Title 40 published on 2012-07-01
The following are only the Rules published in the Federal Register after the published date of Title 40.
For a complete list of all Rules, Proposed Rules, and Notices view the Rulemaking tab.
The EPA is taking final action on its reconsideration of certain issues in the final rules titled, “National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants from Coal- and Oil-fired Electric Utility Steam Generating Units and Standards of Performance for Fossil-Fuel-Fired Electric Utility, Industrial-Commercial-Institutional, and Small Industrial-Commercial-Institutional Steam Generating Units.” The National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) rule issued pursuant to Clean Air Act (CAA) section 112 is referred to as the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) NESHAP, and the New Source Performance Standards rule issued pursuant to CAA section 111 is referred to as the Utility NSPS. The Administrator received petitions for reconsideration of certain aspects of the MATS NESHAP and the Utility NSPS. On November 30, 2012, the EPA granted reconsideration of, proposed, and requested comment on a limited set of issues. We also proposed certain technical corrections to both the MATS NESHAP and the Utility NSPS. The EPA is now taking final action on the revised new source numerical standards in the MATS NESHAP and the definitional and monitoring provisions in the Utility NSPS that were addressed in the proposed reconsideration rule. As part of this action, the EPA is also making certain technical corrections to both the MATS NESHAP and the Utility NSPS. The EPA is not taking final action on requirements applicable during periods of startup and shutdown in the MATS NESHAP or on startup and shutdown provisions related to the PM standard in the Utility NSPS.
This regulation establishes tolerances for residues of azoxystrobin in or on multiple commodities discussed later in this document. Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC requested these tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).
EPA is finalizing approval of revisions to the Imperial County Air Pollution Control District (ICAPCD) portion of the California State Implementation Plan (SIP). This action was proposed in the Federal Register on January 7, 2013 and concerns local rules that regulate inhalable particulate matter (PM) emissions from sources of fugitive dust such as unpaved roads and disturbed soils in open and agricultural areas in Imperial County. We are approving local rules that regulate these emission sources under the Clean Air Act (CAA or the Act).
EPA is approving a request submitted by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) on January 30, 2013, to revise the Indiana State Implementation Plan (SIP) for particulate matter under the Clean Air Act (CAA). This submission contains the 24-hour fine particle (PM 2.5 ) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) promulgated by EPA in 2006, and removes the annual coarse particle (PM 10 ) NAAQS that EPA has previously revoked. The submission also asks EPA to approve into the SIP certain Federally regulated criteria pollutant definitions and abbreviations.
EPA is approving a revision to the Illinois State Implementation plan (SIP) submitted by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) on November 14, 2011. This SIP revision consists of amendments to the Illinois Administrative Code (Ill. Adm. Code) by adding a “small container exemption” for pleasure craft surface coating operations in the Chicago and Metro-East St. Louis 8-hour ozone nonattainment areas. These exemptions are approvable because they are consistent with EPA volatile organic compound (VOC) reasonably available control technology (RACT) policy.
This regulation amends existing tolerances for residues of propiconazole in or on multiple commodities which are identified and discussed later in this document. Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC requested these tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).
This action provides notice that on March 28, 2013, the Acting EPA Administrator, Bob Perciasepe, signed a letter denying a petition for reconsideration of the final rule published in the Federal Register on September 19, 2012. The rule established new emission limits for hard and decorative chromium electroplating and chromium anodizing tanks, and steel pickling—HCl process facilities and hydrochloric acid regeneration plants.
EPA published a direct final rule, Air Quality: Revision to Definition of Volatile Organic Compounds—Exclusion of trans 1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoroprop-1-ene [Solstice TM 1233zd(E)], on February 15, 2013, and a parallel proposed rule to revise the definition of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) for purposes of preparing state implementation plans (SIPs) to attain the national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for ozone under title I of the Clean Air Act (CAA). The direct final action added trans 1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoroprop-1-ene (also known as Solstice TM 1233zd(E)) to the list of compounds excluded from the definition of VOCs on the basis that the compound makes a negligible contribution to tropospheric ozone formation. Because EPA received one adverse comment, we are withdrawing the direct final rule.
EPA is taking direct final action to approve a revision to the Delaware State Implementation Plan (SIP) submitted by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) on January 11, 2013. The SIP revision addresses requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA) for all criteria pollutants of the national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) in relation to State Boards. EPA is approving this SIP revision in accordance with the requirements of the CAA.
In the December 17, 2012 Federal Register , EPA published a final rule that determines that grain sorghum ethanol qualifies as a renewable fuel under the RFS Program based on a lifecycle greenhouse gas analysis for grain sorghum ethanol. This action corrects typographical errors contained in the December 17, 2012, final rule.
This regulation establishes an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of the biochemical methyl jasmonate in or on all food commodities when applied pre-harvest. Becker Underwood, Inc. submitted a petition to EPA under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) requesting an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance. This regulation eliminates the need to establish a maximum permissible level for residues of methyl jasmonate when applied pre-harvest.
EPA is approving the 2002 base year emissions inventory portion of the West Virginia State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of West Virginia, through the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP), on June 24, 2009 for the Steubenville-Weirton, OH-WV nonattainment area (the Steubenville-Weirton Area) for the 1997 annual fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS). The emissions inventory is part of a SIP revision that was submitted to meet West Virginia's nonattainment requirements related to the Steubenville-Weirton Area. EPA is approving the 2002 base year PM 2.5 emissions inventory in accordance with the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA).
EPA is taking direct final action to delete certain area designations for total suspended particulate within the State of Nevada because the designations are no longer necessary. These designations relate to the attainment or unclassifiable areas for total suspended particulate in Clark County as well as the following nonattainment areas for total suspended particulate elsewhere within the State of Nevada: Carson Desert, Winnemucca Segment, Lower Reese Valley, Fernley Area, Mason Valley, and Clovers Area. EPA is taking this action under the Clean Air Act.
Due to the receipt of an adverse comment, EPA is withdrawing the February 19, 2013, direct final rule to approve Tennessee's September 3, 1999, state implementation plan (SIP) submission to change rule 1200-3-9-.01 to add a total of 17 compounds to the list of compounds excluded from the definition of “Volatile Organic Compound” (VOC). EPA is considering this comment and will address the comment in a subsequent action. EPA will not institute a second comment period on this action.
Due to the receipt of a comment, EPA is voluntarily withdrawing the February 22, 2013, direct final rule to approve North Carolina's August 2, 2012, state implementation plan (SIP) submission for the limited maintenance plan showing continued attainment of the 8-hour carbon monoxide (CO) National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for the Charlotte, Raleigh/Durham and Winston-Salem Areas. EPA will consider this comment and will address the comment as appropriate and take final action at a later time. EPA will not institute a second comment period on this action.
EPA is taking final action to approve submissions from Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi and South Carolina for inclusion into each states' State Implementation Plans (SIP). This action pertains to the Clean Air Act (CAA) requirements regarding prevention of significant deterioration (PSD) for the 1997 annual and 2006 24-hour fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) infrastructure SIPs. The CAA requires that each state adopt and submit a SIP for the implementation, maintenance and enforcement of each NAAQS promulgated by EPA, which is commonly referred to as an “infrastructure” SIP. EPA is taking final action to approve the submissions for Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi and South Carolina that relate to adequate provisions prohibiting emissions that interfere with any other state's required measures to prevent significant deterioration of its air quality. All other applicable infrastructure requirements for the 1997 annual and 2006 24-hour PM 2.5 NAAQS associated with these States are being addressed in separate rulemakings. EPA is also providing clarification for a footnote that was included in the proposed rulemaking for this action.
EPA is approving the Clean Air Act 111(d)/129 State Plan revisions for Large and Small Municipal Waste Combustors (MWC) submitted by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) on October 22, 2008. The revised Plan is in response to amended emission guidelines (EGs) and new source performance standards (NSPS) for Large MWCs promulgated on May 10, 2006. Connecticut DEEP's State Plan is for implementing and enforcing provisions at least as protective as the EGs applicable to existing Large and Small MWC units pursuant to 40 CFR part 60, Subparts Cb and BBBB, respectively.
EPA is taking direct final action to approve revisions to the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (SBCAPCD) and San Diego County Air Pollution Control District (SDCAPCD) portions of the California State Implementation Plan (SIP). These revisions concern volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from surface coating of aerospace vehicles and components and from wood products coating operations. We are approving local rules that regulate these emission sources under the Clean Air Act as amended in 1990 (CAA or the Act).
EPA is taking direct final action to approve revisions to the Butte County Air Quality Management District (BCAQMD) and Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District (SMAQMD) portions of the California State Implementation Plan (SIP). These revisions concern volatile organic compound (VOC), oxides of nitrogen (NO X ), and particulate matter (PM) emissions from residential wood burning devices. We are approving local rules that regulate these emission sources under the Clean Air Act (CAA or the Act).
EPA is taking direct final action to approve revisions to the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (SBCAPCD) and South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) portions of the California State Implementation Plan (SIP). These revisions concern volatile organic compound (VOC) and oxides of nitrogen (NO X ) emissions from gas-fired fan-type central furnaces, small water heaters, and the transfer and dispensing of gasoline. We are approving local rules that regulate these emission sources under the Clean Air Act (CAA or the Act).
EPA is taking direct final action to approve revisions to the Antelope Valley Air Quality Management District (AVAQMD) and Monterey Bay Unified Air Pollution Control District (MBUAPCD) and Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (SBCAPCD) portions of the California State Implementation Plan (SIP). Under authority of the Clean Air Act as amended in 1990 (CAA or the Act), we are approving local rules that address emission statements for AVAQMD, rule rescissions that addresses public records for MBUAPCD, and define terms for SBCAPCD.
EPA is taking direct final action to approve the Limited Maintenance Plan (LMP) submitted by the State of Oregon on January 13, 2012, for the Eugene-Springfield nonattainment area (Eugene-Springfield NAA) and the State's request to redesignate the area to attainment for the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to a nominal 10 micrometers (PM 10 ). EPA is approving the State's request because it meets Clean Air Act (CAA) requirements for redesignation. EPA is approving the State's SIP revision as a direct final rule without prior proposal because EPA views this as a noncontroversial SIP revision and anticipates no adverse comments.
This regulation establishes tolerances for residues of dinotefuran in or on all food/feed items (other than those covered by a higher tolerance as a result of use on growing crops) in food/feed handling establishments. BASF Corporation requested these tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).
EPA is taking final action to approve changes to the Georgia State Implementation Plan (SIP) submitted by the State of Georgia, through the Georgia Department of Natural Resources' Environmental Protection Division (EPD) to EPA, on September 26, 2006 (with a clarifying revision submitted on November 6, 2006), and July 26, 2012. The September 26, 2006, SIP submission makes multiple changes to the Georgia SIP including the State's permit exemption provisions. The July 26, 2012, submission includes changes to Georgia's New Source Review (NSR), Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) program to incorporate by reference (IBR) federal PSD requirements regarding the implementation of the fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) and the deferral of, until July 21, 2014, PSD applicability to biogenic carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions from bioenergy and other biogenic stationary sources as well as additional air quality rule revisions. EPA is approving portions of these submittals as revisions to Georgia's SIP because the Agency has determined that they are consistent with the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act) and EPA regulations regarding NSR permitting. EPA is also responding to comments received on the January 14, 2012, proposed rulemaking.
EPA is taking final action to approve in part, and disapprove in part, the State Implementation Plan (SIP) submission, provided by the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ), on October 11, 2012. This submission pertains to specific Clean Air Act (CAA) requirements for the 1997 annual and 2006 24-hour fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) infrastructure SIPs. This action focuses on one component of the infrastructure requirements in the CAA. The CAA requires states to include provisions in their SIP to address conflicts of interest for state boards or bodies that approve CAA permits and enforcement orders and disclosure of conflict of interest requirements. Specifically, EPA is now approving the submission as it relates to the public interest requirements of CAA and the conflict of interest disclosure provisions. EPA is also now disapproving Mississippi's submission only as it pertains to compliance with the significant portion of income requirements of the CAA. Through this action, EPA is only taking action on the infrastructure SIP requirement related to Mississippi's obligation to address conflicts of interest requirements for state boards or bodies that approve CAA permits and enforcement orders and disclosure of conflict of interest requirements. All other applicable Mississippi infrastructure elements for the 1997 annual and 2006 24-hour PM 2.5 NAAQS have been addressed through separate rulemakings. EPA is also taking action to finalize substantive SIP revisions included with MDEQ's October 11, 2012, submission.
This regulation establishes tolerances for residues of flumioxazin in or on multiple commodities which are identified and discussed later in this document. Interregional Research Project Number 4 (IR-4) requested these tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).
EPA is making two separate and independent determinations regarding the Pittsburgh-Beaver Valley 1997 8-hour ozone nonattainment area (the Pittsburgh Area). First, EPA is making a determination that the Pittsburgh Area attained the 1997 8-hour ozone national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS) by the applicable attainment date of June 15, 2010. This determination is based upon complete, quality assured, and certified ambient air monitoring data for the 2007-2009 monitoring period showing monitored attainment of the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS. Second, EPA is making a determination that the Pittsburgh Area is attaining the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS, based on complete, quality assured, and certified ambient air monitoring data for the 2009-2011 monitoring period, and preliminary data for 2012. This final determination suspends the requirement for the Pittsburgh Area to submit an attainment demonstration, reasonably available control measures (RACM), a reasonable further progress (RFP) plan, and contingency measures related to attainment of the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS for so long as the area continues to attain that NAAQS. These determinations do not constitute a redesignation to attainment. The Pittsburgh Area will remain designated nonattainment for the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS until such time as EPA determines that the Pittsburgh Area meets the Clean Air Act (CAA) requirements for redesignation to attainment, including an approved maintenance plan. These actions are being taken under the CAA.
On April 14, 2010, EPA published a direct final rule approving delegations of authority for Louisiana. There was an error in the amendatory language which resulted in errors in the codification of the delegated Federal authorities for Kentucky and Louisiana. This action corrects the errors.
EPA is taking final action to amend the federal regulations to withdraw certain human health and aquatic life water quality criteria applicable to waters of New Jersey, Puerto Rico, and California's San Francisco Bay. In 1992, EPA promulgated the National Toxics Rule or NTR to establish numeric water quality criteria for 12 states and two Territories, including New Jersey, Puerto Rico and parts of California. On May 18, 2000, EPA then promulgated a final rule known as the California Toxics Rule or CTR in order to establish numeric water quality criteria for priority toxic pollutants for the State of California that were not previously in the NTR. These two states and one territory have now adopted, and EPA has approved, water quality criteria for certain pollutants included in the NTR. Since California, New Jersey, and Puerto Rico now have criteria that are applicable water quality standards for purposes of the Clean Water Act, EPA has determined that the federally promulgated criteria are no longer needed for these pollutants. In today's action, EPA is amending the federal regulations to withdraw those certain criteria applicable to California, New Jersey, and Puerto Rico as described in the April 5, 2012 proposed rule. The withdrawal of the federally promulgated criteria will enable New Jersey, Puerto Rico, and California to implement their EPA-approved water quality criteria.
This document corrects an error in the codification in an October 26, 2010, final rule under the Clean Air Act. This rule approved revisions to Ohio regulations that consolidated air quality standards in a new chapter of rules and adjusted the rule references accordingly in various related rules. Of particular note is a revision that adjusted the provision for measurements for comparison with the particulate matter air quality standards. EPA erroneously codified approval of the entirety of the rule, which may be misread as having inadvertently approved several other provisions which were not addressed in the October 26, 2010 final rule, and which EPA in separate rulemaking had proposed to disapprove. Therefore, EPA is correcting its action to clarify the codification to show that only one paragraph of this rule was approved. This action simply makes the codification consistent with the approval.
EPA is approving a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (Pennsylvania). The revision consists of an update to the SIP-approved Motor Vehicle Emissions Budgets (MVEBs) for the Pennsylvania counties in the Philadelphia-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE 1997 fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) nonattainment area (hereafter referred to as the Philadelphia Area) to reflect the use of the most recent version of the Motor Vehicle Emission Simulator model (MOVES). The Pennsylvania counties impacted by this revision are: Philadelphia, Montgomery, Delaware, Chester, and Bucks Counties. EPA is approving this revision to the MVEBs and thereby making them available for transportation conformity purposes in accordance with the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA).
EPA is taking final action to approve changes to the South Carolina State Implementation Plan (SIP), submitted by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SC DHEC) to EPA in five separate SIP submittals dated May 1, 2012, July 18, 2011, February 16, 2011, December 23, 2009, and December 4, 2008. The SIP revisions make changes to South Carolina's New Source Review (NSR) Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) program to adopt federal PSD requirements regarding fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) and changes to the State's provisions related to the national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) and volatile organic compounds (VOC). EPA is approving portions of the submittals as revisions to South Carolina's SIP because the Agency has determined that they are consistent with the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act) and EPA regulations regarding NSR permitting.
EPA is taking final action to approve in part, and disapprove in part, the State Implementation Plan (SIP) submissions, submitted by the State of Florida, through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) on April 18, 2008, and September 23, 2009. This final action addresses the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act) requirements pertaining to prevention of significant deterioration (PSD) for the 1997 annual and 2006 24-hour fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) infrastructure SIPs. The CAA requires that each state adopt and submit a SIP for the implementation, maintenance, and enforcement of each NAAQS promulgated by EPA, which is commonly referred to as an “infrastructure” SIP. EPA is approving in part, and disapproving in part, the submission for Florida that relates to adequate provisions prohibiting emissions that interfere with any other state's required measures to prevent significant deterioration of its air quality. All other applicable infrastructure requirements for the 1997 annual and 2006 24-hour PM 2.5 NAAQS associated with Florida have been addressed in separate rulemakings.
The EPA is approving in part and disapproving in part the Limited Maintenance Plan (LMP) submitted by the State of Idaho on December 14, 2011, for the Sandpoint nonattainment area (Sandpoint NAA) for particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to a nominal 10 micrometers (PM 10 ), and approving the State's request to redesignate this area to attainment for the PM 10 National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The EPA is disapproving a separable part of the Sandpoint NAA LMP that does not meet LMP eligibility criteria or applicable requirements under the Clean Air Act (CAA). The part of the Sandpoint NAA LMP that the EPA is approving complies with applicable requirements and meets the requirements of the CAA for full approval. The EPA is also approving the State's redesignation request because it meets CAA requirements for redesignation.
EPA is adjusting the allowance system controlling U.S. consumption and production of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) as a result of a 2010 Court decision vacating a portion of the 2009 final rule titled “Protection of Stratospheric Ozone: Adjustments to the Allowance System for Controlling HCFC Production, Import, and Export.” EPA interprets the Court's vacatur as applying to the part of the rule that establishes the company-by-company baselines and calendar year allowances for HCFC-22 and HCFC-142b. On August 5, 2011, EPA published an interim final rule allocating allowances for 2011. Today's action relieves the regulatory ban on production and consumption of these two chemicals following the Court's vacatur by establishing company-by-company HCFC-22 and HCFC-142b baselines and allocating production and consumption allowances for 2012-2014.
This regulation establishes an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of castor oil, polymer with adipic acid, linoleic acid, oleic acid and ricinoleic acid (CAS Reg. No. 1357486-09-9) when used as an inert ingredient in a pesticide formulation. Advance Polymer Technology submitted a petition to EPA under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), requesting an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance. This regulation eliminates the need to establish a maximum permissible level for residues of castor oil, polymer with adipic acid, linoleic acid, oleic acid and ricinoleic acid on food or feed commodities.
This regulation establishes an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of styrene-ethylene-propylene block copolymer (CAS Reg. No. 108388-87-0) when used as an inert ingredient in a pesticide formulation. AgroFresh Inc., submitted a petition to EPA under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), requesting an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance. This regulation eliminates the need to establish a maximum permissible level for residues of styrene-ethylene-propylene block copolymer on food or feed commodities.
This action approves a modification to the State of Oregon's approved Municipal Solid Waste Landfill (MSWLF) permit program. The approved modification allows the State to issue Research, Development, and Demonstration (RD&D) Permits to owners and operators of MSWLF units in accordance with its State law. On March 22, 2004, the EPA issued final regulations allowing RD&D Permits to be issued to certain municipal solid waste landfills by approved states. On June 14, 2012, Oregon submitted an application to EPA Region 10 seeking Federal approval of its RD&D Permit requirements. After thorough review, EPA Region 10 is determining that Oregon's RD&D Permit requirements are adequate through this direct final action.
The EPA is taking final action to approve two revisions to the Arkansas State Implementation Plan (SIP) submitted by the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) to EPA on February 17, 2010, and November 6, 2012. The February 17, 2010, SIP revision to the Arkansas New Source Review (NSR) Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) program updates the Arkansas SIP to incorporate by reference (IBR) requirements for the federal PSD permitting program under EPA's November 29, 2005 Phase 2 8-hour Ozone Implementation rule. The November 6, 2012, SIP revision to the Arkansas NSR PSD program provides the state of Arkansas with the authority to issue PSD permits governing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and establishes appropriate emission thresholds for determining which new stationary sources and modifications to existing stationary sources become subject to Arkansas's PSD permitting requirements for their GHG emissions. The November 6, 2012 SIP revision also defers until July 21, 2014, application of the PSD permitting requirements to biogenic carbon dioxide emissions from bioenergy and other biogenic stationary sources. EPA is approving the February 17, 2010, and November 6, 2012, SIP revisions to the Arkansas NSR PSD permitting program as consistent with federal requirements for PSD permitting. As a result of this approval, EPA is rescinding the GHG PSD Federal Implementation Plan (FIP) for Arkansas that was put in place on December 30, 2010, to ensure the availability of a permitting authority for GHG permitting in Arkansas. EPA is finalizing this action under section 110 and part C of the Act.
The EPA is finalizing its proposal to approve revisions to the Texas State Implementation Plan (SIP) for the Houston/Galveston/Brazoria (HGB) 1997 8-Hour ozone nonattainment Area (Area). The HGB Area consists of Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery and Waller counties. Specifically, we are finalizing our proposed approval of portions of two revisions to the Texas SIP submitted by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) as meeting certain Reasonably Available Control Technology (RACT) requirements for Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC), and Oxides of Nitrogen (NO X ) in the HGB Area. We are also finalizing our proposal to approve the 2007 Voluntary Mobile Emission Reduction Program (VMEP) commitments for the HGB Area. This action is in accordance with section 110 of the federal Clean Air Act (the Act, CAA).
