
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 102 (Thursday, May 28, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 30404-30416]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-12811]



[[Page 30404]]

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 52

[EPA-R07-OAR-2015-0269; FRL-9928-33-Region 7]


Partial Approval and Disapproval of Nebraska Air Quality 
Implementation Plans; Revision to the State Implementation Plan 
Infrastructure Requirements for the 1997 and 2006 Fine Particulate 
Matter National Ambient Air Quality Standards; Revocation of the PM10 
Annual Standard and Adoption of the 24 Hour PM2.5 National Ambient Air 
Quality Standards

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing action 
on three Nebraska State Implementation Plan (SIP) submissions. First, 
EPA is proposing to partially approve and partially disapprove portions 
of two SIP submissions from the state of Nebraska addressing the 
applicable requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA) for the 1997 and 
2006 National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for fine 
particulate matter (PM2.5). The CAA requires that each state 
adopt and submit a SIP for the implementation, maintenance, and 
enforcement of each NAAQS promulgated or revised by the EPA. These SIPs 
are commonly referred to as ``infrastructure'' SIPs. The infrastructure 
requirements are designed to ensure that the structural components of 
each state's air quality management program are adequate to meet the 
state's responsibilities under the CAA. EPA is proposing to disapprove 
Nebraska's SIP as it relates to section 110 with respect to visibility, 
for the 1997 and 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS. EPA is also proposing to 
approve an additional SIP submission from Nebraska, addressing the 
revocation of the PM10 annual standard and adoption of the 
24 hour PM2.5 standard.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before June 29, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-R07-
OAR-2015-0269, by one of the following methods:
    1. http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the on-line instructions for 
submitting comments.
    2. Email: crable.gregory@epa.gov.
    3. Mail: Mr. Gregory Crable, Air Planning and Development Branch, 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 7, Air and Waste 
Management Division, 11201 Renner Boulevard, Lenexa, Kansas 66219.
    4. Hand Delivery or Courier: Deliver your comments to Mr. Gregory 
Crable, Air Planning and Development Branch, U.S. Environmental 
Protection Agency, Region 7, Air and Waste Management Division, 11201 
Renner Boulevard, Lenexa, Kansas 66219.
    Instructions: Direct your comments to Docket ID No. EPA-R07-OAR-
2015-0269. EPA's policy is that all comments received will be included 
in the public docket without change and may be made available online at 
http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information 
provided, unless the comment includes information claimed to be 
Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose 
disclosure is restricted by statute. Do not submit through http://www.regulations.gov or email information that you consider to be CBI or 
otherwise protected. The http://www.regulations.gov Web site is an 
``anonymous access'' system, which means EPA will not know your 
identity or contact information unless you provide it in the body of 
your comment. If you send an email comment directly to EPA without 
going through http://www.regulations.gov, your email address will be 
automatically captured and included as part of the comment that is 
placed in the public docket and made available on the Internet. If you 
submit an electronic comment, EPA recommends that you include your name 
and other contact information in the body of your comment and with any 
disk or CD-ROM you submit. If EPA cannot read your comment due to 
technical difficulties and cannot contact you for clarification, EPA 
may not be able to consider your comment. Electronic files should avoid 
the use of special characters, any form of encryption, and should be 
free of any defects or viruses.
    Docket: All documents in the electronic docket are listed in the 
http://www.regulations.gov index. Although listed in the index, some 
information is not publicly available, i.e., CBI or other information 
whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Certain other material, such 
as copyrighted material, will be publicly available only in hard copy. 
Publicly available docket materials are available either electronically 
at http://www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at U.S. Environmental 
Protection Agency, Region 7, 11201 Renner Boulevard, Lenexa, Kansas 
66219 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding 
legal holidays. The interested persons wanting to examine these 
documents should make an appointment with the office at least 24 hours 
in advance.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Gregory Crable, Air Planning and 
Development Branch, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 7, 
11201 Renner Boulevard, Lenexa, KS 66219; telephone number: (913) 551-
7391; fax number: (913) 551-7065; email address: 
crable.gregory@epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Throughout this document whenever ``we,'' 
``us,'' or ``our'' is used, we refer to EPA. This section provides 
additional information by addressing the following questions:

I. What is being addressed in this document?
II. What are the applicable elements under Sections 110(a)(1) and 
(2) related to the 1997 and 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS?
III. What is EPA's approach to the review of infrastructure SIP 
submissions?
IV. What is EPA's evaluation of how the state addressed the relevant 
elements of Sections 110(a)(1) and (2)?
V. What are the additional provisions of the November 14, 2011 SIP 
submission that EPA is proposing to take action on?
VI. What action is EPA proposing?
VII. Statutory and Executive Order Review
VIII. Statutory Authority

I. What is being addressed in this document?

    In this proposed rulemaking, EPA is proposing to take action on 
three Nebraska SIP submissions. EPA received the first submission on 
April 3, 2008, addressing the infrastructure SIP requirements relating 
to the 1997 PM2.5 NAAQs. EPA received the second SIP 
submission on August 29, 2011, addressing the infrastructure SIP 
requirements relating to the 2006 PM2.5 NAAQs. The 
requirement for states to make a SIP submission of this type arises out 
of CAA section 110(a)(1). If EPA takes final action as proposed, we 
will have acted on both the April 3, 2008 and August 8, 2011 SIP 
submission in their entirety.
    The third submission was received by EPA on November 14, 2011, as a 
part of a larger submission dealing with various title 129 revisions, 
which we will address at a later date. This submission revises Chapter 
4, Title 129 of the Nebraska Administrative Code. The change will 
repeal the annual NAAQS for PM10 which was revoked by the 
EPA on December 2006 and adopt the new 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS 
which was issued by EPA in December 2006.

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II. What are the applicable elements under sections 110(a)(1) and (2) 
related to the 1997 and 2006 PM[bdi2].[bdi5] NAAQS?

    On October 2, 2007, EPA issued guidance to address infrastructure 
SIP elements required under sections 110(a)(1) and (2) for the 1997 8-
hour ozone and PM2.5 NAAQS.\1\ On September 25, 2009, EPA 
issued guidance to address infrastructure SIP elements required under 
sections 110(a)(1) and (2) for the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 
NAAQS.\2\ EPA will address these elements below under the following 
headings: (A) Emission limits and other control measures; (B) Ambient 
air quality monitoring/data system; (C) Program for enforcement of 
control measures (PSD, New Source Review for nonattainment areas, and 
construction and modification of all stationary sources); (D) 
Interstate and international transport; (E) Adequate authority, 
resources, implementation, and oversight; (F) Stationary source 
monitoring system; (G) Emergency authority; (H) Future SIP revisions; 
(I) Nonattainment areas; (J) Consultation with government officials, 
public notification, prevention of significant deterioration (PSD), and 
visibility protection; (K) Air quality and modeling/data; (L) 
Permitting fees; and (M) Consultation/participation by affected local 
entities.
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    \1\ William T. Harnett, Director, Air Quality Policy Division, 
Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, ``Guidance on SIP 
Elements Required Under Sections 110(a)(1) and (2) for the 1997 8-
hour Ozone and PM2.5 National Ambient Air Quality 
Standards,'' Memorandum to EPA Air Division Directors, Regions I-X, 
October 2, 2007 (2007 Memo).
    \2\ William T. Harnett, Director, Air Quality Policy Division, 
Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, ``Guidance on SIP 
Elements Required Under Sections 110(a)(1) and (2) for the 2006 24-
Hour Fine Particle (PM2.5) National Ambient Air Quality 
Standards (NAAQS),'' Memorandum to EPA Regional Air Division 
Directors, Regions I-X, September 25, 2009 (2009 Memo).
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III. What is EPA's approach to the review of infrastructure SIP 
submissions?

