Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2007/12/20/E7-24513/approval-of-implementation-plans-of-michigan-clean-air-interstate-rule
Timestamp: 2018-08-15 15:41:18
Document Index: 318669780

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 97', 'art 8', 'art 8', 'art 75', 'art 96', 'art 75', 'art 97', '§\u200952', 'art 8', 'art 8']

Federal Register :: Approval of Implementation Plans of Michigan: Clean Air Interstate Rule
Approval of Implementation Plans of Michigan: Clean Air Interstate Rule
A Rule by the Environmental Protection Agency on 12/20/2007
This rule is effective December 20, 2007.
72 FR 72256
72256-72263 (8 pages)
EPA-R05-OAR-2007-0519
FRL-8508-1
E7-24513
II. Did Anyone Comment on the Proposed Conditional Approval?
III. What Are the General Requirements of CAIR and the CAIR FIP?
IV. Analysis of Michigan's CAIR SIP Submittal
A. Nature of Michigan's Submittal
B. Summary of Michigan's Rules
G. Allocation of NO X Allowances From the Compliance Supplement Pool
I. Conditions for Approval
Appendix A to Subpart AAAA of Part 97—States With Approved State Implementation Plan Revisions Concerning Applicability
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/E7-24513 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/E7-24513
EPA is conditionally approving a revision to the Michigan State Implementation Plan (SIP) submitted on July 16, 2007. This revision incorporates provisions related to the implementation of EPA's Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR), promulgated on May 12, 2005, and subsequently revised on April 28, 2006, and December 13, 2006, and the CAIR Federal Implementation Plan (CAIR FIP) concerning sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOX) annual, and NOX ozone season emissions for the state of Michigan, promulgated on April 28, 2006, and subsequently revised December 13, 2006. EPA is not making any changes to the CAIR FIP, but is, to the extent EPA approves Michigan's SIP revision, amending the appropriate appendices in the CAIR FIP trading rules simply to note that approval.
The SIP revision that EPA is conditionally approving is an abbreviated SIP revision that addresses: The applicability provisions for the NOX ozone season trading program under the CAIR FIP and supporting definitions of terms; the methodology to be used to allocate NOX annual and ozone season NOX allowances under the CAIR FIP and supporting definitions of terms; and provisions for opt-in units under the CAIR FIP. Michigan will be submitting additional SO2 rules in the future.
EPA has established a docket for this action under Docket ID No. EPA-R05-OAR-2007-0519. All documents in the electronic docket are listed in the www.regulations.gov index. Although listed in the index, some information is not publicly available, i.e., 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 either electronically in www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at the Environmental Protection Agency, Region 5, Air and Radiation Division, 77 West Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, Illinois 60604. This Facility is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. We recommend that you telephone Douglas Aburano, Environmental Engineer, at (312) 353-6960, before visiting the Region 5 office.
B. Summary of Michigan's Rule
EPA is conditionally approving a revision to Michigan's SIP, submitted on July 16, 2007, that would modify the application of certain provisions of the CAIR FIP concerning NOX annual and NOX ozone season emissions. (As discussed below, this less comprehensive CAIR SIP is termed an abbreviated SIP.) EPA proposed to conditionally approve Michigan's submittal on September 12, 2007 (72 FR 52038). The CAIR SO2 FIP will remain in place unaffected. Michigan is subject to the CAIR FIP that implements the CAIR requirements by requiring certain electric generating units (EGUs) to participate in the EPA-administered federal CAIR SO2, NOX annual, and NOX ozone season cap-and-trade programs. The SIP revision provides a methodology for allocating NOX allowances for the NOX annual and NOX ozone season trading programs. The CAIR FIP provides that this methodology will be used to allocate NOX allowances to sources in Michigan, instead of the federal allocation Start Printed Page 72257methodology otherwise provided in the FIP. The SIP revision also provides a methodology for allocating the compliance supplement pool (CSP) in the CAIR NOX annual trading program, expands the applicability provisions of the CAIR NOX ozone season trading program, and allows for individual units not otherwise subject to the CAIR trading programs to opt into such trading programs. Consistent with the flexibility provided in the FIP, these provisions will also be used to replace or supplement, as appropriate, the corresponding provisions in the CAIR FIP for Michigan. EPA is not making any changes to the CAIR FIP, but is, to the extent EPA approves Michigan's SIP revision, amending the appropriate appendices in the CAIR FIP trading rules to note that approval.
