Air Plan Approval; Arizona; Maricopa County Air Quality Department, 89355-89357 [2023-28495]
Download as PDF
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 247 / Wednesday, December 27, 2023 / Proposed Rules
Dated: December 20, 2023.
Martha Guzman Aceves,
Regional Administrator, Region IX.
Submit your comments,
identified by Docket ID No. EPA–R09–
OAR–2023–0599 at https://
www.regulations.gov. For comments
submitted at Regulations.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 the person identified in the FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section.
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. If you need
assistance in a language other than
English or if you are a person with a
ADDRESSES:
[FR Doc. 2023–28525 Filed 12–26–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 52
[EPA–R09–OAR–2023–0599; FRL–11591–
01–R9]
Air Plan Approval; Arizona; Maricopa
County Air Quality Department
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Proposed rule.
AGENCY:
The Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve
revisions to the Maricopa County Air
Quality Department (MCAQD) portion
of the Arizona State Implementation
Plan (SIP). These revisions concern a
rule that includes definitions for certain
terms that are necessary for the
implementation of local rules that
regulate sources of air pollution. We are
proposing to approve the rule under the
Clean Air Act (CAA or the Act). We are
taking comments on this proposal and
plan to follow with a final action.
DATES: Comments must be received on
or before January 26, 2024.
SUMMARY:
89355
disability 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: Kira
Wiesinger, EPA Region IX, 75
Hawthorne St., San Francisco, CA
94105. By phone: (415) 972–3827 or by
email at wiesinger.kira@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Throughout this document, ‘‘we,’’ ‘‘us’’
and ‘‘our’’ refer to the EPA.
Table of Contents
I. The State’s Submittal
A. What rule did the State submit?
B. Are there other versions of this rule?
C. What is the purpose of the submitted
rule revisions?
II. The EPA’s Evaluation and Action
A. How is the EPA evaluating the rule?
B. Does the rule meet the evaluation
criteria?
C. The EPA’s Recommendations to Further
Improve the Rule
D. Public Comment and Proposed Action
III. Incorporation by Reference
IV. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
I. The State’s Submittal
A. What rule did the State submit?
Table 1 lists the rule addressed by this
proposal with the date that it was
adopted by the local air agency and
submitted by the Arizona Department of
Environmental Quality (ADEQ) to the
EPA.
TABLE 1—SUBMITTED RULE
Local
agency
Rule No.
Rule title
MCAQD
100 ......................................................................
General Provisions and Definitions .....................
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with PROPOSALS1
Under CAA section 110(k)(1), the EPA
must determine whether a SIP submittal
meets the minimum completeness
criteria established in 40 CFR part 51,
appendix V for an official SIP submittal
on which the EPA is obligated to take
action. We find that the ADEQ’s August
23, 2023 SIP submittal for MCAQD Rule
100 meets the completeness criteria in
40 CFR part 51 Appendix V, which
must be met before formal EPA review.
B. Are there other versions of this
rulemaking?
We approved an earlier version of
MCAQD Rule 100 into the SIP on
February 15, 2022.2 The Maricopa
County Board of Supervisors adopted
revisions to the SIP-approved version on
1 ADEQ submitted the amendment to MCAQD
Rule 100 electronically on August 23, 2023. ADEQ’s
submittal letter is dated August 23, 2023.
2 See 87 FR 8418 (February 15, 2022).
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:35 Dec 26, 2023
Jkt 262001
August 9, 2023, and the ADEQ
submitted them to us on August 23,
2023. If we take final action to approve
the August 9, 2023 version of Rule 100,
this version will replace the previously
approved version of this rule in the SIP.
C. What is the purpose of the submitted
rule revisions?
The purpose of the submitted rule
revisions is to clarify and update
definitions in Rule 100 of the Maricopa
County portion of the Arizona SIP as
part of the MCAQD’s Title V permit
program revision. Revisions include the
following, but a more complete list and
discussion can be found in the technical
support document (TSD) for this action
found in the docket:
• The addition of definitions for the
terms ‘‘alternative operating scenario’’
and ‘‘business day or working day’’ and
a revision of the definition of ‘‘major
PO 00000
Frm 00035
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
Revised
8/9/2023
Submitted on
1 8/23/2023
source.’’ A definition for the term
‘‘alternative operating scenario’’ was
added to allow MCAQD Title V permit
applications the opportunity to submit
an alternative operating scenario for
their source. The ‘‘major source’’
definition has been revised to make it
consistent with the Title V permit
program definition of ‘‘major source,’’
by including language describing a 100
tons per year emission threshold.
