Environmental Protection Agency – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Pursuant to the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA or Act), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking direct final action to approve revisions to the State of Missouri's Underground Storage Tank (UST) program submitted by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR). This action also codifies EPA's approval of Missouri's State program and incorporates by reference those provisions of the State regulations that we have determined meet the requirements for approval. The provisions will be subject to EPA's inspection and enforcement authorities under RCRA and other applicable statutory and regulatory provisions.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GA DNR) Environmental Protection Division (EPD) on September 28, 2023, for the purpose of clarifying requirements for gasoline transport vehicles and making minor administrative changes. EPA is proposing to approve Georgia's September 28, 2023, SIP revision pursuant to the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act).

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to revise its December 14, 2020 action that fully approved two state implementation plan (SIP) revisions, both submitted to EPA on August 13, 2018 by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, through the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP). Those SIP revisions addressed reasonably available control technology (RACT) requirements for the 2008 ozone national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS), including those related to control technique guidelines (CTGs) for volatile organic compounds (VOC) and the addition of regulations controlling VOC emissions from industrial cleaning solvents. The SIP revisions also included certain clarifying amendments to Pennsylvania code related to major source RACT regulations. Upon reconsideration, EPA is proposing to revise its prior action to partially approve and partially disapprove the August 13, 2018 submittals. Specifically, EPA is proposing approval of certain clarifying amendments as well as a negative declaration submitted by PADEP. EPA is proposing disapproval of the remainder of both SIP submittals related to CTGs and control of VOC emissions from industrial cleaning solvents. This action is being taken under the Clean Air Act (CAA).

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve an October 27, 2023, submittal from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) to align provisions approved in the Wisconsin State Implementation Plan (SIP) with current Wisconsin administrative rules and statutes. WDNR requested that certain provisions previously approved into the Wisconsin SIP under now obsolete numbering schemes be renumbered to ensure citations in the Wisconsin SIP reflect the current numbering systems of the Wisconsin Administrative Code (WAC) and the Wisconsin Statutes (Wis. Stats.). WDNR also requested that EPA approve rule and statute provisions that have been revised since they were approved into the Wisconsin SIP. Finally, WDNR requested removal of rules and statutes from the Wisconsin SIP that are no longer in effect in Wisconsin. Approval of these changes in the Wisconsin SIP will not impact the state's air quality or ability to meet Clean Air Act (CAA) requirements.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is retroactively applying the approved modification of the Federal Equivalent Method (FEM) designation for the Teledyne Advanced Pollution Instrumentation Model T640 particulate matter (PM) mass monitor including the 640X option (hereafter T640 and T640X) to all of the concentration data for PM with a diameter 2.5 micrometers or smaller (PM2.5) from the T640 and T640X monitors in the EPA's Air Quality System (AQS) that was reported prior to the modification. The EPA processed the unmodified hourly PM2.5 concentration data in AQS using collocated or paired ambient temperature when available.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving a state implementation plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of Delaware (Delaware SIP). This revision approves amendments Delaware made to its underlying regulation to standardize the public notices requirements across various permits covered by Delaware regulation 1102. That process will be consistent with EPA's October 18, 2016 final rule which amended the notice and comment requirements for title V, new source review and outer continental shelf (OCS) permit programs. EPA is approving these revisions to the Delaware SIP in accordance with the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA).

This action finalizes amendments to the New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) that apply to the Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturing Industry (SOCMI) and amendments to the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) that apply to the SOCMI (more commonly referred to as the Hazardous Organic NESHAP or HON) and Group I and II Polymers and Resins (P&R I and P&R II, respectively) Industries. The EPA is finalizing decisions resulting from the Agency's technology review of the HON and the P&R I and P&R II NESHAP, and its review of the NSPS that apply to the SOCMI. The EPA is also finalizing amendments to the NSPS for equipment leaks of volatile organic compounds (VOC) in SOCMI based on its reconsideration of certain issues raised in an administrative petition for reconsideration. Furthermore, the EPA is finalizing emission standards for ethylene oxide (EtO) emissions and chloroprene emissions after considering the results of a risk assessment for the HON and for Neoprene Production processes subject to the P&R I NESHAP, and is finalizing a fenceline monitoring work practice standard for certain hazardous air pollutants (HAP). Lastly, the EPA is finalizing the removal of exemptions from standards for periods of startup, shutdown, and malfunction (SSM), adding work practice standards for such periods where appropriate, finalizing standards for previously unregulated HAP, and adding provisions for electronic reporting of performance test reports and periodic reports.

