Proposed Rule2021-22662
Clean Air Plans; Base Year Emissions Inventories for the 2015 Ozone Standards; Arizona; Phoenix-Mesa and Yuma Nonattainment Areas
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
October 22, 2021
Issuing agencies
Environmental Protection Agency
Abstract
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve, under the Clean Air Act (CAA), revisions to the Arizona State Implementation Plan (SIP) concerning the base year emissions inventory requirements for the Phoenix-Mesa ozone nonattainment area ("Phoenix- Mesa") and Yuma ozone nonattainment area ("Yuma") for the 2015 ozone national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS or "standard").
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 202 (Friday, October 22, 2021)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 202 (Friday, October 22, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 58630-58635]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-22662]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 52
[EPA-R09-OAR-2021-0638; FRL-9101-01-R9]
Clean Air Plans; Base Year Emissions Inventories for the 2015
Ozone Standards; Arizona; Phoenix-Mesa and Yuma Nonattainment Areas
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Proposed rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to
approve, under the Clean Air Act (CAA), revisions to the Arizona State
Implementation Plan (SIP) concerning the base year emissions inventory
requirements for the Phoenix-Mesa ozone nonattainment area (``Phoenix-
Mesa'') and Yuma ozone nonattainment area (``Yuma'') for the 2015 ozone
national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS or ``standard'').
DATES: Any comments must arrive by November 22, 2021.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-R09-
OAR-2021-0638 at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>. For comments submitted at
<a href="http://Regulations.gov">Regulations.gov</a>, follow the online instructions for submitting
comments. Once submitted, comments cannot be edited or removed from
<a href="http://Regulations.gov">Regulations.gov</a>. The EPA may publish any comment received to its public
docket. Do not submit electronically any information you consider to be
Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose
disclosure is restricted by statute. Multimedia submissions (audio,
video, etc.) must be accompanied by a written comment. The written
comment is considered the official comment and should include
discussion of all points you wish to make. The EPA will generally not
consider comments or comment contents located outside of the primary
submission (i.e., on the web, cloud, or other file sharing system). For
additional submission methods, please contact the person identified in
the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section.
[[Page 58631]]
For the full EPA public comment policy, information about CBI or
multimedia submissions, and general guidance on making effective
comments, please visit <a href="https://www.epa.gov/dockets/commenting-epa-dockets">https://www.epa.gov/dockets/commenting-epa-dockets</a>. If you need assistance in a language other than English or if
you are a person with disabilities who needs a reasonable accommodation
at no cost to you, please contact the person identified in the FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ben Leers, Air Planning Office (AIR-
2), EPA Region IX, (415) 947-4279, <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#4509202037366b07202b052035246b222a33"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="fdb198988f8ed3bf9893bd988d9cd39a928b">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Throughout this document, ``we,'' ``us,''
and ``our'' refer to the EPA.
