[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 243 (Monday, December 20, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 79370-79374]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-31909]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-9241-3]


Official Release of the MOVES2010a and EMFAC2007 Motor Vehicle 
Emissions Models for Transportation Conformity Hot-Spot Analyses and 
Availability of Modeling Guidance

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of Availability.

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SUMMARY: This Notice announces the availability of two new EPA guidance 
documents for: completing quantitative particulate matter 
(PM<INF>2.5</INF> and PM<INF>10</INF>) hot-spot analyses using EPA's 
Motor Vehicle Emissions Simulator model (MOVES), California's EMission 
FACtor model (EMFAC), and other models, and completing project-level 
carbon monoxide (CO) analyses using MOVES. These guidance documents 
will assist practitioners with implementing MOVES, EMFAC, air quality 
models, and applicable requirements.
    EPA is approving the latest version of the MOVES model (MOVES2010a) 
for official use for quantitative CO, PM<INF>2.5,</INF> and 
PM<INF>10</INF> hot-spot analyses outside of California. This notice 
also announces a two-year grace period before the MOVES2010a emissions 
model is required to be used in quantitative CO and PM hot-spot 
analyses for project-level conformity determinations outside 
California.
    EPA is also approving the latest version of the EMFAC model 
(EMFAC2007) for quantitative PM hot-spot analyses for transportation 
conformity purposes within California.\1\ This notice announces a two-
year grace period before EMFAC2007 is required to be used for 
quantitative PM hot-spot analyses for project-level conformity 
determinations in California. While EPA is approving the MOVES2010a and 
EMFAC2007 models today for project-level transportation conformity 
purposes, this notice is applicable to current and future versions of 
the MOVES and EMFAC models, unless EPA notes otherwise when approving 
the models for conformity purposes.
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    \1\ EPA previously approved EMFAC2007 for quantitative CO hot-
spot analyses in California.

DATES: EPA's approval of the MOVES2010a and EMFAC2007 emissions models 
is effective December 20, 2010. Today's approval also starts a two-year 
transportation conformity grace period that ends on December 20, 2012, 
after which:
    <bullet> MOVES2010a (outside of California) is required to be used 
for new quantitative CO, PM<INF>10</INF>, and PM<INF>2.5</INF> hot-spot 
analyses for transportation conformity purposes; and
    <bullet> EMFAC2007 (within California) is required to be used for 
new PM<INF>10</INF> and PM<INF>2.5</INF> hot-spot analyses for 
transportation conformity purposes.

These models can also be used during the grace period, as described 
further in this notice.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For questions regarding the official 
release of MOVES2010a for quantitative CO, PM<INF>2.5</INF>, and 
PM<INF>10</INF> hot-spot analyses, contact Meg Patulski at 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e2928396978e91898bcc8f8785a2879283cc858d94"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0e7e6f7a7b627d656720636b694e6b7e6f20696178">[email protected]</span></a>, (734) 214-4842, Transportation and Regional 
Programs Division, Office of Transportation and Air Quality, EPA, 2000 
Traverwood Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48105. For questions regarding the 
official release of EMFAC2007 for quantitative PM<INF>2.5</INF> and 
PM<INF>10</INF> hot-spot analyses in California, contact Karina 
O'Connor at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d4bbb7bbbababba6fabfb5a6bdbab594b1a4b5fab3bba2"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="5b3438343535342975303a2932353a1b3e2b3a753c342d">[email protected]</span></a>, (775) 833-1276, Air Planning Office 
(AIR-2), Air Division, EPA, Region 9, 75 Hawthorne Street, San 
Francisco, CA, 94105-3901. Technical questions about completing 
emissions and air quality modeling for CO and PM hot-spot analyses can 
also be sent to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#45262a2b232a37282c313c682d2a3136352a31052035246b222a33"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b7d4d8d9d1d8c5dadec3ce9adfd8c3c4c7d8c3f7d2c7d699d0d8c1">[email protected]</span></a>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    The contents of this notice are as follows:

I. Background
II. Using MOVES at the Project Level
III. Using EMFAC at the Project Level
IV. Availability of Modeling Guidance

