Environmental Protection Agency 2016 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving, as a revision under the Clean Air Act (CAA) to the Ohio state implementation plan (SIP), submittals from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA) dated July 15, 2015, and February 29, 2016. The revision addresses the state's Stage II vapor recovery (Stage II) program for the Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Dayton ozone areas in Ohio. The revision removes Stage II requirements for the three areas as a component of the Ohio ozone SIP. The revision also includes a demonstration that addresses emission impacts associated with the removal of the Stage II program. EPA proposed to approve the state's submittal on June 30, 2016, and received no comments.

Based on the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) review of the air quality criteria and the national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for lead (Pb), the EPA is retaining the current standards, without revision.

This regulation establishes time-limited tolerances for residues of the fungicide isofetamid, N-[1,1-dimethyl-2-[2-methyl-4-(1- methylethoxy)phenyl]-2-oxoethyl]-3-methyl-2-thiophenecarboxam ide, in or on caneberry subgroup 13-07A and bushberry subgroup 13-07B. This action is in response to EPA's granting of an emergency exemption, under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) authorizing use of the pesticide on caneberry subgroup 13-07A and bushberry subgroup 13-07B. This regulation establishes maximum permissible levels for residues of isofetamid in or on these commodities. The time-limited tolerances expire on December 31, 2019.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development (ORD), gives notice that the Board of Scientific Counselors (BOSC) Sustainable and Healthy Communities (SHC) Subcommittee will convene for a public meeting. Subcommittee deliberations will focus on Topic 3 of the ORD/SHC research program, which includes contaminated sites and sediments, environmental releases of oils and fuels, and sustainable materials management. Meeting documents are available for viewing and downloading at https:// www.epa.gov/bosc/sustainable-and-healthy-communities-subcommi ttee- meeting-documents. Members of the public are encouraged to attend, and preregistration is required.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving changes to the Kentucky State Implementation Plan (SIP) submitted by the Commonwealth of Kentucky, through the Kentucky Energy and Environmental Cabinet, on May 3, 2016. This SIP revision removes Stage II vapor control requirements for new and upgraded gasoline dispensing facilities in the State and allows for the decommissioning of existing Stage II equipment in Boone, Campbell and Kenton Counties in Kentucky (hereinafter referred to as the ``Northern Kentucky Area'' or ``Area''). EPA determined that Kentucky's May 3, 2016, SIP revision is approvable because it is consistent with the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act).

This document proposes to establish tolerances for residues of tebufenozide in or on multiple commodities which are identified and discussed later in this document and amend the existing tolerance for almond, hulls under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is finalizing general permits for use in Indian country pursuant to the Federal Minor New Source Review (NSR) Program in Indian Country for new or modified minor sources in the following six source categories: concrete batch plants; boilers and emergency engines; stationary spark ignition engines; stationary compression ignition engines; graphic arts and printing operations; and sawmill facilities.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking final action to approve State Implementation Plan (SIP) revisions submitted by the State of South Dakota on October 23, 2015 and July 29, 2013 related to South Dakota's Air Pollution Control Program. The October 23, 2015 submittal revises certain definitions and dates of incorporation by reference and contains new, amended and renumbered rules. In this rulemaking, we are taking final action on all portions of the October 23, 2015 submittal, except for those portions of the submittal which do not belong in the SIP. This action is being taken under section 110 of the Clean Air Act (CAA).

The Environmental Protection Agency is planning to submit a request to renew an existing approved collection request (ICR), ``State Review Framework'' (EPA ICR No. 2185.06, OMB Control No. 2020-0031) 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 February 28, 2017. 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 will be hosting a public meeting to receive public input and comments on EPA's draft Algae Guidance for the Preparation of TSCA Biotechnology Submissions (Algae Guidance) in Tempe, AZ on October 27, 2016. The draft Algae Guidance describes EPA's data needs to support risk assessments of genetically engineered algae and cyanobacteria that are manufactured, imported, or processed, and are subject to regulations under section 5 of The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). EPA encourages all members of the public interested in participating in this meeting to register to attend. Due to space limitations, the Agency anticipates that approximately 120 people will be able to attend the meeting in person, with seating available on a first-come, first- serve basis. For registrants not able to attend in person, Web connect and teleconference capabilities will also be provided.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving State Implementation Plan (SIP) revisions submitted by the State of Wyoming in two submittals on May 28, 2015 and one submittal on November 6, 2015. The final amendments update the version of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) incorporated by reference into the Wyoming Air Quality Standards and Regulations (WAQSR) for Chapter 2, Ambient Standards, Sections 12; Chapter 3, General Emission Standards, Section 9; and Chapter 6, Prevention of Significant Deterioration, Section 4. The EPA also approves the revision in one of the May 28, 2015 submittals that updates a citation to a Federal Register article (i.e., Federal Register notice) under the definition of ``tpy CO2 equivalent emissions (CO2e),'' and lists a new minor source baseline date for fine particulate. The EPA also approves the updates to the primary air quality standards for particulate matter (PM2.5) to reflect federal updates that went into effect in January 2013. The updated primary PM2.5 standard is 12 micrograms per cubic meter ([micro]g/m\3\) annual arithmetic mean concentration, which is lowered from its previous level of 15 [micro]g/ m\3\. The EPA is also approving portions of the State's February 6, 2014 2008 ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) infrastructure certification regarding prevention of significant deterioration (PSD). The EPA is not taking action in this final rule on the Chapter 6, Permitting Requirements, Section 14 portion of a May 24, 2012 submittal or one of the May 28, 2015 submittals because it has been superseded by a November 6, 2015 submittal that the EPA approved in a separate action. The EPA is not taking action on a May 24, 2012 submittal or a March 8, 2013 submittal because they have been superseded by one of the May 28, 2015 submittals.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking direct final action to approve a revision to the Butte County Air Quality Management District (BCAQMD) portion of the California State Implementation Plan (SIP). This revision concerns emissions of particulate matter (PM) from open burning. We are approving a local rule that regulates these emission sources under the Clean Air Act (CAA or the Act).

