Regulation of Fuels and Fuel Additives: Revised Definition of Substantially Similar Rule for Alaska, 22277-22281 [E8-8944]
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Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 81 / Friday, April 25, 2008 / Rules and Regulations
crossing onto the Winston-Salem map,
and return to the beginning point.
Signed: January 18, 2008.
John J. Manfreda,
Administrator.
Approved: March 13, 2008.
Timothy E. Skud,
Deputy Assistant Secretary (Tax, Trade, and
Tariff Policy).
[FR Doc. E8–9106 Filed 4–24–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4810–31–P
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND
SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 117
[Docket No. USCG–2008–0001]
Drawbridge Operation Regulations;
Chelsea River, Chelsea and East
Boston, MA
Coast Guard, DHS.
Notice of temporary deviation
from regulations.
AGENCY:
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ACTION:
SUMMARY: The Commander, First Coast
Guard District, has issued a temporary
deviation from the regulation governing
the operation of the P.J. McArdle Bridge
across the Chelsea River, mile 0.3,
between Chelsea and East Boston,
Massachusetts. This deviation is
necessary to facilitate the annual
Chelsea River Revel and 5K Road Race.
This deviation allows the bridge to
remain in the closed position during the
running of the 5K Road Race. Vessels
that can pass under the draw without a
bridge opening may do so at all times.
DATES: This deviation is effective from
8 a.m. through 5 p.m. on June 14, 2008.
ADDRESSES: Documents indicated in this
preamble as being available in the
docket are part of docket USCG–2008–
0001 and are available online at
www.regulations.gov. They are also
available for inspection or copying at
two locations: The Docket Management
Facility (M–30), U.S. Department of
Transportation, West Building Ground
Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey
Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590,
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays,
and the First Coast Guard District,
Bridge Branch Office, 408 Atlantic
Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02110,
between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John
McDonald, Project Officer, First Coast
Guard District, at (617) 223–8364.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The owner
of the bridge, the City of Boston,
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requested this temporary deviation. The
P.J. McArdle Bridge, across the Chelsea
River at mile 0.3, between Chelsea and
East Boston, Massachusetts, has a
vertical clearance in the closed position
of 21 feet at mean high water and 30 feet
at mean low water. The bridge opens on
signal as required by 33 CFR 117.593.
This deviation which allows the bridge
to remain closed is effective from 8 a.m.
through 5 p.m. on June 14, 2008. Vessels
able to pass under the closed draw may
do so at any time. Tankers, and tug and
barge units transit Chelsea Creek under
the McArdle Bridge. Waterway users
were advised of the requested bridge
closure period and offered no objection.
In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35(e),
the bridge must return to its regular
operating schedule immediately at the
end of the designated time period. This
deviation from the operating regulations
is authorized under 33 CFR 117.35.
Dated: April 17, 2008.
Gary Kassof,
Bridge Program Manager, First Coast Guard
District.
[FR Doc. E8–8993 Filed 4–24–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–15–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 79
[EPA–HQ–OAR–2007–0071; FRL–8557–8]
RIN 2060–AN94
Regulation of Fuels and Fuel
Additives: Revised Definition of
Substantially Similar Rule for Alaska
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Direct final interpretive rule.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: EPA is taking direct final
action to revise an interpretive rule
defining the term ‘‘substantially
similar’’ for unleaded gasoline as that
phrase is used in section 211(f) of the
Clean Air Act (the Act). To meet the
current definition, fuel or fuel additives
must possess, at the time of
manufacture, all of the physical and
chemical characteristics of an unleaded
gasoline as specified in ASTM Standard
D 4814–88 for at least one of the
Seasonal and Geographical Volatility
Classes specified in the standard. EPA is
amending the definition to allow some
additional flexibility for the vapor/
liquid ratio specification for fuel
introduced into commerce in the state of
Alaska in order to improve cold starting
for vehicles during the winter months in
Alaska.
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This rule is effective on June 24,
2008 without further notice, unless EPA
receives adverse comment by May 27,
2008. If EPA receives adverse comment,
we will publish a timely withdrawal in
the Federal Register informing the
public that the rule will not take effect.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,
identified by Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–
OAR–2007–0071, 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: Air and Radiation Docket,
Environmental Protection Agency,
Mailcode: 2822T, 1200 Pennsylvania
Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460.
• Hand Delivery: EPA Docket Center,
Room 3334, EPA West Building, 1301
Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington,
DC, Attention Air Docket ID No. EPA–
HQ–OAR–2007–0071. 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–2007–
0071. 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
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
DATES:
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or viruses. For additional information
about EPA’s public docket visit the EPA
Docket Center homepage at https://
www.epa.gov/epahome/dockets.htm.
