[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 83 (Tuesday, April 30, 2019)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 18195-18200]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-08626]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Parts 52 and 81

[EPA-R05-OAR-2017-0462; FRL-9992-93-Region 5]


Air Plan Approval; Indiana; Redesignation of the Indianapolis 
Sulfur Dioxide Nonattainment Area

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to 
redesignate the Indianapolis area from nonattainment to attainment for 
the 2010 sulfur dioxide (SO2) standard. The area consists of 
Perry and Wayne Townships in Marion County, Indiana. EPA is also 
proposing to approve Indiana's maintenance plan for this area.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before May 30, 2019.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-R05-
OAR-2017-0462 at http://www.regulations.gov, or via email to 
[email protected]. For comments submitted at Regulations.gov, 
follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Once submitted, 
comments cannot be edited or removed from Regulations.gov. For either 
manner of submission, EPA may publish any comment received to its 
public docket. Do not submit electronically any information you 
consider to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other 
information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Multimedia 
submissions (audio, video, etc.) must be accompanied by a written 
comment. The written comment is considered the official comment and 
should include discussion of all points you wish to make. EPA will 
generally not consider comments or comment contents located outside of 
the primary submission (i.e., on the web, cloud, or other file sharing 
system). For additional submission methods, please contact the person 
identified in the ``For Further Information Contact'' section. For the 
full EPA public comment policy, information about CBI or multimedia 
submissions, and general guidance on making effective comments, please 
visit http://www2.epa.gov/dockets/commenting-epa-dockets.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Samantha Panock, Environmental 
Scientist, Attainment Planning and Maintenance Section, Air Programs 
Branch (AR-18J), Environmental Protection Agency, Region 5, 77 West 
Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, Illinois 60604, (312)353-8973, 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Throughout this document whenever ``we,'' 
``us,'' or ``our'' is used, we mean EPA. This supplementary information 
section is arranged as follows:

I. Background
II. Redesignation Requirements
    A. Determination of Attainment
    B. Permanent and Enforceable Emission Reductions
    C. Requirements for the Area Under Section 110 and Part D
    D. Fully Approved SIP Under Section 110(k)
    E. Maintenance Plan
III. What action is EPA taking?
IV. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

I. Background

    On June 22, 2010 (75 FR 35520), EPA published a revised primary 
SO2 national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS) of 75 
parts per billion (ppb), which is met at a monitoring site when the 3-
year average of the annual 99th percentile of daily maximum 1-hour 
concentrations does not exceed 75 ppb. This NAAQS was codified at 40 
CFR 50.4. On July 25, 2013 (78 FR 47191), EPA published its initial air 
quality designations for the SO2 NAAQS based upon air 
quality monitoring data for calendar years 2009-2011. In that action, 
the Marion county area comprised of Perry and Wayne Townships was 
designated nonattainment for the SO2 NAAQS (Indianapolis 
nonattainment area).
    Indiana was required to submit a nonattainment State Implementation 
Plan (SIP) that meets the requirements of sections 172(c) and 191-192 
of the Clean Air Act (CAA) and provide for attainment of the 
SO2 NAAQS as expeditiously as practicable, but no later than 
April 4, 2015, which represents five years after the area was 
originally designated as nonattainment under the 2010 SO2 
NAAQS. SO2 emissions from all sources within the 
nonattainment area totaled 24,021 tons in 2011, and 15,312 tons in 
2015. Due to a variety of factors, there has been a significant, 
permanent and enforceable reduction in SO2 emissions within 
the Indianapolis area. In addition, the area's SO2 monitors' 
3-year SO2 design values \1\ for 2014-2016 had fallen below 
the SO2 NAAQS. Consequently, the Indiana Department of 
Environmental Management (IDEM) submitted a redesignation request on 
July 10, 2017. For the reasons set forth in this document, EPA is 
proposing to redesignate the area to attainment.
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    \1\ The design value is a statistic computed according to the 
data handling procedures of the NAAQS (in 40 CFR part 50 appendix T) 
that, by comparison to the level of the NAAQS, indicates whether the 
area is violating the NAAQS. For SO2, the design value is 
the 3-year average of the annual 99th percentile of 1-hour daily 
maximum concentrations.
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II. Redesignation Requirements

    Under CAA section 107(d)(3)(E), there are five criteria which must 
be met before a nonattainment area may be redesignated to attainment.
    1. EPA has determined that the relevant NAAQS has been attained in 
the area.
    2. The applicable implementation plan has been fully approved by 
EPA under section 110(k).
    3. EPA has determined that improvement in air quality is due to 
permanent and enforceable reductions in emissions resulting from the 
SIP, Federal regulations, and other permanent and enforceable 
reductions.
    4. EPA has fully approved a maintenance plan, including a 
contingency plan, for the area under section 175A of the CAA.
    5. The State has met all applicable requirements for the area under 
section 110 and part D.

