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Home » 2016 Issues » 81 FR (08/31/2016) » 2016-20854. Air Plan Approval; Alabama; Cross-State Air Pollution Rule

  2016-20854. Air Plan Approval; Alabama; Cross-State Air Pollution Rule  

  • Start Preamble

    AGENCY:

    Environmental Protection Agency.

    ACTION:

    Final rule.

    SUMMARY:

    The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving portions of the October 26, 2015, State Implementation Plan (SIP) submittal from Alabama concerning the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR). Under CSAPR, large electricity generating units (EGUs) in Alabama are subject to Federal Implementation Plans (FIPs) requiring the units to participate in CSAPR's federal trading program for annual emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOX) and one of CSAPR's two federal trading programs for annual emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2). This action approves the incorporation into Alabama's SIP of the state's regulations requiring Alabama EGUs to participate in new CSAPR state trading programs for annual NOX and SO2 emissions integrated with the CSAPR federal trading programs, replacing the corresponding FIP requirements. These CSAPR state trading programs are substantively identical to the CSAPR federal trading programs except with regard to the provisions allocating emission allowances among Alabama units. EPA is approving the portions of the SIP revision concerning these CSAPR state trading programs because these portions of the SIP revision meet the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act) and EPA's regulations for approval of a CSAPR full SIP revision replacing the requirements of a CSAPR FIP. Under the CSAPR regulations, approval of these portions of the SIP revision automatically eliminates Alabama units' obligations to participate in CSAPR's federal trading programs for annual NOX and SO2 emissions under the corresponding CSAPR FIPs addressing interstate transport requirements for the 1997 and 2006 Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5) national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS). Approval of these portions of the SIP revision fully satisfies Alabama's good neighbor obligation under the CAA to prohibit emissions which will significantly contribute to nonattainment or interfere with maintenance of the 1997 and 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS in any other state. This approval also addresses the judicial remand of the federally-established CSAPR Phase 2 SO2 budget for Alabama. EPA is not acting at this time on the portion of Alabama's SIP submittal intended to replace Alabama units' obligations to participate in CSAPR's federal trading program for ozone-season NOX emissions under a separate CSAPR FIP.

    DATES:

    This rule is effective September 30, 2016.

    ADDRESSES:

    EPA has established a docket for this action under Docket Identification No EPA-R04-OAR-2016-0294. All documents in the docket are listed on the www.regulations.gov Web site. Although listed in the index, some information may not be 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 through www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at the Air Regulatory Management Section, Air Planning and Implementation Branch, Air, Pesticides and Toxics Management Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 4, 61 Forsyth Street SW., Atlanta, Georgia 30303-8960. EPA requests that if at all possible, you contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section to schedule your inspection. The Regional Office's official hours of business are Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding federal holidays.

    Start Further Info

    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

    Steven Scofield, Air Regulatory Management Section, Air Planning and Implementation Branch, Air, Pesticides and Toxics Management Division, Region 4, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 61 Forsyth Street SW., Atlanta, Georgia 30303-8960. Mr. Scofield can be reached by telephone at (404) 562-9034 or via electronic mail at scofield.steve@epa.gov.

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    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    I. Background on CSAPR and CSAPR-Related SIP revisions

    EPA issued CSAPR in July 2011 to address the requirements of CAA section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) concerning interstate transport of air pollution.[1] As amended, CSAPR requires 28 Eastern states to limit their statewide emissions of SO2 and/or NOX in order to mitigate transported air pollution unlawfully impacting other states' ability to attain or maintain three NAAQS: the 1997 ozone NAAQS, the 1997 annual PM2.5 NAAQS, and the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS. The CSAPR emissions limitations are defined in terms of maximum statewide “budgets” for emissions of annual SO2, annual NOX, and/or ozone-season NOX by each covered state's large EGUs. The CSAPR state budgets are implemented in two phases of generally increasing stringency, with the Phase 1 budgets applying to emissions in 2015 and 2016 and the Phase 2 budgets applying to emissions in 2017 and later years. As a mechanism for achieving compliance with the emissions limitations, CSAPR established four federal emissions trading programs: A program for annual NOX emissions, a program for ozone-season NOX emissions, and two geographically separate programs for annual SO2 emissions. CSAPR also established FIP requirements applicable to the large electricity generating units in each covered state. The CSAPR FIP provisions require each state's units to participate in up to three of the four CSAPR trading programs.