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 Air Docket, EPA/DC, EPA West,
Room 3334, 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 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:
Jaimee Dong, Compliance and
Innovative Strategies Division, Office of
Transportation and Air Quality, Office
of Air and Radiation, Environmental
Protection Agency, Mail Code 6406J,
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue,
Washington, DC 20460; telephone
number: (202) 343–9672; fax number:
(202) 343–2800; e-mail address:
Dong.Jaimee@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Why is EPA Using a Direct Final
Rule?
NAICS codes a
Industry ................................................................................
Industry ................................................................................
Industry ................................................................................
a North
II. General Information
EPA is publishing this rule without a
prior proposed rule 1 because we view
this as a noncontroversial action and
anticipate no adverse comment.
However, in the ‘‘Proposed Rules’’
section of today’s Federal Register, we
are publishing a separate document that
will serve as the proposed rule to amend
Category
324110
422710
422720
484220
484230
the definition of ‘‘substantially similar.’’
If adverse comments are received on
this direct final rule, we will not
institute a second comment period on
this action. Any parties interested in
commenting must do so at this time. For
further information about commenting
on this rule, see the ADDRESSES section
of this document.
If EPA receives adverse comment, we
will publish a timely withdrawal in the
Federal Register informing the public
that this direct final rule will not take
effect. We would address all public
comments in any subsequent final rule
based on the proposed rule.
SIC codes b
2911
5171
5172
4212
4213
A. Does This Action Apply to Me?
Entities potentially affected by this
action include those involved with the
production or importation of unleaded
gasoline for use in Alaska. Categories
and entities affected by this action
include:
Examples of potentially regulated entities
Petroleum refiners.
Gasoline marketers and distributors.
Gasoline carriers.
American Industry Classification System (NAICS).
Industrial Classification (SIC) system code.
b Standard
This table is not intended to be
exhaustive, but rather provides a guide
for readers regarding entities likely to be
affected by this action; however, other
types of entities not listed in the table
could also be affected. To determine
whether your entity is affected by this
action, you should examine the
applicability criteria of Parts 79 and 80
of title 40 of the Code of Federal
Regulations. If you have any question
regarding applicability of this action to
a particular entity, consult the person in
the preceding FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT section.
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B. What Should I Consider as I Prepare
My Comments for EPA?
1. 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
1 EPA is not statutorily obligated to conduct
notice and comment rulemaking when amending
this interpretive rule. See APA section 553(b)(A);
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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.
2. 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.
3. Docket Copying Costs. You may be
charged a reasonable fee for
photocopying docket materials, as
provided by 40 CFR Part 2.
CAA section 307(d). However, as it has done when
previously amending this rule, EPA desires to
provide an opportunity for the public to comment
on this amendment.
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III. Statutory Background
Section 211(f)(1) of the Act makes it
unlawful for any manufacturer of a fuel
or fuel additive to first introduce into
commerce, or to increase the
concentration in use of, any fuel or fuel
additive for use in motor vehicles
manufactured after model year 1974
which is not substantially similar to any
fuel or fuel additive utilized in the
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certification of any model year 1975, or
subsequent model year, vehicle or
engine under section 206 of the Act. An
EPA interpretive rule, published at 46
FR 38582 (July 28, 1981) and amended
at 56 FR 5352 (February 11, 1991),
defines the term ‘‘substantially similar’’
for unleaded gasoline. Under this
definition, unleaded gasoline that meets
several conditions, including complying
with the physical and chemical
specifications of ASTM Standard D
4814–88 for at least one of the Seasonal
and Geographical Volatility classes
specified in the standard, is considered
substantially similar. Further conditions
are described in the interpretive rule
and its amendment.
Therefore, in the Agency’s judgment,
the impact on emissions will not be
significant and this increased flexibility
will allow refiners to provide a fuel
more suitable to the climatic conditions
of Alaska.
IV. Need for Action
Discussions with an Alaskan refiner
have highlighted the need for an
amendment to the definition of
‘‘substantially similar’’ for unleaded
gasoline. Currently, manufacturers of
gasoline for Alaska may not use a
temperature below 41 degrees Celsius
when testing the vapor-liquid (V/L) ratio
of the fuel and still be within the
current definition of ‘‘substantially
similar.’’ This amendment will allow
manufacturers producing unleaded
gasoline for use only in Alaska during
the winter months to use a minimum
test temperature of 35 degrees Celsius
when testing for a maximum V/L ratio
of 20 instead of requiring a V/L test
temperature of 41 degrees Celsius.
ASTM D 2533 is a test method that
covers a procedure for measuring the
volume of vapor formed at atmospheric
pressure from a given volume of
gasoline. The ratio of these volumes is
expressed as the V/L ratio of the
gasoline at the temperature of the test.
The tendency of a fuel to vaporize in
common automobile fuel systems is
indicated by the V/L ratio of that fuel at
conditions approximating those in
critical parts of the fuel system.
Allowing a lower test temperature
means that the vapor fraction of the fuel
may be higher.
