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[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 188 (Wednesday, September 28, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 66578-66591]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-23293]

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Parts 52 and 81

[EPA-R05-OAR-2016-0372; FRL-9953-15-Region 5]

Air Plan Approval; Ohio; Redesignation of the Columbus, Ohio Area 
to Attainment of the 2008 Ozone Standard

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to find 
that the Columbus, Ohio area is attaining the 2008 8-hour ozone 
National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS or standard) and to 
approve a request from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio 
EPA) to redesignate the area to attainment for the 2008 ozone NAAQS 
because the request meets the statutory requirements for redesignation 
under the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act). The Columbus area includes 
Delaware, Fairfield, Knox, Licking, and Mason Counties. Ohio EPA 
submitted this request on June 16, 2016. EPA is also proposing to 
approve, as a revision to the Ohio State Implementation Plan (SIP), the 
state's plan for maintaining the 2008 8-hour ozone standard through 
2030 in the Columbus area. Finally, EPA finds adequate and is proposing 
to approve the state's 2020 and 2030 volatile organic compound (VOC) 
and oxides of nitrogen (NOX) Motor Vehicle Emission Budgets 
(MVEBs) for the Columbus area.

[[Page 66579]]

DATES: Comments must be received on or before October 28, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-R05-
OAR-2016-0372 at http://www.regulations.gov or via email to 
aburano.douglas@epa.gov. For comments submitted at Regulations.gov, 
follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Once submitted, 
comments cannot be edited or removed from Regulations.gov. For either 
manner of submission, EPA may publish any comment received to its 
public docket. Do not submit electronically any information you 
consider to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other 
information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Multimedia 
submissions (audio, video, etc.) must be accompanied by a written 
comment. The written comment is considered the official comment and 
should include discussion of all points you wish to make. EPA will 
generally not consider comments or comment contents located outside of 
the primary submission (i.e. on the web, cloud, or other file sharing 
system). For additional submission methods, please contact the person 
identified in the For Further Information Contact section. For the full 
EPA public comment policy, information about CBI or multimedia 
submissions, and general guidance on making effective comments, please 
visit http://www2.epa.gov/dockets/commenting-epa-dockets.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kathleen D'Agostino, Environmental 
Scientist, Attainment Planning and Maintenance Section, Air Programs 
Branch (AR-18J), Environmental Protection Agency, Region 5, 77 West 
Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, Illinois 60604, (312) 886-1767, 
dagostino.kathleen@epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Throughout this document whenever ``we,'' 
``us,'' or ``our'' is used, we mean EPA. This supplementary information 
section is arranged as follows:

I. What are the actions EPA is proposing?
II. What is the background for these actions?
III. What are the criteria for redesignation?
IV. What is EPA's analysis of Ohio's redesignation request?
    A. Has the Columbus area attained the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS?
    B. Has Ohio met all applicable requirements of section 110 and 
part D of the CAA for the Columbus area, and does Ohio have a fully 
approved SIP for the area under section 110(k) of the CAA?
    1. Ohio Has Met All Applicable Requirements of Section 110 and 
Part D of the CAA Applicable to the Columbus Area for Purposes of 
Redesignation
    2. The Columbus Area Has a Fully Approved SIP for Purposes of 
Redesignation Under Section 110(k) of the CAA
    C. Are the air quality improvements in the Columbus area due to 
permanent and enforceable emission reductions?
    1. Permanent and Enforceable Emission Controls Implemented
    2. Emission Reductions
    3. Meteorology
    D. Does Ohio have a fully approvable ozone maintenance plan for 
the Columbus area?
    1. Attainment Inventory
    2. Has the state documented maintenance of the ozone standard in 
the Columbus area?
    3. Continued Air Quality Monitoring
    4. Verification of Continued Attainment
    5. What is the contingency plan for the Columbus area?
V. Has the state adopted approvable motor vehicle emission budgets?
    A. Motor Vehicle Emission Budgets
    B. What is the status of EPA's adequacy determination for the 
proposed VOC and NOX MVEBs for the Columbus area?
    C. What is a safety margin?
VI. Proposed Actions
VII. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

I. What are the actions EPA is proposing?

    EPA is proposing to take several related actions. EPA is proposing 
to determine that the Columbus nonattainment area is attaining the 2008 
ozone standard, based on quality-assured and certified monitoring data 
for 2013-2015 and that this area has met the requirements for 
redesignation under section 107(d)(3)(E) of the CAA. EPA is thus 
proposing to approve Ohio EPA's request to change the legal designation 
of the Columbus area from nonattainment to attainment for the 2008 
ozone standard. EPA is also proposing to approve, as a revision to the 
Ohio SIP, the state's maintenance plan (such approval being one of the 
CAA criteria for redesignation to attainment status) for the area. The 
maintenance plan is designed to keep the Columbus area in attainment of 
the 2008 ozone NAAQS through 2030. Finally, EPA finds adequate and is 
proposing to approve the newly-established 2020 and 2030 MVEBs for the 
Columbus area. The adequacy comment period for the MVEBs began on July 
22, 2016, with EPA's posting of the availability of the submittal on 
EPA's Adequacy Web site (at http://www.epa.gov/otaq/stateresources/transconf/adequacy.htm). The adequacy comment period for these MVEBs 
ended on August 22, 2016. EPA did not receive any requests for this 
submittal, or adverse comments on this submittal during the adequacy 
comment period. In a letter dated August 23, 2016, EPA informed Ohio 
EPA that we found the 2020 and 2030 MVEBs to be adequate for use in 
transportation conformity analyses. Please see section V.B. of this 
rulemaking, ``What is the status of EPA's adequacy determination for 
the proposed VOC and NOX MVEBs for the Columbus area,'' for 
further explanation of this process. Therefore, we find adequate, and 
are proposing to approve, the State's 2020 and 2030 MVEBs for 
transportation conformity purposes.

II. What is the background for these actions?

    EPA has determined that ground-level ozone is detrimental to human 
health. On March 12, 2008, EPA promulgated a revised 8-hour ozone NAAQS 
of 0.075 parts per million (ppm). See 73 FR 16436 (March 27, 2008). 
Under EPA's regulations at 40 CFR part 50, the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS 
is attained in an area when the 3-year average of the annual fourth 
highest daily maximum 8-hour average concentration is equal to or less 
than 0.075 ppm, when truncated after the thousandth decimal place, at 
all of the ozone monitoring sites in the area. See 40 CFR 50.15 and 
appendix P to 40 CFR part 50.
    Upon promulgation of a new or revised NAAQS, section 107(d)(1)(B) 
of the CAA requires EPA to designate as nonattainment any areas that 
are violating the NAAQS, based on the most recent three years of 
quality assured ozone monitoring data. The Columbus area was designated 
as a marginal nonattainment area for the 2008 ozone NAAQS on May 21, 
2012 (77 FR 30088) (effective July 20, 2012).
    In a final implementation rule for the 2008 ozone NAAQS (SIP 
Requirements Rule),\1\ EPA established ozone standard attainment dates 
based on table 1 of section 181(a) of the CAA. This established an 
attainment date three years after the July 20, 2012, effective 
designation date for areas classified as marginal nonattainment for the 
2008 ozone NAAQS. Therefore, the attainment date for the Columbus area 
was July 20, 2015. On May 4, 2016 (81 FR 26697), in accordance with 
section

[[Page 66580]]

181(b)(2)(A) of the CAA and the provisions of the SIP Requirements Rule 
(40 CFR 51.1103), EPA made a determination that the Columbus area 
attained the standard by its July 20, 2015, attainment date for the 
2008 ozone NAAQS. EPA's determination was based upon 3 years of 
complete, quality-assured and certified data for the 2012-2014 time 
period.
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    \1\ This rule, titled ``Implementation of the 2008 National 
Ambient Air Quality Standards for Ozone: State Implementation Plan 
Requirements'' and published at 80 FR 12264 (March 6, 2015), 
addresses nonattainment area SIP requirements for the 2008 ozone 
NAAQS, including requirements pertaining to attainment 
demonstrations, reasonable further progress (RFP), reasonably 
available control technology (RACT), reasonably available control 
measures (RACM), new source review (NSR), emission inventories, and 
the timing requirements for SIP submissions and compliance with 
emission control measures in the SIP. This rule also addresses the 
revocation of the 1997 ozone NAAQS and the anti-backsliding 
requirements that apply when the 1997 ozone NAAQS is revoked.
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III. What are the criteria for redesignation?

