Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2017/06/27/2017-13055/air-plan-approval-vt-infrastructure-state-implementation-plan-requirements
Timestamp: 2017-08-17 14:34:25
Document Index: 385905850

Matched Legal Cases: ['§\u200952', 'art 52', '§\u200952', '§\u200952', '§\u200952', '§\u200952', '§\u200952', '§\u200952', '§\u200952', '§\u200952']

Federal Register :: Air Plan Approval; VT; Infrastructure State Implementation Plan Requirements
A Rule by the Environmental Protection Agency on 06/27/2017
This rule is effective on July 27, 2017.
82 FR 29005
29005-29009 (5 pages)
FRL-9963-88-Region 1
Guidance on iSIPs for 2008 Lead Oct 14 2011
Guidance on iSIPs for 2006 PM Sept 25 2009
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2017-13055 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2017-13055
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving elements of State Implementation Plan (SIP) submissions from Vermont regarding the infrastructure requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act) for the 1997 fine particle matter (PM2.5), 1997 ozone, 2006 PM2.5, 2008 lead (Pb), 2008 ozone, 2010 nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and 2010 sulfur dioxide (SO2) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). We also are approving two statutes and one Executive Order submitted by Vermont in support of its demonstration that the infrastructure requirements of the CAA have been met. In addition, we are conditionally approving certain elements of Vermont's submittals relating to prevention of significant deterioration (PSD) requirements. Last, we are updating the priority classification for two of Vermont's air quality control regions for SO2 based on recent air quality monitoring data collected by the state, which means that a contingency plan for SO2 is not required. The infrastructure requirements are designed to ensure that the structural components of each state's air quality management program are adequate to meet the state's responsibilities under the CAA. This action is being taken in accordance with the CAA.
EPA has established a docket for this action under Docket Identification No. EPA-R01-OAR-2014-0604. All documents in the docket are listed on the http://www.regulations.gov Web site. 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 at http://www.regulations.gov or at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA New England Regional Office, Office of Ecosystem Protection, Air Quality Planning Unit, 5 Post Office Square—Suite 100, Boston, MA. EPA requests that if at all possible, you contact the contact listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section to schedule your inspection. The Regional Office's official hours of business are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding legal holidays.
On March 30, 2017 (82 FR 15671), EPA published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPR) for the State of Vermont. The NPR proposed approval of infrastructure SIP submissions from the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (VT DEC) for the 1997 PM2.5,[1] 1997 ozone, 2006 Start Printed Page 29006PM2.5, 2008 Pb, 2008 ozone, 2010 NO2, and 2010 SO2 NAAQS. The state submitted these infrastructure SIPs on the following dates: 1997 PM2.5 NAAQS—February 18, 2009; 1997 ozone NAAQS—February 18, 2009; 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS—May 21, 2010; 2008 Pb NAAQS—July 29, 2014; 2008 ozone NAAQS—November 2, 2015; 2010 NO2 NAAQS—November 2, 2015; and 2010 SO2 NAAQS—November 2, 2015.
EPA's NPR also proposed approval of two statutes and one Executive Order submitted by Vermont in support of its demonstration that the infrastructure requirements of the CAA have been met. In addition, the NPR proposed conditional approval of certain elements of Vermont's submittals relating to PSD requirements. Finally, EPA's NPR proposed to update the classification for two of Vermont's air quality control regions for SO2 to Priority III, based on recent air quality monitoring data collected by the state.
Other specific requirements of infrastructure SIPs and the rationale for EPA's proposed action are explained in the NPR and will not be restated here. One public comment was received on the NPR. However, the commenter did not mention anything specific in the NPR that we should change or provide a clear explanation based on the CAA why we should proceed any differently than as proposed. For this reason, EPA need not provide any further response. The comment is provided in the docket for this final rulemaking action.
EPA is approving SIP submissions from Vermont certifying that the state's current SIP is sufficient to meet the required infrastructure elements under sections 110(a)(1) and (2) for the 1997 PM2.5, 1997 ozone, 2006 PM2.5, 2008 Pb, 2008 ozone, 2010 NO2, and 2010 SO2 NAAQS, with the exception of certain aspects relating to the state's PSD program which we are conditionally approving. A summary of EPA's actions regarding these infrastructure SIP requirements is contained in Table 1 below.
