Environmental Protection Agency 2016 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to deny several petitions requesting that EPA initiate a rulemaking process to reconsider or change its regulations that identify refiners and importers of gasoline and diesel fuel as the entities responsible for complying with the annual percentage standards adopted under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program. EPA is providing an opportunity for the public to comment on the petitions we have received and on our proposed denial of the requests to initiate rulemaking.

In accordance with section 113(g) of the Clean Air Act, as amended (``CAA'' or the ``Act''), notice is hereby given of a proposed consent decree to address a lawsuit filed by Donald van der Vaart, in his official capacity as Secretary of North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (``NCDEQ''), and by NCDEQ (collectively ``Plaintiffs'') in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina: Donald van der Vaart, et al. v. McCarthy, et al., No. 4:16-cv-01946-SBA (E.D. N.C.). On June 24, 2016, Plaintiffs filed an amended complaint alleging that Gina McCarthy, in her official capacity as Administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (``EPA'') failed to perform duties mandated by CAA to take final action to approve or disapprove the December 9, 2013 Petition submitted by several states within the Ozone Transport Region (``OTR'') requesting EPA to expand the OTR to include North Carolina, among other states. The proposed consent decree would establish deadlines for EPA to take certain specified actions with respect to the December 9, 2013 Petition related to North Carolina.

Under 122(h) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), the United States Environmental Protection Agency has entered into a settlement with North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, concerning the Crowders Mountain Superfund Site located in Kings Mountain, Gaston County, North Carolina. The settlement addresses recovery of CERCLA costs for a cleanup action performed by the EPA at the Site.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve and disapprove elements of State Implementation Plan (SIP) submissions from the State of Oklahoma for the 2012 Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5) National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS or standard) and the 2010 Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) NAAQS. The 2012 PM2.5 submission addresses how the existing SIP provides for implementation, maintenance, and enforcement of this NAAQS (infrastructure SIP or i-SIP). The i-SIP ensures that the Oklahoma SIP is adequate to meet the State's responsibilities under the Federal Clean Air Act (CAA). The majority of the 2010 SO2 submission was addressed in a separate rulemaking, only the visibility component listed in 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II) is being addressed in this action. We are proposing to disapprove the visibility component of 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II), often referred to as prong 4. We are also proposing to disapprove the portion of the January 28, 2015 SIP submission from Oklahoma for the 2010 Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) NAAQS only as it addresses Section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II) for visibility protection.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking final action to approve a portion of the State Implementation Plan (SIP) submission, submitted by the State of Georgia, through the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Environmental Protection Division, on December 14, 2015, to demonstrate that the State meets the infrastructure requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act) for the 2012 annual fine particulate matter (PM2.5) national ambient air quality standard (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 submission.'' Georgia certified that its SIP contains provisions that ensure the 2012 Annual PM2.5 NAAQS is implemented, enforced, and maintained in Georgia. EPA is approving portions of Georgia's infrastructure SIP submission, provided to EPA on December 14, 2015, as satisfying certain required infrastructure elements for the 2012 Annual PM2.5 NAAQS.

In accordance with the Clean Air Act (CAA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is redesignating the Ohio portion of the Campbell-Clermont KY-OH sulfur dioxide (SO2) nonattainment area from nonattainment to attainment. The Ohio portion of this area consists of Pierce Township in Clermont County, Ohio. EPA is also approving Ohio's maintenance plan, submitted on August 11, 2015. The primary emission source in the area has permanently closed, and the air quality in the area is now meeting the SO2 standard. EPA received one comment in support of the redesignation.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing revisions to a procedure in the New Source Performance Standards (NSPS). The procedure provides the ongoing quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) procedures for assessing the acceptability of particulate matter (PM) continuous emissions monitoring systems (CEMS). The procedure explains the criteria for passing an annual response correlation audit (RCA) and the criteria for passing an annual relative response audit (RRA). The procedure currently contains a requirement that the annual QA/QC test results for affected facilities must fall within the same response range as was used to develop the existing PM CEMS correlation curve. As a result, some facilities are unable to meet the criteria for passing their annual QA/QC test simply because their emissions are now lower than the range previously set during correlation testing. We are proposing to modify the procedure to allow facilities to extend their PM CEMS correlation regression line to the lowest PM CEMS response obtained during the RCA or RRA, when these PM CEMS responses are less than the lowest response used to develop the existing correlation curve. We also propose to correct a typographical error in the procedure.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is revising portions of the Arizona Regional Haze Federal Implementation Plan (2014 FIP) applicable to the Phoenix Cement Company (PCC) Clarkdale Plant and the CalPortland Cement (CPC) Rillito Plant. This 2014 FIP was adopted earlier under the provisions of the Clean Air Act (CAA). We are finalizing without change our proposal to replace the control technology demonstration requirements for nitrogen oxides (NOX) applicable to Kiln 4 at the Clarkdale Plant and Kiln 4 at the Rillito Plant with a series of revised recordkeeping and reporting requirements. When EPA finalized the 2014 FIP, we had limited operating data for the use of Selective Non-Catalytic Reduction (SNCR) on cement plants. Therefore, we required that PCC and CPC perform control technology demonstration projects to support the control efficiencies for SNCR in the 2014 FIP, as well as to determine if more stringent control efficiencies were achievable. In early 2015, a control technology demonstration project was performed on the SNCR installed at another CalPortland Cement facility, the Mojave Plant. Our analysis of the SNCR control efficiency data from that project indicated that more stringent SNCR control efficiencies were not achievable at PCC and CPC. As a result, the additional information from the control technology demonstration projects required by the 2014 FIP is no longer needed because the PCC and CPC SNCR control efficiencies in the 2014 FIP are consistent with the SNCR performance at the Mojave Plant. In addition, the EPA is making a minor technical correction to change an equation to match the language in the regulatory text.