    CSAPR includes provisions under which states may submit and EPA will approve SIP revisions to modify or replace the CSAPR FIP requirements while allowing states to continue to meet their transport-related obligations using either CSAPR's federal emissions trading programs or state emissions trading programs integrated with the federal programs.[2] Through such a SIP revision, a state may replace EPA's default provisions for allocating emission allowances among the state's units, employing any state-selected methodology to allocate or auction the allowances, subject to timing conditions and limits on overall allowance quantities. In the case of CSAPR's federal trading program for ozone-season NOX emissions (or an integrated state trading program), a state may also expand trading program applicability to include certain smaller electricity Start Printed Page 59870generating units. If a state wants to replace CSAPR FIP requirements with SIP requirements under which the state's units participate in a state trading program that is integrated with and identical to the federal trading program even as to the allocation and applicability provisions, the state may submit a SIP revision for that purpose as well. However, no emissions budget increases or other substantive changes to the trading program provisions are allowed. A state whose units are subject to multiple CSAPR FIPs and federal trading programs may submit SIP revisions to modify or replace either some or all of those FIP requirements.

    States can submit two basic forms of CSAPR-related SIP revisions effective for emissions control periods in 2017 or later years.[3] Specific conditions for approval of each form of SIP revision are set forth in the CSAPR regulations. Under the first alternative—an “abbreviated” SIP revision—a state may submit a SIP revision that upon approval replaces the default allowance allocation and/or applicability provisions of a CSAPR federal trading program for the state.[4] Approval of an abbreviated SIP revision leaves the corresponding CSAPR FIP and all other provisions of the relevant federal trading program in place for the state's units.

    Under the second alternative—a “full” SIP revision—a state may submit a SIP revision that upon approval replaces a CSAPR federal trading program for the state with a state trading program integrated with the federal trading program, so long as the state trading program is substantively identical to the federal trading program or does not substantively differ from the federal trading program except as discussed above with regard to the allowance allocation and/or applicability provisions.[5] For purposes of a full SIP revision, a state may either adopt state rules with complete trading program language, incorporate the federal trading program language into its state rules by reference (with appropriate conforming changes), or employ a combination of these approaches.

    The CSAPR regulations identify several important consequences and limitations associated with approval of a full SIP revision. First, upon EPA's approval of a full SIP revision as correcting the deficiency in the state's implementation plan that was the basis for a particular set of CSAPR FIP requirements, the obligation to participate in the corresponding CSAPR federal trading program is automatically eliminated for units subject to the state's jurisdiction without the need for a separate EPA withdrawal action, so long as EPA's approval of the SIP is full and unconditional.[6] Second, approval of a full SIP revision does not terminate the obligation to participate in the corresponding CSAPR federal trading program for any units located in any Indian country within the borders of the state, and if and when a unit is located in Indian country within a state's borders, EPA may modify the SIP approval to exclude from the SIP, and include in the surviving CSAPR FIP instead, certain trading program provisions that apply jointly to units in the state and to units in Indian country within the state's borders.[7] Finally, if at the time a full SIP revision is approved EPA has already started recording allocations of allowances for a given control period to a state's units, the federal trading program provisions authorizing EPA to complete the process of allocating and recording allowances for that control period to those units will continue to apply, unless EPA's approval of the SIP revision provides otherwise.[8]

    Certain CSAPR Phase 2 emissions budgets have been remanded to EPA for reconsideration.[9] However, the CSAPR trading programs remain in effect and all CSAPR emissions budgets likewise remain in effect pending EPA final action to address the remands. The remanded budgets include the CSAPR Phase 2 SO2 emissions budget applicable to Alabama units under the federal CSAPR SO2 Group 2 Trading Program.

    In 2015, EPA proposed to update CSAPR to address Eastern states' interstate air pollution mitigation obligations with regard to the 2008 ozone NAAQS. Among other things, the proposed rule would amend the Phase 2 emissions budget applicable to Alabama units under the CSAPR NOX Ozone Season Trading Program and would make technical corrections and nomenclature changes that would apply throughout the CSAPR regulations, including the CSAPR FIPs at 40 CFR part 52 and the CSAPR federal trading program regulations for annual NOX, ozone-season NOX, and SO2 emissions at 40 CFR part 97.[10]

    In the CSAPR rulemaking, EPA determined that air pollution transported from Alabama would unlawfully affect other states' ability to attain or maintain the 1997 and 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS and the 1997 ozone NAAQS.[11] Alabama units meeting the CSAPR applicability criteria were consequently made subject to FIP provisions requiring participation in CSAPR federal trading programs for SO2, annual NOX, and ozone-season NOX emissions.[12] On October 26, 2015, Alabama submitted to EPA a SIP revision including provisions that, if all portions were approved, would incorporate into Alabama's SIP CSAPR state trading program regulations that would replace the CSAPR regulations for all three of these federal trading programs with regard to Alabama units for control periods in 2017 and later years. In a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) published on June 28, 2016 (81 FR 41914), EPA proposed to approve portions of Alabama's October 26, 2015, SIP submittal designed to replace the CSAPR federal SO2 and annual NOX trading programs. EPA did not propose to take action on the portion of the SIP submittal designed to replace the federal CSAPR ozone-season NOX trading program. The NPRM provides additional detail regarding the background and rationale for EPA's action. Comments on the NPRM were due on or before July 28, 2016. EPA received no adverse comments on the proposed action.

