Air Plan Approval; California; Feather River Air Quality Management District, 72353-72355 [2024-19848]
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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 172 / Thursday, September 5, 2024 / Proposed Rules
training hours within 30 calendar days
of the beginning of the term. Any
change in the rate of pursuit, dates of
attendance, or credit or training hours
must be submitted to VA within 30
calendar days of when a veteran makes
such a change.
*
*
*
*
*
[FR Doc. 2024–19852 Filed 9–4–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320–01–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 52
[EPA–R09–OAR–2024–0315; FRL–12098–
01–R9]
Air Plan Approval; California; Feather
River Air Quality Management District
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Proposed rule.
AGENCY:
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS
Table of Contents
The Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve a
revision to the Feather River Air Quality
Management District (FRAQMD or
‘‘District’’) portion of the California
State Implementation Plan (SIP). This
revision concerns recodification of
certain rules to replace historical Sutter
County Air Pollution Control District
and Yuba County Air Pollution Control
District rules with the corresponding
FRAQMD rules. These rules regulate
pollutants under the Clean Air Act
(CAA or ‘‘Act’’). We are taking
comments on this proposal and plan to
follow with a final action.
DATES: Comments must be received on
or before October 7, 2024.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,
identified by Docket ID No. EPA–R09–
OAR–2024–0315 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
SUMMARY:
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21:09 Sep 04, 2024
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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; phone: (415) 972–3827; email:
wiesinger.kira@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Throughout this document, ‘‘we,’’ ‘‘us’’
and ‘‘our’’ refer to the EPA.
I. The State’s Submittal
A. What is the purpose of the submitted
SIP revision?
B. What rules did the State submit?
C. Are there other versions of these rules?
II. The EPA’s Evaluation and Action
A. Scope of the EPA’s Review
B. Proposed Action and Public Comment
III. Incorporation by Reference
IV. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
I. The State’s Submittal
A. What is the purpose of the submitted
SIP revision?
Under the CAA, the EPA has
established National Ambient Air
Quality Standards (NAAQS) for certain
pervasive air pollutants, including,
among others, ozone and particulate
matter. Under CAA section 110(a), states
are required to adopt and submit SIPs to
implement, maintain and enforce the
NAAQS. Under CAA section 107(d), the
EPA has designated all areas of the
country as attainment, nonattainment,
or unclassifiable for the NAAQS. Areas
designated as nonattainment must adopt
and submit SIP revisions that, among
other things, provide for attainment of
the NAAQS by the applicable
attainment date.
In 1972, when the original California
SIP was submitted and approved by the
EPA, the Sutter County Air Pollution
Control District (SCAPCD) managed air
quality programs in Sutter County,
while the Yuba County Air Pollution
Control District (YCAPCD) managed air
quality programs in Yuba County. On
various dates, the EPA approved rules
and revisions submitted by these two
districts for inclusion in the California
SIP.
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72353
In 1991, the SCAPCD merged with the
YCAPCD to form the FRAQMD. The
FRAQMD is a bi-county agency that
administers air quality management
programs for Sutter and Yuba counties.
The newly formed FRAQMD adopted
many rules and regulations for the
District that were identical to the
previously existing SCAPCD and
YCAPCD rules and regulations, but
many of those FRAQMD rules were not
submitted for inclusion in the California
SIP. The FRAQMD portion of the
California SIP currently includes rules
adopted by the predecessor agencies,
the SCAPCD and the YCAPCD, to the
extent that such rules have not been
superseded or removed through EPA
approval of rules or rescissions adopted
by the FRAQMD. Thus, the SCAPCD
and the YCAPCD no longer exist, but
several of their rules remain in the
California SIP while the corresponding
locally-adopted FRAQMD rules are not
included in the SIP. On May 11, 2023,
the FRAQMD submitted a request
through the California Air Resources
Board (CARB) to replace specific
SCAPCD and YCAPCD rules with
applicable FRAQMD rules. Approval of
the request would revise the California
SIP to include the FRAQMD rules and
remove the historical SCAPCD and
YCAPCD rules that are no longer needed
in the SIP. The approval of this request
would be considered administrative in
nature and treated as a recodification of
existing SIP rules to align the SIP
version of the rules with those that are
currently in effect in the FRAQMD.
