(a) Purpose and scope. This section sets forth the applicable State implementation plan (SIP) for South Carolina under section 110 of the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. 7401-7671q and 40 CFR part 51 to meet national ambient air quality standards.

(b) Incorporation by reference. (1) Material listed in paragraphs (c) and (d) of this section with an EPA approval date prior to November 14, 2022, was approved for incorporation by reference by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Material is incorporated as it exists on the date of the approval and notice of any change in the material will be published in the Federal Register. Entries in paragraphs (c) and (d) of this section with EPA approval dates after November 14, 2022, will be incorporated by reference in the next update to the SIP compilation.

(2) EPA Region 4 certifies that the rules/regulations provided by EPA in the SIP compilation at the addresses in paragraph (b)(3) of this section are an exact duplicate of the officially promulgated State rules/regulations which have been approved as part of the State Implementation Plan as of the dates referenced in paragraph (b)(1) of this section.

(3) Copies of the materials incorporated by reference may be inspected at the Region 4 EPA Office at 61 Forsyth Street SW, Atlanta, GA 30303. To obtain the material, please call (404) 562-9022. You may inspect the material with an EPA approval date prior to November 14, 2022, for South Carolina at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA email [email protected] or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

(c) EPA-Approved Laws and Regulations.

(d) EPA-Approved State Source-Specific Requirements.

(e) EPA-approved South Carolina non-regulatory provisions.

[62 FR 35444, July 1, 1997] Editorial Note:For Federal Register citations affecting § 52.2120, see the List of CFR Sections Affected, which appears in the Finding Aids section of the printed volume and at www.govinfo.gov.

The South Carolina plan was evaluated on the basis of the following classifications:

(a) With the exceptions set forth in this subpart, the Administrator approves South Carolina's plan for the attainment and maintenance of the national standards under section 110 of the Clean Air Act. Furthermore, the Administrator finds that the plan satisfies all requirements of part D, title 1, of the Clean Air Act as amended in 1977.

(b) EPA disapproved South Carolina's generic bubble regulation submitted for approval into the State Implementation Plan (SIP) on June 5, 1985.

(c)(1) Insofar as the Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) provisions found in this subpart apply to stationary sources of greenhouse gas (GHGs) emissions, the Administrator approves that application only to the extent that GHGs are “subject to regulation”, as provided in this paragraph (c), and the Administrator takes no action on that application to the extent that GHGs are not “subject to regulation.”

(2) Beginning January 2, 2011, the pollutant GHGs is subject to regulation if:

(i) The stationary source is a new major stationary source for a regulated NSR pollutant that is not GHGs, and also will emit or will have the potential to emit 75,000 tpy CO2e or more; or

(ii) The stationary source is an existing major stationary source for a regulated NSR pollutant that is not GHGs, and also will have an emissions increase of a regulated NSR pollutant, and an emissions increase of 75,000 tpy CO2e or more; and,

(3) Beginning July 1, 2011, in addition to the provisions in paragraph (c)(2) of this section, the pollutant GHGs shall also be subject to regulation:

(i) At a new stationary source that will emit or have the potential to emit 100,000 tpy CO2e; or

(ii) At an existing stationary source that emits or has the potential to emit 100,000 tpy CO2e, when such stationary source undertakes a physical change or change in the method of operation that will result in an emissions increase of 75,000 tpy CO2e or more.

(4) For purposes of this paragraph (c)—

(i) The term greenhouse gas shall mean the air pollutant defined in 40 CFR 86.1818-12(a) as the aggregate group of six greenhouse gases: Carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, methane, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride.

(ii) The term tpy CO2 equivalent emissions (CO2e) shall represent an amount of GHGs emitted, and shall be computed as follows:

(A) Multiplying the mass amount of emissions (tpy), for each of the six greenhouse gases in the pollutant GHGs, by the gas's associated global warming potential published at Table A-1 to subpart A of 40 CFR part 98—Global Warming Potentials.

(B) Sum the resultant value from paragraph (c)(4)(ii)(A) of this section for each gas to compute a tpy CO2e.

(iii) The term emissions increase shall mean that both a significant emissions increase (as calculated using the procedures in South Carolina Air Pollution Control Regulations and Standards (South Carolina Regulations) 61-62.5, Standard No. 7, paragraph (a)(2)(iv)) and a significant net emissions increase (as defined in South Carolina Air Pollution Control Regulations and Standards (South Carolina Regulations) 61-62.5, Standard No. 7, paragraphs (b)(34) and (b)(49)(i)) occur. For the pollutant GHGs, an emissions increase shall be based on tpy CO2e, and shall be calculated assuming the pollutant GHGs is a regulated NSR pollutant, and “significant” is defined as 75,000 tpy CO2e instead of applying the value in South Carolina Air Pollution Control Regulations and Standards (South Carolina Regulations) 61-62.5, Standard No. 7, paragraph (b)(49)(ii).

