Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plan; Delaware; Regional Haze State Implementation Plan for the Second Implementation Period, 84288-84291 [2024-24196]
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84288
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land. 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 does not concern an
environmental health risk or safety risk.
Since this action does not concern
human health, EPA’s Policy on
Children’s Health also does not apply.
H. Executive Order 13211: Actions
Concerning Regulations 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
This rulemaking does not involve
technical standards.
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J. Executive Order 12898: Federal
Actions To Address Environmental
Justice in Minority Populations and
Low-Income Populations and Executive
Order 14096: Revitalizing Our Nation’s
Commitment to Environmental Justice
for All
The EPA finds that this action does
not concern human health or
environmental conditions and therefore
cannot be evaluated with respect to
potentially disproportionate and
adverse effects on communities with
environmental justice concerns. This
action changes the fourth-level
paragraph designation of the EPA’s PSD
regulations contained in 40 CFR 51.166
and 40 CFR 52.21 to conform with OFR
requirements. This action makes very
minor technical amendments to correct
non-substantive errors in existing rules.
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. The CRA allows the issuing
agency to make a rule effective sooner
than otherwise provided by the CRA if
the agency makes a good cause finding
that notice and comment rulemaking
procedures are impracticable,
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unnecessary or contrary to the public
interest. 5 U.S.C. 808(2). The EPA has
made a good cause finding for this rule
as discussed in the Final Action section
of this rulemaking, including the basis
for that finding.
V. Statutory Authority
Statutory authority to issue the
amendments finalized in this action is
provided by the same CAA provisions
that provided authority to issue the
regulations being amended: 42 U.S.C.
7401 et seq. Statutory authority for the
rulemaking procedures followed in this
action is provided by APA section 553,
5 U.S.C. 553.
VI. Judicial Review
Under section 307(b)(1) of the CAA,
petitions for judicial review of this
action must be filed in the United States
Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit
within 60 days from October 22, 2024.
Filing a petition for reconsideration by
the Administrator of this final rule does
not affect the finality of this action 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 (section
307(b)(2) of the CAA).
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Parts 51 and
52
Environmental protection,
Administrative practices and
procedures, Air pollution control, New
source review, Preconstruction
permitting, Prevention of significant
deterioration.
Michael S. Regan,
Administrator.
For the reasons stated in the
preamble, title 40, Chapter I of the Code
of Federal Regulations is amended as
follows:
PART 51—REQUIREMENTS FOR
PREPARATION, ADOPTION, AND
SUBMITTAL OF IMPLEMENTATION
PLANS
1. The authority citation for part 51
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 23 U.S.C. 101; 42 U.S.C. 7401–
7671q.
Subpart I—Review of New Sources and
Modifications
§ 51.166
[Amended]
2. In § 51.166 revise the paragraph
level designation for the 4th paragraph
level from lowercase italic letters to
uppercase non-italic letters.
■
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PART 52—APPROVAL AND
PROMULGATION OF
IMPLEMENTATION PLANS
3. The authority citation for part 52
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et. seq.
Subpart A—General Provisions
§ 52.21
[Amended]
4. In § 52.21, revise the paragraph
level designation for the 4th paragraph
level from lowercase italic letters to
uppercase non-italic letters.
■
[FR Doc. 2024–24281 Filed 10–21–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 52
[EPA–R03–OAR–2023–0301; FRL–10191–
02–R3]
Approval and Promulgation of Air
Quality Implementation Plan;
Delaware; Regional Haze State
Implementation Plan for the Second
Implementation Period
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
The Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) is approving the regional
haze State implementation plan (SIP)
revision submitted by Delaware on
August 8, 2022, and supplemented on
March 7, 2024, as satisfying applicable
requirements under the Clean Air Act
(CAA) and the EPA’s Regional Haze
Rule (RHR) for the program’s second
implementation period. Delaware’s SIP
submission addresses the requirement
that States must periodically revise their
long-term strategies for making
reasonable progress towards the
national goal of preventing any future,
and remedying any existing,
anthropogenic impairment of visibility,
including regional haze, in mandatory
Class I Federal areas. The SIP
submission also addresses other
applicable requirements for the second
implementation period of the regional
haze program.
