Oregon Department of Environmental Quality

July 15, 2013

Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

Updates to Oregon SIP for Nitrogen Dioxide,

Sulfur Dioxide and Lead Ambient Air Quality Standards

Updates to the Oregon Clean Air Act State Implementation Plan are needed to ensure that Oregon DEQ has the authority to implement the current National Ambient Air Quality Standards for nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and lead (Pb) under the Clean Air Act. The proposed rule amendments update the infrastructure elements of Oregon’s State Implementation Plan and allow for approval by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency of the revised Oregon SIP.

Short summary 

The proposed rule amendments would incorporate new and revised NAAQS for NO₂, SO₂ and Pb into Oregon Administrative Rule as necessary to revise the Oregon SIP for approval by EPA.

The proposal includes the following actions:

•  Amend OAR 340-200-0040 to update the Oregon Clean Air Act State Implementation Plan

•  Amend OAR 340-200-0020 Table 1 to add 1-hour Significant Air Quality Impact Levels for NO₂ and SO₂.

•  Amend OAR 340-202-0070 to incorporate the primary 1-hour National Ambient Air Quality Standard for sulfur dioxide, adopted by the EPA June 22, 2010 and effective on August 23, 2010.

•  Amend OAR 340-202-0100 to incorporate the primary 1-hour National Ambient Air Quality Standard for nitrogen dioxide, adopted by the EPA February 9, 2010 and effective on April 12, 2010.

•  Amend OAR 340-202-0130 to incorporate the primary and secondary National Ambient Air Quality Standard for lead, adopted by the EPA November 12, 2008 and effective on January 12, 2009.

In addition to the rule amendments outlined above, three “crosswalk” documents titled “Infrastructure SIP Submittal documents for Purposes of Clean Air Act Sections 110(a)(1) and (2)” are included as attachments to this proposal. These crosswalks identify the existing Oregon Administrative Rules and corresponding Oregon Revised Statutes that demonstrate DEQ has the necessary authorities in place to implement requirements of Sections 110(a)(1) and (a)(2) of the Clean Air Act with respect to the current NAAQS for NO₂, SO₂ and Pb, respectively. They are included for EQC approval and submittal to EPA as documentation that the infrastructure elements of the Oregon SIP meet the requirements of the Clean Air Act as they relate to the NO₂, SO₂ and Pb NAAQS.

The infrastructure SIP updates for NO₂, SO₂ and Lead were due to EPA in the 2012-2013 timeframe. DEQ chose to postpone submittal of these plan updates until EPA Guidance was available for reference. EPA recently issued a draft multi-pollutant guidance document addressing requirements for infrastructure elements of State Implementation Plans. In consultation with EPA Region 10, DEQ has used EPA’s multi-pollutant guidance document to develop this proposal. In order to streamline the infrastructure SIP submittal process, DEQ has bundled the necessary rule amendments and accompanying documents for the NO₂, SO₂ and Pb infrastructure SIPs into one submittal for EPA approval as revisions to infrastructure elements of the Oregon SIP with respect to these pollutants.

Brief history

Section 110 of the Clean Air Act, 42 USC § 7410, requires state and local air pollution control agencies to adopt federally approved control strategies to minimize air pollution. The resulting body of regulations is known as the State Implementation Plan, or more commonly called a “SIP”.

State Implementation Plans serve two main purposes:

1.  To demonstrate that the state has the basic air quality management program components in place to implement new or revised NAAQS; and

2.  To identify the emissions control requirements the state will rely upon to attain and/or maintain the primary and secondary NAAQS.

All states are required to submit SIPs with general infrastructure elements showing the state has the capacity to implement new or revised NAAQS. Infrastructure SIP submittals must include the basic program requirements for managing air quality required in Section 110(a)(2) of the Clean Air Act (CAA), as listed in Figure 1 below.