Table of Contents
I. Background
A. Emissions Inventories
B. State Submittals
C. Public Notice and Hearing Requirements
II. Arizona's Emissions Inventories
A. Baseline Emissions Inventory for the Phoenix-Mesa
Nonattainment Area
B. Baseline Emissions Inventory for the Yuma Nonattainment Area
III. EPA's Evaluation
IV. Proposed Action and Request for Public Comment
V. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
I. Background
On October 26, 2015, the EPA promulgated a revised 8-hour ozone
NAAQS of 0.070 parts per million (ppm).\1\ In accordance with section
107(d) of the CAA, the EPA must designate an area ``nonattainment'' if
it is violating the NAAQS or if it is contributing to a violation of
the NAAQS in a nearby area.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ 80 FR 65292 (October 26, 2015).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The EPA designated two areas in Arizona as nonattainment for the
2015 ozone NAAQS on June 4, 2018, effective August 3, 2018.\2\ The
Phoenix-Mesa nonattainment area (including Gila, Maricopa, and Pinal
counties) and Yuma nonattainment area (including Yuma County) were
classified as ``Marginal'' ozone nonattainment.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ 83 FR 25776.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
A. Emissions Inventories
Sections 172(c)(3) and 182(a)(1) of the CAA require states to
develop and submit, as a SIP revision, ``base year'' emissions
inventories for all areas designated as nonattainment for an ozone
NAAQS. The EPA finalized the 2015 ozone NAAQS SIP Requirements Rule
(SRR) on December 6, 2018. The SRR established implementation
requirements for the 2015 ozone NAAQS, including requirements for base
year emissions inventories under CAA section 182(a)(1).\3\ The SRR for
the 2015 ozone NAAQS is codified at 40 CFR part 51, subpart CC, and the
emissions inventory requirements are codified at 40 CFR 51.1315.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\ 83 FR 62998.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
An emissions inventory for ozone is an estimation of actual
emissions of air pollutants that contribute to the formation of ozone
in an area. Ozone is a gas that is formed by the reaction of volatile
organic compounds (VOC) and oxides of nitrogen (NO<INF>X</INF>),
referred to as ozone precursors, in the atmosphere in the presence of
sunlight. Therefore, an emissions inventory for ozone focuses on the
emissions of VOC and NO<INF>X</INF>. VOC is emitted by many types of
sources, including power plants, industrial sources, on-road and off-
road mobile sources, smaller stationary sources collectively referred
to as area sources, and biogenic sources. NO<INF>X</INF> is primarily
emitted by combustion sources, both stationary and mobile.
Emissions inventories provide emissions data that inform a variety
of air quality planning tasks, including establishing baseline
emissions levels, calculating emissions reduction targets needed to
attain the NAAQS and to achieve reasonable further progress (RFP)
toward attainment of the ozone standard,\4\ determining emissions
inputs for ozone air quality modeling analyses, and tracking emissions
over time to determine progress toward achieving air quality and
emissions reduction goals.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\4\ The RFP requirements specified in CAA section 182(b)(1)
apply to all areas classified as ``Moderate'' or higher ozone
nonattainment. At the time of submittal of the Phoenix-Mesa and Yuma
base year emissions inventory SIPs for the 2015 ozone NAAQS, the
Phoenix-Mesa and Yuma areas were designated Marginal nonattainment
for the 2015 ozone NAAQS and were therefore not required to
demonstrate RFP toward attainment of the 2015 ozone NAAQS.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the 2015 ozone NAAQS, states are required to submit ozone
season day emissions estimates for an inventory calendar year to be
consistent with the baseline year for RFP plans as required by 40 CFR
51.1310(b).\5\ Under 40 CFR 51.1310(b), for the 2015 ozone NAAQS, the
RFP baseline year is the most recent calendar year for which a complete
triennial inventory is required to be submitted to the EPA under 40 CFR
51 subpart A.\6\ States may use an alternative baseline emissions
inventory provided that the year selected corresponds with the year of
the effective date of designation as nonattainment for that NAAQS.
Ozone season day emissions are defined in 40 CFR 51.1300(q) as the
average day's emissions for a typical ozone season work weekday. Under
the definition in 40 CFR 51.1300(q), states are required to select the
months in the ozone season and the days in the work week to be
represented. Per EPA's 2017 guidance on emissions inventory
development, the selected ozone season should be representative of the
conditions leading to nonattainment.\7\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\5\ 40 CFR 51.1315(a).
\6\ 83 FR 62998, 63034.
\7\ EPA, ``Emissions Inventory Guidance for Implementation of
Ozone and Particulate Matter National Ambient Air Quality Standards
(NAAQS) and Regional Haze Regulations'' (May 2017), 75.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
B. State Submittals
On July 8, 2020, the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality
(ADEQ) submitted a revision to the Arizona SIP titled ``Maricopa
Association of Governments (MAG) 2020 Eight-Hour Ozone Plan'' (``2020
Phoenix-Mesa SIP Submittal''). The 2020 Phoenix-Mesa SIP Submittal
includes a 2017 baseline emissions inventory for Phoenix-Mesa developed
by the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) and supporting
documentation regarding the development of the baseline emissions
inventory.
