[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 231 (Friday, December 1, 2006)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 69519-69527]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-20295]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 52

[EPA-R06-OAR-2005-AR-0001; FRL-8250-1]


Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; 
Arkansas; Prevention of Significant Deterioration and New Source 
Review; Economic Development Zone for Crittenden County, Arkansas; and 
Stage I Vapor Recovery

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: EPA is proposing to approve revisions to the Arkansas State 
Implementation Plan (SIP) that include changes made to Arkansas 
regulations entitled, ``Regulations of the Arkansas Plan of 
Implementation for Air Pollution Control'' and ``Nonattainment New 
Source Review Requirements.'' The proposed revisions amend the State's 
permitting rules in order to address revisions to the Federal New 
Source Review (NSR) regulations, which were promulgated by EPA on 
December 31, 2002 (67 FR 80186) and reconsidered with minor changes on 
November 7, 2003 (68 FR 63021)

[[Page 69520]]

(collectively, these two final actions are called the ``2002 NSR Reform 
Rules''). Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) and 
Nonattainment NSR (NNSR) programs, together with the minor 
preconstruction permit program required by section 110 of the Federal 
Clean Air Act (``Act''), are commonly referred to as the ``NSR 
programs.'' The Arkansas revised preconstruction permitting rules 
proposed for inclusion in the Arkansas SIP, affecting major sources and 
modifications to include provisions for baseline emissions 
calculations, an actual-to-projected-actual methodology for calculating 
emissions changes, options for plantwide applicability limits, and 
recordkeeping and reporting requirements. The proposed revisions also 
include non-substantive revisions to previously SIP-approved 
regulations and regulations for implementing the permitting provisions 
for the 8-Hour Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard-Phase 2, 
Economic Development Zone in Crittenden County, and Stage I Vapor 
Recovery Rules. Finally, EPA is taking no action on provisions that 
relate to designated facilities. We are proposing approval of the 
revisions because we find the changes consistent with EPA's 
implementing regulations, guidance and policy and with Section 110(l) 
of the Act.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before January 2, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-R06-
OAR-2005-AR-0001, by one of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the online instructions for submitting comments.
     U.S. EPA Region 6 ``Contact Us'' web site: http://epa.gov/region6/r6coment.htm. Please click on ``6PD'' (Multimedia) and select 
``Air'' before submitting comments.
     E-mail: Mr. Stanley M. Spruiell at 
[email protected]. 
     Fax: Mr. Stanley M. Spruiell, Air Permit Section (6PD-R), 
at fax number (214) 665-7263.
     Mail: Mr. Stanley M. Spruiell, Air Permits Section (6PD-
R), Environmental Protection Agency, 1445 Ross Avenue, Suite 1200, 
Dallas, Texas 75202-2733.
     Hand or Courier Delivery: Mr. Stanley M. Spruiell, Air 
Permits Section (6PD-R), Environmental Protection Agency, 1445 Ross 
Avenue, Suite 1200, Dallas, Texas 75202-2733. Such deliveries are 
accepted only between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays except 
for legal holidays. Special arrangements should be made for deliveries 
of boxed information.
    Instructions: Direct your comments to Docket ID No. EPA-R06-OAR-
2005-AR-0001. EPA's policy is that all comments received 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 information claimed 
to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information the 
disclosure of which is restricted by statute. Do not submit information 
through http://www.regulations.gov or e-mail if you believe that it is 
CBI or otherwise protected from disclosure. The http://www.regulations.gov Web site is an ``anonymous access'' system, which 
means that EPA will not know your identity or contact information 
unless you provide it in the body of your comment. If you send an e-
mail comment directly to EPA without going through http://www.regulations.gov your e-mail address will be automatically captured 
and included as part of the comment that is placed in the public docket 
and made available on the Internet. If you submit an electronic 
comment, EPA recommends that you include your name and other contact 
information in the body of your comment and with any disk or CD-ROM you 
submit. 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. Electronic files should avoid the use of special 
characters and any form of encryption and should be free of any defects 
or viruses.
    Docket: All documents in the docket are listed in the http://www.regulations.gov index. Although listed in the index, some 
information is not publicly available, e.g., CBI or other information 
the disclosure of which is restricted by statute. Certain other 
material, such as copyrighted material, will be publicly available only 
in hard copy. Publicly available docket materials are available either 
electronically at http://www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at the Air 
Permits Section (6PD-R), Environmental Protection Agency, 1445 Ross 
Avenue, Suite 700, Dallas, Texas 75202-2733. The file will be made 
available by appointment for public inspection in the Region 6 FOIA 
Review Room between the hours of 8:30 am and 4:30 pm weekdays except 
for legal holidays. Contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT paragraph below to make an appointment. If 
possible, please make the appointment at least two working days in 
advance of your visit. There will be a 15 cent per page fee for making 
photocopies of documents. On the day of the visit, please check in at 
the EPA Region 6 reception area at 1445 Ross Avenue, Suite 700, Dallas, 
Texas.
    The state submittal is also available for public inspection at the 
State Air Agency listed below during official business hours by 
appointment:
    Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality, Air Division, 8001 
National Drive, P.O. Box 8913, Little Rock, Arkansas 72219-8913.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Stanley M. Spruiell, Air Permits 
Section (6PD-R), Environmental Protection Agency, Region 6, 1445 Ross 
Avenue, Suite 700, Dallas, Texas 75202-2733, telephone (214) 665-7212; 
fax number (214) 665-7263; e-mail address [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Throughout this document any reference to 
``we,'' ``us,'' or ``our'' shall mean the EPA.

