95-29817. Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans and Designation of Areas for Air Quality Planning Purposes; State of Florida Change in National Policy Regarding Applicability of Conformity Requirements to Redesignation Requests  

  • [Federal Register Volume 60, Number 235 (Thursday, December 7, 1995)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Pages 62748-62753]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 95-29817]
    
    
    
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    ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
    40 CFR Parts 52 and 81
    
    [FL63-1-7143a; FRL-5340-7]
    
    
    Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans and Designation 
    of Areas for Air Quality Planning Purposes; State of Florida Change in 
    National Policy Regarding Applicability of Conformity Requirements to 
    Redesignation Requests
    
    AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
    
    ACTION: Direct final rule.
    
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    SUMMARY: On February 7, 1995, the State of Florida, through the Florida 
    Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), submitted a maintenance 
    plan and a request to redesignate the Tampa area from marginal 
    nonattainment to attainment for ozone (O3). The Tampa O3 
    nonattainment area consists of Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties. 
    Under the Clean Air Act as amended in 1990 (CAA), designations can be 
    revised if sufficient data are available to warrant such revisions and 
    the CAA redesignation requirements are satisfied. In this action, EPA 
    is approving Florida's request because it meets the maintenance plan 
    and redesignation requirements set forth in the CAA, and EPA is also 
    approving the 1990 base year emission inventory for the Tampa area.
    
    DATES: This action will be effective February 5, 1996, unless adverse 
    or critical comments are received by January 8, 1996. If the effective 
    date is delayed, timely notice will be published in the Federal 
    Register.
    
    ADDRESSES: Written comments on this action should be addressed to Joey 
    LeVasseur, at the EPA Regional Office listed below.
        Copies of the documents relative to this action are available for 
    public inspection during normal business hours at the following 
    locations. The interested persons wanting to examine these documents 
    should make an appointment with the appropriate office at least 24 
    hours before the visiting day.
    
    Air and Radiation Docket and Information Center (Air Docket 6102), U.S. 
    Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M Street, SW, Washington, DC 
    20460.
    Environmental Protection Agency, Region 4 Air Programs Branch, 345 
    Courtland Street, NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30365.
    Florida Department of Environmental Regulation, Twin Towers Office 
    Building, 2600 Blair Stone Road, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2400.
    Hillsborough County Environmental Protection Commission, 1410 North 
    21st Street, Tampa, Florida 33605.
    Pinellas County Department of Environmental Management, Division of Air 
    Quality, 300 S. Garden Avenue, Clearwater, Florida 34616.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joey LeVasseur, Regulatory Planning 
    and Development Section, Air Programs Branch, Air, Pesticides & Toxics 
    Management Division, Region 4 Environmental Protection Agency, 345 
    Courtland Street, NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30365. The telephone number is 
    404/347-3555 ext.4215. Reference file FL63-1-7143a.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Clean Air Act, as amended in 1977 (1977 
    Act) required areas that were designated nonattainment based on a 
    failure to meet the O3 national ambient air quality standard 
    (NAAQS) to develop SIPs with sufficient control measures to 
    expeditiously attain and maintain the standard. The Tampa-St. 
    Petersburg-Clearwater area (Tampa), comprised of Hillsborough and 
    Pinellas Counties, was designated under section 107 of the 1977 Act as 
    nonattainment with respect to the O3 NAAQS on March 3, 1978. [43 
    FR 8964, 40 CFR 81.310] In accordance with section 110 of the 1977 Act, 
    the State submitted a part D O3 SIP on April 30, 1979, which was 
    supplemented on August 27, 1979, and January 23, 1980, which EPA 
    conditionally approved on March 18, 1980, and fully approved on May 14, 
    1981, as meeting the requirements of section 110 and part D of the 1977 
    Act.
        On November 15, 1990, the CAA Amendments of 1990 were enacted (1990 
    Amendments). [Pub. L. 101-549, 104 Stat. 2399, codified at 42 U.S.C. 
    7401-7671q] The nonattainment designation of Tampa was continued by 
    operation of law pursuant to section 107(d)(1)(C)(i) of the 1990 
    Amendments. Furthermore, it was classified as marginal for O3 
    according to section 181(a)(1). (See 56 FR 56694 (Nov. 6, 1991) and 57 
    FR 56762 (Nov. 30, 1992), codified at 40 CFR 81.310).
        Tampa more recently has ambient monitoring data that show no 
    violations of the O3 NAAQS, during the period 1990 through 1994. 
    In addition, there have been no exceedances reported for the 1995 
    O3 season. Therefore, in an effort to comply with the 1990 
    Amendments and to ensure continued attainment of the NAAQS, Florida 
    submitted an O3 maintenance SIP for the Tampa area on February 7, 
    1995, and also requested redesignation of the area to attainment with 
    respect to the O3 NAAQS.
        The 1990 Amendments revised section 107(d)(1)(E) to provide five 
    specific requirements that an area must meet in order to be 
    redesignated from nonattainment to attainment.
        1. The area must have attained the applicable NAAQS;
        2. The area must meet all relevant requirements under section 110 
    and part D of the CAA;
        3. The area must have a fully approved SIP under section 110(k) of 
    the CAA;
        4. The air quality improvement must be permanent and enforceable; 
    and
        5. The area must have a fully approved maintenance plan pursuant to 
    section 175A of the CAA.
        The Florida redesignation request for the Tampa area meets the five 
    requirements of section 107(d)(3)(E), noted above. The following is a 
    brief description of how the State has fulfilled each of these 
    requirements. Because the maintenance plan is a critical element of the 
    redesignation request, EPA will discuss its evaluation of the 
    maintenance plan under its analysis of the redesignation request.
    
