In-Use Testing for Heavy-Duty Diesel Engines and Vehicles; Emission Measurement Accuracy Margins for Portable Emission Measurement Systems and Program Revisions, 13518-13523 [08-1017]
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Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 50 / Thursday, March 13, 2008 / Proposed Rules
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on March 4,
2008.
David A. Downey,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E8–5068 Filed 3–12–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 86
[EPA–HQ–OAR–2006–0072; FRL–8539–4
RIN 2060–069
In-Use Testing for Heavy-Duty Diesel
Engines and Vehicles; Emission
Measurement Accuracy Margins for
Portable Emission Measurement
Systems and Program Revisions
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.
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AGENCY:
SUMMARY: 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
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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.
DATES: Written comments must be
received by April 14, 2008. Request for
a public hearing must be received by
March 28, 2008. If we receive a request
for a public hearing, we will publish
information related to the timing and
location of the hearing and the timing of
a new deadline for public comments.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,
identified by Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–
OAR–2004–0072, by one of the
following methods:
• www.regulations.gov: Follow the
on-line instructions for submitting
comments.
• E-mail: a-and-r-docket@epa.gov.
• Fax: (202) 566–9744.
• Mail: Environmental Protection
Agency, Mail Code: 2822T, 1200
Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington,
DC 20460. Please include two copies.
• Hand Delivery: U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, EPA Headquarters
Library, EPA West Building, Room
3334, 1301 Constitution Avenue, NW.,
Washington, DC. 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 No. EPA–HQ–OAR–2004–
0072. EPA’s policy is that all comments
received will be included in the public
docket without change and may be
made available online at
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 www.regulations.gov
or e-mail. The www.regulations.gov Web
site 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 www.regulations.gov your email address will be automatically
captured and included as part of the
comment that is placed in the public
docket and made available on the
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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. For additional information
about EPA’s public docket, visit the EPA
Docket Center homepage at https://
www.epa.gov/oar/dockets.html.
Docket: All documents in the docket
are listed in the www.regulations.gov
index. Although listed in the index,
some information is not publicly
available, e.g., CBI or other information
whose disclosure 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
www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at
the EPA Docket Center, EPA West
Building, EPA Headquarters Library,
Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Avenue,
N.W., 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 for the Public Reading Room is
(202) 566–1744, and the telephone
number for the Air Docket is (202) 566–
1742.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Richard Wilcox, Assessment and
Standards Division, Office of
Transportation and Air Quality, 2000
Traverwood Drive, Ann Arbor, MI
48105; telephone number: (734) 214–
4390; fax number: (734) 214–4939; email address: wilcox.rich@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. General Information
In the ‘‘Rules and Regulations’’
section of this Federal Register, we are
making these revisions as a direct final
rule without prior proposal because we
view these revisions as noncontroversial
and anticipate no adverse comment.
We have explained our reasons for
these revisions in the preamble to the
direct final rule. If we receive no
adverse comment, we will not take
further action on this proposed rule. If
we receive adverse comment on the
rule, we will withdraw the direct final
rule. We will address all public
comments in a subsequent final rule
based on this proposed rule. We will not
institute a second comment period on
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this action. Any parties interested in
commenting must do so at this time.
This action will affect companies that
manufacture and certify heavy-duty
NAICS Code a
Category
Industry ..............
Industry ..............
a North
II. Does This Action Apply to Me?
336112
336120
811112
81198
diesel engines and vehicles for use on
the highway.
Examples of potentially affected entities
Engine and Truck Manufacturers.
Independent commercial importers of vehicles and parts.
American Industry Classification System (NAICS).
To determine whether particular
activities may be affected by this action,
you should carefully examine the
regulations. You may direct questions
regarding the applicability of this action
as noted in FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT.
III. What Should I Consider as I
Prepare My Comments for EPA?
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A. Submitting CBI. Do not submit this
information to EPA through
www.regulations.gov or e-mail. Clearly
mark the part or all of the information
that you claim to be CBI. For CBI
information in a disk or CD–ROM that
you mail to EPA, mark the outside of the
disk or CD–ROM as CBI and then
identify electronically within the disk or
CD–ROM the specific information that
is claimed as CBI. In addition to one
complete version of the comment that
includes information claimed as CBI, a
copy of the comment that does not
contain the information claimed as CBI
must be submitted for inclusion in the
public docket. Information so marked
will not be disclosed except in
accordance with procedures set forth in
40 CFR Part 2.
B. Tips for Preparing Your Comments.
When submitting comments, remember
to:
• Identify the rulemaking by docket
number and other identifying
information (subject heading, Federal
Register date and page number).
• Follow directions—The agency may
ask you to respond to specific questions
or organize comments by referencing a
Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) part
or section number.
• Explain why you agree or disagree;
suggest alternatives and substitute
language for your requested changes.
• Describe any assumptions and
provide any technical information and/
or data that you used.
• If you estimate potential costs or
burdens, explain how you arrived at
your estimate in sufficient detail to
allow for it to be reproduced.
• Provide specific examples to
illustrate your concerns, and suggest
alternatives.
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• Explain your views as clearly as
possible, avoiding the use of profanity
or personal threats.
• Make sure to submit your
comments by the comment period
deadline identified.
IV. Summary of Rule
The manufacturer-run, in-use testing
program for heavy-duty diesel vehicles
that are used on the highway was
promulgated in 2005 to monitor the
emissions performance of the engines
used in those vehicles when operated
under a wide range of real world driving
conditions1 The program is specifically
intended to monitor compliance with
the applicable Not-to-Exceed (NTE)
exhaust emission standards for nonmethane hydrocarbons (NMHC), oxides
of nitrogen (NOX), carbon monoxide
(CO), and particulate matter (PM). It
requires each manufacturer of heavyduty highway diesel engines to assess
the in-use exhaust emissions from their
engines using onboard, portable
emission measurement systems during
typical operation while on the road.
