[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 67 (Monday, April 10, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 17161-17166]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-07147]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 52

[EPA-R01-OAR-2015-0654; FRL-9961-01-Region 1]


Air Plan Approval; CT; Decommissioning of Stage II Vapor Recovery 
Systems

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to 
approve a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the 
State of Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. 
This revision includes regulatory amendments that

[[Page 17162]]

require gasoline dispensing facilities (GDFs) to decommission their 
Stage II vapor recovery systems on or before July 1, 2015, and a 
demonstration that such removal is consistent with the Clean Air Act 
and EPA guidance. This revision also includes regulatory amendments 
that strengthen Connecticut's requirements for Stage I vapor recovery 
systems at GDFs. The intended effect of this action is to propose 
approval of Connecticut's revised vapor recovery regulations. This 
action is being taken under the Clean Air Act.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before May 10, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-R01-
OAR-2015-0654 at http://www.regulations.gov, or via email to 
[email protected]. For comments submitted at Regulations.gov, follow 
the online instructions for submitting comments. Once submitted, 
comments cannot be edited or removed from Regulations.gov. For either 
manner of submission, the EPA may publish any comment received to its 
public docket. Do not submit electronically any information you 
consider to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other 
information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Multimedia 
submissions (audio, video, etc.) must be accompanied by a written 
comment. The written comment is considered the official comment and 
should include discussion of all points you wish to make. The EPA will 
generally not consider comments or comment contents located outside of 
the primary submission (i.e. on the Web, cloud, or other file sharing 
system). For additional submission methods, please contact the person 
identified in the For Further Information Contact section. For the full 
EPA public comment policy, information about CBI or multimedia 
submissions, and general guidance on making effective comments, please 
visit http://www2.epa.gov/dockets/commenting-epa-dockets.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ariel Garcia, Air Quality Planning 
Unit, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA Region 1 Regional 
Office, 5 Post Office Square, Suite 100 (mail code: OEP05-2), Boston, 
MA 02109-3912, telephone number (617) 918-1660, fax number (617) 918-
0660, email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Throughout this document whenever ``we,'' 
``us,'' or ``our'' is used, we mean EPA.
    Organization of this document. The following outline is provided to 
aid in locating information in this preamble.

I. Background and Purpose
II. Summary of Connecticut's SIP Revision
III. EPA's Evaluation of Connecticut's SIP Revision
IV. Proposed Action
V. Incorporation by Reference
VI. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

