[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 75 (Friday, April 17, 2020)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 21341-21351]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-07941]
[[Page 21341]]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 52
[EPA-R08-OAR-2019-0623; FRL-10007-20-Region 8]
Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; Wyoming;
Regional Haze 5-Year Progress Report State Implementation Plan
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Proposed rule.
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SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to
approve a regional haze progress report State Implementation Plan (SIP)
revision submitted by the State of Wyoming on November 28, 2017. The
revision addresses the requirements for states to submit periodic
reports describing progress toward reasonable progress goals
established for regional haze and a determination of adequacy of the
State's existing regional haze SIP and federal implementation plan
(FIP). The regional haze progress report SIP revision also includes a
revision to the Best Available Retrofit Technology (BART) requirements
for Unit 3 at the Naughton Power Plant. The EPA acted on the BART
revision for the Naughton Power Plant in a previous rulemaking and is
not proposing to act on the BART revision in this rulemaking. The EPA
is taking this action pursuant to section 110 of the Clean Air Act
(CAA).
DATES: Written comments must be received on or before May 18, 2020.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-R08-
OAR-2019-0623, to the Federal Rulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting
comments. Once submitted, comments cannot be edited or removed from
www.regulations.gov. The EPA may publish any comment received to its
public docket. Do not submit electronically any information you
consider to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other
information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Multimedia
submissions (audio, video, etc.) must be accompanied by a written
comment. The written comment is considered the official comment and
should include discussion of all points you wish to make. The EPA will
generally not consider comments or comment contents located outside of
the primary submission (i.e., on the web, cloud, or other file sharing
system). For additional submission methods, the full EPA public comment
policy, information about CBI or multimedia submissions, and general
guidance on making effective comments, please visit http://www2.epa.gov/dockets/commenting-epa-dockets.
Docket: All documents in the docket are listed in the
www.regulations.gov index. Although listed in the index, some
information is not publicly available, e.g., 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
in www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at the Air and Radiation
Division, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Region 8, 1595 Wynkoop
Street, Denver, Colorado 80202-1129. The EPA requests that if at all
possible, you contact the individual listed in the FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT section to view the hard copy of the docket. You
may view the hard copy of the docket Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m.
to 4:00 p.m., excluding federal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jaslyn Dobrahner, Air and Radiation
Division, EPA, Region 8, Mailcode 8ARD-IO, 1595 Wynkoop Street, Denver,
Colorado 80202-1129, (303) 312-6252, [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Throughout this document wherever ``we,''
``us,'' or ``our'' is used, we mean the EPA.
I. What action is the EPA proposing?
On November 28, 2017, Wyoming submitted a Progress Report SIP
revision (Progress Report) which: (1) Detailed the progress made toward
achieving progress for improving visibility at Class I areas,\1\ and
(2) declared a determination of adequacy of the State's regional haze
plan to meet reasonable progress goals. The Progress Report also
included a revision to the BART requirements for Unit 3 at the Naughton
Power Plant. However, the EPA acted on the BART revision for the
Naughton Power Plant in a previous rulemaking and is therefore not
proposing to act on the BART revision in this rulemaking.\2\ The State
provided an opportunity for public comment through public hearings held
on January 15, 2014 and September 26, 2017, and provided Federal Land
Managers (FLMs) an opportunity to comment on the Progress Report.\3\
The EPA is proposing to approve Wyoming's November 28, 2017 regional
haze Progress Report SIP submittal.
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\1\ 42 U.S.C. 7491(a). Areas designated as mandatory Class I
Federal areas consist of national parks exceeding 6000 acres,
wilderness areas and national memorial parks exceeding 5000 acres,
and all international parks that were in existence on August 7,
1977. 42 U.S.C. 7472(a). In accordance with section 169A of the CAA,
EPA, in consultation with the Department of Interior, promulgated a
list of 156 areas where visibility is identified as an important
value. 44 FR 69122 (November 30, 1979). The extent of a mandatory
Class I area includes subsequent changes in boundaries, such as park
expansions. 42 U.S.C. 7472(a). Although states and tribes may
designate as Class I additional areas whose visibility they consider
to be an important value, the requirements of the visibility program
set forth in section 169A of the CAA apply only to ``mandatory Class
I Federal areas.'' Each mandatory Class I Federal area is the
responsibility of a ``Federal Land Manager.'' 42 U.S.C. 7602(i).
When we use the term ``Class I area'' in this section, we mean a
``mandatory Class I Federal area.''
\2\ 84 FR 10433 (March 21, 2019).
\3\ Due to new permit requirements for Unit 3 at the Naughton
Power Plant added to the Progress Report in early 2017, a second
public comment period was provided.
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II. Background
A. Requirements of the Clean Air Act and the EPA's Regional Haze Rule
In section 169A of the 1977 CAA Amendments, Congress created a
program for protecting visibility in the nation's national parks and
wilderness areas. This section of the CAA establishes ``as a national
goal the prevention of any future, and the remedying of any existing,
impairment of visibility in mandatory Class I Federal areas which
impairment results from manmade air pollution.''
The EPA promulgated a rule to address regional haze on July 1,
1999.\4\ The Regional Haze Rule revised the existing visibility
regulations \5\ to integrate provisions addressing regional haze and
established a comprehensive visibility protection program for Class I
areas. The requirements for regional haze, found at 40 CFR 51.308 and
40 CFR 51.309, are included in the EPA's visibility protection
regulations at 40 CFR 51.300 through 40 CFR 51.309. The EPA revised the
Regional Haze Rule on January 10, 2017.\6\
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\4\ 64 FR 35714, 35714 (July 1, 1999) (codified at 40 CFR part
51, subpart P).
\5\ The EPA had previously promulgated regulations to address
visibility impairment in Class I areas that is ``reasonably
attributable'' to a single source or small group of sources, i.e.,
reasonably attributable visibility impairment (RAVI). 45 FR 80084,
80084 (December 2, 1980).
\6\ 82 FR 3078 (January 10, 2017).
\7\ 42 U.S.C. 7410(a), 7491, and 7492(a); CAA sections 110(a),
169A, and 169B.
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The CAA requires each state to develop a SIP to meet various air
quality requirements, including protection of visibility.\7\ Regional
haze SIPs must assure reasonable progress toward the national goal of
achieving natural visibility conditions in Class I areas. A state must
submit its SIP and SIP revisions to the EPA for approval. Once
[[Page 21342]]
approved, a SIP is enforceable by the EPA and citizens under the CAA.
If a state elects not to make a required SIP submittal, fails to make a
required SIP submittal, or if we find that a state's required submittal
is incomplete or not approvable, then we must promulgate a FIP to fill
this regulatory gap.\8\
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\8\ 42 U.S.C. 7410(c)(1).
\9\ The Colorado Plateau is a high, semi-arid tableland in
southeast Utah, northern Arizona, northwest New Mexico, and western
Colorado. The 16 mandatory Class I areas are: Grand Canyon National
Park, Mount Baldy Wilderness, Petrified Forest National Park,
Sycamore Canyon Wilderness, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National
Park Wilderness, Flat Tops Wilderness, Maroon Bells Wilderness, Mesa
Verde National Park, Weminuche Wilderness, West Elk Wilderness, San
Pedro Park Wilderness, Arches National Park, Bryce Canyon National
Park, Canyonlands National Park, Capital Reef National Park and Zion
National Park.
