Department of Agriculture July 20, 2015 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The EPA is taking a direct final action to approve revisions to the Texas State Implementation Plan (SIP) related to Low Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) Fuel Regulations that were submitted by the State of Texas on January 5, 2015. The EPA evaluated the SIP submittal from Texas and determined these revisions are consistent with the requirements of the Clean Air Act (Act or CAA). The EPA is approving this action under the federal CAA.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve portions of the May 14, 2012, State Implementation Plan (SIP) submission, provided by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Environmental Protection Division (hereafter referred to as GA EPD) for inclusion into the Georgia SIP. This proposal pertains to the Clean Air Act (CAA or the Act) infrastructure requirements for the 2008 8-hour ozone national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS). The CAA requires that each state adopt and submit a SIP for the implementation, maintenance, and enforcement of each NAAQS promulgated by EPA, which is commonly referred to as an ``infrastructure'' SIP. GA EPD certified that the Georgia SIP contains provisions that ensure the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS is implemented, enforced, and maintained in Georgia. With the exception of provisions pertaining to prevention of significant deterioration (PSD) permitting and interstate transport requirements, EPA is proposing to approve Georgia's infrastructure SIP submission provided to EPA on May 14, 2012, as satisfying the required infrastructure elements for the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS.

EPA is taking direct final action to amend the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) section 5 electronic reporting regulations. These electronic reporting regulations establish standards and requirements for use of EPA's Central Data Exchange (CDX) to electronically submit premanufacture notices (PMNs), other TSCA section 5 notices, and support documents to the Agency. This rule provides the user community with new methods for accessing the e-PMN software, new procedures for completing the electronic-PMN (e-PMN) form, changes to the CDX registration process, adds the requirement to submit ``bona fide intents to manufacture'' electronically, and changes to the procedure for notifying EPA of any new manufacturing site of a chemical substance for which an exemption was granted by EPA. This action is intended to further streamline and reduce the administrative costs and burdens of TSCA section 5 notifications for both industry and EPA.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve in part, and disapprove, the November 4, 2011, State Implementation Plan (SIP) submission, provided by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) for inclusion into the Alabama SIP. This proposal pertains to the Clean Air Act (CAA or the Act) infrastructure requirements for the 2008 Lead national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS). The CAA requires that each state adopt and submit a SIP for the implementation, maintenance, and enforcement of each NAAQS promulgated by EPA, which is commonly referred to as an ``infrastructure'' SIP. ADEM certified that the Alabama SIP contains provisions that ensure the 2008 Lead NAAQS is implemented, enforced, and maintained in Alabama. With the exception of provisions pertaining to prevention of significant deterioration (PSD) permitting, which EPA is proposing no action through this notice, and with the exception of the provisions respecting state boards, for which EPA is proposing disapproval, EPA is proposing to approve Alabama's infrastructure SIP submission provided to EPA on November 4, 2011, as satisfying the required infrastructure elements for the 2008 Lead NAAQS.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve a State Implementation Plan revision submitted by the State of North Carolina, through the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources on August 13, 2012, pertaining to definition changes for the Nitrogen Dioxide and Sulfur Dioxide National Ambient Air Quality Standards. EPA is approving this SIP revision because the State has demonstrated that it is consistent with the Clean Air Act. In the Final Rules section of this issue of the Federal Register, EPA is approving the State's implementation plan revision as a direct final rule without prior proposal because the Agency views this as a noncontroversial submittal and anticipates no adverse comments. A detailed rationale for the approval is set forth in the direct final rule.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving into the Illinois regional haze State Implementation Plan (SIP) variances affecting the following Midwest Generation, LLC facilities: Crawford Generating Station (Cook County), Joliet Generating Station (Will County), Powerton Generating Station (Tazewell County), Waukegan Generating Station (Lake County), and Will County Generating Station (Will County). The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) submitted these variances to EPA for approval on May 16, 2013, and August 18, 2014.

This action changes the status from acceptable to unacceptable; acceptable, subject to use conditions; or acceptable, subject to narrowed use limits for a number of substitutes, pursuant to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Significant New Alternatives Policy program. We make these changes based on information showing that other substitutes are available for the same uses that pose lower risk overall to human health and the environment. Specifically, this action changes the listing status for certain hydrofluorocarbons in various end-uses in the aerosols, refrigeration and air conditioning, and foam blowing sectors. This action also changes the status from acceptable to unacceptable for certain hydrochlorofluorocarbons being phased out of production under the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer and section 605(a) of the Clean Air Act.