This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in the rule making prior to the adoption of the final
rules. 

# Proposed Rules Federal Register 

### 31867

Vol. 80, No. 107

Thursday, June 4, 2015

**ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION**
**AGENCY**

**40 CFR Part 52**

**[EPA–R01–OAR–2009–0541; A–1–FRL– 9928–72–Region 1]** 

**Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Rhode**  **Island; Rhode Island Low Emission Vehicle Program** 

**AGENCY :**  Environmental Protection Agency.

**ACTION :**  Proposed rule.

**SUMMARY :**  The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of Rhode Island. The regulations adopted by
Rhode Island include the California Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) II light-duty
motor vehicle emission standards effective in model year 2008, the California LEV II medium-duty vehicle standards effective in model year 2009, and greenhouse gas emission standards for light-duty motor vehicles and medium-duty vehicles effective with model year 2009. The Rhode Island LEV regulation submitted also includes a zero emission vehicle (ZEV) provision. Rhode Island has adopted these
revisions to reduce emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOC) and nitrogen oxides (NO X) in accordance with the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA), as well as to reduce greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and hydrofluorocarbons). In addition, Rhode Island has worked to ensure that their program is identical to California’s, as required by the CAA. These actions are being taken under the
Clean Air Act.

**DATES :**  Written comments must be received on or before July 6, 2015.

**ADDRESSES :**  Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID Number EPA– R01–OAR–2009–0541 by one of the following methods: 1. www.regulations.gov: Follow the on-line instructions for submitting

comments.

2. Email: arnold.anne@epa.gov

. 3. Fax: (617) 918–0047.

4. Mail: ‘‘Docket Identification Number EPA–R01–OAR–2009–0541,’’ Anne Arnold, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA New England Regional Office, Office of Ecosystem Protection, Air Quality Planning Unit, 5 Post Office Square—Suite 100, (Mail code OEP05–2), Boston, MA 02109—

3912.

5. Hand Delivery or Courier. Deliver your comments to: Anne Arnold, Manager, Air Quality Planning Unit, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA New England Regional Office, Office of Ecosystem Protection, 5 Post Office Square—Suite 100, (mail code OEP05–2), Boston, MA 02109—3912. Such deliveries are only accepted during the Regional Office’s normal hours of operation. The Regional
Office’s official hours of business are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding legal holidays.

Instructions: Direct your comments to Docket ID No. EPA–R01–OAR–2009– 0541. EPA’s policy is that all comments received will be included in the public docket without change and may be
made available online at www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided, unless
the comment includes information
claimed to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Do not submit through www.regulations.gov, or email, information that you consider to be CBI or otherwise protected. The www.regulations.gov Web site is an ‘‘anonymous access’’ system, which means EPA will not know your identity or contact information unless you provide it in the body of your comment. If you send an email comment directly to EPA without going through www.regulations.gov your email address will be automatically captured and included as part of the comment that is placed in the public docket and made available on the Internet. If you submit an electronic comment, EPA recommends that you include your
name and other contact information in the body of your comment and with any disk or CD–ROM you submit. If EPA cannot read your comment due to technical difficulties and cannot contact you for clarification, EPA may not be able to consider your comment.
Electronic files should avoid the use of special characters, any form of encryption, and be free of any defects or

viruses.

Docket: All documents in the
electronic docket are listed in the www.regulations.gov index. Although listed in the index, some information is not publicly available, i.e., CBI or other
information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Certain other material, such as copyrighted material, is not placed on the Internet and will be publicly available only in hard copy form. Publicly available docket
materials are available either electronically in www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA New England Regional Office, Office of Ecosystem Protection, Air Quality Planning Unit, 5 Post Office Square—Suite 100, Boston, MA. EPA requests that if at all possible, you contact the contact listed in the **FOR**

**FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT** section to schedule your inspection. The Regional
Office’s official hours of business are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding legal holidays.

In addition, copies of the state submittal are also available for public inspection during normal business hours, by appointment at the State Air Agency; Office of Air Resources, Department of Environmental Management, 235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908–5767.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  Ariel Garcia, Air Quality Planning Unit, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA New England Regional Office, 5 Post Office Square, Suite 100 (mail code: OEP05–2), Boston, MA 02109– 3912, telephone number (617) 918– 1660, fax number (617) 918–0660, email garcia.ariel@epa.gov.