A. Determination of Attainment

    For redesignation of a nonattainment area to attainment, the CAA 
requires EPA to determine that the area has attained the applicable 
NAAQS (CAA

[[Page 18196]]

section 107(d)(3)(E)(i)). As stated in the April 2014 ``Guidance for 1-
Hour SO2 Nonattainment Area SIP Submissions,'' for 
SO2, there are two components needed to support an 
attainment determination: A review of representative air quality 
monitoring data, and a further analysis, generally requiring air 
quality modeling, to demonstrate that the entire area is attaining the 
applicable standard, based on current actual emissions or the fully 
implemented control strategy. Indiana has addressed both components.
    Under EPA regulations at 40 CFR 50.17, the SO2 standard 
is met at an ambient air quality monitoring site when the 3-year 
average of the annual 99th percentile of 1-hour daily maximum 
concentrations is less than or equal to 75 ppb, as determined in 
accordance with appendix T of 40 CFR part 50, at all relevant 
monitoring sites in the subject area. EPA has reviewed the ambient air 
monitoring data for the Indianapolis nonattainment area. The 
Indianapolis nonattainment area has two SO2 monitoring sites 
located in Indianapolis--the Harding Street site and Washington Park 
site. This review addresses air quality data collected in the 2014-2017 
period, which are the most recent quality assured data available. All 
data considered are complete, quality assured, certified, and recorded 
in EPA's Air Quality System database.
    Table 1 shows the 2014-2016 and 2015-2017 design values for the 
Indianapolis nonattainment area. The 3-year average design values for 
the Harding Street and Washington Park monitoring sites for 2014-2016 
are 58 ppb and 52 ppb, respectively. The 2015-2017 design values are 25 
ppb and 20 ppb, respectively. All design values for 2014-2017 are below 
the SO2 standard. Therefore, the Indianapolis SO2 
monitors clearly show attainment. Preliminary data for 2018 indicate 
that the area continues to attain the SO2 standard.

                 Table 1--Monitoring Data for the Indianapolis Nonattainment Area for 2014-2017
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                                                   Year and 99th percentile value (ppb)       3-Year     3-Year
                                               --------------------------------------------   design     design
            Site                 Site name                                                    values     values
                                                   2014       2015       2016       2017    2014-2016  2015-2017
                                                                                              (ppb)      (ppb)
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18-097-0057................  Harding Street...      105.6       54.3       14.6          6         58         25
18-097-0078................  Washington Park..   \a\ 80.0       50.2        6.4          3     \b\ 52         20
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\a\ Invalid 99th Percentile Value.
\b\ Indiana estimated a design value using the highest hourly value for 2014m 99.8 ppb.

