97-20471. Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Maryland; Control of Volatile Organic Compound Emissions From Degreasing Operations and Vehicle Refinishing, and Definition of Motor Vehicle  

  • [Federal Register Volume 62, Number 149 (Monday, August 4, 1997)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Pages 41853-41856]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 97-20471]
    
    
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    ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
    
    40 CFR Part 52
    
    [MD040-4014a and MD047-4014a; FRL-5867-5]
    
    
    Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; 
    Maryland; Control of Volatile Organic Compound Emissions From 
    Degreasing Operations and Vehicle Refinishing, and Definition of Motor 
    Vehicle
    
    AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
    
    ACTION: Direct final rule.
    
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    SUMMARY: EPA is approving State Implementation Plan (SIP) revisions 
    submitted by the State of Maryland on July 12, 1995 and July 17, 1995. 
    These revisions establish volatile organic compound emission reduction 
    requirements for degreasing operations and vehicle refinishing 
    throughout the State of Maryland, and a definition for the term ``motor 
    vehicle.'' The intended effect of this action is to approve these 
    amendments to the Maryland SIP, in accordance with the SIP submittal 
    and revision provisions of the Act.
    
    DATES: This final rule is effective September 18, 1997 unless within 
    September 3, 1997 adverse or critical comments are received. If the 
    effective date is delayed, timely notice will be published in the 
    Federal Register.
    
    ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to David L. Arnold, Chief, Ozone/CO 
    and Mobile Sources Section, Mailcode 3AT21, U.S. Environmental 
    Protection Agency, Region III, 841 Chestnut Building, Philadelphia, 
    Pennsylvania 19107. Copies of the documents relevant to this action are 
    available for public inspection during normal business hours at the 
    Air, Radiation, and Toxics Division, U.S. Environmental Protection 
    Agency, Region III, 841 Chestnut Building, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 
    19107 and the Maryland Department of the Environment, 2500 Broening 
    Highway, Baltimore Maryland 21224.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Maria A. Pino, (215) 566-2181, at the 
    EPA Region III office address listed above, or via e-mail at 
    pino.maria@epamail.epa.gov. While information may be requested via e-
    mail, comments must be submitted in writing to the above Region III 
    address.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On July 12, 1995, the Maryland Department of 
    the Environment (MDE) submitted new and revised regulations to EPA as 
    State Implementation Plan (SIP) revisions.
    
    [[Page 41854]]
    
    These regulations control emissions of volatile organic compounds 
    (VOCs) throughout the state. MDE submitted these SIP revision requests 
    pursuant to the rate-of-progress (ROP) requirements of section 182 of 
    the Clean Air Act (the Act). Specifically, Maryland has adopted VOC 
    control measures for degreasing operations and vehicle refinishing. In 
    addition, on July 17, 1995, MDE submitted a new definition for the term 
    ``motor vehicle'' to EPA as a SIP revision.
    
    Background
    
        Section 182(b)(1) of the Act requires states with ozone 
    nonattainment areas classified as moderate or above to reduce VOC 
    emissions 15% from 1990 baseline levels. States were required to 
    achieve the 15% VOC emission reduction by 1996. This ROP requirement, 
    known as the 15% plan, was due to EPA as a SIP revision by November 15, 
    1993.
        In Maryland, 15% plans were required for the Baltimore severe ozone 
    nonattainment area, the Maryland portion of the Philadelphia severe 
    ozone nonattainment area, and the Maryland portion of the Washington, 
    DC serious ozone nonattainment area. Maryland submitted the required 
    15% plans to EPA as SIP revisions on July 12, 1995. In these 15% plans, 
    Maryland takes credit for the emission reductions achieved through the 
    VOC regulations that Maryland submitted as SIP revisions on July 12, 
    1995, including Maryland's autobody refinishing and degreasing 
    regulations. Furthermore, the VOC emission reductions achieved by 
    Maryland's autobody refinishing and degreasing regulations are needed 
    to achieve the 15% reduction in the Baltimore plan. Therefore, these 
    two regulations, which control VOC emissions from autobody refinishing 
    and degreasing operations, must be approved into Maryland's SIP before 
    EPA can approve the Baltimore 15% plan.
    
