National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Particulate Matter

AGENCY:

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

In American Trucking Associations v. EPA, 175 F. 3d 1027 (D.C. Cir. 1999), the court vacated the PM₁₀ national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) that EPA adopted in 1997. Today's action removes the vacated 1997 PM₁₀ standards and related requirements from the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).

DATES:

This rule is effective on July 30, 2004.

ADDRESSES:

The EPA does not seek comment on this final rule. EPA has established an official public docket for this action under Docket ID No. OAR-2003-0229. The official public docket consists of the documents specifically referenced in this action.

The official public docket is the collection of materials that is available for public viewing at the Air Docket in the EPA Docket Center, (EPA/DC) EPA West, Room B102, 1301 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC. The EPA Docket Center Public Reading Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the Reading Room is (202) 566-1742, and the telephone number for the Air Docket is (202) 566-1742.

Electronic Access. You may access this Federal Register document electronically through the EPA Internet under the “Federal Register” listings at http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/.

An electronic version of the public docket is available through EPA's electronic public docket and comment system, EPA Dockets. You may use EPA Dockets at http://www.epa.gov/edocket/ to access the index listing of the contents of the official public docket, and to access those documents in the public docket that are available electronically. Once in the system, select “search,” then key in the appropriate docket identification number.

Worldwide Web (WWW). In addition to being available in the docket, an electronic copy of today's final rule will also be available on the WWW through EPA's Technology Transfer Network (TTN). Following signature by the EPA Administrator, a copy of the rule will be posted on the TTN's policy and guidance page for newly proposed or promulgated rules at http://www.epa.gov/ttn/oarpg. The TTN provides information and technology exchange in various areas of air pollution control. If more information regarding the TTN is needed, call the TTN HELP line at (919) 541-5384.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Eric O. Ginsburg, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (C304-02), Research Triangle Park, NC 27711; e-mail Ginsburg.Eric@epa.gov; telephone (919) 541-0877; fax (919) 541-4511.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

A. 1997 Revision of the PM NAAQS

On July 18, 1997, EPA promulgated revisions to the primary and secondary NAAQS for particulate matter (PM) (62 FR 38652), revising the PM NAAQS in several respects. New standards were added, using PM_2.5 (defined as particles with an aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to a nominal 2.5 micrometers (μm)) as the indicator for standards adopted for the purpose of regulating fine particles, and continuing to use PM₁₀ (defined as particles with an aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to a nominal 10 μm) as the indicator for standards adopted for the purpose of regulating coarse-fraction particles (referring to those particles with an aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to a nominal 10 μm but greater than 2.5 μm). The 1997 annual PM₁₀ standard used the same form as the pre-existing annual PM₁₀ standard adopted in 1987, whereas the 1997 24-hour PM₁₀ standard incorporated a new statistical form, based on the 99th percentile of 24-hour PM₁₀ concentrations at each monitor in an area. EPA also adopted various requirements related to the 1997 PM₁₀ standards such as new measurement methods, a new attainment test, and air quality monitoring schedules.

At that time, EPA determined that the pre-existing 1987 PM₁₀ standards should remain in place and continue to apply in order to provide for an effective transition to the 1997 PM₁₀ standards. 62 FR at 38701. To this end, EPA adopted a regulation setting forth criteria under which the pre-existing PM₁₀ standards would cease to apply. See 40 CFR 50.6(d), 62 FR at 38711.

