[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 52 (Thursday, March 18, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 13375-13378]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-6503]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 52

[CA 207-0135; FRL-6310-9]


Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; California 
State Implementation Plan Revision; South Coast Air Quality Management 
District

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Proposed rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: EPA is proposing a limited approval and limited disapproval of 
a revision to the California State Implementation Plan (SIP) for the 
South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) which concerns the 
control of Emissions of Oxides of Nitrogen from Stationary Gas 
Turbines.
    The intended effect of proposing approval of this rule is to 
regulate emissions of NOX in accordance with the 
requirements of the Clean Air Act, as amended in 1990 (CAA or the Act). 
EPA's final action on this proposed rule will incorporate this rule 
into the Federally approved SIP. EPA has evaluated this rule and is 
proposing to approve it under provisions of the CAA regarding EPA 
actions on SIP submittals, SIPs for national primary and secondary 
ambient air quality standards (NAAQS), and plan requirements for 
nonattainment areas.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before April 19, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to: Andrew Steckel, Rulemaking 
Office, AIR-4, Air Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 
Region IX, 75 Hawthorne Street, San Francisco, CA 94105-3901.
    Copies of the rule and EPA's evaluation report of the rule are 
available for public inspection at EPA's Region 9 office during normal 
business hours. Copies of the submitted rule are also available for 
inspection at the following locations:

Environmental Protection Agency, Air Docket (6102), 401 ``M'' Street, 
S.W., Washington, D.C. 20460
California Air Resources Board, Stationary Source Division, Rule 
Evaluation Section, 2020 ``L'' Street, Sacramento, CA 95812
South Coast Air Quality Management District, 21865 E. Copley Drive, 
Diamond Bar, CA 91765-4182

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ed Addison, Rulemaking Office, AIR-4, 
Air Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IX, 75 
Hawthorne Street, San Francisco, CA 94105-3901, Telephone: (415) 744-
1160.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Applicability

    This Federal Register action for the South Coast Air Quality 
Management District excludes the Los Angeles County portion of the 
Southeast Desert AQMD, otherwise known as the Antelope Valley Region in 
Los Angeles County, which is now under the jurisdiction of the Antelope 
Valley Air Pollution Control District as of July 1, 1997.
    The rule being proposed for approval into the California SIP is 
South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) Rule 1134, 
Emissions of Oxides of Nitrogen from Stationary Gas Turbines. Rule 1134 
was submitted by the State of California to EPA on May 18, 1998.

II. Background

    On November 15, 1990, the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 were 
enacted. Pub. L. 101-549, 104 Stat. 2399, codified at 42 U.S.C. 7401-
7671q. The air quality planning requirements for the reduction of 
NOX emissions through reasonably available control 
technology (RACT) are set out in section 182(f) of the Clean Air Act.
    On November 25, 1992, EPA published a proposed rule entitled, 
``State Implementation Plans; Nitrogen Oxides Supplement to the General 
Preamble; Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 Implementation of Title I; 
Proposed Rule,'' (the NOX Supplement) which describes and 
provides preliminary guidance on the requirements of section 182(f). 
The November 25, 1992, action should be referred to for further 
information on the NOX requirements and is incorporated into 
this document by reference.
    Section 182 (f) of the Clean Air Act requires States to apply the 
same requirements to major stationary sources of NOX 
(``major'' as defined in section 302 and sections 182(c), (d), and (e)) 
as are applied to major stationary sources of volatile organic 
compounds (VOCs), in moderate or above ozone nonattainment areas. 
SCAQMD is

[[Page 13376]]

classified as extreme;1 therefore this area is subject to 
the RACT requirements of section 182(b)(2) and the November 15, 1992 
deadline cited below.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ SCAQMD retained it's designation of nonattainment and was 
classified by operation of law pursuant to sections 107(d) and 
181(a) upon the date of enactment of the CAA. See 55 FR 56694 
(November 6, 1991).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Section 182(b)(2) requires submittal of RACT rules for major 
stationary sources of VOC (and NOX) emissions (not covered 
by a pre-enactment control technologies guidelines (CTG) document or a 
post-enactment CTG document) by November 15, 1992. There were no 
NOX CTGs issued before enactment and EPA has not issued a 
CTG document for any NOX sources since enactment of the CAA. 
The RACT rules covering NOX sources and submitted as SIP 
revisions are expected to require final installation of the actual 
NOX controls as expeditiously as practicable, but no later 
than May 31, 1995.
    This document addresses EPA's proposed action for South Coast Air 
Quality Management District (SCAQMD) Rule 1134, Emissions of Oxides of 
Nitrogen from Stationary Gas Turbines Engines, adopted by the SCAQMD on 
August 8, 1997. The State of California submitted this Rule 1134 to EPA 
on March 10, 1998. The rule was found to be complete on May 21, 1998, 
pursuant to EPA's completeness criteria that are set forth in 40 CFR 
Part 51, Appendix V2.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ EPA adopted the completeness criteria on February 16, 1990 
(55 FR 5830) and, pursuant to section 110(k)(1)(A) of the CAA, 
revised the criteria on August 26, 1991 (56 FR 42216).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    NOX emissions contribute to the production of ground 
level ozone and smog. SCAQMD Rule 1134 specifies exhaust emission 
standards for NOX, carbon monoxide (CO), and VOCs and was 
originally adopted as part of SCAQMD's effort to achieve the National 
Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for ozone, and in response to the 
CAA requirements cited above. The following is EPA's evaluation and 
proposed action for this rule.

