Document ID: EPA-HQ-OAR-2020-0240-0021
Agency: epa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Final Anti-backsliding Determination for Renewable Fuels and Air Quality
Posted Date: 2021-01-15T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 10 (Friday, January 15, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 3827]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-00271]

[[Page 3827]]

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

 40 CFR Part 80

 [EPA-HQ-OAR-2020-0240; FRL-10017-21-OAR]

Final Anti-Backsliding Determination for Renewable Fuels and Air 
Quality

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined that 
no additional measures are necessary pursuant to Clean Air Act (CAA) 
section 211(v) to mitigate the adverse air quality impacts of the 
renewable fuel volumes required under CAA section 211(o).

DATES: January 15, 2021.

ADDRESSES: The EPA has established a docket for this action under 
Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2020-0240. All documents in the docket are 
listed at the https://www.regulations.gov website. 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, is not placed on the 
internet and will be publicly available only in hard copy form. 
Publicly available docket materials are available electronically 
through https://www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rich Cook, Office of Transportation 
and Air Quality, Assessment and Standards Division, Environmental 
Protection Agency, 2000 Traverwood Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48105; 
telephone number: 734-214-4827; email address: cook.rich@epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    CAA section 211(v) requires EPA to take two actions. First, EPA 
must complete ``a study to determine whether the renewable fuel volumes 
required under [CAA section 211(o)] will adversely impact air quality 
as a result in changes of vehicle and engine emissions of air 
pollutants.'' The study, commonly known as the ``anti-backsliding 
study,'' must include consideration of different blend levels, types of 
renewable fuels, and available vehicle technologies, as well as 
appropriate national, regional, and local air quality control measures. 
EPA has completed the required study, which is available in the docket 
for this action and at https://www.epa.gov/renewable-fuel-standard-program/anti-backsliding-determination-and-study.
    Second, considering the results of the study, EPA must proceed down 
one of two paths: Either ``promulgate fuel regulations to implement 
appropriate measures to mitigate, to the greatest extent achievable. . 
.any adverse impacts on air quality, as a result of the renewable 
volumes required by [Section 211]'' or ``make a determination that no 
such measures are necessary.''
    EPA announced its proposed determination on June 8, 2020 (85 FR 
35048) and invited public comment. The proposed determination is 
available in the docket for this action and at https://www.epa.gov/renewable-fuel-standard-program/anti-backsliding-determination-and-study.

II. Final Determination

    After considering public comment, we determine, as proposed, that 
no additional appropriate fuel control measures are necessary to 
mitigate adverse air quality impacts of required renewable fuel 
volumes. More information on this determination can be found in the 
supporting document, which is available in the docket for this action 
and at https://www.epa.gov/renewable-fuel-standard-program/anti-backsliding-determination-and-study.

    Dated: January 5, 2021.
Andrew Wheeler,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2021-00271 Filed 1-14-21; 8:45 am]
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