B. What rules did the State submit?
The following rules were locally
adopted by the FRAQMD on August 12,
1991,1 and submitted by CARB on May
11, 2023, for inclusion in the California
SIP:
Rule 3.0, Visible Emissions
Rule 3.1, Exceptions to Rule 3.0
(excluding paragraph D)
Rule 3.2, Particulate Matter
Concentration
Rule 3.3, Dust and Fumes
Rule 3.4, Separation of Emissions
Rule 3.5, Combination of Emissions
Rule 3.6, Abrasive Blasting
Rule 3.7, Reduction of Animal Matter
Rule 3.10, Sulfur Oxides
Rule 3.13, Circumvention
1 The FRAQMD rules were initially scheduled for
adoption at a June 1991 Board Meeting, but the
adoption was postponed to August 1991. The
FRAQMD ultimately adopted the rules in this
section on August 12, 1991, but ‘‘6/91’’ remained
as the adoption date printed on the rules.
Additionally, a typographic error in Rule 3.3 was
corrected and adopted by the FRAQMD on October
3, 2022, without changing the official adoption date
of the rule.
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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 172 / Thursday, September 5, 2024 / Proposed Rules
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS
Rule 9.6, Equipment Breakdown
The following SCAPCD rules were
originally adopted on December 16,
1980, and approved into the California
SIP on April 12, 1982 (47 FR 15585).
Since the SCAPCD no longer exists and
there is a locally-adopted FRAQMD rule
corresponding to each of these SCAPCD
rules, the FRAQMD requested to remove
these rules from the California SIP and
replace them with the submitted
FRAQMD rules listed above. That
request was submitted by CARB on May
11, 2023.2
Rule 3.0, Visible Emissions
Rule 3.1, Exceptions to Rule 3.0
Rule 3.2, Particulate Matter
Concentration
Rule 3.3, Dust and Fumes
Rule 3.4, Separation of Emissions
Rule 3.5, Combination of Emissions
Rule 3.6, Sand Blasting
Rule 3.7, Reduction of Animal Matter
Rule 3.10, Sulfur Oxides
Rule 3.13, Circumvention
Rule 9.6, Equipment Breakdown
The following YCAPCD rules were
originally adopted on July 24, 1980, and
approved into the California SIP on
April 12, 1982 (47 FR 15585). Since the
YCAPCD no longer exists and there is a
locally-adopted FRAQMD rule
corresponding to each of these YCAPCD
rules, the FRAQMD requested to remove
these rules from the California SIP and
replace them with the submitted
FRAQMD rules listed above. That
request was submitted by CARB on May
11, 2023.2
Rule 3.0, Visible Emissions
Rule 3.1, Exceptions to Rule 3.0
Rule 3.2, Particulate Matter
Concentration
Rule 3.3, Dust and Fumes
Rule 3.4, Separation of Emissions
Rule 3.5, Combination of Emissions
Rule 3.6, Sand Blasting
Rule 3.7, Reduction of Animal Matter
Rule 3.10, Sulfur Oxides
Rule 3.13, Circumvention
Rule 9.6, Equipment Breakdown
On November 11, 2023, the submittal
for the FRAQMD’s request was deemed
by operation of law to meet the
completeness criteria in 40 CFR part 51,
appendix V, which must be met before
formal EPA review.
C. Are there other versions of these
rules?
The EPA previously approved the
SCAPCD and YCAPCD rules listed in
2 In its May 11, 2023 submittal, the FRAQMD also
requested to rescind SCAPCD Rule 9.5, ‘‘Air
Pollution Equipment—Scheduled Maintenance,’’
and YCAPCD Rule 9.5, ‘‘Air Pollution Equipment—
Scheduled Maintenance,’’ without replacement.
The request for rescission of those two rules is not
being acted on in this action.
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section B and those rules are considered
as applicable in the FRAQMD portion of
the California SIP. If the EPA finalizes
this action as proposed, then the
corresponding FRAQMD rules listed in
section B will supersede the SCAPCD
and YCAPCD rules listed above.