EPA is conditionally approving this SIP revision, as opposed to fully or completely approving it, because of several minor deficiencies that Michigan must address. If Michigan has not met the conditions for full approval within one year of the effective date of EPA's conditional approval, this conditional approval will revert to a disapproval, as of the deadline for meeting the conditions, without further action required by EPA. In the event the conditional approval reverts to a disapproval, EPA will publish a notice in the Federal Register to inform the public. If Michigan does meet the conditions necessary for a full approval, EPA will publish a Federal Register notice finalizing the full approval.
A 30-day comment period ended on October 12, 2007. EPA received only one comment, which supported approving Michigan's submittal. EPA did not receive any adverse comments during the comment period.
CAIR establishes state-wide emission budgets for SO2 and NOX, and is to be implemented in two phases. The first phase of NOX reductions starts in 2009 and continues through 2014, while the first phase of SO2 reductions starts in 2010 and continues through 2014. The second phase of reductions for both NOX and SO2 starts in 2015 and continues thereafter. CAIR requires states to implement the budgets by either: (1) Requiring EGUs to participate in the EPA-administered cap-and-trade programs; or, (2) adopting other control measures of the state's choosing, and demonstrating that such control measures will result in compliance with the applicable state SO2 and NOX budgets.
With two exceptions, only states that choose to meet the requirements of CAIR through methods that exclusively regulate EGUs are allowed to participate in the EPA-administered trading programs. One exception is for states that adopt the opt-in provisions of the model rules to allow non-EGUs individually to opt into the EPA-administered trading programs. The other exception is for states that include all non-EGUs from their NOX SIP Call trading programs to include those sources in their CAIR NOX ozone season trading programs.
On July 16, 2007, Michigan submitted rules and supporting material for addressing CAIR requirements. The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) held a public hearing on these proposed rules on April 2, 2007. MDEQ also provided a 30-day comment period that ended on April 2, 2007.
Part 8 of Michigan Air Pollution Control Rules, entitled “Emission Limitations and Prohibitions—Oxides of Nitrogen,” includes provisions limiting the emissions of NOX from stationary sources in Michigan. While Part 8 contains many sections, Michigan submitted only a portion of them to address the CAIR requirements. Specifically, Michigan submitted rules 802a, 803, 821 through 826, and 830 through 834 for federal approval.
Rule 802a, entitled “Adoption by reference,” contains adoption by reference language. Michigan has adopted necessary portions of federal regulations including parts of: EPA's Acid Rain Program (specifically 40 CFR 72.2 and 72.8), Continuous Emission Monitoring Program (the entire 40 CFR part 75), NOX Model Rule Compliance (40 CFR 96.54), and the CAIR SO2 and NOX FIP rules (specifically 40 CFR 97.2, 97.102, 97.103, 97.104, 97.302, 97.303, 97.304, 97.180 to 97.188, 97.380 to 97.388).
Rule 803, entitled “Definitions,” modifies the existing Michigan definitions section to address the CAIR requirements. In order to incorporate sources affected by the NOX SIP Call into the CAIR NOX trading program, and also to accommodate Michigan's NOX allocation methodology, the state has adopted definitions that did not already exist in the CAIR FIP.
Rule 821, entitled “CAIR NOX ozone season and annual trading programs; applicability determinations,” contains applicability criteria. Michigan has incorporated the CAIR applicability from the CAIR FIP, has included the non-EGU sources from the NOX SIP Call, and also allows sources of renewable energy and renewable energy projects to receive NOX allowances under the state's allocation methodology. Michigan has also included in this section allocation adjustments based on EGU fuel type.
Rule 822, entitled “CAIR NOX ozone season trading program; allowance allocation,” establishes the NOX budgets for the ozone season control period and establishes the allocation methodology procedures for the ozone season. These provisions describe how Michigan sources under the CAIR FIP, non-EGUs formerly affected by the NOX SIP Call, and renewable energy sources will be allocated NOX ozone season allowances.
