Environmental Protection Agency September 28, 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

EPA proposes to convert a conditional approval in the West Virginia State Implementation Plan (SIP) to a full approval. The SIP revision pertains to nitrogen oxides (NOX) emission reductions required in West Virginia to meet Phase II of the NOX SIP Call (Phase II). In order to meet the Phase II submission due date, the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) adopted its Phase II requirements under its emergency rule procedures. EPA granted conditional approval of the emergency rule contingent upon the WVDEP adopting a permanent rule with an effective date no later than the June 2, 2006 sunset date of its emergency rule and submitting the permanent rule as a formal SIP revision to EPA by July 1, 2006. West Virginia has met all the terms of the conditional approval by adopting its permanent rule with an effective date of May 1, 2006, and submitting the permanent rule to EPA before July 1, 2006. In the Final Rules section of this Federal Register, EPA is converting the conditional approval of the State's SIP revision to a full approval 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. If no adverse comments are received in response to this action, no further activity is contemplated. If EPA receives adverse comments, the direct final rule will be withdrawn and all public comments received will be addressed in a subsequent final rule based on this proposed rule. EPA will not institute a second comment period. Any parties interested in commenting on this action should do so at this time.

In accordance with section 122(i) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended by the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (``CERCLA''), 42 U.S.C. 9600 et seq., notice is hereby given that a proposed administrative cost recovery settlement concerning the South Bay Asbestos Area Superfund Site in San Jose, California was executed by the Agency on September 5, 2006. The proposed administrative settlement would resolve, pursuant to CERCLA section 122(h), the liability of the City of San Jose (``City'') for past response costs of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (``EPA'') with respect to CERCLA response actions taken by EPA at the Environmental Education Center (``EEC''), South Bay Asbestos Area Superfund Site. In 2003, EPA conducted a removal action at the EEC and successfully excavated and transported asbestos-containing soil material to an appropriate disposal site. Under the terms of the agreement, the City would pay EPA approximately $245,000 plus interest for the removal action. For thirty (30) calendar days following the date of publication of this notice, EPA will receive written comments relating to the proposed settlement. If requested prior to the expiration of this public comment period, EPA will provide an opportunity for a public meeting in the effected area. EPA's response to any comments received will be available for public inspection at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 75 Hawthorne Street, San Francisco, CA 94105.

Notice is hereby given of a proposed administrative settlement under CERCLA concerning the Calumet Containers Superfund Site (``Site'') in Hammond, Indiana. Subject to review and comment by the public pursuant to this Notice, the settlement has been approved by the United States Department of Justice. The settlement resolves an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) claim under Sections 106 and 107(a) of CERCLA and Section 7003 of RCRA, against 51 parties who have executed binding certifications of their consent to the settlement, as listed below in the Supplemental Information Section. The settlement requires the settling parties to pay a total of $1,664,967 to the Hazardous Substances Superfund, Calumet Containers Superfund Site, Special Account. Each settling party is required to pay an amount specified for that party in the settlement based upon the volume of waste that party contributed to the Site. Payments received shall be applied, retained or used to finance the response actions taken or to be taken at or in connection with the Site. For thirty (30) days following the date of publication of this notice, the Agency will receive written comments relating to the settlement. The Agency will consider all comments received and may modify or withdraw its consent to the settlement if comments received disclose facts or considerations which indicate that the settlement is inappropriate, improper, or inadequate. The Agency's response to any comments received will be available for public inspection at the EPA, Region 5, 7th Floor File Room, 77 West Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, Illinois.

This document announces that, upon signature of this notice, EPA approved a request from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) for delegation of authority to implement and enforce the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for reinforced plastic composites production through a State rule which adjusts the maximum achievable control technology (MACT) standard for reinforced plastic composites production. Pursuant to the Clean Air Act (CAA) and the NESHAP provisions, states may seek approval of State rules which make pre-approved adjustments to a MACT standard if the State rule is unambiguously no less stringent than the Federal rule. On June 20, 2005, IDEM requested approval to adjust the NESHAP for reinforced plastic composites production. EPA reviewed this request and found that it satisfied the requirements for approval under the Federal provision which allows for delegation of an adjusted NESHAP, ``Approval of State requirements that adjust a section 112 rule.'' Therefore, upon the signature of this notice, EPA delegated to IDEM the authority to implement and enforce the NESHAP for reinforced plastic composites production, through IDEM's rule for reinforced plastic composites production.

EPA is proposing to approve Texas State Implementation Plan (SIP) revisions. The revisions pertain to regulations to control Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) emissions from facilities in El Paso, Gregg, Nueces, and Victoria Counties; the 8-hour ozone standard nonattainment areas of Beaumont/Port Arthur and Houston/Galveston; and portions of the Dallas/Fort Worth 8-hour ozone standard nonattainment area. The revisions add additional controls on VOC emissions from industrial wastewater systems in the Beaumont/Port Arthur, Dallas/Fort Worth, El Paso, and Houston/Galveston areas. The revisions also amend requirements to identify and correct emissions from VOC leaks from facilities that refine petroleum or process natural gas, gasoline or petrochemicals in the Beaumont/Port Arthur, Dallas/Fort Worth, El Paso, and Houston/Galveston areas, and from petroleum refineries in Gregg, Nueces, and Victoria Counties. We are proposing to approve the revisions pursuant to section 110 and part D of the Federal Clean Air Act. The control of VOC emissions will help to attain and maintain the 8-hour national ambient air quality standard for ozone in Texas. Approval will make the revised regulations Federally enforceable.

This Notice of Acceptability expands the list of acceptable substitutes for ozone-depleting substances (ODS) under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) program. The substitutes are for use in the following sectors: refrigeration and air conditioning, foam blowing, cleaning solvents, aerosols, and sterilants. The determinations concern new substitutes.