Request for Nominations of Candidates for the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC) Particulate Matter (PM) Panel, 33703-33704 [2021-13498]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 120 / Friday, June 25, 2021 / Notices sales of excess power.11 These sales would benefit customers of the selling utility, when booked as a customer credit for off-system sales, and benefit customers of the purchasing utility when booked in the ‘‘fuel factor’’ at cost, with no return on equity (ROE) applied. 7. Options such as these are still available. Through the use of interstate compacts, enabling legislation 12 could create multi-state entities that can plan transmission projects—as this Policy Statement encourages—but such entities also could be designed to function as modern, innovative versions of power pools aligned with the member states’ public policies as to resource adequacy and preferences. The enabling legislation could also ensure a sufficient state role in the governance to ensure that the authority was used only in accordance with member-state policies.13 8. States sharing similar public policies which desire to collaborate with each other to obtain the benefits of regional cooperation have innovative options to explore and consider whether they participate in an RTO/ISO or do not. The adoption of this Policy Statement is a good time to emphasize that opportunity. For these reasons, I respectfully concur. Mark C. Christie, Commissioner. [FR Doc. 2021–13440 Filed 6–24–21; 8:45 am] lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1 BILLING CODE 6717–01–P 11 See generally Peskoe at 223–24. Any application to this Commission to establish a power pool or other similar arrangement will, of course, come with its own specific evidentiary record and will be considered individually under applicable laws at the time. 12 Power pools were generally regulated by the Federal Power Commission, and later by FERC. See, e.g., id. Congress could, however, through enabling legislation, grant various regulatory powers to the requesting states which seek to participate in a power pool arrangement. For example, Congress could include in such grant of authority an explicit power to apply a carbon tax to wholesale transactions in a power pool if such power was requested by the member states, avoiding the many questions attendant to whether RTOs/ISOs themselves have such power. See Carbon Pricing in Organized Wholesale Electricity Markets, 175 FERC ¶ 61,036 (2021) (Christie, Comm’r concurring in part and dissenting in part at PP 12–14, 17–24 (available at https://www.ferc.gov/news-events/ news/item-e-2-commissioner-mark-c-christieconcurring-part-and-dissenting-part)). 13 For an example of such a broad grant of power to the states, Congress in the Energy Policy Act of 2005 allowed three or more contiguous states to enter into a compact, subject to the approval by Congress, to form their own regional transmission siting entities that would have siting authority for those states. EPAct 2005, Public Law 109–58, section 1221(i), 119 Stat. 594, 950 (2005) (codified at 16 U.S.C. 824p(i)). VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:38 Jun 24, 2021 Jkt 253001 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [FRL–10025–03–OP] Request for Nominations of Candidates for the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC) Particulate Matter (PM) Panel Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Science Advisory Board (SAB) Staff Office requests public nominations of scientific experts for the CASAC PM Panel. This panel will provide advice through the chartered CASAC on updates to the science and policy assessments supporting the agency’s reconsideration of the December 2020 decision to retain the PM National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). DATES: Nominations should be submitted by July 16, 2021. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Any member of the public wishing further information regarding this Notice and Request for Nominations may contact Mr. Aaron Yeow, Designated Federal Officer (DFO), SAB Staff Office, by telephone/voice mail at (202) 564–2050 or via email at yeow.aaron@epa.gov. General information concerning the CASAC can be found on the following website: https://epa.gov/casac. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background: The CASAC was established pursuant to the Clean Air Act (CAA) Amendments of 1977, codified at 42 U.S.C. 7409(d)(2), to review air quality criteria and NAAQS and recommend to the EPA Administrator any new NAAQS and revisions of existing criteria and NAAQS as may be appropriate. The CASAC shall also: Advise the EPA Administrator of areas in which additional knowledge is required to appraise the adequacy and basis of existing, new, or revised NAAQS; describe the research efforts necessary to provide the required information; advise the EPA Administrator on the relative contribution to air pollution concentrations of natural as well as anthropogenic activity; and advise the EPA Administrator of any adverse public health, welfare, social, economic, or energy effects which may result from various strategies for attainment and maintenance of such NAAQS. As amended, 5 U.S.C., App. Section 109(d)(1) of the Clean Air Act (CAA) requires that EPA carry out a periodic review and revision, as appropriate, of SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00071 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 33703 the air quality criteria and the NAAQS for the six ‘‘criteria’’ air pollutants, including PM. The ecological effects of PM will be covered as part of the ongoing review of the