March 13, 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The open forum on the FY 2007 Performance and Accountability Report (PAR) pilot previously scheduled for April 14, 2008 will now be held at the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA) on April 10, 2008 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Those interested in participating should respond to the questions listed below by Email to either Regina Kearney at rkearney@omb.eop.gov, or Pat Harris at pharris@omb.eop.gov by close of business March 28, 2008. Do the PAR pilot component documents (Annual Financial Report, Annual Performance Report, and Highlights): [cir] Provide an enhanced presentation of the financial and performance information in a more transparent way (i.e. information is presented in a manner that is user friendly and easy enough for a novice reader to understand)? [cir] Report financial and performance information more meaningful (i.e. financial and performance data is reliable, relevant, and include measurable results linked to strategic goals)? [cir] Tailor financial and performance information to meet stakeholder needs? [cir] Report performance and financial results candidly and clearly articulate remedies to performance or financial shortfalls? Are the PAR pilot component documents easily accessible via the web and are they easy to use? Did the development of the PAR pilot component documents: [cir] Improve internal and external communications? [cir] Increase/decrease the burden on preparers? What are individuals' recommendations for improving performance and financial reporting? For additional background information regarding the open forum and the PAR pilot, please see OMB's pilot notice of January 30, 2008 (73 FR 5600).

In a rule published on June 14, 2005, EPA established a manufacturer-run, in-use testing program for heavy-duty diesel vehicles. The program requires engine manufacturers to measure exhaust emissions from their diesel engines using portable emissions measurement systems during real-world operation. At the time the rule was promulgated, EPA established interim emission measurement ``accuracy'' margins for the requisite portable emission measurement devices pending the development of final accuracy margins through a comprehensive research program. This notice proposes to adopt the resulting final accuracy margins for gaseous pollutants. Also, this rule proposes to make several changes to the program in the early years of in-use testing. First, we are proposing to eliminate the first calendar year, i.e., 2006, of the two-year pilot program for particulate emissions (PM) in response to engine manufacturers' concerns, which primarily relate to the availability and efficacy of the requisite portable measurement systems (PEMS) for that pollutant. Second, due to a delay in developing the final accuracy margin for PM under the aforementioned comprehensive research program, we are proposing to delay the first year of the fully enforceable PM test program from the 2008 calendar year to the 2009 calendar year. During the 2008 calendar year, there will be another year of pilot program testing for that pollutant. Third, and finally, we are proposing to extend the normal period for reporting in-use test results and allowing certain short-term changes in how vehicles are recruited and tested. These proposed revisions are primarily intended to address delays in initiating the gaseous emission and PM pilot programs, manufacturers' concerns regarding the schedule for initial purchases of PM measurement systems, and manufacturers' concerns regarding potential difficulties of initially instrumenting vehicles with these units.