[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 127 (Tuesday, July 2, 2024)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 54753-54758]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-14349]


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

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 52

[EPA-R09-OAR-2024-0237; FRL-11999-01-R9]


Air Plan Revisions; California; Motor Vehicle Inspection and 
Maintenance Program

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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

SUMMARY: Under the Clean Air Act (CAA or ``Act''), the Environmental 
Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve a revision to the 
California State Implementation Plan (SIP). This revision addresses the 
CAA requirements for the motor vehicle inspection and maintenance (I/M) 
programs (also referred to as ``Smog Check'' programs) for the 2015 8-
hour ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (``2015 ozone 
NAAQS''). We are taking comments on this proposal and plan to follow 
with a final action.

[[Page 54754]]


DATES: Comments must be received on or before August 1, 2024.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-R09-
OAR-2024-0237 at https://www.regulations.gov. For comments submitted at 
Regulations.gov, follow the online instructions for submitting 
comments. Once submitted, comments cannot be edited or removed from 
Regulations.gov. 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 https://www.epa.gov/dockets/commenting-epa-dockets. If you need assistance in a 
language other than English or if you are a person with disabilities 
who needs a reasonable accommodation at no cost to you, please contact 
the person identified in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeffrey Buss, EPA Region IX, 75 
Hawthorne St., San Francisco, CA 94105. By phone: (415) 947-4152 or by 
email at [email protected].

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

Table of Contents

I. The State's Submittal
    A. What did the State submit?
    B. Are there other versions of this plan element?
    C. What is the purpose of the submitted plan element?
II. The EPA's Evaluation and Action
    A. How is the EPA evaluating the plan element?
    B. Does the plan element meet the evaluation criteria?
    C. Did the State consider environmental justice in developing 
this plan element?
    D. Proposed Action and Public Comments
III. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

I. The State's Submittal

A. What did the State submit?

    On April 26, 2023, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) 
submitted the ``California Smog Check Performance Standard Modeling and 
Program Certification for the 70 Parts Per Billion (ppb) 8-Hour Ozone 
Standard'' (``Smog Check Certification SIP'') as a revision to the 
California SIP.\1\ The Smog Check Certification SIP includes CARB's 
evaluation of the California Smog Check program for compliance with the 
applicable Smog Check program requirements for SIPs under CAA sections 
182(a)(2)(B), 182(b)(4), and 182(c)(3) and the EPA's regulations in 40 
CFR part 51, subpart S for certain nonattainment areas for the 2015 
ozone NAAQS.\2\ More specifically, the Smog Check Certification SIP 
addresses the applicable Smog Check SIP requirements for all California 
air quality planning areas classified as ``Moderate'' and above for the 
2015 ozone NAAQS that are subject to State jurisdiction. These areas 
(and their respective classifications for the 2015 ozone NAAQS) include 
Coachella Valley (Severe-15), Eastern Kern (Serious), Mariposa County 
(Moderate), Sacramento Metro (Serious), San Diego County (Severe-15), 
San Joaquin Valley (Extreme), Los Angeles-South Coast Air Basin 
(Extreme), Ventura (Serious), West Mojave Desert (Severe-15) and 
Western Nevada County (Serious).\3\ While Coachella Valley and 
Sacramento Metro are currently classified as Severe-15 and Serious, 
respectively, CARB has submitted voluntary reclassification requests 
for the areas to Extreme and Severe-15, respectively, and the 
performance standard modeling presented and documented by CARB in the 
Smog Check Certification SIP assumes the EPA's grant of the 
reclassification requests for those areas.\4\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ Letter (with enclosures) dated April 26, 2023, from Steven 
S. Cliff, Ph.D., Executive Officer, CARB, to Martha Guzman, Regional 
Administrator, EPA Region IX (submitted electronically April 26, 
2023). The letter and enclosures, which include the Smog Check 
Certification SIP, among other materials, are included in the docket 
for this rulemaking. The ``70 Parts Per Billion (ppb) 8-Hour Ozone 
Standard'' refers to the ozone NAAQS the EPA established in 2015.
    \2\ We previously found that the Eastern Kern ozone 
nonattainment area was not subject to the Basic or Enhanced Smog 
Check SIP requirement for the 2008 ozone NAAQS. See 85 FR 68268, 
68280 (October 28, 2020) (proposed rule for Eastern Kern) and 86 FR 
33528 (June 25, 2021) (final rule for Eastern Kern). Also, we 
previously found that the West Mojave Desert ozone nonattainment 
area was not subject to the Enhanced Smog Check SIP requirement for 
the 2008 ozone NAAQS--see 86 FR 53223, at 53225 (September 27, 2021) 
(final rule for West Mojave Desert). For the San Diego County area, 
we recently approved the Smog Check Certification SIP as it relates 
to San Diego County for both the 2008 and 2015 ozone NAAQS. 89 FR 
15035 (March 1, 2024).
    \3\ 40 CFR 81.305.
    \4\ See letters from Steven S. Cliff, Ph.D., Executive Officer, 
CARB, to Martha Guzman, Regional Administrator, EPA Region IX, dated 
February 22, 2023 (Reclassification request to Extreme for Coachella 
Valley); CARB Resolution 23-19, October 26, 2023 (Adopting Severe 
area ozone plan for the 2015 ozone NAAQS for the Sacramento Metro 
area).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    CARB's SIP submittal package for the Smog Check Certification SIP 
includes CARB Resolution 23-9 (through which CARB adopted the Smog 
Check Certification as part of the California SIP \5\), public notice 
of CARB's hearing on the proposed SIP revision, public comments and 
responses, and the EPA's Motor Vehicle Emission Simulator model (MOVES) 
\6\ input and output data sheets. Earlier this year, the EPA took final 
action to approve the San Diego County area portion of the Smog Check 
Certification SIP as part of the EPA's action on the San Diego ozone 
attainment plan.\7\ In this document, we are proposing action on the 
Smog Check Certification SIP as it relates to all the other 
nonattainment areas that are addressed in the SIP submission.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ CARB Board Resolution 23-9, March 23, 2023.
    \6\ MOVES is the acronym for the EPA's Motor Vehicle Emission 
Simulator model.
    \7\ 89 FR 15035 (March 1, 2024).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    On October 26, 2023, the Smog Check Certification SIP submission 
was deemed complete by operation of law under CAA section 110(k)(1)(B).

