[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 75 (Friday, April 17, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 21325-21329]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-07477]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 52
[EPA-R07-OAR-2019-0083; FRL-10007-78-Region 7]
Air Plan Approval; Nebraska; Infrastructure SIP Requirements for
the 2015 Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking final
action to approve elements of a State Implementation Plan (SIP)
submission from the State of Nebraska addressing the applicable
requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA) section 110 for the 2015 Ozone
(O3) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).
Whenever the EPA promulgates a new or revised NAAQS, CAA section 110
requires that each State adopt and submit a SIP submission to establish
that the State's SIP meets infrastructure requirements for the
implementation, maintenance, and enforcement of each such new or
revised NAAQS. These SIP submissions are commonly referred to as
``infrastructure'' SIPs. The infrastructure requirements are designed
to ensure that the structural components of each State's air quality
management program are adequate to meet the State's responsibilities
under the CAA.
DATES: This final rule is effective on May 18, 2020.
ADDRESSES: The EPA has established a docket for this action under
Docket ID No. EPA-R07-OAR-2019-0083. All documents in the docket are
listed on the https://www.regulations.gov website. Although listed in
the index, some information is not publicly available, i.e., 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 https://www.regulations.gov or please contact the person identified in the FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section for additional information.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lachala Kemp, Environmental Protection
Agency, Region 7 Office, Air Quality Planning Branch, 11201 Renner
Boulevard, Lenexa, Kansas 66219; telephone number (913) 551-7214; email
address [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Throughout this document ``we,'' ``us,'' and
``our'' refer to EPA.
Table of Contents
I. Background
II. What is the EPA addressing in this document?
III. Has the State met the requirements for approval of the
infrastructure SIP submission?
IV. What is the EPA's response to comments?
V. What sction is the EPA taking?
VI. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
I. Background
On May 9, 2019, the EPA proposed to approve Nebraska's
infrastructure SIP submission for the 2015 O3 NAAQS in the
Federal Register. 84 FR 20318 (May 9, 2019). The EPA solicited comments
on the proposed approval of the infrastructure SIP submission and
[[Page 21326]]
received one set of comments that is addressed in this document.
II. What is the EPA addressing in this document?
The EPA is approving the infrastructure SIP submission received
from the State of Nebraska on September 24, 2018. Specifically, the EPA
is approving the following infrastructure elements of section
110(a)(2): (A) Through (C)(the permitting portion relevant to Part C),
(D)(i)(I)--prongs 1 and 2, (D)(i)(II)--prong 3, (D)(ii), (E) through
(H), and (J) through (M).
A Technical Support Document (TSD) in the docket provides
additional details of this action, including an analysis of how the
infrastructure SIP submission meets the applicable 110(a)(1) and (2)
requirements for infrastructure SIPs. The EPA plans to take separate
action on the infrastructure elements under section
110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II)--prong 4. The EPA is not addressing section
110(a)(2)(I)--Nonattainment Area Plan or Plan Revisions under Part D,
as it is the EPA's interpretation of the CAA that these elements do not
need to be addressed in the context of an infrastructure SIP
submission.
III. Has the State met the requirements for approval of the
infrastructure SIP submission?
The State met the public notice requirements for SIP submissions in
accordance with 40 CFR 51.102. The EPA determined that the submission
satisfied the completeness criteria of 40 CFR part 51, appendix V. The
State provided a public comment period for this SIP revision from
August 7, 2018 to September 7, 2018, and at the same time, offered an
opportunity for a public hearing. The State received no comments and no
requests for a public hearing. In addition, as explained in more detail
in the TSD, the infrastructure SIP submission meets the substantive
requirements of the CAA for SIP submissions, including section 110 and
implementing regulations.
IV. What is the EPA's response to comments?
The public comment period on the EPA's proposed rule opened May 9,
2019, the date of its publication in the Federal Register and closed on
June 10, 2019. During this period, the EPA received one comment which
consisted of several observations as summarized below.
Comment 1: The EPA states in the TSD that Nebraska's minor source
new source review (NSR) program does not meet the requirements of CAA
section 110(a)(2)(C) and therefore the EPA must make the State correct
the deficiency or make a finding under CAA section 110(k).
Response 1: The EPA's review of a State's infrastructure SIP
submission focuses on assuring that the State's SIP meets basic
structural requirements. Section 110(a)(2)(C) includes, inter alia, the
requirement that States have a program to regulate minor new sources.
