[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 240 (Monday, December 15, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 74046-74054]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-29332]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 52

[EPA-R02-OAR-2014-0683, FRL-9920-40-Region 2]


Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; New York; 
Infrastructure SIP for the 2008 Lead NAAQS

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to 
approve certain elements of New York's State Implementation Plan (SIP) 
revision submitted to demonstrate that the State meets the requirements 
of section 110(a)(1) and (2) of the Clean Air Act (CAA) for the 2008 
National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for lead (Pb). Section 
110(a) of the CAA requires

[[Page 74047]]

that each state adopt and submit a SIP for the implementation, 
maintenance and enforcement of each NAAQS promulgated by the EPA and is 
commonly referred to as an infrastructure SIP.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before January 14, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID number EPA-
R02-OAR-2014-0683, by one of the following methods:
    <bullet> www.regulations.gov: Follow the on-line instructions for 
submitting comments.
    <bullet> Email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#83d1f6f5ecadd1eae0ebe2f1e7c3e6f3e2ade4ecf5"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e3b196958ccdb18a808b829187a3869382cd848c95">[email protected]</span></a>.
    <bullet> Fax: 212-637-3901.
    <bullet> Mail: Richard Ruvo, Chief, Air Programs Branch, 
Environmental Protection Agency, Region 2 Office, 290 Broadway, 25th 
Floor, New York, New York 10007-1866.
    <bullet> Hand Delivery: Richard Ruvo, Chief, Air Programs Branch, 
Environmental Protection Agency, Region 2 Office, 290 Broadway, 25th 
Floor, New York, New York 10007-1866. 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 to 
4:00 excluding Federal holidays.
    Instructions: Direct your comments to Docket ID No. EPA-R02-OAR-
2014-0683. 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 information that you consider to 
be CBI or otherwise protected through www.regulations.gov or email. 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. For additional 
information about EPA's public docket visit the EPA Docket Center 
homepage at http://www.epa.gov/epahome/dockets.htm.
    Docket: All documents in the docket are listed in the http://www.regulations.gov index. Although listed in the index, some 
information is not publicly available, e.g., CBI or other information 
whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Certain other material, such 
as copyrighted material, will be publicly available only in hard copy. 
Publicly available docket materials are available either electronically 
in http://www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at the Environmental 
Protection Agency, Region 2 Office, Air Programs Branch, 290 Broadway, 
25th Floor, New York, New York 10007-1866. EPA requests, if at all 
possible, that you contact the individual listed in the FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT section to view the hard copy of the docket. You 
may view the hard copy of the docket Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. 
to 4:00 p.m., excluding Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kirk Wieber at telephone number: (212) 
637-3381, email address: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d780beb2b5b2a5f99cbea5bc97b2a7b6f9b0b8a1"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0c5b65696e697e2247657e674c697c6d226b637a">[email protected]</span></a>, fax number: (212) 637-
3901, or the above EPA, Region 2 address.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. What action is EPA proposing?
II. What is the background information?
III. What elements are required under section 110(a)(1) and (2)?
IV. What is EPA's approach to the review of infrastructure SIP 
submissions?
V. What did New York submit?
VI. How has the State addressed the elements of the section 
110(a)(1) and (2) ``infrastructure'' provisions?
VII. What is the impact of the June 2014 Supreme Court Green House 
Gas decision on New York's infrastructure SIP for the 2008 Pb NAAQS?
VIII. What action is EPA taking?
IX. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

I. What action is EPA proposing?

    EPA is proposing to approve certain elements of the State of New 
York Infrastructure SIP as meeting the section 110(a) infrastructure 
requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA) for the 2008 lead (Pb) National 
Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS or standard). As explained below, 
the State has the necessary infrastructure, resources, and general 
authority to implement the 2008 Pb standard.

II. What is the background information?

    On November 12, 2008, EPA promulgated a new, rolling 3 month 
average NAAQS for Pb (2008 Pb NAAQS). See 73 FR 66964.\1\ The 2008 Pb 
NAAQS is 0.15 micrograms per cubic meter of air ([mu]g/m\3\) maximum 
(not-to-be-exceeded). In the same action EPA revised the secondary Pb 
NAAQS to be identical in all respects to the revised primary standard, 
i.e., 0.15 [mu]g/m\3\.
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    \1\ Final rule signed October 15, 2008. The 1978 lead standard 
(1.5 [micro]g/m3 as a quarterly average) remains in effect until one 
year after an area is designated for the 2008 standard, except that 
in areas designated nonattainment for the 1978 lead standard, the 
1978 standard remains in effect until implementation plans to attain 
or maintain the 2008 standard are approved.
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    Section 110(a)(1) provides the procedural and timing requirements 
for State Implementation Plans (SIPs). Section 110(a)(2) lists specific 
elements that states must meet for SIP requirements related to a newly 
established or revised NAAQS. Sections 110(a)(1) and (2) of the CAA 
require, in part, that states submit to EPA plans to implement, 
maintain and enforce each of the NAAQS promulgated by EPA. By statute, 
SIPs meeting the requirements of section 110(a)(1) and (2) are to be 
submitted by states within three years after promulgation of a new or 
revised standard. These SIPs are commonly called infrastructure SIPs. 
Based on the October 15, 2008 date of signature, infrastructure SIPs 
for the 2008 Pb NAAQS were due on October 15, 2011.

III. What elements are required under section 110(a)(1) and (2)?

    The infrastructure requirements are listed in EPA's October 2, 
2007, memorandum entitled ``Guidance on SIP Elements Required Under 
Section 110(a)(1) and (2) for the 1997 8-Hour Ozone and 
PM<INF>2.5</INF> National Ambient Air Quality Standards'' and September 
25, 2009, memorandum entitled ``Guidance on SIP Elements Required Under 
Section 110(a)(1) and (2) for the 2006 24-Hour Fine Particle 
(PM<INF>2.5</INF>) National Ambient Air Quality Standards.'' In 
addition, there were two memorandums referenced: One dated October 14, 
2011, ``Guidance on Infrastructure State Implementation Plan (SIP) 
Elements Required Under Sections 110(a)(1) and 110(a)(2) for the 2008 
Lead (Pb) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)'' and the 
other dated September 13, 2013, in which EPA released new guidance 
entitled ``Guidance on Infrastructure State Implementation Plan (SIP) 
Elements under Clean Air Act Sections 110(a)(1)

