[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 165 (Thursday, August 28, 2025)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 41925-41930]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-16484]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 52

[EPA-R05-OAR-2022-0352; EPA-R05-OAR-2023-0093; FRL-9995-01-R5]


Air Plan Approval; Ohio; 2015 Ozone Moderate Reasonably Available 
Control Technology SIP

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to 
approve revisions to Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) Chapters 3745-21 
and 3745-110 into the Ohio State Implementation Plan (SIP). The Ohio 
Environmental Protection Agency (``Ohio'' or ``Ohio EPA'') submitted 
these revisions on March 30, 2022, and supplemented the submittal on 
February 1, 2023, and August 28, 2023. EPA is proposing to approve 
parts of OAC Chapters 3745-21

[[Page 41926]]

and 3745-110 as satisfying some of the Moderate Volatile Organic 
Compound (VOC) Reasonably Available Control Technology (RACT) and 
Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) RACT requirements for the Cleveland, OH 
nonattainment area (Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Portage, 
and Summit counties) under the 2015 ozone National Ambient Air Quality 
Standard (``NAAQS'' or ``standard''). Finally, EPA is proposing to 
approve OAC rule 3745-15-03, submitted by Ohio on February 9, 2023, and 
supplemented on December 1, 2023, and December 30, 2024.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before September 29, 2025.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-R05-
OAR-2022-0352 and EPA-R05-OAR-2023-0093 at https://www.regulations.gov, 
or via email to [email protected]. For comments submitted at 
Regulations.gov, follow the online instructions for submitting 
comments. Once submitted, comments cannot be edited or removed from the 
docket. EPA may publish any comment received to its public docket. Do 
not submit to EPA's docket at https://www.regulations.gov any 
information you consider to be Confidential Business Information (CBI), 
Proprietary Business Information (PBI), 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. 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, PBI, or multimedia submissions, 
and general guidance on making effective comments, please visit https://www.epa.gov/dockets/commenting-epa-dockets.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Katie Mullen, Air and Radiation 
Division (AR-18J), Environmental Protection Agency, Region 5, 77 West 
Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, Illinois 60604, (312) 353-3490, 
[email protected]. The EPA Region 5 office is open from 8:30 a.m. 
to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding Federal holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Throughout this document whenever ``we,'' 
``us,'' or ``our'' is used, we mean EPA.

I. What is EPA proposing?

    EPA is proposing to approve parts of OAC Chapters 3745-21 and 3745-
110 as satisfying some of the Moderate VOC RACT requirements of 
182(b)(2) and NOX RACT requirements of 182(f) of the Clean 
Air Act (CAA), respectively, for the Cleveland, OH nonattainment area 
under the 2015 ozone standard. EPA is also proposing to approve OAC 
3745-21-11 and 3745-110-03(J) as SIP strengthening measures for the 
Cleveland nonattainment area. EPA is proposing to approve OAC Chapter 
3745-21 and 3745-110-03(J) as SIP strengthening for Ashtabula County 
and the Ohio portion of the Cincinnati, OH-KY maintenance area (Butler, 
Clermont, Hamilton, and Warren counties) under the 2015 ozone standard. 
Ohio submitted these SIP revisions to the EPA on March 30, 2022, and 
supplemented the submittal on February 1, 2023, and August 28, 2023. 
Finally, EPA is proposing to approve OAC rule 3745-15-03, submitted as 
part of Ohio's SIP revision on February 9, 2023, and supplemented on 
December 1, 2023, and December 30, 2024.

