97-23030. Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Maryland; Control of Volatile Organic Compound Emissions From Sheet-Fed and Web Lithographic Printing and Paper Coatings  

  • [Federal Register Volume 62, Number 169 (Tuesday, September 2, 1997)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Pages 46199-46202]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 97-23030]
    
    
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    ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
    
    40 CFR Part 52
    
    [MD040-3018a; FRL-5881-6]
    
    
    Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; 
    Maryland; Control of Volatile Organic Compound Emissions From Sheet-Fed 
    and Web Lithographic Printing and Paper Coatings
    
    AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
    
    ACTION: Direct final rule.
    
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    SUMMARY: EPA is approving the State Implementation Plan (SIP) revisions 
    submitted by the State of Maryland on July 11, 1995. These revisions 
    establish volatile organic compound (VOC) emission reduction 
    requirements for sheet-fed and web lithographic printing operations, 
    and paper, fabric, vinyl, and other plastic coating operations 
    throughout the State of Maryland under COMAR 26.11.19 Volatile Organic 
    Compounds from Specific Processes. EPA is also approving the 
    administrative changes to Maryland's regulations for VOC emissions from 
    specific processes. The intended effect of this action is to approve 
    these provisions into the Maryland SIP, in accordance with the SIP 
    submittal and revision provisions of the Clean Air Act (the Act). This 
    action is being taken under section 110 of the Act.
    
    EFFECTIVE DATE: This final rule is effective November 3, 1997 unless by 
    October 2, 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: Carolyn M. Donahue, (215) 566-2095, at 
    the EPA Region III office address listed above, or via e-mail at 
    donahue.carolyn@epamail.epa.gov. While information may be requested via 
    e-mail, comments must be submitted in writing to the above Region III 
    address.
    
    
    [[Page 46200]]
    
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On July 11, 1995, the Maryland Department of 
    the Environment (MDE) submitted new and revised regulations to EPA as 
    State Implementation Plan (SIP) revisions. These regulations control 
    emissions of VOCs throughout the State. MDE submitted these SIP 
    revision requests pursuant to the rate-of-progress (ROP) requirements 
    of section 182 of the Act. Specifically, Maryland has adopted VOC 
    control measures for lithographic printing operations and paper coating 
    operations. A more detailed analysis of Maryland's submittal is 
    contained in the Technical Support Document for this action.
    
    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 Metropolitan 
    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 11, 1995. These regulations must be approved into Maryland's SIP 
    before the 15% plans can be approved.
    
    Summary of SIP Revisions
    
    State Submittal: COMAR 26.11.19.11 Control of VOC Emissions From Sheet-
    Fed and Web Lithographic Printing
    
        This revision establishes standards for lithographic printing 
    operations from sheet-fed and web printers. EPA approved subsections A, 
    B, and C of this regulation (59 FR 60908, November 29, 1994) into the 
    Maryland SIP. On October 18, 1993, Maryland withdrew sections D and E 
    of the lithographic printing regulation from federal consideration, but 
    resubmitted the regulation with two sets of amendments on July 11, 
    1995. The first set of amendments was adopted by the state of Maryland 
    on July 24, 1991 and effective August 19, 1991. The second set of 
    amendments was adopted by the State on May 5, 1995 and effective on 
    June 5, 1995.
    
    General Provisions
    
        This SIP revision applies to regulations .01, .07, .10, and .11 
    under COMAR 26.11.19 Volatile Organic Compounds from Specific 
    Processes. Administrative revisions to sections .01, .07, and .10, such 
    as recodifying term definitions, result from revisions to section .11.
        The lithographic printing regulation applies to a person who owns 
    or operates a lithographic web printing press in any facility where the 
    actual VOC emissions from all lithographic web printing presses exceed 
    100 pounds per day, or to a person who owns or operates a sheet-fed 
    lithographic printing press of a cylinder width 18 inches or greater. 
    The title of this regulation was amended to ``Lithographic Printing'' 
    from ``Other Miscellaneous Printing and Coating Processes.'' This 
    regulation does not apply to printing on fabric, metal, or plastic.
    