[[Page 74048]]

and 110(a)(2).'' \2\ This new guidance (2013 Guidance) addresses the 
2008 ozone, 2010 NO<INF>2</INF>, 2010 SO<INF>2</INF>, and 2012 
PM<INF>2.5</INF> NAAQS, as well as infrastructure SIPs for new or 
revised NAAQS promulgated in the future. The 14 elements required to be 
addressed are as follows: (1) Emission limits and other control 
measures; (2) ambient air quality monitoring/data system; (3) program 
for enforcement of control measures; (4) interstate transport; (5) 
adequate resources; (6) stationary source monitoring system; (7) 
emergency power; (8) future SIP revisions; (9) consultation with 
government officials; (10) public notification; (11) prevention of 
significant deterioration (PSD) and visibility protection; (12) air 
quality modeling/data; (13) permitting fees; and (14) consultation/
participation by affected local entities.
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    \2\ ``Guidance on Infrastructure State Implementation Plan (SIP) 
Elements Required Under Sections 110(a)(1) and 110(a)(2) for the 
2008 Lead (Pb) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)'' can 
be found at: http://www.epa.gov/airquality/lead/pdfs/20111014infrastructure.pdf. ``Guidance on Infrastructure State 
Implementation Plan (SIP) Elements under Clean Air Act Sections 
110(a)(1) and 110(a)(2)'' can be found at: http://www.epa.gov/airquality/urbanair/sipstatus/infrastructure.html.
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    Two elements identified in section 110(a)(2) are not governed by 
the 3 year submission deadline of section 110(a)(1) because SIPs 
incorporating necessary local nonattainment area controls are not due 
within 3 years after promulgation of a new or revised NAAQS, but rather 
are due at the time that the nonattainment area plan requirements are 
due pursuant to section 172. See 77 FR 46354 (August 3, 2012); 77 FR 
60308 (October 3, 2012, footnote 1). These requirements are: (1) 
Submissions required by section 110(a)(2)(C) to the extent that 
subsection refers to a permit program as required in part D title I of 
the CAA, and (2) submissions required by section 110(a)(2)(I) which 
pertain to the nonattainment planning requirements of part D, title I 
of the CAA. As a result, this action does not address the nonattainment 
planning requirements related to section 110(a)(2)(C) or 110(a)(2)(I).

IV. What is EPA's approach to the review of infrastructure SIP 
submissions?

    EPA is acting upon the SIP submission from New York State that 
addresses the infrastructure requirements of CAA sections 110(a)(1) and 
110(a)(2) for the 2008 Pb NAAQS. The requirement for states to make a 
SIP submission of this type arises out of CAA section 110(a)(1). 
Pursuant to section 110(a)(1), states must make SIP submissions 
``within 3 years (or such shorter period as the Administrator may 
prescribe) after the promulgation of a national primary ambient air 
quality standard (or any revision thereof),'' and these SIP submissions 
are to provide for the ``implementation, maintenance, and enforcement'' 
of such NAAQS. The statute directly imposes on states the duty to make 
these SIP submissions, and the requirement to make the submissions is 
not conditioned upon EPA's taking any action other than promulgating a 
new or revised NAAQS. Section 110(a)(2) includes a list of specific 
elements that ``[e]ach such plan'' submission must address.
    EPA has historically referred to these SIP submissions made for the 
purpose of satisfying the requirements of CAA sections 110(a)(1) and 
110(a)(2) as ``infrastructure SIP'' submissions. Although the term 
``infrastructure SIP'' does not appear in the CAA, EPA uses the term to 
distinguish this particular type of SIP submission from submissions 
that are intended to satisfy other SIP requirements under the CAA, such 
as ``nonattainment SIP'' or ``attainment plan SIP'' submissions to 
address the nonattainment planning requirements of part D of title I of 
the CAA, ``regional haze SIP'' submissions required by EPA rule to 
address the visibility protection requirements of CAA section 169A, and 
nonattainment new source review permit program submissions to address 
the permit requirements of CAA, title I, part D.
    Section 110(a)(1) addresses the timing and general requirements for 
infrastructure SIP submissions, and section 110(a)(2) provides more 
details concerning the required contents of these submissions. The list 
of required elements provided in section 110(a)(2) contains a wide 
variety of provisions, some of which pertain to required legal 
authority, some of which pertain to required substantive program 
provisions, and some of which pertain to requirements for both 
authority and substantive program provisions.\3\ EPA therefore believes 
that while the timing requirement in section 110(a)(1) is unambiguous, 
some of the other statutory provisions are ambiguous. In particular, 
EPA believes that the list of required elements for infrastructure SIP 
submissions provided in section 110(a)(2) contains ambiguities 
concerning what is required for inclusion in an infrastructure SIP 
submission.
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    \3\ For example: Section 110(a)(2)(E)(i) provides that states 
must provide assurances that they have adequate legal authority 
under state and local law to carry out the SIP; section 110(a)(2)(C) 
provides that states must have a SIP-approved program to address 
certain sources as required by part C of title I of the CAA; and 
section 110(a)(2)(G) provides that states must have legal authority 
to address emergencies as well as contingency plans that are 
triggered in the event of such emergencies.
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    The following examples of ambiguities illustrate the need for EPA 
to interpret some section 110(a)(1) and section 110(a)(2) requirements 
with respect to infrastructure SIP submissions for a given new or 
revised NAAQS. One example of ambiguity is that section 110(a)(2) 
requires that ``each'' SIP submission must meet the list of 
requirements therein, while EPA has long noted that this literal 
reading of the statute is internally inconsistent and would create a 
conflict with the nonattainment provisions in part D of title I of the 
CAA, which specifically address nonattainment SIP requirements.\4\ 
Section 110(a)(2)(I) pertains to nonattainment SIP requirements and 
part D addresses when attainment plan SIP submissions to address 
nonattainment area requirements are due. For example, section 172(b) 
requires EPA to establish a schedule for submission of such plans for 
certain pollutants when the Administrator promulgates the designation 
of an area as nonattainment, and section 107(d)(1)(B) allows up to two 
years, or in some cases three years, for such designations to be 
promulgated.\5\ This ambiguity illustrates that rather than apply all 
the stated requirements of section 110(a)(2) in a strict literal sense, 
EPA must determine which provisions of section 110(a)(2) are applicable 
for a particular infrastructure SIP submission.
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    \4\ See, e.g., ``Rule To Reduce Interstate Transport of Fine 
Particulate Matter and Ozone (Clean Air Interstate Rule); Revisions 
to Acid Rain Program; Revisions to the NO<INF>X</INF> SIP Call; 
Final Rule,'' 70 FR 25162, at 25163-65 (May 12, 2005) (explaining 
relationship between timing requirement of section 110(a)(2)(D) 
versus section 110(a)(2)(I)).
    \5\ EPA notes that this ambiguity within section 110(a)(2) is 
heightened by the fact that various subparts of part D set specific 
dates for submission of certain types of SIP submissions in 
designated nonattainment areas for various pollutants. Note, e.g., 
that section 182(a)(1) provides specific dates for submission of 
emissions inventories for the ozone NAAQS. Some of these specific 
dates are necessarily later than three years after promulgation of 
the new or revised NAAQS.
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    Another example of ambiguity within sections 110(a)(1) and 
110(a)(2) with respect to infrastructure SIPs pertains to whether 
states must meet all of the infrastructure SIP requirements in a single 
SIP submission, and whether EPA must act upon such SIP submission in a 
single action. Although section 110(a)(1) directs states to submit ``a 
plan'' to meet these requirements, EPA interprets the CAA to allow 
states to make multiple SIP submissions