    Regarding the second component of the attainment determination, 
IDEM has performed extensive modeling of the Indianapolis nonattainment 
area to determine the effect of local and national emission control 
strategies on SO2 and to demonstrate attainment of the 
SO2 NAAQS.
    A total of six sources were included in the SO2 
attainment demonstration and technical support document for the 
Indianapolis nonattainment area submitted to EPA for review and 
approval on October 2, 2015. These facilities are: (1) Belmont Advanced 
Wastewater Treatment Plant (formerly Indianapolis Sludge Incinerator), 
(2) Citizens Thermal (formerly Indianapolis Power & Light Company (IPL) 
Perry K), (3) IPL--Harding Street Generating Station, (4) Quemetco, (5) 
Rolls Royce Corporation (formerly Allison Gas Turbine Plant 5 and Plant 
8), and (6) Vertellus Agriculture and Nutrition Specialties (formerly 
Reilly Industries and Reilly Tar and Chemical).
    The American Meteorological Society/Environmental Protection Agency 
Regulatory Model (AERMOD version 14134) was the regulatory air quality 
model used for the 2010 SO2 attainment demonstration 
modeling for the Indianapolis nonattainment area. Five years, 2008-
2012, of surface meteorological data from the Indianapolis, IN National 
Weather Service (NWS) site was used in conjunction with five years of 
concurrent upper-air meteorological data from Lincoln, Illinois, which 
is approximately 200 miles west of Indianapolis.
    Several Federal rulemakings established allowable limits for the 
six sources listed previously. These rulemakings include the Cross 
State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR), Mercury and Air Toxics Standards 
(MATS), and National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants 
for Major Sources (NESHAP): Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional 
Boilers and Process Heaters. These limits, which were adopted at 326 
Indiana Administrative Code (IAC) 7-4-2.1, have been applied to the six 
sources.
    The AERMOD modeling results for the Indianapolis nonattainment area 
showed a maximum 1-hour SO2 concentration of 168.6 
micrograms per cubic meter ([mu]g/m3). When added to a background 
concentration value of 22.5 [mu]g/m3, a total 1-hour SO2 
concentration of 191.1 [mu]g/m3 is achieved. This is below the 1-hour 
SO2 NAAQS of 75 ppb or 196.2 [mu]g/m3 and, therefore, 
demonstrates attainment of the NAAQS for SO2.
    In summary, the monitored data show attainment for 2014-2017, and 
IDEM has demonstrated, via modeling, that sources within the area are 
not expected to cause future violations in the area because of the 
permanent and enforceable limits that apply to those sources. 
Therefore, EPA agrees that the Indianapolis nonattainment area is 
currently attaining the SO2 NAAQS.

B. Permanent and Enforceable Emission Reductions

    To support the redesignation of an area from nonattainment to 
attainment, section 107(d)(3)(E)(iii) of the CAA requires EPA to 
determine that the air quality improvement in the area is due to 
permanent and enforceable reductions in emissions resulting from the 
implementation of the attainment demonstration and applicable Federal 
air pollution control regulations as well as any other permanent and 
enforceable emission reductions. As previously stated, the reduction in 
emissions from the six sources in the area has led to a decrease in 
monitored levels. The controls and operational changes that were made 
by the six facilities, as well as unit retirements, resulted in 
emission reductions for the nonattainment area between the 2011 
nonattainment base year and the 2015 attainment year.
    Table 2 compares SO2 emissions for all sources (i.e., 
EGU sources, non-EGU point sources, non-point sources (area), non-road 
sources, and on-road sources) for the 2011 nonattainment year and the 
2015 attainment year for Marion

[[Page 18197]]

County, Indiana where the Indianapolis nonattainment area is located. 
SO2 emissions within Marion County declined by 36% between 
the nonattainment year (2011) and the attainment year (2015) resulting 
in attainment of the 2010 SO2 NAAQS.

 Table 2--Comparison of 2011 (Nonattainment Year) and 2015 (Attainment Year) SO2 Emissions, All Sources, Marion
                                                 County, Indiana
                                                 [Tons per year]
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                                                                                                      Change
                                                       2011            2015           Change         (percent)
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SO2.............................................          24,021          15,312          -8,709             -36
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    As indicated above, the six facilities identified in the attainment 
plan have reduced their emissions from the 2011 nonattainment year to 
the 2015 attainment year. Table 3, below, shows the reductions that 
took place from 2011 to 2015.

     Table 3--Emission Reduction Comparison of 2011 (Nonattainment Year) and 2015 (Attainment Year) for SO2
                                        Emissions, Marion County, Indiana
                                                 [Tons per year]
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                                                                       2011            2015
        Affected source              Type of      Effective date     Emissions       Emissions     Change (tpy)
                                    reduction      of reduction        (tpy)           (tpy)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Belmont.......................  New Controls              1/1/17           24.90            8.72          -16.18
                                 (NSPS).
Citizen's Thermal.............  Fuel Switch               1/1/17        4,348.81            1.19       -4,347.62
                                 (coal to
                                 natural gas).
IPL-Harding...................  Fuel Switch               1/1/17       18,994.21       14,930.01        -4,064.2
                                 (coal to
                                 natural gas).
Quemetco......................  New Controls....          1/1/17       \a\ 124.4        \a\ 3.06         -121.34
Rolls Royce...................  Reduced Sulfur            1/1/17           58.09           23.78          -34.31
                                 Content.
Vertellus.....................  Operational               1/1/17           14.13            0.43          -13.70
                                 Limits.
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\a\ Quemetco is a triennial reporter. Emissions shown above are for 2010 and 2016.

