[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 224 (Monday, November 22, 2010)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 71023-71029]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-29244]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 52
[EPA-R08-OAR-2009-0557; FRL-9229-1]
Approval and Promulgation of State Implementation Plan Revisions;
State of North Dakota; Interstate Transport of Pollution for the 1997
PM2.5 and 8-Hour Ozone NAAQS: ``Interference With
Maintenance'' Requirement
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: EPA is partially approving the State Implementation Plan
revisions submitted by the State of North Dakota on April 6, 2009.
Specifically, EPA is approving the portions of the ``Interstate
Transport of Air Pollution'' revisions addressing the ``interference
with maintenance'' requirement of Clean Air Act (CAA) section
110(a)(2)(D)(i) for the 1997 PM2.5 and 8-hour ozone National
Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The ``interference with
maintenance'' requirement of section 110(a)(2)(D)(i) prohibits a
state's emissions from interfering with maintenance of the NAAQS by any
other state. This action is being taken under section 110 of the CAA.
DATES: Effective Date: This final rule is effective December 22, 2010.
ADDRESSES: EPA has established a docket for this action under Docket ID
No. EPA-R08-OAR-2009-0557. 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, 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 either
electronically through http://www.regulations.gov, or in hard copy at
the Air Program, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Region 8, 1595
Wynkoop Street, Denver, Colorado 80202-1129. EPA requests that if at
all possible, you contact the individual listed in the FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT section to view the hard copy of the docket. You
may view the hard copy of the docket Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4
p.m., excluding Federal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Domenico Mastrangelo, Air Program,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 8, Mailcode 8P-AR, 1595
Wynkoop Street, Denver, Colorado 80202-1129, (303) 312-6416,
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Definitions
For the purpose of this document, we are giving meaning to certain
words or initials as follows:
(i) The words or initials Act or CAA mean or refer to the Clean Air
Act, unless the context indicates otherwise.
(ii) The words EPA, we, us or our mean or refer to the United
States Environmental Protection Agency.
(iii) The initials SIP mean or refer to State Implementation Plan.
(iv) The words State or North Dakota mean the State of North
Dakota, unless the context indicates otherwise.
Table of Contents
I . Background
II . Response to Comments
III. Final Action
IV. Statutory and Executive Order Review
I. Background
On July 18, 1997, EPA promulgated new standards for 8-hour ozone
and fine particulate matter (PM2.5). This action is being
taken in response to the July 18, 1997 revision to the 8-hour ozone
NAAQS, and PM2.5 NAAQS. This action does not address the
requirements for the 2006 24- hour PM2.5 NAAQS, or the 2008
8-hour ozone NAAQS; those standards will be addressed in a later
action.
Section 110(a)(1) of the CAA requires states to submit SIPs to
address a new or revised NAAQS within 3 years after promulgation of
such standards, or within such shorter period as EPA may prescribe.
Section 110(a)(2) lists the elements that such new SIPs must address,
as applicable, including section 110(a)(2)(D)(i) which pertains to
interstate transport of certain emissions. Section 110(a)(2)(D)(i) of
the CAA requires that a state's SIP must contain adequate provisions
prohibiting any source or other type of emissions activity within the
state from emitting any air pollutant in amounts which will: (1)
Contribute significantly to nonattainment of the NAAQS in any other
state; (2) interfere with maintenance of the NAAQS by any other state;
(3) interfere with any other state's required measures to prevent
significant deterioration of air quality; or (4) interfere with any
other state's required measures to protect visibility.
On April 6, 2009 the State of North Dakota submitted a SIP
addressing the section 110(a)(2)(D)(i) four requirements, noted above,
for the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS and for the 1997 annual and 24-hour
PM2.5 NAAQS. The state based its submittal on EPA's 2006
Guidance discussed below. As noted earlier, in this rulemaking EPA is
addressing the requirement that pertains to preventing sources in the
State from emitting pollutants in amounts which will interfere with the
maintenance of the 1997 ozone and PM2.5 NAAQS by any other
state.
