Hazardous Materials: Chemical Oxygen Generators, 52896-52900 [E9-24779]
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[FR Doc. E9–24843 Filed 10–14–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5001–08–P
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49 CFR Part 172
[Docket No. PHMSA–2009–0238 (HM–224G)]
RIN 2137–AE49
Hazardous Materials: Chemical
Oxygen Generators
AGENCY: Pipeline and Hazardous
Materials Safety Administration
(PHMSA).
ACTION: Direct final rule.
SUMMARY: This direct final rule amends
the Hazardous Materials Regulations to
revise the quantity limitation from 25 kg
‘‘gross’’ to 25 kg ‘‘net’’ for packages of
chemical oxygen generators transported
aboard cargo aircraft only. The intended
effect of this rule is to provide
regulatory relief by raising the quantity
threshold for shipments of chemical
oxygen generators transported aboard
cargo aircraft only. This action is
necessary to address difficulties
concerning implementation and
compliance with the requirements for
the transportation of chemical oxygen
generators in outer packagings meeting
certain flame penetration resistance
standards and thermal protection
capabilities, as evidenced by comments
received from the hazardous materials
industry and other interested parties.
The amendment contained in this rule
is a minor substantive change, in the
public interest, and unlikely to result in
adverse comment.
DATES: This direct final rule is effective
November 16, 2009, unless an adverse
comment or notice of intent to file an
adverse comment is received by
November 16, 2009. PHMSA will
publish in the Federal Register a timely
document confirming the effective date
of this final rule.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
identified by the docket number
PHMSA–2009–0238 by any of the
following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to
https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
online instructions for submitting
comments.
Fax: 1–202–493–2251.
Mail: Docket Operations, U.S.
Department of Transportation, West
Building, Ground Floor, Room W12–
140, Routing Symbol M–30, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC
20590.
Hand Delivery: To Docket Operations;
Room W12–140 on the ground floor of
the West Building, 1200 New Jersey
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Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590,
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Instructions: All submissions must
include the agency name and docket
number for this rule. Note that all
comments received will be posted
without change, including any personal
information provided.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: T.
Glenn Foster, (202) 366–8553, U.S.
Department of Transportation, Pipeline
and Hazardous Materials Safety
Administration, Office of Hazardous
Materials Standards, 1200 New Jersey
Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
List of Topics
I. Background
II. Appeals to the January 31, 2007 Final Rule
III. Petitions to the January 31, 2007 Final
Rule
IV. Summary of the Direct Final Rule
V. Regulatory Analyses and Notices
A. Statutory/Legal Authority for
Rulemaking
B. Executive Order 12866 and DOT
Regulatory Policies and Procedures
C. Executive Order 13132
D. Executive Order 13175
E. Regulatory Flexibility Act, Executive
Order 13272, and DOT Procedures and
Policies
F. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995
G. Paperwork Reduction Act
H. Regulation Identifier Number (RIN)
I. Environmental Assessment
J. Privacy Act
I. Background
The National Transportation Safety
Board found that one of the probable
causes of the May 11, 1996 crash of
ValuJet Airlines flight No. 596 was a fire
in the airplane’s cargo compartment that
was initiated and enhanced by the
actuation of one or more chemical
oxygen generators that were being
improperly carried as cargo. Following
that tragedy, in which 110 lives were
lost, the Department of Transportation:
—Prohibited the transportation of
chemical oxygen generators
(including personal-use chemical
oxygen generators) on board
passenger-carrying aircraft and the
transportation of spent chemical
oxygen generators on both passengercarrying and cargo-only aircraft, 61 FR
26418 (May 24, 1996), 61 FR 68952
(Dec. 30, 1996), 64 FR 45388 (Aug. 19,
1999);
—Issued standards governing the
transportation of chemical oxygen
generators on cargo-only aircraft (and
by motor vehicle, rail car and vessel),
including the requirement for an
approval issued by the Research and
Special Programs Administration
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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 198 / Thursday, October 15, 2009 / Rules and Regulations
(RSPA), the predecessor agency to the
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials
Safety Administration (PHMSA), 62
FR 30767 (June 5, 1997), 62 FR 34667
(June 27, 1997);
—Upgraded fire safety standards for
Class D cargo compartments on
aircraft to require a smoke or fire
detection system and a means of
suppressing a fire or minimizing the
available oxygen, on certain transportcategory aircraft, 63 FR 8033 (Feb. 17,
1998); and
—Imposed additional requirements on
the transportation of cylinders of
compressed oxygen by aircraft and
prohibited the carriage of chemical
oxidizers in inaccessible aircraft cargo
compartments that do not have a fire
or smoke detection and fire
suppression system, 64 FR 45388
(Aug. 19, 1999).
In the August 19, 1999 final rule, we
amended the Hazardous Materials
Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171–
180) to: (1) Allow a limited number of
cylinders containing medical-use
oxygen to be carried in the cabin of a
passenger-carrying aircraft, 49 CFR
175.10(b); (2) limit the number of
oxygen cylinders that may be carried as
cargo in compartments that lack a fire
suppression system and require that
cylinders be stowed horizontally on the
floor or as close as practicable to the
floor of the cargo compartment or unit
load device, 49 CFR 175.85(h) & (i); and
(3) require each cylinder of compressed
oxygen (in the passenger cabin or a
cargo compartment) to be placed in an
overpack or outer packaging that meets
the performance criteria of Air
Transport Association Specification 300
for Type I (ATA 300) shipping
containers, 49 CFR 172.102, Special
Provision A52.
On January 31, 2007, PHMSA issued
a final rule under Docket No. RSPA–04–
17664 (HM–224B) to enhance the safety
standards for transportation by air of
compressed oxygen, other oxidizing
gases, and chemical oxygen generators
(72 FR 4442). Specifically, the final rule
amended the HMR to require cylinders
of compressed oxygen and chemical
oxygen generators to be transported in
an outer packaging that: (1) Meets the
same flame penetration resistance
standards as required for cargo
compartment sidewalls and ceiling
panels in transport category airplanes;
and (2) provides certain thermal
protection capabilities so as to retain its
contents during an otherwise
controllable cargo compartment fire.
These performance requirements must
remain in effect for the entire service
life of the outer packaging. The outer
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packaging standard addresses two safety
concerns—protecting a cylinder and an
oxygen generator that could be exposed
directly to flames from a fire and
protecting a cylinder and an oxygen
generator that could be exposed
indirectly to heat from a fire.
