Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2013/06/20/2013-14628/revisions-to-the-air-emissions-reporting-requirements-revisions-to-lead-pb-reporting-threshold-and
Timestamp: 2018-03-24 22:30:40
Document Index: 65560698

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 51', 'art 51', '§\u200951', '§\u200951', 'art 51', '§\u200951', 'art.\n4', '§\u200951', '§\u200951', '§\u200951', 'art.\n6', 'art 70', '§\u200951', 'art 70', '§\u200951', '§\u200951']

37164-37176 (13 pages)
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2013-14628 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2013-14628
Today's action proposes changes to the existing EPA emission inventory reporting requirements on state, local, and tribal agencies in the current Air Emissions Reporting Requirements rule published on December 17, 2008. The proposed amendments would lower the current threshold for reporting Pb sources as point sources; eliminate the requirement for reporting emissions from wildfires and prescribed fires; and replace a requirement for reporting mobile source emissions with a requirement for reporting the input parameters that can Start Printed Page 37165be used to run the EPA models that generate the emissions estimates. In addition, the proposed amendments would reduce the reporting burden on state, local, and tribal agencies by removing the requirements to report daily and seasonal emissions associated with carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O3), and particulate matter up to 10 micrometers in size (PM10) nonattainment areas and nitrogen oxides (NOX) State Implementation Plan (SIP) call areas, although reporting requirements for those emissions would remain in other regulations. Lastly, the proposed amendments would clarify, remove, or simplify some current emissions reporting requirements which we believe are not necessary or are not clearly aligned with current inventory terminology and practices.
NAIC code a
In addition to being available in the docket, an electronic copy of this proposed rule will also be available on the Worldwide Web (WWW) through the Technology Transfer Network (TTN). Following signature, a copy of this proposed rule will be posted on the TTN's policy and guidance page for newly proposed or promulgated rules at the following address: http://www.epa.gov/​ttn/​chief/​. The TTN provides information and technology exchange in various areas of air pollution control. If more information regarding the TTN is needed, call the TTN HELP line at (919) 541-4814.
The EPA promulgated the Air Emissions Reporting Requirements (AERR) in the Federal Register at 73 CFR 76539, on December 17, 2008, in order to consolidate and harmonize the emissions reporting requirements of the NOX SIP Call (40 CFR 51.122) and the Consolidated Emissions Reporting Rule (40 CFR part 51, subpart A) with the needs of the Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR). These amendments are being proposed to align the AERR with the National Ambient Air Quality Standard for Lead (73 FR 66964, November 12, 2008) and the associated Revisions to Lead Ambient Air Monitoring Requirements (75 FR 81126), and because use of the previous AERR over the past few years has revealed needed improvements that will both reduce burden on states and local air agencies as well as make minor technical corrections that reflect what has been put into practice through existing electronic reporting implementation.
To promote consistency with terminology used in the EIS and to remove several items proposed to become optional rather than required, Start Printed Page 37167we are proposing to revise and simplify three tables to subpart A of part 51.
In addition to requiring all states to report annual emissions for all source types on a triennial cycle, the current AERR also requires the reporting of daily or seasonal emissions to be reported for a subset of geographic areas. States subject to the NOX SIP Call are required by the AERR to report 5-month O3 season and summer day NOX emissions every year, and summer day NOX and volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions every third year. States with an 8-hour O3 nonattainment area are required by the AERR to report summer day NOX and VOC emissions for all counties that were covered by the nonattainment area modeling domain that was used to demonstrate Reasonable Further Progress (RFP) every third year. States with CO nonattainment areas and states with CO attainment areas subject to maintenance plans are required by the AERR to report winter work weekday CO emissions every third year. The underlying needs for these daily and seasonal emissions values are derived from requirements in the NOX SIP Call rule, the O3 NAAQS Implementation rule, and the CO NAAQS Implementation rule, respectively.
