[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 126 (Thursday, June 30, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 42587-42597]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-15618]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 52
[EPA-R06-OAR-2014-0221; FRL-9948-56-Region 6]
Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; Oklahoma;
Revisions to Major New Source Review Permitting
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Proposed rule.
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SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to
approve severable portions of revisions to the Oklahoma New Source
Review (NSR) State Implementation Plan (SIP) submitted by the State of
Oklahoma on June 24, 2010; July 16, 2010; December 27, 2010; February
6, 2012; and January 18, 2013. These revisions update the Prevention of
Significant Deterioration (PSD) and Nonattainment NSR (NNSR) permit
programs to be consistent with federal permitting requirements and make
general updates to the Oklahoma SIP to support major NSR permitting. We
are proposing this action under section 110, parts C and D of the Clean
Air Act (CAA).
DATES: Written comments must be received on or before August 1, 2016.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket No. EPA-R06-OAR-
2014-0221, at http://www.regulations.gov or via email to
[email protected]. Follow the online instructions for submitting
comments. Once submitted, comments cannot be edited or removed from
Regulations.gov. The EPA may publish any comment received to its public
docket. Do not submit electronically any information you consider to be
Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose
disclosure is restricted by statute. Multimedia submissions (audio,
video, etc.) must be accompanied by a written comment. The written
comment is considered the official comment and should include
discussion of all points you wish to make. The EPA will generally not
consider comments or comment contents located outside of the primary
submission (i.e. on the web, cloud, or other file sharing system). For
additional submission methods, please contact Ms. Adina Wiley, (214)
665-2115, [email protected]. For the full EPA public comment policy,
information about CBI or multimedia submissions, and general guidance
on making effective comments, please visit http://www2.epa.gov/dockets/commenting-epa-dockets.
Docket: The index to the docket for this action is available
electronically at www.regulations.gov and in hard copy at the EPA
Region 6, 1445 Ross Avenue, Suite 700, Dallas, Texas. While all
documents in the docket are listed in the index, some information may
be publicly available only at the hard copy location (e.g., copyrighted
material), and some may not be publicly available at either location
(e.g., CBI).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Adina Wiley, (214) 665-2115,
[email protected]. To inspect the hard copy materials, please
schedule an appointment with Ms. Adina Wiley or Mr. Bill Deese at 214-
665-7253.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Throughout this document wherever ``we,''
``us,'' or ``our'' is used, we mean the EPA.
I. Background
A. The CAA and SIPs
The CAA at Section 110(a)(2)(C) requires states to develop and
submit to the EPA for approval into the SIP, preconstruction review and
permitting programs applicable to certain new and modified stationary
sources of air pollutants for attainment/unclassifiable and
nonattainment areas that cover both major and minor new sources and
modifications, collectively referred to as the NSR SIP. The CAA NSR SIP
program is composed of three separate programs: PSD, NNSR, and Minor
NSR. PSD is established in part C of title I of the CAA and applies in
areas that are designated as meeting the National Ambient Air Quality
Standards (NAAQS), i.e., ``attainment areas,'' as well as areas
designated as ``unclassifiable'' because there is insufficient
information to determine if the area meets the NAAQS. The NNSR SIP
program is established in part D of title I of the CAA and applies in
areas
[[Page 42588]]
that are designated as not being in attainment of the NAAQS, i.e.,
``nonattainment areas.'' The Minor NSR SIP program addresses
construction or modification activities that do not emit, or have the
potential to emit, beyond certain major source/major modification
thresholds and thus do not qualify as ``major'' and applies regardless
of the designation of the area in which a source is located. Any
submitted SIP revision must meet the applicable requirements for SIP
elements in section 110 of the Act, and be consistent with all
applicable statutory and regulatory requirements. The EPA regulations
governing the criteria that states must satisfy for EPA approval of the
NSR programs as part of the SIP are contained in 40 CFR Sections
51.160-51.166. Regulations specific to NNSR are contained in 40 CFR
51.165; PSD specific regulations are found in 40 CFR 51.166. The State
of Oklahoma submitted revisions to the Oklahoma SIP related to its
title I Major NSR permitting programs--PSD and NNSR. In addition to the
specific revisions for Major NSR permitting, the State of Oklahoma also
submitted revisions to the General Oklahoma SIP requirements that
support major NSR permitting activities.
B. Overview of the Revisions to the General Provisions of the Oklahoma
SIP
On July 16, 2010, the State of Oklahoma submitted revisions to the
General Provisions in the Oklahoma SIP that had been adopted by the
State and became effective from 2003-2012. Revisions submitted to the
EPA for review included updates to the definitions and units,
abbreviations, and acronyms used throughout the Oklahoma SIP;
provisions establishing the ability to incorporate by reference federal
requirements; revisions to the PSD increments regulated under the
Oklahoma SIP; and updates to the Emission Inventory provisions.
C. Overview of the Revisions to the Oklahoma Major Source Permitting
Programs
The State of Oklahoma submitted revisions to the Oklahoma PSD and
NNSR Programs on June 24, 2010; July 16, 2010; February 6, 2012; and
January 18, 2013. The revisions to the Oklahoma PSD and NNSR programs
under review in this action have been submitted to address amendments
that the EPA has made to the federal PSD and NNSR regulations as
contained in the following final rules:
NSR Reform Rule (67 FR 800186, December 31, 2002) and (68
FR 63021, November 7, 2003);
Implementation of the 8-hour Ozone (O3) NAAQS-
Phase 2; Final Rule to Implement Certain Aspects of the 1990 Amendments
Relating to NSR and PSD as They Apply to Carbon Monoxide (CO), PM and
O3 NAAQS (70 FR 71612, November 29, 2005);
PSD and NNSR: Reasonable Possibility in Recordkeeping (72
FR 72607, December 21, 2007);
NSR PM2.5 Implementation Rule (73 FR 28321, May
16, 2008);
PSD for PM2.5--Increments, Significant Impact
Levels (SILs) and Significant Monitoring Concentration (SMC) (75 FR
64864, October 20, 2010);
GHG Tailoring Rule (75 FR 31514, June 3, 2010) (specific
to PSD permitting only);
PSD and NNSR: Reconsideration of Inclusion of Fugitive
Rule (76 FR 17548, March 30, 2011).
D. Revisions Not Covered in This Proposed Action
Some severable provisions submitted by the State of Oklahoma on
June 24, 2010; July 16, 2010; February 6, 2012; and January 18, 2013
are not addressed in today's action. In some instances, the EPA has
taken separate actions to propose or finalize a decision on these
severable provisions. For the remaining provisions, the EPA has severed
the submitted provisions from today's rulemaking and will address them
at a later date. The Technical Support Document accompanying our
rulemaking identifies the provisions that we are not evaluating or
proposing in this action.
II. The EPA's Evaluation
A. Evaluation of the Revisions to the General Provisions of the
Oklahoma SIP
We have evaluated revisions to the General Provisions for the
Oklahoma SIP submitted July 16, 2010; December 27, 2010; February 6,
2012; and January 18, 2013. These revisions, if approved by the EPA,
would update the Oklahoma SIP to be consistent with current Oklahoma
regulations and support the PSD and NNSR permitting programs in
Oklahoma. We find that all of the revisions summarized below are
consistent with federal requirements for SIP development under 40 CFR
part 51; accordingly, we propose to approve the submitted rules as part
of the Oklahoma SIP.
The revisions to OAC 252:100-1-1, Purpose, and OAC
252:100-1-2, Definitions, effective June 12, 2003 and submitted on July
16, 2010, update the terms, phrases, and statutory definitions used
throughout the Oklahoma SIP.
The revisions to the General Definitions at OAC 252:100-1-
3 effective on June 12, 2003; July 1, 2008; July 1, 2009; June 15,
2006; July 1, 2011; and July 1, 2012.\1\ These revisions provide
updates to maintain consistency with federal definitions in 40 CFR part
51 and remove obsolete or duplicative definitions.
