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Home » 2017 Issues » 82 FR (05/19/2017) » 2017-10245. Air Quality Designations for the 2012 Primary Annual Fine Particle (PM2.5

  2017-10245. Air Quality Designations for the 2012 Primary Annual Fine Particle (PM2.5  

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    AGENCY:

    Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

    ACTION:

    Final rule.

    SUMMARY:

    The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is establishing air quality designations in the United States (U.S.) Start Printed Page 22889for the 2012 primary annual fine particle (PM2.5) National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for the remaining undesignated areas in the state of Tennessee. When the EPA designated the majority of areas in the country in December 2014, and March 2015, the EPA deferred initial area designations for several locations, including all of the state of Tennessee except three counties in the Chattanooga area, because the EPA could not determine using available data whether the areas were meeting or not meeting the NAAQS. However, we believed that forthcoming data in 2015 would allow the EPA to make that determination. Tennessee has now submitted complete, quality-assured, and certified air quality monitoring data for 2015 for the areas identified in this document, and based on these data, the EPA is designating these areas as unclassifiable/attainment for the 2012 primary annual PM2.5 NAAQS.

    DATES:

    This final rule is effective on June 19, 2017.

    ADDRESSES:

    The EPA has established a docket for this action under Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2012-0918. All documents in the docket are listed in the https://www.regulations.gov index. Although listed in the index, some information is not publicly available, i.e., Confidential Business Information or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Certain other material, such as copyrighted material, is not placed on the Internet and will be publicly available only in hard copy form. Publicly available docket materials are available either electronically in https://www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at the EPA Docket Center, William Jefferson Clinton West Building, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC. The Public Reading Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the Public Reading Room is (202) 566-1744 and the telephone number for the Air Docket is (202) 566-1742.

    In addition, the EPA has established a Web site for the rulemakings to initially designate areas for the 2012 primary annual PM2.5 NAAQS at: https://www3.epa.gov/​pmdesignations/​2012standards/​index.htm. This Web site includes the EPA's final PM2.5 designations, as well as state and tribal initial recommendation letters, the EPA's modification letters, technical support documents, responses to comments and other related technical information.

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    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

    For general questions concerning this action, please contact Carla Oldham, U.S. EPA, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, Air Quality Planning Division, C539-04, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711, telephone (919) 541-3347, email at oldham.carla@epa.gov. The Region 4 contact is Madolyn Sanchez, U.S. EPA, Air Regulatory Management Section, Air Planning and Implementation Branch, Air, Pesticides and Toxics Management Division, 61 Forsyth Street SW., Atlanta, Georgia 30303-8960, telephone (404) 562-9644, email at sanchez.madolyn@epa.gov.

    End Further Info End Preamble Start Supplemental Information

    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    I. Background

    On December 14, 2012, the EPA promulgated a revised primary annual PM2.5 NAAQS to provide increased protection of public health from fine particle pollution (78 FR 3086; January 15, 2013). In that action, the EPA strengthened the primary annual PM2.5 standard from 15.0 micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m3) to 12.0 μg/m3, which is attained when the 3-year average of the annual arithmetic means does not exceed 12.0 μg/m3. Section 107(d) of the Clean Air Act (CAA), 42 U.S.C. 7407(d), governs the process for initial area designations after the EPA establishes a new or revised NAAQS. Under CAA section 107(d), each governor is required to, and each tribal leader may, if they so choose, recommend air quality designations to the EPA by a date that cannot be later than 1 year after the promulgation of a new or revised NAAQS. The EPA considers these recommendations as part of its duty to promulgate the area designations and boundaries for the new or revised NAAQS. If, after careful consideration of these recommendations, the EPA believes that it is necessary to modify a state's recommendation and intends to promulgate a designation different from a state's recommendation, the EPA must notify the state at least 120 days prior to promulgating the final designation and the EPA must provide the state an opportunity to demonstrate why any proposed modification is inappropriate. These modifications may relate either to an area's designation or to its boundaries.

    On December 18, 2014, the Administrator of the EPA signed a final action promulgating initial designations for the 2012 primary PM2.5 NAAQS based on 2011-2013-air quality monitoring data for the majority of the U.S., including areas of Indian country (80 FR 2206; January 15, 2015). In that action, the EPA also deferred initial area designations for several areas where available data, including air quality monitoring data, were insufficient to determine whether the areas met or did not meet the NAAQS, but where forthcoming data were likely to result in complete and valid air quality data sufficient to determine whether these areas meet the NAAQS. Accordingly, the EPA stated that it would use the additional time available as provided under section 107(d)(1)(B) of the CAA to assess relevant information and subsequently promulgate initial designations for the identified areas through a separate rulemaking action or actions. The deferred areas included the entire state of Tennessee, except three counties in the Chattanooga area; several areas in the state of Georgia, including two neighboring counties in the bordering states of Alabama and South Carolina; the entire state of Florida; and areas of Indian country located in these areas.