On August 15, 2006, EPA issued its ``Guidance for State
Implementation Plan (SIP) Submissions to Meet Current Outstanding
Obligations Under Section 110(a)(2)(D)(i) for the 8-Hour Ozone and
PM2.5 National Ambient Air Quality Standards'' (2006
Guidance) for SIP submissions that states should use to address the
requirements of section 110(a)(2)(D)(i). EPA developed this guidance to
make recommendations to states for making submissions to meet the
requirements of section 110(a)(2)(D)(i) for the 1997 ozone NAAQS and
1997 PM2.5 NAAQS.
In a Federal Register action dated September 17, 2010, EPA proposed
approval of the North Dakota Interstate Transport SIP portions
addressing the interference with maintenance requirement of section
110(a)(2)(D)(i). EPA concluded in its proposed action that the various
factual and technical considerations supported a determination that
emissions from North Dakota do not interfere with maintenance by any
states with areas at risk for maintenance of the 1997 8-hour ozone
NAAQS or for maintenance of the 1997 annual and 24-hour
PM2.5 NAAQS.
EPA did not receive comments that persuade the Agency that there is
such interference with maintenance for the 1997 ozone or
PM2.5 NAAQS and thus in today's final action EPA is making a
final regulatory determination that North Dakota's sources do not
interfere with maintenance of the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS, and the 1997
PM2.5 NAAQS in any other state.
II. Response to Comments
EPA received one letter dated October 18, 2010 with comments from
the WildEarth Guardians (WG) environmental organization. The WG letter
includes three separate comments identifiable under sections A., B.,
and C., and is accessible online at regulations.gov under Docket No.
EPA-R08-OAR-2009-0057. Later in this section EPA responds to the
significant
[[Page 71024]]
comments made by the commenter. WG clarifies in its introductory
remarks on the letter's first page that its comments are directed to
both the Colorado and the North Dakota Federal Register proposed rule
actions of September 17, 2010 (75 FR 56935 and 75 FR 56928) because
``EPA's rationale for approving both SIPs is the same.'' EPA will
consider WG's comments, as appropriate, equally applicable to the
referenced EPA proposed rule actions for the Colorado and the North
Dakota interstate transport SIPs. For clarity, however, in this action
EPA will address WG's comments as if they were directed only to the
proposed rule action for North Dakota (75 FR 56928).\1\
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\1\ Similarly, in our response to the same WG comments in our
action finalizing the proposed rule action of September 17, 2010 for
the Colorado ``interference with maintenance'' requirement we
address WG's comments as if they were directed to the proposed rule
action for Colorado (75 FR 56935).
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Comment No. 1--In its comments under section A., ``Maintenance is
Inappropriately Defined,'' WG states that EPA's definition of
interference with maintenance, and by implication the identification of
maintenance receptors, appeared to be ``inappropriately conflated with
the definition of nonattainment.'' It argues that the definition of
maintenance appeared to be tied to nonattainment, asserting that
``unless an area has violated or is in violation of the NAAQS, the
agency will not consider whether * * * North Dakota [is] interfering
with that area's ability to maintain compliance with the NAAQS.'' For
this reason, WG argues EPA did not give independent meaning to the
interfere with maintenance prong of section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I).
EPA Response--The methodology EPA used to identify maintenance
receptors gives independent meaning to the term ``interfere with
maintenance'' and establishes a process to identify projected
attainment receptors that, based on the historic variability of air
quality at that site (which may be due to variability in emissions and/
or meteorology), may have difficulty maintaining the standard. As
explained in greater detail below, the commenter's objection to EPA's
approach appears to be based on the misconception that the methodology
EPA used to identify maintenance sites was dependent on base year NAAQS
violations.
The definition of maintenance used by EPA is consistent with the
direction given to EPA by the Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit in
North Carolina v. EPA, 531 F.3d 896 (DC Cir. 2008).\2\ In that case,
the court analyzed the definition of ``interfere with maintenance''
used in the Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR). The court found that the
definition EPA used ``gave no independent significance to the
'interfere with maintenance' prong of section 110(a)(2)(D)(i) to
separately identify upwind sources interfering with downwind
maintenance.'' \3\ It further reasoned that ``[u]nder EPA's reading of
the statute, a state can never `interfere with maintenance' unless EPA
determines that at one point it `contribute[d] significantly to
nonattainment'.'' \4\ Based on this analysis, the court found the
definition unlawful, holding that ``[b]ecause EPA describes CAIR as a
complete remedy to a section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) violation and does not
give independent significance to the ``interfere with maintenance''
language to identify upwind states that interfere with downwind
maintenance, it unlawfully nullifies that aspect of the statute and
provides no protection for downwind areas that, despite EPA's
predictions, still find themselves struggling to meet NAAQS due to
upwind interference in 2010.'' \5\
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\2\ As EPA noted in the proposal, the term ``interfere with
maintenance'' is not defined in the CAA. As such, the term is
ambiguous and EPA's interpretation of that term in this action is
both reasonable and consistent with the text and the overall goals
of the CAA. By this approach, EPA is giving independent meaning to
the term and supporting that interpretation with technical analysis
to apply it to the facts in this action.