We are proposing to delete all of the daily and seasonal emissions reporting requirements from the AERR and to replace those requirements with statements that the states can choose to meet the underlying periodic inventory reporting requirements of those three other rules by reporting via the AERR. The current O3 and CO NAAQS Implementation rules, and the proposed changes to the NOx SIP Call, would continue to require states to report the emissions in a format and on a schedule as required by those rules to ensure compliance with those rules. Each of the three underlying rules already requires states to show and track consistency with the emissions projections contained in approved SIP submissions, and also contains requirements for public review of SIP revisions. Given these specific requirements in individual rules, the EPA believes that also requiring submittal of these daily and seasonal emissions values in a Start Printed Page 37168format and under a schedule prescribed by the existing AERR and the EIS data system can be unfeasible in practice and is likely to introduce significant inaccuracies and confusion. In addition, the periodic emissions data and documentation that states are required to submit to their EPA Regional Offices under the two existing NAAQS implementation rules and the proposed changes to the NOx SIP Call are sufficient to demonstrate compliance with those rules and, thus, make the existing AERR requirement unnecessary.
The AERR was finalized on December 17, 2008, prior to the finalization of the design details of the EIS data system that is used to collect and store the required data. As a result, the EPA is proposing a number of changes to provide consistency between the AERR reporting mechanism and the EIS data collection system and, thus, simplify emissions reporting. There were a number of inconsistencies between the AERR and the EIS data system in the terminology used for some data elements. Some compound data elements in the AERR were separated into more discrete and less ambiguous elements in the EIS. In addition, a few data elements necessary for inclusion in the EIS data system, in order to fully describe related required data elements, were not explicitly listed in the AERR, and some AERR data elements that were listed as required for state reporting have since been determined to be obtainable by the EPA by other methods. The proposed removal of requirements to report the O3 and CO typical day SIP emissions and the NOx SIP Call seasonal emissions, via this AERR reporting mechanism and the EIS data system as described above, make it necessary to remove several other data elements from the AERR requirements, although they are still available in the EIS as optional data elements.
The EIS data system was designed such that data elements that had not changed from one reporting period to the next need not be re-submitted. Only data elements that have changed need be reported. This streamlined reporting structure, along with the terminology changes, requirements deletions, and other consistency revisions described above, created a need for the EPA to revise Tables 1, 2a, 2b and 2c in Appendix A of the AERR. Table 1 still defines the emissions thresholds that determine the Type A point source emissions required to be reported each year. In addition, it now includes the thresholds used to determine the Type B sources required to be reported as point sources every third year. These Type B point source thresholds had previously been included as part of the definition of the term “point source.” In the revised Table 1, we have clarified the name of the two PM pollutants by including “primary.” This is consistent with the existing list of required pollutants described in § 51.15.
For the Emissions data elements listed in Table 2b, we are proposing to add five new items, four of which we believe to be minor extensions or clarifications of existing requirements necessary to avoid ambiguity in the EIS data system. Start Printed Page 37169The EPA believes that these new items will not add any new information collection burden. The four items are: Shape Identifiers, Emission Type, Reporting Period Type, and Emission Operating Type. Shape Identifiers are a more detailed method of identifying the geographic area for which emissions are being reported than the entire county for nonpoint sources. The EPA believes that they are needed for a small number of nonpoint sources, such as rail lines, ports, and underway vessels, which occur only in a small and identifiable portion of a full county. Although states are still required to report emissions for these sources, we are also proposing to add language to the AERR to allow states to meet the requirements for reporting some of their nonpoint sources by accepting the EPA's estimates for the sources for which the EPA makes calculations. For the nonpoint sources needing the more geographically-detailed emissions, the EPA has provided tables describing the geographic entities and their identifiers and has also estimated emissions for each of the entities. The EPA provides states the opportunity to comment on the EPA estimates and to submit their own estimates if they choose. If states choose to submit their own estimates, they would have to provide the extra geographic detail described by the Shape Identifiers.