    Section 107(d)(3)(E) of the CAA allows redesignation of an area to 
attainment of the NAAQS provided that: (1) The Administrator (EPA) 
determines that the area has attained the NAAQS; (2) the Administrator 
has fully approved the applicable implementation plan for the area 
under section 110(k) of the CAA; (3) the Administrator determines that 
the improvement in air quality is due to permanent and enforceable 
reductions in emissions resulting from implementation of the applicable 
SIP, applicable Federal air pollutant control regulations, and other 
permanent and enforceable emission reductions; (4) the Administrator 
has fully approved a maintenance plan for the area as meeting the 
requirements of section 175A of the CAA; and (5) the state containing 
the area has met all requirements applicable to the area for the 
purposes of redesignation under section 110 and part D of the CAA.
    On April 16, 1992, EPA provided guidance on redesignations in the 
General Preamble for the Implementation of Title I of the CAA 
Amendments of 1990 (57 FR 13498) and supplemented this guidance on 
April 28, 1992 (57 FR 18070). EPA has provided further guidance on 
processing redesignation requests in the following documents:
    1. ``Ozone and Carbon Monoxide Design Value Calculations,'' 
Memorandum from Bill Laxton. Director, Technical Support Division, June 
18, 1990;
    2. ``Maintenance Plans for Redesignation of Ozone and Carbon 
Monoxide Nonattainment Areas,'' Memorandum from G.T. Helms, Chief, 
Ozone/Carbon Monoxide Programs Branch, April 30, 1992;
    3. ``Contingency Measures for Ozone and Carbon Monoxide (CO) 
Redesignations,'' Memorandum from G.T. Helms, Chief, Ozone/Carbon 
Monoxide Programs Branch, June 1, 1992;
    4. ``Procedures for Processing Requests to Redesignate Areas to 
Attainment,'' Memorandum from John Calcagni, Director, Air Quality 
Management Division, September 4, 1992 (the ``Calcagni Memorandum'');
    5. ``State Implementation Plan (SIP) Actions Submitted in Response 
to Clean Air Act (CAA) Deadlines,'' Memorandum from John Calcagni, 
Director, Air Quality Management Division, October 28, 1992;
    6. ``Technical Support Documents (TSDs) for Redesignation of Ozone 
and Carbon Monoxide (CO) Nonattainment Areas,'' Memorandum from G.T. 
Helms, Chief, Ozone/Carbon Monoxide Programs Branch, August 17, 1993;
    7. ``State Implementation Plan (SIP) Requirements for Areas 
Submitting Requests for Redesignation to Attainment of the Ozone and 
Carbon Monoxide (CO) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) On 
or After November 15, 1992,'' Memorandum from Michael H. Shapiro, 
Acting Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation, September 17, 
1993;
    8. ``Use of Actual Emissions in Maintenance Demonstrations for 
Ozone and CO Nonattainment Areas,'' Memorandum from D. Kent Berry, 
Acting Director, Air Quality Management Division, November 30, 1993;
    9. ``Part D New Source Review (Part D NSR) Requirements for Areas 
Requesting Redesignation to Attainment,'' Memorandum from Mary D. 
Nichols, Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation, October 14, 
1994; and
    10. ``Reasonable Further Progress, Attainment Demonstration, and 
Related Requirements for Ozone Nonattainment Areas Meeting the Ozone 
National Ambient Air Quality Standard,'' Memorandum from John S. Seitz, 
Director, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, May 10, 1995.

IV. What is EPA's analysis of Ohio's redesignation request?

A. Has the Columbus area attained the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS?

    For redesignation of a nonattainment area to attainment, the CAA 
requires EPA to determine that the area has attained the applicable 
NAAQS (CAA section 107(d)(3)(E)(i)). An area is attaining the 2008 
ozone NAAQS if it meets the 2008 ozone NAAQS, as determined in 
accordance with 40 CFR 50.15 and appendix P of part 50, based on three 
complete, consecutive calendar years of quality-assured air quality 
data for all monitoring sites in the area. To attain the NAAQS, the 
three-year average of the annual fourth-highest daily maximum 8-hour 
average ozone concentrations (ozone design values) at each monitor must 
not exceed 0.075 ppm. The air quality data must be collected and 
quality-assured in accordance with 40 CFR part 58 and recorded in EPA's 
Air Quality System (AQS). Ambient air quality monitoring data for the 
3-year period must also meet data completeness requirements. An ozone 
design value is valid if daily maximum 8-hour average concentrations 
are available for at least 90 percent of the days within the ozone 
monitoring seasons,\2\ on average, for the three-year period, with a 
minimum data completeness of 75 percent during the ozone monitoring 
season of any year during the three-year period. See section 2.3 of 
appendix P to 40 CFR part 50.
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    \2\ The ozone season is defined by state in 40 CFR 58 appendix 
D. For the 2012-2014 and 2013-2015 time periods, the ozone season 
for Ohio was April-October. Beginning in 2016, the ozone season for 
Ohio is March-October. See, 80 FR 65292, 65466-67 (October 26, 
2015).
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    On May 4, 2016, in accordance with section 181(b)(2)(A) of the CAA 
and the provisions of the SIP Requirements Rule (40 CFR 51.1103), EPA 
made a determination that the Columbus area attained the standard by 
its July 20, 2015 attainment date for the 2008 ozone NAAQS. This 
determination was based upon 3 years of complete, quality-assured and 
certified data for the 2012-2014 time period. In addition, EPA has 
reviewed the available ozone monitoring data from monitoring sites in 
the Columbus area for the 2013-2015 time period. These data have been 
quality assured, are recorded in the AQS, and have been certified. 
These data demonstrate that the Columbus area is attaining the 2008 
ozone NAAQS. The annual fourth-highest 8-hour ozone concentrations and 
the 3-year average of these concentrations (monitoring site ozone 
design values) for each monitoring site are summarized in Table 1.

[[Page 66581]]

   Table 1--Annual 4th High Daily Maximum 8-Hour Ozone Concentrations and 3-Year Average of the 4th High Daily
                            Maximum 8-Hour Ozone Concentrations for the Columbus Area
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                                                                      2013  4th  2014  4th  2015  4th  2013-2015
                        County                             Monitor       high       high       high      Average
                                                                        (ppm)      (ppm)      (ppm)      (ppm)
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Delaware..............................................   39-041-0002      0.070      0.066      0.068      0.068
Franklin..............................................   39-049-0029      0.073      0.070      0.071      0.071
                                                         39-049-0037      0.070      0.069      0.064      0.067
                                                         39-049-0081      0.070      0.069      0.063      0.065
Knox..................................................   39-083-0002      0.067      0.066      0.071      0.068
Licking...............................................   39-089-0005      0.065      0.066      0.068      0.066
Madison...............................................   39-097-0007      0.066      0.069      0.069      0.068
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    The 3-year ozone design value for 2013-2015 is 0.071 ppm,\3\ which 
meets the 2008 ozone NAAQS. Therefore, in today's action, EPA proposes 
to determine that the Columbus area is attaining the 2008 ozone NAAQS.
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    \3\ The monitor ozone design value for the monitor with the 
highest 3-year averaged concentration.
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    EPA will not take final action to determine that the Columbus area 
is attaining the NAAQS nor to approve the redesignation of this area if 
the design value of a monitoring site in the area exceeds the NAAQS 
after proposal but prior to final approval of the redesignation. 
Preliminary 2016 data indicate that this area continues to attain the 
2008 ozone NAAQS. As discussed in section IV.D.3. below, Ohio EPA has 
committed to continue monitoring ozone in this area to verify 
maintenance of the ozone standard.

B. Has Ohio met all applicable requirements of section 110 and part D 
of the CAA for the Columbus area, and does Ohio have a fully approved 
SIP for the area under section 110(k) of the CAA?

    As criteria for redesignation of an area from nonattainment to 
attainment of a NAAQS, the CAA requires EPA to determine that the state 
has met all applicable requirements under section 110 and part D of 
title I of the CAA (see section 107(d)(3)(E)(v) of the CAA) and that 
the state has a fully approved SIP under section 110(k) of the CAA (see 
section 107(d)(3)(E)(ii) of the CAA). EPA proposes to find that Ohio 
has a fully approved SIP under section 110(k) of the CAA. Additionally, 
EPA proposes to find that the Ohio SIP satisfies the criterion that it 
meet applicable SIP requirements, for purposes of redesignation, under 
section 110 and part D of title I of the CAA (requirements specific to 
nonattainment areas for the 2008 ozone NAAQS). In making these proposed 
determinations, EPA ascertained which CAA requirements are applicable 
to the Columbus area and the Ohio SIP and, if applicable, whether the 
required Ohio SIP elements are fully approved under section 110(k) and 
part D of the CAA. As discussed more fully below, SIPs must be fully 
approved only with respect to currently applicable requirements of the 
CAA.
    The September 4, 1992 Calcagni memorandum (see ``Procedures for 
Processing Requests to Redesignate Areas to Attainment,'' Memorandum 
from John Calcagni, Director, Air Quality Management Division, 
September 4, 1992) describes EPA's interpretation of section 
107(d)(3)(E) of the CAA. Under this interpretation, a state and the 
area it wishes to redesignate must meet the relevant CAA requirements 
that are due prior to the state's submittal of a complete redesignation 
request for the area. See also the September 17, 1993, Michael Shapiro 
memorandum and 60 FR 12459, 12465-66 (March 7, 1995) (redesignation of 
Detroit-Ann Arbor, Michigan to attainment of the 1-hour ozone NAAQS). 
Applicable requirements of the CAA that come due subsequent to the 
state's submittal of a complete request remain applicable until a 
redesignation to attainment is approved, but are not required as a 
prerequisite to redesignation. See section 175A(c) of the CAA. Sierra 
Club v. EPA, 375 F.3d 537 (7th Cir. 2004). See also 68 FR 25424, 25427 
(May 12, 2003) (redesignation of the St. Louis/East St. Louis area to 
attainment of the 1-hour ozone NAAQS).
1. Ohio Has Met All Applicable Requirements of Section 110 and Part D 
of the CAA Applicable to the Columbus Area for Purposes of 
Redesignation
a. Section 110 General Requirements for Implementation Plans
    Section 110(a)(2) of the CAA delineates the general requirements 
for a SIP. Section 110(a)(2) provides that the SIP must have been 
adopted by the state after reasonable public notice and hearing, and 
that, among other things, it must: (1) Include enforceable emission 
limitations and other control measures, means or techniques necessary 
to meet the requirements of the CAA; (2) provide for establishment and 
operation of appropriate devices, methods, systems and procedures 
necessary to monitor ambient air quality; (3) provide for 
implementation of a source permit program to regulate the modification 
and construction of stationary sources within the areas covered by the 
plan; (4) include provisions for the implementation of part C 
prevention of significant deterioration (PSD) and part D new source 
review (NSR) permit programs; (5) include provisions for stationary 
source emission control measures, monitoring, and reporting; (6) 
include provisions for air quality modeling; and, (7) provide for 
public and local agency participation in planning and emission control 
rule development.
    Section 110(a)(2)(D) of the CAA requires SIPs to contain measures 
to prevent sources in a state from significantly contributing to air 
quality problems in another state. To implement this provision, EPA has 
required certain states to establish programs to address transport of 
certain air pollutants, e.g., NOX SIP call.\4\ However, like 
many of the 110(a)(2) requirements, the section 110(a)(2)(D) SIP 
requirements are not linked with a particular area's ozone designation 
and classification. EPA concludes that the SIP requirements linked with 
the area's ozone designation and classification are

