[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 214 (Friday, November 4, 2011)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 68385-68393]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-28635]


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

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 52

[EPA-R06-OAR-2007-0154; FRL-9487-1]


Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; New Mexico; 
Albuquerque/Bernalillo County; Fees for Permits and Administrative 
Actions

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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

SUMMARY: EPA is proposing an approval of revisions which repeal and 
replace existing rules, and revisions to the applicable State 
Implementation Plan (SIP) for New Mexico Albuquerque/Bernalillo County, 
which relate to fee requirement regulations. The repeal and replace and 
SIP revisions proposed today would address section 110(a)(2) Clean Air 
Act (the Act or CAA) requirements related to fees for, in part, 
reviewing and acting on specific permit applications received by the 
City of Albuquerque/Bernalillo County Environmental Health Department 
(EHD or Department); fees to partially offset the administrative cost 
of permit-related administrative hearings; funding for small business 
stationary sources; and fees to cover administrative expenses incurred 
by the Department in implementing the New Mexico Air Quality Control 
Act, the joint Air Quality Control Board (AQCB) ordinances, and the 
Albuquerque/Bernalillo County AQCB regulations of the New Mexico 
Statutes Annotated (NMSA) 1978. EPA finds that these rules and 
revisions comply with applicable provisions of the CAA and is proposing 
to approve them into the SIP. This action is being proposed under 
section 110 of the Act.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before December 5, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-R06-
OAR-2007-0154 by one of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the on-line 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.
     Email: Ms. Ashley Mohr at [email protected].
     Fax: Ms. Ashley Mohr, Air Permits Section (6PD-R), at fax 
number (214) 665-6762.
     Mail: Ashley Mohr, Air Permits Section (6PD-R), 
Environmental Protection Agency, 1445 Ross Avenue, Suite 1200, Dallas, 
Texas 75202-2733.
     Hand or Courier Delivery: Ashley Mohr, 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-
2007-0154. 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

[[Page 68386]]

Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted 
by statute. Do not submit information that you consider to be CBI or 
otherwise protected through http://www.regulations.gov or email. 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 email 
comment directly to EPA without going through http://www.regulations.gov your email 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, any form of encryption, and 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 
whose disclosure 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 
in 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 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. 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 New Mexico submittals are also available for public inspection 
at the County Air Agency listed below during official business hours by 
appointment: Air Quality Division, Environmental Health Department, 3rd 
Floor, Suite 3023, One Civic Plaza NW., Albuquerque, New Mexico.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Ashley Mohr, Air Permits Section 
(6PD-R), Environmental Protection Agency, Region 6, 1445 Ross Avenue, 
Suite 700, Dallas, Texas 75202-2733, telephone (214) 665-7289; fax 
number (214) 665-6762; email address [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Throughout this document the following terms 
have the meanings described below:
     ``We'', ``us'' and ``our'' refer to EPA.
     ``Act'' and ``CAA'' mean the Clean Air Act.
     ``40 CFR'' means Title 40 of the Code of Federal 
Regulations--Protection of the Environment.
     ``SIP'' means the State Implementation Plan established 
under section 110 of the Act.
     ``NSR'' means new source review.
     ``TSD'' means the Technical Support Document for this 
action.
     ``NAAQS'' means any national ambient air quality standard 
established under 40 CFR part 50.

Table of Contents

I. The State's Submittals
    A. What action is EPA proposing?
    B. Which rules did the state submit?
    1. May 24, 2011 Submittal of the 2001 Repeal and Replace 
Revisions
    2. September 7, 2004 SIP Revision Submittal
    3. February 2, 2007 SIP Revision Submittal
    4. December 15, 2010 SIP Revision Submittal
II. EPA's Evaluation
    A. What are the requirements for EPA's review of a fees SIP 
submittal?
    B. Do the submitted repeal and replace revisions and subsequent 
SIP revisions meet the CAA requirements?
III. Proposed Action
IV. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

