2012-10102. Revisions to the Hawaii State Implementation Plan  

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    AGENCY:

    Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

    ACTION:

    Direct final rule.

    SUMMARY:

    EPA is taking direct final action to approve revisions to the Hawaii State Implementation Plan (SIP). These revisions concern volatile organic compound (VOC), oxides of nitrogen (NOX), and particulate matter (PM) emissions from motor vehicles, water separation, pumps, compressors, waste gas, and open burning, as well as several administrative requirements. We are approving local rules that regulate these emission sources under the Clean Air Act as amended in 1990 (CAA or the Act).

    DATES:

    This rule is effective on June 26, 2012 without further notice, unless EPA receives adverse comments by May 29, 2012. If we receive such comments, we will publish a timely withdrawal in the Federal Register to notify the public that this direct final rule will not take effect.

    ADDRESSES:

    Submit comments, identified by docket number EPA-R09-OAR-2012-0082, by one of the following methods:

    1. Federal eRulemaking Portal: www.regulations.gov. Follow the on-line instructions.

    2. Email: steckel.andrew@epa.gov.

    3. Mail or deliver: Andrew Steckel (Air-4), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region IX, 75 Hawthorne Street, San Francisco, CA 94105-3901.

    Instructions: All comments will be included in the public docket without change and may be made available online at www.regulations.gov,, including any personal information provided, unless the comment includes Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Information that you consider CBI or otherwise protected should be clearly identified as such and should not be submitted through www.regulations.gov or email. www.regulations.gov is an “anonymous access” system, and EPA will not know your identity or contact information unless you provide it in the body of your comment. If you send email directly to EPA, your email address will be automatically captured and included as part of the public comment. If EPA cannot read your comment due to technical difficulties and cannot contact you for clarification, EPA may not be able to consider your comment. Electronic files should avoid the use of special characters, any form of encryption, and be free of any defects or viruses.

    Docket: Generally, documents in the docket for this action are available electronically at www.regulations.gov and in hard copy at EPA Region IX, 75 Hawthorne Street, San Francisco, California. While all documents in the docket are listed at www.regulations.gov,, some information may be publicly available only at the hard copy location (e.g., copyrighted material, large maps), and some may not be publicly available in either location (e.g., CBI). To inspect the hard copy materials, please schedule an appointment during normal business hours with the contact listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section.

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    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

    Nicole Law, EPA Region IX, (415) 947-4126, law.nicole@epa.gov.

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    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Throughout this document, “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to EPA.

    Table of Contents

    I. The State's Submittal

    A. What rules did the State submit?

    B. Are there other versions of these rules?

    C. What is the purpose of the submitted rule revisions?

    II. EPA's Evaluation and Action

    A. How is EPA evaluating the rules?

    B. Do the rules meet the evaluation criteria?

    C. Public Comment and Final Action

    III. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

    I. The State's Submittal

    A. What rules did the State submit?

    Table 1 lists the rules we are approving with the dates that they were adopted by the local air agency and submitted by the Hawaii Department of Health (HDOH).

    Table 1—Submitted Rules

    Local agencyRule No.Rule titleRevisedSubmitted
    HDOH11-60.1-1Definitions11/14/0312/14/11
    HDOH11-60.1-2Prohibition of air pollution11/14/0312/14/11
    HDOH11-60.1-4Certification11/14/0312/14/11
    HDOH11-60.1-8Reporting discontinuance11/14/0312/14/11
    HDOH11-60.1-11Sampling, testing, and reporting methods11/14/0312/14/11
    HDOH11-60.1-14Public access to information11/14/0312/14/11
    HDOH11-60.1-15Reporting of equipment shutdown11/14/0312/14/11
    HDOH11-60.1-16Prompt reporting of deviations11/14/0312/14/11
    HDOH11-60.1-17Prevention of air pollution emergency episodes11/14/0312/14/11
    HDOH11-60.1-20Severability11/14/0312/14/11
    HDOH11-60.1-32Visible emissions11/14/0312/14/11
    HDOH11-60.1-34Motor vehicles11/14/0312/14/11
    HDOH11-60.1-40Volatile organic compound water separation11/14/0312/14/11
    HDOH11-60.1-41Pump and compressor requirements11/14/0312/14/11
    HDOH11-60.1-42Waste gas disposal11/14/0312/14/11
    HDOH11-60.1-51Definitions11/14/0312/14/11
    HDOH11-60.1-53Agricultural burning: permit requirement11/14/0312/14/11
    HDOH11-60.1-54Agricultural burning: applications11/14/0312/14/11
    HDOH11-60.1-56Agricultural burning: recordkeeping and monitoring11/14/0312/14/11
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    On January 27, 2012, EPA determined that the submittal for Hawaii Department of Health Chapter 60.1 met the completeness criteria in 40 CFR Part 51 Appendix V, which must be met before formal EPA review.

