[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 196 (Tuesday, October 8, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 52735-52736]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-25769]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 59
[AD-FRL-5632-3]
National Volatile Organic Compound Emission Standards for
Architectural Coatings
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Proposed rule; reopening of public comment period.
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SUMMARY: The EPA is reopening the public comment period for the
proposed National Volatile Organic Emission Standards for Architectural
Coatings. As initially published in the Federal Register on June 25,
1996 (61 FR 32729), written comments on the proposed rule were to be
submitted to the EPA on or before August 30, 1996 (a 60-day public
comment period). On September 3, 1996 the EPA published a notice in the
Federal Register (61 FR 46410) announcing an extension of the public
comment period until September 30, 1996 (a 90-day public comment
period). The public comment period is now being reopened and will end
on November 4, 1996 (a 120-day public comment period).
As initially published in the Federal Register on June 25, 1996 (61
FR 32729), the proposed compliance date for the National Volatile
Organic Emission Standards for Architectural Coatings was April 1,
1997. This proposed compliance date is being delayed until January 1,
1998 for all regulated entities.
DATES: Comments must be submitted by November 4, 1996.
ADDRESSES: Comments. Comments should be submitted (in duplicate) to:
Air and Radiation Docket and Information Center (6102), Attention:
Docket No. A-92-18, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M Street,
SW, Washington, DC 20460. Comments and data may also be submitted
electronically by sending electronic mail (e-mail) to: a-and-r-
[email protected]. Electronic comments must be submitted as an
ASCII file, avoiding the use of special characters and any form of
encryption. Comments and data will also be accepted on diskette in
WordPerfect 5.1 file format or ASCII file format. All comments and data
in electronic form must be identified by the docket number A-92-18. No
Confidential Business Information (CBI) should be submitted through e-
mail.
Docket. The proposed regulatory text and other materials related to
this
[[Page 52736]]
rulemaking, excepting any information claimed as CBI, are available for
public review. This public record has been established for the
rulemaking under Docket No. A-92-18 and contains supporting information
used in developing the proposed rule. The docket, including paper
versions of electronic comments, is available for public inspection and
copying between 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, at the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Air and Radiation Docket and
Information Center (6102), Waterside Mall, Room M1500, 401 M Street,
SW, Washington, DC 20460; telephone number (202) 260-7548, FAX (202)
260-4400. A reasonable fee may be charged for copying.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Ellen Ducey, Coatings and Consumer
Products Group, Emission Standards Division (MD-13), U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards,
Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711, telephone number (919)
541-5408.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On June 25, 1996, at 61 FR 32729, the EPA
published the proposed National Volatile Organic Compound Emission
Standards for Architectural Coatings and provided a 60-day public
comment period. Requests were received to extend the public comment
period beyond the 60 days originally provided. In consideration of
these requests, some of which were from small businesses that will be
affected by the rule, the EPA extended the comment period by 30 days
(until September 30, 1996), in order to give all interested persons the
opportunity to comment fully. Subsequent to this extension, the EPA
received requests for additional time beyond the 90 days provided to
submit comments. In response to these additional requests for a further
extension of the comment period and because an extension of the
compliance date is being proposed, the EPA is reopening the comment
period until November 4, 1996.
The EPA has received numerous comments suggesting that the proposed
compliance date of April 1, 1997 does not provide adequate time for
some manufacturers and importers to meet the proposed rule
requirements. Although the EPA is proposing requirements similar to
those which have been in place for many years in certain areas of the
country, some manufacturers who have not marketed into these areas have
stated that they need time to complete reformulations, conduct product
testing, and make labeling changes. Many of these requests for more
compliance lead time have been from small manufacturers. In
consideration of these comments, the EPA is proposing an additional
nine months of lead time for manufacturers and importers to meet
requirements. The proposed compliance date is January 1, 1998. The EPA
requests comment on this new compliance date. Comments in support of
additional compliance time beyond this date should include detailed
information about the types of activities and time frames involved in
meeting requirements specific to a manufacturer's particular product
lines. In detailing the anticipated timing for compliance with
requirements in the proposed rule, the option to obtain a variance for
some product lines should be addressed.
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 59
Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Architectural
coatings, Ozone, Volatile organic compound.
Dated: October 2, 1996.
Richard D. Wilson,
Acting Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation.
[FR Doc. 96-25769 Filed 10-04-96; 8:45 am]
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