I. Background and Purpose

    On September 14, 2015, the Connecticut Department of Energy and 
Environmental Protection submitted a revision to its State 
Implementation Plan (SIP). The SIP revision consists of Connecticut's 
newly adopted section 22a-174-30a, Stage I Vapor Recovery, of the 
Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies (RCSA) as well as the 
following revised RCSA sections:
     22a-174-3a, Permit to Construct and Operate Stationary 
Sources, specifically 22a-174-3a(a);
     22a-174-20, Control of Organic Compound Emissions, 
specifically 22a-174-20(a), 22a-174-20(b)(1) through (b)(16), and 22a-
174-20(ee); and
     22a-174-32, Reasonably Available Control Technology (RACT) 
for Volatile Organic Compounds, specifically 22a-174-32(b).
    In addition, this SIP revision also includes Public Act No. 13-120, 
An Act Concerning Gasoline Vapor Recovery Systems. Connecticut Public 
Act No. 13-120 revises section 22a-174e of the Connecticut General 
Statutes (CGS). The regulations and statute require the decommissioning 
of Stage II vapor recovery systems and strengthen Stage I vapor 
recovery requirements. The SIP submittal also includes a demonstration 
that removal of Stage II vapor recovery systems in Connecticut is 
consistent with the Clean Air Act and EPA guidance. Finally, the SIP 
revision includes the withdrawal of RCSA section 22a-174-30, Dispensing 
of Gasoline/Stage I and Stage II Vapor Recovery, from the Connecticut 
SIP.
    Connecticut subsequently modified the September 14, 2015 SIP 
revision via a letter dated January 20, 2017 wherein Connecticut 
withdrew RCSA 22a-174-3a(a) from consideration as part of this SIP 
revision.
    Stage II and onboard refueling vapor recovery (ORVR) systems are 
two types of emission control systems that capture fuel vapors from 
vehicle gas tanks during refueling. Stage II vapor recovery systems are 
installed at gasoline dispensing facilities and capture the refueling 
fuel vapors at the gasoline pump. The system carries the vapors back to 
the underground storage tank at the GDF to prevent the vapors from 
escaping to the atmosphere. ORVR systems are carbon canisters installed 
directly on automobiles to capture the fuel vapors evacuated from the 
gasoline tank before they reach the nozzle. The fuel vapors captured in 
the carbon canisters are then combusted in the engine when the 
automobile is in operation.
    Stage II vapor recovery systems and vehicle ORVR systems were 
initially both required by the 1990 Amendments to the Clean Air Act 
(CAA). Section 182(b)(3) of the CAA requires moderate and above ozone 
nonattainment areas to implement Stage II vapor recovery programs. 
Also, under CAA section 184(b)(2), states in the Ozone Transport Region 
(OTR) are required to implement Stage II or comparable measures. CAA 
section 202(a)(6) required EPA to promulgate regulations for ORVR for 
light-duty vehicles (passenger cars). EPA adopted these requirements in 
1994, at which point moderate ozone nonattainment areas were no longer 
subject to the CAA section 182(b)(3) Stage II vapor recovery 
requirements. ORVR equipment has been phased in for new passenger 
vehicles beginning with model year 1998, and starting with model year 
2001 for light-duty trucks and most heavy-duty gasoline powered 
vehicles. ORVR equipment has been installed on nearly all new gasoline-
powered light-duty vehicles, light-duty trucks, and heavy-duty vehicles 
since 2006.
    During the phase-in of ORVR controls, Stage II has provided 
volatile organic compound (VOC) reductions in ozone nonattainment areas 
and certain attainment areas of the OTR. Congress recognized that ORVR 
systems and Stage II vapor recovery systems would eventually become 
largely redundant technologies, and provided authority to EPA to allow 
states to remove Stage II vapor recovery programs from their SIPs after 
EPA finds that ORVR is in ``widespread use.'' Effective May 16, 2012, 
the date the final rule was published in the Federal Register (see 77 
FR 28772), EPA determined that ORVR systems are in widespread use 
nationwide for control of gasoline emissions during refueling of 
vehicles at GDFs. As of the end of 2016, EPA estimates that more than 
88 percent of gasoline refueling nationwide occurs with ORVR-equipped 
vehicles.\1\ Thus, Stage II vapor recovery programs have become largely 
redundant control systems and Stage II vapor recovery systems achieve 
an ever declining emissions benefit as more ORVR-equipped vehicles 
continue to enter the