In addition, an outer packaging for a
cylinder containing compressed oxygen
or another oxidizing gas and a package
containing an oxygen generator were
required to meet the standards in Part III
of Appendix F to 14 CFR Part 25, Test
Method to Determine Flame Penetration
Resistance of Cargo Compartment
Liners. An outer packaging’s materials
of construction must prevent
penetration by a flame of 1,700 °F for
five minutes, in accordance with Part III
of Appendix F, paragraphs (a)(3) and
(f)(5) of 14 CFR Part 25.
Further, a cylinder of compressed
oxygen or another oxidizing gas must
remain below the temperature at which
its pressure relief device would activate
and an oxygen generator must not
actuate when exposed to a temperature
of at least 400 °F for three hours. The
400 °F temperature is the estimated
mean temperature of a cargo
compartment during a halon-suppressed
fire. Three hours and 27 minutes is the
maximum estimated diversion time
world-wide, based on an aircraft flying
a southern route over the Pacific Ocean.
Data collected during Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) tests indicate
that, on average, a 3AA seamless steel
oxygen cylinder with a pressure relief
device set at cylinder test pressure will
open when the cylinder reaches a
temperature of approximately 300 °F.
This result is consistent with
calculations performed by PHMSA. In
analyzing pressure relief device (PRD)
function, PHMSA calculated that a 3HT
seamless steel cylinder for aircraft with
a PRD set at 90% of cylinder test
pressure will vent at temperatures
greater than 220 °F. In order to assure
an adequate safety margin for all
authorized cylinders, including 3HT
cylinders, we amended the HMR to
require cylinders of compressed oxygen
and other oxidizing gases, which are
contained in the specified outer
packaging, to maintain an external
temperature below 93 °C (199 °F) when
exposed to a 400 °F temperature for
three hours.
II. Appeals to the January 31, 2007
Final Rule
The following organizations
submitted appeals to the January 31,
2007 final rule, in accordance with 49
CFR Part 106: Air Canada (AC); Barlen
and Associates, Inc. (Barlen); PSI Plus,
Inc. (PSI); and United Airlines, Inc.
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(United). Delta Airlines (Delta) also
submitted a letter expressing its general
support for United’s formal appeal. The
appellants based their appeals on
several aspects of the January 31 final
rule, most notably, the effective date of
certain requirements in the rule, cost
and availability of the required outer
packaging, marking requirements, and
thermal resistance testing. We also
received requests for clarification of
certain requirements of the final rule.
In response to the appeals, we
published a final rule on September 28,
2007 (72 FR 55091) granting the request
to delay the mandatory effective date for
a new limit on PRD settings on
cylinders containing compressed
oxygen or other oxidizing gases
transported on board aircraft from
October 1, 2007 until October 1, 2008.
We also clarified the thermal resistance
test methods for packagings for oxygen
cylinders and oxygen generators in
Appendix D to Part 178, and added a
new Appendix E to Part 178—Flame
Penetration Resistance to incorporate
the standards in Part III of Appendix F
to 14 CFR Part 25, Test Method to
Determine Flame Penetration Resistance
of Cargo Compartment Liners Flame
Penetration Resistance Test. In addition,
we granted the request to include DOT
specifications 3E seamless steel and 39
non-reusable (non-refillable) cylinders
among the types of cylinders authorized
for the transportation of compressed
oxygen and other oxidizing gases aboard
aircraft. Further, we provided a marking
option to ensure easier identification of
cylinders equipped with the new PRD
and outer packagings meeting the flame
penetration and thermal resistance
requirements. Finally, in response to the
concerns of appellants pertaining to the
availability of the required packaging,
we indicated that PHMSA and FAA
would closely monitor the availability
of the required packaging as the
effective date (after September 30, 2009)
of this provision approached and would
consider an extension of the compliance
date for this requirement if it was
determined that a sufficient supply of
the required outer packaging would not
be available.
III. Petitions to the January 31, 2007
Final Rule
PHMSA received petitions dated
September 23, 2008 and April 21, 2009
from the Council on Safe Transportation
of Hazardous Articles, Inc. (COSTHA)
pertaining to the mandatory compliance
date for the required outer packaging. In
its September 23, 2008 petition,
COSTHA requested an extension of the
compliance date until April 1, 2011 for
the outer packaging requirement, and
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also suggested that PHMSA permit the
current use of non-rigid outer
packagings meeting the requirements of
ATA Spec 300 through April 1, 2010.
COSTHA argued that the additional
time would ‘‘allow packaging
manufacturers to competitively
introduce lightweight, durable, and
affordable packaging with an
anticipated long term safety benefit.’’
PHMSA denied this petition, and in our
response, reiterated our intention to
monitor the availability and costs of the
required outer packaging and to
consider an extension of the compliance
date for this requirement if it were
determined that a sufficient supply of
the required outer packaging would not
be available as we approached the
compliance date.
In its petition dated April 21, 2009,
COSTHA again requested the
compliance date be extended to April 1,
2011 and suggested that the required
outer packagings were currently not in
production and would not be available
in sufficient time to meet the October 1,
2009 compliance date. COSTHA further
requested that PHMSA re-evaluate the
entire rulemaking based on its
contention that the original regulatory
evaluation developed in support of the
final rule was ‘‘significantly flawed and
incomplete.’’ We denied this petition
based on our identification of a number
of packaging manufacturers that are able
to produce outer packagings that
conform to the performance standards
established in the January 31, 2007 final
rule in quantities sufficient to meet
expected demand by October 1, 2009.
We based our conclusion on
consultations with companies that are
able to produce similar packaging, and
on demonstrations presented to the
Department by packaging manufacturers
detailing development and production
plans for the required packaging,
supporting test documentation, cost
estimates, and samples of their
packaging prototypes.
In addition, PHMSA and FAA
attended a conference sponsored by
American Airlines held in Tulsa,
Oklahoma on March 10–11, 2009 for
airline representative and packaging
manufacturers to discuss issues
pertaining to the HM–224B outer
packaging requirements. At this
meeting, eight (8) packaging
manufacturers provided presentations
that discussed the weight, cost,
production lead-times, life expectancy,
and production rate of the required
outer packaging, with several
manufactures providing productionready prototypes. We also re-examined
the regulatory evaluation developed in
support of the final rule. We agreed with
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the petitioner that the regulatory
evaluation underestimates the costs for
outer packagings that conform to the
performance standard established in the
final rule. However, we also found that
the evaluation significantly
underestimates the expected life-span
for such outer packagings. In addition,
the regulatory evaluation overestimates
the number of such packagings that
would be required to accommodate air
shipments of compressed oxygen and
other oxidizing gases and chemical
oxygen generators. Based on this reevaluation, we concluded that the costs
associated with the requirement that
outer packagings meet certain flame
penetration and thermal resistance
requirements when transported aboard
aircraft are within the range of the costs
estimated in the regulatory evaluation.
