[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 208 (Friday, October 26, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 65346-65351]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-26417]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 52

[EPA-R09-OAR-2012-0799; FRL-9747-3]


Determination of Attainment for the Sacramento Nonattainment Area 
for the 2006 Fine Particle Standard; California; Determination 
Regarding Applicability of Clean Air Act Requirements

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: EPA is proposing to determine that the Sacramento 
nonattainment area in California has attained the 2006 24-hour fine 
particle (PM2.5) National Ambient Air Quality Standard 
(NAAQS). This proposed determination is based upon complete, quality-
assured, and certified ambient air monitoring data showing that this 
area has monitored attainment of the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 
NAAQS based on the 2009-2011 monitoring period. EPA is further 
proposing that, if EPA finalizes this determination of attainment, the 
requirements for this area to submit an attainment demonstration, 
together with reasonably available control measures (RACM), a 
reasonable further progress (RFP) plan, and contingency measures for 
failure to meet RFP and attainment deadlines shall be suspended for so 
long as the area continues to attain the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 
NAAQS.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before November 26, 
2012.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-R09-
OAR-2012-0799 by one of the following methods:
    1. Federal eRulemaking Portal, at www.regulations.gov, please 
follow the on-line instructions;
    2. Email to [email protected]; or
    3. Mail or delivery to John Ungvarsky, Air Planning Office, AIR-2, 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IX, 75 Hawthorne Street, 
San Francisco, California 94105-3901.
    Instructions: All comments will be included in the public docket 
without change and may be made available online at www.regulations.gov, 
including any personal information provided, unless the comment 
includes Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information 
whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Information you consider to 
be CBI or otherwise protected should be clearly identified as such and 
should not be submitted through www.regulations.gov or email. 
www.regulations.gov is an ``anonymous access'' system, and EPA will not 
know your identity or contact information unless you provide it in the 
body of your comment. If you send an email directly to EPA, your email 
address will be automatically captured and included as part of the 
public comment. 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: The index to the docket for this action is available 
electronically at www.regulations.gov and in hard copy at EPA Region 
IX, 75 Hawthorne Street, San Francisco, California. While all documents 
in the docket are listed in the index, some information may be publicly 
available only at the hard copy location (e.g., copyrighted material), 
and some may not be publicly available at 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: John Ungvarsky, (415) 972-3963, or by 
email at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Throughout this document, wherever ``we'', 
``us'' or ``our'' are used, we mean EPA. We are providing the following 
outline to aid in locating information in this proposal.

Table of Contents

I. What determination is EPA making?
II. What is the background for this action?
    A. PM2.5 NAAQS
    B. Designation of PM2.5 Nonattainment Areas
    C. How does EPA make attainment determinations?
III. What is EPA's analysis of the relevant air quality data?
    A. Monitoring Network and Data Considerations
    B. Evaluation of Current Attainment
IV. How does EPA's Clean Data Policy apply to this action?
    A. Application of EPA's Clean Data Policy to the 2006 
p.m.2.5 NAAQS
    B. History and Basis of EPA's Clean Data Policy
V. EPA's Proposed Action and Request for Public Comment

[[Page 65347]]

VI. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

I. What determination is EPA making?

    EPA is proposing to determine that the Sacramento nonattainment 
area has clean data for the 2006 24-hour NAAQS for fine particles 
(generally referring to particles less than or equal to 2.5 micrometers 
in diameter, PM2.5). This determination is based upon 
complete, quality-assured, and certified ambient air monitoring data 
showing the area has monitored attainment of the 2006 PM2.5 
NAAQS based on 2009-2011 monitoring data. Preliminary data in EPA's Air 
Quality System (AQS) for 2012 indicate that the area continues to 
attain the 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS. Based on this determination, we 
are also proposing to suspend the obligations on the State of 
California to submit certain state implementation plan (SIP) revisions 
related to attainment of this standard for the Sacramento nonattainment 
area for as long as the area continues to attain the standard.