II. What is the background for this action?

    VOCs and NOX contribute to the production of ground-
level ozone, or smog, which harms human health and the environment. EPA 
defines RACT as the lowest emission limit that a particular source is 
capable of meeting by the application of control technology that is 
reasonably available considering technological and economic 
feasibility. Sections 182(b)(2) and 182(f) of the CAA require States to 
implement RACT in ozone nonattainment areas classified as Moderate (and 
higher). Specifically, these areas are required to implement RACT for 
all major sources of VOC and NOX and for all VOC sources 
covered by a Control Techniques Guideline (CTG). A CTG provides 
recommendations to inform State, local, and tribal air agencies as to 
what constitutes RACT for categories of VOC sources. Air agencies can 
use the recommendations in the CTG to inform their own determination as 
to what constitutes RACT. If there are no sources covered by a certain 
CTG within a nonattainment area, a State may submit a negative 
declaration in place of regulatory requirements to apply RACT for that 
category of sources.
    EPA's SIP Requirements Rule for the 2008 ozone NAAQS indicates that 
States may meet RACT through the establishment of new or more stringent 
requirements that meet RACT control levels, through a certification 
that previously adopted RACT controls for a prior ozone NAAQS continue 
to represent adequate RACT control levels for the 2008 ozone NAAQS, or 
with a combination of these two approaches. See 80 FR 12264, 12278-79 
(March 6, 2015). As previously stated, a State may submit a negative 
declaration in instances where there are no sources covered by a 
particular CTG. EPA's SIP Requirements Rule for the 2015 ozone NAAQS 
retains the existing general 2008 RACT requirements for purposes of the 
2015 ozone NAAQS. See 83 FR 63007 (December 6, 2018).
    On June 4, 2018 (83 FR 25776), EPA designated the Cleveland, OH 
nonattainment area and the Ohio portion of the Cincinnati, OH-KY 
nonattainment area as Marginal nonattainment areas for the 2015 ozone 
NAAQS. The Cleveland, OH nonattainment area consists of Cuyahoga, 
Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Portage, and Summit counties. The Ohio 
portion of the Cincinnati, OH-KY nonattainment area consists of Butler, 
Clermont, Hamilton, and Warren counties. EPA also designated Ashtabula 
County as attainment/unclassifiable for the 2015 ozone NAAQS.\1\ On 
April 13, 2022 (87 FR 21849), pursuant to section 181(b)(2) of the CAA, 
EPA proposed to determine that the Cleveland, OH nonattainment area 
failed to attain the 2015 ozone NAAQS by the August 3, 2021, Marginal 
area attainment deadline and thus proposed to reclassify the area from 
Marginal to Moderate nonattainment. In that action, EPA proposed to 
establish January 1, 2023, as the due date for the State to submit all 
Moderate area nonattainment plan SIP requirements applicable to newly 
reclassified areas. The Ohio portion of the Cincinnati OH-KY 2015 ozone 
nonattainment area attained the 2015 ozone standard based on the 2019-
2021 design value, and the area was redesignated to attainment 
effective June 9, 2022 (87 FR 35104). This action addresses the 
Moderate area VOC and NOX RACT SIP submissions for the 
Cleveland nonattainment area under the 2015 ozone standard. Also, this 
action addresses VOC SIP strengthening measures for Ashtabula County 
and the Ohio portion of the

[[Page 41927]]

Cincinnati maintenance area under the 2015 ozone standard.
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    \1\ While Ashtabula County was designated as attainment/
unclassifiable under the 2015 ozone NAAQS, it was designated 
nonattainment as part of the Cleveland area under previous ozone 
standards. Approval of revisions to OAC 3745-21 will not relax VOC 
RACT provisions applicable to Ashtabula County under previous ozone 
standards.
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III. What is EPA's evaluation of Ohio's VOC and NOX RACT 
submittal?

    EPA has previously determined that Chapter 3745-21 VOC regulations 
have met RACT for requirements associated with past ozone NAAQS and 
incorporated them into the Ohio SIP. See actions dated September 8, 
2017 (82 FR 42451), September 30, 2020 (85 FR 68758), and March 23, 
1995 (60 FR 15235). For certain source categories, Ohio is certifying 
the previously adopted RACT regulations and controls contained in OAC 
Chapter 3745-21 for VOCs continue to satisfy RACT requirements under 
the 2015 ozone NAAQS. Ohio has also adopted new or more stringent RACT 
regulations in OAC Chapter 3745-21 for VOCs and in OAC Chapter 3745-110 
for NOX. The revisions to OAC Chapter 3745-21 VOC 
regulations apply to both the Cleveland, OH nonattainment area and the 
Ohio portion of the Cincinnati OH-KY maintenance area under the 2015 
ozone NAAQS, and to Ashtabula County. The new OAC Chapter 3745-110 
NOX regulations apply only to the Cleveland, OH 2015 ozone 
nonattainment area.