The State of South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR) has applied to the EPA for final approval of the changes to its Underground Storage Tank (UST) program under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). The EPA has reviewed South Dakota's application and determined that South Dakota's UST program revisions satisfy all requirements needed for program approval. This action also codifies the EPA's approval of South Dakota's State program and incorporates by reference those provisions of the State's regulations that we have determined meet the requirements for approval.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (the Federal agencies) invite public comment on the Federal agencies' proposed finding that Alabama has satisfied each of the conditions the agencies included as part of their 1998 approval of Alabama's coastal nonpoint pollution control program (coastal nonpoint program). The Coastal Zone Act Reauthorization Amendments (CZARA) directs States and territories with coastal zone management programs previously approved under section 306 of the Coastal Zone Management Act to develop and implement coastal nonpoint programs, which must be submitted to the Federal agencies for approval. Prior to making such a finding, NOAA and the EPA invite public input on the two agencies' rationale for this proposed finding.

This regulation establishes tolerance for residues of tetraniliprole in or on tea, dried at 80 ppm. Bayer CropScience LP requested this tolerance under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is amending requirements that apply to the petroleum and natural gas systems source category of the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule to ensure that reporting is based on empirical data, accurately reflects total methane emissions and waste emissions from applicable facilities, and allows owners and operators of applicable facilities to submit empirical emissions data that appropriately demonstrate the extent to which a charge is owed under the Waste Emissions Charge. The EPA is also amending certain requirements that apply to the general provisions, general stationary fuel combustion, and petroleum and natural gas systems source categories of the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule to improve calculation, monitoring, and reporting of greenhouse gas data for petroleum and natural gas systems facilities. This action also establishes and amends confidentiality determinations for the reporting of certain data elements to be added or substantially revised in these amendments.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is planning to submit the information collection request (ICR), "Information Requirements for Boilers and Industrial Furnaces (Renewal)", EPA ICR No. 1361.19, OMB Control No. 2050-0073) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). Before doing so, the EPA is soliciting public comments on specific aspects of the proposed information collection as described in Supplementary Information. This is a proposed extension of the ICR, which is currently approved through January 31, 2025. This notice allows for 60 days for public comments.

This action finalizes the residual risk and technology review (RTR) conducted for the Primary Copper Smelting major source category regulated under national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants (NESHAP). This action also finalizes the technology review for the Primary Copper Smelting area source NESHAP. The final amendments for the major source NESHAP include particulate matter (PM) emission standards as a surrogate for metal hazardous air pollutants (HAP) other than mercury (primarily lead and arsenic) for anode refining point sources, process fugitive emissions from roofline vents, Hoboken converter process fugitive capture systems where they combine with anode refining point sources, and new converters. We are also finalizing emission standards for previously unregulated HAP including mercury, benzene, toluene, hydrogen chloride (HCl), chlorine, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), and dioxins and furans (D/F). In addition, we are taking final action in the major source NESHAP to establish work practice standards for bypass stacks, and add a new emissions limit for lead and emissions control design standards to minimize process fugitive emissions at facilities with flash furnaces and Peirce-Smith converters. Final amendments for both the major source NESHAP and the area source NESHAP include removing exemptions and associated provisions for periods of startup, shutdown, and malfunction (SSM), specifying that the emission standards apply at all times, and requiring electronic reporting of performance test results and notification of compliance reports.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of Tennessee through the Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), Division of Air Pollution Control, via a letter dated September 28, 2022. Specifically, EPA is finalizing the approval of a SIP revision which modifies the State's required monitoring standards by adding exemptions to opacity monitoring requirements. EPA is approving this revision pursuant to the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act).

This regulation establishes tolerances for residues of cyflumetofen in or on the following raw agricultural commodities: berry, low growing, subgroup 13-07G; fruit, small, vine climbing, except fuzzy kiwifruit, subgroup 13-07F; and vegetable, cucurbit, group 9. The Interregional Research Project Number 4 (IR-4) requested these tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving Idaho's modification to its approved Municipal Solid Waste Landfill (MSWLF) permit program. On March 22, 2004, the EPA issued final regulations allowing Research, Development, and Demonstration (RD&D) permits to be issued to certain MSWLFs by approved states. On September 14, 2023, the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality submitted an application to the EPA seeking Federal approval of its RD&D requirements. The EPA has reviewed the application and determined it to be adequate.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is finalizing multiple actions under section 111 of the Clean Air Act (CAA) addressing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from fossil fuel-fired electric generating units (EGUs). First, the EPA is finalizing the repeal of the Affordable Clean Energy (ACE) Rule. Second, the EPA is finalizing emission guidelines for GHG emissions from existing fossil fuel-fired steam generating EGUs, which include both coal-fired and oil/gas-fired steam generating EGUs. Third, the EPA is finalizing revisions to the New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for GHG emissions from new and reconstructed fossil fuel-fired stationary combustion turbine EGUs. Fourth, the EPA is finalizing revisions to the NSPS for GHG emissions from fossil fuel-fired steam generating units that undertake a large modification, based upon the 8-year review required by the CAA. The EPA is not finalizing emission guidelines for GHG emissions from existing fossil fuel-fired stationary combustion turbines at this time; instead, the EPA intends to take further action on the proposed emission guidelines at a later date.

