[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 154 (Thursday, August 11, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-19640]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: August 11, 1994]


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Part II





Environmental Protection Agency





_______________________________________________________________________



40 CFR Part 82




Protection of Stratospheric Ozone; Amendment to the Phaseout of Ozone-
Depleting Chemicals to Correct Allocation Numbers; Final Rule
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 82

[FRL-5040-4]

 
Protection of Stratospheric Ozone; Amendment to the Phaseout of 
Ozone-Depleting Chemicals to Correct Allocation Numbers

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Direct final rulemaking.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In the December 10, 1993 Federal Register the Environmental 
Protection Agency inadvertently omitted a paragraph that should have 
been carried over from the preceding phaseout rule; this paragraph is 
subsequently added back into the regulation through today's direct 
final rulemaking. Through this action, the Environmental Protection 
Agency is also updating its lists of Parties to the Montreal Protocol 
in Appendix C and of Article 5 countries in Appendix E.

EFFECTIVE DATE: This action will become effective October 11, 1994 
unless EPA receives notice by September 12, 1994 that someone wishes to 
submit adverse or critical comments. If such comments are received, EPA 
would then publish a timely notice announcing its withdrawal before the 
effective date provided in today's action. A second document would then 
request comments, after which a final rule would be drafted and 
published, responding to such comments.

ADDRESSES: Materials relevant to the rulemaking are contained in Air 
Docket A-92-13 at: Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M Street S.W., 
Washington, D.C. 20460. The public docket room is located in room M-
1500, Waterside Mall (Ground Floor). Materials may be inspected from 
8:30 a.m. until noon and from 1:30 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. Monday through 
Friday. A reasonable fee may be charged by EPA for copying docket 
materials. Information on this rulemaking may also be obtained from the 
Stratospheric Protection Information Hotline at 1-800-296-1996.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Stratospheric Protection 
Information Hotline at 1-800-296-1996 or Michael James, Stratospheric 
Protection Division, Office of Atmospheric Programs, Office of Air and 
Radiation, 6205J, (202) 233-9192.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Today's Revisions to the Phaseout of Ozone-Depleting Substances

    In today's action, EPA is re-inserting a paragraph under 
Sec. 82.10, inadvertently omitted from the final rulemaking (58 FR 
65018), to grant a limited level of consumption allowances to carbon 
tetrachloride producers under certain conditions. During the July 30, 
1992 rulemaking (57 FR 33754), EPA intended to allocate carbon 
tetrachloride (Group IV) consumption allowances to all companies that 
received carbon tetrachloride production allowances. During the 
drafting of that rulemaking, EPA realized that complications existed in 
the development and calculation of the baseline for this chemical, such 
that some companies that had exported carbon tetrachloride would not 
receive baseline consumption allowances. Thus, companies that had 
intended to produce for export could not because of the requirement to 
hold both production and consumption allowances at the time of 
production.
    To address this situation in the final rulemaking, EPA promulgated 
Sec. 82.10(c) to allocate baseline consumption allowances to carbon 
tetrachloride producers who had exported in the baseline year, but had 
not received baseline consumption allowances. Producers who met these 
conditions would receive baseline consumption allowances equal to the 
level of production allowances received for the control period. In 
addition, this paragraph required that producers who received these 
allowances demonstrate that they had exported this chemical by 
providing documentation to EPA that they had indeed exported the 
chemical by February 15 of the year after the end of the control 
period.
    During the development of the December 10, 1993 final rule (58 FR 
65018), EPA inadvertently omitted this paragraph of the final rule. It 
was never the intention of EPA to eliminate this provision, and EPA 
believes that this provision is essential for companies to continue to 
produce this chemical for export markets, many of which use carbon 
tetrachloride as a feedstock in the production of other chemicals. For 
these reasons, EPA is today re-inserting former Sec. 82.10(c) as 
82.10(d) of the current rule, making the provisions of the new 
Sec. 82.10(d) retroactive to January 1, 1994. In this way, companies 
will not be penalized as a result of the Agency's inadvertent omission.
    With this notice, the Agency is also updating Appendix C to Subpart 
A--Annex 1 Parties to the Montreal Protocol and Appendix E to Subpart 
A--Article 5 Parties. The revised Appendix C reflects the following 
changes: additional countries that have signed onto the Montreal 
Protocol, existing or added Parties that have ratified the London 
Amendments, or existing or added Parties that have ratified the 
Copenhagen Amendments. The changes to Appendix E reflect additional 
developing countries that have signed onto the Montreal Protocol. These 
developing countries have also been added to Appendix C.
    Because these changes are only correcting inadvertent omissions or 
typographical errors, they have no impact on the environment or on the 
implementation of the Stratospheric Protection Program. This action is 
being taken without prior proposal because EPA believes that this final 
decision is noncontroversial and anticipates no significant adverse 
comments on this action. If adverse comment on this rulemaking is 
received, EPA would withdraw this direct final notice, then propose as 
a separate notice, upon which comments would be solicited. A final rule 
would then be written, which would provide responses to comments.