Emission Type is a code that is a further level of detail of the existing required element SCC, which identifies the emitting processes. Note that we are also proposing to revise the definition of this term in § 51.50, since the existing definition actually describes the Reporting Period Type and not the Emission Type.
We are proposing revisions to some of the terms in point source facility inventory Table 2a to clarify their meaning and promote consistency with the EIS data system names. We are proposing to revise FIPs code to State and County FIPs Code or Tribal Code. For each of the five existing stack and exit gas data elements, we are proposing to revise their names to add “Release Point” in order to be consistent with EIS names. We are also proposing to Start Printed Page 37170explicitly add five Unit of Measure data elements, one for each of the existing numerical stack and exit gas data elements. We believe the only reasonable interpretation of the existing requirements to report these five stack parameter numerical values is to also report the units of measure used for the numerical values. In addition, the use of the term “Emission Type” in existing Table 2a is an error; it was intended to read “Emission Operating Type,” but that element is now proposed to be moved to Table 2b since it describes the emissions reported, not the facility.
To comment on the agency's need for this information, the accuracy of the provided burden estimates, and any suggested methods for minimizing respondent burden, including the use of automated collection techniques, the EPA has established a public docket for the proposed rule, which includes this Start Printed Page 37171ICR, under Docket ID number OAR-2004-0489. Submit any comments related to the ICR for these proposed amendments to the EPA and OMB. See the ADDRESSES section at the beginning of this notice for where to submit comments to the EPA. Send comments to OMB at the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, 725 17th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20503, Attention: Desk Office for EPA. Since OMB is required to make a decision concerning the ICR between 30 and 60 days after June 20, 2013, a comment to OMB is best assured of having its full effect if OMB receives it by July 22, 2013. The final amendments will respond to any OMB or public comments on the information collection requirements contained in this proposal.
Executive Order (EO) 12898 (59 FR 7629 (Feb. 16, 1994)) establishes federal executive policy on environmental Start Printed Page 37172justice. Its main provision directs federal agencies, to the greatest extent practicable and permitted by law, to make environmental justice part of their mission by identifying and addressing, as appropriate, disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental effects of their programs, policies, and activities on minority populations and low-income populations in the United States.
1. This authority citation for part 51 continues to read as follows:
3. Amend § 51.15 by:
(2) A state may, at its option, choose to report NOX and VOC summer day emissions as required under the Ozone Implementation Rule or report CO winter work weekday emissions for CO nonattainment areas or CO attainment areas with maintenance plans to the Emission Inventory System (EIS) using the data elements described in this subpart.
4. Amend § 51.20 by revising paragraphs (b) and (d) to read as follows:
(d) All stationary source emissions that are not reported as point sources must be reported as nonpoint sources. Episodic wind-generated particulate matter (PM) emissions from sources that are not major sources may be excluded, for example dust lifted by high winds from natural or tilled soil. Emissions of nonpoint sources should be aggregated to the resolution required by the EIS as described in the current National Emission Inventory (NEI) inventory year plan posted at http://www.epa.gov/​ttn/​chief/​eiinformation.html. In most cases, this is county level and must be separated and identified by source classification code (SCC). Nonpoint source categories or emission events reasonably estimated by the state to represent a de minimis percentage of total county and state emissions of a given pollutant may be omitted.
5. Section 51.30 is revised to read as follows:
(1) All states are required to report every year the annual (12-month) emissions of all pollutants listed in § 51.15(a)(1) from Type A (large) point sources, as defined in Table of Appendix A of this subpart. The first every-year cycle inventory will be for the 2009 inventory year and must be submitted to the EPA within 12 months, i.e., by December 31, 2010.
(2) In inventory years that fall under the triennial inventory requirements, Start Printed Page 37173the reporting required by the triennial inventory satisfies the every-year reporting requirements of paragraph (a) of this section.
