Environmental Protection Agency December 2, 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing a public comment period for the draft document titled, ``Air Quality Criteria for Lead; First External Review Draft'' (EPA/600/R-05/144). The document was prepared by the National Center for Environmental Assessment within EPA's Office of Research and Development. EPA is releasing this draft document solely for the purpose of seeking public comment. It does not represent and should not be construed to represent any Agency policy, viewpoint, or determination. EPA will consider any public comments submitted in accordance with this notice when revising the document.

On May 12, 2005, EPA published in the Federal Register the final ``Rule to Reduce Interstate Transport of Fine Particulate Matter and Ozone'' (Clean Air Interstate Rule or CAIR). The CAIR requires certain upwind States to reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOX) and/or sulfur dioxide (SO2) that significantly contribute to nonattainment of, or interfere with maintenance by, downwind States with respect to the fine particle and/or 8-hour ozone national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS). Subsequently, EPA received 11 petitions for reconsideration of the final rule. In this notice, EPA is announcing its decision to reconsider four specific issues in the CAIR and is requesting comment on those issues. The EPA is seeking comment only on the aspects of the CAIR specifically identified in this notice. We will not respond to comments addressing other provisions of the CAIR or any related rulemakings.