[Federal Register: September 28, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 188)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 56872-56881]
[DOCID:fr28se06-12]

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 52

[EPA-R06-OAR-2005-TX-0015; FRL-8224-7]

Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans;
Texas; Revisions to Control Volatile Organic Compound Emissions;
Volatile Organic Compound Control for El Paso, Gregg, Nueces, and
Victoria Counties and the Ozone Standard Nonattainment Areas of
Beaumont/Port Arthur, Dallas/Fort Worth, and Houston/Galveston

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Direct final rule.

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SUMMARY: EPA is taking direct final action to approve Texas State
Implementation Plan (SIP) revisions. The revisions pertain to
regulations to control Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) emissions from
facilities in El Paso, Gregg, Nueces, and Victoria Counties; the 8-hour
ozone standard nonattainment areas of Beaumont/Port Arthur and Houston/
Galveston; and portions of the Dallas/Fort Worth 8-hour ozone standard
nonattainment area. The revisions add additional controls on VOC
emissions from industrial wastewater systems in the Beaumont/Port
Arthur, Dallas/Fort Worth, El Paso, and Houston/Galveston areas. The
revisions also amend requirements to identify and correct emissions
from VOC leaks from facilities that refine petroleum or process natural
gas, gasoline or petrochemicals in the Beaumont/Port Arthur, Dallas/
Fort Worth, El Paso, and Houston/Galveston areas, and from petroleum
refineries in Gregg, Nueces, and Victoria Counties. We are approving
the revisions pursuant to section 110 and part D of the Federal Clean
Air Act (CAA). The control of VOC emissions will help to attain and
maintain the 8-hour national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS) for
ozone in Texas. This approval will make the revised regulations
Federally enforceable.

DATES: This rule is effective on November 27, 2006 without further
notice, unless EPA receives relevant adverse comment by October 30,
2006. If EPA receives such comment, EPA will publish a timely
withdrawal in the Federal Register informing the public that this rule
will not take effect.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket No. EPA-R06-OAR-
2005-TX-0015, by one of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov.

Follow the online instructions for submitting comments.
     EPA Region 6 ``Contact Us'' Web site: http://epa.gov/region6/r6coment.htm.
 Please click on ``6PD'' (Multimedia) and select

``Air'' before submitting comments.
     E-mail: Mr. Thomas Diggs at<EMAIL_ADDRESS>Please
also send a copy by e-mail to the person listed in the FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT section below.
     Fax: Mr. Thomas Diggs, Chief, Air Planning Section (6PD-
L), at fax number<PHONE_NUMBER>.
     Mail: Mr. Thomas Diggs, Chief, Air Planning Section (6PD-
L), Environmental Protection Agency, 1445 Ross Avenue, Suite 1200,
Dallas, Texas 75202-2733.
     Hand or Courier Delivery: Mr. Thomas Diggs, Chief, Air
Planning Section (6PD-L), Environmental Protection Agency, 1445 Ross
Avenue, Suite 1200, Dallas, Texas 75202-2733. Such deliveries are
accepted only between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays except
for legal holidays. Special arrangements should be made for deliveries
of boxed information.
    Instructions: Direct your comments to Docket ID No. EPA-R06-OAR-
2005-TX-0015. EPA's policy is that all comments received will be
included in the public docket without change and may be made available
online at http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information

provided, unless the comment includes information claimed to be
Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose
disclosure is restricted by statute.

Do not submit information that you consider to be CBI or otherwise
protected through http://www.regulations.gov or e-mail. The

http://www.regulations.gov Web site is an ``anonymous access'' system, which

means EPA will not know your identity or contact information unless you
provide it in the body of your comment. If you send an e-mail comment
directly to EPA without going through http://www.regulations.gov your e-mail

address will be automatically captured and included as part of the
comment that is placed in the public docket and made available on the
Internet. If you submit an electronic comment, EPA recommends that you
include your name and other contact information in the body of your
comment and with any disk or CD-ROM you submit. If EPA cannot read your
comment due to technical difficulties and cannot contact you for
clarification, EPA may not be able to consider your comment. Electronic
files should avoid the use of special characters, any form of
encryption, and be free of any defects or viruses.
    Docket: All documents in the docket are listed in the
http://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 http://www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at the Air Planning Section

(6PD-L), Environmental Protection Agency, 1445 Ross Avenue, Suite 700,
Dallas, Texas 75202-2733. The file will be made available by
appointment for public inspection in the Region 6 FOIA Review Room
between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. weekdays except for legal
holidays. Contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT paragraph below or Mr. Bill Deese at<PHONE_NUMBER> to make an
appointment. If possible, please make the appointment at least two
working days in advance of your visit. There will be a 15 cent per page
fee for making photocopies of documents. On the day of the visit,
please check in at the EPA Region 6 reception area at 1445 Ross Avenue,
Suite 700, Dallas, Texas.
    The State submittal is also available for public inspection at the
State Air Agency listed below during official business hours by
appointment:
    Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Office of Air Quality,
12124 Park 35 Circle, Austin, Texas 78753.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carl Young, Air Planning Section (6PD-
L), Environmental Protection Agency, Region 6, 1445 Ross Avenue, Suite
700, Dallas, Texas 75202-2733, telephone<PHONE_NUMBER>; fax number 214-
665-7263; e-mail address<EMAIL_ADDRESS>
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Throughout this document, whenever ``we'',
``us'', or ``our'' is used, we mean the EPA.

Outline

I. What Is a SIP?
II. What Rules Were Submitted by Texas To Be Approved Into the SIP?
    A. Texas Revisions to VOC Control Regulations
    B. Revisions to VOC Rules for Industrial Wastewater Systems in
the Beaumont/Port Arthur, Dallas/Fort Worth, El Paso, and Houston/
Galveston Areas
    C. Revisions to VOC Rules for Facilities that Refine Petroleum
or Process Natural Gas, Gasoline or Petrochemicals in the Beaumont/
Port Arthur, Dallas/Fort Worth, El Paso, and Houston/Galveston Areas
    D. Revisions to VOC Rules for Petroleum Refineries in Gregg,
Nueces, and Victoria Counties
III. What Action Is EPA Taking?
IV. What Is the Effect of This Action?
V. Final Action
VI. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

I. What Is a SIP?

    Section 110 of the CAA requires states to develop air pollution
regulations and control strategies to ensure that state air quality
meets the national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) established by
EPA. These ambient standards are established under section 109 of the
CAA, and they currently address six criteria pollutants. These
pollutants are: Carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, lead,
particulate matter, and sulfur dioxide.
    Each State which contains areas that are not attaining the NAAQS
must submit regulations and control strategies to us for approval and
incorporation into the Federally-enforceable SIP.
    Each Federally-approved SIP protects air quality primarily by
addressing air pollution at its point of origin. These SIPs can be
extensive, containing state regulations or other enforceable documents
and supporting information such as emission inventories, monitoring
networks, and modeling demonstrations.