Rule 823, entitled “New EGUs, new non-EGUs, and newly affected EGUs under CAIR NOX ozone season trading program; allowance allocations,” establishes the provisions for a set-aside ozone season control period allocation pool for new EGUs, new non-EGUs, and newly affected EGUs (which were not included in the original NOX SIP Call program due to geographic location).
Rule 824, entitled “CAIR NOX ozone season trading program; hardship set-aside,” establishes the provisions for a hardship set-aside ozone season control period allocation pool to address issues for small (i.e., employing fewer than 250 people) businesses that can demonstrate that the controls required for this source result in excessive or prohibitive costs for compliance.
Rule 825, entitled “CAIR NOX ozone season trading program; renewable set-aside,” establishes the provisions for an ozone season control period allocation pool to be allocated to renewable energy sources or renewable energy projects.
Rule 826, entitled “CAIR NOX ozone season trading program; opt-in provisions,” adopts by reference the ozone season control period opt-in provisions under the federal CAIR FIP rules, specifically 40 CFR 97.380 to 97.388.
Rule 830, entitled “CAIR NOX annual trading program; allowance allocations,” establishes the NOXStart Printed Page 72258budgets for the annual control period, and establishes the allocation methodology procedures for the annual control period.
Rule 831, entitled “New EGUs under CAIR NOX annual trading program; allowance allocations,” establishes the provisions for a set-aside annual control period allocation pool for new EGUs and the pool allocation methodology.
Rule 832, entitled “CAIR NOX annual trading program; hardship set-aside,” establishes the provisions for a set-aside annual control period allocation pool to address issues for small (i.e., employing fewer than 250 people) businesses that can demonstrate that the required controls will result in excessive or prohibitive compliance costs.
Rule 833, entitled “CAIR NOX annual trading program; compliance supplement pool,” establishes the provisions for an annual control period compliance supplement pool that provides for allocation for early reduction credit generation for existing sources, and for the newly affected EGUs that were not in the original NOX Budget Program that can demonstrate that compliance during the 2009 control period would create an undue risk to the reliability of the electrical supply.
Rule 834, entitled “Opt-in provisions under the CAIR NOX annual trading program,” adopts by reference the opt-in provisions for the annual control period under the federal CAIR rules. While Michigan has developed an abbreviated SIP, it differs from most other states because of artifacts from the NOX SIP Call. While many states are affected by the NOX SIP Call, Michigan is one of only a few states that is not entirely covered under the NOX SIP Call, due to a modeling boundary that EPA used in atmospheric modeling of pollution sources and downwind effects. Only those Michigan counties that fall, in their entirety, south of 44° latitude are affected by the NOX SIP Call. This is the result of a decision in Michigan v. EPA, 213 F.3d 663 (D.C. Cir. March 3, 2000) that established 44° (a modeling boundary) as the appropriate northern boundary for the NOX SIP Call. EPA describes both the court decision and how it applies to Michigan in a Federal Register notice dated April 21, 2004 (69 FR 21604, 21622-21627). Although only a portion of Michigan is affected by the NOX SIP Call, the entire state is affected by CAIR. In order to transition from the NOX SIP Call trading program to the CAIR ozone season trading program, the Michigan rules include additional definitions and provisions to account for this geographic discrepancy.
An additional complication that Michigan has addressed in its rules is that the CAIR requirements for sources of NOX begin in 2009. Under the NOX SIP Call, Michigan has already issued NOX allowances through 2009. Because the 2009 NOX SIP Call allowances have already been allocated to the Michigan sources, Michigan included provisions acknowledging the 2009 NOX SIP Call allowances and provided that they will be treated as CAIR NOX ozone season allowances issued for that year. 2010 will be the first year in which Michigan sources (other than CAIR opt-in units) will be allocated CAIR NOX ozone season allowances that were not previously issued as NOX SIP Call allowances.
