Environmental Protection Agency 2017 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Environmental Protection Agency is planning to submit an information collection request (ICR), ``Laboratory Quality Assurance Evaluation Program for Analysis of Cryptosporidium Under the Safe Drinking Water Act'' (EPA ICR No. 2067.06, OMB Control No. 2040-0246) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act. Before doing so, EPA is soliciting public comments on specific aspects of the proposed information collection request as described below. This is a proposed extension of the ICR, which is currently approved through March 31, 2018. 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 planning to submit an information collection request (ICR), ``National Volatile Organic Compound Emission Standards for Architectural Coatings,'' (EPA ICR No. 1750.08, OMB Control No. 2060-0393) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act. 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 April 30, 2018. 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 taking direct final action to approve revisions to the State of West Virginia state implementation plan (SIP). The revisions update the effective date by which the West Virginia regulations incorporate by reference the national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS), additional monitoring methods, and additional equivalent monitoring methods. This update will effectively add the following to the West Virginia SIP: The 2015 ozone NAAQS, monitoring reference and equivalent methods pertaining to fine particulate matter (PM2.5), Carbon Monoxide (CO), and course particulate matter (PM10), and it will revise the ozone monitoring season, the Federal Reference Method (FRM), the Federal Equivalent Method (FEM), and the Photochemical Assessment Monitoring Stations (PAMS) network. The SIP revision will also change a reference from the ``West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection,'' to the ``Division of Air Quality.'' EPA is approving these revisions in accordance with the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA).

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking final action to approve changes to the Georgia State Implementation Plan (SIP) to revise new source review (NSR) permitting regulations. EPA is approving a SIP revision submitted by the State of Georgia, through the Georgia Department of Natural Resources' Environmental Protection Division (GA EPD), on December 15, 2011, July 25, 2014, and November 12, 2014. This action is being taken pursuant to the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act).

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposes to approve the state implementation plan (SIP) revision submitted by the Commonwealth of Virginia for the purpose of adding a revised 8-hour ozone standard of 0.070 parts per million (ppm) to the Virginia SIP. This revision incorporates the 2015 ozone national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) as promulgated by EPA and is consistent with the NAAQS set out in our regulations. In the Final Rules section of this Federal Register, EPA is approving Virginia'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. 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 Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The revision includes amendments to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's (PADEP) regulations and addresses the requirement to adopt reasonably available control technology (RACT) for sources covered by EPA's control techniques guidelines (CTG) standards for the following categories: Miscellaneous metal parts surface coating, miscellaneous plastic parts surface coating, and pleasure craft surface coatings, as well as related cleaning activities. The SIP revision also amends regulations for graphic arts systems and mobile equipment repair and refinishing and includes related general administrative amendments. 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. 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 taking final action to approve a revision to the Florida State Implementation Plan (SIP), submitted by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, on February 3, 2017, addressing the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act) interstate transport (prongs 1 and 2) infrastructure SIP requirements for the 2010 1-hour Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) 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, commonly referred to as an ``infrastructure SIP.'' Specifically, EPA is taking final action to approve Florida's February 3, 2017, SIP submission addressing prongs 1 and 2 to ensure that air emissions in the State do not significantly contribute to nonattainment or interfere with maintenance of the 2010 1-hour NO2 NAAQS in any other state.