The extreme cold of Alaska during the
winter months increases the risk that
engines using typical gasoline blends
will suffer from difficulty in cold
starting. A higher vapor fraction
improves mixing of the fuel with air,
which in turn improves cold starting.
Because the automotive fuel system is
closed, the lower test temperature of 35
degrees Celsius compared to 41 degrees
Celsius in the winter months is unlikely
to significantly increase evaporative
emissions. In addition, Alaska presently
does not possess ozone non-attainment
areas, most likely due to the cold
temperatures observed in Alaska.
B. Paperwork Reduction Act
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V. Statutory and Executive Order
Reviews
A. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory
Planning and Review
This action is not a ‘‘significant
regulatory action’’ under the terms of
Executive Order 12866 (58 FR 51735,
October 4, 1993) and is therefore not
subject to review under the Executive
Order.
This action does not impose an
information collection burden under the
provisions of the Paperwork Reduction
Act, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. Burden is
defined at 5 CFR 1320.3(b). No
information is collected as a result of
this amendment to the ‘‘substantially
similar’’ interpretive rule.
C. Regulatory Flexibility Act
This interpretive rule is not subject to
the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)
which generally requires an agency to
prepare a regulatory flexibility analysis
for any rule that will have a significant
economic impact on a substantial
number of small entities. The RFA
applies only to rules subject to notice
and comment rulemaking requirements
under the Administrative Procedure Act
(APA) or any other statute. This rule is
not subject to notice and comment
requirements under the APA or any
other statute because it is an interpretive
rule. See APA section 553(b)(A); CAA
section 307(d)).
Although this interpretive rule is not
subject to the RFA, EPA nonetheless has
assessed the potential of this rule to
adversely impact small entities subject
to the rule. Small entity is defined as:
(1) A small business as defined by the
Small Business Administration’s (SBA)
regulations 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. The impact of
concern is any significant adverse
economic impact on small entities since
the primary purpose of the regulatory
flexibility analysis is to identify and
address regulatory alternatives ‘‘which
minimize any significant economic
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impact of the rule on small entities.’’ 5
U.S.C. 603 and 604.
After considering the economic
impacts of today’s direct final
interpretive rule on small entities, the
Agency does not believe that this action
is likely to have an adverse economic
impact on small entities. This final
action amends the ‘‘substantially
similar’’ interpretive rule by allowing a
minimum test temperature of 35 degrees
Celsius for a maximum V/L ratio of 20
from September 16 to May 31 for
unleaded gasoline for use only in
Alaska. This change is intended to
improve cold starting in automobiles
during the winter months in Alaska by
allowing production and sale in Alaska
during the winter season of unleaded
gasoline with a higher volatility. This
amendment to the interpretive rule does
not impose a regulatory burden on
anyone, including small businesses.
Instead, this final action will have a
positive impact, enabling all
manufacturers, including small
manufacturers, to produce and market
this gasoline in Alaska. We therefore
believe that today’s final interpretive
rule should have a positive economic
impact on small entities.
D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
Title II of the Unfunded Mandates
Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA), Pub. L.
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 the 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 the 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
than the least costly, most cost-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
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under section 203 of the 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
interpretive 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 final action will
amend the ‘‘substantially similar’’
interpretive rule by allowing a
minimum test temperature of 35 degrees
Celsius for a maximum V/L ratio of 20
from September 16 to May 31 for
unleaded gasoline for use only in
Alaska, instead of requiring a test
temperature of 41 degrees Celsius. Thus,
today’s interpretive rule is not subject to
the requirements of sections 202 and
205 of the UMRA.
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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 final interpretive 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 final action
will amend the ‘‘substantially similar’’
interpretive rule by allowing a
minimum test temperature of 35 degrees
Celsius for a maximum V/L ratio of 20
from September 16 to May 31 for
unleaded gasoline for use only in
Alaska. The requirements of this
amendment will be enforced by the
federal government at the national level.
Thus, Executive Order 13132 does not
apply to this interpretive rule.
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F. Executive Order 13175: Consultation
and Coordination With Indian Tribal
Governments
Executive Order 13175, entitled
‘‘Consultation and Coordination with
Indian Tribal Governments’’ (65 FR
67249, November 9, 2000), requires EPA
to develop an accountable process to
ensure ‘‘meaningful and timely input by
tribal officials in the development of
regulatory policies that have tribal
implications.’’ This final interpretive
rule does not have tribal implications,
as specified in Executive Order 13175.
This interpretive rule will apply to
gasoline refiners and importers of
gasoline. This final action changes the
volatility standards for gasoline in
Alaska, and will not impose any
enforceable duties on communities of
Indian tribal governments. Thus,
Executive Order 13175 does not apply
to this interpretive rule.
