N.M. Admin. Code § 20.2.99.128

Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 21, November 5, 2024

Section 20.2.99.128 - CRITERIA AND PROCEDURES FOR DETERMINING CONFORMITY OF TRANSPORTATION PLANS, PROGRAMS, AND PROJECTS - GENERAL

A. In order for each transportation plan, program, and FHWA/FTA project to be found to conform the MPO and US DOT must demonstrate that the applicable criteria and procedures in this part are satisfied and the MPO and US DOT must comply with all applicable conformity requirements of implementation plans and of court orders for the area which pertain specifically to conformity. The criteria for making conformity determinations differ based on the action under review (transportation plans, TIPs, and FHWA/FTA projects or state projects), the relevant pollutant(s), and the status of the implementation plan.

B. The following table (table 1) indicates the criteria and procedures in 20.2.99.129 NMAC through 20.2.99.138 NMAC which apply for transportation plans, TIPs, and FHWA/FTA projects. Subsections C through K of this section (20.2.99.128 NMAC) explain when the budget, interim emissions, and hot spot tests are required for each pollutant and NAAQS. Subsection L of this section (20.2.99.128 NMAC) addresses conformity requirements for areas with approved or adequate limited maintenance plans. Subsection M of this section (20.2.99.128 NMAC) addresses nonattainment and maintenance areas which EPA has determined have insignificant motor vehicle emissions. Subsection N of this section (20.2.99.128 NMAC) addresses isolated rural nonattainment and maintenance areas. Table 1 follows. Table 1. Conformity Criteria.

(1) All actions at all times

(a)20.2.99.129 NMAC. Latest planning assumptions

(b)20.2.99.130 NMAC. Latest emissions model

(c)20.2.99.131 NMAC. Consultation

(2) Transportation Plan

(a) Subsection B of 20.2.99.132 NMAC. TCMs

(b)20.2.99.137 NMAC and/or 20.2.99.138 NMAC. Emissions budget and/or interim emissions

(3) TIP

(a) Subsection C of 20.2.99.132 NMAC. TCMs

(b)20.2.99.137 NMAC and/or 20.2.99.138 NMAC. Emissions budget and /or interim emissions

(4) Project (From a conforming plan and TIP)

(a)20.2.99.133 NMAC. Currently conforming plan and TIP

(b)20.2.99.134 NMAC. Project from a conforming plan and TIP

(c)20.2.99.135 NMAC. CO, PM₁₀, and PM_2.5hot spots

(d)20.2.99.136 NMAC. PM₁₀and PM_2.5control measures

(5) Project (Not from a conforming plan and TIP)

(a) Subsection D of 20.2.99.132 NMAC. TCMs

(b)20.2.99.133 NMAC. Currently conforming plan and TIP

(c)20.2.99.135 NMAC. CO, PM₁₀, and PM_2.5hot spots

(d)20.2.99.136 NMAC. PM₁₀ and PM_2.5control measures

(e)20.2.99.137 NMAC and/or 20.2.99.138 NMAC. Emissions budget and/or interim emissions.

C. 1-hour ozone nonattainment and maintenance areas. This subsection (Subsection C of section 20.2.99.128 NMAC) applies when an area is nonattainment or maintenance for the 1-hour ozone NAAQS (i.e., until the effective date of any revocation of the 1-hour ozone NAAQS for an area). In addition to the criteria listed in table 1 in Subsection B of this section (20.2.99.128 NMAC) that are required to be satisfied at all times, in such ozone nonattainment and maintenance areas conformity determinations must include a demonstration that the budget and/or interim emission tests are satisfied as described in the following.

(1) In all 1-hour ozone nonattainment and maintenance areas the budget test must be satisfied as required by 20.2.99.137 NMAC for conformity determinations made on or after:

(a) the effective data EPA's finding that a motor vehicle emissions budget in a submitted control strategy implementation plan revision or maintenance plan for the 1-hour ozone NAAQS is adequate for transportation conformity purposes;

(b) the publication data of EPA's approval of such a budget in the federal register; or

(c) the effective state of EPA's approval of such a budget in the federal register, if such approval is completed through direct final rulemaking.

(2) In ozone nonattainment areas that are required to submit a control strategy implementation plan revision for the 1-hour ozone NAAQS (usually moderate and above areas), the interim emissions tests must be satisfied as required by 20.2.99.138 NMAC for conformity determinations made when there is no approved motor vehicle emissions budget form an applicable implementation plan for the 1-hour ozone NAAQS and no adequate motor vehicle emissions budget form a submitted control strategy implementation plan revision or maintenance plan for the 1-hour ozone NAAQS.