Under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) gives notice of a public meeting of the Good Neighbor Environmental Board (GNEB). The purpose of this meeting is for the board to discuss and approve its next charge topic(s) for the GNEB 21st report.

On April 17, 2015, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or the Agency) promulgated national minimum criteria for existing and new coal combustion residuals (CCR) landfills and existing and new CCR surface impoundments. On August 21, 2018, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit vacated the exemption for inactive surface impoundments at inactive facilities (legacy CCR surface impoundments) and remanded the issue back to EPA to take further action consistent with its opinion in Utility Solid Waste Activities Group, et al. v. EPA. This action responds to that order and establishes regulatory requirements for legacy CCR surface impoundments. EPA is also establishing requirements for CCR management units at active CCR facilities and at inactive CCR facilities with a legacy CCR surface impoundment. Finally, EPA is making several technical corrections to the existing regulations, such as correcting certain citations and harmonizing definitions.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is finalizing the technology reviews (TR) conducted for the national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants (NESHAP) for gasoline distribution facilities and the review of the new source performance standards (NSPS) for bulk gasoline terminals pursuant to the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA). The final NESHAP amendments include revised requirements for storage vessels, loading operations, and equipment to reflect cost-effective developments in practices, processes, or controls. The final NSPS reflect the best system of emission reduction for loading operations and equipment leaks. In addition, the EPA is: finalizing revisions related to emissions during periods of startup, shutdown, and malfunction (SSM); adding requirements for electronic reporting; revising monitoring and operating requirements for control devices; and making other minor technical improvements. The EPA estimates that this final action will reduce hazardous air pollutant emissions from gasoline distribution facilities by over 2,200 tons per year (tpy) and volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions by 45,400 tpy.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), this document announces the availability of and solicits public comment on the following Information Collection Request (ICR) that EPA is planning to submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB): "EPA's Safer Choice Program Product and Partner Recognition Activities (Consolidation)," identified by EPA ICR No. 2692.02 and OMB Control No. 2070-0221. This ICR represents a renewal of an existing ICR that is currently approved through May 31, 2025. Before submitting the ICR to OMB for review and approval under the PRA, EPA is soliciting comments on specific aspects of the information collection that is summarized in this document. The ICR and accompanying material are available in the docket for public review and comment.

In accordance with the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), EPA is issuing a notice of receipt of requests by the registrants to voluntarily cancel their registrations of certain products and/or to amend their product registrations to terminate one or more uses. EPA intends to grant these requests at the close of the comment period for this announcement unless the Agency receives substantive comments within the comment period that would merit its further review of the request, or unless the registrants withdraw its requests. If these requests are granted, any sale, distribution, or use of products listed in this notice will be permitted after the registrations have been cancelled and/or uses terminated only if such sale, distribution, or use is consistent with the terms as described in the final order.

This action finalizes amendments to the national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants (NESHAP) for the Coal- and Oil- Fired Electric Utility Steam Generating Units (EGUs) source category. These final amendments are the result of the EPA's review of the 2020 Residual Risk and Technology Review (RTR). The changes, which were proposed under the technology review in April 2023, include amending the filterable particulate matter (fPM) surrogate emission standard for non-mercury metal hazardous air pollutants (HAP) for existing coal- fired EGUs, the fPM emission standard compliance demonstration requirements, and the mercury (Hg) emission standard for lignite-fired EGUs. Additionally, the EPA is finalizing a change to the definition of "startup." The EPA did not propose, and is not finalizing, any changes to the 2020 Residual Risk Review.

This notice announces the availability of the EPA's work plans and registration review case dockets for the following chemicals: Cornmint Oil, Humates (as derived from Leonardite), and Refined oil of Nepeta cataria. EPA is opening a 60-day public comment period for these work plans and case dockets.