Document ID: EPA-R03-OAR-2017-0598-0001
Agency: epa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Air Quality State Implementation Plans; Approval and Promulgation: Maryland; Regional Haze Five-Year Progress Report
Posted Date: 2018-08-27T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 166 (Monday, August 27, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 43571-43576]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-18526]

=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 52

[EPA-R03-OAR-2017-0598; FRL-9982-85--Region 3]

Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; 
Maryland; Regional Haze Five-Year Progress Report

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Proposed rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to 
approve a state implementation plan (SIP) revision submitted by the 
State of Maryland. Maryland's SIP revision, the Regional Haze Five-Year 
Progress Report, addresses Clean Air Act (CAA) provisions that require 
the State to submit periodic reports addressing reasonable progress 
goals (RPGs) established for regional haze and to make a determination 
of the adequacy of

[[Page 43572]]

the State's existing regional haze SIP. Maryland's progress report 
notes that the State has implemented the measures that are specified in 
the regional haze SIP which were due to be in place by the date of the 
progress report. The progress report also notes that visibility in 
federal Class I areas that may have been affected by emissions from 
Maryland is improving and that these Class I areas have already met the 
applicable RPGs for 2018. EPA is proposing approval of Maryland's 
progress report and its determination that the State's regional haze 
SIP is adequate to meet these RPGs for the first implementation period, 
which extends through 2018, and requires no substantive revision. This 
action is being taken under the CAA.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before September 26, 
2018.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-R03-
OAR-2017-0598 at http://www.regulations.gov, or via email to 
[email protected]. For comments submitted at Regulations.gov, 
follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Once submitted, 
comments cannot be edited or removed from Regulations.gov. For either 
manner of submission, EPA may publish any comment received to its 
public docket. Do not submit electronically any information you 
consider to be confidential business information (CBI) or other 
information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Multimedia 
submissions (audio, video, etc.) must be accompanied by a written 
comment. The written comment is considered the official comment and 
should include discussion of all points you wish to make. EPA will 
generally not consider comments or comment contents located outside of 
the primary submission (i.e. on the web, cloud, or other file sharing 
system). For additional submission methods, please contact the person 
identified in the ``For Further Information Contact'' section. For the 
full EPA public comment policy, information about CBI or multimedia 
submissions, and general guidance on making effective comments, please 
visit http://www2.epa.gov/dockets/commenting-epa-dockets.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Erin Trouba, (215) 814-2023, or by 
email at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    States are required to submit a progress report in the form of a 
SIP revision that evaluates progress towards visibility improvement in 
the first implementation period, including progress towards the RPGs 
for each mandatory Class I federal area \1\ (Class I area) within the 
state and in each Class I area outside the state which may be affected 
by emissions from within the state. 40 CFR 51.308(g). In addition, the 
provisions of 40 CFR 51.308(h) require states to submit, at the same 
time as the 40 CFR 51.308(g) progress report, a determination of the 
adequacy of the state's existing regional haze SIP. The progress report 
SIP for the first planning period is due five years after submittal of 
the initial regional haze SIP. On February 13, 2012, Maryland submitted 
the State's first regional haze SIP in accordance with 40 CFR 
51.308.\2\ On August 9, 2017, Maryland, through the Maryland Department 
of the Environment (MDE), submitted a progress report, as a revision to 
its SIP, which detailed the progress made in the first planning period 
toward implementation of the Long-Term Strategy (LTS) outlined in the 
2012 regional haze SIP, the visibility improvement measured at Class I 
areas affected by emissions from Maryland, and a determination of the 
adequacy of the State's existing regional haze SIP.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ Areas designated as mandatory Class I federal areas consist 
of national parks exceeding 6,000 acres, wilderness areas and 
national memorial parks exceeding 5000 acres, and all international 
parks that were in existence on August 7, 1977 (42 U.S.C. 7472(a)). 
See 40 CFR part 81, subpart D.
    \2\ On July 6, 2012 (77 FR 39938), EPA approved Maryland's 
regional haze SIP submittal addressing the requirements of the first 
implementation period for regional haze.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

II. Summary of SIP Revision and EPA Analysis

    Maryland's regional haze progress report SIP submittal (2017 
progress report) addresses the elements for progress reports required 
under the provisions of 40 CFR 51.308(g) and includes a determination 
as required by 40 CFR 51.308(h) that the State's existing regional haze 
SIP requires no substantive revision to achieve the established 
regional haze visibility improvement and emissions reduction goals for 
2018. This section summarizes Maryland's 2017 progress report and EPA's 
analysis and proposed approval of Maryland's submittal.