[[Page 74049]]

separately addressing infrastructure SIP elements for the same NAAQS. 
If states elect to make such multiple SIP submissions to meet the 
infrastructure SIP requirements, EPA can elect to act on such 
submissions either individually or in a larger combined action.\6\ 
Similarly, EPA interprets the CAA to allow it to take action on the 
individual parts of one larger, comprehensive infrastructure SIP 
submission for a given NAAQS without concurrent action on the entire 
submission. For example, EPA has sometimes elected to act at different 
times on various elements and sub-elements of the same infrastructure 
SIP submission.\7\
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    \6\ See, e.g., ``Approval and Promulgation of Implementation 
Plans; New Mexico; Revisions to the New Source Review (NSR) State 
Implementation Plan (SIP); Prevention of Significant Deterioration 
(PSD) and Nonattainment New Source Review (NNSR) Permitting,'' 78 FR 
4339 (January 22, 2013) (EPA's final action approving the structural 
PSD elements of the New Mexico SIP submitted by the State separately 
to meet the requirements of EPA's 2008 PM<INF>2.5</INF> NSR rule), 
and ``Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; 
New Mexico; Infrastructure and Interstate Transport Requirements for 
the 2006 PM<INF>2.5</INF> NAAQS,'' (78 FR 4337) (January 22, 2013) 
(EPA's final action on the infrastructure SIP for the 2006 
PM<INF>2.5</INF> NAAQS).
    \7\ On December 14, 2007, the State of Tennessee, through the 
Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, made a SIP 
revision to EPA demonstrating that the State meets the requirements 
of sections 110(a)(1) and (2). EPA proposed action for 
infrastructure SIP elements (C) and (J) on January 23, 2012 (77 FR 
3213) and took final action on March 14, 2012 (77 FR 14976). On 
April 16, 2012 (77 FR 22533) and July 23, 2012 (77 FR 42997), EPA 
took separate proposed and final actions on all other section 
110(a)(2) infrastructure SIP elements of Tennessee's December 14, 
2007 submittal.
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    Ambiguities within sections 110(a)(1) and 110(a)(2) may also arise 
with respect to infrastructure SIP submission requirements for 
different NAAQS. Thus, EPA notes that not every element of section 
110(a)(2) would be relevant, or as relevant, or relevant in the same 
way, for each new or revised NAAQS. The states' attendant 
infrastructure SIP submissions for each NAAQS therefore could be 
different. The monitoring requirements that a state might need to meet 
in its infrastructure SIP submission for purposes of section 
110(a)(2)(B) could be very different for different pollutants, for 
example, because the content and scope of a state's infrastructure SIP 
submission to meet this element might be very different for an entirely 
new NAAQS than for a minor revision to an existing NAAQS.\8\
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    \8\ For example, implementation of the 1997 PM<INF>2.5</INF> 
NAAQS required the deployment of a system of new monitors to measure 
ambient levels of that new indicator species for the new NAAQS.
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    EPA notes that interpretation of section 110(a)(2) is also 
necessary when EPA reviews other types of SIP submissions required 
under the CAA. Therefore, as with infrastructure SIP submissions, EPA 
also has to identify and interpret the relevant elements of section 
110(a)(2) that logically apply to these other types of SIP submissions. 
For example, section 172(c)(7) requires that attainment plan SIP 
submissions required by part D have to meet the ``applicable 
requirements'' of section 110(a)(2). Thus, for example, attainment plan 
SIP submissions must meet the requirements of section 110(a)(2)(A) 
regarding enforceable emission limits and control measures and section 
110(a)(2)(E)(i) regarding air agency resources and authority. By 
contrast, it is clear that attainment plan SIP submissions required by 
part D would not need to meet the portion of section 110(a)(2)(C) that 
pertains to the PSD program required in part C of title I of the CAA, 
because PSD does not apply to a pollutant for which an area is 
designated nonattainment and thus subject to part D planning 
requirements. As this example illustrates, each type of SIP submission 
may implicate some elements of section 110(a)(2) but not others.
    Given the potential for ambiguity in some of the statutory language 
of section 110(a)(1) and section 110(a)(2), EPA believes that it is 
appropriate to interpret the ambiguous portions of section 110(a)(1) 
and section 110(a)(2) in the context of acting on a particular SIP 
submission. In other words, EPA assumes that Congress could not have 
intended that each and every SIP submission, regardless of the NAAQS in 
question or the history of SIP development for the relevant pollutant, 
would meet each of the requirements, or meet each of them in the same 
way. Therefore, EPA has adopted an approach under which it reviews 
infrastructure SIP submissions against the list of elements in section 
110(a)(2), but only to the extent each element applies for that 
particular NAAQS.
    Historically, EPA has elected to use guidance documents to make 
recommendations to states for infrastructure SIPs, in some cases 
conveying needed interpretations on newly arising issues and in some 
cases conveying interpretations that have already been developed and 
applied to individual SIP submissions for particular elements.\9\ EPA 
most recently issued guidance for infrastructure SIPs on September 13, 
2013 (2013 Guidance).\10\ EPA developed this document to provide states 
with up-to-date guidance for infrastructure SIPs for any new or revised 
NAAQS. Within this guidance, EPA describes the duty of states to make 
infrastructure SIP submissions to meet basic structural SIP 
requirements within three years of promulgation of a new or revised 
NAAQS. EPA also made recommendations about many specific subsections of 
section 110(a)(2) that are relevant in the context of infrastructure 
SIP submissions.\11\ The guidance also discusses the substantively 
important issues that are germane to certain subsections of section 
110(a)(2). Significantly, EPA interprets sections 110(a)(1) and 
110(a)(2) such that infrastructure SIP submissions need to address 
certain issues and need not address others. Accordingly, EPA reviews 
each infrastructure SIP submission for compliance with the applicable 
statutory provisions of section 110(a)(2), as appropriate.
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    \9\ EPA notes, however, that nothing in the CAA requires EPA to 
provide guidance or to promulgate regulations for infrastructure SIP 
submissions. The CAA directly applies to states and requires the 
submission of infrastructure SIP submissions, regardless of whether 
or not EPA provides guidance or regulations pertaining to such 
submissions. EPA elects to issue such guidance in order to assist 
states, as appropriate.
    \10\ ``Guidance on Infrastructure State Implementation Plan 
(SIP) Elements under Clean Air Act Sections 110(a)(1) and 
110(a)(2),'' Memorandum from Stephen D. Page, September 13, 2013.
    \11\ EPA's September 13, 2013, guidance did not make 
recommendations with respect to infrastructure SIP submissions to 
address section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I). EPA issued the guidance shortly 
after the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to review the D.C. Circuit 
decision in EME Homer City, 696 F.3d7 (D.C. Cir. 2012) which had 
interpreted the requirements of section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I). In light 
of the uncertainty created by ongoing litigation, EPA elected not to 
provide additional guidance on the requirements of section 
110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) at that time. As the guidance is neither binding 
nor required by statute, whether EPA elects to provide guidance on a 
particular section has no impact on a state's CAA obligations.
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    As an example, section 110(a)(2)(E)(ii) is a required element of 
section 110(a)(2) for infrastructure SIP submissions. Under this 
element, a state must meet the substantive requirements of section 128, 
which pertain to state boards that approve permits or enforcement 
orders and heads of executive agencies with similar powers. Thus, EPA 
reviews infrastructure SIP submissions to ensure that the state's SIP 
appropriately addresses the requirements of section 110(a)(2)(E)(ii) 
and section 128. The 2013 Guidance explains EPA's interpretation that 
there may be a variety of ways by which states can appropriately 
address these substantive statutory requirements, depending on the 
structure of an individual state's permitting or enforcement program 
(e.g., whether permits and enforcement orders are