II. What Rules Were Submitted by Texas To Be Approved Into the SIP?

A. Texas Revisions to VOC Control Regulations

    Texas submitted rules for inclusion into the SIP for ozone which
added and amended requirements to control VOC emissions. VOCs are a key
component in the formation of ozone. The revised rules also made a
variety of changes which make the rules easier to read. The revisions
amended Title 30 of the Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 115, Control
of Air Pollution from Volatile Organic Compounds (30 TAC 115). See our
Technical Support Document (TSD) for more information.
    The State rules (1) Add new requirements to control VOC emissions
from industrial wastewater systems in El Paso County, the Beaumont/Port
Arthur and Houston/Galveston 8-hour ozone standard nonattainment areas,
and the Dallas/Fort Worth area Counties of Collin, Dallas, Denton, and
Tarrant, and (2) amend requirements to identify and correct emissions
from VOC leaks from facilities that refine petroleum or process natural
gas, gasoline or petrochemicals in these areas and from petroleum
refineries in Gregg, Nueces, and Victoria Counties. The Beaumont/Port
Arthur 8-hour ozone standard nonattainment area includes Hardin,
Jefferson, and Orange Counties. The Houston/Galveston 8-hour ozone
standard nonattainment area includes Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend,
Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery and Waller Counties. Collin,
Dallas, Denton, and Tarrant Counties are part of the Dallas/Fort Worth
8-hour ozone standard nonattainment area. These counties, as well as El
Paso County, were designated as nonattainment for the 1-hour ozone
standard. On April 30, 2004 we published Phase 1 of a final rule to
implement the 8-hour ozone standard and revoke the 1-hour ozone
standard (69 FR 23951). We also promulgated designations and boundaries
for areas of the country with respect to the 8-hour ozone standard (69
FR 23858). El Paso County was designated as attainment for the 8-hour
standard. The Dallas/Fort Worth area Counties of Collin, Dallas,
Denton, and Tarrant as well as Ellis, Johnson, Kaufman, Parker and
Rockwall were designated as nonattainment for the 8-hour standard.

B. Revisions to VOC Rules for Industrial Wastewater Systems in the
Beaumont/Port Arthur, Dallas/Fort Worth, El Paso, and Houston/Galveston
Areas

    The revisions added requirements for industrial wastewater systems
in El Paso County, the Beaumont/Port Arthur and Houston/Galveston 8-
hour ozone nonattainment areas, and Collin, Dallas, Denton, and Tarrant
Counties in the Dallas/Fort Worth 8-hour ozone nonattainment area. With
certain exceptions, these systems may not use

VOCs as the sealing liquid in water seals for industrial wastewater
systems (30 TAC 115.142). Use of VOCs in a water seal will result in
unnecessary VOC emissions. Ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, or other
low vapor pressure antifreeze may be used during the period of November
through February for freeze protection. A gasketed seal, or a tightly-
fitting cap or plug, is required on process drains that are not
equipped with water seals. If not properly sealed, process drains can
have uncontrolled VOC emissions. Operators of these systems must follow
a specific repair schedule for components found to be leaking, and
verify that adequate leak repairs have been made (30 TAC 115.142). A
component is a piece of equipment, including, but not limited to,
pumps, valves, compressors, connectors, and pressure relief valves,
which has the potential to leak volatile organic compounds (30 TAC
115.10(6)). Operators must also (1) Inspect water seals weekly to
ensure that the water seal controls are properly designed and restrict
ventilation, (2) daily inspect water seals that have failed three or
more inspections in any 12 month period, and (3) inspect process drains
not equipped with water seal controls weekly, to ensure that all
gaskets, caps and plugs are adequate to control VOC emissions (30 TAC
115.144).

C. Revisions to VOC Rules for Facilities that Refine Petroleum or
Process Natural Gas, Gasoline or Petrochemicals in the Beaumont/Port
Arthur, Dallas/Fort Worth, El Paso, and Houston/Galveston Areas

    The revisions amended requirements for facilities that refine
petroleum or process natural gas, gasoline or petrochemicals in El Paso
County, the Beaumont/Port Arthur and Houston/Galveston 8-hour ozone
nonattainment areas, and Collin, Dallas, Denton, and Tarrant Counties
in the Dallas/Fort Worth 8-hour ozone nonattainment area. Requirements
were also added for delaying repair of a VOC component leak (30 TAC
115.352). If the repair of a component within 15 days after the leak is
detected would require a process unit shutdown that would create more
emissions than the repair would eliminate, the repair may be delayed
until the next scheduled process unit shutdown. Additional requirements
specify that (1) Delay of repair beyond a process unit shutdown will be
allowed for a component if that component is isolated from the process
and does not remain in VOC service; (2) valves that can be safely
repaired without a process unit shutdown may not be placed on the
shutdown list; and (3) delay of repair will be allowed for pumps,
compressors, or agitators if the repair is completed as soon as
practicable, but not later than six months after the leak was detected,
and the repair requires replacing the existing seal design with: (a) A
dual mechanical seal system that includes a barrier fluid system, (b) a
system that is designed with no externally actuated shaft penetrating
the housing; or (c) a closed-vent system and control device that meets
the Texas requirements to control vent gas streams with a control
efficiency of at least 98% or to a VOC concentration of no more than 20
parts per million by volume (30 TAC 122(a)(2)). Flexibility to VOC
control requirements was provided by allowing use of leak-tight devices
similar to rupture disks on pressure relief valves (30 TAC 115.352(9)).
    Revisions to monitoring and inspection requirements (30 TAC
115.354) state that: (1) All component monitoring must occur when the
component is in contact with process material and the process unit is
in service; (2) monitored screening concentrations must be recorded for
each component in gaseous or light liquid service; and (3) all new
connectors must be checked for leaks within 30 days of being placed in
volatile organic compound service by monitoring with a hydrocarbon gas
analyzer for components in light liquid and gas service and by using
visual, audio, and/or olfactory means for components in heavy liquid
service, except that components that are unsafe to monitor or inspect
are exempt from this requirement if they are monitored or inspected as
soon as possible during times that are safe to monitor. The revisions
also specify that only process drains receiving or contacting affected
VOC wastewater streams are required to conduct the yearly hydrocarbon
gas analyzer monitoring. Flanges are excluded from weekly sight, sound
or smell inspection provided they are monitored at least annually using
EPA method 21 (40 CFR 60), or unsafe to inspect. Revisions to record
keeping requirements state that the facilities must keep records: (1)
Of the date on which a first attempt at repair was made to a component
that is leaking VOCs; (2) identifying each process unit, including the
name of each process unit, a scale plot plan showing the location of
each process unit, process flow diagrams for each process unit showing
the general process streams and major equipment on which the components
are located, and the expected VOC emissions if the process unit is shut
down for repair of components or other equipment; (3) on all data for
each component required to be monitored with a hydrocarbon gas
analyzer; and (4) to justify exempting components from monitoring
requirements. These records will improve enforceability by enabling
inspectors to more readily determine compliance with VOC control
requirements.
    Additional exemptions were added to the requirements for
controlling VOCs (115.357). Exemptions were added to the requirement
for a second valve, blind flange, or tightly fitting plug or cap on a
pipe or line containing VOC for: (1) Open-ended valves or lines in an
emergency shutdown system which are designed to open automatically in
the event of an emissions event; (2) open-ended valves or lines
containing materials which would autocatalytically polymerize or would
present an explosion, serious overpressure, or other safety hazard if
capped or equipped with a double block and bleed system; (3)
instrumentation systems that meet 40 CFR 63.169; (4) sampling
connection systems that meet Federal air pollution regulations for such
systems found at 40 CFR 63.166 (a) and (b); (5) components that are
insulated, making them inaccessible to monitoring with a hydrocarbon
gas analyzer; and (6) components or systems that have a VOC vapor
pressure equal to or less than 0.002 pounds per square inch at 68
degrees Fahrenheit.