The EPA evaluates whether the State has an EPA-approved minor NSR
program and whether the program addresses the pollutants relevant to
that NAAQS. As discussed in the TSD, the EPA approved Nebraska's minor
NSR program into the SIP in 1972 and 1995. See 37 FR 10842 (May 31,
1972) and 60 FR 372 (January 4, 1995).
Notwithstanding the EPA statement from the TSD referenced by the
commenter, the EPA does not currently see a deficiency in the Nebraska
minor NSR program that warrants a disapproval of the infrastructure SIP
submission with respect to section 110(a)(2)(C) or a finding under
section 110(k) of the Act. In the TSD, the EPA stated that that
Nebraska's minor NSR program adequately regulates construction and
modification of stationary sources to protect the 2015 O3
NAAQS. While the EPA also said that Nebraska's minor NSR program
``likely does not meet'' all the requirements found in the EPA's
regulations implementing that provision, this was not intended as a
definitive determination that Nebraska's program did not in fact meet
all requirements of the implementing regulations of 40 CFR 51.160
through 51.164. This statement was made in error and was not the result
of a comprehensive review of Nebraska's minor source NSR program, and
the EPA did not identify a specific deficiency in Nebraska's minor
source NSR program. The commenter does not identify a specific
deficiency with the Nebraska regulations or any intervening change in
the EPA regulations that Nebraska has failed to address with respect to
its minor NSR program.
Nebraska has an approved minor NSR program that addresses the
relevant pollutants. After further review of this issue, the EPA
reaffirms its position that the State's minor source NSR program
adequately regulates the construction and modification of stationary
sources to protect the 2015 O3 NAAQS. Because the EPA has
determined that Nebraska's minor NSR program is not deficient, the EPA
is not disapproving the SIP submission with respect to CAA section
110(a)(2)(C) and is not compelled to issue a finding under CAA section
110(k).
Comment 2: Nebraska failed to assure that the appropriate modeling
is being performed through the State's PSD and NSR permitting programs,
as chapter 19, section 001 of Nebraska's regulations does not appear to
allow for incorporation by reference on an ongoing basis. The EPA must
demonstrate that Nebraska is able to incorporate 40 CFR part 51,
appendix W modeling guidelines on an ongoing basis. In addition, for
the reasons listed above, the State fails to meet CAA 110(a)(2)(k).
Response 2: Appendix W was revised in 2017, and the EPA required
States to integrate the revisions to 40 CFR part 51, appendix W, into
regulatory processes and require applicants to follow the revisions by
no later than January 17, 2018. 82 FR 5182 (January 17, 2017).
The EPA has reviewed the title 129, chapter 19, section 001 of the
Nebraska Administrative Code and has determined that this State rule
neither applies to nor limits the incorporation by reference of 40 CFR
part 51, appendix W, as it does not pertain to appendix W. As stated in
the TSD, Nebraska's authority to require or perform air quality
modeling for PSD construction permitting is in the SIP-approved State
regulations at title 129, chapter 19, section 019, which requires air
quality modeling to be based on the applicable models, data bases, and
other requirements specified in 40 CFR part 51, appendix W (Guideline
on Air Quality Models). Title 129, chapter 19, section 019 does not
contain an incorporation by reference date.
To the extent the commenter is concerned that title 129, chapter
019, section 019.01 adopts an older version of appendix W and that the
State therefore lacks the requisite authority to use the 2017 revision
to appendix W in PSD modeling, title 129, chapter 19, section 019.02
provides a process for modification or substitution with another model
where an air quality model specified in 40 CFR part 51, appendix W, is
inappropriate, and includes provisions for public comment concerning
the modified or substituted model. The EPA interprets this provision to
allow for Nebraska and it's sources to use updated appendix W models
reflected in the most recent version of appendix W even if the undated
reference in appendix W in title 129, chapter 19, section 019.02 could
be interpreted to adopt a previous version of appendix W. These
provisions are thus adequate to meet PSD and NSR requirements under
section 110(a)(2)(C) and contribute to satisfying section 110(a)(2)(K).
[[Page 21327]]
With respect to CAA section 110(a)(2)(K) more generally, the EPA
explained in its TSD that Neb. Rev. Stat. section 81-1504(5) provides
Nebraska with the authority to encourage, participate in, or conduct
studies, investigations, research and demonstrations relating to air
pollution and its causes and effects. This statute is interpreted by
the EPA to give Nebraska broad authority to conduct air quality
modeling to predict the effect on ambient air quality of any emission
of any air pollutant for which a NAAQS has been promulgated. Nebraska's
September 24, 2018 infrastructure SIP submission also references Neb.
