Integrated Science Assessment for Particulate Matter (External Review Draft), 53471-53472 [2018-23125]

Download as PDF khammond on DSK30JT082PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 205 / Tuesday, October 23, 2018 / Notices Applicants: ISO New England Inc., NSTAR Electric Company. Description: § 205(d) Rate Filing: NSTAR Electric Company Request for Approval of Updated Depreciation Rates to be effective 7/1/2018. Filed Date: 10/17/18. Accession Number: 20181017–5036. Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 11/7/18. Docket Numbers: ER19–124–000. Applicants: PECO Energy Company, PJM Interconnection, L.L.C. Description: § 205(d) Rate Filing: PECO Energy submits revisions to OATT, Att. H–7A re: Stipulation in ER17–1519 to be effective 12/1/2017. Filed Date: 10/17/18. Accession Number: 20181017–5037. Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 11/7/18. Docket Numbers: ER19–125–000. Applicants: Duke Energy Florida, LLC. Description: Tariff Cancellation: DEF– US EcoGen Notice of Termination SA– 180 (LGIA) to be effective 12/17/2018. Filed Date: 10/17/18. Accession Number: 20181017–5075. Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 11/7/18. Docket Numbers: ER19–126–000. Applicants: Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc. Description: § 205(d) Rate Filing: 2018–10–17_SA 3179 Long Branch Solar-Cooperative Energy GIA (J709) to be effective 10/2/2018. Filed Date: 10/17/18. Accession Number: 20181017–5105. Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 11/7/18. Take notice that the Commission received the following electric reliability filings: Docket Numbers: RR19–1–000. Applicants: North American Electric Reliability Corporation. Description: Petition of the North American Electric Reliability Corporation for Approval of Proposed Revisions to Appendix 4E to the Rules of Procedure. Filed Date: 10/16/18. Accession Number: 20181016–5192. Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 11/6/18. The filings are accessible in the Commission’s eLibrary system by clicking on the links or querying the docket number. Any person desiring to intervene or protest in any of the above proceedings must file in accordance with Rules 211 and 214 of the Commission’s Regulations (18 CFR 385.211 and 385.214) on or before 5:00 p.m. Eastern time on the specified comment date. Protests may be considered, but intervention is necessary to become a party to the proceeding. eFiling is encouraged. More detailed information relating to filing VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:20 Oct 22, 2018 Jkt 247001 requirements, interventions, protests, service, and qualifying facilities filings can be found at: https://www.ferc.gov/ docs-filing/efiling/filing-req.pdf. For other information, call (866) 208–3676 (toll free). For TTY, call (202) 502–8659. Dated: October 17, 2018. Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr., Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. 2018–23130 Filed 10–22–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717–01–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [EPA–HQ–ORD–2014–0859; FRL–9985–68– ORD] Integrated Science Assessment for Particulate Matter (External Review Draft) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice of public comment period. AGENCY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing a public comment period for the draft document titled, ‘‘Integrated Science Assessment for Particulate Matter (External Review Draft)’’ (EPA/600/R–18/179). The draft document was prepared by the National Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA) within EPA’s Office of Research and Development (ORD) as part of the review of the primary (health-based) and secondary (welfare-based) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for particulate matter. The welfare-based effects evaluated consist of non-ecological effects, specifically visibility impairment, climate effects, and effects on materials. The Integrated Science Assessment (ISA), in conjunction with additional technical and policy assessments, provides the scientific basis for EPA’s decisions on the adequacy of the current NAAQS and the appropriateness of possible alternative standards. EPA is currently developing a separate ISA to support the secondary NAAQS review for ecological effects for oxides of nitrogen, oxides of sulfur, and particulate matter. EPA is releasing this draft document to seek review by the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC) and the public. In addition, the date and location of a public meeting for CASAC review of this document will be specified in a separate Federal Register notice. This draft document is not final and it does not represent, and should not be construed to represent, any final Agency policy or views. When revising the document, EPA will consider any SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 53471 public comments submitted during the public comment period specified in this notice. DATES: The public comment period begins on October 23, 2018, and ends December 11, 2018. Comments must be received on or before December 11, 2018. ADDRESSES: The ‘‘Integrated Science Assessment for Particulate Matter (External Review Draft)’’ will be available primarily via the internet on EPA’s Integrated Science Assessment Particulate Matter page at https:// www.epa.gov/isa/integrated-scienceassessment-isa-particulate-matter or the public docket at https:// www.regulations.gov, Docket ID: EPA– HQ–ORD–2014–0859. A limited number of CD–ROM copies will be available. Contact Ms. Marieka Boyd by phone: 919–541–0031; fax: 919–541–5078; or email: boyd.marieka@epa.gov to request a CD–ROM, and please provide your name; your mailing address; and the document title, ‘‘Integrated Science Assessment for Particulate Matter (External Review Draft)’’ to facilitate processing of your request. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information on the public comment period, contact the ORD Docket at the EPA Headquarters Docket Center; phone: 202–566–1752; fax: 202–566– 9744; or email: Docket_ORD@epa.gov. For technical information, contact Mr. Jason Sacks, NCEA; phone: 919–541– 9729; fax: 919–541–1818; or email: sacks.jason@epa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Information About the Document Section 108(a) of the Clean Air Act directs the Administrator to identify certain pollutants which, among other things, ‘‘cause or contribute to air pollution which may reasonably be anticipated to endanger public health or welfare’’ and to issue air quality criteria for them. These air quality criteria are to ‘‘accurately reflect the latest scientific knowledge useful in indicating the kind and extent of all identifiable effects on public health or welfare which may be expected from the presence of [a] pollutant in the ambient air. . .’’ Under section 109 of the Act, EPA is then to establish NAAQS for each pollutant for which EPA has issued criteria. Section 109(d) of the Act subsequently requires periodic review and, if appropriate, revision of existing air quality criteria to reflect advances in scientific knowledge on the effects of the pollutant on public health or welfare. EPA is also required to review and, if appropriate, revise the NAAQS, based on the revised air quality criteria (for more information on the E:\FR\FM\23OCN1.SGM 23OCN1 khammond on DSK30JT082PROD with NOTICES 53472 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 205 / Tuesday, October 23, 2018 / Notices NAAQS review process, see https:// www.epa.gov/criteria-air-pollutants/ process-reviewing-national-ambient-airquality-standards). Particulate matter is one of six criteria pollutants for which EPA has established NAAQS. Periodically, EPA reviews the scientific basis for these standards by preparing an ISA (formerly called an Air Quality Criteria Document). The ISA, in conjunction with additional technical and policy assessments, provides the scientific basis for EPA’s decisions on the adequacy of the current NAAQS and the appropriateness of possible alternative standards. The CASAC, an independent science advisory committee whose review and advisory functions are mandated by Section 109(d)(2) of the Clean Air Act, is charged (among other things) with independent scientific review of the EPA’s air quality criteria. On December 3, 2014 (79 FR 71764), EPA formally initiated its current review of the air quality criteria for the health and welfare effects of particulate matter and the primary (health-based) and secondary (welfare-based) NAAQS, requesting the submission of recent scientific information on specified topics. EPA conducted a workshop from February 9 through 11, 2015 to gather input from invited scientific experts, both internal and external to EPA, as well as from the public, regarding key science and policy issues relevant to the review of the primary and secondary NAAQS (79 FR 71764). These science and policy issues were incorporated into EPA’s ‘‘Draft Integrated Review Plan for the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Particulate Matter,’’ which was available for public comment (81 FR 22977) and discussion by the CASAC via publicly accessible teleconference consultation (81 FR 13362). The ‘‘Final Integrated Review Plan for the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Particulate Matter’’ was released December 6, 2016 (81 FR 87933). Subsequent webinar workshops were held on June 9th, 13th, 20th, and 22nd, 2016, to discuss initial draft materials prepared in the development of the particulate matter ISA with invited EPA and external scientific experts (81 FR 29262, May 11, 2016). The input received during these webinar workshops aided in the development of the materials presented in the ‘‘Integrated Science Assessment for Particulate Matter (External Review Draft).’’ The ‘‘Integrated Science Assessment for Particulate Matter (External Review Draft)’’ will be discussed at a public meeting for review by CASAC. In VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:20 Oct 22, 2018 Jkt 247001 addition to the public comment period announced in this notice, the public will have an opportunity to address CASAC at this meeting. A separate Federal Register notice will inform the public of the exact date and time of the CASAC meeting and of the procedures for public participation. II. How To Submit Technical Comments to the Docket at www.regulations.gov Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–ORD–2014– 0859, by one of the following methods: • www.regulations.gov: Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. • Email: Docket_ORD@epa.gov. • Fax: 202–566–9744. • Mail: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA Docket Center (ORD Docket), Mail Code: 28221T, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20460. The phone number is 202– 566–1752. • Hand Delivery: The ORD Docket is located in the EPA Headquarters Docket Center, EPA West Building, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004. 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 phone number for the Public Reading Room is 202–566–1744. Such 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–2014– 0859. 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 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 through www.regulations.gov or email that you consider to be CBI or otherwise protected. The www.regulations.gov website is an ‘‘anonymous access’’ system, which means EPA will not PO 00000 Frm 00031 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 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:// www2.epa.gov/dockets. Docket: Documents in the docket are listed in the www.regulations.gov index. Although listed in the index, some information is not publicly available, e.g., CBI or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Certain other materials, such as copyrighted material, are publicly available only in hard copy. Publicly available docket materials are available either electronically on www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at the ORD Docket in the EPA Headquarters Docket Center. Dated: October 16, 2018. James Avery, Acting Deputy Director, National Center for Environmental Assessment. [FR Doc. 2018–23125 Filed 10–22–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [EPA–HQ–ORD–2018–0274; FRL–9985–64– ORD] Webinar Workshop To Review Initial Draft Materials for the Ozone Integrated Science Assessment (ISA) for Health and Welfare Effects Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice of workshop. AGENCY: As part of the review of the air quality criteria and the primary (health-based) and secondary (welfarebased) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for ozone, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing a webinar workshop to SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\23OCN1.SGM 23OCN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 205 (Tuesday, October 23, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53471-53472]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-23125]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-ORD-2014-0859; FRL-9985-68-ORD]


Integrated Science Assessment for Particulate Matter (External 
Review Draft)

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of public comment period.

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

SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing a 
public comment period for the draft document titled, ``Integrated 
Science Assessment for Particulate Matter (External Review Draft)'' 
(EPA/600/R-18/179). The draft document was prepared by the National 
Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA) within EPA's Office of 
Research and Development (ORD) as part of the review of the primary 
(health-based) and secondary (welfare-based) National Ambient Air 
Quality Standards (NAAQS) for particulate matter. The welfare-based 
effects evaluated consist of non-ecological effects, specifically 
visibility impairment, climate effects, and effects on materials. The 
Integrated Science Assessment (ISA), in conjunction with additional 
technical and policy assessments, provides the scientific basis for 
EPA's decisions on the adequacy of the current NAAQS and the 
appropriateness of possible alternative standards. EPA is currently 
developing a separate ISA to support the secondary NAAQS review for 
ecological effects for oxides of nitrogen, oxides of sulfur, and 
particulate matter.
    EPA is releasing this draft document to seek review by the Clean 
Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC) and the public. In addition, 
the date and location of a public meeting for CASAC review of this 
document will be specified in a separate Federal Register notice. This 
draft document is not final and it does not represent, and should not 
be construed to represent, any final Agency policy or views. When 
revising the document, EPA will consider any public comments submitted 
during the public comment period specified in this notice.

DATES: The public comment period begins on October 23, 2018, and ends 
December 11, 2018. Comments must be received on or before December 11, 
2018.

ADDRESSES: The ``Integrated Science Assessment for Particulate Matter 
(External Review Draft)'' will be available primarily via the internet 
on EPA's Integrated Science Assessment Particulate Matter page at 
https://www.epa.gov/isa/integrated-science-assessment-isa-particulate-matter or the public docket at https://www.regulations.gov, Docket ID: 
EPA-HQ-ORD-2014-0859. A limited number of CD-ROM copies will be 
available. Contact Ms. Marieka Boyd by phone: 919-541-0031; fax: 919-
541-5078; or email: [email protected] to request a CD-ROM, and 
please provide your name; your mailing address; and the document title, 
``Integrated Science Assessment for Particulate Matter (External Review 
Draft)'' to facilitate processing of your request.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information on the public comment 
period, contact the ORD Docket at the EPA Headquarters Docket Center; 
phone: 202-566-1752; fax: 202-566-9744; or email: [email protected].
    For technical information, contact Mr. Jason Sacks, NCEA; phone: 
919-541-9729; fax: 919-541-1818; or email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Information About the Document

    Section 108(a) of the Clean Air Act directs the Administrator to 
identify certain pollutants which, among other things, ``cause or 
contribute to air pollution which may reasonably be anticipated to 
endanger public health or welfare'' and to issue air quality criteria 
for them. These air quality criteria are to ``accurately reflect the 
latest scientific knowledge useful in indicating the kind and extent of 
all identifiable effects on public health or welfare which may be 
expected from the presence of [a] pollutant in the ambient air. . .'' 
Under section 109 of the Act, EPA is then to establish NAAQS for each 
pollutant for which EPA has issued criteria. Section 109(d) of the Act 
subsequently requires periodic review and, if appropriate, revision of 
existing air quality criteria to reflect advances in scientific 
knowledge on the effects of the pollutant on public health or welfare. 
EPA is also required to review and, if appropriate, revise the NAAQS, 
based on the revised air quality criteria (for more information on the

[[Page 53472]]

NAAQS review process, see https://www.epa.gov/criteria-air-pollutants/process-reviewing-national-ambient-air-quality-standards).
    Particulate matter is one of six criteria pollutants for which EPA 
has established NAAQS. Periodically, EPA reviews the scientific basis 
for these standards by preparing an ISA (formerly called an Air Quality 
Criteria Document). The ISA, in conjunction with additional technical 
and policy assessments, provides the scientific basis for EPA's 
decisions on the adequacy of the current NAAQS and the appropriateness 
of possible alternative standards. The CASAC, an independent science 
advisory committee whose review and advisory functions are mandated by 
Section 109(d)(2) of the Clean Air Act, is charged (among other things) 
with independent scientific review of the EPA's air quality criteria.
    On December 3, 2014 (79 FR 71764), EPA formally initiated its 
current review of the air quality criteria for the health and welfare 
effects of particulate matter and the primary (health-based) and 
secondary (welfare-based) NAAQS, requesting the submission of recent 
scientific information on specified topics. EPA conducted a workshop 
from February 9 through 11, 2015 to gather input from invited 
scientific experts, both internal and external to EPA, as well as from 
the public, regarding key science and policy issues relevant to the 
review of the primary and secondary NAAQS (79 FR 71764). These science 
and policy issues were incorporated into EPA's ``Draft Integrated 
Review Plan for the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for 
Particulate Matter,'' which was available for public comment (81 FR 
22977) and discussion by the CASAC via publicly accessible 
teleconference consultation (81 FR 13362). The ``Final Integrated 
Review Plan for the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for 
Particulate Matter'' was released December 6, 2016 (81 FR 87933).
    Subsequent webinar workshops were held on June 9th, 13th, 20th, and 
22nd, 2016, to discuss initial draft materials prepared in the 
development of the particulate matter ISA with invited EPA and external 
scientific experts (81 FR 29262, May 11, 2016). The input received 
during these webinar workshops aided in the development of the 
materials presented in the ``Integrated Science Assessment for 
Particulate Matter (External Review Draft).''
    The ``Integrated Science Assessment for Particulate Matter 
(External Review Draft)'' will be discussed at a public meeting for 
review by CASAC. In addition to the public comment period announced in 
this notice, the public will have an opportunity to address CASAC at 
this meeting. A separate Federal Register notice will inform the public 
of the exact date and time of the CASAC meeting and of the procedures 
for public participation.

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

    Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-ORD-2014-
0859, by one of the following methods:
     www.regulations.gov: Follow the online instructions for 
submitting comments.
     Email: [email protected].
     Fax: 202-566-9744.
     Mail: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA Docket 
Center (ORD Docket), Mail Code: 28221T, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, 
Washington, DC 20460. The phone number is 202-566-1752.
     Hand Delivery: The ORD Docket is located in the EPA 
Headquarters Docket Center, EPA West Building, Room 3334, 1301 
Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004.
    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 phone 
number for the Public Reading Room is 202-566-1744. Such 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-
2014-0859. 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 
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 through 
www.regulations.gov or email that you consider to be CBI or otherwise 
protected. The www.regulations.gov website 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://www2.epa.gov/dockets.
    Docket: Documents in the docket are listed in the 
www.regulations.gov index. Although listed in the index, some 
information is not publicly available, e.g., CBI or other information 
whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Certain other materials, 
such as copyrighted material, are publicly available only in hard copy. 
Publicly available docket materials are available either electronically 
on www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at the ORD Docket in the EPA 
Headquarters Docket Center.

    Dated: October 16, 2018.
James Avery,
Acting Deputy Director, National Center for Environmental Assessment.
[FR Doc. 2018-23125 Filed 10-22-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6560-50-P 4
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