[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 1 (Wednesday, January 3, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 11-18]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-22408]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 52

[EPA-R09-OAR-2006-0590; FRL-8260-1]


Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; Revisions to 
the Nevada State Implementation Plan; Requests for Rescission

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: EPA is taking final action to approve certain revisions to the 
Nevada State Implementation Plan (SIP) and to disapprove certain other 
revisions. These revisions involve rules and statutory provisions for 
which the State of Nevada is requesting rescission. EPA is also taking 
final action to approve certain updated statutory provisions submitted 
by the State of Nevada as replacements for outdated statutory 
provisions in the applicable plan. These actions were proposed in the 
Federal Register on August 28, 2006. The intended effect is to rescind 
unnecessary provisions from the applicable plan, retain necessary 
provisions, and approve replacement provisions for certain statutes for 
which rescissions are disapproved.

DATES: Effective Date: This rule is effective on February 2, 2007.

[[Page 12]]


ADDRESSES: EPA has established docket number EPA-R09-OAR-2006-0590 for 
this action. The index to the docket is available electronically at 
http://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: Julie A. Rose, EPA Region IX, (415) 
947-4126, [email protected].

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

Table of Contents

I. Proposed Action
II. Public Comments and EPA Responses
III. EPA Action
IV. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

I. Proposed Action

    On August 28, 2006 (71 FR 50875), EPA proposed approval of certain 
revisions to the Nevada SIP and disapproval of certain other revisions. 
These revisions involve rules and statutory provisions previously 
approved into the Nevada SIP but for which the State of Nevada is 
requesting rescission. EPA also proposed approval of certain updated 
statutory provisions submitted by the State of Nevada as replacements 
for outdated statutory provisions in the applicable plan. Our August 
28, 2006 proposed rule represents one of a series of rulemakings we are 
conducting on a large SIP revision submitted by the State of Nevada on 
January 12, 2006 in which the State requests approval of numerous new 
or amended rules and statutory provisions and requests rescission of 
numerous other rules and statutory provisions in the existing SIP. Our 
August 28, 2006 proposed rule sets forth our evaluation and proposed 
action on the vast majority of the rescission requests included in the 
State's January 12, 2006 SIP revision submittal.
    In our August 28, 2006 proposed rule, we made final approval of 
those requests for rescission that we proposed to approve contingent 
upon the receipt of certain public notice and hearing documentation 
from the State of Nevada. The appropriate documentation has been 
submitted for the provisions listed below in table 1, and we are taking 
final action on them today.\1\ A separate final rule will be published 
for the remainder of the provisions for which rescission was requested 
(and proposed for approval) after the public notice and hearing 
documentation has been submitted. A third final rule will be published 
for the rescission of the Federal implementation plan promulgated by 
EPA at 40 CFR 52.1475 (c), (d) and (e), which was also proposed for 
rescission in our August 28, 2006 proposed rule.
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    \1\ Table 1 in this notice differs from the corresponding table 
in the proposed rule in that it does not include 12 rules or 
statutory provisions for which the State has not yet provided 
documentation related to public participation and for which final 
action is being deferred pending receipt of this documentation from 
the State. These 12 rules or statutory provisions are listed in 
table 4 of this notice. In addition, we are finalizing the proposed 
rescission of the Federal implementation plan at 40 CFR 52.1475(c), 
(d), and (e), which relates to the former Kennecott Copper Company 
smelter located in White Pine County, in a separate notice.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The majority of the provisions in table 1 represents defined terms 
that, although approved by EPA and therefore made part of the 
applicable SIP, are not relied upon by any rule or statutory provision 
in the existing applicable SIP or in any rule or statutory provision 
included in the SIP revision submitted on January 12, 2006 and thus are 
unnecessary and appropriate for rescission. For the other SIP 
provisions listed in table 1, we proposed approval of the State's 
rescission requests because we found them to be unnecessary because 
they are not needed generally in a SIP under CAA section 110(a)(2) or 
under 40 CFR part 51 or because there are other federally enforceable 
provisions that would provide equivalent or greater control. Our 
proposed rule and related Technical Support Document (TSD) contain more 
information on these SIP provisions and our evaluation of the related 
rescission requests.

