Document ID: EPA-R09-OAR-2010-0907-0001
Agency: epa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Revisions to California State Implementation Plan: San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District
Posted Date: 2011-01-04T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 2 (Tuesday, January 4, 2011)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 298-302]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-33194]

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 52

[EPA-R09-OAR-2010-0907; FRL-9247-2]

Revisions to the California State Implementation Plan, San 
Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (SJVUAPCD)

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: EPA is proposing a limited approval and limited disapproval of 
revisions to the San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control 
District (SJVUAPCD) portion of the California State Implementation Plan 
(SIP). These revisions concern volatile organic compound (VOC) 
emissions from crude oil production operations and refineries. We are 
proposing action on local rules that regulate these emission sources 
under the Clean Air Act as amended in 1990 (CAA or the Act). We are 
taking comments on this proposal and plan to follow with a final 
action.

DATES: Any comments must arrive by February 3, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments, identified by docket number EPA-R09-OAR-
2010-0907, by one of the following methods:
    1. Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow 
the on-line instructions.
    2. E-mail: steckel.andrew@epa.gov.
    3. Mail or Deliver: Andrew Steckel (Air-4), U.S. Environmental 
Protection Agency Region IX, 75 Hawthorne Street, San Francisco, CA 
94105-3901.
    Instructions: All comments will be included in the public docket 
without change and may be made available online at http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided, 
unless the comment includes Confidential Business Information (CBI) or 
other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. 
Information that you consider CBI or otherwise protected should be 
clearly identified as such and should not be submitted through http://www.regulations.gov or e-mail. http://www.regulations.gov is an 
``anonymous access'' system, and EPA will not know your identity or 
contact information unless you provide it in the body of your comment. 
If you send e-mail directly to EPA, your e-mail address will be 
automatically captured and included as part of the public comment. If 
EPA cannot read your comment due to technical difficulties and cannot 
contact you for clarification, EPA may not be able to consider your 
comment.
    Docket: The index to the docket for this action is available 
electronically at http://www.regulations.gov and in hard copy at EPA 
Region IX, 75 Hawthorne Street, San Francisco, California. While all 
documents in the docket are listed in the index, some information may 
be publicly available only at the hard copy location (e.g., copyrighted 
material), and some may not be publicly available in either location 
(e.g., CBI). To inspect the hard copy materials, please schedule an 
appointment during normal business hours with the contact listed in the 
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joanne Wells, EPA Region IX, (415) 
947-4118, wells.joanne@epa.gov.

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

Table of Contents

I. The State's Submittal
    A. What rules did the State submit?
    B. Are there other versions of these rules?
    C. What is the purpose of the submitted rules and rule 
revisions?
II. EPA's Evaluation and Action
    A. How is EPA evaluating the rules?
    B. Do the rules meet the evaluation criteria?
    C. What are the rule deficiencies?
    D. EPA Recommendations To Further Improve the Rules

[[Page 299]]

    E. Proposed Action and Public Comment
III. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

I. The State's Submittal

A. What rules did the State submit?

    Table 1 lists the rules addressed by this proposal with the date 
that they were amended by the local air agency and submitted by the 
California Air Resources Board (CARB).

                                            Table 1--Submitted Rules
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Local agency                Rule No.              Rule title              Amended        Submitted
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SJVUAPCD...........................            4402  Crude Oil Production Sumps.        12/17/92        08/24/07
SJVUAPCD...........................            4625  Wastewater Separators......        12/17/92        08/24/07
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    On September 17, 2007, the submittal for San Joaquin Valley Unified 
Air Pollution Control District Rules 4402 and 4625 was found to meet 
the completeness criteria in 40 CFR part 51 Appendix V, which must be 
met before formal EPA review.

B. Are there other versions of this rule?

    On December 13, 1994 (59 FR 64132), EPA approved into the SIP a 
previous version of Rule 4402, SJVUAPCD Rule 465.2. On May 13, 1993 (58 
FR 28354), EPA approved into the SIP a previous version of Rule 4625, 
SJVUAPCD Rule 463.4. CARB has not submitted any subsequent versions of 
these rules for our consideration besides those submitted on August 24, 
2007.

