Rule2026-00253
Approval and Promulgation of Delegation of Authority for Designated Facilities and Pollutants; Ohio; Delegation of Authority
Primary source
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Published
January 9, 2026
Effective
January 9, 2026
Issuing agencies
Environmental Protection Agency
Abstract
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving delegation of authority to the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA) for implementing and enforcing the Federal plan requirements for municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills that commenced construction on or before July 17, 2014, and have not been modified or reconstructed since July 17, 2014. Additionally, Ohio EPA has requested to withdraw an existing MSW landfill State plan which will be replaced with the delegation of authority of the Federal plan. On June 12, 2025, the Ohio EPA Director signed a Memorandum of Agreement concerning the delegation of authority of the Federal plan to Ohio EPA by EPA. On June 24, 2025, the Memorandum of Agreement became effective upon the EPA Region 5 Regional Administrator's signature. The Federal plan addresses the implementation and enforcement of emission guidelines that impose emission limits and other control requirements on designated air pollutants from MSW landfills. This document informs the public of the Memorandum of Agreement, provides a copy of the signed document, and amends regulatory text in accordance with the Clean Air Act (CAA).
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 6 (Friday, January 9, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 6 (Friday, January 9, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 915-918]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-00253]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 62
[EPA-R05-OAR-2025-0355; FRL-13131-01-R5]
Approval and Promulgation of Delegation of Authority for
Designated Facilities and Pollutants; Ohio; Delegation of Authority
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving
delegation of authority to the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
(Ohio EPA) for implementing and enforcing the Federal plan requirements
for municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills that commenced construction
on or before July 17, 2014, and have not been modified or reconstructed
since July 17, 2014. Additionally, Ohio EPA has requested to withdraw
an existing MSW landfill State plan which will be replaced with the
delegation of authority of the Federal plan. On June 12, 2025, the Ohio
EPA Director signed a Memorandum of Agreement concerning the delegation
of authority of the Federal plan to Ohio EPA by EPA. On June 24, 2025,
the Memorandum of Agreement became effective upon the EPA Region 5
Regional Administrator's signature. The Federal plan addresses the
implementation and enforcement of emission guidelines that impose
emission limits and other control requirements on designated air
pollutants from MSW landfills. This document informs the public of the
Memorandum of Agreement, provides a copy of the signed document, and
amends regulatory text in accordance with the Clean Air Act (CAA).
DATES: This final rule is effective on January 9, 2026.
ADDRESSES: EPA has established a docket for this action under Docket ID
No. EPA-R05-OAR-2025-0355. All documents in the docket are listed on
the website. Although listed in the index, some information is not
publicly available, e.g., Confidential Business Information,
Proprietary 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 electronically through <a href="https://www.regualtions.gov">https://www.regualtions.gov</a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Berkowitz, Air and Radiation
Division (AR-18J), Environmental Protection Agency, Region 5, 77 West
Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, Illinois 60604, at (312) 353-4306, or by
email at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#460423342d29312f323c681429242334320623362768212930"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="85c7e0f7eeeaf2ecf1ffabd7eae7e0f7f1c5e0f5e4abe2eaf3">[email protected]</span></a>. The EPA Region 5 office is open from
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding Federal
holidays.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Throughout this document whenever ``we,''
``us,'' or ``our'' is used, we mean EPA.
I. Background
Section 111 of the CAA, ``Standards of Performance for New
Stationary
[[Page 916]]
Sources,'' directs EPA to establish emission standards for stationary
sources of air pollution that could potentially endanger public health
or welfare. These standards are referred to as New Source Performance
Standards (NSPS). Section 111(b) directs EPA to publish and
periodically revise a list of categories of stationary sources which
cause or significantly contribute to air pollution, and to establish
NSPS within these categories. Section 111(d) addresses the process by
which EPA and States regulate standards of performance for existing
sources belonging to those categories established in section 111(b).
