Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/10/21/2019-22704/outer-continental-shelf-air-regulations-consistency-update-for-virginia
Timestamp: 2019-11-14 03:33:34
Document Index: 532161754

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 55', 'art 55', 'art 55', 'art 55', 'art 55', 'art 55', 'art 55', 'art 55', 'art 55', 'art 55', 'art 55', 'art 55', 'art 55', 'art 55', 'art 55', 'art 55', 'art 55', 'art 55', 'art 55', 'art 55', 'art 55']

Federal Register :: Outer Continental Shelf Air Regulations; Consistency Update for Virginia
A Rule by the Environmental Protection Agency on 10/21/2019
This rule is effective on November 20, 2019. The incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in this rule is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of November 20, 2019.
56121-56129 (9 pages)
FRL-9999-40-Region 9
Final FRN IBR
All IBRd Regulations
NOI Submittal
9VAC5 Chapter 500
9VAC5 Chapter 160
9VAC5 Chapter 151
9VAC5 Chapter 150
9VAC5 Chapter 130
9VAC5 Chapter 85
9VAC5 Chapter 80- Part II - Article 9
Article 11—Annual Permit Maintenance Fees for Stationary Sources
Chapter 85—Permits for Stationary Sources of Pollutants Subject to Regulation
Part II—Volatile Organic Compound Emissions Control Areas
Part III—Special Statewide Requirements for Forestry, Agricultural and Highway Programs
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2019-22704 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2019-22704
EPA has established a docket for this action under Docket ID Number EPA-R03-OAR-2011-0140. All documents in the docket are listed on the https://www.regulations.gov website. Although listed in the index, some information is not publicly available, e.g., confidential business information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Certain other material, such as copyrighted material, is not placed on the internet and will be publicly available only in hard copy form. Publicly available docket materials are available through https://www.regulations.gov, or please contact the person identified in the For Further Information Contact section for additional availability information.
Mrs. Amy Johansen, Permits Branch (3AD10), Air and Radiation Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region III, 1650 Arch Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103. The telephone number is (215) 814-2156. Mrs. Johansen can also be reached via electronic mail at johansen.amy@epa.gov.
On April 16, 2019, EPA published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) proposing to approve various Virginia air pollution control requirements for inclusion in the updated compilation of “Commonwealth of Virginia Requirements Applicable to OCS Sources,” dated February 20, 2019, which is incorporated by reference into 40 CFR part 55. See 84 FR 15549.
Pursuant to 40 CFR 55.12, consistency reviews will occur (1) at least annually; (2) upon receipt of a Notice of Intent (NOI) under 40 CFR 55.4; or (3) when a state or local agency submits a rule to EPA to be considered for incorporation by reference in 40 CFR part 55. This action is being taken in response to the submittal of a NOI, received on January 28, 2019, by Dominion Energy Virginia, for the proposed installation of a 12-megawatt offshore wind technology testing facility located approximately 24 nautical miles east of the City of Virginia Beach, Virginia.[1]
EPA reviewed Virginia's rules for inclusion in 40 CFR part 55 to ensure that they are rationally related to the attainment or maintenance of Federal or state ambient air quality standards and compliance with part C of title I of the CAA, that they are not designed expressly to prevent exploration and development of the OCS, and that they are potentially applicable to OCS sources. See 40 CFR 55.1. EPA has also evaluated the rules to ensure they are not arbitrary or capricious. See 40 CFR 55.12(e). In addition, EPA has excluded administrative or procedural rules,[2] and requirements that regulate toxics which are not related to the attainment and maintenance of Federal and state ambient air quality standards. Other specific requirements of the consistency update and the rationale for EPA's proposed action are explained in the April 16, 2019 NPRM and will not be restated here.
EPA received three sets of comments on the April 16, 2019 NPRM. See 84 FR 15549. A summary of the relevant comments and EPA's responses are discussed in this Section. A copy of the comments can be found in the docket for this rulemaking action.
