Order
13045 as applying only to those
regulatory actions that concern
environmental health or safety risks that
the EPA has reason to believe may
disproportionately affect children, per
the definition of ‘‘covered regulatory
action’’ in section 2–202 of the
Executive Order. Therefore, this action
is not subject to Executive Order 13045
because it is merely finalizing a limited
approval and limited disapproval of
state law as meeting federal
requirements. Furthermore, the EPA’s
Policy on Children’s Health does not
apply to this action.
H. Executive Order 13211: Actions That
Significantly Affect Energy Supply,
Distribution, or Use
This action is not subject to Executive
Order 13211, because it is not a
significant regulatory action under
Executive Order 12866.
I. National Technology Transfer and
Advancement Act (NTTAA)
Section 12(d) of the NTTAA directs
the EPA to use voluntary consensus
standards in its regulatory activities
unless to do so would be inconsistent
with applicable law or otherwise
impractical. The EPA believes that this
action is not subject to the requirements
of section 12(d) of the NTTAA because
application of those requirements would
be inconsistent with the CAA.
J. Executive Order 12898: Federal
Actions To Address Environmental
Justice in Minority Populations and
Low-Income Populations
Executive Order 12898 (Federal
Actions To Address Environmental
Justice in Minority Populations and
Low-Income Populations, 59 FR 7629,
Feb. 16, 1994) directs Federal agencies
to identify and address
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‘‘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. The 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.’’ The 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 State did not evaluate
environmental justice (EJ)
considerations as part of its SIP
submittal; the CAA and applicable
implementing regulations neither
prohibit nor require such an evaluation.
The EPA did not perform an EJ analysis
and did not consider EJ in this 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.
Consideration of EJ is not required as
part of this action, and there is no
information in the record inconsistent
with the stated goal of E.O. 12898 of
achieving environmental justice for
people of color, low-income
populations, and Indigenous peoples.
K. Congressional Review Act (CRA)
This action is subject to the CRA, and
the EPA will submit a rule report to
each House of the Congress and to the
Comptroller General of the United
States. This action is not a ‘‘major rule’’
as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2).
L. 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 November 27,
2023. 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)).
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List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52
(2) Rule 502, ‘‘New Source Review,’’
amended on August 12, 2021.
(B) [Reserved]
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■ 3. Section 52.281 is amended by
adding paragraph (d)(12) to read as
follows:
Environmental protection, Air
pollution control, Incorporation by
reference, Nitrogen oxides, Ozone,
Particulate matter, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements, Volatile
organic compounds.
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
§ 52.281
Dated: September 18, 2023.
Martha Guzman Aceves,
Regional Administrator, Region IX.
Visibility protection.
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Part 52, chapter I, title 40 of the Code
of Federal Regulations is amended as
follows:
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(12) Placer County Air Pollution
Control District.
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[FR Doc. 2023–20673 Filed 9–25–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
PART 52—APPROVAL AND
PROMULGATION OF
IMPLEMENTATION PLANS
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
1. The authority citation for Part 52
continues to read as follows:
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
■
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
50 CFR Part 622
Subpart F—California
[Docket No. 230920–0228]
2. Section 52.220 is amended by:
a. Adding paragraphs (c)(389)(i)(B)(7)
and (c)(441)(i)(B)(4);
■ b. Revising paragraph (c)(595)
introductory text; and
■ c. Adding paragraph (c)(595)(i) to read
as follows:
■
■
§ 52.220
Identification of plan-in part.
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(389) * * *
(i) * * *
(B) * * *
(7) Previously approved on April 20,
2020, in paragraph (c)(389)(i)(B)(1) of
this section and now deleted with
replacement in (c)(595)(i)(A)(1) of this
section: Rule 501, ‘‘General Permit
Requirements,’’ adopted on August 12,
2010.
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(441) * * *
(i) * * *
(B) * * *
(4) Previously approved on September
29, 2014, in paragraph (c)(441)(i)(B)(1)
of this section and now deleted with
replacement in (c)(595)(i)(A)(2) of this
section: Rule 502, ‘‘New Source
Review,’’ amended on August 8, 2013.
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(595) The following rules and
additional materials were submitted on
October 6, 2021, by the Governor’s
designee as an attachment to a letter
dated October 6, 2021.
(i) Incorporation by reference. (A)
Placer County Air Pollution Control
District.
(1) Rule 501, ‘‘General Permit
Requirements,’’ amended on April 8,
2021.