secondary NAAQS for oxides of nitrogen, oxides of sulfur, and PM. The EPA Administrator recently announced his decision to reconsider the December 2020 decision to retain the particulate matter (PM) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). These standards were last revised in 2012. EPA is reconsidering the 2020 decision because available scientific evidence and technical information suggests that the current standards may not be adequate to protect public health and welfare. EPA has requested that CASAC review updates to the science and policy assessments that will supplement the existing record. The CASAC PM Panel will provide advice through the Chartered CASAC. The CASAC is a Federal advisory committee chartered under the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA). As a Federal Advisory Committee, the CASAC conducts business in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) (5 U.S.C. App. 2) and related regulations. The CASAC and the CASAC PM Panel will comply with the provisions of FACA and all appropriate SAB Staff Office procedural policies. Request for Nominations: The SAB Staff Office is seeking nominations of nationally and internationally recognized scientists with demonstrated expertise and research in the field of air pollution related to criteria pollutants. For the CASAC PM Panel, experts are being sought in the following fields, especially with respect to PM: Air quality and climate responses, atmospheric science and chemistry, toxicology, controlled human exposure studies, epidemiology, biostatistics, exposure assessment/modeling, risk assessment/modeling, and visibility impairment. Process and Deadline for Submitting Nominations: Any interested person or organization may nominate qualified individuals in the areas of expertise described above. Individuals may selfnominate. Nominations should be submitted in electronic format (preferred) using the online nomination form under ‘‘Public Input on Membership’’ on the CASAC web page at https://epa.gov/casac. To be considered, all nominations should include the information requested below. EPA values and welcomes diversity. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply regardless of sex, E:\FR\FM\25JNN1.SGM 25JNN1 lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1 33704 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 120 / Friday, June 25, 2021 / Notices race, disability or ethnicity. Nominations should be submitted by July 16, 2021. The following information should be provided on the nomination form: Contact information for the person making the nomination; contact information for the nominee; and the disciplinary and specific areas of expertise of the nominee. Nominees will be contacted by the SABSO and will be asked to provide a recent curriculum vitae and a narrative biographical summary that includes: Current position, educational background; research activities; sources of research funding for the last two years; and recent service on other national advisory committees or national professional organizations. Persons having questions about the nomination process or the public comment process described below, or who are unable to submit nominations through the CASAC website, should contact the DFO, as identified above. The names and biosketches of qualified nominees identified by respondents to this Federal Register notice, and additional experts identified by the SAB Staff Office, will be posted in a List of Candidates on the CASAC website at https://epa.gov/casac. Public comments on each List of Candidates will be accepted for 21 days from the date the list is posted. The public will be requested to provide relevant information or other documentation on nominees that the SAB Staff Office should consider in evaluating candidates. For the EPA SAB Staff Office, a balanced review panel includes candidates who possess the necessary domains of knowledge, the relevant scientific perspectives (which, among other factors, can be influenced by work history and affiliation), and the collective breadth of experience to adequately address the charge. In forming this expert panel, the SAB Staff Office will consider public comments on the List of Candidates, information provided by the candidates themselves, and background information independently gathered by the SAB Staff Office. Selection criteria to be used for panel membership include: (a) Scientific and/or technical expertise, knowledge, and experience (primary factors); (b) availability and willingness to serve; (c) absence of financial conflicts of interest; (d) absence of an appearance of a lack of impartiality; (e) skills working in committees, subcommittees and advisory panels; and, (f) for the panel as a whole, diversity of expertise and viewpoints. VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:38 Jun 24, 2021 Jkt 253001 Candidates may be asked to submit the ‘‘Confidential Financial Disclosure Form for Special Government Employees Serving on Federal Advisory Committees at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’’ (EPA Form 3110– 48). This confidential form is required for Special Government Employees (SGEs) and allows EPA to determine whether there is a statutory conflict between that person’s public responsibilities as an SGE and private interests and activities, or the appearance of a loss of impartiality, as defined by Federal regulation. The form may be viewed and downloaded through the ‘‘Ethics Requirements for Advisors’’ link on the CASAC home page at https://epa.gov/casac. This form should not be submitted as part of a nomination. Thomas H. Brennan, Director, EPA Science Advisory Board Staff Office. [FR Doc. 2021–13498 Filed 6–24–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [EPA–HQ–ORD–2020–0182; FRL–10025–55– ORD] Availability of the IRIS Assessment Plan for Inhalation Exposure to Vanadium and Compounds; Extension of Public Comment Period Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice of extension of public comment period. AGENCY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is extending the public comment period for the document titled, ‘‘Availability of the IRIS Assessment Plan for Inhalation Exposure to Vanadium and Compounds.’’ The original Federal Register document announcing the public comment period was published on May 28, 2021. The public science webinar will convene on July 14, 2021. DATES: The public comment period for the notice published on May 28, 2021 (86 FR 28832), is being extended. The EPA must receive comments on or before July 13, 2021. ADDRESSES: The ‘‘Availability of the IRIS Assessment Plan for Inhalation Exposure to Vanadium and Compounds’’ is available via the internet on IRIS’ website at https:// www.epa.gov/iris and in the public docket at https://www.regulations.gov, Docket ID: EPA–HQ–ORD–2020–0182. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00072 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 For information on the public comment period, contact the ORD Docket at the EPA Headquarters Docket Center; telephone: 202–566–1752; facsimile: 202–566–9744; or email: Docket_ORD@epa.gov. For technical information on the draft IRIS Assessment Plan for Inhalation Exposure to Vanadium and Compounds, contact Mr. Dahnish Shams, CPHEA; telephone: 202–564–2758; or email: shams.dahnish@epa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: How to Submit Technical Comments to the Docket at https://www.regulations.gov. Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–ORD–2020– 0182 for the vanadium and compounds (Inhalation) IRIS assessment, by one of the following methods: • www.regulations.gov: Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments. • Email: Docket_ORD@epa.gov. • Fax: 202–566–9744. Due to COVID– 19, there may be a delay in processing comments submitted by fax. • 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. Due to COVID–19, there may be a delay in processing comments submitted by mail. For information on visiting the EPA Docket Center Public Reading Room, visit https://www.epa.gov/dockets. Due to public health concerns related to COVID–19, the EPA Docket Center and Reading Room may be closed to the public with limited exceptions. The telephone number for the Public Reading Room is 202–566–1744. The public can submit comments via www.Regulations.gov or email. Instructions: Direct your comments to docket number EPA–HQ–ORD–2020– 0182 for vanadium and compounds (Inhalation). 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 for which disclosure is restricted by statute. Do not submit information through www.regulations.gov or email that you consider to be CBI or otherwise E:\FR\FM\25JNN1.SGM 25JNN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 120 (Friday, June 25, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33703-33704]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-13498]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-10025-03-OP]


Request for Nominations of Candidates for the Clean Air 
Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC) Particulate Matter (PM) Panel

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Science Advisory 
Board (SAB) Staff Office requests public nominations of scientific 
experts for the CASAC PM Panel. This panel will provide advice through 
the chartered CASAC on updates to the science and policy assessments 
supporting the agency's reconsideration of the December 2020 decision 
to retain the PM National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).

DATES: Nominations should be submitted by July 16, 2021.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Any member of the public wishing 
further information regarding this Notice and Request for Nominations 
may contact Mr. Aaron Yeow, Designated Federal Officer (DFO), SAB Staff 
Office, by telephone/voice mail at (202) 564-2050 or via email at 
[email protected].
    General information concerning the CASAC can be found on the 
following website: https://epa.gov/casac.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Background: The CASAC was established pursuant to the Clean Air Act 
(CAA) Amendments of 1977, codified at 42 U.S.C. 7409(d)(2), to review 
air quality criteria and NAAQS and recommend to the EPA Administrator 
any new NAAQS and revisions of existing criteria and NAAQS as may be 
appropriate. The CASAC shall also: Advise the EPA Administrator of 
areas in which additional knowledge is required to appraise the 
adequacy and basis of existing, new, or revised NAAQS; describe the 
research efforts necessary to provide the required information; advise 
the EPA Administrator on the relative contribution to air pollution 
concentrations of natural as well as anthropogenic activity; and advise 
the EPA Administrator of any adverse public health, welfare, social, 
economic, or energy effects which may result from various strategies 
for attainment and maintenance of such NAAQS. As amended, 5 U.S.C., 
App. Section 109(d)(1) of the Clean Air Act (CAA) requires that EPA 
carry out a periodic review and revision, as appropriate, of the air 
quality criteria and the NAAQS for the six ``criteria'' air pollutants, 
including PM. The ecological effects of PM will be covered as part of 
the ongoing review of the secondary NAAQS for oxides of nitrogen, 
oxides of sulfur, and PM.
