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/ 2003
/ January
/ Thursday, January 30, 2003
[Federal Register: January 30, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 20)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 4847-4860]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr30ja03-27]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Parts 52 and 81
[MO 170-1170; IL 216-1; FRL-7444-5]
Determination of Attainment, Approval and Promulgation of
Implementation Plans, and Designation of Areas for Air Quality Planning
Purposes; States of Missouri and Illinois
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Proposed rule.
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SUMMARY: EPA is proposing to determine that the St. Louis ozone
nonattainment area (St. Louis area) has attained the 1-hour ozone
National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS). This proposal is based
on three years of complete, quality-assured ambient air quality
monitoring data for the 2000 through 2002 ozone seasons that
demonstrate that the 1-hour ozone NAAQS has been attained in the area.
On the basis of this proposal, EPA is also proposing to determine that
certain attainment demonstration requirements along with certain other
related requirements of part D of Title I of the Clean Air Act (CAA)
are not applicable to the St. Louis area.
The EPA is also proposing to approve an exemption from certain
nitrogen oxides (NOX) requirements as provided for in
section 182(f) for the Illinois portion of the St. Louis area. Section
182(f) establishes NOX requirements for ozone nonattainment
areas. However, it provides that these requirements do not apply to an
area if the Administrator determines that NOX reductions
would not contribute to attainment. Because the St. Louis area is
currently attaining the ozone NAAQS, EPA is proposing to grant the
Illinois portion of the St. Louis area an NOX exemption from
NOX reasonably available control technology (RACT)
requirements. If final action is taken, the Illinois portion of the St.
Louis area would no longer be subject to these NOX emission
control requirements. However, all emission controls previously adopted
by the state must continue to be implemented.
EPA is also proposing to approve requests from the States of
Missouri and Illinois, submitted on December 6, 2002, and December 30,
2002, respectively, to redesignate the St. Louis area to attainment of
the 1-hour ozone NAAQS. In proposing to approve these requests EPA is
also proposing to approve the states' plans for maintaining the 1-hour
ozone NAAQS through 2014, as revisions to the Missouri and Illinois
State Implementation Plans (SIPs). EPA is also proposing to find
adequate and approve the states' 2014 Motor Vehicle Emission Budgets
(MVEBs) for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen oxide
compounds (NOX) in the submitted maintenance plans for
transportation conformity purposes.
The St. Louis nonattainment area is located in portions of Illinois
and Missouri. The Illinois portion of the nonattainment area includes
Madison, Monroe, and St. Clair Counties (collectively referred to as
the Metro-East area). The Missouri portion of the nonattainment area
includes Franklin, Jefferson, St. Charles, and St. Louis Counties and
St. Louis City.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before March 3, 2003.
ADDRESSES: Written comments should be mailed to Joshua Tapp, Chief, Air
Planning and Development Branch, Environmental Protection Agency,
Region 7, 901 North 5th Street, Kansas City, Kansas 66101; or, J. Elmer
Bortzer, Chief, Regulation Development Section, Air Programs Branch
(ART-18J), Environmental Protection Agency, Region 5, 77 West Jackson
Boulevard, Chicago, Illinois 60604.
Relevant documents are available for inspection during normal
business hours at the above-listed Region 7 and Region 5 locations.
Interested persons wanting to examine these documents should make an
appointment with the appropriate office at least 24 hours in advance.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tony Petruska, Region 7, (913) 551-
7637, (petruska.anthony@epa.gov) or Edward Doty, Region 5, (312) 886-
6057, (doty.edward@epa.gov).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Table of Contents
I. Proposed Determination of Attainment and Redesignation
A. What actions is EPA proposing to take?
B. Why is EPA taking these actions?
C. What would be the effect of these actions?
D. What is the background for these actions?
E. What are the redesignation review criteria?
F. What is EPA's analysis of the request?
1. Criterion (1): The Area Must Be Attaining the 1-Hour Ozone
NAAQS
2. Criteria (2) and (5): The Area Must Have a Fully Approved SIP
under Section 110(k); and the Area Must Have Met All Applicable
Requirements Under Section 110 and Part D
a. Section 110 Requirements
b. Transport of Ozone Precursors to Downwind Areas
c. Part D: General Provisions for Nonattainment Areas
d. Section 172(c) Requirements
(1) RACM and RACT
(2) Reasonable Further Progress
(3) Emissions Inventories
(4) Identification and Quantification of Allowable Emissions for
Major New or Modified Stationary Sources and Permits for New and
Modified Major Stationary Sources
(5) Other Emission Control Measures
(6) Contingency Measures
e. Section 176 Conformity Requirements
f. Subpart 2 Section 182 Requirements
g. Attainment Demonstration
h. 1990 Base Year Inventory and Periodic Emissions Inventories
Updates
i. Emissions Statement Requirements
j. 15 Percent Rate-Of-Progress Plan Requirements
k. VOC RACT Requirements
l. RACM
m. Stage II Vapor Recovery Requirements
n. Vehicle Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) Requirements
o. NOX Emission Control Requirements
3. Criterion (3): The Improvement in Air Quality Must Be Due to
Permanent and Enforceable Reductions in Emissions
a. Emission Controls
b. Meteorological Conditions
4. Criterion (4): The Area Must Have a Fully Approved
Maintenance Plan Meeting the Requirements of Section 175A
a. Attainment Emissions Inventory
b. Maintenance Demonstration
c. Monitoring Network
d. Verification of Continued Attainment
e. Contingency Plan
f. Motor Vehicle Emissions Budgets
[[Page 4848]]
G. Where is the public record and where do I send comments?
II. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
I. Proposed Determination of Attainment and Redesignation
A. What Actions Is EPA Proposing to Take?
EPA is proposing to determine that the St. Louis nonattainment area
has attained the 1-hour ozone standard. On the basis of this
determination, EPA is also proposing to determine that certain
attainment demonstration requirements (section 172(c)(1) of the CAA),
along with certain other related requirements, of part D of Title I of
the CAA, specifically the section 172(c)(9) contingency measure
requirement (measures needed to mitigate a state's failure to achieve
reasonable further progress toward, and attainment of, a NAAQS), the
section 182(b)(1) attainment demonstration requirement and the section
182(j) multi-state attainment demonstration requirement, are not
applicable to the St. Louis area as long as it continues to attain the
ozone NAAQS. EPA is also proposing the following actions with respect
to each state:
Illinois
EPA is proposing to approve a request from the state of Illinois to
redesignate the Illinois portion of the St. Louis nonattainment area to
attainment of the 1-hour ozone NAAQS.
In addition, for Illinois, EPA is proposing the following:
[sbull] Approve Illinois' plan for maintaining the 1-hour ozone
NAAQS through 2014, as a revision to the Illinois SIP;
[sbull] Find adequate and approve the 2014 MVEBs for VOC and
NOX in the submitted maintenance plan for transportation
conformity purposes;
[sbull] Determine that the attainment demonstration (and associated
contingency measures) and Reasonably Available Control Measures (RACM)
requirements of the CAA are not applicable so long as the area
continues to attain the NAAQS; and
[sbull] Exempt the Illinois portion of the area from the
NOX RACT requirements of the CAA.
Missouri
EPA is proposing to approve a request from the State of Missouri to
redesignate the Missouri portion of the St. Louis nonattainment area to
attainment of the 1-hour ozone NAAQS.
In addition, for Missouri, EPA is proposing the following:
[sbull] Approve Missouri's plan for maintaining the 1-hour ozone
NAAQS through 2014, as a revision to the Missouri SIP;
[sbull] Find adequate and approve the 2014 MVEBs for VOC and
NOX in the submitted maintenance plans for transportation
conformity purposes; and,
[sbull] Determine that the attainment demonstration (and related
contingency measure requirements) and RACM requirements of the CAA are
not applicable so long as the area continues to attain the NAAQS.
Although EPA is addressing separate requests from Missouri and
Illinois, all of the above actions are being proposed in this rule.
Where applicable, notations have been made indicating items
specifically applicable to Missouri and those specifically applicable
to Illinois. In any final rulemaking(s), EPA will consider addressing
the above proposed actions in either one rule or in rules specific to
each state.
B. Why Is EPA Taking These Actions?
As detailed below, EPA is proposing to determine that the St. Louis
area has attained the 1-hour ozone standard and has fully met the
requirements for redesignation found at section 107(d)(3)(E) of the CAA
for redesignation of an area from nonattainment to attainment. The EPA
believes that each state has demonstrated that the area has attained,
and that the criteria for redesignation have been met.
C. What Would Be the Effect of These Actions?
A final determination that the St. Louis area has met the 1-hour
ozone standard would relieve the states from the obligation to meet
certain additional requirements, as identified above, which apply to
areas not attaining that standard. EPA notes, however, that the area is
likely to be designated nonattainment for the 8-hour ozone standard,
and would be subject to any additional requirements as a result of such
designation. EPA also notes that it is not proposing to revoke the 1-
hour standard for the St. Louis area.
Approval of the Missouri redesignation request would change the
official designation for the 1-hour ozone NAAQS found at 40 CFR part 81
for the St. Louis area, including the City of St. Louis, and the
Counties of Franklin, Jefferson, St. Charles, and St. Louis from
nonattainment to attainment. It would also incorporate into the
Missouri SIP a plan for maintaining the 1-hour ozone NAAQS through
2014. The plan includes contingency measures to remedy any future
violations of the 1-hour ozone NAAQS, and includes VOC and
NOX MVEBs for 2014 for the Missouri portion of the St. Louis
area.
Approval of the Illinois redesignation request would change the
official designation for the 1-hour ozone NAAQS found at 40 CFR part 81
for the Illinois counties of Madison, Monroe, and St. Clair from
nonattainment to attainment. It would also incorporate into the
Illinois SIP a plan for maintaining the 1-hour ozone NAAQS through
2014. The plan includes contingency measures to remedy any future
violations of the 1-hour ozone NAAQS, and includes VOC and
NOX MVEBs for 2014 for the Illinois portion of the St. Louis
area.
