[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 134 (Wednesday, July 15, 2009)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 34290-34291]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-16795]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 50

[EPA-HQ-OAR-2006-0922; FRL- 8930-6]
RIN 2060-AO19


Public Hearings for Primary National Ambient Air Quality 
Standards for Nitrogen Dioxide

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Announcement of public hearings.

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SUMMARY: The EPA is announcing two public hearings to be held for the 
proposed rule ``Primary National Ambient Air Quality Standards for 
Nitrogen Dioxide'' which is published elsewhere in this Federal 
Register. The hearings will be held in Arlington, Virginia, on Monday, 
August 3, 2009 and Los Angeles, California, on Thursday, August 6, 
2009.
    In the notice of proposed rulemaking, EPA proposes to make 
revisions to the primary nitrogen dioxide (NO2) national 
ambient air quality standard (NAAQS) in order to provide requisite 
protection of public health. Specifically, EPA proposes to supplement 
the current annual standard by establishing a new short-term 
NO2 standard based on the 3-year average of the 99th 
percentile (or 4th highest) of the annual distribution of 1-hour daily 
maximum concentrations. The EPA proposes to set the level of this new 
standard within the range of 80 to 100 parts per billion (ppb) and 
solicits comment on standard levels as low as 65 ppb and as high as 150 
ppb. Also, EPA proposes to establish requirements for an NO2 
monitoring network that will include monitors within 50 meters of major 
roadways. In addition, EPA is soliciting comment on an alternative 
approach to setting the standard and revising the monitoring network. 
Consistent with the terms of a consent decree, the Administrator will 
sign a notice of final rulemaking by January 22, 2010.

DATES: The public hearings will be held on August 3, 2009 in Arlington, 
Virginia, and on August 6, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Please 
refer to SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for additional information on the 
public hearings.

ADDRESSES: The hearings will be held at the following locations:
    1. Arlington, VA: Environmental Protection Agency Conference 
Center, First Floor Conference Center South, One Potomac Yard, 2777 S. 
Crystal Drive, Arlington, VA 22202. All visitors will need to go 
through security and present a valid photo identification, such as a 
driver's license.
    2. Los Angeles, CA: Sheraton Los Angeles Downtown, 711 South Hope 
Street, Los Angeles, CA 90017, telephone (213) 488-3500.
    Written comments on this 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.
    A complete set of documents related to the proposal is 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 .
    The EPA Web site for the rulemaking, which includes the proposal 
and information about the public hearings can be found at: http://www.epa.gov/air/nitrogenoxides/.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you would like to speak at the 
public hearings or have questions concerning the public hearings, 
please contact Ms. Tricia Crabtree at the address given below under 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
    Questions concerning the ``Primary National Ambient Air Quality 
Standards for Nitrogen Dioxide'' proposed rule should be addressed to 
Dr. Scott Jenkins, U.S. EPA, Office of Air Quality Planning and 
Standards, Health and Environmental Impacts Division (C504-06), 
Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, telephone (919) 541-1167, e-mail: 
[email protected] .

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The proposal for which EPA is holding the 
public hearings is published elsewhere in this Federal Register and is 
also available on the following Web site: http://www.epa.gov/air/nitrogenoxides/. The public hearings will provide interested parties 
the opportunity to present data, views, or arguments concerning the 
proposed rules. 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

[[Page 34291]]

received by the last day of the comment period, as specified in the 
proposal.
    The two public hearings will be held in Arlington, VA, on August 3, 
2009 and Los Angeles, CA, on August 6, 2009. The public hearings will 
begin each day at 9 a.m. and continue into the evening until 9 p.m. 
(local time) or later, if necessary, depending on the number of 
speakers wishing to participate. The EPA will make every effort to 
accommodate all speakers that arrive and register before 9 p.m. The EPA 
is scheduling lunch breaks from 12:30 p.m. until 2 p.m. and dinner 
breaks from 6 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. If you would like to present oral 
testimony at the hearings, please notify Ms. Tricia Crabtree (C504-02), 
U.S. EPA, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711. The preferred method for 
registering is by e-mail ([email protected]). Ms. Crabtree may be 
reached by telephone at (919) 541-5688. She will arrange a general time 
slot for you to speak. The EPA will make every effort to follow the 
schedule as closely as possible on the day of the hearings.
    Oral testimony will be limited to five (5) minutes for each 
commenter to address the proposal. We will not be providing equipment 
for commenters to show overhead slides or make computerized slide 
presentations unless we receive special requests in advance. Commenters 
should notify Ms. Crabtree if they will need specific audiovisual (AV) 
equipment. Commenters should also notify Ms. Crabtree if they need 
specific translation services for non-English speaking commenters. The 
EPA encourages commenters to provide written versions of their oral 
testimonies either electronically on computer disk or CD ROM or in 
paper copy.
    The hearing schedules, including lists of speakers, will be posted 
on EPA's Web site for the proposal at http://www.epa.gov/air/nitrogenoxides/prior to the hearings. Verbatim transcripts of the 
hearings and written statements will be included in the rulemaking 
docket.

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

    The EPA has established a docket for this action under Docket ID 
No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2006-0922. The EPA has also developed a Web site for 
nitrogen dioxide NAAQS materials, including the notice of proposed 
rulemaking, at the address given above. Please refer to the notice of 
proposed rulemaking for detailed information on accessing information 
related to the proposal.

    Dated: July 9, 2009.
Mary E. Henigin,
Acting Director, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards.
[FR Doc. E9-16795 Filed 7-14-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P