II. What is the background for this action?

A. PM2.5 NAAQS

    Under section 109 of the Clean Air Act (CAA or ``Act''), EPA has 
established National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS or 
``standards'') for certain pervasive air pollutants (referred to as 
``criteria pollutants'') and conducts periodic reviews of the NAAQS to 
determine whether they should be revised or whether new NAAQS should be 
established.
    On July 18, 1997, EPA revised the NAAQS for particulate matter to 
add new standards for PM2.5, using PM2.5 as the 
indicator for the pollutant. EPA established primary and secondary \1\ 
annual and 24-hour standards for PM2.5 (62 FR 38652). The 
annual standard was set at 15.0 micrograms per cubic meter ([mu]g/
m\3\), based on a 3-year average of annual mean PM2.5 
concentrations, and the 24-hour standard was set at 65 [mu]g/m\3\, 
based on the 3-year average of the 98th percentile of 24-hour 
PM2.5 concentrations at each population-oriented monitor 
within an area.
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    \1\ For a given air pollutant, ``primary'' National Ambient Air 
Quality Standards are those determined by EPA as requisite to 
protect the public health, and ``secondary'' standards are those 
determined by EPA as requisite to protect the public welfare from 
any known or anticipated adverse effects associated with the 
presence of such air pollutant in the ambient air. See CAA section 
109(b).
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    On October 17, 2006 (71 FR 61144), EPA revised the level of the 24-
hour PM2.5 NAAQS to 35 [mu]g/m\3\, based on a 3-year average 
of the 98th percentile of 24-hour concentrations. EPA also retained the 
1997 annual PM2.5 standard at 15.0 [mu]g/m\3\ based on a 3-
year average of annual mean PM2.5 concentrations, but with 
tighter constraints on the spatial averaging criteria.

B. Designation of PM2.5 Nonattainment Areas

    Effective December 14, 2009, EPA established the initial air 
quality designations for most areas in the United States for the 2006 
24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS. See 74 FR 58688; (November 13, 2009). 
Among the various areas designated in 2009, EPA designated the 
Sacramento \2\ area in California as nonattainment for the 2006 24-hour 
PM2.5 NAAQS.\3\ The boundaries for this area are described 
in 40 CFR 81.305.
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    \2\ The Sacramento PM2.5 nonattainment area includes 
Sacramento County, the western portions of El Dorado and Placer 
counties, and the eastern portions of Solano and Yolo counties. 
Other than the El Dorado County portion of the nonattainment area, 
the Sacramento PM2.5 nonattainment area lies within the 
Sacramento Valley Air Basin.
    \3\ With respect to the annual PM2.5 NAAQS, this area 
is designated as ``unclassifiable/attainment.''
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    Within three years of the effective date of designations, states 
with areas designated as nonattainment for the 2006 PM2.5 
NAAQS are required to submit SIP revisions that, among other elements, 
provide for implementation of reasonably available control measures 
(RACM), reasonable further progress (RFP), attainment of the standard 
as expeditiously as practicable but no later than five years from the 
nonattainment designation (in this instance, no later than December 14, 
2014), as well as contingency measures. See CAA section 172(a)(2), 
172(c)(1), 172(c)(2), and 172(c)(9). Prior to the due date for 
submittal of these SIP revisions, the State of California requested 
that EPA make determinations that the Sacramento \4\ nonattainment area 
has attained the 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS and that attainment-
related SIP submittal requirements are not applicable for as long as 
the area continues to attain the standard. Today's proposal responds to 
the State's request.
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    \4\ On May 2, 2012, James Goldstene, Executive Officer of the 
California Air Resources Board, submitted a request to Jared 
Blumenfeld, Regional Administrator, U.S. EPA Region IX, to find the 
Sacramento PM2.5 nonattainment area had attained the 2006 
24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS.
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C. How does EPA make attainment determinations?

