Document ID: EPA-R09-OAR-2012-0734-0020
Agency: epa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Withdrawal of Approval of Air Quality Implementation Plans and Findings of Failure To Submit Required Plans: California; San Joaquin Valley; 1-Hour and 8-Hour Ozone Extreme Area Plan Elements
Posted Date: 2012-11-26T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 227 (Monday, November 26, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 70376-70380]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-28217]

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 52

[EPA-R09-OAR-2012-0734; FRL-9753-4]

Withdrawal of Approval of Air Quality Implementation Plans and 
Findings of Failure To Submit Required Plans; California; San Joaquin 
Valley; 1-Hour and 8-Hour Ozone Extreme Area Plan Elements

AGENCY: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: EPA is withdrawing its March 8, 2010 final action approving 
State Implementation Plan (SIP) revisions submitted by California to 
provide for attainment of the 1-hour ozone National Ambient Air Quality 
Standards (NAAQS) in the San Joaquin Valley extreme ozone nonattainment 
area. In addition, EPA is withdrawing its March 1, 2012 determination 
that the California SIP satisfies the requirement regarding offsetting 
emissions growth caused by growth in vehicle miles traveled (VMT) under 
the Clean Air Act (CAA) for the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS in the San 
Joaquin Valley. Finally, EPA is finding that California has failed to 
submit required SIP revisions to provide for attainment of the 1-hour 
ozone NAAQS and to address the VMT emissions offset requirement for the 
1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS in the San Joaquin Valley. Under the CAA, these 
findings of failure to submit trigger the 18-month time clock for 
mandatory imposition of sanctions and the two-year time clock for EPA 
to promulgate federal implementation plans.

DATES: The rule is effective November 26, 2012.

ADDRESSES: EPA has established docket number EPA-R09-OAR-2012-0734 for 
this action. The index to the docket is available electronically at 
www.regulations.gov and in hard copy at EPA Region 9, 75 Hawthorne 
Street, San Francisco, California. While all documents in the docket 
are listed in the index, some may be publicly available only at the 
hard copy location (e.g., copyrighted material) and some may not be 
publicly available at 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: Frances Wicher, Air Planning Office 
(AIR-2), (415) 972-3957, wicher.frances@epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Throughout this document, ``we'', ``us'' and 
``our'' refer to EPA.

Table of Contents

I. San Joaquin Valley 2004 1-Hour Ozone Plan
    A. Withdrawal of EPA's Approval of the 2004 1-Hour Ozone Plan
    B. Finding of Failure To Submit a SIP To Provide for Attainment 
of the 1-Hour Ozone Standards in the SJV Extreme 1-Hour Ozone 
Nonattainment Area
II. VMT Emissions Offset Requirement for the 1997 8-Hour Ozone 
Standards

[[Page 70377]]

    A. Withdrawal of EPA's Determination That the 2007 8-Hour Ozone 
Plan Satisfies the VMT Emissions Offset Requirement in CAA Section 
182(d)(1)(A)
    B. Finding of Failure To Submit a SIP Meeting the CAA Section 
182(d)(1)(A) VMT Emissions Offset Requirement for the SJV Extreme 8-
Hour Ozone Nonattainment Area
III. Final Actions
IV. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

I. San Joaquin Valley 2004 1-Hour Ozone Plan

A. Withdrawal of EPA's Approval of the 2004 1-Hour Ozone Plan

    EPA is withdrawing its March 8, 2010 final action approving SIP 
revisions submitted by California under the CAA to provide for 
attainment of the 1-hour ozone national ambient air quality standards 
(NAAQS) in the San Joaquin Valley (SJV) extreme ozone nonattainment 
area (2004 1-Hour Ozone Plan) (75 FR 10420). The effect of this action 
is to entirely withdraw the 2004 1-Hour Ozone Plan from the applicable 
California SIP. We proposed this action on September 19, 2012 (77 FR 
58078) and provided a 30-day period for the public to submit comments. 
We received no comments.
    EPA is taking this action in response to a decision of the U.S. 
Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in Sierra Club et. al v. EPA, 
671 F.3d 955 (9th Cir. 2012) (Sierra Club). For further background on 
this court decision and EPA's rationale for today's action, please see 
our proposed rule at 77 FR 58078.