    On July 18, 1997, EPA promulgated new PM2.5 primary and 
secondary NAAQS (62 FR 38652). On October 17, 2006, EPA made further 
revisions to the primary and secondary NAAQS for PM2.5 (71 
FR 61144). EPA is proposing action on Nebraska's April 3, 2008, 1997 
PM2.5 infrastructure SIP submission and the 2006 
PM2.5 infrastructure SIP, submitted August 29, 2011. The 
April 3, 2008, SIP submission became complete as a matter of law on 
October 3, 2008, while the August 29, 2011 submittal was reviewed and 
found to be administratively and technically complete on August 30, 
2011.
    The requirement for states to make a SIP submission of this type 
arises out of CAA section 110(a)(1). Pursuant to section 110(a)(1), 
states must make SIP submissions ``within 3 years (or such shorter 
period as the Administrator may prescribe) after the promulgation of a 
national primary ambient air quality standard (or any revision 
thereof),'' and these SIP submissions are to provide for the 
``implementation, maintenance, and enforcement'' of such NAAQS. The 
statute directly imposes on states the duty to make these SIP 
submissions, and the requirement to make the submissions is not 
conditioned upon EPA's taking any action other than promulgating a new 
or revised NAAQS. Section 110(a)(2) includes a list of specific 
elements that ``[e]ach such plan'' submission must address.
    EPA has historically referred to these SIP submissions made for the 
purpose of satisfying the requirements of CAA sections 110(a)(1) and 
110(a)(2) as ``infrastructure SIP'' submissions. Although the term 
``infrastructure SIP'' does not appear in the CAA, EPA uses the term to 
distinguish this particular type of SIP submission from submissions 
that are intended to satisfy other SIP requirements under the CAA, such 
as ``nonattainment SIP'' or ``attainment plan SIP'' submissions to 
address the nonattainment planning requirements of part D of title I of 
the CAA, ``regional haze SIP'' submissions required by EPA rule to 
address the visibility protection requirements of CAA section 169A, and 
nonattainment new source review permit program submissions to address 
the permit requirements of CAA, title I, part D.
    Section 110(a)(1) addresses the timing and general requirements for 
infrastructure SIP submissions, and section 110(a)(2) provides more 
details concerning the required contents of these submissions. The list 
of required elements provided in section 110(a)(2) contains a wide 
variety of disparate provisions, some of which pertain to required 
legal authority, some of which pertain to required substantive program 
provisions, and some of which pertain to requirements for both 
authority and substantive program provisions.\3\ EPA therefore believes 
that while the timing requirement in section 110(a)(1) is unambiguous, 
some of the other statutory provisions are ambiguous. In particular, 
EPA believes that the list of required elements for infrastructure SIP 
submissions provided in section 110(a)(2) contains ambiguities 
concerning what is required for inclusion in an infrastructure SIP 
submission. The following examples of ambiguities illustrate the need 
for EPA to interpret some section 110(a)(1) and section 110(a)(2) 
requirements with respect to infrastructure SIP submissions for a given 
new or revised NAAQS. One example of ambiguity is that section 
110(a)(2) requires that ``each'' SIP submission must meet the list of 
requirements therein, while EPA has long noted that this literal 
reading of the statute is internally inconsistent and would create a 
conflict with the nonattainment provisions in part D of title I of the 
Act, which specifically address nonattainment SIP requirements.\4\ 
Section 110(a)(2)(I) pertains to nonattainment SIP requirements and 
part D addresses when attainment plan SIP submissions to address 
nonattainment area requirements are due. For example, section 172(b) 
requires EPA to establish a schedule for submission of such plans for 
certain pollutants when the Administrator promulgates the designation 
of an area as nonattainment, and section 107(d)(1)(B) allows up to two 
years or in some cases three years, for such designations to be 
promulgated.\5\ This ambiguity illustrates that rather than apply all 
the stated requirements of section 110(a)(2) in a strict literal sense, 
EPA must determine which provisions of section 110(a)(2) are applicable 
for a particular infrastructure SIP submission.
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    \3\ For example: section 110(a)(2)(E)(i) provides that states 
must provide assurances that they have adequate legal authority 
under state and local law to carry out the SIP; section 110(a)(2)(C) 
provides that states must have a SIP-approved program to address 
certain sources as required by part C of title I of the CAA; and 
section 110(a)(2)(G) provides that states must have legal authority 
to address emergencies as well as contingency plans that are 
triggered in the event of such emergencies.
    \4\ See, e.g., ``Rule To Reduce Interstate Transport of Fine 
Particulate Matter and Ozone (Clean Air Interstate Rule); Revisions 
to Acid Rain Program; Revisions to the NOx SIP Call; Final Rule,'' 
70 FR 25162, at 25163-65 (May 12, 2005) (explaining relationship 
between timing requirement of section 110(a)(2)(D) versus section 
110(a)(2)(I)).
    \5\ EPA notes that this ambiguity within section 110(a)(2) is 
heightened by the fact that various subparts of part D set specific 
dates for submission of certain types of SIP submissions in 
designated nonattainment areas for various pollutants. Note, e.g., 
that section 182(a)(1) provides specific dates for submission of 
emissions inventories for the ozone NAAQS. Some of these specific 
dates are necessarily later than three years after promulgation of 
the new or revised NAAQS.
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    Another example of ambiguity within sections 110(a)(1) and 
110(a)(2) with respect to infrastructure SIPs pertains to whether 
states must meet all of the infrastructure SIP requirements in a single 
SIP submission, and whether EPA must act upon such SIP submission in a 
single action. Although section

[[Page 30406]]

110(a)(1) directs states to submit ``a plan'' to meet these 
requirements, EPA interprets the CAA to allow states to make multiple 
SIP submissions separately addressing infrastructure SIP elements for 
the same NAAQS. If states elect to make such multiple SIP submissions 
to meet the infrastructure SIP requirements, EPA can elect to act on 
such submissions either individually or in a larger combined action.\6\ 
Similarly, EPA interprets the CAA to allow it to take action on the 
individual parts of one larger, comprehensive infrastructure SIP 
submission for a given NAAQS without concurrent action on the entire 
submission. For example, EPA has sometimes elected to act at different 
times on various elements and sub-elements of the same infrastructure 
SIP submission.\7\
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    \6\ See, e.g., ``Approval and Promulgation of Implementation 
Plans; New Mexico; Revisions to the New Source Review (NSR) State 
Implementation Plan (SIP); Prevention of Significant Deterioration 
(PSD) and Nonattainment New Source Review (NNSR) Permitting,'' 78 FR 
4339 (January 22, 2013) (EPA's final action approving the structural 
PSD elements of the New Mexico SIP submitted by the State separately 
to meet the requirements of EPA's 2008 PM2.5 NSR rule), 
and ``Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; 
New Mexico; Infrastructure and Interstate Transport Requirements for 
the 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS,'' (78 FR 4337) (January 22, 2013) 
(EPA's final action on the infrastructure SIP for the 2006 
PM2.5 NAAQS).
    \7\ On December 14, 2007, the State of Tennessee, through the 
Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, made a SIP 
revision to EPA demonstrating that the State meets the requirements 
of sections 110(a)(1) and (2). EPA proposed action for 
infrastructure SIP elements (C) and (J) on January 23, 2012 (77 FR 
3213) and took final action on March 14, 2012 (77 FR 14976). On 
April 16, 2012 (77 FR 22533) and July 23, 2012 (77 FR 42997), EPA 
took separate proposed and final actions on all other section 
110(a)(2) infrastructure SIP elements of Tennessee's December 14, 
2007 submittal.
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    Ambiguities within sections 110(a)(1) and 110(a)(2) may also arise 
with respect to infrastructure SIP submission requirements for 
different NAAQS. Thus, EPA notes that not every element of section 
110(a)(2) would be relevant, or as relevant, or relevant in the same 
way, for each new or revised NAAQS. The state's attendant 
infrastructure SIP submissions for each NAAQS therefore could be 
different. For example, the monitoring requirements that a state might 
need to meet in its infrastructure SIP submission for purposes of 
section 110(a)(2)(B) could be very different for different pollutants, 
for example because the content and scope of a state's infrastructure 
SIP submission to meet this element might be very different for an 
entirely new NAAQS than for a minor revision to an existing NAAQS.\8\
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    \8\ For example, implementation of the 1997 PM2.5 
NAAQS required the deployment of a system of new monitors to measure 
ambient levels of that new indicator species for the new NAAQS.
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    EPA notes that interpretation of section 110(a)(2) is also 
necessary when EPA reviews other types of SIP submissions required 
under the CAA. Therefore, as with infrastructure SIP submissions, EPA 
also has to identify and interpret the relevant elements of section 
110(a)(2) that logically apply to these other types of SIP submissions. 
For example, section 172(c)(7) requires that attainment plan SIP 
submissions required by part D have to meet the ``applicable 
requirements'' of section 110(a)(2). Thus, for example, attainment plan 
SIP submissions must meet the requirements of section 110(a)(2)(A) 
regarding enforceable emission limits and control measures and section 
110(a)(2)(E)(i) regarding air agency resources and authority. By 
contrast, it is clear that attainment plan SIP submissions required by 
part D would not need to meet the portion of section 110(a)(2)(C) that 
pertains to the PSD program required in part C of title I of the CAA, 
because PSD does not apply to a pollutant for which an area is 
designated nonattainment and thus subject to part D planning 
requirements. As this example illustrates, each type of SIP submission 
may implicate some elements of section 110(a)(2) but not others.
    Given the potential for ambiguity in some of the statutory language 
of section 110(a)(1) and section 110(a)(2), EPA believes that it is 
appropriate to interpret the ambiguous portions of section 110(a)(1) 
and section 110(a)(2) in the context of acting on a particular SIP 
submission. In other words, EPA assumes that Congress could not have 
intended that each and every SIP submission, regardless of the NAAQS in 
question or the history of SIP development for the relevant pollutant, 
would meet each of the requirements, or meet each of them in the same 
way. Therefore, EPA has adopted an approach under which it reviews 
infrastructure SIP submissions against the list of elements in section 
110(a)(2), but only to the extent each element applies for that 
particular NAAQS.
    Historically, EPA has elected to use guidance documents to make 
recommendations to states for infrastructure SIPs, in some cases 
conveying needed interpretations on newly arising issues and in some 
cases conveying interpretations that have already been developed and 
applied to individual SIP submissions for particular elements.\9\ EPA 
most recently issued guidance for infrastructure SIPs on September 13, 
2013 (2013 Guidance).\10\ EPA developed this document to provide states 
with up-to-date guidance for infrastructure SIPs for any new or revised 
NAAQS. While today's proposed action relies on the specific guidance 
issued for the 1997 and 2006 NAAQS, we have also considered this more 
recent 2013 guidance where applicable (although not specifically issued 
for the PM2.5 NAAQS) and have found no conflicts between the 
issued guidance and our review of Nebraska's SIP submissions. Within 
the 2013 guidance, EPA describes the duty of states to make 
infrastructure SIP submissions to meet basic structural SIP 
requirements within three years of promulgation of a new or revised 
NAAQS. EPA also made recommendations about many specific subsections of 
section 110(a)(2) that are relevant in the context of infrastructure 
SIP submissions.\11\ The guidance also discusses the substantively 
important issues that are germane to certain subsections of section 
110(a)(2). Significantly, EPA interprets sections 110(a)(1) and 
110(a)(2) such that infrastructure SIP submissions need to address 
certain issues and need not address others. Accordingly, EPA reviews 
each infrastructure SIP submission for compliance with the applicable 
statutory provisions of section 110(a)(2), as appropriate.
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    \9\ EPA notes, however, that nothing in the CAA requires EPA to 
provide guidance or to promulgate regulations for infrastructure SIP 
submissions. The CAA directly applies to states and requires the 
submission of infrastructure SIP submissions, regardless of whether 
or not EPA provides guidance or regulations pertaining to such 
submissions. EPA elects to issue such guidance in order to assist 
states, as appropriate.
    \10\ ``Guidance on Infrastructure State Implementation Plan 
(SIP) Elements under Clean Air Act Sections 110(a)(1) and 
110(a)(2),'' Memorandum from Stephen D. Page, September 13, 2013.
    \11\ EPA's September 13, 2013, guidance did not make 
recommendations with respect to infrastructure SIP submissions to 
address section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I). EPA issued the guidance shortly 
after the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to review the D.C. Circuit 
decision in EME Homer City, 696 F.3d7 (D.C. Cir. 2012) which had 
interpreted the requirements of section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I). In light 
of the uncertainty created by ongoing litigation, EPA elected not to 
provide additional guidance on the requirements of section 
110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) at that time. As the guidance is neither binding 
nor required by statute, whether EPA elects to provide guidance on a 
particular section has no impact on a state's CAA obligations.
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    As an example, section 110(a)(2)(E)(ii) is a required element of 
section 110(a)(2) for infrastructure SIP submissions. Under this 
element, a state must meet the substantive requirements of section 128, 
which pertain to state boards that approve permits or enforcement 
orders and heads of executive agencies with similar powers.