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\1\ On January 18, 2013, Oklahoma submitted a revision to the
definition of ``carbon dioxide equivalent'' at OAC 252:100-1-3,
effective July 1, 2012. The EPA separately proposed disapproval of
this provision on January 11, 2016. See 81 FR 1141.
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New provisions at OAC 252:100-1-4 effective on June 12,
2003; July 1, 2009; and July 1, 2011 that establish the units,
abbreviations, and acronyms germane to the Oklahoma SIP.
New provisions at OAC 252:100-2-1, 252:100-2-3, and
Appendix Q effective July 1, 2012, to provide the authority to
incorporate by reference (IBR) federal requirements and to specifically
identify the requirements that are incorporated into the Oklahoma
regulations and SIP. The EPA is only proposing to approve the IBR of
the identified portions of 40 CFR parts 50 and 51. All remaining
portions of Appendix Q as submitted July 16, 2010 and January 18, 2013,
were returned to the ODEQ by letters dated March 4, 2016 and May 16,
2016, respectively.
Revisions to OAC 252:100-3-4 effective June 15, 2005 and
July 1, 2011, to maintain consistency with federal requirements and
adopt and implement the PSD PM2.5 increments promulgated by
the EPA on October 20, 2010.
New OAC 252:100, Appendix P--Regulated Air Pollutants,
effective June 15, 2007, to identify the pollutants regulated under the
CAA and EPA regulations.
Revisions to the regulations at OAC 252:100, Subchapter
5--Registration, Emission Inventory, and Annual Operating Fees on July
16, 2010. These amendments, update the Subchapter 5 Definitions at OAC
252:100-5-1.1 to remove obsolete definitions and promote clarity and
revise the Emission Inventory provisions at OAC 252:100-5-1.2 to
include non-substantive edits to promote clarity to state Emission
Inventory practices.\2\
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\2\ The revision to OAC 252:100-5-2.1(a)(3) effective June 11,
2014 and submitted July 16, 2010, was withdrawn by the Oklahoma
Secretary of Energy and Environment on January 28, 2015. As such,
this provision is no longer before us for review.
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B. Evaluation of the Revisions to the Oklahoma Major NSR Permitting
Programs
We evaluated amendments to the Oklahoma PSD and NNSR programs
submitted on June 24, 2010; July 16, 2010, February 6, 2012, and
January 18, 2013. These submitted revisions update
[[Page 42589]]
the general requirements for Oklahoma Major NSR Permitting Programs,
and provide specific updates to the Oklahoma PSD and NNSR Permitting
Programs at OAC 252:100-8-1.1, 8-30, 8-31, 8-32, 8-32.1, 8-32.2, 8-
32.2, 8-33, 8-34, 8-35, 8-35.1, 8-35.2, 8-36, 8-36.2, 8-37, 8-38, 8-39,
8-50, 8-50.1, 8-51, 8-51.1, 8-52, 8-53, 8-54, 8-54.1, 8-55, 8-56, and
8-57.\3\ These amendments, if approved by the EPA, would update the PSD
and NNSR programs to be consistent with federal permitting requirements
and provide clarity to the existing SIP-approved rules. The EPA's
evaluation of the Oklahoma SIP submittals includes an analysis of how
the Oklahoma regulations comport with the federal permitting
requirements. We find that in most cases, the state regulatory language
is identical to that of the federal rule. Where the regulatory language
is not identical, we find it is consistent with the intent of the
federal rules and definitions. The EPA is therefore proposing to
approve the submitted rules as part of the Oklahoma PSD and NNSR SIP.
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\3\ As identified in the TSD, the EPA is taking no action at
this time on the submitted revisions to OAC 252:100-8-2, 8-4, 8-5,
8-6, 8-6.1, 8-6.3, 8-7, 8-7.2, 8-8, and 8-36.1.
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1. NSR Reform Rule
The EPA promulgated its NSR Reform Program rules on December 31,
2002 (67 FR 80186). On November 7, 2003 (68 FR 63021), the EPA
promulgated a final action on its reconsideration of the December 31,
2002, NSR Reform Program rules. Our evaluation of the Oklahoma SIP
submittals demonstrates the ODEQ has adopted and submitted revisions to
the PSD and NNSR permitting programs that are sufficient for the ODEQ
to implement the required elements of NSR Reform.
The rule revisions effective June 15, 2006, submitted as a revision
to the Oklahoma SIP on July 16, 2010, include revisions to OAC 252:100
Part 7--Prevention of Significant (PSD) Requirements for Attainment
Areas. The submission covers Applicability, PSD requirements, Actuals
PALs, and Definitions that implement the NSR Reform revisions to PSD.
To be approvable under the SIP, states implementing Part C (PSD permit
program in 40 CFR 51.166) must include the EPA's December 31, 2002,
changes as minimum PSD program elements. The following summary
demonstrates the revisions to the Oklahoma PSD program satisfy the
federal PSD program requirements:
Incorporation of a new method for determining baseline
actual emissions; defined in OAC 252:100-8-30 and OAC 252:100-8-31;
Incorporation of the actual-to-projected-actual
methodology for determining whether a major modification has occurred;
found in OAC 252:100-8-30; and
Inclusion of rules that allow major stationary sources to
comply with Plantwide Applicability Limits (PALs) to avoid having a
significant emissions increase that triggers the requirements of the
major NSR program; found OAC 252:100-8-38.
The rule revisions effective June 15, 2006, submitted as a revision
to the Oklahoma SIP on July 16, 2010, also include revisions to OAC
252:100 Part 9--Major Sources Affecting Nonattainment Areas. The
submission covers Applicability, NNSR requirements, Actuals PALs, and
Definitions that implement the NSR Reform revisions to NNSR. To be
approvable under the SIP, states implementing Part D (NNSR permit
program in 40 CFR 51.165) must include the EPA's December 31, 2002,
changes as minimum NNSR program elements. The following summary
demonstrates that the revisions to the Oklahoma NNSR program satisfy
the federal NNSR program requirements.
Incorporation of a new method for determining baseline
actual emissions; defined in OAC 252:100-8-50 and OAC 252:100-8-51;
Incorporation of the actual-to-projected-actual
methodology for determining whether a major modification has occurred;
found in OAC 252:100-8-50; and
Inclusion of rules that allow major stationary sources to
comply with Plantwide Applicability Limits (PALs) to avoid having a
significant emissions increase that triggers the requirements of the
major NSR program; found OAC 252:100-8-56.
2. Final Rule To Implement the 8-Hour Ozone (O3) NAAQS--
Phase 2 and Certain Aspects of the 1990 Amendments Relating to NSR and
PSD as They Apply to Carbon Monoxide (CO), PM and O3 NAAQS
(O3 NAAQS Implementation Rule)
The EPA finalized the O3 NAAQS Implementation Rule to
provide additional regulatory requirements under the PSD and NNSR SIP
programs regarding the implementation of the 8-hour ozone NAAQS. See 70
FR 71612, November 29, 2005. Regarding NSR, this rule is based on the
proposed rule published on June 2, 2003 to implement the 8-hour
O3 NAAQS, as well as the proposed rule published on July 23,
1996 for PSD and NNSR. See 68 FR 32802 and 61 FR 38305, respectively.
These changes provide a consistent national program for permitting
major stationary sources under section 110(a)(2)(C) and parts C and D
of title I of the CAA, including major stationary sources of any ozone
precursor in ozone nonattainment areas.
The revisions to the Oklahoma PSD Program address the required
elements of the EPA's final 8-hour ozone NAAQS Phase 2 rule as follows:
The Oklahoma PSD program contains a revised definition of
``major stationary source'' at OAC 252:100-8-31, which specifies that a
major source that is major for VOC or NOX is considered
major for ozone.
