[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 163 (Thursday, August 24, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 57882-57887]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-17945]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 52

[EPA-R06-OAR-2022-0307; FRL-10892-02-R6]


Air Plan Approval; Texas; Updates to Public Notice and Procedural 
Rules and Removal of Obsolete Provisions

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the Federal Clean Air Act (CAA or the Act), the 
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving portions of three 
revisions to the Texas State Implementation Plan (SIP) submitted by the 
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) on July 9, 2021, and 
January 21, 2022, that update the air permitting

[[Page 57883]]

program by removing obsolete provisions and enhancing public notice 
requirements of the air permitting program. We are also making 
ministerial edits to correct several errors identified in the 
amendatory language for the Texas SIP.

DATES: This rule is effective on September 25, 2023.

ADDRESSES: The EPA has established a docket for this action under 
Docket ID No. EPA-R06-OAR-2022-0307. 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, 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. Publicly available docket 
materials are available electronically through https://www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Adina Wiley, EPA Region 6 Office, Air 
Permits Section, 214-665-2115, [email protected]. Please call or 
email the contact listed above if you need alternative access to 
material indexed but not provided in the docket.

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 April 
21, 2023, proposal (88 FR 24518). In that document we proposed to 
approve portions of three revisions to the Texas SIP submitted by the 
TCEQ on July 9, 2021, and January 21, 2022. The first revision, adopted 
on April 22, 2020, submitted on January 21, 2022, updates internal 
cross-references and removes or replaces obsolete provisions identified 
during a routine review of the Texas permitting regulations. The second 
revision, adopted on June 9, 2021, submitted July 9, 2021, repeals 
obsolete permitting provisions, and makes necessary corresponding edits 
to other permitting provisions. The third revision, adopted on August 
25, 2021, submitted January 21, 2022, enhances the public notice 
requirements of the air permitting program. As detailed in our proposed 
approval, we found that the submitted revisions are consistent with the 
CAA and the EPA's regulations, policy, and guidance for permitting SIP 
requirements. We did not receive any comments regarding our proposal. 
Therefore, we are finalizing as proposed.

II. Final Action

    Pursuant to section 110, of the Act, we are finalizing the 
submitted revisions to the Texas SIP that update the air permitting 
program by removing obsolete provisions and enhancing public notice by 
extending requirements for alternative language notices to notices for 
public meetings in certain circumstances.
    We are approving the following revisions adopted on June 9, 2021, 
effective on July 1, 2021, submitted to the EPA on July 9, 2021:
     Revisions to 30 TAC Section 116.910--Applicability,
     Revisions to 30 TAC Section 116.911--Electric Generating 
Facility Permit Application,
     Revisions to 30 TAC Sections 116.920--Public Participation 
for Initial Issuance,
     Revisions to 30 TAC Sections 116.1530--Best Available 
Retrofit Technology (BART) Control Implementation, and
     Repeal of 30 TAC Sections 116.770--116.772, 116.774, 
116.775, 116.777--116.781, 116.783, 116.785--116.788, and 116.790.
    The EPA is approving the following revisions adopted on April 22, 
2020, effective on May 14, 2020, submitted to the EPA on January 21, 
2022:
     Revisions to 30 TAC Section 39.405--General Notice 
Provisions,
     Revisions to 30 TAC Section 39.411--Text of Public Notice,
     Revisions to 30 TAC Section 39.419--Notice of Application 
and Preliminary Decision,
     Revisions to 30 TAC Section 39.420--Transmittal of the 
Executive Director's Response to Comments and Decision,
     Revisions to 30 TAC Section 39.601--Applicability,
     Revisions to 30 TAC Section 39.603--Newspaper Notice,
     Revisions to 30 TAC Section 55.154--Public Meetings,
     Revisions to 30 TAC Section 55.156--Public Comment 
Processing,
     Revisions to 30 TAC Section 101.306--Emission Credit Use,
     Revisions to 30 TAC Section 116.111--General Application, 
and
     Revisions to 30 TAC Section 116.112--Distance Limitations.
    The EPA is approving the following revisions adopted on August 25, 
2021, effective September 16, 2021, submitted to the EPA on January 21, 
2022:
     Revisions to 30 TAC Section 39.405--General Notice 
Provisions,
     Revisions to 30 TAC Section 39.412--Combined Notice for 
Certain Greenhouse Gases Permit Applications,
     Revisions to 30 TAC Section 39.418--Notice of Receipt of 
Application and Intent to Obtain Permit,
     Revisions to 30 TAC Section 39.419--Notice of Application 
and Preliminary Decision,
     New 30 TAC Section 39.426--Alternative Language 
Requirements,
     Revisions to 30 TAC Section 39.602--Mailed Notice,
     Revisions to 30 TAC Section 39.604--Sign-Posting,
     Revisions to 30 TAC Sections 55.154--Public Meetings, and
     Revisions to 30 TAC Sections 55.156--Public Comment 
Processing.
    The EPA is also correcting several errors identified in the 
amendatory language for the Texas SIP at 40 CFR 52.2270(c). The EPA is 
making these necessary, ministerial edits to the Texas SIP without 
notice and comment under the ``good cause'' exemption in section 
553(b)(3)(B) of the Administrative Procedures Act (APA) which, upon 
finding ``good cause,'' authorizes agencies to dispense with public 
participation. Under section 553 of the APA, an agency may find good 
cause where procedures are ``impractical, unnecessary, or contrary to 
the public interest.'' Public comment is ``unnecessary'' and ``contrary 
to the public interest'' since the ministerial corrections update the 
amendatory language at 40 CFR 52.2270(c) to correctly reference prior 
EPA actions that were previously subject to notice and comment 
consistent with section 553 of the APA. The public benefits by having 
these updated citations.
     The EPA's January 11, 2011, final rule at 76 FR 1525, 
1531-1532, inadvertently used the wrong section names in the Title/
Subject field for several of the section numbers that were approved 
into the Texas SIP. We are correcting the Title/Subject field for 30 
TAC Sections 116.911, 116.912, 116.916, 116.917, 116.918, 116.920, 
116.930.
     The EPA's February 13, 2020, final rule at 85 FR 8185, 
8188, inadvertently omitted the information identifying the EPA's 
approval date from the SIP-approved sections for 30 TAC Sections 
116.164, 116.196, 116.198, 116.310, 116.611, and 116.615. We are 
correcting these sections to include the EPA approval date and FR 
citation.