    A determination of whether an area's air quality currently meets 
the PM2.5 NAAQS is generally based upon the most recent 
three years of complete, quality-assured data gathered at established 
State and Local Air Monitoring Stations (SLAMS) in a nonattainment area 
and entered into the AQS database. Data from air monitors operated by 
state/local agencies in compliance with EPA monitoring requirements 
must be submitted to AQS. Monitoring agencies annually certify that 
these data are accurate to the best of their knowledge. Accordingly, 
EPA relies primarily on data in AQS when determining the attainment 
status of areas. See 40 CFR 50.13; 40 CFR part 50, appendix L; 40 CFR 
part 53; 40 CFR part 58, and 40 CFR part 58, appendices A, C, D, and E. 
All data are reviewed to determine the area's air quality status in 
accordance with 40 CFR part 50, appendix N.
    Under EPA regulations in 40 CFR part 50, section 50.13 and in 
accordance with appendix N, the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 standard 
is met when the design value is less than or equal to 35 [micro]g/m\3\ 
(based on the rounding convention in 40 CFR part 50, appendix N) at 
each monitoring site within the area.\5\ The PM2.5 24-hour 
average is considered valid when 75 percent of the hourly averages for 
the 24-hour period are available. Data completeness requirements for a 
given year are met when at least 75 percent of the scheduled sampling 
days for each quarter have valid data.
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    \5\ The PM2.5 24-hour standard design value is the 3-
year average of annual 98th percentile 24-hour average values 
recorded at each monitoring site [see 40 CFR part 50, appendix N, 
section 1.0(c)], and the 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS is met when 
the 24-hour standard design value at each monitoring site is less 
than or equal to 35 [micro]g/m\3\.
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III. What is EPA's analysis of the relevant air quality data?

A. Monitoring Network and Data Considerations

    In the Sacramento PM2.5 nonattainment area, the agencies 
responsible for assuring that the area meets air quality monitoring 
requirements include CARB, Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality 
Management District (SMAQMD), Placer County Air Pollution Control 
District (PCAPCD) and Yolo-Solano Air Quality Management District 
(YSAQMD). Both CARB and SMAQMD submit annual monitoring network plans 
to EPA. SMAQMD network plans describe the monitoring network operated 
by SMAQMD and CARB in Sacramento County, and CARB's network plans 
describe the monitoring sites CARB operates, in addition to monitoring 
sites operated by smaller air districts, namely, PCAPCD and YSAQMD. 
These plans discuss the status of the air monitoring network, as 
required under 40 CFR 58.10.

[[Page 65348]]

    Since 2007, EPA regularly reviews these annual plans for compliance 
with the applicable reporting requirements in 40 CFR part 58. With 
respect to PM2.5, EPA has found that the areas' network 
plans, submitted by CARB and SMAQMD, meet the applicable requirements 
under 40 CFR part 58. See EPA letters to CARB and SMAQMD approving 
their annual network plans for years 2009, 2010, and 
2011.6 7 EPA also concluded \8\ from its Technical System 
Audit of the CARB Primary Quality Assurance Organization (PQAO) 
(conducted during the summer of 2007), that the combined ambient air 
monitoring network operated by CARB and the local air districts in 
their PQAO (which includes SMAQMD, PCAPCD, and YSAQMD) currently meets 
or exceeds the requirements for the minimum number of SLAMS for 
PM2.5 in the Sacramento nonattainment area. CARB annually 
certifies that the data it submits to AQS are complete and quality-
assured.\9\
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    \6\ Letter from Joe Lapka, Acting Manager, Air Quality Analysis 
Office, U.S. EPA Region IX, to Karen Magliano, Chief, Air Quality 
Data Branch, Planning and Technical Support Division, CARB (November 
24, 2009) (approving CARB's ``2009 Annual Monitoring Network Report 
for Small Districts in California''); Letter from Matthew Lakin, 
Manager, Air Quality Analysis Office, U.S. EPA Region IX, to Karen 
Magliano, Chief, Air Quality Data Branch, Planning and Technical 
Support Division, CARB (October 29, 2010) (approving CARB's ``2010 
Annual Monitoring Network Plan for the Small Districts in 
California''); Letter from Matthew Lakin, Manager, Air Quality 
Analysis Office, U.S. EPA Region IX, to Karen Magliano, Chief, Air 
Quality Data Branch, Planning and Technical Support Division, CARB 
(November 1, 2011) (approving CARB's ``2011 Annual Monitoring 
Network Plan for the Small Districts in California'').
    \7\ Letter from Joe Lapka, Acting Manager, Air Quality Analysis 
Office, U.S. EPA Region IX, to Larry Greene, Air Pollution Control 
Officer, SMAQMD (September 29, 2009) (approving the 2009 Air 
Monitoring Network Plan for the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality 
Management District); Letter from Matthew Lakin, Manager, Air 
Quality Analysis Office, U.S. EPA Region IX, to Larry Greene, Air 
Pollution Control Officer, SMAQMD (November 1, 2010) (approving the 
``Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District's 2010 
Annual Monitoring Network Plan''); Letter from Matthew Lakin, 
Manager, Air Quality Analysis Office, U.S. EPA Region IX, to Larry 
Greene, Air Pollution Control Officer, SMAQMD (October 31, 2011) 
(approving the ``Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management 
District's 2011 Annual Monitoring Network Plan'').
    \8\ See letter from Deborah Jordan, Director, Air Division, U.S. 
EPA Region IX, to James Goldstene, Executive Officer, CARB, 
transmitting ``Technical System Audit of the California 
Environmental Protection Agency Air Resources Board: 2007,'' with 
enclosure, August 18, 2008.
    \9\ See, e.g., letter from Karen Magliano, Chief, Air Quality 
Data Branch, Planning and Technical Support Division, CARB, to Jared 
Blumenfeld, Regional Administrator, U.S. EPA Region IX, certifying 
calendar year 2011 ambient air quality data and quality assurance 
data, May 1, 2012.
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    There were five PM2.5 SLAMS located throughout the 
Sacramento PM2.5 nonattainment area in calendar years 2009, 
2010, and 2011. EPA defines specific monitoring site types and spatial 
scales of representativeness to characterize the nature and location of 
required monitors. For the five sites, the spatial scale is 
neighborhood scale, and monitoring objective is population exposure. In 
addition, the Sacramento-Del Paso Manor site has a monitoring objective 
of highest concentration.\10\
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    \10\ See CARB's 2011 Annual Monitoring Network Report for Small 
Districts in California and SMAQMD's 2011 Annual Monitoring Network 
Plan; U.S. EPA Air Quality System, Monitor Description Report, 
September 14, 2012.
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    Consistent with the requirements contained in 40 CFR part 50, EPA 
has reviewed the quality-assured, and certified PM2.5 
ambient air monitoring data as recorded in AQS for the applicable 
monitoring period collected at the monitoring sites in the Sacramento 
nonattainment area and determined that the data are complete.