The Oklahoma PSD program contains a revised definition of
``major modification'' at OAC 252:100-8-31, which specifies that any
significant increase or net emissions increase at a major stationary
source that is significant for VOC or NOX shall be
considered significant for ozone.
The Oklahoma PSD program contains a revised definition of
``significant'' at OAC 252:100-8-31, which specifies that the SER for
ozone is 40 TPY of VOC or NOX.
The Oklahoma PSD program contains a revised definition of
``regulated NSR pollutant'' at OAC 252:100-8-31, which specifies that
VOC and NOX are precursors to ozone and thus regulated
pollutants.
The Oklahoma PSD program contains a revised exemption from
PSD monitoring at OAC 252:100-8-33(c)(1)(F), which specifies that no de
minimis air quality level is provided for ozone.
The EPA's final 8-hour ozone NAAQS Phase 2 Rule also codified
requirements added to part D of Title I of the CAA in the 1990
Amendments related to permitting of major stationary sources in areas
that are nonattainment for the O3, PM, and CO NAAQS. Second,
the EPA revised the criteria for crediting emissions reductions credits
from shutdowns and curtailments as offsets. Third, revisions to the
regulations for permitting of major stationary sources in nonattainment
areas in interim periods between designation of new nonattainment areas
and the EPA's approval of a revised SIP. Fourth, the EPA changed the
regulations that impose a ban prohibiting construction of new or
modified major stationary sources in nonattainment area where the State
fails to have an implementation plan meeting all of the requirements of
part D. The revisions to the Oklahoma NNSR Program address the required
[[Page 42590]]
elements of the EPA's final 8-hour Ozone NAAQS Phase 2 rule as follows:
The Oklahoma NNSR program at OAC 252:100-8-51 incorporates
by reference the federal NNSR definition of ``major stationary source''
at 40 CFR 51.165(a)(1)(iv) as of July 1, 2010.
The definition of ``major modification'' at OAC 252:100-8-
51 was revised by adding a new paragraph (C) and new OAC 252:100-8-
54.1(a) together requiring NOX to be regulated as an ozone
precursor in an ozone nonattainment area consistent with the federal
requirements at 40 CFR 51.165(a)(1)(v) and (a)(3)(8).
The Oklahoma NNSR program at OAC 252:100-8-51 incorporates
by reference the federal NNSR definition of ``significant'' at 40 CFR
51.165(a)(1)(x) as of July 1, 2010.
New OAC 252:100-8-51.1(b) incorporates by reference the
emission offset requirements in 40 CFR 51.165(a)(9) as of July 2, 2007.
New OAC 252:100-8-54.1(b) makes the PM10
requirements apply to the PM10 precursors consistent with
the requirements at 40 CFR 51.165(a)(10).
3. PSD and NNSR: Reasonable Possibility in Recordkeeping Rulemaking
The EPA finalized PSD and NNSR: Reasonable Possibility in
Recordkeeping on December 21, 2007. See 72 FR 72607. This rule
clarifies the ``reasonable possibility'' recordkeeping and reporting
standards of our 2002 NSR Reform rules. The ``reasonable possibility''
standard identifies for sources and reviewing authorities the criteria
under which an owner or operator of a major stationary source
undergoing a physical change or change in the method of operation that
does not trigger major NSR permitting requirements for a given
regulated NSR pollutant must keep records. The standard also specifies
when the recordkeeping and reporting requirements apply to such
sources.
The Oklahoma PSD program does not include the reasonable
possibility provisions as promulgated by EPA at 40 CFR
51.166(r)(6)(vi). Instead, in the Oklahoma PSD program, any source
using the ``projected actual emissions'' methodology is required to
comply with the recordkeeping requirements at 40 CFR 51.166(r)(6)(i)-
(v). Similarly, the revisions to the Oklahoma NNSR program effective
June 15, 2006, submitted July 16, 2010, incorporate by reference as of
January 2, 2006, the requirements in 40 CFR 51.165(a)(6)(i) through
(a)(6)(v), and do not include the reasonable possibility provisions
promulgated at 40 CFR 51.165(a)(6)(vi).
The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality submitted a letter
of interpretation on February 8, 2016, that explained how the Oklahoma
PSD program applies the recordkeeping, monitoring and reporting
requirements consistent with 40 CFR 51.166(r)(6)(i)-(v) to all sources
that use the ``projected actual emissions'' methodology; not just a
subset of sources for which there is a ``reasonable possibility'' that
a project would result in a significant emissions increase of a
regulated NSR pollutant. These requirements apply to any source using
the ``projected actual emissions'' methodology. Therefore, the EPA
believes that the Oklahoma SIP does not need to include the reasonable
possibility provisions at 40 CFR 51.166(r)(6)(vi). This requirement for
all sources to maintain records, monitor emissions and report in
accordance with 40 CFR 51.166(r)(6)(i)-(v) is more stringent than
federal requirements and is therefore approvable. While the February 8,
2016, letter is specific to the Oklahoma PSD program and the
requirements at OAC 252:100-8-36.2, we find that the Oklahoma NNSR
program is structured similarly and the same conclusion would apply.
Any source using the ``projected actual emissions'' methodology is
required to meet the recordkeeping and reporting requirements
consistent with 40 CFR 51.165(a)(6)(i)-(v). Therefore, the Oklahoma SIP
does not need to include the reasonable possibility provisions at 40
CFR 51.165(a)(6)(vi).
4. Revisions to the PSD and NNSR Programs for PM2.5
Implementation
The EPA promulgated two rules establishing both required and
optional implementation elements for PSD and NNSR permitting programs
for PM2.5: the May 16, 2008 final rule for Implementation of
the New Source Review (NSR) Program for Particulate Matter Less than
2.5 Micrometers (PM2.5) (referred to as the NSR
PM2.5 Implementation Rule), 73 FR 28321; and the October 20,
2010 final rule for Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) for
Particulate Matter Less than 2.5 Micrometers (PM2.5)--
Increments, Significant Impact Levels (SILs) and Significant Monitoring
Concentration (SMC) (referred to as the PM2.5 PSD
Increments--SILs--SMC Rule), 75 FR 64864. Both the NSR PM2.5
Implementation Rule and the PM2.5 PSD Increments--SILs--SMC
Rule have also been the subject of litigation. Following is a
discussion of how the Oklahoma PSD and NNSR programs satisfy the
required elements of these two rulemakings and address the concerns
raised in the subsequent litigation.
a. NSR PM2.5 Implementation Rule
Our evaluation of the February 6, 2012, revisions to the Oklahoma
PSD permitting program presented below and in our accompanying TSD,
demonstrates that the Oklahoma PSD program includes all of the PSD
required elements of the NSR PM2.5 Implementation Rule.
Regulation of Direct PM2.5 and Precursors: The
revised definition of ``regulated NSR pollutant'' at OAC 252:100-8-31
is consistent with the federal definition of ``regulated NSR
pollutant'' at 40 CFR 51.166(b)(49) and identifies precursors to
PM2.5 in attainment areas. With respect to PM2.5,
the revised definition of ``regulated pollutant'' at OAC 252:100-8-31
identifies sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides as regulated
PM2.5 precursors while volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are
not regulated PM2.5 precursors in PM2.5
attainment areas in Oklahoma.
Establish SERs: The revisions to the PSD definition of
``significant'' at OAC 252:100-8-31 establishes significant emission
rates for direct PM2.5 and for NOX and
SO2 and PM2.5 precursors.
Condensable PM10/PM2.5 Emissions:
The revised definition of ``regulated NSR pollutant'' at OAC 252:100-8-
31 is consistent with the federal requirements promulgated on May 16,
2008 at 40 CFR 51.166(b)(49)(vi). Note that the EPA subsequently
promulgated a correction to the definition of ``regulated NSR
pollutant'' with regard to the way in which condensable particulate
matter is to be addressed with regard to emissions of PM at 40 CFR
51.166(b)(49)(i)(a). The correction clarified that permit applicants
are not required to consider the condensable portion of particulate
matter in applicability determinations and in establishing emission
limitations concerning ``PM emissions,'' a term that represents a size
range or indicator of particulate matter not considered to be a
criteria pollutant. See 77 FR 65107, October 25, 2012. Although the
ODEQ revisions do not reflect this amendment of the federal condensable
provision, the State's revision to the PSD program to address
condensable emissions is nonetheless approvable as it is more stringent
than the current federal requirements for regulating condensibles as
modified by the EPA in the October 25, 2012 final rule.