                  Table 1.--SIP Provisions for Which the State's Rescission Request Is Approved
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    SIP provision                              Title           Submittal date     Approval date
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NAC 445.440.........................................  Aluminum equivalent...  10/26/82          03/27/84
NAC 445.442.........................................  Anode bake plant......  10/26/82          03/27/84
NAC 445.443.........................................  Asphalt concrete plant  10/26/82          03/27/84
NAC 445.446.........................................  Barite dryer..........  10/26/82          03/27/84
NAC 445.451.........................................  Basic oxygen process    10/26/82          03/27/84
                                                       furnace.
NAC 445.453.........................................  Bituminous coal.......  10/26/82          03/27/84
NAC 445.454.........................................  Blast furnace.........  10/26/82          03/27/84
NAC 445.455.........................................  Blowing tap...........  10/26/82          03/27/84
NAC 445.456.........................................  Brass or bronze.......  10/26/82          03/27/84
NAC 445.459.........................................  Calcium carbide.......  10/26/82          03/27/84
NAC 445.460.........................................  Calcium silicon.......  10/26/82          03/27/84
NAC 445.461.........................................  Capture system........  10/26/82          03/27/84
NAC 445.462.........................................  Charge chrome.........  10/26/82          03/27/84
NAC 445.463.........................................  Charge period.........  10/26/82          03/27/84
NAC 445.465.........................................  Coal preparation plant  10/26/82          03/27/84
NAC 445.466.........................................  Coal processing and     10/26/82          03/27/84
                                                       conveying equipment.
NAC 445.467.........................................  Coal refuse...........  10/26/82          03/27/84
NAC 445.468.........................................  Coal storage system...  10/26/82          03/27/84
NAC 445.469.........................................  Coke burn-off.........  10/26/82          03/27/84
NAC 445.474.........................................  Commercial fuel oil...  10/26/82          03/27/84
NAC 445.475.........................................  Complex source........  10/26/82          03/27/84
NAC 445.476.........................................  Condensate............  10/26/82          03/27/84
NAC 445.481.........................................  Control device........  10/26/82          03/27/84
NAC 445.483.........................................  Copper converter......  10/26/82          03/27/84
NAC 445.484.........................................  Custody transfer......  10/26/82          03/27/84

[[Page 13]]