A. Gaseous Emission Measurement
Margins for Manufacturer-Run, In-Use
Testing
For the purposes of the in-use testing
program, it was necessary to establish
emission measurement ‘‘accuracy’’
margins for the portable emission
measurement system.2 They are
primarily designed to account for any
differences between the accuracy of the
onboard, portable emission
measurement instruments and the
accuracy of the instruments used during
laboratory testing in the emissions
certification process. When the in-use
testing program was first established in
2005, there was uncertainty regarding
what specific accuracy margins should
1 See ‘‘Control of Emissions of Air Pollution From
New Motor Vehicles: In-Use Testing for Heavy-Duty
Diesel Engines and Vehicles, 70 FR 34594 (June 14,
2005).’’
2 The emission measurement accuracy margin
added to the value of the applicable NTE standard
and any in-use compliance testing margin that is
already allowed by the regulations to determine the
numerical compliance limit, i.e., NTE threshold,
which is used in the in-use testing program.
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be used in the in-use testing program,
since the portable measurement systems
had not been rigorously tested at that
time. As a result, we promulgated
interim accuracy allowances for use in
the pilot programs for gaseous
pollutants and PM.3
Shortly before the in-use test program
was promulgated, EPA entered into an
memorandum of agreement (MOA) with
the California Air Resources Board
(CARB) and the manufacturers of heavyduty highway diesel engines (through
the Engine Manufacturers Association
(EMA)) to develop ‘‘data driven’’
emission measurement allowances
through a comprehensive research,
development, and demonstration
program for the enforceable programs,
i.e., beginning in the 2007 calendar year
for gaseous emissions and the 2008
calendar year for PM. The overall test
program was designed to be completed
in two phases. The first phase addressed
gaseous emission accuracy margins and
the second phase addressed PM
emission accuracy margins. All parties
agreed to support the final accuracy
margins assuming that the agreed upon
test program was followed and the
results incorporated into a direct final
rulemaking, or a subsequent final
rulemaking (preceded by proposed
rulemaking) if adverse comment was
received on the direct final rule.
The cooperative test program and
additional follow-on development work
for gaseous emissions have now been
completed, and a resultant set of final
emission measurement accuracy
margins has been identified for use in
the fully enforceable program that
begins in 2007. The gaseous emission
measurements accuracy margins vary
based on the model year of the engine
and the emission calculation
methodology that is used to determine
the final grams/brake horsepower-hour
3 The in-use testing requirements consist of a twoyear pilot program for gaseous emissions (i.e.,
NMHC, NoX, and CO) in calendar years 2005 and
2006, and calendar years 2006 and 2007 for PM
emissions. This NPRM proposes to change the years
of the PM pilot program to calendar years 2007 and
2008. The programs are fully enforceable after their
respective pilot program ends.
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emission. The proposed values are
shown in Table 1.
TABLE 1.—FINAL MEASUREMENT ACCURACY MARGINS FOR THE ENFORCEABLE GASEOUS EMISSIONS IN-USE TESTING
PROGRAM
Accuracy margins
(g/bhp-hr)
Pollutant
2007–2009
model year engines
Method 1 only
NMHC ..................................................................................................................
CO ........................................................................................................................
NOX ......................................................................................................................
B. NMHC NOx In-Use Testing Accuracy
Margins
The June 2005 final rule that
implemented the in-use testing program
addressed accuracy margins for each of
the gaseous pollutants and their
associated individual standards, i.e.,
NMHC, NAX, and CO. The MOA and
subsequent gaseous emissions test
program also focused on identifying the
final accuracy margins for these
individual pollutants. In developing the
original rule and subsequent test
program, however, we failed to
recognize that 2004 through 2006 model
year engine families are actually
certified to a combined NOX plus
NMHC standard under § 86.004–11(a)(l)
2010 and later
model year engines
Methods 2 and 3
0.02
0.5
0.45
of the applicable regulations.
Furthermore, under the ‘‘phase-in
options’’ of § 86.007–11(g)(l) an engine
manufacturer may optionally certify
some of its production in model years
2007 through 2009 to the combined
NOX plus NMHC standard for 2006
model year engines under § 86.2004–11,
rather than the otherwise applicable
individual NOX and NMHC standards.
Therefore, we are correcting this
oversight by proposing in-use testing
accuracy margins for the combined NOX
plus NMHC standard.
The methodology for determining an
accuracy margin for the combined NOX
plus NMHC emission standard is the
same as that used to determine the
numerical value of the combined
All methods
0.01
0.25
0.15
0.01
0.25
0.15
standard itself. Specifically, the
individual NOX and NMHC accuracy
margins are simply added together to
provide a single value. Therefore, for
2004–2007 model year engines that may
be tested under the gaseous emission
pilot program for the 2006 and 2007
calendar years, we propose that the
combined accuracy margin is the sum of
the individual NOX and NMHC values
already contained in § 86.1912, or 0.67
g/bhp-hr. For engines tested in the
enforceable program that begins in the
2007 calendar year and applies to 2007
and later model year diesel engines, the
combined NOX plus NMHC accuracy
margins, using the individual values
from Table 1, are shown in Table 2.
TABLE 2.—FINAL COMBINED NOX PLUS NMHC MEASUREMENT ACCURACY MARGINS FOR THE ENFORCEABLE GASEOUS
EMISSIONS IN-USE TESTING PROGRAM
Accuracy margins
2007–2009
model year engines
(g/bhp-hr)
Pollutant
Method 1 only
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NOX + NMHC ..............................................................................................................................................
C. Delaying the Enforceable PM
Program From 2008 to 2009
The MOA described in section IV.A.
acknowledged that in order to
promulgate new measurement accuracy
margins with adequate lead time to
begin the 2008 enforceable PM I
program, certain key milestone dates in
the test program had to be achieved.
Contingencies for missing the final
delivery date were specified in the MOA
and in the June 2005 final rulemaking.4
Most relevant to today’s proposal was
that if the final values and
documentation were delayed more than
three months from November 1, 2007
then the PM pilot program would
4 See
40 CFR 86.1935.
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continue for calendar year 2008 in place
of the fully enforceable program for that
year.