\3\ 531 F.3d at 910.
\4\ Id.
\5\ Id. at 910-11.
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The approach used by EPA in its September 17, 2010 proposal to
assess whether emissions from sources in North Dakota interfere with
maintenance of the NAAQS in any other state takes into account the
flaws identified by the court, by giving independent meaning to the
section 110(a)(2)(D)(i) ``interference with maintenance'' requirement.
Our September 17, 2010 proposed action relies on a process established
by EPA's August 2, 2010 Transport Rule Proposal to identify any
specific receptors in downwind states that, even though they are
projected to be in attainment and thus would not be nonattainment
receptors, may have difficulty maintaining the NAAQS in question. These
receptors are referred to as maintenance receptors.
The commenter's statement that EPA's designation of maintenance
receptors is ``firmly hitched to a finding that the maximum design
value based on a single three-year period between 2003 and 2007 is in
excess of the NAAQS'' appears to be based on a misunderstanding of the
methodology used by EPA to identify maintenance receptors. EPA's
methodology did not, as the commenter appears to assume, require a site
to have a design value above the NAAQS for one of the three base
periods (2003-2005, 2004-2006, 2005-2007) to be considered a
maintenance site. The methodology is based on an analysis of the future
year average and future year maximum design values.\6\ It does not
depend on the whether the base year design values exceed the NAAQS. The
Transport Rule Proposal explained that EPA used the average
concentrations of the three design values for three base periods noted
above to determine the 2012 average design value at monitoring sites.
Monitoring sites with projected average design values above the NAAQS
would be in nonattainment, while those with projected average design
values below the NAAQS would be in attainment in 2012. To identify
among the attainment monitoring sites those at risk for maintenance of
the NAAQS, EPA also projected to 2012 each of the three design values
for the base periods noted above. If the maximum of the three was above
the NAAQS, then monitoring site was identified as at risk for
maintenance of the NAAQS, or as a ``maintenance receptor.'' \7\ The
maximum design value referenced in this sentence is the maximum future
design value calculated using each of the three base design value
periods separately. Whether or not one of the three base period design
values exceeded the NAAQS was not a factor considered in determining
whether a site was a maintenance receptor.
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\6\ The process that defines the monitors at risk for
maintenance was summarized in the September 17, 2010 proposed rule
action for the North Dakota Interstate Transport SIP (75 FR 56928).
\7\ 75 FR 45210, at 45246.
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To better understand this concept, it is useful to compare the
methodologies used in the Transport Rule proposal (75 FR 45210, Aug. 2,
2010) to identify nonattainment and maintenance receptors. In the
Transport Rule proposal, base period (2003-2007) ambient data were
projected to the future (using model outputs) to identify both
nonattainment and maintenance receptors. In both cases, receptors were
identified by projected future design values; however, because more
conservative data were used for the maintenance analysis, this analysis
could identify receptors that were projected by the nonattainment
analysis to be in attainment; yet might have difficulty attaining the
standard due to historic variability of air quality at that site. To
identify future nonattainment
[[Page 71025]]
sites we calculated the future year design values by projecting the 5-
year weighted average design value for each site. Only if this future
year design value exceeded the NAAQS was the site considered to be a
nonattainment receptor. However, to identify projected maintenance
sites we used a different methodology that took into account historic
variability in air quality at each receptor. For this approach we
calculated the maximum future year design value by processing each of
the three base design value periods (2003-2005, 2004-2006, and 2005-
2007) separately. The highest of the three future values is the maximum
design value, which is used to determine maintenance receptors.
In this way, EPA's analysis identifies those areas that are
projected to be attainment, but may have difficulty maintaining
attainment of the standard, for example in a year with particularly
severe meteorology (weather that is conducive to ozone and/or
particulate formation). In other words, this analysis does exactly what
the D.C. Circuit directed EPA to do in North Carolina. It gives
independent meaning to the ``interfere with maintenance'' prong of
110(a)(2)(D)(i) and provides protection to any areas that, although
they are predicted to attain the standard (and thus upwind sources
could not be found to significantly contribute to nonattainment in that
area) may have difficulty maintaining the standard.\8\
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\8\ Id. at 45246.
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EPA used this same approach to identify any potential maintenance
receptors for purposes of evaluating North Dakota's SIP submission. For
the reasons explained above, this approach is both reasonable and
consistent with the direction given to EPA by the DC Circuit in North
Carolina.