I. The State's Submittals

A. What action is EPA proposing?

    This notice provides a summary of our evaluation of the Governor of 
New Mexico's submissions regarding Part 2 fees for the Albuquerque/
Bernalillo County, New Mexico State Implementation Plan (SIP). The 
Albuquerque/Bernalillo County AQCB is the federally delegated air 
quality authority for Albuquerque and Bernalillo County. The 
Albuquerque/Bernalillo County AQCB is authorized to administer and 
enforce the CAA and the New Mexico Air Quality Control Act, and to 
require local air pollution sources to comply with air quality 
standards. The Albuquerque/Bernalillo County AQCB is responsible for 
the portion of the New Mexico SIP that applies in Bernalillo County, 
which encompasses the City of Albuquerque.
    We provide the reasoning comprising our evaluation in general terms 
in this proposed rulemaking but provide a more detailed evaluation and 
analysis in the Technical Support Document (TSD) that has been prepared 
for this proposed rulemaking. We are proposing to approve the repeal 
and replace rule submitted on May 24, 2011, and SIP revisions submitted 
by the Governor of New Mexico to EPA on September 4, 2004, February 2, 
2007, and December 10, 2010. We have evaluated these SIP submissions 
for consistency with applicable provisions of section 110(a)(2) of the 
CAA relating to fees. We have also reviewed the submitted rules and 
revisions for legal sufficiency pursuant to section 110(l) of the CAA.
    In the course of this review, we identified that on April 10, 1980, 
EPA approved revisions to Section 21, Fees into the Albuquerque/
Bernalillo County, New Mexico SIP (45 FR 24468). Since EPA's approval, 
the Governor of New Mexico had not previously submitted any revisions 
to this Section for EPA review and approval, although the Section was 
eventually repealed and replaced by the Albuquerque/Bernalillo County 
AQCB effective July 1, 2001. The repeal and replace rule was submitted 
to EPA on May 24, 2011 (hereafter referred to as ``2001 repeal and 
replace'') as a historical rule amendment and repeals and replaces the 
corresponding previously approved April 10, 1980 SIP for fees.
    The 2001 repeal and replace was recodified and adopted into 
Albuquerque/Bernalillo County rules three times: first to Chapter 74, 
Article 2, Part 2, Fees under the Albuquerque/Bernalillo County AQCB 
regulations, and recodified again to 20 NMAC 11.02, Permit Fees of the 
New Mexico Administrative Code (hereinafter 20.11.2 NMAC) before being 
submitted for EPA review and approval as recodified 20.11.2 NMAC, 
Permit Fees on May 24, 2011. New Mexico submitted to EPA for review 
revisions to 20.11.2 NMAC on September 7, 2004 and February 2, 2007, 
and another submittal of revisions on December 15, 2010. The September 
7, 2004, February 2, 2007, and December 15, 2010 rule revisions have 
been determined to be significantly different from the EPA approved 
April 10, 1980 SIP revisions, as these previously approved revisions 
reference only fees associated with specific construction activities 
under minor new source review (NSR) permitting. Therefore, a direct 
comparison to the approved

[[Page 68387]]

Albuquerque/Bernalillo County, New Mexico SIP is impractical, and the 
technical review of the May 24, 2011 submittal of the 2001 repeal and 
replace will be used as the baseline SIP for evaluation of the 
September 7, 2004, February 2, 2007, and December 15, 2010 revisions.
    A technical analysis of the May 24, 2011 submittal of the 2001 
repeal and replace, and the September 7, 2004, February 2, 2007, 
December 15, 2010 SIP rule revisions has found that the baseline repeal 
and replace rule, and the revisions to this rule are consistent with 
applicable provisions of section 110(a)(2) of the CAA. Therefore, EPA 
is proposing an approval of the fees SIP rules submitted on May 24, 
2011, September 7, 2004, February 2, 2007, and December 15, 2010.