II. The EPA’s Evaluation and Action
A. How is the EPA evaluating the
rulemaking?
Rules in the SIP must be enforceable
(see CAA section 110(a)(2)), must not
interfere with applicable requirements
concerning attainment and reasonable
further progress or other CAA
requirements (see CAA section 110(l)),
and must not modify certain SIP control
requirements in nonattainment areas
E:\FR\FM\27DEP1.SGM
27DEP1
89356
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 247 / Wednesday, December 27, 2023 / Proposed Rules
without ensuring equivalent or greater
emissions reductions (see CAA section
193).
Since Rule 100 sets forth the legal
authority for the Maricopa County Air
Pollution Rules, which include
MCAQD’s Federal new source review
(NSR) rules in Rule 240 for stationary
sources located in nonattainment areas
and in attainment and/or unclassifiable
areas, the revisions must be more
stringent, or at least as stringent, in all
respects as the corresponding SIP
definitions in 40 CFR part 51.165(a)(1)
and 51.166(b), which are the
implementing regulations for CAA parts
C and D of title I. 40 CFR part
51.165(a)(1) contains the SIP definitions
applicable to Federal NSR operating
permit programs for stationary sources
located in nonattainment areas, and 40
CFR 51.166(b) contains the SIP
definitions for stationary sources
located in attainment and/or
unclassified areas. Guidance and policy
documents that we used to evaluate
enforceability, revision/relaxation and
rule stringency requirements for the
applicable criteria pollutants include
the following:
1. ‘‘State Implementation Plans;
General Preamble for the
Implementation of Title I of the Clean
Air Act Amendments of 1990,’’ 57 FR
13498 (April 16, 1992); 57 FR 18070
(April 28, 1992).
2. ‘‘Issues Relating to VOC Regulation
Cutpoints, Deficiencies, and
Deviations,’’ EPA, May 25, 1988 (the
Bluebook, revised January 11, 1990).
3. ‘‘Guidance Document for Correcting
Common VOC & Other Rule
Deficiencies,’’ EPA Region 9, August 21,
2001 (the Little Bluebook).
B. Does the rule meet the evaluation
criteria?
This rule meets CAA requirements
and relevant guidance regarding
enforceability. The TSD has more
information on our evaluation.
C. The EPA’s Recommendations To
Further Improve the Rule
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with PROPOSALS1
The TSD includes a recommendation
for the next time the local agency
modifies Rule 100.
D. Public Comment and Proposed
Action
As authorized in section 110(k)(3) of
the Act, the EPA proposes to fully
approve the submitted rule because it
fulfills all relevant requirements. We
will accept comments from the public
on this proposal until January 26, 2024.
If we take final action to approve the
submitted rule, our final action will
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:35 Dec 26, 2023
Jkt 262001
incorporate this rule into the federally
enforceable SIP.
III. Incorporation by Reference
In this rule, the EPA is proposing to
include in a final EPA rule regulatory
text that includes incorporation by
reference. In accordance with
requirements of 1 CFR 51.5, the EPA is
proposing to incorporate by reference
the MCAQD’s Rule 100, General
Provisions and Definitions, revised on
August 9, 2023, which sets forth the
legal authority for the Maricopa County
Air Pollution Rules, and provides
definitions of terms used throughout
these rules. The EPA has made, and will
continue to make, these materials
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).
IV. Statutory and Executive Order
Reviews
Under the Clean Air Act, 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 Clean Air
Act. Accordingly, this proposed 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 proposed 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 14094 (88 FR
21879, April 11, 2023);
• 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 subject to Executive Order
13045 (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997)
PO 00000
Frm 00036
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
because it proposes to approve a state
program;
• Is not a significant regulatory action
subject to Executive Order 13211 (66 FR
28355, May 22, 2001); and
• 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 Clean Air Act.
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 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).
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 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 Executive Order
12898 of achieving environmental
justice for people of color, low-income
populations, and Indigenous peoples.
E:\FR\FM\27DEP1.SGM
27DEP1
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 247 / Wednesday, December 27, 2023 / Proposed Rules
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52
Environmental protection, Air
pollution control, Incorporation by
reference, Intergovernmental relations,
Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone, Particulate
matter, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Volatile organic
compounds.
