Environmental Protection Agency 2013 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The EPA is proposing to approve several revisions to Washington's State Implementation Plan (SIP) submitted by the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) on February 4, 2005 and August 2, 2006. The submissions contain revisions to the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency (PSCAA or PS Clean Air) regulations approved by the PSCAA Board in 2003, 2004, and 2005.

The National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) was created by Section 10 of Public Law 101-619, the National Environmental Education Act of 1990. It is a private 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established to promote and support education and training as necessary tools to further environmental protection and sustainable, environmentally sound development. It provides the common ground upon which leaders from business and industry, all levels of government, public interest groups, and others can work cooperatively to expand the reach of environmental education and training programs beyond the traditional classroom. The Foundation supports a grant program that promotes innovative environmental education and training programs; it also develops partnerships with government and other organizations to administer projects that promote the development of an environmentally literate public. The Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, as required by the terms of the Act, announces the following appointment to the National Environmental Education Foundation Board of Trustees. The appointee is Shannon Schuyler, Corporate Responsibility Leader and Senior Managing Director of PricewaterhouseCoopers.

EPA is taking final action to determine that the Sacramento nonattainment area in California has attained the 2006 24-hour fine particle (PM2.5) National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS or standard). This determination is based upon complete, quality-assured, and certified ambient air monitoring data showing that this area has monitored attainment of the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS based on the 2010-2012 monitoring period. Based on the above determination, the requirements for this area to submit an attainment demonstration, together with reasonably available control measures, a reasonable further progress (RFP) plan, and contingency measures for failure to meet RFP and attainment deadlines are suspended for so long as the area continues to attain the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS.

The Environmental Protection Agency is planning to submit an information collection request (ICR), ``Performance Evaluation Studies on Wastewater Laboratories'' (EPA ICR No. 0234.11, OMB Control No. 2080-0021) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). Before doing so, EPA is soliciting public comments on specific aspects of the proposed information collection as described below. This is a proposed extension of the ICR, which is currently approved through January 31, 2014. An Agency may not conduct or sponsor and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

Due to comments received, EPA is publishing a partial withdrawal of the direct final approval of revisions to the Georgia State Implementation Plan (SIP). EPA stated in the direct final rule that if EPA received adverse comments by June 17, 2013, the rule would be withdrawn and not take effect.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving a revision to the New York State Implementation Plan (SIP) for ozone concerning the control of oxides of nitrogen. The SIP revision consists of amendments to Title 6 of the New York Codes, Rules and Regulations Part 200, ``General Provisions,'' Part 212, ``General Process Emission Sources,'' Part 220, ``Portland Cement Plants and Glass Plants,'' and Subpart 227-2, ``Reasonably Available Control Technology (RACT) For Major Facilities of Oxides of Nitrogen (NOX).'' The intended effect of this action is to approve control strategies, required by the Clean Air Act, which will result in emission reductions that will help attain and maintain the national ambient air quality standards for ozone.

On June 16, 2011, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) submitted a request for EPA to approve the redesignation of the Indiana portion of the Louisville (KY-IN) (Madison Township, Jefferson County and Clark and Floyd Counties) nonattainment area to attainment of the 1997 annual standard for fine particulate matter (PM2.5). EPA is proposing to determine that the entire Louisville area has attained the 1997 annual PM2.5 standard, based on the most recent three years of certified air quality data. EPA is proposing to approve, as revisions to the Indiana state implementation plan (SIP), the state's plan for maintaining the 1997 annual PM2.5 National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS or standard) through 2025 in the area. EPA is proposing to approve the 2008 emissions inventory for the Indiana portion of the Louisville area as meeting the comprehensive emissions inventory requirement of the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act). Indiana's maintenance plan submission includes motor vehicle emission budgets (MVEBs) for the mobile source contribution of PM2.5 and nitrogen oxides (NOX) in the Louisville area for transportation conformity purposes; EPA is proposing to approve the MVEBs for 2015 and 2025 into the Indiana SIP for transportation conformity purposes. In this proposal, EPA is also proposing to approve a supplement to the emission inventories previously submitted by the state. EPA is proposing that the inventories for ammonia and volatile organic compounds (VOC), in conjunction with the inventories for NOX, direct PM2.5, and sulfur dioxide (SO2) that EPA previously proposed to approve, meet the comprehensive emissions inventory requirement of the CAA.

This document announces the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) responses to Agency Clearance requests, in compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et. seq.). An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The OMB control numbers for EPA regulations are listed in 40 CFR part 9 and 48 CFR chapter 15.

This final rule approves pathways for production of renewable fuel from giant reed (Arundo donax) and napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) as feedstocks. These pathways are for cellulosic biofuel, for purposes of the Renewable Fuel Standard Program (RFS), under Clean Air Act (CAA) as amended by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA). EPA has determined that renewable fuel made from napier grass and giant reed meet the greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction requirements for cellulosic biofuel under the requirements of the RFS program. In response to comments on the proposal concerning the potential for these crops to behave as invasive species, EPA is adopting additional registration, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements that were developed to address the potential for GHG emissions related to these concerns. Approval of these pathways combined with the related provisions will create additional opportunities for regulated parties to comply with the advanced and cellulosic renewable fuel requirements of the RFS program, while ensuring that these feedstocks do not pose a significant likelihood of spread into areas outside the intended planting area.

