Document ID: EPA-R06-OAR-2010-0404-0001
Agency: epa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: LA030.01 Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans: Louisiana; Determination of Termination of Section 185 Fees
Posted Date: 2011-03-29T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 60 (Tuesday, March 29, 2011)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 17368-17373]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-7325]

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 52

[EPA-R06-OAR-2010-0404; FRL-9287-4]

Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; 
Louisiana; Determination of Termination of Section 185 Fees

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: The EPA is proposing to determine that the State of Louisiana 
is no longer required to submit a section 185 fee program State 
Implementation Plan (SIP) revision for the Baton Rouge ozone 
nonattainment area to satisfy anti-backsliding requirements for the 1-
hour ozone standard. This proposed determination (``Termination 
Determination'') is based on complete, quality-assured monitoring data 
showing attainment of the 1-hour ozone National Ambient Air Quality 
Standard (NAAQS), which is due to permanent and enforceable emission 
reductions implemented in the area.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before April 28, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket No. EPA-R06-OAR-
2010-0404, by one of the following methods:
    Federal Rulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 
on-line instructions for submitting comments.
    U.S. EPA Region 6 ``Contact Us'' Web site: http://epa.gov/region6/r6coment.htm. Please click on ``6PD''(Multimedia) and select ``Air'' 
before submitting comments.
    E-mail: Mr. Guy Donaldson at donaldson.guy@epa.gov. Please also 
send a copy by e-mail to the person listed in the FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT section below.
    Fax: Mr. Guy Donaldson, Chief, Air Planning Section (6PD-L), at fax 
number 214-665-7263.
    Mail: Mr. Guy Donaldson, Chief, Air Planning Section (6PD-L), 
Environmental Protection Agency, 1445 Ross Avenue, Suite 1200, Dallas, 
Texas 75202-2733.
    Hand or Courier Delivery: Mr. Guy Donaldson, Chief, Air Planning 
Section (6PD-L), Environmental Protection Agency, 1445 Ross Avenue, 
Suite 1200, Dallas, Texas 75202-2733. Such deliveries are accepted only 
between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays except for legal 
holidays. Special arrangements should be made for deliveries of boxed 
information.
    Instructions: Direct your comments to Docket ID No. EPA-R06-OAR-
2010-0404.
    EPA's policy is that all comments received 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 information claimed to be Confidential 
Business Information (CBI) or other information the disclosure of which 
is restricted by statute. Do not submit information through http://www.regulations.gov or e-mail that you consider to be CBI or otherwise 
protected from disclosure. The http://www.regulations.gov Web site is 
an anonymous access system, which means EPA will not know your identity 
or contact information unless you provide it in the body of your 
comment. If you send an e-mail comment directly to EPA without going 
through http://www.regulations.gov, your e-mail address will be 
automatically captured and included as part of the comment that is 
placed in the public docket and made available on the Internet. If you 
submit an electronic comment, EPA recommends that you include your name 
and other contact information in the body of your comment and with any 
disk or CD-ROM you submit. If EPA cannot read your comment due to 
technical difficulties and cannot contact you for clarification, EPA 
may not be able to consider your comment. Electronic files should avoid 
the use of special characters, any form of encryption, and be free of 
any defects or viruses.
    Docket: All documents in the docket are listed in the http://www.regulations.gov index. Although listed in the index, some 
information is

[[Page 17369]]

not publicly available, e.g., CBI or other information whose disclosure 
is restricted by statute. Certain other material, such as copyrighted 
material, will be publicly available only in hard copy. Publicly 
available docket materials are available either electronically in 
http://www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at the Air Planning Section 
(6PD-L), Environmental Protection Agency, 1445 Ross Avenue, Suite 700, 
Dallas, Texas 75202-2733. The file will be made available by 
appointment for public inspection in the Region 6 FOIA Review Room 
between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. weekdays except for legal 
holidays. Contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
CONTACT paragraph below to make an appointment. If possible, please 
make the appointment at least two working days in advance of your 
visit. There will be a fee of 15 cents per page for making photocopies 
of documents. On the day of the visit, please check in at the EPA 
Region 6 reception area at 1445 Ross Avenue, Suite 700, Dallas, Texas 
75202-2733.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Sandra Rennie, Air Planning 
Section (6PD-L), Environmental Protection Agency, Region 6, 1445 Ross 
Avenue, Suite 700, Dallas, Texas 75202-2733, telephone (214) 665-7367, 
fax (214) 665-7263, e-mail address rennie.Sandra@epa.gov

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Throughout this document whenever ``we,'' 
``us,'' or ``our'' is used, we mean EPA.
    Organization of this document. The following outline is provided to 
aid in locating information in this preamble.

