[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 173 (Tuesday, September 8, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 47493]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-24039]
[[Page 47493]]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-6149-3]
Determination of Attainment of the Air Quality for PM-10 in the
Liberty Borough, Pennsylvania Area
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Finding of attainment.
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SUMMARY: EPA has determined that the air quality in the Liberty
Borough, Pennsylvania area has attained national ambient air quality
standards (NAAQS) for particulate matter of nominal aerodynamic
diameters smaller than 10 micrometers (PM-10). This finding is based on
monitored air quality data for the area during the years 1995-1997.
Elsewhere in the Final Rules section, EPA is approving the attainment
demonstration and contingency measures submitted by the Pennsylvania
Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) on behalf of the
Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD). These state implementation
plan (SIP) revisions demonstrate that the attainment plan for the
Liberty Borough area is sufficient to attain and maintain the NAAQS. In
a previous final rulemaking, EPA also approved a SIP revision requiring
additional control measures at the USX Clairton coke works.
EFFECTIVE DATE: This finding is effective on October 8, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Copies of documents relevant to this action are available
for public inspection during normal business hours at the Air
Protection Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region III,
1650 Arch Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103; Pennsylvania
Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Air Quality, P. O.
Box 8468, 400 Market Street, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17105; Allegheny
County Health Department, Department of Air Quality, 301 39th Street,
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15201.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ruth E. Knapp (215) 814-2191, or by e-
mail at knapp.ruth@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On June 12, 1998 (63 FR 32205) EPA published
a notice announcing its proposed finding that the air quality in the
Liberty Borough, Pennsylvania moderate nonattainment area has attained
national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for particulate matter
of nominal aerodynamic diameters smaller than 10 micrometers (PM-10).
No comments were submitted on the proposed finding. The rationale for
EPA's finding was explained in the proposal and will not be restated
here. While EPA revised the NAAQS for particulate matter on July 18,
1997, in this notice the terms ``NAAQS'' and ``PM-10 NAAQS'' refer only
to the previously existing NAAQS.
Final Determination
EPA finds, pursuant to section 188(b)(2), that the Liberty Borough
moderate nonattainment area has attained the NAAQS for PM-10.
Administrative Requirements
A. Executive Orders 12866 and 13045
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has exempted this finding
from E.O. 12866 review. This finding is not subject to E.O. 13045,
entitled ``Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks and
Safety Risks,'' because it is not an ``economically significant''
action under E.O. 12866.
B. Regulatory Flexibility Act
Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 600 et seq., EPA
must prepare a regulatory flexibility analysis assessing the impact of
any proposed or final rule on small entities. 5 U.S.C. 603 and 604.
Alternatively, EPA may certify that the rule will not have a
significant impact on a substantial number of small entities. Small
entities include small businesses, small not-for-profit enterprises,
and government entities with jurisdiction over populations of less than
50,000. Determinations of attainment under the Clean Air Act do not
impose any new requirements on small entities. Therefore, EPA certifies
that this determination does not have a significant impact on a
substantial number of small entities.
C. Unfunded Mandates
Under Section 202 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995
(``Unfunded Mandates Act''), signed into law on March 22, 1995, EPA
must prepare a budgetary impact statement to accompany any proposed or
final rule that includes a Federal mandate that may result in estimated
costs to State, local, or tribal governments in the aggregate; or to
private sector, of $100 million or more. Under Section 205, EPA must
select the most cost-effective and least burdensome alternative that
achieves the objectives of the rule and is consistent with statutory
requirements. Section 203 requires EPA to establish a plan for
informing and advising any small governments that may be significantly
or uniquely impacted by the rule. EPA has determined that this
determination of attainment 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 finding of attainment resulted from pre-existing
requirements under State or local law, and imposes no new requirements.
Accordingly, no additional costs to State, local, or tribal
governments, or to the private sector, result from this finding.
EPA's final decision to find that the Liberty Borough area attained
the NAAQS for PM-10 is based on sections 179(c) and 188(b)(2) of the
Clean Air Act, as amended, and EPA regulations in 40 CFR Part 50.
D. Submission to Congress and the General Accounting Office
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 finding 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. This finding is not
a ``major rule'' as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2).
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
Dated: August 28, 1998.
Thomas C. Voltaggio,
Acting Regional Administrator, Region III.
[FR Doc. 98-24039 Filed 9-4-98; 8:45 am]
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