Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans:

Federal Register: November 15, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 219)

Rules and Regulations

Page 69589-69591

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

DOCID:fr15no10-7

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 40 CFR Part 52

Docket No. EPA-R02-OAR-2010-0659; FRL-9225-6

Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans;

New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut; Determination of Attainment of the 1997 Fine Particle Standard

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is determining that the New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island, NY-NJ-CT fine particle

(PM2.5) nonattainment area for the 1997 fine particle

National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) has attained the 1997

PM2.5NAAQS.

DATES: Effective Date: This rule will become effective on December 15, 2010.

ADDRESSES: EPA has established a docket for this action under Docket ID

Number EPA-R02-OAR-2010-0659. All documents in the docket are listed in the http://www.regulations.gov Web site. Although listed in the electronic docket, some information is not publicly available, i.e., 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 for public inspection during normal business hours at the Air Programs Branch, U.S. Environmental

Protection Agency, Region II, 290 Broadway, New York, New York 10007.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Henry Feingersh, (212) 637-3382, or by e-mail at feingersh.henry@epa.gov if you have questions related to New

York or New Jersey. If you have questions related to Connecticut, please contact Alison C. Simcox, (617) 918-1684, or by e-mail at simcox.alison@epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Throughout this document whenever ``we'',

``us'', or ``our'' is used, we mean EPA.

The SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section is arranged as follows:

1. What action is EPA taking?

2. What comments were received and what is EPA's response?

3. What is the effect of this action?

4. Final Action

5. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

1. What action is EPA taking?

   EPA is determining that the New York-Northern New Jersey-Long

   Island, NY-NJ-CT fine particle (PM2.5) nonattainment area, referred to from this point forward as the NY-NJ-CT fine particle

   (PM2.5) nonattainment area, for the 1997 PM2.5

   NAAQS has attained the 1997 PM2.5NAAQS. This determination is based upon quality assured, quality controlled and certified ambient air monitoring data that show the area has monitored attainment of the 1997 PM2.5NAAQS for the 2007-2009 monitoring period. Other specific requirements of the determination and the rationale for

   Page 69590

   EPA's proposed action are explained in the proposed rulemaking published on August 2, 2010 (75 FR 45076) and will not be restated here.

   In addition, EPA is determining that the 1997 PM2.5

   NAAQS has been attained for the NY-NJ-CT fine particle

   (PM2.5) nonattainment area by the initial attainment date of no later than April 5, 2010 as required under the provisions of EPA's

   PM2.5implementation rule (see 40 CFR 51.1004).

   EPA notes that the State of New York provided information in support of the Clean Data Determination which EPA considered in this action. On June 9, 2010, EPA received a Clean Data petition from New

   York, requesting a determination that the New York State portion of the

   NY-NJ-CT fine particle (PM2.5) nonattainment area for the 1997 PM2.5NAAQS has attained the 1997 PM2.5

   NAAQS. In the petition, New York provided additional technical information supporting a Clean Data determination for the area, including a list of Federal and State emission control measures that have contributed to attainment of the 1997 PM2.5NAAQS, and a listing of annual PM2.5design values for the 2007-09 time period for air monitors located in the NY-NJ-CT fine particle

   (PM2.5) nonattainment area. New York also provided an estimate of design values for sites that had less than complete air monitoring data due to site closure. The additional information provided by New York is further discussed in the Technical Support document (TSD), and is available in the docket.

2. What comments were received and what is EPA's response?

   No public comments were received in response to the proposal.

3. What is the effect of this action?

   This final action, in accordance with 40 CFR 51.1004(c), suspends the requirements for this area to submit an attainment demonstration, associated reasonably available control measures, reasonable further progress plans (RFP), contingency measures, and other planning State implementation plans (SIPs) related to attainment of the 1997

   PM2.5NAAQS for so long as the area continues to attain the 1997 PM2.5NAAQS.

   This action does not constitute a redesignation to attainment under section 107(d)(3) of the Clean Air Act (CAA), because the area does not have an approved maintenance plan as required under section 175A of the

   CAA, nor a determination that the area has met the other requirements for redesignation. The designation status of the area remains nonattainment for the 1997 annual PM2.5NAAQS until such time as EPA determines that it meets the CAA requirements for redesignation to attainment.

