Environmental Protection Agency April 2017 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving a revised section 111(d)/129 plan submitted by the State of Maryland for existing hospital/medical/infectious waste incineration (HMIWI) units. The section 111(d)/129 plan contains revisions to a previously-approved State plan for existing HMIWI units that was submitted as a result of the October 6, 2009 promulgation of federal new source performance standards (NSPS) and emission guidelines for HMIWI units, which were subsequently amended on April 4, 2011. This action is being taken under sections 111(d) and 129 of the Clean Air Act (CAA).

This regulation establishes a tolerance for residues of benzobicyclon in or on rice, grain. Gowan Company, LLC requested this tolerance under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).

EPA Region 6 today proposes a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) general permit regulating discharges from oil and gas wells in the Stripper Subcategory which discharge into waters in Texas.

Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act notice is hereby given that the Mobile Sources Technical Review Subcommittee (MSTRS) will meet on May 31, 2017. The MSTRS is a subcommittee under the Clean Air Act Advisory Committee. This is an open meeting. The meeting will include discussion of current topics and presentations about activities being conducted by EPA's Office of Transportation and Air Quality. The preliminary agenda for the meeting and any notices about change in venue will be posted on the Subcommittee's Web site: https://www2.epa.gov/caaac/mobile-sources-technical-review-sub committee- mstrs-caaac. MSTRS listserv subscribers will receive notification when the agenda is available on the Subcommittee Web site. To subscribe to the MSTRS listserv, send an email to mccubbin.courtney@epa.gov.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving elements of State Implementation Plan (SIP) revisions from the State of Wyoming to demonstrate the State meets infrastructure requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA) for the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) promulgated for ozone on March 12, 2008, lead (Pb) on October 15, 2008, nitrogen dioxide (NO2) on January 22, 2010, sulfur dioxide (SO2) on June 2, 2010, and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) on December 14, 2012. The EPA is also approving SIP revisions the State submitted regarding state boards.

This regulation establishes an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of Bacillus simplex strain BU288 when used as an inert ingredient (emulsifier) in pesticide formulations applied to growing crops and raw agricultural commodities. BASF Corporation 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 Bacillus simplex strain BU288 when used in accordance with approved conditions.

By a letter dated April 12, 2017, the Administrator announced the EPA decision to reconsider the final rule that amends the effluent limitations guidelines and standards for the steam electric point source category under the Clean Water Act (``CWA''), published in the Federal Register on November 3, 2015. These regulations have been challenged in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, Southwestern Electric Power Co., et al. v. EPA, No. 15-60821. The EPA is postponing these compliance dates pending judicial review.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of Connecticut. The intended effect of this action is to approve into the Connecticut SIP the provisions of Connecticut's ``General Permit to Limit Potential to Emit from Major Stationary Sources of Air Pollution'' (GPLPE) as they apply to the restriction of emissions of criteria pollutants for which EPA has established national ambient air quality standards. Separately, we are also approving the provisions of the GPLPE as it applies to the restriction of emissions of hazardous air pollutants (HAPs). The State issued the GPLPE on November 9, 2015. The permit imposes legally and practicably enforceable emissions limitations restricting eligible sources' potential to emit air pollutants. Such restrictions would generally allow eligible sources to avoid having to comply with reasonably available control technology (RACT) that would otherwise apply to major stationary sources, title V operating permit requirements, or other requirements that apply only to major stationary sources. This action is being taken in accordance with the Clean Air Act.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to determine that the Philadelphia-Wilmington-Atlantic City, PA-NJ-MD-DE marginal ozone nonattainment area (the Philadelphia Area) has attained the 2008 ozone national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS) by the July 20, 2016 attainment date. This proposed determination is based on complete, certified, and quality assured ambient air quality monitoring data for the Philadelphia Area for the 2013-2015 monitoring period. This proposed determination does not constitute a redesignation to attainment. This action is being taken under the Clean Air Act (CAA).

This regulation establishes tolerances for residues of pyroxasulfone in or on multiple commodities which are identified and discussed later in this document. Interregional Research Project Number 4 (IR-4) and K-I Chemical requested these tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).

Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) Office of Pesticide Programs is announcing a public meeting of the Pesticide Program Dialogue Committee (PPDC) on May 3-4, 2017. This meeting provides advice and recommendations to the EPA Administrator on issues associated with pesticide regulatory development and reform initiatives, evolving public policy and program implementation issues, and science issues associated with evaluating and reducing risks from use of pesticides.

