Oil Pollution Prevention; Non-Transportation Related Onshore Facilities, 8462-8467 [06-1502]
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Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 33 / Friday, February 17, 2006 / Rules and Regulations
In reviewing SIP submissions, EPA’s
role is to approve state choices,
provided that they meet the criteria of
the Clean Air Act. In this context, in the
absence of a prior existing requirement
for the State to use voluntary consensus
standards (VCS), EPA has no authority
to disapprove a SIP submission for
failure to use VCS. It would thus be
inconsistent with applicable law for
EPA, when it reviews a SIP submission,
to use VCS in place of a SIP submission
that otherwise satisfies the provisions of
the Clean Air Act. Thus, the
requirements of section 12(d) of the
National Technology Transfer and
Advancement Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C.
272 note) do not apply. This rule does
not impose an information collection
burden under the provisions of the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).
The Congressional Review Act, 5
U.S.C. 801 et seq., as added by the Small
Business Regulatory Enforcement
Fairness Act of 1996, generally provides
that before a rule may take effect, the
agency promulgating the rule must
submit a rule report, which includes a
copy of the rule, to each House of the
Congress and to the Comptroller General
of the United States. EPA will submit a
report containing these rules and other
required information to the U.S. Senate,
the U.S. House of Representatives, and
the Comptroller General of the United
States prior to publication of the rule in
the Federal Register. A major rule
cannot take effect until 60 days after it
is published in the Federal Register.
This action is not a ‘‘major rule’’ as
defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2).
Under section 307(b)(1) of the Clean
Air Act, petitions for judicial review of
this action must be filed in the United
States Court of Appeals for the
appropriate circuit by April 18, 2006.
Filing a petition for reconsideration by
the Administrator of these final rules do
not affect the finality of this rule for the
purposes of judicial review nor does it
extend the time within which a petition
for judicial review may be filed, and
shall not postpone the effectiveness of
such rule or action. This action may not
be challenged later in proceedings to
enforce its requirements. (See section
307(b)(2).)
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List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52
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Part 52, Chapter I, Title 40 of the Code
of Federal Regulations is amended as
follows:
I
PART 52—[AMENDED]
1. The authority citation for part 52
continues to read as follows:
I
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
Subpart F—California
2. Section 52.220 is amended by
adding paragraph (c)(334) (i)(B)(2) to
read as follows:
I
§ 52.220
Identification of plan.
*
*
*
*
*
(c) * * *
(334) * * *
(i) * * *
(B) * * *
(2) Rules 8011, 8021, 8031, 8041,
8051, and 8061, amended on August 19,
2004 and Rules 8071 and 8081,
amended on September 16, 2004.
*
*
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[FR Doc. 06–1413 Filed 2–16–06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 112
[EPA–HQ–OPA–2005–0003; FRL–8033–9]
RIN 2050–AG28
Oil Pollution Prevention; NonTransportation Related Onshore
Facilities
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection
Agency is today extending the dates by
which facilities must prepare or amend
Spill Prevention, Control, and
Countermeasure (SPCC) Plans, and
implement those Plans. This action
allows the Agency time to take final
action on proposed revisions to the July
17, 2002 SPCC rule before owners and
operators of facilities are required to
meet requirements of that rule when
preparing or amending their SPCC
Plans.
This final rule is effective
February 17, 2006.
ADDRESSES: The public docket for this
final rule, Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–
OPA–2005–0003, contains the
information related to this rulemaking,
DATES:
Environmental protection, Air
pollution control, Incorporation by
reference, Intergovernmental relations,
Particulate matter, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements.
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Dated: January 24, 2006.
Wayne Nastri,
Regional Administrator, Region IX.
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including the response to comment
document. All documents in the docket
are listed in the https://
www.regulations.gov index. Although
listed in the index, some information
may not be publicly available, e.g.,
Confidential Business Information or
other information the disclosure of
which is restricted by statute. Certain
other material, such as copyrighted
material, will be publicly available only
in hard copy. Publicly available docket
materials are available either
electronically in https://
www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at
the EPA Docket, EPA/DC, EPA West,
Room B102, 1301 Constitution Ave.,
NW., Washington, DC. The Public
Reading Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to
4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday,
excluding legal holidays. The telephone
number of the Public Reading Room is
202–566–1744, and the telephone
number to make an appointment to view
the docket is 202–566–0276.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
general information, contact the
Superfund, TRI, EPCRA, RMP, and Oil
Information Center at (800) 424–9346 or
TDD (800) 553–7672 (hearing impaired).
In the Washington, DC metropolitan
area, call (703) 421–9810 or TDD (703)
421–3323. For more detailed
information on specific aspects of this
final rule, contact either Vanessa
Rodriguez at (202) 564–7913
(rodriguez.vanessa@epa.gov), or Mark
W. Howard at (202) 564–1964
(howard.markw@epa.gov), U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200
Pennsylvania Avenue, NW.,
Washington, DC, 20460–0002, Mail
Code 5104A.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Authority
33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.; 33 U.S.C. 2720;
E.O. 12777 (October 18, 1991), 3 CFR,
1991 Comp., p. 351.
II. Background
On July 17, 2002, the Agency
published a final rule that amended the
SPCC regulations (see 67 FR 47042). The
rule became effective on August 16,
2002. The final rule included
compliance dates in § 112.3 for
preparing, amending, and implementing
SPCC Plans. The original compliance
dates were amended on January 9, 2003
(see 68 FR 1348), again on April 17,
2003 (see 68 FR 18890), and a third time
on August 11, 2004 (see 69 FR 48794).
Under the regulations in effect prior
to this final rule, § 112.3(a) and (b)
required a facility that was in operation
on or before August 16, 2002 to make
any necessary amendments to its SPCC
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Plan by February 17, 2006, and to fully
implement its SPCC Plan by August 18,
2006. A facility that came into operation
after August 16, 2002, but before August
18, 2006, was required to prepare and
fully implement an SPCC Plan on or
before August 18, 2006. Thus, for
facilities in operation on or before
August 16, 2002, the regulations
provided a six-month period between
the compliance date for Plan
amendment and the compliance date for
Plan implementation. In addition,
§ 112.3(c) required onshore and offshore
mobile facilities to prepare or amend
and implement SPCC Plans on or before
August 18, 2006.
On December 12, 2005, the Agency
published in the Federal Register a
proposed rule that would amend the
SPCC requirements in several areas (see
70 FR 73524). Specifically, the proposal
would allow owners and operators of
facilities with an oil storage capacity of
10,000 gallons or less, that also meet
other qualifying criteria, the option of
self-certification of their SPCC Plans (in
lieu of review and certification by a
Professional Engineer); it would provide
facilities with certain types of oil-filled
operational equipment an alternative to
the secondary containment requirement
that would not require a determination
of impracticability; it would define
airport mobile refuelers, and exempt
such vehicles meeting the definition
from the specifically sized secondary
containment requirements for bulk
storage containers; it would amend the
requirements for animal fats and
vegetable oils (AFVOs) by removing
certain sections of the regulations in
Subpart C of Part 112 that do not apply
to facilities that handle, store, or
transport AFVOs; and it would define
farms, and would provide a separate
extension of the compliance dates for
certain farms.1
On the same day, but in a separate
notice in the Federal Register (see 70 FR
73518), the Agency also proposed to
extend the dates in § 112.3(a), (b), and
(c) by which a facility must prepare or
amend and implement its SPCC Plan.
Under the proposed extension rule, a
facility that was in operation on or
before August 16, 2002 would have to
make any necessary amendments to its
SPCC Plan, and implement that Plan, on
or before October 31, 2007. Likewise, a
facility that came into operation after
August 16, 2002 would have to prepare
and implement an SPCC Plan on or
before October 31, 2007. Finally, a
1 Comments and our response to them regarding
the separate extension of the compliance dates for
farms will be addressed in the rulemaking that
addresses the substantive modifications that were
proposed for the SPCC rule on December 12, 2005.