    EPA agrees that the improvement in air quality in the nonattainment 
area is due to permanent and enforceable emission reductions, as 
described more fully in EPA's March 22, 2019 approval of Indiana's 
attainment demonstration [84 FR 10692]. In preparing its attainment 
plan, Indiana adopted revisions to the previously approved 
SO2 at 326 IAC 7. These rule revisions were adopted by the 
Indiana Environmental Rules Board following established, appropriate 
public review procedures. In addition, the rule revisions provide 
unambiguous, permanent emission limits, expressed in lbs/hour of 
allowable SO2 emissions, that, if exceeded by a source, 
would be clear grounds for an enforcement action.
    Revised limits for the six facilities identified above (among 
others) are codified in 326 IAC 7, titled ``Sulfur Dioxide Rules.'' 
These are: ``Compliance date'' (326 IAC 7-1.1-3, which contains a 
compliance date of January 1, 2017), ``Reporting requirements; methods 
to determine compliance'' (7-2-1), ``Marion County sulfur dioxide 
emission limitations'' (7-4-2.1). The rules also include associated 
monitoring, testing, and recordkeeping and reporting requirements. For 
example, continuous emission monitoring will be conducted for assessing 
compliance with the 30-day average limits. Specifically, 326 IAC 7-1-9 
is being replaced by 7-4-2.1 for Marion County. EPA finds these limits 
to be enforceable. Another summary of the limits is provided in EPA's 
March 22, 2019 approval of Indiana's attainment demonstration (84 FR 
10692). The attainment plan also satisfies requirements for emission 
inventories, RACT/RACM, RFP, and contingency measures. Additionally, 
Indiana has previously addressed requirements regarding nonattainment 
area NSR rules. Therefore, EPA has determined that Indiana's 
SO2 attainment plan meet the applicable requirements of CAA 
sections 110, 172, 191, and 192.

C. Requirements for the Area Under Section 110 and Part D

    As a criterion for redesignation of an area from nonattainment to 
attainment of a NAAQS, the CAA requires EPA to determine that the state 
has met all applicable requirements under section 110 and part D of 
title I of the CAA (see section 107(d)(3)(E)(v) of the CAA). Indiana's 
submission meets section 110 and part D requirements. EPA approved 
Indiana's infrastructure SIP for SO2 on August 3, 2015 (80 
FR 48733). In this infrastructure SIP approval, EPA determined that 
Indiana's SIP meets the requirements of CAA section 110(a)(1) and 
110(a)(2) and contains the basic program elements, such as an active 
enforcement program and permitting program.
    With the redesignation request of July 10, 2017, Indiana submitted 
information addressing the SIP requirements under section 172 and part 
D. Indiana submitted an attainment inventory of the SO2 
emissions from sources in the nonattainment area on July 10, 2017. 
Indiana chose 2011 for its base year emissions inventory, as 
comprehensive emissions data was available and updated that year, which 
satisfies the 172(c)(3) requirements. The six facilities identified in 
the previous section were the main sources in the nonattainment area. 
Indiana did not create mobile source SO2 emission budgets 
for the Indianapolis Nonattainment Area, which included Marion County, 
because SO2 emissions from mobile sources were found to be 
an insignificant contributor to PM2.5 in the nonattainment 
area. As such, transportation conformity is not of concern for the 2010 
SO2 NAAQS. (78 FR 41698).
    Table 4 compares SO2 emissions for all sources for the 
2015 attainment year and the 2030 maintenance year for Marion County, 
Indiana. SO2 emissions

[[Page 18198]]

within Marion County are projected to decline by 56% between 2015 and 
2030, primarily due to fuel switching (coal to natural gas) at EGU 
point sources. The decrease in emissions shown between the attainment 
year (2015) and the maintenance year (2030) in Table 4 illustrates that 
continued maintenance of the 2010 1-hour SO2 NAAQS is 
expected.