G. Executive Order 13045: Protection of
Children From Environmental Health
Risks and Safety Risks
EPA interprets Executive Order 13045
(62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997) as
applying only to those regulatory
actions that concern health or safety
risks, such that the analysis required
under section 5–501 of the Executive
Order has the potential to influence the
regulation. This action is not subject to
Executive Order 13045 because it does
not establish an environmental standard
intended to mitigate health or safety
risks.
H. Executive Order 13211: Energy
Effects
This interpretive rule is not subject to
Executive Order 13211, ‘‘Actions
Concerning Regulations That
Significantly Affect Energy Supply,
Distribution, or Use’’ (66 FR 28355 (May
22, 2001)) because it is not a significant
regulatory action under Executive Order
12866.
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, 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 (e.g.,
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,
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explanations when the Agency decides
not to use available and applicable
voluntary consensus standards.
This interpretive rulemaking involves
technical standards. This final action
will amend the ‘‘substantially similar’’
interpretive rule by allowing a
minimum test temperature of 35 degrees
Celsius for a maximum V/L ratio of 20
from September 16 to May 31 for
unleaded gasoline for use only in
Alaska. The test temperature of 35
degrees Celsius may be found in Table
3, Vapor Lock Protection Class 6, of
ASTM D4814–04a. All technical
standards included in today’s
amendment to the ‘‘substantially
similar’’ interpretive rule are standards
developed by ASTM, a voluntary
consensus standards body, and thus
raise no issues under the NTTAA.
ASTM D4814–04a may be obtained from
ASTM International at 100 Barr Harbor
Drive, P.O. Box C700, West
Conshohocken, PA 19428–2959, 610–
832–9585 (phone), 610–832–9555 (fax),
or service@astm.org (e-mail); or through
the ASTM Web site (https://
www.astm.org).
J. Executive Order 12898: Federal
Actions To Address Environmental
Justice in Minority Populations and
Low-Income Populations
Executive Order 12898 (59 FR 7629
(February 16, 1994)) establishes federal
executive policy on environmental
justice. Its main provision directs
federal agencies, to the greatest extent
practicable and permitted by law, to
make environmental justice part of their
mission by identifying and addressing,
as appropriate, disproportionately high
and adverse human health or
environmental effects of their programs,
policies, and activities on minority
populations and low-income
populations in the United States.
EPA has determined that this final
interpretive 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. This direct final
interpretive rule will amend the
‘‘substantially similar’’ interpretive rule
by allowing a minimum test
temperature of 35 degrees Celsius for a
maximum V/L ratio of 20 from
September 16 to May 31 for unleaded
gasoline for use only in Alaska. This
interpretive rule amendment does not
relax the control measures on sources
regulated by the rule and therefore will
not cause emissions increases from
these sources.
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K. Congressional Review Act
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 this rule 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). This rule
will be effective June 24, 2008.
Dated: April 17, 2008.
Stephen L. Johnson,
Administrator.
For the reasons set forth above, EPA
is amending the definition of
substantially similar as follows:
I
[FR Doc. E8–8944 Filed 4–24–08; 8:45 am]
Definition—Substantially Similar
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
ebenthall on PRODPC60 with RULES
EPA will treat a fuel or fuel additive
for general use in light-duty vehicles
manufactured after model year 1974 as
substantially similar to any fuel or fuel
additive utilized in the certification of
any model year 1975, or subsequent
model year vehicle or engine, under
section 206 of the Act, i.e.,
‘‘substantially similar,’’ if the following
criteria are met.
(1) The fuel must contain carbon,
hydrogen, and oxygen, nitrogen, and/or
sulfur, exclusively,2 in the form of some
combination of the following:
(a) Hydrocarbons;
(b) Aliphatic ethers;
(c) Aliphatic alcohols other than
methanol;
(d)(i) Up to 0.3 percent methanol by
volume;
(ii) Up to 2.75 percent methanol by
volume with an equal volume of
butanol, or higher molecular weight
alcohol;
(e) A fuel additive 3 at a concentration
of no more than 0.25 percent by weight
2 Impurities which produce gaseous combustion
products (i.e., products which exist as a gas at
Standard Temperature and Pressure) may be
present in the fuel at trace levels. An impurity is
that substance which is present through
contamination, or remains naturally, after
processing of the fuel is completed.
3 For the purposes of this interpretive rule, the
term ‘‘fuel additive’’ refers only to that part of the
additive package which is not hydrocarbon.
VerDate Aug<31>2005
14:51 Apr 24, 2008
Jkt 214001
which contributes no more than 15 ppm
sulfur by weight to the fuel.
(2) The fuel must contain no more
than 2.0 percent oxygen by weight,
except fuels containing aliphatic ethers
and/or alcohols (excluding methanol)
must contain no more than 2.7 percent
oxygen by weight.
