Environmental Protection Agency – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is finalizing the approval of a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of Alabama, through the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM), via a letter dated February 2, 2021. The SIP revision includes the 2006 24-hour fine particulate matter (PM2.5) national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) Limited Maintenance Plan (LMP) for the Birmingham, Alabama maintenance area (Birmingham Area or Area). The Birmingham 2006 24-hour PM2.5 maintenance area is comprised of Jefferson County, Shelby County, and a portion of Walker County. EPA is approving the Birmingham Area LMP because it provides for the maintenance of the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 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 2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS in Birmingham federally enforceable as part of the Alabama SIP. EPA is also notifying the public of the status of EPA's adequacy determination, consistent with the requirements in the transportation conformity rule, for this LMP.

In July 2021, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or the Agency) completed the Paraquat Dichloride Interim Registration Review Decision (Paraquat ID). The Paraquat ID finalized certain portions of EPA's analysis of paraquat's risks and benefits and determined that certain mitigation measures were necessary for paraquat to meet the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) standard for registration. In September 2021, the California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation, et al. (Petitioners) filed a Petition for Review of the Paraquat ID in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. As part of that litigation, EPA has further considered several substantive issues raised by the Petitioners in relation to the Paraquat ID, including concerns related to human health and EPA's balancing of risks and benefits. This document announces the availability of and solicits public comment on a document that presents EPA's preliminary reconsideration of the issues raised by Petitioners in relation to the Paraquat ID.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has submitted an information collection request (ICR), NSPS for Sewage Sludge Incineration Units (EPA ICR Number 2369.06, OMB Control Number 2060- 0658), 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 January 31, 2024. Public comments were previously requested, via the Federal Register on May 18, 2023, during a 60-day comment period. This notice allows for an additional 30 days for public comments.

This regulation establishes exemptions from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of ortho-benzyl-para-chlorophenol, potassium 2-benzyl-4-chlorophenate, and sodium 2-benzyl-4-chlorophenate on food contact surfaces when applied/used in public eating places, dairy processing equipment, and/or food processing equipment and utensils. These tolerance exemptions are established on the Agency's own initiative under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), in order to implement the tolerance actions EPA identified during its review of these chemicals as part of the Agency's registration review program under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking final action to find that California has failed to submit state implementation plan (SIP) elements required under the Clean Air Act (CAA or ``Act'') to implement the 2012 national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for fine particulate matter (PM2.5) (``2012 PM2.5 NAAQS'') in the Los Angeles-South Coast Air Basin (``South Coast''). California was required to submit a SIP that meets the Serious area plan requirements for a reasonable further progress demonstration, quantitative milestones, an attainment demonstration, and contingency measures for the 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS by December 31, 2023. The State submitted the required SIP elements, but subsequently withdrew its submission. If the EPA has not affirmatively found that the State has submitted a complete SIP to correct these deficiencies within 18 months of this finding, the offset sanctions will apply in the area. If within six additional months the EPA has still not affirmatively determined that the State has submitted a complete SIP to correct the deficiencies, the highway funding sanction will apply in the area. No later than two years after the EPA makes this finding, if the State has not submitted and the EPA has not approved each of the required SIP elements, the EPA must promulgate a Federal implementation plan (FIP) to address the remaining requirements.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has submitted an information collection request (ICR), Responsible Appliance Disposal Program (EPA ICR Number 2254.04, OMB Control Number 2060-0703) 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 January 31, 2024. Public comments were previously requested via the Federal Register on June 6, 2023, during a 60-day comment period. This notice allows for an additional 30 days for public comments.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has submitted an information collection request (ICR), Waiver from Tier 4 Emission Standards for Marine Diesel Engines (EPA ICR Number 2602.03, OMB Control Number 2060-0726) 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 January 31, 2024. Public comments were previously requested via the Federal Register on June 7, 2023 during a 60-day comment period. This notice allows for an additional 30 days for public comments.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has submitted an information collection request (ICR), EPA's ENERGY STAR Program in the Residential Sector (EPA ICR Number 2193.05, OMB Control Number 2060- 0586) 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 January 30, 2024. Public comments were previously requested via the Federal Register on April 18, 2023, during a 60-day comment period. This notice allows for an additional 30 days for public comments.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has submitted an information collection request (ICR), Clean School Bus (CSB) Rebate Program (EPA ICR Number 2461.06, OMB Control Number 2060-0686) 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 August 31, 2025, is being submitted now to incorporate elements currently approved under an emergency ICR for the Clean School Bus Rebate Program (EPA ICR Number 2780.01, OMB Control Number 2060-0750), expiring February 29, 2024. Public comments were previously requested via the Federal Register on November 3, 2023 during a 60-day comment period. This notice allows for an additional 30 days for public comments.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has submitted an information collection request (ICR), Control of Evaporative Emissions from New and In-Use Portable Gasoline Containers (Renewal), (EPA ICR Number 2213.07, OMB Control Number 2060-0597) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act. This notice is a proposed extension of the ICR, which is currently approved through January 31, 2024. Public comments were previously requested via the Federal Register on November 3, 2023, during a 60-day comment period. This notice allows for an additional 30 days for public comments.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has submitted an information collection request (ICR), Generic Clearance for Participatory Science and Crowdsourcing Projects (EPA ICR Number 2521.41, OMB Control Number 2080-0083) 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 January 31, 2024. Public comments were previously requested via the Federal Register on August 21, 2023, during a 60-day comment period. This notice allows for an additional 30 days for public comments.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing a regulation to implement the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA) as specified in the Methane Emissions Reduction Program of the Inflation Reduction Act. This program requires the EPA to impose and collect an annual charge on methane emissions that exceed specified waste emissions thresholds from an owner or operator of an applicable facility that reports more than 25,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent of greenhouse gases emitted per year pursuant to the petroleum and natural gas systems source category requirements of the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule. The proposal would implement calculation procedures, flexibilities, and exemptions related to the waste emissions charge and proposes to establish confidentiality determinations for data elements included in waste emissions charge filings.