Under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) gives notice of a public meeting of the National Advisory Council for Environmental Policy and Technology (NACEPT). NACEPT provides advice to the EPA Administrator on a broad range of environmental policy, technology, and management issues. NACEPT members represent academia, industry, non-governmental organizations, and state, local and tribal governments. The purpose of this meeting is for NACEPT to develop a framework for its next report addressing how to best integrate citizen science work at EPA through effective collaboration and partnerships. In addition, the Assumable Waters Subcommittee under NACEPT will provide an overview of its draft recommendations on how the EPA can best clarify which waters a state or tribe assumes permitting responsibility under the Clean Water Act (CWA) section 404 program. A copy of the meeting agenda will be posted at https://www2.epa.gov/faca/nacept.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing revisions pursuant to section 110 of the Clean Air Act (CAA) to the Federal Implementation Plan (FIP) addressing regional haze in the State of Montana. The EPA promulgated a FIP on September 18, 2012, in response to the State's decision in 2006 to not submit a regional haze State Implementation Plan (SIP); we are proposing revisions to that FIP. The EPA is proposing revisions to the FIP's requirement for best available retrofit technology (BART) for the Trident cement kiln owned and operated by Oldcastle Materials Cement Holdings, Inc., (Oldcastle), located in Three Forks, Montana. In response to a request from Oldcastle, and in light of new information that was not available at the time we originally promulgated the FIP, we are proposing to revise the nitrogen oxides (NOX) emission limit for the Trident cement kiln. We are also proposing to correct errors we made in our FIP regarding the reasonable progress determination for the Blaine County #1 Compressor Station and the instructions for compliance determinations for particulate matter (PM) BART emission limits at electrical generating units (EGUs) and cement kilns. This action does not address the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit's June 9, 2015 vacatur and remand of portions of the FIP regarding the Colstrip and Corette power plants; we will address the court's remand in a separate action.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing the availability of the final document titled Policy Assessment for the Review of the Primary National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Oxides of Nitrogen (NO2 PA). Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is the component of oxides of nitrogen (NOX) for which we have the greatest concern for public health. Accordingly, the current primary (health-based) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for NOX are in terms of NO2. The NO2 PA presents considerations and conclusions relevant for the EPA's review of the primary NO2 NAAQS. The primary NO2 NAAQS are set to protect the public health from exposures to NO2 in ambient air.

EPA has received applications to add new food uses on previously registered pesticide products. Pursuant to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), EPA is hereby providing notice of receipt and opportunity to comment on these applications.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve a request from the state of Tennessee for EPA to relax the federal Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) standard applicable to gasoline introduced into commerce from June 1 to September 15 of each year for Davidson, Rutherford, Sumner, Williamson, and Wilson Counties (hereinafter referred to as the Middle Tennessee Area or Area). Specifically, EPA is proposing to amend the regulations to allow the RVP standard for the Middle Tennessee Area to rise from 7.8 pounds per square inch (psi) to 9.0 psi for gasoline. EPA has preliminarily determined that this change to the federal RVP regulation is consistent with the applicable provisions of the Clean Air Act (CAA).

This regulation establishes an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of monoethanolamine (CAS Reg. No. 141-43-5) when used as an inert ingredient (solvent) in pesticides applied to growing crops and raw agricultural commodities after harvest limited to a maximum concentration of 3.35% by weight in the pesticide formulation. Technology Sciences Group Inc., on behalf of Doosan Corporation, 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 monoethanolamine when used in accordance with the approved concentrations.

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 the necessary procedures to create emission reduction credits (ERCs) from the reduction of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), oxides of nitrogen, oxides of sulfur, particulate matter and carbon monoxide emissions due to the permanent curtailment of burning rice straw. We are approving a local rule that provides administrative procedures for creating ERCs consistent with Clean Air Act (CAA or the Act) requirements.

Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act, Public Law 92- 463, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency hereby provides notice that the Board of Scientific Counselors (BOSC) Executive Committee (EC) will host a public teleconference. The meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 11, 2017 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. All times noted are Eastern Time and are approximate. The primary agenda items include: Deliberate on the draft Homeland Security Subcommittee report; finalize and approve the BOSC subcommittee reports for the Air, Climate and Energy, Chemical Safety for Sustainability, Safe and Sustainable Water Resources, and Sustainable and Healthy Communities Research Programs; and finalize and approve the cross-cutting research annual reports for Environmental Justice, Climate Change, Children's Environmental Health, and Nitrogen and Co-pollutants. There will be a public comment period at 1:25 p.m. For information on registering to participate on the call or to provide public comment, please see the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below. Due to unforeseen administrative circumstances, EPA is announcing this meeting with less than fifteen calendar days' notice.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. This revision includes regulatory amendments that require gasoline dispensing facilities (GDFs) to decommission their Stage II vapor recovery systems on or before July 1, 2015, and a demonstration that such removal is consistent with the Clean Air Act and EPA guidance. This revision also includes regulatory amendments that strengthen Connecticut's requirements for Stage I vapor recovery systems at GDFs. The intended effect of this action is to propose approval of Connecticut's revised vapor recovery regulations. This action is being taken under the Clean Air Act.

This notice announces EPA's approval of the Commonwealth of Virginia's request to revise its National Primary Drinking Water Regulations Implementation EPA-authorized program to allow electronic reporting.

This notice announces EPA's approval of the State of Iowa's request to revise its National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants EPA-authorized program to allow electronic reporting.

This notice announces EPA's approval of the State of Montana's request to revise its EPA Administered Permit Programs: The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System EPA-authorized program to allow electronic reporting.