 
NAC 445.485.........................................  Cyclonic flow.........  10/26/82          03/27/84
NAC 445.487.........................................  Diesel fuel...........  10/26/82          03/27/84
NAC 445.489.........................................  Direct shell            10/26/82          03/27/84
                                                       evacuation system.
NAC 445.490.........................................  Drilling and            10/26/82          03/27/84
                                                       production facility.
NAC 445.491.........................................  Dross reverberatory     10/26/82          03/27/84
                                                       furnace.
NAC 445.493.........................................  Dust handling           10/26/82          03/27/84
                                                       equipment.
NAC 445.494.........................................  Dusts.................  10/26/82          03/27/84
NAC 445.495.........................................  Electric arc furnace..  10/26/82          03/27/84
NAC 445.496.........................................  Electric furnace......  10/26/82          03/27/84
NAC 445.497.........................................  Electric smelting       10/26/82          03/27/84
                                                       furnace.
NAC 445.498.........................................  Electric submerged arc  10/26/82          03/27/84
                                                       furnace.
NAC 445.502.........................................  Equivalent P2O5 feed..  10/26/82          03/27/84
NAC 445.503.........................................  Equivalent P2O5 stored  10/26/82          03/27/84
NAC 445.509.........................................  Ferrochrome silicon...  10/26/82          03/27/84
NAC 445.510.........................................  Ferromanganese silicon  10/26/82          03/27/84
NAC 445.511.........................................  Ferrosilicon..........  10/26/82          03/27/84
NAC 445.514.........................................  Fossil fuel-fired       10/26/82          03/27/84
                                                       steam generating unit.
NAC 445.515.........................................  Fresh granular triple   10/26/82          03/27/84
                                                       superphosphate.
NAC 445.518.........................................  Fuel gas..............  10/26/82          03/27/84
NAC 445.519.........................................  Fuel gas combustion     10/26/82          03/27/84
                                                       device.
NAC 445.522.........................................  Furnace charge........  10/26/82          03/27/84
NAC 445.523.........................................  Furnace cycle.........  10/26/82          03/27/84
NAC 445.524.........................................  Furnace power input...  10/26/82          03/27/84
NAC 445.526.........................................  Granular diammonium     10/26/82          03/27/84
                                                       phosphate plant.
NAC 445.527.........................................  Granular triple super-  10/26/82          03/27/84
                                                       phosphate storage
                                                       facility.
NAC 445.528.........................................  Heat time.............  10/26/82          03/27/84
NAC 445.529.........................................  High-carbon             10/26/82          03/27/84
                                                       ferrochrome.
NAC 445.530.........................................  High level of volatile  10/26/82          03/27/84
                                                       impurities.
NAC 445.531.........................................  High terrain..........  10/26/82          03/27/84
NAC 445.532.........................................  Hydrocarbon...........  10/26/82          03/27/84
NAC 445.534.........................................  Isokinetic sampling...  10/26/82          03/27/84
NAC 445.539.........................................  Low terrain...........  10/26/82          03/27/84
NAC 445.543.........................................  Meltdown and refining.  10/26/82          03/27/84
NAC 445.544.........................................  Meltdown and refining   10/26/82          03/27/84
                                                       period.
NAC 445.546.........................................  Molybdenum............  10/26/82          03/27/84
NAC 445.547.........................................  Molybdenum processing   10/26/82          03/27/84
                                                       plant.
NAC 445.551.........................................  Nitric acid production  10/26/82          03/27/84
                                                       unit.
NAC 445.566.........................................  Petroleum liquids.....  10/26/82          03/27/84
NAC 445.567.........................................  Petroleum refinery....  10/26/82          03/27/84
NAC 445.568.........................................  Pneumatic coal-         10/26/82          03/27/84
                                                       cleaning equipment.
NAC 445.572.........................................  Potroom...............  10/26/82          03/27/84
NAC 445.573.........................................  Potroom group.........  10/26/82          03/27/84
NAC 445.576.........................................  Primary aluminum        10/26/82          03/27/84
                                                       reduction plant.
NAC 445.577.........................................  Primary control system  10/26/82          03/27/84
NAC 445.578.........................................  Primary copper smelter  10/26/82          03/27/84
NAC 445.579.........................................  Primary lead smelter..  10/26/82          03/27/84
NAC 445.580.........................................  Primary zinc smelter..  10/26/82          03/27/84
NAC 445.582.........................................  Process gas...........  10/26/82          03/27/84
NAC 445.583.........................................  Process upset gas.....  10/26/82          03/27/84
NAC 445.586.........................................  Product change........  10/26/82          03/27/84
NAC 445.587.........................................  Proportional sampling.  10/26/82          03/27/84
NAC 445.591.........................................  Refinery process unit.  10/26/82          03/27/84
NAC 445.593.........................................  Reid vapor pressure...  10/26/82          03/27/84
NAC 445.594.........................................  Reverberatory furnace.  10/26/82          03/27/84
NAC 445.595.........................................  Reverberatory smelting  10/26/82          03/27/84
                                                       furnace.
NAC 445.598.........................................  Roof monitor..........  10/26/82          03/27/84
NAC 445.600.........................................  Run-of-pile triple      10/26/82          03/27/84
                                                       superphosphate.
NAC 445.602.........................................  Secondary control       10/26/82          03/27/84
                                                       system.
NAC 445.603.........................................  Secondary lead smelter  10/26/82          03/27/84
NAC 445.604.........................................  Shop..................  10/26/82          03/27/84
NAC 445.605.........................................  Shop opacity..........  10/26/82          03/27/84
NAC 445.608.........................................  Silicomanganese.......  10/26/82          03/27/84
NAC 445.609.........................................  Silicomanganese         10/26/82          03/27/84
                                                       zirconium.
NAC 445.610.........................................  Silicon metal.........  10/26/82          03/27/84
NAC 445.611.........................................  Silvery iron..........  10/26/82          03/27/84
NAC 445.614.........................................  Sinter bed............  10/26/82          03/27/84
NAC 445.615.........................................  Sintering machine.....  10/26/82          03/27/84
NAC 445.616.........................................  Sintering machine       10/26/82          03/27/84
                                                       discharge end.
NAC 445.619.........................................  Smelting..............  10/26/82          03/27/84
NAC 445.620.........................................  Smelting furnace......  10/26/82          03/27/84
NAC 445.626.........................................  Standard                10/26/82          03/27/84
                                                       ferromanganese.

[[Page 14]]

