Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Pennsylvania; Nonattainment New Source Review; Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5
Federal Register, Volume 77 Issue 61 (Thursday, March 29, 2012)
Federal Register Volume 77, Number 61 (Thursday, March 29, 2012)
Proposed Rules
Pages 18987-18990
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office www.gpo.gov
FR Doc No: 2012-7573
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 52
EPA-R03-OAR-2011-0924; FRL-9653-9
Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Pennsylvania; Nonattainment New Source Review; Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5)
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Proposed rule.
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SUMMARY: EPA is proposing to approve a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revisions submitted by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. These revisions pertaining to Pennsylvania's nonattainment New Source Review (NSR) program incorporate preconstruction permitting regulations for fine particulate matter (PM2.5) into the Pennsylvania SIP. EPA is approving these revisions in accordance with the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA).
DATES: Written comments must be received on or before April 30, 2012.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID Number EPA-
R03-OAR-2011-0924 by one of the following methods:
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www.regulations.gov. Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments.
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Email: cox.kathleen@epa.gov.
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Mail: EPA-R03-OAR-2011-0924, Kathleen Cox, Associate Director, Office of Permits and Air Toxics, Mailcode 3AP10, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region III, 1650 Arch Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103.
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Hand Delivery: At the previously-listed EPA Region III address. Such deliveries are only accepted during the Docket's normal hours of operation, and special arrangements should be made for deliveries of boxed information.
Instructions: Direct your comments to Docket ID No. EPA-R03-OAR-
2011-0924. EPA's policy is that all comments received will be included in the public docket without change, and may be made available online at www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided, unless the comment includes information claimed to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Do not submit information that you consider to be CBI or otherwise protected through www.regulations.gov or email. The www.regulations.gov Web site is an ``anonymous access'' system, which means EPA will not know your identity or contact information unless you provide it in the body of your comment. If you send an email comment directly to EPA without going through www.regulations.gov, your email address will be automatically captured and included as part of the comment that is placed in the public docket and made available on the Internet. If you submit an electronic comment, EPA recommends that you include your name and other contact information in the body of your comment and with any disk or CD-ROM you submit. If EPA cannot read your comment due to technical difficulties and cannot contact you for clarification, EPA may not be able to consider your comment. Electronic files should avoid the use of special characters, any form of encryption, and be free of any defects or viruses.
Docket: All documents in the electronic docket are listed in the www.regulations.gov index. 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 either electronically in www.regulations.gov or in hard copy during normal business hours at the Air Protection Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region III, 1650 Arch Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103. Copies of the State submittal are available at the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Air Quality Control, P.O. Box 8468, 400 Market Street, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17105.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gerallyn Duke, (215) 814-2084, or by email at duke.gerallyn@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Throughout this document, whenever ``we,'' ``us,'' or ``our'' is used, we mean EPA. On September 23, 2011, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) submitted a formal revision to its State Implementation Plan (SIP).
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Background
The SIP revision consists of amendments to 25 Pa. Code Chapter 121, ``General Provisions;'' and Chapter 127, ``Construction, Modification, Reactivation and Operation of Sources.'' This SIP revision submitted by Pennsylvania will satisfy requirements that are set forth in the federal rule, ``Implementation of the New Source Review (NSR) Program for Particulate Matter less than 2.5 Micrometers (PM2.5)'' (NSR PM2.5 Rule), which was promulgated on May 16, 2008 (73 FR 28321).
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Fine Particulate Matter and the NAAQS
Fine particles in the atmosphere are made up of a complex mixture of components. Common constituents include sulfate (SO4); nitrate (NO3); ammonium; elemental carbon; a great variety of organic compounds; and inorganic material (including metals, dust, sea salt, and other trace elements) generally referred to as ``crustal'' material, although it may contain material from other sources. Airborne particulate matter (PM) with a nominal aerodynamic diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less (a micrometer is one-millionth of a meter, and 2.5 micrometers is less than one-seventh the average width of a human hair) are considered to be ``fine particles'' and are also known as PM2.5. ``Primary'' particles are emitted directly into the air as a solid or liquid particle (e.g., elemental carbon from diesel engines or fire activities, or condensable organic particles from gasoline engines). ``Secondary'' particles (e.g., sulfate and nitrate) form in the atmosphere as a result of various chemical reactions.
The health effects associated with exposure to PM2.5 include potential aggravation of respiratory and cardiovascular disease (i.e., lung disease, decreased lung function asthma attacks and certain cardiovascular issues). Epidemiological studies have indicated a correlation between elevated PM2.5 levels and premature mortality. Groups considered especially sensitive to PM2.5 exposure include older adults, children, and individuals with heart and lung diseases. For more details regarding health effects and PM2.5 see EPA's Web site at http://www.epa.gov/oar/particlepollution/ (see heading ``Health and Welfare'').