    II. Incorporation by Reference

    In this rule, EPA is finalizing regulatory text that includes incorporation by reference. In accordance with requirements of 1 CFR 51.5, EPA is finalizing the incorporation by reference of ADEM Administrative Code rules 335-3-8-.07 through 335-3-8-.38 (establishing Alabama's “TR NOX Annual Trading Program”) and 335-3-5-.06 through 335-3-5-.36 (establishing Alabama's “TR SO2 Group 2 Trading Program”), effective November 24, 2015.[13] Therefore, these materials have Start Printed Page 59871been approved by EPA for inclusion in the SIP, have been incorporated by reference by EPA into that plan, are fully federally enforceable under sections 110 and 113 of the CAA as of the effective date of the final rulemaking of EPA's approval, and will be incorporated by reference by the Director of the Federal Register in the next update to the SIP compilation.[14] EPA has made, and will continue to make, these materials generally available through www.regulations.gov and/or at the EPA Region 4 Office (please contact the person identified in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this preamble for more information).

    III. Final Actions

    EPA is approving the portions of Alabama's October 26, 2015, SIP submittal concerning the establishment for Alabama units of CSAPR state trading programs for annual NOX and SO2 emissions for compliance periods in 2017 and later years. The revision adopts into the SIP the state trading program rules codified in ADEM Administrative Code rules 335-3-8-.07 through 335-3-8-.38 (establishing Alabama's “TR NOX Annual Trading Program”) and 335-3-5-.06 through 335-3-5-.36 (establishing Alabama's “TR SO2 Group 2 Trading Program”).[15] These Alabama CSAPR state trading programs will be integrated with the federal CSAPR NOX Annual Trading Program and the federal CSAPR SO2 Group 2 Trading Program, respectively, and are substantively identical to the federal trading programs except with regard to the allowance allocation provisions.[16] Following approval of these portions of the SIP revision, Alabama units therefore will generally be required to meet requirements under Alabama's CSAPR state trading programs equivalent to the requirements the units otherwise would have been required to meet under the corresponding CSAPR federal trading programs, but allocations to Alabama units of CSAPR NOX Annual allowances for compliance periods in 2017 and later years will be determined according to the SIP's allocation provisions at Alabama rule 335-3-8-.14 instead of EPA's default allocation provisions at 40 CFR 97.411(a), 97.411(b)(1), and 97.412(a), and allocations to Alabama units of CSAPR SO2 Group 2 allowances will be determined according to the SIP's allocation provisions at Alabama rule 335-3-5-.13 instead of EPA's default allocation provisions at 40 CFR 97.711(a), 97.711(b)(1), and 97.712(a). EPA is approving these portions of the SIP revision because they meet the requirements of the CAA and EPA's regulations for approval of a CSAPR full SIP revision replacing a federal trading program with a state trading program that is integrated with and substantively identical to the federal trading program except for permissible differences with respect to emission allowance allocation provisions.

    EPA promulgated the FIP provisions requiring Alabama units to participate in the federal CSAPR NOX Annual Trading Program and the federal CSAPR SO2 Group 2 Trading Program in order to address Alabama's obligations under CAA section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) with respect to the 1997 and 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS in the absence of SIP provisions addressing those requirements. Approval of the portions of Alabama's SIP submittal adopting CSAPR state trading program rules for annual NOX and SO2 substantively identical to the corresponding CSAPR federal trading program regulations (or differing only with respect to the allowance allocation methodology) will correct the same deficiency in the SIP that otherwise would be corrected by those CSAPR FIPs. Under the CSAPR regulations, upon EPA's full and unconditional approval of a SIP revision as correcting the SIP's deficiency that is the basis for a particular CSAPR FIP, the obligation to participate in the corresponding CSAPR federal trading program is automatically eliminated for units subject to the state's jurisdiction (but not for any units located in any Indian country within the state's borders).[17] The approval of the portions of Alabama's SIP submittal establishing CSAPR state trading program rules for annual NOX and SO2 emissions therefore will result in automatic termination of the obligations of Alabama units to participate in the federal CSAPR NOX Annual Trading Program and the federal CSAPR SO2 Group 2 Trading Program. Further, when promulgating the FIP provisions requiring Alabama units to participate in those two CSAPR trading programs, EPA found that those FIP requirements would fully satisfy Alabama's obligation pursuant to CAA section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) to prohibit emissions which will significantly contribute to nonattainment or interfere with maintenance of the 1997 and 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS in any other state.[18] This approval of portions of Alabama's SIP revision as correcting the SIP's deficiency that was the basis for those FIP requirements therefore likewise fully satisfies the state's transport obligation with respect to the 1997 and 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS.