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Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of
Mexico, and South Atlantic; SnapperGrouper Fishery of the South Atlantic
Region; Amendment 49
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
NMFS issues regulations to
implement Amendment 49 to the
Fishery Management Plan for the
Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South
Atlantic Region (FMP), as prepared and
submitted by the South Atlantic Fishery
Management Council (Council). For
greater amberjack, this final rule revises
the sector annual catch limits (ACLs),
the commercial minimum size limit, the
commercial seasonal trip limits, and the
April spawning season closure. In
addition, Amendment 49 revises the
overfishing limit (OFL), acceptable
biological catch (ABC), annual optimum
yield (OY), and sector allocations of the
total ACL, as well as removes the
recreational annual catch targets (ACTs)
for species in the FMP. The purpose of
this final rule and Amendment 49 is to
ensure catch limits are based on the best
scientific information available and to
ensure overfishing does not occur for
the South Atlantic greater amberjack
stock, while increasing social and
economic benefits.
DATES: This final rule is effective
October 26, 2023.
ADDRESSES: An electronic copy of
Amendment 49, which includes a
SUMMARY:
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65819
fishery impact statement and a
regulatory impact review, may be
obtained from the Southeast Regional
Office website at https://www.fisheries.
noaa.gov/node/150641.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mary Vara, telephone: 727–824–5305, or
email: mary.vara@noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The South
Atlantic snapper-grouper fishery
includes greater amberjack and is
managed under the FMP. The FMP was
prepared by the Council and is
implemented by NMFS through
regulations at 50 CFR part 622 under the
authority of the Magnuson-Stevens
Fishery Conservation and Management
Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act).
Background
The Magnuson-Stevens Act requires
that NMFS and the regional fishery
management councils prevent
overfishing and achieve, on a
continuing basis, the OY from federally
managed fish stocks. These mandates
are intended to ensure that fishery
resources are managed for the greatest
overall benefit to the Nation,
particularly with respect to providing
food production and recreational
opportunities, and protecting marine
ecosystems. To further this goal, the
Magnuson-Stevens Act requires fishery
managers to minimize bycatch and
bycatch mortality to the extent
practicable.
On June 21, 2023, NMFS published a
notice of availability for Amendment 49
and requested public comment (88 FR
40190). On July 12, 2023, NMFS
published a proposed rule for
Amendment 49 and requested public
comment (88 FR 44244). NMFS
approved Amendment 49 on September
15, 2023. The proposed rule and
Amendment 49 outline the rationale for
the actions contained in this final rule.
A summary of the management
measures described in Amendment 49
and implemented by this final rule is
described below.
In 2008, a stock assessment for greater
amberjack was completed through the
Southeast Data, Assessment, and
Review (SEDAR) process (SEDAR 15),
and it was determined that the stock
was not overfished or undergoing
overfishing. As a result of that stock
status, the Comprehensive ACL
Amendment to the FMP (77 FR 15915,
March 16, 2012) established the current
total ACL and annual OY.
The most recent SEDAR stock
assessment for South Atlantic greater
amberjack (SEDAR 59) was completed
in 2020. The assessment included data
through 2018 and used revised
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 185 (Tuesday, September 26, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 65816-65819]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-20673]
=======================================================================
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 52
[EPA-R09-OAR-2021-0933; FRL-11004-02-R9]
Air Plan Revisions; California; Placer County Air Pollution
Control District; General Permit Requirements, New Source Review
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking final
action on two permitting rules submitted as a revision to the Placer
County Air Pollution Control District (PCAPCD or ``District'') portion
of the California State Implementation Plan (SIP). We are finalizing an
approval of one rule and finalizing a limited approval and limited
disapproval of the second rule. These revisions concern the District's
New Source Review (NSR) permitting program for new and modified sources
of air pollution under title I of the Clean Air Act (CAA or ``Act'').
This final action stops all sanction and federal implementation plan
clocks started by our April 20, 2020 limited approval and limited
disapproval. This action also adds regulatory text to clarify that
Placer County is no longer subject to the Federal Implementation Plan
related to protection of visibility.
DATES: This rule is effective on October 26, 2023.
ADDRESSES: The EPA has established a docket for this action under
Docket No. EPA-R09-OAR-2021-0933. 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. 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: Po-Chieh Ting, EPA Region IX, 75
[[Page 65817]]
Hawthorne St., San Francisco, CA 94105. By phone at (415) 972-3191 or
by email at [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Throughout this document, ``we,'' ``us,''
and ``our'' refer to the EPA.
Table of Contents
I. Proposed Action
II. Public Comments
III. EPA Action
IV. Incorporation by Reference
V. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
I. Proposed Action
On July 24, 2023, the EPA proposed approval of Rule 501 and limited
approval and limited disapproval of Rule 502, listed in Table 1, as a
revision to the California SIP.\1\ These rules constitute part of the
District's program for preconstruction review and permitting of new or
modified stationary sources under its jurisdiction. The rule revisions
that are the subject of this action represent an update to the
District's preconstruction review and permitting program and are
intended to satisfy the requirements under part D of title I of the Act
(``Nonattainment NSR'' or ``NNSR'') as well as the general
preconstruction review requirements under section 110(a)(2)(C) of the
Act (``Minor NSR'').