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mobile facility would have to prepare or
amend and implement an SPCC Plan on
or before October 31, 2007.
The Agency’s proposal to extend the
compliance dates in § 112.3 (which is
made final in today’s notice) was
designed to allow the Agency time to
take final action on the proposed
amendments to the SPCC requirements
before owners and operators are
required to prepare, amend, and
implement their SPCC Plans. The
Agency believed that the extension was
appropriate to allow owners and
operators to take advantage of any
modifications that would be provided
by a final SPCC amendment rule. In
addition, the Agency believed that the
extension would allow the regulated
community the opportunity to
understand the material presented in its
newly released guidance ‘‘SPCC
Guidance for Regional Inspectors’’ 2
before preparing or amending their
SPCC Plans. Finally, the Agency
believed that the proposed extension
was necessary for facilities that might
have difficulty meeting the upcoming
compliance dates because they were
adversely affected by the recent
hurricanes.
III. Summary of This Final Rule
This final rule extends the dates in
§ 112.3 by which owners and operators
of facilities must prepare or amend their
SPCC Plans as proposed. Under the new
§ 112.3(a), a facility that was in
operation on or before August 16, 2002
must make any necessary amendments
to its SPCC Plan, and implement that
Plan, on or before October 31, 2007.
Under the new § 112.3(b), a facility that
came into operation after August 16,
2002 must also prepare and implement
an SPCC Plan on or before October 31,
2007. Finally, under the new § 112.3(c),
a mobile facility must prepare or amend
and implement an SPCC Plan on or
before October 31, 2007.
This rule is effective immediately.
Section 553(d) of the Administrative
Procedures Act requires 30-days notice
before the effective date of a final rule.
However, section 553(d)(1) allows an
exception to the 30-day notice where a
rule relieves a restriction. Since this
final rule relieves a restriction, the
2 This guidance is intended to assist regional
inspectors in reviewing a facility’s implementation
of the SPCC rule. The document is designed to
facilitate an understanding of the rule’s
applicability, to help clarify the role of the
inspector in the review and evaluation of the
performance-based SPCC requirements, and to
provide a consistent national policy on several
SPCC-related issues. The guidance is available on
the Agency’s Web site at https://www.epa.gov/
oilspill.
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Agency invokes section 553(d)(1) to
allow an immediate effective date.
It should be noted that today’s
compliance date extension affects only
requirements of the July 2002 final
SPCC rule that impose new or more
stringent compliance obligations than
did the 1973 SPCC rule. Any provision
in the July 2002 rule that provides
regulatory relief is not affected by these
compliance date extensions because
such provisions are not ones for which
it would be ‘‘necessary’’ to amend
existing Plans ‘‘to ensure compliance
with’’ the July 2002 amendments (see
§ 112.3). This issue was discussed by
the Agency in two previous extension
notices on April 17, 2003 (see 68 FR
18890, at 18892–3), and on August 11,
2004 (see 69 FR 48794, at 48796).
IV. Response to Comment
The Agency received approximately
80 comments on the proposed rule. The
discussion below summarizes and
responds to the major comments
received. A more complete response to
comments can be found in the docket
for this rulemaking, EPA–HQ–OPA–
2005–0003.
The majority of commenters
supported the Agency’s proposal to
extend the compliance dates in § 112.3.
They agreed with the Agency that the
extension was necessary to allow
owners and operators the opportunity to
take advantage of any modifications that
might be provided by an amendment to
the SPCC rule (see discussion in section
II). Of those who supported an
extension of the compliance dates, some
commenters agreed with extending the
compliance dates as proposed, and
others opposed the proposed length of
the extension.
A number of commenters requested
that the Agency incorporate flexibility
into the compliance dates in § 112.3, by
extending them until October 31, 2007,
or until a date no less than one year
following implementation of the final
SPCC amendment rule, whichever is
later. Commenters believed that, since
the date for a final SPCC amendment
rule is uncertain, setting a compliance
date of October 31, 2007 does not
guarantee owners and operators a full
year between promulgation of a final
rule and the compliance dates in
§ 112.3. These commenters believe it is
important to coordinate the compliance
dates in § 112.3 with a final SPCC
amendment rule.
The Agency is reluctant to proceed as
these commenters suggested and set
uncertain compliance dates in § 112.3.
At the same time, the Agency recognizes
that the regulated community needs
adequate time after EPA takes final
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action on the proposed amendments to
the SPCC Plan requirements to amend
or prepare their SPCC Plans and to
implement them. The Agency agrees
that one year is a reasonable period of
time to allow for preparing, amending,
and implementing SPCC Plans
following final Agency action on the
proposed amendments to the SPCC rule.
The Agency plans to develop and
publish a Federal Register notice taking
final action on the December 12, 2005
proposal as soon as possible. At this
time, based on the information at hand,
the Agency believes that extending the
compliance dates in § 112.3 until
October 31, 2007 will allow owners and
operators an adequate interval to
comply with the SPCC rule. Regarding
modifications of the SPCC regulations,
to the extent practicable, EPA will
establish deadlines for compliance
implementation that commence one
year after promulgating the regulatory
revisions.
Other commenters objected to the
Agency’s proposal to eliminate the sixmonth interim period in § 112.3(a)
between the compliance dates for Plan
amendment and implementation. Those
commenters requested that the date for
implementing amended SPCC Plans be
revised to include a six-month period
after the October 31, 2007 date for Plan
amendment.
The Agency disagrees with these
commenters. For the reasons discussed
above, the Agency believes the October
31, 2007 date for Plan implementation
is adequate. The effect of the Agency’s
decision to eliminate the gap between
Plan preparation or amendment and
implementation was to allow additional
time for Plan preparation or
amendment. The Agency believes that
this approach, which allows owners and
operators flexibility, makes sense given
that owners and operators are not
required to submit their SPCC Plans to
the Agency.
Several commenters conditioned their
support of the proposed compliance
date extensions on the Agency’s timely
resolution of issues related to regulation
of animal fats and vegetable oils
(AFVOs). These commenters were
concerned that the Agency has not yet
developed differentiated requirements
for AFVOs, and some suggested that the
Agency develop a timeframe to do so.
In the December 12, 2005 SPCC
amendment proposed rule, the Agency
requested information that would
support differentiated SPCC
requirements for AFVOs (see 70 FR
73542, at 73541). The Agency is not
prepared, at this time, to determine
whether that request for comment will
produce information that is appropriate
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or adequate for development of
differentiated requirements for AFVOs.
Thus, the Agency believes it would be
inappropriate to condition the
compliance dates in § 112.3 on such
uncertain factors. Further, issues
specific to the regulation of AFVOs are
outside the scope of this extension. The
Agency will review and give full
consideration to all comments it
receives related to AFVOs, and address
those comments when it has had a
chance to assess them and any data
provided.
Finally, some commenters objected to
extending the compliance dates in
§ 112.3. Generally, those commenters
believed that extension of the dates
would delay development and
implementation of SPCC Plans, which
are necessary for protection of human
health and the environment. Further,
they raised concerns that extending the
compliance dates only encourages noncompliance.
For example, one commenter argued
that it is unnecessary and absurd to
extend the compliance dates a third
time. The commenter pointed out that
this rule would extend compliance to a
time four years after the 2002 SPCC rule
should have first been effective, and
almost 35 years after the SPCC rules
were first promulgated. The commenter
believed that facilities should already be
in compliance with the 1973 rules, and
consequently should be in compliance
with the rule changes proposed by the
Agency because they primarily reduce
the requirements for regulated facilities.