Completing the PM test program on
schedule required that the initial work
be conducted in parallel with the
ongoing gaseous emission test program
Using the same contractors and
personnel from EPA, CARB, and the
engine manufacturers. Due to
unexpected issues in the gaseous
emission test program and the lack of
other resources, all work on the PM test
plan and subsequent test program had to
be postponed until recently. The end
result of this postponement is that the
final accuracy margin for PM will be
delayed by approximately one year.
Accordingly, the MOA and in-use test
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Methods 2 and 3
0.47
0.16
program regulations require that the first
year of the previously adopted
enforceable program (calendar year
2008) be placed into abeyance and the
PM pilot program continued for that
year. Hence, we are proposing to modify
the in-use testing regulations so that the
PM pilot program extends into 2008 and
the fully enforceable PM program begins
in 2009.
D. Suspending the 2006 PM Pilot
Program
The in-use testing program, as
originally adopted in June 2005,
included a two-year pilot (i.e.,
demonstration) program for PM
emissions in calendar years 2006 and
2007. In establishing this requirement,
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EPA noted that the onboard
measurement of PM emissions was
significantly more challenging than for
gaseous emissions, and that further
development of the requisite portable
measurement systems would be needed.
We also noted our expectation that
engine manufacturers would use ‘‘best
available’’ prototype systems that were
capable of measuring PM emissions as
required. Nonetheless, in recognition of
the then remaining technical
uncertainties, we added a provision to
the regulations that would suspend the
in-use test program as it applied to PM
measurement if we discovered
fundamental technical problems with
portable in-use PM measurement
systems that could not be resolvable in
a reasonable time.
In a letter dated January 4, 2007, EMA
requested that the first year of the twoyear PM pilot program be held in
abeyance. The principle reasons cited
were associated with certain technical
concerns primarily relating to the
availability and efficacy of the requisite
portable measurement systems for that
pollutant. In a subsequent letter dated
April 11, 2007, EMA more specifically
detailed its concerns with currently
available portable PM measurement
systems. The trade group also argued
that it would be better to take the time
now to develop better portable PM
measurement devices in order to ensure
a successful launch of the fully
enforceable program in 2009. Finally,
EMA noted that even with the
suspension of the 2006 PM pilot
program, there would still be a full two
years of the PM pilot as originally called
for in the regulations.
After carefully considering EMA’s
concerns, we agree that it is better to
eliminate the 2006 calendar year PM
pilot program in order to focus our
collective efforts on improving the
current portable PM measurement
systems and conducting the cooperative
research and deve1opment program for
this pollutant. Therefore, we are
proposing such a delay.
E. Revised Schedules and Testing
Flexibilities the for the 2005 Through
2009 In-Use Test Programs
The June 2005 final rule that
established the heavy-duty in-use test
program stated that EPA would
typically select engine families for
testing in June of each calendar year.
Further, the regulations allowed 18
months from the time engine families
were designated for engine
manufacturers to complete all testing
and report the results to EPA.
Subsequent to the final rule, we
concluded that certain adjustments to
the test schedules were necessary in the
early years of the program to address: (1)
Delays in initiating certain aspects of
the program, (2) manufacturers’
concerns regarding the schedule for
initial purchases of PM measurement
systems, and (3) manufacturers’
concerns instrumenting test vehicles for
PM emission testing in the early years
of the program. Our proposed
adjustments for engine family
designation and reporting dates are
summarized in Table 3, which also
reflect the other proposed programmatic
revisions discussed previously.
TABLE 3.—REVISED ENGINE FAMILY DESIGNATION AND REPORTING SCHEDULES
Designate families
Report due
Program
Original
2005
2006
2007
2007
2008
2008
2009
2009
2010
2010
Gaseous Pilot ............................................................................................
Gaseous Pilot ............................................................................................
Gaseous Enforceable ................................................................................
PM Pilot .....................................................................................................
Gaseous Enforceable ................................................................................
PM Pilot .....................................................................................................
Gaseous Enforceable ................................................................................
PM Enforceable .........................................................................................
Gaseous Enforceable ................................................................................
PM Enforceable .........................................................................................
06/2005
06/2006
06/2007
06/2007
06/2008
06/2008
06/2009
06/2009
06/2010
06/2010
Revised
Unchanged ..
12/2006 .......
12/2007 .......
12/2007 .......
09/2008 .......
09/2008 .......
Unchanged ..
Unchanged ..
Unchanged ..
Unchanged ..
Original
11/2006
11/2007
11/2008
11/2008
11/2009
11/2009
11/2010
11/2010
11/2011
11/2011
Revised
11/2007.
11/2008.
11/2009.
05/2010.
03/2010.
09/2010.
04/2011.
04/2011.
Unchanged.
Unchanged.
* For illustration only. The 2010 program dates are as originally promulgated.
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EF. Removing the Gaseous Accuracy
Test Program from the Regulations
We are proposing to delete the
references in § 86.1935 that pertain to
the final report for gaseous emission
accuracy margins and the consequences
that would ensue if the report was
delayed beyond certain dates. These
provisions are no longer needed because
final accuracy margins for gaseous
pollutants are being proposed in this
rulemaking. The proposed revised
section, therefore, would appropriately
focus on the ongoing development of
accuracy margins for PM emissions.
For additional discussion of the
proposed rule changes, see the direct
final rule EPA has published in the
‘‘Rules and Regulations’’ section of
today’s Federal Register. This proposal
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incorporates by reference all the
reasoning, explanation, and regulatory
text from the direct final rule.
V. Statutory and Executive Order
Reviews
A. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory
Planning and Review
This proposed rule is not a
‘‘significant regulatory action’’ under
the terms of Executive Order (EO) 12866
(58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993) and is
therefore not subject to review under the
EO. This proposed rule merely replaces
the interim gaseous emission
measurement accuracy allowances for
portable emission measurement systems
with final values and delays the in-use
testing implementation dates for the
fully enforceable PM test program as
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either envisioned or allowed for in the
original final rule. This proposal also
grants a request from the affected engine
manufacturers for a one year delay in
the start of the pilot testing program for
PM. Further, here are no costs
associated with this rule beyond those
envisioned in the original rule.
