Air quality implementation plans; approval and promulgation; various States: New Jersey,

[Federal Register: July 23, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 141)]

[Rules and Regulations]

[Page 43462-43465]

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

[DOCID:fr23jy03-4]

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 52

[Region II Docket No. NJ62-262, FRL-7535-4]

Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; New Jersey; Revised Motor Vehicle Emissions Inventories for 1996, 2005, and 2007 and Motor Vehicle Emissions Budgets for 2005 and 2007 Using MOBILE6

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY: EPA is approving a revision to the New Jersey State Implementation Plan (SIP) for the attainment and maintenance of the 1- hour national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS) for ozone. Specifically, EPA is approving New Jersey's: revised 1996, 2005, and 2007 motor vehicle emission inventories and 2005 and 2007 motor vehicle emissions budgets recalculated using MOBILE6; modified date for submittal of the State's mid-course review; and updated general conformity emissions budgets for McGuire Air Force Base. The intended effect of this action is to approve a SIP revision that will help the State continue to plan for attainment of the 1-hour NAAQS for ozone in the New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island nonattainment area (NAA) and the Philadelphia-Wilmington-Trenton NAA.

EFFECTIVE DATE: This rule will be effective August 22, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the state submittal(s) are available at the following addresses for inspection during normal business hours:

Environmental Protection Agency, Region 2 Office, Air Programs Branch, 290 Broadway, 25th Floor, New York, New York 10007-1866. Environmental Protection Agency, Air and Radiation Docket and Information Center, Air Docket (6102), 401 M Street, SW., Washington, DC 20460. New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Air Quality Planning, 401 East State Street, CN027, Trenton, New Jersey 08625.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Moltzen, Air Programs Branch, 290 Broadway, 25th Floor, New York, NY 10007-1866, (212) 637-4249.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Table of Contents

  1. Background II. What Are the Details of EPA's Specific Actions? A. Emission Inventories Revised with MOBILE6 B. Motor Vehicle Emissions Budgets Revised with MOBILE6 C. Revised General Conformity Budgets D. Modified Date for Submittal of the Mid-course Review III. Conclusions IV. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

  2. Background

    On May 5, 2003 (68 FR 23662), EPA published a notice of proposed rulemaking regarding a SIP revision submitted by the State of New Jersey for its portions of the two severe ozone NAAs--the New York- Northern New Jersey-Long Island Area and the Philadelphia-Wilmington- Trenton Area. For purposes of this action, these areas will be referred to as the Northern New Jersey NAA and the Trenton NAA, respectively. That notice proposed to approve New Jersey's revised 1996, 2005, and 2007 motor vehicle emission inventories and 2005 and 2007 motor vehicle emissions ``budgets'' recalculated using MOBILE6, modified date for submittal of the State's mid-course review, and updated general conformity emissions budgets for McGuire Air Force Base.

    The SIP revision was proposed under a procedure called parallel processing, whereby EPA proposes a rulemaking action concurrently with a state's procedures for amending its regulations. The proposed SIP revision was initially submitted to EPA on January 31, 2003, and the final SIP revision was formally submitted on April 8, 2003. New Jersey also submitted additional information in a letter dated June 26, 2003 to supplement the April 8, 2003 SIP revision. A detailed description of New Jersey's submittal and EPA's rationale for the proposed action were presented in the May 5, 2003 notice of proposed rulemaking and will not be restated here. In response to EPA's proposed action on this New Jersey SIP revision, no comments were received.

  3. What Are the Details of EPA's Specific Actions?

    1. Emission Inventories Revised with MOBILE6

      New Jersey's April 8, 2003 SIP revision contained revised 1996, 2005, and 2007 motor vehicle emissions inventories recalculated with the MOBILE6 motor vehicle emissions factor model. Consistent with EPA's policy regarding the use of MOBILE6 in SIP development in its ``Policy Guidance on the Use of MOBILE6 for SIP Development and Transportation Conformity'' and ``Clarification of Policy Guidance for MOBILE6 in Mid- course Review Areas'', New Jersey included in the April 8, 2003 submittal a relative reduction comparison to show that its 1-Hour Ozone Attainment Demonstration SIP continues to demonstrate attainment using revised MOBILE6 inventories for the Northern New Jersey NAA and the Trenton NAA. The State's methodology for the relative reduction comparison consisted of comparing the new MOBILE6 inventories with the previously approved on February 4, 2002 (67 FR 5152) MOBILE5 inventories for the Northern New Jersey NAA and the Trenton NAA to determine if attainment will still be predicted by the established attainment dates. Specifically, the State calculated the relative reductions (expressed as percent reductions) in ozone precursors between the 1996 base year and attainment year inventory, both MOBILE5- based. These percent reductions were then compared to the percent reductions between the revised MOBILE6-based 1996 base year and attainment year inventories.