I. What action is EPA taking?
II. Background
III. What is the legal rationale for this action?
IV. What is the effect of this action?
V. What is EPA's analysis?
    a. Attainment of the 1-Hour Ozone Standard
    b. Permanent and Enforceable Emission Reductions
VI. Proposed Action
VII. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

I. What action is EPA taking?

    EPA is proposing to determine that Louisiana is no longer required 
to submit a Clean Air Act section 185 fee program SIP revision for the 
Baton Rouge 1-hour ozone nonattainment area to satisfy anti-backsliding 
requirements associated with the transition from the 1-hour ozone 
standard to the 1997 8-hour ozone standard. This proposed Termination 
Determination is based on EPA's belief that the area is attaining the 
1-hour ozone standard due to permanent and enforceable emission 
reductions implemented in the area. If finalized, the effect of EPA's 
determination would be to terminate the area's obligation to submit a 
section 185 fee program SIP revision for the 1-hour ozone standard.

II. Background

    In 2003, EPA determined that the Baton Rouge 1-hour ozone 
nonattainment area had failed to meet its 1-hour ozone serious area 
nonattainment date, and consequently the area was reclassified as a 
matter of law to severe nonattainment of the 1-hour ozone standard 
effective June 23, 2003. 68 FR 20077 (April 24, 2003). The 
reclassification of the area as severe required the State to adopt a 
SIP revision creating a penalty fee program under CAA section 185 that 
would apply if the area failed to meet the November 15, 2005 attainment 
date that applied to severe 1-hour ozone areas. But, by that date, EPA 
had revoked the 1-hour standard and designated the Baton Rouge area for 
the new 1997 8-hour standard as marginal nonattainment.
    Section 185 1-Hour Ozone Anti-backsliding Requirements:
    Although EPA revoked the 1-hour standard on June 15, 2004, during 
the transition from the 1-hour ozone to the 8-hour ozone standard, EPA 
required 1-hour nonattainment areas to remain subject to certain 
requirements pertaining to the area's previous 1-hour classification.
    The section 185 fee program requirement applied to any ozone 
nonattainment area classified as Severe or Extreme under the NAAQS, 
including any area that was classified Severe or Extreme under the 1-
hour ozone NAAQS as of the effective date of the area's 8-hour 
designation. Initially, in our rules to address the transition from the 
1-hour to the 8-hour ozone standard, we did not include the 185 fee 
penalty requirement as one of the measures necessary to meet anti-
backsliding requirements.\1\ However, on December 23, 2006, the United 
States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit issued an 
opinion determining that EPA improperly removed from its anti-
backsliding requirements the application of the section 185 fee 
provision for Severe and Extreme nonattainment areas that failed to 
attain the 1-hour ozone standard by their attainment date. South Coast 
Air Quality Management District v. EPA, 472 F.3d 882 (DC Cir. 2006). In 
light of the Court's decision, on January 5, 2010 EPA issued guidance 
on the application of the 185 1-hour anti-backsliding requirement. 
EPA's guidance addressed, among other matters, alternative methods of 
satisfying the section 185 1-hour anti-backsliding requirement, and the 
circumstances under which EPA would determine that the obligation was 
terminated.
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    \1\ Final Rule to Implement the 8-Hour Ozone National Ambient 
Air Quality Standard--Phase 1, 69 FR 23951 (April 30, 2004).
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    After the 1-hour standard was revoked, and in accordance with anti-
backsliding regulations that remained unchallenged, EPA no longer 
reclassified areas under section 181(b) for the 1-hour standard or 
redesignated 1-hour nonattainment areas to attainment for that standard 
69 FR 23951 (April 30, 2004). EPA continued, however to make 
determinations of attainment for the 1-hour standard under EPA's Clean 
Data Policy. On February 10, 2010 (75 FR 6570), EPA determined, 
pursuant to the Clean Data Policy, that the Baton Rouge area had 
attained the 1-hour ozone standard.\2\ This determination suspended 
certain attainment-related severe area 1-hour ozone planning 
requirements for Baton Rouge, but did not affect the area's anti-
backsliding obligation under the 1-hour ozone section 185 fee 
requirement.
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    \2\ May 10, 1995, EPA memorandum from John S. Seitz, Director, 
Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, entitled ``Reasonable 
Further Progress, Attainment Demonstration, and Related Requirements 
for Ozone Nonattainment Areas Meeting the Ozone Ambient Air Quality 
Standard.''
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III. What is the legal rationale for this action? \3\