EPA is taking direct final action to approve a revision to the State Implementation Plan (SIP) and Operating Permits Program to amend the definitions provisions of the rules. This SIP revision and revision to the Missouri operating permits program add the compounds propylene carbonate and dimethyl carbonate to the list of compounds which are excluded from the definition of Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) for consistency with the Federal definition of VOC. The SIP revision also corrects two asbestos method subpart references. This revision also approves Missouri's request to amend the SIP to meet the 2008 fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) National Ambient Air Quality Standards implementation requirements of the May 16, 2008, New Source Review (NSR) PM 2.5 Rule. In this SIP revision, Missouri adopted rule revisions to establish the requirement for NSR permits to address directly emitted PM 2.5 and precursor pollutants; and significant emission rates for direct PM 2.5 and precursor pollutants (sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ) and nitrogen dioxide (NO X )).
EPA published a direct final rule, Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule: Revision to Best Available Monitoring Method Request Submission Deadline for Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems Source Category, on February 19, 2013. That direct final rule amended the deadline by which owners or operators of facilities subject to the petroleum and natural gas systems source category of the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule are required to submit requests for use of best available monitoring methods (BAMM) to the Administrator. Because EPA received potentially adverse comments on the amendments in that direct final rule, we are issuing this notice to withdraw the direct final rule.
EPA is taking direct final action to approve revisions to the State Implementation Plan (SIP) submitted by the Commonwealth of Virginia. This revision amends Virginia's transportation conformity requirements in order to be consistent with EPA's revised transportation conformity requirements. EPA is approving these revisions in accordance with the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA).
EPA is partially approving and partially disapproving State Implementation Plan (SIP) revisions submitted by the State of Colorado on June 20, 2003. The intended effect of this final rule is to approve and make federally enforceable those portions of the revisions to Colorado's Common Provisions that are consistent with the Clean Air Act (CAA). Primarily, the revisions involved changes designed to fix ambiguous language, to make the definitions more readable or to delete obsolete definitions. In addition, a number of definitions were revised to reflect developments in federal law or were deleted to eliminate duplicative provisions that appear in other Colorado regulations. EPA is approving portions of the revision that delete duplicative or obsolete definitions, or that clarify existing definitions in a manner consistent with the CAA. In addition, EPA is disapproving those portions of the rule revisions that EPA determined are inconsistent with the CAA. This action is being taken under section 110 of the CAA.
EPA is taking direct final action to convert a conditional approval of specified provisions of the Ohio state implementation plan (SIP) to a full approval. Ohio submitted a request to approve revised particulate matter (PM) rules on February 23, 2012. The PM rule revisions being approved establish work practices for coating operations, add a section clarifying that sources can be subject to both stationary source and fugitive source PM restrictions, and add a PM emission limitation exemption for jet engine testing. Pursuant to a state commitment underlying a previous conditional approval of this rule, the revised rule provides that any exemption from the work practice requirements that the state grants to large coating sources must be submitted to EPA for approval.
This regulation establishes a tolerance for residues of clothianidin in or on tea, dried and increases the tolerance level for pepper to support a shorter pre-harvest interval (PHI). These tolerances were requested by Interregional Research Project Number 4 (IR-4) and Valent U.S.A. Corporation, respectively, under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).
EPA is taking final action to withdraw its previous approvals of state implementation plan revisions submitted by the State of California to meet the vehicle-miles-traveled emissions offset requirement under the Clean Air Act for the Los Angeles-South Coast Air Basin 1-hour and 8-hour ozone nonattainment areas. EPA is also taking final action to disapprove the same plan revisions. EPA is finalizing the withdrawal and disapproval actions in response to a remand by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in Association of Irritated Residents v. EPA. The effect of this action is to trigger deadlines by which new plan revisions meeting the applicable requirements must be submitted by the State of California and approved by EPA to avoid sanctions and to avoid an obligation on EPA to promulgate a federal implementation plan.
EPA is taking direct final action to approve a revision to the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) portion of the California State Implementation Plan (SIP). This revision concerns volatile organic compounds (VOC) from organic liquid storage. We are approving a local rule that regulates these emission sources under the Clean Air Act (CAA or the Act).
This regulation establishes a tolerance for residues of emamectin benzoate in or on the cucurbit vegetable crop group 9. Interregional Research Project Number 4 (IR-4) requested this tolerance under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).
This regulation establishes a tolerance for residues of the insecticide thiamethoxam in or on tea, and amends the existing tolerance for residues of thiamethoxam in or on coffee. Syngenta Crop Protection, Inc., requested these tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).
This regulation raises tolerances for residues of abamectin (also known as avermectin B 1 a mixture of avermectins containing greater than or equal to 80% avermectin B 1a (5- O -demethyl avermectin A 1 ) and less than or equal to 20% avermectin delta-8,9-isomer) in or on cotton and strawberries. Syngenta Crop Protection Inc. requested these tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).
EPA issued direct final significant new use rules (SNURS) in the Federal Register of December 20, 2012 for 9 chemical substances which were the subject of premanufacture notices (PMNs). For the chemical substance identified generically as aromatic sulfonic acid amino azo dye salts (PMN P-12-276) a typographical error has been identified. This document is being issued to correct the typographical error.
EPA is taking final action to conditionally approve submissions from Kentucky, North Carolina and Tennessee for inclusion into each State Implementation Plan (SIP). This action addresses the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act) requirements pertaining to prevention of significant deterioration (PSD) for the 1997 annual and 2006 24-hour fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) infrastructure SIPs. The CAA requires that each state adopt and submit a SIP for the implementation, maintenance, and enforcement of each NAAQS promulgated by EPA, which is commonly referred to as an “infrastructure” SIP. EPA is conditionally approving the submissions for Kentucky, North Carolina and Tennessee that relate to adequate provisions prohibiting emissions that interfere with any other state's required measures to prevent significant deterioration of its air quality. All other applicable infrastructure requirements for the 1997 annual and 2006 24-hour PM 2.5 NAAQS associated with these States have been addressed in separate rulemakings.
Due to the receipt of an adverse comment, EPA is withdrawing the January 31, 2013, direct final rule approving a revision to the Minnesota State Implementation Plan (SIP). EPA will address the comment in a subsequent final action based upon the proposed rulemaking action, also published on January 31, 2013. EPA will not institute a second comment period on this action.
EPA is finalizing approval of revisions to the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) portion of the California State Implementation Plan (SIP). This action was proposed in the Federal Register on November 7, 2012 and concerns volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from architectural coatings. We are approving a local rule that regulates these emission sources under the Clean Air Act (CAA or the Act).
This regulation establishes an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of banda de Lupinus albus doce (BLAD), a naturally occurring polypeptide from the catabolism of a seed storage protein (β-conglutin) of sweet lupines ( Lupinus albus ), in or on all food commodities when applied as a fungicide and used in accordance with label directions and good agricultural practices. On behalf of Consumo Em Verde S.A., Bert Volger of Ceres International LLC submitted a petition to EPA under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), requesting an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance. This regulation eliminates the need to establish a maximum permissible level for residues of BLAD under the FFDCA.
The EPA is taking final action to promulgate a Reservation-specific Federal Implementation Plan in order to regulate emissions from oil and natural gas production facilities located on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation in North Dakota. The Federal Implementation Plan includes basic air quality regulations for the protection of communities in and adjacent to the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation. The Federal Implementation Plan requires owners and operators of oil and natural gas production facilities to reduce emissions of volatile organic compounds emanating from well completions, recompletions, and production and storage operations. This Federal Implementation Plan will be implemented by the EPA, or a delegated tribal authority, until replaced by a Tribal Implementation Plan. The EPA proposed a Reservation-specific Federal Implementation Plan concurrently with an interim final rule on August 15, 2012. This final Federal Implementation Plan replaces the interim final rule in all intents and purposes on the effective date of the final rule. The EPA is taking this action pursuant to the Clean Air Act (CAA).
EPA is revising the format for materials submitted by the State of Washington that are incorporated by reference (IBR) into the Washington State Implementation Plan (SIP). The regulations affected by this format change have all been previously submitted by the State of Washington and approved by EPA. This format revision will primarily affect the “Identification of plan” section, as well as the format of the SIP materials that will be available for public inspection at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), the Air and Radiation Docket and Information Center located at EPA Headquarters in Washington, DC, and the EPA Regional Office. EPA is also adding a table in the “Identification of plan” section which summarizes the approval actions that EPA has taken on the non-regulatory and quasi-regulatory portions of the Washington SIP.
This regulation establishes tolerances for residues of amitraz in or on honey and honeycomb. Arysta Lifescience America, Inc. requested the tolerance for honey under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).
On September 28, 2012, EPA published a final rule in the Federal Register approving Georgia State Implementation Plan (SIP) revisions, submitted through the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (GA EPD), related to reasonably available control technology (RACT) requirements. This correcting amendment corrects errors in the non-regulatory Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) language portion of the September 28, 2012, final approval. Specifically, this correction pertains to negative declarations made by GA EPD in its October 21, 2009, SIP submittal for certain source categories for which EPA has issued control technique guidelines (CTG). EPA's September 28, 2012, final rulemaking addressing Georgia's RACT revisions, approved the negative declarations; however, they were inadvertently omitted from the actual CFR non-regulatory language at the end of the final action.
EPA is approving the request by Ohio to revise the Cleveland-Akron-Lorain and the Columbus, Ohio 1997 8-hour ozone maintenance air quality State Implementation Plans (SIPs) under the Clean Air Act (CAA) to replace the previously approved motor vehicle emissions budgets (budgets) with budgets developed using EPA's Motor Vehicle Emissions Simulator (MOVES) emissions model. Ohio submitted the SIP revision requests to EPA on October 30, 2012, and December 12, 2012, respectively.
The EPA is taking final action to approve revisions to Idaho's State Implementation Plan (SIP) submitted by the Director of the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (IDEQ) on July 13, 2011, for approval into the Idaho SIP. The submitted revisions relate to Idaho's open burning and crop residue disposal requirements and establish a streamlined permitting process for spot burns, baled agricultural residue burns, and propane flaming. The submitted revisions also make minor changes to the existing crop residue disposal rules to update cross references and clarify certain administrative information. On January 11, 2013, EPA proposed to approve these revisions into Idaho's SIP. The EPA is taking final action to approve this submittal because it satisfies the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA).
EPA is clarifying the description of the Imperial Valley planning area, an area designated as nonattainment for the national ambient air quality standard for particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of a nominal 10 microns or less (PM 10 ). EPA is not changing the boundaries of the PM 10 area or the status of the area as a “serious” PM 10 nonattainment area but is clarifying the description of this partial county area in the Code of Federal Regulations.
The EPA is taking final action on an amendment that was withdrawn in a January 22, 2013, Federal Register withdrawal notice. The amendment that is the subject of today's final rule adds language to the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP) to broaden the technology, to include computer telecommunications or other electronic means, that the lead agency is permitted to use to make the administrative record file available to the public.
EPA is approving a portion of Indiana's construction permit rule for sources subject to the state operating permit program regulations at 40 CFR part 70. These provisions authorize the state to incorporate terms from Federal consent decrees or Federal district court orders into these construction permits. EPA is also approving public notice requirements for these permit actions. These rules will help streamline the process for making Federal consent decree and Federal district court order requirements permanent and Federally enforceable.
The EPA is finalizing revisions to the deadlines established in the national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS) for nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ) for the near-road component of the NO 2 monitoring network in order to implement a phased deployment approach. This approach will create a series of deadlines that will make the near-road NO 2 network operational between January 1, 2014, and January 1, 2017. The EPA is also finalizing revisions to the approval authority for annual monitoring network plans for NO 2 monitoring.
This regulation extends the time-limited interim tolerances for the combined residues of the insecticide tetrachlorvinphos, in or on multiple commodities which are identified in Unit III. of this document, under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).
EPA is taking final action to approve revisions to the applicable New Source Review (NSR) State Implementation Plan (SIP) for New Mexico. Among the changes, EPA is approving the following: the establishment of a new Minor NSR (MNSR) general construction permitting program; changes to the MNSR Public Participation requirements; the establishment of three different types of MNSR Permit Revisions; and the addition of exemptions for de minimis emission sources and activities from obtaining a MNSR permit. EPA finds that these revisions to the New Mexico SIP comply with the Federal Clean Air Act (the Act or CAA) and EPA regulations and are consistent with EPA policies. EPA also is providing clarification of an earlier separate EPA rulemaking action approving the Section 110(a)(1) Maintenance Plan for the 1997 8-hour ozone standard for the Sunland Park 1997 8-hour attainment area. This action is being taken under section 110 of the Act.
New York State has applied to EPA for final authorization of changes to its hazardous waste program under the Solid Waste Disposal Act, as amended, commonly referred to as the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). EPA has determined that these changes, with limited exceptions, satisfy all requirements needed to qualify for final authorization, and is authorizing the State's changes through this direct final action.
EPA is finalizing the update of the Outer Continental Shelf (“OCS”) Air Regulations proposed in the Federal Register on October 9, 2012. Requirements applying to OCS sources located within 25 miles of States' seaward boundaries must be updated periodically to remain consistent with the requirements of the corresponding onshore area (“COA”), as mandated by the Clean Air Act, as amended in 1990 (“the Act”). The portion of the OCS air regulations that is being updated pertains to the requirements for OCS sources for which the Ventura County Air Pollution Control District (“Ventura County APCD” or “District”) is the designated COA. The intended effect of approving the OCS requirements for the Ventura County APCD is to regulate emissions from OCS sources in accordance with the requirements onshore.
EPA is taking final action to approve in part, conditionally approve in part, and disapprove in part, the July 17, 2012, State Implementation Plan (SIP) submission provided by the Commonwealth of Kentucky, through the Division of Air Quality (DAQ) of the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet. Kentucky DAQ submitted the July 17, 2012, SIP submission as a replacement to its original September 8, 2009, SIP submission. Specifically, this final rulemaking pertains to the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act) requirements for the 2008 8-hour ozone national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) infrastructure SIP. The CAA requires that each state adopt and submit a SIP for the implementation, maintenance, and enforcement of each NAAQS promulgated by EPA, which is commonly referred to as an “infrastructure” SIP. Kentucky DAQ made a SIP submission demonstrating that the Kentucky SIP contains provisions that ensure the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS are implemented, enforced, and maintained in the Commonwealth (hereafter referred to as “infrastructure submission”). EPA is now taking final action on three related actions on Kentucky DAQ's infrastructure SIP submission. First, EPA is taking action to approve Kentucky DAQ's infrastructure submission provided to EPA on July 17, 2012, as meeting certain required infrastructure elements for the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS. Second, with respect to the infrastructure elements related to specific prevention of significant deterioration (PSD) requirements, EPA is taking final action to approve, in part and conditionally approve in part, the infrastructure SIP submission based on a December 19, 2012, commitment from Kentucky DAQ to submit specific enforceable measures for approval into the SIP to address specific PSD program deficiencies. Third, EPA is taking final action to disapprove Kentucky DAQ's infrastructure SIP submission with respect to certain interstate transport requirements for the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS because the submission does not address the statutory provisions with respect to the relevant NAAQS and thus does not satisfy the criteria for approval. The CAA requires EPA to act on this portion of the SIP submission even though under a recent court decision, Kentucky DAQ was not yet required to submit a SIP submission to address these interstate transport requirements. Moreover, under that same court decision, this disapproval does not trigger an obligation for EPA to promulgate a Federal Implementation Plan (FIP) to address these interstate transport requirements.
EPA is taking final action to approve in part, and conditionally approve in part, the State Implementation Plan (SIP) submission, submitted by the State of Tennessee, through the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), to demonstrate that the State meets the infrastructure requirements of Clean Air Act (CAA or Act) for the 2008 8-hour ozone national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS). The CAA requires that each state adopt and submit a SIP for the implementation, maintenance, and enforcement of each NAAQS promulgated by EPA, which is commonly referred to as an “infrastructure” SIP. On October 19, 2009, TDEC made a SIP submission to certify that the Tennessee SIP already contains provisions that ensure the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS are implemented, enforced, and maintained in Tennessee (hereafter referred to as “infrastructure submission”). On March 23, 2012, TDEC submitted a letter requesting conditional approval of the infrastructure submission with respect to the requirements in its SIP applicable to state boards. On October 4, 2012, Tennessee submitted a letter requesting conditional approval of infrastructure submission with respect to requirements in its SIP with respect to requirements applicable to its permitting program for prevention of significant deterioration (PSD) increments. With the exception of elements pertaining to PSD increments and state board requirements, Tennessee's infrastructure submission, provided to EPA on October 19, 2009, addresses all the applicable infrastructure SIP requirements for the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS. At this time, there are no outstanding infrastructure submission requirements for Tennessee with respect to significant contribution to nonattainment or interference with maintenance of the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS.
EPA discussed, but did not propose, a new method, ASTM D7575, for oil and grease in the 2010 proposed Methods Update Rule (MUR). Oil and grease is a method-defined parameter. That is, the nature and amount of material determined by the method is defined in terms of the method. EPA subsequently published a Notice of Data Availability (NODA) on this method that provided new data and requested comment on whether and how EPA should approve the method in Part 136 as an alternative oil and grease method. This document provides EPA's final decision on its reconsideration of this method.
This regulation establishes tolerances for residues of fenpyrazamine in or on multiple commodities which are identified and discussed later in this document. Valent U.S.A. Corporation and Interregional Research Project Number 4 (IR-4) requested these tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).
EPA is issuing a final rule identifying additional fuel pathways that EPA has determined meet the biomass-based diesel, advanced biofuel or cellulosic biofuel lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction requirements specified in Clean Air Act section 211(o), the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) Program, as amended by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA). This final rule describes EPA's evaluation of biofuels produced from camelina ( Camelina sativa ) oil and energy cane; it also includes an evaluation of renewable gasoline and renewable gasoline blendstocks, and clarifies our definition of renewable diesel. The inclusion of these pathways creates additional opportunity and flexibility for regulated parties to comply with the advanced and cellulosic requirements of EISA and provides the certainty necessary for investments to bring these biofuels into commercial production from these new feedstocks. We are not finalizing at this time determinations on biofuels produced from giant reed ( Arundo donax ) or napier grass ( Pennisetum purpureum ) or biodiesel produced from esterification. We continue to consider the issues concerning these proposals, and will make a final decision on them at a later time.
EPA is approving a revision to the Delaware State Implementation Plan (SIP) submitted by the State of Delaware, through the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) on April 3, 2008. The SIP revision pertains to the 2002 base year emissions inventory for the Delaware portion of the Philadelphia-Wilmington, Pennsylvania-New Jersey-Delaware (PA-NJ-DE) nonattainment area. The 2002 base year emissions inventory was submitted to meet nonattainment requirements related to the Delaware nonattainment area for the 1997 annual fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS). EPA is approving the 2002 base year emissions inventory in accordance with the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA).
EPA is approving a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. This revision pertains to the Air Pollution Control portion of the Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) Rules and Regulations, relating to ACHD's Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) program. Additionally, EPA is also approving this revision for the purpose of determining that ACHD has met its statutory obligations with respect to the infrastructure requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA) which relate to ACHD's PSD permitting program and are necessary to implement, maintain, and enforce the 1997 ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) as well as the 1997 and 2006 NAAQS for particulate matter less than 2.5 microns (PM 2.5 ). EPA is approving these revisions that incorporate by reference the Federal PSD program in its entirety in accordance with the requirements of the CAA.
EPA is approving a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC). This revision pertains to EPA's greenhouse gas (GHG) permitting provisions as promulgated on June 3, 2010. This action is being taken under the Clean Air Act (CAA).
EPA is approving a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the Maryland Department of the Environmental (MDE) on April 4, 2012. This revision defers until July 21, 2014 the application of the Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) permitting requirements to biogenic carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions from bioenergy and other biogenic stationary sources in the State of Maryland. This action is being taken under the Clean Air Act (CAA).
EPA is taking direct final action to approve revisions to the Knox County portion of the Tennessee State Implementation Plan (SIP), submitted by the State of Tennessee, through the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) on August 19, 2009, August 22, 2012, and October 12, 2012. The SIP submittals include changes to Knox County Air Quality Management Regulations concerning open burning, permits and regulation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). TDEC considers Knox County's SIP revisions to be as or more stringent than the Tennessee SIP requirements. EPA is approving the Knox County SIP revisions because the State has demonstrated that they are consistent with the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act).
With this final rule EPA declares a prion ( i.e., proteinaceous infectious particle) to be a “pest” under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) and amends the regulations to expressly include prion within the regulatory definition of pest. This final rule also amends existing pesticide product performance data requirements to clarify that efficacy data are required for pesticide products with prion-related claims. In addition, EPA is announcing the availability of final test guidelines on generating the product performance data for prion-related pesticide products.
This regulation establishes tolerances for residues of pyroxasulfone in or on soybeans. K-I Chemical U.S.A., Inc., requested these tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).
This regulation establishes tolerances for residues of pyraflufen-ethyl in or on multiple commodities which are identified and discussed later in this document. Nichino America, Inc. requested these tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).
This regulation amends inadvertent tolerances for residues of acetochlor in or on crop groups 15 and 16 for cereal grains by dropping the exclusion for rice grain and straw. Monsanto Company requested these tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).
The EPA is finding that seven states have not made complete state implementation plan (SIP) submissions to address certain SIP elements, as required by the Clean Air Act (CAA). Specifically, the EPA is determining that these seven states have not submitted complete SIPs that provide the basic CAA program elements necessary to implement the 2008 lead national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS). The EPA refers to these SIP submissions as “infrastructure” SIPs. Of the seven states, three are incomplete only due to prevention of significant deterioration (PSD)-related elements, for which a federal implementation plan (FIP) is in place. The remaining 43 states have made complete submissions. Each finding of failure to submit establishes a 24-month deadline for the EPA to promulgate FIPs to address the outstanding SIP elements unless prior to the EPA promulgating a FIP an affected state submits, and the EPA approves, a SIP that corrects the deficiency.
EPA is taking direct final action to approve a limited maintenance plan update submitted by the State of North Carolina, through the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (NC DENR), on August 2, 2012. The limited maintenance plan update is for the Charlotte, Raleigh/Durham and Winston-Salem carbon monoxide (CO) maintenance areas. Specifically, the State submitted a limited maintenance plan update for CO, showing continued attainment of the 8-hour CO National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for the Charlotte, Raleigh/Durham and Winston-Salem Areas. The 8-hour CO NAAQS is 9 parts per million (ppm). EPA is taking direct final action to approve the limited maintenance plan update because it is consistent with the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act), and EPA's policy for limited maintenance plans.
