Availability of Draft Report, Biofuels and the Environment: First Triennial Report to Congress, 5154-5156 [2011-1920]

Download as PDF 5154 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 19 / Friday, January 28, 2011 / Notices Services formula rates under the Department of Energy (DOE) Organization Act (42 U.S.C. 7152); the Reclamation Act of 1902 (ch. 1093, 32 Stat. 388), as amended and supplemented by subsequent enactments, particularly section 9(c) of the Reclamation Project Act of 1939 (43 U.S.C. 485h(c)); section 5 of the Flood Control Act of 1944 (16 U.S.C. 825s); and other acts specifically applicable to the projects involved. By Delegation Order No. 00–037.00, effective December 6, 2001, the Secretary of Energy delegated: (1) The authority to develop power and transmission rates to Western’s Administrator; (2) the authority to confirm, approve, and place such rates into effect on an interim basis to the Deputy Secretary of Energy; and (3) the authority to confirm, approve, and place into effect on a final basis, to remand, or to disapprove such rates to FERC. Existing DOE procedures for public participation in power rate adjustments (10 CFR part 903) were published on September 18, 1985. Availability of Information All brochures, studies, comments, letters, memorandums, or other documents that Western initiates or uses to develop the proposed formula rates are available for inspection and copying at the Rocky Mountain Regional Office, located at 5555 East Crossroads Boulevard, Loveland CO. Many of these documents and supporting information are also available on Western’s Web site under the 2012 Rate Adjustment— Transmission and Ancillary Services section located at https://www.wapa.gov/ rm/ratesRM/2012/default.htm. Ratemaking Procedure Requirements WReier-Aviles on DSKGBLS3C1PROD with NOTICES Environmental Compliance In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321–4347), Council on Environmental Quality Regulations (40 CFR parts 1500–1508), and DOE NEPA Regulations (10 CFR part 1021), Western is in the process of determining whether an environmental assessment or an environmental impact statement should be prepared or if this action can be categorically excluded from those requirements. Determination Under Executive Order 12866 Western has an exemption from centralized regulatory review under Executive Order 12866; accordingly, no clearance of this notice by the Office of Management and Budget is required. VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:05 Jan 27, 2011 Jkt 223001 Dated: January 21, 2011. Timothy J. Meeks, Administrator. [FR Doc. 2011–1894 Filed 1–27–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450–01–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [FRL–9259–5; Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–ORD– 2010–1077] Availability of Draft Report, Biofuels and the Environment: First Triennial Report to Congress Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice of peer review meeting and public comment period. AGENCY: EPA is announcing that it will convene an independent panel of experts to review the external review draft document titled, Biofuels and the Environment: The First Triennial Report to Congress (EPA/600/R–10/183A). The peer review meeting will be organized by Versar, Inc., an EPA contractor for external scientific peer review. The EPA also is announcing a 30-day public comment period for the draft document. The draft document was prepared by the National Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA) within EPA’s Office of Research and Development. The 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) mandates increased production of biofuels (fuels derived from organic materials) from 9 billion gallons per year in 2008 to 36 billion gallons per year by 2022. EISA (Section 204) also requires the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to assess and report to Congress every three years on the current and potential future environmental and resource conservation impacts associated with increased biofuel production and use. Biofuels and the Environment: First Triennial Report to Congress is the first report on this issue. The public comment period and the external peer review meeting are separate processes that provide opportunities for all interested parties to comment on the document. EPA intends to forward public comments that are submitted in accordance with this notice, to the external peer review panel, prior to the meeting for their consideration. When finalizing the draft document, EPA intends to consider any public comments that EPA receives in accordance with this notice. EPA is releasing this draft document solely for the purpose of obtaining public comment and peer review under SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 applicable information quality guidelines. This document does not represent and should not be construed to represent any Agency policy or determination. EPA, through its Peer Review contractor, Versar, Inc., invites the public to register to attend the peer review meeting. In addition, EPA through Versar, Inc., invites the public to give oral and/or provide written comments during the meeting regarding the draft document under review. The draft document