Following our denial of COSTHA’s
second petition, we posted an advisory
alert on our website confirming the
mandatory compliance for the outer
packaging requirement, and provided a
contact list of packaging manufacturers
who have indicated they are able to
produce the required packaging.
PHMSA also received a petition dated
June 29, 2009 (P–1544) from Satair USA,
Inc pertaining to the quantity limitation
for packages of chemical oxygen
generators. Currently, the HMR limits
the total package weight (gross) of
chemical oxygen generators to a
maximum of 25 kilograms when
transported aboard cargo-aircraft only.
This 25 kilogram gross limit includes
the hazardous material and its outer
packaging. In its petition, Satair
contends that because of the additional
weight of the more robust outer
packaging required by the January 31,
2007 final rule, much of the 25 kilogram
limit is utilized by the weight of the
outer packaging thereby limiting the
actual weight of the hazardous material
to be transported. Satair states that if the
25 kilogram gross requirement remains
in place, it will severely limit the
quantity of items that may be shipped
within each container. In its petition,
Satair requested that we amend the
HMR to revise the quantity limitation
for packages of chemical oxygen
generators transported aboard cargo
aircraft only. We agree with the
petitioner. During our monitoring of the
availability of the required outer
packaging and conversations with
several packaging manufacturers, we
agreed that the weight of the outer
packaging material will be increased
because of the additional thermal
resistance and flame penetration
requirements of the January 31, 2007
final rule, and thereby limits the amount
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of hazardous materials that can be
transported. We believe that the
allowable weight of chemical oxygen
generators can be increased by revising
the quantity limit from ‘‘gross’’ to ‘‘net,’’
in this direct final rule without
sacrificing our intent of protecting a
chemical oxygen generator exposed
directly to flames from a fire or exposed
indirectly to heat from a fire. Therefore,
in this direct final rule, we are
amending the HMR to revise the
quantity limitation for packages of
chemical oxygen generators transported
aboard cargo aircraft only from 25
kilograms ‘‘gross’’ to 25 kilograms ‘‘net.’’
We note that the revision applies to
chemical oxygen generators transported
by cargo-only aircraft, and that the
transportation of chemical oxygen
generators by passenger aircraft or rail
continues to be prohibited.
IV. Summary of the Direct Final Rule
Based on petitions received in
response to the final rule and our own
initiatives, we are adopting a
requirement that quantities of chemical
oxygen generators are limited to 25 kg
net mass per package for transport
aboard cargo-only aircraft. Any quantity
of chemical oxygen generators
transported aboard passenger aircraft or
rail car remains prohibited.
This direct final rule is issued under
the procedures set forth in § 106.40 of
the HMR. Unless an adverse comment
or notice of intent to file an adverse
comment is received by November 16,
2009, this rule will become effective on
November 16, 2009. An adverse
comment explains why a rule would be
inappropriate, or would be ineffective or
unacceptable without a change. Under
the direct final rule process, we do not
consider a comment to be adverse that:
(1) Recommends another rule change, in
addition to the change in the direct final
rule at issue, unless the commenter
states why the rule would be ineffective
without the change; or (2) is a frivolous
or irrelevant comment. Therefore,
comments that do not specifically
address the 25 kg weight limitation for
packages of chemical oxygen generators
transported aboard cargo only aircraft
will be considered beyond the scope of
this rulemaking. PHMSA will publish in
the Federal Register in a timely
document confirming the effective date
of this direct final rule.
V. Regulatory Analyses and Notices
A. Statutory/Legal Authority for
Rulemaking
This direct final rule is published
under the authority of Federal
hazardous materials transportation law
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(Federal hazmat law; 49 U.S.C. 5101 et
seq.) and 49 U.S.C. 44701. Section
5103(b) of Federal hazmat law
authorizes the Secretary of
Transportation to prescribe regulations
for the safe transportation, including
security, of hazardous material in
intrastate, interstate, and foreign
commerce. Section 1.53 of 49 CFR
delegates the authority to issue
regulations in accordance with 49
U.S.C. 5103(b) to the Administrator of
the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials
Safety Administration.
B. Executive Order 12866 and DOT
Regulatory Policies and Procedures
This direct final rule is not considered
a significant regulatory action under
section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866
and, therefore, was not reviewed by the
Office of Management and Budget
(OMB). This rule is not significant
under the Regulatory Policies and
Procedures of the Department of
Transportation (44 FR 11034).
In this direct final rule, we are
amending the HMR to enhance safety
and to offer greater flexibility in
complying with the regulatory
requirements for packages of chemical
oxygen generators without sacrificing
the current HMR level of safety. These
amendments are based on petitions for
rulemaking submitted by the regulated
community and, for the most part,
should reduce overall compliance costs.
The amendment pertaining to the
quantity limitation of chemical oxygen
generators aboard cargo-only aircraft
adopted in this direct final rule provides
regulatory relief by raising the quantity
threshold for such shipments.
Overall this direct final rule will
enhance transportation safety and
reduce the overall compliance burden
on the regulated industry.
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C. Executive Order 13132
This direct final rule has been
analyzed in accordance with the
principles and criteria contained in
Executive Order 13132 (‘‘Federalism’’).
This direct final rule preempts State,
local and Indian tribe requirements, but
does not amend any regulation that has
direct effects on the States, the
relationship between the national
government and the States, or the
distribution of power and
responsibilities among the various
levels of government. Therefore, the
consultation and funding requirements
of Executive Order 13132 do not apply.
The Federal hazardous materials
transportation law, 49 U.S.C. 5101–
5127, contains an express preemption
provision (49 U.S.C. 5125(b)) that
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preempts State, local, and Indian tribe
requirements on the following subjects:
1. The designation, description, and
classification of hazardous material;
2. The packing, repacking, handling,
labeling, marking, and placarding of
hazardous material;
3. The preparation, execution, and use
of shipping documents related to
hazardous material and requirements
related to the number, contents, and
placement of those documents;
4. The written notification, recording,
and reporting of the unintentional
release in transportation of hazardous
material; and
5. The design, manufacture,
fabrication, marking, maintenance,
recondition, repair, or testing of a
packaging or container represented,
marked, certified, or sold as qualified
for use in transporting hazardous
material.
This direct final rule addresses items
1, 2 and 5 above and preempts any
State, local, or Indian tribe requirements
not meeting the ‘‘substantially the
same’’ standard.
