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Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Rhode Island; Control of Volatile Organic Chemicals from Automotive Refinishing Operations
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[Federal Register: February 2, 1996 (Volume 61, Number 23)] [Rules and Regulations] [Page 3824-3827] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 40 CFR Part 52 [RI15-1-6954a; A-1-FRL-5329-3] Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Rhode Island; Control of Volatile Organic Chemicals from Automotive Refinishing Operations AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Direct final rule.
SUMMARY: EPA is approving a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of Rhode Island. This revision establishes VOC emission standards for automotive refinishing operations. The intended effect of this action is to approve a revision to Rhode Island SIP which reduces VOC emissions from automotive refinishing. This action is being taken in accordance with Section 183(e) and Section 182(b)(1) of the Clean Air Act. DATES: This action is effective April 2, 1996, unless notice is received by March 4, 1996 that adverse or critical comments will be submitted. If the effective date is delayed, timely notice will be published in the Federal Register. ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to Susan Studlien, Deputy Director, Office of Ecosystems Protection, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region I, JFK Federal Building, Boston, MA 02203. Copies of the documents relevant to this action are available for public inspection during normal business hours, by appointment at the Office of Ecosystems Protection, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region I, One Congress Street, 10th floor, Boston, MA; Air and Radiation Docket and Information Center, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M Street, S.W., (LE-131), Washington, D.C. 20460; and the Division of Air and Hazardous Materials, Department of Environmental Management, 291 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908-5767. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeanne Cosgrove, (617) 565-3246. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under section 183(a) of the Clean Air Act, EPA was required to issue a control techniques guideline (CTG) for the category of autobody refinishing. However, EPA has instead issued guidance for this category in the form of an Alternative Control Technology (ACT) guideline. While the ACT does not define reasonably available control technology (RACT) standards for autobody refinishing, it does include three control options with estimates of costs and emission reductions for each option. In addition to the section 183(a) requirements, Section 183(e) of the CAA, requires EPA to issue national VOC emissions standards for consumer and commercial products, which include automotive refinishing coatings. EPA expects to propose the national rule for automotive refinishing coatings in early 1996. Rhode Island decided to adopt rules for autobody refinishing in advance of a federal rule, to get credit [[Page 3825]] for reductions from this category in its 15alan. Rhode Island was required to submit, by November 15, 1993, a SIP revision for Reasonable Further Progress (RFP) for 15reduction of VOCs as necessary for moderate areas and above. The entire state of Rhode Island is classified as serious nonattainment area, therefore the 15alan must cover the entire state. On November 24, 1993, the Rhode Island DEP submitted to EPA for comment, proposed amendments to the SIP to address the RFP requirements including new Air Pollution Control Regulations No. 30, Control of Volatile Organic Compounds from Automobile Refinishing Operations.'' Rhode Island held public hearing on December 15, 1993 for its proposed automotive refinishing rule. EPA submitted written comments regarding the proposed regulation on December 14, 1993 and January 3, 1994. The regulation was adopted on March 11, 1994 and became effective on March 31, 1994. Rhode Island submitted their adopted regulation as a formal SIP submittal to EPA on March 17, 1994. On January 14, 1995, the Rhode Island DEM submitted to EPA for comment proposed revisions to Air Pollution Control Regulation 30, ``Control of Volatile Organic Compounds from Automobile Refinishing Operations.'' Rhode Island held a public hearing on the revised rule on April 17, 1995. EPA submitted written comments on the proposed revisions on April 17, 1995. The regulation became effective on July 17, 1995. Subsequently, on June 27, 1995, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) submitted an amended Air Pollution Control Regulation Number 30, ``Control of Volatile Organic Compounds from Automobile Refinishing Operations.'' as a revision to the Rhode Island SIP. The amended Regulation No. 30 in the June 27, 1995 submittal replaces Rhode Island's March 17, 1994 Regulation No. 30 submittal. The amended regulation changed the emission limit for primer/primer surfacer coatings applied to Group I vehicles from 3.8 pounds of VOC/gallon of coating applied to 4.8 pounds of VOC/gallon of coating applied. The adopted Air Pollution Control Regulation Number 30, ``Control of Volatile Organic Compounds from Automobile Refinishing Operations'' regulates the VOC content of automotive refinishing products. The regulation applies to any person who owns, leases, operates or controls an automotive refinishing facility. Summary of SIP Revision The adopted Air Pollution Control Regulation Number 30, ``Control of Volatile Organic Compounds from Automobile Refinishing Operations, establishes Reasonably Available Control Technology for all automobile refinishing facilities. ``Automotive Refinishing'' is defined by Rhode Island as ``any coating of vehicles, their parts and components, or mobile equipment, including partial body collision repairs, for the purpose of protection or beautification and which is subsequent to the original coating applied at the plant coating assembly line.'' The rule establishes the following RACT emission limits, expressed as pounds of VOC per gallon of coating and grams of VOC per liter of coating, excluding water: Table 1.--Emission Limitations for Automotive Refinishing Operations for Group I Vehicles VOC Emission Limitation ----------------------- lb VOC/ gallon lb VOC/ solids Type of Coating gallon applied coating (for applied facilities minus which use water add on control) Group II vehicles VOC Emission Limitation ----------------------- lb VOC/ gallon lb VOC/ solids Type of Coating gallon applied coating (for applied facilities minus which use water add on control) Table 52.2081.--EPA-Approved Rules and Regulations Comments/ State EPA sections Automobile citation from From Automobile Refinishing published date]. Refinishing Operations. Operations.