In accordance with 5 CFR 1320, OMB is withholding approval at this time. Prior to publication of the final rule, the agency must submit to OMB a summary of all comments related to the information collection contained in the proposed rule and the agency response. The agency should clearly indicate any changes made to the information collection as a result of these comments.
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Pursuant to Clean Air Act (CAA) section 111(d), the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing state-specific rate-based goals for CO2 emissions from existing fossil fuel-fired EGUs and guidelines for states to use in developing plans to attain these goals. For purposes of these guidelines, fossil fuel-fired EGUs include fossil fuel-fired steam generating units, integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) units, and stationary combustion turbines that generate electricity for sale and are larger than 25 megawatts (MW). Existing sources include those EGUs that commenced construction on or before January 8, 2014.
The EPA is proposing these guidelines because CO2 is a greenhouse gas (GHG), and fossil fuel-fired power plants are the country's largest stationary source emitters of GHGs. The EPA in 2009 found that by causing or contributing to climate change, GHGs endanger both the public health and the public welfare of current and future generations.
This proposed action requires those states with one or more EGUs covered under this subpart to develop plans to implement the emission guidelines and submit the plans to EPA for approval. If an approvable state plan is not submitted by January 8, 2014, EPA will develop a federal plan according to 40 CFR 60.27 to implement the emission guidelines in those states. Owners and operators of EGUs not covered by an approved state plan must comply with the federal plan. The federal plan is an interim action and will be automatically withdrawn when the state plan is approved. Those states that have no EGUs for which construction commenced on or before January 8, 2014 would submit a negative declaration letter in place of the state plan.
The emission guidelines include required components of the state plan, provisions for working with other states to develop a combined plan, timing requirements for submitting the state plan, state goals for CO2 emission performance, compliance schedules, and affected sources (EGUs). Under the timing requirements provisions in the proposed guidelines, states are given the option to submit their plans by the June 30, 2016 deadline or request a 1?year extension for an individual state plan or a 2-year extension for a combined multi-state plan.
As previously stated, the EPA in 2009 found that by causing or contributing to climate change, GHGs endanger both the public health and the public welfare of current and future generations. Fossil fuel-fired power plants are the country's largest stationary source emitters of GHGs. Therefore, emission guidelines for emissions of CO2 are being proposed for existing sources in this category at 40 CFR part 60, subpart UUUU. The emission guidelines are being proposed for states to use in developing state plans to attain state-specific goals.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
2503ss01.docx
Carbon Pollution Emission Guidelines for Existing Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units (40 CFR Part 60, Subpart UUUU) (Proposed Rule)