DATES: This final rule is effective on
November 21, 2024.
ADDRESSES: EPA has established a
docket for this action under Docket ID
Number EPA–R03–OAR–2023–0301. All
documents in the docket are listed on
the www.regulations.gov website.
Although listed in the index, some
information is not publicly available,
e.g., confidential business information
SUMMARY:
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(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 www.regulations.gov,
or please contact the person identified
in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT section for additional
availability information.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Adam Yarina, Planning &
Implementation Branch (3AD30), Air &
Radiation Division, U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, Region 3, 1600 John
F. Kennedy Boulevard, Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania 19103–2852. The
telephone number is (215) 814–2108.
Mr. Yarina can also be reached via
electronic mail at yarina.adam@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
On August 8, 2022, the Delaware
Department of Natural Resources and
Environmental Control (DNREC)
submitted a revision to its SIP to
address regional haze for the second
implementation period; with a
supplement submitted on March 7, 2024
which included title V permit
provisions for three facilities owned by
Calpine Mid-Atlantic Generation, LLC
to be incorporated into the Delaware
SIP. EPA reviewed and evaluated the
State’s selection and modification of the
applicable title V permits to incorporate
the regional haze requirements of the
second implementation period. DNREC
updated Title V permits for Calpine
Christiana Energy Center, Calpine
Delaware City Energy Center, and
Calpine West Energy Center after
conducting four-factor analyses and
added the 88 ppm NOX emission limit
during April and October. Delaware
issued the new permits on May 19, 2021
and included them in appendix 10–2 of
its SIP submittal; redacted copies of
these permits were subsequently
resubmitted to EPA with an effective
date of December 19, 2023 so that the
portions relevant to compliance with
the regional haze requirements of the
second planning period could be
incorporated into the Delaware SIP.1
DNREC made this SIP submission to
satisfy the requirements of the CAA’s
regional haze program pursuant to CAA
1 DNREC provided a clarification of this
supplemental SIP submittal on May 28, 2024, that
specified which provisions of the title V permits it
intended to be incorporated by reference into the
Delaware SIP. As a result, the 88 ppm NOX
emission limit as extended to April and October
and related permit conditions will be federally
enforceable.
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sections 169A and 169B and 40 Code of
Federal Regulations (CFR) 51.308. The
full substance of the Delaware’s regional
haze SIP submission for the second
planning period is discussed at length
in the notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM).
On August 19, 2024 (89 FR 67018),
EPA published an NPRM proposing
approval of Delaware’s August 8, 2022
SIP submission and its March 7, 2024
supplement as satisfying the regional
haze requirements for the second
implementation period contained in the
CAA and 40 CFR 51.308. EPA is now
determining that the Delaware regional
haze SIP submission for the second
implementation period meets the
applicable statutory and regulatory
requirements and is thus approving
Delaware’s submission into its SIP.
II. EPA’s Response to Comments
Received
EPA received three comments in
response to the NPRM, two of which
were unique. One comment originated
from the Mid-Atlantic/Northeast
Visibility Union (MANE–VU) in support
of the EPA’s proposed action, and the
other comment originated from an
individual and was not relevant. These
comments are available in the docket for
this action via Docket ID Number EPA–
R03–OAR–2023–0301 on the
www.regulations.gov website. EPA’s
summary of and response to the relevant
comment is provided below.
Comment: MANE–VU submitted
comments in support of the EPA’s
proposed action, stating:
MANEVU supports EPA’s proposal to
approve Delaware’s regional haze State
implementation plan (SIP) revision
submitted on August 8, 2022, and
supplemented on March 7, 2024, as satisfying
applicable requirements under the Clean Air
Act (CAA) and EPA’s Regional Haze Rule
(RHR) for the second implementation period
of the regional haze program. MANEVU
agrees that Delaware’s haze SIP revision
meets the requirements of CAA sections
169A and 169B and the RHR at 40 CFR
51.308. MANEVU appreciates EPA’s careful
evaluation of Delaware’s SIP submittal, as
well as the constructive input and review
that the federal land managers provided to
Delaware and the other MANEVU States as
they developed their regional haze SIPs.