II. Summary of Supporting Analysis

A. Executive Order 12866

    Under Executive Order 12866 (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993), the 
Agency must determine whether this regulatory action is ``significant'' 
and therefore subject to OMB review and the requirements of the 
Executive Order. The Order defines ``significant'' regulatory action as 
one that is likely to lead to a rule that may:
    (1) Have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more, 
or adversely and materially affect a sector of the economy, 
productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, public health or 
safety, or State, local, or tribal governments or communities;
    (2) Create a serious inconsistency or otherwise interfere with an 
action taken or planned by another agency;
    (3) Materially alter the budgetary impact of entitlement, grants, 
user fees, or loan programs or the rights and obligations of recipients 
thereof; or
    (4) Raise novel legal or policy issues arising out of legal 
mandates, the President's priorities, or the principles set forth in 
the Executive Order.
    It has been determined by OMB and EPA that this amendment to the 
final rule is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under the terms 
of Executive Order 12866 and is therefore not subject to OMB review 
under the Executive Order.

B. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601-602, requires that 
Federal agencies examine the impacts of their regulations on small 
entities. Under 5 U.S.C. 604(a), whenever an agency is required to 
publish a general notice of proposed rulemaking, it must prepare and 
make available for public comment an initial regulatory flexibility 
analysis (RFA). Such an analysis is not required if the head of an 
agency certifies that a rule will not have a significant economic 
impact on a substantial number of small entities, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 
605(b).
    EPA believes that any impact that this amendment will have on the 
regulated community will serve only to provide relief from otherwise 
applicable regulations, and will therefore limit the negative economic 
impact associated with the regulations previously promulgated under 
Section 604. An examination of the impacts on small entities was 
discussed in the final rule (58 FR 65018). That final rule assessed the 
impact the rule may have on small entities. A separate regulatory 
impact analysis accompanied the final rule and is contained in Docket 
A-91-50. I certify that this amendment to the accelerated phaseout rule 
will not have any additional negative economic impacts on any small 
entities.

C. Paperwork Reduction Act

    Any information collection requirements in a rule must be submitted 
for approval to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the 
Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. Because no additional 
informational collection requirements are required by this amendment, 
EPA has determined that the Paperwork Reduction Act does not apply to 
this rulemaking and no new Information Collection Request document has 
been prepared.

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 82

    Air pollution control, Chemicals, Exports, Imports, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements.

    Dated: August 4, 1994.
Carol M. Browner,
Administrator.

    40 CFR part 82 is amended as follows:

PART 82--PROTECTION OF STRATOSPHERIC OZONE

    1. The authority citation for part 82 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7414, 7601, 7671-7671q.

    2. Section 82.10 is amended by adding a new paragraph (d) to read 
as follows:


Sec. 82.10  Availability of consumption allowances in addition to 
baseline consumption allowances.

* * * * *
    (d) On the first day of each control period the Agency will grant 
consumption allowances to any person that produced and exported a Group 
IV controlled substance in the baseline year and that was not granted 
baseline consumption allowances under Sec. 82.6.
    (1) The number of consumption allowances any such person will be 
granted for each control period will be equal to the number of 
production allowances granted to that person under Sec. 82.7 for that 
control period.
    (2) Any person granted allowances under this paragraph must hold 
the same number of unexpended consumption allowances for the control 
period for which the allowances were granted by February 15 of the 
following control period. Every kilogram by which the person's 
unexpended consumption allowances fall short of the amount the person 
was granted under this paragraph constitutes a separate violation.
    (3) This paragraph will apply retroactively to January 1, 1994, in 
order that such consumption allowances will be granted for the 1994 
control period.
    3. Appendix C to subpart A is revised to read as follows:

                       Appendix C to Subpart A.--Annex 1--Parties to the Montreal Protocol                      
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                 Copenhagen     
                 Foreign State                    Montreal protocol     London amendments        amendments     
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Algeria.......................................                                                    
Antigua and Barbuda...........................                                             
Argentina.....................................                                                    
Australia.....................................                                                    
Austria.......................................                                                    
Bahamas.......................................                                             
Bahrain.......................................                                                    
Bangladesh....................................                                                           
Barbados......................................                                                           
Belarus.......................................                                                           
Belgium.......................................                                                    
Benin.........................................                                                           
Bosnia and Herzegovina........................                                                           
Botswana......................................                                                           
Brazil........................................                                                    
Burnei........................................                                                           
Bulgaria......................................                                                           
Burkina Faso..................................                                                           
Cameroon......................................                                                    
Canada........................................                                                    
Central African Republic......................                                                           
Chile.........................................                                                    
China.........................................                                                    
Colombia......................................                                                           
Congo.........................................                                                           
Costa Rica....................................                                                           
Cote Ivoire...................................                                                           
Croatia.......................................                                                    
Cuba..........................................                                                           
Cyprus........................................                                                           
Czech Republic................................                                                           
Denmark.......................................                                             
Dominica......................................                                                    
Ecuador.......................................                                             
Egypt.........................................                                                    
El Salvador...................................                                                           
European E.C..................................                                                    
Fiji..........................................                                                           
Finland.......................................                                             
France........................................                                                    
Gabon.........................................                                                           
Gambia........................................                                                           
Germany.......................................                                             
Ghana.........................................                                                    
Greece........................................                                                    
Grenada.......................................                                                    
Guatemala.....................................                                                           
Guinea........................................                                                    
Guyana........................................                                                    
Honduras......................................                                                           
Hungary.......................................                                                    
Iceland.......................................                                                    
India.........................................                                                    
Indonesia.....................................                                                    
Iran..........................................                                                           
Ireland.......................................                                                    
Israel........................................                                                    
Italy.........................................                                                    
Jamaica.......................................                                                    
Japan.........................................                                                    
Jordan........................................                                                    
Kenya.........................................                                                           
Kiribati......................................                                                           
Korea, Republic of............................                                                    
Kuwait........................................                                                           
Lebanon.......................................                                                    
Libya.........................................                                                           
Liechtenstein.................................                                                           
Luxembourg....................................                                                    
Malawi........................................                                             
Malaysia......................................                                             
Maldives......................................                                                    
Malta.........................................                                                    
Marshall Islands..............................                                             
Mauritius.....................................                                             
Mexico........................................                                                    
Monaco........................................                                                    
Morocco.......................................                                                           
Myranmar......................................                                                    
Namibia.......................................                                                           
Netherlands...................................                                                    
New Zealand...................................                                             
Nicaragua.....................................                                                           
Niger.........................................                                                           
Nigeria.......................................                                                           
Norway........................................                                             
Pakistan......................................                                                    
Panama........................................                                                    
Papua New Guinea..............................                                                    
Paraguay......................................                                                    
Peru..........................................                                                    
Philippines...................................                                                    
Poland........................................                                                           
Portugal......................................                                                    
Romania.......................................                                                    
Russian Federation............................                                                    
Saint Kitts and Nevis.........................                                                           
Saint Lucia...................................                                                           
Samoa.........................................                                                           
Saudi Arabia..................................                                             
Senegal.......................................                                                    
Seychelles....................................                                             
Singapore.....................................                                                    
Slovenia......................................                                                    
Solomon Islands...............................                                                    
South Africa..................................                                                    
Spain.........................................                                                    
Sri Lanka.....................................                                                    
Sudan.........................................                                                           
Swaziland.....................................                                                           
Sweden........................................                                             
Switzerland...................................                                                    
Syrian Arab Republic..........................                                                           
Tanzania, United Republic of..................                                                    
Thailand......................................                                                    
Togo..........................................                                                           
Trinidad and Tobago...........................                                                           
Tunisia.......................................                                                    
Turkey........................................                                                           
Turkministan..................................                                                           
Tuvalu........................................                                                           
Uganda........................................                                                    
Ukranian SSR..................................                                                           
United Arab Emirates..........................                                                           
United Kingdom................................                                                    
United States.................................                                             
Uruguay.......................................                                                    
Uzbekistan....................................                                                           
Venezuela.....................................                                                    
Viet Nam......................................                                             
Yugoslavia....................................                                                           
Zambia........................................                                                           
Zimbabwe......................................                                                           
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    4. Appendix E to Subpart A is revised to read as follows:

Appendix E to Subpart A--Article 5 Parties

    Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bahamas, Bahrain, 
Bangladesh, Barbados, Benin, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, 
Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chile, China, 
Colombia, Costa Rica, Cote Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Dominica, Ecuador, 
Egypt, El Salvador, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, 
Guyana, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, 
Kiribati, Lebanon, Libya, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, 
Mexico, Myranmar, Namibia, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Panama, 
Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Romania, Saint Kitts and 
Nevis, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Senegal, Seychelles, Slovenia, Solomon 
Islands, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Syrian Arab Republic, Tanzania, 
Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Tuvalu, Uganda, 
Uruguay, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yugoslavia, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

[FR Doc. 94-19640 Filed 8-10-94; 8:45 am]
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