D. Revisions to VOC Rules for Petroleum Refineries in Gregg, Nueces,
and Victoria Counties

    The revisions amended requirements for petroleum refineries in
Gregg, Nueces, and Victoria Counties. These refineries may choose to
monitor all components in liquid service on a quarterly basis in lieu
of marking all pipeline valves and pressure relief valves in gaseous
VOC service (30 TAC 115.322). This option should result in more
frequent monitoring of components in liquid service, but will add
flexibility for owners or operators to be able to choose which option
will be most efficient and effective for their refinery. The refineries
also have additional record keeping requirements for their VOC leak
monitoring program (30 TAC 115.326). These records include: (1) The
date a component was monitored, (2) the results of the monitoring, (3)
the test method used, (4) the date a first attempt at repair was made
to a leaking component, and (5) the date a leaking component is placed
on the shutdown list.

III. What Action Is EPA Taking?

    EPA is taking direct final action to approve revisions to the Texas
SIP that pertain to regulations which control VOC emissions in Texas.
The revisions were adopted by the State of Texas and submitted to EPA
on (1) September 7, 2001, (2) July 18, 2002, (3) January 28, 2003, (4)
November 7, 2003, and (5) December 17, 2004.
    The revisions submitted to EPA that are being approved amend
Sec. Sec.  115.113, 115.116, 115.117, 115.120-115.123, 115.126,
115.127, 115.129, 115.132, 115.133, 115.136, 115.137, 115.139, 115.140,
115.142-115.145, 115.147, 115.149, 115.153, 115.159, 115.160, 115.161,
115.166, 115.167 115.169, 115.311-115.313, 115.316, 115.319, 115.322,
115.323, 115.325-115.327, 115.329, 115.352-115.357, 115.359, 115.532,
115.533, 115.535, 115.539, 115.541-115.543, 115.545-115.547, 115.549,
115.552, 115.559, 115.910-115.916, 115.920, 115.923, 115.930, 115.932,
115.934, and 115.940 in 30 TAC 115. The revisions (1) Add additional
controls on VOC emissions from industrial wastewater systems in El Paso
County, the Beaumont/Port Arthur and Houston/Galveston 8-hour ozone
standard nonattainment areas, and the Dallas/Fort Worth area Counties
of Collin, Dallas, Denton, and Tarrant, and (2) amend requirements to
identify and correct emissions from VOC leaks from facilities that
refine petroleum or process natural gas, gasoline or petrochemicals in
El Paso County, the Beaumont/Port Arthur and Houston/Galveston 8-hour
ozone standard nonattainment areas, and the Dallas/Fort Worth area
Counties of Collin, Dallas, Denton, and Tarrant, and from petroleum
refineries in Gregg, Nueces, and Victoria Counties.
    We are approving the revisions pursuant to section 110 and part D
of the CAA. Many of these revisions are nonsubstantive changes which
clarify rules that are already contained in the Texas ozone SIP. The
other revisions strengthen the Texas ozone SIP as they (1) Reduce VOC
emissions by adding additional controls, and (2) improve requirements
to identify and correct emissions from VOC leaks from facilities. The
control of VOC emissions will help to attain and maintain the 8-hour
national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS) for ozone in Texas. As
such, EPA's approval of the State's revisions will not interfere with
any applicable requirement concerning attainment or any other
applicable requirement of the CAA in compliance with the requirements
of section 110(l) of the CAA. Under section 110(l) EPA may not approve
a SIP revision if the revision would interfere with any applicable
requirement concerning attainment or any other applicable requirement
of the CAA. This approval will make the revised regulations federally
enforceable. Other revisions of the Texas VOC regulations submitted to
EPA will be addressed in another Federal Register action. See our TSD
for more information.
    We are also making ministerial corrections to the table in 40 CFR
52.2270(c) to reflect SIP submittal dates, Federal Register citations
of EPA action and EPA approved State regulations. The ministerial
corrections apply to table entries for Sections 115.125, 115.146,
115.148, 115.162, 115.163, 115.164, and 115.165. Table entries for
Section 115.332 to 115.339, and Section 115.342 to 115.349 are being
removed to reflect EPA approval of the repeal of these State
regulations on January 26, 1999 (64 FR 3841).

IV. What Is the Effect of This Action?

    This action approves revisions to the Texas SIP that pertain to
regulations to control VOC emissions. The control of VOC emissions will
help to attain and maintain the 8-hour NAAQS for ozone in Texas. This
approval will make these revised regulations Federally enforceable.
Enforcement of the regulations in a State SIP before and after it is
incorporated into the Federally approved SIP is primarily a state
responsibility. However, after the regulations are Federally approved,
we are authorized to take enforcement action against violators.
Citizens are also offered legal recourse as described in section 304
and 307 of the CAA.

