July 14, 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

EPA is proposing to conditionally approve the 1997 8-hour ozone attainment demonstration State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision for the Dallas/Fort Worth moderate 8-hour ozone nonattainment area (DFW area) submitted by the State of Texas on May 30, 2007 and supplemented on April 23, 2008. We are also proposing to approve the associated attainment Motor Vehicle Emissions Budgets (MVEBs), the Reasonably Available Control Measures (RACM) demonstration, and two local control measures relied upon in the attainment demonstration. The proposed approval of the attainment demonstration is conditioned on Texas adopting and submitting to EPA prior to March 2009, a complete SIP revision to limit the use of Discrete Emission Reduction Credits (DERCs), beginning in March 2009. Final conditional approval of the DFW 1997 8-hour ozone attainment demonstration SIP is contingent upon Texas adopting and submitting to EPA an approvable SIP revision for the attainment demonstration SIP's failure-to-attain contingency measures plan that meets section 172(c)(9) of the Clean Air Act (the Act). We also are proposing to fully approve the DFW area SIP as meeting the Reasonably Available Control Technology (RACT) requirement for volatile organic compounds (VOCs). EPA is proposing these actions in accordance with section 110 and part D of the Act and EPA's regulations.

Pursuant to section 183(e)(3)(C) of the Clean Air Act, EPA proposes to determine that control techniques guidelines will be substantially as effective as national regulations in reducing emissions of volatile organic compounds in ozone national ambient air quality standard nonattainment areas from the following five product categories: Miscellaneous metal products coatings, plastic parts coatings, auto and light-duty truck assembly coatings, fiberglass boat manufacturing materials, and miscellaneous industrial adhesives. Based on this determination, we may issue control techniques guidelines in lieu of national regulations covering these product categories. We have prepared draft control techniques guidelines for the control of volatile organic compound emissions from each of the product categories covered by this proposed determination. Once finalized, these control techniques guidelines will provide guidance to the States concerning EPA's recommendations for reasonably available control technology-level controls for these product categories. We further propose to take final action to list the five Group IV consumer and commercial product categories addressed in this notice pursuant to Clean Air Act section 183(e).

This rule establishes, amends, suspends, or revokes Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) and associated Takeoff Minimums and Obstacle Departure Procedures for operations at certain airports. These regulatory actions are needed because of the adoption of new or revised criteria, or because of changes occurring in the National Airspace System, such as the commissioning of new navigational facilities, adding new obstacles, or changing air traffic requirements. These changes are designed to provide safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace and to promote safe flight operations under instrument flight rules at the affected airports.

This proposed rule would amend the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (National List) regulations to reflect recommendations submitted to the Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary) by the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) on November 30, 2007, and May 22, 2008. The recommendations addressed in this proposed rule pertain to the continued exemption (use) and prohibition of 12 substances in organic production and handling. Consistent with the recommendations from the NOSB, this proposed rule would renew the 11 exemptions and 1 prohibition on the National List (along with any restrictive annotations) and correct the Tartaric acid listings by adding annotations originally recommended to the Secretary on November 1, 1995.

This action amends the Department of Transportation (``Department'') ``Policy Regarding the Establishment of Airport Rates and Charges'' published in the Federal Register on June 21, 1996 (``1996 Rates and Charges Policy''). This action adopts three amendments to the 1996 Rates and Charges Policy (two modifications and one clarification). These amendments are intended to provide greater flexibility to operators of congested airports to use landing fees to provide incentives to air carriers to use the airport at less congested times or to use alternate airports to meet regional air service needs. Any charges imposed on international operations must also comply with the international obligations of the United States.