Environmental Protection Agency July 13, 2020 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing that on June 8, 2020, the Ozone Transport Commission (OTC) submitted a recommendation to EPA for additional control measures at certain coal- fired electricity generating units (EGUs) in Pennsylvania. Specifically, the OTC has recommended that EPA require Pennsylvania to revise the Pennsylvania State Implementation Plan (SIP) to include additional control measures which would establish daily nitrogen oxides (NOX) emission limits for all coal-fired EGUs with already- installed selective catalytic reduction (SCR) or selective non- catalytic reduction (SNCR) control technology to ensure that these technologies are optimized to minimize NOX emissions each day of the ozone season. EPA is also announcing a public hearing on the recommendation as discussed under DATES below. EPA is commencing a review of the recommendation to determine whether to approve, disapprove, or partially approve and partially disapprove it. Prior to the public hearing, EPA plans to publish another document in the Federal Register providing further discussion of the recommendation and the framework the Agency intends to apply in reaching a decision.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is finalizing a clean data determination for the Greater Connecticut Serious 8-hour ozone nonattainment area, concluding that the area has monitored attainment of the 2008 8-hour National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for ozone, based upon certified 2016-2018 ozone data. This action suspends the requirements for this area to submit an attainment demonstration, a reasonable further progress plan, contingency measures, and other planning State Implementation Plan (SIP) revisions related to attainment of the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS on the condition that the area continues to attain the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS. This action is being taken in accordance with the Clean Air Act.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving the request from the State of West Virginia to redesignate to attainment its respective portion of the Steubenville, Ohio-West Virginia multi- state sulfur dioxide (SO2) nonattainment area (referred to as the ``Steubenville Nonattainment Area'' or the ``Area'') for the 2010 1-hour SO2 primary national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS) (also referred to as the ``2010 SO2 NAAQS''). EPA is also approving, as a revision to the West Virginia state implementation plan (SIP), West Virginia's maintenance plan for its portion of the Steubenville Nonattainment Area. Emissions of SO2 in the Area have been reduced, and monitored ambient SO2 readings in the nonattainment area are currently well below the 2010 SO2 NAAQS.

This action finalizes the residual risk and technology review (RTR) conducted for the Integrated Iron and Steel Manufacturing Facilities source category regulated under national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants (NESHAP). The Agency found that risks due to emissions of air toxics from this source category are acceptable and that the current NESHAP provides an ample margin of safety to protect public health. Under the technology review, we found no developments in practices, processes, or control technologies that necessitate revision of the standards. In addition, we are taking final action to establish emission standards for mercury in response to a 2004 administrative petition for reconsideration which minimizes emissions by limiting the amount of mercury per ton of metal scrap used. We also are removing exemptions for periods of startup, shutdown, and malfunction (SSM) consistent with a 2008 court decision, and clarifying that the emissions standards apply at all times; adding electronic reporting of performance test results and compliance reports; and making minor corrections and clarifications for a few other rule provisions.