EPA is making an interim final determination to stay the imposition of offset sanctions and to defer the imposition of highway sanctions based on a proposed approval of a revision to the Placer County Air Pollution Control District (PCAPCD) and Feather River Air Quality Management District (FRAQMD) portion of the California State Implementation Plan (SIP) published elsewhere in this Federal Register . The SIP revision concerns two permitting rules submitted by the PCAPCD and FRAQMD, respectively: Rule 502, New Source Review, and Rule 10.1, New Source Review.
EPA is updating the materials submitted by the State of Hawaii that are incorporated by reference (IBR) into the Hawaii State Implementation Plan (SIP). The regulations affected by this update have been previously submitted by the State of Hawaii and approved by EPA. This update affects the SIP materials that are available for public inspection at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), the Air and Radiation Docket and Information Center located at EPA Headquarters in Washington, DC, and the EPA Regional Office.
As additions to Ohio's State Implementation Plan (SIP) under the Clean Air Act, EPA is approving six Permit-by-Rule (PBR) provisions, a Permit to Install and Operate (PTIO) program, two permanent exemptions from the Permit to Install (PTI) requirement, and a General Permit program. The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) requested these rule revisions to make its air pollution permit program more efficient. Approving these additions will make the PBRs, PTIOs, and general permits Federally enforceable. Because these rule revisions will make Ohio's air permit program more efficient while continuing to protect human health and the environment, EPA approves the revisions.
EPA is taking direct final action to approve revisions to the Kansas State Implementation Plan (SIP) submitted by the State of Kansas on July 27, 2010. The revision includes two new rules which implement restrictions on the idling of heavy duty diesel vehicles and reduce nitrogen oxide (NO X ) emissions at stationary sources in the Kansas portion of the Kansas City Maintenance Area for ozone. EPA is approving this revision because the standards and requirements set by the rules will strengthen the Kansas SIP. EPA's approval of this SIP revision is being done in accordance with the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA).
EPA is taking direct final action to approve a revision to the Tennessee State Implementation Plan (SIP), submitted to EPA on December 13, 2012, by the State of Tennessee, through the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC). Tennessee's December 13, 2012, SIP revision includes changes to the maintenance plan for the Knox County 1-hour ozone area submitted on August 26, 1992, and approved by EPA on September 27, 1993, and a subsequent SIP revision approved by EPA on August 5, 1997. The Knox County 1-hour ozone area was comprised of Knox County in its entirety. The December 13, 2012 SIP revision proposes to increase the safety margin allocated to motor vehicle emissions budgets (MVEB) for nitrogen oxides (NO X ) and volatile organic compounds (VOC) for Knox County to account for changes in the emissions model and vehicle miles traveled (VMT) projection model. EPA is approving this SIP revision because the State has demonstrated that it is consistent with the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act).
EPA is taking direct final action to approve revisions to the Missouri State Implementation Plan (SIP) submitted March 17, 2011. This revision will amend the rule restricting emissions of particulate matter from industrial sources by providing an alternative compliance method for wet corn milling drying operations. The revisions to Missouri's rule do not have an adverse affect on air quality. EPA's approval of this SIP revision is being done in accordance with the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA).
This regulation establishes an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of the biochemical pesticide, 3-decen-2-one, in or on potatoes when applied as a postharvest potato sprout inhibitor and used in accordance with label directions and good agricultural practices. On behalf of AMVAC Chemical Corporation (AMVAC), Technology Sciences Group, Inc. (TSG) submitted a petition to EPA under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), requesting an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance. This regulation eliminates the need to establish a maximum permissible level for residues of 3-decen-2-one under the FFDCA.
EPA is taking direct final action to approve changes to the Tennessee State Implementation Plan (SIP), submitted by the State of Tennessee, through the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) on September 3, 1999. Tennessee's September 3, 1999, SIP adds 17 compounds to the list of compounds excluded from the definition of “Volatile Organic Compound” (VOC). EPA is approving this SIP revision because the State has demonstrated that it is consistent with the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act).
The EPA is taking direct final action to revise the deadline by which owners or operators of facilities subject to the petroleum and natural gas systems source category of the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule must submit requests for use of best available monitoring methods to the Administrator. This revision does not change any other requirements for owners or operators that are outlined in the best available monitoring method rule provisions.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 5 is publishing a direct final Notice of Deletion of the Kerr-McGee Sewage Treatment Plant Superfund Site (Site) located in West Chicago, Illinois, from the National Priorities List (NPL). The NPL, promulgated pursuant to Section 105 of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) of 1980, as amended, is an appendix to the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP). This direct final deletion is being published by EPA with the concurrence of the State of Illinois, through the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA), because EPA has determined that all appropriate response actions under CERCLA have been completed. However, this deletion does not preclude future actions under Superfund.
The EPA is taking direct final action to revise the definition of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) for purposes of preparing state implementation plans (SIPs) to attain the national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for ozone under title I of the Clean Air Act (CAA). This direct final action adds trans 1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoroprop-1-ene (also known as Solstice TM 1233zd(E)) to the list of compounds excluded from the definition of VOCs on the basis that this compound makes a negligible contribution to tropospheric ozone formation.
EPA is finalizing narrowly tailored amendments to the portions of its rules for the protection of human subjects of research applying to third parties who conduct or support research with pesticides involving intentional exposure of human subjects and to persons who submit the results of human research with pesticides to EPA. The amendments broaden the applicability of the rules to cover human testing with pesticides submitted to EPA under any regulatory statute it administers. The amendments also disallow participation in third-party pesticide studies by subjects who cannot consent for themselves. Finally, the amendments identify specific considerations to be addressed in EPA science and ethics reviews of proposed and completed human research with pesticides, drawn from the recommendations of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS). The amendments make no changes to the current Federal Policy for the Protection of Human Subjects (the “Common Rule”), which governs research with human subjects conducted or supported by EPA and many other Federal departments and agencies.
EPA is approving a State Implementation Plan (SIP) submittal from the State of Alaska as meeting the requirements of Clean Air Act (CAA) sections169A and 169B and federal regional haze regulations. The SIP implements a regional haze program in the State of Alaska for the first regional haze planning period, through July 31, 2018. This submittal addresses the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA) and EPA's rules that require states to prevent any future and remedy any existing manmade impairment of visibility in mandatory Class I areas caused by emissions of air pollutants from numerous sources located over a wide geographic area (also referred to as the “regional haze program”). In this action, EPA is approving all provisions of Alaska's Regional Haze SIP submission, including the requirements for the calculation of baseline and natural visibility conditions, statewide inventory of visibility-impairing pollutants, best available retrofit technology (BART), Reasonable Progress Goals (RPGs), and Long-Term Strategy (LTS). Additionally, EPA is approving the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation Best Available Retrofit Technology regulations, and amendments to Alaska's Area Wide Pollution Control Program for Regional Haze.
EPA is making an interim final determination to stay the imposition of offset sanctions and to defer the imposition of highway sanctions based on a proposed approval of a revision to the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District (SMAQMD or District) portion of the California State Implementation Plan (SIP) published elsewhere in this Federal Register . The SIP revision concerns two permitting rules submitted by the SMAQMD: Rule 214, Federal New Source Review, and Rule 217, Public Notice Requirements for Permits .
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or the Agency) is finalizing revisions to the 1989 Total Coliform Rule (TCR). The Revised Total Coliform Rule (RTCR) offers a meaningful opportunity for greater public health protection beyond the 1989 TCR. Under the RTCR there is no longer a monthly maximum contaminant level (MCL) violation for multiple total coliform detections. Instead, the revisions require systems that have an indication of coliform contamination in the distribution system to assess the problem and take corrective action that may reduce cases of illnesses and deaths due to potential fecal contamination and waterborne pathogen exposure. This final rule also updates provisions in other rules that reference analytical methods and other requirements in the 1989 TCR (e.g., Public Notification and Ground Water Rules). These revisions are in accordance with the 1996 Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) Amendments, which require EPA to review and revise, as appropriate, each national primary drinking water regulation no less often than every six years. These revisions also conform with the SDWA provision that requires any revision to “maintain, or provide for greater, protection of the health of persons.” As with the 1989 TCR, the RTCR applies to all public water systems.
On July 18, 2012, the EPA proposed amendments to the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for the Portland Cement Manufacturing Industry and the Standards of Performance for Portland Cement Plants. This final action amends the national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants for the Portland cement industry. The EPA is also promulgating amendments with respect to issues on which it granted reconsideration on May 17, 2011. In addition, the EPA is amending the new source performance standard for particulate matter. These amendments promote flexibility, reduce costs, ease compliance and preserve health benefits. The amendments also address the remand of the national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants for the Portland cement industry by the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit on December 9, 2011. Finally, the EPA is setting the date for compliance with the existing source national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants to be September 9, 2015.
This action revises the definition of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) under the Clean Air Act (CAA). This revision adds four chemical compounds to the list of compounds excluded from the definition of VOC on the basis that each of these compounds makes a negligible contribution to tropospheric ozone formation. These compounds consist of four hydrofluoropolyethers (HFPEs) which are identified as HCF 2 OCF 2 H (also known as HFE-134), HCF 2 OCF 2 OCF 2 H (also known as HFE-236cal2), HCF 2 OCF 2 CF 2 OCF 2 H (also known as HFE-338pcc13), and HCF 2 OCF 2 OCF 2 CF 2 OCF 2 H (also known as H-Galden 1040X or H-Galden ZT 130 (or 150 or 180)). If an entity uses or produces any of these four HFPE compounds (these being in the family of products known by the trade name H-Galden) and is subject to the EPA regulations limiting the use of VOC in a product, limiting the VOC emissions from a facility, or otherwise controlling the use of VOC for purposes related to attaining the ozone national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS), then the compound will not be counted as a VOC in determining whether these regulatory obligations have been met. This action may also affect whether any of these compounds is considered a VOC for state regulatory purposes, depending on whether the state relies on the EPA's definition of VOC. In addition, the EPA is making certain technical corrections to the current list of exempt compounds.
EPA is taking direct final action to approve revisions to the State of Maryland State Implementation Plan (SIP). The revisions pertain to adoption through incorporation by reference of the national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) by the State of Maryland. EPA is approving these revisions that adopt the NAAQS for ozone (O 3 ), sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ), nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ), lead (Pb), particulate matter (PM) and carbon monoxide (CO) as well as the relevant reference and equivalent monitoring methods through incorporation by reference into the Code of Maryland regulations (COMAR) on an “as amended” basis which will prospectively incorporate all future revisions and additions to the NAAQS in accordance with the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA).
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving the ozone attainment demonstration portion of comprehensive State Implementation Plan revisions submitted by New Jersey and New York to meet Clean Air Act requirements for attaining the 1997 8-hour ozone national ambient air quality standard. EPA is approving New Jersey's and New York's demonstrations of attainment of the 1997 8-hour ozone standard as they relate to their portions of three moderate nonattainment areas; the New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island, NY-NJ-CT area, the Philadelphia-Wilmington-Atlantic City, PA-NJ-MD-DE area, and the Poughkeepsie, NY area.
EPA is taking direct final action to approve a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) pertaining to the F. Keeler Company Boiler at Mount Saint Mary's College. This revision removes the Mount Saint Mary's College 1979 Consent Order (1979 Consent Order) from the Maryland SIP because the coal-fired F. Keeler Boiler has been modified by removing the coal-firing capability and converting the boiler to fire natural gas with No. 2 fuel oil as backup. EPA is approving this SIP revision because the 1979 Consent Order is no longer required as the modified gas-fired unit can comply with all visible emission and particulate requirements in the Maryland SIP, and this 1979 Consent Order is no longer required to satisfy any applicable Federal regulations or the Clean Air Act (CAA). This action is being taken under the CAA.
This regulation establishes an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of the Glycine max herbicide-resistant acetolactate synthase (GM-HRA) enzyme when used as a plant-incorporated protectant inert ingredient in or on the food and feed commodities of soybean. Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. (DuPont Pioneer), submitted a petition to EPA under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), requesting an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance. This regulation eliminates the need to establish a maximum permissible level for residues of Glycine max herbicide-resistant acetolactate synthase enzyme in or on the food and feed commodities of soybean.
This regulation establishes tolerances for residues of hexythiazox in or on alfalfa and timothy. Gowan Company requested these tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).
This action sets forth the EPA's final decision on the issues for which it granted reconsideration in December 2011, which pertain to certain aspects of the March 21, 2011, final rule titled “Standards of Performance for New Stationary Sources and Emissions Guidelines for Existing Sources: Commercial and Industrial Solid Waste Incineration Units” (CISWI rule). This action also includes our final decision to deny the requests for reconsideration with respect to all issues raised in the petitions for reconsideration of the final commercial and industrial solid waste incineration rule for which we did not grant reconsideration. Among other things, this final action establishes effective dates for the standards and makes technical corrections to the final rule to clarify definitions, references, applicability and compliance issues. In addition, the EPA is issuing final amendments to the regulations that were codified by the Non-Hazardous Secondary Materials rule (NHSM rule). Originally promulgated on March 21, 2011, the non-hazardous secondary materials rule provides the standards and procedures for identifying whether non-hazardous secondary materials are solid waste under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act when used as fuels or ingredients in combustion units. The purpose of these amendments is to clarify several provisions in order to implement the non-hazardous secondary materials rule as the agency originally intended.
EPA has granted an objection to the timing of the revocation of the tolerance for endosulfan on tea. The objection was filed by the Chamber of Commerce of Zhejiang International Tea Industry. With this document, EPA is amending the tolerances for endosulfan to reestablish a time-limited tolerance for residues on tea.
This regulation establishes tolerances for residues of thiacloprid in or on pepper; cherry subgroup 12-12A; peach subgroup 12-12B; and plum subgroup 12-12C. Interregional Research Project Number 4 (IR-4) requested the stone fruit tolerance and Bayer CropScience requested the pepper tolerance under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).
EPA is finalizing a Federal Implementation Plan (FIP) to implement emission limits that represent Best Available Retrofit Technology (BART) for certain taconite ore processing facilities in Minnesota and Michigan. The Clean Air Act (CAA or the “Act”) and the regional haze rule require implementation plans to contain BART emission limits for sources subject to BART in order to meet the national goal of preventing any future and remedying any existing impairment of visibility in mandatory class I Federal areas arising from manmade air pollution.
EPA is approving a revision to the Beaumont/Port Arthur (BPA) 1997 8-hour ozone maintenance air quality State Implementation Plan (SIP) which replaces the previously approved motor vehicle emissions budgets (budgets) with budgets developed using EPA's Motor Vehicle Emissions Simulator (MOVES) 2010a emissions model. The BPA 1997 8-hour ozone maintenance area consists of Hardin, Jefferson, and Orange Counties in Texas.
This regulation establishes tolerances for residues of alpha-cypermethrin, in or on multiple commodities which are identified and discussed later in this document. BASF Corporation requested these tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).
This regulation establishes an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of 2-pyrrolidone, 1-ethenyl-, polymer with ethenol; when used as an inert ingredient in a pesticide formulation. Sekisui Specialty Chemicals America, LLC submitted a petition to EPA under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), requesting an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance. This regulation eliminates the need to establish a maximum permissible level for residues of 2-pyrrolidone, 1-ethenyl-, polymer with ethenol on food or feed commodities.
In this action, the EPA is taking final action on reconsideration of certain issues related to the emission standards to control hazardous air pollutants from new and existing industrial, commercial and institutional boilers at area sources which were issued under section 112 of the Clean Air Act. As part of this action, the EPA is amending certain compliance dates for the standard and making technical corrections to the final rule to clarify definitions, references, applicability and compliance issues raised by petitioners and other stakeholders affected by the rule. The EPA today is taking final action on the proposed reconsideration.
EPA is approving Minnesota's August 29, 2011, request to revise its sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ) State Implementation Plan (SIP) for Flint Hills Resources Pine Bend, LLC (FHR Pine Bend), in Dakota County. The facility is shutting down an incinerator, rerouting process gases, planning for a new boiler, and making other emission limit reductions. This revision will result in a decrease in SO 2 emissions.
EPA is taking direct final action to approve revisions to the Placer County Air Pollution Control District (PCAPCD) portion of the California State Implementation Plan (SIP). These revisions concern Volatile Organic Compound (VOC), oxides of nitrogen (NO X ), and particulate matter (PM) emissions from open burning. We are approving local rules that regulate this emission source under the Clean Air Act (CAA or the Act).
EPA is finalizing approval of revisions to the San Joaquin Valley United Air Pollution Control District (SJVUAPCD) portion of the California State Implementation Plan (SIP). This action was proposed in the Federal Register on November 5, 2012 and concerns volatile organic compounds (VOC), carbon monoxide (CO), oxides of nitrogen (NO X ), oxides of sulfur (SO X ), and particulate matter (PM) emissions from glass melting furnaces. We are approving a local rule that regulates these emission sources under the Clean Air Act (CAA or the Act).
EPA is approving: the State of New Hampshire's request to redesignate the Boston-Manchester-Portsmouth (SE), New Hampshire moderate 8-hour ozone nonattainment area to attainment for the 1997 8-hour ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS); a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision containing a 10-year ozone maintenance plan for this area; a 2008 comprehensive emissions inventory for the area; and new motor vehicle emissions budgets (MVEBs) for the years 2008 and 2022 that are contained in the 10-year ozone maintenance plan for this area.
In this action the EPA is taking final action on its reconsideration of certain issues in the emission standards for the control of hazardous air pollutants from new and existing industrial, commercial, and institutional boilers and process heaters at major sources of hazardous air pollutants, which were issued under section 112 of the Clean Air Act. As part of this action, the EPA is making technical corrections to the final rule to clarify definitions, references, applicability and compliance issues raised by petitioners and other stakeholders affected by this rule. On March 21, 2011, the EPA promulgated national emission standards for this source category. On that same day, the EPA also published a notice announcing its intent to reconsider certain provisions of the final rule. Following these actions, the Administrator received several petitions for reconsideration. After consideration of the petitions received, on December 23, 2011, the EPA proposed revisions to certain provisions of the March 21, 2011, final rule, and requested public comment on several provisions of the final rule. The EPA is now taking final action on the proposed reconsideration.
This regulation establishes an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of 2-propenoic acid, 2-ethylhexyl ester, polymer with ethenylbenzene; also known as styrene-2-ethylhexyl acrylate copolymer when used as an inert ingredient in a pesticide chemical formulation. H. B. Fuller Company submitted a petition to EPA under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), requesting an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance. This regulation eliminates the need to establish a maximum permissible level for residues of 2-propenoic acid, 2-Ethylhexyl Ester, Polymer with Ethenylbenzene on food or feed commodities.
The EPA is finalizing amendments to the national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants for stationary reciprocating internal combustion engines. The final amendments include alternative testing options for certain large spark ignition (generally natural gas-fueled) stationary reciprocating internal combustion engines, management practices for a subset of existing spark ignition stationary reciprocating internal combustion engines in sparsely populated areas and alternative monitoring and compliance options for the same engines in populated areas. The EPA is establishing management practices for existing compression ignition engines on offshore vessels. The EPA is also finalizing limits on the hours that stationary emergency engines may be used for emergency demand response and establishing fuel and reporting requirements for certain emergency engines used for emergency demand response. The final amendments also correct minor technical or editing errors in the current regulations for stationary reciprocating internal combustion engines.
EPA is approving the request by Ohio and Indiana to revise the Cincinnati-Hamilton 1997 8-hour ozone maintenance air quality State Implementation Plans (SIPs) to replace the previously approved motor vehicle emissions budgets (budgets) with budgets developed using EPA's Motor Vehicle Emissions Simulator (MOVES) emissions model. The Ohio and Indiana portions of the Cincinnati-Hamilton area include the Ohio Counties of Butler, Clermont, Clinton, Hamilton and Warren, Ohio, and Lawrenceburg Township in Dearborn County, Indiana. Ohio submitted the SIP revision request to EPA on June 29, 2012. Indiana submitted the SIP revision request for parallel processing in a letter dated October 12, 2012, and followed up with a final submittal on December 11, 2012. Ohio and Indiana have submitted identical budgets which cover the Ohio and Indiana portions of the Cincinnati-Hamilton 1997 ozone maintenance area.
This rule revises existing procedures for appeals from RCRA, UIC, NPDES, PSD or other final permit decisions that are filed with the Environmental Appeals Board in an effort to simplify and make more efficient the review process, particularly in appeals from permits issued under new source review provisions. Most significantly, the changes reconcile current provisions of the regulation governing appeals, which over time has proven to be somewhat confusing and redundant. The changes will bring the regulation more fully in line with current practice. Under the current rule, a Petitioner is required to file a substantive petition for review demonstrating that review is warranted. The Environmental Appeals Board considers that substantive petition, as well as any briefs filed in response to the petition, to determine whether to grant review. If review is granted, the current rule contemplates that a second substantive round of briefing is begun and another substantive review process occurs. In practice, however, the Board has determined that a second round of briefing generally is unnecessary because in nearly all cases, a decision on the merits can be made based on the substantive briefs already filed. The changes to the rule clarify to practitioners that substantive briefing must be submitted at the outset of the appeal and that one substantive review will occur. Additional briefing may be ordered when the Board determines it warranted. A number of additional provisions governing procedure are also added to the rule to reflect existing practices that are currently guided by standing orders of the Environmental Appeals Board and its Practice Manual. Revising the regulation to reflect current practice will provide clarity to practitioners before the Board, which will in turn make the appeals process more efficient by avoiding unnecessary filings and Board orders.
This action approves a modification to Massachusetts's approved municipal solid waste landfill (MSWLF) program. The approved modification allows the State to issue Research, Development, and Demonstration (RD&D) Permits to owners and operators of MSWLF in accordance with its State law. On March 22, 2004, EPA issued final regulations allowing research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) permits to be issued to certain municipal solid waste landfills by approved states. On December 7, 2012 Massachusetts submitted an application to EPA Region 1 seeking Federal approval of its RD&D requirements. After thorough review EPA Region 1 is determining that Massachusetts's RD&D permit requirements are adequate through this direct final action.
EPA is approving a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of Maryland. These revisions pertain to the adoption of various test methods, calculations methods, work practice standards and exemptions which make Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) regulations more consistent with EPA's Control Techniques Guidelines (CTGs) for seven source categories. These categories are: Paper, film, and foil coatings; industrial cleaning solvents; miscellaneous metal and plastic parts coatings; large appliance coatings; offset lithographic printing and letterpress printing; flat wood paneling coatings; and flexible package printing. EPA is approving these revisions to reduce volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from these seven categories which will help Maryland attain and maintain the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for ozone in accordance with the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA).