D. What Is the Background for These Actions?
With respect to the proposed finding of attainment and proposed
determination that certain requirements are not applicable to an area
monitoring attainment of the 1-hour ozone standard, EPA described its
interpretation of the attainment demonstration requirements (and
related requirements) in detail in its proposed rule on the Cincinati-
Hamilton area (65 FR 3630, 3631-3632, January 24, 2000). In summary,
EPA interprets the CAA's general nonattainment provisions of subpart 1
of part D of Title I (sections 171 and 172) and the more specific
attainment demonstration and related provisions of subpart 2 (section
182), relating to SIP requirements for ozone nonattainment areas to not
require the submission of SIP revisions concerning reasonable further
progress (RFP), attainment demonstrations, or contingency measures for
areas where the monitoring data show that the area is attaining the 1-
hour ozone standard. (See Sierra Club v. EPA, 99 F.3d 1551 (10th Cir.
1996)). This rationale is described in a memorandum from John S. Seitz,
Director, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, entitled
``Reasonable Further Progress, Attainment Demonstration, and Related
Requirements for Ozone Nonattainment Areas Meeting the Ozone National
Ambient Air Quality Standard,'' dated May 10, 1995. (See also, the
proposed determination of attainment for Louisville, 66 FR 27483,
27486, May 17, 2001, and the proposed determination of attainment for
Pittsburgh-Beaver Valley, 66 FR 1925, January 10, 2001, for more recent
applications of this interpretation.)
With regard to the redesignation requests, under section 107(d) of
the CAA, the St. Louis area was designated as an ozone nonattainment
area in March 1978 (43 FR 8962). On November
[[Page 4849]]
15, 1990, the CAA Amendments of 1990 were enacted. Under section
107(d)(4)(A) of the CAA, on November 6, 1991 (56 FR 56694), the St.
Louis area was designated as a moderate ozone nonattainment area as a
result of monitored violations of the one-hour ozone NAAQS during the
1987-1989 period. In a separate rulemaking, EPA is reclassifying the
area to a serious nonattainment area. However, as explained below, in
Section I.F.2, the basis for the proposed redesignation does not depend
on the area's ``serious'' classification.
Illinois and Missouri have adopted and implemented emission control
programs required under the CAA to reduce emissions of VOC and
NOX. These emission control programs include stationary
source RACT, vehicle inspection and maintenance (I/M) programs,
transportation control measures (TCMs), and other measures (see the
analysis and discussion of specific emission control measures below).
As a result of the emission control programs, ozone monitors in the St.
Louis area have recorded three years of ozone monitoring data for the
2000-2002 period showing that the area has attained the 1-hour ozone
NAAQS.
On December 6, 2002, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources
submitted a Redesignation Demonstration and Maintenance Plan for the
Missouri Portion of the St. Louis ozone nonattainment area along with a
request to redesignate the Missouri portion of the St. Louis
nonattainment area to attainment of the 1-hour ozone NAAQS. Included in
the Redesignation Demonstration and Maintenance Plan for the Missouri
Portion of the St. Louis nonattainment area is a plan to maintain the
1-hour ozone NAAQS for a least the next 10 years, and the 2014 MVEBs
for transportation conformity purposes.
On December 30, 2002, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
submitted a Maintenance Plan for the Illinois Portion of the St. Louis
ozone nonattainment area along with a request to redesignate the
Illinois portion of the St. Louis nonattainment area to attainment of
the 1-hour ozone NAAQS. Included in the Maintenance Plan for the
Illinois Portion of the St. Louis ozone nonattainment area is a plan to
maintain the 1-hour ozone NAAQS for at least the next 10 years, and the
2014 MVEBs for transportation conformity purposes.
E. What Are the Redesignation Review Criteria?
The CAA provides the requirements for redesignating a nonattainment
area to attainment. Specifically, section 107(d)(3)(E) allows for
redesignation providing that: (1) The Administrator determines that the
area has attained the applicable NAAQS; (2) the Administrator has fully
approved the applicable implementation plan for the area under section
110(k); (3) the Administrator determines that the improvement in air
quality is due to permanent and enforceable reductions in emissions
resulting from implementation of the applicable SIP and applicable
Federal air pollutant control regulations and other permanent and
enforceable reductions; (4) the Administrator has fully approved a
maintenance plan for the area as meeting the requirements of section
175A; and, (5) the state containing such area has met all requirements
applicable to the area under section 110 and part D.
EPA provided guidance on redesignation in the General Preamble for
the Implementation of Title I of the CAA Amendments of 1990, on April
16, 1992 (57 FR 13498), and supplemented this guidance on April 28,
1992 (57 FR 18070). EPA has provided further guidance on processing
redesignation requests in the following documents:
State Implementation Plans; General Preamble for the Implementation of
Title I of the CAA Amendments of 1990 (57 FR 13498), April 16, 1992
(General Preamble);
``Maintenance Plans for Redesignation of Ozone and Carbon Monoxide
Nonattainment Areas,'' Memorandum from G.T. Helms, Chief, Ozone/Carbon
Monoxide Programs Branch, April 30, 1992;
``Contingency Measures for Ozone and Carbon Monoxide (CO)
Redesignations,'' Memorandum from G. T. Helms, Chief, Ozone/Carbon
Monoxide Programs Branch, June 1, 1992;
``Procedures for Processing Requests to Redesignate Areas to
Attainment,'' Memorandum from John Calcagni, Director, Air Quality
Management Division, September 4, 1992;
``State Implementation Plan (SIP) Actions Submitted in Response to
Clean Air Act (ACT) Deadlines,'' Memorandum from John Calcagni,
Director, Air Quality Management Division, October 28, 1992;
``Technical Support Documents (TSD's) for Redesignation Ozone and
Carbon Monoxide (CO) Nonattainment Areas,'' Memorandum from G. T.
Helms, Chief, Ozone/Carbon Monoxide Programs Branch, August 17, 1993;
``State Implementation Plan (SIP) Requirements for Areas Submitting
Requests for Redesignation to Attainment of the Ozone and Carbon
Monoxide (CO) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) On or
After November 15, 1992,'' Memorandum from Michael H. Shapiro, Acting
Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation, September 17, 1993;
``Part D New Source Review (part D NSR) Requirements for Areas
Requesting Redesignation to Attainment,'' Memorandum from Mary D.
Nichols, Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation, October 14,
1994; and
``Reasonable Further Progress, Attainment Demonstration, and Related
Requirements for Ozone Nonattainment Areas Meeting the Ozone National
Ambient Air Quality Standard,'' Memorandum from John S. Seitz,
Director, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, May 10, 1995.
F. What Is EPA's Analysis of the Requests?
EPA believes that Missouri and Illinois have demonstrated that the
St. Louis area has attained the 1-hour ozone standard and have
demonstrated that the area meets all of the applicable criteria for
redesignation to attainment as specified in Section 107(d)(3)(E) of the
CAA.
1. Criterion (1): The Area Must Be Attaining the 1-Hour Ozone NAAQS
EPA proposes to find that the area has attained the 1-hour ozone
standard and to approve the redesignation requests submitted by
Missouri and Illinois for the St. Louis area as meeting this
requirement because complete, quality-assured, ambient air monitoring
data for the 2000 to 2002 ozone seasons (April through September, when
the highest ozone concentrations are expected to occur in this area)
demonstrate that the 1-hour ozone NAAQS has been attained in the entire
St. Louis area. For ozone, an area may be considered to be attaining
the 1-hour ozone NAAQS if there are no violations, as determined in
accordance with 40 CFR 50.9 and appendix H, based on three complete,
consecutive calendar years of quality-assured ambient monitoring data.
A violation of the 1-hour ozone NAAQS occurs when the estimated number
of exceedances per year averaged over three years is greater than 1.0
at any monitoring site in the area or its downwind environs, using
conventional rounding techniques.
The calculation of the estimated exceedances takes into account not
only the number of exceedances during a
[[Page 4850]]
given ozone season, but also completeness of data, and daily peak ozone
concentrations on days in the ozone season that can be assumed to be
less than the level of the standard. An example calculation of
estimated exceedances at the West Alton monitor is given below. A daily
exceedance occurs when the maximum hourly ozone concentration during a
given day is greater than or equal to 0.125 parts per million (ppm),
using conventional rounding techniques. Monitoring data must be
collected and quality-assured in accordance with 40 CFR part 58, and
recorded in EPA's Aerometric Information Retrieval System (AIRS).
MDNR and IEPA submitted quality-assured ozone monitoring data to
EPA for the 2000 to 2002 ozone monitoring seasons. Table 1 below
summarizes these air quality data.
Table 1.--1-Hour Ozone NAAQS Exceedances in the St. Louis, Illinois-Missouri Area from 2000 to 2002
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Estimated exceedances Average
--------------------------------------- number of
Site name County or city and estimated
state 2000 2001 2002 exceedances
2000-2002
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jerseyville......................... Jersey, IL............ 0.0 1.0 1.0 0.7
Alton............................... Madison, IL........... 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Maryville........................... Madison, IL........... 0.0 0.0 1.0 0.3
Edwardsville........................ Madison, IL........... 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Wood River.......................... Madison, IL........... 0.0 1.0 0.0 0.3
Houston............................. Randolph, IL.......... 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
East St. Louis...................... St. Clair, IL......... 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
=====================================
Arnold.............................. Jefferson, MO......... 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
West Alton.......................... St. Charles, MO....... 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0
Orchard Farm........................ St. Charles, MO....... 0.0 0.0 2.0 0.7
Bonne Terre......................... St. Genevieve, MO..... 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
South Lindbergh..................... St. Louis, MO......... 0.0 0.0 2.0 0.7
Queeny.............................. St. Louis, MO......... 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Hunter.............................. St. Louis, MO......... 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Flo Valley.......................... St. Louis, MO......... 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
St. Ann (old)....................... St. Louis, MO......... 0.0 n/a n/a \1\ 0.0
St. Ann (new)....................... St. Louis, MO......... n/a 0.0 0.0 \1\ n/a
Broadway............................ St. Louis City, MO.... 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Clark............................... St. Louis City, MO.... 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Margaretta.......................... St. Louis City, MO.... 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
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\1\ The owner of the property on which the old St. Ann monitor was located terminated the lease agreement with
MDNR. The new site is 0.7 miles east of the old site. In general, ambient monitors should remain at the same
location for the duration of the monitoring period required for demonstrating attainment. However, when three
complete, consecutive calendar years of data is not available for a monitoring site, adjustments are made
consistent with EPA monitoring criteria, in determining the average number of estimated exceedances per year.