    As a result of the court decision in South Coast Air Quality 
Management District v. EPA, 472 F.3d 882 (DC Cir. 2006), States with 
areas classified as Severe or Extreme nonattainment for the 1-hour 
ozone standard at the time of the area's initial nonattainment 
designation for the 1997 8-hour standard are no longer categorically 
exempt from anti-backsliding requirements under section 185. As set 
forth in EPA's January 5, 2010 guidance \4\, EPA believes that States 
can meet this obligation through a SIP revision containing either the 
fee program prescribed in section 185, or an equivalent alternative 
program, as further explained below. EPA believes that an alternative 
program may be acceptable if it is consistent with the principles of 
section 172(e) of the CAA, which allows EPA through rulemaking to 
accept alternative programs that are ``not less stringent'' where EPA 
has

[[Page 17370]]

revised the NAAQS to make it less stringent.
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    \3\ Stephen D. Page, Director, Office of Air Quality Planning 
and Standards. Guidance on Developing Fee Programs Required by Clean 
Air Act Section 185 for the 1-Hour Ozone NAAQS. January 5, 2010.
    \4\ Ibid.
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    Section 172(e) is an anti-backsliding provision of the CAA that 
requires EPA to develop regulations to ensure that controls are ``not 
less stringent'' than those that applied prior to relaxing a standard 
where EPA has revised a NAAQS to make it less stringent. In the Phase 1 
ozone implementation rule for the 1997 ozone NAAQS published on April 
30, 2004 (69 FR 23951), EPA determined that although section 172(e) 
does not directly apply where EPA has strengthened the NAAQS, as it did 
in 1997, it was reasonable to apply the same principle for the 
transition from the 1-hour NAAQS to the 1997 8-hour NAAQS. As part of 
applying the principle in section 172(e) for purposes of the transition 
from the 1-hour standard to the 1997 8-hour standard, EPA can either 
require States to retain programs that applied for purposes of the 1-
hour standard, or alternatively can allow States flexibility to adopt 
alternative programs, but only if such alternatives are determined 
through rulemaking to be ``not less stringent'' than the mandated 
program.
    EPA is electing to consider alternative programs to satisfy the 
section 185 fee program SIP revision requirement. States choosing to 
adopt an alternative program to the section 185 fee program must 
demonstrate that the alternative program is no less stringent than the 
otherwise applicable section 185 fee program and EPA must approve such 
demonstration after notice and comment rulemaking.
    As set forth in EPA's January 5, 2010 guidance, EPA believes that 
for an area that we determine is attaining either the 1-hour ozone or 
1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS, based on permanent and enforceable emissions 
reductions, the area would no longer be obligated to submit a fee 
program SIP revision to satisfy the anti-backsliding requirements 
associated with the transition from the 1-hour ozone standard to the 
1997 8-hour ozone standard. In such cases, an area's existing SIP could 
be considered an adequate alternative program. Our reasoning follows 
from the fact that an area's existing SIP measures, in conjunction with 
other enforceable Federal measures, are adequate for the area to 
achieve attainment, which is the purpose of the section 185 program. 
The section 185 fee program is an element of an area's attainment 
demonstration, and its object is to bring about attainment after a 
failure of an area to attain by its attainment date. Thus, areas that 
have attained the 1-hour ozone standard, the standard for which the fee 
program was originally required, as a result of permanent and 
enforceable emission reductions, would have a SIP that is not less 
stringent than the SIP required under section 185. Therefore, EPA 
concludes that the obligation to collect fees terminates once EPA 
determines that the area has attained the 1-hour ozone standard based 
on permanent and enforceable emissions reductions.
    In addition, EPA's guidance states that once an area attains the 
1997 8-hour ozone standard, which replaced the now revoked 1-hour ozone 
standard, the purpose of retaining the section 185 fee program as an 
anti-backsliding measure would also be fulfilled as the area would have 
attained the 8-hour ozone standard for which the fee program was 
retained as a transition measure. We believe that it would unfairly 
penalize sources in these areas to require that fees be paid after an 
area has attained the 8-hour ozone standard due to permanent and 
enforceable emission reductions because the fees were imposed due to a 
failure to meet the applicable attainment deadline for the revoked 1-
hour ozone standard, not any failure to achieve the now applicable 8-
hour ozone standard for which the fee program was retained as a 
transition matter by its attainment date.\5\
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    \5\ EPA notes that it has also finalized a determination that 
the Baton Rouge area has attained the 8-hour ozone standard. (75 FR 
54778, September 9, 2010). A final determination of 8-hour 
attainment based on permanent and enforceable emissions reductions 
could provide another ground for termination of the section 185 1-
hour anti-backsliding requirements, but we have not yet made such a 
determination and thus do not rely on it here.
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    There is also an additional, independent basis for EPA's approach 
to determining that the anti-backsliding requirements associated with 
section 185 have been satisfied. Although section 185 provides that 
fees are to continue until the area is redesignated for ozone, EPA no 
longer promulgates redesignations for the 1-hour ozone standard because 
that standard has been revoked. Therefore, relief from the 1-hour 
section 185 fee program requirement under the terms of the statute is 
an impossibility, since the conditions the statute envisioned for 
relieving an area of its fee program obligation no longer can exist. 
There is thus a gap in the statute which must be filled by EPA. We 
believe that under these circumstances we must exercise our discretion 
under Chevron USA, Inc. v. Natural Resources Defense Council, 467 U.S. 
837 (1984), to fill this gap, so as to carry out Congressional intent 
in the unique context of anti-backsliding requirements for a revoked 
standard. We believe that it is reasonable for the fee program 
obligation that applies for purposes of anti-backsliding to cease upon 
a determination, based on notice-and-comment rulemaking, that an area 
has attained the 1-hour ozone standard due to permanent and enforceable 
measures. This determination centers on the core criteria for 
redesignations under CAA section 107(d)(3). We believe these criteria 
provide reasonable assurance that the purpose of the 1-hour anti-
backsliding fee program obligation has been fulfilled in the context of 
a regulatory regime where the area remains subject to other applicable 
1-hour anti-backsliding and 8-hour measures. Under these circumstances, 
retention of the fee program under the anti-backsliding rule is no 
longer necessary for the purpose of achieving attainment of the 8-hour 
standard. See EPA's January 5, 2010 guidance. (Footnote 3).

