```

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 194 (Tuesday, October 7, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 60343-60347]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-23258]

=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Parts 51 and 93

[FRL-9917-26-OAR]

Official Release of the MOVES2014 Motor Vehicle Emissions Model 
for SIPs and Transportation Conformity

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving and 
announcing the availability of the Motor Vehicle Emissions Simulator 
model (MOVES2014) for official use outside of California. MOVES2014 is 
the latest state-of-the art upgrade to EPA's modeling tools for 
estimating emissions from cars, trucks, buses, and motorcycles, based 
on the latest data and regulations. MOVES2014 is approved for use in 
state implementation plans (SIPs) and transportation conformity 
analyses outside of California. This notice starts a two-year grace 
period before the MOVES2014 emission model is required to be used in 
new regional emissions analyses and new hot-spot analyses for 
transportation conformity determinations outside of California.

DATES: EPA's approval of the MOVES2014 emissions model for SIPs and 
transportation conformity analyses in states other than California is 
effective October 7, 2014. This approval also starts a two-year 
transportation conformity grace period that ends on October 7, 2016, 
after which MOVES2014 is required to be used for new transportation 
conformity analyses outside of California.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For technical model questions 
regarding the official release or use of MOVES2014, please email EPA at 
mobile@epa.gov. For questions about SIPs, contact Rudy Kapichak at 
Kapichak.Rudolph@epa.gov or (734)214-4574. For transportation 
conformity questions, contact Astrid Larsen at larsen.astrid@epa.gov or 
(734)214-4812.

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

I. General Information
II. What is MOVES2014?
III. SIP Policy for MOVES2014
IV. Transportation Conformity and MOVES2014

I. General Information

A. Does this action apply to me?

    Entities potentially impacted by the approval of MOVES2014 are 
those that adopt, approve, or fund transportation plans, transportation 
improvement programs (TIPs), or projects under title 23 U.S.C. or title 
49 U.S.C. Chapter 53 and those that develop and submit SIPs to EPA. 
Regulated categories and entities affected by this action include:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Category                  Examples of regulated entities
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Local government.....................  Local transportation and air
                                        quality agencies, including
                                        metropolitan planning
                                        organizations (MPOs).
State government.....................  State transportation and air
                                        quality agencies.
Federal government...................  Department of Transportation
                                        (Federal Highway Administration
                                        (FHWA) and Federal Transit
                                        Administration (FTA)).
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    This table is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather provides a 
guide for readers regarding entities likely to be affected by the 
release of MOVES. Other entities not listed in the table could also be 
affected. To determine whether your organization is affected by this 
action, you should carefully examine the transportation conformity 
applicability requirements in 40 CFR 93.102. If you have questions 
regarding the applicability of this action to a particular entity, 
consult the persons listed in the preceding FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
CONTACT section.

B. How can I get copies of MOVES2014 and other related information?

    The official version of the MOVES2014 model, along with user guides 
and supporting documentation, are available on EPA's MOVES Web site: 
www.epa.gov/otaq/models/moves/index.htm.
    Individuals who wish to receive EPA announcements related to the 
MOVES2014 model should subscribe to the EPA-MOBILENEWS email listserv. 
To subscribe to the EPA-MOBILENEWS listserv, send a blank email to EPA 
at join-EPA-MOBILENEWS@lists.epa.gov. Your email address will then be 
added to the list of subscribers and a confirmation message will be 
sent to your email address. For more information about the EPA-
MOBILENEWS listserv, visit EPA's Web site at www.epa.gov/otaq/models/mobilelist.htm.
    Available guidance on how to apply MOVES2014 for SIPs and 
transportation conformity purposes can be found on EPA's transportation 
conformity Web site, http://www.epa.gov/otaq/stateresources/transconf/policy.htm,\1\ including ``Policy Guidance on the Use of MOVES2014 for 
State Implementation Plan Development, Transportation Conformity, and 
Other Purposes'' (EPA-420-B-14-008, July 2014).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ Interested parties can find these documents under either the 
``Emission Model and Conformity'' or ``Project-Level Conformity'' 
topics on this Web site.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    EPA will continue to update these Web sites as other MOVES support 
materials and guidance are developed or updated.