C. What is the purpose of the submitted rules and rule revisions?

    VOCs help produce ground-level ozone and smog, which harm human 
health and the environment. Section 110(a) of the CAA requires States 
to submit regulations that control VOC emissions. These rules were 
developed as part of the local district's program to control VOCs.
    The purpose of the rules and the rule revisions are as follows:
     Rule 4402, Crude Oil Production Sumps, is designed to 
limit VOC emissions from crude oil production sumps. The rule is 
renumbered and the format updated. The rule purpose is added and the 
definition of VOC deleted. The exemptions for sumps at petroleum 
refineries, pits and ponds have been moved from Section I 
(Applicability) to Section 4.0 (Exemptions).
     Rule 4625, Wastewater Separators, is designed to limit VOC 
emissions from oil-water separators by requiring covers and use of 
vapor loss control devices. The rule is renumbered and the format 
updated. The rule purpose is added and the definition of VOC deleted. 
Paragraph 4.3 was added, which allows an exemption from the BACT and 
offset requirements of Rule 2201 for existing facilities where an 
incineration device has been added for the sole purpose of complying 
with the requirements of this rule.
    EPA's technical support document (TSD) for each rule has more 
information about these rules and the rule revisions.

II. EPA's Evaluation and Action

A. How is EPA evaluating the rule?

    Generally, SIP rules must be enforceable (see section 110(a) of the 
Act), must require Reasonably Available Control Technology (RACT) for 
each category of sources covered by a Control Techniques Guidelines 
(CTG) document as well as each major source in nonattainment areas (see 
sections 182(a)(2) and (b)(2)), and must not relax existing 
requirements (see sections 110(l) and 193). The SJVUAPCD regulates an 
extreme ozone nonattainment area (see 40 CFR part 81), so Rules 4402 
and 4625 must fulfill RACT.
    Guidance and policy documents that we use to evaluate 
enforceability and RACT requirements consistently include the 
following:
    1. ``Issues Relating to VOC Regulation Cutpoints, Deficiencies, and 
Deviations,'' EPA, May 25, 1988 (the Bluebook).
    2. ``Guidance Document for Correcting Common VOC & Other Rule 
Deficiencies,'' EPA Region 9, August 21, 2001 (the Little Bluebook).
    3. Portions of the proposed post-1987 ozone and carbon monoxide 
policy that concern RACT, 52 FR 45044 (November 24, 1987).
    4. ``Requirements for Preparation, Adoption, and Submittal of 
Implementation Plans'', U.S. EPA, 40 CFR part 51.
    5. ``RACT Qs & As-Reasonably Available Control Technology (RACT): 
Questions and Answers'', EPA, --William T. Harnett, May 18, 2006. 
http://www.epa.gov/ttn/oarpg/t1/memoranda/ractqanda.pdf.
    6. ``Clean Water Act Analytical Methods'', U.S. EPA. http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/methods/method/oil/oilfaq.html.
    7. ``Test Methods for Evaluating Solid Waste, Physical/Chemical 
Methods (SW-846)'', U.S. EPA. http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/hazard/testmethods/sw846/online/index.htm.
    8. ``Control of Refinery Vacuum Producing Systems, Water Separators 
and Process Units'', EPA-450/2-77-025, October 1977.
    9. ``Standards of Performance for VOC Emissions from Petroleum 
Refinery Wastewater Systems'', 40 CFR part 60 subpart QQQ, November 23, 
1988 (53 FR 47623).
    10. ``National Emission Standards for Oil-Water Separators and 
Organic-Water Separators'', 40 CFR part 63 subpart VV, July 1, 1996 (61 
FR 34195).

B. Do these rules meet the evaluation criteria?

    Both submitted Rules 4402 and 4625 clarify and marginally improve 
the SIP with revisions that are largely administrative. These rules are 
generally consistent with the relevant policy and guidance regarding 
enforceability and SIP relaxations. Rule provisions which do not meet 
the evaluation criteria are summarized below for each rule and 
discussed further in the TSD.

C. What are the rule deficiencies?

    These provisions conflict with section 110 and part D of the Act 
and prevent full approval of the SIP revision. Rule 4402, Crude Oil 
Production Sumps:
    1. SJVUAPCD should strengthen these requirements to help implement 
RACT or demonstrate why such improvements are not appropriate in light 
of analogous requirements in neighboring districts.
    a. Section 5.1.2 allows a 1 inch gap and does not require seals for 
rigid floating covers. In contrast, SCAQMD Rule 1176(e)(2)(B)(vi) and 
SLOCAPCD Rule 419 D.2.e. require rigid floating covers to have seals, 
the gap cannot exceed \1/8\'' for a cumulative length of 95% of the 
perimeter, and no single gap may exceed \1/2\ inch.
    b. Section 5.2.5 requires fixed covers to be equipped with a 
pressure/vacuum valve set to within ten percent of maximum safe working 
pressure. In