Table 1—Action Taken on VT Infrastructure SIP Submittals for Listed NAAQS
1997 PM2.5 and 1997 Ozone
(A): Emission limits and other control measures A A A A A A
(B): Ambient air quality monitoring and data system A A A A A A
(C)1: Enforcement of SIP measures A A A A A A
(C)2: PSD program for major sources and major modifications * A * A * A * A * A * A
(C)3: PSD program for minor sources and minor modifications A A A A A A
(D)1: Contribute to nonattainment/interfere with maintenance of NAAQS PA1 PA1 A PA2 A NT
(D)2: PSD * A * A * A * A * A * A
(D)3: Visibility Protection A A A A A A
(D)4: Interstate Pollution Abatement A A A A A A
(D)5: International Pollution Abatement A A A A A A
(E)1: Adequate resources A A A A A A
(E)2: State boards A A A A A A
(E)3: Necessary assurances with respect to local agencies NA NA NA NA NA NA
(F): Stationary source monitoring system A A A A A A
(G): Emergency power A A A A A A
(H): Future SIP revisions A A A A A A
(I): Nonattainment area plan or plan revisions under part D + + + + + +
(J)1: Consultation with government officials A A A A A A
(J)2: Public notification A A A A A A
(J)3: PSD * A * A * A * A * A * A
(J)4: Visibility protection + + + + + +
(K): Air quality modeling and data A A A A A A
(L): Permitting fees A A A A A A
(M): Consultation and participation by affected local entities A A A A A A
A * Conditionally approve
NT Not taking action at this time
PA1 Previously approved (04/10/2017; 82 FR 17124)
PA2 Previously approved (10/13/2016; 81 FR 70631)
As noted in Table 1, we are conditionally approving portions of Vermont's infrastructure SIP submittals pertaining to PSD-related elements (C)(2), (D)(2), and (J)(3). In addition, EPA is removing the following provisions from Title 40 of the CFR: §§ 52.2373, 52.2374(a), and 52.2382(a)(1), (2), (4), and (5), for reasons discussed in the NPR. Although the NPR also proposed removal of 40 CFR 52.2374(b), we are not taking final action with respect to that paragraph today.
EPA is also approving and incorporating into the Vermont SIP one statute, 10 V.S.A. section 554, “Powers,” that was included in Vermont's November 2015 infrastructure SIP submittal for the 2008 ozone, 2010 NO2, and 2010 SO2 NAAQS. We are also approving and incorporating in the Vermont SIP one statute, 10 V.S.A. section 563, “Confidential records; penalty,” and an Executive Order, 09-11 “Executive Code of Ethics,” which were included in a November 21, 2016 supplemental letter to the Vermont infrastructure SIP submissions; this letter is included in the docket for this action.Start Printed Page 29007
Last, we are updating the classification at 40 CFR 52.2371 for the Champlain Valley Interstate and Vermont Intrastate air quality control regions for sulfur dioxide to Priority III, based on recent air quality monitoring data collected by the state, which, by operation of 40 CFR 51.152(c), relieves Vermont of the requirement to have a contingency plan for sulfur dioxide.
As noted above, EPA is conditionally approving aspects of Vermont's SIP revision submittals pertaining to the state's PSD program. The outstanding issues with the PSD program concern the lack of SIP-approved requirements (1) to include NOX and VOC as precursor pollutants to ozone in defining a “significant” increase in actual emissions from a source of air contaminants, and (2) that define a method for determining the amount of PSD increments available to a new or modified major source.
On May 23, 2017, Vermont submitted to EPA a SIP submittal intended to address the above mentioned deficiency in the state's PSD program. EPA will evaluate this submittal in a separate action, and the conditionally approved submission will remain a part of the SIP until EPA takes final action approving or disapproving it. If EPA disapproves the submittal, the conditionally approved aspect or aspects of Vermont's PSD program will also be disapproved at that time. If EPA approves the revised PSD program submittal, then the portions of Vermont's infrastructure SIP submittals that were conditionally approved will be fully approved in their entirety and replace the conditional approval in the SIP. In addition, final disapproval of an infrastructure SIP submittal triggers the Federal implementation plan (FIP) requirement under section 110(c).
