[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 240 (Wednesday, December 14, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 90207-90211]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-29999]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 81

[EPA-R06-OAR-2016-0275; FRL-9956-08-Region 6]


Determination of Nonattainment and Reclassification of the 
Houston-Galveston-Brazoria 2008 8-hour Ozone Nonattainment Area; Texas

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is determining that 
the Houston-Galveston-Brazoria, Texas 2008 8-hour ozone nonattainment 
area (HGB area) failed to attain the 2008 8-hour ozone national ambient 
air quality standard (NAAQS) by the applicable attainment deadline of 
July 20, 2016, and thus is classified by operation of law as 
``Moderate''. In this action, EPA is also determining January 1, 2017 
as the deadline by which Texas must submit to the EPA the State 
Implementation Plan (SIP) revisions that meet the Clean Air Act (CAA) 
statutory and regulatory requirements that apply to 2008 ozone NAAQS 
nonattainment areas reclassified as Moderate.

DATES: This rule is effective December 14, 2016.

ADDRESSES: The EPA has established a docket for this action under 
Docket ID No. EPA-R06-OAR-2016-0275. All documents in the docket are 
listed on the http://www.regulations.gov Web site. Although listed in 
the index, some information is not publicly available, e.g., 
Confidential Business Information or other information whose disclosure 
is restricted by statute. Certain other material, such as copyrighted 
material, is not placed on the Internet and will be publicly available 
only in hard copy form. Publicly available docket materials are 
available either electronically through http://www.regulations.gov or 
in hard copy at the EPA Region 6, 1445 Ross Avenue, Suite 700, Dallas, 
Texas 75202-2733.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Nevine Salem, (214) 665-7222, 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Throughout this document ``we,'' ``us,'' and 
``our'' means the EPA.

I. Background

    The background for this action is discussed in detail in our 
September 27, 2016, (81 FR 66240) proposal. In that document, we 
proposed to determine that the HGB area failed to attain the 2008 ozone 
NAAQS by the applicable attainment deadline of July 20, 2016,\1\ and to 
reclassify the area as Moderate. We also proposed that Texas must 
submit to us the SIP revisions to address the Moderate ozone 
nonattainment area requirements of the CAA section 182(b), as 
interpreted by 40 CFR part 51 Subpart AA, by January 1, 2017. We 
received comments on the proposal

[[Page 90208]]

from one commenter. Our response to comments are presented below.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ The attainment date of July 20, 2016, was established for 
the Houston-Galveston-Brazoria, TX 2008 ozone Marginal nonattainment 
area in EPA's final rule, Determinations of Attainment by the 
Attainment Date, Extensions of the Attainment Date, and 
Reclassification of Several Areas for the 2008 Ozone National 
Ambient Air Quality Standards, 81 FR 26697, May 4, 2016.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

II. Good Cause Exemption Under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA)

    Under APA section 553(d)(3), 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), an agency may make 
a rule immediately effective ``for good cause found and published with 
the rule.'' The EPA believes that there is ``good cause'' to make this 
rule effective upon publication in the Federal Register in order to 
avoid an impractical outcome and to provide time for the state to meet 
the relevant statutory and regulatory deadlines. Specifically, for any 
areas classified as Moderate nonattainment for the 2008 ozone NAAQS, 
the EPA has interpreted CAA section 182, in conjunction with 40 CFR 
51.1108(d) and 51.1112(a)(3), to require states to submit their 
Moderate area SIP revisions and comply with RACT implementation 
requirements by January 1, 2017. While EPA acknowledges and addresses 
comments related to the compressed timeline associated with this action 
elsewhere in this notice, the agency believes that establishing an 
effective date of this action simultaneous with the date of publication 
will reconcile the competing statutory interests by eliminating a 
potentially impractical outcome in which the area might otherwise be 
subject to Moderate nonattainment area statutory and regulatory 
deadlines that would already have passed prior to the normal 30 days 
post-publication effective date. EPA made clear in the action providing 
the initial extension for this area that absent a second extension, a 
state would be under a tight deadline to develop an acceptable 
attainment plan. See 81 FR 26703. When 2015 monitoring data became 
available earlier this year showing that the HGB area would not be 
eligible for a second one-year extension, the state had every reason to 
anticipate and prepare for reclassification. In addition, EPA published 
its proposed rule for this reclassification on September 27, 2016 and 
is providing direct notice to the state of this final action 
simultaneous with signature of this rule. Accordingly, the EPA finds 
that the preparation time actually available to the state and the need 
to reconcile the statutory interest in reclassification with the 
deadlines for submission of Moderate area SIP revisions and compliance 
with RACT implementation requirements, constitute good cause under 5 
U.S.C. 553(d)(3) to make this final action effective upon publication.