[[Page 66582]]

the relevant measures to evaluate when reviewing a redesignation 
request for the area. The section 110(a)(2)(D) requirements, where 
applicable, continue to apply to a state regardless of the designation 
of any one particular area within the state. Thus, we believe these 
requirements are not applicable requirements for purposes of 
redesignation. See 65 FR 37890 (June 15, 2000), 66 FR 50399 (October 
19, 2001), 68 FR 25418, 25426-27 (May 13, 2003).
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    \4\ On October 27, 1992 (63 FR 57356), EPA issued a 
NOX SIP call requiring the District of Columbia and 22 
states to reduce emissions of NOX in order to reduce the 
transport of ozone and ozone precursors. In compliance with EPA's 
NOX SIP call, Ohio developed rules governing the control 
of NOX emissions from Electric Generating Units (EGUs), 
major non-EGU industrial boilers and turbines, and major cement 
kilns. EPA approved Ohio's rules as fulfilling Phase I of the 
NOX SIP Call on August 5, 2003 (68 FR 46089) and June 27, 
2005 (70 FR 36845), and as meeting Phase II of the NOX 
SIP Call on February 4, 2008 (73 FR 6427).
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    In addition, EPA believes that other section 110 elements that are 
neither connected with nonattainment plan submissions nor linked with 
an area's ozone attainment status are not applicable requirements for 
purposes of redesignation. The area will still be subject to these 
requirements after the area is redesignated to attainment of the 2008 
ozone NAAQS. The section 110 and part D requirements which are linked 
with a particular area's designation and classification are the 
relevant measures to evaluate in reviewing a redesignation request. 
This approach is consistent with EPA's existing policy on applicability 
(i.e., for redesignations) of conformity and oxygenated fuels 
requirements, as well as with section 184 ozone transport requirements. 
See Reading, Pennsylvania proposed and final rulemakings, 61 FR 53174-
53176 (October 10, 1996) and 62 FR 24826 (May 7, 1997); Cleveland-
Akron-Loraine, Ohio final rulemaking, 61 FR 20458 (May 7, 1996); and 
Tampa, Florida final rulemaking, 60 FR 62748 (December 7, 1995). See 
also the discussion of this issue in the Cincinnati, Ohio ozone 
redesignation (65 FR 37890, June 19, 2000), and the Pittsburgh, 
Pennsylvania ozone redesignation (66 FR 50399, October 19, 2001).
    We have reviewed Ohio's SIP and have concluded that it meets the 
general SIP requirements under section 110 of the CAA, to the extent 
those requirements are applicable for purposes of redesignation. On 
October 16, 2014 (79 FR 62019), EPA approved elements of the SIP 
submitted by Ohio to meet the requirements of section 110 for the 2008 
ozone standard. The requirements of section 110(a)(2), however, are 
statewide requirements that are not linked to the 8-hour ozone 
nonattainment status of the Columbus area. Therefore, EPA concludes 
that these infrastructure requirements are not applicable requirements 
for purposes of review of the state's 8-hour ozone redesignation 
request.
b. Part D Requirements
    Section 172(c) of the CAA sets forth the basic requirements of air 
quality plans for states with nonattainment areas that are required to 
submit them pursuant to section 172(b). Subpart 2 of part D, which 
includes section 182 of the CAA, establishes specific requirements for 
ozone nonattainment areas depending on the areas' nonattainment 
classifications.
    The Columbus area was classified as marginal under subpart 2 for 
the 2008 ozone NAAQS. As such, the area is subject to the subpart 1 
requirements contained in section 172(c) and section 176. Similarly, 
the area is subject to the subpart 2 requirements contained in section 
182(a) (marginal nonattainment area requirements). A thorough 
discussion of the requirements contained in section 172(c) and 182 can 
be found in the General Preamble for Implementation of Title I (57 FR 
13498).
i. Subpart 1 Section 172 Requirements
    As provided in subpart 2, for marginal ozone nonattainment areas 
such as the Columbus area, the specific requirements of section 182(a) 
apply in lieu of the attainment planning requirements that would 
otherwise apply under section 172(c), including the attainment 
demonstration and reasonably available control measures (RACM) under 
section 172(c)(1), reasonable further progress (RFP) under section 
172(c)(2), and contingency measures under section 172(c)(9). 42 U.S.C. 
7511a(a).
    Section 172(c)(3) requires submission and approval of a 
comprehensive, accurate and current inventory of actual emissions. This 
requirement is superseded by the inventory requirement in section 
182(a)(1) discussed below.
    Section 172(c)(4) requires the identification and quantification of 
allowable emissions for major new and modified stationary sources in an 
area, and section 172(c)(5) requires source permits for the 
construction and operation of new and modified major stationary sources 
anywhere in the nonattainment area. EPA approved Ohio's NSR program on 
January 10, 2003 (68 FR 1366) and February 25, 2010 (75 FR 8496). 
Nonetheless, EPA has determined that, since PSD requirements will apply 
after redesignation, areas being redesignated need not comply with the 
requirement that a NSR program be approved prior to redesignation, 
provided that the area demonstrates maintenance of the NAAQS without 
part D NSR. A more detailed rationale for this view is described in a 
memorandum from Mary Nichols, Assistant Administrator for Air and 
Radiation, dated October 14, 1994, entitled, ``Part D New Source Review 
Requirements for Areas Requesting Redesignation to Attainment.'' Ohio 
has demonstrated that the Columbus area will be able to maintain the 
standard without part D NSR in effect; therefore, EPA concludes that 
the state need not have a fully approved part D NSR program prior to 
approval of the redesignation request. See rulemakings for Detroit, 
Michigan (60 FR 12467-12468, March 7, 1995); Cleveland-Akron-Lorain, 
Ohio (61 FR 20458, 20469-20470, May 7, 1996); Louisville, Kentucky (66 
FR 53665, October 23, 2001); and Grand Rapids, Michigan (61 FR 31834-
31837, June 21, 1996). Ohio's PSD program will become effective in the 
Columbus area upon redesignation to attainment. EPA approved Ohio's PSD 
program on January 22, 2003 (68 FR 2909) and February 25, 2010 (75 FR 
8496).
    Section 172(c)(6) requires the SIP to contain control measures 
necessary to provide for attainment of the NAAQS. Because attainment 
has been reached, no additional measures are needed to provide for 
attainment.
    Section 172(c)(7) requires the SIP to meet the applicable 
provisions of section 110(a)(2). As noted above, we believe the Ohio 
SIP meets the requirements of section 110(a)(2) for purposes of 
redesignation.
ii. Section 176 Conformity Requirements
    Section 176(c) of the CAA requires states to establish criteria and 
procedures to ensure that Federally supported or funded projects 
conform to the air quality planning goals in the applicable SIP. The 
requirement to determine conformity applies to transportation plans, 
programs and projects that are developed, funded or approved under 
title 23 of the United States Code (U.S.C.) and the Federal Transit Act 
(transportation conformity) as well as to all other Federally supported 
or funded projects (general conformity). State transportation 
conformity SIP revisions must be consistent with Federal conformity 
regulations relating to consultation, enforcement and enforceability 
that EPA promulgated pursuant to its authority under the CAA.
    EPA interprets the conformity SIP requirements \5\ as not applying 
for

[[Page 66583]]

