View Rule

View EO 12866 Meetings Printer-Friendly Version     Download RIN Data in XML

EPA/AR RIN: 2060-AR68 Publication ID: Fall 2015 
Title: State Implementation Plans: Restatement and Update of EPA's SSM Policy; Findings of Substantial Inadequacy; and SIP Calls Related to Startup, Shutdown, and Malfunction 
Abstract:

This final action responds to a petition submitted by the Sierra Club on June 30, 2011, concerning how State air agency rules in EPA-approved State Implementation Plans (SIPs) treat excess emissions during periods of startup, shutdown, or malfunction (SSM). The Petitioner requested that the EPA to issue SIP calls pursuant to the Clean Air Act (CAA) to require certain states to revise their SIPs where SIP provisions are substantially to comply with the requirements of the CAA or otherwise to remedy alleged deficiencies identified in the petition. This final action was preceded by two proposals. In a February 22, 2013, NPRM, the EPA proposed its response to all issues identified in the Petition, granting it in part and denying it in part, as well as proposing SIP calls for 36 States and inviting comment on its SSM policy applying to SIPs. Subsequent to that proposal, a Federal court ruled that the CAA precludes the authority of the EPA to create affirmative defense provisions applicable to private civil suits. As a result, the EPA issued a supplemental NPRM stating its revised interpretation of the CAA based on that court ruling and inviting comment on how the revised interpretation should affect the response to the petition. In the supplemental NPRM, the EPA also proposed SIP calls for two additional States. This final action establishes a deadline of November 23, 2015, for 36 states to submit corrective SIP revisions. Further in this action the EPA is clarifying, restating and revising its SSM policy applying to SIPs.

 
Agency: Environmental Protection Agency(EPA)  Priority: Other Significant 
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Completed Actions 
Major: No  Unfunded Mandates: No 
CFR Citation: 40 CFR 52   
Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq. Clean Air Act   
Legal Deadline:
Action Source Description Date
Final  Judicial  Final Signature  05/22/2015 
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
NPRM  02/22/2013  78 FR 12460   
NPRM Comment Period Extended  04/08/2013  78 FR 20855   
Supplemental NPRM  09/17/2014  79 FR 55919   
Supplemental NPRM Comment Period End  11/06/2014 
Final Action Effective  05/22/2015 
Final Rule  06/12/2015  80 FR 33839   
Additional Information: Docket #:EPA-HQ-OAR-2012-0322
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No  Government Levels Affected: Federal, State 
Small Entities Affected: No  Federalism: No 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No 
RIN Information URL: http://www3.epa.gov/airquality/urbanair/sipstatus/  
RIN Data Printed in the FR: No 
Agency Contact:
Lisa Sutton
Environmental Protection Agency
Air and Radiation
109 T.W. Alexander Drive, Mail Code E143-01,
Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
Phone:919 541-3450
Email: sutton.lisa@epa.gov

Phil Lorang
Environmental Protection Agency
Air and Radiation
C304-04,
Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
Phone:919 541-5463
Email: lorang.phil@epa.gov