[[Page 74050]]

approved by a multi-member board or by a head of an executive agency). 
However they are addressed by the state, the substantive requirements 
of section 128 are necessarily included in EPA's evaluation of 
infrastructure SIP submissions because section 110(a)(2)(E)(ii) 
explicitly requires that the state satisfy the provisions of section 
128.
    As another example, EPA's review of infrastructure SIP submissions 
with respect to the PSD program requirements in sections 110(a)(2)(C), 
(D)(i)(II), and (J) focuses upon the structural PSD program 
requirements contained in part C and EPA's PSD regulations. Structural 
PSD program requirements include provisions necessary for the PSD 
program to address all regulated sources and New Source Review (NSR) 
pollutants. By contrast, structural PSD program requirements do not 
include provisions that are not required under EPA's regulations at 40 
CFR 51.166 but are merely available as an option for the state, such as 
the option to provide grandfathering of complete permit applications 
with respect to the 2008 Pb NAAQS. Accordingly, the latter optional 
provisions are types of provisions EPA considers irrelevant in the 
context of an infrastructure SIP action.
    For other section 110(a)(2) elements, however, EPA's review of a 
state's infrastructure SIP submission focuses on assuring that the 
state's SIP meets basic structural requirements. For example, section 
110(a)(2)(C) includes, inter alia, the requirement that states have a 
program to regulate minor new sources. Thus, EPA evaluates whether the 
state has an EPA-approved minor new source review program and whether 
the program addresses the pollutants relevant to that NAAQS. In the 
context of acting on an infrastructure SIP submission, however, EPA 
does not think it is necessary to conduct a review of each and every 
provision of a state's existing minor source program (i.e., already in 
the existing SIP) for compliance with the requirements of the CAA and 
EPA's regulations that pertain to such programs.
    With respect to certain other issues, EPA does not believe that an 
action on a state's infrastructure SIP submission is necessarily the 
appropriate type of action in which to address possible deficiencies in 
a state's existing SIP. These issues include: (i) Existing provisions 
related to excess emissions from sources during periods of startup, 
shutdown, or malfunction that may be contrary to the CAA and EPA's 
policies addressing such excess emissions (``SSM''); (ii) existing 
provisions related to ``director's variance'' or ``director's 
discretion'' that may be contrary to the CAA because they purport to 
allow revisions to SIP-approved emissions limits while limiting public 
process or not requiring further approval by EPA; and (iii) existing 
provisions for PSD programs that may be inconsistent with current 
requirements of EPA's ``Final NSR Improvement Rule,'' 67 FR 80186 
(December 31, 2002), as amended by 72 FR 32526 (June 13, 2007) (``NSR 
Reform''). Thus, EPA believes it may approve an infrastructure SIP 
submission without scrutinizing the totality of the existing SIP for 
such potentially deficient provisions and may approve the submission 
even if it is aware of such existing provisions.\12\ It is important to 
note that EPA's approval of a state's infrastructure SIP submission 
should not be construed as explicit or implicit re-approval of any 
existing potentially deficient provisions that relate to the three 
specific issues just described.
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    \12\ By contrast, EPA notes that if a state were to include a 
new provision in an infrastructure SIP submission that contained a 
legal deficiency, such as a new exemption for excess emissions 
during SSM events, then EPA would need to evaluate that provision 
for compliance against the rubric of applicable CAA requirements in 
the context of the action on the infrastructure SIP.
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    EPA's approach to review of infrastructure SIP submissions is to 
identify the CAA requirements that are logically applicable to that 
submission. EPA believes that this approach to the review of a 
particular infrastructure SIP submission is appropriate, because it 
would not be reasonable to read the general requirements of section 
110(a)(1) and the list of elements in 110(a)(2) as requiring review of 
each and every provision of a state's existing SIP against all 
requirements in the CAA and EPA regulations merely for purposes of 
assuring that the state in question has the basic structural elements 
for a functioning SIP for a new or revised NAAQS. Because SIPs have 
grown by accretion over the decades as statutory and regulatory 
requirements under the CAA have evolved, they may include some outmoded 
provisions and historical artifacts. These provisions, while not fully 
up to date, nevertheless may not pose a significant problem for the 
purposes of ``implementation, maintenance, and enforcement'' of a new 
or revised NAAQS when EPA evaluates adequacy of the infrastructure SIP 
submission. EPA believes that a better approach is for states and EPA 
to focus attention on those elements of section 110(a)(2) of the CAA 
most likely to warrant a specific SIP revision due to the promulgation 
of a new or revised NAAQS or other factors.
    For example, EPA's 2013 Guidance gives simpler recommendations with 
respect to carbon monoxide than other NAAQS pollutants to meet the 
visibility requirements of section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II), because carbon 
monoxide does not affect visibility. As a result, an infrastructure SIP 
submission for any future new or revised NAAQS for carbon monoxide need 
only state this fact in order to address the visibility prong of 
section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II). Finally, EPA believes that its approach 
with respect to infrastructure SIP requirements is based on a 
reasonable reading of sections 110(a)(1) and 110(a)(2) because the CAA 
provides other avenues and mechanisms to address specific substantive 
deficiencies in existing SIPs. These other statutory tools allow EPA to 
take appropriately tailored action, depending upon the nature and 
severity of the alleged SIP deficiency. Section 110(k)(5) authorizes 
EPA to issue a ``SIP call'' whenever the Agency determines that a 
state's SIP is substantially inadequate to attain or maintain the 
NAAQS, to mitigate interstate transport, or to otherwise comply with 
the CAA.\13\ Section 110(k)(6) authorizes EPA to correct errors in past 
actions, such as past approvals of SIP submissions.\14\ Significantly, 
EPA's determination that an action on a state's infrastructure SIP 
submission is not the appropriate time and place to address all 
potential existing SIP deficiencies does not preclude EPA's subsequent 
reliance on provisions in section 110(a)(2) as part of the basis for 
action to correct those deficiencies at a later time. For example, 
although it may not be appropriate to require a state to eliminate all 
existing inappropriate director's discretion provisions in the course 
of acting on an