The commenter also believed that most
regulated facilities already have
developed and implemented SPCC
plans to comply with the earlier
compliance dates that were
subsequently extended. The commenter
believed that these facilities are ready to
meet their obligations to prevent oil
spills and other releases, and that it is
entirely unnecessary to extend the
compliance dates when most facilities
have developed and implemented Plans.
Finally, the commenter anticipated that
extending the compliance dates will
extend the Agency’s practice of reduced
inspections and enforcement at SPCC
regulated facilities, continuing the
increased likelihood of oil releases and
endangerment of facility personnel and
neighboring communities. By extending
the compliance dates, the commenter
was concerned that the Agency would
allow noncompliant facilities that have
not put SPCC Plans in place to continue
to operate and endanger human health
and the environment.
The Agency believes that it is in the
best interest of both the regulated
community and the environment to
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address areas of confusion that arose
after promulgation of the 2002
amendments. By promulgating a
proposal intended to clarify
requirements and reduce burdens,
particularly on small businesses, and by
making the SPCC Inspectors Guidance
available to the regulated community,
the Agency believes that a more
effective and complete implementation
of the SPCC regulation and improved
environmental protection will
ultimately result. The Agency also
believes that the regulated community
needs the additional time allowed by
the extension in order to better take
advantage of the guidance and any
further amendments that are
promulgated and that the benefits of this
extension outweighs the concerns raised
by commentors of increased
administrative burdens.
V. Statutory and Executive Order
Reviews
A. Executive Order 12866—Regulatory
Planning and Review
Under Executive Order 12866, (58 FR
51735, October 4, 1993), the Agency
must determine whether a regulatory
action is ‘‘significant’’ and therefore
subject to Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) review and the
requirements of the Executive Order.
The order defines ‘‘significant
regulatory action’’ as one that is likely
to result in a rule that may:
(1) Have an annual effect on the
economy of $100 million or more or
adversely affect in a material way the
economy, a sector of the economy,
productivity, competition, jobs, the
environment, public health or safety, or
State, local, or tribal governments or
communities;
(2) Create a serious inconsistency or
otherwise interfere with an action taken
or planned by another agency;
(3) Materially alter the budgetary
impact of entitlements, grants, user fees,
or loan programs or the rights and
obligations of recipients thereof; or
(4) Raise novel legal or policy issues
arising out of legal mandates, the
President’s priorities, or the principles
set forth in the Executive Order.
Under the terms of Executive Order
12866, this action has been judged as
not a ‘‘significant regulatory action’’
because it extends the compliance dates
in § 112.3, but has no other substantive
effect. However, because of its
interconnection with the rulemaking
proposed on December 12, 2005 (see
discussion in section II), which is a
significant action under the terms of
Executive Order 12866, this action was
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nonetheless submitted to OMB for
review.
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B. Paperwork Reduction Act
This action does not impose an
information collection burden under the
provisions of the Paperwork Reduction
Act, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. because this
action does not change the requirements
of the rule.
Burden means the total time, effort, or
financial resources expended by persons
to generate, maintain, retain, or disclose
or provide information to or for a
Federal agency. This includes the time
needed to review instructions; develop,
acquire, install, and utilize technology
and systems for the purposes of
collecting, validating, and verifying
information, processing and
maintaining information, and disclosing
and providing information; adjust the
existing ways to comply with any
previously applicable instructions and
requirements; train personnel to be able
to respond to a collection of
information; search data sources;
complete and review the collection of
information; and transmit or otherwise
disclose the information.
An agency may not conduct or
sponsor, and a person is not required to
respond to a collection of information
unless it displays a currently valid OMB
control number. The OMB control
numbers for EPA’s regulations in 40
CFR are listed in 40 CFR part 9.
This rule does not impose an
information collection burden under the
provisions of the Paperwork Reduction
Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).
C. Regulatory Flexibility Act
The Regulatory Flexibility Act
generally requires an agency to prepare
a regulatory flexibility analysis of any
rule subject to notice and comment
rulemaking requirements under the
Administrative Procedure Act, or any
other statute, unless the agency certifies
that the rule will not have a significant
economic impact on a substantial
number of small entities. Small entities
include small businesses, small
organizations, and small governmental
jurisdictions.
For purposes of assessing the impacts
of today’s rule on small entities, small
entity is defined as: (1) A small business
as defined in the Small Business
Administration’s (SBA) regulations at 13
CFR 121.201—the SBA defines small
businesses by category of business using
North American Industry Classification
System (NAICS) codes, and in the case
of farms and production facilities,
generally defines small businesses as
having less than $500,000 in revenues
or 500 employees, respectively; (2) a
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small governmental jurisdiction that is a
government of a city, county, town,
school district or special district with a
population of less than 50,000; and (3)
a small organization that is any not-forprofit enterprise that is independently
owned and operated and is not
dominant in its field.
After considering the economic
impacts of today’s final rule on small
entities, the Agency certifies that this
action would not have a significant
economic impact on a substantial
number of small entities. In determining
whether a rule has a significant
economic impact on a substantial
number of small entities, the impact of
concern is any significant adverse
economic impact on small entities,
since the primary purpose of the
regulatory flexibility analyses is to
identify and address regulatory
alternatives ‘‘which minimize any
significant economic impact of the rule
on small entities.’’ 5 U.S.C. 603 and 604.
Thus, an agency may certify that a rule
will not have a significant economic
impact on a substantial number of small
entities if the rule relieves regulatory
burden, or otherwise has a positive
economic effect on all of the small
entities subject to the rule.
This rule relieves the regulatory
burden for small entities by extending
the compliance dates in § 112.3. After
considering the economic impacts of
today’s rule on small entities, I certify
that this action will not have a
significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities.
D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
Title II of the Unfunded Mandates
Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA), Public
Law 104–4, establishes requirements for
Federal agencies to assess the effects of
their regulatory actions on State, local,
and tribal governments and the private
sector. Under section 202 of UMRA,
EPA generally must prepare a written
statement, including a cost-benefit
analysis, for proposed and final rules
with ‘‘Federal mandates’’ that may
result in expenditures to State, local,
and tribal governments, in the aggregate,
or to the private sector, of $100 million
or more in any one year. Before
promulgating an EPA rule for which a
written statement is needed, section 205
of UMRA generally requires EPA to
identify and consider a reasonable
number of regulatory alternatives and
adopt the least costly, most costeffective or least burdensome alternative
that achieves the objectives of the rule.
The provisions of section 205 do not
apply when they are inconsistent with
applicable law. Moreover, section 205
allows EPA to adopt an alternative other
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8465
than the least costly, most-effective or
least burdensome alternative if the
Administrator publishes with the final
rule an explanation why that alternative
was not adopted. Before EPA establishes
any regulatory requirements that may
significantly or uniquely affect small
governments, including tribal
governments, it must have developed,
under section 203 of UMRA, a small
government agency plan. The plan must
provide for notifying potentially
affected small governments, enabling
officials of affected small governments
to have meaningful and timely input in
the development of EPA regulatory
proposals with significant Federal
intergovernmental mandates, and
informing, educating, and advising
small governments on compliance with
the regulatory requirements.
EPA has determined that this rule
does not contain a Federal mandate that
may result in expenditures of $100
million or more for State, local, and
tribal governments, in the aggregate, or
the private sector in any one year. This
rule would reduce burden and costs for
all facilities.
EPA has determined that this rule
contains no regulatory requirements that
might significantly or uniquely affect
small governments. As was explained
above, the effect of the rule is to reduce
burden and costs for all facilities,
including small governments that are
subject to the rule by extending the
compliance dates.
