Environmental Protection Agency September 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents
Results 151 - 167 of 167
Update of Continuous Instrumental Test Methods: Technical Amendments
EPA is proposing ``Update of Continuous Instrumental Test Methods: Technical Amendments'' to correct errors in a recent final rule that amended five instrumental test methods and was published on May 15, 2006. As published, the amendments contained inadvertent errors and provisions that need to be clarified. We are correcting errors and clarifying portions of the amendments to reflect the intent of the rule and to make them more understandable by affected parties. In the ``Rules and Regulations'' section of this Federal Register, we are correcting errors and making clarifications as a direct final rule without a prior proposed rule. If we receive no adverse comment, we will not take further action on this proposed rule.
Two Optional Methods for Relative Accuracy Test Audits of Mercury Monitoring Systems Installed on Combustion Flue Gas Streams and Several Amendments to Related Mercury Monitoring Provisions
EPA is proposing two optional methods for relative accuracy audits of mercury monitoring systems installed on combustion flue gas streams and several amendments to related mercury monitoring provisions. In specific, this action proposes two optional mercury (Hg) emissions test methods for potential use in conjunction with an existing regulatory requirement for Hg emissions monitoring specified in the Federal Register on May 18, 2005, as well as several revisions to the mercury monitoring provisions themselves. Since that Federal Register publication, EPA has received numerous comments concerning the desirability of EPA evaluating and allowing use of the measurement techniques addressed in the two optional methods in lieu of the methods identified in the cited Federal Register publication, as they can produce equally acceptable measures of the relative accuracy achieved by Hg monitoring systems. This action would allow use of these two optional methods entirely at the discretion of the owner or operator of an affected emission source in place of the two currently specified methods. This also proposes to amend Performance Specification 12A by adding Methods 30A and 30B to the list of reference methods acceptable for measuring Hg concentration and to amend the Hg monitoring provisions of May 18, 2005, to reflect technical insights since gained by EPA which will help to facilitate their implementation including clarification and increased regulatory flexibility for affected sources.
Two Optional Methods for Relative Accuracy Test Audits of Mercury Monitoring Systems Installed on Combustion Flue Gas Streams and Several Amendments to Related Mercury Monitoring Provisions
EPA is taking direct final action on two optional methods for relative accuracy audits of mercury monitoring systems installed on combustion flue gas streams and several amendments to related mercury monitoring provisions. This action approves two optional mercury (Hg) emissions test methods for potential use in conjunction with an existing regulatory requirement for Hg emissions monitoring, as well as several revisions to the mercury monitoring provisions themselves. This action is in regard to the testing and monitoring requirements for mercury specified in the Federal Register on May 18, 2005. Since that publication, EPA has received numerous comments concerning the desirability of EPA evaluating and allowing use of the measurement techniques addressed in the two optional methods in lieu of the methods identified in the cited Federal Register publication, as they can produce equally acceptable measures of the relative accuracy achieved by Hg monitoring systems. This action allows use of these two optional methods entirely at the discretion of the owner or operator of an affected emission source in place of the two currently specified methods. This direct final rule also amends Performance Specification 12A by adding Methods 30A and 30B to the list of reference methods acceptable for measuring Hg concentration and the Hg monitoring provisions of May 18, 2005, to reflect technical insights since gained by EPA which will help to facilitate implementation including clarification and increased regulatory flexibility for affected sources.
Proposed Consent Decree, Clean Air Act Citizen Suit
In accordance with section 113(g) of the Clean Air Act, as amended (``Act''), 42 U.S.C. 7413(g), notice is hereby given of a proposed consent decree, to address a lawsuit filed by Sierra Club (``Plaintiff'') in the United States District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin: Sierra Club v. Johnson, No. 07-C-0154-S (W.D. WI). Plaintiff filed a deadline suit to compel the Administrator to respond to two administrative petitions seeking EPA's objection to CAA Title V operating permits issued by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to Louisiana Pacific Corporation's Tomahawk facility and the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Walnut Street Heating Plant. Under the terms of the proposed consent decree, EPA has agreed to respond to Plaintiff's petitions within ten (10) days after the entry of this decree by the Court, and Plaintiff has agreed to dismiss their suit with prejudice. In addition, EPA has agreed to pay Plaintiff a specified amount in settlement for attorneys' fees in this matter.