[[Page 74051]]

infrastructure SIP submission, EPA believes that section 110(a)(2)(A) 
may be among the statutory bases that EPA relies upon in the course of 
addressing such deficiency in a subsequent action.\15\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \13\ For example, EPA issued a SIP call to Utah to address 
specific existing SIP deficiencies related to the treatment of 
excess emissions during SSM events. See ``Finding of Substantial 
Inadequacy of Implementation Plan; Call for Utah State 
Implementation Plan Revisions,'' 74 FR 21639 (April 18, 2011).
    \14\ EPA has used this authority to correct errors in past 
actions on SIP submissions related to PSD programs. See ``Limitation 
of Approval of Prevention of Significant Deterioration Provisions 
Concerning Greenhouse Gas Emitting-Sources in State Implementation 
Plans; Final Rule,'' 75 FR 82536 (December 30, 2010). EPA has 
previously used its authority under CAA section 110(k)(6) to remove 
numerous other SIP provisions that the Agency determined it had 
approved in error. See, e.g., 61 FR 38664 (July 25, 1996) and 62 FR 
34641 (June 27, 1997) (corrections to American Samoa, Arizona, 
California, Hawaii, and Nevada SIPs); 69 FR 67062 (November 16, 
2004) (corrections to California SIP); and 74 FR 57051 (November 3, 
2009) (corrections to Arizona and Nevada SIPs).
    \15\ See, e.g., EPA's disapproval of a SIP submission from 
Colorado on the grounds that it would have included a director's 
discretion provision inconsistent with CAA requirements, including 
section 110(a)(2)(A). See, e.g., 75 FR 42342 at 42344 (July 21, 
2010) (proposed disapproval of director's discretion provisions); 76 
FR 4540 (Jan. 26, 2011) (final disapproval of such provisions).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

V. What did New York submit?

    New York's section 110 infrastructure submittal which addressed the 
2008 Pb NAAQS was submitted by the New York State Department of 
Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) on October 13, 2011. New York's 
October 13, 2011 section 110 submittal demonstrates how the State, 
where applicable, has a plan in place that meets the requirements of 
section 110 for the 2008 Pb NAAQS. This plan references the current New 
York Air Quality SIP, the New York Codes of Rules and Regulations 
(NYCRR), the New York Environmental Conservation Law (ECL) and the New 
York Public Officer's Law (POL). The NYCRR, ECL and POL referenced in 
the submittal are publicly available. New York's SIP and air pollution 
control regulations that have been previously approved by EPA and 
incorporated into the New York SIP can be found at 40 CFR 52.1670 and 
are posted on the Internet at: http://www.epa.gov/region02/air/sip/ny_reg.htm.

