[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 157 (Monday, August 16, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 44452]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-21157]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Parts 52 and 97

[FRL-6422-5]


Findings of Significant Contribution and Rulemaking on Section 
126 Petitions for Purposes of Reducing Interstate Ozone Transport; 
Reopening of Comment Period

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Proposed rule; reopening of comment period.

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SUMMARY: The EPA is reopening the comment period for the proposed 
rulemaking under section 126 of the Clean Air Act (CAA) that was 
published on June 24, 1999 (64 FR 33962), regarding petitions submitted 
by eight Northeastern States for the purpose of mitigating transport of 
ozone. The June 24 proposal established a 45-day comment period, which 
ended on August 9. The EPA believes this provided an adequate 
opportunity to comment on the specific issues raised by the proposal. 
However, in response to two requests from the public, EPA is extending 
the comment period to August 25, 1999.

DATES: The EPA is reopening the comment period to end on August 25, 
1999.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted (in duplicate form if possible) to 
the Air and Radiation Docket and Information Center (6102), Attention: 
Docket No. A-97-43, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M Street 
SW, room M-1500, Washington, DC 20460, telephone (202) 260-7548. 
Comments and data may also be submitted electronically by following the 
instructions under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION of this document.
    Documents relevant to this action are available for inspection at 
the Docket Office, at the above address, between 8:00 a.m. and 5:30 
p.m., Monday though Friday, excluding legal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions concerning today's action 
should be addressed to Carla Oldham, Office of Air Quality Planning and 
Standards, Air Quality Strategies and Standards Division, MD-15, 
Research Triangle Park, NC, 27711, telephone (919) 541-3347.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background on June 24, 1999 Proposal

    The June 24 action proposed to amend two aspects of the final rule, 
issued on April 30, 1999, regarding petitions submitted by eight 
Northeastern States for the purpose of mitigating transport of one of 
the main precursors of ground-level ozone, nitrogen oxides (NOX), 
across State boundaries (see 64 FR 28250, May 25, 1999). The proposal 
was necessary to address issues rising from two recent court rulings 
related to the 8-hour ozone national ambient air quality standard and 
the NOX State implementation plan call (NOX SIP call). The EPA is not 
reopening the remainder of the April 30 final rule for public comment 
and consideration.

Availability of Related Information

    The official record for the section 126 rulemaking completed April 
30, 1999, as well as the public version of the record, has been 
established under docket number A-97-43 (including comments and data 
submitted electronically as described below). The EPA has added a new 
section to that docket for purpose of the June 24 proposed rulemaking. 
The public version of this record, including printed, paper versions of 
electronic comments, which does not include any information claimed as 
CBI, is available for inspection from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, excluding legal holidays. A reasonabale copying fee may 
be charged for copying. The rulemaking record is located at the address 
in ADDRESSES at the beginning of this document. Electronic comments can 
be sent directly to EPA at: A-and-R-D[email protected]. Electronic comments 
must be submitted as an ASCII file avoiding the use of special 
characters and any form of encryption. No confidential business 
information (CBI) should be submitted through e-mail. Comments and data 
will also be accepted on disks in WordPerfect 5.1/6.1/8.0 file format 
or ASCII file format. All comments and data in electronic form must be 
identified by the docket number A-97-43. Electronic comments on the 
June 24, 1999 proposed rulemaking may be filed online at many Federal 
Depository Libraries.
    In addition, the Federal Register rulemakings and associated 
documents are located at http://www.epa.gov/ttn/rto/126. This notice of 
reopening the comment period was made immediately available after 
signature on that web site as well as on EPA's Airlinks web site at 
http://www.epa.gov/airlinks.

    Dated: August 10, 1999.
Robert Brenner,
Acting Assistant Administrator, Air and Radiation.
[FR Doc. 99-21157 Filed 8-13-99; 8:45 am]
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