The average number of estimated exceedances for 2000-2002 for the old St. Ann monitor is the estimated
exceedances for 2000, or 0.0. In addition, where a monitor has been in operation less than three years, the
average estimated number of exceedances cannot be determined. Since the new St. Ann monitor has been in
operation less than three years, the average number of estimated exceedances for 2000-2002 was not determined.
The following is an example of how the number of estimated
exceedances at the West Alton Monitor were determined: During the 2000
to 2002 time period, the West Alton monitor was determined to have an
annual average number of estimated exceedances of 1.0. This value was
determined in accordance with 40 CFR 50.9 and appendix H, as follows:
e = v + [(v/n)*(N-n-z)] where
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable description Comments
------------------------------------------------------------------------
e = the estimated number of exceedances Calculated.
for the year.
N = the number of required monitoring days Missouri's ozone season is
in the year. April 1 through September
30.
n = the number of valid daily maxima...... Days with valid data based
on 40 CFR part 50 and
appendix H.
v = the number of daily values above the Based on monitored values.
level of the standard.
Z = the number of days assumed to be less Based on 40 CFR part 50,
than the standard level. Appendix H, for days that
were likely below the
standard.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
West Alton Monitor
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable 2000 2001 2002
------------------------------------------------------------------------
e............................................ 1.0 1.0 1.0
N............................................ 214 214 214
n............................................ 214 213 213
v............................................ 1 1 1
z............................................ 0 1 0
----------------------------------------------
Average Number of Estimated Exceedances =
(1.0 + 1.0 + 1.0)/3 = 1.0
----------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Criteria (2) and (5): The Area Must Have a Fully Approved SIP Under
Section 110(k); and the Area Must Have Met All Applicable Requirements
Under Section 110 and Part D
Background
In order to analyze whether the Missouri and the Illinois portions
of the area each meet these criteria, it is necessary to discuss what
requirements are applicable to the St. Louis area, and for the
applicable SIP requirements, the extent to which they are fully
approved under section 110(k). In a notice accompanying a rulemaking
published June 26, 2001, EPA explained how the states had previously
submitted, and
[[Page 4851]]
EPA had previously approved, various SIPs for the area in order to meet
the CAA requirements applicable to a moderate ozone nonattainment area
(66 FR 33996, 34001). The EPA incorporates that discussion into this
notice by reference. In redesignating an area EPA may rely on prior SIP
approvals and rulemaking actions, and need not reopen earlier issues
with regard to the SIP. See, Wall v. EPA, 265 F. 3d 426, 438 (6th Cir.
2001) and Southwestern Pa. Growth Alliance v. Browner, 144 F. 3d 984,
989-90 (6th Cir. 1998). In the June 26, 2001, rulemaking, EPA also
approved into the Missouri and Illinois SIPs, several plan elements
which ensured that the states had fully approved SIPs (e.g., the
states' attainment demonstrations for the area) (66 FR 33996, 34010).
On November 25, 2002, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh
Circuit (Court) issued a decision in Sierra Club and Missouri Coalition
for the Environment v. EPA, 311 F. 3d 853 (7th Cir. 2002)(``Sierra
Club''). In this decision, the Court vacated the June 26, 2001, rule
and remanded to EPA for entry of a final rule that reclassifies St.
Louis as a serious nonattainment area for ozone. Although the Court
addressed only EPA's action extending the attainment date for St.
Louis, the Court's order vacated the other EPA actions in the
rulemaking as well. EPA has reviewed the other actions in the June 26,
2001, rulemaking, and proposes to find, as discussed below, that the
SIP actions vacated by the Court are no longer applicable requirements
since the area has attained the NAAQS. EPA is also reproposing to
approve the exemption granted in the June 26 rule to Illinois from the
NOX RACT requirements under section 182(f) of the Act, since
the area has attained the NAAQS. Therefore, EPA is proposing to grant
the exemption in this rulemaking, as discussed elsewhere in this
notice. In addition, in a separate rulemaking, EPA is reclassifying the
St. Louis area as a serious nonattainment area in accordance with the
Court's Order. With respect to the redesignation criteria applicable to
St. Louis, the following includes a discussion of the effect of the
Court's action and of the reclassification on EPA's ability to
redesignate the area.
The September 4, 1992, Calcagni memorandum (see ``Procedures for
Processing Requests to Redesignate Areas to Attainment,'' Memorandum
from John Calcagni, Director, Air Quality Management Division,
September 4, 1992) describes EPA's interpretation of the Section
107(d)(3)(E) requirement. Under this interpretation, states requesting
redesignation to attainment must meet the relevant CAA requirements
that come due prior to the submittal of a complete redesignation
request. Areas may be redesignated even though they have not adopted
measures that come due after the submission of a complete redesignation
request.
The May 10, 1995, Seitz memorandum (see ``Reasonable Further
Progress, Attainment Demonstration, and Related Requirements for Ozone
Nonattainment Areas Meeting the Ozone National Ambient Air Quality
Standard,'' Memorandum from John S. Seitz, Director, Office of Air
Quality Planning and Standards, May 10, 1995) states that certain SIP
revisions need not be submitted for EPA to approve a request for
redesignation, since the requirements would no longer be considered
applicable requirements as long as the area continues to attain the 1-
hour ozone NAAQS. The SIP requirements subject to this policy are
described as the general provisions of subpart 1, part D, title I of
the CAA (sections 171 and 172) concerning RFP, attainment
demonstrations, and contingency measures, as well as the ozone-specific
provisions of subpart 2 of the CAA. The Seitz memorandum was discussed
above, in section I.D. and in more detail in the proposed rulemaking on
the Cincinnati-Hamilton area, 65 FR 3630, 3631-3632 (January 24, 2000),
also referenced previously.
EPA sets forth, in a separate rulemaking published today, a
schedule for the states of Missouri and Illinois to submit the serious
area SIP requirements within one year after today's date. However,
because the States have already submitted complete redesignation
requests, EPA believes, pursuant to the policies described above, that
the serious nonattainment requirements are not applicable, for purposes
of reviewing and acting on the redesignation requests. Therefore, for
purposes of acting on the redesignation requests, EPA's analysis
includes a proposed determination that the area has met the applicable
CAA requirements for moderate nonattainment areas.
If the area violates the 1-hour ozone NAAQS prior to final action
on the redesignation request, however, not only would the serious area
requirements become applicable, but the redesignation request could not
be approved because the area would no longer meet the criterion of
having attained the 1-hour NAAQS. (Seitz memorandum dated May 10,
1995.) Furthermore, requirements of the CAA that come due subsequent to
the area's submittal of a complete redesignation request would continue
to be applicable to the area until a redesignation is approved but are
not required as a prerequisite for redesignation (see section 175A(c)
of the CAA). If the redesignation were to be disapproved, the States
remain obligated to fulfill all of the serious area requirements.
The following is a discussion of the relevant requirements for the
St. Louis area. Where appropriate, EPA addresses the SIP actions in the
June 26, 2001, rulemaking vacated by the Court in Sierra Club, and
explains its conclusion that each state has met its obligation to have
fully approved SIPs for its portion of the nonattainment area. EPA also
identifies the SIP actions for the area which pre-dated the June 26,
2001, rulemaking and were not impacted by the Sierra Club ruling. (As
stated above, those prior actions were also discussed in the June 26,
2001, rulemaking.)
a. Section 110 Requirements
General SIP elements and requirements are delineated in section
110(a)(2) of Title I, part A of the CAA. These requirements include,
but are not limited to, the following: Submittal of a SIP that has been
adopted by the state after reasonable public notice and hearing;
provisions for establishment and operation of appropriate apparatus,
methods, systems, and procedures needed to monitor ambient air quality;
implementation of a source permit program; provisions for the
implementation of part C requirements (Prevention of Significant
Deterioration (PSD)); provisions for the implementation of part D
requirements (New Source Review (NSR) permit programs); provisions for
stationary source emission control measures, source monitoring, and
source reporting; provisions for air pollution modeling; and provisions
for public and local agency participation in planning and emission
control rule development.
Illinois
Review of the Illinois SIP, as codified in 40 CFR part 52, subpart
O, and specifically 40 CFR 52.720, 52.722, and 52.726, shows that
Illinois has an approved ozone SIP which meets the general requirements
of section 110(a)(2) of the CAA, and which can be considered to be
approved under section 110(k) of the CAA. The SIP, which has undergone
public review: (a) Provides for the control of ozone precursor
emissions, including those from stationary sources, in the Metro-East
area at sufficient control levels to attain the ozone standard; (b)
provides for continued monitoring of ozone in this area; (c) contains
provisions covering permitting of new sources
[[Page 4852]]
under PSD and NSR provisions; and (d) where appropriate, requires
stationary source monitoring.
Missouri
The Missouri SIP, is codified in 40 CFR part 52, subpart AA. If EPA
finalizes its proposal for the revisions to the Missouri motor vehicle
inspection and maintenance (I/M) program, published elsewhere in this
Federal Register, as described below in the Vehicle Inspection/
Maintenance Requirements, the Missouri ozone SIP will meet the
applicable requirements of section 110 and part D, and can be
considered to be approved under section 110(k) of the CAA. The SIP,
which has undergone public review: (a) Provides for the control of
ozone precursor emissions, including those from stationary sources, at
sufficient control levels to attain the ozone standard; (b) provides
for continued monitoring of ozone in this area; (c) contains provisions
covering permitting of new sources under PSD and NSR provisions; and
(d) where appropriate, requires stationary source monitoring.
b. Transport of Ozone Precursors to Downwind Areas
Modeling results generated using EPA's Regional Oxidant Model (ROM)
indicate that ozone precursor emissions from various states outside of
the Ozone Transport Region (OTR), in the Northeastern United States,
contribute significantly to increased ozone concentrations in the OTR
(as well as to increased ozone concentrations in other states in the
Eastern portion of the United States). On October 27, 1998, (63 FR
57356), EPA issued a NOX SIP call, requiring the District of
Columbia and 22 states, including Illinois and Missouri, to reduce
their statewide emissions of NOX in order to reduce the
transport of ozone and ozone precursors. In March 2000, the United
States Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia largely
upheld the SIP call, Michigan v. EPA, 213 F.3d 663 (D.C. Cir. 2000).