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on-road motor vehicle fleet.\2\ In the May 16, 2012 rulemaking, EPA 
also exercised its authority under CAA section 202(a)(6) to waive 
certain federal statutory requirements for Stage II vapor recovery 
systems at GDFs. This decision exempts all new ozone nonattainment 
areas classified serious or above from the requirement to adopt Stage 
II vapor recovery programs. Finally, EPA's May 16, 2012 rulemaking also 
noted that any state currently implementing Stage II vapor recovery 
programs may submit SIP revisions that would allow for the phase-out of 
Stage II vapor recovery systems.
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    \1\ See Appendix Table A-1 of EPA's Guidance Document, 
``Guidance on Removing Stage II Gasoline Vapor Control Programs from 
State Implementation Plans and Assessing Comparable Measures'' (EPA-
457/B-12-001; August 7, 2012).
    \2\ In areas where certain types of vacuum-assist Stage II vapor 
recovery systems are used, the differences in operational design 
characteristics between ORVR and some configurations of these Stage 
II vapor recovery systems result in the reduction of overall control 
system efficiency compared to what could have been achieved relative 
to the individual control efficiencies of either ORVR or Stage II 
emissions from the vehicle fuel tank.
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    Stage I vapor recovery systems are systems that capture vapors 
displaced from storage tanks at GDFs during gasoline tank truck 
deliveries. When gasoline is delivered into an aboveground or 
underground storage tank, vapors that were taking up space in the 
storage tank are displaced by the gasoline entering the storage tank. 
The Stage I vapor recovery systems route these displaced vapors into 
the delivery truck's tank. Some vapors are vented when the storage tank 
exceeds a specified pressure threshold, however the Stage I vapor 
recovery systems greatly reduce the possibility of these displaced 
vapors being released into the atmosphere.
    Stage I vapor recovery systems have been in place since the 1970s. 
EPA has issued the following guidance regarding Stage I systems: 
``Design Criteria for Stage I Vapor Control Systems--Gasoline Service 
Stations'' (November 1975, EPA Online Publication 450R75102), which is 
regarded as the control techniques guideline (CTG) for the control of 
VOC emissions from this source category; and the EPA document ``Model 
Volatile Organic Compound Rules for Reasonably Available Control 
Technology'' (Staff Working Draft, June 1992) contains a model Stage I 
regulation.
    In more recent years, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) has 
required Stage I vapor recovery systems capable of achieving vapor 
control efficiencies higher than those achieved by traditional systems. 
These systems are commonly referred to as Enhanced Vapor Recovery (EVR) 
systems. One of the essential components of these CARB Stage I EVR 
systems are CARB EVR Pressure/Vacuum (P/V) vent valves. These valves 
are manufactured of better quality materials and construction, when 
compared to non-CARB EVR P/V vent valves, and are thus expected to 
reduce P/V vent valve failures and decrease emissions.

II. Summary of Connecticut's SIP Revision

    The Connecticut Stage II vapor recovery program requirements, 
codified in RCSA section 22a-174-30, Dispensing of Gasoline/Stage I and 
Stage II Vapor Recovery, were initially approved into the Connecticut 
SIP on December 17, 1993 (58 FR 65930). Connecticut's rule required 
GDFs throughout the state to install Stage II vapor recovery systems. 
On August 31, 2006 (71 FR 51761), EPA approved a revised version of 
RCSA section 22a-174-30, into the Connecticut SIP, which added new 
requirements for GDFs to install P/V vent valves.
    On September 14, 2015, Connecticut submitted a SIP revision 
consisting of its request to withdraw RCSA section 22a-174-30 from the 
SIP, and add RCSA section 22a-174-30a to the Connecticut SIP. 
Connecticut's request to withdraw RCSA section 22a-174-30 from the SIP 
stems from the State's repeal of this regulation as of July 1, 2015. 
This SIP revision also includes revisions to RCSA sections 22a-174-
20(a), 22a-174-20(b)(1) through (b)(16), 22a-174-20(ee), and 22-174-
32(b), as well as the addition of Connecticut Public Act No. 13-120.
    This SIP revision includes regulatory amendments that prohibit all 
GDFs from installing Stage II vapor recovery systems as of June 18, 
2013, the effective date of Public Act No. 13-120 (i.e. the effective 
date of the revised CGS section 22a-174e). The SIP revision also 
includes legislative and regulatory amendments, via Public Act No. 13-
120, that require all GDFs equipped with Stage II vapor recovery 
systems to decommission their Stage II vapor recovery systems on or 
before July 1, 2015. Connecticut's regulations were then revised, 
effective July 8, 2015, to remove the requirement for the installation 
and operation of Stage II vapor recovery systems, while retaining the 
Stage I vapor recovery requirements for GDFs, so that the regulations 
conform to the requirements of Public Act No. 13-120. In addition, 
Connecticut Public Act No. 13-120, as well as RCSA section 22a-174-30a, 
increase the Stage I vapor control equipment testing frequency at GDFs 
from a three-year interval to annual testing. RCSA section 22a-174-30a 
also requires GDFs to install a CARB-approved EVR pressure/vacuum (P/V) 
vent valve when any existing P/V vent valve is replaced. These latter 
changes to Connecticut's Stage I vapor control regulations strengthened 
the regulatory requirements.
    Connecticut's RCSA subsections 22a-174-20(ee)(2) and 22a-174-
32(b)(3)(E)(ii) were revised to appropriately cite the newly adopted 
RCSA section 22a-174-30a where reference was previously made to, the 
now repealed, RCSA section 22a-174-30. Also, Connecticut's RCSA 
subsection 22a-174-20(a)(7) was revised to clarify the requirements for 
the external surfaces of aboveground storage tanks containing VOCs.
    The Stage I vapor recovery requirements for GDFs contained in RCSA 
subsections 22a-174-20(b)(6) through (b)(9), as well as those contained 
in, the now repealed, RCSA section 22a-174-30, were consolidated and 
moved into the new RCSA section 22a-174-30a. Connecticut's RCSA 
subsections 22a-174-20(b)(10) through (b)(16), were revised to clarify 
and strengthen the Connecticut Stage I vapor recovery program 
requirements for fuel tank trucks.
    Furthermore, the revised Stage I regulations require any GDF with a 
monthly throughput of 10,000 gallons or more on or after July 1, 2015 
to maintain Stage I systems that meet the same management practices 
required by EPA's National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air 
Pollutants (NESHAP) for Source Category: Gasoline Dispensing 
Facilities, 40 CFR part 63, subpart CCCCCC.
    Connecticut's September 14, 2015 SIP revision also includes a 
narrative demonstration supporting the discontinuation of the 
Connecticut Stage II vapor recovery program. This demonstration 
consists of an analysis that the Stage II vapor recovery controls 
provide only de minimis emission reductions due to the prevalence of 
ORVR-equipped vehicles in Connecticut in 2013. In fact, Connecticut's 
September 14, 2015 submission explained that any VOC emissions increase 
that may have occurred in 2013 or 2014 were too small to interfere with 
attainment and reasonable further progress towards attainment of the 
ozone NAAQS. Connecticut's submission also stated, and demonstrated, 
that continuing a Stage II vapor recovery program from 2015 and beyond 
would have resulted in an increase in refueling emissions due to excess 
emissions from the incompatibility of ORVR and certain Stage II 
systems.