 Figure 1: Required Infrastructure Elements Tracked for Each State

Section 110(a)(2)(A) Emission limits and other control measures
Section 110(a)(2)(B) Ambient air quality monitoring/data system
Section 110(a)(2)(C) Program for enforcement of control measures
Section 110(a)(2)(D)(i) - I Prong 1: Interstate transport - significant contribution
Section 110(a)(2)(D)(i) - I Prong 2: Interstate transport - interfere with maintenance
Section 110(a)(2)(D)(i) - II Prong 3: Interstate transport - prevention of significant deterioration
Section 110(a)(2)(D)(i) - II Prong 4: Interstate transport - protect visibility
Section 110(a)(2)(D)(ii) - Interstate and international pollution abatement
Section 110(a)(2)(E) Adequate authority and resources
Section 110(a)(2)(F) Stationary source monitoring system
Section 110(a)(2)(G) Emergency power
Section 110(a)(2)(H) Future SIP revisions
Section 110(a)(2)(J) Consultation with government officials; Public notification; PSD and visibility protection
Section 110(a)(2)(K) Air quality modeling/data
Section 110(a)(2)(L) Permitting fees
Section 110(a)(2)(M) Consultation/participation by affected local entities

The Clean Air Act requires the EPA to set National Ambient Air Quality Standards for wide-spread pollutants from numerous and diverse sources considered harmful to public health and the environment. The Clean Air Act established two types of National Ambient Air Quality Standards. Primary standards set limits to protect public health, including the health of "sensitive" populations such as asthmatics, children, and the elderly. Secondary standards set limits to protect public welfare, including protection against visibility impairment, damage to animals, crops, vegetation, and buildings. The Clean Air Act requires periodic review of the science upon which the standards are based and the standards themselves.

SIPs generally establish emission limits or work practice standards to minimize emissions of the air pollutants (and their precursors) for which EPA has issued air quality criteria (the “criteria pollutants”). The six current criteria pollutants are sulfur oxides (sulfur dioxide as indicator), particulate matter, oxides of nitrogen (nitrogen dioxide as indicator), lead, carbon monoxide, and ozone. EPA has established NAAQS for these pollutants and has updated these standards over time.

As the NAAQS change, states must submit revisions to the infrastructure elements of their SIPs to reflect these changes. EPA has revised the NO₂, SO₂ and Pb NAAQS to protect the public from adverse health effects, as appropriate under CAA Section 109, by:

•  Replacing the annual and 24-hour primary SO₂ standards with a new, primary 1-hour standard, to be effective one year after area designations for the primary1-hour standard. (see 75 Federal Register 35520);

•  Adding a new 1-hour primary NO₂ standard, to supplement the existing annual standard (see 75 Federal Register 6474); and

•  Revising the level of the primary and secondary Pb standards (see 73 Federal Register 66964).

Main Functions of a State Clean Air Act Implementation Plan (SIP)
There are three overarching activities that occur when a National Ambient Air Quality Standard is added or revised, as summarized below:

•  Within two years of revising the NAAQS for a criteria pollutant, EPA is required to identify or “designate” areas as meeting (attainment areas) or not meeting (nonattainment areas) the standard. Designations are based on the most recent set of air monitoring data. (see CAA Section 107(d)(1)(B), 42 USC § 7407(d)(1)(B).)

•  Within three years of EPA designations, all states must submit revisions to their state implementation plans to show they have the basic air quality management program components in place to implement a new or revised NAAQS, as specified in Clean Air Act section 110. These plans are often called "infrastructure SIPs”. (see CAA Section 110(a)(1), 42 USC § 7410(a)(1)).

•  Within three years of area designations, states are required to submit nonattainment area SIPs to EPA for any criteria pollutant for which the standard is not met. Each nonattainment area SIP must outline the strategies and emissions control measures that show how the area will improve air quality and meet the NAAQS. (see CAA Section 172, 42 USC § 7502.)

Table 1 displays EPA planned and completed actions with regard to area designations for the revised NO₂, SO₂ and Pb NAAQS in Oregon:

Air Quality Monitoring

DEQ conducts ambient air quality monitoring in accordance with 40 CFR 58.10, which requires state and local air quality agencies to develop an annual ambient air quality monitoring network plan for submittal to EPA by July 1^st of each year. The DEQ ambient air quality monitoring network is designed in response to EPA’s National Monitoring Strategy to meet the five basic monitoring objectives specified by federal regulations:

(1)  To determine highest concentrations expected to occur in the area covered by the network;

(2)  To determine representative concentrations in areas of high population density;

(3)  To determine the impact of significant sources or source categories on ambient pollution levels;

(4)  To determine general background concentration levels; and

(5)  To determine transport characteristics into and out of airsheds.

