96-2967. Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Pennsylvania; Approval of Source-Specific VOC and NOINFX RACT and Synthetic Minor Permit Conditions  

  • [Federal Register Volume 61, Number 29 (Monday, February 12, 1996)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Pages 5303-5306]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 96-2967]
    
    
    
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    ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
    40 CFR Part 52
    
    [PA 70-1-7207a; FRL-5338-8]
    
    
    Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; 
    Pennsylvania; Approval of Source-Specific VOC and NOX RACT and 
    Synthetic Minor Permit Conditions
    
    AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
    
    ACTION: Direct final rule.
    
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    SUMMARY: EPA is approving a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision 
    submitted by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. This revision 
    establishes and requires reasonably available control technology (RACT) 
    on one major source and establishes permit conditions to limit eight 
    source's emissions to below major source threshold levels. The intended 
    effect of this action is to approve source-specific plan approvals and 
    operating permits, which establish the above-mentioned requirements in 
    accordance with the Clean Air Act. This action is being taken under 
    section 110 of the Clean Air Act.
    
    DATES: This action is effective April 12, 1996 unless notice is 
    received on or before March 13, 1996 that adverse or critical comments 
    will be submitted. If the effective date is delayed, timely notice will 
    be published in the Federal Register.
    
    ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to Marcia L. Spink, Associate 
    Director, Air Programs, Mailcode 3AT00, 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; 
    the Air and Radiation Docket and Information Center, U.S. Environmental 
    Protection Agency, 401 M Street, SW., Washington, DC 20460; and 
    Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources, Bureau of Air 
    Quality Control, P.O. Box 8468, 400 Market Street, Harrisburg, 
    Pennsylvania 17105.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brian K. Rehn, (215) 597-4554, at the 
    EPA Region III address above, or by E-mail at 
    Rehn.Brian@epamail.epa.gov.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On August 1, 1995, the Commonwealth of 
    Pennsylvania submitted formal revisions to its State Implementation 
    Plan (SIP). The SIP revision consists of a group of plan approvals and 
    operating permits for individual sources of volatile organic compounds 
    and/or nitrogen oxides located in Pennsylvania. This rulemaking 
    addresses those plan approvals and operating permits pertaining to the 
    following sources: (1) James River Corporation--Chambersburg, (2) 
    Appleton Papers, Inc.--Cumberland County , (3) Air Products & 
    Chemicals, Inc.--Trexlortown, (4) Elf Atochem North America, Inc., (5) 
    York City Sewer Authority--Manchester Township, (6) Glasgow, Inc.--Ivy 
    Rock Plants, (7) Glasgow, Inc.--Spring House Plants, (8) Glasgow, 
    Inc.--Catanach Plant, (9) Glasgow, Inc.--Freeborn Asphalt Plant. The 
    remaining plan approvals and operating permits submitted on August 1, 
    1995 with those being approved today will be addressed in a later 
    rulemaking notice.
        Pursuant to section 182(b)(2) and 182(f) of the Clean Air Act 
    (CAA), Pennsylvania is required to implement RACT for all major VOC and 
    NOX sources by no later than May 31, 1995. Major source size is 
    determined by a source's location, the classification of the area where 
    the source is located, and whether it is located in an ozone transport 
    region (OTR)--as established by the CAA. The Pennsylvania portion of 
    the Philadelphia ozone nonattainment area is classified as severe, and 
    consists of Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia 
    Counties. For severe ozone nonattainment areas, the Clean Air Act 
    requires RACT for sources emitting 25 tons or more per year of VOCs, or 
    for sources emitting at least 25 tons per year of NOX.
        The remaining counties in Pennsylvania are classified as either 
    moderate or marginal nonattainment areas, or are designated attainment 
    for ozone. However, under section 184 of the CAA, moderate ozone 
    nonattainment area requirements (including RACT as defined in section 
    182(b)(2) and 182(f)) apply throughout the OTR. Therefore, RACT is 
    applicable statewide in Pennsylvania. The Clean Air Act requires RACT 
    for sources emitting 50 tons per year or more of VOCs, or 100 tons per 
    year or more of NOX.
        The August 1, 1995 Pennsylvania submittals that are the subject of 
    this notice, are meant to satisfy the RACT requirements for one source 
    in Pennsylvania and to limit the potential VOC and/or NOX 
    emissions at eight sources to below the major source size threshold in 
    order to avoid RACT requirements.
    