    In separate actions published on April 15, 2015 (80 FR 18535), and September 6, 2016 (81 FR 61136), the EPA completed designations of unclassifiable/attainment for all remaining deferred areas in the state of Georgia (including two neighboring counties in the bordering states of Alabama and South Carolina) and 62 counties in the state of Florida, including areas of Indian country located in those areas.

    II. Purpose and Designation Decisions Based on 2013-2015 Data

    The purpose of this action is to announce and promulgate initial area designations of unclassifiable/attainment for the 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS for the remaining 92 counties in the state of Tennessee.[1] All of the areas at issue in this action were initially deferred in the EPA's January 15, 2015, rulemaking.[2] Since then, the state of Tennessee submitted to the EPA complete, quality-assured, and certified air quality monitoring data from 2013-2015 for these deferred areas. These data provide the EPA with sufficient information to promulgate initial designations for the remaining undesignated areas in the state of Tennessee in this action. Air quality data collected and submitted to the EPA Start Printed Page 22890for 2013-2015 for these areas indicate that the areas are attaining the 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS and are not causing or contributing to a violation of the NAAQS in a nearby area. Therefore, the EPA is designating the remaining 92 undesignated counties in the state of Tennessee as unclassifiable/attainment. This designation is consistent with Tennessee's recommended area designations and boundaries for these areas for the 2012 PM2.5 standard. The table at the end of this final rule (amendments to 40 CFR 81.343—Tennessee) lists all areas for which the EPA has promulgated an initial designation in Tennessee. There are no areas of Indian country covered by this action.

    III. Environmental Justice Considerations

    When the EPA establishes a new or revised NAAQS, the CAA requires the EPA to designate all areas of the U.S. as either nonattainment, attainment, or unclassifiable. The EPA provided a meaningful opportunity for members of the public to participate in the development of the 2012 primary annual PM2.5 standard that underlies the present action, including conducting an outreach and information call with environmental justice organizations on August 9, 2012.

    As part of the process of reviewing the PM air quality criteria and revising the primary annual PM2.5 standard, the EPA identified persons from lower socioeconomic strata as an at-risk population for PM-related health effects. As a result, the EPA carefully evaluated the potential impacts on low-income and minority populations. Based on this evaluation and consideration of public comments, the EPA eliminated spatial averaging provisions as part of the form of the primary annual PM2.5 standard in order to avoid potential disproportionate impacts on at-risk populations, including populations from lower socioeconomics strata. See 78 FR at 3267 (January 15, 2013).

    This final action addresses designation determinations for certain areas in Tennessee based on that 2012 primary annual PM2.5 standard. The CAA requires the EPA to determine through a designation process whether an area meets or does not meet any new or revised national primary or secondary ambient air quality standard. The promulgation of area designations facilitates public understanding and awareness of the air quality in an area. For this action, the complete and valid monitoring data from Tennessee indicate that all affected areas are meeting the NAAQS. Furthermore, no area affected by this action is contributing to a NAAQS violation in a nearby area.

    IV. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

    A. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory Planning and Review and Executive Order 13563: Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review

    This action is exempt from review by the Office of Management and Budget because it responds to the CAA requirement to promulgate air quality designations after promulgation of a new or revised NAAQS.

    B. Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA)

    This action does not impose an information collection burden under the PRA. This action fulfills the non-discretionary duty for the EPA to promulgate air quality designations after promulgation of a new or revised NAAQS and does not contain any information collection activities.

    C. Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)

    This designation action under CAA section 107(d) is not subject to the RFA. The RFA applies only to rules subject to notice and comment rulemaking requirements under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), 5 U.S.C. 553, or any other statute. Section 107(d)(2)(B) of the CAA explicitly provides that designations are exempt from the notice and comment provisions of the APA. In addition, designations under section 107(d) are not among the list of actions that are subject to the notice and comment procedures of CAA section 307(d).

    D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA)

    This action does not contain any unfunded mandate as described in UMRA, 2 U.S.C. 1531-1538 and does not significantly or uniquely affect small governments. The action implements mandates specifically and explicitly set forth in the CAA for the 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS (40 CFR 50.18). The CAA establishes the process whereby states take primary responsibility for developing plans, where required, to meet the 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS.

    E. Executive Order 13132: Federalism

    This action does not have federalism implications. It will not have a substantial direct effects on the states, on the relationship between the national government and the states, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.