V. Final Action

    EPA is approving revisions to the Texas SIP pertaining to control
of VOC emissions. The revisions were submitted to EPA by the State of
Texas on (1) September 7, 2001, (2) July 18, 2002, (3) January 28,
2003, (4) November 7, 2003, and (5) December 17, 2004. The revisions
being approved are Sec. Sec.  115.113, 115.116, 115.117, 115.120-
115.123, 115.126, 115.127, 115.129, 115.132, 115.133, 115.136, 115.137,
115.139, 115.140, 115.142-115.145, 115.147, 115.149, 115.153, 115.159,
115.160, 115.161, 115.166, 115.167 115.169, 115.311-115.313, 115.316,
115.319, 115.322, 115.323, 115.325-115.327, 115.329, 115.352-115.357,
115.359, 115.532, 115.533, 115.535, 115.539, 115.541-115.543, 115.545-
115.547, 115.549, 115.552, 115.559, 115.910-115.916, 115.920, 115.923,
115.930, 115.932, 115.934, and 115.940 in 30 TAC Chapter 115, Control
of Air Pollution from Volatile Organic Compounds.
    We have evaluated the State's submittal and have determined that it
meets the applicable requirements of the CAA and EPA air quality
regulations. Therefore, we are approving revisions to the Texas SIP of
regulations to control VOC emissions. The control of VOC emissions will
help to attain and maintain the 8-hour national ambient air quality
standard for ozone in Texas.
    We are also making ministerial corrections to the table in 40 CFR
52.2270(c) to reflect SIP submittal dates and Federal Register
citations of EPA action. The ministerial corrections apply to table
entries for Sections 115.125, 115.146, 115.148, 115.162, 115.163,
115.164, and 115.165.
    EPA is publishing this rule without prior proposal because we view
this as a noncontroversial amendment and anticipate no relevant adverse
comments. However, in the proposed rules section of this Federal
Register publication, we are publishing a separate document that will
serve as the proposal to approve the SIP revision if relevant adverse
comments are received. This rule will be effective on November 27, 2006
without further notice unless we receive relevant adverse comment by
October 30, 2006. If we receive relevant adverse comments, we will
publish a timely withdrawal in the Federal Register informing the
public that the rule will not take effect. We will address all public
comments in a subsequent final rule based on the proposed rule. We will
not institute a second comment period on this action. Any parties
interested in commenting must do so now. Please note that if we receive
adverse comment on an amendment, paragraph, or section of this rule and
if that provision may be severed from the remainder of the rule, we may
adopt as final those provisions of the rule that are not the subject of
an adverse comment.

VI. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

    Under Executive Order 12866 (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993), this
action is not a ``significant regulatory action'' and therefore is not
subject to review by the Office of Management and Budget. For this
reason and because this action will not have a significant, adverse
effect on the supply, distribution, or use of energy, this action is
also not subject to Executive Order 13211, ``Actions Concerning
Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or
Use'' (66 FR 28355, May 22, 2001). This action merely approves state
law as meeting Federal requirements and imposes no additional

requirements beyond those imposed by State law. Accordingly, the
Administrator certifies that this rule will not have a significant
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities under the
Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.). Because this rule
approves pre-existing requirements under state law and does not impose
any additional enforceable duty beyond that required by state law, it
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).
    This rule also does not have tribal implications because it will
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). This action also does not have Federalism
implications because it does 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 (64
FR 43255, August 10, 1999). This action merely approves a state rule
implementing a Federal standard, and does not alter the relationship or
the distribution of power and responsibilities established in the CAA.
This rule also is not subject to Executive Order 13045 ``Protection of
Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks'' (62 FR
19885, April 23, 1997), because it is not economically significant.
    In reviewing SIP submissions under the National Technology Transfer
and Advancement Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272 note), EPA's role is to
approve state choices, provided that they meet the criteria of the CAA.
In this context, in the absence of a prior existing requirement for the
State to use voluntary consensus standards (VCS), EPA has no authority
to disapprove a SIP submission for failure to use VCS. It would thus be
inconsistent with applicable law for EPA, when it reviews a SIP
submission, to use VCS in place of a SIP submission that otherwise
satisfies the provisions of the CAA. Thus, the requirements of section
12(d) of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995
do not apply. This rule does not impose an information collection
burden under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).
    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. 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 publication of the rule in the Federal Register. A major rule cannot
take effect until 60 days after it is published in the Federal
Register. This action is not a ``major rule'' as defined by 5 U.S.C.
section 804(2).
    Under section 307(b)(1) of the CAA, petitions for judicial review
of this action must be filed in the United States Court of Appeals for
the appropriate circuit by November 27, 2006. Filing a petition for
reconsideration by the Administrator of this final rule does not affect
the finality of this rule for the purposes of judicial review nor does
it extend the time within which a petition for judicial review may be
filed, and shall not postpone the effectiveness of such rule or action.
This action may not be challenged later in proceedings to enforce its
requirements. (See section 307(b)(2).)

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52

    Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Intergovernmental
relations, Ozone, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Volatile
organic compounds.

    Dated: September 12, 2006.
Richard E. Greene,
Regional Administrator, Region 6.

0
40 CFR part 52 is amended as follows:

PART 52--[AMENDED]

0
1. The authority citation for part 52 continues to read as follows:

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

Subpart SS--Texas

0
2. The table in Sec.  52.2270(c) entitled ``EPA Approved Regulations in
the Texas SIP'' is amended under Chapter 115 (Reg 5) as follows:
0
a. By revising Subchapter B--General Volatile Organic Compound Sources.
0
b. By revising Subchapter D--Petroleum Refining and Petrochemical
Processes.
0
c. By revising Subchapter F--Miscellaneous Industrial Sources.
0
d. By revising Subchapter J--Administrative Provisions.

Sec.  52.2270  Identification of plan.

* * * * *
    (c) * * *

                                    EPA-Approved Regulations in the Texas SIP
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                                                            State
                                                          approval/
          State citation               Title/subject      submittal     EPA approval date        Explanation
                                                             date
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                  Chapter 115 (Reg 5)--Control of Air Pollution from Volatile Organic Compounds
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                                                  * * * * * * *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                             Subchapter B--General Volatile Organic Compound Sources
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                Division 1: Storage of Volatile Organic Compounds
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section 115.112..................  Control Requirements     05/08/92  03/07/95, 60 FR       ....................
                                                                       12438.
Section 115.113..................  Alternate Control        04/26/02  09/28/06 [Insert FR   ....................
                                    Requirements.                      page number where
                                                                       document begins].