Pursuant to the Federal Clean Air Act (CAA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to grant a request from the Governor of Texas to reclassify the San Antonio, Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), and Houston-Galveston Brazoria (HGB) ozone nonattainment areas from Moderate to Serious for the 2015 ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The EPA is also herein outlining its interpretation that following reclassification, a state is no longer required to submit SIP revisions addressing the following requirements related to the prior reclassification level for an ozone nonattainment area: a demonstration of attainment by the prior attainment date; a Reasonably Available Control Measures (RACM) analysis tied to the prior attainment date; and contingency measures specifically related to the area's failure to attain by the prior attainment date. The EPA is also proposing deadlines for the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ or State) to submit revisions to the State Implementation Plan (SIP) addressing the Serious area requirements and for the first transportation control demonstrations for these areas. The EPA is also proposing deadlines for implementation of new Reasonably Available Control Technology (RACT) rules and for any new or revised Enhanced vehicle Inspection and Maintenance (I/M) programs.

This notice announces the broadly applicable alternative test method approval decisions that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) made under and in support of New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) and the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) between January 1, 2023, and December 31, 2023.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve a state implementation plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of California addressing the nonattainment new source review (NNSR) requirements for the 2015 ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). This SIP revision addresses the Feather River Air Quality Management District (``District'') portion of the California SIP. This action is being taken pursuant to the Clean Air Act (CAA or ``Act'') and its implementing regulations.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing a 30-day public comment period on the draft updates to its Scientific Integrity (SI) Policy. In accordance with the requirements of the 2021 Presidential Memorandum on Restoring Trust in Government Through Scientific Integrity and Evidence-based Policymaking, EPA is revising our SI Policy. The updated SI Policy will adopt a new Federal definition of scientific integrity and meaningfully strengthen several policy elements that will help ensure a culture of scientific integrity at the Agency. It will incorporate the model scientific integrity policy from the National Science and Technology Council's A Framework for Federal Scientific Integrity Policy and Practice (2023), lessons learned over the years, and the results of previous surveys of EPA staff on scientific integrity.