    1. Attainment of the O3 NAAQS
    
        The Florida request is based on an analysis of quality assured 
    O3 air quality data which is relevant to the maintenance plan and 
    to the redesignation request. The ambient O3 data for the calendar 
    years 1990 through 
    
    [[Page 62749]]
    1992 shows an exceedance rate of less than 1.0 per year of the O3 
    NAAQS in the Tampa area. (See 40 CFR 50.9 and Appendix H). In addition, 
    there have been no ambient air exceedances in 1993, 1994 or to date in 
    1995 for O3. Because the Tampa area has complete quality-assured 
    data showing no violations of the standard over the most recent 
    consecutive three calendar year period, the Tampa area has met the 
    first statutory criterion of attainment of the O3 NAAQS. Florida 
    has committed to continue monitoring in this area in accordance with 40 
    CFR part 58.
    
    2. Meeting Applicable Requirements of Section 110 and Part D
    
        On May 14, 1981, EPA fully approved Florida's SIP for the Tampa 
    area as meeting the requirements of section 110(a)(2) and part D of the 
    1977 Act (46 FR 26640). The 1990 Amendments, however, modified section 
    110(a)(2) and, under part D, revised section 172 and added new 
    requirements for all nonattainment areas. Therefore, for purposes of 
    redesignation, to meet the requirement that the SIP contain all 
    applicable requirements under the CAA, EPA has reviewed the SIP to 
    ensure that it contains all measures that were due under the 1990 
    Amendments prior to or at the time the State submitted its 
    redesignation request. EPA interprets section 107(d)(3)(E)(v) to mean 
    that for a redesignation request to be approved, the state has met all 
    requirements that applied to the subject area prior to the submission 
    of a complete redesignation request. Requirements of the CAA that come 
    due subsequently continue to be applicable at those later dates (see 
    section 175A(c)) and, if the redesignation is disapproved, the state 
    remains obligated to fulfill those requirements.
    
    A. Section 110 Requirements
    
        Although section 110 was amended by the 1990 Amendments, the Tampa 
    SIP meets the requirements of amended section 110(a)(2). A number of 
    the requirements did not change in substance and, therefore, EPA 
    believes that the pre-amendment SIP met these requirements. As to those 
    requirements that were amended, (see 57 FR 27936 and 23939, June 23, 
    1993), many are duplicative of other requirements of the CAA. EPA has 
    analyzed the SIP and determined that it is consistent with the 
    requirements of amended section 110(a)(2).
    