On July 18, 1997, EPA revised the NAAQS for PM to add new standards for fine particles, using PM2.5 as the indicator. Previously, EPA used PM10 (inhalable particles smaller than or equal to 10 micrometers in diameter) as the indicator for the PM NAAQS. EPA established health-based (primary) annual and 24-hour standards for PM2.5, setting an annual standard at a level of 15 micrograms per cubic meter (mug/m\3\) and a 24-hour standard at a level of 65 mug/m\3\ (62 FR 38652). At the time the 1997 primary standards were established, EPA also established welfare-based (secondary) standards identical to the primary standards. The secondary standards are designed to protect against major environmental effects of PM2.5, such as visibility impairment, soiling, and materials damage. On October 17, 2006, EPA revised the primary and secondary NAAQS for PM2.5. In that rulemaking, EPA reduced the 24-hour NAAQS for PM2.5 to 35 mug/m\3\ and retained the existing annual PM2.5 NAAQS of 15 mug/m\3\ (71 FR 61236).
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Implementation of NSR Requirements for PM2.5--the NSR PM2.5 Rule
After EPA promulgated the NAAQS for PM2.5 on October 23, 1997, the Agency issued a guidance document written by John Seitz entitled ``Interim Implementation of New Source Review Requirements for PM2.5'' (Seitz memo). The Seitz memo was designed to help states implement NSR requirements pertaining to the new PM2.5 NAAQS in light of technical difficulties posed by PM2.5 at that time. Specifically, the Seitz memo states: ``PM10 may properly be used as a surrogate for PM2.5 in meeting NSR requirements until these difficulties are resolved.''
EPA also issued a guidance document entitled ``Implementation of New Source Review Requirements in PM2.5 Nonattainment Areas'' (the ``2005 PM2.5 Nonattainment NSR Guidance''), on April 5, 2005, the date that EPA's PM2.5 nonattainment area designations became effective for the 1997 NAAQS. This memorandum provided guidance on the implementation of the nonattainment
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major NSR provisions in PM2.5 nonattainment areas in the interim period between the effective date of the PM2.5 nonattainment area designations (April 5, 2005) and EPA's promulgation of final PM2.5 nonattainment NSR regulations. Besides reaffirming the continuation of the PM10 Surrogate Policy for PM2.5 attainment areas set forth in the Seitz memo, the 2005 PM2.5 nonattainment NSR Guidance recommended that until EPA promulgated the PM2.5 major NSR regulations, ``States should use a PM10 nonattainment major NSR program as a surrogate to address the requirements of nonattainment major NSR for the PM2.5 NAAQS.''
On May 16, 2008, EPA finalized a rule (the NSR PM2.5 Rule) to implement the 1997 PM2.5 NAAQS, including changes to the NSR program (73 FR 28321). The 2008 NSR PM2.5 Rule revised the NSR program requirements to establish the framework for implementing preconstruction permit review for the PM2.5 NAAQS in both attainment and nonattainment areas. The 2008 NSR PM2.5 Rule required that major stationary sources seeking permits must directly satisfy the PM2.5 requirements, as of the effective date of the rule, rather than relying on PM10 as a surrogate, with two exceptions. The first exception was a ``grandfathering'' provision in the Federal PSD program at 40 CFR 52.21(i)(1)(xi). This grandfathering provision applied to sources that had applied for, but had not yet received, a final and effective PSD permit before the July 15, 2008, effective date of the May 2008 final rule. The second exception was that states with SIP-approved PSD programs could continue to implement the Seitz Memo's PM10 Surrogate Policy for up to three years (until May 2011) or until the individual revised state PSD programs for PM2.5 are approved by EPA, whichever came first. For additional information on the NSR PM2.5 Rule, see (73 FR 28321). On February 11, 2010, EPA proposed to repeal the grandfathering provision for PM2.5 contained in the federal PSD program at 40 CFR 52.21(i)(1)(xi) and to end early the PM10 Surrogate Policy applicable in states that have a SIP approved PSD program (75 FR 6827). In support of this proposal, EPA explained that the PM2.5 implementation issues that led to the adoption of the PM10 Surrogate Policy in 1997 have been largely resolved to a degree sufficient for sources and permitting authorities to conduct meaningful permit-related PM2.5 analyses. The repeal of the grandfathering rule was finalized on May 18, 2011 (76 FR 28646).
The 2008 NSR PM2.5 Rule also established the following NSR requirements to implement the PM2.5 NAAQS: (1) Require NSR permits to address directly emitted PM2.5 and precursor pollutants; (2) establish significant emission rates for direct PM2.5 and precursor pollutants (including sulfur dioxide (SO2) and oxides of nitrogen NOX); (3) establish PM2.5 emission offsets; and (4) require states to account for gases that condense to form particles (condensables) in PM2.5 emission limits.