MANEVU notes that reducing haze-forming
pollutants improves scenic vistas in our
national parks and wilderness areas while
also providing other economic, ecosystem
and public health co-benefits.
Response: EPA appreciates and agrees
with this comment.2
2 To
the extent that MANE–VU mentions EPA’s
review of other States’ responses to the MANE–VU
Asks and submits a list of States that MANE–VU’s
technical analysis found to be reasonably
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84289
III. Final Action
For the reasons set forth at length in
the NPRM, EPA is approving, as a SIP
revision, Delaware’s August 8, 2022 SIP
submission and its March 7, 2024
supplement as satisfying the regional
haze requirements for the second
implementation period contained in 40
CFR 51.308(f).
IV. Incorporation by Reference
In this document, EPA is finalizing
regulatory text that includes
incorporation by reference. In
accordance with requirements of 1 CFR
51.5, EPA is finalizing the incorporation
by reference of specific provisions of the
revised title V permits for Calpine
Christiana Energy Center, Calpine
Delaware City Energy Center, and
Calpine West Energy Center, dated and
effective December 19, 2023, between
DNREC and Calpine Mid-Atlantic
Generation, LLC, which includes
emission limits and associated permit
conditions for these facilities to comply
with Regional Haze requirements for the
2nd Planning Period, as discussed in
section I of this document and included
in the amendments to 40 CFR part 52 set
forth below. These permit revisions are
contained in DNREC’s supplemental SIP
submittal dated March 7, 2024,
submitted on behalf of the State of
Delaware; the portions of these permit
revisions that will be incorporated by
reference into the SIP are clarified by
the DNREC Air Quality Division
Director via a letter dated May 28, 2024.
EPA has made, and will continue to
make, these materials generally
available through www.regulations.gov
and at the EPA Region 3 Office (please
contact the person identified in the FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of
this preamble for more information).
Therefore, these materials have been
approved by EPA for inclusion in the
SIP, have been incorporated by
reference by EPA into that plan, are
fully federally enforceable under
sections 110 and 113 of the CAA as of
the effective date of the final rule of
EPA’s approval, and will be
incorporated by reference in the next
update to the SIP compilation.3
V. Statutory and Executive Order
Reviews
A. General Requirements
Under the CAA, the Administrator is
required to approve a SIP submission
that complies with the provisions of the
anticipated to contribute to visibility impairment at
one or more MANE–VU Class I areas, EPA views
that comment as beyond the scope of this action
such that no response is warranted.
3 62 FR 27968 (May 22, 1997).
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CAA and applicable Federal regulations.
42 U.S.C. 7410(k); 40 CFR 52.02(a).
Thus, in reviewing SIP submissions,
EPA’s role is to approve State choices,
provided that they meet the criteria of
the CAA. Accordingly, this action
merely approves State law as meeting
Federal requirements and does not
impose additional requirements beyond
those imposed by State law. For that
reason, this action:
• Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory
action’’ subject to review by the Office
of Management and Budget under
Executive Orders 12866 (58 FR 51735,
October 4, 1993) and 13563 (76 FR 3821,
January 21, 2011);
• Does not impose an information
collection burden under the provisions
of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.);
• Is certified as not having a
significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities
under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5
U.S.C. 601 et seq.);
• Does not contain any unfunded
mandate or significantly or uniquely
affect small governments, as described
in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–4);
• Does not have Federalism
implications as specified in Executive
Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10,
1999);
• Is not an economically significant
regulatory action based on health or
safety risks subject to Executive Order
13045 (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997);
• Is not a significant regulatory action
subject to Executive Order 13211 (66 FR
28355, May 22, 2001);
• Is not subject to requirements of
section 12(d) of the National
Technology Transfer and Advancement
Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272 note) because
application of those requirements would
be inconsistent with the CAA; and
In addition, this rule does not have
Tribal implications as specified by
Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249,
November 9, 2000), because the SIP is
not approved to apply in Indian country
located in the State, and EPA notes that
it will not impose substantial direct
costs on Tribal governments or preempt
Tribal law.