Dated: December 20, 2023.
Martha Guzman Aceves,
Regional Administrator, Region IX.
[FR Doc. 2023–28495 Filed 12–26–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Defense Acquisition Regulations
System
48 CFR Parts 203, 204, 212, and 215
[Docket DARS–2023–0043]
RIN 0750–AK33
Defense Federal Acquisition
Regulation Supplement: Inapplicability
of Additional Defense-Unique Laws
and Certain Non-Statutory DFARS
Clauses to Commercial Item Contracts
(DFARS Case 2018–D074); Extension
of Comment Period
Defense Acquisition
Regulations System, Department of
Defense (DoD).
ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of
comment period.
AGENCY:
DoD published a proposed
rule on November 17, 2023, proposing
to amend the Defense Federal
Acquisition Regulation Supplement
(DFARS) to implement sections of the
National Defense Authorization Acts for
Fiscal Years 2018 and 2019 regarding
applicability of certain solicitation
provisions and contract clauses to
contracts and subcontracts for
commercial products, commercial
services, and commercially available
off-the-shelf items. The deadline for
submitting comments is being extended
to provide additional time for interested
parties to provide comments.
DATES: The comment period for the
proposed rule published November 17,
2023, at 88 FR 80468, is being extended.
Comments on the proposed rule should
be submitted in writing to the address
shown in ADDRESSES on or before March
15, 2024, to be considered in the
formation of a final rule.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments
identified by DFARS Case 2018–D074,
using either of the following methods:
Æ Federal eRulemaking Portal:
https://www.regulations.gov. Search for
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with PROPOSALS1
SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:35 Dec 26, 2023
Jkt 262001
‘‘DFARS Case 2018–D074’’. Select
‘‘Comment’’ and follow the instructions
to submit a comment. Please include
‘‘DFARS Case 2018–D074’’ on any
attached documents.
Æ Email: osd.dfars@mail.mil. Include
DFARS Case 2018–D074 in the subject
line of the message.
Comments received generally will be
posted without change to https://
www.regulations.gov, including any
personal information provided. To
confirm receipt of your comment(s),
please check https://
www.regulations.gov, approximately
two to three days after submission to
verify posting.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms.
Jeanette Snyder, telephone 703–508–
7524.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On
November 17, 2023, DoD published a
proposed rule in the Federal Register at
88 FR 80468 seeking public comment on
the proposed rule to amend the DFARS
to implement sections of the National
Defense Authorization Acts for Fiscal
Year 2018 and 2019. These sections
address requirements related to the
applicability of DFARS solicitation
provisions and contract clauses to
commercial products, commercial
services, and commercially available
off-the-shelf items.
The comment period for the proposed
rule is extended to March 15, 2024, to
provide additional time for interested
parties to comment on the proposed
rule.
List of Subjects in 48 CFR Part 203, 204,
212, and 215
Government procurement.
Jennifer D. Johnson,
Editor/Publisher, Defense Acquisition
Regulations System.
[FR Doc. 2023–28413 Filed 12–26–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6001–FR–P
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Defense Acquisition Regulations
System
48 CFR Parts 207, 215, 227, and 252
[Docket DARS–2023–0044]
RIN 0750–AL24
Defense Federal Acquisition
Regulation Supplement: Modular Open
Systems Approaches (DFARS Case
2021–D005); Extension of Comment
Period
Defense Acquisition
Regulations System, Department of
Defense (DoD).
AGENCY:
PO 00000
Frm 00037
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
89357
Advance notice of proposed
rulemaking; extension of comment
period.
ACTION:
DoD published an advance
notice of proposed rulemaking on
November 17, 2023, seeking public
input on a proposed revision to the
Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation
Supplement (DFARS) to implement
certain elements of sections of the
National Defense Authorization Acts for
Fiscal Years 2012, 2017, and 2021,
which establish contract requirements
that enable modular open system
approaches. The deadline for submitting
comments is being extended to provide
additional time for interested parties to
provide comments.
DATES: The comment period for the
advance notice of proposed rulemaking
published November 17, 2023 at 88 FR
80258, is extended. Comments on the
advance notice of proposed rulemaking
should be submitted in writing to the
address shown in ADDRESSES on or
before February 15, 2024, to be
considered in the formation of a
proposed rule.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments
identified by DFARS Case 2021–D005,
using either of the following methods:
Æ Federal eRulemaking Portal:
https://www.regulations.gov. Search for
‘‘DFARS Case 2021–D005.’’ Select
‘‘Comment’’ and follow the instructions
provided to submit a comment. Please
include ‘‘DFARS Case 2021–D005’’ on
any attached documents.