B. Judicial Vacatur of the 1997 PM ₁₀ Standards

Following promulgation of the 1997 PM NAAQS, numerous petitions for review of the PM standards were filed in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit (D.C. Circuit). These petitions were consolidated in American Trucking Associations, Inc. et al., v. EPA and the court issued its initial opinion on May 14, 1999. American Trucking Associations, Inc. et al., v. Environmental Protection Agency, 175 F.3d 1027 (D.C. Cir. 1999), rehearing granted in part and denied in part, 195 F.3d 4 (D.C. Cir. 1999), affirmed in part and reversed in part, Whitman v. American Trucking Associations, Inc. et al., 121 S.Ct 903 (2001); see also American Trucking Associations v. EPA, 283 F.3d 355 (D.C. Cir. 2002) (denying all remaining petitions for review following remand from United States Supreme Court). In part, although the court found “ample support” for EPA's decision to regulate coarse-fraction particles, it vacated the 1997 PM₁₀ standards on the basis of PM₁₀ being a “poorly matched indicator for coarse particulate pollution” because PM₁₀ includes fine particles. 175 F. 3d at 1054-55. Pursuant to the D.C. Circuit's decision, EPA deleted 40 CFR 50.6(d), the regulatory provision controlling the transition from the pre-existing 1987 PM₁₀ standards to the 1997 PM₁₀ standards. 65 FR 80776 (December 22, 2000). The pre-existing 1987 PM₁₀ standards remained in place. Id. at 80777.

The above discussion is presented solely to provide context for today's action. EPA is not reopening, reconsidering, or otherwise reevaluating the appropriateness of any of these previous actions in today's notice.

II. Changes to the Regulation

Today's action removes from the CFR the PM₁₀ standards adopted in 1997 contained in 40 CFR 50.7(a)(2). These are the annual and 24-hour PM₁₀ standards and the associated new reference measurement method (contained in Appendix M). EPA is also removing 40 CFR 50.7(d) and (e), which includes the attainment tests for the PM₁₀ annual and 24-hour standards adopted in 1997 (included in Appendix N). Consistent with these changes, we are also removing Appendix M in its entirety and revising Appendix N to remove any provisions that relate to the 1997 PM₁₀ standards. In addition, EPA is amending 40 CFR 50.3 (which specifies reference measurement conditions) to remove language that extended the scope of its applicability to the 1997 PM₁₀ standards.

The EPA is also making conforming changes to the titles of 40 CFR 50.7 and Appendix N to clarify that these sections are now applicable solely to PM_2.5. Similarly, we are changing the title of Appendix K to clarify that it is applicable solely to PM₁₀.

Because the form of the pre-existing 1987 PM₁₀ standards necessitated a different air quality monitoring schedule from that required for the vacated standards, EPA is also replacing § 58.13(d) with relevant portions of the “long-term monitoring selective sampling schedule” previously found at 40 CFR 58.13(d)(2) (July 1, 1996). Because the PM₁₀ monitoring networks are now fully deployed, EPA is not restoring those provisions pertaining to their initial implementation.

Although we are reprinting certain language from the 1997 rule in today's amendment, we are doing so only to assure clarity and grammatical correctness after deletion of the vacated text. We are not reopening, reconsidering, or otherwise reassessing any of this reprinted language.

III. Issuance as Final Rule

Section 553 of the Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), provides that when an agency for good cause finds that notice and public comment procedure are impracticable, unnecessary or contrary to the public interest, the agency may issue a rule without providing notice and an opportunity for public comment. EPA has determined that there is good cause for making today's rule final without prior proposal and opportunity for comment because this rule is ministerial and non-discretionary, amending the regulations to reflect the court's order vacating the 1997 PM₁₀ standards. The rule thus vacates the 1997 PM₁₀ standards and the ancillary provisions directly related thereto. Because EPA has no discretion as to what action to take, notice and opportunity for public comment are unnecessary. EPA finds that this constitutes good cause under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B). For the same reason, EPA finds that there is good cause, within the meaning of 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), to make the rule effective immediately.

IV. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

A. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory Planning and Review

Under Executive Order 12866, [58 FR 51735 (October 4, 1993)] the Agency must determine whether the regulatory action is “significant” and, therefore, subject to OMB review and the requirements of the Executive Order.

Because this action involves a ministerial removal of regulatory text in response to a court order, it has been determined that this rule is not a “significant regulatory action” under the terms of Executive Order 12866 and is, therefore, not subject to EO 12866 review.

B. Paperwork Reduction Act

The Administrator has determined today's action does not impose an information collection burden under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), since it directly imposes no burden at all. Burden means the total time, effort, or financial resources expended to generate and maintain, retain, or provide information as required by a rule. This includes the time needed to review instructions; develop, acquire, install, and use technology and systems for collecting, validating, and verifying information or processing and maintaining information; adjust the existing ways to comply with previous instructions and requirements; train personnel to respond to the collection of information; search data sources; complete and review the information; and transmit the information. Today's rule imposes no such burden on any entity.

