UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 

REGION 10 

1200 Sixth Avenue, Suite 900 

Seattle, WA 98101-3140 

OFFICE OF 

AIR AND WASTE

MEMORANDUM 

SUBJECT: Finding of Adequacy for the Motor Vehicle Emissions Budgets (MVEBs) in the Fairbanks 

North Star Borough Moderate PM2.5 State Implementation Plan (SIP) 

FROM: Karl Pepple 

DATE: December 9, 2016 

TO: Docket No. EPA-R10-OAR-2015-0131 

The purpose of this memo is to document the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) 

proposed adequacy finding for transportation conformity purposes of the motor vehicle emissions 

budgets in the Fairbanks North Star Borough (FNSB) Moderate PM2.5 State Implementation Plan (SIP)

for the 2006 PM2.5 national ambient air quality standard As a result of our finalizing this adequacy 

finding, the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC), Alaska Department of 

Transportation and Public Facilities, the Fairbanks Metropolitan Area Transportation System, and the 

U.S. Department of Transportation will be required to utilize these budgets for purposes of regional 

emissions analysis for conformity. 

The SIP was submitted to the EPA on December 31, 2014 with revisions January 29, 2015; March 24, 

2015; July 10, 2015; November 5, 2015; March 10, 2016; November 3, 2016; November 10, 2016; 

November 18, 2016; and November 23, 2016.1

 The EPA is proposing to approve this submittal as an 

impracticability demonstration. Comments on the proposed finding of adequacy of the motor vehicle 

emissions budgets (MVEBs) included in the FNSB Moderate Plan may be submitted during the 

comment period for this proposal. 

Pursuant to 40 CFR 93.118(e)(4) of the Transportation Conformity Rule (40 CFR part 93, subpart A), 

the EPA reviewed the submitted SIP and the motor vehicle emissions budget contained in the SIP, 

which were developed with the use of the Motor Vehicle Emissions Simulator (MOVES) on-road 

model. The EPA determined that these motor vehicle emissions budgets are adequate for transportation 

conformity purposes. In reaching this decision, we have reviewed the SIP, including state of Alaska 

responses to public comments on the SIP. Based on our review, we believe it is appropriate to propose 

finding the motor vehicle emission budgets contained therein adequate for transportation conformity 

purposes. This adequacy finding does not relate to the merits of the SIP submittal nor does it indicate 

whether the submittal meets the requirements for approval. The budgets proposed for adequacy are 

listed in the following table. 

 

1 Hereafter, all of the submissions will be referred to collectively as “the FNSB Moderate Plan”
2 

2017 MVEBs for FNSB 

PM2.5 0.33 tons/day 

NOx 2.13 tons/day 

We have determined that the motor vehicle emission budgets contained in the SIP, when considered 

with all other emissions sources in the Fairbanks North Star area, are consistent with applicable 

requirements for attaining the 2006 PM2.5 national ambient air quality standard. The motor vehicle 

emissions budgets also meet the other adequacy criteria found in 40 CFR 93.118(e)(4)(iv) as detailed in 

the enclosed “Transportation Conformity Adequacy Review.” These motor vehicle emissions budgets 

serve to strengthen the SIP through continued progress toward attainment and ensure that the motor 

vehicle emissions remain consistent with the emissions levels provided for in the SIP. 
Enclosure to Letter Dated December 9, 2016 from Karl Pepple to Docket No. EPA-R10-O

Transportation Conformity Adequacy Review 

The Fairbanks North Star Borough (FNSB) Moderate PM2.5 State Implementation Plan 

Submitted December 31, 2014 with revisions January 29, 2015; March 24, 2015; July 10, 2015; November 5, 20

November 3, 2016; November 10, 2016; November 18, 2016; and November 23, 2016.1

Adequacy Determination of Motor Vehicle Emissions Budget 40 CFR 93.118 (e) (4) (4) EPA will not find a motor vehicle emissions budget in a submitted control strategy implementation plan revision o

adequate for transportation conformity purposes unless the following minimum criteria are satisfied: Adequacy Review Criteria Is this 

Criterion Satisfied? 

Reference in SIP Documents/Comments 

 (i) The submitted control strategy implementation plan revision or maintenance plan was endorsed by the Governor (or his or her designee) and was subject to a State public hearing; 

Yes The FNSB Moderate Plan initially was filed by the Gover

designee, Larry Hartig, Commissioner of the Alaska DepEnvironmental Conservation (ADEC), on December 31, 2

supplements were filed January 29, 2015; March 24, 2015November 5, 2015; March 10, 2016; November 3, 2016; 

November 18, 2016; and November 23, 2016. The FNSB 

submitted to meet the nonattainment area requirement locClean Air Act. Subsequent revisions addressed Subpart 4 FNSB Moderate Plan was the subject of multiple public hwhich was held in Fairbanks, AK on January 7, 2014. Thcan be located in the ADEC document. 

 (ii) Before the control strategy implementation plan or maintenance plan was submitted to EPA, consultation among federal, State, and local agencies occurred; full implementation plan documentation was provided to EPA; and EPA's stated concerns, if any, were addressed; 

Yes A draft of the FNSB Moderate Plan and supporting docum

by EPA Region 10 and discussed with ADEC and the Fai

Area Transportation System (FMATS) prior to state adop2014. Informal consultations between the EPA, ADEC, a

as the draft plan was being developed as well as during threvisions. The EPA’s concerns were addressed during thi

 (iii) The motor vehicle emissions budget(s) is clearly identified and precisely quantified; 

Yes Table 5.6-1 of the FNSB Moderate Plan clearly lists the M

emissions of PM2.5 (0.33 tpd) for the PM2.5 precursor NDocumentation on the calculation of the MVEB is providIII.D.5.6 of the original submittal, and where needed in th

 (iv) The motor vehicle emissions budget(s), when Yes The approval of the FNSB Moderate Plan is as an imprac1 Hereafter, all of the submissions will be referred to collectively as “the FNSB Moderate Plan”
considered together with all other emissions sources, is 

consistent with applicable requirements for reasonable further progress, attainment, or maintenance (whichever is relevant to the given implementation plan submission); 

demonstration, showing that the area cannot attain by the 

Taken as a whole, the FNSB Moderate Plan as revised apwith the requirements of an impracticability demonstratiofor calendar year 2017. 

 (v) The motor vehicle emissions budget(s) is consistent with and clearly related to the emissions inventory and the control measures in the submitted control strategy implementation plan revision or maintenance plan; and 

Yes The PM2.5 issue faced in Fairbanks is dominated by the a

stoves). The MVEB is in line with the emissions inventorstrategies developed. While the SIP contains contingency 

on road sources. 

 (vi) Revisions to previously submitted control strategy implementation plans or maintenance plans explain and document any changes to previously submitted budgets and control measures; impacts on point and area source emissions; any changes to established safety margins (see Sec. 93.101 for definition); and reasons for the changes (including the basis for any changes related to emission factors or estimates of vehicle miles traveled). 

Yes This is the first SIP submitted by ADEC for the Fairbank

for the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS. The assumptions, mcomputations used to estimate emissions are addressed in III.D.5.6 of the initial submittal, and corresponding sectio

93.118 (e) (5) Before determining the adequacy of a submitted motor vehicle emissions budget, EPA will review the State's compilation of public comments and response to comments that are required to be submitted with any implementation plan. EPA will document its consideration of such comments and responses in a letter to the State indicating the adequacy of the submitted motor vehicle emissions budget. 

Yes The State submitted a complete list of comments received 

period, as well as the response to comments. The EPA is addressed the comments pertaining to the on-road aspect 

Plan.