B. Which rules did the state submit?

1. May 24, 2011 Submittal of the 2001 Repeal and Replace Revisions
    The Governor of New Mexico submitted on May 24, 2011 a 2001 repeal 
and replace of all previous versions of Section 21 and part 2 fees, 
including the prior 1980 EPA approved SIP relating to fees under the 
Albuquerque/Bernalillo County AQCB regulations. This submittal includes 
the following changes:
     Repeal and replace of the following sections: 20.11.2.1 
NMAC, Issuing Agency; 20.11.2.2 NMAC, Scope; 20.11.2.3 NMAC, Statutory 
Authority; 20.11.2.4 NMAC, Duration; 20.11.2.5 NMAC, Effective Date; 
20.11.2.6 NMAC, Objective; 20.11.2.7 NMAC, Definitions; 20.11.2.8 NMAC, 
Savings Clause; 20.11.2.9 NMAC, Severability; 20.11.2.10 NMAC, 
Documents; 20.11.2.11 NMAC, General Provisions; 20.11.2.12 NMAC 
Authority-to-Construct Permit Fees, Fee Calculations and Procedures; 
20.11.2.13 NMAC, Annual Emission Fees, Fee Calculations and Procedures; 
20.11.2.15 NMAC, Filing and Inspection Fees for Surface Disturbance 
Permits; Fee Calculations and Procedures; NMAC 20.11.2.16 NMAC, Fee 
Errors, Corrections and Refunds; 20.11.2.17 NMAC, Failure to Pay; 
20.11.2.18 NMAC, Fee Schedule.
2. September 7, 2004 SIP Revision Submittal
    The Governor of New Mexico submitted a revision on September 7, 
2004 to 20.11.2 NMAC, Fees under the Albuquerque/Bernalillo County AQCB 
regulations. This submittal includes the following changes:
     Revisions to the following sections: 20.11.2.2 NMAC, 
Scope; 20.11.2.3 NMAC, Statutory Authority; 20.11.2.6 NMAC, Objective; 
20.11.2.7 NMAC, Definitions; 20.11.2.9 NMAC, Severability; 20.11.2.10 
NMAC, Documents; 20.11.2.11 NMAC, General Provisions; 20.11.2.12 NMAC 
Authority-to-Construct Permit Fees, Fee Calculations and Procedures; 
20.11.2.13 NMAC, Annual Emission Fees, Fee Calculations and Procedures; 
20.11.2.15 NMAC, Filing and Inspection Fees for Surface Disturbance 
Permits; NMAC 20.11.2.16 NMAC, Fee Errors, Corrections and Refunds; 
20.11.2.17 NMAC, Failure to Pay; 20.11.2.18 NMAC, Fee Schedule.
3. February 2, 2007 SIP Revision Submittal
    The Governor of New Mexico submitted a revision to 20.11.2 NMAC, 
Fees on February 2, 2007 under the Albuquerque/Bernalillo County AQCB 
regulations. This submittal includes the following changes:
     Revisions to the following sections: 20.11.2.6 NMAC, 
Objective; 20.11.2.18 NMAC, Fee Schedule.
4. December 15, 2010 SIP Revision Submittal
    The Governor of New Mexico submitted to EPA revisions on December 
15, 2010 to sections of Part 2 Fees under the Albuquerque/Bernalillo 
County AQCB regulations. This submittal includes the following changes:
     Additions of the following sections: 20.11.2.19 NMAC, 
Application Review Fees for Modification of Existing Permits; 
20.11.2.20 NMAC, Administrative and Technical Revision Application 
Fees, Portable Stationary Source Relocation Fees; 20.11.2.21 NMAC, 
Annual Emission Fees and Rates for Stationary Sources; 20.11.2.22 NMAC, 
Miscellaneous Fees, Administrative Fees, Variance Request Fees, Board 
Hearing Filing Fees.
     Revisions to the following sections: 20.11.2.1 NMAC, 
Issuing Agency; 20.11.2.2 NMAC, Scope; 20.11.2.3 NMAC, Statutory 
Authority; 20.11.2.6 NMAC, Objective; 20.11.2.7 NMAC, Definitions; 
20.11.2.8 NMAC, Savings Clause; 20.11.2.9 NMAC, Severability; 
20.11.2.10 NMAC, Documents; 20.11.2.11 NMAC, General Provisions; 
20.11.2.12 NMAC Authority-to-Construct Permit Fees, Fee Calculations 
and Procedures; 20.11.2.13 NMAC, Annual Emission Fees, Fee Calculations 
and Procedures; 20.11.2.15 NMAC, Filing and Inspection Fees for Surface 
Disturbance Permits; Fee Calculations and Procedures; NMAC 20.11.2.16 
NMAC, Fee Errors, Corrections and Refunds; 20.11.2.17 NMAC, Failure to 
Pay; 20.11.2.18 NMAC, Fee Schedule;
    Table 1 summarizes the changes that are in the 2001 repeal and 
replace submitted May 24, 2011, and the three SIP revisions submitted 
September 7, 2004, February 2, 2007, and December 15, 2010. A summary 
of EPA's evaluation of each section and the basis for this proposal is 
discussed in section II of this preamble. The Technical Support 
Document (TSD) includes a detailed evaluation of the referenced SIP 
submittals.

                     Table 1--Summary of Each SIP Submittal That Is Affected by This Action
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                             Description of
           Section                     Title            Submittal dates          change          Proposed action
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               20.11.2 NMAC--Fees
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 Issuing Agency
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20.11.2.1 NMAC...............  Issuing Agency.......           5/24/2011  Repeal and replace:   Approval.
                                                                           Contact information
                                                                           for issuing agency.
 