(3) An ozone nonattainment area must satisfy the interim emissions test for NOx, as required by 20.2.99.138 NMAC, if the implementation plan or plan submission that is applicable for the purposes of conformity determinations is a fifteen percent (15%) plan or phase I attainment demonstration that does not include a motor vehicle emissions budget for NOx. The implementation plan for the 1-hour ozone NAAQS will be considered to establish a motor vehicle emissions budget for NOx if the implementation plan or plan submission contains an explicit NOx motor vehicle emissions budget that is intended to act as a ceiling on future NOx emissions, and the NOx motor vehicle emissions budget is a net reduction from NOx emissions levels in 1990.

(4) Ozone nonattainment areas that have not submitted a maintenance plan and that are not required to submit a control strategy implementation plan revision for the 1-hour NAAQS (usually marginal and below areas) must satisfy one of the following requirements:

(a) the interim emissions tests required by 20.2.99.138 NMAC; or

(b) the department shall submit to US EPA an implementation plan revision for the 1-hour ozone NAAQS that contains motor vehicle emissions budget(s) and a reasonable further progress or an attainment demonstration, and the budget test required by 20.2.99.137 NMAC must be satisfied using the adequate or approved motor vehicle emissions budget(s) (as described in Paragraph (1) of Subsection C of 20.2.99.128 NMAC).

(5) Notwithstanding Paragraphs (1) and (2) of Subsection C of 20.2.99.128 NMAC, moderate and above ozone nonattainment areas with three years of clean data for the 1-hour ozone NAAQS that have not submitted a maintenance plan and that US EPA has determined are not subject to the Clean Air Act reasonable further progress and attainment demonstration requirements for the 1-hour NAAQS must satisfy one of the following requirements:

(a) the interim emissions tests as required by 20.2.99.138 NMAC;

(b) the budget test as required by 20.2.99.137 NMAC, using the adequate or approved motor vehicle emissions budgets in the submitted or applicable control strategy implementation plan for the 1-hour ozone NAAQS (subject to the timing requirements of Paragraph (1) of Subsection C of 20.2.99.128 NMAC); or

(c) the budget test as required by 20.2.99.137 NMAC, using the motor vehicle emissions of ozone precursors in the most recent year of clean data as motor vehicle emissions budgets, if such budgets are established by the US EPA rulemaking that determines that the area has clean data.

D. 8-hour ozone NAAQS nonattainment and maintenance areas without motor vehicle emissions budgets for the 1-hour ozone NAAQS for any portion of the 8-hour nonattainment area. This subsection (Subsection D of section 20.2.99.128 NMAC) applies to areas that were never designated nonattainment for the 1-hour ozone NAAQS but that never submitted a control strategy SIP or maintenance plan with approved or adequate motor vehicle emissions budgets. This subsection (Subsection D of section 20.2.99.128 NMAC) applies one (1) year after the effective date of EPA's nonattainment designation for the 8-hour ozone NAAQS for an area, according to Subsection D of 20.2.99.109 NMAC. In the addition to the criteria listed in table 1 in Subsection B of 20.2.99.128 NMAC that are required to be satisfied at all times, in such 8-hour ozone nonattainment and maintenance areas conformity determinations much include a demonstration that the budget and/or interim emissions tests are satisfied as described in the following.

(1) In such 8-hour ozone nonattainment and maintenance areas the budget test much be satisfied as required by section 20.2.99.137 NMAC for conformity determinations made on or after;

(a) the effective date of EPA's finding that a motor vehicle emissions budget in a submitted control strategy implementation plan revision or maintenance plan for the 8-hour ozone NAAQS is adequate for transportation conformity purposes;

(b) the publication date of EPA's approval of such a budget in the federal register; or

(c) the effective date of EPA's approval of such a budget in the federal register, if such approval is completed through direct final rulemaking.

(2) In ozone nonattainment areas that are required to submit a control strategy implementation plan revision for the 8-hour ozone NAAQS (usually moderate and above and certain Clean Air Act, part D subpart 1 areas), the interim emissions tests must by satisfied as required by section 20.2.99.138 NMAC for conformity determinations made when there is no approved motor vehicle emissions budget from an applicable implementation plan for 8-hour ozone NAAQS and no adequate motor vehicle emissions budget from a submitted control strategy implementation plan revision or maintenance plan for the 8-hour NAAQS.