II. The EPA’s Evaluation and Action
A. Scope of the EPA’s Review
The purpose of the submission of the
FRAQMD rules is to align the versions
of the rules that are part of the SIP with
the versions found in the current
District rulebook. The EPA is reviewing
the rules specified herein as
recodifications of existing rules and is
not reviewing the substance of the rules
at this time.3 The EPA approved these
rules from the predecessor agencies, the
SCAPCD and the YCAPCD, into the SIP
via prior rulemakings. The EPA is
subsequently proposing to approve the
FRAQMD versions of rules to replace
identical rules that were previously
approved by the EPA. The EPA’s
proposed approval of the FRAQMD
rules does not imply any position with
respect to the approvability of the
substance of the rules. To the extent the
EPA has issued any SIP calls to the State
with respect to the adequacy of any of
the rules subject to this recodification,
the EPA will continue to require the
State to correct any such rule
deficiencies despite the EPA’s proposed
approval of this recodification.
B. Proposed Action and Public
Comment
As authorized in section 110(k)(3) of
the Act, the EPA proposes to approve
the submitted FRAQMD rules because
they represent recodifications of
existing SIP rules. If approved, these
rules would supersede the SCAPCD and
YCAPCD rules of the same
corresponding number. The EPA is
therefore also proposing to approve the
rescissions of the corresponding
SCAPCD and YCAPCD rules because
they mirror recodified rules proposed
for approval. We will accept comments
from the public on this proposal until
October 7, 2024. If the EPA takes final
action to approve the submitted rules,
the final action would incorporate these
rules into the federally enforceable SIP
and would remove the preceding
SCAPCD and YCAPCD rules that are to
be rescinded or superseded in the
California SIP as requested.
3 Memorandum dated February 12, 1990, from
Johnnie L. Pearson, Chief, Regional Activities
Section, EPA Office of Air Quality Planning and
Standards to Chief, Air Branch, Regions I–X,
Subject: ‘‘Review of State Regulation
Recodifications.’’
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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
FRAQMD Rule 3.0, ‘‘Visible Emissions’’;
FRAQMD Rule 3.1, ‘‘Exceptions to Rule
3.0’’ (excluding paragraph D); FRAQMD
Rule 3.2, ‘‘Particulate Matter
Concentration’’; FRAQMD Rule 3.3,
‘‘Dust and Fumes’’; FRAQMD Rule 3.4,
‘‘Separation of Emissions’’; FRAQMD
Rule 3.5, ‘‘Combination of Emissions’’;
FRAQMD Rule 3.6, ‘‘Abrasive Blasting’’;
FRAQMD Rule 3.7, ‘‘Reduction of
Animal Matter’’; FRAQMD Rule 3.10,’’
Sulfur Oxides’’; FRAQMD Rule 3.13,
‘‘Circumvention’’; and FRAQMD Rule
9.6, ‘‘Equipment Breakdown,’’ all
adopted on August 12, 1991, which
regulate emissions of air pollutants. 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 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 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);
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khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 172 / Thursday, September 5, 2024 / Proposed Rules
• 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 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).
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 communities with
environmental justice (EJ) concerns to
the greatest extent practicable and
permitted by law. The EPA defines 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 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.
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 EJ for communities with EJ
concerns.
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List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52
Environmental protection, Air
pollution control, Incorporation by
reference, Intergovernmental relations,
Nitrogen oxides, Ozone, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements, Volatile
organic compounds.
Dated: August 28, 2024.
Martha Guzman Aceves,
Regional Administrator, Region IX.
[FR Doc. 2024–19848 Filed 9–4–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 63
[EPA–HQ–OAR–2004–0022; FRL–11253–03–
OAR]
RIN 2060–AW06
National Emission Standards for
Hazardous Air Pollutants From
Hazardous Waste Combustors
Malfunction and Electronic Reporting
Amendments; Extension of Comment
Period
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of
public comment period.
AGENCY:
On July 24, 2024, the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
proposed amendments to the National
Emission Standards for Hazardous Air
Pollutants (NESHAP) from Hazardous
Waste Combustors (HWC). The EPA is
extending the comment period on this
proposed rule that currently closes on
September 9, 2024, by 15 days. The
comment period will now remain open
until September 24, 2024, to allow
additional time for stakeholders to
review and comment on the proposal.