and EPA’s charge to the peer reviewers are available primarily via the Internet on NCEA’s home page under the Recent Additions and Publications menus at https:// www.epa.gov/ncea. In preparing a final report, EPA will consider the comments and recommendations from the external peer review meeting and any public comments that EPA receives in accordance with this notice. DATES: The peer review panel meeting will begin on March 14, 2011, at 9 a.m. and end at 5 p.m. The 30-day public comment period begins January 28, 2011, and ends February 28, 2011. Technical comments should be in writing and must be received by EPA by February 28, 2011. ADDRESSES: The peer review meeting will be held at the Marriott Courtyard Arlington Crystal City/Reagan National Airport, 2899 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA 22202, telephone: 703– 549–3434. The EPA contractor, Versar, Inc., is organizing, convening and conducting the peer review meeting. To attend the meeting, register by March 7, 2011, by contacting Versar, Inc. via email: saundkat@versar.com (subject line: Biofuels Report to Congress Peer Review Meeting), by telephone: 703– 750–3000, ext. 545, or toll free at 1–800– 2–VERSAR (1–800–283–7727), ask for Kathy Coon, the Biofuels Report to Congress Meeting Coordinator, or by faxing a registration request to 703–642– 6809 (please reference the Biofuels Report to Congress Peer Review Meeting and include your name, title, affiliation, full address and contact information). Information on Services for Individuals with Disabilities: EPA welcomes the attendance of the public at the Biofuels Report to Congress Peer Review Meeting and will make every effort to accommodate persons with disabilities. For information on access or services for individuals with disabilities, please contact Versar, Inc. via e-mail: saundkat@versar.com (subject line: Biofuels Report to Congress Peer Review Meeting), by telephone: 703–750–3000, ext. 545, or toll free at 1–800–2–VERSAR (1–800– E:\FR\FM\28JAN1.SGM 28JAN1 WReier-Aviles on DSKGBLS3C1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 19 / Friday, January 28, 2011 / Notices 283–7727), ask for Kathy Coon, the Biofuels Report to Congress Meeting Coordinator, or by faxing a registration request to 703–642–6809 (please reference the Biofuels Report to Congress Peer Review Meeting and include your name, title, affiliation, full address and contact information). To request accommodation of a disability, please contact Versar, Inc., preferably at least 10 days prior to the meeting, to give EPA as much time as possible to process your request. The draft report, Biofuels and the Environment: First Triennial Report to Congress, is available primarily via the Internet on the National Center for Environmental Assessment’s home page under the Recent Additions and Publications menus at https:// www.epa.gov/ncea. A limited number of paper copies are available from the Information Management Team, NCEA; telephone: 703–347–8561; facsimile: 703–347–8691. If you are requesting a paper copy, please provide your name, mailing address, and the document title, Biofuels and the Environment: First Triennial Report to Congress. Copies are not available from Versar, Inc. Comments may be submitted electronically via https:// www.regulations.gov, by mail, by facsimile, or by hand delivery/courier. Please follow the detailed instructions as provided in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this notice. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions regarding information, registration, access or services for individuals with disabilities, or logistics for the external peer-review meeting should be directed to Versar, Inc., 6850 Versar Center, Springfield, VA 22151, by e-mail: saundkat@versar.com (subject line: Biofuels Report to Congress Peer Review Meeting), by telephone: 703–750–3000, ext. 545 or toll free at 1–800–2–VERSAR (1–800– 283–7727), ask for Kathy Coon, the Biofuels Report to Congress Meeting Coordinator. To request accommodation of a disability, please contact Versar, Inc. preferably at least 10 days prior to the meeting, to give as much time as possible to process your request. For information on the public comment period, contact the Office of Environmental Information Docket; telephone: 202–566–1752; facsimile: 202–566–1753; or e-mail: ORD.Docket@epa.gov. If you need technical information about the document, please contact Bob Frederick, National Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA); telephone: 703–347–5308; facsimile: 703–347–8694; e-mail: frederick.bob@epa.gov. VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:05 Jan 27, 2011 Jkt 223001 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Information About the Report to Congress Many different feedstocks can be used to produce different types of biofuels. This report focuses on impacts from production and use of six feedstocks: Corn and soybeans, which together account for the vast majority of biofuel feedstock currently in use, and four others (corn stover, perennial grasses, woody biomass and algae) that represent a range of feedstocks under development. Two biofuels, ethanol (both conventional and cellulosic) and biomass-based diesel, are emphasized in this report because they are the