Environmental Protection Agency 2022 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Pursuant to the Federal Clean Air Act (CAA or the Act), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to disapprove a State Implementation Plan (SIP) submittal from Maryland intended to address interstate transport for the 2015 8-hour ozone national ambient air quality standard (2015 8-hour ozone NAAQS). The ``good neighbor'' or ``interstate transport'' provision requires that each state's SIP contain adequate provisions to prohibit emissions from within the state from significantly contributing to nonattainment or interfering with maintenance of the NAAQS in other states. This requirement is part of the broader set of ``infrastructure'' requirements, which 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. This disapproval, if finalized, will establish a 2-year deadline for the EPA to promulgate a Federal Implementation Plan (FIP) to address the relevant interstate transport requirements, unless the EPA approves a subsequent SIP submittal that meets these requirements. Disapproval does not start a mandatory sanctions clock.

Pursuant to the Federal Clean Air Act (CAA or the Act), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or Agency) is proposing to disapprove a State Implementation Plan (SIP) submittal from the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet, Department of Environmental Quality (DAQ) (herein after referred to as Kentucky or the Commonwealth) regarding the interstate transport requirements for the 2015 8-hour ozone national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS or standard). The ``Good Neighbor'' or ``Interstate Transport'' provision requires that each state's implementation plan contain adequate provisions to prohibit emissions from within the state from significantly contributing to nonattainment or interfering with maintenance of the NAAQS in other states. This requirement is part of the broader set of ``infrastructure'' requirements, which 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. This disapproval, if finalized, will establish a 2-year deadline for EPA to promulgate a Federal Implementation Plan (FIP) to address the relevant interstate transport requirements, unless EPA approves a subsequent SIP submittal that meets these requirements. Disapproval does not start a mandatory sanctions clock.

The Clean Air Act (CAA) requires each State Implementation Plan (SIP) to contain adequate provisions prohibiting emissions that will significantly contribute to nonattainment or interfere with maintenance of air quality in other states. The State of Iowa made a submission to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or Agency) to address these requirements for the 2015 ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). EPA is proposing to approve the submission for Iowa as meeting the requirement that the SIP contains adequate provisions to prohibit emissions that will significantly contribute to nonattainment or interfere with maintenance of the 2015 ozone NAAQS in any other state. The EPA is also withdrawing its previous proposed rule to approve Iowa's SIP submission, as published in the Federal Register on March 2, 2020.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve revisions to the Clark County Department of Environment and Sustainability (DES) portion of the Nevada State Implementation Plan (SIP). These revisions concern the title change of the Clark County Department of Air Quality to the Department of Environment and Sustainability. We are proposing to approve this title change. The ``department of air quality'' was deleted in the air quality regulations and replaced with ``department.'' We are taking comments on this proposal and plan to follow with a final action.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has submitted an information collection request (ICR), Hazardous Remediation Waste Management Requirements (HWIR) Contaminated Media (EPA ICR Number 1775.09, OMB Control Number 2050-0161 to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act. This is a proposed extension of the ICR, which is currently approved through April 30, 2022. Public comments were previously requested via the Federal Register on September 28, 2021 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 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.

This regulation establishes an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of oxirane, 2-(phenoxymethyl)-, polymer with oxirane, ether with 2,2',2''-nitrilotris[ethanol] (3:1), diblock (CAS Reg. No. 2307555-89-9), when used as an inert ingredient in a pesticide chemical formulation. Spring Regulatory Sciences, on behalf of Stepan Company, submitted a petition to EPA under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), requesting an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance. This regulation eliminates the need to establish a maximum permissible level for residues of oxirane, 2- (phenoxymethyl)-, polymer with oxirane, ether with 2,2',2''- nitrilotris[ethanol] (3:1), diblock on food or feed commodities.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of Alaska, through the Alaska Department of Environment Conservation, on January 9, 2017. The revision was submitted by Alaska in response to a finding of substantial inadequacy and SIP call published on June 12, 2015, for a provision in the Alaska SIP related to excess emissions during startup, shutdown, and malfunction (SSM) events. EPA is approving the SIP revision and finds that such SIP revision corrects the deficiency identified in the June 12, 2015, SIP call.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has submitted an information collection request (ICR), NESHAP for Nine Metal Fabrication and Finishing Area Sources (EPA ICR Number 2298.06, OMB Control Number 2060-0622), to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act. This is a proposed extension of the ICR, which is currently approved through April 30, 2022. Public comments were previously requested, via the Federal Register, on April 13, 2021 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 Draft Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2020 is available for public review. EPA requests recommendations for improving the overall quality of the inventory report to be finalized in April 2022, as well as subsequent inventory reports.

In this action, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is finalizing technical revisions and clarifications for the national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants (NESHAP) for MSW Landfills established in the March 26, 2020, final rule. This final rule also amends the MSW Landfills NSPS at 40 CFR part 60, subpart XXX, to clarify and align the timing of compliance for certain requirements involving installation of a gas collection and control system (GCCS) under related MSW landfill rules. Additionally, the EPA is revising the definition of Administrator in the MSW Landfills Federal Plan that was promulgated on May 21, 2021 to clarify who has the authority to implement and enforce the applicable requirements. The EPA is also making some minor typographical corrections.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)'s Environmental Financial Advisory Board (EFAB) will hold a public webinar for the first in a series of webinars as part of a Pollution Prevention Finance Forum to support the EFAB Pollution Prevention workgroup and its charge (https://www.epa.gov/waterfinancecenter/efab#meeting). Due to interest from the full Board, this webinar is being opened to the public.