I. Background

A. What is transportation conformity?

    Transportation conformity is a Clean Air Act (CAA) requirement to 
ensure that Federally supported highway and transit activities are 
consistent with (``conform to'') the State air quality implementation 
plan (SIP). Conformity to a SIP means that a transportation activity 
will not cause or contribute to new air quality violations, worsen 
existing violations, or delay timely attainment of the national ambient 
air quality standards (NAAQS) or any interim milestone. EPA's 
transportation conformity regulations (40 CFR Parts 51.390 and 93) 
describe how Federally funded and approved highway and transit projects 
meet these statutory requirements.

B. Hot-Spot Analyses

    A hot-spot analysis in the context of transportation conformity is 
defined at 40 CFR 93.101 as an estimation of likely future localized 
pollutant concentrations and a comparison of those concentrations to 
the relevant

[[Page 79371]]

NAAQS. A hot-spot analysis assesses the air quality impacts on a scale 
smaller than an entire nonattainment or maintenance area, including, 
for example, congested highways or transit terminals. Such an analysis 
of the area substantially affected by the project is a means of 
demonstrating that statutory requirements are met for the relevant 
NAAQS in the project area. When a hot-spot analysis is required, it is 
included within a project-level conformity determination.
    Sections 93.116 and 93.123 of the conformity rule contain the 
requirements for when a CO, PM<INF>10</INF>, or PM<INF>2.5</INF> hot-
spot analysis is required for a project-level conformity determination. 
In CO nonattainment and maintenance areas, a hot-spot analysis is 
required for all Federal non-exempt projects, with quantitative hot-
spot analyses being required for congested and high volume 
intersections and other projects (40 CFR 93.123(a)(1)).
    The conformity rule requires a hot-spot analysis for only a subset 
of all Federal non-exempt highway and transit projects in PM 
nonattainment and maintenance areas (40 CFR 93.123(b)(1)), such as new 
or expanded highway or transit projects with significant increases in 
diesel traffic. However, unlike CO hot-spot analyses, to date only 
qualitative PM hot-spot analyses have been required.\2\ Section 
93.123(b) states that the requirement to conduct quantitative analyses 
for PM does not take effect until EPA releases modeling guidance on the 
subject and announces in the Federal Register that these requirements 
are in effect.
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    \2\ For more information on qualitative PM hot-spot analyses, 
see EPA and FHWA's joint ``Transportation Conformity Guidance for 
Qualitative Hot-spot Analyses in PM<INF>2.5</INF> and 
PM<INF>10</INF> Nonattainment and Maintenance Areas'' (EPA-420-B-06-
902, March 2006).
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    Today's notice announces the availability of such final modeling 
guidance: ``Transportation Conformity Guidance for Quantitative Hot-
Spot Analyses in PM<INF>2.5</INF> and PM<INF>10</INF> Nonattainment and 
Maintenance Areas'' (EPA-420-B-10-040). This guidance describes 
conformity requirements for quantitative PM hot-spot analyses; provides 
technical guidance on estimating project emissions using EPA's MOVES 
model, California's EMFAC model, and other methods; outlines how to 
apply air quality dispersion models for quantitative PM hot-spot 
analyses; and includes other resources and examples to assist in 
conducting quantitative PM hot-spot modeling analyses. EPA has 
coordinated with the Department of Transportation (DOT) in developing 
this final guidance.
    In addition, EPA stated in the preamble to the March 10, 2006 final 
conformity rule that finalizing the MOVES emissions model was critical 
before quantitative PM hot-spot analyses could be required, due to the 
limitations of applying MOBILE6.2 for PM at the project level.\3\ With 
today's notice approving MOVES2010a and EMFAC2007 for quantitative PM 
hot-spot analyses (see Sections II and III) and the release of 
associated modeling guidance (see Section IV.A), the requirement to 
conduct quantitative PM hot-spot analyses as required by 40 CFR 
93.123(b)(4) is now in effect, subject to the conformity grace period 
for using new emissions models for such analyses.
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    \3\ See EPA's March 2006 final conformity rule for further 
information (71 FR 12498-12502).
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C. Latest Emissions Models and Hot-Spot Analyses