Based on the analysis presented below and in our accompanying TSD,
the EPA is also proposing to find that the February 6, 2012, revision
to the Oklahoma NNSR permitting program includes all of the NNSR
requirements
[[Page 42591]]
of the NSR PM2.5 Implementation Rule for the following
reasons:
Regulation of Direct PM2.5 and Precursors: The
revised definition of ``regulated NSR pollutant'' at OAC 252:100-8-51
is consistent with the federal definition of ``regulated NSR
pollutant'' at 40 CFR 51.165(a)(1)(xxxvii) and identifies precursors to
PM2.5 in nonattainment areas. With respect to
PM2.5, the revised definition of ``regulated pollutant'' at
OAC 252:100-8-51 identifies sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides as
regulated PM2.5 precursors while volatile organic compounds
(VOCs) and ammonia are not regulated PM2.5 precursors in
PM2.5 nonattainment areas in Oklahoma. We note there are
currently no PM2.5 nonattainment areas in Oklahoma.
Establish SERs: The February 6, 2012, submittal
incorporates by reference the definition of ``significant'' at 40 CFR
51.165(a)(1) as it exists on July 1, 2011, and will therefore include
significant emission rates for direct PM2.5 and for sulfur
dioxide and nitrogen oxides as PM2.5 precursors as
promulgated by the EPA at 40 CFR 51.165(a)(1)(xxxvii)(C) and (D) on May
16, 2008.
Condensable PM10/PM2.5 Emissions:
The revised definition of ``regulated NSR pollutant'' at OAC 252:100-8-
51 is consistent with the federal requirements promulgated on May 16,
2008 at 40 CFR 51.165(a)(1)(xxxvii).
b. The EPA's Analysis of the Revisions to the Oklahoma PSD and NNSR
Permitting Program Submittal in Light of the Litigation on the May 16,
2008 NSR PM2.5 Implementation Rule
On January 4, 2013, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of
Columbia Circuit, in Natural Resources Defense Council v. EPA \4\
issued a decision that remanded the EPA's 2007 and 2008 rules
implementing the 1997 PM2.5 NAAQS. With respect to the
requirements for implementation of the PM2.5 NAAQS in
nonattainment areas, the Court found that the EPA erred in implementing
the PM2.5 NAAQS in these rules solely pursuant to the
general implementation provisions of subpart 1 of part D of title I of
the CAA, rather than pursuant to the additional implementation
provisions specific to particulate matter nonattainment areas in
subpart 4. The Court ordered the EPA to ``repromulgate'' these rules
pursuant to subpart 4 consistent with this opinion.'' Id. at 437.
Subpart 4 of Part D, Title I of the CAA establishes additional
provisions for particulate matter nonattainment areas.
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\4\ 706 F.3d 428 (D.C. Cir. 2013).
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The 2008 PM2.5 NSR Implementation Rule addressed by the
NRDC decision promulgated NSR requirements for implementation of
PM2.5 in both nonattainment areas (NNSR) and attainment/
unclassifiable areas (PSD).\5\ As the requirements of subpart 4 only
pertain to nonattainment areas, the EPA does not consider the portions
of the 2008 rule that address requirements for PM2.5 in
attainment and unclassifiable areas to be affected by the court's
opinion. Moreover, the EPA does not anticipate the need to revise any
PSD requirements promulgated in the 2008 NSR PM2.5
Implementation Rule in order to comply with the court's decision.
Accordingly, the EPA's proposed approval of revisions to the Oklahoma
SIP with respect to the PSD requirements promulgated by the 2008 NSR
PM2.5 Implementation Rule does not conflict with the court's
opinion.
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\5\ The 2007 implementation rule also addressed by the NRDC
decision does not address any NSR requirements and is therefore not
addressed by this rulemaking.
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With respect to the nonattainment area requirements in affected
rules, including the NNSR requirements of the 2008 PM2.5 NSR
Implementation Rule, on June 2, 2014, the EPA published a final
rulemaking that begins to address the remand of both rules. See 79 FR
31566. The final rule classifies all existing 1997 and 2006
PM2.5 NAAQS nonattainment areas as ``Moderate''
nonattainment areas and sets a deadline of December 31, 2014, for
states to submit any SIP submissions, including nonattainment NSR SIPs,
that may be necessary to satisfy the requirements of subpart 4, part D,
title I of the CAA with respect to those 1997 and 2006 PM2.5
NAAQS nonattainment areas.
In a separate rulemaking process that will follow the April 2014
rule, the EPA is evaluating the requirements of subpart 4 as they
pertain to, among other things, nonattainment NSR for PM2.5
emissions. In particular, subpart 4 includes section 189(e) of the CAA,
which requires the control of major stationary sources of
PM10 precursors ``except where the Administrator determines
that such sources do not contribute significantly to PM10
levels which exceed the standard in the area.'' Under the court's
decision in NRDC, section 189(e) of the CAA also applies to
PM2.5.
Notably, Oklahoma does not have any areas designated as
nonattainment under either the 1997 or the 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS.
The obligation for a state to submit a plan addressing PM2.5
nonattainment NSR permitting requirements under CAA section 189(a)(1)-
(2) only attaches when an area within a state has been designated
nonattainment. Accordingly, Oklahoma is not required at this time to
make any submissions addressing PM2.5 nonattainment NSR
permitting. The December 31, 2014, deadline for states to make any
additional submission necessary to address the requirements of subpart
4 as to the 1997 and 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS, including addressing
the regulation of PM2.5 precursors pursuant to section
189(e), does not apply to Oklahoma.
Nonetheless, as discussed above in our evaluation of the NNSR
Definitions at OAC 252:100-8-51, the State of Oklahoma submitted a
revision to the Oklahoma SIP on February 6, 2012, which included
revisions to definitions in the Oklahoma NNSR Permitting Program to
address PM2.5. The revised definition of ``regulated NSR
pollutant'' at OAC 252:100-8-51 is consistent with the federal
definition of ``regulated NSR pollutant'' at 40 CFR
51.165(a)(1)(xxxvii) and identifies precursors to PM2.5 in
nonattainment areas. With respect to PM2.5, the revised
definition of ``regulated pollutant'' at OAC 252:100-8-51 identifies
sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides as regulated PM2.5
precursors while volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and ammonia are not
regulated PM2.5 precursors in PM2.5 nonattainment
areas in Oklahoma. The February 6, 2012, submittal incorporates by
reference the definition of ``significant'' at 40 CFR 51.165(a)(1) as
it exists on July 1, 2011, and will therefore include significant
emission rates for direct PM2.5 and for sulfur dioxide and
nitrogen oxides as PM2.5 precursors. These revisions,
although consistent with the 2008 NSR Rule as developed consistent with
subpart 1 of the Act, may not contain the elements necessary to satisfy
the CAA requirements when evaluated under the subpart 4 statutory
requirements in the event an area in Oklahoma is designated
nonattainment in the future. In particular, Oklahoma's submission does
not include regulation of VOCs and ammonia as PM2.5
precursors, nor does it include a demonstration consistent with section
189(e) showing that major sources of those precursor pollutants would
not contribute significantly to PM2.5 levels exceeding the
standard in the area. For these reasons, the EPA cannot conclude at
this time that this part of the Oklahoma NNSR submission satisfies all
of the requirements of subpart 4 as they pertain to PM2.5
NNSR permitting. However, because PM2.5
[[Page 42592]]
levels in Oklahoma do not currently exceed the standard, it is not
necessary for the Oklahoma NNSR SIP at this time to fully address the
requirements under CAA section 189. In the event that an area is
designated nonattainment for the 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS or any
other future PM2.5 NAAQS, Oklahoma will have a deadline
under section 189(a)(2) of the CAA to make a submission addressing the
statutory requirements as to that area, including the requirements in
section 189(e) that apply to the regulation of PM2.5
precursors.
