Rescission of the Source-Specific Federal Implementation Plan for Navajo Generating Station, Navajo Nation

AGENCY:

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION:

Proposed rule.

SUMMARY:

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to rescind the federal implementation plan (FIP) that regulates emissions from the Navajo Generating Station (NGS), a coal-fired power plant that was located on the reservation lands of the Navajo Nation near Page, Arizona. NGS permanently ceased operations on November 18, 2019, and the Clean Air Act (CAA or “Act”) operating permit for this facility has expired.

DATES:

Any comments on this proposal must arrive by April 15, 2021.

ADDRESSES:

Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID number EPA-R09-OAR-2021-0018, at http://www.regulations.gov. For comments submitted at Regulations.gov, follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Once submitted, comments cannot be edited or removed from 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, or if you need assistance in a language other than English or if you are a person with disabilities who needs a reasonable accommodation at no cost to you, please contact the person identified in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section. For the full EPA public comment policy, information about CBI or multimedia submissions, and general guidance on making effective comments, please visit https://www.epa.gov/dockets/commenting-epa-dockets.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Anita Lee, EPA Region IX, (415) 972-3958, lee.anita@epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Throughout this document, “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to the EPA.

Table of Contents

I. Background

A. Action

B. Facility

C. Attainment Status

D. The EPA's Authority To Promulgate a FIP in Indian Country

E. Historical Overview of NGS FIP Actions

II. Basis for Proposed Action

III. Solicitation of Comments

IV. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

I. Background

A. Action

In this action, the EPA is proposing to rescind the FIP for NGS that we promulgated on October 3, 1991 (“1991 FIP”), March 5, 2010 (“2010 FIP”), and August 8, 2014 (“2014 FIP”). The provisions of the 1991 action are codified in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 40 CFR 52.145(d), the provisions of the 2010 action are codified at 40 CFR 49.5513(a) through (i), and provisions of the 2014 action are codified at 40 CFR 49.5513(j). We refer collectively to the provisions from the 1991, 2010, and 2014 actions as the “FIP” or the “NGS FIP.” The NGS FIP includes federally enforceable emissions limitations that apply to the fossil fuel-fired steam generating equipment, designated as Units 1, 2, and 3, equipment associated with the coal and ash handling, and the two auxiliary steam boilers at NGS. These emissions limitations apply to emissions of particulate matter (PM), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), and oxides of nitrogen (NO_X), and opacity. The EPA is proposing to rescind the NGS FIP and remove the provisions of the FIP from 40 CFR 52.145(d) and 40 CFR 49.5513.

B. Facility

NGS was a coal-fired power plant that ceased operation in 2019, located on the reservation lands of the Navajo Nation, just east of Page, Arizona, and approximately 135 miles north of Flagstaff. NGS was co-owned by several entities and operated by Salt River Project Agricultural Improvement and Power District (“SRP”). The facility operated three units, each with a capacity of 750 megawatts (MW) net generation, with a total capacity of 2250 MW. Operations at the facility produced air pollutant emissions, including emissions of SO₂, NO_X, and PM. Existing pollution control equipment at NGS included wet flue gas desulfurization units for SO₂ and PM removal, electrostatic precipitators for PM removal, and low-NO_X burners with separated over-fire air to reduce NO_X formation during the combustion process. Had the facility not ceased operations, the owner or operator of NGS would have taken steps by December 31, 2019 to reduce emissions of NO_X further, pursuant to the requirements of the 2014 FIP.

C. Attainment Status

The area around NGS is designated attainment, unclassifiable/attainment, or unclassifiable for all criteria pollutants under the Act.

D. The EPA's Authority To Promulgate a FIP in Indian Country

When the CAA was amended in 1990, Congress included a new provision, section 301(d), granting the EPA authority to treat tribes in the same manner as states where appropriate. In 1998, the EPA promulgated regulations known as the Tribal Authority Rule (TAR). The EPA's promulgation of the TAR clarified, among other things, that state air quality regulations generally do not, under the CAA, apply to facilities located anywhere within the exterior boundaries of Indian reservations. Prior to the addition of section 301(d) and the promulgation of the TAR, some states had included emission limitations in their state implementation plans (SIPs) that they may have believed could apply under the CAA to private facilities operating on adjacent Indian reservations.