                                                              12/15/2010  Revised section to    Approval.
                                                                           update contact
                                                                           information for
                                                                           issuing agency.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 68388]]

 
                                                      Scope
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20.11.2.2 NMAC...............  Scope................           5/24/2011  Repeal and replace:   Approval; No
                                                                           Scope of rule         Action on
                                                                           applicability,        references to
                                                                           exemption, and        Operating
                                                                           variance.             Permits
                                                                                                 (20.11.42 NMAC)
                                                                                                 in subsection
                                                                                                 (A). \1\
                                                     -----------------------------------------------------------
                                                                9/7/2004  Revised               Approval; No
                                                              12/15/2010   applicability to      Action on
                                                                           persons consistent    references to
                                                                           with specific fee     Operating
                                                                           updates.              Permits
                                                                                                 (20.11.42 NMAC)
                                                                                                 in subsection
                                                                                                 (A).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               Statutory Authority
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20.11.2.3 NMAC...............  Statutory Authority..           5/14/2011  Repeal and replace:   Approval.
                                                                           Fees provisions
                                                                           adopted pursuant to
                                                                           state statutory
                                                                           authority.
                                                     -----------------------------------------------------------
                                                                9/7/2004  Revised section to    Approval.
                                                              12/15/2010   include
                                                                           recodification and
                                                                           additional
                                                                           references to
                                                                           statutory authority.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    Duration
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20.11.2.4 NMAC...............  Duration.............           5/24/2011  Repeal and replace:   Approval.
                                                                           Rules to be of
                                                                           permanent duration.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 Effective Date
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20.11.2.5 NMAC...............  Effective Date.......           5/24/2011  Repeal and replace:   Approval.
                                                                           Rules to be
                                                                           effective July 1,
                                                                           2001.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    Objective
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20.11.2.6 NMAC...............  Objective............           5/24/2011  Repeal and replace:   Approval.
                                                                           Establishes
                                                                           objectives for fees
                                                                           rules.
                                                                         ---------------------------------------
                                                                9/7/2004  Revises section to    Approval.
                                                                2/2/2007   remove and add
                                                              12/15/2010   objectives
                                                                           consistent with
                                                                           specific fee
                                                                           updates.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   Definitions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20.11.2.7 NMAC...............  Definitions..........           5/24/2011  Repeal and Replace:   Approval.
                                                                           Provides
                                                                           definitions for the
                                                                           following as used
                                                                           in the fees rules:
                                                                           ``Allowable
                                                                           Emission Rate'',
                                                                           ``Emissions Unit''.
                                                                           ``Fee Pollutant'',
                                                                           ``Fugitive
                                                                           Emissions''.
                                                                           ``Major Source'',
                                                                           ``Potential to
                                                                           Emit'' or ``PTE'',
                                                                           ``Qualified Small
                                                                           Business'',
                                                                           ``Regulated Air
                                                                           Pollutant'',
                                                                           ``Stationary Source
                                                                           with De Minimis
                                                                           Emissions''.
                                                     -----------------------------------------------------------
                                                                9/7/2004  Section revised to    Approval.
                                                                           include
                                                                           recodification and
                                                                           other non
                                                                           substantive
                                                                           changes.
                                                                           Definitions
                                                                           added:``High Impact
                                                                           Source'', ``Low
                                                                           impact Source'',
                                                                           ``Moderate impact
                                                                           Source'', ``No
                                                                           Impact Source'',
                                                                           ``Efficiency
                                                                           Control Factor''.
                                                     -----------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 68389]]