EPA is approving Indiana's request to redesignate the Indianapolis, Indiana nonattainment area (Hamilton, Hendricks, Johnson, Marion, and Morgan Counties) to attainment for the 1997 annual National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS or standard) for fine particulate matter (PM2.5) because the request meets the statutory requirements for redesignation under the Clean Air Act (CAA). The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) submitted this request to EPA on October 20, 2009, and supplemented it on May 31, 2011, January 17, 2013, and March 18, 2013. EPA's approval involves several related actions. EPA is making a determination that the Indianapolis area has attained the 1997 annual PM2.5 standard. EPA is approving, as a revision to the Indiana State Implementation Plan (SIP), the state's plan for maintaining the 1997 annual PM2.5 NAAQS through 2025 in the area. EPA is approving the comprehensive emissions inventories submitted by IDEM for Nitrogen Oxides (NOX), Sulfur Dioxide (SO2), primary PM2.5, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC), and ammonia as meeting the requirements of the CAA. Finally, EPA finds adequate and is approving Indiana's NOX and PM2.5 Motor Vehicle Emission Budgets (MVEBs) for 2015 and 2025 for the Indianapolis area.

Pursuant to its authority under the Clean Air Act (CAA), EPA is taking final action to approve portions of submissions made by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) to address the section 110(a)(1) and (2) requirements of the CAA, often referred to as the ``infrastructure'' state implementation plan (SIP). Specifically, we are finalizing the approval of portions of IDEM's submissions intended to meet certain requirements of sections 110(a)(2)(C), 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II), and 110(a)(2)(J) of the CAA with respect to the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 national ambient air quality standards (2006 PM2.5 NAAQS). Among other provisions, these sections of the CAA require states to perform source impact analyses as part of their prevention of significant deterioration (PSD) programs. EPA is finalizing approval of Indiana's submissions intended to satisfy this requirement. The proposed rule associated with this final action was published on August 2, 2012.

EPA is taking final action approving State Implementation Plan (SIP) revisions submitted by the State of Colorado. On June 18, 2009, the Governor of Colorado's designee submitted to EPA a revised maintenance plan for the Ca[ntilde]on City area for the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to 10 microns (PM10), which was adopted by the State on November 20, 2008. As required by Clean Air Act (CAA) section 175A(b), this revised maintenance plan addresses maintenance of the PM10 standard for a second 10-year period beyond the area's original redesignation to attainment for the PM10 NAAQS. In addition, EPA is also taking final action approving the revised maintenance plan's 2020 transportation conformity motor vehicle emissions budget for PM10. This action is being taken under sections 110 and 175A of the CAA.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this document announces that an Information Collection Request (ICR) has been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. This is a request to renew an existing approved collection. The ICR which is abstracted below describes the nature of the collection and the estimated burden and cost.

The Environmental Protection Agency has submitted an information collection request (ICR), ``NESHAP for Iron and Steel Foundries (40 CFR Part 63, Subpart EEEEE) (Renewal)'' (EPA ICR No. 2096.05, OMB Control No. 2060-0543), to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). This is a proposed extension of the ICR, which is currently approved through September 30, 2013. Public comments were previously requested via the Federal Register (77 FR 63813) on October 17, 2012, during a 60-day comment period. This notice allows for an additional 30 days for public comments. A fuller description of the ICR is given below, including its estimated burden and cost to the public. An Agency may not conduct or sponsor and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

EPA is approving a portion of a State Implementation Plan (SIP) submittal from the State of New Mexico to address Clean Air Act (CAA or Act) requirements that prohibit air emissions which will contribute significantly to nonattainment or interfere with maintenance in any other state for the 2006 fine particulate matter (PM2.5) national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS). EPA has determined that the existing SIP for New Mexico contains adequate provisions to prohibit air emissions from significantly contributing to nonattainment or interfering with maintenance of the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS (2006 PM2.5 NAAQS) in any other state as required by the Act.

In accordance with Section 122(i) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, as amended (CERCLA), notice is hereby given of a proposed administrative settlement for recovery of response costs incurred for the Double H Pesticide Burial Site in Grandview, Yakima County, Washington. Under this proposed settlement, the settling parties are Double H, L.P.; James T. Hansen; Linda L. Hansen; George W. Higgins; and Edith M. Higgins. The proposed settlement requires the settling parties to pay $370,256.98 to the EPA Hazardous Substance Superfund. Upon payment of this sum to EPA, the settling parties will be released from all other obligations for payments to EPA as well as requirements for maintaining insurance and financial assurance established under an Administrative Settlement Agreement and Order on Consent (``ASAOC''), CERCLA Docket No. 10-2009-0193, signed between the settling parties and the EPA in 2009. For 30 days following the date of publication of this notice, the EPA will receive written comments relating to the proposed settlement. The EPA 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 EPA's response to any comments received will be available for public inspection at the U.S. EPA Region 10 Office, located at 1200 Sixth Avenue, Seattle, Washington 98101.