In accordance with the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), EPA is issuing a notice of receipt of requests by the registrants to voluntarily cancel their registrations and to amend product registrations to terminate uses. EPA intends to grant these requests at the close of the comment period for this announcement unless the Agency receives substantive comments within the comment period that would merit its further review of the requests, or unless the registrants withdraw its requests. If these requests are granted, any sale, distribution, or use of products listed in this notice will be permitted after the registrations have been cancelled and uses terminated only if such sale, distribution, or use is consistent with the terms as described in the final order.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing action on the portions of six submissions from the State of Wyoming that are intended to demonstrate that the State Implementation Plan (SIP) meets certain interstate transport requirements of the Clean Air Act (Act or CAA). These submissions address the 2006 and 2012 fine particulate matter (PM2.5) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), 2008 ozone NAAQS, 2008 lead (Pb) NAAQS, 2010 sulfur dioxide (SO2) NAAQS and 2010 nitrogen dioxide (NO2) NAAQS. The interstate transport requirements under the CAA consist of four elements: Significant contribution to nonattainment (prong 1) and interference with maintenance (prong 2) of the NAAQS in other states; and interference with measures required to be included in the plan for other states to prevent significant deterioration of air quality (prong 3) or to protect visibility (prong 4). Specifically, the EPA is proposing to approve interstate transport prongs 1 and 2 for the 2008 Pb and 2010 NO2 NAAQS, and proposing to approve prong 1 and disapprove prong 2 for the 2008 ozone NAAQS. The EPA is also proposing to approve interstate transport prong 4 for the 2008 Pb and 2010 SO2 NAAQS, and proposing to disapprove prong 4 for the 2006 PM2.5, 2008 ozone, 2010 NO2 and 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS.

The Clean Air Act prohibits the knowing release of ozone- depleting and substitute refrigerants during the course of maintaining, servicing, repairing, or disposing of appliances or industrial process refrigeration. The existing regulations require that persons maintaining, servicing, repairing, or disposing of air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment containing more than 50 pounds of refrigerant observe certain service practices that reduce emissions of ozone- depleting refrigerant. This rule updates those existing requirements as well as extends them, as appropriate, to non-ozone depleting substitute refrigerants, such as hydrofluorocarbons. Updates include strengthened leak repair requirements, recordkeeping requirements for the disposal of appliances containing more than five and less than 50 pounds of refrigerant, revisions to the technician certification program, and revisions for improved readability and compliance. As a result, this action reduces emissions of ozone-depleting substances and gases with high global warming potentials.

Nebraska has applied to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for final authorization of revisions to its hazardous waste program under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). EPA has determined that these revisions satisfy all requirements needed to qualify for final authorization and is authorizing Nebraska's revisions through this direct final rule.

The FOIA Request and Appeal File system of records is being amended to include all information and data elements that are being collected by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and participating agencies as it relates to FOIA requests, appeals and responses. This information is being removed from the Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) system of records and being added to the FOIA Request and Appeal File (EPA-9) system of records. The FOIA Request and Appeal File system of records is also being amended to provide an additional routine use for the system. The additional routine use being added to this system of records, will allow the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), Office of Government Information Services (OGIS), and the EPA to share information in the FOIA Request and Appeal File system in order to mediate and resolve disputes between requesters and administrative agencies without delay. OGIS will work directly with each agency using FOIAonline to access case level information that is not publically available in order to perform mediation services. Records are stored in a secure, password protected electronic system that utilizes security hardware and software to include multiple firewalls, active intruder detection and role-based accessed controls. Additional safeguards vary by participating agencies. EPA also has records from the period prior to its use of the FOIAonline system which are stored in file folders in lockable file cabinets. The FOIA Request and Appeal File system is maintained under the authority of the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. 552.

EPA has submitted the following information collection request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA): ``Notification of Chemical ExportsTSCA Section 12(b)'' and identified by EPA ICR No. 0795.15 and OMB Control No. 2070-0030. The ICR, which is available in the docket along with other related materials, provides a detailed explanation of the collection activities and the burden estimate that is only briefly summarized in this document. EPA has addressed the comments received in response to the previously provided public review opportunity issued in the Federal Register on October 28, 2015 (80 FR 66000). With this submission, EPA is providing an additional 30 days for public review.