DEQ monitors ambient air concentrations of NO2, SO₂ and Pb for comparison to the NAAQS at the SE Lafayette Air Quality Monitoring Network location in southeast Portland. DEQ published the results of the most recent monitoring data in June of 2013. Table 2 summarizes the data for measurements of ambient air concentrations of NO₂, SO₂ and Pb contained in the 2013 Oregon Annual Ambient Air Monitoring Network Plan:

   Infrastructure SIP submittals

This proposal addresses the federal Clean Air Act requirement that states must submit infrastructure SIPs within three years of a NAAQS revision to demonstrate that they have the basic air quality program components in place to implement the revised NAAQS. The proposed rule amendments are needed to ensure that DEQ has the necessary authority to enforce and implement the latest NAAQS for nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide and lead.

The proposed rule amendments would revise the existing Ambient Air Quality Standards for NO₂ and SO₂ under Oregon Administrative Rule chapter 340, division 202 to reflect the new primary 1-hour NAAQS adopted by the EPA. Chapter 340, division 202 of Oregon Administrative Rule currently contains Oregon ambient air quality standards for sulfur dioxide that are lower than the current federal SO₂ NAAQS. These standards were adopted by the EQC in 1972 and were equivalent to the federal standards at that time. Although the federal standards were repealed by EPA in 1973, Oregon rules were never amended to reflect this change. As proposed, this rulemaking will retain the existing Oregon annual and 24-hour SO₂ ambient air quality standards until one year after EPA develops sulfur dioxide area designations in Oregon for these standards. At that point, DEQ will repeal the existing annual and 24-hour SO₂ ambient air quality standards in OAR 340-202-0070, and will retain the federal primary 1-hour and secondary 3-hour SO₂ standards for implementation in Oregon.

Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD): Analysis for Industrial Permitting

Revisions to Table 1 of Oregon Administrative Rule chapter 340, division 200 are needed to add 1-hour Significant Impact Levels in Class II areas for NO₂ and SO₂. Significant impact levels (SILs) are used to determine whether the air quality impacts from a proposed new or modified industrial source are significant, warranting further and more complete air quality analysis. The addition of 1-hour Significant Air Quality Impact Levels for NO₂ and SO₂ are necessary to implement the 1-hour primary NAAQS for NO₂ and SO₂ requirements in air quality permitting actions carried out by DEQ.

This proposal also amends the language of the ambient air quality standard for lead under Oregon Administrative Rule chapter 340, division 202 to provide better consistency with the language of the federal NAAQS. The Oregon Environmental Quality Commission adopted the lower (current) level of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for lead on May 5, 2010. On May 21, 2010, the amended lead standard was included in the submittal to EPA as part of a larger revision to the Oregon SIP. EPA approved the May 5, 2011 revisions (NSR, PM2.5 and GHG permitting rule updates) on December 27, 2011 (76 FR 80747), however, adoption of the lead standard did not meet federal requirements for an infrastructure SIP submittal. EPA issued findings that seven states (including Oregon) missed Clean Air Act deadlines for submitting plans, or infrastructure elements of plans, for implementing EPA's 2008 National Ambient Air Quality Standards for lead. This rulemaking resolves this deficiency and completes DEQ’s Infrastructure SIP for lead.

Regulated parties

Parties affected by this proposal include newly constructed or expanding permitted industrial sources with NO₂ or SO₂ emissions above the Significant Emission Rate, due to the proposed 1-hour ambient air quality standards and significant impact levels for these pollutants. These sources could be required to conduct a modeling analysis for a Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) determination. PSD modeling is required when a source exceeds the Significant Emission Rate (SER) for a criteria pollutant. Examples of affected sources of SO₂ may include but are not limited to natural gas electrical generating facilities or landfills that generate sulfur dioxide emissions when combusting hydrogen sulfide to generate electricity. Facilities such as data storage and processing server farm centers with multiple back-up diesel generators may find themselves at risk of violating the new 1-hour primary NO₂ standard, and may need to purchase monitoring equipment necessary to demonstrate compliance with the NAAQS. More information on the regulated parties potentially affected by this proposal is included under the section of this document titled “Statement of fiscal and economic impact”.

Infrastructure SIP: Other documentation (Crosswalks)

In addition to the rule amendments described above, DEQ is submitting three documents referred to as “crosswalks” for EQC approval and submittal to EPA (see Tables 4-7). A separate crosswalk is provided for NO₂, SO₂ and Lead with this rulemaking proposal, each addressing the required infrastructure SIP elements CAA Section 110(a)(2)(A) - 110(a)(2)(M).