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B. Requirements for Regional Haze SIPs Submitted Under 40 CFR 51.309
The EPA's Regional Haze Rule provides two paths to address regional
haze. One is 40 CFR 51.308, requiring states to perform individual
point source BART determinations and evaluate the need for other
control strategies. The other method for addressing regional haze is
through 40 CFR 51.309, and is an option for states termed the
``Transport Region States'' including Wyoming. Transport Region States
can adopt regional haze strategies based on recommendations from the
Grand Canyon Visibility Transport Commission (GCVTC) for protecting the
16 Class I areas on the Colorado Plateau.\9\ The GCVTC submitted an
annex to the EPA, known as the SO2 Backstop Trading Program,
containing annual sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions reduction
milestones and detailed provisions of a backstop trading program to be
implemented automatically if measures failed to achieve the
SO2 milestones. Wyoming submitted a regional haze SIP under
section 40 CFR 51.309 to address stationary source SO2
emissions reductions through the SO2 Backstop Trading
Program and submitted a regional haze SIP under section 40 CFR
51.309(g) to address stationary source nitrogen oxide (NOX)
and particulate matter (PM) emissions reductions.
C. Requirements for the Five-Year Regional Haze Progress Report SIP
Under both 40 CFR 51.308 and 40 CFR 51.309, states are required to
submit progress reports that evaluate progress towards the reasonable
progress goals for each mandatory federal Class I area within the state
and in each Class I area outside the state that may be affected by
emissions from within the state. In addition, the provisions also
require states to submit, at the same time as the progress report, a
determination of adequacy of the state's existing regional haze plan.
The first progress report must be in the form of a SIP revision and is
due 5 years after submittal of the initial regional haze SIP.
As a Transport Region State, Wyoming submitted its Progress Report
SIP under 40 CFR 51.309, and exercised the option to meet the
requirements contained in 40 CFR 51.309 for regional haze
implementation plans.\10\ The requirements for Transport Region State
progress reports are similar to those for other states, but the
requirements for the reports are codified at 40 CFR 51.309(d)(10).
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\10\ Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, Wyoming State
Implementation Plan, 5-Year Progress Report. (Wyoming Progress
Report), Governor's letter. (November 17, 2017).
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D. Regulatory and Legal History of the Wyoming Regional Haze SIP and
FIP
On January 12, 2011, and April 19, 2012, Wyoming submitted regional
haze SIP revisions addressing the requirements of 40 CFR 51.309 that
superseded and replaced regional haze SIP revisions submitted on
December 24, 2003, May 27, 2004 and November 21, 2008. On December 12,
2012, the EPA approved the SIP revisions as meeting the requirements of
the Regional Haze Rule with the exception of 40 CFR 51.309(d)(4)(vii)
and 40 CFR 51.309(g). On January 30, 2014, the EPA issued a final rule
partially approving and partially disapproving the SIP revisions as
meeting the requirements of 40 CFR 51.309(g), and promulgating a
federal implementation plan (FIP) for those portions of the SIP that
were disapproved (together referred to as the regional haze
implementation plan).\11\ Several parties challenged various aspects of
the 2014 final rule pertaining to NOX BART emission
limits.\12\ On September 9, 2014, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the
Tenth Circuit stayed various NOX BART emission limits.\13\
Subsequent revisions were made to the regional haze SIP on March 21,
2019, and to the regional haze SIP and FIP on May 20, 2019.\14\
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\11\ 79 FR 5032 (January 30, 2014).
\12\ Basin Electric, PacifiCorp, Powder River Basin Resource
Council, National Parks Conservation Association, Sierra Club, and
the State of Wyoming challenged various NOX BART emission
limits in the final rule. Basin Electric Cooperative v. EPA, No. 14-
9533 (10th Cir.); Wyoming v. EPA, No. 14-9529 (10th Cir.);
PacifiCorp v. EPA, No. 14.9534 (10th Cir.); Powder River Basin
Resource Council, et al. v. EPA, No. 14-9530 (10th Cir.).
\13\ Wyoming v. EPA, No. 14-9529, ECF No. 10204804.
\14\ On March 21, 2019, the EPA approved a SIP revision to the
BART requirements for Unit 3 at the Naughton Power Plant. 84 FR
10433 (March 21, 2019). On May 20, 2019, the EPA approved SIP
revisions and revised the FIP to: (1) Modify the SO2
emissions reporting requirements for Laramie River Station Units 1
and 2, (2) revise the NOX emission limits for Laramie
River Units 1, 2 and 3, and (3) establish an SO2 emission
limit averaged annually across both Laramie River Station Units 1
and 2. 84 FR 22711 (May 20, 2019).
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III. The EPA's Evaluation of Wyoming's Progress Report and Adequacy
Determination
A. Regional Haze Progress Report
Wyoming's Progress Report must meet the requirements set forth in
40 CFR 51.309(d)(10)(i). Wyoming's Progress Report must also include a
determination of the adequacy of the existing implementation plan to
ensure reasonable progress. 40 CFR 51.309(d)(10)(ii).
1. Status of Implementation of Control Measures
Wyoming's Progress Report must include a description of the status
of implementation of all control measures included in the
implementation plans for achieving reasonable progress goals for Class
I areas both within and outside of the State. 40 CFR
51.309(d)(10)(i)(A).
In its Progress Report, Wyoming summarized the regional haze
measures that were relied upon in the regional haze implementation
plan, as well as SO2 emissions reduction strategies
implemented by sources in New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming under the
SO2 Backstop Trading Program. The State referenced the
SO2 emissions for sources associated with the SO2
Backstop Trading Program \15\ found within the 2011 Regional
SO2 Emissions and Milestones Report (Table 1).\16\
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\15\ Wyoming Progress Report, pages 6, 10.
\16\ Western Regional Air Partnership, 2011 Regional
SO2 Emissions and Milestone Report. (February 20, 2013).
[[Page 21343]]
Table 1--Reported Emissions for Sources Associated With the Backstop
Trading Program \17\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reported 2011
SO2 emissions
State Plant name (tons)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NM......................... Agave Energy Co./Agave 0
Dagger Draw Gas Plant.
NM......................... BP America Production/ 1,704
Empire Abo Plant.
NM......................... DCP Midstream/Artesia Gas 326
Plant.
NM......................... DCP Midstream/Eunice Gas 2,921
Plant.
NM......................... DCP Midstream/Linam Ranch 1,304
Gas Plant.
NM......................... Duke--Magnum/Pan Energy-- 0
Burton Flats.
NM......................... Duke Energy/Dagger Draw Gas 0
Plant.
NM......................... Targa Midstream Services, 718
LP/Eunice Gas Plant.
NM......................... Frontier Field Services/ 2,986
Maljamar Gas Plant.
NM......................... Giant Industries/Ciniza 125
Refinery (Gallup).