(3) Such an 8-hour ozone nonattainment area must satisfy the interim emissions test for NOx, as required by section 20.2.99.138 NMAC, if the implementation plan or plan submission that is applicable for the purposes of conformity determination is a fifteen percent (15%) plan or other control strategy SIP that addresses reasonable further progress that does not include a motor vehicle emissions budget for NOx. The implementation plan for the 8-hour ozone NAAQS will be considered to establish a motor vehicle emissions budget for NOx if the implementation plan or plan submission contains an explicit NOxmotor vehicle emissions budget that is intended to act as a ceiling on future NOxemissions, and the NOxmotor vehicle emissions budget is a net reduction from NOx emissions levels in 2002.

(4) Ozone nonattainment areas that have not submitted a maintenance plan and that are not required to submit a control strategy implementation plan revision for the 8-hour ozone NAAQS (usually marginal and certain Clean Air Act, part D, subpart 1 areas) must satisfy one of the following requirements:

(a) the interim emissions tests required by section 20.2.99.138 NMAC; or

(b) the department shall submit to EPA an implementation plan revision for the 8-hour ozone NAAQS that contains motor vehicle emissions budget(s) and a reasonable further progress or attainment demonstration, and the budget test required by section 20.2.99.137 NMAC must be satisfied using the adequate or approved motor vehicle emissions budget(s) (as described in Paragraph (1) of Subsection D of 20.2.99.128 NMAC).

(5) Notwithstanding Paragraphs (1) and (2) of Subsection D of 20.2.99.128 NMAC, ozone nonattainment areas with three (3) years of clean data for the 8-hour ozone NAAQS that have not submitted maintenance plan and that EPA has determined are not subject to the Clean Air Act reasonable further progress and attainment demonstration requirements for the 9-hour ozone NAAQS must satisfy one of the following requirements:

(a) the interim emissions tests as required by section 20.2.99.138 NMAC;

(b) the budget test as required by section 20.2.99.137 NMAC, using the adequate or approved motor vehicle emissions budgets in the submitted or applicable control strategy implementation plan for the 8-hour ozone NAAQS (subject to the timing requirements of Paragraph (1) of Subsection D of 20.2.99.128 NMAC; or

(c) the budget test as required by section 20.2.137 NMAC, using the motor vehicle emissions of ozone precursors in the most recent year of clean data as motor vehicle emissions budgets, if such budgets are established by the EPA rulemaking that determines that the area has clean data for the 8-hour ozone NAAQS.

E. 8-hour ozone NAAQS nonattainment and maintenance areas with motor vehicle emissions budgets for the 1-hour ozone NAAQS that cover all or a portion of the 8-hour nonattainment area. This provision applies one (1) year after the effective date of EPA's nonattainment designation for the 8-hour ozone NAAQS for an area, according to Subsection D of section 2.20.99.109 NMAC. In addition to the criteria listing in table 1 in Subsection B of this section (2.20.2.128 NMAC) that are required to be satisfied at all times, in such 8-hour ozone nonattainment and maintenance areas conformity determinations must include a demonstration that the budget and/or interim emissions tests are satisfied as described in the following.

(1) In such 8-hour ozone nonattainment and maintenance areas the budget test must be satisfied as required by section 20.2.99.137 NMAC for conformity determinations made on or after:

(b) the publication date of EPA's approval of such a budget in the federal register; or

(c) the effective date of EPA's approval of such a budget in the federal register, is such approval is completed through direct final rulemaking.

(2) Prior to Paragraph (1) of Subsection E of 20.2.99.128 NMAC applying, the following test(s) must be satisfied.

(a) If the 8-hour ozone nonattainment area covers the same geographic area as the 1-hour ozone nonattainment or maintenance area(s), the budget test as required by section 20.2.99.137 NMAC using the approved or adequate motor vehicle emissions budgets in the 1-hour ozone applicable implementation plan or implementation plan submission.

(b) If the 8-hour ozone nonattainment area covers a smaller geographic area within the 1-hour ozone nonattainment or maintenance area(s), the budget test as required by section 20.2.99.137 NMAC for either the 8-hour nonattainment area using corresponding portion(s) of the approved or adequate motor vehicle emissions budgets in the 1-hour ozone applicable implementation plan or implementation plan submission where such portion(s) can reasonably be identified through the interagency consultation process required by section 20.2.99.116 NMAC ; or the 1-hour nonattainment area using the approved or adequate motor vehicle emissions budgets in the 1-hour ozone applicable implementation plan or implementation plan submission. If additional emission reductions are necessary to meet the budget test for the 8-hour ozone NAAQS in such cases, these emissions reductions must come from within the 8-hour nonattainment area.

