Proposed Rules. Final rule

Agency: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Action: Final rule
Citation: FR Doc. 03-15660 · KY-142, 144-200330, FRL-7516-1 · 40 CFR 52

Summary

EPA is approving a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the Commonwealth of Kentucky on February 28, 2003. This submittal revises the new source set-aside program by altering the methodology for distributing nitrogen oxides allowances. Rather than grant allowances, the Commonwealth of Kentucky will sell them. This revision also includes clarification language and changes to definitions. EFFECTIVE DATE: This final rule is effective on July 24, 2003.

Supplementary Information

On February 28, 2003, the Commonwealth of Kentucky's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Cabinet submitted revisions to EPA that revises definitions and the new source set-aside program by altering the methodology for distributing nitrogen oxides (NO ^X ) allowances. The Commonwealth of Kentucky has revised their new source set-aside program and will sell the allowances that were previously reserved to allocate to new electric generating units (EGUs). The Commonwealth will continue to reserve an established percentage of the non-EGU budget for new non-EGU units. This is a clarification from the proposal notice in which we previously indicated that the new source set-asides for both EGUs and non-EGUs would be sold. I. Final Action EPA is approving the aforementioned changes to the SIP because the revisions are consistent with Clean Air Act and EPA regulatory requirements. A detailed description of this SIP revision and EPA's rationale for approving it was provided in the proposed notice and will not be restated here. No significant or adverse comments were received on EPA's proposal. II. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews Under Executive Order 12866 (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993), this 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 action merely approves state law as meeting Federal requirements and imposes no additional requirements beyond those imposed by state law. Accordingly, the Administrator certifies that this rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq. ). Because this rule approves 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 (Pub. L. 104-4). This 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 approves a state rule implementing a Federal standard, and does not alter the relationship or the distribution of power and responsibilities established in the Clean Air Act. This 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 Clean Air Act. 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 Clean Air Act. 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 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. ). The Congressional Review Act, 5 U.S.C. 801 et seq., as added by the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, generally provides that before a rule may take effect, the agency promulgating the rule must submit a rule report, which includes a copy of the rule, to each House of the Congress and to the Comptroller General of the United States. EPA will submit a report containing this rule and other required information to the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of Representatives, and the Comptroller General of the United States prior to publication of the rule in the Federal Register . A major rule cannot take effect until 60 days after it is published in the Federal Register. This action is not a “major rule” as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2). Under section 307(b)(1) of the Clean Air Act, petitions for judicial review of this action must be filed in the United States Court of Appeals for the appropriate circuit by August 25, 2003. Filing a petition for reconsideration by the Administrator of this final rule does not affect the finality of this rule for the purposes of judicial review nor does it extend the time within which a petition for judicial review may be filed, and shall not postpone the effectiveness of such rule or action. This action may not be challenged later in proceedings to enforce its requirements. (See section 307(b)(2).) List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52 Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Intergovernmental relations, Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements. Dated: June 6, 2003. A. Stanley Meiburg, Acting Regional Administrator, Region 4. Chapter I, title 40, Code of Federal Regulations, is amended as follows: PART 52—[AMENDED] 1. The authority citation for part 52 continues to read as follows: Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq. Subpart S—Kentucky 2. Section 52.920(c) is amended by revising entries for “401 KAR 51:001” and “401-KAR-51:160” to read as follows: § 52.920 Identification of plan. (c) * * . EPA-Approved Kentucky Regulations for Kentucky Regulation Title/subject State effective date EPA approval date Federal Register notice * * * * * * * Chapter 51 New Source Requirements; Non-Attainment Areas 401 KAR 51:001 Definitions 12/18/02 6/24/03 [ Insert Federal Register cite for this publication ]. * * * * * * * 401 KAR 51:160 NO ^X Requirements for Large Utility and Industrial Boilers 12/18/02 6/24/03 [ Insert Federal Register cite for this publication ]. [FR Doc. 03-15660 Filed 6-23-03; 8:45 am]