III. Response to Comments

    The EPA published the proposed rule for this action on September 
27, 2016, (81 FR 66240), and started a public comment period that ended 
on October 27, 2016. We received one set of comments from one 
commenter, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) during this 
period. The comments received from TCEQ can be found in the electronic 
docket for this action.
    Comment 1: TCEQ stated that the proposed SIP submittal deadline of 
January 1, 2017 for the HGB area is unreasonable, not consistent with 
previous practice, and the EPA's lack of timely notification of the 
abbreviated schedule resulted is an undue burden on the state and 
stakeholders in the HGB area. Instead EPA staff communicated to the 
State and local stakeholders on several occasions that these SIP 
revisions would be due one year from final reclassification by the EPA. 
TCEQ also requested a clarification on how the EPA is working with them 
to support submittal of the required moderate nonattainment SIP by the 
proposed January 1, 2017.
    EPA Response: EPA greatly appreciates the State's commitment to 
meet the January 1, 2017 submittal deadline and we understand the 
significant effort involved in preparing an attainment SIP revision. 
TCEQ states that they have in the past received a year to submit SIP 
revisions once reclassified and they should have been given more notice 
that the time frame for this reclassification's submittal date would be 
shorter. In fact, as early as 2015 EPA stated we would be linking the 
submittal due date for Moderate areas to the ozone season of 2017. EPA 
explained this in our August 27, 2015 (80 FR 51992 at 51999) proposal 
in relation to reclassifying 11 Marginal nonattainment areas. When that 
proposal was finalized at 81 FR 26697, (May 4, 2016) we established a 
submittal due date for those Moderate areas as expeditiously as 
practicable, but no later than January 1, 2017, so control measures 
could be in place no later than the ozone season preceding the 
attainment year. This provided approximately 9 months for these 
reclassified areas to submit an attainment plan, clearly not a year. In 
addition, we stated in the May 4, 2016, final rule that Marginal areas 
like Sheboygan County, Wisconsin that received a 1-year extension based 
on certified 2012-2014 air quality data would not likely attain or 
receive a second 1-year attainment date extension as indicated by 
preliminary 2015 air quality data, and that the area should begin 
preparing for that possibility. We also stated that ``we expect 
Wisconsin to be taking the necessary steps to achieve timely attainment 
. . .'' 81 FR 26697, 26703. The HGB area also met the criteria of CAA 
section 181(a)(5), as interpreted in 40 CFR 51.1107, similarly to the 
results of Sheboygan County area and received a 1-year attainment date 
extension from July 20, 2015 to July 20, 2016. This request for an 
extension was granted by EPA as part of the May 4, 2016 final action. 
See, 81 FR 26697 at 26701. Additionally, similar to Sheboygan County, 
preliminary HGB area air quality data trends for 2015 were not 
supporting attainment of the July 20, 2016 attainment date or the 
possibility of EPA granting a second 1-year attainment date extension.
    The attainment period (to attain by July 20, 2016) for the HGB area 
is based on the most recent three full years of ozone available data 
(which in the case of the HGB area after the first 1-year extension 
would be 2013-2015 data). The 2015 preliminary air quality data 
indicated that HGB area would not likely attain the July 20, 2016 
attainment date. On April 25, 2016, TCEQ submitted quality assured and 
certified data with no changes from preliminary data for 2015 air 
quality data. In addition, the design values TCEQ submitted to EPA on 
December 2015, demonstrated that Texas was aware they would not attain 
by the July 20, 2016, date or be eligible for a second 1-year extension 
and that EPA would propose to reclassify the HGB area as Moderate. Our 
longstanding policy, as stated in the 1994 EPA Berry Memorandum,\2\ 
cautions states to consider whether an attainment date extension will 
ultimately be helpful if the area is not likely to attain the NAAQS by 
the extended attainment date.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ See memorandum signed by D. Kent Berry, Acting Director, Air 
Quality Management Division, ``Procedures for Processing Bump Ups 
and Extension Requests for Marginal Ozone Nonattainment Areas.'' 
U.S. EPA, February 3, 1994.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As stated in the 1994 Berry Memo, EPA's policy regarding attainment 
date extensions and reclassifications of marginal areas explicitly 
cautions: ``When requesting an extension, States should consider the 
consequences of eventually not attaining the NAAQS. Although areas can 
request two 1-year extensions, those that ultimately fail to attain the 
NAAQS will be bumped up to at least a moderate classification. 
Consequently, areas that are bumped up will be under very tight 
timeframes to implement the new SIP requirements, in