    The EPA Administrator recently announced his decision to reconsider 
the December 2020 decision to retain the particulate matter (PM) 
National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). These standards were 
last revised in 2012. EPA is reconsidering the 2020 decision because 
available scientific evidence and technical information suggests that 
the current standards may not be adequate to protect public health and 
welfare. EPA has requested that CASAC review updates to the science and 
policy assessments that will supplement the existing record. The CASAC 
PM Panel will provide advice through the Chartered CASAC.
    The CASAC is a Federal advisory committee chartered under the 
Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA). As a Federal Advisory Committee, 
the CASAC conducts business in accordance with the Federal Advisory 
Committee Act (FACA) (5 U.S.C. App. 2) and related regulations. The 
CASAC and the CASAC PM Panel will comply with the provisions of FACA 
and all appropriate SAB Staff Office procedural policies.
    Request for Nominations: The SAB Staff Office is seeking 
nominations of nationally and internationally recognized scientists 
with demonstrated expertise and research in the field of air pollution 
related to criteria pollutants. For the CASAC PM Panel, experts are 
being sought in the following fields, especially with respect to PM: 
Air quality and climate responses, atmospheric science and chemistry, 
toxicology, controlled human exposure studies, epidemiology, 
biostatistics, exposure assessment/modeling, risk assessment/modeling, 
and visibility impairment.
    Process and Deadline for Submitting Nominations: Any interested 
person or organization may nominate qualified individuals in the areas 
of expertise described above. Individuals may self-nominate. 
Nominations should be submitted in electronic format (preferred) using 
the online nomination form under ``Public Input on Membership'' on the 
CASAC web page at https://epa.gov/casac. To be considered, all 
nominations should include the information requested below. EPA values 
and welcomes diversity. All qualified candidates are encouraged to 
apply regardless of sex,

[[Page 33704]]

race, disability or ethnicity. Nominations should be submitted by July 
16, 2021.
    The following information should be provided on the nomination 
form: Contact information for the person making the nomination; contact 
information for the nominee; and the disciplinary and specific areas of 
expertise of the nominee. Nominees will be contacted by the SABSO and 
will be asked to provide a recent curriculum vitae and a narrative 
biographical summary that includes: Current position, educational 
background; research activities; sources of research funding for the 
last two years; and recent service on other national advisory 
committees or national professional organizations. Persons having 
questions about the nomination process or the public comment process 
described below, or who are unable to submit nominations through the 
CASAC website, should contact the DFO, as identified above. The names 
and biosketches of qualified nominees identified by respondents to this 
Federal Register notice, and additional experts identified by the SAB 
Staff Office, will be posted in a List of Candidates on the CASAC 
website at https://epa.gov/casac. Public comments on each List of 
Candidates will be accepted for 21 days from the date the list is 
posted. The public will be requested to provide relevant information or 
other documentation on nominees that the SAB Staff Office should 
consider in evaluating candidates.
    For the EPA SAB Staff Office, a balanced review panel includes 
candidates who possess the necessary domains of knowledge, the relevant 
scientific perspectives (which, among other factors, can be influenced 
by work history and affiliation), and the collective breadth of 
experience to adequately address the charge. In forming this expert 
panel, the SAB Staff Office will consider public comments on the List 
of Candidates, information provided by the candidates themselves, and 
background information independently gathered by the SAB Staff Office. 
Selection criteria to be used for panel membership include: (a) 
Scientific and/or technical expertise, knowledge, and experience 
(primary factors); (b) availability and willingness to serve; (c) 
absence of financial conflicts of interest; (d) absence of an 
appearance of a lack of impartiality; (e) skills working in committees, 
subcommittees and advisory panels; and, (f) for the panel as a whole, 
diversity of expertise and viewpoints.
    Candidates may be asked to submit the ``Confidential Financial 
Disclosure Form for Special Government Employees Serving on Federal 
Advisory Committees at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency'' (EPA 
Form 3110-48). This confidential form is required for Special 
Government Employees (SGEs) and allows EPA to determine whether there 
is a statutory conflict between that person's public responsibilities 
as an SGE and private interests and activities, or the appearance of a 
loss of impartiality, as defined by Federal regulation. The form may be 
viewed and downloaded through the ``Ethics Requirements for Advisors'' 
link on the CASAC home page at https://epa.gov/casac. This form should 
not be submitted as part of a nomination.

Thomas H. Brennan,
Director, EPA Science Advisory Board Staff Office.
[FR Doc. 2021-13498 Filed 6-24-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
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