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III. EPA's Evaluation of Connecticut's SIP Revision

    As noted above, Connecticut's September 14, 2015 SIP revision 
includes the decommissioning of Stage II vapor recovery systems in the 
State. EPA has reviewed Connecticut's repeal of RCSA section 22a-174-
30, Public Act No. 13-120, and the accompanying SIP narrative, and has 
concluded that Connecticut's September 14, 2015 SIP revision is 
consistent with EPA's widespread use rule (77 FR 28772; May 16, 2012) 
and EPA's ``Guidance on Removing Stage II Gasoline Vapor Control 
Programs from State Implementation Plans and Assessing Comparable 
Measures'' (EPA-457/B-12-001; August 7, 2012), hereafter referred to as 
EPA's Guidance Document.
    Connecticut's September 14, 2015 SIP revision includes a CAA 
section 184(b)(2) ``comparable measures'' demonstration and a CAA 
section 110(l) anti-back sliding demonstration based on equations in 
EPA's Guidance Document. According to these calculations, the potential 
loss of refueling emission reductions from removing Stage II vapor 
recovery systems in 2013 is 4.3 percent, thus meeting the 10 percent de 
minimis recommendation in EPA's Guidance Document. The fact that the 
Connecticut demonstration is based on 2013, while the regulation does 
not require decommissioning of all Stage II systems until 2015, 
represents a conservative estimate as the potential loss of emission 
reductions decreases over time as more and more ORVR systems are 
phased-in. Furthermore, Connecticut estimates that retaining Stage II 
vapor recovery systems beyond 2015 would have resulted in an increase 
in emissions \3\ due to the excess emissions generated by the refueling 
of ORVR-equipped vehicles at the incompatible Stage II vapor recovery 
systems found throughout Connecticut.
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    \3\ See ``Table D-3: 2015 Stage II calculations'' in Appendix D 
of Attachment A of Connecticut's September 14, 2015 SIP submittal.
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    In addition, Connecticut's September 14, 2015 SIP revision also 
includes calculations illustrating that the overall emissions effect of 
removing the Stage II vapor recovery program would be an increase of 
about 200 tons of VOC in 2013. EPA's 2011 National Emissions Inventory 
database, Version 2, illustrates that Connecticut's statewide 
anthropogenic VOC emissions were about 79,937 tons (see https://www.epa.gov/air-emissions-inventories/2011-national-emissions-inventory-nei-data). Therefore, the VOC emissions increase of 200 tons 
per year calculated by Connecticut is only about 0.3 percent of the 
total anthropogenic VOC emissions in Connecticut. Also, as noted above, 
these foregone emissions reductions in the near term continue to 
diminish rapidly over time as ORVR phase-in continues. Thus, EPA 
believes that the resulting temporary increase in VOC emissions will 
not interfere with attainment or maintenance of the ozone National 
Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).
    Furthermore, Appendix Table A-1 of EPA's Guidance Document 
illustrates that by the end of 2012 about 71% of the vehicles in the 
national motor vehicle fleet would have been equipped with ORVR.\4\ The 
number of ORVR-equipped vehicles in Connecticut at that time was likely 
even higher, however, due to Connecticut having a more accelerated 
motor vehicle fleet turnover when compared to the national motor 
vehicle fleet.\5\ Appendix Table A-1 of EPA's Guidance Document also 
illustrates that by the end of 2012, about 78% of gasoline dispensed 
nationally would have been to ORVR-equipped vehicles, which is also 
likely to have been higher in Connecticut due to a newer motor vehicle 
fleet.\6\ At that point in time, since a vast majority of Connecticut's 
vehicles being refueled at GDFs would have been equipped with ORVR 
systems, the ORVR systems would have been controlling the VOC 
emissions, making Stage II vapor recovery systems a redundant, and 
potentially incompatible, emissions control technology in Connecticut. 
Therefore, removing the Stage II systems is not expected to result in a 