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\1\ 88 FR 47409.
Table--Submitted Rules
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rule No. Rule title Amended date Submitted date
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
501................................ General Permit Requirements............ 4/8/2021 10/6/2021
502................................ New Source Review...................... 8/12/2021 10/6/2021
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We proposed to approve Rule 501 and to issue a limited approval of
Rule 502 because we determined that Rule 501 complies, and Rule 502
mostly complies, with the relevant CAA requirements. Our proposal
identified the following deficiencies in Rule 502:
1. Rule 502 does not contain provisions to restrict permitting when
the EPA finds the SIP is not being adequately implemented in the area,
as required under CAA section 173(a)(4).
2. The definition of the term ``Major Modification'' in Section 231
of the rule does not correctly apply the CAA section 182(c)(6)
requirements regarding aggregation of net emission increases and
incorrectly specifies use of potential to emit as the basis for
calculating emission increases.
3. The rule does not contain the definition of ``Federal Land
Manager'' from 40 CFR 51.165(a)(1)(xlii).
4. The definition of the term ``Major Stationary Source--Sacramento
Air Basin'' in Section 229 of the rule does not specify a major source
threshold for ammonia, which is a PM2.5 precursor, as
required by 40 CFR 51.165(a)(13). Similarly, the definition of the term
``Major Modification'' in Section 231 of the rule is deficient because
it relies on the section 229 definition.
5. The definition of ``Sacramento Valley Air Basin'' in Section 251
does not include a small area that is included in the federal
definition of the Sacramento PM2.5 nonattainment area.
Therefore, the rule is deficient because it does not apply the
PM2.5 NNSR program requirements to this area, as required
under CAA section 173.
As described in our proposal, the EPA's final approval of Rule 501
and limited approval of 502 addresses our April 20, 2020 limited
disapproval action.\2\
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\2\ 85 FR 21777.
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II. Public Comments
The EPA's proposed action provided a 30-day public comment period.
During this period, no comments were submitted on our proposal.
III. EPA Action
No comments were submitted on our proposal. Therefore, as
authorized in sections 110(k)(3) and 301(a) of the Act, the EPA is
finalizing approval of Rule 501 and limited approval of Rule 502. This
action incorporates the submitted rules into the California SIP and
replaces the versions of these rules previously approved into the
SIP.\3\ The approval of Rule 501 stops all sanction and federal
implementation plan clocks started by our April 20, 2020 limited
approval and limited disapproval action. In conjunction with the EPA's
SIP approval of the District's visibility provisions for sources
subject to the NNSR program as meeting the relevant requirements of 40
CFR 51.307, this action also revises the regulatory provision at 40 CFR
52.281(d) concerning the applicability of the visibility Federal
Implementation Plan (FIP) at 40 CFR 52.28 as it pertains to California,
to provide that this FIP does not apply to sources subject to review
under the District's SIP-approved NNSR program.
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\3\ As described in the EPA's July 24, 2023 proposed action, the
EPA previously issued a limited approval of Rule 501 on April, 20,
2020 (85 FR 21777) and previously approved Rule 502 on September 29,
2014 (79 FR 58263). See 88 FR 47409, 47410, Table 2.
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Additionally, as authorized in sections 110(k)(3) and 301(a) of the
Act, the EPA is simultaneously finalizing a limited disapproval of Rule
502. Our limited disapproval final action triggers an obligation on the
EPA to promulgate a FIP unless the State corrects the deficiencies, and
the EPA approves the related plan revisions, within two years of the
final action. Additionally, because the deficiencies relate to NNSR
requirements under part D of title I of the Act, the offset sanction in
CAA section 179(b)(2) will apply in the designated ozone and
PM2.5 nonattainment areas in Placer County 18 months after
the effective date of a final limited disapproval, and the highway
funding sanctions in CAA section 179(b)(1) will apply in the areas six
months after the offset sanction is imposed. Section 179 sanctions will
not 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 have identified in our final action.
The EPA intends to work with the District to correct the deficiencies
in a timely manner.
IV. Incorporation by Reference
In this rule, the EPA is finalizing regulatory text that includes
incorporation by reference. In accordance with requirements of 1 CFR
51.5, the EPA is finalizing the incorporation by reference of the rules
described in Section I of this preamble, which pertain to new source
review permit programs, and set forth below in the amendments to 40 CFR
52. The EPA has made, and will continue to make, these documents
available through https://www.regulations.gov and at the EPA Region IX
Office (please contact the person identified in the FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT section of this preamble for more information).