      To further support the relative reduction comparison submitted in the April 8, 2003 submittal, New Jersey performed a supplemental analysis, submitted as an addendum on June 26, 2003, which estimated the change in emission factors in going from MOBILE5

      [[Page 43463]]

      to MOBILE6 for 1990 and the attainment years of 2005 and 2007 for the Trenton NAA and Northern New Jersey NAA, respectively. This supplemental analysis shows that the percent reduction calculated with MOBILE6 is greater than the percent reduction calculated with MOBILE5, thus the required emission reductions needed to attain the 1-hour ozone NAAQS are achieved, and the SIP continues to demonstrate attainment.

      New Jersey's submittal satisfies the conditions outlined in EPA's MOBILE6 Policy guidance, and demonstrates that the new levels of motor vehicle emissions calculated using MOBILE6 continue to support achievement of the projected attainment of the 1-Hour Ozone NAAQS by the attainment dates of 2007 for the Northern New Jersey NAA and 2005 for the Trenton NAA. Table 1 below summarizes the revised Reasonable Further Progress (RFP) and attainment year motor vehicle emissions inventories statewide and by nonattainment area in tons per summer day (tpd). EPA is approving these revised motor vehicle emissions inventories as part of New Jersey's SIP.

      Table 1.--New Jersey's Revised Motor Vehicle Emissions Inventories

      2005 NAA area

      ------------------------------------------------ NOX(tpd) VOC (tpd) NOX(tpd) VOC (tpd)

      Atlantic City...................................

      14.63

      22.07

      \(1)\

      \(1)\ Northern New Jersey.............................

      156.37

      237.17

      134.00

      186.93 Trenton.........................................

      50.48

      77.72

      \(1)\

      \(1)\ Allentown.......................................

      5.59

      12.89

      4.77

      10.25

      State total.................................

      227.08

      349.85

      \(1)\

      \(1)\

      \1\ Not applicable.

    2. Motor Vehicle Emissions Budgets Revised With MOBILE6

      New Jersey's April 8, 2003 SIP revision contained revised motor vehicle emissions budgets recalculated using MOBILE6. For the South Jersey Transportation Planning Organization (SJTPO) and Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) the 2005 budgets are revised attainment year budgets. For the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA) the 2005 budgets are revised budgets based on the RFP Plans, while the 2007 budgets are revised attainment year budgets. On June 2, 2003 (68 FR 32749), EPA found the revised attainment year budgets adequate for transportation conformity purposes. EPA is approving all of these budgets as part of New Jersey's SIP. Table 2 below summarizes New Jersey's revised budgets contained in the April 8, 2003 submittal.

      Table 2.--New Jersey Motor Vehicle Emissions Budgets

      2005

      2007 Transportation planning area

      --------------------------------------------------- VOC (tpd) NOX(tpd) VOC (tpd) NOX(tpd)

      North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA)...... 161.97 250.05 138.77 197.19 South Jersey Transportation Planning Organization (SJTPO)...

      22.12

      36.36

      \(1)\

      \(1)\ Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC)........

      42.99

      63.44

      \(1)\ \(1)\

      \(1)\ Not applicable, since the attainment year is 2005.

    3. Revised General Conformity Budgets

      New Jersey's April 8, 2003 SIP revision contained updated general conformity budgets for the McGuire Air Force Base, which replace the previous budgets approved by EPA on February 4, 2002 (67 FR 5152). Specifically, New Jersey is increasing the 2005 NOXbudget and decreasing the 2005 VOC budget consistent with EPA's policy on substitution of ozone precursor emission reductions. Table 3 below summarizes the revised general conformity budgets. EPA is approving the revised 2005 general conformity emissions budgets.

      Table 3.--McGuire Air Force Base General Conformity Emissions Budgets

      Previously approved budgets

      New budgets

      VOC Tons/year NOXTons/year VOC Tons/year NOXTons/year

      1990 Baseline...................................

      1,112

      1,038

      1,112

      1,038 1996............................................

