Environmental Protection Agency 2016 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announces the release of lifetime health advisories (HAs) and health effects support documents for Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) and Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS). EPA developed the HAs to assist federal, state, tribal and local officials, and managers of drinking water systems in protecting public health when these chemicals are present in drinking water. EPA's HAs, which identify the concentration of PFOA and PFOS in drinking water at or below which adverse health effects are not anticipated to occur over a lifetime of exposure, are: 0.07 parts per billion (70 parts per trillion) for PFOA and PFOS. HAs are non- regulatory and reflect EPA's assessment of the best available peer- reviewed science. These HAs supersede EPA's 2009 provisional HAs for PFOA and PFOS.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing a public hearing to be held in Kansas City, Missouri on June 9, 2016 for the proposed rule ``Renewable Fuel Standard Program: Standards for 2017 and Biomass-Based Diesel Volume for 2018.'' This proposed rule will be published separately in the Federal Register. The pre-publication version of this proposal can be found at https://www.epa.gov/renewable- fuel-standard-program/standards-2017-and-biomass-based-diesel -volume- 2018-documents. In the separate notice of proposed rulemaking, EPA has proposed amendments to the renewable fuel standard program regulations that would establish annual percentage standards for cellulosic biofuel, biomass-based diesel, advanced biofuel, and renewable fuels that would apply to all gasoline and diesel produced in the U.S. or imported in the year 2017. In addition, the separate proposal includes a proposed biomass-based diesel applicable volume for 2018.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has submitted an information collection request (ICR), ``Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (Renewal)'' (EPA ICR No. 2300.17, OMB Control No. 2060-0629) 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 May 31, 2016. Public comments were previously requested via the Federal Register (80 FR 68534) on November 5, 2015 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.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve a redesignation substitute and make a finding of attainment for both the 1-hour ozone and the 1997 8-hour ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for the Dallas-Fort Worth nonattainment area (DFW area). The redesignation substitute demonstration states that the area has attained both the revoked 1-hour ozone and the revoked 1997 8- hour ozone NAAQS due to permanent and enforceable emission reductions, and that it will maintain those NAAQS for ten years from the date of the EPA's approval of this demonstration. Final approval of the redesignation substitute will result in the area no longer being subject to any remaining applicable anti-backsliding requirements and the nonattainment new source review (NNSR) requirements associated with the revoked NAAQS. In general, final approval of the redesignation substitute would allow Texas to seek to revise the Texas SIP for the area to remove anti-backsliding measures from the active portion of its SIP if it can demonstrate, pursuant to the Clean Air Act (CAA) section 110(1), that such revision would not interfere with attainment or maintenance of any applicable NAAQS, or any other requirement of the CAA. However, the EPA believes that in this instance, Texas does not need to revise its SIP to alter certain provisions for NNSR effective in the DFW area.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of Connecticut on April 22, 2014, with supplemental submittals on June 18, 2015 and September 25, 2015. This revision establishes sulfur in fuel oil content limits for use in stationary sources. In addition, the submittal includes minor clarifying revisions to the methods for sampling, emission testing, sample analysis, and reporting. The intended effect of this action is to propose approval of these requirements into the Connecticut SIP. This action is being taken under the Clean Air Act.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of Florida through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) on March 10, 2015. Florida's March 10, 2015, SIP revision (Progress Report) addresses requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act) and EPA's rules that require states to submit periodic reports describing progress towards reasonable progress goals (RPGs) established for regional haze and a determination of the adequacy of a state's existing SIP addressing regional haze (regional haze plan). EPA is proposing to approve Florida's Progress Report on the basis that it addresses the progress report and adequacy determination requirements for the first implementation period for regional haze.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve in part, and disapprove in part, portions of the State Implementation Plan (SIP) submission, submitted by the State of Mississippi, through the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) on February 28, 2013, to demonstrate that the State meets the infrastructure requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act) for the 2010 1-hour nitrogen dioxide (NO2) 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 the EPA, which is commonly referred to as an ``infrastructure'' SIP. MDEQ certified that the Mississippi SIP contains provisions that ensure the 2010 NO2 NAAQS are implemented, enforced, and maintained in Mississippi. With the exception of the state board majority requirements respecting significant portion of income, for which EPA is proposing to disapprove, EPA is proposing to determine that portions of Mississippi's infrastructure submission, submitted to EPA on February 28, 2013, satisfies certain required infrastructure elements for the 2010 1-hour NO2 NAAQS.