The CAIR NOX annual and ozone season budgets were developed from historical heat input data for EGUs. Using these data, EPA calculated annual and ozone season regional heat input values, which were multiplied by 0.15 lb/mmBtu for phase 1, and 0.125 lb/mmBtu for phase 2, to obtain regional NOX budgets for 2009-2014 and for 2015 and thereafter, respectively. EPA derived the state NOX annual and ozone season budgets from the regional budgets using state heat input data adjusted by fuel factors.
The CAIR FIP established the NOX budgets for Michigan as 65,304 tons for NOX annual emissions for 2009-2014; 54,420 tons for NOX annual emissions for 2015 and thereafter; 28,971 tons for NOX ozone season emissions for 2009-2014; and 24,142 tons for NOX ozone season emissions for 2015 and thereafter. Michigan's SIP revision, which we are conditionally approving in today's action, does not affect these budgets, which are total amounts of allowances available for allocation for each year under the EPA-administered cap-and-trade programs under the CAIR FIP. In short, the abbreviated SIP revision only affects allocations of allowances under the established budgets.
The CAIR NOX annual and ozone-season FIP largely mirrors the structure of the NOX SIP Call model trading rule in 40 CFR part 96, subparts A through I. While the provisions of the NOX annual and ozone-season FIP are similar, there are some differences. For example, the NOX annual FIP (but not the NOX ozone season FIP) provides for a compliance supplement pool (CSP), which is discussed below and under which allowances may be awarded for early reductions of NOX annual emissions. As a further example, the NOX ozone season FIP reflects the fact that the CAIR NOX ozone season trading program replaces the NOX SIP Call trading program after the 2008 ozone season and is coordinated with the NOX SIP Call program. The NOX ozone season FIP provides incentives for early emissions reductions by allowing banked, pre-2009 NOX SIP Call allowances to be used for compliance in the CAIR NOX ozone-season trading program. In addition, states have the option of continuing to meet their NOX SIP Call requirement by participating in the CAIR NOX ozone season trading program and including all their NOX SIP Call trading sources in that program.
EPA used the CAIR model trading rules as the basis for the trading programs in the CAIR FIP. The CAIR FIP trading rules are virtually identical to the CAIR model trading rules, with changes made to account for federal rather than state implementation. The CAIR model SO2, NOX annual, and NOX ozone season trading rules and the respective CAIR FIP trading rules are designed to work together as integrated SO2, NOX annual, and NOX ozone season trading programs.
Michigan is subject to the CAIR FIP for ozone and PM2.5, and the CAIR FIP trading programs for SO2, NOX annual, and NOX ozone season apply to sources in Michigan. Consistent with the flexibility it gives to states, the CAIR FIP provides that states may submit abbreviated SIP revisions that will replace or supplement, as appropriate, certain provisions of the CAIR FIP trading programs. Michigan's July 16, 2007, submission is an abbreviated SIP revision.
In general, the CAIR FIP trading programs apply to any stationary, fossil-fuel-fired boiler or stationary, fossil-fuel-fired combustion turbine serving at any time, since the later of November 15, 1990, or the start-up of the unit's combustion chamber, a generator with nameplate capacity of more than 25 megawatts of electricity (MWe) producing electricity for sale.
States have the option of bringing in, for the CAIR NOX ozone season program only, those units in the state's NOX SIP Call trading program that are not EGUs as defined under CAIR. EPA advises states exercising this option to use provisions for applicability that are substantively identical to the provisions in 40 CFR 96.304 and add the Start Printed Page 72259applicability provisions in the state's NOX SIP Call trading rule for non-EGUs to the applicability provisions in 40 CFR 96.304 in order to include in the CAIR NOX ozone season trading program all units required to be in the state's NOX SIP Call trading program that are not already included under 40 CFR 96.304. Under this option, the CAIR NOX ozone season program must cover all large industrial boilers and combustion turbines, as well as any small EGUs (i.e., units serving a generator with a nameplate capacity of 25 MWe or less), that the state currently requires to be in the NOX SIP Call trading program.
Consistent with the flexibility given to states in the CAIR FIP, Michigan has chosen to expand the applicability provisions of the CAIR NOX ozone season trading program to include all non-EGUs in the state's NOX SIP Call trading program. This increases the overall NOX ozone season CAIR budget assigned to Michigan by 2,209 allowances.