purposes of evaluating a redesignation request under section 107(d) 
because state conformity rules are still required after redesignation 
and Federal conformity rules apply where state conformity rules have 
not been approved. See Wall v. EPA, 265 F.3d 426 (6th Cir. 2001) 
(upholding this interpretation); see also 60 FR 62748 (December 7, 
1995) (redesignation of Tampa, Florida). Nonetheless, Ohio has an 
approved conformity SIP for the Columbus area. See 80 FR 11133 (March 
2, 2015).
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    \5\ CAA section 176(c)(4)(E) requires states to submit revisions 
to their SIPs to reflect certain Federal criteria and procedures for 
determining transportation conformity. Transportation conformity 
SIPs are different from SIPs requiring the development of Motor 
Vehicle Emission Budgets (MVEBs), such as control strategy SIPs and 
maintenance plans.
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iii. Section 182(a) Requirements
    Section 182(a)(1) requires states to submit a comprehensive, 
accurate, and current inventory of actual emissions from sources of VOC 
and NOX emitted within the boundaries of the ozone 
nonattainment area. Ohio EPA submitted a 2008 base year emissions 
inventory for the Columbus area on July 18, 2014. EPA approved this 
emissions inventory as a revision to the Ohio SIP on March 10, 2016 (81 
FR 12591).
    Under section 182(a)(2)(A), states with ozone nonattainment areas 
that were designated prior to the enactment of the 1990 CAA amendments 
were required to submit, within six months of classification, all rules 
and corrections to existing VOC reasonably available control technology 
(RACT) rules that were required under section 172(b)(3) prior to the 
1990 CAA amendments. The Columbus area is not subject to the section 
182(a)(2) RACT ``fix up'' requirement for the 2008 ozone NAAQS because 
it was designated as nonattainment for this standard after the 
enactment of the 1990 CAA amendments and because Ohio complied with 
this requirement for the Columbus area under the prior 1-hour ozone 
NAAQS. See 59 FR 23796 (May 9, 1994) and 60 FR 15235 (March 23, 1995).
    Section 182(a)(2)(B) requires each state with a marginal ozone 
nonattainment area that implemented or was required to implement a 
vehicle inspection and maintenance (I/M) program prior to the 1990 CAA 
amendments to submit a SIP revision for an I/M program no less 
stringent than that required prior to the 1990 CAA amendments or 
already in the SIP at the time of the CAA amendments, whichever is more 
stringent. For the purposes of the 2008 ozone standard and the 
consideration of Ohio's redesignation request for this standard, the 
Columbus area is not subject to the section 182(a)(2)(B) requirement 
because the Columbus area was designated as nonattainment for the 2008 
ozone standard after the enactment of the 1990 CAA amendments.
    Regarding the source permitting and offset requirements of section 
182(a)(2)(C) and section 182(a)(4), Ohio currently has a fully-approved 
part D NSR program in place. EPA approved Ohio's PSD program on January 
22, 2003 (68 FR 2909) and February 25, 2010 (75 FR 8496). As discussed 
above, Ohio has demonstrated that the Columbus area will be able to 
maintain the standard without part D NSR in effect; therefore, EPA 
concludes that the state need not have a fully approved part D NSR 
program prior to approval of the redesignation request. The state's PSD 
program will become effective in the Columbus area upon redesignation 
to attainment.
    Section 182(a)(3) requires states to submit periodic emission 
inventories and a revision to the SIP to require the owners or 
operators of stationary sources to annually submit emission statements 
documenting actual VOC and NOX emissions. As discussed below 
in section IV.D.4. of this proposed rule, Ohio will continue to update 
its emissions inventory at least once every three years. With regard to 
stationary source emission statements, EPA approved Ohio's emission 
statement rule on September 27, 2007 (72 FR 54844). On July 18, 2014, 
Ohio certified that this approved SIP regulation remains in place and 
remains enforceable for the 2008 ozone standard. EPA approved Ohio's 
certification on March 10, 2016 (81 FR 12591).
    The Columbus area has satisfied all applicable requirements for 
purposes of redesignation under section 110 and part D of title I of 
the CAA.
2. The Columbus Area Has a Fully Approved SIP for Purposes of 
Redesignation Under Section 110(k) of the CAA
    Ohio has adopted and submitted and EPA has approved at various 
times, provisions addressing the various SIP elements applicable for 
the ozone NAAQS. As discussed above, EPA has fully approved the Ohio 
SIP for the Columbus area under section 110(k) for all requirements 
applicable for purposes of redesignation under the 2008 ozone NAAQS. 
EPA may rely on prior SIP approvals in approving a redesignation 
request (see the Calcagni memorandum at page 3; Southwestern 
Pennsylvania Growth Alliance v. Browner, 144 F.3d 984, 989-990 (6th 
Cir. 1998); Wall v. EPA, 265 F.3d 426), plus any additional measures it 
may approve in conjunction with a redesignation action (see 68 FR 25426 
(May 12, 2003) and citations therein).

C. Are the air quality improvements in the Columbus area due to 
permanent and enforceable emission reductions?

    To support the redesignation of an area from nonattainment to 
attainment, section 107(d)(3)(E)(iii) of the CAA requires EPA to 
determine that the air quality improvement in the area is due to 
permanent and enforceable reductions in emissions resulting from the 
implementation of the SIP and applicable Federal air pollution control 
regulations and other permanent and other permanent and enforceable 
emission reductions. EPA has determined that Ohio has demonstrated that 
that the observed ozone air quality improvement in the Columbus area is 
due to permanent and enforceable reductions in VOC and NOX 
emissions resulting from state measures adopted into the SIP and 
Federal measures.
    In making this demonstration, the state has calculated the change 
in emissions between 2011 and 2014. The reduction in emissions and the 
corresponding improvement in air quality over this time period can be 
attributed to a number of regulatory control measures that the Columbus 
area and upwind areas have implemented in recent years. In addition, 
Ohio EPA provided an analysis to demonstrate the improvement in air 
quality was not due to unusually favorable meteorology. Based on the 
information summarized below, Ohio has adequately demonstrated that the 
improvement in air quality is due to permanent and enforceable 
emissions reductions.
1. Permanent and Enforceable Emission Controls Implemented
a. Regional NOX Controls
    Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR)/Cross State Air Pollution Rule 
(CSAPR). CAIR created regional cap-and-trade programs to reduce sulfur 
dioxide (SO2) and NOX emissions in 27 eastern 
states, including Ohio, that contributed to downwind nonattainment and 
maintenance of the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS and the 1997 fine 
particulate matter (PM2.5) NAAQS. See 70 FR 25162 (May 12, 
2005). EPA approved Ohio's CAIR regulations into the Ohio SIP on 
February 1, 2008 (73 FR 6034), and September 25, 2009 (74 FR 48857). In 
2008, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia 
Circuit (D.C. Circuit) initially vacated CAIR, North Carolina v. EPA, 
531 F.3d

[[Page 66584]]

896 (D.C. Cir. 2008), but ultimately remanded the rule to EPA without 
vacatur to preserve the environmental benefits provided by CAIR, North 
Carolina v. EPA, 550 F.3d 1176, 1178 (D.C. Cir. 2008). On August 8, 
2011 (76 FR 48208), acting on the D.C. Circuit's remand, EPA 
promulgated CSAPR to replace CAIR and thus to address the interstate 
transport of emissions contributing to nonattainment and interfering 
with maintenance of the two air quality standards covered by CAIR as 
well as the 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS. CSAPR requires substantial 
reductions of SO2 and NOX emissions from electric 
generating units (EGUs) in 28 states in the Eastern United States.
    The D.C. Circuit's initial vacatur of CSAPR \6\ was reversed by the 
United States Supreme Court on April 29, 2014, and the case was 
remanded to the D.C. Circuit to resolve remaining issues in accordance 
with the high court's ruling. EPA v. EME Homer City Generation, L.P., 
134 S. Ct. 1584 (2014). On remand, the D.C. Circuit affirmed CSAPR in 
most respects, but invalidated without vacating some of the CSAPR 
budgets as to a number of states. EME Homer City Generation, L.P. v. 
EPA, 795 F.3d 118 (D.C. Cir. 2015). The remanded budgets include the 
Phase 2 NOX ozone season emissions budgets for Ohio. This 
litigation ultimately delayed implementation of CSAPR for three years, 
from January 1, 2012, when CSAPR's cap-and-trade programs were 
originally scheduled to replace the CAIR cap-and-trade programs, to 
January 1, 2015. Thus, the rule's Phase 2 budgets were originally 
promulgated to begin on January 1, 2014, and are now scheduled to begin 
on January 1, 2017. CSAPR will continue to operate under the existing 
emissions budgets until EPA addresses the D.C. Circuit's remand.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \6\ EME Homer City Generation, L.P. v. EPA, 696 F.3d 7, 38 (D.C. 
Cir. 2012).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    While the reduction in NOX emissions from the 
implementation of CSAPR will result in lower concentrations of 
transported ozone entering the Columbus area throughout the maintenance 
period, EPA is proposing to approve the redesignation of the Columbus 
area without relying on those measures within Ohio as having led to 
attainment of the 2008 ozone NAAQS or contributing to maintenance of 
that standard. In so doing, we are proposing to determine that the D.C. 
Circuit's invalidation of the Ohio CSAPR Phase 2 ozone season 
NOX emissions budget does not bar today's proposed 
redesignation.
    The improvement in ozone air quality in the Columbus area from 2011 
(a year when the design value for the area was above the NAAQS) to 2014 
(a year when the design value was below the NAAQS) is not due to CSAPR 
emissions reductions because, as noted above, CSAPR did not go into 
effect until January 1, 2015, after the area was already attaining the 
standard. As a general matter, because CSAPR is CAIR's replacement, 
emissions reductions associated with CAIR will for most areas be made 
permanent and enforceable through implementation of CSAPR. In addition, 
there are no EGU sources in the Columbus area. Furthermore, as laid out 
in the State's maintenance demonstration, no EGUs are expected to 
locate in the area throughout the maintenance period.
    Given the particular facts and circumstances associated with the 
Columbus area, EPA does not believe that the D.C. Circuit's 
invalidation of Ohio's CSAPR Phase 2 NOX ozone season 
budget, which replaced CAIR's NOX ozone season budget, is a 
bar to EPA's redesignation of the Columbus area for the 2008 ozone 
NAAQS.