B. Paperwork Reduction Act
This proposed rule does not include
any new collection requirements, as it
acts to replace interim gaseous emission
measurement accuracy allowances for
portable emission measurement systems
with final values and delays the
implementation schedule for the in-use
PM testing program. There are no new
paperwork requirements associated with
this rule.
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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.
C. Regulatory Flexibility Act
The Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)
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 this proposed rule on small entities,
a small entity is defined as: (1) A small
business that meet the definition for
business based on SBA size standards at
13 CFR 121.201; (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-forprofit enterprise which is independently
owned and operated and is not
dominant in its field.
After considering the economic
impacts of today’s proposed rule on
small entities, I certify that this action
will 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
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alternatives ‘‘which minimize any
significant economic impact of the rule
on small entities.’’ 5 USC 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 proposed rule acts to replace
interim gaseous emission measurement
accuracy allowances for portable
emission measurement systems with
final values and delays the
implementation schedule for the in-use
PM testing program. We have, therefore,
concluded that today’s proposal will
relieve regulatory burden for all small
entities and will not have a significant
economic impact on a substantial
number of small entities.
D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
This proposed rule contains no
federal mandates for state, local, or
tribal governments as defined by the
provisions of Title II of the UMRA. The
proposed rule imposes no enforceable
duties on any of these governmental
entities. Nothing in the proposed rule
would significantly or uniquely affect
small governments. EPA has determined
that this proposed rule contains no
federal mandates that may result in
expenditures of more than $100 million
to the private sector in any single year.
This proposed rule acts to replace
interim gaseous emission measurement
accuracy allowances for portable
emission measurement systems with
final values and delays the
implementation schedule for the in-use
PM testing program. See the direct final
rule EPA has published in the ‘‘Rules
and Regulations’’ section of today
Federal Register for a more extensive
discussion of UMRA policy,
E. Executive Order 13132: Federalism
This proposed rule does not have
federalism implications. It will 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. This proposed
rule merely replaces interim
measurement accuracy allowances for
portable emission measurement systems
with final values as envisioned in the
original rule. See the direct final rule EP
A has published in the ‘‘Rules and
Regulations’’ section of today’s Federal
Register for a more extensive discussion
of Executive Order 13132.
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F. Executive Order 13175: Consultation
and Coordination With Indian Tribal
Governments
This proposed rule does not have
tribal implications. It will not have
substantial direct effects on tribal
governments, on the relationship
between the Federal government and
Indian tribes, or on the distribution of
power and responsibilities between the
Federal government and Indian tribes,
as specified in Executive Order 13175.
This proposed rule does not uniquely
affect the communities of Indian Tribal
Governments, Further, no circumstances
specific to such communities exist that
would cause an impact on these
communities beyond those discussed in
the other sections of this rule. This
proposed rule merely replaces interim
gaseous emission measurement
accuracy allowances for portable
emission measurement systems with
final values and delays the
implementation schedule for the in-use
PM testing program. Thus, Executive
Order 13175 does not apply to this rule.
See the direct final rule EPA has
published in the ‘‘Rules and
Regulations’’ section of today’s Federal
Register for a more extensive discussion
of Executive Order 13132.
G. Executive Order 13045: Protection of
Children From Environmental Health
and Safety Risks
This proposed rule is not subject to
the Executive Order because it is not
economically significant, and does not
involve decisions on environmental
health or safety risks that may
disproportionately affect children. See
the direct final rule EPA has published
in the ‘‘Rules and Regulations’’ section
of today’s Federal Register for a more
extensive discussion of Executive Order
13045.
H. Executive Order 13211: Actions That
Significantly Affect Energy Supply,
Distribution, or Use
This proposed 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.
This proposed rule merely replaces
interim gaseous emission measurement
accuracy allowances for portable
emission measurement systems with
final values and delays the
implementation schedule for the in-use
PM testing program.
E:\FR\FM\13MRP1.SGM
13MRP1
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 50 / Thursday, March 13, 2008 / Proposed Rules
I. National Technology Transfer and
Advancement Act
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Surface Transportation Board
This proposed rule does not involve
technical standards. This proposed rule
merely replaces interim gaseous
emission measurement accuracy
allowances for portable emission
measurement systems with final values
and delays the implementation schedule
for the in-use PM testing program. Thus,
we have determined that the
requirements of the NTTAA do not
apply. See the direct final rule EPA has
published in the ‘‘Rules and
Regulations’’ section of today’s Federal
Register for a more extensive discussion
of NTTAA policy.
J. Executive Order 12898: Federal
Actions to Address Environmental
Justice in Minority Populations and
Low-Income Populations
EPA has determined that this
proposed rule will not have
disproportionately high and Adverse
human health or environmental effects
on minority or low income populations
because it does not affect the level of
protection provided to human health or
the environment. See the direct final
rule EPA has published in the ‘‘Rules
and Regulations’’ section of today’s
Federal Register for a more extensive
discussion of Executive Order 13045.
K. Statutory Authority,
The statutory authority for this action
comes from 42 U.S.C. 7401–7671q. C.
7607(d).
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 86
Environmental protection,
Administrative practice and procedure,
Confidential business information,
Labeling, Motor vehicle pollution,
Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements.
Dated: February 28, 2008.
Stephen L. Johnson,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 08–1017 Filed 3–12–08; 8:45 am]
rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with PROPOSALS
BILLING CODE 6560–50–M
VerDate Aug<31>2005
16:23 Mar 12, 2008
Jkt 214001
49 CFR Chapter X
[STB Ex Parte No. 676]
Rail Transportation Contracts Under 49
U.S.C. 10709
AGENCY:
Surface Transportation Board,
DOT.
Advance Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking.
ACTION:
SUMMARY: The Surface Transportation
Board seeks public comments on a
proposal to require railroads to include
a disclosure statement in any document
that they consider to be a rail
transportation contract under 49 U.S.C.
10709.
DATES: Comments are due by May 12,
2008.