Executive Order 12898 (Federal
Actions to Address Environmental
Justice in Minority Populations and
Low-Income Populations, 59 FR 7629,
February 16, 1994) directs Federal
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agencies to identify and address
‘‘disproportionately high and adverse
human health or environmental effects’’
of their actions on minority populations
and low-income populations to the
greatest extent practicable and
permitted by law. EPA defines
environmental justice (EJ) as ‘‘the fair
treatment and meaningful involvement
of all people regardless of race, color,
national origin, or income with respect
to the development, implementation,
and enforcement of environmental laws,
regulations, and policies.’’ EPA further
defines the term fair treatment to mean
that ‘‘no group of people should bear a
disproportionate burden of
environmental harms and risks,
including those resulting from the
negative environmental consequences of
industrial, governmental, and
commercial operations or programs and
policies.’’
DNREC 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. 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.
B. Submission to Congress and the
Comptroller General
The Congressional Review Act, 5
U.S.C. 801 et seq., as added by the Small
Business Regulatory Enforcement
Fairness Act of 1996, generally provides
that before a rule may take effect, the
agency promulgating the rule must
submit a rule report, which includes a
copy of the rule, to each House of the
Congress and to the Comptroller General
of the United States. EPA will submit a
report containing this action and other
required information to the U.S. Senate,
the U.S. House of Representatives, and
the Comptroller General of the United
States prior to publication of the rule in
the Federal Register. A major rule
cannot take effect until 60 days after it
is published in the Federal Register.
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This action is not a ‘‘major rule’’ as
defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2).
C. Petitions for Judicial Review
Under section 307(b)(1) of the CAA,
petitions for judicial review of this
action must be filed in the United States
Court of Appeals for the appropriate
circuit by December 23, 2024. Filing a
petition for reconsideration by the
Administrator of this final rule does not
affect the finality of this action for the
purposes of judicial review nor does it
extend the time within which a petition
for judicial review may be filed, and
shall not postpone the effectiveness of
such rule or action. This action may not
be challenged later in proceedings to
enforce its requirements (See section
307(b)(2)).
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52
Environmental protection, Air
pollution control, Incorporation by
reference, Intergovernmental relations,
Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements, Sulfur
oxides, Volatile organic compounds.
Adam Ortiz,
Regional Administrator, Region III.
For the reasons stated in the
preamble, EPA amends 40 CFR part 52
as follows:
PART 52—APPROVAL AND
PROMULGATION OF
IMPLEMENTATION PLANS
1. The authority citation for part 52
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
Subpart I—Delaware
2. Amend § 52.420:
a. In the table in paragraph (d) by
adding entries for ‘‘Calpine MidAtlantic Generation, LLC—Christiana
Energy Center’’; ‘‘Calpine Mid-Atlantic
Generation, LLC—Delaware City Energy
Center’’; and ‘‘Calpine Mid-Atlantic
Generation, LLC—West Energy Center’’
at the end of the table; and
■ b. In the table in paragraph (e) by
adding an entry for ‘‘Regional Haze Plan
from 2018–2028’’ at the end of the table.
The additions read as follows:
■
■
§ 52.420
*
Identification of plan.
*
*
(d) * * *
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*
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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 204 / Tuesday, October 22, 2024 / Rules and Regulations
EPA-APPROVED DELAWARE SOURCE-SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS
Name of source
*
*
*
12/19/2023
Calpine Mid-Atlantic Generation, LLC—
Delaware City Energy Center.
AQM–003/00005
(Renewal 5).
12/19/2023
Calpine Mid-Atlantic Generation, LLC—
West Energy Center.
AQM–003/00006
(Renewal 5).
12/19/2023
*
*
*
*
October 22, 2024
[INSERT FEDERAL REGISTER CITATION].
October 22, 2024
[INSERT FEDERAL REGISTER CITATION].
October 22, 2024
[INSERT FEDERAL REGISTER CITATION].
*
Approved via Docket EPA–R03–OAR–
2023–0301, as an element of Delaware’s August 8, 2022, Regional
Haze Plan from 2018–2028 and
March 7, 2024, supplement.