most commercially viable in 2010 and/or projected to be the most commercially available by 2022. As required by the Energy Independence and Security Act (Section 204) of 2007, the report covers impacts on air and water quality, soil quality and conservation, water availability, ecosystem health and biodiversity; the potential invasiveness of feedstocks; and international environmental impacts. This report reviews impacts and mitigation tools across the entire biofuel supply chain, including feedstock production and logistics, and biofuel production, distribution, and use. Throughout the biofuel supply chain, activities take place and materials are used that have the potential to impact the environment or affect resource use and availability. The specific impacts associated with a particular feedstock or biofuel will vary depending on many factors, including the type, source and method of feedstock production; the technology used to convert the feedstock to fuel; methods used and distances traveled to transport biofuels; the types and quantities of biofuels used; and, controls in place to avoid or mitigate any impacts. EPA’s ability to assess environmental and resource conservation impacts is constrained by substantial uncertainties. Since many feedstock technologies are in the early stages of research and development, data relevant to impacts are limited and projections of their potential future use are highly speculative. II. Meeting Information Members of the public may attend the peer review meeting as observers and there will be a limited time of no more than five minutes for individual comments from the public during the meeting. Please let Versar, Inc. know if you wish to make comments during the meeting. Space is limited, and PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 5155 reservations will be accepted on a firstcome, first-served basis. III. How To Submit Technical Comments to the Docket at www.regulations.gov Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–ORD–2010– 1077, by one of the following methods: • https://www.regulations.gov: Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments. • E-mail: ORD.Docket@epa.gov. • Fax: 202–566–1753. • Mail: Office of Environmental Information (OEI) Docket (Mail Code: 2822T), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460. The phone number is 202–566–1752. • Hand Delivery: The OEI Docket is located in the EPA Headquarters Docket Center, Room 3334 EPA West Building, 1301 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC. The EPA Docket Center 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. Deliveries are only accepted during the Docket’s normal hours of operation, and special arrangements should be made for deliveries of boxed information. If you provide comments by mail or hand delivery, please submit three copies of the comments. For attachments, provide an index, number pages consecutively with the comments, and submit an unbound original and three copies. Instructions: Direct your comments to Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–ORD–2010– 1077. Please ensure that your comments are submitted within the specified comment period. Comments received after the closing date will be marked ‘‘late’’ and may only be considered if time permits. It is EPA’s policy to include all comments it receives in the public docket without change and to make the comments available online at https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided, unless a 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 https:// www.regulations.gov or e-mail. The https://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 https:// E:\FR\FM\28JAN1.SGM 28JAN1 5156 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 19 / Friday, January 28, 2011 / Notices www.regulations.gov, your e-mail address will be automatically captured and included as part of the comment that is placed in the public docket and made available on the Internet. If you submit an electronic comment, EPA recommends that you include your name and other contact information in the body of your comment and with any disk or CD–ROM you submit. If EPA cannot read your comment due to technical difficulties and cannot contact you for clarification, EPA may not be able to consider your comment. Electronic files should avoid the use of special characters, any form of encryption and be free of any defects or viruses. For additional information about EPA’s public docket visit the EPA Docket Center homepage at https:// www.epa.gov/epahome/dockets.htm. Docket: Documents in the docket are listed in the https://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 materials, such as copyrighted material, are publicly available only in hard copy. Publicly available docket materials are available either electronically in https:// www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at the OEI Docket in the EPA Headquarters Docket Center. Dated: January 24, 2011. Darrell A. Winner, Acting Director, National Center for Environmental Assessment. [FR Doc. 2011–1920 Filed 1–27–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [ER–FRL–8995–1] Environmental Impact Statements; Notice of Availability WReier-Aviles on DSKGBLS3C1PROD with NOTICES Responsible Agency: Office of Federal