Comment No. 2--In its comments under section B., ``Even Under EPA's
Definition of Maintenance, Maintenance Receptors are not Consistently
Defined,'' WG cited a variety of information suggesting that that
receptors in the Denver Metropolitan Area/North Front Range (DMA/NFR)
area should also be considered for maintenance purposes under
110(a)(2)(D)(i) in this action. The commenter points out that EPA
itself has stated, ``Data for 2005-2007 and 2006-2008 reflect
violations of the 8-hour ozone NAAQS at the Rocky Flats North monitor
(values of [0.085] and 0.086 ppm, respectively).'' The commenter also
argued that modeling prepared in conjunction with Colorado's DMA/NFR
attainment demonstration shows that by 2010, the three-year design
value is only projected to be lowered to 0.084 parts per million,
barely in compliance with the NAAQS, and that certain portions of the
DMA/NFR area of Colorado would violate the 1997 ozone NAAQS in 2010 at
grid cells west of Fort Collins. The commenter referenced several
documents that are part of the Colorado's DMA/NFR 8-hour Ozone
Attainment Demonstration in support of its arguments. The commenter
cited the report's language that indicated that the modeling projection
of a value above the 1997 8-hour standard to the west of Fort Collins
is not ``implausible'' and explaining, ``In the case of the Denver
ozone modeling, higher ozone concentrations are estimated west of Fort
Collins than at the locations of the two monitors in Fort Collins on
some days and this does not appear to be an error in the modeling
system.'' \9\ Finally, the commenter argued that EPA's failure to
consider the DMA/NFR area as a receptor for evaluating interference
with maintenance in this action reflects the very problem that the D.C.
Circuit warned could result without giving independent meaning to the
term ``interfere with maintenance.'' \10\
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\9\ The commenter referenced the Colorado Department of Public
Health and Environment's ``2010 Ozone Attainment Demonstration
Modeling for the Denver 8-hour Ozone State Implementation Plan
Control Strategy'' and the Environ modeling report ``Final 2010
Ozone Attainment Demonstration Modeling for the Denver 8-hour Ozone
State Implementation Plan.''
\10\ This comment also expresses concern about the Wasatch Front
and Uinta County areas in Utah, the Phoenix area of Arizona,
portions of western Wyoming, and Juan County in New Mexico as at
risk for maintenance for the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS. According to
WG, the proposed EPA's September 17, 2010 proposed rule assessment
of the Colorado's emissions impacts on maintenance of the NAAQS by
other states should have included the evaluation of Colorado
emissions on the areas noted above. We respond to that portion of
this comment in the final rulemaking for the Colorado interstate
transport SIP submitted June 18, 2009.
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EPA's Response--EPA disagrees with WG's argument that EPA has
inappropriately identified the correct monitors for maintenance
receptors. As discussed in greater detail in the previous response to
comment no. 1, EPA has selected a method that identifies maintenance
receptors separately from nonattainment receptors and gives an
independent meaning to the interfere with maintenance prong of section
110(a)(2)(D)(i). EPA has consistently applied this method to all
potential receptors in States potentially impacted by North Dakota's
emissions including those in the DMA/NFR area.
The commenter's argument EPA did not consistently identify
maintenance receptors is premised on the same fundamental
misunderstanding discussed in response to comment no. 1--that EPA's
identification of nonattainment receptors was based on current or past
NAAQS violations. As explained above, this is not correct. EPA did not
base its identification of maintenance receptors on an analysis of
whether air quality at those receptors exceeded the NAAQS in the base
years. The methodology EPA used to identify maintenance areas takes
into account historic variability of emissions at specific monitoring
sites to analyze whether or not monitoring sites projected to be in
attainment in 2012 will nonetheless remain at risk of slipping into
nonattainment in that year. The commenter provided a number of modeling
or monitoring analyses for 2010 or earlier. As we have addressed in
responses elsewhere in this notice, EPA continues to believe 2012 is
the appropriate year for this analysis. Thus, modeling or monitoring
data for other years is not directly relevant to this rulemaking.
Nonetheless, below we address the commenter's specific assertions about
the monitoring and modeling.