III. Environmental Justice Consideration

    The EPA reviewed demographic data and provided the results in our 
April 21, 2023, proposed rule. See 88 FR 24518, 24520-24521.

[[Page 57884]]

IV. Incorporation by Reference

    In this rule, the EPA is finalizing regulatory text that includes 
incorporation by reference. In accordance with requirements of 1 CFR 
51.5, the EPA is finalizing the incorporation by reference revisions to 
the Texas regulations as described in Section II of this preamble, 
Final Action. The EPA has made, and will continue to make, these 
materials generally available through www.regulations.gov (please 
contact the person identified in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT 
section of this preamble for more information). 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 in the next update to the SIP compilation.

V. 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 Clean Air 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 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 14094 (88 FR 21879, April 11, 2023);
     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 subject to Executive Order 13045 (62 FR 19885, 
April 23, 1997) because it approves a state program;
     Is not a significant regulatory action subject to 
Executive Order 13211 (66 FR 28355, May 22, 2001); and
     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.
    Executive Order 12898 (Federal Actions To Address Environmental 
Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations, 59 FR 7629, 
February 16, 1994) directs Federal agencies to identify and address 
``disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental 
effects'' of their actions on minority populations and low-income 
populations to the greatest extent practicable and permitted by law. 
The EPA defines environmental justice (EJ) as ``the fair treatment and 
meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, 
national origin, or income with respect to the development, 
implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and 
policies.'' The EPA further defines the term fair treatment to mean 
that ``no group of people should bear a disproportionate burden of 
environmental harms and risks, including those resulting from the 
negative environmental consequences of industrial, governmental, and 
commercial operations or programs and policies.''
    The state air agency did not evaluate environmental justice 
considerations as part of its SIP submittal; the CAA and applicable 
implementing regulations neither prohibit nor require such an 
evaluation. The EPA performed an environmental justice analysis, as is 
described above in the section titled, ``Environmental Justice 
Considerations.'' The analysis was done for the purpose of providing 
additional context and information about this rulemaking to the public, 
not as a basis of the action. Due to the nature of the action being 
taken here, this action is expected to have a neutral to positive 
impact on the air quality of the affected area. In addition, there is 
no information in the record upon which this decision is based 
inconsistent with the stated goal of E.O. 12898 of achieving 
environmental justice for people of color, low-income populations, and 
Indigenous peoples.
    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).
    This action is subject to the Congressional Review Act, and the EPA 
will submit a rule report to each House of the Congress and to the 
Comptroller General of the United States. 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 October 23, 2023. 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, Carbon monoxide, 
Incorporation by reference, Intergovernmental relations, Lead, Nitrogen 
dioxide, Ozone, Particulate matter, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements, Sulfur oxides, Volatile organic compounds.