 
NAC 445.629.........................................  Steel production cycle  10/26/82          03/27/84
NAC 445.631.........................................  Storage vessel........  10/26/82          03/27/84
NAC 445.632.........................................  Structure, building,    10/26/82          03/27/84
                                                       facility or
                                                       installation.
NAC 445.634.........................................  Sulfuric acid plant...  10/26/82          03/27/84
NAC 445.635.........................................  Sulfuric acid           10/26/82          03/27/84
                                                       production unit.
NAC 445.636.........................................  Superphosphoric acid    10/26/82          03/27/84
                                                       plant.
NAC 445.637.........................................  Tapping...............  10/26/82          03/27/84
NAC 445.638.........................................  Tapping period........  10/26/82          03/27/84
NAC 445.639.........................................  Tapping station.......  10/26/82          03/27/84
NAC 445.640.........................................  Thermal dryer.........  10/26/82          03/27/84
NAC 445.641.........................................  Thermit process.......  10/26/82          03/27/84
NAC 445.642.........................................  Total fluorides.......  10/26/82          03/27/84
NAC 445.643.........................................  Total smelter charge..  10/26/82          03/27/84
NAC 445.644.........................................  Transfer and loading    10/26/82          03/27/84
                                                       system.
NAC 445.645.........................................  Triple superphosphate   10/26/82          03/27/84
                                                       plant.
NAC 445.646.........................................  True vapor pressure...  10/26/82          03/27/84
NAC 445.648.........................................  Vapor recovery system.  10/26/82          03/27/84
NAC 445.652.........................................  Weak nitric acid......  10/26/82          03/27/84
NAC 445.654.........................................  Wet-process phosphoric  10/26/82          03/27/84
                                                       acid plant.
Article 2.7.4.......................................  Confidential            12/10/76          08/21/78
                                                       Information.
Articles 2.10.1 and 2.10.1.1........................  Appeal procedures.....  01/28/72          05/31/72
Articles 2.10.1.2, 2.10.2 and 2.10.3................  Appeal procedures.....  10/31/75          01/09/78
Article 3.3.4.......................................  Stop orders...........  01/28/72          05/31/72
Article 4.3.4.......................................  Emissions from any      01/28/72          05/31/72
                                                       mobile equipment.
Article 7.2.5.......................................  Basic Refractory......  11/05/80          06/18/82
Article 7.2.9.......................................  Sierra Chemical Co....  11/05/80          06/18/82
Article 8.1.........................................  Primary Non-Ferrous     06/14/74          02/06/75
                                                       Smelters.
Articles 8.1.1, 8.1.2, & 8.1.4......................  Primary Non-Ferrous     10/31/75          01/09/78
                                                       Smelters.
Article 8.3.4.......................................  Basic.................  11/05/80          06/18/82
Article 16.3.1.2....................................  Regulations             12/29/78          06/18/82
                                                       controlling cement
                                                       (Applying to Portland
                                                       cement plants).
Articles 16.3.2, 16.3.2.1, & 16.3.2.2...............  Standard of             12/29/78          06/18/82
                                                       particulate matter
                                                       for clinker cooler
                                                       (Applying to Portland
                                                       cement plants).
Article 16.15.......................................  Primary lead smelters.  12/29/78          06/18/82
Articles 16.15.1 to 16.15.1.2.......................  Standard for            12/29/78          06/18/82
                                                       Particulate Matter
                                                       (Applying to primary
                                                       lead smelters).
Articles 16.15.2 to 16.15.2.2.......................  Standard for Opacity    12/29/78          06/18/82
                                                       (Applying to primary
                                                       lead smelters).
Articles 16.15.3 to 16.15.3.2.......................  Standard for Sulfur     12/29/78          06/18/82
                                                       (Applying to primary
                                                       lead smelters).
Article 16.15.4.....................................  Monitoring Operations   12/29/78          06/18/82
                                                       (Applying to primary
                                                       lead smelters).
NAC 445.723.........................................  Existing copper         10/26/82          03/27/84
                                                       smelters.
NAC 445.815.........................................  Molybdenum processing   09/14/83          03/27/84
                                                       plants.
NAC 445.816(2) (a), (b), (c), (e), (f), (g), (h),     Processing Plants for   09/14/83          03/27/84
 and (i).                                              Precious Metals.
Section 13(15) and (19) of Senate Bill No. 275......  [State commission of    01/28/72          05/31/72
                                                       environmental
                                                       protection--review
                                                       recommendations of
                                                       hearing board and
                                                       delegation].
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As noted above, in our August 28, 2006 proposed rule, we proposed 
to disapprove the State's request to rescind certain rules and 
statutory provisions from the existing SIP. These rules and statutory 
provisions are listed in table 2 below. We believe that retention of 
these provisions is appropriate to satisfy certain specific 
requirements for SIPs under CAA section 110(a)(2) or that retention is 
appropriate because the State has not provided sufficient documentation 
to show that rescission would not interfere with continued attainment 
of the national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) as required under 
CAA section 110(l).