Federal hazardous materials
transportation law provides at
§ 5125(b)(2) that, if DOT issues a
regulation concerning any of the
covered subjects, DOT must determine
and publish in the Federal Register the
effective date of Federal preemption.
The effective date may not be earlier
than the 90th day following the date of
issuance of the final rule and not later
than two years after the date of issuance.
This effective date of preemption is 90
days after the publication of this final
rule in the Federal Register.
D. Executive Order 13175
This direct final rule has been
analyzed in accordance with the
principles and criteria contained in
Executive order 13175 (‘‘Consultation
and Coordination with Indian Tribal
Governments’’). Because this direct final
rule will not have tribal implications,
does not impose substantial direct
compliance costs on Indian tribal
governments, and does not preempt
tribal law, the funding and consultation
requirements of Executive Order 13084
do not apply, and a tribal summary
impact statement is not required.
E. Regulatory Flexibility Act, Executive
Order 13272, and DOT Procedures and
Policies
The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980
requires an agency to review regulations
to assess their impact on small entities
unless the agency determines that a rule
is not expected to have a significant
impact on a substantial number of small
entities. This direct final rule will not
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impose increased compliance costs on
the regulated industry. The revisions,
clarifications, and corrections we are
making to the January 31, 2007 final
rule will provide regulatory relief to
persons transporting chemical oxygen
generators on aircraft by revising the
quantity limitation for packages of
chemical oxygen generators transported
aboard cargo aircraft only. Accordingly,
pursuant to the Regulatory Flexibility
Act, 5 U.S.C. 605(b), DOT certifies that
this rule will not have a significant
economic impact on a substantial
number of small entities.
This direct final rule has been
developed in accordance with Executive
Order 13272 (‘‘Proper Consideration of
Small Entities in Agency Rulemaking’’)
and DOT’s procedures and policies to
promote compliance with the
Regulatory Flexibility Act to ensure that
potential impacts of draft rules on small
entities are properly considered.
F. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of
1995
This direct final rule does not impose
unfunded mandates under the
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of
1995. It does not result in costs of
$141,300,000 or more to either State,
local or tribal governments, in the
aggregate, or to the private sector, and
is the least burdensome alternative that
achieves the objective of the rule.
G. Paperwork Reduction Act
This direct final rule imposes no new
information collection and
recordkeeping requirements.
H. Regulation Identifier Number (RIN)
A regulation identifier number (RIN)
is assigned to each regulatory action
listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal
Regulations. The Regulatory Information
Service Center publishes the Unified
Agenda in April and October of each
year. The RIN number contained in the
heading of this document can be used
to cross-reference this action with the
Unified Agenda.
I. Environmental Assessment
The National Environmental Policy
Act, 42 U.S.C. 4321–4375, requires
federal agencies to analyze proposed
actions to determine whether the action
will have a significant impact on the
human environment. The Council on
Environmental Quality (CEQ)
regulations order federal agencies to
conduct an environmental review
considering: (1) The need for the
proposed action; (2) alternatives to the
proposed action; (3) probable
environmental impacts of the proposed
action and alternatives; and (4) the
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agencies and persons consulted during
the consideration process. 40 CFR
1508.9(b).
The provisions of this direct final rule
build on current regulatory
requirements to enhance the safety and
security of shipments of chemical
oxygen generators when transported
aboard an aircraft. The net
environmental impact, therefore, will be
moderately positive. There are no
significant environmental impacts
associated with this direct final rule.
J. Privacy Act
Anyone is able to search the
electronic form of all comments
received into any of our dockets by the
name of the individual submitting the
comment (or signing the comment, if
submitted on behalf of an association,
business, labor union, etc.). You may
review DOT’s complete Privacy Act
Statement in the Federal Register
published on April 11, 2000 (Volume
65, Number 70; Pages 19477–78) or you
may visit https://dms.dot.gov.
List of Subjects in 49 CFR Part 172
Education, Hazardous materials
transportation, Hazardous waste,
Labeling, Markings, Packaging and
containers, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements.
■ In consideration of the foregoing, we
are amending title 49 Chapter I,
Subchapter C, as follows:
PART 172—HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
TABLE, SPECIAL PROVISIONS,
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
COMMUNICATIONS, EMERGENCY
RESPONSE INFORMATION, AND
TRAINING REQUIREMENTS, AND
SECURITY PLANS
1. The authority citation for part 172
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 5101–5128, 44701; 49
CFR 1.53.
§ 172.101
[Amended]
2. In the Hazardous Materials Table,
in § 172.101, for the shipping name
‘‘Oxygen generator, chemical (including
when contained in associated
equipment, e.g., passenger service units
(PSUs), portable breathing equipment
(PBE), etc),’’ the entry in Column (9B),
is revised to read ‘‘25 kg’’.
jlentini on DSKJ8SOYB1PROD with RULES
■
Issued in Washington, DC on October 8,
2009 under authority delegated in 49 CFR
part 106.
Cynthia Douglass,
Acting Deputy Administrator for Hazardous
Materials Safety.
[FR Doc. E9–24779 Filed 10–14–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–60–P
VerDate Nov<24>2008
16:27 Oct 14, 2009
Jkt 220001
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Surface Transportation Board
49 CFR Parts 1001, 1002, 1003, 1007,
1011, 1012, 1016, 1100, 1102, 1103,
1104, 1105, 1109, 1110, 1113, 1114,
1116, 1118, 1132, 1139, 1150, 1152,
1177, 1180, 1240, 1241, 1242, 1243,
1245, 1246, 1248, 1253, 1260, 1261,
1262, 1263, 1264, 1265, 1266, 1267 and
1269
[STB Ex Parte No. 685]
Removal of Delegations of Authority to
Secretary
Surface Transportation Board.
Final rules.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
SUMMARY: The Surface Transportation
Board (Board or STB) amends its
regulations by eliminating the Secretary
of the Board, reassigning the delegations
of authority from the Secretary to other
Offices of the Board, and making
additional updates to eliminate
incorrect or obsolete references. Because
these administrative final rules amend
internal agency practice and procedure,
this action is exempt from the usual
requirement for notice and an
opportunity for public comment under
5 U.S.C. 553(b)(A) of the Administrative
Procedure Act.
DATES: These rules are effective on
November 16, 2009.
ADDRESSES: Information or questions
regarding this final rule should
reference STB Ex Parte No. 685 and be
in writing addressed to: Chief, Section
of Administration, Office of
Proceedings, Surface Transportation
Board, 395 E Street, SW., Washington,
DC 20423–0001.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Cynthia T. Brown at (202) 245–0350.