 
                                                              12/15/2010  Section revised to    Approval.
                                                                           update definitions,
                                                                           correct references,
                                                                           and remove
                                                                           definitions no
                                                                           longer needed.
                                                                           Definitions added:
                                                                           ``Administrative
                                                                           Revision'',
                                                                           ``Consumer price
                                                                           index all urban
                                                                           consumers'' or
                                                                           ''CPI-U'',
                                                                           ``Proposed
                                                                           Allowable Emission
                                                                           Rate'', ``Technical
                                                                           Permit Revision'',
                                                                           ``Submittal''.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 Savings Clause
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20.11.2.8 NMAC...............  Savings Clause.......           5/24/2011  Repeal and replace:   Approval.
                                                                           Any amendment to
                                                                           fees rules shall
                                                                           not affect actions
                                                                           pending for a
                                                                           violation.
                                                     -----------------------------------------------------------
                                                              12/15/2010  Section revised non-  Approval.
                                                                           substantively.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  Severability
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20.11.2.9 NMAC...............  Severability.........           5/24/2011  Repeal and replace:   Approval.
                                                                           Unconstitutional
                                                                           and invalidated
                                                                           portions of the
                                                                           fees rules will not
                                                                           invalidate
                                                                           remaining
                                                                           provisions.
                                                     -----------------------------------------------------------
                                                                9/7/2004  Section revised non-  Approval.
                                                              12/15/2010   substantively.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    Documents
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20.11.2.10 NMAC..............  Documents............           5/24/2011  Repeal and replace:   Approval.
                                                                           Documents cited and
                                                                           incorporated may be
                                                                           viewed at physical
                                                                           location.
                                                     -----------------------------------------------------------
                                                                9/7/2004  Section revised non-  Approval.
                                                              12/15/2010   substantively.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               General Provisions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20.11.2.11 NMAC..............  General Provisions...           5/24/2011  Repeal and replace:   Approval.
                                                                           General provisions
                                                                           for payment of fees
                                                                           with certain permit
                                                                           or source document
                                                                           submittals.
                                                     -----------------------------------------------------------
                                                                9/7/2004  Section revised non-  Approval.
                                                                           substantively.
                                                     -----------------------------------------------------------
                                                              12/15/2010  Section revised non-  Approval; No
                                                                           substantively.        Action on
                                                                                                 references to
                                                                                                 Operating
                                                                                                 Permits
                                                                                                 (20.11.42 NMAC)
                                                                                                 in subsection
                                                                                                 (B).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       Authority-To-Construct Permit Fees; Fee Calculations and Procedures
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20.11.2.12 NMAC..............  Authority-to-                   5/24/2011  Repeal and replace:   Approval; No
                                Construct Permit                           Fee provisions,       Action on
                                Fees; Fee                                  calculations, and     references to
                                Calculations and                           procedures for        Operating
                                Procedures.                                minor and area        Permits
                                                                           source permits, pre-  (20.11.42 NMAC)
                                                                           construction          in subsection
                                                                           permits, permit       (B).
                                                                           modifications.
                                                     -----------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 68390]]

 
                                                                9/7/2004  Section revised non-  Approval; No
                                                                           substantively.        Action on
                                                                                                 references to
                                                                                                 Operating
                                                                                                 Permits
                                                                                                 (20.11.42 NMAC)
                                                                                                 in subsection
                                                                                                 (B).
                                                     -----------------------------------------------------------
                                                              12/15/2010  Section revised to    Approval; No
                                                                           add reference to      Action on
                                                                           source registration   references to
                                                                           in addition to        Operating
                                                                           permits, and to       Permits
                                                                           base fee amounts on   (20.11.42 NMAC)
                                                                           allowable emission    in subsection
                                                                           rates instead of      (B).
                                                                           PTE. Other
                                                                           revisions to update
                                                                           section consistent
                                                                           with updates to
                                                                           other subsections
                                                                           of the rule.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Annual Emission Fees; Fee Calculations and Procedures
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20.11.2.13 NMAC..............  Annual Emission Fees;           5/24/2011  Repeal and replace:   Approval.
                                Fee Calculations and                       Annual emission
                                Procedures.                                fees, calculations,
                                                                           and procedures for
                                                                           sources, including
                                                                           permit
                                                                           modifications.
                                                     -----------------------------------------------------------
                                                                9/7/2004  Section revised non-  Approval.
                                                                           substantively.
                                                     -----------------------------------------------------------
                                                              12/15/2010  Section revised       Approval; No
                                                                           regarding owner/      Action on
                                                                           operator challenge    references to
                                                                           or correction         Operating
                                                                           request of annual     Permits
                                                                           fee amounts,          (20.11.42 NMAC)
                                                                           addition of           in subsections
                                                                           methodology for       (A) and (B).
                                                                           fugitive dust
                                                                           control permits,
                                                                           revised annual
                                                                           emission fees to be
                                                                           based on allowable
                                                                           emission rate
                                                                           rather than PTE,
                                                                           and revised to
                                                                           require annual
                                                                           emission rated be
                                                                           updated each year
                                                                           based on the
                                                                           consumer price
                                                                           index.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Filing and Inspection Fees for Surface Disturbance Permits; Fee Calculations and Procedures
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20.11.2.15 NMAC..............  Filing and inspection           5/24/2011  Repeal and replace:   Approval.
                                Fees for Surface                           Filing and
                                Disturbance Permits;                       inspection fee
                                Fee Calculations and                       requirements for
                                Procedures.                                fugitive dust
                                                                           control permits.
                                                     -----------------------------------------------------------
                                                                9/7/2004  Section revised to    Approval.
                                                              12/15/2010   add specific filing
                                                                           and review fee
                                                                           amounts, change
                                                                           flat fee to tiered
                                                                           fee schedule based
                                                                           on acreage, add and
                                                                           update calculation
                                                                           methodology used to
                                                                           calculate non-
                                                                           programmatic dust
                                                                           control permit
                                                                           inspection fees,
                                                                           require fugitive
                                                                           dust rates be
                                                                           updated yearly
                                                                           based on the
                                                                           consumer price
                                                                           index, and require
                                                                           fugitive dust
                                                                           control
                                                                           construction permit
                                                                           fees for certain
                                                                           demolition
                                                                           activities.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       Fee Errors, Corrections and Refunds
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20.11.2.16 NMAC..............  Fee Errors,                     5/24/2011  Repeal and replace:   Approval.
                                Corrections and                            Procedure and
                                Refunds.                                   process for review
                                                                           of fees due at time
                                                                           of application;
                                                                           procedure for
                                                                           persons requesting
                                                                           correction or
                                                                           challenging
                                                                           invoiced fees.
                                                     -----------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 68391]]