    Summary of SIP Revision
    
        The details of the RACT requirements for the source-specific plan 
    approvals and operating permits can be found in the docket and 
    accompanying technical support document and will not be reiterated in 
    this notice. Briefly, EPA is 
    
    [[Page 5304]]
    approving one operating permit as RACT and eight operating permits as a 
    revision to the Pennsylvania SIP to limit those source's emissions to 
    below the major source threshold. Several of the operating permits 
    contain conditions irrelevant to the determination of VOC or NOX 
    RACT. Consequently, these provisions are not being included in this 
    approval for VOC or NOX RACT.
    
    RACT Permit
    
        EPA is approving the operating permit (OP 28-2006) for the James 
    River Corporation's facility, located in Chambersburg, Franklin County. 
    James River Corporation operates a lithographic printing facility which 
    is considered a major source of VOC emissions. The specific emission 
    limitations and other RACT requirements for this source is summarized 
    in the accompanying technical support document, which is available from 
    EPA's Region III office. A source-specific RACT emission limitation 
    that is approved into the Pennsylvania SIP is only the one which has 
    been officially submitted for approval on August 1, 1995, and is the 
    subject of a rulemaking notice. Emission limitations approved within 
    this notice will remain unless and until they are replaced pursuant to 
    40 CFR part 51 and approved by the U.S. EPA.
    
    Synthetic Minor Source Permits (Sources Located in the OTR Portion of 
    Pennsylvania, but Outside of Philadelphia)
    
        The three sources below are located outside of the Philadelphia 
    ozone nonattainment area, but lie within the Northeast OTR established 
    by the Clean Air Act. Each of these three sources would have the 
    potential to emit at least 50 tons per year of VOCs and/or 100 tons per 
    year of NOX, and without limiting permit conditions or controls, 
    could be defined as a major source under the Clean Air Act. However, 
    each of these sources has agreed to enforceable permit conditions which 
    limit actual emissions to below major source thresholds.
        Therefore, EPA is approving the operating permit (OP 21-2004) for 
    Appleton Papers, Inc., located in Lower Allen Township in Cumberland 
    County. Appleton Papers is a surface coating installation, specializing 
    in the production of carbonless reproduction paper and, without 
    limiting permit conditions or controls, would be a major source of both 
    NOX and VOCs. Appleton Papers has agreed to permit conditions 
    limiting their NOX emissions to below the major source threshold. 
    Additionally, Appleton Papers is subject to VOC RACT for surface 
    coating operations under state regulation 25 PA Code, 129.52(b), and is 
    therefore not required to submit a case-by-case RACT determination for 
    its VOC emissions.
        Air Products, Inc.'s Trexlortown facility in Lehigh County operates 
    numerous boilers, heaters, and support equipment, and without limiting 
    permit conditions or controls, would be considered a major source of 
    NOX. However, EPA is approving an operating permit (OP 39-0008) 
    for Air Products and Chemicals Trexlortown facility which caps NOX 
    emissions to below 100 tons per year, and qualifies the source as a 
    synthetic minor.
        EPA is approving the operating permit (OP 67-2013) for the York 
    City Sewer Authority's waste water treatment plant, located in 
    Manchester Township in York County. Without permit limitations or 
    controls, this facility would be considered a major source of NOX. 
    However the City has agreed to permit limitations which qualify the 
    plant as a synthetic minor source.
        The approval of the synthetic minor permit conditions for the 
    sources above limit the emissions at each of these facilities to less 
    than the major source thresholds, and allow the sources to avoid being 
    subject to major source RACT requirements. For details of the permit 
    emission limitations for each of the above sources, please refer to the 
    technical support document contained in the docket for this action.
    