B. Evaluation of Current Attainment

    EPA's evaluation of whether the Sacramento PM2.5 
nonattainment area has attained the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS 
is based on our review of the monitoring data and takes into account 
the adequacy \11\ of the PM2.5 monitoring network in the 
nonattainment area and the reliability of the data collected by the 
network as discussed in the previous section of this document.
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    \11\ Meets the requirements of 40 CFR part 58.
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    Table 1 shows the PM2.5 design values for the Sacramento 
nonattainment area monitors based on ambient air quality monitoring 
data for the most recent complete three-year period (2009-2011). The 
data show that the design value for the 2009-2011 period was equal to 
or less than 35 [mu]g/m\3\ at the monitors. Therefore, we are proposing 
to determine, based on the complete, quality-assured data for 2009-
2011, that the Sacramento area has attained the 2006 24-hour 
PM2.5 standard. Preliminary data available in AQS for 2012 
indicate that the area continues to attain the standard.

    Table 1--2009-2011 24-Hour PM2.5 Monitoring Sites and Design Values for the Sacramento Nonattainment Area
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                                                                   98th Percentile ([mu]g/m\3\)       2009-2011
                                                AQS site     ---------------------------------------    Design
             Monitoring site                 identification                                             values
                                                  No.             2009         2010         2011       ([mu]g/
                                                                                                        m\3\)
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Roseville................................        06-061-0006         21.3         20.3         23.0           22
Sacramento-Del Paso Manor................        06-067-0006         38.7         27.0         39.8        35\a\
Sacramento-1309 T Street.................        06-067-0010         27.2         27.3         45.1           33
Sacramento Health Dept--Stockton Blvd....        06-067-4001         34.9         26.5         44.8        35\a\
Woodland.................................        06-113-1003         27.4         18.6         25.8           24
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\a\ The average of the 98th percentile values for 2009-2011 equals 35.2 and 35.4 at the Del Paso Manor and
  Stockton Blvd. sites, respectively, but consistent with applicable rounding conventions in 40 CFR part 50,
  Appendix N, section 4.3, 24-hour standard design values are rounded to the nearest 1 [mu]g/m\3\ (decimals 0.5
  and greater are rounded up to the nearest whole number, and any decimal lower than 0.5 is rounded down to the
  nearest whole number).
Source: Design Value Report, August 31, 2012 (in the docket to this proposed action).