Rev. Stat. section 81-1527, which provides for public inspection of
information furnished to or obtained by Nebraska related to air
sources, including emissions data. Thus, considering this statutory
authority and the Nebraska regulations described above, the EPA finds
that Nebraska's SIP has the authority to provide air quality modelling
data to the EPA upon request. For these reasons, the EPA finds that
Nebraska's SIP satisfies the requirements of CAA section 110(a)(2)(K).
Comment 3: Nebraska failed to identify ammonia as a precursor to
Particulate Matter (PM) in its NSR and PSD permitting program. Because
of this, the State fails to meet elements C, D and J (CAA sections
110(a)(2)(C), (D), and (J)).
Response 3: The EPA interprets the commenter's reference to
Particulate Matter as Particulate Matter less than 2.5 microns in
diameter (PM2.5) in accordance with the precursor language
in the definition of ``regulated NSR pollutant'' in 40 CFR
51.166(b)(49). Nebraska's PSD regulations at title 129, chapter 19,
section 010 define the appropriate precursors for all NSR pollutants
and mirror the EPA's definitions in 40 CFR 51.166(b)(49). In that
provision, the EPA regulations define ``regulated NSR pollutant'' for
purposes of the PSD permitting requirements to include precursors
specifically identified by the Administrator in that paragraph. The
provisions indicate that sulfur dioxide is a precursor to
PM2.5, that nitrogen oxides are presumptively a precursor to
PM2.5 (unless a demonstration is made to the contrary), and
that volatile organic compounds are presumptively not a precursor to
PM2.5 (unless a demonstration is made to the contrary). The
provision does not identify ammonia as a precursor to PM2.5
for purposes of the PSD permitting requirements, and thus Nebraska was
not required to identify ammonia as a PM2.5 precursor in its
SIP for purposes of satisfying the requirement to have an adequate PSD
permitting program under CAA section 110(a)(2)(C), (D)(i)(II), or (J).
To the extent the commenter suggests that the State's nonattainment
NSR permitting program should regulate ammonia as a PM2.5
precursor, the EPA interprets the portion of CAA section 110(a)(2)(C)
that pertains to a permitting program that applies to nonattainment NSR
within nonattainment areas is outside of the scope of this
infrastructure SIP action. Because CAA section 110(a)(2)(C) refers to
permit programs for purposes of nonattainment NSR under part D of the
CAA that a State is required to submit to the EPA on a schedule that is
separate from what is required for infrastructure SIP submissions, the
State is not required to address nonattainment NSR requirements in the
infrastructure SIP submission. In addition, as explained in the TSD,
there are currently no nonattainment areas in the State of Nebraska,
and thus, Nebraska is not at this time required to have an approved
nonattainment NSR program addressing PM2.5.
Accordingly, the EPA finds that Nebraska's 2015 O3 NAAQS
Infrastructure SIP submission meets the requirements of CAA sections
110(a)(2)(C), (D), and (J) as it is not required to identify ammonia as
a precursor to PM2.5 in its PSD permitting program and any
purported deficiencies related to the State's nonattainment NSR
permitting program are outside of the scope of this action.
Comment 4: In the TSD, the EPA discusses CAA 110(a)(2)(D)(ii) in
its approval of CAA 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) prongs 1 and 2 and CAA
110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II) prong 3, but it is not clear if 110(a)(2)(D)(ii) is
the basis for approval of those prongs.
Response 4: The TSD contains the EPA's analysis of whether the
State meets the separate requirements found in CAA section
110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) (prongs 1 and 2), and CAA section
110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II) (prong 3), as well as CAA section 110(a)(2)(D)(ii).
Because the EPA did not reference CAA section 110(a)(2)(D)(ii) in its
approval of CAA section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) prongs 1 and 2 and CAA
section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II) prong 3, the EPA is unable to determine the
commenter's concern with the EPA's approval of these elements.
Comment 5: The EPA should make periodic reviews of Nebraska's Air
Quality program publicly available in order for the public to determine
if Nebraska has adequate resources and personnel. The EPA should re-
propose approval of the Infrastructure SIP and should clearly state
whether it has found that Nebraska has adequate funding to support the
State's permitting programs in accordance with CAA section
110(a)(2)(L).
