[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 187 (Thursday, September 26, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 59261-59263]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-23245]



[[Page 59261]]

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Parts 52 and 81

[EPA-R09-OAR-2012-0877; 9901-29-Region 9]


Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; Designation of 
Areas for Air Quality Planning Purposes; State of California; 
PM10; Redesignation of Sacramento to Attainment; Approval of 
PM10 Redesignation Request and Maintenance Plan for 
Sacramento

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: EPA is approving the State of California's request to 
redesignate the Sacramento nonattainment area to attainment for the 24-
hour particulate matter of ten microns or less (PM10) 
National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS). EPA is also approving 
the PM10 maintenance plan and the associated motor vehicle 
emissions budgets for use in transportation conformity determinations 
necessary for the Sacramento area, and the attainment year emissions 
inventory submitted with the plan.

DATES: This final rule is effective on October 28, 2013.

ADDRESSES: EPA has established a docket for this action: Docket ID No. 
EPA-R09-OAR-2012-0877. Generally, documents in the docket for this 
action are 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 at www.regulations.gov, 
some information may be publicly available only at the hard copy 
location (e.g., copyrighted material, large maps), and some may not be 
publicly available in either location (e.g., CBI). To inspect the hard 
copy materials, please schedule an appointment during normal business 
hours with the contact listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT 
section.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Ungvarsky, Air Planning Office 
(AIR-2), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IX, (415) 972-
3963, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Throughout this document, whenever ``we,'' 
``us,'' or ``our'' is used, we mean EPA. This supplementary information 
section is arranged as follows:

Table of Contents

I. Summary of Today's Final Action
II. Background
III. What comments did EPA receive on the proposed rule?
IV. What actions is EPA taking?
V. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

I. Summary of Today's Final Action

    Under Clean Air Act (CAA or ``the Act'') section 107(d)(3)(D), EPA 
is approving the State's request to redesignate the Sacramento 
PM10 nonattainment area to attainment for the 24-hour 
PM10 National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS or 
``standard''). We are doing so based on our conclusion that the area 
has met the five criteria for redesignation under CAA section 
107(d)(3)(E): (1) That the area has attained the 24-hour 
PM10 NAAQS in the 2010-2012 time period and that the area 
continues to attain the PM10 standard since that time; (2) 
that relevant portions of the California state implementation plan 
(SIP) are fully approved; (3) that the improvement in air quality is 
due to permanent and enforceable reductions in emissions; (4) that 
California has met all requirements applicable to the Sacramento 
PM10 nonattainment area with respect to section 110 and part 
D of the CAA; and (5) that the PM10 Implementation/
Maintenance Plan and Redesignation Request for Sacramento County 
(October 28, 2010) (``Sacramento PM10 Maintenance Plan'' or 
``Plan'') \1\ meets the requirements of section 175A of the CAA.
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    \1\ See letter, James N. Goldstene, Executive Officer, to Jared 
Blumenfeld, Regional Administrator, EPA Region 9, dated December 7, 
2010, with attachments.
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    In addition, under CAA section 110(k)(3), EPA is approving the 
Sacramento PM10 Maintenance Plan as a revision to the 
California SIP. EPA finds that the maintenance demonstration shows how 
the area will continue to attain the 24-hour PM10 NAAQS for 
at least 10 years beyond redesignation (i.e., through 2023), and that 
the contingency provisions describing the actions that the Sacramento 
Metropolitan Air Quality Management District (SMAQMD) will take in the 
event of a future monitored violation meet all applicable requirements 
for maintenance plans and related contingency provisions in CAA section 
175A. EPA is also approving the motor vehicle emissions budgets (MVEBs) 
in the Sacramento PM10 Maintenance Plan because we find that 
the MVEBs meet the applicable transportation conformity requirements 
under 40 CFR 93.118(e). Finally, EPA is approving the 2008 emissions 
inventory included in the Sacramento PM10 Maintenance Plan 
as the attainment year emissions inventory because it meets the 
requirements of CAA section 172(c)(3).
    EPA is finalizing these actions because they meet the requirements 
of the CAA, its implementing regulations, and EPA guidance for such 
plans and budgets.

