Environmental Protection Agency December 24, 2013 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The EPA Science Advisory Board (SAB) Staff Office announces a public teleconference of the Chartered Science Advisory Board Panel to complete Board discussions of planned actions identified in the agency's regulatory agenda and their supporting science and to discuss possible future SAB advice related to EPA's strategic priorities.

In accordance with the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, as amended (``CERCLA''), notice is hereby given of a proposed administrative settlement for recovery of past response costs concerning the Cadie Auto Salvage Site in Belvidere, Boone County, Illinois with the following settling party: Helen E. Cadie. The settlement requires the owner Settling Party to pay a set percentage of the net proceeds from the sale of the Site. The settlement includes a covenant not to sue the Settling Party pursuant to CERCLA, contribution protection for the Settling Party pursuant to CERCLA, and a release of a CERCLA lien on the Site. 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 the EPA, Region 5, Records Center, 77 W. Jackson Blvd., 7th Fl., and Chicago, Illinois 60604.

The Environmental Protection Agency has submitted an information collection request (ICR), ``NESHAP for Beryllium (40 CFR Part 61, Subpart C) (Renewal)'' (EPA ICR No. 0193.11, OMB Control No. 2060-0092), to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq). This is a proposed extension of the ICR, which is currently approved through March 31, 2014. Public comments were previously requested via the Federal Register (78 FR 33409) on June 4, 2013, during a 60-day comment period. This notice allows for an additional 30 days for public comments. A fuller description of the ICR is given below, including its estimated burden and cost to the public. An Agency may not conduct or sponsor and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of New Hampshire. This SIP revision establishes carbon monoxide (CO) limited maintenance plans for the City of Manchester, New Hampshire and the City of Nashua, New Hampshire. As part of its limited maintenance plan, New Hampshire will continue year-round CO monitoring at the Londonderry Moose Hill station in Londonderry, New Hampshire with triggers to reestablish CO monitoring sites in Manchester and Nashua if elevated CO levels are recorded in Londonderry. Future carbon monoxide transportation conformity evaluations for Manchester and Nashua would for the length of their limited maintenance plans be considered to satisfy the regional emissions analysis and ``budget test'' requirements. This action is being taken under the Clean Air Act.

EPA is seeking comment on options for adjusting the allowance system controlling United States consumption and production of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs). Under Title VI of the Clean Air Act, EPA is required to phase out production and import of these chemicals in accordance with United States obligations under the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (Protocol). Under the Protocol and the Clean Air Act, total United States HCFC production and consumption is capped, and will be completely phased out by 2030. Beginning January 1, 2015, United States production and consumption of all HCFCs must be no more than ten percent of the established cap. Existing EPA regulations prohibit production and consumption of HCFC-22 and HCFC-142b as of January 1, 2020. At that time, all other HCFC production and consumption must not exceed 0.5 percent of the cap, and is limited to use as a refrigerant in existing air conditioning and refrigeration equipment. Given these requirements, EPA is seeking comment on how best to implement the 2015 stepdown to no more than 10 percent of the cap. Since the beginning of the HCFC phaseout program, the agency has tried to ensure a smooth transition out of HCFCs into non-ozone depleting alternatives. Essential to a smooth transition are the recycling and emissions reductions requirements mandated by section 608 of the Clean Air Act. This proposal also includes a request for comment on potential changes to regulations promulgated under that authority, found in 40 CFR part 82 subpart F. In addition to taking comment on the implementation of phaseout requirements and proposed changes to section 608 regulations, the agency is also highlighting important Clean Air Act requirements that take effect in 2015, specifically the section 611 labeling requirements and the section 605 restrictions on HCFC use and introduction into interstate commerce.