Rule2023-17945
Air Plan Approval; Texas; Updates to Public Notice and Procedural Rules and Removal of Obsolete Provisions
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
August 24, 2023
Effective
September 25, 2023
Issuing agencies
Environmental Protection Agency
Abstract
Pursuant to the Federal Clean Air Act (CAA or the Act), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving portions of three revisions to the Texas State Implementation Plan (SIP) submitted by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) on July 9, 2021, and January 21, 2022, that update the air permitting program by removing obsolete provisions and enhancing public notice requirements of the air permitting program. We are also making ministerial edits to correct several errors identified in the amendatory language for the Texas SIP.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 163 (Thursday, August 24, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 163 (Thursday, August 24, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 57882-57887]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-17945]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 52
[EPA-R06-OAR-2022-0307; FRL-10892-02-R6]
Air Plan Approval; Texas; Updates to Public Notice and Procedural
Rules and Removal of Obsolete Provisions
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the Federal Clean Air Act (CAA or the Act), the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving portions of three
revisions to the Texas State Implementation Plan (SIP) submitted by the
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) on July 9, 2021, and
January 21, 2022, that update the air permitting
[[Page 57883]]
program by removing obsolete provisions and enhancing public notice
requirements of the air permitting program. We are also making
ministerial edits to correct several errors identified in the
amendatory language for the Texas SIP.
DATES: This rule is effective on September 25, 2023.
ADDRESSES: The EPA has established a docket for this action under
Docket ID No. EPA-R06-OAR-2022-0307. All documents in the docket are
listed on the <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> website. Although listed in
the index, some information is not publicly available, e.g.,
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. Publicly available docket
materials are available electronically through <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Adina Wiley, EPA Region 6 Office, Air
Permits Section, 214-665-2115, <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#23544a4f465a0d42474a4d42634653420d444c55"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="94e3fdf8f1edbaf5f0fdfaf5d4f1e4f5baf3fbe2">[email protected]</span></a>. Please call or
email the contact listed above if you need alternative access to
material indexed but not provided in the docket.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Throughout this document ``we,'' ``us,'' and
``our'' means the EPA.
I. Background
The background for this action is discussed in detail in our April
21, 2023, proposal (88 FR 24518). In that document we proposed to
approve portions of three revisions to the Texas SIP submitted by the
TCEQ on July 9, 2021, and January 21, 2022. The first revision, adopted
on April 22, 2020, submitted on January 21, 2022, updates internal
cross-references and removes or replaces obsolete provisions identified
during a routine review of the Texas permitting regulations. The second
revision, adopted on June 9, 2021, submitted July 9, 2021, repeals
obsolete permitting provisions, and makes necessary corresponding edits
to other permitting provisions. The third revision, adopted on August
25, 2021, submitted January 21, 2022, enhances the public notice
requirements of the air permitting program. As detailed in our proposed
approval, we found that the submitted revisions are consistent with the
CAA and the EPA's regulations, policy, and guidance for permitting SIP
requirements. We did not receive any comments regarding our proposal.
Therefore, we are finalizing as proposed.
II. Final Action
Pursuant to section 110, of the Act, we are finalizing the
submitted revisions to the Texas SIP that update the air permitting
program by removing obsolete provisions and enhancing public notice by
extending requirements for alternative language notices to notices for
public meetings in certain circumstances.
We are approving the following revisions adopted on June 9, 2021,
effective on July 1, 2021, submitted to the EPA on July 9, 2021:
<bullet> Revisions to 30 TAC Section 116.910--Applicability,
<bullet> Revisions to 30 TAC Section 116.911--Electric Generating
Facility Permit Application,
<bullet> Revisions to 30 TAC Sections 116.920--Public Participation
for Initial Issuance,
<bullet> Revisions to 30 TAC Sections 116.1530--Best Available
Retrofit Technology (BART) Control Implementation, and
<bullet> Repeal of 30 TAC Sections 116.770--116.772, 116.774,
116.775, 116.777--116.781, 116.783, 116.785--116.788, and 116.790.
The EPA is approving the following revisions adopted on April 22,
2020, effective on May 14, 2020, submitted to the EPA on January 21,
2022:
<bullet> Revisions to 30 TAC Section 39.405--General Notice
Provisions,
<bullet> Revisions to 30 TAC Section 39.411--Text of Public Notice,
<bullet> Revisions to 30 TAC Section 39.419--Notice of Application
and Preliminary Decision,
<bullet> Revisions to 30 TAC Section 39.420--Transmittal of the
Executive Director's Response to Comments and Decision,
<bullet> Revisions to 30 TAC Section 39.601--Applicability,
<bullet> Revisions to 30 TAC Section 39.603--Newspaper Notice,
<bullet> Revisions to 30 TAC Section 55.154--Public Meetings,
<bullet> Revisions to 30 TAC Section 55.156--Public Comment
Processing,
<bullet> Revisions to 30 TAC Section 101.306--Emission Credit Use,
<bullet> Revisions to 30 TAC Section 116.111--General Application,
and
<bullet> Revisions to 30 TAC Section 116.112--Distance Limitations.