II. Background

    On July 24, 2013 (78 FR 44494), EPA issued a notice of rulemaking 
proposing to approve California's request to redesignate the Sacramento 
County area to attainment for the 24-hour PM10 standard, as 
well as proposing to approve California's ten-year ozone maintenance 
plan for the area, the MVEBs, and the 2008 emissions inventory as the 
attainment year emissions inventory as revisions of the California 
SIP.\2\ The proposed rulemaking set forth the basis for determining 
that California's redesignation request meets the CAA requirements for 
redesignation for the 24-hour PM10 standard. The proposed 
rulemaking provided an extensive background on the 24-hour 
PM10 standard and its relationship to historical air quality 
in Sacramento County. The proposed rulemaking also described the 
complete, quality-assured, and certified air quality monitoring data 
for Sacramento County for 2010-2012 showing that this area attained the 
24-hour PM10 standard. Preliminary data available to date 
for 2013 are consistent with continued attainment of the 24-hour 
PM10 standard.
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    \2\ In today's final rule, EPA is noting a minor error that 
appeared in the July 24, 2013 (78 FR 44494) notice of proposed 
rulemaking (NPR) published in the Federal Register. The NPR included 
a table formatting error that resulted in Table 5 (see 78 FR 44506) 
mistakenly displaying two columns for 2022 PM10 emissions 
and no column for 2022 NOX emissions. The second column 
in Table 5 actually contains data for 2022 NOX emissions, 
not data for 2022 PM10 emission. Table 5, footnote ``a'' 
reference to the information in the Sacramento PM10 
Maintenance Plan is correct.
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III. What comments did EPA receive on the proposed rule?

    EPA's proposed rule provided a 30-day public comment period. During 
this period, we did not receive any comments opposing the proposed 
rule.

IV. What actions is EPA taking?

    Based on our review of the Sacramento PM10 Maintenance 
Plan submitted by the State, air quality monitoring data, and other 
relevant materials, EPA finds that the State has addressed all the 
necessary requirements for redesignation of the Sacramento 
nonattainment area to attainment of the PM10 NAAQS,

[[Page 59262]]

pursuant to CAA sections 107(d)(3)(E) and 175A.
    First, under CAA section 107(d)(3)(D), we are approving CARB's 
request, which accompanied the submittal of the Sacramento 
PM10 Maintenance Plan, to redesignate the Sacramento 
PM10 nonattainment area to attainment for the 24-hour 
PM10 NAAQS. We are doing so based on our conclusion that the 
area has met the five criteria for redesignation under CAA section 
107(d)(3)(E). Our conclusion is based on our determination that the 
area has attained the 24-hour PM10 NAAQS; that relevant 
portions of the California SIP are fully approved; that the improvement 
in air quality is due to permanent and enforceable reductions in 
emissions; that California has met all requirements applicable to the 
Sacramento PM10 nonattainment area with respect to section 
110 and part D of the CAA; and is based on our approval of the 
Sacramento PM10 Maintenance Plan as part of this action.
    Second, in connection with the Sacramento PM10 
Maintenance Plan and EPA's analysis showing maintenance through 2023, 
EPA finds that the maintenance demonstration showing how the area will 
continue to attain the 24-hour PM10 NAAQS for 10 years 
beyond redesignation (i.e., through 2023) and the contingency 
provisions describing the actions that SMAQMD will take in the event of 
a future monitored violation meet all applicable requirements for 
maintenance plans and related contingency provisions in section 175A of 
the CAA. EPA is also approving the MVEBs in the Sacramento 
PM10 Maintenance Plan because we find they meet the 
applicable transportation conformity requirements under 40 CFR 
93.118(e). Lastly, EPA is approving the 2008 emissions inventory, which 
serves as the Sacramento PM10 Maintenance Plan's attainment 
year emissions inventory, as satisfying the requirements of section 
172(c)(3) of the CAA.

V. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

    Under the CAA, redesignation of an area to attainment and the 
accompanying approval of a maintenance plan under section 107(d)(3)(E) 
are actions that affect the status of a geographical area and do not 
impose any additional regulatory requirements on sources beyond those 
imposed by State law. Redesignation to attainment does not in and of 
itself create any new requirements, but rather results in the 
applicability of requirements contained in the CAA for areas that have 
been redesignated to attainment. Moreover, 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, these actions merely approve a State plan 
and redesignation request as meeting federal requirements and do not 
impose additional requirements beyond those by State law. For these 
reasons, these actions:
     Are 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);
     Do not impose an information collection burden under the 
provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.);
     Are 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.);
     Do 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);
     Do not have Federalism implications as specified in 
Executive Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10, 1999);
     Are not an economically significant regulatory action 
based on health or safety risks subject to Executive Order 13045 (62 FR 
19885, April 23, 1997);
     Are not a significant regulatory action subject to 
Executive Order 13211 (66 FR 28355, May 22, 2001);
     Are 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
     Do 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 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.
    The Congressional Review Act, 5 U.S.C. 801 et seq., as added by the 
Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, generally 
provides that before a rule may take effect, the agency promulgating 
the rule must submit a rule report, which includes a copy of the rule, 
to each House of the Congress and to the Comptroller General of the 
United States. EPA will submit a report containing this action and 
other required information to the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of 
Representatives, and the Comptroller General of the United States prior 
to publication of the rule in the Federal Register. A major rule cannot 
take effect until 60 days after it is published in the Federal 
Register. This action is not a ``major rule'' as defined by 5 U.S.C. 
804(2).
    Under section 307(b)(1) of the CAA, petitions for judicial review 
of this action must be filed in the United States Court of Appeals for 
the appropriate circuit by November 25, 2013. Filing a petition for 
reconsideration by the Administrator of this final rule does not affect 
the finality of this action for the purposes of judicial review nor 
does it extend the time within which a petition for judicial review may 
be filed, and shall not postpone the effectiveness of such rule or 
action. This action may not be challenged later in proceedings to 
enforce its requirements (see section 307(b)(2)).

List of Subjects

40 CFR Part 52

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

40 CFR Part 81

    Environmental protection, Air pollution control, National parks, 
Wilderness areas.

    Dated: September 12, 2013.
Jared Blumenfeld,
Regional Administrator, Region IX.

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

PART 52--[AMENDED]

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

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

Subpart F--California

0
2. Section 52.220 is amended by adding paragraph (c)(431) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  52.220  Identification of plan.

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    (c) * * *
    (431) A plan was submitted on December 7, 2010, by the Governor's 
designee.
    (i) [Reserved]
    (ii) Additional materials
    (A) Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District 
(SMAQMD).
    (1) PM10 Implementation/Maintenance Plan and 
Redesignation Request for Sacramento County, including motor vehicle 
emissions budgets (MVEBs) and attainment year emission inventory.
    (2) SMAQMD Resolution Number 2010-046, dated October 28, 2010. 
``Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District 
PM10 Implementation/Maintenance Plan and Redesignation 
Request for Sacramento County,'' including attainment year emissions 
inventory and MVEBs for 2012 and 2022.
    (B) State of California Air Resources Board (CARB).
    (1) CARB Resolution Number 10-37, dated November 18, 2010. 
``Adoption and Submittal of the PM10 Implementation/
Maintenance Plan and Redesignation Request for Sacramento County,'' 
including attainment year emissions inventory and MVEBs for 2012 and 
2022.
* * * * *

PART 81--[Amended]

0
3. The authority citation for part 81 continues to read as follows:

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

Subpart C--[Amended]

0
4. Section 81.305 is amended in the table for ``California--PM-10'' by 
revising the entry under ``Sacramento County'' to read as follows:


Sec.  81.305  California.

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                                                California--PM-10
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                                                   Designation                          Classification
          Designated area           ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           Date                Type                 Date              Type
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                                                  * * * * * * *
Sacramento County..................      10/28/2013   Attainment............  ................  ................
 
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[FR Doc. 2013-23245 Filed 9-25-13; 8:45 am]
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