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :**  Throughout this document whenever ‘‘we,’’ ‘‘us,’’ or ‘‘our’’ is used, we mean

EPA.

Organization of this document. The following outline is provided to aid in locating information in this preamble.

I. Background and Purpose II. The California LEV Program III. Relevant EPA and CAA Requirements

A. Waiver Process B. State Adoption of California Standards IV. Proposed Action


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V. Incorporation by Reference VI. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
I. Background and Purpose

On September 5, 2008, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) submitted a revision to its State Implementation Plan (SIP) consisting of Rhode Island’s
amended Air Pollution Control Regulation No. 37 (APCR No. 37),
‘‘Rhode Island’s Low Emission Vehicle Program.’’ Rhode Island’s amended APCR No. 37, with an effective date of December 22, 2005, adopts the California LEV II program. Rhode Island first adopted California’s LEV I program standards on June 6, 1996. In 1999,
APCR No. 37 was amended to allow automobile manufacturers to comply
with the National Low Emission Vehicle (NLEV) program in lieu of complying with the California LEV program. In 2004, Rhode Island adopted California’s LEV II standards. In September 2005,
California amended their LEV II
standards to include standards for greenhouse gas emissions to apply to model year 2009 and later vehicles.

The December 22, 2005 amendments to Rhode Island’s LEV program,
rescinded both the California LEV I program and the NLEV program. In
accordance with section 177 of the Clean Air Act (CAA), Rhode Island adopted the California LEV II program, including all ‘‘zero emission vehicle’’ program elements, commencing with 2008 model year vehicles and including the California LEV II program standards relating to greenhouse gas emissions beginning with 2009 model year
vehicles.

On December 22, 2005, Rhode Island amended APCR No. 37, making minor
technical corrections and clarifications: adopting California LEV II emission standards and related provisions for medium-duty vehicles commencing with the 2009 model year, adopting recently announced revisions concerning LEV II greenhouse gas
emission standards and related provisions for passenger cars, light-duty trucks, and medium-duty passenger vehicles commencing with the 2009 model year in accordance with section 177 of the CAA, and providing additional clarification and flexibility with respect to the implementation of the zero emissions vehicle (ZEV) program in Rhode Island.

II. The California LEV Program

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) adopted the first generation of LEV regulations (LEV I) in 1990, which impacted vehicles through the 2003 model year. CARB adopted California’s second generation LEV regulations (LEV II) following a November 1998 hearing. Subsequent to the adoption of the California LEV II program in February 2000, EPA adopted separate Federal
standards known as the Tier 2 regulations (February 10, 2000; 65 FR 6698). In December 2000, CARB modified the California LEV II program to take advantage of some elements of the Federal Tier 2 regulations to ensure that only the cleanest vehicle models
would continue to be sold in California. EPA granted California a waiver for its LEV II program on April 22, 2003 (68 FR 19811).

The LEV II regulations expanded the scope of the LEV I regulations by setting strict fleet-average emission standards for light-duty, medium-duty (including sport utility vehicles), and heavy-duty vehicles. The standards began with the 2004 model year and increased in stringency through the 2010 model year and beyond. The LEV II regulations provide flexibility to auto manufacturers by allowing them to certify their vehicle
models to one of several different
emissions standards. The different tiers of increasingly stringent LEV II emission standards to which a manufacturer may certify a vehicle are: Low emission vehicle (LEV), ultra-low emission vehicle (ULEV), super ultra-low emission vehicle (SULEV), partial zero emission vehicle (PZEV), advanced technology partial zero emission vehicle (ATPZEV), and zero emission vehicle (ZEV).

The manufacturer must show that the overall fleet for a given model year meets the specified phase-in requirements according to the fleet average non-methane hydrocarbon requirement for that year. The fleet average non-methane hydrocarbon emission limits are progressively lower with each model year. The program also requires auto manufacturers to include a ‘‘smog index’’ label on each vehicle sold, which is intended to inform
consumers about the amount of pollution produced by that vehicle
relative to other vehicles.

