[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 12 (Wednesday, January 19, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-1236]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: January 19, 1994]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[OPPTS-400084; FRL-4757-1]

 

Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know; Notice of Public 
Meeting

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of public meeting.

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SUMMARY: EPA will hold a one half day public meeting to discuss the 
options the Agency is considering for developing an exemption to the 
Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), section 313 
reporting requirements for chemical reports of small release amounts. 
In connection with this meeting, the Agency has prepared an issues 
paper that will be available at no charge through the address or 
telephone number listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

DATES: The meeting will take place on Wednesday, February 16, 1994, at 
9 a.m. and adjourn by 12 noon.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the: Environmental Protection 
Agency, Auditorium, Education Center, 401 M St., SW., Washington, DC 
20460.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Samuel K. Sasnett, Chief, Toxic 
Release Inventory Branch, Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-
Know Information Hotline, Environmental Protection Agency, Mail Stop 
5101, 401 M St., SW., Washington, DC 20460, Toll Free: 1-800-535-0202, 
Washington, DC and Alaska (703) 920-9877, Attention: Docket No. 400084.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In 1986, Congress enacted the Emergency 
Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA). Section 313 of EPCRA 
requires certain businesses to submit reports each year on the amounts 
of toxic chemicals their facilities release into the environment. The 
purpose of this requirement is to inform the public and government 
officials about releases of specified toxic chemicals.
    The current reporting requirements apply to facilities in the 
manufacturing sector (Standard Industrial Classification codes 20-39), 
that have 10 or more full-time employees, and that manufacture, 
process, or otherwise use 1 or more chemicals on the section 313 list 
of toxic chemicals above certain thresholds.
    In conjunction with expansion of the TRI reporting requirements, 
the Agency has been considering whether other adjustments are needed in 
the scope of the TRI program. EPA received petitions from the Small 
Business Administration and the American Feed Industry Association 
seeking an exemption for ``small sources'' (i.e., those facilities that 
file TRI forms with zero or small release estimates). EPA previously 
put those petitions out for public comment and, on review, believes 
there is substantial merit to the general concerns raised in the 
petitions.
    EPA is examining four options for establishing a small release 
exemption from the TRI reporting obligation: Cut-offs at zero, 500 
pounds, 1,000 pounds, and 5,000 pounds. EPA has developed a paper that 
presents findings from analyses conducted on several low-release level 
options. This paper describes background information in greater detail 
and issues related to exemption options being considered. Copies of 
this paper will be available on or before Monday, January 31, 1994, 
from the address or telephone number listed under FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT. Oral statements will be scheduled on a first come 
first serve basis by calling the telephone number listed under FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. All statements will be made part of the 
public record and will be considered in the development of any proposed 
rule amendment.

    Dated: January 12, 1994.
Mark A. Greenwood,
Director, Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics.
[FR Doc. 94-1236 Filed 1-18-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-F