Section 115.114..................  Inspection               05/08/92  03/07/95, 60 FR       ....................
                                    Requirements.                      12438.
Section 115.115..................  Approved Test            05/08/92  03/07/95, 60 FR       ....................
                                    Methods.                           12438.
Section 115.116..................  Monitoring and           04/26/02  09/28/06 [Insert FR   ....................
                                    Recordkeeping                      page number where
                                    Requirements.                      document begins].
Section 115.117..................  Exemptions..........     04/26/02  09/28/06 [Insert FR   ....................
                                                                       page number where
                                                                       document begins].
Section 115.119..................  Counties and             05/08/92  03/07/95, 60 FR       ....................
                                    Compliance                         12438.
                                    Schedules.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          Division 2: Vent Gas Control
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section 115.120..................  Vent Gas Definitions     12/13/02  09/28/06 [Insert FR   ....................
                                                                       page number where
                                                                       document begins].
Section 115.121..................  Emission                 12/13/02  09/28/06 [Insert FR   ....................
                                    Specifications.                    page number where
                                                                       document begins].
Section 115.122..................  Control Requirements     12/13/02  09/28/06 [Insert FR   ....................
                                                                       page number where
                                                                       document begins].
Section 115.123..................  Alternate Control        12/13/02  09/28/06 [Insert FR   ....................
                                    Requirements.                      page number where
                                                                       document begins].
Section 115.125..................  Testing Requirements     12/06/00  07/16/01, 66 FR       ....................
                                                                       36913.
Section 115.126..................  Monitoring and           12/13/02  09/28/06 [Insert FR   ....................
                                    Recordkeeping                      page number where
                                    Requirements.                      document begins].
Section 115.127..................  Exemptions..........     12/13/02  09/28/06 [Insert FR   ....................
                                                                       page number where
                                                                       document begins].
Section 115.129..................  Counties and             12/13/02  09/28/06 [Insert FR   ....................
                                    Compliance                         page number where
                                    Schedules.                         document begins].
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Division 3: Control of Volatile Organic Compound Leaks From Transport Vessels
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section 115.131..................  Emission                 05/04/94  05/22/97, 62 FR       ....................
                                    Specifications.                    27964.
Section 115.132..................  Control Requirements     04/26/02  09/28/06 [Insert FR   ....................
                                                                       page number where
                                                                       document begins].
Section 115.133..................  Alternate Control        04/26/02  09/28/06 [Insert FR   ....................
                                    Requirements.                      page number where
                                                                       document begins].
Section 115.135..................  Testing Requirements     05/04/94  05/22/97, 62 FR       ....................
                                                                       27964.
Section 115.136..................  Monitoring and           04/26/02  09/28/06 [Insert FR   ....................
                                    Recordkeeping                      page number where
                                    Requirements.                      document begins].
Section 115.137..................  Exemptions..........     04/26/02  09/28/06 [Insert FR   ....................
                                                                       page number where
                                                                       document begins].
Section 115.139..................  Counties and             04/26/02  09/28/06 [Insert FR   ....................
                                    Compliance                         page number where
                                    Schedules.                         document begins].
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        Division 4: Industrial Wastewater
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section 115.140..................  Industrial               04/26/02  09/28/06 [Insert FR   ....................
                                    Wastewater                         page number where
                                    Definitions.                       document begins].
Section 115.142..................  Control Requirements     12/13/02  09/28/06 [Insert FR   ....................
                                                                       page number where
                                                                       document begins].
Section 115.143..................  Alternate Control        12/13/02  09/28/06 [Insert FR   ....................
                                    Requirements.                      page number where
                                                                       document begins].
Section 115.144..................  Inspection and           12/13/02  09/28/06 [Insert FR   ....................
                                    Monitoring                         page number where
                                    Requirements.                      document begins].

Section 115.145..................  Approved Test            04/26/02  09/28/06 [Insert FR   ....................
                                    Methods.                           page number where
                                                                       document begins].
Section 115.146..................  Recordkeeping            10/27/99  12/20/00, 65 FR       ....................
                                    Requirements.                      79745.
Section 115.147..................  Exemptions..........     12/13/02  09/28/06 [Insert FR   ....................
                                                                       page number where
                                                                       document begins].
Section 115.148..................  Training                 10/27/99  12/20/00, 65 FR       ....................
                                    Requirements.                      79745.
Section 115.149..................  Counties and             12/13/02  09/28/06 [Insert FR   ....................
                                    Compliance                         page number where
                                    Schedules..                        document begins].
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   Division 5: Municipal Solid Waste Landfills
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section 115.152..................  Control Requirements     05/04/94  05/22/97, 62 FR       ....................
                                                                       27964.
Section 115.153..................  Alternate Control        04/26/02  09/28/06 [Insert FR   ....................
                                    Requirements.                      page number where
                                                                       document begins].
Section 115.155..................  Approved Test            05/04/94  05/22/97, 62 FR       ....................
                                    Methods.                           27964.
Section 115.156..................  Monitoring and           05/04/94  05/22/97, 62 FR       ....................
                                    Recordkeeping                      27964.
                                    Requirements.
Section 115.157..................  Exemptions..........     05/04/94  05/22/97, 62 FR       ....................
                                                                       27964.
Section 115.159..................  Counties and             04/26/02  09/28/06 [Insert FR   ....................
                                    Compliance                         page number where
                                    Schedules.                         document begins].
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           Division 6: Batch Processes
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section 115.160..................  Batch Process            12/13/02  09/28/06 [Insert FR   ....................
                                    Definitions.                       page number where
                                                                       document begins].
Section 115.161..................  Applicability.......     12/13/02  09/28/06 [Insert FR   ....................
                                                                       page number where
                                                                       document begins].
Section 115.162..................  Control Requirements     12/06/00  07/16/01, 66 FR       ....................
                                                                       36913
Section 115.163..................  Alternate Control        10/27/99  12/20/00, 65 FR       ....................
                                    Requirements.                      79745
Section 115.164..................  Determination of         12/06/00  07/16/01, 66 FR       ....................
                                    Emissions and Flow                 36913
                                    Rates.
Section 115.165..................  Approved Test            12/06/00  07/16/01, 66 FR
                                    Methods and Testing                36913.
                                    Requirements.
Section 115.166..................  Monitoring and           12/13/02  09/28/06 [Insert FR   ....................
                                    Recordkeeping                      page number where
                                    Requirements.                      document begins].
Section 115.167..................  Exemptions..........     12/13/02  09/28/06 [Insert FR   ....................
                                                                       page number where
                                                                       document begins].
Section 115.169..................  Counties and             04/26/02  09/28/06 [Insert FR
                                    Compliance                         page number where
                                    Schedules.                         document begins].

                                                  * * * * * * *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Subchapter D--Petroleum Refining, Natural Gas Processing, and Petrochemical Processes
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Division 1: Process Unit Turnaround and Vacuum-Producing Systems in Petroleum Refineries
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section 115.311..................  Emission                 04/26/02  09/28/06 [Insert FR   ....................
                                    Specifications.                    page number where
                                                                       document begins].
Section 115.312..................  Control Requirements     12/13/02  09/28/06 [Insert FR   ....................
                                                                       page number where
                                                                       document begins].
Section 115.313..................  Alternate Control        04/26/02  09/28/06 [Insert FR   ....................
                                    Requirements.                      page number where
                                                                       document begins].
Section 115.315..................  Testing Requirements     05/08/92  03/07/95, 60 FR       ....................
                                                                       12438.
Section 115.316..................  Monitoring and           04/26/02  09/28/06 [Insert FR   ....................
                                    Recordkeeping                      page number where
                                    Requirements.                      document begins].