Outline

I. What Action Is EPA Proposing?
II. What is the Background for Major NSR Reform?
III. What is EPA's Analysis of Arkansas' SIP Revisions?
    A. Major NSR Reform Requirements.
    B. Permits Provisions for the 8-Hour Ozone NAAQS--Phase 2.
    C. Zones Targeted for Economic Development.
    D. Stage I Vapor Recovery
    E. Editorial Revisions to the Regulations for the Control of 
VOCs in Pulaski County
    F. Revisions to Chapter 8--111(d) Designated Facilities
IV. What Action is EPA Taking Today?
V. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

I. What Action Is EPA Proposing?

    On February 3, 2005, and July 3, 2006, the Governor of Arkansas 
submitted revisions to the Arkansas SIP. The 2005 submittal consists of 
revisions to ``Regulation No. 19--Regulations of the Arkansas Plan of 
Implementation for Air Pollution Control.'' The 2006 submittal consists 
of further revisions to ``Regulation No. 19--Regulations of the 
Arkansas Plan of Implementation for Air Pollution Control'' and a new 
``Regulation No. 31--Nonattainment New Source Review Requirements.'' 
The revisions were made to update the Arkansas NSR programs to make 
them consistent with changes to the Federal NSR regulations published 
on December 31, 2002 (67 FR 80186) and November 7, 2003 (68 FR 63021). 
These two EPA rulemakings are commonly referred to as the ``2002 NSR 
Reform Rules.''
    These SIP revisions also add provisions for implementing the air

[[Page 69521]]

permitting requirements for the 8-hour ozone national ambient air 
quality standard-phase 2 (promulgated November 29, 2005 (70 FR 71611)), 
an Economic Development Zone that implement section 173(a)(1)(B) of the 
Act, and provisions for Stage I Vapor Recovery. In addition, Arkansas 
revised Regulation No. 19 to make the following non-substantive changes 
(which do not change the regulatory requirements): redesignated the 
subdivisions from ``Section'' to ``Reg.''; changed references to 
``Arkansas Department of Pollution Control and Ecology'' to ``Arkansas 
Department of Environmental Quality''; corrected typographical errors 
and grammar; and improved readability and clarity. Finally, EPA is 
taking no action on Chapter 8 of Regulation No. 19 ``111(d) Designated 
Facilities.''

II. What is the Background for Major NSR Reform?

    On December 31, 2002, EPA published final rule changes to 40 Code 
of Federal Regulations (CFR) parts 51 and 52, regarding the Act's PSD 
and Nonattainment New Source Review (NNSR) programs. See 67 FR 80186. 
On November 7, 2003, EPA published a notice of final action on the 
reconsideration of the December 31, 2002 final rule changes. See 68 FR 
63021. In that November 7th final action, EPA added the definition of 
``replacement unit,'' and clarified an issue regarding plantwide 
applicability limitations (PALs). The December 31, 2002 and the 
November 7, 2003, final actions, are collectively referred to as the 
``2002 NSR Reform Rules.'' The purpose of today's action is to propose 
approval of the SIP submittals from the State of Arkansas, which adopts 
EPA's 2002 NSR Reform Rules.
    The 2002 NSR Reform Rules are part of EPA's implementation of Parts 
C and D of Title I of the Act, 42 U.S.C. 7470-7515 addressing major 
sources and major modifications. Part C of Title I of the Act, 42 
U.S.C. 7470-7492, is the PSD program, which applies in areas that meet 
the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)-``attainment'' 
areas--as well as in areas for which there is insufficient information 
to determine whether the area meets the NAAQS ``unclassifiable'' areas. 
Part D of Title I of the Act, 42 U.S.C. 7501-7515, is the NNSR program, 
which applies in areas that are not in attainment of one or more of the 
NAAQS--``nonattainment areas.'' Collectively, the PSD and NNSR programs 
are referred to as the ``New Source Review'' or NSR programs. EPA 
regulations implementing these programs are contained in 40 CFR 51.165, 
51.166, 52.21, 52.24, and appendix S of part 51.
    The Act's NSR programs are preconstruction review and permitting 
programs applicable to new and modified stationary sources of air 
pollutants regulated under the Act. These programs include a 
combination of air quality planning and air pollution control 
technology program requirements. Briefly, section 109 of the Act, 42 
U.S.C. 7409, requires EPA to promulgate primary NAAQS to protect public 
health and secondary NAAQS to protect public welfare. Once EPA sets 
those standards, states must develop, adopt, and submit to EPA for 
approval, a SIP that contains emissions limitations and other control 
measures to attain and maintain the NAAQS. Each SIP is required to 
contain a preconstruction review program for the construction and 
modification of any stationary source of air pollution to assure that 
the NAAQS are achieved and maintained; to protect areas of clean air; 
to protect air quality related values (such as visibility) in national 
parks and other areas; to assure that appropriate emissions controls 
are applied; to maximize opportunities for economic development 
consistent with the preservation of clean air resources; and to ensure 
that any decision to increase air pollution is made only after full 
public consideration of the consequences of the decision.
    The 2002 NSR Reform Rules made changes to five areas of the NSR 
programs. In summary, these rules: (1) Provide a new method for 
determining baseline actual emissions in the NNSR and PSD programs; (2) 
adopt for the NNSR and PSD programs an actual-to-projected-actual 
methodology for determining whether a major modification has occurred; 
(3) allow major stationary sources to comply with plant-wide 
applicability limits to avoid having a significant emissions increase 
that triggers the requirements of the major NSR program; (4) provide a 
new applicability provision for emissions units that are designated 
clean units; and (5) exclude pollution control projects (PCPs) from the 
NNSR and PSD program definitions of ``physical change or change in the 
method of operation.'' On November 7, 2003, EPA published a notice of 
final action on its reconsideration of the 2002 NSR Reform Rules (68 FR 
63021), which added a definition for ``replacement unit'' and clarified 
an issue regarding PALs. For additional information on the 2002 NSR 
Reform Rules, see 67 FR 80186 (December 31, 2002), and http://www.epa.gov/nsr.
    After the 2002 NSR Reform Rules were finalized and effective (March 
3, 2003), various petitioners challenged numerous aspects of the 2002 
NSR Reform Rules, along with portions of EPA's 1980 NSR Rules (45 FR 
5276, August 7, 1980). On June 24, 2005, the D.C. Circuit Court of 
Appeals issued a decision on the challenges to the 2002 NSR Reform 
Rules. See New York v. United States, 413 F.3d 3 (D.C. Cir. June 24, 
2005), rehearing en banc denied (Dec 09, 2005). In summary, the Court 
vacated portions of the rules pertaining to clean units and PCPs, 
remanded a portion of the rules regarding recordkeeping, e.g., 40 CFR 
51.165(a)(6) and 40 CFR 51.166(r)(6), and either upheld or did not 
comment on the other provisions included as part of the 2002 NSR Reform 
Rules. The EPA has not yet responded to the Court's remand regarding 
the recordkeeping provisions. Today's action is consistent with the 
decision of the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals because Arkansas' 
submittal does not include any portions of the 2002 NSR Reform Rules 
that were vacated as part of the June 2005, decision.
    The 2002 NSR Reform Rules require that state agencies adopt and 
submit revisions to their SIP permitting programs implementing the 
minimum program elements of the 2002 NSR Reform Rules no later than 
January 2, 2006. See 40 CFR 51.166(a)(6)(i) (requiring state agencies 
to adopt and submit PSD SIP revisions within three years after new 
amendments are published in the Federal Register). State agencies may 
meet the requirements of 40 CFR part 51 and the 2002 NSR Reform Rules, 
with regulations that are different than, but equivalent to, Federal 
regulations. If, however, a state decides not to implement any of the 
new applicability provisions, that state must demonstrate that its 
existing program is at least as stringent as the Federal program. In 
adopting changes to Federal law, a state may write the Federal 
requirements into the state SIP or the state may incorporate the 
Federal rule into the SIP by referencing the citation of the Federal 
rule. As discussed in further detail below, EPA believes the revisions 
contained in the Arkansas submittal are approvable for inclusion into 
the Arkansas SIP.