  Table 4--Comparison of 2015 (Attainment Year) and 2030 (Maintenance Year) SO2 Emissions, All Sources, Marion
                                                 County, Indiana
                                                 [Tons per year]
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                                                                                        Change
                                         2017            2030           Change         (percent)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SO2...............................          15,132           6,695          -8,617             -56
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    Section 172(c)(1) requires nonattainment area SIPs to provide for 
the implementation of all reasonably available control measures (RACM) 
as expeditiously as practicable and to provide for attainment of the 
NAAQS. EPA's longstanding interpretation of the nonattainment planning 
requirements of section 172 is that once an area is attaining the 
NAAQS, those requirements are not applicable for purposes of CAA 
section 107(d)(3)(E)(ii) and therefore need not be approved into the 
SIP before EPA can redesignate the area. In the 1992 General Preamble 
for Implementation of Title I, EPA set forth its interpretation of 
applicable requirements for purposes of evaluating redesignation 
requests when an area is attaining a standard. See 57 FR 13498, 13564 
(April 16, 1992). EPA noted that the requirements for reasonable 
further progress (RFP) and other measures designed to provide for 
attainment do not apply in evaluating redesignation requests because 
those nonattainment planning requirements ``have no meaning'' for an 
area that has already attained the standard. EPA's understanding of 
section 172 also forms the basis of its Clean Data Policy, which was 
articulated with regard to SO2 in the April 2014 ``Guidance 
for 1-Hour SO2 Nonattainment Area SIP Submissions,'' and 
suspends a State's obligation to submit most of the attainment planning 
requirements that would otherwise apply, including an attainment 
demonstration and planning SIPs to provide for RFP, RACM, and 
contingency measures under section 172(c)(9). Courts have upheld EPA's 
interpretation of section 172(c)(1) for ``reasonably available'' 
control measures and control technology as meaning only those controls 
that advance attainment, which precludes the need to require additional 
measures where an area is already attaining. NRDC v. EPA, 571 F.3d 
1245, 1252 (D.C. Cir. 2009); Sierra Club v. EPA, 294 F.3d 155, 162 
(D.C. Cir. 2002); Sierra Club v. EPA, 314 F.3d 735, 744 (5th Cir. 
2002); Sierra Club v. EPA, 375 F.3d 537 (7th Cir. 2004).\2\ Therefore, 
because the Indianapolis nonattainment area has attained the 
SO2 standard, no additional measures are needed to provide 
for attainment, and section 172(c)(1) requirements for an attainment 
demonstration and RACM are not part of the ``applicable implementation 
plan'' required to have been approved prior to redesignation per CAA 
section 107(d)(3)(E)(ii). EPA believes that Indiana has satisfied the 
reasonably available control measures/reasonably available control 
techniques (RACM/RACT) requirement for this area.
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    \2\ Although the Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit has 
issued a contrary opinion in the context of redesignations for ozone 
and PM2.5, EPA believes that these opinions, interpreting 
the applicability of the ozone and PM2.5 RACM/RACT 
requirements for redesignations for those pollutants, do not address 
the applicability of the RACM/RACT requirement for SO2. 
See Sierra Club v. EPA, 793 F.3d 656 (6th Cir. 2015).
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    The other section 172 requirements that are designed to help an 
area achieve attainment are the section 172(c)(2) requirement that 
nonattainment plans contain provisions promoting RFP, the requirement 
to submit the section 172(c)(9) contingency measures, and the section 
172(c)(6) requirement for the SIP to contain control measures necessary 
to provide for attainment of the NAAQS. These are also not required to 
be approved as part of the ``applicable implementation plan'' for 
purposes of satisfying CAA section 107(d)(3)(E)(ii).
    Section 172(c)(4) requires the identification and quantification of 
allowable emissions for major new and modified stationary sources to be 
allowed in an area, and section 172(c)(5) requires source permits for 
the construction and operation of new and modified major stationary 
sources anywhere in the nonattainment area. EPA has determined that, 
since Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) requirements will 
apply after redesignation, areas being redesignated need not comply 
with the requirement that a New Source Review (NSR) program be approved 
prior to redesignation, provided that the area demonstrates maintenance 
of the NAAQS without part D NSR. A more detailed rationale for this 
view is described in a memorandum from Mary Nichols, Assistant 
Administrator for Air and Radiation, dated October 14, 1994, entitled 
``Part D New Source Review Requirements for Areas Requesting 
Redesignation to Attainment.'' Indiana has demonstrated that the 
Indianapolis nonattainment area will be able to maintain the 2010 
SO2 NAAQS without part D NSR in effect, and therefore 
Indiana does not need to have a fully approved part D NSR program prior 
to approval of the redesignation request. Indiana's PSD program will 
become effective in the nonattainment area upon redesignation to 
attainment.
    Section 172(c)(7) requires the SIP to meet the applicable 
provisions of section 110(a)(2). As noted above, EPA believes that the 
Indiana SIP meets the requirements of section 110(a)(2) applicable for 
purposes of redesignation.
    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 that are developed, funded, or approved under 
title 23 of the United States Code (U.S.C.) and the Federal Transit Act 
(transportation conformity) as well as to all other federally supported 
or funded projects (general conformity). State transportation 
conformity SIP revisions must be consistent with Federal conformity 
regulations relating to consultation, enforcement, and enforceability 
that EPA promulgated pursuant to its authority under the CAA. On June 
4, 2010, Indiana submitted documentation establishing transportation 
conformity procedures in its SIP. EPA approved these procedures on 
August 17, 2010 (75 FR 50708). Moreover, EPA interprets the