The revisions to Oklahoma's NNSR rule are not required by the
statute at this time, nor do the revisions contain all of the necessary
elements to satisfy the CAA requirements when evaluated under the
subpart 4 provisions; however, the revisions represent an enhancement
of the currently SIP-approved Oklahoma NNSR Permitting Program, which
does not address PM2.5 or its precursors at all. For these
reasons, the EPA is proposing to approve the NNSR revisions at OAC
252:100-8-51 as submitted on February 6, 2012. We note that only
SO2 and NOX will be regulated as PM2.5
precursors under the Oklahoma NNSR program.
c. PSD for PM2.5--Increments, SILs, and SMC Rule
The EPA finalized the PSD for PM2.5--Increments, SILs
and SMC Rule to provide additional regulatory requirements under the
PSD SIP program regarding the implementation of the PM2.5
NAAQS. See 75 FR 64864. The PSD for PM2.5--Increments, SILs
and SMC Rule required states to submit SIP revisions to EPA by July 20,
2012, adopting provisions equivalent to or at least as stringent as the
PM2.5 PSD increments and the associated implementing
regulations promulgated pursuant to section 166(a) of the CAA. More
detail on the PSD for PM2.5--Increments, SILs and SMC Rule
can be found in the EPA's October 20, 2010 final rule. See 75 FR 64864.
With respect to the requirement that revisions to the PSD program
must include the increment component of the PSD for PM2.5--
Increments, SILs and SMC Rule, the ODEQ has adopted the required
PM2.5 increments at OAC 252:100-3-4 that are at least as
stringent as those promulgated by the EPA on October 20, 2011. The ODEQ
further adopted revisions to definitions of ``baseline area,'' ``major
source baseline date,'' and ``minor source baseline date'' at OAC
252:100-8-31 that are required for the implementation of the
PM2.5 increment at least as stringent as regulations
promulgated by the EPA on October 20, 2011. The ODEQ also correctly
updated the source impact analysis requirements at OAC 252:100-8-
35(a)(1) and the provisions for sources impacting Class I areas at OAC
252:100-8-36 consistent with the requirements at 40 CFR 51.166(k)(1)
and 40 CFR 51.166(p), respectively, promulgated by the EPA on October
20, 2011. The EPA is proposing to find that the Oklahoma PSD program
and the Oklahoma SIP now includes the required PM2.5
increments and associated implementing regulations, and these
provisions are applicable requirements for sources and modifications
that are major for PM2.5 and/or the identified precursors of
SO2 and NOX.
With respect to the NNSR Program, the October 20, 2010 final rule
also codified the PM2.5 SILs in the EPA's regulations on new
source review and permitting requirements at 40 CFR 51.165(b)(2).
Unlike the PSD regulations (40 CFR 51.166 and 40 CFR 52.21), 40 CFR
51.165(b)(2) does not use the SILs to exempt a source from conducting
cumulative air quality analysis. Instead, 40 CFR 51.165(b)(2) states
that a proposed source or modification will be considered to cause a
violation of a NAAQS when that source or modification would, at a
minimum exceed the SIL in any area that does not or would not meet the
applicable NAAQS. The revisions at OAC 252:100-8-52(a) incorporate by
reference the federal requirements for SILs at 40 CFR 51.165(b)(2) as
of December 20, 2010.
d. The EPA's Analysis of the Revisions to the Oklahoma PSD Program in
Light of the Litigation on the October 20, 2010 PSD for
PM2.5--Increments, SILs and SMC Rule
The EPA's October 20, 2010 PSD for PM2.5--Increments,
SILs and SMC Rule also provided that states could discretionarily
choose to adopt and submit for EPA approval PM2.5 SILs, used
as a screening tool to evaluate the impact a proposed new major source
or major modification may have on the NAAQS or PSD increment, and/or a
PM2.5 SMC (also a screening tool) to determine the
subsequent level of ambient air monitoring data gathering required for
a PSD permit application for emissions of PM2.5.
On January 22, 2013, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of
Columbia granted a request from the EPA to vacate and remand to the EPA
portions of the federal PSD regulations (40 CFR 51.166(k)(2) and
52.21(k)(2)) setting forth provisions for implementing SILs for
PM2.5 so that the EPA could reconcile the inconsistency
between the regulatory text and certain statements in the preamble to
the 2010 final rule. Sierra Club v. EPA, 705 F.3d 458, 463-64 (D.C.
Cir. 2013). The court declined to vacate the different portions of the
federal PSD regulations (40 CFR 51.165(b)(2)) for implementing SILs for
PM2.5 that did not contain the same inconsistency in the
regulatory text. Id. at 465-66. The court further vacated the portions
of the PSD regulations (40 CFR 51.166(i)(5)(i)(c) and
52.21(i)(5)(i)(c)) implementing a PM2.5 SMC, finding that
the EPA lacked legal authority to adopt and use the PM2.5
SMC to exempt permit applicants from the statutory requirement to
compile and submit ambient monitoring data. Id. at 468-69. On December
9, 2013, the EPA issued a good cause final rule formally removing the
affected PSD SILs and SMC provisions from the CFR. See 78 FR 73698.
Oklahoma has adopted and submitted provisions to establish the
PM2.5 SIL at OAC 252:100-8-35(a)(2) and the PM2.5
SMC at OAC 252:100-8-33(c)(1)(C) in the Oklahoma PSD program. The EPA
is severing these discretionary provisions from this action; we will
address these submitted provisions in a separate action at a later
date.
The court ruling and the EPA's subsequent good cause final
rulemaking only addressed the PSD revisions of the October 20, 2010,
final rule; therefore there will be no impact on the submitted
revisions to the Oklahoma NNSR program.
5. EPA's GHG Tailoring Rule
On June 3, 2010, the EPA published a final rule, known as the
Tailoring Rule, which phased in permitting requirements for greenhouse
gas (GHG) emissions from stationary sources under the CAA PSD and title
V permitting programs (75 FR 31514). Under its interpretation of the
CAA at the time, the EPA believed the Tailoring Rule was necessary to
avoid a sudden and unmanageable increase in the number of sources that
would be required to obtain PSD and title V permits under the CAA
because the sources emitted or had the potential to emit GHGs above the
applicable major source and major modification thresholds.