(d) Regulation 61-62.5 Standard No. 7—This regulation (submitted on July 1, 2005) includes two portions of EPA's 2002 NSR Reform Rules that were vacated by the D.C. Circuit Court—Pollution Control Projects (PCPs) and clean units. As a result, EPA is disapproving all rules and/or rule sections in the South Carolina PSD rules referencing clean units or PCPs. Specifically, the following South Carolina rules are being disapproved: (a)(2)(iv)(e); (a)(2)(iv)(f) (second sentence only); (a)(2)(vi); (b)(12); (b)(30)(iii)(h); (b)(34)(iii)(b); (b)(34)(vi)(d); (b)(35); (r)(6)—only the reference to the term “clean unit” is being disapproved. The remainder of this regulatory provision is being approved); (r)(7)—only the reference to the term “clean unit” is being disapproved. The remainder of this regulatory provision is being approved); (x); (y) and (z).

(e) Regulation 61-62.5 Standard No. 7.1—EPA is disapproving two provisions of South Carolina's NNSR program (submitted on July 1, 2005) that relate to provisions that were vacated from the federal program by the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit on June 24, 2005. The two provisions vacated from the federal rules pertain to Pollution Control Projects (PCPs) and clean units. The PCP and clean unit references are severable from the remainder of the NNSR program. Specifically, the following sections of South Carolina Regulation 61-62.5 Standard No. 7.1 are being disapproved: (b)(5); (b)(6)—Second sentence only; (b)(8); (c)(4); (c)(6)(C)(viii); (c)(8)(C)(iii); (c)(8)(E)(v); (c)(10); (d)(1)(C)(ix); (d)(1)(C)(x); (d)(3)—Only the reference to the term “clean unit” is being disapproved. The remainder of this regulatory provision is being approved; (d)(4)—Only the reference to the term “clean unit” is being disapproved. The remainder of this regulatory provision is being approved; (f); (g) and (h). These disapprovals were amended in 73 FR 31371, (June 2, 2008)

[45 FR 6575, Jan. 29, 1980, as amended at 60 FR 12702, Mar. 8, 1995; 75 FR 82560, Dec. 30, 2010; 76 FR 36879, June 23, 2011; 79 FR 30051, May 27, 2014]

(a)-(c) [Reserved]

(d) The requirements of § 51.230(d) of this chapter are not met since statutory authority to prevent construction, modification, or operation of a facility, building, structure, or installation, or combination thereof, which indirectly results or may result in emissions of any air pollutant at any location which will prevent the maintenance of a national air quality standard is not adequate.

[37 FR 10892, May 31, 1972, as amended at 39 FR 7284, Feb. 25, 1974; 41 FR 10065, Mar. 9, 1976; 51 FR 40676, Nov. 7, 1986]

(a) Determination of attaining data. EPA has determined, as of November 15, 2011, the bi-state Charlotte-Gastonia-Rockhill, North Carolina-South Carolina nonattainment area has attaining data for the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS. This determination, in accordance with 40 CFR 51.918, suspends the requirements for this area to submit an attainment demonstration, associated reasonably available control measures, a reasonable further progress plan, contingency measures, and other planning SIPs related to attainment of the standards for as long as this area continues to meet the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS.

(b) Based upon EPA's review of the air quality data for the 3-year period 2008-2010, EPA determined that the Charlotte-Gastonia-Rock Hill, North Carolina-South Carolina, 1997 8-hour ozone nonattainment Area attained the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS by the applicable attainment date of June 15, 2011. Therefore, EPA has met the requirement pursuant to CAA section 181(b)(2) to determine, based on the Area's air quality as of the attainment date, whether the Area attained the standard. EPA also determined that the Charlotte-Gastonia-Rock Hill, North Carolina-South Carolina, 1997 8-hour ozone nonattainment Area is not subject to the consequences of failing to attain pursuant to section 181(b)(2).

(c) Determination of attainment. The EPA has determined, as of June 3, 2016, that based on 2012 to 2014 ambient air quality data, the Charlotte-Rock Hill, NC-SC 2008 ozone Marginal nonattainment area has attained the 2008 ozone NAAQS. Therefore, the EPA has met the requirement pursuant to CAA section 181(b)(2)(A) to determine, based on the area's air quality data as of the attainment date, whether the area attained the standard. The EPA also determined that the Charlotte-Rock Hill, NC-SC nonattainment area will not be reclassified for failure to attain by its applicable attainment date under section 181(b)(2)(A).

[76 FR 70660, Nov. 15, 2011, as amended at 77 FR 13494, Mar. 7, 2012; 81 FR 26710, May 4, 2016]

Sections I and II of South Carolina's Regulations 62.1 and 62.5 is approved. The State submitted these regulations to EPA for approval on September 18, 1990. Sections I and II of Regulation 62.5 were intended to correct deficiencies cited in a letter calling for the State to revise its SIP for ozone from Mr. Greer C. Tidwell, the EPA Regional Administrator, to Governor Carroll A. Campbell on May 26, 1988, and clarified in a letter from Mr. Winston A. Smith, EPA Region IV, Air, Pesticides and Toxics Management Division, to Mr. Otto E. Pearson, former Director of the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control:

(a) South Carolina's VOC regulations contain no method for determining capture efficiency. This deficiency must be corrected after EPA publishes guidance on the methods for determining capture efficiency before the SIP for ozone can be fully approved.

