[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 41 (Wednesday, March 1, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 11028]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-4926]



[[Page 11028]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Research and Special Programs Administration

49 CFR Parts 171, 172, 173, 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179, 180

[Docket No. RSPA-99-6283 (HM-230)]
RIN 2137-AD39


Hazardous Materials Regulations; Compatibility With the 
Regulations of the International Atomic Energy Agency

AGENCY: Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA), DOT.

ACTION: Advance notice of proposed rulemaking: extension of time to 
file comments.

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SUMMARY: RSPA is extending for 90 days, until June 29, 2000, the period 
for filing comments to an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) 
published under Docket HM-230. RSPA is taking this action in response 
to a petition filed by the United States Department of Energy (DOE). 
DOE requested that RSPA allow additional time for interested persons to 
review and provide comments on the ANPRM and the recent changes 
contained in the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) publication 
titled ``IAEA Safety Standards Series: Regulations for the Safe 
Transport of Radioactive Material, 1996 Edition, Requirements, No. ST-
1'' (hereafter referred to as ST-1).

DATES: Comments must be received on or before June 29, 2000. To the 
extent practicable, we will consider comments received after this date.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments to the Dockets Management System, 
U.S. Department of Transportation, PL 401, 400 Seventh Street, SW, 
Washington, D.C. 20590-0001. Comments should refer to Docket Number 
RSPA-99-6283 and be submitted in two copies. If you wish to receive 
confirmation of receipt of your written comments, include a self-
addressed, stamped postcard. Comments may also be submitted to the 
docket electronically by logging onto the Dockets Management System 
website at http://dms.dot.gov. Click on ``Help & Information'' to 
obtain instructions for filing the comment electronically. In every 
case, the comment should refer to the Docket number ``RSPA-99-6283''.
    The Dockets Management System is located on the Plaza level of the 
Nassif Building at the Department of Transportation at the above 
address. You can review public dockets there between the hours of 9:00 
a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. You 
can also review comments on-line at the DOT Dockets Management System 
web site at ``http://dms.dot.gov/.''

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Fred D. Ferate II, Office of 
Hazardous Materials Technology, (202) 366-4545, or Charles E. Betts, 
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards, (202) 366-8553; RSPA, U.S. 
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW, Washington, DC 
20590-0001.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On December 28, 1999, RSPA published an 
ANPRM in the Federal Register under Docket HM-230 (64 FR 72633) that 
solicits comments on the development of regulations to harmonize the 
radioactive materials requirements in the Hazardous Materials 
Regulations (HMR) with the recent changes contained in the IAEA 
publication, ST-1, on the transportation of radioactive materials. In 
the ANPRM, specific comments are requested from interested persons in 
defining the scope of the notice of proposed rulemaking, i.e., extent 
to which differences between the HMR and the IAEA publication ST-1 
should be considered in proposing changes to the HMR.
    RSPA received a petition from DOE requesting an extension of the 
comment period to the ANPRM for an additional 90 days. DOE stated that 
it is still in the process of obtaining and distributing the 
information in ST-1 to its sizeable transportation community. RSPA 
agrees additional time should be allowed and is extending the comment 
period from March 29, 2000 to June 29, 2000.

    Issued in Washington, DC on February 23, 2000, under authority 
delegated in 49 CFR Part 106.
Robert A. McGuire,
Acting Associate Administrator for Hazardous Materials Safety.
[FR Doc. 00-4926 Filed 2-29-00; 8:45 am]
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