Vessel Incidental Discharge National Standards of Performance; Public Meetings, 73438-73439 [2020-24778]

Download as PDF 73438 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 223 / Wednesday, November 18, 2020 / Proposed Rules documents associated with this docket. Find a reference to this Request for Comments and click on the ‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments. Attachments to electronic comments will be accepted in ADOBE® portable document format or MICROSOFT WORD® format. Because comments will be made available for public inspection, information that the submitter does not desire to make public, such as an address or phone number, should not be included in the comments. Visit the Federal eRulemaking Portal (www.regulations.gov) for additional instructions on providing comments via the portal. If electronic submission of comments is not feasible due to a lack of access to a computer and/or the internet, please contact the USPTO using the contact information below for special instructions regarding how to submit comments by mail or by hand delivery, based on the public’s ability to obtain access to USPTO facilities at the time. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Scott C. Weidenfeller, Vice Chief Administrative Patent Judge, by telephone at 571–272–9797. On October 20, 2020, the USPTO published a document in the Federal Register requesting public input on considerations for instituting trials before the Office under the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act (AIA). See Request for Comments on Discretion to Institute Trials Before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, 85 FR 66502 (Oct. 20, 2020). In that document, the USPTO indicated it is considering the codification of its current policies and practices, or the modification thereof, through rulemaking and wished to gather public comments on the Office’s current approach and on various other approaches suggested to the Office by stakeholders. To assist in gathering public input, the USPTO published questions, and sought focused public comments, on appropriate considerations for instituting AIA trials. The document requested public comments on or before November 19, 2020. Through this document, the USPTO is extending the period for public comment until December 3, 2020, to give interested members of the public additional time to submit comments. All other information and instructions to commenters provided in the October 20, 2020, notice remain unchanged. khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:35 Nov 17, 2020 Jkt 253001 Previously submitted comments do not need to be resubmitted. Andrei Iancu, Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office. [FR Doc. 2020–25490 Filed 11–17–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–16–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 40 CFR Part 139 [EPA–HQ–OW–2019–0482; FRL–10016–34– OW] RIN 2040–AF92 Vessel Incidental Discharge National Standards of Performance; Public Meetings Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notification. AGENCY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing three virtual public meetings on its proposed rulemaking Vessel Incidental Discharge National Standards of Performance. The proposed rulemaking promulgated under the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act (VIDA) of 2018 was published in the Federal Register on October 26, 2020. The three virtual public meetings will be held in November 2020 to provide a brief background on the rulemaking, identify key changes from existing federal requirements, and describe how to submit comments on the proposed rulemaking. More information on the proposed standards and the directions for meeting proceedings are available on the EPA web page at https:// www.epa.gov/vessels-marinas-andports/vessel-incidental-discharge-actvida-engagement-opportunities. DATES: The Agency will hold virtual public meetings on November 9, 10, and 17, 2020. Please refer to the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for additional information on the public meetings. SUMMARY: EPA will be holding the public meetings virtually. Please register for the public meetings through the following link: https:// register.gotowebinar.com/register/ 6377760488136984080. Documents related to the proposal are available for public inspection through the Federal eRulemaking Portal: https:// www.regulations.gov, Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–OW–2019–0482. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Juliette Chausson, Water Division, ADDRESSES: PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 Environmental Protection Agency Region 9; telephone number: (415) 972– 3440; email address: chausson.juliette@ epa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has published for public comment a proposed rulemaking under the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act (VIDA) that would establish national standards of performance for marine pollution control devices for discharges incidental to the normal operation of primarily non-military and nonrecreational vessels 79 feet in length and above into the waters of the United States or the waters of the contiguous zone. The proposed standards can be found in the Federal Register at 85 FR 67818, October 26, 2020. The proposed national standards of performance were developed in coordination with the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and in consultation with interested Governors. The proposed standards, once finalized and implemented through corresponding USCG regulations addressing implementation, compliance, and enforcement, would reduce the discharge of pollutants from vessels and streamline the current patchwork of federal, state, and local vessel discharge requirements. Additionally, EPA is proposing procedures for states to follow if they choose to petition EPA to issue an emergency order, to review any standard of performance, regulation, or policy, to request additional requirements with respect to discharges in the Great Lakes, or to apply to EPA to prohibit one or more types of vessel discharges proposed for regulation in this rulemaking into specified waters to provide greater environmental protection. II. Meeting Information EPA will be hosting three virtual public meetings on these proposed standards to provide a brief background on the rulemaking, identify key changes from existing federal requirements, and describe how to submit comments on the proposed rulemaking to EPA. Registration for the public meetings is