b. Federal Emission Control Measures

    Reductions in VOC and NOX emissions have occurred 
statewide and in upwind areas as a result of Federal emission control 
measures, with additional emission reductions expected to occur in the 
future. Federal emission control measures include the following.
    Tier 2 Emission Standards for Vehicles and Gasoline Sulfur 
Standards. On February 10, 2000 (65 FR 6698), EPA promulgated Tier 2 
motor vehicle emission standards and gasoline sulfur control 
requirements. These emission control requirements result in lower VOC 
and NOX emissions from new cars and light duty trucks, 
including sport utility vehicles. With respect to fuels, this rule 
required refiners and importers of gasoline to meet lower standards for 
sulfur in gasoline, which were phased in between 2004 and 2006. By 
2006, refiners were required to meet a 30 ppm average sulfur level, 
with a maximum cap of 80 ppm. This reduction in fuel sulfur content 
ensures the effectiveness of low emission-control technologies. The 
Tier 2 tailpipe standards established in this rule were phased in for 
new vehicles between 2004 and 2009. EPA estimates that, when fully 
implemented, this rule will cut NOX and VOC emissions from 
light-duty vehicles and light-duty trucks by approximately 76 and 28 
percent, respectively. NOX and VOC reductions from medium-
duty passenger vehicles included as part of the Tier 2 vehicle program 
are estimated to be approximately 37,000 and 9,500 tons per year, 
respectively, when fully implemented. In addition, EPA estimates that 
beginning in 2007, a reduction of 30,000 tons per year of 
NOX will result from the benefits of sulfur control on 
heavy-duty gasoline vehicles. Some of these emission reductions 
occurred by the attainment years and additional emission reductions 
will occur throughout the maintenance period, as older vehicles are 
replaced with newer, compliant model years.
    Tier 3 Emission Standards for Vehicles and Gasoline Sulfur 
Standards. On April 28, 2014 (79 FR 23414), EPA promulgated Tier 3 
motor vehicle emission and fuel standards to reduces both tailpipe and 
evaporative emissions and to further reduce the sulfur content in 
fuels. The rule will be phased in between 2017 and 2025. Tier 3 sets 
new tailpipe standards for the sum of VOC and NOX and for 
particulate matter. The VOC and NOX tailpipe standards for 
light-duty vehicles represent approximately an 80% reduction from 
today's fleet average and a 70% reduction in per-vehicle particulate 
matter (PM) standards. Heavy-duty tailpipe standards represent about a 
60% reduction in both fleet average VOC and NOX and per-
vehicle PM standards. The evaporative emissions requirements in the 
rule will result in approximately a 50 percent reduction from current 
standards and apply to all light-duty and onroad gasoline-powered 
heavy-duty vehicles. Finally, the rule lowers the sulfur content of 
gasoline to an annual average of 10 ppm by January 2017. While these 
reductions did not aid the area in attaining the standard, emission 
reductions will occur during the maintenance period.
    Heavy-Duty Diesel Engine Rules. In July 2000, EPA issued a rule for 
on-highway heavy-duty diesel engines that includes standards limiting 
the sulfur content of diesel fuel. Emissions standards for 
NOX, VOC and PM were phased in between model years 2007 and 
2010. In addition, the rule reduced the highway diesel fuel sulfur 
content to 15 parts per million by 2007, leading to additional 
reductions in combustion NOX and VOC emissions. EPA has 
estimated future year emission reductions due to implementation of this 
rule. Nationally, EPA estimated that 2015 NOX and VOC 
emissions would decrease by 1,260,000 tons and 54,000 tons, 
respectively. Nationally, EPA estimated that 2030 NOX and 
VOC emissions will decrease by 2,570,000 tons and 115,000 tons, 
respectively. As projected by these estimates and demonstrated in the 
on-road emission modeling for the Columbus area, some

[[Page 66585]]

of these emission reductions occurred by the attainment years and 
additional emission reductions will occur throughout the maintenance 
period, as older vehicles are replaced with newer, compliant model 
years.
    Nonroad Diesel Rule. On June 29, 2004 (69 FR 38958), EPA issued a 
rule adopting emissions standards for nonroad diesel engines and sulfur 
reductions in nonroad diesel fuel. This rule applies to diesel engines 
used primarily in construction, agricultural, and industrial 
applications. Emission standards are phased in for 2008 through 2015 
model years based on engine size. The SO2 limits for nonroad 
diesel fuels were phased in from 2007 through 2012. EPA estimates that 
when fully implemented, compliance with this rule will cut 
NOX emissions from these nonroad diesel engines by 
approximately 90 percent. Some of these emission reductions occurred by 
the attainment years and additional emission reductions will occur 
throughout the maintenance period.
    Nonroad Spark-Ignition Engines and Recreational Engine Standards. 
On November 8, 2002 (67 FR 68242), EPA adopted emission standards for 
large spark-ignition engines such as those used in forklifts and 
airport ground-service equipment; recreational vehicles such as off-
highway motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, and snowmobiles; and 
recreational marine diesel engines. These emission standards are phased 
in from model year 2004 through 2012. When fully implemented, EPA 
estimates an overall 72 percent reduction in VOC emissions from these 
engines and an 80 percent reduction in NOX emissions. Some 
of these emission reductions occurred by the attainment years and 
additional emission reductions will occur throughout the maintenance 
period.
    National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) 
for Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engines. On March 3, 2010 (75 FR 
9648), EPA issued a rule to reduce hazardous air pollutants from 
existing diesel powered stationary reciprocating internal combustion 
engines, also known as compression ignition engines. Amendments to this 
rule were finalized on January 14, 2013 (78 FR 6674). EPA estimated 
that when this rule is fully implemented in 2013, NOX and 
VOC emissions from these engines will be reduced by approximately 9,600 
and 36,000 tons per year, respectively.
    Category 3 Marine Diesel Engine Standards. On April 30, 2010 (75 FR 
22896) EPA issued emission standards for marine compression-ignition 
engines at or above 30 liters per cylinder. Tier 2 emission standards 
apply beginning in 2011, and are expected to result in a 15 to 25 
percent reduction in NOX emissions from these engines. Final 
Tier 3 emission standards apply beginning in 2016 and are expected to 
result in approximately an 80 percent reduction in NOX from 
these engines. Some of these emission reductions occurred by the 
attainment years and additional emission reductions will occur 
throughout the maintenance period.
    Oil and Natural Gas Industry Standards. On August 16, 2012 (77 FR 
49490) EPA finalized several rules that apply to the oil and natural 
gas sector. These rule set standards for natural gas wells that are 
hydraulically fractured along with several other sources in the oil and 
natural gas sector. When these rules are fully implemented in 2015, EPA 
estimates nationally that VOC emissions will be reduced by 190,000 to 
290,000 tons annually.
c. Control Measures Specific to the Columbus Area
    While there are no EGUs in the Columbus area, the Picway Power 
Plant is located in Pickaway County, approximately 1.25 kilometers from 
the southern border of Franklin County. This plant permanently shut 
down in May of 2015. The coal-fired boiler did not operate in 2014 and 
between 2011 and 2013 NOX emissions dropped from 0.57 tons 
per summer day (TPSD) in 2011 to 0.45 TPSD in 2013.
2. Emission Reductions
    Ohio is using a 2011 inventory as the nonattainment base year. 
Area, nonroad mobile, airport related emissions (AIR), and point source 
emissions (EGUs and non-EGUs) were collected from the Ozone NAAQS 
Implementation Modeling platform (2011v6.1). For 2011, this represents 
actual data Ohio reported to EPA for the 2011 National Emissions 
inventory (NEI). Because emissions from state inventory databases, the 
NEI, and the Ozone NAAQS Emissions Modeling platform are annual totals, 
tons per summer day were derived according to EPA's guidance document 
``Temporal Allocation of Annual Emissions Using EMCH Temporal 
Profiles'' dated April 29 2002, using the temporal allocation 
references accompanying the 2011v6.1 modeling inventory files. Onroad 
mobile source emissions were developed in conjunction with the Ohio 
EPA, the Ohio Department of Transportation, the Mid-Ohio Regional 
Planning Commission (MORPC), and the Licking County Area Transportation 
(LCAT) and were calculated from emission factors produced by EPA's 
Motor Vehicle Emission Simulator (MOVES) model and data extracted from 
the region's travel-demand model.
    For the attainment inventory, Ohio is using 2014, one of the years 
the Columbus area monitored attainment of the 2008 ozone standard. 
Because the 2014 NEI inventory was not available at the time Ohio EPA 
was compiling the redesignation request, the state was unable to use 
the 2014 NEI inventory directly. For area, nonroad mobile, and AIR, 
2014 emissions were derived by interpolating between 2011 and 2018 
Ozone NAAQS Emissions Modeling platform inventories. The point source 
sector for the 2014 inventory was developed using actual 2014 point 
source emissions reported to the state database, which serve as the 
basis for the point source emissions reported to EPA for the NEI. 
Summer day inventories were derived for these sectors using the 
methodology described above. Finally, onroad mobile source emissions 
were developed using the same methodology described above for the 2011 
inventory.
    Using the inventories described above, Ohio's submittal documents 
changes in VOC and NOX emissions from 2011 to 2014 for the 
Columbus area. Emissions data are shown in Tables 2 through 6.

                                         Table 2--Columbus Area NOX Emissions for Nonattainment Year 2011 (TPSD)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         County                                Point            AIR           Nonroad          Area           Onroad           Total
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Delaware................................................            0.08            0.01            4.39            2.82           16.26           23.56
Fairfield...............................................            4.52            0.00            2.79            0.75            9.54           17.60
Franklin................................................            2.65            1.48           16.12            8.76          134.04          163.05
Knox....................................................            0.08            0.00            1.36            0.50            2.90            4.84
Licking.................................................            1.30            0.00            2.57            0.98           17.45           22.30
Madison.................................................            0.01            0.00            1.66            0.62            7.09            9.38
                                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 66586]]