IV. What is the effect of this action?

    If this proposed determination to terminate the section 185 fee 
anti-backsliding requirement for the 1-hour ozone standard is 
finalized, the requirement for the State of Louisiana to submit a 185 
penalty fee program SIP revision, which would require major stationary 
sources under the Baton Rouge 1-hour severe nonattainment 
classification to pay fees as a penalty for a failure to attain the 1-
hour ozone standard by the area's 1-hour ozone attainment date, would 
be removed. A final approval of the Termination Determination for the 
1-hour standard section 185 measures will not be rescinded based on 
subsequent nonattainment for the 1-hour ozone standard. After EPA has 
determined that an area has attained the 1-hour standard due to 
permanent and enforceable emission reductions, EPA believes that it 
would be unduly punitive, confusing, and potentially destabilizing to 
re-impose the years-old penalty requirements if at some point in the 
future the area lapses back into 1-hour nonanttainment. Moreover, EPA 
believes that under current circumstances, it would not be in keeping 
with the intent of Congress. First, we note that had the area attained 
the 1-hour ozone standard prior to its attainment date, no penalties at 
all would have been imposed even if the area subsequently lapsed into 
nonattainment. Second, the statute provides that penalties for failure 
to attain by an area's attainment date would be terminated by 
redesigntion of the area. Now that the 1-hour ozone standard has been 
revoked and EPA is no longer promulgating redesignations for that 
standard, relief from the 1-hour section 185 fee program requirements

