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 Environmental Protection Agency 40 CFR Part 52
[EPA-R09-OAR-2012-0180; FRL-9652-2]
 AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
 ACTION: Direct final rule.
 SUMMARY: EPA is taking direct final action to approve revisions to the Yolo-Solano Air Quality Management District (Yolo-Solano AQMD) portion of the California State Implementation Plan (SIP). These revisions concern particulate matter (PM) emissions from any source that emits visible air contaminants. We are approving and rescinding local rules that regulate these emission sources under the Clean Air Act as amended in 1990 (CAA or the Act).
 DATES: This rule is effective on June 18, 2012 without further notice, unless EPA receives adverse comments by May 18, 2012. If we receive such comments, we will publish a timely withdrawal in the 
                        **Federal Register**
                         to notify the public that this direct final rule will not take effect.
 ADDRESSES: Submit comments, identified by docket number EPA-R09-OAR-2012-0180, by one of the following methods: 1. 
                        *Federal eRulemaking Portal: www.regulations.gov.*
                         Follow the on-line instructions. 2. 
                        *Email: steckel.andrew@epa.gov.* 3. 
                        *Mail or deliver:*
                         Andrew Steckel (Air-4), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region IX, 75 Hawthorne Street, San Francisco, CA 94105-3901. *Instructions:*
                         All comments 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 Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Information that you consider CBI or otherwise protected should be clearly identified as such and should not be submitted through 
                        *www.regulations.gov*
                         or email. 
                        *www.regulations.gov*
                         is an “anonymous access” system, and EPA will not know your identity or contact information unless you provide it in the body of your comment. If you send email directly to EPA, your email address will be automatically captured and included as part of the public comment. 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:*
                         Generally, documents in the docket for this action are available electronically at 
                        *www.regulations.gov*
                         and in hard copy at EPA Region IX, 75 Hawthorne Street, San Francisco, California. While all documents in the docket are listed at 
                        *www.regulations.gov,*
                         some information may be publicly available only at the hard copy location (e.g., copyrighted material, large maps), and some may not be publicly available in either location (e.g., CBI). To inspect the hard copy materials, please schedule an appointment during normal business hours with the contact listed in the 
                        **FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT**
                         section.
 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christine Vineyard, EPA Region IX, (415) 947-4125, 
                        *vineyard.christine@epa.gov.*


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Throughout this document, “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to EPA. Table of Contents I. The State's Submittal A. What rules did the State submit? B. Are there other versions of these rules? C. What is the purpose of the submitted rule revisions? II. EPA's Evaluation and Action A. How is EPA evaluating the rules? B. Do the rules meet the evaluation criteria? C. EPA Recommendations To Further Improve the Rules D. Public Comment and Final Action III. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews I. The State's Submittal A. What rules did the State submit? Table 1 lists the rules we are approving with the dates that they were adopted by the local air agency and submitted by the California Air Resources Board. Table 1—Submitted Rules
Local agency
Rule No.
Rule title
Adopted
SubmittedYolo-Solano AQMD
2.3
Ringelmann Chart
01/13/10
07/20/10Yolo-Solano AQMD
2.4
Exceptions (rescinded)
01/13/10
07/20/10Yolo-Solano AQMD
2.7
Wet Plumes (rescinded)
01/13/10
07/20/10Yolo-Solano AQMD
2.11
Particulate Matter Concentration
01/13/10
07/20/10Yolo-Solano AQMD
2.12
Specific Contaminants
01/13/10
07/20/10
 On August 25, 2010, EPA determined that the submittal for Yolo-Solano Rules 2.3, 2.11 and 2.12 met the completeness criteria in 40 CFR part 51 appendix V, which must be met before formal EPA review. B. Are there other versions of these rules? Table 2 lists the previous version of the rules approved into the SIP. Table 2—Current SIP Approved Version of Rules
Rule No.