This regulation establishes an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of Bacillus paralicheniformis strain CH2970 in or on all food commodities when used in accordance with label directions and good agricultural practices. Chr. Hansens Laboratory Inc. submitted a petition to EPA under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), requesting an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance. This regulation eliminates the need to establish a maximum permissible level for residues of Bacillus paralicheniformis strain CH2970 under FFDCA when used in accordance with this exemption.

This notice announces the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) approval of the Maine Department of Health and Human Services Drinking Water Program (ME DHHS-DWP) request to revise/modify certain of its EPA-authorized programs to allow electronic reporting.

In the Federal Register of December 29, 2021, EPA announced the availability of and solicited public comment on the draft scope of a risk evaluation under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for Asbestos Part 2: Supplemental Evaluation Including Legacy Uses and Associated Disposals of Asbestos. This document extends the comment period for 15 days from February 14, 2022, to March 1, 2022.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve changes to the Georgia state implementation plan (SIP) submitted on behalf of the State of Georgia by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (GA EPD) through a letter dated September 1, 2020. This revision includes changes to the State's air quality regulations incorporated into the SIP by changing the definition of ``pollution control project'' and making minor changes to the corresponding minor new source review (NSR) permitting regulations for consistency. EPA is proposing to approve this SIP revision because the State has demonstrated that these changes are consistent with the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act).

On October 22, 2012, the EPA published a final rule in the Federal Register promulgating a Federal Implementation Plan (FIP) to address regional haze obligations for the Territory of the United States Virgin Islands. However, at that time, EPA erroneously failed to incorporate into the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) certain emission limits that had been determined to be necessary to satisfy those obligations and that had been proposed and included in the docket for the action. EPA is correcting this error by incorporating the previously noticed limits into the CFR. EPA has not reopened any of the previous, underlying determinations in this action.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or Agency) is taking final action to approve a revision to Montana's State Implementation Plan (SIP). On July 6, 2016, the Governor of Montana submitted to EPA a revision to the Montana SIP that removed one section of the Administrative Rules of Montana (ARM) pertaining to aluminum plants. In this document, EPA is finalizing approval of the removal of this section from the SIP. EPA determined the provision was inconsistent with Clean Air Act (CAA) requirements and EPA issued a SIP call for the State to revise the provision on June 12, 2015. Removal of this provision corrects the deficiencies identified in 2015 related to the treatment of excess emissions from aluminum plants and fully satisfies the SIP call issued to Montana.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve a revision to the Maricopa County Air Quality Department (MCAQD or County) portion of the Arizona State Implementation Plan (SIP). This revision concerns emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). We are proposing action on rescissions of local rules that regulate these pollutants under the Clean Air Act (CAA or the Act). We are taking comments on this proposal and plan to follow with a final action.

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 Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities Advisory Committee (FRRCC) is in the public interest and is necessary in connection with the performance of EPA's duties. Accordingly, the FRRCC will be renewed for an additional two-year period. The purpose of the FRRCC is to provide advice and recommendations to the EPA Administrator on environmental issues and policies that are of importance to agriculture and rural communities. Inquiries may be directed to Venus Welch-White, Designated Federal Officer or Emily Selia, Alternate Designated Federal Officer for the FRRCC, U.S. EPA, (Mail Code 1101A), 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20460, or FRRCC@epa.gov.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or ``Agency'') is notifying the public that the Agency has found motor vehicle emissions budgets (``budgets'') adequate in a California state implementation plan (SIP) submittal for the San Joaquin Valley. Specifically, our finding relates to budgets in the area's ``Attainment Plan Revision for the 1997 Annual PM2.5 Standard'' (``15 [mu]g/m\3\ SIP Revision''), submitted by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) on November 8, 2021. We find that these budgets are adequate for transportation conformity purposes for the 1997 annual fine particulate matter (PM2.5) national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS). Upon the effective date of this notice of adequacy, the San Joaquin Valley metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) and the U.S. Department of Transportation must use these adequate budgets in future transportation conformity determinations. Furthermore, once the San Joaquin Valley MPOs have used the adequate budgets to demonstrate conformity of their transportation plans to the 15 [micro]g/m\3\ SIP Revision, the conformity freeze put in place as of December 27, 2021, will be lifted.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve a state implementation plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of Alabama, through the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM), via a letter dated September 15, 2020. The SIP revision includes the 1997 8-hour ozone national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) Limited Maintenance Plan (LMP) for the Birmingham, Alabama Area (hereinafter referred to as the ``Birmingham Area'' or ``Area''). The Birmingham Area is comprised of Jefferson and Shelby Counties. EPA is proposing to approve the Birmingham Area LMP because it provides for the maintenance of the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS within the Birmingham Area through the end of the second 10-year portion of the maintenance period. The effect of this action would be to make certain commitments related to maintenance of the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS in the Birmingham Area federally enforceable as part of the Alabama SIP.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving, under the Clean Air Act (CAA), revisions to the State Implementation Plan (SIP) submitted by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) on June 30, 2021. The revisions address the emission inventory requirements for the St. Clair County nonattainment area under the 2010 sulfur dioxide (SO2) National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS or standard). The CAA requires states to develop and submit, as SIP revisions, emission inventories for all areas designated as nonattainment for any NAAQS. EPA proposed to approve this action on October 26, 2021, and received no adverse comments.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is hosting two identical public meetings to discuss and solicit input on environmental justice considerations related to the development of the proposed per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) national primary drinking water regulation (NPDWR) under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). In the context of developing this proposed regulation, environmental justice considerations include the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies with a particular focus on unique challenges faced by communities disproportionately burdened by environmental harms and risks. EPA is holding these meetings to share information and provide an opportunity for communities to offer input on the development of the proposed PFAS NPDWR. Information on how to register and request to speak during one of the meetings is detailed in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this announcement.