    Summary of SIP Revisions
    
    Control of VOC Emissions From Cold and Vapor Degreasing (COMAR 
    26.11.19.09)
    
        This revision established standards for cold and vapor degreasing 
    operations. Maryland has repealed its existing degreasing provisions, 
    COMAR 26.11.19.09 Volatile Organic Compound Metal Cleaning, and 
    replaced them with these new provisions, COMAR 26.11.19.09 Control of 
    VOC Emissions from Cold and Vapor Degreasing.
    General Provisions
        The new regulation applies to a person who uses a VOC degreasing 
    material in cold or vapor degreasing at service stations, motor vehicle 
    repair shops, automobile dealerships, machine shops, and any other 
    metal refinishing, cleaning, repair or fabrication facilities.
        Monthly records of the amount of VOC degreasing material used must 
    be maintained and made available to MDE for inspection upon request.
        This regulation established definitions for the following terms: 
    cold degreasing, degreasing material, grease, halogenated substance, 
    vapor degreasing, and VOC degreasing material.
    Requirements for Cold Degreasers
        After May 15, 1996, a person may not use any VOC degreasing 
    material that has a vapor pressure greater than 1 millimeter of mercury 
    (mm Hg) at 20 deg. C (0.038 pounds per square inch (psi)). The use of 
    any halogenated substance that is a VOC is prohibited. The use of good 
    operating practices is required.
    Requirements for Vapor Degreasers
        The use of VOC degreasing material is prohibited, unless the vapor 
    degreaser is equipped with a condenser or a pollution control device 
    with an overall efficiency of at least 90%. Vapor degreasers must 
    include separate enclosed chambers that allow drainage of parts being 
    cleaned, capture of the vapors, or other methods to minimize 
    evaporative losses.
        EPA Evaluation: The requirement to use material with vapor pressure 
    less than or equal to 1 mm HG for cold degreasing, and the prohibition 
    of VOC degreasing materials for vapor degreasing, unless add-on control 
    with 90% overall control efficiency is used, will result in significant 
    VOC emission reductions. The requirement for good operating practices 
    will also contribute to VOC emission reductions from this source 
    category. Furthermore, Maryland's recordkeeping, reporting, and testing 
    provisions ensure that this regulation is enforceable. Therefore, this 
    regulation is fully approvable. These reductions are needed for 
    Maryland's 15% plans.
    
    Control of VOC Emissions From Vehicle Refinishing (COMAR 26.11.19.23)
    
    General Provisions
        This new regulation establishes standards for vehicle refinishing 
    based on VOC content of coatings, as applied. This regulation 
    establishes definitions for the following terms: base coat/clear coat 
    system, controlled air spray system, mobile equipment, multistage 
    coating equipment, precoat, pretreatment, primer sealer, primer 
    surfacer, specialty coating, topcoat, and vehicle refinishing. This 
    regulation is applicable to anyone using coatings that contain VOC for 
    vehicle refinishing, except for a person who coats parts (1) if the 
    parts are not components of a vehicle at the premises where vehicle 
    refinishing is being performed or (2) at an automobile assembly plant.
    Emission Standards
        The following coating standards apply to the coating as used at the 
    coating equipment, where lb/gal is pounds per gallon and kg/l is 
    kilograms per liter.
    
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           Maximum VOC content on or after  
               Coating type                        April 15, 1996           
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Pretreatment......................  6.5 lb/gal (0.78 kg/l).             
    Precoat...........................  5.5 lb/gal (0.66 kg/l).             
    Primer surfacer...................  5.8 lb/gal (0.46 kg/l).             
    Primer sealer.....................  4.6 lb/gal (0.55 kg/l).             
    Topcoat...........................  5.0 lb/gal (0.60 kg/l).             
    Multi-stage coating system........  5.2 lb/gal (0.63 kg/l).             
    Specialty coating.................  7.0 lb/gal (0.84 kg/l).             
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    Compliance Standards
        The regulation establishes methods for calculating the VOC content 
    of a coating system, to determine compliance with the standards listed 
    above.
        The use of speciality coatings is limited to 5% by volume of all 
    coatings used at a premises, calculated on a monthly basis.
        The use of a controlled air spray system is required. Maryland 
    defines controlled air spray systems as either high volume, low 
    pressure (HVLP) or low volume, low pressure (LVLP) systems. The 
    equipment must be operated in accordance with the equipment 
    manufacturers' recommendations and in a manner that minimizes emissions 
    of VOC to the atmosphere.
        Cleanup and housekeeping provisions require that surface 
    preparation and cleanup materials containing VOC, and VOC-contaminated 
    cloth and paper must be stored in closed containers. Enclosed 
    containers or VOC-recycling equipment must be used to clean paint guns 
    and paint lines. The VOC content of preparation materials is limited to 
    6.5 lb/gal for plastic parts preparation and 1.4 lb/gal for all other 
    preparation.
        Monthly records of the total volume and VOC content of all coatings 
    purchased (for which standards are specified in this regulation), 
    cleanup materials and surface preparation materials must be maintained 
    for at least
    