3. The basis for allocating allowances, which may be distributed, for example, based on historical heat input or electric and thermal output; and,
Consistent with the flexibility given to states in the CAIR FIP, Michigan has chosen to replace the provisions of the CAIR NOX annual FIP concerning the allocation of NOX annual allowances with its own methodology. Michigan has chosen to distribute NOX annual allowances based upon a heat-input based methodology for existing units, with set-asides for new sources and for existing sources that submit acceptable demonstrations of hardship to MDEQ.
Michigan's Rule 830 allocates three years of NOX annual allowances at a time to existing sources on a heat input basis. This begins in 2007 for the annual control periods of 2009, 2010 and 2011. By October 31, 2008, Michigan will submit to EPA allocations for the annual control periods of 2012, 2013 and 2014. By October 31, 2011, and, thereafter, each October 31 of every third year, Michigan will submit to EPA allocations for the subsequent three year period.
Under Michigan Rule 831, the new source set-aside for new EGUs is 1,000 tons per year for years 2009-2011, and 1,400 tons per year for years 2012 and thereafter. Allowances for the first annual control period under the new source set-aside are allocated based on 70 percent of a unit's projected emissions. After the first annual control period, new EGUs can request allowances equal to (the number of megawatt hours operated during the previous control period divided by 2,000 lb/ton), multiplied by (1.0 lb NOX/megawatt hours). Once a unit has five years of operating data, it is no longer considered a “new” unit and will be allocated allowances as an existing source under Rule 830.
Michigan Rule 832 establishes a hardship set-aside of 1,200 allowances per year for existing sources. Existing sources with fewer than 250 employees that are able to submit a demonstration to Michigan that the control level required by CAIR will result in excessive or prohibitive compliance costs can request allowances from this set-aside pool.
Michigan Rule 833 establishes a compliance supplement pool of 6,491 allowances for existing EGUs and a pool for newly-affected EGUs of 1,856 allowances. For existing EGUs, allowances can be requested if units have made early reductions during calendar year 2007 and 2008. A newly affected EGU can request hardship allowances if it can demonstrate that compliance with CAIR will result in hardship.
Consistent with the flexibility given to states in the CAIR FIP, Michigan has chosen to replace the provisions of the CAIR NOX ozone season FIP concerning allowance allocations with its own methodology. Michigan has chosen to distribute NOX ozone season allowances using a heat input-based methodology for existing units, with set-asides for new sources, renewable energy sources, and existing sources that submit acceptable demonstrations of hardship to MDEQ.
Michigan's Rule 822 establishes trading budgets for existing EGUs, new EGUs, newly affected EGUs, existing non-EGUs, renewable sources and hardship set-asides. Rule 822 also provides for allocation of three years of NOX ozone season control period allowances at a time to existing EGUs and existing non-EGUs on a heat input basis. This begins in 2007 for the ozone season control periods of 2010 and 2011. By October 31, 2008, Michigan will submit to EPA allocations for the ozone control periods of 2012, 2013 and 2014. By October 31, 2011, and, thereafter, by each October 31 of the year that is three years after the last year of allocation submittal, Michigan will submit the next three years of ozone control period allocations to EPA. Allowances for the 2009 ozone control period are the same as were allocated under the NOX SIP Call Budget Trading Program.
Rule 823 establishes a set-aside pool for new EGUs, new non-EGUs and newly affected EGUs. Rule 823 also includes the directions for how sources can apply for the allowances in this set-aside. Most EGUs were allocated NOX allowances for the 2009 ozone control period under the NOX SIP Call. These allowances are now being designated as CAIR NOX ozone season allowances issued for the 2009 ozone control period. Newly affected EGUs that were not subject to the NOX SIP Call never were allocated 2009 ozone control period allowances under the NOX SIP Call, but will need allowances to comply with CAIR in 2009. Therefore, they are being allowed to request allowances from this set-aside. Newly affected sources can request allowances based on their historic heat input. For the first ozone season control period of operation, new EGUs and new non-EGUs can request allowances from this set-aside based on predicted hours of operation. For the four ozone control periods after the first ozone control period of operation, new EGUs may request allowances based on the actual number of megawatt hours of electricity generated during the ozone control period immediately preceding the request. After a new EGU has five ozone control periods of operating data, it is no longer considered a “new” EGU and is allocated ozone control period allowances per the requirements found in Rule 822. Start Printed Page 72260
Rule 824 creates an annual hardship set-aside pool of 650 allowances beginning in 2010. Both existing EGUs and non-EGUs can request allowances from this pool if the company making the request employs fewer than 250 people and can make a demonstration of financial hardship. The number of allowances a source can request will be based on historical heat input.