(c) If the 8-hour ozone nonattainment area covers a larger geographic area and encompasses the entire 1-hour ozone nonattainment or maintenance area(s) the budget test as required by section 20.2.99.137 NMAC for the portion of the 8-hour ozone nonattainment area covered by the approved or adequate motor vehicle emissions budgets in the 1-hour ozone applicable implementation plan or implementation plan submission; and the interim emissions tests as required by section 20.2.99.138 NMAC for either: the portion of the 8-hour ozone nonattainment area not covered by the approved or adequate budgets in the 1-hour ozone implementation plan, the entire 8-hour ozone nonattainment area, or the entire portion of the 8-hour ozone nonattainment area within an individual state, in the case where separate 1-hour SIP budgets are established for each state of a multi-state 1-hour nonattainment area partially covers a 1-hour ozone nonattainment or maintenance area(s).

(d) If the 8-hour ozone nonattainment area partially covers a 1-hour ozone nonattainment of maintenance area(s) the budget test as required by section 20.2.99.137 NMAC for the portion of the 8-hour ozone nonattainment area covered by the corresponding portion of the approved or adequate motor vehicle emissions budgets in the 1-hour ozone applicable implementation plan or implementation plan submission where they can be reasonably identified through the interagency consultation process required by section 20.2.99.116 NMAC ; and the interim emissions tests as required by section 20.2.99.138 NMAC, when applicable, for either: the portion of the 8-hour ozone nonattainment area not covered by the approved or adequate budgets in the 1-hour ozone implementation plan, the entire 8-hour ozone nonattainment area, or the entire portion of the 8-hour ozone nonattainment area within an individual state, in the case where separate 1-hour SIP budgets are established for each state in a multi-state 1-hour nonattainment or maintenance area.

(3) Such an 8-hour ozone nonattainment area must satisfy the interim emissions test for NOx, as required by section 20.2.99.138 NMAC, if the only implementation plan or plan submission that is applicable for the purposes of conformity determinations is a fifteen percent (15%) plan or other control strategy SIP that addresses reasonable further progress that does not include a motor vehicle emissions budget for NOx. The implementation plan for the 8-hour ozone NAAQS will be considered to establish a motor vehicle emissions budget for NOx if the implementation plan or plan submission contains an explicit NOx motor vehicle emissions budget that is intended to act as a ceiling on future NOx emissions, and the NOxmotor vehicle emissions budget is a net reduction from NOx emissions levels in 2002. Prior to an adequate or approved NOxmotor vehicle emissions budget in the implementation plan submission for the 8-hour ozone NAAQS, the implementation plan for the 1-hour ozone NAAQS will be considered to establish a motor vehicle emissions budget for NOxif the implementation plan contains on explicit NOx motor vehicle emissions budget that is intended to act as a ceiling on future NOx emissions, and the NOx motor vehicle emission budget is a net reduction from NOx emissions levels in 1990.

(4) Notwithstanding Paragraphs (1) and (2) of Subsection E of this section (20.2.99.128 NMAC), ozone nonattainment areas with three years of clean data for the 8-hour ozone NAAQS that have not submitted a maintenance plan and that EPA has determined are not subject to the Clean Air Act reasonable further progress and attainment demonstration requirement for the 8-hour ozone NAAQS must satisfy one of the following requirements:

(a) the budget test and/or interim emissions tests are required by sections 20.2.99.137 NMAC and 20.2.99.138 NMAC and as described in Paragraph (2) of Subsection E of this section (20.2.99.128 NMAC);

(b) the budget test as required by section 20.2.99.137 NMAC, using the adequate or approved motor vehicle emission budgets in the submitted or applicable control strategy implementation plan for the 8-hour ozone NAAQS (subject to the timing requirements of Paragraph (1) of Subsection E of 20.2.99.128 NMAC; or

(c) the budget test as required by section 20.2.99.137 NMAC, using the motor vehicle emissions of ozone precursors in the most recent year of clean data as motor vehicle emissions budgets, if such budgets are established by the EPA rulemaking that determines that the area has clean data for the 8-hour ozone NAAQS.

F. CO nonattainment and maintenance areas. In addition to the criteria listed in table 1 in Subsection B of 20.2.99.128 NMAC that are required to be satisfied at all times, in CO nonattainment and maintenance areas conformity determinations must include a demonstration that the hot spot, budget and/or interim emissions tests are satisfied as described in the following.