The commenter asserts that monitoring data for 2005-07 and 2006-08
for the Rocky Flats North monitor reflect violations of the 8-hour
NAAQS and therefore EPA should consider this Rocky Flats North monitor
as a ``maintenance receptor.'' The commenter further cites to modeling
prepared in conjunction with Colorado's DMA/NFR attainment
demonstration to support its assertion that EPA has applied
inconsistently its definition of interference with maintenance. The
modeling data referenced by the commenter, however, only identifies
monitors that, in the commenter's view, are at risk of being in
nonattainment or having maintenance problems in 2010. The monitoring
data cited indicates high ozone levels in the past. The underlying
issue raised is thus substantively the same as that raised in comment
no. 3 below which argues that EPA's analysis is faulty because it
identifies receptors likely to have difficulty maintaining the standard
in 2012 and not at the present or in the past. EPA's response to
comment no. 3 below, illustrates how its approach, based on modeling
analyses that identify receptors at risk for maintenance in the year
2012, is appropriate and consistent with the D.C. Circuit decision in
North Carolina v. EPA.
EPA's method is based on model projection values that take into
account multi-year variability in ozone data at specific monitors. For
identification of maintenance receptors, EPA utilized the monitoring
data from the 2003-2007
[[Page 71026]]
period to calculate 2012 future year modeling design value projections.
The 2003-07 period includes three Design Value (DV) periods (2003-2005,
2004-2006, and 2005-2007). The 2012 future year DVs were calculated by
multiplying a 3-year DV (base year) by the ratio of the Future Year
average of the daily 8-hour ozone maximums around a monitor over the
Base Year average of the daily 8-hour ozone maximums around a monitor.
This calculation was performed for each of the three 3-year DVs (2003-
2005, 2004-2006, and 2005-2007). This approach yielded three different
projected 2012 design values and thus, tests for variability in
meteorology. If any of the three 2012 projections was above the 1997
ozone standard, then the receptor would be considered a maintenance
receptor. None of the 2012 projections for the DMA/NFR area was above
the standard so the area was not considered a maintenance area. This
approach was the same as the approach used for every potential receptor
evaluated. It is worth noting that EPA's analysis included the 2005-
2007 data for the Rocky Flats monitor (which is one of the highest
monitored DVs in recent years for this monitor) that the commenter
raised as a concern and pursuant to its methodology as previously
described EPA's analysis determined that the Rocky Flats monitor would
not be a maintenance receptor in 2012.
Further, EPA disagrees with commenter's conclusion that the
modeling performed for the DMA/NFR attainment demonstration with the
2010 model projections establishes that any of the areas identified
will have maintenance problems for the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS. We
disagree with WG's conclusion that the DMA/NFR area monitors should be
identified as ``maintenance receptors'' in large part because it bases
its conclusion on projections for 2010 instead of 2012. This modeling
used projections for 2010 not 2012, which as explained above and in
response to comment no. 3 below is not the correct year for comparison,
given the approach EPA has developed for determining maintenance
receptors. EPA's analysis of maintenance receptors, which is based on
the approach developed in the Transport Rule Proposal to be consistent
with the D.C. Circuit's opinion in North Carolina v. EPA and uses
projections for 2012, did not identify any maintenance receptors in the
DMA/NFR area. This conclusion is consistent with evidence suggesting
emissions are likely to trend downward (for example, with two more
years of fleet turnover, this modeling would likely have projected
lower levels of ozone in 2012) and preliminary monitoring data for
2010, which indicates that the DMA/NFR area is meeting the 1997 ozone
standard. Further, EPA has reviewed Colorado's attainment demonstration
for the DMA/NFR area and proposed that the combination of the modeling
and Weight of Evidence analyses demonstrates that Denver will be in
attainment in 2010.\11\
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\11\ EPA's ``Guidance on the Use of Models and Other Analyses
for Demonstrating Attainment of Air Quality Goals for Ozone,
PM2.5, and Regional Haze,'' EPA-454/B-07-002, April 2007.
Also, 75 FR 42346 (July 21, 2010) [EPA-R08-OAR-2010-0285; FRL-9177-
2], Proposed Rule, ``Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality
Implementation Plans; Colorado; Attainment Demonstration for the
1997 8-Hour Ozone Standard, and Approval of Related Revisions''; at
42346-61.
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In addition, the commenter's concern that an area west of Fort
Collins, might exceed 84 ppb in 2010 is based on exceedance values in
the Colorado modeling analysis from a special analysis, called the
Unmonitored Area Analysis (UAA), that is recommended for model grid
cells that are not analyzed in the monitor based attainment
demonstration because they are not located near a monitor. EPA does not
believe that the UAA establishes that this area should be considered a
maintenance receptor area for the purposes of 110(a)(2)(D)(i).