Æ Email: osd.dfars@mail.mil. Include
DFARS Case 2021–D005 in the subject
line of the message.
Comments received generally will be
posted without change to https://
www.regulations.gov, including any
personal information provided. To
confirm receipt of your comment(s),
please check https://
www.regulations.gov, approximately
two to three days after submission to
verify posting.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.
David Johnson, telephone 202–913–
5764.
SUMMARY:
On
November 17, 2023, DoD published an
advance notice of proposed rulemaking
(ANPR) in the Federal Register at 88 FR
80258 seeking public input on potential
DFARS changes to implement certain
elements of sections of the National
Defense Authorization Acts for Fiscal
Years 2012, 2017, and 2021. These
sections establish contract requirements
that enable modular open system
approaches. DoD held a public meeting
on December 14, 2023, regarding this
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
E:\FR\FM\27DEP1.SGM
27DEP1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 247 (Wednesday, December 27, 2023)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 89355-89357]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-28495]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 52
[EPA-R09-OAR-2023-0599; FRL-11591-01-R9]
Air Plan Approval; Arizona; Maricopa County Air Quality
Department
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Proposed rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to
approve revisions to the Maricopa County Air Quality Department (MCAQD)
portion of the Arizona State Implementation Plan (SIP). These revisions
concern a rule that includes definitions for certain terms that are
necessary for the implementation of local rules that regulate sources
of air pollution. We are proposing to approve the rule under the Clean
Air Act (CAA or the Act). We are taking comments on this proposal and
plan to follow with a final action.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before January 26, 2024.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-R09-
OAR-2023-0599 at https://www.regulations.gov. For comments submitted at
Regulations.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 the person identified in
the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section. 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. If you need assistance in a
language other than English or if you are a person with a disability
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: Kira Wiesinger, EPA Region IX, 75
Hawthorne St., San Francisco, CA 94105. By phone: (415) 972-3827 or by
email at [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Throughout this document, ``we,'' ``us'' and
``our'' refer to the EPA.
Table of Contents
I. The State's Submittal
A. What rule did the State submit?
B. Are there other versions of this rule?
C. What is the purpose of the submitted rule revisions?
II. The EPA's Evaluation and Action
A. How is the EPA evaluating the rule?
B. Does the rule meet the evaluation criteria?
C. The EPA's Recommendations to Further Improve the Rule
D. Public Comment and Proposed Action
III. Incorporation by Reference
IV. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
I. The State's Submittal
A. What rule did the State submit?
Table 1 lists the rule addressed by this proposal with the date
that it was adopted by the local air agency and submitted by the
Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) to the EPA.
Table 1--Submitted Rule
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Local agency Rule No. Rule title Revised Submitted on
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MCAQD................. 100........................ General Provisions and 8/9/2023 \1\ 8/23/2023
Definitions.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Under CAA section 110(k)(1), the EPA must determine whether a SIP
submittal meets the minimum completeness criteria established in 40 CFR
part 51, appendix V for an official SIP submittal on which the EPA is
obligated to take action. We find that the ADEQ's August 23, 2023 SIP
submittal for MCAQD Rule 100 meets the completeness criteria in 40 CFR
part 51 Appendix V, which must be met before formal EPA review.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ ADEQ submitted the amendment to MCAQD Rule 100
electronically on August 23, 2023. ADEQ's submittal letter is dated
August 23, 2023.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
B. Are there other versions of this rulemaking?
We approved an earlier version of MCAQD Rule 100 into the SIP on
February 15, 2022.\2\ The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors adopted
revisions to the SIP-approved version on August 9, 2023, and the ADEQ
submitted them to us on August 23, 2023. If we take final action to
approve the August 9, 2023 version of Rule 100, this version will
replace the previously approved version of this rule in the SIP.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ See 87 FR 8418 (February 15, 2022).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
C. What is the purpose of the submitted rule revisions?
The purpose of the submitted rule revisions is to clarify and
update definitions in Rule 100 of the Maricopa County portion of the
Arizona SIP as part of the MCAQD's Title V permit program revision.