    B. Part D Requirements
    
        Before Tampa may be redesignated to attainment, it also must have 
    fulfilled the applicable requirements of part D. Under part D, an 
    area's classification indicates the requirements to which it will be 
    subject. Subpart 1 of part D sets forth the basic nonattainment 
    requirements applicable to all nonattainment areas, classified as well 
    as nonclassifiable. Subpart 2 of part D establishes additional 
    requirements for nonattainment areas classified under table 1 of 
    section 181(a). The Tampa area was classified as marginal (See 56 FR 
    56694, codified at 40 CFR 81.530). Therefore, in order to be 
    redesignated to attainment, the State must meet the applicable 
    requirements of subpart 1 of part D, specifically sections 172(c) and 
    176, and is subject to requirements of subpart 2 of part D.
    B.1. Subpart 1 of part D--Section 172(c) Plan Provisions
        Under section 172(b), the Administrator established that States 
    containing nonattainment areas shall submit a plan or plan revision 
    meeting the applicable requirements of section 172(c) no later than 
    three years after an area is designated as nonattainment, i.e., unless 
    EPA establishes an earlier date. EPA had not determined that these 
    requirements were applicable to classified O3 nonattainment areas 
    on or before February 7, 1995, the date that the State of Florida 
    submitted a complete redesignation request for the Tampa area. 
    Therefore, the State was not required to meet these requirements for 
    purposes of redesignation. EPA has determined that the section 
    172(c)(2) reasonable further progress (RFP) requirement was not 
    applicable to the Tampa redesignation. Also the section 172(c)(9) 
    contingency measures and additional section 172(c)(1) non-RACT 
    reasonable available control measures (RACM) beyond what may already be 
    required in the SIP are no longer necessary.
        The section 172(c)(3) emissions inventory requirement has been met 
    by the submission and approval (in this action) of the 1990 base year 
    inventory required under subpart 2 of part D, section 182(a)(1).
        As for the section 172(c)(5) NSR requirement, EPA has determined 
    that areas being redesignated need not comply with the NSR requirement 
    prior to redesignation provided that the area demonstrates maintenance 
    of the standard without part D NSR in effect. See memorandum from Mary 
    Nichols, Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation, dated October 
    14, 1994, entitled Part D New Source Review (part D NSR) Requirements 
    for Areas Requesting Redesignation to Attainment. The rationale for 
    this view is described fully in that memorandum, and is based on the 
    Agency's authority to establish de minimis exceptions to statutory 
    requirements. See Alabama Power Co. v. Costle, 636 F. 2d 323, 360-61 
    (D.C. Cir. 1979). However, the State of Florida does have a fully 
    approved part D NSR rule.
        Finally, for purposes of redesignation, the Tampa SIP was reviewed 
    to ensure that all requirements of section 110(a)(2), containing 
    general SIP elements, were satisfied. As noted above, EPA believes the 
    SIP satisfies all of those requirements.
    B.2. Subpart 1 of Part D--Section 176 Conformity Plan Provisions
        Section 176(c) of the CAA requires States to revise their SIPs to 
    establish criteria and procedures to ensure that Federal actions, 
    before they are taken conform to the air quality planning goals in the 
    applicable State SIP. The requirement to determine conformity applies 
    to transportation plans, programs and projects developed, funded or 
    approved under Title 23 U.S.C. or the Federal Transit Act 
    (``transportation conformity''), as well as to all other Federal 
    actions (``general conformity''). Section 176 further provides that the 
    conformity revisions to be submitted by the States must be consistent 
    with Federal conformity regulations that the CAA required EPA to 
    promulgate. Congress provided for the State revisions to be submitted 
    one year after the date for promulgation of final EPA conformity 
    regulations. When that date passed without such promulgation, EPA's 
    General Preamble for the Implementation of Title I informed States that 
    its conformity regulations would establish a submittal date (see 57 FR 
    13498, 13557 (April 16, 1992)).
        EPA promulgated final transportation conformity regulations on 
    November 24, 1993 (58 FR 62118), and general conformity regulations on 
    November 30, 1993 (58 FR 63214). These conformity rules require that 
    States adopt both transportation and general conformity provisions in 
    the SIP for areas designated nonattainment or subject to a maintenance 
    plan approved under CAA section 175A. Pursuant to 40 CFR 51.396 of the 
    transportation conformity rule and 40 CFR 51.851 of the general 
    conformity rule, the State of Florida is required to submit a SIP 
    revision containing transportation conformity criteria and procedures 
    consistent with those established in the Federal rule by November 25, 
    1994. Similarly, the State of Florida is required to submit a SIP 
    revision containing general conformity criteria and procedures 
    consistent with those established in the Federal rule by 
    