Rule 825 establishes a set-aside of 200 allowances per year for renewable units. Initially, renewable units can request allowances from this set-aside based on the nameplate capacity of the unit and the predicted hours of operation during the ozone control period. After a renewable unit has been in operation for one ozone control period, the unit can request allowances based on the previous ozone season control period's actual megawatt hours. Renewable units may only request allowances for three consecutive ozone seasons.
Consistent with the flexibility given to states in the FIP, Michigan has chosen to modify the provisions of the CAIR NOX annual FIP concerning the allocation of allowances from the CSP. Michigan Rule 833 establishes an annual compliance supplement pool of 6,491 allowances for existing EGUs and an annual pool for newly-affected EGUs of 1,856 allowances. Existing EGUs can request allowances if the units have made early reductions during calendar years 2007 and 2008. Newly affected EGUs can request hardship allowances if a demonstration of hardship can be made.
The opt-in provisions allow for certain non-EGUs (i.e., boilers, combustion turbines, and other stationary fossil-fuel-fired devices) that do not meet the applicability criteria for a CAIR trading program to participate voluntarily in (i.e., opt into) the CAIR trading program. A non-EGU may opt into one or more of the CAIR trading programs. In order to qualify to opt into a CAIR trading program, a unit must vent all emissions through a stack and be able to meet monitoring, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements of 40 CFR part 75. The owners and operators seeking to opt a unit into a CAIR trading program must apply for a CAIR opt-in permit. If the unit is issued a CAIR opt-in permit, the unit becomes a CAIR unit, is allocated allowances, and must meet the same allowance-holding and emissions monitoring and reporting requirements as other units subject to the CAIR trading program. The opt-in provisions provide for two methodologies for allocating allowances for opt-in units, one methodology that applies to opt-in units in general and a second methodology that allocates allowances only to opt-in units that the owners and operators intend to repower before January 1, 2015.
Consistent with the flexibility given to states in the FIP, Michigan has chosen to allow non-EGUs meeting certain requirements to participate in the CAIR NOX annual trading program. Michigan has adopted by reference the FIP language regarding opt-ins. Rule 802a incorporates 40 CFR 97.180 to 97.188 by reference, and Rule 834 makes them applicable to units in the State.
Consistent with the flexibility given to states in the FIP, Michigan has chosen to permit non-EGUs meeting certain requirements to participate in the CAIR NOX ozone season trading program. Michigan has adopted by reference the FIP language regarding opt-ins. Rule 802a incorporates 40 CFR 97.380 to 97.388 by reference, and Rule 826 makes them applicable to units in the State.
EPA notes that it has identified several minor deficiencies that are necessary to correct in Michigan's rules. These minor deficiencies are as follows:
1. In rule 803(3), Michigan needs to add a definition for “commence operation.” This definition, and the revised definition of “commence commercial operation,” identified below, are necessary to take account of NOX SIP Call units brought into the CAIR NOX ozone season trading program that do not generate electricity for sale and to ensure that they have appropriate deadlines for certification of monitoring systems under 40 CFR part 97.
2. In rule 803(3)(c), Michigan needs to revise the definition for “commence commercial operation,” as described in Condition 1, above.
3. In rule 803(3)(d)(ii), Michigan needs to revise the definition of “electric generating unit” or “EGU.” EPA interprets Michigan's current rule 803 as properly including in the CAIR NOX ozone season trading program all EGUs in Michigan that were subject to the NOX SIP Call trading program. Michigan must revise the rule to clarify that all EGUs in Michigan that were subject to the NOX SIP Call trading program are included in the CAIR NOX ozone season trading program.