    CAA section 176(c)(1) states that ``* * * [t]he determination of 
conformity shall be based on the most recent estimates of emissions, 
and such estimates shall be determined from the most recent population, 
employment, travel, and congestion estimates. * * *'' The 
transportation conformity rule (40 CFR 93.111) requires that conformity 
analyses be based on the latest motor vehicle emissions model approved 
by EPA.
    The conformity rule states that EPA will consult with the DOT to 
establish a grace period following the specification of any new 
emissions model. The rule further provides for a grace period for new 
emissions models of between 3-24 months, to be established by 
notification in the Federal Register (40 CFR 93.111(b)).
    In consultation with DOT, EPA must consider various factors when 
establishing a grace period for conformity determinations, including 
the degree of change in emissions models and the effects of the new 
model on the transportation planning process (40 CFR 93.111(b)(2)).
    The conformity rule provides some flexibility for hot-spot analyses 
that are started before the end of a grace period. A conformity 
determination for a transportation project may be based on a previous 
model if the analysis was begun before or during the grace period, and 
if the final environmental document for the project is issued no more 
than three years after the issuance of the draft environmental document 
(40 CFR 93.111(c)).

II. Using MOVES at the Project Level

A. What is MOVES?

    MOVES is EPA's state-of-the-art, upgraded model for estimating 
emissions from cars, trucks, motorcycles, and buses. MOVES is based on 
an analysis of millions of emission test results and considerable 
advances in the Agency's understanding of vehicle emissions. EPA 
released MOVES2010 in December 2009, and then released minor updates to 
the model in the MOVES2010a version in August 2010.\4\
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    \4\ See the EPA document: ``EPA Releases MOVES2010a Mobile 
Source Emissions Model Update: Questions and Answers'' (EPA-420-F-
10-050, August 2010) at: http://www.epa.gov/otaq/models/moves/index.htm#generalinfo.
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    On March 2, 2010, EPA approved the use of MOVES2010 in official SIP 
submissions to EPA and for certain transportation conformity analyses 
outside of California (75 FR 9411). The March 2010 approval also 
applies to the MOVES2010a version for SIPs and regional conformity 
analyses.\5\ However, until today, EPA has not approved any version of 
MOVES for project-level CO and PM analyses, since project-level MOVES 
guidance documents were not yet available.\6\
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    \5\ EPA has said that it is not considering MOVES2010a a new 
emissions model for SIPs and regional conformity analyses under 40 
CFR 93.111. The MOVES2010 grace period for regional conformity 
analyses (which began on March 2, 2010) applies to the use of 
MOVES2010a as well.
    \6\ Also see the March 2, 2010 Federal Register notice (75 FR 
9413-9414).
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B. Using MOVES2010a for Quantitative CO, PM<INF>2.5</INF> and 
PM<INF>10</INF> Hot-Spot Analyses

    In today's notice, EPA is approving MOVES2010a as EPA's official 
motor vehicle emissions factor model for project-level CO and PM 
analyses outside of California. EPA is also establishing a two-year 
grace period for using MOVES2010a for quantitative CO and PM hot-spot 
analyses for project-level conformity determinations, as described 
further below. This conformity grace period begins today and ends 
December 20, 2012. Future updates to the MOVES2010a model will not 
start a new conformity grace period for quantitative CO and PM hot-spot 
analyses unless EPA notes otherwise.\7\
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    \7\ EPA may provide minor, periodic updates to the MOVES model 
in order to improve its functionality and performance.
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    In deciding the length of the MOVES2010a conformity grace period, 
EPA consulted with DOT and considered the degree of change in the model 
and the scope of re-planning likely to be necessary for project 
development, pursuant to 40 CFR 93.111(b). EPA understands that