    [[Page 62750]]
    December 1, 1994. The conformity rules for Florida have not yet been 
    approved.
        Although this redesignation request was submitted to EPA after the 
    due dates for the SIP revisions for transportation conformity [58 FR 
    62188] and general conformity [58 FR 63214] rules, EPA believes it is 
    reasonable to interpret the conformity requirements as not being 
    applicable requirements for purposes of evaluating the redesignation 
    request under section 107(d). The rationale for this is based on a 
    combination of two factors. First, the requirement to submit SIP 
    revisions to comply with the conformity provisions of the Act continues 
    to apply to areas after redesignation to attainment. Therefore, the 
    State remains obligated to adopt the transportation and general 
    conformity rules even after redesignation and would risk sanctions for 
    failure to do so. While redesignation of an area to attainment enables 
    the area to avoid further compliance with most requirements of section 
    110 and part D, since those requirements are linked to the 
    nonattainment status of an area, the conformity requirements apply to 
    both nonattainment and maintenance areas. Second, EPA's federal 
    conformity rules require the performance of conformity analyses in the 
    absence of state-adopted rules. Therefore, a delay in adopting State 
    rules does not relieve an area from the obligation to implement 
    conformity requirements.
        Because areas are subject to the conformity requirements regardless 
    of whether they are redesignated to attainment and must implement 
    conformity under Federal rules if State rules are not yet adopted, EPA 
    believes it is reasonable to view these requirements as not being 
    applicable requirements for purposes of evaluating a redesignation 
    request.
        Therefore, with this notice, EPA is modifying its national policy 
    regarding the interpretation of the provisions of section 107(d)(3)(E) 
    concerning the applicable requirements for purposes of reviewing an 
    ozone redesignation request. Under this new policy, for the reasons 
    just discussed, EPA believes that the ozone redesignation request for 
    the Tampa area may be approved notwithstanding the lack of submitted 
    and approved state transportation and general conformity rules.
    B.3. Subpart 2 of Part D--Section 182(a) Requirements
        The CAA was amended on November 15, 1990, Public Law 101-549, 104 
    Stat. 2399, codified at 42 U.S.C. 7401-7671q. EPA was required to 
    classify O3 nonattainment areas according to the severity of their 
    problem. The Tampa area was designated as marginal O3 
    nonattainment (See 40 CFR 81.310). Because this area is marginal, the 
    area must meet section 182(a) of the CAA. EPA has analyzed the SIP and 
    determined that it is consistent with the requirements of amended 
    section 182. Below is a summary of how the area has met the 
    requirements of these sections.
    (1) Emissions Inventory
        The CAA required an inventory of all actual emissions from all 
    sources, as described in section 172(c)(3) by November 15, 1992. On 
    November 16, 1992, FDEP submitted an emission inventory for the Tampa 
    area. This notice is approving the base year inventory for the Tampa 
    area.
    (2) Reasonably Available Control Technology (RACT)
        To be redesignated, all SIP revisions required by section 
    182(a)(2)(A) and 182(b)(2) concerning RACT requirements must have been 
    submitted to EPA and fully approved. Florida has met all RACT 
    requirements.
    (3) Emissions Statements
        Section 182(a)(3) of the CAA required a SIP submission by November 
    15, 1992, to require stationary sources of NOX and VOCs to provide 
    statements of actual emissions. Florida submitted an annual emissions 
    statement SIP revision on November 13, 1992. This revision was approved 
    in the Federal Register on August 4, 1994.
    