III. EPA Evaluation and Proposed Action

    In determining the approvability of a NOX rule, EPA must 
evaluate the rule for consistency with the requirements of the CAA and 
EPA regulations, as found in section 110 and Part D of the CAA and 40 
CFR Part 51 (Requirements for Preparation, Adoption, and Submittal of 
Implementation Plans). The EPA interpretation of these requirements, 
which forms the basis for today's action, appears in the NOX 
Supplement (57 FR 55620) and various other EPA policy guidance 
documents.3 Among those provisions is the requirement that a 
NOX rule must, at a minimum, provide for the implementation 
of RACT for stationary sources of NOX emissions.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ Among other things, the pre-amendment guidance consists of 
those portions of the proposed post-1987 ozone and carbon monoxide 
policy that concern RACT, 52 FR 45044 (November 24, 1987); ``Issues 
Relating to VOC regulation Cutpoints, Deficiencies, and Deviation, 
Clarification to Appendix D of November 24, 1987 Federal Register 
Notice'' (Blue Book) (notice of availability was published in the 
Federal Register on May 25, 1988).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    For the purposes of assisting State and local agencies in 
developing NOX RACT rules, EPA prepared the NOX 
Supplement to the General Preamble. In the NOX Supplement, 
EPA provides preliminary guidance on how RACT will be determined for 
stationary sources of NOX emissions. While most of the 
guidance issued by EPA on what constitutes RACT for stationary sources 
has been directed towards application for VOC sources, much of the 
guidance is also applicable to RACT for stationary sources of 
NOX (see section 4.5 of the NOX Supplement). In 
addition, pursuant to section 183(c), EPA is issuing alternative 
control technique documents (ACTs), that identify alternative controls 
for all categories of stationary sources of NOX. The ACT 
documents will provide information on control technology for stationary 
sources that emit or have the potential to emit 25 tons per year or 
more of NOX. However, the ACTs will not establish a 
presumptive norm for what is considered RACT for stationary sources of 
NOX. In general, the guidance documents cited above, as well 
as other relevant and applicable guidance documents, have been set 
forth to ensure that submitted NOX RACT rules meet Federal 
RACT requirements and are fully enforceable and strengthen or maintain 
the SIP.
    The California Air Resources Board (CARB), developed a guidance 
document entitled Determination of Reasonably Available Control 
Technology and Best Available Retrofit Control Technology for the 
Control of Oxides of Nitrogen from Stationary Gas Turbines. EPA has 
used CARB's guidance document, dated May 18, 1992, in evaluating Rule 
1134 for consistency with the CAA's RACT requirements.
    There is currently a November 1, 1996 version of South Coast Air 
Quality Management District (SCAQMD) Rule 1134, Emissions of Oxides of 
Nitrogen from Stationary Gas Turbines included in the SIP. The 
submitted rule includes the following provisions:
     General provisions including applicability, exemptions, 
and definitions.
     Exhaust emissions standards for oxides of nitrogen 
(NOX) and carbon monoxide (CO).
     Administrative and monitoring requirements including 
compliance schedule, reporting requirements, monitoring and record 
keeping, and test methods.
    Rules submitted to EPA for approval as revisions to the SIP must be 
fully enforceable, must maintain or strengthen the SIP and must conform 
with EPA policy in order to be approved by EPA. When reviewing rules 
for SIP approvability, EPA evaluates enforceability elements such as 
test methods, record keeping, and compliance testing in addition to 
RACT guidance regarding emission limits. Rule 1134 strengthens the SIP 
through the addition of enforceable measures such as record keeping, 
test methods, and definitions.
    EPA has evaluated South Coast Air Quality Management District Rule 
1134 for consistency with the CAA, EPA regulations, and EPA policy and 
has found that the revisions address and correct many deficiencies 
previously identified by EPA. These corrected deficiencies have 
resulted in a clearer, more enforceable rule.
    In evaluating the rule, EPA must also determine whether the section 
182(b) requirement for RACT implementation by May 31, 1995 is met. 
Under certain circumstances, the determination of what constitutes RACT 
can include consideration of advanced control technologies such as CARB 
BARCT requirements. As Rule 1134 requires all units to comply by 
December 31, 1995, EPA considers the May 31, 1995 deadline to have been 
met. With the possible exception of the deficiency discussed below, EPA 
has further found that the amendment to Rule 1134 conforms with the 
CARB Determination of Reasonably Available Control Technology (RACT) 
and Best Available Retrofit Control Technology (BARCT) for Control of 
Oxides of Nitrogen from Stationary Gas Turbines dated May 18, 1992, and 
is therefore consistent with the CAA's RACT requirement.
    EPA has evaluated South Coast Air Quality Management District Rule 
1134 for consistency with the CAA, EPA regulations, and EPA policy and 
has found that although SCAQMD Rule 1134 will strengthen the SIP, this 
rule contains a deficiency which must be corrected pursuant to the 
section 182(a)(2)(A) requirement of Part D of the CAA.