                Table 2.--SIP Provisions for Which the State's Rescission Request Is Disapproved
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    SIP provision                              Title           Submittal date     Approval date
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NAC 445.436.........................................  Air contaminant.......  10/26/82          03/27/84
NAC 445.570.........................................  Portland cement plant.  10/26/82          03/27/84
Article 1.171.......................................  Single source.........  12/10/76          08/21/78
NAC 445.630.........................................  Stop order............  10/26/82          03/27/84
NAC 445.660.........................................  Severability..........  10/26/82          03/27/84
NAC 445.663.........................................  Concealment of          10/26/82          03/27/84
                                                       emissions prohibited.
NAC 445.665.........................................  Hazardous emissions:    10/26/82          03/27/84
                                                       Order for reduction
                                                       or discontinuance.
NAC 445.696.........................................  Notice of violations;   10/26/82          03/27/84
                                                       appearance before
                                                       commission.
NAC 445.697.........................................  Stop Orders...........  10/26/82          03/27/84
NAC 445.764.........................................  Reduction of            10/26/82          03/27/84
                                                       employees' pay
                                                       because of use of
                                                       system prohibited.
NAC 445.816(3), (4) & (5)...........................  Processing Plants for   09/14/83          03/27/84
                                                       Precious Metals.

[[Page 15]]

 
NRS 445.451*........................................  State environmental     12/29/78          07/10/80
                                                       commission: Creation;
                                                       composition;
                                                       chairman; quorum;
                                                       salary, expenses of
                                                       members;
                                                       disqualification of
                                                       members; technical
                                                       support.
NRS 445.456*........................................  Department designated   12/29/78          07/10/80
                                                       as state air
                                                       pollution control
                                                       agency.
NRS 445.473*........................................  Department powers and   12/29/78          07/10/80
                                                       duties.
NRS 445.476*........................................  Power of department     12/29/78          07/10/80
                                                       representatives to
                                                       enter and inspect
                                                       premises.
NRS 445.498*........................................  Appeals to commission;  12/29/78          07/10/80
                                                       Notice of appeal.
NRS 445.499*........................................  Appeals to commission;  12/29/78          07/10/80
                                                       Hearings.
NRS 445.501*........................................  Appeals to commission:  12/29/78          07/10/80
                                                       Appealable matters;
                                                       commission action;
                                                       rules for appeals.
NRS 445.526*........................................  Violations: Notice and  09/10/75          01/24/78
                                                       order by director;
                                                       hearing; alternative
                                                       procedures.
NRS 445.529*........................................  Violations: Injunctive  12/29/78          07/10/80
                                                       relief.
NRS 445.576*........................................  Confidential            09/10/75          01/24/78
                                                       information:
                                                       Definitions;
                                                       limitations on use;
                                                       penalty for unlawful
                                                       disclosure or use.
NRS 445.581*........................................  Power of department     12/29/78          07/10/80
                                                       officers to inspect,
                                                       search premises;
                                                       search warrants.
NRS 445.596*........................................  Private rights and      12/29/78          07/10/80
                                                       remedies not affected.
NRS 445.598*........................................  Provisions for          12/29/78          07/10/80
                                                       transition in
                                                       administration.
NRS 445.601*........................................  Civil penalties; fines  12/29/78          07/10/80
                                                       not bar to injunctive
                                                       relief, other
                                                       remedies; disposition
                                                       of fines.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Asterisk (*) indicates applicable SIP provisions for which replacement provisions are being approved (see
  table 3, below).


    Also as noted above, in our August 28, 2006 proposed rule, we 
proposed to approve certain submitted statutory provisions to supersede 
the corresponding outdated provisions noted with an asterisk in table 2 
above. These submitted statutory provisions are listed in table 3, 
below. In its January 12, 2006 SIP revision submittal, NDEP requests 
EPA to approve new statutory provisions to replace any outdated State 
statutory provisions for which EPA determines that the rescission 
request should not be approved. Thus, consistent with the State's 
request, we are approving 14 specific statutory provisions, submitted 
by NDEP in Appendix III-E of the January 12, 2006 SIP revision 
submittal, to replace the corresponding statutory provisions in the 
applicable SIP (see table 3, below). In general, we find that the 
current statutory provisions listed in table 3 essentially mirror the 
corresponding outdated provisions in the applicable SIP and thus would 
not relax any existing requirement.\2\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ Because the current statutory provisions essentially mirror 
the outdated provisions, we view our approval of the current 
statutory provisions as a re-codification and, as such, we are not 
taking action to remedy pre-existing deficiencies in the applicable 
SIP. We note, however, that one of the provisions, NRS 445B.200 
(``Creation and composition; chairman; quorum; compensation of 
members and employees; disqualification; technical support''), does 
not meet the related SIP requirements (CAA section 110(a)(2)(E)(ii) 
and CAA section 128) and could be the subject of some future EPA 
rulemaking, such as one under CAA section 110(k)(5).