A. Regional Haze Progress Report

    As required in 40 CFR 51.308(g), Maryland's 2017 progress report 
evaluated the status of all measures included in the State's 2012 
regional haze SIP for achieving RPGs for affected Class I areas. 
Through consultation, states in the Mid Atlantic/Northeast Visibility 
Union (MANE-VU),\3\ including Maryland, were requested to adopt and 
implement control strategies to assure reasonable progress towards 
improvement of visibility in the MANE-VU Class I areas. These 
strategies are commonly referred to as the MANE-VU ``Ask.'' The MANE-VU 
``Ask'' includes: (1) 90% or more reduction in sulfur dioxide 
(SO2) emissions at 167 electric generating unit (EGU) 
``stacks'' identified by MANE-VU (or comparable alternative measures), 
(2) timely implementation of best available retrofit technology (BART) 
\4\ requirements, (3) lower sulfur fuel oil (with limits specified for 
each state), and (4) continued evaluation of other control measures.\5\ 
The strategies from the ``Ask'' are the measures that Maryland included 
in the 2012 regional haze SIP and which are addressed in the 2017 
progress report. Maryland addressed the measures listed in the 2012 
regional haze SIP through implementing the state-wide Healthy Air Act 
(HAA),\6\ implementing BART or alternatives to BART, adopting a low-
sulfur fuel oil regulation into COMAR 03.03.05.04, and evaluating other 
control methods to reduce SO2 and nitrogen oxides 
(NOX).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ MANE-VU was formed by the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern 
states, tribes, and federal agencies to coordinate regional haze 
planning activities for the region to meet requirements in the CAA 
and federal regional haze regulations.
    \4\ BART eligible sources are those sources which have the 
potential to emit 250 tons or more of a visibility-impairing air 
pollutant, were put in place between August 7, 1962 and August 7, 
1977, and whose operations fall within one or more of 26 
specifically listed source categories.
    \5\ The MANE-VU ``Ask'' was structured around the finding that 
SO2 emissions were the dominate visibility impairing 
pollutant at the Northeastern Class I areas and that EGUs comprised 
the largest SO2 emission sector.
    \6\ The HAA, codified at COMAR 26.11.27, was effective as of 
July 16, 2007 and was approved by EPA into the Maryland SIP on 
September 4, 2008 (73 FR 51599).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In response to the MANE-VU ``Ask'' to achieve 90% or more reduction 
in SO2 emissions at 167 EGU ``stacks,'' Maryland 
demonstrates, in the 2017 progress report, that the HAA has been 
implemented and has provided significant reductions in SO2 
and NOX from coal-fired EGUs, including several BART-
eligible units. At the BART eligible EGUs, the existing controls were 
considered BART for NOX, SO2, and particulate 
matter (PM). The HAA addressed 15 coal-fired EGUs in the state, 
including the twelve identified within the ``Ask's'' 167 stacks and all 
seven of the BART-eligible EGUs in the state.\7\ The HAA established 
tonnage

[[Page 43573]]

