[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 204 (Monday, October 23, 2006)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 62076-62077]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-8842]


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

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Parts 51 and 52

[EPA-HQ-OAR-2003-0064; FRL-8233-4]
RIN 2060-AL75


Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) and Nonattainment 
New Source Review (NSR): Debottlenecking, Aggregation, and Project 
Netting

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of public hearing.

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

SUMMARY: The EPA is announcing a public hearing to be held on November 
6, 2006, for the proposed rule on ``Prevention of Significant 
Deterioration (PSD) and Nonattainment New Source Review (NSR): 
Debottlenecking, Aggregation, and Project Netting.'' This rulemaking 
action was published in the Federal Register on September 14, 2006 and 
proposes to revise the regulations governing the NSR programs mandated 
by parts C and D of title I of the Clean Air Act. The public hearing 
will provide interested parties the opportunity to

[[Page 62077]]

present data, views, or arguments concerning these proposed changes.

DATES: The public hearing will convene at 9 a.m. on November 6, 2006, 
and continue until 1 hour after the last registered speaker has spoken. 
People wishing to present oral testimony must pre-register by 5 p.m. on 
November 3, 2006. The EPA is willing to keep the public hearing open 
into the evening hours of November 6, 2006, if speakers are pre-
registered by the registration deadline of 5 p.m. on November 3, 2006, 
and have registered to speak during evening hours. For updates and 
additional information on the public hearing, please check EPA's Web 
site for this rulemaking at http://www.epa.gov.nsr/.

ADDRESSES: The public hearing will be held at U.S. Environmental 
Protection Agency, 109 TW Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, 
North Carolina 27709, Building C, Classroom C112. Because this hearing 
is being held at U.S. Government facilities, everyone planning to 
attend the hearing should be prepared to show valid picture 
identification to the security staff in order to gain access to the 
meeting room. In addition, you will need to obtain a property pass for 
any personal belongings you bring with you. Upon leaving the building, 
you will be required to return this property pass to the security desk. 
No large signs will be allowed in the building, cameras may only be 
used inside the classroom and outside of the building, and 
demonstrations will not be allowed on Federal property for security 
reasons. Directions to the EPA Campus are available on the Internet at 
http://www.epa.gov/rtp/facilities/maindirections.htm, along with a map 
showing the area designated for visitor parking. From there, walk 
toward the main facility and enter the center building (by the U.S. and 
EPA flags).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you would like to speak at the 
public hearing or have questions concerning the public hearing, please 
contact Ms. Pamela Long, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, OAQPS, 
Air Quality Planning Division, (C504-03), Research Triangle Park, NC 
27711, telephone (919) 541-0641, fax number (919) 541-5509, e-mail 
address [email protected].
    Questions concerning the September 14, 2006, proposed rule should 
be addressed to Mr. David Svendsgaard, U.S. EPA, Office of Air Quality 
Planning and Standards, Air Quality Policy Division, (C504-03), 
Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, telephone number (919) 541-2380, e-
mail at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The September 14, 2006, proposed rule 
changes reflect EPA's consideration of the Agency's 2002 Report to the 
President and its associated recommendations as well as discussions 
with various stakeholders including representatives of environmental 
groups, State and local governments, and industry. It proposes to 
change how emissions from units upstream or downstream from the unit(s) 
undergoing a physical change or change in the method of operation are 
included in the calculation of an emissions increase for the project. 
It also proposes to clarify and codify our policy of when emissions 
increases from multiple projects are to be aggregated together to 
determine NSR applicability. Finally, it proposes to clarify how 
emissions decreases from a project may be included in the calculation 
to determine if a significant emissions increase will result from a 
project. The EPA expects that these proposed rule changes will improve 
implementation of the program by articulating and codifying principles 
for determining major NSR applicability that we currently address 
through guidance only.
    Public hearing: The proposal for which EPA is holding the public 
hearing was published in the Federal Register on September 14, 2006, 
(71 FR 54235) and is available at: http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-15248.pdf. The 
public hearing will provide interested parties the opportunity to 
present data, views, or arguments concerning the proposed rule. The EPA 
may ask clarifying questions during the oral presentations, but will 
not respond to the presentations at that time. Written statements and 
supporting information submitted during the comment period will be 
considered with the same weight as any oral comments and supporting 
information presented at the public hearing. Written comments on the 
proposed rule must be postmarked by November 13, 2006, which is the 
closing date for the comment period, as specified in the proposal for 
the rule. However, the record will remain open until December 6, 2006, 
to allow 30 days for submittal of additional information related to the 
hearing.
    Commenters should notify Ms. Long if they will need specific 
equipment, or if there are other special needs related to providing 
comments at the hearing. The EPA will provide equipment for commenters 
to show overhead slides or make computerized slide presentations if we 
receive special requests in advance. Oral testimony will be limited to 
5 minutes for each commenter. The EPA encourages commenters to provide 
EPA with a copy of their oral testimony electronically (via e-mail, 
computer disk, or CD) or in hard copy form.
    The hearing schedule, including lists of speakers, will be posted 
on EPA's Web site http://www.epa.gov/nsr/. Verbatim transcripts of the 
hearing and written statements will be included in the docket for the 
rulemaking.

How Can I Get Copies of This Document and Other Related Information?

    The EPA has established the official public docket for the proposed 
rule entitled ``Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) and 
Nonattainment New Source Review (NSR): Debottlenecking, Aggregation, 
and Project Netting'' under Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2003-0064. Note: 
The EPA Docket Center suffered damage due to flooding during the last 
week of June 2006. The Docket Center is continuing to operate. However, 
during the cleanup, there will be temporary changes to Docket Center 
telephone numbers, addresses, and hours of operation for people who 
wish to make hand deliveries or visit the Public Reading Room to view 
documents. Consult EPA's Federal Register notice at 71 FR 38147 (July 
5, 2006) or the EPA Web site at http://www.epa.gov/epahome/dockets.htm 
for current information on docket operations, locations and telephone 
numbers. The Docket Center's mailing address for U.S. mail and the 
procedure for submitting comments to www.regulations.gov are not 
affected by the flooding and will remain the same.
    As stated previously, the proposed rule was published in the 
Federal Register on September 14, 2006 (71 FR 54235) and is available 
at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-15248.pdf.

    Dated: October 11, 2006.
Jeffrey S. Clark,
Acting Director, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards.
[FR Doc. 06-8842 Filed 10-20-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P