B. Are there other versions of this plan element?

    In 2010, we approved the California Smog Check program as meeting 
all applicable SIP requirements for California nonattainment areas for 
the 1997 ozone NAAQS.\8\ Since then, we have taken actions to approve 
area-specific SIP submissions addressing the Smog Check SIP 
requirements for California nonattainment areas for the 2008 ozone 
NAAQS.\9\ The Smog Check Certification SIP submission that is the 
subject of this document relates to California nonattainment areas for 
the 2015 ozone NAAQS.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \8\ 75 FR 38023 (July 1, 2010).
    \9\ See, e.g., 84 FR 3302, 3304 (February 12, 2019) (San Joaquin 
Valley); 84 FR 52005, 52013 (October 1, 2019) (South Coast Air 
Basin); and 85 FR 11814, 11816 (February 27, 2020) (Ventura County).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

C. What is the purpose of the submitted plan element?

    Emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and oxides of 
nitrogen (NOX) contribute to the production of ground-level 
ozone, or ``smog,'' which harm human health and the environment. The 
EPA has established NAAQS to protect public

[[Page 54755]]

health and welfare for certain pervasive air pollutants, including 
ozone. Section 110(a)(1) of the CAA requires States to adopt and submit 
plans (``State Implementation Plans,'' or ``SIPs'') that provide for 
implementation, maintenance, and enforcement of the NAAQS within each 
State. Section 110(a)(2) of the CAA requires SIPs to include 
enforceable emission limitations and other control measures, means, or 
techniques to meet CAA SIP requirements, such as regulations that 
control VOC, NOX, and PM emissions.
    States with areas designated as nonattainment for a NAAQS are 
required to submit SIP revisions to address additional requirements 
that apply to such areas. For certain ozone nonattainment areas, States 
must submit SIP revisions that address CAA and EPA requirements for 
Smog Check programs. More specifically, section 182(b)(4) of the CAA 
requires States with ozone nonattainment areas classified under subpart 
2 as Moderate to submit SIP revisions that provide for the 
implementation of a ``Basic'' I/M program in those areas. Section 
182(c)(3) of the CAA requires States with ozone nonattainment areas 
classified under subpart 2 as Serious or above to submit SIP revisions 
that provide for the implementation of an ``Enhanced'' I/M program in 
certain urbanized portions of those areas.\10\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \10\ The CAA I/M SIP requirements apply to Moderate and above 
nonattainment areas for the 2015 ozone NAAQS pursuant to 40 CFR 
51.1302.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As a general matter, Basic and Enhanced I/M programs both achieve 
their objective by identifying vehicles that have high emissions due to 
one or more malfunctions and requiring them to be repaired. An Enhanced 
I/M program covers more of the vehicles in operation, employs 
inspection methods that are better at finding high-emitting vehicles, 
and has additional features to better assure that all vehicles are 
tested properly and effectively repaired. The EPA has established 
specific requirements for Basic and Enhanced I/M programs in 40 CFR 
part 51, subpart S (``The EPA's I/M regulation''). The EPA's I/M 
regulation establishes minimum performance standards for Basic and 
Enhanced I/M programs as well as requirements for certain elements of 
the programs, including (among other elements) test frequency, vehicle 
coverage, test procedures and standards, stations and inspectors, and 
data collection, analysis, and reporting.\11\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \11\ 40 CFR part 51, subpart S, Sec. Sec.  350 through 373.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    An I/M performance standard is a collection of program design 
elements that defines a benchmark program to which a State's Smog Check 
program is compared in terms of its potential to reduce emissions of 
the ozone precursors, VOC and NOX. The performance standard 
is expressed as emission levels in area-wide average grams per mile 
(gpm), achieved from on-road motor vehicles based on a specified model 
I/M program design. The emission levels achieved by the State's program 
design must be calculated using the most current version of the EPA 