Additionally, the 2008 final rule authorized states to adopt provisions in their nonattainment NSR rules that would allow major stationary sources and major modifications locating in areas designated nonattainment for PM2.5 to offset emissions increases of direct PM2.5 emissions or PM2.5 precursors with reductions of either direct PM2.5 emissions or PM2.5 precursors in accordance with offset ratios contained in the approved SIP for the applicable nonattainment area. The inclusion, in whole or in part, of the interpollutant offset provisions for PM2.5 is discretionary on the part of the states. In the preamble to the 2008 final rule, EPA included preferred or presumptive offset ratios, applicable to specific PM2.5 precursors that states may adopt in conjunction with the new interpollutant offset provisions for PM2.5, and for which the state could rely on the EPA's technical work to demonstrate the adequacy of the ratios for use in any PM2.5 non attainment area. Alternatively, the preamble indicated that states may adopt their own ratios, subject to the EPA's approval, that would have to be substantiated by modeling or other technical demonstrations of the net air quality benefit for ambient PM2.5 concentrations. The preferred ratios were subsequently the subject of a petition for reconsideration, which the Administrator granted. EPA continues to support the basic policy that sources may offset increases in emissions of direct PM2.5 or of any PM2.5 precursor in a PM2.5 nonattainment area with actual emissions reductions in direct PM2.5 or PM2.5 precursors in accordance with offset ratios as approved in the SIP for the applicable nonattainment area. However, we no longer consider the preferred ratios set forth in the preamble to the 2008 final rule for PM2.5 NSR implementation to be presumptively approvable. Instead, any ratio involving PM2.5 precursors adopted by the state for use in the interpollutant offset program for PM2.5 nonattainment areas must be accompanied by a technical demonstration that shows the net air quality benefits of such ratio for the PM2.5 nonattainment area in which it will be applied.
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Summary of SIP Revision
The SIP revision submitted by Pennsylvania consists of amendments to the general provisions of 25 Pa. Code Chapters 121 and major nonattainment NSR permitting regulations of 25 Pa. Code Chapter 127. The revision fulfills the federal program requirements established by the EPA rulemaking actions discussed above for nonattainment areas. The amendments establish the major source threshold, significant emission rate and offset ratios for PM2.5, establish nitrogen oxides (NOX) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) as precursors to PM2.5, and establish interpollutant trading for offsets and NSR applicability to PM2.5 precursor pollutants, pursuant to the May 2008 NSR PM2.5 Rule. Pennsylvania's proposed SIP revision does not include the ``grandfathering'' and presumptively approvable interpollutant trading ratio provisions that have subsequently been repealed/reconsidered. Clarifying amendments, described below, for Chapter 127 are also made. Finally, minor editorial changes are included in the amendments.
Section 127.203a(a)(2) is amended to clarify that aggregation of de minimis emissions for PM2.5 and PM2.5 precursors is not required. Section 127.206(o) is amended to clarify that, except as provided in Section 127.210 (which addresses offset ratios), an emission reduction credit (ERC) created for a regulated criteria pollutant shall only be used for offsetting or netting an emission increase involving the same criteria pollutant unless approved by PADEP. Section 127.203(b)(1)(i) is amended to clarify that the owner or operator must use the existing provisions in Section 127.203(b)(2) or (3) for a determination of control technology requirements when the net emission increase is equal to or exceeds the applicable emissions rate that is significant.
The amendments add a definition of ``PM2.5.'' The amendments revise the definitions of existing terms ``regulated NSR pollutant'' and ``significant'' to include the requirements for PM2.5 to support the amendments to Chapter 127. Specifically, the existing term ``significant'' is revised to establish a threshold for PM2.5 and PM2.5 precursors at major modifications at existing sources and the existing term ``regulated NSR pollutant'' is revised to include PM2.5 and to identify precursors for PM2.5. The amendments delete the term
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``maximum allowable emissions'' since the term is no longer used to support existing regulations in Pennsylvania and the term is not used in the federal rules, set forth in 40 CFR 51.165, for nonattainment New Source Review SIPs.
The amendments submitted by Pennsylvania for approval into the SIP were adopted by Pennsylvania on May 18, 2011 and became effective on September 3, 2011. They include revisions to certain definitions at 25 Pa. Code 121.1, as well as to Chapter 127, Subchapter E (nonattainment NSR). The following regulations under Chapter 127 are revised: Section 127.201 (General requirements), Section 127.201a (Measurements, abbreviations and acronyms), Section 127.202 (Effective date), Section 127.203 (Facilities subject to special permit requirements), Section 127.203a (Applicability determination), Section 127.204 (Emissions subject to this subchapter), Section 127.206 (ERC general requirements), and Section 127.210 (Offset ratios).
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Proposed Action
EPA's review of the revisions submitted by Pennsylvania for approval into the SIP finds them consistent with their federal counterparts. EPA is proposing to approve the Pennsylvania SIP revision to incorporate federal preconstruction permitting requirements for PM2.5 and PM2.5 precursors in nonattainment areas along with clarifying amendments, which was submitted on September 23, 2011. EPA is soliciting public comments on the issues discussed in this document. These comments will be considered before taking final action.
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Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
Under the CAA, the Administrator is required to approve a SIP submission that complies with the provisions of the CAA 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 CAA. Accordingly, this action merely proposes to approve state law as meeting Federal requirements and does not impose additional requirements beyond those imposed by state law. For that reason, this proposed 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 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 CAA; 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 proposed rule pertaining to NSR requirements for PM2.5 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.
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52
Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Carbon monoxide, 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: March 19, 2012.
W.C. Early,
Acting Regional Administrator, Region III.
FR Doc. 2012-7573 Filed 3-28-12; 8:45 am
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