Comment: The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VADEQ) requested that EPA remove references to state-only toxics programs from being incorporated by reference into 40 CFR part 55, as proposed in EPA's April 16, 2019 NPRM. See 84 FR 15549. This affects the following sections of the Virginia Administrative Code (VAC): 9VAC5-40-350, 9VAC5-40-790, 9VAC5-40-970, 9VAC5-40-1880, 9VAC5-40-2310, 9VAC5-40-2460, 9VAC5-40-2610, 9VAC5-40-3330, 9VAC5-40-3480, 9VAC5-40-4830, 9VAC5-40-5270, 9VAC5-40-6390, 9VAC5-40-6690, 9VAC5-40-6880, 9VAC5-40-7030, 9VAC5-40-7470, 9VAC5-40-8090, 9VAC5-50-320, and Article 4 (9VAC5-60-200 et seq.) and Article 5 (9VAC5-60-300 et seq.) of 9VAC5-60 in their entirety.
EPA Response: At Virginia's request, in this final rulemaking action, EPA removed all references to the air toxics regulations in the compilation of the “Commonwealth of Virginia Requirements Applicable to OCS Sources” in 40 CFR part 55. EPA does not believe removal of the toxics sections of VAC will have any adverse impact on VADEQ's ability to properly implement air quality permitting for OCS sources, since they are not related to the attainment and maintenance of Federal and state ambient air quality standards.Start Printed Page 56123
Comment: VADEQ requested that Part I (9VAC5-80-5 et seq.) of 9VAC5-80 be removed in its entirety from 40 CFR part 55, noting that this section, Permit Actions Before the Board, is a requirement of state code and cannot be implemented or enforced by EPA.
EPA Response: At Virginia's request, in this final rulemaking action, EPA removed Part I of 9VAC5-80 from the compilation of the “Commonwealth of Virginia Requirements Applicable to OCS Sources” in 40 CFR part 55. EPA does not believe removal of Part I (9VAC5-80-5 et seq.) of 9VAC5-80 will have any adverse impact on VADEQ's ability to properly implement air quality permitting on OCS sources, since they are not related to the attainment and maintenance of Federal and state ambient air quality standards.
Additionally, for clarification purposes, because Virginia has been delegated authority to implement and enforce the requirements of the OCS Regulations within 25 miles of Virginia's seaward boundary, the inclusion of a regulation into 40 CFR part 55 does not designate EPA as the appropriate authority to implement or enforce those provisions of Virginia's regulations, but, rather, reinforces that VADEQ has the ability to implement and enforce those potentially applicable provisions on OCS sources, for which Virginia is designated as the COA. See 77 FR 44231 (July 27, 2012).
Comment: VADEQ noted a typographical error in EPA's April 16, 2019 NPRM under Article 1 (9VAC5-80-50 et seq.) of Part II of 9VAC5-80, the effective date of 03/02/2011 should be corrected to be 11/16/2016.
EPA Response: EPA agrees with the commenter and has made the requested typographical correction.
Comment: VADEQ requested that Part IV (9VAC5-130-100) of 9VAC5-130 be removed. VADEQ noted that this section, Local Ordinances, is a template for the use of local jurisdictions to develop their own open burning ordinances. VADEQ also noted that this is a requirement of state code and cannot be implemented or enforced by EPA.
EPA Response: At Virginia's request, in this final rulemaking action, EPA removed Part IV (9VAC5-130-100) of 9VAC5-130 from the compilation of the “Commonwealth of Virginia Requirements Applicable to OCS Sources” in 40 CFR part 55. EPA does not believe removal of Part IV (9VAC5-130-100) of 9VAC5-130 will have any adverse impact on VADEQ's ability to properly implement air quality permitting on OCS sources, since they are not related to the attainment and maintenance of Federal and state ambient air quality standards.
In a previous response to comment, EPA addressed VADEQ's statement regarding EPA's ability to implement or enforce VAC provisions and will not be restating that here.
Comment: One commenter stated that regulating emissions from OCS sources within 25 miles of the coast to make them in accordance with onshore sources could make existing OCS sources within 25 miles obsolete. The commenter further asserts that dozens of oil rigs inside 25 miles comply with current OCS regulations, which require them to lower their emissions. In turn, the commenter states that requiring sources to comply with OCS requirements could cost rig owners a significant amount of money if they have to update or modify the rigs to comply. The commenter asserts that this could hurt many drilling businesses and as a result, hurt the economy. Finally, the commenter asks EPA to not go through with this proposal and allow companies to continue drilling within 25 miles of the shore under the current OCS regulations.
