Environmental Protection Agency July 12, 2024 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve revisions, under the Clean Air Act (CAA or "Act"), to portions of the California State Implementation Plan (SIP) regarding emissions statements (ES) requirements for the 2015 ozone national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS). In addition, we are proposing that the following California nonattainment areas (NAAs) meet the ES requirements for the 2015 ozone NAAQS: Tuscan Buttes, Kern County (Eastern Kern), and San Diego County. We are taking comments on this proposal and plan to follow with a final action.

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has notified the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that it has adopted Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) regulations, applicable to affected state and local government fleets, drayage truck fleets, federal agency fleets, and large commercial fleets that own, lease, or operate on-road medium-duty and heavy-duty vehicles, and light-duty package delivery vehicles, to incorporate zero-emitting vehicles beginning in 2024. The ACF regulations also require that all new California-certified medium- and heavy-duty vehicle sales be zero-emitting vehicles starting in 2036. Elements of the ACF regulation apply to off-road engines and equipment, specifically off-road yard tractors. By letter dated November 15, 2023, CARB submitted a request that EPA grant a waiver of preemption under section 209(b) of the Clean Air Act (CAA) for the ACF on-road regulations and an authorization under section 209(e) of the CAA for the ACF off-road regulations. This notice announces that EPA has scheduled a public hearing concerning California's request and that EPA is accepting written comment on the request.