(1) FHWA/FTA projects in CO nonattainment or maintenance areas must satisfy the hot spot test required by Subsection A of 20.2.99.135 NMAC at all times. Until a CO attainment demonstration or maintenance plan is approved by US EPA, FHWA/FTA projects must also satisfy the hot spot test required by Subsection B of 20.2.99.135 NMAC.

(2) In CO nonattainment and maintenance areas the budget test must be satisfied as required by 20.2.99.137 NMAC for conformity determinations made:

(a) the effective date of EPA's finding that a motor vehicle emissions budget in a submitted control strategy implementation plan revision or maintenance plan is adequate for transportation conformity purposes;

(b) the publication date of EPA's approval of such a budget in the federal register; or

(c) the effectivedate of EPA's approval of such a budget in the federal register, if such approval is completed through direct final rulemaking.

(3) Except as provided in Paragraph (4) of Subsection F of 20.2.99.128 NMAC, in CO nonattainment areas the interim emissions tests must be satisfied as required by 20.2.99.138 NMAC for conformity determinations made when there is no approved motor vehicle emissions budget from an applicable implementation plan and no adequate motor vehicle emissions budget from a submitted control strategy implementation plan revision or maintenance plan.

(4) CO nonattainment areas that have not submitted a maintenance plan and that are not required to submit an attainment demonstration (e.g., moderate CO areas with a design value of 12.7 ppm or less or not classified CO areas) must satisfy one of the following requirements:

(a) the interim emissions tests required by 20.2.99.138 NMAC; or

(b) the department shall submit to US EPA an implementation plan revision that contains motor vehicle emissions budget(s) and an attainment demonstration, and the budget test required by 20.2.99.137 NMAC must be satisfied using the adequate or approved motor vehicle emissions budget(s) (as described in Paragraph (2) of Subsection F of 20.2.99.128 NMAC).

G. PM₁₀nonattainment and maintenance areas. In addition to the criteria listed in table 1 in Subsection B of 20.2.99.128 NMAC that are required to be satisfied at all times, in PM₁₀ nonattainment and maintenance areas conformity determinations must include a demonstration that the hot spot, budget and/or interim emissions tests are satisfied as described in the following.

(1) FHWA/FTA projects in PM₁₀ nonattainment or maintenance areas must satisfy the hot spot test required by 20.2.99.135 NMAC.

(2) In PM₁₀ nonattainment and maintenance areas where a budget is submitted for the 24-hour PM₁₀ NAAQS, the budget test must be satisfied as required by 20.2.99.137 NMAC for conformity determinations made on or after:

(b) the publication date of EPA's approval of such a budget in the federal register; or

(c) the effective date of EPA's approval of such a budget in the federal register, if such approval is completed through direct final rulemaking.

(3) Prior to Paragraph (2) of Subsection G of 20.2.99.128 NMAC applying, the budget test must be satisfied as required by 20.2.99.137 NMAC using the approved or adequate motor vehicle emissions budget established for the revoked annual PM₁₀NAAQS, if such a budget exists.

(4) In PM₁₀ nonattainment areas the interim emissions tests must be satisfied as required by 20.2.99.138 NMAC for conformity determinations made:

(a) if there is no approved motor vehicle emissions budget from an applicable implementation plan and no adequate motor vehicle emissions budget from a submitted control strategy implementation plan revision or maintenance plan; or

(b) if the submitted implementation plan revision is a demonstration of impracticability under CAA Section 189(a)(1)(B)(ii) and does not demonstrate attainment.

H. NO₂ nonattainment and maintenance areas. In addition to the criteria listed in table 1 in Subsection B of 20.2.99.128 NMAC that are required to be satisfied at all times, in NO₂ nonattainment and maintenance areas conformity determinations must include a demonstration that the budget and/or interim emissions tests are satisfied as described in the following.

(1) In NO₂ nonattainment and maintenance areas the budget test must be satisfied as required by 20.2.99.137 NMAC for conformity determinations made:

(b) the publication date of EPA's approval of such a budget in the federal register; or

(c) the effective date of EPA's approval of such a budget in the federal register, if such approval is completed through direct final rulemaking.

(2) In NO₂ nonattainment areas the interim emissions tests must be satisfied as required by 20.2.99.138 NMAC for conformity determinations made when there is no approved motor vehicle emissions budget from an applicable implementation plan and no adequate motor vehicle emissions budget from a submitted control strategy implementation plan revision or maintenance plan.