In the preambles to the proposed and final 1998 TAR, the EPA generally discussed the legal basis in the CAA that authorizes the EPA to regulate sources of air pollution in Indian country. The EPA concluded that the CAA authorizes the EPA to protect air quality throughout Indian country. The TAR, therefore, provides that the EPA “[s]hall promulgate without unreasonable delay such federal implementation plan provisions as are necessary or appropriate to protect air quality, consistent with the provisions of sections [301](a) and 301(d)(4), if a tribe does not submit a tribal implementation plan meeting the completeness criteria of 40 CFR part 51, Appendix V, or does not receive EPA approval of a submitted tribal implementation plan.”

E. Historical Overview of NGS FIP Actions

On December 2, 1980, EPA issued regulations addressing visibility impairment that is traceable or “reasonably attributable” to a single source or small group of sources. These regulations required a number of states to submit SIPs no later than September 2, 1981. Most states, including Arizona, failed to submit SIPs as called for by the regulations. Accordingly, in 1987, the EPA issued visibility FIPs consisting of general plan requirements and long-term strategies for 29 states including Arizona.

In 1989, based on a report submitted by the National Park Service, the EPA proposed to find that a portion of the visibility impairment in Grand Canyon National Park was reasonably attributable to NGS. Under the 1991 FIP, NGS was required to phase-in compliance with the SO₂ emissions limit by installing scrubbers in 1997, 1998, and 1999. In establishing the SO₂ emissions limit for NGS in the final 1991 FIP, the EPA determined that the FIP would provide for greater reasonable progress toward the national visibility goal than implementation of best available retrofit technology (BART).

On September 8, 1999, the EPA proposed a source-specific FIP for NGS. The 1999 proposed FIP stated: “Although the facility has been historically regulated by Arizona since its construction, the state lacks jurisdiction over the facility or its owners or operations for CAA compliance or enforcement purposes.” The EPA intended for the proposed action in 1999 to “federalize” the emission limitations that Arizona had erroneously included in its SIP. The EPA received comments on the proposed FIP but did not finalize the proposal.

The EPA published a new proposed rule to promulgate federally enforceable numerical emissions limitations for PM and SO₂ in 2006 and took action to finalize it in 2010. The 2010 FIP also established an opacity limit and a requirement for specific control measures to limit dust emissions. In the 2010 FIP, the EPA determined that the emissions limitations for PM and SO₂ were more stringent than, or at least as stringent as, the emissions limitations that had historically applied at NGS pursuant to an operating permit issued by Arizona. Therefore, the EPA concluded that air quality in this area would be positively impacted by the 2010 FIP.

On August 8, 2014, the EPA promulgated a final rule that established emissions limitations for NO_X emissions from NGS under BART provisions of the Regional Haze Rule. We finalized an alternative to BART based on agreed-upon recommendations developed by a group of diverse stakeholders. The 2014 FIP limited emissions of NO_X from NGS by establishing a long-term facility-wide cap on total NO_X emissions from 2009 to 2044 and required the implementation of one of several alternative operating scenarios to ensure that the 2009 to 2044 cap was met.

II. Basis for Proposed Action

In 2017, due to the changing economics of the energy industry, the owners of NGS voted to permanently close the facility at the end of 2019. On November 27, 2019, consistent with the reporting requirements in the alternative to BART provisions of the NGS FIP, SRP notified the EPA that it would not implement any of the BART alternatives in the FIP due to the permanent cessation of operations at NGS. In that letter, SRP noted that Unit 3 permanently ceased operations on September 19, 2019, and that Units 1 and 2 permanently ceased operations on November 18, 2019. This closure timeframe was consistent with the terms of the NGS Extension Lease agreement between the Navajo Nation and the owners of NGS prohibiting the combustion of coal at NGS after December 22, 2019. After November 18, 2019, the owners and operator of NGS began decommissioning the facility. On November 30, 2020, SRP withdrew its CAA title V operating permit renewal application that it had submitted to the Navajo Nation Environmental Protection Agency (Navajo Nation EPA), and requested that the EPA rescind the NGS FIP.

On December 18, 2020, the Navajo Nation EPA notified SRP that effective December 1, 2020, expiration of the title V permit terminated the ability of NGS to be operated. In that letter, the Navajo Nation EPA noted that NGS had been operating under Permit No. NN-ROP-05-06, a title V permit issued on July 7, 2008. The permit was set to expire on July 7, 2013; however, because SRP submitted a timely and complete permit renewal application on March 4, 2013, NGS was able to continue to operate under the existing title V operating permit while awaiting action by the Navajo Nation EPA on the renewal permit application. As a complete renewal application is no longer submitted and pending action by the Navajo Nation EPA, withdrawal of the renewal permit application caused Permit No. NN-ROP-05-06 to expire. Expiration of the operating permit terminated the facility's right to operate.