      1,186

      1,107

      1,186

      1,107 1999............................................

      1,223

      1,142

      1,223

      1,142 2002............................................

      1,405

      875

      1,405

      875 *2005...........................................

      1,406

      884

      1,198

      1,084

      * 2005 budgets updated such that the increase in NOXis offset by a decrease in VOC, resulting in no expected net increase in ozone formation.

      [[Page 43464]]

    4. Modified Date for Submittal of the Mid-Course Review

      New Jersey's April 8, 2003 SIP revision contained a modified date for submittal of the State's mid-course review. As approved into New Jersey's SIP on February 4, 2002 (67 FR 5152), the State originally committed to submit its mid-course review analysis to EPA by December 31, 2003. However, EPA allowed states to revise their mid-course commitments to provide for the review no later than December 31, 2004 in order to include the benefit of the Regional NOXProgram in its mid-course review and to be consistent with surrounding states. Therefore, New Jersey revised its commitment to perform a mid-course review to December 31, 2004. EPA is approving this revised commitment.

  4. Conclusions

    EPA is taking final action to approve New Jersey's April 8, 2003 SIP revision. This submittal revises New Jersey's 1996, 2005, and 2007 motor vehicle emission inventories and 2005 and 2007 motor vehicle emissions budgets using MOBILE6, modifies the planned date to complete the State's mid-course review to December 31, 2004, and updates the general conformity emissions budgets for McGuire Air Force Base. In accordance with the parallel processing procedures, EPA has evaluated New Jersey's final SIP revision submitted on April 8, 2003 and supplemental information submitted on June 26, 2003, and finds that no substantial changes were made from the proposed SIP revision submitted on January 31, 2003. New Jersey has demonstrated that its revised 1- Hour Attainment Demonstration SIP for the Northern New Jersey NAA and the Trenton NAA continues to demonstrate attainment with the revised MOBILE6 inventories.

  5. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

    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 also 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 merely approves state law as meeting Federal requirements and imposes no additional requirements beyond those imposed by state law. 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 approves pre-existing requirements under state law and does not impose any additional enforceable duty beyond that required by state law, it does not contain any unfunded mandate or significantly or uniquely affect small governments, as described in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (Public Law 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). This action merely approves a state rule implementing a Federal standard, and does not alter the relationship or the distribution of power and responsibilities established in the Clean Air Act. This rule also is not subject to Executive Order 13045 ``Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks'' (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997), because it is not economically significant.

    In reviewing SIP submissions, EPA's role is to approve state choices, provided that they meet the criteria of the Clean Air Act. In this context, in the absence of a prior existing requirement for the State to use voluntary consensus standards (VCS), EPA has no authority to disapprove a SIP submission for failure to use VCS. It would thus be inconsistent with applicable law for EPA, when it reviews a SIP submission, to use VCS in place of a SIP submission that otherwise satisfies the provisions of the Clean Air Act. Thus, 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. 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.).

    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 rule 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).

    List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52

    Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Carbon monoxide, Intergovernmental relations, Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Volatile organic compounds.

    Dated: July 10, 2003. Jane M. Kenny, Regional Administrator, Region 2.

    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 FF--New Jersey

    0 2. Section 52.1582 is amended by removing and reserving paragraphs (d)(4) and (h)(5), removing paragraphs (h)(7)(iii) and (h)(7)(iv) and adding paragraph (i) to read as follows:

    Sec. 52.1582 Control strategy and regulations: Ozone.

    * * * * *

    (i)(1) The revised 1996, 2005 and 2007 motor vehicle emission inventories calculated using MOBILE6 included in New Jersey's April 8, 2003 State Implementation Plan revision is approved.

    (2) The 2005 conformity emission budgets for the New Jersey portion of the Philadelphia/Wilmington/Trenton nonattainment area and the 2005 and 2007 conformity emission budgets for the New Jersey portion of the New York/Northern New Jersey/Long Island nonattainment area included in New Jersey's April 8, 2003 State Implementation Plan revision are approved.

    (3) The conformity emission budgets for the McGuire Air Force Base included in New Jersey's April 8, 2003 State

    [[Page 43465]]

    Implementation Plan revision have been approved.

    (4) The revised commitment to perform a mid-course review and submit the results by December 31, 2004 included in the April 8, 2003 SIP revision is approved.

    [FR Doc. 03-18853 Filed 7-22-03; 8:45 am]

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