IV. How does EPA's Clean Data Policy apply to this action?

A. Application of EPA's Clean Data Policy to the 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS

    In April 2007, EPA issued its PM2.5 Implementation Rule 
for the 1997 PM2.5 standard. 72 FR 20586; (April 25, 2007). 
In March, 2012, EPA published implementation guidance for the 2006 
PM2.5 standard. See Memorandum from Stephen D. Page, 
Director, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, 
``Implementation Guidance for the 2006 24-Hour Fine Particle 
(PM2.5) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)'' 
(March 2, 2012). In that guidance, EPA stated its view ``that the 
overall framework and policy approach of the 2007 PM2.5 
Implementation Rule continues to provide effective and

[[Page 65349]]

appropriate guidance on the EPA's interpretation of the general 
statutory requirements that states should address in their SIPs. In 
general, the EPA believes that the interpretations of the statute in 
the framework of the 2007 PM2.5 Implementation Rule are 
relevant to the statutory requirements for the 2006 24-hour 
PM2.5 NAAQS * * *'' Id., page 1. With respect to the 
statutory provisions applicable to 2006 PM2.5 
implementation, the guidance emphasized that ``EPA outlined its 
interpretation of many of these provisions in the 2007 PM2.5 
Implementation Rule. In addition to regulatory provisions, the EPA 
provided substantial general guidance for attainment plans for 
PM2.5 in the preamble to the final the [sic] 2007 
PM2.5 Implementation Rule.'' Id., page 2. In keeping with 
the principles set forth in the guidance, and with respect to the 
effect of a determination of attainment for the 2006 PM2.5 
standard, EPA is applying the same interpretation with respect to the 
implications of clean data determinations that it set forth in the 
preamble to the 1997 PM2.5 standard and in the regulation 
that embodies this interpretation. 40 CFR 51.1004(c).\12\ EPA has long 
applied this interpretation in regulations and individual rulemakings 
for the 1-hour ozone and 1997 8-hour ozone standards, the PM-10 
standard, and the lead standard.
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    \12\ While EPA recognizes that 40 CFR 51.1004(c) does not itself 
expressly apply to the 2006 PM2.5 standard, the statutory 
interpretation that it embodies is identical and is applicable to 
both the 1997 and 2006 PM2.5 standards.
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B. History and Basis of EPA's Clean Data Policy