Illinois is currently subject to the NOX SIP call. However,
the Court vacated and remanded the SIP call as it relates to Missouri.
Illinois
In compliance with EPA's NOX SIP call, Illinois has
developed rules governing the control of NOX emissions from
Electric Generating Units (EGUs), major non-EGU industrial boilers, and
major cement kilns. EPA approved Illinois' rules for major non-EGU
industrial boilers and major cement kilns on November 8, 2001 (66 FR
56449), and Illinois' rules for EGUs on November 8, 2001 (66 FR 56454).
Missouri
On February 22, 2002 (67 FR 8396), EPA proposed modifications to
the NOX SIP call for Missouri. EPA has not finalized the
rulemaking to require Missouri to submit this SIP revision. When
finalized, EPA anticipates that the rule will specify a schedule for
submission of necessary SIP revisions. Missouri is not subject to the
NOX SIP call at this time.
c. Part D: General Provisions for Nonattainment Areas
Before an area may be redesignated to attainment, it must have
fulfilled the applicable requirements of part D. Under part D of Title
I of the CAA, an area's ozone classification determines the
requirements to which it is subject. Subpart 1 of part D specifies the
basic requirements applicable to all nonattainment areas. Subpart 2 of
part D establishes additional requirements for nonattainment areas
classified under Table 1 of section 181(a) of the CAA. As described in
the General Preamble for Implementation of Title I of the CAA, specific
requirements of subpart 2 may override or modify subpart 1's general
provisions (57 FR 13501, April 16, 1992). Therefore, in order to be
redesignated, the states must meet the applicable requirements of
subpart 1 of part D--specifically sections 172(c) and 176, as well as
the applicable requirements of subpart 2 of part D.
EPA believes that Illinois and Missouri have each met the
requirements of subpart 1 of part D--specifically sections 172(c), and
176, insofar as applicable, as well as the applicable requirements of
subpart 2 of part D of the CAA as described below. EPA is proposing to
determine that the requirement for a SIP revision providing an
attainment demonstration to meet the requirements of sections
172(c)(1), 182(b)(1), and 182(j) is not applicable. In addition,
although the St. Louis area is being reclassified to a serious
nonattainment area in a separate rulemaking, EPA believes that the
serious area requirements which have not yet been adopted by the states
\2\ are not yet applicable to the St. Louis area until such time as
they are due. The States of Missouri and Illinois are not required to
submit the serious area SIP requirements for one year from today. The
discussion below demonstrates how the St. Louis area has met the
applicable requirements of subpart 1 of part D--specifically sections
172(c) and 176, as well as the applicable requirements of subpart 2 of
part D.
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\2\ Each state has adopted certain permit applicability rules
which are dependent on the nonattainment area's classification
(e.g., the minimum applicability threshold is 50 tons per year of
VOC or NOX in a serious area as compared to a 100-ton
minimum threshold in a moderate area). These rules apply, according
to their terms, as long as the area remains classified as a
``serious'' nonattainment area for the 1-hour ozone standard.
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d. Section 172(c) Requirements
This section contains general requirements for nonattainment area
SIPs. For reasons discussed previously, EPA proposes to determine that
certain requirements relating to attainment of the NAAQS do not apply
to St. Louis because the area has attained the standard. A thorough
discussion of the requirements contained in section 172(c) may be found
in the General Preamble for Implementation of Title I (57 FR 13498,
April 16, 1992). The following discussion summarizes the requirements
in section 172(c) of the CAA. This is followed by a discussion of the
extent to which the St. Louis area has met these requirements, and an
identification of the requirements which EPA proposes to find are not
applicable to the St. Louis area.
General Plan Requirements--The plan provisions, to the extent
applicable, must provide for the implementation of all RACM as
expeditiously as practicable. At a minimum, the plan must require the
implementation of RACT for stationary sources. Also to the extent
applicable, the plan must also provide for the attainment of the
national primary ambient air quality standards (those standards set to
protect public health);
RFP--RFP reflects a steady, annual progress towards attainment of
the air quality standards, generally addressed in terms of annual
emission reductions. To the extent applicable, the plan must document
and provide for such annual progress;
Emissions Inventory--The plan needs to include a comprehensive,
accurate, current inventory of actual emissions from all sources of the
relevant pollutant as determined necessary by the Administrator to
assure that the requirements of part D of the CAA are met;
Identification and Quantification of Allowable Emissions for Major
New or Modified Stationary Sources--The quantified emissions must be
consistent with the emission levels needed to achieve RFP and
attainment of the NAAQS;
Permits for New and Modified Major Stationary Sources--The plan
provisions must require permits for the construction and operation of
new or
[[Page 4853]]
modified major stationary sources anywhere in the nonattainment area;
Other Emission Control Measures--The plan must include enforceable
emission limitations and other control measures and time schedules for
implementation of emission controls as needed to assure attainment of
the NAAQS by the applicable attainment date;
Compliance With Section 110(a)(2)--The plan must contain provisions
to meet the requirements of section 110(a)(2) of the CAA (see the
discussion of section 110 requirements above); and
Contingency Measures--The plan must provide, to the extent
applicable, for the implementation of specific measures to be
undertaken if the area fails to achieve RFP or to attain the NAAQS by
the applicable attainment date. Such measures must take effect, if
triggered, without further action by the State or the EPA.
(1) RACM and RACT
These requirements are discussed below under Subpart 2, Section 182
Requirements.
(2) RFP
The RFP requirement under section 172(c)(2) is defined as progress
that must be made toward attainment. Section 182(b)(1)(A) sets forth
the specific requirements for RFP. As described elsewhere in this
proposal, EPA believes it is reasonable to interpret that the Clean Air
Act provisions regarding RFP and attainment demonstrations, along with
certain other related provisions do not require certain SIP submissions
if an ozone nonattainment area subject to those requirements is
monitoring attainment of the ozone standard (i.e., has three
consecutive years of complete, quality-assured, air quality monitoring
data) without those provisions being implemented. However, EPA has
approved the regulations that were submitted by Illinois and Missouri,
and their respective 15 percent rate-of-progress (or ROP) plans, as
described below in the discussion of the section 182 requirements.
These plans were submitted before the 2000 to 2002 time frame during
which attainment has been monitored, and provided permanent and
enforceable emission reductions for the St. Louis area during the 2000
through 2002 ozone seasons (see the discussion under the heading
``Criterion 3,'' below). These previously-approved SIP control measures
must continue to be implemented and enforced and are not affected by
this action.\3\
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\3\ The RFP requirements in section 182(c)(2)(B), relating to
RFP for serious nonattainment areas, are not yet due (as explained
elsewhere, they would be due within a year after the
reclassification), and, in any event, are not applicable
requirements for the reasons stated above.
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(3) Emissions Inventories
These requirements are discussed below under Subpart 2, Section 182
Requirements.
(4) Identification and Quantification of Allowable
Emissions for Major New or Modified Stationary Sources and Permits
for New and Modified Major Stationary Sources
Illinois
The state of Illinois has a fully approved set of adopted
Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) and nonattainment area
New Source Review (NSR) rules, as documented at the following EPA Web
site: http://www.epa.gov/region5/air/sips/sips.htm.
Missouri
The state of Missouri has a fully approved set of adopted
Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) and nonattainment area
New Source Review (NSR) rules, as documented at the following EPA Web
site: http://www.epa.gov/region07/programs/artd/air/rules/missouri/chap6.htm
.
Both states' maintenance plans for the St. Louis ozone
nonattainment area and the 15 percent ROP plans for the area document
expected additional VOC and NOX emissions due to major
source growth. Where possible, the states specifically identified the
emission increases expected by source category. The emission growth
estimates take into account the allowable emissions increases expected
to result for each source category. As such, EPA believes the states
have complied with the requirement for the identification and
quantification of allowable emissions due to major new or modified
stationary sources.
(5) Other Emission Control Measures
Illinois
Illinois' maintenance plan for the St. Louis area indicates
emission control measures which will maintain the 1-hour ozone standard
until 2014. In addition, the state's 15 percent ROP plan identifies
sufficient emission controls to achieve the required rate of progress
(see EPA's approval of Illinois' ROP plan at 62 FR 37494, July 14,
1997).
Missouri
Missouri's maintenance plan for the St. Louis area indicates
emission control measures which will maintain the 1-hour ozone standard
until 2014. In addition, the State's 15 percent ROP plan identifies
sufficient emission controls to achieve the required rate of progress
(see EPA's approval of Missouri's ROP plan at 65 FR 31485, May 18,
2000).
(6) Contingency Measures
In the June 26, 2001, rulemaking, EPA found that both states had
met their obligations to have contingency measures in the event of
failure to attain the 1-hour standard. Although that finding was not
challenged, the finding was vacated in the Sierra Club decision.
However, because the area has now attained the standard, and for the
reasons described previously, the relevant contingency measures are
those necessary to maintain the standard. The contingency measures are
identified below, and a more detailed discussion is included under the
discussion of the maintenance plan, in Criterion 4, below.
Illinois
Illinois' ozone redesignation request for the St. Louis area
contains a contingency plan for the area that will result in the
adoption and implementation of contingency measures as needed to
maintain the ozone standard in the St. Louis area.
Missouri
Missouri's ozone redesignation request for the St. Louis area
contains a contingency plan for the area that will result in the
adoption and implementation of contingency measures as needed to
maintain the ozone standard in the St. Louis area.
e. Section 176 Conformity Requirements
Section 176(c) of the CAA requires states to establish criteria and
procedures to ensure that Federally supported or funded projects
conform to the air quality planning goals in the applicable SIP. The
requirement to determine conformity applies to transportation plans,
programs and projects developed, funded or approved under Title 23
U.S.C. of the Federal Transit Act (``transportation conformity''), as
well as to all other Federally supported or funded projects (``general
conformity''). Section 176 further provides that state conformity
revisions must be consistent with Federal conformity regulations that
the CAA required the EPA to promulgate.