On July 29, 2020, ADEQ submitted a revision to the Arizona SIP
titled ``Marginal Ozone Plan for the Yuma Nonattainment Area,''
including a 2017 baseline emissions inventory for Yuma and supporting
documentation regarding the development of the emissions inventory. The
July 29, 2020 submittal did not include final amendments to the
emissions statement rule in Arizona Administrative Code R18-2-327 and
did not adequately satisfy the public notice requirements under 40 CFR
51.102. On December 22, 2020, ADEQ withdrew the July 29, 2020 submittal
and submitted as a revision to the Arizona SIP another plan, also
titled ``Marginal Ozone Plan for the Yuma Nonattainment Area.'' On July
1, 2021, Arizona provided a technical supplement to the Marginal Ozone
Plan for the Yuma Nonattainment Area addressing comments and questions
raised by the EPA following receipt of ADEQ's prior submittals.\8\
Arizona's December 22, 2020 submittal and the July 1, 2021 supplement
are collectively referred to herein as the ``2020 Yuma SIP Submittal.''
Where specifically
[[Page 58632]]
referring to information provided in Arizona's supplement to the 2020
Yuma SIP Submittal, we refer to the July 1, 2021 supplement as the
``2021 Yuma SIP Supplement.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\8\ Letter dated June 30, 2021, from Joseph Martini, Manager,
Air Quality Improvement Planning Section, Air Quality Division,
Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, to Ben Leers, Air
Planning Office, Air Division, EPA Region IX. Transmitted via email
dated July 1, 2021, from Farah Esmaeili, Environmental Senior
Engineer, Technical Analysis Unit, Air Quality Division, Arizona
Department of Environmental Quality to Ben Leers.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
In this action, we are evaluating and proposing action on the 2020
Phoenix-Mesa SIP Submittal and the 2020 Yuma SIP Submittal.
C. Public Notice and Hearing Requirements
CAA sections 110(a)(1) and 110(l) and 40 CFR 51.102 require states
to provide reasonable notice and an opportunity for a public hearing
prior to adoption of SIP revisions. Section 110(k)(1)(B) requires the
EPA to determine whether a SIP submittal is complete within 60 days of
receipt. Any plan that the EPA does not affirmatively determine to be
complete or incomplete will become complete six months after the day of
submittal by operation of law. A finding of completeness does not
approve the submittal as part of the SIP, nor does it indicate that the
submittal is approvable. It does start a 12-month clock for the EPA to
act on the SIP submittal (see CAA section 110(k)(2)).
The 2020 Phoenix-Mesa SIP Submittal and 2020 Yuma SIP Submittal
each document the public review process followed prior to their
submittal to the EPA as revisions to the SIP.
Appendix B of the 2020 Phoenix-Mesa SIP Submittal includes
documentation of notices of opportunity for public hearing and comment
on the SIP submittal. The notices for opportunity for public hearing
and comment on the SIP submittal were posted in The Arizona Republic,
sent by email to interested parties, and posted on MAG's website. Also
included in Appendix B of the 2020 Phoenix-Mesa SIP Submittal is a
responsiveness summary indicating that no comments or requests for
public hearing were received during the 30-day public review period.
Appendix B of the 2020 Yuma SIP Submittal includes documentation of
a notice of public comment period and hearing on the SIP submittal
posted in The Arizona Republic on October 9, 2020, and October 10,
2020. Appendix B of the 2020 Yuma SIP Submittal also contains
documentation of the November 12, 2020 public hearing on the SIP
submittal including a sign-in sheet, transcript, signed certification
that the public hearing was held, and a compilation of comments
received and ADEQ's responses to comments.
II. Arizona's Emissions Inventories
The 2020 Phoenix-Mesa SIP Submittal and 2020 Yuma SIP Submittal
each address the emissions inventory requirement in CAA section
182(a)(1). Each submittal provides documentation of a 2017 base year
inventory of emissions of NO<INF>X</INF> and VOC. The 2017 base year
emissions inventory was the most recent triennial emissions inventory
in the National Emissions Inventory (NEI) at the time the emissions
inventories were prepared for the Phoenix-Mesa and Yuma areas.