ADDRESSES: Comments may be
submitted either via the Board’s e-filing
format or in the traditional paper
format. Any person using e-filing should
attach a document and comply with the
instructions at the E-FILING link on the
Board’s Web site, at: https://
www.stb.dot.gov. Any person submitting
a filing in the traditional paper format
should send an original and 10 copies
to: Surface Transportation Board, Attn:
STB Ex Parte No. 676, 395 E Street, SW.,
Washington, DC 20423–0001.
Copies of written comments will be
available from the Board’s contractor,
ASAP Document Solutions (Mailing
Address: Suite 103, 9332 Annapolis Rd.,
Lanham, MD 20706; e-mail address:
asapdc@verizon.net; telephone number:
202–306–4004). The comments will also
be available for viewing and selfcopying in the Board’s Public Docket
Room, Room 131, and will be posted to
the Board’s Web site at: https://
www.stb.dot.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Timothy J. Strafford at 202–245–0356.
[Assistance for the hearing impaired is
available through the Federal
Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–
800–877–8339.]
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In recent
proceedings, the Board has noted that
PO 00000
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13523
there is often no clear distinction
between regulated common carrier rates
and unregulated rail transportation
contracts. See, e.g., Kansas City Power &
Light Company v. Union Pacific
Railroad Company, STB Docket No.
42095 (STB served July 27, 2006);
Interpretation of the Term ‘‘Contract’’ in
49 U.S.C. 10709, STB Ex Parte No. 669
(STB served Mar. 29, 2007). The Board
has instituted this rulemaking
proceeding to consider imposing a
requirement that each rail carrier
provide a full disclosure statement
when it seeks to enter into a rail
transportation contract under 49 U.S.C.
10709. The statement would explicitly
advise the shipper that the carrier
intends the document to be a rail
transportation contract, and that any
transportation under the document
would not be subject to regulation by
the Board. Moreover, it would advise
the shipper that it has a statutory right
to request a common carriage rate that
the carrier would then have to supply
promptly, and such a rate might be open
to challenge before the Board. The
proposal would also require that, before
entering into a rail transportation
contract, the carrier provide the shipper
an opportunity to sign a written
informed consent statement in which
the shipper acknowledges, and states its
willingness to forgo, its regulatory
options. Interested persons are invited
to comment on the proposal and the
Board welcomes suggestions as to what
language should be included in this full
disclosure/informed consent
requirement.
This action will not significantly
affect either the quality of the human
environment or the conservation of
energy resources.
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 721, 49 U.S.C. 10709.
Decided: March 6, 2008.
By the Board, Chairman Nottingham, Vice
Chairman Mulvey, and Commissioner
Buttrey.
Anne K. Quinlan,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. E8–5058 Filed 3–12–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915–01–P
E:\FR\FM\13MRP1.SGM
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 50 (Thursday, March 13, 2008)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 13518-13523]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 08-1017]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 86
[EPA-HQ-OAR-2006-0072; FRL-8539-4
RIN 2060-069
In-Use Testing for Heavy-Duty Diesel Engines and Vehicles;
Emission Measurement Accuracy Margins for Portable Emission Measurement
Systems and Program Revisions
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: 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.
DATES: Written comments must be received by April 14, 2008. Request for
a public hearing must be received by March 28, 2008. If we receive a
request for a public hearing, we will publish information related to
the timing and location of the hearing and the timing of a new deadline
for public comments.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-
OAR-2004-0072, by one of the following methods:
www.regulations.gov: Follow the on-line instructions for
submitting comments.
E-mail: a-and-r-docket@epa.gov.
Fax: (202) 566-9744.
Mail: Environmental Protection Agency, Mail Code: 2822T,
1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460. Please include two
copies.
Hand Delivery: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA
Headquarters Library, EPA West Building, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution
Avenue, NW., Washington, DC. 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 No. EPA-HQ-OAR-
2004-0072. EPA's policy is that all comments received will be included
in the public docket without change and may be made available online at
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 www.regulations.gov or e-mail.
The www.regulations.gov Web site 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 www.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. For additional
information about EPA's public docket, visit the EPA Docket Center
homepage at https://www.epa.gov/oar/dockets.html.
Docket: All documents in the docket are listed in the
www.regulations.gov index. Although listed in the index, some
information is not publicly available, e.g., CBI or other information
whose disclosure 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 www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at the EPA Docket Center, EPA
West Building, EPA Headquarters Library, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution
Avenue, N.W., 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 for the Public Reading Room is (202) 566-1744, and the
telephone number for the Air Docket is (202) 566-1742.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard Wilcox, Assessment and
Standards Division, Office of Transportation and Air Quality, 2000
Traverwood Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48105; telephone number: (734) 214-
4390; fax number: (734) 214-4939; e-mail address: wilcox.rich@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. General Information
In the ``Rules and Regulations'' section of this Federal Register,
we are making these revisions as a direct final rule without prior
proposal because we view these revisions as noncontroversial and
anticipate no adverse comment.
We have explained our reasons for these revisions in the preamble
to the direct final rule. If we receive no adverse comment, we will not
take further action on this proposed rule. If we receive adverse
comment on the rule, we will withdraw the direct final rule. We will
address all public comments in a subsequent final rule based on this
proposed rule. We will not institute a second comment period on
[[Page 13519]]
this action. Any parties interested in commenting must do so at this
time.
II. Does This Action Apply to Me?
This action will affect companies that manufacture and certify
heavy-duty diesel engines and vehicles for use on the highway.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Category NAICS Code \a\ Examples of potentially affected entities
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Industry..................................... 336112 Engine and Truck Manufacturers.
336120
Industry..................................... 811112 Independent commercial importers of vehicles
and parts.
81198
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\a\ North American Industry Classification System (NAICS).
To determine whether particular activities may be affected by this
action, you should carefully examine the regulations. You may direct
questions regarding the applicability of this action as noted in FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
III. What Should I Consider as I Prepare My Comments for EPA?
A. Submitting CBI. Do not submit this information to EPA through
www.regulations.gov or e-mail. Clearly mark the part or all of the
information that you claim to be CBI. For CBI information in a disk or
CD-ROM that you mail to EPA, mark the outside of the disk or CD-ROM as
CBI and then identify electronically within the disk or CD-ROM the
specific information that is claimed as CBI. In addition to one
complete version of the comment that includes information claimed as
CBI, a copy of the comment that does not contain the information
claimed as CBI must be submitted for inclusion in the public docket.