[[Page 300]]

contrast, SCAQMD Rule 1176(2)(A)(ii) and (6)(A) and SBCAPCD Rule 344 
D.2.b.2 require that fixed covers be equipped with a 95% efficient Air 
Pollution Control (APC) device.
    c. Rule 4402 does not require periodic inspection of covers and APC 
equipment to ensure proper operation. In contrast, SCAQMD Rule 
1176(f)(C) requires periodic leak inspection and APC testing.
    d. Rule 4402 has exemptions that are more broad than those found in 
other districts rules. SJVUAPCD should analyze whether these exemptions 
continue to be appropriate. This analysis should consider more current 
cost data than used in the 2009 RACT Analysis, and should consider 
alternative disposal methods (e.g., underground injection, tanks, or 
additional pretreatment) in addition to sump and pond covers. The 
following exemptions are of particular concern:
     Uncontrolled VOC emissions from exempted 2nd and 3rd stage 
sumps. Section 4.1.1 exempts operations less than 6,000 barrels per day 
with sumps less than 1,000 sf and section 4.1.3 exempts operations less 
than 300 barrels per day with sumps less than 5,000 sf from substantive 
requirements. No other neighboring districts allow exemptions for small 
producers except for SBCAPCD Rule 344. The exemption in Santa Barbara's 
rule is more restrictive than the exemptions found in Rule 4402.
     Section 4.1.7 exempts ponds of ``clean produced water'' 
with less than 35 mg/l VOC from Rule 4402 requirements. In contrast, 
SCAQMD Rule 1176(i)(5)(J), VCAPCD Rule 71.4 C.1.c and SLOCAPCD Rule 419 
C.4 exempt wastewater sumps only where the VOC/ROC content does not 
exceed 5 mg/l at the inlet. Of particular concern are VOC emissions 
from the ponds that initially receive the oily wastewater from oil 
production facilities. Alternatives including additional pretreatment 
to lower the VOC content and other disposal methods such as underground 
injection should be evaluated.
    e. Rule 4402 does not limit the time that oil or oily water can be 
kept in an emergency pit. In contrast, SLOCAPCD Rule 419 C.2 requires 
clean-up to begin within 24 hours and finish within 15 days.
    f. Rule 4402 allows 1st stage sumps. In contrast, SBCAPCD Rule 344 
and VCAPCD Rule 71.4 do not allow the operation of 1st stage sumps.
    g. Provisions should be added in Rule 4402 or Rule 4623 (Storage of 
Organic Liquids) that ensure that tanks used to replace the 1st stage 
crude oil sumps have adequate VOC controls.
    2. The following revisions are needed to improve rule clarity and 
enforceability consistent with CAA section 110(a).
    a. Please remove the language at the end of Section 5.3 that states 
``If replacement tank exclusively serves identical function of sump 
replaced, permitting of such tank shall not be considered an emission 
change for the purposes of Rule 2201 (New and Modified Source Review 
Rule)''. Any exemptions to NSR requirements should be evaluated in 
context of SJVUAPCD's NSR program (e.g., Rule 2020) and incorporated 
within the NSR program only if appropriate. Such exemptions should not 
be in source-specific prohibitory rules like Rule 4402.
    b. Revise section 6.2 Test Methods to remove and/or replace 
inappropriate or outdated test methods such as 6.2.1 ARB Method 432, 
which is designed for paints and coatings and not oily wastewater. We 
also recommend adding EPA Test Method 21 in section 6.2 for determining 
leaks.
    c. Update the definition of clean product water (Section 3.1) 
replacing outdated EPA Test Methods 4.13.2, 418.2 and 8240 that used 