E. Executive Order 13132—Federalism
Executive Order 13132, entitled
‘‘Federalism’’ (64 FR 43255, August 10,
1999), requires EPA to develop an
accountable process to ensure
‘‘meaningful and timely input by State
and local officials in the development of
regulatory policies that have federalism
implications.’’ ‘‘Policies that have
federalism implications’’ is defined in
the Executive Order to include
regulations that have ‘‘substantial direct
effects on the States, on the relationship
between the national government and
the States, or on the distribution of
power and responsibilities among the
various levels of government.’’
This rule does not have federalism
implications. It does not have
substantial direct effects on the States,
on the relationship between the national
government and the States, or on the
distribution of power and
responsibilities among the various
levels of government, as specified in
Executive Order 13132. Under CWA
section 311(o), States may impose
additional requirements, including more
stringent requirements, relating to the
prevention of oil discharges to navigable
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waters. EPA encourages States to
supplement the Federal SPCC regulation
and recognizes that some States have
more stringent requirements (56 FR
54612, October 22, 1991). This rule does
not preempt State law or regulations.
Thus, Executive Order 13132 does not
apply to this rule.
That Significantly Affect Energy Supply,
Distribution, or Use’’ (66 FR 28355, May
22, 2001) because it is not likely to have
a significant adverse effect on the
supply, distribution, or use of energy.
F. Executive Order 13175—Consultation
and Coordination With Indian Tribal
Governments
On November 6, 2000, the President
issued Executive Order 13175 (65 FR
67249) entitled, ‘‘Consultation and
Coordination with Indian Tribal
Governments.’’ Executive Order 13175
took effect on January 6, 2001, and
revokes Executive Order 13084 (Tribal
Consultation) as of that date.
Today’s rule would not significantly
or uniquely affect communities of
Indian tribal governments. Therefore,
the Agency has not consulted with a
representative organization of tribal
groups.
Section 12(d) of the National
Technology Transfer and Advancement
Act of 1995 (‘‘NTTAA’’), Public Law
104–113, section 12(d) (15 U.S.C. 272
note) directs EPA to use voluntary
consensus standards in its regulatory
activities unless to do so would be
inconsistent with applicable law or
otherwise impractical. Voluntary
consensus standards are technical
standards such as materials
specifications, test methods, sampling
procedures, and business practices that
are developed or adopted by voluntary
consensus standards bodies. The
NTTAA directs EPA to provide
Congress, through OMB, explanations
when the Agency decides not to use
available and applicable voluntary
consensus standards.
This rule does not involve technical
standards. Therefore, NTTAA does not
apply.
wwhite on PROD1PC61 with RULES
G. Executive Order 13045—Protection of
Children From Environmental Health
and Safety Risk
Executive Order 13045, ‘‘Protection of
Children from Environmental Health
Risks and Safety Risks’’ (62 FR 19885,
April 23, 1997) applies to any rule that:
(1) Is determined to be ‘‘economically
significant’’ as defined under Executive
Order 12866; and (2) concerns an
environmental health or safety risk that
EPA has reason to believe may have a
disproportionate effect on children. If
the regulatory action meets both criteria,
the Agency must evaluate the
environmental health or safety effects of
the planned rule on children, and
explain why the planned regulation is
preferable to other potentially effective
and reasonably feasible alternatives
considered by the Agency.
EPA interprets Executive Order 13045
as applying only to those regulatory
actions that are based on health or safety
risks, such that the analysis required
under section 5–501 of the Order has
the potential to influence the regulation.
This rule is not subject to Executive
Order 13045 because it is not
economically significant as defined in
Executive Order 12866, and because the
Agency does not have reason to believe
the environmental health or safety risks
addressed by this action present a
disproportionate risk to children.
H. Executive Order 13211—Actions
That Significantly Affect Energy Supply,
Distribution, or Use
This rule is not a ‘‘significant energy
action’’ as defined in Executive Order
13211, ‘‘Actions Concerning Regulations
VerDate Aug<31>2005
18:49 Feb 16, 2006
Jkt 208001
I. National Technology Transfer and
Advancement Act
J. Congressional Review Act
The Congressional Review Act (CRA),
5 U.S.C. 801 et seq., as added by the
Small Business Regulatory Enforcement
Fairness Act of 1996, generally provides
that before a rule may take effect, the
agency promulgating the rule must
submit a rule report, which includes a
copy of the rule, to each House of the
Congress and to the Comptroller General
of the United States. Prior to publication
of the final rule in the Federal Register,
we will submit all necessary
information to the U.S. Senate, the U.S.
House of Representatives, and the
Comptroller General of the United
States. Under the CRA, a major rule
cannot take effect until 60 days after it
is published in the Federal Register.
This action is not a ‘‘major rule’’ as
defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2). This rule
will be effective upon publication in the
Federal Register.
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 112
Environmental protection, Oil
pollution, Penalties, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements.
Dated: February 10, 2006.
Stephen L. Johnson,
Administrator.
For the reasons set forth in the
preamble, title 40 CFR, chapter I, part
112 of the Code of Federal Regulations
is amended as follows:
I
PO 00000
Frm 00032
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
PART 112—OIL POLLUTION
PREVENTION
1. The authority citation for part 112
continues to read as follows:
I
Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.; 33 U.S.C.
2720; E.O. 12777 (October 18, 1991), 3 CFR,
1991 Comp., p. 351.
2. Section 112.3 is amended by
revising paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) to
read as follows:
I
§ 112.3 Requirement to prepare and
implement a Spill Prevention, Control, and
Countermeasure Plan.
*
*
*
*
*
(a) If your onshore or offshore facility
was in operation on or before August 16,
2002, you must maintain your Plan, but
must amend it, if necessary to ensure
compliance with this part, by October
31, 2007, and implement the Plan no
later than October 31, 2007. If your
onshore or offshore facility becomes
operational after August 16, 2002,
through October 31, 2007, and could
reasonably be expected to have a
discharge as described in § 112.1(b), you
must prepare and implement a Plan on
or before October 31, 2007.
(b) If you are the owner or operator of
an onshore or offshore facility that
becomes operational after October 31,
2007, and could reasonably be expected
to have a discharge as described in
§ 112.1(b), you must prepare and
implement a Plan before you begin
operations.
(c) If you are the owner or operator of
an onshore or offshore mobile facility,
such as an onshore drilling or workover
rig, barge mounted offshore drilling or
workover rig, or portable fueling facility,
you must prepare, implement, and
maintain a facility Plan as required by
this section. You must maintain your
Plan, but must amend and implement it,
if necessary to ensure compliance with
this part, on or before October 31, 2007.
If your onshore or offshore mobile
facility becomes operational after
October 31, 2007, and could reasonably
be expected to have a discharge as
described in § 112.1(b), you must
prepare and implement a Plan before
you begin operations. This provision
does not require that you prepare a new
Plan each time you move the facility to
a new site. The Plan may be a general
Plan. When you move the mobile or
portable facility, you must locate and
install it using the discharge prevention
practices outlined in the Plan for the
facility. The Plan is applicable only
E:\FR\FM\17FER1.SGM
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Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 33 / Friday, February 17, 2006 / Rules and Regulations
while the facility is in a fixed (nontransportation) operating mode.