EPA is seeking applications for the 2017 Safer Choice Partner of the Year Awards. In 2015, EPA developed the Partner of the Year Awards to recognize Safer Choice stakeholders who have advanced the goals of the Pollution Prevention Act and the Safer Choice program by reducing pollution at its source through safer chemistry. At the 2017 Partner of the Year Awards, as at the two prior awards, Safer Choice will recognize stakeholder organizations from five broad categories: Formulators/Product Manufacturers of both Consumer and Institutional/ Industrial (I/I) products, Purchasers and Distributors, Retailers, Supporters (e.g., non-governmental organizations), and Innovators (e.g., chemical manufacturers). All applications and accompanying materials must be received by Friday, December 16, 2016. Award winners will be recognized at a ceremony in late spring 2017.

Under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, Public Law 92-463, EPA gives notice of a teleconference meeting of the Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities Committee (FRRCC). The FRRCC is a policy-oriented committee that provides policy advice, information, and recommendations to the EPA Administrator on a range of environmental issues and policies that are of importance to agriculture and rural communities. Purpose of Meeting: The purpose of this teleconference is to discuss specific recommendations that were drafted by the Committee at the May 2016 meeting and finalize any outstanding comments. Recommendations regarding soil health and outreach, when finalized, will be transmitted to the Agency and made available to the public.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve revisions to the State Implementation Plan (SIP), the Operating Permit Program, and the 112(l) plan submitted on April 6, 2016, by the State of Missouri. In the ``Rules and Regulations'' section of this Federal Register, we are approving the State's SIP and Operating Permit Program revisions 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. The submission from Missouri revises fees for permitting services provided by the air quality program, including construction permit applications and operating permit applications. Missouri also removed the basic operating permit requirement for incinerators with emissions less than the de minimis levels in Missouri's ``Operating Permits'' rule. While EPA has never approved the basic operating permit program into Missouri's SIP or Missouri's Operating Permits Program, one statement on incinerators in the approved SIP and Operating Permits Program is removed by the submission. This statement applied Missouri's ``Operating Permits'' rule to all incinerators within the State. Any permittees with incinerators already required to have either Intermediate State Operating Permits or part 70 Operating Permits will still have the same permitting requirements. This revision does not exempt any incinerators from appropriate permitting. Likewise, any future permittees with incinerators under the former version of the SIP and Operating Permits Program would have required either an Intermediate State Operating Permits or a part 70 Operating Permits will still have the same permitting requirement under the revised SIP and Operating Permits Program. Finally the submission from Missouri makes non-substantive style changes.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposes to approve the state implementation plan (SIP) revision submitted by the District of Columbia for the purpose of updating the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations (DCMR) to lower the sulfur content of fuel oil. In the Final Rules section of this Federal Register, EPA is approving the District's submittal as a direct final rule without prior proposal because the Agency views this as a noncontroversial submittal and anticipates no adverse comments. A detailed rationale for the approval is set forth in the direct final rule. 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) proposes to approve the State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of Nebraska. This action will amend the SIP to include revisions to Title 129 of the Nebraska Air Quality Regulations, Chapter 4, ``Ambient Air Quality Standards''; Chapter 19, ``Prevention of Significant Deterioration of Air Quality''; and Chapter 22, ``Incinerators; Emission Standards''. This amendment makes the state regulation consistent with the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for particulate matter 10 micrometers or less (PM10), fine particulate matter 25 micrometers or less (PM2.5), Sulfur dioxide, Nitrogen dioxide, Carbon monoxide, Ozone, and Lead as of the date of the state submittal. This action also makes formatting and grammatical corrections to title 129, chapters 19 and 22.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 9 provides notice of, and requests public comment on, the EPA's draft general permit for use in Indian country within California pursuant to the Clean Air Act (CAA) Federal Indian Country Minor New Source Review (NSR) program for new and modified minor sources. The draft general permit is for a single source category, gasoline dispensing facilities (GDFs), and would be available in certain areas of Indian country that are within the geographical boundaries of California. This includes areas located in an Indian reservation or in another area of Indian country over which an Indian tribe, or the EPA, has demonstrated that the tribe has jurisdiction and where there is no EPA-approved minor NSR program in place. The EPA is proposing this general permit as an option for CAA minor NSR preconstruction permitting to help streamline the EPA's permitting of certain minor sources that construct or modify in Indian country and belong to the GDF source category.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving revisions to the Texas State Implementation Plan (SIP). The revisions to the SIP were submitted in 2015. These revisions are related to the implementation of the state's motor vehicle emissions Inspection and Maintenance (I/M) Program. The EPA is approving these revisions pursuant to the Clean Air Act (CAA).

