[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 155 (Thursday, August 11, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 53097-53098]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-19033]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 50
[EPA-HQ-OAR-2016-0408; FRL-9950-46-OAR]
RIN 2060-AS89
Technical Correction to the National Ambient Air Quality
Standards for Particulate Matter
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Proposed rule.
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SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing
revisions to correct an equation in an appendix in the National Ambient
Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for Particle Pollution. In the ``Rules
and Regulations'' section of the Federal Register, we are approving the
correction as a direct final rule without a prior proposed rule. If we
receive no adverse comment, we will not take further action on this
proposed rule. Equation 2 describes an intermediate step in the
calculation of the design value for the annual PM2.5
(particles with an aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to a nominal
2.5 micrometers) NAAQS. This proposed action would correct a
scrivener's error in one of the equations used to calculate an annual
mean PM2.5 concentration, to properly account for cases
where a site does not have four complete quarters of data and passes
one of two substitution tests. This change accurately reflects the
intended calculation of the annual mean PM2.5 design value
and is consistent with the text elsewhere in the appendix.
DATES: Written comments must be received by September 12, 2016.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-
OAR-2016-0408, to the Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting
comments. Once submitted, comments cannot be edited or withdrawn. 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 (e.g., on the Web,
Cloud, or other file sharing system). For additional submission
methods, 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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Brett Gantt, U.S. EPA, Office of
Air Quality Planning and Standards, Air Quality Assessment Division,
Air Quality Analysis Group (Mail Code: C304-04), Research Triangle
Park, NC 27711; telephone number: (919) 541-5274; fax number: (919)
541-3613; email address: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Why is the EPA issuing this proposed rule?
This document proposes a revision in appendix N to correct a
scrivener's error in an intermediate equation in the calculation of the
annual PM2.5 design value to properly account for cases
where a site does not have four complete quarters of data in a specific
year and passes the minimum quarterly value substitution test. We have
published a direct final rule approving the revisions to appendix N in
the ``Rules and Regulations'' section of this Federal Register because
we view this as a non-controversial action and anticipate no adverse
comment. We have explained our reasons for this action in the preamble
of the direct final rule.
If we receive no adverse comment, we will not take further action
on this proposed rule. If we receive adverse comment, we will withdraw
the direct final rule, and it will not take effect. We would address
all public comments in any subsequent final rule based on this proposed
rule.
We do not intend to institute a second comment period on this
action. Any parties interested in commenting must do so at this time.
For further information, please see the information provided in the
ADDRESSES section of this document.
II. Does this action apply to me?
This action applies to you if you are calculating the annual
PM2.5 design value for a site which does not have four
complete quarters of data for a specific year and passes the minimum
quarterly value substitution test.
III. Environmental Justice
The EPA has determined that this proposed rule will not have
disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental
effects on minority or low-income populations because it does not
affect the level of protection provided to human health or the
environment. This rule does not relax the calculation of the annual
PM2.5 NAAQS design values and, therefore, will not cause
decreases in the design values used to designate and classify
nonattainment areas and assess progress towards meeting the NAAQS.
IV. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
For a complete discussion of the administrative requirements
applicable to this action, see the direct final rule in the ``Rules and
Regulations'' section of this Federal Register.
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 50
Air pollution control, Carbon monoxide, Lead, Nitrogen dioxide,
Ozone, Particulate matter, Sulfur oxides.
Dated: August 3, 2016.
Gina McCarthy,
Administrator.
For the reasons stated in the preamble, the Environmental
Protection Agency proposes to amend title 40, chapter I of the Code of
Federal Regulations as follows:
PART 50--NATIONAL PRIMARY AND SECONDARY AMBIENT AIR QUALITY
STANDARDS
0
1. The authority citation for Part 50 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
0
2. In appendix N to part 50, in section 4.4, Equation 2 is revised to
read as follows:
[[Page 53098]]
Appendix N to Part 50--Interpretation of the National Ambient Air
Quality Standards for PM2.5
* * * * *
4.4 Equations for the Annual PM2.5 NAAQS
* * * * *
(b) * * *
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP11AU16.003
Where:
Xy = the annual mean concentration for year y (y = 1, 2, or 3);
nQ,y = the number of complete quarters Q in year y; and
Xq,y = the mean for quarter q of year y (result of equation 1).
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2016-19033 Filed 8-10-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P