II. What is MOVES2014?

    MOVES2014 is EPA's latest motor vehicle emissions model for state 
and local agencies to estimate volatile organic compounds (VOCs), 
nitrogen oxides (NOX), particulate matter (PM2.5 
and PM10), carbon monoxide (CO), and other precursors from 
cars, trucks, buses, and motorcycles for SIP purposes and conformity 
determinations outside of California.\2\ The model is based on analyses 
of millions of emission test results and considerable advances in the 
Agency's understanding of vehicle emissions. The first model in the 
MOVES series, called MOVES2010, was

[[Page 60344]]

released in December of 2009. MOVES2010 was followed by two minor 
updates, MOVES2010a and MOVES2010b. Both of these minor MOVES2010 
revisions enhanced model performance and did not significantly affect 
the criteria pollutant emissions results from MOVES2010.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ Nonattainment and maintenance areas located in California 
use the latest approved version of the Emission FACtor (EMFAC) 
model.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    MOVES2014 is a major revision to MOVES2010b and improves upon it in 
many respects. MOVES2014 includes new data, new emissions standards, 
and new functional improvements and features. It incorporates 
substantial new data for emissions, fleet, and activity developed since 
the release of MOVES2010. These new emissions data are for light- and 
heavy-duty vehicles, exhaust and evaporative emissions, and fuel 
effects. MOVES2014 also adds updated vehicle sales, population, age 
distribution, and vehicle miles travelled (VMT) data.
    MOVES2014 incorporates the effects of three new federal emissions 
standard rules not included in MOVES2010:
     Medium- and heavy-duty engine and vehicle greenhouse gas 
emission and fuel efficiency standards (promulgated September 2011, 76 
FR 57106) began phasing in with the 2014 model year, and will result in 
lower medium- and heavy-duty engine and vehicle energy consumption 
rates and some reduction in criteria pollutant emissions as a result of 
improved aerodynamics and rolling resistance.
     Light-duty vehicle greenhouse gas emission and Corporate 
Average Fuel Economy standards (promulgated October 2012, 77 FR 62623) 
will begin phasing in with the 2017 model year, and will result in 
decreased energy consumption rates and decreased refueling emissions.
     Tier 3 vehicle emission and fuel standards (promulgated 
April 2014, 79 FR 23414) will begin phasing in with the 2017 model 
year, and will reduce both tailpipe and evaporative emissions of VOC, 
NOX, CO, and PM from light-duty cars and trucks, and some 
heavy-duty vehicles.
    MOVES2014 also includes a number of new functional improvements and 
features. Some of these, such as the addition of multi-day diurnal 
events to evaporative emissions calculations, directly affect the 
estimation of criteria pollutant emissions. Others, such as new options 
for entering start and extended idle activity, make MOVES2014 more 
flexible and better able to incorporate local data where available.
    EPA performed a comparison of MOVES2014 to MOVES2010b using local 
data for several different urban counties, varying the local data used 
by fleet age distribution, fraction of light- and heavy-duty VMT, local 
fuel specifications, meteorology, and other input factors. In general, 
VOC, NOX, PM, and CO emissions show greater decreases over 
time compared to MOVES2010b. Differences in total emissions vary by 
calendar year and location, but in general, VOC and NOX 
emissions are lower in MOVES2014. PM emissions may be higher in some 
areas and lower in others. Actual results will vary based on local 
inputs in a given area, with local variations in fleet age distribution 
and composition having a significant influence on the final results.