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 July 1, 2017 to July 31, 2017.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking final action to approve portions of a revision to the South Carolina State Implementation Plan (SIP) concerning the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR). South Carolina submitted a draft version of this SIP revision for parallel processing on May 26, 2017, and a final version on September 5, 2017. Under CSAPR, large electricity generating units (EGUs) in South Carolina are subject to Federal Implementation Plans (FIPs) requiring the units to participate in CSAPR's federal trading program for annual emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOX) and one of CSAPR's two federal trading programs for annual emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2). This action approves the State's regulations requiring large South Carolina EGUs to participate in new CSAPR state trading programs for annual NOX and SO2 emissions integrated with the CSAPR federal trading programs and incorporates them into South Carolina's SIP, replacing the corresponding FIP requirements. These CSAPR state trading programs are substantively identical to the CSAPR federal trading programs, with the State retaining EPA's default allowance allocation methodology and EPA remaining the implementing authority for administration of the trading program. Under the CSAPR regulations, approval of these portions of the SIP revision automatically eliminates South Carolina units' obligations to participate in CSAPR's federal trading programs for annual NOX and SO2 emissions under the corresponding CSAPR FIPs addressing interstate transport requirements for the 1997 Annual Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5) national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS). Approval of these portions of the SIP revision satisfies South Carolina's good neighbor obligation for the 1997 Annual PM2.5 NAAQS. EPA is not acting on any other portion of the September 5, 2017 submittal.

Due to the receipt of an adverse comment, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is withdrawing the August 14, 2017, direct final rule approving a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of Connecticut. The revision addresses the nonattainment new source review (NNSR) requirements for the 2008 8-hour ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). This action is being taken in accordance with the Clean Air Act.

Due to the receipt of an adverse comment, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is withdrawing a portion of the August 16, 2017, direct final rule that approves changes to South Carolina's state implementation plan (SIP) related to the regulation of volatile organic compounds (VOC) and oxides of nitrogen (NOX). EPA will address the comment in a separate final action based upon the proposed rulemaking action, also published on August 16, 2017. EPA will not institute a second comment period on this action.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve a portion of a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of Florida, through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection on February 1, 2017, for the purpose of revising Florida's requirements and procedures for emissions monitoring at stationary sources. Florida's February 1, 2017, SIP submittal includes amendments to three Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.) rule sections as well as the removal of one F.A.C. rule section from the Florida SIP in order to eliminate redundant language and makes updates to the requirements for emissions monitoring at stationary sources. Additionally, this action includes a correction to remove an additional F.A.C. rule that was previously approved for removal from the SIP in a separate action but was never removed. This action is being taken pursuant to the Clean Air Act (CAA).

Due to the receipt of an adverse comment, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is withdrawing the August 16, 2017, direct final rule that approves portions of the South Carolina state implementation plan (SIP) revisions for miscellaneous rules covering air pollution control standards. EPA will address the comment in a subsequent final action based upon the proposed rulemaking action, also published on August 16, 2017. EPA will not institute a second comment period on this action.

Due to receipt of an adverse comment, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is withdrawing the August 17, 2017, direct final rule that approves portions of North Carolina State Implementation Plan (SIP) revisions related to changes to an air curtain burner regulation. EPA stated in the direct final rules that if EPA received adverse comments by the close of the public comment period, the rules would be withdrawn and not take effect. EPA will address the comment in a subsequent final action based upon the proposed rulemaking action, also published on August 17, 2017.

Due to the receipt of an adverse comment, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is withdrawing the August 16, 2017, direct final rule that approves an Alabama state implementation plan (SIP) revision related to ``volatile organic compounds'' (VOCs) and particulate emissions. EPA will address the comment in a subsequent final action based upon the proposed rulemaking action, also published on August 16, 2017. EPA will not institute a second comment period on this action.

EPA is proposing to notify the public that it has received a negative declaration for the City of Philadelphia Air Management Services (Philadelphia AMS) for hospital/medical/infectious waste incinerator (HMIWI) units. This negative declaration certifies that HMIWI units subject to the requirements of sections 111(d) and 129 of the Clean Air Act (CAA) do not exist within the City of Philadelphia in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. EPA is accepting the negative declaration in accordance with the requirements of the CAA. In the Final Rules section of this Federal Register, EPA is accepting the negative declaration as a direct final rule without prior proposal because the Agency views this as a noncontroversial submittal and anticipates no adverse comments. 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.

EPA has received applications to register pesticide products containing active ingredients not included in any currently 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.