CFC-113 as the extraction solvent. The new test methods using non-CFC 
extraction solvents are EPA Method 1664A and EPA Method 8260.
    d. Please revise section 6.1 (Recordkeeping) to:
     Add requirement for facilities to keep records of all 
inspections for leaks and testing of APC devices (for example, see 
SCAQMD Rule 1176 (g) (1)).
     Add requirement to document use of emergency pits, 
including when use started, clean-up started and clean-up finished.
     Require documentation justifying any exemptions claimed 
under section 4, including 4.1.7, which exempts pits and ponds.
     Add requirements to verify the sump surface area and the 
annual production rates for both the small producers and very small 
producers in section 6.1.1.
     Add requirement to keep all records for at least two, and 
preferably five years.
    Rule 4625, Wastewater Separators:
    The following revisions are needed to improve rule clarity, 
enforceability, and to strengthen requirements to help implement RACT.
    1. The December 1992 amendment added exemption 4.3, which reads 
``For existing facilities, if an incineration device is added or 
modified for the sole purpose of complying with the requirements of 
this rule, such a device shall be exempt from the Best Available 
Control Technology and the Offset requirements of Rule 2201 (New and 
Modified Stationary Source Review Rule)''. This exemption should be 
removed from Rule 4625. Any exemptions to NSR requirements should be 
evaluated in context of SJVUAPCD's NSR program (e.g., Rule 2020) and 
incorporated within the NSR program only if appropriate. Such 
exemptions should not be in source-specific prohibitory rules like Rule 
4625.
    2. Although Rule 4625 includes similar requirements to the 1977 
CTG, SJVUAPCD has not adequately demonstrated that Rule 4625 currently 
implements RACT because RACT can change over time as control technology 
improves and/or becomes more available. More stringent requirements 
exist in the NSPS (1988), NESHAP (1995), BAAQMD Rule 8-8 (1993) and 
SCAQMD 1176 (1996). These regulations have requirements for stricter 
VOC controls (see, e.g., 95% requirement in SCAQMD Rule 1176, section 
(e)(2)(A)(ii) and (e)(6)), additional design requirements for 
controlling fugitive emissions or breathing losses (see, e.g., BAAQMD 
Regulation 8 Rule 8, section 302.4), and additional requirements for 
inspections and maintenance (see, e.g., BAAQMD Regulation 8 Rule 8, 
section 302.4 and 302.6).
    3. The exemption for air flotation units precludes regulation of 
potentially significant VOC sources (section 4.2). Even though these 
sources are currently regulated via District permit conditions, 
SJVUAPCD should subject them to SIP requirements as part of Rule 4625 
or demonstrate why that is not necessary. There is no specific 
allowance in the CTG or other guidance documents for exempting air 
flotation units from regulation and no other California air district 
rules include such an exemption.
    4. To improve enforceability, SJVUAPCD should revise section 6.0 
Test Methods to remove inappropriate or outdated test methods such as 
6.1.2 ARB Method 432 for paints and coatings, and 6.1.3 which refers to 
an obsolete document superseded by EPA Method 204 for determining 
capture efficiency (40 CFR part 51). We recommend including EPA Test 
Method 21 (measurements of leaks) as referenced in SJVUAPCD Rule 4455, 
Section 6.4 Test Methods, or SCAQMD Rule 1176, Section (h).
    5. The SJVUAPCD 2009 RACT SIP Demonstration mentions that the 
requirements in SJVUAPCD Rule 4455, ``Components at Petroleum 
Refineries,