 
    Area Totals.........................................            8.64            1.49           28.89           14.43          187.28          240.73
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                         Table 3--Columbus Area VOC Emissions for Nonattainment Year 2011 (TPSD)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         County                                Point            AIR           Nonroad          Area           Onroad           Total
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Delaware................................................            0.34            0.01            3.31            4.37            7.14           15.17
Fairfield...............................................            0.49            0.01            1.25            4.71            4.82           11.28
Franklin................................................            3.06            0.35           11.76           28.36           70.65          114.18
Knox....................................................            0.20            0.01            0.97            3.42            1.36            5.96
Licking.................................................            0.45            0.01            2.17            6.65            8.03           17.31
Madison.................................................            0.06            0.01            0.82            2.50            2.83            6.22
                                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Area Totals.........................................            4.60            0.40           20.28           50.01           94.83          170.12
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                          Table 4--Columbus Area NOX Emissions for Attainment Year 2014 (TPSD)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         County                                Point            AIR           Nonroad          Area           Onroad           Total
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Delaware................................................            0.07            0.01            3.45            2.67           11.76           17.96
Fairfield...............................................            3.99            0.00            2.20            0.76            7.19           14.14
Franklin................................................            1.36            1.59           12.49            8.58           98.88          122.90
Knox....................................................            0.12            0.00            1.11            0.51            2.18            3.92
Licking.................................................            0.93            0.00            2.05            1.00           13.33           17.31
Madison.................................................            0.01            0.00            1.38            0.60            5.31            7.30
                                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Area Totals.........................................            6.48            1.60           22.68           14.12          138.65          183.53
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                          Table 5--Columbus Area VOC Emissions for Attainment Year 2014 (TPSD)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         County                                Point            AIR           Nonroad          Area           Onroad           Total
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Delaware................................................            0.36            0.01            2.86            4.27            5.00           12.50
Fairfield...............................................            0.42            0.01            1.08            4.65            3.12            9.28
Franklin................................................            2.22            0.37           10.28           27.81           50.81           91.49
Knox....................................................            0.19            0.01            0.82            3.39            1.02            5.43
Licking.................................................            0.69            0.01            1.85            6.57            6.00           15.12
Madison.................................................            0.14            0.01            0.71            2.46            2.11            5.43
                                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Area Totals.........................................            4.02            0.42           17.60           49.15           68.06          139.25
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                               Table 6--Change in NOX and VOC Emissions in the Columbus Area Between 2011 and 2014 (TPSD)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                NOX                                             VOC
                                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                            Net change                                      Net change
                                                               2011            2014         (2011-2014)        2011            2014         (2011-2014)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Point...................................................            8.64            6.48           -2.16            4.60            4.02           -0.58
AIR.....................................................            1.49            1.60            0.11            0.40            0.42            0.02
Nonroad.................................................           28.89           22.68           -6.21           20.28           17.60           -2.68
Area....................................................           14.43           14.12           -0.31           50.01           49.15           -0.86
Onroad..................................................          187.28          138.65          -48.63           94.83           68.06          -26.77
                                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total...............................................          240.73          183.53          -57.20          170.12          139.25          -30.87
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As shown in Table 6, NOX and VOC emissions in the 
Columbus area declined by 57.20 TPSD and 30.87 TPSD, respectively, 
between 2011 and 2014.
3. Meteorology
    To further support Ohio's demonstration that the improvement in air 
quality between the year violations occurred and the year attainment 
was achieved, is due to permanent and enforceable emission reductions 
and not unusually favorable meteorology, an analysis was performed by 
Ohio EPA. Ohio analyzed the maximum fourth-high 8-hour ozone value for 
May, June, July, August, and September, for years 2000 to 2015.
    First, the maximum 8-hour ozone concentration at each monitor in 
the Columbus area was compared to the number of days where the maximum 
temperature was greater than or equal to 80 [deg]F. While there is a 
clear trend in decreasing ozone concentrations at all monitors, there 
is no such trend in the temperature data.

[[Page 66587]]

    Ohio EPA also examined the relationship between the average summer 
temperature for each year of the 2000-2015 period and the 4th maximum 
8-hour ozone concentration. While there is some correlation between 
average summer temperatures and ozone concentrations, this correlation 
does not exist over the study period. The linear regression lines for 
each data set demonstrate that the average summer temperatures have 
increased, while ozone concentrations have decreased. Because the 
correlation between temperature and ozone formation is well 
established, these data suggest that reductions in precursors are 
responsible for the reductions in ozone concentrations in the Columbus 
area, and not unusually favorable summer temperatures.
    Finally, Ohio EPA analyzed the relationship between average 
summertime relative humidity and average 4th maximum 8-hour ozone 
concentrations. The data did not show a correlation between relative 
humidity and ozone concentrations.
    Ohio EPA's analyses of meteorological variables associated with 
ozone formation further support Ohio's demonstration that the 
improvement in air quality in the Columbus area between the year 
violations occurred and the year attainment was achieved is due to 
permanent and enforceable emission reductions and not on unusually 
favorable meteorology.

D. Does Ohio have a fully approvable ozone maintenance plan for the 
Columbus area?

    As one of the criteria for redesignation to attainment section 
107(d)(3)(E)(iv) of the CAA requires EPA to determine that the area has 
a fully approved maintenance plan pursuant to section 175A of the CAA. 
Section 175A of the CAA sets forth the elements of a maintenance plan 
for areas seeking redesignation from nonattainment to attainment. Under 
section 175A, the maintenance plan must demonstrate continued 
attainment of the NAAQS for at least 10 years after the Administrator 
approves a redsignation to attainment. Eight years after the 
redesignation, the state must submit a revised maintenance plan which 
demonstrates that attainment of the NAAQS will continue for an 
additional 10 years beyond the initial 10 year maintenance period. To 
address the possibility of future NAAQS violations, the maintenance 
plan must contain contingency measures, as EPA deems necessary, to 
assure prompt correction of the future NAAQS violation.
    The Calcagni Memorandum provides further guidance on the content of 
a maintenance plan, explaining that a maintenance plan should address 
five elements: (1) An attainment emission inventory; (2) a maintenance 
demonstration; (3) a commitment for continued air quality monitoring; 
(4) a process for verification of continued attainment; and (5) a 
contingency plan. In conjunction with its request to redesignate the 
Columbus area to attainment for the 2008 ozone standard, Ohio EPA 
submitted a SIP revision to provide for maintenance of the 2008 ozone 
standard through 2030, more than 10 years after the expected effective 
date of the redesignation to attainment. As is discussed more fully 
below, EPA proposes to find that Ohio's ozone maintenance plan includes 
the necessary components and is proposing to approve the maintenance 
plan as a revision of the Ohio SIP.
1. Attainment Inventory
    EPA is proposing to determine that the Columbus area has attained 
the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS based on monitoring data for the period of 
2013-2015. Ohio EPA selected 2014 as the attainment emissions inventory 
year to establish attainment emission levels for VOC and 
NOX. The attainment emissions inventory identifies the 
levels of emissions in the Columbus area that are sufficient to attain 
the 2008 ozone NAAQS. The derivation of the attainment year emissions 
was discussed above in section IV.C.2. of this proposed rule. The 
attainment level emissions, by source category, are summarized in 
Tables 4 and 5 above.
2. Has the state documented maintenance of the ozone standard in the 
Columbus area?
    Ohio has demonstrated maintenance of the 2008 ozone standard 
through 2030 by assuring that current and future emissions of VOC and 
NOX for the Columbus area remain at or below attainment year 
emission levels. A maintenance demonstration need not be based on 
modeling. See Wall v. EPA, 265 F.3d 426 (6th Cir. 2001), Sierra Club v. 
EPA, 375 F.3d 537 (7th Cir. 2004). See also 66 FR 53094, 53099-53100 
(October 19, 2001), 68 FR 25413, 25430-25432 (May 12, 2003).
    Ohio is using emissions inventories for the years 2020 and 2030 to 
demonstrate maintenance. 2030 is more than 10 years after the expected 
effective date of the redesignation to attainment and 2020 was selected 
to demonstrate that emissions are not expected to spike in the interim 
between the attainment year and the final maintenance year. The 
emissions inventories were developed as described below.
    To develop the 2020 and 2030 inventories, the state collected data 
from the Ozone NAAQS Emissions Modeling platform (2011v6.1) inventories 
for years 2011, 2018 and 2025. 2020 emissions for area, nonroad mobile, 
AIR, and point source sectors were derived by interpolating between 
2018 and 2025. 2030 emissions for area, nonroad mobile, AIR, and point 
source sectors were derived using the TREND function in Excel. If the 
trend function resulted in a negative value the emissions were assumed 
not to change. Summer day inventories were derived for these sectors 
using the methodology described in section IV.C.2. above. Finally, 
onroad mobile source emissions were developed in using the same 
methodology described in section IV.C.2. above for the 2011 inventory. 
Emissions data are shown in Tables 7 through 11 below.

                                      Table 7--Columbus Area NOX Emissions for Interim Maintenance Year 2020 (TPSD)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         County                                Point            AIR           Nonroad          Area           Onroad           Total
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Delaware................................................            0.08            0.01            2.16            2.35            7.79           12.39
Fairfield...............................................            4.39            0.00            1.38            0.76            4.73           11.26
Franklin................................................            2.44            1.85            7.73            8.20           60.59           80.81
Knox....................................................            0.08            0.00            0.73            0.52            1.46            2.79
Licking.................................................            1.31            0.00            1.31            1.02            8.57           12.21
Madison.................................................            0.01            0.00            0.94            0.56            3.42            4.93
                                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Area Totals.........................................            8.31            1.86           14.25           13.41           86.56          124.39
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 66588]]