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Thus, EPA reviews infrastructure SIP submissions to ensure that the 
state's SIP appropriately addresses the requirements of section 
110(a)(2)(E)(ii) and section 128. The 2013 Guidance explains EPA's 
interpretation that there may be a variety of ways by which states can 
appropriately address these substantive statutory requirements, 
depending on the structure of an individual state's permitting or 
enforcement program (e.g., whether permits and enforcement orders are 
approved by a multi-member board or by a head of an executive agency). 
However they are addressed by the state, the substantive requirements 
of section 128 are necessarily included in EPA's evaluation of 
infrastructure SIP submissions because section 110(a)(2)(E)(ii) 
explicitly requires that the state satisfy the provisions of section 
128.
    As another example, EPA's review of infrastructure SIP submissions 
with respect to the PSD program requirements in sections 110(a)(2)(C), 
(D)(i)(II), and (J) focuses upon the structural PSD program 
requirements contained in part C and EPA's PSD regulations. Structural 
PSD program requirements include provisions necessary for the PSD 
program to address all regulated sources and New Source Review (NSR) 
pollutants, including greenhouse gases (GHGs). By contrast, structural 
PSD program requirements do not include provisions that are not 
required under EPA's regulations at 40 CFR 51.166 but are merely 
available as an option for the state, such as the option to provide 
grandfathering of complete permit applications with respect to the 2012 
PM2.5 NAAQS. Accordingly, the latter optional provisions are 
types of provisions EPA considers irrelevant in the context of an 
infrastructure SIP action.
    For other section 110(a)(2) elements, however, EPA's review of a 
state's infrastructure SIP submission focuses on assuring that the 
state's SIP meets basic structural requirements. For example, section 
110(a)(2)(C) includes, inter alia, the requirement that states have a 
program to regulate minor new sources. Thus, EPA evaluates whether the 
state has an EPA-approved minor NSR program and whether the program 
addresses the pollutants relevant to that NAAQS. In the context of 
acting on an infrastructure SIP submission, however, EPA does not think 
it is necessary to conduct a review of each and every provision of a 
state's existing minor source program (i.e., already in the existing 
SIP) for compliance with the requirements of the CAA and EPA's 
regulations that pertain to such programs.
    With respect to certain other issues, EPA does not believe that an 
action on a state's infrastructure SIP submission is necessarily the 
appropriate type of action in which to address possible deficiencies in 
a state's existing SIP. These issues include: (i) Existing provisions 
related to excess emissions from sources during periods of startup, 
shutdown, or malfunction that may be contrary to the CAA and EPA's 
policies addressing such excess emissions (``SSM''); (ii) existing 
provisions related to ``director's variance'' or ``director's 
discretion'' that may be contrary to the CAA because they purport to 
allow revisions to SIP-approved emissions limits while limiting public 
process or not requiring further approval by EPA; and (iii) existing 
provisions for PSD programs that may be inconsistent with current 
requirements of EPA's ``Final NSR Improvement Rule,'' 67 FR 80186 
(December 31, 2002), as amended by 72 FR 32526 (June 13, 2007) (``NSR 
Reform''). Thus, EPA believes it may approve an infrastructure SIP 
submission without scrutinizing the totality of the existing SIP for 
such potentially deficient provisions and may approve the submission 
even if it is aware of such existing provisions.\12\ It is important to 
note that EPA's approval of a state's infrastructure SIP submission 
should not be construed as explicit or implicit re-approval of any 
existing potentially deficient provisions that relate to the three 
specific issues just described.
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    \12\ By contrast, EPA notes that if a state were to include a 
new provision in an infrastructure SIP submission that contained a 
legal deficiency, such as a new exemption for excess emissions 
during SSM events, then EPA would need to evaluate that provision 
for compliance against the rubric of applicable CAA requirements in 
the context of the action on the infrastructure SIP.
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    EPA's approach to review of infrastructure SIP submissions is to 
identify the CAA requirements that are logically applicable to that 
submission. EPA believes that this approach to the review of a 
particular infrastructure SIP submission is appropriate, because it 
would not be reasonable to read the general requirements of section 
110(a)(1) and the list of elements in 110(a)(2) as requiring review of 
each and every provision of a state's existing SIP against all 
requirements in the CAA and EPA regulations merely for purposes of 
assuring that the state in question has the basic structural elements 
for a functioning SIP for a new or revised NAAQS. Because SIPs have 
grown by accretion over the decades as statutory and regulatory 
requirements under the CAA have evolved, they may include some outmoded 
provisions and historical artifacts. These provisions, while not fully 
up to date, nevertheless may not pose a significant problem for the 
purposes of ``implementation, maintenance, and enforcement'' of a new 
or revised NAAQS when EPA evaluates adequacy of the infrastructure SIP 
submission. EPA believes that a better approach is for states and EPA 
to focus attention on those elements of section 110(a)(2) of the CAA 
most likely to warrant a specific SIP revision due to the promulgation 
of a new or revised NAAQS or other factors.
    For example, EPA's 2013 Guidance gives simpler recommendations with 
respect to carbon monoxide than other NAAQS pollutants to meet the 
visibility requirements of section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II), because carbon 
monoxide does not affect visibility. As a result, an infrastructure SIP 
submission for any future new or revised NAAQS for carbon monoxide need 
only state this fact in order to address the visibility prong of 
section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II).
    With respect to element[s] C and J, EPA interprets the CAA to 
require each state to make an infrastructure SIP submission for a new 
or revised NAAQS that demonstrates that the air agency has a complete 
PSD permitting program meeting the current requirements for all 
regulated NSR pollutants. The requirements of element D(i)(II) may also 
be satisfied by demonstrating the air agency has a complete PSD 
permitting program correctly addressing all regulated NSR pollutants. 
Nebraska has shown that it currently has a PSD program in place that 
covers all regulated NSR pollutants, including greenhouse gases (GHGs).
    On June 23, 2014, the United States Supreme Court issued a decision 
addressing the application of PSD permitting requirements to GHG 
emissions. Utility Air Regulatory Group v. Environmental Protection 
Agency, 134 S.Ct. 2427. The Supreme Court said that the EPA may not 
treat GHGs as an air pollutant for purposes of determining whether a 
source is a major source required to obtain a PSD permit. The Court 
also said that the EPA could continue to require that PSD permits, 
otherwise required based on emissions of pollutants other than GHGs, 
contain limitations on GHG emissions based on the application of Best 
Available Control Technology (BACT). In order to act consistently with 
its understanding of the Court's decision pending further judicial 
action to effectuate the decision, the EPA is not continuing to apply 
EPA regulations that would require that SIPs

[[Page 30408]]

include permitting requirements that the Supreme Court found 
impermissible. Specifically, EPA is not applying the requirement that a 
state's SIP-approved PSD program require that sources obtain PSD 
permits when GHGs are the only pollutant (i) that the source emits or 
has the potential to emit above the major source thresholds, or (ii) 
for which there is a significant emissions increase and a significant 
net emissions increase from a modification (e.g. 40 CFR 
51.166(b)(48)(v)). EPA anticipates a need to revise Federal PSD rules 
in light of the Supreme Court opinion. In addition, EPA anticipates 
that many states will revise their existing SIP-approved PSD programs 
in light of the Supreme Court's decision. The timing and content of 
subsequent EPA actions with respect to the EPA regulations and state 
PSD program approvals are expected to be informed by additional legal 
process before the United States Court of Appeals for the District of 
Columbia Circuit. At this juncture, EPA is not expecting states to have 
revised their PSD programs for purposes of infrastructure SIP 
submissions and is only evaluating such submissions to assure that the 
state's program correctly addresses GHGs consistent with the Supreme 
Court's decision.
    At present, EPA has determined the Nebraska's SIP is sufficient to 
satisfy elements C, D(i)(II), and J with respect to GHGs because the 
PSD permitting program previously approved by EPA into the SIP 
continues to require that PSD permits (otherwise required based on 
emissions of pollutants other than GHGs) contain limitations on GHG 
emissions based on the application of BACT. Although Nebraska's 
approved PSD permitting program may currently contain provisions that 
are no longer necessary in light of the Supreme Court decision, this 
does not render the infrastructure SIP submission inadequate to satisfy 
elements C, (D)(i)(II), and J. The SIP contains the necessary PSD 
requirements at this time, and the application of those requirements is 
not impeded by the presence of other previously-approved provisions 
regarding the permitting of sources of GHGs that EPA does not consider 
necessary at this time in light of the Supreme Court decision. 
Accordingly, the Supreme Court decision does not affect EPA's proposed 
approval of Nebraska's infrastructure SIP as to the requirements of 
elements C, D(i)(II), and J.
    Finally, EPA believes that its approach with respect to 
infrastructure SIP requirements is based on a reasonable reading of 
sections 110(a)(1) and 110(a)(2) because the CAA provides other avenues 
and mechanisms to address specific substantive deficiencies in existing 
SIPs. These other statutory tools allow EPA to take appropriately 
tailored action, depending upon the nature and severity of the alleged 
SIP deficiency. Section 110(k)(5) authorizes EPA to issue a ``SIP 
call'' whenever the Agency determines that a state's SIP is 
substantially inadequate to attain or maintain the NAAQS, to mitigate 
interstate transport, or to otherwise comply with the CAA.\13\ Section 
110(k)(6) authorizes EPA to correct errors in past actions, such as 
past approvals of SIP submissions.\14\ Significantly, EPA's 
determination that an action on a state's infrastructure SIP submission 
is not the appropriate time and place to address all potential existing 
SIP deficiencies does not preclude EPA's subsequent reliance on 
provisions in section 110(a)(2) as part of the basis for action to 
correct those deficiencies at a later time. For example, although it 
may not be appropriate to require a state to eliminate all existing 
inappropriate director's discretion provisions in the course of acting 
on an infrastructure SIP submission, EPA believes that section 
110(a)(2)(A) may be among the statutory bases that EPA relies upon in 
the course of addressing such deficiency in a subsequent action.\15\
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    \13\ For example, EPA issued a SIP call to Utah to address 
specific existing SIP deficiencies related to the treatment of 
excess emissions during SSM events. See ``Finding of Substantial 
Inadequacy of Implementation Plan; Call for Utah State 
Implementation Plan Revisions,'' 74 FR 21639 (April 18, 2011).
    \14\ EPA has used this authority to correct errors in past 
actions on SIP submissions related to PSD programs. See ``Limitation 
of Approval of Prevention of Significant Deterioration Provisions 
Concerning Greenhouse Gas Emitting-Sources in State Implementation 
Plans; Final Rule,'' 75 FR 82536 (December 30, 2010). EPA has 
previously used its authority under CAA section 110(k)(6) to remove 
numerous other SIP provisions that the Agency determined it had 
approved in error. See, e.g., 61 FR 38664 (July 25, 1996) and 62 FR 
34641 (June 27, 1997) (corrections to American Samoa, Arizona, 
California, Hawaii, and Nevada SIPs); 69 FR 67062 (November 16, 
2004) (corrections to California SIP); and 74 FR 57051 (November 3, 
2009) (corrections to Arizona and Nevada SIPs).
    \15\ See, e.g., EPA's disapproval of a SIP submission from 
Colorado on the grounds that it would have included a director's 
discretion provision inconsistent with CAA requirements, including 
section 110(a)(2)(A). See, e.g., 75 FR 42342 at 42344 (July 21, 
2010) (proposed disapproval of director's discretion provisions); 76 
FR 4540 (January 26, 2011) (final disapproval of such provisions).
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IV. What is EPA's evaluation of how the state addressed the relevant 
elements of sections 110(a)(1) and (2)?

