[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 164 (Wednesday, August 26, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Page 43124]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-20593]


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

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-8949-9]


National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants; 
Announcement of EPA Letter Addressing Recent Court Decision

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: On December 19, 2008, the United States Court of Appeals for 
the District of Columbia Circuit (DC Circuit) vacated two provisions in 
EPA's General Provisions Rule promulgated under section 112 of the 
Clean Air Act that exempt sources from the requirement to comply with 
otherwise applicable section 112(d) emission standards during periods 
of startup, shutdown and malfunction. We are announcing the public 
availability of a letter that EPA has issued addressing concerns that 
have been raised regarding the impact of that decision if the mandate 
effectuating the vacatur issues.

DATES: August 26, 2009, EPA announces the availability of EPA's letter 
related to a recent court decision regarding 40 CFR 63.6(f)(1) and 
(h)(1).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Charlie Garlow, U.S. EPA Office of 
Enforcement and Compliance Assurance, Office of Civil Enforcement, Air 
Enforcement Division (MAIL CODE 2242A), 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, 
Washington, DC 20460, telephone number (202) 564-1088, fax number (202) 
564-0068, e-mail address: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: EPA recently issued a letter, dated July 22, 
2009, from Adam Kushner, Director, Office of Civil Enforcement, to 
various parties that addresses concerns that have been raised regarding 
the impact of the decision in Sierra Club v. EPA, 551 F.3d 1019 (DC 
Cir. 2008). In that decision, the United States Court of Appeals for 
the District of Columbia Circuit (DC Circuit) vacated 40 CFR 63.6(f)(1) 
and (h)(1), which are two provisions in EPA's General Provisions Rule 
promulgated under section 112 of the Clean Air Act that exempt sources 
from the requirement to comply with otherwise applicable section 112(d) 
emission standards during periods of startup, shutdown and malfunction. 
Industry Intervenors appealed the December 2008 Sierra Club decision by 
filing petitions for rehearing. On July 30, 2009, the DC Circuit denied 
these petitions. On August 5, 2009, EPA filed a motion seeking a 60-day 
stay of the mandate. On August 6, 2009, Industry Intervenors filed a 
motion to stay the mandate pending their appeal of the decision to the 
United States Supreme Court. Until the D.C. Circuit issues a mandate 
effectuating the vacatur, 40 CFR 63.6(f)(1) and (h)(1) remain in 
effect. EPA has posted a copy of the July 22, 2009 letter and a copy of 
the Sierra Club decision on the EPA Office of Enforcement and 
Compliance Assurance Web site at http://www.epa.gov/compliance/civil/caa/ssm.html. EPA has also included on the Web site a copy of relevant 
pleadings in the Sierra Club litigation. EPA intends to update this Web 
site as appropriate with additional information relating to the Sierra 
Club decision.

    Dated: August 14, 2009.
Cynthia Giles,
Assistant Administrator, Office of Enforcement and Compliance 
Assurance.
[FR Doc. E9-20593 Filed 8-25-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P