    B. Are there other versions of these rules?

    There are no previous versions of Rules 11-60.1-4, 11-60.1-14, 11-60.1-40, 11-60.1-41, 11-60.1-42, and 11-60.1-51 in the SIP. We approved earlier versions of Rules 11-60.1-1 (formerly numbered 11-60-1), 11-60.1-2 (11-60-17), 11-60.1-8 (11-60-10), 11-60.1-11 (11-60-15 and 11-60-6), 11-60.1-15 (11-60-16), 11-60.1-16 (11-60-16), 11-60.1-17 (11-60-35), 11-60.1-20 (11-60-38), 11-60.1-32 (11-60-24), 11-60.1-34 (11-60-25), 11-60.1-53 (11-60-19), 11-60.1-54 (11-60-20), and 11-60.1-56 (11-60-22) into the SIP on August 18, 1983 (48 FR 37402). The HDOH adopted revisions to the SIP-approved versions on November 14, 2003 and submitted them to us on December 14, 2011.

    C. What is the purpose of the submitted rule revisions?

    VOCs and NOX help produce ground-level ozone and smog, which harm human health and the environment. PM contributes to effects that are harmful to human health and the environment, including premature mortality, aggravation of respiratory and cardiovascular disease, decreased lung function, visibility impairment, and damage to vegetation and ecosystems. Section 110(a) of the CAA requires States to submit regulations that control VOC, NOX, and PM emissions. New rules requiring controls on water separation units, pumps, compressors, and waste gas disposal have been adopted. Several rule revisions have been made to update and clarify administrative rules. EPA's technical support document (TSD) has more information about these rules.

    II. EPA's Evaluation and Action

    A. How is EPA evaluating the rules?

    Generally, SIP rules must be enforceable (see section 110(a) of the Act), and must not relax existing requirements (see sections 110(l)). Section 193 of the CAA does not apply to this action because the entire State of Hawaii is designated unclassifiable/attainment for all of the current NAAQS.

    B. Do the rules meet the evaluation criteria?

    We believe these rules are consistent with the relevant policy and guidance regarding enforceability and SIP relaxations. The TSD has more information on our evaluation.

    C. Public Comment and Final Action.

    As authorized in section 110(k)(3) of the Act, EPA is fully approving the submitted rules because we believe they fulfill all relevant requirements. We do not think anyone will object to this approval, so we are finalizing it without proposing it in advance. However, in the Proposed Rules section of this Federal Register, we are simultaneously proposing approval of the same submitted rules. If we receive adverse comments by May 29, 2012, we will publish a timely withdrawal in the Federal Register to notify the public that the direct final approval will not take effect and we will address the comments in a subsequent final action based on the proposal. If we do not receive timely adverse comments, the direct final approval will be effective without further notice on June 26, 2012. This will incorporate these rules into the federally enforceable SIP.

    Please note that if EPA receives adverse comment on an amendment, paragraph, or section of this rule and if that provision may be severed from the remainder of the rule, EPA may adopt as final those provisions of the rule that are not the subject of an adverse comment.