caps for emissions of NOX and SO2 from 15 coal-
fired EGUs, 13 of which are still operating. The HAA's annual 
SO2 caps were implemented in two phases, first in 2010 and 
then in 2013. The annual NOX caps were implemented in 2009 
and 2012. In the 2017 progress report, Maryland reported that 
NOX emissions were reduced by 89% from a 2002 baseline from 
these EGUs and SO2 emissions from these EGUs were reduced by 
269,444 tons per year from the 2002 baseline, a 92% reduction from 2002 
to 2015. Maryland asserts that the SO2 and NOX 
emissions reductions under the HAA exceeded reductions that would have 
been achieved through BART controls alone at the EGUs.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ R. Paul Smith Units 3 & 4 have shut down since the approval 
of Maryland's regional haze SIP in 2012. The HAA originally 
addressed 15 units, but currently addresses 13 active EGUs in the 
state.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The 2017 progress report also addressed implementation of BART and 
alternatives to BART \8\ at Maryland's two non-EGU BART eligible source 
specific units--Holcim Cement and Verso Luke Paper. In the BART 
analysis for Holcim's Portland cement kiln in Hagerstown, Maryland, the 
State determined and EPA approved the addition of selective non-
catalytic reduction (SNCR) as BART for PM and NOX and the 
previously installed controls as BART for SO2. See 77 FR 
11827 (February 28, 2012). The SIP-approved regulation, COMAR 26.11.30, 
pertaining to Reasonably Available Control Technology (RACT) for the 
2008 ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), establishes 
more stringent NOX limits for Portland Cement Plants in the 
State, including Holcim Cement. 83 FR 13192 (March 28, 2018). As a 
result of the RACT requirements, Holcim upgraded its equipment in 2016 
from a long-dry kiln to a pre-heater/pre-calciner kiln and installed a 
SNCR addressing BART requirements for NOX and PM. Holcim is 
required to meet a limit of 2.4 pounds (lbs) of NOX per ton 
of clinker on a 30-day rolling average effective April 1, 2017.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \8\ The requirements for alternative measures are established at 
40 CFR 51.308(e)(2).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In June 2012, EPA approved BART emission limits for power boiler 
25, a BART subject source, at the Verso Luke Paper Mill. 77 FR 39938 
(June 13, 2012). In July 2017, EPA removed the previously approved BART 
requirements for SO2 and NOX from power boiler 25 
(No. 25) and replaced them with new, alternative emission requirements 
as BART.\9\ EPA established an annual SO2 cap for power 
boiler 25 and approved alternative BART emission limits for 
SO2 and NOX for power boiler 24 (No. 24): (1) A 
new BART emission limit of 0.28 pounds per million British thermal 
units (lbs/mmBtu), measured as an hourly average for SO2; 
and (2) a new BART emission limit of 0.4 lb/mmBtu, measured on a 30-day 
rolling average for NOX. 82 FR 35451 (July 31, 2017). The 
BART PM limit on power boiler No. 25 remains at 0.07 lb/MMBtu.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \9\ The BART limits for power boiler 25 approved in 2012 were 
0.07 pounds per million British thermal units (lb/mmBtu) for PM, 
0.40 lb/mmBtu on a rolling 30 day average for NOX and 
0.44 lb/mmBtu for SO2.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Included in the MANE-VU ``Ask'' and as a measure in the State's 
2012 regional haze SIP was a low-sulfur oil strategy. In 2014, Maryland 
adopted amendments to COMAR 03.03.05.04, ``Specifications for No. 1 and 
No. 2 Fuel Oil.'' The amendments, effective October 13, 2014, lowered 
the maximum allowable amount of sulfur in #1 and #2 fuel oil in two 
stages, from 3,000 to 2,000 parts per million (ppm) of sulfur in 2014, 
and then from 2,000 to 500 ppm of sulfur in 2016. While this strategy 
does not meet the exact specifications or timeline of the ``Ask,'' 
MANE-VU left an option for flexibility in reducing SO2 
emissions by implementing other strategies. In the 2012 regional haze 
SIP, Maryland projected that the reductions achieved by implementing 
the HAA would greatly exceed projected reductions from fully 
implementing the ``Ask's'' low-sulfur fuel oil strategy. Maryland 
stated it intends to submit this regulation, COMAR 03.03.05.04, for 
future SIP approval.
    In the 2017 progress report, Maryland also mentions EPA approved 
for the Maryland SIP amendments adopted into COMAR 26.11.38, ``Control 
of NOX emissions from Coal-Fired Electric Generating 
Units,'' which addresses the 2012 regional haze SIP measure to evaluate 
other control methods to reduce SO2 and NOX. 82 
FR 24546 (June 29, 2017). For 13 coal-fired EGUs in the state, Maryland 
asserts this regulation establishes a system-wide emissions rate of 
0.15 lbs/mmBtu on a 30-day rolling average during the ozone season for 
NOX emissions at all coal-burning EGUs owned by the same 
company. An additional requirement in COMAR 26.11.38 to optimize 
controls is monitored by compliance with a 24-hour block emissions 
limit during ozone season for each coal-burning EGU. Although COMAR 
26.11.38 is specifically designed to reduce ozone impacts by reducing 
NOX emissions, Maryland stated in the 2017 progress report 
that it believes that this regulation benefits visibility in nearby 
Class I areas because NOX is a visibility impairing 
pollutant as well as a precursor to ozone.
    EPA finds that Maryland's analysis in its 2017 progress report 
adequately addresses the applicable provisions under 40 CFR 51.308(g), 
as the State demonstrated the implementation of control measures in the 
Maryland regional haze SIP and in the MANE-VU ``Ask.''
    The provisions under 40 CFR 51.308(g) also require the state to 
provide analysis of emissions trends of visibility-impairing pollutants 
from the state's sources by type or category over the past five years 
based on the most recent updated emissions inventory. In Section 4 of 
the 2017 progress report, Maryland provided an assessment of the 
following visibility impairing pollutants: SO2, 
NOX, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and fine particulate 
matter (PM2.5) by category. MANE-VU and Maryland determined 
that SO2 emissions are the most significant pollutant 
impacting regional haze in MANE-VU Class I areas, therefore, the bulk 
of visibility improvement was expected to result from reductions in 
SO2 emissions from sources inside and outside of the State. 
The emissions reductions data in Table 1 demonstrates that 
NOX, SO2, VOC, and PM2.5 emissions 
have decreased from Maryland's baseline emissions in 2002 to 2014, the 
last year for which a comprehensive national emission inventory (NEI) 
is available.