A. Certifying Existing Sections of OAC Chapter 3745-21 as VOC RACT for 
Cleveland

    EPA approved OAC Chapter 3745-21 into Ohio's SIP under previous 
ozone standards. EPA performed a RACT due diligence analysis which can 
be found in the technical support document (TSD) \2\ and is described 
in detail in section III, subsection H of this preamble. EPA has not 
identified any new control technologies that are reasonably available 
considering technological and economic feasibility for these sources 
since our last approval, and therefore EPA is proposing to determine 
that the controls for the CTG categories below still represent RACT for 
implementing the 2015 ozone standard in the Cleveland, OH nonattainment 
area. Also, EPA is also proposing to determine that the rules below are 
newly approved as SIP strengthening for Ashtabula County and the 
Cincinnati 2015 ozone NAAQS maintenance area:
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    \2\ Available in the docket for this action.

 OAC 3745-21-09(D) for cans; (E) for coils; (F) for paper; (G) 
for fabrics; (H) vinyl; (C) for automobiles and light-duty trucks, 
Surface Coating of Cans, Coils, Paper, Fabrics, Automobiles, and Light-
duty trucks
 OAC 3745-21-09(F)(2), Paper, Film and Foil Coatings
 OAC 3745-21-09(I), Surface Coating of Metal Furniture
 OAC 3745-21-09(I)(4), Surface Coating of Metal Furniture
 OAC 3745-21-09(J), Surface Coating of Insulation of Magnet 
Wire
 OAC 3745-21-09(K), Surface Coating of Large Appliances
 OAC 3745-21-09(K)(6), Surface Coating of Large Appliances
 OAC 3745-21-09(L), Storage of Petroleum Liquids in Fixed-Roof 
Tanks
 OAC 3745-21-09(M), Refinery Vacuum Producing Systems, 
Wastewater Separators, and Process Unit Turnarounds
 OAC 3745-21-09(N), Use of Cutback Asphalt
 OAC 3745-21-09(O)(2)(a) to (O)(2)(d), (O)(3) to (O)(6), 
Solvent Metal Cleaning
 OAC 3745-21-09(P), Bulk Gasoline Plants
 OAC 3745-21-09(Q), Tank Truck Gasoline Loading Terminals
 OAC 3745-21-09(R), Stage I Vapor Control Systems
 OAC 3745-21-09(T), Leaks from Petroleum Refinery Equipment
 OAC 3745-21-09(V), Leaks from Gasoline Tank Trucks and Vapor 
Collection
 OAC 3745-21-09(W), Manufacture of Synthesized Pharmaceutical 
Products
 OAC 3745-21-09(X), Manufacture of Pneumatic Rubber Tires
 OAC 3745-21-09(Y), Graphic Arts-Rotogravure and Flexography
 OAC 3745-21-09(Y)(4), Flexographic, Packaging Rotogravure and 
Publication Rotogravure Printing Lines
 OAC 3745-21-09(Z), Petroleum Liquid Storage in External 
Floating Roof Tanks
 OAC 3745-21-09(AA), Perchloroethylene Dry Cleaning Systems
 OAC 3745-21-09(BB), Large Petroleum Dry Cleaners
 OAC 3745-21-09(DD), Leaks from Synthetic Organic Chemical 
Polymer and Resin Manufacturing Equipment
 OAC 3745-21-09(EE), Air Oxidation Processes in Synthetic 
Organic Chemical Manufacturing Industry
 OAC 3745-21-13, Reactor Processes and Distillation Operations 
in Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturing Industry
 OAC 3745-21-15, Wood Furniture Manufacturing Operations
 OAC 3745-21-19, Control of Volatile Organic Compound Emissions 
from Aerospace Manufacturing and Rework Facilities
 OAC 3745-21-20, Control of Volatile Organic Emissions from 
Shipbuilding and Ship Repair Operations (Marine Coatings)
 OAC 3745-21-21, Storage of Volatile Organic Liquids in Fixed 
Roof Tanks and External Floating Roof Tanks
 OAC 3745-21-22, Control of Volatile Organic Compound Emissions 
from Offset Lithographic Printing and Letterpress Printing Facilities
 OAC 3745-21-23, Control of Volatile Organic Compound Emissions 
from Industrial Solvent Cleaning Operations
 OAC 3745-21-24, Flat Wood Paneling Coatings
 OAC 3745-21-26, Surface Coating of Miscellaneous Metal and 
Plastic Parts
 OAC 3745-21-27, Boat Manufacturing
 OAC 3745-21-28, Miscellaneous Industrial Adhesives and 
Sealants
 OAC 3745-21-29, Control of Volatile Organic Compound Emissions 
from Automobile and Light-duty Truck Assembly Coating Operations, 
Heavier Vehicle Assembly Coating Operations and Cleaning Operations 
Associated with These Coating Operations