EPA is taking final action to approve the Southern Ute Indian Tribe's (SUIT) July 3, 2012 request for delegation of authority to implement and enforce National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) and New Source Performance Standards (NSPS). This request establishes and requires SUIT to administer a NSPS and NESHAPs program per EPA regulations. The delegation is facilitated by SUIT's treatment ``in the same manner as a state'' (TAS) document, per CAA requirements.

EPA has granted experimental use permits (EUPs) to the following pesticide applicants: Stephen L. Dobson (University of Kentucky) and Phyllom, LLC. An EUP permits use of a pesticide for experimental or research purposes only in accordance with the limitations in the permit.

EPA is issuing a supplement to its proposed approval of the State of West Virginia's request to redesignate the West Virginia portion of the Parkersburg-Marietta, WV-OH fine particulate matter (PM2.5) nonattainment area (Parkersburg-Marietta Area or Area) to attainment for the 1997 annual PM2.5 national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS). This supplemental proposal revises and expands the basis for proposing approval of the State's request in light of developments since EPA issued its initial proposal on December 11, 2012. This supplemental proposal addresses the effects of two decisions of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia (D.C. Circuit Court): The D.C. Circuit Court's August 21, 2012 decision to vacate and remand to EPA the Cross-State Air Pollution Control Rule (CSAPR); and the D.C. Circuit Court's January 4, 2013 decision to remand to EPA two final rules implementing the PM2.5 NAAQS. EPA is seeking comment only on the issues raised in this supplemental proposal and is not reopening for comment other issues raised in its prior proposal.

In accordance with Section 122(i) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, as amended (``CERCLA''), 42 U.S.C. 9622(i), notice is hereby given by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (``EPA''), Region 2, of a proposed de minimis administrative settlement agreement and order on consent pursuant to Section 122(g)(4)of CERCLA, 42 U.S.C. 9622(g)(4). The settlement agreement includes settlement of penalties under Section 104(e)(5) of CERCLA, 42 U.S.C. 9604(e)(5) under the authority of the Attorney General of the United States to compromise and settle claims of the United States. The settlement is between EPA and Titan Wheel Corporation of Illinois (hereafter ``Titan'') pertaining to the Mercury Refining Superfund Site (``Site'') located in the Towns of Guilderland and Colonie, Albany County, New York. The settlement requires Titan to pay $23,000 to the EPA Hazardous Substance Superfund. The settlement amount covers Titan's fair share of cleanup costs incurred and anticipated to be incurred in the future, plus a ``premium'' that accounts for, among other things, uncertainties associated with the costs of that future work at the Site plus a penalty for Titan's failure to comply with an information request letter sent pursuant to Section 104(e) of CERCLA, 42 U.S.C. 9604(e). The settlement includes a covenant not to sue pursuant to Sections 106, 107 and 104(e)(5) of CERCLA, 42 U.S.C. 9606, 9607, and 9604(e)(5) relating to the Site, subject to limited reservations, and protection from contribution actions or claims as provided by Sections 113(f)(2) and 122(g)(5) of CERCLA, 42 U.S.C. 9613(f)(2) and 9622(g)(5). For thirty (30) days following the date of publication of this notice, EPA will receive written comments relating to the settlement. EPA will consider all comments received and may modify or withdraw its consent to the settlement if comments received disclose facts or considerations that indicate that the proposed settlement is inappropriate, improper, or inadequate. EPA's response to any comments received will be available for public inspection at EPA Region II, 290 Broadway, New York, New York 10007-1866.

The Environmental Protection Agency is deleting the system of records for the Kids Club Membership List (EPA-57) published in the Federal Register on March 2, 2006, from its inventory of Privacy Act systems. The system is no longer active and the Web site has been taken down.

The EPA is establishing a new Federal Reference Method (FRM) for measuring Lead (Pb) in total suspended particulate matter (TSP) collected from ambient air. This method is intended for use by analytical laboratories performing the analysis of Pb in TSP to support data collection for the Pb National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS). The existing FRM for Pb is designated as a new Federal Equivalent Method (FEM), and the currently designated FEMs are retained. This action avoids any disruption to existing Pb monitoring networks and data collection and does not affect the FRM for TSP sample collection (High-Volume Method).

EPA is taking direct final action to approve a negative declaration for hospital/medical/infectious waste incinerator (HMIWI) units within the District of Columbia. This negative declaration certifies that HMIWI units subject to the requirements of sections 111(d) and 129 of the Clean Air Act (CAA) do not exist within the jurisdictional boundaries of the District Department of the Environment (DDOE). EPA is accepting the negative declaration in accordance with the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA).

This regulation establishes tolerances for residues of fenbuconazole in or on pepper. Dow AgroSciences LLC requested these tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).