Each emissions inventory submittal includes emissions estimates for
the following source categories: Point sources, nonpoint sources,
nonroad mobile sources, onroad mobile sources, and biogenic sources.
Point sources are generally large, stationary (i.e., non-mobile)
sources of air pollutants. MAG's and ADEQ's specific interpretations of
the point source definition are described in sections II.A and II.B of
this notice, respectively. Nonpoint sources, also referred to as
``area'' sources, are the sources of air pollutants that are typically
too small or too numerous to be categorized as point or mobile sources,
such as residential combustion or consumer products. Nonroad mobile
sources, also referred to as ``off-highway'' mobile sources, include
nonroad engines and nonroad vehicles. Onroad mobile sources, also
referred to as ``highway mobile sources,'' are motor vehicles traveling
on local highways and roads. Biogenic sources emit pollutants produced
by natural sources including vegetation and soils.
ADEQ and MAG each used a combination of top-down estimation
techniques (i.e., allocation of regional emissions estimates to a
smaller, defined geographic area) and bottom-up estimation techniques
(i.e., development of source or source category emissions estimates
using emissions factors, models, etc.) to develop the emissions
inventories in their respective SIP submittals. Specific estimation
techniques for each source category are described in sections II.A and
II.B of this notice.
A. Baseline Emissions Inventory for the Phoenix-Mesa Nonattainment Area
The emissions inventory included in the 2020 Phoenix-Mesa SIP
Submittal was developed by MAG. The Phoenix-Mesa area includes Maricopa
County and portions of Gila and Pinal Counties.\9\ MAG selected the
months of June through August to estimate ozone season day emissions of
NO<INF>X</INF> and VOC from sources in the Phoenix-Mesa area.\10\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\9\ See 83 FR 25776, 25784-25785, for a detailed description of
the boundaries of the Phoenix-Mesa nonattainment area for the 2015
ozone NAAQS.
\10\ A detailed justification for MAG's selection of months in
the ozone season is provided in Appendix F of the 2020 Phoenix-Mesa
SIP Submittal.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the 2020 Phoenix-Mesa SIP Submittal, MAG defines point sources
consistent with the point source definition put forth in EPA's air
emissions reporting requirements (AERR).\11\ MAG identified 19
stationary sources meeting the point source definition in the Phoenix-
Mesa area. As noted in the 2020 Phoenix-Mesa SIP Submittal, while some
stationary sources in Maricopa County are permitted by ADEQ, no ADEQ-
permitted facilities meet the point source definition, and such sources
are instead categorized as area sources. All point sources in the
Phoenix-Mesa area are located in Maricopa County and are permitted by
the Maricopa County Air Quality District (MCAQD). MAG identified point
sources in the Phoenix-Mesa area via the MCAQD electronic permit system
database. MAG calculated emissions from point sources using annual
source emissions reports, MCAQD investigation reports, permit files and
logs, or telephone contacts with sources. Point source emissions
calculations in the Phoenix-Mesa area also considered ``rule
effectiveness,'' a factor that may be applied to emissions inventory
estimates to account for regulatory programs which may be less than 100
percent effective.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\11\ Under the AERR, a point source is a facility that is a
major source under 40 CFR part 70 for one or more of the pollutants
for which reporting is required by CAA section 51.15(a)(1), but not
with regard to emissions of hazardous air pollutants. 80 FR 8787
(February 19, 2015). For major source emissions thresholds by
pollutant, see 40 CFR 51.30.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the point source category, MAG also accounted for actual and
potential voluntary emissions reductions at point sources in the
Phoenix-Mesa area. Major new sources and major modifications in the
Phoenix-Mesa area must offset the emissions of NO<INF>X</INF> and VOC
generated by the new source or modification as a condition for approval
of permit applications. These emissions offsets are generally obtained
from existing sources located in the vicinity of the proposed source or
modification in the form of emissions reduction credits (ERCs). The
rules governing the generation and use of ERCs in the Phoenix-Mesa area
area are outlined in MCAQD Rule 240. In the 2017 base year inventory,
MAG included certified ERCs available in the Arizona Emissions Bank in
the point source category totals. MAG also included potential (i.e.,
not yet certified) sources of ERCs for NO<INF>X</INF> and VOC in the
[[Page 58633]]
base year inventory in order to maintain the availability of these
emissions in the periodic inventory, provided that sufficient
documentation can be secured to confirm the emissions reductions in the
future.