The Environmental Protection Agency has submitted an information collection request (ICR), ``NESHAP for Boat Manufacturing (40 CFR part 63, subpart VVVV) (Renewal)'' (EPA ICR No. 1966.06, OMB Control No. 2060-0546), 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 November 30, 2016. Public comments were previously requested via the Federal Register (81 FR 26546) on May 3, 2016, 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 Magnetic Tape Coating Facilities (40 CFR part 60, subpart SSS) (Renewal)'' (EPA ICR No. 1135.12, OMB Control No. 2060-0171), 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 November 30, 2016. Public comments were previously requested via the Federal Register (81 FR 26546) on May 3, 2016 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 (EPA) is proposing nonattainment area classification thresholds and implementation requirements for the strengthened 2015 ozone national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) (2015 ozone NAAQS) that were promulgated on October 1, 2015. This proposal is largely an update to the implementing regulations previously promulgated for the 2008 ozone NAAQS, and we propose to retain without significant revision the majority of those provisions to implement the 2015 ozone NAAQS. This proposal addresses the timing of attainment dates for each nonattainment area classification and a range of nonattainment area state implementation plan (SIP) requirements for the 2015 ozone NAAQS. The proposed SIP requirements pertain to attainment demonstrations, reasonable further progress (RFP) and associated milestone demonstrations, reasonably available control technology (RACT), reasonably available control measures (RACM), major nonattainment new source review (NNSR), emission inventories, the timing of required SIP submissions, and compliance with emission control measures in the SIP. Other issues addressed in this proposed rule are the revocation of the 2008 ozone NAAQS, anti- backsliding requirements that would apply when the 2008 ozone NAAQS are revoked, and reconsideration of the ozone NAAQS interprecursor trading (IPT) provisions (in response to a petition for reconsideration).

Section 5(g) of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) requires EPA to publish in the Federal Register a statement of its findings after its review of TSCA section 5(a) notices when EPA makes a finding that a new chemical substance or significant new use is not likely to present an unreasonable risk of injury to health or the environment. Such statements apply to premanufacture notices (PMNs), microbial commercial activity notices (MCANs), and significant new use notices (SNUNs) submitted to EPA under TSCA section 5. This document presents statements of findings made by EPA on TSCA section 5(a) notices during the period from September 20, 2016 to October 24, 2016.

In this action, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to update both its renewable fuels and other fuels regulations to reflect changes in the marketplace and to promote the growing use of both ethanol fuels (conventional and advanced) and non- ethanol advanced and cellulosic biofuels. The EPA is proposing to make several changes to the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program regulations that would align them with recent developments in the marketplace to increase production of cellulosic and other advanced biofuels. There are several companies that have developed renewable fuel production technologies that produce a ``biointermediate'' at one facility that is then processed into renewable fuel at another facility, and we are proposing regulatory changes to allow fuels produced through such methods to qualify under existing approved renewable fuel production pathways. This action also proposes to update our fuel regulations by defining fuel blends containing 16 to 83 volume percent ethanol as ethanol flex fuel (EFF) and to no longer treat fuel blends containing 16 to 50 volume percent ethanol as gasoline. The EPA is proposing environmentally protective fuel quality specifications for EFF that are consistent with those already in place for gasoline. In this action we are also proposing new pathways for cellulosic biofuel produced from short-rotation trees and for renewable diesel and biodiesel produced from non-cellulosic portions of separated food waste. We are also proposing to add new registration, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements for facilities using carbon capture and storage if we were to approve the use of this technology in future assessments of proposed pathways for producing qualifying renewable fuel. We are also seeking comment on how best to implement and/or revise the RFS regulations pertaining to the generation of RINs for renewable electricity used as transportation fuel. Finally, we are proposing a number of other regulatory changes, clarifications, and technical corrections to the RFS program and other fuels regulations.

This regulation establishes an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of di-n-butyl adipate (CAS Reg. No. 105-99- 7) when used as an inert ingredient (plasticizer) at a concentration of not more than 25% by weight in pesticide formulations intended for varroa mite control around bee hives. Bayer Healthcare, LLC submitted a petition 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 di-n-butyl adipate.

This regulation establishes tolerances for residues of trifloxystrobin in or on Cottonseed subgroup 20C; Cotton, gin byproducts; and amends the existing tolerance on Corn, field, forage. Bayer CropScience LP requested these tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).

This regulation establishes tolerances for residues of clomazone in or on asparagus and soybean, vegetable, succulent. The Interregional Research Project Number 4 (IR-4) requested these tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).

EPA is required under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) to publish in the Federal Register a notice of receipt of a premanufacture notice (PMN); an application for a test marketing exemption (TME), both pending and/or expired; and a periodic status report on any new chemicals under EPA review and the receipt of notices of commencement (NOC) to manufacture those chemicals. This document covers the period from September 1, 2016 to September 30, 2016.

EPA has received applications to register new uses for pesticide products containing currently registered active ingredients. Pursuant to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), EPA is hereby providing notice of receipt and opportunity to comment on these applications.