The crosswalks were developed in collaboration with EPA Region 10 and are included with this proposal for EQC approval and submittal to EPA as DEQ’s demonstration that the Oregon SIP meets the infrastructure requirements to implement, maintain and enforce the NAAQS for NO₂, SO₂ and Pb as specified in Section 110 of the Clean Air Act. The crosswalks address the required infrastructure elements of Section 110(a)(1) and 110(a)(2), with some exceptions, as discussed in more detail below. While the crosswalks are not considered part of the official record of Oregon’s SIP, they are proposed for submittal to EPA as reference tools to demonstrate how applicable Oregon Administrative Rules and authorizing Oregon Revised Statutes correspond to federal Clean Air Act Section 110(a)(1) and (a)(2) requirements for the purpose of Infrastructure SIP submittals. DEQ has made an effort to include the relevant OARs and corresponding ORSs in the crosswalks for ease of reference, however, it should be noted that the official record of Oregon Administrative Rules that constitute the Federally-approved Oregon State Implementation Plan are listed in subpart MM of 40 CFR part 52. DEQ wishes to improve these crosswalks over time for use in future infrastructure SIP submittals, and welcomes suggestions during the public comment period of this rulemaking as to how these crosswalks could be further improved.

The attached crosswalks do not include references to Oregon Administrative Rules or Oregon Revised Statutes relating to Clean Air Act Section 110(a)(2)(C) to the extent it refers to nonattainment New Source Review permit programs required under the Section 110(a)(2)(I) of the Clean Air Act. These elements have different due dates for submission and are not required to be submitted as part of an infrastructure SIP.

Additionally, references to Oregon rules and statutes related to the infrastructure SIP requirement under CAA Section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) addressing interstate transport of air pollution have also been omitted from the crosswalks. Section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) prohibits emissions from sources in one state to significantly contribute to nonattainment and interference with maintenance of NAAQS attainment areas in other states. EPA has informed states that Section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) is not a required element of infrastructure SIP submittals at this time in light of the recent decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit vacating the 2011 Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (see EME Homer City generation, L.P. v. EPA, 696 F .3d 7 (D.C. Cir. 2010)). Unless the EME Homer City decision is reversed or otherwise modified by the Supreme Court, states are not required to submit infrastructure SIPs addressing Section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) of the Clean Air Act until the EPA has quantified each state’s contribution to ambient air pollution levels in neighboring states. As a result of the EME Homer City decision, EPA has further clarified that it will not issue a Finding of Failure to Submit for Section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) infrastructure SIP requirements at this time. EPA is currently seeking input from states to develop an acceptable approach for evaluating interstate transport of air pollution.

What problem is DEQ trying to solve?

States have a legal obligation under the Clean Air Act to amend their administrative rules to adopt new or revised National Ambient Air Quality Standards and incorporate these standards into their State Clean Air Act Implementation Plans. Amendments to Oregon Administrative Rule are needed to incorporate the 1-hour NAAQS and corresponding Significant Impact Levels for nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and sulfur dioxide (SO₂) into the Oregon SIP, as well as to revise the rule language for the existing Lead (Pb) standard in OAR 340-200-0020 to make it consistent with the wording of the Pb NAAQS in the Code of Federal Regulations. Incorporating these changes into the Oregon SIP will allow DEQ to submit the revised infrastructure SIP elements for these pollutants to EPA for approval. Once approved, DEQ will have the authority to implement the current NAAQS for NO₂, SO₂ and Pb in Oregon, in compliance with the Clean Air Act.

How would the proposed rule solve the problem?

The proposed rule amendments will incorporate the primary 1-hour National Ambient Air Quality Standards and corresponding 1-hour Significant Impact Levels for nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide into Oregon rule, as required by the Clean Air Act, as well as revise existing rule language for the lead ambient air quality standard for consistency with federal regulation language. If adopted, these proposed rule amendments will allow DEQ to submit the revised infrastructure SIP requirements to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for approval as revisions to the Oregon SIP.

How will DEQ know the problem has been solved?

Once adopted by the EQC, the proposed rule amendments will be filed with the Secretary of State and submitted to the EPA for approval as documentation of the updates made to the Oregon SIP. DEQ will know the problem has been solved when the updated infrastructure elements of Oregon’s SIP are approved by the EPA and published in the Federal Register.