[Assistance for the hearing impaired is
available through the Federal
Information Relay Service (FIRS) at
1–800–877–8339.]
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Board
is revising its regulations to eliminate
the Secretary of the Board, to reassign
the delegations of authority from the
Secretary to other Board Offices, and to
make additional updates to eliminate
incorrect or obsolete references. The
regulations at 49 CFR part 1011, which
provide the delegations of authority by
the Board, and all other rules affected by
the removal of delegations of authority
from the Secretary will be revised to
reflect the change in delegations and
other updates. The Secretary is being
eliminated to increase efficiency within
the Board. The duties of the Secretary
will be transferred to other Offices
PO 00000
Frm 00034
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
within the Board. These rules set out the
new delegations and procedures for
processing cases, appeals, and inquiries
from the public.
49 CFR 1001.1, Records Available From
the Board and 49 CFR 1001.2, Certified
Copies of Records
In sections 1001.1(a) and 1001.2,
which concern availability of Board
records and certification of record
copies, the Board removes the
references to the Secretary. In section
1001.1(a), the Board changes the
reference from Secretary to Records
Officer, the new custodian of records for
the Board. In section 1001.2, the Board
changes the reference from the Secretary
to the Records Officer, to reflect the
Records Officer’s new responsibility for
certifying copies of records.
49 CFR 1002.1, Fees for Records
Search, Review, Copying, Certification,
and Related Services
Sections 1002.1(a), (g)(14)(vi), and (i).
The Board changes the references from
the Secretary in sections 1002.1(a) and
(i), which concern fees for records
certification, records copying, and
transcript purchases, to the Records
Officer. Sections 1002.1(g)(14)(vi) and
(i) will be updated to add the 4-digit
code provided by the United States
Postal Service to the postal ZIP code for
the Board’s office.
Section 1002.1(e). This section
concerns fees for courier services. The
position of Information Officer no
longer exists, so the reference will be
changed to the Records Officer. Fees for
courier service can be obtained from the
Records Officer or the Board’s Web site.
Sections 1002.1(f), (f)(1), and (g)(8).
These sections, which concern fees for
search and copying services requiring
computer processing and for records not
considered public under the Freedom of
Information Act, will be revised to
remove the outdated term ‘‘ADP’’ and
replace it with the term ‘‘computer.’’
49 CFR 1002.2, Filing Fees
Section 1002.2(a)(3). This section,
which identifies a Board designee to
receive payment of filing fees, will be
revised to remove the reference to the
Secretary. Routine business practices
require only that the fees be payable to
the Surface Transportation Board. We
will not require additional specificity.
Section 1002.2(e)(2)(i) and (e)(2)(iii).
These sections concern requests for
waiver or reduction of fees prescribed in
section 1002.2(f) and notification of the
Board’s action on such requests. The
reference to the Secretary in section
1002.2(e)(2)(i) will be changed to
‘‘Chief, Section of Administration,
E:\FR\FM\15OCR1.SGM
15OCR1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 198 (Thursday, October 15, 2009)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 52896-52900]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-24779]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
49 CFR Part 172
[Docket No. PHMSA-2009-0238 (HM-224G)]
RIN 2137-AE49
Hazardous Materials: Chemical Oxygen Generators
AGENCY: Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA).
ACTION: Direct final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This direct final rule amends the Hazardous Materials
Regulations to revise the quantity limitation from 25 kg ``gross'' to
25 kg ``net'' for packages of chemical oxygen generators transported
aboard cargo aircraft only. The intended effect of this rule is to
provide regulatory relief by raising the quantity threshold for
shipments of chemical oxygen generators transported aboard cargo
aircraft only. This action is necessary to address difficulties
concerning implementation and compliance with the requirements for the
transportation of chemical oxygen generators in outer packagings
meeting certain flame penetration resistance standards and thermal
protection capabilities, as evidenced by comments received from the
hazardous materials industry and other interested parties. The
amendment contained in this rule is a minor substantive change, in the
public interest, and unlikely to result in adverse comment.
DATES: This direct final rule is effective November 16, 2009, unless an
adverse comment or notice of intent to file an adverse comment is
received by November 16, 2009. PHMSA will publish in the Federal
Register a timely document confirming the effective date of this final
rule.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by the docket number
PHMSA-2009-0238 by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the online instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: 1-202-493-2251.
Mail: Docket Operations, U.S. Department of Transportation, West
Building, Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Routing Symbol M-30, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
Hand Delivery: To Docket Operations; Room W12-140 on the ground
floor of the West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC
20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays.
Instructions: All submissions must include the agency name and
docket number for this rule. Note that all comments received will be
posted without change, including any personal information provided.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: T. Glenn Foster, (202) 366-8553, U.S.
Department of Transportation, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety
Administration, Office of Hazardous Materials Standards, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
List of Topics
I. Background
II. Appeals to the January 31, 2007 Final Rule
III. Petitions to the January 31, 2007 Final Rule
IV. Summary of the Direct Final Rule
V. Regulatory Analyses and Notices
A. Statutory/Legal Authority for Rulemaking
B. Executive Order 12866 and DOT Regulatory Policies and
Procedures
C. Executive Order 13132
D. Executive Order 13175
E. Regulatory Flexibility Act, Executive Order 13272, and DOT
Procedures and Policies
F. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995
G. Paperwork Reduction Act
H. Regulation Identifier Number (RIN)
I. Environmental Assessment
J. Privacy Act
I. Background
The National Transportation Safety Board found that one of the
probable causes of the May 11, 1996 crash of ValuJet Airlines flight
No. 596 was a fire in the airplane's cargo compartment that was
initiated and enhanced by the actuation of one or more chemical oxygen
generators that were being improperly carried as cargo. Following that
tragedy, in which 110 lives were lost, the Department of
Transportation:
--Prohibited the transportation of chemical oxygen generators
(including personal-use chemical oxygen generators) on board passenger-
carrying aircraft and the transportation of spent chemical oxygen
generators on both passenger-carrying and cargo-only aircraft, 61 FR
26418 (May 24, 1996), 61 FR 68952 (Dec. 30, 1996), 64 FR 45388 (Aug.