(1) All states are required to report for every third inventory year the annual (12-month) emissions of all pollutants listed in § 51.15(a)(1) from all point sources and nonpoint sources, as well as model inputs for onroad mobile sources and nonroad mobile sources. The first triennial inventory will be for the 2011 inventory and must be submitted to the EPA within 12 months, i.e., by December 31, 2012. Subsequent triennial inventories (2011, 2014, etc) will be due 12 months after the end of the inventory year, i.e., by December 31 of the following year.
(2) Any state with an area for which the EPA has made an 8-hour ozone nonattainment designation finding (regardless of whether that finding has reached its effective date) may choose to report summer day emissions of VOC and NOX from all point sources, nonpoint sources, onroad mobile sources, and nonroad mobile sources to the EIS using the data elements described in this subpart.
6. Section 51.35 is revised to read as follows:
7. Section 51.40 is revised to read as follows:
You must report your emission inventory data to us in electronic form. We support specific electronic data reporting formats, and you are required to report your data in a format consistent with these. The term format encompasses the definition of one or more specific data fields for each of the data elements listed in Tables 2a and 2b in Appendix A of this subpart; allowed code values for certain data fields; transmittal information; and data table relational structure. Because electronic reporting technology may change, contact the EPA Emission Inventory and Analysis Group (EIAG) for the latest specific formats. You can find information on the current formats at the following Internet address: http://www.epa.gov/​ttn/​chief/​eis/​2011nei/​xml_​data_​eis.pdf. You may also call the air emissions contact in your EPA Regional Office or our Info CHIEF help desk at (919) 541-1000 or send email to info.chief@epa.gov.
8. Section 51.50 is revised to read as follows:
NAICS means North American Industry Classification System code. The NAICS codes are U.S. Department of Commerce's codes for categorizing businesses by products or services and have replaced Standard Industrial Classification codes.Start Printed Page 37174
Point source means large, stationary (non mobile), identifiable sources of emissions that release pollutants into the atmosphere. A point source is a facility that is a major source under 40 CFR part 70 for one or more of the pollutants for which reporting is required by § 51.15(a)(1). This does not include the emissions of hazardous air pollutants, which are not considered in determining whether a source is a point source under this subpart. The minimum point source reporting thresholds are shown in Table 1 of Appendix A.
9. Revise Table 1 to Appendix A of subpart A to read as follows: Start Printed Page 37175
(1) SO2 ≥2500 ≥100 ≥100
(2) VOC ≥250 ≥100 O3 (moderate) ≥100
O3 (serious) ≥ 50
O3 (severe) ≥ 25
(3) NOX ≥2500 ≥100 ≥100
(4) CO ≥2500 ≥1000 O3 (all areas) ≥100
(5) Lead ≥0.5 ≥0.5
(6) Primary PM10 ≥250 ≥100 PM10 (moderate) ≥100
PM10 (serious) ≥70
(7) Primary PM2.5 ≥250 ≥100 ≥100
(8) NH3 4 ≥250 ≥100 ≥100
1 Thresholds for point source determination shown in tons per year of potential to emit as defined in 40 CFR part 70. Reported emissions should be in actual tons emitted for the required time period.
3 NAA = Nonattainment Area. The point source reporting thresholds vary by attainment status for VOC, CO, and PM10.
4 NH3 threshold applies only in areas where ammonia emissions are a factor in determining whether a source is a major source, i.e., where ammonia is considered a significant precursor of PM2.5.
10. Revise Table 2a to Appendix A of Subpart A to read as follows:
11. Table 2b to Appendix A of Subpart A is revised to read as follows:
12. Amend § 51.122 by:
(c) Each revision must provide for periodic reporting by the state of NOX emissions data to demonstrate whether the state's emissions are consistent with the projections contained in its approved SIP submission. The data availability requirements in § 51.116 must be followed for all data submitted to meet the requirements of paragraph (c) of this section.