    Requirements for Sheet-Fed Printers
    
        A person may not use any sheet-fed letter or lithographic printing 
    press with a cylinder width of 18 inches or greater unless the fountain 
    solution is refrigerated to maintain a temperature less than 55 deg. F 
    (if isopropyl alcohol is used). Also, a temperature indicator must be 
    installed to monitor fountain solution temperature if the solution is 
    refrigerated, and the fountain solution must contain less than 8.5 
    percent isopropyl alcohol by weight.
    
    Requirements for Lithographic Web Printers
    
        A person operating a lithographic web printing press shall operate 
    the press only if the dryer exhaust is ducted to a control device that 
    is constructed, operated and maintained to achieve an overall control 
    efficiency of 90 percent or more. Also, isopropyl alcohol must not be 
    used in the fountain solution.
    
    Requirements for all Lithographic Printing Presses
    
        A person using VOC-containing materials to clean printing presses 
    is required to store all waste material containing VOC in closed 
    containers, maintain lids on VOC-containing cleanup materials when not 
    in use, and participate, upon request by MDE, in the evaluation of non-
    VOC and low-VOC cleaning materials when these materials have the 
    potential to be substitutes for currently used materials. Also, good 
    operating practices for persons who clean printing equipment must be 
    established in writing and made available upon request from MDE.
        EPA Evaluation: These revisions, which regulate VOC emissions from 
    lithographic printing operations, will result in significant 
    enforceable VOC emission reductions. These reductions are needed for 
    Maryland's 15% plans. EPA has determined that Maryland's regulation, 
    COMAR 26.11.19.11, Lithographic Printing, as well as the administrative 
    changes to COMAR 26.11.19.01, .07 and .10, are approvable as SIP 
    revisions.
    
    State Submittal: Revision to COMAR 26.11.19.07 Control of VOC Emissions 
    From Paper, Fabric, Vinyl, and Other Plastic Parts Coating
    
        This regulation establishes standards for the application of 
    coating materials on paper, fabric, vinyl, and other plastic 
    substances. EPA has previously approved revisions to this regulation on 
    September 7, 1994 (59 FR 46180) and November 29, 1994 (59 FR 60908).
    
    Requirements for Paper, Fabric and Vinyl Coating
    
        This regulation, COMAR 26.11.19.07.B, applies to a person who 
    performs web or sheet-fed paper, fabric or vinyl coating at a facility 
    where the total facility VOC emissions are more than 50 pounds per day.
    
    Requirements for Plastic Parts Coating
    
        Also, a person may not emit more than 20 pounds per day of VOC from 
    any plastic parts coating installation, unless the coating contains 
    less than 3 pounds of VOC per gallon of coating minus water. This 
    revision adds section E to COMAR 26.11.19.07 Paper, Fabric, Vinyl and 
    Other Plastic Parts Coating.
        EPA Evaluation: These revisions, which regulate VOC emissions from 
    paper, fabric, vinyl and other plastic parts coating operations, will 
    result in significant enforceable VOC emission reductions. These 
    reductions are needed for Maryland's 15% plans. EPA has determined that 
    the revisions to Maryland's regulation COMAR 26.11.19.07 are approvable 
    as SIP revisions.
        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 November 3, 1997 unless, within 30 days of publication, 
    adverse or critical comments are received.
    
    [[Page 46201]]
    
        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 November 3, 1997.
    
    Final Action
    
        EPA is approving revisions to the Maryland SIP to establish VOC 
    control requirements for sheet-fed and web lithographic printing 
    operations, and paper, fabric, vinyl and other plastic coating 
    operations. These regulations achieve fully enforceable VOC emission 
    reductions.
        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 section 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 to approve Maryland's VOC control 
    regulations for sheet-fed and web lithographic printing and paper 
    coating must be filed in the United States Court of Appeals for the 
    appropriate circuit by November 3, 1997. Filing a petition for 
    reconsideration by the 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 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, Intergovernmental relations, Ozone, 
    Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
    
        Dated: August 15, 1997.
    Thomas Voltaggio,
    Acting Regional Administrator, Region III.
    