(3) The fuel must possess, at the time
of manufacture, all of the physical and
chemical characteristics of an unleaded
gasoline as specified in ASTM Standard
D 4814–88 for at least one of the
Seasonal and Geographical Volatility
Classes specified in the standard, with
the exception of fuel introduced into
commerce in the state of Alaska. For
fuel introduced into commerce in the
state of Alaska, all of the requirements
of this section (3) apply, with the
exception of the test temperature for a
maximum Vapor/Liquid Ratio (V/L) of
20, which shall be a minimum of 35 °C
(95 °F) for the period from September 16
through May 31.
(4) The fuel additive must contain
only carbon, hydrogen, and any one or
all of the following elements: Oxygen,
nitrogen, and/or sulfur.4
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services
45 CFR Part 148
[CMS–2260–F]
RIN 0938–A046
Grants to States for Operation of
Qualified High Risk Pools
Centers for Medicare &
Medicaid Services (CMS), HHS.
ACTION: Final Rule.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: This rule finalizes the interim
final rule with comment period that was
published on July 27, 2007, regarding
extended funding for seed and
operational grants for State High Risk
Pools under the Public Health Service
Act.
Effective Date: These regulations
are effective May 27, 2008.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jessica Kahn, (410) 786–9361, or John
Young, (410) 786–0505.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
DATES:
4 Impurities which produce gaseous combustion
products may be present in the fuel additive at trace
levels.
PO 00000
Frm 00011
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
22281
I. Background
The Trade Adjustment Assistance
Reform Act of 2002 (Pub. L. 107–210)
added section 2745 of the Public Health
Service Act (PHS Act) to provide for two
types of grants to States for the
promotion of ‘‘qualified high risk
pools.’’ These pools provide health
coverage to high-risk individuals who
may find private health insurance
unavailable or unaffordable. Under this
provision, a pool could meet the
definition of a ‘‘qualified’’ high risk pool
for purposes of section 2745 only if it
met the definition of a qualified high
risk pool in section 2744(c)(2) of the
PHS Act. Section 2744 deals with how
States can satisfy the requirement of
section 2741 of the PHS Act to
guarantee access to health coverage for
individuals who meet the definition of
an ‘‘eligible individual’’ under section
2741, as added by the Health Insurance
Portability and Accountability Act of
1996 (HIPAA). These individuals are
commonly referred to as ‘‘HIPAAeligible’’ individuals.
Under section 2744(c)(2) of the PHS
Act, a qualified high risk pool must
provide health coverage without a preexisting condition exclusion to ‘‘all’’
HIPAA-eligible individuals. This meant
that State high risk pools that did not
allow all HIPAA-eligible individuals
into the pool without a pre-existing
condition exclusion could not meet the
definition of a ‘‘qualified’’ risk pool.
The two types of grants authorized by
the legislation were ‘‘seed grants’’ for
States that had not yet created a high
risk pool, and ‘‘operational’’ grants to
offset losses incurred by States that
operate a qualified high risk pool. Under
the prior law, in order for a risk pool to
qualify for an operational grant, it could
not charge premiums that exceeded 150
percent of the premium for applicable
standard risk rates. Moreover, the
amount of the grants was limited to 50
percent of the losses incurred by a State.
Section 6202 of the Deficit Reduction
Act of 2005 (Pub. L. 109–171) (DRA)
and the State High Risk Pool Extension
Act of 2006 (Pub. L. 109–172)
(Extension Act) extended funding for
seed and operational grants for State
High Risk Pools and amended section
2745 of the PHS Act. The Extension Act
made the following changes:
1. Expanded the definition of a
‘‘qualified high risk pool.’’ As noted
above, section 2745(d) of the PHS Act
previously defined the term to have the
same meaning as in section 2744(c)(2) of
the PHS Act, which required that the
risk pool provide coverage to ‘‘all’’
HIPAA-eligible individuals (as defined
in § 148.103), without any pre-existing
E:\FR\FM\25APR1.SGM
25APR1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 81 (Friday, April 25, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 22277-22281]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-8944]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 79
[EPA-HQ-OAR-2007-0071; FRL-8557-8]
RIN 2060-AN94
Regulation of Fuels and Fuel Additives: Revised Definition of
Substantially Similar Rule for Alaska
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Direct final interpretive rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: EPA is taking direct final action to revise an interpretive
rule defining the term ``substantially similar'' for unleaded gasoline
as that phrase is used in section 211(f) of the Clean Air Act (the
Act). To meet the current definition, fuel or fuel additives must
possess, at the time of manufacture, all of the physical and chemical
characteristics of an unleaded gasoline as specified in ASTM Standard D
4814-88 for at least one of the Seasonal and Geographical Volatility
Classes specified in the standard. EPA is amending the definition to
allow some additional flexibility for the vapor/liquid ratio
specification for fuel introduced into commerce in the state of Alaska
in order to improve cold starting for vehicles during the winter months
in Alaska.
