Overview
Title
Air Plan Approval; Georgia; Update to Materials Incorporated by Reference
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has decided to update a set of rules to make sure that Georgia follows the right air quality standards. They are changing some old numbers and letters in their big rule book, but these changes won't create any new rules for people to follow.
Summary AI
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a final rule updating the materials incorporated by reference into the Georgia State Implementation Plan (SIP) to align with federal air quality standards. This update includes various changes to the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) tables, clarifying and revising several regulation explanations. The updates are effective from December 20, 2024, and affect how these materials can be accessed by the public at specified locations. EPA emphasized that this action is an administrative change that codifies existing state and federal regulations, and does not impose new regulatory impacts.
Abstract
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is updating the materials that are incorporated by reference (IBR) into the Georgia State Implementation Plan (SIP). The regulations affected by this update have been previously submitted by Georgia and approved by EPA. In this notice, EPA is also notifying the public of corrections to the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) tables that identify material incorporated by reference into the Georgia SIP. This update affects the materials that are available for public inspection at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) and the EPA Regional Office.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
General Summary
The document is a rule update from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) related to the Georgia State Implementation Plan (SIP). This update incorporates materials by reference to align with federal air quality standards. It includes minor adjustments, clarifying and revising explanations in existing regulations under the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). The aim is to ensure the state-level regulations comply with national guidelines for air quality management. These changes officially take effect on December 20, 2024, and their details can be accessed at specific locations, including online and at EPA offices.
Significant Issues and Concerns
A notable concern with the document is its use of dense regulatory language, which can be daunting for individuals without a background in law or environmental regulations. Terms like “391-3-1-.02(7)” and “Incorporation by Reference” may not be easily understandable to a layperson. Additionally, references to historical Federal Register documents challenge readers unfamiliar with navigating or interpreting such legal resources. There is also a mention of the “good cause” exemption, which could be confusing for those not versed in legal terminology, as it relates to administrative procedure technicalities.
Broad Public Impact
For the general public, the direct impact of this rule change might not be immediately apparent, especially since it mainly concerns procedural updates rather than substantive changes to existing regulations. Nonetheless, it aims to improve clarity and enhance regulatory compliance concerning air quality, indirectly benefiting public health and environmental quality.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
State and Regional Authorities: Local environmental agencies in Georgia may find the updated SIP requirements streamline compliance with federal standards. The changes help ensure that state regulations are in line with overarching federal guidelines, potentially simplifying future regulatory processes.
Environmental Advocacy Groups: These updates may be seen positively, as they reflect ongoing efforts to maintain and improve air quality standards. Advocacy groups might use this update as leverage to push for more stringent policies or to ensure robust enforcement of current regulations.
Businesses and Industries: For businesses that emit air pollutants or are involved in industries regulated under these standards, this rule change serves as a reminder to stay current with compliance measures. While the update doesn't introduce new regulations per se, it emphasizes the importance of awareness and adherence to existing standards.
Conclusion
The EPA's action to update the Georgia SIP through incorporating materials by reference is primarily administrative. While it may not alter the regulatory landscape drastically, it underscores the ongoing task of aligning state standards with federal requirements to maintain air quality. Clarity and accessibility in regulatory language could be further improved to aid public understanding and engagement.
Issues
• The document includes complex regulatory language that may be difficult for the general public to understand, particularly in sections outlining changes to the Code of Federal Regulations (e.g., '391-3-1-.02(7)' and '391-3-1-.01').
• There is a lack of simplified explanation or summary for laypersons about the implications of the administrative changes being made to the Georgia SIP.
• The document refers to previous Federal Register citations (e.g., 'see 64 FR 27699'), which requires readers to have access to and understanding of historical Federal Register documents to fully comprehend the context.
• The explanation regarding the 'good cause' exemption in section 553(b)(B) of the Administrative Procedure Act might not be clear to those unfamiliar with legal terminology and administrative law.