available at https:// register.gotowebinar.com/register/ 6377760488136984080. More information on the proposed standards and the directions for meeting proceedings are available on the EPA web page at https://www.epa.gov/ vessels-marinas-and-ports/vesselincidental-discharge-act-vidaengagement-opportunities. The schedule for the virtual public meetings is as follows: E:\FR\FM\18NOP1.SGM 18NOP1 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 223 / Wednesday, November 18, 2020 / Proposed Rules 1. November 9, 2020, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. EST. 2. November 10, 2020, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. EST. 3. November 17, 2020, 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. EST. If you require special accommodations, please contact Juliette Chausson at chausson.juliette@epa.gov or call (415) 972–3440 to make arrangements. John T. Goodin, Director, Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds, Office of Water. [FR Doc. 2020–24778 Filed 11–17–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 40 CFR Part 721 [EPA–HQ–OPPT–2020–0302; FRL–10013– 54] Modification of Significant New Uses of Certain Chemical Substances (20– 2.M) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Proposed rule. AGENCY: EPA is proposing to amend significant new use rules (SNURs) issued under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for certain chemical substances, which were the subject of a premanufacture notice (PMN) and a significant new use notice (SNUN). EPA is proposing these amendments following review of SNUNs for the chemical substances and based on review of new and existing data. Specifically, this action proposes to amend the SNURs to allow certain new uses reported in the SNUNs without additional notification requirements and modify the significant new use notification requirements based on the actions and determinations for the SNUN submissions. DATES: Comments must be received on or before December 18, 2020. ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by docket identification (ID) number EPA–HQ–OPPT–2020–0302, using the Federal eRulemaking Portal at https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Do not submit electronically any information you consider to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Due to the public health concerns related to COVID–19, the EPA Docket khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS SUMMARY: 16:35 Nov 17, 2020 For technical information contact: William Wysong, New Chemicals Division (7405M), Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460–0001; telephone number: (202) 564–4163; email address: wysong.william@epa.gov. For general information contact: The TSCA-Hotline, ABVI-Goodwill, 422 South Clinton Ave., Rochester, NY 14620; telephone number: (202) 554– 1404; email address: TSCA-Hotline@ epa.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: RIN 2070–AB27 VerDate Sep<11>2014 Center (EPA/DC) and Reading Room is closed to visitors with limited exceptions. The staff continues to provide remote customer service via email, phone, and webform. For the latest status information on EPA/DC services and docket access, visit https:// www.epa.gov/dockets. Jkt 253001 I. General Information A. Does this action apply to me? You may be potentially affected by this action if you manufacture, process, or use the chemical substances contained in this proposed rule. The following list of North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) codes is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather provides a guide to help readers determine whether this document applies to them. Potentially affected entities may include: • Manufacturers or processors of the chemical substance (NAICS codes 325 and 324110), e.g., chemical manufacturing and petroleum refineries. This proposed rule may affect certain entities through pre-existing import certification and export notification rules under TSCA. Chemical importers are subject to the TSCA section 13 (15 U.S.C. 2612) import certification requirements promulgated at 19 CFR 12.118 through 12.127 and 19 CFR 127.28 and must certify that the shipment of the chemical substance complies with all applicable rules and orders under TSCA. Importers of chemicals subject to a SNUR must certify their compliance with the SNUR requirements. Any person who exports or intends to export the chemical substance that is the subject of a final rule are subject to the export notification provisions of TSCA section 12(b) (15 U.S.C. 2611(b)) and 40 CFR 721.20, and must comply with the export notification requirements in 40 CFR part 707, subpart D. PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 73439 B. What should I consider as I prepare my comments for EPA? 1. Submitting CBI. Do not submit this information to EPA through 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. 2. Tips for preparing your comments. When preparing and submitting your comments, see the commenting tips at https://www.epa.gov/dockets/ commenting-epa-dockets. II. Background A. What action is the Agency taking? EPA is proposing amendments to the SNURs for certain chemical substances in 40 CFR part 721, subpart E. A SNUR for a chemical substance designates certain activities as a significant new use. Persons who intend to manufacture or process the chemical substance for the significant new use must notify EPA at least 90 days before commencing that activity. The required notification (i.e., a SNUN) initiates EPA’s evaluation of the intended use within the applicable review period. Manufacture and processing for the significant new use may not commence until EPA has conducted a review of the notice, made an appropriate determination on the notice, and taken such actions as are required with that determination. B. What is the Agency’s authority for taking this action? TSCA section 5(a)(2) (15 U.S.C. 2604(a)(2)) authorizes EPA to determine that a use of a chemical substance is a ‘‘significant new use.’’ EPA must make this determination by rule after considering all relevant factors and may issue or modify a TSCA section 5(e) order and/or amend the SNUR promulgated under TSCA section 5(a)(2). Procedures and criteria for modifying or revoking SNUR requirements appear at 40 CFR 721.185. E:\FR\FM\18NOP1.SGM 18NOP1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 223 (Wednesday, November 18, 2020)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 73438-73439]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-24778]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 139