    3. Fully Approved SIP Under Section 110(k) of the CAA
    
        Based on the approval of provisions under the pre-amended CAA and 
    EPA's prior approval of SIP revisions under the 1990 Amendments, EPA 
    has determined that the Tampa area has a fully approved SIP under 
    section 110(k), which also meets the applicable requirements of section 
    110 and part D as discussed above.
    
    4. Improvement in Air Quality Due to Permanent and Enforceable Measures
    
        Under the pre-amended CAA, EPA approved the Florida SIP control 
    strategy for the Tampa nonattainment area, satisfied that the rules and 
    the emission reductions achieved as a result of those rules were 
    enforceable. The control measures to which the emission reductions are 
    attributed are VOC RACT regulations, the Federal Motor Vehicle Control 
    Program (FMVCP), and lower Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP). VOC emissions 
    from stage I sources were reduced by 40% in 1990 due to VOC RACT. The 
    FMVCP reduced VOC emissions from motor vehicles by 14.2% from 1988 to 
    1990. The reduction in RVP from 10.8 psi in 1988 to 9.0 psi in 1990 has 
    reduced summertime VOC mobile source emissions by 30.8%.
        In association with its emission inventory discussed below, the 
    State of Florida has demonstrated that actual enforceable emission 
    reductions are responsible for the air quality improvement and that the 
    VOC emissions in the base year are not artificially low due to local 
    economic downturn. EPA finds that the combination of existing EPA-
    approved state and federal measures contribute to the permanence and 
    enforceability of reduction in ambient O3 levels that have allowed 
    the area to attain the NAAQS.
    
    5. Fully Approved Maintenance Plan Under Section 175A
    
        Section 175A of the CAA sets forth the elements of a maintenance 
    plan for areas seeking redesignation from nonattainment to attainment. 
    The plan must demonstrate continued attainment of the applicable NAAQS 
    for at least ten years after the Administrator approves a redesignation 
    to attainment. Eight years after the redesignation, the State must 
    submit a revised maintenance plan which demonstrates attainment for the 
    ten years following the initial ten-year period. To provide for the 
    possibility of future NAAQS violations, the maintenance plan must 
    contain contingency measures, with a schedule for implementation, 
    adequate to assure prompt correction of any air quality problems. In 
    this notice, EPA is approving the State of Florida's maintenance plan 
    for the Tampa area because EPA finds that Florida's submittal meets the 
    requirements of section 175A.
    
    A. Emissions Inventory--Base Year Inventory
    
        On November 16, 1992, the State of Florida submitted comprehensive 
    inventories of VOC, NOX, and CO emissions from the Tampa area. The 
    inventories include biogenic, area, stationary, and mobile sources 
    using 1990 as the base year for calculations to demonstrate 
    maintenance. The 1990 inventory is considered representative of 
    attainment conditions because the NAAQS was not violated during 1990. 
    EPA is approving the 1990 base year inventory in this document.
        The State submittal contains the detailed inventory data and 
    summaries by county and source category. The comprehensive base year 
    emissions inventory was submitted in the NEDS format. Finally, this 
    inventory was prepared in accordance with EPA guidance. It also 
    contains summary 
    
    [[Page 62751]]
    tables of the base year and projected maintenance year inventories. 
    EPA's TSD contains more in-depth details regarding the base year 
    inventory for the Tampa area.
    