The EPA is approving the following revisions adopted on August 25,
2021, effective September 16, 2021, submitted to the EPA on January 21,
2022:
<bullet> Revisions to 30 TAC Section 39.405--General Notice
Provisions,
<bullet> Revisions to 30 TAC Section 39.412--Combined Notice for
Certain Greenhouse Gases Permit Applications,
<bullet> Revisions to 30 TAC Section 39.418--Notice of Receipt of
Application and Intent to Obtain Permit,
<bullet> Revisions to 30 TAC Section 39.419--Notice of Application
and Preliminary Decision,
<bullet> New 30 TAC Section 39.426--Alternative Language
Requirements,
<bullet> Revisions to 30 TAC Section 39.602--Mailed Notice,
<bullet> Revisions to 30 TAC Section 39.604--Sign-Posting,
<bullet> Revisions to 30 TAC Sections 55.154--Public Meetings, and
<bullet> Revisions to 30 TAC Sections 55.156--Public Comment
Processing.
The EPA is also correcting several errors identified in the
amendatory language for the Texas SIP at 40 CFR 52.2270(c). The EPA is
making these necessary, ministerial edits to the Texas SIP without
notice and comment under the ``good cause'' exemption in section
553(b)(3)(B) of the Administrative Procedures Act (APA) which, upon
finding ``good cause,'' authorizes agencies to dispense with public
participation. Under section 553 of the APA, an agency may find good
cause where procedures are ``impractical, unnecessary, or contrary to
the public interest.'' Public comment is ``unnecessary'' and ``contrary
to the public interest'' since the ministerial corrections update the
amendatory language at 40 CFR 52.2270(c) to correctly reference prior
EPA actions that were previously subject to notice and comment
consistent with section 553 of the APA. The public benefits by having
these updated citations.
<bullet> The EPA's January 11, 2011, final rule at 76 FR 1525,
1531-1532, inadvertently used the wrong section names in the Title/
Subject field for several of the section numbers that were approved
into the Texas SIP. We are correcting the Title/Subject field for 30
TAC Sections 116.911, 116.912, 116.916, 116.917, 116.918, 116.920,
116.930.
<bullet> The EPA's February 13, 2020, final rule at 85 FR 8185,
8188, inadvertently omitted the information identifying the EPA's
approval date from the SIP-approved sections for 30 TAC Sections
116.164, 116.196, 116.198, 116.310, 116.611, and 116.615. We are
correcting these sections to include the EPA approval date and FR
citation.
III. Environmental Justice Consideration
The EPA reviewed demographic data and provided the results in our
April 21, 2023, proposed rule. See 88 FR 24518, 24520-24521.
[[Page 57884]]
IV. Incorporation by Reference
In this rule, the EPA is finalizing regulatory text that includes
incorporation by reference. In accordance with requirements of 1 CFR
51.5, the EPA is finalizing the incorporation by reference revisions to
the Texas regulations as described in Section II of this preamble,
Final Action. The EPA has made, and will continue to make, these
materials generally available through <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a> (please
contact the person identified in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
section of this preamble for more information). Therefore, these
materials have been 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 in the next update to the SIP compilation.
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 Clean Air Act
and applicable Federal regulations. 42 U.S.C. 7410(k); 40 CFR 52.02(a).
Thus, in reviewing SIP submissions, EPA's role is to approve state
choices, provided that they meet the criteria of the Clean Air Act.
Accordingly, this action merely approves state law as meeting Federal
requirements and does not impose additional requirements beyond those
imposed by state law. For that reason, this action:
<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 14094 (88 FR 21879, April 11, 2023);
<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 subject to Executive Order 13045 (62 FR 19885,
April 23, 1997) because it approves a state program;
<bullet> Is not a significant regulatory action subject to
Executive Order 13211 (66 FR 28355, May 22, 2001); and
<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.
Executive Order 12898 (Federal Actions To Address Environmental
Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations, 59 FR 7629,
February 16, 1994) directs Federal agencies to identify and address
``disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental
effects'' of their actions on minority populations and low-income
populations to the greatest extent practicable and permitted by law.