VI. How has the State addressed the elements of the section 110(a)(1) 
and (2) ``infrastructure'' provisions?

    EPA compared New York's Infrastructure SIP submittal for the 2008 
Pb NAAQS to New York's Infrastructure SIP submittals for the 1997 8-
hour ozone, the 1997 and 2006 fine particulate matter 
(PM<INF>2.5</INF>) and 2010 nitrogen dioxide (NO<INF>2</INF>) NAAQS. On 
June 20, 2013, EPA took final action (see 78 FR 37122) approving 
certain elements and sub-elements of New York's 1997 8-hour ozone and 
the 1997 and 2006 PM<INF>2.5</INF> Infrastructure SIPs. EPA also 
approved certain elements of New York's 2010 NO<INF>2</INF> 
Infrastructure SIP on September 12, 2014. Based upon EPA's comparison, 
EPA has determined that the information provided in New York's 2011 Pb 
Infrastructure SIP is nearly identical to the information provided in 
New York's Infrastructure SIP submittals for the 1997 8-hour ozone, 
1997 and 2006 PM<INF>2.5</INF> and NO<INF>2</INF> NAAQS. Infrastructure 
SIPs for different criteria pollutants can have common aspects which 
are identical for each NAAQS (e.g., authority to promulgate emission 
limitations, enforcement, air quality modeling capabilities, adequate 
personnel, resources and legal authority). The rationale for approving 
certain elements of New York's Infrastructure SIP for Pb is the same as 
the rationale for approving those elements of New York's 1997 8-hour 
ozone, 1997 and 2006 PM<INF>2.5</INF> and NO<INF>2</INF> Infrastructure 
SIPs. Since the rationale for approving certain elements of New York's 
Pb Infrastructure SIP is the same as the rationale for approving 
certain elements of New York's 1997 8-hour ozone, 1997 and 2006 
PM<INF>2.5</INF>, and NO<INF>2</INF> Infrastructure SIPs, EPA is not 
repeating this evaluation in today's proposal. Instead, the reader is 
referred to EPA's evaluation of the three SIP submittals (the 1997 8-
hour ozone, 1997 and 2006 PM<INF>2.5</INF> and 2010 NO<INF>2</INF> 
Infrastructure SIPs) detailed in the following four documents: (1) 
``Technical Support Document for EPA's Proposed Rulemaking for the New 
York's State Implementation Plan Revision: State Implementation Plan 
Revision For Meeting the Infrastructure Requirements In the Clean Air 
Act Dated December 13, 2007, October 2, 2008 and March 15, 2010'' 
(TSD); (2) EPA's proposed approval dated April 30, 2013 (78 FR 25236); 
and, (3) EPA's June 20, 2013 final rule approving certain elements of 
New York's Infrastructure SIPs for the 1997 8-hour ozone and the 1997 
and 2006 PM<INF>2.5</INF> NAAQS (78 FR 37122) and (4) EPA's proposed 
rulemaking on the 2010 NO<INF>2</INF> (May 2, 2014, 79 FR 25066). These 
documents are available in the electronic docket for this proposed 
action at www.regulations.gov. We are, of course, accepting comments on 
that rationale as it applies to all elements of our proposed approval 
of New York's Infrastructure SIP for the Pb NAAQS.
    EPA is proposing approval of the following elements and sub-
elements of New York's Infrastructure SIP for Pb: 110(a)(2)(A) 
[Emission limits and other control measures]; 110(a)(2)(B) [Ambient air 
quality monitoring/data system]; 110(a)(2)(C) [Program for enforcement 
of control measures, prevention of significant deterioration, and new 
source review]; 110(a)(2)(D) [Interstate/international transport]; 
110(a)(2)(E) [Adequate personnel, funding, and authority]; 110(a)(2)(F) 
[Stationary source monitoring and reporting]; 110(a)(2)(G) [Emergency 
episodes]; 110(a)(2)(H) [Future SIP revisions]; 110(a)(2)(J) 
[Consultation with government official, public notification, PSD, and 
visibility protection]; 110(a)(2)(K) [Air quality modeling and data]; 
110(a)(2)(L) [Permitting fees]; and 110(a)(2)(M) [Consultation/
participation by affected local entities].
    As stated above, there are certain aspects of the elements of New 
York's Infrastructure SIP for the 2008 Pb NAAQS that are common to New 
York's 1997 8-hour ozone, 1997 and 2006 PM<INF>2.5</INF>, and 2010 
NO<INF>2</INF> Infrastructure SIPs that EPA approved on June 20, 2013 
and therefore EPA is not repeating the rationale for approving the 
following elements of New York's Infrastructure SIP for the 2010 Pb 
NAAQS in today's proposal: elements A, E, F, H, J, K, L, and M.
    As discussed in the following sections, for those elements of New 
York's Pb Infrastructure SIP that differ from New York's 1997 8-hour 
ozone and 1997 and 2006 PM<INF>2.5</INF> Infrastructure SIPs, and 2010 
NO<INF>2</INF> Infrastructure SIP, EPA has reviewed and evaluated the 
aspects of those elements, namely elements B, C, D and G.
    Element B: Ambient air quality monitoring/data system: Section 
110(a)(2)(B) requires SIPs to include provisions to provide for 
establishment and operation of ambient air quality monitors, to 
monitor, compile and analyze ambient air quality data, and to make 
these data available to EPA upon request. On December 27, 2010 (75 FR 
81126), EPA finalized additional revisions pertaining to where state 
and local monitoring agencies would be required to conduct Pb 
monitoring. The new regulations (40 CFR 58.10 and 40 CFR 58.13) 
replaced the population-oriented monitoring requirement with a 
requirement to add Pb monitors to urban National Core Monitoring 
Program (NCore), a multi-pollutant network that integrates several 
advanced measurement systems for particles, pollutant gases and 
meteorology. Also, EPA lowered the emission threshold from 1.0 ton(s) 
per year (tpy) to 0.5 tpy for source-specific monitoring of industrial 
sources of Pb.
    New York addressed EPA's new monitoring requirements when it 
submitted its Annual Monitoring Network Review Plan (Plan) of 2014 on 
July 29, 2014. EPA approved this Plan on November 3, 2014. EPA is 
therefore proposing to determine that New York has met the requirements 
of section 110(a)(2)(B) of the CAA with respect to the 2008 Pb NAAQS. A 
copy of New York's 2014 Monitoring Plan and EPA's November 3, 2014 
approval letter are in the docket for today's proposal at 
www.regulations.gov.
    Element C: Program for enforcement of control measures: Section 
110(a)(2)(C) requires states to have a plan that