Request for other options

DEQ must adopt the proposed rule amendments to enable DEQ’s implementation of the NAAQS for these pollutants and to allow the EPA to approve the proposed amendments as revisions to the Oregon SIP. Because the proposed rule amendments are necessary to update infrastructure elements of the Oregon SIP by incorporating the revised NAAQS for NO₂, SO₂ and Pb in order to comply with the requirements of the Clean Air Act, DEQ has not requested input for other options.

DEQ welcomes public comments on any aspect of this proposed rulemaking during the public comment period, but specifically requests public comment regarding the completeness of the crosswalks (Tables 4-7).

Lead division            Program or activity

Air Quality   Planning

Chapter 340 action

Statutory authority

ORS chapters 468.020, 468A.025, and 468A

Statute implemented  

ORS 468A.025  

Documents relied on for rulemaking  ORS 183.335(2)(b)(C)

TABLE 2: Documents Relied on for Rulemaking    

This rulemaking does not involve fees.

Fiscal and Economic Impact

This proposal would have a fiscal impact on DEQ to the extent that resources are necessary to implement the new NO₂, SO₂, and lead NAAQS. DEQ’s current budget includes resources to implement the NAAQS monitoring program as well as conduct planning, technical analysis and monitoring, rulemaking, and community outreach activities as needed if compliance problems with federal NAAQS are discovered in the future. States are routinely required to incorporate federal revisions to the NAAQS into their rules and subsequently revise their State Implementation Plans to address related infrastructure elements. The Clean Air Act requires EPA to revise the NAAQS for a criteria pollutant when new information is available to suggest a more protective standard is necessary to protect public health and welfare. In addition, the proposed amendment to the Prevention and of Significant Deterioration (adoption of 1-hour SILs for NO₂ and SO₂) requirements may have a fiscal impact on new or expanding major industrial sources by requiring additional modeling analysis and possibly emission controls depending on the circumstances of the specific case.

Statement of Cost of Compliance  

Upon adoption of the primary1-hour NAAQS for NO₂ and SO₂ into Oregon Administrative Rule, DEQ will be required to include the 1-hour NO₂ and SO₂ standards in the modeling protocols for air quality analyses under the Plant Site Emission Limit and Prevention of Significant Deterioration programs. Currently, modeling to meet the primary 1-hour NO₂ and SO₂ standards is requested of sources by DEQ when deemed necessary. Permitted industrial sources affected by the proposed rule amendments may incur additional costs associated with modeling for purposes of Prevention of Significant Deterioration determinations prior to construction of a new air pollution source, or as a result of modifying an existing facility. New facilities and existing facilities that undergo modifications may need to hire an environmental consulting firm to develop computer simulation modeling to demonstrate compliance with the new primary 1-hour NAAQS for NO₂ and SO₂.

The addition of the 1-hr NO₂ and SO₂ NAAQS may increase the cost of modeling analyses for sources that emit these pollutants.  Currently, these analyses are conducted on an as-requested basis. The modeling results could potentially require a source to add emission controls to meet the new 1-hr NAAQS. The costs associated with modeling analyses and any additional controls triggered by compliance with the 1-hr NO₂ and SO₂ NAAQS are dependent on the source being analyzed and will need to be determined on a case-by-case basis. If a source can demonstrate that the planned modification will result in an emissions increase that is less than the Significant Emission Rate (SER), no additional modeling is required. For sources with modifications that result in emissions increases above the SER, additional air quality modeling is required. Some sources will be able to conduct modeling efforts internally, while others may need to contract for those services. Cost estimates for PSD modeling could range from a few thousand dollars in order to quantify emissions to over $100,000 for more extensive modeling efforts if emissions rates are expected to exceed the facility’s SER.

Because the NAAQS are federal requirements under the Clean Air Act, DEQ is required to adopt and implement these standards in Oregon. If DEQ did not adopt the NAAQS and related 1-hour Significant Impact Levels, EPA would be required to enforce these standards in Oregon, resulting in the same compliance costs borne by affected sources under the proposed amendments to state rules.

Table 3 quantifies the number of small and large businesses that emit SO₂, NO₂ or Pb as required by ORS 183.336. The information provided in this table is an estimate based on available 2011 data. The distinction between small and large businesses is made at the parent company level and not at the individual facility level here in Oregon. Some facilities may have 50 or fewer employees but are owned by a company that as a whole employs more than 50 staff.

