Environmental Protection Agency May 26, 2010 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

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 January 31, 2011. 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.

This regulation establishes tolerances for residues of novaluron in or on multiple commodities which are identified and discussed later in this document. This regulation additionally revises several established tolerances for residues of novaluron. Makhteshim- Agan of North America, Inc., requested these tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).

EPA is announcing the availability of a draft transportation conformity guidance document for public comment. Once finalized, this guidance would help state and local agencies complete quantitative PM2.5 and PM10 hot-spot analyses for project- level transportation conformity determinations of certain highway and transit projects. A hot-spot analysis includes an estimation of project-level emissions, air quality modeling, and a comparison to the relevant national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) in PM2.5 and PM10 nonattainment and maintenance areas. The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is EPA's federal partner in implementing the transportation conformity regulation, and EPA coordinated with DOT on the development of this draft guidance.

This notice announces the availability of EPA's draft ecological risk assessment for the registration review of inorganic nitrates - nitrites, carbon and carbon dioxide, and gas cartridge uses of sulfur, and opens a public comment period on this document. Comments

This regulation establishes an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of the coat protein of plum pox virus in or on stone fruit and almond when expressed in these food commodities by the plant-incorporated protectant, coat protein gene of plum pox virus. Interregional Research Project Number 4 of Rutgers University (on behalf of the United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service-Appalachian Fruit Research Station) submitted a petition to EPA under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), requesting an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance. This regulation eliminates the need to establish a maximum permissible level for residues of the coat protein of plum pox virus under the FFDCA.

EPA is proposing to revoke all the tolerances for the fungicide maneb because the Agency has approved requests for voluntary cancellation by registrants of the last registrations for the food uses of maneb in the United States.

EPA is proposing to simplify and streamline the process by which manufacturers of clean alternative fuel conversion systems may demonstrate compliance with vehicle and engine emissions requirements. Specifically, EPA is proposing to revise the regulatory criteria for gaining an exemption from the Clean Air Act prohibition against tampering for the conversion of vehicles and engines to operate on a clean alternative fuel. Under existing EPA regulations, an exemption from the tampering prohibition may only be granted to vehicles and engines covered by a certificate of conformity. The proposed revisions would create additional compliance options beyond certification that would protect manufacturers of clean alternative fuel conversion systems against a tampering violation, depending on the age of the vehicle or engine to be converted. The new options would alleviate some economic and procedural impediments to clean alternative fuel conversions while maintaining environmental safeguards to ensure that acceptable emission levels from converted vehicles are sustained.