In addition to meeting the LEV II requirements, large or intermediate
volume manufacturers must ensure that a certain percentage of the passenger cars and lightest light-duty trucks that they market in California are ZEVs. This
is referred to as the ZEV mandate.
California has modified the ZEV
mandate several times since it took effect. Most recently, CARB has put in place an alternative compliance program (ACP) to provide auto manufacturers with several options to
meet the ZEV mandate. The ACP established ZEV credit multipliers to allow auto manufacturers to take credit for meeting the ZEV mandate by selling more PZEVs and ATPZEVs than they are otherwise required to sell. On December 28, 2006, EPA granted California’s request for a waiver of Federal preemption to enforce provisions of the ZEV regulations through model year 2011.

On October 15, 2005, California amended its LEV II program to include greenhouse gas (GHG) emission standards for passenger cars, light-duty trucks, and medium-duty passenger vehicles. On December 21, 2005, California requested that EPA grant a waiver of preemption under CAA section 209(b) for its greenhouse gas emission regulations. On June 30, 2009, EPA granted CARB’s request for a waiver of CAA preemption to enforce its greenhouse gas emission standards for model year 2009 and later new motor vehicles (July 8, 2009; 74 FR 32744– 32784). This decision withdrew and replaced EPA’s prior denial of the CARB’s December 21, 2005 waiver request, which was published in the Federal Register on March 6, 2008 (73 FR 12156–12169).

III. Relevant EPA and CAA Requirements

Section 209(a) of the CAA prohibits states from adopting or enforcing standards relating to the control of
emissions from new motor vehicles or new motor vehicle engines. However, under section 209(b) of the CAA, EPA shall grant a waiver of the section 209(a) prohibition to the State of California unless EPA makes specified findings, thereby allowing California to adopt its
own motor vehicle emissions standards. Other states may adopt California’s
motor vehicle emission standards under
section 177 of the CAA.

For additional information regarding
California’s motor vehicle emission standards and adoption by other states, please see EPA’s ‘‘California Waivers and Authorizations’’ Web page at URL
address: http://www.epa.gov/otaq/ cafr.htm. This Web site also lists
relevant Federal Register notices that have been issued by EPA in response to
California waiver and authorization requests.

A. Waiver Process

The CAA allows California to seek a waiver of the preemption which prohibits states from enacting emission
standards for new motor vehicles. EPA must grant this waiver before California’s rules may be enforced. When California files a waiver request, EPA publishes a notice for public hearing and written comment in the


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1 See EPA’s October 29, 2007 letter toManufactures regarding ‘‘Sales of Californiacertified 2008–2010 Model Year Vehicles (CrossBorder Sales Policy),’’ with attachments. Attachment 1—EPA Policy on Cross-Border Sales of
2008 to 2010 Model Years California-Certified Vehicles; Attachment 2—Questions and Answers on EPA’s Cross Border Sales Policies; and Attachment 3—Updated summary table and a set of maps reflecting the status of Section 177 states by model year. http://iaspub.epa.gov/otaqpub/display

_ file.jsp?docid=16888&flag=1

.

2 On July 17, 2013, Rhode Island adopted revisions to Air Pollution Control Regulation No. 37 ‘‘Rhode Island’s Low Emission Vehicle Program.’’ These revisions have not yet been submitted to EPA as a SIP revision and are not part of today’s action. Federal Register . The written comment period remains open for a period of time after the public hearing. Once the comment period expires, EPA reviews
the comments and the Administrator determines whether the requirements for obtaining a waiver have been met.

According to CAA section 209—State Standards, EPA shall grant a waiver
unless the Administrator finds that
California: —Was arbitrary and capricious in its

finding that its standards are in the aggregate at least as protective of public health and welfare as applicable Federal standards; —does not need such standards to meet

compelling and extraordinary conditions; or —proposes standards and

accompanying enforcement procedures that are not consistent with section 202(a) of the CAA.