NM......................... J L Davis Gas Processing/ 675
Denton Plant.
NM......................... Marathon Oil/Indian Basin 133
Gas Plant.
NM......................... Navajo Refining Co/Artesia 45
Refinery.
NM......................... Public Service Co of New 4,741
Mexico/San Juan Generating
Station.
NM......................... Raton Pub. Service/Raton 0
Power Plant.
NM......................... Southern Union Gas/Jal #3.. 1,319
NM......................... Targa Midstream Services, 0
LP/Eunice South Gas Plant.
NM......................... Targa Midstream Services, 771
LP/Monument Plant.
NM......................... Targa Midstream Services, 251
LP/Saunders Plant.
NM......................... Tri-State Gen & 1,257
Transmission/Escalante
Station.
NM......................... Western Gas Resources/San 621
Juan River Gas Plant.
NM......................... Western Refining Southwest 6
Inc./Sand Juan Refinery
(Bloomfield).
UT......................... Brigham Young University-- 99
Main Campus.
UT......................... Chevron Products Co--Salt 24
Lake Refinery.
UT......................... Flying J Refinery--(Big 192
West Oil Company).
UT......................... Graymont Western U.S. Inc-- 16
Cricket Mountain Plant.
UT......................... Holcim--Devil's Slide Plant 344
UT......................... Holly Refining and 131
Marketing Co--Phillips
Refinery.
UT......................... Intermountain Power Service 4,934
Corporation--Intermountain
Generating Station.
UT......................... Kennecott Utah Copper Corp-- 1,704
Power Plant/Lab/Tailings
Impoundment.
UT......................... Kennecott Utah Copper Corp-- 696
Smelter and Refinery.
UT......................... Materion Natural Resources-- 0
Delta Mill.
UT......................... PacifiCorp--Carbon Power 7,740
Plant.
UT......................... PacifiCorp--Hunter Power 4,661
Plant.
UT......................... PacifiCorp--Huntington 2,529
Power Plant.
UT......................... Patara Midstream LLC-- 25
Lisbon Natural Gas
Processing Plant.
UT......................... Sunnyside Cogeneration 544
Associates--Sunnyside
Cogeneration Facility.
UT......................... Tesoro West Coast--Salt 795
Lake City Refinery.
UT......................... Utelite Corporation--Shale 130
Processing.
WY......................... American Colloid Mineral 63
Co--East Colony.
WY......................... American Colloid Mineral 50
Co--West Colony.
WY......................... Basin Electric--Dry Fork 279
Station.
WY......................... Basin Electric--Laramie 9,402
River Station.
WY......................... Black Hills Corporation-- 789
Neil Simpson I.
WY......................... Black Hills Corporation-- 542
Neil Simpson II.
WY......................... Black Hills Corporation-- 0
Osage Plant.
WY......................... Black Hills Corporation-- 559
Wygen I.
WY......................... Cheyenne Light Fuel and 215
Power Company--Wygen II.
WY......................... Black Hills Corporation-- 256
Wygen III.
WY......................... Burlington Resources-- 223
Bighorn Wells.
WY......................... Burlington Resources--Lost 1,543
Cabin Gas Plant.
WY......................... Chevron USA--Carter Creek 100
Gas Plant.
WY......................... Chevron USA--Table Rock 0
Field.
WY......................... Chevron USA--Table Rock Gas 44
Plant.
WY......................... Chevron USA--Whitney Canyon/ 2
Carter Creek Wellfield.
WY......................... Devon Energy Production 5
Co., L.P.--Beaver Creek
Gas Field.
WY......................... Devon Gas Services, L.P.-- 158
Beaver Creek Gas Plant.
WY......................... Encore Operating LP--Elk 847
Basin Gas Plant.
WY......................... Exxon Mobil Corporation-- 156
Labarge Black Canyon
Facility.
WY......................... Exxon Mobil Corporation-- 946
Shute Creek.
WY......................... FMC Corp--Green River 2,876
Sodium Products.
WY......................... FMC Wyoming Corporation 189
Granger Soda Ash Plant.
WY......................... Frontier Oil & Refining 253
Company--Cheyenne Refinery.
WY......................... Hiland Partners, LLC-- 45
Hiland Gas Plant.
WY......................... Marathon Oil Co--Oregon 247
Basin Gas Plant.
WY......................... Marathon Oil Co--Oregon 96
Basin Wellfield.
WY......................... Merit Energy Company--Brady 209
Gas Plant.
WY......................... Merit Energy Company-- 1
Whitney Facility.
WY......................... Merit Energy Company-- 0
Whitney Canyon Wellfield.
WY......................... Mountain Cement Company-- 283
Laramie Plant.
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WY......................... P4 Production, L.L.C.--Rock 706
Springs Coal Calcining
Plant.
WY......................... PacifiCorp--Dave Johnston 11,306
Plant.
WY......................... PacifiCorp--Jim Bridger 9,689
Plant.
WY......................... PacifiCorp--Naughton Plant. 20,461
WY......................... PacifiCorp--Wyodak Plant... 2,387
WY......................... Simplot Phosphates LLC-- 1,502
Rock Springs Plant.
WY......................... Sinclair Oil Company-- 505
Sinclair Refinery.
WY......................... Sinclair Wyoming Refining 241
Company--Casper Refinery.
WY......................... Solvay Chemicals--Soda Ash 46
Plant (Green River
Facility).
WY......................... TATA Chemicals (Soda Ash 5,098
Partners)--Green River
Plant.
WY......................... The Western Sugar 182
Cooperative--Torrington
Plant.
WY......................... University of Wyoming--Heat 187
Plant.
WY......................... Wyoming Refining--Newcastle 324
Refinery.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Additionally, Wyoming provided the status of control measures
associated with PM, NOX, and SO2 and emissions on
units subject to BART and reasonable progress within the regional haze
implementation plan (Table 2).
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\17\ In 2011, three states participated in the SO2
Backstop Trading Program. SO2 emissions from all three
participating states are recorded and collectively compared to the
milestone.
Table 2--Control Measures and Updates for Sources Subject to BART and Reasonable Progress in Wyoming
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PM10 emission limit NOX emission limit SO2 emission limit
Unit PM control type NOX control type
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SIP Emission Limits
FIP Emission Limits
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Basin Electric--Laramie River Unit Electrostatic 0.030 lb/MMBtu........ Selective Catalytic 0.06 lb/MMBtu (30-day 0.12 lb/MMBtu
1 (550 Mega Watt (MW)). Precipitator (ESP) Reduction (SCR) rolling) *. (averaged annually
(completed). (completed). across Units 1 and
2).
Basin Electric--Laramie River Unit ESP (completed)....... 0.030 lb/MMBtu........ Selective 0.15 lb/MMBtu (30-day
2 (550 MW). Noncatalytic rolling) *.
Reduction (SNCR)
(completed).
Basin Electric--Laramie River Unit ESP (completed)....... 0.030 lb/MMBtu........ SNCR 12/30/2018 * 0.15 lb/MMBtu (30-day N/A.
3 (550 MW). (completed). rolling) *.