EPA Response: As noted in EPA's April 16, 2019 NPRM, this action is being taken because section 328(a) of the CAA requires that EPA establish requirements to control air pollution from OCS sources located within 25 miles of States' seaward boundaries that are the same as onshore requirements. See 84 FR 15549. To comply with this statutory mandate, EPA must incorporate applicable onshore rules into 40 CFR part 55 as they exist onshore. This limits EPA's flexibility in deciding which requirements will be incorporated into 40 CFR part 55 and prevents EPA from making substantive changes to the requirements it incorporates. This rulemaking action is simply updating requirements that were previously incorporated by reference into 40 CFR part 55. See 76 FR 43185 (July 20, 2011). Further, as noted in EPA's April 16, 2019 NPRM and 40 CFR part 55.1, EPA reviewed all of the potentially applicable sections of VAC to ensure they are not designed expressly to prevent exploration and development of the OCS.
Comment: Another commenter expressed that the proposed rule should take effect. The commenter then discusses Virginia's designation as the COA and that the designation enhances the OCS sources' protection. The commenter then goes on to discuss tourism in Virginia. Finally, the commenter concludes that Virginia should go further to control air pollution from OCS sources and comply with standards of the COA.
EPA Response: While it is unclear to EPA exactly what the commenter's main concern is with respect to this rulemaking action, EPA is meeting its statutory obligations in CAA section 328(a)(1) and the requirements of 40 CFR part 55 with respect to specific OCS requirements, upon finalizing this rulemaking action. Additionally, the ability of VADEQ to implement and enforce air quality provisions potentially applicable to an OCS source, for which Virginia is the COA, occurs because Virginia has been delegated the authority, by the EPA, to administer and enforce OCS air requirements. See 77 FR 44231 (July 27, 2012). Lastly, it should be noted that there are many other Federal, state, and local agencies involved in the process of developing the OCS, and in this final rulemaking action, EPA is ensuring that VADEQ has the ability to implement and enforce any necessary applicable air quality regulations for which they have been designated as the COA for that source.
EPA is taking final action to incorporate the rules potentially applicable to OCS sources for which the Commonwealth of Virginia will be the COA. The rules that EPA is taking final action to incorporate are applicable provisions of VAC, as amended through February 20, 2019. The rules that EPA is taking final action to incorporate will replace the rules previously incorporated into “Commonwealth of Virginia Requirements Applicable to OCS Sources,” dated March 2, 2011, which was incorporated by reference into 40 CFR part 55. See 76 FR 43185 (July 20, 2011).
In this rule, EPA is finalizing regulatory text that includes incorporation by reference. In accordance with the requirements of 1 CFR 51.5, EPA is finalizing the incorporation by reference of “Commonwealth of Virginia Requirements Applicable to OCS Sources,” dated February 20, 2019, which is the compilation of provisions of the VAC described in the amendments to 40 CFR part 55 set forth below. EPA has made, and will continue to make, these materials available through www.regulations.gov and at the EPA Region III Office (please contact the person identified in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this preamble for more information).Start Printed Page 56124
Under the Clean Air Act, the Administrator is required to establish requirements to control air pollution from OCS sources located within 25 miles of states' seaward boundaries that are the same as onshore air pollution control requirements. To comply with this statutory mandate, the EPA must incorporate applicable onshore rules into 40 CFR part 55 as they exist onshore. See 42 U.S.C. 7627(a)(1); 40 CFR 55.12. Thus, in promulgating OCS consistency updates, EPA's role is to maintain consistency between OCS regulations and the regulations of onshore areas, provided that they meet the criteria of the CAA. Accordingly, this action simply updates the existing OCS requirements to make them consistent with requirements onshore, without the exercise of any policy direction by EPA. For that reason, this action:
In addition, this rule incorporating by reference sections of VAC, does not have tribal implications as specified by Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, November 9, 2000), because this action is not approved to apply in Indian country located in the state, and EPA notes that it does not impose substantial direct costs on tribal governments or preemptive tribal law.
Under section 307(b)(1) of the Clean Air Act, petitions for judicial review of this action must be filed in the United States Court of Appeals for the appropriate circuit by December 20, 2019. Filing a petition for reconsideration by the Administrator of this final rule does not affect the finality of this action for the purposes of judicial review nor does it extend the time within which a petition for judicial review may be filed and shall not postpone the effectiveness of such rule or action. This action may not be challenged later in proceedings to enforce its requirements. (See section 307(b)(2).)