    On April 3, 2008, EPA Region 7 received Nebraska's infrastructure 
SIP submission for the 1997 PM2.5 standard. On August 29, 
2011, EPA Region 7 received Nebraska's infrastructure SIP submission 
for the 2006 PM2.5 standard. EPA has reviewed Nebraska's 
infrastructure SIP submissions and the relevant statutory and 
regulatory authorities and provisions referenced in those submissions 
or referenced in Nebraska's SIP. Below is EPA's evaluation of how the 
state addressed the relevant elements of section 110(a)(2) for both the 
1997 and 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS.
    (A) Emission limits and other control measures: Section 
110(a)(2)(A) requires SIPs to include enforceable emission limits and 
other control measures, means or techniques, schedules for compliance 
and other related matters as needed to implement, maintain and enforce 
each NAAQS.\16\
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    \16\ The specific nonattainment area plan requirements of 
section 110(a)(2)(I) are subject to the timing requirements of 
section 172, not the timing requirement of section 110(a)(1). Thus, 
section 110(a)(2)(A) does not require that states submit regulations 
or emissions limits specifically for attaining the 1997 or 2006 
PM2.5 NAAQS. Those SIP provisions are due as part of each 
state's attainment plan, and will be addressed separately from the 
requirements of section 110(a)(2)(A). In the context of an 
infrastructure SIP, EPA is not evaluating the existing SIP 
provisions for this purpose. Instead, EPA is only evaluating whether 
the state's SIP has basic structural provisions for the 
implementation of the NAAQS.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The state of Nebraska's statutes and Air Quality Regulations 
authorize the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (NDEQ) to 
regulate air quality and implement air quality control regulations. 
Section 81-1504 of the Nebraska Revised Statutes authorizes NDEQ to 
act, among other things, as the state air pollution control agency for 
all purposes of the CAA and to develop comprehensive programs for the 
prevention, control and abatement of new or existing pollution to the 
air of the state. Air pollution is defined in section 81-1502 of the 
Nebraska Revised Statutes as the presence in the outdoor atmosphere of 
one or more air contaminants or combinations thereof in such quantities 
and of such duration as are or may tend to be injurious to human, 
plant, or animal life, property, or the conduct of business.
    Section 81-1505(1) of the Nebraska Revised Statutes authorizes the 
Nebraska Environmental Quality Council (EQC) to adopt and promulgate 
rules which set air standards that will protect public health and 
welfare. The EQC is also authorized to classify air contaminant sources 
according to levels and types of discharges, emissions or other 
characteristics.
    The 1997 PM2.5 NAAQS specified in 40 CFR 50.7 was 
proposed and adopted into Nebraska title 129 chapter 4, section 001.02 
of the Nebraska

[[Page 30409]]

Administrative Code, by the EQC on September 7, 2001, with an effective 
date of April 1, 2002. The 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS specified in 40 
CFR 50.13 was proposed and adopted into Nebraska title 129 chapter 4, 
section 001.02 of the Nebraska Administrative Code, by the EQC on July 
1, 2008, with an effective date of August 18, 2008. Therefore, 
PM2.5 is an air contaminant which may be regulated under 
Nebraska law.
    Based upon review of the state's infrastructure SIP submission for 
the 1997 and 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS, and relevant statutory and 
regulatory authorities and provisions referenced in the submission or 
referenced in Nebraska's SIP, EPA believes that the Nebraska SIP 
adequately addresses the requirements of section 110(a)(2)(A) for the 
1997 and 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS and is proposing to approve this 
element in the April 3, 2008 and August 29, 2011 SIP submissions.
    (B) Ambient air quality monitoring/data system: Section 
110(a)(2)(B) requires SIPs to include provisions to provide for 
establishment and operation of ambient air quality monitors, collection 
and analysis of ambient air quality data, and making these data 
available to EPA upon request.
    To address this element, section 81-1505(12)(o) of the Nebraska 
Revised Statutes provides the enabling authority necessary for Nebraska 
to fulfill the requirements of section 110(a)(2)(B). This provision 
gives the EQC the authority to promulgate rules and regulations 
concerning the monitoring of emissions. The Air Quality Division within 
NDEQ implements these requirements. Along with their other duties, the 
monitoring program within NDEQ's Air Compliance and Enforcement Program 
collects air monitoring data, quality assures the results, and reports 
the data. In accordance with the requirements of 40 CFR part 58 
appendix D, section 4.7.1(b), Nebraska operates seven PM2.5 
monitors throughout the state.
    NDEQ submits annual monitoring network plans to EPA for approval, 
including plans for its PM2.5 monitoring network, as 
required by 40 CFR 58.10. Prior to submission to EPA, Nebraska makes 
the plans available for public review on NDEQ's Web site. See, http://deq.ne.gov/Publica.nsf/Pubs_Air_Amb.xsp, for NDEQ's 2014 Ambient Air 
Monitoring Network Plan. This Plan includes, among other things, the 
locations for the PM2.5 monitoring network. On February 9, 
2015, EPA approved Nebraska's 2014 ambient air network monitoring plan. 
NDEQ also conducts five-year monitoring network assessments, including 
the PM2.5 monitoring network, as required by 40 CFR 
58.10(d). Title 129, chapter 4, section 001.02 of the NAC requires that 
attainment with the PM2.5 standard be determined in 
accordance with the applicable Federal regulations in 40 CFR part 50, 
appendix N. Nebraska submits air quality data to EPA's Air Quality 
System (AQS) quarterly, pursuant to the provisions of work plans 
developed in conjunction with EPA grants to the state.
    Based upon review of the state's infrastructure SIP submission for 
the 1997 and 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS, and relevant statutory and 
regulatory authorities and provisions referenced in the submission or 
referenced in Nebraska's SIP, EPA believes that the Nebraska SIP meets 
the requirements of section 110(a)(2)(B) for the 1997 and 2006 
PM2.5 NAAQS and is proposing to approve this element in the 
April 3, 2008 and August 29, 2011 submissions.
    (C) Program for enforcement of control measures (PSD, New Source 
Review for nonattainment areas, and construction and modification of 
all stationary sources): Section 110(a)(2)(C) requires states to 
include the following three elements in the SIP: (1) A program 
providing for enforcement of all SIP measures described in section 
110(a)(2)(A); (2) a program for the regulation of the modification and 
construction of stationary sources as necessary to protect the 
applicable NAAQS (i.e., state-wide permitting of minor sources); and 
(3) a permit program to meet the major source permitting requirements 
of the CAA (for areas designated as attainment or unclassifiable for 
the NAAQS in question).\17\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \17\ As discussed previously, this infrastructure SIP rulemaking 
will not address the Nebraska program for nonattainment area related 
provisions, since EPA considers evaluation of these provisions to be 
outside the scope of infrastructure SIP actions.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (1) Enforcement of SIP Measures. With respect to enforcement of 
requirements of the SIP, the Nebraska statutes provide authority to 
enforce the requirements of section 81-1504(1) of the Nebraska Revised 
Statutes provide authority for NDEQ to enforce the requirements of the 
Nebraska Environmental Protection Act, and any regulations, permits, or 
final compliance orders issued under the provisions of that law. In 
addition, section 81-1504(7) authorizes NDEQ to issue orders 
prohibiting or abating discharges of waste into the air and requiring 
the modification, extension or adoption of remedial measures to 
prevent, control, or abate air pollution. Section 81-1507 authorizes 
NDEQ to commence an enforcement action for any violations of the 
Environmental Protection Act, any rules or regulations promulgated 
thereunder, or any orders issued by NDEQ. This enforcement action can 
not only seek civil penalties, but also require that the recipient take 
corrective action to address the violation. See section 81-1507(1) and 
81-1508.02. Section 81-1508.01 provides for criminal penalties for 
knowing or willful violations of the statute, regulations or permit 
conditions, in addition to other acts described in that section.
    (2) Minor New Source Review. Section 110(a)(2)(C) also requires 
that the SIP include measures to regulate construction and modification 
of stationary sources to protect the NAAQS. With respect to smaller 
state-wide minor sources (Nebraska's major source permitting program is 
discussed in (3) below), Nebraska has a program under title 129, 
chapter 17 of the NAC that requires such sources to first obtain a 
construction permit from NDEQ. The permitting process is designed to 
ensure that new and modified sources will not interfere with NAAQS 
attainment. NDEQ has the authority to require the source applying for 
the permit to undergo an air quality impact analysis. If NDEQ 
determines that emissions from a constructed or modified source 
interfere with attainment of the NAAQS, it may deny the permit until 
the source makes the necessary changes to obviate the objections to the 
permit issuance. See chapter 17, sections 008 and 009 of the NAC.
    EPA has determined that Nebraska's minor new source review (NSR) 
program adopted pursuant to section 110(a)(2)(C) of the Act regulates 
emissions of NAAQS pollutants. EPA has also determined that certain 
provisions of the state's minor NSR program adopted pursuant to section 
110(a)(2)(C) of the Act likely do not meet all the requirements found 
in EPA's regulations implementing that provision. See 40 CFR 51.160-
51.164. EPA previously approved Nebraska's minor NSR program into the 
SIP, and at the time there was no objection to the provisions of this 
program. See 37 FR 10842 (May 31, 1972) and 60 FR 372 (January 4, 
1995). Since then, the state and EPA have relied on the existing state 
minor NSR program to assure that new and modified sources not captured 
by the major NSR permitting programs do not interfere with attainment 
and maintenance of the NAAQS.
    In this action, EPA is proposing to approve Nebraska's 
infrastructure SIP for the 1997 and 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS with 
respect to the general requirement in section 110(a)(2)(C) to include a