significant emissions increase, and is actually expected to avoid 
emissions increases that would have resulted from the incompatibility 
of some Stage II systems with ORVR controls.
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    \4\ Although Connecticut requires that all GDFs decommission 
their Stage II vapor recovery systems on or before July 1, 2015, 
GDFs could have begun decommissioning Stage II systems as of June 
18, 2013 (the effective date of Public Act No. 13-120). An analysis 
of the removal of Stage II controls by the end of 2012 is a 
conservative calculation of the emission impacts of decommissioning 
Stage II vapor recovery systems, due to future years having a 
greater percentage of ORVR-equipped vehicles in the motor vehicle 
fleet.
    \5\ Final Report Analysis of Future Options For Connecticut's 
Gasoline Dispensing Facility Vapor Control Program, de la Torre-
Klausmeier Consulting, Inc., June 4, 2012, includes an analysis 
conducted using EPA's Motor Vehicle Emissions Simulator (MOVES) 
model which illustrates that by the end of 2012, the fraction of 
gasoline vehicles in Connecticut equipped with ORVR was about 75%. 
This is a slightly more accelerated fleet turn-over estimate than 
EPA's end of 2012 calendar year national estimate of 71.4% ORVR 
penetration in the national gasoline fueled motor vehicle fleet.
    \6\ Ibid. In 2012, 85% of gasoline dispensed in Connecticut was 
dispensed to ORVR-equipped vehicles. This is much more accelerated 
than EPA's end of 2012 calendar year national estimate of 77.7% of 
fuel dispensed to ORVR-equipped vehicles.
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    With respect to Stage I vapor recovery requirements, Connecticut's 
adopted regulation RCSA section 22a-174-30a is more stringent than the 
previously approved version of the rule,\7\ thus meeting the CAA 
section 110(l) anti-back sliding requirements. As noted above, the 
revised rule requires upgrades of P/V vent valves to a CARB-approved 
EVR P/V vent valve for all P/V vent valves being replaced after July 1, 
2015. Connecticut's adopted RCSA section 22a-174-30a also meets the CAA 
section 110(l) requirements because of the increased frequency of Stage 
I vapor control equipment testing at GDFs.
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    \7\ EPA's most recent approval of RCSA section 22a-174-30 was on 
August 31, 2006 (see 71 FR 51761). As noted in this proposed 
rulemaking, Connecticut's Stage I vapor recovery requirements are 
now found in the adopted RCSA section 22a-174-30a, effective July 8, 
2015.
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    EPA has reviewed Connecticut's newly adopted RCSA section 22a-174-
30a, ``Stage I Vapor Recovery,'' and we have determined that it 
adequately incorporates the necessary Stage I Vapor Recovery program 
requirements for GDFs that were previously contained in the, now 
repealed, RCSA section 22a-174-30 (see 71 FR 51761; August 31, 2006), 
as well as those Stage I vapor recovery requirements for GDFs that were 
previously contained within RCSA subsections 22a-174-20(b)(6) through 
(b)(9).
    Connecticut's September 14, 2015 SIP submittal also includes 
revisions to section 22a-174-20. EPA initially approved Connecticut's 
RCSA section 22a-174-20 on May 31, 1972 (see 37 FR 23085) and most 
recently approved revisions to RCSA section 22a-174-20 on November 3, 
2015 (see 80 FR 67642). EPA has reviewed Connecticut's revised RCSA 
sections 22a-174-20(a), 22a-174-20(b)(1) through 22a-174-20(b)(16), and 
22a-174-20(ee) and has found that they are at least as stringent as the 
previously SIP-approved version of the regulation. The following 
Connecticut RCSA sections are the most significant changes from what 
was previously approved into the Connecticut SIP:
    1. Subsection 22a-174-20(a)(7) was revised to clarify the 
requirements for the external surfaces of aboveground storage tanks 
containing VOCs, thus strengthening the subsection previously approved 
into the Connecticut SIP;
    2. Subsections 22a-174-20(b)(6) through (b)(9), related to Stage I 
vapor recovery program requirements for gasoline dispensing facilities, 
were