mobile source emission factor model and must meet or exceed the 
emission reductions achieved by the model performance standard program 
both in operation and for SIP approval.
    The EPA most recently approved a comprehensive update to 
California's Smog Check program into its SIP in 2010, and in that 
action, the EPA approved the program as meeting the applicable I/M 
requirements for the various nonattainment areas in the State for the 
1997 ozone NAAQS.\12\ The California Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) 
implements the SIP-approved Smog Check program in California, including 
oversight of the automotive repair industry and administration of the 
State's vehicle emissions reduction and safety programs. The California 
Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) administers motor vehicle 
registration and licensing and supports BAR in administering the Smog 
Check program.\13\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \12\ 75 FR 38023 (July 1, 2010).
    \13\ ``Fiscal Year 2021-22 Annual Report,'' Department of 
Consumer Affairs, at pages 40-44.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Currently, BAR implements an Enhanced I/M program in the urbanized 
areas within the Coachella Valley, Sacramento Metro, San Diego County, 
San Joaquin Valley, South Coast, Ventura County and West Mojave Desert 
ozone nonattainment areas and a Basic I/M program outside the urbanized 
areas within these nonattainment areas. BAR implements a Basic I/M 
program in Western Nevada County and Eastern Kern. Owners of motor 
vehicles registered in Mariposa County are subject to certain Smog 
Check requirements only upon change of ownership.
    Since the EPA's most recent approval of a comprehensive update to 
the California I/M program in 2010, the State has taken steps to 
improve the effectiveness of the Smog Check program by requiring BAR to 
direct older vehicles to high-performing auto technicians and test 
stations for inspection and certification.\14\ Further changes to State 
law have required BAR to implement an updated protocol for testing 2000 
and newer model-year vehicles that collects more complete On-Board 
Diagnostic (OBD) information than had been collected under the existing 
protocol.\15\ The State publishes an annual report summarizing the 
performance of the California Smog Check program.\16\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \14\ CARB, Progress Report on Implementation of PM2.5 
State Implementation Plans (SIP) for the South Coast and San Joaquin 
Valley Air Basins and Proposed SIP Revisions (Release Date: March 
29, 2011), Table 1.
    \15\ CARB, Revised Proposed 2016 State Strategy for the State 
Implementation Plan (March 7, 2017), pp. 52-53.
    \16\ The most recent performance report is BAR's Smog Check 
Performance Report 2023, July 1, 2023.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    CARB submitted the Smog Check Certification SIP to address the I/M 
SIP requirements for California ozone nonattainment areas classified as 
Moderate or above for the 2015 ozone NAAQS, including the Enhanced I/M 
performance standard evaluations required under 40 CFR 51.351(i). The 
provisions of 40 CFR 51.351(i) define the elements of the model 
Enhanced I/M program for areas required to implement an Enhanced I/M 
program as a result of designation and classification under the 8-hour 
ozone standard. As noted previously, a State's Enhanced I/M program can 
differ from the model program, but it must meet or exceed the VOC and 
NOX emission reductions achieved by the model program.
    As part of CARB's certification of the existing California Smog 
Check program for compliance with the applicable I/M SIP requirements 
for the 2015 ozone NAAQS, the Smog Check Certification SIP includes 
Enhanced I/M performance standard evaluations for the urbanized areas 
within the ozone nonattainment areas for 2015 ozone NAAQS: Coachella 
Valley, Eastern Kern, Sacramento Metro, San Diego County,\17\ San 
Joaquin Valley, South Coast, Ventura County and West Mojave Desert. For 
the I/M performance standard evaluations, CARB relied upon the EPA's 
MOVES3 emissions model and the EPA's most recent guidance for I/M 
performance standard modeling.\18\ CARB did not provide I/M performance 
standard evaluations for the Western Nevada County and Mariposa County 
because the I/M SIP requirements apply only to areas that exceed 
certain population thresholds, and neither area