Approved via Docket EPA–R03–OAR–
2023–0301, as an element of Delaware’s August 8, 2022, Regional
Haze Plan from 2018–2028 and
March 7, 2024, supplement.
Approved via Docket EPA–R03–OAR–
2023–0301, as an element of Delaware’s August 8, 2022, Regional
Haze Plan from 2018–2028 and
March 7, 2024, supplement.
(e) * * *
Name of non-regulatory
SIP revision
Applicable geographic area
State submittal
date
*
Regional Haze Plan from
2018–2028.
*
*
*
State-wide ...........................................................
8/8/2022
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
The EPA has established a
docket for this rulemaking under Docket
ID No. EPA–HQ–OAR–2023–0406. All
documents in the docket are listed on
the https://www.regulations.gov/
website. 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 as pdf versions that can
only be accessed on the EPA computers
in the docket office reading room.
Certain databases and physical items
cannot be downloaded from the docket
but may be requested by contacting the
docket office at 202–566–1744. The
docket office has up to 10 business days
to respond to these requests. With the
exception of such material, publicly
available docket materials are available
electronically at https://
www.regulations.gov.
ADDRESSES:
[EPA–HQ–OAR–2023–0406; FRL–10652–02–
OAR]
RIN 2060–AV97
Removal of Affirmative Defense
Provisions From the National Emission
Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants
for the Oil and Natural Gas Production
Facility and Natural Gas Transmission
and Storage Facility Source Categories
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
The EPA is finalizing
amendments to the National Emission
Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants
for the oil and gas industry issued under
the Clean Air Act (CAA). Specifically,
the EPA is finalizing removal of the
affirmative defense provisions in the
National Emission Standards for
Hazardous Air Pollutants for both the
Oil and Natural Gas Production source
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*
October 22, 2024 [INSERT Federal Register CITATION].
This final rule is effective
October 22, 2024.
40 CFR Part 63
16:12 Oct 21, 2024
*
DATES:
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
SUMMARY:
EPA approval date
category and the Natural Gas
Transmission and Storage source
category.
[FR Doc. 2024–24196 Filed 10–21–24; 8:45 am]
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Additional explanation
*
AQM–003/00317
(Renewal 5).
*
EPA approval date
*
Calpine Mid-Atlantic Generation, LLC—
Christiana Energy Center.
*
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State effective
date
Permit No.
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Additional explanation
*
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Matthew Witosky, Sector Policies and
Programs Division (E143–05), Office of
Air Quality Planning and Standards,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
109 T.W. Alexander Drive, P.O. Box
12055, Research Triangle Park, North
Carolina, 27711; telephone number:
(919) 541–2865; email address:
witosky.matthew@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Organization of this document. The
information in this preamble is
organized as follows:
I. General Information
A. Does this action apply to me?
B. Where can I get a copy of this document
and other related information?
C. Judicial and Administrative Review
II. Final Rule Summary
III. Rationale for the Final Rule
IV. Response to Comments
V. Summary of Cost, Environmental, and
Economic Impacts
A. What are the affected sources?
B. What are the air quality impacts?
C. What are the cost impacts?
D. What are the economic impacts?
E. What are the benefits?
VI. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
A. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory
Planning and Review and Executive
Order 14094: Modernizing Regulatory
Review
B. Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA)
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 204 (Tuesday, October 22, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 84288-84291]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-24196]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 52
[EPA-R03-OAR-2023-0301; FRL-10191-02-R3]
Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plan;
Delaware; Regional Haze State Implementation Plan for the Second
Implementation Period
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving the
regional haze State implementation plan (SIP) revision submitted by
Delaware on August 8, 2022, and supplemented on March 7, 2024, as
satisfying applicable requirements under the Clean Air Act (CAA) and
the EPA's Regional Haze Rule (RHR) for the program's second
implementation period. Delaware's SIP submission addresses the
requirement that States must periodically revise their long-term
strategies for making reasonable progress towards the national goal of
preventing any future, and remedying any existing, anthropogenic
impairment of visibility, including regional haze, in mandatory Class I
Federal areas. The SIP submission also addresses other applicable
requirements for the second implementation period of the regional haze
program.