[[Page 90209]]

addition to achieving the reductions to meet the new attainment date.''
    Region 6 staff regularly participates in monthly calls with TCEQ, 
including the April/May 2016 timeframe where TCEQ insisted on the 
impossibility of submitting a SIP revision for a reclassified HGB area 
by January 1, 2017. Region 6 notified TCEQ in a May 2016 monthly call 
that if we didn't get the green light to proceed with a later SIP 
submittal deadline as they requested, our proposal would be published 
with a January 1, 2017, SIP submittal deadline and require Reasonable 
Available Control Technology (RACT) implementation by the same 
deadline. Ultimately, the January 1, 2017, SIP submission deadline was 
chosen as being consistent and reasonable based on the information 
discussed above.
    Also, EPA has offered assistance to states as they consider the 
most appropriate course of action for Marginal areas that may be at 
risk for failing to meet the NAAQS within the three-year timeframe. 
States can choose to adopt additional controls for such areas or they 
can seek a voluntary reclassification to a higher classification 
category (as Texas did for the HGB area with regard to the 1997 ozone 
standard). See, 73 FR 56983, October 1, 2008. Also we will continue to 
offer assistance as we have in the past during the monthly calls 
regarding the TCEQ Dallas-Fort Worth and HGB 2008 Ozone nonattainment 
areas. A regular topic on the meetings' agenda is to discuss any 
issues/updates/actions with TCEQ and offer, assistance/guidance on any 
issues requested by TCEQ. As TCEQ knows, the determination of how to 
reach attainment is a state decision. It's up to EPA to determine 
whether the plan submitted meets the requirements of the CAA. EPA's 
ability to extend deadlines for areas being reclassified as required by 
CAA section 181(b)(2) is governed by section 182(i) of the CAA, which 
directs that the state shall meet the new requirements according to the 
schedules prescribed in those requirements, but provides ``that the 
Administrator may adjust any applicable deadlines (other than 
attainment dates) to the extent such adjustment is necessary or 
appropriate to assure consistency among the required submissions.'' CAA 
section 182(b), as interpreted by 40 CFR 51.1100 et seq., describes the 
required SIP revisions and associated deadlines for a nonattainment 
area classified as moderate at the time of the initial designations. 
Accordingly, EPA proposed to exercise its discretion under CAA section 
182(i) to adjust the moderate SIP submittal deadlines for the HGB area.
    In determining an appropriate deadline for the moderate area SIP 
revisions for the HGB area, EPA had to consider that pursuant to 40 CFR 
51.1108(d), the state must provide for implementation of all control 
measures needed for attainment no later than the beginning of the 
attainment year ozone season. The attainment year ozone season is the 
complete ozone season immediately preceding a nonattainment area's 
attainment date. In the case of nonattainment areas classified as 
moderate for the 2008 ozone NAAQS, the attainment year ozone season is 
the 2017 ozone season (40 CFR 51.1100(h)). Because an extension of the 
attainment date is not appropriate here, and control measures for other 
moderate areas are to be implemented no later than the beginning of the 
2017 ozone season, EPA determined it would not be appropriate to adjust 
the attainment date beyond the beginning of the 2017 ozone season for 
the HGB area. Further, because ozone seasons begin as early as January 
1, EPA determined that a SIP submission deadline of January 1, 2017, is 
the latest submittal deadline that allows all states to meet 40 CFR 
51.1108(d) requirements, and thus assures consistency as directed by 
182(i).