                Table 1--Emissions Reductions in Maryland by Sector in 1,000 Tons per Year (tpy)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                      Percent
                Sector                          Pollutant              2002            2014         reductions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Point.................................  NOX                               104.56           27.00              74
                                        PM2.5                              30.16           10.90              64
                                        SO2                               320.76           49.43              85
                                        VOC                                12.54            4.11              67
Non-Road..............................  NOX                                58.35           31.13              47

[[Page 43574]]

 
                                        PM2.5                               4.54            2.58              43
                                        SO2                                16.65            4.47              73
                                        VOC                                56.73           27.61              51
On-Road...............................  NOX                               167.38           61.64              63
                                        PM2.5                               5.79            2.15              63
                                        SO2                                 4.96            0.52              90
                                        VOC                                65.77           30.27              54
Area..................................  NOX                                12.79           12.64               1
                                        PM2.5                              16.48           11.77              29
                                        SO2                                11.12            5.94              47
                                        VOC                               120.08           47.10              61
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    To assess emissions reductions from air pollution control measures 
being implemented between the baseline period and 2018, MANE-VU 
developed emissions projections for 2018 for the first round of 
regional haze SIPs. Section 4 of Maryland's 2017 progress report 
details emission trends from 2002 to 2014 and compares the trends to 
MANE-VU's projections of 2018 inventories that were included in 
Maryland's 2012 regional haze SIP. Maryland asserts in its 2017 
progress report and EPA finds that emissions of SO2, 
NOX, VOC and PM2.5 for all sectors show a 
downward trend from 2002 through 2014. The 2014 NEI data shows 
SO2, VOC and PM2.5 emissions significantly below 
the projected 2018 totals in all categories. NOX emissions 
declined steeply between 2002 and 2014 largely due to point source and 
on-road emission reductions. Maryland states in the 2017 progress 
report that the overall reductions in all pollutants and downward 
trends far outweigh minimal increases in any sector in years between 
the baseline and 2018, and the increases do not inhibit the State's 
ability to improve visibility, reduce emissions of NOX and 
SO2, and continue to make progress toward the overall 
regional haze goals. Section 4 of Maryland's 2017 progress report also 
analyzes emissions in the MANE-VU region. Overall haze-impacting 
emissions have declined and are projected to continue to decline. 
Maryland concludes that the general decline in pollutants in the region 
indicate that changes in anthropogenic emissions have not and will not 
impede progress to improving visibility or Class I areas meeting their 
RPGs.
    EPA finds Maryland has adequately addressed the provisions under 40 
CFR 51.308(g) relating to emission reductions and emission trends. 
Maryland detailed the SO2 and NOX reductions in 
Maryland from the 2002 regional haze baseline to 2014, the most 
recently available year of data at the time of the development of 
Maryland's 2017 progress report, discussed overall emission trends for 
all visibility-impacting pollutants, and discussed the implementation 
of regional haze SIP measures including BART. EPA agrees with 
Maryland's conclusion that it is reasonable to conclude anthropogenic 
emissions will not impede progress to improving visibility in the 
region given the large overall reductions in pollutant emissions, 
particularly in SO2 emissions in the State and in the Mid-
Atlantic region.
    The provisions under 40 CFR 51.308(g) also require states with 
Class I areas within their borders to provide information on current 
visibility conditions and the difference between current visibility 
conditions and baseline visibility conditions expressed in terms of 
five-year averages of those annual values. Maryland does not have any 
Class I areas; however, the 2017 progress report provided visibility 
condition data to support the assessment that the regional haze SIP is 
sufficient to enable other states to meet the RPGs for Class I areas 
affected by Maryland.
    Seven Class I areas in the MANE-VU and Visibility Improvement State 
and Tribal Association of the Southeast (VISTAS) Regional Planning 
Organizations (RPOs) \10\ are impacted by sulfate emissions from 
Maryland's sources, as was stated in the State's 2012 regional haze SIP 
submission which EPA approved in July 2012.\11\ 77 FR 39938. The 
Interagency Monitoring of Protected Visual Environments (IMPROVE) 
monitoring program provides data on the air pollutants that contribute 
to regional haze. Maryland's 2017 progress report included IMPROVE 
visibility data for each Class I area in the region which is impacted 
by Maryland sources and addresses the progress from the baseline 2000-
2004 five-year average visibility to the 2011-2015 five-year average 
visibility for all affected Class I areas. Table 2 shows IMPROVE 
visibility data and shows the progress from the baseline period to the 
most recent averaging period and the RPG for each Class I area.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \10\ Maryland was identified as influencing the visibility 
impairment of the following Class I areas: Acadia National Park, 
Brigantine National Wildlife Refuge, and Lye Brook Wilderness Area 
as well as the Dolly Sods Wilderness, Otter Creek Wilderness, and 
Shenandoah National Park.
    \11\ VISTAS is a collaborative effort of state governments, 
tribal governments, and various federal agencies established to 
initiate and coordinate activities associated with the management of 
regional haze, visibility and other air quality issues in the 
Southeastern United States. Member States and Tribes include: the 
States of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North 
Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia and 
the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians.