B. Minor Revisions to Existing VOC RACT Regulations in OAC Chapter 
3745-21

    Ohio's SIP submittal included minor revisions to OAC Chapter 3745-
21 for clarification and agency and State formatting protocols. The 
minor revisions are included in the following sections: 3745-21-01, 
3745-21-04, 3745-21-07, 3745-21-09, 3745-21-10, 3745-21-15, and 3745-
21-18. EPA is proposing to approve the minor revisions to OAC Chapter 
3745-21 because the revisions are non-substantive minor edits that do 
not alter the meaning or legal effect of these rules.

C. Permits for Two Sources Within the Categories Covered by the Oil and 
Natural Gas Industry CTG in the Cleveland, OH Nonattainment Area

    Ohio identified only two sources that fall into the categories 
covered by the 2016 CTG for the Oil and Natural Gas Industry located in 
the Cleveland, OH nonattainment area. Rather than adopt categorical 
rules for sources falling into categories covered by the 2016 oil and 
gas CTG, Ohio requested that EPA approve specific portions of source 
specific federally enforceable permits for these two facilities--Wylie 
Compressor Station and Smallwood facility--for incorporation into the 
Ohio SIP. EPA is proposing to approve these specific portions of these 
permits for incorporation into the SIP to fulfill RACT requirements for 
the Cleveland

[[Page 41928]]