    We believe based on the facts discussed above that TCEQ was aware 
of the likelihood of a January 1, 2017 submission deadline, which lines 
up with the deadlines of the Marginal areas reclassified as Moderate in 
the 81 FR 26697, (May 4, 2016) action. In that action, we stated that 
we recognized the value of providing states as much time as possible to 
develop an attainment demonstration, however, we also recognized the 
value in establishing a single due date for Moderate area SIP 
submissions--including RACT--that would not extend beyond the deadline 
for implementing such controls. We believe the area was provided 
adequate notice that time to develop and submit a moderate area 
attainment plan was likely to be short given that the moderate area 
attainment year ozone season is the 2017 ozone season for the 2008 
ozone NAAQS and that other moderate areas were also required to submit 
their plans in January 2017.
    Comment 2: The TCEQ disagrees with the proposed January 1, 2017 
RACT compliance deadline for the reclassified HGB area and recommends 
adjusting this deadline to allow affected entities to comply with RACT 
no later than July 20, 2018, the Moderate attainment deadline.
    EPA Response: In the 2008 ozone NAAQS SIP Requirements Rule, the 
EPA promulgated that areas must implement RACT measures as 
expeditiously as practicable, but no later than January 1 of the 5th 
year after the effective date of nonattainment designation.\3\ 
Nonattainment designation for all areas of the country were effective 
July 20, 2012,\4\ RACT measures (for areas where they are required) 
must be implemented by January 1, 2017. We retained the statutory 
timeframe and the SIP submission deadline of January 1, 2017, in large 
part, because it occurs no later than the statutory deadline for RACT 
implementation. In the 2008 ozone NAAQS SIP Requirements Rule, we did 
state that EPA would set new SIP submission and RACT compliance dates 
on a reasonable schedule when reclassifying areas. In the May 4, 2016, 
final rule that made determinations of attainment, provided first 1-
year attainment date extensions and reclassified some areas,\5\ we 
recognized the value in establishing a single due date for Moderate 
area SIP submissions--including RACT--that does not extend beyond the 
deadline for implementing such controls. Thus the EPA set the SIP 
revision and the RACT compliance deadline to be as expeditiously as 
practicable, but no later than January 1, 2017. This approach aligns 
the SIP submittal deadline with the deadline for implementing RACT 
pursuant to 40 CFR 51.1112(a)(3), for each area, and would ensure that 
SIPs requiring control measures needed for attainment, including RACM, 
would be submitted concurrent to when those controls are required to be 
implemented. This treats states consistently, in keeping with CAA 
section 182(i). For the reasons discussed in this preamble, we believe 
this time frame is reasonable and consistent with prior actions 
included in our May 2016 final action when we reclassified 11 areas 
from Marginal to Moderate.\6\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ See 80 FR 12264 at 12280, March 6, 2015 and 40 CFR 
51.1112(a)(3).
    \4\ See 77 FR 30088, May 21, 2012, Air Quality Designations for 
the 2008 Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards, Final Rule.
    \5\ See 81 FR 26697, (May 4, 2016).
    \6\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    While the commenter objected to the deadline, citing the need to 
accelerate schedules and expend added resources to have RACT 
implemented by the proposed deadline, the state, nonetheless, committed 
to have their state requirements in place by the deadline proposed by 
EPA. We acknowledge that the timeline for submitting SIP revisions and 
implement