Activities, General Information (202) 564–1399 or https://www.epa.gov/ compliance/nepa/. Weekly receipt of Environmental Impact Statements Filed 01/18/2011 Through 01/21/2011 Pursuant to 40 CFR 1506.9 Notice In accordance with Section 309(a) of the Clean Air Act, EPA is required to make its comments on EISs issued by other Federal agencies public. Historically, EPA met this mandate by publishing weekly notices of availability of EPA comments, which includes a brief summary of EPA’s comment VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:05 Jan 27, 2011 Jkt 223001 letters, in the Federal Register. Since February 2008, EPA has included its comment letters on EISs on its Web site at: https://www.epa.gov/compliance/ nepa/eisdata.html. Including the entire EIS comment letters on the website satisfies the Section 309(a) requirement to make EPA’s comments on EISs available to the public. Accordingly, on March 31, 2010, EPA discontinued the publication of the notice of availability of EPA comments in the Federal Register. EIS No. 20110016, Draft EIS, FTA, MI, Woodward Avenue Light Rail Transit Project, Construction and Operation, City of Detroit, Wayne County, MI, Comment Period Ends: 03/14/2011, Contact: Tricia M. Harr 202–366– 0486. EIS No. 20110017, Draft EIS, BR, CA, Bunker Hill Groundwater Basin, Riverside-Corona Feeder Projects, To Increase Firm Water Supplies, Improve Water Quality, and to Reduce Water Costs, San Bernardino and Riverside Counties, CA, Comment Period Ends: 03/22/2011, Contact: Amy Witherall 951–695–5310. EIS No. 20110018, Draft EIS, BLM, NV, Salt Wells Energy Projects, Proposal for Three Separate Geothermal Energy and Transmission Projects, Implementation, Churchill County, NV, Comment Period Ends: 03/28/ 2011, Contact: Colleen Sievers 775– 885–6000. EIS No. 20110019, Final EIS, DOE, 00, Long -Term Management and Storage of Elemental Mercury Storage Project, Designate a Facility or Facilities for Mercy Storage, Seven Alternative Sites, CO, ID, MO, NV, SC and WA, Review Period Ends: 02/28/2011, Contact: David Levenstein 301–903– 6500. EIS No. 20110020, Draft EIS, NRCS, IA, Clarke County Water Supply, To Construct a Multiple-purpose Structure that Provides for Rural Water Supply and Water Based Recreational Opportunities, Clarke County, IA, Comment Period Ends: 03/14/2011, Contact: Richard Sims 515–284–6655. EIS No. 20110021, Final EIS, NPS, 00, Long Walk National Historic Trail Feasibility Study, To Evaluate the Suitability and Feasibility of Designating the Routes, Implementation, Apache, Coconino, Navajo Counties, AZ; Bernalillo, Cibola, De Baca, Guadalupe, Lincoln, McKinley, Mora, Otero, Santa Fe, Sandolval, Torrance, Valencia Counties, NM, Review Period Ends: 02/28/2011, Contact: Sharon Brown 505–988–6717. PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 EIS No. 20110022, Draft EIS, USFS, MT, Cedar-Thom Project, Desired Landscapes Conditions and Current Conditions Related to Forest Vegetation, Fuels, Wildlife and Aquatic Habitat and Recreation, Lolo National Forest, Superior Ranger District, Mineral County, MT, Comment Period Ends: 03/14/2011, Contact: Pat Partyka 406–826–4314. EIS No. 20110023, Final EIS, NRC, WY, Nichols Ranch In-Situ Uranium Recovery (ISR) Project, Proposal to Construct, Operate, Conduct Aquifer Restoration, and Decommission and In-Situ Recovery Uranium Milling Facility, Campbell and Johnson Counties, WY, Review Period Ends: 02/28/2011, Contact: Patricia Swain 301–415–5405. EIS No. 20110024, Final EIS, USFS, OR, Three Trails Off-Highway Vehicle Project, Designated Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Trail System, Crescent Ranger District, Deschutes National Forest, Klamath County, OR, Review Period Ends: 02/28/2011, Contact: Joan Kittrell 541–433–3200. EIS No. 20110025, Final EIS, FTA, CO, North Metro Corridor Project, Proposed a Commuter Rail Transit from downtown Denver, Colorado, north to State Highway (SH) 7, in the Cities of Denver, Commerce City, Thornton, Northglenn, and Adams County, CO, Review Period Ends: 02/ 28/2011, Contact: David Beckhouse 720–963–3306. Amended Notices EIS No. 20100450, Draft EIS, USFS, ID, Upper Lochsa Land Exchange Project, Proposes to Exchange National Forest System Land for approximately 39,371 Acres of western Pacific Timber Land, Federal Land Exchange, Clearwater, Nez Perce and Idaho Panhandle National Forests, Clearwater, Latah, Idaho, Benewah, Kootenai and Bonner Counties, ID, Comment Period Ends: 03/09/2011, Contact: Teresa Trulock 208–935– 4256 Revision to FR Notice 11/26/ 2010: Extending Comment from 02/ 23/2011 to 03/09/2011. EIS No. 20110000, Final EIS, USFS, CA, Concow Hazardous Fuels Reduction Project, Propose to Reduce Hazardous Forest Fuels, Plus Establish and Maintain Spaces - Defensible Fuel Profile Zones (DFPZs), Feather River Ranger District, Plumas National Forest, Towns of Paradise, Magalia, Concow, Butte County, CA, Review Period Ends: 02/14/2011, Contact: Carol Spinos 530–532–8932 Revision to FR Notice Published 01/ 14/2011: Correction to Contact Phone Number. E:\FR\FM\28JAN1.SGM 28JAN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 19 (Friday, January 28, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5154-5156]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-1920]