EPA believes it is reasonable to interpret the conformity
requirements as
[[Page 4854]]
not applying for purposes of evaluating the redesignation request under
section 107(d). The rationale for this is based on a combination of two
factors. First, the requirement to submit SIP revisions to comply with
the conformity provisions of the CAA continues to apply to areas after
redesignation to attainment, since such areas would be subject to a
section 175A maintenance plan. Second, the EPA's Federal conformity
rules require the performance of conformity analyses in the absence of
Federally approved state rules. Therefore, because areas are subject to
the conformity requirements regardless of whether they are redesignated
to attainment and must implement conformity under Federal rules if
state rules are not yet approved, EPA believes it is reasonable to view
these requirements as not applying for purposes of evaluating a
redesignation request. See, Wall v. EPA, 265 F. 3d 426, 439 (6th Cir.
2001) upholding this interpretation.
Illinois
The State of Illinois has fully adopted general conformity
procedures, approved by the EPA on December 23, 1997 (62 FR 67000). The
State does not have fully adopted and approved transportation
conformity procedures in the SIP. For the reasons stated above, EPA
believes the adoption of conformity rules is not a prerequisite for
redesignation. For the Illinois portion of the area, the Federal
conformity rules continue to apply.
Missouri
The State of Missouri has adopted general conformity procedures
found at 10 CSR 10-6.300, approved by EPA on May 14, 1997 (62 FR
26395), and has adopted transportation conformity procedures found at
10 CSR 10-5.480, approved by EPA on September 5, 1997 (62 FR 46880),
corrected on February 10, 1998 (63 FR 6645).
f. Subpart 2 Section 182 Requirements
For purposes of this redesignation, the part D, subpart 2, section
182 (a) and (b) requirements for a nonattainment area apply to the St.
Louis area.
g. Attainment Demonstration
Section 182(b)(1) of the CAA requires an attainment demonstration
that provides specific annual reductions in emissions necessary to
attain the NAAQS by the attainment date. Section 182(j) provides
additional requirements for multistate areas.
EPA approved Missouri's and Illinois' attainment demonstrations in
the June 26, 2001, rulemaking (66 FR 33996). This rulemaking was
vacated in the November 25, 2002, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh
Circuit (Court) decision in the Sierra Club case (311 F. 3d 853, 862).
The Court vacated the rulemaking based on EPA's granting of an
attainment date extension for the area, which the Court found unlawful.
In its petition, the Sierra Club raised other objections to the
rulemaking, including EPA's approval of the attainment demonstration.
The Court stated that it would not reach these other issues, and that
it expressed no opinion on them. Id. However, because the Court vacated
the entire rule, the area does not have an approved attainment
demonstration.
Although the approval of the attainment demonstration for the St.
Louis area has been vacated, for the reasons discussed previously, EPA
believes that the attainment demonstration requirement under Section
182(b)(1) and 182(j) is no longer applicable provided the area
continues to attain the 1-hour ozone NAAQS. This conclusion is based
upon the monitored attainment with the NAAQS. EPA believes that upon
monitoring attainment, there is no need for an area to take further
action regarding additional measures to achieve attainment. This is
consistent with the interpretation of certain section 172(c)
requirements provided by EPA in the General Preamble to Title I. EPA
stated in the Preamble no other measures to provide for attainment
would be needed by areas seeking redesignation to attainment since
``attainment will have been reached'' (57 FR 13564). Upon attainment of
the NAAQS, the focus of state planning efforts shifts to the
maintenance of the NAAQS and the development of a maintenance plan
under section 175A. (See also, the proposal on Cincinnati-Hamilton,
discussed previously in Section I.F.2 of this proposal, 65 FR 3630,
3631-32.)
h. 1990 Base Year Inventory and Periodic Emissions Inventories Updates
Illinois
Illinois has submitted a complete and accurate 1990 emissions
inventory for VOC and NOX for the Metro-East area as noted
in EPA's final approval of the emissions inventory on March 14, 1995
(60 FR 13631). The 1990 emissions inventory has formed the basic
emissions input for the State's ROP plan.
Illinois has submitted updated versions of the emissions
inventories for 1996 and 2000.
Missouri
Missouri submitted a complete and accurate 1990 emissions inventory
of VOC and NOX for the St. Louis area as noted in EPA's
final approval of the emissions inventory on February 17, 2000 (65 FR
8060).
Missouri submitted updated versions of the emissions inventories
for 1996 as part of the ROP plan approved on May 18, 2000 (65 FR
31485), and for 2000 as part of the redesignation request submitted on
December 6, 2002.
i. Emissions Statement Requirements
Illinois
As noted in the following EPA web site for adopted SIP revisions,
Illinois' SIP includes regulations requiring annual emissions
statements from major sources. The Web site is: http://www.epa.gov/region5/air/sips/sips.htmMissouri
As noted in the following EPA web site for adopted SIP revisions,
Missouri's SIP includes regulations requiring annual emissions
statements from major sources. The Web site is: http://www.epa.gov/region07/programs/artd/air/rules/missouri/chap6.htm
.
Missouri's requirements to submit annual emissions statements from
major sources can be found at the above web site at 10 CSR 10-6.110.
j. 15 Percent Rate-Of-Progress Plan Requirements
Section 182(b)(1) of the CAA requires the submission of a 15
percent Rate-Of-Progress (ROP) plan. This plan is to provide for VOC
emission reductions in the nonattainment area of at least 15 percent,
from the 1990 baseline emissions levels, by no later than November 15,
1996. A discussion of the extent to which the requirement is applicable
to an area monitoring attainment of the standard is included above. We
note that the Missouri and Illinois SIPs contain these provisions as
indicated below.
Illinois
In November 1994 the IEPA submitted a 15 percent ROP plan for the
control of VOC emissions in the Metro-East area. This ROP plan was
supplemented by the state through a submittal on January 31, 1995. The
ROP plan, as supplemented, was approved by the EPA in a final
rulemaking on July 14, 1997 (62 FR 37494).
Missouri
In 1995 MDNR submitted a 15 percent ROP plan for the control of VOC
emissions in the St. Louis area. On
[[Page 4855]]
March 18, 1996, EPA proposed a limited approval of the ROP plan (61 FR
10968). On November 12, 1999, MDNR submitted a revised ROP. The revised
ROP plan was approved by the EPA in a final rulemaking on May 18, 2000
(65 FR 31485). EPA's approval of the Missouri ROP was upheld in Sierra
Club v. EPA, 252 F.3d 943 (8th Cir. 2001).
k. VOC RACT Requirements
Sections 172(c) of the CAA specifies that SIPs must provide for the
implementation of all Reasonably Available Control Measures (RACM)
including all Reasonably Available Control Technology (RACT) as
expeditiously as practicable to attain the NAAQS. At a minimum, the
SIPs must require the implementation of RACT for two classes of VOC
sources. The VOC source classes are: (a) All sources covered by a
Control Techniques Guideline (CTG) document issued by the Administrator
by the date of attainment of the ozone standard; and (b) all other
major non-CTG stationary sources.
Illinois
The Illinois redesignation request, submitted on December 30, 2002,
shows that Illinois has adopted and implemented all required VOC RACT
rules. EPA, through a number of rulemakings, has approved RACT rules
for Illinois fully meeting the VOC RACT requirements of the CAA. The
contents of these RACT rules and EPA's rulemakings approving these RACT
rules are documented at the following EPA Web site: http://www.epa.gov/region5/air/sips/sips.htm
.
Missouri
The Missouri redesignation request, submitted on December 6, 2002,
shows that Missouri has adopted and implemented all required VOC RACT
rules. EPA, through a number of rulemakings, has approved RACT rules
for Missouri fully meeting the RACT requirements of the CAA. The
contents of these RACT rules and EPA's rulemakings approving these RACT
rules are documented at the following EPA Web site: http://www.epa.gov/region07/programs/artd/air/rules/missouri/chap5.htm
.
l. RACM
On April 19, 2001, EPA proposed to approve Illinois' and Missouri's
SIPs for the St. Louis area as meeting the RACM requirements of the CAA
(66 FR 20122). The approval of the Illinois and Missouri SIPs as
meeting the RACM requirements of the CAA was finalized on June 26, 2001
(66 FR 33996). As explained previously, the June 26, 2001, rule was
vacated on November 25, 2002, by the Seventh Circuit in the Sierra Club
case.
EPA believes that no additional RACM controls beyond what are
already required in the SIP are necessary for redesignation to
attainment. The General Preamble, April 16, 1992 (57 FR 13560),
explains that section 172(c)(1) requires the plans for all
nonattainment areas to provide for the implementation of RACM as
expeditiously as practicable. EPA interprets this requirement to impose
a duty on all nonattainment areas to consider all available control
measures and to adopt and implement those measures that are reasonably
available and necessary to attain as expeditiously as practicable.
However, measures need not be adopted, and would not be considered
RACM, if they would not accelerate attainment (see 57 FR 13498, 13560).
Because attainment has been achieved, no additional measures are needed
to provide for attainment.
The suspension of the attainment demonstration requirements
pursuant to our determination of attainment include the section
172(c)(1) RACM requirements as well. The General Preamble treats the
RACM requirements as a ``component'' of an area's attainment
demonstration. Thus, the suspension of the attainment demonstration
requirement pursuant to our determination of attainment applies to the
RACM requirement, since it is a component of the attainment
demonstration.
m. Stage II Vapor Recovery Requirements
Section 182(b)(3) of the CAA requires states to submit Stage II
vapor recovery rules.
Illinois
The Stage II vapor recovery regulations for the Metro-East area
were originally found in Illinois Administrative Code, Title 35:
Environmental Protection; subtitle B: Air Pollution, chapter I:
Pollution Control Board, part 219: Organic Material Standards and
Limitations for the Metro-East Are: subpart Y: Gasoline Distribution;
section 219.583: Gasoline Dispensing Facilities--Storage Tank Filling
Operations, and section 219.586: Gasoline Dispensing Facilities--Motor
Vehicle Fueling Operations. EPA approved the incorporation of these
regulations into the Illinois SIP on January 12, 1993 (58 FR 3841).