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removed from the amended 22a-174-20, since those provisions were moved 
into the new RCSA section 22a-174-30a;
    3. Subsections 22a-174-20(b)(10) through 22a-174-20(b)(16) were 
revised to clarify and strengthen the Connecticut Stage I vapor 
recovery program requirements for fuel tank trucks; \8\ and
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    \8\ The revisions of subsections 22a-174-20(b)(10) through 
(b)(16) clarify and strengthen the Connecticut Stage I vapor 
recovery program requirements for fuel tank trucks by adding 
requirements such as: Requiring all vapor return hoses, couplers and 
adapters used in gasoline delivery to be vapor-tight; requiring fuel 
tank trucks to dispense gasoline to a stationary storage tank having 
an approved control system in a manner that does not interfere with 
the collection efficiency of the control system; and requiring fuel 
tank trucks to not transfer or allow the transfer of gasoline from a 
delivery vehicle to a dispensing facility stationary storage tank if 
there are leaks in pressure/vacuum relief valves or hatch covers of 
the delivery vehicle, in the truck tanks or in associated vapor and 
liquid lines.
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    4. Subsection 22a-174-20(ee)(2) was revised to appropriately cite 
the newly adopted RCSA section 22a-174-30a where reference was 
previously made to, the now repealed, RCSA section 22a-174-30.
    The above revisions are all reasonable and meet the Clean Air Act's 
section 110(l) anti-back sliding requirements because they are more 
stringent than the versions of the regulations previously approved into 
the Connecticut SIP. Therefore, EPA is proposing to approve the revised 
RCSA section 22a-174-20(a), the revised RCSA sections 22a-174-20(b)(1) 
through 22a-174-20(b)(16), and the revised RCSA section 22a-174-20(ee) 
into the Connecticut SIP.
    In addition, Connecticut's September 2015 SIP submittal includes 
revised RCSA 22a-174-32(b), relating to the applicability of Reasonably 
Available Control Technology (RACT) requirements for volatile organic 
compounds. EPA initially approved Connecticut's RCSA section 22a-174-32 
on March 10, 1999 (see 64 FR 12024) and subsequently approved revisions 
to this rule, with the most recently approved revisions to RCSA section 
22a-174-32 on October 24, 2005 (see 70 FR 61384). The amended 
subsection 22a-174-32(b)(3)(E)(ii) was revised to appropriately cite 
the newly adopted RCSA section 22a-174-30a where reference was 
previously made to, the now repealed, RCSA section 22a-174-30. 
Therefore, EPA is proposing to approve revised RCSA section 22a-174-
32(b) into the Connecticut SIP.