Section 115.317..................  Exemptions..........     05/08/92  03/07/95, 60 FR       ....................
                                                                       12438.
Section 115.319..................  Counties and             04/26/02  09/28/06 [Insert FR   ....................
                                    Compliance                         page number where
                                    Schedules.                         document begins].
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Division 2: Fugitive Emission Control in Petroleum Refineries in Gregg, Nueces, and Victoria Counties
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section 115.322..................  Control Requirements     04/26/02  09/28/06 [Insert FR   ....................
                                                                       page number where
                                                                       document begins].
Section 115.323..................  Alternate Control        08/08/01  09/28/06 [Insert FR   ....................
                                    Requirements.                      page number where
                                                                       document begins].
Section 115.324..................  Inspection               05/08/02  03/07/95, 60 FR       ....................
                                    Requirements.                      12438.
Section 115.325..................  Testing Requirements     04/26/02  09/28/06 [Insert FR   ....................
                                                                       page number where
                                                                       document begins].
Section 115.326..................  Recordkeeping            12/13/02  09/28/06 [Insert FR   ....................
                                    Requirements.                      page number where
                                                                       document begins].
Section 115.327..................  Exemptions..........     04/26/02  09/28/06 [Insert FR   ....................
                                                                       page number where
                                                                       document begins].
Section 115.329..................  Counties and             08/08/01  09/28/06 [Insert FR   ....................
                                    Compliance                         page number where
                                    Schedules.                         document begins].
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Division 3: Fugitive Emission Control in Petroleum Refining, Natural Gas/Gasoline Processing, and Petrochemical
                                     Processes in Ozone Nonattainment Areas
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section 115.352..................  Control Requirements     12/01/04  09/28/06 [Insert FR   ....................
                                                                       page number where
                                                                       document begins].
Section 115.353..................  Alternate Control        04/26/02  09/28/06 [Insert FR   ....................
                                    Requirements.                      page number where
                                                                       document begins].
Section 115.354..................  Monitoring and           12/01/04  09/28/06 [Insert FR   ....................
                                    Inspection                         page number where
                                    Requirements.                      document begins].
Section 115.355..................  Approved Test            12/01/04  09/28/06 [Insert FR   ....................
                                    Methods.                           page number where
                                                                       document begins].
Section 115.356..................  Recordkeeping            12/01/04  09/28/06 [Insert FR   ....................
                                    Requirements..                     page number where
                                                                       document begins].
Section 115.357..................  Exemptions..........     12/01/04  09/28/06 [Insert FR   ....................
                                                                       page number where
                                                                       document begins].
Section 115.359..................  Counties and             12/01/04  09/28/06 [Insert FR   ....................
                                    Compliance                         page number where
                                    Schedules.                         document begins].

                                                  * * * * * * *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 Subchapter F--Miscellaneous Industrial Sources
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           Division 1: Cutback Asphalt
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section 115.510..................  Cutback Asphalt          08/31/99  12/22/99, 64 FR       ....................
                                    Definitions.                       71670.
Section 115.512..................  Control Requirements     11/17/04  3/29/05, 70 FR        ....................
                                                                       15769.
Section 115.513..................  Alternative Control      08/31/99  12/22/99, 64 FR       ....................
                                    Requirements.                      71670.
Section 115.515..................  Testing Requirements     08/31/99  12/22/99, 64 FR       ....................
                                                                       71670.
Section 115.516..................  Recordkeeping            11/17/04  3/29/05, 70 FR        ....................
                                    Requirements.                      15769.
Section 115.517..................  Exemptions..........     11/17/04  3/29/05, 70 FR        Ref 52.2299(c)(88).
                                                                       15769.
Section 115.519..................  Counties and             11/17/04  3/29/05, 70 FR        Ref 52.2299(c)(88).
                                    Compliance                         15769.
                                    Schedules.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               Division 2: Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Facilities
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section 115.531..................  Emission                 05/04/94  05/22/97, 62 FR       ....................
                                    Specifications.                    27964.

Section 115.532..................  Control Requirements     04/26/02  09/28/06 [Insert FR   ....................
                                                                       page number where
                                                                       document begins].
Section 115.533..................  Alternate Control        04/26/02  09/28/06 [Insert FR   ....................
                                    Requirements.                      page number where
                                                                       document begins].
Section 115.534..................  Inspection               05/04/94  05/22/97, 62 FR       ....................
                                    Requirements.                      27964.
Section 115.535..................  Testing Requirements     04/26/02  09/28/06 [Insert FR   ....................
                                                                       page number where
                                                                       document begins].
Section 115.536..................  Monitoring and           05/04/94  05/22/97, 62 FR       ....................
                                    Recordkeeping                      27964.
                                    Requirements.
Section 115.537..................  Exemptions..........     05/04/94  05/22/97, 62 FR       ....................
                                                                       27964.
Section 115.539..................  Counties and             04/26/02  09/28/06 [Insert FR   ....................
                                    Compliance                         page number where
                                    Schedules.                         document begins].
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Division 3: Degassing or Cleaning of Stationary, Marine, and Transport Vessels
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section 115.541..................  Emission                 04/26/02  09/28/06 [Insert FR   ....................
                                    Specifications.                    page number where
                                                                       document begins].
Section 115.542..................  Control Requirements     04/26/02  09/28/06 [Insert FR   ....................
                                                                       page number where
                                                                       document begins].
Section 115.543..................  Alternate Control        04/26/02  09/28/06 [Insert FR   ....................
                                    Requirements.                      page number where
                                                                       document begins].
Section 115.544..................  Inspection               05/04/94  05/22/97, 62 FR       ....................
                                    Requirements.                      27964.
Section 115.545..................  Approved Test            04/26/02  09/28/06 [Insert FR   ....................
                                    Methods.                           page number where
                                                                       document begins].
Section 115.546..................  Monitoring and           04/26/02  09/28/06 [Insert FR   ....................
                                    Recordkeeping                      page number where
                                    Requirements.                      document begins].
Section 115.547..................  Exemptions..........     04/26/02  09/28/06 [Insert FR   ....................
                                                                       page number where
                                                                       document begins].
Section 115.549..................  Counties and             04/26/02  09/28/06 [Insert FR   ....................
                                    Compliance                         page number where
                                    Schedules.                         document begins].
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   Division 4: Petroleum Dry Cleaning Systems
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section 115.552..................  Control Requirements     04/26/02  09/28/06 [Insert FR   ....................
                                                                       page number where
                                                                       document begins].
Section 115.553..................  Alternate Control        05/04/94  05/22/97, 62 FR       ....................
                                    Requirements.                      27964.
Section 115.555..................  Testing Methods and      05/04/94  05/22/97, 62 FR       ....................
                                    Procedures.                        27964.
Section 115.556..................  Recordkeeping            05/04/94  05/22/97, 62 FR       ....................
                                    Requirements.                      27964.
Section 115.557..................  Exemptions..........     05/04/94  05/22/97, 62 FR       ....................
                                                                       27964.
Section 115.559..................  Counties and             04/26/02  09/28/06 [Insert FR   ....................
                                    Compliance                         page number where
                                    Schedules.                         document begins].