[[Page 54756]]

exceeds those thresholds.\19\ The EPA's Technical Support Document 
(TSD) includes additional information regarding CARB's Smog Check 
Certification SIP submission.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \17\ As noted previously, the EPA has already taken final action 
on the San Diego County area portion of the Smog Check Certification 
SIP, including the related Enhanced I/M performance evaluation. 89 
FR 15035 (March 1, 2024).
    \18\ EPA, Performance Standard Modeling for New and Existing 
Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance (I/M) Programs Using the MOVES 
Mobile Source Emissions Model, EPA-420-B-22-034, October 2022.
    \19\ CARB, Smog Check Certification SIP, page 4.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

II. The EPA's Evaluation and Action

A. How is the EPA evaluating the plan element?

    The EPA has evaluated the Smog Check Certification SIP against the 
applicable procedural and substantive requirements of the CAA for SIPs 
and SIP revisions and is proposing to conclude that the Smog Check 
Certification SIP meets all applicable requirements. A SIP must include 
enforceable emission limitations and other control measures, means, or 
techniques, as well as schedules and timetables for compliance, that 
may be necessary to meet the requirements of the Act (see CAA section 
110(a)(2)(A)); provide necessary assurances that the State will have 
adequate personnel, funding, and authority under State law to carry out 
such SIP (and is not prohibited by any provision of Federal or State 
law from carrying out such SIP) (see CAA section 110(a)(2)(E)); be 
adopted by a State after reasonable notice and public hearing (see CAA 
section 110(l)); and not interfere with any applicable requirement 
concerning attainment and reasonable further progress or any other 
applicable requirement of the Act (see CAA section 110(l)). We are also 
evaluating whether the Smog Check Certification SIP meets the statutory 
and regulatory requirements for I/M programs in the applicable 
California ozone nonattainment areas for the 2015 ozone NAAQS.

