[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 87 (Monday, May 8, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 21312-21314]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-09184]


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

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 52

[EPA-R03-OAR-2016-0454; FRL-9961-25-Region 3]


Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; 
Maryland; New Regulations for Architectural and Industrial Maintenance 
Coatings

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving a state 
implementation plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of Maryland. 
This revision pertains to a provision establishing new volatile organic 
compound (VOC) content limits and standards for architectural and 
industrial maintenance (AIM) coatings available for sale and use in 
Maryland. This action is being taken under the Clean Air Act (CAA).

DATES: This final rule is effective on June 7, 2017.

ADDRESSES: EPA has established a docket for this action under Docket ID 
Number EPA-R03-OAR-2016-0454. 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 (CBI) 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 through 
http://www.regulations.gov, or please contact the person identified in 
the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section for additional availability 
information.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Irene Shandruk, (215) 814-2166, or by 
email at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    In 2001, the Ozone Transport Commission (OTC), in collaboration 
with the Ozone Transport Region (OTR) states, developed several 
emission reduction measures, including a VOC model rule for AIM 
coatings (known as the Phase I AIM model rule), which addressed VOC 
reductions in the OTR. In 2004, consistent with the OTC Phase I AIM 
model rule, Maryland adopted COMAR 26.11.33--Architectural Coatings, 
which established VOC content limits, recordkeeping and labeling 
requirements, and standard practices for use and application of 
coatings used in architectural and industrial maintenance.
    The Phase I AIM model rule was replaced with an amended OTC model 
rule in 2011 (known as the Phase II AIM model rule). The Phase II AIM 
model rule was developed for states that needed additional VOC emission 
reductions in order to meet the ozone national ambient air quality 
standards (NAAQS). Consistent with the Phase II AIM model rule, 
Maryland developed and adopted COMAR 26.11.39--Architectural and 
Industrial Maintenance Coatings, which is an updated version of COMAR 
26.11.33.
    On June 27, 2016, the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) 
submitted to EPA a SIP revision (16-09) containing new AIM regulations 
.01 through .08 under COMAR 26.11.39--Architectural and Industrial 
Maintenance Coatings to be included in the Maryland SIP and requesting 
removal of COMAR 26.11.33 from the SIP, as COMAR 26.11.39 supercedes 
COMAR 26.11.33. On November 28, 2016 (81 FR 85455), EPA published a 
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPR) proposing approval of Maryland's 
new AIM regulations.

II. Summary of SIP Revision

    The new AIM regulations apply to any person who manufactures, 
blends, thins, supplies, sells, offers for sale, repackages for sale, 
or applies architectural and industrial maintenance coatings in 
Maryland. Maryland's new AIM regulations establish more stringent VOC 
content limits (Table 1) and standards for AIM coating categories than 
in COMAR 26.11.33, as well as establish container labeling 
requirements, reporting requirements, and compliance procedures. The 
requirements of COMAR 26.11.39 supersede those of COMAR 26.11.33. Other 
specific requirements and the rationale for EPA's proposed action are 
explained in the NPR and technical support document for this rulemaking 
and will not be restated here. No public comments were received on the 
NPR.

Table 1--VOC Content Limits Under COMAR 26.11.39 for Various AIM Coating
                               Categories
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          Maryland's new
                                                            VOC content
    Architectural and industrial maintenance coatings     limits (grams/
                        category                           liter) under
                                                          COMAR 26.11.39
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flat coatings...........................................              50
Non-flat coatings.......................................             100
Non-flat--high gloss coatings...........................             150
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           Specialty Coatings
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aluminum roof coatings..................................             450
Basement specialty coatings.............................             400
Bituminous roof coatings................................             270
Bituminous roof primers.................................             350
Bond breakers...........................................             350
Calcimine recoater......................................             475
Concrete curing compounds...............................             350
Concrete/masonry sealers................................             100
Concrete surface retarders..............................             780
Conjugated oil varnish..................................             450
Conversion varnish......................................             725
Driveway sealers........................................              50
Dry fog coatings........................................             150
Faux finishing coatings.................................             350
Fire-resistive coatings.................................             350
Floor coatings..........................................             100
Form-release coatings...................................             250
Graphic arts coatings (Sign paints).....................             500
High-temperature coatings...............................             420
Impacted immersion coatings.............................             780
Industrial maintenance coatings.........................             250
Low-solids coatings.....................................             120
Magnesite cement coatings...............................             450
Mastic texture coatings.................................             100
Metallic pigmented coatings.............................             500
Multi-color coatings....................................             250
Nuclear coatings........................................             450
Pre-treatment wash primers..............................             420
Primers, sealers, and undercoaters......................             100
Reactive penetrating sealers............................             350
Reactive penetrating carbonate stone sealers............             500
Recycled coatings.......................................             250
Roof coatings...........................................             250
Rust preventative coatings..............................             250
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                Shellacs
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Clear...................................................             730
Opaque..................................................             550
Specialty primers, sealers, and undercoaters............             100
Stains..................................................             250
Stone consolidant.......................................             450
Swimming pool coatings..................................             340
Thermoplastic rubber coatings and mastic................             550
Traffic marking coatings................................             100
Tub and tile refinish coatings..........................             420
Waterproofing membranes.................................             250
Wood coatings...........................................             275
Wood preservatives......................................             350
Zinc-rich primers.......................................             340
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 21313]]