[EPA-HQ-OW-2019-0482; FRL-10016-34-OW]
RIN 2040-AF92


Vessel Incidental Discharge National Standards of Performance; 
Public Meetings

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notification.

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SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing three 
virtual public meetings on its proposed rulemaking Vessel Incidental 
Discharge National Standards of Performance. The proposed rulemaking 
promulgated under the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act (VIDA) of 2018 
was published in the Federal Register on October 26, 2020. The three 
virtual public meetings will be held in November 2020 to provide a 
brief background on the rulemaking, identify key changes from existing 
federal requirements, and describe how to submit comments on the 
proposed rulemaking. More information on the proposed standards and the 
directions for meeting proceedings are available on the EPA web page at 
https://www.epa.gov/vessels-marinas-and-ports/vessel-incidental-discharge-act-vida-engagement-opportunities.

DATES: The Agency will hold virtual public meetings on November 9, 10, 
and 17, 2020. Please refer to the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for 
additional information on the public meetings.

ADDRESSES: EPA will be holding the public meetings virtually. Please 
register for the public meetings through the following link: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/6377760488136984080.
    Documents related to the proposal are available for public 
inspection through the Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov, Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2019-0482.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Juliette Chausson, Water Division, 
Environmental Protection Agency Region 9; telephone number: (415) 972-
3440; email address: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has published for 
public comment a proposed rulemaking under the Vessel Incidental 
Discharge Act (VIDA) that would establish national standards of 
performance for marine pollution control devices for discharges 
incidental to the normal operation of primarily non-military and non-
recreational vessels 79 feet in length and above into the waters of the 
United States or the waters of the contiguous zone. The proposed 
standards can be found in the Federal Register at 85 FR 67818, October 
26, 2020. The proposed national standards of performance were developed 
in coordination with the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and in consultation 
with interested Governors. The proposed standards, once finalized and 
implemented through corresponding USCG regulations addressing 
implementation, compliance, and enforcement, would reduce the discharge 
of pollutants from vessels and streamline the current patchwork of 
federal, state, and local vessel discharge requirements. Additionally, 
EPA is proposing procedures for states to follow if they choose to 
petition EPA to issue an emergency order, to review any standard of 
performance, regulation, or policy, to request additional requirements 
with respect to discharges in the Great Lakes, or to apply to EPA to 
prohibit one or more types of vessel discharges proposed for regulation 
in this rulemaking into specified waters to provide greater 
environmental protection.

II. Meeting Information

    EPA will be hosting three virtual public meetings on these proposed 
standards to provide a brief background on the rulemaking, identify key 
changes from existing federal requirements, and describe how to submit 
comments on the proposed rulemaking to EPA.
    Registration for the public meetings is available at https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/6377760488136984080. More information 
on the proposed standards and the directions for meeting proceedings 
are available on the EPA web page at https://www.epa.gov/vessels-marinas-and-ports/vessel-incidental-discharge-act-vida-engagement-opportunities.
    The schedule for the virtual public meetings is as follows:

[[Page 73439]]

    1. November 9, 2020, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. EST.
    2. November 10, 2020, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. EST.
    3. November 17, 2020, 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. EST.
    If you require special accommodations, please contact Juliette 
Chausson at [email protected] or call (415) 972-3440 to make 
arrangements.

John T. Goodin,
Director, Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds, Office of Water.
[FR Doc. 2020-24778 Filed 11-17-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
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