19, 1999);
--Issued standards governing the transportation of chemical oxygen
generators on cargo-only aircraft (and by motor vehicle, rail car and
vessel), including the requirement for an approval issued by the
Research and Special Programs Administration
[[Page 52897]]
(RSPA), the predecessor agency to the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials
Safety Administration (PHMSA), 62 FR 30767 (June 5, 1997), 62 FR 34667
(June 27, 1997);
--Upgraded fire safety standards for Class D cargo compartments on
aircraft to require a smoke or fire detection system and a means of
suppressing a fire or minimizing the available oxygen, on certain
transport-category aircraft, 63 FR 8033 (Feb. 17, 1998); and
--Imposed additional requirements on the transportation of cylinders of
compressed oxygen by aircraft and prohibited the carriage of chemical
oxidizers in inaccessible aircraft cargo compartments that do not have
a fire or smoke detection and fire suppression system, 64 FR 45388
(Aug. 19, 1999).
In the August 19, 1999 final rule, we amended the Hazardous
Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180) to: (1) Allow a
limited number of cylinders containing medical-use oxygen to be carried
in the cabin of a passenger-carrying aircraft, 49 CFR 175.10(b); (2)
limit the number of oxygen cylinders that may be carried as cargo in
compartments that lack a fire suppression system and require that
cylinders be stowed horizontally on the floor or as close as
practicable to the floor of the cargo compartment or unit load device,
49 CFR 175.85(h) & (i); and (3) require each cylinder of compressed
oxygen (in the passenger cabin or a cargo compartment) to be placed in
an overpack or outer packaging that meets the performance criteria of
Air Transport Association Specification 300 for Type I (ATA 300)
shipping containers, 49 CFR 172.102, Special Provision A52.
On January 31, 2007, PHMSA issued a final rule under Docket No.
RSPA-04-17664 (HM-224B) to enhance the safety standards for
transportation by air of compressed oxygen, other oxidizing gases, and
chemical oxygen generators (72 FR 4442). Specifically, the final rule
amended the HMR to require cylinders of compressed oxygen and chemical
oxygen generators to be transported in an outer packaging that: (1)
Meets the same flame penetration resistance standards as required for
cargo compartment sidewalls and ceiling panels in transport category
airplanes; and (2) provides certain thermal protection capabilities so
as to retain its contents during an otherwise controllable cargo
compartment fire. These performance requirements must remain in effect
for the entire service life of the outer packaging. The outer packaging
standard addresses two safety concerns--protecting a cylinder and an
oxygen generator that could be exposed directly to flames from a fire
and protecting a cylinder and an oxygen generator that could be exposed
indirectly to heat from a fire.
In addition, an outer packaging for a cylinder containing
compressed oxygen or another oxidizing gas and a package containing an
oxygen generator were required to meet the standards in Part III of
Appendix F to 14 CFR Part 25, Test Method to Determine Flame
Penetration Resistance of Cargo Compartment Liners. An outer
packaging's materials of construction must prevent penetration by a
flame of 1,700 [deg]F for five minutes, in accordance with Part III of
Appendix F, paragraphs (a)(3) and (f)(5) of 14 CFR Part 25.
Further, a cylinder of compressed oxygen or another oxidizing gas
must remain below the temperature at which its pressure relief device
would activate and an oxygen generator must not actuate when exposed to
a temperature of at least 400 [deg]F for three hours. The 400 [deg]F
temperature is the estimated mean temperature of a cargo compartment
during a halon-suppressed fire. Three hours and 27 minutes is the
maximum estimated diversion time world-wide, based on an aircraft
flying a southern route over the Pacific Ocean. Data collected during
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) tests indicate that, on average,
a 3AA seamless steel oxygen cylinder with a pressure relief device set
at cylinder test pressure will open when the cylinder reaches a
temperature of approximately 300 [deg]F. This result is consistent with
calculations performed by PHMSA. In analyzing pressure relief device
(PRD) function, PHMSA calculated that a 3HT seamless steel cylinder for
aircraft with a PRD set at 90% of cylinder test pressure will vent at
temperatures greater than 220 [deg]F. In order to assure an adequate
safety margin for all authorized cylinders, including 3HT cylinders, we
amended the HMR to require cylinders of compressed oxygen and other
oxidizing gases, which are contained in the specified outer packaging,
to maintain an external temperature below 93 [deg]C (199 [deg]F) when
exposed to a 400 [deg]F temperature for three hours.
II. Appeals to the January 31, 2007 Final Rule
The following organizations submitted appeals to the January 31,
2007 final rule, in accordance with 49 CFR Part 106: Air Canada (AC);
Barlen and Associates, Inc. (Barlen); PSI Plus, Inc. (PSI); and United
Airlines, Inc. (United). Delta Airlines (Delta) also submitted a letter
expressing its general support for United's formal appeal. The
appellants based their appeals on several aspects of the January 31
final rule, most notably, the effective date of certain requirements in
the rule, cost and availability of the required outer packaging,
marking requirements, and thermal resistance testing. We also received
requests for clarification of certain requirements of the final rule.
In response to the appeals, we published a final rule on September
28, 2007 (72 FR 55091) granting the request to delay the mandatory
effective date for a new limit on PRD settings on cylinders containing
compressed oxygen or other oxidizing gases transported on board
aircraft from October 1, 2007 until October 1, 2008. We also clarified
the thermal resistance test methods for packagings for oxygen cylinders
and oxygen generators in Appendix D to Part 178, and added a new
Appendix E to Part 178--Flame Penetration Resistance to incorporate the
standards in Part III of Appendix F to 14 CFR Part 25, Test Method to
Determine Flame Penetration Resistance of Cargo Compartment Liners
Flame Penetration Resistance Test. In addition, we granted the request
to include DOT specifications 3E seamless steel and 39 non-reusable
(non-refillable) cylinders among the types of cylinders authorized for
the transportation of compressed oxygen and other oxidizing gases
aboard aircraft. Further, we provided a marking option to ensure easier
identification of cylinders equipped with the new PRD and outer
packagings meeting the flame penetration and thermal resistance
requirements. Finally, in response to the concerns of appellants
pertaining to the availability of the required packaging, we indicated
that PHMSA and FAA would closely monitor the availability of the
required packaging as the effective date (after September 30, 2009) of
this provision approached and would consider an extension of the
compliance date for this requirement if it was determined that a
sufficient supply of the required outer packaging would not be
available.
III. Petitions to the January 31, 2007 Final Rule
PHMSA received petitions dated September 23, 2008 and April 21,
2009 from the Council on Safe Transportation of Hazardous Articles,
Inc. (COSTHA) pertaining to the mandatory compliance date for the
required outer packaging. In its September 23, 2008 petition, COSTHA
requested an extension of the compliance date until April 1, 2011 for
the outer packaging requirement, and
[[Page 52898]]
also suggested that PHMSA permit the current use of non-rigid outer
packagings meeting the requirements of ATA Spec 300 through April 1,
2010. COSTHA argued that the additional time would ``allow packaging
manufacturers to competitively introduce lightweight, durable, and
affordable packaging with an anticipated long term safety benefit.''