    Synthetic Minor Permits (Sources Within the Philadelphia Nonattainment 
    Area)
    
        The five sources below are located within the five-county 
    Philadelphia ozone nonattainment area. Each of these sources has the 
    potential to emit at least 25 tons per year of VOCs and/or 25 tons per 
    year of NOX, and each would therefore be considered a major 
    source. However, these sources have agreed to enforceable permit 
    conditions which limit actual emissions to below major source 
    thresholds, and they are qualified as synthetic minor sources.
        Elf Atochem is a chemical research and development facility located 
    in Upper Merion Township in Montgomery County. Elf Atochem would be 
    considered a major source of NOX (without limiting permit 
    conditions or controls). However, since the company's operating permit 
    (OP 46-0022) limits its NOX emissions to below the major source 
    threshold, EPA is approving the permit as a synthetic minor.
        EPA is approving the operating permit (OP 46-0043) for Glasgow, 
    Inc.'s two Ivy Rock plants, located in Plymouth Township in Montgomery 
    County. Glasgow, Inc. operates asphalt batching facilities in Plymouth 
    Township which, without permit limitations or controls, would be 
    considered a major source of both VOC and NOX. Glasgow, Inc has 
    capped their NOX and VOC emissions from its Ivy Rock facilities 
    operating permit to below major source thresholds, and qualifies for 
    consideration as a synthetic minor source.
        EPA is approving the operating permit (OP 46-0029) for Glasgow, 
    Inc.'s two Spring House plants, located in Montgomery County. Glasgow 
    operates asphalt batching plants in Montgomery Township, which would be 
    defined as a major source of both VOC and NOX, without permit 
    limitations or controls. Since the source has limited these emissions 
    to below major source thresholds, EPA is approving the source's permit 
    as a synthetic minor.
        EPA is approving the operating permit (OP 15-0021) for Glasgow, 
    Inc.'s Catanach plant, located in East Whiteland Township in Chester 
    County. Without permit limits or controls, Glasgow's Catanach plant 
    would be considered a major source of both VOC and NOX. The source 
    has limited its emissions to below major source thresholds, and 
    qualifies as a synthetic minor.
        EPA is approving the operating permit (OP 23-0026) for Glasgow, 
    Inc.'s Freeborn plant, located in Springfield Township in Delaware 
    County. Glasgow's Freeborn plant would also be considered a major 
    source of both VOC and NOX, without permit limitations or 
    controls, but the source has agreed to limit its emissions as a 
    synthetic minor.
        The approval of the synthetic minor permit conditions for these 
    sources limit emissions at these facilities to less than major source 
    thresholds, and allow the sources to avoid being subject to major 
    source RACT requirements. For details of the emission limitations 
    contained in the permits for each of the above sources, refer to the 
    technical support document contained in the docket for this action.
        EPA is approving this SIP revision 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 revision 
    should adverse or critical comments be filed. This action will be 
    effective April 12, 1996 unless, by March 13, 1996, adverse or critical 
    comments are received.
        If EPA receives such comments, this action will be amended before 
    the 
    
    [[Page 5305]]
    effective date by publishing a subsequent document that will withdraw 
    the final action for those permits that are the subject of adverse 
    comments. All public comments received regarding those permits 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 April 12, 1996.
    
    Final Action
    
        EPA is approving one operating permit as RACT and eight operating 
    permits to limit emissions at those subject sources to below major 
    source emission levels.
        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.
        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.
        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 that includes a Federal mandate that may result in estimated 
    costs to State, local, or tribal governments in the aggregate; or to 
    the 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 Federal requirements. Accordingly, no additional costs 
    to State, local, or tribal governments, or to the private sector, 
    result from this action.
        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 
    an October 4, 1993 memorandum from Michael H. Shapiro, Acting Assistant 
    Administrator for Air and Radiation. The OMB has exempted this 
    regulatory action from E.O. 12866 review.
        Under section 307(b)(1) of the Clean Air Act, petitions for 
    judicial review of this action, pertaining to the VOC and NOX RACT 
    approval of one source and the synthetic minor permit conditions for 
    eight additional sources, must be filed in the United States Court of 
    Appeals for the appropriate circuit by April 12, 1996. 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, Nitrogen 
    dioxide, Ozone, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
    
        Dated: November 24, 1995.
    W. Michael McCabe,
    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 NN--Pennsylvania
    
        2. Section 52.2020 is amended by adding paragraph (c)(104) to read 
    as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 52.2020  Identification of plan.
    