[[Page 301]]

Gas Liquids Processing Facilities and Chemical Plants'', apply to oil-
water separators. SJVUAPCD should include those requirements directly 
in Rule 4625 or by reference to improve enforceability, or demonstrate 
that this is not appropriate.
    6. To ensure ongoing compliance and strengthen enforceability, 
SJVUACPD should add to the rule requirements for inspections of covers, 
access hatches and other openings and emissions control equipment, 
along with recordkeeping requirements for inspections and testing or 
demonstrate that this is not appropriate. For example, please see 
SCAQMD Rule 1176, section (f) and (g).
    7. SJVUAPCD should delete or justify exemption 4.1 for wastewater 
separators exceeding a set value for a sump surface area to the rate of 
oil vapor loss ratio. The only other rule where we found such exemption 
is SCAQMD Rule 464 for Wastewater Separators; last amended December 7, 
1990. This exemption is not found in the newer SCAQMD Rule 1176, ``VOC 
Emissions from Wastewater Systems'', amended September 13, 1996, which 
also addresses wastewater separators and which largely supersedes Rule 
464.
    D. EPA recommendations to further improve these rules.
    The TSD for each of these rules describes additional rule revisions 
that we recommend for the next time the local agency modifies these 
rules.

E. Proposed Action and Public Comment

    As authorized in sections 110(k)(3) and 301(a) of the Act, EPA is 
proposing a limited approval of the submitted rules to improve the SIP. 
If finalized, this action would incorporate the submitted rules into 
the SIP, including those provisions identified as deficient. This 
approval is limited because EPA is simultaneously proposing a limited 
disapproval of the rule under section 110(k)(3). If this disapproval is 
finalized, sanctions will be imposed under section 179 of the Act 
unless EPA approves subsequent SIP revisions that correct the rule 
deficiencies within 18 months of the disapproval. These sanctions would 
be imposed according to 40 CFR 52.31. A final disapproval would also 
trigger the 2-year clock for the federal implementation plan (FIP) 
requirement under section 110(c). Note that the submitted rules have 
been adopted by the SJVUAPCD, and EPA's final limited disapproval would 
not prevent the local agency from enforcing them.
    We will accept comments from the public on the proposed limited 
approval and limited disapproval for the next 30 days.

III. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

A. Executive Order 12866, Regulatory Planning and Review

    The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has exempted this 
regulatory action from Executive Order 12866, entitled ``Regulatory 
Planning and Review.''

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 rule will not have a significant impact on a substantial 
number of small entities because SIP approvals or disapprovals under 
section 110 and subchapter I, part D of the Clean Air Act do not create 
any new requirements but simply approve or disapprove requirements that 
the State is already imposing. Therefore, because the proposed Federal 
SIP limited approval/limited disapproval 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.
    Moreover, due to the nature of the Federal-State relationship under 
the Clean Air Act, preparation of flexibility analysis would constitute 
Federal inquiry into the economic reasonableness of state action. The 
Clean Air Act forbids EPA to base its actions concerning SIPs on such 
grounds. Union Electric Co. v. U.S. EPA, 427 U.S. 246, 255-66 (1976); 
42 U.S.C. 7410(a) (2).

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 the limited approval/limited disapproval 
action proposed 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 
Federal action proposes to approve and disapprove pre-existing 
requirements under State or local law, and imposes no new requirements. 
Accordingly, no additional costs to State, local, or tribal 
governments, or to the private sector, result from this action.

E. Executive Order 13132, Federalism

    Federalism (64 FR 43255, August 10, 1999) revokes and replaces 
Executive Orders 12612 (Federalism) and 12875 (Enhancing the 
Intergovernmental Partnership). Executive Order 13132 requires EPA to 
develop an accountable process to ensure ``meaningful and timely input 
by State and local officials in the development of regulatory policies 
that have federalism implications.'' ``Policies that have federalism 
implications'' is defined in the Executive Order to include regulations 
that have ``substantial direct effects on the States, on the 
relationship between the national government and the States, or on the 
distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of 
government.'' Under Executive Order 13132, EPA may not issue a 
regulation that has federalism implications, that imposes substantial 
direct compliance costs, and that is not required by statute, unless 
the Federal government provides the funds necessary to pay the direct 
compliance costs incurred by State and local governments, or EPA 
consults with State and local officials early in the process of 
developing the proposed regulation. EPA also may not issue a regulation 
that has federalism implications and that preempts State law unless the 
Agency consults with State and local officials early in the process of 
developing the proposed regulation.
    This rule will not have substantial direct effects on the States, 
on the relationship between the national government and the States, or 
on the distribution of power and

[[Page 302]]

responsibilities among the various levels of government, as specified 
in Executive Order 13132, because it merely proposes to approve or 
disapprove a State rule implementing a federal standard, and does not 
alter the relationship or the distribution of power and 
responsibilities established in the Clean Air Act. Thus, the 
requirements of section 6 of the Executive Order do not apply to this 
rule.

F. Executive Order 13175, Coordination With Indian Tribal Governments

    Executive Order 13175, entitled ``Consultation and Coordination 
with Indian Tribal Governments'' (65 FR 67249, November 9, 2000), 
requires EPA to develop an accountable process to ensure ``meaningful 
and timely input by tribal officials in the development of regulatory 
policies that have tribal implications.'' This proposed rule 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 rule.
    EPA specifically solicits additional comment on this proposed rule 
from tribal officials.

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 
rule is not subject to Executive Order 13045, because it approves a 
state rule implementing a Federal standard.

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.
    The 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 Population

    Executive Order 12898 (59 FR 7629 (Feb. 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 lacks the discretionary authority to address environmental 
justice in this rulemaking.

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52

    Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Intergovernmental 
relations, Ozone, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Volatile 
organic compounds.

    Authority: 2 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.

    Dated: December 14, 2010.
Jared Blumenfeld,
Regional Administrator, Region IX.
[FR Doc. 2010-33194 Filed 1-3-11; 8:45 am]
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