    [[Page 41855]]
    
    2 years and made available to MDE for inspection upon request.
        EPA Evaluation: The coating standards in Maryland's autobody 
    refinishing regulation limit the content of VOC in coatings, thereby 
    reducing VOC emissions from the application of these coatings. In 
    addition, limits on the use of speciality coatings; limits on the VOC 
    content of surface preparation materials; clean-up and ``housekeeping'' 
    provisions; and the requirement to use a controlled air spray system 
    will further reduce emissions from this source category. Finally, 
    Maryland's recordkeeping, reporting, and testing provisions ensure that 
    this regulation is enforceable. Therefore, this regulation, which will 
    achieve significant VOC emission reductions from the autobody 
    refinishers in Maryland, is fully approvable. These reductions are 
    needed for Maryland's 15% plans.
    
    Definition of the Term ``Motor Vehicle'' (COMAR 26.11.01.01B(20-I) and 
    26.11.24.01B(9-I))
    
        These new provisions establish a definition for the term ``motor 
    vehicle'' in Maryland's general definitions, COMAR 26.11.01.01B, and in 
    Maryland's stage II vapor recovery regulation, COMAR 26.11.24. Maryland 
    has defined the term ``motor vehicle'' as ``a vehicle registered with 
    the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration or the equivalent agency of 
    another state.''
        EPA Evaluation: These new provisions serve to strengthen Maryland's 
    stage II vapor recovery regulation by clarifying the applicability and 
    exemptions of that regulation. Because this added definition will 
    clarify a regulation in Maryland's SIP, it is approvable.
        EPA is approving these SIP revisions without prior proposal because 
    the Agency views this as a noncontroversial amendment and anticipates 
    no adverse comments. However, in a separate document in this Federal 
    Register publication, EPA is proposing to approve the SIP revisions 
    should adverse or critical comments be filed. This action will be 
    effective September 18, 1997 unless, by September 3, 1997 adverse or 
    critical comments are received.
        If EPA receives such comments, this action will be withdrawn before 
    the effective date by publishing a subsequent document that will 
    withdraw the final action. All public comments received will then be 
    addressed in a subsequent final rule based on this action serving as a 
    proposed rule. EPA will not institute a second comment period on this 
    action. Any parties interested in commenting on this action should do 
    so at this time. If no such comments are received, the public is 
    advised that this action will be effective on September 18, 1997.
    
    Final Action
    
        EPA is approving revisions to the Maryland SIP to establish VOC 
    control requirements for autobody refinishing and degreasing 
    operations. These regulations achieve fully enforceable VOC emission 
    reductions. EPA is also approving a definition for the term ``motor 
    vehicle'' as an addition to the Maryland SIP.
        Nothing in this action should be construed as permitting or 
    allowing or establishing a precedent for any future request for 
    revision to any state implementation plan. Each request for revision to 
    the state implementation plan shall be considered separately in light 
    of specific technical, economic, and environmental factors and in 
    relation to relevant statutory and regulatory requirements.
    
    Administrative Requirements
    
    A. Executive Order 12866
    
        The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has exempted this 
    regulatory action from E.O. 12866 review.
    
    B. Regulatory Flexibility Act
    
        Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 600 et seq., EPA 
    must prepare a regulatory flexibility analysis assessing the impact of 
    any proposed or final rule on small entities. 5 U.S.C. 603 and 604. 
    Alternatively, EPA may certify that the rule will not have a 
    significant impact on a substantial number of small entities. Small 
    entities include small businesses, small not-for-profit enterprises, 
    and government entities with jurisdiction over populations of less than 
    50,000.
        SIP approvals under section 110 and subchapter I, part D of the 
    Clean Air Act do not create any new requirements but simply approve 
    requirements that the State is already imposing. Therefore, because the 
    Federal SIP approval does not impose any new requirements, the Regional 
    Administrator certifies that it does not have a significant impact on 
    any small entities affected. Moreover, due to the nature of the 
    Federal-State relationship under the CAA, preparation of a flexibility 
    analysis would constitute Federal inquiry into the economic 
    reasonableness of state action. The Clean Air Act forbids EPA to base 
    its actions concerning SIPs on such grounds. Union Electric Co. v. U.S. 
    EPA, 427 U.S. 246, 255-66 (1976); 42 U.S.C. 7410(a)(2).
    