C. Regulatory Flexibility Act

The Regulatory Flexibility Act generally requires an agency to conduct a regulatory flexibility analysis of any rule subject to notice and comment rulemaking requirements unless the agency certifies that the rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. Small entities include small businesses, small not-for-profit enterprises, and small governmental jurisdictions. Because the agency has made a “good cause” finding that this action is not subject to notice-and-comment requirements under the APA or any other statute, it is not subject to the regulatory flexibility provisions of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.).

D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA), Public Law 104-4, establishes requirements for Federal agencies to assess the effects of their regulatory actions on State, local, and tribal governments, as well as the private sector. Under section 202 of the UMRA, EPA generally must prepare a written statement, including a cost-benefit analysis, for proposed and final rules with “Federal mandates” that may result in expenditures to State, local, and tribal governments, in the aggregate, or to the private sector, of $100 million or more in any 1 year. Before promulgating an EPA rule for which a written statement is needed, section 205 of the UMRA generally requires EPA to identify and consider a reasonable number of regulatory alternatives and adopt the least costly, most cost-effective, or least burdensome alternative that achieves the objectives of the rule. The provisions of section 205 do not apply when they are inconsistent with applicable law. Moreover, section 205 allows EPA to adopt an alternative other than the least costly, most cost-effective, or least burdensome alternative if the Administrator publishes with the final rule an explanation of why that alternative was not adopted. Before EPA establishes any regulatory requirements that may significantly or uniquely affect small governments, including tribal governments, it must have developed under section 203 of the UMRA a Small Government Agency Plan. The plan must provide for notifying potentially affected small governments, enabling officials of affected small governments to have meaningful and timely input in the development of EPA regulatory proposals with significant Federal intergovernmental mandates, and informing, educating, and advising small governments on compliance with the regulatory requirements.

Because the agency has made a “good cause” finding that this action is not subject to notice-and-comment requirements under the APA or any other statute, it is not subject to sections 202 and 205 of the UMRA. In addition, this action does not significantly or uniquely affect small governments or impose a significant intergovernmental mandate, as described in sections 203 and 204 of the UMRA.

E. Executive Order 13132: Federalism

Executive Order 13132, entitled “Federalism” (64 FR 43255, August 10, 1999), requires EPA to develop an accountable process to ensure “meaningful and timely input by State and local officials in the development of regulatory policies that have Federalism implications.” “Policies that have Federalism implications” is defined in the Order to include regulations that have “substantial direct effects on the States, on the relationship between the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.” Under Executive Order 13132, EPA may not issue a regulation that has Federalism implications, that imposes substantial direct compliance costs, and that is not required by statute unless the Federal government provides the funds necessary to pay the direct compliance costs incurred by State and local governments or EPA consults with State and local officials early in the process of developing the proposed regulation. Also, the EPA may not issue a regulation that has Federalism implications and that preempts State law unless the Agency consults with State and local officials early in the process of developing the proposed regulation.

If EPA complies by consulting, Executive Order 13132 requires EPA to provide to OMB in a separately identified section of the preamble to the rule a Federalism summary impact statement (FSIS). The FSIS must include a description of the extent of EPA's prior consultation with State and local officials, a summary of the nature of their concerns and the Agency's position supporting the need to issue the regulation, and a statement of the extent to which the concerns of State and local officials have been met. Also, when EPA transmits a draft final rule with Federalism implications to OMB for review pursuant to Executive Order 12866, EPA must include a certification from the Agency's Federalism official stating that EPA has met the requirements of Executive Order 13132 in a meaningful and timely manner.

This action will not have substantial direct effects on the States, on the relationship between the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government as specified in Executive Order 13132. This action will not alter the overall relationship or distribution of powers between governments for the Title V Program. Thus, the requirements of section 6 of the Executive Order do not apply to this rule.

F. Executive Order 13175: Consultation and Coordination With Indian Tribal Governments

This action does not have a substantial direct effect on one or more Indian tribes, on the relationship between the Federal Government and Indian tribes, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities between the Federal Government and Indian tribes as specified by Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, November 9, 2000) because it does not alter the relationship or the distribution of power and responsibilities established in the Clean Air Act. Accordingly, this rule is not subject to Executive Order 13175.