In its rescission request, SRP stated that since ceasing operations all equipment permitted to operate under the title V permit, which includes all equipment subject to the NGS FIP, are non-operational and in the process of being removed. In addition, electrical and mechanical equipment had been removed, preventing the combustion of fuel and equipment operation and eliminating sources of air pollutant emissions from the permitted equipment. The Kayenta Mine, which supplied coal to NGS, has permanently closed, and the dedicated rail line linking the mine to NGS has been dismantled. In addition, the three 775-foot stacks at NGS have been demolished.

Because NGS has permanently ceased operation and all equipment subject to the NGS FIP is no longer operational, and because the facility no longer holds a valid CAA title V permit to operate, the EPA is proposing to rescind the FIP for NGS at 40 CFR 52.145(d) and 40 CFR 49.5513.

The provisions of the 1991 FIP at 40 CFR 52.145(d) applied to the fossil fuel-fired steam-generating units designated as Units 1, 2, and 3, and NGS and addressed emissions limitations for SO₂, specifications for how compliance with the emissions limitations would be determined, requirements for continuous emissions monitoring, and reporting requirements. Because the SO₂ emissions limitations in the 1991 FIP were achievable with the installation and operation of new flue gas desulfurization units, the 1991 FIP also specified compliance dates, schedules of compliance and associated reporting requirements. Finally, the 1991 FIP also included various provisions related to equipment operation and maintenance.

Under 110(l) of the CAA, the EPA shall not approve a revision of an implementation plan if the revision would interfere with any applicable requirements concerning attainment, reasonable further progress, or any other applicable requirement of the CAA. Although this provision does not apply directly to the EPA's revision or rescission of a FIP, we have nonetheless considered whether rescission of the NGS FIP would interfere with any CAA requirements.

The 1991 FIP established emissions limitations for SO₂ emitted from the fossil fuel-fired steam-generating units at NGS, as well as associated compliance, monitoring, and reporting requirements for the flue gas desulfurization units. Because NGS has permanently ceased operation, these provisions are no longer necessary to satisfy any CAA requirements related to regional haze and visibility protection. In addition, because the area surrounding NGS is designated attainment, unclassifiable/attainment, or unclassifiable for all NAAQS, the provisions of the 1991 FIP are not needed to satisfy requirements concerning attainment or reasonable further progress. Therefore, we propose to find that rescission of the 1991 FIP will not interfere with any applicable CAA requirements.

The provisions of the 2010 FIP at 40 CFR 49.5513(a) through (i) apply to Units 1, 2, and 3, equipment associated with coal and ash handling, and the two auxiliary steam boilers at NGS, and established emissions limitations and associated continuous monitoring, testing and reporting requirements for SO₂, PM, dust, and opacity. The 2010 FIP also includes provisions related to compliance certifications, equipment operations, and enforcement. Although the testing and monitoring requirements at 40 CFR 49.5513(e) generally relate to continuous emissions monitoring and periodic source testing for SO₂, NO_X, and PM emissions from the facility, one provision required SRP to install, maintain and operate non-regulatory ambient monitors at the Glen Canyon Dam for PM, nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), SO₂, and ozone. The 2010 FIP did not elucidate the rationale for ambient monitoring but generally stated that “[t]his final action will help to advance the goals of ensuring continued maintenance of the national ambient air quality standards and protecting visibility.”

Because NGS has permanently ceased operation, the air pollutants regulated under the 2010 FIP are no longer emitted from the facility, and the facility no longer operates the coal handling and storage equipment or the fly ash handling and storage equipment. Therefore, the provisions of the 2010 FIP that regulate emissions of air pollutants from NGS are no longer necessary to satisfy any CAA requirements related to regional haze and visibility protection. In addition, the area surrounding NGS is designated attainment, unclassifiable/attainment, or unclassifiable for all NAAQS, therefore, the provisions of the 2010 FIP are not needed to satisfy requirements concerning attainment or reasonable further progress. The ambient monitors at the Glen Canyon Dam are operated by SRP and are not relied upon by any state, local or tribal agency to satisfy the minimum monitoring requirements in 40 CFR part 58. Furthermore, data from the monitors are not reported to the EPA's Air Quality System. For these reasons, we propose to determine that the 2010 FIP, including the provisions requiring operation of ambient monitors operated at the Glen Canyon Dam, is not needed to satisfy requirements related to attainment, reasonable further progress, visibility protection, or any other CAA requirements.