    C. Unfunded Mandates
    
        Under section 202 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 
    (``Unfunded Mandates Act''), signed into law on March 22, 1995, EPA 
    must prepare a budgetary impact statement to accompany any proposed or 
    final rule that includes a Federal mandate that may result in estimated 
    costs to State, local, or tribal governments in the aggregate; or to 
    private sector, of $100 million or more. Under section 205, EPA must 
    select the most cost-effective and least burdensome alternative that 
    achieves the objectives of the rule and is consistent with statutory 
    requirements. Section 203 requires EPA to establish a plan for 
    informing and advising any small governments that may be significantly 
    or uniquely impacted by the rule.
        EPA has determined that the approval action proposed/promulgated 
    does not include a Federal mandate that may result in estimated costs 
    of $100 million or more to either State, local, or tribal governments 
    in the aggregate, or to the private sector. This Federal action 
    approves pre-existing requirements under State or local law, and 
    imposes no new requirements. Accordingly, no additional costs to State, 
    local, or tribal governments, or to the private sector, result from 
    this action.
    
    D. Submission to Congress and the General Accounting Office
    
        Under 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A) as added by the Small Business 
    Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, EPA submitted 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 
    General Accounting Office prior to publication of the rule in today's 
    Federal Register. This rule is not a ``major rule'' as defined by 5 
    U.S.C. 804(2).
    
    E. Petitions for Judicial Review
    
        Under section 307(b)(1) of the Clean Air Act, petitions for 
    judicial review of this action, pertaining to revisions to the Maryland 
    SIP establishing a definition for the term ``motor vehicle'' and 
    establishing VOC control requirements for autobody refinishing and 
    degreasing operations, must be filed in the United States Court of 
    Appeals for the appropriate circuit by October 3, 1997. Filing a 
    petition for reconsideration by the Regional Administrator of this 
    final rule does not affect the finality of this rule for the purposes 
    of judicial review nor does it extend the time within which a petition 
    for judicial review may be filed, and shall not postpone the
    
    [[Page 41856]]
    
    effectiveness of such rule or action. This action may not be challenged 
    later in proceedings to enforce its requirements. (See section 
    307(b)(2).)
    
    List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52
    
        Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Hydrocarbons, 
    Incorporation by reference, Ozone, Reporting and recordkeeping 
    requirements.
    
        Dated: July 22, 1997.
    Thomas Voltaggio,
    Acting Regional Administrator, Region III.
    
        40 CFR part 52 is amended as follows:
    
    PART 52--[AMENDED]
    
        1. The authority citation for part 52 continues to read as follows:
    
        Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401-7671q.
    
    Subpart V--Maryland
    
        2. Section 52.1070 is amended by adding paragraphs (c)(122), (123), 
    and (124) to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 52.1070  Identification of plan.
    