nonattainment area for the category of sources covered by the Oil and 
Gas CTG.
    The Wylie Compressor Station is a portable reciprocating natural 
gas compressor driven by a 68 hp natural gas fired compressor engine, 
emissions unit (EU) P001. EPA is proposing to approve sections 
C.1.b)(1)e., C.1.b)(2)a., C.1.c)(2), C.1.d)(2) and C.1.e)(4) of the 
Wylie Compressor Station construction permit for incorporation into the 
SIP as satisfying the Moderate area RACT requirement resulting from the 
2016 Oil and Natural Gas CTG in the Cleveland, OH Nonattainment area 
under the 2015 ozone standard. Please see more details on these 
sections below:
     C.1.b)(1)e--references that the control requirements 
located in C.1.c)(2) apply to reciprocating compressors located between 
the wellhead and point of custody transfer to the natural gas 
transmission and storage segment. Also, this section references that 
additional terms and conditions related to RACT can be found in 
C.1.b)(2)a.
     C.1.b)(2)a.--Because the compressor is portable, language 
has been added to clarify that the requirements only apply when the EU 
is installed and operating in a Moderate nonattainment area for the 
2015 ozone NAAQS.
     C.1.c)(2) contains operational restrictions to reduce VOC 
emissions by replacing reciprocating compressor rod packing on or 
before 26,000 hours of operation or every 36 months. EPA proposes to 
determine that these operational restrictions are RACT levels of 
control. See EPA's TSD and subsection H of section III of this preamble 
for more information on EPA's analysis.
     C.1.d)(2) contains the monitoring and recordkeeping 
requirements for this EU and C.1.e)(4) contains requirements for 
submitting annual reports for this EU.
    The Smallwood facility is a portable reciprocating natural gas 
compressor driven by a 145 hp natural gas fired engine, EU P001. EPA is 
proposing to approve sections C.1.b)(1)e., C.1.b)(2)b., C.1.c)(3), 
C.1.d)(7) and C.1.e)(5) of the Smallwood facility construction permit 
for incorporation into the SIP as satisfying the Moderate area RACT 
requirement resulting from the 2016 Oil and Natural Gas CTG in the 
Cleveland, OH Nonattainment area under the 2015 ozone standard. Please 
see more details on these sections below:
     C.1.b)(1)e--references that the control requirements 
located in C.1.c)(3) apply to reciprocating compressors located between 
the wellhead and point of custody transfer to the natural gas 
transmission and storage segment. Also, this section references that 
additional terms and conditions related to RACT can be found in 
C.1.b)(2)b.
     C.1.b)(2)b.--Because the compressor is portable, language 
has been added to clarify that the requirements only apply when the EU 
is installed and operating in a Moderate nonattainment area for the 
2015 ozone NAAQS.
     C.1.c)(3) contains operational restrictions to reduce VOC 
emissions by replacing reciprocating compressor rod packing on or 
before 26,000 hours of operation or 36 months. EPA proposes to 
determine that these operational restrictions are RACT levels of 
control. See EPA's TSD and subsection H of section III of this preamble 
for more information on EPA's analysis.
     C.1.d)(7) contains the monitoring and recordkeeping 
requirements for this EU and C.1.e)(5) contains requirements for 
submitting annual reports for this EU.

D. Negative Declarations

    Ohio provided Negative Declarations for the following CTG 
categories: ``Manufacturing of High-Density Polyethylene and 
Polypropylene Resin'' and ``VOC Equipment Leaks from Natural Gas/
Gasoline Processing Plants.'' Ohio performed searches for facilities 
meeting each of these CTG categories in the Cleveland, OH nonattainment 
area for the 2015 ozone standard. Ohio determined that there are no 
sources subject to either of these CTGs in the Cleveland, OH 
nonattainment area.

E. Non-CTG VOC Major Source RACT

    Major non-CTG VOC sources, which are subject to RACT, are 
stationary sources that have the potential to emit (PTE) at least 100 
TPY of VOCs in Moderate ozone nonattainment areas and are not covered 
by the applicability criteria in the CTGs. Many major non-CTG VOC 
sources located in the ozone nonattainment area are subject to 
categorical RACT rules. Currently, Ohio's VOC RACT rules establish non-
CTG RACT for the following five source categories. These rules were 
developed based upon the EPA's Alternative Control Techniques (ACT) 
documents or Maximum Available Control Technology (MACT) standards:

 OAC 3745-21-12, Control of Volatile Organic Compound Emissions 
from Commercial Bakery Oven Facilities
 OAC 3745-21-14, Control of Volatile Organic Compound Emissions 
from Process Vents in Batch Operations
 OAC 3745-21-16, Control of Volatile Organic Compound Emissions 
from Industrial Wastewater
 OAC 3745-21-21, Storage of Volatile Organic Liquids in Fixed 
Roof Tanks and External Floating Roof Tanks
 OAC 3745-21-25, Control of Volatile Organic Compound Emissions 
from Reinforced Plastic Composites Production Operations

    In EPA's due diligence analysis, which can be found in the TSD, EPA 
compares Ohio's non-CTG categorical RACT rules to other relevant State 
rules and ACTs. EPA found Ohio's rules to be consistent with similar 
non-CTG categorical rules adopted by other States and with the relevant 
ACTs. EPA has not identified any new control technologies that are 
reasonably available considering technological and economic feasibility 
for these sources. As a result of EPA's due diligence analysis, EPA is 
proposing to determine that these non-CTG VOC RACT regulations are 
still representative of RACT for the Cleveland, OH nonattainment area 
for purposes of the 2015 ozone standard. See more about the due 
diligence process in section III, subsection H of this preamble.

