[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 9 (Wednesday, January 14, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 2194-2195]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-933]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Parts 60, 61, and 63

RIN 2060-AG21
[FRL-5950-1]


Amendments for Testing and Monitoring Provisions: Citation of 
ASTM Test Methods

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Supplementary proposal with request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This action solicits public comments on EPA's interim position 
on citing American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) methods in 
40 CFR Parts 60, 61, and 63. On August 27, 1997, ``Amendments for 
Testing and Monitoring Provisions'' was proposed in the Federal 
Register (62 FR 45369). In the proposal, ASTM methods cited in the 
subparts were amended to include all updated versions that apply. The 
EPA is now considering listing only the latest version of the methods 
instead of all individual versions. The intended effect of this action 
is to make the public aware of this interim position and to solicit 
comments from parties affected by this new listing of the methods.

DATES: Comments. Comments on this supplementary proposal must be 
received on or before March 16, 1998. This comment period does not 
apply to comments on the original amendments that were proposed on 
August 27, 1997. The comments for these amendments were due by October 
27, 1997; however, the comment period was reopened for an additional 45 
days to make comments due by January 5, 1998. The comment period for 
today's proposal is specific for comments solicited in this document.

ADDRESSES: Comments. Comments should be submitted (in duplicate, if 
possible) to: Air and Radiation Docket and Information Center (6102), 
Attention Docket No. A-97-12 (see docket section below), room M-1500, 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M Street, S.W., Washington, 
D.C. 20460. The Agency requests that a separate copy also be sent to 
the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section below.
    Docket. Docket No. A-97-12, containing materials relevant to this 
rulemaking, is available for public inspection and copying between 8:00 
a.m. and 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except for Federal holidays, 
at the EPA's Air and Radiation Docket and Information Center, Room M-
1500, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M Street, S.W., 
Washington, DC 20460; telephone (202) 260-7548. A reasonable fee may be 
charged for copying.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Foston Curtis, Emission 
Measurement Center (MD-19), Emissions, Monitoring, and Analysis 
Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, 
North Carolina 27711, telephone number (919) 541-1063 or at fax number 
(919) 541-1039.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The proposal of ``Amendments for Testing and 
Monitoring Provisions'' on August 27, 1997 updated the citations of 
ASTM methods in 40 CFR Parts 60, 61, and 63 by including the revised 
ASTM methods that have come into existence since the subpart was 
promulgated. This was done to remove the uncertainty that users of the 
methods were having over the acceptability of newer redesignated 
methods that were not cited. The ASTM normally reviews its methods 
periodically to determine if updates or revisions are needed. Changes 
are usually done to reflect improved procedures or practice, and these 
technical enhancements are in keeping with EPA's interest in using the 
best scientific information. Whenever the methods are updated or 
revised, the year associated with the method number

[[Page 2195]]

is changed to reflect the time of this revision. Although the proposal 
listed multiple dates for each method, EPA is now considering listing 
only the latest version and not previous ones. This will enable the 
Agency to comply with the trend other Federal agencies are following 
with these methods. To remove the uncertainty over which previous 
methods will then be acceptable, the preamble to the final rule will 
note that the unlisted versions that were previously listed will be 
acceptable for future use. We have considered the impact of this change 
on affected parties and do not anticipate any adverse effects. The EPA 
is soliciting public comments on this move to list only the latest 
versions of the ASTM methods.

List of Subjects

40 CFR Part 60

    Environmental protection, New sources, Test methods and procedures, 
Performance specifications, Continuous emission monitors.

40 CFR Part 61

    Environmental protection, Test methods and procedures.

40 CFR Part 63

    Environmental protection, Hazardous air pollutants, Test methods 
and procedures.

    Dated: January 7, 1998.
Robert Brenner,
Acting Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation.
[FR Doc. 98-933 Filed 1-13-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-M