    As noted in EPA's NPRM, the Phase 2 SO2 budget established for Alabama in the CSAPR rulemaking has been remanded to EPA for reconsideration.[19] With the approval of these portions of the SIP revision as proposed, Alabama has fulfilled its obligations to provide a SIP that addresses the interstate transport provisions of CAA section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) with respect to the 1997 and 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS. Thus, EPA no longer has an obligation to (nor does EPA have the authority to) address those transport requirements through implementation of a FIP, and approval of these portions of the SIP revision eliminates Alabama units' obligations to participate in the federal CSAPR NOX Annual Trading Program and the federal CSAPR SO2 Group 2 Trading Program. Elimination of Alabama units' obligations to participate in the federal trading programs includes elimination of the requirements to comply with the federally-established Phase 2 budgets capping allocations of CSAPR NOX Annual allowances and CSAPR SO2 Group 2 allowances to Alabama units under those federal trading programs. Start Printed Page 59872As approval of these portions of the SIP revision eliminates requirements to comply with Alabama's remanded federally-established Phase 2 SO2 budget and eliminates EPA's authority to subject units in Alabama to a FIP, it is EPA's opinion that finalization of approval of this SIP action addresses the judicial remand of Alabama's federally-established Phase 2 SO2 budget.[20]

    Large electricity generating units in Alabama are subject to additional CSAPR FIP provisions requiring them to participate in the federal CSAPR NOX Ozone Season Trading Program. While Alabama's SIP submittal also seeks to replace the CSAPR FIP requirements addressing Alabama units' ozone-season NOX emissions, EPA is not acting on that portion of the SIP submittal at this time. Approval of this SIP revision concerning other CSAPR trading programs has no effect on any CSAPR FIP requirements applicable to Alabama units regarding ozone-season NOX emissions.

    IV. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

    Under the CAA, the Administrator is required to approve a SIP submission that complies with the provisions of the Act and applicable federal regulations. See 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 CAA. 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 Orders 12866 (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993) and 13563 (76 FR 3821, January 21, 2011);
    • 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 CAA; and
    • does not provide EPA with the discretionary authority to address, as appropriate, disproportionate human health or environmental effects, using practicable and legally permissible methods, under Executive Order 12898 (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994).

    The SIP is not approved to apply on any Indian reservation land or in any other area where EPA or an Indian tribe has demonstrated that a tribe has jurisdiction. In those areas of Indian country, the rule does not have tribal implications as specified by Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, November 9, 2000), nor will it 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 CAA, petitions for judicial review of this action must be filed in the United States Court of Appeals for the appropriate circuit by October 31, 2016. 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 it extend the time within which a petition for judicial review may be filed, and it 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).

    Start List of Subjects

    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
    • Sulfur oxides
    End List of Subjects Start Signature

    Dated: August 16, 2016.

    Heather McTeer Toney,

    Regional Administrator, Region 4.

    End Signature

    40 CFR part 52 is amended as follows:

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    PART 52—APPROVAL AND PROMULGATION OF IMPLEMENTATION PLANS

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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 B—Alabama

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    2. Section 52.50(c) is amended by:

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    a. Adding seven new entries under “Chapter No. 335-3-5 Control of Sulfur Compound Emissions” for “335-3-5-.06”, “335-3-5-.07”, “335-3-5-.08”, “335-3-5-.11”, “335-3-5-.12”, “335-3-5-.13” and “335-3-5-.14” under each existing entry for “335-3-5-.06”, “335-3-5-.07”, “335-3-5-.08”, “335-3-5-.11”, “335-3-5-.12”, “335-3-5-.13” and “335-3-5-.14” in numerical and date order;

    End Amendment Part Start Amendment Part

    b. Adding in numerical order under “Chapter No. 335-3-5 Control of Sulfur Compound Emissions” new entries for “335-3-5-.09”, “335-3-5-.10”, and “335-3-5-.15” through “335-3-5-.36”;

    End Amendment Part Start Amendment Part

    c. Revising the title to Chapter No. 335-3-8;

