Overview
Title
Air Plan Approval; Indiana; Update to CFR References
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The EPA says Indiana can change how it keeps its rules up-to-date with new U.S. laws by switching to a newer book of rules called the Code of Federal Regulations. This makes sure Indiana follows the latest rules without changing anything else.
Summary AI
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved a request from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) to update the Indiana State Implementation Plan (SIP) by revising the reference to the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) from the 2018 edition to the 2022 edition. This change is meant to keep Indiana's regulations in sync with the current federal standards. The decision, effective January 27, 2025, received no negative feedback during the public comment period. The rule does not impose additional requirements and is consistent with existing federal regulations.
Abstract
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving a request submitted by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) on December 14, 2023, to revise the Indiana State Implementation Plan (SIP). The submission revises and updates the Indiana Administrative Code (IAC) definition of "References to the Code of Federal Regulations," from the 2018 edition to the 2022 edition. EPA proposed to approve this action on August 18, 2024, and received no adverse comments.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The document under review is a final rule issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), concerning an update to Indiana's State Implementation Plan (SIP). The update involves revising the state's reference to the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) from the 2018 edition to the 2022 edition. This revision aligns Indiana's state regulations with the most recent federal standards.
General Summary
In essence, the document announces the EPA's approval of a submission from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM), which seeks to ensure that Indiana's regulations remain current with federal laws. This administrative change, effective January 27, 2025, received no negative comments during the public comment period, suggesting broad acceptance or neutrality regarding the change.
Significant Issues and Concerns
One noteworthy issue is the document's mention of specific contact information, such as a phone number and email address, which might be viewed as unnecessary and potentially sensitive information for general publication. Additionally, the document notes that the IDEM did not account for Environmental Justice (EJ) considerations in its submission, indicating a possible oversight given the growing focus on EJ in federal policy. Some sections, particularly those related to statutory and executive order reviews, employ complex language that may be difficult for a layperson to follow, potentially obscuring understanding of the document's implications.
Impact on the Public and Stakeholders
Broadly speaking, the document reflects an effort to maintain consistency between state and federal regulations, which is likely seen as a positive development for regulatory coherence. For the public, this update does not introduce new regulatory burdens, merely reflecting the current federal standards, which may reassure citizens that state regulations are kept up-to-date. However, the lack of clarity regarding potential environmental or economic impacts of referencing a newer CFR edition leaves open questions about whether there might be substantive changes resulting from this update, which the general public may wish to understand.
For specific stakeholders, such as businesses and environmental groups, the impact may vary. Businesses might benefit from regulations that align with federal standards, making compliance more straightforward and predictable across different jurisdictions. On the other hand, environmental advocacy groups may view the lack of an Environmental Justice review as a missed opportunity to assess the broader social and environmental implications of regulatory changes.
In conclusion, while the document represents a routine administrative update intended to align state practices with federal regulations, the intricacies involved in statutory references and the potential consequences on various groups necessitate a nuanced examination beyond what is presented in the document. The absence of an Environmental Justice evaluation could represent a gap in the consideration of wider societal impacts, highlighting an area for potential growth in future regulatory assessments.
Issues
• The document mentions specific contact information (phone number and email) which could be considered sensitive and not necessary for publication in this context.
• The document states that IDEM did not evaluate Environmental Justice (EJ) considerations as part of its submission, which could be a concern given the emphasis on EJ in other federal regulations and policies.
• The language in the 'Statutory and Executive Order Reviews' section may be overly complex for the general public, especially regarding references to multiple executive orders and acts.
• The explanation of the rule's compliance with various statutes and executive orders is somewhat detailed and could be simplified for better clarity and understanding by a wider audience.
• The document does not make explicit any potential environmental or economic impacts of updating the CFR references from the 2018 edition to the 2022 edition, leaving it unclear if this is purely administrative or if it could have substantive effects.