Opinion ID: 196673
Heading Depth: 5
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Schedule or Timetable of Compliance.

Text: 7602(p) defines a schedule and timetable of compliance to mean a schedule of required measures including an enforceable sequence of actions or operations leading to compliance with an emission limitation, other limitation, prohibition, or standard. 42 U.S.C. 7602(p) (1988). CLF argues that the conformity provision is a schedule or timetable of compliance under section 7604(f) because the [c]onformity section 176(c)(1)(B)(iii) specifically prohibits federal agencies from supporting any activity if it will 'delay timely attainment' of the schedule of compliance set for nonattainment states like New Hampshire to reach 15% emission reduction milestones in 1996 and full ozone attainment in 1999. This argument is, however, inapposite. The issue is not whether the conformity provision requires the federal agency to determine that a project complies with a schedule or timetable of compliance found elsewhere; rather it is whether the conformity provision is itself a schedule or timetable of compliance. Plaintiffs here are not suing a polluter for violation of the schedule or timetable of compliance referenced in section 176(c)(1)(B)(iii); they are suing three federal agencies for approving and supporting a project that may violate that schedule or timetable of compliance. It might be argued that the conformity provision itself constitutes a schedule or timetable of compliance as defined by section 7602(p) in that it requires federal agencies to follow -20- an enforceable sequence of actions . . . leading to compliance with an emission limitation, other limitation, prohibition, or standard. See 42 U.S.C. 7602(p). The conformity provision requires federal agencies to follow a sequence of actions to ensure a project's conformity with limitations and standards in an existing SIP or with the NAAQS. Those actions, though not specified in the statute, necessarily include analyses comparing the most recent estimates of emissions in the proposed project area with the projected emissions in the area were the project to go forward, an assessment whether the project meets the specific statutory criteria for conformity based on those analyses, and a determination whether to support or approve the project. See 42 U.S.C. 7506(c)(1); see also Cate, 904 F. Supp. at 523 (finding that an agreement requiring gas pipe line company to conduct certain modeling and analyses for determining what measures would eliminate violations of the NAAQS and to develop and submit a plan specifying corrective measures and milestone dates for instituting corrective measures constituted a schedule of compliance within the meaning of 42 U.S.C. 7604(f)(1), 7602(p)). We reject this argument, however, on the basis of the EPA's interpretation of compliance schedule in its regulations implementing the CAA. 40 C.F.R. 51.100 (1991). Section 51.100(p) defines compliance schedule to mean the date or dates by which a source or category of sources is required to comply with specific emission limitations contained in an -21- implementation plan and with any increments of progress toward such compliance. (Emphasis added.) 40 C.F.R. 51.100(q) defines increments of progress to mean steps toward compliance which will be taken by a specific source . . . . (Emphasis added.) These definitions make clear that a schedule of compliance is a sequence of actions that a polluter must undertake by certain specified dates in order to achieve compliance with relevant emissions limitations or standards. The conformity requirements themselves do not fall within that definition.