Section 202(a)(6) of the CAA provides that Stage II vapor recovery
regulations are not required in moderate ozone nonattainment areas if
EPA promulgates On-Board Vapor Recovery (OBVR) regulations for
vehicles. EPA promulgated such regulations on April 6, 1994 (59 FR
16262), which became effective on May 6, 1994.
Pursuant to section 202 of the CAA, the State of Illinois repealed
the Stage II vapor recovery regulations for the Metro-East area and
requested a SIP revision to remove these regulations from the SIP. EPA
approved the removal of these regulations from the SIP on December 16,
1994 (59 FR 64853). Therefore, the Metro-East area has no Stage II
vapor recovery regulations currently in place in the SIP, and is not
required to have such regulations by virtue of section 202(a)(6) of the
CAA.
Missouri
Missouri established a Stage II vapor recovery program in the 1970s
and has revised the program periodically. On May 18, 2000 (65 FR
31489), EPA approved into Missouri's SIP the most recent revisions to
the state rule entitled ``Control of Petroleum Liquid Storage, Loading,
and Transfer'' (10 CSR 10-5.220). This rule fully adopts and implements
the Stage II vapor recovery requirements in Missouri.
n. Vehicle Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) Requirements
Section 182(b)(4) and EPA's final I/M regulations in 40 CFR part
51, subpart S require the states to submit a fully adopted I/M program.
Illinois
EPA approved an enhanced vehicle I/M program for the Metro-East
area as part of the Illinois SIP on February 22, 1999 (64 FR 8517).
This revision to the SIP became effective on April 23, 1999.
Missouri
EPA approved Missouri's I/M program on May 18, 2000 (65 FR 31480).
It can be found at 10 CSR 10-5.380.
In April 2000, Missouri began testing vehicles under its SIP
approved I/M program. In April 2001, EPA published revised I/M program
requirements including the use of on-board diagnostics (OBD) testing.
These rules are found at 40 CFR part 85. The use of OBD testing was to
begin January 1, 2002.
Under EPA's new OBD rule, states were given the opportunity to
request an extension of one year to implement the OBD testing. If
requested, a state could delay implementation of OBD testing until
January 1, 2003. In a letter dated January 10, 2002, the MDNR stated
its intent to implement OBD testing but requested to delay
implementation of
[[Page 4856]]
OBD testing along with incorporating a phase-in period. In this letter,
MDNR requested a one-year delay in implementing the OBD testing, along
with a two-year phase-in period. Under MDNR's request, full
implementation of the OBD testing will not occur until January 1, 2005.
In August 2002, Missouri revised its state rule incorporating the
requested delay and phase-in period. The new state rule requires OBD
testing to begin January 1, 2003, but allows for the use of the
transient emissions test only, for the retest, if a vehicle fails the
initial OBD emissions test during the two-year phase-in period. EPA's
rule requires an OBD test for the retest during the phase-in period.
In a separate proposed rulemaking in this Federal Register, EPA is
proposing to modify Missouri's SIP by approving revisions to the
state's Motor Vehicle Emission Inspection rule found at 10 CSR 10-
5.380. A detailed discussion of the revision and EPA's rationale for
approval can be found in that proposal.
The regulation at 40 CFR 51.372(c) states, in part, that a
redesignation request for any nonattainment area that would qualify for
redesignation to attainment shall receive full approval of a SIP
submittal if the submittal contains legal authority to implement an I/M
program, the inclusion of an I/M upgrade into the contingency measures
portion of the maintenance plan, and a contingency commitment that
includes the legal authority and an enforceable commitment and schedule
for adoption and implementation of the OBD program.
Pursuant to the provisions of 40 CFR 51.372(c), by incorporating
the OBD testing program as a contingency into the maintenance plan (the
OBD testing program is the I/M upgrade required by EPA's new OBD rule),
and by meeting the other requirements specified in 40 CFR 51.372(c),
the SIP can receive full approval.
The maintenance plan submitted by Missouri contains the OBD testing
program, consistent with EPA's OBD rule, as a contingency measure in
the maintenance plan. It also contains a demonstration of legal
authority to adopt the program, and a schedule for adoption with
appropriate milestones. EPA believes the submission meets the
requirement of 40 CFR 51.372(c). A more detailed discussion of the rule
is contained in EPA's proposed rule on the I/M revisions for Missouri
elsewhere in this Federal Register. Thus, upon completion of the
accompanying rulemaking approving Missouri's I/M rule into the SIP, EPA
believes that the Missouri SIP for the St. Louis 1-hour ozone
nonattainment area will satisfy all of the Section 182(b)(4)
requirements of the CAA. Note, however, that EPA will not approve the
redesignation request unless it takes final action to approve the I/M
SIP revision.
o. NOX Emission Control Requirements
Section 182(f) establishes NOX requirements for ozone
nonattainment areas which require the same provisions for major
stationary sources of NOX as apply to major stationary
sources of VOCs. One of the requirements for major sources of VOCs is
RACT. However, section 182(f) also provides that these requirements do
not apply to an area if the Administrator determines that
NOX reductions would not contribute to attainment.
Illinois
As part of the June 26, 2001, rulemaking (66 FR 33996) regarding
the St. Louis ozone nonattainment area, EPA granted a waiver to the
state of Illinois from the section 182(f) requirements for
NOX RACT. The basis for the waiver was that Illinois
demonstrated that additional NOX emission controls in the
Metro-East area would not contribute to the attainment of the 1-hour
ozone standard in the area. EPA concluded that the area would achieve
the 1-hour ozone standard without these additional NOX
emission controls. This conclusion was not challenged in the Sierra
Club case and was not addressed by the Court. However, the grant of the
waiver was vacated as part of the Court's action on the June 26, 2001,
rule.
EPA's policy on the NOX RACT requirements for areas
which qualify for redesignation is stated in the September 17, 1993,
memorandum from Michael H. Shapiro, referenced previously. The
memorandum states that additional NOX reductions would not
contribute to attainment if attainment is already being monitored, but
that such reductions might contribute to maintenance. Therefore, EPA
stated that it could allow an exemption from the section 182(f)
NOX requirement, in the absence of a modeling demonstration,
if the maintenance plan contains NOX RACT as a contingency
measure.
The EPA is reproposing to approve Illinois' request for an
exemption from the NOX RACT requirement. This proposal is
based on the area attaining the 1-hour ozone NAAQS. Illinois has
included NOX RACT as a contingency measure in its
maintenance plan. Therefore, EPA believes that it can exempt the
Illinois portion of the St. Louis area from the section 182(f)
requirements. If EPA finalizes this exemption as proposed, and
finalizes the redesignation as proposed, all controls previously
adopted by Illinois must continue to be implemented, but no additional
NOX RACT measures would be required. However, if there is a
violation of the ozone NAAQS in any portion of the St. Louis area,
Illinois would be required to evaluate, and if appropriate, implement
additional NOX controls to address the violation.
Missouri
On May 18, 2000 (65 FR 31482), EPA approved Missouri's
NOX RACT rule into the SIP. This rule can be found at 10.
CSR 10-5.510 and imposes RACT requirements for major sources of
NOX emissions. This rule meets the Section 182(f)
requirements for the Missouri portion of the St. Louis area.
Based on the analysis described above, EPA believes the area meets
the requirements for redesignation in Section 107(d)(3)(E)(ii) and (v).
3. Criterion (3): The Improvement in Air Quality Must Be Due to
Permanent and Enforceable Reductions in Emissions
The improvement in air quality must be due to permanent and
enforceable reductions in emissions resulting from implementation of
the SIP, Federal measures, and other state-adopted measures.
a. Emission Controls
EPA believes that the states have demonstrated that the observed
air quality improvements are due to the implementation of permanent and
enforceable emission reductions through the implementation of emission
controls contained in their SIPs.
Illinois
Subsequent to the 1990 CAA amendments, Illinois implemented a
number of emission controls. The area has complied with all of the
emission requirements for a moderate ozone nonattainment area as
required by the CAA.
Some of the emission reductions were achieved through the
implementation of a 15 percent ROP plan, approved by EPA on December
18, 1997 (62 FR 66279). The 15 percent ROP plan produced a VOC emission
reduction of 38.1 tons per day in the Metro-East area, and included
both Federal and state emission control measures, including the use of
low volatility gasoline, more stringent Tier I motor vehicle emission
standards, implementation of a more stringent vehicle inspection and
maintenance (I/M) program, controls on area sources, and the adoption
of tighter emissions limits on existing stationary
[[Page 4857]]
sources. Some of the specific state emission control measures included
in the 15 percent ROP plan are:
[sbull] Basic I/M for Motor Vehicles
[sbull] Transportation Control Measures (TCMs)
[sbull] Low-Volatility (low Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP)) Gasoline
[sbull] Tightened Reasonably Available Control Technology (RACT)
Standards for Some Source Categories
[sbull] RACT for Sources Covered By New Control Techniques Guidelines
(CTGs)
[sbull] Architectural Surface Coating Standards
[sbull] Volatile Organic Liquids Storage Facility Controls
[sbull] Automobile Refinishing Operation Controls
[sbull] Marine Vessel Loading Emission Controls
All of the emission control measures contained in Illinois' 15
percent ROP plan have been fully adopted, have been implemented, and
are enforceable in the Metro-East area.
Illinois has adopted and implemented emission control rules
requiring existing sources of VOC to meet, at minimum, RACT. These
requirements apply to sources in categories covered by CTGs and other
major non-CTG sources. Some of these RACT emission controls were
achieved in addition to the RACT controls reflected in the 15 percent
ROP plan.
The stationary NOX source emission reductions in
Illinois are primarily due to the implementation of acid rain emission
controls implemented in compliance with Title IV of the CAA.
Missouri
MDNR explained that some of the VOC emission reductions were due to
the implementation of Missouri's 15 percent ROP plan, including its
implementation of a centralized motor vehicle inspection and
maintenance program and stationary source controls. Additional
reductions were due to tighter Federal standards for new vehicles, and
some were due to requirements for reformulated and low RVP gasoline for
motor vehicles. In addition, Title IV of the CAA resulted in reduced
NOX emissions from utility sources.
b. Meteorological Conditions
In addition to identifying the controls which have led to emission
reductions and air quality improvements, both Illinois and Missouri
have evaluated whether ozone air quality improvements in the St. Louis
area could be attributable to favorable meteorological conditions, by
comparing the trend of 1-hour ozone design values \4\ to the number of
ozone conducive days \5\ that have occurred annually from 1989 to the
present. While ozone design values trended significantly downward from
1989 to the present, the number of ozone conducive days, which varied
from year-to-year, showed no significant trend over the period studied.