    End Amendment Part Start Amendment Part

    d. Adding 21 new entries under “Chapter No. 335-3-8 Control of Nitrogen Oxides Emissions” for “335-3-8-.07”, “335-3-8-.08”, “335-3-8-.09”, “335-3-8-.10”, “335-3-8-.11”, “335-3-8-.12”, “335-3-8-.13”, “335-3-8-.14”, “335-3-8-.16”, “335-3-8-.17”, “335-3-8-.18”, “335-3-8-.20”, “335-3-8-.21”, “335-3-8-.23”, “335-3-8-.24”, “335-3-8-.25”, “335-3-8-.26”, “335-3-8-.27”, “335-3-8-.29”, “335-3-8-.30” and “335-3-8-.33”, under each existing entry for “335-3-8-.07”, “335-3-8-.08”, “335-3-8-.09”, “335-3-8-.10”, “335-3-8-.11”, “335-3-8-.12”, “335-3-8-.13”, “335-3-8-.14”, “335-3-8-.16”, “335-3-8-.17”, “335-3-8-.18”, “335-3-8-.20”, “335-3-8-.21”, “335-3-8-.23”, “335-3-8-.24”, “335-3-8-.25”, “335-3-8-.26”, “335-3-8-.27”, “335-3-8-.29”, “335- Start Printed Page 598733-8-.30” and “335-3-8-.33”, in numerical and date order; and

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    e. Adding in numerical order under “Chapter No. 335-3-8 Control of Nitrogen Oxides Emissions” new entries for “335-3-8-.15”, “335-3-8-.19”, “335-3-8-.22”, “335-3-8-.28”, “335-3-8-.31”, “335-3-8-.34”, “335-3-8-.35”, “335-3-8-.36”, “335-3-8-.37” and “335-3-8-.38”.

    End Amendment Part

    The additions and revision read as follows:

    Identification of plan.
    * * * * *

    (c) * * *

    EPA Approved Alabama Regulations

    State citationTitle/subjectState effective dateEPA approval dateExplanation
     
    *         *         *         *         *         *         *
    Chapter No. 335-3-5 Control of Sulfur Compound Emissions
     
    *         *         *         *         *         *         *
    Section 335-3-5-.06TR SO2 Trading Program—Purpose and Definitions11/24/20158/31/2016 [Insert citation of publication]Both sections of 335-3-5-.06 are included in the approved SIP.
     
    *         *         *         *         *         *         *
    Section 335-3-5-.07TR SO2 Trading Program—Applicability11/24/20158/31/2016 [Insert citation of publication]Both sections of 335-3-5-.07 are included in the approved SIP.
     
    *         *         *         *         *         *         *
    Section 335-3-5-.08TR SO2 Trading Program—Retired Unit Exemption11/24/20158/31/2016 [Insert citation of publication]Both sections of 335-3-5-.08 are included in the approved SIP.
    Section 335-3-5-.09TR SO2 Trading Program—Standard Requirements11/24/20158/31/2016 [Insert citation of publication]
    Section 335-3-5-.10TR SO2 Trading Program—omputation of Time11/24/20158/31/2016 [Insert citation of publication]
     
    *         *         *         *         *         *         *
    Section 335-3-5-.11Administrative Appeal Procedures11/24/20158/31/2016 [Insert citation of publication]Both sections of 335-3-5-.11 are included in the approved SIP.
     
    *         *         *         *         *         *         *
    Section 335-3-5-.12SO2 Trading Budgets and Variability Limits11/24/20158/31/2016 [Insert citation of publication]Both sections of 335-3-5-.12 are included in the approved SIP.
     
    *         *         *         *         *         *         *
    Section 335-3-5-.13TR SO2 Allowance Allocations11/24/20158/31/2016 [Insert citation of publication]Both sections of 335-3-5-.13 are included in the approved SIP.
     