MAG estimated county-level emissions from nonpoint sources using a
variety of tools, techniques, and assumptions depending on each
nonpoint source subcategory. MAG's nonpoint source emissions estimates
were informed by EPA's 2017 nonpoint emissions methodology and operator
instructions, source-submitted annual emissions reports, and scaling up
via the use of per-employee emissions factors. For each nonpoint source
subcategory, county-level emissions estimates were allocated to the
Phoenix-Mesa area using one of five representative variables:
Employment, population, land use, general aviation operations, and
location data. Each nonpoint source emissions calculation and
allocation method is described in detail in the 2020 Phoenix-Mesa SIP
Submittal.
Nonroad mobile source subcategories in the Phoenix-Mesa emissions
inventory include agricultural equipment (e.g., tractors, combines, and
balers), recreational equipment (e.g., all-terrain vehicles and off-
road motorcycles), aircraft, and locomotives, among others. For most
nonroad mobile source subcategories, MAG estimated emissions using the
latest available version of EPA's Motor Vehicle Emission Simulator
(MOVES2014b). Inputs to MOVES2014b included default model input files,
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Centers
for Environmental Information (NCEI) local climatological data, 2017
fuel specifications and vapor recovery program effectiveness from the
Arizona Department of Agriculture Weights & Measures Services Division,
and local data from a 2003 survey performed for ADEQ by ENVIRON. For
aircraft and airport equipment, MAG estimated emissions using the
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Aviation Environmental Design
Tool version 2d (AEDT 2d). Inputs to AEDT 2d included local aircraft
activity data from the FAA Operations Network, <a href="http://AirNav.com">AirNav.com</a>, and base
personnel at Luke Air Force Base. Additionally, MAG utilized aircraft
fleet mix profiles from the FAA Traffic Flow Management System Counts
database, verification of <a href="http://AirNav.com">AirNav.com</a> data using the FAA 5010 Airport
Master Records database, and general aviation airport survey data
conducted by MAG in 2017. Emissions from locomotives were estimated
using survey data from the three railroad companies operating in
Maricopa County (i.e., Burlington Northern Santa Fe, Union Pacific, and
Amtrak) and emissions factors published by ENVIRON and the EPA.
Emissions from onroad mobile sources in the Phoenix-Mesa area were
calculated using MOVES2014b. For onroad mobile sources, MOVES2014b
requires local data inputs relating to vehicle inspection and
maintenance programs, meteorological data, vehicle populations, source
type age distributions, annual vehicle miles traveled, and alternative
vehicle and fuel technologies, among others. MAG cited numerous sources
and assumptions for local data inputs, including vehicle registration
data from the Arizona Department of Transportation, meteorological data
from the NOAA NCEI, and the MAG Transportation Modeling Group.
Emissions from biogenic sources in the Phoenix-Mesa area were
calculated using the Model of Emissions of Gases and Aerosols from
Nature (MEGAN) version 2.1. MEGAN requires inputs of land cover and
meteorological data. MAG utilized 1-kilometer eight-day average leaf
area index from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's
Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer satellite observations,
plant functional type (PFT) data from the National Land Cover Dataset,
and emission factors derived from PFT distributions. MAG processed
meteorological data from the Weather Research and Forecasting model
version 3.9 with the Meteorology-Chemistry Interface Processor (MCIP).
The model outputs from MCIP were further processed using the MEGAN
component program called MET2MGN for input to MEGAN.
MAG employed quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) measures
throughout the development of the Phoenix-Mesa emissions inventory.