EPA is approving State Implementation Plan (SIP) revisions submitted by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the State of New Hampshire. These revisions include regulations to update the enhanced motor vehicle inspection and maintenance (I/M) programs in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. The revised programs in Massachusetts and New Hampshire include a test and repair network for an on-board diagnostic (OBD2) testing program for model year 1996 and newer vehicles. The intended effect of this action is to approve the revised programs into the Massachusetts and New Hampshire SIPs. This action is being taken in accordance with the Clean Air Act.
EPA is taking direct final action to approve revisions to the Missouri State Implementation Plan (SIP) submitted October 27, 2009. This revision adds a new rule to reduce the concentration of fine particles (PM 2.5 ) in the St. Louis nonattainment area by limiting sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ) emissions (a precursor pollutant to PM 2.5 ), from industrial boilers. EPA is approving this revision because it strengthens the Missouri SIP. EPA's approval of this SIP revision is being done in accordance with the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA).
EPA is finalizing approval of revisions to the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) portion of the California State Implementation Plan (SIP). These revisions were proposed in the Federal Register on September 19, 2012 and concern lead emissions from large lead-acid battery recycling facilities. We are approving a local rule that regulates these emission sources under the Clean Air Act as amended in 1990 (CAA or the Act).
EPA is taking final action to approve a request submitted on June 17, 2010, from the State of Alabama, through the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM), Air Division, to redesignate the Birmingham fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) nonattainment area (hereafter referred to as the “Birmingham Area” or “Area”) to attainment for the 2006 24-hour PM 2.5 national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS). The Birmingham 2006 24-hour PM 2.5 nonattainment area is comprised of Jefferson and Shelby Counties in their entireties and a portion of Walker County. EPA's approval of the redesignation request is based on the determination that the State of Alabama has met the criteria for redesignation to attainment set forth in the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act), including the determination that the Birmingham Area has attained the 2006 24-hour PM 2.5 NAAQS. Additionally, EPA is approving a revision to the Alabama state implementation plan (SIP) to include the 2006 24-hour PM 2.5 maintenance plan for the Birmingham Area that contains the new 2024 motor vehicle emission budgets (MVEBs) for nitrogen oxides (NO X ) and PM 2.5 . This action also approves the 2009 emissions inventory submitted with the maintenance plan.
EPA is taking final action to approve revisions adopted by the State of Colorado on December 15, 2005, to Regulation No. 3 (Air Pollutant Emission Notice and Permitting Requirements). Colorado submitted the request for approval of these rule revisions into the State Implementation Plan (SIP) on August 21, 2006. The revisions remove repealed provisions in Regulation No. 3 that pertain to the issuance of Colorado air quality permits; the revisions also implement other minor administrative changes and renumbering. The intended effect of this action is to take final action to approve the rules that are consistent with the Clean Air Act (CAA.) This action is being taken under section 110 of the CAA.
This regulation establishes an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of polymers of one or more diglycidyl ethers of bisphenol A, resorcinol, glycerol, cyclohexanedimethanol, neopentyl glycol, and polyethylene glycol, with one or more of the following: Polyoxypropylene diamine, polyoxypropylene triamine, N-aminoethyl-piperazine, trimethyl-1,6-hexanediamine isophorone diamine, N,N -dimethyl-1,3-diaminopropane, nadic methyl anhydride, 1,2-cyclohexane-dicarboxylic anhydride and 1,2,3,6-tetrahydrophthalic anhydride; also referred to as epoxy polymer, when used as an inert ingredient in a pesticide chemical formulation. Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC submitted a petition to EPA under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), requesting an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance. This regulation eliminates the need to establish a maximum permissible level for residues of polymers of one or more of the epoxy polymers.
EPA is taking direct final action to approve a revision to the West Virginia State Implementation Plan (SIP). The SIP revision consists of a legislative rule adopted by West Virginia to amend its prior general conformity rule for the purpose of incorporating revisions to Federal general conformity requirements established under rules promulgated by EPA in July of 2006 and in April of 2010. EPA is approving West Virginia's SIP revision to amend its general conformity SIP to comply with recent changes in Federal general conformity requirements. This rulemaking action is in accordance with the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA).
Because EPA received adverse comment, we are withdrawing the direct final rule for National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan; Revision to Increase Public Availability of the Administrative Record File, published on November 7, 2012.
EPA is approving the submittal from the State of New Mexico pursuant to the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act) that addresses the infrastructure elements specified in the CAA necessary to implement, maintain, and enforce the 2006 fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS or standard). The submittal addresses the infrastructure elements specified in the CAA necessary to implement, maintain and enforce the 2006 PM 2.5 NAAQS. We find that the current New Mexico State Implementation Plan (SIP) contains the infrastructure elements for the 2006 PM 2.5 NAAQS.
EPA is approving revisions to the New Mexico SIP to update the New Mexico NNSR and PSD SIP permitting programs consistent with federal requirements. EPA finds that these revisions to the New Mexico SIP meet the Federal Clean Air Act (the Act or CAA) and EPA regulations, and are consistent with EPA policies. New Mexico submitted the PSD and NNSR SIP permitting revisions in two SIP submittals on June 11, 2009 and May 23, 2011. EPA is finalizing this action under section 110 and parts C and D of the Act.
EPA is taking final action to approve a request submitted on May 2, 2011, from the State of Alabama, through the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM), Air Division, to redesignate the Birmingham fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) nonattainment area (hereafter referred to as the “Birmingham Area” or “Area”) to attainment for the 1997 Annual PM 2.5 national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS). The Birmingham 1997 Annual PM 2.5 nonattainment area is comprised of Jefferson and Shelby Counties in their entireties and a portion of Walker County. EPA's approval of the redesignation request is based on the determination that the State of Alabama has met the criteria for redesignation to attainment set forth in the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act), including the determination that the Birmingham Area has attained the 1997 Annual PM 2.5 NAAQS. Additionally, EPA is approving a revision to the Alabama state implementation plan (SIP) to include the 1997 Annual PM 2.5 maintenance plan for the Birmingham Area that contains the new 2024 motor vehicle emission budgets (MVEBs) for nitrogen oxides (NO X ) and PM 2.5 . This action also approves the 2009 emissions inventory submitted with the maintenance plan.
The EPA is supplementing the preamble to the final rule that appeared in the Federal Register on December 14, 2012. This final rule partially approved and partially disapproved a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of Utah on May 26, 2011 that addresses regional haze. The final rule preamble inadvertently did not include language pertaining to judicial review, and this document adds that language.
EPA is approving a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of Utah on September 29, 2011. The September 29, 2011 revision establishes rule R307-204 of the Utah Administrative Code (UAC). R307-204 contains smoke management requirements for land managers within the State of Utah as required by the regulations for regional haze (RH). The September 29, 2011 submittal supersedes and replaces R307-204 submitted as part of the State's December 12, 2003 RH SIP. The September 29, 2011 submittal also supersedes and replaces the State's May 8, 2006 submittal of R307-204. EPA is also partially approving a SIP revision submitted by the State of Utah on May 26, 2011. Specifically, EPA is proposing to approve section XX.G of the State's RH SIP, which contains the State's long-term strategy for fire programs as required by the RH regulations. The May 26, 2011 submittal supersedes and replaces SIP revisions to section XX.G of the RH SIP submitted by the State on December 12, 2003 and September 9, 2008. This action is being taken under section 110 of the Clean Air Act (CAA).
EPA is revising the regulations on the labeling of pesticide products and devices intended solely for export. Specifically, EPA is restructuring the current regulations to clarify which provisions apply under various circumstances. EPA is also increasing specificity in the regulations by requiring that people who transfer unregistered pesticide products between registered establishments operated by the same producer within the United States must also comply with the requirements of this part if those products are intended solely for export at the time of such transfer. EPA believes that this requirement is necessary to ensure appropriate handling of such products as they move in commerce before they actually leave the United States.
This regulation establishes tolerances for residues of fluroxypyr in or on rice bran and rice grain. Dow AgroSciences LLC requested these tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).
This regulation establishes tolerances for residues of spiromesifen in or on tea, dried. Bayer CropScience requested these tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).
The EPA is finding that 28 states, the District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico have not made complete state implementation plan (SIP) submissions to address certain SIP elements, as required by the Clean Air Act (CAA). Specifically, the EPA is determining that these states have not submitted complete SIPs that provide the basic CAA program elements as necessary to implement the 2008 8-hour ozone national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS). The EPA refers to these SIP submissions as “infrastructure” SIPs. By this action, the EPA is identifying states that either have not made any submission to address the applicable elements or have made a complete submission to address some applicable elements but did not make a complete submission for other applicable elements. The EPA recognizes that its efforts to reconsider the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS delayed and complicated the efforts of some states to develop and submit these infrastructure SIPs, but at this time the EPA is nevertheless required by court order to make these findings. These findings of failure to submit establish a 24-month deadline for the EPA to promulgate federal implementation plans (FIPs) to address the outstanding SIP elements unless, prior to that time, the affected states submit and the EPA approves, a SIP that corrects the deficiency.
Based on its review of the air quality criteria and the national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for particulate matter (PM), the EPA is making revisions to the suite of standards for PM to provide requisite protection of public health and welfare and to make corresponding revisions to the data handling conventions for PM and to the ambient air monitoring, reporting, and network design requirements. The EPA also is making revisions to the prevention of significant deterioration (PSD) permitting program with respect to the NAAQS revisions. With regard to primary (health-based) standards for fine particles (generally referring to particles less than or equal to 2.5 micrometers (μm) in diameter, PM 2.5 ), the EPA is revising the annual PM 2.5 standard by lowering the level to 12.0 micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m 3 ) so as to provide increased protection against health effects associated with long- and short-term exposures (including premature mortality, increased hospital admissions and emergency department visits, and development of chronic respiratory disease), and to retain the 24-hour PM 2.5 standard at a level of 35 μg/m 3 . The EPA is revising the Air Quality Index (AQI) for PM 2.5 to be consistent with the revised primary PM 2.5 standards. With regard to the primary standard for particles generally less than or equal to 10 µm in diameter (PM 10 ), the EPA is retaining the current 24-hour PM 10 standard to continue to provide protection against effects associated with short-term exposure to thoracic coarse particles (i.e., PM 10-2.5 ). With regard to the secondary (welfare-based) PM standards, the EPA is generally retaining the current suite of secondary standards (i.e., 24-hour and annual PM 2.5 standards and a 24-hour PM 10 standard). Non-visibility welfare effects are addressed by this suite of secondary standards, and PM-related visibility impairment is addressed by the secondary 24-hour PM 2.5 standard.
Under the Clean Air Act (“CAA”) and Federal regulations promulgated there under, the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (“NH DES”) submitted a request for approval to implement and enforce the readopted and re-codified “Env-Sw 2100: Management and Control of Asbestos Disposal Sites Not Operated after July 9, 1981,” and the amended “Env-A 1801-1807.01: Asbestos Management and Control,” (amended Asbestos Management Rules) in place of the National Emission Standard for Asbestos (“Asbestos NESHAP”). EPA has reviewed this request and has determined that the amended Asbestos Management Rules satisfy the requirements necessary for approval. Thus, EPA is hereby granting NH DES the authority to implement and enforce the amended Asbestos Management Rules in place of the Asbestos NESHAP. This approval makes NH DES's amended Asbestos Management Rules federally enforceable.
The EPA is providing notice that it has responded to a petition for reconsideration and a request for an administrative stay of certain provisions of the rule titled, “Review of New Sources and Modifications in Indian Country” published on July 1, 2011. The EPA received letters dated August 30, 2011, and November 4, 2011, petitioning for reconsideration of various aspects of the minor new source review (NSR) rule (the Petitions) and one provision of the nonattainment major NSR rule pursuant to the Clean Air Act (CAA) from the American Petroleum Institute (API), the Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA) and America's Natural Gas Alliance (ANGA) (collectively, the Petitioners). In the letter dated August 30, 2011, the Petitioners asked, among other things, that the EPA reconsider the synthetic minor source provisions of the minor NSR rule and requested that the EPA stay the effective date of the minor NSR rule as it relates to synthetic minor sources pending its reconsideration. In the letter dated November 4, 2011, the Petitioners asked for reconsideration of several aspects of the minor NSR rule and one aspect of the nonattainment major NSR rule. The EPA considered the Petitions, including the request for an administrative stay, along with information contained in the rulemaking docket, in reaching a decision on the Petitions generally and the request for an administrative stay specifically. In letters to the Petitioners dated December 19, 2012, the EPA Administrator, Lisa P. Jackson, expressed her intent to grant reconsideration of several aspects of the Petitions and denied reconsideration of several other aspects raised in the Petitions, including the request for administrative stay. She took no action at this time with respect to several other issues raised in the Petitions. The denials of reconsideration and of the request for an administrative stay constitute final agency action.
EPA is taking final action to determine that the Yuba City-Marysville nonattainment area in California has attained the 2006 24-hour fine particle (PM 2.5 ) National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS). This determination is based upon complete, quality-assured, and certified ambient air monitoring data showing that this area has monitored attainment of the 2006 24-hour PM 2.5 NAAQS based on the 2009-2011 monitoring period. Based on the above determination, the requirements for this area to submit an attainment demonstration, together with reasonably available control measures (RACM), a reasonable further progress (RFP) plan, and contingency measures for failure to meet RFP and attainment deadlines are suspended for so long as the area continues to attain the 2006 24-hour PM 2.5 NAAQS.
This notice announces that EPA Region 10 has issued a final decision granting Shell Offshore Inc.'s (“Shell”) request for minor modifications of Clean Air Act Outer Continental Shelf (“OCS”) Minor Source/Title V Permit No. R10OCS03000 (“permits”). The permits authorize air emissions associated with Shell's operation of the Kulluk Conical Drilling Unit (“Kulluk”) in the Beaufort Sea to conduct exploratory oil and gas drilling.
EPA is taking final action to determine that the San Francisco Bay Area nonattainment area in California has attained the 2006 24-hour fine particle (PM 2.5 ) National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS). This determination is based upon complete, quality-assured, and certified ambient air monitoring data showing that this area has monitored attainment of the 2006 24-hour PM 2.5 NAAQS based on the 2009-2011 monitoring period. Based on the above determination, the requirements for this area to submit an attainment demonstration, together with reasonably available control measures (RACM), a reasonable further progress (RFP) plan, and contingency measures for failure to meet RFP and attainment deadlines are suspended for so long as the area continues to attain the 2006 24-hour PM 2.5 NAAQS.
EPA is taking final action to approve, as a revision of the Nevada state implementation plan, the State's plan for maintaining the 1997 8-hour ozone standard in Clark County for ten years beyond redesignation, and the related motor vehicle emissions budgets, because they meet the applicable requirements for such plans and budgets. EPA is also taking final action to approve a request from the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection to redesignate the Clark County ozone nonattainment area to attainment for the 1997 8-hour ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard because the area meets the statutory requirements for redesignation under the Clean Air Act.
EPA is making a determination of attainment regarding the Philadelphia-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) nonattainment area (hereafter referred to as “the Philadelphia Area” or “the Area”). EPA has determined that the Philadelphia Area has attained the 2006 24-hour PM 2.5 National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS), based upon quality-assured, quality-controlled and certified ambient air monitoring data for the 2008-2010 and 2009-2011 periods. Preliminary data available for 2012 are consistent with continued attainment of the Philadelphia Area. This determination of attainment suspends the requirements for the respective state portions of the Philadelphia Area to submit an attainment demonstration and associated reasonably available control measures (RACM), a reasonable further progress (RFP) plan, contingency measures, and other planning State Implementation Plan (SIP) revisions related to the attainment of the standard for so long as the Area continues to attain the 2006 24-hour PM 2.5 NAAQS. This action is being taken under the Clean Air Act (CAA). This action does not constitute a redesignation to attainment, and the Philadelphia Area will remain designated nonattainment for the 2006 24-hour PM 2.5 NAAQS until such time as EPA determines that the Philadelphia Area, or portion thereof, meets the CAA requirements for redesignation to attainment for the standard, including an approved maintenance plan.
EPA is finalizing a determination that the Ogden City nonattainment area in Utah is currently attaining the 24-hour National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of less than or equal to a nominal ten micrometers (PM 10 ) based on certified, quality-assured ambient air monitoring data for the years 2009 through 2011. The State of Utah submitted a letter dated March 30, 2000, requesting EPA to make a clean data determination for the nonattainment area of Ogden City. Given our determination that the Ogden City nonattainment area is currently attaining the PM 10 NAAQS, EPA is also determining that Utah's obligation to make submissions to meet certain Clean Air Act (CAA) requirements related to attainment of the NAAQS is not applicable for as long as the Ogden City nonattainment area continues to attain the NAAQS. This action is being taken under the CAA.
EPA is taking final action to determine that the Nogales nonattainment area in Arizona has attained the 2006 24-hour fine particle (PM 2.5 ) National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS). This determination is based upon complete, quality-assured, and certified ambient air monitoring data showing that this area has monitored attainment of the 2006 24-hour PM 2.5 NAAQS based on the 2009-2011 monitoring period. Based on the above determination, the requirements for this area to submit an attainment demonstration, together with reasonably available control measures (RACM), a reasonable further progress (RFP) plan, and contingency measures for failure to meet RFP and attainment deadlines are suspended for so long as the area continues to attain the 2006 24-hour PM 2.5 NAAQS.
In response to a remand by the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, and pursuant to the Clean Air Act, EPA is taking final action to find that the California State Implementation Plan (SIP) for the Los Angeles-South Coast Air Basin is substantially inadequate to comply with the obligation to adopt and implement a plan providing for attainment of the 1-hour ozone standard. In response to this finding, California is required to submit a SIP revision correcting this deficiency within 12 months of the effective date of this rule. If EPA finds that California has failed to submit a complete SIP revision as required by this final rule, or if EPA disapproves such a revision, such finding or disapproval would trigger clocks for mandatory sanctions and an obligation for EPA to impose a Federal Implementation Plan. EPA is also taking final action establishing the order in which mandatory sanctions would apply in the event that EPA makes a finding of failure to submit a SIP revision or disapproves the SIP revision. Specifically, the offset sanction would apply 18 months after such finding or disapproval and highway funding restrictions would apply six months later. Sanctions would not apply if EPA first takes action to stay the imposition of the sanctions or to stop the sanctions clock based on a preliminary or final determination that the State has corrected the SIP deficiencies.
EPA is making an interim final determination to stay imposition of sanctions based on a proposed approval of revisions to the Imperial County Air Pollution Control District (ICAPCD) portion of the California State Implementation Plan (SIP) published elsewhere in this Federal Register . The revisions concern local rules that regulate inhalable particulate matter (PM 10 ) emissions from sources of fugitive dust such as unpaved roads and disturbed soils in open and agricultural areas in Imperial County.
EPA is finalizing approval of revisions to the Imperial County Air Pollution Control District (ICAPCD) portion of the California State Implementation Plan (SIP). This action was proposed in the Federal Register on April 27, 2012 and concerns oxides of nitrogen (NO x ) emissions from certain boilers, process heaters and steam generators. We are approving a local rule that regulates these emission sources under the Clean Air Act (CAA or the Act).
EPA is taking direct final action to approve revisions to the San Diego Air Pollution Control District (SDAPCD), Northern Sierra Air Quality Management District (NSAQMD), and Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District (SMAQMD) portions of the California State Implementation Plan (SIP). These revisions concern volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from the transfer of gasoline at gasoline dispensing facilities. We are approving local rules that regulate these emission sources under the Clean Air Act (CAA or the Act).
EPA is taking direct final action to approve the Limited Maintenance Plan (LMP) submitted by the State of Alaska on September 29, 2010 for the Eagle River nonattainment area (Eagle River NAA) and the State's request to redesignate the area to attainment for the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to a nominal 10 micrometers (PM 10 ).
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is determining that the New York-N. New Jersey-Long Island, NY-NJ-CT fine particle (PM 2.5 ) nonattainment area for the 2006 24-hour PM 2.5 National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) has attained the 2006 24-hour PM 2.5 NAAQS. The determination of attainment will suspend the requirements for the New York-N. New Jersey-Long Island, NY-NJ-CT PM 2.5 nonattainment area to submit an attainment demonstration, associated reasonably available control measures, reasonable further progress, contingency measures, and other planning state implementation plans (SIPs) related to attainment of the 2006 24-hour PM 2.5 NAAQS for so long as the area continues to attain the 2006 24-hour PM 2.5 NAAQS.
EPA is approving a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of Colorado on May 25, 2011 that addresses regional haze. Colorado submitted this SIP revision to meet the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA or “the Act”) and our rules that require states to prevent any future and remedy any existing man-made impairment of visibility in mandatory Class I areas caused by emissions of air pollutants from numerous sources located over a wide geographic area (also referred to as the “regional haze program”). EPA is taking this action pursuant to section 110 of the CAA.
EPA is approving, under the Clean Air Act (CAA), the state of Ohio's request to redesignate the Ohio portion of the Huntington-Ashland (OH-WV-KY) nonattainment area (Lawrence, Scioto, and portions of Adams and Gallia Counties) to attainment for the 1997 annual National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS or standard) for fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ). The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA) submitted its request on May 4, 2011. EPA determined that the entire Huntington-Ashland area has attained the 1997 annual PM 2.5 standard, and proposed to approve Ohio's request to redesignate the Ohio portion of the area on December 22, 2011. EPA's final rulemaking involves several related actions. EPA has determined that the entire Huntington-Ashland area continues to attain the 1997 annual PM 2.5 standard. EPA is approving, as a revision to the Ohio State Implementation Plan (SIP), the state's plan for maintaining the 1997 annual PM 2.5 NAAQS in the area through 2022. EPA is also approving the 2005 and 2008 emissions inventories for the Ohio portion of the Huntington-Ashland area as meeting the comprehensive emissions inventory requirement of the CAA. EPA finds adequate and is making a finding of insignificance for Ohio motor vehicle emissions of nitrogen oxides (NO X ) and direct PM 2.5 for the Huntington-Ashland area. EPA, therefore, grants Ohio's request to redesignate the Ohio portion of the Huntington-Ashland area to attainment for the 1997 PM 2.5 annual standard.
EPA is removing significant new use rules (SNURs) promulgated under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for four chemical substances which were the subject of premanufacture notices (PMNs). EPA published these SNURs using direct final rulemaking procedures. EPA received notice of intent to submit adverse comments on these rules. Therefore, the Agency is removing these SNURs, as required under the expedited SNUR rulemaking process. EPA intends to publish in the near future proposed SNURs for these four chemical substances under separate notice and comment procedures.