When NSPS are promulgated for new sources, section 111(d) and EPA
regulations require that EPA publish an Emission Guideline (EG) to
regulate the same pollutants from existing facilities. While the NSPS
are directly applicable to new sources, an EG for an existing source
(designated facility) is intended for States to use to develop a State
plan to submit to EPA. CAA section 111 and 40 CFR 60.27(c) and (d)
require EPA to develop, implement, and enforce a Federal plan for
designated facilities located in any State or Indian country that does
not have an approved State plan under CAA section 111 that implements
the EG. A State may then meet its CAA 111(d) obligations by submitting
a formal written request for delegation of authority to implement and
enforce the Federal plan. The language in the preamble of ``Federal
Plan Requirements for MSW Landfills that Commenced Construction On or
Before July 17, 2014, and Have Not Been Modified or Reconstructed Since
July 17, 2014'' provides a framework for EPA to transfer implementation
and enforcement authority to a State or Tribe through a Memorandum of
Agreement (MOA) (86 FR 27756, May 21, 2021). A State or Tribe must
request delegation through a letter that:
<bullet> Demonstrates the State or Tribe has adequate resources, as
well as the legal authority, to administer and enforce the program;
<bullet> Includes an inventory of designated facilities, which
includes those that have ceased operation, but have not been dismantled
or rendered inoperable, and an inventory of the designated units' air
emissions;
<bullet> Certifies a public hearing was held on the State or Tribal
delegation request; and
<bullet> Includes a MOA between the State or Tribe and EPA that
sets forth the terms and conditions of the delegation, the effective
date of the agreement, and the mechanism to transfer authority.
Upon signature of the agreement, the approved document will be
published in the Federal Register, thereby incorporating the delegation
of authority into the appropriate subpart of 40 CFR part 62.
The MSW landfills NSPS for new landfills and EG for existing MSW
landfills were first promulgated by EPA on March 12, 1996 (61 FR 9905),
in 40 CFR part 60, subparts WWW and Cc, respectively. EPA finalized
revisions to the MSW landfills NSPS and EG in 40 CFR part 60, subparts
XXX and Cf on August 29, 2016 (81 FR 59332; 81 FR 59276), respectively.
The 2016 EG revision updates the control requirements and monitoring,
reporting, and recordkeeping provisions for existing MSW landfill
sources.
The current MSW landfills EG, found at 40 CFR part 60, subpart Cf,
concerns the regulation of landfill gas and its components, including
methane and nonmethane organic compounds, from MSW landfills for which
construction, reconstruction, or modification was commenced on or
before July 17, 2014. Pursuant to section 111(d) of the CAA and 40 CFR
part 60, subpart B, States are required to revise their State plans to
comply with the amended regulations. On May 21, 2021 (86 FR 27756), EPA
finalized the MSW landfills Federal plan in 40 CFR part 62, subpart
OOO. EPA issued technical amendments on February 3, 2022 (87 FR 8202),
for both the NSPS in 40 CFR part 60, subpart XXX, and the Federal plan
in 40 CFR part 62, subpart OOO. The MSW landfills Federal plan at 40
CFR part 62, subpart OOO, applies to States that do not have an EPA
approved State plan based on 40 CFR part 60, subpart Cf.
Ohio EPA submitted a MSW landfills State plan on March 30, 1998.
EPA approved Ohio EPA's State plan on August 7, 1998 (63 FR 42235), and
it became effective on October 6, 1998. Ohio EPA's adopted rules for
MSW landfills can be found at Ohio Administrative Code Chapter 3745-76
01-15. In order to fulfill continued obligations under CAA section
111(d), Ohio EPA submitted a package to withdraw their previous State
plan and request delegation of the Federal plan through a signed MOA.
For the reasons discussed below, EPA believes that Ohio EPA's request
for delegation of authority of the Federal plan meets the relevant
requirements of the CAA section 111(d) implementing regulations at 40
CFR part 60, subparts B and Cf.
II. Memorandum of Agreement Contents and EPA Analysis
EPA has evaluated Ohio EPA's Federal plan delegation request
submittal package to determine whether the package meets the previously
mentioned applicable requirements. EPA's detailed rationale and
discussion on the submittal package can be found in the Technical
Support Document (TSD), located in the docket for this rulemaking. The
applicable provisions and EPA's analysis are briefly summarized below.