 
                                                                9/7/2004  Revised section to    Approval.
                                                                           exclude section's
                                                                           applicability to
                                                                           fugitive dust
                                                                           control permits.
                                                     -----------------------------------------------------------
                                                              12/15/2010  Revises section for   Approval.
                                                                           review of
                                                                           correction request
                                                                           and various
                                                                           procedure aspects,
                                                                           makes fee for
                                                                           fugitive dust
                                                                           control construct
                                                                           permit application
                                                                           non-refundable.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 Failure To Pay
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20.11.2.17 NMAC..............  Failure to Pay.......           5/24/2011  Repeal and replace:   Approval.
                                                                           Violation and
                                                                           penalty for failure
                                                                           to pay fees, and
                                                                           stating invoice
                                                                           incorrect not a
                                                                           defense.
                                                     -----------------------------------------------------------
                                                                9/7/2004  Section revised non-  Approval.
                                                                           substantively.
                                                     -----------------------------------------------------------
                                                              12/15/2010  Section revised to    Approval.
                                                                           include reference
                                                                           to appeal
                                                                           procedures for
                                                                           incorrect-fee
                                                                           challenges.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  Fee Schedule
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20.11.2.18 NMAC..............  Fee Schedule.........           5/24/2011  Repeal and replace:   Approval.
                                                                           Fee schedule for
                                                                           annual emission
                                                                           fees, review fees,
                                                                           permit modification
                                                                           fees, and
                                                                           administrative fees.
                                                     -----------------------------------------------------------
                                                                9/7/2004  Section revised to    Approval.
                                                              12/15/2010   delete fees other
                                                                           than review fees
                                                                           consistent with
                                                                           updates in other
                                                                           sections of the
                                                                           rule, include a
                                                                           general review fee,
                                                                           require application
                                                                           review fee rates be
                                                                           updated each year
                                                                           based on the
                                                                           consumer price
                                                                           index, increase
                                                                           fees for each tier
                                                                           in fee schedule,
                                                                           and change emission
                                                                           rates basis from
                                                                           PTE to allowable
                                                                           emission rates.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Application Review Fees for Modification of Existing Permits
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20.11.2.19 NMAC..............  Application Review             12/15/2010  New section           Approval.
                                Fees for                                   specifying
                                Modification of                            application review
                                Existing Permits.                          fees for
                                                                           modifications to an
                                                                           existing stationary
                                                                           source.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Administrative and Technical Revision Application Fees; Portable Stationary Source Relocation Fees
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20.11.2.20 NMAC..............  Administrative and             12/15/2010  New section           Approval.
                                Technical Revision                         specifying
                                Application Fees;                          administrative and
                                Portable Stationary                        technical revision
                                Source Relocation                          fees for
                                Fees.                                      modifications to an
                                                                           existing permit,
                                                                           and specifies
                                                                           portables
                                                                           stationary source
                                                                           relocation fees for
                                                                           modifications to an
                                                                           existing permit.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 68392]]