PacifiCorp--Dave Johnston Unit 3 Fabric Filter 0.015 lb/MMBtu........ New Low NOX Burners 0.28 lb/MMBtu (30-day N/A.
(230 MW). (completed). (LNB) + Overfire Air rolling) and
(OFA) and shut down shutdown; or 0.07 lb/
by 12/31/2027; or MMBtu (30-day
New LNB + OFA and rolling).
SCR no later than 3/
4/2019 **.
PacifiCorp--Wyodak Unit 1 (335 MW). Fabric Filter 0.015 lb/MMBtu........ SCR, no later than 3/ 0.07 lb/MMBtu (30-day N/A.
(completed). 4/2019 [Dagger]. rolling) [Dagger].
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SIP Emission Limits
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PacifiCorp--Dave Johnston Unit 4 Fabric Filter 0.015 lb/MMBtu........ LNB + OFA (completed) 0.15 lb/MMBtu (30-day N/A.
(330 MW). (completed). rolling).
PacifiCorp--Naughton Unit 1 (160 ESP + Flue Gas 0.040 lb/MMBtu........ LNB + OFA (completed) 0.26 lb/MMBtu (30-day N/A.
MW). Conditioning (FGC) rolling).
(completed).
PacifiCorp--Naughton Unit 2 (210 ESP + FGC (completed). 0.040 lb/MMBtu........ LNB + OFA (completed) 0.26 lb/MMBtu (30-day N/A.
MW). rolling).
PacifiCorp--Naughton Unit 3 (330 MW Natural Gas Conversion 0.008 lb/MMBtu........ Natural Gas 0.12 lb/MMBtu (30-day N/A.
with max annual heat input of 40%) by 1/30/19. Conversion by 1/30/ rolling).
[dagger]. 19; new LNB + Flue
Gas Recirculation
(FGR) (in progress)
[dagger][dagger].
PacifiCorp--Jim Bridger Unit 1 (530 ESP + FGC (completed). 0.030 lb/MMBtu........ LNB + OFA + SCR (to 0.26 lb/MMBtu (30-day N/A.
MW). be completed 12/31/ rolling) by 2019;
2022). 0.07 lb/MMBtu (SCR).
PacifiCorp--Jim Bridger Unit 2 (530 ESP + FGC (completed). 0.030 lb/MMBtu........ LNB + OFA + SCR (to 0.26 lb/MMBtu (30-day N/A.
MW). be completed 12/31/ rolling) by 2019;
2021). 0.07 lb/MMBtu (SCR).
PacifiCorp--Jim Bridger Unit 3 (530 ESP + FGC (completed). 0.030 lb/MMBtu........ LNB + OFA + SCR 0.07 lb/MMBtu (30-day N/A.
MW). (completed). rolling) (SCR).
[[Page 21345]]
PacifiCorp--Jim Bridger Unit 4 (530 ESP + FGC (completed). 0.030 lb/MMBtu........ LNB + OFA + SCR 0.07 lb/MMBtu (30-day N/A.
MW). (completed). rolling) (SCR).
FMC--Westvaco Trona Plant Unit NS-- ESP (completed)....... 0.05 lb/MMBtu......... LNB + OFA (completed) 0.35 lb/MMBtu (30-day N/A.
1A. rolling).
FMC--Westvaco Trona Plant Unit NS-- ESP (completed)....... 0.05 lb/MMBtu......... LNB + OFA (completed) 0.35 lb/MMBtu (30-day N/A.
1B. rolling).
TATA Chemicals Green River Trona ESP (completed)....... 0.09 lb/MMBtu......... LNB + SOFA 0.28 lb/MMBtu (30-day N/A.
Plant Unit C. (completed). rolling average).
TATA Chemicals Green River Trona ESP (completed)....... 0.09 lb/MMBtu......... LNB + SOFA 0.28 lb/MMBtu (30-day N/A.
Plant Unit D. (completed). rolling).
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* The NOX and SO2 emission limits and controls for Basin Electric Laramie River Units 1--3 reflect implementation plan revisions that became federally
enforceable on June 19, 2019. 84 FR 22711 (May 20, 2019).
** The EPA's Clean Air Markets Division (CAMD) database indicates the operation of the new low NOX burners and separated overfire air began on May 23,
2010. Air Markets Program Data, https://ampd.epa.gov/ampd/ (last visited February 10, 2020). PacifiCorp appears to be planning to retire the unit by
2027.
[Dagger] On September 9, 2014, the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit stayed the NOX emission limits for Wyodak Unit 1 in the regional
haze FIP. The NOX emission limits for Laramie River Station Units 1-3 were also stayed but were later revised as explained above.
[dagger] The PM and NOX emission limits and controls reflect a SIP revision that became federally enforceable on April 22, 2019. 84 FR 10433 (March 21,
2019).
[dagger][dagger] PacifiCorp, 2019 Integrated Resource Plan (October 2019), https://www.pacificorp.com/content/dam/pcorp/documents/en/pacificorp/energy/integrated-resource-plan/2019_IRP_Volume_I.pdf (last visited February 20, 2020).
The EPA proposes to find that Wyoming has adequately addressed the
applicable provisions under 40 CFR 51.309(d)(10)(i)(A) regarding the
implementation status of control measures because the State's Progress
Report provides documentation of the implementation of control measures
within Wyoming, including the BART-eligible sources and reasonable
progress sources in the State.
2. Summary of Emissions Reductions Achieved
Wyoming's Progress Report must include a summary of the emissions
reductions achieved throughout the State through implementation of
control measures mentioned in 40 CFR 51.309(d)(10)(i)(A). 40 CFR
51.309(d)(10)(i)(B).
In its Progress Report, Wyoming presents information on emissions
reductions achieved from the pollution control strategies discussed
above. The State provides regional SO2 emissions from 2003
through 2015 (Table 3) as well as Statewide SO2,
NOX, ammonia, volatile organic compounds, primary organic
aerosol, elemental carbon, fine soil, and coarse mass emissions in 2002
and 2008 (Table 4).
Table 3--Regional SO2 Emissions and Milestones \18\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Adjusted reported
Year SO2 emissions Adjusted regional
(tons) milestone (tons)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2003........................ * 330,679 * 447,383
2004........................ * 337,970 * 448,259
2005........................ * 304,591 * 446,903
2006........................ ** 279,134 ** 420,194
2007........................ ** 273,663 ** 420,637
2008........................ ** 244,189 378,398
2009........................ 143,704 234,903
2010........................ 131,124 200,722
2011........................ 117,976 200,722
2012........................ 96,246 200,722
2013........................ 101,381 185,795
2014........................ 92,533 170,868
2015........................ 81,454 155,940
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Represents the adjusted SO2 emissions/milestone for Arizona, New
Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Wyoming, and Albuquerque-Bernalillo County.
** Represents the adjusted SO2 emissions/milestone for Arizona, New
Mexico, Utah, Wyoming, and Albuquerque-Bernalillo County. Figures with
no asterisk represent the adjusted SO2 emissions/milestone for New
Mexico, Utah, Wyoming, and Albuquerque-Bernalillo County.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\18\ See Wyoming Progress Report, page 10; see also Western
Regional Air Partnership, 309 Committee: Documents, https://www.wrapair.org//forums/309/docs.html (last visited March 6, 2020).