                                                  * * * * * * *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     Subchapter J--Administrative Provisions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     Division 1: Alternate Means of Control
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section 115.901..................  Insignificant            07/13/94  05/22/97, 62 FR       ....................
                                    Emissions.                         27964.
Section 115.910..................  Availability of          04/26/02  09/28/06 [Insert FR   ....................
                                    Alternate Means of                 page number where
                                    Control.                           document begins].
Section 115.911..................  Criteria for             04/26/02  09/28/06 [Insert FR   ....................
                                    Approval of                        page number where
                                    Alternate Means of                 document begins].
                                    Control Plans.

Section 115.912..................  Calculations for         04/26/02  09/28/06 [Insert FR   ....................
                                    Determining                        page number where
                                    Alternate Means of                 document begins].
                                    Control Reductions.
Section 115.913..................  Procedures for           04/26/02  09/28/06 [Insert FR   ....................
                                    Alternate Means of                 page number where
                                    Control Plan                       document begins].
                                    Submittal.
Section 115.914..................  Procedures for an        04/26/02  09/28/06 [Insert FR   ....................
                                    Alternate Means of                 page number where
                                    Control Plan                       document begins].
                                    Approval.
Section 115.915..................  Public Notice Format     04/26/02  09/28/06 [Insert FR   ....................
                                                                       page number where
                                                                       document begins].
Section 115.916..................  Review of Approved       04/26/02  09/28/06 [Insert FR   ....................
                                    Alternate Means of                 page number where
                                    Control Plans and                  document begins].
                                    Termination of
                                    Alternate Means of
                                    Control Plans.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          Division 2: Early Reductions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section 115.920..................  Applicability.......     04/26/02  09/28/06 [Insert FR   ....................
                                                                       page number where
                                                                       document begins].
Section 115.923..................  Documentation.......     04/26/02  09/28/06 [Insert FR   ....................
                                                                       page number where
                                                                       document begins].
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Division 3: Compliance and Control Plan Requirements
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section 115.930..................  Compliance Dates....     04/26/02  09/28/06 [Insert FR   ....................
                                                                       page number where
                                                                       document begins].
Section 115.932..................  Control Plan             04/26/02  09/28/06 [Insert FR   ....................
                                    Procedure.                         page number where
                                                                       document begins].
Section 115.934..................  Control Plan             04/26/02  09/28/06 [Insert FR   ....................
                                    Deviation.                         page number where
                                                                       document begins].
Section 115.936..................  Reporting Procedure.     11/10/93  05/22/97, 62 FR       ....................
                                                                       27964.
Section 115.940..................  Equivalency              04/26/02  09/28/06 [Insert FR   ....................
                                    Determination.                     page number where
                                                                       document begins].
Section 115.950..................  Use of Emissions         12/06/00  09/06/06, 71 FR       ....................
                                    Credits for                        52698
                                    Compliance.

                                                  * * * * * * *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *
[FR Doc. E6-15933 Filed 9-27-06; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6560-50-P


[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 147 (Thursday, July 30, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45872-45874]
[FR Doc No: 2020-16514]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP20-479-000]

Northern Natural Gas; Notice of Intent To Prepare an
Environmental Assessment for the Proposed 2021 Auburn A-Line
Abandonment and Capacity Replacement Project and Request for Comments
on Environmental Issues

    The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or
Commission) will prepare an environmental assessment (EA) that will
discuss the environmental impacts of the 2021 Auburn A-line Abandonment
and Capacity Replacement Project involving construction, operation, and
abandonment of facilities by Northern Natural Gas (Northern) in
Lancaster, Otoe, Johnson, and Nemaha counties, Nebraska. The Commission
will use this EA in its decision-making process to determine whether
the project is in the public convenience and necessity.
    This notice announces the opening of the scoping process the
Commission

will use to gather input from the public and interested agencies about
issues regarding the project. The National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA) requires the Commission to consider the environmental impacts
that could result from its action whenever it considers the issuance of
a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity/authorization. NEPA
also requires the Commission to discover concerns the public may have
about proposals. This process is referred to as scoping. The main goal
of the scoping process is to focus the analysis in the EA on the
important environmental issues. By this notice, the Commission requests
public comments on the scope of issues to address in the EA. To ensure
that your comments are timely and properly recorded, please submit your
comments so that the Commission receives them in Washington, DC on or
before 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on August 23, 2020.
    You can make a difference by submitting your specific comments or
concerns about the project. Your comments should focus on the potential
environmental effects, reasonable alternatives, and measures to avoid
or lessen environmental impacts. Your input will help the Commission
staff determine what issues they need to evaluate in the EA. Commission
staff will consider all filed comments during the preparation of the
EA.
    If you sent comments on this project to the Commission before the
opening of this docket on June 11, 2020, you will need to file those
comments in Docket No. CP20-479-000 to ensure they are considered as
part of this proceeding.
    This notice is being sent to the Commission's current environmental
mailing list for this project. State and local government
representatives should notify their constituents of this proposed
project and encourage them to comment on their areas of concern.
    If you are a landowner receiving this notice, a pipeline company
representative may contact you about the acquisition of an easement to
construct, operate, and maintain the proposed facilities. The company
would seek to negotiate a mutually acceptable easement agreement. You
are not required to enter into an agreement. However, if the Commission
approves the project, that approval conveys with it the right of
eminent domain. Therefore, if you and the company do not reach an
easement agreement, the pipeline company could initiate condemnation
proceedings in court. In such instances, compensation would be
determined by a judge in accordance with state law.
    Northern provided landowners with a fact sheet prepared by the FERC
entitled An Interstate Natural Gas Facility On My Land? What Do I Need
To Know? This fact sheet addresses several typically asked questions,
including the use of eminent domain and how to participate in the
Commission's proceedings. It is also available for viewing on the FERC
website (www.ferc.gov) under the natural gas Landowner Topics link.