Rule title
Submittal date
Approval date
Approved FR 
                             citation2.3
Ringelmann Chart
01/21/72
02/21/72
37 FR 10856.2.4
Exceptions
07/25/73
06/14/78
43 FR 25677.2.7
Wet Plumes
02/21/72
05/31/72
37 FR 10856.2.11
Particulate Matter Concentration
06/19/74
07/19/74
43 FR 25677.2.12
Specific Contaminants
01/21/72
02/21/72
37 FR 10856.
 
 
 C. What is the purpose of the submitted rule revisions? PM contributes to effects that are harmful to human health and the environment, including premature mortality, aggravation of respiratory and cardiovascular disease, decreased lung function, visibility impairment, and damage to vegetation and ecosystems. Section 110(a) of the CAA requires States to submit regulations that control PM emissions. Rule 2.3 was revised to limit the emissions of visible air contaminants to the atmosphere by establishing a 20% opacity (Ringelmann 1) standard. In addition, Rule 2.3 now contains the requirements from repealed District Rules 2.4, Exemptions and Rule 2.7, Wet Plumes. Rules 2.11 and 2.12 were revised to lower the allowable particulate matter emission limit. EPA's technical support documents (TSDs) have more information about these rules. II. EPA's Evaluation and Action A. How is EPA evaluating the rules? Generally, SIP rules must be enforceable (see section 110(a) of the Act) and must not relax existing requirements (see sections 110(l) and 193). In addition, SIP rules must implement Reasonably Available Control Measures (RACM), including Reasonably Available Control Technology (RACT), in moderate PM nonattainment areas (see CAA sections 189(a)(1) and 189(b)(1)). The Yolo-Solano AQMD regulates a PM-2.5 nonattainment area classified as moderate (see 40 CFR part 81), so Rules 2.3, 2.11 and 2.12 must implement RACM/RACT. Guidance and policy documents that we use to evaluate enforceability and RACM/RACT requirements consistently include the following: 1. “Issues Relating to VOC Regulation Cutpoints, Deficiencies, and Deviations; Clarification to Appendix D of November 24, 1987 
                    **Federal Register**
                     Notice,” (Blue Book), notice of availability published in the May 25, 1988 
                    **Federal Register.** 2. “Guidance Document for Correcting Common VOC & Other Rule Deficiencies,” EPA Region 9, August 21, 2001 (the Little Bluebook). 3. “State Implementation Plans; General Preamble for the Implementation of Title I of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990,” 57 FR 13498 (April 16, 1992); 57 FR 18070 (April 28, 1992). 4. “State Implementation Plans for Serious PM-10 Nonattainment Areas, and Attainment Date Waivers for PM-10 Nonattainment Areas Generally; Addendum to the General Preamble for the Implementation of Title I of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990,” 59 FR 41998 (August 16, 1994). 5. “PM-10 Guideline Document,” EPA 452/R-93-008, April 1993. 6. “Fugitive Dust Background Document and Technical Information Document for Best Available Control Measures,” EPA 450/2-92-004, September 1992. B. Do the rules meet the evaluation criteria? We believe these rules are consistent with the relevant policy and guidance regarding enforceability, RACT/RACM, and SIP relaxations. The TSD has more information on our evaluation. C. EPA Recommendations to Further Improve the Rules The TSDs describe additional rule revisions that we recommend for the next time the local agency modifies the rules. D. Public Comment and Final Action As authorized in section 110(k)(3) of the Act, EPA is fully approving the submitted rules because we believe they fulfill all relevant requirements. We do not think anyone will object to this approval, so we are finalizing it without proposing it in advance. However, in the Proposed Rules section of this 
                    **Federal Register,**
                     we are simultaneously proposing approval of the same submitted rules. If we receive adverse comments by May 18, 2012, we will publish a timely withdrawal in the 
                    **Federal Register**
                     to notify the public that the direct final approval will not take effect and we will address the comments in a subsequent final action based on the proposal. If we do not receive timely adverse comments, the direct final approval will be effective without further notice on June 18, 2012. This will incorporate these rules into the federally enforceable SIP. Please note that if EPA receives adverse comment on an amendment, paragraph, or section of this rule and if that provision may be severed from the remainder of the rule, EPA may adopt as final those provisions of the rule that are not the subject of an adverse comment. III. 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 action merely approves State law as meeting Federal requirements and does not impose additional requirements beyond those imposed by State law. For that reason, this action: Is not a “significant regulatory action” subject to review by the Office of Management and Budget underExecutive Order 12866 (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993);