    MOVES2014 includes the capability to estimate vehicle exhaust and 
evaporative emissions as well as brake wear and tire wear emissions for 
criteria pollutants and precursors. However, MOVES does not include the 
capability to estimate emissions of re-entrained road dust. To estimate 
emissions from re-entrained road dust, practitioners should continue to 
use the latest approved methodologies.\3\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ See EPA's notice of availability, ``Official Release of the 
January 2011 AP-42 Method for Estimating Re-Entrained Road Dust from 
Paved Roads'', published in the Federal Register on February 4, 2011 
(76 FR 6328) available on EPA's Web site at: http://www.epa.gov/otaq/stateresources/transconf/policy.htm#models. In addition to the 
latest version of AP-42, EPA approved-alternative local methods can 
be used for estimating re-entrained road dust.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    MOVES2014 also incorporates the code and database for the 
NONROAD2008 model, which provides the option of calculating emissions 
of nonroad equipment. Because the nonroad capability in MOVES2014 is 
essentially the same as NONROAD2008, either MOVES2014, NONROAD2008, or 
the nonroad portion of NMIM2008 (which incorporates NONROAD2008) can be 
used in analyses to meet any regulatory requirements that call for the 
development of new nonroad inventories.\4\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ This is an available option although not explicitly 
mentioned in the ``Policy Guidance on the Use of MOVES2014 for State 
Implementation Plan Development, Transportation Conformity, and 
Other Purposes'' (EPA-420-B-14-008, July 2014).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

III. SIP Policy for MOVES2014

    EPA has articulated its policy regarding the use of MOVES2014 in 
SIP development in its ``Policy Guidance on the Use of MOVES2014 for 
State Implementation Plan Development, Transportation Conformity, and 
Other Purposes'' (EPA-420-B-14-008, July 2014). This document 
highlights certain aspects of the guidance, but state and local 
governments should refer to the guidance for more detailed information 
on how and when to use MOVES2014 in reasonable further progress SIPs, 
attainment demonstrations, maintenance plans, inventory updates, and 
other SIP submissions.
    MOVES2014 should be used in ozone, CO, PM, and nitrogen dioxide 
(NO2) SIP development as expeditiously as possible, as there 
is no grace period for the use of MOVES2014 in SIPs. The Clean Air Act 
requires that SIP inventories and control measures be based on the most 
current information and applicable models that are available when a SIP 
is developed.\5\ However, EPA also recognizes the time and level of 
effort that certain states may have already undertaken in SIP 
development using a version of MOVES2010. States should consult with 
their EPA Regional Office if they have questions about how MOVES2014 
affects SIPs under development in specific nonattainment or maintenance 
areas. Early consultation can facilitate EPA's adequacy finding for SIP 
motor vehicle emissions budgets or EPA's SIP approval.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ See Clean Air Act section 172(c)(3) and 40 CFR 51.112(a)(1).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    States should use the latest version of MOVES that is available at 
the time that a SIP is developed, which is currently MOVES2014 to 
develop the most accurate estimates of emissions possible. However, 
state and local agencies that have already completed significant work 
on a SIP with a version of MOVES2010 (e.g., attainment modeling has 
already been completed with MOVES2010) can continue to do so. It would 
be unreasonable to require the states to revise these SIPs with 
MOVES2014 since significant work has already occurred based on the 
latest information available at the time the SIP was developed, and EPA 
intends to act on these SIPs in a timely manner.
    The Clean Air Act does not require states that have already 
submitted SIPs or will submit SIPs shortly after the release of a new 
model to revise these SIPs simply because a new motor vehicle emissions 
model is now available. This is supported by existing EPA policies and 
case law [Sierra Club v. EPA, 356 F.3d. 296, 307-08 (D.C. Cir. 2004)]. 
Of course, states can choose to use MOVES2014 in these SIPs, for 
example, if it is determined that it is appropriate to update motor 
vehicle emissions budgets (``budgets'') with the model for future 
conformity determinations. However, as stated above, states should use 
MOVES2014 where SIP development is in its initial stages or has not 
progressed far enough along that switching from a previous model 
version would create a significant adverse impact on state resources.

[[Page 60345]]

    Incorporating MOVES2014 into the SIP now could assist areas in 
mitigating possible transportation conformity difficulties in the 
future after the MOVES2014 conformity grace period ends. New regional 
conformity analyses that are started after the grace period is over 
must be based on MOVES2014 (40 CFR 93.111), so having MOVES2014-based 
SIP budgets in place at that time could provide more consistency with 
transportation conformity determinations.

IV. Transportation Conformity and MOVES2014

    In this document, EPA is approving MOVES2014 for use in 
transportation conformity analyses outside of California. EPA is also 
establishing a two-year conformity grace period before the use of 
MOVES2014 is required in these transportation conformity 
determinations. The MOVES2014 grace period for regional conformity and 
hot-spot analyses applies to the use of MOVES2014 and any future minor 
revisions that occur during the grace period.\6\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \6\ A minor revision would be one that is made to improve 
performance but does not change results.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Transportation conformity is a Clean Air Act requirement to ensure 
that federally supported highway and transit activities are consistent 
with (``conform to'') the 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 
national ambient air quality standards or any interim milestones. 