                                             VOC Emissions Inventory Summary                                        
                                                     [Tons per day]                                                 
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         1990         1994         1997         2000         2005   
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Stationary Point...............................        16.59        24.52        25.16        25.86        26.64
    Stationary Area................................       101.00       104.61       109.44       114.34       120.13
    On-Road Mobile.................................       166.12        90.96        87.97        84.73        87.43
    Non-Road Mobile................................        51.41        55.36        57.56        59.76        62.58
    Biogenics......................................        97.89        97.89        97.89        97.89        97.89
                                                    ----------------------------------------------------------------
          Total....................................       433.01       373.07       378.02       382.59       394.67
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    
                                             NOx Emissions Inventory Summary                                        
                                                     [Tons per day]                                                 
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         1990         1994         1997         2000         2005   
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Stationary Point...............................       319.76       336.02       317.83       320.02       338.84
    Stationary Area................................         9.96        10.67        11.08        11.48        12.08
    On-Road Mobile.................................       121.47       109.89       114.00       111.80       113.25
    Non-Road Mobile................................        41.60        44.61        47.01        49.40        52.61
                                                    ----------------------------------------------------------------
          Total....................................       492.79       501.19       489.92       492.70       516.78
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    
                         CO Emissions Inventory Summary                     
                                 [Tons per day]                             
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   1990     
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Stationary Point........................................           33.49
    Stationary Area.........................................           16.36
    On-Road Mobile..........................................          942.60
    Non-Road Mobile.........................................          365.54
                                                             ---------------
          Total.............................................         1357.99
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    B. Demonstration of Maintenance--Projected Inventories
    
        Total VOC and NOX emissions were projected from 1990 base year 
    out to 2005, with interim years of 1994, 1997, and 2000. These 
    projected inventories were prepared in accordance with EPA guidance. 
    The projections show that VOC emissions are expected to decrease 38.34 
    tons or 8.85% from the level of the base year inventory during this 
    time period. The NOX emissions do show a slight increase of 23.99 
    tons or 4.87% from 1990 to 2005, but the State has demonstrated as 
    discussed below that the projected increases will not adversely affect 
    the maintenance of the O3 NAAQS.
        The Empirical Kinetics Modeling Approach (EKMA) was used to 
    demonstrate the impact of NOX emission increases on maximum 
    O3 formation. The EKMA analysis showed that the projected future 
    mix of emissions will not cause a violation of the NAAQS. EPA EKMA 
    guidance documents were used in developing model inputs. The model was 
    run using 1988 meteorological conditions and monitored O3, 
    NOX and nonmethane organic compound (NMOC) concentration data for 
    May 16, 1988, June 3, 1988, and June 23, 1988, and was run in the EKMA 
    calculate mode. These days had observed O3 maximum concentrations 
    of 0.118, 0.113, and 0.115 parts per million (ppm) respectively. The 
    monitored NMOC/NOX ratios of 6.876, 8.298, and 5.180 were used as 
    input. The EKMA predicted a minimum decrease in O3 concentration 
    of 1.5% from 1990 to 2005.
        The model output indicated a continual decrease in the maximum 
    model-predicted O3 with each increase in NOX emissions over 
    the 1990 base case inventory. Additionally, the modeling indicated that 
    the mix of emissions as indicated in the 2005 inventory (11.4% VOC 
    reductions and 4.8% NOX increase over the 1990 inventory) produced 
    lower O3 levels than the base case. Thus, the analysis indicates 
    that, not withstanding the projected increase in NOX emissions, 
    the Tampa area should continue to maintain the standard throughout the 
    maintenance period.
    
    C. Contingency Plan
    
        The level of VOC emissions in the Tampa area will largely determine 
    its ability to stay in compliance with the O3 NAAQS in the future. 
    Despite the State's best efforts to demonstrate continued compliance 
    with the NAAQS, the ambient air pollutant concentrations may exceed or 
    violate the NAAQS. Therefore, Florida has provided contingency measures 
    with a schedule for implementation in the event of a future O3 air 
    quality problem. In the case of a violation of the O3 NAAQS, the 
    plan contains a contingency to implement additional control measures 
    such as reinstatement of NSR, less volatile or reformulated gasoline, 
    expansion of control strategies to adjacent counties for VOC and/or 
    NOX and to new CTG categories, or an 
    
    [[Page 62752]]
    enhanced vehicle emissions inspection program. A complete description 
    of these contingency measures and their triggers can be found in the 
    State's submittal. EPA finds that the contingency measures provided in 
    the State submittal meet the requirements of section 175A(d) of the 
    CAA.
    