EPA is approving a redesignation request and State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of West Virginia. The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) requested that the West Virginia portion of the Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) nonattainment area (“Huntington-Ashland Area” or “Area”) be redesignated as attainment for the 1997 annual PM 2.5 national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS). In this rulemaking action, EPA is approving the 1997 annual PM 2.5 redesignation request for the West Virginia portion of the Area. EPA is also approving the maintenance plan SIP revision that the State submitted in conjunction with its redesignation request. The maintenance plan provides for continued attainment of the 1997 annual PM 2.5 NAAQS for 10 years after redesignation of the West Virginia portion of the Area. The maintenance plan includes an insignificance determination for the onroad motor vehicle contribution of PM 2.5 , nitrogen oxides (NO X ), and sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ) for the West Virginia portion of the Area for purposes of transportation conformity. EPA is approving West Virginia's insignificance determination for transportation conformity. EPA is also finding that the Area continues to attain the standard. This rulemaking action approving the 1997 annual PM 2.5 NAAQS redesignation request, maintenance plan, and insignificance determination for transportation conformity for the West Virginia portion of the Area is based on EPA's determination that the Area has met the criteria for redesignation to attainment specified in the Clean Air Act (CAA).
EPA is updating the materials submitted by Idaho that are incorporated by reference (IBR) into the Idaho State Implementation Plan (SIP). The regulations affected by this update have been previously submitted by the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (IDEQ) and approved by EPA. This update affects the SIP materials that are available for public inspection at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), the Air and Radiation Docket and Information Center located at EPA Headquarters in Washington, DC, and the EPA Regional Office.
EPA is withdrawing the final Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) section 8(d) Health and Safety Data Reporting Rule that it issued on December 3, 2012. The health and safety data reporting rule would have required manufacturers (including importers) of cadmium or cadmium compounds, including as part of an article, that have been, or are reasonably likely to be, incorporated into consumer products to report certain unpublished health and safety studies to EPA.
This regulation establishes a time-limited tolerance for residues of spirotetramat in or on watercress. This action is in response to EPA's granting of an emergency exemption under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) authorizing use of the pesticide on watercress. This regulation establishes a maximum permissible level for residues of spirotetramat in or on watercress. The time-limited tolerance expires on December 31, 2015.
This regulation extends already established time-limited tolerances for residues of pyraflufen-ethyl in or on cattle, meat byproducts; goat, meat byproducts; horse, meat byproducts; sheep, meat byproducts; and milk. Nichino America, Inc. requested the tolerance extensions under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).
EPA is taking final action to approve a request submitted on June 1, 2011, from the State of South Carolina, through the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SC DHEC), to redesignate the portion of York County, South Carolina that is within the bi-state Charlotte-Gastonia-Rock Hill, North Carolina-South Carolina ozone nonattainment area (hereafter referred to as the “bi-state Charlotte Area,” or “Area”) to attainment for the 1997 8-hour ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The bi-state Charlotte Area consists of Cabarrus, Gaston, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Rowan, Union and a portion of Iredell County (Davidson and Coddle Creek Townships) in North Carolina; and a portion of York County in South Carolina, including the Catawba Indian Nation reservation lands (hereafter referred to as “the York County Area”). EPA's approval of the redesignation request is based on the determination that South Carolina has met the criteria for redesignation to attainment set forth in the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act). Additionally, EPA is approving a revision to the South Carolina State Implementation Plan (SIP) to include the 1997 8-hour ozone maintenance plan for the York County Area that contains the new 2013 and 2022 motor vehicle emission budgets (MVEBs) for nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOC) for the years 2013 and 2022. EPA will take action on the North Carolina submission for the 1997 8-hour ozone redesignation request and maintenance plan for its portion of the bi-state Charlotte Area in a separate action. EPA did not receive comments on the November 15, 2012, proposed rulemaking.
EPA is taking final action to approve a request submitted on February 12, 2012, by the Commonwealth of Kentucky, through the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet, Division for Air Quality (DAQ), to redesignate the Kentucky portion of the tri-state Huntington-Ashland, West Virginia-Kentucky-Ohio fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) nonattainment area (hereafter referred to as the “Huntington-Ashland Area” or “Area”) to attainment for the 1997 Annual PM 2.5 National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The Huntington-Ashland Area is composed of Boyd County and a portion of Lawrence County in Kentucky; Lawrence and Scioto Counties and portions of Adams and Gallia Counties in Ohio; and Cabell and Wayne Counties and a portion of Mason County in West Virginia. EPA's approval of the redesignation request is based on the determination that Kentucky has met the criteria for redesignation to attainment set forth in the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act). EPA is approving a revision to the Kentucky State Implementation Plan (SIP) to include the 1997 Annual PM 2.5 maintenance plan for the Kentucky portion of the Huntington-Ashland Area. EPA is also approving the on-road motor vehicle insignificance finding for direct PM 2.5 and nitrogen oxides (NOx) for the Kentucky portion of the Huntington-Ashland Area.
EPA is amending the requirements under EPA's diesel sulfur program related to the sulfur content of locomotive and marine (LM) diesel fuel produced by transmix processors and pipeline facilities. These amendments will reinstate the ability of locomotive and marine diesel fuel produced from transmix by transmix processors and pipeline operators to meet a maximum 500 parts per million (ppm) sulfur standard outside of the Northeast Mid-Atlantic Area and Alaska and expand this ability to within the Northeast Mid-Atlantic Area provided that: the fuel is used in older technology locomotive and marine engines that do not require 15 ppm sulfur diesel fuel, and the fuel is kept segregated from other fuel. These amendments will provide significant regulatory relief for transmix processors and pipeline operators to allow the petroleum distribution system to function efficiently while continuing to transition the market to virtually all ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel (ULSD, i.e. 15 ppm sulfur diesel fuel) and the environmental benefits it provides.
EPA issued a final rule in the Federal Register of October 3, 2012, concerning the establishment of tolerances for the insecticide chlorantraniliprole on multiple commodities. This document corrects inadvertent errors and omissions. The corrections are further discussed in Unit II.
This regulation establishes tolerances for residues of quinclorac in or on berry, low growing, except strawberry, subgroup 13-07 H and rhubarb. Interregional Research Project Number 4 (IR-4) requested these tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).
EPA is withdrawing significant new use rules (SNURs) promulgated under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for chemical substances which were the subject of premanufacture notices (PMNs). EPA published these SNURs using direct final rulemaking procedures. EPA received notices of intent to submit adverse comments on these rules. Therefore, the Agency is withdrawing these SNURs, as required under the expedited SNUR rulemaking process. EPA intends to publish in the near future proposed SNURs for these eight chemical substances under separate notice and comment procedures.
On January 30, 2012, the EPA proposed revisions to several provisions of the final National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Chemical Manufacturing Area Sources. The proposed revisions were made, in part, in response to a petition for reconsideration received by the Administrator following the promulgation of the October 29, 2009, final rule (“2009 final rule”). In this action, the EPA is finalizing those amendments, lifting the stay of the title V permit requirement issued on March 14, 2011, and lifting the stay of the final rule issued on October 25, 2012. In addition, this final action includes revisions to the EPA's approach for addressing malfunctions and standards applicable during startup and shutdown periods. This final action also includes amendments and technical corrections to the final rule to clarify applicability and compliance issues raised by stakeholders subject to the 2009 final rule. The revisions to the final rule do not reduce the level of environmental protection or emissions control on sources regulated by this rule but provide flexibility and clarity to improve implementation. This action also extends the compliance date for existing sources and the EPA's final response to all issues raised in the petition for reconsideration.
EPA is approving a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VADEQ). These revisions allow the terms and conditions of various elements of the preconstruction program in Virginia to be combined into a single permit, establish limitations for issuance of Plantwide Applicability Limits (PALs), provide clarification to the exemption to Virginia's permitting rules regarding the use of alternate fuels and make minor administrative amendments. This action is being taken under the Clean Air Act (CAA).
This document corrects errors in the codification of final rules published on July 13, 2011, August 8, 2011, February 21, 2012, and October 29, 2012. The July 13, 2011, and October 29, 2012, actions pertain to State Implementation Plan (SIP) submissions by Illinois regarding the infrastructure requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA) for the 1997 eight-hour ground level ozone national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS), the 1997 fine particle (PM 2.5 ) NAAQS, and the 2006 24-hour PM 2.5 NAAQS. The August 8, 2011, and February 21, 2012, actions pertain to Federal Implementation Plans (FIPs) to reduce interstate transport of PM 2.5 and ozone.
EPA is approving Indiana's request to revise the Delaware County (Muncie), Indiana 1997 8-hour ozone maintenance State Implementation Plan (SIP) by replacing the previously approved motor vehicle emissions budgets (budgets) with budgets developed using EPA's Motor Vehicle Emissions Simulator (MOVES) emissions model. EPA proposed approval on October 26, 2012, and did not receive any public comments on the proposal.
This document corrects an error in the rule language of a final rule pertaining to EPA's approval of the revised motor vehicle emissions budgets (MVEBs) for the Fredericksburg 8-Hour Ozone Maintenance Area (Fredericksburg Area). The previous rulemaking updated the 2009 and 2015 MVEBs using EPA's Motor Vehicle Emissions Simulator emissions model (MOVES2010a).
EPA is approving a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision that was submitted by the State of Colorado on August 8, 2006. The August 8, 2006, revision updates Regulation Number 11, “Motor Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program,” by removing the light duty vehicle emission testing limits that went into effect on January 1, 2006, for 1996 and newer model year vehicles. This action is being taken under section 110 of the Clean Air Act.
EPA is promulgating significant new use rules (SNURs) under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for 9 chemical substances which were the subject of premanufacture notices (PMNs). This action requires persons who intend to manufacture, import, or process any of these 9 chemical substances for an activity that is designated as a significant new use by this rule to notify EPA at least 90 days before commencing that activity. The required notification will provide EPA with the opportunity to evaluate the intended use and, if necessary, to prohibit or limit that activity before it occurs.
EPA published in the Federal Register of August 1, 2012, a final rule approving the State Implementation Plan (SIP) submissions submitted by the State of South Carolina, through the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SC DHEC), as demonstrating that the South Carolina SIP met certain requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA or the Act) for the 1997 annual and 2006 24-hour fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS). This rulemaking corrects several errors identified in the August 1, 2012, final rule.
This order requires the submission of various data to support the continuation of the tolerances for the pesticide, difenzoquat. Pesticide tolerances are established under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA). Following publication of this order, persons who are interested in the continuation of the difenzoquat tolerances must notify the Agency by completing and submitting the required section 408(f) Order Response Form (available in the docket) within 90 days. If the Agency does not receive within 90 days after publication of the final order a section 408(f) Response Form identifying a person who agrees to submit the required data, EPA will revoke the difenzoquat tolerances.
This regulation establishes tolerances for residues of propiconazole in or on sugarcane, cane. Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC requested these tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).
EPA is approving Indiana's request to revise the South Bend/Elkhart, Indiana 1997 8-hour ozone maintenance state air quality implementation plan (SIP) by replacing the previously approved motor vehicle emissions budgets (budgets) with budgets developed using EPA's Motor Vehicle Emissions Simulator (MOVES) emissions model. EPA proposed approval on October 4, 2012, and did not receive any public comments on the proposal.
EPA is issuing a supplemental rule associated with the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program. This final rule contains a lifecycle GHG analysis for grain sorghum ethanol and a regulatory determination that grain sorghum ethanol qualifies as a renewable fuel under the RFS Program. EPA's analysis indicates that ethanol made from grain sorghum at dry mill facilities that use natural gas for process energy meets the lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions reduction threshold of 20 percent compared to the baseline petroleum fuel it would replace, and therefore qualifies as renewable fuel. It also contains our regulatory determination that grain sorghum ethanol produced at dry mill facilities using specified forms of biogas for both process energy and most electricity production, has lifecycle GHG emission reductions of more than 50 percent compared to the baseline petroleum fuel it would replace, and that such grain sorghum ethanol qualifies as an advanced biofuel under the RFS Program.
EPA is partially approving and partially disapproving a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of Utah on May 26, 2011 that addresses regional haze. EPA is also approving specific sections of a State of Utah SIP revision submitted on September 9, 2008 to address regional haze. These SIP revisions were submitted to address the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act) and our rules that require states to prevent any future and remedy any existing man-made impairment of visibility in mandatory Class I areas caused by emissions of air pollutants from numerous sources located over a wide geographic area (also referred to as the “regional haze program”). States are required to assure reasonable progress toward the national goal of achieving natural visibility conditions in Class I areas. EPA is taking this action pursuant to section 110 of the CAA.
EPA is making a technical amendment to the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) to reflect the Agency's March 1, 2012 final approval of the California State Implementation Plan for attainment of the 1997 8-hour ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards in the San Joaquin Valley. This technical amendment corrects the CFR to properly codify the California Air Resources Board's commitment to update the air quality modeling in the San Joaquin Valley 8-Hour Ozone SIP by December 31, 2014.
In this action, EPA is finalizing approval of South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) Rule 317, “Clean Air Act Non-Attainment Fee,” as a revision to SCAQMD's portion of the California State Implementation Plan (SIP). This action was proposed in the Federal Register on January 12, 2012 and concerns volatile organic compounds (VOC) and oxides of nitrogen (NO X ). Rule 317 is a local fee rule submitted to address section 185 of the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act) with respect to the 1-hour ozone standard for anti-backsliding purposes. EPA is finalizing approval of Rule 317 as an alternative to the program required by section 185 of the Act. EPA has determined that SCAQMD's alternative fee-equivalent program is not less stringent than the program required by section 185, and, therefore, is approvable as an equivalent alternative program, consistent with the principles of section 172(e) of the Act.
On September 19, 2012, the Federal Register published a direct final rule and a companion proposed rule issuing listings for three fire suppressants under EPA's Significant New Alternatives Policy program. Because EPA received adverse comment concerning C7 Fluoroketone, we are withdrawing that part of the direct final rule that listed C7 Fluoroketone acceptable subject to narrowed use limits as a substitute for halon 1211. Other listings in that direct final rule will take effect on December 18, 2012.
EPA is approving the fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) 2002 base year emissions inventory portion of the Pennsylvania State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, through the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP), on November 10, 2009. The emissions inventory is part of the November 10, 2009 SIP revision that was submitted to meet nonattainment requirements related to the Pittsburgh-Beaver Valley nonattainment area (hereafter referred to as the Area) for the 1997 PM 2.5 National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS). EPA is approving the 2002 base year PM 2.5 emissions inventory in accordance with the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA).
This regulation extends time-limited tolerances for the pesticides listed in this document. These actions are in response to EPA's granting of emergency exemptions under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) authorizing use of these pesticides. The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) requires EPA to establish a time-limited tolerance or exemption from the requirement for a tolerance for pesticide chemical residues in food that will result from the use of a pesticide under an emergency exemption granted by EPA.
EPA is approving the fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) 2002 base year emissions inventory portion of the West Virginia State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of West Virginia, through the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP), on November 4, 2009. The emissions inventory is part of the November 4, 2009 SIP revision that was submitted to meet nonattainment requirements for the Charleston, West Virginia nonattainment area (hereafter referred to as the Charleston Area) for the 1997 PM 2.5 national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS). EPA is approving the 2002 base year PM 2.5 emissions inventory in accordance with the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA).
EPA is approving the fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) 2002 base year emissions inventory portion of the West Virginia State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of West Virginia, through the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP), on September 9, 2008. The emissions inventory is part of the September 9, 2008 SIP revision that was submitted to meet nonattainment requirements related to the West Virginia portion of the Parkersburg-Marietta, WV-OH nonattainment area (hereafter referred to as the Parkersburg Area) for the 1997 PM 2.5 National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS). EPA is approving the 2002 base year PM 2.5 emissions inventory in accordance with the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA).
EPA is approving Wyoming State Implementation Plan (SIP) revisions submitted on January 12, 2011 and April 19, 2012 that address regional haze. These SIP revisions were submitted to address the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act) and our rules that require states to prevent any future and remedy any existing man-made impairment of visibility in mandatory Class I areas caused by emissions of air pollutants from numerous sources located over a wide geographic area (also referred to as the “regional haze program”). States are required to assure reasonable progress toward the national goal of achieving natural visibility conditions in Class I areas. EPA is taking this action pursuant to section 110 of the CAA.
This regulation amends the existing exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of the Bacillus subtilis strain QST 713 in or on all food commodities by including residues of Bacillus subtilis strain QST 713 variant soil. Agraquest, Inc. submitted a petition to the EPA under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), requesting an amendment to an existing exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for Bacillus subtilis strain QST 713 to include residues of products containing Bacillus subtilis strain QST 713 variant soil in or on all agricultural commodities. This regulation eliminates the need to establish a maximum permissible level for residues of Bacillus subtilis strain QST 713 variant soil under the FFDCA.
This regulation modifies currently established tolerances for residues of spirodiclofen, 3-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-oxo-1-oxaspiro[4.5]dec-3-en-4-yl 2,2-dimethylbutanoate in or on apple, wet pomace and grape, raisin to 2.4 and 6.0 parts per million (ppm) respectively, and deletes the tolerance for grape juice. Bayer CropScience requested these tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).
This regulation modifies tolerances for residues of flubendiamide in or on multiple food commodities which are identified, and discussed in detail later in this document. Bayer CropScience LP in c/o Nichino America, Inc. (U.S. subsidiary of Nihon Nohyaku Co., Ltd.) requested these tolerances, and revisions to tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).
This regulation establishes tolerances for residues of the insecticide fenpyroximate in or on multiple commodities identified and discussed later in this document. In addition, this regulation removes established tolerances for certain commodities/groups superseded by this action. The Interregional Research Project Number 4 (IR-4) requested these tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).
This regulation establishes tolerances for residues of pyriproxyfen in or on multiple commodities which are identified and discussed later in this document. Interregional Research Project Number 4 (IR-4) requested these tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).
EPA is approving the fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) 2002 base year emissions inventory portion of the West Virginia State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of West Virginia, through the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP), on May 28, 2009. The emissions inventory is part of the May 28, 2009 SIP revision that was submitted to meet nonattainment requirements related to the West Virginia portion of the Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH nonattainment area for the 1997 PM 2.5 National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS). EPA is approving the 2002 base year PM 2.5 emissions inventory in accordance with the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA).
EPA is taking direct final action to approve the fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) 2002 base year emissions inventory portion of the State of Maryland State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of Maryland, through the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), on June 6, 2008 for Baltimore, Maryland. The emissions inventory is part of Maryland's June 6, 2008 SIP revision that was submitted to meet nonattainment requirements related to the Baltimore, Maryland nonattainment area (hereafter referred to as Baltimore Area or Area) for Maryland's 1997 PM 2.5 National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) SIP. EPA is approving the 2002 base year PM 2.5 emissions inventory for Baltimore, Maryland submitted by MDE in accordance with the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA).
EPA is taking final action on revisions to the California State Implementation Plan (SIP) under the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act). EPA is approving four permitting rules submitted for the Eastern Kern Air Pollution Control District (EKAPCD), Imperial County Air Pollution Control District (ICAPCD), Placer County Air Pollution Control District (PCAPCD), and Yolo-Solano Air Quality Management District (YSAQMD) portions of the California SIP. The State of California is required under part C of title I of the Act to adopt and implement a SIP-approved Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) permit program. We are revising the SIP to incorporate EKAPCD Rule 210.4—Prevention of Significant Deterioration, ICAPCD Rule 904—Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) Permit Program, PCAPCD Rule 518—Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) Permit Program, and YSAQMD Rule 3.24—Prevention of Significant Deterioration. The approval of these rules will establish a PSD permit program in each District for pre-construction review of certain new and modified major stationary sources in attainment or unclassifiable areas.
EPA is taking final action under section 110 of the Clean Air Act (CAA) to approve a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision for the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD or District) portion of the California State Implementation Plan (SIP). This SIP revision incorporates District Rule 1714—Prevention of Significant Deterioration for Greenhouse Gases into the California SIP. The submitted revision is a permitting rule that contains the Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) permit program applicable to new and modified major stationary sources of greenhouse gases (GHGs) as required by Part C of title I of the Clean Air Act. In addition, upon the effective date of this action, the District is no longer subject to the Federal Implementation Plan (FIP) at 40 CFR 52.21 as it pertains to GHGs.
EPA is taking direct final action to approve revisions to the Monterey Bay Unified Air Pollution Control District (MBUAPCD) portion of the California State Implementation Plan (SIP). These revisions concern opacity standards related to multiple pollutants, including particulate matter (PM) emissions from several different types of sources, ranging from fugitive dust to gas turbines. We are approving a local rule that regulates these emission sources under the Clean Air Act (CAA or the Act).
EPA is approving the fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) 2002 base year emissions inventory portion of the Maryland State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of Maryland, through the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), on June 6, 2008. The emissions inventory is part of the June 6, 2008 SIP revision that was submitted to meet nonattainment requirements related to the Washington County, Maryland nonattainment area for the 1997 PM 2.5 National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) SIP. EPA is approving the 2002 base year PM 2.5 emissions inventory in accordance with the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA).
EPA is taking direct final action to approve revisions to the Imperial County Air Pollution Control District (ICAPCD), Placer County Air Pollution Control District (PCAPCD) and Ventura County Air Pollution Control District (PCAPCD) portions of the California State Implementation Plan (SIP). Under authority of the Clean Air Act as amended in 1990 (CAA or the Act), we are approving local rules that address emission statements for ICAPCD and PCAPCD and definitions for VCAPCD.
The EPA is revising its Phase I stormwater regulations to clarify that stormwater discharges from logging roads do not constitute stormwater discharges associated with industrial activity and that a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit is not required for these stormwater discharges.
This regulation establishes tolerances for residues of zeta-cypermethrin in or on multiple commodities which are identified and discussed later in this document. Interregional Research Project Number 4 (IR-4) requested these tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).
EPA issued a final rule in the Federal Register of Wednesday, October 17, 2012, concerning buprofezin pesticide tolerances. This document corrects a typographical error.
EPA is taking final action to approve the Best Available Retrofit Technology (BART) determination for NO X for the TransAlta Centralia Generation LLC coal-fired power plant in Centralia, Washington (TransAlta). The Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) submitted its Regional Haze State Implementation Plan (SIP) on December 22, 2010 to meet the requirements of the Clean Air Act Regional Haze Rule at 40 CFR 50.308. On December 29, 2011 Ecology submitted an update to the SIP submittal containing a revised and updated BART determination for TransAlta. On May 23, 2012, EPA proposed to approve the portion of the revised SIP submission containing the BART determination for TransAlta.77 FR 30467. EPA plans to act on the remaining Regional Haze SIP elements for Washington in the near future.
The Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) is finalizing the update of the Outer Continental Shelf (“OCS”) Air Regulations proposed in the Federal Register on August 30, 2012. Requirements applying to OCS sources located within 25 miles of States' seaward boundaries must be updated periodically to remain consistent with the requirements of the corresponding onshore area (“COA”), as mandated by the Clean Air Act, as amended in 1990 (“the Act”). The portion of the OCS air regulations that is being updated pertains to the requirements for OCS sources for which the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (“Santa Barbara County APCD” or “District”) is the designated COA. The intended effect of approving the OCS requirements for the Santa Barbara County APCD is to regulate emissions from OCS sources in accordance with the requirements onshore.
EPA published a direct final rule on October 9, 2012 to amend the definition of heating oil in 40 CFR 80.1401 in the Renewable Fuel Standard (“RFS”) program under section 211(o) of the Clean Air Act. The direct final rule also amended requirements under EPA's diesel sulfur program related to the sulfur content of locomotive and marine diesel fuel produced by transmix processors, and the fuel marker requirements for 500 ppm sulfur locomotive and marine (LM) diesel fuel to allow for solvent yellow 124 marker to transition out of the distribution system. Because EPA received adverse comments on the heating oil definition and transmix amendments, we are withdrawing those portions of the direct final rule. Because EPA did not receive adverse comments with respect to the yellow marker amendments, those amendments will become effective as indicated in the direct final rule.
This regulation establishes an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of the N -alkyl(C 8 -C 18 ) dimethylamidopropylamines where the alkyl group is linear and may be saturated and/or unsaturated when used as an inert ingredient at levels not to exceed 20% in herbicide formulations applied to growing crops. Dow AgroSciences, LLC, submitted a petition to EPA under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), requesting establishment of an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance. This regulation eliminates the need to establish a maximum permissible level for residues of the N -alkyl(C 8 -C 18 ) dimethylamidopropylamines.
This regulation reduces the established tolerance for residues of clodinafop-propargyl in or on wheat, grain. Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC requested this tolerance change under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).
This regulation establishes tolerances for residues of picoxystrobin in or on multiple commodities which are identified and discussed later in this document. E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Company requested these tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).
This regulation establishes tolerances for residues of dodine, ( N -dodecyl guanidine acetate) in or on multiple commodities and also removes multiple, previously established tolerances which are identified and discussed later in this document. Agriphar S.A., c/o Ceres International LLC requested these tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).
EPA is taking final action to approve in part and disapprove in part a portion of Arizona's State Implementation Plan (SIP) submittal for its regional haze program and to promulgate a Federal Implementation Plan (FIP) for the disapproved elements of the SIP. The State and Federal plans are to implement the regional haze program in Arizona for the first planning period through 2018. This final rule addresses only the portion of the SIP related to Arizona's determination of Best Available Retrofit Technology (BART) to control emissions from eight units at three electric generating stations: Apache Generating Station, Cholla Power Plant and Coronado Generating Station. Consistent with our proposal, EPA approves in this final rule the State's determination that the three sources are subject to BART, and approves the State's emissions limits for sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ) and particulate matter less than or equal to 10 micrometers (PM 10 ) at all the units, but disapproves Arizona's BART emissions limits for nitrogen oxides (NO X ) at the coal-fired units of the three power plants. We also are promulgating a FIP that contains new emissions limits for NO X at these coal-fired units and compliance schedules for implementation of BART as well as requirements for equipment maintenance, monitoring, recordkeeping and reporting for all units and all pollutants at the three sources. In today's action, we are revising some elements of the proposed FIP in response to comments and additional information that we received.
EPA is taking direct final action to approve a revision to the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) State Implementation Plan (SIP). The revision amends Regulation 1102—PERMITS, Appendix A to provide permit exemptions for certain internal combustion engines. EPA is approving this revision in accordance with the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA).
EPA is finalizing action on a State Implementation Plan (SIP) submittal from the State of Michigan dated November 5, 2010, addressing regional haze for the first implementation period (ending in 2018). This action is being taken in accordance with the Clean Air Act and EPA's rules for states to prevent and remedy future and existing anthropogenic impairment of visibility in mandatory Class I areas through a regional haze program. EPA finds that Michigan meets several regional haze planning requirements, including identification of affected Class I areas, provision of a monitoring plan, consultation with other parties, and adoption of a long-term strategy providing for reasonable progress except to the extent Michigan's plan failed to require best available retrofit technology (BART). As part of this action, EPA finds that the State's submittal addressed BART for some sources but failed to satisfy BART for two sources, namely St. Marys Cement (SMC) and Escanaba Paper Company (Escanaba Paper). EPA is promulgating a Federal Implementation Plan (FIP) including nitrogen oxide (NO X ) emission limits for these two sources in addition to sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ) emission limits for SMC to satisfy these requirements.
EPA is making a number of determinations relating to 1997 8-hour ozone nonattainment areas in California. First, EPA is determining that six 8-hour ozone nonattainment areas in California (Amador and Calaveras Counties, Chico, Kern County, Mariposa and Tuolumne Counties, Nevada County, and Sutter County) (“six CA areas”) attained the 1997 8-hour ozone national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS) by their applicable attainment dates. Second, in conjunction with its determinations for Mariposa and Tuolumne Counties and Nevada County, EPA is granting these areas one-year attainment date extensions. Lastly, EPA is determining that the six CA areas and the Ventura County 8-hour ozone nonattainment area in CA have attained and continue to attain the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS based on the most recent three years of data. Under the provisions of EPA's ozone implementation rule, these determinations suspend the requirements to submit revisions to the state implementation plans (SIP) for these areas related to attainment of the 1997 8-hour ozone standard for as long as these areas continue to meet the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS.
This regulation establishes tolerances for residues of halosulfuron-methyl in or on multiple commodities which are identified and discussed later in this document. Canyon Group L.L.C., c/o Gowan Company requested these tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).
This final rule requires manufacturers (including importers) of cadmium or cadmium compounds, including as part of an article, that have been, or are reasonably likely to be, incorporated into consumer products to report certain unpublished health and safety studies to EPA. The Interagency Testing Committee (ITC), established under section 4(e) of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) to recommend chemicals and chemical mixtures to EPA for priority testing consideration, amends the TSCA section 4(e) Priority Testing List through periodic reports submitted to EPA. The ITC added cadmium and cadmium compounds to the Priority Testing List through its 69th ITC Report.
On February 16, 2012, pursuant to sections 111 and 112 of the Clean Air Act (CAA), the EPA published the final rules titled “National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants from Coal- and Oil-fired Electric Utility Steam Generating Units and Standards of Performance for Fossil-Fuel-Fired Electric Utility, Industrial-Commercial-Institutional, and Small Industrial-Commercial-Institutional Steam Generating Units.” The National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) rule issued pursuant to CAA section 112 is referred to as the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS), and the New Source Performance Standards rule issued pursuant to CAA section 111 is referred to as the Utility NSPS. The Administrator received petitions for reconsideration of certain aspects of MATS and the Utility NSPS. In this notice, the EPA is announcing reconsideration of certain new source standards for MATS, the requirements applicable during periods of startup and shutdown for MATS, the startup and shutdown provisions related to the particulate matter (PM) standard in the Utility NSPS, and certain revisions to the definitional and monitoring provisions of the Utility NSPS. We are also proposing certain technical corrections to both MATS and the Utility NSPS. We seek comment only on the aspects of the final MATS and Utility NSPS rules specifically identified in this notice. We are not opening for reconsideration any other provisions of MATS or the Utility NSPS at this time.
During a review of Texas' regulations, the EPA identified a variety of State-initiated changes to its hazardous waste program under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). We have determined that these changes are minor and satisfy all requirements needed to qualify for Final authorization and are authorizing the State-initiated changes through this Direct Final action. The Solid Waste Disposal Act, as amended, commonly referred to as the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), allows the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to authorize States to operate their hazardous waste management programs in lieu of the Federal program. The EPA uses the regulations entitled “Approved State Hazardous Waste Management Programs” to provide notice of the authorization status of State programs and to incorporate by reference those provisions of the State statutes and regulations that will be subject to the EPA's inspection and enforcement. The rule codifies in the regulations the prior approval of Texas' hazardous waste management program and incorporates by reference authorized provisions of the State's statutes and regulations.
EPA is finalizing approval of revisions to the SJVUAPCD portion of the California State Implementation Plan (SIP). This rule was proposed in the Federal Register on April 30, 2012 and concerns volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from wine storage tanks. We are approving a local rule that regulates these emission sources under the Clean Air Act (CAA or the Act).
The EPA is finalizing a full approval of the Best Available Retrofit Technology (BART) determinations addressed in the Agency's May 25, 2012, proposed rulemaking action on a regional haze state implementation plan (SIP) submitted by the State of Florida, through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP). These BART determinations were submitted to the EPA in a draft regional haze SIP on April 13, 2012, for parallel processing, and re-submitted in final form on September 17, 2012. Specifically, the portion of Florida's September 17, 2012, regional haze SIP that is being acted upon in this final action addresses some of the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act) and the EPA's rules that require states to prevent any future and remedy any existing anthropogenic impairment of visibility in mandatory Class I areas (national parks and wilderness areas) caused by emissions of air pollutants from numerous sources located over a wide geographic area (also referred to as the “regional haze program”). States are required to assure reasonable progress toward the national goal of achieving natural visibility conditions in Class I areas. The EPA will take separate action at a later date to address the remainder of Florida's September 17, 2012, regional haze SIP.
EPA is taking direct final action to approve a revision to the Pennsylvania State Implementation Plan (SIP) submitted by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP). The SIP revision adds Section 2105.88—Consumer Products from Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) Rules and Regulations, Article XXI, Air Pollution Control to incorporate by reference 25 Pa. Code sections 130.201-130.471 (Consumer Products) of the PADEP Air Pollution Control Act. EPA is approving these revisions in accordance with the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA).
EPA is taking direct final action to approve a revision to the Pennsylvania State Implementation Plan (SIP) submitted by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP). The SIP revision adds a regulation to control nitrogen oxides (NO X ) emissions from glass melting furnaces to the Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) Rules and Regulations. The ACHD regulation incorporates by reference the Pennsylvania regulations and related definitions for controlling NO X emissions from glass melting furnaces. The SIP revision is a regulation that will reduce emissions of NO X from glass melting furnaces. EPA is approving this SIP revision in accordance with the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA).
EPA is approving the City of Albuquerque—Bernalillo County, New Mexico State Implementation Plan (SIP) revisions submitted by the Governor of New Mexico on July 28, 2011 addressing the regional haze requirements for the mandatory Class I areas under 40 CFR 51.309. The EPA finds that these revisions to the State Implementation Plan (SIP) and associated rules meet the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA) and comply with the provisions of 40 CFR 51.309, thereby meeting requirements for reasonable progress for the 16 Class I areas covered by the Grand Canyon Visibility Transport Commission Report for approval of the plan through 2018. We are also approving SIP submissions offered as companion rules to the Section 309 regional haze plan, specifically, rules for the Sulfur Dioxide Emissions Inventory Requirements and the Western Backstop Trading Program, submitted on December 26, 2003, September 10, 2008, and May 24, 2011, and rules for Open Burning, submitted on December 26, 2003 and July 28, 2011. These SIP revisions were submitted to address the requirements of the Act and our rules that require states to prevent any future and remedy any existing man-made impairment of visibility in mandatory Class I areas caused by emissions of air pollutants from numerous sources located over a wide geographic area (also referred to as the “regional haze program”). States are required to assure reasonable progress toward the national goal of achieving natural visibility conditions in Class I areas. We are also approving a portion of the SIP revision submitted by the City of Albuquerque—Bernalillo County, New Mexico on July 30, 2007, for the purpose of addressing the “good neighbor” provisions of the CAA section 110(a)(2)(D)(i) for the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS and the PM 2.5 NAAQS. We are approving the portion of the SIP submittal that addresses the CAA requirement concerning non-interference with programs to protect visibility in other states. EPA is taking this action pursuant to section 110 of the CAA.
EPA is finalizing approval of revisions to the SJVUAPCD and SCAQMD portion of the California State Implementation Plan (SIP). This action was proposed in the Federal Register on June 21, 2012 and concerns volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from chipping and grinding activities, and composting operations. We are approving local rules that regulate these emission sources under the Clean Air Act (CAA or the Act).
This regulation establishes tolerances for residues of fenpropathrin in or on multiple commodities which are identified and discussed later in this document. Interregional Research Project Number 4 (IR-4) requested these tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).
This regulation establishes tolerances for residues of dinotefuran in or on rice grain, egg, and poultry meat byproducts. Mitsui Chemicals Agro Inc., c/o Landis International, Inc., requested these tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).
EPA published in the Federal Register of July 30, 2012, a final rule approving portions of the State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of Florida, through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) on May 24, 2012, as demonstrating that the State met the SIP requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA or the Act) for the 1997 8-hour ozone national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS). In that final rule, EPA approved Florida's infrastructure submission, provided to EPA on May 24, 2012, which included state statues to be incorporated into the SIP to address infrastructure requirements regarding state boards and emergency powers. While EPA discussed in the final rulemaking that it was taking action to approve certain state statues into the Florida SIP to address the state board requirements and emergency powers, EPA inadvertently did not list these state statues in the regulatory text of the July 30, 2012, final rule. Accordingly, this rulemaking corrects that inadvertent regulatory text omission.
EPA is finalizing approval of the Best Available Retrofit Technology (BART) requirements for the Eastman Chemical Company (Eastman) that were provided in a revision to the Tennessee State Implementation Plan (SIP) submitted by the State of Tennessee, through the Tennessee Department Environment and Conservation (TDEC), on April 4, 2008, as later modified and supplemented on May 14, 2012, and May 25, 2012. EPA previously proposed action on the BART requirements for Eastman in association with action on Tennessee's April 4, 2008, regional haze SIP revision. On April 24, 2012, EPA took final action on all aspects of the April 4, 2008, SIP revision to address regional haze in the State's and other states' Class I areas except for the BART requirements for Eastman. The May 14, 2012, SIP revision (as clarified in a May 25, 2012, SIP revision) changed the compliance date for the Eastman BART determination included in Tennessee's April 4, 2008, SIP revision and provided a BART alternative determination option for Eastman. EPA is finalizing approval of the BART requirements for Eastman, as provided in Tennessee's April 4, 2008, May 14, 2012, and May 25, 2012, SIP revisions because these SIP revisions are consistent with the regional haze provisions of the Clean Air Act (CAA) and EPA's regulations.
EPA is approving New Mexico State Implementation Plan (SIP) revisions submitted on July 5, 2011, and December 1, 2003, by the Governor of New Mexico addressing the regional haze requirements for the 16 Class I areas covered by the Grand Canyon Visibility Transport Commission Report and a separate submittal for other Federal mandatory Class I areas. We are taking final approval action on all components of the State's submittals except for the submitted nitrogen oxides (NO X ) Best Available Retrofit Technology (BART) determination for the San Juan Generating Station (SJGS). We are also approving several SIP submissions offered as companion rules to the regional haze plan, including submitted regulations for the Western Backstop Sulfur Dioxide Trading Program, for the inventorying of emissions, for smoke management, and open burning. These SIP revisions were submitted to address the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act) which require states to prevent any future and remedy any existing man-made impairment of visibility in mandatory Class I areas caused by emissions of air pollutants from numerous sources located over a wide geographic area (also referred to as the “regional haze program”). States are required to assure reasonable progress toward the national goal of achieving natural visibility conditions in Class I areas. EPA is taking this action pursuant to section 110 of the CAA.
EPA is making technical amendments to the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) to reflect the Agency's March 1, 2012 final approvals of the California State Implementation Plans for attainment of the 1997 8-hour ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards in the San Joaquin Valley and the South Coast Air Basin. These technical amendments correct the CFR to properly codify the California Air Resources Board's commitments to propose certain defined measures.
EPA is withdrawing its March 8, 2010 final action approving State Implementation Plan (SIP) revisions submitted by California to provide for attainment of the 1-hour ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) in the San Joaquin Valley extreme ozone nonattainment area. In addition, EPA is withdrawing its March 1, 2012 determination that the California SIP satisfies the requirement regarding offsetting emissions growth caused by growth in vehicle miles traveled (VMT) under the Clean Air Act (CAA) for the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS in the San Joaquin Valley. Finally, EPA is finding that California has failed to submit required SIP revisions to provide for attainment of the 1-hour ozone NAAQS and to address the VMT emissions offset requirement for the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS in the San Joaquin Valley. Under the CAA, these findings of failure to submit trigger the 18-month time clock for mandatory imposition of sanctions and the two-year time clock for EPA to promulgate federal implementation plans.
Due to the approval of certain terms that were not meant to be approved, EPA is withdrawing the October 1, 2012 direct final rule approving a revision to the Ohio State Implementation Plan (SIP). EPA will address the revision in a subsequent final action based upon the proposed rulemaking action, which was also published on October 1, 2012. EPA does not expect to institute a second comment period on this action.
The Solid Waste Disposal Act, as amended, commonly referred to as the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), allows the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to authorize states to operate their hazardous waste management programs in lieu of the federal program. Colorado has applied to the EPA for final authorization of changes to its hazardous waste program under RCRA. The EPA has determined that these changes satisfy all requirements needed to qualify for final authorization, and is authorizing the state's changes through this final action.
This regulation establishes an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of xylenesulfonic acid, sodium salt (also known as sodium xylene sulfonate) (CAS Reg. No. 1300-72-7) when used as an inert ingredient in antimicrobial pesticide formulations applied to food-contact surfaces in public eating places, diary processing equipment, and food processing equipment and utensils at 500 parts per million (ppm) utensils. The firm Exponent on behalf of Ecolab Inc. submitted a petition to EPA under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), requesting establishment of an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance. This regulation eliminates the need to establish a maximum permissible level for residues of sodium xylene sulfonate.
This regulation amends the existing exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of the plant growth regulator, 1,4-dimethylnaphthalene (1,4-DMN) by expanding the current exemption to include all sprouting root and tuber vegetables (EPA Crop Group 01) and all bulb vegetables (EPA Crop Group 03). On behalf of D-I-1-4, Inc., a division of 1,4Group, Inc., Technology Sciences Group, Inc. (TSG) submitted a petition to EPA under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), requesting that EPA amend the existing exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for 1,4-DMN. This regulation eliminates the need to establish a maximum permissible level for residues of 1,4-DMN under the FFDCA.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking final action to approve a source-specific State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision for the South Coast Air Quality Management District (“SCAQMD” or “District”) portion of the California SIP. This source-specific SIP revision is known as the CPV Sentinel Energy Project AB 1318 Tracking System (“AB 1318 Tracking System”). The SIP revision consists of enabling language and the AB 1318 Tracking System to revise the District's SIP approved new source review (NSR) program. The SIP revision allows the District to transfer offsetting emission reductions for particulate matter less than 10 microns in diameter (PM 10 ) and one of its precursors, sulfur oxides (SO X ), to the CPV Sentinel Energy Project (“Sentinel”), which will be a natural gas fired power plant.
This regulation establishes tolerances for residues of flonicamid in or on Berry, low growing, subgroup 13-07G; Rapeseed subgroup 20A, and cucumber. Interregional Research Project Number 4 (IR-4) requested these tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 5 is publishing a direct final Notice of Deletion of the Waste Management of Michigan-Holland Lagoons Superfund Site (Site), located in Ottawa County, Michigan from the National Priorities List (NPL). The NPL, promulgated pursuant to Section 105 of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) of 1980, as amended, is an appendix to the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP). This direct final deletion is being published by EPA with the concurrence of the State of Michigan, through the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ), because EPA has determined that all appropriate response actions under CERCLA have been completed. However, this deletion does not preclude future actions under Superfund.
This regulation establishes time-limited tolerances for residues of dinotefuran in or on pome fruits and stone fruits. This action is in response to EPA's granting of emergency exemptions under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) authorizing use of the pesticide on pome fruits and stone fruits. This regulation establishes a maximum permissible level for residues of dinotefuran in or on these commodities. The time-limited tolerances expire on December 31, 2015. This regulation also makes the systematic chemical name for dinotefuran consistent within the section and with EPA's policy on chemical nomenclature.
EPA is approving a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of New Hampshire. The revision establishes Reasonably Available Control Technology (RACT) for several categories of volatile organic compound (VOC) sources. The intended effect of this action is to approve these requirements into the New Hampshire SIP. This action is being taken in accordance with the Clean Air Act.
EPA is taking final action to approve the State Implementation Plan (SIP) submissions, submitted by the State of Florida, through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), as demonstrating that the State meets certain SIP requirements of sections 110(a)(1) and (2) of the Clean Air Act (CAA or the Act) for the 1997 annual and 2006 24-hour fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS). Section 110(a) of the CAA requires that each state adopt and submit a SIP for the implementation, maintenance, and enforcement of each NAAQS promulgated by EPA, which is commonly referred to as an “infrastructure” SIP. Florida certified that the Florida SIP contains provisions that ensure the 1997 annual and 2006 24-hour PM 2 NAAQS are implemented, enforced, and maintained in Florida (hereafter referred to as “infrastructure submissions”). Florida's infrastructure submissions, provided to EPA on April 18, 2008, and September 23, 2009, with the exception of element 110(a)(2)(D)(i) which will be addressed in a separate rulemaking action.
EPA is taking final action to approve portions of a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of Idaho on October 25, 2010, as meeting the requirements of Clean Air Act (CAA or the Act) sections 169A and 169B and federal regional haze regulations. In a previous action on June 22, 2011, EPA approved portions of the October 25, 2010, SIP submittal as meeting the requirements for interstate transport for visibility of CAA section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II) and certain requirements of the regional haze rule, including the requirements for best available retrofit technology (BART). On May 22, 2012, EPA proposed to approve the remaining portion of the Regional Haze SIP submittal, including those portions that address CAA provisions that require states to set Reasonable Progress Goals (RPGs) for their Class I areas, and to develop a Long Term Strategy (LTS) to achieve these goals. In this Federal Register notice, EPA finalizes its approval of the remaining Regional Haze SIP elements as proposed in the May 22, 2012 notice.