DATES: This final rule is effective on November 21, 2024.
ADDRESSES: EPA has established a docket for this action under Docket ID
Number EPA-R03-OAR-2023-0301. All documents in the docket are listed on
the www.regulations.gov website. Although listed in the index, some
information is not publicly available, e.g., confidential business
information
[[Page 84289]]
(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
www.regulations.gov, or please contact the person identified in the FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section for additional availability
information.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Adam Yarina, Planning & Implementation
Branch (3AD30), Air & Radiation Division, U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, Region 3, 1600 John F. Kennedy Boulevard, Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania 19103-2852. The telephone number is (215) 814-2108. Mr.
Yarina can also be reached via electronic mail at [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
On August 8, 2022, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and
Environmental Control (DNREC) submitted a revision to its SIP to
address regional haze for the second implementation period; with a
supplement submitted on March 7, 2024 which included title V permit
provisions for three facilities owned by Calpine Mid-Atlantic
Generation, LLC to be incorporated into the Delaware SIP. EPA reviewed
and evaluated the State's selection and modification of the applicable
title V permits to incorporate the regional haze requirements of the
second implementation period. DNREC updated Title V permits for Calpine
Christiana Energy Center, Calpine Delaware City Energy Center, and
Calpine West Energy Center after conducting four-factor analyses and
added the 88 ppm NOX emission limit during April and
October. Delaware issued the new permits on May 19, 2021 and included
them in appendix 10-2 of its SIP submittal; redacted copies of these
permits were subsequently resubmitted to EPA with an effective date of
December 19, 2023 so that the portions relevant to compliance with the
regional haze requirements of the second planning period could be
incorporated into the Delaware SIP.\1\ DNREC made this SIP submission
to satisfy the requirements of the CAA's regional haze program pursuant
to CAA sections 169A and 169B and 40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)
51.308. The full substance of the Delaware's regional haze SIP
submission for the second planning period is discussed at length in the
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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\1\ DNREC provided a clarification of this supplemental SIP
submittal on May 28, 2024, that specified which provisions of the
title V permits it intended to be incorporated by reference into the
Delaware SIP. As a result, the 88 ppm NOX emission limit
as extended to April and October and related permit conditions will
be federally enforceable.
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On August 19, 2024 (89 FR 67018), EPA published an NPRM proposing
approval of Delaware's August 8, 2022 SIP submission and its March 7,
2024 supplement as satisfying the regional haze requirements for the
second implementation period contained in the CAA and 40 CFR 51.308.
EPA is now determining that the Delaware regional haze SIP submission
for the second implementation period meets the applicable statutory and
regulatory requirements and is thus approving Delaware's submission
into its SIP.
II. EPA's Response to Comments Received
EPA received three comments in response to the NPRM, two of which
were unique. One comment originated from the Mid-Atlantic/Northeast
Visibility Union (MANE-VU) in support of the EPA's proposed action, and
the other comment originated from an individual and was not relevant.
These comments are available in the docket for this action via Docket
ID Number EPA-R03-OAR-2023-0301 on the www.regulations.gov website.
EPA's summary of and response to the relevant comment is provided
below.
Comment: MANE-VU submitted comments in support of the EPA's
proposed action, stating:
MANEVU supports EPA's proposal to approve Delaware's regional
haze State implementation plan (SIP) revision submitted on August 8,
2022, and supplemented on March 7, 2024, as satisfying applicable
requirements under the Clean Air Act (CAA) and EPA's Regional Haze
Rule (RHR) for the second implementation period of the regional haze
program. MANEVU agrees that Delaware's haze SIP revision meets the
requirements of CAA sections 169A and 169B and the RHR at 40 CFR
51.308. MANEVU appreciates EPA's careful evaluation of Delaware's
SIP submittal, as well as the constructive input and review that the
federal land managers provided to Delaware and the other MANEVU
States as they developed their regional haze SIPs. MANEVU notes that
reducing haze-forming pollutants improves scenic vistas in our
national parks and wilderness areas while also providing other
economic, ecosystem and public health co-benefits.