This determination of acceptability expands the list of acceptable substitutes pursuant to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) program. This action lists as acceptable additional substitutes for use in the refrigeration and air conditioning sector.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is planning to submit an information collection request (ICR) ``Registration of Fuels and Fuel AdditivesRequirements for Manufacturers'' (EPA ICR No. 0309.15, OMB Control No. 2060-0150) 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, 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 October 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 disapproving severable portions of the February 6, 2012 Oklahoma State Implementation Plan (SIP) submittal that are inconsistent with federal laws based on recent decisions by the United States Courts and subsequent EPA rulemaking. This submittal established Minor New Source Review permitting requirements for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and includes Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) permitting provisions for sources that are classified as major, and, thus, required to obtain a PSD permit, based solely on their potential GHG emissions. The PSD permitting provisions also require a PSD permit for modifications of otherwise major sources because they increased only GHG emissions above applicable levels. Additionally, we are disapproving severable portions of SIP submittals for the States of Arkansas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma addressing the EPA's July 20, 2011 rule deferring PSD requirements for carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from bioenergy and other biogenic sources (``Biomass Deferral''). We are disapproving the provisions adopting the Biomass Deferral because they are no longer consistent with federal laws and regulations. The EPA is finalizing this disapproval under section 110 and part C of the Clean Air Act (Act or CAA).

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or Agency) Science Advisory Board (SAB) Staff Office announces a public meeting of the SAB Lake Erie Phosphorus Objectives Review Panel to provide advice on the development of phosphorus loading targets for Lake Erie.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) amends the EPA Acquisition Regulation (EPAAR) to update policy, procedures, and contract clauses. This final rule updates the EPAAR clause Level of EffortCost-Reimbursement Contract.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve a revision to the Pennsylvania state implementation plan (SIP) submitted by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. This SIP revision pertains to Pennsylvania's regulation for fiberglass boat manufacturing materials found in section 129.74 of the Pennsylvania Code. This regulation meets the requirement to adopt reasonably available control technology (RACT) for sources covered by EPA's control techniques guidelines (CTG) standards for fiberglass boat manufacturing materials. EPA is, therefore, proposing approval of the revision to the Pennsylvania SIP in accordance with the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA).

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has made a proposed determination that the reduction in expenditures of non-Federal funds for the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) in support of its continuing air program under section 105 of the Clean Air Act (CAA) for the calendar year 2015 is a result of non-selective reductions in expenditures. This determination, when final, will permit the SCAQMD to receive grant funding for FY2016 from the EPA under section 105 of the Clean Air Act.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is planning to submit an information collection request (ICR), ``National Volatile Organic Compound Emission Standards for Automobile Refinish Coatings'' (EPA ICR No. 1765.08, OMB Control No. 2060-0353) 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 November 30, 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.

This regulation establishes an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of maleic anhydride (CAS Reg. No. 108-31-6) when used as an inert ingredient (stabilizer) in pesticide formulations applied to growing crops at a maximum concentration not to exceed 3.5% by weight in the pesticide formulation. Exponent, on behalf of Cheminova A/S, submitted a petition to EPA under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), requesting an amendment to an existing requirement of a tolerance. This regulation eliminates the need to establish a maximum permissible level for residues of maleic anhydride.

The Environmental Protection Agency has submitted an information collection request (ICR), ``NESHAP for Clay Ceramics Manufacturing, Glass Manufacturing, and Secondary Nonferrous Metals Processing Area Sources (40 CFR part 63, subpart RRRRRR, SSSSSS and TTTTTT) (Renewal)'' (EPA ICR No. 2274.05, OMB Control No. 2060-0606), 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 May 31, 2016. Public comments were previously requested via the Federal Register (80 FR 32116) on June 5, 2015 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 neither conduct nor 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 has submitted an information collection request (ICR), ``NSPS for Pressure Sensitive Tape and Label Surface Coating Operations (40 CFR part 60, subpart RR) (Renewal)'' (EPA ICR No. 0658.12, OMB Control No. 2060-0004), 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 May 31, 2016. Public comments were previously requested via the Federal Register (80 FR 32116) on June 5, 2015 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.