IV. Proposed Action

    EPA is proposing to approve Connecticut's September 14, 2015 SIP 
revision. Specifically, EPA is proposing to approve, and incorporate 
into the Connecticut SIP, the following regulations and statute: Newly 
adopted RCSA section 22a-174-30a; revised RCSA subsection 22a-174-
20(a); revised RCSA subsections 22a-174-20(b)(1) through (b)(16); 
revised RCSA subsection 22a-174-20(ee), and revised RCSA subsection 
22a-174-32(b); as well as Public Act No. 13-120. EPA is also proposing 
to approve Connecticut's request to withdraw RCSA section 22a-174-30 
from the Connecticut SIP because, as described earlier, it has been 
replaced with RCSA section 22a-174-30a, which is more stringent. EPA is 
proposing to approve this SIP revision because it meets all applicable 
requirements of the CAA and EPA guidance, and it will not interfere 
with any applicable requirement concerning attainment or reasonable 
further progress towards attainment of any NAAQS, or with any other 
applicable requirement of the Clean Air Act.
    Connecticut's September 14, 2015 SIP revision also satisfies the 
``comparable measures'' requirement of CAA section 184(b)(2), because 
as stated in EPA's Guidance Document, ``the comparable measures 
requirement is satisfied if phasing out a Stage II control program in a 
particular area is estimated to have no, or a de minimis, incremental 
loss of area-wide emissions control.'' As noted above, Connecticut's 
SIP revision meets, and as of the year 2015 goes beyond, the de minimis 
criteria outlined in EPA's Guidance Document. In addition, since the 
resulting temporary emissions increase from the removal of Stage II 
controls prior to the year 2015 were de minimis, the anti-back sliding 
requirements of CAA section 110(l) have also been satisfied. As noted 
in Connecticut's September 14, 2015 submission, these revisions to 
Connecticut's SIP are approvable under CAA section 110(l) because any 
VOC emissions increase that may have occurred in 2013 or 2014 were too 
small to interfere with attainment and reasonable further progress 
towards attainment of the ozone NAAQS. Connecticut's submission also 
stated, and demonstrated, that continuing a Stage II vapor recovery 
program from 2015 and beyond would have resulted in an increase in 
refueling emissions due to incompatibility excess emissions. Preventing 
an increase in refueling emissions is consistent with the non-
interference requirements of the CAA in section 110(l).
    EPA is soliciting public comments on the issues discussed in this 
notice or on other relevant matters. These comments will be considered 
before taking final action. Interested parties may participate in the 
Federal rulemaking procedure by submitting written comments to this 
proposed rule by following the instructions listed in the ADDRESSES 
section of this Federal Register.

V. Incorporation by Reference

    In this rule, the EPA is proposing to include in a final EPA rule 
regulatory text that includes incorporation by reference. In accordance 
with requirements of 1 CFR 51.5, the EPA is proposing to incorporate by 
reference Connecticut's regulations and statute cited in Section IV. of 
this proposed rulemaking. The EPA has made, and will continue to make, 
these documents generally available electronically through http://www.regulations.gov and at the appropriate EPA.

VI. 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 proposed action merely approves state law as meeting 
Federal requirements and does 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 Orders 12866 (58 
FR 51735, October 4, 1993) and 13563 (76 FR 3821, January 21, 2011);
     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);

[[Page 17166]]

     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, the SIP is not approved to apply on any Indian 
reservation land or in any other area where EPA or an Indian tribe has 
demonstrated that a tribe has jurisdiction. In those areas of Indian 
country, the rule does not have tribal implications and will not impose 
substantial direct costs on tribal governments or preempt tribal law as 
specified by Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, November 9, 2000).

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.

    Dated: March 16, 2017.
Deborah A. Szaro,
Acting Regional Administrator, EPA New England.
[FR Doc. 2017-07147 Filed 4-7-17; 8:45 am]
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