I. 1997 PM_2.5NAAQS nonattainment and maintenance areas. In addition to the criteria listed in table 1 in Subsection B of section 20.2.99.128 NMAC that are required to be satisfied at all times, in such 1997 PM_2.5nonattainment and maintenance areas conformity determinations must include a demonstration that the budget and/or interim emissions tests are satisfied as described in the following:

(1) FHWA/FTA projects in such 1997 PM_2.5nonattainment or maintenance areas must satisfy the appropriate hot-spot test required by Subsection A of section 20.2.99.135 NMAC.

(2) in such 1997 PM_2.5nonattainment and maintenance areas the budget test must be satisfied as required by 20.2.99.137 NMAC for conformity determinations made on or after:

(b) the publication date of EPA's approval of such a budget in the federal register; or

(c) the effective date of EPA's approval of such a budget in the federal register, if such approval is completed through direct final rulemaking;

(3) in such 1997 PM_2.5nonattainment areas the interim emissions tests must be satisfied as required by section 20.2.99.138 NMAC for conformity determinations made if there is no approved motor vehicle emissions budget from an applicable implementation plan and no adequate motor vehicle emissions budget from a submitted control strategy implementation plan revision or maintenance plan.

J. 2006 PM_2.5NAAQS nonattainment and maintenance areas without 1997 PM_2.5NAAQS motor vehicle emissions budgets for any portion of the 2006 PM_2.5NAAQS area. In addition to the criteria listed in Table 1 of Subsection B of 20.2.99.128 NMAC that are required to be satisfied at all times, in such 2006 PM_2.5nonattainment and maintenance areas conformity determinations must include a demonstration that the budget and/or interim emissions tests are satisfied as described in the following:

(1) FHWA/FTA projects in such PM_2.5nonattainment and maintenance areas must satisfy the appropriate hot-spot test required by Subsection A of 20.2.99.135 NMAC.

(2) In such PM_2.5nonattainment and maintenance areas the budget test must be satisfied as required by 20.2.99.137 NMAC for conformity determinations made on or after:

(a) the effective date of EPA's finding that a motor vehicle emissions budget in a submitted control strategy implementation plan revision or maintenance plan for the 2006 PM_2.5NAAQS is adequate for transportation conformity purposes;

(b) the publication date of EPA's approval of such a budget in the federal register; or

(c) the effective date of EPA's approval of such a budget in the federal register, if such approval is completed through direct final rulemaking.

(3) In such PM_2.5nonattainment areas the interim emissions tests must be satisfied as required by 20.2.99.138 NMAC for conformity determinations made if there is no approved motor vehicle emissions budget from an applicable implementation plan for the 2006 PM_2.5NAAQS and no adequate motor vehicle emissions budget from a submitted control strategy implementation plan revision or maintenance plan for the 2006 PM_2.5NAAQS,

K. 2006 PM_2.5NAAQS nonattainment and maintenance areas with motor vehicle emissions budgets for the 1997 PM_2.5NAAQS that cover all or a portion of the 2006 PM_2.5nonattainment area. In addition to the criteria listed in Table 1 of Subsection B of 20.2.99.128 NMAC that are required to be satisfied at all times, in such 2006 PM_2.5nonattainment and maintenance areas conformity determinations must include a demonstration that the budget and/or interim emissions tests are satisfied as described in the following;

(1) FHWA/FTA projects in such PM_2.5nonattainment and maintenance areas must satisfy the appropriate hot-spot test required by Subsection A of 20.2.99.135.

(2) In such PM_2.5nonattainment and maintenance areas the budget test must be satisfied as required by 20.2.99.137 NMAC for conformity determinations made on or after:

(b) the publication date of EPA's approval of such a budget in the federal register; or

(c) the effective date of EPA's approval of such a budget in the federal register, if such approval is completed through direct final rulemaking.