    Following enactment of the CAA Amendments of 1990, EPA promulgated 
its interpretation of the requirements for implementing the NAAQS in 
the General Preamble for the Implementation of Title I of the CAA 
Amendments of 1990 (General Preamble) 57 FR 13498, 13564 (April 16, 
1992). In 1995, based on the interpretation of CAA sections 171 and 
172, and section 182 in the General Preamble, EPA set forth what has 
become known as its ``Clean Data Policy'' for the 1-hour ozone NAAQS. 
See Memorandum from John S. Seitz, Director, Office of Air Quality 
Planning and Standards, ``Reasonable Further Progress, Attainment 
Demonstration, and Related Requirements for Ozone Nonattainment Areas 
Meeting the Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard'' (May 10, 
1995). In 2004, EPA indicated its intention to extend the Clean Data 
Policy to the PM2.5 NAAQS. See Memorandum from Steve Page, 
Director, EPA Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, ``Clean 
Data Policy for the Fine Particle National Ambient Air Quality 
Standards'' (December 14, 2004).
    Since 1995, EPA has applied its interpretation under the Clean Data 
Policy in many rulemakings, suspending certain attainment-related 
planning requirements for individual areas, based on a determination of 
attainment. See 60 FR 36723 (July 18, 1995) (Salt Lake and Davis 
Counties, Utah, 1-hour ozone); 61 FR 20458 (May 7, 1996) (Cleveland-
Akron-Lorain, Ohio, 1-hour ozone); 61 FR 31832 (June 21, 1996) (Grand 
Rapids, Michigan, 1-hour ozone); 65 FR 37879 (June 19, 2000) 
(Cincinnati-Hamilton, Ohio-Kentucky, 1-hour ozone); 66 FR 53094 
(October 19, 2001) (Pittsburgh-Beaver Valley, Pennsylvania, 1-hour 
ozone); 68 FR 25418 (May 12, 2003) (St. Louis, Missouri-Illinois, 1-
hour ozone); 69 FR 21717 (April 22, 2004) (San Francisco Bay Area, 
California, 1-hour ozone); 75 FR 6570 (February 10, 2010) (Baton Rouge, 
Louisiana, 1-hour ozone); 75 FR 27944 (May 19, 2010) (Coso Junction, 
California, PM10).
    EPA also incorporated its interpretation under the Clean Data 
Policy in several implementation rules. See Clean Air Fine Particle 
Implementation Rule, 72 FR 20586 (April 25, 2007); Final Rule To 
Implement the 8-Hour Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard--Phase 
2, 70 FR 71612 (November 29, 2005). The Court of Appeals for the 
District of Columbia Circuit (D.C. Circuit) upheld EPA's rule embodying 
the Clean Data Policy for the 1997 8-hour ozone standard. NRDC v. EPA, 
571 F.3d 1245 (D.C. Cir. 2009). Other courts have reviewed and 
considered individual rulemakings applying EPA's Clean Data Policy, and 
have consistently upheld them in every case. Sierra Club v. EPA, 99 
F.3d 1551 (10th Cir. 1996); Sierra Club v. EPA, 375 F.3d 537 (7th Cir. 
2004); Our Children's Earth Foundation v. EPA, No. 04-73032 (9th Cir. 
June 28, 2005 (Memorandum Opinion)), Latino Issues Forum v. EPA, Nos. 
06-75831 and 08-71238 (9th Cir. March 2, 2009 (Memorandum Opinion)).
    EPA sets forth below a brief explanation of the statutory 
interpretations in the Clean Data Policy. EPA also incorporates the 
discussions of its interpretation set forth in prior rulemakings, 
including the 1997 PM2.5 implementation rulemaking. See 72 
FR 20586, at 20603-20605 (April 25, 2007). See also 75 FR 31288 (June 
3, 2010) (Providence, Rhode Island, 1997 8-hour ozone); 75 FR 62470 
(October 12, 2010) (Knoxville, Tennessee, 1997 8-hour ozone); 75 FR 
53219 (August 31, 2010) (Greater Connecticut Area, 1997 8-hour ozone); 
75 FR 54778 (September 9, 2010) (Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 1997 8-hour 
ozone); 75 FR 64949 (October 21, 2010) (Providence, Rhode Island, 1997 
8-hour ozone); 76 FR 11080 (March 1, 2011) (Milwaukee-Racine and 
Sheboygan Areas, Wisconsin, 1997 8-hour ozone); 76 FR 31237 (May 31, 
2011) (Pittsburgh-Beaver Valley, Pennsylvania, 1997 8-hour ozone); 76 
FR 33647 (June 9, 2011) (St. Louis, Missouri-Illinois, 1997 8-hour 
ozone); 76 FR 70656 (November 15, 2011) (Charlotte-Gastonia-Rock Hill, 
North Carolina-South Carolina, 1997 8-hour ozone); 77 FR 31496 (May 29, 
2012) (Boston-Lawrence-Worchester, Massachusetts, 1997 8-hour ozone). 
See also, 75 FR 56 (January 4, 2010) (Greensboro-Winston-Salem-High 
Point, North Carolina, 1997 PM2.5); 75 FR 230 (January 5, 
2010) (Hickory-Morganton-Lenoir, North Carolina, 1997 
PM2.5); 76 FR 12860 (March 9, 2011) (Louisville, Kentucky-
Indiana, 1997 PM2.5); 76 FR 18650 (April 5, 2011) (Rome, 
Georgia, 1997 PM2.5); 76 FR 31239 (May 31, 2011) 
(Chattanooga, Tennessee-Georgia-Alabama, 1997 PM2.5); 76 FR 
31858 (June 2, 2011) (Macon, Georgia, 1997 PM2.5); 76 FR 
36873 (June 23, 2011) (Atlanta, Georgia, 1997 PM2.5); 76 FR 
38023 (June 29, 2011) (Birmingham, Alabama, 1997 PM2.5); 76 
FR 55542 (September 7, 2011) (Huntington-Ashland, West Virginia-
Kentucky-Ohio, 1997 PM2.5); 76 FR 60373 (September 29, 2011) 
(Cincinnati, Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana, 1997 PM2.5); 77 FR 18922 
(March 29, 2012) (Harrisburg-Lebanon-Carlisle-York, Allentown, 
Johnstown and Lancaster, Pennsylvania, 1997 PM2.5).
    The Clean Data Policy represents EPA's interpretation that certain 
requirements of subpart 1 of part D of the Act are by their terms not 
applicable to areas that are currently attaining the NAAQS.\13\ As 
explained below, the specific requirements that are inapplicable to an 
area attaining the standard are the requirements to submit a SIP that 
provides for: attainment of the NAAQS; implementation of all reasonably 
available control measures; reasonable further progress (RFP); and 
implementation of contingency measures for failure to meet deadlines 
for RFP and attainment.
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    \13\ This discussion refers to subpart 1 because subpart 1 
contains the requirements relating to attainment of the 2006 
PM2.5 NAAQS.
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    CAA section 172(c)(1), the requirement for an attainment 
demonstration, provides in relevant part that SIPs ``shall provide for 
attainment