  Table 3.--Submitted Provisions Which Are Approved as Replacements for
                Outdated Provisions in the Applicable SIP
------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Submitted  provisions              Title              Submittal date
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NRS 445B.200.............  Creation and              01/12/06
                            composition; chairman;
                            quorum; compensation of
                            members and employees;
                            disqualification;
                            technical support.
NRS 445B.205.............  Department designated as  01/12/06
                            state air pollution
                            control agency.
NRS 445B.230.............  Powers and duties of      01/12/06
                            department.
NRS 445B.240.............  Power of representatives  01/12/06
                            of department to enter
                            and inspect premises.
NRS 445B.340.............  Appeals to commission:    01/12/06
                            notice of appeal.
NRS 445B.350.............  Appeals to commission:    01/12/06
                            hearings.
NRS 445B.360.............  Appeals to commission:    01/12/06
                            appealable matters;
                            action by commission;
                            regulations.
NRS 445B.450.............  Notice and order by       01/12/06
                            director; hearing;
                            alternative procedures.
NRS 445B.460.............  Injunctive relief.......  01/12/06
NRS 445B.570.............  Confidentiality and use   01/12/06
                            of information obtained
                            by department; penalty.
NRS 445B.580.............  Officer of department     01/12/06
                            may inspect or search
                            premises; search
                            warrant.
NRS 445B.600.............  Private rights and        01/12/06
                            remedies not affected.
NRS 445B.610.............  Provisions for            01/12/06
                            transition in
                            administration.
NRS 445B.640.............  Levy and disposition of   01/12/06
                            administrative fines;
                            additional remedies
                            available; penalty.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

II. Public Comments and EPA Responses

    EPA's proposed action provided a 30-day public comment period. 
During this period, we received comments from Jennifer L. Carr and 
Michael Elges, Division of Environmental Protection, State of Nevada 
Department of Conservation & Natural Resources, by letter dated 
September 25, 2006. We summarize the comments and provide our responses 
in the paragraphs that

[[Page 16]]

follow. Note that some of the comments in the September 25, 2006 letter 
are directed at a different EPA proposed rule also related to the 
State's January 12, 2006 SIP submittal and published the same week as 
the August 28, 2006 proposed rule. See 71 FR 51793 (August 31, 2006). 
Comments on the August 31, 2006 proposed rule are addressed in a 
separate final action published on December 11, 2006 at 71 FR 71486.
    Comment #1: The Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP) 
recognizes that EPA has made final approval of the rescission requests 
contingent upon receipt of public notice and hearing documentation from 
the State of Nevada and believes that it has now provided the required 
documentation for all of the applicable rescission requests except for 
12. NDEP also comments that EPA should state that the public notice and 
hearing documentation submitted on February 16, 2005 was used to 
support the proposed rulemaking.
    Response #1: With the exception of the 12 provisions listed in 
table 4 below for which documentation is pending, we find that the 
State has now provided sufficient documentation for the applicable 
rescission requests and thereby met the contingency placed on their 
proposed approval in our August 28, 2006 proposed rule.