This Table represents the adjusted SO2 emissions/
milestone for New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming, and Albuquerque-Bernalillo
County. Adjustments to reported emissions are required to allow the
basis of current emissions estimates to account for changes in
monitoring and calculation methods.
[[Page 21346]]
Table 4 SO2, NOX, Ammonia, Volatile Organic Compounds, Primary Organic Aerosol, Elemental Carbon, Fine Soil, and
Coarse Mass Emissions \19\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Difference between
2002 Emissions 2008 Emissions 2002 and 2008
Pollutant [dagger] (tons/ [Dagger] (tons/ emissions (tons/
year) year) year)/ percent
change
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sulfur Dioxide................................ 145,840 112,655 -33,186/-23
Nitrogen Oxides............................... 287,974 230,678 -57,296/-20
Ammonia....................................... 33,032 27,024 -6,007/-18
Volatile Organic Compounds.................... 816,904 339,534 -477,370/-58
Primary Organic Aerosol....................... 29,194 25,027 -4,167/-14
Elemental Carbon.............................. 8,066 6,105 -1,961/-24
Fine Soil..................................... 23,020 55,959 32,940/>100
Coarse Mass................................... 102,660 366,673 264,014/>100
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[dagger] Plan02d.
[Dagger] WestJump2008.
The emissions data show that there were decreases in emissions of
SO2, NOX, ammonia, volatile organic compounds,
primary organic aerosol, and elemental carbon. Furthermore, regional
SO2 emissions have been below the milestone every year.
According to the State, for coarse and fine particulate matter
categories, the increases (>100%) in emissions between 2002 and 2008
may be due to enhancements in dust inventory methodology rather than
changes in actual emissions.\20\
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\19\ Wyoming Progress Report, pages 30-37.
\20\ Wyoming Progress Report, page 29.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The EPA proposes to conclude that Wyoming has adequately summarized
the emissions reductions achieved throughout the State in its Progress
Report as required under 40 CFR 51.309(d)(10)(i)(B). In meeting this
requirement, the EPA does not expect states to quantify emissions
reductions for measures which have not yet been implemented or for
which the compliance date has not yet been reached. However, for
purposes of future progress reports, we recommend that Wyoming include
additional quantitative details on the reductions of each major
specific visibility-impairing pollutant and utilize the EPA's Clean Air
Market Division (CAMD) database, \21\ as appropriate.\22\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\21\ The EPA's Clean Air Markets Division (CAMD) database is
available at: https://ampd.epa.gov/ampd/.
\22\ U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, General Principles
for the 5-Year Regional Haze Progress Reports for the Initial
Regional Haze State Implementation Plans (Intended to Assist States
and EPA Regional Offices in the Development and Review of the
Progress Reports), pages 8-9 (April 2013).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. Visibility Conditions and Changes
Pursuant to 40 CFR 51.309(d)(10)(i)(C), for each mandatory Class I
area within the State, Wyoming must assess the following visibility
conditions and changes, with values for most impaired and least
impaired days \23\ expressed in terms of five-year averages of these
annual values:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\23\ The ``most impaired days'' and ``least impaired days'' in
the Regional Haze Rule refers to the average visibility impairment
(measured in deciviews) for the 20% of monitored days in a calendar
year with the highest and lowest amount of visibility impairment,
respectively, averaged over a five-year period. See 40 CFR 51.301.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
i. Assess the current visibility conditions for the most impaired
and least impaired days.
ii. Analyze the difference between current visibility conditions
for the most impaired and least impaired days and baseline visibility
conditions.
iii. Evaluate the change in visibility impairment for the most
impaired and least impaired days over the past five years.
In its Progress Report, Wyoming provides information on visibility
conditions for the Class I areas within its borders. There are seven
Class I areas located in Wyoming: Bridger Wilderness, Fitzpatrick
Wilderness, Grand Teton National Park, North Absaroka Wilderness, Teton
Wilderness, Washakie Wilderness and Yellowstone National Park.
Monitoring and data representing visibility conditions in Wyoming's
seven Class I areas is based on the three Interagency Monitoring of
Protected Visual Environments (IMPROVE) monitoring sites located across
the State (Table 5).
Table 5--Wyoming's Class I Areas and IMPROVE Sites
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class I area IMPROVE site
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bridger Wilderness.................. Bridger (BRID1).
Fitzpatrick Wilderness.............. Bridger (BRID1).
Grand Teton National Park........... Yellowstone Lake Maintenance Building (YELL2).
North Absaroka Wilderness........... North Absaroka (NOAB1).
Teton Wilderness.................... Yellowstone Lake Maintenance Building (YELL2).
Washakie Wilderness................. North Absaroka (NOAB1).
Yellowstone National Park........... Yellowstone Lake Maintenance Building (YELL2).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Progress Report addressed current visibility conditions and the
difference between current visibility conditions and baseline
visibility conditions with values for the most impaired (20 percent
worst days) and least impaired and/or clearest days (20 percent best
days). Table 6: Visibility Progress in Wyoming's Class I Areas, shows
the difference between the current period (represented by 2005-2009
data) and the baseline visibility data (represented by 2000-2004
data).\24\ The EPA supplemented the data provided by the State by
including more
[[Page 21347]]
current data (2012-2016) for both the worst 20 percent and best 20
percent days.\25\ We also supplemented the data provided by the State
by including visibility data for the baseline period (2000-2004) and
more current period (2012-2016) using the revised visibility tracking
metric described in the EPA's December 2018 guidance document.\26\ The
revised visibility tracking metric selects the 20 percent most
``impaired'' days (as opposed to haziest days) based only on
anthropogenic impairment so that days with large impacts from extreme,
episodic natural events such as fires and dust storms are no longer
selected. Although this revised visibility tracking metric is
applicable to the second and future implementation periods for regional
haze (and therefore not retroactively required for progress reports for
the first regional haze planning period), the revised tracking metric's
focus on the days with the highest daily anthropogenic impairment
shifts focus away from days influenced by fire and dust events, and is
therefore a more accurate metric for showing visibility progress
especially for Class I areas heavily impacted by wildfire. This
supplemental data is shown in square brackets in Table 6. Table 7:
Visibility Rolling 5-Year Averages in Wyoming's Class I Areas, shows
the rolling 5-year average visibility from 2000-2014 as well as the
change from the first 5-year rolling average period (2000-2004) to the
last 5-year rolling average period (2010-2014).\27\
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\24\ Wyoming Progress Report, pages 18-19.
\25\ Federal Land Manager Environmental Database, Visibility
Status and Trends Following the Regional Haze Rule Metrics, http://views.cira.colostate.edu/fed/SiteBrowser/Default.aspx?appkey=SBCF_VisSum (last visited February 10, 2020).