The most recent EPA waiver relevant to EPA’s proposed approval of Rhode Island’s LEV program is ‘‘California
State Motor Vehicle Pollution Control Standards; Notice of Decision Granting a Waiver of Clean Air Act Preemption for California’s 2009 and Subsequent
Model Year Greenhouse Gas Emission
Standards for New Motor Vehicles’’ (July 8, 2009; 74 FR 32744–32784). This final rulemaking allows California to establish standards to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from new passenger cars, light-duty trucks and medium-duty vehicles. The four new greenhouse gas air contaminants added to California’s existing regulations for criteria and criteria-precursor pollutants
and air toxic contaminants are: carbon dioxide (CO 2), methane (CH4 ), nitrous oxide (N 2O), and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).

B. State Adoption of California
Standards

Section 177 of the CAA allows other states to adopt and enforce California’s
standards for the control of emissions from new motor vehicles, provided that, among other things, such state standards
are identical to the California standards for which a waiver has been granted under CAA section 209(b). In addition, the state must adopt such standards at least two years prior to the commencement of the model year to which the standards will apply. EPA issued guidance (CISD–07–16) 1 regarding its cross-border sales policy
for California-certified vehicles. This guidance includes a list and map of states that have adopted California standards, specific to the 2008–2010 model years. All SIP revisions submitted to EPA for approval must also meet the requirements of CAA section

110.

The provisions of section 177 of the CAA require Rhode Island to amend the Rhode Island LEV program at such time
as the State of California amends its California LEV program. Rhode Island
has demonstrated its commitment to maintain a Rhode Island LEV program
consistent with the California LEV program through the continuous adoption of regulatory amendments to
Rhode Island’s APCR No. 37. For example, an earlier version of APCR No. 37, effective in the State of Rhode Island on December 7, 1999, was previously approved into the Rhode Island SIP on March 9, 2000 (65 FR 12476).

In addition, Rhode Island’s September5, 2008 SIP revision meets the antibacksliding requirements of section 110
of the CAA. This SIP revision sets new requirements, the California LEV II standards, which are more stringent
than the California LEV I standards previously approved into the SIP, and expands program coverage to model year vehicles not covered by the
California LEV I standards.

EPA notes that a number of California Code of Regulations (CCR) Title 13 provisions incorporated-by-reference in
Rhode Island’s APCR No. 37 have been amended by California since Rhode Island adopted the December 22, 2005 amendments to APCR No. 37 currently being proposed for approved. Subsequent revisions to California regulations, and the resulting revisions to Rhode Island’s APCR No. 37, in
accordance with section 177 of the CAA, will be addressed by Rhode Island
at a later date. 2

IV. Proposed Action

EPA is proposing to approve, and incorporate into the Rhode Island SIP, Rhode Island’s APCR No. 37, Rhode Island’s Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) program, effective in the State of Rhode Island on December 22, 2005, and
submitted to EPA as a SIP revision on September 5, 2008. The Rhode Island LEV program amendments adopted by
Rhode Island include: the California LEV II light-duty program beginning with model year 2008; the California LEV II medium-duty vehicle emission standards beginning with model year 2009; the California LEV II greenhouse gas emission standards for passenger cars, light-duty trucks and medium-duty passenger vehicles commencing with 2009 model year vehicles; and the California ZEV provision. EPA is proposing to approve the Rhode Island LEV program requirements into the SIP
because EPA has found that the requirements are consistent with the

CAA.

EPA is soliciting public comments on
the issues discussed in this notice or on
other relevant matters. These comments will be considered before taking final action. Interested parties may participate in the Federal rulemaking procedure by submitting written comments to the EPA New England Regional Office listed in the **ADDRESSES** section of this Federal Register

. V. Incorporation by Reference

In this rule, the EPA is proposing to finalize regulatory text that includes incorporation by reference. In accordance with requirements of 1 CFR 51.5, the EPA is proposing the incorporation by reference of Rhode
Island’s Air Pollution Control Regulation No. 37, Rhode Island’s Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) program,
effective in the State of Rhode Island on December 22, 2005. The EPA has made, and will continue to make, these documents generally available electronically through www.regulations.gov and/or in hard copy at the appropriate EPA office (see
the **ADDRESSES** section of this preamble for more information).