Revisions include the following, but a more complete list and
discussion can be found in the technical support document (TSD) for
this action found in the docket:
The addition of definitions for the terms ``alternative
operating scenario'' and ``business day or working day'' and a revision
of the definition of ``major source.'' A definition for the term
``alternative operating scenario'' was added to allow MCAQD Title V
permit applications the opportunity to submit an alternative operating
scenario for their source. The ``major source'' definition has been
revised to make it consistent with the Title V permit program
definition of ``major source,'' by including language describing a 100
tons per year emission threshold.
II. The EPA's Evaluation and Action
A. How is the EPA evaluating the rulemaking?
Rules in the SIP must be enforceable (see CAA section 110(a)(2)),
must not interfere with applicable requirements concerning attainment
and reasonable further progress or other CAA requirements (see CAA
section 110(l)), and must not modify certain SIP control requirements
in nonattainment areas
[[Page 89356]]
without ensuring equivalent or greater emissions reductions (see CAA
section 193).
Since Rule 100 sets forth the legal authority for the Maricopa
County Air Pollution Rules, which include MCAQD's Federal new source
review (NSR) rules in Rule 240 for stationary sources located in
nonattainment areas and in attainment and/or unclassifiable areas, the
revisions must be more stringent, or at least as stringent, in all
respects as the corresponding SIP definitions in 40 CFR part
51.165(a)(1) and 51.166(b), which are the implementing regulations for
CAA parts C and D of title I. 40 CFR part 51.165(a)(1) contains the SIP
definitions applicable to Federal NSR operating permit programs for
stationary sources located in nonattainment areas, and 40 CFR 51.166(b)
contains the SIP definitions for stationary sources located in
attainment and/or unclassified areas. Guidance and policy documents
that we used to evaluate enforceability, revision/relaxation and rule
stringency requirements for the applicable criteria pollutants include
the following:
1. ``State Implementation Plans; General Preamble for the
Implementation of Title I of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990,'' 57
FR 13498 (April 16, 1992); 57 FR 18070 (April 28, 1992).
2. ``Issues Relating to VOC Regulation Cutpoints, Deficiencies, and
Deviations,'' EPA, May 25, 1988 (the Bluebook, revised January 11,
1990).
3. ``Guidance Document for Correcting Common VOC & Other Rule
Deficiencies,'' EPA Region 9, August 21, 2001 (the Little Bluebook).
B. Does the rule meet the evaluation criteria?
This rule meets CAA requirements and relevant guidance regarding
enforceability. The TSD has more information on our evaluation.
C. The EPA's Recommendations To Further Improve the Rule
The TSD includes a recommendation for the next time the local
agency modifies Rule 100.
D. Public Comment and Proposed Action
As authorized in section 110(k)(3) of the Act, the EPA proposes to
fully approve the submitted rule because it fulfills all relevant
requirements. We will accept comments from the public on this proposal
until January 26, 2024. If we take final action to approve the
submitted rule, our final action will incorporate this rule into the
federally enforceable SIP.
III. Incorporation by Reference
In this rule, the EPA is proposing to include in a final EPA rule
regulatory text that includes incorporation by reference. In accordance
with requirements of 1 CFR 51.5, the EPA is proposing to incorporate by
reference the MCAQD's Rule 100, General Provisions and Definitions,
revised on August 9, 2023, which sets forth the legal authority for the
Maricopa County Air Pollution Rules, and provides definitions of terms
used throughout these rules. The EPA has made, and will continue to
make, these materials 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).
IV. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
Under the Clean Air Act, 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 Clean Air Act.
Accordingly, this proposed 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
proposed 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 14094 (88 FR 21879, April 11, 2023);
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 subject to Executive Order 13045 (62 FR 19885,
April 23, 1997) because it proposes to approve a state program;
Is not a significant regulatory action subject to
Executive Order 13211 (66 FR 28355, May 22, 2001); and
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 Clean Air Act.
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 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).
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 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 Executive Order 12898 of achieving environmental justice
for people of color, low-income populations, and Indigenous peoples.
[[Page 89357]]
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52
Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Incorporation by
reference, Intergovernmental relations, Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone,
Particulate matter, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Volatile
organic compounds.
Dated: December 20, 2023.
Martha Guzman Aceves,
Regional Administrator, Region IX.
[FR Doc. 2023-28495 Filed 12-26-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P