Point source emissions reports undergo automated QA/QC upon submission
to MCAQD's database as well as manual QA/QC performed by air quality
planning staff. Area source emissions calculations are peer-reviewed by
air quality planners to ensure calculations can be reproduced. Other
QA/QC procedures performed by MAG include review of files by personnel
not involved in the development of the inventory as well as comparison
of the 2017 inventory to 2014 and 2011 inventories. MAG's QA/QC
procedures are described in detail in the 2020 Phoenix-Mesa SIP
submittal.
Estimates of 2017 ozone season day emissions of NO<INF>X</INF> and
VOC in the Phoenix-Mesa area are summarized in Table 1 below.
Table 1--2017 Ozone Season Day Emissions
Phoenix-Mesa Ozone Nonattainment Area
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ozone season day emissions (pounds per day)
Pollutant -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Point Nonpoint Nonroad mobile Onroad mobile Biogenic Area total
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOX..................................................... 24,277 32,880 112,100 140,154 5,896 315,307
VOC..................................................... 8,625 209,885 63,661 112,746 1,283,539 1,678,457
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source: 2020 Phoenix-Mesa SIP Submittal, Appendix A, 11.
B. Baseline Emissions Inventory for the Yuma Nonattainment Area
The emissions inventory included in the 2020 Yuma SIP Submittal was
developed by ADEQ. The Yuma area consists of approximately 52 square
miles within Yuma County in and around the city of Yuma, Arizona.\12\
ADEQ selected the months of April through October to estimate ozone
season day emissions of NO<INF>X</INF> and VOC from sources in the Yuma
area.\13\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\12\ See 83 FR 25776, 25785 for a detailed description of the
boundaries of the Yuma nonattainment area for the 2015 ozone NAAQS.
\13\ ADEQ's selection of the months in the ozone season is
consistent with documentation provided by ADEQ along with its
initial nonattainment boundary recommendations for the 2015 ozone
NAAQS. See the technical support document ``Phoenix-Mesa and Yuma
Nonattainment Areas; Intended Area Designations for the 2015 Ozone
National Ambient Air Quality Standards,'' included in the docket for
EPA's initial designations for the 2015 ozone NAAQS under docket ID
EPA-HQ-OAR-2017-0548.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 58634]]
ADEQ obtained emissions estimates for point sources in the Yuma
area from the 2017 NEI and from source-submitted annual emissions
inventory reports required for all sources holding a minor permit in
Arizona. All point sources listed in the 2017 NEI and geographically
located in the Yuma ozone nonattainment area were included in the point
source category in the 2020 Yuma SIP Submittal. ADEQ also included
minor point sources holding permits in the Yuma ozone nonattainment
area in the point source category.
Emissions from Yuma area nonpoint sources (also referred to as
``area sources'' in the 2020 Yuma SIP Submittal) were estimated
predominantly using data from the 2017 NEI. The 2017 NEI includes
emissions estimates for numerous area source subcategories on the
county level. For most nonpoint source subcategories, ADEQ allocated
county-level emissions estimates from the 2017 NEI to the Yuma area
based on population, industrial employment, land area, crop land area,
or railroad length. Emissions calculation methods used for the
remaining nonpoint source subcategories include per-person emissions
factors included in 2017 NEI documentation, information from permits,
and information from source-submitted annual reports.
ADEQ estimated emissions from nonroad mobile sources in the Yuma
area by allocating emissions from 2017 NEI data using representative
factors including population, cropland area, and railroad length.
Nonroad mobile source categories addressed in the 2020 Yuma SIP
submittal include: Agricultural equipment; commercial equipment;
construction and mining equipment; industrial equipment; lawn and
garden equipment; logging equipment; recreational equipment; pleasure
craft; and locomotives. Of the eight private and public airports
identified by ADEQ in Yuma County, none are located within the Yuma
ozone nonattainment area. Therefore, ADEQ assumed zero nonroad mobile
source emissions from airports.