*
*
*
*
*
[FR Doc. 06–1502 Filed 2–16–06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 710
[EPA–HQ–OPPT–2006–0025; FRL–7760–7]
RIN 2070–AC61
TSCA Inventory Update Reporting
Partially Exempted Chemicals List;
Addition of Certain Vegetable-based
Oils, Soybean Meal, and Xylitol
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Direct final rule.
wwhite on PROD1PC61 with RULES
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: EPA is taking direct final
action to amend the Toxic Substances
Control Act (TSCA) section 8(a)
Inventory Update Reporting (IUR)
regulations by adding the following four
chemical substances to the list of
chemical substances in § 710.46(b)(2)(iv)
which are exempt from reporting
processing and use information required
by § 710.52(c)(4): Two vegetable-based
oils (fats and glyceridic oils, vegetable
(CASRN 68956–68–3) and canola oil
(CASRN 120962–03–0)), soybean meal
(CASRN 68308–36–1), and xylitol
(CASRN 87–99–0). EPA has determined
that the IUR processing and use
information for these chemicals is of
low current interest. Manufacturers and
importers of the chemicals listed in
§ 710.46(b)(2)(iv) must continue to
report manufacturing information.
DATES: This direct final rule is effective
on April 18, 2006 without further
notice, unless EPA receives adverse
comment by March 20, 2006. If,
however, EPA receives adverse
comment, EPA will publish a Federal
Register document to withdraw the
direct final rule before the effective date.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,
identified by docket identification (ID)
number EPA–HQ–OPPT–2006–0025, by
one of the following methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://
www.regulations.gov/. Follow the online instructions for submitting
comments.
• Mail: Document Control Office
(7407M), Office of Pollution Prevention
and Toxics (OPPT), Environmental
Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania
Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460–
0001.
• Hand Delivery: OPPT Document
Control Office (DCO), EPA East Bldg.,
VerDate Aug<31>2005
18:49 Feb 16, 2006
Jkt 208001
Rm. 6428, 1201 Constitution Ave., NW.,
Washington, DC. Attention: Docket ID
number EPA–HQ–OPPT–2006–0025.
The DCO is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, excluding legal
holidays. The telephone number for the
DCO is (202) 564–8930. Such deliveries
are only accepted during the Docket’s
normal hours of operation, and special
arrangements should be made for
deliveries of boxed information.
Instructions: Direct your comments to
docket ID number EPA–HQ–OPPT–
2006–0025. EPA’s policy is that all
comments received will be included in
the public docket without change and
may be made available in the on-line
docket athttps://www.regulations.gov,
including any personal information
provided, unless the comment includes
information claimed to be Confidential
Business Information (CBI) or other
information whose disclosure is
restricted by statute. Do not submit
information that you consider to be CBI
or otherwise protected through
regulations.gov or e-mail. The
regulations.gov website is an
‘‘anonymous access’’ system, which
means EPA will not know your identity
or contact information unless you
provide it in the body of your comment.
If you send an e-mail comment directly
to EPA without going through
regulations.gov, your e-mail address
will be automatically captured and
included as part of the comment that is
placed in the public docket and made
available on the Internet. If you submit
an electronic comment, EPA
recommends that you include your
name and other contact information in
the body of your comment and with any
disk or CD ROM you submit. If EPA
cannot read your comment due to
technical difficulties and cannot contact
you for clarification, EPA may not be
able to consider your comment.
Electronic files should avoid the use of
special characters, any form of
encryption, and be free of any defects or
viruses.
Docket: All documents in the docket
are listed in the docket index at https://
www.regulations.gov/. Although listed
in the index, some information is not
publicly available, i.e., CBI or other
information whose disclosure is
restricted by statute. Certain other
material, such as copyrighted material,
is not placed on the Internet and will be
publicly available only in hard copy
form. Publicly available docket
materials are available either
electronically in the online docket at
https://www.regulations.gov/ or in hard
copy at the OPPT Docket, EPA Docket
Center, EPA West, Rm. B102, 1301
Constitution Ave., NW., Washington,
PO 00000
Frm 00033
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
8467
DC. The Public Reading Room is open
from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday
through Friday, excluding legal
holidays. The EPA Docket Center
Reading Room telephone number is
(202) 566–1744, and the telephone
number for the OPPT Docket, which is
located in the EPA Docket Center, is
(202) 566–0280.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
general information contact: Colby
Lintner, Regulatory Coordinator,
Environmental Assistance Division
(7408M), Office of Pollution Prevention
and Toxics, Environmental Protection
Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW.,
Washington, DC 20460–0001; telephone
number: (202) 554–1404; e-mail address:
TSCA-Hotline@epa.gov.
For technical information contact:
Susan Sharkey, Project Manager,
Economics, Exposure and Technology
Division (7406M), Office of Pollution
Prevention and Toxics, Environmental
Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania
Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460;
telephone number: (202) 564–8789; email address: sharkey.susan@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. General Information
A. Does this Action Apply to Me?
You may be affected by this action if
you manufacture (defined by statute at
15 U.S.C. 2602(7) to include import)
chemical substances, including
inorganic chemical substances, subject
to reporting under the Inventory Update
Rule (IUR) at 40 CFR part 710. Any use
of the term ‘‘manufacture’’ in this
document will encompass import,
unless otherwise stated.
Potentially affected persons may
include, but are not limited to: Chemical
manufacturers and importers subject to
IUR reporting, including chemical
manufacturers and importers of
inorganic chemical substances (The
North American Industrial
Classification System (NAICS) codes
325, 32411).
This listing is not intended to be
exhaustive, but rather provides a guide
for readers regarding persons likely to
be affected by this action. Other types of
persons not listed in this unit could also
be affected. NAICS codes have been
provided to assist you and others in
determining whether this action might
apply to certain persons. To determine
whether you or your business may be
affected by this action, you should
carefully examine the applicability
provisions at 40 CFR 710.48. If you have
any questions regarding the
applicability of this action to a
particular person, consult the technical
E:\FR\FM\17FER1.SGM
17FER1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 33 (Friday, February 17, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 8462-8467]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-1502]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 112
[EPA-HQ-OPA-2005-0003; FRL-8033-9]
RIN 2050-AG28
Oil Pollution Prevention; Non-Transportation Related Onshore
Facilities
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency is today extending the
dates by which facilities must prepare or amend Spill Prevention,
Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) Plans, and implement those Plans.
This action allows the Agency time to take final action on proposed
revisions to the July 17, 2002 SPCC rule before owners and operators of
facilities are required to meet requirements of that rule when
preparing or amending their SPCC Plans.
DATES: This final rule is effective February 17, 2006.
ADDRESSES: The public docket for this final rule, Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-
OPA-2005-0003, contains the information related to this rulemaking,
including the response to comment document. All documents in the docket
are listed in the https://www.regulations.gov index. Although listed in
the index, some information may not be publicly available, e.g.,
Confidential Business Information or other information the disclosure
of which is restricted by statute. Certain other material, such as
copyrighted material, will be publicly available only in hard copy.
Publicly available docket materials are available either electronically
in https://www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at the EPA Docket, EPA/
DC, EPA West, Room B102, 1301 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC.
The Public Reading Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday
through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number of the
Public Reading Room is 202-566-1744, and the telephone number to make
an appointment to view the docket is 202-566-0276.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For general information, contact the
Superfund, TRI, EPCRA, RMP, and Oil Information Center at (800) 424-
9346 or TDD (800) 553-7672 (hearing impaired). In the Washington, DC
metropolitan area, call (703) 421-9810 or TDD (703) 421-3323. For more
detailed information on specific aspects of this final rule, contact
either Vanessa Rodriguez at (202) 564-7913 (rodriguez.vanessa@epa.gov),
or Mark W. Howard at (202) 564-1964 (howard.markw@epa.gov), U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW.,
Washington, DC, 20460-0002, Mail Code 5104A.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Authority
33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.; 33 U.S.C. 2720; E.O. 12777 (October 18,
1991), 3 CFR, 1991 Comp., p. 351.
II. Background
On July 17, 2002, the Agency published a final rule that amended
the SPCC regulations (see 67 FR 47042). The rule became effective on
August 16, 2002. The final rule included compliance dates in Sec.