EPA published a document in the Federal Register of August 18, 2017 (82 FR 39402) concerning meetings of the Negotiated Rulemaking Committee (Committee). This document cancels the meeting scheduled for October 25-26, 2017. The Committee decided at the September 13-14, 2017, meeting that it could not reach consensus, has concluded its discussions, and that the fourth meeting, scheduled for October 25-26, 2017, is not needed. Though the Committee has concluded its discussions, EPA is providing an opportunity for the public to offer input about approaches that would reduce burden associated with the reporting of inorganic byproducts while maintaining the Agency's ability to receive the information it needs to understand exposure. The docket established for the negotiated rulemaking public meetings will be open to receive public input for 60 days following publication of this document.

Notice is hereby given that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined that in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), the Pesticide Program Dialogue Committee (PPDC) is in the public interest and is necessary in connection with the performance of EPA's duties. Accordingly, PPDC will be renewed for an additional two-year period. The purpose of PPDC is to provide advice and recommendations to the EPA Administrator on issues associated with 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.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking final action to approve a portion of the State Implementation Plan (SIP) revisions submitted by the State of Colorado on February 25, 2015. The revisions are to Colorado Air Quality Control Commission (Commission) Regulation Number 3, Parts A, B and D. The amendments the EPA is taking final action on include: Revisions to provisions for permitting emissions for particulate matter less than 2.5 micrograms (PM2.5) in Part D, modifications to the provisions for filing revised Air Pollution Emission Notices (APEN) in Part A and updates to public notice publication requirements in Part B. This action is being taken under section 110 of the Clean Air Act (CAA).

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking final action to approve revisions to the Kentucky State Implementation Plan (SIP), submitted by the Commonwealth of Kentucky, through the Kentucky Division for Air Quality (KDAQ), on March 21, 2011, October 29, 2013, October 28, 2016, and March 24, 2017. The revisions were submitted by KDAQ on behalf of the Louisville Metro Air Pollution Control District, which has jurisdiction over Jefferson County, Kentucky. The revisions include changes to Jefferson County Regulations regarding Reasonably Available Control Technology (RACT) for two major sources of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and the removal of a volatile organic compounds (VOC) bubble rule.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is finalizing approval of a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the Commonwealth of Kentucky through the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet, Division of Air Quality (KDAQ) on September 17, 2014. Kentucky's September 17, 2014, SIP revision (Progress Report) addresses requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act) and EPA's rules that require each state to submit periodic reports describing progress towards reasonable progress goals (RPGs) established for regional haze and a determination of the adequacy of the state's existing SIP addressing regional haze (regional haze plan). EPA is finalizing approval of Kentucky's determination that the Commonwealth's regional haze plan is adequate to meet these RPGs for the first implementation period covering through 2018 and requires no substantive revision at this time.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving a portion of a revision to the Alabama State Implementation plan (SIP) submitted by the State of Alabama on May 8, 2013, for the purpose of amending the transportation conformity rules to be consistent with Federal requirements.

Under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 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, business/ industry, non-governmental organizations, and state, local and tribal governments. The purpose of this meeting is for NACEPT to review and discuss draft recommendations addressing how to best integrate citizen science work at EPA through effective collaboration and partnerships. In addition, NACEPT will review and provide comments on a draft citizen science question and answer handbook. A copy of the meeting agenda will be posted at https://www2.epa.gov/faca/nacept.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve elements of a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision from the State of Missouri for the 2012 Annual Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5) National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) and two state statutes into the SIP to address the requirements relating to conflicts of interest found in section 128 of the Clean Air Act (CAA). Section 110 of the CAA requires that each state adopt and submit a SIP for the implementation, maintenance, and enforcement of each new or revised NAAQS promulgated by EPA. These SIPs are commonly referred to as ``infrastructure'' SIPs. The infrastructure requirements are designed to ensure that the structural components of each state's air quality management program are adequate to meet the state's responsibilities under the CAA. In the ``Rules and Regulations'' section of this Federal Register, we are approving the state's SIP 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.