Information so marked will not be disclosed except in accordance with
procedures set forth in 40 CFR Part 2.
B. Tips for Preparing Your Comments. When submitting comments,
remember to:
Identify the rulemaking by docket number and other
identifying information (subject heading, Federal Register date and
page number).
Follow directions--The agency may ask you to respond to
specific questions or organize comments by referencing a Code of
Federal Regulations (CFR) part or section number.
Explain why you agree or disagree; suggest alternatives
and substitute language for your requested changes.
Describe any assumptions and provide any technical
information and/or data that you used.
If you estimate potential costs or burdens, explain how
you arrived at your estimate in sufficient detail to allow for it to be
reproduced.
Provide specific examples to illustrate your concerns, and
suggest alternatives.
Explain your views as clearly as possible, avoiding the
use of profanity or personal threats.
Make sure to submit your comments by the comment period
deadline identified.
IV. Summary of Rule
The manufacturer-run, in-use testing program for heavy-duty diesel
vehicles that are used on the highway was promulgated in 2005 to
monitor the emissions performance of the engines used in those vehicles
when operated under a wide range of real world driving conditions\1\
The program is specifically intended to monitor compliance with the
applicable Not-to-Exceed (NTE) exhaust emission standards for non-
methane hydrocarbons (NMHC), oxides of nitrogen (NOX),
carbon monoxide (CO), and particulate matter (PM). It requires each
manufacturer of heavy-duty highway diesel engines to assess the in-use
exhaust emissions from their engines using onboard, portable emission
measurement systems during typical operation while on the road.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ See ``Control of Emissions of Air Pollution From New Motor
Vehicles: In-Use Testing for Heavy-Duty Diesel Engines and Vehicles,
70 FR 34594 (June 14, 2005).''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
A. Gaseous Emission Measurement Margins for Manufacturer-Run, In-Use
Testing
For the purposes of the in-use testing program, it was necessary to
establish emission measurement ``accuracy'' margins for the portable
emission measurement system.\2\ They are primarily designed to account
for any differences between the accuracy of the onboard, portable
emission measurement instruments and the accuracy of the instruments
used during laboratory testing in the emissions certification process.
When the in-use testing program was first established in 2005, there
was uncertainty regarding what specific accuracy margins should be used
in the in-use testing program, since the portable measurement systems
had not been rigorously tested at that time. As a result, we
promulgated interim accuracy allowances for use in the pilot programs
for gaseous pollutants and PM.\3\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ The emission measurement accuracy margin added to the value
of the applicable NTE standard and any in-use compliance testing
margin that is already allowed by the regulations to determine the
numerical compliance limit, i.e., NTE threshold, which is used in
the in-use testing program.
\3\ The in-use testing requirements consist of a two-year pilot
program for gaseous emissions (i.e., NMHC, NoX, and CO)
in calendar years 2005 and 2006, and calendar years 2006 and 2007
for PM emissions. This NPRM proposes to change the years of the PM
pilot program to calendar years 2007 and 2008. The programs are
fully enforceable after their respective pilot program ends.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shortly before the in-use test program was promulgated, EPA entered
into an memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the California Air Resources
Board (CARB) and the manufacturers of heavy-duty highway diesel engines
(through the Engine Manufacturers Association (EMA)) to develop ``data
driven'' emission measurement allowances through a comprehensive
research, development, and demonstration program for the enforceable
programs, i.e., beginning in the 2007 calendar year for gaseous
emissions and the 2008 calendar year for PM. The overall test program
was designed to be completed in two phases. The first phase addressed
gaseous emission accuracy margins and the second phase addressed PM
emission accuracy margins. All parties agreed to support the final
accuracy margins assuming that the agreed upon test program was
followed and the results incorporated into a direct final rulemaking,
or a subsequent final rulemaking (preceded by proposed rulemaking) if
adverse comment was received on the direct final rule.
The cooperative test program and additional follow-on development
work for gaseous emissions have now been completed, and a resultant set
of final emission measurement accuracy margins has been identified for
use in the fully enforceable program that begins in 2007. The gaseous
emission measurements accuracy margins vary based on the model year of
the engine and the emission calculation methodology that is used to
determine the final grams/brake horsepower-hour
[[Page 13520]]
emission. The proposed values are shown in Table 1.
Table 1.--Final Measurement Accuracy Margins for the Enforceable Gaseous Emissions In-Use Testing Program
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accuracy margins (g/bhp-hr)
-----------------------------------------------------------
2007-2009 model year engines 2010 and later
Pollutant ---------------------------------------- model year engines
-------------------
Method 1 only Methods 2 and 3 All methods
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NMHC............................................... 0.02 0.01 0.01
CO.................................................. 0.5 0.25 0.25
NOX................................................. 0.45 0.15 0.15
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
B. NMHC NOx In-Use Testing Accuracy Margins
The June 2005 final rule that implemented the in-use testing
program addressed accuracy margins for each of the gaseous pollutants
and their associated individual standards, i.e., NMHC, NAX,
and CO. The MOA and subsequent gaseous emissions test program also
focused on identifying the final accuracy margins for these individual
pollutants. In developing the original rule and subsequent test
program, however, we failed to recognize that 2004 through 2006 model
year engine families are actually certified to a combined
NOX plus NMHC standard under Sec. 86.004-11(a)(l) of the
applicable regulations. Furthermore, under the ``phase-in options'' of
Sec. 86.007-11(g)(l) an engine manufacturer may optionally certify
some of its production in model years 2007 through 2009 to the combined
NOX plus NMHC standard for 2006 model year engines under
Sec. 86.2004-11, rather than the otherwise applicable individual
NOX and NMHC standards. Therefore, we are correcting this
oversight by proposing in-use testing accuracy margins for the combined
NOX plus NMHC standard.