Proposed CERCLA Administrative Cost Recovery Settlement; Barbara Lastrina and Joseph Gosselin, Somers Plating Site, Somers, CT
In accordance with Section 122(i) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation, and Liability Act, as amended (``CERCLA''), 42 U.S.C. 9622(i), notice is hereby given of a proposed administrative settlement for recovery of past costs concerning the Somers Plating Superfund Site in Somers, Connecticut with the following settling parties: Barbara Lastrina and Joseph Gosselin. The settlement requires the settling parties to pay 40% of the Net Sales Proceeds of the transfer of the property to the Hazardous Substance Superfund. The settlement includes a covenant not to sue the settling parties pursuant to Section 107(a) of CERCLA, 42 U.S.C. 9607(a). For thirty (30) days following the date of publication of this notice, the Agency will receive written comments relating to the settlement. The Agency will consider all comments received and may modify or withdraw its consent to the settlement if comments received disclose facts or considerations which indicate that the settlement is inappropriate, improper, or inadequate. The Agency's response to any comments received will be available for public inspection at One Congress Street, Boston, MA 02114-2023.
Residues of Quaternary Ammonium Compounds di-n-Alkyl (C8
This regulation amends 40 CFR 180.940(a), the exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of Quaternary Ammonium Compounds, di-n-Alkyl (C8-10) dimethyl ammonium chloride, average molecular weight (in amu) 332 to 361 on food contact surfaces when applied/used in public eating places, dairy processing equipment, and food-processing equipment and utensils by increasing the allowable use solution concentrations of quaternary compounds. Lonza Inc. submitted a petition to EPA under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act requesting an increase in the concentrations of quaternary compounds in end-use products eligible for the exemption. As amended, the regulation will exempt solutions from the requirement of a tolerance residues resulting from contact with surfaces treated with solutions where the end use concentration of the specific quaternary compounds does not exceed 240 parts per million (ppm) of active quaternary ammonium compounds, and the end-use concentration of all quaternary chemicals in the solution does not exceed 400 ppm of active quaternary compound.
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to OMB for Review and Approval; Comment Request; EPA's In-Use Vehicle and Engine Testing Programs; EPA ICR No. 0222.08, OMB Control No. 2060-0086
In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA)(44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this document announces that an Information Collection Request (ICR) has been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. This is a request to renew an existing approved collection. The ICR, which is abstracted below, describes the nature of the information collection and its estimated burden and cost.
Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Mohegan Tribe of Indians of Connecticut
The EPA is proposing to approve a Tribal Implementation Plan submitted by the Mohegan Tribe of Indians of Connecticut. The TIP establishes an enforceable cap on nitrogen oxide emissions from stationary sources owned by the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority and located within the external boundaries of the Mohegan Reservation. This action is intended to help attain the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for ground-level ozone. This action is being taken in accordance with the Clean Air Act.
TSCA Section 21 Petition on Nonylphenol and Nonylphenol Ethoxylates; Response to Citizens’ Petition
On June 6, 2007, the Sierra Club, the Environmental Law and Policy Center, the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen's Associations, the Washington Toxics Coalition, Physicians for Social Responsibility, and UNITE HERE petitioned EPA under section 21 of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) to initiate rulemaking proceedings under sections 4 and 6 of TSCA. Specifically, petitioners requested that EPA require manufacturers and importers to conduct certain health and safety studies under TSCA section 4; and also require, under TSCA section 6(a), labeling on all products containing nonylphenol (NP) and nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs), and limit the use of NP and NPEs where the use of these substances presents an unreasonable risk to public health and the environment. For the reasons set forth in this notice, EPA is granting the petitioners' request to initiate a proceeding for chronic aquatic toxicity testing under TSCA section 4 and will also request comment on potential additional testing related to certain of the petitioners' requests, but is denying the petition in regard to TSCA section 6 and to the remaining specific TSCA section 4 requests.