The Environmental Protection Agency is announcing the availability of the document titled, ``Stormwater Management in Response to Climate Change Impacts: Lessons from the Chesapeake Bay and Great Lakes Regions'' (EPA/600/R-15/087). The document was prepared by the National Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA) within EPA's Office of Research and Development. This document describes insights gained from a series of EPA and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) sponsored workshops with communities in the Chesapeake Bay and Great Lakes regions to address climate change in stormwater adaptation efforts. The final document is available via the Internet on EPA's Risk Web page under Recent Announcements at https://www.epa.gov/risk.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving, and incorporating by reference, State Implementation Plan revisions submitted by Alaska on May 12, 2015. The revisions updated the incorporation by reference of certain Federal provisions, revised rules to reflect changes to Federal permitting requirements and the 2013 redesignation of the Mendenhall Valley area of Juneau, and made minor clarifications to Alaska air quality rules. We note that the May 12, 2015 submission also included transportation conformity and infrastructure requirements. These requirements are not being addressed in this action. We approved the transportation conformity revisions in a previous action on September 8, 2015, and we intend to address the infrastructure requirements in a separate, future action.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to make several minor technical amendments to the performance specifications and test procedures for hydrogen chloride (HCl) continuous emission monitoring systems (CEMS). The EPA is also proposing to make several minor amendments to the quality assurance (QA) procedures for HCl CEMS used for compliance determination at stationary sources. The performance specification (Performance Specification 18) and the QA procedures (Procedure 6) were published in the Federal Register on July 7, 2015. These proposed amendments make several minor corrections and clarify several aspects of these regulations. In the ``Rules and Regulations'' section of this Federal Register, the EPA is amending Performance Specification 18 and Procedure 6 as a direct final rule without a prior proposed rule. If we receive no adverse comment, we will not take further action on this proposed rule.

EPA is proposing to partially approve and partially disapprove the Arizona State Implementation Plan (SIP) as meeting the requirements of Sections 110(a)(1) and 110(a)(2) of the Clean Air Act (CAA or the Act) for the implementation, maintenance, and enforcement of the 2010 nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and 2010 sulfur dioxide (SO2) national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS). CAA section 110(a)(1) requires that each state adopt and submit a SIP for the implementation, maintenance, and enforcement of each NAAQS promulgated by EPA, and that EPA act on such SIPs. We refer to such SIPs as ``infrastructure'' SIPs because they are intended to address basic structural SIP requirements for new or revised NAAQS including, but not limited to, legal authority, regulatory structure, resources, permit programs, monitoring, and modeling necessary to assure attainment and maintenance of the standards. In addition to our proposed partial approval and partial disapproval of Arizona's infrastructure SIP, we are proposing to reclassify one region of the state for SO2 emergency episode planning. EPA is also proposing to approve Arizona Revised Statutes related to conducting air quality modeling and providing modeling data to EPA into the Arizona SIP. We are taking comments on this proposal and plan to follow with a final action.

This regulation establishes an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of quaternary ammonium compounds, benzylbis(hydrogenated tallow alkyl)methyl, bis(hydrogenated tallow alkyl)dimethylammonium salts with sepiolite (CAS Reg. No. 1574487-61-8) when used as an inert ingredient (suspending or structuring agent) in pesticide formulations applied to growing crops at a concentration not to exceed 2.0% by weight in the formulation, asbestos free and containing less than 1% crystalline silica. This regulation also establishes an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of quaternary ammonium compounds, benzylbis(hydrogenated tallow alkyl)methyl, bis(hydrogenated tallow alkyl)dimethylammonium salts with saponite (CAS Reg. No. 1588523-05-0) when used as an inert ingredient (suspending or structuring agent) in pesticide formulations applied to growing crops at a concentration not to exceed 1.0% by weight in the formulation. Technology Sciences Group on behalf of BYK Additives Inc. submitted petitions to EPA under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), requesting establishment of an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance. This regulation eliminates the need to establish a maximum permissible level for residues of quaternary ammonium compounds, benzylbis(hydrogenated tallow alkyl)methyl, bis(hydrogenated tallow alkyl)dimethylammonium salts with sepiolite and quaternary ammonium compounds, benzylbis(hydrogenated tallow alkyl)methyl, bis(hydrogenated tallow alkyl)dimethylammonium salts with saponite.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to determine that the San Joaquin Valley nonattainment area has attained the 1-hour ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard. This proposed determination is based on the most recent three-year period (2012-2014) of sufficient, quality-assured, and certified data. Preliminary data for 2015 are consistent with continued attainment of the standard in the San Joaquin Valley.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing that the period for providing public comments on the April 18, 2016, proposed ``Protection of Stratospheric Ozone: Proposed New Listings of Substitutes; Changes of Listing Status; and Reinterpretation of Unacceptability for Closed Cell Foam Products under the Significant New Alternatives Policy Program; and Revision of Clean Air Act Section 608 Venting Prohibition for Propane'' is being extended by 14 days.