First, the UAA analysis is for 2010, which as noted above is not
the correct analysis year. Second, EPA guidance indicates that NAAQS
violations in the UAA should be handled on a case by case basis.\12\
The guidance stresses that due to the lack of measured data, the
examination of ozone concentrations as part of the unmonitored area
analysis is more uncertain than the monitor based attainment test. This
is true even in situations such as this where, as the commenter points
out; no known errors were identified by the contractor in the modeling
analysis. As a result, the UAA results are recommended to be treated as
a separate test from the monitor based attainment test with less weight
put on the conclusions of the UAA analysis. EPA's attainment
demonstration guidance indicates, ``While it is expected that States
will implement additional emission controls to eliminate predicted
violations of the monitor based test, the same requirements may not be
appropriate in unmonitored areas.'' \13\ The guidance recommends that
it may be appropriate to deploy additional monitors in an area where
the unmonitored analysis indicates a potential future year violation.
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\12\ Id.
\13\ Id. at 32.
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To address the concerns raised by the UAA, Colorado installed an
additional ozone monitor in the area West of Fort Collins to determine
whether the model predicted ozone concentrations are, in fact, valid.
The special purpose monitor, located in Rist Canyon, began operation on
May 14, 2009. The Rist Canyon monitoring station has collected data for
two ozone seasons (approximately 16 months) since it began operating
and the fourth highest daily maximum 8-hour average ozone concentration
reading is 69 ppb for May through December of 2009 and 72 ppb for
January through August 2010.\14\
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\14\ The Rist Canyon monitoring station uses a Federal
Equivalent Method (FEM) and follows the quality assurance
requirements of 40 CFR Part 58 Appendix A. Ozone data collected at
this monitoring station is eligible for comparison to the ozone
NAAQS after the monitor has operated for more than 24 months per 40
CFR 58.30(c). Design values, however, are based on the 3-year
average of the annual fourth highest daily maximum 8-hour average
ozone concentration (see 40 CFR part 50, Appendix D).
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Therefore, EPA does not believe the modeling performed for the
State of Colorado's Denver/NFR area SIP can support the conclusion that
this area should be considered a maintenance receptor area for the
purposes of 110(a)(2)(D)(i). The methodology developed to identify
maintenance receptors for the purpose of analyzing interference with
maintenance with respect to the 1997 ozone and PM2.5 NAAQS
relies on base period monitoring data to identify monitor locations
that are projected to have maintenance problems in 2012. The
methodology does not identify receptors based on modeling data alone.
While the monitor has not operated long enough to account for
variability in ozone levels, the newly installed monitor in the
relevant area is reading well below the standard and this fact further
confirms that the modeling results and the UAA results do not support
the conclusion that receptors in the DMA/NFR area should be considered
maintenance receptors for the purpose of CAA section 110(a)(2)(D)(i).
In conclusion, EPA disagrees with the commenter. We have used a
fully consistent approach in identifying areas that may have difficulty
in maintaining attainment of the NAAQS. It is these areas that we have
further evaluated to see if North Dakota's emissions would interfere
with maintenance of the NAAQS.
Comment No. 3--In its comment under section C., ``EPA has not
Assessed New Mexico's [sic] Interference with
[[Page 71027]]
Maintenance in the Present,'' WG asserts that EPA's analysis ignores
whether North Dakota is, at the present, interfering with maintenance
of the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS, and the 1997 PM2.5 NAAQS, in
other States. It argues EPA erred by considering only whether emissions
from North Dakota will interfere with maintenance in areas that by 2012
would be considered ``maintenance receptors.''
WG argues that this approach is inconsistent with the approach
taken to determine whether New Mexico significantly contributes to
nonattainment in other States (citing 75 FR 33174-33190) and that this
alleged inconsistent application ``raises serious concerns that EPA is
again simply finding excuses to avoid requiring North Dakota to do its
part to limit air pollution that adversely affects neighboring states,
including Colorado.'' They agree that ``EPA should ensure that North
Dakota does not interfere with maintenance or contribute significantly
to nonattainment in other states in the future'' but argue that ``the
agency's duties under Section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) apply both in the
present and the future. EPA's approach is flawed, WG concludes, because
EPA identifies maintenance areas likely to exist by 2012 and does not
identify maintenance areas that currently exist. WG also asserts that
EPA's approach ignores whether North Dakota is presently interfering
with maintenance of the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS in downwind states.\15\
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\15\ Before addressing the substantive issues raised in this
comment, we would like to clarify that we presume that the reference
to New Mexico in the comment's title is a clerical error, and that
the commenter intended to refer to either Colorado or North Dakota.