DATES: The public comment period for
the proposed rule published in the
Federal Register (FR) on July 24, 2024
(89 FR 59867), originally ending
September 9, 2024, is being extended by
15 days. Written comments must now
be received on or before September 24,
2024.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments,
identified by Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–
OAR–2004–0022, 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–
2004–0022 in the subject line of the
message.
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
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72355
• Fax: (202) 566–9744. Attention
Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–OAR–2004–
0022.
• Mail: U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, EPA Docket Center,
Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–OAR–2004–
0022, Mail Code 28221T, 1200
Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington,
DC 20460.
• Hand/Courier Delivery: EPA Docket
Center, WJC West Building, Room 3334,
1301 Constitution Avenue NW,
Washington, DC 20004. The Docket
Center’s hours of operation 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
detailed instructions on sending
comments and additional information
on the rulemaking process, see the
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of
this document.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
questions about this proposed action,
contact U.S. EPA, Attn: Rachel Smoak,
Mail Drop: E143–02, 109 T.W.
Alexander Drive, P.O. Box 12055, RTP,
North Carolina 27711; telephone
number: (919) 541–0253; and email
address: smoak.rachel@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Rationale. On July 24, 2024, the EPA
proposed amendments to 40 Code of
Federal Regulations (CFR) part 63,
subpart EEE, the National Emission
Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants
from Hazardous Waste Combustors
(HWC NESHAP). 89 FR 59867. The
comment period on this proposed rule
currently closes on September 9, 2024.
The EPA has received multiple requests
for additional time to review and
comment on this proposed rule. The
EPA has decided to extend the period
by 15 days. The public comment period
will now end on September 9, 2024.
Docket. The EPA has established a
docket for this rulemaking under Docket
ID No. EPA–HQ–OAR–2004–0022. All
documents in the docket are listed in
https://www.regulations.gov/. Although
listed, 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. With the
exception of such material, publicly
available docket materials are available
electronically in Regulations.gov.
Instructions. Direct your comments to
Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–OAR–2004–
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 172 (Thursday, September 5, 2024)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 72353-72355]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-19848]
=======================================================================
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 52
[EPA-R09-OAR-2024-0315; FRL-12098-01-R9]
Air Plan Approval; California; Feather River Air Quality
Management District
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Proposed rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to
approve a revision to the Feather River Air Quality Management District
(FRAQMD or ``District'') portion of the California State Implementation
Plan (SIP). This revision concerns recodification of certain rules to
replace historical Sutter County Air Pollution Control District and
Yuba County Air Pollution Control District rules with the corresponding
FRAQMD rules. These rules regulate pollutants under the Clean Air Act
(CAA or ``Act''). We are taking comments on this proposal and plan to
follow with a final action.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before October 7, 2024.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-R09-
OAR-2024-0315 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; phone: (415) 972-3827; email:
[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 is the purpose of the submitted SIP revision?
B. What rules did the State submit?
C. Are there other versions of these rules?
II. The EPA's Evaluation and Action
A. Scope of the EPA's Review
B. Proposed Action and Public Comment
III. Incorporation by Reference
IV. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
I. The State's Submittal
A. What is the purpose of the submitted SIP revision?
Under the CAA, the EPA has established National Ambient Air Quality
Standards (NAAQS) for certain pervasive air pollutants, including,
among others, ozone and particulate matter. Under CAA section 110(a),
states are required to adopt and submit SIPs to implement, maintain and
enforce the NAAQS. Under CAA section 107(d), the EPA has designated all
areas of the country as attainment, nonattainment, or unclassifiable
for the NAAQS. Areas designated as nonattainment must adopt and submit
SIP revisions that, among other things, provide for attainment of the
NAAQS by the applicable attainment date.
In 1972, when the original California SIP was submitted and
approved by the EPA, the Sutter County Air Pollution Control District
(SCAPCD) managed air quality programs in Sutter County, while the Yuba
County Air Pollution Control District (YCAPCD) managed air quality
programs in Yuba County. On various dates, the EPA approved rules and
revisions submitted by these two districts for inclusion in the
California SIP.