B. Does the plan element meet the evaluation criteria?

1. Did the State provide for reasonable public notice and hearing prior 
to adoption?
    Under CAA sections 110(a)(1), 110(a)(2), and 110(l), States must 
provide for reasonable notice and opportunity for a public hearing 
prior to adoption and submittal of SIPs and SIP revisions. In 40 CFR 
51.102(d), the EPA specifies that reasonable public notice in this 
context is at least 30 days.
    On February 10, 2023, CARB released for public review the draft 
Smog Check Certification SIP and published a notice of public meeting 
to be held on March 23, 2023, to consider adoption of the Smog Check 
Certification as a revision to the California SIP.\20\ On March 23, 
2023, CARB held the hearing and adopted the Smog Check Certification as 
a revision to the California SIP and directed the Executive Officer to 
submit the Smog Check Certification SIP to the EPA for approval into 
the California SIP.\21\ On April 26, 2023, the Executive Officer of 
CARB submitted the Smog Check Certification SIP to the EPA.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \20\ Notice of Public Meeting to Consider the Proposed 
California Smog Check Performance Standard Modeling and Program 
Certification for the 70 parts per billion 8-hour Ozone Standard, 
signed by Steven S. Cliff, Ph.D., Executive Officer, CARB, February 
10, 2023.
    \21\ CARB Resolution 23-9, page 6.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Based on the materials provided in the April 26, 2023 SIP 
submission and summarized above, we are now proposing to find that CARB 
has met the procedural requirements for adoption and submission of SIPs 
and SIP revisions under CAA sections 110(a)(1), 110(a)(2) and 110(l) 
and 40 CFR 51.102 with respect to the Smog Check Certification SIP.
2. Does the State have adequate legal authority to implement the plan 
element?
    CAA section 110(a)(2)(E)(i) requires States to provide with their 
SIPs necessary assurances that the State or relevant local or regional 
agency will have adequate legal authority to carry out the SIP (and is 
not prohibited by any provision of Federal or State law from carrying 
out such SIP). In addition, the EPA's I/M regulation requires Smog 
Check SIPs to include the legal authority requiring or allowing 
implementation of the I/M program and providing either broad or 
specific authority to perform all required elements of the program.\22\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \22\ 40 CFR 51.372(a)(5).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The statutory and regulatory foundation for the approved California 
I/M program is set forth in California Health & Safety Code (CH&SC), 
Division 26, Part 5, Chapter 5 (Motor Vehicle Inspection Program), 
Articles 1 through 9, and in title 16 of the California Code of 
Regulations (16 CCR), Division 33, Chapter 1, Article 5.5 (Motor 
Vehicle Inspection Program).\23\ Additional I/M-related statutory and 
regulatory provisions in the California SIP include CH&SC section 
39032.5; California Business and Professions Code sections 9886 and 
9886.1-9886.4; California Vehicle Code sections 4000.1, 4000.2, 4000.3 
and 4000.6; and 16 CCR sections 3303.1, 3303.2, 3392.1-3392.6 and 
3394.1-3394.6.\24\ Based on CARB's statutory and regulatory authority 
for the Smog Check program that we approved in 2010 as part of our 
approval of CARB's comprehensive update to the California Smog Check 
SIP, the EPA is proposing to find that CARB has provided adequate 
necessary assurances for purposes of CAA section 110(a)(2)(E)(i) for 
the Smog Check Certification SIP and that the California Smog Check 
program continues to meet the SIP requirements for legal authority in 
40 CFR 51.372(a)(5).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \23\ 75 FR 38023, 38025-38026 (July 1, 2010).
    \24\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

3. Will the State have adequate personnel and funding for the plan 
element?
    CAA section 110(a)(2)(E)(i) requires States to provide with their 
SIPs necessary assurances that the State or relevant local or regional 
agency will have adequate personnel and funding to carry out the SIP. 
The California Smog Check program is a mature program that has been in 
existence for several decades. The State publishes periodic reports to 
the Legislature on the resources allocated to Smog Check program 
administration and enforcement.\25\ The most recent periodic report 
identifies no substantial underfunding or lack of personnel for the 
administration of the Smog Check program.\26\ Moreover, the Smog Check 
Certification SIP does not modify or expand the program and thus does 
not require any additional resources for implementation purposes. 
Therefore, we propose to find that the State has adequate personnel and 
funding to continue to implement the California Smog Check program.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \25\ The most recent periodic report is BAR's Sunset Review 
Report 2022: presented to the Senate Committee on Business, 
Professions and Economic Development and the Assembly Committee on 
Business and Professions.
    \26\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

4. Does the plan element meet the substantive requirements for I/M 
programs under the CAA and the EPA's I/M regulation?
    For this proposed action, we reviewed the Smog Check Certification 
SIP and confirmed that the State continues to implement and enforce an 
Enhanced I/M program in the urbanized areas within the ozone 
nonattainment areas for which the Enhanced I/M program is required. 
These areas include the urbanized areas within nonattainment areas in 
Coachella Valley, Sacramento Metro, San Joaquin Valley, South Coast Air 
Basin, and Ventura County.\27\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \27\ As noted previously in this proposed rule, the Enhanced I/M 
SIP requirement also applies in the urbanized area with San Diego 
County. We have already approved the Smog Check Certification SIP as 
it relates to San Diego County. 89 FR 15035 (March 1, 2024).

