[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 217 (Thursday, November 9, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 65740-65743]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-18874]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 52

[EPA-R09-OAR-2006-0829, FRL-8234-9]


Revisions to the California State Implementation Plan, Lake 
County Air Quality Management District, Monterey Bay Unified Air 
Pollution Control District, San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution 
Control District, and Ventura County Air Pollution Control District

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Direct final rule.

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SUMMARY: EPA is taking direct final action to approve revisions to the 
Lake County Air Quality Management District (LCAQMD), Monterey Bay 
Unified Air Pollution Control District (MBUAPCD), San Joaquin Valley 
Unified Air Pollution Control District (SJVUAPCD), and Ventura County 
Air Pollution Control District (VCAPCD) portions of the California 
State Implementation Plan (SIP). Under authority of the Clean Air Act 
as amended in 1990 (CAA or the Act), we are approving local rules that 
address particulate matter (PM-10) emissions from open burning, general 
area sources, cotton gins, incinerators, and fuel burning equipment.

DATES: This rule is effective on January 8, 2007, without further 
notice, unless EPA receives adverse comments by December 11, 2006. If 
we receive such comment, we will publish a timely withdrawal in the 
Federal Register to notify the public that this rule will not take 
effect.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments, identified by docket number EPA-R09-OAR-
2006-0829, by one of the following methods:
    1. Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the on-line instructions.
    2. E-mail: [email protected].
    3. Mail or deliver: Andrew Steckel (Air-4), U.S. Environmental 
Protection Agency Region IX, 75 Hawthorne Street, San Francisco, CA 
94105-3901.
    Instructions: All comments will be included in the public docket 
without change and may be made available online at http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided, 
unless the comment includes Confidential Business Information (CBI) or 
other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. 
Information that you consider CBI or otherwise protected should be 
clearly identified as such and should not be submitted through 
www.regulations.gov or e-mail. www.regulations.gov is an ``anonymous 
access'' system, and EPA will not know your identity or contact 
information unless you provide it in the body of your comment. If you 
send e-mail directly to EPA, your e-mail address will be automatically 
captured and included as part of the public comment. If EPA cannot read 
your comment due to technical difficulties and cannot contact you for 
clarification, EPA may not be able to consider your comment.
    Docket: The index to the docket for this action is available 
electronically at http://www.regulations.gov and in hard copy at EPA 
Region IX, 75 Hawthorne Street, San Francisco, California. While all 
documents in the docket are listed in the index, some information may 
be publicly available only at the hard copy location (e.g., copyrighted 
material), and some may not be publicly available in either location 
(e.g., CBI). To inspect the hard copy materials, please schedule an 
appointment during normal business hours with the contact listed in the 
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Al Petersen, EPA Region IX, (415) 947-
4118, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Throughout this document, ``we,'' ``us'' and 
``our'' refer to EPA.

Table of Contents

I. The State's Submittal
    A. What rules did the State submit?
    B. Are there other versions of these rules?
    C. What is the purpose of the submitted rules?
II. EPA's Evaluation and Action
    A. How is EPA evaluating the rules?
    B. Do the rules meet the evaluation criteria?
    C. EPA Recommendation To Further Improve a Rule
    D. Public Comment and Final Action
III. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

I. The State's Submittal

A. What rules did the State submit?

    Table 1 lists the rules we are approving with the date that they 
were adopted by the local air agency and submitted by the California 
Air Resources Board (CARB).

                                   Table 1.--Submitted Rules for Full Approval
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                            Amended, tevised, or
       Local agency           Rule              Rule title                adopted           Submitted
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LCAQMD...................  Chapter VIII Section  Agencies Authorized to     08/09/05 Amended....        03/10/06
                            1002.                 Issue Burning Permits.
LCAQMD...................  Chapter VIII Table 8  Agencies Designated to     08/09/05 Amended....        03/10/06
                                                  Issue Burning Permits.