Transportation conformity applies in nonattainment and maintenance 
areas for transportation-related pollutants: ozone, CO, 
PM2.5, PM10 and NO2. EPA's 
transportation conformity regulations (40 CFR parts 51.390 and 93 
subpart A) describe how federally funded and approved highway and 
transit projects meet these statutory requirements.
    The remainder of this section describes how the transportation 
conformity grace period was determined and summarizes how it will be 
implemented, including those circumstances when the grace period could 
be shorter than two years. However, for complete explanations of how 
MOVES2014 is to be implemented for transportation conformity, including 
details about using MOVES2014 during the grace period, refer to 
``Policy Guidance on the Use of MOVES2014 for State Implementation Plan 
Development, Transportation Conformity, and Other Purposes'' (EPA-420-
B-14-008).

A. Why is EPA establishing a two-year conformity grace period?

    The transportation conformity regulation at 40 CFR 93.111 requires 
that conformity determinations be based on the latest motor vehicle 
emissions model approved by EPA. Section 176(c)(1) of the Clean Air Act 
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. . . .'' When EPA approves a new emissions model 
such as MOVES2014, a grace period is established before the model is 
required for conformity analyses. The transportation conformity rule 
provides for a grace period for new emissions models of between three 
and 24 months (40 CFR 93.111(b)(1)), depending on the degree of change 
in the model and the transportation re-planning by the MPO likely to be 
necessary.
    EPA articulated its intentions for establishing the length of a 
conformity grace period in the preamble to the 1993 transportation 
conformity rule (November 24, 1993, 58 FR 62211):
    ``EPA and DOT [the Department of Transportation] will consider 
extending the grace period if the effects of the new emissions model 
are so significant that previous SIP demonstrations of what emission 
levels are consistent with attainment would be substantially affected. 
In such cases, States should have an opportunity to revise their SIPs 
before MPOs must use the model's new emissions factors.''
    In consultation with DOT, EPA considered many factors in 
establishing the length of the grace period, including the degree of 
change in emissions models and the effects of the new model on the 
transportation planning process (40 CFR 93.111).
    EPA considered the time it will take state and local transportation 
and air quality agencies to conduct and provide technical support for 
analyses. State and local agencies will need to become familiar with 
the MOVES2014 emissions model, and to convert existing data for use in 
MOVES2014. Since 1993, the fundamental purpose of Sec.  93.111(b) of 
the transportation conformity rule has been to provide a sufficient 
amount of time for MPOs and other state and local agencies to learn and 
employ new emissions models. The transition to a new emissions model 
for conformity involves more than learning to use the new model and 
preparing input data and model output. After model start-up is 
complete, state and local agencies also need to consider how the model 
affects regional conformity analysis results and whether SIP and/or 
transportation plan/TIP changes are necessary to assure future 
conformity determinations.
    The two-year conformity grace period is also necessary to provide 
sufficient time for state and local agencies to learn and apply new 
technical guidance and training courses that reflect MOVES2014. EPA is 
working diligently to update these guidance documents and training 
courses as quickly as possible. EPA will notify MOVES2014 users when 
these important materials are available, and subsequently, EPA will 
also work with DOT to provide training for current and new users of the 
model. Training 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.
    In addition, many agencies will be implementing the transition to 
PM and CO hot-spot analyses with MOVES2014 for applicable projects in 
those nonattainment and maintenance areas, with each analysis 
potentially involving multiple state and local agencies. States with 
previously approved CO hot-spot protocols (40 CFR 93.123(a)(1)) that 
are based on a previous model will need time to revise them. As stated 
above, additional time is necessary to revise previously approved SIPs, 
and the SIP revision process and state requirements can vary. 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.
    Upon considerations of all these factors, EPA is establishing a 
two-year grace period, which begins October 7, 2014 and ends on October 
7, 2016, before MOVES2014 is required to be used for new transportation 
conformity analyses, outside of California.