[[Page 17371]]

under the terms of the statute is an impossibility--the mechanism the 
statute envisioned for relief no longer exists. As EPA explains in its 
January 5 guidance, we have reasonably concluded in these circumstances 
that a determination of attainment due to permanent and enforceable 
emissions reductions, along with the area's existing SIP and its 
continuing obligations to meet ever more stringent ozone standards, are 
a reasonable alternative means for terminating these unique 
antibacksliding penalty provisions. EPA believes that, given the gap in 
the statute, and the intent of Congress as expressed in quite different 
regulatory circumstances, it would be counterproductive and in conflict 
with that intent for EPA's determination to merely suspend rather than 
permanently terminate the 1-hour antibacksliding penalty fees. 
Requiring areas to remain subject to the threat of reviving stale 
penalty fees for an old revoked standard, when these areas and the 
sources subject to the penalties must now muster their resources to 
focus on meeting newer more stringent standards, would be at odds with 
the purposes of the act and in conflict with the principle that penalty 
provisions should be narrowly construed. This is all more the case when 
the area is subject to a host of ongoing obligations for the 1997 8-
hour ozone standard as well as the future anticipated new 8-hour ozone 
standard,\6\ and when it has already shown great improvement in meeting 
the 1-hour and 1997 8-hour ozone standards.
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    \6\ EPA anticipates announcing the reconsidered 8-hour ozone 
standard in July 2011.
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V. What is EPA's analysis?

    EPA's proposed Termination Determination is based upon EPA's belief 
that the area is attaining the 1-hour ozone standard due to permanent 
and enforceable emission reductions implemented in the area. EPA has 
issued guidance expressing its views as to potential rationales for 
terminating section 185 obligations for 1-hour ozone in its January 5, 
2010 guidance. This notice formally sets forth EPA's legal 
interpretation concerning the basis for terminating those obligations.

a. Attainment of the 1-Hour Ozone Standard

    As noted above, EPA recently determined that the Baton Rouge 1-hour 
ozone nonattainment area attained the 1-hour ozone NAAQS. 75 FR 6570 
(February 10, 2010). This determination was based on three years of 
complete, quality-assured and certified ambient air monitoring data 
that showed monitored attainment of the 1-hour ozone standard for the 
2006-2009 monitoring period. EPA is proposing to determine that the 
area continues in attainment, based on complete, quality-assured data 
for 2010 and preliminary data available to date for the 2011 ozone 
season.
    In addition, on September 9, 2010, EPA determined that the Baton 
Rouge 1997 8-hour ozone nonattainment area has also attained the 1997 
8-hour ozone NAAQS. (75 FR 54778) This proposed determination is based 
on four years of complete, quality-assured and certified ambient air 
monitoring data that show the area monitoring attainment of the 1997 8-
hour ozone standard for the 2006-2008, 2007-2009, and 2008-2010 
monitoring periods. Preliminary data available to date for the 2011 
ozone season are consistent with continued attainment. Table 1 shows 
the fourth high 8-hour ozone average concentrations and design values 
for monitors in the Baton Rouge area for the 2006-2010 monitoring 
period.\7\
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    \7\ As noted above, a final determination of attainment for the 
8-hour standard that is due to permanent and enforceable emissions 
reductions would provide an additional basis for a Termination 
Determination for Baton Rouge, but EPA has not yet made such a 
determination and therefore does not rely on that ground here.

                     Table 1--Fourth Highest 8-Hour Ozone Average Concentrations and Design Values (ppm) in the Baton Rouge Area \1\
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                                                                       4th Highest daily max                         Design values three year averages
                      Site                       -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      2006         2007         2008         2009         2010      2006-2008    2007-2009    2008-2010
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Plaquemine (22-047-0009)........................        0.083        0.079        0.076        0.071        0.074        0.079        0.075        0.073
Carville (22-047-0012)..........................        0.085        0.086        0.073        0.076        0.072        0.081        0.078        0.073
Dutchtown (22-005-0004).........................        0.087        0.088        0.074        0.074        0.078        0.083        0.078        0.075
Baker (22-033-1001).............................        0.091        0.077        0.071        0.071        0.075        0.079        0.073        0.072
LSU (22-033-0003)...............................        0.085        0.085        0.072        0.084        0.080        0.080        0.080        0.078
Grosse Tete (22-047-0007).......................        0.086        0.084        0.071        0.070        0.074        0.080        0.075        0.071
Port Allen (22-121-0001)........................        0.087        0.076        0.072        0.072        0.071        0.078        0.073        0.071
Pride (22-033-0013).............................        0.082        0.077        0.074        0.072        0.071        0.077        0.074        0.072
French Settlement (22-063-0002).................        0.079        0.084        0.075        0.075        0.076        0.079        0.078        0.075
Capitol (22-033-0009)...........................        0.084        0.074        0.067        0.076        0.076        0.075        0.072        0.073
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\1\ Unlike for the 1-hour ozone standard, design value calculations for the 1997 8-hour ozone standard are based on a rolling three-year average of the
  annual 4th highest values (40 CFR Part 50, Appendix I).