\26\ U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Technical Guidance on
Tracking Visibility Progress for the Second Implementation Period of
the Regional Haze Program (December 20, 2018), https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2018-12/documents/technical_guidance_tracking_visibility_progress.pdf (last visited
February 10, 2020).
\27\ Wyoming Progress Report, pages 24-27.
Table 6--Visibility Progress in Wyoming's Class I Areas
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
More current Difference Difference
Class I area IMPROVE site Baseline period Current period period 2012- (current- (more current-
2000-04 2005-09 16 baseline) baseline)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deciview
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20% Worst Days [20% Most Anthropogenically Impaired Days]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bridger Wilderness...................... BRID1..................... 11.1 [8.0] 10.7 10.8 [6.6] -0.4 -0.3 [-1.4]
Fitzpatrick Wilderness.................. BRID1..................... 11.1 [8.0] 10.7 10.8 [6.6] -0.4 -0.3 [-1.4]
Grand Teton National Park............... YELL2..................... 11.8 [8.3] 11.5 12.3 [7.7] -0.3 0.5 [-0.6]
North Absaroka Wilderness............... NOAB1..................... 11.5 [8.8] 11.0 11.3 [7.2] -0.5 -0.2 [-1.6]
Teton Wilderness........................ YELL2..................... 11.8 [8.3] 11.5 12.3 [7.7] -0.3 0.5 [-0.6]
Washakie Wilderness..................... NOAB1..................... 11.5 [8.8] 11.0 11.3 [7.2] -0.5 -0.2 [-1.6]
Yellowstone National Park............... YELL2..................... 11.8 [8.3] 11.5 12.3 [7.7] -0.3 0.5 [-0.6]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20% Best Days
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bridger Wilderness...................... BRID1..................... 2.1 1.5 0.8 -0.6 -1.3
Fitzpatrick Wilderness.................. BRID1..................... 2.1 1.5 0.8 -0.6 -1.3
Grand Teton National Park............... YELL2..................... 2.6 2.0 1.4 -0.6 -1.2
North Absaroka Wilderness............... NOAB1..................... 2.0 1.2 1.0 -0.8 -1.0
Teton Wilderness........................ YELL2..................... 2.6 2.0 1.4 -0.6 -1.2
Washakie Wilderness..................... NOAB1..................... 2.0 1.2 1.0 -0.8 -1.0
Yellowstone National Park............... YELL2..................... 2.6 2.0 1.4 -0.6 -1.2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table 7--Visibility Rolling 5-Year Averages in Wyoming's Class I Areas
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Change
Class I area IMPROVE site 2000-04 2005-09 2006-10 2007-11 2008-12 2009-13 2010-14 from
baseline
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deciview
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20% Worst Days
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bridger Wilderness.................... BRID1................... 11.1 10.7 10.6 10.0 10.8 10.2 10.3 -0.8
Fitzpatrick Wilderness................ BRID1................... 11.1 10.7 10.6 10.0 10.8 10.2 10.3 -0.8
Grand Teton National Park............. YELL2................... 11.8 11.5 11.6 11.7 12.5 12.0 12.0 0.2
North Absaroka Wilderness............. NOAB1................... 11.4 11.0 *-- *-- *-- *-- 11.6 0.2
Teton Wilderness...................... YELL2................... 11.8 11.5 11.6 11.7 12.5 12.0 12.0 0.2
Washakie Wilderness................... NOAB1................... 11.4 11.0 *-- *-- *-- *-- 11.6 0.2
Yellowstone National Park............. YELL2................... 11.8 11.5 11.6 11.7 12.5 12.0 12.0 0.2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20% Best Days
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bridger Wilderness.................... BRID1................... 2.1 1.5 1.4 1.3 1.1 1.0 1.0 -1.1
Fitzpatrick Wilderness................ BRID1................... 2.1 1.5 1.4 1.3 1.1 1.0 1.0 -1.1
Grand Teton National Park............. YELL2................... 2.6 2.0 1.8 1.7 1.5 1.5 1.4 -1.2
[[Page 21348]]
North Absaroka Wilderness............. NOAB1................... 2.0 1.2 *-- *-- *-- *-- 1.2 -0.8
Teton Wilderness...................... YELL2................... 2.6 2.0 1.8 1.7 1.5 1.5 1.4 -1.2
Washakie Wilderness................... NOAB1................... 2.0 1.2 *-- *-- *-- *-- 1.2 -0.8
Yellowstone National Park............. YELL2................... 2.6 2.0 1.8 1.7 1.5 1.5 1.4 -1.2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Data recovery issues in 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2011 nullified 5-year averages.
As shown in Table 6, all the IMPROVE monitoring sites within the
State show improvement in visibility conditions between the baseline
(2000-2004) and current (2005-2009) periods on both the 20 percent
worst visibility and 20 percent best visibility days. When considering
only anthropogenic impairment within the baseline (2000-2004) and most
current (2012-2016) periods, all of the IMPROVE monitoring sites within
the State also show improvement in visibility on the 20 percent most
impaired days. Deciview improvement was consistent over the 2000-2014
time period, using 5-year rolling averages, on the 20 percent best days
(Table 7).\28\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\28\ Refer to the Wyoming Progress Report for pollutant
contributions at each Class I area and 5-year rolling averages.
Wyoming Progress Report, pages 24-27.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
In its Progress Report, Wyoming demonstrates that particulate
organic matter was the largest contributor to light extinction on the
20 percent worst days.\29\ According to the State, the largest
contributions of particulate organic matter generally occurred between
June and September consistent with the period for increased wildfire
activity, especially for the year 2012, when wildfires burned nearly
130,000 acres in June 2012 in Wyoming.\30\ Indeed, when uncontrollable,
non-anthropogenic sources are removed from the selection of most of the
worst visibility days, visibility improves by almost 40 percent at all
Class I areas thereby demonstrating the significant contributions of
non-anthropogenic sources on visibility, particularly organic mass from
wildfires.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\29\ Wyoming Progress Report, page 15.
\30\ NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, State
of the Climate: Wildfires for June 2012, http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/sotc/fire/201206 (last visited February 10, 2020).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The EPA proposes to conclude that Wyoming has adequately addressed
the requirements under 40 CFR 51.309(d)(10)(i)(C) to include summaries
of monitored visibility data as required by the Regional Haze Rule.
4. Emissions Tracking Analysis
Wyoming's Progress Report must include an analysis tracking the
change over the past five years in emissions of pollutants contributing
to visibility impairment from all sources and activities within the
State. 40 CFR 51.309(d)(10)(i)(D).
In its Progress Report, Wyoming presents data from a 2008 emissions
inventory, which leverages inventory development work performed by the
Western Regional Air Partnership (WRAP) for the West-wide Jumpstart Air
Quality Modeling Study (WestJumpAQMS) \31\ and the Deterministic &
Empirical Assessment of Smoke's Contribution to Ozone
(DEASCO3) modeling projects, termed WestJump2008, and
compares it to the baseline emissions inventory for 2002 (Plan02d). The
pollutants inventoried include the following source classifications:
SO2, NOX, ammonia, volatile organic compounds,
primary organic aerosol, elemental carbon, fine soil and coarse mass
from both anthropogenic and natural sources (Table 8).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\31\ WRAP Regional Technical Center and West Jump AQMS, https://www.wrapair2.org/WestJumpAQMS.aspx (last visited February 10, 2020).
