Environmental Protection Agency February 14, 2014 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve a source-specific State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted to EPA by the Commonwealth of Kentucky, through the Kentucky Division for Air Quality (KDAQ) on January 17, 2014, for the purpose of exempting a Hertz Corporation facility from the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act) Stage II vapor control requirements. The subject Hertz Corporation facility is currently being constructed at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport in Boone County, Kentucky. EPA's proposed approval of this revision to Kentucky's SIP is based on rationale contained in the December 12, 2006 EPA policy memorandum from Stephen D. Page, entitled ``Removal of Stage II Vapor Recovery in Situations Where Widespread Use of Onboard Refueling Vapor Recovery is Demonstrated.'' This action is being proposed pursuant to the CAA.

The EPA is proposing to approve revisions to the Texas State Implementation Plan (SIP) submitted by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) on May 19, 2011. The May 19, 2011, SIP submission adopts revisions to the Texas General Air Quality Definitions and Permits by Rule (PBR) program consistent with certain federal rules implementing the 1997 and 2006 PM2.5 National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS). EPA is also proposing to find that the Texas Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) New Source Review (NSR) SIP meets all EPA PM2.5 PSD SIP rules. These rules include permitting components such as the PM2.5 precursors of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, condensables, significant emissions rates (SER), and increment. EPA is proposing these actions under section 110 and part C of the Clean Air Act (CAA or the Act).

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving the revisions to the Texas New Source Review (NSR) State Implementation Plan (SIP) submitted by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) on September 20, 1995; April 19, 1996; July 22, 1998; and September 11, 2000. These revisions to the Texas SIP establish the Standard Permit for Installation and/or Modification of Oil and Gas Facilities. EPA is also approving non-substantive revisions to the Texas Standard Permit SIP rules relating to applicability, submitted on February 1, 2006, and March 11, 2011. EPA is taking these actions in accordance with section 110 of the Clean Air Act (CAA).

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing the availability of four revised guidance documents: A Citizens' Guide to EPA's Environmental Appeals Board; The Environmental Appeals Board Practice Manual; Revised Guidance on Procedures for Submission and Review of CERCLA Section 106(b) Reimbursement Petitions; and Environmental Appeals Board Consent Agreement and Final Order Procedures. EPA's Environmental Appeals Board is the final decision maker on administrative appeals under all major environmental statutes the EPA administers. The EPA issued these guidance documents to provide guidance to citizens and practitioners on procedures and practice before the Board. The EPA revised the first two documents to reflect amendments to an EPA rule governing the Agency's permit appeal procedures, which EPA published in the Federal Register on January 25, 2013, and which became effective on March 26, 2013. The EPA revised the third document in February 2012 to streamline the procedures to petition for reimbursement of response costs under section 106(b) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). The EPA has removed the fourth document as an appendix to the Board's Practice Manual, and it now is available as a freestanding document with minor revisions to make it easier for stakeholders to locate it.