The methodology for determining an accuracy margin for the
combined NOX plus NMHC emission standard is the same as that
used to determine the numerical value of the combined standard itself.
Specifically, the individual NOX and NMHC accuracy margins
are simply added together to provide a single value. Therefore, for
2004-2007 model year engines that may be tested under the gaseous
emission pilot program for the 2006 and 2007 calendar years, we propose
that the combined accuracy margin is the sum of the individual
NOX and NMHC values already contained in Sec. 86.1912, or
0.67 g/bhp-hr. For engines tested in the enforceable program that
begins in the 2007 calendar year and applies to 2007 and later model
year diesel engines, the combined NOX plus NMHC accuracy
margins, using the individual values from Table 1, are shown in Table
2.
Table 2.--Final Combined NOX Plus NMHC Measurement Accuracy Margins for
the Enforceable Gaseous Emissions In-Use Testing Program
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accuracy margins 2007-2009 model year
engines (g/bhp-hr)
Pollutant ---------------------------------------
Method 1 only Methods 2 and 3
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOX + NMHC...................... 0.47 0.16
------------------------------------------------------------------------
C. Delaying the Enforceable PM Program From 2008 to 2009
The MOA described in section IV.A. acknowledged that in order to
promulgate new measurement accuracy margins with adequate lead time to
begin the 2008 enforceable PM I program, certain key milestone dates in
the test program had to be achieved. Contingencies for missing the
final delivery date were specified in the MOA and in the June 2005
final rulemaking.\4\ Most relevant to today's proposal was that if the
final values and documentation were delayed more than three months from
November 1, 2007 then the PM pilot program would continue for calendar
year 2008 in place of the fully enforceable program for that year.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\4\ See 40 CFR 86.1935.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Completing the PM test program on schedule required that the
initial work be conducted in parallel with the ongoing gaseous emission
test program Using the same contractors and personnel from EPA, CARB,
and the engine manufacturers. Due to unexpected issues in the gaseous
emission test program and the lack of other resources, all work on the
PM test plan and subsequent test program had to be postponed until
recently. The end result of this postponement is that the final
accuracy margin for PM will be delayed by approximately one year.
Accordingly, the MOA and in-use test program regulations require that
the first year of the previously adopted enforceable program (calendar
year 2008) be placed into abeyance and the PM pilot program continued
for that year. Hence, we are proposing to modify the in-use testing
regulations so that the PM pilot program extends into 2008 and the
fully enforceable PM program begins in 2009.
D. Suspending the 2006 PM Pilot Program
The in-use testing program, as originally adopted in June 2005,
included a two-year pilot (i.e., demonstration) program for PM
emissions in calendar years 2006 and 2007. In establishing this
requirement,
[[Page 13521]]
EPA noted that the onboard measurement of PM emissions was
significantly more challenging than for gaseous emissions, and that
further development of the requisite portable measurement systems would
be needed. We also noted our expectation that engine manufacturers
would use ``best available'' prototype systems that were capable of
measuring PM emissions as required. Nonetheless, in recognition of the
then remaining technical uncertainties, we added a provision to the
regulations that would suspend the in-use test program as it applied to
PM measurement if we discovered fundamental technical problems with
portable in-use PM measurement systems that could not be resolvable in
a reasonable time.
In a letter dated January 4, 2007, EMA requested that the first
year of the two-year PM pilot program be held in abeyance. The
principle reasons cited were associated with certain technical concerns
primarily relating to the availability and efficacy of the requisite
portable measurement systems for that pollutant. In a subsequent letter
dated April 11, 2007, EMA more specifically detailed its concerns with
currently available portable PM measurement systems. The trade group
also argued that it would be better to take the time now to develop
better portable PM measurement devices in order to ensure a successful
launch of the fully enforceable program in 2009. Finally, EMA noted
that even with the suspension of the 2006 PM pilot program, there would
still be a full two years of the PM pilot as originally called for in
the regulations.
After carefully considering EMA's concerns, we agree that it is
better to eliminate the 2006 calendar year PM pilot program in order to
focus our collective efforts on improving the current portable PM
measurement systems and conducting the cooperative research and
deve1opment program for this pollutant. Therefore, we are proposing
such a delay.
E. Revised Schedules and Testing Flexibilities the for the 2005
Through 2009 In-Use Test Programs
The June 2005 final rule that established the heavy-duty in-use
test program stated that EPA would typically select engine families for
testing in June of each calendar year. Further, the regulations allowed
18 months from the time engine families were designated for engine
manufacturers to complete all testing and report the results to EPA.
Subsequent to the final rule, we concluded that certain adjustments to
the test schedules were necessary in the early years of the program to
address: (1) Delays in initiating certain aspects of the program, (2)
manufacturers' concerns regarding the schedule for initial purchases of
PM measurement systems, and (3) manufacturers' concerns instrumenting
test vehicles for PM emission testing in the early years of the
program. Our proposed adjustments for engine family designation and
reporting dates are summarized in Table 3, which also reflect the other
proposed programmatic revisions discussed previously.
Table 3.--Revised Engine Family Designation and Reporting Schedules
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Designate families Report due
Program -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Original Revised Original Revised
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2005 Gaseous Pilot................ 06/2005 Unchanged............ 11/2006 11/2007.
2006 Gaseous Pilot................ 06/2006 12/2006.............. 11/2007 11/2008.
2007 Gaseous Enforceable.......... 06/2007 12/2007.............. 11/2008 11/2009.
2007 PM Pilot..................... 06/2007 12/2007.............. 11/2008 05/2010.
2008 Gaseous Enforceable.......... 06/2008 09/2008.............. 11/2009 03/2010.
2008 PM Pilot..................... 06/2008 09/2008.............. 11/2009 09/2010.
2009 Gaseous Enforceable.......... 06/2009 Unchanged............ 11/2010 04/2011.
2009 PM Enforceable............... 06/2009 Unchanged............ 11/2010 04/2011.
2010 Gaseous Enforceable.......... 06/2010 Unchanged............ 11/2011 Unchanged.
2010 PM Enforceable............... 06/2010 Unchanged............ 11/2011 Unchanged.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* For illustration only. The 2010 program dates are as originally promulgated.