[[Page 30410]]

program in the SIP that regulates the modification and construction of 
any stationary source as necessary to assure that the NAAQS are 
achieved. In this action, EPA is not proposing to approve or disapprove 
the state's existing minor NSR program to the extent that it is 
inconsistent with EPA's regulations governing this program. EPA has 
maintained that the CAA does not require that new infrastructure SIP 
submissions correct any defects in existing EPA-approved provisions of 
minor NSR programs in order for EPA to approve the infrastructure SIP 
for element (C) (e.g., 76 FR 41076-76 FR 41079).
    (3) Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) permit program. 
Nebraska also has a program approved by EPA as meeting the requirements 
of part C, relating to prevention of significant deterioration of air 
quality. In order to demonstrate that Nebraska has met this sub-
element, this PSD program must cover requirements not just for the 1997 
and 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS, but for all other regulated NSR 
pollutants as well.
    Nebraska's implementing rule, title 129, chapter 19, Prevention of 
Significant Deterioration of Air Quality, incorporates the relevant 
portions of the Federal rule, 40 CFR 52.21 by reference. In this 
action, EPA is not proposing to approve or disapprove any state rules 
with regard to NSR reform requirements. EPA will act on NSR reform 
submittals through a separate rulemaking process. For Nebraska, we have 
previously approved Nebraska's NSR reform rules for attainment areas, 
see 76 FR 15852 (March 22, 2011).
    The Nebraska SIP also contains a permitting program for major 
sources and modifications in nonattainment areas (see Title 129, 
chapter 17, section 013). This section is currently not applicable to 
Nebraska because all areas of Nebraska are currently in attainment with 
the NAAQS. Even if it were applicable, the SIP's discussion of 
nonattainment areas is not addressed in this rulemaking (see discussion 
of the section 110(a)(2)(I) requirements for nonattainment areas, 
below).
    With respect to the PSD program, title 129, chapter 19, of the NAC 
provides for the permitting of construction of a new major stationary 
source or a major modification of an existing major stationary source. 
Further, chapter 19, section 010 of the NAC establishes threshold 
emissions for establishing whether the construction project is a major 
source of regulated NSR pollutants, including but not limited to 
PM2.5.
    Based upon review of the state's infrastructure SIP submission for 
the 1997 and 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS, and relevant statutory and 
regulatory authorities and provisions referenced in these submissions 
or referenced in Nebraska's SIP, with respect to the requirements of 
section 110(a)(2)(C) for the 1997 and 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS, EPA 
is proposing to approve this element in the April 3, 2008 and August 
29, 2011, submissions.
    (D) Interstate and international transport: Section 110(a)(2)(D)(i) 
includes four requirements referred to as prongs 1 through 4. Prongs 1 
and 2 are provided at section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I); Prongs 3 and 4 are 
provided at section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II). Section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) 
requires SIPs to include adequate provisions prohibiting any source or 
other type of emissions activity in one state from contributing 
significantly to nonattainment, or interfering with maintenance, of any 
NAAQS in another state. Section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II) requires SIPs to 
include adequate provisions prohibiting any source or other type of 
emissions activity in one state from interfering with measures required 
of any other state to prevent significant deterioration of air quality 
or to protect visibility.
    With respect to 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I)--prongs 1 and 2, EPA acted on 
this issue as it relates to Nebraska on August 8, 2011. See 76 FR 
48208.
    With respect to the PSD requirements of section 
110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II)--prong 3, EPA notes that Nebraska's satisfaction of 
the applicable infrastructure SIP PSD requirements for attainment/
unclassifiable areas of the 1997 and 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS have 
been detailed in the section addressing section 110(a)(2)(C). As 
discussed above for element (C)(3), EPA has previously approved 
Nebraska's NSR reform rules for attainment areas, and, as previously 
stated, Nebraska currently has no nonattainment areas See 76 FR 15852 
(March 22, 2011). EPA also notes that the proposed action in that 
section related to PSD is consistent with the proposed approval related 
to PSD for section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II). Therefore, EPA is proposing to 
approve the PSD requirements of section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II)--prong 
3.\18\
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    \18\ On August 31, 2011, by letter from Shelley Schneider, Air 
Quality Division Administrator of NDEQ, to Becky Weber, Director of 
the Air and Waste Management Division of EPA, NDEQ clarified that 
its August 29, 2011 SIP submission addressed the PSD requirements of 
section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II).
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    EPA is proposing to disapprove Nebraska's SIP as it relates to 
section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II) with respect to visibility, or ``Prong 4'' 
of the requirements of section 110(a)(2)(D). In its SIP submittal, 
Nebraska refers to its submittal of a SIP revision in July, 2011, 
addressing the regional haze requirements. An approved regional haze 
SIP that fully meets the regional haze requirements in 40 CFR 51.308 
would satisfy the requirements of section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II) for 
visibility protection as such a SIP would ensure that emissions from 
the state will not interfere with measures required to be included in 
other state SIPs to protect visibility. EPA has not, however, fully 
approved Nebraska's Regional Haze SIP.
    On July 6, 2012, after reviewing Nebraska's submittal of a Regional 
Haze SIP, EPA published the ``Approval, Disapproval and Promulgation of 
Implementation Plans; State of Nebraska; Regional Haze State 
Implementation Plan; Federal Implementation Plan for Best Available 
Retrofit Technology Determination; Final Rule'' (77 FR 40150). In that 
action, EPA partially approved the SIP revision as meeting the 
applicable regional haze requirements set forth in sections 169A and 
169B of the Act and in the Federal regulations codified at 40 CFR 
51.308, and the requirements of 40 CFR part 51, subpart F and 
appendices V and Y. EPA disapproved the SO2 BART 
determinations for units 1 and 2 of the Gerald Gentleman Station (GGS) 
because they do not comply with EPA's regulations. EPA also disapproved 
Nebraska's long-term strategy insofar as it relied on the deficient 
SO2 BART determination at GGS. Instead, EPA finalized a FIP 
relying on the Transport Rule as an alternative to BART for 
SO2 emissions from GGS to address these deficiencies. Given 
this, EPA cannot approve Nebraska's SIP as meeting the prong 4 
requirements based on the absence of a fully approved Regional Haze 
SIP.
    In the absence of a fully approved Regional Haze SIP, a State may 
meet the requirements of prong 4 by showing that its SIP contains 
adequate provisions to prevent emission from within the State from 
interfering with other state's measures to protect visibility. See, 
e.g., 76 FR 8326 (February 14, 2011). Nebraska did not, however, 
provide a demonstration in its infrastructure SIP that emissions within 
its jurisdiction do not interfere with other States' plans to protect 
visibility.
    Section 110(a)(2)(D)(ii) also requires that the SIP insure 
compliance with the applicable requirements of sections 126 and 115 of 
the CAA, relating to interstate and international pollution abatement, 
respectively.

