Environmental Protection Agency April 12, 2013 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This action is to provide notice that on January 23, 2013, EPA issued a final air permit to the Architect of the Capitol for the Capitol Power Plant (CPP). This permit became effective on February 25, 2013. The CPP permit establishes a plantwide applicability limit (PAL) for emissions of oxides of nitrogen as an indicator for nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter less than or equal to ten micrometers in diameter, and greenhouse gases. This action is being taken in accordance with EPA's procedures for decision making set forth at 40 CFR part 124 and the Clean Air Act (CAA).

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) invites nominations of scientific experts from a diverse range of disciplines to be considered for appointment to the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC), the Science Advisory Board (SAB) and six SAB committees described in this notice. Appointments are anticipated to be filled by the start of Fiscal Year 2014 (October 2013).

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing action on a proposed State Implementation Plan revision submitted by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. This revision consists of a change to New York's November 15, 1992 Carbon Monoxide Attainment Demonstration that would remove a reference to a limited off-street parking program as it relates to the New York County portion of the New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island, NY-NJ-CT Carbon Monoxide attainment area. EPA is proposing approval of this State Implementation Plan revision because it will not interfere with attainment or maintenance of the national ambient air quality standards in the affected area.

EPA Regions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 are finalizing the NPDES Vessel General Permit (VGP) to authorize discharges incidental to the normal operation of non-military and non-recreational vessels greater than or equal to 79 feet in length. This VGP, which has an effective date of December 19, 2013, will replace the current VGP, which was issued in December 2008 and expires on December 19, 2013. EPA provided notice of the availability of the draft permit and accompanying fact sheet for public comment in the Federal Register on December 8, 2011. At that time, EPA also provided notice of availability of the draft small Vessel General Permit, on which the Agency has not yet taken final action.

EPA is approving the Clean Air Act 111(d)/129 State Plan revisions for Large and Small Municipal Waste Combustors (MWC) submitted by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) on October 22, 2008. The revised Plan is in response to amended emission guidelines (EGs) and new source performance standards (NSPS) for Large MWCs promulgated on May 10, 2006. Connecticut DEEP's State Plan is for implementing and enforcing provisions at least as protective as the EGs applicable to existing Large and Small MWC units pursuant to 40 CFR part 60, Subparts Cb and BBBB, respectively.

EPA is taking final action to approve submissions from Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi and South Carolina for inclusion into each states' State Implementation Plans (SIP). This action pertains to the Clean Air Act (CAA) requirements regarding prevention of significant deterioration (PSD) for the 1997 annual and 2006 24-hour fine particulate matter (PM2.5) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) infrastructure SIPs. 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. EPA is taking final action to approve the submissions for Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi and South Carolina that relate to adequate provisions prohibiting emissions that interfere with any other state's required measures to prevent significant deterioration of its air quality. All other applicable infrastructure requirements for the 1997 annual and 2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS associated with these States are being addressed in separate rulemakings. EPA is also providing clarification for a footnote that was included in the proposed rulemaking for this action.