    * * * * *
        (c) * * *
        (104) Revisions to the Pennsylvania Regulations Chapter 129.91 
    submitted on August 1, 1995 by the Pennsylvania Department of 
    Environmental Protection:
        (i) Incorporation by reference.
        (A) Two letters, one dated August 1, 1995, from James Seif, 
    Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, 
    transmitting source-specific VOC and/or NOX RACT determinations in 
    the form of operating permits for the following sources: James River 
    Corporation--Chambersburg (Franklin County)--printer. In addition, 
    operating permits for the following sources containing provisions 
    limiting these sources as ``synthetic minor'' sources (below RACT 
    threshold level for VOC and/or NOX emissions) are being approved: 
    Appleton Papers, Inc. (Cumberland County)--carbon paper producer; Air 
    Products & Chemicals, Inc.--Trexlortown (Lehigh County)--gas 
    production/storage facility; Elf Atochem North America, Inc. 
    (Montgomery County)--chemical research & development firm; York City 
    Sewer Authority--Manchester Township (York County)--waste water 
    treatment facility; Glasgow, Inc.--Ivy Rock Plants 1 & 2 (Montgomery 
    County)--asphalt production facility; Glasgow, Inc.--Catanach Plant 
    (Chester County)--asphalt production facility; Glasgow, Inc.--Freeborn 
    Asphalt Plant (Delaware County)--asphalt production facility.
        (B) One letter, dated November 15, 1995, from James Seif, Secretary 
    of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, 
    transmitting source-specific VOC and/or NOX RACT determinations in 
    the form of operating permits including the following source: Glasgow, 
    Inc.--Spring House Plants 1 & 2 (Montgomery County)--asphalt production 
    facility;
        (C) Operating permits (OP):
        (1) James River Corporation--OP 28-2006, effective June 14, 1995, 
    except the expiration date of the operating permit.
        (2) Appleton Papers, Inc.--OP 21-2004, effective May 24, 1995, 
    except the expiration date of the operating permit.
        (3) Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.--OP 39-0008, effective May 25, 
    1995, except the expiration date of the operating permit.
        (4) Elf Atochem North America, Inc.--OP 46-0022, effective June 27, 
    1995, except the expiration date of the operating permit.
        (5) York City Sewer Authority, Manchester Township--OP 67-2013, 
    effective March 1, 1995, except the expiration date of the operating 
    permit. 
    
    [[Page 5306]]
    
        (6) Glasgow, Inc., Ivy Rock Asphalt Plants 1 & 2--OP 46-0043, 
    effective June 7, 1995, except for the expiration date of the operating 
    permit.
        (7) Glasgow, Inc., Spring House Asphalt Plants 1 & 2--OP 46-0029, 
    effective June 7, 1995, except for the expiration date of the operating 
    permit.
        (8) Glasgow, Inc., Catanach Asphalt Plant--OP 15-0021, effective 
    June 7, 1995, except for the expiration date of the operating permit.
        (9) Glasgow, Inc., Freeborn Asphalt Plant--OP 23-0026, effective 
    June 7, 1995, except for the expiration date of the operating permit.
    
    [FR Doc. 96-2967 Filed 2-9-96; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
4/12/1996
Published:
02/12/1996
Department:
Environmental Protection Agency
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Direct final rule.
Document Number:
96-2967
Dates:
This action is effective April 12, 1996 unless notice is received on or before March 13, 1996 that adverse or critical comments will be submitted. If the effective date is delayed, timely notice will be published in the Federal Register.
Pages:
5303-5306 (4 pages)
Docket Numbers:
PA 70-1-7207a, FRL-5338-8
PDF File:
96-2967.pdf
CFR: (1)
40 CFR 52.2020