4. In rule 823(5)(c), Michigan needs to reference “subrule (1)(a), (b), (c), and (d)” of the rule. While EPA interprets Michigan's current rule as limiting the new unit set-aside allocations to the amount of allowances in the set-aside, Michigan must revise this provision to clarify the mechanism for implementing this limitation on such allocations.
These minor deficiencies are described in detail in a July 25, 2007 technical support document in the docket for this rulemaking. By a letter dated August 15, 2007, Michigan committed to making final and effective revisions to its rules by correcting these deficiencies as discussed above by July 20, 2008.
Under section 110(k)(4) of the Clean Air Act, EPA may conditionally approve a SIP revision based on a commitment from the state to adopt specific enforceable measures by a date certain that is no more than one year from the date of conditional approval. In this action, we are approving the SIP Start Printed Page 72261revision that Michigan has submitted on the condition that the minor deficiencies in the SIP revision are corrected, as discussed above, by the date referenced in Michigan's letter, i.e., by July 20, 2008. If this condition is not met within one year of the effective date of final rulemaking, the conditional approval will automatically revert to a disapproval—as of the deadline for meeting the conditions—without further action from the EPA. EPA will publish a notice in the Federal Register informing the public of the disapproval. In the event the conditional approval automatically reverts to a disapproval, the validity of allocations made under the SIP revision (including the treatment of previously allocated 2009 NOX SIP Call allowances as 2009 CAIR ozone season allowances) before the date of such reversion to disapproval will not be affected. If Michigan submits final and effective rule revisions correcting the deficiencies, discussed above, within one year from this conditional approval being final and effective, EPA will publish in the Federal Register a notice to acknowledge this and to convert the conditional approval to a full approval.
EPA is conditionally approving Michigan's abbreviated CAIR SIP revision submitted on July 16, 2007. Michigan is covered by the CAIR FIP, which requires participation in the EPA-administered CAIR FIP cap-and-trade programs for SO2, NOX annual, and NOX ozone season emissions. Under this abbreviated SIP revision, and consistent with the flexibility given to states in the FIP, Michigan adopts provisions for allocating allowances under the CAIR FIP NOX annual and ozone season trading programs. In addition, Michigan adopts in the abbreviated SIP revision provisions that establish a methodology for allocating allowances in the CSP, expand the applicability provisions for the CAIR FIP NOX ozone season trading program, and allow for individual non-EGUs to opt into the CAIR FIP NOX annual and NOX ozone season cap-and-trade programs. As provided for in the CAIR FIP, these provisions in the abbreviated SIP revision will replace or supplement the corresponding provisions of the CAIR FIP in Michigan. The abbreviated SIP revision meets the applicable requirements in 40 CFR 51.123(p) and (ee), with regard to NOX annual and NOX ozone season emissions. EPA is not making any changes to the CAIR FIP, but is, to the extent EPA approves Michigan's SIP revision, amending the appropriate appendices in the CAIR FIP trading rules simply to note that approval.
EPA finds that there is good cause for this approval to become effective on December 20, 2007, because a delayed effective date is unnecessary due to the nature of the approval, which allows the State to make allocations under its CAIR rules. The expedited effective date for this action is authorized under both 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(1), which provides that rule actions may become effective less than 30 days after publication if the rule “grants or recognizes an exemption or relieves a restriction” and section 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), which allows an effective date less than 30 days after publication “as otherwise provided by the agency for good cause found and published with the rule.”
CAIR SIP approvals relieve states and CAIR sources within states from being subject to allowance allocation provisions in the CAIR FIPs that otherwise would apply to them, allowing states to make their own allowance allocations based on their SIP-approved state rule. The relief from these obligations is sufficient reason to allow an expedited effective date of this rule under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(1). In addition, Michigan's relief from these obligations provides good cause to make this rule effective December 20, 2007, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3). The purpose of the 30-day waiting period prescribed in 5 U.S.C. 553(d) is to give affected parties a reasonable time to adjust their behavior and prepare before the final rule takes effect. Where, as here, the final rule relieves obligations rather than imposes obligations, affected parties, such as the State of Michigan and CAIR sources within the State, do not need time to adjust and prepare before the rule takes effect.