DATES: This rule is effective on June 24, 2008 without further notice,
unless EPA receives adverse comment by May 27, 2008. If EPA receives
adverse comment, we will publish a timely withdrawal in the Federal
Register informing the public that the rule will not take effect.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-
OAR-2007-0071, 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: Air and Radiation Docket, Environmental Protection
Agency, Mailcode: 2822T, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC
20460.
Hand Delivery: EPA Docket Center, Room 3334, EPA West
Building, 1301 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC, Attention Air
Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2007-0071. 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-
2007-0071. 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
[[Page 22278]]
or viruses. For additional information about EPA's public docket visit
the EPA Docket Center homepage at https://www.epa.gov/epahome/
dockets.htm.
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 Air Docket, EPA/DC, EPA
West, Room 3334, 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 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: Jaimee Dong, Compliance and Innovative
Strategies Division, Office of Transportation and Air Quality, Office
of Air and Radiation, Environmental Protection Agency, Mail Code 6406J,
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: (202)
343-9672; fax number: (202) 343-2800; e-mail address:
Dong.Jaimee@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Why is EPA Using a Direct Final Rule?
EPA is publishing this rule without a prior proposed rule \1\
because we view this as a noncontroversial action and anticipate no
adverse comment. However, in the ``Proposed Rules'' section of today's
Federal Register, we are publishing a separate document that will serve
as the proposed rule to amend the definition of ``substantially
similar.'' If adverse comments are received on this direct final rule,
we will not institute a second comment period on this action. Any
parties interested in commenting must do so at this time. For further
information about commenting on this rule, see the ADDRESSES section of
this document.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ EPA is not statutorily obligated to conduct notice and
comment rulemaking when amending this interpretive rule. See APA
section 553(b)(A); CAA section 307(d). However, as it has done when
previously amending this rule, EPA desires to provide an opportunity
for the public to comment on this amendment.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
If EPA receives adverse comment, we will publish a timely
withdrawal in the Federal Register informing the public that this
direct final rule will not take effect. We would address all public
comments in any subsequent final rule based on the proposed rule.
II. General Information
A. Does This Action Apply to Me?
Entities potentially affected by this action include those involved
with the production or importation of unleaded gasoline for use in
Alaska. Categories and entities affected by this action include:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Category NAICS codes \a\ SIC codes \b\ Examples of potentially regulated entities
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Industry..................................... 324110 2911 Petroleum refiners.
Industry..................................... 422710 5171 Gasoline marketers and distributors.
422720 5172
Industry..................................... 484220 4212 Gasoline carriers.
484230 4213
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\a\ North American Industry Classification System (NAICS).
\b\ Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) system code.
This table is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather provides a
guide for readers regarding entities likely to be affected by this
action; however, other types of entities not listed in the table could
also be affected. To determine whether your entity is affected by this
action, you should examine the applicability criteria of Parts 79 and
80 of title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations. If you have any
question regarding applicability of this action to a particular entity,
consult the person in the preceding FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
section.
B. What Should I Consider as I Prepare My Comments for EPA?
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Docket Copying Costs. You may be charged a reasonable fee for
photocopying docket materials, as provided by 40 CFR Part 2.
III. Statutory Background
Section 211(f)(1) of the Act makes it unlawful for any manufacturer
of a fuel or fuel additive to first introduce into commerce, or to
increase the concentration in use of, any fuel or fuel additive for use
in motor vehicles manufactured after model year 1974 which is not
substantially similar to any fuel or fuel additive utilized in the
[[Page 22279]]
certification of any model year 1975, or subsequent model year, vehicle
or engine under section 206 of the Act. An EPA interpretive rule,
published at 46 FR 38582 (July 28, 1981) and amended at 56 FR 5352
(February 11, 1991), defines the term ``substantially similar'' for
unleaded gasoline. Under this definition, unleaded gasoline that meets
several conditions, including complying with the physical and chemical
specifications of ASTM Standard D 4814-88 for at least one of the
Seasonal and Geographical Volatility classes specified in the standard,
is considered substantially similar. Further conditions are described
in the interpretive rule and its amendment.
IV. Need for Action
Discussions with an Alaskan refiner have highlighted the need for
an amendment to the definition of ``substantially similar'' for
unleaded gasoline. Currently, manufacturers of gasoline for Alaska may
not use a temperature below 41 degrees Celsius when testing the vapor-
liquid (V/L) ratio of the fuel and still be within the current
definition of ``substantially similar.'' This amendment will allow
manufacturers producing unleaded gasoline for use only in Alaska during
the winter months to use a minimum test temperature of 35 degrees
Celsius when testing for a maximum V/L ratio of 20 instead of requiring
a V/L test temperature of 41 degrees Celsius.