[[Page 65350]]

of the [NAAQS].'' EPA has interpreted this requirement as not applying 
to areas that have already attained the standard. If an area has 
attained the standard, there is no need to submit a plan demonstrating 
how the area will reach attainment. In the General Preamble (57 FR 
13564), EPA stated that no other measures to provide for attainment 
would be needed by areas seeking redesignation to attainment since 
``attainment will have been reached.'' See also Memorandum from John 
Calcagni, ``Procedures for Processing Requests to Redesignate Areas to 
Attainment,'' (September 4, 1992), at page 6.
    A component of the attainment plan specified under section 
172(c)(1) is the requirement to provide for ``the implementation of all 
reasonably available control measures as expeditiously as practicable'' 
(RACM). Since RACM is an element of the attainment demonstration, see 
General Preamble (57 FR 13560), for the same reason the attainment 
demonstration no longer applies by its own terms, RACM also no longer 
applies to areas that EPA has determined have clean air. Furthermore, 
EPA has consistently interpreted this provision to require only 
implementation of such potential RACM measures that could advance 
attainment.\14\ Thus, where an area is already attaining the standard, 
no additional RACM measures are required. EPA's interpretation that the 
statute requires only implementation of the RACM measures that would 
advance attainment was upheld by the United States Court of Appeals for 
the Fifth Circuit (Sierra Club v. EPA, 314 F.3d 735, 743-745, 5th Cir. 
2002) and by the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit 
(Sierra Club v. EPA, 294 F.3d 155, 162-163, D.C. Cir. 2002). See also 
the final rulemakings for Pittsburgh-Beaver Valley, Pennsylvania, 66 FR 
53096 (October 19, 2001) and St. Louis, Missouri-Illinois, 68 FR 25418 
(May 12, 2003).
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    \14\ This interpretation was adopted in the General Preamble, 
see 57 FR 13498, and has been upheld as applied to the Clean Data 
Policy, as well as to nonattainment SIP submissions. See NRDC v. 
EPA, 571 F.3d 1245 (D.C. Cir. 2009); Sierra Club v. EPA, 294 F.3d 
155 (D.C. Cir. 2002).
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    CAA section 172(c)(2) provides that SIP provisions in nonattainment 
areas must require ``reasonable further progress.'' The term 
``reasonable further progress'' is defined in section 171(1) as ``such 
annual incremental reductions in emissions of the relevant air 
pollutant as are required by this part or may reasonably be required by 
the Administrator for the purpose of ensuring attainment of the 
applicable NAAQS by the applicable date.'' Thus, by definition, the 
``reasonable further progress'' provision under subpart 1 requires only 
such reductions in emissions as are necessary to attain the NAAQS. If 
an area has attained the NAAQS, the purpose of the RFP requirement has 
been fulfilled, and since the area has already attained, showing that 
the State will make RFP towards attainment ``[has] no meaning at that 
point.'' General Preamble, 57 FR 13498, 13564 (April 16, 1992).
    CAA section 172(c)(9) provides that SIPs in nonattainment areas 
``shall provide for the implementation of specific measures to be 
undertaken if the area fails to make reasonable further progress, or to 
attain the [NAAQS] by the attainment date applicable under this part. 
Such measures shall be included in the plan revision as contingency 
measures to take effect in any such case without further action by the 
State or [EPA].'' This contingency measure requirement is inextricably 
tied to the reasonable further progress and attainment demonstration 
requirements. Contingency measures are implemented if reasonable 
further progress targets are not achieved, or if attainment is not 
realized by the attainment date. Where an area has already achieved 
attainment, it has no need to rely on contingency measures to come into 
attainment or to make further progress to attainment. As EPA stated in 
the General Preamble: ``The section 172(c)(9) requirements for 
contingency measures are directed at ensuring RFP and attainment by the 
applicable date.'' See 57 FR 13564. Thus these requirements no longer 
apply when an area has attained the standard.
    It is important to note that should an area attain the 2006 
PM2.5 standard based on three years of data, its obligation 
to submit an attainment demonstration and related planning submissions 
is suspended only for so long as the area continues to attain the 
standard. If EPA subsequently determines, after notice-and-comment 
rulemaking, that the area has violated the NAAQS, the requirements for 
the State to submit a SIP to meet the previously suspended requirements 
would be reinstated. It is likewise important to note that the area 
remains designated nonattainment pending a further redesignation 
action.

