Environmental Protection Agency January 30, 2015 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

EPA is announcing the availability of three draft test guidelines for public review and comment that are being added to its 890 Series, entitled ``Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program Test Guidelines.'' The draft guidelines relate to the following three non- mammalian species tests identified under Tier 2 of the Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program (EDSP): Japanese quail 2-generation reproduction test; Medaka extended 1-generation reproduction test; and Larval amphibian growth and development assay. These draft test guidelines are part of a series of test guidelines established by the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention (OCSPP) for use in testing pesticides and chemical substances. The test guidelines serve as a compendium of accepted scientific methodologies and protocols that are intended to provide data to inform regulatory decisions. The test guidelines provide guidance for conducting the test, and are also used by EPA, the public, and companies that submit data to EPA.

In accordance with section 113(g) of the Clean Air Act, as amended (``Act''), notice is hereby given of a proposed settlement agreement to address lawsuits filed by Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. (``Cliffs''), ArcelorMittal USA LLC (``ArcelorMittal''), the State of Michigan (collectively, the ``Petitioners'') in the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit: Cliffs Natural Resources Inc., et al., v. EPA, No. 13-1758 (and consolidated case Nos. 13-1761, 13-2126, 13-2129, 13-2130) and Cliffs Natural Resources Inc., et al., v. EPA, No. 13-3573 (and consolidated case Nos. 13-3575, 14-1710, and 14-1712). Petitioners filed petitions for review challenging EPA's final rule entitled ``Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; States of Minnesota and Michigan; Regional Haze State Implementation Plan; Federal Implementation Plan for Regional Haze'' 78 FR 8706 (Feb. 6, 2013) (the ``FIP Rule''). Petitioners also filed petitions for review challenging EPA's final rule entitled ``Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; States of Michigan and Minnesota; Regional Haze,'' 78 FR 59825 (Sept. 30, 2013) (the ``SIP Rule''). The proposed settlement agreement establishes deadlines for EPA to take actions.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing a 60- day public comment period for the draft document titled, ``Second External Review Draft Integrated Science Assessment for Oxides of NitrogenHealth Criteria'' (EPA/600/R-13/005). The draft document was prepared by the National Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA) within EPA's Office of Research and Development (ORD) as part of the review of the primary (health-based) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for nitrogen dioxide (NO2). The Integrated Science Assessment (ISA), in conjunction with additional technical and policy assessments, provide the scientific basis for EPA decisions on the adequacy of the current NAAQS and the appropriateness of possible alternative standards. EPA is developing a separate ISA and NAAQS review for the secondary (welfare-based) NAAQS for NO2, in conjunction with a review of the secondary NAAQS for sulfur dioxide (78 FR 53452). EPA is releasing this draft document to seek review by the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC) and the public (meeting date and location to be specified in a separate Federal Register notice). This draft document is not final as described in EPA's information quality guidelines, and it does not represent and should not be construed to represent Agency policy or views. EPA will consider any public comments submitted in response to this notice when revising the document.