The EPA is proposing amendments to the new source performance standards (NSPS) and emission guidelines (EG) for large municipal waste combustion (MWC) units. These proposed amendments reflect the results from a reevaluation of the maximum achievable control technology (MACT) floor levels, a 5-year review, and the removal of startup, shutdown and malfunction exclusions and exceptions. These proposed amendments also streamline regulatory language, revise recordkeeping and electronic notification and reporting requirements, re-establish new and existing source applicability dates, clarify requirements for certain air curtain incinerators, close a 2007 proposed reconsideration action, correct certain typographical errors, make certain technical corrections, and clarify certain provisions in the NSPS and EG. These proposed amendments would revise all emission limits in the EG, except for carbon monoxide (CO) limits for two subcategories of combustors, and all nine emission limits in the NSPS. The EPA is reevaluating the MACT floors in response to the EPA's voluntary remand of the large MWC rules following a petitioner's request that the EPA review the MACT floors for large MWC units in consideration of a D.C. Circuit Court decision on MACT floor issues. The 5-year review is required by the Clean Air Act (CAA). The proposed amendments would result in an estimated 14,000 tons per year reduction in regulated pollutants.

This regulation establishes tolerances for residues of linuron in or on alfalfa, forage and alfalfa, hay. Tessenderlo Kerley, Inc. requested these tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of New Hampshire. This revision proposes to approve reasonable available control technology (RACT) requirements for PAK Solutions, LLC, located in Lancaster, New Hampshire. This action is being taken under the Clean Air Act.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving changes to the Florida State Implementation Plan (SIP), submitted by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) on April 1, 2022. The final rule revision corrects definitions, updates and removes outdated references, clarifies rule applicability in several rules within the Florida SIP, and removes methods to determine visible emissions. EPA is approving the changes because they are consistent with the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act).

In accordance with section 113(g) of the Clean Air Act, as amended (``CAA'' or ``the Act''), the Environmental Protection Agency (``EPA'' or ``the Agency'') is providing notice of a proposed consent decree in Center for Community Action and Environmental Justice v. United States Environmental Protection Agency, No. 4:23-cv-03571-YGR (N.D. Cal.). On July 19, 2023 and August 29, 2023, Plaintiff Center for Community Action and Environmental Justice and Plaintiffs East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice, People's Collective for Environmental Justice, Sierra Club, and Communities for a Better Environment (collectively, ``Plaintiffs''), respectively, filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California alleging that EPA failed to perform its non-discretionary duty to take final action to approve or disapprove, or conditionally approve, in whole or in part, the California state implementation plan (SIP) submittal entitled South Coast Air Quality Management District Rule 2305, Warehouse Indirect Source RuleWarehouse Actions and Investments to Reduce Emissions Program (SCAQMD Rule 2305), submitted to EPA by the California Air Resources Board on or about August 13, 2021. The two cases are now consolidated. The proposed consent decree would establish a deadline for the EPA Administrator (``Administrator'') to sign a notice of final rulemaking for this action.

The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) requires EPA to publish in the Federal Register a statement of its findings after its review of certain TSCA submissions 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. This document presents statements of findings made by EPA on such submissions during the period from November 1, 2023, to November 30, 2023.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve Indiana's September 21, 2023, state implementation plan (SIP) submission which revises the 2008 ozone maintenance plan for the Indiana Portion (Lake and Porter Counties) of the Chicago Naperville, IL-IN-WI area. This SIP submission updates onroad vehicle emissions inventories for oxides of nitrogen (NOX) and volatile organic compounds (VOC) for the years 2019, 2030 and 2035. In addition to updated emissions inventories, this SIP revision updates the Motor Vehicle Emissions Budgets (budgets) for NOX and VOC for the years 2030 and 2035. EPA is proposing to approve the allocation of a portion of the safety margins for NOX and VOC in the ozone maintenance plan to the 2030 and 2035 budgets. Total year 2030 and 2035 emissions of NOX and VOC for the area will remain below the attainment level required by the transportation conformity regulations.

Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), notice is hereby given that the next meeting of the Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities Advisory Committee (FRRCC) will be held in-person and virtually January 30-31, 2024. The FRRCC provides independent policy advice, information, and recommendations to the Administrator on a range of environmental issues and policies that are of importance to agriculture and rural communities.