=======================================================================
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-9259-5; Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-ORD-2010-1077]


Availability of Draft Report, Biofuels and the Environment: First 
Triennial Report to Congress

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of peer review meeting and public comment period.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: EPA is announcing that it will convene an independent panel of 
experts to review the external review draft document titled, Biofuels 
and the Environment: The First Triennial Report to Congress (EPA/600/R-
10/183A). The peer review meeting will be organized by Versar, Inc., an 
EPA contractor for external scientific peer review. The EPA also is 
announcing a 30-day public comment period for the draft document. The 
draft document was prepared by the National Center for Environmental 
Assessment (NCEA) within EPA's Office of Research and Development. The 
2007 Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) mandates increased 
production of biofuels (fuels derived from organic materials) from 9 
billion gallons per year in 2008 to 36 billion gallons per year by 
2022. EISA (Section 204) also requires the U.S. Environmental 
Protection Agency (EPA) to assess and report to Congress every three 
years on the current and potential future environmental and resource 
conservation impacts associated with increased biofuel production and 
use. Biofuels and the Environment: First Triennial Report to Congress 
is the first report on this issue.
    The public comment period and the external peer review meeting are 
separate processes that provide opportunities for all interested 
parties to comment on the document. EPA intends to forward public 
comments that are submitted in accordance with this notice, to the 
external peer review panel, prior to the meeting for their 
consideration. When finalizing the draft document, EPA intends to 
consider any public comments that EPA receives in accordance with this 
notice.
    EPA is releasing this draft document solely for the purpose of 
obtaining public comment and peer review under applicable information 
quality guidelines. This document does not represent and should not be 
construed to represent any Agency policy or determination.
    EPA, through its Peer Review contractor, Versar, Inc., invites the 
public to register to attend the peer review meeting. In addition, EPA 
through Versar, Inc., invites the public to give oral and/or provide 
written comments during the meeting regarding the draft document under 
review. The draft document and EPA's charge to the peer reviewers are 
available primarily via the Internet on NCEA's home page under the 
Recent Additions and Publications menus at https://www.epa.gov/ncea. In 
preparing a final report, EPA will consider the comments and 
recommendations from the external peer review meeting and any public 
comments that EPA receives in accordance with this notice.

