Release of Policy Assessment for the Review of the Secondary National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Oxides of Nitrogen, Oxides of Sulfur and Particulate Matter, 2223 [2024-00168]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 9 / Friday, January 12, 2024 / Notices Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460–0001; main telephone number: (202) 566–1430; email address: Hawkins.caleb@epa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: To give stakeholders additional time to review materials and prepare comments, EPA is hereby extending the comment period established in the Federal Register document of November 24, 2023, at 88 FR 82286 (FRL–11111–01–OCSPP) from January 23, 2024, to March 25, 2024. More information on the action can be found in the Federal Register of November 24, 2023. To submit comments or access the docket, please follow the detailed instructions provided under ADDRESSES. If you have questions, consult the technical person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. Authority: 7 U.S.C. 136 et seq. Dated: January 8, 2024. Michal Freedhoff, Assistant Administrator, Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention. [FR Doc. 2024–00518 Filed 1–11–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [EPA–HQ–OAR–2014–0128; FRL–5788–04– OAR] Release of Policy Assessment for the Review of the Secondary National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Oxides of Nitrogen, Oxides of Sulfur and Particulate Matter Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice of availability. AGENCY: On or about January 12, 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will make available the document, Policy Assessment for the Review of the Secondary National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Oxides of Nitrogen, Oxides of Sulfur and Particulate Matter (PA, EPA–452/ R–24–003). This document was prepared as part of the current review of the secondary national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for Oxides of Nitrogen (NOX), Oxides of Sulfur (SOX), and Particulate Matter (PM). The PA serves to ‘‘bridge the gap’’ between the currently available scientific and technical information and the judgments required of the Administrator in determining whether to retain or revise the existing secondary NO2, SO2 and PM NAAQS. The secondary NAAQS for oxides of nitrogen, oxides of khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 00:38 Jan 12, 2024 Jkt 262001 sulfur, and particulate matter are set to protect the public welfare from known or anticipated effects of these pollutants in the ambient air. DATES: This document will be available on or about January 12, 2024. ADDRESSES: This document will be available on the EPA’s website at https://www.epa.gov/naaqs/nitrogendioxide-no2-and-sulfur-dioxide-so2secondary-air-quality-standards. The document will be accessible under ‘‘Policy Assessments’’ from the current review. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ginger Tennant, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, (Mail Code C504–06), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, P.O. Box 12055, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711; telephone number: 919–541–4072, or email: tennant.ginger@epa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Two sections of the Clean Air Act (CAA or the Act) govern the establishment and revision of the NAAQS. Section 108 directs the Administrator to identify and list certain air pollutants and then issue ‘‘air quality criteria’’ for those pollutants. The 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 such pollutant in the ambient air . . .’’ (CAA section 108(a)(2)). Under section 109 of the Act, the EPA is then to establish primary (health-based) and secondary (welfare-based) NAAQS for each pollutant for which the EPA has issued air quality criteria. Section 109(d)(1) of the Act requires periodic review and, if appropriate, revision of existing air quality criteria. Revised air quality criteria are to reflect advances in scientific knowledge on the effects of the pollutant on public health and welfare. Under the same provision, the EPA is also to periodically review and, if appropriate, revise the NAAQS, based on the revised air quality criteria. The Act additionally requires appointment of an independent scientific review committee that is to periodically review the existing air quality criteria and NAAQS and to recommend any new standards and revisions of existing criteria and standards as may be appropriate (CAA section 109(d)(2)(A)–(B)). Since the early 1980s, the requirement for an independent scientific review committee has been fulfilled by the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC). The EPA’s overall plan for this review is presented in the Integrated Review PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 2223 Plan for the Secondary National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Ecological Effects of Oxides of Nitrogen, Oxides of Sulfur and Particulate Matter (IRP).1 As described in the IRP, the EPA has prepared the Integrated Science Assessment (ISA) for Oxides of Nitrogen, Oxides of Sulfur and Particulate Matter Ecological Criteria (U.S. EPA, 2020), drafts of which were released in March 2017 and June 2018 for public comment and review by the CASAC.2 A draft of the PA was also reviewed by the CASAC (88 FR 17572, March 23, 2023; 88 FR 45414, July 17, 2023). The final PA reflects consideration of the advice and comments from the CASAC on the draft PA, as well as public comments. The PA serves to ‘‘bridge the gap’’ between the scientific and technical information in the 2020 ISA and any air quality, exposure, and risk analyses available in this review, and the judgments required of the Administrator in determining whether to retain or revise the existing secondary ambient air quality standards for NO2, SO2 and PM. The final PA document will be available on EPA’s website at https://www.epa.gov/naaqs/ nitrogen-dioxideno2-and-sulfur-dioxideso2-secondaryair-quality-standards. The document briefly described here does not represent and should not be construed to represent any final EPA policy, viewpoint, or determination. Dated: January 3, 2024. Erika N. Sasser, Director, Health and Environmental Impacts Division. [FR Doc. 2024–00168 Filed 1–11–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION [OMB 3060–0952; FR ID 196204] Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission Under Delegated Authority Federal Communications Commission. ACTION: Notice and request for comments. AGENCY: As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens, and as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, the Federal SUMMARY: 1 The IRP is available at https://www.epa.gov/ naaqs/nitrogen-dioxide-no2-and-sulfur-dioxide-so2secondary-standards-planning-documents-current. 2 The ISA is available at: https://www.epa.gov/ naaqs/nitrogen-dioxide-no2-and-sulfur-dioxide-so2secondary-air-quality-standards-integrated. E:\FR\FM\12JAN1.SGM 12JAN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 9 (Friday, January 12, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Page 2223]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-00168]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-OAR-2014-0128; FRL-5788-04-OAR]


Release of Policy Assessment for the Review of the Secondary 
National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Oxides of Nitrogen, Oxides 
of Sulfur and Particulate Matter

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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

SUMMARY: On or about January 12, 2024, the Environmental Protection 
Agency (EPA) will make available the document, Policy Assessment for 
the Review of the Secondary National Ambient Air Quality Standards for 
Oxides of Nitrogen, Oxides of Sulfur and Particulate Matter (PA, EPA-
452/R-24-003). This document was prepared as part of the current review 
of the secondary national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for 
Oxides of Nitrogen (NOX), Oxides of Sulfur (SOX), 
and Particulate Matter (PM). The PA serves to ``bridge the gap'' 
between the currently available scientific and technical information 
and the judgments required of the Administrator in determining whether 
to retain or revise the existing secondary NO2, 
SO2 and PM NAAQS. The secondary NAAQS for oxides of 
nitrogen, oxides of sulfur, and particulate matter are set to protect 
the public welfare from known or anticipated effects of these 
pollutants in the ambient air.

DATES: This document will be available on or about January 12, 2024.

ADDRESSES: This document will be available on the EPA's website at 
https://www.epa.gov/naaqs/nitrogen-dioxide-no2-and-sulfur-dioxide-so2-secondary-air-quality-standards. The document will be accessible under 
``Policy Assessments'' from the current review.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ginger Tennant, Office of Air Quality 
Planning and Standards, (Mail Code C504-06), U.S. Environmental 
Protection Agency, P.O. Box 12055, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711; 
telephone number: 919-541-4072, or email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Two sections of the Clean Air Act (CAA or 
the Act) govern the establishment and revision of the NAAQS. Section 
108 directs the Administrator to identify and list certain air 
pollutants and then issue ``air quality criteria'' for those 
pollutants. The 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 such pollutant in the ambient air . . .'' 
(CAA section 108(a)(2)). Under section 109 of the Act, the EPA is then 
to establish primary (health-based) and secondary (welfare-based) NAAQS 
for each pollutant for which the EPA has issued air quality criteria. 
Section 109(d)(1) of the Act requires periodic review and, if 
appropriate, revision of existing air quality criteria. Revised air 
quality criteria are to reflect advances in scientific knowledge on the 
effects of the pollutant on public health and welfare. Under the same 
provision, the EPA is also to periodically review and, if appropriate, 
revise the NAAQS, based on the revised air quality criteria.
    The Act additionally requires appointment of an independent 
scientific review committee that is to periodically review the existing 
air quality criteria and NAAQS and to recommend any new standards and 
revisions of existing criteria and standards as may be appropriate (CAA 
section 109(d)(2)(A)-(B)). Since the early 1980s, the requirement for 
an independent scientific review committee has been fulfilled by the 
Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC).
    The EPA's overall plan for this review is presented in the 
Integrated Review Plan for the Secondary National Ambient Air Quality 
Standards for Ecological Effects of Oxides of Nitrogen, Oxides of 
Sulfur and Particulate Matter (IRP).\1\ As described in the IRP, the 
EPA has prepared the Integrated Science Assessment (ISA) for Oxides of 
Nitrogen, Oxides of Sulfur and Particulate Matter Ecological Criteria 
(U.S. EPA, 2020), drafts of which were released in March 2017 and June 
2018 for public comment and review by the CASAC.\2\ A draft of the PA 
was also reviewed by the CASAC (88 FR 17572, March 23, 2023; 88 FR 
45414, July 17, 2023). The final PA reflects consideration of the 
advice and comments from the CASAC on the draft PA, as well as public 
comments. The PA serves to ``bridge the gap'' between the scientific 
and technical information in the 2020 ISA and any air quality, 
exposure, and risk analyses available in this review, and the judgments 
required of the Administrator in determining whether to retain or 
revise the existing secondary ambient air quality standards for 
NO2, SO2 and PM. The final PA document will be 
available on EPA's website at https://www.epa.gov/naaqs/nitrogen-dioxideno2-and-sulfur-dioxide-so2-secondaryair-quality-standards. The 
document briefly described here does not represent and should not be 
construed to represent any final EPA policy, viewpoint, or 
determination.
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    \1\ The IRP is available at https://www.epa.gov/naaqs/nitrogen-dioxide-no2-and-sulfur-dioxide-so2-secondary-standards-planning-documents-current.
    \2\ The ISA is available at: https://www.epa.gov/naaqs/nitrogen-dioxide-no2-and-sulfur-dioxide-so2-secondary-air-quality-standards-
integrated.

    Dated: January 3, 2024.
Erika N. Sasser,
Director, Health and Environmental Impacts Division.
[FR Doc. 2024-00168 Filed 1-11-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
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