    F. Executive Order 13175: Consultation and Coordination With Indian Tribal Government

    This action does not have tribal implications. It will neither impose substantial direct compliance costs on federally recognized tribal governments, nor preempt tribal law. Areas of Indian country are not being designated as part of this action.

    G. Executive Order 13045: Protection of Children From Environmental Health and Safety Risks

    The EPA interprets Executive Order 13045 as applying to those regulatory actions that concern environmental health or safety risks that the EPA has reason to believe may disproportionately affect children, per the definition of “covered regulatory action” in section 2-202 of the Executive Order. This action is not subject to Executive Order 13045 because it does not establish an environmental standard intended to mitigate health or safety risks.

    H. Executive Order 13211: Actions That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution or Use

    This action is not subject to Executive Order 13211 because it is not a significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866.

    I. National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act (NTTAA)

    This rulemaking does not involve technical standards.

    J. Executive Order 12898: Federal Actions To Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Population

    The EPA believes that this action does not have disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental effects on minority populations, low-income populations and/or indigenous peoples, as specified in Executive Order 12898 (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994). The documentation for this determination is contained in Section III of this preamble, “Environmental Justice Considerations.”

    K. Congressional Review Act (CRA)

    This action is subject to the CRA, and the EPA will submit a rule report to each House of the Congress and to the Comptroller General of the U.S. This action is not a “major rule” as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2).

    L. Judicial Review

    Section 307(b)(1) of the CAA indicates which Federal Courts of Appeal have venue for petitions of review of final Start Printed Page 22891actions by the EPA. This section provides, in part, that petitions for review must be filed in the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit: (i) When the agency action consists of “nationally applicable regulations promulgated, or final actions taken by the Administrator,” or (ii) when such action is locally or regionally applicable, if “such action is based on a determination of nationwide scope or effect and if in taking such action the Administrator finds and publishes that such action is based on such a determination.”

    This final action, in conjunction with the previous final actions designating areas across the U.S. for the 2012 annual PM2.5 NAAQS, is “nationally applicable” within the meaning of section 307(b)(1). At the core of this final action is the EPA's interpretations of the definitions of nonattainment, attainment and unclassifiable under section 107(d)(1) of the CAA, and its application of those interpretations to areas across the country. For the same reasons, the Administrator is also determining that the final designations are of nationwide scope and effect for the purposes of section 307(b)(1). This is particularly appropriate because, in the report on the 1977 Amendments that revised section 307(b)(1) of the CAA, Congress noted that the Administrator's determination that an action is of “nationwide scope or effect” would be appropriate for any action that has a scope or effect beyond a single judicial circuit. H.R. Rep. No. 95-294 at 323, 324, reprinted in 1977 U.S.C.C.A.N. 1402-03. Here, the scope and effect of this final action extends to numerous judicial circuits since the designations relate to the designations for areas across the country. In these circumstances, section 307(b)(1) and its legislative history calls for the Administrator to find the action to be of “nationwide scope or effect” and for venue to be in the D.C. Circuit.

    Thus, any petitions for review of final designations must be filed in the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit within 60 days from the date final action is published in the Federal Register.

    Start List of Subjects

    List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 81

    • Environmental protection
    • Air pollution control
    • National parks
    • Wilderness areas
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    Dated: May 10, 2017.

    E. Scott Pruitt,

    Administrator.

    End Signature

    For the reasons set forth in the preamble, 40 CFR part 81 is amended as follows:

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    PART 81—DESIGNATION OF AREAS FOR AIR QUALITY PLANNING PURPOSES

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    1. The authority citation for part 81 continues to read as follows:

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

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    Subpart C—Section 107 Attainment Status Designations

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    2. Section 81.343 is amended by revising the table entitled “Tennessee—2012 Annual PM 2.5 NAAQS [Primary]” to read as follows:

    End Amendment Part
    Tennessee.
    * * * * *

    Tennessee—2012 Annual PM2.5 NAAQS

    [Primary]