Additional information on the WestJump study available in the docket
for this action, ``WestJump Fact Sheet.''
Table 8--Emissions Progress in Wyoming
[tons/year]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollutant (anthropogenic, natural, and 2002 emissions 2008 emissions Difference (percent
total sources) (Plan02d) (WestJump2008) change)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SO2:
Anthropogenic............................. 143,554 111,604 -31,950 (-22)
Natural................................... 2,286 1,051 -1,235 (-54)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Total................................. 145,840 112,655 -33,186 (-23)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
NOX:
Anthropogenic............................. 263,677 216,321 -47,356 (-18)
Natural................................... 24,297 14,357 -9,940 (-41)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Total................................. 287,974 230,678 -57,296 (-20)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Ammonia:
Anthropogenic............................. 31,257 21,848 -9,409 (-30)
[[Page 21349]]
Natural................................... 1,775 5,177 3,402 (>100)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Total................................. 33,032 27,024 -6,007 (-18)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Volatile Organic Compounds:
Anthropogenic............................. 193,158 157,134 -36,024 (-19)
Natural................................... 623,747 182,401 -441,346 (-71)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Total................................. 816,904 339,534 -477,370 (-58)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Primary Organic Aerosol:
Anthropogenic............................. 5,401 8,686 3,285 (61)
Natural................................... 23,793 16,341 -7,452 (-31)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Total................................. 29,194 25,027 -4,167 (-14)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Elemental Carbon:
Anthropogenic............................. 3,144 3,772 628 (20)
Natural................................... 4,922 2,333 -2,589 (-53)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Total................................. 8,066 6,105 -1,961 (-24)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Fine Soil:
Anthropogenic............................. 15,646 44,382 28,736 (>100)
Natural................................... 7,374 11,577 4,204 (57)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Total................................. 23,020 55,959 32,940 (>100)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Coarse Mass:
Anthropogenic............................. 44,745 312,867 268,122 (>100)
Natural................................... 57,915 53,806 -4,108 (-7)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Total................................. 102,660 366,673 264,014 (>100)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Overall, Wyoming's emissions that affect visibility were reduced in
all sectors for all pollutants (total) except for coarse and fine
particulate matter categories. Wyoming cites increases in windblown and
fugitive dust and enhancements in dust inventory methodologies as
reasons for the increase in fine and coarse particulate matter
emissions over the time period analyzed in the Progress Report.\32\ A
state adjacent to Wyoming, Montana, with similar increases in fine and
coarse particulate matter also cited larger-than-expected amounts of
emissions in anthropogenic and natural fires as another reason for the
increase in fine and coarse particulate matter.\33\ The largest
differences in point source inventories were decreases in
SO2 emissions, which can be attributed to the implementation
of the SO2 Backstop Trading Program in December 2003.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\32\ Wyoming Progress Report, page 29.
\33\ 84 FR 32682 (July 9, 2019).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The EPA proposes to conclude that Wyoming has adequately addressed
the requirements under 40 CFR 51.309(d)(10)(i)(D) to track changes in
emissions of pollutants contributing to visibility impairment from all
sources and activities within the State.
5. Assessment of Changes Impeding Visibility Progress
Wyoming's Progress Report must include an assessment of any
significant changes in anthropogenic emissions within or outside the
State that have occurred over the past five years that have limited or
impeded progress in reducing pollutant emissions and improving
visibility in Class I areas impacted by the State's sources. 40 CFR
51.309(d)(10)(i)(E).
In its Progress Report, Wyoming provided an assessment of any
significant changes in anthropogenic emissions within or outside the
State. On the 20% worst days over the 5-year period from 2005-2009,
particulate organic matter and SO2 were the two highest
contributors to haze in Class I areas in Wyoming.\34\ According to the
State, the primary sources of anthropogenic particulate organic matter
in Wyoming include prescribed forest and agricultural burning, vehicle
exhaust, vehicle refueling, solvent evaporation (e.g. paints), food
cooking, and various commercial and industrial sources. The primary
anthropogenic sources of SO2 include coal-burning power
plants and other industrial sources. In their Progress Report, the
State concludes that both particulate organic matter and SO2
are covered by existing regional haze long-term control strategies,
including the SO2 Backstop Trading Program and other control
strategies discussed in Section III.A.1. Furthermore, the State
concludes that there do not appear to be any other anthropogenic
emissions within Wyoming that would have limited or impeded progress in
reducing pollutant emissions or improving visibility.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\34\ Wyoming Progress Report, page 16.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Although not cited in Wyoming's Progress Report, at the time of the
analysis done by the State for the Progress Report, not all BART and
reasonable progress controls had been installed because compliance
dates had
[[Page 21350]]
not yet occurred for all facilities subject to BART and reasonable
progress requirements at that time (Table 2). Thus, the impacts of the
emissions reductions from those additional controls have not been fully
realized and are therefore not evident or accounted for in the State's
Progress Report. Once realized, we anticipate that these additional
anthropogenic emissions reductions will further improve visibility in
Wyoming's Class I areas.
The EPA proposes to find that Wyoming has adequately addressed the
requirements under 40 CFR 51.309(d)(10)(i)(E) to assess significant
changes in anthropogenic emissions of visibility impairing pollutants.
6. Assessment of Current Implementation Plan Elements and Strategies
Wyoming's Progress Report must include an assessment of whether the
current regional haze implementation plan elements and strategies are
sufficient to enable the State, or other states with mandatory Class I
areas affected by emissions from the State, to meet all established
reasonable progress goals. 40 CFR 51.309(d)(10)(i)(F).
In its Progress Report, Wyoming provided an assessment of whether
the current regional haze implementation plan elements and strategies
are sufficient to enable the State, and other states with Class I areas
affected by emissions from the State, to meet the reasonable progress
goals established by the State. However, the EPA disapproved Wyoming's
reasonable progress goals, and instead promulgated reasonable progress
goals consistent with the emission limits finalized in the approved SIP
and FIP.\35\ Due to time and resource constraints, the EPA did not re-
run the modeling necessary to quantify reasonable progress goals in
deciviews, but anticipated that additional controls imposed by the FIP
would result in visibility improvement on the 20% worst days.\36\ Thus,
for the purpose of evaluating this section of the progress report
requirements, we propose to rely on the fact that all controls required
by the regional haze implementation plan or modified by subsequent
action have been installed or are on track to be complete by the
relevant compliance date, except those stayed by litigation. We also
propose to rely on other quantitative and qualitative metrics to assess
the current implementation plan elements and strategies.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\35\ 79 FR 5038 (January 30, 2014).