    *         *         *         *         *         *         *
    Section 335-3-5-.14Authorization of Designated Representative and Alternate Designated Representative11/24/20158/31/2016 [Insert citation of publication]Both sections of 335-3-5-.14 are included in the approved SIP.
    Section 335-3-5-.15Responsibilities of Designated Representative and Alternate Designated Representative11/24/20158/31/2016 [Insert citation of publication]
    Section 335-3-5-.16Changing Designated Representative and Alternate Designated Representative; Changes in Owners and Operators; Changes in Units at the Source11/24/20158/31/2016 [Insert citation of publication]
    Section 335-3-5-.17Certificate of Representation11/24/20158/31/2016 [Insert citation of publication]
    Section 335-3-5-.18Objections Concerning Designated Representative and Alternate Designated Representative11/24/20158/31/2016 [Insert citation of publication]
    Section 335-3-5-.19Delegation by Designated Representative and Alternate Designated Representative11/24/20158/31/2016 [Insert citation of publication]
    Start Printed Page 59874
    Section 335-3-5-.20Reserved11/24/20158/31/2016 [Insert citation of publication]
    Section 335-3-5-.21Establishment of Compliance Accounts, Assurance Accounts, and General Accounts11/24/20158/31/2016 [Insert citation of publication]
    Section 335-3-5-.22Recordation of TR SO2 Allowance Allocations and Auction Results11/24/20158/31/2016 [Insert citation of publication]
    Section 335-3-5-.23Submission of TR SO2 Allowance Transfers11/24/20158/31/2016 [Insert citation of publication]
    Section 335-3-5-.24Recordation of TR SO2 Allowance Transfers11/24/20158/31/2016 [Insert citation of publication]
    Section 335-3-5-.25Compliance with TR SO2 Emissions Limitation11/24/20158/31/2016 [Insert citation of publication]
    Section 335-3-5-.26Compliance with TR SO2 Assurance Provisions11/24/20158/31/2016 [Insert citation of publication]
    Section 335-3-5-.27Banking11/24/20158/31/2016 [Insert citation of publication]
    Section 335-3-5-.28Account Error11/24/20158/31/2016 [Insert citation of publication]
    Section 335-3-5-.29Administrator's Action on Submissions11/24/20158/31/2016 [Insert citation of publication]
    Section 335-3-5-.30Reserved11/24/20158/31/2016 [Insert citation of publication]
    Section 335-3-5-.31General Monitoring, Recordkeeping, and Reporting Requirements11/24/20158/31/2016 [Insert citation of publication]
    Section 335-3-5-.32Initial Monitoring System Certification and Recertification Procedures11/24/20158/31/2016 [Insert citation of publication]
    Section 335-3-5-.33Monitoring System Out-of-Control Periods11/24/20158/31/2016 [Insert citation of publication]
    Section 335-3-5-.34Notifications Concerning Monitoring11/24/20158/31/2016 [Insert citation of publication]
    Section 335-3-5-.35Recordkeeping and Reporting11/24/20158/31/2016 [Insert citation of publication]
    Section 335-3-5-.36Petitions for Alternatives to Monitoring, Recordkeeping, or Reporting Requirements11/24/20158/31/2016 [Insert citation of publication]
     
    *         *         *         *         *         *         *
    Chapter No. 335-3-8 Control of Nitrogen Oxides Emissions
     
    *         *         *         *         *         *         *
    Section 335-3-8-.07TR NOX Annual Trading Program—Purpose and Definitions11/24/20158/31/2016 [Insert citation of publication]Both sections of 335-3-8-.07 are included in the approved SIP.
     
    *         *         *         *         *         *         *
    Section 335-3-8-.08TR NOX Annual Trading Program—Applicability11/24/20158/31/2016 [Insert citation of publication]Both sections of 335-3-8-.08 are included in the approved SIP.
     
    *         *         *         *         *         *         *
    Section 335-3-8-.09TR NOX Annual Trading Program—Retired Unit Exemption11/24/20158/31/2016 [Insert citation of publication]Both sections of 335-3-8-.09 are included in the approved SIP.
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    Section 335-3-8-.10TR NOX Annual Trading Program—Standard Requirements11/24/20158/31/2016 [Insert citation of publication]Both sections of 335-3-8-.10 are included in the approved SIP.
     
    *         *         *         *         *         *         *
    Section 335-3-8-.11TR NOX Annual Trading Program—Computation of Time11/24/20158/31/2016 [Insert citation of publication]Both sections of 335-3-8-.11 are included in the approved SIP.
     
    *         *         *         *         *         *         *
    Section 335-3-8-.12Administrative Appeal Procedures11/24/20158/31/2016 [Insert citation of publication]Both sections of 335-3-8-.12 are included in the approved SIP.
     
    *         *         *         *         *         *         *
    Section 335-3-8-.13NOX Annual Trading Budgets and Variability Limits11/24/20158/31/2016 [Insert citation of publication]Both sections of 335-3-8-.13 are included in the approved SIP.
     
    *         *         *         *         *         *         *
    Section 335-3-8-.14TR NOX Annual Allowance Allocations11/24/20158/31/2016 [Insert citation of publication]Both sections of 335-3-8-.14 are included in the approved SIP.
    Section 335-3-8-.15Reserved11/24/20158/31/2016 [Insert citation of publication]
     
    *         *         *         *         *         *         *
    Section 335-3-8-.16Authorization of Designated Representative and Alternate Designated Representative11/24/20158/31/2016 [Insert citation of publication]Both sections of 335-3-8-.16 are included in the approved SIP.
     
    *         *         *         *         *         *         *
    Section 335-3-8-.17Responsibilities of Designated Representative and Alternate Designated Representative11/24/20158/31/2016 [Insert citation of publication]Both sections of 335-3-8-.17 are included in the approved SIP.
     