[[Page 18199]]

conformity SIP requirements as not applying for purposes of evaluating 
a redesignation request under section 107(d) because, like other 
requirements listed above, State conformity rules are still required 
after redesignation and Federal conformity rules apply where State 
rules have not been approved. See Wall v. EPA, 265 F.3d 426 (6th Cir. 
2001) (upholding this interpretation); see also 60 FR 62748 (December 
7, 1995) (redesignation of Tampa, Florida).
    As discussed above, EPA is proposing to find that Indiana has 
satisfied all applicable requirements for purposes of redesignation of 
the Indianapolis nonattainment area under section 110 and part D of 
title I of the CAA.

D. Fully Approved SIP Under Section 110(k)

    As a criterion for redesignation of an area from nonattainment to 
attainment of a NAAQS, the CAA requires that the state has a fully 
approved SIP under section 110(k) of the CAA (see section 
107(d)(3)(E)(ii) of the CAA). SIPs must be fully approved only with 
respect to currently applicable requirements of the CAA. EPA has 
determined that Indiana has a fully approved SIP under section 110(k). 
As discussed above in section II.C., Indiana has submitted, and EPA has 
approved all applicable requirements under section 110 and part D of 
title I of the CAA. Indiana has implemented its SO2 SIP 
regulations at 326 IAC 7-4-3, and Indiana maintains an active 
enforcement program to ensure ongoing compliance. Indiana's new source 
review/prevention of significant deterioration program will address 
emissions from new sources. Indiana's current SO2 SIP rule 
for Marion County, which contains the Indianapolis SO2 area, 
is codified at 326 IAC 7-4-3.

E. Maintenance Plan

    CAA section 175A sets forth the elements of a maintenance plan for 
areas seeking redesignation from nonattainment to attainment. Under 
section 175A, the plan must demonstrate continued attainment of the 
applicable NAAQS for at least ten years after the nonattainment area is 
redesignated to attainment. Eight years after the redesignation, the 
State must submit a revised maintenance plan demonstrating that 
attainment will continue to be maintained for the ten years following 
the initial ten year period. To address the possibility of future 2010 
SO2 NAAQS violations, the maintenance plan must contain 
contingency measures as EPA deems necessary to assure prompt correction 
of any future 2010 SO2 NAAQS violations. Specifically, the 
maintenance plan should address five requirements: The attainment 
emissions inventory, maintenance demonstration, monitoring, 
verification of continued attainment, and a contingency plan.
    Indiana's July 10, 2017 redesignation request contains its 
maintenance plan, which Indiana has committed to review eight years 
after redesignation. Indiana submitted an attainment emission inventory 
which addresses current emissions and projections of future emissions 
for point, area, and mobile sources. Indiana has demonstrated that the 
area is attaining and is expected to maintain the SO2 NAAQS. 
Indiana has committed to continue monitoring at its monitoring sites in 
accordance with the requirements of 40 CFR part 58. These data will be 
used to verify continued attainment. Indiana has the authority to 
adopt, implement and enforce any subsequent emissions control measures 
deemed necessary to correct any future SO2 violations. 
Regarding contingency measures to implement in the case of a future 
violation of the 2010 SO2 standard, Indiana provided a list 
of five potential measures for the sources within the nonattainment 
area, including requiring: Alternative fuel, SO2 emissions 
add-on control technologies for existing emission units, reduced 
operating hours, SO2 emission offsets for new and modified 
major sources and SO2 emission offsets for new and modified 
minor sources.
    Indiana commits to study SO2 emission trends and 
identify areas of concern if the annual average 99th percentile maximum 
daily 1-hour SO2 concentration of 79 ppb or greater occurs 
in a single year, or if a two year average of 76 ppb or greater occurs 
in the maintenance area. Indiana will adopt and implement corrective 
actions as necessary to address such trends of increasing emissions or 
ambient impacts. The public will have the opportunity to participate in 
the contingency measure implementation process. EPA proposes to find 
that Indiana's maintenance plan adequately addresses the five basic 
components necessary to maintain the SO2 standard in the 
Indianapolis nonattainment area.