 Table 4.--SIP Provisions for Which State's Request for Rescission Was Proposed for Approval But for Which Final
                       Action Is Pending Receipt of Documentation of Public Participation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                         Submittal     Approval
                  SIP (or FIP) provision                              Title                 date         date
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NAC 445.477..............................................  Confidential information...     10/26/82     03/27/84
NAC 445.554..............................................  Nuisance...................     10/26/82     03/27/84
NAC 445.596..............................................  Ringelmann chart...........     10/26/82     03/27/84
NAC 445.617..............................................  Six-minute period..........     10/26/82     03/27/84
NAC 445.662..............................................  Confidential Information...     10/26/82     03/27/84
NAC 445.695..............................................  Schedules for compliance...     10/26/82     03/27/84
NAC 445.698..............................................  Appeal of director's            10/26/82     03/27/84
                                                            decision: Application
                                                            forms.
NAC 445.700..............................................  Violations: Manner of           10/26/82     03/27/84
                                                            paying fines.
NAC 445.844..............................................  Odors......................     10/26/82     03/27/84
NRS 445.401..............................................  Declaration of public           12/29/78     07/10/80
                                                            policy.
NRS 445.466..............................................  Commission regulations:         12/29/78     07/10/80
                                                            Notice and hearing.
NRS 445.497..............................................  Notice of regulatory            12/29/78     07/10/80
                                                            action: Requirement;
                                                            method; contents of notice.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We also agree that an explanation of the extent of reliance of our 
proposed rule on the February 16, 2005 SIP submittal is warranted. On 
February 16, 2005, NDEP submitted a large revision to the applicable 
Nevada SIP. The February 16, 2005 SIP submittal includes new and 
amended rules and statutory provisions as well as requests for 
rescission of certain rules and statutory provisions in the existing 
SIP. The February 16, 2005 SIP submittal also contains documentation of 
public participation (i.e., notice and public hearing) and adoption for 
all of the submitted rules through the hearing on November 30, 2004 
held by the State Environmental Commission. The February 16, 2005 SIP 
submittal also includes documentation of public participation for 16 of 
the requested rule rescissions.
    On January 12, 2006, NDEP submitted an amended version of the 
February 16, 2005 SIP submittal. The January 12, 2006 SIP submittal 
contains updated regulatory materials including new and amended rules 
adopted by the State Environmental Commission on October 4, 2005 but 
otherwise contains the same materials as the earlier submittal with the 
exception of the documentation of public participation. The January 12, 
2006 SIP submittal only contains documentation of public participation 
for rule amendments adopted by the State Environmental Commission on 
October 4, 2005 but did not re-submit the public participation 
documentation included in the earlier submittal. Therefore, the January 
12, 2006 SIP submittal supersedes the earlier SIP revision submittal 
dated February 16, 2005 for all purposes except for the documentation 
of public participation for adoption dates from November 30, 2004 and 
earlier. The January 12, 2006 SIP submittal did not include public 
participation documentation for any of the requested rescissions.
    Upon request by EPA for documentation of public participation for 
the requested rescissions, NDEP indicated where such documentation 
could be found in the materials submitted as part of the February 16, 
2005 SIP submittal and also provided documentation for public hearings 
held by the State Environmental Commission on August 28-29, 1985 during 
which the vast majority of the rules for which the State has requested 
rescission were repealed. NDEP also provided an explanation for all of 
the other rules and statutory provisions proposed for rescission that 
were not already documented in the February 16, 2005 SIP submittal or 
the materials for the August 28-29, 1985 public hearings (except for 
the 12 listed in table 4). Taken collectively, the documentation 
provided by NDEP is sufficient to meet the related public participation 
requirements under CAA section 110(l) and for us to remove the 
contingency in our proposed rule for all of the provisions for which 
rescission was requested and proposed for approval (except, as noted, 
for the 12 listed in table 4).
    Comment #2: NDEP disagrees with the statements made in EPA's TSD 
(for the August 28, 2006 proposed rule) regarding the rescission of 
Nevada Air Quality Regulation (NAQR) article 7.2.9. NDEP states that a 
new lime kiln located on the previous site of Sierra Chemical Company's 
lime kiln in Lincoln County would be subject to a new emission limit 
rather than the limit in NAQR article 7.2.9.
    Response #2: We agree. Although we proposed approval of the State's 
request for rescission of NAQR article 7.2.9, our discussion and 
evaluation of the rescission request as set forth in the TSD presumes 
incorrectly that the emission limit in NAQR article 7.2.9 would apply 
to a new kiln at this location. The stated presumption is incorrect 
because a new kiln at this location would be treated as a new emission 
unit under NDEP's new source review rules. As such, the unit-specific 
limit in NAQR article 7.2.9 would not apply and has become obsolete 
(see letter from William Frey, Senior Deputy Attorney General, State of 
Nevada, dated July 11, 2006). In this notice, we are taking final 
action to approve the State's request for rescission of NAQR article 
7.2.9.

[[Page 17]]

    Comment #3: NDEP acknowledges that EPA is deferring action on NAC 
445.694 and intends to respond to EPA's suggestion of providing further 
explanation as to why the provision can be rescinded.
    Response #3: We appreciate NDEP's willingness to submit additional 
justification for the rescission of NAC 445.694 (``Emission discharge 
information'') and plan to review it when it is submitted.

III. EPA Action

    No comments were submitted that change our assessment of our 
proposed action. Therefore, as authorized in section 110(k)(3) of the 
Clean Air Act, and in light of documentation for public participation 
provided by the State of Nevada, EPA is finalizing the approval of the 
State's request for rescission of the rules and statutory provisions 
listed in table 1, above, and the disapproval of the State's request 
for rescission of the rules and statutory provisions listed in table 2, 
above. EPA is also approving the submitted statutory provisions listed 
in table 3, above, into the Nevada SIP as replacements for the 
corresponding outdated provisions listed in table 2.
    EPA is not taking final action on 12 of the provisions for which 
the State requests rescission and for which EPA proposed approval on 
August 28, 2006 (as listed in table 4, above) but will do so upon 
receipt of public participation documentation from the State. Lastly, 
we will be taking final action on our proposed rescission of the 
Federal implementation plan at 40 CFR 52.1475 (c), (d), and (e), which 
is related to the former Kennecott Copper Company smelter located in 
White Pine County, in a separate notice.

