Environmental Protection Agency 2015 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of Maryland. This revision pertains to a negative declaration for the Automobile and Light-Duty Truck Assembly Coatings Control Techniques Guidelines (CTG). This action is being taken under the Clean Air Act (CAA).

Under the Federal Clean Air Act (CAA) the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve elements of a State Implementation Plan (SIP) submission from the State of Texas for the Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The submittal addresses how the existing SIP provides for implementation, maintenance, and enforcement of the 2010 SO2 NAAQS (infrastructure SIP or i-SIP). This i-SIP ensures that the State's SIP is adequate to meet the state's responsibilities under the CAA.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this document announces that Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is planning to submit a request to renew an existing approved Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). This ICR is scheduled to expire on December 31, 2015. Before submitting the ICR to OMB for review and approval, EPA is soliciting comments on specific aspects of the proposed information collection as described below.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve a revision to the West Virginia Title V Operating Permit Program submitted by the State of West Virginia on June 17, 2015. The West Virginia Title V Operating Permit Program is implemented through its ``Requirement for Operating Permits'' rule, codified at Title 45, Series 30 of the West Virginia Code of State Regulations (45CSR30). The June 17, 2015 revision amends West Virginia 45CSR30 to increase the annual Title V operating permit fees collected by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP). The Title V Operating Permit fees paid annually by individual Title V operating permit holders are used by the WVDEP to implement and oversee the West Virginia Title V Operating Permit Program. This action is being taken under section 502 of the Clean Air Act (CAA).

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve revisions to the Antelope Valley Air Quality Management District (AVAQMD) portion of the California State Implementation Plan (SIP). These revisions concern volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from graphic arts facilities and aerospace assembly and component manufacturing operations. The EPA is proposing to approve local rules to regulate these emission sources under the Clean Air Act (CAA or the Act). These revisions also address rescission of two rules no longer required, and approval of administrative revisions to the emergency episode plan requirements.

Under the Clean Air Act, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve a revision to the Illinois State Implementation Plan. The revision amends the Illinois Administrative Code by updating the definition of volatile organic material or volatile organic compounds to exclude 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene. This revision is in response to an EPA rulemaking in 2013 which exempted this compound from the Federal definition of volatile organic compounds on the basis that the compound makes a negligible contribution to tropospheric ozone formation.

EPA is proposing to approve a revision to the Feather River Air Quality Management District (FRAQMD) portion of the California State Implementation Plan (SIP). This revision concerns a permitting rule that regulates construction and modifications of major stationary sources of air pollution. The revisions correct deficiencies in FRAQMD Rule 10.1, New Source Review, previously identified by EPA in a final rule dated September 24, 2013. We are proposing to approve revisions that correct the identified deficiencies.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking final action to approve portions of the March 6, 2012, State Implementation Plan (SIP) submission, provided by the State of Georgia, through the Georgia Department of Natural Resources' Environmental Protection Division (EPD) for inclusion into the Georgia SIP. This final submission 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. EPD certified that the Georgia SIP contains provisions that ensure the 2008 Lead NAAQS is implemented, enforced, and maintained in Georgia. With the exception of provisions pertaining to prevention of significant deterioration (PSD) permitting which EPA has already approved, EPA is taking final action to approve Georgia's infrastructure submission, provided to EPA on March 6, 2012, as satisfying the required infrastructure elements for the 2008 Lead NAAQS.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), this document announces that EPA is planning to submit an Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The ICR, entitled: ``EPA's Safer Choice Partner of the Year Awards Program'' and identified by EPA ICR No. 2450.02 and OMB Control No. 2070-0184, represents the renewal of an existing ICR that is scheduled to expire on January 31, 2016. Before submitting the ICR to OMB for review and approval, EPA is soliciting comments on specific aspects of the proposed information collection that is summarized in this document. The ICR and accompanying material are available in the docket for public review and comment.

