[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 51 (Thursday, March 15, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 15033]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-6430]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration

30 CFR Part 72

RIN 1219-AA74


Diesel Particulate Matter Exposure of Underground Coal Miners; 
Delay of Effective Dates

AGENCY: Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), Labor.

ACTION: Final rule; delay of effective dates and conforming amendments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the memorandum dated January 20, 2001, from 
Andrew H. Card, Jr., the Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff, 
entitled ``Regulatory Review Plan,'' published in the Federal Register 
on January 24, 2001 (66 FR 7702), the Mine Safety and Health 
Administration is delaying for 60 days the effective dates of the final 
rule entitled, ``Diesel Particulate Matter Exposure of Underground Coal 
Miners,'' published in the Federal Register on January 19, 2001 (66 FR 
5526). This temporary delay will allow the Department an opportunity 
for further consideration of this rule.

EFFECTIVE DATE: The effective date of the rule amending 30 CFR Part 72 
published on January 19, 2001, at 66 FR 5526 is delayed from March 20, 
2001, until May 21, 2001.
    In the final rule that addresses the exposure of underground coal 
miners to diesel particulate matter, the effective date of the rule is 
delayed. The rule will become effective May 21, 2001. Section 72.500(a) 
will become effective May 21, 2001; Sec. 72.501(a) will become 
effective May 21, 2001; and Sec. 72.502(a) will become effective May 
21, 2001. However, Sec. 72.500(b) will continue to apply on July 19, 
2002; Sec. 72.501(b) will continue to apply on July 21, 2003; and 
Sec. 72.501(c) will continue to apply on January 19, 2005.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David L. Meyer, Director; Office of 
Standards, Regulations, and Variances; MSHA, 4015 Wilson Boulevard, 
Arlington, Virginia 22203-1984. Mr. Meyer can be reached at 
[email protected] (E-mail), 703-235-1910 (Voice), or 703-235-5551 (fax).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On January 19, 2001, MSHA published the 
final rule addressing diesel particulate matter exposure of underground 
coal miners. The final rule establishes new health standards for 
underground coal mines that use equipment powered by diesel engines and 
requires operators of these underground mines to train miners about the 
hazards of being exposed to diesel particulate matter.
    In accordance with the January 20, 2001, memorandum from Andrew H. 
Card, this notice announces a 60-day delay of the effective date of 
certain provisions of the final regulation.

I. Delayed Effective Dates

    To the extent that 5 U.S.C. 553 applies to this action, it is 
exempt from notice and comment because it constitutes a rule of 
procedure under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(A). The Department's implementation of 
this rule without opportunity for public comment, effective immediately 
upon publication today in the Federal Register, is also based on the 
good cause exceptions in 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) and 553(d)(3), in that 
seeking public comment is impracticable, unnecessary and contrary to 
the public interest. The 60-day delay in effective dates is necessary 
to give Department officials the opportunity for further review and 
consideration of new regulations, consistent with the Assistant to the 
President's memorandum of January 20, 2001. Given the imminence of the 
effective date, seeking prior public comment on this delay is 
impractical, as well as contrary to the public interest in the orderly 
promulgation and implementation of regulations.

II. Revisions to the Regulatory Text of the Final Rule Addressing 
Diesel Particulate Matter Exposure of Underground Coal Miners

List of Subjects 30 CFR Part 72

    Coal, Diesel particulate matter, Health standards, Mine safety and 
health, Underground mines.

    The final rule published on January 19, 2001 (66 FR 5526) is 
amended as follows:

PART 72--[AMENDED]

    1. The authority citation for part 72 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 30 U.S.C. 811, 813(h), 957, 961.


Sec. 72.500  [Amended]

    2. In Sec. 72.500, paragraph (a) is amended by removing the date 
``March 20, 2001'' and adding in its place ``May 21, 2001.''


Sec. 72.501  [Amended]

    3. In Sec. 72.501, paragraph (a) is amended by removing the date 
``March 20, 2001'' and adding in its place ``May 21, 2001.''


Sec. 72.502  [Amended]

    4. In Sec. 72.502, paragraph (a) is amended by removing the date 
``March 20, 2001'' and adding in its place ``May 21, 2001.''

    Signed at Arlington, Virginia, this 12th day of March, 2001.
Robert A. Elam,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Mine Safety and Health.
[FR Doc. 01-6430 Filed 3-14-01; 8:45 am]
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