Emissions from onroad mobile sources in the Yuma area were
calculated using MOVES2014b. In the 2020 Yuma SIP Submittal, ADEQ
listed MOVES2014b inputs for source type, road type, fuel type, and
process type. ADEQ notes in the 2020 Yuma SIP Submittal that the Yuma
area is located adjacent to a major trucking and travel corridor, and
freight haulers and tractor trailers are primary producers of VOC and
NO<INF>X</INF> emissions in the Yuma area.
ADEQ estimated emissions from biogenic sources in the Yuma area
using biogenic emissions data from the 2017 NEI. County-level biogenic
emissions from the 2017 NEI were allocated to the Yuma area using the
ratio of land area in the Yuma ozone nonattainment area to the land
area within Yuma County. As described in the 2020 Yuma SIP Submittal,
ozone season day biogenic emissions were estimated by summing the
biogenic emissions in the Yuma area for each month in the ozone season
(April through October) and dividing by the number of days in the ozone
season (213 days).
ADEQ engaged numerous QA/QC procedures in the development of the
2020 Yuma SIP Submittal. ADEQ prepared an inventory preparation plan
(IPP) and incorporated feedback from the EPA on the IPP to identify and
follow suitable estimation methodologies. Procedures outlined in ADEQ's
EPA-reviewed quality assurance project plan were followed to conduct
QA/QC on emissions estimates submitted by sources.\14\ In general, ADEQ
conducted peer and management review of the technical support document
to the 2020 Yuma SIP Submittal and underlying calculations. A detailed
description of ADEQ's QA/QC procedures is included in the 2020 Yuma SIP
Submittal.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\14\ ADEQ's ``Annual Permitted Source Emissions Inventories
Quality Assurance Project Plan'' (October 2020) is included in the
docket for this rulemaking.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The 2021 Yuma SIP Supplement provides clarification on emissions
inventory details including selection of ozone season months, handling
of seasonal emissions distribution, consideration of weekday emissions
schedules, and ADEQ's QA/QC process. Based on input from the EPA
regarding the consideration of weekday emissions schedules and of the
ozone season in the Yuma nonattainment area, ADEQ made corrections to
some of its ozone season day emissions estimates compared to the values
provided in the original 2020 Yuma SIP Suibmittal. All changes to
estimations of ozone season day emissions are described in detail in
the 2021 Yuma SIP Supplement.
Estimates of 2017 ozone season day emissions of NO<INF>X</INF> and
VOC in the Yuma area are summarized in Table 2 below.
Table 2--2017 Ozone Season Day Emissions
Yuma Ozone Nonattainment Area
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ozone season day emissions (pounds per day)
Pollutant -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Point Nonpoint Nonroad mobile Onroad mobile Biogenic Area total
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOX..................................................... 1,113 1,275 2,158 10,402 38 14,986
VOC..................................................... 138 15,007 2,737 5,527 2,849 26,259
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source: 2021 Yuma SIP Supplement, 6.
III. EPA's Evaluation
Based on the documentation included in Arizona's submittals, the
EPA finds that the submittals satisfy the procedural requirements of
sections 110(a)(1) and 110(l) of the Act requiring states to provide
reasonable notice and an opportunity for public hearing prior to
adoption of SIP revisions. The 2020 Phoenix-Mesa SIP Submittal became
complete by operation of law on January 8, 2021, and the 2020 Yuma SIP
Submittal became complete by operation of law on June 22, 2021,
pursuant to section 110(k)(1)(B).
The EPA has reviewed Arizona's submittals for consistency with CAA
sections 172(c)(3) and 182(a)(1) and the requirements for emissions
inventories under the EPA's implementing regulations for the 2015 ozone
NAAQS at 40 CFR 51.1315. The 2017 baseline emissions inventories
represent the
[[Page 58635]]
most recent calendar year for which a consistent and comprehensive
statewide inventory was available. The selection of a 2017 baseline
year for the Phoenix-Mesa and Yuma emissions inventories is therefore
consistent with the requirement for selection of RFP baseline years
under 40 CFR 51.1310(b). We find that the Phoenix-Mesa and Yuma
emissions inventories appropriately estimated the average day's
emissions for a typical weekday in the ozone season, consistent with
the definition of ozone season day emissions under 40 CFR 51.1300(q).
