[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 129 (Wednesday, July 8, 2009)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 32479-32480]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-16079]


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

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Parts 80, 85, 86, 94, 1027, 1033, 1039, 1042, 1043, 1045, 
1048, 1051, 1054, 1060, 1065, and 1068

[EPA-HQ-OAR-2007-0121; FRL-8927-6]
RIN 2060-AO38


Public Hearing for the Category 3 Marine Rule

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of public hearings.

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

SUMMARY: The EPA is announcing a public hearing to be held for the 
proposed rule ``Control of Emissions from New Marine Compression-
Ignition Engines at or Above 30 Liters per Cylinder'' (the proposed 
rule is hereinafter referred to as the ``Category 3 Marine Rule''), 
which will be published separately in the Federal Register. There will 
be two hearings, one held in New York, NY, on August 4, 2009, and one 
held in Long Beach, CA on August 6, 2009.
    In a separate notice of proposed rulemaking, EPA is proposing 
emission standards for new marine diesel engines with per cylinder 
displacement at or above 30 liters (called Category 3 marine diesel 
engines) installed on U.S. vessels, under section 213 of the Clean Air 
Act (CAA or ``the Act''). The proposed engine standards are equivalent 
to the nitrogen oxides (NOX) limits recently adopted in the 
amendments to Annex VI to the International Convention for the 
Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL Annex VI) and are based on 
the position advanced by the United States Government as part of those 
international negotiations. The near-term standards for newly-built 
engines would apply beginning in 2011. Long-term standards would begin 
in 2016 and are based on the application of high-efficiency 
aftertreatment technology. We are also proposing a change to our diesel 
fuel program that would forbid the production and sale of marine fuel 
oil above 1,000 ppm sulfur for use in the waters within the proposed 
U.S. ECA and internal U.S. waters and allow for the production and sale 
of 1,000 ppm sulfur fuel for use in Category 3 marine vessels.
    The proposal is part of a coordinated strategy to ensure that all 
ships that affect U.S. air quality meet stringent NOX and 
fuel sulfur requirements. In addition, on March 27, 2009, the U.S. 
Government forwarded a proposal to the International Maritime 
Organization (IMO) to amend MARPOL Annex VI to designate an Emission 
Control Area (ECA) off U.S. coasts. If this proposed amendment is not 
timely adopted by IMO, we intend to take supplemental action to control 
emissions from vessels affecting U.S. air quality.
    The proposed regulations also include technical amendments to our 
motor vehicle and nonroad engine regulations. Many of these changes 
involve minor adjustments or corrections to our recently finalized rule 
for new nonroad spark-ignition engines, or adjustments to other 
regulatory provisions to align with this recently finalized rule. Our 
coordinated strategy also includes proposed regulations to implement 
MARPOL Annex VI pursuant to the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships.

DATES: The public hearings will be held on Tuesday, August 4, 2009 in 
New York, NY, and on Thursday, August 6, 2009, in Long Beach, CA. If 
you would like to speak at a public hearing, please notify the contact 
person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT at least ten days 
before the hearing. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for other detailed 
information regarding the public hearings for the Category 3 Marine 
Rule.

ADDRESSES: The hearings will be held at the following two locations: 
New York Marriott Downtown, 85 West Street, New York, NY 10006; and 
Westin Long Beach, 333 East Ocean Boulevard, Long Beach, CA 90802. 
Written comments on the proposed rule may also be submitted to EPA 
electronically, by mail, by facsimile, or through hand delivery/
courier. Please refer to the notice of proposed rulemaking for the 
addresses and detailed instructions for submitting written comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Amy Kopin, U.S. EPA, Office of 
Transportation and Air Quality, Assessment and Standards Division 
(ASD), Environmental Protection Agency, 2000 Traverwood Drive, Ann 
Arbor, MI 48105; telephone number: (734) 214-4417; fax number: (734) 
214-4050; e-mail address: [email protected]; or Assessment and 
Standards Division Hotline, telephone number: (734) 214-4636.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The proposal for which EPA is holding the 
public hearing will be published separately in the Federal Register. A 
pre-publication copy of the notice of proposed rulemaking is available 
on the following Web site: http://www.epa.gov/otaq/oceanvessels.htm.
    Public Hearings: The public hearings 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 hearings. 
Written comments must be received by the last day of the comment 
period, as specified in the proposal of the Category 3 Marine Rule.
    The public hearings will be held on August 4, 2009 in New York, and 
August 6, 2009, in Long Beach, CA. These hearings will both start at 10 
a.m. local time and continue until everyone has had a chance to speak. 
If you would like to speak at a public hearing, please notify the 
contact person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT at least 
ten days before the hearing. Verbatim transcripts of the hearings and 
written statements will be included in the rulemaking docket.

How Can I Get Copies of This Document, the Proposed Rule, and Other 
Related Information?

    The EPA has established a docket for this action under Docket ID 
No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2007-0121. When the proposed rule is published in the 
Federal Register, a complete set of documents related to the proposal 
will be available for public inspection at the EPA Docket Center, 
located at 1301 Constitution Avenue, NW., Room 3334, Washington, DC, 
between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal 
holidays. A reasonable fee may be charged for copying. Documents are 
also available through the electronic docket system at http://www.regulations.gov. Please refer to the notice of proposed rulemaking 
for detailed information on accessing information related to the 
proposal.

[[Page 32480]]

    The EPA has also developed a Web site for the proposed rule. A copy 
of the notice of proposed rulemaking (which is essentially the same as 
the proposal that will be published) was posted on the EPA Web site 
prior to publication in the Federal Register. The EPA Web site for the 
rulemaking, which includes information about the public hearings, can 
be found at: http://www.epa.gov/otaq/oceanvessels.htm.

    Dated: June 25, 2009.
Margo T. Oge,
Director, Office of Transportation and Air Quality.
[FR Doc. E9-16079 Filed 7-7-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P