DATES: The peer review panel meeting will begin on March 14, 2011, at 9 
a.m. and end at 5 p.m. The 30-day public comment period begins January 
28, 2011, and ends February 28, 2011. Technical comments should be in 
writing and must be received by EPA by February 28, 2011.

ADDRESSES: The peer review meeting will be held at the Marriott 
Courtyard Arlington Crystal City/Reagan National Airport, 2899 
Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA 22202, telephone: 703-549-3434. 
The EPA contractor, Versar, Inc., is organizing, convening and 
conducting the peer review meeting. To attend the meeting, register by 
March 7, 2011, by contacting Versar, Inc. via e-mail: 
saundkat@versar.com (subject line: Biofuels Report to Congress Peer 
Review Meeting), by telephone: 703-750-3000, ext. 545, or toll free at 
1-800-2-VERSAR (1-800-283-7727), ask for Kathy Coon, the Biofuels 
Report to Congress Meeting Coordinator, or by faxing a registration 
request to 703-642-6809 (please reference the Biofuels Report to 
Congress Peer Review Meeting and include your name, title, affiliation, 
full address and contact information).
    Information on Services for Individuals with Disabilities: EPA 
welcomes the attendance of the public at the Biofuels Report to 
Congress Peer Review Meeting and will make every effort to accommodate 
persons with disabilities. For information on access or services for 
individuals with disabilities, please contact Versar, Inc. via e-mail: 
saundkat@versar.com (subject line: Biofuels Report to Congress Peer 
Review Meeting), by telephone: 703-750-3000, ext. 545, or toll free at 
1-800-2-VERSAR (1-800-

[[Page 5155]]

283-7727), ask for Kathy Coon, the Biofuels Report to Congress Meeting 
Coordinator, or by faxing a registration request to 703-642-6809 
(please reference the Biofuels Report to Congress Peer Review Meeting 
and include your name, title, affiliation, full address and contact 
information). To request accommodation of a disability, please contact 
Versar, Inc., preferably at least 10 days prior to the meeting, to give 
EPA as much time as possible to process your request.
    The draft report, Biofuels and the Environment: First Triennial 
Report to Congress, is available primarily via the Internet on the 
National Center for Environmental Assessment's home page under the 
Recent Additions and Publications menus at https://www.epa.gov/ncea. A 
limited number of paper copies are available from the Information 
Management Team, NCEA; telephone: 703-347-8561; facsimile: 703-347-
8691. If you are requesting a paper copy, please provide your name, 
mailing address, and the document title, Biofuels and the Environment: 
First Triennial Report to Congress. Copies are not available from 
Versar, Inc.
    Comments may be submitted electronically via https://www.regulations.gov, by mail, by facsimile, or by hand delivery/
courier. Please follow the detailed instructions as provided in the 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this notice.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions regarding information, 
registration, access or services for individuals with disabilities, or 
logistics for the external peer-review meeting should be directed to 
Versar, Inc., 6850 Versar Center, Springfield, VA 22151, by e-mail: 
saundkat@versar.com (subject line: Biofuels Report to Congress Peer 
Review Meeting), by telephone: 703-750-3000, ext. 545 or toll free at 
1-800-2-VERSAR (1-800-283-7727), ask for Kathy Coon, the Biofuels 
Report to Congress Meeting Coordinator. To request accommodation of a 
disability, please contact Versar, Inc. preferably at least 10 days 
prior to the meeting, to give as much time as possible to process your 
request.
    For information on the public comment period, contact the Office of 
Environmental Information Docket; telephone: 202-566-1752; facsimile: 
202-566-1753; or e-mail: ORD.Docket@epa.gov.
    If you need technical information about the document, please 
contact Bob Frederick, National Center for Environmental Assessment 
(NCEA); telephone: 703-347-5308; facsimile: 703-347-8694; e-mail: 
frederick.bob@epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Information About the Report to Congress