ASTM D 2533 is a test method that covers a procedure for measuring
the volume of vapor formed at atmospheric pressure from a given volume
of gasoline. The ratio of these volumes is expressed as the V/L ratio
of the gasoline at the temperature of the test. The tendency of a fuel
to vaporize in common automobile fuel systems is indicated by the V/L
ratio of that fuel at conditions approximating those in critical parts
of the fuel system. Allowing a lower test temperature means that the
vapor fraction of the fuel may be higher.
The extreme cold of Alaska during the winter months increases the
risk that engines using typical gasoline blends will suffer from
difficulty in cold starting. A higher vapor fraction improves mixing of
the fuel with air, which in turn improves cold starting. Because the
automotive fuel system is closed, the lower test temperature of 35
degrees Celsius compared to 41 degrees Celsius in the winter months is
unlikely to significantly increase evaporative emissions. In addition,
Alaska presently does not possess ozone non-attainment areas, most
likely due to the cold temperatures observed in Alaska. Therefore, in
the Agency's judgment, the impact on emissions will not be significant
and this increased flexibility will allow refiners to provide a fuel
more suitable to the climatic conditions of Alaska.
V. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
A. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory Planning and Review
This action is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under the
terms of Executive Order 12866 (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993) and is
therefore not subject to review under the Executive Order.
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.
Burden is defined at 5 CFR 1320.3(b). No information is collected as a
result of this amendment to the ``substantially similar'' interpretive
rule.
C. Regulatory Flexibility Act
This interpretive rule is not subject to the Regulatory Flexibility
Act (RFA) which generally requires an agency to prepare a regulatory
flexibility analysis for any rule that will have a significant economic
impact on a substantial number of small entities. The RFA applies only
to rules subject to notice and comment rulemaking requirements under
the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) or any other statute. This rule
is not subject to notice and comment requirements under the APA or any
other statute because it is an interpretive rule. See APA section
553(b)(A); CAA section 307(d)).
Although this interpretive rule is not subject to the RFA, EPA
nonetheless has assessed the potential of this rule to adversely impact
small entities subject to the rule. Small entity is defined as: (1) A
small business as defined by the Small Business Administration's (SBA)
regulations 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. The
impact of concern is any significant adverse economic impact on small
entities since the primary purpose of the regulatory flexibility
analysis 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.
After considering the economic impacts of today's direct final
interpretive rule on small entities, the Agency does not believe that
this action is likely to have an adverse economic impact on small
entities. This final action amends the ``substantially similar''
interpretive rule by allowing a minimum test temperature of 35 degrees
Celsius for a maximum V/L ratio of 20 from September 16 to May 31 for
unleaded gasoline for use only in Alaska. This change is intended to
improve cold starting in automobiles during the winter months in Alaska
by allowing production and sale in Alaska during the winter season of
unleaded gasoline with a higher volatility. This amendment to the
interpretive rule does not impose a regulatory burden on anyone,
including small businesses. Instead, this final action will have a
positive impact, enabling all manufacturers, including small
manufacturers, to produce and market this gasoline in Alaska. We
therefore believe that today's final interpretive rule should have a
positive economic impact on small entities.
D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA), Pub.
L. 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 the 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 the 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 cost-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
[[Page 22280]]
under section 203 of the 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 interpretive 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 final action will amend the
``substantially similar'' interpretive rule by allowing a minimum test
temperature of 35 degrees Celsius for a maximum V/L ratio of 20 from
September 16 to May 31 for unleaded gasoline for use only in Alaska,
instead of requiring a test temperature of 41 degrees Celsius. Thus,
today's interpretive rule is not subject to the requirements of
sections 202 and 205 of the UMRA.
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 final interpretive 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 final action
will amend the ``substantially similar'' interpretive rule by allowing
a minimum test temperature of 35 degrees Celsius for a maximum V/L
ratio of 20 from September 16 to May 31 for unleaded gasoline for use
only in Alaska. The requirements of this amendment will be enforced by
the federal government at the national level. Thus, Executive Order
13132 does not apply to this interpretive rule.
F. Executive Order 13175: Consultation and Coordination With Indian
Tribal Governments
Executive Order 13175, entitled ``Consultation and Coordination
with Indian Tribal Governments'' (65 FR 67249, November 9, 2000),
requires EPA to develop an accountable process to ensure ``meaningful
and timely input by tribal officials in the development of regulatory
policies that have tribal implications.'' This final interpretive rule
does not have tribal implications, as specified in Executive Order
13175. This interpretive rule will apply to gasoline refiners and
importers of gasoline. This final action changes the volatility
standards for gasoline in Alaska, and will not impose any enforceable
duties on communities of Indian tribal governments. Thus, Executive
Order 13175 does not apply to this interpretive rule.
G. Executive Order 13045: Protection of Children From Environmental
Health Risks and Safety Risks
EPA interprets Executive Order 13045 (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997)
as applying only to those regulatory actions that concern health or
safety risks, such that the analysis required under section 5-501 of
the Executive Order has the potential to influence the regulation. This
action is not subject to Executive Order 13045 because it does not
establish an environmental standard intended to mitigate health or
safety risks.