(3) Prior to Paragraph (2) of Subsection K of 20.2.99.128 NMAC applying, the following test(s) must be satisfied:

(a) if the 2006 PM_2.5nonattainment area covers the same geographic area as the 1997 PM_2.5nonattainment or maintenance area(s), the budget test as required by 20.2.99.137 NMAC using the approved or adequate motor vehicle emissions budgets in the 1997 PM_2.5applicable implementation plan or implementation plan submission;

(b) if the 2006 PM_2.5nonattainment area covers a smaller geographic area within the 1997 PM_2.5nonattainment or maintenance area(s), the budget test as required by 20.2.99.137 NMAC for either;

(i) the 2006 PM_2.5nonattainment area using corresponding portion(s) of the approved or adequate motor vehicle emissions budgets in the 1997 PM_2.5applicable implementation plan or implementation plan submission where such portion(s) can reasonably be identified through the interagency consultation process required by 20.2.99.116 NMAC through 20.2.99.124 NMAC, or

(ii) the 1997 PM_2.5nonattainment area using the approved or adequate motor vehicle emissions budgets in the 1997 PM_2.5applicable implementation plan or implementation plan submission; if additional emissions reductions are necessary to meet the budget test for the 2006 PM_2.5NAAQS in such cases, these emissions reductions must come from within the 2006 nonattainment area;

(c) if the 2006 PM_2.5nonattainment area covers a larger geographic area and encompasses the entire 1997 PM_2.5nonattainment or maintenance area(s);

(i) the budget test as required by 20.2.99.137 NMAC for the portion of the 2006 PM_2.5nonattainment area covered by the approved or adequate motor vehicle emissions budgets in the 1997 PM_2.5applicable implementation plan or implementation plan submission; and the interim emissions tests as required by 20.2.99.138 NMAC for either: the portion of the 2006 PM_2.5nonattainment area not covered by the approved or adequate budgets in the 1997 PM_2.5implementation plan, the entire 2006 PM_2.5nonattainment area, or the entire portion of the 2006 PM_2.5nonattainment area within an individual state, in the case where separate 1997 PM_2.5SIP budgets are established for each state of a multi-state 1997 PM_2.5nonattainment or maintenance area; or

(ii) the budget test as required by 20.2.99.137 NMAC for the entire 2006 PM_2.5nonattainment area using the approved or adequate motor vehicle emissions budgets in the applicable 1997 PM_2.5implementation plan or implementation plan submission;.

(d) if the 2006 PM_2.5nonattainment area partially covers a 1997 PM_2.5nonattainment or maintenance area(s);

(i) the budget test as required by 20.2.99.137 NMAC for the portion of the 2006 PM_2.5nonattainment area covered by the corresponding portion of the approved or adequate motor vehicle emissions budgets in the 1997 PM_2.5applicable implementation plan or implementation plan submission where they can be reasonably identified through the interagency consultation process required by 20.2.99.116 NMAC through 20.2.99.124 NMAC; and

(ii) the interim emissions tests as required by 20.2.99.138 NMAC, when applicable, for either: the portion of the 2006 PM_2.5nonattainment area not covered by the approved or adequate budgets in the 1997 PM_2.5implementation plan, the entire 2006 PM_2.5nonattainment area, or the entire portion of the 2006 PM_2.5nonattainment area within an individual state, in the case where separate 1997 PM_2.5SIP budgets are established for each state in a multi-state 1997 PM_2.5nonattainment or maintenance area.

L. Areas with limited maintenance plans. Notwithstanding the other paragraphs of this section, an area is not required to satisfy the regional emissions analysis for sections 20.2.99.137 NMAC and/or 20.2.99.138 NMAC for a given pollutant and NAAQS, if the area has an adequate or approved limited maintenance plan would have to demonstrate that it would be unreasonable to expect that such an area would experience enough motor vehicle emissions growth for a NAAQS violations to occur. A conformity determination that meets other applicable criteria in table 1 or Subsection B of this section (20.2.99.128 NMAC) is still required, including the hot-spot requirements for projects in CO, PM₁₀, and PM_2.5areas.

M. Areas with insignificant motor vehicle emissions. Notwithstanding the other subsections in this section (20.2.99.128 NMAC), and area is not required to satisfy a regional emissions analysis for sections 20.2.99.137 NMAC and/or 20.2.99.138 NMAC for a given pollutant/precursor and NAAQS, if EPA finds through the adequacy or approval process that a SIP demonstrates that regional motor vehicle emissions are an insignificant contributor to the air quality problem for that pollutant/precursor and NAAQS. The SIP would have to demonstrate that it would be unreasonable to expect that such an area would experience enough motor vehicle emissions growth in that pollutant/precursor for a NAAQS violation to occur. Such a finding would be based on a number of factors, including the percentage of motor vehicle emissions in the context of the total SIP inventory, the current state of air quality as determined by monitoring data for that NAAQS, the absence of SIP motor vehicle control measures, and historical trends and future projections of the growth of motor vehicle emissions. A conformity determination that meets other applicable criteria in table 1 or Subsection B of this section (20.2.99.128 NMAC) is still required, including regional emissions analyses for sections 20.2.99.137 NMAC and/or 20.2.99.138 NMAC for other pollutants/precursors and NAAQS that apply. Hot-spot requirements for projects in CO, PM₁₀, and PM_2.5areas in section 20.2.99.135 NMAC must also be satisfied, unless EPA determined that the SIP also demonstrates that projects will not create new localized violations and/or increase the severity or number of existing violations of such NAAQS. If EPA subsequently finds that motor vehicle emissions of a given pollutant/precursor are significant, this subsection would no longer apply for future conformity determinations for that pollutant/precursor and NAAQS.