III. What Is EPA's Analysis of Arkansas' SIP Revisions?

    Arkansas currently has an approved PSD program for new and modified 
sources. Today, EPA is proposing to approve revisions to Arkansas' 
existing NSR program in the SIP. These proposed revisions were 
submitted to EPA on February 3, 2005, and July 3, 2006. Copies of the 
revised rules, as

[[Page 69522]]

well as the Technical Support Document (TSD), can be obtained from the 
Docket, as discussed in the ``Docket'' section above. A discussion of 
the specific changes to Arkansas' rule, proposed for inclusion in the 
SIP, follows.
    Arkansas' ``Regulation No. 19--Regulations of the Arkansas Plan of 
Implementation for Air Pollution Control'' contains the preconstruction 
review program as required under part C of Title I of the Act. The 
program applies to major stationary sources or modifications 
constructing in areas that are designated as attainment or 
unclassifiable with respect to the NAAQS. Arkansas' current PSD program 
was approved into the SIP by EPA on October 16, 2000 (65 FR 61108). The 
revisions submitted February 3, 2005, revise the PSD provisions to 
incorporate by reference the requirements of 40 CFR 52.21(a)(2) through 
(bb), as in effect on July 23, 2004, with the exception of 40 CFR 
52.21(b)(55) through (58), (i)(9), and (cc). The February 3, 2005, 
submittal also revises Regulation No. 19, to add a new ``Chapter 12--
Nonattainment Areas,'' and a new ``Chapter 13--Stage I Vapor 
Recovery.'' Arkansas also made several non-substantive changes to 
Regulation No. 19. On July 3, 2006, Arkansas submitted revisions to 
Regulation No. 19 that removed ``Chapter 12--Nonattainment Areas'' and 
revised the PSD provisions to withdraw its submittal of the provisions 
of 40 CFR 52.21 that the D.C. Circuit vacated and remanded.
    EPA designated the Memphis, Tennessee area, which includes 
Crittenden County in Arkansas, as nonattainment for the eight-hour 
national ambient air quality standard for ozone in April 2004 (69 FR 
23858). EPA subsequently reclassified the area from moderate to 
marginal in September 2004 (69 FR 56697). The Arkansas SIP does not 
currently include a NNSR program because there were no nonattainment 
areas in the State of Arkansas at the time of the April 2004 
designation. Arkansas' permitting requirements for major sources in or 
impacting upon non-attainment areas are set forth in ``Regulation No. 
31--Nonattainment New Source Review Requirements.'' On July 3, 2006, 
Arkansas submitted Regulation No. 31 to address the nonattainment 
permitting requirements in Crittenden County. This regulation applies 
to the construction and modification of any major stationary source of 
air pollution in a nonattainment area, as required by part D of Title I 
of the Act. To receive approval to construct, a source that is subject 
to this regulation must show that it will not cause a net increase in 
pollution, will not create a delay in meeting the NAAQS, and that the 
source will install and use control technology that achieves the lowest 
achievable emissions rate. Regulation No. 31 also includes provisions 
that implement EPA's designation of Crittenden County as an Economic 
Development Zone subject to the requirements of Section 173(a)(1)(B) of 
the Act. Finally, Regulation No. 31 includes the NSR provisions 
promulgated by EPA on November 29, 2005 (70 FR 71611).