[[Page 79372]]

numerous areas will be required to conduct quantitative hot-spot 
analyses using MOVES, and sufficient time must be allowed for State and 
local agencies to obtain the necessary training and otherwise prepare 
to use MOVES for these analyses. The following paragraphs elaborate 
further on the factors that were considered in establishing the maximum 
two-year conformity grace period for hot-spot analyses with MOVES.
    First, EPA considered the time it will take State and local 
transportation and air quality agencies to conduct and provide 
technical support for quantitative hot-spot analyses. As described in 
EPA's new modeling guidance documents (see Section IV), there are 
several steps involved in a quantitative PM hot-spot analysis and for 
applying MOVES for CO hot-spot analyses, and a significant amount of 
instruction will be necessary for these agencies to understand the 
context for applying MOVES for these analyses.
    Second, State and local agencies will need to become familiar with 
the MOVES emissions model. Agencies need to understand how to configure 
and run MOVES at the project level for a variety of different types of 
projects. The MOVES generation of models is not merely an upgrade of 
the previous MOBILE model using more recent emissions data; it involves 
brand-new software, designed from the ground up to estimate emissions 
at a more detailed level. MOVES output will also need to be prepared 
for use in recommended air quality models. This will require many 
project sponsors to obtain training in the use of these air quality 
models, which are being applied for the first time for localized PM 
analyses of transportation projects.
    EPA will work with DOT to develop and provide training to address 
these concerns, including:
    <bullet> General and detailed overviews of the project-level 
guidance documents described in Section IV of this notice.
    <bullet> Technical training for applying MOVES at the project level 
consistent with the guidance documents being released today.
    <bullet> Technical training for using recommended air quality 
models in accordance with EPA's guidance and regulations.

All of these courses are anticipated to be provided in the form of 
webinars, other Web-based courses, conference seminars, or in-person 
training. Courses will be developed to address different levels of 
State and local expertise as well as different roles and 
responsibilities for agencies involved.\8\

    \8\ For example, Section 2.9 of the final quantitative PM hot-
spot guidance describes the different roles and responsibilities for 
Federal, State, and local agencies for these analyses.
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    EPA and DOT intend to maximize training opportunities given 
available resources and allow sufficient time so that State and local 
agencies become trained. Following training, additional time will also 
be needed to gain experience applying guidance and models for real-
world situations.
    EPA also considered the need to collect and prepare data required 
to run MOVES at the project level. To take advantage of the full 
modeling capabilities of MOVES, those conducting hot-spot analyses will 
generally need to be collecting or generating data specific to 
individual projects, and some project-level data may not readily be 
available. Also, the data will need to be entered on the basis of 
individual ``links'' to capture vehicle activity occurring on a 
specific project.
    Finally, EPA considered the general time and monetary resource 
constraints in which State and local agencies currently operate. These 
agencies need to participate in EPA and DOT training and possibly 
provide training to other individuals in their offices. Many agencies 
will be implementing the transition to PM and CO hot-spot analyses with 
MOVES for projects in several nonattainment and maintenance areas, with 
each analysis involving multiple State and local agencies.

C. Implementation of the Conformity Grace Period

    EPA has previously described how the conformity grace period for CO 
and PM hot-spot analyses will be implemented in the policy guidance for 
applying MOVES2010a for these purposes.\9\ For CO hot-spot analyses 
outside California that are started during the two-year grace period, 
project sponsors can choose to use either MOBILE6.2 or MOVES2010a. EPA 
encourages sponsors to use the interagency consultation process to 
determine which option may be most appropriate for a given situation. 
Any new quantitative CO hot-spot analyses for conformity purposes begun 
after the end of the grace period must use MOVES2010a.
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    \9\ See Questions 10 and 13 in EPA's ``Policy Guidance on the 
Use of MOVES2010 for State Implementation Plan Development, and 
Other Purposes,'' (EPA-420-B-09-046, December 2009) at: http://www.epa.gov/otaq/models/moves/420b09046.pdf. Areas outside of 
California should refer to Section III on using EMFAC for PM hot-
spot analyses.
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    For PM hot-spot analyses, project sponsors can continue to conduct 
qualitative PM hot-spot analyses for analyses that are started during 
the grace period (40 CFR 93.111(c)).\10\ Quantitative PM hot-spot 
analyses can also be completed for conformity purposes during the grace 
period, if desired. However, any quantitative PM hot-spot analyses 
conducted during the grace period must use MOVES2010a, since MOBILE6.2 
does not have the capabilities to produce viable results for project-
level PM emissions analyses and is therefore not appropriate for this 
purpose.\11\ Any quantitative PM hot-spot analysis for conformity 
purposes begun after the end of the grace period must use MOVES2010a. 
The interagency consultation process should be used if it is unclear if 
a previous analysis was begun before the end of the grace period. If 
you have questions about which model should be used in your conformity 
determination, you can also consult with your EPA Regional Office.
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    \10\ Since previous emissions models have not been approved in 
the past for quantitative PM hot-spot analyses, a qualitative PM 
analysis is considered ``the previous version of the model'' for the 
purposes of 40 CFR 93.111(c).
    \11\ See EPA's March 2006 final rule for further information (71 
FR 12498-12502).
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D. Availability of MOVES2010a and Support Materials