G. Executive Order 13045: Protection of Children From Environmental Health and Safety Risks

Executive Order 13045, “Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks” (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997), applies to any rule that the EPA determines (1) economically significant as defined under Executive Order 12866, and (2) the environmental health or safety risk addressed by the rule has a disproportionate effect on children. If the regulatory action meets both criteria, the Agency must evaluate the environmental health or safety effects of the planned rule on children and explain why the planned regulation is preferable to other potentially effective and reasonably feasible alternatives considered by the Agency.

This action is not subject to Executive Order 13045 because it is not an economically-significant, regulatory action as defined by Executive Order 12866, and it does not address an environmental health or safety risk that would have a disproportionate effect on children.

H. Executive Order 13211: Actions That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use

This rule is not subject to Executive Order 13211, “Actions Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use” (66 FR 28355, May 22, 2001) because it is not a significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866.

I. National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act

Section 12(d) of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act (NTTAA), Public Law 104-113, section 12(d) (15 U.S.C. 272 note), directs EPA to use voluntary consensus standards in its regulatory activities unless to do so would be inconsistent with applicable law or otherwise impractical. Voluntary consensus standards are technical standards (e.g., materials specifications, test methods, sampling procedures, business practices, etc.) that are developed or adopted by voluntary-consensus standard bodies. The NTTAA directs EPA to provide Congress through OMB explanations when the Agency decides not to use available and applicable voluntary consensus standards. This action does not involve technical standards. Therefore, EPA is not considering the use of any voluntary consensus standards.

J. Congressional Review Act

The Congressional Review Act, 5 U.S.C. 801 et seq., as added by the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, generally provides that before a rule may take effect the agency promulgating the rule must submit a rule report, which includes a copy of the rule, to each House of the Congress and to the Comptroller General of the United States. Section 808 allows the issuing agency to make a rule effective sooner than otherwise provided by the CRA if the agency makes a good cause finding that notice and public procedure is impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to public interest. This determination must be supported by a brief statement. 5 U.S.C. 808(2). As stated previously, EPA has made such a good cause finding, including the reasons therefor, and established an effective date of [date of publication] for this rule. The EPA will submit a report containing this rule and other required information to the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of Representatives, and the Comptroller General of the United States prior to the publication of the rule in the Federal Register. This action is not a “major rule” as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2).

V. Immediate Effective Date

As noted earlier, EPA is making this rule effective immediately. Since EPA has no discretion as to what action to take and is simply amending the rules to conform to the D.C. Circuit's order of vacatur, comment on these amendments is unnecessary within the meaning of 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B).

For the same reason, there is good cause to make the rule effective immediately pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3).

List of Subjects

40 CFR Part 50

• Environmental protection
• Air pollution control
• Particulate matter

40 CFR Part 58

• Air pollution control
• Intergovernmental relations
• Reporting and recordkeeping requirements

For the reasons set out in the preamble, chapter I, title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations, is amended as follows:

PART 50—[AMENDED]

1. The authority citation for part 50 continues to read as follows:

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

2. Section 50.3 is revised to read as follows:

3. Section 50.7 is amended as follows:

a. Revising the section heading.

b. Revising paragraph (a) introductory text.

c. Removing paragraphs (a)(1) introductory text, (a)(2), (d) and (e).

d. Redesignating paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) as paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) respectively.

Appendix K—[Amended]

4. The heading of Appendix K is revised to read as follows:

Appendix K to Part 50—Interpretation of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for PM₁₀.

Appendix M—[Amended]

5. Appendix M is removed and reserved.

Appendix N—[Amended]

6. Appendix N is amended by revising the appendix heading and removing section 3.0 in its entirety and revising paragraphs (a) and (c) of section 1.0 to read as follows:

Appendix N to Part 50—Interpretation of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for PM_2.5

PART 58—[AMENDED]

1. The authority citation for part 58 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7410, 7601(a), 7613 and 7619.

2. Section 58.13 is amended by revising paragraph (d) to read as follows: