Notice of Availability of Midterm Evaluation Draft Technical Assessment Report for Model Year 2022-2025 Light Duty Vehicle GHG Emissions and CAFE Standards, 49217-49220 [2016-17649]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 144 / Wednesday, July 27, 2016 / Notices previously approved information collection. Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before August 26, 2016. ADDRESSES: To access and review all the documents related to the information collection listed in this notice, please use https://www.regulations.gov by searching the Docket ID number ED– 2016–ICCD–0061. Comments submitted in response to this notice should be submitted electronically through the Federal eRulemaking Portal at https:// www.regulations.gov by selecting the Docket ID number or via postal mail, commercial delivery, or hand delivery. Please note that comments submitted by fax or email and those submitted after the comment period will not be accepted. Written requests for information or comments submitted by postal mail or delivery should be addressed to the Director of the Information Collection Clearance Division, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., LBJ, Room 2E–343, Washington, DC 20202–4537. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For specific questions related to collection activities, please contact NCES Information Collections at NCES.Information.Collections@ed.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Department of Education (ED), in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)), provides the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed, revised, and continuing collections of information. This helps the Department assess the impact of its information collection requirements and minimize the public’s reporting burden. It also helps the public understand the Department’s information collection requirements and provide the requested data in the desired format. ED is soliciting comments on the proposed information collection request (ICR) that is described below. The Department of Education is especially interested in public comment addressing the following issues: (1) Is this collection necessary to the proper functions of the Department; (2) will this information be processed and used in a timely manner; (3) is the estimate of burden accurate; (4) how might the Department enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (5) how might the Department minimize the burden of this collection on the respondents, including through the use of information technology. Please note that written comments received in sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES DATES: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:01 Jul 26, 2016 Jkt 238001 response to this notice will be considered public records. Title of Collection: 2018 Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS 2018) Main Study Recruitment and Field Test. OMB Control Number: 1850–0888. Type of Review: A reinstatement of a previously approved information collection. Respondents/Affected Public: Individuals. Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 1,228. Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 1,949. Abstract: The Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS) is an international survey of teachers and principals that focuses on the working conditions of teachers and the teaching and learning practices in schools. TALIS was first administered in 2008 and is conducted every five years. Having participated in 2013 but not in 2008, the United States will administer TALIS for the second time in 2018. TALIS is sponsored by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). In the United States, TALIS is conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), of the Institute of Education Sciences within the U.S. Department of Education. TALIS 2018 will address teacher training and professional development, teachers’ appraisal, school climate, school leadership, teachers’ instructional approaches, and teachers’ pedagogical practices. In February 2017, TALIS 2018 field test will be conducted to evaluate newly developed teacher and school questionnaire items and test the survey operations. This request is for recruitment and pre-survey activities for the 2017 field test sample, administration of the field test, and recruitment of schools for the 2018 main study sample. Dated: July 22, 2016. Stephanie Valentine, Acting Director, Information Collection Clearance Division, Office of the Chief Privacy Officer, Office of Management. [FR Doc. 2016–17771 Filed 7–26–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000–01–P PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 49217 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION [EPA–HQ–OAR–2015–0827; NHTSA–2016– 0068; FRL–9949–54–OAR] RIN 2060–AS97; RIN 2127–AL76 Notice of Availability of Midterm Evaluation Draft Technical Assessment Report for Model Year 2022–2025 Light Duty Vehicle GHG Emissions and CAFE Standards Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Transportation (DOT), National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have established a coordinated National Program for Federal standards for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) for light-duty vehicles. As part of that National Program, EPA and NHTSA, along with the California Air Resources Board (CARB), have jointly prepared and are requesting comment on a Draft Technical Assessment Report. In the Draft Technical Assessment Report, the agencies examine a wide range of issues relevant to GHG emissions and CAFE standards for model years (MY) 2022– 2025, and share with the public their initial technical analyses of those issues. EPA is required to prepare the Draft Technical Assessment Report by its rules which establish the Midterm Evaluation. The draft TAR is the first formal step in the Midterm Evaluation process. NHTSA is participating in the Midterm Evaluation process as part of its de novo rulemaking to establish final CAFE standards for MY 2022–2025. CARB, in its support of the National Program in lieu of a separate California program, committed to participating in the Midterm Evaluation process. The agencies will fully consider public comments received on the Draft Technical Assessment Report as they proceed with the Midterm Evaluation. DATES: Comments: In order for comments to be most helpful to this ongoing Midterm Evaluation process, the agencies encourage parties wishing to comment on the Draft Technical Assessment Report to submit their comments by September 26, 2016. See the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for more information about the Midterm SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\27JYN1.SGM 27JYN1 49218 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 144 / Wednesday, July 27, 2016 / Notices sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES Evaluation process and the Draft Technical Assessment Report. ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA–HQ– OAR–2015–0827 and/or Docket No. NHTSA–2016–0068, to the Federal eRulemaking Portal: https:// www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Once submitted, comments cannot be edited or withdrawn. The EPA and NHTSA may publish any comment received to its public docket. Do not submit electronically any information you consider to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Multimedia submissions (audio, video, etc.) must be accompanied by a written comment. The written comment is considered the official comment and should include discussion of all points you wish to make. The EPA and NHTSA will not consider comments or comment contents located outside of the submission to the official dockets (i.e., located elsewhere on the web, cloud, or in another file sharing system). For additional submission methods, the full EPA public comment policy, information about CBI or multimedia submissions, and general guidance on making effective comments, please visit https://www2.epa.gov/dockets/ commenting-epa-dockets. NHTSA also allows comments to be submitted by the following methods: • Mail: Docket Management Facility, M–30, U.S. Department of Transportation, West Building, Ground Floor, Rm. W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590. • Hand Delivery: West Building, Ground Floor, Rm. W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Since CARB is a joint author on the Draft Technical Assessment Report, the agencies are requesting that commenters, in addition to submitting comments to the EPA and/or NHTSA docket, also submit their comments directly to CARB at: https:// www.arb.ca.gov/lispub/comm2/ bcsubform.php?listname=drafttar2016ws. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: EPA: Christopher Lieske, Office of Transportation and Air Quality, Assessment and Standards Division, Environmental Protection Agency, 2000 Traverwood Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48105; telephone number: 734– 214–4584; fax number: 734–214– VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:01 Jul 26, 2016 Jkt 238001 4816; email address: lieske.christopher@epa.gov NHTSA: Rebecca Yoon, Office of Chief Counsel, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590. Telephone: (202) 366–2992, email: rebecca.yoon@dot.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A. Public Participation NHTSA and EPA request comment on all aspects of the Draft Technical Assessment Report discussed below. This section describes how you can participate in this process. How do I prepare and submit comments? For the convenience of all parties, comments submitted to the EPA docket will be considered comments submitted to the NHTSA docket, and vice versa. Therefore, commenters only need to submit comments to either one of the two agency dockets, although they may choose to submit comments to both. Comments that are submitted for consideration by one agency should be identified as such, and comments that are submitted for consideration by both agencies should be identified as such. Absent such identification, each agency will exercise its best judgment to determine whether a comment is directed at its individual work. Further instructions for submitting comments to either the EPA or NHTSA docket are described below. EPA: Direct your comments to Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–OAR–2015–0827. EPA’s policy is that all comments received will be included in the public docket without change and may be made available online at www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided, unless the comment includes information claimed to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute.1 Do not submit information that you consider to be CBI or otherwise protected through www.regulations.gov or email. The www.regulations.gov Web site is an ‘‘anonymous access’’ system, which means EPA will not know your identity or contact information unless you provide it in the body of your comment. If you send an email comment directly to EPA without going through www.regulations.gov, your email address will be automatically captured and included as part of the 1 This statement constitutes notice to commenters pursuant to 40 CFR 2.209(c) that EPA will share confidential information received with NHTSA unless commenters specify that they wish to submit their CBI only to EPA and not to both agencies. PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 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. NHTSA: Your comments must be written and in English. To ensure that your comments are correctly filed in the Docket, please include the Docket number NHTSA–2016–0068 in your comments. Your comments must not be more than 15 pages long. NHTSA established this limit to encourage you to write your primary comments in a concise fashion. However, you may attach necessary additional documents to your comments. There is no limit on the length of the attachments. If you are submitting comments electronically as a PDF (Adobe) file, we ask that the documents submitted be scanned using the Optical Character Recognition (OCR) process, thus allowing the agencies to search and copy certain portions of your submissions. Please note that pursuant to the Data Quality Act, in order for the substantive data to be relied upon and used by the agencies, it must meet the information quality standards set forth in the OMB and Department of Transportation (DOT) Data Quality Act guidelines. Accordingly, we encourage you to consult the guidelines in preparing your comments. OMB’s guidelines may be accessed at https:// www.whitehouse.gov/omb/fedreg/ reproducible.html. DOT’s guidelines may be accessed at https://www.dot.gov/ dataquality.htm. Tips for Preparing Your Comments When submitting comments, remember to: • Identify the action by docket number and other identifying information (subject heading, Federal Register date and page number). • Explain why you agree or disagree, suggest alternatives, and substitute language for your requested changes. • Describe any assumptions and provide any technical information and/ or data that you used. • If you estimate potential costs or burdens, explain how you arrived at E:\FR\FM\27JYN1.SGM 27JYN1 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 144 / Wednesday, July 27, 2016 / Notices your estimate in sufficient detail to allow for it to be reproduced. • Provide specific examples to illustrate your concerns, and suggest alternatives. • Explain your views as clearly as possible, avoiding the use of profanity or personal threats. • Make sure to submit your comments by the comment period deadline identified in the DATES section above. sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES How can I be sure that my comments were received? NHTSA: If you submit your comments by mail and wish Docket Management to notify you upon its receipt of your comments, enclose a self-addressed, stamped postcard in the envelope containing your comments. Upon receiving your comments, Docket Management will return the postcard by mail. How do I submit confidential business information? Any confidential business information (CBI) submitted to one of the agencies will also be available to the other agency. However, as with all public comments, any CBI information only needs to be submitted to either one of the agencies’ dockets and it will be available to the other. Following are specific instructions for submitting CBI to either agency. EPA: Do not submit CBI to EPA through https://www.regulations.gov or email. Clearly mark the part or all of the information that you claim to be CBI. For CBI information in a disk or CD ROM that you mail to EPA, mark the outside of the disk or CD ROM as CBI and then identify electronically within the disk or CD ROM the specific information that is claimed as CBI. In addition to one complete version of the comment that includes information claimed as CBI, a copy of the comment that does not contain the information claimed as CBI must be submitted for inclusion in the public docket. Information so marked will not be disclosed except in accordance with procedures set forth in 40 CFR part 2. NHTSA: If you wish to submit any information under a claim of confidentiality, you should submit three copies of your complete submission, including the information you claim to be confidential business information, to the Chief Counsel, NHTSA, at the address given below under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. When you send a comment containing confidential business information, you should include a cover letter setting forth the information specified in our VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:01 Jul 26, 2016 Jkt 238001 confidential business information regulation.2 In addition, you should submit a copy from which you have deleted the claimed confidential business information to the Docket by one of the methods set forth above. How can I read the comments submitted by other people? You may read the materials placed in the docket for this document (e.g., the comments submitted in response to this document by other interested persons) at any time by going to https:// www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for accessing the dockets. You may also read the materials at the EPA Docket Center (details provided at https://www.epa.gov/dockets/epadocket-center-reading-room) or NHTSA Docket Management Facility by going to the street addresses given above under ADDRESSES. B. Overview of the Midterm Evaluation and the Draft Technical Assessment Report The EPA and NHTSA have conducted two joint rulemakings to establish a coordinated National Program for stringent Federal CAFE and GHG emissions standards for light-duty vehicles. The agencies finalized the first set of National Program standards covering MYs 2012–2016 in May 2010 3 and the second set of standards, covering MYs 2017–2025 for EPA and final standards for 2017–2021 and augural standards for 2022 to 2025 for NHTSA, in October 2012.4 The National Program establishes standards that increase in stringency year-over-year from MY 2012 through the final years of the program. Through the coordination of the National Program with the California standards, automakers can build one single fleet of vehicles across the U.S. that satisfies all applicable requirements, and consumers can continue to have a full range of vehicle choices that meet their needs. In the 2012 final rule, the agencies projected that the National Program would reach a level by 2025 that nearly doubles fuel economy and cuts GHG emissions in half as compared to MY 2008, and would reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) pollution by 6 billion metric tons and oil consumption by 12 billion barrels over the lifetime of MY 2012–2025 vehicles. In addition, the standards are projected to provide significant savings PO 00000 2 See 49 CFR part 512. FR 25324, May 7, 2010. 4 77 FR 62624, October 15, 2012. for consumers due to reduced fuel use, and thus reduced expenditures on fuel. The rulemaking establishing the National Program for MY 2017–2025 light-duty vehicles included a regulatory requirement for EPA to conduct a Midterm Evaluation (MTE) of the GHG standards established for MYs 2022–2025.5 The 2012 final rule preamble also states that ‘‘[t]he midterm evaluation reflects the rules’ long time frame, and, for NHTSA, the agency’s statutory obligation to conduct a de novo rulemaking in order to establish final standards for MYs 2022– 2025.’’ NHTSA will consider information gathered as part of the MTE record, including information submitted through public comments, in the comprehensive de novo rulemaking it must undertake to set CAFE standards for MYs 2022–2025. Through the MTE, EPA will determine no later than April 1, 2018 whether the GHG standards for MYs 2022–2025, established in 2012, are still appropriate, within the meaning of section 202(a) of the Clean Air Act, in light of the record then before the Administrator, given the latest available data and information. See 40 CFR 86.1818–12(h). EPA’s decision could go one of three ways: The standards remain appropriate, the standards should be less stringent, or the standards should be more stringent. In addition, ‘‘[i]n order to align the agencies’ proceedings for MYs 2022–2025 and to maintain a joint national program, EPA and NHTSA will finalize their actions related to MYs 2022–2025 standard concurrently. If the EPA determination is that the standards may change, the agencies will issue a joint NPRM and joint final rules.’’ See 77 FR 62628 (October 15, 2012). The MTE is a collaborative, datadriven, and transparent process that will be a holistic assessment of all of factors considered in standards setting, and the expected impact of those factors on manufacturers’ ability to comply, without placing decisive weight on any particular factor or projection. See 77 FR 62784 (October 15, 2012). The MTE analysis is to be as robust and comprehensive as that in the original 2012 final rule. Id. EPA and NHTSA also are closely coordinating with the California Air Resources Board (CARB) in conducting the MTE to better ensure the continuation of the National Program. Id. The agencies fully expect to conduct the MTE in close coordination with CARB. The Draft TAR is the first formal step in the MTE process and is being issued jointly by EPA, NHTSA, and CARB for 3 75 Frm 00012 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 49219 5 See E:\FR\FM\27JYN1.SGM 40 CFR 86.1818–12(h). 27JYN1 sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES 49220 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 144 / Wednesday, July 27, 2016 / Notices public comment. EPA is required to prepare and seek public comment on the Draft TAR.6 The Draft TAR is a technical report, not a decision document. The Draft TAR is an opportunity for all three agencies to share with the public the initial technical analyses of a wide range of issues relevant to the MY 2022–2025 standards. The Draft TAR is a first step in the process that will ultimately inform, for EPA, whether the MY 2022– 2025 GHG standards adopted by EPA in 2012 should remain in place or should change, and, for NHTSA, what MY 2022–2025 CAFE standards will be maximum feasible under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA), as amended by the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) of 2007 (49 U.S.C. 32902). The preamble to the 2012 final rule states that ‘‘[t]he TAR will examine the same issues and underlying analyses and projections considered in the original rulemaking including technical and other analyses related to each agency’s authority to set standards as well as any relevant new issues that may present themselves.’’ 77 FR 62784 (October 15, 2012). The agencies have conducted extensive research and analyses to support the MTE, as discussed throughout the Draft TAR. As part of gathering robust data and information to inform the MTE, the agencies also have conducted extensive outreach with a wide range of stakeholders—including auto manufacturers, automotive suppliers, non-governmental organizations, consumer groups, labor unions, state and local governments, the academic and research communities, and others. Among other things, the Draft TAR presents analyses reflecting this research and information obtained during the agencies’ outreach, presents updated assessments of available technologies’ effectiveness and costs since the 2012 final rule, and offers an opportunity for public comment on the agencies’ analyses thus far. The agencies will fully consider public comments on the Draft TAR as they continue the MTE process. The Draft TAR and related materials are available in the public dockets for this action (see ADDRESSES above) and at https://www3.epa.gov/otaq/climate/ mte.htm and https://www.nhtsa.gov/ Laws+&+Regulations/CAFE++Fuel+Economy/ld-cafe-midtermevaluation-2022-25. 6 See 40 CFR 86.1818–12(h)(2)(i). VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:01 Jul 26, 2016 Jkt 238001 Dated: July 15, 2016. Anthony R. Foxx, Secretary, Department of Transportation. Dated: July 15, 2016. Gina McCarthy, Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency. [FR Doc. 2016–17649 Filed 7–26–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [EPA–HQ–ORD–2016–0467; FRL–9949–80– ORD] Board of Scientific Counselors Safe and Sustainable Water Resources Subcommittee; Notification of Public Meeting and Public Comment Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notification of public meeting and public comment. AGENCY: Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act, Public Law 92–463, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) hereby provides notice that the Board of Scientific Counselors (BOSC) Safe and Sustainable Water Resources Subcommittee (SSWR) will host a public meeting at the Hyatt Regency in Cincinnati, Ohio, convening on Wednesday, August 24, 2016, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; and Thursday, August 25, 2016, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The focus of the meeting will be on discussing the Safe and Sustainable Water Resources Strategic Research Action Plan’s water systems research. There will be a public comment period from 10:45 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Eastern Time on August 25, 2016. For information on registering to attend the meeting or to provide public comment, please see the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below. Preregistration is required. The deadline to sign up to speak during the public comment period closes August 19, 2016. The deadline to submit written public comment is August 22, 2016. DATES: The BOSC SSWR meeting will be held on Wednesday, August 24, 2016, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; and Thursday, August 25, 2016, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. All times noted are Eastern Time and are approximate. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions or correspondence concerning the meeting should be directed to Tom Tracy, Designated Federal Officer, Environmental Protection Agency, by mail at 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW., (MC 8104 SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 R), Washington, DC 20460, by telephone at 202–564–6518; fax at 202–565–2911; or via email at tracy.tom@epa.gov. The Charter of the BOSC states that the advisory committee shall provide independent advice to the Administrator on technical and management aspects of the ORD’s research program. Additional information about the BOSC is available at: https://www2.epa.gov/bosc. Registration: In order to attend the meeting you must register at the following site: https:// www.eventbrite.com/e/us-epa-bosc-safeand-sustainable-water-resourcessubcommittee-tickets-26329523313. Once you have completed the online registration, you will be contacted and provided with the meeting information and ticket. Oral Statements: Members of the public who wish to provide oral comment during the meeting must preregister. Individuals or groups making remarks during the public comment period will be limited to five (5) minutes. To accommodate the number of people who want to address the BOSC SSWR Subcommittee, only one representative of a particular community, organization, or group will be allowed to speak. Written Statements: Written comments for the public meeting must be received by Monday, August 22, 2016, and will be included in the materials distributed to the BOSC SSWR Subcommittee prior to the meeting. Written comments should be sent to Tom Tracy, Environmental Protection Agency, via email at tracy.tom@epa.gov or by mail to 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW., (MC 8104 R), Washington, DC 20460, or submitted through regulations.gov, Docket ID No. EPA– HQ–ORD–2015–0467. Members of the public should be aware that their personal contact information, if included in any written comments, may be posted online at regulations.gov. Information about Services for Individuals with Disabilities: For information about access or services for individuals with disabilities, please contact Tom Tracy, at 202–564–6518 or via email at tracy.tom@epa.gov. To request special accommodations, please contact Tom Tracy no later than August 19, 2016, to give the Environmental Protection Agency sufficient time to process your request. All requests should be sent to the address, email, or phone number listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION section above. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: E:\FR\FM\27JYN1.SGM 27JYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 144 (Wednesday, July 27, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49217-49220]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-17649]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[EPA-HQ-OAR-2015-0827; NHTSA-2016-0068; FRL-9949-54-OAR]
RIN 2060-AS97; RIN 2127-AL76


Notice of Availability of Midterm Evaluation Draft Technical 
Assessment Report for Model Year 2022-2025 Light Duty Vehicle GHG 
Emissions and CAFE Standards

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of 
Transportation (DOT), National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 
(NHTSA).

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National 
Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have established a 
coordinated National Program for Federal standards for greenhouse gas 
(GHG) emissions and corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) for light-
duty vehicles. As part of that National Program, EPA and NHTSA, along 
with the California Air Resources Board (CARB), have jointly prepared 
and are requesting comment on a Draft Technical Assessment Report. In 
the Draft Technical Assessment Report, the agencies examine a wide 
range of issues relevant to GHG emissions and CAFE standards for model 
years (MY) 2022-2025, and share with the public their initial technical 
analyses of those issues. EPA is required to prepare the Draft 
Technical Assessment Report by its rules which establish the Midterm 
Evaluation. The draft TAR is the first formal step in the Midterm 
Evaluation process. NHTSA is participating in the Midterm Evaluation 
process as part of its de novo rulemaking to establish final CAFE 
standards for MY 2022-2025. CARB, in its support of the National 
Program in lieu of a separate California program, committed to 
participating in the Midterm Evaluation process. The agencies will 
fully consider public comments received on the Draft Technical 
Assessment Report as they proceed with the Midterm Evaluation.

DATES: Comments: In order for comments to be most helpful to this 
ongoing Midterm Evaluation process, the agencies encourage parties 
wishing to comment on the Draft Technical Assessment Report to submit 
their comments by September 26, 2016. See the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION 
section for more information about the Midterm

[[Page 49218]]

Evaluation process and the Draft Technical Assessment Report.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-
OAR-2015-0827 and/or Docket No. NHTSA-2016-0068, to the Federal 
eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online 
instructions for submitting comments. Once submitted, comments cannot 
be edited or withdrawn. The EPA and NHTSA may publish any comment 
received to its public docket. Do not submit electronically any 
information you consider to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) 
or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. 
Multimedia submissions (audio, video, etc.) must be accompanied by a 
written comment. The written comment is considered the official comment 
and should include discussion of all points you wish to make. The EPA 
and NHTSA will not consider comments or comment contents located 
outside of the submission to the official dockets (i.e., located 
elsewhere on the web, cloud, or in another file sharing system). For 
additional submission methods, the full EPA public comment policy, 
information about CBI or multimedia submissions, and general guidance 
on making effective comments, please visit https://www2.epa.gov/dockets/commenting-epa-dockets.
    NHTSA also allows comments to be submitted by the following 
methods:
     Mail: Docket Management Facility, M-30, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, West Building, Ground Floor, Rm. W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: West Building, Ground Floor, Rm. W12-140, 
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 4 
p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

Since CARB is a joint author on the Draft Technical Assessment Report, 
the agencies are requesting that commenters, in addition to submitting 
comments to the EPA and/or NHTSA docket, also submit their comments 
directly to CARB at: https://www.arb.ca.gov/lispub/comm2/bcsubform.php?listname=drafttar2016-ws.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
EPA: Christopher Lieske, Office of Transportation and Air Quality, 
Assessment and Standards Division, Environmental Protection Agency, 
2000 Traverwood Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48105; telephone number: 734-214-
4584; fax number: 734-214-4816; email address: 
lieske.christopher@epa.gov
NHTSA: Rebecca Yoon, Office of Chief Counsel, National Highway Traffic 
Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 
20590. Telephone: (202) 366-2992, email: rebecca.yoon@dot.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

A. Public Participation

    NHTSA and EPA request comment on all aspects of the Draft Technical 
Assessment Report discussed below. This section describes how you can 
participate in this process.

How do I prepare and submit comments?

    For the convenience of all parties, comments submitted to the EPA 
docket will be considered comments submitted to the NHTSA docket, and 
vice versa. Therefore, commenters only need to submit comments to 
either one of the two agency dockets, although they may choose to 
submit comments to both. Comments that are submitted for consideration 
by one agency should be identified as such, and comments that are 
submitted for consideration by both agencies should be identified as 
such. Absent such identification, each agency will exercise its best 
judgment to determine whether a comment is directed at its individual 
work.
    Further instructions for submitting comments to either the EPA or 
NHTSA docket are described below.
    EPA: Direct your comments to Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2015-0827. 
EPA's policy is that all comments received will be included in the 
public docket without change and may be made available online at 
www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided, 
unless the comment includes information claimed to be Confidential 
Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is 
restricted by statute.\1\ Do not submit information that you consider 
to be CBI or otherwise protected through www.regulations.gov or email. 
The www.regulations.gov Web site is an ``anonymous access'' system, 
which means EPA will not know your identity or contact information 
unless you provide it in the body of your comment. If you send an email 
comment directly to EPA without going through www.regulations.gov, your 
email address will be automatically captured and included as part of 
the comment that is placed in the public docket and made available on 
the Internet. If you submit an electronic comment, EPA recommends that 
you include your name and other contact information in the body of your 
comment and with any disk or CD-ROM you submit. If EPA cannot read your 
comment due to technical difficulties and cannot contact you for 
clarification, EPA may not be able to consider your comment. Electronic 
files should avoid the use of special characters, any form of 
encryption, and be free of any defects or viruses. For additional 
information about EPA's public docket visit the EPA Docket Center 
homepage at https://www.epa.gov/epahome/dockets.htm.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ This statement constitutes notice to commenters pursuant to 
40 CFR 2.209(c) that EPA will share confidential information 
received with NHTSA unless commenters specify that they wish to 
submit their CBI only to EPA and not to both agencies.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    NHTSA: Your comments must be written and in English. To ensure that 
your comments are correctly filed in the Docket, please include the 
Docket number NHTSA-2016-0068 in your comments. Your comments must not 
be more than 15 pages long. NHTSA established this limit to encourage 
you to write your primary comments in a concise fashion. However, you 
may attach necessary additional documents to your comments. There is no 
limit on the length of the attachments. If you are submitting comments 
electronically as a PDF (Adobe) file, we ask that the documents 
submitted be scanned using the Optical Character Recognition (OCR) 
process, thus allowing the agencies to search and copy certain portions 
of your submissions. Please note that pursuant to the Data Quality Act, 
in order for the substantive data to be relied upon and used by the 
agencies, it must meet the information quality standards set forth in 
the OMB and Department of Transportation (DOT) Data Quality Act 
guidelines. Accordingly, we encourage you to consult the guidelines in 
preparing your comments. OMB's guidelines may be accessed at https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/fedreg/reproducible.html. DOT's guidelines may 
be accessed at https://www.dot.gov/dataquality.htm.

