[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 117 (Monday, June 18, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Page 36273]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-14786]



[[Page 36273]]

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-9688-6]


Public Meeting on Draft Permitting Guidance for Oil and Gas 
Hydraulic Fracturing Activities Using Diesel Fuels

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or agency) is 
announcing a public meeting to discuss draft permitting guidance the 
agency has developed on the use of diesel fuels in oil and gas 
hydraulic fracturing and to solicit input during the public comment 
period. The meeting is open to all interested parties. The agency 
requests input on the following technical aspects of the draft 
permitting guidance: Diesel fuels description; diesel fuels usage 
information; permit duration and well closure; area of review; 
information submitted with the permit application; and monitoring.

DATES: The meeting will take place on Monday, June 29, 2012, in Room 
1153 EPA East, 1201 Constitution Ave. NW., Washington, DC. Participants 
may choose from two sessions, from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. or from 1:30 
p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Seating is limited. Registration will be filled on a 
first-come, first-served basis. To allow for maximum public 
participation, registrants are asked to select one session only. Pre-
registration will open on Wednesday, June 20, 2012, and close on 
Thursday, June 28, 2012, at noon. Registration may also be available at 
the door as space permits. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for 
registration details.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sherri Comerford, Office of Ground 
Water and Drinking Water, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 
Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Mailcode 4606M, Washington, DC 20460; telephone 
number: 202-564-4639; email address: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: EPA is hosting a public informational 
meeting to discuss ``Permitting Guidance for Oil and Gas Hydraulic 
Fracturing Activities Using Diesel Fuels--Draft: Underground Injection 
Control Program Guidance 84.'' The draft guidance, available 
at this Web site, http://water.epa.gov/type/groundwater/uic/class2/hydraulicfracturing/hydraulic-fracturing.cfm, is intended to provide 
information for EPA permit writers issuing permits under the Safe 
Drinking Water Act to ensure protection of underground sources of 
drinking water. The draft guidance is open for public comment from May 
10, 2012, to July 9, 2012, to allow stakeholders to provide input and 
feedback before it is finalized. The meeting is open to the public, and 
all interested stakeholders are invited to attend.
    Registration details: Registration is scheduled to open on 
Wednesday, June 20, 2012, and close on Thursday, June 28, 2012, at 
noon. Participants are requested to pre-register for either the 8:30 
a.m. to 12:00 p.m. session or the 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. session, using 
an online form that will be accessible from the following Web site: 
http://water.epa.gov/type/groundwater/uic/class2/hydraulicfracturing/wells_hydroout.cfm. Registration may also be available at the door as 
space permits. Please check the Web site for availability.
    Meeting information: Both morning and afternoon sessions will begin 
with a brief presentation by the EPA Office of Ground Water and 
Drinking Water on the basics of the guidance. Copies of EPA's 
presentation will be available at the meeting and posted on the Web at 
http://water.epa.gov/type/groundwater/uic/class2/hydraulicfracturing/wells_hydroout.cfm the day of the meeting. An oral comment session 
will follow the presentation. Oral comments will be limited to two (2) 
minutes each, and it is preferred that only one person present the 
statement on behalf of a group or organization to accommodate as many 
participants as possible. Registered attendees requesting to make an 
oral presentation will be placed on the commenting schedule. Time slots 
are limited and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. EPA 
may ask clarifying questions during the oral presentations, but will 
not respond to the presentations.
    You may present oral comments during the meeting; and/or submit 
written comments and supporting information directly to EPA. 
Instructions for submitting comments, the draft guidance, and a Federal 
Register notice providing detail on topics on which the agency invites 
comment, are available on the Web site, http://water.epa.gov/type/groundwater/uic/class2/hydraulicfracturing/hydraulic-fracturing.cfm. 
Written statements and supporting information submitted during the 
comment period will be considered in the same manner as any oral 
comments and supporting information presented at the public meeting. 
The agency requests input on the following technical aspects of the 
draft permitting guidance: diesel fuels description; diesel fuels usage 
information; permit duration and well closure; area of review; 
information submitted with the permit application; and monitoring.
    All attendees must go through a metal detector, sign in with the 
security desk, and show government-issued photo identification to enter 
the building.
    Special Accommodations: For information on access or services for 
individuals with disabilities and to request accommodation of a 
disability, please contact Sherri Comerford at (202) 564-4639 or 
[email protected], preferably at least 5 days prior to the 
meeting, to give EPA as much time as possible to process your request.

    Dated: June 11, 2012.
Pamela S. Barr,
Acting Director, Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water.
[FR Doc. 2012-14786 Filed 6-15-12; 8:45 am]
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