V. EPA's Proposed Action and Request for Public Comment

    EPA is proposing to determine that the Sacramento nonattainment 
area in California has attained the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 
standard based on the most recent three years of complete, quality-
assured, and certified data for 2009-2011. Preliminary data available 
in AQS for 2012 show that the area continues to attain the standard.
    EPA further proposes that, if its proposed determination of 
attainment is made final, the requirements for the Sacramento 
nonattainment area to submit an attainment demonstration and associated 
RACM, a RFP plan, contingency measures, and any other planning SIPs 
related to attainment of the 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS would be 
suspended for so long as the area continues to attain the 2006 
PM2.5 NAAQS. EPA's proposal is consistent and in keeping 
with its long-held interpretation of CAA requirements, as well as with 
EPA's regulations for similar determinations for ozone (see 40 CFR 
51.918) and the 1997 fine particulate matter standards (see 40 CFR 
51.1004(c)). As described below, any such determination would not be 
equivalent to the redesignation of the area to attainment for the 2006 
PM2.5 NAAQS.
    Any final action resulting from this proposal would not constitute 
a redesignation to attainment under CAA section 107(d)(3) because we 
have not yet approved a maintenance plan for the Sacramento 
nonattainment area as meeting the requirements of section 175A of the 
CAA or determined that the area has met the other CAA requirements for 
redesignation. The classification and designation status in 40 CFR part 
81 would remain nonattainment for the area until such time as EPA 
determines that California has met the CAA requirements for 
redesignating the Sacramento nonattainment area to attainment.
    If the Sacramento nonattainment area continues to monitor 
attainment of the 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS, EPA proposes that the 
requirements for the area to submit an attainment demonstration and 
associated RACM, a RFP plan, contingency measures, and any other 
planning requirements related to attainment of the 2006 
PM2.5 NAAQS will remain suspended. If this proposed 
rulemaking is finalized and EPA subsequently determines, after notice-
and-comment rulemaking in the Federal Register, that the area has 
violated the 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS, the basis for the suspension 
of these attainment planning requirements for the Sacramento 
nonattainment area would no longer exist, and the area would thereafter 
have to address such requirements.
    EPA is soliciting public comments on the issues discussed in this 
document or on other relevant matters. We will accept comments from the 
public on this proposal for the next 30 days. We

[[Page 65351]]

will consider these comments before taking final action.

VI. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

    This action proposes to make a determination of attainment based on 
air quality and to suspend certain federal requirements, and thus, 
would not impose additional requirements beyond those imposed by State 
law. For that reason, this proposed 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 CAA; and
     Does not provide EPA with the discretionary authority to 
address disproportionate human health or environmental effects with 
practical, appropriate, and legally permissible methods under Executive 
Order 12898 (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994).
    In addition, this proposed action does not have Tribal implications 
as specified by Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, November 9, 2000), 
because the SIP obligations discussed herein do not apply to Indian 
Tribes and thus this proposed action 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, Incorporation by 
reference, Particulate matter, Nitrogen oxides, Sulfur oxides, 
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

    Dated: October 15, 2012.
Jared Blumenfeld,
Regional Administrator, Region IX.
[FR Doc. 2012-26417 Filed 10-25-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P