The EPA defines environmental justice (EJ) as ``the fair treatment and
meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color,
national origin, or income with respect to the development,
implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and
policies.'' The EPA further defines the term fair treatment to mean
that ``no group of people should bear a disproportionate burden of
environmental harms and risks, including those resulting from the
negative environmental consequences of industrial, governmental, and
commercial operations or programs and policies.''
The state air agency did not evaluate environmental justice
considerations as part of its SIP submittal; the CAA and applicable
implementing regulations neither prohibit nor require such an
evaluation. The EPA performed an environmental justice analysis, as is
described above in the section titled, ``Environmental Justice
Considerations.'' The analysis was done for the purpose of providing
additional context and information about this rulemaking to the public,
not as a basis of the action. Due to the nature of the action being
taken here, this action is expected to have a neutral to positive
impact on the air quality of the affected area. In addition, there is
no information in the record upon which this decision is based
inconsistent with the stated goal of E.O. 12898 of achieving
environmental justice for people of color, low-income populations, and
Indigenous peoples.
In addition, 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 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).
This action is subject to the Congressional Review Act, and the EPA
will submit a rule report to each House of the Congress and to the
Comptroller General of the United States. 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 23, 2023. 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 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).)
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52
Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Carbon monoxide,
Incorporation by reference, Intergovernmental relations, Lead, Nitrogen
dioxide, Ozone, Particulate matter, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Sulfur oxides, Volatile organic compounds.
Dated: August 15, 2023.
Earthea Nance,
Regional Administrator, Region 6.
For the reasons stated in the preamble, the Environmental
Protection Agency amends 40 CFR part 52 as follows:
PART 52--APPROVAL AND PROMULGATION OF IMPLEMENTATION PLANS
0
1. The authority citation for part 52 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
Subpart SS--Texas
0
2. In Sec. 52.2270, the table in paragraph (c) titled ``EPA Approved
Regulations in the Texas SIP'' is amended by
0
i. Revising the entries for sections 39.405, 39.411, 39.412, 39.418,
39.419, 39.420, 39.426, 39.601, 39.602, 39.603, 39.604, 55.154, 55.156,
101.306, 116.111, 116.112, 116.164, 116.196, 116.198, 116.310, 116.615,
116.910, 116.911, 116.912, 116.920, and 116.1530, and
[[Page 57885]]
0
ii. Removing the heading ``Subchapter H--Permits for Grandfathered
Facilities'' and sub-heading ``Division 1--General Applicability'',
consisting of entries for sections 116.770--116.772 and sub-heading
``Division 2--Small Business Stationary Source Permits, Pipeline
Facilities Permits, and Existing Facility Permits'', consisting of
entries for sections 116.774, 116.775, 116.777-116.781, 116.783,
116.785-116.788, and 116.790.
The revisions read as follows:
Sec. 52.2270 Identification of plan.
* * * * *
(c) * * *
EPA Approved Regulations in the Texas SIP
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
State
approval/
State citation Title/subject submittal EPA approval date Explanation
date
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * * * *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 39--Public Notice
Subchapter H--Applicability and General Provisions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * * * *
Section 39.405............. General Notice 8/25/2021 8/24/2023, [Insert
Provisions. Federal Register
citation].
* * * * * * *
Section 39.411............. Text of Public Notice. 4/22/2020 8/24/2023, [Insert
Federal Register
citation].
Section 39.412............. Combined Notice for 8/25/2021 8/24/2023, [Insert
Certain Greenhouse Federal Register
Gases Permit citation].
Applications.
Section 39.418............. Notice of Receipt of 8/25/2021 8/24/2023, [Insert
Application and Federal Register
Intent to Obtain citation].
Permit.
Section 39.419............. Notice of Application 8/25/2021 8/24/2023, [Insert
and Preliminary Federal Register
Decision. citation].
Section 39.420............. Transmittal of the 4/22/2020 8/24/2023, [Insert
Executive Director's Federal Register
Response to Comments citation].
and Decisions.
Section 39.426............. Alternative Language 8/25/2021 8/24/2023, [Insert
Requirements. Federal Register
citation].
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subchapter K--Public Notice of Air Quality Permit Applications
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section 39.601............. Applicability......... 4/22/2020 8/24/2023, [Insert
Federal Register
citation].
Section 39.602............. Mailed Notice......... 8/25/2021 8/24/2023, [Insert
Federal Register
citation].
Section 39.603............. Newspaper Notice...... 4/22/2020 8/24/2023, [Insert
Federal Register
citation].
Section 39.604............. Sign-Posting.......... 8/25/2021 8/24/2023, [Insert
Federal Register
citation].