    Dated: August 15, 2023.
Earthea Nance,
Regional Administrator, Region 6.

    For the reasons stated in the preamble, the Environmental 
Protection Agency amends 40 CFR part 52 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 SS--Texas

0
2. In Sec.  52.2270, the table in paragraph (c) titled ``EPA Approved 
Regulations in the Texas SIP'' is amended by
0
i. Revising the entries for sections 39.405, 39.411, 39.412, 39.418, 
39.419, 39.420, 39.426, 39.601, 39.602, 39.603, 39.604, 55.154, 55.156, 
101.306, 116.111, 116.112, 116.164, 116.196, 116.198, 116.310, 116.615, 
116.910, 116.911, 116.912, 116.920, and 116.1530, and

[[Page 57885]]

0
ii. Removing the heading ``Subchapter H--Permits for Grandfathered 
Facilities'' and sub-heading ``Division 1--General Applicability'', 
consisting of entries for sections 116.770--116.772 and sub-heading 
``Division 2--Small Business Stationary Source Permits, Pipeline 
Facilities Permits, and Existing Facility Permits'', consisting of 
entries for sections 116.774, 116.775, 116.777-116.781, 116.783, 
116.785-116.788, and 116.790.
    The revisions read as follows:


Sec.  52.2270  Identification of plan.

* * * * *
    (c) * * *

                                    EPA Approved Regulations in the Texas SIP
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        State
                                                      approval/
       State citation             Title/subject       submittal      EPA approval date          Explanation
                                                         date
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            Chapter 39--Public Notice
                               Subchapter H--Applicability and General Provisions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
Section 39.405.............  General Notice            8/25/2021  8/24/2023, [Insert
                              Provisions.                          Federal Register
                                                                   citation].
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
Section 39.411.............  Text of Public Notice.    4/22/2020  8/24/2023, [Insert
                                                                   Federal Register
                                                                   citation].
Section 39.412.............  Combined Notice for       8/25/2021  8/24/2023, [Insert
                              Certain Greenhouse                   Federal Register
                              Gases Permit                         citation].
                              Applications.
Section 39.418.............  Notice of Receipt of      8/25/2021  8/24/2023, [Insert
                              Application and                      Federal Register
                              Intent to Obtain                     citation].
                              Permit.
Section 39.419.............  Notice of Application     8/25/2021  8/24/2023, [Insert
                              and Preliminary                      Federal Register
                              Decision.                            citation].
Section 39.420.............  Transmittal of the        4/22/2020  8/24/2023, [Insert
                              Executive Director's                 Federal Register
                              Response to Comments                 citation].
                              and Decisions.
Section 39.426.............  Alternative Language      8/25/2021  8/24/2023, [Insert
                              Requirements.                        Federal Register
                                                                   citation].
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         Subchapter K--Public Notice of Air Quality Permit Applications
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section 39.601.............  Applicability.........    4/22/2020  8/24/2023, [Insert
                                                                   Federal Register
                                                                   citation].
Section 39.602.............  Mailed Notice.........    8/25/2021  8/24/2023, [Insert
                                                                   Federal Register
                                                                   citation].
Section 39.603.............  Newspaper Notice......    4/22/2020  8/24/2023, [Insert
                                                                   Federal Register
                                                                   citation].
Section 39.604.............  Sign-Posting..........    8/25/2021  8/24/2023, [Insert
                                                                   Federal Register
                                                                   citation].
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Chapter 55--Requests for Reconsideration and Contested Case Hearings; Public Comment
                                Subchapter E--Public Comment and Public Meetings
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
Section 55.154.............  Public Meetings.......    8/25/2021  8/24/2023, [Insert
                                                                   Federal Register
                                                                   citation].
Section 55.156.............  Public Comment            8/25/2021  8/24/2023, [Insert
                              Processing.                          Federal Register
                                                                   citation].
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     Chapter 101--General Air Quality Rules
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   Subchapter H--Emissions Banking and Trading
                                       Division 1--Emission Credit Program
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
Section 101.306............  Emission Credit Use...    4/22/2020  8/24/2023, [Insert
                                                                   Federal Register
                                                                   citation].
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Chapter 116 (Reg 6)--Control of Air Pollution by Permits for New Construction or Modification
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     Subchapter B--New Source Review Permits
                                         Division 1--Permit Application
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 