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

[[Page 54757]]

    We agree with CARB that an Enhanced I/M program is not required in 
the Western Nevada County Serious ozone nonattainment area because it 
is not part of an area having a 1980 Bureau of Census-defined (Census-
defined) urbanized area population of 200,000 or more.\28\ We also note 
that the Western Nevada County area is not subject to the Basic I/M 
program requirement because it is not part of any 1990 Census-defined 
urbanized area with a population of 200,000 or more,\29\ although the 
State has decided to implement a Basic I/M program in Western Nevada 
County as part of the ozone control strategy for the area.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \28\ See CAA section 182(c)(3)(A) and 40 CFR 51.350(a)(2).
    \29\ See 40 CFR 51.350(a)(4).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    For the same reasons, the West Mojave Desert Severe-15 and Eastern 
Kern Serious ozone nonattainment areas are not subject to the Basic or 
Enhanced I/M program requirement, although the State has decided to 
implement an Enhanced or Basic I/M program in portions of West Mojave 
Desert and a Basic I/M program in Eastern Kern as part of the ozone 
control strategies for the areas.
    With respect to the Mariposa County Moderate ozone nonattainment 
area, we agree with CARB that a Basic I/M program is not required there 
because it is not part of a 1990 Census-defined urbanized area with a 
population of 200,000 or more.
    In addition to certifying that the California Smog Check program 
meets the applicable I/M requirements for the 2015 ozone NAAQS, CARB's 
April 2023 submission includes CARB's Enhanced I/M performance standard 
modeling evaluation for the California ozone nonattainment areas that 
are subject to the Enhanced I/M requirement. For that evaluation, the 
Smog Check Certification SIP presents a comparison of July weekday 
emissions rates (in gpm) for VOC and NOX based on the 
existing California Smog Check program and the Enhanced I/M model 
program benchmark. For an Enhanced I/M program, if the proposed/
existing program obtains the same or lower emissions levels for VOC and 
NOX as the performance standard benchmark program to within 
0.02 gpm, then it is considered to have met the Enhanced performance 
standard. The analysis was performed for various years depending upon 
the relevant attainment years under the different nonattainment area 
classifications for the 2015 ozone NAAQS. Our TSD provides tables 
summarizing the results of CARB's performance standard modeling for the 
nonattainment areas within Coachella Valley, Sacramento Metro, San 
Joaquin Valley, South Coast Air Basin, and Ventura County. We did not 
review CARB's performance standard modeling for Eastern Kern or West 
Mojave Desert areas because the areas are not subject to either the 
Enhanced or Basic I/M requirement.
    For both VOC and NOX in all analysis years, CARB's 
MOVES3 modeling results indicate that the California Enhanced I/M 
program meets or exceeds the Federal Enhanced I/M performance standard 
benchmark program to within 0.02 gpm in all the subject areas. Based on 
our review of CARB's documentation included in the Smog Check 
Certification SIP, we find that CARB used appropriate methods and input 
data to perform the I/M performance standard evaluations for the 
subject areas, analyzed appropriate years consistent with 40 CFR 
51.351(i)(13),\30\ and included sufficient documentation to support the 
results.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \30\ The analysis years for I/M performance standard evaluations 
for Coachella Valley and Sacramento Metro assume that the EPA will 
grant CARB's voluntary reclassification requests for Coachella 
Valley to Extreme and for Sacramento Metro to Severe. This 
assumption is appropriate given that the EPA is required to grant 
such requests under CAA section 181(b)(3).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In light of CARB's performance standard evaluation results and the 
improvements in the California Smog Check program, as described 
previously, since the EPA last approved the California Smog Check 
program as meeting all the applicable I/M requirements, we propose to 
find that the California Smog Check program meets the applicable I/M 
program SIP requirements under CAA sections 182(b)(4) and 182(c)(3) and 
40 CFR 51.1302 for the 2015 ozone NAAQS in the Coachella Valley, 
Eastern Kern, Mariposa County, Sacramento Metro, San Joaquin Valley, 
South Coast Air Basin, Ventura County, West Mojave Desert and Western 
Nevada County areas.
5. Would approval of the plan element interfere with attainment and 
reasonable further progress or any other applicable requirement of the 
CAA?
    The emissions reductions from implementation of the California Smog 
Check program are reflected in the baseline emissions projections that 
are relied upon to demonstrate reasonable further progress and 
attainment in the regional air quality plans developed for the 
nonattainment areas for the 2015 ozone NAAQS. The Smog Check 
Certification SIP would not relax any requirements of the program. 
Therefore, we propose to find that the approval of the Smog Check 
Certification SIP would not interfere with attainment and reasonable 
further progress or any other applicable requirement of the CAA, 
consistent with the requirements for SIP revisions under CAA section 
110(l).