A. Major NSR Reform Requirements

    On February 3, 2005, Arkansas submitted revisions that update the 
existing provisions of Chapter 9 of Regulation No. 19--``Prevention of 
Significant Deterioration'' to be consistent with the current Federal 
PSD rules, including the 2002 NSR Reform Rules. These revisions address 
baseline actual emissions, actual-to-projected-actual applicability 
tests, and PALs. Arkansas incorporated by reference the requirements of 
40 CFR 52.21(a)(2) through (bb), as in effect on July 3, 2004, which 
include the major NSR Reform provisions. Arkansas did not include the 
requirements of 40 CFR 52.21(b)(55) through (58), and (cc) which 
include the Equipment Replacement Provision (ERP) promulgated October 
27, 2003 (68 FR 61248).\1\ Arkansas also did not incorporate 40 CFR 
52.21(i)(9), a provision that is excluded in the current PSD SIP. In 
the July 3, 2006 submittal, Arkansas withdrew its submittal of 
provisions of 40 CFR 52.21 that the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals 
vacated and remanded. Specifically, Arkansas withdrew the following 
requirements of 40 CFR 52.21:
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    \1\ EPA promulgated the ERP on October 27, 2003 (68 FR 61248). 
The ERP was challenged after promulgation and the D.C. Circuit Court 
of Appeals stayed the ERP on December 24, 2003. On March 17, 2006, 
the Court vacated the ERP. See New York v. EPA, 443 F.3d 880 (D.C. 
Cir March 17, 2006), rehearing en banc denied (June 30, 2006).
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     Everything in paragraphs (x) ``Clean Unit Test for 
emissions units that are subject to BACT or LAER,'' (y) ``Clean Unit 
provisions for emissions units that achieve an emission limitation 
comparable to BACT,'' and (z) ``PCP exclusion procedural 
requirements.''
     Paragraph (a)(2)(iv)(e): clean unit applicability.
     Paragraph (a)(2)(iv)(f): second sentence (``for example * 
* *'').
     Paragraph (a)(2)(vi): comply with PCP requirements.
     Paragraph (b)(2)(iii)(h): Refers to PCPs.
     Paragraph (b)(3)(iii)(b): emissions increase/decrease at 
clean unit.
     Paragraph (b)(3)(vi)(d): decrease in actual emissions did 
not rely on clean unit or PCP.
     Paragraph (b)(32): PCP definition.
     Paragraph (b)(42): clean unit definition.
     Paragraph (r)(6): The first sentence ``Clean Units or at 
a'' and ``there is a reasonable possibility that * * * .''
    The revisions included in Arkansas' PSD program submittal are 
substantively the same as the 2002 major NSR Reform Rules. The PSD 
rules do not incorporate the portions of the Federal rules that were 
recently vacated by the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, including the 
clean unit provisions, the pollution control projects exclusion, and 
the equipment replacement provision, which was promulgated shortly 
after the applicable 2002 NSR Reform Rules.
    Arkansas included provisions for nonattainment NSR in Chapter 12 of 
Regulation No. 19 submitted February 3, 2005. On July 3, 2006, Arkansas 
submitted revisions to Regulation No. 19, which removed the 
nonattainment NSR provisions in Chapter 12 and included the 
nonattainment NSR requirements in a new Regulation No. 31. The New 
Regulation No. 31 includes provisions consistent with the current 
Federal nonattainment NSR rule, including the 2002 NSR Reform Rules. 
These revisions address baseline actual emissions, actual-to-projected-
actual applicability tests, and PALs. The revisions included in 
Arkansas' NNSR program are substantively the same as the 2002 NSR 
Reform Rules. As part of our review of Arkansas' submittals, we 
performed a line-by-line review of the proposed revisions and have 
determined that they are consistent with the program requirements for 
the preparation, adoption and submittal of implementation plans for New 
Source Review, set forth at 40 CFR 51.165. We also determined that 
these rules do not incorporate the portions of the Federal rules that 
were recently vacated by the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, including 
the clean unit provisions, the PCP exclusion, and the equipment 
replacement provision, which was promulgated shortly after the 2002 NSR 
Reform Rules.
    Regulation No. 31 as submitted July 3, 2006, also incorporates the 
nonattainment NSR changes that EPA promulgated November 29, 2005 (70 FR 
71611) which is the final rule to implement the 8-hour ozone national 
ambient air quality standard. As part of our review of Arkansas' 
submittal, we performed a line-by-line review of the

[[Page 69523]]

proposed revisions and have determined that they are consistent with 
the program requirements for the preparation, adoption and submittal of 
implementation plans for New Source Review, set forth at 40 CFR 51.165.
    Regulation No. 31 includes provisions for determining applicability 
for nonattainment NSR. Reg. 31.401 contains the applicability test 
requirements for projects involving existing emissions units. Reg. 
31.402 contains the applicability test requirements for projects 
involving new emissions units. Reg. 31.401 and Reg. 31.402 respectively 
meet the requirements in 40 CFR 51.165(a)(2)(ii)(C) and (D). To address 
the applicability test requirements for projects that involve both 
existing and new emissions units, the ADEQ forwarded a letter dated 
June 22, 2006, from Marcus C. Devine, Director, Arkansas Department or 
Environmental Quality to Richard E. Greene, Region Administrator, 
Environmental Protection Agency, Region 6. The letter stated that for 
projects that involve both new and existing units, ADEQ would use Reg. 
31.401 for the existing units and Reg. 31.402 for the new units. This 
statement assures that projects that involve both existing and new 
emissions units will satisfy the requirement of 40 CFR 
51.165(a)(2)(ii)(F)--Hybrid test for projects that involve multiple 
types of emissions units. The June 22, 2006, letter is included in the 
docket for this action.
    The Act provides in section 110(l) that:

    Each revision to an implementation plan submitted by a State 
under this Act shall be adopted by such State after reasonable 
notice and public hearing. The Administrator shall not approve a 
revision of a plan if the revisions would interfere with any 
applicable requirement concerning attainment and reasonable further 
progress (as defined in section 171), or any other applicable 
requirement of the Act.

    We are proposing approval of the Arkansas NSR Reform revisions 
because we have determined that they are consistent with EPA's 
implementing regulations, guidance and policy and with Section 110(l) 
of the Act. Arkansas has adopted rules that are essentially the same as 
the applicable Federal NSR Reform requirements at 40 CFR 51.165 and 
51.166. The NSR Reform revisions will not interfere with attainment, 
reasonable further progress, or any other applicable requirement of the 
Act.
    We have prepared a Technical Support Document which is included in 
the docket for this action. The Technical Support Document includes a 
detailed evaluation of the NSR revisions to Regulation No. 19 and 
Regulation No. 31 and documents how these regulations meet the 
applicable Federal requirements in 40 CFR 51.165 and 51.166.