(b) [Reserved]

[57 FR 4161, Feb. 4, 1992, as amended at 59 FR 17937, Apr. 15, 1994]

In letters dated May 7, and December 2, 1986, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control certified that no emission limits in the State's plan are based on dispersion techniques not permitted by EPA's stack height rules. This certification does not apply to Public Service Authority—Winyah, Bowater, and SCE & G—Williams.

[79 FR 30051, May 27, 2014]

(a)-(b) [Reserved]

(c) All applications and other information required pursuant to § 52.21 from sources located in the State of South Carolina shall be submitted to the State agency, South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, South Carolina 29201, rather than to EPA's Region 4 office.

[42 FR 4124, Jan. 24, 1977, as amended at 47 FR 6018, Feb. 10, 1982; 74 FR 55143, Oct. 27, 2009]

The General Conformity regulations adopted into the South Carolina State Implementation Plan which were submitted on November 8, 1996. South Carolina incorporated by reference regulations 40 CFR part 51, subpart W—determining conformity of General Federal Actions to State or Federal Implementation Plans.

[62 FR 32538, June 16, 1997]

(a) This section identified the original “Air Implementation Plan for the State of South Carolina” and all revisions submitted by South Carolina that were federally approved prior to July 1, 1997. The information in this section is available in the 40 CFR, part 52 edition revised as of July 1, 1999, the 40 CFR, part 52, Volume 2 of 2 (§§ 52.1019 to End) editions revised as of July 1, 2000 through July 1, 2011, and the 40 CFR, part 52, Volume 3 of 3 (§§ 52.2020 to End) editions revised as of July 1, 2012.

(b)-(c) [Reserved]

[79 FR 30051, May 27, 2014]

(a)(1) The owner and operator of each source and each unit located in the State of South Carolina and Indian country within the borders of the State and for which requirements are set forth under the CSAPR NOX Annual Trading Program in subpart AAAAA of part 97 of this chapter must comply with such requirements. The obligation to comply with such requirements with regard to sources and units in the State will be eliminated by the promulgation of an approval by the Administrator of a revision to South Carolina's State Implementation Plan (SIP) as correcting the SIP's deficiency that is the basis for the CSAPR Federal Implementation Plan under § 52.38(a) for those sources and units, except to the extent the Administrator's approval is partial or conditional. The obligation to comply with such requirements with regard to sources and units located in Indian country within the borders of the State will not be eliminated by the promulgation of an approval by the Administrator of a revision to South Carolina's SIP.

(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a)(1) of this section, if, at the time of the approval of South Carolina's SIP revision described in paragraph (a)(1) of this section, the Administrator has already started recording any allocations of CSAPR NOX Annual allowances under subpart AAAAA of part 97 of this chapter to units in the State for a control period in any year, the provisions of subpart AAAAA of part 97 of this chapter authorizing the Administrator to complete the allocation and recordation of CSAPR NOX Annual allowances to units in the State for each such control period shall continue to apply, unless provided otherwise by such approval of the State's SIP revision.

(b)(1) The owner and operator of each source and each unit located in the State of South Carolina and Indian country within the borders of the State and for which requirements are set forth under the CSAPR NOX Ozone Season Group 1 Trading Program in subpart BBBBB of part 97 of this chapter must comply with such requirements with regard to emissions occurring in 2015 and 2016.

(2)[Reserved]

[76 FR 48373, Aug. 8, 2011, as amended at 81 FR 74586, 74600, Oct. 26, 2016]

(a) The owner and operator of each source and each unit located in the State of South Carolina and Indian country within the borders of the State and for which requirements are set forth under the CSAPR SO2 Group 2 Trading Program in subpart DDDDD of part 97 of this chapter must comply with such requirements. The obligation to comply with such requirements with regard to sources and units in the State will be eliminated by the promulgation of an approval by the Administrator of a revision to South Carolina's State Implementation Plan (SIP) as correcting the SIP's deficiency that is the basis for the CSAPR Federal Implementation Plan under § 52.39 for those sources and units, except to the extent the Administrator's approval is partial or conditional. The obligation to comply with such requirements with regard to sources and units located in Indian country within the borders of the State will not be eliminated by the promulgation of an approval by the Administrator of a revision to South Carolina's SIP.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a) of this section, if, at the time of the approval of South Carolina's SIP revision described in paragraph (a) of this section, the Administrator has already started recording any allocations of CSAPR SO2 Group 2 allowances under subpart DDDDD of part 97 of this chapter to units in the State for a control period in any year, the provisions of subpart DDDDD of part 97 of this chapter authorizing the Administrator to complete the allocation and recordation of CSAPR SO2 Group 2 allowances to units in the State for each such control period shall continue to apply, unless provided otherwise by such approval of the State's SIP revision.

[76 FR 48373, Aug. 8, 2011, as amended at 81 FR 74586, 74600, Oct. 26, 2016; 82 FR 45496, Sept. 29, 2017]