                                      Table 8--Columbus Area VOC Emissions for Interim Maintenance Year 2020 (TPSD)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         County                                Point            AIR           Nonroad          Area           Onroad           Total
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Delaware................................................            0.32            0.01            2.33            4.14            3.44           10.24
Fairfield...............................................            0.48            0.01            0.93            4.52            2.13            8.07
Franklin................................................            1.97            0.41            8.97           27.07           32.30           70.72
Knox....................................................            0.20            0.01            0.63            3.34            0.71            4.89
Licking.................................................            0.40            0.01            1.47            6.39            4.02           12.29
Madison.................................................            0.06            0.01            0.59            2.38            1.45            4.49
                                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Area Totals.........................................            3.43            0.46           14.92           47.84           44.05          110.70
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                          Table 9--Columbus Area NOX Emissions for Maintenance Year 2030 (TPSD)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         County                                Point            AIR           Nonroad          Area           Onroad           Total
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Delaware................................................            0.07            0.01            0.97            1.79            7.15            9.99
Fairfield...............................................            5.64            0.00            0.60            0.76            4.08           11.08
Franklin................................................            2.27            2.36            3.96            7.50           50.99           67.08
Knox....................................................            0.09            0.00            0.33            0.53            1.33            2.28
Licking.................................................            1.33            0.00            0.62            1.04            7.41           10.40
Madison.................................................            0.01            0.00            0.41            0.47            3.07            3.96
                                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Area Totals.........................................            9.41            2.37            6.89           12.09           74.03          104.79
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                         Table 10--Columbus Area VOC Emissions for Maintenance Year 2030 (TPSD)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         County                                Point            AIR           Nonroad          Area           Onroad           Total
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Delaware................................................            0.32            0.01            2.09            4.07            3.26            9.75
Fairfield...............................................            0.55            0.01            0.94            4.29            1.84            7.63
Franklin................................................            1.94            0.51            9.53           26.39           27.90           66.27
Knox....................................................            0.20            0.01            0.50            3.23            0.64            4.58
Licking.................................................            0.39            0.01            1.29            6.05            3.56           11.30
Madison.................................................            0.06            0.01            0.54            2.24            1.33            4.18
                                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Area Totals.........................................            3.46            0.56           14.89           46.27           38.53          103.71
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                               Table 11--Change in NOX and VOC Emissions in the Columbus Area Between 2014 and 2030 (TPSD)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                          NOX                                                 VOC
                                                 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                          Net change                                          Net change
                                                      2014         2020         2030     (2014-2030)      2014         2020         2030     (2014-2030)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Point...........................................         6.48         8.31         9.41         2.93         4.02         3.43         3.46        -0.56
AIR.............................................         1.60         1.86         2.37         0.77         0.42         0.46         0.56         0.14
Nonroad.........................................        22.68        14.25         6.89       -15.79        17.60        14.92        14.89        -2.71
Area............................................        14.12        13.41        12.09        -2.03        49.15        47.84        46.27        -2.88
Onroad..........................................       138.65        86.56        74.03       -64.62        68.06        44.05        38.53       -29.53
                                                 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total.......................................       183.53       124.39       104.79       -78.74       139.25       110.70       103.71       -35.54
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In summary, the maintenance demonstration for the Columbus area 
shows maintenance of the 2008 ozone standard by providing emissions 
information to support the demonstration that future emissions of 
NOX and VOC will remain at or below 2014 emission levels 
when taking into account both future source growth and implementation 
of future controls. Table 11 shows NOX and VOC emissions in 
the Columbus area are projected to decrease by 78.74 TPSD and 35.54 
TPSD, respectively, between 2014 and 2030.
3. Continued Air Quality Monitoring
    Ohio EPA has committed to continue to operate the ozone monitors 
listed in Table 1 above. Ohio EPA has committed to consult with EPA 
prior to making changes to the existing monitoring network should 
changes become necessary in the future. Ohio remains obligated to meet 
monitoring requirements and continue to quality assure monitoring data 
in accordance with 40 CFR part 58, and to enter all data into the Air 
Quality System (AQS) in accordance with Federal guidelines.
4. Verification of Continued Attainment
    The State of Ohio, has the legal authority to enforce and implement 
the requirements of the maintenance plan for the Columbus area. This 
includes the authority to adopt, implement, and enforce any subsequent 
emission control measures determined to be necessary to correct future 
ozone attainment problems.
    Verification of continued attainment is accomplished through 
operation of the ambient ozone monitoring network and the periodic 
update of the area's emissions inventory. Ohio EPA will continue to 
operate the current ozone

[[Page 66589]]

monitors located in the Columbus area. There are no plans to 
discontinue operation, relocate, or otherwise change the existing ozone 
monitoring network other than through revisions in the network approved 
by the EPA.
    In addition, to track future levels of emissions, Ohio EPA will 
continue to develop and submit to EPA updated emission inventories for 
all source categories at least once every three years, consistent with 
the requirements of 40 CFR part 51, subpart A, and in 40 CFR 51.122. 
The Consolidated Emissions Reporting Rule (CERR) was promulgated by EPA 
on June 10, 2002 (67 FR 39602). The CERR was replaced by the Annual 
Emissions Reporting Requirements (AERR) on December 17, 2008 (73 FR 
76539). The most recent triennial inventory for Ohio was compiled for 
2014. Point source facilities covered by Ohio's emission statement 
rule, Ohio Administrative Code Chapter 3745-24, will continue to submit 
VOC and NOX emissions on an annual basis.
5. What is the contingency plan for the Columbus area?
    Section 175A of the CAA requires that the state must adopt a 
maintenance plan, as a SIP revision, that includes such contingency 
measures as EPA deems necessary to assure that the state will promptly 
correct a violation of the NAAQS that occurs after redesignation of the 
area to attainment of the NAAQS. The maintenance plan must identify: 
The contingency measures to be considered and, if needed for 
maintenance, adopted and implemented; a schedule and procedure for 
adoption and implementation; and, a time limit for action by the state. 
The state should also identify specific indicators to be used to 
determine when the contingency measures need to be considered, adopted, 
and implemented. The maintenance plan must include a commitment that 
the state will implement all measures with respect to the control of 
the pollutant that were contained in the SIP before redesignation of 
the area to attainment in accordance with section 175A(d) of the CAA.
    As required by section 175A of the CAA, Ohio has adopted a 
contingency plan for the Columbus area to address possible future ozone 
air quality problems. The contingency plan adopted by Ohio has two 
levels of response, a warning level response and an action level 
response.
    In Ohio's plan, a warning level response will be triggered when an 
annual fourth high monitored value of 0.079 ppm or higher is monitored 
within the maintenance area. A warning level response will consist of 
Ohio EPA conducting a study to determine whether the ozone value 
indicates a trend toward higher ozone values or whether emissions 
appear to be increasing. The studies will evaluate whether the trend, 
if any, is likely to continue and, if so, the control measures 
necessary to reverse the trend. The studies will consider ease and 
timing of implementation as well as economic and social impacts. 
Implementation of necessary controls in response to a warning level 
response trigger will take place within 12 months from the conclusion 
of the most recent ozone season.
    In Ohio's plan, an action level response is triggered when a two-
year average fourth high value of 0.076 ppm or greater is monitored 
within the maintenance area. A violation of the standard within the 
maintenance area also triggers an action level response. When an action 
level response is triggered, Ohio EPA, in conjunction with the 
metropolitan planning organization or regional council of governments, 
will determine what additional control measures are needed to assure 
future attainment of the ozone standard. Control measures selected will 
be adopted and implemented within 18 months from the close of the ozone 
season that prompted the action level. Ohio EPA may also consider if 
significant new regulations not currently included as part of the 
maintenance provisions will be implemented in a timely manner and would 
thus constitute an adequate contingency measure response.
    Ohio EPA included the following list of potential contingency 
measures in its maintenance plan:
    1. Adopt VOC RACT on existing sources covered by EPA Control 
Technique Guidelines issued after the 1990 CAA.
    2. Apply VOC RACT to smaller existing sources.
    3. One or more transportation control measures sufficient to 
achieve at least half a percent reduction in actual area wide VOC 
emissions. Transportation measures will be selected from the following, 
based upon the factors listed above after consultation with affected 
local governments:
    a. Trip reduction programs, including, but not limited to, 
employer-based transportation management plans, area wide rideshare 
programs, work schedule changes, and telecommuting;
    b. traffic flow and transit improvements; and
    c. other new or innovative transportation measures not yet in 
widespread use that affected local governments deem appropriate.
    4. Alternative fuel and diesel retrofit programs for fleet vehicle 
operations.
    5. Require VOC or NOX emission offsets for new and 
modified major sources.
    6. Increase the ratio of emission offsets required for new sources.
    7. Require VOC or NOX controls on new minor sources 
(less than 100 tons).
    8. Adopt NOX RACT for existing combustion sources.
    9. High volume, low pressure coating application requirements for 
autobody facilities.
    10. Requirements for cold cleaner degreaser operations (low vapor 
pressure solvents).
    EPA has concluded that the maintenance plan adequately addresses 
the five basic components of a maintenance plan: Attainment inventory, 
maintenance demonstration, monitoring network, verification of 
continued attainment, and a contingency plan. In addition, as required 
by section 175A(b) of the CAA, Ohio EPA has committed to submit to EPA 
an updated ozone maintenance plan eight years after redesignation of 
the Columbus area to cover an additional ten years beyond the initial 
10 year maintenance period. Thus, EPA proposes to find that the 
maintenance plan SIP revision submitted by Ohio EPA for the Columbus 
area meets the requirements of section 175A of the CAA.

V. Has the state adopted approvable motor vehicle emission budgets?

A. Motor Vehicle Emission Budgets

    Under section 176(c) of the CAA, new transportation plans, 
programs, or projects that receive Federal funding or support, such as 
the construction of new highways, must ``conform'' to (i.e., be 
consistent with) the SIP. Conformity to the SIP means that 
transportation activities will not cause new air quality violations, 
worsen existing air quality problems, or delay timely attainment of the 
NAAQS or interim air quality milestones. Regulations at 40 CFR part 93 
set forth EPA policy, criteria, and procedures for demonstrating and 
assuring conformity of transportation activities to a SIP. 
Transportation conformity is a requirement for nonattainment and 
maintenance areas. Maintenance areas are areas that were previously 
nonattainment for a particular NAAQS, but that have been redesignated 
to attainment with an approved maintenance plan for the NAAQS.
    Under the CAA, states are required to submit, at various times, 
control strategy

[[Page 66590]]

SIPs for nonattainment areas and maintenance plans for areas seeking 
redesignations to attainment of the ozone standard and maintenance 
areas. See the SIP requirements for the 2008 ozone standard in EPA's 
March 6, 2015 implementation rule (80 FR 12264). These control strategy 
SIPs (including reasonable further progress plans and attainment plans) 
and maintenance plans must include MVEBs for criteria pollutants, 
including ozone, and their precursor pollutants (VOC and NOX 
for ozone) to address pollution from onroad transportation sources. The 
MVEBs are the portion of the total allowable emissions that are 
allocated to highway and transit vehicle use that, together with 
emissions from other sources in the area, will provide for attainment 
or maintenance. See 40 CFR 93.101.
    Under 40 CFR part 93, a MVEB for an area seeking a redesignation to 
attainment must be established, at minimum, for the last year of the 
maintenance plan. A state may adopt MVEBs for other years as well. The 
MVEB serves as a ceiling on emissions from an area's planned 
transportation system. The MVEB concept is further explained in the 
preamble to the November 24, 1993, Transportation Conformity Rule (58 
FR 62188). The preamble also describes how to establish the MVEB in the 
SIP and how to revise the MVEB, if needed, subsequent to initially 
establishing a MVEB in the SIP.