C. Did the State consider environmental justice in developing this plan 
element?

    Environmental justice (EJ) is 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. As 
explained in the EJ Legal Tools to Advance Environmental Justice 2022 
document,\31\ the CAA provides states with the discretion to consider 
environmental justice in developing rules, measures and plan elements 
related to nonattainment area SIP requirements.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \31\ EPA, EPA Legal Tools to Advance Environmental Justice, May 
2022.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In this instance, CARB exercised this discretion and did not 
evaluate EJ considerations as part of its SIP submission. There is no 
information in the record inconsistent with the stated goals of E.O. 
12898 of achieving EJ for people of color, low-income populations, and 
indigenous peoples.

D. Proposed Action and Public Comments

    Pursuant to section 110(k)(3) of the Act, and for the reasons given 
above, the EPA is proposing to approve the Smog Check Certification SIP 
based on our finding that it meets the applicable procedural and 
substantive SIP requirements under the CAA and the EPA's I/M regulation 
for the applicable California nonattainment areas for the 2015 ozone 
NAAQS. These areas include Coachella Valley, Eastern Kern, Mariposa 
County, Sacramento Metro, San Joaquin Valley, South Coast Air Basin, 
Ventura, West Mojave Desert and Western Nevada County. If finalized as 
proposed, this action would add the Smog Check Certification SIP to the 
federally-enforceable California SIP.
    We will accept comments from the public on this proposal until 
August 1, 2024.

III. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

    Under the CAA, the Administrator is required to approve a SIP 
submission that complies with the relevant provisions of the Act and 
applicable Federal regulations. 42 U.S.C. 7410(k); 40 CFR 52.02(a). 
Thus, in reviewing SIP

[[Page 54758]]

submissions, the EPA's role is to approve State choices, provided that 
they meet the criteria of the CAA. Accordingly, this proposed action 
merely proposes to approve a State plan element 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), 13563 (76 FR 3821, January 21, 
2011) 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 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); 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 CAA.
    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 proposed 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).
    Executive Order 12898 (Federal Actions To Address Environmental 
Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations, 59 FR 7629, 
Feb. 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 did not evaluate EJ considerations as part of its SIP 
submittal; the CAA and applicable implementing regulations neither 
prohibit nor require such an evaluation. The EPA did not perform an EJ 
analysis and did not consider EJ in this proposed action. Due to the 
nature of this proposed action, if finalized, this action is expected 
to have a neutral to positive impact on the air quality of the various 
ozone nonattainment areas covered by this proposed action. 
Consideration of EJ is not required as part of this action, and there 
is no information in the record inconsistent with the stated goal of 
Executive Order 12898, to achieve EJ for people of color, low-income 
populations, and Indigenous peoples.

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, Volatile organic compounds.

    Dated: June 25, 2024.
Martha Guzman Aceves,
Regional Administrator, Region IX.
[FR Doc. 2024-14349 Filed 7-1-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P