112.3 for preparing, amending, and implementing SPCC Plans. The
original compliance dates were amended on January 9, 2003 (see 68 FR
1348), again on April 17, 2003 (see 68 FR 18890), and a third time on
August 11, 2004 (see 69 FR 48794).
Under the regulations in effect prior to this final rule, Sec.
112.3(a) and (b) required a facility that was in operation on or before
August 16, 2002 to make any necessary amendments to its SPCC
[[Page 8463]]
Plan by February 17, 2006, and to fully implement its SPCC Plan by
August 18, 2006. A facility that came into operation after August 16,
2002, but before August 18, 2006, was required to prepare and fully
implement an SPCC Plan on or before August 18, 2006. Thus, for
facilities in operation on or before August 16, 2002, the regulations
provided a six-month period between the compliance date for Plan
amendment and the compliance date for Plan implementation. In addition,
Sec. 112.3(c) required onshore and offshore mobile facilities to
prepare or amend and implement SPCC Plans on or before August 18, 2006.
On December 12, 2005, the Agency published in the Federal Register
a proposed rule that would amend the SPCC requirements in several areas
(see 70 FR 73524). Specifically, the proposal would allow owners and
operators of facilities with an oil storage capacity of 10,000 gallons
or less, that also meet other qualifying criteria, the option of self-
certification of their SPCC Plans (in lieu of review and certification
by a Professional Engineer); it would provide facilities with certain
types of oil-filled operational equipment an alternative to the
secondary containment requirement that would not require a
determination of impracticability; it would define airport mobile
refuelers, and exempt such vehicles meeting the definition from the
specifically sized secondary containment requirements for bulk storage
containers; it would amend the requirements for animal fats and
vegetable oils (AFVOs) by removing certain sections of the regulations
in Subpart C of Part 112 that do not apply to facilities that handle,
store, or transport AFVOs; and it would define farms, and would provide
a separate extension of the compliance dates for certain farms.\1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Comments and our response to them regarding the separate
extension of the compliance dates for farms will be addressed in the
rulemaking that addresses the substantive modifications that were
proposed for the SPCC rule on December 12, 2005.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
On the same day, but in a separate notice in the Federal Register
(see 70 FR 73518), the Agency also proposed to extend the dates in
Sec. 112.3(a), (b), and (c) by which a facility must prepare or amend
and implement its SPCC Plan. Under the proposed extension rule, a
facility that was in operation on or before August 16, 2002 would have
to make any necessary amendments to its SPCC Plan, and implement that
Plan, on or before October 31, 2007. Likewise, a facility that came
into operation after August 16, 2002 would have to prepare and
implement an SPCC Plan on or before October 31, 2007. Finally, a mobile
facility would have to prepare or amend and implement an SPCC Plan on
or before October 31, 2007.
The Agency's proposal to extend the compliance dates in Sec. 112.3
(which is made final in today's notice) was designed to allow the
Agency time to take final action on the proposed amendments to the SPCC
requirements before owners and operators are required to prepare,
amend, and implement their SPCC Plans. The Agency believed that the
extension was appropriate to allow owners and operators to take
advantage of any modifications that would be provided by a final SPCC
amendment rule. In addition, the Agency believed that the extension
would allow the regulated community the opportunity to understand the
material presented in its newly released guidance ``SPCC Guidance for
Regional Inspectors'' \2\ before preparing or amending their SPCC
Plans. Finally, the Agency believed that the proposed extension was
necessary for facilities that might have difficulty meeting the
upcoming compliance dates because they were adversely affected by the
recent hurricanes.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ This guidance is intended to assist regional inspectors in
reviewing a facility's implementation of the SPCC rule. The document
is designed to facilitate an understanding of the rule's
applicability, to help clarify the role of the inspector in the
review and evaluation of the performance-based SPCC requirements,
and to provide a consistent national policy on several SPCC-related
issues. The guidance is available on the Agency's Web site at http:/
/www.epa.gov/oilspill.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
III. Summary of This Final Rule
This final rule extends the dates in Sec. 112.3 by which owners
and operators of facilities must prepare or amend their SPCC Plans as
proposed. Under the new Sec. 112.3(a), a facility that was in
operation on or before August 16, 2002 must make any necessary
amendments to its SPCC Plan, and implement that Plan, on or before
October 31, 2007. Under the new Sec. 112.3(b), a facility that came
into operation after August 16, 2002 must also prepare and implement an
SPCC Plan on or before October 31, 2007. Finally, under the new Sec.
112.3(c), a mobile facility must prepare or amend and implement an SPCC
Plan on or before October 31, 2007.
This rule is effective immediately. Section 553(d) of the
Administrative Procedures Act requires 30-days notice before the
effective date of a final rule. However, section 553(d)(1) allows an
exception to the 30-day notice where a rule relieves a restriction.
Since this final rule relieves a restriction, the Agency invokes
section 553(d)(1) to allow an immediate effective date.
It should be noted that today's compliance date extension affects
only requirements of the July 2002 final SPCC rule that impose new or
more stringent compliance obligations than did the 1973 SPCC rule. Any
provision in the July 2002 rule that provides regulatory relief is not
affected by these compliance date extensions because such provisions
are not ones for which it would be ``necessary'' to amend existing
Plans ``to ensure compliance with'' the July 2002 amendments (see Sec.
112.3). This issue was discussed by the Agency in two previous
extension notices on April 17, 2003 (see 68 FR 18890, at 18892-3), and
on August 11, 2004 (see 69 FR 48794, at 48796).
IV. Response to Comment
The Agency received approximately 80 comments on the proposed rule.
The discussion below summarizes and responds to the major comments
received. A more complete response to comments can be found in the
docket for this rulemaking, EPA-HQ-OPA-2005-0003.
The majority of commenters supported the Agency's proposal to
extend the compliance dates in Sec. 112.3. They agreed with the Agency
that the extension was necessary to allow owners and operators the
opportunity to take advantage of any modifications that might be
provided by an amendment to the SPCC rule (see discussion in section
II). Of those who supported an extension of the compliance dates, some
commenters agreed with extending the compliance dates as proposed, and
others opposed the proposed length of the extension.
A number of commenters requested that the Agency incorporate
flexibility into the compliance dates in Sec. 112.3, by extending them
until October 31, 2007, or until a date no less than one year following
implementation of the final SPCC amendment rule, whichever is later.
Commenters believed that, since the date for a final SPCC amendment
rule is uncertain, setting a compliance date of October 31, 2007 does
not guarantee owners and operators a full year between promulgation of
a final rule and the compliance dates in Sec. 112.3. These commenters
believe it is important to coordinate the compliance dates in Sec.
112.3 with a final SPCC amendment rule.
The Agency is reluctant to proceed as these commenters suggested
and set uncertain compliance dates in Sec. 112.3. At the same time,
the Agency recognizes that the regulated community needs adequate time
after EPA takes final
[[Page 8464]]
action on the proposed amendments to the SPCC Plan requirements to
amend or prepare their SPCC Plans and to implement them. The Agency
agrees that one year is a reasonable period of time to allow for
preparing, amending, and implementing SPCC Plans following final Agency
action on the proposed amendments to the SPCC rule. The Agency plans to
develop and publish a Federal Register notice taking final action on
the December 12, 2005 proposal as soon as possible. At this time, based
on the information at hand, the Agency believes that extending the
compliance dates in Sec. 112.3 until October 31, 2007 will allow
owners and operators an adequate interval to comply with the SPCC rule.
Regarding modifications of the SPCC regulations, to the extent
practicable, EPA will establish deadlines for compliance implementation
that commence one year after promulgating the regulatory revisions.
Other commenters objected to the Agency's proposal to eliminate the
six-month interim period in Sec. 112.3(a) between the compliance dates
for Plan amendment and implementation. Those commenters requested that
the date for implementing amended SPCC Plans be revised to include a
six-month period after the October 31, 2007 date for Plan amendment.