                           Table 2--Observed Visibility vs. Reasonable Progress Goals
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   2000-2004 5-    2011-2015 5-    Met 2018 RPG
            Class I area IMPROVE site              year  average   year  average     already?        2018 RPG
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                20% Haziest Days
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acadia National Park............................            22.9            17.4             Yes            19.4
Brigantine Wilderness...........................            29.0            22.6             Yes            25.1

[[Page 43575]]

 
Great Gulf/Presidential Range-Dry River                     22.8            16.4             Yes            19.1
 Wilderness.....................................
Lye Brook Wilderness............................            24.4            18.0             Yes            20.9
Moosehorn Wilderness/Roosevelt Campobello                   21.7            16.8             Yes            19.0
 International Park.............................
Dolly Sods Wilderness/Otter Creek \12\..........            29.5            21.2             Yes            21.7
Shenandoah National Park........................            29.3            20.7             Yes            21.9
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                20% Clearest Days
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acadia National Park............................             8.8             6.9             Yes             8.3
Brigantine Wilderness...........................            14.3            12.0             Yes            14.3
Great Gulf/Presidential Range-Dry River                      7.7             5.7             Yes             7.2
 Wilderness.....................................
Lye Brook Wilderness............................             6.4             5.3             Yes             5.5
Moosehorn Wilderness/Roosevelt Campobello                    9.2             6.9             Yes             8.6
 International Park.............................
Dolly Sods Wilderness...........................            12.3             8.2             Yes            11.1
Shenandoah National Park........................            10.9             7.9             Yes             8.7
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    EPA notes the substantial progress made in the IMPOVE visibility 
data, as the Class I areas affected by emissions from Maryland have 
already achieved and surpassed the 2018 RPGs set in the first regional 
haze SIPs in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions. Class I areas 
affected by emissions from Maryland have current visibility conditions 
better than baseline conditions and better than RPGs.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \12\ The West Virginia 5-year progress report submittal states 
that the IMPROVE monitor in Dolly Sods is a surrogate for Otter 
Creek. See 80 FR 32019 (June 5, 2015).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    EPA finds Maryland provided the required information regarding 
visibility conditions and implementation of all measures included in 
the State's regional haze SIP to meet the requirements under 40 CFR 
51.308(g), specifically providing baseline visibility conditions (2000-
2004), current conditions based on the most recently available IMPROVE 
monitoring data (2011-2015), and an assessment of the change in 
visibility impairment at its Class I areas.
    As stated, Maryland does not have any Class I areas; therefore, 
Maryland is not required to monitor for visibility-impairing 
pollutants. Maryland's visibility monitoring strategy relies upon Class 
I areas' participation in the IMPROVE network; however, Maryland stated 
that it does intend to maintain the IMPROVE site at Frostburg 
Reservoir. EPA finds Maryland has adequately addressed the requirements 
for a monitoring strategy for regional haze and finds no further 
modifications to the monitoring strategy are necessary.
    In its 2017 progress report, Maryland concludes the elements and 
strategies relied on in its regional haze SIP are sufficient to enable 
neighboring states to meet all established RPGs. As shown in Table 2 
above, visibility on least--impaired and most--impaired days from 2000 
through 2014 has improved at all Class I areas affected by emissions 
from Maryland. In addition, all Class I areas impacted by Maryland's 
emissions have met their RPGs. EPA therefore finds Maryland has 
adequately addressed the provisions for its progress report in 40 CFR 
51.308(g).