Therefore, EPA believes that concentration is not due to changes in
meteorology. EPA believes that reductions in emissions due to
regulatory control programs have led to the improvement in ozone air
quality.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\4\ An ozone design value is the fourth highest daily peak 1-
hour ozone concentration at the worst-case ozone monitor for a given
three-year period.
\5\ The IEPA and the MDNR have analyzed ozone concentrations and
meteorological conditions in the St. Louis area, and have found that
peak ozone concentrations are highly dependent on certain
meteorological conditions. Days are judged to be conducive to high
ozone concentrations if the following conditions simultaneously
exist:
[sbull] Maximum temperatures greater than 85 degrees Fahrenheit
[sbull] Wind speeds less than 10 miles per hour
[sbull] Solar insolation greater than 500 Langleys
[sbull] Little or no precipitation
[sbull] Southerly wind directions.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Illinois
The IEPA assessed the changes in VOC and NOX emissions
in the Metro-East area for 1990 and 2000 (the first year of the three
year attainment period). The 1990 emissions are the base year emissions
taken from an inventory approved by EPA on September 13, 1994 (59 FR
46920). To derive the 2000 emissions, the IEPA used a 1999 update to
the emissions inventory. Emissions documented in this emissions
inventory were grown to 2000 to derive the 2000 attainment year
emissions. Point source emissions were grown using EPA's EGAS model.
Area source emissions were grown using source activity levels
(indicators, such as population, source sector employment, etc.)
appropriate for each source category grown to the 2000 levels and
applied using appropriate source emission factors. On-road mobile
source emissions for 2000 were calculated using EPA's MOBILE6 emissions
model and 1999 Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) data grown to 2000 assuming
a 2 percent per year growth rate. On-road mobile source emissions for
1990 were calculated using EPA's MOBILE6 emissions model. Off-road
emissions were grown to 2000 using source sector activity levels and
growth factors employed in the 1999 periodic emissions inventory
update.
The table below documents the 1990 and 2000 VOC and NOX
emissions in the Metro-East area.
1990 and 2000 Metro-East Area VOC and NOX Emissions
[Emissions in tons per ozone season weekday]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source category VOC NOX
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1990
Point Sources......................................... 74.05 95.85
Area Sources.......................................... 33.84 1.66
On-Road Mobile Sources................................ 43.27 45.13
Off-Road Mobile Sources............................... 23.49 23.99
----------
1990 Totals......................................... 174.65 166.63
2000
Point Sources......................................... 17.91 61.91
Area Sources.......................................... 28.32 1.18
On-Road Mobile Sources................................ 26.57 54.71
Off-Road Mobile Sources............................... 21.31 23.85
----------
2000 Totals......................................... 94.11 141.64
------------------------------------------------------------------------
It can be seen that both the VOC emissions and NOX
emissions have decreased in the Metro-East area between 1990 and 2000.
The IEPA notes that these emission decreases are primarily due to the
application of permanent and enforceable emission controls, and that
these emission controls have contributed to the ozone air quality
emission improvement in the St. Louis area.
Missouri
Similar to Illinois, Missouri compared VOC and NOX
emissions in 1990 (the base year emissions inventory) to those in 2000
(the attainment year emissions inventory). The 2000 emissions were
derived by growing the 1999 periodic emissions inventory emissions. The
1999 periodic emissions inventory and source growth parameters are
documented in the state's redesignation request. MDNR developed the
1990 on-road emissions using EPA's MOBILE5b emissions model. For
purposes of comparison, MDNR included in the redesignation request,
2000 on-road emissions developed using EPA's MOBILE5b emissions model
and MOBILE6 emissions model. Note that the discussion below only
includes the 2000 on-road mobile emissions derived from using the
MOBILE6 emissions model.
The following table presents the 1990 and 2000 VOC and
NOX emissions for the Missouri portion of the St. Louis
ozone nonattainment area.
[[Page 4858]]
1990 and 2000 Missouri Portion of the St. Louis Nonattainment Area VOC
and NOX Emissions
[Emissions in tons per ozone season weekday]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source category VOC NOX
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1990
Point Sources......................................... 81.97 347.61
Area Sources.......................................... 87.74 29.47
On-Road Mobile Sources................................ 135.42 135.00
Off-Road Mobile Sources............................... 64.30 114.32
----------
1990 Totals......................................... 369.43 626.40
2000
Point Sources......................................... 46.59 165.96
Area Sources.......................................... 57.38 32.27
On-Road Mobile Sources................................ 103.79 181.75
Off-Road Mobile Sources............................... 40.59 73.16
----------
2000 Totals......................................... 248.35 453.14
------------------------------------------------------------------------
As can be seen from the above table, both the VOC and the
NOX emissions in the Missouri portion of the St. Louis ozone
nonattainment area have been significantly reduced between 1990 and
2000 (VOC emissions have been reduced by 121 tons per day and
NOX emissions have been reduced by 173 tons per day). These
emission reductions are primarily due to the implementation of
permanent and enforceable emission controls and are primarily
responsible for the observed improvement in ozone air quality in the
area.
The states have demonstrated that the implementation of permanent
and enforceable emission controls have reduced local VOC and
NOX emissions. The states have also demonstrated that year-
to-year meteorological changes and trends are not the likely source of
the overall, long-term improvement in ozone levels. EPA believes that
emission reductions are the cause of the long-term improvement in ozone
levels, and are the cause of the area achieving attainment of the ozone
standard.
4. Criterion (4): The Area Must Have a Fully Approved Maintenance Plan
Meeting the Requirements of Section 175A
Section 175A of the CAA sets forth the elements of a maintenance
plan for areas seeking redesignation from nonattainment to attainment.
The maintenance plan is a SIP revision that provides for maintenance of
the relevant NAAQS in the area for at least 10 years after
redesignation. The Calcagni memorandum dated September 4, 1992,
provides additional guidance on the required content of a maintenance
plan. An ozone maintenance plan should address the following five
areas: the attainment emissions inventory, maintenance demonstration,
monitoring network, verification of continued attainment, and a
contingency plan. The attainment emissions inventory identifies the
emissions level in the area that is sufficient to attain the 1-hour
ozone NAAQS, based on emissions during a three-year period which had no
monitored violations. Maintenance is demonstrated by showing that
future emissions will not exceed the level established by the
attainment inventory. The ``attainment inventory'' approach to
demonstrating maintenance was upheld in Wall v. EPA, 426 F. 3d at 435-
37. Provisions for continued operation of an appropriate air quality
monitoring network are to be included in the maintenance plan. The
state must show how it will track and verify the progress of the
maintenance plan. Finally, the maintenance plan must include a list of
potential contingency measures which ensure prompt correction of any
violation of the 1-hour ozone NAAQS.
a. Attainment Emissions Inventory
Both Illinois and Missouri selected 2000 as ``the attainment year''
for purposes of demonstrating attainment of the 1-hour ozone NAAQS.
The projected 2000 VOC and NOX emissions for the St.
Louis area are summarized in the table above.
b. Maintenance Demonstration
To demonstrate maintenance of the ozone standard through a ten-year
maintenance period, both Illinois and Missouri projected VOC and
NOX emissions for the St. Louis area to 2007 and 2014 and
compared these projected emissions to the 2000 attainment year
emissions. The 2007 emission estimates were generated to test a
midpoint in the ten-year maintenance period.
The following tables summarize the VOC and NOX emission
estimates for the St. Louis area for 2000, 2007, and 2014 periods.
Illinois 2000, 2007, and 2014 Metro-East Area VOC and NOX Emissions
[Emissions in tons per ozone season weekday]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source category VOC NOX
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2000
Point Sources......................................... 17.91 61.91
Area Sources.......................................... 28.32 1.18
On-Road Mobile Sources................................ 26.57 54.71
Off-Road Mobile Sources............................... 21.31 23.85
----------
2000 Totals......................................... 94.11 141.64
2007
Point Sources......................................... 21.19 54.34
Area Sources.......................................... 28.07 1.24
On-Road Mobile Sources................................ 16.31 36.87
Off-Road Mobile Sources............................... 16.04 19.07
----------
2007 Totals......................................... 81.61 111.52
2014
Point Sources......................................... 24.49 62.13
Area Sources.......................................... 28.10 1.29
On-Road Mobile Sources................................ 10.13 18.72
Off-Road Mobile Sources............................... 13.26 14.54
----------
2014 Totals......................................... 75.98 96.67
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Missouri 2000, 2007, and 2014 St. Louis Area VOC and NOX Emissions
[Emissions in tons per ozone season weekday]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source category VOC NOX
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2000
Point Sources......................................... 46.59 165.96
Area Sources.......................................... 57.38 32.27
On-Road Mobile Sources (MOBILE6-based estimates)...... 103.79 181.75
Off-Road Mobile Sources............................... 40.59 73.16
----------
2000 Totals......................................... 248.35 453.14
2007
Point Sources......................................... 47.72 149.5
Area Sources.......................................... 57.19 34.12
On-Road Mobile Sources................................ 74.46 130.55
Off-Road Mobile Sources............................... 27.91 66.01
----------
2007 Totals......................................... 207.28 380.18
2014
Point Sources......................................... 51.73 154.57
Area Sources.......................................... 59.42 35.58
On-Road Mobile Sources................................ 47.14 68.59
Off-Road Mobile Sources............................... 24.28 58.84
----------
2014 Totals......................................... 182.57 317.58
------------------------------------------------------------------------
c. Monitoring Network
Missouri and Illinois have addressed the maintenance plan
requirements for monitoring and emissions inventories. Both have
committed to continue the operation of the monitors in the area in
accordance with 40 CFR part 58.
d. Verification of Continued Attainment
Both the states of Illinois and Missouri have the legal authority
to implement and enforce the requirements of the ozone maintenance
plan. This includes the authority to adopt, implement, and enforce any
subsequent emission control contingency measures determined to be
necessary to correct future ozone attainment problems.