4. Final Action

   EPA is determining that the NY-NJ-CT fine particle

   (PM2.5) nonattainment area for the 1997 PM2.5

   NAAQS has attained the 1997 PM2.5NAAQS. This determination is based upon quality assured, quality controlled, and certified ambient air monitoring data that show that the area has monitored attainment of the 1997 PM2.5NAAQS for the 2007-2009 monitoring period. This final action, in accordance with 40 CFR 51.1004(c), will suspend the requirements for this area to submit an attainment demonstration, associated reasonably available control measures, RFP, contingency measures, and other planning SIPs related to attainment of the 1997 PM2.5NAAQS for so long as the area continues to attain the 1997 PM2.5NAAQS.

5. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

   A. General Requirements

   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 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 makes a determination based on air quality data, and results in the suspension of certain Federal requirements. Accordingly, the Administrator certifies that this rule will 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 rule makes a determination based on air quality data, and results in the suspension of certain

   Federal requirements, 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 will 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 does 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), because it merely makes a determination based on air quality data and results in the suspension of certain

   Federal requirements, and does not alter the relationship or the distribution of power and responsibilities established in the Clean Air

   Act (CAA). This rule also is not subject to Executive Order 13045

   ``Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks'' (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997) because it determines that air quality in the affected area is meeting Federal standards.

   The requirements of section 12(d) of the National Technology

   Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272 note) do not apply because it would be inconsistent with applicable law for EPA, when determining the attainment status of an area, to use voluntary consensus standards in place of promulgated air quality standards and monitoring procedures otherwise satisfying the provisions of the CAA.

   This rule does not impose an information collection burden under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).

   Under Executive Order 12898, EPA finds that this rule involves a determination of attainment based on air quality data and will not have disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental effects on any communities in the area, including minority and low- income communities.

   B. Submission to Congress and the Comptroller General

   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.

   Page 69591

   This action is not a ``major rule'' as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2).

   C. Petitions for Judicial Review

   Under section 307(b)(1) of the CAA, petitions for judicial review of this action must be filed in the United States Court of Appeals for the appropriate circuit by January 14, 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, pertaining to the NY-NJ-CT PM2.5 nonattainment area clean data determination, 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, Incorporation by reference, Particulate matter.

   Dated: October 19, 2010.

   H. Curtis Spalding,

   Acting Regional Administrator, Region I.

   Dated: September 29, 2010.

   Judith A. Enck,

   Acting Regional Administrator, Region II. 0

   Part 52, chapter I, title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations 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 H--Connecticut 0 2. Section 52.379 is amended by redesignating the introductory paragraph as paragraph (a) and adding a new paragraph (b) to read as follows:

   Sec. 52.379 Control strategy: PM2.5.

   (a) * * *

   (b) Determination of Attainment. EPA has determined, as of December 15, 2010, that the New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island, NY-NJ-CT fine particle (PM2.5) nonattainment area has attained the 1997 PM2.5National Ambient Air Quality Standard. This determination, in accordance with 40 CFR 51.1004(c), suspends the requirements for this area to submit an attainment demonstration, associated reasonably available control measures, a reasonable further progress plan, contingency measures, and other planning SIPs related to attainment of the standard for as long as the area continues to attain the 1997 PM2.5NAAQS.

   Subpart FF--New Jersey 0 3. Section 52.1602 is amended by adding new paragraph (c) to read as follows:

   Sec. 52.1602 Control strategy and regulations: PM2.5.

   * * * * *

   (c) Determination of Attainment. EPA has determined, as of December 15, 2010, that the New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island, NY-NJ-CT fine particle (PM2.5) nonattainment area has attained the 1997 PM2.5National Ambient Air Quality Standard. This determination, in accordance with 40 CFR 51.1004(c), suspends the requirements for this area to submit an attainment demonstration, associated reasonably available control measures, a reasonable further progress plan, contingency measures, and other planning SIPs related to attainment of the standard for as long as the area continues to attain the 1997 PM2.5NAAQS.

   Subpart HH--New York 0 4. Section 52.1678 is amended by adding new paragraph (e) to read as follows:

   Sec. 52.1678 Control strategy and regulations: Particulate matter.

   * * * * *

   (e) Determination of Attainment. EPA has determined, as of December 15, 2010, that the New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island, NY-NJ-CT fine particle (PM2.5) nonattainment area has attained the 1997 PM2.5National Ambient Air Quality Standard. This determination, in accordance with 40 CFR 51.1004(c), suspends the requirements for this area to submit an attainment demonstration, associated reasonably control available measures, a reasonable further progress plan, contingency measures, and other planning SIPs related to attainment of the standard for as long as the area continues to attain the 1997 PM2.5NAAQS.

   FR Doc. 2010-28504 Filed 11-12-10; 8:45 am

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