    Copies of the official version of the MOVES2010a model, along with 
user guides and supporting documentation, are available on EPA's MOVES 
Web site: http://www.epa.gov/otaq/models/moves/index.htm.
    Guidance on how to apply the MOVES model for transportation 
conformity purposes can be found on EPA's transportation conformity Web 
site at: http://www.epa.gov/otaq/stateresources/transconf/policy.htm. 
EPA will continue to update this Web site as other MOVES support 
materials and guidance are developed. See Section IV for further 
information on the availability of new guidance about using MOVES to 
estimate project-level emissions. This guidance applies for MOVES2010a 
and future versions of the MOVES model unless EPA notes otherwise.
    Individuals who wish to receive EPA announcements related to the 
MOVES model can subscribe to the EPA-MOBILENEWS e-mail listserver. For 
more information about subscribing to the EPA-MOBILENEWS listserver, 
visit EPA's Web site at http://www.epa.gov/otaq/models/mobilelist.htm.

[[Page 79373]]

III. Using EMFAC at the Project Level

A. What is EMFAC?

    The EMFAC model is a computer model developed by the California Air 
Resources Board (CARB) to estimate emission rates for on-road mobile 
sources operating in California for calendar years 1970 to 2040. The 
latest version of this model is EMFAC2007, and EPA approved this 
version of the model for SIP development in California and for most 
transportation conformity analyses (i.e., all regional emissions 
analyses and CO hot-spot analyses) on January 18, 2008 (73 FR 3464). 
However, EMFAC2007 was not approved for quantitative PM<INF>2.5</INF> 
and PM<INF>10</INF> hot-spot analyses at that time.
    As stated in the January 2008 notice, EPA believed that modeling 
guidance would be necessary before quantitative PM hot-spot analyses 
could be required.\12\ With the release of EPA's PM hot-spot guidance, 
we can approve EMFAC2007 for quantitative PM hot-spot analyses.
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    \12\ See Section II.C of the January 2008 notice for further 
information (73 FR 3466).
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B. Using EMFAC2007 for Quantitative PM2.5 and PM10 Hot-Spot Analyses