B. Finding of Failure To Submit a SIP To Provide for Attainment of the 
1-Hour Ozone Standards in the SJV Extreme 1-Hour Ozone Nonattainment 
Area

    Following our proposed rule to withdraw our March 8, 2010 approval 
of the 2004 1-Hour Ozone Plan into the SIP, California submitted a 
letter stating its intention to withdraw its submission of this plan to 
EPA, effective immediately upon EPA's final withdrawal of the March 8, 
2010 approval. See letter dated October 15, 2012, from James N. 
Goldstene, Executive Officer, California Air Resources Board, to Jared 
Blumenfeld, Regional Administrator, EPA Region 9. As a consequence of 
EPA's final withdrawal of our approval of the 2004 1-Hour Ozone Plan 
and California's simultaneous withdrawal of the 2004 1-Hour Ozone Plan 
from EPA, the State is now in default of its obligation to submit a SIP 
to provide for attainment of the 1-hour ozone NAAQS in the SJV extreme 
ozone nonattainment area.\1\ Therefore, simultaneously with this 
withdrawal of approval, EPA is finding that California has failed to 
submit an extreme area plan to provide for attainment of the 1-hour 
ozone NAAQS in the SJV nonattainment area.
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    \1\ California was obligated to submit SIP revisions to address 
the requirement in CAA section 182(d)(1)(A) regarding offsetting 
emissions growth caused by growth in VMT for the 1-hour ozone 
standard in SJV no later than May 31, 2002, and additional SIP 
revisions meeting the CAA's extreme area requirements for the 1-hour 
ozone standard in SJV no later than November 15, 2004. See 66 FR 
56476, 56481 (November 8, 2001) (final rule finding that SJV failed 
to attain 1-hour ozone NAAQS by applicable attainment date and 
reclassifying SJV from ``serious'' to ``severe'' nonattainment, 
effective December 10, 2001) and 69 FR 20550 (April 16, 2004) (final 
rule reclassifying SJV from ``severe'' to ``extreme'' nonattainment 
for 1-hour ozone NAAQS, effective May 17, 2004).
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    As explained in our proposed rule (77 FR at 58079-80), the plan 
elements under subparts 1 and 2 of part D, title I of the CAA that 
California is required to submit for the 1-hour ozone NAAQS for the SJV 
are as follows: (1) A rate of progress (ROP) demonstration meeting the 
requirements of CAA sections 172(c)(2) and 182(c)(2); (2) ROP 
contingency measures meeting the requirements of CAA sections 172(c)(9) 
and 182(c)(9); (3) an attainment demonstration meeting the requirements 
of CAA sections 182(c)(2)(A) and 172(a)(2); (4) attainment contingency 
measures meeting the requirements of CAA sections 172(c)(9); (5) a 
reasonably available control measures (RACM) demonstration meeting the 
requirements of CAA section 172(c)(1); (6) provisions satisfying the 
requirements for clean fuels/clean technologies for boilers in CAA 
182(e)(3); and (7) provisions satisfying the vehicle miles traveled 
(VMT) provisions of CAA section 182(d)(1)(A). See 40 CFR 51.905(a)(1) 
and 51.900(f); see also 75 FR 10420, 10436-37.
    This finding of failure to submit is not subject to the notice-and-
comment requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), 5 
U.S.C. 553(b). EPA believes that because of the limited time provided 
by the CAA to make findings of failure to submit, Congress did not 
intend such findings to be subject to notice-and-comment rulemaking. 
However, to the extent such findings are subject to notice-and-comment 
rulemaking, we invoke the good cause exception pursuant to APA section 
553(b)(3)(B). Notice and comment are unnecessary because no EPA 
judgment is involved in making a non-substantive finding of failure to 
submit SIPs required by the CAA. Furthermore, notice and comment would 
be contrary to the public interest because it would divert EPA 
resources from the critical substantive review of complete SIPs. See 58 
FR 51270, 51272, note 7 (October 1, 1993); 59 FR 39832, 39853 (August 
4, 1994).