b. Permanent and Enforceable Emission Reductions

    EPA believes that the State has demonstrated that the observed air 
quality improvements with respect to the 1-hour ozone standard are due 
to permanent and enforceable emission reductions through the 
implementation of emission controls contained in the SIP and in Federal 
control measures.
    Subsequent to the 1990 CAA amendments, Louisiana complied with the 
planning requirements of the CAA for a serious 1-hour ozone 
nonattainment area (67 FR 61786, October 2, 2002).\8\ But because the 
area failed to attain that standard by the attainment date for a 
serious 1-hour ozone nonattainment area, in anticipation of being 
reclassified to

[[Page 17372]]

severe, and in response to EPA's Clean Air Interstate Rule (now vacated 
and remanded), additional NOX emission reductions were 
achieved through the implementation of NOX control measures 
for stationary sources which were adopted by the State effective on 
February 20, 2002, and approved by EPA on September 27, 2002 (67 FR 
60877). These rules were implemented between February 20, 2002, and May 
1, 2005. The Baton Rouge area was reclassified as severe for the 1-hour 
ozone standard on April 24, 2003. (68 FR 20077)
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    \8\ A litigant challenged EPA's approval of the serious area 
contingency measures, but the obligation related to these measures 
was later suspended by EPA's determination that the area has 
attained the 1-hour standard (75 FR 6570, February 10, 2010).
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    The rules established emission factors (standards) for 
NOX sources within the Baton Rouge nonattainment area. These 
revisions achieved approximately 40 TPD of additional NOX 
reductions in the Baton Rouge nonattainment area. The specific 
standards are listed below.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
     NOX reduction measures 2002-2008               NOX standard
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Electric Power Generating System Boilers:
    Coal-fired > 40 to < 80 MMBtu/hr......  0.50 lb/MMBtu.
    Coal-fired > 80 MMBtu/hr..............  0.21 lb/MMBtu.
    No. 6 fuel oil-fired > 40 to < 80       0.30 lb/MMBtu.
     MMBtu/hr.
    No. 6 fuel oil-fired > 80 MMBtu/hr....  0.18 lb/MMBtu.
    All others (gaseous or liquid) > 40 to  0.20 lb/MMBtu.
     < 80 MMBtu/hr.
    All others (gaseous or liquid) > 80     0.10 lb/MMBtu.
     MMBtu/hr.
Industrial Boilers > 40 to < 80 MMBtu/hr..  0.20 lb/MMBtu.
Industrial Boilers > 80 MMBtu/hr..........  0.10 lb/MMBtu.
Process Heater/Furnaces:
    Ammonia reformers > 40 to < 80 MMBtu/   0.30 lb/MMBtu.
     hr.
    Ammonia reformers > 80 MMBtu/hr.......  0.23 lb/MMBtu.
    All others > 40 to < 80 MMBtu/hr......  0.18 lb/MMBtu.
    All others > 80 MMBtu/hr..............  0.08 lb/MMBtu.
Stationary Gas Turbines:
    Peaking Service, Fuel Oil-fired > 5 to  0.37 lb/MMBtu.
     < 10 MW.
    Peaking Service, Fuel Oil-fired > 10    0.30 lb/MMBtu.
     MW.
    Peaking Service, Gas-fired > 5 to < 10  0.27 lb/MMBtu.
     MW.
    Peaking Service, Gas-fired > 10 MW....  0.20 lb/MMBtu.
    All Others > 5 to < 10 MW.............  0.24 lb/MMBtu.
    All Others > 10 MW....................  0.16 lb/MMBtu.
Stationary Internal Combustion Engines:
    Lean-burn engines > 150 to < 320 Hp...  10 g/Hp-hr.
    Lean-burn engines > 320 Hp............  4 g/Hp-hr.
    Rich-burn engines > 150 to < 300 Hp...  2 g/Hp-hr.
    Rich-burn engines > 300 Hp............  2 g/Hp-hr.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