[[Page 30411]]

    Section 126(a) of the CAA requires new or modified sources to 
notify neighboring states of potential impacts from sources within the 
state. Although Nebraska sources have not been identified by EPA as 
having any interstate or international impacts under section 126 or 
section 115 in any pending actions relating to the 1997 or 2006 
PM2.5 NAAQS, the Nebraska regulations address abatement of 
the effects of interstate pollution. Title 129, chapter 14, section 
010.03 of the NAC requires NDEQ, after receiving a complete PSD permit 
application, to notify EPA, as well as officials and agencies having 
cognizance where the proposed construction is to occur. This includes 
state or local air pollution control agencies and the chief executives 
of the city and county where the source would be located; any 
comprehensive regional land use planning agency; and any state, Federal 
Land Manager, or Indian governing body whose lands may be affected by 
emissions from the source or modification. Finally, we believe that 
Nebraska could use the same statutory authorities previously discussed, 
primarily section 81-1505 of the Nebraska Revised Statutes, to respond 
to any future findings with respect to the 1997 and 2006 
PM2.5 NAAQS.
    Section 115 of the CAA authorizes EPA to require a state to revise 
its SIP under certain conditions to alleviate international transport 
into another country. There are no final findings under section 115 of 
the CAA against Nebraska with respect to any air pollutant. Thus, the 
state's SIP does not need to include any provisions to meet the 
requirements of section 115.
    Based upon review of the state's infrastructure SIP submission for 
the 1997 and 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS, and relevant statutory and 
regulatory authorities and provisions referenced in these submissions 
or referenced in Nebraska's SIP, EPA is not proposing to take action, 
at this time, as it relates to section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I)--prongs 1 and 
2 and proposes to disapprove 110(a)(i)(II)--prong 4. However, EPA 
believes that Nebraska has the adequate infrastructure needed to 
address sections 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II)--Prong 3 and 110(a)(2)(D)(ii) for 
the 1997 and 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS and is proposing to approve 
the April 3, 2008 submission regarding the 1997 PM2.5 
infrastructure SIP requirements and the August 29, 2011, submission 
regarding the 2006 PM2.5 infrastructure SIP requirements for 
those elements as indicated above.
    (E) Adequate authority, resources, implementation, and oversight: 
Section 110(a)(2)(E) requires that SIPs provide for the following: (1) 
necessary assurances that the state (and other entities within the 
state responsible for implementing the SIP) will have adequate 
personnel, funding, and authority under state or local law to implement 
the SIP, and that there are no legal impediments to such 
implementation; (2) requirements that the state comply with the 
requirements relating to state boards, pursuant to section 128 of the 
CAA; and (3) necessary assurances that the state has responsibility for 
ensuring adequate implementation of any plan provision for which it 
relies on local governments or other entities to carry out that portion 
of the plan.
    (1) Section 110(a)(2)(E)(i) requires states to establish that they 
have adequate personnel, funding and authority. With respect to 
adequate authority, we have previously discussed Nebraska's statutory 
and regulatory authority to implement the 1997 and 2006 
PM2.5 NAAQS, primarily in the discussion of section 
110(a)(2)(A) above. Neither Nebraska nor EPA has identified any legal 
impediments in the state's SIP to implementation of the NAAQS.
    With respect to adequate resources, NDEQ asserts that it has 
adequate personnel to implement the SIP. State statutes provide NDEQ 
the authority to establish bureaus, divisions and/or sections to carry 
out the duties and powers granted by the Nebraska state law to address 
the control of air pollution, to be administered by full-time salaried, 
bureau, division or section chiefs. See Nebraska Revised Statutes 
section 81-1504(14). NDEQ's Air Quality Division is currently divided 
into the Permitting Section, the Compliance Section, and the Program 
Planning and Development Unit.
    With respect to funding, the Nebraska statutes require the EQC to 
establish various fees for sources, in order to fund the reasonable 
costs of implementing various air pollution control programs. For 
example, section 81-1505(12)(e) of the Nebraska Revised Statutes 
requires the EQC to establish a requirement for sources to pay fees 
sufficient to pay the reasonable direct and indirect costs of 
developing and administering the air quality operating permit program. 
These costs include overhead charges for personnel, equipment, 
buildings and vehicles; enforcement costs; costs of emissions and 
ambient monitoring; and modeling analyses and demonstrations. See 
Nebraska Revised Statutes section 81-1505.04(2)(b). Similarly, section 
81-1505(12)(a) requires the EQC to establish application fees for air 
contaminant sources seeking to obtain a permit prior to construction.
    Section 81-1505.05 of the Nebraska Revised Statutes provides that 
all fees collected pursuant to section 81-1505.04 be credited to the 
``Clean Air Title V Cash Fund'' to be used solely to pay for the direct 
and indirect costs required to develop and administer the air quality 
permit program. Similarly, section 81-1505.06 provides that all fees 
collected pursuant to section 81-1505(12) be deposited in the ``Air 
Quality Permit Cash Fund.''
    Nebraska uses funds in the non-Title V subaccounts, along with 
General Revenue funds and EPA grants under, for example, sections 103 
and 105 of the Act, to fund the programs. EPA conducts periodic program 
reviews to ensure that the state has adequate resources and funding to, 
among others, implement the SIP.
    (2) Conflict of interest provisions--Section 110(a)(2)(E)(ii) 
requires that each state SIP meet the requirements of section 128, 
relating to representation on state boards and conflicts of interest by 
members of such boards. Section 128(a)(1) requires that any board or 
body which approves permits or enforcement orders under the CAA must 
have at least a majority of members who represent the public interest 
and do not derive any ``significant portion'' of their income from 
persons subject to permits and enforcement orders under the CAA. 
Section 128(a)(2) requires that members of such a board or body, or the 
head of an agency with similar powers, adequately disclose any 
potential conflicts of interest.
    On October 21, 2014, EPA approved Nebraska's SIP revision 
addressing section 128 requirements. For a detailed analysis concerning 
Nebraska's section 128 provisions, see EPA's approval of Nebraska's 
2008 Lead infrastructure SIP (79 FR 62832).
    (3) With respect to assurances that the state has responsibility to 
implement the SIP adequately when it authorizes local or other agencies 
to carry out portions of the plan, section 81-1504(18) of the Nebraska 
Revised Statutes grants NDEQ the authority to encourage local units of 
government to handle air pollution problems within their own 
jurisdictions. NDEQ may delegate, by contract with governmental 
subdivisions which have adopted air pollution control programs, the 
enforcement of state-adopted air pollution control regulations within a 
specified region surrounding the jurisdictional area of the 
governmental subdivision. See section 81-1504(23). However, the 
Nebraska statutes also retain authority in NDEQ to carry out the 
provisions of state air pollution control law. Section 81-1504(1) gives

[[Page 30412]]

NDEQ ``exclusive general supervision'' of the administration and 
enforcement of the Nebraska Environmental Protection Act. In addition, 
section 81-1504(4) designates NDEQ as the air pollution control agency 
for the purposes of the CAA.
    The State of Nebraska relies on two local agencies for assistance 
in implementing portions of the air pollution control program: Lincoln/
Lancaster County Health Department and Omaha Air Quality Control. NDEQ 
oversees the activities of these local agencies to ensure adequate 
implementation of the plan. NDEQ utilizes sub-grants to the local 
agencies to provide adequate funding, and as an oversight mechanism. 
EPA conducts reviews of the local program activities in conjunction 
with its oversight of the state program.
    Based upon review of the state's infrastructure SIP submission for 
the 1997 and 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS and relevant statutory and 
regulatory authorities and provisions referenced in these submissions 
or referenced in Nebraska's SIP, EPA believes that Nebraska has the 
adequate infrastructure needed to address section 110(a)(2)(E) for the 
1997 and 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS submitted and is proposing to 
approve the April 3, 2008 submission regarding the 1997 
PM2.5 infrastructure SIP requirements and the August 29, 
2011, submission regarding the 2006 PM2.5 infrastructure SIP 
requirements for this element.
    (F) Stationary source monitoring system: Section 110(a)(2)(F) 
requires states to establish a system to monitor emissions from 
stationary sources and to submit periodic emission reports. Each SIP 
shall require the installation, maintenance, and replacement of 
equipment, and the implementation of other necessary steps, by owners 
or operators of stationary sources, to monitor emissions from such 
sources. The SIP shall also require periodic reports on the nature and 
amounts of emissions and emissions-related data from such sources, and 
requires that the state correlate the source reports with emission 
limitations or standards established under the CAA. These reports must 
be made available for public inspection at reasonable times. To address 
this element, section 81-1505(12)(o) of the Nebraska Revised Statutes 
gives the EQC the authority to promulgate rules and regulations for air 
pollution control, including requirements for owner or operator testing 
and monitoring of emissions. It also gives the EQC the authority to 
promulgate similar rules and regulations for the periodic reporting of 
these emissions. See section 81-1505(12)(l). Title 129 chapter 34, 
section 002 of the NAC incorporates various EPA reference methods for 
testing source emissions, including methods for PM2.5. The 
Federal test methods in 40 CFR part 60, appendix A are referenced in 
title 129, chapter 34 section 002.02.
    The Nebraska regulations also require that all Class I and Class II 
operating permits include requirements for monitoring of emissions. See 
title 129, chapter 8, sections 004.01 and 015 of the NAC. Furthermore, 
title 129, chapter 34, section 001 of the NAC allows NDEQ to order an 
emissions source to make or have tests made to determine the rate of 
contaminant emissions from the source whenever NDEQ has reason to 
believe that the existing emissions from the source exceed the 
applicable emissions limits.
    The Nebraska regulations also impose reporting requirements on 
sources subject to permitting requirements. See title 129, chapter 6, 
section 001; chapter 8, sections 004.03 and 015 of the NAC. Nebraska 
makes all monitoring reports submitted as part of Class I or Class II 
permit a publicly available document. Although sources can submit a 
claim of confidentiality for some of the information submitted, 
Nebraska regulations specifically exclude emissions data from being 
entitled to confidential protection. See title 129, chapter 7, section 
004 of the NAC. Nebraska uses this information to track progress 
towards maintaining the NAAQS, developing control and maintenance 
strategies, identifying sources and general emission levels, and 
determining compliance with emission regulations and additional EPA 
requirements.
    Based upon review of the state's infrastructure SIP submission for 
the 1997 and 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS, and relevant statutory and 
regulatory authorities and provisions referenced in the submission or 
referenced in Nebraska's SIP, EPA believes that Nebraska has the 
adequate infrastructure needed to address section 110(a)(2)(F) for the 
1997 and 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS submitted and is proposing to 
approve the April 3, 2008, submission regarding the 1997 
PM2.5 infrastructure SIP requirements and the August 29, 
2011, submission regarding the 2006 PM2.5 infrastructure SIP 
requirements for this element.
    (G) Emergency authority: Section 110(a)(2)(G) requires SIPs to 
provide for authority to address activities causing imminent and 
substantial endangerment to public health or welfare or the environment 
(comparable to the authorities provided in section 303 of the CAA), and 
to include contingency plans to implement such authorities as 
necessary.
    Section 81-1507(4) of the Nebraska Revised Statutes states that 
whenever the Director of NDEQ finds that an emergency exists requiring 
immediate action to protect the public health and welfare, he or she 
may issue an order requiring that such action be taken as the Director 
deems necessary to meet the emergency. Title 129, chapter 38, section 
003 of the NAC states that the conditions justifying the proclamation 
of an air pollution alert, air pollution warning, or air pollution 
emergency exist whenever the Director determines that the accumulation 
of air pollutants in any place is attaining or has attained levels 
which could, if such levels are sustained or exceeded, lead to a 
substantial threat to the health of persons. This regulation also 
establishes action levels for various air pollutants. The action levels 
(which include ``Air Pollution Alert,'' ``Air Pollution Warning,'' and 
``Air Pollution Emergency'') and associated contingency measures vary 
depending on the severity of the concentrations. Appendix I to title 
129 of the NAC provides an Emergency Response Plan with actions to be 
taken under each of the severity levels. These steps are designed to 
prevent the excessive build-up of air pollutants to concentrations 
which can result in imminent and substantial danger to public health. 
Both the regulation at chapter 38 and the Emergency Response Plan are 
contained in the Federally approved SIP.
    Based on EPA's experience to date with the PM2.5 NAAQS 
and designated PM2.5 nonattainment areas, EPA expects that 
an emergency event involving PM2.5 would be unlikely, and if 
it were to occur, would be the result of a malfunction or other 
emergency situation at a relatively large source of PM2.5. 
Accordingly, EPA believes that the central components of a contingency 
plan would be to reduce emissions from the source at issue (if 
necessary, by curtailing operations) and public communication as 
needed. EPA believes that Nebraska's statutes referenced above provide 
the requisite authority to NDEQ to address such situations.
    Based upon review of the state's infrastructure SIP submission for 
the 1997 and 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS, and relevant statutory and 
regulatory authorities and provisions referenced in that submission or 
referenced in Nebraska's SIP, EPA believes that the Nebraska SIP 
adequately addresses section 110(a)(2)(G) for the 1997 and 2006 
PM2.5 NAAQS submitted and is proposing to approve the April 
3, 2008