Response: EPA appreciates and agrees with this comment.\2\
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\2\ To the extent that MANE-VU mentions EPA's review of other
States' responses to the MANE-VU Asks and submits a list of States
that MANE-VU's technical analysis found to be reasonably anticipated
to contribute to visibility impairment at one or more MANE-VU Class
I areas, EPA views that comment as beyond the scope of this action
such that no response is warranted.
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III. Final Action
For the reasons set forth at length in the NPRM, EPA is approving,
as a SIP revision, Delaware's August 8, 2022 SIP submission and its
March 7, 2024 supplement as satisfying the regional haze requirements
for the second implementation period contained in 40 CFR 51.308(f).
IV. Incorporation by Reference
In this document, EPA is finalizing regulatory text that includes
incorporation by reference. In accordance with requirements of 1 CFR
51.5, EPA is finalizing the incorporation by reference of specific
provisions of the revised title V permits for Calpine Christiana Energy
Center, Calpine Delaware City Energy Center, and Calpine West Energy
Center, dated and effective December 19, 2023, between DNREC and
Calpine Mid-Atlantic Generation, LLC, which includes emission limits
and associated permit conditions for these facilities to comply with
Regional Haze requirements for the 2nd Planning Period, as discussed in
section I of this document and included in the amendments to 40 CFR
part 52 set forth below. These permit revisions are contained in
DNREC's supplemental SIP submittal dated March 7, 2024, submitted on
behalf of the State of Delaware; the portions of these permit revisions
that will be incorporated by reference into the SIP are clarified by
the DNREC Air Quality Division Director via a letter dated May 28,
2024. EPA has made, and will continue to make, these materials
generally available through www.regulations.gov and at the EPA Region 3
Office (please contact the person identified in the FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT section of this preamble for more information).
Therefore, these materials have been approved by EPA for inclusion in
the SIP, have been incorporated by reference by EPA into that plan, are
fully federally enforceable under sections 110 and 113 of the CAA as of
the effective date of the final rule of EPA's approval, and will be
incorporated by reference in the next update to the SIP compilation.\3\
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\3\ 62 FR 27968 (May 22, 1997).
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V. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
A. General Requirements
Under the CAA, the Administrator is required to approve a SIP
submission that complies with the provisions of the
[[Page 84290]]
CAA and applicable Federal regulations. 42 U.S.C. 7410(k); 40 CFR
52.02(a). Thus, in reviewing SIP submissions, EPA's role is to approve
State choices, provided that they meet the criteria of the CAA.
Accordingly, this action merely approves State law as meeting Federal
requirements and does not impose additional requirements beyond those
imposed by State law. For that reason, this action:
Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' subject to
review by the Office of Management and Budget under Executive Orders
12866 (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993) and 13563 (76 FR 3821, January 21,
2011);
Does not impose an information collection burden under the
provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.);
Is certified as not having a significant economic impact
on a substantial number of small entities under the Regulatory
Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.);
Does not contain any unfunded mandate or significantly or
uniquely affect small governments, as described in the Unfunded
Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-4);
Does not have Federalism implications as specified in
Executive Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10, 1999);
Is not an economically significant regulatory action based
on health or safety risks subject to Executive Order 13045 (62 FR
19885, April 23, 1997);
Is not a significant regulatory action subject to
Executive Order 13211 (66 FR 28355, May 22, 2001);
Is not subject to requirements of section 12(d) of the
National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272
note) because application of those requirements would be inconsistent
with the CAA; and
In addition, this rule does not have Tribal implications as
specified by Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, November 9, 2000),
because the SIP is not approved to apply in Indian country located in
the State, and EPA notes that it will not impose substantial direct
costs on Tribal governments or preempt Tribal law.
Executive Order 12898 (Federal Actions to Address Environmental
Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations, 59 FR 7629,
February 16, 1994) directs Federal agencies to identify and address
``disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental
effects'' of their actions on minority populations and low-income
populations to the greatest extent practicable and permitted by law.