[[Page 65818]]
V. 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 review state choices,
and approve those choices if they meet the minimum criteria of the Act.
Accordingly, this final action is finalizing a limited approval and
limited disapproval of state law as meeting federal requirements and
does not impose additional requirements beyond those imposed by state
law.
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 beyond those
imposed by state law.
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. Accordingly, no additional costs to
State, local, or tribal governments, or to the private sector, will
result from this action.
E. Executive Order 13132: Federalism
This action does not have federalism implications. It will not have
substantial direct effects on the states, on the relationship between
the national government and the states, or on the distribution of power
and responsibilities among the various levels of government.
F. Executive Order 13175: Coordination With Indian Tribal Governments
This action does not have tribal implications, as specified in
Executive Order 13175, 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, and will not
impose substantial direct costs on tribal governments or preempt tribal
law. Thus, Executive Order 13175 does not apply to this 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. Therefore, this action is not
subject to Executive Order 13045 because it is merely finalizing a
limited approval and limited disapproval of state law as meeting
federal requirements. Furthermore, the EPA's Policy on Children's
Health does not apply to this action.
H. Executive Order 13211: Actions That Significantly Affect Energy
Supply, Distribution, or Use
This action is not subject to Executive Order 13211, because it is
not a significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866.
I. National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act (NTTAA)
Section 12(d) of the NTTAA directs the EPA to use voluntary
consensus standards in its regulatory activities unless to do so would
be inconsistent with applicable law or otherwise impractical. The EPA
believes that this action is not subject to the requirements of section
12(d) of the NTTAA because application of those requirements would be
inconsistent with the CAA.
J. Executive Order 12898: Federal Actions To Address Environmental
Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations
Executive Order 12898 (Federal Actions To Address Environmental
Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations, 59 FR 7629,
Feb. 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.
The 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.'' The 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 State did not evaluate environmental justice (EJ)
considerations as part of its SIP submittal; the CAA and applicable
implementing regulations neither prohibit nor require such an
evaluation. The EPA did not perform an EJ analysis and did not consider
EJ in this 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. Consideration of EJ is not required as
part of this action, and there is no information in the record
inconsistent with the stated goal of E.O. 12898 of achieving
environmental justice for people of color, low-income populations, and
Indigenous peoples.
K. Congressional Review Act (CRA)
This action is subject to the CRA, and the EPA will submit a rule
report to each House of the Congress and to the Comptroller General of
the United States. This action is not a ``major rule'' as defined by 5
U.S.C. 804(2).
L. 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 November 27, 2023. 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)).
[[Page 65819]]
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52
Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Incorporation by
reference, Nitrogen oxides, Ozone, Particulate matter, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements, Volatile organic compounds.
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
Dated: September 18, 2023.
Martha Guzman Aceves,
Regional Administrator, Region IX.
Part 52, chapter I, title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations is
amended 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:
0
a. Adding paragraphs (c)(389)(i)(B)(7) and (c)(441)(i)(B)(4);
0
b. Revising paragraph (c)(595) introductory text; and
0
c. Adding paragraph (c)(595)(i) to read as follows:
Sec. 52.220 Identification of plan-in part.
* * * * *
(c) * * *
(389) * * *
(i) * * *
(B) * * *
(7) Previously approved on April 20, 2020, in paragraph
(c)(389)(i)(B)(1) of this section and now deleted with replacement in
(c)(595)(i)(A)(1) of this section: Rule 501, ``General Permit
Requirements,'' adopted on August 12, 2010.
* * * * *
(441) * * *
(i) * * *
(B) * * *
(4) Previously approved on September 29, 2014, in paragraph
(c)(441)(i)(B)(1) of this section and now deleted with replacement in
(c)(595)(i)(A)(2) of this section: Rule 502, ``New Source Review,''
amended on August 8, 2013.
* * * * *
(595) The following rules and additional materials were submitted
on October 6, 2021, by the Governor's designee as an attachment to a
letter dated October 6, 2021.
(i) Incorporation by reference. (A) Placer County Air Pollution
Control District.
(1) Rule 501, ``General Permit Requirements,'' amended on April 8,
2021.
(2) Rule 502, ``New Source Review,'' amended on August 12, 2021.
(B) [Reserved]
* * * * *
0
3. Section 52.281 is amended by adding paragraph (d)(12) to read as
follows:
Sec. 52.281 Visibility protection.
* * * * *
(d) * * *
(12) Placer County Air Pollution Control District.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2023-20673 Filed 9-25-23; 8:45 am]
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