[[Page 13377]]

     Section (c)(1): Since there is an existing SIP rule for 
this source category, the SIP will be weakened by the incorporation of 
this amendment. The District estimates that the relief specified 
effects only one facility at Carson and that the unit can, at best, 
achieve the current CARB RACT Determination standard of 25 ppmv 
NOX. The District further states that no viable alternatives 
are evident that will enable the unit to achieve the existing Rule 1134 
emission limit of 9 ppmv.
    The District estimates that this relaxation will result in 
increased emissions of approximately 46 tons per year of 
NOX. Before EPA could approve such modification to the SIP, 
SCAQMD must demonstrate compliance with section 110(l) of the Clean Air 
Act. Specifically, SCAQMD must demonstrate that this relaxation will 
not interfere with attainment, reasonable further progress or any other 
applicable requirements of the act. We also recommend that SCAQMD and 
the affected source further consider advanced control technologies 
including deionized water for turbine injection, use of higher-
temperature zeolitic SCR catalysts, new catalytic or thermally 
controlled ``low-NOX''-turbine-combustor technologies.
    A more detailed discussion of the basis for EPA's proposed action 
can be found in the Technical Support Document (TSD), dated February 
11, 1999, which is available from the U.S. EPA, Region IX office.
    Because of this deficiency, EPA cannot grant full approval of this 
rule under section 110(k)(3) and part D. Also, because the submitted 
rule is not composed of separable parts which meet all the applicable 
requirements of the CAA, EPA cannot grant partial approval of the rule 
under section 110(k)(3). However, EPA may grant a limited approval of 
the submitted rule under section 110(k)(3), in light of EPA's authority 
pursuant to section 301(a) to adopt regulations necessary to further 
air quality by strengthening the SIP. The approval is limited because 
EPA's action also contains a simultaneous limited disapproval. In order 
to strengthen the SIP, EPA is proposing a limited approval of SCAQMD's 
submitted Rule 1134 under sections 110(k)(3) and 301(a) of the CAA. At 
the same time, EPA is also proposing a limited disapproval of this rule 
because it contains a deficiency which must be corrected in order to 
fully meet the requirements of sections 182(a)(2), 182(b)(2), 182(f), 
of part D of the CAA. Under section 179(a)(2), if the Administrator 
disapproves a submission under section 110(k) for an area designated 
nonattainment, based on the submission's failure to meet one or more of 
the elements required by the Act, the Administrator must apply one of 
the sanctions set forth in section 179(b) unless the deficiency has 
been corrected within 18 months of such disapproval. Section 179(b) 
provides two sanctions available to the Administrator: highway funding 
and offsets. The 18 month period referred to in section 179(a) will 
begin on the effective date of EPA's final limited disapproval. 
Moreover, the final disapproval triggers the Federal implementation 
plan (FIP) requirement under section 110(c). It should be noted that 
the rule covered by this document has been adopted by the South Coast 
Air Quality Management District and is currently in effect in the South 
Coast Air Quality Management District. EPA's final limited disapproval 
action will not prevent the South Coast Air Quality Management District 
or EPA from enforcing this rule.

IV. Administrative Requirements

A. Executive Order 12866

    The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has exempted this 
regulatory action from Executive Order (E.O.) 12866, Regulatory 
Planning and Review.