Response 5: The EPA's statement that it conducts periodic reviews
of Nebraska's Air Quality Program was made in the section of the TSD
that contained an analysis of whether Nebraska meets the requirements
of CAA section 110(a)(2)(E). The basis for the EPA's approval of
Nebraska's provisions for meeting the requirements of CAA section
110(a)(2)(E) are fully articulated in the TSD, and the statement
concerning periodic reviews of Nebraska's Air Quality Program was
informational in nature and did not serve as a basis for approval of
Nebraska's provisions that meet the requirements of CAA section
110(a)(2)(E). As discussed in the TSD, the State has adopted
requirements for sources to pay fees sufficient to pay the reasonable
direct and indirect costs of developing and administering the air
quality operating permit program. These costs include overhead charges
for personnel, equipment, buildings and vehicles; enforcement costs;
costs of emissions and ambient monitoring; and modeling analyses and
demonstrations. The EPA therefore finds that Nebraska has adequate
personnel, funding, and authority to carry out the state implementation
plan with respect to the relevant NAAQS in accordance with CAA section
110(a)(2)(E).
Concerning the EPA's analysis of whether Nebraska has adequate
infrastructure and adequate funding to address CAA section
110(a)(2)(L), the EPA addressed the adequacy of Nebraska's Title V fee
program, which was approved by the EPA on October 18, 1995. See 60 FR
53872 (October 18, 1995). Nebraska included its environmental agency's
2017 Annual Report to the Legislature with its September 24, 2018
infrastructure SIP submission for the 2015 O3 NAAQS, which
is available in the docket. The Annual Report details how emission fees
are established in order to provide the minimum amount to pay the
direct and indirect costs of developing and administering the air
quality permit program, which includes an analysis of whether the fees
support administration of the program.
Because the EPA articulated its proposed finding in the TSD based
on information that was available in the docket during the public
comment period, the EPA disagrees with the commenter that it must re-
propose approval for its finding that Nebraska
[[Page 21328]]
has the adequate infrastructure to satisfy CAA section 110(a)(2)(L).
V. What action is the EPA taking?
The EPA is approving elements of the September 24, 2018,
infrastructure SIP submission from the State of Nebraska, which address
the requirements of CAA sections 110(a)(1) and (2) as applicable to the
2015 O3 NAAQS. Specifically, the EPA is approving the
following infrastructure elements of 110(a)(2): (A) through (C) (the
part C permitting portion), (D)(i)(I)-(prongs 1 and 2), (D)(i)(II)--
(prong 3), (D)(ii), (E) through (H), and (J) through (M). As explained
in the TSD, the EPA intends to act on section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II)--
prong 4, in a subsequent rulemaking. The EPA is not addressing section
110(a)(2)(I)-Nonattainment Area Plan or Plan Revisions under part D, as
it is the EPA's interpretation of the CAA that these elements do not
need to be addressed in the context of an infrastructure SIP
submission.
Based upon review of the State's infrastructure SIP submissions and
relevant statutory and regulatory authorities and provisions referenced
in those submissions or referenced in Nebraska's SIP, the EPA finds
that Nebraska's SIP meets all applicable required elements of sections
110(a)(1) and (2) (except as otherwise noted) with respect to the 2015
O3 NAAQS.
VI. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
Under the CAA, 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, the 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);
Is not an Executive Order 13771 (82 FR 9339, February 2,
2017) regulatory action because SIP approvals are exempted under
Executive Order 12866.
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 the National Technology
Transfer and Advancement Act (NTTA) because this rulemaking does not
involve technical standards; 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 the 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).
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 June 16, 2020. 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 52
Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Incorporation by
reference, Intergovernmental relations, Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone,
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Sulfur oxides, Volatile
organic compounds.
Dated: April 3, 2020.
Edward Chu,
Acting Regional Administrator, Region 7.
For the reasons stated in the preamble, the EPA amends 40 CFR part
52 as set forth below:
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 CC--Nebraska
0
2. In Sec. 52.1420, the table in paragraph (e) is amended by adding
entry ``(35)'' in numerical order to read as follows:
Sec. 52.1420 Identification of plan.
* * * * *
(e)* * *
[[Page 21329]]
EPA-Approved Nebraska Nonregulatory Provisions
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Applicable
Name of non- regulatory SIP geographic or State EPA approval date Explanation
revision nonattainment area submittal date
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* * * * * * *
(35) Sections 110 (a)(1) and Statewide......... 9/24/2018 4/17/2020, [insert This action approves
(2) Infrastructure Federal Register for the O3 NAAQS: The
Requirements for the 2015 O3 citation]. following CAA
NAAQS. elements: 110(a)(1)
and (2): (A) through
(C), (D)(i)(I)--prongs
1 and 2, (D)(i)(II)--
prong 3, (D)(ii), (E)
through (H), and (J)
through (M). EPA-R07-
OAR-2019-0083; FRL-
10007-78-Region 7.
* * * * * * *
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[FR Doc. 2020-07477 Filed 4-16-20; 8:45 a.m.]
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