PHMSA denied this petition, and in our response, reiterated our
intention to monitor the availability and costs of the required outer
packaging and to consider an extension of the compliance date for this
requirement if it were determined that a sufficient supply of the
required outer packaging would not be available as we approached the
compliance date.
In its petition dated April 21, 2009, COSTHA again requested the
compliance date be extended to April 1, 2011 and suggested that the
required outer packagings were currently not in production and would
not be available in sufficient time to meet the October 1, 2009
compliance date. COSTHA further requested that PHMSA re-evaluate the
entire rulemaking based on its contention that the original regulatory
evaluation developed in support of the final rule was ``significantly
flawed and incomplete.'' We denied this petition based on our
identification of a number of packaging manufacturers that are able to
produce outer packagings that conform to the performance standards
established in the January 31, 2007 final rule in quantities sufficient
to meet expected demand by October 1, 2009. We based our conclusion on
consultations with companies that are able to produce similar
packaging, and on demonstrations presented to the Department by
packaging manufacturers detailing development and production plans for
the required packaging, supporting test documentation, cost estimates,
and samples of their packaging prototypes.
In addition, PHMSA and FAA attended a conference sponsored by
American Airlines held in Tulsa, Oklahoma on March 10-11, 2009 for
airline representative and packaging manufacturers to discuss issues
pertaining to the HM-224B outer packaging requirements. At this
meeting, eight (8) packaging manufacturers provided presentations that
discussed the weight, cost, production lead-times, life expectancy, and
production rate of the required outer packaging, with several
manufactures providing production-ready prototypes. We also re-examined
the regulatory evaluation developed in support of the final rule. We
agreed with the petitioner that the regulatory evaluation
underestimates the costs for outer packagings that conform to the
performance standard established in the final rule. However, we also
found that the evaluation significantly underestimates the expected
life-span for such outer packagings. In addition, the regulatory
evaluation overestimates the number of such packagings that would be
required to accommodate air shipments of compressed oxygen and other
oxidizing gases and chemical oxygen generators. Based on this re-
evaluation, we concluded that the costs associated with the requirement
that outer packagings meet certain flame penetration and thermal
resistance requirements when transported aboard aircraft are within the
range of the costs estimated in the regulatory evaluation. Following
our denial of COSTHA's second petition, we posted an advisory alert on
our website confirming the mandatory compliance for the outer packaging
requirement, and provided a contact list of packaging manufacturers who
have indicated they are able to produce the required packaging.
PHMSA also received a petition dated June 29, 2009 (P-1544) from
Satair USA, Inc pertaining to the quantity limitation for packages of
chemical oxygen generators. Currently, the HMR limits the total package
weight (gross) of chemical oxygen generators to a maximum of 25
kilograms when transported aboard cargo-aircraft only. This 25 kilogram
gross limit includes the hazardous material and its outer packaging. In
its petition, Satair contends that because of the additional weight of
the more robust outer packaging required by the January 31, 2007 final
rule, much of the 25 kilogram limit is utilized by the weight of the
outer packaging thereby limiting the actual weight of the hazardous
material to be transported. Satair states that if the 25 kilogram gross
requirement remains in place, it will severely limit the quantity of
items that may be shipped within each container. In its petition,
Satair requested that we amend the HMR to revise the quantity
limitation for packages of chemical oxygen generators transported
aboard cargo aircraft only. We agree with the petitioner. During our
monitoring of the availability of the required outer packaging and
conversations with several packaging manufacturers, we agreed that the
weight of the outer packaging material will be increased because of the
additional thermal resistance and flame penetration requirements of the
January 31, 2007 final rule, and thereby limits the amount of hazardous
materials that can be transported. We believe that the allowable weight
of chemical oxygen generators can be increased by revising the quantity
limit from ``gross'' to ``net,'' in this direct final rule without
sacrificing our intent of protecting a chemical oxygen generator
exposed directly to flames from a fire or exposed indirectly to heat
from a fire. Therefore, in this direct final rule, we are amending the
HMR to revise the quantity limitation for packages of chemical oxygen
generators transported aboard cargo aircraft only from 25 kilograms
``gross'' to 25 kilograms ``net.'' We note that the revision applies to
chemical oxygen generators transported by cargo-only aircraft, and that
the transportation of chemical oxygen generators by passenger aircraft
or rail continues to be prohibited.
IV. Summary of the Direct Final Rule
Based on petitions received in response to the final rule and our
own initiatives, we are adopting a requirement that quantities of
chemical oxygen generators are limited to 25 kg net mass per package
for transport aboard cargo-only aircraft. Any quantity of chemical
oxygen generators transported aboard passenger aircraft or rail car
remains prohibited.
This direct final rule is issued under the procedures set forth in
Sec. 106.40 of the HMR. Unless an adverse comment or notice of intent
to file an adverse comment is received by November 16, 2009, this rule
will become effective on November 16, 2009. An adverse comment explains
why a rule would be inappropriate, or would be ineffective or
unacceptable without a change. Under the direct final rule process, we
do not consider a comment to be adverse that: (1) Recommends another
rule change, in addition to the change in the direct final rule at
issue, unless the commenter states why the rule would be ineffective
without the change; or (2) is a frivolous or irrelevant comment.
Therefore, comments that do not specifically address the 25 kg weight
limitation for packages of chemical oxygen generators transported
aboard cargo only aircraft will be considered beyond the scope of this
rulemaking. PHMSA will publish in the Federal Register in a timely
document confirming the effective date of this direct final rule.
V. Regulatory Analyses and Notices
A. Statutory/Legal Authority for Rulemaking
This direct final rule is published under the authority of Federal
hazardous materials transportation law
[[Page 52899]]
(Federal hazmat law; 49 U.S.C. 5101 et seq.) and 49 U.S.C. 44701.
Section 5103(b) of Federal hazmat law authorizes the Secretary of
Transportation to prescribe regulations for the safe transportation,
including security, of hazardous material in intrastate, interstate,
and foreign commerce. Section 1.53 of 49 CFR delegates the authority to
issue regulations in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 5103(b) to the
Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety
Administration.
B. Executive Order 12866 and DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures
This direct final rule is not considered a significant regulatory
action under section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866 and, therefore, was
not reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). This rule is
not significant under the Regulatory Policies and Procedures of the
Department of Transportation (44 FR 11034).