    Today's notice approves EMFAC2007 for project-level 
PM<INF>2.5</INF> and PM<INF>10</INF> analyses in California. This 
notice also establishes a two-year grace period for using EMFAC2007 for 
quantitative PM hot-spot analyses for project-level conformity 
determinations. This grace period begins today and ends December 20, 
2012. Future updates to the EMFAC2007 model will not start a new 
conformity grace period for quantitative PM hot-spot analyses unless 
EPA notes otherwise.
    EPA consulted with DOT on the appropriate length of the conformity 
grace period for EMFAC2007 and considered the start-up factors 
described in 40 CFR 93.111(b). EPA considered how many PM areas are 
affected by this transition to quantitative PM hot-spot analyses and 
that sufficient time must be allowed for State and local agencies for 
all areas subject to this new requirement to obtain the necessary 
training and planning to apply EMFAC in California. More details on the 
factors considered are included below, and many are similar to those 
discussed in Section II for establishing the MOVES grace period.
    EPA considered the time it will take State and local agencies in 
California to conduct and provide technical support for quantitative PM 
hot-spot analyses. These agencies will also need to become familiar 
with applying EMFAC2007 at the project level for PM, since the model is 
currently not applied in the ``project-level mode'' when developing 
inventories for PM SIPs or regional conformity analyses. These agencies 
will also need to learn how to prepare EMFAC outputs for recommended 
air quality models that are currently not used for transportation 
projects.
    As described in Section II.B, EPA is working with DOT to develop 
and provide new training courses on EPA's quantitative PM hot-spot 
guidance, as well as technical training for air quality modeling. EPA 
and DOT will be working with California agencies on State and local 
agency training for using EMFAC for quantitative PM hot-spot analyses. 
Training opportunities will be based on available resources and 
consider budgetary and other constraints.
    In addition to training needs, EPA also considered the data 
collection and preparation for using EMFAC for quantitative PM hot-spot 
analyses. For example, project sponsors will need to obtain project-
specific fleet data (as opposed to using EMFAC fleet data for regional 
inventories). EMFAC contains fleet data for each nonattainment and 
maintenance area in California which are used in the model as 
``defaults'' for fleet characteristics used in SIPs and regional 
conformity analyses. However, these defaults will not be appropriate 
for use as-is in PM hot-spot analyses; project sponsors will need to 
make additional effort to obtain fleet information for the specific 
project area covered by the PM hot-spot analysis.
    Finally, as with the transition to using MOVES, EPA considered the 
time required for individuals to participate in future training 
courses, the time to learn to apply the guidance and models after 
training, and other constraints affecting California agencies. For 
example, State agencies will be charged with preparing and supporting 
quantitative PM hot-spot analyses for many projects across the State, 
which has eleven PM<INF>10</INF> and seven PM<INF>2.5</INF> 
metropolitan nonattainment and maintenance areas, as well as isolated 
rural PM areas.

C. Implementation of the Conformity Grace Period

    EPA has previously described how the conformity grace period for PM 
hot-spot analyses will be implemented.\13\ For PM hot-spot analyses, 
project sponsors can continue to conduct qualitative PM hot-spot 
analyses for analyses that are started during the grace period (40 CFR 
93.111(c)).\14\ Quantitative PM hot-spot analyses can also be completed 
for conformity purposes during the grace period, if desired. However, 
any quantitative PM hot-spot analyses conducted for conformity purposes 
during the grace period, or begun after the end of the grace period, 
must use EMFAC2007. The interagency consultation process should be used 
if it is unclear if a previous analysis was begun before the end of the 
grace period. If you have questions, you can consult the EPA Region 9 
person listed in For Further Information Contact, above.
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    \13\ See Question 15 in EPA's ``Policy Guidance on the Use of 
MOVES2010 for State Implementation Plan Development, and Other 
Purposes,'' (EPA-420-B-09-046, December 2009) at: http://www.epa.gov/otaq/models/moves/420b09046.pdf.
    \14\ Since previous emissions models have not been approved in 
the past for quantitative PM hot-spot analyses, a qualitative PM 
analysis is considered ``the previous version of the model'' for the 
purposes of 40 CFR 93.111(c).
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D. Availability of EMFAC and Support Materials

    Copies of the official version of the EMFAC2007 model are available 
on CARB's Web site: http://www.arb.ca.gov/msei/onroad/latest_version.htm. This Web site also contains technical support 
documentation for the development of EMFAC2007 as well as other related 
documents.
    Policy guidance on how to apply the EMFAC model for transportation 
conformity purposes can be found on EPA's transportation conformity Web 
site at: http://www.epa.gov/otaq/stateresources/transconf/policy.htm. 
See Section IV.A for further information on the availability of new 
guidance which articulates how to estimate PM project-level emissions 
using EMFAC. This guidance applies for EMFAC2007 and future versions of 
the EMFAC model unless EPA notes otherwise.