Due to the receipt of an adverse comment, EPA is withdrawing the September 14, 2012, direct final rule that makes several determinations relating to certain 1997 8-hour ozone nonattainment areas in California. EPA will address the comment in a subsequent final action based upon the proposed rulemaking action, also published on September 14, 2012. EPA will not institute a second comment period on this action.
This regulation establishes time-limited tolerances for residues of fluridone in or on cotton. This action is in response to EPA's granting of an emergency exemption under section 18 of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) authorizing use of the pesticide on cotton. This regulation establishes a maximum permissible level for residues of fluridone in or on cotton commodities. The time-limited tolerances expire on December 31, 2014.
This regulation amends the tolerance for residues of metconazole in or on corn, sweet, stover. BASF Corporation requested these tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).
This regulation establishes tolerances for residues of fluazinam in or on melon subgroup 9A and pepper/eggplant subgroup 8-10B, associated with pesticide petition (PP) 1E7959; and soybean, seed and soybean, hulls, associated with PP 2F7977. Interregional Research Project Number 4 (IR-4) and ISK Biosciences Corporation requested the tolerances associated with PPs 1E7959 and 2F7977, respectively, under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).
EPA is taking direct final action to amend the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP), to acknowledge advancements in technologies used to manage and convey information to the public. Specifically, this revision will add language to EPA regulations to broaden the technology, to include computer telecommunications or other electronic means, that the lead agency is permitted to use to make the administrative record file available to the public. By updating the language used to describe permitted technology, the lead agency will be able to serve the information needs of a broader population, while maintaining the ability to provide traditional means of public access to the administrative record file, such as paper copies and microform. The lead agency should assess the capacity and resources of the public to utilize and maintain an electronic- or computer telecommunications-based repository to make a decision on which approach suits a specific site.
This document corrects an omission in the final rule document published on October 2, 2012, announcing EPA's final approval of several revisions to the Delaware State Implementation Plan (SIP). The revisions pertain to preconstruction requirements under the Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) and nonattainment New Source Review (NSR) programs. The correction of this omission does not change EPA's final action to approve these regulations or their effectiveness.
EPA is making two final determinations under the Clean Air Act (Act) regarding the 1997 annual fine particle (PM 2.5 ) nonattainment area of Detroit-Ann Arbor, Michigan (Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, St. Clair, Washtenaw, and Wayne Counties) (Detroit-Ann Arbor area or area). First, EPA is determining that the Detroit-Ann Arbor area has attained the 1997 annual PM 2.5 National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS). EPA made this determination of attainment based upon complete, quality-assured, and certified ambient air monitoring data for 2009-2011, showing that the area has monitored attainment of the 1997 annual PM 2.5 NAAQS. Preliminary data available for 2012 indicate continued attainment. Pursuant to EPA rule, this determination suspends the requirements for the Detroit-Ann Arbor area to submit an attainment demonstration, associated reasonably available control measures (RACM) to include reasonably available control technology (RACT), a reasonable further progress (RFP) plan, contingency measures, and other planning State Implementation Plan (SIP) revisions related to attainment of the 1997 annual PM 2.5 NAAQS so long as the area continues to attain the PM 2.5 NAAQS. EPA is also determining, based on complete, quality-assured and certified monitoring data for the 2007-2010 monitoring period, that the Detroit-Ann Arbor area had attained the 1997 annual PM 2.5 NAAQS by the its attainment date of April 5, 2010.
EPA is approving the fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) 2005 base year emissions inventory, a portion of the State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) on June 13, 2008. The emissions inventory is part of Michigan's SIP revision that was submitted to meet the nonattainment requirements related to the state's Detroit-Ann Arbor (Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, St. Clair, Washtenaw, and Wayne Counties) nonattainment area for the 1997 annual PM 2.5 national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS). This action is being taken pursuant to sections 110 and 172 of the Clean Air Act (CAA).
EPA is approving revisions to the San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control District (SJVUAPCD) portion of the California State Implementation Plan (SIP). This action was proposed in the Federal Register on April 26, 2012 and concerns oxides of nitrogen (NO X ) from solid fuel fired boilers. We are approving a local rule that regulates these emission sources under the Clean Air Act (CAA or the Act).
EPA is approving State Implementation Plan (SIP) revisions submitted by the State of New Hampshire. These revisions consist of a demonstration that New Hampshire meets the requirements of reasonably available control technology for oxides of nitrogen and volatile organic compounds set forth by the Clean Air Act with respect to the 1997 8-hour ozone standard, and revisions to existing rules controlling these pollutants, and source-specific orders for fifteen individual sources. This action is being taken in accordance with the Clean Air Act.
EPA is approving in part and disapproving in part State Implementation Plan (SIP) revisions submitted by the state of Arizona pursuant to the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA) for the 1997 8-hour ozone national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) and the 1997 and 2006 NAAQS for fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ). The Clean Air Act requires that each State adopt and submit a SIP for the implementation, maintenance, and enforcement of each NAAQS promulgated by the EPA. Arizona has met most of the applicable requirements. Where EPA is disapproving, in part, Arizona's SIP revisions, several of the deficiencies have already been addressed by a federal implementation plan (FIP). The remaining deficiencies are subject to a two-year deadline for EPA to promulgate a FIP, unless EPA approves an adequate SIP revision prior to that time. EPA remains committed to working with Arizona to develop such a SIP revision.
EPA is finalizing approval of revisions to the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) and Maricopa County Air Quality Department (MCAQD) portions of the Arizona State Implementation Plan (SIP). This action was proposed in the Federal Register on June 27, 2012 and concerns regulations that require monitoring and reporting of volatile organic compounds (VOC), oxides of nitrogen (NO X ), and particulate matter (PM) emissions from stationary sources. We are approving local rules that regulate these emission sources under the Clean Air Act (CAA or the Act). We are not acting on two Pima County Department of Environmental Quality (PCDEQ) rules originally listed in our June 27, 2012 proposed action because official copies of these rules with public process documentation were not submitted for SIP approval.
EPA is promulgating significant new use rules (SNURs) under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for 20 chemical substances which were the subject of premanufacture notices (PMNs). Eight of these chemical substances are subject to TSCA section 5(e) consent orders issued by EPA. This action requires persons who intend to manufacture, import, or process any of these 20 chemical substances for an activity that is designated as a significant new use by this rule to notify EPA at least 90 days before commencing that activity. The required notification will provide EPA with the opportunity to evaluate the intended use and, if necessary, to prohibit or limit that activity before it occurs.
EPA is finalizing approval of revisions from the Governor of New Mexico to the State Implementation Plan for Air Quality for the City of Albuquerque/Bernalillo County area pursuant to the Clean Air Act. The revision includes addition of emissions inspections for 1998 and newer diesel vehicles less than 10,001 pounds and all gasoline/electric hybrid vehicles; changes test frequency for some model year vehicles; allows motorists that are financially incapable of paying for certain repairs to apply for a time extension; makes minor test procedure changes; codifies certain regulatory language from the VPMD Procedures Manual; reorganizes 20.11.100 NMAC; and makes numerous non-substantive changes to clarify and improve readability of these rules. This action is being taken under the Clean Air Act (the Act).
This regulation establishes an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of calcium gluconate when used as an inert ingredient (sequestrant) in pesticide formulations applied to growing crops. ISK Biosciences Corporation submitted a petition to EPA under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), requesting establishment of an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance. This regulation eliminates the need to establish a maximum permissible level for residues of calcium gluconate.
This regulation amends tolerances for residues of trifloxystrobin in or on almond hulls; and Vegetable, root, except sugarbeet, subgroup 1B, except radish. Bayer CropScience requested amendments to these tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).
This regulation amends an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of α-( ρ -Nonylphenyl)poly(oxypropylene) block polymer with poly(oxyethylene); when used as an inert ingredient in a pesticide chemical formulation. Stephan Company submitted a petition to EPA under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), requesting an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance. This regulation eliminates the need to establish a maximum permissible level for residues of α-( ρ -Nonylphenyl)poly(oxypropylene) block polymer with poly(oxyethylene) on food or feed commodities.
This regulation establishes an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of fatty acids, tall-oil, ethoxylated propoxylated; when used as an inert ingredient in a pesticide chemical formulation. Stephan Company submitted a petition to EPA under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), requesting an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance. This regulation eliminates the need to establish a maximum permissible level for residues of fatty acids, tall-oil, ethoxylated propoxylated on food or feed commodities.
The EPA is making four separate and independent air quality determinations for two areas in New Hampshire. First, EPA is determining that the Portsmouth-Dover-Rochester, New Hampshire serious one-hour ozone nonattainment area met the applicable deadline of November 15, 1999, for attaining the revoked one-hour National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for ozone. Second, EPA is determining that the Portsmouth-Dover-Rochester area has attained the one-hour ozone standard since 1999, and continues to attain the standard. Third, with respect to the Manchester, New Hampshire marginal one-hour ozone nonattainment area, EPA is determining that the area attained the one-hour ozone NAAQS by the applicable deadline of November 15, 1993. Fourth, with respect to the Manchester area, EPA is determining that the area has attained the one-hour ozone NAAQS since 1993, and continues to attain the standard.
EPA is approving a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VADEQ) on December 14, 2011. This revision defers until July 21, 2014 the application of the Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) permitting requirements to biogenic carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions from bioenergy and other biogenic stationary sources in the Commonwealth of Virginia. This action is being taken under the Clean Air Act (CAA).
EPA is approving the fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) 2002 base year emissions inventory portion of the District of Columbia State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the District of Columbia, through the District Department of the Environment (DDOE), on April 2, 2008. The emissions inventory is part of the April 2, 2008 SIP revision that was submitted to meet nonattainment requirements related to the District of Columbia's portion of the Washington DC-MD-VA nonattainment area (hereafter referred to as DC Area or Area) for the 1997 PM 2.5 National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) SIP. EPA is approving the 2002 base year PM 2.5 emissions inventory in accordance with the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA).
EPA is taking final action to approve most elements, and disapprove narrow portions of other elements, of State Implementation Plan (SIP) submissions by Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin regarding the infrastructure requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA) for the 2006 24-hour fine particle national ambient air quality standards (2006 PM 2.5 NAAQS). The infrastructure requirements are designed to ensure that the structural components of each State's air quality management program are adequate to meet the State's responsibilities under the CAA. EPA is also taking final action to approve portions of a submission from Indiana addressing EPA's requirements for its new source review (NSR) and prevention of significant deterioration (PSD) program. The proposed rulemaking was published on August 2, 2012. During the comment period, which ended on September 4, 2012, EPA received five comment letters. The concerns raised in these letters, as well as EPA's responses, will be addressed in this final action.
EPA is approving the attainment demonstration portion of the attainment plan submitted by the State of Maryland as a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision. The Maryland SIP revision demonstrates attainment of the 1997 8-hour ozone national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS) for the Philadelphia-Wilmington-Atlantic City, PA-NJ-MD-DE moderate nonattainment area (Philadelphia Area) by the applicable attainment date of June 2011. EPA is approving the SIP revision in accordance with the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA).
EPA is approving the Commonwealth of Virginia's State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VADEQ) on September 26, 2011. The SIP revision updates the 2009 and 2015 motor vehicle emission budgets (MVEBs) in the Fredericksburg 8-Hour Ozone Maintenance Area (Fredericksburg Area) by replacing the previously approved MVEBs with budgets developed using EPA's Motor Vehicle Emissions Simulator emissions model (MOVES2010a). The revised MVEBs continue to demonstrate maintenance of the 1997 8-hour national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS) for ozone. This action is being taken under the Clean Air Act (CAA).
EPA is taking direct final action to approve a revision to the West Virginia State Implementation Plan (SIP). The revision pertains to amendments of West Virginia's Legislative Rule, 45 CSR 8- Ambient Air Quality Standards. The amendments change the effective date of the incorporation by reference of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for sulfur oxides, nitrogen dioxide, lead, particulate matter and carbon monoxide as well as their monitoring reference and equivalent methods. EPA is approving these revisions in accordance with the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA).
EPA is approving several revisions to the Pesticide Element of the California state implementation plan (SIP). These revisions include regulations adopted by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (CDPR) that: Reduce volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from the application of agricultural field fumigants in the South Coast, Southeast Desert, Ventura County, San Joaquin Valley (SJV), and Sacramento Metro ozone nonattainment areas by restricting fumigant application methods; establish a fumigant emission limit and allocation system for Ventura County; require CDPR to prepare and make available to the public an annual pesticide VOC emissions inventory report; and require recordkeeping and reporting of pesticide usage. EPA is also approving CDPR's commitments to manage VOC emissions from the use of agricultural and commercial structural pesticides in the SJV to ensure that they do not exceed 18.1 tons per day and to implement restrictions on VOC emissions in the SJV from non-fumigant pesticides by 2014. We are approving these regulations and commitments as complying with applicable requirements of the Clean Air Act. Lastly, EPA is finalizing its response to remands by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals of EPA's previous approvals of the California SIP Pesticide Element.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking final action under section 110 of the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act) to approve a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision for the San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control District (District) portion of the California SIP. This SIP revision incorporates District Rule 2410—Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD)—into the California SIP to establish a PSD permit program for pre-construction review of certain new and modified major stationary sources in attainment or unclassifiable areas. EPA is approving this SIP revision because Rule 2410 provides an adequate PSD permitting program as required by section 110 and part C of title I of the CAA.
The EPA is taking final action to establish the initial 2006 24-hour fine particle (PM 2.5 ) national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) air quality designations for the Ak-Chin Indian Community located in Pinal County, Arizona, and the Gila River Indian Community located in Pinal County and Maricopa County, Arizona. On November 13, 2009, and February 3, 2011, the EPA promulgated air quality designations nationwide for all but these two areas for the 2006 24-hour PM 2.5 NAAQS. The EPA deferred initial PM 2.5 air quality designations for the Ak-Chin Indian Community and the Gila River Indian Community in the earlier promulgated designations.
The Solid Waste Disposal Act, as amended, commonly referred to as the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), allows the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to authorize states to operate their hazardous waste management programs in lieu of the Federal program. Missouri has applied to EPA for final authorization of the changes to its hazardous waste program under RCRA. EPA has determined that these changes satisfy all requirements needed to qualify for final authorization and is authorizing the State's changes through this immediate final action.
The EPA is issuing a final rule that revises the definition of “regulated NSR pollutant” contained in two sets of Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) regulations and in the EPA's Emission Offset Interpretative Ruling. The revision corrects an inadvertent error made in 2008 when the EPA issued its rule to implement the New Source Review (NSR) program for fine particles with an aerodynamic diameter of less than or equal to 2.5 micrometers (PM 2.5 ). This revision removes a general requirement in the definition of “regulated NSR pollutant” to include condensable PM when measuring one of the emissions-related indicators for particulate matter (PM) known as “particulate matter emissions” in the context of the PSD and NSR regulations. However, the rule preserves the requirement in some particular cases to include condensable PM in measurements of “particulate matter emissions” as required by other regulations. In addition, measurement of condensable PM continues to be required in all cases for two other emissions-related indicators for emissions of PM—emissions of particles with an aerodynamic diameter of less than or equal to 10 micrometers (PM 10 emissions) and PM 2.5 emissions.
EPA is approving revisions to the SIP for the State of Texas that relate to antibacksliding of Major NSR SIP Requirements for the one-hour ozone NAAQS; Major NNSR SIP requirements for the 1997 eight-hour ozone NAAQS; Major NSR Reform Program with Plantwide Applicable Limit (PAL) provisions; and non-PAL aspects of the Major NSR SIP requirements, because these changes comply with the Federal Clean Air Act (the Act or CAA) and EPA regulations and are consistent with EPA policies. Texas submitted revisions to these programs in two separate SIP submittals on March 11, 2011. On August 29, 2012, Texas submitted SIP revisions (adopted July 25, 2012) that it had previously proposed February 22, 2012, for parallel processing. On May 3, 2012, Texas provided a letter to EPA which included a demonstration showing how its submitted rules are at least as stringent as the Federal NSR Reform Program. EPA proposed approval of these revisions on June 20, 2012. Today, EPA is approving the two SIP revisions submitted March 11, 2011; the revisions submitted August 29, 2012; and the May 3, 2012, letter as part of the Texas NSR SIP. EPA is approving these provisions under section 110 and parts C and D of the Act.
EPA is taking final action to approve the State Implementation Plan (SIP) submissions, submitted by the State of Georgia, through the Georgia Department of Natural Resources' Environmental Protection Division (EPD), as demonstrating that the State meets the SIP requirements of sections 110(a)(1) and (2) of the Clean Air Act (CAA or the Act) for the 1997 annual and 2006 24-hour fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS), with noted exceptions. Section 110(a) of the CAA requires that each state adopt and submit a SIP for the implementation, maintenance, and enforcement of each NAAQS promulgated by the EPA, which is commonly referred to as an “infrastructure” SIP. Georgia certified that the Georgia SIP contains provisions that ensure the 1997 annual and 2006 24-hour PM 2 NAAQS are implemented, enforced, and maintained in Georgia (hereafter referred to as “infrastructure submission”). Georgia's infrastructure submissions, provided to EPA on July 23, 2008, and supplemented on September 9, 2008 and October 21, 2009, address all the required infrastructure elements for the 1997 annual and 2006 24-hour PM 2 NAAQS. In addition, EPA is clarifying an inadvertent error included in the proposed approval for this rule.
EPA is finalizing a limited approval and limited disapproval of revisions to the Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District (MDAQMD) portion of the California State Implementation Plan (SIP). This action was proposed in the Federal Register on February 28, 2012 and concerns oxides of nitrogen (NO X ) emissions from stationary gas turbines. Under authority of the Clean Air Act (CAA or the Act), this action simultaneously approves a local rule that regulates these emission sources and directs California to correct rule deficiencies.
On January 30, 2012, the EPA published in the Federal Register a proposed rule reconsidering certain provisions in the final National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Chemical Manufacturing Area Sources (CMAS) that was promulgated on October 29, 2009. The compliance date for the final CMAS rule is October 29, 2012. However, the EPA is still in the process of finalizing the reconsideration action. For this reason, a short stay of the final CMAS rule pending completion of the reconsideration action is warranted. Pursuant to the Clean Air Act, the EPA is staying until December 24, 2012 the final CMAS rule.
The EPA is extending for an additional 45 days the existing administrative stay of the final rule titled “Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; New Mexico; Federal Implementation Plan for Interstate Transport of Pollution Affecting Visibility and Best Available Retrofit Technology Determination” under the authority of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA). EPA previously stayed this rule for 90 days, from July 16, 2012 until October 15, 2012. This action extends the existing administrative stay by an additional 45 days to allow for additional time for further discussions of alternatives to EPA's Federal Implementation Plan (FIP). Today's action reflects this stay in the Code of Federal Regulations.
This regulation establishes tolerances for combined residues of fluoxastrobin and its Z-isomer in or on poultry, liver; hog, fat; hog, meat byproducts; and rice, grain. Arysta LifeScience, North America, LLC, requested these tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).
EPA is approving a revision to the North Dakota State Implementation Plan (SIP) relating to regulation of Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) and fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) under North Dakota's Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) program. This revision was submitted by the North Dakota Department of Health Division of Air Quality (ND DOH DAQ) to EPA on April 18, 2011. It is intended to align North Dakota's regulations with the “PSD and Title V Greenhouse Gas Tailoring Final Rule” and the final rule for “Implementation of the New Source Review (NSR) Program for PM 2.5 .” EPA is approving the revision because the Agency has determined that the SIP revision, already adopted by North Dakota as a final effective rule, is in accordance with the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act) and EPA regulations regarding PSD permitting for GHGs and PM 2.5 .
EPA is approving in part and disapproving in part State Implementation Plan (SIP) revisions submitted by the state of Nevada pursuant to the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA) for the 1997 8-hour ozone national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) and the 1997 and 2006 NAAQS for fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ). The CAA requires that each State adopt and submit a SIP for the implementation, maintenance, and enforcement of each NAAQS promulgated by the EPA, and requires EPA to act on such SIPs. Nevada has met most of the applicable requirements. Where EPA is disapproving, in part, Nevada's SIP revisions, the majority of the deficiencies have been already been addressed by a federal implementation plan (FIP). For one remaining deficiency, this final rule sets a two-year deadline for EPA to promulgate a FIP, unless EPA approves an adequate SIP revision prior to that time. EPA remains committed to working with Nevada's environmental agencies to develop such a SIP revision.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 is publishing a Direct Final Notice of Deletion of the Isle Royale Tailings and Michigan Smelter Tailing parcels of Operable Unit 3 (OU3), and the Mason Sands Tailings parcel of Operable Unit 1 (OU1) of the Torch Lake Superfund Site (Site), located in Houghton County, Michigan from the National Priorities List (NPL). The NPL, promulgated pursuant to Section 105 of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) of 1980, as amended, is an appendix to the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP). This direct final partial deletion is being published by EPA, with the concurrence of the State of Michigan through the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ), because EPA has determined that all appropriate response actions under CERCLA at these identified parcels have been completed. However, this partial deletion does not preclude future actions under Superfund. This partial deletion pertains to the surface tailings, drums, and slag piles of Isle Royale Tailings and Michigan Smelter Tailings parcels of OU3 and the Mason Sands Tailings parcel of OU1. The following land parcels will remain on the NPL and are not being considered for deletion as part of this action: Dollar Bay, Point Mills, Calumet Lake Tailing, Boston Pond Tailing, North Entry and Quincy Smelter.
EPA is promulgating a Federal Implementation Plan (FIP) to address regional haze in the Territory of the United States Virgin Islands. EPA determined that the FIP meets the requirements of the Clean Air Act and EPA's rules concerning reasonable progress towards the national goal of preventing any future and remedying any existing man-made impairment of visibility in mandatory Class I areas (also referred to as the “regional haze program”). The FIP protects and improves visibility levels in the Virgin Islands Class I area, namely the Virgin Islands National Park on the island of St. John. The FIP for the Virgin Islands addresses reasonable progress toward improving visibility and evaluation of Best Available Retrofit Technology.
EPA is approving into the Illinois State Implementation Plan (SIP) an adjusted standard for the Greif Packaging, LLC facility located at 5 S 220 Frontenac Road in Naperville, Illinois (Greif). On June 20, 2012, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) submitted to EPA for approval an adjustment to the general rule, Organic Material Emission Standards and Limitations for the Chicago Area; Subpart TT: Other Emission Units, as it applies to emissions of volatile organic matter (VOM) from Greif's fiber drum container manufacturing facility. VOM, as defined by the State of Illinois, is identical to volatile organic compound (VOC), as defined by EPA. The adjusted standard replaces portions of the general rule for VOM emissions with site-specific Reasonably Available Control Technology (RACT) requirements for the Greif facility.