II. VMT Emissions Offset Requirement for 1997 8-Hour Ozone Standards

A. Withdrawal of EPA's Determination That the 2007 8-Hour Ozone Plan 
Satisfies the VMT Emissions Offset Requirement in CAA Section 
182(d)(1)(A)

    EPA is withdrawing its March 1, 2012 determination that 
California's SIP to provide for attainment of the 1997 8-hour ozone 
NAAQS \2\ in the SJV extreme ozone nonattainment area (2007 8-Hour 
Ozone Plan) satisfies the requirement regarding emissions growth caused 
by growth in vehicle miles traveled in CAA section 182(d)(1)(A) for the 
1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS. Section 182(d)(1)(A) of the Act requires, in 
relevant part, that each state containing a ``severe'' or ``extreme'' 
ozone nonattainment area submit a SIP revision that identifies and 
adopts specific enforceable transportation control strategies and 
measures to offset any growth in emissions from growth in vehicle miles 
traveled or numbers of vehicle trips in the area (VMT emissions offset 
requirement).\3\ We proposed this action on September 19, 2012 (77 FR 
58078) and provided a 30-day period for the public to submit comments. 
We received no comments.
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    \2\ All references in this preamble to the 8-hour NAAQS are to 
the 0.08 parts per million standards established in 1997 at 40 CFR 
50.10(b).
    \3\ CAA section 182(d)(1)(A) also requires states to adopt 
transportation control strategies and measures as necessary to 
demonstrate attainment and reasonable further progress. These 
requirements of section 182(d)(1)(A) are not at issue in this 
action.
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    EPA is taking this action in response to a decision of the U.S. 
Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in Association of Irritated 
Residents v. EPA, 632 F.3d 584 (9th Cir. 2011), reprinted as amended on 
January 27, 2012, 686 F.3d 668, further amended February 13, 2012 
(AIR). For further background on this court decision and EPA's 
rationale for today's action, please see our proposed rule at 77 FR 
58078.
    This withdrawal of approval is limited to our determination that 
the 2007 8-Hour Ozone Plan satisfies the VMT emissions offset 
requirement in CAA section 182(d)(1)(A) for the 1997 8-hour ozone 
NAAQS. All other determinations in our March 1, 2012 final rule 
approving the 2007 8-Hour Ozone Plan at 77 FR 12652 remain unchanged 
and in effect.

[[Page 70378]]

B. Finding of Failure To Submit a SIP Meeting the CAA Section 
182(d)(1)(A) VMT Emissions Offset Requirement for the SJV 8-Hour Ozone 
Nonattainment Area

    EPA's determination that the 2007 8-Hour Ozone Plan satisfies the 
VMT emissions offset requirement for the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS was 
made in the absence of any specific demonstration submitted by the 
State for this purpose and was based on EPA's evaluation of emissions 
inventory data submitted as part of the 2007 8-Hour Ozone Plan. See 76 
FR 57846, 57863 (September 16, 2011) and 77 FR 12652, 12666 and 12670 
(March 1, 2012). Thus, as a consequence of our withdrawal of our 
determination that the 2007 8-Hour Ozone Plan satisfies the VMT 
emissions offset requirement in CAA section 182(d)(1)(A), California is 
now in default of its obligation to submit a SIP revision meeting this 
CAA requirement for the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS in the SJV extreme 
ozone nonattainment area.\4\ Therefore, simultaneously with this 
withdrawal of approval, EPA is finding that California has failed to 
submit a required SIP revision to meet the VMT emissions offset 
requirement in CAA section 182(d)(1)(A) for the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS 
in the SJV extreme ozone nonattainment area.
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    \4\ Consistent with CAA section 182(d)(1)(A) and EPA's 
implementation regulations for the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS at 40 CFR 
part 51, subpart X, we interpret the 2-year timeframe for submission 
of the VMT emissions offset SIP for the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS to 
run from the effective date of EPA's reclassification of SJV from 
``serious'' to ``extreme'' nonattainment for this standard. 
Accordingly, California was obligated to submit a VMT emissions 
offset SIP for the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS for the SJV area no later 
than June 4, 2012. See 75 FR 24409 (May 5, 2010) (final rule 
reclassifying SJV from ``serious'' to ``extreme'' nonattainment for 
1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS, effective June 4, 2010).
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    This finding of failure to submit is not subject to the notice-and-
comment requirements of the APA. EPA believes that because of the 
limited time provided by the CAA to make findings of failure to submit, 
Congress did not intend such findings to be subject to notice-and-
comment rulemaking. However, to the extent such findings are subject to 
notice-and-comment rulemaking, we invoke the good cause exception 
pursuant to APA section 553(b)(3)(B). Notice and comment are 
unnecessary because no EPA judgment is involved in making a non-
substantive finding of failure to submit SIPs required by the CAA. 
Furthermore, notice and comment would be contrary to the public 
interest because it would divert EPA resources from the critical 
substantive review of complete SIPs. See 58 FR 51270, 51272, note 7 
(October 1, 1993); 59 FR 39832, 39853 (August 4, 1994).