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EPA Response--EPA disagrees with the commenter concerning the
evaluation of significant contribution versus interference with
maintenance. Section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) of the Clean Air Act requires
that a state SIP ``contain adequate provisions prohibiting * * * any
source or other type of emission activities within the state from
emitting any air pollutants in amount which will contribute
significantly to nonattainment in, or interfere with maintenance by,
any other state with respect to any [ ] national primary or secondary
ambient air quality standard.''
In determining the appropriate year to analyze to determine whether
emissions from North Dakota will interfere with maintenance by any
other State, EPA used an approach upheld by the DC Circuit in North
Carolina v. EPA. In that case, the Court examined EPA's definition of
``will'' in ``will contribute significantly.'' The placement of the
word ``will'' at the end of section 110(a)(2)(D)(i) clarifies that it
applies to all of the provisions that follow--both those in
110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) and those in 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II). Thus the DC
Circuit's discussion of the meaning of the word ``will'' in ``will
significantly contribute'' also applies to the meaning of the word will
in ``will * * * interfere with maintenance.''
In North Carolina v. EPA, the DC Circuit rejected North Carolina's
argument that EPA erred in limiting its analysis of downwind areas by
excluding areas that were currently monitored nonattainment but
projected to be in attainment at a future date. Like WG argues here,
North Carolina had argued that EPA was obligated to analyze the
significant contribution of states that were contributing to areas of
North Carolina that were in nonattainment at the time the rule was
promulgated even though those areas were projected to come into
attainment by the year selected for the future base case analysis. In
rejecting this argument, the DC Circuit explained that the approach
used by EPA was identical to the one used previously in the
NOX SIP Call and that ``because `will' can mean either
certainty or indicate the future tense,'' EPA's approach was
reasonable. In other words, the court approved EPA's approach that
entailed the evaluation of interstate transport impacts at a future
date in time.
Contrary to the assertions of the commenter, EPA believes that
evaluation of interference with maintenance using a future date is the
most appropriate approach for that requirement. As explained in the
proposed action, the court decision affecting the CAIR rule required
EPA to reevaluate its approach to the interfere with maintenance
requirement of section 110(a)(2)(D) and to develop a new approach to
give that requirement separate meaning. In doing so, EPA has developed
an approach that necessarily requires a number of years of data, and an
analysis that evaluates where there may be difficulties with
maintaining attainment at a specific point in time, in this instance
2012. In the prior action cited by WG, EPA's evaluation of whether
emissions would significantly contribute to nonattainment in other
states was based on the data available at the time of that evaluation
and before EPA had developed its approach for evaluating interference
with maintenance. It is reasonable and appropriate for EPA to use, in
this rulemaking, the current approach to identifying maintenance
receptors for purposes of section 110(a)(2)(D)(i) that EPA developed to
be consistent with the direction given to EPA in North Carolina v. EPA.
Finally, we note that comments on the validity or reasonableness of
the approach to determining significant contribution are not directly
relevant to this rulemaking. This rulemaking addresses only the
``interfere with maintenance'' requirement of section 110(a)(2)(D)(i).
EPA published a prior proposal (75 FR 16026) and final rule (75 FR
31290) analyzing the North Dakota SIP submission for the ``significant
contribution'' prong of section 110(a)(2)(D)(i).
III. Final Action
The Environmental Protection Agency is approving portions of the
Interstate Transport of Air Pollution SIP submitted by the State of
North Dakota on April 6, 2009. Specifically, in this action EPA is
approving the language in Section 7.8.1, subsection B., ``Nonattainment
and Maintenance Area Impact,'' that specifically addresses element (2)
of section 110(a)(2)(D)(i), the requirement that the SIP contain
adequate provisions prohibiting emissions from North Dakota from
interfering with maintenance of the NAAQS by any other state. EPA has
concluded that the evidence evaluated by EPA establishes that emissions
from North Dakota sources do not interfere with maintenance of the 1997
8-hour ozone or the 1997 PM2.5 NAAQS in any other state.
Therefore, the State's SIP does not need to include additional
substantive controls to reduce emissions for purposes of section
110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) for these NAAQS.
IV. Statutory and Executive Order Review
Under the Clean Air Act, the Administrator is required to approve a
SIP submission that complies with the provisions of the Act and
applicable Federal regulations. 42 U.S.C. 7410(k); 40 CFR 52.02(a).
Thus, in reviewing SIP submissions, EPA's role is to approve state
choices, provided that they meet the criteria of the Clean Air Act.