B. Executive Order 12875

    Under Executive Order 12875, Enhancing the Intergovernmental 
Partnership, EPA may not issue a regulation that is not required by 
statute and that creates a mandate upon a State, local or tribal 
government, unless the Federal government provides the funds necessary 
to pay the direct compliance costs incurred by those governments, or 
EPA consults with those governments. If EPA complies by consulting, 
Executive Order 12875 requires EPA to provide to the Office of 
Management and Budget a description of the extent of EPA's prior 
consultation with representatives of affected State, local and tribal 
governments, the nature of their concerns, copies of any written 
communications from the governments, and a statement supporting the 
need to issue the regulation. In addition, Executive Order 12875 
requires EPA to develop an effective process permitting elected 
officials and other representatives of State, local and tribal 
governments ``to provide meaningful and timely input in the development 
of regulatory proposals containing significant unfunded mandates.'' 
Today's rule does not create a mandate on State, local or tribal 
governments. The rule does not impose any enforceable duties on these 
entities. Accordingly, the requirements of section 1(a) of E.O. 12875 
do not apply to this rule.

C. Executive Order 13045

    Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety 
Risks (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997), applies to any rule that: (1) is 
determined to be ``economically significant'' as defined under E.O. 
12866, and (2) concerns an environmental health or safety risk that EPA 
has reason to believe may have a disproportionate effect on children. 
If the regulatory action meets both criteria, the Agency must evaluate 
the environmental health or safety effects of the planned rule on 
children, and explain why the planned regulation is preferable to other 
potentially effective and reasonably feasible alternatives considered 
by the Agency. This rule is not subject to E.O. 13045 because it does 
not involve decisions intended to mitigate environmental health or 
safety risks.

D. Executive Order 13084

    Under Executive Order 13084, Consultation and Coordination with 
Indian Tribal Governments, EPA may not issue a regulation that is not 
required by statute, that significantly or uniquely affects the 
communities of Indian tribal governments, and that imposes substantial 
direct compliance costs on those communities, unless the Federal 
government provides the funds necessary to pay the direct compliance 
costs incurred by the tribal governments, or EPA consults with those 
governments. If EPA complies by consulting, Executive Order 13084 
requires EPA to provide to the Office of Management and Budget, in a 
separately identified section of the preamble to the rule, a 
description of the extent of EPA's prior consultation with 
representatives of affected tribal governments, a summary of the nature 
of their concerns, and a statement supporting the need to issue the 
regulation. In addition, Executive Order 13084 requires EPA to develop 
an effective process permitting elected officials and other 
representatives of Indian tribal governments ``to provide meaningful 
and timely input in the development of regulatory policies on matters 
that significantly or uniquely affect their communities.'' Today's rule 
does not significantly or uniquely affect the communities of Indian 
tribal governments. Accordingly, the requirements of section 3(b) of 
E.O. 13084 do not apply to this rule.

[[Page 13378]]

E. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) generally requires an agency 
to conduct a regulatory flexibility analysis of any rule subject to 
notice and comment rulemaking requirements unless the agency certifies 
that the rule will not have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities. Small entities include small 
businesses, small not-for-profit enterprises, and small governmental 
jurisdictions. This final rule will not have a significant impact on a 
substantial number of small entities because SIP approvals under 
section 110 and subchapter I, part D of the Clean Air Act do not create 
any new requirements but simply approve requirements that the State is 
already imposing. Therefore, because the Federal SIP approval does not 
create any new requirements, I certify that this action will not have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. 
Moreover, due to the nature of the Federal-State relationship under the 
Clean Air Act, preparation of flexibility analysis would constitute 
Federal inquiry into the economic reasonableness of state action. The 
Clean Air Act forbids EPA to base its actions concerning SIPs on such 
grounds. Union Electric Co., v. U.S. EPA, 427 U.S. 246, 255-66 (1976); 
42 U.S.C. 7410(a)(2).

F. Unfunded Mandates

    Under Section 202 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 
(``Unfunded Mandates Act''), signed into law on March 22, 1995, EPA 
must prepare a budgetary impact statement to accompany any proposed or 
final rule that includes a Federal mandate that may result in estimated 
annual costs to State, local, or tribal governments in the aggregate; 
or to private sector, of $100 million or more. Under Section 205, EPA 
must select the most cost-effective and least burdensome alternative 
that achieves the objectives of the rule and is consistent with 
statutory requirements. Section 203 requires EPA to establish a plan 
for informing and advising any small governments that may be 
significantly or uniquely impacted by the rule.
    EPA has determined that the approval action promulgated does not 
include a Federal mandate that may result in estimated annual costs of 
$100 million or more to either State, local, or tribal governments in 
the aggregate, or to the private sector. This Federal action approves 
pre-existing requirements under State or local law, and imposes no new 
requirements. Accordingly, no additional costs to State, local, or 
tribal governments, or to the private sector, result from this action.

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52

    Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Hydrocarbons, 
Incorporation by reference, Intergovernmental relations, Oxides of 
nitrogen Ozone, Reporting and record keeping requirements, Volatile 
organic compounds.

    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.

    Dated: February 26, 1999.
Laura Yoshii,
Deputy Regional Administrator, Region IX.
[FR Doc. 99-6503 Filed 3-17-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P