III. Final Action

    EPA is approving Maryland's June 27, 2016 SIP submittal with new 
regulations for AIM coatings under COMAR 26.11.39, and adding these 
regulations to the Maryland SIP. With this approval, EPA is also 
removing COMAR 26.11.33 from the Maryland SIP. COMAR 26.11.39 
establishes VOC content limits and requirements for certain AIM coating 
categories which are more stringent than limits previously found in 
COMAR 26.11.33. Therefore, EPA believes these new regulations in the 
SIP strengthen the Maryland SIP and should lead to additional VOC 
reductions, which will reduce ozone formation and assist Maryland with 
attaining and maintaining the ozone NAAQS.

IV. Incorporation by Reference

    In this rule, EPA is finalizing regulatory text that includes 
incorporation by reference. In accordance with requirements of 1 CFR 
51.5, EPA is finalizing the incorporation by reference of Maryland's 
new regulations for AIM coatings in COMAR 26.11.39. Therefore, these 
materials have been approved by EPA for inclusion in the SIP, have been 
incorporated by reference by EPA into that plan, are fully federally 
enforceable under sections 110 and 113 of the CAA as of the effective 
date of the final rulemaking of EPA's approval, and will be 
incorporated by reference by the Director of the Federal Register in 
the next update to the SIP compilation.\1\ EPA has made, and will 
continue to make, these materials generally available through http://www.regulations.gov and/or at the EPA Region III Office (please contact 
the person identified in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of 
this preamble for more information).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ 62 FR 27968 (May 22, 1997).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

V. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

A. General Requirements

    Under the CAA, the Administrator is required to approve a SIP 
submission that complies with the provisions of the CAA 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 CAA. Accordingly, this 
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 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);
     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, as appropriate, disproportionate human health or environmental 
effects, using practicable and legally permissible methods, under 
Executive Order 12898 (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994).

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

B. Submission to Congress and the Comptroller General

    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).

C. Petitions for Judicial Review

    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 July 7, 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 pertaining to Maryland's new regulations for AIM 
coatings under COMAR 26.11.39 may not be challenged later in 
proceedings to enforce its requirements. (See section 307(b)(2)).

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52

    Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Incorporation by 
reference, Ozone, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Volatile 
organic compounds.

    Dated: March 5, 2017.
Cecil Rodrigues,
Acting Regional Administrator, Region III.

    40 CFR part 52 is amended as follows:

PART 52--APPROVAL AND PROMULGATION OF IMPLEMENTATION PLANS

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

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

Subpart V--Maryland

0
2. In Sec.  52.1070, the table in paragraph (c) is amended by:
0
a. Removing the heading ``26.11.33 Architectural Coatings'' and the 
entries ``26.11.33.01-26.11.33.14.''
0
b. Adding the heading ``26.11.39 Architectural and Industrial 
Maintenance (AIM) Coatings'' and the entries ``26.11.39.01-
26.11.39.08'' in numerical order.
    The additions read as follows:


Sec.  52.1070  Identification of plan.

* * * * *
    (c) * * *

[[Page 21314]]



                                    EPA--Approved Regulations, Technical Memoranda, and Statutes in the Maryland SIP
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Code of Maryland administrative                                   State                                             Additional explanation/ citation at
   regulations (COMAR) citation          Title/subject        effective date            EPA approval date                      40 CFR 52.1100
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                                      * * * * * * *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            26.11.39 Architectural and Industrial Maintenance (AIM) Coatings
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
26.11.39.01......................  Applicability and                 4/25/16  5/8/17, [insert Federal Register
                                    Exemptions.                                citation].
26.11.39.02......................  Test Methods-                     4/25/16  5/8/17, [insert Federal Register
                                    Incorporation by                           citation].
                                    Reference.
26.11.39.03......................  Definitions..............         4/25/16  5/8/17, [insert Federal Register
                                                                               citation].
26.11.39.04......................  General Requirements and          4/25/16  5/8/17, [insert Federal Register
                                    Standards.                                 citation].
26.11.39.05......................  VOC Content Limits.......         4/25/16  5/8/17, [insert Federal Register
                                                                               citation].
26.11.39.06......................  Container Labeling                4/25/16  5/8/17, [insert Federal Register
                                    Requirements.                              citation].
26.11.39.07......................  Reporting Requirements...         4/25/16  5/8/17, [insert Federal Register
                                                                               citation].
26.11.39.08......................  Compliance Procedures....         4/25/16  5/8/17, [insert Federal Register
                                                                               citation].
 
                                                                      * * * * * * *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2017-09184 Filed 5-5-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P