    III. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

    Under the Clean Air Act, the Administrator is required to approve a SIP submission that complies with the provisions of the Act and applicable Federal regulations. 42 U.S.C. 7410(k); 40 CFR 52.02(a). Thus, in reviewing SIP submissions, EPA's role is to approve State choices, provided that they meet the criteria of the Clean Air Act. Accordingly, this action merely approves State law as meeting Federal requirements and does not impose additional requirements beyond those imposed by State law. For that reason, this action:

    • Is not a “significant regulatory action” subject to review by the Office of Management and Budget under Executive Order 12866 (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993);
    • Does not impose an information collection burden under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.);
    • Is certified as not having a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.);
    • Does not contain any unfunded mandate or significantly or uniquely affect small governments, as described in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-4);
    • Does not have Federalism implications as specified in Executive Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10, 1999);
    • Is not an economically significant regulatory action based on health or safety risks subject to Executive Order 13045 (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997);
    • Is not a significant regulatory action subject to Executive Order 13211 (66 FR 28355, May 22, 2001);
    • Is not subject to requirements of Section 12(d) of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272 note) because application of those requirements would be inconsistent with the Clean Air Act; and
    • Does not provide EPA with the discretionary authority to address disproportionate human health or environmental effects with practical, appropriate, and legally permissible methods under Executive Order 12898 (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994).

    In addition, this rule does not have tribal implications as specified by Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, November 9, 2000), because the SIP is not approved to apply in Indian country located in the State, and EPA notes that it will not impose substantial direct costs on tribal governments or preempt tribal law.

    The Congressional Review Act, 5 U.S.C. 801 et seq., as added by the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, generally provides that before a rule may take effect, the agency promulgating the rule must submit a rule report, which includes a copy of the rule, to each House of the Congress and to the Comptroller General of the United States. EPA will submit a report containing this action and other required information to the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of Representatives, and the Comptroller General of the United States prior to publication of the rule in the Federal Register. A major rule cannot take effect until 60 days after it is published in the Federal Register. This action is not a “major rule” as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2).

    Under section 307(b)(1) of the Clean Air Act, petitions for judicial review of this action must be filed in the United States Court of Appeals for the appropriate circuit by June 26, 2012. Filing a petition for reconsideration by the Administrator of this final rule does not affect the finality of this action for the purposes of judicial review nor does Start Printed Page 25086it extend the time within which a petition for judicial review may be filed, and shall not postpone the effectiveness of such rule or action. Parties with objections to this direct final rule are encouraged to file a comment in response to the parallel notice of proposed rulemaking for this action published in the Proposed Rules section of today's Federal Register, rather than file an immediate petition for judicial review of this direct final rule, so that EPA can withdraw this direct final rule and address the comment in the proposed rulemaking. This action may not be challenged later in proceedings to enforce its requirements (see section 307(b)(2)).

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    List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52

    • Environmental protection
    • Air pollution control
    • Incorporation by reference
    • Intergovernmental relations
    • Nitrogen dioxide
    • Ozone
    • Particulate matter
    • Reporting and recordkeeping requirements
    • Volatile organic compounds
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    Dated: February 1, 2012.

    Jared Blumenfeld,

    Regional Administrator, Region IX.

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    Part 52, Chapter I, Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations is amended as follows:

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    PART 52—[AMENDED]

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    1. The authority citation for Part 52 continues to read as follows:

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    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.

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    Subpart M—Hawaii

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    2. In § 52.620, the table in paragraph (c) is amended by:

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    a. Removing the following thirteen entries under the category for Title 11, Chapter 60: 11-60-1, 11-60-6, 11-60-10, 11-60-15, 11-60-16, 11-60-17, 11-60-19, 11-60-20, 11-60-22, 11-60-24, 11-60-25, 11-60-35, and 11-60-38.

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    b. Following all entries in the category for Chapter 60, adding a new category for Chapter 60.1.

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    c. Adding the following nineteen new entries under the category for Chapter 60.1: sections 11-60.1-1, 11-60.1-2, 11-60.1-4, 11-60.1-8, 11-60.1-11, 11-60.1-14, 11-60.1-15, 11-60.1-16, 11-60.1-17, 11-60.1-20, 11-60.1-32, 11-60.1-34, 11-60.1-40, 11-60.1-41, 11-60.1-42, 11-60.1-51, 11-60.1-53, 11-60.1-54, and 11-60.1-56.