III. What action is EPA taking?

    As requested by Indiana on July 10, 2017, EPA is proposing to 
redesignate the Indianapolis nonattainment area from nonattainment to 
attainment of the 2010 SO2 NAAQS. Indiana has demonstrated 
that the area is attaining the SO2 standard, and that the 
improvement in air quality is due to permanent and enforceable 
measures. EPA is also proposing to approve the maintenance plan that 
Indiana submitted to ensure that the area will continue to maintain the 
SO2 standard.

IV. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

    Under the CAA, redesignation of an area to attainment and the 
accompanying approval of the maintenance plan under CAA section 
107(d)(3)(E) are actions that affect the status of geographical area 
and do not impose any additional regulatory requirements on sources 
beyond those required by state law. A redesignation to attainment does 
not in and of itself impose any new requirements, but rather results in 
the application of requirements contained in the CAA for areas that 
have been redesignated to attainment. Moreover, the Administrator is 
required to approve a SIP submission that complies with the provisions 
of the CAA and applicable Federal regulations. 42 U.S.C. 7410(k); 40 
CFR 52.02(a). Thus, in reviewing SIP submissions, EPA's role is to 
approve state choices, provided that they meet the criteria of the CAA. 
Accordingly, this action merely approves state law as meeting Federal 
requirements and does not impose additional requirements beyond those 
imposed by state law. For that reason, this action:
     Is not a significant regulatory action subject to review 
by the Office of Management and Budget under Executive Orders 12866 (58 
FR 51735, October 4, 1993) and 13563 (76 FR 3821, January 21, 2011);
     Is not an Executive Order 13771 (82 FR 9339, February 2, 
2017) regulatory action because SIP approvals are exempted under 
Executive Order 12866;
     Does not impose an information collection burden under the 
provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.);
     Is certified as not having a significant economic impact 
on a substantial number of small entities under the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.);
     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);
     Does not have Federalism implications as specified in 
Executive Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10, 1999);
     Is not an economically significant regulatory action based 
on health or safety risks subject to Executive Order 13045 (62 FR 
19885, April 23, 1997);
     Is not a significant regulatory action subject to 
Executive Order 13211 (66 FR 28355, May 22, 2001);

[[Page 18200]]

     Is not subject to requirements of Section 12(d) of the 
National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272 
note) because application of those requirements would be inconsistent 
with the CAA; and
     Does not provide EPA with the discretionary authority to 
address, as appropriate, disproportionate human health or environmental 
effects, using practicable and legally permissible methods, under 
Executive Order 12898 (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994).
    In addition, the SIP is not approved to apply on any Indian 
reservation land or in any other area where EPA or an Indian tribe has 
demonstrated that a tribe has jurisdiction. In those areas of Indian 
country, the rule does not have tribal implications and will not impose 
substantial direct costs on tribal governments or preempt tribal law as 
specified by Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, November 9, 2000).

List of Subjects

40 CFR Part 52

    Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Incorporation by 
reference, Intergovernmental relations, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements, Sulfur oxides.

40 CFR Part 81

    Environmental protection, Air pollution control, National parks, 
Wilderness areas.

    Dated: April 17, 2019.
Cathy Stepp,
Regional Administrator, Region 5.
[FR Doc. 2019-08626 Filed 4-29-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6560-50-P