In 1991, the SCAPCD merged with the YCAPCD to form the FRAQMD. The
FRAQMD is a bi-county agency that administers air quality management
programs for Sutter and Yuba counties. The newly formed FRAQMD adopted
many rules and regulations for the District that were identical to the
previously existing SCAPCD and YCAPCD rules and regulations, but many
of those FRAQMD rules were not submitted for inclusion in the
California SIP. The FRAQMD portion of the California SIP currently
includes rules adopted by the predecessor agencies, the SCAPCD and the
YCAPCD, to the extent that such rules have not been superseded or
removed through EPA approval of rules or rescissions adopted by the
FRAQMD. Thus, the SCAPCD and the YCAPCD no longer exist, but several of
their rules remain in the California SIP while the corresponding
locally-adopted FRAQMD rules are not included in the SIP. On May 11,
2023, the FRAQMD submitted a request through the California Air
Resources Board (CARB) to replace specific SCAPCD and YCAPCD rules with
applicable FRAQMD rules. Approval of the request would revise the
California SIP to include the FRAQMD rules and remove the historical
SCAPCD and YCAPCD rules that are no longer needed in the SIP. The
approval of this request would be considered administrative in nature
and treated as a recodification of existing SIP rules to align the SIP
version of the rules with those that are currently in effect in the
FRAQMD.
B. What rules did the State submit?
The following rules were locally adopted by the FRAQMD on August
12, 1991,\1\ and submitted by CARB on May 11, 2023, for inclusion in
the California SIP:
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\1\ The FRAQMD rules were initially scheduled for adoption at a
June 1991 Board Meeting, but the adoption was postponed to August
1991. The FRAQMD ultimately adopted the rules in this section on
August 12, 1991, but ``6/91'' remained as the adoption date printed
on the rules. Additionally, a typographic error in Rule 3.3 was
corrected and adopted by the FRAQMD on October 3, 2022, without
changing the official adoption date of the rule.
Rule 3.0, Visible Emissions
Rule 3.1, Exceptions to Rule 3.0 (excluding paragraph D)
Rule 3.2, Particulate Matter Concentration
Rule 3.3, Dust and Fumes
Rule 3.4, Separation of Emissions
Rule 3.5, Combination of Emissions
Rule 3.6, Abrasive Blasting
Rule 3.7, Reduction of Animal Matter
Rule 3.10, Sulfur Oxides
Rule 3.13, Circumvention
[[Page 72354]]
Rule 9.6, Equipment Breakdown
The following SCAPCD rules were originally adopted on December 16,
1980, and approved into the California SIP on April 12, 1982 (47 FR
15585). Since the SCAPCD no longer exists and there is a locally-
adopted FRAQMD rule corresponding to each of these SCAPCD rules, the
FRAQMD requested to remove these rules from the California SIP and
replace them with the submitted FRAQMD rules listed above. That request
was submitted by CARB on May 11, 2023.\2\
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\2\ In its May 11, 2023 submittal, the FRAQMD also requested to
rescind SCAPCD Rule 9.5, ``Air Pollution Equipment--Scheduled
Maintenance,'' and YCAPCD Rule 9.5, ``Air Pollution Equipment--
Scheduled Maintenance,'' without replacement. The request for
rescission of those two rules is not being acted on in this action.
Rule 3.0, Visible Emissions
Rule 3.1, Exceptions to Rule 3.0
Rule 3.2, Particulate Matter Concentration
Rule 3.3, Dust and Fumes
Rule 3.4, Separation of Emissions
Rule 3.5, Combination of Emissions
Rule 3.6, Sand Blasting
Rule 3.7, Reduction of Animal Matter
Rule 3.10, Sulfur Oxides
Rule 3.13, Circumvention
Rule 9.6, Equipment Breakdown
The following YCAPCD rules were originally adopted on July 24,
1980, and approved into the California SIP on April 12, 1982 (47 FR
15585). Since the YCAPCD no longer exists and there is a locally-
adopted FRAQMD rule corresponding to each of these YCAPCD rules, the
FRAQMD requested to remove these rules from the California SIP and
replace them with the submitted FRAQMD rules listed above. That request
was submitted by CARB on May 11, 2023.\2\
Rule 3.0, Visible Emissions
Rule 3.1, Exceptions to Rule 3.0
Rule 3.2, Particulate Matter Concentration
Rule 3.3, Dust and Fumes
Rule 3.4, Separation of Emissions
Rule 3.5, Combination of Emissions
Rule 3.6, Sand Blasting
Rule 3.7, Reduction of Animal Matter
Rule 3.10, Sulfur Oxides
Rule 3.13, Circumvention
Rule 9.6, Equipment Breakdown
On November 11, 2023, the submittal for the FRAQMD's request was
deemed by operation of law to meet the completeness criteria in 40 CFR
part 51, appendix V, which must be met before formal EPA review.