    *         *         *         *         *         *         *
    Section 335-3-8-.18Changing Designated Representative and Alternate Designated Representative; Changes in Owners and Operators; Changes in Units at the Source11/24/20158/31/2016 [Insert citation of publication]Both sections of 335-3-8-.18 are included in the approved SIP.
    Section 335-3-8-.19Certificate of Representation11/24/20158/31/2016 [Insert citation of publication]Both sections of 335-3-8-.19 are included in the approved SIP.
     
    *         *         *         *         *         *         *
    Section 335-3-8-.20Objections Concerning Designated Representative and Alternate Designated Representative11/24/20158/31/2016 [Insert citation of publication]Both sections of 335-3-8-.20 are included in the approved SIP.
     
    *         *         *         *         *         *         *
    Section 335-3-8-.21Delegation by Designated Representative and Alternate Designated Representative11/24/20158/31/2016 [Insert citation of publication]Both sections of 335-3-8-.21 are included in the approved SIP.
    Section 335-3-8-.22Reserved11/24/20158/31/2016 [Insert citation of publication]
     
    *         *         *         *         *         *         *
    Section 335-3-8-.23Establishment of Compliance Accounts, Assurance Accounts, and General Accounts11/24/20158/31/2016 [Insert citation of publication]Both sections of 335-3-8-.23 are included in the approved SIP.
     
    *         *         *         *         *         *         *
    Section 335-3-8-.24Recordation of TR NOX Annual Allowance Allocations and Auction Results11/24/20158/31/2016 [Insert citation of publication]Both sections of 335-3-8-.24 are included in the approved SIP.
     
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    Section 335-3-8-.25Submission of TR NOX Annual Allowance Transfers11/24/20158/31/2016 [Insert citation of publication]Both sections of 335-3-8-.25 are included in the approved SIP.
     
    *         *         *         *         *         *         *
    Section 335-3-8-.26Recordation of TR NOX Annual Allowance Transfers11/24/20158/31/2016 [Insert citation of publication]Both sections of 335-3-8-.26 are included in the approved SIP.
     
    *         *         *         *         *         *         *
    Section 335-3-8-.27Compliance with TR NOX Annual Emissions Limitation11/24/20158/31/2016 [Insert citation of publication]Both sections of 335-3-8-.27 are included in the approved SIP.
    Section 335-3-8-.28Compliance with TR NOX Annual Assurance Provisions11/24/20158/31/2016 [Insert citation of publication]
     
    *         *         *         *         *         *         *
    Section 335-3-8-.29Banking11/24/20158/31/2016 [Insert citation of publication]Both sections of 335-3-8-.297 are included in the approved SIP.
     
    *         *         *         *         *         *         *
    Section 335-3-8-.30Account Error11/24/20158/31/2016 [Insert citation of publication]Both sections of 335-3-8-.30 are included in the approved SIP.
    Section 335-3-8-.31Administrator's Action on Submissions11/24/20158/31/2016 [Insert citation of publication]
     
    *         *         *         *         *         *         *
    Section 335-3-8-.33General Monitoring, Recordkeeping, and Reporting Requirements11/24/20158/31/2016 [Insert citation of publication]Both sections of 335-3-8-.33 are included in the approved SIP.
    Section 335-3-8-.34Initial Monitoring System Certification and Recertification Procedures11/24/20158/31/2016 [Insert citation of publication]
    Section 335-3-8-.35Monitoring System Out-of-Control Periods11/24/20158/31/2016 [Insert citation of publication]
    Section 335-3-8-.36Notifications Concerning Monitoring11/24/20158/31/2016 [Insert citation of publication]
    Section 335-3-8-.37Recordkeeping and Reporting11/24/20158/31/2016 [Insert citation of publication]
    Section 335-3-8-.38Petitions for Alternatives to Monitoring, Recordkeeping, or Reporting Requirements11/24/20158/31/2016 [Insert citation of publication]
     
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    * * * * *
    End Supplemental Information

    Footnotes

    1.  Federal Implementation Plans; Interstate Transport of Fine Particulate Matter and Ozone and Correction of SIP Approvals, 76 FR 48208 (August 8, 2011) (codified as amended at 40 CFR 52.38 and 52.39 and subparts AAAAA through DDDDD of 40 CFR part 97).

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    2.  See 40 CFR 52.38, 52.39. States also retain the ability to submit SIP revisions to meet their transport-related obligations using mechanisms other than the CSAPR federal trading programs or integrated state trading programs.

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    3.  CSAPR also provides for a third, more streamlined form of SIP revision that is effective only for control periods in 2016 and is not relevant here. See § 52.38(a)(3), (b)(3); § 52.39(d), (g).