In this direct final rule, we are amending the HMR to enhance
safety and to offer greater flexibility in complying with the
regulatory requirements for packages of chemical oxygen generators
without sacrificing the current HMR level of safety. These amendments
are based on petitions for rulemaking submitted by the regulated
community and, for the most part, should reduce overall compliance
costs. The amendment pertaining to the quantity limitation of chemical
oxygen generators aboard cargo-only aircraft adopted in this direct
final rule provides regulatory relief by raising the quantity threshold
for such shipments.
Overall this direct final rule will enhance transportation safety
and reduce the overall compliance burden on the regulated industry.
C. Executive Order 13132
This direct final rule has been analyzed in accordance with the
principles and criteria contained in Executive Order 13132
(``Federalism''). This direct final rule preempts State, local and
Indian tribe requirements, but does not amend any regulation that has
direct effects on the States, the relationship between the national
government and the States, or the distribution of power and
responsibilities among the various levels of government. Therefore, the
consultation and funding requirements of Executive Order 13132 do not
apply.
The Federal hazardous materials transportation law, 49 U.S.C. 5101-
5127, contains an express preemption provision (49 U.S.C. 5125(b)) that
preempts State, local, and Indian tribe requirements on the following
subjects:
1. The designation, description, and classification of hazardous
material;
2. The packing, repacking, handling, labeling, marking, and
placarding of hazardous material;
3. The preparation, execution, and use of shipping documents
related to hazardous material and requirements related to the number,
contents, and placement of those documents;
4. The written notification, recording, and reporting of the
unintentional release in transportation of hazardous material; and
5. The design, manufacture, fabrication, marking, maintenance,
recondition, repair, or testing of a packaging or container
represented, marked, certified, or sold as qualified for use in
transporting hazardous material.
This direct final rule addresses items 1, 2 and 5 above and
preempts any State, local, or Indian tribe requirements not meeting the
``substantially the same'' standard.
Federal hazardous materials transportation law provides at Sec.
5125(b)(2) that, if DOT issues a regulation concerning any of the
covered subjects, DOT must determine and publish in the Federal
Register the effective date of Federal preemption. The effective date
may not be earlier than the 90th day following the date of issuance of
the final rule and not later than two years after the date of issuance.
This effective date of preemption is 90 days after the publication of
this final rule in the Federal Register.
D. Executive Order 13175
This direct final rule has been analyzed in accordance with the
principles and criteria contained in Executive order 13175
(``Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments'').
Because this direct final rule will not have tribal implications, does
not impose substantial direct compliance costs on Indian tribal
governments, and does not preempt tribal law, the funding and
consultation requirements of Executive Order 13084 do not apply, and a
tribal summary impact statement is not required.
E. Regulatory Flexibility Act, Executive Order 13272, and DOT
Procedures and Policies
The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 requires an agency to review
regulations to assess their impact on small entities unless the agency
determines that a rule is not expected to have a significant impact on
a substantial number of small entities. This direct final rule will not
impose increased compliance costs on the regulated industry. The
revisions, clarifications, and corrections we are making to the January
31, 2007 final rule will provide regulatory relief to persons
transporting chemical oxygen generators on aircraft by revising the
quantity limitation for packages of chemical oxygen generators
transported aboard cargo aircraft only. Accordingly, pursuant to the
Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 605(b), DOT certifies that this
rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial
number of small entities.
This direct final rule has been developed in accordance with
Executive Order 13272 (``Proper Consideration of Small Entities in
Agency Rulemaking'') and DOT's procedures and policies to promote
compliance with the Regulatory Flexibility Act to ensure that potential
impacts of draft rules on small entities are properly considered.
F. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995
This direct final rule does not impose unfunded mandates under the
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995. It does not result in costs of
$141,300,000 or more to either State, local or tribal governments, in
the aggregate, or to the private sector, and is the least burdensome
alternative that achieves the objective of the rule.
G. Paperwork Reduction Act
This direct final rule imposes no new information collection and
recordkeeping requirements.
H. Regulation Identifier Number (RIN)
A regulation identifier number (RIN) is assigned to each regulatory
action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulations. The
Regulatory Information Service Center publishes the Unified Agenda in
April and October of each year. The RIN number contained in the heading
of this document can be used to cross-reference this action with the
Unified Agenda.
I. Environmental Assessment
The National Environmental Policy Act, 42 U.S.C. 4321-4375,
requires federal agencies to analyze proposed actions to determine
whether the action will have a significant impact on the human
environment. The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations
order federal agencies to conduct an environmental review considering:
(1) The need for the proposed action; (2) alternatives to the proposed
action; (3) probable environmental impacts of the proposed action and
alternatives; and (4) the
[[Page 52900]]
agencies and persons consulted during the consideration process. 40 CFR
1508.9(b).
The provisions of this direct final rule build on current
regulatory requirements to enhance the safety and security of shipments
of chemical oxygen generators when transported aboard an aircraft. The
net environmental impact, therefore, will be moderately positive. There
are no significant environmental impacts associated with this direct
final rule.
J. Privacy Act
Anyone is able to search the electronic form of all comments
received into any of our dockets by the name of the individual
submitting the comment (or signing the comment, if submitted on behalf
of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review DOT's
complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on
April 11, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 70; Pages 19477-78) or you may visit
https://dms.dot.gov.
List of Subjects in 49 CFR Part 172
Education, Hazardous materials transportation, Hazardous waste,
Labeling, Markings, Packaging and containers, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements.
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In consideration of the foregoing, we are amending title 49 Chapter I,
Subchapter C, as follows:
PART 172--HAZARDOUS MATERIALS TABLE, SPECIAL PROVISIONS, HAZARDOUS
MATERIALS COMMUNICATIONS, EMERGENCY RESPONSE INFORMATION, AND
TRAINING REQUIREMENTS, AND SECURITY PLANS
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1. The authority citation for part 172 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 5101-5128, 44701; 49 CFR 1.53.
Sec. 172.101 [Amended]
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2. In the Hazardous Materials Table, in Sec. 172.101, for the shipping
name ``Oxygen generator, chemical (including when contained in
associated equipment, e.g., passenger service units (PSUs), portable
breathing equipment (PBE), etc),'' the entry in Column (9B), is revised
to read ``25 kg''.
Issued in Washington, DC on October 8, 2009 under authority
delegated in 49 CFR part 106.
Cynthia Douglass,
Acting Deputy Administrator for Hazardous Materials Safety.
[FR Doc. E9-24779 Filed 10-14-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-60-P