<bullet> Ohio EPA demonstrated that it has adequate legal authority
to administer the Federal plan through its CAA 40 CFR part 70 title V
operating permits program by incorporating all Federal plan
requirements into each facility's permit to install and title V
operating permit for each affected designated facility when issued.
Ohio EPA also certified that it has adequate staffing levels and
divisional resources to ensure complete and timely review and issuance
of conforming permits, and to monitor and ensure compliance of all
affected landfills in the State.
<bullet> Ohio EPA submitted an inventory of designated MSW
landfills including those that are no longer operational but have not
been dismantled or rendered inoperable, an inventory of emissions, and
listed each source's existing air pollution controls. Ohio has thirty
(30) existing MSW landfills that are expected to be affected by the
Federal plan.
<bullet> Ohio EPA submitted certification that a public hearing was
held on March 6, 2025.
<bullet> Ohio EPA included a MOA with all information detailed in
the MSW landfills Federal plan preamble (86 FR 27756).
The MOA was signed by the Ohio EPA Director on June 12, 2025, and
became effective upon the signature of the EPA Region 5 Regional
Administrator on June 24, 2025. The effective MOA applies to the
designated facilities within the State of Ohio and is not implemented
and enforced on Indian land.
EPA has evaluated Ohio EPA's submittal for consistency with the
CAA, EPA regulations, and EPA policy. EPA determined that Ohio EPA has
met all the requirements of EPA's guidance for obtaining the delegation
of authority to implement and enforce the Federal plan.
III. Good Cause Finding
Section 553(b)(B) of the Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C.
553(b)(B), provides that, when an agency for good cause finds that
public
[[Page 917]]
notice and comment procedures are impracticable, unnecessary, or
contrary to the public interest, the agency may issue a rule without
providing notice and an opportunity for public comment. EPA has
determined that there is good cause for making this rule final without
prior proposal and opportunity for comment because such notice and
opportunity for comment is unnecessary.
EPA opened the final MSW landfills Federal plan to public input on
August 22, 2019 (84 FR 43745), and likewise solicited comments on the
proposed technical amendments on April 13, 2021 (86 FR 19176). EPA has
already approved the delegation of authority to implement and enforce
the Federal plan for MSW landfills to Ohio EPA, and it has already
become effective following the signature of both parties on the MOA.
Ohio EPA also held a public hearing and solicited public comment about
the request for delegation of authority in Ohio, pursuant to the
requirements in 40 CFR 60.23 and 62.09. Notice and comment are
``unnecessary'' as this final rule only takes the ministerial action of
updating the regulatory text in part 62 to reflect this transfer of
authority. It does not alter the universe of sources regulated under
the Federal plan and it does not change the regulatory requirements
applicable to those sources.
IV. Final Action
EPA is amending regulatory text at 40 CFR part 62, subpart KK--
Ohio, to promulgate the approved delegation of authority through the
MOA to Ohio EPA for implementing and enforcing the MSW landfills
Federal plan requirements.
V. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
Under the CAA, the Administrator has the authority to delegate the
authority to implement a 111(d) Federal plan that complies with the
provisions of the CAA and applicable Federal regulations. (40 CFR
60.27). In reviewing CAA section 111(d) delegation requests, EPA's role
is to approve State choices, provided they meet the criteria of the CAA
and of EPA's implementing regulations. Accordingly, this action merely
codifies in the Code of Federal Regulations EPA's delegation of
authority to implement the Federal plan and does not impose additional
requirements beyond those imposed by the already applicable Federal
plan.
A. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory Planning and Review
This action is not a significant regulatory action and was
therefore not submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
for review.
B. Executive Order 14192: Unleashing Prosperity Through Deregulation
This action is not subject to Executive Order 14192 (90 FR 9065,
February 6, 2025) because approvals of 111(d) actions are exempt from
review under Executive Order 12866.