    D. Subsequent Maintenance Plan Revisions
    
        In accordance with section 175A(b) of the CAA, the State has agreed 
    to submit a revised maintenance SIP eight years after the area is 
    redesignated to attainment. Such revised SIP will provide for 
    maintenance for an additional ten years.
    
    Final Action
    
        In this action, EPA is approving the Tampa area O3 maintenance 
    plan submitted on February 7, 1995, because it meets the requirements 
    of section 175A. In addition, the Agency is approving the request and 
    redesignating the Tampa nonattainment area to attainment, because the 
    State has demonstrated compliance with the requirements of section 
    107(d)(3)(E) for redesignation. EPA is also approving the 1990 base 
    year emissions inventory for the Tampa area submitted on November 16, 
    1992. The EPA is publishing this action 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, the EPA is proposing to approve the SIP revision 
    should adverse or critical comments be filed. This action will be 
    effective February 5, 1996, unless, within 30 days of its publication, 
    adverse or critical comments are received. If the 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. The 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 February 5, 1996.
        The O3 SIP is designed to satisfy the requirements of part D 
    of the CAA and to provide for attainment and maintenance of the O3 
    NAAQS. This final redesignation should not be interpreted as 
    authorizing the State to delete, alter, or rescind any of the VOC or 
    NOX emission limitations and restrictions contained in the approved 
    O3 SIP. Changes to O3 SIP VOC regulations rendering them less 
    stringent than those contained in the EPA approved plan cannot be made 
    unless a revised plan for attainment and maintenance is submitted to 
    and approved by EPA. Unauthorized relaxations, deletions, and changes 
    could result in both a finding of non-implementation [section 173(b) of 
    the CAA] and in a SIP deficiency call made pursuant to section 
    110(a)(2)(H) of the CAA.
        Under section 307(b)(1) of the Act, 42 U.S.C. 7607 (b)(1), 
    petitions for judicial review of this action must be filed in the 
    United States Court of Appeals for the appropriate circuit by February 
    5, 1996. Filing a petition for reconsideration by the Administrator of 
    this final rule does not affect the finality of this rule for 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) of the Act, 42 U.S.C. 7607 (b)(2).)
        This action has been classified as a Table 3 action for signature 
    by the Regional Administrator under the procedures published in the 
    Federal Register on January 19, 1989 (54 FR 2214-2225), as revised by a 
    July 10, 1995 memorandum from Mary Nichols, Assistant Administrator for 
    Air and Radiation. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has 
    exempted this regulatory action from E.O. 12866 review.
        Nothing in this action shall be construed as permitting or allowing 
    or establishing a precedent for any future request for a revision to 
    any SIP. Each request for revision to the SIP shall be considered 
    separately in light of specific technical, economic, and environmental 
    factors and in relation to relevant statutory and regulatory 
    requirements.
        Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. section 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 sections 603 
    and 604. Alternatively, EPA may certify that the rule will not have a 
    significant economic 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. The Office of Management and Budget has exempted 
    this rule from the requirements of section 3 of Executive Order 12291.
        SIP approvals under section 110 and subchapter I, part D of the CAA 
    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, I certify that it does 
    not have a significant impact on small entities. Moreover, due to the 
    nature of the federal-state relationship under the CAA, preparation of 
    a regulatory flexibility analysis would constitute federal inquiry into 
    the economic reasonableness of state action. The CAA forbids EPA to 
    base its actions concerning SIPs on such grounds. Union Electric Co. v. 
    U.S. E.P.A., 427 U.S. 246, 256-66 (S.Ct. 1976); 42 U.S.C. sections 7410 
    (a)(2) and 7410 (k)(3).
        Redesignation of an area to attainment under section 107(d)(3)(E) 
    of the CAA does not impose any new requirements on small entities. 
    Redesignation is an action that affects the status of a geographical 
    area and does not impose any regulatory requirements on sources. The 
    Administrator certifies that the approval of the redesignation request 
    will not affect a substantial number of small entities.
    