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    The amendments to paragraph(c) read as follows:

    Identification of plan.
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    (c) * * *

    EPA-Approved State of Hawaii Regulations

    State citationTitle/subjectEffective dateEPA approval dateExplanation
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    Department of Health, Title 11, Chapter 60.1, Air Pollution ControlHawaii Administrative Rules
    11-60.1-1Definitions11/14/20034/27/2012 [Insert page number where the document begins]Supersedes 11-60-1.
    11-60.1-2Prohibition of air pollution11/14/20034/27/2012 [Insert page number where the document begins]Supersedes 11-60-17.
    11-60.1-4Certification11/14/20034/27/2012 [Insert page number where the document begins]New regulation.
    11-60.1-8Reporting discontinuance11/14/20034/27/2012 [Insert page number where the document begins]Supersedes 11-60-10.
    11-60.1-11Sampling, testing, and reporting methods11/14/20034/27/2012 [Insert page number where the document begins]Supersedes 11-60-15 and 11-60-6.
    11-60.1-14Public access to information11/14/20034/27/2012 [Insert page number where the document begins]New regulation.
    11-60.1-15Reporting of equipment shutdown11/14/20034/27/2012 [Insert page number where the document begins]Supersedes 11-60-16.
    11-60.1-16Prompt reporting of deviations11/14/20034/27/2012 [Insert page number where the document begins]Supersedes 11-60-16.
    11-60.1-17Prevention of air pollution emergency episodes11/14/20034/27/2012 [Insert page number where the document begins]Supersedes 11-60-35.
    11-60.1-20Severability11/14/20034/27/2012 [Insert page number where the document begins]Supersedes 11-60-38.
    11-60.1-32Visible emissions11/14/20034/27/2012 [Insert page number where the document begins]Supersedes 11-60-24.
    11-60.1-34Motor vehicles11/14/20034/27/2012 [Insert page number where the document begins]Supersedes 11-60-25.
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    11-60.1-40Volatile organic compound water separation11/14/20034/27/2012 [Insert page number where the document begins]New regulation.
    11-60.1-41Pump and compressor requirements11/14/20034/27/2012 [Insert page number where the document begins]New regulation.
    11-60.1-42Waste gas disposal11/14/20034/27/2012 [Insert page number where the document begins]New regulation.
    11-60.1-51Definitions11/14/20034/27/2012 [Insert page number where the document begins]Supersedes 11-60-1.
    11-60.1-53Agricultural burning: permit requirement11/14/20034/27/2012 [Insert page number where the document begins]Supersedes 11-60-19.
    11-60.1-54Agricultural burning: applications11/14/20034/27/2012 [Insert page number where the document begins]Supersedes 11-60-20.
    11-60.1-56Agricultural burning: recordkeeping and monitoring11/14/20034/27/2012 [Insert page number where the document begins]Supersedes 11-60-22.
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    [FR Doc. 2012-10102 Filed 4-26-12; 8:45 am]

    BILLING CODE 6560-50-P

Document Information

Comments Received:
0 Comments
Effective Date:
6/26/2012
Published:
04/27/2012
Department:
Environmental Protection Agency
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Direct final rule.
Document Number:
2012-10102
Dates:
This rule is effective on June 26, 2012 without further notice, unless EPA receives adverse comments by May 29, 2012. If we receive such comments, we will publish a timely withdrawal in the Federal Register to notify the public that this direct final rule will not take effect.
Pages:
25084-25087 (4 pages)
Docket Numbers:
EPA-R09-OAR-2012-0082, FRL-9634-1
Topics:
Air pollution control, Environmental protection, Incorporation by reference, Intergovernmental relations, Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone, Particulate matter, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Volatile organic compounds
PDF File:
2012-10102.pdf
Supporting Documents:
» EPA Technical Support Document for 19 rules
» Hawaii SIP Rules approved into the SIP on August 18, 1983
» PM-10 Guideline Document
» Issues Relating to VOC Regulation Cutpoints, Deficiencies, and Deviations (Bluebook)
» Guidance Document for Correcting Common VOC & Other Rule Deficiencies (Little Bluebook)
» Appendix F; Department of Health Organization Charts
» Appendix E; Public Proceedings for Hawaii Administrative Rules
» Appendix D; SIP Public Comment Proceedings
» Appendix C; Technical Support Document
» Appendix B; Hawaii Administrative Rules
CFR: (1)
40 CFR 52.620