[[Page 74052]]

includes a program providing for enforcement of all SIP measures and 
the regulation of the modification and construction of any stationary 
source, including a program to meet PSD of Air Quality and minor source 
new source review.
    New York's Infrastructure SIP for Pb references the State's PSD and 
Nonattainment New Source Review (NNSR) permitting requirements 
contained in 6 NYCRR Part 231, Part 200 and Part 201. EPA approved 
these rules into the SIP on November 17, 2010 (75 FR 70140). New York's 
minor source new source review program is regulated under Part 201.
    EPA has reviewed and evaluated New York's Infrastructure SIP for 
the 2008 Pb NAAQS for meeting the requirements of element C. Under Part 
231, a major Pb facility is defined as one with annual actual emissions 
equal to or greater than five tpy. A proposed major Pb facility, or an 
existing major Pb facility that proposes a modification in excess of 
the de minimis emission limit (0.6 tpy for Pb), is subject to the 
relevant program dependent upon its location. A Lowest Achievable 
Emission Rate (LAER) or Best Available Control Technology (BACT) 
analysis would result.
    The Infrastructure SIP ensures that all applicable PSD requirements 
that are included in PSD permits are incorporated into title V 
operating permits, and that all federally-enforceable requirements are 
applied and enforced. Since Pb is a NAAQS, the PSD provisions of Part 
231 are applicable to Pb. For these reasons, EPA concludes that by 
referencing Part 231, which is part of New York's approved SIP, New 
York's Infrastructure SIP addresses the PSD requirements of section 
110(a)(2)(C) for Pb.
    Therefore, EPA proposes to find that the State has adequate 
authority and regulations to ensure that SIP-approved control measures 
are enforced. EPA also finds that based on the approval of New York's 
PSD program, New York has the authority to regulate the construction of 
new or modified stationary sources to meet the PSD program 
requirements. EPA is proposing to determine that New York has met the 
requirements of section 110(a)(2)(C) and (J) of the CAA with respect to 
the 2008 Pb NAAQS. It should be noted that the PSD provisions of Part 
231 address the requirements of section 110(a)(2)(J) as well as section 
110(a)(2)(C) and Part 231's applicability on Pb are consistent.
    Element D: Interstate transport: Section 110(a)(2)(D) of the Clean 
Air Act is divided into two subsections, 110(a)(2)(D)(i) and 
110(a)(2)(D)(ii). The first of these, 110(a)(2)(D)(i), in turn, 
contains four ``prongs'' the first two of which appear in 
110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) and the second two of which appear in 
110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II). The two prongs in 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) prohibit any 
source or other type of emissions activity within the state from 
emitting any air pollutants in amounts which will contribute 
significantly to nonattainment in any other state with respect to any 
primary or secondary NAAQS (prong 1), or interfere with maintenance by 
any other state with respect to any primary or secondary NAAQS (prong 
2). The two prongs in 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II) prohibit any source or other 
type of emissions activity within the state from emitting any air 
pollutants in amounts which will interfere with measures required to be 
included in the applicable implementation plan for any other state 
under part C to prevent significant deterioration of air quality (prong 
3) or to protect visibility (prong 4). Subsection 110(a)(2)(D)(ii) 
addresses interstate and international pollution abatement, and 
requires SIPs to include provisions insuring compliance with sections 
115 and 126 of the CAA, relating to interstate and international 
pollution abatement.
    In this action, EPA is proposing to approve the 110(a)(2)(D) 
portion of the New York SIP submission and determine that the existing 
New York SIP contains provisions sufficient to satisfy all of the 
requirements of 110(a)(2)(D) for the 2008 Pb NAAQS.
    The New York SIP contains provisions to address the requirements of 
110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I), i.e., prongs 1 and 2 of 110(a)(2)(D)(i), with 
respect to the Pb NAAQS. In addition, the physical properties of Pb 
prevent Pb emissions from being transported long distances or from 
participating in complex atmospheric reactions such as PM<INF>2.5</INF> 
or ozone. More specifically, there is a sharp decrease in Pb 
concentrations, at least in the coarse fraction, as the distance from a 
Pb source increases. New York conducted a review of their emissions 
inventory when they made their designation recommendations for the 
revised Pb NAAQS and a survey of facility data showed no facilities 
with emissions of 0.5 tons per year (tpy) or greater existed in close 
proximity to state borders or anywhere within the State of New York. 
New York State is designated either unclassifiable/attainment or 
unclassifiable and current air quality data continues to show 
attainment. Based on New York not having any facilities with emissions 
of 0.5 tpy or greater existing in close proximity to a state border or 
anywhere in the State which might impact a neighboring state, transport 
is not a concern with respect to Pb. EPA is proposing to determine that 
New York's SIP includes adequate provisions to prohibit sources or 
other emission activities within the State from emitting Pb in amounts 
that will contribute significantly to nonattainment or interfere with 
maintenance by any other state with respect specifically to the Pb 
NAAQS.
    To satisfy section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II), New York confirms that new 
major sources of Pb and major modifications are subject to the State's 
PSD program (under prong 3). With regard to the requirement of prong 4 
(the visibility protection requirement), New York states that sources 
of Pb are distanced far enough from any federal Class 1 area as to not 
impact visibility in any significant way. Also, New York states that 
Pb-related visibility impacts in general are considered to be 
insignificant. With regard to the applicable requirements for 
visibility protection of section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II)--prong 4, 
significant impacts from stationary source Pb emissions are expected to 
be limited to short distances from the source and most, if not all, Pb 
stationary sources are located at distances from Class I areas such 
that visibility impacts would be negligible. Although Pb can be a 
component of coarse and fine particles, Pb generally comprises a small 
fraction of coarse and fine particles. Furthermore, when evaluating the 
extent that Pb could impact visibility, Pb-related visibility impacts 
were found to be insignificant (e.g., less than 0.10%).\16\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \16\ Analysis by Mark Schmidt, OAQPS, ``Ambient Pb's 
Contribution to Class I Area Visibility Impairment,'' June 17, 2011.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    With respect to 110(a)(2(D)(ii), New York is not subject to any 
determinations under sections 126 and 115 of the CAA and there are no 
violations related to transport of emissions from sources in the State. 
Based upon EPA's review of the air quality data and the State's 
submittal, EPA is proposing to determine that the State has met its 
obligations pursuant to 110(a)(2)(D) with respect to the 2008 Pb NAAQS.
    Element G: Emergency episodes: Section 110(a)(2)(G) requires states 
to provide for authority to address activities causing imminent and 
substantial endangerment to public health, including contingency plans 
to implement the emergency episode provisions in their SIPs. Based on 
EPA's experience to date with the Pb NAAQS and designating Pb 
nonattainment areas, EPA expects that such an event would

[[Page 74053]]

be unlikely, and if it were to occur, would be the result of a 
malfunction or other emergency situation at a relatively large source 
of lead.
    New York's plan to address air pollution emergencies is stated in 
articles 3 and 19 of the ECL. To prevent and control these emergency 
episodes, the State adopted 6 NYCRR Part 207, ``Control Measures for 
Air Pollution Episode,'' which implements ECL- section 3-0301. Part 207 
requires the owner of a ``significant air contamination source'' to 
submit a proposed episode action plan to the Department of 
Environmental Conservation's Commissioner, containing detailed steps to 
be taken by the source owner to reduce air contaminant emissions at 
each stage of an air pollution episode. The regulation also enables the 
Commissioner to designate air pollution episodes which trigger the 
action plan. In October 2009, New York completed a comprehensive 
revision of its Air Pollution Episode Procedures that involved updating 
the contact information for the Bureaus of Air Quality Assurance, 
Stationary Sources, and Air Quality Surveillance, and the Impact 
Assessment and Meteorology Section, along with local-level emergency 
contacts. EPA proposes that New York has met the requirements of 
section 110(a)(2)(G) for Pb.