[[Page 65741]]

 
MBUAPCD..................  403.................  Particulate Matter.......  02/16/05 Revised....        07/15/05
SJVUAPCD.................  4204................  Cotton Gins..............  02/17/05 Adopted....        07/15/05
VCAPCD...................  57..................  Incinerators.............  01/11/05 Revised....        07/15/05
VCAPCD...................  57.1................  Particulate Matter         01/11/05 Adopted....        07/15/05
                                                  Emissions form Fuel
                                                  Burning Equipment.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    On August 18, 2005, the submittal of March 10, 2006 was found to 
meet the completeness criteria in 40 CFR part 51, appendix V, which 
must be met before formal EPA review. On August 18, 2005, the submittal 
of July 15, 2005 was found to meet the completeness criteria.

B. Are there other versions of these rules?

    We approved a version of LCAQMD Section 1002 and Table 8 into the 
SIP on May 18, 1999 (64 FR 26876). We approved a version of MBUAPCD 
Rule 403 into the SIP on July 11, 2001 (66 FR 36170) and approved a 
version of VCAPCD Rule 57 into the SIP on August 6, 2001 (66 FR 40898).

C. What is the purpose of the submitted rules?

    Section 110(a) of the CAA requires states to submit regulations 
that control volatile organic compounds, oxides of nitrogen, 
particulate matter, and other air pollutants which harm human health 
and the environment. These rules were developed as part of the local 
agency's program to control these pollutants.
    The purposes of the LCAQMD Section 1002 and Table 8 revisions 
relative to the SIP are as follows:
     Section 1002: The rule adds authority for agencies 
designated to issue burn permits in Table 8 to collect and retain burn 
permit fees.
     Table 8 is revised to clarify which agencies are 
designated to issue burn permits. The purposes of new SJVUAPCD Rule 
4204 are as follows:
     4204.4.1: The rule exempts cotton ginning facilities used 
for research purposes and for throughputs to 4,000 pounds of seed 
cotton per day.
     4204.5.0: The rule requires the control of all emission 
points in cotton ginning with 1D3D cyclones or rotary drum filters on 
compliance dates ranging between 07/01/06 and 07/01/08.
     4204.5.2: The rule requires air velocity entering 1D3D 
cyclones to be 2,800 to 3,600 feet per minute.
     4204.5.3: The rule requires new cyclones or replacement 
parts of existing cyclones 1D3D cyclones to have the dimensional 
characteristics of the enhanced 1D3D cyclone (figure 1) or the 1D3D 
cyclone with expansion chamber (figure 2).
     4204.5.6: The rule provides requirements for preventing 
fugitive dust emission during load-out into hoppers or trailers.
     4204.5.7: The rule provides requirements for preventing 
fugitive dust emission during load-out onto a pile.
     4204.6.0: The rule provides requirements for 
recordkeeping, source testing, and test methods.
    The purpose of new VCAPCD Rule 57.1 is as follows:
     57.1: This new rule acquires the section regulating fuel 
burning equipment being moved from Rule 57.
    The purposes of revisions of MBUAPCD Rule 403 relative to the SIP 
rule are as follows:
     403.1.3.4: The rule deletes the exemption for agricultural 
operations necessary for the growing of crops or raising of fowl or 
animals.
     403: The rule is reformatted.
    The purposes of revisions to VCAPCD Rule 57 relative to the SIP 
Rule 57, Combustion Contaminants-Specific, are as follows:
     57.A: This section on incinerators is retained in Rule 57, 
Incinerators, except that the requirements are changed from numerical 
standards limiting particulate matter emissions and requiring minimums 
of temperature of combustion and contact time in the SIP rule to a new 
non-numerical standard of requiring a multiple-combustion-chamber 
incinerator with at least three chambers and no numerical temperature 
of combustion or time of contact standard.
     57.B: This section on fuel burning equipment is removed 
from Rule 57 and put into new Rule 57.1, Particulate Matter Emissions 
from Fuel Burning Equipment, except that the requirement for limiting 
particulate matter emissions is changed from 0.1 grains/dry standard 
cubic foot (gr/dscf) at 12% carbon dioxide to a new standard of 0.12 
pounds/million BTU at 12% carbon dioxide.
    The TSD has more information about these rules.