Accordingly, this action merely approves state law as meeting Federal
requirements and does not impose additional requirements beyond those
imposed by state law. For that reason, this action:
Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' subject to
review by the Office of Management and Budget under Executive Order
12866 (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993);
Does not impose an information collection burden under the
provisions
[[Page 71028]]
of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.);
Is certified as not having a significant economic impact
on a substantial number of small entities under the Regulatory
Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.);
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);
Does not have Federalism implications as specified in
Executive Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10, 1999);
Is not an economically significant regulatory action based
on health or safety risks subject to Executive Order 13045 (62 FR
19885, April 23, 1997);
Is not a significant regulatory action subject to
Executive Order 13211 (66 FR 28355, May 22, 2001);
Is not subject to requirements of Section 12(d) of the
National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272
note) because application of those requirements would be inconsistent
with the Clean Air Act; and
Does not provide EPA with the discretionary authority to
address, as appropriate, disproportionate human health or environmental
effects, using practicable and legally permissible methods, under
Executive Order 12898 (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994).
In addition, this rule does not have tribal implications as
specified by Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, November 9, 2000),
because the SIP is not approved to apply in Indian country located in
the state, and EPA notes that it will not impose substantial direct
costs on tribal governments or preempt tribal law.
The Congressional Review Act, 5 U.S.C. 801 et seq., as added by the
Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, generally
provides that before a rule may take effect, the agency promulgating
the rule must submit a rule report, which includes a copy of the rule,
to each House of the Congress and to the Comptroller General of the
United States. EPA will submit a report containing this action and
other required information to the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of
Representatives, and the Comptroller General of the United States prior
to publication of the rule in the Federal Register. A major rule cannot
take effect until 60 days after it is published in the Federal
Register. This action is not a ``major rule'' as defined by 5 U.S.C.
804(2).
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 January 21, 2011. 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).)
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52
Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Carbon monoxide,
Incorporation by reference, Intergovernmental relations, Lead, Nitrogen
dioxide, Ozone, Particulate matter, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Sulfur oxides, Volatile organic compounds.
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
Dated: November 10, 2010.
James B. Martin,
Regional Administrator, Region 8.
0
40 CFR part 52 is amended as follows:
PART 52--[AMENDED]
0
1. The authority citation for part 52 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
Subpart JJ--North Dakota
0
2. Section 52.1820 is amended in the table in paragraph (e) by revising
the entry in ``(1)'' and adding entry ``(22)'' in numerical order to
read as follows:
Sec. 52.1820 Identification of plan.
* * * * *
(e) * * *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Applicable
Name of nonregulatory SIP geographic or State submittal EPA approval date
provision non-attainment date/ adopted and citation 3 Explanations
area date
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Implementation Plan for Statewide........ Submitted: 1/24/ 5/31/72, 37 FR Excluding subsequent
the Control of Air Pollution 72; Adopted: 1/ 10842. revisions, as
for the State of North Dakota. 24/72. follows: Chapters 1,
2, 6, 7, 9, 11, and
12; Sections 2.11,
3.7, 6.8, 6.10, 6.11,
6.13, 7.7, and 8.3;
subsections 7.8.1.B.,
7.8.1.D., and 8.3.1.
Revisions to these
non-regulatory
provisions have
subsequently been
approved. See below.
Chapters....................... ................. Clarification With all
1. Introduction................ submitted: 6/14/ clarifications:
2. Legal Authority............. 73; 2/19/74; 6/ 3/2/76; 41 FR
3. Control Strategy............ 26/74; 11/21/74; 8956.
4. Compliance Schedule......... 4/23/75.
5. Prevention of Air
Pollution Emergency
Episodes.
7. Review of New Sources
and Modifications.
8. Source Surveillance.....
9. Resources...............
10. Inter-governmental
Cooperation.
11. Rules and Regulations..
With subsequent revisions to
the chapters as follows:
[[Page 71029]]
* * * * * * *
(22) Section 7.8, Interstate Statewide........ Submitted: 4/09/ 11/22/10 [insert Includes portions of
Transport of Air Pollution 09; Adopted: 4/ FR page number Subsection 7.8.1.B.,
(only portion of 7.8.1.B.). 01/09. where document ``Nonattainment and
begins]. Maintenance Area
Impact,'' that
specifically address
the ``interference
with maintenance''
requirement of CAA
Section
110(a)(2)(D)(i).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\ In order to determine the EPA effective date for a specific provision listed in this table, consult the
Federal Register notice cited in this column for the particular pro
[FR Doc. 2010-29244 Filed 11-19-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P