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving portions of State Implementation Plan (SIP) submittals from the State of Texas pertaining to Clean Air Act (CAA) section 110(a)(2)(J): Consultation with Government Officials, Public Notification, and Prevention of Significant Deterioration and Visibility Protection for the 2008 Ozone (O3) and 2010 Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). These submittals address how the existing SIP provides for implementation, maintenance, and enforcement of the 2008 O3 and 2010 NO2 NAAQS (infrastructure SIPs or i-SIPs). These i-SIPs ensure that the SIP is adequate to meet the State's responsibilities under the CAA. This direct final rule and the accompanying proposal will complete the rulemaking process started in our February 8, 2016, proposal, approve Section 110(a)(2)(J), and confirm that the SIP has adequate infrastructure to implement, maintain and enforce this section of the CAA with regard to the 2008 O3 and 2010 NO2 NAAQS.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposes to approve the State Implementation Plan (SIP) revisions submitted by the State of Nebraska. This proposed action will amend the SIP to include revisions to title 129 of the Nebraska Air Quality Regulations, chapter 5, ``Operating PermitsWhen Required''; chapter 9, ``General Operating Permits for Class I and II Sources''; chapter 22, ``Incinerators; Emission Standards''; Chapter 30, ``Open Fires''; and chapter 34 ``Emission Sources; Testing; Monitoring''. These revisions were requested by the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (NDEQ) in three submittals, submitted on May 1, 2003, November 8, 2011, and July 14, 2014. The May 1, 2003, submittal revised chapters 5 and 9, to address changes in regard to the permits- by-rule provisions of Title 129. The November 8, 2011, submittal allows for the issuance of multiple operating permits to major sources through revisions to chapter 5. In addition, revisions to chapters 22 and 30 encourage the use of air curtain incinerators over open burning; and changes to chapter 34 clarify the authority of NDEQ to order emission sources to do testing when NDEQ deems it necessary. The July 14, 2014, submittal further revises chapter 34, by updating the reference to allowable test methods for evaluating solid waste, changing the amount of time allowed to submit test results, and allowing NDEQ to approve a request for testing with less than 30 days notification. For additional information on the revisions to chapters 5, 9, 22, 30 and 34 see the detailed discussion table in the docket.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving state implementation plan (SIP) revisions submitted by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (Pennsylvania). The revisions pertain to a demonstration that Philadelphia County (Philadelphia) meets the requirements for reasonably available control technology (RACT) of the Clean Air Act (CAA) for nitrogen oxides (NOX) and volatile organic compounds (VOC) as ozone precursors for the 1997 8-hour ozone national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS). In this rulemaking action, EPA is approving three separate SIP revisions addressing RACT under the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS for Philadelphia; approving portions of two previously submitted RACT SIP revisions, which EPA had found deficient and conditionally approved; and converting the prior conditional approval of the Philadelphia RACT demonstration for the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS to full approval. EPA is approving these revisions to the Pennsylvania SIP addressing 1997 8-hour ozone RACT for Philadelphia in accordance with the requirements of the CAA.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to determine that the San Joaquin Valley nonattainment area failed to attain the 1997 annual and 24-hour fine particulate matter (PM2.5) national ambient air quality standards by the December 31, 2015 ``Serious'' area attainment date. This proposed determination is based upon monitored air quality data from 2013 through 2015. If the EPA finalizes this determination as proposed, the State of California will be required to submit a revision to the California State Implementation Plan that, among other elements, provides for expeditious attainment of the 1997 PM2.5 standards and for a five percent annual reduction in the emissions of direct PM2.5 or a PM2.5 plan precursor pollutant.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking final action to approve a revision to the San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control District (SJVUAPCD) portion of the California State Implementation Plan (SIP). This revision concerns emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), oxides of nitrogen (NOX), and particulate matter (PM) from wood burning devices. We are approving a local rule that regulates these emission sources under the Clean Air Act (CAA or the Act).