    Designated area 1DesignationClassification
    Date 2TypeDate 2Type
    Statewide:
    Anderson CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    Bedford CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    Benton CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    Bledsoe CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    Blount CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    Bradley CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    Campbell CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    Cannon CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    Carroll CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    Carter CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    Cheatham CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    Chester CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    Claiborne CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    Clay CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    Cocke CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    Coffee CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    Crockett CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    Cumberland CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    Davidson CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    Decatur CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    DeKalb CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    Dickson CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    Dyer CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    Fayette CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    Fentress CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    Franklin CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    Gibson CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    Giles CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    Grainger CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    Greene CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    Grundy CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    Hamblen CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    Hamilton CountyApril 15, 2015Unclassifiable/Attainment
    Hancock CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    Start Printed Page 22892
    Hardeman CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    Hardin CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    Hawkins CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    Haywood CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    Henderson CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    Henry CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    Hickman CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    Houston CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    Humphreys CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    Jackson CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    Jefferson CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    Johnson CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    Knox CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    Lake CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    Lauderdale CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    Lawrence CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    Lewis CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    Lincoln CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    Loudon CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    McMinn CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    McNairy CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    Macon CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    Madison CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    Marion CountyApril 15, 2015Unclassifiable/Attainment
    Marshall CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    Maury CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    Meigs CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    Monroe CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    Montgomery CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    Moore CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    Morgan CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    Obion CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    Overton CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    Perry CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    Pickett CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    Polk CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    Putnam CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    Rhea CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    Roane CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    Robertson CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    Rutherford CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    Scott CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    Sequatchie CountyApril 15, 2015Unclassifiable/Attainment
    Sevier CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    Shelby CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    Smith CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    Stewart CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    Sullivan CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    Sumner CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    Tipton CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    Trousdale CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    Unicoi CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    Union CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    Van Buren CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    Warren CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    Washington CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    Wayne CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    Weakley CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    White CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    Williamson CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    Wilson CountyUnclassifiable/Attainment
    1 Includes areas of Indian country located in each county or area, if any, except as otherwise specified.
    2 This date is June 19, 2017, unless otherwise noted.
    Start Printed Page 22893
    * * * * *
    End Supplemental Information

    Footnotes

    1.  The 3 previously designated unclassifiable/attainment counties in the Chattanooga area are Hamilton County, Marion County and Sequatchie County.

    Back to Citation

    2.  See also the technical support document for the deferred Tennessee areas in the rulemaking docket, document numbered EPA-HQ-OAR-2012-0918-0325.

    Back to Citation

    [FR Doc. 2017-10245 Filed 5-18-17; 8:45 am]

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Document Information

Effective Date:
6/19/2017
Published:
05/19/2017
Department:
Environmental Protection Agency
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Final rule.
Document Number:
2017-10245
Dates:
This final rule is effective on June 19, 2017.
Pages:
22888-22893 (6 pages)
Docket Numbers:
EPA-HQ-OAR-2012-0918, FRL-9962-89-OAR
RINs:
2060-AT44
Topics:
Air pollution control, Environmental protection, National parks, Wilderness areas
PDF File:
2017-10245.pdf
Supporting Documents:
» July 29, 2016 file containing 2015 design values for PM2.5 regulatory monitors. Includes data to support area designations for certain counties in Georgia and Florida for the 2012 PM2.5 National Ambient Air Quality Standard. Downloaded on August 30, 2016
» Memorandum dated August 15, 2016 from Madolyn Sanchez, PM2.5 NAAQS Technical Authority, to R. Scott Davis, Chief, Air Planning and Implementation Branch, US EPA Region 4, titled, " Clarification of Initial Designation of Areas of Indian Country in Florid
» Letter dated June 2, 2014 from Keith Bentley, Chief, Air Protection Branch, Environmental Protection Division, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, to Heather McTeer Toney, Regional Administrator USEPA Region 4, providing additional technical analyses
» Letter dated December 4, 2015 from Justin B. Green, Director, Florida Division of Air Resource Management, to Beverly Banister, Director, Air, Pesticides, and Toxics Management Division, EPA Region 4, providing monitoring information in support of a state
» Letter dated February 23, 2015 from Scott A. Reynolds, Director, Division of Air Quality Analysis, South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control to Heather McTeer Toney, Regional Administrator, USEPA Region 4 providing certification of 20
» Letter dated February 3, 2015 from DeAnna Oser, Program Manager, Ambient Monitoring Program, Georgia Department of Natural Resources Environmental Protection Division to Beverly Banister, Director, Air, Pesticides & Toxics Management Division, USEPA Regio
» Letter dated February 11, 2015 from Ronald W. Gore, Chief, Air Division, Alabama Department of Environmental Management to Beverly Banister, Director, Air Pesticides & Toxics Management Division, USEPA Region 4 providing updated recommendations based on 2
» Letter dated February 26, 2015 from Sean Alteri, Director Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet, Department of Environmental Protection, Division for Air Quality to Heather McTeer Toney, Regional Administrator USEPA Region 4, providing updated recommend
» Letter dated February 18, 2015 from John Quigley, Acting Secretary Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to Shawn Garvin, Regional Administrator USEPA Region 3, providing updated recommendations based on 2012 - 2014 ambient air monitoring d
» Letter dated February 11, 2015 from Craig W. Butler, Director Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, to Susan Hedman, Regional Administrator USEPA Region 5, providing updated recommendations based on 2012 - 2014 ambient air monitoring data, for the boundar
CFR: (1)
40 CFR 81.343