    Many different feedstocks can be used to produce different types of 
biofuels. This report focuses on impacts from production and use of six 
feedstocks: Corn and soybeans, which together account for the vast 
majority of biofuel feedstock currently in use, and four others (corn 
stover, perennial grasses, woody biomass and algae) that represent a 
range of feedstocks under development.
    Two biofuels, ethanol (both conventional and cellulosic) and 
biomass-based diesel, are emphasized in this report because they are 
the most commercially viable in 2010 and/or projected to be the most 
commercially available by 2022.
    As required by the Energy Independence and Security Act (Section 
204) of 2007, the report covers impacts on air and water quality, soil 
quality and conservation, water availability, ecosystem health and 
biodiversity; the potential invasiveness of feedstocks; and 
international environmental impacts. This report reviews impacts and 
mitigation tools across the entire biofuel supply chain, including 
feedstock production and logistics, and biofuel production, 
distribution, and use.
    Throughout the biofuel supply chain, activities take place and 
materials are used that have the potential to impact the environment or 
affect resource use and availability. The specific impacts associated 
with a particular feedstock or biofuel will vary depending on many 
factors, including the type, source and method of feedstock production; 
the technology used to convert the feedstock to fuel; methods used and 
distances traveled to transport biofuels; the types and quantities of 
biofuels used; and, controls in place to avoid or mitigate any impacts. 
EPA's ability to assess environmental and resource conservation impacts 
is constrained by substantial uncertainties. Since many feedstock 
technologies are in the early stages of research and development, data 
relevant to impacts are limited and projections of their potential 
future use are highly speculative.

II. Meeting Information

    Members of the public may attend the peer review meeting as 
observers and there will be a limited time of no more than five minutes 
for individual comments from the public during the meeting. Please let 
Versar, Inc. know if you wish to make comments during the meeting. 
Space is limited, and reservations will be accepted on a first-come, 
first-served basis.

III. How To Submit Technical Comments to the Docket at 
www.regulations.gov

    Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-ORD-2010-
1077, by one of the following methods:
     https://www.regulations.gov: Follow the on-line 
instructions for submitting comments.
     E-mail: ORD.Docket@epa.gov.
     Fax: 202-566-1753.
     Mail: Office of Environmental Information (OEI) Docket 
(Mail Code: 2822T), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 
Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460. The phone number is 202-
566-1752.
     Hand Delivery: The OEI Docket is located in the EPA 
Headquarters Docket Center, Room 3334 EPA West Building, 1301 
Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC. The EPA Docket Center 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. Deliveries are only accepted during the 
Docket's normal hours of operation, and special arrangements should be 
made for deliveries of boxed information.
    If you provide comments by mail or hand delivery, please submit 
three copies of the comments. For attachments, provide an index, number 
pages consecutively with the comments, and submit an unbound original 
and three copies.
    Instructions: Direct your comments to Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-ORD-
2010-1077. Please ensure that your comments are submitted within the 
specified comment period. Comments received after the closing date will 
be marked ``late'' and may only be considered if time permits. It is 
EPA's policy to include all comments it receives in the public docket 
without change and to make the comments available online at https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided, 
unless a 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 https://www.regulations.gov or e-
mail. The https://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 https://

[[Page 5156]]

www.regulations.gov, your e-mail address will be automatically captured 
and included as part of the comment that is placed in the public docket 
and made available on the Internet. If you submit an electronic 
comment, EPA recommends that you include your name and other contact 
information in the body of your comment and with any disk or CD-ROM you 
submit. If EPA cannot read your comment due to technical difficulties 
and cannot contact you for clarification, EPA may not be able to 
consider your comment. Electronic files should avoid the use of special 
characters, any form of encryption and be free of any defects or 
viruses. For additional information about EPA's public docket visit the 
EPA Docket Center homepage at https://www.epa.gov/epahome/dockets.htm.
    Docket: Documents in the docket are listed in the https://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 materials, 
such as copyrighted material, are publicly available only in hard copy. 
Publicly available docket materials are available either electronically 
in https://www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at the OEI Docket in the 
EPA Headquarters Docket Center.

    Dated: January 24, 2011.
Darrell A. Winner,
Acting Director, National Center for Environmental Assessment.
[FR Doc. 2011-1920 Filed 1-27-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
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