EPA is approving the State Implementation Plan (SIP) submittals from the State of Alaska to demonstrate that the SIP meets the requirements of section 110(a)(1) and (2) of the Clean Air Act (CAA) for the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) promulgated for ozone on July 18, 1997. EPA finds that the Alaska SIP meets the following 110(a)(2) infrastructure elements for the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS: (A), (B), (C), (D)(ii), (E), (F), (G), (H), (J), (K), (L), and (M). EPA is concurrently approving a number of revisions to the Alaska SIP as a necessary condition to approving the 110(a)(2) infrastructure elements for ozone. Specifically, EPA is approving revisions submitted by Alaska to update the SIP to include the ozone standard at an 8-hour averaging period, the associated federal method for measuring and monitoring ozone in ambient air, a general definition of ozone, federal Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) program changes to regulate NOx as a precursor to ozone, and provisions to satisfy CAA section 128 conflict of interest disclosure requirements.
EPA is finalizing approval of revisions to the San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control District (SJVUAPCD) portion of the California State Implementation Plan (SIP). This action was proposed in the Federal Register on June 13, 2012 and concerns volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from crude oil production sumps and refinery wastewater separators. We are approving local rules that regulate these emission sources under the Clean Air Act (CAA or the Act).
This document announces that Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 9 has issued a final permit decision issuing a Clean Air Act Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) permit for the City of Palmdale (City) for the construction of the Palmdale Hybrid Power Project (PHPP).
EPA is determining that the Sacramento Metro 1-hour ozone nonattainment area (Sacramento Metro Area) has attained the revoked National Ambient Air Quality Standard (1-hour ozone NAAQS or standard), and to exclude certain 2008 data caused by wildfire exceptional events. These air quality determinations were proposed in conjunction with a proposed determination to terminate the State of California's obligations regarding 1-hour ozone section 185 fee program SIP provisions for the Sacramento Metro Area. In this notice, EPA is finalizing only that portion of its notice of proposed rulemaking that determines that the Sacramento Metro Area has attained the 1-hour ozone standard, and that excludes certain exceedances as caused by ozone exceptional events. These air quality determinations were addressed separately in the proposed rulemaking and are severable from the other issues that relate to termination of section 185 1-hour ozone requirements. EPA is not at this time taking final action on other aspects of our notice of proposed rulemaking that address termination of 1-hour ozone section 185 fee requirements. EPA intends to address any other issues relating to Sacramento Metro Area 1-hour ozone section 185 requirements, and their termination, in a separate future rulemaking.
EPA is finalizing a limited approval and limited disapproval of revisions to the Clark County portion of the applicable state implementation plan (SIP) for the State of Nevada. The submitted revisions include new and amended rules governing the issuance of permits for stationary sources, including review and permitting of major sources and major modifications under parts C and D of title I of the Clean Air Act (CAA). The effect of this limited approval and limited disapproval action is to update the applicable SIP with current Clark County permitting rules and to set the stage for remedying certain deficiencies in these rules. This limited disapproval action triggers an obligation on EPA to promulgate a Federal Implementation Plan unless the State of Nevada corrects the deficiencies, and EPA approves the related plan revisions, within two years of the final action, and for certain deficiencies the limited disapproval also triggers sanctions under section 179 of the CAA unless the State of Nevada submits (on behalf of Clark County) and we approve SIP revisions that correct the deficiencies within 18 months of final action.
EPA is granting full approval of revisions to the West Virginia State Implementation Plan (SIP), submitted by the State of West Virginia through the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) on August 31, 2011, with the exception of the narrow issue of the requirement to include condensable emissions of particulate matter (condensables) in the definition of “regulated NSR pollutant” in the State's Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) program. These revisions pertaining to West Virginia's PSD program incorporate preconstruction permitting regulations for fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) and Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) into the West Virginia SIP. In light of a comment received on the July 31, 2012 proposed rule, EPA is reviewing West Virginia State Rule 45CSR14 to determine the extent to which its definition of “regulated NSR pollutant” satisfies the corresponding Federal definition, and will address this issue in a separate action. In addition, EPA is granting full approval of the PSD portions of other related infrastructure submissions required by the Clean Air Act (CAA) which are necessary to implement, maintain, and enforce the 1997 PM 2.5 and ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), the 2006 PM 2.5 NAAQS, and the 2008 lead and ozone NAAQS, with the exception of the narrow issue of the requirement to include condensables in the definition of “regulated NSR pollutant.” EPA will address this issue in a separate action. EPA is granting approval of these revisions in accordance with the requirements of the CAA.
EPA is taking direct final action to approve revisions to the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District (SMAQMD) portion of the California State Implementation Plan (SIP). These revisions concern negative declarations for volatile organic compound (VOC) source categories for the SMAQMD. We are approving these negative declarations under the Clean Air Act as amended in 1990 (CAA or the Act).
This regulation establishes tolerances for residues of the insecticide buprofezin in or on multiple commodities which are identified and discussed later in this document. In addition, this regulation removes established tolerances for certain commodities/groups superseded by this action, and corrects the spelling of some commodities. The Interregional Research Project #4 (IR-4) and Nichino America Inc. requested these tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).
EPA is approving most elements of submittals from the States of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. We are also conditionally approving certain elements of these submittals, as well as disapproving a few elements of Massachusetts' submittals. The submittals outline how each state's State Implementation Plan (SIP) meets the requirements of section 110(a) of the Clean Air Act (CAA) for both the 1997 and 2006 fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS). These actions are being taken under the Clean Air Act.
EPA is taking final action to approve in part and conditionally approve in part portions of the State Implementation Plan (SIP) submissions, submitted by the State of North Carolina, through the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (NC DENR), Division of Air Quality (DAQ), as demonstrating that the State meets the SIP requirements of sections 110(a)(1) and (2) of the Clean Air Act (CAA or the Act) for the 1997 annual and 2006 24-hour fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS). Section 110(a) of the CAA requires that each state adopt and submit a SIP for the implementation, maintenance, and enforcement of each NAAQS promulgated by EPA, which is commonly referred to as an “infrastructure” SIP. North Carolina certified in two separate submissions that its SIP contains provisions that ensure the 1997 annual and 2006 24-hour PM 2.5 NAAQS are implemented, enforced, and maintained in North Carolina (hereafter referred to as “infrastructure submissions”). With the exception of elements 110(a)(2)(C), 110(a)(2)(D)(i), 110(a)(2)(E)(ii) and 110(a)(2)(J), North Carolina's infrastructure submissions, provided to EPA on April 1, 2008, and September 21, 2009, address all the required infrastructure elements for the 1997 annual and 2006 24-hour PM 2.5 NAAQS. With respect to sections 110(a)(2)(C), 110(a)(2)(E)(ii) and 110(a)(2)(J), EPA is conditionally approving these requirements.
EPA is taking final action to disapprove a portion of the State Implementation Plan (SIP) submissions, submitted by the State of Alabama, through the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM), on July 25, 2008, and September 23, 2009, which were intended to meet the requirement of the Clean Air Act (CAA or the Act). The CAA requires that each state adopt and submit a SIP for the implementation, maintenance, and enforcement of each NAAQS promulgated by EPA, which is commonly referred to as an “infrastructure” SIP. Alabama certified that the Alabama SIP contains provisions that ensure the 1997 annual and 2006 24-hour fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) are implemented, enforced and maintained in the State. Specifically, EPA is disapproving the State's submissions that requires the State to comply with the CAA. EPA is taking a separate action to address the other applicable infrastructure elements for the 1997 annual and 2006 24-hour PM 2.5 NAAQS.
EPA is approving a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of Arizona to address the requirements regarding air pollution emergency episodes in Clean Air Act (CAA or Act).
EPA is taking direct final action to approve two state implementation plan (SIP) revisions, submitted by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SC DHEC), on August 31, 2007, and April 29, 2010, to address the reasonable further progress (RFP) plan requirements for the 1997 8-hour ozone national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for the portion of York County, South Carolina that is within the bi-state Charlotte-Gastonia-Rock Hill 1997 8-hour ozone nonattainment area. The Charlotte-Gastonia-Rock Hill, North Carolina-South Carolina 1997 8-hour ozone nonattainment area (hereafter referred to as the “bi-state Charlotte Area”) is comprised of Cabarrus, Gaston, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Rowan, Union and a portion of Iredell (Davidson and Coddle Creek Townships) Counties in North Carolina; and a portion of York County in South Carolina (hereafter referred to as “the York County Area”). EPA is also providing the status of its adequacy determination for the motor vehicle emissions budgets (MVEB) for volatile organic compounds (VOC) that were included in South Carolina's RFP plan. Further, EPA is approving these MVEB. These actions are being taken pursuant to section 110 of the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act). EPA will take action on North Carolina's RFP plan for its portion of the bi-state Charlotte Area, in a separate action.
EPA and NHTSA, on behalf of the Department of Transportation, are issuing final rules to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve fuel economy for light-duty vehicles for model years 2017 and beyond. On May 21, 2010, President Obama issued a Presidential Memorandum requesting that NHTSA and EPA develop through notice and comment rulemaking a coordinated National Program to improve fuel economy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions of light-duty vehicles for model years 2017-2025, building on the success of the first phase of the National Program for these vehicles for model years 2012-2016. This final rule, consistent with the President's request, responds to the country's critical need to address global climate change and to reduce oil consumption. NHTSA is finalizing Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards for model years 2017-2021 and issuing augural standards for model years 2022-2025 under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act, as amended by the Energy Independence and Security Act. NHTSA will set final standards for model years 2022-2025 in a future rulemaking. EPA is finalizing greenhouse gas emissions standards for model years 2017-2025 under the Clean Air Act. These standards apply to passenger cars, light-duty trucks, and medium-duty passenger vehicles, and represent the continuation of a harmonized and consistent National Program. Under the National Program automobile manufacturers will be able to continue building a single light-duty national fleet that satisfies all requirements under both programs while ensuring that consumers still have a full range of vehicle choices that are available today. EPA is also finalizing minor changes to the regulations applicable to model years 2012-2016, with respect to air conditioner performance, nitrous oxides measurement, off-cycle technology credits, and police and emergency vehicles.
EPA is making two determinations regarding the Pittsburgh-Beaver Valley fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) nonattainment area (hereafter referred to as “the Pittsburgh Area” or “the Area”). First, EPA determines that the Area has attained the 1997 annual PM 2.5 National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS). This determination of attainment is based upon quality-assured, quality-controlled and certified ambient air monitoring data for the 2008-2010 and 2009-2011 monitoring periods, showing that the Pittsburgh Area has monitored attainment of the 1997 annual PM 2.5 NAAQS. In accordance with the EPA's applicable PM 2.5 implementation rule, this determination of attainment suspends the requirements for the Area to submit an attainment demonstration and associated reasonably available control measures (RACM), a reasonable further progress (RFP) plan, contingency measures, and other planning State Implementation Plan (SIP) revisions related to the attainment of the standard for so long as the Area continues to attain the 1997 annual PM 2.5 NAAQS. EPA also determines, based on quality-assured, quality-controlled, and certified monitoring data for the 2007-2009 monitoring period, that the Area attained the 1997 annual PM 2.5 NAAQS by its applicable attainment date of April 5, 2010. These actions are being taken under the Clean Air Act (CAA).
EPA is taking final action to approve multiple changes to the Jefferson County portion of the Kentucky State Implementation Plan (SIP), submitted by the Commonwealth of Kentucky, through the Kentucky Division for Air Quality (KDAQ), to EPA in two submittals dated June 1, 2009, and February 8, 2011. These revisions were submitted by KDAQ on behalf of the Louisville Metro Air Pollution Control District (LMAPCD) (also referred to as Jefferson County) and modify the LMAPCD New Source Review (NSR) Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) permitting regulations. EPA is approving Jefferson County's June 1, 2009, and February 8, 2011, SIP revisions because the Agency has determined that these SIP revisions are consistent with the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act) and EPA regulations regarding the PSD permitting program.
EPA is taking direct final action to approve state implementation plan (SIP) revision, submitted by the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (NC DENR), on June 15, 2007, as updated on November 30, 2009, to address the reasonable further progress (RFP) plan requirements for the 1997 8-hour ozone national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for the North Carolina portion of the bi-state Charlotte-Gastonia-Rock Hill 1997 8-hour ozone nonattainment area. The Charlotte-Gastonia-Rock Hill, North Carolina-South Carolina 1997 8-hour ozone nonattainment area (hereafter referred to as the “bi-state Charlotte Area”) is comprised of Cabarrus, Gaston, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Rowan, Union and a portion of Iredell (Davidson and Coddle Creek Townships) Counties in North Carolina (hereafter referred to as the “North Carolina portion of the bi-state Charlotte Area”); and a portion of York County in South Carolina. EPA is also providing the status of its adequacy determination for the motor vehicle emissions budgets (MVEB) for volatile organic compounds (VOC) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) that were included in North Carolina's RFP plan. Further, EPA is approving these MVEB. These actions are being taken pursuant to section 110 of the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act). EPA will take action on South Carolina's RFP plan for its portion of the bi-state Charlotte Area, in a separate action.
EPA is taking final action to partially approve and partially disapprove revisions to the State Implementation Plans (SIPs) for Florida, Mississippi, and South Carolina submitted on September 23, 2009, October 6, 2009, and September 18, 2009, respectively. EPA is approving the determinations, contained in those submittals, that the existing SIPs for Florida, Mississippi, and South Carolina are adequate to meet the obligation under section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) of the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act) to address interstate transport requirements with regard to the 2006 24-hour particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS). Specifically, the interstate transport requirements contained in section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) of the CAA prohibit a state's emissions from significantly contributing to nonattainment or interfering with the maintenance of the NAAQS in any other state. EPA is approving the States' determinations that their existing SIPs satisfy this requirement and conclusion that additional control measures are not necessary under section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) because emissions from Florida, Mississippi and South Carolina do not contribute significantly to nonattainment or interfere with maintenance of the 2006 24-hour PM 2.5 NAAQS in any other state. EPA is also disapproving the SIP submissions from Florida, Mississippi and South Carolina to the extent that they rely on the Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) to meet the 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) requirements for the 2006 24-hour PM 2.5 NAAQS. Because CAIR does not address the 2006 PM 2.5 NAAQS, it cannot be relied upon to satisfy any requirements related to that NAAQS.
EPA is approving the fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) 2002 base year emissions inventory portion of the Maryland State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of Maryland, through the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), on April 3, 2008. The emissions inventory is part of the April 3, 2008 SIP revision that was submitted to meet nonattainment requirements related to Maryland's portion of the Washington DC-MD-VA nonattainment area (hereafter referred to as Maryland Area or Area) for the 1997 PM 2.5 National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) SIP. EPA is approving the 2002 base year PM 2.5 emissions inventory in accordance with the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA).
This regulation amends the exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues alkyl amines polyalkoxylates under 40 CFR 180.920 and 40 CFR 180.930 to include the additional Chemical Abstract Service Registry Number (CAS Reg. No.) 1266162-49-5. BASF Corporation submitted a petition to EPA under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), requesting an amendment to an existing requirement of a tolerance.
EPA is taking final action to approve the State Implementation Plan (SIP) submissions, submitted by the State of Mississippi, through the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ), as demonstrating that the State meets portions of the SIP requirements of sections 110(a)(1) and (2) of the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act) for the 1997 annual and 2006 24-hour fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS). Section 110(a) of the CAA requires that each state adopt and submit a SIP for the implementation, maintenance, and enforcement of each NAAQS promulgated by the EPA, which is commonly referred to as an “infrastructure” SIP. MDEQ certified that the Mississippi SIP contains provisions that ensure the 1997 annual and 2006 24-hour PM 2 NAAQS are implemented, enforced, and maintained in Mississippi (hereafter referred to as “infrastructure submissions”). With the exception of sections 110(a)(2)(D)(i), 110(a)(2)(E)(ii) and 110(a)(2)(G), each of which will be addressed in separate actions, Mississippi's infrastructure submissions, provided to EPA on December 7, 2007, and October 6, 2009, address all the required infrastructure elements for the 1997 annual and 2006 24-hour PM 2 NAAQS.
EPA is taking final action to approve the State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision, submitted by the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, on July 26, 2012. This SIP revision was submitted to address Clean Air Act (CAA or Act) section 110(a)(2)(G). Specifically, EPA is approving Mississippi's July 26, 2012, submission addressing section 110(a)(2)(G), of the CAA for both the 1997 and 2006 fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). Section 110(a) of the CAA requires that each state adopt and submit a SIP for the implementation, maintenance, and enforcement of each NAAQS promulgated by the EPA, which is commonly referred to as an “infrastructure” SIP. The subject of this notice is limited to infrastructure element 110(a)(2)(G). All other applicable Mississippi infrastructure elements are being addressed in a separate rulemakings.
EPA is issuing this direct final rule to amend the definition of heating oil in the Renewable Fuel Standard (“RFS” or “RFS2”) program under section 211(o) of the Clean Air Act. This amendment will expand the scope of renewable fuels that can generate Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) as heating oil to include fuel oil produced from qualifying renewable biomass that will be used to generate heat to warm buildings or other facilities where people live, work, recreate, or conduct other activities. Fuel oils used to generate process heat, power, or other functions will not be included in the amended definition. Producers or importers of fuel oil that meets the amended definition of heating oil will be allowed to generate RINs, provided that the fuel oil meets the other requirements specified in the RFS regulations. This amendment will not modify or limit fuel included in the current definition of heating oil. EPA is also amending the requirements under EPA's diesel sulfur program related to the sulfur content of locomotive and marine diesel fuel produced by transmix processors. These amendments will allow locomotive and marine diesel fuel produced by transmix processors to meet a maximum 500 parts per million (ppm) sulfur standard provided that; the fuel is used in older technology locomotive and marine engines that do not require 15 ppm sulfur diesel fuel, the fuel is used outside of the Northeast Mid-Atlantic Area, and the fuel is kept segregated from other fuel. These amendments will provide significant regulatory relief for transmix processors while having a neutral or net positive environmental impact. EPA is also amending the fuel marker requirements for 500 ppm sulfur locomotive and marine (LM) diesel fuel to address an oversight in the original rulemaking where the regulations failed to incorporate provisions described in the rulemaking preamble to allow for solvent yellow 124 marker to transition out of the distribution system.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is issuing a final Federal Implementation Plan (FIP) to address regional haze in the State of Hawaii. This FIP addresses the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA or “the Act”) and EPA's rules concerning reasonable progress towards the national goal of preventing any future and remedying any existing man-made impairment of visibility in mandatory Class I areas in the State of Hawaii. The FIP establishes an emissions cap of 3,550 tons of sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ) per year from three specific fuel oil-fired, electric utility boilers on the Island of Hawaii beginning in 2018. The Hawaii Electric Light Company (HELCO) can minimize impacts on the ratepayers by meeting the cap through the increased use of renewable energy and energy conservation. EPA finds that this control measure, in conjunction with other emissions control requirements that are already in place, will ensure that reasonable progress is made during this first planning period toward the national goal of no man-made visibility impairment by 2064 at Hawaii's two Class I areas. EPA worked closely with the State of Hawaii in the development of this plan and the State has agreed to incorporate the control requirements into the relevant permits. The State has indicated that it intends to take full responsibility for the development of future Regional Haze plans.
EPA is taking final action to approve the State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of Alabama, through the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) to EPA on October 7, 2009, for the purpose of providing for attainment of the 1997 fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) in the Alabama portion of the tri-state Chattanooga PM 2.5 nonattainment area (hereafter referred to as the “Chattanooga Area” or “Area”). The Chattanooga Area is comprised of Catoosa and Walker Counties in Georgia; Hamilton County in Tennessee; and a portion of Jackson County in Alabama. The Alabama SIP revision (hereafter referred to as the “attainment plan”) pertains only to the Alabama portion of the Chattanooga Area (hereafter referred to as “Jackson County”). EPA is now taking final action to approve Alabama's October 7, 2009, SIP revision regarding reasonably available control technology (RACT) and reasonably available control measures (RACM); reasonable further progress (RFP); contingency measures; and, for transportation conformity purposes, an insignificance determination for PM 2.5 and nitrogen oxides (NO X ) for the mobile source contribution to ambient PM 2.5 levels for the Alabama portion of the Chattanooga Area. This action is being taken in accordance with the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act) and the “Clean Air Fine Particle Implementation Rule,” hereafter referred to as the “PM 2.5 Implementation Rule,” issued by EPA on April 25, 2007.
EPA is approving revisions to the Vermont State Implementation Plan (SIP), submitted by the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (VT DEC) Air Pollution Control Division to EPA on February 14, 2011. The SIP revision modifies Vermont's Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) program to establish appropriate emission thresholds for determining which new stationary sources and modification projects become subject to Vermont's PSD permitting requirements for their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. EPA proposed approval of these regulatory revisions on August 16, 2012, and received no comments. This action affects major stationary sources in Vermont that have GHG emissions above the thresholds established in the PSD regulations.
EPA is granting limited approval to a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) on April 14, 2009. The revision pertains to PADEP's plan approval requirements for the construction, modification, and operation of sources, and is primarily intended to streamline the process for minor permitting actions. This action is being taken under the Clean Air Act (CAA).
EPA is approving the attainment demonstration portion of the attainment plan submitted by the State of Delaware as a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision. The SIP revision demonstrates attainment of the 1997 8-hour ozone national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS) for the Philadelphia-Wilmington-Atlantic City, PA-NJ-MD-DE moderate nonattainment area (Philadelphia Area) by the applicable attainment date of June 2011. EPA is approving the SIP revision in accordance with the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA).
EPA is finalizing approval of revisions to the Washoe County Air District Board of Health (WCDBOH) portion of the Nevada State Implementation Plan (SIP). This action was proposed in the Federal Register on July 30, 2012 and concerns regulations regarding compliance with permit conditions, recordkeeping, source sampling and testing, and statements of compliance with 40 CFR Part 70 permits. We are approving local rules that regulate these emission sources under the Clean Air Act (CAA or the Act).
This regulation establishes tolerances for residues of trinexapac-ethyl in or on multiple commodities and modifies existing tolerance levels and commodity definitions for trinexapac-ethyl, which are identified and discussed later in this document. EPA proposed these tolerances and noted amendments under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) in order to correct inadvertent errors in the final rule tolerance table for trinexapac-ethyl that published in the Federal Register on March 2, 2012.