F. OAC 3745-21-11 and 3745-110-03(J) VOC and NOX RACT Studies for Non-
CTG Sources

    OAC rules 3745-21-11 and 3745-110-03(J) require VOC and 
NOX major non-CTG sources that are not regulated under other 
Ohio RACT rules to submit RACT studies within one year of the effective 
date of Ohio's rule. Ohio will then submit the source specific RACT 
plans with enforceable measures to EPA for review and approval into the 
Ohio SIP. Because these rules do not establish any control standards 
for these sources, they do not establish RACT level controls, as 
required, for these sources. Therefore, Ohio has not yet established 
all RACT level controls as required across the Cleveland, OH 
nonattainment area. However, EPA is proposing to approve OAC rules 
3745-21-11 and 3745-110-03(J) as SIP strengthening for the Cleveland, 
OH nonattainment area, Ashtabula County, and for the Ohio portion of 
the Cincinnati, OH-KY maintenance areas under the 2015 ozone standard. 
If Ohio later submits specific RACT plans for individual sources as SIP 
revisions, EPA will evaluate those SIP submissions to determine whether 
they comprise RACT-level controls for the relevant sources.

G. OAC 3745-110

    OAC 3745-110 has not been previously submitted or approved into

[[Page 41929]]

Ohio's SIP. On December 11, 2007, Ohio promulgated NOX RACT 
emission standards for various sizes of boilers, stationary combustion 
turbines, and stationary internal combustion engines, which are 
contained in OAC Chapter 3745-110. NOX RACT emission 
standards for reheat furnaces were later promulgated on July 18, 2013.
    Ohio EPA evaluated other States' recent RACT regulations and 
analyzed emissions and operational profiles of combustion units at 
major source facilities in Ohio to determine RACT requirements for 
these categories. These regulations establish NOX RACT for 
very large, large, mid-size, and small boilers, stationary combustion 
turbines, stationary internal combustion engines, and reheat furnaces. 
EPA is proposing to approve the following sections of OAC Chapter 3745-
110 as meeting the NOX RACT requirement for the Cleveland 
nonattainment area under the 2015 ozone standard into the Ohio SIP: 
3745-110-01, 3745-110-02, 3745-110-03 except paragraph J, 3745-110-04, 
and 3745-110-05. In EPA's due diligence analysis, EPA compares Ohio's 
NOX RACT rules to other relevant State rules and ACTs. EPA 
found Ohio's rules to be in some cases more stringent than other 
States' NOX RACT rules and consistent with the ACTs. EPA has 
not identified any new control technologies that are reasonably 
available considering technological and economic feasibility for these 
sources. See EPA's TSD and section III, subsection H of this preamble 
for more information on EPA's due diligence analysis.

H. RACT Due Diligence

    As part of its March 30, 2022, submittal, Ohio certified that the 
RACT requirements for CTG and non-CTG VOC and NOX sources in 
the Cleveland 2015 ozone Moderate nonattainment area have been 
fulfilled. Ohio conducted its RACT analysis for VOC and NOX 
by: (1) Identifying all categories of CTG and major non-CTG sources of 
VOC and NOX emissions within the Cleveland nonattainment 
area; (2) Listing the Ohio State regulation that implements or exceeds 
RACT requirements for that CTG or non-CTG category; and (3) Submitting 
negative declarations when there are no CTG applicable sources within 
the Cleveland area.
    EPA performed a due diligence analysis to validate Ohio's VOC and 
NOX RACT submittal for the Cleveland nonattainment area 
under the 2015 ozone standard. In EPA's TSD (available in the docket), 
EPA details the basis for concluding that Ohio's regulations fulfill 
RACT through comparison with RACT rules developed by other States, CTG 
guidance documents and applicable ACT documents. EPA evaluated the 
relevant RACT rules in various States including Region 5 States 
(Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin) and States in Regions 1, 2, 6, 
8, and 9 (Maine, Vermont, California, Colorado, Texas, Arizona, New 
Jersey, Connecticut, and New York). EPA found Ohio's rules to be 
generally consistent with or more stringent than control measures in 
other States' regulations, CTGs, and ACTs. EPA has not identified any 
new control technologies that are reasonably available considering 
technological and economic feasibility for these sources. Based upon 
our findings, EPA proposes to determine that Ohio's rules continue to 
represent RACT.
    EPA is also proposing to approve Ohio's VOC and NOX RACT 
regulations as SIP strengthening for the Cincinnati 2015 ozone NAAQS 
maintenance area and Ashtabula County.