It is important to note that this proposal has the potential to affect large and small businesses that emit NO₂, SO₂ and Pb similarly. This is because the size of a business may not correlate well with the emission rates associated with its activities. Emission rates are what trigger additional costs associated with PSD modeling, rather than the number of employees a business has on staff. For existing permitted industrial sources (large and small), air quality analysis modeling and other requirements are only triggered if that facility proposes to expand their operations in such a manner as to cause a significant increase of a criteria air pollutant.

Impact on large businesses (all businesses that are not small businesses below)

Major new or modified sources such as natural gas electrical generating facilities and data storage and processing server farm centers with multiple back-up diesel generators may need to conduct a PSD analysis to determine whether they exceed the new 1-hour primary NO₂ and SO₂ standards, and under some circumstances may need to purchase monitoring equipment necessary to demonstrate compliance with the NAAQS. Existing facilities undergoing PSD that are currently subject to NO₂ or SO₂ monitoring requirements may be able to use their existing monitoring equipment to demonstrate compliance with any new air quality analysis modeling requirements. Monitoring costs associated with newly constructed sources are dependent on the applicable requirements associated with the facility design. DEQ will work with new sources to determine the monitoring needs of a proposed facility.

Impact on small businesses (those with 50 or fewer employees) ORS 183.336

Impacts on general public

This proposal includes amendments to Oregon Administrative Rules to adopt new, federally-required primary 1-hour National Ambient Air Quality Standards and corresponding 1-hour Significant Impact Levels for nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide, which EPA promulgated as more protective of public health and welfare than the existing standards for these pollutants. Although the positive impacts to public health have not been monetarily quantified, it is generally expected that because the primary1-hr NO₂ and SO₂ NAAQS measure area-wide ambient air concentrations using shorter averaging times, adopting these standards will result in an increased level of protection of public health and welfare. Once adopted, should the 1-hour standards be exceeded in the future (as determined by DEQ ambient air quality monitoring), DEQ will have the capacity to implement actions to reduce ambient air concentrations of these pollutants to levels below the 1-hour standards, through attainment planning efforts and other reduction strategies.

Impact on DEQ ORS 183.335

Monitoring – NO₂

Adoption of the primary 1-hr NO₂ NAAQS will necessitate near-roadway (freeway) monitoring to meet federal monitoring requirements. DEQ has acquired new monitoring equipment to measure near-roadway levels of NO₂ to determine compliance with the primary 1-hour standard in 2014. Monitors used for measuring ambient levels of NO₂ against the 1-hour standard range on average from $6,000-$13,000. EPA is providing funding to install the roadway site and purchase monitoring equipment. ODEQ will monitor for NO₂ at this site using funds reallocated from the SE Lafayette monitor, as approved by the EPA in the 2012 monitoring network plan.

Monitoring – SO₂

EPA is in the process of developing national guidance for modeling and monitoring of SO₂ for comparison against the primary 1-hour SO₂ NAAQS, and DEQ will need to re-visit Oregon’s compliance status once EPA’s requirements are finalized. Pending final EPA national guidance or rule, DEQ may need to purchase monitoring equipment to measure ambient air concentrations of SO₂ to determine compliance with the 1-hour SO₂ NAAQS.

Monitoring - Pb

Historically, DEQ’s air monitoring program has been focused on measuring ambient lead levels near industrial sources. To date all results show levels well below the NAAQS. DEQ is currently monitoring for lead in North Portland and the Hillsboro elementary school as part of the toxics monitoring program. Ambient lead levels near small airports is an emerging issue and states are awaiting the conclusion of new EPA monitoring research and guidance in 2014 to explore this area further.

Modeling for compliance with 1-hour NO₂ and SO₂ NAAQS

As a result of adopting the new 1-hour primary standard for NO₂ and SO₂, DEQ may be required to conduct a review of modeling submittals for sources that are required to undergo PSD analysis. It is unknown at this time the number of sources that may require a review of PSD modeling submittals by DEQ triggered by the 1-hour primary standards.

Future Rulemaking for final EPA SILs

If approved by the EQC, this proposal will adopt interim Significant Impact Levels (SILs) into Oregon rule for the primary 1-hour NO₂ and SO₂ standards, as provided in current EPA Guidance. When final SILs have been promulgated by EPA, DEQ will need to conduct a future rulemaking to align DEQ rules with the final federal 1-hour Significant Impact Levels.

As proposed, this rulemaking will retain the annual and 24-hour SO₂ ambient air quality standards currently in Oregon Administrative Rules until one year after EPA develops sulfur dioxide area designations for Oregon. At that point, DEQ will repeal the existing annual and 24-hour SO₂ ambient air quality standards, leaving the primary 1-hour and secondary 3-hour standards for SO₂ in Oregon rule.