B. Permits Provisions for the 8-Hour Ozone NAAQS--Phase 2

    On November 29, 2005 (70 FR 71612), EPA promulgated provisions for 
the 8-Hour Ozone NAAQS--Phase 2. These included major source thresholds 
for sources in certain classes of nonattainment areas, offset ratios 
for marginal, moderate, serious, severe, and extreme ozone 
nonattainment areas, provisions addressing offset requirements for 
facilities that shut down or curtail operation, and a requirement that 
emissions of nitrogen oxide (NOX) emissions are ozone 
precursors. Arkansas incorporated the 8-hour ozone NAAQS phase 2 
permitting requirements in Regulation No. 31 as follows.
    The definition of ``major stationary source'' in Chapter 2 of 
Regulation No. 31 defines a major stationary source be a source that 
emits or has the potential to emit 100 tons per year (tpy) of any 
regulated NSR pollutant; and provides that lower major source 
thresholds apply as follows:
     50 tpy of volatile organic compounds (VOC) in any serious 
ozone nonattainment area;
     50 tpy of VOC in an area within an ozone transport region, 
except for any severe or extreme ozone nonattainment area;
     25 tpy of VOC in any severe ozone nonattainment area;
     10 tpy of VOC in any extreme ozone nonattainment area;
     50 tpy of carbon monoxide (CO) in any serious 
nonattainment area for CO, where stationary sources contribute 
significantly to CO levels in the area (as determined under rules 
issued by the EPA Administrator); and
     70 tpy of PM-10 in any serious nonattainment area for PM-
10.
    These major source thresholds meet the requirements of 40 CFR 
51.165(a)(1)(iv)(A)(1)(i) through (vi).
    The definition of ``major stationary source'' in Chapter 2 of 
Regulation No. 31 further provides that ``major stationary sources'' 
include the following sources in ozone nonattainment area that emit or 
have the potential to emit NOX as follows:
     100 tpy of more of NOX in any ozone 
nonattainment area classified as marginal or moderate;
     100 tpy of more of NOX in any ozone 
nonattainment area that is classified as transitional, submarginal, or 
incomplete or no data area, when such area is located in an ozone 
transport region;
     100 tpy of more of NOX in any area designated 
under Section 107(d) of the Act as attainment or unclassifiable for 
ozone the is located in an ozone transport region;
     50 tpy of more of NOX in any serious 
nonattainment area for ozone;
     25 tpy of more of NOX in any severe 
nonattainment area for ozone; and
     10 tpy of more of NOX in any extreme 
nonattainment area for ozone.
    These major source thresholds meet the requirements of 40 CFR 
51.165(a)(1)(iv)(A)(2)(i) through (vi).
    Arkansas' Reg. 31.409 provides that the provisions of Regulation 
No. 31 that are applicable to major stationary sources and major 
modification of VOC apply to NOX emissions from major 
stationary sources and major modifications of NOX in ozone 
transport regions and any ozone nonattainment area, except where the 
EPA Administrator has granted a NOX waiver under Section 
182(f) of the Act and waiver continues to apply. This provision meets 
the requirements of 40 CFR 51.165(a)(8).
    Reg. 31.410(A) provides that for meeting the offset requirements 
for major NSR for nonattainment areas that are subject to Subpart 2, 
Part D, Title I of the Act, the ratio of total actual emissions of VOC 
to the emissions increase of VOC are as follows:
     At least 1.1 to 1 in any marginal nonattainment area for 
ozone;
     At least 1.15 to 1 in any moderate nonattainment area for 
ozone;
     At least 1.2 to 1 in any serious nonattainment area for 
ozone;
     At least 1.3 to 1 in any severe nonattainment area for 
ozone (except that the ratio may be at least 1.2 to 1 if the approved 
plan also requires all existing major sources in such nonattainment 
area to use best available control technology (BACT) for the control of 
VOC); and
     At least 1.5 to 1 in any extreme nonattainment area for 
ozone (except that the ratio may be at least 1.2 to 1 if the approved 
plan also requires all existing major sources in such nonattainment 
area to use best available control technology (BACT) for the control of 
VOC).
    These offset ratios meet the requirements of 40 CFR 
51.165(a)(9)(i)(A) through (E).
    Reg. 31.410(B) provides that the offset ratio shall be at least 
1.15 to 1 for all areas within an ozone transport region that is 
subject to Subpart 2, Part D, Title I of the Act, except for serious, 
severe, and extreme ozone nonattainment areas

[[Page 69524]]

that are subject to Subpart 2, Part D, Title I of the Act. These offset 
ratios meet the requirements of 40 CFR 51.165(a)(9)(ii).
    Reg. 31.410(C) provides that the offset ratio shall be at least 1 
to 1 for all areas within an ozone transport region that is subject to 
subpart 1, Part D, Title I of the Act (but are not subject to subpart 
2, Part D, Title I of the Act), including 8-hour ozone nonattainment 
subject to 40 CFR 51.902(b). These offset ratios meet the requirements 
of 40 CFR 51.165(a)(9)(iii).
    Reg. 31.410(C) provides that the requirements of Regulation No. 31 
that are applicable to major stationary sources and major modifications 
of PM-10 shall also apply to major stationary sources and major 
modifications of PM-10 precursors, except where the EPA Administrator 
determines that such sources do not contribute significantly to PM-10 
levels that exceed the PM-10 ambient standards in the area. This 
provision meets the requirements of 40 CFR 51.165(a)(10).
    Reg. 31.405(D) provides that emission reductions achieved by 
shutting down an existing source or curtailing production or operating 
hours may generally be credited for offsets if: such reductions are 
surplus, permanent, quantifiable, and Federally enforceable; and either 
(1) the shutdown or curtailment occurred after the last day of the base 
year for SIP planning purposes; or (2) the shutdown or curtailment 
occurred on or after the date the construction permit application is 
filed or the applicant establishes that the proposed new emissions unit 
is a replacement for the shutdown or curtailed emissions unit. These 
provisions meet the requirements of 40 CFR 51.165(a)(3)(ii)(C)(2).
    We are proposing approval of the Arkansas revisions to implement 
permits requirements for the 8-Hour Ozone NAAQS because we have 
determined that they are consistent with EPA's implementing 
regulations, guidance and policy and with Section 110(l) of the Act. 
The revisions will not interfere with attainment, reasonable further 
progress, or any other applicable requirement of the Act.