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    4.  § 52.38(a)(4), (b)(4); § 52.39(e), (h).

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    5.  § 52.38(a)(5), (b)(5); § 52.39(f), (i).

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    6.  § 52.38(a)(6), (b)(6); § 52.39(j).

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    7.  § 52.38(a)(5)(iv)-(v), (a)(6), (b)(5)(v)-(vi), (b)(6); § 52.39(f)(4)-(5), (i)(4)-(5), (j).

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    8.  § 52.38(a)(7), (b)(7); § 52.39(k).

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    9.  EME Homer City Generation, L.P. v. EPA, 795 F.3d 118, 138 (D.C. Cir. 2015).

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    10.  80 FR 75706, 75710, 75757 (December 3, 2015).

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    11.  76 FR at 48213.

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    12.  40 CFR 52.38(a)(2), (b)(2); § 52.39(c); § 52.54(a), (b); § 52.55.

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    13.  EPA notes that ADEM Administrative Code rules 335-3-5-.06 through 335-3-05-.08 and 335-3-05-.11 through 335-3-05-.14 (state effective November 24, 2015) for the TR SO2 Group 2 trading program have the same numeric regulatory citations as the regulations in the SIP for Alabama's existing CAIR SO2 trading program as identified at 40 CFR 52.50(c) and that the ADEM Administrative Code rules 335-3-8-.07 through 335-3-8-.33 (with the exception of rules 335-3-8-.15, -.19, -.22, -.28, and -.31) (state effective November 24, 2015) for the TR NOX Annual trading program have the same numeric regulatory citations as the regulations in the SIP for Alabama's existing NOX Budget trading and the CAIR NOX Annual trading programs as identified at 40 CFR 52.50(c). The existing NOX Budget trading and CAIR regulations remain in the Alabama SIP and are not superseded by the TR regulations approved into the SIP in this final action even though these TR regulations share the same numeric citations. Therefore, the regulatory table at 40 CFR 52.50(c) retains the existing NOX Budget and CAIR SO2 and NOX Annual trading programs and includes the TR SO2 Group 2 and NOX Annual trading programs.

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    14.  62 FR 27968 (May 22, 1997).

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    15.  Consistent with the current CSAPR regulatory text, the Alabama rules use the terms “Transport Rule” and “TR” instead of the updated terms “Cross-State Air Pollution Rule” and “CSAPR”.

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    16.  EPA has proposed to make certain technical corrections to the CSAPR FIP and federal trading program regulations in order to more accurately reflect EPA's intent as described in the CSAPR rulemaking and has also proposed to replace “TR” with “CSAPR” throughout the regulations (for example, “TR NOX Annual unit” would become “CSAPR NOX Annual unit”). See 80 FR 75706, 75758. Because the proposed technical corrections merely clarify and do not change EPA's interpretations, where the proposed corrections would apply to a provision incorporated by reference in the Alabama rules, EPA would interpret the Alabama rules as reflecting the corrections. Further, EPA anticipates that if the proposed nomenclature updates are finalized, the final CSAPR federal regulations would explicitly provide that terms that include “CSAPR” encompass otherwise identical terms in approved SIP revisions that include “TR”.

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    17.  40 CFR 52.38(a)(6); § 52.39(j); see also § 52.54(a)(1); § 52.55(a).

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    18.  See 76 FR 48208, 48210 (August 8, 2011).

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    19.  EME Homer City Generation, L.P. v. EPA, 795 F.3d 118, 138 (D.C. Cir. 2015).

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    20.  Although the court in EME Homer City Generation remanded Alabama's Phase 2 SO2 budget because it determined that the budget was too stringent, nothing in the court's decision affects Alabama's authority to seek incorporation into its SIP of a state-established budget as stringent as the remanded federally-established budget or limits EPA's authority to approve such a SIP revision. See 42 U.S.C. 7416, 7410(k)(3).

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    [FR Doc. 2016-20854 Filed 8-30-16; 8:45 am]

    BILLING CODE 6560-50-P

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Document Information

Effective Date:
9/30/2016
Published:
08/31/2016
Department:
Environmental Protection Agency
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Final rule.
Document Number:
2016-20854
Dates:
This rule is effective September 30, 2016.
Pages:
59869-59876 (8 pages)
Docket Numbers:
EPA-R04-OAR-2016-0294, FRL-9951-52-Region 4
Topics:
Air pollution control, Environmental protection, Incorporation by reference, Intergovernmental relations, Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone, Particulate matter, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Sulfur oxides
PDF File:
2016-20854.pdf
Supporting Documents:
» ADEM Formal Submittal Letter to EPA Administrator
CFR: (1)
40 CFR 52.50