III. Final Actions

A. Withdrawals of Approvals

    EPA is withdrawing its March 8, 2010 final action approving the 
2004 1-Hour Ozone Plan, which California submitted to provide for 
attainment of the 1-hour ozone NAAQS in the SJV extreme ozone 
nonattainment area (75 FR 10420, March 8, 2010).
    In addition, EPA is withdrawing its March 1, 2012 determination 
that the 2007 8-Hour Ozone Plan, which California submitted to provide 
for attainment of the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS in the SJV, satisfies the 
VMT emissions offset requirement in CAA section 182(d)(1)(A) for the 
1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS in the SJV extreme ozone nonattainment area (77 
FR 12652 at 12670, March 1, 2012).

B. Findings of Failure To Submit Required SIP Revisions

    As a consequence of EPA's final withdrawal of our previous approval 
of the 2004 1-Hour Ozone Plan and California's simultaneous withdrawal 
of its submission of the 2004 1-Hour Ozone Plan, EPA is finding that 
California has failed to submit a required SIP revision to provide for 
attainment of the 1-hour ozone NAAQS in the SJV extreme ozone 
nonattainment area.
    In addition, as a consequence of EPA's withdrawal of our 
determination that the 2007 8-Hour Ozone Plan satisfies the VMT 
emissions offset requirement in CAA section 182(d)(1)(A) for the 1997 
8-hour ozone NAAQS, EPA is finding that California has failed to submit 
a required SIP revision that identifies and adopts transportation 
control strategies and measures to offset any growth in emissions from 
growth in VMT or the numbers of vehicle trips as required by CAA 
section 182(d)(1)(A) for the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS in the SJV extreme 
ozone nonattainment area.
    Under CAA section 179(a), a finding of failure to submit a plan or 
plan element required by part D of title I of the Act triggers sanction 
clocks under CAA section 179(b). These clocks run from the effective 
date of EPA's finding. The first sanction, the offset sanction in CAA 
section 179(b)(2), will apply in the SJV extreme ozone nonattainment 
area 18 months from November 26, 2012. The second sanction, highway 
funding sanctions in CAA section 179(b)(1), will apply in the area six 
months after the offset sanction is imposed, in accordance with 40 CFR 
52.31. The State can end these sanction clocks or lift any imposed 
sanctions by making complete SIP submittals addressing the CAA's 
extreme area requirements for the 1-hour ozone NAAQS and the VMT 
emissions offset requirement for the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS in the SJV 
area.
    In addition to these sanctions, CAA section 110(c)(1) provides that 
EPA must promulgate a federal implementation plan addressing the CAA's 
extreme area requirements for the 1-hour ozone NAAQS and the VMT 
emissions offset requirement for the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS in the SJV 
area, no later than two years after November 26, 2012, unless the State 
submits and EPA approves SIP revisions addressing these requirements 
before that date.

C. Effective Date Under the Administrative Procedure Act

    These actions will be effective on November 26, 2012. Under APA 
section 553(d)(3), an agency rulemaking may take effect before 30 days 
after the date of publication in the Federal Register if an agency has 
good cause to specify an earlier effective date. Today's actions to 
withdraw EPA's previous approval of the 2004 1-Hour Ozone Plan and to 
withdraw EPA's previous determination that the 2007 8-Hour Ozone Plan 
satisfies the VMT emissions offset requirement in CAA section 
182(d)(1)(A) for the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS are being taken in 
response to the Ninth Circuit's decisions in the Sierra Club and AIR 
decisions, as discussed above and in our proposed rule. The purpose of 
a delayed effective date is to ensure that regulated entities have 
advance notice of obligations with which they must comply. Because 
today's withdrawal actions do not place a burden on any entity, a 
delayed compliance date is unnecessary. Moreover, because the court has 
ruled that these prior determinations were inconsistent with the CAA, 
it is in the public interest for the effective date of our actions 
withdrawing these approvals to become effective immediately. These 
reasons support an effective date prior to 30 days after the date of 
publication of these withdrawals of approval.
    In addition, EPA's finding that California has failed to submit an 
extreme area plan to provide for attainment of the 1-hour ozone NAAQS 
in the SJV is a necessary consequence of EPA's withdrawal of approval 
of the 2004 1-Hour Ozone Plan and California's simultaneous withdrawal 
of this plan from EPA. Similarly, EPA's