IV. 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 or disapproves certain State requests for rescission 
and approves certain replacement provisions 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 rescinds, retains or 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 (Pub. L. 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 or disapproves 
certain State requests for rescission and approves certain replacement 
provisions 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 March 5, 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, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements.

    Dated: December 14, 2006.
Keith Takata,
Acting Regional Administrator, Region IX.


0
Part 52, Chapter I, Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulation 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 DD--Nevada

0
2. Section 52.1470 is amended by adding paragraphs (b)(2), (c)(7)(i), 
(c)(11)(i), (c)(12)(i), (c)(14)(ix), (c)(22)(iii), (c)(25)(iii), 
(c)(26)(i)(B), and (c)(56)(i)(A)(8) to read as follows:


Sec.  52.1470  Identification of plan.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (2) Previously approved on May 31, 1972 in paragraph (b) and now 
deleted without replacement: Articles 2.10.1, 2.10.1.1, 3.3.4, 4.3.4, 
and Section 13, Nos. 15 and 19 of Senate Bill No. 275.
* * * * *

[[Page 18]]

    (c) * * *
    (7) * * *
    (i) Previously approved on February 6, 1975 in paragraph (7) and 
now deleted without replacement: Article 8.1.
* * * * *
    (11) * * *
    (i) Previously approved on January 9, 1978 in paragraph (11) and 
now deleted without replacement: Articles 2.10.1.2, 2.10.2, 2.10.3, 
8.1.1, 8.1.2, and 8.1.4.
* * * * *
    (12) * * *
    (i) Previously approved on August 21, 1978 in paragraph (12) and 
now deleted without replacement: Article 2.7.4.
* * * * *
    (14) * * *
    (ix) Previously approved on June 18, 1982 in paragraph (14)(viii) 
and now deleted without replacement: Article 16: Rules 16.3.1.2, 
16.3.2, 16.3.2.1, 16.3.2.2, 16.15, 16.15.1, 16.15.1.1, 16.15.1.2, 
16.15.2, 16.15.2.1, 16.15.2.2, 16.15.3, 16.15.3.1, 16.15.3.2, and 
16.15.4.
* * * * *
    (22) * * *
    (iii) Previously approved on June 18, 1982 in paragraph (22)(ii) 
and now deleted without replacement: Articles 7.2.5, 7.2.9, and 8.3.4.
* * * * *
    (25) * * *
    (iii) Previously approved on March 27, 1984, in paragraph 
(25)(i)(A) and now deleted without replacement: Nevada Administrative 
Code (NAC) sections: 445.440, 445.442-445.443, 445.446, 445.451, 
445.453-445.456, 445.459-445.463, 445.465-445.469, 445.474-445.476, 
445.481, 445.483-445.485, 445.487, 445.489-445.491, 445.493-445.498, 
445.502-445.503, 445.509-445.511, 445.514-445.515, 445.518-445.519, 
445.522-445.524, 445.526-445.532, 445.534, 445.539, 445.543-445.544, 
445.546, 445.547, 445.551, 445.566-445.568, 445.572-445.573, 445.576-
445.580, 445.582-445.583, 445.586-445.587, 445.591, 445.593-445.595, 
445.598, 445.600, 445.602-445.605, 445.608-445.611, 445.614-445.616, 
445.619-445.620, 445.626, 445.629, 445.631-445.632, 445.634-445.646, 
445.648, 445.652, 445.654, and 445.723.
* * * * *
    (26) * * *
    (i) * * *
    (B) Previously approved on March 27, 1984, in paragraph (26)(i)(A) 
and now deleted without replacement: Nevada Administrative Code (NAC) 
sections 445.815 (paragraphs (1), (2)(a)(1)-(2), and (3)-(5)) and 
445.816 (paragraph (2)(a)-(c) and (e)-(i)).
* * * * *
    (56) * * *
    (i) * * *
    (A) * * *
    (8) Title 40, Chapter 445B of Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS)(2003): 
Sections 445B.200, 445B.205, 445B.230, 445B.240, 445B.340, 445B.350, 
445B.360, 445B.450, 445B.460, 445B.570, 445B.580, 445B.600, 445.610, 
and 445.640.
* * * * *

 [FR Doc. E6-22408 Filed 12-29-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P