The Agency disagrees with these commenters. For the reasons
discussed above, the Agency believes the October 31, 2007 date for Plan
implementation is adequate. The effect of the Agency's decision to
eliminate the gap between Plan preparation or amendment and
implementation was to allow additional time for Plan preparation or
amendment. The Agency believes that this approach, which allows owners
and operators flexibility, makes sense given that owners and operators
are not required to submit their SPCC Plans to the Agency.
Several commenters conditioned their support of the proposed
compliance date extensions on the Agency's timely resolution of issues
related to regulation of animal fats and vegetable oils (AFVOs). These
commenters were concerned that the Agency has not yet developed
differentiated requirements for AFVOs, and some suggested that the
Agency develop a timeframe to do so.
In the December 12, 2005 SPCC amendment proposed rule, the Agency
requested information that would support differentiated SPCC
requirements for AFVOs (see 70 FR 73542, at 73541). The Agency is not
prepared, at this time, to determine whether that request for comment
will produce information that is appropriate or adequate for
development of differentiated requirements for AFVOs. Thus, the Agency
believes it would be inappropriate to condition the compliance dates in
Sec. 112.3 on such uncertain factors. Further, issues specific to the
regulation of AFVOs are outside the scope of this extension. The Agency
will review and give full consideration to all comments it receives
related to AFVOs, and address those comments when it has had a chance
to assess them and any data provided.
Finally, some commenters objected to extending the compliance dates
in Sec. 112.3. Generally, those commenters believed that extension of
the dates would delay development and implementation of SPCC Plans,
which are necessary for protection of human health and the environment.
Further, they raised concerns that extending the compliance dates only
encourages non-compliance.
For example, one commenter argued that it is unnecessary and absurd
to extend the compliance dates a third time. The commenter pointed out
that this rule would extend compliance to a time four years after the
2002 SPCC rule should have first been effective, and almost 35 years
after the SPCC rules were first promulgated. The commenter believed
that facilities should already be in compliance with the 1973 rules,
and consequently should be in compliance with the rule changes proposed
by the Agency because they primarily reduce the requirements for
regulated facilities. The commenter also believed that most regulated
facilities already have developed and implemented SPCC plans to comply
with the earlier compliance dates that were subsequently extended. The
commenter believed that these facilities are ready to meet their
obligations to prevent oil spills and other releases, and that it is
entirely unnecessary to extend the compliance dates when most
facilities have developed and implemented Plans. Finally, the commenter
anticipated that extending the compliance dates will extend the
Agency's practice of reduced inspections and enforcement at SPCC
regulated facilities, continuing the increased likelihood of oil
releases and endangerment of facility personnel and neighboring
communities. By extending the compliance dates, the commenter was
concerned that the Agency would allow noncompliant facilities that have
not put SPCC Plans in place to continue to operate and endanger human
health and the environment.
The Agency believes that it is in the best interest of both the
regulated community and the environment to address areas of confusion
that arose after promulgation of the 2002 amendments. By promulgating a
proposal intended to clarify requirements and reduce burdens,
particularly on small businesses, and by making the SPCC Inspectors
Guidance available to the regulated community, the Agency believes that
a more effective and complete implementation of the SPCC regulation and
improved environmental protection will ultimately result. The Agency
also believes that the regulated community needs the additional time
allowed by the extension in order to better take advantage of the
guidance and any further amendments that are promulgated and that the
benefits of this extension outweighs the concerns raised by commentors
of increased administrative burdens.
V. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
A. Executive Order 12866--Regulatory Planning and Review
Under Executive Order 12866, (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993), the
Agency must determine whether a regulatory action is ``significant''
and therefore subject to Office of Management and Budget (OMB) review
and the requirements of the Executive Order. The order defines
``significant regulatory action'' as one that is likely to result in a
rule that may:
(1) Have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more or
adversely affect in a material way the economy, a sector of the
economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, public
health or safety, or State, local, or tribal governments or
communities;
(2) Create a serious inconsistency or otherwise interfere with an
action taken or planned by another agency;
(3) Materially alter the budgetary impact of entitlements, grants,
user fees, or loan programs or the rights and obligations of recipients
thereof; or
(4) Raise novel legal or policy issues arising out of legal
mandates, the President's priorities, or the principles set forth in
the Executive Order.
Under the terms of Executive Order 12866, this action has been
judged as not a ``significant regulatory action'' because it extends
the compliance dates in Sec. 112.3, but has no other substantive
effect. However, because of its interconnection with the rulemaking
proposed on December 12, 2005 (see discussion in section II), which is
a significant action under the terms of Executive Order 12866, this
action was
[[Page 8465]]
nonetheless submitted to OMB for review.
B. Paperwork Reduction Act
This action does not impose an information collection burden under
the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.
because this action does not change the requirements of the rule.
Burden means the total time, effort, or financial resources
expended by persons to generate, maintain, retain, or disclose or
provide information to or for a Federal agency. This includes the time
needed to review instructions; develop, acquire, install, and utilize
technology and systems for the purposes of collecting, validating, and
verifying information, processing and maintaining information, and
disclosing and providing information; adjust the existing ways to
comply with any previously applicable instructions and requirements;
train personnel to be able to respond to a collection of information;
search data sources; complete and review the collection of information;
and transmit or otherwise disclose the information.
An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required
to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a
currently valid OMB control number. The OMB control numbers for EPA's
regulations in 40 CFR are listed in 40 CFR part 9.
This rule does not impose an information collection burden under
the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501
et seq.).
C. Regulatory Flexibility Act
The Regulatory Flexibility Act generally requires an agency to
prepare a regulatory flexibility analysis of any rule subject to notice
and comment rulemaking requirements under the Administrative Procedure
Act, or any other statute, unless the agency certifies that the rule
will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of
small entities. Small entities include small businesses, small
organizations, and small governmental jurisdictions.
For purposes of assessing the impacts of today's rule on small
entities, small entity is defined as: (1) A small business as defined
in the Small Business Administration's (SBA) regulations at 13 CFR
121.201--the SBA defines small businesses by category of business using
North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes, and in the
case of farms and production facilities, generally defines small
businesses as having less than $500,000 in revenues or 500 employees,
respectively; (2) a small governmental jurisdiction that is a
government of a city, county, town, school district or special district
with a population of less than 50,000; and (3) a small organization
that is any not-for-profit enterprise that is independently owned and
operated and is not dominant in its field.
After considering the economic impacts of today's final rule on
small entities, the Agency certifies that this action would not have a
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.
In determining whether a rule has a significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities, the impact of concern is any
significant adverse economic impact on small entities, since the
primary purpose of the regulatory flexibility analyses is to identify
and address regulatory alternatives ``which minimize any significant
economic impact of the rule on small entities.'' 5 U.S.C. 603 and 604.
Thus, an agency may certify that a rule will not have a significant
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities if the rule
relieves regulatory burden, or otherwise has a positive economic effect
on all of the small entities subject to the rule.
This rule relieves the regulatory burden for small entities by
extending the compliance dates in Sec. 112.3. After considering the
economic impacts of today's rule on small entities, I certify that this
action will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial
number of small entities.