In Step 1 of the Tailoring Rule, which began on January 2, 2011,
the EPA limited application of PSD and title V requirements for GHGs to
sources that were subject to PSD or title V ``anyway'' due to their
emissions of non-GHG pollutants. These sources are referred to as
``anyway sources.'' In Step 2 of the Tailoring Rule, which began on
July 1, 2011, the EPA applied the PSD and title V permitting
requirements under the CAA to sources that were classified as
[[Page 42593]]
major, and, thus, required to obtain a permit, based solely on their
GHG emissions or potential to emit GHGs, and to modifications of major
sources that required a PSD permit because they increased only GHG
emissions above the threshold level in the EPA regulations. On June 23,
2014, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision in Utility Air
Regulatory Group (UARG) v. EPA, 134 S. Ct. 2427, addressing the
application of stationary source permitting requirements to GHGs. The
U.S. Supreme Court held that the EPA may not treat GHGs as an air
pollutant for the specific purpose of determining whether a source is a
major source (or a modification thereof) and thus required to obtain a
PSD or title V permit. With respect to PSD, the ruling effectively
upheld the PSD permitting requirements for GHG emissions under Step 1
of the Tailoring Rule for ``anyway sources,'' and invalidated the PSD
permitting requirements for Step 2 sources. Because the Supreme Court
decision affirmed in part and reversed in part an earlier decision of
the D.C. Circuit in Coalition for Responsible Regulation v. EPA, 684
F.3d 102 (D.C. Cir. 2012), on April 10, 2015, the D.C. Circuit issued
an Amended Judgment (Nos. 09-1322, 10-073, 10-1092 and 10-1167), which
reflects the UARG v. EPA Supreme Court decision. The D.C. Circuit
simultaneously issued its mandate, which means that the Coalition
Amended Judgment became final and effective upon issuance. In the
Coalition Amended Judgment, the D.C. Circuit ordered that the EPA
regulations under review (including 40 CFR 51.166(b)(48)(v) and 40 CFR
52.21(b)(49)(v)) be vacated to the extent they require a stationary
source to obtain a PSD permit if GHGs are the only pollutant (i) that
the source emits or has the potential to emit above the applicable
major source thresholds, or (ii) for which there is a significant
emissions increase from a modification. The D.C. Circuit also ordered
that the regulations under review be vacated to the extent they require
a stationary source to obtain a title V permit solely because the
source emits or has the potential to emit GHGs above the applicable
major source thresholds, and that the EPA consider further phasing in
the GHG permitting requirements at lower GHG emission thresholds (in
particular 40 CFR 52.22 and 40 CFR 70.12, 71.13).
In response to the Coalition Amended Judgment, the EPA promulgated
a good cause final rule on August 19, 2015, removing the PSD permitting
provisions for Step 2, non-anyway sources from the federal regulations
at 40 CFR 51.166(b)(48)(v) and 52.21(b)(49)(v). The EPA no longer has
the authority to regulate Step 2, non-anyway sources, nor can we
approve provisions in a state regulation providing this authority. We
anticipate future federal rulemakings to address the remainder of the
UARG and Coalition judgments. We further anticipate that these federal
rulemaking actions will necessitate revisions to the existing PSD
regulations in SIP-approved states.
The ODEQ submitted revisions to the Oklahoma SIP addressing the
regulation and permitting of GHGs on February 6, 2012 and January 18,
2013. The EPA finds that the provisions for Step 1 permitting submitted
on February 6, 2012, at OAC 252:100-8-31, definition of ``subject to
regulation,'' subparagraphs (A), (B), (C), (D), and (F) are consistent
with federal requirements for Step 1 GHG Permitting at 40 CFR
51.166(b)(48). Additionally, the February 6, 2012 submittal included
revisions to the general definitions at OAC 252:100-1-3 to include new
definitions for CO2e and GHG consistent with the federal PSD
definitions at 40 CFR 51.166(b)(48)(ii)(a) and 51.166(b)(48)(i),
respectively.
On May 23, 2016, the EPA promulgated our final disapproval of the
provisions for Step 2 permitting submitted on February 6, 2012 and the
revisions submitted on January 18, 2013 to implement the GHG Biomass
Deferral. See 81 FR 32239.
a. EPA's Analysis of the Approvability of the Oklahoma PSD Automatic
Rescission Provisions for GHGs
Oklahoma's February 6, 2012, SIP submittal adds automatic
rescission provisions to the State's PSD regulations at OAC 252:8-100-
36.2, definition of ``subject to regulation,'' subparagraph (F). The
automatic rescission provisions provide that in the event that federal
legislation or a federal court determines that a portion of the EPA's
tailoring rule, endangerment finding, or light-duty vehicle GHG
standard is unenforceable, that provision will be enforceable in the
Oklahoma PSD program only to the extent that it is enforceable by the
EPA.
The EPA is proposing to approve the Oklahoma automatic rescission
provisions. In assessing the approvability of this severability
provision, the EPA considers two key factors: (1) Whether the public
will be given reasonable notice of any change to the SIP that occurs as
a result of the automatic rescission provisions, and (2) whether any
future change to the SIP that occurs as a result of the automatic
rescission provisions would be consistent with the EPA's interpretation
of the effect of the triggering action on federal GHG permitting
requirements. See e.g., 79 FR 8130 (February 11, 2014) and 77 FR 12484
(March 1, 2012). These criteria are derived from the SIP revision
procedures set forth in the CAA and federal regulations.
Regarding public notice, CAA section 110(l) provides that any
revision to a SIP submitted by a State to EPA for approval ``shall be
adopted by such State after reasonable notice and public hearing.'' In
accordance with CAA section 110(l), ODEQ followed applicable notice-
and-comment procedures prior to adopting the automatic rescission
provisions. Thus, the public is on notice that the automatic rescission
provisions in the Oklahoma PSD program will enable the Oklahoma PSD
program and the Oklahoma SIP to update automatically to reflect any
order by a federal court or any change in federal law that limits or
renders ineffective the regulation of GHGs under the CAA's PSD
permitting program. In a letter dated April 22, 2016, the ODEQ has
stated that it would provide notice to the general public and regulated
community of the changes to the Oklahoma PSD program in the event of
any change in the federal permitting requirements for GHGs.
The EPA's consideration of whether any SIP change resulting from
Oklahoma's automatic rescission provisions would be consistent with our
interpretation of the effect of the triggering action on federal GHG
permitting requirements is based on 40 CFR 51.105, which states that
``[r]evisions of a plan, or any portion thereof, will not be considered
part of an applicable plan until such revisions have been approved by
the Administrator in accordance with this part.'' To be consistent with
40 CFR 51.105, any automatic SIP change resulting from a court order or
federal law change must be consistent with the EPA's interpretation of
the effect of such order or federal law change on GHG permitting
requirements. We interpret this provision to mean that Oklahoma will
wait for and follow the EPA's interpretation as to the impact of any
federal law change or the D.C. Circuit or the U.S. Supreme Court issues
an order before Oklahoma's SIP would be changed. In the event of a
court decision or federal law change that triggers (or likely triggers)
application of Oklahoma's automatic rescission provisions, the EPA
intends to promptly describe the impact of the court decision or
federal law change on the enforceability of its GHG permitting
regulations. The EPA invites comment,
[[Page 42594]]
particularly from the State, regarding this interpretation.
6. PSD and NNSR: Reconsideration of Inclusion of Fugitive Rule and
Subsequent EPA-Stays
On December 19, 2008, the EPA issued a final rule revising the
requirements of PSD and NNSR program regarding the treatment of
fugitive emissions (Fugitive Emissions Rule, 73 FR 77882). The Fugitive
Emissions Rule required fugitive emissions to be included in
determining whether a physical or operational change results in a major
modification only for sources in industries that have been designated
through rulemaking under section 302(j) of the CAA. Previously, the EPA
rules required that fugitive emissions be included in major
modification applicable determinations for all source categories.
On February 17, 2009, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)
submitted a petition for reconsideration of the December 2008 Fugitive
Emissions Rule. On April 24, 2009, the EPA responded to the petition by
letter indicating we were convening a reconsideration proceeding for
the December 2008 Fugitive Emissions Rule and granted a 3-month
administrative stay of the rule provisions. The initial 3-month
administrative stay of the Fugitive Emissions Rule became effective on
September 30, 2009. See 74 FR 50115. An interim final rule extending
the administrative stay for an additional 3 months became effective on
December 31, 2009. See 74 FR 5265692. An additional 18 month stay was
finalized on March 31, 2010. See 75 FR 16012. The EPA finalized a final
rule on March 30, 2011, titled PSD and NNSR: Reconsideration of
Inclusion of Fugitive Rule. See 76 FR 17548. This final action stayed
indefinitely the provisions of the December 2008 Fugitive Emissions
Rule. As such, the Oklahoma PSD and NNSR programs must consider
fugitive emissions in the major modification applicability
determinations for all source categories.
Following is a summary of how the Oklahoma PSD program addresses
fugitive emissions consistent with the current PSD requirements.