In addition, Louisiana adopted and implemented emission control rules 
requiring existing sources of VOC to meet, at minimum, RACT. These 
requirements apply to sources in categories covered by Control 
Technology Guidelines (CTGs) and other major non-CTG sources. These 
rules were adopted and implemented prior to 2002. (62 FR 63658, 
February 2, 1998; 63 FR 47429, November 8, 1998) The Baton Rouge 
nonattainment area control strategy is primarily NOX-driven, 
therefore no major VOC rules have been adopted other than those 
required to meet updated CTGs as required by the Act.
    Finally, implementation of the phased-in Federal Tier II light-duty 
vehicle rule was complete in 2006, with 100 percent of the vehicles 
manufactured for that model year meeting the more stringent standard. 
This would have contributed some small additional benefit to the Baton 
Rouge area during the 2006-2008 monitoring period.
    EPA believes that the progress made to reduce emissions in the 
Baton Rouge area during the 2002-2008 timeframe resulting in achieving 
attainment of both the 1-hour and 1997 8-hour ozone standards is from 
permanent and enforceable measures which achieved significant 
reductions as summarized in Table 2.

                 Table 2--Summary of Emission Reductions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              NOX TPD         VOC TPD
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Adjusted Base Year (2002) Inventory.....           193.3           103.5
2008 Emissions..........................           143.2            97.8
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Emissions of both VOC and NOX have been reduced during 
the time period leading up to December 31, 2008, the date when Baton 
Rouge reached attainment for the 1-hour standard, to an extent that 
there are currently excess emission reductions for both ozone 
standards. Even though the NOx rules were fully implemented by May of 
2005, the area was prevented from attaining in 2005 by the four 
exceedances experienced in the 2003-2004 monitoring period.

    The preceding discussion demonstrates that permanent and 
enforceable emission reduction measures adopted and implemented by the 
State have been effective in reaching attainment of both the 1-hour and 
1997 8-hour ozone standards.

VI. Proposed Action

    EPA is proposing to make a determination to terminate (Termination 
Determination) the section 185 fee penalty requirement for the Baton 
Rouge area for the 1-hour ozone standard. For the reasons set forth in 
this notice, this proposed determination is based on EPA's 
determination that the area has attained and continues to attain the 1-

[[Page 17373]]

hour ozone standard due to permanent and enforceable emissions 
reductions.

VII. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

    This action proposes to make a determination of termination of the 
CAA section 185 penalty fee requirement based on attainment of the 1-
hour ozone standard due to permanent and enforceable emission 
reductions, and would, if finalized, result in the termination of the 
section 185 fee requirements for the 1-hour standard, and would not 
impose any additional requirements. For that reason, this proposed 
action:
    [cir] Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' subject to review 
by the Office of Management and Budget under Executive Order 12866 (58 
FR 51735, October 4, 1993);
    [cir] Does not impose an information collection burden under the 
provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.);
    [cir] 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.);
    [cir] 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);
    [cir] Does not have Federalism implications as specified in 
Executive Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10, 1999);
    [cir] Is not an economically significant regulatory action based on 
health or safety risks subject to Executive Order 13045 (62 FR 19885, 
April 23, 1997);
    [cir] Is not a significant regulatory action subject to Executive 
Order 13211 (66 FR
    28355, May 22, 2001);
    [cir] Is not subject to the requirements of Section 12(d) of the 
National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272 
note) because application of those requirements would be inconsistent 
with the Clean Air Act; and
    [cir] Does not provide EPA with the discretionary authority to 
address, as appropriate, disproportionate human health or environmental 
effects, using practicable and legally permissible methods, under 
Executive Order 12898 (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994). In addition, 
this rule does not have Tribal implications as specified by Executive 
Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, November 9, 2000), because the SIP is not 
approved to apply in Indian country located in the State, and EPA notes 
that it will not impose substantial direct costs on Tribal governments 
or preempt Tribal law.

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52

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

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

    Dated: March 19, 2011.
Al Armendariz,
Regional Administrator, Region 6.
[FR Doc. 2011-7325 Filed 3-28-11; 8:45 am]
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