I. OAC Rule 3745-15-03 Submission of Emission Information

    EPA is also proposing to approve OAC rule 3745-15-03, which sets 
forth reporting requirements for sources in Ohio through the 
construction permit program. OAC rule 3745-15-03 applies to all VOC and 
NOX sources subject to RACT that are covered by this 
proposed rule, and therefore ensures that these sources are subject to 
periodic reporting requirements. Approval of this rule is consistent 
with the requirements of CAA section 110(l) because it strengthens 
Ohio's SIP by providing for enforceability of the RACT requirements.

IV. What action is EPA taking?

    EPA is proposing to approve parts of OAC Chapters 3745-21 as 
satisfying some of the Moderate VOC RACT requirements of 182(b)(2) of 
the CAA for the Cleveland, OH nonattainment area under the 2015 ozone 
standard. EPA is also proposing to approve parts of OAC Chapter 3745-
110 as satisfying some of the Moderate NOX RACT requirements 
of 182(f) of the CAA for the Cleveland, OH nonattainment area under the 
2015 ozone standard. EPA is also proposing to approve OAC 3745-21-11 
and 3745-110-03(J) as SIP strengthening measures for the Cleveland, OH 
nonattainment area under the 2015 ozone standard. EPA is proposing to 
approve OAC Chapter 3745-21 and 3745-110-03(J) as SIP strengthening for 
Ashtabula County and the Ohio portion of the Cincinnati, OH-KY 
maintenance area under the 2015 ozone standard. Ohio submitted these 
SIP revisions to the EPA on March 30, 2022, and supplemented the 
submittal on February 1, 2023, and August 28, 2023. Finally, EPA is 
proposing to approve OAC rule 3745-15-03, submitted as part of Ohio's 
SIP revision on February 9, 2023, and supplemented on December 1, 2023 
and December 30, 2024.

V. Incorporation by Reference

    In this rule, EPA is proposing to include in a final EPA rule 
regulatory text that includes incorporation by reference. In accordance 
with requirements of 1 CFR 51.5, EPA is proposing to incorporate by 
reference Ohio Administrative Code Chapters 3745-21, effective on March 
27, 2022, and 3745-110, effective on March 25, 2022, sections 
C.1.b)(1)e., C.1.b)(2)a., C.1.c)(2), C.1.d)(2) and C.1.e)(4) of the 
Wylie Compressor Station construction permit and sections C.1.b)(1)e., 
C.1.b)(2)b., C.1.c)(3), C.1.d)(7) and C.1.e)(5) of the Smallwood 
facility construction permit, discussed in section III of this 
preamble. EPA has made, and will continue to make, these documents 
generally available through www.regulations.gov and at the EPA Region 5 
Office (please contact the person identified in the FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT section of this preamble for more information).

VI. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

    Under the Clean Air Act, the Administrator is required to approve a 
SIP submission that complies with the provisions of the 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 Order 12866 (58 
FR 51735, October 4, 1993);
     Is not subject to Executive Order 14192 (90 FR 9065, 
February 6, 2025) because SIP actions are exempt from review 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

[[Page 41930]]

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.
    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 rulemaking does not have Tribal implications and will not 
impose substantial direct costs on Tribal governments or preempt Tribal 
law as specified by Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, November 9, 
2000).

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52

    Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Incorporation by 
reference, Intergovernmental relations, Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone, 
Volatile organic compounds.

    Dated: August 18, 2025.
Cheryl Newton,
Acting Regional Administrator, Region 5.
[FR Doc. 2025-16484 Filed 8-27-25; 8:45 am]
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