 
                             Annual Emissions Fees and Rates for Stationary Sources
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20.11.2.21 NMAC..............  Annual Emissions Fees          12/15/2010  New section           Approval; No
                                and Rates for                              specifying fees for   Action on
                                Stationary Sources.                        annual emission       references to
                                                                           source                Operating
                                                                           registrations,        Permits
                                                                           annual emission       (20.11.42 NMAC)
                                                                           fees for permitted    in subsection
                                                                           sources, and annual   (B).
                                                                           emission fees for
                                                                           emergency
                                                                           generators and
                                                                           gasoline service
                                                                           and fleet stations.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Miscellaneous Fees--Administrative Fees; Variance Request Fees; Board Hearing Filing Fees
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20.11.2.22...................  Miscellaneous Fees--           12/15/2010  New section           Approval.
                                Administrative Fees;                       specifying
                                Variance Request                           administrative
                                Fees; Board Hearing                        fees, variance
                                Filing Fees.                               request fees, and
                                                                           board hearing
                                                                           filing fees.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The 2001 repeal and replace submitted May 24, 2011, and the September 7, 2004, February 2, 2007, and
  December 15, 2010 Fees SIP submittals reference Operating Permits (20.11.42 NMAC) related to the Title V
  program. The Title V program is subject to statutory and regulatory evaluation beyond the statutory scope of
  this rulemaking. CAA Section 110(a)(2) falls under Title I of the CAA. Any evaluation of the Title V program
  and related fees must be done pursuant to CAA section 502 through 507 and 40 CFR part 70 and we are not
  evaluating the fees provisions related to the Title V program as part of this action regarding the SIP. The
  scope of this action is limited to determining whether the City of Albuquerque/Bernalillo County AQCB fees SIP
  submittals meet the fees requirements of CAA 110(a)(2). Refer to the TSD for additional information regarding
  the specific portions of subsections relating to Title V we are not taking action on in this rulemaking.

II. EPA's Evaluation

A. What are the requirements for EPA's review of a fees SIP submittal?

    The Albuquerque/Bernalillo County AQCB adopted and the Governor of 
New Mexico submitted the 2001 repeal and replace and the September 7, 
2004, February 2, 2007, and December 15, 2010, SIP revisions pursuant 
to the applicable provisions of section 110(a)(2) of the CAA related to 
fees. These federal requirements include permitting fees to cover the 
cost of reviewing, approving, implementing, and enforcing a permit. In 
addition to the applicable fee related requirements of section 
110(a)(2), EPA's evaluation must consider section 110(l) of the CAA. 
Section 110(l) of the CAA states that EPA shall not approve a revision 
of the SIP if it would interfere with any applicable requirement 
concerning attainment and reasonable further progress or any other 
applicable requirement of the Act.

B. Do the submitted repeal and replace revisions and subsequent SIP 
revisions meet the CAA requirements?

    Based on EPA's evaluation of the 2001 repeal and replace and the 
September 7, 2004, February 2, 2007, and December 15, 2010 revisions, 
we propose to find these submitted rules and revisions meet the 
applicable fee related requirements of section 110(a)(2) of the CAA. 
These rules and revisions are summarized in Table 1 of this proposed 
rulemaking, and are analyzed with more detail in the TSD. The rules and 
revisions contained within the Governor of New Mexico's submittals 
demonstrate compliance with section 110(a)(2) of the Act. For example, 
the Albuquerque/Bernalillo County EHD assesses fees when an owner or 
operator applies for an air permit, air permit renewal, or air permit 
amendment. Additionally, annual fees are assessed for sources with 
existing source registrations or permits. These fees are used to cover 
the permit review and permit issuance costs. The Department also 
assesses fees to partially offset the administrative cost of variance 
procedures and permit-related administrative hearings before the board; 
assesses fees to implement the requirements of Section 507 of the Clean 
Air Act by establishing adequate funding for small business stationary 
source technical and environmental compliance assistance program; and 
assesses fees to cover administrative expenses incurred by the 
Department in implementing and enforcing the provisions of the NMAC, 
the joint air quality control board ordinances, and the Albuquerque/
Bernalillo County AQCB regulations. The fees assessed by the Department 
under 20.11.2 NMAC are also necessary to adequately implement the Parts 
20, 41, 60, and 61 permitting programs for fugitive dust control and 
new construction and modifications to NSR/PSD in attainment and non-
attainment areas. Furthermore, the revision to subpart 20.11.2.18 NMAC, 
specifically paragraph K, establishes replacement of a $1,000 fee for 
filing fees for hearings with a lower flat fee of $125, including an 
option for the Department to lower that fee due to economic burden on 
the petitioner. Reduction of this kind of fee encourages more public 
involvement, meeting federal requirements for hearing processes. These 
examples, and the fee rules and revisions further described and 
evaluated in this proposal and TSD, evince a basis for EPA's proposed 
approval that the submittals meet the requirements of 110(a)(2).
    The fee assessment provisions in 20.11.2 NMAC and submitted to EPA 
are a portion of the regulatory scheme regulating the Albuquerque/
Bernalillo County New Source Review Permitting Program, and provide for 
permitting fees to cover the cost of reviewing, approving, 
implementing, and enforcing a permit under the Permitting Program. EPA 
has previously reviewed the Albuquerque/Bernalillo County AQCB 
regulations for the Nonattainment New Source Review Program, Prevention 
of Significant Deterioration Permitting, and Minor NSR program, and has 
approved these programs as being consistent with the federal 
requirements. EPA approved revisions to the Nonattainment New Source 
Review Program and to the Prevention of Significant Deterioration 
Program on April 26, 2007 (72 FR 20728). EPA approved substantive 
revisions to the Minor NSR program on March 16, 1994 (59 FR 12172). 
Based on our evaluation of these fee assessment rules and revisions 
both described in this notice and TSD, EPA finds they meet the fee 
related requirements of section 110(a)(2) to in part cover costs for 
these