IV. Availability of Modeling Guidance

A. Guidance for Quantitative PM Hot-Spot Analyses

    Today's notice also announces the availability of the final 
guidance document: ``Transportation Conformity Guidance for 
Quantitative Hot-Spot Analyses in PM<INF>2.5</INF> and PM<INF>10</INF> 
Nonattainment and Maintenance Areas'' (EPA-420-B-10-040). This 
guidance, a fact sheet, and other documentation are available online at 
the EPA Web site: http:/www.epa.gov/otaq/stateresources/transconf/
policy.htm. As described in Sections II and III, EPA and DOT will 
provide outreach and training for using this guidance.
    This guidance describes conformity requirements for quantitative PM 
hot-spot analyses; provides technical

[[Page 79374]]

guidance on estimating project emissions using EPA's MOVES model, 
California's EMFAC model, and other methods; and outlines how to apply 
air quality dispersion models for quantitative PM hot-spot analyses. 
The guidance also discusses how to calculate design values for 
comparison to each PM NAAQS, as well as how to determine which air 
quality modeling receptors may or may not be appropriate for PM hot-
spot analyses.\15\ The guidance also describes how the interagency 
consultation process should be used to develop quantitative hot-spot 
analyses in PM nonattainment and maintenance areas. In addition, the 
guidance includes other resources and examples to assist in conducting 
quantitative PM hot-spot modeling analyses. However, the guidance does 
not change transportation conformity rule requirements for PM hot-spot 
analyses, such as what types of projects are subject to these analyses. 
EPA notes that this guidance helps implement existing CAA and 
transportation conformity requirements and is not a regulation. In 
addition, certain sections of this guidance may be applicable when 
completing air quality analyses for transportation projects for 
purposes other than transportation conformity. EPA has coordinated with 
the DOT in developing this final guidance.
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    \15\ EPA stated in the March 2006 final rule that the PM hot-
spot modeling guidance would ``consider how projects of air quality 
concern are predicted to impact air quality at existing and 
potential PM<INF>2.5</INF> monitor locations which are appropriate 
to allow the comparison of predicted PM<INF>2.5</INF> concentrations 
to the current PM<INF>2.5</INF> standards, based on PM<INF>2.5</INF> 
monitor siting requirements (40 CFR Part 58).'' (71 FR 12471)
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    A draft of this guidance was made available for public comment on 
May 26, 2010, with a closing date of July 19, 2010 (75 FR 29537-29538). 
EPA received 15 sets of comments on the draft guidance and considered 
these comments when developing the final document.
    As discussed in Section I, the conformity rule requires EPA to 
release guidance on how to conduct quantitative PM hot-spot analyses 
prior to announcing that the requirement to conduct such analyses is in 
effect (40 CFR 93.123(b)(4)). This regulatory requirement is met with 
today's release of this final quantitative PM hot-spot modeling 
guidance, as described in this notice. The qualitative PM hot-spot 
requirements under 40 CFR 93.123(b)(2) will no longer apply in any 
PM<INF>2.5</INF> and PM<INF>10</INF> nonattainment and maintenance 
areas once the grace period is over and quantitative requirements are 
in effect. At that time, the 2006 EPA/FHWA qualitative PM hot-spot 
guidance will be superseded by EPA's quantitative PM hot-spot guidance 
for these analyses.

B. Guidance for Using MOVES in Project-Level CO Analyses

    EPA is also releasing today the final guidance document: ``Using 
MOVES in Project-Level Carbon Monoxide Analyses'' (EPA-420-B-10-041). 
The purpose of this guidance is to describe how to use MOVES to 
estimate CO emissions from highway and transit projects in States other 
than California. This guidance is available online at the EPA Web site: 
http://www.epa.gov/otaq/stateresources/transconf/policy.htm. EPA 
coordinated with DOT in developing this guidance.
    This guidance can be applied when using MOVES to complete any 
quantitative CO project-level analysis, including: CO hot-spot analyses 
for transportation conformity determinations, localized SIP modeling, 
and CO project-level analyses completed pursuant to the National 
Environmental Policy Act. EPA and DOT will provide outreach and 
training for using this guidance.

    Dated: December 14, 2010.
Margo Tsirigotis Oge,
Director, Office of Transportation and Air Quality.
[FR Doc. 2010-31909 Filed 12-17-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P


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