\36\ 77 FR 33022, 33057 (June 4, 2012).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wyoming asserts that even with wildfire emissions included in the
assessment of visibility impacts on Class I areas, visibility continues
to improve at the State's Class I areas from 2000 through 2009 and into
2010. Indeed, key visibility metrics described previously, show: (1) A
decrease in SO2 and NOX emissions, which are
associated with anthropogenic sources; (2) improvement in visibility
conditions between the baseline (2000-2004) and current (2005-2009)
periods on both the 20 percent worst visibility and 20 percent best
visibility days; and (3) improvement in visibility conditions at all of
the IMPROVE monitoring sites within the State on the 20 percent most
impaired days. Furthermore, the State claims that conservative
emissions estimates provided in its Progress Report show total
emissions decreases for all major pollutant categories except coarse
and fine particulate matter, which are likely due to enhancements in
inventory methodology.\37\ Wyoming also expects further reductions in
anthropogenic pollutant categories from a revised regional emissions
inventory reflective of all final BART and reasonable progress
controls.\38\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\37\ Wyoming Progress Report, pages 27-29.
\38\ Wyoming Progress Report, page 41.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Following the future implementation of remaining BART controls and
the adjustment of the visibility metrics to account only for
anthropogenic impairment, even greater visibility progress should be
realized. Thus, Wyoming is confident that the current implementation
plan elements and strategies are sufficient to make progress towards
visibility goals and will not impede Class I areas outside of Wyoming
from meeting their goals in the next planning period.\39\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\39\ Wyoming Progress Report, page 41.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The EPA proposes to conclude that Wyoming has adequately addressed
the requirements under 40 CFR 51.309(d)(10)(i)(F) and proposes to agree
with the State's determination that implementation plan elements are
sufficient to enable the State and other states affected by emissions
from Wyoming to make progress towards the current reasonable progress
goals. The EPA views the requirement of this section as a qualitative
assessment that should evaluate emissions and visibility trends,
including expected emissions reductions from measures that have not yet
been implemented.
7. Review of Current Monitoring Strategy
Wyoming's Progress Report must include a review of the State's
visibility monitoring strategy and any modifications to the strategy as
necessary. 40 CFR 51.309(d)(10)(i)(G).
The monitoring strategy for regional haze in Wyoming relies upon
participation in the IMPROVE network, which is the primary monitoring
network for regional haze nationwide.
In its Progress Report, Wyoming summarizes the existing monitoring
network, which includes three IMPROVE monitors, used to monitor
visibility at the seven Class I areas in the State. The State relies
solely on the IMPROVE monitoring network to track long-term visibility
improvement and degradation and will continue to rely on the IMPROVE
monitoring network, without modifications to the existing network, for
complying with the regional haze monitoring requirements.
The EPA proposes to find that Wyoming adequately addressed the
requirements of 40 CFR 51.309(d)(10)(i)(G) because the State reviewed
its visibility monitoring strategy and determined that no further
modifications to the strategy are necessary.
B. Determination of Adequacy of the Existing Regional Haze Plan
The provisions under 40 CFR 51.309(d)(10)(ii) require states to
determine the adequacy of their existing implementation plan to meet
existing reasonable progress goals and take one of the following
actions:
(1) Submit a negative declaration to the EPA that no further
substantive revision to the state's existing regional haze
implementation plan is needed at this time.
(2) If the state determines that the implementation plan is or may
be inadequate to ensure reasonable progress due to emissions from
sources in another state(s) which participated in a regional planning
process, the state must provide notification to the EPA and to the
other state(s) which participated in the regional planning process with
the state. The state must also collaborate with the other state(s)
through the regional planning process for developing additional
strategies to address the plan's deficiencies.
(3) Where the state determines that the implementation plan is or
may be inadequate to ensure reasonable progress due to emissions from
sources in another country, the state shall provide notification, along
with available information, to the Administrator.
[[Page 21351]]
(4) If the state determines that the implementation plan is or may
be inadequate to ensure reasonable progress due to emissions from
sources within the state, then the state shall revise its
implementation plan to address the plan's deficiencies within one year.
According to Wyoming, the IMPROVE data demonstrate that Wyoming is
on track to either meet or exceed the State's reasonable progress
goals. Thus, Wyoming's Progress Report provides a negative declaration
to the EPA that no further substantive revisions to the regional haze
implementation plan are needed to improve visibility in Class I areas
beyond those controls already in place and scheduled to be installed in
the future. The EPA proposes to conclude that Wyoming has adequately
addressed 40 CFR 51.309(d)(10)(i)(G) because: (1) All controls required
by the regional haze implementation plan or modified by subsequent
action have been installed or are on track to be complete by the
relevant compliance date, except those stayed by litigation; and (2)
key visibility metrics described previously show a decrease in
SO2 and NOX emissions, improvement in visibility
conditions between the baseline (2000-2004) and current (2005-2009)
periods on both the 20 percent worst visibility and 20 percent best
visibility days, and improvement in visibility conditions at all of the
IMPROVE monitoring sites within the State on the 20 percent most
impaired days. Additionally, the EPA expects further visibility
improvement to result from the future installation of controls required
by the regional haze implementation plans and subsequent actions.
IV. Proposed Action
The EPA is proposing to approve Wyoming's November 28, 2017,
Regional Haze Progress Report as meeting the applicable regional haze
requirements set forth in 40 CFR 51.309(d)(10).
V. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
Under the CAA, the Administrator is required to approve a SIP
submission that complies with the provisions of the Act and applicable
Federal regulations. 42 U.S.C. 7410(k); 40 CFR 52.02(a). Thus, in
reviewing SIP submissions, the 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 action:
Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' subject to
review by the Office of Management and Budget under Executive Orders
12866 (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993) and 13563 (76 FR 3821, January 21,
2011);
Is not an Executive Order 13771 (82 FR 9339, February 2,
2017) regulatory action because SIP approvals are exempted under
Executive Order 12866;
Does not impose an information collection burden under the
provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.);
Is certified as not having a significant economic impact
on a substantial number of small entities under the Regulatory
Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.);
Does not contain any unfunded mandate or significantly or
uniquely affect small governments, as described in the Unfunded
Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-4);
Does not have Federalism implications as specified in
Executive Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10, 1999);
Is not an economically significant regulatory action based
on health or safety risks subject to Executive Order 13045 (62 FR
19885, April 23, 1997);
Is not a significant regulatory action subject to
Executive Order 13211 (66 FR 28355, May 22, 2001);
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 the EPA with the discretionary authority
to address, as appropriate, disproportionate human health or
environmental effects, using practicable and legally permissible
methods, under Executive Order 12898 (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994).
In addition, the SIP is not approved to apply on any Indian
reservation land or in any other area where the EPA or an Indian tribe
has demonstrated that a tribe has jurisdiction. In those areas of
Indian country, the proposed rule does not have tribal implications and
will not impose substantial direct costs on tribal governments or
preempt tribal law as specified by Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249,
November 9, 2000).
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52
Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Carbon monoxide,
Greenhouse gases, Incorporation by reference, Intergovernmental
relations, Lead, Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone, Particulate matter, Reporting
and recordkeeping requirements, Sulfur oxides, Volatile organic
compounds.
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
Dated: April 9, 2020.
Gregory Sopkin,
Regional Administrator, EPA Region 8.
[FR Doc. 2020-07941 Filed 4-16-20; 8:45 am]
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