[[Page 90210]]

RACT requirements is compressed, yet, the state has not been prohibited 
from beginning development of Moderate area SIP revisions prior to 
finalization of this reclassification. In fact, although 
reclassification of the HGB area is being finalized in this rule, Texas 
has been aware that EPA would propose to reclassify the HGB area as 
Moderate from the time that 2015 monitoring data became available 
showing that the Houston area would not be eligible for an additional 
1-year extension. For further discussion of this issue, please see 
EPA's response to Comment 1 above. Additionally, Texas has experience 
in developing air quality planning requirements since the HGB area has 
been previously designated nonattainment for both the 1979 1-hour ozone 
standard and the 1997 8-hour ozone standard, receiving a classification 
of Severe for both NAAQS. The EPA has consistently encouraged states to 
begin working on Moderate area SIP revision requirements ahead of 
finalization of the reclassification required by the CAA.
    A review of the State's SIP revision proposal of September 21, 
2016,\7\ indicates that the state did not specifically propose any 
additional or new RACT requirements in the 2018 attainment 
demonstration, yet, simply proposed expanded coverage of a list of 
existing sources. TCEQ's expansion was stated as follows:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ TCEQ Chapter 115-Control of Air Pollution from Volatile 
Organic Compounds Rule Project No. 2016-039-115-AI at Page 5 and 23, 
received by EPA under a cover letter dated September 21, 2016. This 
action by the State is their proposal for a SIP revision to address 
how HGB area will attain the 2008 ozone standard by its attainment 
date.

``the commission expects that all facilities that are currently 
subject to the 90% control efficiency are already meeting the 95% 
control efficiency requirement and that this change will not require 
any of those subject to the current rule to replace their current 
control device. Generally the commission expects the proposed 
requirements to place minimal burden (proposed change: the aggregate 
of crude oil and condensate storage tanks at pipeline breakout 
station in the HGB area (total of 6 sites)) on affected owners and 
operators and that the proposed compliance date provide adequate 
amount of time for these owners and operators to make all necessary 
installations and adjustment . . . the proposed amendments are not 
anticipated to add any significant additional costs to affected 
individuals or businesses beyond what is already required to comply 
with these federal standards on the economy, a sector of the 
economy, productivity, competition jobs, the environment, or the 
public health and safety of the state or a sector of the state.'' 
\8\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \8\ TCEQ Chapter 115-Control of Air Pollution from Volatile 
Organic Compounds Rule Project No. 2016-039-115-AI at Page 5 and 23, 
received by EPA under a cover letter dated September 21, 2016.

    In addition, the EPA notes that after a state's SIP revisions are 
submitted to EPA, the agency has 6 months to determine completeness of 
the SIP. Within that timeframe, the state may submit updates or 
revisions to their SIP submission. After 6 months, if the EPA has not 
determined the SIP to be complete, the SIP submission is deemed 
complete by operation of law. There will also be a time span before EPA 
initiates action to provide notice and comment on EPA's action to 
approve/disapprove the state's attainment plan. When EPA approves a SIP 
revision, it becomes federally enforceable at that time. The EPA 
believes these timeframes provide adequate time for all affected 
entities to have implemented RACT.

III. Final Action

    We are determining that the HGB area failed to attain the 2008 
ozone NAAQS by the attainment deadline date of July 20, 2016, and to 
reclassify the area as Moderate. Texas must submit to us the SIP 
revisions to address the Moderate ozone nonattainment area requirements 
of the CAA by January 1, 2017. This action is being taken under section 
181(b)(2) of the Act. The requirements of this final action is 
effective immediately upon publication. See, 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3).