[[Page 70379]]

finding that California has failed to submit a VMT emissions offset SIP 
under CAA section 182(d)(1)(A) for the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS for the 
SJV is a necessary consequence of EPA's withdrawal of its determination 
that the 2007 8-Hour Ozone Plan satisfies this requirement. These 
findings of failure to submit concern required CAA submittals that are 
overdue. We previously cautioned California and the public that we 
would make such findings and that these findings would be effective 
upon publication in the Federal Register. See 77 FR 58078 at 58079, 
58080. Finally, these findings of failure to submit simply start clocks 
that will not result in sanctions against the State for 18 months and 
that the State may turn off by making complete SIP submittals. These 
reasons support an effective date prior to 30 days after the date of 
publication of these findings.

IV. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

A. Executive Order 12866, Regulatory Planning and Review

    This action is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under the 
terms of Executive Order 12866 and is therefore not subject to review 
under it.

B. Paperwork Reduction Act

    This action does not impose an information collection burden under 
the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. 
Burden is defined at 5 CFR 1320.3(b).

C. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) generally requires an agency 
to conduct a regulatory flexibility analysis of any rule subject to 
notice and comment rulemaking requirements unless the agency certifies 
that the rule will not have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities. Small entities include small 
businesses, small not-for-profit enterprises, and small governmental 
jurisdictions.
    This action to withdraw previous EPA approvals and determinations 
and to make findings of failure to submit under the CAA will not have a 
significant impact on a substantial number of small entities because 
this action does not create any new requirements. This action relates 
to the existing requirements in the CAA that states submit SIPs to 
provide for attainment and to meet other applicable CAA requirements in 
each of their 1-hour ozone nonattainment areas and to submit 
transportation control strategies and measures to offset emissions 
growth from growth in VMT or the numbers of vehicle trips in each of 
their severe and extreme 8-hour ozone nonattainment areas. Therefore, 
because this action does not create any new requirements, I certify 
that this action will not have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities.

D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

    Under sections 202 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 
(``Unfunded Mandates Act''), signed into law on March 22, 1995, EPA 
must prepare a budgetary impact statement to accompany any proposed or 
final rule that includes a Federal mandate that may result in estimated 
costs to State, local, or tribal governments in the aggregate; or to 
the private sector, of $100 million or more. Under section 205, EPA 
must select the most cost-effective and least burdensome alternative 
that achieves the objectives of the rule and is consistent with 
statutory requirements. Section 203 requires EPA to establish a plan 
for informing and advising any small governments that may be 
significantly or uniquely impacted by the rule.
    EPA has determined that this action to withdraw previous EPA 
approvals and determinations and to make findings of failure to submit 
under the CAA does not include a Federal mandate that may result in 
estimated costs of $100 million or more to either State, local, or 
tribal governments in the aggregate, or to the private sector. This 
action relates to the existing requirements in the CAA that states 
submit SIPs to provide for attainment and to meet other applicable CAA 
requirements in each of their 1-hour ozone nonattainment areas and to 
submit transportation control strategies and measures to offset 
emissions growth from growth in VMT or the numbers of vehicle trips in 
each of their severe and extreme 8-hour ozone nonattainment areas. 
Accordingly, no additional costs to State, local, or tribal 
governments, or to the private sector, result from this action.

E. Executive Order 13132, Federalism

    This action does not have federalism implications. It will not have 
substantial direct effects on the States, on the relationship between 
the national government and the State, or on the distribution of power 
and responsibilities among the various levels of government, as 
specified in Executive Order 13132. The CAA establishes the scheme 
whereby states take the lead in developing SIPs including SIPs to 
attain the NAAQS and to meet other applicable CAA requirements 
including the VMT emissions offset requirement in CAA section 
182(d)(1)(A)). This action will not modify this relationship. Thus, 
Executive Order 13132 does not apply to this action.

