[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 229 (Wednesday, November 28, 2001)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 59392-59393]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-29551]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Parts 3, 51, 60, 63, 70, 123, 142, 145, 162, 233, 257, 258, 
271, 281, 403, 501, 745 and 763

[FRL-7109-1]
RIN 2025-AA07


Extension of Comment Period for the Proposed Establishment of 
Electronic Reporting; Electronic Records Rule

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of comment period and supplemental 
notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is extending by 60 
days the comment period on its proposed rule for establishment of 
electronic reporting and electronic records. On August 31, 2001, EPA 
proposed conditions under which EPA would allow submission of 
electronic documents and maintenance of electronic records to satisfy 
federal environmental reporting and recordkeeping requirements in EPA's 
regulations. The comment period is being extended by 60 days to provide 
the public with additional time to evaluate and comment upon the 
complex provisions of this proposed rule. As extended by this notice, 
the comment period will now close on January 28, 2002.

DATES: In order to be considered, written comments on the proposed 
electronic reporting and electronic records rule must be submitted on 
or before January 28, 2002. Comments provided electronically will be 
considered timely if they are submitted electronically by 11:59 p.m. 
(Eastern time) January 28, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be addressed to the United States 
Environmental Protection Agency, Enforcement and Compliance Docket and 
Information Center, (Mail Code 2201A), Attn: Docket Number EC-2000-007, 
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20460. Commenters are also 
requested to submit an original and 3 copies of their written comments 
as well as an original and 3 copies of any attachments, enclosures, or 
other documents referenced in the comments. Commenters who would like 
EPA to acknowledge receipt of their comments should include a self-
addressed, stamped envelope. All comments must be postmarked or 
delivered by hand by January 28, 2002. No facsimiles (faxes) will be 
accepted. Public comments and supporting materials are available for 
viewing in the Enforcement and Compliance Docket and Information 
Center, located at 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, (Ariel Rios Building), 
2nd Floor, Room 2213, Washington, DC 20460. The documents are available 
for viewing from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding 
federal holidays. To review docket materials, it is recommended that 
the public make an appointment by calling (202) 564-2614 or (202) 564-
2119. The public may copy a maximum of 266 pages from any regulatory 
document at no cost. Additional copies cost $0.15 per page. The rule 
and some supporting materials are also available electronically on the 
Internet for public review, using a www browser type, at http://www.epa.gov/.
    EPA will also accept comments electronically. Comments should be 
addressed to the following Internet address: [email protected]. 
Electronic comments must be submitted as an ASCII, WordPerfect 5.1/6.1/
8 format file and avoid the use of special characters or any form of 
encryption. Comments in electronic format should also be identified by 
the docket number EC-2000-007. Electronic comments will be transferred 
into a paper version for the official record. EPA will attempt to 
clarify electronic comments if there is an apparent error in 
transmission.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Schwarz (2823), Office of 
Environmental Information, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 
Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20460, (202) 260-2710, 
[email protected], or Evi Huffer (2823), Office of Environmental 
Information, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania 
Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20460, (202) 260-8791, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On August 31, 2001 (66 FR 46162), EPA 
proposed a rule that would set forth the conditions under which EPA 
would prospectively allow submission of electronic documents and 
maintenance

[[Page 59393]]

of electronic records to satisfy federal environmental reporting and 
record-keeping requirements in EPA's regulations. As noted in the 
proposal (66 FR 46163), the rule would affect a broad spectrum of EPA 
programs (not merely those where specific amendments to the Code of 
Federal Regulations would be made). While the rule is voluntary because 
it does not require electronic reporting or record-keeping, for most 
programs regulated entities that currently maintain electronic records 
and who wish to continue to do so after the rule takes effect would be 
required to meet the record-keeping criteria in subpart D. As currently 
defined in the proposal, the term electronic record is broad in scope. 
Given the breadth and complexity of the rule, several commenters have 
requested additional time to evaluate and comment upon the proposed 
rule. EPA greatly values the input provided by the regulated community 
as well as the input from States that administer EPA programs. 
Accordingly, the comment period is being extended by 60 days to provide 
additional time to evaluate and comment upon the proposed rule. EPA 
particularly seeks comment on whether or not the record-keeping 
provisions in subpart D of the proposed rule should be withdrawn and 
addressed in a separate rulemaking. EPA also seeks comment on revisions 
to the record-keeping criteria or other provisions of the proposed rule 
that would make it easier for those in the regulated community who 
already maintain electronic records to continue to do so after the rule 
takes effect.
    The comment period announced in the proposed rule notice was 
scheduled to end on November 29, 2001. Today's notice extends the 
comment period on the proposed electronic reporting and record-keeping 
rule by an additional 60 days. EPA encourages the interested public to 
submit their comments as soon as possible, although all comments 
received in accordance with this notice will be considered.
    During the extended comment period, the Agency will conduct 
additional stakeholder outreach that will likely include additional 
public meetings. Meeting dates and locations will be announced through 
Federal Register notices in the upcoming weeks, as well as on EPA's web 
site at www.epa.gov/cdx.

Margaret N. Schneider,
Acting Assistant Administrator, Office of Environmental Information.
[FR Doc. 01-29551 Filed 11-27-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P