IV. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

    A. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory Planning and Review and 
Executive Order 13563: Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review
    This action is not a significant regulatory action and was 
therefore not submitted to the Office of Management and Budget for 
review.

B. Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA)

    This final action does not impose an information collection burden 
under the PRA because it does not contain any information collection 
activities.

C. Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)

    I certify that this action will not have a significant economic 
impact on a substantial number of small entities under the RFA. This 
action merely determines that the HGB area failed to meet an ozone 
NAAQS attainment deadline, reclassifies the area, and sets the date 
when a revised SIP is due to EPA.

D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA)

    This action does not contain any unfunded mandate as described in 
UMRA, 2 U.S.C. 1531-1538, and does not significantly or uniquely affect 
small governments. The action imposes no enforceable duty on any state, 
local or tribal governments or the private sector.

E. Executive Order 13132: Federalism

    This action does not have federalism implications. It will not have 
substantial direct effects on the states, on the relationship between 
the national government and the states, or on the distribution of power 
and responsibilities among the various levels of government.

F. Executive Order 13175: Consultation and Coordination With Indian 
Tribal Governments

    This action does not have tribal implications as specified in 
Executive Order 13175. This action does not apply on any Indian 
reservation land, any other area where EPA or an Indian tribe has 
demonstrated that a tribe has jurisdiction, or non-reservation areas of 
Indian country. Thus, Executive Order 13175 does not apply to this 
action.

G. Executive Order 13045: Protection of Children From Environmental 
Health Risks and Safety Risks

    EPA interprets Executive Order 13045 as applying only to those 
regulatory actions that concern environmental health or safety risks 
that the EPA has reason to believe may disproportionately affect 
children, per the definition of ``covered regulatory action'' in 
section 2-202 of the Executive Order. This action is not subject to 
Executive Order 13045 because it merely determines that the HGB area 
failed to meet an ozone NAAQS attainment deadline, reclassifies the 
area, and sets the date when a revised SIP is due to EPA.

H. Executive Order 13211, Actions That Significantly Affect Energy 
Supply, Distribution or Use

    This action is not subject to Executive Order 13211, because it is 
not a significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866.

I. National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act

    This rulemaking does not involve technical standards.

[[Page 90211]]

J. Executive Order 12898: Federal Actions To Address Environmental 
Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations

    EPA believes the human health or environmental risk addressed by 
this action will not have potential disproportionately high and adverse 
human health or environmental effects on minority, low-income or 
indigenous populations. This action merely determines that the HGB area 
failed to meet an ozone NAAQS attainment deadline, reclassifies the 
area, and sets the date when a revised SIP is due to EPA.
    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 February 13, 2017. 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 in 40 CFR Part 81

    Environmental protection, Air pollution control.

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

    Dated: December 8, 2016.
Ron Curry,
Regional Administrator, Region 6.

    40 CFR part 81 is amended as follows:

PART 81--DESIGNATION OF AREAS FOR AIR QUALITY PLANNING PURPOSES

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

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

Subpart SS--Texas

0
2. In Sec.  81.344, the table titled ``Texas--2008 8-Hour Ozone NAAQS 
(Primary and secondary)'' is amended by revising the entry for 
``Houston-Galveston-Brazoria, TX'' to read as follows.


Sec.  81.344  Texas.

* * * * *

                                                                 Texas--2008 Ozone NAAQS
                                                               [Primary and secondary] \2\
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Designation                                           Classification
             Designated area             ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            Date \1\                      Type                      Date \1\                      Type
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                                      * * * * * * *
Houston-Galveston-Brazoria, TX: \2\       ...........  Nonattainment............................      1/13/17  Moderate.
    Brazoria County
    Chambers County
    Fort Bend County
    Galveston County
    Harris County
    Liberty County
    Montgomery County
    Waller County
 
                                                                      * * * * * * *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ This date is July 20, 2012, unless otherwise noted.
\2\ Excludes Indian country located in each area, unless otherwise noted.

* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2016-29999 Filed 12-13-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6560-50-P