Tips for Preparing Your Comments

    When submitting comments, remember to:
     Identify the action by docket number and other identifying 
information (subject heading, Federal Register date and page number).
     Explain why you agree or disagree, suggest alternatives, 
and substitute language for your requested changes.
     Describe any assumptions and provide any technical 
information and/or data that you used.
     If you estimate potential costs or burdens, explain how 
you arrived at

[[Page 49219]]

your estimate in sufficient detail to allow for it to be reproduced.
     Provide specific examples to illustrate your concerns, and 
suggest alternatives.
     Explain your views as clearly as possible, avoiding the 
use of profanity or personal threats.
     Make sure to submit your comments by the comment period 
deadline identified in the DATES section above.

How can I be sure that my comments were received?

    NHTSA: If you submit your comments by mail and wish Docket 
Management to notify you upon its receipt of your comments, enclose a 
self-addressed, stamped postcard in the envelope containing your 
comments. Upon receiving your comments, Docket Management will return 
the postcard by mail.

How do I submit confidential business information?

    Any confidential business information (CBI) submitted to one of the 
agencies will also be available to the other agency. However, as with 
all public comments, any CBI information only needs to be submitted to 
either one of the agencies' dockets and it will be available to the 
other. Following are specific instructions for submitting CBI to either 
agency.
    EPA: Do not submit CBI to EPA through https://www.regulations.gov or 
email. Clearly mark the part or all of the information that you claim 
to be CBI. For CBI information in a disk or CD ROM that you mail to 
EPA, mark the outside of the disk or CD ROM as CBI and then identify 
electronically within the disk or CD ROM the specific information that 
is claimed as CBI. In addition to one complete version of the comment 
that includes information claimed as CBI, a copy of the comment that 
does not contain the information claimed as CBI must be submitted for 
inclusion in the public docket. Information so marked will not be 
disclosed except in accordance with procedures set forth in 40 CFR part 
2.
    NHTSA: If you wish to submit any information under a claim of 
confidentiality, you should submit three copies of your complete 
submission, including the information you claim to be confidential 
business information, to the Chief Counsel, NHTSA, at the address given 
below under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. When you send a comment 
containing confidential business information, you should include a 
cover letter setting forth the information specified in our 
confidential business information regulation.\2\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ See 49 CFR part 512.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In addition, you should submit a copy from which you have deleted 
the claimed confidential business information to the Docket by one of 
the methods set forth above.

How can I read the comments submitted by other people?

    You may read the materials placed in the docket for this document 
(e.g., the comments submitted in response to this document by other 
interested persons) at any time by going to https://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the online instructions for accessing the dockets. You may also 
read the materials at the EPA Docket Center (details provided at 
https://www.epa.gov/dockets/epa-docket-center-reading-room) or NHTSA 
Docket Management Facility by going to the street addresses given above 
under ADDRESSES.