B. Determination of Adequacy of Existing Regional Haze Plan

    In the 2017 progress report, Maryland submitted a negative 
declaration to EPA regarding the need for additional actions or 
emission reductions in Maryland beyond those already in its regional 
haze SIP to address the requirement for a determination of adequacy in 
40 CFR 51.308(h). Maryland determined the existing regional haze SIP 
requires no further substantive revision at this time to achieve the 
RPGs for Class I areas affected by the State's sources. The basis for 
the State's negative declaration is that visibility has improved at all 
Class I areas impacted by Maryland's sources in the MANE-VU and VISTAS 
regions. In addition, there has been a significant downward trend in 
emissions of NOX, SO2, VOC, and PM2.5 
from the baseline year for Maryland's regional haze SIP (2002) to the 
latest emission inventory for Maryland in 2014. In addition, 
SO2, VOC, and PM2.5 emissions are significantly 
below the 2018 totals projected in Maryland's 2012 regional haze SIP 
submittal.
    EPA concludes that Maryland has adequately addressed the provisions 
under 40 CFR 51.308(h) because visibility and emission trends indicate 
that Class I areas impacted by Maryland's sources are meeting or 
exceeding the RPGs for 2018, and expect to continue to meet or exceed 
the RPGs for 2018. Thus, EPA finds Maryland's negative declaration 
(i.e., that the existing regional haze SIP requires no further 
substantive revision to achieve goals for visibility improvement and 
emission reductions) reasonable and in accordance with requirements in 
40 CFR 51.308(h).

III. Proposed Action

    EPA is proposing to approve Maryland's 2017 progress report, 
submitted on August 9, 2017, as meeting the applicable CAA requirements 
in section 110 and meeting regional haze requirements set forth in 40 
CFR 51.308(g) and 51.308(h).

IV. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

    Under the CAA, 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 CAA. 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 proposed action:
     Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' subject to 
review by the Office of Management and Budget under Executive Orders 
12866 (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993) and 13563 (76 FR 3821, January 21, 
2011);
     Is not an Executive Order 13771 (82 FR 9339, February 2, 
2017) regulatory action because SIP approvals are exempted under 
Executive Order 12866.
     Does not impose an information collection burden under the 
provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.);

[[Page 43576]]

     Is certified as not having a significant economic impact 
on a substantial number of small entities under the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.);
     Does not contain any unfunded mandate or significantly or 
uniquely affect small governments, as described in the Unfunded 
Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-4);
     Does not have federalism implications as specified in 
Executive Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10, 1999);
     Is not an economically significant regulatory action based 
on health or safety risks subject to Executive Order 13045 (62 FR 
19885, April 23, 1997);
     Is not a significant regulatory action subject to 
Executive Order 13211 (66 FR 28355, May 22, 2001);
     Is not subject to requirements of section 12(d) of the 
National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272 
note) because application of those requirements would be inconsistent 
with the CAA; and
     Does not provide EPA with the discretionary authority to 
address, as appropriate, disproportionate human health or environmental 
effects, using practicable and legally permissible methods, under 
Executive Order 12898 (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994).
    In addition, this proposed rule to approve Maryland's 2017 progress 
report 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, Nitrogen dioxide, Particulate 
matter, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Sulfur oxides, 
Volatile organic compounds.

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

    Dated: August 15, 2018.
Cosmo Servidio,
Regional Administrator, Region III.
[FR Doc. 2018-18526 Filed 8-24-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6560-50-P