Impact on other government entities other than DEQ

DEQ issues permits to state, federal and local government agencies in Oregon that engage in activities which emit regulated air pollutants in quantities for which air quality permits are required. Listed below are examples of local and state agencies that may be impacted by adoption of the proposed rule amendments.

a.  Local governments: The proposed rule amendments could have implications for Metro’s regional transportation planning efforts as they pertain to the 1-hour NO₂ NAAQS with respect to near-roadway vehicle exhaust. DEQ will begin air quality monitoring near heavily-used roadways in the Portland area in 2014. If the NO₂ NAAQS is violated as a result of this monitoring, DEQ will be required to develop the necessary strategies and an attainment plan to correct the violation. If such as plan were needed, it is likely that Metro would be required to demonstrate that future transportation system plans do not jeopardize compliance with the NAAQS.

b.  State agencies: State government agencies engaged in activities which emit NO₂ or SO₂ in quantities that may contribute to ambient concentrations above the primary 1-hour NAAQS for these pollutants could be required to conduct PSD modeling and/or source monitoring to demonstrate compliance with the standards when constructing a new source or expanding an existing permitted source. Such activities include but are not limited to the operation of biomass, oil and natural gas boilers; back-up generators; or concrete, rock and asphalt crushers.

Documents relied on for fiscal and economic impact

Advisory committee

DEQ did not appoint an advisory committee for the proposed permanent rule amendments. This rulemaking proposal is necessary to align Oregon Administrative Rules with federally revised National Ambient Air Quality Standards under the Clean Air Act. The proposed changes are required to demonstrate that Oregon DEQ has the appropriate rules, programs and agreements in place to implement the Clean Air Act. As such, there was no policy choice to be made which would necessitate input from an advisory committee.

Housing cost

To comply with ORS 183.534, DEQ determined the proposed rules would have no effect on the development cost of a 6,000-square-foot parcel and construction of a 1,200-square-foot detached, single-family dwelling on that parcel.

"It is the policy of this state that agencies shall seek to retain and promote the unique identity of Oregon by considering local conditions when an agency adopts policies and rules. However, since there are many federal laws and regulations that apply to activities that are also regulated by the state, it is also the policy of this state that agencies attempt to adopt rules that correspond with equivalent federal laws and rules..."

Relationship to federal requirements

DEQ determined this rule proposal is “in addition to federal requirements” as required under ORS 468A.327(1)(a) and OAR 340-011-0029(1)(a). This proposal would adopt the current National Ambient Air Quality Standards for SO₂, NO₂, and Lead into Oregon Administrative Rule, as well as 1-hour Significant Impact Levels for NO₂ and SO₂, making them part of the Oregon Clean Air Act State Implementation Plan (SIP).

The proposed rules incorporate the following federal regulations:

•  40 CFR Section 50.4, National primary ambient air quality standards for sulfur oxides (sulfur dioxide).

•  40 CFR Section 50.11, National primary and secondary ambient air quality standards for oxides of nitrogen (with nitrogen dioxide as the indicator).

•  40 CFR Section 50.16 National primary and secondary ambient air quality standards for lead.

•  40 CFR Section 50.17 National primary ambient air quality standards for sulfur oxides (sulfur dioxide).

The proposed rules incorporate the federal regulations above with the following modifications to the federal rule language:

•  The units of the NO₂ and SO₂ primary 1-hour standards have been converted from parts per billion (“ppb”) to parts per million (“ppm”) for consistency with the ambient air quality standards found in Oregon Administrative Rule chapter 340, division 202.

•  The federal rule language in 40 CFR incorporated into this rule included internal references to other parts of the Code of Federal Regulations. In places where this occurred, the rule amendments proposed herein were modified to provide external references to the CFR, as appropriate.

What alternatives did DEQ consider if any?

DEQ must adopt the proposed rule amendments to enable DEQ’s implementation of the NAAQS for NO₂, SO₂ and Lead and to allow the EPA to approve the proposed amendments as revisions to the Oregon SIP. Because the proposed rule amendments are necessary to update infrastructure elements of the Oregon SIP to incorporate the revised NAAQS for NO₂, SO₂ and Pb in order to comply with the requirements of the Clean Air Act, DEQ has not considered other options for this proposal.

