Hazardous Materials: Advancing Safety of Highway, Rail, and Vessel Transportation; Extension of Comment Period, 1405-1406 [2024-31077]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 90, No. 5 / Wednesday, January 8, 2025 / Proposed Rules openings involving work on or in connection with a Government contract placed by or on behalf of the contractor or subcontractor, the compensation to be offered to the hired applicant, for any position to perform work on or in connection with the contract. On the same date, DoD, GSA, and NASA published proposed amendments to the FAR to reflect the proposed OFPP policy. The OFPP Administrator’s proposed policy reflected a preliminary determination that compensation history bans and compensation disclosure requirements (the latter are also collectively referred to as pay transparency), both together and separately, would promote economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in the procurement of property and services by the Federal Government. The proposed rule cited to a range of studies in support of this conclusion, many analyzing practices by States and localities. In light of the limited time remaining in the current Administration, OFPP, DoD, GSA, and NASA have decided to withdraw the proposed policy and rule and focus their attention on other priorities, including directives in recent National Defense Authorization Acts. This will also help ensure that the agencies can benefit from the latest information on this topic if they return to it in the future. Accordingly, for these independently sufficient reasons, the proposed policy and rule published on January 30, 2024, at 89 FR 5843, are withdrawn and FAR Case 2023–021 is closed. List of Subjects in 48 CFR Parts 1, 2, 12, 22, and 52 Government procurement. Janet Fry, Director, Federal Acquisition Policy Division, Office of Governmentwide Acquisition Policy, Office of Acquisition Policy, Office of Governmentwide Policy. [FR Doc. 2025–00118 Filed 1–7–25; 8:45 am] lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with PROPOSALS1 BILLING CODE 6820–EP–P VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:36 Jan 07, 2025 Jkt 265001 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration 49 CFR Parts 107, 171, 172, 173, 174, 176, 177, 178, 179, and 180 [Docket No. PHMSA–2018–0080 (HM–265)] RIN 2137–AF41 Hazardous Materials: Advancing Safety of Highway, Rail, and Vessel Transportation; Extension of Comment Period Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), Department of Transportation (DOT). ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking; extension of comment period. AGENCY: On October 28, 2024, PHMSA published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) titled ‘‘Hazardous Materials: Advancing Safety of Highway, Rail, and Vessel Transportation (HM–265),’’ proposing amendments to the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) to adopt several modal-specific amendments that would enhance the safe transportation of hazardous materials in commerce by highway, rail, and vessel transportation. In response to a request for an extension of the comment period submitted by the Railway Supply Institute (RSI), PHMSA is extending the comment period for the HM–265 NPRM by an additional 90 days. DATES: The comment period for the proposed rule published October 28, 2024, at 89 FR 85590, is extended. Comments must be received by April 28, 2025. To the extent possible, PHMSA will consider late-filed comments as a final rule is developed. ADDRESSES: Comments should reference Docket No. PHMSA–2018–0080 (HM– 265) and may be submitted in the following ways: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. • Fax: 1–202–493–2251. • Mail: Docket Management System; U.S. Department of Transportation, West Building, Ground Floor, Room W12–140, Routing Symbol M–30, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590. • Hand Delivery: To the Docket Management System: Room W12–140 on the ground floor of the West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 1405 Instructions: All submissions must include the agency name and Docket Number for this document (PHMSA– 2018–0080) or Regulation Identifier number (RIN) (2137–AF41) for this rulemaking at the beginning of the comment. To avoid duplication, please use only one of these four methods. All comments received will be posted without change to the Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) and will include any personal information you provide. Docket: For access to the dockets to read associated documents or comments received, go to https:// www.regulations.gov or DOT’s Docket Operations Office (see ADDRESSES). Privacy Act: In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits comments from the public to better inform its process. DOT posts these comments without change, including any personal information the commenter provides, to https://www.regulations.gov, as described in the system of records notice (DOT/ALL–14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at https://www.dot.gov/ privacy. Confidential Business Information: Confidential Business Information (CBI) is commercial or financial information that is both customarily and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA; 5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that you treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing CBI as ‘‘PROPIN’’ for ‘‘proprietary information.’’ Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Eamonn Patrick, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590–0001. Any commentary that PHMSA receives that is not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for this rulemaking. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eamonn Patrick, Standards and Rulemaking Division, 202–366–8553, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590– 0001. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: E:\FR\FM\08JAP1.SGM 08JAP1 1406 Federal Register / Vol. 90, No. 5 / Wednesday, January 8, 2025 / Proposed Rules I. Background On October 28, 2024, PHMSA published the HM–265 NPRM.1 In this NPRM, PHMSA, in consultation with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the Federal Railroad Administration, and the United States Coast Guard, proposed amendments identified during Departmental review and from industry petitions for rulemaking, to reform modal specific requirements for the transportation of hazardous materials set out in the HMR, 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) parts 107 and 171 through 180. PHMSA expects the adoption of these proposals will maintain or enhance the safe transportation of hazardous materials while increasing the clarity of the HMR, and therefore decrease compliance burdens. The proposed amendments also reflect changing conditions and trends that affect the safe transportation of hazardous materials while still maintaining or enhancing safety. II. Comment Period Extension lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with PROPOSALS1 PHMSA initially provided a 90-day comment period for the HM–265 NPRM, which closes on January 27, 2025. In response to a request to extend the comment period from the RSI,2 and subsequent comment 3 by the American Chemistry Council, the American Petroleum Institute, the Chlorine Institute, the Fertilizer Institute, and the Sulfur Institute, PHMSA is extending the comment period for an additional 90 days. RSI requested an extension to allow sufficient time to address the complexities of the proposed amendments for the NPRM and because the timing of the initial comment period is such that it spans the winter holiday season, which will hamper the ability of interested parties to submit timely comments. PHMSA acknowledges the impact of the winter holiday season on stakeholders’ ability to comment and believes a 90-day extension has merit. The NPRM comment period will now close on April 28, 2025. This extension provides the public with an additional 90 days and should provide adequate opportunity for the public to submit comments, while balancing the public interest in timely completion of the final rule. To the extent possible, PHMSA 1 89 FR 85590. comment may be viewed here: https:// www.regulations.gov/document/PHMSA-20180080-0005. 3 American Chemistry Council, the American Petroleum Institute, the Chlorine Institute, the Fertilizer Institute, and the Sulfur Institute’s comment may be viewed here: https:// www.regulations.gov/comment/PHMSA-2018-00800006. 2 RSI’s VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:36 Jan 07, 2025 Jkt 265001 will also continue to consider late-filed comments. Issued in Washington, DC, on December 20, 2024, under authority delegated in 49 CFR part 1.97. William A. Quade, Deputy Associate Administrator of Hazardous Materials Safety, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. [FR Doc. 2024–31077 Filed 1–7–25; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–60–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Transit Administration 49 CFR Part 604 [Docket No. FTA–2024–0017] RIN 2132–AB38 Charter Service Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Department of Transportation (DOT). ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM). AGENCY: The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is proposing to amend regulations that govern the provision of charter service by recipients of Federal financial assistance. The proposed changes will remove the Federal Financial Assistance Programs listed in an appendix and the guidance in additional appendices and make non-substantive technical edits throughout to remove outdated citations and provide clarity. DATES: Comments should be filed by March 10, 2025. FTA will consider comments received after that date to the extent practicable. ADDRESSES: You may send comments, identified by docket number FTA– 2024–0017, by any of the following methods: • Federal Rulemaking Portal: https:// www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for sending comments. • Fax: (202) 493–2251. • Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, Washington, DC 20590–0001. • Hand Delivery/Courier: West Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Instructions: All submissions received must include the agency name and docket number or Regulatory Information Number (RIN) for this SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 rulemaking. All comments received will be posted without change to https:// www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided. Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or comments received, go to https:// www.regulations.gov. Background documents and comments received may also be viewed at the U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE, Docket Operations, M–30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, Washington, DC 20590–0001, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For program matters, Danielle Nelson, Office of Program Management, (202) 366–2160 or danielle.nelson@dot.gov. For legal matters, contact Mark Montgomery, Office of Chief Counsel, (202) 366–1017 or mark.montgomery@ dot.gov. Office hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Table of Contents I. Executive Summary A. Purpose and Summary of Regulatory Action B. Statutory Authority C. Summary of Major Provisions D. Benefits and Costs II. Section-by-Section Analysis III. Regulatory Analyses and Notices I. Executive Summary A. Purpose and Summary of Regulatory Action FTA is proposing to amend regulations which govern the provision of charter service by recipients of Federal financial assistance. The charter service regulation protects private charter operators from unauthorized competition from FTA grant recipients. Under the charter rules, with limited exceptions, local transit agencies are restricted from operating chartered service. One of those exceptions applies to charter service provided to a qualified human service organization (QHSO) for the purpose of serving persons with mobility limitations related to advanced age, disability, or low income. Under the current rule, QHSOs receiving funding from one of the Federal programs under appendix A are exempt from the charter registration requirements of the regulation. This appendix, created in 2008, is outdated. Through this rulemaking, FTA proposes to remove appendix A and keep the list of qualifying Federal programs for the QHSO exception current on its website, which will reduce the administrative E:\FR\FM\08JAP1.SGM 08JAP1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 5 (Wednesday, January 8, 2025)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 1405-1406]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-31077]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration

49 CFR Parts 107, 171, 172, 173, 174, 176, 177, 178, 179, and 180

[Docket No. PHMSA-2018-0080 (HM-265)]
RIN 2137-AF41


Hazardous Materials: Advancing Safety of Highway, Rail, and 
Vessel Transportation; Extension of Comment Period

AGENCY: Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), 
Department of Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking; extension of comment period.

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

SUMMARY: On October 28, 2024, PHMSA published a notice of proposed 
rulemaking (NPRM) titled ``Hazardous Materials: Advancing Safety of 
Highway, Rail, and Vessel Transportation (HM-265),'' proposing 
amendments to the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) to adopt 
several modal-specific amendments that would enhance the safe 
transportation of hazardous materials in commerce by highway, rail, and 
vessel transportation. In response to a request for an extension of the 
comment period submitted by the Railway Supply Institute (RSI), PHMSA 
is extending the comment period for the HM-265 NPRM by an additional 90 
days.

DATES: The comment period for the proposed rule published October 28, 
2024, at 89 FR 85590, is extended. Comments must be received by April 
28, 2025. To the extent possible, PHMSA will consider late-filed 
comments as a final rule is developed.

ADDRESSES: Comments should reference Docket No. PHMSA-2018-0080 (HM-
265) and may be submitted in the following ways:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: 1-202-493-2251.
     Mail: Docket Management System; U.S. Department of 
Transportation, West Building, Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Routing 
Symbol M-30, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: To the Docket Management System: Room W12-
140 on the ground floor of the West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue 
SE, Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except Federal holidays.
    Instructions: All submissions must include the agency name and 
Docket Number for this document (PHMSA-2018-0080) or Regulation 
Identifier number (RIN) (2137-AF41) for this rulemaking at the 
beginning of the comment. To avoid duplication, please use only one of 
these four methods. All comments received will be posted without change 
to the Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) and will include any 
personal information you provide.
    Docket: For access to the dockets to read associated documents or 
comments received, go to https://www.regulations.gov or DOT's Docket 
Operations Office (see ADDRESSES).
    Privacy Act: In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits 
comments from the public to better inform its process. DOT posts these 
comments without change, including any personal information the 
commenter provides, to https://www.regulations.gov, as described in the 
system of records notice (DOT/ALL-14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at 
https://www.dot.gov/privacy.
    Confidential Business Information: Confidential Business 
Information (CBI) is commercial or financial information that is both 
customarily and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the 
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA; 5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from 
public disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain 
commercial or financial information that is customarily treated as 
private, that you treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive 
to this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted 
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing 
CBI as ``PROPIN'' for ``proprietary information.'' Submissions 
containing CBI should be sent to Eamonn Patrick, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590-0001. 
Any commentary that PHMSA receives that is not specifically designated 
as CBI will be placed in the public docket for this rulemaking.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eamonn Patrick, Standards and 
Rulemaking Division, 202-366-8553, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials 
Safety Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590-0001.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

[[Page 1406]]

I. Background

    On October 28, 2024, PHMSA published the HM-265 NPRM.\1\ In this 
NPRM, PHMSA, in consultation with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety 
Administration, the Federal Railroad Administration, and the United 
States Coast Guard, proposed amendments identified during Departmental 
review and from industry petitions for rulemaking, to reform modal 
specific requirements for the transportation of hazardous materials set 
out in the HMR, 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) parts 107 and 171 
through 180. PHMSA expects the adoption of these proposals will 
maintain or enhance the safe transportation of hazardous materials 
while increasing the clarity of the HMR, and therefore decrease 
compliance burdens. The proposed amendments also reflect changing 
conditions and trends that affect the safe transportation of hazardous 
materials while still maintaining or enhancing safety.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ 89 FR 85590.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

II. Comment Period Extension

    PHMSA initially provided a 90-day comment period for the HM-265 
NPRM, which closes on January 27, 2025. In response to a request to 
extend the comment period from the RSI,\2\ and subsequent comment \3\ 
by the American Chemistry Council, the American Petroleum Institute, 
the Chlorine Institute, the Fertilizer Institute, and the Sulfur 
Institute, PHMSA is extending the comment period for an additional 90 
days. RSI requested an extension to allow sufficient time to address 
the complexities of the proposed amendments for the NPRM and because 
the timing of the initial comment period is such that it spans the 
winter holiday season, which will hamper the ability of interested 
parties to submit timely comments. PHMSA acknowledges the impact of the 
winter holiday season on stakeholders' ability to comment and believes 
a 90-day extension has merit. The NPRM comment period will now close on 
April 28, 2025. This extension provides the public with an additional 
90 days and should provide adequate opportunity for the public to 
submit comments, while balancing the public interest in timely 
completion of the final rule. To the extent possible, PHMSA will also 
continue to consider late-filed comments.
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    \2\ RSI's comment may be viewed here: https://www.regulations.gov/document/PHMSA-2018-0080-0005.
    \3\ American Chemistry Council, the American Petroleum 
Institute, the Chlorine Institute, the Fertilizer Institute, and the 
Sulfur Institute's comment may be viewed here: https://www.regulations.gov/comment/PHMSA-2018-0080-0006.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on December 20, 2024, under authority 
delegated in 49 CFR part 1.97.
William A. Quade,
Deputy Associate Administrator of Hazardous Materials Safety, Pipeline 
and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.
[FR Doc. 2024-31077 Filed 1-7-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-60-P
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