Arizona's submittals document the procedures used by MAG and ADEQ
to estimate ozone season day emissions for each of the major source
types. Documentation of emissions estimation procedures in the 2020
Phoenix-Mesa SIP Submittal and 2020 Yuma SIP Submittal demonstrate that
MAG and ADEQ followed acceptable procedures to develop emissions
estimates. The 2020 Phoenix-Mesa SIP Submittal and 2020 Yuma SIP
Submittal each also describe the specific QA/QC measures implemented to
ensure the accuracy and integrity of data throughout the development of
each respective emissions inventory.
Based upon the documentation of emissions estimation techniques and
QA/QC procedures employed to develop the emissions inventories in each
submittal, we find that the 2020 Phoenix-Mesa SIP Submittal and 2020
Yuma SIP Submittal contain comprehensive, accurate, current inventories
of actual emissions from all sources in the Phoenix-Mesa and Yuma ozone
nonattainment areas, respectively. The EPA thereby proposes to approve
the baseline inventories of NO<INF>X</INF> and VOC emissions for the
Phoenix-Mesa and Yuma ozone nonattainment areas for the 2015 ozone
NAAQS submitted by Arizona pursuant to 40 CFR 51.1315 and CAA sections
172(c)(3) and 182(b)(1) .
IV. Proposed Action and Request for Public Comment
We are proposing to approve the 2020 Phoenix-Mesa SIP Submittal and
2020 Yuma SIP Submittal as meeting the ozone-related baseline emissions
inventory requirement for the Phoenix-Mesa and Yuma ozone nonattainment
areas for the 2015 ozone NAAQS. The emissions inventories we are
proposing to approve into the SIP are summarized in tables 1 and 2 of
this notice. We are proposing to approve the emissions inventories
because they contain comprehensive, accurate, and current inventories
of actual emissions for all relevant sources in accordance with CAA
sections 172(c)(3) and 182(a). The EPA is soliciting public comments on
the issues discussed in this proposed rule. We will accept comments
from the public on this proposal for the next 30 days.
V. 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, the EPA's role is to approve state
choices, provided that they meet the criteria of the Clean Air Act.
Accordingly, this proposed action merely proposes to approve state
plans as meeting federal requirements and does not impose additional
requirements beyond those imposed by state law. For that reason, this
proposed action:
<bullet> 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);
<bullet> Does not impose an information collection burden under the
provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.);
<bullet> 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.);
<bullet> 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);
<bullet> Does not have federalism implications as specified in
Executive Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10, 1999);
<bullet> Is not an economically significant regulatory action based
on health or safety risks subject to Executive Order 13045 (62 FR
19885, April 23, 1997);
<bullet> Is not a significant regulatory action subject to
Executive Order 13211 (66 FR 28355, May 22, 2001);
<bullet> 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
<bullet> Does not provide the 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, the SIP is not approved to apply on any Indian
reservation land or in any other area where the EPA or an Indian tribe
has demonstrated that a tribe has jurisdiction. The Fort McDowell
Yavapai Nation, the Gila River Indian Community of the Gila River
Indian Reservation, the Tohono O'odham Nation of Arizona, and the Salt
River Pima Maricopa Indian Community of the Salt River Reservation have
areas of Indian country located within the Phoenix-Mesa nonattainment
area for the 2015 ozone NAAQS. The Cocopah Tribe of Arizona and the
Quechan Tribe of the Fort Yuma Indian Reservation have areas of Indian
country located within the Yuma nonattainment area for the 2015 ozone
NAAQS. In those areas of Indian country, the proposed rule does not
have tribal implications and will not impose substantial direct costs
on tribal governments or preempt tribal law as specified by Executive
Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, November 9, 2000).
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52
Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Incorporation by
reference, Intergovernmental relations, Ozone, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements, Volatile organic compounds.
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
Dated: October 9, 2021.
Deborah Jordan,
Acting Regional Administrator, Region IX.
[FR Doc. 2021-22662 Filed 10-21-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
</pre><script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on October 22, 2021.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.