[[Page 30413]]

submission regarding the 1997 PM2.5 infrastructure SIP 
requirements and the August 29, 2011, submission regarding the 2006 
PM2.5 infrastructure SIP requirements for this element.
    (H) Future SIP revisions: Section 110(a)(2)(H) requires states to 
have the authority to revise their SIPs in response to changes in the 
NAAQS, availability of improved methods for attaining the NAAQS, or in 
response to an EPA finding that the SIP is substantially inadequate to 
attain the NAAQS.
    As discussed previously, section 81-1504 of the Nebraska Revised 
Statutes authorizes NDEQ to regulate air quality and implement air 
quality control regulations. It also authorizes NDEQ to act as the 
state air pollution control agency for all purposes of the CAA. Section 
81-1505(1) gives the EQC the authority to adopt and promulgate rules 
which set air standards that will protect public health and welfare. 
This authority includes the authority to revise rules as necessary to 
respond to a revised NAAQS.
    Based upon review of the state's infrastructure SIP submission for 
the 1997 and 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS, and relevant statutory and 
regulatory authorities and provisions referenced in the submission or 
referenced in Nebraska's SIP, EPA believes that Nebraska has adequate 
authority to address section 110(a)(2)(H) for the 1997 and 2006 
PM2.5 NAAQS submitted and is proposing to approve this 
element in regard to the April 3, 2008, submission regarding the 1997 
PM2.5 infrastructure SIP requirements and the August 29, 
2011, submission regarding the 2006 PM2.5 infrastructure SIP 
requirements for this element.
    (I) Nonattainment areas: Section 110(a)(2)(I) requires that in the 
case of a plan or plan revision for areas designated as nonattainment 
areas, states must meet applicable requirements of part D of the CAA, 
relating to SIP requirements for designated nonattainment areas.
    As noted earlier, EPA does not expect infrastructure SIP 
submissions to address subsection (I). The specific SIP submissions for 
designated nonattainment areas, as required under CAA title I, part D, 
are subject to different submission schedules than those for section 
110 infrastructure elements. Instead, EPA will take action on part D 
attainment plan SIP submissions through a separate rulemaking governed 
by the requirements for nonattainment areas, as described in part D.
    (J) Consultation with government officials, public notification, 
PSD and visibility protection: Section 110(a)(2)(J) requires SIPs to 
meet the applicable requirements of the following CAA provisions: (1) 
section 121, relating to interagency consultation regarding certain CAA 
requirements; (2) section 127, relating to public notification of NAAQS 
exceedances and related issues; and (3) part C of the CAA, relating to 
prevention of significant deterioration of air quality and visibility 
protection.
    (1) With respect to interagency consultation, the SIP should 
provide a process for consultation with general-purpose local 
governments, designated organizations of elected officials of local 
governments, and any Federal Land Manager having authority over Federal 
land to which the SIP applies. Section 81-1504(3) authorizes NDEQ to 
advise and consult and cooperate with other Nebraska state agencies, 
the Federal government, other states, interstate agencies, and with 
affected political subdivisions, for the purpose of implementing its 
air pollution control responsibilities. Nebraska also has appropriate 
interagency consultation provisions in its preconstruction permit 
program. See, e.g., title 129, chapter 14 section 010 of the NAC 
(requiring NDEQ to send a copy of a notice of public comment on 
construction permit applications to any state or local air pollution 
control agency; the chief executives of the city and county in which 
the source would be located; any comprehensive regional land use 
planning agency; and any state, Federal Land Manager, or Indian 
governing body whose lands may be affected by emissions from the source 
or modification).
    (2) With respect to the requirements for public notification in CAA 
section 127, title 129 chapter 38 of the NAC, discussed previously in 
connection with the state's authority to address emergency episodes, 
contains provisions for public notification of elevated ozone and other 
air pollutant levels. Appendix I to title 129 of the NAC includes 
measures which can be taken by the public to reduce concentrations. In 
addition, information regarding air pollution and related issues, is 
provided on an NDEQ Web site, http://www.deq.state.ne.us/NDEQSite.nsf/AirDivSecProg?OpenView&Start=1&ExpandView&Count=500. NDEQ also prepares 
an annual report on air quality in the state which is available to the 
public on its Web site, at http://www.deq.state.ne.us/Publica.nsf/c4afc76e4e077e11862568770059b73f/a12a5ada6cce1c1686257a47004e0633!OpenDocument.
    (3) With respect to the applicable requirements of part C, relating 
to prevention of significant deterioration of air quality and 
visibility protection, we previously noted in the discussion of section 
110(a)(2)(C) (relating to enforcement of control measures) how the 
Nebraska SIP meets the PSD requirements, incorporating the Federal rule 
by reference. Regarding the prevention of significant deterioration 
requirements, EPA previously approved Nebraska's PM2.5 PSD 
program as found at 79 FR 45108. On January 22, 2013, the U.S. Court of 
Appeals for the District of Columbia vacated and remanded the 
provisions at 40 CFR 51.166(k)(2) and 52.21(k)(2) concerning 
implementation of the PM2.5 SILs and vacated the provisions 
at 40 CFR 51.166(i)(5)(i)(c) and 52.21 (i)(5)(i)(c) (adding the 
PM2.5 SMCs) that were promulgated as part of the October 20, 
2010, rule, Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) for 
Particulate Matter less than 2.5 Micrometers (PM2.5)--
Increments, Significant Impact Levels and Significant Monitoring 
Concentrations, 75 CFR 64864. Consistent with the court's ruling, on 
June 27, 2013, Nebraska submitted a request to not include the SIP 
provisions relating the Significant Impact Levels (SILs) and 
Significant Monitoring Concentrations (SMCs).
    With respect to the visibility component of section 110(a)(2)(J), 
Nebraska stated in its 1997 and 2006 PM2.5 infrastructure 
SIP submittals that the ``Visibility Protection'' requirements of 
chapter 43 of title 129 of the Nebraska Administrative Code met part C 
visibility requirements of element J. The ``Visibility Protection'' 
requirements of chapter 43 were submitted by Nebraska for incorporation 
into the Nebraska SIP on November 8, 2011, and will be addressed in a 
separate rulemaking.
    EPA recognizes that states are subject to visibility and regional 
haze program requirements under part C of the CAA. However, when EPA 
establishes or revises a NAAQS, these visibility and regional haze 
requirements under part C do not change. EPA believes that there are no 
new visibility protection requirements under part C as a result of a 
revised NAAQS. Therefore, there are no newly applicable visibility 
protection obligations pursuant to element J after the promulgation of 
a new or revised NAAQS. As such, EPA is proposing to find that 
Nebraska's SIP meets the visibility requirements of element J with 
respect to the 1997 and 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS as there are no new 
applicable requirements triggered by the 1997 and 2006 PM2.5 
NAAQS.
    Based upon review of the state's infrastructure SIP submission for 
the 1997 and 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS, and relevant statutory and 
regulatory