    * * * * *
        (c) * * *
        (122) Revisions to the Maryland State Implementation Plan submitted 
    on July 17, 1995 by the Maryland Department of the Environment:
        (i) Incorporation by reference.
        (A) Letter of July 17, 1995 from the Maryland Department of the 
    Environment transmitting additions to Maryland's State Implementation 
    Plan, pertaining to volatile organic compound regulations in Maryland's 
    air quality regulations, COMAR 26.11.
        (B) Addition of new COMAR 26.11.01.01B(20-I) and new COMAR 
    26.11.24.01B(9-I), definition of the term ``motor vehicle,'' adopted by 
    the Secretary of the Environment on April 7, 1995, and effective on May 
    8, 1995.
        (ii) Additional material.
        (A) Remainder of July 17, 1995 Maryland State submittal pertaining 
    to COMAR 26.11.01.01B(20-I) and COMAR 26.11.24.01B(9-I), definition of 
    the term ``motor vehicle.''
        (123) Revisions to the Maryland State Implementation Plan submitted 
    on July 12, 1995 by the Maryland Department of the Environment:
        (i) Incorporation by reference.
        (A) Letter of July 12, 1995 from the Maryland Department of the 
    Environment transmitting additions and deletions to Maryland's State 
    Implementation Plan, pertaining to volatile organic compound 
    regulations in Maryland's air quality regulations, Code of Maryland 
    Administrative Regulations (COMAR) 26.11.
        (B) Deletion of old COMAR 26.11.19.09 Volatile Organic Compound 
    Metal Cleaning (entire regulation).
        (C) Addition of new COMAR 26.11.19.09 Control of VOC Emissions from 
    Cold and Vapor Degreasing, adopted by the Secretary of the Environment 
    on May 12, 1995, and effective on June 5, 1995, including the 
    following:
        (1) Addition of new COMAR 26.11.19.09.A Definitions.
        (2) Addition of new COMAR 26.11.19.09.B Terms Defined, including 
    definitions for the terms ``cold degreasing,'' ``degreasing material,'' 
    ``grease,'' ``halogenated substance,'' ``vapor degreasing,'' and ``VOC 
    degreasing material.''
        (3) Addition of new COMAR 26.11.19.09.C Applicability.
        (4) Addition of new COMAR 26.11.19.09.D Requirements.
        (5) Addition of new COMAR 26.11.19.09.E Specifications for Cold 
    Degreasing and Requirements for Vapor Degreasing.
        (6) Addition of new COMAR 26.11.19.09.F. Records.
        (ii) Additional material.
        (A) Remainder of July 12, 1995 Maryland State submittal pertaining 
    to COMAR 26.11.19.09 Control of VOC Emissions from Cold and Vapor 
    Degreasing.
        (124) Revisions to the Maryland State Implementation Plan submitted 
    on July 12, 1995 by the Maryland Department of the Environment:
        (i) Incorporation by reference.
        (A) Letter of July 12, 1995 from the Maryland Department of the 
    Environment transmitting additions to Maryland's State Implementation 
    Plan, pertaining to volatile organic compound regulations in Maryland's 
    air quality regulations, Code of Maryland Administrative Regulations 
    (COMAR) 26.11.
        (B) Addition of new COMAR 26.11.19.23 Control of VOC Emissions from 
    Vehicle Refinishing, adopted by the Secretary of the Environment on May 
    1, 1995, and effective on May 22, 1995, including the following:
        (1) Addition of new COMAR 26.11.19.23A Definitions, including 
    definitions for the terms ``base coat/clear coat system,'' ``controlled 
    air spray system,'' ``mobile equipment,'' ``multistage coating 
    equipment,'' ``precoat,'' ``pretreatment,'' ``primer sealer,'' ``primer 
    surfacer,'' ``specialty coating,'' ``topcoat,'' and ``vehicle 
    refinishing.''
        (2) Addition of new COMAR 26.11.19.23B. Applicability and 
    Exemptions.
        (3) Addition of new COMAR 26.11.19.23C. Coating Standards and 
    General Conditions.
        (4) Addition of new COMAR 26.11.19.23D. Calculations.
        (5) Addition of new COMAR 26.11.19.23E. Requirements for Specialty 
    Coatings.
        (6) Addition of new COMAR 26.11.19.23F. Coating Application 
    Equipment Requirements.
        (7) Addition of new COMAR 26.11.19.23G. Cleanup and Surface 
    Preparation Requirements
        (8) Addition of new COMAR 26.11.19.23H. Monitoring and Records.
        (ii) Additional material.
        (A) Remainder of July 12, 1995 Maryland State submittal pertaining 
    to COMAR 26.11.19.23 Vehicle Refinishing.
    
    [FR Doc. 97-20471 Filed 8-1-97; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 6560-50-U
    
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
9/18/1997
Published:
08/04/1997
Department:
Environmental Protection Agency
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Direct final rule.
Document Number:
97-20471
Dates:
This final rule is effective September 18, 1997 unless within September 3, 1997 adverse or critical comments are received. If the effective date is delayed, timely notice will be published in the Federal Register.
Pages:
41853-41856 (4 pages)
Docket Numbers:
MD040-4014a and MD047-4014a, FRL-5867-5
PDF File:
97-20471.pdf
CFR: (1)
40 CFR 52.1070