H. Executive Order 13211: Energy Effects
This interpretive rule is not subject to Executive Order 13211,
``Actions Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy
Supply, Distribution, or Use'' (66 FR 28355 (May 22, 2001)) because it
is not a significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866.
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, 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 (e.g., 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 interpretive rulemaking involves technical standards. This
final action will amend the ``substantially similar'' interpretive rule
by allowing a minimum test temperature of 35 degrees Celsius for a
maximum V/L ratio of 20 from September 16 to May 31 for unleaded
gasoline for use only in Alaska. The test temperature of 35 degrees
Celsius may be found in Table 3, Vapor Lock Protection Class 6, of ASTM
D4814-04a. All technical standards included in today's amendment to the
``substantially similar'' interpretive rule are standards developed by
ASTM, a voluntary consensus standards body, and thus raise no issues
under the NTTAA. ASTM D4814-04a may be obtained from ASTM International
at 100 Barr Harbor Drive, P.O. Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-
2959, 610-832-9585 (phone), 610-832-9555 (fax), or service@astm.org (e-
mail); or through the ASTM Web site (https://www.astm.org).
J. Executive Order 12898: Federal Actions To Address Environmental
Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations
Executive Order 12898 (59 FR 7629 (February 16, 1994)) establishes
federal executive policy on environmental justice. Its main provision
directs federal agencies, to the greatest extent practicable and
permitted by law, to make environmental justice part of their mission
by identifying and addressing, as appropriate, disproportionately high
and adverse human health or environmental effects of their programs,
policies, and activities on minority populations and low-income
populations in the United States.
EPA has determined that this final interpretive 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. This direct final interpretive rule will amend the
``substantially similar'' interpretive rule by allowing a minimum test
temperature of 35 degrees Celsius for a maximum V/L ratio of 20 from
September 16 to May 31 for unleaded gasoline for use only in Alaska.
This interpretive rule amendment does not relax the control measures on
sources regulated by the rule and therefore will not cause emissions
increases from these sources.
[[Page 22281]]
K. Congressional Review Act
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 this rule 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). This rule will be effective June 24, 2008.
Dated: April 17, 2008.
Stephen L. Johnson,
Administrator.
0
For the reasons set forth above, EPA is amending the definition of
substantially similar as follows:
Definition--Substantially Similar
EPA will treat a fuel or fuel additive for general use in light-
duty vehicles manufactured after model year 1974 as substantially
similar to any fuel or fuel additive utilized in the certification of
any model year 1975, or subsequent model year vehicle or engine, under
section 206 of the Act, i.e., ``substantially similar,'' if the
following criteria are met.
(1) The fuel must contain carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, nitrogen,
and/or sulfur, exclusively,\2\ in the form of some combination of the
following:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ Impurities which produce gaseous combustion products (i.e.,
products which exist as a gas at Standard Temperature and Pressure)
may be present in the fuel at trace levels. An impurity is that
substance which is present through contamination, or remains
naturally, after processing of the fuel is completed.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
(a) Hydrocarbons;
(b) Aliphatic ethers;
(c) Aliphatic alcohols other than methanol;
(d)(i) Up to 0.3 percent methanol by volume;
(ii) Up to 2.75 percent methanol by volume with an equal volume of
butanol, or higher molecular weight alcohol;
(e) A fuel additive \3\ at a concentration of no more than 0.25
percent by weight which contributes no more than 15 ppm sulfur by
weight to the fuel.
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\3\ For the purposes of this interpretive rule, the term ``fuel
additive'' refers only to that part of the additive package which is
not hydrocarbon.
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(2) The fuel must contain no more than 2.0 percent oxygen by
weight, except fuels containing aliphatic ethers and/or alcohols
(excluding methanol) must contain no more than 2.7 percent oxygen by
weight.
(3) The fuel must possess, at the time of manufacture, all of the
physical and chemical characteristics of an unleaded gasoline as
specified in ASTM Standard D 4814-88 for at least one of the Seasonal
and Geographical Volatility Classes specified in the standard, with the
exception of fuel introduced into commerce in the state of Alaska. For
fuel introduced into commerce in the state of Alaska, all of the
requirements of this section (3) apply, with the exception of the test
temperature for a maximum Vapor/Liquid Ratio (V/L) of 20, which shall
be a minimum of 35 [deg]C (95 [deg]F) for the period from September 16
through May 31.
(4) The fuel additive must contain only carbon, hydrogen, and any
one or all of the following elements: Oxygen, nitrogen, and/or
sulfur.\4\
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\4\ Impurities which produce gaseous combustion products may be
present in the fuel additive at trace levels.
[FR Doc. E8-8944 Filed 4-24-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P