D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA), Public
Law 104-4, establishes requirements for Federal agencies to assess the
effects of their regulatory actions on State, local, and tribal
governments and the private sector. Under section 202 of UMRA, EPA
generally must prepare a written statement, including a cost-benefit
analysis, for proposed and final rules with ``Federal mandates'' that
may result in expenditures to State, local, and tribal governments, in
the aggregate, or to the private sector, of $100 million or more in any
one year. Before promulgating an EPA rule for which a written statement
is needed, section 205 of UMRA generally requires EPA to identify and
consider a reasonable number of regulatory alternatives and adopt the
least costly, most cost-effective or least burdensome alternative that
achieves the objectives of the rule. The provisions of section 205 do
not apply when they are inconsistent with applicable law. Moreover,
section 205 allows EPA to adopt an alternative other than the least
costly, most-effective or least burdensome alternative if the
Administrator publishes with the final rule an explanation why that
alternative was not adopted. Before EPA establishes any regulatory
requirements that may significantly or uniquely affect small
governments, including tribal governments, it must have developed,
under section 203 of UMRA, a small government agency plan. The plan
must provide for notifying potentially affected small governments,
enabling officials of affected small governments to have meaningful and
timely input in the development of EPA regulatory proposals with
significant Federal intergovernmental mandates, and informing,
educating, and advising small governments on compliance with the
regulatory requirements.
EPA has determined that this rule does not contain a Federal
mandate that may result in expenditures of $100 million or more for
State, local, and tribal governments, in the aggregate, or the private
sector in any one year. This rule would reduce burden and costs for all
facilities.
EPA has determined that this rule contains no regulatory
requirements that might significantly or uniquely affect small
governments. As was explained above, the effect of the rule is to
reduce burden and costs for all facilities, including small governments
that are subject to the rule by extending the compliance dates.
E. Executive Order 13132--Federalism
Executive Order 13132, entitled ``Federalism'' (64 FR 43255, August
10, 1999), requires EPA to develop an accountable process to ensure
``meaningful and timely input by State and local officials in the
development of regulatory policies that have federalism implications.''
``Policies that have federalism implications'' is defined in the
Executive Order to include regulations that have ``substantial direct
effects on the States, on the relationship between the national
government and the States, or on the distribution of power and
responsibilities among the various levels of government.''
This rule does not have federalism implications. It does not have
substantial direct effects on the States, on the relationship between
the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power
and responsibilities among the various levels of government, as
specified in Executive Order 13132. Under CWA section 311(o), States
may impose additional requirements, including more stringent
requirements, relating to the prevention of oil discharges to navigable
[[Page 8466]]
waters. EPA encourages States to supplement the Federal SPCC regulation
and recognizes that some States have more stringent requirements (56 FR
54612, October 22, 1991). This rule does not preempt State law or
regulations. Thus, Executive Order 13132 does not apply to this rule.
F. Executive Order 13175--Consultation and Coordination With Indian
Tribal Governments
On November 6, 2000, the President issued Executive Order 13175 (65
FR 67249) entitled, ``Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal
Governments.'' Executive Order 13175 took effect on January 6, 2001,
and revokes Executive Order 13084 (Tribal Consultation) as of that
date.
Today's rule would not significantly or uniquely affect communities
of Indian tribal governments. Therefore, the Agency has not consulted
with a representative organization of tribal groups.
G. Executive Order 13045--Protection of Children From Environmental
Health and Safety Risk
Executive Order 13045, ``Protection of Children from Environmental
Health Risks and Safety Risks'' (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997) applies
to any rule that: (1) Is determined to be ``economically significant''
as defined under Executive Order 12866; and (2) concerns an
environmental health or safety risk that EPA has reason to believe may
have a disproportionate effect on children. If the regulatory action
meets both criteria, the Agency must evaluate the environmental health
or safety effects of the planned rule on children, and explain why the
planned regulation is preferable to other potentially effective and
reasonably feasible alternatives considered by the Agency.
EPA interprets Executive Order 13045 as applying only to those
regulatory actions that are based on health or safety risks, such that
the analysis required under section 5-501 of the Order has the
potential to influence the regulation. This rule is not subject to
Executive Order 13045 because it is not economically significant as
defined in Executive Order 12866, and because the Agency does not have
reason to believe the environmental health or safety risks addressed by
this action present a disproportionate risk to children.
H. Executive Order 13211--Actions That Significantly Affect Energy
Supply, Distribution, or Use
This rule is not a ``significant energy action'' as defined in
Executive Order 13211, ``Actions Concerning Regulations That
Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use'' (66 FR
28355, May 22, 2001) because it is not likely to have a significant
adverse effect on the supply, distribution, or use of energy.
I. National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act
Section 12(d) of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement
Act of 1995 (``NTTAA''), Public Law 104-113, section 12(d) (15 U.S.C.
272 note) directs EPA to use voluntary consensus standards in its
regulatory activities unless to do so would be inconsistent with
applicable law or otherwise impractical. Voluntary consensus standards
are technical standards such as materials specifications, test methods,
sampling procedures, and business practices that are developed or
adopted by voluntary consensus standards bodies. The NTTAA directs EPA
to provide Congress, through OMB, explanations when the Agency decides
not to use available and applicable voluntary consensus standards.
This rule does not involve technical standards. Therefore, NTTAA
does not apply.
J. Congressional Review Act
The Congressional Review Act (CRA), 5 U.S.C. 801 et seq., as added
by the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996,
generally provides that before a rule may take effect, the agency
promulgating the rule must submit a rule report, which includes a copy
of the rule, to each House of the Congress and to the Comptroller
General of the United States. Prior to publication of the final rule in
the Federal Register, we will submit all necessary information to the
U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of Representatives, and the Comptroller
General of the United States. Under the CRA, a major rule cannot take
effect until 60 days after it is published in the Federal Register.
This action is not a ``major rule'' as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2). This
rule will be effective upon publication in the Federal Register.
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 112
Environmental protection, Oil pollution, Penalties, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements.
Dated: February 10, 2006.
Stephen L. Johnson,
Administrator.
0
For the reasons set forth in the preamble, title 40 CFR, chapter I,
part 112 of the Code of Federal Regulations is amended as follows:
PART 112--OIL POLLUTION PREVENTION
0
1. The authority citation for part 112 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.; 33 U.S.C. 2720; E.O. 12777
(October 18, 1991), 3 CFR, 1991 Comp., p. 351.
0
2. Section 112.3 is amended by revising paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) to
read as follows:
Sec. 112.3 Requirement to prepare and implement a Spill Prevention,
Control, and Countermeasure Plan.
* * * * *
(a) If your onshore or offshore facility was in operation on or
before August 16, 2002, you must maintain your Plan, but must amend it,
if necessary to ensure compliance with this part, by October 31, 2007,
and implement the Plan no later than October 31, 2007. If your onshore
or offshore facility becomes operational after August 16, 2002, through
October 31, 2007, and could reasonably be expected to have a discharge
as described in Sec. 112.1(b), you must prepare and implement a Plan
on or before October 31, 2007.
(b) If you are the owner or operator of an onshore or offshore
facility that becomes operational after October 31, 2007, and could
reasonably be expected to have a discharge as described in Sec.
112.1(b), you must prepare and implement a Plan before you begin
operations.
(c) If you are the owner or operator of an onshore or offshore
mobile facility, such as an onshore drilling or workover rig, barge
mounted offshore drilling or workover rig, or portable fueling
facility, you must prepare, implement, and maintain a facility Plan as
required by this section. You must maintain your Plan, but must amend
and implement it, if necessary to ensure compliance with this part, on
or before October 31, 2007. If your onshore or offshore mobile facility
becomes operational after October 31, 2007, and could reasonably be
expected to have a discharge as described in Sec. 112.1(b), you must
prepare and implement a Plan before you begin operations. This
provision does not require that you prepare a new Plan each time you
move the facility to a new site. The Plan may be a general Plan. When
you move the mobile or portable facility, you must locate and install
it using the discharge prevention practices outlined in the Plan for
the facility. The Plan is applicable only
[[Page 8467]]
while the facility is in a fixed (non-transportation) operating mode.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 06-1502 Filed 2-16-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P