VII. What is the impact of the June 2014 Supreme Court Green House Gas 
decision on New York's infrastructure SIP for the 2008 Pb NAAQS?

    With respect to Elements C and J, EPA interprets the Clean Air Act 
to require each state to make an infrastructure SIP submission for a 
new or revised NAAQS that demonstrates that the air agency has a 
complete PSD permitting program meeting the current requirements for 
all regulated NSR pollutants. The requirements of Element D(i)(II) may 
also be satisfied by demonstrating the air agency has a complete PSD 
permitting program correctly addressing all regulated NSR pollutants. 
New York has shown that it currently has a PSD program in place that 
covers all regulated NSR pollutants, including greenhouse gases (GHGs).
    On June 23, 2014, the United States Supreme Court issued a decision 
addressing the application of PSD permitting requirements to GHG 
emissions. Utility Air Regulatory Group v. Environmental Protection 
Agency, 134 S.Ct. 2427. The Supreme Court said that the EPA may not 
treat GHGs as an air pollutant for purposes of determining whether a 
source is a major source required to obtain a PSD permit. The Court 
also said that the EPA could continue to require that PSD permits, 
otherwise required based on emissions of pollutants other than GHGs, 
contain limitations on GHG emissions based on the application of Best 
Available Control Technology (BACT). In order to act consistently with 
its understanding of the Court's decision pending further judicial 
action to effectuate the decision, the EPA is not continuing to apply 
EPA regulations that would require that SIPs include permitting 
requirements that the Supreme Court found impermissible. Specifically, 
EPA is not applying the requirement that a state's SIP-approved PSD 
program require that sources obtain PSD permits when GHGs are the only 
pollutant (i) that the source emits or has the potential to emit above 
the major source thresholds, or (ii) for which there is a significant 
emissions increase and a significant net emissions increase from a 
modification (e.g., 40 CFR 51.166(b)(48)(v)). EPA anticipates a need to 
revise federal PSD rules in light of the Supreme Court opinion. In 
addition, EPA anticipates that many states will revise their existing 
SIP-approved PSD programs in light of the Supreme Court's decision. The 
timing and content of subsequent EPA actions with respect to the EPA 
regulations and state PSD program approvals are expected to be informed 
by an additional legal process before the United States District Court 
for the District of Columbia Circuit. At this juncture, EPA is not 
expecting states to have revised their PSD programs for purposes of 
infrastructure SIP submissions and is only evaluating such submissions 
to assure that the state's program correctly addresses GHGs consistent 
with the Supreme Court's decision.
    At present, EPA has determined the New York SIP is sufficient to 
satisfy Elements C, D(i)(II), and J with respect to GHGs because the 
PSD permitting program previously approved by EPA into the SIP 
continues to require that PSD permits (otherwise required based on 
emissions of pollutants other than GHGs) contain limitations on GHG 
emissions based on the application of BACT. Although the approved New 
York PSD permitting program may currently contain provisions that are 
no longer necessary in light of the Supreme Court decision, this does 
not render the infrastructure SIP submission inadequate to satisfy 
Elements C, D(i)(II), and J. The SIP contains the necessary PSD 
requirements at this time, and the application of those requirements is 
not impeded by the presence of other previously-approved provisions 
regarding the permitting of sources of GHGs that EPA does not consider 
necessary at this time in light of the Supreme Court decision. 
Accordingly, the Supreme Court decision does not affect EPA's proposed 
approval of New York's infrastructure SIP as to the requirements of 
Elements C, D(i)(II), and J.

VIII. What action is EPA taking?

    EPA is proposing to approve New York's submittal as fully meeting 
the infrastructure requirements for the 2008 primary Pb NAAQS for all 
section 110(a)(2) elements and sub-elements, as follows: (A), (B), (C), 
(D), (E), (F), (G), (H), (J), (K), (L), and (M).
    EPA is not acting on New York's submittal as it relates to 
nonattainment provisions, the NSR program required by part D in section 
110(a)(2)(C) and the measures for attainment required by section 
110(a)(2)(I), as part of the infrastructure SIPs because the State's 
infrastructure SIP submittal does not include nonattainment 
requirements and EPA will act on them when, if necessary, they are 
submitted.
    EPA is soliciting public comments on the issues discussed in this 
proposal. These comments will be considered before EPA takes final 
action. Interested parties may participate in the Federal rulemaking 
procedure by submitting written comments to the EPA Regional Office 
listed in the ADDRESSES section of this Federal Register, or by 
submitting comments electronically, by mail, or through hand delivery 
or courier following the directions in the ADDRESSES section of this 
Federal Register.

IX. 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 CAA 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:
    <bullet> Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' subject to 
review by the Office of Management and Budget under Executive Order 
12866 (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993);
    <bullet> Does not impose an information collection burden under the 
provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.);

[[Page 74054]]

    <bullet> 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.);
    <bullet> Does not contain any unfunded mandate or significantly or 
uniquely affect small governments, as described in the Unfunded 
Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (Public Law 104-4);
    <bullet> Does not have Federalism implications as specified in 
Executive Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10, 1999);
    <bullet> Is not an economically significant regulatory action based 
on health or safety risks subject to Executive Order 13045 (62 FR 
19885, April 23, 1997);
    <bullet> Is not a significant regulatory action subject to 
Executive Order 13211 (66 FR 28355, May 22, 2001);
    <bullet> 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
    <bullet> 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, 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.

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52

    Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Incorporation by 
reference, Intergovernmental relations, Lead, Ozone, Particulate 
matter, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

    Authority:  42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.

    Dated: December 2, 2014.
Judith A. Enck,
 Regional Administrator, Region 2.
[FR Doc. 2014-29332 Filed 12-12-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P


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