[[Page 30414]]

authorities and provisions referenced in the submission or referenced 
in Nebraska's SIP, EPA believes that Nebraska has met the applicable 
requirements of section 110(a)(2)(J) for the 1997 and 2006 
PM2.5 NAAQS in the state and is therefore proposing to 
approve the April 3, 2008, submission regarding the 1997 
PM2.5 infrastructure SIP requirements and the August 29, 
2011, submission regarding the 2006 PM2.5 infrastructure SIP 
requirements for this element.
    (K) Air quality and modeling/data: Section 110(a)(2)(K) requires 
that SIPs provide for performing air quality modeling, as prescribed by 
EPA, to predict the effects on ambient air quality of any emissions of 
any NAAQS pollutant, and for submission of such data to EPA upon 
request.
    Nebraska has authority to conduct air quality modeling and report 
the results of such modeling to EPA. Section 81-1504(5) provides NDEQ 
with the authority to encourage, participate in, or conduct studies, 
investigations, research and demonstrations relating to air pollution 
and its causes and effects. As an example of regulatory authority to 
perform modeling for purposes of determining NAAQS compliance, the 
regulations at title 129, chapter 19, section 019 provide for the use 
of EPA-approved air quality models (e.g., those found in 40 CFR part 
51, appendix W) for PSD construction permitting. If the use of these 
models is inappropriate, the model may be modified or an alternate 
model may be used with the approval of NDEQ and EPA.
    The Nebraska regulations also give NDEQ the authority to require 
that modeling data be submitted for analysis. Title 129, chapter 19, 
section 021.02 states that upon request by NDEQ, the owner or operator 
of a proposed source or modification must provide information on the 
air quality impact of the source or modification, including all 
meteorological and topographical data necessary to estimate such 
impact.
    Based upon review of the state's infrastructure SIP submission for 
the 1997 and 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS, and relevant statutory and 
regulatory authorities and provisions referenced in the submission or 
referenced in Nebraska's SIP, EPA believes that Nebraska has the 
adequate infrastructure needed to address section 110(a)(2)(K) for the 
1997 and 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS and is proposing to approve the 
April 3, 2008, submission regarding the 1997 PM2.5 
infrastructure SIP requirements and the August 29, 2011, submission 
regarding the 2006 PM2.5 infrastructure SIP requirements for 
this element.
    (L) Permitting Fees: Section 110(a)(2)(L) requires SIPs to require 
each major stationary source to pay permitting fees to the permitting 
authority, as a condition of any permit required under the CAA, to 
cover the cost of reviewing and acting upon any application for such a 
permit, and, if the permit is issued, the costs of implementing and 
enforcing the terms of the permit. The fee requirement applies until a 
fee program established by the state pursuant to title V of the CAA, 
relating to operating permits, is approved by EPA.
    Section 81-1505 of the Nebraska Revised States provides authority 
for NDEQ to collect permit fees, including title V fees. For example, 
section 81-1505(12)(e) requires that the EQC establish fees sufficient 
to pay the reasonable direct and indirect of developing and 
administering the air quality permit program. Nebraska's title V 
program, including the fee program addressing the requirements of the 
Act and 40 CFR 70.9 relating to title V fees, was approved by EPA on 
October 18, 1995 (60 FR 53872).
    Based upon review of the state's infrastructure SIP submission for 
the 1997 and 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS, and relevant statutory and 
regulatory authorities and provisions referenced in the submission or 
referenced in Nebraska's SIP, EPA believes that Nebraska has the 
adequate infrastructure needed to address section 110(a)(2)(L) for the 
1997 and 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS and is proposing to approve the 
April 3, 2008, submission regarding the 1997 PM2.5 
infrastructure SIP requirements and the August 29, 2011, submission 
regarding the 2006 PM2.5 infrastructure SIP requirements for 
this element.
    (M) Consultation/participation by affected local entities: Section 
110(a)(2)(M) requires SIPs to provide for consultation and 
participation by local political subdivisions affected by the SIP.
    Section 81-1504(5) of the Nebraska Revised Statutes gives NDEQ the 
authority to encourage local governments to handle air pollution 
problems within their respective jurisdictions and at the same time 
provide them with technical and consultative assistance. NDEQ is also 
authorized to delegate the enforcement of air pollution control 
regulations down to governmental subdivisions which have adopted air 
pollution control programs. As discussed previously, NDEQ currently 
relies on two local agencies for assistance in implementing portions of 
the air pollution control program: Lincoln/Lancaster County Health 
Department and Omaha Air Quality Control.
    In addition, as previously noted in the discussion about section 
110(a)(2)(J), Nebraska's statutes and regulations require that NDEQ 
consult with local political subdivisions for the purposes of carrying 
out its air pollution control responsibilities.
    Based upon review of the state's infrastructure SIP submission for 
the 1997 and 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS, and relevant statutory and 
regulatory authorities and provisions referenced in the submission or 
referenced in Nebraska's SIP, EPA believes that Nebraska has the 
adequate infrastructure needed to address section 110(a)(2)(M) for the 
1997 and 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS and is proposing to approve the 
April 3, 2008, submission regarding the 1997 PM2.5 
infrastructure SIP requirements and the August 29, 2011, submission 
regarding the 2006 PM2.5 infrastructure SIP requirements for 
this element.

V. What are the additional provisions of the November 14, 2011, SIP 
submission that EPA is proposing to take action on?

    On November 14, 2011, Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality 
submitted a request for the approval of revisions to chapter 4 of title 
129. The revision to chapter 4, section 001.01, repeals the annual 
National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for PM10, 
which was revoked by EPA effective December 18, 2006 and at section 
001.02 of chapter 4, adopt the new 24 hour NAAQS for PM2.5 
which was issued by EPA also effective December 18, 2006. See 71 FR 
61144. The proposed revisions to title 129, chapter 4, are consistent 
with Federal standards and therefore EPA is proposing to approve NDEQ's 
request in regards to the repeal of the annual NAAQS for 
PM10 and adoption of the 24 hour NAAQS of PM2.5.

VI. What action is EPA taking?

    EPA is proposing to approve the April 3, 2008, and August 29, 2011, 
infrastructure SIP submissions from Nebraska which address the 
requirements of CAA sections 110 (a)(1) and (2) as applicable to the 
1997 and 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS. Specifically, EPA is proposing to 
approve the following infrastructure elements, or portions thereof: 
110(a)(2)(A), (B), (C), (D)(i)(II)--Prong 3, (D)(ii), (E), (F), (G), 
(H), (J), (K), (L), and (M). As discussed in each applicable section of 
this rulemaking, EPA is not proposing to take action on section 
110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I)--prongs 1 and 2, and 110(a)(2)(I)--Nonattainment 
Area

[[Page 30415]]

Plan, or Plan Revisions under part D. And finally, EPA is proposing to 
disapprove 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II)--prong 4, as it relates to the 
protection of visibility.
    Based upon review of the state's infrastructure SIP submissions and 
relevant statutory and regulatory authorities and provisions referenced 
in those submissions or referenced in Nebraska's SIP, EPA believes that 
Nebraska has the infrastructure to address all applicable required 
elements of sections 110(a)(1) and (2) (except otherwise noted) to 
ensure that the 1997 and 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS are implemented in 
the state.
    In addition, EPA is proposing to approve an additional SIP 
submission from Nebraska which repeals the annual PM10 NAAQS 
and adopts the 24 hour PM2.5 NAAQS.
    We are hereby soliciting comments on this proposed action. Final 
rulemaking will occur after consideration of any comments.

VII. Statutory and Executive Order Review

    In this action, EPA is proposing to include in a final EPA rule 
regulatory text that includes incorporation by reference. In accordance 
with requirements of 1 CFR 51.5, EPA is proposing to incorporate by 
reference the EPA approved Nebraska regulations for Ambient Air Quality 
Standards, and the EPA approved Nebraska nonregulatory provisions 
described in the proposed amendments to 40 CFR part 52 set forth below. 
EPA has made, and will continue to make, these documents generally 
available electronically through www.regulations.gov and/or in hard 
copy at the appropriate EPA office (see the ADDRESSES section of this 
preamble for more information).
    Under the CAA, 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 proposes to approve state law as meeting Federal 
requirements and does not impose additional requirements beyond those 
imposed by state law. For that reason this proposed action:
     Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' subject to 
review by the Office of Management and Budget under Executive Order 
12866 (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993) and is therefore not subject to 
review under Executive Orders 12866 and 13563 (76 FR 3821, January 21, 
2011);
     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);
     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).
    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).

VIII. Statutory Authority

    The statutory authority for this action is provided by section 110 
of the CAA, as amended (42 U.S.C. 7410).

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52

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

    Dated: May 15, 2015.
Mark Hague,
Acting Regional Administrator, Region 7.

    For the reasons stated in the preamble, EPA proposes to amend 40 
CFR part 52 as set forth below:

    Chapter I, title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations is amended 
as follows:

PART 52--APPROVAL AND PROMULGATION OF IMPLEMENTATION PLANS

0
1. The authority citation for part 52 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  42 U.S.C. 7401 et. seq.

Subpart CC--Nebraska

0
2. Amend Sec.  52.1420 by:
0
a. Under paragraph (c), in the table entitled ``EPA-Approved Nebraska 
Regulations'', revising the entry for ``129-4''; and
0
b. Under paragraph (e), in the table entitled ``EPA-Approved Nebraska 
Nonregulatory Provisions'', adding an entry for ``(28)'' in numerical 
order.
    The revisions and additions read as follows:


Sec.  52.1420  Identification of plan.

* * * * *
    (c) * * *

[[Page 30416]]



                                        EPA-Approved Nebraska Regulations
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     State effective
       Nebraska  citation              Title               date        EPA approval date        Explanation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                STATE OF NEBRASKA
                                       Department of Environmental Quality
                                   Title 129--Nebraska Air Quality Regulations
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
129-4..........................  Ambient Air        8/18/08..........  5/28/15, [Insert   This revision to
                                  Quality                               Federal Register   Chapter 4 repeals the
                                  Standards.                            citation].         annual National
                                                                                           Ambient Air Quality
                                                                                           Standard (NAAQS) for
                                                                                           PM10 and adopts the
                                                                                           Federal 24-hour NAAQS
                                                                                           for PM2.5. The
                                                                                           standard was reduced
                                                                                           from 65 to 35
                                                                                           micrograms per cubic
                                                                                           meter by EPA on
                                                                                           December 18, 2006.
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *
    (e) * * *

                                 EPA-Approved Nebraska Nonregulatory Provisions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     Applicable
   Name of nonregulatory SIP      geographic area    State submittal
           provision              or nonattainment         date        EPA approval date        Explanation
                                        area
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
(28) Section 110(a)(2)           Statewide........  4/3/2008, 8/29/    5/28/2015,         This action addresses
 Infrastructure Requirements                         2011.              [Insert Federal    the following CAA
 for the 1997 and 2006 PM2.5                                            Register           elements:
 NAAQS.                                                                 citation].         110(a)(2)(A), (B),
                                                                                           (C), (D)(i)(II),
                                                                                           (D)(ii), (E), (F),
                                                                                           (G), (H), (J), (K),
                                                                                           (L), and (M).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[FR Doc. 2015-12811 Filed 5-27-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P