F. Executive Order 13175, Coordination With Indian Tribal Governments

    This final action does not have tribal implications, as specified 
in Executive Order 13175. It will not have substantial direct effects 
on tribal governments, on the relationship between the Federal 
government and Indian tribes, or on the distribution of power and 
responsibilities between the Federal government and Indian tribes. 
Thus, Executive Order 13175 does not apply to this final action.

G. Executive Order 13045, Protection of Children From Environmental 
Health Risks and Safety Risks

    EPA interprets Executive Order 13045 (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997) 
as applying only to those regulatory actions that concern health or 
safety risks, such that the analysis required under section 5-501 of 
the Executive Order has the potential to influence the regulation. This 
action is not subject to Executive Order 13045 because it is 
withdrawing previous EPA approvals and determinations and making 
findings that California has failed to submit a SIP that meets the 
requirements of CAA the SJV extreme ozone nonattainment area. The 
findings of failure to submit establish a 24-month deadline for EPA to 
promulgate a FIP to address the outstanding SIP requirements unless, 
prior to that time, California submits, and EPA approves, the required 
SIPs.

H. Executive Order 13211, Actions That Significantly Affect Energy 
Supply, Distribution, or Use

    This rule is not subject to Executive Order 13211, ``Actions 
Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, 
Distribution, or Use'' (66 FR 28355, May 22, 2001) because it is not a 
significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866.

I. National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act

    Section 12 of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act 
(NTTAA) of 1995 requires Federal agencies to evaluate existing 
technical standards when developing a new regulation. To comply with 
NTTAA, EPA must consider and use ``voluntary consensus standards'' 
(VCS) if available and applicable when developing programs and policies 
unless doing so would be inconsistent with applicable law or otherwise 
impractical.

[[Page 70380]]

    EPA believes that VCS are inapplicable to this action. Today's 
action does not require the public to perform activities conducive to 
the use of VCS.

J. Executive Order 12898: Federal Actions To Address Environmental 
Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations

    Executive Order 12898 (59 FR 7629 (February 16, 1994)) establishes 
federal executive policy on environmental justice. Its main provision 
directs federal agencies, to the greatest extent practicable and 
permitted by law, to make environmental justice part of their mission 
by identifying and addressing, as appropriate, disproportionately high 
and adverse human health or environmental effects of their programs, 
policies, and activities on minority populations and low-income 
populations in the United States.
    EPA has determined that this final action will not have 
disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental 
effects on minority or low-income populations because it does not 
directly affect the level of protection provided to human health or the 
environment. This notice is withdrawing previous EPA approvals and 
determinations and making findings that California has failed to submit 
SIPs that meet certain requirements of CAA for the SJV extreme ozone 
nonattainment area.

K. Congressional Review Act

    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 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 rule 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. 
section 804(2). This rule is effective on November 26, 2012.

L. Petitions for Judicial Review

    Under CAA section 307(b)(1), petitions for judicial review of this 
action must be filed in the United States Court of Appeals for the 
appropriate circuit by January 25, 2013. Filing a petition for 
reconsideration by the Administrator of this final action does not 
affect the finality of this rule 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. 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, Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone, 
Volatile organic compounds.

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

    Dated: November 9, 2012.
Jared Blumenfeld,
EPA Regional Administrator, Region 9.

    For the reasons discussed in the preamble, EPA amends 40 CFR part 
52 to read as follows:

PART 52--APPROVAL AND PROMULGATION OF IMPLEMENTATION PLANS

0
1. The authority citation for part 52 continues to read as follows:

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

Subpart F--California

0
2. Section 52.220 is amended by:
0
a. Removing and reserving paragraphs (c)(317)(i)(B) and (c)(339)(i)(B);
0
b. Removing paragraph (c)(339)(ii)(C); and
0
c. Removing and reserving paragraphs (c)(369) and (c)(370) to read as 
follows:

Sec.  52.220  Identification of plan.

* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (317) * * *
    (i) * * *
    (B) [Reserved]
* * * * *
    (339) * * *
    (i) * * *
    (B) [Reserved]
* * * * *
    (369) [Reserved]
    (370) [Reserved]
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2012-28217 Filed 11-23-12; 8:45 am]
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