* * * * * * *
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Chapter 55--Requests for Reconsideration and Contested Case Hearings; Public Comment
Subchapter E--Public Comment and Public Meetings
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * * * *
Section 55.154............. Public Meetings....... 8/25/2021 8/24/2023, [Insert
Federal Register
citation].
Section 55.156............. Public Comment 8/25/2021 8/24/2023, [Insert
Processing. Federal Register
citation].
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Chapter 101--General Air Quality Rules
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * * * *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subchapter H--Emissions Banking and Trading
Division 1--Emission Credit Program
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * * * *
Section 101.306............ Emission Credit Use... 4/22/2020 8/24/2023, [Insert
Federal Register
citation].
* * * * * * *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 116 (Reg 6)--Control of Air Pollution by Permits for New Construction or Modification
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * * * *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subchapter B--New Source Review Permits
Division 1--Permit Application
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[[Page 57886]]
* * * * * * *
Section 116.111............ General Application... 4/22/2020 8/24/2023, [Insert
Federal Register
citation].
Section 116.112............ Distance Limitations.. 4/22/2020 8/24/2023, [Insert
Federal Register
citation].
* * * * * * *
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Division 6--Prevention of Significant Deterioration Review
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * * * *
Section 116.164............ Prevention of 10/31/2018 2/13/2020, 85 FR 8187. The PSD SIP does NOT
Significant include 30 TAC
Deterioration Section 116.164(b).
Applicability for
Greenhouse Gases
Sources.
* * * * * * *
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Subchapter C--Plant-wide Applicability Limits
Division 1--Plant-wide Applicability Limits
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * * * *
Section 116.196............ Renewal of a Plant- 10/31/2018 2/13/2020, 85 FR 8187.
wide Applicability
Limit Permit.
Section 116.198............ Expiration of Voidance 10/31/2018 2/13/2020, 85 FR 8187.
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Subchapter D--Permit Renewals
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section 116.310............ Notification of Permit 10/31/2018 2/13/2020, 85 FR 8187.
Holder.
* * * * * * *
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Subchapter F--Standard Permits
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * * * *
Section 116.611............ Registration to Use a 10/31/2018 2/13/2020, 85 FR 8187. 30 TAC Section
Standard Permit. 116.611(b) is SIP-
approved as adopted
by the State as of 11/
20/2002. The SIP does
NOT include 30 TAC
Section
116.611(c)(3),
(c)(3)(A), and
(c)(3)(B).
* * * * * * *
Section 116.615............ General Conditions.... 10/31/2018 2/13/2020, 85 FR 8187.
* * * * * * *
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Subchapter G--Flexible Permits
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * * * *
Section 116.765............ Compliance Schedule... 7/31/2014 7/20/2015, 80 FR 42729 SIP includes 30 TAC
Section 116.765(b)
and (c)
* * * * * * *
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Subchapter I--Electric Generating Facility Permits
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section 116.910............ Applicability......... 6/9/2021 8/24/2023, [Insert
Federal Register
citation].
Section 116.911............ Electric Generating 6/9/2021 8/24/2023, [Insert Section 116.911(a)(2)
Facility Permit Federal Register is authorized for
Application. citation]. Minor NSR only.
Section 116.912............ Electing Electric 12/16/1999 1/11/2011, 76 FR 1525.
Generating Facilities.
* * * * * * *
Section 116.916............ Permits for 12/16/1999 1/1/2011, 76 FR 1525..
Grandfathered and
Electing Electric
Generating Facilities
in El Paso County.
Section 116.917............ Electric Generating 5/22/2002 1/11/2011, 76 FR 1525.
Facility Permit
Application for
Certain Grandfathered
Coal-Fired Electric
Generating Facilities
and Certain
Grandfathered
Facilities Located at
Electric Generating
Facility Sites.
Section 116.918............ Additional General and 5/22/2002 1/11/2011, 76 FR 1525.
Special Conditions
for Grandfathered
Coal-Fired Electric
Generating Facilities
and Certain
Grandfathered
Facilities Located at
Electric Generating
Facility Sites.
[[Page 57887]]
* * * * * * *
Section 116.920............ Public Participation 6/9/2021 8/24/2023, [Insert
for Initial Issuance. Federal Register
citation].
* * * * * * *
Section 116.930............ Amendments and 5/22/2002 1/11/2011, 76 FR 1525.
Alterations of
Permits Issued Under
this Subchapter.
* * * * * * *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subchapter M--Best Available Retrofit Technology (BART)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * * * *
Section 116.1530........... Best Available 6/9/2021 8/24/2023, [Insert
Retrofit Technology Federal Register
(BART) Control citation].
Implementation.
* * * * * * *
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[FR Doc. 2023-17945 Filed 8-23-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
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