C. Are there other versions of these rules?
The EPA previously approved the SCAPCD and YCAPCD rules listed in
section B and those rules are considered as applicable in the FRAQMD
portion of the California SIP. If the EPA finalizes this action as
proposed, then the corresponding FRAQMD rules listed in section B will
supersede the SCAPCD and YCAPCD rules listed above.
II. The EPA's Evaluation and Action
A. Scope of the EPA's Review
The purpose of the submission of the FRAQMD rules is to align the
versions of the rules that are part of the SIP with the versions found
in the current District rulebook. The EPA is reviewing the rules
specified herein as recodifications of existing rules and is not
reviewing the substance of the rules at this time.\3\ The EPA approved
these rules from the predecessor agencies, the SCAPCD and the YCAPCD,
into the SIP via prior rulemakings. The EPA is subsequently proposing
to approve the FRAQMD versions of rules to replace identical rules that
were previously approved by the EPA. The EPA's proposed approval of the
FRAQMD rules does not imply any position with respect to the
approvability of the substance of the rules. To the extent the EPA has
issued any SIP calls to the State with respect to the adequacy of any
of the rules subject to this recodification, the EPA will continue to
require the State to correct any such rule deficiencies despite the
EPA's proposed approval of this recodification.
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\3\ Memorandum dated February 12, 1990, from Johnnie L. Pearson,
Chief, Regional Activities Section, EPA Office of Air Quality
Planning and Standards to Chief, Air Branch, Regions I-X, Subject:
``Review of State Regulation Recodifications.''
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B. Proposed Action and Public Comment
As authorized in section 110(k)(3) of the Act, the EPA proposes to
approve the submitted FRAQMD rules because they represent
recodifications of existing SIP rules. If approved, these rules would
supersede the SCAPCD and YCAPCD rules of the same corresponding number.
The EPA is therefore also proposing to approve the rescissions of the
corresponding SCAPCD and YCAPCD rules because they mirror recodified
rules proposed for approval. We will accept comments from the public on
this proposal until October 7, 2024. If the EPA takes final action to
approve the submitted rules, the final action would incorporate these
rules into the federally enforceable SIP and would remove the preceding
SCAPCD and YCAPCD rules that are to be rescinded or superseded in the
California SIP as requested.
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 FRAQMD Rule 3.0, ``Visible Emissions''; FRAQMD Rule 3.1,
``Exceptions to Rule 3.0'' (excluding paragraph D); FRAQMD Rule 3.2,
``Particulate Matter Concentration''; FRAQMD Rule 3.3, ``Dust and
Fumes''; FRAQMD Rule 3.4, ``Separation of Emissions''; FRAQMD Rule 3.5,
``Combination of Emissions''; FRAQMD Rule 3.6, ``Abrasive Blasting'';
FRAQMD Rule 3.7, ``Reduction of Animal Matter''; FRAQMD Rule 3.10,''
Sulfur Oxides''; FRAQMD Rule 3.13, ``Circumvention''; and FRAQMD Rule
9.6, ``Equipment Breakdown,'' all adopted on August 12, 1991, which
regulate emissions of air pollutants. 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 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
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);
[[Page 72355]]
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 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).
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 communities with environmental justice
(EJ) concerns to the greatest extent practicable and permitted by law.
The EPA defines 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 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. 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 EJ
for communities with EJ concerns.
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52
Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Incorporation by
reference, Intergovernmental relations, Nitrogen oxides, Ozone,
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Volatile organic compounds.
Dated: August 28, 2024.
Martha Guzman Aceves,
Regional Administrator, Region IX.
[FR Doc. 2024-19848 Filed 9-4-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P