VI. Statutory and Executive Order
Reviews

Under the Clean Air Act, the Administrator is required to approve a SIP submission that complies with the provisions of the Act 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 Clean Air Act. Accordingly, this proposed 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 proposed action:

• Is not a significant regulatory action subject to review by the Office of Management and Budget under Executive Orders 12866 (58 FR 51735,


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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 Clean Air Act;
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, the rule does not have tribal implications and will not impose
substantial direct costs on tribal governments or preempt tribal law as specified by Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, November 9, 2000).

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52

Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Carbon monoxide, Incorporation by reference, Intergovernmental relations, Lead, Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone, Particulate matter, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Sulfur oxides, Volatile organic compounds.

Dated: May 20, 2015. H. Curtis Spalding, Regional Administrator, EPA New England.

[FR Doc. 2015–13679 Filed 6–3–15; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 6560–50–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION** 
**AGENCY**

**40 CFR Part 80**

**[EPA–HQ–OAR–2015–0111; FRL–9928–76– OAR]** 

**Public Hearing for the 2014, 2015, and**
**2016 Standards for the Renewable Fuel Standard Program** 

**AGENCY :**  Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

**ACTION :**  Announcement of public hearing.

**SUMMARY :**  The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing a public hearing to be held in Kansas City, Kansas on June 25, 2015 for the proposed rule ‘‘Renewable Fuel Standard Program: Standards for 2014, 2015, and 2016 and Biomass-Based Diesel Volume for 2017.’’ This proposed rule will be published separately in the Federal Register . The pre-publication version of this proposal can be found at http://www.epa.gov/otaq/fuels/ renewablefuels/regulations.htm. In the separate notice of proposed rulemaking, EPA has proposed amendments to the renewable fuel standard program regulations that would establish annual percentage standards for cellulosic biofuel, biomass-based diesel, advanced biofuel, and renewable fuels that would apply to all gasoline and diesel produced in the U.S. or imported in the years 2014, 2015, and 2016. In addition, the separate proposal includes a proposed biomass-based diesel applicable volume for 2017.

**DATES :**  The public hearing will be held on June 25, 2015 at the location noted
below under **ADDRESSES** . The hearing will begin at 9:00 a.m. and end when all parties present who wish to speak have had an opportunity to do so. Parties wishing to testify at the hearing should notify the contact person listed under

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT** by June 12, 2015. Additional information regarding the hearing appears below
under **SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION**

. **ADDRESSES :**  The hearing will be held at the following location: Jack Reardon Center, 520 Minnesota Avenue, Kansas City, Kansas 66101 (phone number 913– 342–7900). A complete set of documents related to the proposal will be available for public inspection through the Federal eRulemaking Portal: http:// www.regulations.gov, Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–OAR–2015–0111. Documents can also be viewed at the EPA Docket Center, located at 1301 Constitution Avenue NW, Room 3334, Washington, DC between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  Julia MacAllister, Office of Transportation and Air Quality, Assessment and Standards Division, Environmental Protection Agency, 2000 Traverwood Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48105; telephone number: (734) 214–4131; Fax number: (734) 214–4816; Email address: macallister.julia@epa.gov

.

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :**  The proposal for which EPA is holding the public hearing will be published separately in the Federal Register . The pre-publication version can be found at http://www.epa.gov/otaq/fuels/ renewablefuels/regulations.htm

.

Public Hearing: The public hearing will provide interested parties the opportunity to present data, views, or arguments concerning the proposal (which can be found at http:// www.epa.gov/otaq/fuels/ renewablefuels/regulations.htm ). The EPA may ask clarifying questions during the oral presentations but will not respond to the presentations at that time. Written statements and supporting information submitted during the comment period will be considered with the same weight as any oral comments and supporting information presented at the public hearing. Written comments must be received by the last day of the comment period, as specified in the notice of proposed rulemaking.

How can I get copies of this document, the proposed rule, and other related
information?

The EPA has established a docket for
this action under Docket ID No. EPA– HQ–OAR–2015–0111. The EPA has also developed a Web site for the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program, including the notice of proposed rulemaking, at the address given above. Please refer to the notice of proposed rulemaking for detailed information on accessing information related to the proposal.

Dated: May 29, 2015.
Christopher Grundler,
Director, Office of Transportation and Air Quality, Office of Air and Radiation.

[FR Doc. 2015–13676 Filed 6–3–15; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 6560–50–P**