Child-Specific Exposure Factors Handbook
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing that Eastern Research Group, Inc. (ERG), an EPA contractor for external scientific review, will convene an independent panel of experts and organize and conduct a peer-review workshop, to review the external review draft document titled, ``Child-Specific Exposure Factors Handbook'' (EPA/600/R-06/096A). EPA provided an opportunity for public comment on the draft document from October 2006 to January 2007. The draft document was prepared by the National Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA) within EPA's Office of Research and Development. The ``Child-Specific Exposure Factors Handbook'' provides a summary of statistical data on various exposure factors used in assessing children's exposures, including: Drinking water consumption; soil ingestion and mouthing behavior; inhalation rates; dermal factors including skin surface area and soil adherence factors; consumption of retail and home-grown foods; breast milk intake; and human activity pattern data. Once completed, this report will serve as a resource for exposure assessors for estimating children's exposures. An interim final version of this handbook was published in 2002. This updated version provides analysis of exposure factors data using the age groups for children recommended in the EPA document entitled, ``Guidance on Selecting Age Groups for Monitoring and Assessing Childhood Exposures to Environmental Contaminants'' (EPA/630/P-03/003F) (Available on line at https://cfpub.epa.gov/ncea/cfm/recordisplay.cfm?deid=146583). EPA released this draft document in October 2006, solely for the purpose of pre-dissemination peer review under applicable information quality guidelines. This document has not been formally disseminated by EPA. It does not represent and should not be construed to represent any Agency policy or determination. In preparing a final report, EPA will consider the public comments submitted to EPA's docket during the public comment period, and the contractor's report of the external peer-review workshop, including any oral public comments received at the workshop.
Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; New Mexico; Prevention of Significant Deterioration and New Source Review
The EPA is approving revisions to the New Mexico State Implementation Plan (SIP) that were submitted to EPA on April 11, 2002, and December 29, 2005. The revisions modify New Mexico's Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) and Nonattainment New Source Review (NNSR) regulations in the SIP to address changes to the Federal PSD and NNSR regulations which were promulgated by EPA on December 31, 2002 and reconsidered with minor changes on November 7, 2003 (collectively, these two Federal actions are called the ``2002 New Source Review (NSR) Reform Rules''). The revisions include provisions for baseline emissions calculations, an actual-to-projected-actual methodology for calculating emissions changes, options for plantwide applicability limits (PALs), and recordkeeping and reporting requirements. EPA is approving these revisions pursuant to section 110, part C, and part D of the Federal Clean Air Act (Act).
Clean Air Act Advisory Committee (CAAAC): Notice of Meeting
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established the Clean Air Act Advisory Committee (CAAAC) on November 19, 1990, to provide independent advice and counsel to EPA on policy issues associated with implementation of the Clean Air Act of 1990. The Committee advises on economic, environmental, technical scientific, and enforcement policy issues. Dates & Addresses: Open meeting notice; Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. App. 2 section 10(a)(2), notice is hereby given that the Clean Air Act Advisory Committee will hold its next open meeting on Thursday September, 20, 2007 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Double Tree Hotel at 300 Army Navy Drive, in Arlington, Virginia. Seating will be available on a first come, first served basis. The Economic Incentives and Regulatory Innovations subcommittee will meet on September 19, 2007 from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. The Permits, New Source Review and Toxics subcommittee will meet on September 19, 2007 from approximately 12:45 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. The Mobile Source Technical Review subcommittee will meet on September 19, 2007 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. These meetings will also be at the Double Tree Hotel. There will also be a teleconference call of the full Clean Air Act Advisory Committee on September 24, 2007 from approximately 1-3 p.m. The agenda for the CAAAC full committee meeting on September 20, 2007 and the teleconference contact information for the September 24, 2007 will be posted on the Clean Air Act Advisory Committee Web site at https://www.epa.gov/oar/caaac/. Inspection of Committee Documents: The Committee agenda and any documents prepared for the meeting will be publicly available at the meeting. Thereafter, these documents, together with CAAAC meeting minutes, will be available by contacting the Office of Air and Radiation Docket and requesting information under docket OAR-2004-0075. The Docket office can be reached by telephoning 202-260-7548; FAX 202- 260-4400.