[[Page 4859]]
To implement the ozone maintenance plan, the states will continue
to monitor ozone levels in the St. Louis area. The states also
committed to update the emissions inventory for the St. Louis area
every three years for the duration of the maintenance plan. The ozone
monitoring data and the updated emissions inventories will be used
through the states' contingency plan to assure maintenance of the 1-
hour ozone standard.
e. Contingency Plan
The contingency plan portion of each state's maintenance plans
delineate the states' planned actions in the event of future 1-hour
ozone standard violations, increasing ozone levels threatening a
subsequent violation of the ozone standard, and unanticipated increases
in ozone precursor emissions threatening a subsequent violation of the
ozone standard. Illinois and Missouri have prepared similar and
compatible contingency plans, with some differences in the possible
emission control contingency measures list selected for each state. The
states have developed contingency plans with several levels of
triggered actions depending on whether the ozone standard has actually
been violated after the redesignation of the area to attainment or
whether a subsequent violation of the ozone standard is threatened on
the basis of increased ozone concentrations approaching the standard or
unanticipated significant increases in ozone precursor emissions. Each
state has also committed to continue to implement all control measures
included in the SIP prior to redesignation consistent with section
175A(d) of the CAA.
The action trigger levels and planned corrective actions in each
contingency plan are the following:
A Level I Trigger will be exceeded if: (1) The monitored ambient
ozone levels exceed 124 parts per billion, one-hour averaged, more than
once per year at any monitoring site in the St. Louis maintenance area
(the current St. Louis ozone nonattainment area), or more than two
exceedances in any two- or three-year period; or (2) the St. Louis
maintenance area's VOC or NOX emissions for 2005 or 2008
increase more than 5 percent above the 2000 attainment levels. In the
event one of these action trigger levels are exceeded, Illinois and
Missouri will work together to evaluate the situation and determine if
adverse emissions trends are likely to continue. If so, the states will
determine what and where emission controls may be required to avoid a
violation of the 1-hour ozone NAAQS. A study shall be completed within
nine months of the determination of the action trigger exceedance.
A Level II Trigger will be exceeded if a violation of the 1-hour
ozone NAAQS at any monitoring site in the St. Louis ozone maintenance
area is recorded after the area is redesignated to attainment of the
standard. If this trigger is exceeded, Illinois and Missouri will work
together to conduct a thorough analysis to determine appropriate
measures, from those listed below, to address the cause of the ozone
standard violation.
Missouri
The contingency plan for Missouri lists a number of possible
contingency measures. The plan calls for the appropriate contingency
measures to be adopted and implemented within 18 months of a Level I or
Level II trigger being exceeded. The list of possible contingency
measures in Missouri's contingency plan include the following:
Point Source Measures--
[sbull] NOX SIP Call Phase II (non-utility)
[sbull] Apply RACT to smaller existing sources
[sbull] Tighten RACT for existing sources covered by EPA Control
Techniques Guidelines
[sbull] Expanded geographic coverage of current point source measures
[sbull] Maximum Available Control Technology for industrial sources
[sbull] New source offsets and Lowest Achievable Emission Rates
[sbull] Other measures to be identified
Mobile Source Measures--
[sbull] Transportation Control Measures, including, but not limited to,
area-wide rideshare programs, telecommuting, transit improvements, and
traffic flow improvements.
[sbull] High Enhanced I/M (OBDII)
[sbull] California Engine Standards
[sbull] Other measures to be identified
Area Source Measures--
[sbull] California Architectural/Industrial Maintenance (AIM)
[sbull] California Commercial and Consumer Products
[sbull] Broader geographic applicability of existing measures
[sbull] California Off-road Engine Standards
[sbull] Other measures to be identified
Illinois
The contingency plan for Illinois lists a number of possible
contingency measures. The plan calls for the appropriate contingency
measures to be adopted no later than 18 months of a Level I or Level II
trigger being exceeded. The list of possible contingency measures in
Illinois' contingency plan include the following:
Point Source Measures--
[sbull] NOX SIP call Phase II (non-utility measures)
[sbull] Reinstatement of requirements for new source offsets and/or
Lowest Achievable Emission Rates
[sbull] Apply RACT to smaller existing sources
[sbull] Tighten RACT for existing sources covered by Control Techniques
Guidelines
[sbull] NOX RACT
[sbull] Expand geographic coverage of current point source emission
control measures
[sbull] Apply Maximum Available Control Technology for industrial
sources
[sbull] Other point source measures to be identified
Mobile Source Measures --
[sbull] Transportation Control Measures, including, but not limited to,
area-wide rideshare programs, telecommuting, transit improvements, and
traffic flow improvements
[sbull] High-enhanced vehicle inspection/maintenance (OBDII)
[sbull] California engine standards
[sbull] Other mobile source measures to be identified
Area Source Measures--
[sbull] California architectural/industrial maintenance coating
emission controls
[sbull] California commercial and consumer products coating emission
controls
[sbull] Broader geographic applicability of existing emission control
measures
[sbull] California off-road engine standards
[sbull] Other area source measures to be identified
Missouri's and Illinois' submittals adequately address the five
basic components which comprise a maintenance plan (attainment
inventory, maintenance demonstration, monitoring network, verification
of continued attainment, and a contingency plan) and, therefore,
satisfy the maintenance plan requirement.
f. Motor Vehicle Emissions Budgets
In addition to meeting the criteria for redesignation, as a control
strategy SIP, the maintenance plans must contain motor vehicle
emissions budgets that, in conjunction with emissions from all other
sources, are consistent with attainment and maintenance. Illinois and
Missouri developed MVEBs for the maintenance plan year of 2014. The
MVEBs are for both VOC and NOX, as precursors to ozone
formation, and would be applicable for the St. Louis area upon the
effective date of a MVEB adequacy finding.
A motor vehicle emissions budget is the total allowable VOC and
NOX
[[Page 4860]]
emissions allocated to highway and transit vehicle use during the
maintenance period (highway and transit vehicle use emissions impacted
by transportation plans would be projected to 2014 and tested against
the 2014 motor vehicle emissions budget). The rules and requirements
governing transportation conformity require certain transportation
activities to be consistent with the motor vehicle emissions budgets
contained in emission control SIPs (40 CFR 93.118). The projected
emissions resulting from the transportation activities must be less
than or equal to the emissions budget levels (40 CFR 93.118(a)). The
review of the transportation plan impacts relative to the emissions
budget will occur after EPA declares that the emissions budget meets
the adequacy criteria of the transportation conformity rule under 40
CFR 93.118(e).
The motor vehicle emissions budgets for the St. Louis area were
developed using emission factors generated through the use of EPA's
MOBILE6 model. Inputs into this model were developed through
coordinated efforts and review of a workgroup formed by representatives
of the IEPA, MDNR, East-West Gateway Coordinating Council, Missouri
Department of Transportation, Illinois Department of Transportation,
and EPA.
EPA is proposing to find the MVEBs included in Missouri's and
Illinois' maintenance plans adequate and is proposing to approve these
budgets for conformity purposes. EPA believes that the MVEBs submitted
by each state are consistent with the control measures identified in
each SIP, and that each SIP, as a whole, demonstrates maintenance with
the 1-hour ozone standard.
The 2014 motor vehicle emission budgets included in the states'
maintenance plans are summarized in the table below:
St. Louis Area 2014 Motor Vehicle Emission Budgets
[Emissions in tons per ozone season weekday]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
State VOC NOX
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Illinois.............................................. 10.13 18.72
Missouri.............................................. 47.14 68.59
------------------------------------------------------------------------
G. Where Is the Public Record and Where Do I Send Comments?
The official record for this proposed rule is located at the
addresses in the ADDRESSES section at the beginning of this document.
The addresses for sending comments are also provided in the ADDRESSES
section at the beginning of this document. Public comments are
solicited on EPA's proposed rulemaking action. Public comments received
by March 3, 2003, will be considered in the development of EPA's final
rulemaking action.
II. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
Under Executive Order 12866 (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993), this
proposed action is not a ``significant regulatory action'' and
therefore is not subject to review by the Office of Management and
Budget. For this reason, this action is also not subject to Executive
Order 13211, ``Actions Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect
Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use'' (66 FR 28355, May 22, 2001). This
proposed action merely proposes to approve state law as meeting Federal
requirements and imposes no additional requirements beyond those
imposed by state law. Accordingly, the Administrator certifies that
this proposed 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.). Because this rule proposes to approve pre-
existing requirements under state law and does not impose any
additional enforceable duty beyond that required by state law, it does
not contain any unfunded mandate or significantly or uniquely affect
small governments, as described in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of
1995 (Public Law 104-4).
This proposed rule also does not have tribal implications because
it will not have a substantial direct effect on one or more Indian
tribes, on the relationship between the Federal Government and Indian
tribes, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities between
the Federal Government and Indian tribes, as specified by Executive
Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, November 9, 2000). This action also does not
have Federalism implications because it does 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, as specified
in Executive Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10, 1999). This action
merely proposes to approve a state rule implementing a Federal
standard, and does not alter the relationship or the distribution of
power and responsibilities established in the CAA. This proposed rule
also is not subject to Executive Order 13045 ``Protection of Children
from Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks'' (62 FR 19885, April
23, 1997), because it is not economically significant.
In reviewing SIP submissions, EPA's role is to approve state
choices, provided that they meet the criteria of the CAA. In this
context, in the absence of a prior existing requirement for the State
to use voluntary consensus standards (VCS), EPA has no authority to
disapprove a SIP submission for failure to use VCS. It would thus be
inconsistent with applicable law for EPA, when it reviews a SIP
submission, to use VCS in place of a SIP submission that otherwise
satisfies the provisions of the CAA. Thus, the requirements of section
12(d) of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995
(15 U.S.C. 272 note) do not apply. This proposed 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.).
List of Subjects
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.
40 CFR Part 81
Environmental protection, Air pollution control, National Parks,
Wilderness areas.
Dated: January 13, 2003.
James Gulliford,
Regional Administrator, Region 7.
Dated: January 16, 2003.
Thomas V. Skinner,
Regional Administrator, Region 5.
[FR Doc. 03-1773 Filed 1-29-03; 8:45 am]
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