B. What is the status of EPA's adequacy determination for the proposed 
VOC and NOX MVEBs for the Columbus area?

    Whan reviewing submitted control strategy SIPs or maintenance plans 
containing MVEBs, EPA must affirmatively find that the MVEBs contained 
therein are adequate for use in determining transportation conformity. 
Once EPA affirmatively finds that the submitted MVEBs are adequate for 
transportation purposes, the MVEBs must be used by state and Federal 
agencies in determining whether proposed transportation projects 
conform to the SIP as required by section 176(c) of the CAA.
    EPA's substantive criteria for determining adequacy of a MVEB are 
set out in 40 CFR 93.118(e)(4). The process for determining adequacy 
consists of three basic steps: Public notification of a SIP submission; 
provision for a public comment period; and EPA's adequacy 
determination. This process for determining the adequacy of submitted 
MVEBs for transportation conformity purposes was initially outlined in 
EPA's May 14, 1999 guidance, ``Conformity Guidance on Implementation of 
March 2, 1999, Conformity Court Decision.'' EPA adopted regulations to 
codify the adequacy process in the Transportation Conformity Rule 
Amendments for the ``New 8-Hour Ozone and PM2.5 National 
Ambient Air Quality Standards and Miscellaneous Revisions for Existing 
Areas; Transportation Conformity Rule Amendments--Response to Court 
Decision and Additional Rule Change,'' on July 1, 2004 (69 FR 40004). 
Additional information on the adequacy process for transportation 
conformity purposes is available in the proposed rule titled, 
``Transportation Conformity Rule Amendments: Response to Court Decision 
and Additional Rule Changes,'' 68 FR 38974, 38984 (June 30, 2003).
    As discussed earlier, Ohio's maintenance plan includes 
NOX and VOC MVEBs for the Columbus area for 2030 and 2020, 
the last year of the maintenance period and an interim year. EPA 
reviewed the VOC and NOX MVEBs through the adequacy process. 
Ohio's April 21, 2016, maintenance plan SIP submission, including the 
VOC and NOX MVEBs for the Columbus area was open for public 
comment on EPA's adequacy Web site on July 22, 2016, found at: http://www.epa.gov/otaq/stateresources/transconf/currsips.htm. The EPA public 
comment period on adequacy of the 2020 and 2030 MVEBs for the Columbus 
area closed on August 22, 2016. No comments on the submittal were 
received during the adequacy comment period. The submitted maintenance 
plan, which included the MVEBs, was endorsed by the Governor (or his or 
her designee) and was subject to a state public hearing. The MVEBS were 
developed as part of an interagency consultation process which includes 
Federal, state, and local agencies. The MVEBS were clearly identified 
and precisely quantified. These MVEBs, when considered together with 
all other emissions sources, are consistent with maintenance of the 
2008 8-hour ozone standard.

                                                       Table 12--MVEBs for the Columbus Area, TPSD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            Attainment         2020                                            2030
                                             year 2014       Estimated      2020 Mobile                      Estimated      2030 Mobile
                                              onroad          onroad       safety margin    2020 MVEBs        onroad       safety margin    2030 MVEBs
                                             emissions       emissions      allocation                       emissions      allocation
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VOC.....................................           68.06           44.05            6.61           50.66           38.53            5.78           44.31
NOX.....................................          138.65           86.56           12.98           90.54           74.03           11.10           85.13
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As shown in Table 12, the 2020 and 2030 MVEBs exceed the estimated 
2020 and 2030 onroad sector emissions. In an effort to accommodate 
future variations in travel demand models and vehicle miles traveled 
forecast, Ohio EPA allocated a portion of the safety margin (described 
further below) to the mobile sector. Ohio has demonstrated that the 
Columbus area can maintain the 2008 ozone NAAQS with mobile source 
emissions in the area of 50.66 TPSD and 44.31 TPSD of VOC and 90.54 
TPSD and 85.13 TPSD of NOX in 2020 and 2030, respectively, 
since despite partial allocation of the safety margin, emissions will 
remain under attainment year emission levels. EPA, has found adequate 
and is proposing to approve the MVEBs for use to determine 
transportation conformity in the Columbus area, because EPA has 
determined that the area can maintain attainment of the 2008 ozone 
NAAQS for the relevant maintenance period with mobile source emissions 
at the levels of the MVEBs.

C. What is a safety margin?

    A ``safety margin'' is the difference between the attainment level 
of emissions (from all sources) and the projected level of emissions 
(from all sources) in the maintenance plan. As noted in Table 11, the 
emissions in the Columbus area are projected to have safety margins of 
78.74 TPSD for NOX and 35.54 TPSD for VOC in 2030 (the 
difference between the attainment year, 2014, emissions and the 
projected 2030 emissions for all sources in the Columbus area). 
Similarly, there is a safety margin of 59.14 TPSD for NOX 
and 28.55 TPSD for VOC in 2020. Even if emissions reached the full 
level of the safety margin, the counties would still demonstrate 
maintenance since

[[Page 66591]]

emission levels would equal those in the attainment year.
    As shown in Table 12 above, Ohio is allocating a portion of that 
safety margin to the mobile source sector. Specifically, in 2020, Ohio 
is allocating 6.61 TPSD and 12.98 TPSD of the VOC and NOX 
safety margins, respectively. In 2030, Ohio is allocating 5.78 TPSD and 
11.10 TPSD of the VOC and NOX safety margins, respectively. 
Ohio EPA is not requesting allocation to the MVEBs of the entire 
available safety margins reflected in the demonstration of maintenance. 
In fact, the amount allocated to the MVEBs represents only a small 
portion of the 2020 and 2030 safety margins. Therefore, even though the 
State is requesting MVEBs that exceed the projected onroad mobile 
source emissions for 2020 and 2030 contained in the demonstration of 
maintenance, the increase in onroad mobile source emissions that can be 
considered for transportation conformity purposes is well within the 
safety margins of the ozone maintenance demonstration. Further, once 
allocated to mobile sources, these safety margins will not be available 
for use by other sources.

VI. Proposed Actions

    EPA is proposing to determine that the Columbus nonattainment is 
attaining the 2008 ozone standard, based on quality-assured and 
certified monitoring data for 2013-2015 and that the Ohio portion of 
this area has met the requirements for redesignation under section 
107(d)(3)(E) of the CAA. EPA is thus proposing to approve Ohio EPA's 
request to change the legal designation of the Columbus area from 
nonattainment to attainment for the 2008 ozone standard. EPA is also 
proposing to approve, as a revision to the Ohio SIP, the state's 
maintenance plan for the area. The maintenance plan is designed to keep 
the Columbus area in attainment of the 2008 ozone NAAQS through 2030. 
Finally, EPA finds adequate and is proposing to approve the newly-
established 2020 and 2030 MVEBs for the Columbus area.

VII. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

    Under the CAA, redesignation of an area to attainment and the 
accompanying approval of a maintenance plan under section 107(d)(3)(E) 
are actions that affect the status of a geographical area and do not 
impose any additional regulatory requirements on sources beyond those 
imposed by state law. A redesignation to attainment does not in and of 
itself create any new requirements, but rather results in the 
applicability of requirements contained in the CAA for areas that have 
been redesignated to attainment. Moreover, the Administrator is 
required to approve a SIP submission that complies with the provisions 
of the CAA and applicable Federal regulations. 42 U.S.C. 7410(k); 40 
CFR 52.02(a). Thus, in reviewing SIP submissions, EPA's role is to 
approve state choices, provided that they meet the criteria of the CAA. 
Accordingly, this action merely approves state law as meeting Federal 
requirements and does not impose additional requirements beyond those 
imposed by state law. For that reason, this action:
     Is not a significant regulatory action subject to review 
by the Office of Management and Budget under Executive Orders 12866 (58 
FR 51735, October 4, 1993) and 13563 (76 FR 3821, January 21, 2011);
     Does not impose an information collection burden under the 
provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.);
     Is certified as not having a significant economic impact 
on a substantial number of small entities under the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.);
     Does not contain any unfunded mandate or significantly or 
uniquely affect small governments, as described in the Unfunded 
Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-4);
     Does not have Federalism implications as specified in 
Executive Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10, 1999);
     Is not an economically significant regulatory action based 
on health or safety risks subject to Executive Order 13045 (62 FR 
19885, April 23, 1997);
     Is not a significant regulatory action subject to 
Executive Order 13211 (66 FR 28355, May 22, 2001);
     Is not subject to requirements of Section 12(d) of the 
National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272 
note) because application of those requirements would be inconsistent 
with the CAA; and
     Does not provide EPA with the discretionary authority to 
address, as appropriate, disproportionate human health or environmental 
effects, using practicable and legally permissible methods, under 
Executive Order 12898 (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994).
    In addition, the SIP is not approved to apply on any Indian 
reservation land or in any other area where EPA or an Indian tribe has 
demonstrated that a tribe has jurisdiction. In those areas of Indian 
country, this rule does not have tribal implications as specified by 
Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, November 9, 2000), because 
redesignation is an action that affects the status of a geographical 
area and does not impose any new regulatory requirements on tribes, 
impact any existing sources of air pollution on tribal lands, nor 
impair the maintenance of ozone national ambient air quality standards 
in tribal lands.

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52

    Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Incorporation by 
reference, Intergovernmental relations, Oxides of nitrogen, Ozone, 
Volatile organic compounds.

    Dated: September 19, 2016.
Robert A. Kaplan,
Acting Regional Administrator, Region 5.
[FR Doc. 2016-23293 Filed 9-27-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
```