C. Zones Targeted for Economic Development

    Arkansas also requested that EPA approve its rules at Reg. 31.305 
for implementing a zone targeted for economic development in Crittenden 
County, AR, located in the Memphis 8-Hour Ozone Nonattainment Area. In 
a separate action, EPA previously announced that it had approved 
identifying Crittenden County as a zone targeted for economic 
development (EDZ) on February 21, 2006 under section 173(a)(1)(B) of 
the Act. (71 FR 8857).\2\ The notice also stated that Arkansas would be 
responsible for developing NSR regulations for the zone, and that EPA 
would review and consider the regulations for approval as a revision of 
Arkansas' SIP. We also stated that the state rulemaking and EPA's SIP 
review process would provide the public opportunities to participate in 
the process to consider the implementing regulations for the zone. In 
this action, we are requesting comments on Arkansas' NSR regulations to 
begin implementation of the EDZ. The requirement to obtain offsets for 
new and modified sources subject to NNSR permitting requirements 
remains in effect until EPA takes final action to approve the EDZ 
implementation rules into the Arkansas SIP.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ Section 173(a)(1)(B) of the Act allows the Administrator to 
identify, in consultation with the Secretary of Housing and Urban 
Development, zones within non-attainment areas that should be 
targeted for economic development. Under Section 173(a)(1)(B), new 
or modified major stationary sources that locate in such a zone are 
relieved of the NSR requirement to obtain emission offsets if (1) 
the relevant SIP includes an NSR nonattainment program that has 
established emission levels for new and modified major sources in 
the zone (``growth allowance''), and (2) the emissions from new or 
modified stationary sources in the zone will not cause or contribute 
to emission levels that exceed such growth allowance. Section 
172(c)(4) of the Act requires that the growth allowance be 
consistent with the achievement of reasonable further progress, and 
will not interfere with attainment of the applicable National 
Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) by the applicable attainment 
date for the nonattainment area.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The regulations developed by Arkansas provide for management of a 
zone identified by EPA as an EDZ pursuant to section 173(a)(1)(B) of 
the Act. Arkansas' final NSR permitting regulations for an EDZ contain 
an emissions allowance (``growth allowance'') based on air quality 
modeling that limits emissions in Crittenden County from new and 
modified major stationary sources. Arkansas has specifically 
established Targeted Economic Development Zone (TEDZ) Emissions in 
Crittenden County in the amount of 1,900 tons per year of VOC and 300 
tons per year of nitrogen oxides beginning January 1, 2007, and 3,700 
tons per year of VOC and 800 tons per year of nitrogen oxides beginning 
January 1, 2009. In lieu of obtaining offsets as required in Reg. 
31.303(B) and Reg. 31.304, a source locating in Crittenden County may 
petition the ADEQ Director to allocate TEDZ emissions. A source must 
either obtain offsets as required in Reg. 31.303(B) and Reg. 31.304, or 
obtain growth allowances for the applicable TEDZ pursuant to Reg. 
31.305.
    Arkansas has established specific and replicable petition 
requirements for an allocation of the TEDZ emissions, i.e., the growth 
allowance, including: (1) Be made on such forms and contain such 
information as the ADEQ Director may reasonably require, (2) Contain 
detailed information about the projected socio-economic impact of the 
proposed project including, but not limited to: impact of the project 
on low to moderate income individuals, number of jobs to be created, 
median salary of employees, (3) Contain a project schedule, (4) Be 
separate and distinct from the permit application required under Reg. 
31.302, and 3-3, and (5) Be submitted concurrently with the application 
required under Reg. 31.302.
    Before taking final action on a petition for an allocation of TEDZ 
emissions from a permit applicant for a NNSR source the ADEQ Director 
will solicit input from the appropriate local governing body. The ADEQ 
Director will not allocate any TEDZ emissions unless he has determined 
that: (1) The project will achieve the economic impact described in the 
petition, (2) The projected economic impact justifies the allocation of 
TEDZ emissions, and (3) No other projects which do more to further the 
region's economic development goals will be pre-empted. See Reg. 
31.305(F).
    If, while processing a petition, the ADEQ Director determines that 
additional information is necessary to evaluate or take final action on 
that petition, the ADEQ may request such information in writing and set 
a reasonable deadline for a response. Any petitioner who fails to 
submit any relevant facts or who has submitted incorrect information in 
a petition shall, upon becoming aware of such failure or incorrect 
submittal, promptly submit such supplementary facts or corrected 
information.
    If the ADEQ Director determines the requirements of Reg. 31.305(F) 
are met, the ADEQ will prepare a document announcing the intent to 
grant the allocation of TEDZ emissions. This document may contain such 
conditions as are necessary to ensure compliance with regulation and 
that the project is completed as described in the petition. No petition 
may be granted unless the public has first had an opportunity to 
comment. The opportunity to comment shall include: (1) The publication 
of a notice of the ADEQ Director's decision in a newspaper of general 
circulation in the county in which the proposed facility will be 
located. In the event the local newspaper is unable or unwilling

[[Page 69525]]