[[Page 68393]]

previously approved programs, and proposes to approve the rules and 
revisions as explained in Table 1.
    Our evaluation of the 2001 repeal and replace and the September 7, 
2004, February 2, 2007, and December 15, 2010 revisions also 
demonstrates compliance with section 110(l) of the CAA, and further 
provides basis for proposal of approval of these rules and revisions. 
Pursuant to section 110(l) of the CAA, the 2001 repeal and replace 
provides for a broader breadth, application, and stringency of 
requirements related to fees than the previously approved April 10, 
1980 SIP. Based on EPA's evaluation of these fee assessment provisions 
submitted, EPA proposes to find the submitted repeal and replace of, 
and revisions to, 20.11.2 NMAC establishing fee requirements for 
permits is consistent with section 110(a)(2) of the CAA.

III. Proposed Action

    EPA is proposing an approval of the 2001 repeal and replace SIP 
revisions submitted by New Mexico on May 24, 2011, and SIP revisions 
submitted on September 7, 2004, February 2, 2007, and December 15, 2010 
pursuant to section 110(a)(2) requirements of the CAA relating to fees. 
EPA is proposing these actions in accordance with section 110 of the 
Act.

IV. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

    Under the Clean Air Act, the Administrator is required to approve a 
SIP submission that complies with the provisions of the Act and 
applicable federal regulations. 42 U.S.C. 7410(k); 40 CFR 52.02(a). 
Thus, in reviewing SIP submissions, EPA's role is to approve state 
choices, provided that they meet the criteria of the Clean Air Act. 
Accordingly, this action merely proposes to approve state law as 
meeting federal requirements and does not impose additional 
requirements beyond those imposed by state law. For that reason, this 
action:
     Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' subject to 
review by the Office of Management and Budget under Executive Order 
12866 (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993);
     Does not impose an information collection burden under the 
provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.);
     Is certified as not having a significant economic impact 
on a substantial number of small entities under the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.);
     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);
     Does not have federalism implications as specified in 
Executive Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10, 1999);
     Is not an economically significant regulatory action based 
on health or safety risks subject to Executive Order 13045 (62 FR 
19885, April 23, 1997);
     Is not a significant regulatory action subject to 
Executive Order 13211 (66 FR 28355, May 22, 2001);
     Is not subject to requirements of section 12(d) of the 
National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272 
note) because application of those requirements would be inconsistent 
with the Clean Air Act; and
     Does not provide EPA with the discretionary authority to 
address, as appropriate, disproportionate human health or environmental 
effects, using practicable and legally permissible methods, under 
Executive Order 12898 (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994).

In addition, this rule does not have Tribal implications as specified 
by Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, November 9, 2000), because the 
SIP is not approved to apply in Indian country located in the state, 
and EPA notes that it will not impose substantial direct costs on 
Tribal governments or preempt Tribal law.

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52

    Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Carbon monoxide, 
Incorporation by reference, 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: October 27, 2011.
Al Armendariz,
Regional Administrator, Region 6.
[FR Doc. 2011-28635 Filed 11-3-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P