B. Overview of the Midterm Evaluation and the Draft Technical 
Assessment Report

    The EPA and NHTSA have conducted two joint rulemakings to establish 
a coordinated National Program for stringent Federal CAFE and GHG 
emissions standards for light-duty vehicles. The agencies finalized the 
first set of National Program standards covering MYs 2012-2016 in May 
2010 \3\ and the second set of standards, covering MYs 2017-2025 for 
EPA and final standards for 2017-2021 and augural standards for 2022 to 
2025 for NHTSA, in October 2012.\4\ The National Program establishes 
standards that increase in stringency year-over-year from MY 2012 
through the final years of the program. Through the coordination of the 
National Program with the California standards, automakers can build 
one single fleet of vehicles across the U.S. that satisfies all 
applicable requirements, and consumers can continue to have a full 
range of vehicle choices that meet their needs. In the 2012 final rule, 
the agencies projected that the National Program would reach a level by 
2025 that nearly doubles fuel economy and cuts GHG emissions in half as 
compared to MY 2008, and would reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) 
pollution by 6 billion metric tons and oil consumption by 12 billion 
barrels over the lifetime of MY 2012-2025 vehicles. In addition, the 
standards are projected to provide significant savings for consumers 
due to reduced fuel use, and thus reduced expenditures on fuel.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ 75 FR 25324, May 7, 2010.
    \4\ 77 FR 62624, October 15, 2012.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The rulemaking establishing the National Program for MY 2017-2025 
light-duty vehicles included a regulatory requirement for EPA to 
conduct a Midterm Evaluation (MTE) of the GHG standards established for 
MYs 2022-2025.\5\ The 2012 final rule preamble also states that ``[t]he 
mid-term evaluation reflects the rules' long time frame, and, for 
NHTSA, the agency's statutory obligation to conduct a de novo 
rulemaking in order to establish final standards for MYs 2022-2025.'' 
NHTSA will consider information gathered as part of the MTE record, 
including information submitted through public comments, in the 
comprehensive de novo rulemaking it must undertake to set CAFE 
standards for MYs 2022-2025. Through the MTE, EPA will determine no 
later than April 1, 2018 whether the GHG standards for MYs 2022-2025, 
established in 2012, are still appropriate, within the meaning of 
section 202(a) of the Clean Air Act, in light of the record then before 
the Administrator, given the latest available data and information. See 
40 CFR 86.1818-12(h). EPA's decision could go one of three ways: The 
standards remain appropriate, the standards should be less stringent, 
or the standards should be more stringent. In addition, ``[i]n order to 
align the agencies' proceedings for MYs 2022-2025 and to maintain a 
joint national program, EPA and NHTSA will finalize their actions 
related to MYs 2022-2025 standard concurrently. If the EPA 
determination is that the standards may change, the agencies will issue 
a joint NPRM and joint final rules.'' See 77 FR 62628 (October 15, 
2012).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ See 40 CFR 86.1818-12(h).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The MTE is a collaborative, data-driven, and transparent process 
that will be a holistic assessment of all of factors considered in 
standards setting, and the expected impact of those factors on 
manufacturers' ability to comply, without placing decisive weight on 
any particular factor or projection. See 77 FR 62784 (October 15, 
2012). The MTE analysis is to be as robust and comprehensive as that in 
the original 2012 final rule. Id. EPA and NHTSA also are closely 
coordinating with the California Air Resources Board (CARB) in 
conducting the MTE to better ensure the continuation of the National 
Program. Id. The agencies fully expect to conduct the MTE in close 
coordination with CARB.
    The Draft TAR is the first formal step in the MTE process and is 
being issued jointly by EPA, NHTSA, and CARB for

[[Page 49220]]

public comment. EPA is required to prepare and seek public comment on 
the Draft TAR.\6\ The Draft TAR is a technical report, not a decision 
document. The Draft TAR is an opportunity for all three agencies to 
share with the public the initial technical analyses of a wide range of 
issues relevant to the MY 2022-2025 standards. The Draft TAR is a first 
step in the process that will ultimately inform, for EPA, whether the 
MY 2022-2025 GHG standards adopted by EPA in 2012 should remain in 
place or should change, and, for NHTSA, what MY 2022-2025 CAFE 
standards will be maximum feasible under the Energy Policy and 
Conservation Act (EPCA), as amended by the Energy Independence and 
Security Act (EISA) of 2007 (49 U.S.C. 32902). The preamble to the 2012 
final rule states that ``[t]he TAR will examine the same issues and 
underlying analyses and projections considered in the original 
rulemaking including technical and other analyses related to each 
agency's authority to set standards as well as any relevant new issues 
that may present themselves.'' 77 FR 62784 (October 15, 2012).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \6\ See 40 CFR 86.1818-12(h)(2)(i).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The agencies have conducted extensive research and analyses to 
support the MTE, as discussed throughout the Draft TAR. As part of 
gathering robust data and information to inform the MTE, the agencies 
also have conducted extensive outreach with a wide range of 
stakeholders--including auto manufacturers, automotive suppliers, non-
governmental organizations, consumer groups, labor unions, state and 
local governments, the academic and research communities, and others. 
Among other things, the Draft TAR presents analyses reflecting this 
research and information obtained during the agencies' outreach, 
presents updated assessments of available technologies' effectiveness 
and costs since the 2012 final rule, and offers an opportunity for 
public comment on the agencies' analyses thus far. The agencies will 
fully consider public comments on the Draft TAR as they continue the 
MTE process.
    The Draft TAR and related materials are available in the public 
dockets for this action (see ADDRESSES above) and at https://www3.epa.gov/otaq/climate/mte.htm and https://www.nhtsa.gov/Laws+&+Regulations/CAFE+-+Fuel+Economy/ld-cafe-midterm-evaluation-2022-25.

    Dated: July 15, 2016.
Anthony R. Foxx,
Secretary, Department of Transportation.
    Dated: July 15, 2016.
Gina McCarthy,
Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency.
[FR Doc. 2016-17649 Filed 7-26-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.