B. Circumstances When Grace Period Will Be Shorter Than Two Years

    The grace period for regional conformity analyses will be shorter 
than two years for a given pollutant if an area revises its SIP and 
motor vehicle emissions budgets with MOVES2014, and such budgets have 
been found adequate or approved into the SIP prior to the end of the 
two-year grace period. In this case, the new regional emissions 
analysis must use MOVES2014 if the conformity determination is based on 
a MOVES2014-based budget (40 CFR 93.111).

[[Page 60346]]

    Areas that are designated nonattainment or maintenance for multiple 
pollutants may rely on both MOVES2014 and MOVES2010 \7\ to determine 
conformity for different pollutants during the grace period. For 
example, if an area revises a previously submitted (but not approved) 
MOVES2010-based PM10 SIP with MOVES2014 and EPA finds these 
revised MOVES2014 budgets adequate for conformity, such budgets would 
apply for conformity on the effective date of the Federal Register 
notice announcing EPA's adequacy finding. In this example, if the area 
is nonattainment for PM10 and ozone, the MOVES2014 grace 
period would end for PM10 regional conformity analyses once 
EPA found the new MOVES2014-based SIP budgets adequate for 
PM10 regional conformity analyses begun after the effective 
date of adequacy finding. However, MOVES2010 could continue to be used 
for ozone regional emissions analysis begun before the end of the 
MOVES2014 grace period.\8\ In addition, the length of the grace period 
for hot-spot analyses would not be affected by an early submission of 
MOVES2014-based budgets. In this example, the two-year grace period for 
PM10 hot-spot analyses would continue to apply even if the 
grace period is shortened for regional PM10 conformity 
analyses. EPA Regional Offices should be consulted for questions 
regarding such situations in multi-pollutant areas.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ In the remainder of this notice, ``MOVES2010'' refers to all 
of the MOVES2010 models: MOVES2010, MOVES2010a, and MOVES2010b.
    \8\ In this example, such an area would use MOVES2014 to develop 
a regional emissions analysis for comparison to the revised 
MOVES2014-based budgets (e.g., PM10 budgets). The 
regional emissions analysis for ozone could be based on MOVES2010 
for the VOC and NOx budgets in the ozone SIP for the remainder of 
the conformity grace period.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In addition, in most cases, if an area revises previously approved 
MOBILE or MOVES2010-based SIP budgets using MOVES2014, the revised 
MOVES2014 budgets would be used for conformity purposes once EPA 
approves the SIP revision. In general, EPA will not make adequacy 
findings for these SIPs because submitted SIPs cannot supersede 
approved budgets until they are approved. However, 40 CFR 93.118(e)(1) 
allows an approved budget to be replaced by an adequate budget if EPA's 
approval of the initial budgets specifies that the budgets being 
approved may be replaced in the future by new adequate budgets. This 
flexibility has been used in limited situations in the past, such as 
during the transition from MOBILE5 to MOBILE6. In such cases, the 
MOVES2014-based budgets would be used for conformity purposes once they 
have been found adequate, if requested by the state in its SIP 
submission and specified in EPA's SIP approval. States should consult 
with their EPA Regional Office to determine if this flexibility applies 
to their situation.

C. Use of MOVES2014 for Regional Conformity Analyses During the Grace 
Period

    During the conformity grace period, areas should use interagency 
consultation to examine how MOVES2014 will impact their future 
transportation plan and TIP conformity determinations, including 
regional emissions analyses. Isolated rural areas should also consider 
how future regional conformity analyses will be affected when MOVES2014 
is required. Areas should carefully consider whether the SIP and 
budgets should be revised with MOVES2014 or if transportation plans and 
TIPs should be revised before the end of the conformity grace period, 
since doing so may be necessary to ensure conformity in the future.
    Finally, the transportation conformity rule provides some 
flexibility for completing conformity determinations based on regional 
emissions analyses that use MOVES2010 that are started before the end 
of the grace period. Regional emissions analyses that are started 
during the grace period can use either MOVES2010 or MOVES2014. The 
interagency consultation process should be used if it is unclear if a 
MOVES2010-based 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.
    When the grace period ends on October 7, 2016, MOVES2014 will 
become the only approved motor vehicle emissions model for regional 
emissions analyses for transportation conformity in states other than 
California. In general, this means that all new transportation plan and 
TIP conformity determinations started after the end of the grace period 
must be based on MOVES2014, even if the SIP is based on MOVES2010, 
MOBILE6.2, or an older version of the MOBILE model.