    Unfunded Mandates
    
        Under sections 202, 203, and 205 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform 
    Act of 1995 (``Unfunded Mandates Act''), signed into law on March 22, 
    1995, EPA must undertake various actions in association with proposed 
    or final rules that include a Federal mandate that may result in 
    estimated costs of $100 million or more to the private sector, or to 
    State, local, or tribal governments in the aggregate.
        Through submission of this state implementation plan or plan 
    revision, the State and any affected local or tribal governments have 
    elected to adopt the program provided for under section 110 of the 
    Clean Air Act. These rules may bind State, local and tribal governments 
    to perform certain actions and also require the private sector to 
    perform certain duties. To the extent that the rules being approved by 
    this action will impose no new requirements; such sources are already 
    subject to these regulations under State law. Accordingly, no 
    additional costs to State, local, or tribal governments, or to the 
    private sector, result from this action. EPA has also determined that 
    this final action does not include a mandate that may result in 
    estimated costs of $100 million or more to State, local, or tribal 
    governments in the aggregate or to the private sector.
    
    [[Page 62753]]
    
    
    List of Subjects
    
    40 CFR Part 52
    
        Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Carbon monoxide, 
    Hydrocarbons, Incorporation by reference, Intergovernmental relations, 
    Nitrogen Dioxide, Ozone.
    
    40 CFR Part 81
    
        Air pollution control, National parks, Wilderness areas.
    
        Dated: October 19, 1995.
    Patrick M. Tobin,
    Acting Regional Administrator.
    
        Chapter I, title 40, Code of Federal Regulations, 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 K--Florida
    
        2. Section 52.520, is amended by adding paragraph (c)(89) to read 
    as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 52.520  Identification of plan.
    
    * * * * *
        (c) * * *
        (89) The maintenance plan for Tampa, Florida, submitted by the 
    Florida Department of Environmental Protection on February 7, 1995.
        (i) Incorporation by reference. Tampa Redesignation Request and 
    Attainment/Maintenance Plan for the Tampa Bay Florida Ozone 
    Nonattainment Area including Emissions Inventory Summary and 
    Projections adopted on November 16, 1994.
        (ii) Other material. None.
    
    PART 81--[AMENDED]
    
    Subpart C--Section 107 Attainment Status Designations
    
        1. The authority citation for part 81 continues to read as follows:
    
        Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401-7671q.
    
        2. In Sec. 81.310 the ``Florida-Ozone'' table is amended by 
    removing the entry for ``Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater Area;'' and by 
    adding entries for Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties in alphabetical 
    order; and by revising the entry ``Rest of State'' to read 
    ``Statewide.''
    
    
    Sec. 81.310  Florida.
    
    * * * * *
    
                                                      Florida-Ozone                                                 
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Designation                          Classification     
              Designated Area          -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 Date\1\                    Type              Date\1\        Type   
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Statewide.........................  ........................  Unclassifiable/           ...........  ...........
                                                                   Attainment                                       
                                                                                                                    
                           *          *          *          *          *          *          *                      
    Hillsborough County...............  February 5, 1996.         ........................  ...........  ...........
                                                                                                                    
                           *          *          *          *          *          *          *                      
    Pinellas County...................  February 5, 1996.         ........................  ...........  ...........
                                                                                                                    
                           *          *          *          *          *          *          *                      
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \1\This date is November 15, 1990, unless otherwise noted.                                                      
    
    * * * * *
    [FR Doc. 95-29817 Filed 12-6-95; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
2/5/1996
Published:
12/07/1995
Department:
Environmental Protection Agency
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Direct final rule.
Document Number:
95-29817
Dates:
This action will be effective February 5, 1996, unless adverse or critical comments are received by January 8, 1996. If the effective date is delayed, timely notice will be published in the Federal Register.
Pages:
62748-62753 (6 pages)
Docket Numbers:
FL63-1-7143a, FRL-5340-7
PDF File:
95-29817.pdf
CFR: (2)
40 CFR 52.520
40 CFR 81.310