N. Isolated rural nonattainment and maintenance areas. This subsection applies to any nonattainment or maintenance area (or portion thereof) which does not have a metropolitan transportation plan or TIP and whose projects are not part of the emissions analysis of any MPO's metropolitan transportation plan or TIP. This subsection does not apply to "donut" areas which are outside the metropolitan planning boundary and inside the nonattainment/maintenance area boundary.

(1) FHWA/FTA projects in all isolated rural nonattainment and maintenance areas must satisfy the requirements of 20.2.99.129 NMAC through 20.2.99.131 NMAC, Subsection D of 20.2.99.132 NMAC, 20.2.99.135 NMAC, and 20.2.99.136 NMAC. Until US EPA approves the control strategy implementation plan or maintenance plan for a rural CO nonattainment or maintenance area, FHWA/FTA projects must also satisfy the requirements of Subsection B of 20.2.99.135 NMAC ("Localized CO, PM₁₀, and PM_2.5violations (hot spots)").

(2) Isolated rural nonattainment and maintenance areas are subject to the budget and/or interim emissions tests as described in Subsections C through M of 20.2.99.128 NMAC, with the following modifications:

(a) when the requirements of Subsection D of 20.2.99.125 NMAC, 20.2.99.135 NMAC, 20.2.99.137 NMAC and 20.2.99.138 NMAC apply to isolated rural nonattainment and maintenance areas, references to "transportation plan" or "TIP" should be taken to mean those projects in the statewide transportation plan or statewide TIP which are in the rural nonattainment or maintenance area; when the requirements of Subsection D of 20.2.99.125 NMAC apply to isolated rural nonattainment and maintenance areas, references to "MPO" should be taken to mean NMDOT;

(b) in isolated rural nonattainment and maintenance areas that are subject to 20.2.99.137 NMAC, FHWA/FTA projects must be consistent with motor vehicle emissions budget(s) for the years in the timeframe of the attainment demonstration or maintenance plan; for years after the attainment year (if a maintenance plan has not been submitted) or after the last year of the maintenance plan, FHWA/FTA projects must satisfy one of the following requirements:

(i)20.2.99.137 NMAC;

(ii)20.2.99.138 NMAC (including regional emissions analysis for NOx in all ozone nonattainment and maintenance areas, notwithstanding Paragraph (2) of Subsection F of 20.2.99.138 NMAC; or

(iii) as demonstrated by the air quality dispersion model or other air quality modeling technique used in the attainment demonstration or maintenance plan, the FHWA/FTA project, in combination with all other regionally significant projects expected in the area in the timeframe of the statewide transportation plan, must not cause or contribute to any new violation of any standard in any areas; increase the frequency or severity of any existing violation of any standard in any area; or delay timely attainment of any standard or any required interim emission reductions or other milestones in any area; control measures assumed in the analysis must be enforceable;

(c) the choice of requirements in Subparagraph (b) of Paragraph (2) of Subsection N of 20.2.99.128 NMAC and the methodology used to meet the requirements of item (iii) of Subparagraph (b) of Paragraph (2) of Subsection N of 20.2.99.128 NMAC must be determined through the interagency consultation process required in Paragraph (6) of Subsection B of 20.2.99.117 NMAC and Paragraph (5) of Subsection C of 20.2.99.117 NMAC through which the relevant recipients of title 23 U.S.C. or federal transit laws funds, NMDOT, the department, or the local air quality agency should reach consensus about the option and methodology selected; US EPA and US DOT must be consulted through this process as well; in the event of unresolved disputes, conflicts may be escalated to the governor consistent with the procedure in 20.2.99.123 NMAC, which applies to department comments on a conformity determination.

N.M. Admin. Code § 20.2.99.128

12/14/94; 11/23/98; 20.2.99.128 NMAC - Rn, 20 NMAC 2.99.128 10/31/02; A, 10/15/05; A, 9/1/07; A, 06/01/09; A, 11/07/11