Overview
Title
Outer Continental Shelf Air Regulations; Amendment to State Requirements Incorporated by Reference; Massachusetts
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The government is changing some rules about air pollution near the ocean close to Massachusetts, and they're taking away two rules they don't need anymore because they don't help with keeping the air clean.
Summary AI
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has updated a part of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Air Regulations, which involve air pollution control requirements near state seaward boundaries. Specifically, this update affects the requirements for OCS sources near Massachusetts and involves removing two state provisions from the federal regulations as they are either redundant or irrelevant to air quality standards. This rule will ensure that the OCS regulations are in line with onshore regulations and will be effective from January 27, 2025.
Abstract
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is updating a portion of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Air Regulations. Requirements applying to OCS sources located within 25 miles of states' seaward boundaries must be updated periodically to remain consistent with the requirements of the corresponding onshore area (COA), as mandated by the Clean Air Act. The portion of the OCS air regulations that is being updated pertains to the requirements for OCS sources for which Massachusetts is the designated COA. This final rule removes two Commonwealth of Massachusetts provisions from the compilation of requirements incorporated by reference in the Code of Federal Regulations and listed in the appendix to the Federal OCS air regulations.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The document outlines updates to certain air regulation rules applicable to the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), administered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This update particularly affects regulations near Massachusetts, aimed at keeping offshore requirements in tune with those onshore, as required by law. Two Massachusetts regulations, considered unnecessary or duplicative, have been removed from the federal requirements. These changes will be enforced starting January 27, 2025.
General Summary
The EPA is responsible for ensuring that air quality standards are consistently applied both onshore and offshore. To fulfill this requirement, it regularly updates OCS regulations, aligning them with the state rules of nearby coastal areas. This specific ruling involves the removal of two provisions from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts regulations—identified as 310 CMR 4.03: Annual Compliance Assurance Fee and 310 CMR 7.12: U Source Registration—from the federal standards. The reasons are twofold: either the regulations are redundant, as existing federal programs cover them, or they do not directly contribute to air quality standards. This streamlined approach aims to eliminate unnecessary regulatory burdens.
Significant Issues or Concerns
One notable issue with the document is that it uses technical jargon and references multiple past regulatory updates, which may confuse readers not familiar with legal or environmental regulatory language. The document assumes a certain level of background knowledge, without which the context or significance of these changes might be lost. Moreover, while the necessity to streamline regulation is clear, the direct environmental and economic impacts on businesses are not detailed, creating a gap in understanding how these changes affect stakeholders.
Potential Public Impact
For the general public, these regulatory updates may seem distant if they don't directly affect daily activities or local businesses. However, ensuring that air quality standards are consistently applied across regions is in everyone's interest. Improved air quality laws help in maintaining cleaner air, which benefits public health broadly. Nevertheless, because the document doesn't include an accessible summary for the layperson, individuals may find it challenging to grasp how these changes affect them or their community.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
These regulatory updates could significantly impact businesses operating in and around Massachusetts' offshore areas. For businesses, removing duplicative regulations could mean less paperwork and potentially reduced compliance costs, offering some relief from bureaucratic processes. However, the document does not discuss any specifics regarding potential cost benefits or disadvantages this might entail. Environmental groups or communities interested in air quality might view the removal of any regulation with skepticism, though the EPA assures that these changes do not compromise air quality standards.
In summary, while aimed at aligning offshore regulations with established onshore standards, this EPA update may benefit businesses through reduced redundancy. Yet, the lack of clarity and detail about tangible impacts is a concern, leaving both stakeholders and the public wanting more information about environmental and economic outcomes.
Issues
• The document mentions several updates and incorporation by reference of Massachusetts air regulations into the federal regulations but does not explain the cost implications of these updates for affected stakeholders.
• The rationale for removing the two Commonwealth of Massachusetts provisions (310 CMR 4.03 and 310 CMR 7.12) is somewhat technical and may not be easily understood by non-experts.
• There is no detailed explanation provided on how the removal of these provisions will impact the environment or the operational costs for businesses operating in these areas.
• The document references multiple historical updates and NOIs, which could be overwhelming or difficult for readers without background knowledge to follow.
• The language used in legal citations, such as 'OMB control number 2060-0249' and '5 U.S.C. 804(2)', could be considered overly complex for a general audience.
• The contact information and ways to access further information are mentioned but may not be entirely transparent or straightforward for all audiences, particularly the process for accessing materials not available online.
• The document lacks a summary or simplification for the broader public on how these regulatory updates are relevant to them, which might limit understanding of the policy implications.