        40 CFR part 52, subpart V of chapter I, title 40 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) (126) and 
    (127) to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 52.1070  Identification of plan.
    
    * * * * *
        (c) * * *
        (126) Revisions to the Maryland State Implementation Plan submitted 
    on July 11, 1995 by the Maryland Department of the Environment:
        (i) Incorporation by reference.
        (A) Letter of July 11, 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) Revision to COMAR 26.11.19.11 Control of VOC Emissions from 
    Sheet-Fed and Web Lithographic Printing, adopted by the Secretary of 
    the Environment on May 5, 1995, and effective on June 5, 1995, 
    including the following:
        (1) Deletion of COMAR 26.11.19.11 title, ``Other Miscellaneous 
    Printing and Coating Processes'' and addition of new title, 
    ``Lithographic Printing.''
        (2) Deletion of COMAR 26.11.19.11.A(4), definition for the term 
    ``plastic parts coating.''
    
    [[Page 46202]]
    
        (3) Deletion of COMAR 26.11.19.11.B(1), referencing plastic parts 
    coating.
        (4) Addition of new COMAR 26.11.19.11.B(1) & (3) through (6) 
    Applicability.
        (5) Deletion of COMAR 26.11.19.11.C Emission Standards for Plastic 
    Coating.
        (6) Addition of new COMAR 26.11.19.11.C Requirements for Sheet-Fed 
    Letter or Lithographic Printing.
        (7) Addition of new COMAR 26.11.19.11.D Requirements for 
    Lithographic Web Printing.
        (8) Addition of new COMAR 26.11.19.11.E Requirements for Cleaning 
    Printing Equipment.
        (9) Deletion of COMAR 26.11.19.10 title, ``Graphic Arts'' and 
    addition of new title, ``Flexographic and Rotogravure Printing.''
        (10) Deletion of COMAR 26.11.19.10.A(4), definition for the term 
    ``web printing.''
        (11) Addition of COMAR 26.11.19.01.B(8), definition for the term 
    ``web printing.''
        (ii) Additional Material.
        (A) Remainder of July 11, 1995 Maryland State submittal pertaining 
    to COMAR 26.11.19.11 Control of VOC Emissions from Sheet-Fed and Web 
    Lithographic Printing.
        (127) Revisions to the Maryland State Implementation Plan submitted 
    on July 11, 1995 by the Maryland Department of the Environment:
        (i) Incorporation by reference.
        (A) Letter of July 11, 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) Revision to COMAR 26.11.19.07 Control of VOC Emissions from 
    Paper Coating, adopted by the Secretary of the Environment on May 5, 
    1995, and effective on June 5, 1995, including the following:
        (1) Addition of COMAR 26.11.19.07.A(2-1), definition for the term 
    ``plastic parts coating.''
        (2) Addition of COMAR 26.11.19.07.B(1), referencing paper, fabric 
    and vinyl coating.
        (3) Addition of COMAR 26.11.19.07.E Emission Standards for Plastic 
    Coating.
        (ii) Additional Material.
        (A) Remainder of July 11, 1995 Maryland State submittal pertaining 
    to COMAR 26.11.19.07 Control of VOC Emissions from Paper Coating.
    
    [FR Doc. 97-23030 Filed 8-29-97; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 6560-50-U
    
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
11/3/1997
Published:
09/02/1997
Department:
Environmental Protection Agency
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Direct final rule.
Document Number:
97-23030
Dates:
This final rule is effective November 3, 1997 unless by October 2, 1997, adverse or critical comments are received. If the effective date is delayed, timely notice will be published in the Federal Register.
Pages:
46199-46202 (4 pages)
Docket Numbers:
MD040-3018a, FRL-5881-6
PDF File:
97-23030.pdf
CFR: (1)
40 CFR 52.1070