Approval and Promulgation of State Plans for Designated Facilities and Pollutants; Iowa; Clean Air Mercury Rule
EPA is proposing to approve the State Plan submitted by Iowa on August 15, 2006, and revisions submitted on April 26, 2007. The plan addresses the requirements of EPA's Clean Air Mercury Rule (CAMR), promulgated on May 18, 2005, and subsequently revised on June 9, 2006. EPA is proposing to determine that the submitted State Plan fully meets the CAMR requirements for Iowa. CAMR requires States to regulate emissions of mercury (Hg) from large coal-fired electric generating units (EGUs). CAMR establishes State budgets for annual EGU Hg emissions and requires States to submit State Plans to ensure that annual EGU Hg emissions will not exceed the applicable State budget. States have the flexibility to choose which control measures to adopt to achieve the budgets, including participating in the EPA-administered CAMR cap-and-trade program. In the State Plan that EPA is proposing to approve Iowa would meet CAMR requirements by participating in the EPA trading program.
Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Information Collection Request for Superfund Site Evaluation and Hazard Ranking System; EPA ICR No. 1488.07, OMB Control No. 2050-0095
In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this document announces that EPA is planning to submit a request to renew an existing approved Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). This ICR is scheduled to expire on February 29, 2008. Before submitting the ICR to OMB for review and approval, EPA is soliciting comments on specific aspects of the proposed information collection as described below.
Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; New Jersey; Zero Emission Vehicle Component of the Low Emission Vehicle Program
The Environmental Protection Agency is proposing to approve, through model year 2011, New Jersey's low emission vehicle program related to the manufacture and sale of zero-emission vehicles, consistent with California's current low emission vehicle regulations. EPA previously approved New Jersey's low emission vehicle program, but did not take action on the zero-emission vehicle provisions. The intended effect of this action is to approve, as consistent with section 110(a)(2) of the Clean Air Act, a control strategy that will help New Jersey achieve attainment of the National Ambient Air Quality Standard for ozone.
Deletion of Existing SORN
Pursuant to the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a), the Office of Inspector General, Environmental Protection Agency is giving notice that it proposes to delete and transfer an existing system of records for the IG Operations and Records System (SORN EPA-41). This system was used to support EPA's Personnel Security function when that function was assigned to the EPA Office of Inspector General. The system was used to track the status of EPA Personnel with sensitive clearances and individuals undergoing background checks for sensitive positions. This module of the EPA OIG's Inspector General Operations and Records (IGOR) System has been removed from the EPA's production server and is no longer available for data input, reports or processing. The EPA Personnel Security Function has been transferred to EPA's Office of Administration and Resources Management (OARM). Tracking of the Personnel Security Function is currently managed in a sub-system of the Office of Administration Services (OAS), Office of Administration Services Information System (OASIS). The SORN for this IGOR sub-module (EPA-41) has been transferred to the OAS OASIS system.
National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants From Petroleum Refineries
This action proposes amendments to the national emission standards for petroleum refineries to address the risk remaining after application of the 1995 standards. This action also provides the results of EPA's 8-year review of developments in practices, processes, and control technologies that have occurred since the time EPA adopted the emissions standards. Based on the results of the residual risk and technology review, this action proposes two options for both wastewater treatment systems and storage vessels. For wastewater treatment systems, the first option would not require any additional controls as necessary to address residual risk or under the technology review. The second option would require refineries to apply new or additional requirements for wastewater treatment systems. For storage vessels, the first option would also not require any additional controls as necessary to address residual risk or under the technology review and the second option would require refineries to apply new or additional requirements for storage vessels. Finally, we are also proposing two options for amendments to add emissions standards for cooling towers.
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