EPA defines environmental justice (EJ) as ``the fair treatment and
meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color,
national origin, or income with respect to the development,
implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and
policies.'' EPA further defines the term fair treatment to mean that
``no group of people should bear a disproportionate burden of
environmental harms and risks, including those resulting from the
negative environmental consequences of industrial, governmental, and
commercial operations or programs and policies.''
DNREC 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. 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.
B. Submission to Congress and the Comptroller General
The Congressional Review Act, 5 U.S.C. 801 et seq., as added by the
Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, generally
provides that before a rule may take effect, the agency promulgating
the rule must submit a rule report, which includes a copy of the rule,
to each House of the Congress and to the Comptroller General of the
United States. EPA will submit a report containing this action and
other required information to the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of
Representatives, and the Comptroller General of the United States prior
to publication of the rule in the Federal Register. A major rule cannot
take effect until 60 days after it is published in the Federal
Register. This action is not a ``major rule'' as defined by 5 U.S.C.
804(2).
C. Petitions for Judicial Review
Under section 307(b)(1) of the CAA, petitions for judicial review
of this action must be filed in the United States Court of Appeals for
the appropriate circuit by December 23, 2024. Filing a petition for
reconsideration by the Administrator of this final rule does not affect
the finality of this action for the purposes of judicial review nor
does it extend the time within which a petition for judicial review may
be filed, and shall not postpone the effectiveness of such rule or
action. This action may not be challenged later in proceedings to
enforce its requirements (See section 307(b)(2)).
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52
Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Incorporation by
reference, Intergovernmental relations, Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone,
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Sulfur oxides, Volatile
organic compounds.
Adam Ortiz,
Regional Administrator, Region III.
For the reasons stated in the preamble, EPA amends 40 CFR part 52
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 I--Delaware
0
2. Amend Sec. 52.420:
0
a. In the table in paragraph (d) by adding entries for ``Calpine Mid-
Atlantic Generation, LLC--Christiana Energy Center''; ``Calpine Mid-
Atlantic Generation, LLC--Delaware City Energy Center''; and ``Calpine
Mid-Atlantic Generation, LLC--West Energy Center'' at the end of the
table; and
0
b. In the table in paragraph (e) by adding an entry for ``Regional Haze
Plan from 2018-2028'' at the end of the table.
The additions read as follows:
Sec. 52.420 Identification of plan.
* * * * *
(d) * * *
[[Page 84291]]
EPA-Approved Delaware Source-Specific Requirements
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State
Name of source Permit No. effective date EPA approval date Additional explanation
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* * * * * * *
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Calpine Mid-Atlantic AQM-003/00317 12/19/2023 October 22, 2024 Approved via Docket EPA-
Generation, LLC--Christiana (Renewal 5). [INSERT FEDERAL R03-OAR-2023-0301, as
Energy Center. REGISTER an element of
CITATION]. Delaware's August 8,
2022, Regional Haze
Plan from 2018-2028
and March 7, 2024,
supplement.
Calpine Mid-Atlantic AQM-003/00005 12/19/2023 October 22, 2024 Approved via Docket EPA-
Generation, LLC--Delaware City (Renewal 5). [INSERT FEDERAL R03-OAR-2023-0301, as
Energy Center. REGISTER an element of
CITATION]. Delaware's August 8,
2022, Regional Haze
Plan from 2018-2028
and March 7, 2024,
supplement.
Calpine Mid-Atlantic AQM-003/00006 12/19/2023 October 22, 2024 Approved via Docket EPA-
Generation, LLC--West Energy (Renewal 5). [INSERT FEDERAL R03-OAR-2023-0301, as
Center. REGISTER an element of
CITATION]. Delaware's August 8,
2022, Regional Haze
Plan from 2018-2028
and March 7, 2024,
supplement.
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* * * * *
(e) * * *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name of non-regulatory SIP Applicable geographic State submittal Additional
revision area date EPA approval date explanation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * * * *
Regional Haze Plan from 2018- State-wide............. 8/8/2022 October 22, 2024
2028. [INSERT Federal
Register
CITATION].
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[FR Doc. 2024-24196 Filed 10-21-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P