                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 inExecutive Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10, 1999);
                Is not an economically significant regulatory action based on health or safety risks subject toExecutive Order 13045 (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997);
                Is not a significant regulatory action subject toExecutive 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 disproportionate human health or environmental effects with practical, appropriate, and legally permissible methods underExecutive Order 12898 (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994). In addition, this rule does not have tribal implications as specified by Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, November 9, 2000), because the SIP is not approved to apply in Indian country located in the State, and EPA notes that it will not impose substantial direct costs on tribal governments or preempt tribal law. The Congressional Review Act, 5 U.S.C. 801 
                    *et seq.,*
                     as added by the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, generally provides that before a rule may take effect, the agency promulgating the rule must submit a rule report, which includes a 
                    ( print page 23135)
                    copy of the rule, to each House of the Congress and to the Comptroller General of the United States. EPA will submit a report containing this action and other required information to the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of Representatives, and the Comptroller General of the United States prior to publication of the rule in the 
                    **Federal Register**
                    . A major rule cannot take effect until 60 days after it is published in the 
                    **Federal Register**
                    . This action is not a “major rule” as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2). Under section 307(b)(1) of the Clean Air Act, petitions for judicial review of this action must be filed in the United States Court of Appeals for the appropriate circuit by June 18, 2012. Filing a petition for reconsideration by the Administrator of this final rule does not affect the finality of this action for the purposes of judicial review nor does it extend the time within which a petition for judicial review may be filed, and shall not postpone the effectiveness of such rule or action. Parties with objections to this direct final rule are encouraged to file a comment in response to the parallel notice of proposed rulemaking for this action published in the Proposed Rules section of today's 
                    **Federal Register**
                    , rather than file an immediate petition for judicial review of this direct final rule, so that EPA can withdraw this direct final rule and address the comment in the proposed rulemaking. This action may not be challenged later in proceedings to enforce its requirements (see section 307(b)(2)). List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52 Environmental protection
Air pollution control
Incorporation by reference
Intergovernmental relations
Particulate matter
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements
 Dated: March 8, 2012. Jared Blumenfeld, Regional Administrator, Region IX.
 Part 52, Chapter I, Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations is amended as follows: PART 52—[AMENDED]
 1.The authority citation for Part 52 continues to read as follows: Authority:
                        42 U.S.C. 7401 
                            *et seq.* Subpart F—California
 2.Section 52.220, is amended by adding paragraphs (b)(11)(ii), (c)(21)(xiv)(D) and (c)(381)(i)(I) to read as follows: § 52.220
  
 (b) * * * (11) * * * (ii) Previously approved on May 31, 1972 in paragraph (b) of this section and now deleted without replacement, Rule 2.7. 
 (c) * * * (21) * * * (xiv) * * * (D) Previously approved on June 14, 1978 in paragraph (c)(21)(xiv)(A) of this section and now deleted without replacement, Rule 2.4. 
 (381) * * * (i) * * * (I) Yolo-Solano Air Quality Management District. (
                            *1*) Rule 2.3, “Ringelmann Chart,” revised on January 13, 2010. (
                            *2*) Rule 2.11, “Particulate Matter Concentration,” revised on January 13, 2010. (
                            *3*) Rule 2.12, “Specific Contaminants,” revised on January 13, 2010.


[FR Doc. 2012-8947 Filed 4-17-12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560-50-P