[[Page 57886]]

 
                                                  * * * * * * *
Section 116.111............  General Application...    4/22/2020  8/24/2023, [Insert
                                                                   Federal Register
                                                                   citation].
Section 116.112............  Distance Limitations..    4/22/2020  8/24/2023, [Insert
                                                                   Federal Register
                                                                   citation].
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           Division 6--Prevention of Significant Deterioration Review
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
Section 116.164............  Prevention of            10/31/2018  2/13/2020, 85 FR 8187.  The PSD SIP does NOT
                              Significant                                                  include 30 TAC
                              Deterioration                                                Section 116.164(b).
                              Applicability for
                              Greenhouse Gases
                              Sources.
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  Subchapter C--Plant-wide Applicability Limits
                                   Division 1--Plant-wide Applicability Limits
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
Section 116.196............  Renewal of a Plant-      10/31/2018  2/13/2020, 85 FR 8187.
                              wide Applicability
                              Limit Permit.
Section 116.198............  Expiration of Voidance   10/31/2018  2/13/2020, 85 FR 8187.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          Subchapter D--Permit Renewals
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section 116.310............  Notification of Permit   10/31/2018  2/13/2020, 85 FR 8187.
                              Holder.
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         Subchapter F--Standard Permits
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
Section 116.611............  Registration to Use a    10/31/2018  2/13/2020, 85 FR 8187.  30 TAC Section
                              Standard Permit.                                             116.611(b) is SIP-
                                                                                           approved as adopted
                                                                                           by the State as of 11/
                                                                                           20/2002. The SIP does
                                                                                           NOT include 30 TAC
                                                                                           Section
                                                                                           116.611(c)(3),
                                                                                           (c)(3)(A), and
                                                                                           (c)(3)(B).
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
Section 116.615............  General Conditions....   10/31/2018  2/13/2020, 85 FR 8187.
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         Subchapter G--Flexible Permits
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
Section 116.765............  Compliance Schedule...    7/31/2014  7/20/2015, 80 FR 42729  SIP includes 30 TAC
                                                                                           Section 116.765(b)
                                                                                           and (c)
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               Subchapter I--Electric Generating Facility Permits
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section 116.910............  Applicability.........     6/9/2021  8/24/2023, [Insert
                                                                   Federal Register
                                                                   citation].
Section 116.911............  Electric Generating        6/9/2021  8/24/2023, [Insert      Section 116.911(a)(2)
                              Facility Permit                      Federal Register        is authorized for
                              Application.                         citation].              Minor NSR only.
Section 116.912............  Electing Electric        12/16/1999  1/11/2011, 76 FR 1525.
                              Generating Facilities.
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
Section 116.916............  Permits for              12/16/1999  1/1/2011, 76 FR 1525..
                              Grandfathered and
                              Electing Electric
                              Generating Facilities
                              in El Paso County.
Section 116.917............  Electric Generating       5/22/2002  1/11/2011, 76 FR 1525.
                              Facility Permit
                              Application for
                              Certain Grandfathered
                              Coal-Fired Electric
                              Generating Facilities
                              and Certain
                              Grandfathered
                              Facilities Located at
                              Electric Generating
                              Facility Sites.
Section 116.918............  Additional General and    5/22/2002  1/11/2011, 76 FR 1525.
                              Special Conditions
                              for Grandfathered
                              Coal-Fired Electric
                              Generating Facilities
                              and Certain
                              Grandfathered
                              Facilities Located at
                              Electric Generating
                              Facility Sites.

[[Page 57887]]

 
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
Section 116.920............  Public Participation       6/9/2021  8/24/2023, [Insert
                              for Initial Issuance.                Federal Register
                                                                   citation].
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
Section 116.930............  Amendments and            5/22/2002  1/11/2011, 76 FR 1525.
                              Alterations of
                              Permits Issued Under
                              this Subchapter.
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                             Subchapter M--Best Available Retrofit Technology (BART)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
Section 116.1530...........  Best Available             6/9/2021  8/24/2023, [Insert
                              Retrofit Technology                  Federal Register
                              (BART) Control                       citation].
                              Implementation.
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[FR Doc. 2023-17945 Filed 8-23-23; 8:45 am]
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