The provision of the 2014 FIP at 40 CFR 49.5513(j) were promulgated to satisfy the BART requirements of the CAA and the Regional Haze Rule and established emissions limitations for NO_X from NGS and associated requirements, including implementation schedules, reporting, monitoring, compliance determinations, recordkeeping, equipment operations, and enforcement. Because NGS has permanently ceased operation, the emissions of NO_X regulated under the 2014 FIP have also permanently ceased. Therefore, the provisions of the 2014 FIP, which were intended to satisfy CAA requirements for visibility protection, are no longer necessary. In addition, the area surrounding NGS is designated attainment, unclassifiable/attainment, or unclassifiable for all NAAQS. Therefore, we propose to find that the provisions of the 2014 FIP are not needed to satisfy requirements concerning attainment or reasonable further progress or any other applicable CAA requirements.

III. Solicitation of Comments

As described above, the EPA is proposing the rescind the NGS FIP from 40 CFR 52.145(d) and 40 CFR 49.5513. The EPA solicits comments on this proposed FIP rescission and will accept comments until April 15, 2021.

IV. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

Additional information about these statutes and Executive Orders can be found at http://www.epa.gov/laws-regulations/laws-and-executive-orders.

A. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory Planning and Review and Executive Order 13563: Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review

This action is not a significant regulatory action and was therefore not submitted to the Office of Management and Budget for review. This proposed rule applies to only one facility and is therefore not a rulemaking of general applicability.

B. Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA)

This action does not impose an information collection burden under the PRA because this action does not contain any information collection activities.

C. Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)

I certify that this action will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities under the RFA. This action will not impose any requirements on small entities.

D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA)

This action does not contain any unfunded mandate as described in UMRA, 2 U.S.C. 1531-1538, and does not significantly or uniquely affect small governments. The action imposes no enforceable duty on any state, local or tribal governments or the private sector.

E. Executive Order 13132: Federalism

This action does not have federalism implications. It 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.

F. Executive Order 13175: Coordination With Indian Tribal Governments

This action does not have tribal implications, as specified in Executive Order 13175. The Navajo Generating Station is located on the reservation lands of the Navajo Nation, and the EPA recognizes there is significant community and tribal interest in this facility. The facility has already permanently ceased operations and this action simply proposes to rescind previously promulgated requirements applicable to this shuttered facility. In addition, the Navajo Nation EPA has already determined that NGS no longer has the right to operate. This proposed action to rescind the NGS FIP will not have substantial direct effects on any 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. Thus, Executive Order 13175 does not apply to this action. However, on January 7, 2021, we invited the Navajo Nation to consult on this proposed action. The Navajo Nation did not request consultation on this proposed FIP rescission.

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

The EPA interprets Executive Order 13045 as applying only to those regulatory actions that concern environmental health or safety risks that the EPA has reason to believe may disproportionately affect children, per the definition of “covered regulatory action” in section 2-202 of the Executive Order. This action is not subject to Executive Order 13045 because it does not concern an environmental health risk or safety risk.

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

This action is not subject to Executive Order 13211, because it is not a significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866.

I. National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act (NTTAA)

This rulemaking does not involve technical standards.

J. Executive Order 12898: Federal Actions To Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations

The EPA believes that this action is not subject to Executive Order 12898 (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994) because it does not establish an environmental health or safety standard. The facility has already permanently ceased operations and this action simply proposes to rescind previously promulgated requirements applicable to this shuttered facility. Therefore, the EPA considers this proposed action to rescind the NGS FIP to have no impacts to human health and the environment, and to have no potential disproportionately high and adverse effects on minority, low-income, or indigenous populations.

List of Subjects

40 CFR Part 49

• Administrative practice and procedure
• Air pollution control
• Environmental protection
• Incorporation by reference
• Indians
• Intergovernmental relations
• Reporting and recordkeeping requirements

40 CFR Part 52

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

For the reasons stated in the preamble, the Environmental Protection Agency proposes to amend chapter I, title 40, of the Code of Federal Regulations as follows:

PART 49—INDIAN COUNTRY: AIR QUALITY PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT

1. The authority citation for part 49 continues to read as follows:

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

Subpart L—Implementation plans for tribes—Region IX

2. Remove and reserve § 49.5513.

PART 52—APPROVAL AND PROMULGATION OF IMPLEMENTATION PLANS

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

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

Subpart D—Arizona

4. Amend § 52.145 by removing and reserving paragraph (d).