to publish notice, notice may be published in a newspaper of statewide 
circulation, and (2) A 30-day period for submittal of public comment, 
beginning on the date of the newspaper notice, ending on the date 30 
days later.
    The ADEQ Director will take final action on a petition after review 
of public comment. The Director shall notify in writing the owner/
operator and any person that submitted a written comment of the 
Director's final action and the ADEQ Director's reasons for final 
action. A final decision on a petition by the ADEQ Director constitutes 
a final permitting decision under Arkansas Pollution Control and 
Ecology Commission Regulation 8, Administrative 3-4 Procedures for 
appeal purposes.
    Any petition issued under this section is subject to revocation, 
suspension, or modification in whole or in part, for cause, including 
without limitation:
    (1) Violation of any condition established by the ADEQ Director;
    (2) Obtaining the allocations by misrepresentation or failure to 
disclose fully all relevant facts;
    (3) Failure to complete the project within the time periods 
specified by the project schedule; or
    (4) Failure to achieve the projected socio-economic impacts.
    Petitions for allocations may be granted in whole, in part, or 
denied by the ADEQ. If a petition for allocation is granted in part or 
denied, the applicant must obtain offsets in the required ratios under 
the Act pursuant to Reg. 31.303(B) and Reg. 31.304. If a petition is 
granted, either in part or in whole, the applicant will be notified of 
the decision, and the allocations granted will be subtracted from the 
overall TEDZ allocation pool. A 10% reserve of allocations will be 
maintained in the pool, unless the ADEQ Director approves the 
disbursement of these ``safety factor'' allocations. Except as provided 
in ADEQ's rules, TEDZ emissions allocations shall be good for the life 
of the project.
    In Arkansas' request to EPA that Crittenden County be identified as 
a zone Targeted for economic development, Arkansas provided ozone air 
quality modeling for the entire Memphis 8-Hour Ozone Nonattainment 
Area. The air quality modeling, using the variable-grid Urban Airshed 
Model, Version 1.5 (UAM-V5), a regional- and urban-scale, nested-grid 
photochemical air quality model, was used to demonstrate compliance 
with the 8-hour ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) in 
future years. The EDZ air quality modeling was developed using previous 
Early Action Compact modeling developed for the Memphis area that was 
consistent with the EPA draft modeling guidance that was available when 
the modeling was conducted.
    The modeling simulated and assessed future-year (2007 and 2009) 
ozone air quality for the Memphis Nonattainment area and surrounding 
counties. Attainment of the 8-hour ozone NAAQS is demonstrated at each 
monitor in the Memphis nonattainment area and in unmonitored areas of 
the local monitoring domain. Attainment of the 8-hour ozone NAAQS is 
predicted by the modeling to be achieved in 2007. Additionally, 
Arkansas analyzed the impacts from hypothetical new industrial source 
emissions in the Crittenden County EDZ. When additional emissions from 
hypothetical EDZ sources are added into the modeling for the 2007 and 
2009 periods, the future year design values indicate that the Memphis 
Nonattainment Area and surrounding counties will continue to attain the 
ozone NAAQS. The emission estimates used in the modeling exceeded the 
EDZ allowances adopted by ADEQ's implementing rules for EDZ. This 
assures protection of the NAAQS by planning for greater emissions than 
will occur.
    Arkansas also included a 2009 modeling scenario with ancillary 
growth emissions associated with the hypothetical new industrial 
sources to estimate the effects of additional emissions growth. The 
ancillary growth estimate was to simulate the effects of growth in 
other sectors (e.g., population, minor sources, and transportation) 
that may result from the development of the hypothetical industrial 
facilities. This modeling scenario also indicated the area would 
continue to attain the NAAQS in 2009.
    Arkansas also included some analyses estimating the greatest 
increase in simulated maximum 8-hour ozone concentration (for each 
county or the multi-county area) resulting due to the increase in 
emissions at the Port Site in 2007 and both the Supersite and the Port 
Site emission increase in 2009. At this time EPA has not revised its 
modeling regulations or issued policy or guidance concerning permit 
requirements for single source ozone modeling impacts for a significant 
impact level analysis. Several issues need to be addressed with this 
type of permit modeling, which include but are not limited to, ozone 
impacts and what level of impact by a single source is significant or 
insignificant. EPA has conducted this review based on whether the 
Future Design Values and the out-of-network test for the remaining 
nonattainment area and immediately surrounding counties indicate 
attainment or nonattainment.
    In summary, the Arkansas modeling indicates that the emissions 
quantified as growth allowances in 2007 and 2009 (including ancillary 
growth in 2009) for the EDZ will be consistent with the achievement of 
reasonable further progress and will not interfere with attainment of 
the applicable NAAQS. A more detailed discussion of the Crittenden 
County EDZ modeling was included in the ADEQ's application to identify 
Crittenden County as an EDZ. See also our Technical Support Document 
(TSD).
    The Act provides in section 110(l) that ``The Administrator shall 
not approve a revision of a plan if the revisions would interfere with 
any applicable requirement concerning attainment and reasonable further 
progress * * *, or any other applicable requirement of the Act.'' The 
regulations that Arkansas has developed demonstrate that the emissions 
quantified for the EDZ are consistent with the achievement of 
reasonable further progress and do not interfere with attainment of the 
NAAQS within the Memphis 8-Hour Ozone Nonattainment Area. If the 
Memphis nonattainment area does not attain the 8-hour ozone NAAQS by 
June 15, 2007, emissions from the growth allowance established for the 
EDZ must be included in any subsequent SIP revision and modeling 
demonstration. If the Memphis nonattainment area does attain the ozone 
NAAQS and is re-designated to attainment, the NNSR requirements, 
including the EDZ designation, will no longer apply in Crittenden 
County. In that event, the NAAQS are protected by PSD in Regulation No. 
19.
    ADEQ will provide EPA an annual report that lists and describes 
local and state actions taken in accordance with the Crittenden County 
EDZ strategic plan submitted to EPA. The report will include both 
quantitative and qualitative analysis regarding the economic and air 
quality accomplishments in Crittenden County. See the Arkansas EDZ 
Petition for further details.

D. Stage I Vapor Recovery

    Stage I Vapor Recovery is used during the filling of gasoline 
storage tanks to reduce hydrocarbon emissions and has been incorporated 
into numerous SIPs as an effective VOC emission control technology.
    As a strategy to assist in the attainment of the 8-hour ozone 
standard, the ADEQ, on September 23,

[[Page 69526]]

2004, proposed regulations to establish a Stage I Vapor Recovery 
program for areas classified as nonattainment in the State. The 
requirements of this program are contained within Regulation No. 19, 
Chapter 13, entitled ``Stage I Vapor Recovery.'' The State of Arkansas 
adopted these Stage I Vapor Recovery rules on December 3, 2004, and 
submitted them to EPA for approval into the Arkansas Ozone SIP on 
February 3, 2005. The Stage I Vapor Recovery program requires the 
installation and use of Stage I Vapor Recovery in all nonattainment 
areas of the State.
    As discussed in Section III, Crittenden County, Arkansas, is 
currently the only designated nonattainment area within Arkansas and is 
also part of the Memphis Ozone Nonattainment Area (MONA), which was 
designated moderate for 8-hour ozone nonattainment by EPA on April 30, 
2004. However, the States of Arkansas and Tennessee submitted to EPA a 
successful petition for downward reclassification of the MONA, pursuant 
to section 181(a)(4) of the Act, and EPA reclassified the MONA as a 
marginal 8-hour ozone nonattainment area on June 15, 2004. See 69 FR 
56697. As part of the request for ``bump down'' reclassification, 
Arkansas proposed the implementation of VOC emission reduction 
measures, such as Stage I Vapor Recovery, in Crittenden County to aid 
the MONA in reaching ozone attainment by June 2007, the deadline for 
marginal ozone nonattainment areas to reach attainment. Therefore, with 
adoption of these Stage I Vapor Recovery rules, Arkansas is going 
forward with the implementation of VOC emission reduction measures in 
Crittenden County and, in fact, has gone further by requiring Stage I 
Vapor Recovery in all nonattainment areas in Arkansas (should any other 
area in Arkansas be designated ozone nonattainment).
    Arkansas Regulation No. 19, Chapter 13, establishes a Stage I Vapor 
Recovery program where one did not previously exist and EPA anticipates 
that the establishment of this program will result in substantial 
reductions of VOC emissions from the filling of gasoline storage tanks. 
For example, Arkansas has estimated the implementation of Stage I Vapor 
Recovery in Crittenden County (currently the only area in Arkansas 
classified as nonattainment for the 8-hour ozone standard) to result in 
VOC emission reductions of 179 tons per year. Further, by requiring 
Stage I Vapor Recovery in all nonattainment areas, ADEQ is both 
controlling VOC emissions in Crittenden County, as well as establishing 
a control strategy should other areas be designated/redesignated ozone 
nonattainment.
    Because the Stage I Vapor Recovery rules that we are proposing to 
approve today do not implement a mandatory requirement of the Act or 
other Federal requirement, but rather were submitted as an emission 
reduction strategy to aid Crittenden County (and any future areas in 
Arkansas designated as ozone nonattainment) in reaching ozone 
attainment, we are reviewing these rules as a voluntarily adopted VOC 
emission reduction strategy and as a strengthening of the SIP. Based on 
our evaluation, ADEQ has submitted Stage I Vapor Recovery rules that 
are consistent with both the OAQPS Model VOC Rules \3\ and with EPA 
enforceability criteria.
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    \3\ United States Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Air 
Quality Planning and Standards, Model Volatile Organic Compound 
Rules for Reasonably Available Control Technology, Planning for 
Ozone Nonattainment Pursuant to Title I of the Clean Air Act (June 
1992), sections 3024 and 3025 (Stage I Vapor Recovery).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Before EPA may approve SIP revisions, section 110(l) of the Act 
requires a demonstration of noninterference with any applicable 
requirement concerning nonattainment, reasonable further progress 
toward attainment of NAAQS, or any other applicable requirement of the 
Act. Arkansas' Stage I Vapor Recovery rules supplement and strengthen 
the existing Ozone SIP by requiring the installation of Stage I Vapor 
Recovery in all nonattainment areas in the State, thereby facilitating 
attainment of the ozone NAAQS in ozone nonattainment areas. These 
revisions to the Arkansas SIP--specifically, the addition of Regulation 
No. 19, Chapter 13--include a voluntarily adopted VOC emission 
reduction strategy and, therefore, are more stringent than CAA 
requirements for ozone nonattainment areas classified as marginal, such 
as Crittenden County. Because Arkansas' implementation of a Stage I 
Vapor Recovery program is a VOC emission reduction measure that would 
improve the existing SIP, these revisions to the Arkansas SIP would not 
interfere with Arkansas' compliance with the requirements of the Act 
relating to nonattainment, reasonable further progress, or any other 
applicable requirements under the Act or EPA regulations.
    EPA is proposing to approve Arkansas' Stage I Vapor Recovery 
program into the Ozone SIP because the regulations are consistent with 
EPA guidance and would strengthen the SIP.

E. Editorial Revisions to the Regulations for the Control of VOCs in 
Pulaski County

    Revisions to Regulation No. 19, Chapter 10, were also included in 
the February 3, 2005, Arkansas SIP revision submittal. These revisions 
are administrative non-substantive/editorial changes to that chapter, 
which consists of regulations for the control of VOC emissions in 
Pulaski County and of provisions for determination of Reasonably 
Available Control Technology (RACT) applicable statewide (Reg. 
19.1004(D)(1)). Regulation No. 19, Chapter 10, was originally adopted 
by the APCE on January 22, 1999, and became effective February 15, 
1999. Federal approval was given by EPA on October 16, 2000 (65 FR 
61103), effective November 15, 2000. EPA is proposing approval of these 
changes as administrative non-substantive/editorial revisions to the 
Arkansas SIP.

 F. Revisions to Chapter 8--111(d) Designated Facilities

    Under section 111(d) of the Act, emission standards are to be 
developed by the States and submitted to the EPA for approval. These 
standards limit the emissions of designated pollutants from existing 
facilities which, if new, would be subject to the New Source 
Performance Standard promulgated under section 111 of the Act. The 
procedures under which States submit these plans to control existing 
sources are defined in 40 CFR part 60, subpart B. The submittal and 
review process of these state plans is carried out separately from 
other SIP activities. We are thus taking no action on Chapter 8 of 
Regulation No. 19 (which includes Arkansas' standards for designated 
facilities) in today's proposal. We will review process Chapter 8 of 
Regulation No. 19 in a separate action.

IV. What Action Is EPA Taking Today?

    EPA is proposing to approve revisions to the Arkansas SIP 
(revisions to Regulation No. 19 and new Regulation No. 31) submitted by 
the State of Arkansas on February 3, 2005 and July 3, 2006.

V. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

    Under Executive Order 12866 (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993), this 
proposed 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,

[[Page 69527]]

Distribution, or Use'' (66 FR 28355, May 22, 2001). This proposed 
action merely proposes to approve state law as meeting Federal 
requirements and imposes no additional requirements beyond those 
imposed by state law. Accordingly, the Administrator certifies that 
this proposed 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 proposes to approve 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 (Pub. L. 104-4).
    This proposed 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 proposes to approve 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 
proposed 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 proposed 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.).

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52

    Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Carbon monoxide, 
Intergovernmental relations, Lead, Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone, Particulate 
matter, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Sulfur oxides, 
Volatile organic compounds.

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

    Dated: November 17, 2006.
Lawrence E. Starfield,
Acting Regional Administrator, Region 6.
 [FR Doc. E6-20295 Filed 11-30-06; 8:45 am]
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