The Oklahoma PSD program does not include the revisions to
``major modification'' or ``net emissions increase'' promulgated by the
EPA in the December 2008 Fugitive Emissions Rule at 40 CFR
51.166(b)(2)(v) or 40 CFR 51.166(b)(3)(iii)(d), respectively. As such,
the Oklahoma PSD program does not include the provisions that are
indefinitely stayed.
The Oklahoma PSD program continues to require fugitive
emissions to be included in the major modification applicability
determinations for all source categories.
The Oklahoma SIP at OAC 252:100-1-3 includes the
definition of ``fugitive emissions'' consistent with the federal
definition at 40 CFR 51.166(b)(20).
The definition of ``projected actual emissions'' at OAC
252:100-8-31 in the Oklahoma PSD program has been revised to include
fugitive emissions to the extent quantifiable and emissions associated
with startups, shutdowns, and malfunctions. This definition has also
been revised to allow for the use of the emission unit's potential to
emit in TPY consistent with 40 CFR 51.166(b)(40)(ii)(b) and (d).
The definition of ``baseline actual emissions'' at OAC
252:100-8-31 in the Oklahoma PSD program has been revised to include
fugitive emissions to the extent quantifiable for any existing electric
utility steam generating unit (EUSGU) and any existing emissions unit
other than an EUSGU consistent with 40 CFR 51.166(b)(47)(i)(a) and
(ii)(a). This definition has also been revised to address the
requirements for calculating baseline actual emissions for a new
emissions unit consistent with 40 CFR 51.166(b)(47)(iii). This
definition has also been revised to address the requirements for
calculating baseline actual emissions or a PAL consistent with 40 CFR
51.166(b)(47)(iv).
The Oklahoma SIP at OAC 252:100-8-33(a)(1)(B) includes the
exemption at 40 CFR 51.166(i)(1)(ii).
The source obligation provisions at OAC 252:100-8-36.2(c)
for the requirements when using projected actual emissions are
consistent with the obligation provisions found at 40 CFR
51.166(r)(6)(i)-(v). Note that the Oklahoma PSD program does not
include the reasonable possibility provisions at 40 CFR
51.166(r)(6)(vi). Rather, the Oklahoma PSD program requires all sources
using the ``projected actual emissions'' methodology to maintain
records consistent with 40 CFR 51.166(r)(6). This is more stringent
than federal requirements and is therefore approvable.
The Oklahoma PSD program incorporates by reference the PSD
PALs provisions at 40 CFR 51.166(w) as of July 2, 2007. However, the
definition of ``baseline actual emissions'' for PALs is not part of
this incorporation by reference. Per OAC 252:100-8-31 definition of
``baseline actual emissions,'' paragraph (E) for a PAL stationary
source, the baseline actual emissions for an EUSGU or other existing
emissions units other than an EUSGU shall be calculated using the
general Oklahoma PSD definition of ``baseline actual emissions'' at OAC
252:100-8-31 and therefore will include fugitive emissions to the
extent quantifiable.
Following is a summary of how the Oklahoma NNSR program addresses
fugitive emissions.
The Oklahoma NNSR program does not include the revisions
to ``major modification'' or ``net emissions increase'' promulgated by
the EPA in the December 2008 Fugitive Emissions Rule at 40 CFR
51.165(a)(1)(v)(G) or 40 CFR 51.165(a)(1)(vi)(C)(3), respectively. As
such, the Oklahoma NNSR program does not include the provisions that
are indefinitely stayed.
The Oklahoma NNSR program continues to require fugitive
emissions to be included in the major modification applicability
determinations for all source categories.
The Oklahoma NNSR program at OAC 252:100-8-51 incorporates
by reference the federal NNSR definitions for ``major stationary
source,'' ``fugitive emissions,'' and ``projected actual emissions'' as
of July 1, 2010. The Oklahoma NNSR program does not IBR the definition
of ``baseline actual emissions,'' rather the NNSR program relies on the
Oklahoma PSD definition at OAC 252:100-8-31 for the definition of
``baseline actual emissions.''
The applicability provisions at OAC 252:100-8-50 have been
evaluated elsewhere in this TSD and determined to be consistent with
federal requirements for NNSR.
The Oklahoma NNSR program at OAC 252:100-8-53 incorporates
by reference the requirements of 40 CFR 51.165(a)(4) regarding the
exemption of fugitive emissions in determining whether a source or
modification is major as of July 2, 2007. The Oklahoma NNSR program
source obligations at OAC 252:100-8-55 incorporates by reference the
requirements of 40 CFR 51.165(a)(6)(i) through (v) as of July 2, 2007.
Additionally the Oklahoma NNSR program at OAC 252:100-8-57 incorporates
by reference the requirements at 40 CFR 51.165(f) regarding actuals
PALs as of July 2, 2007.
D. Evaluation Under Section 110(l) of the CAA
Under Section 110(l), the EPA cannot propose to approve a SIP
revision that has not been developed with reasonable notice and public
hearing. Nor can we propose to approve a revision that will worsen air
quality. The submitted revisions to the Oklahoma SIP were developed
using the Oklahoma SIP-
[[Page 42595]]
approved process with adequate notice and comment procedures. Our
analysis also indicates that the revisions to the major source PSD and
NNSR permitting programs are necessary to maintain consistency with
federal permitting requirements. The revisions to the general Oklahoma
SIP requirements are necessary to implement the major source permitting
programs. As such, we find that the revisions to the Oklahoma PSD and
NNSR programs and the General SIP requirements will support the state's
air quality programs and will not interfere with attainment, reasonable
further progress or any other applicable requirements of the CAA.
Therefore, the EPA proposes to find that the revisions to the Oklahoma
SIP submitted on June 24, 2010; July 16, 2010; December 27, 2010;
February 6, 2012; and January 18, 2013 will not result in degradation
of air quality.
III. Proposed Action
For the reasons presented above and in our accompanying TSD, the
EPA proposes to approve the severable revisions to the Oklahoma SIP
submitted on June 24, 2010; July 16, 2010; December 27, 2010; February
6, 2012; and January 18, 2013. We have made the preliminary
determination that the revisions were developed and submitted in
accordance with the requirements of the CAA and the EPA's regulations
regarding SIP development at 40 CFR part 51. Additionally, we have
determined that the submitted revisions to the Oklahoma PSD and NNSR
programs are consistent with our major source permitting regulations at
40 CFR 51.160-51.166 and the associated policy and guidance. Therefore,
under section 110 and parts C and D of the Act, the EPA proposes to
fully approve into the Oklahoma SIP the following revisions:
Table 1--Revisions to the Oklahoma SIP Proposed for Approval
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section Title Effective date Submittal date
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OAC 252:100-1-1............. General Provisions, June 12, 2003................ July 16, 2010.
Purpose.
OAC 252:100-1-2............. General Provisions, June 12, 2003................ July 16, 2010.
Statutory
definitions.
OAC 252:100-1-3............. General Provisions, June 12, 2003................ July 16, 2010.
Definitions. July 1, 2008................. July 16, 2010.
July 1, 2009................. July 16, 2010.
June 15, 2006................ July 16, 2010.
July 1, 2011................. February 6, 2012.
July 1, 2012................. January 18, 2013.
OAC 252:100-1-4............. General Provisions, June 12, 2003................ July 16, 2010.
Units, July 1, 2009................. July 16, 2010.
Abbreviations and July 1, 2011................. February 6, 2012.
acronyms.
OAC 252:100-2-1............. Incorporation by July 1, 2012................. January 18, 2013.
Reference (IBR)
Purpose.
OAC 252:100-2-3............. IBR, Incorporation July 1, 2012................. January 18, 2013.
by Reference.
OAC 252:100-3-4............. Air Quality June 15, 2005................ December 27, 2010.
Standards and July 1, 2011................. February 6, 2012.
Increments,
Significant
Deterioration
Increments.
OAC 252:100, Appendix P..... Regulated Air June 15, 2007................ July 16, 2010.