EPA is incorporating the rules potentially applicable to sources for which the Commonwealth of Virginia is the COA. The rules that EPA is incorporating are applicable provisions of VAC.
Part 55 of Chapter I, title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations is amended as follows:
2. Section 55.14 is amended by revising paragraph (e)(22)(i)(A) to read as follows:
(A) Commonwealth of Virginia Requirements Applicable to OCS Sources, February 20, 2019.
3. Appendix A to part 55 is amended by revising paragraph (a)(1) under the heading “Virginia” to read as follows:
(a) * * *Start Printed Page 56125
(1) The following Commonwealth of Virginia requirements are applicable to OCS Sources, February 20, 2019, Commonwealth of Virginia—Virginia Department of Environmental Quality.
The following sections of Virginia Regulations for the Control and Abatement of Air Pollution Control (VAC), Title 9, Agency 5:
(Effective 05/19/2017)
(Effective 02/19/2018)
(Effective 05/15/2017)
9VAC5-30-57. Ozone (8-hour, 0.070 ppm).
9VAC5-30-66. Particulate matter (PM2.5).
9VAC5-30-67. Particulate matter (PM2.5).
9VAC5-40-2410. Standard for particulate matter.Start Printed Page 56126
(Effective 02/01/2016)
(Effective 07/30/2015)
(Effective 11/16/2016)
9VAC5-40-6820. Applicability and designation of affected facility.Start Printed Page 56127
(Effective 10/01/2013)
9VAC5-40-6975. Exemptions.
(Effective 12/02/2015)
9VAC5-40-7390. Standard for volatile organic compounds (1-hour ozone standard)
9VAC5-40-8140. Test Methods and Procedures.
9VAC5-40-8160. Notification, Records and Reporting.
(Effective 11/07/2012)
(Effective 02/20/2019)
9VAC5-60-150. Application content for case-by-case MACT determinations.Start Printed Page 56128
9VAC5-60-160. Preconstruction review procedures for new affected sources subject to 9VAC5-60-140 C 1.
9VAC5-70-40. Episode determination
9VAC5-80-340. Annual permit program fee calculation prior to January 1, 2018.
9VAC5-80-342. Annual Permit program emissions fee calculation on and after January 2, 2018.
(Effective 03/27/2014)
9VAC5-80-1260. Actions to change permits.
(Effective 08/13/2015)
9VAC5-80-1773. Action on permit application.Start Printed Page 56129
9VAC5-80-2280. Permit application fee calculation prior to January 1, 2018.
9VAC5-80-2282. Permit application fee calculation on and after January 1, 2018.
9VAC5-80-2320. Definitions.
9VAC5-80-2340. Annual Permit Maintenance Fee Calculation Prior to January 1, 2018.
9VAC5-80-2342. Annual Permit Maintenance Fee Calculation on and After January 1, 2018.
9VAC5-80-2350. Annual Permit Maintenance Fee Payment.
(Effective 07/15/2015)
9VAC5-130-50. Forest management, agricultural practices and highway construction and maintenance programs.
9VAC5-160-120. Federal agency conformity analysis.
9VAC5-160-150. Reevaluation of conformity.
9VAC5-160-160. Criteria for determining conformity of general federal actions.
1. The EPA Region III Office was directly impacted by Congress' failure to appropriate funds during the 2018-19 Federal government shutdown and resulting furlough of many Federal employees, including Region III personnel. As a result, although the NOI from Dominion Energy Virginia was signed on December 21, 2018, it was not received and date-stamped by EPA Region III until January 28, 2019, when the Region III office returned to operation.
2. Each COA which has been delegated the authority to implement and enforce 40 CFR part 55 will use its administrative and procedural rules as onshore. However, in those instances where EPA has not delegated authority to implement and enforce 40 CFR part 55, EPA will use its own administrative and procedural requirements to implement the substantive requirements. See 40 CFR 55.14(c)(4). Virginia has been delegated authority to implement and enforce the requirements of the OCS Regulations within 25 miles of Virginia's seaward boundary. See 77 FR 44231 (July 27, 2012).
[FR Doc. 2019-22704 Filed 10-18-19; 8:45 am]