D. Use of MOVES2014 for Project-Level Hot-Spot Analyses During the 
Conformity Grace Period

    The MOVES2014 grace period also applies to the use of MOVES2014 for 
CO, PM10 and PM2.5 hot-spot analyses. Sections 
93.116 and 93.123 of the transportation conformity rule contain the 
requirements for when a hot-spot analysis is required for project-level 
conformity determinations.\9\ The transportation conformity rule 
provides some flexibility for analyses that are started before the end 
of the 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)). 
Interagency consultation should be used if it is unclear if a previous 
analysis was begun before the end of the grace period. For CO, 
PM10 and PM2.5 hot-spot analyses that start 
during the grace period, project sponsors can choose to use MOVES2010 
or MOVES2014.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \9\ In CO nonattainment and maintenance areas, a hot-spot 
analysis is required for all non-exempt projects, with quantitative 
hot-spot analyses being required for larger, congested intersections 
and other projects (40 CFR 93.123(a)(1)). In addition, the 
transportation conformity rule requires that a quantitative 
PM10 or PM2.5 hot-spot analysis be completed 
for certain projects of local air quality concern (40 CFR 
93.123(b)(1)).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    EPA encourages sponsors to use the consultation process to 
determine which option may be most appropriate for a given situation. 
Any new CO, PM10 or PM2.5 hot-spot analyses for 
conformity purposes begun after the end of the grace period must be 
based on MOVES2014. EPA released guidance on how to conduct 
quantitative PM2.5 and PM10 hot-spot modeling for 
transportation conformity purposes and will update it to include 
MOVES2014. See EPA's Project-level Web page \10\ for latest information 
and guidance documents on how to conduct CO, PM10 and 
PM2.5 hot-spot modeling for transportation conformity 
purposes.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \10\ See http://www.epa.gov/otaq/stateresources/transconf/projectlevel-hotspot.htm.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Any quantitative new CO, PM10 or PM2.5 hot-
spot analysis for conformity purposes begun after the end of the grace 
period must use MOVES2014. The interagency consultation process should 
be used if it is unclear whether these conditions are met. For 
questions about which model should be used in a project-level 
conformity determination, consult with your EPA Regional Office.

E. FHWA's CO Categorical Hot-Spot Finding

    Since FHWA's February 2014 CO categorical hot-spot finding \11\ for 
projects affecting intersections is based on MOVES2010b, a project 
sponsor can

[[Page 60347]]

continue to rely on this categorical finding during the grace period, 
as long as the project's parameters fall within the acceptable range of 
modeled parameters of the categorical hot-spot finding. See http://www.epa.gov/otaq/stateresources/transconf/projectlevel-hotspot.htm#fhwa 
for additional details. Any new CO hot-spot analyses for conformity 
purposes begun after the end of the grace period may no longer rely on 
the February 2014 CO categorical hot-spot finding because the finding 
was based on MOVES2010b.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \11\ Section 93.123(a)(3) of the transportation conformity rule 
allows DOT, in consultation with EPA, to make a categorical hot-spot 
finding for certain projects based on appropriate modeling.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

F. Previously Approved CO SIP Hot-Spot Protocols

    Section 93.123(a)(1) of the transportation conformity rule allows 
areas to develop alternate procedures for determining localized CO hot-
spot analyses, when developed through interagency consultation and 
approved by the EPA Regional Administrator. Some states have chosen in 
the past to develop such procedures based on previously approved EPA 
emissions models.
    During the MOVES2014 grace period, areas with previously approved 
CO hot-spot protocols based on MOVES2010 may continue to rely on these 
protocols. Areas with previously approved CO hot-spot protocols based 
on MOBILE6.2 or earlier MOBILE versions can no longer be used, and 
should have been discontinued at the end of the previous MOVES2010 
grace period. Once the MOVES2014 grace period ends, any new CO hot-spot 
analyses for conformity purposes begun after the end of the grace 
period may no longer use their previously approved CO hot-spot 
protocols that were based on MOVES2010.

    Dated: September 22, 2014.
Christopher Grundler,
Director, Office of Transportation and Air Quality, Office of Air and 
Radiation.
[FR Doc. 2014-23258 Filed 10-6-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
```