Pollutants.
OAC 252:100, Appendix Q..... Incorporation by July 1, 2009................. July 16, 2010.
Reference. July 1, 2012................. January 18, 2013.
OAC 252:100-5-1.1........... Definitions......... June 15, 2007................ July 16, 2010.
OAC 252:100-5-2.1........... Emission Inventory.. June 11, 2004................ July 16, 2010.
June 15, 2007................ July 16, 2010
OAC 252:100-8-1.1........... General Provisions, June 15, 2006................ July 16, 2010.
Definitions.
OAC 252:100-8-30............ Prevention of June 1, 2009................. June 24, 2010.
Significant June 15, 2006................ July 16, 2010.
Deterioration (PSD)
Requirements for
Attainment Areas,
Applicability.
OAC 252:100-8-31............ PSD, Definitions.... June 1, 2009................. June 24, 2010.
June 15, 2006................ July 16, 2010.
July 1, 2011................. February 6, 2012.
July 1, 2012................. January 18, 2013.
OAC 252:100-8-32............ PSD, Source REVOKED June 15, 2006........ REVOKED July 16, 2010.
Applicability
Determination.
OAC 252:100-8-32.1.......... PSD Ambient Air June 15, 2006................ July 16, 2010.
Increments and
Ceilings.
OAC 252:100-8-32.2.......... PSD Exclusion from June 15, 2006................ July 16, 2010.
Increment
Consumption.
OAC 252:100-8-32.3.......... PSD Stack Heights... June 15, 2006................ July 16, 2010.
OAC 252:100-8-33............ PSD, Exemptions..... June 1, 2009................. June 24, 2010.
June 15, 2006................ July 16, 2010.
July 1, 2011................. February 6, 2012.
July 1, 2012................. January 18, 2013.
OAC 252:100-8-34............ PSD, Control June 15, 2006................ July 16, 2010.
Technology Review.
OAC 252:100-8-35............ PSD Air Quality June 15, 2006................ July 16, 2010.
Impact Evaluation. July 1, 2011................. February 6, 2012.
OAC 252:100-8-35.1.......... PSD Source June 15, 2006................ July 16, 2010.
Information.
OAC 252:100-8-35.2.......... PSD Additional June 15, 2006................ July 16, 2010.
Impact Analyses.
OAC 252:100-8-36............ PSD Source Impacting June 15, 2006................ July 16, 2010.
Class I Areas.
OAC 252:100-8-36.2.......... PSD Source June 15, 2006................ July 16, 2010.
Obligation.
OAC 252:100-8-37............ PSD, Innovative June 1, 2009................. June 24, 2010.
Control Technology. June 15, 2006................ July 16, 2010.
OAC 252:100-8-38............ PSD, Actuals PAL.... June 1, 2009................. June 24, 2010.
June 15, 2006................ July 16, 2010.
OAC 252:100-8-39............ PSD Severability.... June 15, 2006................ July 16, 2010.
OAC 252:100-8-50............ Majors Affecting June 1, 2009................. June 24, 2010.
Nonattainment Areas June 15, 2006................ July 16, 2010.
(NNSR),
Applicability.
[[Page 42596]]
OAC 252:100-8-50.1.......... NNSR, Incorporation June 1, 2009................. June 24, 2010.
by Reference. June 15, 2006................ July 16, 2010.
July 1, 2011................. February 6, 2012.
OAC 252:100-8-51............ NNSR, Definitions... June 1, 2009................. June 24, 2010.
June 15, 2006................ July 16, 2010.
July 1, 2011................. February 6, 2012.
OAC 252:100-8-51.1.......... NNSR Emission June 15, 2006................ July 16, 2010.
reductions and July 1, 2011................. February 6, 2012.
offsets. July 1, 2012................. January 18, 2013.
OAC 252:100-8-52............ NNSR, Applicability June 1, 2009................. June 24, 2010.
determination for June 15, 2006................ July 16, 2010.
sources in July 1, 2011................. February 6, 2012.
attainment areas
causing or
contributing to
NAAQS violations.
OAC 252:100-8-53............ NNSR, Exemptions.... June 1, 2009................. June 24, 2010.
June 15, 2006................ July 16, 2010.
OAC 252:100-8-54............ NNSR Requirements June 15, 2006................ July 16, 2010.
for sources located
in nonattainment
areas.
OAC 252:100-8-54.1.......... NNSR, Ozone and PM10 June 1, 2009................. June 24, 2010.
precursors.
OAC 252:100-8-55............ NNSR, Source June 1, 2009................. June 24, 2010.
Obligation. June 15, 2006................ July 16, 2010.
OAC 252:100-8-56............ NNSR, Actuals PAL... June 1, 2009................. June 24, 2010.
June 15, 2006................ July 16, 2010.
OAC 252:100-8-57............ NNSR Severability... June 15, 2006................ July 16, 2010.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Upon promulgation of a final approval of the proposed revisions to
address the GHG Step 1 permitting requirements, the EPA would also
remove the provisions at 40 CFR 52.1929(c), under which the EPA
narrowed the applicability of the Oklahoma PSD program to regulate
sources consistent with federal requirements. The provisions at 40 CFR
52.1929(c) will no longer be necessary when we finalize approval of the
State regulations into the Oklahoma SIP.
The EPA is proposing to find that the February 6, 2012, revisions
to the Oklahoma NNSR program address all required NNSR elements for the
implementation of the 1997 and 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS. We note
that the Oklahoma NNSR program does not include regulation of VOCs and
ammonia as PM2.5 precursors. However, as section 189(e) of
the Act requires regulation of PM2.5 precursors that
significantly contribute to PM2.5 levels ``which exceed the
standard in the area'' and Oklahoma does not have a designated
PM2.5 nonattainment area, the revisions addressing only
SO2 and NOX are not inconsistent with the
requirements of the CAA. In the event that an area is designated
nonattainment for the 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS, or any other future
PM2.5 NAAQS, Oklahoma will have a deadline under section
189(a)(2) of the CAA to make a submission addressing the statutory
requirements as to that area, including the requirements in section
189(e) that apply to the regulation of PM2.5 precursors.
The EPA is also proposing a ministerial correction to 40 CFR
52.1920(c) to remove a duplicate entry for the SIP approval of OAC
252:100-5-1. We propose to remove the first listing of this section,
and retain the identical entry in numerical order under OAC, Title 252,
Subchapter 5--Registration, Emissions Inventory, and Annual Operating
Fees.
The EPA invites the public to make comments on all aspects of our
proposed full approval of the revisions to the Oklahoma SIP as
presented above and to submit them by the indicated Date. After
reviewing the comments received, we will make a final determination of
the approvability of the specified revisions to the Oklahoma SIP in the
Federal Register.
IV. Incorporation by Reference
In this action, we are proposing to include in a final rule
regulatory text that includes incorporation by reference. In accordance
with the requirements of 1 CFR 51.5, we are proposing to incorporate by
reference revisions to the Oklahoma regulations as described in the
Proposed Action section above. We have made, and will continue to make,
these documents generally available electronically through
www.regulations.gov and/or in hard copy at the EPA Region 6 office.
V. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
Under the CAA, 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, the 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 action:
Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' subject to
review by the Office of Management and Budget under Executive Orders
12866 (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993) and 13563 (76 FR 3821, January 21,
2011);
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
[[Page 42597]]
application of those requirements would be inconsistent with the CAA;
and
Does not provide the 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, the SIP is not approved to apply on any Indian
reservation land or in any other area where the EPA or an Indian tribe
has demonstrated that a tribe has jurisdiction. In those areas of
Indian country, the proposed rule does not have tribal implications and
will not impose substantial direct costs on tribal governments or
preempt tribal law as specified by Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249,
November 9, 2000).
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: June 22, 2016.
Ron Curry,
Regional Administrator, Region 6.
[FR Doc. 2016-15618 Filed 6-29-16; 8:45 am]
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