“It is the Commission's policy to coordinate the Department's programs, rules and actions that affect land use with local acknowledged plans to the fullest degree possible.”  

                              ORS 197.180, OAR 660-030

Land-use considerations

To determine whether the proposed rules involve programs or actions that are considered a land-use action, DEQ considered:

▪  Statewide planning goals for specific references. Section III, subsection 2 of the DEQ State Agency Coordination Program} document identifies the following statewide goal relating to DEQ's authority:

 Goal  Title

 5    Open Spaces, Scenic and Historic Areas, and Natural Resources

 6    Air, Water and Land Resources Quality

 11    Public Facilities and Services

 16    Estuarial resources

 19    Ocean Resources

▪  OAR 340-018-0030 for EQC rules on land-use coordination. Division 18 requires DEQ to determine whether proposed rules will significantly affect land use. If yes, how will DEQ:

◦  Comply with statewide land-use goals, and

◦  Ensure compatibility with acknowledged comprehensive plans, which DEQ most commonly achieves by requiring a Land Use Compatibility Statement.

▪  DEQ’s mandate to protect public health and safety and the environment.

▪  Whether DEQ is the primary authority that is responsible for land-use programs or actions in the proposed rules.

▪  Present or future land uses identified in acknowledged comprehensive plans.

Determination

DEQ determined that the proposed rules listed under the Chapter 340 Action section above do not affect existing rules, programs or activities that are considered land-use programs and actions in OAR 340-018-0030 or in the DEQ State Agency Coordination Program.

 Advisory committee

DEQ did not convene an advisory committee. This rulemaking proposal makes necessary amendments to Oregon Administrative Rules which are part of the Oregon Clean Air Act State Implementation Plan. The proposed changes correspond with revisions to the NAAQS for nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide and lead, and are required by the Clean Air Act to provide DEQ the authority to implement the current NAAQS for these pollutants.

 EQC prior involvement

DEQ shares general rulemaking information with EQC through the annual DEQ Rulemaking Plan review and monthly status report. DEQ did not present additional information specific to this proposed rule revision beyond the annual rulemaking plan and the monthly rulemaking report.

Public notice

The August 2013 Oregon Bulletin will publish the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking with Hearing DEQ also:

•  Posted notice on DEQ’s webpage http://www.deq.state.or.us/regulations/proposedrules.htm on July 15, 2013.

•  E-mailed notice on July 15, 2013 to:

•  Approximately 6,300 interested parties through GovDelivery.

•  266 stakeholders through GovDelivery using DEQ’s TRAACS TV and Standard ACDP database query.

•  Two additional interested parties not subscribed to GovDelivery.

•  The following key legislators required under ORS 183.335:

◦  Senator Jackie Dingfelder, Chair, Senate Committee on the Environment and Natural Resources.

◦  Representative Jules Bailey, Chair, House Energy and Environment Committee.

•  Mailed the notice by U.S. Postal Service to 16 stakeholders using DEQ’s TRAACS TV and Standard ACDP database query on July 15, 2013.

•  Sent notice to EPA on July 1, 2013. 

•  Published notice in The Oregonian July 15, 2013

Public hearings

DEQ plans to hold one public hearing. The table below includes information about how to participate in the public hearing.

Before taking public comment and according to Oregon Administrative Rule 137-001-0030, staff presenter will summarize the content of the notice given under Oregon Revised Statute 183.335 and respond to any questions about the rulemaking.

DEQ will add the names, addresses and affiliations of all hearing attendees to the interested parties list for this rule if provided on a registration form or the attendee list. DEQ will consider all oral and written comments received at the hearings listed below before finalizing the proposed rules. All comments will be summarized and DEQ will respond to comments on the Environmental Quality Commission staff report.

Close of public comment period

The comment period will close on Monday, August 19, 2013 at 5:00 p.m.

aginsbu, 2013-07-02T17:23:00Z
I don't think this rulemaking is "in addition to federal requirements." I think it makes our rules equal to federal requirements.

aginsbu, 2013-07-02T17:24:00Z
I think these changes are too small and technical to call this "in addition to." I would delete this paragraph and just say it is equal.

ACurtis, 2013-07-08T09:16:00Z
Update! There are three gov Delivery lists:

Rulemaking (5,586),

Air Quality Permits (2,196),

Title V Permit Program (1,975)

About 6,300 total subscribers when we remove duplicates from these categories.