C. Paperwork Reduction Act
This rule does not impose an information collection burden under
the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501
et seq.).
D. Regulatory Flexibility Act
This action merely codifies in the approval of the transfer of
authority from EPA to Ohio EPA for the MSW landfills Federal plan.
Accordingly, the Administrator certifies that this rule will not have a
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities
under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.).
E. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA)
This action does not contain any unfunded mandate as described in
UMRA, 2 U.S.C. 1531-1538, and does not significantly or uniquely affect
small governments. This action does not impose additional requirements
beyond those imposed by the already-applicable Federal plan.
Accordingly, no additional costs to State, local, or Tribal
governments, or to the private sector, will result from this action.
F. Executive Order 13132: Federalism
This action does not have federalism implications. It will not have
substantial direct effects on the States, on the relationship between
the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power
and responsibilities among the various levels of government.
G. Executive Order 13175: Consultation and Coordination With Indian
Tribal Governments
Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, November 9, 2000), requires EPA
to develop an accountable process to ensure ``meaningful and timely
input by tribal officials in the development of regulatory policies
that have tribal implications.'' This rule does not have Tribal
implications, as specified in Executive Order 13175. It will not have
substantial direct effects on Tribal governments. Thus, Executive Order
13175 does not apply to this rule.
H. Executive Order 13045: Protection of Children From Environmental
Health and Safety Risks
This action is not subject to Executive Order 13045 because it is
not 3(f)(1) significant as defined in Executive Order 12866, and
because EPA does not believe the environmental health or safety risks
addressed by this action present a disproportionate risk to children.
I. Executive Order 13211: Actions That Significantly Affect Energy
Supply, Distribution, or Use
This action is not subject to Executive Order 13211 (66 FR 28355
(May 22, 2001)), because it is not a significant regulatory action
under Executive Order 12866.
J. National Technology Transfer Advancement Act
This rulemaking does not involve technical standards and is
therefore not subject to the requirements of section 1(d) of the
National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272
note).
K. Congressional Review Act
This action is subject to the Congressional Review Act, and 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).
L. Judicial Review
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 March 10, 2026. Filing a petition for
reconsideration by the Administrator of this final rule does not affect
the finality of this rule 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 62
Environmental Protection, Administrative practice and procedure,
Air pollution control, Intergovernmental relations, Landfills,
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Waste treatment and disposal.
[[Page 918]]
Dated: December 19, 2025.
Anne Vogel,
Regional Administrator, Region 5.
For the reasons set forth in the preamble, 40 CFR part 62 is
amended as follows:
PART 62--APPROVAL AND PROMULGATION OF STATE PLANS FOR DESIGNATED
FACILITIES AND POLLUTANTS
0
1. The authority citation for part 62 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
Subpart KK--Ohio
0
2. Sections 62.8870, 62.8871, and 62.8872 are revised to read as
follows:
* * * * *
Sec.
62.8870 Identification of plan-delegation of authority.
62.8871 Identification of sources.
62.8872 Effective date.
* * * * *
Sec. 62.8870 Identification of plan-delegation of authority.
On June 16, 2025, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio
EPA), submitted a letter requesting delegation of authority from EPA to
implement and enforce the Federal plan requirements for existing
municipal solid waste landfills as required under subpart OOO of this
part. The Federal plan will be administered by both Ohio EPA and EPA.
Sec. 62.8871 Identification of sources.
The plan applies to all existing municipal solid waste landfills
that commenced construction, reconstruction, or modification on or
before July 17, 2014, and accepted waste at any time since November 8,
1987, or has additional capacity for future waste deposition, as
described in 40 CFR part 60, subpart Cf.
Sec. 62.8872 Effective date.
On June 12, 2025, the Ohio EPA Director signed the Memorandum of
Agreement concerning the Delegation of Authority of the Federal plan.
On June 24, 2025, the EPA Region 5 Regional Administrator signed the
Memorandum of Agreement, making the delegation effective.
[FR Doc. 2026-00253 Filed 1-8-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
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