Under 122(h) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation andLiability Act (CERCLA), the United States Environmental Protection Agency has entered into asettlement with the Blue Ridge Plating Company, Inc. and Carolyn Benfield concerning the Blue RidgePlating Company Superfund Site located in Arden, Buncombe County North Carolina. The settlementaddresses recovery of CERCLA costs for a cleanup action performed by the EPA at the Site.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve revisions to the State Implementation Plan (SIP) submitted by the State of Missouri relating to the Ten Year Limited Maintenance Plan for the St. Louis area for the 8-Hour Carbon Monoxide (CO) National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS). On April 8, 2014, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) submitted to EPA a second 10- year maintenance plan for the St. Louis area for the CO NAAQS. This maintenance plan addresses maintenance of the CO NAAQS for a second 10- year period beyond the original redesignation. In accordance with the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA), EPA is approving the revision because the State adequately demonstrates that the St. Louis Maintenance area will maintain air quality standards for CO through the year 2022.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposes to grant full approval of Iowa's attainment demonstration State Implementation Plan (SIP) for the lead National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) nonattainment area of Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie County, Iowa, received by EPA on February 9, 2015. The applicable standard addressed in this action is the lead NAAQS promulgated by EPA in 2008. EPA believes that the SIP submitted by the state satisfies the applicable requirements of the Clean Air Act, and will bring the designated portions of Council Bluffs, Iowa into attainment of the 0.15 microgram per cubic meter (ug/m\3\) lead NAAQS.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposes to approve the State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for the purpose of meeting the statutory emissions inventory requirements for the Liberty-Clairton nonattainment area (hereafter ``the Liberty-Clairton Area'' or ``the Area'') with respect the 2006 24-hour fine particulate matter (PM2.5) National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS or standard). The SIP revision consists of the 2007 base year emissions inventory for the Liberty-Clairton Area for the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS. EPA is also proposing to approve a SIP revision consisting of Pennsylvania's determinations for both the 1997 annual and 2006 24-hour PM2.5 standards that onroad emissions of PM2.5 and nitrogen oxides (NOX) are insignificant contributors to PM2.5 concentrations in the Liberty-Clairton Area for transportation conformity purposes. In the Final Rules section of this Federal Register, EPA is approving Pennsylvania's SIP submittal as a direct final rule without prior proposal because the Agency views this as a noncontroversial submittal and anticipates no adverse comments. The publication of this document starts a 30-day public comment period on the adequacy of the submitted motor vehicle emission inventories. This comment period is concurrent with the comment period on this direct final rulemaking action. Any comments on the motor vehicle emission inventories should be submitted to the docket for this rulemaking. A detailed rationale for the approval is set forth in the direct final rule. Additionally, a more detailed description of the state submittal and EPA's evaluation is included in the Technical Support Documents (TSDs) prepared in support of this rulemaking action. A copy of the TSDs are available, upon request, from the EPA Regional Office listed in the ADDRESSES section of this document or is also available electronically within the Docket for this rulemaking action. 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.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's request to redesignate to attainment the Pittsburgh Nonattainment Area (Pittsburgh Area or Area) for the 1997 annual and 2006 24-hour fine particulate matter (PM2.5) national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS or standard). EPA has determined that the Pittsburgh Area attained both the 1997 annual and 2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS. In addition, EPA is approving as a revision to the Pennsylvania State Implementation Plan (SIP) the associated maintenance plan to show maintenance of the 1997 annual and 2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS through 2025 for the Pittsburgh Area. The maintenance plan includes the 2017 and 2025 PM2.5 and nitrogen oxides (NOX) motor vehicle emissions budgets (MVEBs) for the Pittsburgh Area for the 1997 annual and 2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS, which EPA is approving for transportation conformity purposes. Furthermore, EPA is approving the 2007 emissions inventories for the 1997 annual PM2.5 NAAQS and the 2011 emissions inventories for the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS included in the maintenance plan for the Pittsburgh Area. These actions are being taken under the Clean Air Act (CAA).

This regulation establishes tolerances for residues of benzovindiflupyr in or on multiple commodities that are identified and discussed later in this document. Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC., requested these tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).

The United States Environmental Protection Agency is announcing the joint 2014 Fall Meeting of the Ozone Transport Commission (OTC) and the Mid-Atlantic Northeast Visibility Union (MANE- VU). The meeting agenda will include topics regarding reducing ground- level ozone precursors and matters relative to Regional Haze and visibility improvement in Federal Class I areas in a multi-pollutant context.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking direct final action to approve the 2011 base year inventories for the 2008 8- hour ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for New Castle and Sussex Counties, submitted by the State of Delaware. The emission inventories were submitted to meet the nonattainment requirements for the marginal ozone nonattainment areas for the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS. EPA is approving the 2011 base year emissions inventories for the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS for New Castle and Sussex Counties, Delaware, in accordance with the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA).

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of Maryland. The revision includes amendments to Maryland's regulation for the control of volatile organic compounds (VOC) and meets the requirement to adopt reasonably available control technology (RACT) for sources covered by EPA's Control Techniques Guidelines (CTG) standards for coatings for metal furniture and miscellaneous metal parts. These amendments will reduce emissions of VOC from these source categories and assist Maryland to attain and maintain the national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS) for ozone. EPA is approving this revision to reduce VOC emissions in accordance with the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA).

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing a public hearing for the proposed rule titled, ``Revisions to Test Methods, Performance Specifications, and Testing Regulations for Air Emission Sources,'' that was published in the Federal Register on September 8, 2015. The hearing will be held in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. The EPA is proposing technical and editorial corrections and revisions to regulations related to source testing of emissions. The EPA is proposing to make corrections and updates to testing provisions that contain inaccuracies and outdated procedures, and to provide alternatives to existing testing regulations. The revisions will improve the quality of data and provide testers flexibility to use recently-approved alternative procedures. Many of the changes were suggested by testers and other end-users and will not impose new substantive requirements on source owners or operators.

This regulation establishes tolerances for residues of acibenzolar-S-methyl in or on fruit, citrus, group 10-10 and fruit, pome, group 11-10. Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC requested these tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).

The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (``CERCLA'' or ``the Act''), as amended, requires that the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (``NCP'') include a list of national priorities among the known releases or threatened releases of hazardous substances, pollutants or contaminants throughout the United States. The National Priorities List (``NPL'') constitutes this list. The NPL is intended primarily to guide the Environmental Protection Agency (``EPA'' or ``the agency'') in determining which sites warrant further investigation. These further investigations will allow the EPA to assess the nature and extent of public health and environmental risks associated with the site and to determine what CERCLA-financed remedial action(s), if any, may be appropriate. This rule proposes to add seven sites to the General Superfund section of the NPL.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is planning to submit an information collection request (ICR), ``Renewal of the ICR for the Regional Haze Regulations'' (EPA ICR No. 1813.09, OMB Control No. 2060.0421) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). Before doing so, the 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 March 31, 2016. 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 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is revising the format of materials submitted by the state of Colorado that are incorporated by reference (IBR) into its State Implementation Plan (SIP). The regulations affected by this format change have all been previously submitted by Colorado and approved by the EPA.

An Environmental Modeling Public Meeting (EMPM) will be held on October 26, 2015. This Notice announces the location and time for the meeting and provides a tentative list of topics to be covered in the meeting. The EMPM provides a public forum for EPA and its stakeholders to discuss current issues related to modeling pesticide fate, transport, and exposure for pesticide risk assessments in a regulatory context.