EF. Removing the Gaseous Accuracy Test Program from the Regulations
We are proposing to delete the references in Sec. 86.1935 that
pertain to the final report for gaseous emission accuracy margins and
the consequences that would ensue if the report was delayed beyond
certain dates. These provisions are no longer needed because final
accuracy margins for gaseous pollutants are being proposed in this
rulemaking. The proposed revised section, therefore, would
appropriately focus on the ongoing development of accuracy margins for
PM emissions.
For additional discussion of the proposed rule changes, see the
direct final rule EPA has published in the ``Rules and Regulations''
section of today's Federal Register. This proposal incorporates by
reference all the reasoning, explanation, and regulatory text from the
direct final rule.
V. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
A. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory Planning and Review
This proposed rule is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under
the terms of Executive Order (EO) 12866 (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993)
and is therefore not subject to review under the EO. This proposed rule
merely replaces the interim gaseous emission measurement accuracy
allowances for portable emission measurement systems with final values
and delays the in-use testing implementation dates for the fully
enforceable PM test program as either envisioned or allowed for in the
original final rule. This proposal also grants a request from the
affected engine manufacturers for a one year delay in the start of the
pilot testing program for PM. Further, here are no costs associated
with this rule beyond those envisioned in the original rule.
B. Paperwork Reduction Act
This proposed rule does not include any new collection
requirements, as it acts to replace interim gaseous emission
measurement accuracy allowances for portable emission measurement
systems with final values and delays the implementation schedule for
the in-use PM testing program. There are no new paperwork requirements
associated with this rule.
[[Page 13522]]
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.
C. Regulatory Flexibility Act
The Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) 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 this proposed rule on
small entities, a small entity is defined as: (1) A small business that
meet the definition for business based on SBA size standards at 13 CFR
121.201; (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 which is independently owned and operated
and is not dominant in its field.
After considering the economic impacts of today's proposed rule on
small entities, I certify that this action will 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 USC 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 proposed rule acts to replace interim gaseous emission
measurement accuracy allowances for portable emission measurement
systems with final values and delays the implementation schedule for
the in-use PM testing program. We have, therefore, concluded that
today's proposal will relieve regulatory burden for all small entities
and will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number
of small entities.
D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
This proposed rule contains no federal mandates for state, local,
or tribal governments as defined by the provisions of Title II of the
UMRA. The proposed rule imposes no enforceable duties on any of these
governmental entities. Nothing in the proposed rule would significantly
or uniquely affect small governments. EPA has determined that this
proposed rule contains no federal mandates that may result in
expenditures of more than $100 million to the private sector in any
single year. This proposed rule acts to replace interim gaseous
emission measurement accuracy allowances for portable emission
measurement systems with final values and delays the implementation
schedule for the in-use PM testing program. See the direct final rule
EPA has published in the ``Rules and Regulations'' section of today
Federal Register for a more extensive discussion of UMRA policy,
E. Executive Order 13132: Federalism
This proposed rule does not have federalism implications. It will
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. This proposed rule merely
replaces interim measurement accuracy allowances for portable emission
measurement systems with final values as envisioned in the original
rule. See the direct final rule EP A has published in the ``Rules and
Regulations'' section of today's Federal Register for a more extensive
discussion of Executive Order 13132.
F. Executive Order 13175: Consultation and Coordination With Indian
Tribal Governments
This proposed rule does not have tribal implications. It will not
have substantial direct effects on tribal governments, on the
relationship between the Federal government and Indian tribes, or on
the distribution of power and responsibilities between the Federal
government and Indian tribes, as specified in Executive Order 13175.
This proposed rule does not uniquely affect the communities of Indian
Tribal Governments, Further, no circumstances specific to such
communities exist that would cause an impact on these communities
beyond those discussed in the other sections of this rule. This
proposed rule merely replaces interim gaseous emission measurement
accuracy allowances for portable emission measurement systems with
final values and delays the implementation schedule for the in-use PM
testing program. Thus, Executive Order 13175 does not apply to this
rule. See the direct final rule EPA has published in the ``Rules and
Regulations'' section of today's Federal Register for a more extensive
discussion of Executive Order 13132.
G. Executive Order 13045: Protection of Children From Environmental
Health and Safety Risks
This proposed rule is not subject to the Executive Order because it
is not economically significant, and does not involve decisions on
environmental health or safety risks that may disproportionately affect
children. See the direct final rule EPA has published in the ``Rules
and Regulations'' section of today's Federal Register for a more
extensive discussion of Executive Order 13045.
H. Executive Order 13211: Actions That Significantly Affect Energy
Supply, Distribution, or Use
This proposed 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. This
proposed rule merely replaces interim gaseous emission measurement
accuracy allowances for portable emission measurement systems with
final values and delays the implementation schedule for the in-use PM
testing program.
[[Page 13523]]
I. National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act
This proposed rule does not involve technical standards. This
proposed rule merely replaces interim gaseous emission measurement
accuracy allowances for portable emission measurement systems with
final values and delays the implementation schedule for the in-use PM
testing program. Thus, we have determined that the requirements of the
NTTAA do not apply. See the direct final rule EPA has published in the
``Rules and Regulations'' section of today's Federal Register for a
more extensive discussion of NTTAA policy.
J. Executive Order 12898: Federal Actions to Address Environmental
Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations
EPA has determined that this proposed rule will not have
disproportionately high and Adverse human health or environmental
effects on minority or low income populations because it does not
affect the level of protection provided to human health or the
environment. See the direct final rule EPA has published in the ``Rules
and Regulations'' section of today's Federal Register for a more
extensive discussion of Executive Order 13045.
K. Statutory Authority,
The statutory authority for this action comes from 42 U.S.C. 7401-
7671q. C. 7607(d).
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 86
Environmental protection, Administrative practice and procedure,
Confidential business information, Labeling, Motor vehicle pollution,
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
Dated: February 28, 2008.
Stephen L. Johnson,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 08-1017 Filed 3-12-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-M