II. EPA's Evaluation and Action

A. How is EPA evaluating the rules?

    Generally, SIP rules must be enforceable (see section 110(a) of the 
CAA) and must not relax existing requirements (see sections 110(l) and 
193).
    SIP rules must require for major sources reasonably available 
control measures (RACM), including RACT in moderate PM-10 nonattainment 
areas (see section 189(a)) or must require for major sources best 
available control measures (BACM), including best available control 
technology (BACT) in serious PM-10 nonattainment areas (see section 
189(b). LCAQMD, MBUAPCD and VCAPCD regulate PM-10 attainment areas, so 
need not fulfill the requirements of RACM/RACT or BACM/BACT. SJVUAPCD 
regulates a serious PM-10 nonattainment area (see 40 CFR part 81), so 
SJVUAPCD Rule 4204 must fulfill the requirements of BACM/BACT.
    Guidance and policy documents that we use to help evaluate the 
rules include the following:
     Requirements for Preparation, Adoption, and Submittal of 
Implementation Plans, U.S. EPA, 40 CFR part 51.
     PM-10 Guideline Document (EPA-452/R-93-008).

B. Do the rules meet the evaluation criteria?

    We believe that LCAQMD Section 1002 and Table 8, MBUAPCD Rule 403, 
SJVUAPCD Rule 4204, and VCAPCD Rules 57 and 57.1 are consistent with 
the relevant policy and guidance regarding enforceability, SIP 
relaxations, and fulfilling the requirements of RACM/RACT or BACM/BACT.
    The TSD has more information on our evaluation.

C. EPA Recommendation to Further Improve a Rule

    The TSD describes an additional revision to SJVUAPCD Rule 4204 that 
does not affect EPA's current action but is recommended for the next 
time the local agency modifies the rule.

[[Page 65742]]

D. Public Comment and Final Action

    As authorized in section 110(k)(3) of the CAA, EPA is fully 
approving the submitted rules because we believe they fulfill all 
relevant requirements. We do not think anyone will object to this 
approval, so we are finalizing it without proposing it in advance. 
However, in the Proposed Rules section of this Federal Register, we are 
simultaneously proposing approval of the same submitted rules. If we 
receive adverse comments by December 11, 2006, we will publish a timely 
withdrawal in the Federal Register to notify the public that the direct 
final approval will not take effect and we will address the comments in 
a subsequent final action based on the proposal. If we do not receive 
timely adverse comments, the direct final approval will be effective 
without further notice on January 8, 2007. This will incorporate these 
rules into the federally enforceable SIP.
    Please note that if EPA receives adverse comment on an amendment, 
paragraph, or section of this rule and if that provision may be severed 
from the remainder of the rule, EPA may adopt as final those provisions 
of the rule that are not the subject of an adverse comment.

III. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

    Under Executive Order 12866 (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993), this 
action is not a ``significant regulatory action'' and therefore is not 
subject to review by the Office of Management and Budget. For this 
reason, this action is also not subject to Executive Order 13211, 
``Actions Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy 
Supply, Distribution, or Use'' (66 FR 28355, May 22, 2001). This action 
merely approves state law as meeting Federal requirements and imposes 
no additional requirements beyond those imposed by state law. 
Accordingly, the Administrator certifies that this rule will not have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities 
under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.). Because 
this rule approves pre-existing requirements under state law and does 
not impose any additional enforceable duty beyond that required by 
state law, it does not contain any unfunded mandate or significantly or 
uniquely affect small governments, as described in the Unfunded 
Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (Public Law 104-4).
    This rule also does not have tribal implications because it will 
not have a substantial direct effect on one or more Indian tribes, on 
the relationship between the Federal Government and Indian tribes, or 
on the distribution of power and responsibilities between the Federal 
Government and Indian tribes, as specified by Executive Order 13175 (65 
FR 67249, November 9, 2000). This action also does not have Federalism 
implications because it does not have substantial direct effects on the 
States, on the relationship between the national government and the 
States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the 
various levels of government, as specified in Executive Order 13132 (64 
FR 43255, August 10, 1999). This action merely approves a state rule 
implementing a Federal standard, and does not alter the relationship or 
the distribution of power and responsibilities established in the Clean 
Air Act. This rule also is not subject to Executive Order 13045 
``Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety 
Risks'' (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997), because it is not economically 
significant.
    In reviewing SIP submissions, EPA's role is to approve state 
choices, provided that they meet the criteria of the Clean Air Act. In 
this context, in the absence of a prior existing requirement for the 
State to use voluntary consensus standards (VCS), EPA has no authority 
to disapprove a SIP submission for failure to use VCS. It would thus be 
inconsistent with applicable law for EPA, when it reviews a SIP 
submission, to use VCS in place of a SIP submission that otherwise 
satisfies the provisions of the Clean Air Act. Thus, the requirements 
of section 12(d) of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement 
Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272 note) do not apply. This rule does not 
impose an information collection burden under the provisions of the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).
    The Congressional Review Act, 5 U.S.C. 801 et seq., as added by the 
Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, generally 
provides that before a rule may take effect, the agency promulgating 
the rule must submit a rule report, which includes a copy of the rule, 
to each House of the Congress and to the Comptroller General of the 
United States. EPA will submit a report containing this rule and other 
required information to the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of 
Representatives, and the Comptroller General of the United States prior 
to publication of the rule in the Federal Register. A major rule cannot 
take effect until 60 days after it is published in the Federal 
Register. This action is not a ``major rule'' as defined by 5 U.S.C. 
804(2).
    Under section 307(b)(1) of the Clean Air Act, petitions for 
judicial review of this action must be filed in the United States Court 
of Appeals for the appropriate circuit by January 8, 2007. Filing a 
petition for reconsideration by the Administrator of this final rule 
does not affect the finality of this rule for the purposes of judicial 
review nor does it extend the time within which a petition for judicial 
review may be filed, and shall not postpone the effectiveness of such 
rule or action. This action may not be challenged later in proceedings 
to enforce its requirements. (See section 307(b)(2).)

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52

    Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Incorporation by 
reference, Intergovernmental relations, Particulate matter, Reporting 
and recordkeeping requirements.

    Dated: October 12, 2006.
Alexis Strauss,
Acting Regional Administrator, Region IX.

0
Part 52, chapter I, title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations is 
amended as follows:

PART 52--[AMENDED]

0
1. The authority citation for part 52 continues to read as follows:

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

Subpart F--California

0
2. Section 52.220 is amended by adding paragraphs (c)(337)(i)(A)(3), 
(c)(337)(i)(B)(2), (c)(337)(i)(D), and (c)(344)(i)(B) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  52.220  Identification of plan.

* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (337) * * *
    (i) * * *
    (A) * * *
    (3) Rule 4204, adopted on February 17, 2005.
    (B) * * *
    (2) Rule 57, adopted on July 2, 1968 and revised on January 11, 
2005 and Rule 57.1, adopted on January 11, 2005.
* * * * *
    (D) Monterey Bay Unified Air Pollution Control District.
    (1) Rule 403, adopted on September 1, 1974 and revised on February 
16, 2005.
* * * * *
    (344) * * *
    (i) * * *
    (B) Lake County Air Quality Management District.

[[Page 65743]]

    (1) Chapter VIII, Section 1002 and Table 8, adopted on March 19, 
1996 and amended on August 9, 2005.

[FR Doc. E6-18874 Filed 11-8-06; 8:45 am]
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