Public Participation

    The Commission offers a free service called eSubscription which
makes it easy to stay informed of all issuances and submittals
regarding the dockets/projects to which you subscribe. These instant
email notifications are the fastest way to receive notification and
provide a link to the document files which can reduce the amount of
time you spend researching proceedings. Go to https://www.ferc.gov/ferc-online/overview to register for eSubscription.
    For your convenience, there are three methods you can use to submit
your comments to the Commission. The Commission encourages electronic
filing of comments and has staff available to assist you at (866) 208-
3676 or<EMAIL_ADDRESS>Please carefully follow these
instructions so that your comments are properly recorded.
    (1) You can file your comments electronically using the eComment
feature, which is located on the Commission's website (www.ferc.gov)
under the link to FERC Online. Using eComment is an easy method for
submitting brief, text-only comments on a project;
    (2) You can file your comments electronically by using the eFiling
feature, which is located on the Commission's website (www.ferc.gov)
under the link to FERC Online. With eFiling, you can provide comments
in a variety of formats by attaching them as a file with your
submission. New eFiling users must first create an account by clicking
on eRegister. You will be asked to select the type of filing you are
making; a comment on a particular project is considered a ``Comment on
a Filing''; or
    (3) You can file a paper copy of your comments by mailing them to
the following address using the U.S. Postal Service. Be sure to
reference the project docket number (CP20-479-000) with your
submission: Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission, 888 First Street NE, Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426.
Submissions sent through carriers other than the U.S. Postal Service
must be sent to 12225 Wilkins Avenue, Rockville, Maryland 20852 for
processing.
    Please note this is not your only public input opportunity; please
refer to the review process flow chart in appendix 1.\1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ The appendices referenced in this notice will not appear in
the Federal Register. Copies of the appendices were sent to all
those receiving this notice in the mail and are available at
www.ferc.gov using the link called eLibrary or from the Commission's
Public Reference Room, 888 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20426, or
call<PHONE_NUMBER>. For instructions on connecting to eLibrary,
refer to the last page of this notice.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Summary of the Proposed Project

    Northern proposes to construct and operate 4.4 miles of new 8-inch-
diameter pipeline, abandon in-place 31.7 miles of 4- to 6-inch-diameter
A-line, and install a launcher and a regulation station. The 2021
Auburn A-line Abandonment and Capacity Replacement Project is part of
Northern's ongoing modernization efforts and review of vintage and
mechanically jointed or acetylene welded pipeline segments. According
to Northern, it would modernize Northern's existing system, improve
reliability, and enable safer long-term operation of Northern's system.
    The general location of the project facilities is shown in appendix
2.

Land Requirements for Construction

    Construction of the proposed facilities would disturb about 74
acres of land for the aboveground facilities and the pipeline.
Following construction, Northern would maintain about 23 acres for
permanent operation of the project's facilities; the remaining acreage
would be restored and revert to former uses. About 32 percent of the
proposed pipeline route parallels existing pipeline, utility, or road
rights-of-way.

The EA Process

    The EA will discuss impacts that could occur as a result of the
construction and operation of the proposed project under these general
headings:

 Geology and soils;
 water resources and wetlands;
 vegetation and wildlife;
 threatened and endangered species;
 cultural resources;
 land use;
 air quality and noise;
 public safety; and
 cumulative impacts.

    Commission staff will also evaluate reasonable alternatives to the
proposed project or portions of the project, and make recommendations
on how to

lessen or avoid impacts on the various resource areas.
    The EA will present Commission staffs' independent analysis of the
issues. The EA will be available in electronic format in the public
record through eLibrary \2\ and the Commission's natural gas
environmental documents web page (https://www.ferc.gov/industries-data/natural-gas/environment/environmental-documents). If eSubscribed, you
will receive instant email notification when the EA is issued. The EA
may be issued for an allotted public comment period. Commission staff
will consider all comments on the EA before making recommendations to
the Commission. To ensure Commission staff can address your comments,
please carefully follow the instructions in the Public Participation
section, beginning on page 2.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ For instructions on connecting to eLibrary, refer to the
last page of this notice.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    With this notice, the Commission is asking agencies with
jurisdiction by law and/or special expertise with respect to the
environmental issues of this project to formally cooperate in the
preparation of the EA.\3\ Agencies that would like to request
cooperating agency status should follow the instructions for filing
comments provided under the Public Participation section of this
notice.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ The Council on Environmental Quality regulations addressing
cooperating agency responsibilities are at Title 40, Code of Federal
Regulations, Part 1501.6.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Consultation Under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation
Act

    In accordance with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's
implementing regulations for section 106 of the National Historic
Preservation Act, the Commission is using this notice to initiate
consultation with the applicable State Historic Preservation Office,
and to solicit their views and those of other government agencies,
interested Indian tribes, and the public on the project's potential
effects on historic properties.\4\ The EA for this project will
document findings on the impacts on historic properties and summarize
the status of consultations under section 106.
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    \4\ The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's regulations
are at Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 800. Those
regulations define historic properties as any prehistoric or
historic district, site, building, structure, or object included in
or eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic
Places.
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Environmental Mailing List

    The environmental mailing list includes federal, state, and local
government representatives and agencies; elected officials;
environmental and public interest groups; Native American Tribes; other
interested parties; and local libraries and newspapers. This list also
includes all affected landowners (as defined in the Commission's
regulations) who are potential right-of-way grantors, whose property
may be used temporarily for project purposes, or who own homes within
certain distances of aboveground facilities, and anyone who submits
comments on the project. Commission staff will update the environmental
mailing list as the analysis proceeds to ensure that Commission notices
related to this environmental review are sent to all individuals,
organizations, and government entities interested in and/or potentially
affected by the proposed project.
    If the Commission issues the EA for an allotted public comment
period, a Notice of Availability of the EA will be sent to the
environmental mailing list and will provide instructions to access the
electronic document on the FERC's website (www.ferc.gov). If you need
to make changes to your name/address, or if you would like to remove
your name from the mailing list, please return the attached ``Mailing
List Update Form'' (appendix 3).

Additional Information

    Additional information about the project is available from the
Commission's Office of External Affairs, at (866) 208-FERC, or on the
FERC website at www.ferc.gov using the eLibrary link. Click on the
eLibrary link, click on General Search and enter the docket number in
the Docket Number field, excluding the last three digits (i.e., CP20-
479). Be sure you have selected an appropriate date range. For
assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at
<EMAIL_ADDRESS>or<PHONE_NUMBER>, or for TTY, contact (202)
502-8659. The eLibrary link also provides access to the texts of all
formal documents issued by the Commission, such as orders, notices, and
rulemakings.
    Public sessions or site visits will be posted on the Commission's
calendar located at https://www.ferc.gov/news-events/events along with
other related information.

    Dated: July 24, 2020.
Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr.,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2020-16514 Filed 7-29-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P