Under Executive Order 12866 (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993), this action is not a “significant regulatory action” and, therefore, is not subject to review by the Office of Management and Budget. For this reason, this action is also not subject to Executive Order 13211, “Actions Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use” (66 FR 28355, May 22, 2001). This action merely approves state law as meeting Federal requirements and would impose no additional requirements beyond those imposed by state law. Accordingly, the Administrator certifies that this rule would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.). Because this action approves pre-existing requirements under state law and would not impose any additional enforceable duty beyond that required by state law, it 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).
This rule also does not have tribal implications because it would not have a substantial direct effect on one or more Indian tribes, 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, as specified by Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, November 9, 2000). This action also does not have Federalism implications because it would 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 responsibilities among the various levels of government, as specified in Executive Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10, 1999). This action merely approves a state rule implementing a federal standard and to amend the appropriate appendices in the CAIR FIP trading rules to note that approval. It does not alter the relationship or the distribution of power and responsibilities established in the Clean Air Act. This rule also is not subject to Executive Order 13045 “Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks” (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997), because it would approve a state rule implementing a federal standard.
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2. In § 52.1170, the table in paragraph (c) entitled “EPA—Approved Michigan Regulations” is amended by revising an entry in Part 8 “R 336.1803” and adding entries in Part 8 “R 336.1802a”, “R 336.1821 through R 336.1826”, and “R 336.1830 through 336.1834” to read as follows:
R 336.1802a Adoption by reference 6/25/07 12/20/07, [Insert page number where the document begins]
R 336.1803 Definitions 6/25/07 12/20/07, [Insert page number where the document begins]
R 336.1821 CAIR NOX ozone and annual trading programs; applicability determinations 6/25/07 12/20/07, [Insert page number where the document begins]
R 336.1822 CAIR NOX ozone season trading program; allowance allocations 6/25/07 12/20/07, [Insert page number where the document begins]
R 336.1823 New EGUs, new non-EGUs, and newly affected EGUs under CAIR NOX ozone season trading program; allowance allocations 6/25/07 12/20/07, [Insert page number where the document begins]
R 336.1824 CAIR NOX ozone season trading program; hardship set-aside 6/25/07 12/20/07, [Insert page number where the document begins]
R 336.1825 CAIR NOX ozone season trading program; renewable set-aside 6/25/07 12/20/07, [Insert page number where the document begins]
R 336.1826 CAIR NOX ozone season trading program; opt-in provisions 6/25/07 12/20/07, [Insert page number where the document begins]
R 336.1830 CAIR NOX annual trading program; allowance allocations 6/25/07 12/20/07, [Insert page number where the document begins]
R 336.1831 New EGUs under CAIR NOX annual trading program; allowance allocations 6/25/07 12/20/07, [Insert page number where the document begins]
R 336.1832 CAIR NOX annual trading program; hardship set-aside 6/25/07 12/20/07, [Insert page number where the document begins]
R 336.1833 CAIR NOX annual trading program; compliance supplement pool 6/25/07 12/20/07, [Insert page number where the document begins]
R 336.1834 Opt-in provisions under the CAIR NOX annual trading program 6/25/07 12/20/07, [Insert page number where the document begins]
4. Appendix A to Subpart EE is amended by adding the entry for “Michigan” in alphabetical order under paragraphs 1. and 2. to read as follows:
5. Appendix A to Subpart II is amended by adding the entry for “Michigan” in alphabetical order under paragraphs 1. and 2. to read as follows:
6. Appendix A to Subpart AAAA is amended by adding the entry for “Michigan” in alphabetical order to read as follows:
7. Appendix A to Subpart EEEE is amended by adding the entry for “Michigan” in alphabetical order to read as follows:
8. Appendix A to Subpart IIII is amended by adding the entry for “Michigan” in alphabetical order under paragraphs 1. and 2. to read as follows:
[FR Doc. E7-24513 Filed 12-19-07; 8:45 am]