In this rule, the EPA is finalizing regulatory text that includes incorporation by reference. In accordance with requirements of 1 CFR 51.5, the EPA is finalizing the incorporation by reference of two Vermont statutes and one Vermont Executive Order as described in the amendments to 40 CFR part 52 set forth below. The EPA has made, and will continue to make, these documents generally available through http://www.regulations.gov.
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 August 28, 2017. 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)).
2. In § 52.2370:
a. The table in paragraph (c) is amended by adding the heading entitled “Statutes and Executive Orders” and the entries “10 V.S.A. section 554 of the Vermont Statutes”, “10 V.S.A. section 563 of the Vermont Statutes”, and Start Printed Page 29008“Vermont Executive Order 09-11” at the end of the table.
b. The table in paragraph (e) is amended by adding the entries “Infrastructure SIP for 1997 PM 2.5 NAAQS”, “Infrastructure SIP for 1997 ozone NAAQS”, “Infrastructure SIP for 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS”, “Infrastructure SIP for the 2008 Lead NAAQS”, “Infrastructure SIP for 2008 ozone NAAQS “, “Infrastructure SIP for the 2010 NO2 NAAQS”, and “Infrastructure SIP for the 2010 SO2 NAAQS” at the end of the table.
10 V.S.A. section 554 of the Vermont Statutes Powers 11/02/2015 6/27/2017, [insert Federal Register citation] Provides the Secretary of ANR with power to adopt, amend and repeal rules, implementing provisions of 10 VSA Chapter 23, Air Pollution Control.
10 V.S.A. section 563 of the Vermont Statutes Confidential records; penalty 11/21/2016 6/27/2017, [insert Federal Register citation] Confidential records furnished to or obtained by the secretary concerning air contaminant sources are for confidential use of the secretary, with penalties for violation.
Vermont Executive Order 09-11 Executive Code of Ethics 11/21/2016 6/27/2017, [insert Federal Register citation] Prohibits VT Executive Branch appointees from taking any action in any particular matter in which he or she has either a conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict of interest, until such time as the conflict is resolved.
Infrastructure SIP for 1997 PM2.5 NAAQS Statewide 02/18/2009 6/27/2017, [insert Federal Register citation] Approved submittal, except for certain aspects relating to PSD which were conditionally approved.
Infrastructure SIP for 1997 ozone NAAQS Statewide 02/18/2009 6/27/2017, [insert Federal Register citation] Approved submittal, except for certain aspects relating to PSD which were conditionally approved.
Infrastructure SIP for 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS Statewide 05/21/2010 6/27/2017, [insert Federal Register citation] Approved submittal, except for certain aspects relating to PSD which were conditionally approved.
Infrastructure SIP for the 2008 Lead NAAQS Statewide 07/29/2014 6/27/2017, [insert Federal Register citation] Approved submittal, except for certain aspects relating to PSD which were conditionally approved.
Infrastructure SIP for 2008 ozone NAAQS Statewide 11/02/2015 6/27/2017, [insert Federal Register citation] Approved submittal, except for certain aspects relating to PSD which were conditionally approved.
Infrastructure SIP for the 2010 NO2 NAAQS Statewide 11/02/2015 6/27/2017, [insert Federal Register citation] Approved submittal, except for certain aspects relating to PSD which were conditionally approved.
Infrastructure SIP for the 2010 SO2 NAAQS Statewide 11/02/2015 6/27/2017, [insert Federal Register citation] Approved submittal, except for certain aspects relating to PSD which were conditionally approved.
3. In § 52.2371, revise the table to read as follows:
§ 52.2371
Classification of regions.
Start Printed Page 29009
Champlain Valley Interstate II III III III III
Vermont Intrastate II III III III III
§ 52.2373
4. Section 52.2373 is removed and reserved.
§ 52.2374
5. Section 52.2374 is amended by removing and reserving paragraph (a).
6. Section 52.2376 is added to read as follows:
§ 52.2376
Identification of plan-conditional approvals.
§ 52.2382
7. In § 52.2382:
a. Remove paragraphs (a)(1), (2), (4), and (5).
b. Redesignate paragraph (a)(3) as paragraph (a)(1).
c. Add reserved paragraph (a)(2).
1. PM2.5 refers to particulate matter of 2.5 microns or less in diameter, often referred to as “fine” particles.
[FR Doc. 2017-13055 Filed 6-26-17; 8:45 am]